We appreciate you taking the time to come. Um, at this moment I have to read the video notice. This meeting is being videotaped. Anyone not wishing to be seen on the television may be excused. Could we all please stand for the pledge
of allegiance? I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Okay. Tonight we don't do not have any presentations for discussion items. We're going to talk about the homeschool policy. Dr. Dr. Hibs, if you could lead us in that, please. Sure. So, at the LA we have to roll for first.
>> Good. At the last meeting, we uh we were down a couple members. So, we wanted to give everybody the opportunity to weigh in on the homeschooling policy. What we initially were thinking was allowing students who were uh homeschooled to
participate in in sports in athletic events. The conversation then came would it also be acceptable to allow those students to also uh participate in drama activities. So that is really where we left off. uh we need to memorialize what
we're going to do so that we can finalize something for spring sports if that's the will of the board or of course we could do absolutely nothing and continue as is for the public. We do not allow uh students who are homeschooled right now to participate in
sports. So it's your time to have your conversation and we'll do whatever it is and enact whatever the will of the board is. >> Okay. Any thoughts from the board? I had sent in an email in case I couldn't be here tonight. So, I'm just going to read
what I sent in the email. >> Sure. >> And it says, "After much thought and consideration, I decided that I do not agree with allowing homeschool students to participate in school-based activities. These programs should be a privilege that that is is awarded to our students
in our public district public school. I fear that opening this up will open up other opport opportunities to open up to all members to up to other programs. As a town, we offer sports through parks and wreck that are open to all members
of our community. If a homeschool student wishes to play a sport or activity that is not offered through park and wreck, they also have the opportunity to start that sport or activity. Our students are held to a higher standard such as grade eligibility, drug testing, and discipline eligibility, just to name a
few. There is no way to follow these areas for a homeschooled student. We also utilize our school both inside and outside for practices and meetings that take place right after school, at night, and sometimes on the weekends. I don't
believe having nondists in those areas is safe. It allows access to areas of our school that a non- studentent wouldn't have access to. To me, this seems like a safety concern for our students and our staff. Our school-based activities have made our schools as
special as it is. Our students support one another and form bonds outside of the classroom and the field. These types of bonds would only exist for our township students. >> So, I will be voting no. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yeah, I do. I I think we're at a
disadvantage if we don't if we don't let the athletes I don't know of any other schools that that don't let their athletes participate if they're homeschooled. >> There may be some, but I'm not aware of any. >> Anybody else? Thank you, Ralph. >> Yep, I did. Um,
so sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. I think it's a touchy subject, but at the end of the day, these are members of our community. They're people that pay taxes. They're people that live here. They may have played wreck sports with
our kids, right? We see them at the grocery store. And for whatever reason, they chose that it's better for their child to be taught at home. And that can be religious reasons. It could be uh health reasons that the child has. Could
be you I know some kids that um have opportunity to do shows on Broadway and they have to be homeschooled because of that. And I don't know that it's for us to judge why they're doing that. But the end of the day, they pay taxes. It's not like they chose to go to a different
private school or something like that and they're a member of that community. A lot of these kids, they don't have that community for them to build their social skills and uh you they pay taxes here. I think if there's a way that we
can safely enable those children to participate in our programs, I feel like it should be their right to do that. And I think it's upon us to craft the policy in a way that enables them to take advantage of that, but also keeps our students safe
and holds them to some type of standard. you know, they have to do the drug testing, they got to try out, they got to do all the other things that the students have to do, but let's give them the opportunity to do it. >> We also talked that they would also be held to the same discipline policy that our students were held to, which would
be very important >> while we're here. Sure. >> Thank you. Anybody else? Terry, >> so I hear your concerns, Linda. I think where the policy recommendation first started when we heard first bout committee it was just restricted to
sports a and not inclusive of any other activities. So for me, um, based on the request and interest that we've received information about so far, I'm I would support allowing homeschool to children to participate in sports at the high
school level, >> but not I think that's where the policy should start. And again, we haven't really had public interest that I've been made aware of for the other things. So I think we could start there and if it becomes an issue, we could always revisit. And if there's other interests,
like I don't know that we limit um kids who have interest in high school sports um you know neighboring district neighboring districts do it um you know because we're worried about you know more problems that it presents. That's my two cents.
>> Okay. Anybody else? Okay. So that will not be coming up for a vote tonight. That will be at another time or is that tonight? >> Um no. So I guess I just need some direct apologize. I just need some direction on on whether
or not we want to alter the policy. So, I guess it might it might Nick is it is it best to have someone if they're if they're inclined to make a motion to alter the policy or is that enough? That would give you I
mean that would give you an idea and you know whether there's been need to actually go and do it before you spend the time and resources to to go through. I >> I move I move we amend the homeschooling policy to allow uh homeschooled students to participate in high school sports.
>> Is it too late to ask a question? >> No. >> I'll second and then we'll have a discussion. >> Yeah. Discussion. >> Go ahead Linda. >> Okay. My question is have you Dr. your hips. Have you spoken to the coaches,
Mr. Murphy, Mr. Corrianiano, and all of our other clubs at the high school? I mean, we can't just stop it at drama. We have to be able to open it up to everything. >> So, uh, short answer is I spoke to Mr. Klaniano and I've spoken to Mr. Murphy
several times in the past. U, my last takeaway was that we were only talking about drama. I don't think we should open this to all clubs. I think that will be an absolute nightmare. I think Terry's spot on right that we should contain it to either athletics or athletics and drama, but I don't think
we should open up to all the different clubs. We have so many. I think it's just too much in one year. And that's not really the ask either that's coming in. Um, but yes, I gave Casey the heads up and asked him to think about it and then I' I've talked to Kevin numerous times.
>> And what were their Can you tell us what their thoughts were? >> Uh, Mr. Mr. Criggley and I Casey never came back with a final answer uh through no fault of his own. Uh and then I don't want to speak for Mr. Murphy, but Mr. Murphy out of the gate felt that we had legal implications if we did not look at
the policy, >> but I think in fleshing that out with our lawyers. I think you're on firm ground to say no if you wanted to, but those are those conversations. >> So, if we were to open it up for drama, are we also opening up for the choir >> since it's all under the VPA? I think if
you were if you and I we >> this is stuff that we would have to >> you'd have to you'd have to flesh the the one that's timesensitive for right now would be sports for the spring. >> So if you want to start there I can then
go back and have deeper conversations with Mr. Criggliano about the whole VPA umbrella and then he could reach out to staff and see their thoughts as well. So, I think the logical starting point would be sports and then we could regroup for everything else.
>> Okay. And that was what your motion was for, right, Mr. instructor? Just for sports. >> My motion is just for high school sports. >> Yes. >> Okay. We're going to just poll then. We're going to have
>> Okay. All right. We'll do a roll call. We talk to sports. Uh >> I I think the motion is to have administration look to add homeschool sports for high school to the policy. We're not approving a policy tonight. Yes,
>> that's correct. >> I'll add it in. >> And it would most likely not just be the homeschooling policy. It's also I think the athletic competition policy definitely starts with the word athletic, but that also has language for a lot of school districts as well. >> And then I'll bring it to as a first read. >> I have a question.
>> Sure. Just a point of clarity, why wouldn't we do a straw poll instead of voting? Like it just feels like we're not really voting on anything. >> Like is there interest in putting it back into the policy committee, show of hands, that type of thing. I'm just wondering why we're voting on
>> um I think we discussed during policy um our last meeting >> in terms in terms of the process. >> Would I would this go back to policy committee? >> Yeah. you can actually policy altered a
few times direction. So it could really go both ways. You know, you could kick it back to policy. You could have the motion to have Dr. Hib policy would still have to come to the board for both the first and second reading. So
>> So the motion really should be going to this under discussion. So the motion is are we going to think about adding high school sports to options for homeschool children? Yeah.
>> I my understanding of the motion is whether you are instructing the administration to revisit the policy. >> Okay. >> To include high school sports >> home homeschooled students under under high school sports.
>> Okay. But we can just do a straw vote for that like in the future, right? Okay. >> Recommendation for them to be sports homeschool >> just to do the policy.
bring a draft. >> So, are we limiting limit limiting it to just homeschool students or are we opening up to kids that are in private school? >> So,
>> uh private schools would not apply. >> Okay. >> And there's already clear language uh in code for students that would attend schools like GCIT if their sport did not exist. Okay, >> we're all covered on that.
>> It sounds like the motion is to amend the homeschool policy to allow students to participate in sports high school administrator um for the high school, but we're giving you permission to look at the policy. Correct. >> Yeah, that's
>> Yep. I'll just I'll just fix the policy and bring it back to you as a first read >> to the policy committee. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Roll call. So, we're changing the pol. A vote of yes changes the policy. >> Bring it back to first read. >> Okay.
>> I'm sorry. I don't want to sound stupid, but >> I bring back a policy that'll say that homeschool kids, you know, you could just undo the motion and then straw poll it, but at this point, I I I think it we're making too much of it. So, a yes, a yes tells me to fix the policy. A no tells me not to. And then it'll have to
run through policy first and second read. >> Mrs. Clancy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hardong, >> no. >> Miss Kazmp, >> no. >> Mr. Li Liberty,
>> yes. >> Mr. Ross, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shakar, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. two four sorry 5 to two
>> okay next we're going to hear from school community relations I know that Mr. Dilio has something. But before you go, would it be okay if we do the student assessment? Gio, do you want to give your report first?
Good evening. I'm happy to inform you that the high school has had some pretty exciting couple of weeks and more amazing things coming up. The senior directed cabaret took place on January 8 and January 9th in the 11th Directors Sophia Raana and Autumn
Gavagan chose different Saturday night skits and they held auditions in October. [clears throat] They chose choreographers, glee directors, and the entire SDC cast. They hosted the show and were in charge of rehearsals, putting together all the costumes, coordinating props, and much
more. The whole show supported Project Graduation. Project Graduation is a program that we have at the high school that raises money in order for students to have a safe event after graduation to celebrate one last time as a class with their classmates and friends. It is an over 30-year tradition that we want to
keep going for our students when they graduate. The National Honor Society had its induction ceremony on Thursday, January 15th. Students who demonstrate strong character, academic success, leadership, and determination were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments. Seniors had the special
opportunity to choose someone in their lives who has made an impact on them. And as they walked across the stage, they were met by that special person where they received a National Honor ID Blue Stoation. On Friday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m., the middle school idol will be held in
the 11:12 auditorium at Washington Township High School. Middle school students will show off their talent and complete to and compete to perform their winning piece at the high school's township choir Philly Pops concert on Thursday, February 12th in the RBPAC. In
RBPAC, all the donations go towards Noah Khan's charity, the Bushy Head Project. It will be a night full of pop music and familiar tunes such as Pink, Alanis Morsette, Panic at the Disco, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, and many more. Tickets are $10 on booktix.com and $15
at the door. Come out and support the township choir and its amazing cause. Our sports team remains very successful. Our senior football quarterback, Colino, will be recognized on February 1st by the Maxwell Club of Philadelphia as a New Jersey Mini Max Award winner. On
January 22nd, I had the opportunity to speak with the high school students during both lunch periods to gather feedback. Overall, students express strong appreciation for the inclusion in our school, especially the wide variety of courses and clubs available. These opportunities allow students to connect
with one another, meet new people, and feel involved in the school community. Students especially enjoy participating in events such as January, Mr. Washington Township, school dances, and school spirit events. While students recognized that the upcoming changes to
the high school schedule could have positive outcomes, many shared concerns about the new adjustment. Students explained that having different classes each day helps keep them refreshed and more engaged. The rotating schedule also provides additional time to catch up on
school work. And for the students taking college courses, it allows time to manage their college level assignments. There is concern that shorter class periods under the new schedule may limit the time available to complete tests, quizzes, and assignments during class.
Another major concern students expressed is the current grading system. Many students still feel that the 60% and 40% grading buckets remain difficult to adjust to. With only two categories and homework and quizzes grouped together, students feel increased pressure to
perform perfectly on every assignment, quiz, and test. particularly since tests are not recoverable. With all that information I gathered, my takeaway was that students still don't completely understand the grading system and are struggling to adapt to the new policy. I think it could be beneficial to the
student body that the new grading system should be explained to them as well as a new schedule put forth for the 2026 2027 school year to allow the students to understand these changes more rationally. In February, I plan to continue gathering feedback from a larger group of students and further explore their questions and concerns.
Thank you for your time and attention. >> Thank you, Giana. Mr. Dillio, >> thank you, Miss Bloom. And I'm glad Janna's going first before me, so sometimes we uh steal each other's thunder, so now I know what she's going
to say, so we're all good. So, thank you. Um, we have we have a little bit of a video that's going to be played after I talk, but um wanted to just give a quick update about some of the things that are happening in town. Um, I don't know if anybody was able to go out uh
recently, but uh Chipotle was um a very popular place this week with um there's a dine and donate tonight if uh we're able to go and that's for the um OVMS PTO and then tomorrow night is a grade
six BHMS dine and donate at Chipotle. And uh township night at the Flyers is February 5th. So, if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, please make sure you do so. There's a flyer in the Sunday Funday newsletter that we publish every Sunday. So, you can click on that link
to see how you can order tickets. Um, and um, the pregame big game pregame project graduation gathering is still in effect. Um, they are certainly looking for people if they would like to attend. It's a great night out for adults. Uh, make sure you get your tickets. It's a
classy night out for adults while supporting seniors and project graduation. And for more information, you can either click on the flyer in the um Sunday fund day flyer or you can go to wtpspgmail.com. Um I also um would like um if we could
play the video right now and then I'll come back and talk a little bit about what we just watched. Thank you. >> [music] >> Wait, what are we doing here? I mean, I can't win a race. >> Speak for yourself. >> What do you mean? We're all going to win
this race. We're all on the same team. We're just going to pass it on. [music] Take this Hokei, pass it on to your teammates, and together we can be the champions [music] of the 2026 Hokeie S. >> We got this. [music] [music] >> Passing it on. [music]
Let's do this. The 32nd annual Helping Hands Hogy Sale. Pass it on. [music] >> On Sunday, February 8th, 2026, Super Bowl Sunday, our incredible student, staff, and community volunteers will once again take over [music] Washington
Township High School, crafting and selling delicious 1-oot hogies for a great cause. [music] This signature district fundraiser directly supports Washington Township families facing medical challenges. So, every Hogy truly makes a difference. Go.
>> Lend a helping hand by passing info to your family, friends, neighbors, everyone. >> Pass it on. Pass it on. [music] Pass it on. >> I plan on selling 10 movies. [music] Think you can beat me? This year, we're
even taking this race a step further. The winning elementary school, middle school, and club class for individual at the high school gets a trophy and bragging [music] rights for life. >> Chase it on.
>> We can't win this race alone, Township. We're all one team. Grab a Hogy, fuel your Super Bowl Sunday, and help us lend a hand, one [music] delicious hogy AT A TIME. >> IT PASS IT ON. PASS IT [screaming] ON. [music] PASS IT.
>> SO, thank you, Miss Shear. You're a very good sport. Very, very nice job. And um also want to say a special um thank you to Miss Promise who works in the HR department for putting that together. Uh she donated her time to do that. And it's just um one of those things that's
a great community thing that we do. We do a lot of community things. uh whether it's the municipality, whether it's the first responders, but we all come together on this special day and do something wonderful. And um last year we raised $35,000
and um I know the Seahawks and the Patriots are in the Super Bowl this year, but I'm hoping we can still raise just as much money. And to be honest, 2026 hasn't been that great of a year for some of our families in in the district. So, um, we're hope we're
looking to kind of help some of those people who are facing medical setbacks. Uh, something you should know is we could always use your help the day of, whatever time you can devote. Uh, we also could, um, benefit from you all sharing and everybody in this room and
everybody out in the community sharing that video that's on YouTube. Um, and, you know, just sending that out to people and and drumming up business. We do have $10 Hogis this year and for $60 you can get a tray and that's approximately seven hogies and it's
going to be intertwined with Italian hogies and turkey hogies as well because people have made um some uh headway in trying to get the turkey back. So just keep that in mind. Thank you in advance for all you do and hopefully we can uh raise just as much funds this year.
Thanks again. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to approve E1 letters of discipline? There are no correspondences at this time. >> Motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Next of the approval of the minutes. May I have a motion for approval of the minutes for the month of December? >> Sec. All in favor?
>> I. >> Okay. Okay. Under old business. Do we have any old business? >> Yes. Go ahead. Miss >> I have a couple things. First thing um is the strategic planning committee is going to get together and we wanted to
discuss as a board because it really should be everyone involved. Um what the charge of the committee would be. Um just to throw it out there as a dis as a start of discussion. Um, I would think that the charge of the committee would be finding a firm that would complete
the strategic plan and then we would go from there. So, I just wanted to get some feedback from you all about what it is you'd like to see the committee accomplish. >> I think that I think that sounds like a great plan. I think we find the right partner and then go from there. It sounds like a great plan for the
committee. >> I agree. I think the nice part about this is as Miss Gazmple was telling us earlier, it it includes a lot of people. Could you tell them all the people that would be included in this >> in creating a strategic plan? >> Yes. Well, obviously the superintendent
would be the main contact, but in the past when we did this, we put out RFPs and um picked a firm to lead the way and they do all the interviewing of stakeholders and um demographics for the district and look at the financials and all those things that need to be done
that obviously we we would not be doing as as board members. So, in terms of who's in who's on the committee, it's uh Mrs. Shear, Mrs. Hartong, me, Mrs. Blown with Mrs. Clancy as our alternate. Um and then also in terms of admin, there would be administrators there as well,
Dr. Hibs, um Mrs. Wctor and our assistant superintendent. So we would just start with that in terms of um mainly it would be a purchasing discussion. Um how would we procure go about writing this RFP? I think we
probably have one in the can we can work with and then um and updating the board all along the way as to which firm or entity would be most appropriate to help us with that. >> Thank you. And I think the other thing is at some point it will include staff
and community because we want their feedback too. >> Absolutely. They interview they I mean I think those are some of the parameters we can establish but I'm pretty sure everyone on the committee would we would all want all the board members to be interviewed the administration the teachers all the
different units um students absolutely um Giana could be a big part of that I would hope in terms of working with that would be a great resume builder for you working with the strategic planning committee um to talk to students of all levels. Do you remember in the past who
else did we just talked to taxpayers in general? Um, parents obviously in the community. So, okay. Thank you. >> I have a couple other things just real quick. >> On the strategic plan,
>> we did one. When's the last time we did one? >> I think it was like 201 18. Is it 17 18? >> Okay. Have we gone back and done an analysis of that? like a lessons learned. What did we like? What did what did we not like in that process? You
know, did it make a difference? And that that might be a good kind of look back just to see what we might want to do differently in the next RFP. >> We can put that we could get a copy of that for all the members and take a look and kind of audit that.
>> Okay. Um I just had two two quick things that are kind of like current events. Um, but one is more um old business. But in terms of the snow, uh, [clears throat] I do realize that the township is doing, you know, the best that they can to clear the main
roads and the county is as well. Um but do we have any sort of um plan in place for people who live in multif family housing where for instance some people have reached out to me they live in a place where their um homeowner not homeowners what's it called when you
rent u or condo your landlord but also if you have like a your your your association right like their HOA yet hasn't come out and cleared their internal streets yet. um and you know people who rent in apartments and stuff those kids probably won't be in school
tomorrow. So is there anything that we do in that case you know where that attendance doesn't count against them or just how are we addressing that is my question. So I think the thank you for the question. I I think the first thing to do is for us to watch uh Gretchen and I
can communicate to all the principles to keep an eye out for kids who are out tomorrow and see if we can figure out the why if they have a hardship in getting we can take a look at the attendance and see if there's an allowance to excuse for sure. Um that's that's horrible that they wouldn't do
that but we can we can certainly be as empathetic as possible. >> Okay. Thank you. And then the other thing, we've talked about this before, but I just wanted to know, is there any like what is our protocol for ICE? I think it's good to be proactive with
this. Um, you know, how are our building leaders empowered to like lawfully and calmly address these situations? And are we doing anything to ameliate the concerns of families that are, you know, sending their kids to school with documentation in their backpack and the
fears that they might have? heels of my first question. That makes sense. I'm talking about deportation police. >> I know it's not really like that much of an issue here in New Jersey yet, but they have gone into Deford and surrounding areas. And again, you know, I have families that have reached out to
me at least worrying about that. Oh, have they been here? I didn't even know that. So just sort of I think my question is more for you to you know edification to the public that would hear this you know how are we protecting kids because I know we have that in place. >> So
we we do have a plan in place. I I think before I speak on it publicly I should talk to Nick about it and make sure he agrees with our current plan or that would have come from our our prior attorney. Uh, so I will do that and I will inform the board and if anybody is ever contacted by a community member and
they're concerned about school, you can pass that directly to me. I'll be happy to look into any concerns that we have for right now. >> Thanks. >> Sure. >> Any other things for old business? >> I have one just related to the to the
snow. Um, my understanding, you know, there's another big storm coming. We don't really have the ability to go virtual from what I understand, right? Is there like a Could you maybe talk about that? What our virtual options could be?
>> Yeah. >> So, >> we're we're mandated by the state. Uh so, I'll read you the exact language. um declared state of emergency, declared public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or
officer to institute a public health related closure for more than three consecutive school days. So in order for any of of remote to be triggered, all that has to happen. So we under these circumstances, it would have to be a state of emergency that lasted over the
3 days to go into remote learning. They don't give us the opportunity to make those decisions independently even though we all wish that they would because you know we could have we could have saved time we could have done things differently but we all know these are the rules that after after co they
they memorialize these so that we could not just take a day and anyone who does take a day and says we're going to do it anyway it doesn't end up counting towards their their day requirement of learning. So even if it's a state of emergency, it has to be a state of
emergency for three or more days or more than three days. >> Yeah. And I think it actually uh it it's consecutive, too. Yep. It's three. It's three consecutive. So you can't just say we had one in January and two in February that were separated. It has to be three in a row.
Yeah. So it has to be a whopper of a snowstorm. This one I think would qualify as a whopper. uh you know it actually the the forecast that we had said that it was going to be the worst probably in almost you know well over a decade and they they are not wrong. The layer of ice is second to none. Um you
know I want to give a massive shout out to all of our crew who worked literally straight through uh poor Jeff today. I I think he had toothpicks that were keeping his eyelids open. So everyone has done such a great job with the
salting and you all know what this was. This was an initial clear and if you waited for the whole thing to clear like some thought, you couldn't move it because it was 10 or 12 in high and then it froze on the top. So, we would just we just did layer after layer after layer and then we all know what it ended
up as. It's just a solid sheet of ice that now we're going to have to navigate. So, we are going to have a delay tomorrow. Uh I did phone calls with the county three days in a row. I think for the most part everyone was really on the same page. Uh, I don't think it's sustainable to continue doing
delays. I think we're going to have to we're going to have to remodify what we do and get back to it. But sadly, I don't see the ice going anywhere. So, that was my communication that went out that said, "Please help a neighbor. Please help them chisel because really it is chiseling at this point." So,
>> quick question. So, in some developments like mine, for instance, the snow was all piled onto the corners, which is where the bus stops are. So, do we have a suggestion for parents of where their kids should wait for the bus if there's
a big pile of snow at the bus stop? >> Uh, the best the best answer I would say, and that's why the delay tomorrow to get people to see what a chance for it to look like, anywhere in the vicinity. Odds are if there's a big pile right next to it will be a smaller pile, most of which is just hard at this
point. So, anywhere in that area will get people will get will get them to the bus. The bus >> buses are are equipped to drive on like unpaved unplowed streets and safety. >> Yeah. In in driving today, uh, you know,
there was a couple more than a couple areas at Township who has been wonderful. Um, they've given us salt. You know, when one of our trucks went down, they supplied the truck for us. So, they are amazing. They were still working tirelessly today as well because it's just an enormous we're an enormous
>> people are worried about the the bus stops. >> I think I think it's a legit I think it's a legitimate concern and there's some side roads that are not okay. No, you know when you're when you're driving depending on how you drove here, you drove over snow. >> So the reality is is that New Jersey is
not built for 10 in and it's certainly not built for 10 in when there is a massive layer of ice. So, I think we have to navigate tomorrow and then we will regroup and make sure that we didn't have any hiccups that we can that we can change and we'll do the very best we can. But when you look at the and I I
raised this today and on the call having a delay for the next 12 days is not is not something we can do. No, it's just not even feasible for parents. >> So, but when you look at the next 10 days worth of weather, you know, I did weather.com. I think three or four of them out of the next 10 to 15 days were
barely above freezing at like 33 or 34, which is not going to move a a mountain of snow, >> right? >> So, we're going to need, you know, and and ice and and sun always helps, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't help that. >> It's it's a refreeze. >> Yeah, it doesn't help that. It helps when you're, you know, if you if you if
you snowblow your driveway and you have a little bit of ice, sun will help you with that, but it won't help you with this. So, we're going to navigate the best we can and then if we have uh hiccups, we'll deal with them. >> So, is there a way and again I could be completely overstepping so tell me if I am. But like for instance, I drive my
daughter to school every morning. >> Okay. >> So, if she is running late >> because of our roads, we it's >> she will that will I get a letter of discipline. >> Now, on parents, >> don't worry for for the next few days. school will will be as humanistic as
possible depending if you're in a car and look we we we know out of the gate that more people are going to want to drive their kids tomorrow. So if you're stuck in the car line and you're 30 seconds late to class, 2 minutes late to class, no fall on your own. That's not something we're worried about.
>> We're worried about people being safe. >> Absolutely. Everything we're we're trickle down. Yep. Julie's 100% right. Yep. We'll be as humanistic as possible. >> So Dr. Dr. Hibs, if if things come up, it sounds like your recommendation is
parents should start with their teachers first, letting them know what's going on, and then if if need arise to like escalate it to anyone else, they should just start with their their teachers. >> You mean if they're not plowed out, >> right? If they can't come to school, if they're going to be late. >> Yeah, absolutely. And they could start
with their indiv. I would say the the the principal or the vice principal and and we can deal with it. If if that's truly the case, we won't mark the kids late. We'll help them and and figure out a way to help. That's Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. Any other old business?
>> I don't know if it's old business. It might be new business because we haven't discussed it. I, you know, I always get old business and new business confused for some reason. Um, I want to touch on what Gianna said because I think it's important. I I think we need to do
something to communicate with our high school students because a lot of them are very confused with the whole grading system. A lot of them like I know my daughter and her friends are don't have they have no idea what's going on and they're very concerned about the
schedule change for next year. So, is there a way that we can I mean, I know the counselors did a decent job of explaining it, but I feel like there's a lot of questions out there still from the kids, not from the adults mo more, but I think it's more from the kids. And
I I think they kind of deserve a better clarification of it. I already sent uh I already have on on Gretchen's list uh the concept of let's figure out how to commun communicate to kids about the grading and any issues they might have. They might not like the policy, but
let's communicate it out the right way. The schedule, we won't have all the answers right now because we're not there yet. But once we are there, we can do the exact same thing. >> I think as far as that goes, change is difficult. Any change is difficult whether you're young or you're older.
And since my children are a lot older than any of your children, this is very similar to what they did when they were in school. And it it did work at that that time. So hopefully once there is more information out there, people will become more confident with the decision
that was made. >> Okay. Under all business too, we had the committee reports last week and I I'm happy to report that we will be having a board retreat to go over budget items on Sunday, March 8th, and most of us will
be able to be there. So I'm very happy about that. And as far as I think our reorganization meeting was I think on January 6th and I actually made my first mistake as a president because there was something I didn't do that I should have
done and I'd like to do it now. Um at our reorganization meeting I was actually feeling a little overwhelmed. Because of this I failed to thank Miss Kazmple and Mr. Serrano for their leadership during the terms as president
and vice president for 2025. Miss Kazmpo became involved in New Jersey associations and encourage board members to attend some of the activities including a Glouester County event
hosted by Washington Township Public Schools a few months ago. She helped the board hold a meeting with our New Jersey School Board Association representative to help the board complete a self-s survey of the strengths and the
weaknesses of our board. This survey survey guided the board this fall as the board put together board goals. These goals will be used to keep the board focused on specific areas meant to improve the overall success of our
schools. Miss Kazmple has so much knowledge about the working of the board because of all the years that she has spent on the board. Mr. Serrano worked with Miss Kazmple throughout the year and participated in various important
board committees including negotiations and the business committee. He also supported Miss Gazemple throughout his term. As a fellow board member, please join me in thanking Miss Kazmple and Mr. around for their service to the boards
to the student, staff, and community during the previous school board year. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah, >> thank you. I'm sorry Steve's not here to hear that, but he has to work, you know, for Atlantic City Electric, but that was really sweet. Thank you. >> Love you.
>> Thank you. Okay, no more old business. Okay, let's me look at my list and we'll move on. Um, after that, may I have a motion to open the mean to the public? Um,
motion carries. Are there any cards? Here we come. Thank you. >> Yes, Miss Lenudi, just stay where you are. Thank you. >> Ready? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, I saw that ESY was on the agenda for tonight. Um, but there was no
extended ESY on the agenda. Um, so I wanted to know if that is still on track for being approved and when that will happen. Um, I also saw on the MOA that was approved um that overtime hours for
on call was bumped from 2 to 4. I think that's great for them. That's a standard is to MUA, other municipal. I think that's really great for them. However, um we cut specialized aids by 15 minutes
and most of them stay every single day for 15 minutes or more. Um to make sure our kids are like safely put on the bus and to continue doing their job and they get no compensation. So if a pager goes off or on call and
they work eight minutes, they're automatically paid for four hours. If that happens three times, they're automatically paid for 12 hours. Does anybody even acknowledge our staff that stays past their contracted time every
single day to make sure our kids are safe with no compensation. I I love that for the staff that got that. I hate that for the staff that probably feels a certain way seeing that. Nobody will
ever tell you that in their position, but I know that they do that and it's awful that they got their benefits cut and they got their hours cut and they got all of these things taken away from them and they choose to do that every day and other employees are getting
bumped up. Um I also um saw that there was 10 kids being approved for out of district. That's $371,331.60 just for this agenda for the year. I stood here a couple times and I said that because of all of this and our
district being so out of compliance, that was a fear of mine is that we were going to see this influx of kids going out of district. I have no idea why these 10 kids are going out of district, but from a from a mom standpoint, it's really difficult to see that that's
starting. Um, I'm sure all of the 10 kids are very different reasons, but it really sucks that we can't take care of them here with their siblings, with their peers, with their neighborhood friends. What is happening? 10 kids in one agenda is a
really high number for us to not be able to take care of these kids here. Um, I really hope that this isn't the start of taking our kids and pushing them out of district. >> Thank you. Um, I don't have a lot to say
on that. I'm sure can add something, but I do know that we have reduced the number of students that go out of district over the years. We have had that welcome home program and we brought back a lot of children. And just as an assumption, I would assume that this has
to do with specific needs of these students. And I'm sure that we're always working on trying to bring students back, but in some cases, it's not best for the student. And Dr. Dr. Hibbs, would you like to speak further on this? >> I think you did a great job on that one.
>> Okay. But thank you. I love your passion for our special ed students. So, thank you. Come up and speak whenever you need to. Thank you. >> And I know that we I I believe we added time to the regular ESY, Nicole, but I'll get back to you on the extended piece.
>> Okay. Anyone else? I don't see any other call. >> I have a question. I don't think that was negotiated. I think that could something that could have been in negotiations if they had put it in there, but I don't believe that was on up for negotiation for the negotiation
people. >> I think that's something negotiated. >> Okay. Go ahead. Do you have anything? >> I I'm just going to say I you know, we probably shouldn't comment on the negotiations at this point, but I understand what you're saying. There is
a process. the process is the process is followed and there's an agreement that gets presented you know by both negotiation committees um and and that's ultimately what gets >> okay >> okay can I have a motion to close to the
public >> second >> all in favor >> I >> Okay next we have a report from the superintendent there's a motion um There are five items and we're going to have him speak now and then have some
discussion. Roll call to go to that or no roll call. All right. Go ahead. Motion >> to hear the report. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I
just um real quick I'd like to um thank his name um Mr. Novak for his his donation. Thank you. >> And I'm going to turn it back to our president, uh, Mrs. Bloom, who's going
to recognize school board recognition month. >> Yes. This I had never heard of before. I know Miss Kazmple, you did something last year. >> Yeah. Which was appreciated. This year we have a few other things. We have certificates again. I think Miss Reese
put Mrs. Reese put together. They're beautiful. It says in recognition of of your dedicated service to the students in our community. And I think one thing to remember when you look at schoolboard members, they're elected, but they are also volunteers. So in addition to that,
I just have a little something, a little quote on volunteers. Volunteers don't get paid not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. And this is just a little appreciation for all of our board members. And could we have a round of applause for all of us?
And we thank we thank each other for the hard work that goes into it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Dr. Hibs, >> anything else? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay, >> there was one other one other donation.
just wanted to make I think uh the R RNA flooring right they had a nice donation for a few tracks so thank you >> okay um under instructional affairs there are no items at this time under policy
>> motion >> oh I'm sorry we have to approve we have to approve the superintendent's recommendations items one through Five. Any discussion of that? >> Motion
to approve items one through five. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Clancy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hartung. >> Yes. >> Miss Kazempo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Li Liberty. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Ross. >> Yes. [snorts] >> Mrs. Shar. >> Yes. >> Miss Bloom. Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Okay. In structural affairs, there's nothing policy. We need a motion and a second to approve policy items one and
two. >> Motion to approve items one and two. >> Discussion. >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. Discussion. Okay. Being on roll call. >> Mrs. Hartung.
>> Yes. >> Miss Kazmpo. >> Yes. Mr. Li Liberty. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ross, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shakar, >> yes. >> Mr. No. Mrs. Clancy, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Bloom, >> yes. >> Okay, that carried under student activities and communications. Motion and second to approve student activity, communications items one and two. >> So moved.
>> Second. Discussion. Okay. No discussion. So, could we have the roll call? >> Miss Kazmple? >> Yes. >> Mr. Li Liberty? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ross? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shar? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clancy?
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Hart? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bloom? >> Yes. >> Motion carried under human resources. We need a motion and a second to approve human resources. We have items 1 through 29.
Motion to approve. >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Real quick, just for clarity, Nick, do I have to abstain for any of them for the salary
adjustments too or is it just contract stuff? My lawyer. >> Oh, you're not. I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. My sister works in the district, so I have to abstain from support staff and the principal and Dr.
Hibs. >> So, basically everything. >> Okay. So, I should abstain from the ones that are on here. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And just real quick, um Terry and I have to abstain on the A5 because we're on there for professional development.
So, usually you abstain from that. >> Okay. Um, go ahead because I need to look at what I have >> for retirements. Uh, Fran Mulvah Hills retiring after 25 years. I know she'll be uh very very missed.
>> Hey, Franny. >> Especially by my kids loved her. Um, Anthonyoso is retiring after 10 years. Congratulations. You'll be missed. and Marie Pierce retiring after 12 years with the district. So, thank you for
your service. >> All right. Thank you. [applause] >> Okay. Roll call. >> Mr. Li Liberty. >> Okay. I'm going to abstain on five through 10. Yes to the rest.
Mr. Ross, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shear, >> I didn't realize that conflict, but I'll abstain on item one and yes to the rest. >> Mrs. Clancy, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Harong, >> I'm going to abstain for 7 through 10 and yes to the rest. Miss Kazmple abstain initials JK on item one. Yes to all. Yes to the rest.
>> Mrs. Bloom. >> I abstain on number six and eight. Yes to the rest. Motion carried. Yes. All right. The motion carried. >> We have >> five certainly
>> one, two, three. Correct. >> One, two, You have three extensions. Um, >> no, no, no, no. Don't worry about it. >> Seven.
>> Six and eight. >> Seven and eight or six through eight. >> Six and eight. >> Six and eight. >> And then seven through 10 or seven. >> She didn't >> Linda was seven through 10.
All right. So, we have four. >> Oh, yes. >> It pass. Um, >> yeah, I should have said five. >> Thank you. It should have been five. I thought it was Doesn't it need five
because it's personnel, Nick? Thought it was Oh, no. You're right. I was looking at the secretaries. Thank you. which should have been five >> and eight. You're still one. >> One second.
Pat, didn't did Mrs. Baker say to call her if we needed >> if need be? Yes. >> Going to need it. >> All right. because we're dealing with salary guides and and it's for general staff, we need a quorum of the majority
present. So, we're motion passes. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you for clarifying that. >> You're welcome. >> And thank you, Mr. Ross, for that suggestion. Thank you. Okay. We're moving on to finance and facilities. Motion and second to approve items 1
through 15 under finance and facilities. Motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Second. Discussion. No discussion. Roll call. >> Mr. Ross. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shakar.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Clancy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hartung. >> Yes. >> Miss Kazempo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Li Liberty. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bloom. Yes.
Under motion carries. Under special education motion and second to approve items 1 through 10 under special education. Motion to approve. >> So moved. >> I think we skipped second. >> I think we skipped >> discussion.
>> Seeing no discussion. Roll call. >> Mrs. Shear. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Clancy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tarton. >> Yes. >> Miss Kazmple. >> Yes. >> Mr. Liberty.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Ross. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bloom. >> Yes. Negotiations. There's nothing at this time. Under new be business. Does anyone on the board have new business to
discuss? No. Looks like we do not have any new business. So, we'll move on to open to the public. May I have a motion to open to the public? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Okay. >> Motion carried. >> I made motion. >> And we have a we have a card. >> And she knows to wait there. Good job. >> Okay. We're going to hear from Miss
Capio. Capio. >> Um, I want to thank Dr. Hibbs for making the call of no school yesterday and an early u late start tomorrow. Heritage Valley is still a disgrace. I have reached out
to the councilman to see if we can get our bus stops cleared because we have elementary kids that are going to be on ice. Um, so hopefully we we get some resolution in Heritage Valley for that. Um,
what I'm up here to talk about tonight is I have an upcoming senior class of 2027 and we are in receipt of the changes to the high school rotating schedule back to the straight eight schedule. I personally don't have a problem with
that. I think it makes more sense. Um, my concern is how we got there. It's my understanding or assumption that this was something that needed to be approved by the board and it has not been heard by the public or at a board meeting that
I've attended since April. Um so my concern is more of how we got back to changing the schedule. Um and then the senior privilege. So according to the New Jersey statute 6A 328.3 full session
is a 4h hour of instructional time. So doing the math for the 2627 school year senior privilege would be changing to six classes with the lunch. Um but this has not again been discussed publicly.
So thank you for bringing that up that we're going to have more discussions on how this gets out there. Um, has the district been in compliance with the current senior privilege? I know that this has been brought up previously as to whether or not it needed to be
changed because students were congregating in various areas. Um, which leads me to the next point of busing it during our counseling meeting for picking classes for next year. seniors
will that are approved for the senior privilege do not have busing. So maybe if they had busing, they wouldn't be congregating in some of the areas that they are. Um I don't know when this the senior privilege changed for busing or
busing changed for senior privilege. Um, so I wanted to know about that and whether or not it just includes the afternoon busing or is it both morning and afternoon that students will not have a bus. Um,
and given the 4hour rule for New Jersey, um, are we in compliance with the current senior privilege? Um,
finally the I understand it is not the board's responsibility. It is the height the building principle that will make up the schedule. So I am going to ask that Mr. Anderson with support of this board
look at scheduling the seniors that are approved for senior privilege have lunch at 6th period so they could leave at 11:40 versus staying until 12:30. Um there's really no reason for them to
stay just for lunch in my opinion. Um and if there is some reason why that can't be done, why? Um, also on the >> um, we're we're over your time. Is it
something that you could maybe talk to Dr. Hibbs about after the meeting? >> Well, the it was only a statement about the link to the Washington Township program of study link that was sent out or that is on our power whatever Genesis
half of part part of the pages are blurry. You can't read them. If that could just get corrected. So that wasn't a question, that was just a statement. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Dr. Hibs. >> Yeah. Um, first thing I you can
definitely reach out to Mr. Anderson and ask. I can't guarantee an answer, but that would that would be that. Um, we're happy to take a look at the program of study. I'm not sure. Maybe we had a blurry page. We can look at that as well. Uh as far as the the schedule, uh the
schedule changed uh as a result of the mutual agreement between both uh the board and the WTA and that was memorialized in the contract. That was that change. Um I think that there's there's hiccups.
There's things we're going to have to navigate this year to go back to a straight eight schedule that we have to navigate. We have issues with students who want to take extra classes and now they might have to eat inside of classrooms because they want to give up to take the extra elective to get to a
certain spot. So, we're going to have to navigate all of that together. As far as the uh as far as the senior privilege goes, we absolutely uh needed to meet the the 4hour requirement. So, that was a change for next year and we made sure
to do that. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Hibs. Welcome. >> Oh, a motion to close to the public. >> Motion to close to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Okay, the meeting is adjourned. >> Um >> motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> have a good evening everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you.