successfully balancing the demands of his first year with certification requirements speaks volumes about his work ethic and his commitment. Uh Josh has been quickly become an invaluable member of our business department. He's an active contributor in his professional learning community. He's consistently thoughtful and he works through evidence-based ideas through his instruction. science and you think about like financial literacy embodied altogether is how he delivers his lessons. One uh quality of Josh that I particularly find every single time I visit his classroom is his reflection. He regularly analyzes data, refineses his instruction, and tries to maximize learning. Beyond the classroom, he coaches basketball for us as well as track. He's a dynamic, independable member and always steps up to help his colleagues. He's part of the school staff SIP committee as well, helping provide feedback for Andrew High School. Mr. Niego exemplifies the promise and excellence of an early career educator and is most deserving of this special recognition.
So that's why we want to scale back for one year to one site to model that um with a limited uh cost potential um that is a controllable amount. You can see his projections that he's made to be able to keep prek. Um that's our hope. So, we'd like to scale back and give a pilot program a try. >> Um, so this item is on the agenda for approval. So, we'll entertain a motion to approve um offering one site at the 150. Just want to clarify because there lots of options. >> Yes. >> So, >> okay. So, I have a motion by Kirk. Do I have a second? >> Second by Cheryl.
Planning and policy tools. By that we mean a lot of those recommendations are zoning or they could be studies, things like that. Um, anything that's more regulatory or planning related. Um the second is local action things you can do with your your own um local funds uh land that you may that that you may have and um volunteer capacity as well as staffing capacity and even housing programs that you could run out either at a local level or fund an organization to run for Ashland on your behalf. So that's examples of local action and housing programs. And then three is that engagement and capacity building and we wanted to provide you with some ideas um as for that as well. So uh the planning and policy tool I'm not going to go through everyone.
>> Yep. Sorry guys. Anotheration be quick as well. Is the state going to be looking to help if every district has a money issue? >> No. No. How much? >> They don't do any they don't do anything. If they do like some districts like Lindald a couple years ago went to like multiple um hearings and things of that nature because they didn't give an increase, but they had a tremendous amount of increased enrollment so they had to go and fight for it. So yeah, I mean it's not >> messed up. It's tough. Yeah, it's definitely a challenge. >> All right, so we just wrapped up something called collaborative federal monitoring, which is basically um the state um coming in and monitoring uh how we have used our federal grant monies. Um and so same thing like with every audit, they ask us a bajillion questions.
Brian plans to attend college and pursue a degree in engineering. Congratulations, Brian. Are you here? >> [applause] >> Um Commissioner Siano 12th grade, we have Thomas Bowman. Thomas Bowman is a resilient, compassionate senior who has found his voice through CAST, where he helps record the school's morning show. He credits Mr. Macchione as the most influential teacher in his life, praising his dedication, encouragement of individuality, and tireless commitment to students. Thomas draws inspiration from his older sisters, Amanda, Megan, and Stephanie, who supported him through the loss of his father and continue to guide him. A four-year member of the football team and a dedicated track athlete specializing in javelin under the guidance of Coach Brown. Thomas channels his challenges into motivation and growth. He plans to attend Montclair State University, majoring in communications with a minor in business, with the goal of becoming a sports analyst.
Congratulations, Mr. Nego. Mr. Tadla, a very familiar face to many of you as he prepares for his well-earned retirement at the end of the year. It is fitting to recognize the extraordinary impact of his career and education. For decades, 35 years to be exact, Mr. Tadla John has set the standard of what it means to be a dedicated school counselor and unwavering student advocate. Long before equity became a common term, Mr. Tadla lived it, supporting with every student's personal journey with compassion and respect. Whether guiding college applications, supporting students through hospitalizations and transitions, or providing a safe space to talk, his commitment to student and families has been steadfast. John's influence extends beyond his case load. He built our annual career day at Andrew High School. He coordinates AP exams and he serves as our NCAA expert and contributes countless hours to committees and initiatives, all with a contagious positivity and a humor.
Any discussion? I just have a question about you said it was hard to collect on the uh from last year. >> Do you know how much outstanding we have able to collect? >> No. Um we so they have about a three-w weekek grace period before uh if they haven't been able to catch up. So that would be about $150 before they are um removed from the prek program. So we've had to move uh five students. So, roughly about $1,000. >> Any other questions? >> I have a motion and a second. So, hearing no other discussion. All of those in favor? 6. So, now we'll go down under professional staff. We have some recommendations. >> Yes, please. asking for the following re recommendations to be approved. Career increment master teacher stipens for the years 2026 through 203031 for the following teachers. Angie Burton and Molly Crouch.
There are quite a lot of strategies and as I said we wanted to give you a a menu of choices and I'm happy to to to answer any questions you have on specific ones. But just to keep this at a little bit of a higher level under the planning and policy tools, um those really focus on essentially critical updates to zoning. um unlocking underutilized land, supporting that broader range of housing types, including that more gentle density missing middle, you know, not so much the the the the large many hundreds of units um developments and and not as small as that, you know, the typical single family house, but a broader range of things more in between that. um elevating zoning amendments that enhance affordability, ways to really encourage affordability, especially at that more deeply affordable level, that 30% AMI. Under local action and housing programs, we um we look at how can you catalyze affordable or mixed income housing even on uh you know, land you own or by um by kind of signing on to a local initiative program, a friendly 40b people call it.
Most of them are directed towards Meg because there's a a huge financial aspect to it. But there's some other areas too um that you'll see in the the final report here that pertain not really necessarily to financial items but more towards policy and things of that nature. Um so just as a as a refresher here real quick, federal programs um that were receiving money from the federal government, title one part A, title two part A, title three part A, title three immigrant, title four part A, and then IDA. Um and there's a description of what each one of them is for. Um they all have their own separate um place in sort of the funding formula in federal money that we get um from the government. Some of them we we get a little bit more money. Some of them we get almost no money.
Is Thomas here? >> [applause] >> And the February student of the month, Commissioner Suarez. Thank you, President Bascom. Uh I would love to honor Bosco Djurdic. Bosco is a motivated freshman who enjoys math because of the confidence and ease he finds in the subject. He credits Mr. Lembrick as one of the most influential teachers in his life, sharing that he motivates him in sports and always offers meaningful advice. Bosco also appreciates the guidance of his middle school teacher, Mr. Labriola, who who prepared him for high school by offering encouragement and practical advice. A member of the CHS soccer program, Bosco stays motivated through his faith in God and the support of his family. He plans to attend college and aspires to build successful and fulfilling life. Bosco, are you here tonight? All right, please clap for him. >> [applause] >> I have the pleasure of reading from the 10th grade, Retej Elsayed is thoughtful and driven sophomore with a strong interest in social studies and understanding how history shapes the world today.
He likes to make fun sometimes. Uh, keeping us grounded. He's a coach, sponsor, a mentor. You saw him at NHS induction. You've seen him in golf and tennis. He is all over all the time forming meaningful connections with students both inside and outside the classroom. Within our counseling department, John is the heart of our culture with his colleagues bringing humor to all of us, humility and optimism. He celebrates and he recognizes even with uh retirement opportunities. We're going to have him present on everyone else again this year. He makes us all laugh and brings a lot of joy to our group. Honoring Mr. Tadla with this award spe award of special recognition is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career. Congratulations, Mr. Last but not least, another very familiar face, Miss Cinnamon Morris, uh, who received the award of special recognition, education service personnel. As our head cook, Cinnamon oversees the daily service of meals for over 2,20,200, right?
Toby Harold, interim food service director. Ashley Heindel, Janice County Middle School girls track coach and Courtney Mansville, middle school assistant girls track coach. >> We entertain a motion to approve those recommendations as read. Motion by Mary Lyn. Do I have a second? >> Second by Travis.
um that might be not it's not something you have to do, especially if you're over the 10% uh goal uh for from the state, but it's something you still can do to to especially support your housing needs such as those deeply affordable units. So, those are just some tools in your toolbox around local action, strengthening your affordable housing trust, um preserving expiring units, supporting seniors aging in the community. So, those are all just examples of the types of things that um can be in that that um that category. And I did include the the maps that are in the plan just showing one of the things we're required to do uh by the state guidelines for housing production plans is to identify specific private as well as public sites that could be encouraged for housing development to meet your housing needs. And so we we don't have to pick as many as we did, but um you know, if you have any specific specific um points of view about which ones you want to show and which you don't, it doesn't bind you to anything to show these.
Um so it sort of is a range of of uh of programs for us. All right. First with the title one finding. First of all, there's no fiscal finding. So basically they came in and said everything that Meg has done with the federal funds has been on the up and up. She's there's there's not there was nothing to report with how the funds were were used. Um the first one the first title one finding there's a school level parent and family engagement policy was not available for each one of the schools. Um the board actually approved this new policy at the last meeting after she she told us this in the audit. I went and created one for each of the schools and then the board approved um those those new policies. So, they're already in place for next year or or currently in place.
She credits Mr. Ashworth and Ms. Figueroa for as influential teachers who encouraged her to believe in her ability to grow with confidence. Retej also appreciates the guidance of Ms. Breaker, Woodrow Wilson Middle School, and Mr. Oxenbridge, whose class helped prepare her for the expectations of high school. Through resilience and determination, Retej has learned to balance responsibilities and remain focused on her goals. She plans on attending college and pursue a career that allows her to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Is Retej here? >> [applause] >> Commissioner Harris >> [applause] >> Okay, I'm presenting the 11th grade award to Caitlyn Garrity. Caitlyn Garrity is a dedicated and accomplished junior who has made a tremendous impact in Clifton High School's visual and performing arts program. A leader in both orchestra and band, she serves as concert master and overall band manager while participating in multiple ensembles.
About students and staff, ensuring that our cafeteria is not only efficient, but welcoming and supportive. Since joining Andrew in 2001, she has become a pillar of our school community. Her impact is most felt in her interactions, her contagious smile, the work that she does with our students. She notices when a kid needs encouragement or an adult needs a little more walking through the cafeteria. For many, our cafeteria is a place of connections, and she creates that environment. As a leader, she sets the tone with her team through integrity and compassion with high expectations. She leads by example and staff as well as students often perceived her as a calming force. She leads cherished community events like senior recognition, senior citizen, strengthening our connections beyond our school walls. Cinnamon understands that nutrition fuels learning. You can't learn if you're not you don't have sound nutrition. And she takes great pride in serving meals with care and excellence.
Any discussion? All those in favor? 6. And if you wouldn't mind, I wanted to let you know that our newly approved interrum food service director is here today and I would like to be able to introduce him. He's not an unfamiliar he is a familiar face to us. Not unfamiliar in any way. But Mr. Toby Harold who has been teaching at the high school is now going to be transitioning to that position. So Toby, if you'll come on up this way, we would love to be able to congratulate you. Congratulate you. So if you'll start with Mr. Ebinger, please. >> You didn't bring any food for us to. >> Yeah, we're gonna have to put you on an action plan, right? >> I know. [laughter] >> Congratulations. It's official. Congratulations. We're super excited that you've taken that role and look forward um to tasting all of the wonderful food.
Um but what we tried to pick out were private um private property with redevelopment potential. Maybe there are already buildings in uses there, but perhaps they're underutilized or there's an opportunity for redevelopment. Um and then private undeveloped in that teal color. The the private with the redevelopment is in that like orangey u mustard color. And then we also um uh identified vacant town parcels and that's that purple purpley. Now you might say nope, no way, no how. Don't want these on the list. Totally fine. We just need to look, we need to first of all say that we looked at both private and public uh town-owned opportunities. And then we have to at least identify one in each category at a minimum. And if we can't do that for some reason, we need to state, we did attempt to do this and we looked at all the vacant town own parcels, but for this reason and that reason and this reason, we were not able to find a suitable parcel.
Um the district did not convenient convene its annual title one parent meeting prior to the first week of October. So, we did have a meeting. We didn't have it until November 12th. That's on me. I didn't know it had to be prior to the first week in October. So, uh, obviously very easy fix moving forward in the future. Um, we'll we'll have it, you know, right in the within the first couple of weeks of school. Uh, also title one finding, the letter given to parents of students who are placed in our ESL program, uh, ESL being English as a second language, uh, did not contain the following. So, there's just some things um that they wanted added into the letter that we send home to families of our ESL students. Again, some things that we just weren't aware of. Um and so we've already added these things uh to the letter and it's it has already been resolved.
Caitlyn credits Mr. Stebeleski along with Mr. Louie, and Mrs. Babiak, and Ms. Ebell for inspiring her growth as both a musician and a leader. She plans to pursue a degree in music education with the goal of sharing her passion for music with future generations. Caitlyn, are you here? >> [applause] >> Next, we have Commissioner Conover with the 12th grade. All right. Next up for 12th grade, we have Nicholas Dang. Nicholas Dang is an accomplished and reflective senior with a passion for English and writing. He credits Mr. Ms. Ondek, his senior year English teacher, as the most influential influential educator in his high school journey. Sharing that her class fostered both joy and growth as a writer and a critical thinker. He also appreciates Mrs. Budamine, whose computer science class helped solidify his interest in cybersecurity and made a complex coding concepts accessible and engaging. As treasurer, secretary, and head of social media for the coding club, Nicholas has demonstrated leadership while combining his love for technology with photography and videography.