001Okay, good evening everyone. Uh so at six o'clock today, we started the session early because the board had to meet an executive for discussions um that occurred in the executive session. So we'll go ahead and continue on with the uh agenda. And uh Miss Saski Gosski, just just for your note, executive sension ended at 7:20 p.m. Um next item on the agenda is the pledge of allegiance. Will everyone please stand? Okay. So, we do have a very special presentation to um to have uh for everyone. But before we do, I'd like to announce that uh during our June 9th meeting, New Jersey school boards will be here to present our goals as a recap for 2024 and 2025. Also help with our board self-evaluation and help us with setting goals for 2526 school year. It
002is under a board retreat format, which means that we start earlier and uh there might be some food involved. So, uh, all right. Uh, but now for the special presentation of the 2025 persons of the year awards. Okay, I'm going to move my space over there so I can speak and uh, stand up at the same time. So, for the f our first award, let me give a little bit of a history. We do we've been doing this this is the eighth year and um started out with it was supported by the PTAs and the foundation of Dville and also downtown Dville. It's kind of changed a little bit but we're still doing the same thing. Um each award comes with a plaque and some gift cards to local businesses. And um this was one
003of the easier ones for all three because there were so many nominations for each one. So it wasn't it wasn't one of our harder ones to pick. And um this is definitely one of the highlights of my year every year because I get a chance to do something um that's really nice and I get to interact and see the kids too and the staff and everybody's always excited and and so um honored I believe. Um, so this award is put out to the entire community. It's publicized in the newspapers. It's sent out in the Friday folder. It's posted on the websites. It's put in social media. It's retweeted and re Facebookked and rew whatever all the time. We got back around 100 uh plus nominations and um then we sit with a committee on the
004committee is somebody from the PTA each PTA Dr. colorless, myself and someone from the foundation this year was Mr. Molstoning who's the president and the presidents of all the of all of our PTAs. So, it's a pretty good cooperative effort. The PTAs and the foundation fund everything. There's a big plaque that goes upstairs in the um in the board office. We had to get a new one this year because it we were filled. It'll be new and it'll be posted up there and that's a nice thing that keeps going on. Um, so we're gonna start off with our community member of the year. If I could have uh Mr. Anderson come on up. Um, Mr. Jeff Barnes is the award winner for this year. He's not able to make it, but I'd like to just
005give a little bit of a bio about him and Mr. Anderson will accept the award on his behalf since he's also a member of the um of the foundation. So, here's a little bio for Mr. A little background on Mr. Barnes. For two decades, Jeff has been a dedicated and passionate supporter of the Denver community. As president of the Denver Education Foundation for more than five years, he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's not an exaggeration. Hundreds of thousands of dollars that went to give special enhanced experiences for our students. From leading the foundation's most successful golf outings to sponsoring youth sports through his businesses, Jeff's impact is farreaching. He continues to volunteer his time with numerous community organizations and events including St. Francis, St. Claire's, and local youth sports. Jeff's unwavering commitment
006and generosity have made a lasting difference, and we're proud to honor him as the 2025 Denver community member of the year. So, on behalf, I know it's a little weird that it's not him, but Mike is your friend. I'll quickly just mention I've been uh friends with uh Jeff for many many years. He just texted me. He actually unfortunately had a death in the family so he's unable to make it tonight. But uh uh Jeff is just incredible with the community. I mean obviously the support of the schools through the foundation. Um he has held that foundation together and expanded it truly uh in his uh recent support. So um I can't thank Jeff enough. He's been a personal friend of mine for many many years um and certainly a personal friend of the uh
007school district. So hopefully we'll get a chance to uh maybe have Jeff at another meeting in the future. But uh I just want to on behalf of the board and the and the Denver Education Foundation who I've been involved with for many years, I just want to thank Jeff for his uh unwarying support. So thank you. So Jeff's award is a uh plaque like we talked about and a $200 gift card to Kazabella. Our next one is going to be the staff person of the year and I'd like to call up Miss Theodoropoulos. I got Okay, perfect. Thank you. So, it is truly my distinct honor and privilege to present Anne Stark as a staff the year this year's staff person of the year. I can't say I'm surprised that she was voted this prestigious
008honor. Ann, she is the heart of our review. She's the person who's there for everyone, whether it's to track down materials, cover classes, solve any type of problem, lend an ear, or just share a laugh in the middle of a crazy, hectic day. And we've been having more and more of those. I've had the absolute joy of working with Anne for the past 13 years, and every single year has been better because of her presence. Todd, Sue, and I, and with an, we make a cohesive team, and I'm so grateful for it. I remember my first day on the job as principal. Had this whole speech prepared, trying to get myself all psyched to be the principal. And one of those things was, I'm going to have a nice conversation with Anne so she can
009help me transition. As I go to open my mouth, this is what Ann says without missing a beat. Don't worry, I got you. That was all we needed to say. She had me. She really did. From that day forward, I really admired her honesty. And I mean real honesty, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And tells it like it is. And I've always admired and respected her for that, for her honesty, her in her integrity, and her loyalty. She also has this uncanny ability to know when I'm hungry, when I need a minute, when I'm having a difficult conversation. She's always there. and that she just quietly shuts the door. She checks in on me and that's it. And that, my friends, is the next level intuition and compassion. Her loyalty is like no
010other. You can do hard things when Anne has your back and she's had and will continue to have all of our backs and we are so thankful for it. An started at Riverview School in 1994. That's 31 of years of service, history, connections at Riverview. She has given her heart. Dr. Jean Beverly, the principal by that time saw her amazing potential and he know he knew about her work in the corporate world and thankfully saw that she even though she was an amazing recess aid, she was what the office needed then and needed all through the years and still needs now. Since then, Anne has worked alongside several principles, and I just found out I'm the longest running one. So, thanks, Ann, for not running out on me, and I take that as a huge
011compliment. One of my favorite memories of an was actually before I even met her, I had a voicemail when I was interviewing for Vince Vice principles that said for me to come in to interview as a vice principal. And I just loved her professionalism, her welcoming, and that was my first glimpse of Ren at Riverview and my first glimpse of learning about an she's impressed me every day since then. Anne makes this home, this school feel like family. She owns her role. This is not this is my job kind of a way, but this is my home kind of a way. And I don't know how we'll ever replace her. She knows the community like the back of the hand. You should sit with her at kindergarten registration. There'll be somebody that graduated 5, 10,
01215 years ago and Ann will say their name, tell you a little bit about them and remember them and they're like, "Wow, you still remembered me?" Yes, she did. And that's not just memory. That's comes from connection. It comes from love. She brings the same care to every part of her life. From preparing meals for her parents and her in-laws to supporting her children and her grandchildren, she shows up for everyone here at Riverview as well with grace, with grit, and with a whole heart. So today, an we see you, we value you, we thank you, we celebrate you. You've worked harder, cared more deeply, and gone further above and beyond than anyone I've known. You've inspired me as a person and as a professional. You've earned this moment, this recognition, and the joy that
013comes next. Yes, you were voted by many people. And I will tell you, you deserved every part of it. We hope that your next adventures will be fun-filled, that they will have time for gardening, laughter, time with Rick and the grandkids, and maybe some crazy adventures with those high school friends you still keep up with. You've given so much of yourself to all of us. Now it's your time to receive, to rest, and to enjoy. Anne Stark, thank you. We love you. Congratulations on being Rubyu staff person of the year. Thank you for an extraordinary career that has made a difference in more lives than we can count. Thank you. I did that without both of us crying. That was that was congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Just want to say it quickly.
014I mean, I just it's only a short thing, but I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award, and it is an honor and a privilege to work with the most dedicated, hard-working, and truly exceptional staff at Riverview School. So, thank you all. And Ann's gift is a $200 Kazabella gift card. It's been nice out. And uh the plaque Did you see? We will. We'll get them all. Yeah. At the end. Okay. And now, um, let me call up the PTA presidents that are here, right? Um, both. Yeah. Come on up. And, uh, Miss Sardinopoly, do you want to come up, too? Okay, perfect. So, this one we're going to have a couple people say a few things and then we're going to call up the winner. Okay. Um, do you want to go
015first? Yes. Okay. Go. Okay. All right. Here we go. All right. Hello everyone. It is my honor to recognize Sie as our student of the year. When she first arrived at our school, she didn't even speak any English, but she had that beautiful smile and she shook my hand, said hello, and thanked me after registering. She gave me the chills from that moment on, and she has been impressing us ever since. Through perseverance, resilience, and an unshakable spirit, she not only learned the language, but grew into one of the most inspiring leaders in our school community, she uplifted others, even guiding another student through the same challenges she once faced, telling her, "Don't worry, it's going to be okay." Despite enduring the heartbreaking loss of her father, she continued to show up every day with
016a smile, embodying strength, kindness, and hope. Every morning when I stand at my door, she gives me a big old hug. She doesn't care who's in the way. She will make her way to that door. And it's one of the highlights of my day every day. Sei is a remarkable young woman whose journey reminds us all of the power of determination and heart. Si estamos orosi. I gave it my best go. But there you go. Sie. You can give her a hug. So, I've been in this business 35 years, believe it or not. This is a top 10 moment for me. I'll tell you why. When I read all the comments, and I'm gonna read a little short synopsis of all of them, it was it was just moving. Especially my wife who's in the
017back teaches ESL, bilingual, and um has an affinity for the kids, especially who speak Spanish because she's bilingual as well. And I said, you you're going to want to come see this. So, she's here. And I know um that my wife feels the same way I do. We when I had a chance to go into the classroom, it was music class. I was I started with a little bit of a speech. I knew who she was and I was looking at her eyes and I was like she then she starts looking around a little bit like whoa, this could be about me, right? And it was it was kind of cool seeing that. I don't think she felt like it was yet, but she felt like maybe there's a chance it is. And uh when
018I had a chance to to announce it, it was it was a special moment for me. So let me just read a short synopsis of of what all the comments were and there were several about SI Mononttoya Canales exemp exemplifies the very best in Lake View pride. Since arriving from Honduras, she was faced with the challenges of new country language and school with unwavering courage, kindness, and determination. Despite the heartbreak of losing her father shortly after a long re awaited reunion, Si continued to lead with strength and grace. She has worked tirelessly to master English, excel academically, and support other students facing similar transitions. That was the seller to me right there. She's a quiet leader and compassionate with other students facing similar I'm sorry, with a compassionate friend. Si lifts others through resilience and
019warmth. Her character, perseverance, and positive spirit make not make her not only a model student but a true inspiration. We are honored to recognize Sane as the 2025 Denver student of the year. Let's take a look at what she got. Okay, I talked to you about it first, but I just wanted to see what you thought. So, we have Denver Dog, we have Sneaker Barn, and we have Sweet Expressions all downtown. Do you want to say anything? Good evening, everyone. I'm so proud of me and I'm grateful to the God and Leium that opened the doors to me the first time and that was amazing. Oh, good job. So proud of you. Hope you enjoy your stuff. Send us a picture of some of the, you know, the ice cream or something or the new
020sneakers. Send me a picture of the new sneakers you get. Yeah, that'll be great. So, thank you all. Um, again, this is definitely one of the highlights of my time. And this one was even special, too, considering uh the great comments I read about SI. It was really nice. Thank you to Miss Molina for translating and for being a perfect person to help you know with the communication gap and um appreciate that and for everybody who came to wish everybody well. Thank you and thank you to the PTA too as well. So we're going to continue with our meeting if you want to stay. We are going to take pictures though. So let's get a picture first with the three winners and then the three winners with their families. cookies. And bring your bring your
021plaque up, too. Bring your plaque up. And the uh Oh, yeah. That's right. First, Steve, you want to be in it, too? Yeah. Well, um Karen's got it. She'll take care of you. You'll email me or something. Oh, yeah. Now, can we get um let's have Sy's family come up and then we'll have Mrs. Stark's family come up. Just I think so. Thank you guys. Thank you. See you in school. So proud of you all. Did a great job. Amazing. Star family. Yep. Everybody games. One more. Sorry. There we go. Congratulations. Thank you. Oh, take cookies. Somebody said, can we Pass them around. You can't leave without taking at least one cookie. Yeah. [Music] You guys want to take a moment? You want to pan? Is this Is this dish okay to go to? [Music]
022Thanks guys. [Applause] [Music] Let's see. Okay. Yeah. Maybe the June [Music] She gave it to me. [Music] Thank you. I know like 10 Spanish words. Cookies. I knew cookies. And now we have no one. Back to the OG crew. I know you knew a lot more one. Yeah, that was a beautiful ceremony. Dr. uh Dr. Forte, thank you very much for putting that together. Um, congratulations to the 2025 persons of the year awards. uh and really uh truly am proud to see such wonderful folks in our school district. Next item on our agenda, superintendent comments. Dr. Forte, would you like a minute to uh um Should we come back to you? I was actually ready this time. Oh, and then please proceed. Just one thing. Um just to make sure everybody was aware, the uh
023I did send a letter to the public about the budget and the cuts that we had to make on top of the increased uh tax levy. So, I just wanted to make sure everybody knew that that was sent and uh it was posted in the Friday folder as well. Thank you very much. Assistant superintendent comments. Dr. Cullis, just a reminder, there are a few spots available for the summer Dallas program which is being held at Lake View this year. Registration closes on June 6th and the uh application or the registration form is available in the Friday folder or you can ask the schools and they'll be able to help you. Okay. So the next is our kindergarten registration update. That should be not of seventh year as of today. So, as of today, we have
024160 students. So, this is less than this time last year or the last few years. Um, we're usually a little bit closer to 170 at this point. And the way that the numbers are falling, Lake View has 74, Riverview has 71. Lake View has five sections, Riverview has four sections. the flexible attendance zone. We still have 13 students that are in that area and two that their school program is undecided. So, we're not sure which school they're going to be going to. I I have played these numbers out every which way you can do because I'm looking at how many students are in the classroom for uh like ELA and math instruction as well as how many would be added to the specials, how many are in uh self-contained environment and so forth and where
025they live. We have spent spent the last what's almost nine years looking at this and trying to move certain areas over to the to Riverview in anticipation of Lake View's growth. So, it's been on my radar for a long time. Uh, and with the new housing, we know that some changes will be made. This is a little below what we're anticipating for this year, but I just don't know what is going to still be coming um between now and August. This is later than we have informed those in the flex zone in the past. If I had to make a decision today, my recommendation would be to move one section of kindergarten from Lake View over to Riverview to make the class sizes uh more similar because of the number of students that will be
026out of the classroom and that and place the 13 remaining flex attendance zone students at Riverview. the most of the students that are left that in that group of of uh kindergarteners are in a section uh over by Indian Lake, but it's on the north side of the bridge and it's an area that we have been moving for the last nine years. So, placing them back at Lake View would then be now adding a new bus route to that area. As we've been as generations have been coming through, we've been moving them. If we do, if I were to put them at Lake View, then that would be those students plus all their siblings and maybe third siblings and so forth. This could be another 10 to 20 years to get that area moved again.
027So again, if I had to decide, I would look at moving one section from Lake View Kindergarten over to Riverview Kindergarten, and that would be making both of the class sizes around 18 at this point. Um, I have uh been getting some calls about Mason Ridge. They've been told their contracts will not be given until or they wouldn't be able to move until a minimum of December. So, I'm trying to prepare for those students uh possibly coming and leaving a couple seats open. There it is. We do have a remaining seats. you know, we still if we were going to go as high as 23, we still would have um 20 seats available for Lake View to stay under that if we were to even bring that group over. It just happens to be that
028this year we have a lot of students that registered on the Riverview side and and then the particular students that happen to fall into the flex zone this year. So, that would be my recommendation. I'm still holding off for a few more weeks trying again outreach. Uh we even put up signs at some local housing areas to remind them to please register because we're trying every student is counting at this point because I want to make sure that I make them as close to the same as possible with anticipating some open seats. It's just hard to tell what will happen in the summer, but I think that is probably our wisest move so that we know we've at least moved that group over to Riverview in anticipation for clearing up at least one that's one
029classroom that will be open if something were to happen during the school year or we needed to add a new class. So, that concludes my report unless you have any questions about that. Uh, you mentioned that the class size at Riverview would be 18. And what does that make Lake View's class sizes? Well, right now it's like 17.5. So two of seven, two of 17 and two of 18. And then at Riverview it's like three of 17 and I'm sorry, one of 17 and three of 18. Thank you. So they're pretty close right now with the numbers we have today. I will have to in June request um I will have to request that section be moved to so I will put it on the next June board agenda to do that. Okay. And we'll
030just see in a couple weeks if the numbers have changed. Thank you very much. Uh business administrator we we will have to have a resolution to transfer to staff member. That's why. Yeah. Thank you. Uh business administrator comments. Mrs. Gross. The annual school election uh for November 4th, 2025. The deadline to submit petition is July 28 by 4:00 p.m. We will have two open vacancies if anybody else is is interested. Thank you. Thank you. It is 8:01 p.m. We'll open it up for public questions or comments. Seeing no one online and no one in the chambers, we are closing it at 8:01 p.m. All business action to be taken. Mrs. Zelis, could you walk us through that, please? I sure can. Uh, the following resolutions have been recommended by Superintendent of Schools to the Board
031of Education for approval. I move to approve the following resolutions under old business. Um, a the April the reports for April 2025, treasure of school monies reports and the board secretary reports, B, the education reports for April 2025 and the health office April 2025 reports as well as Hib 2024 25 RV06 and see the minutes for the working session and executive sessions for April 7th and April 28th. I'll second. Thank you. Questions or comments? Roll call, please. Dr. Moore, yes. Mr. Delos, yes. Miss Estino, yes. Mr. Cass, I'm going to abstain on the April 28th regular session executive session meeting. Yes. On everything else, Mr. Anderson? Yes. Mr. Capello? Yes. Mr. Kim? Yes. Mr. Capello, can you walk us through your personnel, please? Uh, I would be happy to if there are no objections. Under
032personnel, I would like to move items 1 through five. Um, item one includes cashing out of vacation days, uh, extra pay for assisting with sixth grade open house, uh, three resignations, uh, one retroactive leave replacement, and I'll also, uh, call your attention to the addendum we're adding. Uh item H, uh Terresa Fogle, special education teacher at Valley View, is uh moving on the guide MA30 plus uh uh plus 30. Uh so congratulations to her. Uh continuing on, we have uh the updated uh staff list for summer 2025. We also have FMLA employee employee leave. Uh we have uh the uh master list of staff for 2025 2026 and then an additional uh employee uh FMLA leave. Second. Thank you. Questions or comments? Roll call, please. Dr. Moore, yes. Mr. Delos, yes. Miss Eststerino, yes. Mr.
033Cass, yes. Mr. Anderson. Yes. Mr. Capello. Yes. Mr. Kim. Yes. Dr. Moore, can you walk us through IMP, please? Uh, sure. I'd like to move for approval the following resolutions under instruction and program. Under item number one, A, we have the 2025 uh New Jersey Association of School Business Officials Conference. Item B has been taken off. And then we have uh item number two, which is the uh request to eliminate the multiple disabilities special class program at Lake View. And item number three is to approve the request to establish a learning and language disabilities mild moderate special class program at Lake View. Item number four is to approve the attached list of field trips. And item number five is the uh title three consortium purchases for Rockaway Burrow, Mine Hill, and uh two others for
034Rockaway Burrow. I'll second. Thank you. Uh just as further emphasis, one B is going to be stricken from the agenda. So questions or comments? Roll call, please. Dr. Moore. Yes. Miss Delisp, yes. Miss Eststerino, yes. Mr. Cass, yes. Mr. Anderson, yes. Mr. Capello, yes. Mr. Kim, yes. Under governance, I like to motion uh the three policies under number one policy uh for second reading and adoption as well as to approve the attached C plan for 2025 to 2028 as well as the statement of insurance for 2025 2026. I'll second. Thank you. Questions or comments? Roll call, please. Dr. Moore. Yes, Miss Delos. Yes, Miss Eststerino. Yes, Mr. Cass. Yes, Mr. Anderson. Yes, Mr. Capello. Yes, Mr. Kim. Yes, Mr. Anderson, could you walk us through finance, please? Sure. Be happy to. If there are no
035objections, I'd like to move under D finance. Item number one is our checklist. Item number two is the board to approve the following resolution awarding contract architectural services to EI Associates. details listed on the agenda. Um number three is for the board to approve the following resolution awarding contract services legal services uh board attorney to clear Gio Alfieri Jacobs LLC with the details listed in the agenda. Item number four is for the board to approve the following resolution awarding contract legal services special education legal council to Beth Vessel and Worbble Assoc or Esquires. Um details listed in the agenda. Item number five is that the board approve resolution awarding contract auditing services to Nissosia um as listed in the agenda. Item number six is for the board to approve the uh to award the contract
036for special behavioral services to St. Clair's Behavioral Health with the details listed in the agenda. Item number seven is for the board uh board of education of the township of Dville pursuant to PL205 chapters 47 intends to renew award or permit to expire the contracts previously awarded by the board of education. These contracts are have been and will continue to be in full compliance with all state federal statutes regulations in particular New Jersey title 18A18 etc sequential NJAC chapter 23 and federal procurement regulations 2CRF part 2000 317 etc sequential for 2025 2026 school year. Item number eight is for the board to approve the donation of $3,472 to the Lake View PreK program from the Riley family and the MKHS boys lacrosse team. Item number seven is for the board to approve the amount of
037tax monies required for school purposes for the 2025 2026 school year total of $ 38,184,112 with the details uh of uh monthly listed on the agenda. Item number 10 is for the board of education to approve attached shared services agreement with the township of Dendeville for the purpose of sharing the services of class 3 special law enforcement officers for the 2025, 2026, and 2026, 2027 school years. Item number 11 for the board to approve the agreement with Uncommon Thread to provide trained behavioral technician support from June 30th, 2025 to September 31st, 2025 at Lake View School for a total cost not to exceed $7,540. Item number 12 is the board to approve the attached proposal from EI Associates to plan for possible expansion of instructional space. And number 13 is the the board to approve
038the resolution awarding contract broker of record services health benefits to Brown and Brown Metro LLC with the details listed in the agenda. I'll second. Thank you. Questions or comments? uh for public uh edification resolution number 12 is for the expansion in Riverview annex. So um that I'm excited to see that proposal come through and excited to see what that plan might look like. Seeing no questions or comments, roll call, please. Dr. Moore, yes. Misselis, yes. Miss Asterino, yes. Mr. Cass, yes. Mr. Anderson, yes. Mr. Capello, yes. Mr. Kim, yes. Mr. Cass, could you walk us through operations, please? I'd be glad to. Under transportation, I'm asking the board to approve retroactively the following school bus emergency evacuation drill reports. Lake U was done on May 7th. Riverview was done on April 10th. Valley View was
039done on April 23rd. Under building and grounds, I'm asking the board to approve item 2.1, the attached service agreement proposal for the building automation system from Automatic Temperature Control Services in the amount of $12,36. Item 2.2 Two is for the board to approve the attached quote from Hillberg Contracting LLC to repair and paint several exterior sections of the Lake View building in the amount of $15,647 and that'll be paid from capital reserve. Item 2.3. I'm asking the board to approve the attached quote from Cashman Landscape Management for the District Landscape Maintenance Services for the upcoming school year. I'm asking the board to receive one response to its advertising seeking quotes for grass cutting and fall and spring cleanup for the period July 1st, 2025 through June 30th. The quote from cash on landscaping was $42,89.71.
040Item 2.4 Four is for the board to approve the attached quotes from CJ Vanderbeck and Sun Incorporated for the preventive maintenance and preparation for the annual inspection districtwide for the 2025 2026 school year as follows. At Lake View, $4,900 at Riverview, $4,800. Riverview Annex Elementary School $2,100. Valley View Middle School $4,400. Can I get a second from uh I'll second. Thank you. Questions or comments? Roll call, please. Dr. Moore, yes. Miss Delos, Miss Eststerino, yes. Mr. Cass, yes. Mr. Anderson, yes. Mr. Capello, yes. Mr. Kim. Yes. All right. Next item on the agenda is good of the cause committee reports correspondence discussion items such as board of meeting highlights or other items to discuss and other stuff. I I have some other stuff. Please please uh Dr. Um, it came to my attention uh a
041few meetings ago that I had missed a uh resignation retirement of um a Lake View aid that I wanted to make mention of. Uh her name is uh Mrs. Canar Razi. I only know her as Mrs. C, so I don't even know if I said her name correctly. But um as I was thinking about her, I was I was thinking about our um our growing uh reliance on on AIDS to carry out vital duties and how um these are the ones that are spending the most time with uh children that need uh the most help and assistance and they're also the ones that are least paid and least trained and yet their value is so incalculable. Um, I've seen firsthand how the smallest little selfless acts uh from our aids um things well outside their
042job descriptions can make enormous differences. And again, these moments aren't born out of training manuals or performance reviews, but they come from the heart. And in a position like this, it's hard to find people that um aren't just looking to fill their time or b their time till they can find a a different job. Uh but Mrs. C was not one of those people. Uh she's an extraordinary individual and I I honestly believe I don't know if we will get an aid uh as amazing as her. Um I spoken to her a little bit so I know her story and I know that um this is kind of like a calling for her and she would probably have done it for free. In fact, she did um in other schools years ago. Um, uh, my
043I joke with my wife and I, we kind of think maybe she's some sort of, uh, modern-day Mary Poppins that just kind of pops into districts as as needed. Um, but but Mrs. has has like uh one of the things that sets the these aids apart, the ones that um I I've seen and and not just her, but but there there's a love and a care for the kids that that shines through and and she exemplifies that love. And I I don't mean that in that, you know, kind of watered down uh sentimental kind of way, but it it's a love that sees each student and actually likes them and sees who they are uh apart from from their behavior. And uh that kind of love is transformative. And alongside that love, I've I've seen
044uh Mrs. C bring sort of a natural intuitive gift for working with students. she's she was able to to kind of bring in a fantasy and playfulness that didn't um didn't distract and didn't overwhelm, which is not an easy thing to do. And um if I could give her uh an unsung hero award, I I would because I I do think she she's one of those unsung heroes and I'm deeply uh thankful for what she's contributed in the care that she's brought to our students. Thank you, Dr. Moore. I really appreciate you sharing that. I I echo what you're saying. Uh AIDS are probably um not talked talked about enough. So, thank you for sharing your experience. I just uh wanted to note uh Saturday the Denver Education Foundation held a fundraiser. I just wanted
045to thank Dr. Cullis for uh joining uh the foundation. and they had a successful fundraising event and as well as a good opportunity for everybody to kind of hang out and relax a little bit. So, but thank you Dr. Collis for attending. Um board highlights. I have the persons of the year, the goals recap and um goal setting coming up next meeting. The board awarded several contracts for professional services. The board approved the 25 to 27 C and thank you to the Mars Nolles Lacrosse and Kelly family for the donation if you insist. Just a quick update on the Hub Soccer Challenger program. Um we ended up with 15 special needs players and um they're balanced by about 15 or 16 mentors is very difficult. First time we've done spring challengers. So it's it's good
046for the first start where it's getting out and I I got some people on the back burner unfortunately. I told them I said I can't let you in unless I you know get more mentors. So uh I'm sure the fall will be a little bit more robust but the mentors are the key. but they're doing very well, having a lot of fun, and and the parents are very grateful and thankful that uh we're doing it. But I also point out that our former director, Tom Butler, is a coach in Morris County Challenger Baseball and Michael Bertram, our former board colleague, is also involved being like the uh director supervising it. So, it's going well. Um, four of us uh were at the third annual Nancy Hellborg Memorial Recognition Ceremony. Uh, and uh, I was able
047to um, uh, witness a number of unsung heroes that received either donations or sponsorships or um, scholarships is what is the word I was looking for. So, um it was truly gratifying to see all those amazing individuals, whether they were from, uh high schools in the Morris County District or middle schools at the Morris County District. Also, we had two me two board members um who reached 10-year milestones from the Dendle School District. So, I'd like to thank and congratulate the services of Dino Compello and Mike Anderson. So, thank you so much. Um, Dr. Forte, uh, do you have dates for the next committee meetings? I was, uh, there's a number of topics that the governance will have to discuss, and I was wondering if you had a date in mind for, uh, committees to
048meet. The date would typically be the 5th. Does that work for you two? I currently have that scheduled for IMP at 6:30. Okay, excellent. So, we'll um we'll pencil in the fifth for uh or we'll set aside on the fifth for committee meetings. So, thank you very much for that. Uh just as a reminder uh for the board, thank you for getting the cse evaluations done. Uh we had a very productive meeting. Um, the next item is the uh board evaluations because our next board meeting uh school boards will be here and I suspect that Charlene or her replacement will be asking me to get the board evaluations done uh shortly. So, if uh I know that uh you guys are all very busy, but if you could try to get that I don't even
049think I finished it yet either. So, if we can have that done um relatively shortly. So, um that would be great. Okay. Uh it is 8:20 p.m. and I'll open it up for public questions or comments. Uh seeing that there's no one in the chambers and no one online, I'll close it at 8:20 p.m. And Dr. Forte, do we have a need for a second executive session? Yes. Okay. Um, Mrs. Esino, can you walk um put us into executive session, please? Sure. I move to convene in an executive session in accordance with section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act. The purpose of this closed session will be to discuss negotiations, legal, security, and personnel issues. Minutes of the session will be made available to the public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.
050I'll second. Thank you. All in favor? I. Any nays? Abstensions. We are now in executive at 8:21 p.m. Uh for the public, we will not be voting when we come out of executive and we'll just simply adjourn. So, thank you very much.