001Um, hi, good evening everybody. Uh, welcome tonight. Um, I want to call to order for the meet the committee of a whole meeting of the board of education, February 4th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the administration building at 70 Conor Road, Coleneck, New Jersey. Uh, Mr. Masco, can I please get a roll call? >> Yes, you may. Mrs. Cameron, >> here. >> Mrs. Harowitz, Mr. Ro >> here. >> Mr. Reetta >> here. >> Mr. Scales >> here. >> Mr. Scarpa >> here. >> Mrs. Vulpi >> here. >> Mr. Walsh >> here. >> Mr. Wicker >> here. >> Thank you. You have a quum. >> 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
002meetings dated January 23rd, 2026. notice of which has been filed with the deputy clerk for Ken Township and the requirements of posting of notices have been met. Uh at this time if we could please rise for the flag salute and the national anthem. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nationy and justice for all. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Um I'd like everybody to take uh um a moment to uh look over the one information item there. All right. Uh We're done with that. We're going to move right in uh this evening to comments from the public. Uh at this time, if anybody wants to share some comments, uh they could do so. Just state your name and address for the record. >> Yep.
003Come on up, Mr. Brian. >> O'Brien. Uh, >> Kevin O'Brien, 18 enclosure. Um, I read yesterday about the article in the uh about the school bus and the cameras. So, I wanted to reach out and compliment all of you for a job well done. Um, from what I've read and what I understand, the safety features uh are something that's uh needed. I didn't realize the number of of tickets that are out there. I don't think the general public does. Um, so I wanted to compliment the police department as well for their working with you in concert. Um, and hopefully you can take that same message and bring it out to either an educational session such as the um the police night out and exhibit the bus or do something with the grade school children if
004you've got a I don't know whether you still do the the uh the the general classroom sessions. Uh but a presentation to the kids, let them go be the educators to their parents. You'd be surprised what goes on at the dinner table. The other thing um that I I wanted to follow up on at the town meeting there was mentioned of a declaration of a critical school capacity. So I didn't quite catch all of it. Uh we got a little brief period of it. Um but it made reference to involving the state, the county and and the unions. U so you got some pretty heavy lifting if that's the case to go do. Uh, I know the overcrowding issues and a and aging infrastructure is a real big issue in the inner city and there
005was estimates of six to seven million billion dollars in in backup. So, I'm not sure how you folks get to the front of the line or how you work your way or navigate through that that approach. U, but I'm sure with your magic and your ability, you'll find a way. So, I look forward to reading about that as well. Um, so my my compliments to you and your team on taking the proactive steps. I'm just curious, can is there anything that the town government can do in support of you or is there anything residents such as myself can offer uh in assistance? Uh please feel free to let me know if you do. You have my phone number and my email I'm sure by now. Um you know, I'm just curious how many more students
006can you absorb um before you exceed capacity standards. I know what I I read about Livingston being at 37% over capacity at the current time. Uh the other one was uh you know how do you address that with the unexpected growth from affordable housing challenges? But I know somehow you're going to be able to pull that elephant through the keyhole. Um so thanks for your time. >> Mr. O'Brien, if if you don't mind, I just want to address you. We always like to have a little bit of um communication with the public when they come. Um Mr. Walsh, I don't know if you want to comment on anything with the bus. I like to, you know, since that was your initiative with Mr. Scarpa, if you want to add to that. Uh the kids are
007the first one to tell a school bus driver to hit the button. They're acutely aware of people that pass the school buses. Um you know, our kids pro safety is number one. So it's a a tool that we I'm glad we have installed in all our buses and it's a tribute to our whole school board, not just me and Brian. And it's proven to be very effective and but some people just don't care. just try to pass that school bus and now we hold them accountable and the police department I have to say has been really great. U school bus drivers themselves are fantastic with that technology. So like I said if it can save one accident one student it's worth all the money in the world. Thank you for recognizing it though. I didn't
008know whether the violators are they young students, seniors, 17, 18 year olds or you getting a mix with adults as well? >> I don't really know the age. I know. >> Yeah, I don't know that we have that statistic available. We've had >> I think a lot of them are adults. >> Yeah, I don't have that information readily available, but I do know that there have been eight tickets. there's been more caught but there are currently and I think this is the work that we were talking about with regard to government advocacy with regards to there are requirements for us to be able to for them to be able to issue tickets if there's not three criteria met you know be able to see the driver the making of the vehicle and the license plate
009the three criteria so we've captured nu numerous violations since the installations there but there have been eight successful tickets issued as a result of that so and some of it is just of travel which is scary. The speed at which they're traveling is causes some issues related to the picture and grasping of the picture because the pictures themselves are extremely clear. They really are but it's still movement. So we do our best and the police works in tandem with our our transportation department to do their best to do the best identification that they can and if not being able to do that they also are responsive to returning to the scene of the alleged crime and watching for the potential for the vehicle to strike again and that. So that partnership is invaluable. That's something
010that you know we so very much appreciate in support of this initiative. >> So again coming back um the article should help. I hope the if you do an educational seminar to the seniors you standing here helps. >> Well that's kind of why I'm here. The more I talk about it the more people at home are going to realize about it. Um, but my compliments to you and again, if you go back to News12, uh, and you get them to do a story now, you're not just benefiting our community, but you're helping educate and inform other residents who enter our community and in other communities where they have school buses as well. >> Mr. O'Brien, thank you very much for this comment and and taking the opportunity to speak. Uh we are also reaching out
011to other municipalities in the area and having them reach out to us and tell say tell us about your experience here because it is a very nient uh program. As a matter of fact, I believe we're the only one in Mammoth County that actually initiated and got it through to success. So we want to share our story because it's not just cults like it's all students around. So, and there are folks that travel around to great other areas too that they should be aware that, hey, listen, there there is an oversight environment in that jurisdiction as well. So, we want to spread this good word. It's a wonderful message. Kudos to the team for for getting it. Um, but this is hopefully just the beginning. You know that. So, we encourage your support and we'd
012love to work with the seniors to help deliver that message across the township. Back. >> And one last thing, I just want to give uh Dr. Garvey, if you could just be brief with the the counts about exceeding our limit. I just want to see if um if we could give them I'm sorry Jason did you want to add something? >> Yeah. No, we had discussed this and between all three of the schools here that we have K through8 I believe the number was approximately because our numbers changed yeartoear. It was approximately about 400 kids between all three of the schools Conover Primary um and Cedar Drive >> that we would be able to take more of. Now, God willing, it doesn't get to that number, you know, even close to that number. Um, obviously,
013if it if it goes over, you know, it would >> it would not be good. >> So, just to add on to that, if I may, if I may, if you're correct. So, the capac we're approximately inhouse every day, a little over a thousand students. In 2020, uh, 2014, we had a capacity study. The the structures of the building, the classrooms themselves have not changed in that aspect. So um the programs themselves so based on that the capacity full capacity of the state's fees which is that you know that what says build square foot and all the formulas that go into them the work that goes is was about 1,400 students capacity wise now each building has its own okay uh currently we are running at capacity though at primary school that is something that
014we do know so based on that model while the district itself can absorb on the strictly capac capacity numbers another 400 students as Mr. Rico referenced the buildings themselves if in need we the board would need to seriously work with administration regarding potential reconfiguration where spaces were would be available um in other buildings our largest capacity availability right now is at Cedar Drop. So we would just need to rethink how provide the same works but in a different package. >> Throw gasoline on the fire. The past five years, we have had a huge influx of young families come to this town. So that is the reason why we're at full capacity at primary and that will eventually move to elementary and that will eventually then move to Cedar Drive. So, you know, look, it it
015it's all a numbers game. Um, and we're definitely aware of the numbers that could potentially come into our schools. So, >> good deal. the the critical capacity the way we're my thought process is it's funny I want to use the elephant through the keyhole that was awesome but that is it's going to be hard and the reason it's hard I'll give you the stats real quick so to Dr. point it's about what 377 right I think the primary school is at or so it's different this year yeah >> the capacity is 313 >> right so if you give in the unions and things like that about the the ratios uh Conover Elementary I'm giving you last year's numbers just because the the sheets out of date but 324 capacity is 373 Cedar Drive 315 max
016capacity 616 so total as a district again as of last year was Max capacity is 1302 with the estimated figures from all rounds from the round four obligations. We're at 1309. So we would be over capacity by seven students. And then if uh Wellspring and Dutch Lane, if those aren't, you know, taken care of like they should as as you've been very boisterous about, the new total estimate would be 1431. So total over capacity by 12 actually 130 because you wouldn't have 68 of a child. So 130 students would be over. We'd have to build a whole new school >> really. >> So that's the that's the critical capacity because we don't we can't build a school. It takes how long does it take? >> Five years. >> Yeah. Well, that's that's in Yeah. So
017if you think about it like we would have to put trailers outside, right, temporarily. So that's what but yeah we will need your help and I will certainly >> thank you Mr. Brian we appreciate it. >> Anybody else want to uh come up and make a comment? >> Mr. Ryan >> Alan uh >> guys we need to >> Alan Ryan 24 an street. Um >> I didn't get a chance to come back here um after the tunnels to towers visited uh the seed drive school on November 19th and I want to commend um the whole board everybody at this day uh for bringing that program in. I think it's really invaluable to these kids and they know the sacrifice that was made and I really appreciate the fact that you guys never forget and uh
018that means so much and these kids really will learn and a compliment to the parents at home for the seed to drive kids. I watched them and they were all there listening to this gentleman talk this Mr. Reinhardt talk and they all were looking at him and there wasn't any like talking or anything like that. You know how like you get little mumbles and all that. Very very impressed. Very very impressed. um the uh secretary of education, great job with that and um you guys really deserve so much credit because of what's coming up here in this town and what's forward and you guys are handling our kids and your kids' education. So, God bless you and uh you know, I mean, just thank you. Thank you for your service because >> um Mr. Ryan,
019I just want to add to that. I always appreciate your comments. um and taking the time to come out and visit us. Um we are very proud of the tunnel to towers. Like I said, I can't reiterate that enough. Uh it was very engaging for our students. I was there for the entire event and I'm very pleased uh you know with our decision to bring it here. Um number two, Secretary McMahon's visit. I stand by uh my decision to have her here and it was an exceptional opportunity and it's something I would do over again if I had the chance. >> I think that's fantastic. >> Yep. Thank you very much. and you guys just thank you again and uh Godspeed on everything or whatever because it's gonna be a tough time. I I >>
020It is. But we're we're up for the challenge. So, we're going to do the best we can. >> I'm sure you are and I think you're going to knock it out of the park. >> Thank you very much and God bless. >> Okay. Anybody want to add or question or comment for the board? Anybody? >> Okay. Um All right. Last call on that. We're going to close uh uh comments from the public. We have a couple of action items before we get into our uh committee of a whole meeting. Uh so if I can have a motion to move those action items one through nine. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All right. I want to make a comment uh on number number nine. I know this came out late in the day. I approved it
021uh to come out this afternoon. And this is regarding a grant. I want to thank Mr. Morasco uh and Dr. Garbay for putting in the time. I know this is an exceptional opportunity. I don't know if you want to speak to it um a little bit. I'd like you to because this is just phenomenal uh thing for our district if we can get this. >> Sure. >> I'll try to be brief here, but to describe it what it is we're applying for. It's a local recreation improvement grant that is run by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and it's it's an annual application that um local education agencies as well as other municipalities can apply for and it provides funding for recreational facilities. It does prioritize undeserved underved communities. However, we're still we still
022meet the eligibility requirements to apply. Um, this year's fund is about $10 million, I believe, and they typically grant in buckets of $75,000, which is the recommended, you know, request, which is why we have that resolution. And we hope that we'll have success in applying. And this we're hoping to offset the purp of to offset our desire to improve the condition of the flooring in the primary school which is the original flooring. It's for years we've talked about needing to replace perfect timing. So the application is due next Friday. We're hoping done and see what happens. >> Great. So, that was a great call to uh receive this morning and that's why we're putting it on because by the time the next meeting we will be out of I guess compliance, would you say or
023or the resolution? Yeah. Without >> Yep. Absolutely. So, I don't know if anybody from buildings and grounds want wants to comment on that. I'll give you the time. >> You got it. >> Mr. His mic is on. I'm letting his mic is on. I was about to shut it off. >> Oh, yeah. Leave it on. Leave your mic on because yours always has a issue. We just had a building and grounds committee. Okay. Subcommittee, ad hoc committee address our short-term goals and needs of our district in 2026, 2027. Also a long range planning and that school floor is 25 years old. The gym is old. The kids that sit on that floor in the cafeteria is old. So, it's a really high priority by I feel as chair of the building and grounds. I know
024it's a really big uh ask for the superintendent to replace that floor and $75,000 is going to go a long way of defaying that cost. So, thanks Vince and thanks uh Doc for applying for that grant. It was good timing. >> Yeah, great timing. >> Well, thank you uh very much from the board for for uh the work put in there. So, uh, let's have >> I just wanted to add one thing. Um, that when it was, um, put out, I went on the website and if anyone wants to read in more details, it's right on the, um, official site of the state of New Jersey under, as um, Vince mentioned, Department of Community Affairs, and it very detailed uh, lays out exactly um, the eligibility, the application process. So, um, I I really am
025looking forward to this and I feel like it was a great call to put this on last minute. I know I'm usually very critical when things are put on last minute. >> So, >> and this one that's why I went right on the website to read about it and I did notice the dates and I was like that was an emergency. So, I I want to I am critical. So, at this time I want to also thank you. >> Excellent. All right, let's move forward and get a roll call on those one through nine. >> Yes, M. Mrs. Cameron. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Retta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scale. >> Yes. Mr. Scar. >> Yes. And congratulations to um the teacher that's retiring in July. >> Mrs. Vulpi. >> Uh yes.
026>> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wickber. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carry. >> And if I may, I we were talking about the grant, but I I thank you for pointing that out. So, uh Linda Wigel has announced her retirement. And those of you who know Mrs. Wiggle. She has been the only art teacher at the primary school for the entirety of the building has been opened. So, she will be retiring and leaving uh with leaving us after 38 years of public education as an art teacher in this district. And one of the things I said to her when they she came to to speak with me and you know talk with me about her retirement that she was going for is that I the amount of children that she introduced the skill
027and the beauty of art to as young children whether it's shapes whether it's colors where it's learning how to draw something or teaching them something they didn't have to do. Um it it it the thousands of children have passed through her classroom and brought a love of an appreciation of art and who know maybe even cultivated an interest in it. um her there isn't enough gratitude to go to Mrs. Wagel for everything that she's done for this community and this school district of the year. So, as I always say, we on behalf of the entire district. While I we still have time to talk her out of it, I just want to approach it like um not going to happen, but at the same time wish her the best of happiness, health, and a welldeserved
028rested um retirement. So, thank you. >> Excellent. >> All right. Um, at this time we are going to go right into our board liaison reports. Um, uh, Mrs. Harwitz, uh, is, uh, not here tonight, so I'm going to cover her two committees, uh, briefly. Uh, so the PTO, we have, um, I'm going to start with the PTO. Uh, we have, uh, the, uh, primary school and the elementary school has a book swap February 25th. Uh, third grade trivia night is February 5th at 6:30 to 7:45 in the Crest Cafeteria. Uh, we have our annual Valentine's Day pizza fundraiser. Um, I believe that is February 12th, 12 to 8:00 p.m. Orders are due by February 4th. Uh, then we have the fourth grade fun night. That is February 20th, 5:30 to 7:30m at uh, Play Big
029Zone. I think that's what she told me. Um, just to let everybody know, uh, the Colts snack PTO, I received the gala invitation. Uh, this lovely gala invitation. Um, beautiful, uh, thing. Procco and pajamas is the theme. Um, and I just wanted to bring that and show everybody. Um, I'm actually going to try to make it again this year. I have a conflict that day, but I'm going to do my best to be there. But, um, I just wanted to bring that and thank all of our PTO. Uh, Mrs. Kaufman does a fantastic job. I was there last year and I can't tell you the amount of work that goes into this event. Uh I remember bumping into you at the uh the um auction fighting over the big bottle of Doors, >> which I
030don't drink anymore, but um we were saying who was going to win that and neither of us walked out with that. But anyway, yeah. Anyway, I just wanted to commend um Mrs. Kaufman and all the ladies of the PTO and the moms that aren't on the board that just give their all every every day of the year to make these great events for our kids. I also want to point out that the board of education has graciously uh donated in their personal capacity, not from the board, but individuals. We all don donated to uh the iPad. Uh that's been a tradition I guess for uh several number of years. So, uh, just want to say that'll be coming, uh, your way. And then, uh, we're going to move right into the parent advisory committee. As
031everybody knows, on the 26th, I was not able to attend. Um, but we wind up having a massive snowstorm. So, the AM and PM meetings were obviously cancelled. Uh, so there's nothing to report there. Uh, we will revisit the parent academy later under policy. At this time, we're going to pass it to Phyllis for I'm sorry, Mrs. for the Colts Township newsletter. >> Okay. So, um on Facebook on the Colts Neck Town and as well as on the Colts Neck Township schools, we have a link to subscribe to our Colts Neck Township website. I'm sorry, to our Colts Neck Township Board of Education newsletter. Um I'm encouraging everyone to join in the community. And um our next newsletter, I'm looking at the end of March to have it published by. >> Okay. Excellent. Um, thank
032you. Uh, okay. Moving forward to the, um, the arts, extracurricular, and sports. I'm going to give it to um, Mr. Ragnetta and Mr. Wickber, but I do want to add a comment after your reports. >> Sure. Um I'm started off with uh um I just got word today that lacrosse boys lacrosse uh for fifth and sixth graders they unfortunately did not have enough um kids to field the team um for travel. Uh but there is the possibility that they can play with um shore in Oceanport. Um they have 11 kids, but they did promise um our co our would be coach that they would get ample playing time if they wanted to join. And uh the reg reg um the fee to register is uh cheaper than what ours was. Uh 225 I believe and
033you should be able to get your reg uh fee that you've paid for ours uh back. just just contact uh the Colts next sports foundation for that and they should um be able to uh refund you if it's not already going to be in the process already automatically. Um flag football the registration period has closed but there is a wait list and the uh that you can sign up for and they are in need uh still of first, third, and fifth graders. So you're likely to get a spot if you go on the wait list for those grades. Um uh but the cost is uh at 2.75 for that. Um, girls uh girls softball um is uh still uh sign up is still available. It's uh 195 right now until uh till the 7th. So
034that's uh going to be ending there. So the early bird's going to be ending uh soon and then uh it's going to go up to 225 starting on the 8th through the 28th and then it jumps to 275. Uh opening day will be April 1st and it will go to June 30th. uh boys uh and girls baseball uh will uh uh for the same age groups four to 16 year olds for that uh and it's the same um same registration fees uh the 195 225 and 275 uh with the same dates uh as uh the girls softball uh opening date for baseball though will be April 11th and that will go to mid June and there is a military discount for military families uh to sign up and if you're signing up three or more
035kids whether in baseball or for softball, you will get a uh a little discount as well. And uh this year they're going to try to um field some all-star teams. Definitely try and field one at least and to send to a district tournament. Uh but you do have to um attend 60% of the games to be eligible for uh to make that all-star team. And lastly, for any more questions uh to sign up, just go to sports colnacportsfoundation.com and all the sports are listed there in the menu dropdown. So you can just go to each sports uh uh particular site to uh sign up and read more about it. And there's in the contact list there's contacts for all sports if you have any questions. Um Rich if he has any more to add. >>
036Yeah. I got to say congratulations to the next sports foundation travel basketball program. not only their performance at the tournament at W Sports Kingdom over the weekend, but also the expansion teams, which is the largest program. So, thank you to the parents, coaches, and all volunteers for making possible. >> Great. Thank you. That's an awesome uh awesome update, guys. I just wanted to add um uh we've been meeting with the sports foundation regarding their fee schedule and whatnot, but I just want to announce that um we extended last night during our meeting uh that involved Mr. Rico, Mr. Scales and board chair of buildings and grounds Kevin Malsh. Um we want to open up lines of communication. We value uh you know their relationship with us and we want to uh basically meet maybe quarterly.
037I think we discussed so um I'm going to ask the both of you uh you know we're going to set up meetings with them so we can basically stay on the same page what they what they need uh you know during their time renting our facilities maybe hanging uh you know what do you call it posters on the wall we discussed and uh and so on and so forth so you guys are going to be leading that I will be joining in that meeting uh and then we'll be sending an invitation out to them uh with some dates that we can get on board I don't know if anybody from the buildings wants to add anything, but I I just think it's a fantastic thing that we're expanding our relationship with them um for the
038sake of our kids. So, I don't know if you want to add anything to that. >> It's nice meeting him in person. Really nice meeting >> and our board, our district is here to support our kids and the sports foundation 110%. Um we talked a little about financials and we came to a great agreement fair agreement from both sides and we just look to uh forward to a great partnership going forward where they we support them and they support us. So it's a great meeting. I don't know if anybody else wants to >> Yeah. And the baseline of the conversation was a a solid proactive measure between the two parties between the sports foundation and their supporting parties and us as representatives of the board. So we uh we went over a variety of costs
039and obviously costs have increased across the board over the number of years. So it was a good opportunity to Kevin's point to bring them up to speed on where we're at, you know, from a cost infrastructure perspective and what we want to do to our facilities, too. More importantly out of all of it, we want to make sure that the kids have a good time, that they're safe, and then that we have the opportunity to provide a facilities that they're looking for in a safe environment and develop them over the course of the year. So this is about a handshake environment so that we proceed forward but it's a good long-standing relationship. It was an excellent meeting and I think we achieved it a great deal and look forward to the continued partnership. >> Thank
040everybody on that committee put a lot of work into it. >> Mr. Rico, you want to would you like to add anything? >> Okay. I just want to thank it was Mr. Luckman and Mr. Kafara that met with us and uh uh they're exceptional gentlemen, very polite and uh it was a pleasure to meet with them over the past week or so. Um, okay. We are going to move right into the Colts Township Committee. Uh, Mr. Walsh, >> it's my first YouTube watching another township governing body. The first hour is all executive session. I think the executive session was actually longer than the meeting itself. >> Um, however, >> over an hour. >> Um, I thank the uh public service, all the township committee and the residents that do come and listen and ask questions.
041Uh it was pretty short sum uh summary of it. Uh they talked about the um mediation that's going to be heard by a judge. Uh the decision should have been heard in December for the two developments that the town is opposed to in the fourth round. Uh we should anticipate a ruling soon and those I think really uh those properties are located off of Dutch Lane and Boundary and Wellsprings. a big impact to our town. So, we're hoping for a favorable decision. With that said, we believe um the figure was $50,000 on attorney fees for affordable housing uh that was reported. Montail suit brought by 20 towns and I commend them for trying to fight the good fight against uh the state. The judge dismissed it. It was a pre by prejudice. It's been dismissed
042twice. However, they're appealing a third court of appeals. So, if they get a favorable judge, uh the best we can hope for a stay on the building or some type of president that actually says stop. Um so, that was a brought by committee member Bazetta. They reported on all their committees. The committeemen have various committees, first aid, fire, um, public works. The storm was mentioned, a lot of snow, a lot of ice. There was a shortage of brine, salt. It was a logistic issue that a lot of towns were short on. I want to commend my our school district, our facilities director is proactive and had a lot on hand. Also, they mentioned al while I'm on that, I commend the public works who came through our schools and helped clear the the snow and
043ice. So, thank you uh public works, Colink Township. uh the mention that uh birthday George Washington on February 22nd uh sponsored by the Coulsite business association it's 12 $25 per person and you get you know drinks and food and they're going to have historical figures come in and speak should be a nice event very nice event >> there you go this was actually in my senior citizen newsletter which is really nice they show the event and they show all the upcoming coming 250 celebration events is really nice to pull out of the newsletter. So, seniors $10 um for the year. What else here? We had uh interesting point was they went over the vouchers, how much money the town spent. 94% of the vouchers expended over $4 million. 94% of it went to the school
044board. $3 million to our local school district and over a million dollars to the Freehole Regional School District. So you see how much money was collected and dispersed. Point of the story is a lot of money is collected for school taxes. Um so it gives you a little picture when snap it of and over $233,000 was spent on other township expenditures, medical insurance, public works, police department, so forth. Um, Mr. O'Brien, if I'm missing anything, let me know. >> I believe Mr. Ryan was there as well. So, feel free to give credit to our uh Mr. scales initiative critical school capacity and how we're are proactive as a school board and getting ahead of everything where we're going to meet with all the stakeholders the state local county and try to get a a game
045plan battle plan and prepare for this. So, um that was pretty much it. Mr. Ryan saying, "God bless America and pledge allegiance." >> I believe at the township meetings. >> That's it for the township committee. >> We make sure our kids listen to it every single morning. >> That Yes. very important to this board. It was a pretty lowkey committee meeting. >> There was no back and forth or anything. It was very simple and everything. >> It's hard to listen to for two hours. >> Hour and a half. The >> actually um Mrs. Camera's got the 250 celebration. >> I don't mind at all. Nope. >> Um the next meeting will be Thursday, February 12th at 5:30. Um it is important um a town hall. Okay. It is important that we decide I need to
046give the committee a definite yes or no about the buses. They are asking again for the buses to be used Wednesday, May 6 for the barn tour that they're charging $50 a person. They're asking for the school buses uh between 10 and two. Um they will be paying us for for this for this privilege. Um so I would like you know just to be able to let them know yes we are on board or or or no we we are not you know for legality reasons. Um they will have their own insurance policy. Colby through the department of recreation he offered to pay through community pass to use the CN buses as part of the township. Um so if we can maybe kind of >> I I think I'd like to speak to that if
047you don't mind. Um sure as board president. I I think from the feedback and please anybody chime in. I I don't like uh overtalking everybody but um I think what we discussed in a few meetings was the fact of insurance issues along with the fact that our students need those buses ready and waiting uh right before two o'clock. So uh I'm assuming that we are not going to move forward with allowing um them to rent our buses. I know u Mr. Rico co-chair with Mr. Scarpa. You deal with the the finance and Kevin Walsh. Uh I believe that we were on the same page that this would not be in our best interest. >> I just look at a a liability issue litigation. God forbid it was an accident not involving our students. I don't
048want to take the risk and be exposed to and all due respect to the Coastline Business Association. All due respect to this event, but I don't I wholly not in favor of having our buses transport anybody but our students. >> I I would second that from a point of risk. I think their programs can certainly move forward, you know, with other rental opportunities. There are plenty of bus rental opportunities or coach opportunities for them to explore. So, we should get in front of it early so we can >> I I commend Mrs. Camera for like forcing a decision. I just wanted a decision. So, >> I I definitely encourage uh anyone to chime in on anybody have an objection or do we agree that this would not be in the best interest for liability? >>
049I I would just like to get Dr. Gab and Vince's um opinion. What do they think the liability if it's not worth the risk? >> Sure. I I we at the request when we had the conversation, we did reach out to our insurance agency and they you know, they provided some very factual information which was included, you know, I think I I shared it in an email with Mrs. camera in response to that about the about the liability piece of it and you know it while it ultimately is is board of education property that they can use but they certainly did say it's a risk and liability that was not recommended by the insurance company in terms of indep no matter what the coverages of the umbrella that there are risks that the board of
050education will be liable for. So that would be something that I for that for that for those reasons alone >> even if they're getting their own insurance. >> Yeah, they're still covered without a doubt. Everyone can be everyone can be sued for everything whether it's success or not but >> right it's the it's the risk part of it and again supportive of the program happy to support it in any other way and I'll be there um I'm going to try to make it on Thursday night. >> Great. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so yeah, I will then let the committee know that we are not um >> moving forward with the buses so that way we can brainstorm and um figure out another I mean they they might be willing with the 130 versus two but
051I hear it's it's more about the liability than the actual time because I'm sure there would be some flexibility. Um so the township website has a which is cold.org or um includes a dedicated page for all of the semiquincentennial events and I am requesting that the school district do the same. There are events taking place at the county level, the township level and of course the school level including collaborations with the township and the high school such as the calendar contest. So um if we can work on that with um Mr. Paso. That way we're we're in sync and we're, you know, spreading all this wonderful information. Um, additionally, I recommend that residents follow and engage with the Colts Neck New Jersey 250 page on both Facebook and Instagram. Um, and Dr. Garay, if you'd
052be so kind, um, I would I ask you that I would ask of you to, um, discuss the calendar contest maybe with the art teachers so that we can encourage student participation. and um you could provide us maybe updates in your superintendent reports so that way then I could report that back to the committee and just you know giving them updates. >> So for for the purposes of working with um Mr. Capacifier website where I'm on the township committee website do you know where it is located? >> Um yeah I actually pulled it up. Just go straight down and then you'll see latest news and you'll see the 250th celebration event. So, this is the first um town event. Um Kevin spoke about it. It does have then the other events on the back. This
053is also being posted on social media. The CNBA sent this out via email. So, just to keep all residents in the loop. So this is the first event and then we are helping out with the calendar contest which is a collaboration between the town, the high school and us is and forgive me is it on was I'm looking at it is there something that is going to be um formalized regarding what the calendar parameters are or something like that is that coming >> you know I I did reach out to Sufispatrick and there really are no parameters. >> Okay. It's really it's very open, you know, you know, and um you did mention if it's digital or paper. She does prefer paper, but can work with it. >> So, can I is it okay? Maybe
054we can work with you. I'll send something to you where it's a case where I'll draw up something that I can physically send out to our school community as an as an invitation for participation. That would be wonderful that says we're looking for creative blah blah blah and whatever kind of and we can bring it Thursday to present to them or share with them in advance then we can send it out. >> I love that idea. And then um yeah, then we could post it on social media as well, our website and uh hopefully it's something though that's done in the schools and we'll you know we'll keep moving forward with that. >> Okay. Um let me just go back. I think that's everything for the 250th committee. Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> All right.
055Thank you, Mr. Cameron. Moving back to Mr. Walsh with the seniors. >> They had their meeting today. I just want to acknowledge the new leadership for 2026 and their their service to the senior citizen community. President Bell, Vice President Nancy Walton, Treasurus, Secretary Lois Cohen, relations do a lot of work behind the scenes. uping events for February February 21st springch and overnight recreation departments. It's a great little building. >> Okay. Uh great. Um, so I believe a lot of residents, I think all residents received this magazine and I was telling Kevin before the meeting or I guess when the meeting first began, there were two articles in here about our senior community and some of the events they do. And I really um just appreciated I'm just like finding the one that I want to
056talk about. Um, the president Ray Shabelle, he gives his phone number. He wants you if you're a senior to reach out to him. 732890381 for more information. Um, and there were two articles in here. So, I was very impressed when I read them and because of you bringing so much to light, >> I it stood out to me. I was like, this is wonderful. So, >> members, >> uh, great, Mr. Scarp, I'll give you the floor for the uh naval weapons station early. >> Yes, thank you. You know, last week I had the opportunity to go with Dr. Garbe, uh President Bulpin, myself, and Jessica Ramirez uh to go visit the uh facilities over at Naval Weapons Station Earl. I was quite impressed. You know, there's a lot of history there. Dates back to the
057World War II and mid1 1940s. Uh has been in constant use since then. Uh it services a large community and of and of which we have our resident students here in all three schools. I was very very impressed. We were there for two and a half hours going through the the network of facilities there and what they offer their students and student base. Uh I was quite impressed with the transportation logistics you know to get the students here both here back and forth and there's a lot of work behind the scenes. So, a good tour like this I thank you to um Miss Jones for facilitating it goes a very long way in opening up the eyes and appreciation like there's more than just the students showing up at school. There's advanced planning, there's appreciation
058across the board. Uh great teamwork. Uh I'm sure uh President Vulpa, you'll speak more about it as well, but I was impressed by the amount of folks it took to get it takes to get the students here and to have them engaged for their short period of time while they're here in Colts Neck. So very very just great time spent. I was very appreciative of the opportunity and thank you Dr. Garvey and President Vulby for facilitating it. It went very very well. But I'm open to your suggestions and ideas. >> Yeah. Um thank you. Uh it was a it was a great day for us. It was exceptional um opportunity for me. I've obviously never been there and I want to thank you uh Mrs. Ida Jones um for giving us that opportunity. Uh please
059extend our gratitude to Captain Smith as well. He gave us such a warm welcome, a nice history of um you know the buildings and so on and so forth. I was extremely impressed with that the sports center you guys have and the store in there. I thought it was uh um exceptional uh to have that for for our military. So once again, we always want to prioritize you and uh the um military children of this district. So thank you all so much and thank you Mr. Scarpa um for uh always giving the military um your priority. >> May I first? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I just want to thank um William Addison who was our tour guide um like a proud parent. Uh Mr. Addison was my student at Brook Memorial High School um many
060many years ago when I was a high school English teacher and like a proud parent watching him ex continue to love history as he did when he was my student in English class and just super proud and extend my sincere gratitude for his time uh in in walking us through your facilities. So just thanks to all of you. >> Awesome. Uh good stuff. Um we are going to move right into the state and county school boards. I'm going to try to run really fast through this because we're we're into this meeting an hour and we have so much to do. So, uh guys, financial disclosures are due. Uh obviously every year we got to put that out. Uh and the governance training, uh Rich, since you are a new addition, um if you need any
061assistance with that, please reach out to me. Um also, Mr. Morasco will be willing to help you uh you know, get all of that done as well. if you need, you know, help registrating, uh, registering or whatever you need, let me know and I could, uh, assist you. Um, the school boards is offering a free core online policy manual, uh, that includes required and critical policies, legal references, and their entire uh, policy library into a downloadable, easy to use manual. Uh, the link is in your board email if anybody wants to visit that. March 20th is the third annual women's leadership conference 9 to4 it's $149 at the college of New Jersey. Um governance 2 mandated training will be February 10th and March 24th. Uh governor three uh governance 3 will be February 5th, March
06226th 7 to9. Um and the last one will be February 11th 7 to9 and March 24th. This is all in your emails. I'm running through it fast, but just so you know, there's a lot of opportunity, different days you could, uh, u meet those requirements. Um, new board orientation, um, I remember doing this a couple years ago, is out at the Crown Plaza, uh, by Princeton. Uh, registration is through Mr. Morasco, our BA only, and that will be February 20th through the 22nd. So, if you want a little weekend out at a hotel and listen to a Let me refrain from those comments. Um, uh, and, uh, moving right into, uh, yesterday's meeting, February 3rd, we had a virtual meeting. New Jersey school boards were the host of that. I'm going to pass this, uh,
063to Mrs. Cameron. I'm not sure if anybody else attended. Um, Dr. Garay did as well. She may want to put some input, but that was with uh, Senator uh, Vingo Pal and Scanland. So if you want to take that away, you can. >> Yep. So, um, last night I listened to the Mammoth County School Boards Association virtual meeting, a conversation with Senator Gopal and Oscan. Um, so as most of you know, Senator Vingopal is our district, District 11. He's a Democrat. Um, Senator Ocanlin is represents District 13 as a Republican. Both senators emphasized their bipartisan working relationship and noted that they collaborate effectively despite their party differences. The discussion focused on several key issues impacting public education in New Jersey, including the possibility of regionalization efforts specifically related to special education. So, one topic to
064note was the concept of developing a Mammoth County special education hub as well as addressing the extraordinary costs associated with out of district placements. So, there was a discussion around a potential long-term idea of creating these state funded one um and state operated special education schools which could reduce or replace the need for private special education placements. on the call. Um, Senator Gopal mentioned that there he just gave one example of a student um who needs to get transported to New York and that district is responsible for $150,000. So that was the example he gave why why this would could be very beneficial. Um both senators acknowledged that such an initiative would require significant changes to current special education laws before it can move forward. Um, additional topics included shared services as a cost-saving measure
065for districts and specifically they were talking about shared services with maintenance, transportation, snow removal, and other operational expenses. So, I do support this idea. Um, both senators agree that the Mammoth County that Mammoth County was disproportionately impacted by the S2 school funding formula under the Murphy administration. Um, they both expressed hope that future funding allocations would more accurately and fairly reflect local taxpayer contributions and district needs. Board members were invited to submit questions in advance or through the live chat. Um, I submitted three questions through the live chat. One related to affordable housing and two concerning the um, S2 funding formula. While the S2 funding formula was addressed, it was addressed very broadly during the session. Um, we were informed that all submitted chat questions would be answered in writing at a later date and
066then shared with all participants. So, when I get my answers, I will I will share them with the board. Um, that said, I do remain skeptical of the two senators who have served under multiple administrations. So, I'm going to be optimistic but skeptical. Um, I don't know if you'd like to add anything else. Uh Dr. G. >> No, no, I'm sorry, Dr. Gabby. And >> so I agree. I was hoping for a little bit more information about like funding formulas. something obviously that we're very hungry for as school leaders because it hasn't been looked at in as many years we this was not as actually Senator Escan mentioned this was something that has been on the radar of school administrators for many many years and it has yet to been have been revised yet and
067it's something that I think is really a disservice to the school leaders and boards of education because without revisiting it we're just going can continue to navigate problems and be taking and doing patchwork so we need to have more solid framework around what funing sources are going to look like moving forward, especially for districts that have been hit hard. They've been given waiverss. Those are all band-aids for state aid. You know, we are in a different situation, but we are faced in the future with increases and things that we will have financial implications upon the district. So, we need to have a more solid foundation as to what that's going to look like for us and have it be reliable. That's one of the things as well. So, I think there's a lot of concern
068around the unknown and uncertainties um to the special services. I I I would I would love, you know, I know that that would be something I've shared um that was mentioned that at our superintendent's round table that Senator Gopal did come to speak about that as well. I know it's something that Dr. Beck would certainly be very interested in, you know, um having conversations with and and helping with and and whatnot because they're not wrong. Small districts that that they talked about, it's not wrong. You know, we we we face similar things. We don't have a tremendous amount of out of district students, but it the costs are real. >> And so it's something that um collaboratively to be able to support students with disabilities in a way that makes sense and is also fiscally
069responsible to get them the most support that they could possibly need. It would be beneficial. It be a win-win for everybody. So I look forward to seeing what that looks like as well. >> Yes. Yes. We'll see. It's big goals. I will tell you at school boards too at schoolboards workshop during they had a very similar type of panel discussion and one of the things that was asked was about uh the municipalities uh you know is really affordable housing is addressed at the municipalities but yet it has significant impact upon the local school districts and who's talking about that and the comment that was made by the legislators of the time they said we know that's a really good point no one's talking about that so we are going to encourage them to continue to
070talk about that because while it is a municipality driven conversation, it certainly is having significant implications upon school districts all across the state and it needs to be more at the forefront of conversations. >> Right. And I will add on out the superintendent for Mammoth County was on. I saw him online and um the last thing I did receive, I think all board members received this today. There is a um LD11 sock drive and help our homeless stay warm. So, I did want to just share um it says there's just a week left to take advantage of this opportunity to help people in your community who are without shelter in the winter. Um stay warm, donate to the annual LD11 sock drive. So, if you have um there is a wish wish list, socks, underwear,
071undershirts, it's from January 14th to February 11th, so we're near the end. and the drop off location as six, sorry, 766 Shrewsbury Avenue, Sweet 100 in Tinten Falls, New Jersey. All right, and that's everything for me. Thank you. >> All right, we are going to um try to speed up the meeting a little bit. Um we're going to go right into the committee of a whole work session. At this time, I'm going to request each board member to um bullet point and uh you know, in respect of everybody's time to make your comments as brief as possible. We'll start with the ad hoc affordable housing. U Mr. Scales, I'm not sure if you have anything. Nothing's listed here. >> No other just diligent work on the uh plan. I'll have a project plan for us.
072>> Wow, that was very quick. Thank you very much. You're >> welcome. >> Um okay, buildings and grounds, uh safety and security, uh board chair, uh Kevin Walsh. >> Uh thank Vince and Dr. Garay for putting a meeting together. long range and also short range looking at priorities for um infrastructure needs for 26 2027 highlighted all three schools and we're also looking down the road the next couple of years it was a good great uh we have I have a great team all strong finance strong in finance Jason Brian Mr. Wickberg welcome to building and grants >> Mr. work for has a great background in construction. It's going to help the district as a whole. So, we're going to identify what really needs to be done next year as a as a committee and administration
073and get it done. There's nothing saying we can't do a lot of this stuff on this list. This just has to be done smartly. >> Okay. Uh >> yeah. Yeah. And to add on, this is definitely not siloed only in one year. To Kevin's point, this is a long-term structure and that's how we want to focus on this. You know, we have four facilities. We have the four schools and we have the admin buildings to be cognizant of. They all have their individual needs and many of the buildings are aging. So, that's we're taking that into consideration. So, we're going to work with uh Vince and Dr. Gave and come up with a good plan to structure 26 27 and 28 and 29 so we can say okay what's in play and then work on
074the proper level of financing to support these initiatives. Right. We to Kevin's point, we have a great team here and I'm very confident we're going to achieve a great deal over the next couple years as we carve through the sets of responsibilities. >> Right. Uh looking forward to it. Thank you, gentlemen. Um okay, Mrs. Cameron, uh under curriculum, I see you have a little bit. Um so let's get started with that. >> I'm gonna actually start with two and then I'll I'll take the longest. So two through four is very quick. Okay. Starting with cursive writing instruction. So on Monday, January 19th, Governor Murphy signed S1783 A38 83865. The bill requires public school districts in New Jersey to incorporate instruction on cursive handwriting into curriculum for students in third through fifth grades. So the district
075currently has handwriting instruction in place. Um we have handwriting is embedded in our being a reader program for K um for grades K through one and then taught as a separate curriculum in two to four using Xer Blosser and now we are just adding so for finance when you're going through curriculum um we will be adding grade five hand handwriting materials because that that is new um okay moving on to number oh any comments on of okay number three data intervention um in terms of our link intervention manager uh reviewing the longitudinal longit help me with this thank you data um where we have a downward trend in referral numbers for INRS in the um so Dr. Reynolds gave me a chart. So, if you could include that in the doc in the superintendent up
076um update, everybody can see it. But just that's that's a positive thing. Okay. Moving on to Oh, comments with that one. All happy. Great. >> Okay. As to what it is and a little >> Okay. Um number four are some new instructional programs. So, first we have Titastic. that is a structured keyboarding and digital literacy program um designed to build efficient accurate typing skills. It's in alignment to the New Jersey student learning standards um in terms of educational technology different benchmarks. So um this was advised this actually was something from the parent advisory committee feedback and the district has streamlined typing instruction um to occur at the beginning of our K to8 IAB sessions. Teachers received updated training during the January 19th professional development day and home room teachers can now integrate the program into
077daily instruction. So this again for finance will be something that's included in summer work um as as teachers are creating the curriculum. Okay. The next one is the writing revolution. So you might recall last year we updated our writing program being a writer for grades K through five. Thank you. Um this is for grades six to eight. It strategies for crosscontent um writing. It is following something called the Hawkman method, an evidence-based approach to teaching. It breaks writing into sequence skills. It moves students from sentence level competence to organized paragraphs. Um, it's designed to be embedded into content instruction. Um, I went on the website, I read about it. There's some videos. I was impressed. So, um, that's that's my feedback on it. Comments. Okay. Right. It's a training for teachers to have more in-depth
078knowledge of grammar and and conventions of writing and things like that. It's more like a skill-based type of thing. Professional development is not necessarily a program for that, but it's about training. So, that's exactly and that coincides with what we're working on following up because the being a writer program is so structured. We want to follow and support that structure as they follow up through the middle school. >> Yes. Like I said, I I enjoy reading about it on the website. Um the last is the library media standards. um an update. So, I don't know if you remember, she was piloting some new standards and I'm just I'm I'm just paraphrasing her quote. Um she's this is this is her paraphrase. Dr. Garay in the update can share the whole quote because it was quite
079long, but this is um a condensed quote from media specialist Susan Frick. I'm reviewing the standards and find that I already implement many of these practices. The standards organize research skills into four pillars. identifying information needs, evaluating sources, using information for research, and sharing findings with lessons across grade bands. Due to time constraints, some activities are informal, but students consistently practice these skills through discussion, research, and written work. Instruction includes the five W and H, who, what, why, where, when, how, questions, use of multiple resources, and digital citizenship. The standards are overarching, align with career ready skills, and are not limited to the library. I look forward to supporting their integration across content areas. So, that was the condensed quote. It's much longer. She gave a lot more information, but um for our purposes, I
080thought that was enough. Okay, one is a little bit more because it does involve um you know, I I think a real discussion. The other ones were pretty pretty easy. So we are getting ready we already actually it was already it already started to pilot uh grade one uh I Ready program as a potential replacement for the NWEA MAP assessment. So the pros of the I Ready pilot. Okay. It combines assessment and adaptive instruction. It's built to guide next instructional steps automatically. So it's very easy for teachers. And the training and support is bundled. The cons, which is a very big con, it's much higher per student cost than the assessment tools we have now. It's $63,10.50 versus the map which is $11,660. So, the pros for the MAP is obviously that lower cost and
081the the NJ the NWA map includes science and it is a widely used standardized benchmark with reporting and growth tracking. Okay. the cons, it doesn't have that built in that built-in instruction. So, if you remember when Dr. Reynolds presented, she's like, "We use this as data points." So, my suggestion, which I talked about a while ago, is that we don't pay for either one of these programs and we we focus on the SAVIS math curriculum that we already use that has benchmark tests embedded in it because we have topic tests as a data point. We'll have these benchmarks as as a data point. We should be relying on teacher recommendation. We're talking about our youngest learners here. This I'm I'm focusing really on on the K to3 with this with this I Ready program. Um
082SAVIS again assessments are directly aligned to the curriculum. Um teachers can see exactly what standard students have mastered. Um MAP and I Ready assess skills more broadly, but teachers still have to translate those results back into SAVIS because again You can say, "Oh, this is guiding instruction curriculum. This SAVS is our curriculum. The teachers start with one one, they turn the page, they go to one, two." Um, so I just I just really believe that we can save all this money. Um, I'm just looking through my notes, but I can condense. So adding MAP or I Ready, it's more screen time, it's less instructional time, it increases test fatigue for those young learners. And um I really think that for instructional decisions that we're making, we're using this for data points. We're using it um
083in order to say these students belong in enrichment. These students belong in um TIP targeted intervention programs. I don't think it's that like the cost is um is enough to justify what we use it for. So for um the finance committee that that's a decision you will have to make. Do you want to stick with Matt testing? Do you want to pilot the I Ready with that cost? Or is it something you would rather >> um not to interrupt you mid-sentence, she would like to add some comments while you're on that particular >> I would like to make a recommendation that Dr. Reynolds come and present the difference because Sav does not do I think we talked about this when we talked about it does not do it does not do the same things that
084that NWA does or I Ready does. The purpose of looking at it is is looking at it through the lens of what is happening in the background as they are going through the curriculum. How are they able to demonstrate skills outside of the curriculum that's being taught is assessment tool that is also longitudinal that goes K to8 right and so as students transfer up. So I would like to have a a presentation that the board would be able to see. I'm not advocating for for I Ready at this time. That's not the the point of it. It was a part of a pilot. as we're investigating and looking into resources as part of our core jobs here of what we do. We're always looking to better and look at different resources. However, um I I
085do want to the board to make an informed decision. It's not about looking at um you know how much screen because we we've done ST math. We've implemented other things that have added screen time to different students and things that we've done. So, it's not we know how to find the balance of all of that, but it's about the tool itself and if we value the tool. So the purpose of the pilot was to say is this still a good tool for us, right? It wasn't about necessarily eliminating and looking at things because we still it's embedded in what we do with our assessments every day. So I would like an objective type of pres presentation where we can say like hey listen this is what we're using it for and the difference between Sabis
086because I I I really would want >> respectfully to say that that's they don't do the same thing. So I think and and I to say that one can replace easily replace I think is is um devaluing what NWA brings to our instructional programming and decision-m. So I would just like a the opportunity to present that on a larger scale maybe at the next >> I think that's a great idea just you know just to be make the most informed decision. Um again more testing does not automatically lead to better instruction and you know I guess my closing my closing thought is as a board we need to ask what instructional decisions are we making with the map or I ready and that's what this presentation will show that we can't already make using the
087savis data so that's you know I think that's the big question is it worth this price um so if that answer is not clear if we're if we can make the instructional decisions using the data from savis then I don't think the cost justifies itself. Um also in with that envision we are updating to the 2027. So that's the newest Savis. Um and I believe we are planning for the roll out in September. So it will have it has targeted intervention. It has everything in it. I went online. I actually um looked at the new program and it's it's a lot more different than I expected. So I I will update the board with those differences um as I'm learning them. Okay. So that is an important discussion especially for finance. >> I said one
088thing Dr. Car when we get that presentation for guess from Dr. Reynolds if she' give it to us. >> Um can make sure she we have that third option if we don't use either of them that she was saying if we just use the Sabbath, >> right? Like she'll compare all three. >> All three. Okay. Not just the two. >> And I think it's a case where there Yeah. And I think it's a bigger discussion too because I do you know I do want the opportunity to speak to you know some of the concerns and I have some follow-up information to share with Mrs. camera about that because with regards to decision making, you know, I think there's governance and there's administration and I think that part of the process is going through and saying
089like this is the information and based on the educational leaders and things these are the recommendations as we're charged to do to keep moving the district and the students forward and their academic growth. So I think we have to find and look at that a little bit more too and say like hey these are the options that are on the table. this is the recommendation for the best option and it's not necessarily about what we finding that that that balance between governance and administration with regards to decision-m I think that's an important thing for us to you know be mindful of as a board as we work together >> absolutely and I want to remind us when when Dr. Reynolds did present earlier, you know, we are using this for data points. So, we want
090to, you know, take this into consideration. Okay. Um, so this will be a conversation that we continue to have and it will go also will be going into finance. Okay. The second one is the NJSLA updates. Um, April 27th through May 22nd of um, 2026 is the testing dates. Obviously the administration will be sending out notices what specific dates we choose and the makeup window as of now is May 26 through May 29th >> please. So so the important part too is and I know was shared this is the new pilot one. So we they just piloted this in November and this is the new assessment that is now taking shape for the spring. So the problem with that is that it's also going to be skewing some of our data because it's not the
091same test. So it's not the same. So again, keeping certain benchmarks that we have internally to be able to because we're until we get a couple years of NJS, what do they refer to it as now? >> NJSLA now that it's kind of one of those things where we want to get keep the balance and the continuity of what we're doing so that we can be looking at growth over time in a reliable and predictable manner. >> Absolutely. And that is though what's nice about the fact that they made them take them in the fall. Remember that that it was supposed to just be a few a few like a study, you know, what do they call it? >> It was the sampling. >> A sampling. Thank you. And then it turned into full-blown testing.
092So we do at least have a little bit of a comparison, but we can't compare it to previous years um testing, which is which again is a very valid point. Um the last thing is Dr. Reynold is recommending the elimination of Fontis and Panel for the 26 27th school year. So I spoke with her on the phone because I was very concerned that what Fontis and Panel does for our youngest readers is it gives parents or your child is reading on level A or your child's reading on level H. So I was concerned with parents not knowing um where their child was. We use Dibbles but that that is very different than your reading level. That's more of a dyslexia screening. So what she informed me of which this I love because it's a program
093we already have. We have the being a reader phonics instruction that there are sets uh one to three are aligned with kindergarten so that parents will still be informed. Apparently sets four and five are aligned with grade one readers. Sets six to 10 your child will be on level for grade two. So as long as I as a parent can meet with a teacher and you can say yes your child's on grade level above grade level or below grade level I do support this. It's very timeconuming fontis and panel and it really went with our old curriculum. So I thought this was a great balance. I also mentioned um a program that I love. It is pricey though and it's called achieve um achieve 3000 I believe and she would look into it. Um I
094think it's an excellent program but not for our youngest ones. I think more for third grade going up, but but it is a it's a fiction non-fiction program. Ask questions. It's aligned well with NJSL testing. And what that does is it gives a Lexile and at the end of each month they they are um they'll see their Lexile. Hopefully, it's improving as it should be. If not, that's like a red flag right away. And what also is great about Achieve is it has three level sets. So then again, you wouldn't need the data from again, you could argue that you there might be some valid points that you wouldn't need though that um data from the math testing because now you have three level sets throughout the year that is giving you as a parent
095a Lexile score and the same thing there's Lexiles for each grade that the parents would be informed of >> and I definitely support that and we'll talk about achieve hopefully but it is it is to put it out there it's very expensive. >> Yeah. And we did have achieve years ago and it it actually priced it out of the district and so they just became too expensive for our for our size because it's based it's not based on like an enrollment type of thing. It's based on licensing and they don't give a lot of discounts. We tried to work with them. So from achieve we went to a program called Nuzella >> which was uh because achieve Yeah. Achieve. Yeah. Yeah. Achieve did not Newella does not do the same thing that Achieve does. Achieve
096is a much more robust program. As a matter of fact, um we I was when I worked in in Brook Township as a supervisor, I was one of the first people districts that brought achieve in through a grant through a New Jersey uh gas and so I was very familiar with the program and its opportunity for non-fiction and it has lexiled and leveled articles that are delivered at students reading levels and then they progress through. So I'm very familiar with achieve 3000. It's a valid tool but it is extremely expensive >> and since then they've added a lot of fictional. really started just as non-fiction, but they brought it into non-fiction as well. And they have there's always questions and then they even have what's called like a five-step article where then they're answering open-ended
097questions which matches what they're doing again on state testing. So, you know, there are advantages to that as well. So, um >> do you remember that ends with number one? >> Sorry, Dr. Remember how successful achieve was when it was implemented? >> So, do I was it successful? So I think that with regard we were looking for a a program that would you know provide some lexels at the middle school level but also do uh supplement non-fiction. That's what we were looking for because at the time uh the literacy programs weren't very robust in non-fiction. So that was something that we were also looking to do in addition to being able all the things that came with it you know um I think any program is as good as it fidelity in which it's used
098achieve 3000 like I Ready like all the things there has to be fidelity fidelity after the bell. So we we are actually looking at different things like that like I exile. How can we be encouraging uh parents you know there's programs there's districts neighboring districts that use um I ready that we explored that they have you know 10 minutes a night parents need them on there's requirements for part of that homework component. We're trying to find that balance and working with our school community and looking at you know is that a right fit for us for practice especially you know working with work workbooks and different programs that we have. So um it's it's it's a little bit of a fine tuning right now of what we're doing. Do I remember being successful? I don't
099think it was unsuccessful. I just think that it became something that priced itself out of our market right now. Okay. >> So, >> and that kind of goes back to the whole idea of shared services. I don't know then if if towns could work together to try to get a better price, but that's sort of the the idea with that. Okay. >> Nobody does that with too bad. >> From an evaluation perspective, like why would would say we go out to like a district and it's got scores. We just ask what they're using. >> Don't we know? >> Wouldn't we have an idea? >> We would we would absolutely know that. So, we we would do that. Um, do I know that that's happening? No. You know, I don't think that that's happening. I think
100it's a tool based on, you know, for if they're using achieve 3000, if they're using it 20 minutes a day, if they're using all the things. We absolutely look at best practices, which is why we identified Ready because several districts that had seen improvements were using I Ready. Now, that being said, they use it in a different way, you know, in their programming. So we we not just looked at the program, we looked at the fit for the community and what their also tolerance is for online learning for all the things that that we're doing. So it again it's a shift. It's refining some of the things that we're doing because we do want to move. We have good teachers working hard. We have right, you know, engaged families, all the things. So we want
101to keep moving that needle. And so it's it's part of what we have to do. >> We get I mean just from the stats that I look at, we get killed just as a a school, but we get killed as a state. we get killed as a country too with uh our reading, right? And they're saying there's a whole bunch of studies that the children going to college can't even read at a collegiate level, right? So like the I I used to love when the kids would come home and be like, "Oh, I moved from H to J >> level." Like that was cool. So excited. >> But obviously it does it's not working, right? So that's the thing we got to look at. like is there for her recommendation? I would assuming she'd present
102this to us as well, but is there like a a single point that there's a reason why we would choose one or the other? Is there like just not to not to muddy the waters, but like if you were to simplify things, what would be the difference between like number one, why do we want to leave Fontis and Panel and then number two, why? >> Yeah, I can you want to speak? I mean, we wrote both, but first of all, it was it really went with an older reading program >> and it is incredibly time consuming. So, so for the teachers to give up all this instructional time when they're assessing students and they have to meet with each one individually, I mean th those would be like my my two reasons. >> Yeah. I
103think it's also one of the things that we have found and I'm sure you would understand this too. There's also a sub a lot of subjectivity to FNP uh evaluations where there's a lot of uh you know rereads or so on and so you really have to do it with >> frogs and fish. >> Well, no, I think that in terms of interruptions if if a student's having you know in any given assessment a bad day or or knows they can do better, you know, there's a little bit of redoing. So, I think that we're looking for something that may have a little bit more reliability with going to to that. Um, so but to your point, it's I I think a lot of districts are starting to move away from FNP just from the
104time consuming. I'd rather be able to do quick assessments and get them in and in a more timely fashion because when we we stop drop and FNP assess for weeks and we actually bring teams or TIP teams or TE teams in to do some assessments in the background while the teachers are teaching because just it's more like an assessment team type of style that we use to move through. So we're just trying to time is the most valuable commodity of any teacher and we want to be protective of that and so what can we do to get the results that we want in the most timely and efficient manner that's the most beneficial for the students. So that's what we look for. But is there a score cards or like a way to analyze? Like
105I I imagine it's an almost >> well that's part of piloting. That's what we do when we're looking at something and we not only first we go on hunt and we absolutely through communications like the Mammoth County Curriculum Consortia, the collaborations we have when when you see districts that are making these growths and improvements like hey what's that? What are they doing over there that's doing you know differently? You know we um while we one of the things they point out in Dr. Reynolds annual assessment is our scores in science. And while we want to see improvement in science, when you look at them longitudally, we do very well in comparison. Well, we are one of the only districts that has designated science time in the day. You know, when you're in a classroom and
106you're trying to prioritize math and language arts, a lot of times science and social studies get compromised. They get pushed to the they get pushed to the side. So, the fact that we have that was something that when when um when I came in and my team came in, we said we want to strengthen science. So we want to have a designated time so you can't cut it out of the day. It's scheduled and that I think is something that truly has an effect that in our ILAB as well. We balance out those standards where kids. So you do look at those model programs and we've had people come visit us to see what that structure look like. So with regard to the reading programs going to being a reader being going to writer, we
107knew it was time to move away from you know our Lucy Cawkins type of model of what we were looking at and going into those types of programs. Some of it is is also strengthening that professional development, getting teachers really comfortable talking with grammar about grammar. It's not something that you go in as a a content expert when you're the different types of certifications for teachers. When you're a high school teacher, right, you are you have two majors. You are a major in a content area, English and secondary education. When you're a generalist, while there are classes and requirements, you are certainly tested in multiple areas, but not in that depth of knowledge. We're trying to strengthen that a little bit because it's not easy. It's not something that if it's, you know, uh, middle
108school they, you know, a high school teacher will have 30 credits in a content area. A middle school teacher is required 15. >> So, it's different. They're different levels. So, we want to be continuing to support and we're shifting a little bit into deeper understanding of content in our PD, you know, as opposed to just programs. Programs come and go. Programs fleet. When you have good solid understanding of content, that's when the sto correct. So because then you can compare your knowledge of the co the the the content to how well it supports the the a program can then support the content, you know, is this a good idea? >> Like I mean because if you think the the thing that I have the biggest time comprehending like you talked about cursive, right? Like I
109was taught cursive in second grade, >> right? So now they're starting it in third grade, right? So you look at obviously the student population, but >> math continues to innovate, right, just from an education perspective. And the scores continue to go up and no matter what, no matter where you are in the country, but reading just it's not. >> Yeah. And I think that that sometimes and I never want to be that person like in my day, that's not something I ever want to do. >> But I do I I do want to get, you know, return back to, you know, what our kids reading, the length and and endurance that students have for reading. We're we're we're a generation of quick reads. What pops up? What's blogs? What's this? What's that? What? That kind
110of thing. And we want information and very short spurts. And so the endurance of reading is also a skill that we try to read. And when they're being test tested in scores, part of practice and rehearsing at night and being read to and reading at home and that's all not just practice and reading. It's endurance of reading and paying attention to be able to have when people say pay attention. No one teaches us how to pay attention. They just expect you to do it. But being able to focus and comprehend and being able to interpret what you're doing is also a skill that's taught through reading practice. So that is something that I think we also want to get back to. So we're battling that a little bit, you know, and that's a cultural shift
111as we're seeing short spurts of information and things that come out. They want to read a text message as opposed to a letter. They want to read, you know, all of those kinds of things. Yeah. And so it's you I think and I don't want to, you know, your your experiences to value, but it's it's even adults you're like, I don't want to read this, you know, it's like I People say to an executive, you write in an F because the human reads in an F. They don't read >> bottom line. So like when they say if you want to ever >> you ever want to bury a body, you put it on the second page of the Google search page. >> That's what it is. People don't go to the next page. So like
112when you look at like those programs like is there a way that like some like us as a district or >> I'm sure there's someone out there that's trying to push different type of innovative programs like are you getting bombarded by that stuff? >> Well, you can Oh, absolutely. There's always someone who wants to sell you something that's going to make your kids great. And so at the end of the day though, that is part of our process as we're looking at something and and say like listen, this doesn't add anything to what we're already doing. At the core of what we're doing, it's the teachers, right? and their knowledge and understanding and ability to take the standards, do their magic, and do what people do every day in the classrooms, transition it, and find
113a program that really helps first when they're younger develop the, you know, that concept of learning to read and then third grade reading to learn because you're then you're taking the skill and you're seeking out information, right? So, and so really being able to cultivate those skills and what program hits all the points >> that are lay a strong foundation of those fundamental skills without a doubt. So that's what we look for. We look for those you know there's you know we we've looked at a couple programs for um like math tip and then you look at you go yeah that's not a good fit for our program and you know because we feel envisions is a robust program like yeah that's envisions have that we don't need something like that. So we're always looking
114at and we're also looking at it in response to student data in what areas. We knew that writing we were lacking some of the major conventions in our program. So that's what being a writer focuses heavily on grammar and conventions. So that's what focus you know that's what we bring forward. The data does tell us a lot. Data tells a lot. >> This is this is the subject that I feel like I mean this might obviously we got to spend time. >> Absolutely. I mean this this is this is the core of >> educating our children >> as a district unless we fix this category. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Um one last thing I just want to address what Vinnie brought up. I just want to explain something with Ready. So
115there's I Ready the testing model and then there's I Ready the curriculum. I actually had the privilege of teaching the I Ready math curriculum and it's excellent. I don't think it's better or worse than SAVIS. It's just it's just a different program. Um but it it is a great program. I I have nothing negative to say and I'm sure the testing model is just as strong. But it's just again it's a it's it's where we want to put our money and do we want it more in testing or more in how to better our curriculum, you know, because there's there's only so much money, right? And I'm more for the bettering, you know, improving our curriculum aspect. So, but I'm very open to Dr. Reynolds presenting and then we, you know, we could ask very
116specific questions like like you did. >> Okay. So, um that wraps up curriculum. So, thank you. >> I just want to add uh something. I know um and this is just my observation because um I'm so lucky that I get to be CCD on everybody's emails here. So, I'm I'm involved in everybody's business, but I know Mrs. Cameron, you and uh Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Garvey had some exchanges prior to the meeting, and I know, you know, it seemed a little bit, you know, maybe there's a disconnect here. I just want to make sure that we're all following what we should be doing as board members. Um I I know I don't know if you want to speak to this. I just felt there was like a little disconnect on what you felt you were
117responsible for doing and what as board members uh were required to do. So um I I don't know whether my email I just want to make sure that you know maybe the three of us can sit down uh and have a meeting later this week just to go over the specifics that you mentioned um and then this week we could get clarity on it. I don't know if you want to add to any of that. Um but what our our brief discussion I didn't have time to really speak to you in detail about this but um from what you conveyed to me I don't know if you want to touch on that briefly please so we can >> Yeah sure I and I think that that that the point from a I don't Mrs. Cameron
118unless you want to lead the conversation. One of the things we talked about was about in informing the board and keeping the board informed about pilots and things that and um there was a little bit of a of a of a question regarding the timing and being able to talk about pilots that are being put into place and that's what I mean in ter maybe level setting having conversations because by statute uh of of 18A part of the role of the superintendent is to be investigating and looking for new things that we're doing to bring to keep moving the district forward. And so I I if we there's a bigger conversation about approval prior to us investigating things, I do have a concern with that because I do think that that halts progress if everything
119that we look at to potentially explore becomes a board discussion and an andor an approval and I think that also falls outside of the parameters of a board of education. There was no pilots don't change curriculum because curriculum is absolutely approved by the board of education. it doesn't you know it's an investigation and an inquiry into something like that. So I do feel that I I want us to have a very collaborative conversation about uh governance which is oversight but there also are statutory components that uh that are administrative and making sure that moving forward as a board we are comfortable in understanding what those roles and responsibilities are and decision-m because that's part of my role as as a superintendent is to be moving those forward and being able to work with the board
120to explore and then make those recommendations because one of the things as part of a recommendation that you make in a program, in a staff member, in a technology. You're vetting that process out and you're bringing a recommendation forward because you've done that homework because you're making, you know, you're looking, you're exploring, you're trying, you're doing all of those things. That is part of my statutory responsibility and operations of the district. And so understanding that and and really appreciating each other's roles, but also wanting to make the board feel comfortable. And I know you made reference to you know a trust and comp and transparency that's was part of what the the um I I also completely agree with that goal that I always want to be transparent about how we are presenting and looking
121at things you know part of our district my I think every year I've been a superintendent almost a district goal is looking at increasing student achievement to be able to do that and explore you know within the purview of my role as a superintendent with the administration and teachers I think is important. important and I think teachers you know do play an essential role in providing opinions about what's happening and we should not be moving forward without teacher opinion in things. I think their implementation of things in the classroom is essential to buy in and the success of any program is because it's a big difference in my style of leadership has ne is never uh constitutes a top- down model of the best ideas in this district have come from teachers and staff members
122you know and exploring and saying hey I think this might be a good fit could you take a look at that and I don't that that is a long-standing valued practice of the educators in this district and I don't think we should we would want to stifle that in any way shape or form >> all right so why don't we do this um this week depending on Mrs. Camera's uh schedule and yours as well. We could sit down have a little more detailed on what the role is in this particular this way we could get on the same page and there's not um you know a little bit of disconnect through those emails I saw. >> Absolutely. >> Um okay let's move on because we have a lot to cover. Um let's go uh we
123have a few things. So finance department uh co-chair uh Jason Rico and uh co-chair Mr. Scarp. Can you guys start um with your reports? Yeah, I'll be brief with the prek enterprise program for 2026 and 2027. Then I'm gonna let Vince take over real quick. So um that tuition is going to be um 9,000 per child. Um and that's I believe our break even point, right, Vince? So >> very close to our break even point, which is good for everybody. And um I believe there's about um 35 spots um for this coming year as well. And then um I'll let uh I'll let Vince take it from there unless Brian you have anything. >> Yeah, you're good. >> Just a few more things about the program. Like you said, it's we're offering a full day
124program for three and four year olds. >> Um five days per week. is based on space available for 35 students. Um, and it's a full array of of programming as Dr. Bar Gab can speak to. It has enrichment. There are three sections with a teacher and an aid as well as all these other enrichment >> opportunities. Thank you. I'm struggling for a word, but yes. Um, and so we we are fortunate to um have some balance in the enterprise fund from prior years and we landed on fee of $9,000 for tuition which is very competitive for this area of preschool which was on approval earlier. >> And to Mr. for Rico's point. The last time I think it was 4 minutes all spots were gone. So there's the Mhm. >> So they So what we
125have our open house and then after the open houses Yeah. I think the date was on there. >> It was It was uh registration started at 9:30 and it ended just before 9:34. >> Correct. That's correct. So that is correct. >> First come, first serve. >> It is first come first serve and it it it is a it is >> it is first come first serve. I mean, if you weren't logged on by nine o'clock and waiting, forget it. Like, you were you were done. You were done. >> Yeah. The open house is Thursday, February 19th, and registration usually starts the next day after the with with everything. So, that'll be advertised. We'll proceed with the ad with the advertising and, you know, whatnot with that. So, that I think provides a lot of validity
126in research of our programs and what we do. So, it's a value program and we're looking forward to to, you know, continuing that with our families. That's testament to the quality of the program, right? That's fantastic. Uh we're in budget season. Uh we're going to start carving through this. We'll work with the administrative and Vince primarily as we as we carve through the particulars. Again, we have a a whole slew of opportunities to discuss for our facilities. Uh we will carve into them on a case by case and come up with a fantastic plan. I'm absolutely optimistic about it. Uh we if if I may skip over to negotiations, that's a piece here. um Andrew that works with you. >> Yeah, it's fine. Definitely. Yeah, >> we have a couple meetings coming up uh with
127the Transport Workers Union of America and as well as the Coch Township Administration Association. These are two uh cyclical negotiations for for their contracts that are that are in queue for this year. So, we'll be scheduling some time with them very shortly, one before the other, and then go through the particulars and have a fantastic conversation and come up with an agreement. So we're going to be very busy with negotiations then then carving into our finance agenda for the rest of u as we're close to the end of June. Anything else I miss? >> Yeah. >> Sure. >> Just going to provide some lay some ground work. Yeah. >> So just to set the table as far as budget goes, what we're what some facts are as we know right now. Um four quick things.
128Um one is that uh from the audit presentation that we had, we know that this year we're using approximately 1.4 million as revenue for the 2627 budget and that was up from 545,000. Okay. Number two is you have um based on the budget software that was recently made available available to all the districts is we have available banked cap for this year. You have additional taxing authority of approximately $1.2 2 million. And again, that is the difference between what um your eligible tax levy cap is versus what you set your tax levy at each year. You the difference is that bank ability to use three years under the law. So you have ability to do that. Now that goes into tax impact and ratables are. So as of right now from the tax assessor, we
129have preliminary 2026 net valuation taxable of approximately 4.8 billion. That's up from 4.5 in the prior year. So So the trend has been steadily rising uh in this town and Rapid rise in >> Yeah, correct. That's correct. >> The trend. So, I'm sorry. >> No, 300 million. >> Yeah. >> Oh, >> 4.8 billion is the preliminary value this year versus 4.5. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. 4.5 last year. something. >> Yeah. And then 4.8 and change, right? So, it's north of 350 billion. I mean, sorry, 350 million. >> Y and you know, again, it's uh it could it could in theory have a lower tax rate because you're you're spreading your tax levy. In other words, all things being equal, if you were to keep the levy equal, you're spreading it over a much larger
130base, which lowers the rate. However, >> it doesn't necessarily mean there's a lower tax impending pering assessed value. We don't know yet, >> but that will that tax. >> Yeah. So, the Colts neck tax rate a few years ago was 1.77%. I think this year I I I I d I double check with the tax assessor every single year, but I believe this year it's around 1.35 around there. Right. But with that being said, when you increase $350, $360 million, you know, and you could lower it to they could lower it to the point where it could it could even out and it could stay the same, but you know, that's that's not what happened. Um, and yeah. >> Yeah, >> it's extra extra money for the township. >> Um, thank you. And and of
131course, we don't know uh any direction yet on state aid that will come out after the governor's budget address around February 25th or 26. >> So stay tuned. There's a lot of moving parts during this time. >> I'm sure. >> So Mr. Moras and I were going to reach out to Mr. Scarpa and Mr. Rico about setting up the NDE last year. We had meetings before the cow meetings that how we want to proceed with coming together. we um the department chairs, building principles, budget managers as you say the respective budgets are putting their finishing touches on in the new systems that we've had. So going through that we've had budget ad admin meetings where Mr. Morasco has been walking people through the new systems and training everybody in how to do that. So thank
132you Mr. Morasco and your team for putting in all that time to do that. Um and so we start our one- on-one how our processes work. We start our one-on-one budget reviews which each one in the new systems starting next week. So we'll have a good picture of starting a picture of a very big bucket, right? And then you're looking at the different buckets and moving things around. So that's where we are in our operational processes right now. So if we wanted to get together, we we can send some an email to to you then the respective committee to say where do we want to how do we want the conversations to be? >> Okay. Can we do it before a RAM meeting? >> Yeah, it Yeah, we can. No, it doesn't. We can do
133it. Absolutely. We can do it anytime you want. We can do it anytime you know we want if we want to do that meeting. >> That's fine. we can do it at the ne you know at the next one we want >> as a touching base point you know as to where we are right now in the process of things I think it's more okay great and just like Mr. Masco said the adoption of the tenative budget it's the the last day is the 19th. We have a board meeting on the 18th. So that will give them time to that will that's what we're we're aiming for is that meeting that ra >> the we're aiming for March 18th for the adoption from the tenth of the budget. Correct. >> And then the final budget
134>> May what the first meeting in May fourth is it fourth >> it is >> I want to say it. May >> May 3rd >> third. I'm always open. >> Excuse me. May 6th. >> May 6th will be the presentation, the public presentation, the adoption of the final budget. >> Very good. Okay. And in between that time, obviously, we have the opportunity to make adjustments as needed between a tentative budget and final within reason. >> Yeah, you can. >> In addition, the county is reviewing all budgets during that period of time. >> Yeah. >> Based on that review and further discussions, you have the ability to legally make a change. >> Excellent. Very good. Thank you. >> Uh okay. So that concludes the finance. All right. Uh so the last thing we have I believe
135um is uh policy. So Mr. Scales, if you want to take that. >> Yep. Just uh just some color here. Some questions about um bullet point one there. proposed change in liaison name from Colts Township Board of Education parent advisory committee the pack if you will to the Colts Township Board of Education parent information form. So uh just from a formality perspective just to address the two communications that we had come in. Um it's follow what's called it's not named but what it is obviously you know rules of order to follow how to govern a board. Um the parental advisory committee is not under those orders. Um so committees are typically dually elected and appointed individuals of groups between three and 11. Um, and typically what a committee does is it provides oversight and it
136exercises limited decision-making authority. Um, that's not what the pack does. So I I won't go into the content of that because you manage that, President Bulby. But um, that's essentially what it is. Um, from our perspective as well too. I don't think anything is proposed to be changed in how that's delivered. We're not silencing anyone's voices. We're not changing. We're not eliminating feedback. There's no one way communication. This is again strictly from a formality perspective just so we're following what an actual definition is and just being more accurate in in how we communicate with the uh with our people. So um but yeah, so essentially um we do we need to be consistent. So as a board um you'll see there too in the second bullet point as well just the the transfer of the
137Colts neck um art, sports and extracurricular from a board committee to a leaison. It's not a committ lays on ro. So we're just cleaning little house house cleaning on that. Um I any questions, comments, concerns on either of those two? Any color to add? >> No, unfortunately Mrs. Haritz isn't here. I always like to include her because she plays a big role in uh in um this uh parental uh information form to be. Um so I'd like her to put some input whatever she feels when she returns. Um, but like I said, I know there was disappointment with ending the daytime meeting, but um, it's very difficult. Uh, I can't tell you the amount of hours that I put in. I think Dr. Garay can actually vouch the amount of time I'm in this building.
138I'm on the phone with her. I attend I I stick my nose in every single committee that's here. Um, I think you guys all know that I'm always, you know, filling in where people can't show up. So, uh, and I have home obligations myself. So, uh, it's it's not feasible for me to be here during the day. Um, and I know it was a big conflict with Sarah where she was leaving her job coming here. So, out of respect, you know, for what we do as volunteers, um, I can't rightfully um, you know, commit us any longer. So, um, once again, at night time, we're going to keep that. The board of education, we have our bimonthly meetings. This floor is always opened for gripes, >> um, questions, comments, suggestions, and you know, we absolutely
139always, um, make a priority to hear those things. >> So, um, I'll speak in more detail with Sarah and then we'll move forward with, um, changing that, uh, name. Cool. >> Okay. >> Um, all right. At this time, let me just make sure. >> You said one more. Sorry. >> Oh, I'm sorry. What did I miss? >> Oh, that's kind of important. So, >> I my >> Yeah, Dr. G will take that. We're almost done. >> So, yeah. So, very quickly, we're still in that process of transitioning. And just know that we have um a big lift, you know, and it is a we're um finishing up some of the edits and recommendations and transfer of important custom language that for some reason didn't transfer over when when school boards provided us with the new
140policy manual. So, every department we divided and conquered and we are looking at the exact languages like so for example like eligibility to attend schools. There was some language that was missing that we felt was important. So, we're we're keeping track of the docs. I'll share that with the full board of what was transferred over, what wasn't transferred over, the edits that were made. That's all being finalized very soon. The bylaws I think have been have been shared in my in the updates that have come out over the week if we can get the stamp of approval because then our next step with Minister Scales is working directly with school boards because we have board docs. Board docs were will become our new online platform that we'll be able to do easier searches on and
141whatnot and it becomes a little bit more user friendly to not just us but also the public. So, but we can't do that until the edited policy manuals have the stamp of approval and they are adopted by the board of education. So, within the probably the next month or two, we're going to be doing a huge like saying, "Hey, let's put if we can divide and conquer and say like Mrs. camera if you want to leave and read the review looking at I know they've already gone through Dr. rental's eyes, but just from parents to be like, "Yep, these are all the things that we're doing." And knowing that we can continue after the the big umbrella adoption is done and we just say, "Yep, these are all the new policies and we're moving on
142with the new numbers." We can always go back and revise and revisit things that we want to come back to. Um, but there's been a lot of cross referencing. The crosswalk is on it in there. So, we're literally navigating back and forth between two policies and stuff. So just know that that's coming and at the end of the day the admin have put eyes on it and now it's just about a formal adoption and moving rolling everything forward so that we can just implement our new program. >> I think you may have already addressed this and I may have missed it. Um >> so are we are we currently still paying straight so that that completely >> No, if you know no that ended last year. So, so we've been what we did was because
143we weren't ready for the conversion yet, right? >> We that you'll notice that our old policies should have Strauss Esme's headings and things on it. So, our policies don't have that anymore. So, they're listed literally as PDF documents they're referencing to. It's not necessarily easy on the back end to be finding things as easily. So, we need to get these new policies into the system for an efficiency point of view. We make daily references to policies and quotings and things and also public access, board access. So this board docs for through school boards and talking about the manual that they're after we have all of that and it's ready to go. So we once we adopt and do like a hey we're ready to go we're just going to push it all through. They will
144help us with that loading and the setting up of board docs which will be housed very similar to how our old system was in our website so that people will be able to look and search. There are several districts that use board docs. >> My district uses board docs and it's incredibly userfriendly and I think I think parents will appreciate it. Um, I love it. It actually was much harder when I started being on the board >> going to the way we do it. So, I I think it it will be very positive and just an wonderful way to again improve our communications. >> Yeah. So, I think we just have to kind of work together to pull it across the finish line at this point. So, I think that's that's what we have to
145do. We're almost there. It's it's a lot and we just have to pull it across and be done with the project and move forward. >> Cool. Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else? Um, okay. So, we are going to um uh we don't discuss that right. >> Yeah, these are just FYI heads up coming on the on the on the ram that's coming. >> All right. Um, okay. So, we're coming to the end of our meeting. Uh, we're going to open the floor for one last time for comments. Um, anybody like to get up, make a comment, question about uh our meeting tonight, you're welcome to do so. Just state your name and address for the record. Alan Ryan, 24 Street. Um, at a previous meeting, there was a a discussion of a trip to Washington.
146>> Yes, I I have some information on that. Um, but I let you finish your address. >> Uh, well, you know, the great time we had. Um, I think the kids will have a great time. Um, if parents chaperones can go, I would say go. because you're going to see your kids differently and it's it's a blast. It really is >> a real good time. >> That's it. >> Well, I just want to ask you um Dr. Garvey is going to chime in with this. Um, I advocated for this um strongly uh because it's something I really wanted um my daughter to experience even though we took her um and we had uh VIP entrance to the White House and we we were able to see all that and and give her that opportunity. But
147I wanted to make sure that we gave it to her class and the future classes and when you had brought it up I um it gave me even more motivation. So, uh, in working with Dr. Garave, um, uh, and she'll, like I said, speak to this. Um, we did our best, but unfortunately, and I'm so sad to report that we were unable to make it happen for this year because it wasn't enough time by the time we we set up a plan and we called the company, uh, the dates were filling up and, uh, the dates that were available with a week of our graduation and, uh, NJSLA testing or and unfortunately was such a big disappointment. Um, but we have good news for next year. So, I'm going to let her speak to that.
148>> So, we are looking into it. You know, it's it's a it's a work in progress. It's a it is, you know, uh, we when we were looking at Stokes, that was a year in the making, you know, and bringing it back. And though it was a trip, it was also 10 15 years ago that it was done. And so, we have to reset and look at at we have there's there's parent interest, there's staff, you know, oversight, there's working directly. We have we are working with a travel company that has this that other districts in the area use. There's an itinerary. So those are the things but the actual logistics and also pulling parents you know that's the next step of it and looking at it from bringing the trip to fruition. So we
149too to quote what I just said we are looking to pull it and bring it to fruition. Um we we have to go through the necessary procedures and steps that we all want to do a trip but we have to make sure because it isn't um it isn't a free trip. you know, it's it's it's we're going to be telling, you know, there is a substantial cost out. So, we also want to provide some opportunity for fundraising and all the things that go along with that. So, all of those things are going to come out in in communication with parents um in the as we're presenting it to them as the options. So, so it's in works. It's in the works. >> We can commit to next year. >> It's in the works. >> That's
150great. Really, really try to make this happen. We'll see. >> Absolutely. >> It's in the works. It's going to be a great opportunity. Really, >> we had a great time. We really did. >> I know. >> A lot of fun. These kids will enjoy it. And it's a memory that nobody will forget. I'll tell you that. >> What's that? >> That it's a memory that nobody >> Yeah. >> The kids and the parents and even the teachers included >> will not forget because there's always something goes on and >> it just sticks out. And >> I don't think anyone's more disappointed than Angelique and I having >> eighth graders. Yeah, we were missing the cut off. >> I hear you. I hear you. I hear you. All right. Thank you for your time. >> Thank
151you, Mr. Ryan. Always. Yep. Thank you for coming. Um, all right. We're gonna, um, well, I want to continue giving the floor. Please, if anybody wants to get up, make comments, uh, suggestions or questions about tonight or anything else? Anybody want to get up and share anything? All right. Uh, seeing none, we are going to close public comment. Um, uh, let's open up our last thing of the evening for new business. If anybody wants to um bring up new business, welcome to do so. >> Um at the December 17th Oh, first I wanted to say this is only coming from me. I am I am this is a personal statement. This does not reflect anyone else on the board. Okay. At the December 17, 2025 meeting, I voted in favor of approving the revised Colts
152Neck Township Board of Education facilities use fee schedule effective January 2026. While I did vote yes at the time, I am now formally requesting that my vote be rescended. Sometimes an idea appears sound on paper, but the real impact becomes clearer once the ripple effects are felt within the community. My intention was never to make it more difficult for the sports foundation, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, or other community organizations to access our facilities. nor was it my intent to force the recreation department to increase fees, which I hope doesn't happen, in order to cover additional costs charged by the district. I ran for this position because I genuinely genuinely sorry believe in putting children first and in educating the whole child, which includes to me academics, athletics, arts, clubs, and enrichment opportunities. After
153the board became aware of the obstacles this revised fee schedule created, um, board member Jason proposed what I, only I, believed to be a fair and thoughtful alternative. However, the process has shifted to having members of the buildings and ground committee negotiate separately with each group. So, I believe we created a problem and are now managing its consequences. Um I would again I be open to classifying these organizations as class A users which eliminates fees altogether because these programs exist for the benefit of our children. At the same time though I recognize that the custodial staff and the building personnel must be compensated fairly and any solution must account for those legitimate costs. Um, for these reasons, I want to offer my sincere apology to our community. What for what I believe was my mistake.
154On December 17th, the item was added to the agenda at the last minute, which has always been a long-standing concern of mine. I have repeatedly asked that items not be added on the day of a meeting and that the board members be given at least 24 hours notice. Um, while this item did appear in the superintendent's update multiple times, um, I personally conduct a far more thorough review for of items when it's formally listed on the agenda. And in this instance, I did not. I take full responsibility. Um, so for that, I take full responsibility and apologize to the community for a vote, which um, I I I regret how I voted. So I I'm I just want to state that and I understand the other argument and I don't disagree um that there are
155that we have not updated the SK prior boards had never updated the schedule but it is um it is something that it has been really bothering me and um I just I I regret my my vote so I just wanted to share that. So >> thank you. I'd like to thank you so much for um you know uh putting your your uh apology out there. Um I just want to clarify um the fee schedule that was unanimously voted on by this board was thoroughly thoroughly discussed. Uh buildings and grounds chair uh Mr. Walsh um acting uh in unison with Mr. Moretta um our BA the superintendent revisited this topic over multiple weeks uh going over um the cost to run these facilities um uh and and basically brought it forth to the board several times.
156I do understand um you're mentioning that it was added to the agenda, but I I disagree with you. This was brought up so many times. There was plenty of times to put in. What what happened here is we as a board did the right thing. We all appreciated the fact that the fee schedule was not updated and we were getting killed as a district. Do we want to piss people off by increasing fees? Of course not. We value and I can't stress enough. We value the sports foundation. I I absolutely value I can't see anybody here not valuing keeping a great uh you know contract um and uh just respect for them. But as board president I can't rightfully say we are going to favor certain groups because people feel the heat and don't want
157to have problems in an election or feel that there's going to be backlash. I took an oath when I got um voted in to protect this district, make sound, fiscally responsible decisions which benefit the district as a whole. So, I can't willingly say and I I must say I'm very pleased with the negotiations that the sports foundation agreed to and I hope that our communication last night was genuine. I feel that they realized they're they're two very intelligent uh men dealing with finances they themselves and realizing that the cost that you know we incur to have the sports foundation here um it it's it's just not invisible. There is cost and um I support uh the decision that we made and uh I'm going to leave an opportunity for you guys to chime in um
158as I I do feel bad that you feel that way Mrs. camera, but I do not um you know favor certain groups uh because of uh their position in in the town. I I believe I do the right thing. I govern uh effectively and uh with uh integrity. So, I'm going to leave it at that. If you want to add something. >> Yeah, I absolutely support the uh the vote that was made on December 17th and the platform by which we got there. Uh to your point, this was a conversation long in the tooth. uh it was well planned out and vetted for quite a while and uh we actually did the proper market research to support a new fee schedule. Now keep in mind prior boards have not revisited this fee schedule in north
159of 10 years. So it is it is our obligation to have a fiduciary responsibility to all our facilities to support them through the infrastructure especially from a financial obligation. Keep in mind the past few years I think we've all noticed 30 to 40% increases in our utilities alone. So but that that alone brings the conversation to the table. Let alone uh uh don't forget we have the obligation to our custodial fees. None of this is an ob is an opportunity to generate excess profit for the program. We actually for for the school. This is actually to cover cost. The lens was to cover course of from day one and continues to be through yesterday. I actually will argue that the meeting on December 17th and the and the vote of all nine of us brought
160us to the table yesterday for a productive a productive meeting to strategize a long-term go forward opportunity with a very valued partner. We represent the board of education. We don't represent any third party that's out there renting our facilities or using them for their for the students. Now granted, these are largely Colts neck students and we respect that. That's why we came to the tables and said, "Let's figure this out because we want to make sure that our relationship with you continues to be strong." The result of yesterday's meeting was everything that and more. You know, it was it was a solid conversation. I'm very very excited about the future obligations for both the schools and our programs by which we support, including the foundation, and continue to support what we did on December 17th.
161We presented that in a very transparent manner. There was all the fee schedules were completely vetted out with this board multiple times. It was not a lastm minute adjustment. It was a a last minute addition. As a matter of fact, it was constantly on. Then it was off for a while and we said we have to get this through so that we hit our obligations for January so that we can have the proper level meetings. In addition, uh as relates to the sports foundation, their rate is not impacted through June 30th. We were actually so go so far as the grandfather prior relationships that we had with them through June 30 and and we stood behind that. This is a go forward strategy that will continue to support. Miss Cameron, you made a mention about
162a conversations about u the um buildings and grounds being conducted behind scenes. Absolutely not. On the contrary, transparency 101 with this board. It has always been that way. I've mentioned before, welcome to transparency. Welcome to this new board of education. This is how we conduct business. Obviously, we're here in a committee as a whole meeting to to have this this level of conversation, but this is a culmination of prior conversations that we had throughout throughout the weeks. Now, I certainly appreciate your opinion, but I absolutely support the decision and strongly encourage the relationship between the foundation and other facilities that want to rent out our program. >> Go ahead. Yeah, Mr. Rico. Yeah, >> I I do agree with Phyllis Chimera. It was uh an oversight on my part on December 17th. I believe that
163I thought that the Colts Neck Foundation and wreck was under a schedule a which still has some charges some, you know, but with that being said, you know, Angelique, I agree with you that we have to be, you know, fiscally sound. I'm the finance chair, a co-chair with Brian and and I also believe that having an amazing relationship with the Cole Sports Foundation, the Cooeneck Recre Foundation, Cole Summer Camp, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, you name it, anything with the Coulseneck in front of it. And that's the reason why, you know, thankfully we were able to come to the negotiating table and, you know, give an amazing discount to those to those foundations to the wreck program and everything. Um, it was an oversight on my part when I voted yes for December 17th because if
164I if I had, you know, if I had reviewed the schedule an hour before it came out on the, you know, um, um, for vote, you know, I would have realized that it was under a B schedule rather than the A schedule. And it was a mistake on my part. It was an oversight on my part. If I would have known that we would have had to come to the negotiation tables at all with these programs, you know, um I wouldn't have voted for it personally. Um but with that being said, you know, things are being worked out and you know, having these, you know, negotiating with these foundations and um and these w programs, you know, hopefully will make our relationship even stronger with them. So, but that's what I have to say. Um,
165and I do uh, you know, agree with a lot of what uh, Phyllis Commander said. >> U, Mr. >> Angel, with the meeting that you guys had the other day that seemed to be successful. >> Yes. Last night, actually. >> Last night. Um, will we be doing a restructure of that schedule for them? >> They're going to have a blended schedule. Um, and like I said, we agreed on a fantastic number for them. Um, and it's going to give them a full range of the facilities for the entire week. So, not only did they get a better rate, they're getting full range of uh our uh the facilities for a week. So, there's not nickel and dimming uh janitorial uh fees for Saturday, four hours here. It's a blended schedule, so they can come and
166go. And we're going to speak more in detail with them. That's why I uh we recommended I don't know who brought it up about having open communications quarterly meetings so we could sit I mean I've never met anybody from the sports foundation I'll be honest I never did and coming to the table like Jason said coming to the table even though it was a little heated to try to figure out how we were going to go about doing it in the end it benefited everybody and the sports foundation I do believe realized the position we're in we're not here to screw our counterparts in town. But as as a board, we have to realize that we're responsible to collect on a service we're giving and and we're doing it fairly and I'm I'm proud of
167that. Um I I don't know if anybody wants to add uh anything. >> We have to do a a vote on an amendment for what you guys discussed yesterday. Um, well, it's it's we're going to give it to them, but we're going to keep the the fee schedule we voted on for people that are coming in the drawer. Uh, that fee schedule, like like Jason said, he didn't realize it was going to affect this, but that fee schedule that the buildings and grounds worked on for months um is going to stay in place. Um and then like I said we we you know >> we provided a very generous discounted program due to the longevity of their program with our facilities of which you're very appreciative for. So without this action we there would have
168been no meeting yesterday. So you think of it this way you know so this is an opportunity to bring parties to the table and say ah that makes sense. On the contrary, uh after the meeting, they were very appreciative of our time and said this this level of clarity brings us brings a new level of attention to our program and we even provided opportunities for them to go about marketing their program too. So the and keep in mind this is strictly the basketball environment. Okay, this is not the this is this is as it relates to the renting of the facility. It's basketball, but it's all three facilities. It's all and it's it's quite intensive. Uh I can certainly get into more of the particulars as and and uh uh Mr. Walsh can certainly too
169as well as it relates to what they're physically using and the demand stressed on the infrastructure. You know, it was a it was a great conversation and I'm I'm very very glad we had it. I'm extremely excited about the >> Was there a new fee out that was agreed to last night? >> What's that? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, will we have to revote on that? >> Um no, because it's just a blended, right? Okay. >> Um I do want to um you know >> it's keeping to the same rate that we all approved at the same fee schedule with a discounted opportunity on a blended up blended program because they do use it on weekday and weekends. They're a unique program because they use it throughout the seven days. So we made we we
170made a concession based upon a blended program. >> Yeah. I just want to add a comment another comment. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Just I would I would recommend based on just thinking about out loud. I would recommend that we do something in the actual policy that talks about I know that there when we were doing the research and looking at other other policies it says a separate fee schedule is maintained. So I think we probably want to for future boards it would just be a simple line in the policy. is a separate fee schedule is >> maintained, >> not necessarily a B1 schedule, but just saying a separate one and then the modifications or whatever. We have to we have to we can formally Yeah, we have to be able to formally implement a new
171something like that. >> Transparent in this whole process for every member had an opportunity for months to review >> correct >> information >> and for feedback. You're all welcome to uh criticize it, change it, and I didn't hear back from anybody. >> So, uh >> it wasn't a last minute vote. >> It definitely was not a there's misinformation going on. It was not a last minute vote. >> This sports foundation meeting was positive um with board members that came in that were in big disagreement, but as a board, we worked together and we carved that a great um opportunity for for the sports foundation and our district to work together and have all the kids come and use our facilities every day. So, a little acrimonious, heated, a lot of back and forth between a
172few board members, but I'm very proud of our board committee that worked through this and made it happen. >> Yeah. I'll tie it back to the policy real quick is the I mean to to both of your statements which we hear you loud and clear. Everyone's a talent to their own opinion. the like the rate schedules that we had before weren't even followed correctly. We didn't even have the right things written into the policy. So to Dr. Garbe's point like all now moving forward where it's we're a scalable policy. We're a scalable board where everyone can follow the same foundation because we now have to write it in that they're going to be following a certain fee schedule like you had mentioned before. If we would have that was pre it was based on previous
173boards they didn't have that information. things were not written in stone as to you you were just saying as well. But this is, you know, fiscal responsibility. It causes uncomfortable behavior. Um, and I would just I would, you know, put it out there to everyone in town that anyone who uses the school or anyone that negotiates or or works with the school, like we're all a community and we know what's happening in our community. Taxes have gone up, like you said, costs have gone up. expenses have gone up. There's not anyone in here that's going to, like you said, get special treatment of it. We're in this together. We're going to have over 450 new kids that come in to the school. So, things need to be updated, but more importantly, things need to be
174sound so it doesn't cause this friction. But friction creates energy. Like you said, that's the best part of a a formal negotiation is to kind of all you have to do is someone has to speak first. Then when you speak first, there's a foundation for everyone to to to work off of as well too. But again, the message that I want to deliver is that everyone who works with the school board is going to have to pay their fair share because as a community and together there can't be one entity in town that the burden and has more pressure on their shoulders. You're seeing the decisions that make we were just talking about removing the state funding for education, right? removing and adding in more developments. Everything is going to be fiscal pressure. So, what
175I would encourage as well is there's going to be many more uncomfortable decisions that we're all going to have to make, but make your voices clear like you just did today because that was fantastic. So, thank you. >> Um I I want to add a additional comment about um Mrs. Camera's uh comment that uh the meetings were done in a secretive way. Um, first of all, >> you you just made it an insinuation that it was done secretively. Um, the first meeting when when this went down initially, um, Mr. Whitberg, you had called me and you had just questioned, you know, you just said, "Hey, you know, what's going on? They got the schedule since you are you serve on both boards." So, you respectfully called me and just said, "Hey, you know what's going
176on? They got this huge raise and whatnot." So to deescalate it and to make the sports foundation know that as president of this board, I'm going to reach out to you right away. And I did. My first available day, I asked Dr. Garabay to meet with me. So I met on my own with you and Mr. Moretta and the two gentlemen from the sports foundation. It wasn't in secret. It was just to basically say I apologize that you weren't notified earlier about this. They just I don't even know how they found out. No one from the board conveyed this to them earlier. So that was I'll take full blame. So I apologize and I said we're going to negotiate something. We're going to take a percentage off. Let's keep the conversation open. Is that how
177it went? I just want to make sure you were there. So um and we we had a nice conversation, but once again I didn't have the full team there. The second um time around I called a buildings and grounds meeting. I let Rich know since he is conflicted. It's true. He's conflicted. He serves on both boards. So, I'm not going to put him in a position dealing with finances. So, um Mr. Rico, you said you couldn't make it that night. So, I tapped Rob Scales to join us. So, >> um I don't remember the date a couple. >> Oh, that's right. We were at the um um Mrs. Jones's uh naval weapons station. So, we were here. I mean, I was at the school. I think all damn day. Um and uh anyway, so we
178went from there and me and Brian walked right into that meeting and then uh you came from work and then I tapped Rob to because Rob was unaware. Mrs. Cameron knew the situation. Rob had really no idea. So I I got another ear to join us. So it wasn't anything secretive. Um, and then like I said last night we had the two finance chairs, the buildings and grounds chairs and once again myself. And like I said, you know, I I think it went very well. I'm looking forward to it. But I I just want to make it clear um that I never hide anything. People know me. When I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right in front of the public. And I really don't care. I just don't. So I I
179feel bad that you felt that I did something secretly, but I I didn't. Um I'm gonna add uh one last >> one more thing to just to memorialize where we're at too. We are the end result. We are going to get a contract between and and a docu sign contract between the parties uh so that they have an appreciation of the new the schedule and what they're going to be paying. So they're going to be we're going to be working that out of the course providing that to the business office make sure that that's properly in place effective post 6:30, you know. So uh uh we we'll work on that uh as we as we proceed forward with the formal formal rental relationships. Um, I did reread what I wrote. I I do not feel,
180but it could be, you know, misconred that I said anything about anything being in secret. Um, I felt that on paper it looked good. I admit that. I thought it looked great on paper. >> I know that, but you weren't reading from that. >> I saw the ripple effects in terms of some of the emails we received from someone in the Girl Scouts, from from members of the sports foundation. people reached out to me and that is why I made a decision at that time and I reflected on it and now I feel differently but I I definitely understand the other perspective and I and I think it also re uh raises very valid points. Um I do have a question that when when Dr. Garvey comes back um which I'll I'll just wait till
181she comes back. Um I don't know if we could do something else. Yeah, that's right. I'll just um go over really quick uh just just for the um uh the sake of protocol just going forward. I did put an email out today um just for standard procedures. I know we got some co-chairs, we got some co-leazons. Um I just want to make everybody know when you guys are in meetings, make sure your partner's there with you. I signed you both so you could work together. So make sure you're on the same page working together. And um I noticed a few times that people are calling Dr. Gab Bay asking for things to be put on the schedule. Um I I really don't appreciate that. What I'd like you to do is go through if there's
182an issue. Obviously, we always want to put it on account, but go through the chain of command. If it has something to do with the sports foundation, direct your concern to them and they're the liaison to bring it to me. If your finance and Jason's finance, if you have a problem and you want something put on the schedule, it's not appropriate to go to Dr. Garve. I want this on the schedule. Go to the chair of that committee and that's how it should be done. Okay? I I don't want everybody skipping to Dr. Garvey demanding I want this and that. That's not how I'm going to run the board going forward. Um so I'll leave you uh to your comments. >> Um so Dr. Garvey, I just have a question. You know, this is kind
183of it kind of bounces on what Angelique just said um about governance. I thought when and and I have not led um a meeting like curriculum committee um that the committee chairs and and may and correct me that's why I'm asking you um if I'm wrong we're supposed to get some kind of of schedule or some kind of outline about what is being on the agenda like how you know Vinnie was just asking like what what happened so I was just wondering like so you said there was a meeting last Thursday February 3rd and February 4th like going forward should we be getting these outlines or am I incorrect with like an agenda from the chair there. So if I if I I go ahead. >> So this is a little bit of like um
184a feedback because that would have been the norm under working under a committee board of committees. We don't we work under so we're running a hybrid if I'm being completely honest and if school if you know our school boards were here we're running a hybrid which is not officially a committee of a whole because we are working in ad hoc committees and under the prior structure of a board of committees you would get an agenda of the committee meeting people would be able to you would get advanced agendas of the meeting you would have an opportunity to kind of add things and be like hey can we talk about this then there would be minutes from the meeting and then those minutes would be reported out at the business meetings of the board which happened
185twice a month. Now I know there were conversations about going to one board meeting a month and that's not possible if without committees because then you're never meeting as a board. that actually was the catalyst for the superintendent's update when we made the switch to go to a committee of a whole. I think prior to um I'm trying to think in term wise when we made the switch to go to committee of a whole because we didn't have committee meetings which added a little bit more opportunity for committees and talking and and conversations of that scheduling board. it we we went to the update to make sure that we were providing both current and residual information so that the whole board now that was responsible for conversations on all topics were fully aware that's why
186we kind of structured Mr. and I structured the update by committee a little bit, you know, where it's like curriculum, general, communicate type of thing so that everyone has an idea as to what's happening at the administrative level and or board level like there was a meeting on this day some. So we're running a hybrid of committee of a whole and board of committees. We really are. So I think maybe that if we like the conversation of everyone's involvement that can still happen under a board of committees if we want more structure like in terms of what the roles of the committee chairs are the agendas and being able to report and share out we can certainly do that. >> The the reason I'll I'll add something to that is um I like the committee
187of a whole structure because it it did away with a lot of those meetings. Unfortunately in this time we had the conflict with the sports foundation. So it caused us to have me to have three meetings alone. If if we didn't have that, the cow meeting works very well. But that's why I structured it where I named >> people in case we have to break out like negotiations. We can't do that in public finance. We can't do certain things. So um I I don't know. I mean I I believe we are working as a hybrid and if that's how we have to do it in the interim while these heated things are going on, I have no problem with it. But I certainly don't want to go back to a committee where we're breaking out.
188I mean, nobody's gonna want to do that. I'm telling you right now, you guys are gonna have a fit when you're not right. >> No, I love the committee of the I I love this. I love I love that there's dialogue. I love that there's back and forth. I like that there's different opinions and even though I I spoke from my heart, I love when Kevin spoke and said, "But out of this came this wonderful >> dialogue and Rob mentioned it and so so I think this this is transparency as Brian said. Um, so no, I I I think this was a very productive conversation. I still feel I I I everything I said was from my heart and I I stand by my words, but I also appreciate what came out of what I
189feel was a mistake from me. But again, sometimes out of, you know, mistakes, wonderful things happen. And now that we're going to be meeting I think you said monthly or quarterly with the sports foundation. I mean that's that's phenomenal. I mean I we never I guess we never thought Vinnie as ad hoc we never thought to do that but that you know that that's a wonderful addition. >> Well it's just a way to um you know elaborate their uh the relationship you know to make it more elaborate to make it more detailed keeping them uh you know close by what they need. you know, every week they they may need different uh requests for our gyms. So, meeting them quarterly. We bring that out in the open and they're not just coming here, renting, paying
190a bill. There's more like a performality and more, you know, like a one-on-one, you know, I think it I think it worked out. I really do. So, um >> that's exactly what I was wondering. Um I was, you know, sometimes I read up on the schoolboard site and um just recently and um because it it is there's some areas are a little gray. It's not always so so crystal clear. >> Um especially you know what Angelique was referencing before with curriculum. It it's not always so just cut and case. This is your role and this is your role. So yes, I appreciate that. >> All right, I think uh we're done. Anybody else? Last minute. >> I just have one more quick thing. if you're able to address this. Um, last week on social media,
191there were some inaccuracies that led to incorrect assumptions on how we use our board lawyer. >> Uh, particularly when uh, one of our members are, uh, hit with an ethics violation. >> Okay. >> And defending that. I know if you saw that, if you're able to >> I don't know particularly what you're talking about, but if you want to if you could briefly me on it. >> Yeah. So if if one of our members it was going around that if one of our members is hit with an exis violation, they should use their own personal attorney instead of our board attorney as if is it is it uh is in terms of board ethics violations that are brought to one of our members. >> Okay. >> Are they supposed to use their own own personal
192attorney or >> No, we have a board attorney that uh we actually voted on exactly uh to represent and and that's part of doing business. >> I have an ethics violation. I do not hide it. The guy who gave me this ethics violation has been nothing but a pain in the ass to districts across this entire state. And the thing he thrives on is frivolous charges. He's upset because I called him a shitow. And that's what he is. He's a show. And um he was insulted about it and now he's going to throw an ethics charge and charge the district. I'm not charging it. That's my freedom of speech. He's the one that came after me in an article. I had nothing to do with this guy. I I didn't want I knew who he
193is because he's given problems to districts across the state, but I had no problem with this guy until he came after me in an article regarding our parental rights policy that we passed. Who the hell do people think they are? We were voted, all nine of us conservatives in this district to pass policies that this community wanted. How dare he make an article accusations about me being a far-right extremist. Give me a break. So now I respond to it and he slaps an ethics charge. Listen, I don't care. Whatever the cost is, I'll be divulging it to the community and next time I get an ethics violation, which I'm sure he's going to do another one because this is what this guy does. And whoever supports him is stealing money out of our kids' pockets
194because I don't act unethically. I don't steal. I'm principled. I live by by my word. Whatever I say, I say out in the open and I don't hide. Dr. Garbay knows how I run this board and I run it ethically. I have the right, a first amendment right to make comments responding to his accusations against me. So, if anybody wants to put on social media about the money that I'm spending on ethics violations, I'm not the one filing it against this board. He is. Okay? He is a far-left extremist arguing about how I govern here, and I'm not going to put up with it. I'm just not. And for the record, the next ethics charge that this guy puts, I have a lawyer who's going to represent me, and I have a few lawyers lined
195up that won't cost the district anything. So, let him try it. Okay? Okay, I'm sick and tired of being pushed in a corner because I got an ethics violation. I'm sorry that that people are pissed off about it, but I have the right to say what I want and I'm going to defend this district the way I want to. We were voted. I'm not going to back down. Why should I silence myself? Because he he wants me to. That's what he's trying to do. Silence this board. I'm not going to let it happen. I won't let it happen. So, I don't care who the public wants to complain about an ethics violation. Give me a break. Give me a break. and whoever you know wants to put it on there. Mrs. Denoya, I believe you
196have a lot to do with that, put it on there. You have all the all the respect for me to put it out there. But if you're going to r up the community, get the facts. Get the facts. If you you know the facts. I got an ethics violation. Put it out there. Rob Scales got an ethics violation. I mean, you you want to egg people on to cost more money to the district. I mean, go ahead. I I have no problem with it. But like I said, the money comes out of our kids' pockets. >> Intimidated by anybody. >> You can intimidate us. >> I'm not intimidated, but you're the one I believe that posted that. Weren't you the one that posted that? >> My statement is for the whole community that elected us.
197We're not going to be intimidated by anybody. We're going to govern by conservative values. That's the end of it. But yeah, this whole thing I didn't know the one you were talking about, but the one you put on there about look at this, you know, and that's fine. That's your prerogative. But when you egg the community, let them know exactly what it was about. Let them know. Be truthful. Put it out there, you know. Don't start a sh a storm and then and then when we get the ethics violations, put it out there. We're getting ethics violations. Yeah, to answer your your question, um, yeah, you can the board attorney is elected for us. So, unfortunately, what happens is the as a public entity, we can't counter sue for things. But what it what happens
198is to to protect like us as an entity, to protect the school ethics committee, things of that nature, there's a $500 fine if there's a frivolous claim. So, what'll happen is if someone does wind up submitting an ethics charge that's winds up deemed being like frivolous or something along those lines, then they are slapped with a $500 fine. I I don't think it's ever actually been charged. It's supposed to prevent this from happening. But unfortunately, what happens is it's a you weaponize the ethics committee. You have to go through the process, but it's we put it on here to let the public know that we're being represented by the board attorney, but the details of the actual ethics, they must remain confidential until you actually um the it's done and then we can then finally
199comment on what was actually in the the actual >> I need that. I'm asking for the public so they know. >> So, >> cool. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you guys for clarifying. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you very much. I'm glad you did, too. So, um, like I said, any ethics charges that come in regarding me, I'll be the first one to divulge it to the community. Um, okay. Uh, anybody else final comments? Okay, we're going to vote to return. >> Motion. >> Thank you. No, nobody makes nobody makes a