Reese. And the financial impact of the proposed project under 2.04, please. Is there The information that we uh passed out last last month when we had the same hearing, uh you'll notice that uh we have uh the financial impact. Uh we're not anticipating uh maybe a small increase in the actual levy to cover uh the cost of these issuances. Um however, uh the important part is in 2029, the last piece of the uh 2021 projects, that bond issuance will be paid off in 2029. We look forward to potentially replacing some if not all of that uh levy uh at that time with what projects will be necessary at that point. Thank you, Mr. Reese. We'll move on to item 2.05 patrons' comments on public hearing item tonight. We do not have every anyone registered to comment on these particular issues. We'll move to item 2.06 approval of resolutions number 870 project resolution number 871 preliminary determination 872 preliminary bond resolution number 873 and 10 to reimburse.
This has been quite a process, everybody, and um I will take a motion to adjourn this hearing. So moved. Thank you, Mr. Wall. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. McLellan. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. We are adjourned. Give us 2 seconds. We're going to need to reboot our computers and get on the right uh hearing here. Thank >> Thank you guys. Move on to A3. Call this meeting to order for March 23rd, 2026. And number four is roll call, Mrs. Gray. 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. Move on to A5. Are there any revisions to the agenda, Mr. Brimberry? Uh yes, Mr. Allen. I would like the board to remove consent agenda item H14, summer technology interns. We plan to bring this item back uh to the board on April 27th.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh Seth Kobe, BNF director written testimony available for questions. >> Written testimony in opposition. >> Opposition. Thank you. also to a HSTA. >> Hello Millie. >> Aloha chair, vice chair. Sarah Millan on behalf of HSTA. Um, thank you for hearing this bill. So teaching during co was the hardest thing I've ever done. I've been teaching for 21 years. So that screen that you have on the board. I had some kids online teaching learning computer science. I had some kids in person. I was managing things back and forth. I was writing lessons. I was putting it together. Teachers worked so hard at that time and deserve to be compensated. So definitely that retention bonus for those of us who stayed in the classroom, we're where we want to be. Thanks for honoring our service if you go ahead and support that.
So help me God. And that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> Congratulations, Joanna. Welcome back. >> And Miss Lee, now that we are a full board, when you are ready, can you please do a roll call? >> Yes. Uh, Mr. Bal >> here. >> Mr. Dawson, >> here. Miss Gazino, Miss M Miss Hy here, >> Mr. Incalcutara here, >> Mr. Januzi >> here, >> Mr. Manhaz >> here, >> Miss Mosen >> here, >> Mr. Balmer, >> Mr. Zupkco >> here, >> Mr. President, you have a quorum. >> Thank you very much. Uh, the next item 1.6 is really just an acknowledgement. Uh, I want to confirm and Miss Lee uh can check for anybody who has uh doesn't remember, but I believe earlier this year uh each of us acknowledged receipt of and acceptance of the New Jersey School Board's Association Code of Ethics.
Um you know, sometimes it might not look that way, but trust me, it's it's definitely uh happening. It definitely happens in the city here or at least on the board's part. So, at the end of the day, I just wanted to make sure everybody's aware of that that what's happening this week is is a lot of those discussions, a lot of lot of hard decisions, which will be bringing forth to the board through this through the hearing process. So, so stay tuned for that. Um You know, before I turn it over to a couple things that we're talking about today with student of the month and some scholarship recipients above you here has been on display. Artwork from our students. This is our first time we had an opening night, I think, in they said 20 years or something like that. Was displayed at the the library.
Another staff member stated, quote, "Miss Shannon is an exceptional educator whose passion, leadership, and commitment reflect pride and hope for both present and future generations in our community." Congratulations, Melissa. Nicole Goodyear. Nicole celebrates the efforts of her third grade students, cultivating an environment where everyone feels safe and confident. She supports her students as individuals, meeting them where they're at as learners and understanding their unique needs. Her students succeed and feel proud of their growth. A nominator shared, "It is clear that you don't just teach. You see your students, you hear them, and you meet them exactly where they are. That is a rare and powerful gift. Congratulations, Nicole. And we need administrators from the Wheatlands. Come on up. Congratulations, Wheel. And now we are here to celebrate the goal program known for her student centered attitude. Amanda Lamort. and Amanda Lamort's efforts as a social worker are greatly appreciated by students and staff alike.
So uh just wanted to go through, kind of talk about each building and kind of what's happening in each building. So jump to the next one. So commons bathroom, as you noticed on your way in, these are open. We're not 100% complete. I would say we're about 95. Uh just some touch-up finishes that need to happen, but it was really important for us to turn these restrooms over so that we could claim the 100 hall bathrooms uh to get started on them and we really wanted to do that demo work to those restrooms over spring break while students were not here. So we're okay with where we stand currently with the commons. I think Sarah would admit like they look amazing. They look so good. Kids were so excited this morning. There was they just couldn't wait to go in and see. So Mr. Foster and I were standing out there by about 7:30 this morning and kids were can we go in now?
And again, back to you, Mr. Reese. Thank you, Mr. President, members of the board. Tonight we bring before you the four resolutions required to take the next step in this uh bond authorization. Resolution 870 is a project resolution. This is required for all projects that are over a million dollars. Resolution 871 is the preliminary determination. This is where you determine uh the need to issue uh the bonds or enter into a lease agreement to provide the funding mechanism for them. Resolution 872 is the preliminary bond resolution. This is simply uh states the procedures by which we would have to go about if we want to legally issue bonds for the school corporation. The resolution 873 is a resolution that allows the school corporation to get reimbursed uh from bond proceeds for any expenditures we might have prior to the issuance of those bonds. I believe you can go back 60 or 90 days from the date of the issuance to be reimbursed.
Thank you, Mr. Brimberry. I will entertain a motion reference to change in the agenda. Motion to revise the agenda. Thank you, Mr. Melcher. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Carl.
In terms of automatic step increases, I just want to go ahead and draw your attention. We've heard from a lot of your peers that um this language has not been negotiated. I have copies of contracts if you want one with page 66. We have negotiated this automatic step increases as long as it's funded by your body. So that language is there in case people want to know. Automatic step are best practice. So it helps a teacher know where you're going in your career. I think it's also important you want mentor teachers like me staying in the classroom and not seeking admin jobs to make more money. You want us to be able to have a living wage in the classroom to provide for our families and care for the kids in our state. >> Okay. Thank you. And in support? >> Yes. In >> Okay.
Uh, Miss Musen, now that you've been sworn in, I believe that you'll have an opportunity to do the same. Please just remmit that to Mrs. Lee when you're done. Um, and a reminder to our board members, I believe we have uh training in May that will >> April >> is April. There you go. So, it's going to be in April. Uh, that will pre preceeded our regularly scheduled meeting uh where New Jersey school boards will come in uh and refresh our memories on uh what that code of ethics entails. Uh at this point, I believe we are up to Dr. Freeman for superintendent report and recognition. >> Okay. Okay, good evening everybody and welcome to our March board meeting. I'm going to turn it back over to our president who is also the Somerset County School Board President who is going to present a special recognition for one of our students who was recognized by the County Board of Education a month or so ago.
I was honored to see it last year and again be there this year. And just an incredible thing. The entire district that the amount of art you know, to bring these things out, you know, it's funny. Last week it was brought up. A gentleman in the audience, I don't know who he is, obviously a former employee here and coach, made a comment that this place when I got here was a gold mine. And I think he was maybe talking about like the money part of it. That's not what I meant. I didn't mean that. You know, we we are obviously an SDA district and that's not the gold part I was talking about. I was talking about these things right here. This is the gold mine, right? But you don't get to enjoy it unless we bring out these opening nights. We we we honor our students like students of the month and and all these other things that you're doing.
Her desire to see students succeed is evident in all she does. Her kindness and thoughtfulness toward all she encounters exemplify her character. As stated by a nominator, her ability can to connect with students and make them feel seen, heard, and valued speaks to the depth of her care and professionalism. Congratulations, Amanda. James Smith's dedication to the students he teaches shines through his work. He cares deeply about the students of goal. Always looking out for their best interest. He comes in early, stays late, and looks for ways to help others. His kind and hardworking attitude speak volumes. A nominator shared, "Mr. Smith is the most dedicated teacher I know. Congratulations, James. And finally, Michael Kelly. Michael believes in his students, helping them learn in ways they truly understand. The lessons he teaches are fun, engaging, and meaningful. Students love taking his class. He's also a helpful and collaborative co-orker, sharing his positiv positivity with those around him.
Can we go in now? And it was like they were we were giving tours. Like they just wanted to come through. So they did such a good job today. The first thing the girls noticed was our full-length mirror was missing. So but they were installing it after school today. So that was the one thing. They said "Where's the full-length mirror?" But it is it is now there. So they'll be pleasantly surprised in the morning. But the bathrooms look great. Um so this is this is a a picture of the commons. I don't know if you want to switch to the next one. This is what the 100 hall bathrooms currently look like. Um that's a lot of demo. Yeah, so the whole wall comes out, you know, they've already they did a massive amount of work over spring break. Uh one of the things that we did, we knew that we were going to run into, which is going to take some timing, we have to have a safety corridor built uh temporary.
This resolution allows us to get reimbursed from those bond proceeds uh as necessary. With that, we recommend uh approving resolutions 870, 871, 872, and 873 and waving the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Mr. Reese. Board members, you've heard the recommendation of the administration for approval of resolution number 870, resolution number 871, resolution number 872, and resolution number 873 and to waive the formal reading of those resolutions. May I have a motion? Uh I move to approve the resolutions and waive We have a motion by Ms. Basin. Do we have a second? I second. And second by Mr. Angel. Uh board members, the motion's on the floor.
Any questions or discussion before we vote? Let's vote on the motion. Oh. Okay. Motion passes 7-0. Thought I hit the wrong button. Move on to B1, items from visitors public comment. I don't have anyone signed up to speak uh address the board this morning. That's this morning. This evening. If anyone would like to come on up and address the board, they certainly can. I just uh come up to the podium, uh give us your name and your address, and you can talk about what you need to talk about. No one having come forward, we will move on to C1, financial reports for February 2026. I believe this is going to be Mrs. Babcock. Yes. Hello, everyone. Um so, um on your packet is the February financial reports. Um and so, we'll cover that first, which is the education fund is the first one. And you can see that for for February was a much smoother lower expenditure month um as we did not have three pays in February.
Thank you. Uh Chris Coughfield. >> Hello committee chairs uh and vice chairs and committee members. I'm Chris Coughfield speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party of Hawaii's Education Caucus uh in support of this bill. Uh the party has long believed that higher compensation, adequate compensation uh leads to better teacher quality, better teacher retention, recruitment and retention uh and ultimately better student outcomes. Uh the legislature has including both of your committees have for a long time tried to create innovative pathways to provide adequate teacher compensation for our state to improve the teacher shortage and help boost outcomes uh for our students. So this is another vehicle that's important in uh making that happen. We hope that you will move it forward. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Thank you so much. And then the last person I have registered to testify is Kylie Adam Otammani in support on Zoom.
>> Thank you, Dr. Freeman. So, for those of you who are not familiar, the New Jersey School Boards Association uh runs a program that we call the Unsung Heroes Award. These are typically students who uh are overlooked by traditional forms of recognition, but have overcome some hardship uh or barriers to become successful students uh and lead into the next phase of their lives. Uh so, each district each year has the opportunity to select one student to receive this award. Uh and tonight I'm really honored to be here to recognize Joel Orana uh as the recipient this year for Bound Brook High School. So we actually have a resolution uh of the board of education uh which I will read into the record and it says whereas the Bound Brook Board of Education recognizes Joel Orana for receiving the Somerset County School Boards Association unsung hero award on March 2nd, 2026.
So, that's the part that we need to bring out there, the positive things. You know, it's very easy to talk about negative things in any community. It's the positive things that our kids do. I I constantly bring up Thanksgiving Day, how the past 2 years I love being here delivering or helping deliver meals to kids in to parents and and families that need in town. It makes me feel so good, but I wouldn't be able to do that unless I was exposed to it from the students and the families in Garfield, which is just like you know, an incredible thing. That's the gold mine. That's what That's what's really important here. So, let's not lose that vision as we start making decisions and we talk about things. Um You know, and I'll say I haven't said it in a while, but I want to say it, you know, thank you to everyone who comes here every day and and either gets into a classroom or I don't know, pushes a broom or answers a phone or whatever it is because everyone here, everyone not one one employee you know has to stay here.
One parent said, "He's truly a gift to our school and district." Congratulations, Michael. Anyone here from gold? All right. Pictures. Our final building of the evening that we are celebrating is Benik Junior High School. Our first winner is Amy Trumper. Her deep commitment to students as both a science teacher and club sponsor sets Amy apart. Students admire her unique and engaging teaching style. She's always there to help her students and has played a large role in supporting STEM initiatives at Bedars and through school district 308. A parent shared, quote, I could only hope that all of my children have such a passionate and empowering educator in their life as they work towards pursuing their passions and reaching their full potential. Congratulations, Amy. Social worker Ann Bulpenta. An advocates for her students, handling challenging situations with patience and confidence. She plays a crucial role in supporting the emotional needs of both students and staff at Benich.