I would also like to give a a a shout out to uh the township and the city in Fieldsboro for all of the work that they did in coordination with us to get the city and the township main roads, side roads up and running. so that we were all able to open on Tuesday. I do sincerely appreciate that collaboration. Um we had our first superintendent meeting week here at the high school recently. Uh I look forward to two more. One on February 11th at MIS and one on February 25th at the middle school. Additionally, the district had its first ever CPAG meeting which was strongly attended by both staff and community members. Uh it was a great night. The next CPAG meeting will be on 226 here at the high school. Please come out. Uh bear with me. I think it's important to note that it's that time of the year where all districts, including ours, are beginning to build school budgets for the 2627 school year.
She treats other with genuine kindness and consideration. She listens carefully, speaks thoughtfully and shows respect to her teachers and her classmates. She may be small and quiet in presence, but she is incredibly powerful in impact. >> Her strong determination and steady work ethic speak louder than words. She proves that you do not need to be the loudest voice in the room to be one of the strongest forces in it. We are very proud of the example he sets and the positive influence she brings to our classroom community. Please join me in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition. Keep shining and continue being gain the strong, kind and inspiring student that you are. Ladies and gentlemen, let us give a sounding applause to our sophomore superintendent student of the month, Autumn Hinber.
And I need to do that as well to make sure that everybody is participating. And those of you that are those of you that are not not necessarily contributing, I'm going to ask you to bring your voice into the room as well because every voice in here is important and everybody needs to be heard. And again, sometimes that happens in small group. It's a little easier sometimes, but we do need to hear from everybody because everybody's got a different perspective. And then let's talk about glows. So there was uh comments about the facilitation being good. Uh good that people like the back and forth between small and whole group. Uh there seem to be respective productive culture going on and then time schedule and breaks. I should note back on the grows that there was a comment about food and bugs. I didn't think that wasn't like an overwhelming thing, but I'm just going to make note there are some healthy snacks, but uh I don't think some of those things were were in our control as much as as >> personally every apple [laughter] >> this morning.
It's really the kind of hearing which the cable act prescribes to get the ball rolling by inviting the public to be heard first and that that that's really about it. Um during the negotiations which come later um most of the time and energy of negotiations has to do with continuing the uh Verizon in a Verizon renewal Verizon support for the local facilities such as the local channels, the studio, their equipment budget, their operating ing budget. So testimony pertaining to that can become relevant down the road. But um as contemplated by the statute, any cable related matter is uh fair subject matter. So that's basically my overview of this first hearing. We're required to have a hearing down the road after the negotiations of a proposed license to give the public uh an opportunity to comment on a proposed document. But we're not at that stage and the Cable Act gets us started early almost two and two and a half years prior to expiration.
>> I don't think it's that big a magnitude. Um, you take all the projects, every project, at least the 40Bs, tells you how much water they're going to use. We know what we're starting with. We should have a it it's not it should not be that in my mind. It should not be that big a deal to say, okay, we have 190,000 gallons per day availability and this project takes 50,000 gallons and this project takes 20,000 gallons and this project takes 30 gallons. Is that not something that can be done? >> If it's if it's something of that simple in nature, then uh I don't see why we can't do something like that. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you. I appreciate it. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. Any any other citizens participation at this point in time?
>> So, can we have a motion? >> So, moved. >> Okay. Okay. And the text of the motion is >> is to move um our submission, our FY27 budget submission to um align better with the mayor's um budget probably midappril. >> Okay. So, the motion is indeed to direct Becky to update it to reflect our reality. >> Um do I have a second on that motion? Um, what I wrote down was move R 2026 to align better with the city budget. >> Okay. >> Which in turn, just for your information, would be almost like one. >> Yes. >> Should we add that to motion or no? >> No. >> We don't need to. That's justeneral so that we understand what >> second. >> Okay. All in favor? I. It passes unanimously. Then um thank you. In terms of the budget itself, we have Andy, I be superintendent Sullivan have met with all our principles, all our department heads to go over their requests.
And um I'm very excited to bring that experience to Greenfield. Um I had an >> Sure. We are switching out the mic to uh resolve some tech issues for those following along on the Zoom. Give us just a second. I also neglected to read the chair statement. So, just so folks know, this meeting is being recorded by Greenfield Community Television. If any other persons are present, you must notify you are recording. Thank you, Anthony, our intrepid reporter from the Greenfield Recorder. All right, now that we've got that out of the way, is this better? >> Okay, is that better? >> It sounds less squeaky. >> Great. So, um I had a wonderful day today and I want to thank the administrators and staff who met with me and showed me around and gave me a little bit of a taste of uh Greenfield and um what the what they were proud of and what their goals were and um what they were looking for in uh leadership and what um they've been really um proud of as far as the work that they've um been able to complete here um in the district.
>> Thank you. Oneita, did you want to move forward with questions? >> Yes, I do. Thank you. So, um, Kelly, my first question is, um, in reading the policy, it Is it just for special needs students? Is >> that's an excellent question. >> Care for >> um it I would say the the prepundonderance of the times in which this is applied is for students with special needs. However, it could also apply to a nonidentified student. >> Okay. Um somewhere in there, I'm sorry I don't have it pulled up. Um we talked about students who have behavior plans. >> Yes. >> And so just um for clarification, that behavior plan could be in the form of a 504 or an IEP. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Um could it also be um just generated in general for a student who's having that's not identified.
>> So this is agnostic to the type of school. It could be a public school. It could be a public charter school. So the RFP would not specify that. It could be either or. What the bill does is what it seeks to do is just to create a procurement process to let the private side work with schools to come up with innovative ideas on how to do this with less state funding, whether it be mixed use, whether it be use of land. You know, it's it's it's kind of like a a concept award. And this concept has been done in several other jurisdictions. One of it, the most prominent one is in Maryland where the initial tranch was six schools and they've increased it to 14 as a result where they've literally built uh 14 new schools within like eight years and refernished their entire district footprint.
I want to begin by acknowledging that any and all conversations around or about a school budget and its implications for students at times can create concern and uncertainty. I also understand how personal and emotional these discussions can be. At this point in the process, it is important that everyone has a few key facts to frame your understanding. The state of New Jersey has not yet released any school aid figures. By law, the governor in New Jersey is required to deliver a budget address in late February, specifically the last Tuesday of the month by statute. And with a new governor, an extension may be requested. I believe that extension has been requested. In the past years, when a new governor has been elected, that extension from the state assembly and senate has been a two-week extension. If that request is made, which I believe it has been, and if it is granted, which I believe it will be, we don't anticipate the governor's budget address to come prior to March 10th.
[applause] Good evening everyone And tonight is a very special night because we do not honor only our student awardees but also our pillars, our board members, our admin, our parents and of course our fellow teachers. Thank you for being all in towards our student success. It is my honor and pleasure to present to you our superintendent student of the month from the junior class. She is a rising leader. someone who steps ups, takes charge, and is never afraid of a challenge. I had a privilege working with her when I was it was my first year here. I was their class sponsor. He was always back then a very good follower, but I was really surprised in a good way because she stepped up and became the class president. She brings fun energy and good vibes whenever she goes. Once she sets her mind on something, there's no way that she's going to slow down.
>> Good. >> All right. May and maybe Yeah, if you want a piece of fruit, grab one now. All right. Any comments about the grows? the glows the agenda for today. Uh I'm going to go back to that. I builtin breaks. You've got a 1 hour lunch starting at 11:45. We'll try to stick to that time frame as well. Um just and then some issues we're going to try to address. Yes. >> Just curious if anybody has time constraints that they need to be away from. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Billy. Good morning. >> Go ahead. >> Yes. Uh good morning. Time constraints. Um the assistant superintendent asked all of the directors to support sites today at dismissal like around 1:30. So I'll be stepping outside to go to gateway school. If I'm needed longer then I'll stay. If nothing happened then I'll come back to join the meeting.
So that's a a federally prescribed timetable. So that's what even though the expiration date is somewhat distant u it the law does contemplate this early startup because in some communities it can be complicated where they're first creating a studio or locating a studio uh place. Um here we have an ongoing operation that's been very vibrant the uh the access your your community studio. So it's it's not as complicated. Hopefully it will uh continue uh or increase current levels of support. So that's really the overview that I have. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate that. Thank you very much. [clears throat] Okay, we've opened up for public uh comment. If there's anybody here this evening that would like to speak on behalf of WACA TV and Verizon's uh um negotiated contract which is up 2028, please feel free to come to the podium and anybody that's listening uh via uh the platform uh just raise your hand and we'll be happy to call on you.
No. Okay. Let's move on then. Uh scheduled appearance. Uh, Verizon license renewal and ascertainment hearing. Okay. Now, I have something that I need to read. >> We haven't got five minutes yet. Oh, that's right. I'm trying to push it along. I see. Is that Mr. Silver? So, we're still waiting for one or two. All right, we have a few moments then and what I will do is I'll take something out of order. Consent. >> Sorry. >> I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor. >> That's 5. Thank you. I don't know if there's a [laughter] date for the select board volunteer appreciation breakfast. We want to look at that one. >> We can talk about that as well. >> That should be pretty quick. >> Yeah. >> Think we do it in March.
So we're compiling those right now. We were fortunate to Andy has rolled over and I say rolled over. I know some you may not want to see this or hear this, but we will go through line by line. But if you were to take this year's budget and add in the raises that were already negotiated, we also have some four upcoming units to negotiate right now that will take effect potentially for July 1st. They are the custodians, the cafeteria workers, the bus drivers, and administrative assistants clerks in schools. So that'll be happening some point this spring. If you were to take all that, roll those up people over with raises, steps, you know how people move down steps, etc. And I'll just give the basic list of Thunder >> Andy, >> but the if we come to a 7.2% increase and that is $1.7 million.
And um what was really impressive to me over my day today was just a continuity and a commonality in the themes um across the district. So um I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for the time that um you've allowed me to come and spend with you both um in my first interview and in my time with you today.
>> Yeah. but having issues. >> That is correct. So, a a general behavior plan can be put in place for any student. So, you could have, you know, a kindergarten teacher, for example, that realizes that a student is having difficulty with maybe calling out in the middle of class um and they could devise some strategies that are in written form. Behavior plan really refers to anything in um written form. um uh a BIP, which is um a behavior intervention plan, um typically applies only to students with IEPs or 504s, but a general behavior plan could apply to anyone in the school uh setting. >> Okay. Um can I keep going? >> Of course. >> Okay. So when we go down to number three >> on under the um under this heading right here >> time time limitations for the use. Okay. >> And then if we go down to um paragraph number five I think it is one two three.
So that's the motto is let's try something different. >> Okay. And so what kind [clears throat] of measurements will we be able to in in institute that will let us know whether it's been more cost effective? >> Right? So all this is is the RFP. So the intent is to put an RFP >> award concept award. It's kind of like a two-step. This then allows a real detailed proforma plan where you can clearly understand what the private side's going to put in what if there is a need for a state contribution what it is what the terms are and then each of those would be a decision based that the ledge would have to pass subsequently in the next bienium all this does is lay down the planning concept for it. Yeah. And it the appropriation is being asked for $3 million, >> right? The idea is what they call you typically call this capture money.
School state aid information is statutoily required to be released to school districts within 48 hours of that address. Until those figures are received, which we anticipate to be on or about March 12th, no district, including ours, has any confirmed funding information. And it no district, including ours, can make any final budgetary decisions. I want to be clear that any specific claims that may circulate prior to that time are not based on verified information and are not based on information that would be coming from me as the superintendent or the board of education. Once state aid is released, this district will develop a tenative budget. We will present it to the board of education in a p in at a public meeting where all commu community members will be invited to offer their opinion and given an opportunity to ask questions. In addition to that, we plan to hold multiple public budget workshop sessions for the public in multiple locations which will be designed to explain the budget that we build in detail, answer questions, and hear community feedback before we make any final decisions.
In fact, this is a fact. I fact check it. She has already booked the event hall at Curly School and completed all necessary documents, the paperworks as early as last week for the senior's ball this coming May. [laughter] She truly embodies the ability to shine in anything she puts effort into. Keep it up. Keep shining. Ladies and gentlemen and friends, please help me welcome our superintendent student of the month from the junior class. Drum roll. CONGRATULATIONS [applause] and two more. >> YAY.