Hearing none. Item passes. And Mr. Jones will bring it over to you for item I. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine myself talking about artificial turf at 9:35m at a board meeting, but here we are. Uh part of it's just my personal animus towards artificial turf. I think it's bad for the environment. Um I was able to see the field. I thought it it looks lovely. It looks like a real fun place to play on. I mean this morning when I was there there they brought out the kids doing PE clouds in the sky. It felt great. I I mean it was idyllic and there there was nothing to complain about. Then some clarifications were made. Major problem with this is that I'm seeing a $200,000 price tag on, you know, a project that was approved back in November and it's completed. Oh, but now we need an additional we need additional turf to protect the turf.
And it just worries me when uh it my impulse is to say that it we're being taken advantage of. And I don't know if that's just me, but it it doesn't seem right that this was not accounted for in the original plan and you know during the project's construction that it wasn't brought up. Um, yeah. And to go back, uh, I don't think this turf is good in Arizona. I think you go there in August, September, it's not going to feel so great for the kids. So, I don't think it was a wise investment on our part. Um, you can vote however you want. Uh but um to me it something just doesn't seem right about this $200,000 additional cost after we spent the ballpark given to me this morning was 1.8 million. So now we're at $2 million for an athletic field that's probably only going to last 10 years.
So that's all I wanted to say about it. if anybody else that wants to chime in. Um, the only given the Mr. Jones concerns, the only other question I have, have there been any other options on on protecting it or whatever the reasoning was behind it that could be more environmentally friendly and also not giving more money to a 1.8 million project that we've already approved. Well, also keep in mind that it was a grant funded project. Um, specifically the reason we got the grant funding was because it was a water Thank you for clarifying that. Yeah, it was a water conservation. Um, it wasn't all covered by that though. No, there was a portion that that we have an obligation for. Uh, but the majority of the project was covered and um I I'm not sure we'd be on the hook for this. and uh you know it could have been accounted for earlier I guess is the issue.
Um I'm not sure why it wasn't found during the construction of the field. I know that we had several entities involved in planning it. Um we're also uh looking forward to being able to utilize that for facilities use to generate additional uh revenues into the district um uh and from different partnerships uh through the athletic program. So that was another piece to this and the reason for the field was to be uh a gem a revenue generator. Yeah. My understanding is CCP will have access during the summer for their sports programs that they will be paying you know to run on our fields giving those um opportunities to our students and priority prioritizing our students in those programs. My question also is what happens if we do not do this? So how does what can the field not be used? Is is it going to cause any issues if this does not approve?
What are the what are the repercussions that we have if we do not approve this? Like what happens to the field if it does not get this does not get approved today? In what way will it be damaged? Will it affect how will it affect the current turf that we have right now? Sure. I mean I know that the damage uh part of the damage is coming for the gravel going into that uh field section. Um, and did you were you able to get more from Scott when you guys did the tour? Yeah, when when we were out there, um, we did ask Mr. Wells the question about like what would other options be that could be placed other than doing turf in the surround area. Um, you know, we had some conversations around much like the playground that's next door, you could use wood chips.
The problem is then rather than the gravel getting into the field, the chips would get into the field, right? Um, and they're quite costly as well. Yeah. Yeah. And and I think they've looked at several other options. The one that was recommended to us was um DG, which I think stands for decompressed granite. But the problem is then you're dragging decompressed granite into the field. So it's maybe a little bit better than the rocks, but it's still going to have a limiting factor on the maintenance of the actual field structure there. So maybe some pavers or a pony wall. Unfortunately, pavers wouldn't work because of the nature of the field. It's actually like a I don't know how to describe it. Like a burm almost, I guess, is the best term that I could come up with. So it's not a flat if it was a flat area.
We could water. Yeah. So, so, so whatever whatever would be put in to retain the gravel from falling in would need to be curved. So, it would need to be something that's flexible. I mean, I I suppose you could try to use something like weed control fabric or something like that, but I think it would it would get torn up, end up getting more costly. Also, I think we were looking at the most feasible, lowest cost solutions. Um well in principal the other thing principal Burg just brought up that I hadn't thought about is they were also looking to address a concern that she said she notices when her kids play they go out of bounds pretty frequently and so then they're crossing off that padded turf field to that hard pack area. And so um so the the challenge there is whatever is put in if it if it provides some cushioning it would benefit protection of the kids.
And then I almost forgot I think we asked Mr. Wells about um could we put actual grass there um as a solution and the issue was the hard pack of the dirt prevents it from growing. And in some of the areas it might grow, but in other areas we also have to I think there's a piece with the the WEIFA grant. Yeah. Because it is supposed to be for water conservation. Right. So also um I just wanted to add this 200,000 if approved would bring the total cost to 2.1 million. our contribution to that is would if the 200,000 is added is 589,000 which means we've contributed to 28% roughly of the total project cost if we approve the 200,000 tonight and um we were hopeful that the 200,000 I guess we did know about the need to provide some area at some point in the project not 100% sure of the details um and we had thought that some cost savings in the main project, the grant-f funded project would give us the resources to go ahead and procure that through those savings.
Uh but there were some irrigation and um it was irrigation and some other grading issues like you said it's on the slant. So I don't think that they uh knew the extent of the slant, the irrigation issues at that time. So we lost the ability to have those savings to pay for this. Yeah, Mr. Wells did mention that this morning as well. I guess the they discovered that the irrigation system like the where the bypass was was actually more damaged than they had originally anticipated. Any other questions or comments for this item? I I'll just say that um you know I know this comes out of the capital bucket and you know that's a much more healthier budget in that bucket but you know when we consider these big projects like this and then they come with additional costs I think we need to be looking at them with more scrutiny given you know that we are going to have we're going to need schools to be rebuilt in the future and you know this that comes out of that budget as well.
So, I'll end on that. Well, I can tell you right now I I've said this and said it again. I hate it when people come back and ask for more money, but here we are. And it's occasional. I think um because of that guidance that we've had from the board, especially through the the build of Kennedy, I think we saw what we're capable of doing and how we're able to hold accountability out there on these bigger projects. I do know that unforeseen things do happen occasionally. Thank you for articulating that. I wasn't remembering anything. I wonder why. So, I mean, you will see a lot of projects uh come through and I'm just happy that it's only occasionally that something like this occurs. And again, I think we had so many different uh pieces going on with this one and um I think that we could have articulated it a little earlier in the project to the board in an update and I'll try to keep an eye out for that uh when something like this does happen.
I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Okay. I move the governing board approve consent agenda item I in accordance with policy BED-E. Second. All those in favor? I. I. Any nays? Nay. Nay. All right. So, I'm going to do a quick roll call. Uh, Miss Huarees, just because we have two, just so we can get on the record. Miss Ays. Hi. Miss Gibson Mlean. Hi. I. Mr. Jones. Nay. Miss Marquez. Nay. Thank you. 3 to two. Motion passes. And that brings us to the last discussion item, which is Al. I just want to congratulate uh Mr. Man for approving his contract, and I just have some language that I need to um fix. But I am so honored to continue working with you. Um, I've seen a change in culture and collaboration between the administrative team and the board and I've seen how that's pipelining down.
So, I am forever grateful for your understanding, your leadership, and the collaborative mindset that you have and everything that you have been doing before you got into this position and continue to do for our students, our staff and community. Um, with that being said, the only um change that I have is I wrote it down somewhere. I think you just said revisions that were accepted in session. Correct. I move the governing board approve consent or agenda item L with recommendation to approve the superintendence contract with the revisions in executive session and plan renewal according to policy CBI. Second, Miss Marquez. Second. All those in favor? I. I. Any nays hearing? None. Motion passes. And we have a superintendent for the next the board. No crowd here for No. Yeah. I thought every I thought everyone was here for this item. I'm disappointed now. You pulled it to the beginning.
Yeah. No, I want to thank the board. I do appreciate the fact that it after removal of the two general items, this became other than future agenda items, the last thing we did tonight. Amazing. I really am very proud to work with this board and in this district and thank you so much for keeping me on. Thank you, J. Yeah, thank you so much, Jay. We really appreciate you. All right, that brings us to item 12A, which is future agenda items. Do we have any future agenda items? Do you guys want to set a date for um what you tabled? Yes. So, I'm thinking the 23rd of April. no later than April 23rd if that's okay with everybody for items L I mean 11 I keep saying L for items 11A and 11B is it just going to be online yeah we can do um a virtual yes and what time do you guys want to do it what works best for everybody lunchtime y no please no I'm sorry I understand that's better for some other people that's my free time Um, wait.
You don't want to spend it with us? That's okay. Morning. Midm morning. Does that work? Between 9 and 11. That day the 23rd, I can do anytime. It's fine. So, if we can do midm morning, so we're not going into anybody's personal lunchtime, that would be great. Um, yeah. So, just kind of a little thing. Um, you have you and Jay are meeting with Councilman Pastor. Oh, that day. Um, so I don't know if we can maybe do it at 2. Does 2 p.m. work for everybody? Uh, and also it's secretar's day and they're taking us out to lunch. Yes. Oh, okay. Oh, I take I'm looking at Jay's calendar. Well, how about this? We can start an email and let's plan it on the 23rd and then let's send out an email with people's availability so we're not taking more time up. 2 p.m.
2 p.m. at the work. They were saying no. So Oh, because it's early dismissal. Yeah. And I had to go pick up. Yeah. Let's go through an email and we'll figure out the time that works for everybody, but we're going to keep it for the 23rd. So you guys know. Okay. Any future agenda items? Okay. I have a couple. Um future agenda item discussion on HB, HBR, and HC. I would like a future agenda item on either a study session or another board meeting, whatever that looks like. Probably a study session on budget 101 on the different buckets that we have, you know, procurement stuff. So, a mini study session on that as a future agenda item. And can we do virtual study sessions? You can join virtually. Sure. Well, I was just wondering if we could do a virtual camera on your You can join virtually.
Sure. has to be on the whole time. Okay. And then I believe that's it for future agenda items. Oh, and then another future agenda item or maybe a direction for the superintendent. If you could just make sure that all administrators and principles knows of the mental health resources that we have available and that that is also being translated to their employees in case anybody has a mental health crisis or they feel like they need it and support that they know the wonderful things that we've implemented in the district already to show additional support when it comes to their um emotional well-being. We we will definitely do another round of reminders. I think it's not this Thursday, but a week from Thursday, we have our leadership council. We'll bring it up there. Um, and just so the board knows because you don't receive it, but uic also includes links to all of those resources in our in our weekly newsletter.
So, that gets pushed back out to our staff every week because we we do we appreciate the board's support of it and we and we do want to make sure people get the use of that. Yeah. Maybe it's just a reminder to look at the emails that we do have all these services set in place and we're always willing to take on that next added on step to support our staff and our students and family. One other thing is I see that it's been on here for a while, but given that there was a recently a bill passed and signed by the governor, it might be smart to prioritize the policy on student self to one adopt language from that new bill, but also to create something that is our own as well. Perfect. Thank you for that, Miss Gibson McClean. Well, we'll make sure that we prioritize that one since the bill was signed already.
Any other future agenda items? All right. Hearing none, I move the governing board adjurnn. All those in favor? I. All right. Any n hearing? None. We are journ. Thank you. Have a great night. Do you know it affects when it goes into effect?
We're gonna David. Can we stand for the pledge, please? Bring it here. 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, and liberty and justice for all. Welcome everybody to the Kusel Park Board of Education uh regular meeting April 16, 2025. I'll ask everybody uh we saluted the flag. It's good loop. Roll call, please. I'll just read a quick statement. Mr. Pan do the roll. Uh the New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the rights of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provision provision of this act, the Cliffside Park Board of Ed has scored notice of this meeting to be published by having the time, date, time, and place thereof posted in the office of the board of ed.
Latest six. One minute. One more. Okay, I'll leave till 6. A minute. We need some guys to help you with some You can go through. Where we go? [Music] Hello. Come stand with me. It's okay. You're supposed to be with me. Come here. It's okay. I'll put the mic. Do you have headphones on? If Philip whispers into the mic, can you hear it? Okay. Come. Just whisper. Don't go away from me cuz I'm scared. I need more more. Are we filming? Hi guys. Welcome to the film festival. This is 2025 and this is Carolyn Fona. This is the we're going to be your interviewers for today and I hope you guys tune in. Enjoy. Oh, people want more cash here. No, you're good, John. Hey, can you want to get interviewed? Sure. I'd love to. Do you happen to be in the film festival? any films or producer and actor?