>> Motion. >> Second motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Me. Thanks everyone. You going to South? show a few colorations
Similarly, any discussion is also limited to the scope of the articles on the posted warrant. Town meeting acts on motions. If there isn't a motion before town meeting, no action, including discussion, can take place. To allow for discussion, I will entertain a motion and a second for that motion after each article has been introduced and explained, but before discussion commences. Once a motion has been made and seconded, it is subject to amendments from the floor. The procedures for amending an article are listed on the back of your handbook in a section titled selected town meeting procedures. If you have a question or comment during discussion of an article, make your way to one of the two microphones and wait to be recognized. After being recognized, please state your name and address and direct all your remarks to me. Please keep your comments brief and ensure they relate directly to the article being discussed.
[applause] Seventh grade second place, Mave Mcuade. [applause] Seventh grade, third place, Natalie Freeman. [applause] Eighth grade first place and second place regional winner. Amber Jiang, [applause] eighth grade second place, Khloe Vassel [applause] and eighth grade third place Sasha Stove. [applause] Thank you, Mr. Renda. >> Thank you. Um, I just want to throw another Amber Jang, just so everyone knows, Amber, I'm gonna embarrass you. I'm sorry, but um, Amber also was in our peace the Lions Club peace poster uh, contest. She was at state winner and went on to international uh, contest. So, congratulations to her for that also. [applause] >> Congratulations. Okay, Mr. Belanda, we're going to finish off with the high school and we'll begin with ninth grade first place and third place regional winner Mera Coator. [applause] Ninth grade, second place, Emily Tzano. [applause] >> [applause] >> ninth grade, third place, Gabriella Lexi Fernandez.
They just recommended budgeting for it even um even though >> you have no clue. And like I said, the first year we paid the assessment was $9,000. This year it's $88,000. So they can't really guess the amount that we're going to put in the budget. >> I know we've talked about it and I'm sorry. >> No, it's okay question. >> But that's a monthly amount that you'll see. And then after June 30th, we the payment will be doubled because we couldn't afford to make the payment this year. So we asked them to make it a quarter of the bill and then we'll pay the rest of the bill July through December. So the amount will be more per month uh in the new fiscal year and then that'll be paying for this year's assessments um into the next fiscal year. >> Okay. Thank you. Um was that something I just comment on that?
And I just say that for any kids to get up in front of a group of adults and speak takes a lot of courage and I there are full grown adults that stutter and stammer and you know when they're addressing the board and even though I was in education and I was very familiar with our board I have to say that every time I went to and addressed the board I my heart would raise and I mean it's not a very comfortable thing and the fact that they came and spoke to us I would really love to you know, and they're saying, "Hey, we're we're here and we we want to be, you know, recognized." And I I would love it if our uh administrators made a conscient like a concerted effort to have, you know, somebody from like the perhaps underserved groups be on the LCAP.
That's kind of been our big um, ticket items for the past few years. Um, other increases that led to the initial $2 million deficit that we were facing were some summer projects, um, salaries of our staff, and then additional teaching staff member and maintenance custodial staff member. Uh, summer projects were immediately cut because they were kind of like we need to do them, but we didn't need to do them. And when we didn't have the money, um, they immediately were removed as well as the additional maintenance and custodial staff member that I was hoping to bring on um, for future planning um, in that department. They were also eliminated. Um, nonetheless, that was peanuts compared to looking at a $2 million deficit. So, unfortunately, um, as the board is aware, we had to, um, increase taxes for the residents of Berlin Township. um over our 2% we are using um a healthcare adjustment and an enrollment adjustment.
Hearing none, roll call. Mr. Diaz I Mr. Taylor I Mr. Rado I Mrs. Hassan I Mr. Keles I Mr. Gabba I Mrs. Petrie I Mr. Falcone now I Mr. Rezzio I Motion carries. Yeah. >> [applause] >> Okay, next is nomination for vice president. Do I have a motion for anyone for vice president? Yeah, I'll make a motion to nominate Marissa Irizarry. I'll second that. Seconded by Alan Gabbay. Are there any other nominations? We'll close it. No other nominations? No, I asked this. No. Roll call. Roll call. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Otto. I. Mrs. Irizarry. I. Mr. Kielas. I. Mr. Gabbay. I. Mrs. Petrie. I. Mr. Fogorino. I. Mr. Rezzio. The Marissa >> Motion carries. You wanted to do it. >> [applause] >> Okay. >> And we did we did vice president. We approved that and we did a roll call. Okay.
One of his most outstanding accomplishment this year is his achievement in a zela. In fact, he is the only student in our class who reached the proficient level. This reflects not only his academic abil ability but also the dedication, discipline and commitment to brings he brings to his learning each day. Beyond academics, he is also respectful, responsible and a wonderful example to his classmates. He shows kindness to others and continues to inspire to inspire those around him through his positive attitude and strong work ethic. At this time, I would like to proudly recognize and congratulate our student our super superintendent student of the month since kindergarten, first grade, and now second grade. Radono Himenez. You guys, two Sure. Sure. Sure. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Being chosen as student of the month made me feel proud and happy. It showed me that my hard work and effort in school are noticed and appreciated.
Congratulations to this year's recipient, Olivia Mercer. [applause] four-way test scholarship of $500. $500 is being awarded to a graduating senior in Monroe County who plans to attend a vocational school. The winner is an individual whose observed behavior suggests they embrace the values of tolerance, fairness, empathy, compassion, and service reflected in the way they interact with people in their lives. Our recipient is Justice Albert. >> [applause] >> Club members. Next. Club members. Okay, so next we have club members of the year. This year clubs met monthly during home room. Club adviserss were asked to choose a club member of the year and and a certificate will be presented to their selected student when their name is announced. if you'd like to come forward. Best Buddies, Skyler Durban, [applause] Blue Crew. Hope Schwarz, [applause] FFA, Kate Jackson, [applause] Key Club. Harvey Alers, [applause] math team. Jonah Vnowski, [applause] Spanish club.
uh in a in a little bit different from what we normally do. The microphones are available only to registered voters this evening or town staff who as needed. If you are unable to get to one of the microphones, please raise your hand and I will have a microphone brought to you when it's your turn to speak. To ensure that we can hear from the greatest number of people, each speaker will be limited to one three-minute turn of the microphone during discussion of each article or each section of the annual budget. Please remember that all comments or questions are to be addressed to me and nobody may speak until I recognize them. Please do not address your remarks to any other individual. If you wish clarification from the previous speaker, please ask me and I will call on that person. All debate is to be conducted in a respectful and courteous manner.
[applause] >> Happy birthday. >> Also her birthday. >> And also her birthday. >> Happy birthday. [applause] 10th grade first place, Bristol Hollis. 10th grade, second place, Jayen Oando. [applause] 11th grade first place, Britty Cower. [applause] [laughter] And I believe this will finish it for the high school. 12th grade first place and second place regional winner Katie Aquino. [applause] Um this is a picture from the award ceremony that um we were able to attend a few weeks ago to celebrate all the uh regional winners. I'm so grateful that you were all able to join us tonight to celebrate all of your talent. Um, next year is the 20th anniversary of this contest. I expect every single one of you to be back. Tell your friends because the HR is going to um up the contest money, so they're going to really make it very special to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
>> Yeah. Yeah, please. >> So this was part of legislative action week too that we were involved in. There is legislation to put a cap on these uh settlement cases. So that's in the works um and going through the legislative process right now to try to put a cap on these especially because it's mostly attorneys that are getting the money and a lot of people are dead. You know some of these cases are going back 40 years and you know the the person who's accused is is deceased. People that worked at the school are no longer there deceased. And so what's ending up is that these cases are just getting settled because the school district has no leg to stand on and then the attorneys are just the ones that are getting all the money. And so so now it's it was supposed to be again so many well-intentioned ideas that well we don't want to dismiss cases from you know people who are sexually assaulted over the years and and so they got rid of the statute of limitations on that.
That's all. >> Yeah. Specifically those um you know the groups that we that we identified in the LCAP as needing the most support a lot of sense to make sure those groups were had the tell what they needed in order to succeed. >> Yeah. E foster youth, special ed. I mean those those things I think are I mean those that those groups are why we get extra LCF money, right? And so it's like we should be hearing from from those groups and not just our student government who may or may not I mean it may be that the student government represents all those groups and if so wonderful but if not then let's make sure that we include uh those students as well. When I look at these um different categories, I mean there's several that kind of stand out to me as the most important, but one of the ones that I would address tonight is um number three, operating openly with trust and integrity.
So the state website the state says essentially you can only go 2% unless your numbers for health care and enrollment have come in over what they should have been and you've continued to do well at the 2%. So now they're saying because you could have gone above 2% but you didn't you have these funds to use. So, unfortunately, we had to utilize those adjustments. Um, as I told the board, Burlington Township is currently $771 less in the county average for school taxes. Um, and a little over $2,000 less than the state average for school taxes. So, the tax increase on the average assessed home is approximately a dollar per day. So, 350 to 375 per year. It's not pretty. I hate it. You all know how I feel about this place. You all know how this has been a big part of my life. This is my 15th budget, 25th year here.
Next item on the agenda is the approval of the calendar. Yeah. We did the roll call. Oh, okay. Doesn't that feel good? That does not. I skipped right over that and I went to this page. Okay, roll call. Mr. Diaz. Here. Mr. Taylor. Present. Mr. Oddo. Here. Mr. Redzio. Mr. Quiles. Present. Mr. Gabba. Present. Mr. Fogarino. Present. Mrs. Hassan. Present. Mrs. Petire. Present. Next order of business is the approval of the calendar of the board meetings. Do I have a motion for the approval of the calendar? >> Albano and Mr. Oddo. Roll call. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Oddo. I. Mr. Redzio. I. Mr. Quiles. I. Mr. Gabba. I. Mr. Forcarino. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. I.
This award encourages me to keep doing my best, stay responsible and continue learning every day. It also made me believe more in myself and reminded me that if I worked hard and never give up, I can achieve great things. I'm thankful to my teachers, family, and classmates for always support me. And according to me, this recognition it is inspires inspires me to become an evangelical student and person. Um, ask the board if you guys would like to continue the tradition. Last year we had our early childhood classes come and take a picture up here with you guys. Students will stand in front and the teachers behind you. That good. Teachers, can you get us all set up with your students? You have the students in front of the board. I'll take the picture. You guys can stand behind the board members. It's a real nice finish.
Olivia Mercer, [applause] speech team. Grace Hunucker, [applause] Student Council. Genevie Najenko, [applause] Next we have senior department awards. These will go the department picked exceptional academic achievement. That's what based on. They were nominated by the teachers within each department. So business education Madison Mlan [applause] Agricultural Science. Kate Jackson, [applause] English. Lily Arnold, [applause] Family and Consumer Science. Addison Tar, [applause] fine arts. Micah Meyers, [applause] German. Harvey Alers, [applause] industrial technology. Kale Reigns, [applause] >> Industrial Technology Construction. Phoener, [cheering] [applause] >> mathematics. Jonah Velnowski. [applause] Performing Arts Band. Charlotte Garcia, [applause] Performing Arts Choir. Caroline Denny, [applause] >> physical education. Ava Matthews, [cheering and applause] >> science. Skyler Durban, [applause] social studies. Olivia Mercer, [applause] Spanish. Addison Muran [applause] technology. Kai Sanchez [applause] >> Scooters Coffee Scholarship. Mr. Schwarz will be presenting and Miss Schwarz. >> Scooters Coffee is awarding two $500 scholarships to high school seniors who are employed by a Scooters Coffee franchise and plans to further their education after high school.
No comments of a personal nature are to be made. Rude behavior, especially shouting, bullying, and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Anyone unwilling or unable to comply with this rule will be removed. I'd also ask that everyone refrain from applause and similar outbursts during discussions, the exception being when we adjourn for the evening. Some announcements. I'm going to start off with something that was handed to me a little while ago. The library is showing uh screening The Extraordinary Cat Caterpillar, a family-friendly film being shown at our wonderful library this Saturday the 9th at 9:30 a.m. Q&A after if you would like to stay downstairs in the community room. Annual town elections are two weeks from yesterday on May 19th. As always, I'm predicting a beautiful day with nothing but sunny skies on election day. my my my history is not so great with that. Uh so I'd urge everyone to get out and vote.
Thank you so much for this evening. And have a good night. Thank you. [applause] And I just think if we could, Mrs. Grahamling works so hard behind the scenes to put this all together and bring this to the Brookfield community. So, I wish we could uh please all give her a round of applause for her efforts. >> Thank you. [applause] A pleasure. Thank you very much. >> What an outstanding job, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much. Okay, with that, we will move to public comment. Yeah, for those that we'll give you a few minutes for those that are bowing out, unless you would like. You're all more than welcome to stay. I'm just throwing that out there, but we'll Don't be too excited back there. I see you. >> Thank you guys for coming. Thank you. >> Great job. >> Congratulations. >> I thought you were just >> Yeah, I know.
It was supposed to be well-intentioned, but then what the result of that has just been for school districts just an incredible financial burden that that they can't fight because there's no legal leg to stand on with people being deceased and there's no records. And so we're just school districts are laid to bear and we're very fortunate that we haven't received a lawsuit like this. However, uh for the ones that are some of them are are I mean they're tens of millions of dollars that that they're just bleeding. And so that's why this $88,000 because we went into this pool. That's our share of it. And and so there there is legislation coming through. So hopefully the relief comes and then these payments, you know, will significantly decrease or go away with time. All right. >> Thank you for explaining that. >> Sure. Rhonda, you had any more question?