001Good evening everyone. Welcome to the A Harbor Township Board of Education's regular meeting for the month of August 2025. I'm calling the meeting to order. Mr. Smith, please. On Thursday, January 9th, 2025, notice of this meeting was emailed to the press in the Mainland Journal. Notice was also delivered that day. today. Harbor Township clerk and post on the bulletin board in township hall. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers, >> here. >> Mrs. Gilbert Floyd. >> Mr. Ireland, >> here. >> Mr. Price, >> here. >> Mr. Sepy >> here. Mr. Sullivan. >> Mrs. Sullivan. >> What happened? Hold on. >> I muted her. >> There you go. >> Mrs. Price is Sullivan is here. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. >> Mrs. Slaggy, >> I'm here. >> Miss Hyman >> here. >> And Mr.
002Delbart >> here. >> May we all stand please for the flag salute. >> Ready? Salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. May >> I have a motion please for the minutes for July 22nd executive and July 22nd regular meetings item 4.1 4.2 Mr. Slag is there a second >> second >> thank you any discussion roll call please Mr. Buyers >> yes >> Mr. Ireland >> yes >> Mr. Price. >> Just stick me in one spot. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sappy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sullivan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Slagy. >> Yes. >> Miss Hyman. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Delar? >> Yes. >> Dr. Guccio. Superintendent report please. >> Okay.
003Good evening everyone and welcome to our board meeting, our August board meeting. Summer's finished in our book. Uh we're already out working today um rolling out plans. We have supervisor administrators meeting uh tomorrow and then on Thursday we have principles and supervisors all in this room. We'll be here uh from early morning to late afternoon working on um learning about new goals and and initiatives for the district. All right. So, my report is short this evening, but first thing I want to do is brag a little bit about our ESY pro program that occurred in our schools this summer. And the supervisors proudly shared pictures of the students and they're participating in the multiple events uh each and every day. They had a great time as you see their smiles on their faces. They were
004indoors, they were outdoors, they're involved in arts and craft and the fire department came and had water day. uh teachers had a great time with them building relationships and keeping them focused on uh learning. Okay. So we had a great time. We appreciate um the efforts of everybody parents as well who came and um worked with the students and provided support to the to the teachers. So it was a great great summer. So thank you for your support with that program. All right. So we're going to move on to the missions and and goals. As we all know the mission statement here in Aar Township is embrace, engage, educate. It's so important to build relationships with our students and their families and their parents um and our school community. And once we embrace that and
005we learn about what's going on, we're able to engage um our stakeholders into relevant learning experiences. And that's what's important. You have to know student needs in order to meet their needs. And then from there, we educate um with rigor and relevance. So, we're very proud of that mission statement. It's been in place for years. It becomes more and more meaningful in the more and more things that we do. So, we're going to move on to our district goals. And I'm presenting this to the board of education. Uh we worked on these. We they they found out a little bit about them in our retreat, but tonight they're up these goals are up for approval. And our district goals will be focused continue to focus on student achievement because that's why we're here. As educators,
006we're very very uh focused and concerned about um our students and how how they learn and where they're going to go in life. Climate and culture, we want it to be positive. We want Egg Harbor Township Schools to be the place where kids want to be each and every day. And stakeholder partnerships. Our stakeholders are very important to us. We have internal stakeholders, our school community, also external stakeholders that we want to build relationships with and bring them in uh to be a part of our school district. We also want to have the ability to have our kids go out into the community uh to have learning experiences in businesses um or any activity centers that that are there. So student achievement um is the is the first goal and yes there's a a paragraph
007here but literacy is our focus. Literacy is the foundation for all success and we want to integrate those innovative teaching practices our common assessments the MTSS framework universal screening data collection analysis and professional learning teams um where we're going to empower every student to become a confident reader writer and communicator. It's very very important a lot of words there but there's a lot of things that we focus on here as educators and it's important that all our educators are on the same page 100% are engaged in those common assessments that MTSS framework the screenings and data uh analysis that has to be done in the professional learning communities and that's the work we're going to be doing tomorrow and Thursday that's the work that's going to happen in professional development opportunities that teachers have the
008first three days of school and as they work in their professional learning teams. Alongside of academic excellence, we'll instill expectation expectations for student behavior. Okay, we're very concerned about student behavior. In order to learn, in order for there to be order in the classroom, behavior has to be meeting the expectations of our school district. All right? And that really involves around the word respect. And we're going to work on teaching the appropriate behaviors in the classroom. Um, and we're going to nurture the social and emotional well-being of our students so that all learners prepared to thrive in school and life as well. All right. We we believe here in Egg Harbor Township that we have to help a little bit. All right? And I'm going to say it tonight and I'm going to be saying
009it over the next two days and for the rest of the year that in our house we have expectations. Okay? And when you're in our house, we're going to respect each other and we're here to learn. Okay? These are the areas of student achievement that we're going to focus on. Again, literacy instruction, enhancing the universal screening and tier one assessments, implementing common assessments, developing teacher understanding of tier 2 and three interventions, and establishing clear behavior expectations as we improve our school climate. So, I know I went into depth with the objectives, but that covers it in a nutshell. Moving on to climate culture using our soar values um which our soore stands for safety ownership accountability and respect we'll foster a safe inclusive and culturally rich learning environment where students will build life skills character
010and respect for diversity through learning and celebrations that honor all people and cultures. We will recognize progress and achievements to reinforce positive behavior that we're striving for, strengthen school pride and create a true sense of belonging in our schools. Again, we want every student to wake up every morning and want to come to school and want to be here in a Harper Township School District. Here are the five areas. Safety and training drills, excuse me, are required by the state, but very, very important to us that we know how to protect our kids and what our kids need to do in a crisis situation. Staff as well. Culture, education, participation, self-regulation, life skills, character, ed, recognition system for positive culture. We're rolling out a new recognition system this year. And then digital citizenship and AI
011literacy. Very, very important as that's getting a little out of control as we all know in our world what AI is doing. It's important that we're all educated in it and know um the safeties around that. And lastly, our stakeholder partnerships strengthening those collaborative relationships with parents that we have established. staff included community organizations, businesses, and government agencies to enhance our student learning activities and athletics. We'll align our goals and communities to support the success of every student. And here are the seven areas. A unified communication platform that came out um to us as very very important through our strategic planning and we are ready to roll a unified communication platform out this September. with with that we'll be able to provide consistent messaging across all schools because we do have uh the eight schools
012but there's many many organizations within those schools um from par different parent clubs to parent groups athletic teams finding performing arts teams you go to the high school there's 66 different clubs and activities and athletics you can be in imagine all those different social media um platforms or frameworks that they have we need one all right and we're ready to roll out one where everything will fall underneath. Want to increase that family participation, professional learning team collaboration. This year we have designated days where our our teachers will be meeting in teams focusing on that student data and looking to improve student learning. Community organization partnerships and business partnerships for student opportunities. Dr. Graham leads a lot of that in the career and tech education program. So we have a great start with that. And lastly,
013bike safety partnership. Very, very important bike safety. Um, for students, for our kids to be able to know that helmets are important, what side of the road to ride on, to obey the signs of of of the of the streets, the traffic, what's going on out there. I remember when I was a kid, and that was very, very long ago. I mean, in like first grade, you got a little pin if you pass a safety program, right? the the the police officers came in and talked about what side of the road, how to pedal, how to stop, how to put your foot down, how to look both ways. I don't know if that's happening, but it's going to happen through our school district. Okay? It's important for important to me. Make sure our kids are
014safe out there, particularly with uh some of the bikes that they're they're using this year. Okay. So, that's what I have for the for our goals this year, district learning goals. they're on uh for the board to approve and um I appreciate your support. Now, just to get a little vis visual of what's going on in the district and thank you Allan for capturing the visual part of our summer. Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. I'm on top of the world and I'm living and the good just gets better keeps giving not even close to the end. It's just beginning. Life is getting louder while the days are getting brighter. Yeah, and it's good. I won't even worry anymore. So all
015my care still kick them all out the door. Don't want to try? Come and tell me what you waiting for. Keep them going till your life is overflowing. Yeah, I do a dance to a dance of victory. Cuz now I'm living good. No, I'm not living like I used to be. I talk about things, talking about my mind. Now I'm afraid from the words that I left behind. I got to jump for joy and shout aloud and make a sound. Oh, the world can stop me now. No. And on the music I will ride on the beat, but my guitar won't stop my feet. Yeah. I got to celebrate, laugh, and get excited about time. Come on, shout it out. Hey, take it up, take it over, take it out of control. Today in my
016soul and now you got me saying no. Hey, I feel sm life is better than good. Yeah, you got me saying oh hey standing up on top of the world tonight. And everything's working out just right. And while the world is spinning, it's a brand new beginning and I'm finally winning. Hey. So take it up. Take it over. Take it out of control. Today I'm praying my soul. And now you got me singing. Oh. [Music] We got to be the best, the best we can be. And there some we don't want. Still, we got to chase our dreams. Reach up and reach high because we're going to pull through and give it all we got. Even though we can't ignore cartoon, catch and make it happen, but we can't start sliding. Come on and do
017what you got to do to fight on. So no matter what comes your way, nothing can ruin your day or even watch smile away. And by the time I'm up and out of my bed, I got 100 new walk around in my head with a hope for tomorrow. A dream that I can see of all the awesome things and great people we can be. Or maybe by the music or the song that I sing will change the world of the simple message that I will bring. All I know is that it's out cuz there's more to discover a lot of good things you can learn from one another. Got to celebrate, laugh and get excited about the time it [Music] >> as you can see a lot going on. Some people might think the schools
018are closed but we have learning uh innovation discovery going on um in in between all that getting the schools ready for the new year. And you know, hats off to our custodial staff or facility staff because now when that all ended, now they have to scamper and get the floors cleaned and polished and the classrooms all ready and the hallways ready. We've been through the schools the last couple days. We were out at the high school fields today and things are happening. All right, things are people are preparing in different ways where they're running around on the on the fields and getting ready uh for their athletic team or you know grass is being cut and uh the um lines are being painted. So, lots going on. And finally, I'll announce this um proudly in
019September, but just Allan put it on the video. Congratulations to Christa Delaney, science teacher at the high school, who is the Atlantic County Teacher of the Year. She's teacher of the year as EHT. Uh received the honor in Trenton as Atlantic County Teacher of the Year and now is a candidate for state teacher of the year. So, we wish her the best. Uh we know she has a great chance. uh and that would be very very proud moment. But right now we're going to sell celebrate the proud movement that we're in as she is Atlanta County teacher of the year and represents us uh throughout the county throughout the year. So thank you and that's my report. >> Thank you Dr. >> This new screen is longer so don't mind me. I have to sneak.
020>> Thank you Dr. Gio. Continuing on with the agenda at this time it's time for public comments for agenda items only. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents. This meeting will now be open to public comments, three minutes per person on agenda items only. If your questions pertain to litigation, student and personnel items, please see the superintendent after the meeting as the board does not discuss these matters in public. Depending on the nature and complexity of your questions, the board secretary may ask for your contact information so that someone can get back to you with a response. As a reminder, this is a public meeting and all comments should be appropriate for a public meeting, a public setting, and made in a respectful manner. Please come up to the podium, state your
021full name and address if you would like to address the board on agenda items only. Good evening, sir. >> Yes, sir. You may push the button so that we hear you. >> If it's about agenda, >> it has to be on a statement on the agenda item. >> There you go. >> Testing one, two. >> Hey. Yes, sir. You're there. Thank you. >> My name is Pastor Page. I am a longterm former school board member for Pleasantville. Okay, sorry about that. See, that's new to me. See, but I want to say as a former board member, president, eight years and 17 years of period, uh, going to the county meetings and all that, I would say continue all of you to learn. You're in education. You're a board of education. Continue to learn. Go to
022those New Jersey School Boards Association workshops. Go to the convention, but bring something back and make it happen. I just want to just leave this with you. My wife is on the agenda today. She has been 15 years as a uh school bus driver. Now, she's going for a contract. The thing I would like for you to look at is I am 19 years with New Jersey school uh New Jerseys transit bus company. Yes, I drive a bus. Um but I want all of you to understand the importance of the bus driver because everything you said today as the superintendent would bring forth the first ones they see in the in the district is the bus driver. And if that bus driver is not nice and friendly and whatever, whatever, but it comes with the
023job, I want you to reconsider one day when you do your negotiations with your how you bring the teachers and support staff and the drivers, their salary. Look at it a little bit closer because you have good drivers, but today's economy, they need extra money in their salary. So, there's other school districts that are going much higher than what you have. And I'm not Listen, I understand. But just take a look at it a little bit closer because my wife was here for 15 years as a driver. Now, she's getting a contract. Okay? just look at that a little bit closer. Again, congratulations. This is a very good experienced board. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Paige. Mr. Paige was an alternate to the state New Jersey School Boards Association when I was involved. So,
024it's good to see you again, Jerome. Yeah. Thank you. And just wanted everyone to remember we do recognize uh bus drivers every month during the course of the year under our Soore program. So, that we do recognize the drivers. We we know what an outstanding job they do. And we're very pleased that you'll see on later on the agenda how we're filling some of the openings that we had over the years this evening, which is a great thing for uh for us as because we're always asking for someone to apply for but to be a bus driver. But this year, this night, we're going to approve some contracts for nine, I believe, new bus drivers, which I think is exciting. We haven't done that in a long time. So, that's a big moment for us
025as a board. All right. Continuing now on the agenda, finance and operations committee report. First, Mr. Smith, do you have any updates? >> Yes, several questions came in regarding transfers, the bills list, uh some professional services contracts, um the referendum, you know, everything uh was sent out in the uh the questions from Dr. Gio. I just want to remind everyone that all the board members have access to the finance committee share folder. Uh so as we go through things with at the committee level, everything goes into that folder that you all have access to. If you have any questions on those items, just let me know. >> Thank you. And at this time, Mr. Price, chairperson of our finance and operations committee. Thank you, Mr. President. I'll give the um the report for finance and
026operations. Uh we met on 812:25 at 6:00 p.m. The length of the meeting was 45 minutes. Mr. Buyers, Mr. Delabark, Mr. Price, and Miss Sullivan was virtual. Uh Dr. Grushio, and Mr. Smith for administrators transportation department. Mr. Smith noted the transportation staff was preparing for the opening of school fine-tuning bus routes and preparing bus passes. The department has been working hard to recruit new uh contracted bus drivers. Uh food service all federal and state paperwork has been completed and approved for the 2526 school year and the staff will return on September 3rd for professional development. Facilities department. The committee reviewed numerous summer projects that are happening this summer and received an update on the status of the referendum uh with initial NJ DOE submissions happening around August 15th. Business office Mr. Smith discussed a quick
027claim deed with the township concerning Eagle Academy property. Um, several items on the agenda were reviewed for approval, including the monthly reports, various tuition and transportation contracts, professional services contracts, asset disposals, and acceptance of the 2026 Elevate CTE grant. Um, the committee recommends moving forward with the action items discussed. Uh, Mr. Smith, did you have anything that you wanted to add to that? Maybe regarding item number four. in regards to the quick claim deed. Did you want to update anybody on that? I mean, it's still on the agenda on the committee report, right? So, the the quick claim deed uh that we're working on with the township regarding Eagle Academy would be to revert ownership back to the township when we vacate the building. Uh we're in the process of determining where we can relocate
028Eagle to. Uh part of our referendum is is a relocation project to the Fernwood School. Uh but we will continue discussing that over the next month or two. Uh we just have to be quick in our discussions because the the building is in major need of repair. So we have to have a a plan to to vacate that building uh within the next two years. >> And that's also concerning the uh item that's coming up to vote 7.21. Right. That >> correct. So the >> you see that come up you'll know what it's about. >> Right. So, the resolution on the agenda is to authorize our architect and engineer to submit projects to the DOE for the referendum. Uh, and what that process entails, it's the department of ed reviewing the project, making sure it
029meets all of the facility requirements uh for the grade span that the project is covering. Uh, they go through that, they give us approval to say, "Yes, your scope meets the the requirements." Of course, you can go above the requirements, but they make sure they meet the minimum. Uh and then with that also comes a preliminary funding letter. So the the DOE will also say hey if your project is a million dollars we'll we'll fund you 50% in state aid or whatever the math comes out to be. Uh and then we can take all that information in. We take all that and that's how we finalize our referendum question that would go on the ballot uh at a later date. So uh we're submitting those projects now. Uh we're hoping to have approvals back in
030time for maybe a November, December board meeting at the latest. Uh so that we would have a vote in possibly March or if we could maybe January as well. So it really depends on when we get that information back. Uh we we're not required to do all the projects. So if we submit 30 30 projects and we only want to do 20, we can. Just because we submit for approval, we're not locked into doing that project. Uh it just gives us an idea of what our state aid would be. So when we put it on the ballot and present it to the public, we can say that the the total cost is this, the state aid is is this, and our net cost to the district is the remaining value. >> Okay. Thank you uh
031Mr. Smith and Mr. President. That concludes my report. >> Thank you both, Mr. Price and Mr. Smith for your reports. At this time, I need a motion for to approve finance item 7.2. >> Motion buyers, second Ireland. Any discussion? >> This is 7.1 >> 7.2. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sullivan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy, >> yes. >> Miss Hyman, >> yes. >> And Mr. Delbar, >> yes. May I have a motion please for approve to approve finance item 7.3 through 7.19. >> So made. >> Is there a second? >> Any discussion? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland. >> Yes. However, PO50 I
032have to abstain. Thank you, >> Mr. Price. Yes. >> Mr. Sepy. Yes, Mrs. Sullivan. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Sloggy. >> Yes, >> Miss Hyman. >> I'm going to say yes except for 7.19. I'm going to abstain from that. >> And Mr. Del Barker? >> Yes. >> Miss uh for under curriculum area, please. Miss Moss, any updates? >> No updates, but I'm going to read the report. >> You're also going to share the committee report for Mrs. Gilbert Floyd, please. Thank you, Miss Moss. >> Sure. So our meeting um was also on August 12th. It started at 6:04. It was 28 minutes. Uh board members attending were Mrs. Gilbert Floyd, Miss Salagi, Mr. Del Barka. Administrators uh were Dr. Guchio and then myself. I attended virtually. Uh we discussed field trips and professional development. We also
033discussed um the 2526 curriculum that was shared. updates were made um in social in social studies for Latin American language um Latin American and the ML English curriculum were the only updates this year. We will have CTE updates that will come in September. The 2526 professional development plan was shared. It's up for board approval tonight as well as updates on the summer work and training that was completed and the PD pathways plan for certified staff for the school year. The committee was updated about potential discretionary grants that we are looking at applying for around literacy and interventions that will align with the district goals and strategic plan. As you just heard Dr. Guchio present those district goals. Um we also talked about uh classroom companions which is a plan to have retired educators partner with
034elementary classrooms to assist with literacy instruction. Um, I also talked about the fact that uh we applied as a district to be part of the innovations and measuring student growth pilot that the state of New Jersey is offering for participation in having um a say in the new SGO process for our educators and to be part of the teacher evaluation process. And then we also talked about the plan for student achievement in the 2526 school year. Talking about consistent data collection and evaluation at the class, grade, school, and district levels. We're going to have protocols that will um help support data informed decisions and regular updates will be provided both to the curriculum committee and then also to the full board and public in this upcoming school year. Our next meeting is September 9th, central
035office at 700 p.m. >> Thank you, Miss Moss. Uh, at this time, I need a motion for curriculum items 8.2 through 8.3. >> Mr. Price, I'll make that motion. >> Second. Hman. >> Any discussion? Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. Mrs. Sullivan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Salagi. >> Yes. >> Miss Hyman. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Delvar. >> Yes. >> Under policy, Mr. West, any updates for us? >> I I do not have any updates, Mr. Delvarka. >> Thank you, Mr. Ireland. Committee report, please. >> Absolutely. So, we held the policy committee on Tuesday, uh, August 12th at 6 p.m. The length of the meeting was 34 minutes. Board members that attended were myself, Miss Heyman,
036and Mr. Sepy. Administrators I attended were Mr. West. Others uh that attended Miss Amy Halcalco Esquire. Subjects that were discussed were policy um 1110 organizational chart policy 5770 pupil right of privacy regulation 5600 student discipline and code of conduct. Regulation 5611 removal of students for firearms uh offenses. Regulation 5613 removal of students for assaults with weapons offenses. Regulation 8420.1 fire and fire drills. Policy 5516, remotely activating communication devices and electronic devices. Regulation 5516, remotely activating communication devices and electronic devices. Conclusions that were reached. Policy 1110, organizational chart, was reviewed and discussed by the committee. The committee supported the revisions made on the chart and the chart will be held on file in the business office. Policy 1110 is up for one reading and waiting board approval. Policy 5770 pupil rights of privacy was reviewed and
037discussed the by the committee. The committee would like to continue to discuss the policy 5770 during the next meeting in September. Regulation 5600 student discipline and code of conduct was reviewed and discussed by the committee. Tiered behaviors, behavior uh descriptions and consequences were added to to the regulation. Regulation 5600 is up for one reading and waiting board approval. Regulation 5611, removal of students for firearm offenses, and regulation 5613, removal of students for assaults, assaults with weapons offenses, was reviewed and discussed by the committee. The committee would like to eliminate letter E, exceptions on both regulations. Regulation 5611 and 56 uh13 are up for one reading and waiting board approval. Regulation 8420.1, fire and fire drills, was reviewed and discussed by the committee. The following language was added to the regulation updating first responders of the
038current situation by administration when responders report to the school. Regulation 8420.1 is up for one reading and waiting board approval. Policy 5516 remotely act activating communication devices and electronic devices was reviewed and discussed by the committee. Language prohibiting cell phone use during the school day by students was added to the policy. Policy 576 5516 is up for one reading and wait in board approval. Uh um our next meeting is uh Tuesday, September 9th at 5:00 pm. And the other uh topics that we're going to discuss is finishing up policy 5770 pupil rights of privacy. Mr. West, that's uh Did I mess anything up? >> Thank you, Mr. Ireland. Perfect. >> Mr. uh Delbarker, we are done. That is our policy committee report. >> Thank you, Mr. Ireland. Appreciate it. At this time, I need a
039motion for PO policy item 9.2 through 9.8. >> So made second. >> And it just >> 9.7. >> It says 9.8 on my note. >> 9.8. >> Okay. Bring it down. >> 98. >> Are we all right so far? Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Mr. Buyers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland. >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sepy? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sullivan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sagi? >> Yes. >> Missyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Delar? >> Yes. Dr. Charlton? On personnel, any updates? >> I do not, Mr. President. >> And then I need a motion, please. On personnel, items 10.2 2 through 10.7. >> So made >> second. Ireland. >> Any discussion? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Price,
040>> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sullivan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sagy, >> yes. >> Missyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Delabar, >> yes. And Dr. Guccio, your fun time for you to introduce the new hires. >> Yes. Very proud moment for me. um as we welcome new employees in the district and I get to announce their name for the very first time in public. New Egg Harbor Township employees and we'll begin with our bus driving staff. Nine new employees begin with Failen Basich, please stand. We'll move on to Alberto Korea. They're driving. I know. Jennifer Long, welcome. Carol Manzy, there she is. No stranger to EHT. Francisco O'Neal, Celestia Paige, [Applause] Marian Roma, Noel Wrova, and Michael Feldman. [Applause] All right. as we know, very tough job having your back to 54 students
041riding those roads each and every day. Um, you know, we thank you, respect you, and hopefully I'll get to ride somebody's bus, right, John? Laura, you're going to arrange that for me. Every year I ride the school buses the first day of school. So, I I'll be doing three routes and maybe I'll be on your bus. But have a great time and welcome to Egg Harbor Township. All right. in our custodial department. James Kennedy, [Applause] maintenance mechanic. Michael Batista, cashier at Miller School. Katrina Franco, [Applause] head cashier at Firmwood Avenue Middle School. Heather Migliaakio, cashier at Alder Middle School. Diane Cranic, power professional, Bargaintown Preschool. Lisa Cabrera, power professional, Davenport School. Deania Martinez Gomez, [Applause] power professional also at Davenport School. Tracy Grant, power professional township school district. Advancing to teacher at Swift Slayball Complex
042is Sarah Veraicorn. Also a power professional advancing to teacher at the Swift Slayball Complex. Iliana Ekazar, [Applause] teacher at the Swift Slay Ball Complex. Anna Jerase, [Applause] teacher at Alder Middle School. Kelsey Nula, teacher at Fernwood Middle School. Lisa Esesterly should be Easter. Teacher at the high school. James Cypio. Teacher at the high school. Abby Shaina Batista and our school intervention referral specialist at the Swift Slayball Complex, Lindsay Lyelli. Okay, congratulations everyone. It's a it's a great night. You're an employee now of Var Township High School, I'm sorry, school district and you some of you at the high school. Um and if you'd like to go out and celebrate, I think you should. Have a good night. Welcome to all of you and congratulations. [Applause] >> There goes our audience. >> All doing a great
043job. doesn't feel any >> reason. >> Good to see you. >> I'm sorry. Moving on to new business. Um, Mrs. Ms. Halco, I think you have one to add. >> It's already been added on the computer. So, it's just 11.1 to 11.7. >> Seven. Okay. Thank you. Then I need a motion, please, for 11.1. Mr. Price. >> 11.7. Mr. Price, I'll make that motion. >> Second, buyers. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sullivan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sloaki, >> yes. >> Miss Hyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Delabarka, >> yes. Under old business. Oh, before I go on, I'm going to add new one thing on new business. I have a on a
044real pleasure this evening for me to do this. Uh we have a this past summer we've had a hall of fame committee meet and we haven't had hall of fame around here for about 10 years. So it was something the board of education felt we should be doing and under Mr. SEPy's leadership actually we got that approved and we had a committee and the Hall of Fame committee and several other uh subcommittees met over the course of the summer and I'm going to be pleased to um mention and and nominate the nominees that were selected and here they are. uh the 90 the 1999 golf team, coach Mike Kayaza, the wrestler Zach Austinino, swimming Holly Baronado Leser, and track and field Steven Kadus. So, we're very pleased that we have those folks. And what we
045are going to be doing on Friday, September 26th, there will be a a ceremony at the high school auditorium at 5:15. And then at the halftime of the football game that evening, they're going to be introduced and recognized. So that's something I'm real happy that we accomplished. Thank you, Mr. Sepy, for being on the committee. I had the honor of being on a selection committee, and it was quite a thorough process and I think something we're really proud of. And Mr. West, thank you for helping organize all of that. Appreciate it. All right, moving on now. Other old business. Uh, we need a motion for item 12.1. >> So made. >> Second. Ireland. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. >>
046Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sullivan, >> Mrs. Sagi, >> yes. >> Missyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Delarka, >> yes. Uh, under New Jersey School Board Association, Atlantic County School Board Association, Mr. Ireland, anything new to report? >> Nothing new to report for that. >> All right. Thank you. We will be meeting in >> It's October. First meeting October. >> It's October. >> October. >> So, we have some time, but I do have some other stuff though, Mr. Delbar. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> So, um, I'm part of the nominating committee for uh the officers for NJSBA. We held a special meeting on uh August 12th uh for vice president for legislation and resolutions for NJSBA. So, we just kind of went over the proper procedures and expect that announcement to come out shortly for
047anybody that's interested in that spot. Um and then I'm also on the state resolution committee for resolutions. And just a reminder, if anybody boards want to do resolutions, they're due to the state to o October 3rd meeting. Okay. So, if anybody wants to do any resolutions, October 3rd. That's all I have. Mr. Bart, >> that's good. We appre appreciate your work, Mr. Ireland. Thank you. Anything on your area, Mr. Price? >> Uh, no. Nothing to report this month, Mr. President, but thank you. >> Thank you all. Uh, at this time, we have guidelines for public comment. I'm not going to read that whole speech that I usually read, but this is the appropriate time for anyone in the audience who would like to come up to the mic and have regarding public comment. This is
048the appropriate time. Yes. Hi. How are you? Hi, good evening. How are you? Um, so I have two things and do you need my name? Liz Butcher, 327 C Pine Drive. Um, so let's start with the positive. Um, I want to say thank you to everybody for your service. I know as volunteers the amount of hours that you put in. So really do appreciate all of you. Um, I'm here tonight to talk about um, a sport that has done a lot for my kids and I'm hoping that we can give and provide those same opportunities to the rest of the students in this district. I don't have to read the stats to you. You know, over 50% of your kids rely on free or reduced price lunch. We want to think about inclusion, diversity, and
049acceptance and a way to include all students. um especially in crew. It is a spring sport and right around the end of March, just before spring break, bus transportation stops for the students from the high school out to Ventner to the boat house. Um as a parent of two kids, I have seen kids pile into cars, which as we all know is really against the law, right? Because we really shouldn't have more than one kid in the car. And I know that the school district is not encouraging this lack of safety, but parents leaving their jobs in the middle of the day at 2:00 to try to get their kids to get them over to the boat house is just not realistic. And the amount of scrambling that we all do to try to carpool
050to get our kids over to the boat house. This sport gives so much so much more than many of the other sports. Of the 12 seniors that graduated this year, 50% are getting college scholarships and plan to continue rowing at the college level. There are no other sports that you can say provide these kinds of opportunities for scholarships. So, I know that busing and transportation is a huge expense for the district. I know that it's difficult to get bus drivers, but I please I ask you to prioritize getting a school bus for these kids out to the boat house. I understand that some of the other high schools don't do it, but as Dr. Guccio has said to me time and again, EHT school district is not mainland. We are not Ocean City. We are
051different, right? And so because of our population, I do ask again that we consider the single parents in the district. We need reliable transportation for these kids and we don't want them to have to drop out because we can't provide bus transportation for them to the boat house. I want every child in this district to have the opportunities that this sport has given to my child. So that's crew and I think I'm almost out of time. So if I need to come back up, let me know. My other one is of ground senior portraits. Um we all know we look at our yearbooks from 20 30 years ago. We see our senior portraits and how much of an impact and an indent this can leave lasting impression-wise. I know some of you already know what
052I'm going to talk about, but Laura's photography, if we can find another alternative, I implore you all to do it. The lack of attention, lack of detail. Some of the parents in this district got eight proofs. Some of them got 18. The kids posture was poor, hair was covering, their face, their ties were crooked. We have not had these problems in the past with previous photographers. So, I asked the board to please think about alternatives and think about makeup dates for some of these poor parents who really got really terrible for, you know, being nice proofs for their kids. That's it. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate you being here. Any comments from any board members? Seeing none, may I have a motion to adjourn? Oh, go ahead, Mr. Price. >> Mr. Price, >> Mr.
053Ireland, I apologize, Pat. No, I I have nothing further, but have a great time. >> I just wanted to echo the senior portraits. Um, I've heard a lot of different uh negatives about it. So, if we can just look at that and look at a makeup date just because it is an impactful thing. Sometimes this is what the only picture that they have and their last memories of high school. So, please just look at that. >> That's all. >> Thank you, Pat. Anyone else? >> I I echo Mr. Ireland's sentiments as well. >> You're Mr. Price, correct? >> That's Mr. price. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Go ahead, Mrs. Slagy. >> I have a a wall of fame and of course it's my kids, all their graduating pictures and they're beautiful. Um unfortunately that company
054has gone out of business, but um that from the pictures that I've saw and what I have for my kids, it's totally different. Um, so I I would implore us to look for something better. >> Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing none, I have a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion Ireland. >> Second. All All approval. >> Say yes. Negative. Okay. Thank you very much. We are adjourned. Thank you.