Good evening everyone. I would like to welcome you to this Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 board of education meeting. We are calling the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. And if everyone could please rise for the pledge of allegiance. a reading of meeting 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 interest is discussed or 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 Schools District website. Copies of tonight's agenda and resolutions have been made available to the public via the Board of Education website. Mr. Robinson, if you could please call attendance. >> Mr. Walka,
>> Mrs. Ferrer, >> here. >> Mrs. Frisco, >> present. >> Mr. Boon, >> here. >> Thank you. Moving on to our Oh, so we can do this first.
Okay, we need a nomination for an election of a board president. Motion to nominate a board president. >> I would love to nominate a board president. >> Who would you like to nominate? >> Mrs. Pan Frisco, of course.
>> Um motion by Mr. Rocka seconded by I'll second. Are there any discussions, rebuttals, any questions? Um, I need a roll call for the nomination of president.
>> Not yet. >> Oh, you have to >> close nom. Are there any other nominations for president? Okay, I'm going to close that. Seeing none are made a motion to >> so move >> Mike and seconded by seconded by Mr.
Waka. >> Mr. Robinson if you could please call a roll. >> So official. >> Mr. Boon. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ferrara. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Prrisco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Waka. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
Statement. Pam Prrisco is hereby elected as president of the Verona Board of Education. The president assumes the chair. Here I am. >> All right. Thank you. >> On to routine matters now. >> No, not routine yet. You have to uh
someone has to nominate for >> Oh, because it's not on here. It's only president. Oh, okay. >> Even though it's not on the agenda or >> Yeah, she has a reading today. >> Okay. >> All right. I gotcha. So now I have to
nominate I need a nomination for the vice president of the Verona board of education motion. Um nomination by I'll nomin Oh, do I nominate >> Mr. I'll nominate Mr. Boone.
>> Mr. Mr. Boon. >> Okay. Any are there any other nominations? >> A second on that. Uh >> Chris, >> are there any other nominations. >> Okay, I need a motion by for no other
Chris, Mr. Waka. I'll second. I need a roll call. Roll call for nomination of vice president. >> Mr. Boone. >> Oh, yes. >> Mrs. No, I didn't know. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Prrisco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Congrats, Mr. Boone.
>> Yes. I hereby um Mr. Boon is hereby elected as the vice president of the Rona Board of Education. Vice President, please assume your chair. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Moving on to routine matters. Um I need a motion, please, to approve the regular U meeting of September 9th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Boon seconded by >> I'll second >> Mrs. Ferrer. Any other discussions?
None. I need a >> roll call, please, by Mr. Rock. >> Mr. Waka. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ferrari. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Prrisco. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. Boon. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to our superintendence report by Miss Diane D.
Jueppi. >> Good evening. Uh, I just want to start uh my report by extending a warm welcome uh to Mr. Steve Robinson who joins us as our interim business administrator. Um Mr. Robinson brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong record of
leadership in school business operations. Uh before his retirement in 2021, he served as the BA in Middletown for six years following a long and successful tenure in Livingston, a K12 district, neighboring district of a
little more than 6,000 students. Uh and he started in Livingston in 1998. During his time there, uh, he oversaw the development and implementation of approximately a $130 million budget, actively participated in collective bargaining, and successfully led four uh
bond referendums totaling more than $160 million. Um, I know that he supported a wide range of capital improvements, including a beautiful science supervisor designed by a really intelligent science super, I mean, science building. >> Top top notch.
>> Top notch. Um, in addition to district level works, Steve has been an influential figure statewide. He serves as the trustee for the New Jersey school insurance group from 2015 to 2021, as chairman of the North Jersey Educational Insurance Fund from 2010 to 2021, president of the Essex County Associ
Association of School Business Officials six times, and received the distinguished service award from the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials. We are fortunate to have someone of Steve Caliber supporting district during this transition period. Thank you, Steve. >> Thank you, Diane.
>> About that. So, those accolades are super impressive, right? Um we I know we're posting for the job now, correct? Yeah. Uh we're looking to start that the permanent position when and if we have to. We have the option for two years for him if
>> I don't. >> I'm sure he would love to be when you on once you leave this meeting, you're going to see how different Verona is uh how much you want to be here. But that's the that's those are the options that are in play. Correct. >> In the Yes. the laws in New Jersey, you can have an interim and administrative
position for up to two years. >> But we're we're looking for a new person to start. >> We are. >> We are. And that's actually going my next uh component is staffing update. So uh we are currently I'll I'll talk about um the uh business administrator search
first. So we are in round one part two. Um we had um uh done round one and as is the flavor in New Jersey right now there are several openings for BAS and it's a very competitive market. So um we are
back to round one again. We had um successful candidates come through today that we'll be um interviewing second round next week and hope to um have I think we're we're really very lucky that um both of them are very competent. So
it's just a matter of can we make that deal. >> And how do um what's your thoughts about working with particular search agency that you we selected? What's pro? >> It's Mr. Robinson. So yes. >> Oh, you're the search agency. Very interesting. Yes.
>> Yes. Yes. Um, great. I mean, both he and Dana Sullivan, who is his partner in um in in business, have been really helpful in helping me navigate. Um, we got a a decent amount of applicants. It's just a matter of of qualifications, etc., etc.
Um so in addition to the BA search, the only um teaching staff uh uh that we are in the process of hiring is for that sixth grade science position. Um in the interim, we've placed a long-term sub in that classroom who is um content
certified. She's content specialized in the process of of getting her certification. She does have a subsert. Um uh and we are interviewing next week for the permanent position in that area. Um we
are uh we are pleased to have our very esteemed group over there uh being led tonight by Mrs. Arian, our district test coordinator. first and foremost our our director of school counseling tonight serving as the district test coordinator and Laura Kohler who is our assistant
principal for special services uh at the elementary level uh will be speaking about the DM. They're here to talk about our annual testing report uh which will provide good insight into our students performance in state and uh uh other assessments along with analysis. Um we
are also very proud to recognize two students who have been named to the national merit commended scholars. Um this is a significant academic honor and places them among the top performing students in the country based on the PSAT
and MSQT or the national merit I don't remember the rest of that acron acronym um what was that score qualifying test. It's the PSAT. So congratulations to their the students and that they are Titus Holidayiday and Suri Gupta. Congratulations to both of
them. Um a reminder that we are closed this Thursday in in observance of Yampapur. Um we have um upcoming next week on October 7th Mallerie's Army Assembly. Um
some communications went out today. We will continue to advertise. Currently we have about 43 people that have responded to join uh the founder Mallerie's Army founder Diane Gman um uh at an evening of of discussion on October 7th. She's
also presenting to our students on the 6th uh at HBW and uh VHS. One quick update about the trees for schools grant. Um I did go to the training. I know we talked about the potential of not uh not accepting that grant this
year as a result of um Jorge um leaving. Uh I need a strong business person to um there's a lot of paperwork that it goes along with this grant. Uh and the bigger problem was the change in funding that we would have to put the money out of
pocket and get reimbursed in the 2026 and 2027 school year. I met with um township manager Kevin O Sullivan today and uh we are going to partner on this grant. The they are going to assist us
with funds from um the um shade tree commission. So uh this is uh doable because we're putting um some of those trees on township property. We can we can partner with that. >> Town's going to make it like a a zero sum for us or we're not losing. Is that
accurate? >> Yes. >> Excellent. Yeah, that >> so um it was nice having uh spoken with him today and uh they are also in addition to that they're offering >> Sorry to interrupt but do we need the council to say to vote yes to that or is that a done deal already? >> Uh I I don't know. That's a good
question. I I can check with Kevin tomorrow. Um I do know that they also offered um the grant writers to assist in because we wrote the grant that we received but now we have to write the grant, right? you have to go back and really hammer out this much more
in-depth grant. So, they offered us the uh the township grant writers to help um take some of that off of our plate knowing that we're a little busy here at the school district. >> Yeah, that's my report for tonight. So, um we'll go on to Ryan and then this
testing. >> Good evening. Okay, to start um last Thursday the 25th uh was back to school night and this year families were welcomed by our cheerleaders and marching band who uh kicked off the night with a live performance and parents had the opportunity to meet teachers, learn about class material and
explore the campus. Uh the event ran smoothly thanks in part to the National Honor Society volunteers who served as greeters and guides around the school. in in athletics. Continuing up the upward trend, uh the girls volleyball team defeated MKA last Wednesday and
Monontlair High School yesterday with a match against Milbour this evening and an upcoming game against the Livingston next Monday. The field hockey team uh scored a victory over Kent Place Mon uh yesterday Monday. The girls tennis team
is playing the first round of the NJSIAA region tournament today against Cedar Grove. Both cross country teams are running a joint meet at Cedar Grove Park this afternoon. And the football team swept Newark Kijiji last Saturday as there is an upcoming home game against
Hoboken this Friday night. Uh there is a home boys soccer game against Belleville tomorrow after school and tonight is the girls soccer senior night with our five soccer seniors being featured on Setto Field before uh the rivalry game against Cedar Grove. And shifting focus to the
performing arts, the VHS marching band competed against six others bands last Saturday at JP Stevens High School in Edison, New Jersey, with the marching maroon and white taking a staggering first place at the competition. Following up on the report on the first report from this month, uh the student
council speeches and elections ran smoothly with many students um especially underassmen stepping up to the occasion and sharing their valued opinions and visions after a strong selection of candidates. I'm excited to announce and congratulate the uh other members of this year's student body
executive board. Willie Rei, student body president, Andrew Acriman, student body vice president, Payne Kohler, student body secretary, and Courtney Cruz, student body social media coordinator. We will be attending a student government leadership summit tomorrow at James Caldwell High School.
And uh once more I'd like to extend my congratulations to seniors sur Gupta and Titus Holidayiday who were commended for placing among the top 50,000 students on the 2020 2024 uh PSAT and this is something new for me but I'm going to mirror something that I was inspired by
uh from Reese two years ago and starting today I will be reporting on my personal efforts and contributions as a school representative and to begin um so far I have been trying to advance student interest and awareness in school policy and I've been working to coordinate with the administration um on this matter and
also drumming up uh student council members to be familiar with the school district's chain of command to better answer questions and understand the scope of what it means to be in student council. And I've also been in talks with various clubs such as um Girls Learn International regarding the
possibility of giving presentations and Q&A sessions on policies such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. That is all for today. Thank you. Brian, you uh as far as I'm concerned, you you've earned the green light to to to kind of find your own voice, and I think you're
doing a really great job, and you're an absolute boom. I'd love to hear your reports. >> Thank you. I really appreciate it. >> Thank you, Ryan. Moving on to our presentation, Marissa
Arian, director of school and guidance. Hi. >> Good evening. Um, >> yeah, you're good to go. Well, I'm gonna um present on last spring's results on the NJSLA ELA math and science and then Miss
Kohler will come up and talk a little bit about the DLM assessment. Um, we'll begin with kind of a review. NJSLA while it's top of mind for many of us many days, it's not something that we do all that often. So, just a reminder quickly
about what it is and what it tests. Um, students in grades 3 through nine are tested in ELA, English language arts. Students in three through nine and any 10th, 11th, or 12th grader that hasn't yet met their federal math requirement,
which basically means if they come to us having not had algebra, because all of our ninth graders will have had at least algebra um, test in mathematics. And then students in grade five, eight, and 11 take the science assessment. Um, it's designed to measure how well our
students are doing. So the New Jersey state core competency standards. So we use the standards, we test to those standards to see how we are progressing. Um, it also fulfills our national federal mandate for testing. So um, we get that out of the way with one state
test and then it provides us a lot of data so that we're able to address areas of concern. We use it when we're reviewing individual um student needs, what they might be better served, what kind of interventions we may need. Um because why would anything be simple and
straightforward? The two different tests have two different score pathways. So, uh ELA and math is scored out of an 850 on each subject. There are five levels of achievement. um did not yet meet expectations, partially met expectations, approached expectations,
or then the final two, which is where we want our students to sit and meet or exceeded grade level expectations. Science scored out of 300 with four different performance levels for no good reason that it's different, below proficient, near proficiency, proficient, and then advanced
proficiency. So, we'll begin with ELA and our results. um we start with the numbers just purely numbers because our students are actually behind these numbers. So I like to start with those facts rather than just percentages. These represent real life human beings that we are teaching and educating. So
we start there. Um you can see grades 3 through 11 the number of students that we're testing and then for simplicity combining the number of students that are meet met or exceeded our expectations and then the percentages. So you could see our students are doing
very well on the ELA assessment um with the majority of our students at every grade level meeting or exceeding expectations. The not yet meeting or exceeding as I said are real life human beings. So those students need assistance and so we're so proud to be able to offer them
the assistance so that each year we continue to grow. Numbers mean nothing in isolation. And so we always want to make sure that we're looking not only as the district as a whole, but also at how individual schools are doing. We only have individual schools at the elementary level. So grades three and
four um as a whole, as a district are doing really well. And you could see the breakdown by individual school, how those students are doing. When we look at any kind of percentages, we always want to have a comparison point. So how did we do last year? um
and how many of our students met or exceeded expectation. And then if you remember when I was here in August talking about NJGPA language matters tremendously. So we say how many of our students what percentage of students were not yet meeting those expectations. They're going to get there. We will help
them get there and so they're just not there yet. Um so you can see this broken down by grade in comparison from the spring of 2024 to the spring of 2025. From fourth grade on, we saw um growth in the number of students that were
meeting or exceeding up until grade 8. We are doing exceedingly well and we take that one step forward and compare it to how we're doing in comparison to districts across the state. Um in both 2024 and 2025, we exceeded state
standards. And that's how that's nice to know. Percentage-wise, we're doing better than the state. But what's really great to see is we're actually growing much faster in our strengths than the states are than the state district as a whole is. So we're the state is only seeing small two three percentage point
growth. We had some grade levels that saw up to 10% growth. So we're not only outpacing them, but we're outpacing the growth that the other districts are seeing. So that's a really great um thing to note. Some specific notifal achievements. As I said, all of our um
tested grades at least 12 percentage points higher than the state average in meeting or exceeding, which is amazing. I'd like to particularly highlight seventh grade. You know, I've combined level four and five, but meeting and exceeding. And for most of those, level
four is actually the higher number, right? We have a lot of students, meaning maybe not as many exceeding. Seventh grade ELA is the exception. We had 83% meeting or exceeded and 53% of that was exceeding. More than half of our seventh grade in English language
art are exceeding expectations for grade level. So incredibly proud of that. We need to still address those that aren't meeting those expectations. And how are we doing that? Through the support of the board, we were able to adjust the HBW schedule. I know we talked about
that seemingly endlessly. Um, one of the amazing things that came out of that is academic intervention periods. We have been able to utilize NJSLA and MAP growth data to identify which students needed that intervention and they're
receiving that. Also, with the support of the board, we're introducing a new literacy program. K5 HMH into reading has really targeted supports for students so that we're treating them not just as numbers, but exactly what they need. And then in all of our disciplines, we
unpack NJSLA standards, the Marzano um kind of teaching model, which is also our evaluation model, but the teaching and planning model helps our students to do that, our teachers to do that, which we see the growth then in our students and we're always analyzing these data.
while could rag on the state of New Jersey for sometimes their roll out of things. One thing that they do do well when they give us back this data is it's really broken down pretty intently including right down to which of the items we did well on or not. So that can be really good information for our
faculty to dig into and kind of see where we can grow and change. So a lot of this applies to math too, but I'll go through the math as well and in that same manner first with just the numbers. This needs, I think, a little bit more
explanation. Grades three through seven, traditional. Everybody's taking everybody in grade three takes grade three math. All the way up through grade seven, everybody takes grade seven math. In grade eight is where we start to see students split. So, you see we don't obviously have a class of only 90
students in grade eight, but about half of our class took algebra 1 as eighth graders. So those numbers are actually a little misleading because it's not only eighth graders that are taking algebra 1, it's actually a combination. It's about half the freshman class that's
taking it as well. And then only students that are in their ninth grade year taking algebra, geometry, or algebra 2 would need to test. You'll see that algebra 2 only has four students testing. So I won't refer to that the rest of the the presentation because we
don't produce results when it's less than 10 students because it could be identifying for the student. But so the number of students pure numbers again they're real human students that need our love and attention every day. So the numbers of students that met or exceeded standards and those not yet meeting those and percentage-wise where we see
those as well. and then breaking it down by elementary school for third and fourth grade, you'll see um some varying results across the board, but as a district sitting above um 50% of our students meeting or exceeding
expectations there. Comparing it to um 2024 across the board in absolutely every category, we saw growth um which is incredible. Um, and some really important things to highlight, geometry.
Again, it's a small subset of the students that are actually taking geometry, but 21 percentage point growth there. And grade six math, 18 percentage, you'll see on this next slide when we compare to the state, we're just simply blowing it out of the water compared to how the state is doing
where the state is, it was a good year for math across New Jersey. Not as many negative numbers as we saw in ELA, but the state is seeing two, three, maybe even four percentage point growth. We are seeing almost double digits in every grade level. So, we're really super
proud of how our students are performing relative to their state peers. How is that happening? Um, as I said, we're really excited about the percentage of students that are meeting exceeding. It's our highest numbers in over four years in the math field. So, we're thrilled by that. We surpassed the
New Jersey average by at least 14 points in every category. Again, highlighting seventh grade. It was a tremendous year for our seventh graders. Um, that's the highest percentage of students meeting or exceeding since 2013. So, we're incredibly proud of that. Dimensions and
amplified math. Another thing that the board invested in is to credit there. um two wonderful programs that help build curious math students that build out the student centered active learning approach that our students do so well in. Teachers in grade five through eight
have gotten targeted PD to help their students continue to achieve. Again, just like in um ELA, our new schedule is allowing for academic intervention and then the same unpacking standards through Marzado and analyzing results.
I'd like to say that I'm going to continue with wowing you with results, but science is a tough spot. Um, not just for us, but for the entire state of New Jersey. So, don't let these numbers scare you off. Our students are certainly not doing as well as in science as they did in math and ELA. But
they're actually doing just as good relative to their state peers. So, the numbers look a little scary. Um, the test is not as good. the test is not utilized for any um particular quote unquote count. You know, it doesn't go to federal requirements. It doesn't go
towards um any kind of graduation requirement, anything like that. So, some things left to be desired in the state development of the test for sure. So, this is how our students are doing. Again, only um tested in grades 5, 8, and 11.
You could see how we did comparatively to um 2024 increases across the board. So maybe not the numbers we want to see. We certainly want to see more than 50% of all of our students um achieving proficiency, but we did see tremendous
growth. And then relative to the state, we once again just did so well compared to our state peers where the state saw about a 3% growth and flat in one grade. We saw um 12% growth in grade five, seven in grade four in grade eight, and
4% in grade 11. So much to be proud of in an area where there's definitely a lot more room for growth. This is an area where we're shifting a little bit of what we're doing. Um very exciting that Miss Jeppi is working directly with a lot of our science teachers. What a tremendous gift to
them. Um to have her knowledge to help them unpack the standards and that will pay dividends to our students. when you have a science-minded person that's not just approaching it from this is something extra that I have to teach but this is what I love to teach um it just
does tremendous things for students so we're really excited about that >> I interrupt >> yes please do >> Dr. Miller or Diane can jump in because >> when when we see an assessment, right, that you know a third of the state is
not meeting proficiency, right? >> And we so we want to teach to the standards that that to me that means like such a logical answer, right? Who who wouldn't say if we teach the standards then you our our test scores are likely to be higher. But if if everyone's doing this and
we're still seeing that only 30% of the students pass, to me, I think it's a a huge indicator that either the test maker um is not sharing what the what they're what standards they're actually >> testing on to the districts and there
there's a disconnect there >> or or or the other alternative is that like every district is just fumbling the ball, right? And I don't think that that that's the the likely answer. So I guess my my question is philosophically when when you have a a test that's so clearly
testing students on the things that either internally or through vendors that produce textbooks that we follow the curriculum, the kids all do their homework, they all do the assignments and a third of them are still twothirds of them are still not passing this test.
It it makes it very difficult for someone in your position or someone in Dr. Miller's position or even Diane's position to to figure out the answer because you you might be kicking the right science but it's not the science that you're being tested. >> What's wrong to do with that? It might it's not a tax question. >> No, no. I'd actually like to offer maybe
like a 2.1 option in there in that um math and ELA standards are much easier to write test questions for um in that they have a very specific sequence and a very specific everyone should be doing this exact same thing. Science we're
trying to get there. I think it was like six or seven years ago now that we brought in nextgen long time it feels like that we brought in new standards but also even when you're teaching science there's that excitement to bring in real world not that we don't do that
in math and ELA but it's easier to stick to the curriculum there when in ma in science to really engage students we love it when it becomes hands-on and there's not a great way to test what students learned in hands-on they say
they're producing a lab report, Ryan, I don't even know if you remember the a science standard, but like one of the question areas is always you have to read through the lab report and what experiment might they have done. That's not the same thing as hands-on doing it. And so there is a yes, you're right,
there's a disconnect with the test maker. Um, but there also just hasn't been an investment in that area. >> You know, we we talk about STEM and science, right? We want the challenge based learning or the problem based learning or the cooperative learning model. That's right. >> Um and and that might very well be
counter to what this particular assessment is looking for. >> And and if I had to pick between the two, I I'll take these scores and get our kids cooperating and looking to solve problems. So >> Diane could speak to whether she agreed or not, but I absolutely agree with that.
>> I just have a hard time giving too much credence to an assessment that I think is either poorly designed or poorly communicated. So I think the all the scores you showed are positive but even the the the science results that look not positive I still did a good job with
>> I agree with that. >> Yeah. I would say one other thing because the next generation science standards even though we don't technically use NGSS right now we do because it's just a carbon copy of what um we call the NJSLS in science because there's three different components to
it. There's um the practices um so scientific practices, the core ideas which is really the content and the cross cutting concepts. It's really difficult for measurement incorporated, they've come out and said this several times to write a question that addresses
that triangulation of of of uh content practices and cross cutting concepts. Test is not good. It wasn't good before we went to NGSS. Um but in Verona, we we can improve our science scores. Um we we choosing to continue with a very good
program of science K5 I'm sorry K8 um it's just that it's not aligned to the science standards and um we are focused to ch to pull this out from under teachers now where they're trying to do HMH to then cut you know change their
science program all in the same year. This is a this is a low stakes test uh because it doesn't do anything except get us um keeps us in line with ESSA. We have to do we have to test science at three grade levels. >> Um or you can see that the high school
students are across the state perform less because it doesn't count and they know it doesn't count. >> So um we definitely um are teaching good science in this district. It's just maybe not necessarily aligned with what the standards are asking at this point. Is is there a way and I asked this kind
of outside looking in um and I know the SAT of course does not have science questions >> but the ACT does there and they have an optional section >> but and on the SAT they do have science related questions I think in their reading. >> Yeah. Where I'm going with this, is
there a way that we can correlate our students scores on those tests um and compare them to what we're seeing on on this to just kind of get a better >> No, because Measurement Incorporated does not give us what what um
>> and I don't know what Cambrium uh is going to give us, but when you look what Mrs. Akan was saying earlier, uh, we get an analysis statement that shows us where our students performed on each item, right? So, we can look at that and say, okay, we are below the state, we're
way below the state on this item, go back to the curriculum, look at that standard, where's it represented in the curriculum, are we missing it, are we teaching it after the kids are tested? There's a lot of different things we can do um with that information. We don't get that same level of information about the science test. We get raw score.
>> Yeah. And just to an I don't think it answers your question, but just something else to highlight that Miss Jeppi and I literally minutes before coming over here happen to be talking about the SAT. Um, and while it is definitely not a direct correlation, um, what holds true is that our students
here in Verona on average outpace both their state and there we have national counterparts, we're outpacing them. Um, so that holds true, which is something we should all be really exceptionally proud of. our students are doing well. The education they're receiving in Verona through the support of the board
and the fabulous faculty that we have, it's helping them in all manner of ways, not the least of which is um testing. So um just to conclude my portion before I turn it over to um Miss Kohler, what's ahead is changes um and you'll see no
changes to NJSLA science. it isn't necessarily a great assessment and we're not going to invest in it to make it better. So, um, no changes there. But, um, next beginning next week, um, October 6, we have the opportunity for one last administration of what will be
known as the old NJGPA or the graduation proficiency assessment. We only have three members of the class of 2025, 2026 that still need to test. They were just students that came to us having not tested in their junior year. They're here now, so we will test them. um and
hope that they achieve the um required score to being considered graduation ready by the state. Um the NJSLA and both ELA and math is becoming an adaptive test. I sort of previewed this with everyone in August. Um we're really excited about the move to adaptive testing. Our students are very familiar
with that type of model because it is the model that MAP growth uses. Um and we believe it's a more accurate um assessment of students score just in general. adaptive testing is a better fit for assessing students ability. Um, so we're excited about that. As with any new initiative, some bumps along the
road. We will do a field test as will every other district in the state of New Jersey from October 27th to November 14th. There's a lot of days off between those dates. So, we I've met with both the high school and middle school already to identify dates to do that.
It's going to be a tight squeeze. Um I've gone to state training along with our director of technology um to learn a new system. Pearson is out um and has been supplanted by Cambium. Um so we got to meet the officials from Cambium and
learn the new platform in part. It's not fully ready. Um so as soon as that's fully ready, we'll do a roll out, but we'll field test in the fall and then spring results will be on the adaptive. So next September when I'm in front of you again, I don't know that we're going to have the comparison. It's going to be
real two different tests. So then we're going to be really talking about pure numbers. But we're excited for the change. Of course, apprehensive as with any new um product. Um something new to learn, but we're really excited for our students to have a better opportunity to
demonstrate their abilities through an adaptive testing. And we will continue to roll with the changes as they come with grace and patience. That's all we can offer. um to talk about our DM results. My wonderful colleague, Miss Lur Coler, >> Miss Miss Sacramento, I'm sorry before
I'm sorry to interrupt. Um something in the earlier part of your presentation, you were um on the language arts part. Um two questions. Um I think the there was the disparity or or the the drop offs we were seeing in
grades three and nine. >> Yeah. My question is why those grades in particular? Is it um transitionary? Is it >> So um yes, the grade three is an interesting one. It's the students first time. So you know the school counselor
me would like to say that anytime somebody's experiencing something new for the first time. It's not that the content is unfamiliar with them, but and they do take map testing, but NJS life feels more pressure despite every faculty members attempt to make it feel
like don't worry, do your best, it's the third grader's first time. Um, so part of it is that um and part of it is just there's so much many more uncontrollable variables from class to class, right? So yes, we saw a decline in third grade 24
to 25. Um there's just so much more that can't be controlled there um in terms of personality of youngsters that are taking the assessment. Um we're confident that HMH will see um really strong dividends for all of our students and we expect that to be growth. The
ninth grade one um certainly much more controllable. I think what we see in our ninth graders often is it's the only assessment that they need to take, right? They were used to taking math, English math three times a year. They don't take an ELA assessment in math at
the high school in math in the high school. They only take math. So now we're like returning back to remember this. It's important again. Is everybody focused? Is everybody paying attention? You have to do your best work. Um so there's some of that. The the drop off if you saw it was also the state drop
off. Um we saw similar numbers in terms of drop off from the state. not quite as drastic as ours, but um it it's I don't think anyone particular issue, but there was a drop off on the test. It seemed that it was a down year for ELA. Um we experienced that particularly in nth grade and an up year for math.
>> Is there something and this is my last question, I promise. as many questions as you'd like. >> I'm a third grade. Uh is there any issues and I think you kind of hinted at this of user experience with the computers, you know, just physically um the younger students may have
probably, you know, it's kind of hard to imagine with our digital natives now, but that that just being >> uh comfortable on some of the user experience, the UX on these programs can cause frustration. They're not >> Yeah, we don't see that in large scale though. I do think when you're talking
about the numbers in our district, smallcale things are harder to hide, right? We have so few students testing that even if three or four students had trouble figuring out how to type a constructed response, that could move that something, right? Our students are used to computer-based testing. Now, MAP
is adaptive and doesn't have the constructed response at that grade level that um the NJSLA might see. So, it's not brand new to them. And you're right, digital natives, but um like I said, there is some more high stakes. Remember, our teachers um are at least
partially scored on some of these results in some areas, right? It matters to the teachers, too. And that's a wonderful thing. It should matter to them, right? Again, we don't necessarily fully agree with how the state says it should matter to them, but it should, right? Student performance should be our
ultimate indicator of faculty success. Um but we bring our whole selves to that. So is there some pressure added from our teachers? Um sure that we don't necessarily see in in math but yeah we don't have any widescale technology
issues. We're so fortunate to have onetoone for all of our students. So everyone has a device. They're used to using a device. We don't necessarily see oh now we're bringing in Chromebooks that they're not used to in the classroom. Um so we don't see it that in large scale.
>> Thank you. Um, this is very anecdotal right now. Um, but again, just kind of looking at the grade three across the state, one thing that that I found interesting um, in looking at evidence statements for 345, there were standards. So, we had we
adopted new standards for 2023 and there were standards in the evidence statements that were not in the new standards. They were old standards. So, there's a very Yeah. So, there's a very good >> Did you Yeah. Yep. and grade four as well. So there's a good chance that some
of these standards where we may have been focusing on some of the language standards now they weren't tested and they were old standards that were tested. So >> that was just interesting. >> And I think that same grace and patience that we're going to extend to ourselves, I'll speak for myself, but I'm going to extend to myself when we're rolling out
a new test. On my better days, I'm able to extend to the state. um they continue to change standards and then change tests and then and I'm not really surprised to hear that though I hadn't dug deep enough to know that. I'm not surprised and I think we're going to experience it in the spring, right?
Because we're going to a completely new type of testing. As I said, I'm excited for adaptive testing, but it's unlike anything the state has done at this large scale. So things like did we test the right standards that might still be >> we have the big field test to find out.
We're gonna field test to try and help figure that out. Okay. Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. Thank you so much for having me here. I'm going to speak very briefly to the results of our dynamic um learning map assessment. So, just as we're very proud of our students who
participated in the NJSLA, we're equally proud of our students who follow a more heavily modified curriculum and those are our students who participate in the DLM assessment. So, this is a computer-based assessment. It is testing uh students proficiency in reading, in
math, and in science. This past year, we had 15 students participate in the assessment. Both students who are in our district and both students who are out of our district. So, about half and half in terms of their performance
um for well, we'll speak to ELA and math for science because it's only tested in fifth, 8th, and 11th. we didn't have the minimum number of 10 to report out for anonymity. So in terms of their uh performance in math, we did have 10
students who were emerging. We have two students approaching the target and three students who are on target. And for ELA 10 who are in the emerging category, there's these four different categories. two who are approaching the target, two at the target and we have
one student who was advanced and exceeded expectations. We did have multiple students who grew within proficiency levels. So, we are really proud of the hard work that they're doing. In terms of next steps, we really celebrate our student success. They're
working extremely hard in their classes. Um, so we let them know how well they're doing and they're really proud of their achievements, too, which is a wonderful thing. We also use the results similar to how we use NJSLA results and really break that down. We get a similar report
for DLM. So, it really talks about different areas and then we're able to um determine learning targets for our kids and also use utilize that information to inform their IEPs and their IEP goals at their annual review meetings. So, we will continue to
provide individualized instruction. We're very lucky that we have a phenomenal special education team here in Verona who work really tously to create these individualized programs for kids. They're very handson. They're very relevant to real life um experiences for
the kids and we're excited to see the growth that they continue to make. Well, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Does anyone have any other questions? Thank you for being here.
Moving on to our agenda. I need um Oh, committee reports. Finance. Did you meet? >> Did we had our uh final meeting with um Jorge, let me uh just get back to my
notes. Just bear with me one quick. Have my screen up. Oh, there we go. Um, so the the highlight of our meeting really was to go over the transition period from uh Mr. Cruz into the interim
into the new uh into the new status. U Mr. Cruz has left a um very good uh plan of attack. Uh the focus again on how we're going to be handling the ROD grant um moving into the spring. Um he uh
underscored the VA transition files which our superintendent of course is well aware of and then uh gave us an update on uh the mediation status of the uh playground um on the uh on the
repairs uh tied to that. Um effectively um the um um the the process is going as successfully as Verona could possibly hope, which is still um going to take
some time to get to where we need to be. But other than that, um business as usual. >> Thank you. Anyone have any questions? Moving on to public comments on any agenda action items. If there's anybody from the public wishing to speak, please
just state your name and you will have three minutes to address any items we're voting on. Seeing none, moving on to discussion items. Does anyone have any new business or old business that they would like to report out on?
>> Thank you. Um, I do have a couple things that I would like to report out on. So, this past Saturday, I attended the legislative committee meeting for New Jersey school boards. I'm on for our 40th district and this meeting was they
always have a guest speaker and it was Assemblyman Christopher De Phillips and Assemblyman Al Baras from our district 40. So they highlighted me because I'm part of district 40 and was at the meeting. So they were able to give me uh
a few minutes to address our assemblymen and um so they wanted to know what our some of our concerns were in our district. So I spoke about our you know teachers and our staff. Um how I feel
like everyone is just overworked, overwhelmed. there's not enough money to pay our teachers and if they could try and work harder to get funds more available for our staff that would be wonderful. Um, I spoke obviously about funding and how nervous our district is
amongst other districts about losing funds and then um addressed issues about mental health, the concerns with that and then also talked about the pilot >> and talked about with um Assemblyman Barless who actually lives in our
neighboring town in Cedar Grove. They they do something there in Cedar Grove where they every student they get from a pilot they the township gives the board of ed whatever the cost of the d it costs the district per student. So I
just um we you know we obviously spoke about pilots a lot. Everyone else chimed in. It's not just our district that's feeling it. So, it was great to have our representatives at attending this meeting. So, we were able to kind of,
you know, have a voice a little bit. >> Real quick to ask questions. BA, have you heard of other district? I've never heard of that where like it's a special category for kids drunk pilots. >> I have not heard about that one. >> That's a real unique way. >> That's how they're doing. That's how Yeah. Some >> How long How long is that like a piloted
zone? Like is that Yeah. >> Five year thing or 10 year thing? >> I think it's 20, Mr. Walker. >> That's interesting. But um two things that I I I kind of want to touch on and everybody here and everybody around town knows my disdain for everything
involving pilot. Um but the and I believe West Orange has I'm going tangental on myself here. I believe West Orange has toyed with an idea similar to Cedar Grove, but I don't have the documentation and concern is that every town's pilot
program is not the same. And I worry that the town of Verona and its pilot commitments do not lend itself to um us being able to make that request as we we found out last year. I would love for us
to be able to execute on that. Um but I think we need to again have another conversation with the town exactly on where they are committing that pilot money because as as we found it it
almost feels like at the risk of being critical of the town that they're using it to to pay their Discover card with their Visa and and so they don't have that money that that Cedar Grove might have. But if that were an option, a per
student option would be wonderful. I just want to manage expectations as we move into those conversations. You said um and I also would agree that that if this is something the town would consider, it would still move the needle in in a more positive direction than we
have now, which is which is 0.0, right? >> Um and I I think that is probably the most equitable problem solve that I' I've heard so far. So perhaps when we get a you know by a new board in January that could be something we make our new board goals
that could be something we could look at. >> Thank you. And then other thing I wanted to um next our next board of ed meeting October 14th is also the same night as uh the Verona High School cheer for a cure for the funds for Manette Angels
and Verona Eagles also participate in that. That'll take place at the high school field. And one other thing I want to um discuss is our athletic director. I know it didn't make it onto the agenda, but um Laura Pomezi is leaving
our district and I just want to wish her well and say how much she's going to be missed here in Verona. Um, I've had the pleasure of working with her on the athletics committee for many years since she's
been here. And she has brought so much positivity to this school district, to the students. I think the students are going to really miss her because I know she is really cares about the students.
>> Her resign resignation the agenda. >> No, it's not on the agenda. It came in after the agenda was finalized. >> So, in good faith. Okay. Very good. So, I just want to wish her well and I I am really truly gonna miss her here in Verona. So, >> good luck here. Here. Good luck.
>> Wish her best of luck. >> Ryan, did you want to say something? I saw you talking when I about the students. >> Definitely. like um of course Miss Palmer is very like recognized and a very respected figure like especially among like student athletes and like everyone loves when she shows up to like
literally any athletic events and it's just like it's always like a good day when she shows up and she's definitely a blow up figure so um BHS will definitely miss her dearly. Um, this is probably not the best time to
bring this up because we just, you know, spoke about Laura leaving, which is I felt terrible about and we are going to miss her. But I just had a quick question about the process of like for the large game, say like a football game. I know that the the Ral Police Department, there's usually an officer out front on Fair View. Is that
a is does the town do that or is that something that the district arranges for? Um we provide schedules for when we need police coverage. >> Okay. >> Uh to um the police. Um I will say they do not charge us. >> They don't >> they don't and that's very unusual.
>> Yeah. And and >> I they pay for them. I mean they don't do it for free. They uh the BPD covers it. >> Yeah. >> I just I just I wasn't sure and I just wanted to raise something. I I was parked down by Grove at a football game and there's always someone on Fair View,
but down on Grove there isn't. And it's very dark and there's just as many people letting out on Fair View that there are on Grove and you have cars coming and kids crossing. >> Okay. >> And it's just something even if there's a light
>> something >> we could ask, right? But like it's still not our property, right? >> It's not our property. But I just think that >> I agree with you. just have a I just have an obligation to say I I >> was there. I saw it happening. It was dark. There's a lot of people coming
out. And I think because it's you know there's so many cars now there's nowhere to park. So you have just as many people parking on Grove that you do on fair. So it's >> Are there are there any town regulations though on um on lighting? because I know when they when the stadium was being
revamped, some of the neighbors in that area were >> I'm not sure. I mean, and again, I think it would be just for as they're getting out. I really I don't know the process. I just again I have I have an obligation to say it because I saw it >> and I usually come out on Fair View. I
just happen to be on Grove waiting. So, >> and it's >> So, Diane, I'm with you in that like I don't think we're looking to take advantage of the Golden Goose by asking to do more and more and more. >> Absolutely not. >> But I I think that the interested safety. It can't hurt to to ask for that because you know >> that that's exactly where I live almost,
right? So like I I and that I know exactly what you're you're speaking. So >> or even a notice that town like listen, we have a we have um well or even just we have a police presence on Fair View. Please pick up there. You know, if you're parking, that's one thing, but if
you're picking kids up and I was there waiting, you know, even just a notice for parents or just bring your attention. >> Yeah. I'll just something >> I'll talk to Laura. She'll be here through the end of November. So, um, we'll get we'll have her reach out.
>> Yeah. All right. Thank you. >> And I think that was it. I just want to also congratulate RBHS marching maroon and white on their first place win. That's awesome. Congratulations to Ryan and your It sure is. Congrats. Um,
moving on. Do we have any >> This is Prrisco. I just have one other thing. I and we've talked about this at a few meetings uh but increasingly I remain concerned about all the ebikes um and uh ebike motorcycles whatever the heck you want to call them uh in light I
know there was a a tragic accident in one of our neighboring towns I believe it was Scotch Plains >> and Cranford. >> Yeah, another one in Cranford this morning. It's >> oh >> um you know by the grace of God we haven't had any issues in in our town.
Um but I I just want to implore our parents think twice before you're navigating into this and I again I feel like we're beating up on the town a little bit uh despite their generosity. Um, we really need to find some regulations uh that monitor this because
they are becoming a traffic hazard and a safety hazard for >> and that's across >> Yeah, it's everywhere. It's not just us. >> I will say the traffic safety committee that I serve on well actually I it usually meets the same night we're meeting. So I send Laura as Laura Pomezi
as my rep. um they have been working tirelessly to educate and and provide virtual courses for our students and their families on safe use of ebikes. >> And I I will I just I I will say and I and I do have to thank the Vermont Police Department
because they've been I think they've been really great. They have they've been great cracking down and >> um you know speaking to the kids and >> that's a great story but speaking to the kids and you know being present and >> they they have and I I do know
personally that a lot of kids have gotten rid of them already because of the effort that the cops have been put through. >> Yeah. >> So thank you to them. >> Moving on to uh correspondence. >> No correspondent. >> Okay. Moving on to our action items.
Going on to our resolutions starting with personnel. I need a motion please to approve resolutions A1 through A13. Moved by Mr. Waka, seconded by second Mrs. Ferrara. Are there any discussions
on personnel resolutions? Seeing none. >> Yeah. Oh, sorry. Oh, >> actually I had a quick question on Sure. >> A9 uh the resignation of Mr. Nicole Austin. I noticed that it was uh would be like effective till like around the
start of November. Uh is that uh like I also if I recall correctly remember that um Miss Erica Tagleó's weave is uh ending in December. Does that mean that we we have to have another weave replacement school counselor for a month or that she will
be coming back early? >> That's a great question and neither. Uh so um Mrs. Acre is going to kind of divvy up that case load to the other counselors including herself for that that month period before Mrs. Sagon returns.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, we need a roll call. Mr. Robinson, please. >> Mr. Waka, >> yes. >> Mrs. Herrera, >> yes. >> Mrs. Prrisco, >> yes. >> Mr. Boon, >> yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to our education. I
need a motion to approve resolutions B1 through B9. >> Motion by Mr. Walka, seconded by Mr. Moon Boon. Are there any discussions? Seeing none, Mr. Robinson, if you could call the role. >> Mr. Walker, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ferrer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Prrisco,
>> yes. >> Mr. Boon, >> yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to athletics and co-curricular. I need a motion, please, for C1 through C3. Motion by >> I'll move it. >> Mr. Waka seconded by >> I'll second
>> Mrs. Ferrer. Are there any discussions? Mr. Robertson if you call roll. >> Mr. Waka. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ferrer. >> Yes. >> Frisco. >> Yes. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Thank you. There are no resolutions for facilities. Moving on to finance. We need a motion to approve resolutions
E1 through E14. So motion by Mrs. Para, seconded by by Mr. Waka. Are there any discussions? Seeing none, Mr. Robinson, if you could call. >> Mr. Rock, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferrer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Pel,
>> yes. >> Mr. Boom. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to governance and policy. I need a motion to approve uh resolutions F1 through F4. Moved by Mr. Walka, seconded by Mr.
Boone. Any discussions? Seeing none, Mr. Robinson, if you could please follow. moved. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Ferrer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Prrisco, >> yes. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Thank you. I need now a I think that is
it for our meeting. Correct. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I missed that. Sorry. >> Oh, it's all the way in the bottom. Um, moving on to public comments. Is there anyone from the public? Please state your name. We have three minutes. No.
Okay. could have skipped it. Moving on. And I think that is it. So I need a mo >> motion to go into executive session. >> Oh, okay. >> Uh it it'll be short. We couldn't do it before tonight because we had
interviews. Um personnel for personnel reasons. Yes. >> So I need a motion. >> You're not going to come back, right? >> We'll be returning and no action will be taken. >> No action will take. So I need a motion to go into executive session. Motion by Mr. Walka. Seconded by >> Okay,
>> by Mr. Boon. Okay. And we are not coming back after that. So, I need then a motion to adjourn our meeting. >> You're good. >> Oh, >> yeah. You're you're you're you're making a motion right now that you're not going to come back. You're done.
>> Okay. So, thank you everyone for coming. >> Well, you have it all in favor. >> I need it all in favor. Sorry.