The March 12th meeting of the Woodbridge Township Board of Education will please come to order. Roll call. Mr. Secretary. >> Ms. Anderson >> here. >> Mr. Coughlin here. >> Mr. Delipedro >> here. >> Mr. Lai >> here. Miss Perez >> here. >> Mr. Triboser >> here. Miss Bourdan >> here. Mr. Secretary, as required by the
Sunshine Law, please read the notice of meetings. >> Thank you, Madam President. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this
act, the board of education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place there posted as follows. on January 15th, 2026, emailed to the Home News Tribune, the municipal clerk's office, posted in Ros Street, school number 11, and the board of education
administration building, also published on the school district website. >> Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Dr. Masamino, please introduce our student representative, Lily Hickcock from Woodbridge High School. >> Thank you, Madam President. Lily is a senior at Woodbridge High School where
she is currently ranked first in her graduating class. She is highly engaged in her school community and has dedicated significant time to extracurricular activities and community service. At Woodbridge High School, Lily is a member and captain of the varsity girls tennis team. She also participates in the Heroes and Cool Kids Club and
serves as a mentor in the freshman mentors program. Beyond school, Lily is an active volunteer with Jersey Cares, a nonprofit organization that coordinates service initiatives such as food and clothing drives, neighborhood cleanups, and programs that support senior citizens. Through her leadership, service, and commitment to helping
others, Lily has become a positive role model both within her school and the broader community. Lily is also deeply interested in scientific research. Through her science research program, she has completed two independent research projects and presented her work at local science fairs. Her research has
been recognized with three awards from the Terara, North Jersey STEM Fair. Looking ahead, Lily plans to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering with long-term goal of contributing to space exploration through a career in NASA. Lily, thank you for being here with us this evening.
>> Thank you. Across the Woodbridge Township School District, ReadAcross America Week was celebrated in each of our schools from March 2nd through March 6th. This year's theme was celebrating a nation of diverse readers. Many of our schools invited special guest readers and
several schools even complimented this week with scholastic book fairs. At Maui Street School number one, students celebrated international week with the French honor society from Wilbridge High School who provided a variety of fun lessons incorporating language and
culture for first and second graders. Members of the Woodbridge High School Black Student Union and Baron Steppers visited to lead a variety of interactive activities in celebration of Black History Month. The Maui Street PTO organized a Holly Color run that will
take place tomorrow, March 13th. At Port Reading School number nine, students and staff celebrated ReadAcross America week by kicking off a readathon and bringing the community together for a fun-filled family night book bingo. Students from Woodward High School's National English
Honors Society read to and mentored fifth grade students at Menllo Park Terrace School number 19 on March 19th. Coincidentally, the school will host an upcoming family engagement night at the Ford's Public Library to promote a love of reading and
celebrate the joy of books. The PBSIS team is excited to sponsor a pizza bingo night for students and families coming up on March 26th. At Lafayette Estate School number 25, students from Ford's Middle School held a Lunar New Year parade for their
elementary counterparts. The Dominican Republic Independence Day was celebrated with students having an opportunity to experience music and dance from Dominican culture. During ReadAcross America Week, students participated in a variety of activities highlighted by a visit from Woodbridge
Councilman and County Superintendent, Mr. Kyle Anderson, who read to our second grade students. Their PTO Scholistic Bookf Fair provided families with an additional opportunity to reinforce the importance of reading. As well, at Matthew JGO School number 28, the
school welcomed Mr. J, a children's author who read one of his new books to our K5 students and provided each student with a signed copy to celebrate World Reading Month. Staff and students are gearing up for Autism Acceptance Month in April with a variety of
activities planned, including our annual bubble day. Students from the Wii High School Science National Honor Society and Science Research classes visited to conduct some science demonstrations. At Aanel Middle School, the Wildcats were visited by the WHS step team
students. The team conducted a workshop with our seventh and eighth grade dance students. They also celebrated the 255 students who made the marking period 2 honor roll by having a special breakfast. The school participated in our annual book buffet event where
families read a novel together and had the opportunity to get together to discuss the book and share a meal. The theater arts club presented the spring musical Susicle Jr. This is the first time ever a spring musical was performed at the middle school level. At
Woodbridge High School, the mental health awareness club hosted a wear orange to support teen dating violence awareness day to promote healthy teen dating habits in recognition of teen dating violence awareness month. Eighth grade students attended a virtual
assembly with Holocaust survivors teen meets in preparation for their upcoming reading of the diary of Anne Frank. Peer leaders created and presented an assembly for Black History Month that was presented to the entire Woodbridge Middle School student body. Lastly, at
Woodbridge High School, the Barren auditioned for the arts high school program taking place at Middle Sex College. From these auditions, 10 students were accepted and are now eligible to receive up to three college credits. They hosted their jazz and chamber music concert and Asian Pacific
Islander Club explored authentic Japanese cuisine on a field trip to Kenya Ramen in celebration of Lunar New Year. The Equity team will kick off Women's History Month by hosting its annual voter registration drive in collaboration with the League of Women Voters.
Thank you, Lily, for your detailed report. And thank you, Mr. Osborne, from Woodbridge High School for being here to support your student tonight. Tonight, you're both welcome to stay for the remainder of the board meeting. However, if you are unable, we are not offended. >> Okay. Thank you. But I have a lot to do,
so >> we're sure of it. >> Quite a resume. Thank you. Mr. Treeboser, please read the closed session statement. >> Thank you, Madam President. In compliance with the Sunshine Law, the board must go into close session in order to discuss subjects exempted from the public portion of our meeting. The
discussion to be held in close session will be regarding personal matters and privacy interests. Any information regarding the closed session discussion will be released to the public when the reason for discussing these matters in close session no longer exist. I move for the >> I have a motion by Mr. Treeboster. Do I
have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Miss Anderson. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Carried. >> Please rise for a salute to the flag and a moment of silence. 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, liberty and justice for all. Do I have a motion to reconvene? >> So motioned. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Tree Bosser, second by Mr.
Delapro. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Carried. Roll call. Mr. Secretary. >> Miss Anderson >> here. >> Mr. Coughlin >> here. >> Mr. Delipro >> here. >> Mr. Valley >> here, >> Miss Perez >> here, >> Mr. Sedana >> here, >> Mr. Triboser >> here, >> and Mrs. Bourdale
>> here. Will someone make a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting? >> So motion >> second. >> Motion by Mr. Delpro, second by Mr. Tuboser. Are there any additions or corrections? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?
>> None carried. >> Mr. Secretary, please state for the record any notice of bids received by the board. Madame President, we received IFB26-10 transportation routes. >> Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Dr. Masamino, please state for the record the superintendent reports for the month of
February 26. >> Thank you, Madam President. I present to the board the following reports for the month of February 2026, the student registers and fire drill report, suspension reports for elementary and secondary schools, bomb threat reports, and the reports of the attendance officers. >> Thank you, Dr. Mesamino. The Woodbridge Township Board of Education welcomes and
encourages active, productive, and respectful participation by members of the public and seeks to protect the First Amendment rights of those who engage in the exercise of free speech at this board of education meeting. Members of the public are requested to express themselves in a civil manner with due respect for the dignity and privacy of
those whose legal rights may be impacted. The public is now invited to speak regarding the agendas being presented this evening. When you come up to the microphone, please provide your name and the section of the township which you in which you reside along with the specific agenda item number you wish to discuss. As per regulation 1100D,
comments must be limited to no more than 5 minutes. No response will be given until you have completed your opportunity to speak. Is there anybody wishing to speak about an agenda item this evening? Okay, moving on. Superintendent Superintendent agenda. Dr. Mesamino, do
you have any recommendations? >> Thank you, Madam President. I have 18 items to present to the board this evening. >> Do I have a motion for the superintendent's agenda? >> Motion for the superintendent's agenda. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Uh motion by Mr. Treebuster. Second by Mr. Lai. Are there any comments or
questions from the board? >> Roll call. Mr. Secretary. >> Miss Anderson? >> Yes. >> Miss Bourdan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Coplin? >> Yes. >> Mr. Delipro? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lai? >> Yes. >> Miss Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sadana? >> Yes. >> Mr. Treeboser? >> I abstain on item one. Yes. on all other
items. >> Communication, policy, and planning. Mr. Coughlin. >> Thanks, Madam President. Communication, policy, and planning committee on recommendation of the superintendent of schools prints the following nine items. The following nine uh items recommended. Sorry. I move for the adoption of the floor going.
>> I have a motion by Mr. Coughlin. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Miss Anderson. Any comments or questions from the board? >> Roll call. Mr. Wolferman. >> Miss Anderson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Coughlin? >> Yes. >> Mr. Delipedro? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Lai, >> yes. >> Miss Perez, >> yes. >> Mr. Sedona,
>> yes. >> Mr. Treeboser, >> yes. >> And Miss Bordan, >> yes. Curriculum, extracurricular activities and technology. Mr. Sadonna. >> Thank you, Madam President. The communication. Oop, sorry. Apologize. The curriculum
extracurricular activities and technology committee on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools and the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction presents the following seven items. I move for the adoption of the foregoing. >> I have a motion by Mr. Sadana. Do I have a second? >> Second.
>> Second by Miss Perez. All are there any comments or questions from the board? >> Roll call. Mr. Wolferman. >> Miss Anderson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cofflin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Delipro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lai. >> Yes. >> Miss Perez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sana. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tosser. >> Yes.
>> Miss Bourdan. >> Yes. Finance and insurance. Mr. Triboser. >> Thank you, Madam President. The finance committee and finance and insurance committee on recommendation of the superintendent of schools and the business administrator board secretary presents the following 18 items. I move for the adoption of the foregoing.
>> I have a motion by Mr. Treeboser. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Delipro. Any comments or questions from the board. >> Uh one thing, Madam President. Item 12 is a list of our meetings regarding the budget. Just want everybody to pay attention to that, please. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
>> Roll call. Mr. Wolferman. Miss Anderson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Coughlin? >> Yes. >> Mr. Delipro? Yes, >> Mr. Lai. >> Yes, >> Miss Perez. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sedana. >> Yes, >> Mr. Triboser. >> Yes, >> Miss Bordan. >> Yes. Safety and security. Mr. Delpro. >> Thank you, Madam President. The safety and security committee on recommendation
of the superintendent of schools presents the following two items. I move for the adoption of the board. >> I have a motion by Mr. Delipro. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Miss Anderson. Any comments or questions from the board? >> Roll call. Mr. Wolferman. >> Miss Anderson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Copelan.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Delapro. Yes, >> Mr. Lai. >> Yes, >> Miss Perez. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sedona. >> Yes, >> Mr. Triboser. >> Yes, >> Miss Bordan. >> Yes. Dining and transportation agenda. >> Miss Perez. >> Thank you, Madam President. The dining and transportation committee on
recommendation of the superintendent of schools and the business administrator board secretary present the following six items. I move for the adoption of the foregoing. >> I have a motion by Miss Perez. Do I have a second? Second. >> Second by Mr. Delipro. Any comments or questions from the board?
Roll call. Mr. Wolferman. >> Ms. Anderson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Coughlin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Delapro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lai. >> Yes. >> Miss. Perez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sadana. >> Yes. >> Mr. Chibasser. >> Yes. >> Miss. Bourdan. >> Yes. Personnel agenda. Mr. Delapitro. >> Thank you, Madam President. The personnel committee on recommendation to
the superintendent of schools and the assistant superintendent for human resources presents the following 20 items. I move for the adoption before. >> I have a motion by Mr. Delipro. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Miss Perez. Any comments or questions from the board? Roll call. Mr. Wolferman. M. Anderson.
>> On item number 18. I'm going to abstain in the name of Nia Anderson. Yes. To all other items. >> Mr. Coughlin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Delapitro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lai. >> Yes. >> Miss. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sadonna? >> Yes. >> Mr. Treeboser? >> Yes. >> Miss Bordan? >> Yes. Mr. Bush, do you have any
recommendations? >> I don't at this time. >> Thank you, Mr. Bush. Is there any old business that should be brought to the attention of the board? Is there any new business that should be brought to the attention of the board? >> Madam President, Miss Anderson. >> Yes. I'd like to announce that the
Woodbridge Township School District free prom dress extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, March 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Woodbridge High School. It's open to all Woodbridge Township
School District students. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Anderson. We will now open the meeting for public comment. If you wish to say something, please come to the microphone. Provide your name and the section of the township in which you reside for the record. Again, members of the public are requested to express
themselves in a civil manner with due respect for the dignity and privacy of those whose legal rights may be impacted. Please limit your comments to no more than 5 minutes in accordance with regulation 1100D. No response will be given until you have fully completed all of your comments so as to not interrupt your five minutes to speak.
Are there any students here this evening? >> Paul Lond hope. Uh I am technically a student because I always felt that the best teachers are always learning. Wouldn't you agree? >> Uh yes. >> So I'm a student at heart. >> Okay. >> Um I've been polling folks about their
definition of of woke of late based on our last appearance here. I know Mr. the tree blosser offered up woke as being something about having understanding and and empathy towards other people and I think that is a way it's described is is
very uh very nice sounding idea. Uh but other people have different definitions for it and uh some people think it's a form of indoctrination and uh we we've gone over this a lot and I'm not going to I'm not going to
continue along that line. I will just say this. Um, the one thing even if our philosophies genuinely differ and you're not just making your policies based on political expedience or or budgetary concerns getting money from the state.
Um, we can agree that the academics is nowhere's near where it should be. Uh, we know that the nation's report card 35%. We've gone over that. you're well aware of that and I don't lay that all at your feet where academics have gone over the last 40 50 years in this
country. The other concern I have is that there is record amounts of mental illness among our kids. And I believe it's a lot to do with what we've gotten away from. Not that we don't have enough
wokeism, but that we've gotten away from traditional values. I've brought up before, there is a success sequence that is well known, wellstudied, and that is if you graduate high school, if you get a full-time job, and if you wait till
marriage before having children, you're going to have a 97% chance of success as we define it. Material, you will not uh be in poverty. You're going to have relational success, everything we want for our children. Why I bring that that
up is there's also studies that show comprehensive sex education has only increased sexual activity and all the problems that come with it. Unwanted pregnancy, uh sexually transmitted disease, apparently raising educating
them on sex doesn't dissuade them from having it. It actually destigmatizes it. And I actually believe there's actually room to leave some things and leave them to mysterious, magical, wondrous, and maybe a little bit of stigma. But I
think when that's removed, the kids are more prone and more happy to take their education and forget everything they learned about practicing safe sex. They just practice sex. It's an opinion. Maybe you can call me old-fashioned, but I think there's a problem with sex
education as it is today. There are other problems I'll get into, but the last thing I want to do is I did take your advice. I did Oprah. I want to know the money that's being spent in DEI, which Mr. Triboser has so uh defended um
every chance he has had the opportunity redefining equity as simply a matter of having enough restrooms if you're going to design a stadium for for ladies which is really getting resources to people who need it which sounds innocent enough but we could talk about what I would
define it at as at a later meeting what I'd like to bring up two questions DEI has been defended here. There's certain things that are still within uh within your job description that focuses on the concept of equity, which the average
person takes to mean looking for equal outcomes. And when you don't find equal outcomes or disparit outcomes, you assume there could be an element of racism, either conscious or unconscious biases. that could be one avenue that that you
said is in the educational setting should be and and can be explored. I believe differently. I think there's a lot more factors that are involved there. What I wanted to get to the point is why is it if equity and and inclusion is such a great thing, why did you
change the name of of Mr. Ali's title? Why we why are we trying to come up with a new name for DEI? Last thing, Indianapolis, Indiana School District agreed to pay 650,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a music teacher after
school officials forced them to resign for declining to refer to students using terms that were inconsistent with their sexual uh or gender identities which violated his religious beliefs. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys represented
John Kluj in his successful challenge against Brownsburg Community School Corporation officials along with allied attorneys Michael Core, Kevin Green, and Raz Stoval. As part of the settlement agreement, Brownsburg will also train its senior >> Mr. That's your time.
>> Can I just finish the sentence? >> No, I'm sorry. >> On to how I'm asking you. >> Title seven. Well, my question is, do I have Title 7 protections if I were a Woodbridge teacher? >> Mr. respond >> respectfully. That's your time. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I have one question on the table then.
>> Okay. I believe we have a somebody with you want to respond. >> Yeah. Just quick comments, Madam President. I just the first comment I've been on the board for quite a few months now and I just want to point out I've worked with Mr. Ali and I found him nothing to be professional and what he does in the district adds value not only
to the staff and the board members but to our students and I appreciate him and his role here in our district. Just wanted to make that point clear. um on the sexed curriculum. I am somewhat of a recent graduate of the school system in Woodbridge. I did go through sexed. Um I would say it's public health-based. I
don't know what you might think sexed is. And I would also remind the parents that are listening, you could opt your child out of sexed um if you feel that is warranted. I grew up in a household that was based in Christian values. You may share that. Some other members of the public may share that as well, whatever their values may be. Um my
parents had no conflict with it. I've had no conflict with it. and in my day-to-day life, it's helped me with that public health information. That's all I had to say tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. Lai. >> Anybody else? >> Name change. Any reason? >> The name change has been explained to
you quite a few times and I think it just it just makes it a more comprehensive role for for Mr. Ali. He does he does a lot for our students and that is student engagement and it it just it it widens the umbrella of what he is in his uh field. Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anybody else? >> Good evening. My name is Gerald Magleio Dolores Turo Foundation. I've introduced myself a few times. So, uh, thank you for the opportunity to address the board and thank you for your service. I'd like to take these few minutes to >> just if you possible, would you be
willing to give your address as well? >> Excuse me. >> Your name? You gave your name, but you >> Gerald Magleum. of your your address. >> Oh, yes. I'm from Neptune. Dolores Turko Foundation, Neptune, New Jersey. >> Um I'm would like to address some of the comments made by Vice President Triboser
last week. Um it's not that I disagree, so please know I do agree that um in fact in terms of the 5756 that the uh school district should not be pushing um uh uh transition. And secondly, I agree
that uh they should be including and trying to have a conversation with the parents. But if in fact that's what you think um then the this is in violation of policy 5756. And I'm going to give you the reasons why uh and therefore it should be um it
should be rescended. Uh to begin with, we know that um the do not have to um the policy requires the district to ensure that school counselors are knowledgeable regarding issues and concerns relevant to transgender
students. Um and these protocols consist of affirming uh the child's gender identity and transitioning these minors. The policy also requires that the school seek professionals including counselors and psychologists um to provide support
to these students. But generally professionals conduct brief brief inadequate evaluations of the patients and they do not screen the only screening for obvious mental illness but not exploring the underlying mental health issues uh that can contribute to
gender dysphoria. And they hastily offer interventions. And these gender uh interventions are gender affirming and they include um uh drugs, puberty blocking drugs, cross- sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgeries as the only
or the best option for treating children with gender dysphoria. and a student need not have any threshold diagnosis or treatment for them to be uh for this treatment to be uh given to them. Now, you're already aware that these drugs
are experimental and dangerous and can irreparably harm children and that's why they're banned or restricted in 29 states. So if your counselors are not knowledgeable of these protocols, you are not and you're not referring these students to professionals including psychologists that follow these
dangerous experimental protocols, then you are in fact in violation of policy 5756. Uh also schools are advised to work with students to create an appropriate confidentiality plan so that if you in fact are including parents or
encouraging parents to be involved that also is inconsistent with uh policy 5756 which advises the schools to have a confidentiality plan. Uh so they may not also these are quotes from the policy uh
quotes the school personnel may not disclose information that may reveal a student's transgender status except it's by law um so that there is no requirement to notify parents and school personnel are encouraged to conceal this information. Further, where a parent and
minor disagree, the school is advised to consult their attorney, their board attorney, regarding the students civil rights. And they're also advised to fam uh to seek family counseling and support service outside the school district. And this includes the New Jersey Department
of Children and Families, referring these parents to child abuse, neglect, and missing children. It's not uncommon for these children to be removed from their homes simply because their parents disagree with their transitioning. So in summary, under the current policies,
schools can work with professionals on a confidential basis without the knowledge and consent of parents to trans transition minors without meeting threshold diagnosis or even appropriate mental health screening. Um so I just
wanted to uh say one other comment about um that you really should be aware of is regarding teachers. The teachers are do not have to follow this policy if it's in violation to their um uh reli excuse me the constit constitutional religious
rights freedom. And just to continue the conversation um 650 was one one uh award to one teacher. There was 575 settle lawsuit suit by a Christian teacher who was fired for using not using pronouns.
$360,000 settlement for a teacher in California. $450,000 settlement for a teacher in Ohio and a and the 650. These are just a few of the settlements. So I caution you uh regarding that. You cannot force a
teacher in violation of their religious rights. >> Thank you so much for your that's your time. Thank you for this opportunity. >> Anybody else this evening? >> I just came up to talk. >> Well, you're good. All right. >> So, motion.
>> Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Second >> them. Uh motion by Mr. Truster, second by Mr. Delro. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Carries.