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Mhm. >> session's public hearing of the Huntington County Community School Board of Trustees. We're going to start uh the special session with a call to order. Mrs. Gray. Roll call. Mr. Allen. Here. Mr. McLellan. >> Here. Mr. Melcher. Here. Mr. Wall. Here. Mr. Carl. Here. Mrs. Miller. Here. Mr. Thompson. Here. Thank you, Mrs. Gray. Moving on to B1 public hearing on superintendent contract for 2026 through 2029. The uh contract has been available for viewing since uh I think about a week ago Friday. And um so I hope everybody had a chance to take a look. Uh at this time uh we're going to move on to public comment on the proposed superintendent contract. Anyone wishing to address the board may do so. I'll go down the list of those that have signed up and call you to microphone to speak. You'll be given 3 minutes to speak and we will have a timer.
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First item on our agenda is House Bill 1890, House draft 3, relating to education. First up on our list is Jen Mustto, I should say. Sorry, it's the Italian part that I >> You're right. If you were Italy, we would be >> Yes. >> Good to see. >> Thank you, chair. Thank you, vice chair. Thank you, members of the committee. I have to take my minute of personal privilege and say it feels like I'm home again. Um, you have my written testimony. Let me just say that I keep going around to both House and Senate hearings about I'm sorry. If you could speak a little directly into the mic, please. Thank you. >> I've been going to House and Senate committees talking about proposals that fund teacher salaries, DOE, all of those good things. Someone asked me at one of the hearing what my personal opinion was.
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We'll say the pledge of allegiance and then we'll get things underway. So, the New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies, at which time any business affecting their interests is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act and board of education policy 0162, the board of education of the bureau of Bound Brook has caused notice of this meeting to be posted in the board office and at Bound Brook High School and mailed Orfax to the Courier News, Bound Brook Burough Clerk, Southbound Brook Board of Education, and any person who has requested individual notice and paid the required fee.
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Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Good evening, everyone. Uh welcome to the uh meeting of the board for March. Um I hope you all are um you know, warming up a little bit. We know still back and forth a little, but uh I think uh we're doing uh as much as we can facilities-wise now to recover from this grueling winter um and uh kind of move forward. I want I wanted to just start by saying uh thank you to the board members here. Um this uh since I've been here actually um and now especially currently with this board um the amount of work that is put in on a daily basis to make sure um that what you see on this agenda tonight basically uh is not a rubber stamp. Um and uh you know, I I could speak for Mr. Labou in saying we appreciate that.
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Your contributions make this program successful. We would also like to thank all of those who nominated individuals for consideration. Each nominee has been recognized with a certificate. Awardees, after your name is called and we share your nomination, please come forward to be congratulated by the board and Dr. Kilgotti and then stay up front until the rest of the individuals from your school have been called up. Our first school tonight is Foxchase Elementary School. In her role as a special education teacher, Jennifer Gordon is known for her ability to connect with students. She meets students where they are to help them grow, both academically and personally. She's also generous in sharing her time and experiences with co-workers. One parent shared, quote, "My son feels loved and cared for when he is with her. I feel safer with him there because of her." Congratulations, Jennifer. As one of her building's custodians, Yolanda Qual consistently ensures everyone's needs are met.
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Hearing none. Um can I I would like to entertain a motion for approval of the agenda. So moved. Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed same sign. Abstentions? Motion carried. Any visitors or comments from the audience? Anybody? You there? Um No presentations at this moment. No discussion items. Um entertaining a motion for approval of the minutes from the March 2nd, 2026 meeting. I move to approve. Is there a second to approve the minutes? Second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the minutes from March 2nd, 2026. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed same sign. Abstentions? Motion carried. Um consent agenda, for those of our regular attenders, so Jenny. Um We are changing up and all consent agenda items are being brought to the front and in the consent agenda tonight we've got separations, appointments, and transfers, as well as uh field trip and a professional meeting.
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Uh any questions or comments on this motion? All right, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Nays? Vote carries 5-0 to suspend the regular meeting and open the public hearing. Move to item 2.02 statement of purpose of hearing and educational need for projects. Mr. Reese. Thank you, Mr. President, members of the board. Uh tonight is the second hearing. Uh last month you held the first hearing regarding this project. Uh tonight is the required second hearing for that project. Uh once this uh hearing is uh towards the end, we will then bring the resolutions to you uh for a vote. Uh the need for the projects uh is due to make sure we provide you the greatest amount of flexibility to manage uh Senate Enrolled Act 1 as we move forward uh through the next 5 to 6 years and potentially uh even even even 10 years.
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If I you get down to about 30 seconds or so, I'll just remind you how close we are. Um we do ask those addressing the board that if the questions that you wish to ask are the same as the ones to the of a prior speaker that uh you leave those out. Um we like fresh stuff. If anyone was not able to sign up um then I will certainly let them address the board if they wish. We currently have no one signed up uh to address the board reference the teacher's contract. Um would anyone like to come forward? I do have uh something I just want to talk about a little bit um cuz there has been some discussion in the community about the contract. Uh and talk a little bit about the decision and how we come about um what pay is really based on and and for the superintendent it's based on a lot of considerations and a lot of responsibilities.
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I said, I don't have one. I'm here representing the governor of the state of Hawaii. But in that capacity, I can tell you Governor Green absolutely is committed to public education and the teachers of Hawaii and the administrators of Hawaii and everyone. However, in our wisdom, we created Chapter 89. Chapter 89 was unique in the United >> Thank you, Mr. Mosto. I'm sorry, your time's up, but we do have your written comments. >> Yes. Again, in opposition. >> Thank you, Ed. No. State public charter school commission. It is Mr. No. Online >> not available on Zoom. Chair. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh we'll go to Attorney General Amanda Donlin or >> Fama Rago. Aloha. Welcome. >> Good afternoon chairs Elephante and Kim and members of the committee. I'm Deputy Attorney General Biamarago providing testimony on behalf of the department of the attorney general. As written, this bill may create ambiguities related to the source of funding.
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Please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. At this time, I believe we will be swearing in one of our board of education members. Ms. Lee, the floor is yours. >> Thank you, uh, board president. So, uh, we had a three, uh, reelected, uh, board members, uh, last, um, uh, November. Um, two of the board members are already sworn in, and then right now the last board member, Miss Men, will be sworn in for our board members. Okay. Okay. Uh, Miss Mosen, uh, raise your right hand and then repeat after me. And, um, when I read I, um, insert your name, please. I, >> Joanna Mus >> do, uh, solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. Repeat after me. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Do you solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, >> the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, >> the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
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Uh because we really want to make sure that we have the best program here for our students and make sure we get you know, the best supplies and the best professional development that we can for our teachers and administrators. And I think we we continue to continue to have those hard conversations as we get into um the budget cycle uh which for those of you who did watch or join us last week. Was that 2 weeks now? 2 weeks? No, last week. Um you know, we are still uh really really in a a a home stretch here of trying to do the best we can uh getting some more funding um from Governor uh Sherrill um which was which was great, which really helped us out, but we are still you know, combating the health care costs uh and other rising costs that all of us are going through at home with um energy, etc.
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She tackles demanding tasks diligently and tends to classrooms with an eye for detail. Outside of her work, her warm smile is a welcoming presence for students and staff alike. A fellow staff member shared, "Having worked the lines alongside her at Foxchase Elementary, I have consistently witnessed a level of professional excellence that not only supports our operations, but defines the very heart of our school culture. Congratulations, Yolanda." And the last recognition from Fox Chase is Britney Luwendowski. Britney Luwendowski's positivity and encouragement has left an impression on her kindergarten students, their families, and all of those around her. She cultivates a fun family atmosphere in her classroom, offering creative and physical ways of learning. She also recognizes the worth of all staff members and strives to instill that same level of respect within each of her students. parents shared, "When we see the things she's doing with our students in her class, we wish we could be her students ourselves." >> Congratulations, Britney.
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So is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. I propose that we uh sorry, I move that we uh approve the consent agenda. Is there a second? I'll second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda items. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed same sign. Uh abstentions? Motion carried. Moving on to our action needed items. There is We have the recommendation to approve the updated contract between Brown County Schools and Future Jump Calling for our afternoon custodial services at Brown County Middle School and Brown County High School. Is there a motion to approve [clears throat] the recommendation? So moved. Second. I'll second. All those in favor of approving the recommendation to update the contract between Brown County School and Future Jump Calling for PM custodial services at Brown County Middle School and High School signify by saying I.
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Uh so with that, that's the need for the projects as we're proposing. Thank you, Mr. Reese. We'll move to 2.03 overview of project to meet the education needs, costs, and timing. Mr. Reese. Mr. President, uh the the project uh to meet the educational needs, costs, and timing. Uh the current uh what we're asking for is authorization to issue up to 150 million. As I mentioned, those are going to be issued uh over the course of the next 5 to 10 years depending on what the needs are of the corporation at the time. Due to the restrictions uh in that were included in Senate Enrolled Act 1, uh we want to make sure we provide you that greatest amount of flexibility so you can meet the needs of the school corporation. The timing will be such based upon your approval at a future date. Thank you, Mr.
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Uh HCCS is the largest employer of Huntington County with over 800 employees in charge of the education of over 4,700 kids and has to manage an annual annual budget of over $77 million dollars maintain nine schools plus learning grounds plus learning center and the grounds that they sit on manages two administrative buildings and their grounds maintains over 100 vehicles used by HCCS is a steward for the stakeholders and taxpayer dollars maintenance and supervision of HCCS athletics and extracurricular activities They have to answer to 1,650 plus pages of laws and regulations that school corporations are required to follow. And finally um since all school corporations are looking for someone that has these specialized qualifications and experience specific to a successful superintendent the demand for someone like that is very high and the cost of someone with those qualities has increased over the last several years. Finally, I would add that we use feedback from our Chief Financial Officer Michelle Bro- Babcock and comparison charts of pay for surrounding corporations and those like size to HCCS to build a fair, affordable and sustainable contract for our superintendent.
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Our draft language resolves those ambiguities and makes it clear that funding is subject to legislative appropriations. Additionally, this bill now includes a retention bonus for those who worked during the CO 19 state of Hawaii pandemic period. Draft language has been suggested so it does not conflict with chapter 89 the collective bargaining chapter. If the suggested changes are not adopted we respectfully ask the committees to hold this bill. I'm available for questions should you have any. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Robbo. Uh Keith Hayashi superintendent de or representative. >> Good afternoon chairs vice chairs and members of the committee. Sean Bacon speaking on behalf of the department. The department stands on its written testimony providing comments and we do support the intent of this measure supporting all of our teachers with recruitment and retention. We would just ask that this bill be expanded to incorporate all of the department employees so they can receive the same benefits.
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>> That I will bear true fa true faith and allegiance to the same. >> To the governments established in the United States and this state >> to the governments established in the United States and this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. I >> I Joanna Musen >> do solemnly swear that I possesses the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of the member of the board of education do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of the board of education and that I'm not disqualified as a border pursuant to RS19 col4-1 nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJS18A12-1 one that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS19 col4-1 nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJS18A col2-1 and that I'll faithfully impartially and just justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability.
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So, some of those things are really taking a toll on us. Um it's going to make a tax impact regardless. Um and we want to maintain all these programs that we put in place if we can. So, in saying that, I think um there is there is anxiety, there's questions, there's concerns. Um you know, there's going to be you know, different types of questions and and whatnot um in this atmosphere as we get closer to uh you know, making some of these final decisions for next week. So, next Monday the board is planning um its budget hearing and final budget approval. Uh in saying that, this week there'll be a lot of scrubbing. I call it scrubbing cuz that's exactly what it is by the lines uh to make sure that we do maintain some of those programs and do the most fiscally conservative thing for the for the taxpayer.
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>> All right. And one final round of applause for Fox Chase. At this time, any building administrators, please come on up for some pictures. Congratulations, Fox. Next up, we have the Wheatlands Elementary School. Charles Bar, a social worker at the Wheatlands, is incredibly intentional in the ways he supports students. He sees each students strengths and works to build them up. His collaboration with staff helps things run smoothly and function on a high level. As shared by a fellow employee, he is intentional about the ways he works with his students to meet their goals and makes school a positive experience for them. Congratulations, Charles. Next up, first grade teacher Melissa Shannon. Melissa Melissa leads with professionalism and a true commitment to student success, laying a strong foundation for many learners through the years. She fosters a strong sense of belonging and teamwork within her classroom. Her compassion and consistency allow her to develop meaningful relationships that help students thrive.
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I. Opposed same sign. Abstentions? Motion carried. Our superintendent's report. Uh I feel like we've got a couple of things here tonight um and I'm going to lead with Mr. Steel. Um he's going to give um some updates on the facilities um and construction across the district. Um so I'm going to pull it up. Yeah, so as she's pulling that up, we have quite a bit already going on across the district. Um obviously we have our athletics project um that's still scheduled to kick off April 1. There's really no big pictures [clears throat] to share with you. It looks exactly the same as it has. Um so just know that that's still in the works. We have a meeting tomorrow, pre-construction meeting to kick that off. Um but as far as our other buildings, we do have quite a bit of construction already started and then we did a lot of construction uh over spring break.
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