So, we're working on that. And then the Maschio's also put out a student survey to every student middle school and high school which we sent out last week shared with all of them to get feedback from every student in the district on what they would like to see added or changed inside of the food offerings. And once they call that data and they come back to us, we'll let you know, but they've been very receptive. They are happy to continue to meet with students because as they said, the better information they get from their consumers, the better products they can put out for the students. Also, I'm happy to say that the vending machines have been readily addressed which was a concern raised by students to me directly and they've done a good job of making sure those are are up to snuff. I haven't heard from the students again on the vending machines.
>> Is that their responsibility as well? They do. They manage the vending machines. So, we will continue to have dialogue and discussion and and speak with them, but I do think that they are committed to not only improving the food quality, but maintaining open relationships with the kids. One of the things that they would like is increased numbers of kids buying lunch because that's good for them. I said, "Well, you have to give them something that is an offering that they that they find enticing." So, they are working to do that and I think that opening that communication and communicating monthly with the kids so that they actually know, even the families, that the menu changes online in real time. So, if there's a change to the menu tomorrow, it will be changed tomorrow for you to see. But, I think that us being more proactive in communicating with students, especially middle school and high school students, will will sort of give them an idea of like, "Oh, okay.
I like taco bowls. I want to make sure I buy lunch on this day." But, they may not realize that it's today. So. Thank you. So, they don't think they're going to see something like that. We did that already. Okay.
Any questions on Is this Gins? Yes. Is this Watts? Yes. Is this May? Yes. Is this McCarty? Yes. Is this Watson? Yes. >> Is this Matt? Yes. Is this May? Yes. Is this Orr? Yes. Is this Schorr? Yes. Is this Gins? Yes. I'm Jennifer E. Public comment. Um so public children are reminded that they should attempt to resolve any and all problems through the administrative contact with the program administrator. Generally speaking, following the chain of command. Um any member of the public who wishes to speak should uh state their name, address, and then address the board. Um we have two people signed up to speak. Um so we have 5-minute time limit. Uh the first speaker is Remi Ackerman. And um I believe you're a student. So for students, you just uh state which school you attend. You don't have to state your address. My name is Remi Ackerman, and I'm a fifth grader in McBryde Intermediate School.
I'm here to talk about how the fifth grade dance is being turned to a fifth grade celebration. Um this is something that kids have been looking forward to and that we heard about in the past and it's sort of like a tradition that we've heard of and that now it's our turn and we're like Excuse me. Um we're really excited to like actually have got like got a chance to have it. Um some people like as soon as they heard, they've already started like planning with their friends on what they're going to wear and like different fun stuff like that. And this is showing how like we're growing up and that there's independence and how they're we're going to have more trust now cuz there's not going to be like parents there. It's going to be just all fifth graders and shoppers. Um that we're now more responsible, we're now going to make more better decisions, and it's one thing from when you go to elementary school to intermediate school cuz it's like right across the street.
Um it's like right across the street, but there's a huge difference from going from intermediate school to middle school. And that something with this dance, we can express it and how we're like being able to do that. And that we've this in the beginning of the year, you guys know how pure mutual joined McFarland, and part of Claire Barland went over to Peter Mutual. Um now the entire year, it's sort of we've all combined, and we became instead of just two groups that now just run the same school, we're now like one big community. And this is showing us moving together into the future, and showing that we're going to be together, and we're going to continue working together. And just to end the year, these are just like a few reasons on me why me and other fifth graders here at McFarland are wanting to have a fifth grade dance.
Please think what I said and take it into consideration how other fifth graders may feel about what's happening and how this is being shown from a dance to a celebration. Again, I'm Lenny Ackerman, and I'm a fifth grader at McFarland. Thank you for your time. Ms. Ackerman, thank you so much for addressing the board. We always greatly appreciate hearing from the student body. You did a phenomenal job, ma'am, and I thank you so much for your time and for your your bravery to approach and speak to the board. I stood at that podium at one point, and I spoke to it. It's um It's not easy for everyone to do, and you did a commendable job. Thank you so much for being here today. Um we also have Mr. Scott Ackerman um signed up to speak, so the floor is yours, Mr. Ackerman. Scott Ackerman, uh one Civic Arena, I think it rubbed off on her.
Sorry. But, I'm very glad she went before me. However, I'm talking about something else. Um I do have a question. Didn't I even attempt to even come here to talk about and stand up here and speak for her. But, I have a question about the group that was here earlier about the um energy savings program. Um I guess the two questions I had is why were they coming in, and would you be going to entertain any of the ESCOs that exist in the state to give presentations? Because it seems like they're going to be able to have a look under the hood, and having worked in state government for way too long. Um seeing somebody who can see all the details first, so when you do the RFP, I know many people in this group already know that, but those out there don't, and people over here that don't, and people might be just watching the video later.
Um they already have a leg up in knowing exactly what's on that RFP. And then so I wonder whether or not other companies are going to If you decide to go this route, and I know that's part of the process, whether or not you're even thinking about it, even thinking the concept, but the fact that they were here today means that this is at least likely. So, I'm just wondering whether or not you plan I know you can't answer that now. I know. But, just putting that out there that they're one of at least He said 49, it's probably about 62 um that are out there that are approved with BPU's in addition to ones that will state with you in addition to ones that aren't ESCO, but are still can do the same things under the uh the uh E-Temp program. So, just wondering active.
Thank you. Mr. Hammond, thank you for your comments. We will uh take your comments into uh our consideration. Uh I do not have any other uh public signed up to comment. Is there anyone in the public that would say anything? Okay. Seeing none, I will open the floor to board comment. Just a couple of quick announcements. Um yesterday, the ASBO I released their Capitol Watch uh for spring 2026 quarter. Uh should have received You should have received it in the email. It's a fantastic resource um to see what what legislation is out there, what the uh whether the ASBO I supports it or not, and where it is in the process. Um so, if you haven't had not been to me and you should look it over, it's one of the few spam, I will call them, emails from the ASBO I that I actually like to read and pay attention to.
Um in addition, they released um some of their upcoming webinars. Um on April 30th, they're offering a webinar on student success through collaborative technology leadership. And on May 20th, um they are having one of their What's Brewing in Educational Law Coffee Talk. They have those pretty regular, and I find them very very uh informative. It's usually on YouTube, and you can listen to them and just get an idea of recent case law that passed and where it stands. I always find them entertaining. Um I highly recommend tuning in if you can. Um I also gave everyone a legislative update spreadsheet uh well, handout for uh April updates. Um just a quick summary. Yeah, school funding formula reform discussion is a hot topic right now. Um some possible areas of change are adequacy calculations, enrollment methodology, geographic cost adjustments, hold harmless, aid stabilization, divisions. Um So, obviously, the district should continue to keep our eye on uh that, especially with our our, you know, our growing budget.
Um SP NJDOE April State Board Actions. Uh they met on the 8th. Um Key deadline reminders. The The The main takeaways from that were um the HIB grade deadline is April 29th. I see that we have that in our agenda to vote for. Um our actual coordinator special education aid applications due by May 22nd. And And additional NJSLEDs uh reporting updates were issued. Um Not really much for us to do with that. Uh S3382, which is the bill on school construction bonds, is still active and uh hopefully moving. It is still in play. Uh what this would do is again release additional funding um that could help us with with lowering the amount if we had to go to referendum. Uh lowering the amount that we would have to go for because there are other aid avenues available to us, so we should keep our eye on that.
Um A new bill was just um introduced on April 1st that would recommend a state-mandated spring break, so that all districts would be on the same state-mandated break schedule. Um We will keep our eye on it. And that is Like I said, it was just introduced on April 1st, so no no no idea how that's going to move. Um Right now, there's uh federal education funds are going to continue to flow through the Department of Education. There are some ongoing restructuring conversations that are happening with federal funding to schools. Um Programs such as Title 1, IDEA, Title 2, other federal grants. Uh so, right now, we have short-term stability because they are continuing to be released, but we have to keep our eye on it for future budget cycles. Um 27 states are now moving towards a participation in the new federal school choice program.
New Jersey is not one of them. Yeah. Uh So again, it's something to keep our eye on to see where it lands. There are some potential shifts coming or discussions about priorities around Title IX and corporate enforcement. So, examples including parental access to student records, Title IX / transgender student guidance shifts, rollback of some prior civil rights settlements. So again, it's just important for us as a district to just monitor and keep our eye on these federal guidance changes as they relate to our current district policies to make sure that we stay in compliance. That was all that I had for today. I will again at our next meeting I will try to When I When I presented this, this is just current April stuff. I will try to also provide updates on bills from previous months to see if they've had any movement. I just didn't get that far back today.
I apologize. That's it. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Beth. Always come with a wealth of information and always keep us up to speed on stuff. It is very appreciated. All right. Any other board members wish to say anything? As the Easter Bunny, I made the brave decision to go into Peter Muschal today as the Lorax. And they loved it. So, I got to change to read to preschool, first grade, and kindergarten as the Lorax. Very difficult to read with that mustache on. Um, Ms. Henry, my daughter said it was okay to post a picture. She was waiting for you as well. Yeah. And then they're ready. I can show you where she said, "Sure." So, um yeah. But I do try to go in to Peter Muschal cuz I just I'm closer here to read once a month to them. I ask the kids what they would like me to be depending on the holiday or the events of that month or any of the other elementary schools would like to see me, um we get to our months, so I got a plethora of costumes.
I almost had a motion to shut the picture off on the screen. And moving forward, I would like to know when we're going to see you cuz I would like to Sure. No, I mean I I work with um Mrs. Crowder first grade. She's She's very organized. She's like, "Okay, you're coming in at this time. You're going to do this pledge. You're going to do this." You know, so she has it all on schedule. It's normally Wednesday. Um so but we try to do it on some type of a event and or holiday kind of And they love to see me. Thank you for Sounds good. I mean I'm going to wear my costume in this coming Okay. What's What's happening? I'll go first. I was just going to say that our schools not just the city schools, but all of the schools here in mutual I know middle school has a production coming up and the community has been a very good supporter recently of our schools and our fundraising and I mean just alone I only know because I have I have some personal information that the city schools have raised $49,000 in the last month and the community plays a very big role in that in supporting and giving donations and coming to our events.
Not just our parents, not just our families, but all across the community and so um and the kids all of the elementary school kids have all enjoyed a fun run in the last week and had great fun and great success at raising money and also go to the community members, go to the middle school production, too. I mean And so thank you to everybody that continues to support our schools and show up for our kids. I'll agree on that as well, because I mean, again, a lot of the Well, the sports aren't self-funded to some respects, they are. And again, going back to what you said about the communities, the softball team raised over $10,000 just by doing their snap fundraiser. Um and that's just every kid fortunately or unfortunately, just hitting up parents' emails and and phone numbers, and they were able to make more than their goal.
Um and this also helps with um you know, there are in the year, there's there's senior nights and stuff like that nature. So, Yeah, wrestling also raised over $16,000 in this fundraiser, so it's it passed also. 12,000. What did you say? The check. I I just when you when you mentioned Arbor Day, I thought it was fitting to thank the Shade Tree Commission of the city. Um because we worked um we worked together with the to you know, put on the Arbor Day event at at Clara Barton, which took place on Friday, and that's where we planted a tree. Uh and I thank every student at Clara Barton shoveled at least we did. Uh the Shade Tree I was going to come out. It was It was cool. We had We had the mayor the mayor of the city was there, all the Shade Tree Commission were there.
Uh we were all there. Every kid was out. Uh nice speech was given, and every student had the opportunity to come and put a little one shovel of dirt onto the tree, which is now is standing proudly in front of the school. So, I do want to thank the Shade Tree Commission of the city uh you know, for that, cuz it was a it was a really nice event. It was a beautiful day, and it was just great. So, just kudos to the Shade Tree Commission. That's why I tell our students to try harder next time. Any other comments from the board? Okay. Um just to give you guys keeping items. Um, we had discussed earlier um, our the possibility of an executive session on our next meeting which is May 6th. There will really be an executive session looks like on that meeting. So, our next two meeting dates are May 6th and May 20th.
May 6th for the board members executive sessions executive session at 6:00. Um, May 20th stay tuned for any announcements there. And lastly, I'll put in another plug but I already put in one for it. The board retreat on May Saturday, May 30th. You'll already receive a memo from me. Um, we are still building the um, agenda for that. Um, we're running out of time for agenda building. So, please I had mentioned in my email um, if you have any requests. I did receive a few requests but there is still probably a little room on the agenda if there's anything else that anybody wants to see covered, please let us know. I have a good one. Um, I need to provide you some information. What it is. Yeah, please Yeah, please email me with that and we will make sure we do our best to get that in.