Yes, please don't for kid. Um, hello. My name is Max Benjamin and I go to Marlton Elementary School. I think we should not split the halls and e even though it will be a lot if we do increase taxes to a,000 per year or 990. Um it's only 75.83 every single month which if you think about it isn't that much. It's like one or two dinners just minus one iPhone. And if we even though making taxes, putting taxes higher will make a lot of people angry, taking away a lot of teachers and taking away the halls will make people more angry. Also, the the um the since we're splitting the halls, more kids will be in each classroom, which will overwhelm the teachers and other students. Students will not be able to point out their points and explain their reasoning for their work. If kids cannot reason with their teachers, it will not help our students.
Um, this is maintaining success. Um, something different that we want to uh have is for all of our incoming ninth graders to be able to have a summer bridge. And part of the summer bridge experience is going to be to understand the credits, to understand the the program, to understand um what are some of the strategies that they're going to use and uh as a bonus, they're also going to be emphasizing some ELA and math skills. Um that will um build a strong foundation so they can have a much better experience starting um from the first year. uh research shows that um the success of the freshman year will depend the next four years. So um this is also a three uh a three-week um program starting for students um the uh 9th of June and all the way to the 26th of June. teachers will have the opportunity uh to have a planning day um on the 5th of June and also um finish and provide half a credit uh elective credit for the students that participate in this program.
We believe in you. We took them outside, went down the halls where the kids have those posters. We get them through them. Um, really quick, uh, if you haven't seen this on Amazon, it's confetti that you throw out and it wraps right up and you can throw it away. So, if you haven't seen that, it's a little plug. custodian is supposed to love that much better, right? It is. It is. Um, so it's really pumping it up and just letting them know we believe in that and um I believe in that. I know our team believes in that and the students really appreciate it. So that was huge. Um, we also, uh, we have Beck, which is our PTO, and it's the Burlington Education Collaborative, who gave our students, um, a chance, uh, to do some hands-on science. And they brought in Heather Simpson, who I believe is from Berlin.
It's not until 5 10 6 years later that you realize like wow they had such an impact on me that because of that I'm now where I am today because of all the things that they've done. Um, and it is sad to see that unfortunately, you know, based off the climate we're living in today, you know, things like that might happen, they might not happen. Um, but to hear that we're going to lose almost $20 million is, you know, blows your mind because those are things that are, you know, believe it or not, they're unpreventable because if the government says we're taking 20 20 mil away, well, guess what? They're taking 20 mil away. And if we don't have those reimbursements in already, well, too bad, so sad. That comes out of our own pocket. Um, just want to leave it with that. Um, thank you and have a great night.
it it it won't be as resourceful to go to school if you can't really point out your point and show your work to the teacher. If you got it wrong, you might they might not know that it was was a mistake or you can't tell the teacher you're doing it wrong because you don't know. Also, we're cutting a lot of clubs, which is going to decrease, even though it's taking away a teacher, uh, having not to pay a teacher, it's also taking away money you're getting from the clubs. Um, uh, the Since there's less there will be no halls. Uh there will be overwhelmed class class way uh hallways and it will be complicated to find your way around the school. That is all. [Applause] Good evening, Dr. Smith and board members. I am Pushkar and I'm Sar and we are in seventh grade green hall at the Macy.
Are there any questions? I I like the idea because you know that's something that I've always um try to initiate is that just to make sure that we incoming freshmen, they understand the process. They understand the credits, the courses, and the credits they're getting, their their grade point averages, everything that involves as they start their high school um years. Um the only thing that I find might might kind of um be a challenge is that most of our students like to do summer work. and they're at that age where they're eligible to do that in their areas in their and and right now they do it districts and some of them do it I know does it communitywise but for most of the other areas they do them by district that would be I think the only thing that I would find that pay them pay them to go to yeah that's that's a suggestion you know if to work with the district early enough that if those students and maybe they could get paid while they're Oh, that'd be good.
Yes. And, um, the kids were so excited in the last couple weeks. We have another class, another grade doing it soon. They dissected owl pellets. They were studying insects and watching worms. Very handson. Um, it was a hit. But I want to talk a little bit about Beck. Um, and I have some figures on there. They raise money for our students and our staff. Um, and I just want to talk about the $12,000 in grants that our teachers apply for to bring in those resources that our budget may not provide. Uh, $1,500 in stipens. So, teachers have to apply for this. They have to uh they go through me. I approve them and then they go to Beck who approves them. and they brought in things like whiteboards, um standing desks, wobble seats, fidgets, positive reinforcers, monthly subscriptions that we don't provide as a district.
Thank you, Commissioner Mahia. Commissioner Ciano. Thank you, President Paris. It was funny because I was like, "Hey, we're going to have two meetings this week, so we should make a motion to suspend comments tonight, but there's so many speakers tonight. I didn't think it was fair." And a lot of good things came up, so I'm going to be as quick as possible because my handwriting is horrible. I could hardly read it. Uh, so I appreciate all the speakers that came out tonight. Uh, I want to address the issue Dr. Roberts made with the lack of trust. I just want you to know I have nothing but the utmost confidence in the administration and I myself personally just couldn't send the budget to the county that I didn't agree with. That was my own personal thing. Uh, raising taxes does not drive people to Clifton. I just want everybody to know that.
The cuts brought up at the previous meeting will change how students look at our district for generations to come. We have made a survey to show the board how students feel about the changes. We have collected the data and are here to present it. We put the survey out to the Macy Middle today and had 233 responders. The survey was presented to the students as a Google form with seven questions. The first question is, would you be able to learn in a class with 30 35 or more kids in it? 82.2% of students think that they could not learn in a classroom with 35 or more kids in it, while 17.7% think that they can. The second question was, do you think that if you were in elementary school, you could learn in a class with 29 or more kids in it? 77.2% of students think that in elementary school, you could not learn in a classroom with 29 or more kids in it, while 22.8 and eight think they can.
That'll be great. Or we can also collaborate and ask him if we can if they have late hours for them to because they only work certain amount of hours during the day uh to see they whatever they are welcome to work because this is going to be only um half a day program. So I I think um if we can collaborate um with uh the communities to determine if we can change some of the hours so that they can have the cake needed to Mr. Mr. Ball, quick question just because I thought the legal age was 16 because they're coming out of 8th grade and ninth grade, right? Can eighth grade age students work at the summer 14 youth program? Youth program starting 14. Yeah, because I know my grandson was like he was 13 and everybody else was working and they said, "Oh, you have to wait till next year." Or if we can hire them for the afternoon work and helping us doing the summer cleaning also that would be great.
We just can't. Um and it's huge. And one of the things uh that if you were there this afternoon, there's some um fifth grade teachers that do a little bit of tutoring for the MCAST math. Um and some of those kids were riding these around, but they're like the little ride-on animals. These animals are $1,200 a piece and we have two um at that school that are a lot of fun. If you need a little stress reliever as an adult, you can ride them around. But students have to earn something to get them. And this math group after school, there's a little bit of enrichment and there's a little bit of extra support. The four students that were there today were riding around and just having fun because they did some math. Um but Beth provides that and um it's just amazing that they do this.
Um, people come to Clifton for its proximity to New York City and its transit. Uh, and there's a lack of inventory in New Jersey right now. Uh, I speak to homeowners every day and they are begging for a break. We've gone up 10% in three years. That's not a small number. I'm not saying that I'm going to vote on 0%. 0% is unreasonable, but 2% to me at this time might be two. Uh, our obligation to the taxpayer is non-existent at this point. I said it once, I'll say it again. People are drowning, and I see it every day. Uh, I want the students and the staff to have the best experience in town, but sometimes, unfortunately, cuts need to be made. in Clifton. 32% of the households just approximately have children under 18. 60 80% of the people are screaming for help. Please help me.
The third question is, do you think you could attend clubs without laced buses? 66.8% of students think that they could not attend late clubs without late buses, while 33.2% think they could. The fourth question is, do you think that you can make friends in elementary school without clubs? 62.4% of students think that they could make friends in elementary school while in clubs, while 37.6 think that they can't. The fifth question is, do you think you can manage homework tests and catch up on work while being absent without independent study? 81.9% of the students think that they would not be able to manage homework tests and catch up on work while being absent without independent study. The sixth question from the survey is, "How do you feel about 20 middle school teachers being cut?" Students filled out a short answer response. One said, "I feel that it is not fair for 20 middle school teachers to be cut because they all love their jobs and you shouldn't take them away from them.
I think it'd be really good to have that could be a possibility. Yeah, it' be really good to have an initial conversation with those districts and or individuals who participating in those programs because it is essentially something that they could actually get paid. So I think it'd be a good idea to talk and like you said maybe hire them to do something. Yes. And a lot of these students like to work, so they can help with the cost of school supplies and clothing. Their parents don't have to do that. Right. Sweet. So we recommend to the Baba County High School District Governing Board to approve the BHA's future freshman summer bridge program as presented. Motion by Miss Sylvie Hendricks. A second. All those in favor of this motion, Juan Bondia Moapo, Sylvia Hendricks, Anamarie Stevens, motion carries. Okay. New number seven action item, which is again um not to call to question the resignation, but I just wanted to make sure that I as an individual who was um a student at Barber Kiri High School um took a moment to acknowledge Mr.
So, I just want to send that out. Um, Megan is a big part of that. Beck, she had to leave, but just a thank you um for our team for what they do. So, thank you. Thank you, Cindy. Uh, BMS Principal John. Hi. Uh, good evening. Thanks for the opportunity. I'll try to be brief. Um, we're doing MCAST 2. Go figure. Um, today was the first day of ELA. We're fortunate in Ferland to be able to do all grades all the same day and Joe showed up for us too, much to my surprise. Um, just kind of appeared to be helpful and support us through that new platform. So, that was much appreciated. Um, and that went very smoothly. There no real issues technology or student wise. Uh, kids did their best. They always do. And, uh, we count on them to to continue that effort.
Uh county tax, sewer tax, city tax, everything's going up. Um you know, eggs have come down a little bit, but they're still really high. Uh the tax uh assessment is coming and it's been 30 years. And I know people don't think that's a big idea, but I have to promise you that it is. Uh typical tax assessment, a third go down, a third stay the same, a third go higher. We've talked about this. The higher is going to be an astronomical number this time no matter what they do to the tax rate and all signs are pointing to a number much higher than a third. Uh so everybody has to remember that the homeowners are very much hurting. It's not only the homeowners, it's the business owners, it's the people that just own properties in this town that are screaming for help at this point.
I feel like I have a lot of favorite teachers and if they get caught, it would be really sad because they taught me a lot and made it easy to learn. Another student said, "This decision would not would do nothing but harm students, teachers, and families. With less teachers, the class sizes would of course be bigger, and it would become extremely difficult for students to receive help or one-on-one time with the teacher. The majority consensus was students did not want to see teachers be cut." From the from the survey, students have said that they were most upset about middle school classes sizes increasing to 25 or more with 27.6% of students for saving this. The students really hope you don't take away small middle school class sizes. Even if you have to, please promise to try your hardest to try and get it back. To wrap this speech up, the students have spoken and we hope their opinions have been heard.
Michael for over 40 years that he's given to this school district and now with this retirement I think um is bittersweet. It ends an era. It ends it ends um something that I feel like many of our community, our students are, you know, near and far have had an opportunity to to to work with or work beside or you know, be mentored or encouraged or even um I think he was a coach for a long time. He was my coach in middle school. So to Mr. Michael Juan, I think I I didn't mean to make it, you know, any sort of event other than I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and thank you so much for your years and years of service to the district. Um I don't know if there's anything planned in the future. I know this is for the end of the school year.
Um, a couple other things happening at school. Just real quick, we are we have started planning for the fund run at the end of the school year. Um, which is the big link fundraiser. It's our PTO. Um, and they have set some very ambitious goals. So, Berlin parents will start to see some of that information coming home in the next few weeks. Um, it's really their single biggest fundraiser that between that and the book fair. kind of how they fund all of the things that they do uh for Berlin Memorial students. And then just the other thing real quick so the committee is aware, planning for nature's classroom for this year's fifth grade um goes on and uh we are looking forward to that. Um as well as the uh I think it's the fifth annual connects challenge for our fifth graders um which is coming up in May.
And that's all I have for tonight. Thank you, Commissioner S. Commissioner Suarez. Thank you, President Paris. Uh, thank you, Commissioner Siana. That was really helpful information. Um, and you know, I just I'll keep it short as well. I am absolutely in support of 2% and I'm open to a discussion for a higher increase. You know, when I think about comparing to other districts and what other and and Dr. Danny, thank you um for your input as well. I think having different opinions allows me to be a better thinker and understanding how other people perceive a situation. Um, but I came on in this position as a steadfast advocate for public education and I I I stand on that and and with that when I hear our vulnerable students needing more support that they're not getting um that's what gives me pause when I hear that we're at the fifth percentile of uh cost per pupil.