WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=1tmR0Ug1CdA Part: 1 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:01:16.600 and the flashlight >> Welcome to Winslow Township special board of education and meeting. Today is Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026. Public notice 2 00:01:16.600 --> 00:01:32.600 of this meeting was given to all board members and associates in a notice dated July 20th, 2026. Adequate 3 00:01:32.600 --> 00:01:48.040 and electronic notice of this public meeting has been provided specifying the time, place, and manner in which this meeting is being conducted. It was posted 4 00:01:48.040 --> 00:02:04.800 on all district websites and all schools, the administration office, the municipal building, the library, above Doobel Center Edgewood Acres 5 00:02:04.800 --> 00:02:19.920 town and the Winslow Township Post Office. Mission statement. >> The mission of the Winslow Township School District, a large, diverse, and growing community, is to educate all students to become independent, lifelong 6 00:02:19.920 --> 00:02:36.840 learners, critical thinkers, and caring and competent members of their community. The district, in partnership with the community, and in a climate of cooperation, mutual respect, will provide an academic environment which values excellence and diversity encourages students to 7 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:52.920 strive for personal excellence and assist them in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to contribute positively to a rapidly changing world. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Clark. >> Here. >> Ms. Dredden. >> Here. 8 00:02:52.920 --> 00:03:08.239 >> Ms. Floyd. >> Present. >> Ms. Martin. >> Present. >> Mr. Matthews. >> Present. >> Ms. Neather. Present. Mr. Shaw. >> Present. >> Ms. Pitts. >> Present. >> Mr. Thomas. >> Present. >> We have a quorum. 9 00:03:08.239 --> 00:03:28.360 >> Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> District [clears throat] goals. 10 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:44.480 >> 2025-2026 district goals. First one, student achievement. We plan to continue to implement research-based best practices for delivering instruction and accelerating learning to all students, including all 11 00:03:44.480 --> 00:04:01.240 subgroups. This shall include number one we will conduct weekly administrative walk-throughs to monitor teaching and learning. And then secondly, we plan to utilize the district diagnostic assessment platform 12 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:17.799 which helps us to analyze student data to inform and guide instruction. Helps us to monitor and track measurable growth in the ELA and mathematics in grade 1 through 9. And it helps us to implement creative ways to accelerate 13 00:04:17.799 --> 00:04:33.120 student learning by providing additional support throughout and beyond the school day. Our second goal, to promote a positive environment for students and staff. And we do that by enforcing the code of conduct 14 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:50.080 to ensure safety for students and staff and compliance with district policies. Number two, by incorporating social emotional learning opportunities for students to celebrate positive behaviors. And number three, do that by developing strategies for 15 00:04:50.080 --> 00:05:07.000 students with significant behaviors to reduce the interruption of instructional time, decrease negative actions, and improve school attendance. And our third district goal is to increase stakeholder engage- 16 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:23.640 engagement and we plan to do that by exploring and expanding innovative opportunities to increase parent communication by creating parent learning opportunities with the focus on how to support their child's learning and by continuing to share the 17 00:05:23.640 --> 00:05:40.280 accomplishments of Winslow students and all student activities. >> Thank you. Before we move on, I just like to read a statement that I have. To the residents of Winslow Township, our students, parents, 18 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:55.720 staff, fellow board members. Leadership requires accountability. As the president of Winslow Township Board of Education, I believe that when concerns arise, it's my responsibility to address them 19 00:05:55.720 --> 00:06:11.440 openly, learn from them, and improve our processes. Following the board's recent approval, information has come to my attention regarding what we have approved. While the board does not conduct the 20 00:06:11.440 --> 00:06:27.480 hiring process, I recognize that as a president, I have the responsibility to ensure board members receive the information necessary to make informed decisions. For that reason, I want to acknowledge our community's concerns, and I 21 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:42.440 apologize. The purpose of this special meeting is not to assign blame or prejudge any individual. It is to review our hiring process, identify any improvements needed to strengthen strengthen future hiring decisions. 22 00:06:42.440 --> 00:06:58.680 I firmly believe that accountability begins with leadership. If I expect honesty, transparency, and responsibility from others, I must first demonstrate those same values myself. My hope is that this review will 23 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:13.880 reinforce our culture and openness, continuous improvement, and public trust. My most importantly, our focus remains on our number one priority, student achievement. Every decision we make must support the 24 00:07:13.880 --> 00:07:31.480 success of our students and ensure that our schools are led by the highest quality professionals. Together, we will learn from this experience, strengthen our process, and continue serving our community with integrity, transparency, and accountability. At this time, I'm 25 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:48.640 looking for a motion to go into executive session. >> We will be going into executive session of the nine exceptions. I believe it's item eight. I let Mr. Thomas have my agenda cuz he did not have one. Um but it's matters in regarding 26 00:07:48.640 --> 00:08:04.160 employment in terms of conditions of employment. And I'm going to anticipate we'd be there anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. >> Okay, I'll put this Excuse me. Um President I'm just getting over public comments. >> We can go back and do public comments or we can do them now. 27 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:19.800 >> Okay. >> I'm looking for a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> [clears throat] >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Uh Mr. Excuse me, Mr. Thomas. The motion was made by to go into exec. >> Yes. 28 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:36.320 >> Mr. Shaw. >> Mr. Shaw. >> And seconded by? >> Pitts. >> Pitts. Okay. Does that require a roll call? Mr. Long. Roll call vote to go into exec? >> Um it's proced- it's a procedural thing. 29 00:08:36.320 --> 00:09:05.320 I'm usually okay with a voice vote unless it's required. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh thank you for uh coming out to this special meeting uh tonight. Uh we're going to go into exec uh to discuss uh employment opportunities. Yeah. But 30 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:20.360 tonight we have with us uh Dr. Sybil Gerard who uh I put before you as our our principal for the high school and uh again, you know, we'll have a 31 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:37.200 opportunity to hear more from uh Dr. Gerard, but just wanted to introduce you to uh Dr. Gerard uh who is here with us tonight. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Pitts and members of the board. Good evening. Thank you for I'm just going to um pass something out 32 00:09:37.200 --> 00:10:02.661 before I start speaking if that's okay. >> Absolutely. >> It's just some information about me some letters recommendations that I thought would be useful. >> Thank you Dr. Marrow. >> [laughter] 33 00:10:08.800 --> 00:12:38.120 >> When Jordan will take a session. >> Mhm.