Sure. Um, good evening. My name is Cora Munch. I live at 86 Right Road in Canton. I've lived in Canton my entire life and I love this town. I've taught kindergarten in Canton for 38 years. I love coming to work each day. Every day is great. I'm speaking tonight to encourage everyone to vote yes to pass the budget in May. I'm also hoping there will not be any more cuts to the budget. Kitten schools have received many awards over the years and the students have been recognized for many many accomplishments. The town should be very proud of our schools. The schools are a large part why people buy houses here in uh just recently I met with two of my former students that are published authors. I understand that making a budget is extremely difficult to get the materials, resources, and personnel to have a compact school district to have a our district function at a fiscally responsible level is not an easy task.
But last night, city council did not ask a single question. They were probably informed well ahead of time. The public deserves the same courtesy. So, here's what I ask of staff and council. Please, in the future, be more deliberate and at least inform the commissions and the public before going forward to a vote. Thank you. Um, no further callers. Thank you. Okay. Um, what I've I think what we were intending to try to do was make sense um for tonight's agenda of what is happening in terms of uh incentives for electrification and and new construction and existing construction um overall. And it's sort of a followup to uh the resolution discussion last month uh regarding some disincentives, but we were also wanting to um go back to I think some other some other questions that have come up around that and how to move some of these um some of these forward.
One, I felt that um I didn't do my job well enough to make sure that we were all on the same page in regards to what that meant. And the second thing and the thing that bothers me the most is that I felt a lack of trust on this day and that has not happened to me in six years. So that's why I was frustrated. I want to be very clear. The board of education is the stewards of the public money. I am not upset if you vote 0% or if you vote 10%. My job as a superintendent is to give you the facts, to give you a recommendation on what's best for our students, what's best for our staff. Ultimately though, I know that decision is up to you. And if you make that decision with a good conscience and for good reasons that you have, I would never be upset with you for making that decision.
I pledge allegiance to Godice. Thank you. Our mission statement tonight will be read by Mr. Dearcy. The mission of the Esham Township School District is to promote excellence in an environment that engages students in meaningful learning experiences in partnership with students, dedicated staff, families, and community. The district provides a strong educational foundation that will empower our students to achieve their unique potential. embrace self-directed lifelong learning, develop the skills necessary for appropriate risk-taking and responsible decision-making, respect them, respect themselves and others, problem solve individually and collaboratively, and become contributing members of a diverse global society. Thank you, Mr. Dearcy. A note about how tonight's agenda is going to run. Dr. Smith is going to give a presentation about the additional tax levy. After that, the board is going to deliberate in public about that presentation. After that, we will open the floor to public comment. you will all have your opportunity to speak and then we will vote after we hear your comments.
He looks forward to those 100%s on all his assignments and pushes himself to get that score. He is a very friendly student and is always around friends. Miss Hernandez is so proud of everything he has accomplished and everything he will do in the future. Isaiah said when he wants to grow up, he wants to be a NASCAR driver. He wants to drive fancy [Applause] cars. He's here. Our next student of the month is from Mrs. Granado's class, Elijah Harvey. Don't see Elijah. Our third grade student of the month is from Miss Yazy's class, Miss Leila [Applause] Anton. Leila is from the House of Alturismo. She was selected a student of the month as she has always had a positive attitude since the first day of school. She is a helping hand to her teachers and her classmates. Ila is always putting her best work forward.
And he'd try to say he didn't do it, but he'd have raspberry juice stuck all over his face. And then and then he started wanting to play the guitar. And I said, "River, why do you want to play the guitar?" And he said, "Cuz girls love it." All right, I'm looking around. Is Gabriel Hummingbird? I don't see I don't see our junior high recipient here tonight. Um he is uh he is also a track athlete and so my guess is he's still out on the track running around the track. But I do want to introduce Gabriel, recognize Gabriel Hummingbird. He is one of our eighth grade students. He's a gifted athlete who works hard on the field, court, and track. His character is equally as impressive. Gabriel is always the first to lend a hand to his teachers or coaches. He's friendly to his fellow students and can be counted on to do the right thing.
The parents typically decorate new balloons and then like cupcakes for a kid or something in here and the parents typically like yes parents of the graduates. It's not a lot. We don't like it's not over. It's not a lot. You're off the hook. And then did you guys get a call from Miss Betty about the uh breakfast for the music sometime in May? Miss Bleti's breakfast for the students. For the music for the music kids. Do you know when that is? Yes. I can look. I believe she invited Mr. But we don't have the [Music] days. And if you have not seen a preschool promotion, they're very, very, very, very cute. So if you can get preschool, I'll be an eighth grade. I've already Who's the preschool graduation? I believe it's May 19th. I'm gonna have I'm gonna have um Miss Roas send out calendar invites to preschool promotion, kinder, fifth grade.
So um tell your friends and neighbors that Continental is a great place to be. Like I mentioned, state testing is taking place. We had science testing last week and this week we have the um testing for third through eighth graders. So students, I hope you're sleeping good, having a good breakfast, and enjoying the testing and showing how smart you are. Special assemblies. On Friday, March 21st, we had Scott McIntyre perform to for our students. um he was um eighth place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol. So he had a great message on overcoming difficulties, perseverance and hard work. So we um continue to be grateful for our community members who think about providing these experiences for our students. And as Mr. Austinine mentioned, Alice in Wonderland, what a hit. And if I could please have Miss Hatch and students who were in the play stand right now because we want to give you a great big round of applause.
So you can see classroom spending at 73.2 that includes instruction at 58.9 and that is um anything in a 1000 function in our account code string and that includes teachers and pair of professionals um instructional supplies instructional capital and then student support is 9.6% 6% also included in that classroom spending um that is student support so counselors social workers um health office OTP SLP and then instructional support is 4.7 and that is um libraries assessments um our coaches and academic coaches and then non-classroom spending administration uh is 8.2% 2% that is at the district level and at the schools plant operations is um operations and security. So that's important to note. That's anything in the in the U account code structure that has a 2600 function food service and transportation. And here's quick sorry of course these last two pie charts what's what's the difference between them like so instructions 57 on one and then 589 on the other.
Uh perhaps they were covering a leave or something of that nature. And so when all these staff members were hired, they were told that this would be a part of the process um that we follow um as a district in our state. And I'm asking you to approve this as presented.
And then after those two sessions went on in between we had two of our students sing solos. And then our students came up, our choir and sang. And then they did Vander Cook and our kids did one together. And so he was they were here for I I four or five hours teaching and then uh going through and working on a couple songs together and doing it. I got to be honest, it was the first first year. It was fantastic just to see and two students from Vanderook are our students that graduated. One was Daniel from two years ago and I forgot the young lady who I think graduated two years ago. So, two of our cre warrior students were at Vanderook in their choir. It's fantastic. That was awesome. So, it was good. It was about an hour long, but it was the first year that they were invited.
Dick Simpson down at uh was that at the Indians the Victory Field? Yeah, Victory Field. Yes. Who were they who were they playing against? Evansville. Evansville. Remember because I was talking about a person stealing. I'm not sure you'd steal them. I'd steal them. Here you go. Are you kidding me? Fastest kid on the team. Why wouldn't you steal them? You knew a lot better than I do. No, I don't believe that. Just like now. No. Well, yeah. That one. Yeah. So, the difference back then, we were a lot younger, had some more hair, and uh we knew what was going on because we were both baseball coaches. There you go. Yeah. We were baseball coach. We played baseball, right, in high school. You were a catcher. Yeah. Right. Third base, but you were catching the ball. Third base. Absolutely. All right. But yeah. All right.
With certainty, I can say that this has not been an ideal situation. Not having anyone in this position to go to when you need a leader is one of the worst things for an educator. The missing piece of leadership has been very difficult on our department and it has taken its toll on us. Without the coordinator at Tahanto, mistakes will happen that could not that could have been prevented if that leadership remains as it should. Three months ago, we were finally able to hire a coordinator and the leadership guidance and knowledge and support we've been looking for has finally happened. I can say without a doubt I can sorry without a doubt state that I've never had the pleasure of working with a more effective, experienced, supportive, and knowledgeable coordinator in all my years of teaching. This person has gone above and beyond in such a short time.
Now, do I agree with everything in the budget? No. But do I want to see any further cuts? No. So, I give the board of ed and the administrators a thumbs up for the work on this. And again, I hope the budget passes. Thank you. Thank you. You know, Cory, I've known you so long. I said Mrs. Legette. I meant to say Mrs. March. Right. Thank you. Anybody else like to speak for public comment? Just your name and your address for the record. Thank you. My name is Ann Buckley, 98 North Mountain Road, Canton. Um I'm a resident parent of a 2024 graduate and current senior and a staff member at CMS. Um, as a mom who had two children, both of the Canton public school system, I feel strongly that they received a quality education and have been well prepared for the f future.
If um what I'd like to do is what I tried to do is share and I think Joe might share the link to this. I've got a a working doc that I think while we're in the working session, we can all go in and sort of co-edit and contribute to as as needed and help sort of co-create this. Um, but I think one of the things that we might be trying to do tonight, um, and let me just share, uh, I set up just some goals for this to try to frame this out a little bit. Um, see here we go. And just I have a quick request. Um Joe, I just got a note back from Larry Schmidt that he's watching the meeting. Can you promote him to a panelist? Yeah, I I don't see them in attendees. Um so let me send them the direct link and we can work from there.
What I was upset about was I felt there was a lack of trust and we'll regain that back. That was a blip on the radar and now we're back. So, as a history teacher, cuz I'm a history teacher in my heart, I think it's important to know how we got to where we are today. So, please excuse me, but I got to go back in time a little bit and explain a history of budget funding in New Jersey and particularly in Clifton so that everyone knows why we are where we are today. First thing you should know is that we are a pretty large operation. close to 11,000 students, 1,800 staff members, the 11th or 12th largest school district in the state of New Jersey, depending on what list you look at. So, we're a big operation. And the issues that we're dealing with today, many have nothing to do with anything that was ever done here in Clifton.
Please during today's meeting, let us deliberate. Please keep us noise to a minimum while we deliberate and we will do the same during your public comments and then we'll vote at the very end. So, we will hear everyone before we vote. Dr. Smith, the floor is yours. Good evening to the board and everyone in attendance either here in person or attending remotely. This is our fourth budget meeting within about the last two months. Uh what makes this one tonight different from the other ones is that tonight is about the chance to build, the chance to add, the chance to improve the ways that we're able to support students and moving our district forward. That is the first time we've been able to talk about that in at least five years. About a week ago, the state provided an opportunity for districts who are below adequacy.
She is always participating every day and encourages those around her to participate with her. She comes to school with a smile and many stories to share with her teachers and classmates. She performs very well on her assessment in class as well. It is always a delight to have Ila in the classroom. Ila wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up because she loves the ocean. [Applause] Our last student is Laniah [Applause] Miguel. Laniah was nominated by our Himbug teacher, Miss Juan. She is from the house of Isabindi. Miss Juan selected Laniah Miguel as she has shown growth in the Aamyok. She is a good listener and is always the first to respond in aam. She helps her other classmates in the Hima class. She is so positive and is willing to learn. Her dedication in the New York has paid off. Miss Juan is very proud of Lania.
He is a great leader and a positive role model for all who know him. Um, and we we see it's so great when we see such huge transformation. Students come in kind of shy and not really knowing what they're supposed to be doing in seventh grade and then they become these eighth grade leaders who we know are then going to become these great leaders at the high school. And so we're excited to see where his future takes him. Thank you. Good evening. Um, if it is okay with the board, I would like to kind of present a little bit this way so that Kayle's mama can can uh see and video and and do all of that good stuff. Uh, our elementary student of the month is Kaylee Scousson. Come on down, Kaylee. [Applause] I'm let you hold that. Okay. So, Kaylee is a third grader at the elementary school.
I mean, not fifth grade, and eighth grade. Okay. And so if you could please let us know if you're going to be in attendance so we can make sure that we're that we recognize you and give you a spot. I've already scheduled for eighth grade in my calendar. Okay. Eighth grade. So when Jenna sends out the calendar invite, if you can just accept it, that will help us and keep us all. I came in my schedule. Can you say parking spot? Sure. May at 7 a.m. May 9th. And where is it at? Okay. Yes. But it is, you know, time flies. There's a lot of events and activities. So, we're excited about the end of the school year. Okay. Anybody else? We got any paperwork to sign? Great. Okay, you ready for paperwork? This is Mrs. Robinson. I don't know about this one. Dr. Robinson.