001Okay. Um, good evening everybody. Thank you all for coming tonight. I'd like to call to order uh for the meeting of the board of education, February 18th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the administration building at 70 Connor Road, Coloulnack, New Jersey. Mr. Morasco, can we have a roll call? >> Absolutely. Mrs. Cameron >> here. >> Mrs. Harowitz >> here. >> Mr. Rico >> here. >> Mr. Reignetta >> here. >> Mr. Scales >> here. >> Mr. Scorpa >> here. >> Mrs. Vulpi >> here. >> Mr. Walsh >> here. >> Mr. Wickber >> here. >> You have a corn? >> Great. Thank you. Uh, pursuant to the open public meetings act chapter 231. This meeting has been duly advertised in the Asbury Park Press in a schedule of meetings dated January 23rd, 2026. notice
002of which has been filed with the deputy clerk for Coleneck Township and the requirements of posting of notices have been met. At this time, if we could ask everybody to stand for the flag salute and the national anthem. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, I just want to say that was a fantastic addition of our national anthem. Uh, and that was our fifth grade uh students. So, we >> Yeah. Yep. And we just want to thank them for a fantastic um performance there. Thank you so much. All right, let's get started. Um, okay. We are going to move right into the approval of the minutes. We have several,
003uh, minutes there. Um, December 17th, uh, one regular, one executive, a January 7th, uh, January 21st, and an executive session. Um, anybody have any questions or comments on those meetings, minutes? Nothing. Uh, okay, great. Um, can I get a roll call to approve them? >> Is there a motion? >> A motion. A second. Second. >> Yep. One roll >> on the minutes. Mrs. Cameron. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rico. >> Yes. >> Mr. Reetta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scales. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scarpa. >> Here. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Wolf. >> Oh, >> yes. I'm sorry. >> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wicker. >> Yes. >> Thank you. The motion passed unanimously. >> Uh, great. I'm going to ask uh just to um go back and if somebody could volunteer
004to read the mission statement this evening. Would you like to volunteer? >> Mr. Rico, thank you very much. The mission of the Colink Township Schools is to empower and inspire students to be confident, creative, self-sufficient learners who maximize their strengths and talents and contribute as responsible participants in their everexpanding world. >> Okay, great. Thank you so much, Mr. Rico. Okay, we are going to go right into our presentation tonight. We have uh a number uh a number of them to go over. Uh this board is absolutely so proud uh to always take the time to recognize such great achievements um of our students and staff here. So I'm going to have Dr. Garay proceed with this um and then we appreciate you all attending for this. Welcome everyone. This is the good stuff, right? This
005is what the one the things that make us all smile and what makes us part of such a beautiful unique school community. So we have some people very special students and adults to recognize this evening. So thank you members of the coun uh Col Township Board of Education President Vulpi for allowing us and encouraging us to continue to recognize our students and staff in this in this forum. So the first thing we're going to do is talk about our um the extra things that we offer. Yes, at the core of everything that we do, we we have our academics, we have our math, our science, our language arts, everything that we do. But we do a lot of other things. And a lot of things that we do is try to inspire students to find
006their talents, to find things that they like, to find things that they're interested in that may in addition to math and science and language arts and all social studies and all things that they may also want to explore outside of the classroom. One of the things we continue to be so proud of that I continue to be so proud of is our music program. You heard it played the our national anthem by our crest band led under the direction of uh Mrs. Cheryl Chandler who is just outstanding and um that carries through. We start them there and we think the love of music starts at primary school, right? When they're introduced to some notes and sounds and music and then if they really want to, they can try an instrument out and then they become
007bit members of the band at elementary school and then hopefully they carry through and go on to middle school and they continue to thrive under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brown, our instrumental music director there. That being said, this year we had two students who found the courage and have the absolute talent to be to audition and to have been selected for the Allshore Intermediate Band. And what you need to know about that is that takes a lot. They are given a separate piece of music that they have to learn and then they have to go in and they play it by themselves in front of people they don't know. And I know that for a fact and I'm so proud to ask and I may actually come over. Paul, why won't you stay there
008unless you want to come over here? So, or I can help do that. But first, I'd like to first recognize Miss Charlie Sabatino who was selected this year. Come on up, Charlie. We are so proud of you and your tener sacks that you play so beautifully and we just want to in Colts neck we have something called a golden horseshoe award. Okay. And this Golden Horseshoe Award is proudly presented to Charlie Sabatino in recognition of her outstanding musical achievement and her selection and participation in the 2026 Allshore Intermediate Band, reflecting dedication, talent, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Paul, you want to come up here or you want us to come to you? >> You're on camera if you're here. So, so Paul the Meos Outland, right? That's who is how you say it
009correctly. Is an outstanding tuba player. Correct. Correct. And being a middle school student and taking on an instrument like the tuba is no is no light task. So, I want to commend you for that. And I also want to present you to this this Golden Horseshoe Award in recognition of his outstanding musical achievement and his selection and participation in the 2026 Allshore Intermediate Band reflecting dedication, talent, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations. So, one of the joys of being a teacher is seeing students like Charlie and like Paul rise to the occasion and being a part of that, believing that you played some type of small role in that. So, as superintendent, it also gives me a lot of honor to ask Mr. Jeff Brown to join me up here, please. And what you need to
010know about Mr. Jeff Brown, not just because he is the instrumental music director and teacher at Cedar Drive, but among his peers in the inter among the allshore intermediate band directors association. Jeff was selected this year to conduct the 2026 Allshore Intermediate Band concert. This is a truly prestigious honor because it represents among your peers that they chose you among everybody else to lead all of the students for this very special honor. And as your superintendent and on behalf of the board of education, we couldn't be more proud of you being selected for this type of honor. So this well we'll do this first. This is not what you think it is in this bag. This is actually it was given to me to pass on to you that was uh created by your peers.
011So you can open the at Cedar Drive something for you. Go ahead. You can open it now. You are. Yes, you can open it. >> Specifically, Mrs. Buffano >> made that. >> What does that say? >> So it says the 67th annual evening of music led by Mr. Jeff Brown who has the all short band logo on it. >> So Mr. Brown, I'm going to present to you on behalf of the Col Township Board of Education and the administration and all of us here who love every single thing that you do here. This Golden Horseshoe Award, which is in recognition of your selection by the Allshore Intermediate Band Directors Association to lead the 2026 Allshore Intermediate Band, reflecting dedication, talent, and your commitment to excellence. Congratulations. Thank you. Absolutely. Okay, then. Now, this one is
012pretty special and it came word of mouth to me and when I learned about it, I I I kind of had to shake my head a bit. So, if I could have Matthew and Russell and Mrs. Guadagino, which I always want to say slowly and correctly, join me up here, please, for a minute. Have Matthew here and then we'll have Russell over here. Okay, we're good. Okay, so these three individuals, two students. And where do you go to school? And what school? >> Elementary. >> Connor Road Elementary School. And what grade are you in? >> Third grade. And your role at Connor Road Elementary School? >> Lunch assistant. >> Lunch recess aid. Correct. Not too long ago, just a few weeks ago, while these young men were having lunch on a typical day at Conover
013Road Elementary School, right? And Mrs. Guadmino was your lunch recess aid. Correct. Um, you saw something happening, right? Okay. And would you mind speaking to that a little bit, sensitive of names? Go ahead. >> Okay. Well, um, Matthew noticed that our friend, me, >> just a friend, >> a friend was choking. Well, looked at him and went to Russell and said, "I think our friend is choking." And then he noticed it and ran over and got me. I went over and then I noticed he was choking and I So I could had to squeeze his belly and I went behind him and I did a him like twice and then it came up and then he was I'm good and then tears came out of his eyes. We were all shaking and this little you
014know round up from it and I took him to the nurse and they checked him out and everything was good and they did a great job. They came and got me and I was very very surprised about that how great they just were right on the money. >> So wow. So wow. I just want to say that was a very thank you for sharing that but I also just want to share you you're heroes like you are somebody's you were somebody's hero that day and that's a big deal and when we talk about you've heard Mr. Osman say Mrs. Milano you've heard Mrs. Roso say about caring cults, right? When you're talking about it, you were huge caring cults that day. Huge. You were the most caring cult that day. Dare I say on record.
015So, Matthew Russell and Mrs. Guadagnino. I it would be my absolute honor on behalf of the Colts Township Board of Education and all of us here to present you with Golden Horseshoe Awards in recognition of your courage and actions to help a Connor Road Elementary School student in need and for being the ultimate caring cult that day for someone. And that is You're welcome. Absolutely. Congratulations. You want Can you take a picture real quick? Go ahead. Thank you. Absolutely. And now I think we have a special presentation and recognition um that I'm going to pass back over to President Bulby. >> Okay. Um Okay. The last recognition we have tonight is number five on the agenda. Um just to give you a little bit of background, Mr. Scarpad come to me with this initiative. Um
016this will be the first night we were presenting um uh this recognition. Um and he came to me a few weeks ago about um bringing forth and sharing people's accomplishments and missions, civic engagement and humanitarian service. So, um, I approved it and going forward, we will be acknowledging, uh, people for that service. So, I'm going to pass it over to Mr. Scarpa and he will be presenting this award to Miss, uh, Ashley McCormack. >> Thank you, Mr. Scarpa. >> That's right. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Scales. I'm so sorry, Mr. Scales. >> Mr. Scales, I'm gonna >> So, uh, good evening and thank you, Miss Boly, for this opportunity. I appreciate it. So uh every now and then someone or something really good comes along and makes you want to stop in whatever you're doing
017and reflect on where you are in your own life. Uh when you are fortunate you meet those special people and one may ask what can I do to make a difference. Dr. Martin Luther King once said if I cannot do great things perhaps I can do small things in a great way. That's exactly what this board is doing tonight as it begins a brand new program of dedication and recognition to those that demonstrate strength, grit, and determination. Disease knows no borders, no politics, no economics. What we do know is that the human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. Tonight, we take this opportunity to recognize and honor Miss Ashley McCormack, a wife, a mom, a fellow school board member, and a friend. Miss McCormack is a fine example of human strength,
018determination, and character, especially in the face of our Jewish challenges. Her example teaches us to stand up and make a difference. Fight the good fight and when possible bring joy and happiness to those around you. With that, I welcome my good friend, Mr. Rob Scales, to read the first part of this board's proclamation of dedication. So, >> all right. This is our proclamation of dedication, the Colts Township Board of Education, calendar year 2026. Whereas the Colts Neck Township Board of Education is entrusted with the education, safety, and well-being of the children and families of our community. And whereas true leadership is shaped not only by public and by policy and governance, but by empathy, resilience, and the courage to face adversity with purpose. And whereas within our community are individuals who live each day carrying
019burdens unseen, confronting illness not as a moment in time, but as an enduring companion that reshapes life priorities and strength. And whereas Ashley McCormack represents those who face cancer and other profound challenges with quiet determination, choosing each day to move forward, not because fear is absent, but because love, responsibility, and hope demand it. And whereas her strength is found not in spectacle, but in perseverance, in showing up for her children, her family, and her life, even on days marked by uncertainty, exhaustion, and fear. I'll pass it to Brian to read the rest. And whereas such coverage such courage mirrors the very values of this board and seeks to instill in its students resilience in the face of difficulty, compassion for others, responsibility for those who depend on us and the resolve to continue when circumstances
020are unfair or outcomes are unknown. And whereas education is at its highest call and when it recognizes the humanity behind the work and honors those who lived whose lived examples teach lessons no textbook can fully capture. Now therefore be it re proclaimed that the Colts Township Board of Education hereby dedicates the inspiration of its work throughout the 2026 calendar year to Ashley McCormack. her work as a board of education member, her moral character vested in strength and determination, and to all individuals who demonstrate extraordinary courage through ordinary acts of perseverance. And be it further proclaimed that this dedication serves as a reminder to board members, administrators, educators, and the greater school community that strength often arrives quietly. Leadership often looks like endurance and hope is built one determined day at a time. And be it
021finally proclaimed that Ashley McCormack shall be recognized as the first recipient of this dedication and that the Colink Township Board of Education hereby establishes this recognition as an annual dedication to be awarded in future years to individuals whose courage, resilience, and service exemplify the values of this community inspired others through their example. adopted on this 18th day of February, 2026 by the Colts Knight Township Board of Education. Please come up and accept your award. Congratulations. >> You're welcome. Here, come over here. We got a nice little picture here. Thank you so much, Mr. Scarp and Mr. Scales. Um, okay. at this time. Um, I wanted I know I'm I know most of you aren't going to stay, but I was going to present um speak on this during my president's report. We're just going to
022skip over the communications for just a moment while everybody's here. I just wanted to speak to this. Um, >> yeah, I know you brought you you typed it up really big so I could see. Um I just I just want to um uh bring to the attention of everybody. I was absolutely uh so proud uh and honored to receive this news. Uh Dr. Gar Bay reached out to me the other day that we had ranked number 15th in the state of New Jersey uh for money uh.com. Uh so it was a fantastic achievement. Um, I'm going to have you speak to it during your superintendence, but I just want to uh read this little uh paragraph here on what exactly this means. Uh, so ranking number 15 Coloss uh operates three high-erforming institutions in Mammoth
023County. The district includes two elementary schools and one middle school, all consistently ranking among New Jerseys top educational facilities. Your children will benefit from exceptional academic standards here. The district's math proficiency score reaches 70% significantly above the state average of 38%. Reading proficiently proficiency stands at 72% compared to New Jersey's 49% statewide average. The district maintains a test ranking of 10 out of 10, placing it at the top 10% of public schools across the state. This performance reflects the district's commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. You'll find a safe, civil learning environment throughout this district. The schools prioritize creating spaces free from harassment, intimidation, and bullying for all students, employees, and volunteers. So, I just wanted to recognize that while the most most of you were here, this board is absolutely honored and proud
024of this achievement, and we want to thank everybody uh who make made this possible. all the teachers, the staff, uh the superintendent, we are we are so proud of you and uh I know you're going to speak on this. Uh and this is just all you. You guys deserve this and this board appreciates everything. Um so I at this time, whoever would like to stay for the meeting, you're welcome to do so. Um if not, you could dismiss yourselves when you see fit. >> Yep. We could take a fivem minute recess. Yep. >> Thank you. >> Do you want to take pictures? Any pictures of anybody? >> Um yeah, I want to get um Mrs. McCormack. We are going to go right into our student um representatives reports tonight. Uh so let's see who would
025like to begin. All right, Mrs. Diner, come on up. Nice to see you. Good evening. I have two new ideas for you tonight. One of them is called the kindness club, but instead of a K for kindness, it's a C. So, it would be called the CC for short. It's a club that focuses on socializing for students who have trouble making friends or going through something like like a rough patch. and like could use like a pat on the back. It's an allaround club for people to hang out and talk and do really whatever they want. Also to like get tips for like being kind to people that they normally wouldn't be kind to. Um we could find a teacher who'd be willing to host it and it could be on Wednesdays or Thursdays. The
026club would be for students to just talk about the things that are making them feel down in a safe space with friends. It's also another way to make new friends with upper or lower classmen. It's a perfect idea and some days it could be hosted outside in the peace garden by the pergola when it's nice out. When it's nice out, of course. Uh people could bring in crafts or snacks and just hang out with friends in a safe space to talk to teachers and get help for tons of things, especially about being kind. This club may be the heart of a new kindness program, teaching students how to be kind and not be bullies. Another idea is a fund run. It's a fundraiser to raise money for mental health awareness. It would be a $5
027fee to join in and run around Bucks Mill to raise awareness about mental health and the struggles that certain kids feel every day. The funds would go to new materials for classes to help uh students understand how like mental health disorders don't define who people are. It would talk more about it and explain to students how they work and how they affect people who have them. It's a fun way to get exercise and teach people about mental disorders and disabilities about how they're not bad and how they work and affect the everyday lives of the people who have them. This can go for every school from the primary to the middle school. It's a great uh way to raise money for a great cause. That's all I have for you tonight. Thank you. >> Um
028Mrs. Diner, I have a question. >> Um these here you're proposing as after school clubs, you said? >> Yeah. Okay. um who's in charge of making the after school clubs picking those >> so many times the inter murals like the clubs after school the teachers come forward and propose them so but if there was an idea I would certainly bring that you know and I know you talk to Dr. Rigby a lot or Mr. Mercer and bring that forward and you know see what they can come up to and plan and maybe um you know ask a couple teachers uh you know if they'd be interested in doing something like that. I know we also have the the make a difference club. Yeah. >> Which is in there too. So I don't know if it
029all could that that type of idea could be incorporated into it or that it could be something that is separate in itself. Depends on the direction we want to take it in. >> Yeah. For >> are the clubs um done for the year for the spring? They're they're all uh put out already. >> So we I mean they're rolling and we we we budget for certain adviserss for you know because for for the program but they're not necessarily done if there's something. No, I just wanted to see if something before the end of the year. I know we have quite a number of months left. If uh something could be done before the end of year with one of these two uh um initiatives, I'd like to see, you know, I love the making a
030friends club. You know, I know some kids, you know, don't have as many friends or they feel like they don't fit in in certain groups, especially in 8th grade. There's a lot of shifting of friends. I notice uh with my own daughter. Um, and I think it's a great idea to maybe have them, you know, collectively come together, maybe people who don't have lunch tables or just aren't involved in sports. I think it's actually a great idea. So, you know, maybe speak to Dr. uh Riby and see if we can move along with that one. >> So, Miss Diner and I have an appointment meeting scheduled next week to talk about another idea that she'll, you know, bring forward. So, maybe we can um bring this into the conversation as well. Yeah. Uh so I
031realized that I feel as though the schools don't do like we do a lot to uh stop uh and prevent bullying, but I feel like there's some more that we could incorporate that incorporates the students and teaches them how to be upstanders. So, I thought of the idea to make a survey about like like if like people have been bullied like to like see like which grade like which population of students get bullied more and we use that to make what I like to call the anti-bullying ambassadors which is a handful of kids who want to help and be upstanders and stop bullying when they see it. they could stop it head-on like they could tell people to stop it or they can uh go to a teacher and we we would do the first
032survey and then we would do another one asking people if they want to be an anti-bullying ambassador and then we could like see how that works for a couple months and then take the first survey again and see the number shift of how many people of like how people think like at first it could be 60% % say Cedar Drive doesn't do a great job at preventing bullying and 40% say it does. Shifting it to 70% say it does a good job and 30% say that it doesn't. It like watch the number shift and then make uh assemblies and workshops teaching people how to be upstanders and that they're not really snitching on people, they're protecting others. >> Okay. All right. That's a good idea. Um, I wanted to um go back to your uh
033your last presentation about the fundraising. Did anything take off from that? I know we were late in the game with that. Um, but you had some initiative of not selling the poinsettas, I believe it was. Was that for the Hershey trip? >> It was an additional fundraiser along with the poinsettas for people who don't celebrate uh Christmas or really use poinsettas or wreaths. >> Yes, I remember that. I haven't started much on that, but I could pick it up and like >> Yeah, I'd like to, you know, see that. I mean, all these are great. Um, but since that trip's coming up, I wanted to see if that has moved along because it it may be a good incentive to start bringing that forward because that trip is in May, isn't it? >> Yeah. So,
034I don't know if you want to um hold off on this and go back to that and like prioritize. I mean, whatever works for you, but I know that that's coming up and that may be beneficial to some families to help fund raise, offset the cost. and I really like that idea. So, um that's >> idea. >> We're starting to do the uh popcorn fundraiser, which is another fundraiser that takes place like from March to like April. >> Okay. >> And so, that's like the second fundraiser. Um I realized that it was a bit too late to do a like a fundraiser for like people who don't celebrate Christmas around Christmas time >> for like other holidays. So, I can so I was going to talk to Dr. rugby and see about like how we
035can do that next year. Talk to Dr. Dr. Rugby in the music department and see what they want to do. Maybe doing something next year like I don't know like decorative candles or like candy or something that like other people who don't celebrate Christmas can >> That's a great idea. And I know you're going to be leaving this year, right? So you won't be able Maybe you could pass it on to the new representatives because I definitely want to see that. It's always helpful for families to have a to offset the cost with these type of fundraisers. Found it to be a great idea. >> Um Okay. All right. Terrific. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Mrs. Bush. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Good. So, I'm Sophia
036Boucher and I was working on widen widening the variety of school lunch options for students with special dietary needs, but also for students who would like to see something new in the cafeteria. And I have been developing a form and I'm pretty sure it got released today. So, um, yeah. So, it's moving along pretty well and I hope to see like results and that'll help me gauge like how much of like that we could do. >> All right, just to recap because some people may be tuning in that haven't seen it. So, what what is the form going to have on it? >> So, it's going to ask um like do you want anything new added to the cafeteria or do you want something um like changed? >> Okay. Okay. So, it's like uh garnishing
037feedback from all the the students and that's going to go through uh all the grades, sixth, seven, eighth or just eighth graders. Yeah. >> Oh, great. So, it's going to incorporate the whole student body. Excellent. >> Okay, great. So, when when do you think we'll find out those results? >> You put it I don't remember if we put a due date on it when we were going to take it back. Was it a week I think it was or something? >> Yeah, I don't think I I met with Dr. about that yet. So, I think that yeah, I think we're going to be sending it out soon once they confirm with that and that we'll put an end date on it. So, it once it's a Google form, she did a great job of putting
038together a great a Google form and so those are instant. We can follow those results and we put a time on it. So, the the results back are quick to compile. Okay. >> So, probably probably by the next >> uh meeting on March 18th, you'd be able to share what the some of the results are. >> Okay. All right. That's cool. >> Great. I'm looking forward to see what what the kids uh what the kids want the most of. So, yeah. Thank you so much. Um, and we don't um the other I thought maybe you had a report. All right, great. Thank you so much, ladies. We appreciate that. Um, I just want to ask Dr. Garvey. Um, I know you had sent me something for the additional student liaison. You had put um uh
039an email out to solicit new um board member liaison. How was how is that going? Did we get um decent amount uh we have 14 responses for to become new members, new student representatives to the board. Um so we you know depending we can work with the board to find out how we want to accommodate or address that many uh people who are returning to fill some of our people who have been with us long term and short term and are you know as they're going through. >> Yeah, I want to see I want to make sure whoever was on now is going to continue. if they do not want to or would like to switch out, uh, we could make room for, uh, some new folks that want to participate. Um, and yeah, I'll
040talk to you during the week on how we're going to handle that. I wish we could take all 13, but I don't I don't know how that would work. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it's very impressive to see so much um, participation in that. So, thank you for all those who uh, who wrote back in. Uh, okay. Ending um, the student liaison reports. Uh we're just going to backtrack to communications if everybody wants to take a look. We had three communications. I answered all three of them. I know uh we had two concerns about the parent advisory committee. We'll address that during uh Sarah's report tonight. Um and going right into my president's report, I will keep a brief uh as discussed about our uh significant achievement number 15. I'm going to add that uh I
041attended the cheer competition that was at Ocean High School. I think it was last Monday. >> Uh I'm sorry, was it Tuesday? Gosh, Tuesday. And uh it was a fantastic experience. Uh all the the cheer teams from across uh the Mammoth County were there. Uh uh and our team did a fantastic job. We didn't we didn't place, but we uh they did a fantastic job. And I just want to thank all the cheerleaders who participated uh in that. Um, lastly, I went to the town hall meeting uh to request, if you guys remember, we did the bus stop on cameras and I had uh sent an email to um at the time mayor bus to try to uh basically get some of that violation money to reallocate it back to our uh security uh safety
042and security initiatives here. So, I did, you know, get part of an answer that she will look into it uh and um see if we can get I know the town only gets 30% and the state apparently gets the rest of the violation money, which I find unfair, but if we can get some of that money, uh I think they were willing to do it as long as it's allowable. And I forget um Mrs. Bennett who's a lawyer. Yes, she is. Yep. Okay. >> Excellent. So, we're we're just waiting to hear on that. Uh that'll conclude my uh president's report. We're going to go right into the board liaison report. If uh Mrs. Harowitz, can you start with the uh parent advisory committee? >> Okay. Um, so our next meeting is taking place on the
04323rd, this Monday at 7 PM. Uh, during the meeting, we'll view the teacher feedback and address additional topics that we uh had that were requested. We're also going to reserve the final 15 minutes for open discussion. >> Okay, great. I just want to make a comment. Uh, you know, as we know, we are going to uh re uh formulate that. We're renaming that. Um, we are going to, like Mrs. would said at the end of the meeting, you know, this isn't to to silence anybody. I got some comments that um I was looking to silence the public and that's the last thing I want to do. I'm always available, as you know, you can reach me by email uh and I'm always available at our board meetings and I'm still going to be making myself
044available uh for the parent information forum uh once a month. Um, so I just want to make sure that everybody knows that at the end of the meeting we still are going to have that open feedback and requests, comments, uh, you know, issues, complaints, uh, you know, there's still going to be plenty of room for that, but this will be more, you know, formatted, a little bit more better use of our time. I felt that a lot of those meetings were um, you know, a lot of people were just into bashing me to be honest with you. Everything was a complaint. there was really nothing ever said good about, you know, some initiatives we brought forth. Um, and I'm hoping this year it it's a more positive experience for everybody. So, um, that's all I
045got to say on that. If you want to move forward with the PTO, uh, yeah, of course. Um, there's several upcoming PTO events. Uh, February 20th is the fourth grade fun night from 5:30 to 7:30 at Big Play Zone. Uh February 23rd um through March 6th is the district-wide readathon. Um flyers were sent home. If you haven't received it to set up your online um account, I'm sure you'll get it over the next week or so from teachers. Uh February 25th is the annual book swap hosted at the primary and elementary school. Um March 12th is a seventh grade skate night from 6:00 to 8 at uh United States of America. March 19th is the 42nd annual spring gala at Southgate Manor. Um for I I hadn't brought it up in the past, but if
046you haven't considered uh donating or providing anything to your grade level baskets, please do so. The most entries do win a pizza party for the entire grade. Um any additional information on events that is needed, you can go to the Coulnack PTO website. >> Great. Thank you so much, Mrs. Haritz. Moving right into the Colts Neck Township newsletter, Mrs. Camera. >> Um, I'm just reminding the public that on the Colts Neck Township Schools um website, we have a link. You go under the board of ed tab, you go to newsletters, and I'm encouraging residents to subscribe. And our next newsletter will be published in March. >> Okay, great. U moving right into the sports arts uh extracurricular activities. Mr. Regetta and Mr. Whit. >> Thank you. Um tackle football the uh the deadline to uh
047sign up is this Friday uh February 20th. Uh they're trying to uh find teams for basically all skill levels from seven U teams to 14 U teams for this fall. So uh please go to co colportsfoundation uh.com for more information. Um and they're also looking uh for uh cheerleaders for uh the teams as well too. So for ages five to 14 uh for the games uh and also for possible competitions if they get enough kids and enough interest. Uh there also will be holding clinics uh cheer clinics to to uh gauge more interest uh which will be held on March 6th, 13th and 20th at the uh c at the Bucks Mill Rec Center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Uh go to uh you can email af cheer at coltsnackportsfoundation.com for more information. Um the
048girls uh softball and boys uh baseball uh the uh seasons will begin uh for the softball uh April 1st uh through June 30th and uh for boys opening day is uh April 11th uh and that'll go through mid June. Uh again there is a military discount. Uh also uh if you have three or more children in sophomore baseball you get a discount. Trying to field uh soft uh all-star teams uh for a district tournament. Uh prices uh right now uh 195 for baseball uh to the um I'm sorry 225 uh for baseball and softball through the 28th and then starting on March 1st it goes to 275. Um uh that's about it for now. Uh you Okay. >> Um nothing, Mr. Okay. I just wanted to um uh bounce back to Dr. Garbay. Do we
049um have the opportunity to send out that invitation for the sports foundation gentlemen to meet with me and the wings? >> I don't know that. Not yet. Waiting for a date. You want >> Yeah, I want to put a date out. Um, you know, I I told them that, you know, during our our meeting, uh, what was it a couple weeks ago, that I'd like to meet with them with our liaison so we can move forward planning their next season, what they may need ahead of time, uh, so that we could accommodate all their requests. And I also wanted to make sure that they're aware that they'd be able to put their, uh, their advertisements on our gymnasium, uh, you know, on the platforms, wherever to advertise for them. Uh, so if you want to
050put out a date, that could work. I don't know, Mr. Wberg, what works best for you after 5? I know Vinnie after 5 is good for you as well during the week. Is that okay? If we pick any day during the week after 5. >> Uh >> 5:30. >> Yeah, it should be fine. >> Okay. So 5:30. Okay. So we'll see what we can >> Are there any days to stay away from? >> Uh when when do you think it'll happen? >> I don't Are there days? I'm asking before I put them out. Are there days that we should stay away from of the week that are not good? >> Tuesdays and Wednesdays >> are the best days. I'll try to make it work. I'm not sure what when my uh son's lacrosse uh practices
051will be. So, uh I'll I'll definitely be in contact with you once I find out. >> Perfect. I'll request the report. >> Yeah, we'll we'll try to make it. If one of you can't make it as long as there's two of us, I think it would be good, but we'll try to get us all together. >> Perfect. >> Um Okay, moving on to the Colts Township Committee, Mr. Walsh. >> Uh attended the meeting with uh president, the board of education. It was a relatively short meeting. highlights in the meeting where uh the state's introducing legislation to curb back the horse track racing and our mealands and freehole raceway and which would impact our community. There's over 100 stables impact the racing the horse community statewide. Uh we have significant impact on the owners of the
052horses, the the stables, the everything that feeds in into that industry. So, our township's adopting a resolution to oppose it and uh hopefully that bill doesn't uh it's not passed. They expended about $5 million worth of taxpayer money. 92.3% um over 5 million 112,000. A million went to our board of ed. A million went to the Freehole Regional School District. two million went to the county for uh county taxes and county libraries and the rest were were expended for for municipal township purposes, fire department, roads, um workman's comp, uh cable bills to run the town like keep the the lights on in all the buildings. So, that was the highlight of this and 295,000 went to open space that the voters approved. The mayor met with um Congressman Smith and the secretary of the Navy
053in reference to the encroachment of affordable housing specifically that would impact the board of Earl Naval weapons station. They had a great conversation according to the mayor. Uh so they expect some input from the department of war back in regarding regarding that issue and the legal challenges brought back brought by the builders. U those two the one one particular development off of Well Springs is a big impact. Um I think that's their biggest concern. Anything that borders Earl is is going to be an issue. Our president brought up the stop arm cameras as you pro brought up mentioned to the public. We're looking to get some of that money back and violations redirected to our school board to spend on school and safety issues. The affordable housing, again, another uh conversation. The 29 towns that
054filed the suit in a district court and the US third district, they were ultimately dismissed. However, there's an emergency appeal in the United States Supreme Court. Judge Alo is actually handling that case for our region and um he the or attorney general of our state was ordered to respond by yesterday. hope hopefully their decision is made to stay the affordable housing round four obligations but um that each town has to meet by March 15th. So I'm I'm hoping there's a positive um decision made by Judge Alto at least stay the obligations for all the towns in New Jersey to to build housing. And that was pretty much it. They talked about uh first aids in good order. According to committee man Rudo, our police department is going for um accreditation which is really big in
055the police world. They uh go in front of the U police accreditation board on March 12th. uh Chief Sanui initiated that program and Chief Devidito was following suit to make sure our police department is accredited which is a really good thing for um the policing and um in general to make sure our police department is doing everything it's supposed to and then some. And that's the highlights of the they have one resident that was actually turned down by Colouln firehouse number one as a volunteer. It was discussion back and forth from a committeeman that was on a fire company and a residents and they're going to look the township as a governing body is going to look and see since I think they do have some control over our fire companies executive counsel wise. Um
056the discussion really hedged on they don't want to discourage a volunteer in town from joining a fire company. That was the highlights of the committee meeting. >> Great. Thank you for that uh update, Mr. Walsh. Um okay, the extension of that, the 250th celebration, Mrs. Cameron, >> thank you. Um the last meeting was Thursday, February 12th. Uh Dr. Dr. Garve Bay and I attended um just reiterating there is a kickoff event Sunday, February 22nd. It's Happy Birthday George Washington from 5 to 8 at the Colts Neck Inn. Highlights include George and Martha Washington Reenactors as well as Joshua Huie. Uh Lear Applejack Cocktails. Um you probably received an email from the Colts Snack Business Association. It's all over Facebook. So, I'm just um reiterating if you're interested to please sign up. Um in terms of
057the barn tour, we have some great news. So, um the board right might remember that unfortunately we were unable to provide busing because of you know safety and um more so just just what was >> Thank you. liability issues. I appreciate that. Um so, great news. Uh Dr. Garbay had asked our transportation coordinator uh Nicole or or or Zo >> Arasco thank you um to acquire quotes from a motor coach like charter company for the date and the approximate hours of the barn tour um which of course then the CN the CNBA could sponsor and these buses have bathrooms which is better suited for a tour and the committee was so excited by by these uh quotes. So, um it's a nice a great happy ending. Um yeah, really worked out well in terms of
058the um school calendar contest. Um to match what uh Sue Fitzpatrick made for the happy birthday, um we have these now beautiful new flyers. Um Dr. Gara Bay created these on February 5th and um I shared the flyer with the township um for you know with the township comm with not the township sorry with the uh America 250th committee. I forward it to Sue Fisp Patrick. Um my daughters delivered the flyer to my contact at the Colts Neck High School. So that way it's really getting exciting now to have all these students participating in this count calendar contest. Um, in terms of 911, the 25th anniversary of September 11th, um, I had spoken last time about the possibility of our middle school students taking a trip to um the ceremony at the at the at
059um the township. And so we really couldn't figure out the best way to coordinate our, you know, students uh due to, you know, challenges of transportation staff safety. So we came up with this alternative plan that the township and school will work together to live stream the program. So our students, our middle school students can watch the ceremony live. Um they can participate and then they can still have their they always have their special assembly as well. So it seemed like a great compromise. And then we also discussed how we would like the students to visit. I don't know how many people know this that there is a 911 memorial garden located near the library. Um, the garden was created to honor five residents from the community who lost their lives and it features five
060benches each with a name plate decorated to one of the victims arranged in the peaceful garden setting. So, we're going to make sure our students know about this. You know, we don't know how many know about this um probably on that day, but but those, you know, that will coordinate. That might be a different day, but you know, to let them, you know, let them learn a little bit more about Colts Neck and obviously 911. Um, so those were those were the biggest updates. Um, Mr. Capaso was able to add a 250th tab on our district website. And what's great about this tab is it lists events in Mammoth County um, including the library programs. It in um, it includes events, the whole national 250th committee and obviously our township committee. So, just for our
061residents, there's so many events and contests that, you know, please look at this tab. Um, a reminder on social media, there is a Colts Neck New Jersey 250th page. It's active both on Facebook and Instagram. You may have noticed around town hall there's beautiful flags now, 1776 flags. Um, so I would like our school to coordinate with the town and have the same flags in front of our building. So, that we'll be working on that next. Um, the next thing we will be having ReadAcross America Week March 2nd to 6th and we have a red, white, and blue patriotic theme. Um, again, I think you designed this as well, right Dr. Garud? >> That came from Susan Fritz. >> Oh, okay. Susan Fritz. Okay. Well, thank you for designing this. It's so exciting. Um, you
062know, just seeing the school, the community, the county really get on board with this. And the last thing that was just emailed me today, it's really exciting. um to support our board's video contest. Uh Mr. Capaso created anformational flyer. I think everybody has it in front of them and this will be going out to the community. There's also a Google form for submissions from our students. Um I did I emailed him back just like with a few suggestions on the Google form. So we we'll be working on that and um I'm sure this will all be in our superintendent update. So, we have so many wonderful things planned. And then, um I still think um one other idea just maybe we want to have our students in the art club like decorate some of the
063buses for the 250th. And uh but I'm just I'm so excited with just with being on this committee and all these wonderful events that we have coming forward on the board level, the school level, the township level, etc. Okay, that's everything. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you for that update, Mrs. Cameron. Um going back to Mr. Walsh for the seniors. I don't know if you have anything >> tax season for the seniors and it's budget season for the town. They just had their budget meeting. Um this afternoon budget the township hoping that they hope forgot to mention they keep the taxes similar to 2025. But like I said, I hope they lead follow our example by keeping taxes. Oh, Kevin, your mic is off. >> Keeping our taxes low and high quality education to our
064kids in the community. >> And Kevin, may I add one thing? Um, Ray Chavevel, the president of the senior club, is also on the 250th committee. >> So, he is just so involved in our town, so we appreciate everything he's doing. >> Yeah. >> Judge. >> Oh, >> he was a judge. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, was that it, Mr. Bal? >> That's it. >> Okay. Um, all right. Moving on to Naval Weapons Station uh Earl. Mr. Scarpa. >> Yeah, I'll be very brief. We're in the very very preliminary stages of exploring a potential opportunity for some financial literacy uh with a partnership with our curriculum coordinator. We'll report out on that as it develops, but very very early stages of conversation in that space. >> Okay. Excellent. I did see that. Very exciting.
065Uh okay. Uh that was it. That's it. Okay. Um I have a couple things for the school boards. I'll try to be brief. March uh 20th uh the New Jersey school boards is having its third annual women's leadership con conference. Uh that will be 9 to4 at the College of New Jersey. $149 registration fee. April 24th is the New Jersey school board's school public relations forum. That is 10 to 3 p.m. at Mercer County College. $149 registration fee. And then uh New Jersey school board's virtual spring conference will be Friday, May 8th. uh 9 to4 $129 registration. All this is in your email. If anybody wants to participate, you can find it there. Uh the New Jersey school boards is looking for talented students uh to sing and dance to kick off the New Jersey
066school board's workshop. That workshop I always talk about in October. Um so that will be happening October 19th and October 22nd. We have the dates already. Uh performances will take place. Whoever volunteers to get picked uh they will take place on October 20th and 21st. The deadlines for submissions for the students is March 31st. So they are encouraging uh our performing arts uh music departments to apply for this big event. So that would be awesome. If anybody miss maybe Mr. Brown could take some kids down there that would be awesome to represent us there um as well. And then just to let you know, these are the magazines that came out uh for this um week or this month. And anybody needs a copy, I have extras here for you. Uh that concludes the state
067and county school boards. I will pass it off to Dr. Garvey for her superintendence report. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So I first I want to recognize there's a lot of things happening right now and you know just uh thank you for allowing the time to share of it. First the first thing I want to share is that we just found out recently that two of our teachers Mrs. CJ Burknick and Mrs. Kathy Godilles who are at C Cedar Drive Middle School have been selected and nominated for the upcoming 2026 summer institute for teachers the SIT hosted by JFR the Jewish foundation for the righteous. Each year project uh change uh nominates and sponsors one to two educators to attend this conference and become Alfred learner fellows. Um we are absolutely delighted that Mrs. Bertnick
068and Miss Gileleski were both nominated for this year for this tremendous professional learning opportunity. Um it takes place in June and just to let you know as a little bit background the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous uh held its first institute in 20 in 2000, excuse me. Um the summer institute is an intensive academic seminar in which participants learn from renowned Holocaust scholars. Um they participate in lectures uh meet in small group to discuss to discuss academic pedagog pedagogy and to share teaching concepts related to the subject of the Holocaust lecture. The summer institute brings together approximately only 23 to 28 participants each year. Um they include teachers nominated by each of the participating centers in the JFR Holocaust centers of excellence program Holocaust Center educational staff and selected guest educators and if both of
069them are selected to participate at through the nomination process that this will be three teachers that have gone through the program because Mr. Joseph Teresi also had the honor of representing Colink Township schools in 2023. So we're excited and we'll bring so congratulations and we you know we wish them all the best in that. Um, I also wanted to share uh in alignment with our strategic plan that the CDM Mass Pier is looking to launch a peer leadership initiative. Uh, Cedar Drive Middle School wants to explore and introduce a peer leadership initiative designed to support a smooth and meaningful transition for students entering middle school. Uh, through this program, eighth grade students will be paired with fifth grade students to serve as mentors and positive role models. Participating eighth graders will receive leadership training and
070work with younger students through engaging activities focused on academic readiness, organizational skills, which I think we could all use, and understanding middle school culture. As part of the initiative, two visits to Crest are planned over the next four months, uh, with each visit centered on specific topics and skills that promote both academic success and social development. Um, so we're excited to to give some updates on that. uh you will see uh last week you should have received parents uh should have received the uh revised updated assessment calendar uh now that we know the NJSLA uh testing dates for the spring uh that should have gone out. It's also posted to the website for people who wanted to look, you know, if you're making plans around NJSLA. Uh on tonight's agenda under action items, you'll see
071the 20 much awaited the 2627 school calendar uh is out. As you know, we update it as conferences become announced, back to school nights are announced, but it's the draft that will be go that are going is will be sent in shared um anticipation. We also though we this is the time of year where we spend one foot in 2526 and one in 2627. So, we're monitoring weather and looking at our days. Remember, each year we traditionally build in three emergency closing days. We've used one of those days. We are carefully watching the weather for this weekend and hoping everything is just too far off to be accurate in any predictions going forward. March has been a tumultuous month in the past. So, we're watching ahead of that. So, if we need to make adjustments
072and, you know, uh adjust this year's calendar, we will do so as necessary. Um, I also just wanted to mention, Mrs. camera had mentioned uh March 2nd through 6th is read across America weeks. We are as we said infusing some 250th themes red, white and blue as as part of what we naturally do. There will be some more upcoming events of that same theme. So we're excited to be sharing that as that comes about. Uh just as a point of of mentioning uh we met with Mr. Scarpa and um Mr. Rico and Mr. Ras and I met right before the meeting about budget. So some preliminary budget things before we bring it uh to the cow meetings and moving forward. One of the things that's as important as with the new governor that came in,
073as with every governor, there's usually a delay, a grace period. They have a they request uh for the state budget address. So, what that means for school districts is that we don't find out our state aid with until 48 hours after the state address. So, with the delay of that, which is anticipated to be approximately two weeks, that pushes that to about March 10th if it's approved, which means that our numbers coming in for state aid will also be delayed slightly. So, it doesn't right now it doesn't affect our budget calendar as we see fit, but you never know. So, stay tuned for that. Okay. Um, and then just a reminder, March 5th, uh, the Crest Ice Cream Wars are taking place at the Tinton Falls location. Um, you may see some familiar guest scoopers,
074uh, there. So, make sure you come out and support uh, Crest on the 5th. And if you really love ice cream, March 27th you get to do it again for Cedar Drive, who have also been selected for their ice cream wars this year. So, uh, that's exciting and everyone's, uh, looking forward to sharing that same evening. And by the end of this week, there'll be a registration for a parent academy, uh, being facilitated at Cedar Drive, uh, middle school at 7:00 at night. And that is with the no New Jersey coalition uh, against human trafficking. We have a representative from that organization as well as um uh survivor and author Gina Cavell who will be speaking there that that night as well. So there'll be more information and a registration for that event coming forward.
075Um the last thing I just want to point out uh is that on under personnel number one there is a recommendation uh to uh accept the retirement with regret of Mrs. Morin Katherine Price who has dedicated 32 years of service as an elementary school teacher to the children and community of Colts neck and as I have said once and twice and without pausing just we want to wish her and I want to thank her sincerely from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of all everything that she has done for the many many little children who have sat in her classroom and learned how to be good readers, how to write, how to be creative and she is been an outstanding asset to this district and she will be sorely missed and of course
076As always, we wish Mrs. Katherine Price uh the best of her retirement, happiness, health, and all the good fortune that lie ahead of her. So, congratulations to Mrs. Katherine Price. And that concludes my superintendent report. Oh, yep. Okay. So, yes, print it out. So, I'm going to tell a little story about this, which is for I don't know why my personal algorithm on social media brings up stuff with Colts neck all the time. So, I don't know why that is, but it just does. So, I had no idea this came to me until I forwarded it to you. And I saw this and anything that has a ranking with schools, of course, I'm going to look at and I had but so when I was scrolling down and I I came across number 15 like
077I looked first and I was like, wait a minute. And then I looked again and then you know naturally I go why are we only 15? You know that was but I didn't say that in terms of that. But one of the things I just wanted to say is this was such a welcomed and just appreciated recognition of the school district. And at first I had to look I'm not familiar with this media. I had to look to see what it was ranked in because again you look at different analy analytics and so many different people put out lists and whatnot. regardless, right, to be recognized publicly um in the media as 15th out of approximately 600 school districts in the state of New Jersey. And dare I say, we were ranked pretty highly in
078Mammoth County. Um and I say that not lightly because there are tremendous school districts in Mammoth County, um as well as in the state. So I am so appreciative as you said because this is the classroom. This is the leadership. This is the support staff that work tirelessly with children. And to be recognized publicly in this way is I I it just makes me like one of the the proudest parents that could ever be just bursting with pride that we could bring this to not just be recognized in this way by this media and grateful for that but also just appreciated in the way that I appre to have it public have all of these people that go into this including the support that we get from our community from the board encompassing all of
079this to bring it forward and be able to say thank you in this type of way of recognition that you know sometimes goes unsaid is just so very well appreciated. So, thank you for allowing me time to share >> love getting excellent news like that. Love it. >> All right. Um, >> and just for the record, I did get a text back from Mrs. Vulpi that said, "Why weren't we number one?" No, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. I thought it >> I said next year we are going to be number one. All right. Um, okay. Moving on. We are going to look at we have a couple of information items. Um, you guys want to look, we have two of those. And then we are going to open uh the floor to comments from
080the public. If anybody wants to share some feedback, comments or questions, you can do so now. Uh, please state your name and address for the record. Don't all come up at once. All right. Nobody. All right. Seeing none, we're going to close public comment and we'll go right into our action items. Uh, see, can I get a motion to move action items one through three? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Any questions or comments? >> Okay. Seeing none, I'll get a roll call for actions items. Uh, action items one, two, one, two, and three. Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Ro, >> yes. >> Mr. Retta, >> yes. >> Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Walpy, >> yes. >> Mr. Walsh, >> yes. >> Mr.
081Wickber, >> yes. >> Motion carried unanimously. >> Okay, great. Nothing under buildings and grounds. Moving to curriculum. Can I get a motion uh to move just that one item? >> Motion. >> Anybody have any uh Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Harwood. Second. I'm sorry about that. Um, anybody have any questions or comments on that one item? All right, seeing none, roll call for uh, one item under curriculum. >> Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Ro, >> yes. >> Mr. Regetta, >> yes. >> Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walsh, >> yes. >> Mr. Wber, >> yes. >> Motion carried unanimously. >> Okay, moving on to finance. Um, can I get a motion to move items one through three under finance? >>
082Motion. >> Second. >> Uh, questions or comments? >> Okay. Roll call. >> Finance items one through three. Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rignetta, >> yes. >> Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. Multi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Whit. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, can I get a motion to move the one item under policy? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? Okay. Roll call for uh policy number uh one item. >> Mrs. Cameron. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz. >> Yes. Mr. Rico, >> yes. >> Mr. Reignetta, >> yes. >> Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walsh, >> yes. >> Mr. Whitford,
083>> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Okay, great. We have nothing under negotiations or transportation. Moving right into personnel. Um, can I get a motion to move items one through 16? one through 16. >> Second. >> Okay. Any questions or comments on uh those 16 items? >> Um I do um first I um my daughter Jocelyn had the privilege of having uh Mrs. Katherine Price as a second grade teacher many many years ago and um it really was an honor. she there's no teacher like her who builds a community the way she does where every child is excited to go to school, cares about each other. It's just such a strength she has and um I I wish her all the best. It was really um just just such a wonderful year for my daughter and
084I'm just sad to see her leave but at the same time so happy for her to be able to retire and enjoy her retirement. Um and then I did have a question on number 16 with the amended medical disability leave. So um could you just explain the COSS? So that is the um you told us what it was earlier on. The central office support six staff leave. Uh sick staff staff leave. Um >> central office support staff is is at COSS. >> Oh, okay. Yes. And then so I know like the union has a sick bank and then they're able to give out to the teachers if they if they go over their personal sick leave. Correct. So could you kind of just explain this one to me and how >> and that's exactly so
085it's it's labeled specifically within the individual contracts. The individual titles are included within they're not a collective bargaining group yet by title in each of the contracts. they are identified to be able to donate days to a sick bank and those days then can be applied for and used approved and used. >> Okay. >> Um if it goes beyond a threshold. >> Got it. And then I guess I'm assuming you're in charge of that sick bank of how many days? >> Yes, we maintain all the sick banks. Yes. >> Okay. And as board members, we have like we we can see those those numbers or how it works or >> You can see the balances. >> Oh, I'm just asking what like >> Yeah, you can see the balances. >> Okay. That's interesting. Yeah, I
086think that's wonderful. Yeah, it's it's and it's in except there's terms there's terms and conditions for use, you know, of of some contracts call for a certain period of time that a person has to be out >> before they can use that. So, there's different nuances to the use and application process for uh depending upon the contracts. >> Okay, that's wonderful. All right. Um, best of luck to that person, but um thank you. I was just I was curious about that. >> Great. Thank you, Mrs. Cameron. Anybody else have any questions or comments? for 1 through 16. Okay, seeing none, um, if we could have a roll call. >> Personnel items 1 through 16. Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Oro, >> yes. >> Mr. Retta, >> uh, I must
087recuse 3 to 8, 14 to 16, but yes to all the rest. >> Thank you, Mr. Scales. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scarp? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Walty? >> Yes. >> Mr. Walsh? Yes, >> Mr. Wood. >> Yes. >> Thank you. The motion did carry. >> Okay. Uh, great. Thank you. Moving into our second um public comment of the evening. Once again, anybody like to get up, share some thoughts, questions, or comments, please so uh do so by stating your name and address for the record. Okay, seeing none, we're going to close uh wrap that up for this evening and we are going to move right into new business. Um, anybody have any new business they want to bring to the table? >> Just uh one comment for me um in regards to the the uh
088township committee's resolution. What what I would recommend we do is uh try to add the school board to that if possible. try to do a dual resolution. I don't know if anyone knows necessarily the severity of it. I was waiting the town council, town committee to kind of talk about it, but um it's all relative, right? Everything is relative. What they're trying to do with the track is going to dramatically impact the town, right? Because like Mr. Walsh said, there's hundreds of farms. But more importantly, if you kind of see behind the veil, what it's intended to do. So the track, what they're trying to do with the track is is build housing for Netflix. And what happens if you remove one of the biggest assets to Colts community? You remove that track from Mammoth
089County and all of our stables and farms close. All the children that are in the schools get impacted. The horse racing industry, as we know, is has has declined steadily um over the years, but there are a number of students in our district that belong to the workers that work at um these farms as far as the the owners, the stable maids, um everything that you can imagine. It's a pretty large industry, right? And what happens when all the stables close? and the developers can purchase that land and develop more housing. So, if you think about it, it's a it's a domino effect and it's made to impact. It's it's a a sole impact of the target that has been on Colts Snack's back. So, I think again as we stand as a community for
090um not necessarily just for affordable housing, as we've said moments and and time and time again, we are not against affordable housing. We are against overdevelopment. This will within the next decade open up Pandora's box for all of the farms and the families that can no longer support their families will be forced to sell their land. So I think it's imperative that we as a school board with the amount of power that we have. the amount of budget that we also control and the amount of students that are in here. Um, we sign on with that and we show all the families and the community members in this town that we won't stand for state overreach and we won't stand for someone coming in with another target on Cold Snack's back to try to remove
091industry and to disrupt cold snacks way of life as we've seen time and time again. So, that's all I have from uh my comments, but if you'd like, I could draft up a resolution to be added to the town if the uh mayor will indulge us. So, >> okay. I think you'd have the full support. I don't know if anybody wants to chime in, but I I just by everybody's >> known as a horse community or horseshoe in our school symbol. So, let's uh you know, I'm fully supportive in that resolution and supporting our tension committee's efforts and >> um opposing this legislation. >> All right. So, you're going to start working on that and bring it forth at the next cow. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um All right. Thank you, Mr. Scales, for um
092that initiative. We appreciate it. >> Um anybody else have any new business? >> Okay. I have something I'm gonna um share with you. Uh this is funny. I I didn't tell anybody I was going to read this, but um I was cleaning out the mess of a basement I have. I mean, when I tell you a mess of a basement, I think I've saved everything since I've been five years old. And I found this letter um from the Kosnik Township School District from 1996. >> That was the year I graduated college. >> Okay. So, and I I like to show you um look at the font on there how old that is, right? And the superintendent was Greg R. Hower. Oh, you do know. Okay. And uh the BA was Margaret Blessing. And this here
093was addressed to patrolman Kevin Walsh. >> Don't mean to embarrass you, but I'm going to. So, I found this and I thought I'd share it with you. It's addressed to patrolman. >> So, it's addressed to patrolman Kevin Walsh from April 15, 1996. Dear Patrolman Walsh, each year the board of education takes time to recognize those individuals who have contributed to the success of our district. You have been selected to be recognized at our annual board dinner for your outstanding contribution to our school district. As in any endeavor, there are always people who go above and beyond the norm to make the organization reach a higher plateau. Through your efforts, the Coulseneck uh township school system has improved and become a more effective organization. I look forward to having you and a guest. Who is that?
094I wonder. Yes, I know. I'd like to know who she was. Uh and a guest uh on Thursday, May 23rd, 1996 at the Squires Pub. Have no idea what that is. on Mammoth Road and West Long Branch and further look forward to recognize your efforts on behalf of the children of Coulnack. Attached for your convenience is a menu selection. Would you please make your dinner choice and return it to Margaret Blessing, the business administrator? Um, again, congratulations on a job well done. Yours truly, Greg Howser. I just thought I I I if you guys want to look, I just can't believe I found this. I was like, Board of Education, what is this? And um >> I never lost my passion for school. >> And I I just thought it was so nice to bring
095this up. I've had this for like a month and I kept forgetting to bring it, but I just thought that was so nice and I wanted to show everybody. So um we'll close out the meeting with that. Um if I could have a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? Opposed? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Motion carried. Meeting. >> I still want to know who you took. This is going to be on the ride home. Yeah, >> Brian.