CNTS BOE Mtg 12.17.25

001Okay. Uh, good evening everybody. I want to call to order for the meeting of the board of education December 17th, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the administration building at 70 Connor Road, Colts Neck, New Jersey. If I can please have a roll call. Mr. Morasco. >> Yes, you may. Mrs. Cameron, >> here. >> Mrs. Harowitz, >> here. >> Mr. Ro >> here. >> Mrs. Mr. Ramirez, Mr. Regetta, >> Mr. Scales >> here, >> Mr. Scarpa >> here, >> Mrs. Vulpi >> here, >> Mr. Walsh >> here. >> Thank you. You have a quorum. >> Great. Thank you. Uh, pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231. This meeting has been duly advertised in the Asbury Park Press in a schedule of meetings dated January 16, 2025 and March 4th, 2025. notice

002of which has been filed with the deputy clerk for Coloulnack Township and the requirements of posting of notices have been met. Yes, we're just going to give um uh our board member Jessica Ramirez moment to sit. >> Yep. Take your time. Take your time. >> All right. Recognizing Mrs. Ramirez's attendance. All right. Thank you. All right. Uh at this time, if I could uh ask everybody to please rise for the flag salute and stand for the national anthem. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can I do it again? Thank you. Okay. Uh we are going to recognize um Mr. Ruggeta participating remotely. Okay. Once again, good evening everybody. Thank

003you all for coming out. I know there's a lot of familiar faces here and some new faces here. So, we just want to welcome um the new faces, welcome you to Colts Neck and we appreciate uh you attending our meeting this evening. Um we have a lot to cover. So, we are going to start with the approval of our minutes. Um uh we have several minutes to go over uh one, two, three, four, five, ranging from October 29th through November 19th. Uh if any board member wants to um have any comment on that. Uh if not, we are going to uh take a motion to move and approve those minutes. >> Any questions or comments on those particular minutes? All right, Mr. Morasco, if we could move forward with the roll call. >> We need

004a motion. >> Motion. I'm sorry. >> Motion, >> Mrs. Harowitz. >> Is there a second? >> Give to Mr. Walsh. All right. Roll call. >> Sure. Mrs. Cameron. >> Um, yes, but not for the November 5th meeting because I was not in attendance. >> Thank you, Mrs. Horowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rico? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez? >> I have to abstain from the October 29th and November 5th meetings. Yes. To the October 9th 19th meetings. >> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Retta. Yes. >> Remote. >> Thank you, Mr. Scales. >> Yes, >> Mr. Scarpa. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Vulpi. >> Yes, >> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carried. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um, we do not have any presentations tonight, so we are skipping over that. Um, I like uh if

005everybody has the agenda, take note of the communications. Uh, we actually have uh a considerable amount of those. Um, and I also want to bring to the public's attention, we did receive a considerable amount uh amount of communications that were directly uh forwarded or directed to Dr. Riby um our Cedar Drive Middle School principal along with uh Dr. Garbay who is our superintendent of schools. They were not posted on this particular communication because those um you know emails were not directed to the board. So if people are wondering why your communication is not listed here for the public, it's because they did not go through the board of education communication uh page. Um I don't know if you want any make any comments uh in addition to that. Uh, additionally with that is that as

006per the request of many of the communications that were received, um, they were, uh, compiled and the board was they were shared with the board for review and so for transparency purposes, we wanted to report the number of those that were also received and, uh, forwarded to the board as requested. >> Yeah, thank you very much. Yes. Uh just to reiterate they were shared with all of us and uh you know we appreciate everybody's feedback and opinions uh on this secretary McMahon's visit on the 5th. Okay. So that will bring me right into my report uh my president's report. I did not prepare anything formal. I would like to address the public um uh the residents of Coulseneck along with uh residents around the state of New Jersey. Um, I wanted to divulge a timeline

007of the events that happened in our district so everybody's on the same page and aware of the facts of uh Mrs. Mrs. uh Secretary McMahon's visit. Uh, in October um just to start the timeline uh in October I was notified of a mandatory deposition that I had to appear in Trenton uh with myself and Dr. Garave. Uh so at that time they had given us a date, our legal council had given us a date of November 19th. November 19th happened to be the day that we had our tunnel to towers assembly which is new to our district. We're very proud that we incorporated the tunnel towers uh organization to address our kids and have a guest speaker to speak to our children about the events of that day. Um and me and Dr. Gave, we

008were so excited and we wanted to share in that assembly and listen to a firsthand account of um the survival um you know of the person that spoke. He basically gave a firsthand account of the events that happened to him personally. So at that point um I knew that I did not want to attend the deposition. I wanted to be here with the children and represent our district as the board president. So I had reached out to Dr. Dr. Garay and I requested that our legal counsel um reschedu that deposition. So at that time Dr. Garabay uh reached out to the attorney and the deposition was rescheduled for December 3rd. December 3rd was our scheduled board of education meeting that everybody um you know seems to feel that I canceled it because I wanted to

009shut down the public in some type of way regarding Secretary McMahon's visit. That is absolutely false. That is not the reason why the meeting was cancelled to be at a deposition. I had no idea the length and what entailed what what was expected of me. And I knew it was going to take at least a full morning or into the afternoon. Being the fact that I was aware of that, I knew at that point that I was going to cancel that meeting. There was no way that Dr. Garave and myself can be in Trenton early in the morning and be able to make a deposition and deal with the legal matters that we were dealing with. I had no idea when the end time was going to be and I did not want to risk

010not being prepared for that particular meeting. So I had requested her to cancel the meeting and that was done way before we had a date of McMahon's visit on Friday, December 5th. So regardless of rumors and misinformation that was put out by media, the public, that the meeting was cancelled because I did not not want to face the public or did not want to hear the public is completely false. If anybody who knows me in this district, I am not shy to controversy and I do not back down. Anybody has a problem with decisions I make, I am here to answer you directly. I do not hide and I certainly would not have shut down the public's opinions of Mrs. McMahon's visit or Secretary McMahon's visit. Um, I'd like to pause there and ask Dr.

011Garay if you have anything to add to those particular timeline. Nothing. Okay. All right. So that's regarding that. Moving on to the visit itself. I had reached out back in and I I really can't quote it because I'm not sure the date, but I want to say it was roughly in October. Mr. Skez, I'm not sure when the time we put the resolution out about the Title N. It was around that time and we were recognized by um President Trump for putting out that resolution. I had reached out to Secretary McMahon via the government website and I had on the government website, if you all take the time to look at that, um there's a a part where you could actually request a visit from the secretary. I wanted the secretary to come visit this

012district because I wanted to share my concerns about funding and also highlight the great work of Col Township Schools. I'm very proud of our district. I'm very proud of our administration and the achievements of our students here. So, when I reached out, I made a phone call and I believe I submitted an email, but I I can't remember, but I definitely spoke to somebody and they said, "We'll take your information. Um, we'll pass it along." And I said, "Okay." And I I basically kind of chuckled. I'm like, "This will probably never happen." Um, but I said, "I'm willing to give it a try." You know, I I really was. And that was coming from the heart. I wanted to basically have her come. I wanted to ask her, grill her on some questions that concerned

013me. And um months went by and I didn't hear anything. On no November 20th um I was notified by a girl named Summer. um she is a personal assistant to Secretary McMahon and she had reached out and basically um asked me uh if I was willing to host the you know secretary and to this day I'm still in shock that they called. I I still can't believe we had the opportunity to do it. So this here happened um I spoke to her briefly about what it entailed um that she's supporting and promoting her history rocks tour and um I was thrilled. I'm very proud of our history teachers here and the civics's education we provide to our students. And I thought that it was a fantastic opportunity to highlight our school and our kids regardless

014of people's opinions of the secretary. Whether you hate her, she's not qualified, she's a a a Wrestlemania owner, I I I don't care. the the craziness that people don't like her. She still is a cabinet member. She is a dignitary and she should be treated with respect just like I'm required to treat government officials that I don't agree with. So anyway, where am I getting uh with this? So she we we spoke briefly and then I reached out to Dr. Garave and I said, "Dr. Garvey, I don't even know if this is really true or not." And I said, and she was like, "What?" And I told her, I said, "You know, I would really love for Secretary McMahon." She's like, "Secretary of education." And I remember you were like, I I think you thought

015it was someone in Trenton, Secretary of Trenton, something down there. And I said, "No, no, no. The cabinet member, you could chime in now. I don't want to I know you want to say something." >> Right. You don't get that phone call a lot from your board president uh in your lifetime. And it was one of the moments where I think at that moment it was not confirmed on the 20th of the morning. >> There was a tentative alert of of of it that could possibly happen with a follow-up confirmation to come and but and so there was a tentative date thrown out of December 5th at that 20th meeting, but nothing was confirmed. And so we kind of just sat there for minutes. Okay. And if you don't remember that timeline, the 20th because

016we pride ourselves on communication and doing everything I know that some of the the feedback that we received as the administration and the person who is the primary uh center of communication for the district, the represent representative who does that, you know, um we are always telling our parents assem about assemblies and informing them of things like that. Um we received the confirmation from the from the staff involved at the government level on the 22nd. That email came on Saturday. So the phone call of the tenative was on Thursday. The confirmation was on Saturday. We had a planning meeting on Tuesday, which was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving that notified us with all the requirements, the regulations, the communication structures, the secure potential security, all of the things that went into that visit were starting to

017become tangible the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Um, we went away for Thanksgiving and then we had five days to prepare. Um, >> yeah, I'd like to add to that. Um, when I initially told Dr. Garabay, I respectfully requested that you please do not notify the administration or anybody because like I said, I honestly never thought that a secretary, a cabinet member was going to be here. And I told her and she's like, "Well, Angelique, you know, we really need to at least notify the principal. I mean, this, you know, we have to let him know that this could actually happen." So I said, "All right, please keep it to, you know, Dr. Riby and Mr. Moretta, I believe, because he's, you know, in charge of the, you know, security and all that." Um, so we did.

018Um, and then, uh, basically on the 22nd, like she said, this was the first email, um, basically saying, "Thank you for getting the information over. Mrs. um, uh, Hinton asked me, can I have the superintendent's name, her contact, the chief um the building and grounds and I basically gave her all of that information the contacts all the important people that you know even though I'm the board president I really can't execute this event the district has to do it obviously for my recommendation or request so these are the two emails right here that were were um between me and Mrs. Hinton and then um basically uh like Dr. Dr. Gar said on the 25th is when we notified you you had notified Dr. Riby to be there on the zoom call. I was there for

019that. That was the actual first meeting that the administration, myself, the secretar's um staff were all introduced on a Zoom call on the 25th for the event happening on December 5th. So whether people believe it or not, I know there's a lot of people How does an event happen like this? That's how it happened. I have no reason to hide it. This wasn't months in advance. I didn't know about this. First of all, the way the government works, the federal government, this was my first opportunity dealing with the federal government. They fly by the seat of their pants when they want to make an appearance. They have strict protocols. We don't announce it to the state of New Jersey due to security uh measures. We have our children in these buildings. We have a dignitary

020coming. we have, you know, staff and um we just don't do that. So everything that was presented to me had to be approved by Secretary McMahon's chief of staff. So people were complaining that the information got out slow. Everything had to be thoroughly examined on what was being presented, what was, you know, uh the chain of events, where the the secretary was going to be, so on and so forth. So, we were working against time. We had the Thanksgiving break in between. It was absolutely crazy. But nonetheless, this district handled it with the utmost professionalism. And I got to commend you, Mr. Morasco, the administration, uh, the principles, Mr. Moretta, for handling this by the seat of our pants in such with such great grace. And you guys did a fantastic job. And I am

021so sorry the way the public treated all of you. It was absolutely disgusting that the the the septic tank of vitrial that was aimed at our principles and you as a superintendent. You have worked so hard to lead this district with the amount of um accolades that we have received. And it was disgusting. Absolutely disgusting how you and the principal was treated. And I I'll be honest even from the the people the parents in this district um without checking for the facts first. Everybody was so quick to jump to conclusions and I really really find it very very sad. Moving on, um we also had um this here was the email that I sent out to the board. Although I spoke to a few of you letting you know, hey guys, I'm not sure. I

022think Sarah, you were the first person. We were at the veterans event and we were walking out of primary and I said, hey, listen, Sarah, I got to tell you something crazy. I said, "I'm not even sure this is going to happen, but" And you were like, "I remember your reaction." She's like, "What?" And I I said, "Listen, I'm not sure. Don't mention this because I don't want to look like a fool. If I I'm I'm sure that's what you remember me saying." I said, "Please don't say this because I really don't want to be embarrassed." And then I don't know who else I spoke to. I made a couple of phone calls. Um, but that's exactly how it went down. But their official notice of all the board members was November 25th. This is

023the email. It was Oprah requested. This is my official letter to the board um that I'm pleased to share this uh this um announcement. If anybody wants to look at any of this paperwork, it'll be readily available for anybody here tonight. Um so that was the initial uh announcement to the board members. So just like uh the administration, it was very short notice. Okay. So that's that. Moving on to December 2nd. Once we got everything approved and we were well on our way, Dr. Garave put out the announcement letter to the district. It went out on December second. I'm sorry, parents of Cedar Drive. I apologize and it's actually right there. It's directed to the families. It was went out on December 2nd. This year the event was on the 5th. Um, when we announced

024an assembly, this was the same structure we've announced with all of the assemblies. It's always been the same amount of time. There was no reason that, first of all, we weren't allowed to announce it any earlier than this date due to security restrictions. It's just common sense. Why would we put our district in harm's way just to please people um you know that they knew what, one more day, two more days? It it doesn't make sense. the the the backlash about this particular um timeline. So December 2nd, this was put out. I made sure that everything was transparent. The Turning Point USA put this whole area into a frenzy. The reason why that was put in there is McMahon's History Rock Civic Tour is sponsored by 40 organizations. Now, if I didn't put that in

025there, okay, if I didn't put that in there, we would have been labeled as misguiding the public, okay? We wanted to make sure that everything was there and we you could find this easily on the internet. So, I'm not here to hide anything. Um, not at all. There was no reason to hide anything. Turning Point, like I said, I made a video for the community. Turning Point was absolutely never involved with coming here. They weren't scheduled to talk to our kids. There was no point of Turning Point being in our district at all. So, I just want to make that clear. This wasn't a Charlie Kirk vigil. This wasn't a religious function at all. For God's sake, I don't even go to church. I I don't Everybody thinks I'm a religious freak. I don't even

026belong to a parish. I couldn't care less about Turning Point. This was an absolute honor to have a dignitary visit our school so we could highlight our kids. All right, so that was the letter if anybody wants to read that that the superintendent put out. It was all over um media outlets and news programs. So that was the first thing that this basically blew up into something that it should have never been. Um this here uh where is the other letter? The next letter. Oops. I may have misplaced it. If you have it, the next letter, um, we did get parents to say, "I don't know what's going on. I want you to be more clearer. I want know what the, um, the agenda of the day is. What are the kids going to learn?"

027I don't know how I misplaced that, but I'm sure you have it. Okay, here is the second letter. This did go out late, and I do apologize. The reason why this went out late is because I was having a lot of issues with the um secretary's chief of staff. I was basically arguing that I did not want any political figures in our school building. None whatsoever. I don't care what side of the aisle they were on. That was my promise that this was nonpolitical. So, she unbeknownst to me told me that Mrs. Hanlin from the GOP in Mammoth County somehow snuck her way into this event and I absolutely had a complete meltdown and I said there's no way Mrs. Hanlin is attending this event. It is a school function. This is not a political

028function and it's not a way to get your your mug on with the secretary with your upcoming election. Okay? So I purposely made sure that she was barred from the event. Okay. So while all this was going on, Dr. Garave was basically freaking out saying, "Angelique, we need this approved by the Secretary Chief of Staff." Once again, her name was Chase. Chase basically told me nothing is to be sent out to the district without our approval. And I don't blame her. how do we know what we're we're selling? You know, they're the ones doing this program. We wanted to make sure everything was being done appropriately. So, that went out. By the time we figured out um that Mrs. Hanlin was going to be basically um xed off of the guest list, this went out,

029I believe, at 8:30 at night. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. 7 o'clock. So, this everybody could blame on me why this went out so late. It's because the chief of staff was dealing with me um barring Mrs. Hanland from trying to politicize our event. Okay. So, that's where that's what happened with that. Um all right, where we are in the chain here. Now, moving on. Dr. Garave put out to the board uh a chain of events for the day, what to expect. um this year basically was just a draft of you know what to expect um you know like to the board members like she's going to arrive at certain s such and such a time she's going to do a little welcome. She's going to visit some classes. So it was basically just a

030timeline to warn the board exactly what was going to go on that night. So that was this particular email. Um all right now we're going to get to the the good stuff. All right. So, anybody wants to see these emails uh to and from Dr. Garay to the board. Now, this here. All right. This is here is another agenda. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Did you want to ask? >> Oh, okay. I wanted to go over some of the questions. Did you want to do that? >> Nope. >> Okay. I feel bad. I feel like I'm over >> speaking. Yeah. If anybody wants to join us, we have like about 10 seats available. Please don't be shy. >> Just come on in. >> Please come on up. >> Yeah, come on up. >> There's also

031three on the side over here. >> All right, so I'm going to um continue move forward. So this here um is basically um you know once again the timeline of her and this here is what is the most important that I want to convey to the public and and it's just such a shame that the the lies that were spewed about this that kids actually missed an absolute fantastic time a great learning experience because political hatred and misinformation information got in everybody's way without stopping to think that this wasn't a one-sided thing brought into our school. I want to show you the innocence of this actual program. These questions here, I mean, I know there's 24. I I won't go over all of it because I know it's the holidays and people do want to

032get the facts and and get out of here. But this here is the questions that were were um exposed that were were said to our kids. And just to reiterate, the only speakers that addressed our kids were myself as board president and the only thing I did was to introduce Secretary McMahon to the children. Dr. Garbay was the other speaker to do the closing remarks and our fantastic principles uh Dr. Riby and Mr. Mercer were very kind and they did an absolute fantastic job playing with these kids. I want to make another comment that's extremely important prior to this being um yeah represented to the school and and the kids. Dr. Arab and Dr. Riby spent countless hours the night before. They were here till I want to say 11 p.m. maybe give or take

03311 p.m. They were working overtime to make this happen for our kids. And both of them meticulously went over the curriculum and the games that were being presented to our kids. These folks worked so hard to make sure everything presented was aligned with our curriculum and were factual representation of American history. There was no whitewashing of history. There was no false facts. I I don't know what else was being spewed out there, but I'm going to read you the questions and I'm going to tell you how this assembly went. And it was about what 25 minutes. The only thing other than the, you know, we had a fantastic um uh band presentation, our choir band, the ROC. By the way, I want to thank the ROC uh color guard for doing a fantastic job um

034along with our CDMS choir and band. They just did such a patriotic assembly and I was so proud. I I wish everybody um could have seen the fantastic job these kids did. Anyway, um there was rumors that propaganda was giving out to the kids. Here's another thing I'm going to debunk. The only thing given to our children was this here. I'm sure you've all seen it on the news programs. This was a flag and this was the way that the kids communicated their answers. I'm going to um I'm actually going to go over them now. So they were asked to answer the questions whether it was related to American history or New Jersey history and the board members sitting in the front row we all we all like basically joined in. All right. So these

035are the questions that I want to go over. How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? And there was four answers. 13 56 28 36. So basically Dr. Riby and Mr. Mercer basically said does this >> yeah these are the I'm sorry these are the team games and basically the two teams stood in front of the whole audience and they basically answered these questions. The second question was according to a popular story which person from Pennsylvania sewed the first stars and stripes of the US flag in 1776. The choices were Abigail Adams, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher, Dolly Madison. Question number three, who was the oldest singer of I'm sorry, signer of the Declaration of Independence? George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, and John Hancock. Question four, how old was Benjamin Franklin when he signed the

036Declaration of Pen Independence? 58, 65, 70, 73. Question number five. New Jersey has the world's largest boardwalk. By the way, I failed this. Um, is it in which city? Ocean City, Asbury Park, Point Pleasant, Atlantic City. >> What's that? >> Yeah. Anybody know? I mean, you could certainly chime in. Um, it's Atlantic City. I I I think I said Point Pleasant. I was so embarrassed. Anyway, um, okay. Question six. How many stars were on the first official US flag? 13 18 2550? Question seven, who is known to be the father of the United States, Franklin Washington Adams or John Adams? Question eight, which of the following was a violation of the fundamental rights that served as a battlecry for the American colonist? Taxation without representation, limited taxation, no taxation, unlimited taxation. Question nine. Which of

037the following was the motto of the American the first American flag? E pluribus unum. Don't tread on me. We the people. United we stand. Question 10. Who was the first patriot killed in the revolutionary war? Sam Adams Christmas addicts Paul Rivere. Thomas Payne. Two more. Question 11. What type of government did the founders establish? A democracy? A constitutional republic, a monarchy, or a theocracy? Question 12. This was the last question. Which patriot uttered the famous words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country?" Nathan Hail, Alexander Alexander Hamilton, sorry, George Washington, and John Adams. So, these were the questions on game two that our kids were exposed to. Pure history, no hidden agenda, simple age appropriate history that we currently do in our CDM. Yes, thank you. We currently

038teach in CDMS. All right. So, that's the first one. This is available who anybody wants uh to see that at the end. Um this here, I don't want to like bore you and go over this whole other game, but this was the other game here. Basically, question one I I went over. Yeah, this was the whole group game where I said they they mentioned about uh putting the flags. Um on what day was the de declaration of independence approved? Um true or false? The Declaration of Independence was signed by leaders from all 50 states. True or false? Uh the streets in the board game are based on Atlantic City. True or false? Who primar primarily wrote the Declaration of Independence? Uh number six. Absolutely. Yeah. Dr. Gab is gonna um she has some comment to

039say about number six. >> So it's the role of the administration and the teachers to preview all material that gets presented to any student which we did our due diligence to do that. Excuse [clears throat] me. So when we we were provided with the questions in advance, the question that was submitted to us um this the question that was submitted to us via the the program was according to the Declaration of Independence, the God-given rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of and it was fun or happiness. Uh the administration, myself specifically with Dr. Rigby, we reached back out to the company, we had a conversation and said, "If you're going to quote that, please quote it accurately. the wording is creator and have the exact quote language in that was our request not to

040but to have the direct quote from the direct relationship of independence as it is written rather than changing it they they removed the question so that question wasn't presented it in that form or at all to the students of that day so that was just something I wanted to point out for transparency purposes when as they're reading that as >> all right great um okay so you get the gist of this this will be made available unfortunately I don't have a lot of copies but you're all welcome this is all operable. You're all welcome to look at that this here. Now, moving on to the um the roundt questions. Uh just to let you know, the secretary had requested that only four board members um basically attend the round table. I knowing that all nine

041board members would absolutely been thrilled to meet the secretary, I advocated for Uh yes, I saw that I advocated for their presence at the round table. I think they deserve it. These nine members work tirelessly to protect our district. Use your tax dollar wisely, elevate our performance scores, and they do it all on their own time, and they do not get paid. This was the least that I could do is have them attend to be able to speak their concerns or just listen. Some board members didn't even say anything at the round table. They were just observers. So I I feel very betrayed that the community would think that we were holding some type of meeting without their knowledge. This wasn't a board meeting. It was a round table and our administrators were asked to

042speak along with um you know we incorporated our our children. I'll I'll touch on that in a minute. Um and of course Dr. Garbe principles u Mr. Morasco even had the opportunity to ask a question that concerned him. Um yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Hold on one second. I just want to before you go into that um just to clarify um the issue with the children, Dr. Wigby had reached out to several kids. I have no idea who he chose. The morning of the event, Dr. Garbe called me at the crack ass of dawn telling me that Angelique, I am sorry, we did not get a reply yet from these children's parents, so we cannot just throw them in the room with the secretary. Of course not. We would not do that. So, I took it upon

043myself. I did not want the secretary to feel bad because she did request to have children come speak about their experience at Cedar Drive. And I didn't want her to miss that opportunity. I I did not. So, I chose my own daughter. I chose Mr. Scales's daughter and I chose Mrs. Camera's son. when you have to make split decisions like that regarding issues uh that are timely, you have to act. And I did. I wasn't going to ruin the event. Uh although my daughter was very upset that she was not she was not um let on early enough to be prepared for what she was going into. But I, you know, I definitely think um you know, all around it worked out and I was pleased to have our kids sit with Secretary McMahon. there

044was no favoritism um or anything like that, but if parents didn't respond in a timely manner, there was nothing I could do about that. So, um I'm going to pass this to Dr. Garvey so she can um speak to the public meetings act. >> Sure. And now, one of the things that we had heard and received feedback on in the communications that we received was regard to the notice, the public notice that was made. um that is an accurate statement and when we conferred with our board uh attorney the fact that a quorum of the board would be present now I'm saying that and I don't know how many people would understand that so please allow me to explain when you have a majority of the board present and they are discussing board business it's

045not necessarily for to be in an assembly or whatever the case may be but matters that pertain to the business of the board it is considered a quorum you have a majority of the board present and technically legally it has to be advertised because they can conduct business if they wanted to. However, the purpose of the meeting has to be stated and also noted if action would be taken. In the public notice, we were so therefore we were advised and I believe it was on December 2nd public notice was made that a quorum of the board would be present to participate in a roundt panel discussion with the with the secretary and that no action would be taken. um that triggered and and rightfully so uh response that would indicate that the public had access

046uh to the meeting that day. That was not true. That was also was an administrative decision. We understood and I take full responsibility for that because I'm not having a public meeting and public access to when schools are present and school children and staff members are present. So that was my responsibility. I take full responsibility for that and any ramifications that come as a result of that. Um it was uh transparency that the majority of the board would be present for this particular event. No action was going to be taken but the public was not going to be permitted access. And I apologize to those who showed up who wanted to uh attend based on the notice of public notice to of of the agenda and of a quorum of the board. But that was

047my administrative decision. I'd be happy to discuss that um and my further rationale for that purpose at any time. Thank you. >> All right. Um moving on to the round table questions. This is where the uh board um was, like I said, was in McMahon's um company. And I'm going to read you the questions that were directed to the students. Uh what is the Oh, by the way, um I appointed Dr. Garab uh to basically be the moderator so people would not be just calling out and we would, you know, get the most use out of our time. So the question was, what is one learning experience you have from Cedar Drive school that has inspired or challenged you and what made this experience so meaningful? I'm not going to get into all the answers,

048but uh the children uh Mr. Scales's daughter brought up our fantastic Stokes trip. Um, and she was so elated to explain what that trip entailed, how much she learned, how much she, um, you know, uh, basically grew with her friends, um, and so on and so forth. So, that was a fantastic opportunity for our students to shine and share their daily experiences, uh, and happy moments within our district. I was so proud, actually. Um to the administrators uh in what ways do you feel that the Colnik Township schools have expanded opportunities for students academically, socially, or through enrichment? Can you identify evidence of success from these opportunities? To board members, how do you see your role in supporting a positive learning culture and what initiatives have you been most proud of to see come to

049life in our district? Uh once again back to students as you reflect think about your time as a student. Is there a specific person persons or activity class that feel you helped class that you felt helped you discover your strengths or shape your future and goals? This was to all participants. What do you see as one of the most significant challenges facing education in New Jersey today and how is your school or district working to address it? Um, there's a few more. Like I said, I'm going to leave it here. I don't want to take up too much time, but these were just fantastic questions that we had the opportunity to share and ask um the Secretary of Education. I mean, there was nothing malicious at all about this. There was no secret doings or

050anything. It was just a fantastic way to just have a conversation. Really, it really was. And I'm I'm just so saddened by the three- ring circus this turned out to be because of the media and certain um uh members of the public. So once again, I'm going to leave this up here uh for anybody to view. Um there's another one. Um I also want to, you know, make some comments. I specifically refused any media or news uh interviews. I knew from just the coverage from the previous day how slanted the news media was on this event. Posting Charlie Kirk's face all over this event was just shameful when he had absolutely nothing to do with it. Nothing. The guy is dead. He's dead. He had nothing to do with it. And shame on the media

051for bringing his name into this. The organization supports, sponsors it, whatever. but he had nothing to do with these questions and the round table. Nothing at all. So, I just want to let the public know I specifically refused it because I don't need the media to validate me. I don't need the media to validate this board and I don't need the media to validate Secretary McMahon's visit. I just don't. And as far as I'm concerned, the media that covered this story, 90% of them should be ashamed of themselves, how they report. They should be ashamed of their journalism. It is just so disgusting how people slant this to get reviews, views, um, likes. I I don't care what you say. And then we have two people in our district going on television to try to

052cause unnecessary chaos and to basically overshadow this event. That was actually such an embarrassment and they should be ashamed of themselves. Uh moving on. Um I just want to make my final comments so we can move on. Um I just want to let you know this board stands completely united. I will never apologize for inviting Secretary McMahon to this district to highlight our children and to boast about the fantastic district we have in Colts neck. I will never apologize. Neither will this board. And we will remain steadfast, united, and committed to giving our kids every educational opportunity that's available to them. whether the public, the media, or people that are just out to smear us like it or not. So, I'm going to end my comments there. Um, I'd like to ask the board members

053at this time to be brief. If they want to add anything to my um my statements or the chain of events or correct me if maybe I misrepresented you in any way, please feel free to let me know and I'll I'll uh acknowledge you. Anybody on this end? Anybody? >> I'm sorry. Um, recognizing Mr. Walsh. >> This event, I know there were a lot of um nervous people out there for our kids. We have a great fantastic police department. We're in coordination. I'm the uh chair of building and grounds. I'm a retired sergeant in Col Township. We work very closely with our police department each and every day with our kids and our administration. They uh provided superlative fantastic police coverage and ensure nothing would happen to our kids along with the prosecutor's office and

054homeland security. So the security was, you know, unbelievable. And as far as uh Secretary McMahon's um visit, I would have her back tomorrow. >> I just want to um add to those comments about the police. I feel so bad. I did not thank Chief uh Devito, Lieutenant Casell uh for their um exceptional duty to our children. Um I'd like to thank the Secret Service uh Secretary McMahon's detail um uh any law enforcement agencies that were called to expedite um this event with the utmost uh safety for our district, our students, our staff, and um Secretary McMahon. Um, I got here at 6:00 am the morning of the event and um, the dogs were out, the drones were out. The amount of security in this place was just um, exceptional. And uh, for my daughter to

055be in this building along with 300 or 200 80 kids, whoever attended, um, I had absolute faith in their uh, security. And I do believe that people are not out there to harm children. They're they're really not. They're just innocent kids. And uh I I just wanted to thank the all the police organizations involved. Um anybody else? Uh Mrs. Ramirez, >> thank you. I just want to say thank you to you, Angelique, for helping to coordinate all of this and um I know it was a lot of work and a lot of phone calls and a lot of late hours. So >> it was it definitely >> Thank you for that. It was truly an honor for our district to have, like you said, you know, a sitting cabinet member here. I think regardless of

056what side of the aisle you're on, it would have been an honor, you know, several years ago to have someone from Biden's administration here as well. And I I can honestly say that I think it's not no secret where I stand politically. Um, Google that. And uh, it still would have been an honor. It's a sitting cabinet member. And um, just like we respect uh, those positions, we would respect either administration's uh, position. And I also just want to say thank you to the administration because I know that was also challenging for our administration to coordinate a lot of things as you mentioned Angelique, lots of moving parts uh last minute. So just thank you so much for everyone um your cooperation and having that all go off without a hitch really. So thank you.

057>> One [clears throat] comment for me if you don't mind. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Um you mentioned obviously we saw all the emails and stuff that you sent to us for. Thanks for taking the time to compile all that because there's a lot of emails. Um, and I'll be I'll be very direct when I say this, but anyone that wrote in and used profanity and actually I think it was the C-word, someone called you, Dr. GB, I believe someone left a message on the phone. Would I expect now that you know all the details of what exactly happened? You are to apologize. The same people that wrote in that email with that disgusting what did you call would you call it? Gutter trash. I think it was. >> Yeah. Gutter trash. >> Gutter trash. Yeah.

058Every one of those people that took the time and the effort to call administrators, board members, like actual disgusting profanity. I want you to write an email directly to the same principles that taught you that you wrote into them. the same superintendent that was your superintendent when you were here. If you have the gall to write an email like that to a professional and now that you know the details of this, I hope you feel bad about it. All right? I want you to call in and I want you to say the same message, reply all, apologize, and if you don't, your credibility is gone from this district completely. And we don't want you to ride in ever again. You have the first amendment right to say whatever it is that you would like. You

059have the right to be here as well, but what you don't have the right is to personally attack somebody for the hard work and what they do. So again, I expect an apology and take it for what it's worth. My credibility, I don't care what you want. If you don't apology, don't have an apology, you will have zero credibility in my mind and zero credibility to this district and the fantastic administrators that sit here every day and spend the waking hour of their time to make sure that the board is safe, every child is safe, and every bit of content that comes through these doors are age appropriate and safe for our children. So, that's all I have to say on that. And thank you, Dr. GB for everything that you've done and I appreciate

060you handling everything with elegant and grace for all of this. Thank you very much for everything that you've done for this district and that you will continue to do for this district. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much, >> Miss Pulpy. If I can uh add to that, [applause] >> that absolutely deserves a round of applause. So well said, Mr. Scales. Uh, Miss Fulpy, you're absolutely correct. Uh, we do not need the media to validate uh ourselves. And I I want to call out two points. So, I'm glad you're all here. So, first and foremost, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to transparency and professionalism. If you're not used to it, get used to it in Colts neck. You're not going to have this in other jurisdictions. Number two, in an article dated December 5th, we hear

061since the majority has taken office in Colts neck, the board of education has only focused on politics. Their entire tenure on this board has been focused on politics. Now they are hosting a political event, get ready for this, on school grounds by having numerous political organizations such as the American First Policy Institute and Turning Point USA host it and forcing all students to participate. You're wrong. We have seen the Colts Board of Education do nothing productive. Mr. Gopal, if you're listening, and if you're not listening, I'll be sending this to your office. Mr. uh Mr. Gopal says, "We have seen the Colts Board of Education do nothing productive as it relates to the actual education of their children. What have they done on mental health, special education, improving grades and scores on math and science?"

062The answer is nothing. Mr. Mr. Gopel goes on to say they are the most partisan group of elected officials I have ever seen. They are fil full of hypocrisy. Mr. Gopel, I am not a hypocrite. Mr. Gopel, look at the facts. These facts are undisputed. So if we have legions of this to to send to your office, we are doing great work for our student body, our administration, and our staff here, and we are proud of it. And if you're not comfortable with this, get ready for some more. In addition to some uh former board members who have been who are out there saying some pretty nasty things about this board, they are all aligned with an extremed ideology and an extremed agenda. You are false. I am not aligned. You can say yes all

063you want. I am not aligned with an a extreme ideology and extreme agenda. I speak on behalf of my board members as well. So welcome to professionalism and and transparency. Thank you, Miss Fin. >> Great. Uh, thank you. [applause] I I want to um I want to also I'm not going to mention um this gentleman's name. I believe it's the same gentleman that Mr. Scales is referring to. Um I got a nasty email and I believe Mrs. Cameron got one, too. So, I'm I'm very sorry you you were subjected to that. But this person had the nerve to call out retired Sergeant Kevin Walsh, who gave 27 years of his life protecting and defending this district. He was a DARE officer for years. He was an SRO officer for years. and he had the audacity

064to call my husband an evil person and wishing death upon him. He should be ashamed of himself. Ashamed of himself as a resin of Colts neck to to tarnish his family's name like that. It's absolutely disgusting what he said about my husband Kevin Walsh. The amount of life he's given to this district. I'm absolutely appalled and disgusted by that email. And he should be ashamed of himself. I can't reiterate it enough. Okay. Um, moving on. If there's no other final comments regarding the secretary's visit, uh, any further comments? I'm sorry. Oh, I'm so I'm so sorry. We're going to recognize Mr. Rn. I am so sorry, Mr. Rignatic. >> That's okay. Uh I just wanted to thank you uh President uh Vulpi for all the hard work you've done uh putting it all together in

065such a short notice. Um and thank you uh Dr. Garvey for everything you've did and all the administration putting it together. It was a great event, nonpartisan event, and I was uh very um honored to be a part of it. So thank you so much. And um I just want to say something to uh Senator Gopel. Uh when I ran, you came to my door. Uh, I didn't know you came to my door. I saw it on the uh um on the Ring doorbell uh later. Um, but I want to say to you, you're the reason why you're one of the reasons why I ran for this board. And for you to go ahead and write such a thing without knowing all the facts. Um, shame on that. Shame on that. I would never do

066that to you and no, no one on this board would ever do that to you. And I want to um say congratulations to um to to uh Vice President uh Phyllis Cameron for the response you did and everyone else who helped worked on that response. You did a great job. Uh so thank you. >> Um great. Uh I just want to um respond to your comments, Mr. Ignata. Um first of all, I am surprised at Mr. Gopal's comments that he would call out a district that he represents. And it's funny how he had a lot to say about our performance here in Col. Meanwhile, when I and Mrs. camera attended a virtual meeting I'd say maybe six months ago I don't remember the date I had asked him a question several questions and he had

067this many answers for me this many I had asked him about the affordable housing that's being forced down our throats and how our children are going to suffer because our small district is going to be overcrowded and his answer to me was you could come meet me or we could discuss it at my office. There was about 40 people on this call with the New Jersey School Boards Association. I believe that was it. Correct. And the fact that he shamefully cowarded away from that question tells me everything I need to know about him. He is a weasel. Okay. And I'd like to just call him out for this shameful comment when this district has done so much for our kids. So that I'll leave my comment at that. Okay. Um All right. If we have

068no more uh questions or comments regarding Mrs. McMahon's visit uh from the board uh anything I'm sorry I don't want to cut you off. Is there anything left for you? Okay. Um All right. We are going to move to our board liaison reports at this time. Um I am going to start with Mrs. Horowitz uh representing the parent advisory committee. >> Um uh go ahead, Mrs. Haritz, if you're ready. >> Thank you. Um our next parent advisory committee meeting will be Monday, January 26, uh 20 uh 6th from 10:00 a.m. 1 at 10 a.m. and one at 7 p.m. And we will provide a topic ahead of that meeting. Should I just go into PTO? >> Yeah, please go right ahead. Y >> uh a couple dates. Uh there's a few days left to order

069bang cookies until December 22nd. The orders um to order you can go to the link that's on the PTO website or in their weekly emails. Uh December 23rd is the 8th grade uh breakfast from 9 to 11 in the middle school cafeteria. January 22nd is a kindergarten winter wonderland from 6:45 to 7:45. Uh January 29th is the prek dino party story time from 5 to 6 at the primary school foyer. And lastly, March 19th is the 42nd annual spring gala. Uh the theme this year is PJs and Procco. That's it. >> All right. Excellent. Thank you for those reports. U moving right into the Colts Township school newsletter, Mrs. Cameron. >> Okay. The current newsletter was emailed today, Wednesday, December 16th, to all families who have children that attend our schools. There are hard copies

070in front of me that are available. Um, also you can go on to the Colts Neck Township Schools website, you click on board of education, you click on newsletters, and anyone is um able to read them. So, what is new is the board has been exploring additional ways to reach seniors, um, families with children in private schools, other community members who wish to stay informed but are not part of our school system. So, Brian, our head of communications and I, we asked the administration to create a unique QR code that links directly to the board of education newsletter um, to sign up for them. So, the goal is to reach residents again who are not currently connected. Um, so in response, Mr. Capaso created a QR code which will direct users to the to the

071digital board of education newsletter. Um so if you are a resident and interested it's it is open to anyone but it you know we are trying for our residents. Um please go on to our website. The the scan the code will be now will be on the board of education newsletter page. It will be happening within the next 24 hopefully to 48 hours. Um which will again allow administration to share the newsletter. The QR code will also be shared through all school social media pages and any other community outlets. Again, making it easier for cons constituents to access. So, that's everything with the newsletter and again um please feel free to read what is going on in Col schools. Great. Uh thank you, Mrs. Cameron. I know that um is quite a job that you

072uh have undertaken with that uh the amount of time you give. I always say it during our meetings. We certainly appreciate it. This um newsletter takes hours and hours of time organizing all this the events that happen um in each quarter and she does a fantastic job highlighting all of our kids that that um you know do such a fantastic job along with uh the administration. It's quite lengthy uh it's quite lengthy uh yeah this is a a quite lengthy newsletter. So please Yeah. So, please feel free. Like I said, we only have a certain amount of copies. Um we we'd like the residents to get one first, but if anybody would like that does not live in town, um I'm sure there'll be a few available. All right, moving on. We are going to

073recognize Mr. Regetta for the Col Township uh arts, sports, and extracurricular activities. >> Thank you. Um nothing to report on the sports end at this uh at this time. I'm sure there'll be a lot more uh the year rolls around. Um, I just want to announce uh and congratulate last week there was the um Cedar Drive Middle School uh Christmas concert where the uh Cedar Drive Middle School choir and uh concert band and jazz band participated. Uh I wasn't able to make it unfortunately due to family obligation, but I was I did see videos uh and pictures on on our social media and they sounded great, looked great and uh just very proud of them. They did a great job. Um, and I want to commend um all the all the the band teachers and

074and the choir teacher for um putting on such a great uh great performance. You're doing a great job. The kids are doing a great job and I look forward to more. Thank you. >> Uh great. Thank you, Mr. Moving on. Cold Township uh committee, Mr. Scarpa and Mrs. Camera. >> I will go. Um, first Vinnie, I was actually able to attend the winter concert and it was really I've been to quite a few of them and it was phenomenal. So, um, I echo your thoughts. Okay, moving on to the township committee report. Uh, the meeting began by Mayor Bus issuing a proclamation recognizing National Drunk and Drug Driving Prevention Month on behalf of the Colts Neck Prevention Alliance, which is chaired by Anita Dalis. So, we thank the alliance for its continued commitment to keeping

075our community safe and informed. Um the committee reported that recreation organized a festive and successful weekend highlighted by the annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 6th. Santa Claus arrived in memorable fashion on a Harley and residents enjoyed the lighting of the town's growing holiday trades. Kind of small right now. Um in partnership with the historical society, >> that's why I said growing. Um the recreation comm um recreation also hosted country Christmas at Montro Schoolhouse which included the dedication of a commemorative plaque honoring Lily and Bur and a new very popular wreath making event. Um our senior program continues to thrive. We now have 292 members and the annual lunchon will take place on December 18th at the Molly Pitcher in. So warm wishes to our seniors. Um the Colts Neck Sports Foundation elected officers.

076Um participation in township sports programs remains in the high hundreds. So again, it's wonderful that we have so much youth engagement and the Colts neck PBA made a generous donation to support the sports foundation. Um the police department updated safety statistics showing that Colts Neck continues to be recognized as one of the safest communities in New Jersey. The town hired a new police officer and I want to highlight the department's child seat safety program for new and growing families. Um, as a reminder, both the first aid squad and fire department need volunteers. The first aid squad has a cadet program which offers our children um, high school age children meaningful community service opportunities. Breakfast with Santa was sponsored by the fire department which was once again a great success. So again, thanks to the dedication

077of its members and volunteers, the Colts Business Association partnered with the Colts Neck High School's art students in a holiday window painting initiative throughout town. Winning students received monetary awards and the project added, of course, festive spirit to our business district. The friends of the library reported a highly successful book sale held on November 15th and 16th with the next sale not scheduled until May 2nd and 3rd. Um Rob will report on the affordable housing which took up quite a large segment of the meeting and as always I suggest all residents listen. There were a lot of great questions. Um from a fiscal standpoint, the town committee committed to holding the municipal tax rate flat. Um, and this was something I never heard of before. Councilman Biola recognized the work of the Seer Fi Santa

078organization whose mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of military members. So, I want to echo again Councilman Biola's congratulations to the organization. Following a recent fundraising dinner, they raised $20,000 providing gift cards to families at Naval Weapon Station Earl and Joint Base Maguire Dicks Lakest. So, I thought that was just phenomenal. Um, so lastly, the board wants to thank all volunteers who give their time and energy to support our community. And in particular, I offer my appreciation to Sue Fitzpatrick, who served on the township committee for six years, beginning in 2020, and has been a Coltsneck resident for nearly 40 years. Sue has made a lasting impact of her leadership on especially on farmland and open space, which helped um preserve over 350 acres. um her service as chair of the Colts Neck

079Business Association, her dedication to decorating town hall for patriotic holidays on her own time. Um it's actually also been an honor to work along Sue. Um I'm working with her on the America's 250th anniversary. So she is leaving the um committee and I wish her all the best. Um the next township committee meeting will be held on Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 4:30 um at town hall. Okay. And that concludes >> my section of the committee. >> Great. Thank you very much. Um, thank you. All right. We are going to move into the Cold Township Planning Board. Uh, Mr. Scales and Mr. Walsh, if you have any comments there. >> Oh, I'm I'm so sorry. I am so sorry. >> Okay, we have to reverse. I skipped over 250 250th committee liaison report. Mrs. Camera,

080I'm so sorry. >> Again, sorry everyone. Sorry. Okay. Um, so the last meeting was December 4th. I'm going to be very brief with this one because most of the events don't take place till um, 2026. So the kickoff event though for residents will be Sunday, February 22nd. It's a happy birthday to George Washington. >> Um, I'm going to move on to the barn tour because that directly affects the school. It's sponsored by the CNBA and right now um, Dr. Garbe is working with uh, Connie Deio because they would like to use approximately five buses. We're not sure and they'll be handling all the logistics, but what um the I thought would be a great idea and to get our students involved in the art clubs is maybe those four or five buses and we can

081decorate the windows, make it very patriotic for the barn for so I would love if we can add that. Um the other events are much further in the year, so I'm going to skip. There is a social media page. So on um Facebook and Instagram, it's the Colts New Jersey 250th page. Please like it. Um it's both on Facebook and Instagram. There are county contests happening. So again, again, that's on the county 250th websites. Um the township would like us to make a school calendar. So I'll be working with Dr. Reynolds come the new year would each grade would be contributing to a month and the committee I believe at the fourth of July event or would be voting on which um if each grade would make it into the calendar and they're working on

082the details whether the PTO would sell the calendars whether help with recreation. So um and then at the next c meeting I would like to talk about one of my proposals for what the board of education could have our students do. So I'll wait on that. for the meeting and um we meet again in January. So January 8th is our next meeting for the um America 250th >> and that >> I'm done. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to skip over that. >> Okay. Thank you for that report. Um going back to Mr. Scales and Mr. Walsh, the Colton Township Planning Board update. >> Yes, Mrs. uh Cameron had mentioned as well, there's a there's a planning board meeting. Um, there continues to be, like you said, a lot of information shared. It's funny because

083the, you know, the only muster of of sort of chaos, if you will, and and anger happens when there's a a text message sent to the community about a new development being being built and things like that. But what we can appreciate is that the the residents do um they care about Colts. There's a lot of farmland here. Um, we've got a target on our back and there's a lot of land that can be developed. So, developers have sunk their teeth into Colts neck and we are now [clears throat] I think there are there one lawsuit is gone. There's three lawsuits remaining. Um, I update and report on the district one pager for transparency as you mentioned as well to always show sort of what the school and the district is up against as far

084as possible enrollments are concerned. um one of the settlements uh that they are trying to reduce in order to get both of these developments built. They're trying to reduce um the wellspring from 700 units down to 250 which again would substantially reduce the amount of children that would come um into the district. So the subcommittee which you see on here um we haven't met um until there's a new alignment in town with the new committee members um being put on the board. But as far as, you know, staying steadfast with the amount of resources that we have, um, you know, as a a school board, we're ahead of this. Um, we're on the verge of declaring a capacity emergency because, as you'll see on the one pager, um, on our website, you can click on

085the affordable housing. There's a substantial amount of students that would potentially come into the district and would require us to build an entire new school, which you can't do overnight. Um so that still remains to be uh seen but as I commit to every meeting um I will update that form. So if anyone wants to keep the breast to the affordable housing situations um we have the number of units that are owed by the town and we apply a multiplier to the potential the amount of students that we should take in um as a district as a result. So if there's any questions you can always reach me and I'll give you as much information um as possible. So that concludes from my end. I would just say the biggest uh tax impact on our

086district, our township are the school taxes. I think our subcommittee should be permanently appointed both myself and scales by the township committee. It's a formal request by myself to the township committee that our representative school board be engaged and appointed to the planning board to really contribute our our opinions on how do we think our township should be developed responsibly and reduce the impact of uh housing units if we uh can do it responsibly. I think we need to be full-time appointed to represent this school board. Um, Mr. Walsh, do you want me to uh reach out on your behalf as president to request that um permanent appointment for you, Mr. Scales, or do you want to do it on your own? >> Uh, I think the board president should do it, but >> it's

087up to you. I'll do whatever you think is appropriate. I don't I don't care. >> It should come from the president, but the tangent committee, I'm sure you're listening and watching. So, there you go. >> Okay. I will um I will uh uh send out an email um immediately requesting um that appointment stays for the both of you. >> And again, I just want to just reiterate, I reiterate, just really say from my heart as a school board member, no matter what units we have to build, no matter who moves into our town, um we're not going to hold it against the kids. Our job is to make sure they get the best education possible regardless. >> Thank you, uh Mr. Walsh. [applause] Um okay, we're going to actually go right back to you for

088the seniors. Um, you could report out on that. >> Oh, um, peace and joy, seniors. I'm a senior myself. So, a lot of seniors don't have their husbands or wives around. They're by themselves. Seniors have a telephone chain. They call them, wish them, how you doing? Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah. That means a lot. So, peace and joy to my fellow senior citizens and best of holidays and health. Thank you. That was very kind reminder to, you know, check up on our our neighbors. Thank you, Mr. Walsh. Um, okay. Moving right into Naval Weapons Station Earl. U, Mrs. Ramirez and Mr. Scarpa. >> Sure. I'll be brief. The board administration team are proud and honored to educate and support our military. I think it's very well worded here, Miss Chimera. Thank you. And connect and, uh,

089our military's connected students and their families. This recognition reflects in our outgoing our ongoing commitment to ensuring that all feel very welcomed, understood, and supported throughout their educational journey. We received the purple heart a purple star award for all three schools for 2025 through 2028. This is no joke. This is special. This is what it's all about. It's a special recognition for this town. Most welld deserved to these schools. Uh we will continue to support Naval Weapons Station Earl and all their great work and their students and their student body. So just wanted to call that out. Take a look at the newsletter. It's it's appropriately um advertised. Uh and please ask any questions you have about Naval Weapons Station Earl. It's a beacon of hope for our town. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you

090so much. Um Mr. Scarpa, Mrs. Ramirez, do you want to add to anything? Yeah, I just want to um back in October, we were supposed to have our uh tour with our board on the base, but unfortunately due the government shutdown, we weren't able to do that. So, um happy to see that it is rescheduled for mid to late January. So, um I'm sure at the end of January, there'll be a report out on that. Not end of January, maybe beginning of February. Um so, I don't think it is here today. Is she missing her? It's like the first meeting she's ever um but yes. Um so, that's it. Yeah, I just um you know want to say first of all I I know tonight is your last meeting. I will be making remarks um

091later on in reference to your uh departure from the board. But um we are going to plan our scheduled tour um me and Mr. Scarpa, but I would like uh to respectfully um offer you the invitation even though you are not serving on the board to come do the tour as a former board member. I'd be honored with all the work that you've done for our military families um being the liaison with Mr. Scarpa. Um I'd like to formally extend the invitation to uh do that tour even though you will not be um a current board member. So >> that is very kind of you and I would be happy to. It would be an honor. >> Okay. So I'll coordinate uh with um Dr. Garbe and we'll make sure that you get that invitation

092and we coordinate us all going over there. Thank you so much. >> All right. I'm looking forward to it. >> All right. Good. Okay. Um, terrific. We're going to move in the state and county school boards. I'm going to report out briefly. We had our county meeting on December 2nd at Howell Middle School. Um, you know, they always host this event. It was it was absolute pleasure to be there. The food was great. Um, our representative, Mr. Teim, was there. Um, basically going over um, uh, the agenda for the new incoming uh, board members in Mammoth County. Um, they had a presentation avoiding the financial cliff. Um they had three board members from um I'm sorry, business administrators from uh different districts discussing um financial challenges and giving opinions on how um what things worked

093for their particular district. It was very informative. Um I thanked everybody um for a fantastic event. Me and Dr. Garvey attended that together. Um and it was just well received by all the uh the board members. um our uh county superintendent, Mr. Richens, um was was there and uh it was great. He did his annual um jingle bells. He made us all do a sing along. Uh so it was a great event. So we always appreciate our um uh constituents over at New Jersey school boards. That concludes my report for the um state and county school boards. the adv advocacy and government relationships. I don't have much, but I do like to say um that now that I've established a direct communication with the secretary of education, I will be advocating as much as I

094can for our district. Um and that concludes my report for that. We are going to move right into the superintendent's report. I'm going to give Dr. Garbay the floor at this time. Um thank you. >> Thank you. Um welcome everyone. And I just wanted to uh thank the PTO as we always do for their busy work this time of year all year long uh for a successful Frosty Shop that was hosted earlier this month and for all the amazing 2026 events that I've been discussing with the PTO leadership and members and all the flyers that we're approving and reviewing. Um just thank you and stay tuned for all the great and amazing work that they do to support the staff and students here in this district. So thank you for that. On Saturday, December 6th,

095as Mrs. Uh Cameron mentioned the Crest Choir actually performed at the annual C Col Culteneck holiday tree lighting at town hall and we are so grateful every year to be invited to participate in this community event uh to add to the holiday spirit. So proud of our crest choir. Much thanks to our students, their parents who brought them out on a Saturday and special thanks to Mr. BJ Willis the Crest choir director for doing a wonderful job with our students as always. Um, on last Thursday, the night the same night as the concert, the CNTA blood drive actually success successfully collected 33 units of blood at their annual CNTA blood drive. And just to put that in perspective, a collection of 33 units of blood actually has the potential to save 99 lives. So, thank

096you to uh the community who came out to support this blood drive uh who donated and thank you for uh special thanks to Amy Lennahan for spearheading yet another CNA successful blood drive. Uh I also, as Mr. Rnetta appointed, I just want to point out what a phenomenal Cedar Drive wind concert that took place uh this last last Thursday. Um I couldn't think of a better thing to do on my birthday than to be at the winter concert, but and it was an amazing event. So proud of our sixth, seventh, eighth grade band, jazz bands, uh, under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brown, our sixth grade chorus, seventh and eighth grade chorus, advanced chorus under the direction of Miss Mrs. Christina Hubard. It was just spectacular. And if you ever want to go to anything

097that puts you in a holiday spirit and and just make puts a smile on your face, it's certainly our our our concerts with our musicians under the direction of our very very talented and dedicated staff. Um, I want to specifically call out thanks and appreciation to our custodians, maintenance staff, transfer stations, transportation staff, excuse me, and our facilities manager, Nick Moretta, for their outstanding preparation and response to Sunday's snow event, which was a lot larger than we all expected. Um, their uh their efforts combined with those of the Colts DPW under the direction of Lou Bader put us in a very good position to open on Sunday with just a Monday with a delayed opening. And of course, I always want to thank our our staff, our fam and our families uh in advance for

098understanding that it's that time of year for inclement weather calls. Um we just want to thank you for your patience and understanding as those calls are something that they don't teach you how to do uh in superintendent school. So you have to there's a lot of collaboration that starts early on. And so I I thank you in advance for your time and patience and understanding as those calls are made throughout the year. But especially want especially want to thank our crews who made it possible for us to proceed on Monday. Um tomorrow we have a very special uh part of our strategic plan was to coordinate and plan for some more articulation, more opportunities for students across the campuses to participate or across the parking lot. So having elementary school students work with primary school,

099Cedar Drive students coming over and tomorrow's another example of that at the holiday or winter recess um schoolwide meeting at the elementary school. the Cedar Drive band and chorus are coming over to perform to keep we start our our singers and our band uh our musicians at the elementary school and we're very excited that they're coming over for for that holiday spectacular for them. Um I also want to uh just as a as a moment for myself I want to uh take a minute as Mrs. Bulpi I know she's going to be speaking to this later that tonight is this evening's uh is Jessica Ramirez's last meeting as a board member. Um Jessica Ramirez and I have served together for the past three years. Uh she has been in a def different uh capacity from

100policy chair, member of curriculum committee and all the things vice president of the board and president of this board of education. Um on behalf of the staff, I want to thank Mrs. Ramirez for her time and efforts as a board member serving the students, staff and community. Mrs. Ramirez served on many committees as I mentioned and also her attention to I want to highlight her attention to detail and commitment to the work of of the board have made her an outstanding member of our board of education. Mrs. Ramirez, on a personal note, I want to thank you for your service and commitment to our students and wish you nothing but the best of luck. [applause] I only have seven more things. No, I'm just kidding. Um, I also want to just uh uh we we

101were selected and announced our 2026 New Jersey Governor uh Jersey Department of Education, Governors of Education of the Year recipients and also our educational service professionals of the providers of the year at Connor Road Primary School. Our teachers, Miss Mrs. Michelle Weisspro and Miss Mary Corgan as educational service provider, teacher at the elementary school, Mrs. Anne Murphy and educational services provider, Mrs. Grace Paleolino. and at Cedar Drive Middle School teacher Mrs. Christina Hubard and educational service provider Dr. Lauren Fasiani who I know the board will be recognizing later on this year but we wanted to make a forum announcement. Congratulations to our very well-deserving recipients and much thanks and appreciation for everyone who takes the time to nominate staff. It is a fantastic day to sit around in the nominating process committee. I know Mrs.

102Bulp and Mrs. Cameron were able to participate this year. You sit around and talk about all the great things that teachers do that get that earn their nomination. So, it's a fantastic way to celebrate and I can't think of um there are many many deserving people in our district and I'm I'm thrilled to announce these people as our recipients. And finally, I just want to remind you that Tuesday, December 23rd is a short session day for students and staff. [laughter] The district is closed for winter recess from December 24th when it will re reopen Monday, January 5th, 2026. On behalf of the staff of the Couls Township Schools, I want to wish everyone the best of holidays that they celebrate, a relaxing break from our regular school, hustle and bustle, peace, and the happiest of

103new year. And that concludes my superintendent report. >> Thank you. Okay, we are going to um move on with the meeting here. Um, we have one superintendence report. Uh, take notice of. I'm sorry. Two, um, uh, information items here. Oops, I'm sorry. Three, uh, three information items. I forgot to turn the page. Uh, so if the board can take note of those three information items. All right. Uh, if anybody has any questions or comments on those particular items. Yeah, that's fine. Anybody have any comments on those? Okay. Uh, great. We are going to move on. At this time, we are going to welcome comments from the uh uh public. Um we'd like to form a line um obviously from the podium back. Um I Is anybody waiting in the hallway? Is there anybody waiting in

104the hallway? >> Is there a lot of people out there? Okay, we have plenty. I want to welcome everybody. Please don't feel that you need to stand out there. There's plenty of room still. Uh, nobody wants to come in. Okay. All right. That's fine. But if you do, there are seats available. Last call. Okay. >> Okay. All right. All right. Let's uh start with comments. Please form a line. Um we're going to state I'm sorry. Okay. If everybody can um state your name and address for the record. Um and on Oh, it's on. Great. Okay. Terrific. >> It's on. I think it's on. Does it sound like it is on? Um, it's it's definitely on. It's more for the live stream than us in here. >> Okay. >> And I want to thank you for

105your transparency tonight. We were away, but we are always concerned about education. So, thank you very much. I am Jamie Shila from 61 Beaver Dam Road on the most beautiful reservoir around with sunsets every night. And I've been a longtime resident of Colts Neck and a voter in the school district as a retired educator and and grandmother of six young adults. I am not happy with the message carried to students at her middle school by the secretary of education on December 5th and I did write it. It was a pleasant note. I don't understand why people can't be civil in the discourse. I did write and we appreciated those people that did that. Yes. Our freedom our our country was based on plurality of religious points of view and freedom of religious civi civil speech.

106Distortion of the founding principles weakens and can destroy our democracy as all are needed to build a strong nation together. We must include all in our democracy and not just some. So, I'm here tonight to testify as a longtime member of the League of Women Voters of Mammoth County. It's a 105 year old national nonpartisan political organization. Our mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. Quality public education for all children, preK through grade 12, is essential to that mission. and the history and civics's curriculum is of utmost importance. We're concerned that the history rocks curriculum under development is inconsistent with the tenets of what public education is meant to provide. As promoters of democracy, we believe in teaching children the full American story, its triumphs and its struggles. The curriculum must be based on

107historical facts. and I offer the following specifics for your consideration. The League of Women Voters supports all histories being taught in school. History must include the perspectives and experiences of marginalized groups. The League of Women Voters believes in creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive democracy. The teaching of comprehensive American history is integral to this effort, and we ask you to seriously consider becoming a board of education that endorses truth in history, separation of church and state, and safety for all students. These are the priorities with the League of Women Voters believes will help to create well-educated, engaged American citizens for the future of our democracy. Thank you. and let's all be studying this history rocks curriculum and and and get the imper transparency there because we're very concerned about that. Thank you very much.

108Can I address you? Would you mind if I address you? >> That's fine. >> Yes. Um first of all, I appreciate your professionalis um and your kindness addressing the board. Um and I just want to let you know that this board uh completely um echoes your sentiment. Nobody on this board believes in erasing history. I could assure you that whether our country is the greatest country in the world and we do have stains on our history but that's we learned from that and we are who we are today and I can definitely vouch for everybody here. Nobody wants our history erased. The good, the bad, the ugly. >> We we are who we are because of our history and what we've learned from it. So, I completely respect your comments and um I do feel

109I want you to know that the program, like I said, that I thoroughly um described to you. I I don't believe was whitewashing history. You got to remember it's a sixth through 8th grade. These kids are 10, 11, so we're not going to get I'm sure this tour isn't going to get in depth um on certain historical things. Um >> leave anybody out of >> Absolutely. And I agree. and that's not our mission at all. And um we just want to thank you for a fantastic comment and the board recognizes you and agrees with you. So >> we can all speak nicely to each other. >> I I agree too and that's what we should do. Thank you. [applause] >> Anybody else? >> Okay. >> Hi. Hi. Uh, I want to commend the board and

110the uh superintendent and the uh president of the board for uh being able to snag secretary of education. Uh my name is Roy Kaplan. I uh live in Titan Falls at Sebrook and uh I've lived in Florida for 43 years before I came here, but I was born uh in Newark and I grew up in uh this area. I went to Es Park High School. graduated in 1962 from Park High School. Um, I received the Hero of Education award from the US Department of Education when Secretary Richard Riley was the uh head of that department. That was a long time ago. 1992, uh, I graduated, as I said, uh, Azark High School. I'm in the Hall of Fame. My, uh, PhD is in sociology. I got from the University of Massachusetts 1971. I've taught at

111all levels of education for about 45 years, including elementary school, middle school, high school, but most of my time is spent as a professor uh at uh universities and colleges. I taught at the uh University of uh Buffalo, State University of New York at Buffalo, where I was a tenure associate professor of sociology and for about 26 years on and off at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Um, I wanted to say that I think uh you again I commend you for what you did. It's not easy to get someone of that caliber to come here. Uh I uh I'm a bit disappointed however by some of the organizations that uh are backing that particular approach. Uh I know that they engage and I'll mention a few of them. Prager University uh it's not

112really a university but they're called Prageru Hills College of Liberty and there are some others. Uh I want to uh I in light of some of the comments were made here, I'll I'll amend some of my statements, but I do want to point out that I am a favor of uh of uh Miss McMahon, but for WWE, not for the independ [snorts] I got my uh my Hero of Education award because of the work that I did in the Penllis County schools and that was in uh Penllis County, Florida. Each county in Florida is a separate school district unlike the small ones here. They're huge. Some of them are 150,000 200,000 students and the members of the board of education get paid about $30,000 a year uh for uh for serving. It's a lot different

113up here. I understand that. Um I've learned though that to to gain the students uh faith and allegiance that you have to be honest with them and truthful with them. And uh I I did a lot of my work in the schools in uh Florida and other states, North Carolina and some here in New in New Jersey as well uh on diversity and uh diversity, equity, inclusion are not dirty words to me and I feel uh one of the reasons that we moved from Florida is because they were systematically dismantling the programs that I set up there. I wasn't uh very happy to to see that happen. Uh I served for 15 years at the executive director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews for the Tampa Bay area uh from 1989 to n

114to 2004. uh and when I learn with the students and I've written about nine books uh I'm working on the ninth right now uh most of them are about ethnic groups in our society and uh uh one of the the big fears and the most recent ones were about Native Americans uh and u uh the one that came out in February was about Asian-Americans uh and I'm working on one now about people of Spanish heritage and u the biggest fear that they and many people have in our society is eraser and you mentioned that and that is the the intentional distortion misrepresent misrepresentation and exclusion of historical facts about these different groups and uh one of the things I've learned is working with students if you want to get them uh to uh to understand

115and cooperate collaborate with you is that you have to practice uh the principle of telling them the truth and uh helping them understand that you're working with them and not against them. And by attempting to change the past, we will uh alienate our youth. And as well, a sizable segment of our population. And I I have a fear that uh that some of the people behind this uh historical history rocks tour might have ulterior purposes. And I just want you to be under to understand that our country was based upon the contributions made by all of these different groups. And uh we're at a momentous time in our in our development right now because we're about to move from a from a majority white to a minority dominated people of color uh social system. And

116I think that's what's behind some of the fears that people have. And I I can tell you examples of of this, but I I won't uh I don't want to uh pass the the time that I have. So what I'm saying is that by attempting to change the past, we risk alienating our youth and uh as well as sizable segment of our population. And that um we don't want to perpetuate myths and stereotypes that separate and divide us. And I I hope that uh that you will understand this and uh and I know you were put in a difficult situation who would turn down an invitation to have the secretary of education come to recognize the good things that this school board and this district is doing. So I understand that that the bind that

117you're caught in. But I want you to understand also the fact that we have to work together to collaborate to promote the the idea that the destiny of this country uh is a place is for a place and continue to be a place that promotes and acknowledges the comp contributions that all the people in this society make and I just want to conclude with that. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you very much for um coming out today. I really appreciate you being here. So thank you. Yeah, thank you. All right. Um, >> um, okay. I just want to remind everybody we're we're gonna I forgot to put the clock on. I appreciate his comments and I want everybody to be able to get their time. I want

118to be able to hear from everybody. So, um, Dr. Garay is going to monitor the time for us so everybody gets a fair share to speak tonight. Um, once again, if you can state your name and address for the record. >> Thank you. Sue Henderson, Asbury Park. I'm the co- um chairperson of GLlisten. I was here last time to talk about the Bill of Rights. >> Thank you. >> I didn't do any good. But anyway, um I appreciate your job and I told you that then and I did uh write the board. I do not curse. I do not put anybody down because >> being a part being a teacher for 39 years and being a part of of Glisten, I understand what our youth are going through very much so and I I was

119on the um HIP committee bullying and intimidation. Um and I saw it all. But I think my main concern again is, and I understand you wanting to show everybody what a great district this is, and you're very proud of your district, and I love that because as he said, if you were in Florida, you get $30,000 for being on the board. Here you get grief. You get grief. This is what you get here. Um, but I think what um, and I hope you got your answers from Mrs. McMahon. um about what she is attending to do to public education which is my biggest concern. I was on the union of public education. I am a strong strong supporter of public education, but first of all, she's not equipped to be the secretary of education and

120she intends um to expand the voucher program and the voucher program is going to rob public schools of resources and it's going to particularly hurt our most vulnerable um especially our special ed students. You're going to have cutting. So, I hope that you have established this relationship with her so that you can call her personally and say, you know, don't cut our funds. >> Gonna definitely, I give you my word, we're going to stay in communication with her and try to uh advocate for all of our students here. That was my ultimate mission to get her here to begin with. So, >> Good luck. Because, you know, just like the administration up there and I and I love that you're talking about everybody, we need to work together. We need to be kind to each

121other. We need to work together. Um I don't know if they gave your students a civic toolkit. >> No, they the only thing that um the group uh gave them was this at their seats and the questions that I went over. They they did not give them any kits or anything. It was simple. >> Please do not accept a civic tool. Believe >> me because that's where it is. >> Dr. Garbe and Dr. Riby once again thoroughly went over inch by inch of what was being presented and made sure that we were well within um the curriculum that we currently uh do and they didn't even come in with you know they didn't even come in with any kids and ask us and we turned them down. Nothing was even presented to us. >> Good.

122Cuz a turn turning point turning point is a big part of this whole tour >> and the civic the civic toolkit um is a big part. >> Time is up. But like I said, I I I want to be completely transparent. Um and I you have my word. This was the only thing. And you could even reach out if you know teachers in the district. They >> No, no. I I I'm not questioning you. I believe you. I really do. I was very happy when you held that up and I totally failed the quiz. >> Okay. Yeah, I didn't do so well either. >> Um, all right. Thank you very much for your uh comments. >> Hello. How are you? >> Hey, good evening. >> Um, my name is John. I live at 167 Korschar.

123>> Um, first I want to congratulate you. You're probably not going to get too many congratulations tonight on um getting your acknowledgement from Union Busting Linda Linda McMahon. Um, I uh I I I want to know you guys know who Prageru is. Have you guys been following them for a while? Um, if you pull out your phones and just do a quick uh Google search of debunking Prageru, I'd like to share with you what Google comes back with. It says, "Debunking Prageru involves highlighting criticisms from educators, historians, and watchdog groups who label it as right-wing propaganda, not education, setting misleading claims on climate change, denial, downplaying history, slavery, whitewashing, fascism, distortion, science, and anti-LGBTQ plus content, presenting conservative viewpoints as a as objective facts, and challenging its push into K through2 classrooms despite factual inaccuracies

124and ideological biases. Some of the key criticisms of Prageru, it's not a university. It's a nonprofit, not accredited educational institution, despite its name focusing on conservative ideology. Oh, it's not an accredited educational institution despite its name focusing on conservative ideology. Um, there's historical inaccuracies. It's accused of distorting history, downplaying slavery's impact and whitewashing figures like Columbus by contextualizing their views through modern morality. Um, the climate change analysis representations. It promotes false narratives and pseudocience questioning humans impact on climate change. Um the scientific pseudociences often blends opinion with fact misrepresents science and faces criticisms for its science related content as highly bunch of people have highlighted it. Um so Prageru um should not be writing history. Um there's a beautiful quote locked my phone on accident. Um, it goes, "Studying history will sometimes disturb you. Sometime

125studying history will sometimes upset you. Studying history will sometimes make you furious. If studying history always makes you feel proud and happy, you probably aren't studying history. And um, you'll be hardressed to find anything negative that our country has done um, promoted by Prageru. Um, it's just inaccurate. It's infactual. a five minute video takes over an hour to debunk. Um, it is not a safe place to have in our school systems. Um, and then I also want to turn our attention to a quote by Charlie Kirk um, that's pressed by a lot of people from Turning Point. They say, "Marry young and have more children than you can afford." Um, that is very damaging to young children. Um, figure you're 16 years old being told to marry young. You know, you're going to get a

126boyfriend who doesn't know how to tie their own shoes. How are you going to support more children than you can afford? Are are we looking to put young families on snap right out of the bucket? Um, we really need to take a look and um just say no to religious groomers. Thank you. >> Thank you very much for your comments. We appreciate you being here. >> I'm sorry. >> Hi. Hi. Hi, Angela. >> How are you? >> All right. Um, Bob Seiko Postmeck. Um, I wanted to say something based on what this gentleman just said. I hate it when people throw around the word fascism. My father landed on Wendy Beach and fought fascism. You insult him and all the people that lay in the ground on the top of Omaha. Okay. Now, what I

127was going to say, you and I had a long conversation the other day and you explained to me and I asked you questions about the assembly. So, I think I understand what was going on. And I want to say that I want to congratulate the board for having this history rocks assembly and thank you um for having it. Um you should have more of that. Doesn't matter who backs the or supporter. Um that was not in the assembly in any way. So again, thank you all and that's all I have to say. >> Thank you for recognizing us. Thank you. Hello. If you could state your name and address for the record. >> My name is Michelle Carroll. I'm from I'm a Ma Mammoth County resident. Um I live in Madawan. I don't live here.

128>> That's okay. >> So I heard the news about the event, all that spiel. Yeah. Um, I know Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education. For me, for much of my whole life, I've been treated as like an outsider in a way. I don't see any reason why Linda McMahon would respect me as a woman of trans experience. And I don't see any reason why you would have her in this school district trying to make herself seem like she's anything more than someone who wants to dehumanize someone like me. And I don't respect that and I hope you understand that. So I don't like it that you bring someone here like that with all that vitriol because all I want to do is belong here as a human being. So, please understand that. All right. People want

129to be civil. I've heard that all the time. When I graduated high school, people said, "Let's bring back civility." I'm afraid that went out the window in 2016. I don't think it's going to be coming back. And I think it's because of the fascism that does pervade in this society of the belief that people who are seen as like assigned a certain sex at birth doesn't matter. For all intents and purposes, I'm a woman. I don't care what anybody says. That's who I am. And if people want to dehumanize me and see me as a monster, so be it. But I don't care about what they say. Opinions are opinions, but prejudice doesn't belong in this country and fascism doesn't belong in New Jersey. So, understand that. All right. >> Great. Thank you very much

130for your comments. Thank you. [applause] >> Hello. If you could state your name and address for the record. >> Yes. Uh my name is Alicia Rya Harlac. I am a resident of Colts Neck, a mom of two kids, and my comments tonight represent my perspective as a member of the community as well as a parent. Um, I'm here, and I wrote in politely, um, but also am here to continue to convey my extreme disappointment regarding the recent visit of USDO Secretary Linda McMahon to our middle school. Um, it felt like as a member of the community who got no communication about the event that the district was not necessarily being recognized for a specific achievement, but instead being rewarded for its partisan efforts and the relentless push to pass a parental bill of rights despite

131documented concerns and requests for further review from the parent parental advisory committee weeks before, which I'm a part of. Um, I appreciated the additional um details on the timeline and how the event unfolded. I'm not sure and have to think more about whether those details justified the board's failure to follow its own policies about transparency or in reference to some of the um the anguish disruption that was caused the students that miss school. Um not to mention the potential fiscal harm done to our district by security costs, teacher coverages, and the associated legal fees for the public records requests and other complaints that have been received. Um, our district unfortunately was made famous in local and national media for enabling a federal overreach into local autonomy and our existing civics education and social studies curriculum.

132According to the Federal Register description of history rocks in the definition of patriotic education from which it operates, this initiative represents the imposition of an ideologically skewed view viewpoint of history and a required moral interpretation of the American founding setting a mandatory emotional tone requiring quote a unifying inspiring enobling characterization of US history. The bias in this definition is based on what's omitted, including histories of marginalized groups, injustices, conflict, non-western influence, scholarly debate, and critical perspectives. Accepting the definition central to the initiative robs our kids of an accurate and honest account of history. It's not academically or politically neutral. It's biased, and that's not surprising um given the organizations that sponsored the initiative. It is in direct conflict with the New Jersey social studies learning standards emphasis on critical thinking, multiple perspectives and complexity and

133also in conflict with the NJDE social and emotional competencies, particularly those related to empathy, inclusivity, respect for diversity and perspective taking, not to mention the development of personal and social skills rather than instilling a single narrative focused on loyalty without critical reflection. This board um invited a presentation rooted in this problematic definition of patriotic education despite the education law c center's documented opposition to the proposed priority of this initiative. Now the board is encouraging students in its newsletter to submit videos showcasing their quote knowledge, patriotism, and civic pride. It's unclear if submissions will be treated equally if they don't conform with that specific ideology. The board told our staff and students they should be honored to be visited by a person who heads a federal agency that shares disgraceful memes and exclusionary rhetoric about the

134LGBTQ plus community that denounces the concept of inclusion. Look at the 12 days of Christmas campaign they're in the middle of now. For example, there was an abandonment of responsibility to protect our vulnerable citiz our vulnerable students or communicate with families that were concerned legitimately about security, safety, and content. >> Excuse me. Um you're over your time at this moment. Uh we appreciate your comments, but we got to move forward uh so we could get everybody's comments in tonight. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Right in my face. Uh Allison Doya for Westminster Drive, Colts Neck. Um I want to begin by acknowledging what an honor it was for the district to receive a visit from the United States Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. After many years of hard work by the

135administration, teachers, and students, it is impressive that our school district was selected for a visit of this significance. Having a national education leader spend time in our schools is something many districts never experience, and it speaks to the dedication and commitment within this community. However, it is at this point that serious concerns arose regarding transparency, access, and adherence to established law and board policy. Therefore, I'm speaking tonight because on December 5th, my rights and the rights of the public were taken away by this board of education. The same board members who claimed the public was denied entry in the name of protecting the students are the same individuals who several years ago yelled, threatened, and bered members who were attempting to protect the entire school community during the COVID pandemic. On December 3rd, a public

136notice was posted regarding a a meeting on December 5th. In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, I went to the school that morning and was denied entry to a public board meeting. I was not a threat to anyone. I was not yelling. I was not carrying a sign. I was simply exercising my legal right to attend a public meeting and hear what SE Secretary McMahon had to say. So I ask, what was discussed at the meeting as you generally spoke about this evening? Will minutes be made available? Sorry. If any business discussed, the public has a legal right to know. Denying access to a properly noticed meeting is a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act. Saying this was done merely to protect the students is not justification, especially when there were no threats,

137no restraining orders, and no concern expressed about these attempting those attempting to attend. In addition, when parents asked to review what would be presented on nove on November 19th, they were denied access. On November 19th, this board passed a parents bill of rights guaranteeing parental access to curriculum and instructional materials. That did not happen. Parents were denied access. Is this parents bill of rights only applicable when it is convenient for the board? Parents deserve a clear answer. While Miss Vulpi went through numerous items at this meeting, it left parents to wonder during these events that were happening. Your own policy also states that parents have the right to be heard regarding school policies and decisions affecting their children and that no parent shall be excluded for appropriate participation. Parents and members of the public were

138unable to do this. Once again, I ask, who is this parents bill of rights for and why did it not apply here? Many families in this district appreciate history education and would normally welcome a visit from a secretary of education. A visit like that can be meaningful and educational. However, this particular event was funded by extreme right-wing organizations. Members of this board have publicly collaborated with and supported these same >> I don't mean to interrupt you, but your time is up and we definitely want to be able to hear everybody fairly. Um we appreciate your concerns. Um and uh we appreciate your comments today. Very good. Just really quickly, you mentioned that in a video on social media that there were no folks from the organizations that sponsored this event and there are photos online

139of people from America First Policy Institute that were at the event. So, I think the the public needs an explanation of that as well. Thank you. [applause] >> Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is Tom Kella. I'm a Coltsneck resident and a parent of two children in our district. Uh, and frankly, I am disgusted by the overtly politicized actions this board has taken in an apparent endorsement of numerous far-right organizations that helped to host the criminally inept Secretary of Education on December 5th. Additionally, your passage of the so-called parental bill of rights is not only seeped in discriminatory contempt for the LGBTQ students and that attend this district, but is evidenced by the actions you took leading up to the secretar's visit in an attempt to not look like fools is also a clearly hypocritical

140farce of your own making. I would first like to address the nature of the history rocks event, which as most of us know at this point was far from apolitical or nonpartisan despite Miss Vulpi's assertations. While it is certainly an honor to host a cabinet member, that is not the true issue that I think most of us are addressing. With partners such as Turning Point USA, PragerU, Hillsdale College, Moms for Liberty, most of whom has been labeled as anti-government or discriminatory extremist groups. This event was a clear display of the values that the secretary and by extension this board who hosted her holds. These Yeah. Wow. I know, right? These groups are pushing a far-right agenda for our students at the expense of the safety of those who do not fit these groups evangelical mold

141or the education that they are pushing. The event, the context of the event, not so much the content is what we have concerns with. It shows our students that you do not care about them either as individuals who identify as LGBTQ or as American students in general who should be given the truth in their public school education. Furthermore, it shows our community, our state, and our country that this town under this board, whether they intend to or not, is becoming a politicized circus. It is not difficult to host civically uh centered events for our students that are truly a political or nonpartisan. I've done it myself as a high school history teacher and as the National Social Studies Honor Society adviser for my high school. I've worked with the League of Women Voters. I've worked

142with the Civic Center. I've worked with RU Civics Fair. All of these are actually nonpartisan groups. I've even hosted local historians and local politicians, including that weasel, Vin Gopal, in an attempt to teach our children about true civic education. I do not host events with groups that are problematic. Even if the speaker themselves is not problematic or as problematic, it truly is not hard to do that. So, your decision to host an event that partnered with these groups really is a clear sign that you do support at the end of the day their visits uh or sorry their agendas. Um where was I here? Finally, as if this was not the only offense committed by this board in recent months, your passage of the parental bill of rights prior to this and then the immediate

143rejection of those rights for concerned parents, as we've brought up, is hypocritical at best, unethical, to say the least, and potentially illegal at worst. to argue that parents have the right to their students education uh education in terms of curricular choices or that parents will have access to the materials given to them, then blatantly deny that access at the very first instance shows that your bill of rights is performative theater and that you are neither cult kids nor cult parents first. To cancel the December 3rd meeting for a legal >> Excuse me, your time is up, sir. I don't mean to cut you off, but I know everybody wants to get their say. >> Thank you. >> But we do appreciate you being here and your comments. >> Thank you. Have a great night. [applause]

144HI THERE, FRANCO Gdowski Jackson. Uh, first I'd like to thank the board for their time tonight. Um, I'm here the same reason just about everybody else is here tonight. Um, now let me start by saying that Mr. McMahon uh does have one thing right. History does rock. It's one of my favorite subjects because it's full of incredible stories about all the wonderful things that humans have done since the beginning of recorded time. It's so important for us to look back and learn about those victories and those accomplishments. In addition to those victories and accomplishments though, there have been a great many failures and setbacks and defeats and humans have struggled and stumbled. Quite frankly, have done a ton of awful, terrible things. Let's be very clear that includes those who came before us right here

145in America. See, here in America, we have a tendency to place a pedest uh to place on a pedestal our founding fathers to glorify and idolize them and to act as if their accomplish accomplishments erased their wrongdoings. We tend to forget that they were human and that they were flawed. Many of our founding fathers, those who spoke of freedom, um, for all Americans were slaveholders. This is not debated, and yet to suggest they were hypocrites, is to make a statement of great controversy. Now, this is not just about the founding fathers, US history is fought with examples of men we've put on pedestals despite their wrongdoings. Now, why I bring this up and what concerns me along with many of the people stand beside me tonight is the fact this idolization and glorification is exactly

146the type of history that Mrs. McMahon and her partners are promoting. Their history is one that has been whitewashed and cleansed and cherrypicked for the sake of promoting specific ideologies. Her partners, organizations uh like Turning Point USA, Moms for Liberty, and Prageru have and have always had a clear political agenda. I know this, the room knows this, and you all on the board know this. Education, even of past politics, should always 100% of the time be apolitical. You have a commitment to your students to give them the real history, the full history, good and bad. Inviting these individuals with clear disregard for that history is reckless and irresponsible. And the fact that you gave families next to zero notice of this event violating your own parental bill of rights is indicative that you know this.

147Your students deserve better of you. And I hope that you'll take some time to reflect on your mistakes and how to better serve your students. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. [applause] >> Danielle Balmo, Marorrow, New Jersey. Um, before I get started, I just want to give my disclaimer that I am a part of a board of education, but tonight I'm here as a parent and when great things like what you guys are doing are happening just eight minutes from my house, it's hard to not come here um and speak. So, good evening, President uh superintendent and members of the board. I wanted to take a moment to commend this board and your district leadership for bringing such a meaningful and thoughtful assembly to your schools. What you provided your students was not

148about left or right or politics at all. It was about recognizing the importance of education in our country by those who lead education in our country and instilling pride in being an American. Every child sitting in your classrooms comes from families with different beliefs, backgrounds, and political affiliations. But one thing that unites them is that they are being educated in the United States of America. Assemblies like this remind students of the freedoms they enjoy, the responsibility that comes with those freedoms, and the shared civic foundation that binds us together. I want to commend you for your dedication to respecting our constitution, honoring our country, and celebrating the anniversary of this beautiful nation. That takes intentional leadership, especially at a time when unity and perspective are so important for our children. I also want to take

149a moment to acknowledge your superintendent. The collaboration, care, and genuine love for your students is evident in the leadership, and it does not go unnoticed. It is a true testament to what can be accomplished when a board, a superintendent, and dedicated staff and administration work together with mutual and a share with mutual respect and a shared vision. What your community is seeing is not accidental. It is a result of an intentional partnership, trust, and a collective commitment to doing what is best for the children of Colts Snack. As a parent and someone who has seen firsthand in various forms what can happen under poor leadership, I could tell you how refreshing it is to see an entire board under strong leadership that Angelique brings to the table. Choosing to spend your free time seeking out

150new and enriching experiences for students. What you are doing here matters not just to your district but as an example of the positive strides being made in Mammoth County. Lastly, I heard for the first time tonight about the push back on the last minute decision of including your children. I have to say as a mother of three, I take sincere exception with this. The children of volunteer- elected officials sacrifice more than most people will ever acknowledge. They lose time with their parents. They lose privacy and often they lose a sense of normaly because their families are constantly tiptoeing around public scrutiny. If anything, the pivot which led to this recognition is very special un and an unexpected memory that these children will remember which their volunteer parents worked hard to make happen. Thank you for

151your commitment to students, to civic education, and to doing what is right for the next generation. I am proud to be your Mamas County neighbor, and I am so proud of the work that each and every one of you volunteers do. So, thank you. Thank you very much for your comment. [applause] Um, Aldo Patruno Morganville. It's going to be a hard act to follow, but um I am [clears throat] I'm actually gonna say it again like I said it last time, man. I am genuinely jealous that I not living in Colg like you know um I don't I don't listen I you know I I don't understand the like negative views on you know having Miss McMahon come down personally dude I applaud you guys I mean in this day and age to you know

152be raising kids right with patriotism and you know loving their country There's nothing wrong with that. So, just keep on doing what you guys are doing. You're doing a great job. [applause] Good evening. Good evening. My name is Kim Lley and I reside in Albin. I'm a mom, former teacher, and a concerned citizen. First, I would like to thank you as a mom and a former teacher for taking a stand for the children. the new parental rights policy which you adopted. I pray that many more school boards will adopt the same policy. Also, I hope and pray that many more parents will become more involved in their local school boards. If parents can't get to the meeting, thankfully they can watch online. Parents working alongside the teacher and the school board increases success rate for

153all students. It is hard to believe that your local school boards are addressing these critical issues. Who would think that you would have a suggestive policy 5756 to keep secrets from their parents? A child can change her identity without mom or dad knowing. The school has a separate file and the child determines when their parents will know. What is perplexing is that we have the federal econ educational rights and privacy act known as furpa policy 9240 rights of parents policy 9200 cooperation between parents and schools which are contrary to 5756. Why is suggested policy 5756 still around with these conflicting policies? Also, I want to thank you for inviting Secretary Linda McMahon to your school district. It is significant to have open dialogue with those in charge of education from the top down. Our children

154should know the fundamentals of how our great country began. This year marks our 25th anniversary of this great country in which we have the freedom to have such important conversations. Finally, thank you for taking a stand for parent, children, and teachers. How many relieved teachers must feel they no longer have to be torn between their faith and a career? Hold on. In addition, thank you for the other students confused by what mom says and what the teacher says. Finally, I thank you for the students who are concerned about students using the opposing gender locker room. Thank you for all you do. >> Good evening, Dan Finny, Colts Neck, father of seven, retired military. What a shame that so many are offended by Charlie Kirk and what he stood for. What a shame that so many

155are offended by the organization he founded that wants to create a middle ground for open dialogue and focuses on youth thriving in this country and succeeding in this country and feeling good about their country. What a shame that so many other groups that sponsored this were part of this are not not mentioned but uh bipartisan groups but a few are singled out for wanting to participate and contribute to this tour by the secretary of defense. What a shame that people are throwing around labels like fascism that I have a problem with also. How about this one? I'm a white Christian nationalist. That's right. And I'm a marginalized group, aren't I? Because I'm a Christian. I believe in the God of the Bible, a benevolent creator. And I believe in our country. I want our country,

156our nation to succeed and have borders and be a a country of law and order. So, I'm a Christian. That makes me a Christian nationalist. I do have a couple prepared marks. >> Okay. You have about a minute. I don't want to cut you, but if you can. >> Well, I'll get it something out anyway. >> Yeah. Right. >> I do want to thank each of you for your dedicated service, courage, and common sense. also for your leadership and initiative that resulted in our small town being selected for Secretary McMahon's visit. We have great schools staff and teachers and should be proud of that honor in representing our state. I was astounded to see protesters show up at the middle school and attempt to marginalize, malign, and disrupt the wholesome once in a-lifetime event. Both

157of my boys at Cedar Drive thought it was great, but were confused by the protest. Personally, I was not impressed by the drummer in the hot dog suit, and I wondered who was paying him. Even so, my military career was about supporting and defending the Constitution, including the rights of foolish people who neither appreciate their good fortune to be in this country, nor identify with the values and heritage on which we are founded. So, I could tolerate those folks with signs and drums using the occasion to express their disdain for our border enforcement, rule of law, others promoting LGBT. I don't want to interrupt you. >> And at least one with a sign. >> Excuse me, sir. >> For the right to kill babies. >> I know. I don't want to interrupt you. >> Thank

158you. God bless you. God bless America. >> I I just want to um I I just want to remind everybody um that uh is in the audience, please be respectful because everybody so far has I've given them their respect. Nobody's interrupted. I don't want to hear chatter going on. Please give the rest of the speakers the complete respect that you all have. Okay. Thank you. My name is Jennifer Woodruff and I am a resident of Marorrow and I too was jealous of the fact that Coltneck was able to have the secretary McMahon come to Colts Neck, but I'm very proud that we are the neighboring town. Um, I applaud you for everything you're doing. I appreciate your transparency. I appreciate you taking the time to give an outline of everything that happened from that little

159email or whatever you did with the website and getting the secretary, the federal secretary to come to Colts neck, which you never had imagined, giving all the correspondence, the emails, everything, all transparency. Um, I will tell you the back and forth with the public. I don't see that at school board meetings. This is wonderful that the board actually talks to the public and answers questions. Um, this is amazing. Um, I have a hard time under understanding why people have a problem with lesson on civics and pride in our country. I mean, there's so much division going on. This is a wonderful thing. We have the best country in the world. Sure, we have our problems, but everybody wants to be here. So why are we trying to go against our country? This we're nationalists. That's

160like this gentleman over here said we're nationalists. Is that a bad thing? That's a wonderful thing. We should be proud of where we are, our country, learn about it. And that's all I have to say. But thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. [applause] >> Hi, my name is Gerald Magalo. Firstly, I'd like to thank you for your outstanding service to the community. Um the director of the Dolores Sturko Foundation, whose mission is to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Uh we believe every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. So we do not discriminate against anyone for any reason. I applaud your foresight, your prudence, your fortitude on the numerous decisions that you have made to protect the health and welfare of students, the constitutional rights of

161parents, and toote promote academic excellence. offering students a patriotic and uh accurate history of our great nation in honor of 250 years of our longest ongoing constitutional republic in the world that secures our inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is commendable, not hateful. The Constitution of the United States for its freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and free exchange of ideas. And that is one of the things that we should be able to do. What I wanted to point out uh was the critical race theory and some of these ideologies uh they promote division. Um it promotes that individuals are oppressors or oppressed based on race that people can be seen through the lens of color rather than the content of their character. It promotes inequality um and based on race

162and that America is systematically racist and must be dismantled because the capitalist is always the oppressor. Just wanted to make that point. And also we heard another point about freedom uh separation of of state, church and state. And I want to point out with regard to that that the first amendment was intended that the government must never interfere with an individual's practice of their faith and separation of faith and church was never intended to censure censor faith in the public um forum. and but unfortunately that's happened and that has led to a number of lawsuits um that affected affect this board and affect education. Um the Supreme Court recently in a in a landmark decision Mahmud versus Taylor ruled that schools cannot shut parents out of dis uh out because of dis or disregard the

163religious obligations for their children. And this goes to the uh parental rights bill that you passed. Uh parents have a right to know what their children are being taught and to opt out of divisive or ideolog ideological lessons particularly LGBTQ content that goes against their values and religious beliefs. Um the courts ruled in favor of parental rights in the case of Ta Tatel versus Lebanon. I can go in through a number of them and and a most recent one, a religious freedom was upheld in the Supreme Court reversing a lower court's decision against a group of Amish parents who challenged New York's vaccine mandates. Uh, one thing, you were one of the first to um resend 5756. You would be very interested to know about a Florida AG sued the World Professional Association of Transgender,

164the Endocrine Society in the Academy of Pediatrics for exposing their deliberate lies, colluding to suppress truthful studies and excuse me, I don't mean to be rude. I know your time is up, but we appreciate all the information you brought forth to the board. We certainly appreciate >> um I have testimony in its in writing, and I will leave it there. >> You can leave it at the end of the meeting. We appreciate that. [applause] HELLO, I'M ALICE FINNY. I LIVE on Five Points Road in Colts Neck, resident of Colts Neck. Can you hear this? I hope. Um, I thank you so much for bringing um the Secretary of Education to our town and what an honor it must be for um all the students to have experienced this. Unfortunately, I don't understand why people are

165upset. They're reading so much more into this than actually was there. Civics organizations are great. Kids need to get more involved and to understand more about the civics process and if Turning Point USA was on that they teach civics. You can look at all different facets of Turning Point USA but I don't think they were even involved in this at all. So I think that you guys are trying to a lot of people here are trying to politicize this event and and make it more than it was for their own personal gain and interests. And I think that that's really wrong. We talk about not doing that in so many things. Um the what the last person who spoke in front of me was talking about not judging um people by the color of their

166skin but by the contents of their character. I think that was one of the statements and who said that Martin Luther King. Well, how about Charlie Kirk that just wanted to have a conversation and do things peacefully in this country. Um to have a conversation. Let's talk about our differences, not divide our nation, which is what pointing out we want to be. We want to look at this group and this group and this group. And by the way, I'm a teacher in a public school and I wrote curriculum and the state requires us to put in LGBT stuff, to put in um African-American studies, Asian-American studies, climate change into all the curriculum. Not every lesson is going to have that, but you will have some throughout the year that include all those things. So people

167that are standing up and saying history has been rewrited, it's not true. We're we're doing all the stuff that you want us to do and everybody it it's in everybody's curriculum. They're not they're not taking anything out. But the basic facts of what's happened with George Washington and everything that's a fact. That's not going to change. These are simple trivia things um you know that they said who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Are you going to change that and say somebody else who was of LGBTQ character was there writing the declaration just to make it a point that someone was there that was doing it to to support your group? We are all Americans. We all blend in together. There are different people that have different behavior. >> Excuse me. I do not mean to

168interrupt you, but your time is up. Thank you guys for all that you do and just appreciate and um you know really support everything that's going on. Thank you. All right, [applause] Betsy Cross. I live in Wall Township. I'm glad I made it to my first Colts Neck Board of Education meeting and um yeah, I I too I wish you were my board of education. Um, we're in Wall Township and it's it's just a mess. Um, so I just think you guys are doing a great job and how could anybody turn down the opportunity for the secretary of education to come to your school? I know a woman here spoke from Aspbury Park. Um, I think the president of Aspbury Park should write and try and get the secretary of education in there because your

169kids are doing horrible and you know, you should follow what is going on here. I mean, this agenda and the subgroups that they have is unbelievable. These people are looking out for you. And I get the feeling that a lot of the people here from Cold Snack that are here complaining have never been to a board of education meeting. This is probably their first one and they're just coming to complain about this. Um, for Angelique to go through for one hour of her timeline was fabulous. How could anybody be disappointed? and the League of Women Voters. I've had them at my um meetings where we're interviewing board of education members and they never ask my questions. So, um I did write down what one woman said, "Didn't appreciate the message." What didn't you appreciate? She

170just went over everything. They asked 12 questions. How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? How could you not appreciate that? I I don't even understand that. And we we want truth in history. Yeah, we all do. Uh my father was in World War II. My stepfather was in World War II. I worked in the World Trade Center. If you don't like this country, leave. We have got to keep this country the way we have it. [applause] Um I the Colton neck board of education is protecting their children and they're protecting the residents money. Listen what these people are trying to do on the affordable housing. You you don't have the money to build another school. >> Um so you need to recognize all the good things that these people are doing. Um, you know,

171I I am just so impressed with everything that went on and to hear these horrible emails that went to um Dr. Garbe is disturbing and and the ones that Mr. Scales was talking about. I mean, come on. These were like prior high school students, what they're 23, 24 years old writing emails like that. That is horrible. Uh, so I commend you on everything you've done. Um, Phyllis, on your newsletter, that is unbelievable. I want to take a copy of that and I want to show it to my school. But yeah, I I commend you for everything you've done and keep doing it. Thank you. [applause] >> Uh, Val Mendes Marboro. Um, I am here in my capacity as a private citizen and not of any board that I sit on currently. Good evening, Madame President,

172board members, Superintendent Gabbe, and members of the community. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Val, and while I do not live in Colts neck, I'm here as a neighboring community member who deeply values strong public education and meaningful civic learning. I want to sincerely thank the Colts Neck Board of Education for staying strong, leading with conviction, and honoring our country through your support of Cedar Drive's participation in the US Department of Education's history rocks civics and American history tour. New Jersey being selected as a stop on this nationwide tour is a tremendous honor and Cedar Drives inclusion speaks volumes about the work happening in your district. This was not a routine visit. It was a moment that highlighted your commitment to academic excellence, to civics's education, and to teaching American

173history in a way that inspires students rather than apologizes for it. In a time when celebrating our nation's history can sometimes be met with criticism, your board chose to stand firm and do what is right for students. You recognize that loving our country and teaching its history does not divide us. It grounds us. It teaches our children who they are, where they come from, and the responsibilities they carry as future citizens. The History Rocks Initiative celebrates hands-on civics instruction, student leadership, and appreciation for the founding principles of the United States. By embracing this opportunity, you sent a powerful message to your students that their education matters, their voices matter, and that understanding our nation's story is essential to preserving it. Instilling a love of country and our children is not political. It is foundational. When

174students learn to appreciate the freedoms they have and the sacrifices that made them possible, they grow into informed, engaged, and responsible members of society. Thank you for supporting your educators, for uplifting your students, and for honoring the values that bind us together as Americans. Your leadership does not go unnoticed, and it sets an example far beyond your district. Thank you for your time, your courage, and your commitment to our children and our country. >> [applause] >> Just first and last name in town, right? >> Uh, yep. Just state your name and address for the record. >> Yeah. Uh, Kyla Kdorf 13 Cambridge Road, Homedale. Um, first off, I sincerely appreciate your clarification of the timeline and I will also apologize all that conc The problem is not necessarily the assembly or the questions or the

175rem that parents that are inclusionary and harmful. Um I feel like we should not be structures that protect kids from biased education and history. I feel like the principle of letting someone who's backed by conservative groups is worrisome and having watched some of it to be educational. I feel like we should look at history not as America first but conscious of the good, the bad, the ugly but also just as realist. Additionally, I think the fact that parents were given little notice about this or time to inquire as to what is being said is not acceptable. Is it safe for children who may look different or be different from what was being taught as whatever is ideal to students first experience with intolerance should not come from educators who should be there to educate and

176nurture them and I think that it's great to hear that the dry students were not exposed to that rhetoric and I applaud the board for that. However, organizations that teach civic processes should not be partisan and should not have the mission of skewing students to one side. I appreciate your efforts to ensure that the question will be nonpartisan and strictly educational. However, as a senior in high school who values my diverse classmates and viewpoints that are taught, I request that you reflect on the led to the school and how that will affect and possibly harm the students whose board claims to appreciate. Thank you for your time. Can can I address you? I I I just want to commend you. um you know, you're one of our younger um residents that came to address us

177and I I just find you um exceptional young lady to stand before a crowd that you're not familiar with and to express your views. So, I just want to thank you. You're you're a lovely young lady and I I think you're exceptional. So, thank you for coming tonight and sharing your [applause] Hello everyone. I'm Christine Scarpa, 11 deer path lane in beautiful town of Kolsnneck. I was not planning on speaking today, but when you were met with such adversity, I felt like I needed to raise my voice. Um, so I wrote a few words together. I want to first start by extending a heartfelt thanks to this amazing uh board of education for your tireless dedication and leadership throughout the year of 2025. This year has been marked by uh thoughtful engagement on important issues

178that affected our students, families, and the broader community. basically from navigating uh discussions on safety and school operations to adopting policies intended to strengthen parent and school communication and involvement. This board has worked diligently on budgeting, facility planning, and transparent communication, holding regular public meetings to ensure community voices are heard and considered. So, I really commend you for your willingness to take divisive actions on complex matters even amidst um I'm going to call it spirited public dialogue um reflecting a commitment to the academic excellence and fostering a school environment where all students can grow and thrive. And I deeply appreciate the many hours and dedication that you do and your tireless effort. Um it's been really exciting for Colts neck. You have brought this little town so much history by um bringing in the secretary

179of education to the C Cedar Drive Middle School in uh December of 25. This event was intended to promote American history and civic engagement ahead of our country's uh 250th anniversary. I was there. My husband, Brian Scarpa, is part of the board. I was there when he found out on the eve of just several days before this event happened. So, it's unfortunate that some folks really are not taking your words to truth because I witnessed it firsthand on how this board did such a great job with um creating such an amazing historic event and making it happen in just a few days. So congratulations to you all. Um and may God bless you and continue dedicating yourselves and and and making our school a better and safer place. So thank you. >> Thank you. [applause]

180>> Hello. [clears throat] If you could state your name and address for the record. >> Oldbridge Kylie Denine. Hello Madame President. Um, I noticed at the start of the, uh, public comment that you said, uh, oh, there's plenty of room in here. Come on inside. Uh, I'd like to show you a picture from earlier where there's people lined up outside the room to be able to get in. So, uh, there was clearly not enough room to get inside and fully participate in this meeting. And, as you know, I did email you earlier today and you emailed me back saying that you would not move this board meeting into a larger room. And in doing so, I want to be very clear that you deprive the public of full access to this meeting. And so I

181think that that's important to remember. Um I >> order order. Well then you order come out and looked at the people in line outside. Okay. So thank you. It's my time right. >> Um I want to be very clear that um madam board president I know that you said that Turning Point USA was not in this district. But I want to read uh the press release that this district put out which is that Linda McMahon would be here with the National 250th Celebration Team with the History Rocks Initiative. And it says it's a key component of the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, a national partnership between the US Department of Education, the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 40 national and state organizations. That's from your own press release.

182And I want to be clear since another speaker said that uh we're cherrypicking those those names even though they're in your press release. I'm going to read a couple more of the groups that were part of this coalition. part of this coalition which includes Moms for Liberty, the Conservative Partnership Institute, Catholic Vote, and Priest for Life. I welcome this board to explain to us why they chose to promote the curriculum of a group that includes priests for life as a highlighted contributor. Explain to me why Priest for Life's curriculum should be in our schools. There shouldn't be Priest for Life or even Priest for Choice for that matter involved involved in public school curriculum. Period. Not here, not anywhere in our state, not anywhere in our country. Public schools have been and must continue to

183be ideologically neutral zones both politically and religiously. And I want to make sure that this board is taking actionable steps going forward to ensure that you just passed a parental bill of rights policy and you threw this upon parents without giving an adequate amount of time to learn what was going to be taught. of this particular curriculum at that meeting. And when you send out a press release saying that these controversial organizations are involved, what I I I don't understand how you feel that is in line with the policy that you just passed. So, I hope that the board takes this seriously. I'm not confident that they will. I would like to be proven wrong. You can always reach out to me. You have my email. And all things considered, I still wish you all

184a happy holidays. Yes. Would you mind if I address you >> respectfully? Okay. >> Can I respond? >> Yeah, sure. I I don't want to take time for the next speaker, but um first of all, I just want to clarify the meeting is still going on. Um we're still open in public comment. People are still available to come in. There's plenty of seating here. Um I don't feel that anybody was um uh not able to voice their opinion or participate in the meeting regardless of the picture you just showed me. Um so that's number one. Number two, um once again I uh I am confident in what McMahon's visit was not politically u motivated by turning point and I don't even know half of the organizations the 40 organizations that are represented the sponsors um

185and this clearly wasn't an assembly brought to our district to promote those organizations. It was to honor the um uh visit of Secretary McMahon and uh like I said, I I am proud of it despite your opposition to it. Um but all in all, I do respect you coming here. I did receive your email about changing the venue. Um, as board president, I did not feel it was necessary. And I, by the show of everybody that's here, I just didn't think it was necessary to uproot our district, have uh, staff brought in to set up the primary, have everybody relocated over there when I knew in my heart this would be more than enough for this meeting. So, I I apologize if you don't think that was correct. >> It's not a matter of your

186heart. It's a matter of the fact that there was a news camera standing out there who couldn't get in. We have a freedom of the press. That's not Listen, >> I have something for that as well. >> Let me just I'm not going to argue, but let me let me tell you the facts. Came to me at 6:00 and said, "There's news reporters that want to come in. Do you want?" And I said, "Well, I don't want anybody in here until 6:15 just to be fair for, you know, everybody to arrive at the same time." She requested that I open the door early for the cameras. Is that correct? You came to me. Hold on. Let me finish my statement. She came to me and said, "Can you have the press come in early so

187they're not disruptive and people aren't going to be in the way of them setting up?" Nobody came in. She went out there at 6:00 p.m. 30 minutes before this room was empty and nobody came in with cameras. And I was actually waiting because I wanted to ask what media outlets were. What did I say to you? What media outlets were here? I demanded to know from the unfair coverage this district received. Not one media outlet came in here. Board members, did any media outlet come in this room and set up? They had 30 minutes. I'm just debunking. Like I said, I appreciate you coming. And >> here's what I would say to that is that the media is not obligated to show up. >> They're not, buddy. They were standing there, which is is not

188someone with a camera standing outside the meeting. >> But if you understand, then that's the case. Okay. >> I want to go back to your other point. I mean, we're not going to agree on that. I would argue about want to say the >> the the truth. I just want to say the truth, >> but I just want to be clear. Yes. >> Well, I'm just saying >> we'll give you another 10 seconds to just >> Sure. Well, I'm just saying you're saying that you didn't didn't know these other 40 organizations that were involved. Perhaps you should have educated yourself. And then when you're saying the turning point isn't coming, but it's in the press release. Why was this press release put out with these organizations listed? >> Point was listed as one of the

189sponsors. We never said they were coming here. We never said that. And I wouldn't have never allowed that as board president of this district. I would have never. >> It says right here, I'm going to read it one last time and then we could stop if you want to stop. Uh, let me see where the letter is. I mean, it says, "We are excited to share that on Friday, December 5th, the United States Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, along with the National 250th Celebration Team, whatever that is. I don't know what that is, the National 250th Celebration Team will visit well well visit Cedar Drive Middle School as part of a 50-state tour titled History Rocks." Okay. The History Rocks Initiative is a key component of the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, a national partnership

190between the US Department of Education, the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 40 national and states organizations. >> Partnership. They never There's nothing in writing saying they're going to be on our property. There was nothing. I'm sorry if you misread that. >> I think that I think that their curriculum is here on your property. It says right here about your curriculum. So that's it. >> I want to move on to the next speaker. I appreciate you coming and talking tonight. >> Anybody else um want to get up and speak? >> Any last um minute um comments or Okay. All right. We are going to close public comment at this time. I want to say thank you to everybody that came out to speak. Um we appreciate everybody's viewpoint. Right.

191Um, >> okay. We are going to move right into our action items tonight. Um, I'd like to get a motion to move action items one through >> five. Action items one through five. >> Second. >> Anybody have any questions or comments on those particular items? >> No questions or comments. >> I'm just finding it. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> All right. If anybody has any questions or comments, >> I don't seeing none. Um, if I could get a roll call. >> Action items 1 through five. Mrs. Cameron. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Horowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ro. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Retta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scales. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scarpa. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Motion carried unanimously. >> Great.

192Thank you. Um, moving on to our buildings and ground safety and security. Uh, looks like we have the one item listed there. Uh, if I could get a motion to move that one item. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Uh, no questions or comments. just a comment that just I appreciate the the the work that went into the fee schedule associated with this. It's a tremendous amount of work. >> Okay. >> Uh most folks won't appreciate what actually went behind the scenes to get this fee schedule up and running, but we modernize it and it allows us to to enter 2026 in a very different revenue perspective opportunity. So, it should be commended. Uh I look forward to it it to be expanded as well, but we'll get there. So, great first step. Thank you, Mr.

193Walsh and your team for putting it together. And thank you Dr. Garvey and your team for facilitating it. Good things to come in 26. >> Great. Uh, excellent. Thank you for um, uh, noting that. Uh, all right. Roll call on that item >> on buildings and grounds. The one item, Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Ro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Regetta, >> yes. >> Thank you. Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walsh, >> yes. Thank you. The motion passed unanimously. >> Great. Uh, thank you. I need a motion to move one item under curriculum. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz,

194>> yes. >> Mr. Rico, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Ragnetta, >> yes. >> Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi, >> uh, yes. >> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Thank you. The motion passed. >> Uh great. Um moving under uh finance. I'm sorry. Uh items one through uh six under finance. One through six under finance. Can I get a motion to move those items? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Questions or comments on on them? >> All right. Seeing none, I'll take a roll call. >> Finance items one through six. Oh, wait a minute. I'm sorry. Hold on a minute. >> Hold on a minute. >> Okay, got it. I I I remember. Okay. Uh yes, roll call. I actually have a comment here. Hold on a

195minute. Um on number six under uh finance, I want to make a comment about this particular item. Um, there is a gentleman, I'm going to be completely transparent here, uh, Mr. Mike Gottsman, um, seems to love going after school boards that he doesn't approve of. And he has filed an ethics violation against me. Um, which I really couldn't care less about to tell you the truth. But um I have to have the board approve uh our legal counsel to represent me. Unfortunately, in this case, our children's tax dollar is going to represent me against this fool. And um I just want to um say that I appreciate the board uh supporting um this here. I also want to say that I refuse to be bullied in any way, shape, or form. And um I uh

196I just refuse to be bullied. I will continue to speak my mind regardless of what people think. So uh if we could have a roll call uh of items 1 through six. I will be abstaining from number six. >> Thank you. Mrs. Cameron. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Harowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ro. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Reignetta. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scales. >> Yes. Mr. Scarpa. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi. >> I'm recusing myself from number six. Yes to the rest. >> Thank you. And Mr. Walsh? >> Yes. >> Thank you. The motion did carry. >> Um, okay. Just give me one second here. All right. Under uh policy, there's nothing under policy, nothing under negotiations, nothing under transportation. Uh, under personnel, we have quite a bit. Um, one through

19716. I'm sorry. I just want to make sure I don't miss anything. 1 through 16. If I could get a motion uh to move those items. >> Motion. >> Second. >> And anybody have any comments on anything uh related to personnel? >> Question about number two. Is that you Mrs. Mloud or you like to >> Mrs. Mloud? Yeah. The lady that retired. >> Yeah. I saw that. Yep. >> Here. Here. Thank you. >> All right. >> That's awesome news to have her back. Um, great. Any any other comments? >> Just two minutes. One minute. One minute. >> Okay. We're going to uh recognize Mrs. Garber needing a few minutes to just review. I have a comment. >> Oh yeah. >> Yes. Go ahead. Yes. >> Um I just want to say something about the CNTA

198with the sick leave bank. Um I think that's a wonderful wonderful use of sick days. Um, I know in many districts when teachers have asked to be able to gift sick days to other teachers, let's say if they're dealing with um chemotherapy or or any issue like that, it is it is not always allowed. And the fact that um the CNTA as well as the board supports this, I I just want to just bring to everyone's recognition how how important that is. And um you know, it's just it's just really a wonderful thing to do. Unfortunately, in my own district, we're not able to do that, and it's really um affected many teachers coming back to work much earlier than they should. So, I think that's really important. >> You ready? Okay. Um if we

199can have uh a roll call. >> Yes. Uh person items 1- 16. Mrs. Cameron, >> yes. >> Mrs. Horowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Rico, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Regetta, >> I'm going to recuse four through eight and number 15. And yes to the rest. >> Thank you, Mr. Scales. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scarpa? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Walsh? >> Yes. >> The motion carried. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, great. Thank you very much. Um, once again, I want to now that the uh action items are over, we're going to move into um the second public comment. I'm proud, you know, to always uh announce that we do have a second uh public comment in case people um came in late or whatnot. Um but at

200this public comment, we are going to limit the time to two minutes per person. Uh and it will be a total of um uh 30 minutes. If anybody would like to come address the board, state your name and address for the record. >> I'm sorry if you could just pause until I put the microphone. Okay. Thank you, Betsy Cross of the Mal Township. I'm so excited to have Mike Colts Chronicle. Yay. I will read it feverishly. Um, I did want to correct that last gentleman that got was up. So, he's still here. He's gone. He left. Okay. Um, I had two seats open next to me in the front row. So, I don't know what he was talking about. We had seats over here. >> There was eight seats available just to, you know, >>

201plenty of seats. We kept saying, "Come on in. Come on in." And they wanted to stay behind the door so he could get up there and say that. I didn't even understand that. Um, I did see the news camera just in this corner over here. Um, let me tell you, we have had news crews at Wall over and over and over again. And what do they do? They come in early and they set up right in the corner. So, there was no excuse for NBC to be hiding in the back corner and now pretending they couldn't get in. >> So, enough already. Um, so, >> well, this will be live streamed, so anybody can go back on and they can go see it for themselves. Um, I had one other comment before that I forgot

202and now I do not remember what it was. Um, oh um, a lot of people leave Wall Township and they come to Colts Snack and I think we can all see why. Um, you know, Wall's a mess and you have your act together here. Every single person I'm impressed with. Every single person spoke. We go to a board meeting in Wall and it's like looking at robots. They sit there. They don't say a word and that is the entire meeting and we have to we pay like three security guards to be there. It's ridiculous. They do it to intimidate the public so they don't come to meetings. They don't question anything and they want to embarrass you and have you on camera and it it's nice and refreshing to see actual parents or you know

203even if you're not a parent now and you don't have kids in the district now that actually care about the students and the taxpayers. Thank you very much. >> Hi. All right. So, mine's actually on completely different things, but it's stuff that was brought up here. Um, in terms of the uh like the way that the quorum thing worked, um, as well as like the ethics complaint and the legal deposition that you had mentioned. Um, are all of these things that are happening normal? Like, is it normal for there to be a legal deposition that both the president and the superintendent has to attend in Trenton, thus cancelling a board of education meeting? Is it normal for ethics complaints to be lobbied against the board of education uh president? Uh is it normal for the

204board to bring a quorum together knowingly triggering a public notification of a meeting and then not allowing the public into the meeting? Um and that's a true question like I I you guys you mentioned that you take responsibility for the quorum being called and um the ramifications that might come from that. Will there be ramifications that come from that? Like, is this going to cost tax dollars that you are concerned about and I'm concerned about and everyone else is concerned about? Why are we not doing things that are just not unethical or possibly illegal? Just questions to consider. Thank you. >> Great. Uh, thank you for your comments. >> I can address number three if you'd like. >> Um, we're not going to have a back and forth at this time. Um, >> yes, Finny.

205Um, five points shred cold sack. Um, I just there was a lot of confusion um that people were making more of things than I think they actually were. Whenever there's more than four board meters, my board board members, my understanding is it's it is a quorum. So, they had to announce that they were going to meet, but they weren't doing business. They weren't meeting in business and having a business meeting, which people are seem to think that they're conspiring and doing something they shouldn't be doing and that the public needs to be a part of it. But in my understanding, they don't. And so people are trying to bring up charges and saying you're doing something wrong. But there was nothing wrong that was going on. This woman came. It was an honor to have

206her come. She didn't do anything more than ask questions to get kids involved in the government process. That's it. So, some other organizations sponsored this. Um, some people may disagree in that, but but this is going on and on and people are trying to find something wrong again to politicize. I believe that was with um Miss Denoya too, who I believe has a political aspiration. For some reason, I see her doing that. So, I'm sorry, but we don't need to make it more than it is. And if everyone would just relax. A lot of people in the town are really don't have kids in the school that are saying that they're coming to these meetings to make an issue out of it and to say, "Oh, you guys did something that everybody other people in

207the state haven't done. You're doing a great job and we feel left out or we want to change that. We don't want you to do what you So, a lot of people are happy. the majority of the people are happy. So you these little groups are coming in trying to break this up and trying to um get their own their own points across and um I just wish that people would leave it alone and let pe not attack people and just thank them for what they're doing. They're doing this for free and they're they're doing a great job at it. >> Excuse me. I don't want to cut. >> Thank you. Okay, but thank you is all I wanted to say. >> Thank you very much. I'll be quick. Um, I'm Dave Ross, Newman Springs,

208Coulseneck. >> That's okay. You You please >> first board meeting. Um, I have two kids. Two kids in the school system. >> What was your name again? I'm sorry. >> David Ross. >> Hi. How are you? >> Um, I love the town. We moved here because of the schools. Um, I agree a lot of people are happy about what happened in this town. I just want you all to be aware that not everybody feels that same way. There are news cameras outside every there's all these distractions when you guys volunteer your time and should just be focusing on the students, right? I feel like we're creating a circus here in our small community and we don't need it, right? So, that is my main concern. I appreciate what you guys do. Um, I would love

209to get to meet you people and see you around town, but not everybody is happy about the political agenda it seems that this collective group is pushing and that is not a place um for for it to be in schools. Um, so that's my opinion. I hope you consider my comments and I look forward to being here in the future. >> Great. Thank you very much for your comments. Hi, Alicia Rya Harlac. I wanted to um just kind of conclude my thoughts and echo the sentiments of Mr. Ross. Um I am a parent first and foremost. I have a 5-year-old who's here in kindergarten. We moved to this town for its excellent reputation and the staff here are incredible, dedicated um people. The administrators are are amazing as well. Um, and I think there's a

210lot of really great intentional work that goes on to support students that does get overlooked because of um, this particular issue. I did just want to bring up the perspective of staff um, and their well-being uh, as well as the students and and whether that was sidelined for the um, agenda that was behind this event. Um, from what I understand, the actions toward the staff may have left them feeling disrespected or undermined. Um, and rightfully so. And my interest as a parent is to make sure that those staff have strong morale, feel valued, and stay um as well as administrators because that's why we're here. And I know that they have my children's interest at at heart. Um the other thing I wanted to address is just kind of the the orientation toward parents who

211have exercised their First Amendment right to express their opinions peacefully and diplomatically about this event. They've been labeled radical political bullies. They've been embarrassed and smeared on social media. This has caused um tension, conflict among children who ask each other who their parents voted for um between adult friends um and has really ripped apart parts of our community. It's my hope that we can model better civic discourse going forward for our kids so they appreciate that conflict can be resolved through the democratic process. Um, families in this community should pay attention to ensure that curricular transparency applies to all topics and that teachers have the ability to provide accurate and inclusive curriculum and instruction. We all want our children to have excellent educations in a school where they feel safe and are valued and with

212staff who feel respected and supported in teaching the agreed upon standards and content. We need to come together as a community on those topics and ideals that we agree on. I truly hope we do because there's more of us. There's more of those issues. um then goes on to divide us in alliance with certain organizations. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi again. Um after listening to everyone talk and uh what you said, um I I don't feel happy about what has happened and what I've heard. I feel like um what was said about affordable housing for me um eight years ago, my family and I were evicted from our homes. We couldn't find any place except for like like a handful like in our community. Thankfully, we did find an apartment, but like for

213a lot of people, I don't think that anyone could really afford to find a place, especially a house, someone in my age group. Um, I want to be a mother someday. I want to have children. I feel like they deserve to have someone that loves them and grows and prospers, but it's really hard when people can't find a place to live, to afford to live. So when I hear that like affordable housing is being forced down our throats, it's just I I I think it's it's wrong. You know, we we're trying to find a place to live, to thrive, but we can't when we can't afford find a place to afford. And um I just understand that. Um, I mean, when it comes to Linda McMahon, she said so many things, so many terrible things

214about people like me, about indoctrination. Like, there is no indoctrination. People just want to belong. There's nothing wrong with that. And I don't think that she should have any um involvement in education for what she believes in, for what she claims to stand for. There is no freedom for what she says. It's it's it's wrong. It is fascism. If you're not going to accept people for who they are and accept everybody in this country, I >> I don't mean to interrupt you, but the time is up. But um we do appreciate you coming to call sec and um sharing your perspective and your viewpoint. We we appreciate it. >> All right. >> Good night. >> Um uh you the last speaker? >> Anybody speaking after this lady? No. Okay. Mrs. Reen. Okay. So the last

215two speakers. >> Okay. >> All right. So that'll be the last two speakers this evening. Okay. >> Hello. >> Sorry. Uh Danielle Marro. Um, again, I'm only here as a mom and not in any capacity of any board I sit on or its members. And I just had to get up and speak briefly when I heard the name Michael Gothsman um from the perspective of a parent. Um, I joined a coffee chat many years ago when my kids were entering elementary school. Um, for what I thought was just an opportunity to speak about my kids and my role as a parent. Um, I later found out a couple weeks later that my personal information was Opra requested by Michael Goddessman. Never heard the name. didn't know who he was. I was a kindergarten mom. Um,

216and that Ober request was actually used to uh try to identify all parents that stood for parental notification um and parental involvement. Um, and what struck me is that I was just like so many of these other parents that we heard from tonight and I respect. Um the first thing I did was start googling him and I found out that this man is actually backed um by a lot and involved with a lot of highly politicized organizations uh up to and including um guard state equality. Um, so I just wanted to come up here to say that I hope um when addressing issues like Michael Godditman being um, you know, requesting things or filing ethics charges in this district, we hear the same voices who are so against politically motivated um, attacks uh, from both

217sides um, you know, standing firm that no politicized organizations um or supposed politicized organization should play a role in attacking board members, community members or anything like that. So, thank you. Thank you. [applause] >> All right. Our last speaker of the evening. >> Uh, good evening. Mallerie Rearen, 165 Lair Road. I'm actually going to start my comment with something not related to the visit. Um, just to change it up a little bit. So, um, last year when Miss Cameron was, um, encouraging a new workbook, I I guess the elementary school really did most of the math homework on the Chromebook and she was encouraging us to get hard copies of the workbook. Um, I knew you guys were trying to keep like zero budget and I was sort of I was thinking questioning, well, if

218it's going to be like 20ome,000, is that a great expense when we're trying so hard not to spend money. Um, but my child, my third grader has used it quite a bit. The Chromebook is not always a great fit for us, so it's been really nice to have an option where we don't have to open up a screen. He can do his homework in the workbook. So, I really appreciate that. that that was something I didn't understand could be a benefit. Um, and then I've seen it firsthand and that's the kind of stuff that I love when this board does things that like are very not politically aligned at all that are bring benefits that we didn't even know we were looking for. Um, I will say that with the meeting, with the visit from

219Secretary McMahon, the parents I was speaking to, the parents that really had concerns, it was what we didn't know. You know, the message that you gave tonight where you said that you were really committed to not letting partisan politics enter the school. If that message had gone out sooner, if you said, Mallerie, don't worry. like this is not political. I as your board president, I promise this is not political. I don't want either side's agenda in this. I think that would have made a lot of people feel better at an earlier point. Um, we can't pretend that people what the groups that people are associated with don't make an impact. I'm glad that Miss Palmo just brought up that Michael Goddessman is the groups he's associated with and the people that he's backed by and

220possibly funded by because that does make a difference. Even if I don't have an issue with Secretary McMahon, I am looking at those organizations and I'm questioning and I'm worried what are they bringing religious based content into the school and I think that's that aligns pretty closely. You can't just pretend that some who people are associated with doesn't matter. So, what you said tonight, I think I I wish that would have been said earlier because I know me personally, I did feel better listening to your explanation and listening to you say that you went through what they were presenting, that you guys even asked for a change to one particular thing. I think that could have made a difference for a lot of parents. >> I I don't want to cut you off. Your time

221is up. Okay. I always I've always said this. Um I always value you being at our meetings. I I've said it numerous times that you're a good mom and you really get involved. I did my absolute best to to communicate everything involved with this. Um, and you know me by now that when I say something, I mean it. And I was not going to have any um uh political figures from either side. And Dr. Gar Bay could assure you it was very difficult the battle I faced keeping politicians out of this event. You have no idea. But I stood my ground and uh I I gave my word to the public. This was non-political. I understand the the sponsoring groups of Secretary McMahon, but there was no political figures there to push their agenda or

222get their photos taken or get an upper hand on that. and I gave my word and I I feel like I 100% came through on that uh on that front. Um but anyway, I do appreciate your comment. I I want to move on. Uh I do want to make some other comments. I feel so bad for the board. They've been patiently waiting, but these are very important. Um >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Did you want to say something? >> Yeah, just one quick thing. >> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. Go ahead. And I just wanted to say that thanks to John Chimera, thanks to the finance board with Brian, and thanks to Kevin Walsh and Phyllis Chimera, we were able to reduce costs. We were able to add revenues and it wasn't any small amount.

223I think adding revenues and reducing costs um for the past couple years I think we were close to a couple million dollars and that's why we were able to keep the summerbridge program that's why we were able to introduce the reading program that Phyllis introduced to curriculum and that's the reason why that program exists is thanks to those efforts by Phyllis by her husband John and by the um by the finance board. So, I just wanted to say that. >> Great. I really appreciate you recognizing that. I I have a few several things to cover and and they're really important. I'm going to try to make this as brief as possible. Um yeah, what's that? Yeah, we're closing. I'm sorry. Closing public comment. The second one, um I I know everybody focuses on um and

224let's be truthful. There's certain group of people, amount of people that Hate Colt's Kids First board members. Okay, that's what we ran on. We're Colt's Kids First. Hate us with the passion. No matter what we do in this district, they will never approve like us. Um I have a list here I'm going to go over of our achievements. I've never I think I heard maybe one or two people like Mrs. Rearen actually thank us for the fantastic achievements. Yet they come out constantly against this political agenda that we have and all these horrific things like Secretary McMahon coming to our schools and nobody ever takes note of the fine print here and all the hours we put in for your kids. Nobody. We never we never get thank yous. Do we get thank yous emails

225for these initiatives? I I don't I don't recall. I get hate mail, nastiness. >> Okay. So, I just want to show this is the last year uh the last um meeting of the year and I want to list some of the things that maybe the district the community um are unaware of. So, I'm going to try to run through them really quick. We are one, if not the only district in New Jersey that delivered a zero tax increase two years in a row. Okay. I didn't receive one email from this entire district. Not one. Thanking us to save your tax dollars. Okay. Whoever stood at this podium criticizing us. Not one. Thank you. Do you recall one? No. We were awarded the Purple Star status for all schools in this district with the leadership of

226Dr. Garbay and her administration and our two liaison Brian and Jessica uh Brian Scarpa and Jessica Ramirez. A fantastic achievement and we should all be proud of that that all three campuses um basically accomplished that actional p actionable planning and impact analysis of overdevelopment of our school district led by Mr. Scales and our um uh affordable housing lesson on Mr. Walsh. Okay. They're constantly following up what's happening in this town, spending hours to seeing how we can combat this to protect our schools from overdevelopment. Whether you like it or not, we passed the creation and we we created and passed the parental bill of rights. We did the live streaming of our board me meetings which happened two years ago when I first came on the board. This way the parents um their uh seniors

227in this community can stay engaged with what happens. Okay, Dr. Garabay made sure that that happened the first couple of months of my tenure to make sure that we engaged the community and they were able to see complete transparency of what goes on in this district. I never got one thank you about that. Added two public comment sections during our meeting. I took the time to listen to everybody, not once but two times during our meeting. We sit here for hours while my daughter is home alone right now waiting for me along with all these people that have kids here. Okay. We added two public comments to hear your concerns and gripes. The district monthly newsletter, you can have this. This here takes hours to do. I don't know since my daughter has been in

228this school since kindergarten. I don't recall and I apologize if this did exist, but as far as I'm concerned, I don't remember a district newsletter this lengthy with all of the the children's accomplishments and recognitions. Not one thank you for this. Uh we instilled the national anthem during our morning exercises, something that we wanted to do for years. Thanks to um m um Mr. Scales, we instituted the United States flag code on all of our properties. There's nothing like being patriotic and respect respecting this country as a school district and we will always continue to do that. the Title X resolution. People complained about that. Yet all of us agree that we do not support men in female sports and we stand firm on that. Okay. Please keep your decorum whether you like what I'm

229saying or not. You >> Okay. Please keep your decorum or else I'm going to have you removed. affordable housing resolution, the protection of homeschool student athlete participation, awarded two seats on the town planning board affordable housing subcommittee, the creation of the ad hoc affordable housing committee, uh the work with the ESEP program, the LED lighting, advanced HVAC and solar power. We have air conditioning in our schools that took years. Never got one email thanking this board. Not one. Creation of scan and shelf library so that transparency could be brought right to your home computers to see what your kids are reading. Not one. Thank you. Creation of the student liaison program to elevate and appreciate our children's viewpoints and their daily activities and what they experience in school. We added the naval weapons station earlier

230at the forefront of our decisions here. We instituted an age appropriate Holocaust education and assembly the initiative brought by Mrs. Mrs. Sarah Harwitz not one thank you instituted age appropriate September 11th education and assembly for the tunnel to towers horrific thing that happened in this country and I I am committed to making sure that our kids are well aware of those horrific events and the the sacrifice made by our police fire and regular ordinary citizens in this country. Not one thank you administer administered the being a writing program Mrs. Phyllis Camera kudos to you for elevating uh you know sharing with Dr. Garbe uh new ways to you know um achieve academic excellence kudos to you administr administer the practice math workbook for grade third through five commendation to Mrs. um Rearen for actually acknowledging

231that. We appreciate your your thanks for that. Thank you. Applied Stath and Touch Math programs. Mr. Walsh added bus stop arm cameras to catch people passing and nearly running over our children in this town. I maybe got three thank yous for that initiative. >> Okay, maybe three. And I want to commend you for all the service you gave to this town. And that idiot that wrote in and said that you were forced to retire, that was shameful. You retired with an exemplary career of 20 years of service. Okay? So the next time I get an email from that, come to this boardroom and say those false statements to our face. public service. >> I I think we've proven that. We've proven that. Added extra security cameras and extended safety protocols due to um Mr. uh

232retired Sergeant Kevin Walsh's initiatives, secured a visit from the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, that I am proud of and I will remain proud of. So, these are just some of the accomplishments that this board has done in this short tenure, a year's time that we've been here. And I could count on one hand the thank yous we got as a volunteer service. [applause] Okay. Now, the last two things I'm going to cover, everybody knows, I'm sure they heard in the news today that the Garden State Equality uh director, I don't even know what his title is, executive director. Um, and like I said, uh, everybody deserves due process and are innocent until proven guilty, but he was accused of, uh, assault, child endangerment. I'm not sure. But I I just want to make a

233point. The reason why I'm bringing this up, this organization has browbe me, um, basically harassed me, tried to intimidate how I govern on this board, and it's disgusting that he's being charged with endangerment of a child when he supported lying to parents. Okay? He should be ashamed of himself. Okay, that's number one. Um, back to Mr. Gatsman here. This landed up in my hands. Um and what this gentleman is doing is basically contacting uh or asking soliciting support um to get people to um file ethics charges against me. Okay. Not himself, although he has one garnishing support to file ethics charges against me. We need parents and stakeholders to volunteer to speak with members of the press about how they were denied access. Okay. uh denied access. We had five people per Lieutenant um Caswell,

234five people that were denied access. What and they weren't even parents with kids in this district. Okay. The lies that this guy spews um all the board of actions uh with regard uh hold on a minute. If you are a parent who sent an email or made verbal requests for copies of any documents uh used at the assembly or audio or visuals to be used there, there was no documents. This was the only thing given out. I mean, this guy, if nothing else, loves to draw attention, negative attention, spew lies, and I'm just I'm so just disgusted with people like this. So, um that'll be the end of my comments. I'm going to open up to new business um to any of the board members that want to um finish out the evening with their

235comments. >> Mind if I go? I'll go first. You mind? I'll go first if you don't mind. >> Jessica Ramirez, thank you for your service to the this board. I know we have a lot of disagreements, a >> lot, but I respect your intelligence and your care and commitment to this town and love of our children in the schools. >> Yes, Jessica. I just want to let you know also I uh um like I said, you know, we all have disagreements. That's what makes a strong board, disagreeing and working problems out. I appreciated your leadership as president and vice president working with John Cameron. you did an exceptional job leading the state of New Jersey against the uh policy 5756 res uh rescending uh and we appreciate all your time away from your family and

236the dedication to public service representing our board. >> Anybody else? >> Uh just a note about um first of all Jessica congratulations and thank you very much. We do appreciate your service and and this course is where it's all about. It's great communication. It's an opportunity to share different points of view and that's democracy. So, you know, it's been it's been a fantastic experience on this board. Thank you very much for your service. Uh folks, please, especially you keyboard warriors out there, please educate yourself before you start typing away, okay? Because we do read it. We do recognize it. We have pages 2 to nine of all your communications. That's a rarity. Not all towns do do that, okay? And we do respond to the vast majority of these. Please educate yourself as a piece

237as it relates to affordable housing. It's a very complicated but a very sensitive area. Let me be clear and please allow me and we have folks that can speak more to this. We are for affordable housing. We are for affordable housing as so much so is that we want to bring more opportunities of affordable housing especially for our veteran and senior community. We would welcome that. What we are not in favor of is over building our challenges with the developers who come to the table with the different Please educate your yourself so you can appreciate where we stand and our relationship with the township community. We have overarticulated this point numerous times. We are for affordable housing. We are not for overdevelopment. So I just want to make sure that that point is very very

238clear. But again, thank you very much for the decor and the professionalism throughout. >> I'll say uh yeah, one thing so give you the floor. Yeah. But again, thank you for your service. It's been a pleasure. Um just a few comments. Um number one, the Oprah request again to um I mean, sorry, the open public meetings act. Sorry, there's so many acronyms in this world. Um educate yourself on it. Uh there's been a lot of attorneys that have reached out and I I keyboard warriors like you said hilarious uh keyboard attorneys educate yourself on um on what the open public meetings act is. So number one you do not have the right to be in the student assembly. That's number one. Number two when board is in session you have the right to be here.

239Right? We advertise that to the community that work will be done. There are two things that because we are board members doesn't mean we actually have to give up our rights as American citizens. Nine people of the board are allowed to be in the same room at once as long as they don't number one conduct business and number two it's called an accidental quorum which are also allowed. Right? So we are allowed flexibility. It's called an accidental quum. So please review it. The point of this is that you could see from all the board members and I have one more comment about the the parental bill of rights is all we ask is to listen. We listen to you listen to us. You can see we are under assault constantly from external pressures right number

240one from political organizations and from a lot of money for example right there's a lot of money those attorneys will try to sue us. So there was comments made is that normal? No. The answer is it is not normal to have ethics complaints and it's not normal to have to go through litigation. But what happens is is we are not ever allowed to counter sue. We're never allowed to do that. We're a public entity. We have to respond to these things no matter what happens. Right? So my last point um there's a lot of comments made about the transparency of instruction. It's number 1.2 the parental bill of rights. There's two comments I need to make on this. Number one, I sound like a broken record, but I'll say this again. The parental bill of

241rights, it's a it's already been instituted. Those policies have been instituted. We've gone through numerous worth of six months worth of back and forth as a board to make sure it was legal. And then number two, we had a legal team look at it as well to make sure that it was 100% legal. Nothing in the Bill of Rights has been changed. There's no alters. Again, it's a summary of all the laws that work on the federal side, the state side, and then locally as a an institution. The one sentence which I'm very confused about, and I'll read it aloud to the public is what the the what a lot of the questions that have come to us was we weren't transparent, which obviously we were. You you saw what what Miss Vulpi went through.

242But again, number one, it's a federal employee. There's Secret Service involved. Go on to any one of those cabinet members and just see where their schedule is. you won't be able to see what their schedule is. That's for a safety concern, right? But I'll read this aloud so you can all see it in in in public. Parents have the right to be informed in advance about any guest speakers, presentations, or school assemblies, especially those addressing health, sexuality, or other sensitive topics. They may request information about the qualifications of teachers and guest presenters who interact with students. There was there was not a breach of that policy in any way, shape, or form. You can't wish things into reality. The the the reality is is that again parents have the right to be informed in advance.

243You were you were informed twice in advance. So again, laws are always open for interpretation. Technically speaking, if we were to give you something within one minute of an assembly, we'd be within policy, right? But that's not how we govern as as a board at all. Right? We gave you ample days to review the quality. And again, you made a perfect comment about, god forbid we did not tell you who had funded this, right? God forbid we did not say that. Did we have to release that information? Did Dr. Garbe have to release that information? No, she did not. But we did it because we want to be transparent so everyone knows. The fact of the matter is, again, I encourage everyone to read about the history rocks tour. There's a reason why there's only

244right leaning organizations that are funding this. And again, they're only funding it. As you saw, there was no materials that were distributed. It's it's an event, right? There's trucks that have to be here. It's a production. Stage needs to be set up, audiovisisual that requires money, right? So, the people who had funded this, the government went out to all organizations. The irony behind this is the only organizations that responded to this tour were rightle leaning organizations, right? So, Black Lives Matter, all the organizations that you can imagine that are out there, the NEA, the NJA, all those institutions chose not to be a part of this. That has nothing to do with any political agenda or anything like that. They just do not want to see that that we'll call it again, the production be

245successful whatsoever. Right? So, those are my comments. I want to leave that there. And again, you know, we respond to everything. We're very transparent. I read every Facebook comment. I read every email that comes into you here. We respond to things. If there's ever a question, Dr. Gary, even listed on that, if you have any questions or comments or anything, ask. Write an email in there. Unfortunately, the political climate that we live in right now, you know what would have happened about five or six years ago if we would have said that the secretary of education is coming to our our district. That would have been it. That's the qualification of the speaker. There's nothing else to that whatsoever. We didn't have to go into any of the detail that we had to go in.

246There's again qualifications of the secretary of education the the the secretary of of transportation remember Pete Buddhajge Pete Buddhajed doesn't have a driver's license so is that a qualification to be the department of transportation probably not right probably not that's just the way that things work again federal employees or federal employees we it exactly went by the guidelines that um Miss Bulpi did so again I want to thank you for the transparence that you provide on a daily basis. Thank the administrative. Thank the staff, everyone for what you do. We don't need to thank you, but we do it for each other. We do it for the board. We do it for our children. More importantly, we have children. We have students in this. There's nothing that we would do ever as parents that would

247ever put this jeopardy of our children and in safety concerns whatsoever. I texted multiple parents when they asked about this. Would I put my child in a situation that they would be unsafe? Absolutely not. So, unfortunately, we hear you. We understand what you're saying. It's just the political climate that we work in. You have to understand. Just reach out. We'll always be transparent. That's all I have to say before we give that to M. So, thank you for >> um Yeah. Is Mrs. Ramirez will be the last Anybody else? >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Um, can I have Mrs. Ramirez and then um we'll double back to you? Is that okay? >> Okay. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Go ahead, >> Mr. Ragnet. Yes. I'm sorry. I apologize. >> Okay. And

248two things. Uh, one, I want to piggyback on what board member uh Scarper uh talked about with the um uh low-inccome housing. Um, in no way form I think any of us are against low-inccome housing as uh Mr. Scarra had said, especially myself. What what what what pains me is when I drive around the whole state of New Jersey, but especially Coul's neck, when I see the overdevelopment of our lands, I in my heart a conservationist and it it it pains me how the other side who pretend to be claim to be environmentalists are okay with the overdevelopment of our state. uh the tearing down of trees, the the destruction of land, the the the making animals have to find new places to live. Um that that that pains me as a conservationist is seeing

249that. I love the state of New Jersey used to be such a wonderful, beautiful state. It still is in many ways, but but not as much anymore. And that pains me. And I and I wish um the more people on the other side would implore the state government to to to stop this overdevelopment. Uh se second, it's also a capacity issue in quality of education. The more kids, the more people that we have living in our in our town, the more more students that will be here and we have to make sure we have the room for them and that they each get a proper education that they deserve. Secondly, uh I want to thank uh Jessica for her time here on the board. Thank you. service. Uh what you have started with the late

250great John Camera and what you have done on this board yourself is incalculable. Incalculable. I'm proud of the accomplishments that that you have done uh and hope you are proud accomplishments that you have done yourself. It was an honor to be asked and serve as your vice president last year and have you as a mentor of mine. I hope to carry on your legacy and I hope to serve with you again in the future. When you became president, you stepped into a devastating situation. You handled it with grace and I commend you for it. God bless you and I wish you luck in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Ret. Thank you. And Mrs. Ramirez, if you want to um conclude the meeting with your comments. >> Uh good evening everyone. I'm a

251little sad so many people left and get to hear my little conclusion speech here. Um I just want to start with if it looks like I'm about to throw up, it's because I was in a horrific car accident a few days ago and I'm in excruciating pain sitting here. So um that's why I'm moving around a lot and uh so bear with me here. Um tonight's my final board meeting after serving this district for three years as an elected official. And this moment is far more emotional than I expected it to be in part because I'm in a lot of pain. But when I first ran for this seat, I genuinely had absolutely no idea what I was stepping into. Um I ran with John Camera and Matt Fonte and I had no idea the

252magnitude of the responsibility, um the scrutiny or the personal sacrifice that would come with it. What I did know was that I loved this community and I believed deeply in the ability to make positive changes and I felt a responsibility to stand up for what I believed was right even when doing so was uncomfortable. Serving on this board is one of the greatest honors of my life. I hope that I have served in a way that has made the residents of this town proud to have voted for me. This role has tested me in ways I never could have anticipated. There were moments of real fear, receiving death threats simply for doing my job. There were aggressive and threatening mailers sent directly to my home by those who disagreed with my positions. [snorts] There was

253Oprah requests by the Michael Goddisman seeking my personal and [snorts] private text messages. Those moments were invasive, unsettling, and deeply painful, [snorts] especially as a mother and a private citizen who stepped up forward to serve this community. >> [snorts] >> We also endured a profound loss. The loss of a board member and a friend. We navigated three highly contentious elections that often brought division, tension, [snorts] and personal attacks rather than respectful disagreement and unity within our community. >> [snorts] >> There were nights that I went home emotionally exhausted. Nights I questioned whether the toll this role took on my family was worth it. [snorts] Nights when I carried the weight of this position long after meetings ended. But there were also moments, many of them, that [snorts] reminded me exactly why I stayed. And Dr.

254Garbe, you often reminded me exactly why I stayed. [snorts] One of the proudest chapters of my service was in the beginning and [snorts] it was initiating and leading the charge to repeal policy 5756. What began here in this district became part of a broader movement across the state. I spoke [snorts] up when it was unpopular. I pushed forward when I was told that it couldn't be done. I worked with parents, advocates, and board members beyond our town borders to challenge a policy that I believed was wrong, not just [snorts] for our community, but for public education in New Jersey as a whole. Being part of that effort ultimately led to its repeal, not only in this district, but in many other districts across the state. And that is something that I will always carry with

255me. And it came at a personal cost that I willingly accepted because it did matter and it still does. There were many other victories as well, many that Angelique highlighted tonight. Victories that I'm incredibly proud of. We continued the critical work of the ESIP program. We ensured that the summer bridge program continued even without funding because our students deserve consistency and an opportunity. We got our live streaming to enhance transparency to our communities. We delivered two consecutive years of a 0% tax increase for our residents. We [snorts] established a naval weapons station early position to strengthen communication and collaboration. We achieved purple star status at all three of our schools honoring our military connected families. We supported and advanced the parental bill of rights. And just this month, hosting Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was

256a true honor and a meaningful full circle way to conclude my time on this board. None of these accomplishments happened easily. They happen through persistence, long nights, very difficult conversations, and a willingness to stand firm when it would have been far easier to stay silent. Three years have been these three years have been long, demanding, but also deeply meaningful. And while I'm proud of the work that I'm done here, I'm also ready and very grateful to reclaim some of the much needed time for my family. This time was often given quietly without complaint so that I could show up fully for this role. To this community, thank you for trusting me with this role and trusting me to serve you. That trust has never been lost on me even in my hardest moments. To our

257administration, those here and those who I hope will watch. Thank you for your guidance, your patience, and the grace that you extended me during the calm moments and the very challenging ones. And to the students who are and always must be the center of everything that we do, you come first. Always keep asking questions. Keep pushing boundaries. Stay engaged, especially with this board and future boards. Speak up. Reach higher than you ever thought was possible. And never stop striving to reach your fullest potential. It has been an honor beyond words to serve this community. Thank you. [applause] [applause] Thank you, Mrs. Ramirez. Um at this time um uh I assume nobody has any more new business. Okay, we we are going to um move into executive session. Uh the live streaming will cease at this

258time. Uh the executive session is pertaining to pending litigation. It would last about 10 minutes. Uh no action will be taken at this time. Uh, so I could if I could get a motion to move the board into executive. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Motion pass. >> Happy holidays everybody. Thank you for coming.