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So help me God. So help me God. I state your name. I, William J. do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member for the office of member of a board of education of a board of education and that I am not disqualified I am not disqualified as a voter as a voter pursuant to pursuant to RS RS 194-1 194-1 nor disqualified nor disqualified due to impartially No, wait a minute. No. due to conviction of a crime due to conviction of a crime or offense listed or offense listed in New Jersey in New Jersey. Statute 18A12-1 statute 18A12-1 and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially and partially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties of that office of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability.
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I was complaining about the abuse of power of school board member. So, I hope that's the same thing. But since we're on that in my permanent records, which I just received, the very first thing is your permanent records go in order. So before you do get to a resination letter, because I did not read all the way through because after I got my chance to get my side of the story after speaking passionately for an hour, I was handed this. So real quick, if I can find it, this doesn't say anything about accepting your resition. Actually, it says, "As a result of these violations of GBEA staff ethics, the 2425 coaches guidelines and your complete disregard for student safety. Your services as assistant softball coach are no longer required as of Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. Please make sure to submit any school or district items that were assigned to you in your role as assistant softball coach.
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Um and at this point I will stand for any questions. Thank you very much. I have a question regarding um you mentioned the emergency building renewal grant program. You said that the Marley Park is now being funded by the state. Madam President, Member Drake, that is correct. So that was approved. It was actually approved a while back by the state. It was an approved project, but it hadn't been funded yet. And so, they did notify us a few months ago that that was now funded and we can move forward with that purchase order, etc. So, that was about $1.6 million um that we are now able to account for in that grant. Okay. Because I thought we just approved that in one of our meetings for that, didn't we? As the board, I could have sworn it was we approved it, Madam President. Yes, that is correct.
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And then I believe we also talked about it was student engagement. Uh a big thing that a lot of teachers harp on in our schools are going to be phone usage and we felt that a lot of the issue with student engagement did stem from that but we also believe that it doesn't just stem from the student as well. A lot of the in our discussions we found that student engagement kind of from the students perspect perspective stems from the teacher and how they structure the class periods with having a block schedule and having those long periods those times can become very very dull for students and that's when they will turn to some more enticing stuff like our phones you know that's a common problem with them. So we do feel that in that area kind of implementing ways to help teachers figure out an more engaging curriculum and just make it a more positive learning environment for students.
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President will be first. Mic. Hello. Hello. All right. So, as my last official act as the president of the board, I wanted to write a love letter to educators. And as I started to think about why um I thought about how much I appreciate what they mean to our community and to our students. I thought about how much I value how much value I place in our educators and the respect that I have for them when it comes to their dedication to their craft. So as I started to process that, I recognized that one face always came to my mind and that face has a name and her name is Willie, Mrs. Willie Eda Bonner. Wright, would you come and join me? Come join me. All right, you all. This is my fourth grade teacher. [Applause] So, I don't want to cry, but I need to hold your hand.
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And the outstanding freshman this year is Joel Sparakis. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] And I'm sure it comes as no surprise, our outstanding sophomore is Aaron Eisenhower. [Applause] [Music] All right, we're going to take a brief intermission and switch places. Um, let's say 4 and 1/2 minutes. Is that ambitious? [Music] There's one segregated We're best friends. [Music] How did this feel? Is anyone timing me? Where are we at? That's easy. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Wow. Thank you. [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Let's continue. [Applause] Did Did anyone else have a solo on that one? Okay, this is some of this music has popin solos for one measure and I couldn't keep track of it all. So, I apologize if I forget to point at you to stand.
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This is a simple yet powerful way to help neighbors in need. The kids trout derby will be held Saturday, May 10th from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hosted by Ashlin Fish and Game. This classic event is open to kids 13 and under. A great way to introduce you introduce youth to fishing. Just bring a fishing pole and bait is provided. For questions or to sponsor, contact Ashland Fish Fish [email protected]. The community weed poll, Saturday, May 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ashland Arboritum. That word keeps coming up, and I'm hoping I'm pronouncing it right. Join fellow residents in removing invasive plant species to help native flora thrive. It's a rewarding, hands-on way to make a real ecological impact. Sign up online to volunteer. That wraps up today's update. Be sure to stay connected for more community news and don't forget to get involved in local events.
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So, it's always fun for me to see those students come up and be recognized. And Mr. Sheay, the certificates are at the podium. And so, you'll be able to hand those out and we look forward to hearing more about our students. Yeah. Can I call Tyler and um Audrey up? It's a great pleasure that I have to honor these two recommend uh two um amazing individuals who represent the one dart motto and um I'm going to start with Audrey first. Um Audrey, it is with great pride that I present Audrey Kitcher as our nominee for the prestigious superintendent award of excellence. Audrey exemplifies what it means to be a student that goes above and beyond the traditional learning to represent something greater than herself. For years, Audrey has demonstrated excell ex exceptional dedication to scientific advancement through her work on a malaria vaccine in collaboration with a professor at Brown University.
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It's uh clear to explicitly identify teen dating violence which um thankfully is infrequent but important to address. Uh you know all these different ways by which kids communicate with each other in which bullying could be executed. the school climate improvement plan. I'm sure you guys are familiar with these practices because we do talk about things like restorative practice on a regular basis. Um, so where do these definitions all come from? They came from the state. They're legislative definitions. Okay, great. Yeah. So, school climate Connecticut school climate policy. Um, so is that I'm sorry. Go ahead. Like the state department of education legislator. Legislative. The legislator. Yeah. Yeah. And um it's a reference to the social emotional and school climate advisory collaborative uh which was designed from the Connecticut statutes. Um that basically it's a cycle. It's almost like our curriculum review cycle where there's planning and preparation, evaluation, uh act action planning around that and then implementation and then you know those are four key elements of of designing the plan.
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So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations and honor. Congratulations, Mr. Otto. Please take your seat on the deis. I will now turn the meeting over to the board attorney who will take nominations for the president of the Garfield Board of Education, Mr. Vice Lair. At this time, we're seeking nominations for board president. I'd like to nominate Alan Focarino as president for the board. Motion. Motion to second. Any other nominations? I would like to nominate George Ramos, president. Yeah. Is there a second? A second. Any other nominations? Seeing none, nominations are closed. They will be there will be a roll call vote based upon the uh order in which they were nominated. So, Mr. Focarino will be uh put up f first for a roll call vote. Madam Mr. Keles no Dr. Pivarroek no Mr. Focino I Mr. Taylor. Nay, Mr. Gaba. Hi, Ms.
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I'm sure none of you would have showed up for work the next day after receiving that letter. Right. Okay. Next, the bullying. I I was there at call court. Make sure I wouldn't be arrested because the only thing I did was expose what happened to me by a member of a public board. Somebody who is elected. don't have the same rights to privacy as the rest of us because your constituents have the right to know. I've been in contact with legal counsel. I have tried to resolve this at the absolute lowest level numerous numerous times with multiple community members that you guys all know and trust and have hired that could attest for me trying to handle this at the lowest level possible. I already forgive the girls. I already forgive them. They're just kids. I don't even care if their guys' punishment was weak and had them not miss a single softball game.
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So, now do we have to come back and No. So what we've done now is as the board has now approved that project and has recognized that project. Now in our final revised budget, we show as a district, yes, we've accounted for that project in our grant fund. And so now that's this uh budget is now just reflecting what the board action previously did of recognizing that that grant application. Oh, project. Thank you. You're welcome. As this is the um public hearing, do we have any comments or questions from the public? All right, we'll conclude our public hearing and move to our regular meeting. And uh we'll go to item C1, address the governing board. Nope. All right. Next up, we have superintendent update. Dr. Cotto. Thank you, Madam President. Just a quick uh couple updates. On May 17th, coming up, DAEART, um the district, our district in conjunction with Dignity Health um dignity health is offering fe free physicals.
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Yeah. And that's about it. Just wrapping it up. is how we were able to form new opinions and ideas about how our district can better um phone usage and student engagement and all that because it's a very new topic but we have to learn to roll with the tide rather than fight against it. So with that um that concludes what we learned.
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I mean, it's a beautiful thing that I can speak these words, right? that they say give them their flowers while they can still smell them. Miss Bonner, can I call you Miss Bonner? Cuz that's what I know you as. I know you're married, have a beautiful family. I wanted to honor you today because you gave your very best to every one of the students who you touched. And to me, you are always in the front in the forefront of my mind when I think about educators and I think about teachers. I remember the fourth grade, the first day of fourth grade like it was yesterday. I remember when you came out to get our class, I thought, you look familiar. You look like my dad's sisters. you look like my older cousins. And I knew I was going to be in good hands because when I came to the fourth grade, I was having a crisis of confidence.
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Um, this is some some very sophisticated music. Um, and it has been a a quick turnaround to get this down, but they have been so amazing with all of this. Um, that last piece came in three separate movements. Um the first one was kind of like life is happening and the second one is um the internment of the author of these memoirs uh in internment camps in the United States in the 1940s and um you can feel the the work that's happening there. And the third movement is sad at the start but ends hopeful. And um so there's a lot of a lot of life messages in that music. It's very beautiful. Um the next one is a doozy. And so we're going to warm up a little bit more before we play A Mother of a Revolution by Omar Thomas. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat.
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A big thank you to town manager Michael Herbert and the dedicated town staff for putting together this helpful newsletter. And thank you for tuning in to WACA. I'm Halley Silver. Good night and go clockers.
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Undertaking this research entirely in our own initiative and time. This commitment to applying classroom knowledge to solve railroad challenges that affect millions globally is truly remarkable. Academically, Audrey has purposely sought out the most rigorous path possible, enrolling in every AP course that fit into her schedule possible across all subject areas through her entire high school career. who actually when faced with a schedule limitation for AP Spanish, she pursued a dual enrollment class at Bridgewwater uh uh Bristol Community College in Spanish 2011, showcasing her determination to challenge herself in every subject area. Audrey's talents extend well beyond academics. She's a valued member of our theater company. If anyone went this weekend, it was an incredible show. um an active participant in the dynamic show choir where her vocal talents shine with our students core program and has placed in a finalist as poetry out loud demonstrated her command for language and speaking skills.
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these uh people like the school employee, school community are relevant because you'll see eventually it talks about who has to be on the committee. I do have one outstanding question here that I've had a couple of different people try and answer before I had to pay for an answer. Um and I'll get to that momentarily, but we're we're getting close. um defines what challenging behavior is, evidence-based practices, all these things are part of what's required within the plan. Um so that's why they're all defined here. Um so this is this is the various like this is the hierarchy of roles. So it starts with in essence a district-wide school climate coordinator which we already have uh that's Marlene and um the you know this person's appointed by the superintendent uh and they are responsible for ensuring the development of uh individual school building plans and they're the kind of the pivot person.
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Petiri. Mrs. Peteri. I Mrs. Hassan. Hi, Mr. Otto. Hi, Mr. Ramos. Mr. Fino is now present. Congratulations to Thank you. First, I'd like to say thank you very much everybody for your support. At this time, I'm going to take nominations from the floor for vice president. I would like to nominate Mr. Taylor for vice president. Motion to nominate Arwin Peter. Second. Hold on. Hold on. We have Mr. Taylor as a nomination. Do we have a second? We have a motion. Do we have a second for this? Second. Ask for any nominations. Are there any other nominations from the floor? Motion to nominate Arlene Peter. Second. Are there any nominations?
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Made sure they only got suspended in between the times that there was nothing happening. But yet when uh an autistic kid hits his aid, we call the cops, right? See the fairness there? See how that's not working? That doesn't sit well with community members. Since I've been going through this, there's been nothing but outrage, including from other board members about their own sad stories that happened to them when they were coaching. But the difference between me and all those other coaches and employees that have been fired over hearsay is I brought the receipts and that's all I'm asking for. Look at the receipts that I have brought. You should have had this information already according to the secretary of how the how it's supposed to work. It should have arrived on your desk already, but it went to the superintendent. I want to leave you with this because I know my time's up.
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