001Okay, >> great. Thank you. Uh, good evening everybody. I'd like to call to order for the meeting of the board of education, September 17, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the administration building at 70 Conor Road, Colts, New Jersey. Can I please have a roll call, Mr. Morasco? >> Yes, you may. Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. here. >> She's participating remotely. Mr. Rico >> here. >> Mrs. Ramirez >> here. >> Mr. Rietta >> here. >> Mr. Scales >> here. >> Mr. Scarpa >> here. >> Mrs. Vulpi >> here. >> Mr. Walsh >> here. >> Thank you. You have a quorum. >> Great. Thank you. 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
0024th, 2025, notice of which has been filed with the deputy clerk for Colts Township and the requirements of posting of notices have been met. If we could please uh rise for the flag salute. 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. Okay, great. Um, if I could uh request somebody uh to read the mission statement at this time. Would like to follow? >> Mr. Regetta. >> The mission of Coleneck Township Schools is to empower and inspire students to be confident, creative, self-sufficient learners who maximize their strengths and talents and contribute as responsible participants in their everexpanding world. >> Okay. Uh great. Thank you, Mr. Agna. Um we are going to move right
003into uh approval of the minutes. I just want to make note we're going to have to table this. Um uh we were unable to review this at this time. Uh thank you miss uh Mrs. Ramirez for uh bringing that to our attention. So we're going to table it at this time. Uh motion to table uh the approval of minutes from August 27th. >> Okay, great. Can I get a roll call? All right, great. Um, moving on. We have nothing under uh presentation or communications. I'm going to go right into my president's report at this time. Um, all right. Good evening, everybody. Um, over the past week, I've had the uh privilege of representing our board at two important events at Cedar Drive Middle School. On September 11th, I was honored to attend the Day of
004Remembrance Assembly. Uh it was a touching and meaningful ceremony as we gathered with our Cedar Drive students to reflect on the sacrifice, heroism, and loss that marked that day in history. It was also a privilege to join with members of our community in recognizing our police officers and firefighters who continue to serve and protect us today. I want to thank Dr. Garbay and Dr. for Riby for organizing the assembly and for ensuring that we pause for a moment of silence in honor of the 2,977 lives lost that day. I also want to thank uh Mr. Ragnetta, Mr. Scales, and Mrs. Horowitz uh for attending with me as well. It was great for you all to be there. Um we will never forget. Uh last night I attended Cedar Drives back to school night. It was
005a wonderful opportunity to meet my daughter's teachers, uh, step into their classrooms and get a firsthand look at the expectations for the year ahead. I want to thank all the teachers for their warm welcome and for the time and effort they put into making parents feel included in their students education. I also want to take this time uh to thank um, Mr. Moretta and uh, all the buildings and ground staffs, the custodians. Uh, the schools looked amazing. Everything was so neat, clean, in order. It was just such a fantastic night. Uh seeing all the hard work and uh the finished results for back to school night. Uh I want to make sure that all those custodians, I know the teachers, we always thank them and you know, they're always front and center, but the custodians
006seem to never get recognized. We we hardly get to see them ever, but I want to make sure that they know uh that we always appreciate them and we we do watch and um their hard work isn't doesn't go unnoticed. Uh moving on to uh I am pleased to report progress on several board initiatives under the leadership of our buildings and ground safety and security uh board chair Kevin Walsh. Our bus stop arras have been ordered uh and they are on the way. >> They delivered. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you very much for the update. They're here already. That's awesome. Uh these cameras will serve as a critical tool to ensure that vehicles do not illegally pass buses while students are boarding or exiting. Uh so thank you very much, Mr. Walsh, uh for
007his continued commitment to student safety. >> I want to thank Brian, Mrs. Scarper, for really helping me too conversations and you know >> Oh, great. I certainly like to >> very um helpful. >> Great. U Mrs. Scarpet, thank you so much. uh I don't always see what goes on behind the scenes in every committee. So, so I do appreciate all the hard work both of you put in to get it done and of course the district for uh expediting it so quickly. So that's fantastic news. Um lastly, in addition, uh Mr. Scales has been working diligently alongside Dr. Garvey to finalize the parental bill of rights. Uh I want to thank you also, Mr. scale for your time and dedication bringing this important work forward and I'm hopeful we will have a final version ready
008uh for first read uh the next couple weeks. So thank you very much as well and uh that concludes my president's report. Okay, we are going to move to the board liaison report. I just want to make sure um Mrs. Harowitz uh is ready. Uh she is participating virtually so she'll be uh doing the parent advisory committee first. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. Y >> Okay, perfect. So, uh by the end of this month, we'll be sending out emails to all parents inviting them to participate in our parent advisory committee this year. Uh for the past two years, this group has generated um valuable ideas and feedback and strongly encourage parents to um that are interested to get involved. This year, we are going to be updating the structure of the committee to
009be more topic driven. uh it'll be guided by parent and board input. Um our goal is to create meaningful constructive discussions around these topics that we decide to cover as well as including the appropriate members of the administration team to then present um to provide any kind of cont on advisory committee. I could jump into PTO if that works. >> Yes, please. Thank you. >> Okay. So the PTO had their meeting today just a couple days to make everybody aware of their um membership drive is going on is still going on from now through October 2nd. Uh their first walk and talk which is a chance to learn about the PTO. Their fundraisers and upcoming events will be held this Friday September 19th. Um trunk retreat is scheduled for October 25th and Frosty's holiday shop
010will take place on Saturday. And that's it. All right. Uh, great, Mrs. Harowitz. Thank you. Um, moving on to the Coen Township uh newsletter. I spoke to Mrs. Camera. Uh, there is no updates at at this time, so we're going to pass over that. Move right into uh Mr. Ruggets. Cold Township School Arts, Sports, and Extracurriculars. >> Thank you. Uh, pretty light tonight. Uh someone announced mother and son dance um will be Friday, October 17th, and that'll be for prek uh to fifth grade. Uh it'll be at 5:30 to 9:30 at Trump National uh Golf Club in Coulson. Uh tickets are $125 each. So you do need to purchase two tickets for uh mother and the son. Uh so it'll be 250 uh per mother and son. Uh there will be a raffle and tickets
011will be sold for uh for baskets uh five for $20. Um go please go to uh CNSF [email protected] for more info and to request the link to uh buy tickets and also if you want to sponsor the event as well too if you want to uh make a basket uh to donate a basket or to sponsor the event um they would love for you to do that as well. Uh right now all the fall sports are uh in full swing including wreck and travel. So, I just want wish wish everyone good luck. Um I hope the start is going well and uh good luck. Thank you. >> Uh great. Thank you, Mr. Rnetta. Moving on to the Cold Township Committee. Um Mr. Scarpa, do you have anything for that? >> Yes. Um just a couple
012updates. Uh the meeting was held this past this past week. There were a few resolutions that were passed in particular resolution 2022-160. Uh this one raised the bid limit to 53,000. So that basically means any job under 53,000 does not necessarily have to go out to bid uh because we have um Mr. Anatony's credentials on on uh with the township. Um I'm not closely related to that. Just reporting out on that piece. Uh there are some affordable housing updates. Uh Rob, will you be providing affordable housing? Okay. just um it was announced that uh one of the units over in the grand uh recently transferred over and that transfer over it now puts it into at a market rate capability from uh and the town has the opportunity to go after that particular house at
013at at point of first refusal. I don't want to get into all of some of the specifics, but apparently 99% of the units are now out of the 30-year limitation, and that means they'll all be they'll all be out of the 30-year by December. So, there's some finer points out there that are in the notes of the um township resolution, but there was a lot of activity on affordable housing as well as some resolutions that were passed this week, but it's it is on their website. >> Great. Thank you very much, uh, Mr. Scarpa. Okay, moving on to the uh township planning um board, Mr. Scales and Mr. Walsh. >> Nothing to report on my end. >> Nothing, Kevin. >> Nothing formal invitation from the township committee for us >> to attend. >> What's that?
014>> There's discussion by Mayor Bus to have us formally invited. I'm still waiting to receive it. >> Okay. All right. Uh we'll follow that. Moving on to the senior citizens. Mr. wash. >> Yes, the October 8th meeting will be their monthly meeting. It's going to be at the Colnneck Recreation Center and there'll be flu shots for the seniors. Make sure you bring your insurance card. So, um that's there. And also, in addition to that recreation center that I mentioned, they have they're going to have fitness classes six days a week for the seniors. So, good opportunity to go keep in shape and, you know, take advantage of our recreation center and all the programs for our seniors. They have a trip on nove October 9th. It's never too late at the Hunter Hills Playhouse. And
015on, let's see, December 11th, they have Elf the Musical, Surflight Theater. And their big holiday party will be the Molly Molly Picture Inn on December 18th. And that's it. >> All right. Great. Thanks for that. Moving on to NA Naval Weapons Station Earl. Uh, Mrs. Ramirez and Mr. >> Scarpa. Uh, great. We I just wanted to um ask who's going to be attending the tour. >> Okay. Just the two of you. Okay. Is it open to any >> is it open to any any more or is that's just the limit for the two or >> Okay. All right. Um, let us know. You know, I'd like to open if it's okay with you, Mr. Escarpa, to invite two more. I always try to include as many board members as we can um to get involved.
016So, if it's okay, let us know. Um, let Jess know and then, you know, we can invite two more. My security. >> Oh, so that Okay. At >> Okay. So, you got to do an application and then pick up a badge. What What other >> Okay, I may not pass. >> All right, moving on. All right. Um, keep us posted. We would like to have two more um go if you, you know, if anybody would like. So, thank you. Um, all right, moving right into state and county school boards. Um, I don't have much. I I've been repeating the same thing. We have the big uh schoolboard workshop coming up once again that's fast approaching. Um and then there was that AI conference. I think it was October 7th, but I covered that last time.
017You guys can just um look through your emails. I did want to just show you uh the school um magazine. I know you guys most of you get it. Maybe some don't. But if you need copies, I um have a few of these uh to pass out. Uh some things are very informative in here. Uh, so if you want to take a look, I'll have this copy up front, but like I said, everybody gets this from the New Jersey School Board. So, it's uh it's nice to read through and get some information. Uh, that concludes that we are going to um move right into the superintendent report. >> Thank you. >> Yes, thank you. And I can officially say because last time we spoke it was the day before school started. So now we've started
018and um it's you know I can say we've had a really strong start to the school year. You know any issues that we've had communication lines been flowing very nicely and whatever um you received a lot of positivity since the start of the school year which has only been about 11 days believe it or not. Um we've had three back to school nights our uh 911 uh Patriot Day programs that have gone in all three schools and um everybody is settling in and all of our schedules and everything. All set. I know that um you had mentioned uh reaching out and setting up a meeting. I'm working with Dr. Ry to coordinate a meeting for our student representatives to the board. They are still in place. So, we'll be I'll be sending you some information
019with availability. We'll have our first meeting with them, you know, at Cedar Drive as we've done in the past and we'll facilitate it that way. >> All right. And then are we going to not to interrupt your report, are we going to like put it out again to >> We usually do that in January. >> When the new year Okay, perfect. had a couple um >> albe it nice and uh intimate. It'll be an intimate setting. Okay. >> So, we've done that. Um I just wanted to also uh talk about tomorrow night at Cedar Drive. I know that um communicated this is our high school parenting night that planning night. There's a lot of options for kids kiddos that graduate from Cedar Drive Middle School and we try to do a nice job letting parents
020know what their options are for students. applications for vocational schools and different applications are going to be coming open by October 1st. So that's something that we want definitely to make sure our kids are prepared for their application submissions and so on. And um you know it's never too soon. So even in seventh grade parents are talking about that about what's available to them either we look at the schools vocational schools and what's available through the free region high schools as well as and of course also high school. So that's tomorrow six o'clock um at Cedar Drive. Uh we are receiving you heard camera speakulum updates as well as Dr. Reynolds the last time about the NJSLA field test that's going to be taking place this October. We are receiving information Department of Education and
021as we suspected uh it's for going to be for students in fourth through 8th grade. The reason being is because the information we have right now is that the test is going to be based on prior year standards. So students in fourth grade will be tested on end of year third grade standards. So and that is because they want to be able to do comparison of student performance based on those type of things. So we are still figuring out schedules. We are still figuring out getting triples of information in. It is looking like potentially an October date for our students. Um and we are committed to double up. So we may look at it through the lens of doubling up on the field test participation and then moving on from that. So that's more information
022from Dr. on that. Um we have going back to the camera right now for the week of 13. You are correct. Um just so also too one of the things that we want to talk about is that in the background of everything you know security is always preparing reports recommendations in a way myself was involved in terms of medical emergency response and they just procedures the building and we get a That's something that administrative rule for the same set of eyes on things and that's what state of charge'll make will Absolutely. Um and then um I think that was it. Oh, and the PTO. Um as Mrs. Harit mentioned, I attended the uh PTO first general meeting today. The majority of administration was also there to we stress the importance of the chain of communication.
023they want when they want it and you know to to really hone in on that and to also come to us. We can't solve problems on social media. We can't solve problems if we don't know about them. So the best way to address them is to bring them to our attention in the most timely and efficient manner. So um it's a great partnership we have then we look forward the membership drive is still going on encouraging everyone. So thank you everyone for all their support, patience as we walk through but by day three our buses were running to the credit of our drivers, everyone involved at transportation. Um just a great start to the school year. So thank you and keep going for another 2526. >> Oh, awesome. All good things. All right, we're going
024to move uh right into the information items to take note of. There's one information item there if anybody has any questions. Uh if not, we're going to move into comments from the public at this time. Anybody wants to get up and make a statement, please state your name and address for the record. I don't see anybody in this crowd of people wanting to get up. So, we will close public comment. Um moving on to the action items. All right. Right. I'd like to get a motion to move action items. Um, just one regarding the field trips. Anybody have any questions or comments, Mr. Eggnut? Oh, I thought you were all right. I just wanted to um ask you, is the Sandy Hook Beach trip new this year, or is that always around? >> No, they've
025done it before. >> Oh, they have. >> Okay, great. All right, awesome. I just want to always make a comment. Uh that Stokes trip is amazing. I I can't speak highly enough. I just I'm so glad we're continuing with that. That is one of the best trips we offer here. So, uh and hopefully we'll be able to do Washington DC. >> Okay. All right. Can I have a roll call to approve action motion? >> Yes. I'm sorry, Miss >> We didn't do motions, right? I'll give I'll give That's why I turned it on. I was going to give the first motion. >> Go ahead. Motion. You have a second. >> Second. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Roll call. >> Mrs. Harowitz? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ro? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez? >> Yes. >> Mr.
026Retta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scales? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scarpa? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Walsh? >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Great. Thank you. Um, we have nothing under buildings and grounds. Uh, we are going to I need a motion to move items under curriculum one through four. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Give it to Vinnie. >> I was going to give it to you. >> Add the last one. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Okay, great. Does anybody uh have a question or comment on those four particular items under curriculum? All right. If I could get a roll call. >> Curriculum items one through four. Mrs. Harowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Or >> yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rigman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scales. >> Yes.
027>> Mr. Scarpa. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vulpi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wall. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Great. Thank you. Uh I need a motion to move uh uh items one through four under finance one through four. >> Second. >> Okay. Any questions or comments on any of those? All right. Roll call, please. >> Finance one through four. Mrs. Harowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Or >> yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez. Yes, >> Mr. Rnetta. >> Yes, >> Mr. Scales. >> Yes, >> Mr. Scarpa. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Vulpi. >> Yes, >> Mr. Walsh. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Great. Thank you. Um, I need a motion to move um one item under policy. >> Motion. >> Second. Okay. Anybody have any questions or comments about administrating? >> Is that the sun screen? >> That's
028the sun screen. >> Any questions or comments of that? No. >> Okay. >> Yes. Policy one policy item. Mrs. Harlowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ro. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Retta. >> Yes. Mr. Scales, >> yes. >> Mr. Scarpa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bolby, >> yes. >> Mr. Walsh, >> yes. >> Motion passed. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Nothing under negotiations or transportation. Moving into P. Moving into personnel. Uh, I need a motion to move items as quite lengthy. Let's see. Oh, thank you, Dr. Gway. One through 22. 1 through 22. Motion. question. >> Second. >> All right. Any questions or comments? We got um quite a few on there. Anybody have any questions about the new hires or >> just some review? >> Was that >> just some time
029to review it? That's a lot of pieces. >> Yeah, just >> Yeah, absolutely. Take your time. Everybody can review again. >> I have a question while we're waiting. Um, for the Stokes trip, do parents, when you're short of parents, what happens on that? Like, do they add more staff or do you um solicit parents from other grades or how does that work? >> Um, Dr. Rickby is very persuasive in um of we haven't had short, we've been tight sometimes, but I mean, we've had people have been so generous with their time. Okay. >> So, we usually like to have representation in the cabin to staff don't stay in the cabin for those. >> So we have um very generous parents who are willing to give their time and volunteer for the trip. So we have
030went across that in the event it was needed, you know, then we would probably need to have more staff support on that end. >> Okay. I was just going to put it out there that I would love to volunteer even though my daughter's not in that grade. >> That's how much that's how much fun that that is. I could go as Victoria's aunt or something. Keep that in mind. >> It is It is a great >> It is so much fun. But I won't do food duty. >> I'll pass on the food duty. >> What's that? >> Yeah. Yeah. But the the food was quite quite good actually for it being, you know, >> camp food. >> Like camp food. Yeah. Okay. >> What I want to ask were there um give them another minute.
031Um, for the chaperones, um, is it true they they changed the protocols on, um, you know, what needs to be done for them? Like I thought last year like I heard they're doing different like they have to be fingerprinted or something like that. Am I wrong? >> It's we do like a from the same background type of thing. They do the preliminaries if they were visiting the schools. >> Oh, okay. Got it. Got it. Thank you. >> All right, you're all done. All right, no problem. Uh, if we could have a roll call if nobody else has any questions or comments. >> Okay, do a roll call. >> Okay, on the personnel items 1 through 22. Mrs. Horowitz. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Rico. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ramirez, >> yes. >> Mr. Rickman,
032>> yes. >> Mr. Scales. to uh recuse myself from number 13. Yes to the remaining items. >> Sorry, I have to recuse for number six. >> Yes. I have to recuse to number six. Yes to the rest. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Mr. Scarpa. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vulby. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wall. >> Yes. >> Thank you. The motion to carry. >> Okay. Great. Um, moving back uh to the comments from the public. Uh, anybody at this time want to make a last minute comment, question or comment from the public. >> All right, closing public comment. Uh, we will open the floor up to uh, new business at this time if anybody wants to add. >> Yes, sir. Uh, Mr. I have two points. Uh, one, I want to thank uh, Dr. Carb
033and uh I'd like to thank President uh Vulpi for having uh inviting the rest of the board to the 911 memorial um last Thursday. It was a incredible event and beautiful service and uh thank you also for having my son there. He was able to go before his school started. He's got a rude awakening for next year. He has to get up a lot earlier for middle school. Um but it was great. Thank you so much. Um and it's great that we were able to me memorialize that event. Uh, second, I'd like to just uh send my condolences out to um anybody who uh may have in this town who may have been a friend or an acquaintance or just even met uh Charlie Kirk. Uh I know if you're grieving, uh just want to
034send my condolences out there. It's um the country is probably grieving right now. I know they are. And um it's devastating event that happened, assassination that happened last week and uh affected a lot of people, affected me, especially as a father. He has a he has a daughter around my daughter's age. So, I can't imagine how what his family's going through right now. And I'd like to send my condolences out to his his family. Uh my thoughts and prayers are with his family. And um Charlie was one of the people who I followed who um encouraged me uh um inspired me to to run for this board of education to uh do something bigger than myself. And uh and he inspired a lot of people. And um I would be remissed if we didn't mention
035him tonight. And um so I want to do my best to uh keep his memory alive. I do my best for the board and and best for making sure parental rights is uh a number one issue because I know he was passionate about that. And um if we can I' I'd like to um have us do a moment of silence in in his honor if that's okay. >> Yes, certainly. Absolutely. >> Thank you so much. Y Oh, your mic isn't on, but that's okay. >> Was it off the whole time? >> Yeah. >> Was it off the whole time? >> I I don't know if it was or not, but >> Oh, god. Um, I do I just want to thank that uh President Bulby that we're able to have the conti constituents speak uh
036speak twice because uh Charlie Kirk was a big uh proponent of listening to the other side and and we're able to do that here and uh it's very appreciative. Thank you so much. >> All right. Uh just for those who could not hear since Mr. Retta's mic was off uh you know he he uh made a request that we did a moment of silence uh for Mr. Charlie Kirk who was um viciously um uh assassinated uh last week. So in case anybody I just want to make sure that the public heard your sentiments and um I echo everything you said. It was really a shame. Um uh we as board members here always um want to make sure that the public is heard whether we disagree or not. There's been a lot of contentious moments
037in our board of education along with boards across the entire country, but it's always, you know, um, a priority for me being a parent to, you know, welcome everybody's comments whether they agree with us or or not. But one thing is you know our foundation of this country is freedom of speech and everybody's viewpoints are always um allowed uh you know to be projected no matter what. No one should ever be silenced whether you know we um disagree or not. So thank you very much for bringing that up tonight. It was very kind of you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um moving on. >> Oh I'm sorry. Um Mrs. Harwitz, I apologize. I didn't see you um wanting to add something. Go ahead. That's okay. Um, so I've mentioned it before and I know
038many of you know that I am a member of the 3G organization which represents grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. Um, on October 7th we're going to be having a guest speaker from 3G uh present at school. So it's obviously it's going to be a powerful opportunity for eighth graders to hear about um the survivors survival and resilience through their grandchildren's eyes. Um, definitely going to be powerful. I want to thank Dr. Gay for helping make this happen as well as Dr. Ricky for supporting the program at the middle school. Um and um the board is is invited to attend just let Dr. Barbe or myself know if you have any interest in being there. >> Uh great. Thank you, Mr. Harvest. I I was reluctant to send you an email uh but I will be attending
039that as well. So once again, we could have uh anybody else that wants to come, please, you know, contact Dr. Garbay and we'll be happy for you to join us. All right. And thank you, Sarah, for your initiative on that. We appreciate it. Okay. Um, anybody else want to add some new business, comments, questions? Nothing. Nothing. Okay. All right. We're going to um move on. Close new business. Uh we are going to move on. We have an executive session tonight. Um we will probably be about 30 minutes. It's in regards to our superintendent contract. At this time uh the live stream uh will be ended and we will not resume. Um so if I could get a motion to adjourn at this time. >> Second. >> Y. Great. >> Great. Thank you everybody for attending.
040>> Yeah. Thank you. Have a good night. Y That's right.