001shouldn't be written. Good evening everyone. We're going to get started. This is Rick. We're going to get started. Good evening everyone. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting act meetings act, the Asbury Park Board of Education has provided adequate notice of this meeting by sending a notice of the time, date, location, and to the extent known the agenda of this meeting to the Asbury Park Press and the coaster on May 4, 2026 via email. Copies of this notice have also been placed at the administration building bulletin board, district schools, Asbury Park Municipal Building, Asbury Park Police Department, and filed with the city clerk. Also on May 4, 2026, the mission of the Asbury Park School District is to provide all students with a comprehensive and progressive education where everyone possesses the skills
002and character to succeed in a diverse, evolving global society. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. >> Miss Gman, >> here. Mr. Laraka >> here. >> Dr. Moxud, Miss Mars >> here, >> Miss Ramos, >> Miss Ricks, Miss Lassinski >> here, >> Miss Sacramento here. Whereas the open public meetings act allows for exclusion from discussion at the public portion of a meeting of certain matters as outlined below. Whereas the Asbury Park Board of Education wishes to discuss such matters made and will make such discussion public when a proper conclusion has been reached. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Asbury Park Board of Education will hold a closed executive session on this date, May 27, 2026, at Asbury Park, New Jersey, for the purposes of collective bargaining, litigation or contract matters, or attorney client privilege, personnel matters,
003and confidential matters per statute. Do we have Yes, it's 1, four, seven, and eight. We have a motion to go into executive caucus. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laca. >> Yes. >> Mr. Miss Dr. Matsud. Miss Mars. >> Miss Ramos. Miss Ricks. Miss Oinski. >> Yes. >> Miss Acriman. Yes, the board will now go into executive session. We anticipate being in executive session until 6:30. Uh no decisions will be made and we will return approximately around 6:30. Thank you. Good evening. We're going to start the meeting. Please take your seats. Good evening everyone. Motion to reopen executive uh public session of the meeting. Thank you. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman, >> here. >> Mr. Laka, >> here. >> Dr. Max, Miss Ramos, Miss Ricks, Miss Linski, Miss
004Acriman here. Nice Luke. Yes, we have student to teacher presentations. you know, still getting used to this, but yes, we're ready. All right. All right. Good evening, everyone. Um, as you know, we're going to start our student and teacher uh presentation of the teacher and student of the month uh presentations. And we're going to start with Miss Zaki de Orbe principal of Bradley Elementary School. Good evening everyone. Again, my name is Mrs. Bay. I'm the building of I'm the principal of the Bradley Elementary School and I would like to start recognizing um my teacher of the month for the month of May. So, first may I please call up Miss Christian Troano with her son. Please. Again, the process for teacher of the month and student of the well teacher of the month is a
005selection um made by the staff at Bradley Elementary School. Uh they vote and it's not a popularity vote because they have to give a reason as to why they are nominating this person. And typically the person with the most nominations wins. And this month it was definitely Miss Troyano. And these are the words that were written by her colleagues. Today we are recognizing Miss Kristen Troyano who truly embodies what it means to be an outstanding educator and teammate. Miss Kristen is a preschool teacher who consistently goes above and beyond for her students, colleagues, and our entire school community. Every classroom she visits is blessed with her warmth, patience, creativity, joy, and joy, creating a safe and nurturing environment where every child feels valued and loved. Miss Kristen is the definition of a team player. Always
006willing to lend a helping hand, step in when needed, collaborate with positivity, and encourage others with kindness and professionalism. She makes our school stronger simply by being a part of it and we are so grateful for the care and energy that she pours into everything that she does. Please join me in congratulating Miss Kristen Troyano, our May teacher of the month. So this is for you. It's for you and that bottom. I'm so proud of you. >> Love you too. >> Right. and mommy. And look, congratulations for your mommy, too. >> All right. Congratulations again. Next, I would like to recognize our student of the month, Jericho Curos. Curus, are you here with your family? Come on up, Jericho. This month I am proud to Jericho Kuros Keros, a wonderful second grade student. I'm sorry.
007He is a part of Miss Liam, Miss Venezia's class. So these are the words also for Miss Lee and Miss Venezia. He is a wonderful second grade student who leads with kindness and a positive attitude every single day. He's a hardworking young man who always gives his best effort, treats others with care and sets a great his kind hearted his kind heart, determination and willingness to help others make him a a very valued part of our community. We are so proud of all he has accomplished and we are excited to as our May student of the month. Congratulations Jericho. >> Thank you and thank you mommy. >> Congratulations. >> All right. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Next on our list is Dr. Lauren Schultz. She is the proud
008principal of Third Group Marshall Elementary School. >> I need my card. One second. Good evening everyone. I am Dr. Schultz, the proud principal of Thood Marshall Elementary School. Yes. Thank you, mom. And tonight for our staff of the month, we have a teacher who is truly an unsung hero of Than Marshall Elementary. I have had the the privilege of working with him as a teacher in all four of my years as school principal. He received the most votes this month from his colleagues by many. And one of the biggest reasons is his flexibility in supporting his colleagues, his enthusiasm with staff, and his passion for always making our school shine. We are doing something very different this year with our field day next week where we are hosting it at the high school. Shout out
009to the high school and athletics. Thank you. Um, and when I presented this idea to our staff of the month back in October, I expected not the best reaction, right? He jumped on it, was so excited and so supportive of the idea and got the entire planning done, which usually takes months. He had it done the next school day. No exaggeration. Um, he is nothing short of a team player. His students love him. His staff respect him. Mr. Roberto Perez, our wonderful phys teacher, please come receive your award. And in lie of flowers, your students made you a you're the best card. And now for the third good Marshall Elementary School student of the month. I've said it every month and we are in May so it'll be no different. I hope you have been
010paying attention because we are truly on the map standing for motivated, accountable, and prepared to success at TMES. And this month's student of the month is nothing short of a student truly on that map to success. Mrs. Nicholson, please come up and join us as his classroom teacher. Come on up, Nick. Come on up. Our student of the month is a third grade student who is so kind, so warm to his classmates, and always lends a helping hand. He has made leaps and bounds in his academic gains this school year, particularly in writing, which is a subject that very much should be recognized. He is a helper in the classroom. He always has a smile on his face. His peers enjoy him and love and love being in class with him. The teachers and staff
011of Thgo appreciate his enthusiasm for our building. And his mom is one of our fantastic and supportive school parents. So without further ado, Mr. Lincoln Parker and his wonderful mom, Miss Parker. And Officer Whitman, you'll come on up, too. >> You want to say some words? Okay. >> Thank you everyone. >> Uh yeah, he loves his mom. All right. Next on my list is the our principal of Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School, Mr. Come on, core. Our first recipient, teacher of the year. She's not here today, but when I mean a awesome individual, she teaches social studies history. She's our PBSIS specialist. She dedicates many, many hours to climate, culture, incentives, student support. She has put together over five pep rallies this year and one of the most popular and favorites among our student
012population, Miss Allison Douglas Hoffman, teacher of the year. Our next young man uh also he's our athlete of the year or athlete of the month. Um he's a trans new transfer uh from Pain County. His uh parents came to take a tour of the middle school. He is energetic. He's a a baseball player, a guitar player, a high achiever in not just math, ELA, social studies, all of his all of his content areas, but he has truly brought a different spirit to our school at MLK. I am proud to honor Britain as our student athlete of the month. our student of the month. She's it. And I would like uh Diana to come up right now. Diana Marine Saber, come on up. One of the most thoughtful, intelligent, hardworking when I mean shows up on
013time each and every day with a smile. She excels in her class uh classwork. She's a favorite amongst all of her teachers. If you see her walking about the hallway, the same smile that she has on her face right now, she gives that smile in that bright uh sunshine in our building each and every day. It's not a day that Mr. Marker enters the building and doesn't see that smile and that enthusiasm. So, at this time, we would like to honor our student of the month. Come on. Come on up. Come on up. Take a picture. And mom is smiling too. Thank you. >> All right. Last but not least, of Asbury Park High School, Dr. P Medina. All right. Good evening, everyone. Our our staff member of the month is a teacher. She specializes
014in math and special education. Um, each year we have a theme. Um, this year was a commitment to being a pro. U, we opened up the year, we talked about what it meant to walk through the threshold of Asbury Park High School and commit to uh, a way of life that we are tip-top professionals. This teacher maintains her composure, her disposition. She is a joy to work with. uh the kids respect her, her colleagues, her peers respect her. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to work with her. Um and I I can't think of a time that she couldn't uh overcome any of the challenges that may have come her way. Uh but beyond that, she is an exceptional professional, an exceptional teacher, and it is uh my great pleasure to introduce Miss
015Stephanie Terry, staff member of the month. I got this color on purpose. All right, next up is our student athlete of the month. Uh this young man, a freshman I've spoke for a number of years. I've watched him grow. I watched him develop. He's also part of our dream program. Um he'd take seriously. He is a a pleasure to speak with a leader, his peer, um an acco accomplished athlete. So I do want to bring up Mr. Brillan Johnson, Coach Will to be celebrated and recognized tonight. That's a cool guy right there. like all right, this one is uh another honor of mine. I have been this young man's principal for a number of years. Um I've watched him grow uh both physically and academically. Um he is committed to being his best version. Um
016he is driven, he is smart, he's compassionate. Um he is someone who anticipate him taking on greater leadership roles as his way into his sophomore year. And this young man has has always held a special place in my bring up Mr. Jun Castro and his family. All right, that concludes our presentations. Thank you very much to all the principles, students, and teachers. Thank you again. All right. Next, we'll have public participation. Public participation in accordance with board policy 0167. Um, the Asbury Park Board of Education requires the value of public comment on educational issues and other matters of importance and provides members of the public with the opportunity to express themselves on school matters of community interest. The public comment portion of the meeting is not a question and answer session and all public comments
017shall be directed to the board president. Members of the public who wish to make public comments must be recognized by the presiding officer and provide his or her name, municipality of residents, and group affiliation if applicable. All public comments shall be directed to the board president and are limited to 3 minutes in duration. Members of the public who do not follow the foregoing rules and/or interfere with the orderly operation of the board meeting may be removed from the meeting. Thank you. I've retired from district. I do applaud, you know, all the work that you guys have been trying to get accomplished. But, Madame President, what I ask of you is we have um bilingual parents in this district that are going to be suffering based on the budget cuts that we have to do. What
018I asking for this whole board to consider is coming up with another solution or some resolution on how we can rectify this problem because we don't want to start losing our our children out of this district which we've already lost so many. We want to be able to make sure that our bilingual parents in this district are being taken care of and you guys are looking out for them as well as us. So what I ask is for the board, even though your budget has been already voted on, please consider another alternative on making sure that our bilingual parents are not left behind. This district has always said no children left behind. What do you think you're actually going to be doing to these parents and their children if we don't fix this budget and
019figure out how to get these kids the help that they need as long as they're in this issue? So from me to you, I'm asking you to consider what other alternative because we have a bad habit of taking away from our children but never giving back. And in this type of a situation, we have to give back to these kids. We can't just toss them on the street like they don't matter because they are priority. Without these children, let alone you guys would not be sitting there, but half of your staff would not have a job. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Karen Moscowitz. I live in Ocean Grove. I work for Interfaith Neighbors off Springwood Avenue. Um aka my other name is Veggie Lady of Mammoth County. I am the founder and lead of Community
020Food Connection. It is a community spaces and food pantry coalition centered here in Asbury Park and I'm the chair of the mayor's wellness committee. I'm speaking on behalf of the 60% of the Bradley Elementary School parents who answered a survey on food insecurity a few months ago and stated that they were indeed food insecure, meaning that they were having trouble getting food to nourish their families. As some of you know, we uh here in Asbury Park, we have been designated the 16th most severe food desert community in New Jersey by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. That means that people have to walk or if they're lucky to have access to a car between a half a mile and a mile to a grocery store, have no funds for deliveries and limited resource to purchase
021food even if they were to get to a grocery store. As you know, a lot of the food in the grocery stores is extremely expensive and out of the reach for so many families. Few months ago, I u met some of the teachers from Bradley Elementary School at a fresh food distribution at the Aspbury Park Library. It's a distribution where we pull our resources from around the community, including resources from Interfaith Neighbors in all the different sites that are part of the coalition, 13 of them here in Aspbury Park, and have free, fresh, local, organic produce distribution from a farm we support in Chesterfield, New Jersey, Fernbrook Farm. I was asked why can't we have this right right at Bradley Elementary School. I said absolutely you can become part of our tradition. You can part
022of our coalition. So they became part of the community food connection coalition. We forecasted the produce $1,800 worth for a every other week distribution and pickup for between 15 and 60 families every other Saturday at the playground behind the school forecasted with the farmers. The food is in the ground starting to pop up. Deliveries are ready to go next week. And we want to make sure volunteers are trained. Summer Vista Associates uh are coming from the Americanore program to help in nutrition education and cooking demos. And I'm asking that the $1,800 be reinstated if it's not been already to be able to purchase this food for our food insecure families. You know that fresh food is the basis for good health and wellness. It feeds our communities minds, bodies, and spirits. This may be the
023only fresh food that families are going to be able to access the entire summer. This is good New Jersey food. We're supporting three different farm families with this purchase from the entire coalition. I want to just really emphasize that these little bishops deserve nothing less than this beautiful fresh food. Fresh food is a basic human right. Thank you. Good evening everyone. My name is Mago Gomez. I'm an organizer here in Asbury Park for over 12 years. Um this young lady here, her name is Veronica Zapata. She is here. she would like to speak. Um, if I could borrow another mic from Mr. Ruez, please if it's possible. If I could borrow another mic. Okay, she wants to speak. I'm going to let her speak and then I'm going to try to translate, but we're going
024to have to a little bit time. Okay. Okay. She would like you to be vigilant of what's occurring with the drastic cuts of of staff, the teachers. And she wants to say that she needs that every that they need the teachers. Okay. And she says that the children need this needs and to give her an opportunity to speak. And she's speaking for the children and she doesn't want to take for anyone to take the ch the teachers to please reconsider the teacher Miss Allison. She is a good teacher. Okay. She is not only a teacher, but she is also part of the family. And she has a she has a sign here. She said, "Thank you." Gracias. Right. Um, I'm here in behalf of the families here in Asbury Park in the schools here in
025New Jersey, the children and the public schools. My name is Mago Gomez and I wanted to say that being defund the schools are being defunded and eliminated eliminating teachers and bilingual staffs are being eliminated because of the cuts in the district. All public schools are being hindered and the IDA has also been jeopardized by the rights by the right-wing so-called leaders of our country. Now for instance the secretary Mohan Mo Manohan has also has no idea what it is to go to public schools and come from a lowincome family and struggling minorities here in this country. people ch children people are in this country people the children are people and immigrant refugees are the same there are people who just want a better life for their children and and can't and that's why no I'm
026not in the country and the minorities have they they should have a chance to make it make it and pursue a better life here we need to be realistic about what is happening and make a difference and change the outcome for the children. We also need on the other hand we need translators, interpreters, students students and the students have rights and also the students have rights which is being redist requested for the sake of the children. Please release the funds that are being eliminated and and are not helping the children here in New Jersey and the public schools. Thank you. Um, my name is Crystal and I attend Asbury Park High School. I'm on here I'm here on behalf of Miss Allison. Wright. Okay. Miss Allison has been a teacher for both my sisters and
027although I never had her, it feels like she's part of our family. She has a passion for her job, which is something a lot of teachers nowadays don't have. She shows up for her students no matter the conditions and she never fails to send them home with a smile. She cares about her students in a way that they look forward to going to school. While my sisters are at school, she's like a mom to them. These teachers not knowing if they're going to have a job tomorrow or not puts so much stress on them and it feels like and puts them in an awkward spot. It's like they're walking on thin ice. No one really thinks about the mental battle these teachers face not knowing if they're going to be able to see their students
028again. It's said that the decision is finalized, but I think the power still lies in your hands. and Miss Allison, she's been like she's been so good to my sisters and it would I just mean a lot to me if you guys could take it into mind and like do something about it because I don't want to cry up here, but like you can tell she cares a lot about her students and like it puts a lot of stress on her not knowing if she's going to come back and my sisters care about her a lot. So yeah, that's all I have to Okay. How do I follow that? Uh, very emotional. My name is Kevin Strickland. Um, I live at 11:09 Second Avenue. First, I want to uh acknowledge all the challenging topics you
029guys are dealing with. Uh I commend you for for everything you've done. Um but I want to take a minute to provide a little update on the soccer program and where we stand right now. We've engaged the uh uh the uh boys and girls club. So, they're going to run a program for us. US Soccer Foundation is going to do the training. Uh, and there's something else that I want to make you aware of is that we're going to run a uh a World Cup event. Uh, and it's going to be on July 11th, right? July 11th, right? Uh, and you guys are going to be involved in this. I can't share a lot of details right now, but I have submitted a request to use the field. So you'll get further information, but I've
030been sworn to secrecy regarding the u the details of this and it'll come out next week. Okay. But I know that some of you were asking about programs beyond some of the infrastructure things we were talking about, but I just wanted you to see that we're making uh significant progress related to the kids involved with the programs. Thank you. Hi everyone, my name is Christy Oconor. I'm a Middletown resident and I'm here on behalf of Teen Arts New Jersey whose offices are in Madawan, New Jersey. Um I'm just here to share some free arts programming we have available for um students. Our general target audience is middle school and high school age, but families and students are welcome regardless of that age demographic. We are doing monthly arts programs with our partners at Kula Urban
031Farms and Parlor Gallery, Art 629, Showroom Cinema, just to name a few. And um we're doing this free programming through the uh New Jersey econ economic development authority grant funding. And in addition to the monthly arts popups that we have scheduled in mostly downtown Asbury, we are also looking to provide free arts programming in the uh with the school districts and any other uh ways that we can bring that uh programming to you. uh the uh basically it's uh we're looking for visual, literary, and performing arts workshops to bring to the schools and any other organizations who may be interested in working with us. And um that's really all I wanted to share with you and thank you for your presentation. We received your email and Mr. Ruiz, I think, will be in touch um
032to to for the next steps. Thank you. Okay. Good evening. This is Jasmine. Um, she asked me to help translate. She's going to speak. Okay. She's parent. She has children here. She has four children here in the public schools. Okay. She's a bit nervous, but she wants to speak. She has a representative. >> Okay. Okay. Thus thus >> she's um the teacher of her children, one of her children. And she says they have released her. They have let her go. And she's really disappointed that they did that. She doesn't want that she's be being released. She wants her to be supported and not to let her go. This is what she would like. She says, "Please consider not letting her go because she has supported her um and her family and her children and she's
033a very good teacher and she's she has really supported her the teacher >> she wants you to retrieve the decision that you reached before and to let her be in school because of the great job she has done for the children's of hers and all the childrens in the school system. Thank you. Okay. Um, this parent here, Maria de Galing is her name. She said that she comes her daughter's in the middle school here in Asbury Park. Okay. She heard that they're they're not going to long longer have interpreters in the school and they need interpreters. >> Okay. She says it's very important that they have translators, interpreters for the simple fact that they need someone to communicate with them when their children are here in the schools. It's necessary they have communication with them
034going back and forth with all the business that is happening. It's very important that they have interpreters for communication. And she said that's it and thank you. Please support the cause. Thank you. All right, we will now conclude and close public participation. Thank you all. Sorry, we've concluded the in-person public participation session, but we have two submissions in writing that Miss Brown will now read. The purpose of this letter is to ask in the most attentive way that you rehire Miss Allison Wright as a preschool teacher. She is a pillar in our children's lives. Her years of experience, the love and dedication that we parents feel through her care for our children are invaluable. My son Eater Peralta came in without speaking and thanks to Miss Allison's help, he has made tremendous progress. It has
035been based on love, understanding, patience, and dedication. As a mother having had other options for schools, we chose Bradley Elementary because of Miss Allison's references. And without a doubt, we would recommend the school to future parents. Because of teachers like Miss Allison, the confidence she provides, the excellent teaching she gives, and the care she gives to every child is like any other. Please stand with our teachers, teachers who are kind and educate our children with love. I would also ask that no injustice be committed against us. The parents of bilingual students who feel represented by Miss Angel Aras who is part of our Latino family. Our Latino children who first language is Spanish need someone like Miss Angel Aras. We only ask that the district does not commit an injustice against our Latino children. The
036parents trust in and believe in Miss Angel Aras. Respectfully, Maria Hernandez. I would like to thank you to Miss Allison Wright for being such a wonderful person, teacher to my son. She has had my son for two years in her preschool class. I have nothing negative to say about her. She really is a lovely person. My son loves her so much. She is very kind and really goes above and beyond for her students. My son could not have had a better teacher. Miss Allison is truly a blessing and a gift to our children. She has this special way of making my son understand the importance of doing the right thing. And my son has really learned a lot from her class at his age. He is doing so great with writing his words and he
037knows his numbers and alphabets and can sound out the words. I'm very proud and grateful. Thank you, Tamar Aurelian. Thank you, Miss Brown. We're going to close public participation and uh the board is also going to take a fivem minute recess. Thank you for your patience. We're going to be we're going to reconvene. If everyone could please take their seats. Mr. Roaraka, we're going to continue the agenda. Um, thank you again to everyone for your public comments and uh I'd like to turn it over to Mr. Ruiz who has some things he'd like to to bring up. >> Good evening everyone. Um, I know that there's uh been a lot of talk and a lot of concern about our bilingual Spanish-sp speakaking parents and about translation and losing teachers. Um just you know I just
038want to be very clear that um none of this is very easy and I know how important uh translation and a bilingual population is. Um I can you know because you know myself my name Ed Ruizing Joe in Brooklyn. Um, I spent my first few years in school in bilingual classes, so I understand the need for translation and the need for uh, Spanish speaking um, um, translators. I I just want to make sure you understand that um, going through this process um, and trying to deal with a budget deficit. I wanted to make sure certain things were preserved and one of the most important things is what happens in the classroom with our students. And so I wanted to make sure that we did not cut any services. So no teacher, no ESL teacher, no
039bilingual teacher was cut. We make sure we preserve our programs there because where teaching and learning takes place is very important. I also understand that having someone in the office is very important, but certain decisions are very difficult. said, "We just have to make some hard decisions." And I know that hurts. Believe me, I I I know how that feels. But I'm also looking at ways that we can utilize some of our other staff members who do speak Spanish that can help us in the office and be um that uh conduit between the school and and you know uh teachers and administration. So, we're always looking for solutions. Um, we're always trying to figure out the best way to accommodate our families. Trust me when I tell you, I understand very much how what how
040difficult some of these decisions are for you. But rest assured that we're doing everything we can to make sure that we still accommodate you in every way possible. I wanted to make sure that teaching and learning took president first to make sure that all our students have um the education that they need so they could move forward. Thank you. >> I have a comment. I'd like to make a motion move that the board require the acting superintendent to add or evaluate the offer that was provided. >> So sorry, Miss Max, I can't hear you. So if you could make the motion into the mic. >> Sure. Like to make a motion. I move that the board require the acting superintendent, Mr. Ruiz, to add the offer that was provided with uh Miss Karen Moscowitz for
041the letter Bishop's living well initiative to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the students and parents. I'd like that to be added to the agenda. Make a motion. Do we have a second? questions, comments, discussion. I'd like to raise to Mr. Ruiz and I'll just say that this is the first that I and I think other board members have heard about this program. Um, and so my understanding is that there was a request to continue the program. Um, but Mr. Ruiz, if you want to give us an update, I'd appreciate it. >> Yeah, a request came to my um agenda for that item that we've just talked about. Um, I um I pulled it off of my agenda because it involves food. Um, and that whenever anything involves food, generally I bring that to Ivy
042Brown, who's our business administrator, but more importantly, she handles all of our food services. There was a cost involved in it. And so, I was questioning if this is a a community uh um initiative, why are we incurring the cost? I didn't get any answers, so that's why I pulled it off. >> I have the answer. I'd like I'd like to table uh this item and let the administration investigate it. It is a uh it's a needed service and I agree with you, but I think we should table it and give the administration enough time to investigate it, figure out what can be done so we can they can provide this service and make sure everything all the that the eyes are dotted and the tees are crossed. I'd like to table this uh so
043the administration gets an opportunity to look into it. But if it's not in there's no there's no discussion. I have a table if somebody could second it and we could vote. >> So we now have questions, comments. So what is before the board right now is a motion to table the request to add the name that what what is the name of the initiative? Uh I don't >> the little bishop look it up. >> The little initiative the little bishop initiative >> until the next agenda >> so that it will allow the administration to have their questions answered for us to pro for the organization to provide the district with the necessary information so that the board may make a um a vote on it. So the motion is to table that. Do I have
044a second? Okay, Miss Rick seconded. Are there any other comments, question? Oh, no. No comments, questions. Sorry. >> I have a comment. >> No, no, there's no comment on the table. Um, Miss Brown, please call the roll call. >> This is a motion to table the request. >> Miss Glassman. >> Table the request until next meeting. >> Specifically, the next meeting to bring >> so we can get more information. >> Yes. Miss Gman, >> yes. >> Dr. Mox, >> Miss Morris, Miss Ramos, Miss Ricks, Miss Lysinski, Miss Acriman. Thank you. So, I I think I'm going to go out of turn a bit here, but I'm just going to say that if the organization could submit all of the information to Mr. Ruiz, um I believe he has some specific questions and you'll need to
045incorporate Miss Brown. If you could send all the information to Miss Ruiz and Miss Brown, we can move forward as expeditiously as possible throughout the proper procedures and channels so that we can do this. Okay? And we thank the community organization for for their for their contributions. So, thank you. Next on the agenda, uh do I have a motion for consent agenda to accept the minutes of the special meeting on April 30th, the closed session meeting April 30th, the regular meeting May 6th, the close session May 6. Items I'll move it page eight second. These are items on B2. Items A 8A A through D. Do I have a motion? >> A2 items 8 A through D. >> I'll move it. >> Thank you. Second. Roll call, please. Sorry. Questions, comments, discussion. Thank you. None.
046All right. Miss Brown, please do the roll call. Miss Glassman. >> Miss Gman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Maxuit. Miss Morris. Miss Ramos. We're doing all of them. >> Yes. >> Um, so yes to everything besides I abstain on 8B and as well as 8 D 8B 8 B and D. Thank you, Miss Ricks. Abstaining on 8 A, 8 B. Also abstaining on D. Yes on C and yes on nine. >> We didn't do nine, but thank you, Miss Lazinski. Miss Arman. >> Yes. Right. The next item is the HIV report. Good evening everyone. Um, for this month we had three. >> I'm so sorry, Miss Jackson. By Miss Brown, I believe you skipped Miss Morris. >> Sorry. >> No, no, not your fault. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought she
047said yes, >> Miss Jackson Buyers. Sure. Good evening, everyone. Um, we had three HIV incidents for the month. Um, two were founded, one was unconclusive, unfounded. All actions taken were per the code of conduct. And that will conclude my HIPP report for the month. >> Thank you. Do we have a motion to approve the HIV report? >> Questions, comments, discussion. >> Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. >> Miss Gman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lat. >> Yes. >> Dr. Moxuit. >> Yes. Miss Morris, Miss Ramos, yes. Miss Ricks, Miss Lassinski, >> Miss A. Yes. Thank you. All right, moving on. We're going to do the agenda um in consent order by page where possible. I guess it's not possible. All right. I I'd like to get a motion for consent agenda approval for agenda items one, two,
048All right. I would like a motion to approve by consent agenda items one and two reflected on pages B1 through B5. Do I have a motion? >> I I'll second it. >> Miss Ricks made the motion. Miss Ramos seconded. Question, comments, discussion. I I have a question. Um, I've already uh sent a uh to Mr. Weise a question about uh B3E, which is I guess 2 E. Um, one of the individuals on the uh summer school slide for Bradley is uh an individual that was ripped. Her contract ends uh June 30th. So, I understand that the postings for these are internal postings. So the individual is not an employee anymore. Um should we not because of you know other issues that could come up in the future where somebody could be rifted and they said
049well um I want to work a summer job because that person worked a summer job which means an internal individual employee who has a contract for next year already cannot have that may be bumped from a position. So, I wanted to um remove that individual from the summer school because I think it's going to cause an issue in the future as a past practice. It could come up and haunt us. So, the concern is that this exact scenario would happen again in the future so that we we've had a riff >> and the concern is that it's being a position taken away from an internal candidate. >> Yeah. somebody who has a who's been approved for a contract could have applied, excuse me, applied for this position. >> I'll make a motion to table that
050individual's employment for the summer if if that's possible. We have a second for the motion to table. >> I'll second it. >> Roll call, please. What's the What's the exact item, Miss Lzinski? >> It's um >> E3 letter E. It's uh the third name down. Okay, there's a motion for consent agenda B1 B5 with removal of B3A. Employee I >> table I J. Motion is to table. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Maxuit. Miss Mars. Miss Ramos. Miss Riggs. >> Yes. >> Miss Linski. >> Yes. >> Miss Acriman. abstain. It passed. All right. So, moving forward with the consent agenda request for a motion to approve to for a new motion to approve pages B1 through B5 items one and two. Do I have a
051motion? Second. >> What was the motion? mo that it's the renewal of the consent motion to approve pages B1 through B5 with the exclusion of the item that we just tabled. Okay, roll call, please. Do we have first? >> Okay. Miss Lazinski seconded. >> Who first? >> Miss Ricks. >> Right. Jesse, you you you made the motion. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Roll call. Sorry. Question. Further questions, comments, discussion. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. >> Miss Gman. Yes. Mr. Laka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Maxud. Miss Mars, Miss Ramos. >> Yes, but I'm going to need wording because I need to abstain on item two. I three, four, five, six, seven down. >> Yep. Her husband. >> So, do I just abstain to that one item? M >> M Miss Ramos, I think
052I would um suggest that um just for the for the next time and going forward just to say um whatever your vote is yes or no with the exception of any uh matters for which I'm conflicted. >> Okay. >> And that way you're going to be safe all the time. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Miss Ricks. M Ricks. Your vote on the consent agenda. Miss Leinski, Miss Sum. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> May I I just have a follow-up question. I wanted to ask uh Mr. Louise, I'm sorry. Um the curriculum committee Morris >> Oh, I'm again the followup to the curriculum committees. I know we just had a QAC review. Are they going to be addressing any of the items that may have been brought up during that review also? >> Yes,
053the curriculum committees will be working on some of the revisions that we are working on on the ag um for our QAC when in regards to uh the items on um our curriculum that need to be updated and that's going to be work that we're going to work doing on over the summer. Yep. >> Mr. we at the committee of the whole meeting, would it be possible for you pro to provide the full board with an overview of the QAC process, the deadlines that are coming up and and any other information? I know that most of us have never been through one. Um, if we could add that, I think that would be very helpful. >> Absolutely. I'd be happy to. >> Um, Miss Brown, if you could note in the minutes that item number
054three on the agenda is um omitted. There is no item three just for clarity. All right, moving on. Um, do I have a motion for the consent agenda approval of items four, five, 6B only, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11- 16 on pages B6 through B7? I'll move it. Can you just repeat that? Sorry, everything. >> Yeah. So B6 through B7 consent agenda motion, consent approval motion for items four, five, 6B only, and 7 through 16 contained on pages B6 and B7. We have a motion and a second. Did you get those? >> No. >> Miss Lzinski made the motion. >> Miss Morris seconded. I know but I don't know if she second uh questions, comments, discussion. Um, actually I have a we do have an amendment also to item five. All right. I apologize,
055but I need to make a motion to table item number five due to um a change needed for certain dates. Um, do I have a motion to table item five on B6? I'll make a motion. All right. Roll call, please. Miss Brown, you want a table B6? Number five. Miss Glassman. Yes. I said >> Miss Gman, Mr. Laka, Dr. Maxuit, Miss Mars, Miss Ramos, yes, Miss Riggs, Miss Linski, Miss Acriman. Yes. All right. So, we're going to renew the motion to approve items 4, 6B, and 7- 16 on pages B6 and B7. Do I have a motion? >> What? Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. Questions, comments, discussion. Yeah. Yes. Um so on just a general question I guess comments on the summer programs and it probably will be for the majority
056of them uh that state uh student enrollment participation and I'm sure the answer is yes to this Mr. Ruiz but um you have a number in mind on each of those programs for how many students need to u participate before you move forward with them? Yes, that is correct. >> Okay. And then um just is there any metrics of success that we have outlined for each of these programs like at the end of the program if the students especially the ones that are extracurriculum um act you know uh help is there uh if we move them from here to here that's successful. Do we have those kind of metrics? >> Yeah, we keep track of all our student progress. >> Great. I can't wait to see the answers. >> Okay. Thanks. Any other comments or
057questions? Roll call, please. Miss Gossman. >> Miss Gman, >> yes. >> Mr. Laua, >> yes. >> Dr. Matsud, >> yes. >> Miss Morris, Miss Ramos, Miss Ricks, >> yes. >> Miss Lassinski, Miss Acriman, >> thank you. And my question to uh Miss Acriman is we didn't get a list of the ED and travel uh for approval. Nobody uh saw it. It wasn't attached to our agenda. And I wondered if we if it's a short list and you can tell us what it is and they need to have it done by the end of the school year or wait. Um >> I don't I don't think we had any. The one unless there is before it was last month. So we didn't have any. I think it just there isn't any. >> No. Moving forward if
058there isn't any we're just not going to put it on there. >> Okay. So, uh DD travel is not on the agenda then. Which part are you track? Because we have we did not get it on our attachment. So, nobody saw it. >> She normally sends it separate as if you know if you're having trouble with the attachments. Yeah, the travel reimbursement. What I was saying is did you see it before tonight? That's the whole thing. I haven't had a chance to look at it at all. Page is the bus the bus uh stuff. separate. >> Yeah. >> Um >> C9 C9. >> It's C9 at the very end of the packet should be the list of professional development. >> My or I'm looking at now. My question is uh the first few were already
059taken. Did we not approve these already? It was for May. Today's the 27th. >> It has approval April 23rd next to it. >> I'm sorry. >> These were approved. They would just Those are duplicates. So then they just added the new ones starting July 9th. As you can see, they were board approved May 14th, April 30th. If you look in the description column, >> yes, >> it sees at the very end of each description, it identifies the approved items. So the vote right now would be on the items beginning with July 9, 2026. >> Yes. >> So if the board would like the opportunity to review this before voting, we can add it to our committee of the whole meeting on June 17th. >> Is is that what we would like to do? Is that
060would that be the preference? Okay. So, do we have a motion to table the um professional development? >> There's no >> reverse number and >> July 9th, 2026 to I guess July 21st is the last date there's. All right. There's a motion on the table to table item nine on page C4, the travel and professional development. Do we have a second? Thank you, Miss Ricks. Roll call, please. Miss Brown, Miss Glassman, Miss Gman, no. Mr. Laka, >> yes. >> Dr. Matsu, Miss Mars, >> Miss Ramos, >> Miss Ricks, >> yes >> Miss Lenski, Miss Abstain. It's time. So, it's not tabled. So, if everyone could take two minutes right now to review it and then let's have a discussion about it. If there are any specific questions, Mr. Ruiz, would you be willing to answer
061those now? Excellent. Thank you. All right. So, I'm going to take a couple minutes, please. Can I ask a question about this item before you start, Mr. Ruiz? Are all these individuals working during the summer or already or they is an additional um I know some of them are 12 month employee. Are they all 12-month employees? >> Not everyone on this list is 12 month. Um some are 10-month employees on here. So, are they already working a summer program or are they they have to get paid for this or is there additional cost? >> Are you talking about the professional development that they've already attended? >> Yes, sir. >> The July >> July and >> Oh, I see. >> No, it's all link. >> Yeah, it's all link. Yeah, these all will be working the
062summer. Yes, some of them they probably were approved on the last thing. They were Go ahead, Thea. >> Hi, good evening. Um, some of them were already approved on the 6th, the last board meeting. Some of them were even approved in April, the April 30th um, board meeting. So, my question is, why are they in the agenda? Have we already proved the amount of money they were going to if they've already been approved? I'm not sure. I mean, as long as they're working the summer and here, >> I'm not sure why we're double approving. >> I confused. >> Question asked differently is other than the cost that's on the sheet for the PD, is there any additional cost that we'll incur for this professional development? >> No. Um, >> are these virtual? >> No, this
063is in person. >> Yeah. >> Other than mileage, I don't see any other cost because they provide all the food and everything as well. >> Where are they going? Do we know? >> Um, some it's a link. Um, >> they have them in like they usually do them in four different places and so you can choose. They usually do north, south, east, west of New Jersey. And generally we allow the staff to choose which one they want to go to, which is closest to where they live. So, Mhm. So, they're not just the cost of the program, there's additional costs that will incur uh travel. So, all these should be approved with travel if we're going to be reimbursing people for travel. Yeah. I'd like to know how far it is so we know how
064much money we're expending. Can we Can I make a motion? Could I try to make a motion to table these items until next month so we can get an accurate picture of >> We can table it if we >> travel is really difficult though to that that's a difficult one to to calculate beforehand. Um it's just we already have a policy in place for travel. Like if a person travels we have a set amount there. It's all statemandated amounts for that. I don't see why that needs to be in here. That's just my opinion. Of course obviously you guys can do whatever it is you feel you need to do. So, I just think it just delays a process that really doesn't need any range of delaying at this point. >> Yeah. So, I have
065a couple of questions, Miss Lzinski. >> So, I have a couple of questions. I've never seen our professional development proposal included anything beyond the cost. One of the issues that's come up in the past is confirming that the professional development that we're paying for is here in the state. Um, so, Mr. Ruiz, are all of these items here in New Jersey? >> Yes. Okay. And we have a policy in place that identifies our reimbursement to our employees for reasonable mileage according to the IRS amount. >> That's correct. >> Okay. So assuming that no one is going from Hoboken to Avalon, it shouldn't be significant, right? I mean, I'm not being facitious. I'm being serious that if it's there's four locations, everyone I'm assuming is choosing the one closest to their home. >> Agreed. Yes. >>
066They don't and they they don't get reimbured from home. is from work to the event. >> Okay, even more clarification that mileage home to the event is it's as if they're here at work to the event. So it's >> Okay, and so we've already approved all of these events, right? These are all approved. So it seems like the reason it was it was on the agenda inadvertently by accident. There's actually no action needed. >> Okay. So I just want to clarify these have all been approved. all items. It was on the agenda inadvertently and there's actually no board action necessary at this time. Is that correct, Miss Brown? Mr. Ruiz. >> That is correct. >> Great. Okay. So, I think so that it works for the whole board unless anyone has any concerns. I have
067a question. There's a person that her name is here twice. Does that mean she she needs two different program for professional development? Um, it's the only person that has repeated. >> They look like two different programs to me. Magnolia MTSS and Magnolia Literacy Summit. >> They like she has to do two different program. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes. Is that correct? She needs both. >> Those are different. Yes. >> All right. So, this has already been approved. It was on the agenda inadvertently. So, I'm going to propose that we remove item. We didn't make a motion yet, so we can just scratch it off the agenda before it's presented. Right. I'm not Yeah, I'm not making a motion. So, we're going to remove item nine on C4. Okay. All right. I need a motion, a
068consent motion. Sorry. A motion for consent approval of items C1 through C8 on pages C1 through C4. Do I have a motion? Move. Second questions, comments, discussion. Yeah, the bus the bus uh there's pages C1 to C4 up to number eight. I'm sorry. What was that? So, there were se a couple of items removed from the business administrator's agenda. Correct. Yeah. I just didn't have the update. I did scr scratch it out. Motion's on the table. We have a second. There's questions, comments, discussion. Anyone? Nothing. Miss Brown. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. Miss Glassman, I'm sorry we can't hear you. If you could please speak into the microphone. No one heard that second piece. So no as to C1 number one as it relates to college achieve and no as to C2 number five early
069childhood provider contracts. Miss, that's it. I'm sorry. Miss Gman. >> Yes. >> Dr. Msud, Miss Morris, Miss Ramos, Miss Ricks. >> Yes. On everything except uh two on C1, I'm abstaining. >> I'm sorry. C2. >> Uh, page C1, item two. >> Miss Lenski, Miss Acriman. >> Yes. With the clarification that the changes to the budget in item C2 are strictly form, not substance, and relate to accounting codes and account numbers. Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Boyce, did you want to add to that? >> Yeah, I'd like to speak to that. Uh because this this one's actually um on me. So, the um the county office reached out to us for some um they had um some comments on the resolution to adopt the budget. As part of one of the components of that resolution is to
070outline here are the changes from the tenative budget to the final budget by account number. Um, and the account numbers are important because it's it's a uniform chart of accounts. It's also it's for internal purposes, but it's also reported out to the state for comparison among all districts and then also nationally through the National Center for Education Statistics. So, across the country, it's the same account coding system for that purpose. Now, in terms of salaries, in some areas of the budget, they're broken down into certificated staff, clerical staff, uh, administrative, par professionals, and so forth. Uh, and all of those are in there. In other areas of the budget, they don't make that breakdown. It just all rolls up into 100 where like the one one number for all of those. So in two cases
071in uh 11 triple0251 100 that was in the previous resolution broken down into 100 and 105. Same thing in the 11 uh 402 section. So no change in substance. It's simply a change in form and this is correction um has been made in this agenda. We'll send that off to the county office and then we'll be all good. Great. Thank you for that. Miss Brown, you can put me down as a yes. >> Thank you. All right, moving on to the remainder of the agenda, which includes uh item one, final budget adoption changed after public hearing. Again, Mr. Boyce, that relates to exactly what you just explained. Is that correct? Okay. Um, so we'll do these as one at a time. So item one, we have a motion to approve item one on C5. Move
072roll call con comments, questions, discussion. None. Please roll call. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman. >> Yes. Mr. Laka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Maxuit. Miss Mars. Miss Ramos, Miss Riggs, >> yes. >> Miss Linski, Miss Acriman, >> yes. Thank you. Uh, item number two is approval of uh, the mini pitch. Asbury Park Board of Education hereby resolves to enter into the contract agreed upon with the US Soccer Federation for the construction of mini pitch soccer on the Asbury Park High School grounds. no cost to the district with the exception of the cost of lighting supplies and permits as needed. Do I have a motion? I'll second. Questions, comments, discussion. >> Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman. >> Yes. Mr. Laka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Matsud. Miss Morris. Miss Ramos. Miss Ricks, Miss Lassinski, Miss Sacramento. Thank
073you, Mr. Strickland. Contain your joy. Thank you for the thumbs up. Thank you. Uh, we have one additional agenda item tonight. Um, and I will read it into the record for a motion. Be it resolved that the Asbury Park Board of Education approves the memorandum of understanding between the board and the Asbury Park Education Association for the period retroactive to July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 as presented to the board of education. The board of education authorizes the board president, board secretary, and board attorney to take all actions nec necessary to effectuate this action of the board. Do I have a motion to approve theou? Move it. >> Questions, comments, discussion. I think it is unfortunate that the contra that theou is being presented for only a total of a two-year term. The agreement
074that had been voted on by the union and presented to the board in December was for a three-year term and also provided for teachers to contribute two hours a week in each school building for engagement with the students and that provision has been taken out of thisou. I feel that given the fact that almost a full year has passed from the time the union contract had expired, the limited amount of time that remains before this district has to go back into discussions and negotiations puts the district in an unstable position. I'll make a couple of comments to that end and I think some of the one of the representatives is here from the APA, but um I agree that it's unfortunate that we have to do a 2-year contract, but we had to do a
075two-year contract because no district in the state knows what their medical costs are going to look like in year three of what would have been this contract. because chapter 44 sunsets in January of 2027. And because of that that we literally have zero transparency, zero idea of of what it will cost the district in medical costs >> or the teachers themselves. So, we chose to take the path that protected all parties um and kept it to a 2-year contract. In exchange for that third-year cut, decisions were made. I'm not going to go into confidential negotiations, but this is where we landed. Um, beyond that, um, we recognize that it's unfortunate that we're going to have to continue negotiations, but our negotiations committee has already made that commitment to the APA. And so, we don't anticipate
076shutting down discussions with the with the union at all. So, this conversation is going to continue. in much the same way it began this year. Um, from a place of mutual respect, understanding, and consideration of the issues that the district as a whole is facing. So, we thank you for your comments. We think this represents the best option and outcome for the next year or so, and hopefully the lawmakers will have a replacement for chapter 44 sooner rather than later, and it'll speed up the process. I just want to make a personal comment on how committed I am not to put the school district into an unstable position uh with the negotiations with the union. And um I think that uh the folks that at least that I've been involved with uh negotiating uh feel
077a mutual respect that we're available to make sure that that doesn't happen. So, I'm looking forward to instead of a once every three-year conversation, an ongoing uh uh communication so that we don't fall into the same situation that we were in without a contract. Because I will say this out loud for the minutes. Uh if I'm on the negotiations committee, my number one goal is to make sure that the workers and the teachers and the people that are covered by uh the union contract never go without a contract again. >> May I just add one one thing is I just want to um commend the committee and the uh APA representative that Mr. Zac Jac that the uh information that we shared with the board at all times uh was transparent. Uh he had the
078same information we did and the board got updates so that everybody knew what the outcome was and we came to this today and I think everybody ag most agreed and I I just want to thank the committee and Mr. Ajac for a very very refreshing negotiations and uh the future looks good. So I want to thank everybody. Any other comments or questions? Roll call, please. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman. >> Yes. Mr. Laraka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Maxud. Miss Mars. Miss Ramos. Miss Ricks. Miss Lasinski. >> Miss Arian. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Motion passes. >> Yes. Thank you. Can we just talk briefly about the pride parade that's coming up? I didn't know if uh board members wanted to participate in it. Uh pride parade. uh the board and uh any of the administrators too
079can can join us. >> I can send an email out um to the board members just a reminder for the date and the time. I don't know if the school is participating but if we are I can try to get that information. >> We do we do have a banner the school district has a banner. Can we find it? >> So I think that we need to have a I think this needs to executive session discussion. Yeah, we need to have a u potentially have a a executive session discussion regarding um regarding the the boards the district's participation as a whole. Um so and you said just consider that. Um, so I think I'd like make a motion that the board participated participates in the 20 authorize the participation of board members in the 2026
080Pride Parade on June June 7th. So wait, I guess the question is, wait, before you move on with the motion, the question is, are we taking a vote to authorize board members to walk in the parade or are we taking a vote to have the district represented in the parade? >> Yeah. My recollection uh in years prior uh my recollection is that the district um didn't have like a float or anything like that. My understanding and recollection is that individual board members previously attended and that's not an issue at all. Um but to the extent that there's going to be a formal board presence at the event, my suggestion would be that the board just vote on it to authorize it so that we make it official so that there are no um ethics concerns
081relative to people's involvement. uh and perhaps uh allegations that individuals are taking private action that may uh represent the board. So I to be very safe I would just suggest that we vote to authorize board participation in the private well district could mean students also. >> Yeah. >> Oh so so is is the idea then to have students and board members? If that's the case, I would just vote to authorize, you know, participation by board members and students. >> Why is this any different than the St. Patrick's parade? We've never entertained a motion. We we >> All All I'm going to say is nobody's ever asked me in years past about what my position would be. And given the code of ethics and other concerns related to that, I just think it's a safer way
082to do it. Not saying it must be done this way, but if you're asking me what's the safest way that I would avoid any ethical concerns or issues or allegations of wrongdoing in that regard, I would say just go ahead and vote to authorize and then there's no issue. >> I can add that the difference is going to be because we'll be ourselves because the city the city council the municipal government has a float this year. So we will not be on a float or walking with them. We'll be a separate entity. So yeah, but but they're going to be on a float. So we usually are co-mingled and we just kind of >> scary and ideally if we wanted to do our own float that would be fantastic. But in order to do that,
083right, we don't have enough time. So if we want to walk behind a banner as the board of education, the idea here is that we all just take a vote to say that this is what we want to do as an organization, not as individual board members. So the motion would be there's a motion to approve for the board to represent the full board of education at the pride parade and walk as such to the extent additional administrators would like to join. They would be included as well. So that is the motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Roll call, please. Additional questions or comments? None. Roll call, please. Miss Glassman, Miss Gman >> G. Yes. Mr. Laka, Dr. Maxuit, Miss Mars, Miss Ramos, Miss Ricks, Miss Lenski, Miss Sacramento. Is
084it my turn to vote? Well, Miss Brown, my vote is a resounding yes. Thank you. >> So, uh, sorry. Oh, >> yes. We're not going to have our We don't Unless we Someone has the time to to crush it and put together a float, we're not going to have a float. If we have a banner we can find, that would be fantastic. Although, I will not be carrying it. Beyond that, anything that we can do, put together, t-shirts, what have you, would be amazing, Miss Brown. Yes. So, I think whatever we can do to coordinate as a group and as many of board members who are available, Dom, to walk would be incredible. I think it would be an incredible way of showing the board's support for our community overall. And since Ms. Lzinski has
085so graciously brought this to our attention and reminded us of it, I think that she spearheading this effort is going to be one of the great achievements of our year. So I think we're good there. Miss Ricks, does that answer your question, Miss Ricks? All right. So Miss Brown and Miss Lazinski, if you could coordinate getting us registered. I believe there's a separate link, although it wasn't sent to me directly. It was circulated to some other board members and I think we have it. So, we need to register for the parade. >> Yeah, I have the link to register. >> So, there we go. Sorry, Miss Ramos, did you have something else? >> Uh, yeah, not in regards to the Pride parade, but um I just wanted to either put it out um a motion
086and or like a a statement. I obviously tonight we had a very very um nice turnout with our parents, but I would like to make a motion to for the superintendent and our board to officially um have a proper translator for our board meeting because a lot of the parents who I have met personally have said that they don't understand and I don't know that they really understood everything that we have said tonight and prior to our meeting beforehand. As well as um you know, Mr. Edwin, you can translate a little bit, but I don't think they understood exactly what you were saying when you didn't translate everything you didn't you said. So, I think like coming as a board member and as a Hispanic um member of the community, I think it's important for
087us to officiate um a translator in in obviously English, Spanish, and Preole are majority of our languages that are spoken here. so more of our parents are actually able that do attend and hopefully start attending actually understand what we're saying and what decisions are being made about the future of their kids. Um cuz I don't think I would have understood if I didn't speak English. Obviously I can understand what they're saying vice versa but I I you know I can't whisper around the table what they're saying. But I think that's my my my motion is to have translators officially so when they do come and make public comment we can there's a proper translation. Vice versa when we speak they're be they're being told what we're saying properly. Um I >> All right. So sorry.
088The motion would be for the board to engage an interpreter to attend all meetings for Spanish and Creole. That's the motion by Miss Ramos. Do we have a second? Miss Morris has second it. >> So we have questions, >> questions, comments, discussion. if I can go first. I don't I don't mean to pull rank, but I'm gonna because it's nine o'clock. Um I think it's an incredible idea and I think it's vitally important. Um before we start going down the the trail of how do we engage and pay for an interpreter, my understanding is the district may or may not have translation equipment that was provided through a title. So, what I would like to see is a thorough and complete search for that equipment as soon as possible. Um, I think given the the
089work we're doing to clear out the maintenance building, um, the upcoming facilities assessment, I think this is a great time to do it. Um, if you need volunteers to come and help look for it, I will volunteer my time. I'm sure any other some other board members may be willing to as well. In fact, Miss Morris just said that you can put that down, Ivy. She's a yes for that, Miss Morris. I'll volunteer as well >> and Miss Ramos. So, to the extent you need our assistance, we're happy to do that. Um, but yeah, go ahead. >> If I could just make a suggestion because there's a motion out there to have the translation services and it sounds like everybody is really interested in having that and providing that for the full community. But my
090thought is that maybe in view of the mystery or the unlocated Yeah. the unlocated equipment that we may have. Um, I would suggest that in between board meetings that Miss Brown not only looks for the equipment, but also if we can't get the equipment, looks into translation services and things, then report back at the next board meeting and then you take action one way or the other because you'll then have all the information with regard to cost and everything else andor whether or not we have the equipment ready and available. Um, I just think since it sounds like everybody's on that idea anyway, the motion really is it doesn't have much teeth to it just because we don't know the costs and all of that. So, my suggestion would be move forward but do so
091in a way that's going to look to see if we can find what we already have and if we can't get real dollar numbers to bring back to the board, this is what it's going to cost per meeting. This, you know, that kind of thing so that you can make a decision at the next meeting to to do something. Um, Miss Brown, I know that you're going to the conference next week. Is it possible to talk with other BAS and see what options are out there? I mean, I imagine there may be something that's audio driven or if if we start using the screen. >> There may I was thinking about closed caption. >> Yeah, something low cost that doesn't involve an individual coming and repeating, but having it in Spanish in Creole in real
092time behind us. I think otherwise we're going to be kind of also extending our meetings exponentially and maybe not providing as good an option to our parents as we could if we had something digital on the screen playing. Um so maybe while you're at the conference you could talk to others and see what they might be using if any are. Um and then beyond that what Mr. White suggested what our translation services are. Um um so Miss Ramos with with that in mind perhaps we could amend. Sorry, are there other comments and questions? Sorry. Yeah, I just had a couple comments. Um I think we should look at all those options and also the uh well the cost of uh having two translators in one for Creole and one for Spanish. We also have to
093take into consideration that makes the meeting potentially three times longer. Um, but the other thing to uh take into account, I we kind of had a little sidebar here because um there are some Spanish speakers that might not like the closed caption might not work because there there may be some people. Yeah. So, um I think we just continue to explore with all those aspects in mind and and keep an open mind on how we're going to execute it the best way for the um receivers. So, I can attest to that. We did have equipment that translated in French Creole and Spanish. And we used to have a lot of um um Spanish speaking people and and uh Creole speaking people coming to the meeting and they had the mics. Now what do you remember
094what happened to them? I have no idea but we did have them. Isn't there an app on the phones? And I think yeah, I mean, Jean's earlier comment, I think we have to use technology or else to you're you're going to lose too much of the overall meeting to then have something said three different way. And so maybe the the phone would would do it. But yeah, I think everybody agrees we have to start communicating better with with who our parents are. But I'm gonna say it uh be careful what you wish for if we end up with two translators live repeating every every statement. So maybe the phones, maybe the equipment, whatever. Okay. So I think we're gonna miss Ramos I think what we can do is take on a multi-pronged approach here right
095I think all of the board members should do their own whatever time you have to do research whatever you're willing to contribute to look around and see if there's translation apps out there that we can get and the teacher we can get it pushed out to the parents through the schools or even put a QR code at the door when they come in um that would be amazing if we could do something like that putting it up on the board in real time I think that would fall to you and Mr. Canel to figure out how we could make that happen and if we can with our given technology um and then also we'll see what we can figure out about human interpreters. I think technology is the best way to go possibly. Um and
096I think we're all in agreement that we want to do this. So perhaps we could amend the motion to be that. Um, it's a motion for the board to direct the superintendent, the acting superintendent and business administrator to explore all possible options for providing translation services at all meetings, including and not including but not limited to confirming whether or not the district has translation equipment. Um, would that amendment to the motion be um acceptable to you? >> Yeah. Is there a way that we could translate our agendas as well because they're only in English as well? Okay, I think that's a separate one. So, let's do one at a time. Um, sorry, I need to amend my amended motion to be that the board votes to move forward with exploring all possibilities for translating the
097meetings, including searching for the equipment, including looking for technology options. Um, and in order to with the ultimate goal of being able to have the meetings in English, Spanish, and Creole for our our families. Would that work? >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call. Miss Glassman. Miss Gman, >> yes. >> Mr. Laka, >> yes. >> Dr. Matsu, >> yes. >> Miss Morris, Miss Ramos, Miss Ricks, >> Miss Lassinski, Miss Acriman. All right, I think we have another motion to translate the the board agenda into both Spanish and Creole. Do I have a second questions, comments, discussion? Can we add the announcement that goes out in the paper for the same in the multi languages like any written communication out from the board? I don't know what that entails >> like the one on the coaster and
098all that as well as online. I think that would work too. Yeah. So the addition the there's also a request to um translate all notices from the board all of our formal notices in English and Spanish for posting in the coaster and the Asbury Park Press. So our notices of meetings would also be translated and we can make posted. I guess the question there is that there's definitely going to be costs associated with that, right? Because we'd have to post three different ones. So we'll have to get an assessment on that. I'm I'm pretty sure I could find Spanish >> especially the board minutes. >> Yeah. So that would be my question. So trying to take this off in chunks. I guess the question is what what are the capabilities in house to do something
099like that? I mean I think we can use AI because all of our information is public anyway. But um so I think we could use AI to translate it but it would still have to get proofed. Yeah. So can we in the meantime well we do post on our website in different languages don't we? >> Yeah we do. So I think for for now perhaps for now let's make sure that everything on the website is in the multiple languages and we'll have to cross the bridge on the posting separately perhaps. >> But so I think >> that's additional cost right be three >> it would be an additional cost because it would be three times as much stuff on there. >> Okay. So I I think what might make more sense is for Miss Ramos,
100Miss Ricks and I as the communications committee to to put together an overview of what we want to do here like and prioritize it, right? Figure out what the most important things are to translate and what we can work around. Yes. And do it in phases. So >> So I'd like to make a motion to table this discussion pending uh committee discussion and we'll discuss it again on the 14th. >> Um do I have a second? Can I? All in favor? I. All opposed, abstensions. Hearing none, the motion passes. Anything else? All right. I'm going to make a motion to adjourn the meeting. Do I have a second? >> All in favor? >> All opposed? Abstensions? Motion carries. Have a good night, everyone.