March 18, 2026 – Regular Meeting

001Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA104-6, adequate notification of this meeting has been provided by advertising in the record and the Herald News, posting notice in the board of education administration building, and filing notice with the city clerk to ensure accessibility, interpreter services are available upon request. Please submit your written request at least 24 hours prior to the board meeting to the school business administrator, Dr. A Dr. Steven A. Lewis at Steven Lewisle Ewis at hackinacschools.org. I hereby call to order the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 in the Hackinack High School Media Center at >> 6:17 p.m. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >> Trustee Austin Balaputra, >> present. Trustee Amarza >> here. >> Trustee Carol >> present. >> Trustee Gilmore >>

002here. >> Trustee Jones. >> Trustee Pringle >> present. >> Trustee Stein >> here. >> Vice President Martin >> present. President Harris >> present. >> We have quum. >> Thank you. And just for the record, um Mr. Trusty Jones is not here as he just um had a new baby. So congratulations to him and his growing family. >> Wife had >> his wife had the baby. Yes. >> He he was there helping. He was over the >> He cut their >> Okay. Um please stand for the flag salute. I pledge alce to the flag of the United States of America and to the rep for it stand one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. >> And at this time we are going to move forward with our student report

003from Zoe. Good evening. Good evening. >> The high school's ACT deck are the large school state champs. We won 31 individual awards. Our gold medalists were as follows. Marielle Kierro Rodriguez, gold in essay. Safia Manin, gold in literature. Also our team's high score. Vixen Dybar, gold in literature. Mariana Amaya Calderon, gold in music. Bradley Devers, gold in music. Cavesha Harris, gold in literature, as well as third overall scala scholastic alternate. Jared Chavez Rodriguez, gold in literature. Solomon Maya, gold in social studies, economics, art, and science, as well as first place overall varsity alternate. Adding to them were many honorable mentions. bronze and silver medalist from the students above as well. Natalie Sugusani, honorable mention in literature. Izzana Garcia, silver in literature. Josh Marquez, honorable mention in art and bronze in literature. Ivy Wang, honorable mention

004in social studies and literature. Mia Trinidad, bronze in social studies, silver in art, and silver in literature. Edward Amandano, bronze and literature. Jacob Rivas, silver and art. Ariana Rodriguez, bronze and economics. The team will move on to the national competition next month. Our drama department just wrapped up their spring musical Shrek. It was a wonderful performance and a special thanks to Miss Roello, Mr. Gaines, Miss Platty, Miss Stein, and Miss Pelican. The cast and crew were wonderful and should be very proud. Upcoming events, the Try Mic Honorable Honor Society induction will take place March 23rd at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. The spring concert will be April 21st at 6 p.m. in the auditorium and the Spanish Honor Society induction will take place April 23rd at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Thank you. >>

005Thank you. Okay, so at this time we're going to move into our presentations for our unsung heroes. So if I could please have our principal of the high school, Mr. Montasano up. And is Ashley here? All right. Hey, if Ashley could come up as well. Awesome. Yeah. Good evening. Um, each year Vergen County runs a I think it's a wonderful event. and it's called the Burton County Unsung Hero Award and it's an opportunity to kind of recognize and honor a student whose performances or whose accomplishments to the high school might not normally be recognized in a traditional setting. Uh this year's nominee for Hackinets High School is Ashley Martinez. Ashley was nominated by one of our business teachers, Jane Spielberger, who was an unsung hero all by herself. Uh but Ashley Martinez, this was her

006nomination. Ashley Martinez is the epitome of an unsung hero. She is a straight A student who excels academically while remaining remarkably humble and kind. A bright and driven learner, Ashley is also deeply philanthropic and consistently seeks ways to give back to her school and community. When Ashley arrived in the United States at the age of 15, she did not speak English. Through determination, perseverance, and extraordinary work ethic, she taught herself the language and is now more than fluent. an accomplishment that speaks volumes about her resilience and commitment to growth. Ashley is a highly active member of the Interact Club where she has made a meaningful impact. She has contributed to donation drives such as peanut butter and jelly sandwich making, independently created public relations materials for the student activities fair without even being asked, and

007has already logged over 15 hours of community service in just a year and a half. Beyond Interact, she is involved in multiple aspects of school life and is always willing to step in and help others succeed. Perhaps the most telling of Ashley's character is her willingness to support struggling students, offering help quietly without seeking recognition. She leads by example and embodies compassion, generosity, and integrity, making her truly deserving to be the candidate for the Bergen County Unsung hero. Ashley >> and Ashley. This is also a certificate from the board of education to you. Congratulations. And on top of that, this evening we will be voting on a resolution for you um for the unsung hero award. And this is what it says. And you get to keep this one, this really pretty one. It says,

008"Whereas the Bergen County School Boards Association in collaboration with the New Jersey School Boards Association recognizes unsung heroes from each high school in Bergen County to celebrate those whose character and impact define the heart of our schools. And whereas the unsung hero award honors students who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities but are often overlooked by traditional recognition programs. Students who have modeled good citizenship, a spirit of quiet strength and a profile and purpose that inspires others. And whereas these unsung heroes may have organized community programs, selflessly supported their peers, or achieved significant academic success while overcoming difficult personal challenges, disabilities or language barriers. And whereas Ashley Karolina Martinez has overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to reach their full potential, serving both the school community and the community at large as a beacon of

009resilience and integrity. And whereas on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, Ashley Karolina Martinez was formally recognized for these achievements at the 20 2026 Bergen County Unsung Hero Awards ceremony held at Henry P. Beckton Regional High School. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Hackinack Board of Education officially recognizes Ashley Karolina Martinez as an unsung hero of Bergen County and the Hackinack School District. And be it further result that this resolution is presented to Ashley Karolina Martinez as a sincere token of the Hack Board of Education's congratulations and best wishes for continued success as they continue to lead by example. Congratulations. Let me for you. Congratulations. Um, if we could just also take a picture with Yes. >> If the board could come up to take a picture. I know we didn't get a chance to that

010day. Just All right. Thank you. Okay. So, moving on to executive session. Be it resolved that the Hackes Board of Education determines it necessary to meet an executive session on Wednesday, March 18th to discuss legal personnel, student related matters, HIV reports, negotiations, and other confidential matters. And be it further resolved that these matters will be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Can I have a motion to go into executive, please? >> So move. >> Okay. Motion by Trusty Stein. Can I have a second? >> I'll second. Second by trustee Carol. All those in favor say I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Thank you. The time currently is 6:28. If you can give us at least until 8:00, please. Thank you. Okay, good evening everyone. >> Thank you. Can I have a

011motion to reopen to the public, please? >> Motion by Trusty Pringle, second by Trustee Stein. All those in favor say I. I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Moving on. Okay. So, this part is for the approval of the minutes. Uh, can I have a motion to table all of the minutes presented? I'll make a motion to table. Okay. So, motion by trusty and a second. >> Second by Vice President Martin. All those in favor say I. >> Any opposed? abstensions. Thank you. >> Moving on that >> I'm sorry. >> Do we have to vote on We don't have to vote individually. >> No. Uh so we'll revisit this on to our meeting next week on the 25th. Thank you. Okay. Before we go into our superintendence report, I just want to give a quick

012update to the public. Last week at our March 11th meeting, which was a special meeting, we recalled instructional staff. uh that will stay until June 30th. And once again, I thanked the mayor and council, the department of education as well for approving our cash reserves, for allowing us to use our cash reserves. This um tomorrow, actually on Thursday, we're there will be a women's worth brunch. So, we're very excited to celebrate all of the phenomenal women that we have here in our district, in central office, um everywhere in our district. um truly truly appreciate all the women here. Um it'll be a very very nice event. On Friday, the New Jersey School Boards Association will be hosting their third annual women's leadership conference where some of the board members will be attending. And next week

013on March 25th, we'll be having a special meeting where we'll be discussing the preliminary the preliminary the Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay, hold on. Preliminary budget and action will be taken. So, please stay tuned. um and it'll be very informative. So, highly recommend for you to watch or come in person. Okay. So, with that being said, on to our superintendent report by our acting superintendent, Andrea Oats Parchment. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. >> I would like to present the enrollment report. As of March 12th, 2026, we have 5,65 uh students and with attendance, we're at 97.16%. uh residency report for this month. Uh we have had four cases received, one residency was verified, three inhome visits unverified and one countyated information on proof of residency. So, students withdrawn as a result of the residency

014investigation, two students. For our HIV, harassment, intimidation, and bullying report, we had a total of seven, four were founded, three unfounded, and we have seven pending. Uh, four also there was a preliminary determination of not harassment, intimidation or bullying. I also want to acknowledge uh Glenny Chippapone, Bergen County School Counselor of the Year, and Mafina for also being awarded New Jersey State School Nurses Association School Nurse of the Year. Let's give them an applause. And you also saw that we honored our unsung heroine uh Ashley Carolina Martinez earlier this evening. Uh this is so timely too because of uh our women's history month. Um and to all the women for women's history month beginning with our board president Harris, Trustee Ahanza, Trustee Balutra, Trustee Gilmore, Trustee Pringle, and all of the district's women leaders, educators,

015students, and support staff who move this district forward every day. in their special way. I acknowledge all of you for your steadfast service to Hackasac public schools as well as the gifts and the talents that you bring to make a positive impact on our students and the entire school community. The important and critical work cannot get done well without you. So, thank you. And what can I say about our athletic department and all the student athletes and coaches who are making Hack and Sack shine with their performances in indoor track, basketball, and a shout out to our team who showed up and showed out at the New Balance Tournament recently, breaking records. We are so proud of all of our athletes. Let's give a round of applause. And then finally, as I stated to you,

016each month I would like to highlight a department within our schools. Today, I would like to highlight Hackinac Middle School's engineering design elective, a new course. The new engineering design elective at Hackinack Middle School is a handson course where students design, build, and test solutions to real world problems. The class is taught by Tommy Harrington, formerly a member of the seventh grade science department of 18 years. The class currently serves students in grades six through eight. Students participate in a variety of projects, including the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife's trout in the classroom program, raising rainbow trout while learning about cold water re uh conservation and water chemistry. They also use 3D printing and CAD to design tools and prototypes in conjunction with the M River stream table to explore river dynamics and

017flooding while testing engineering solutions. These core elements of the class are supplemented with many engineering challenges such as reverse engineering and simple indoor drone missions, giving students regular opportunities to practice problem solving, teamwork, and hone technology skills. Together, these experiences connect to a common theme, understanding and protecting the lower Hackinac River. The course is built around the engineering design process where students test ideas, learn from mistakes, and improve their designs through iteration. By identifying problems, building prototypes, and refining solutions, students experience how engineers use science, technology, and creativity to solve environmental challenges in their own community. So, thank you student and and thank you Mr. Harrington for this elective and that's all I have for this evening. >> Excellent. >> Okay, so moving on to public comment. Public participation shall be governed by the following

018rules. One, if in person, a participant must sign the sign-in sheet and be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of his or her name, municipality of residents, and group affiliation if applicable. Two, each statement made by a participant shall be limited to a threeminut duration during the public session. Three, all statements, questions or inquiries shall be directed to the presiding officer and any questions or inquiries directed by a participant to another board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer who shall determine if such statement, question or inquiry shall be addressed by the presiding officer on behalf of the board or by the individual board member. And four, all board and or acting superintendent responses to questions or inquiries shall be held until the end of public participation. At

019this time, public comments will be open to anyone here in person. If anybody here in person would like to speak, please come up. >> I'm in first, right? >> Yes. Thank you. Uh, good evening. My name is Natasha Taylor. Um, I'm here tonight to speak about coach and educator, Mr. Aaron Taylor. Uh, Coach Taylor has been a part of the Hackinack community his entire life. Born and raised here, he chose to come home and dedicate his career to the same community that helped shape him. Since 2004, he served as a history teacher and a black studies teacher in our district, helping generations of students understand not only the past, but their place presently in the world. Beyond the classroom, Coach Taylor has built a legacy through the Hackinack varsity basketball program. He's led the team

020to three state sectional championships. But anyone who knows high school sports understands that the wins and the banners are only part of the story. His true impact has been the mentorship, discipline, and guidance that he's given to hundreds of young people over the years. For many students, Coach Taylor's been more than a coach. He's been a role model, a guide, and a steady presence. He's consistently pushed his players to be better students, better teammates, and better young men. The values he teaches, accountability, hard work, perseverance, they extend way, far beyond the basketball court. That's why the HIV allegations were so concerning to many of us in this community. For someone who's devoted more than two decades to educating and uplifting students, these accusations feel wildly inconsistent with the character and reputation he's built over a

021lifetime of service here in Hackinack. We ask the board here today to consider not only the allegations that were brought before you, but also the full body of work and the decades of positive influence that Aaron has had on this community. Coach Taylor has been a pillar in Hackinack for many years, and that legacy deserves to be recognized and fairly weighed. The acting superintendent, Andrea Parchment, publicly publicly embarrassed Coach Taylor by not following protocol, suspending him without a prior investigation and against the advice of the athletic director and other administrators who oversee Aaron professionally all the day before Hackinack's Bergen County Jamberee game at Tennifly High School. Many people were surprised and commented regarding him not coaching that day and even the press approached him with questions. It was very embarrassing and not to mention

022the optics of it all. She did privately congratulate him for the leadership, service, and success while acknowledging that he would be the coach next year. Again, she publicly dis suspended him, putting his character in question, but privately congratulated him. And at no point has an apology been issued in any form, although it should have come publicly. So, if the parties involved in this matter won't apologize for how he was handled, I'll apologize on everybody's behalf. Uh, Aaron, I'm really sorry. You don't deserve this, and we thank you for your time and for your service to the Hackinack District. Good evening, everybody, and thank you for your time. Good evening everyone. My name is Michelle Tvarez, proud Hackinack resident, proud parent of a Hackinack graduate attending TCJ, and a current senior student who, thanks to all

023his educators, has committed to Mammoth University for marine biology. I am here tonight as both a parent and a member of the community to speak on behalf of Coach Aaron Taylor. Coach Taylor has never coached any of my children, but that to me speaks even more to his character. His impact extends far beyond just the players of on his roster. He shows up for the entire athletic comm community. I remember an evening when despite preparing for a major basketball tournament, the very next day he took the time and attended and supported a girls softball fundraiser. That kind of commitment does not go unnoticed. In addition to being a community member, I also serve as an athletic secretary in another district. That district was just spoke about and that would be Tenniflot. Through that role and

024working within the Big North Conference, I've had the opportunity to observe many coaches over the years. I currently work for the number one ranked team in the Big North Division. So, I understand the level of commitment, leadership, and accountability it takes to build and sustain a successful program. I can say with confidence that coach Taylor exemplifies these same qualities when he has come to our district for events like the Bergen County Jamberee that he unfortunately was not able to coach this particular year which I do not fault him and he should never feel embarrassed about. We all supported him. He has consistently demonstrated professionalism, respect and integrity. He has built a strong reputation within the basketball community and that reputation is well earned. This past season, his team was ranked fifth in the Big North

025Division and top 50 in the entire state. He led his team to the quarterfinals of the Bergen County Jamberee at FDU and advanced to the state finals. Accomplishments reflect not only in talent, but leadership, discipline, and dedication. It is important to recognize that being a head coach is not easy. Coaches are tasked with making difficult decisions in the best interest of teams and the program as a whole. Those decisions are not always popular, but they are necessary. Not every decision will satisfy everyone and not every player will always get what they want. But that is part of athletics and that is part of life. From my perspective, Coach Taylor is an outstanding coach and an even better person. He represents his program, his players, and this community with pride and integrity both on and off

026the court. And the last thing I want to mention, speaking from the perspective of someone who works closely with co coaches, what president what precedent is set when a community is allowed to dictate how a program is run for an individual benefit? Programs built on a foundation do not succeed like that. It is abundantly clear that coach Taylor and his boys basketball program are built on a standard of excellence. Thank you for your time. Good evening everybody. Okay, I'm quite sure everybody knows me. My name is Bridget and I'm here to speak on behalf of Aaron Taylor, Coach Taylor as well. Um, my son used to play for him back. Now he's the assistant coach along with him and he was part of this accusations that were brought upon the both of them and then

027also suspended for my son three weeks and Aaron for I believe a week. So my thing here is in the leadership role of this all, where does this stand as far as the board making policies and procedures when it comes to a parent coming in and trying to direct the narrative of how a program is run. Let me un let me get to be understand. Every kid is not going to be a D1 college student or athlete. every kid is not going to make it to the NBA. That's a 1%. So my thing here, if a professional could sit on a bench, sit on a bench, may never play, why is it that we think that a high school athlete can't do the same? And then to have a parent continuously come and cause problems

028that has been happening for years without any repercussion to the parent or any repercussion to the child. It's kind of almost like you rewarded the child by allowing the child to play in a championship game. Where was that child suspension? That should have never happened. So if there is not going to be leadership in this then you have to turn it over to community because the smoke was coming. It was definitely coming and you know we try to be adults and we try to hold back but when you got somebody that is constantly doing the same thing over and over and over again and you are giving the same results, what are you teaching this child? You're not really teaching them anything. So, he was rewarded to play, but the coaches were suspended because of

029him. I I don't understand. I I There needs to be some policies and procedures put into place for this whole thing. Not just for athletics, but it should be for anything. No one should be able to come and put out accusations without firm proof. Nobody. Mr. Martin, you've you've been a cop. You're a detective. You got to have evidence. Nobody can just come and say words that, oh, they did this or they did that. And an investigation should never last for three weeks. Never. To find nothing and not get an apology for it. That that is unacceptable on both ends. So, I'm hoping that this board and superintendent will come together and put some policies and procedures in place for this kind of behavior. Thank you. Let me just write my name down. >> Okay.

030Hi everybody. Uh my name is Johanna. Um I'm a Hackinac resident. Daughter went to Hackinack High School. Nephew is Courtney Banks. Um, I'm here to speak on the behalf of also Coach Taylor, who my nephew played for. Um, I've never heard any bad things. I've never um heard any um things that would have warrant a suspension. Um, but I do feel like you guys gave this kid the opportunity to come to you guys and to make these accusations. And you never once after he sent a nasty text. Let me just put that in place. A very nasty, disrespectful text to an adult. And you guys rewarded him to play but suspended the two coaches. And you guys like I I that to me don't I I didn't understand that. And for three weeks you had

031my nephew at home. I don't care if it was with pay or without pay. His character was at question. You you you don't do that. He sent my nephew a nasty text because he couldn't have his way. Where does that happen at? If if your daughter sent one of these board members a nasty text like that, what would what would you say? You would have something to say about it the same way I would. But instead, he was rewarded to play. I I I don't understand that. I mean I mean something has to be in place. And the fact that he skipped over, he didn't even follow or whoever the mother didn't even follow procedure. He went skipped right on over to you. There's a chain of command that you must go through. And everybody

032knows that even even in a job, you have a train of comm a chain of command. You have your supervisor, then you have your manager, then you have the director. The same thing. It should apply for this in in this a athletic, you know, area. But I just like I just don't understand it. like it it just makes no sense to me. And then the and then they have to go back into the classroom or into the setting and their characters being, you know, the kids are like, "Well, where was Mr. So and so?" You know, all this little talk and and all this little stuff going on and especially with somebody that constantly keeps pushing the envelope. you have to hold somebody accountable, but I don't think it was fair that you held the

033coaches accountable and and and definitely 3 weeks for my nephew was absolutely ludicrous to only find absolutely nothing. So that's all I have to say. Kimberly King. I'm a teacher at Hackinac High School, resident of Hackinack. Um, I'm going to speak about this word Entitlement is the belief that one deserves certain privileges, that he or she has the right to do or have something. Students are entitled to learning environments that are not only safe, but ones where they can truly grow and thrive. They are entitled to teachers who care not just about their e academic success, but about the people they are becoming. Families in this community are entitled to leadership and stakeholders who are vigilant, accountable, and committed to their promise of being committed to the children. And that is where entitlement should end.

034For anyone who feels For anyone else who feels entitled, I have to ask, what are you doing here? For those who feel entitled, what does that look like in practice? When someone believes they are owed something they have not been granted, what follows? Do we turn to hostility to crossing boundaries? to actions that disrupt, intimidate, or undermine the safety and well-being of students and staff to actions that crack the very foundation upon which a school community is built. Again, I ask, why are you here? Why are you here if you feel entitled to more? When entitlement is amplified by an audience or enabled by weak leadership, where does that leave us as a community? These are questions we need to seriously consider. On a different note, when the news of our budget crisis first broke,

035we were informed by Miss Parchment that staff would be cut from everywhere at all levels, including central office. However, it seems evident that the only staff being cut is the staff that has their feet on the ground who have daily interactions with students in the classrooms, hallways, gyms, and athletic fields. In a time of increasing athlete injury, we are losing athletic trainers and will be left with only one. In a time of mental health crisis, we are losing social workers. In a time of increased need for school safety, we are losing both of our female deans. And in a time of increased pressure to improve test scores, we are losing record number of teachers. But how many people at the top are we losing? Make it make sense. Thank you. Good evening. Uh my name

036is Karthoso and I am one of the managers of um Mr. Taylor's team, the boys uh varsity basketball team. Um as a manager, I've spent countless of hours around Mr. Taylor, early mornings, late nights, long drives. Um, and during those long hours, I have not one negative thing to say about Mr. Taylor. I watch him support every one of his players day in and day out. And the fact that I have to stand here and defend him is absolutely insane and heartbreaking because never did I ever think that he had ever bullied or harassed one of his players. I feel as as if Mr. Taylor is the ultimate definition of tough love. But not the tough love where it's only tough and the love is tucked away. It's the tough love that actually means something

037and shows an impact. As much as the boys don't want to admit it, he says things because he cares and he wants them to learn. And I'm not going to lie, he raises his voice sometimes. But everything that he is saying, there's meaning behind it. There's care behind it. There's love behind it. He doesn't just say things just to say them. Everything he says, there's meaning behind it. He says things cuz he's cuz he cares. And anytime he says anything, it's because there's a valid reason to it. I personally feel that the way that he speaks to his players is valid in the midst of a game. As many of you know, you've gone to any sports game, everyone um emotions are high and he does he says these things cuz he does not have

038the time to sit down with the player and quietly explain to him as if he is a baby how things should happen. So being stern and saying what what needs to be said and directly is a definition of coaching or as I see it as Mr. Taylor is exactly. A coach isn't there to baby their players. A coach is there to teach a player and allow allow the player to grow. And that's exactly what Mr. Taylor does. I think that things are often misconstrued, especially when people can't hear or um see exactly what he's saying um on the bench, but I am a direct witness that saw and heard how he spoke to every single one of his players every single game. I did not miss a single game because as a manager, it is

039my job to be there. And I saw him react in certain ways that were 100% understandable and I think normal as a coach. I think plenty of you have played sports before and your coach is not going to sit you down and talk to you as as if you're a baby. Honestly, I mean, as a 17-year-old kid, you should be able to take a little bit of, you know, tough love. Um, but me specifically, me alongside my my other fellow managers, u, Mr. Taylor has not has treated us with in like as we're his family. He's been super sweet. Always makes that he um corrects how he is speaking in certain situations. He never yells at us, never raises his voice. We can be in the biggest game that we have ever played and he

040still calms down and speaks to us very quietly and says, "How many timeouts do you have? How many of this and how many that?" He's always very sweet, protects us. I've never felt scared or unprotected around Mr. Taylor. As we always say, comets were a family and he's treated us as such. Um, that's all I have to say. Good evening, Jennifer Johnson, Hackisac resident. I'm here to speak tonight. I'm here to speak tonight about Aaron Taylor to share a personal experience and how he has made a lasting impact in students lives. He is a teacher who recognized a student who was shy, introverted, someone who preferred to work independently, felt uncomfortable speaking in class, and often stayed in the background. Through patience, encouragement, and by creating a supportive classroom environment, he helped that student gradually

041build their confidence. That student is my daughter, Hackinack High School graduate, class of 2025. Today, she is a college freshman who works comfortably in groups, interviews her professors for her communications class, and presents in front of her peers with confidence. While one experience alone may not fully divine define a person, I believe it speaks strongly to the character of Aaron Taylor. Someone who takes the time to recognize a student's potential, encouraged her, helped her find her voice, her confidence, and her ability to succeed beyond the high school classroom. Having also observed Coach Taylor's interactions with his athletes, it is clear that this same character extends beyond the classroom and onto the basketball court. Thank you. Uh, how you doing board? Uh, my name is Lido Johnson. I'm a resident of Maywood, New Jersey. So, I'm

042hoping I can maybe bring a different perspective of Coach Aaron and how he is valuable to this community. My youngest son is a 15-year-old freshman who plays for the St. Joe's basketball team. Uh, this past year, he had a very great season. They made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, lost to Bergen Catholic. But um at the end of the day, life is all about lessons. And my youngest son has been coached by Coach Aaron through the Bulls basketball club. Maybe some of you are familiar with them through Coach Azie and coach um Coach Hajj. My son started out with Coach Aaron maybe about seven, eight years old. As you can know, playing a point guard is a very demanding position. Coach Aaron is a very demanding coach. He's hard and he's tough and he's

043always been that way on my son. But if you said what I've seen the growth in my son over the past four to five years and see the confidence that has been instilled in him, seen the talent as he has grown, you would be amazed. And I attribute that to coach Aaron. I've also seen him do that with other players on this team. Uh Abdul is one of the players. I think he's a a freshman or a sophomore on the team. I've watched coach Aaron mold this young man into the player that he is. You don't do that if you're not passionate and you care about your players. It's going to be very difficult for you to treat somebody very harshly when you put so much time and effort into what they do and who

044they are. That's why when I heard about these allegations, I knew what happened. I knew the situation. I knew the context of it. I play sports. My kids play sports. I know how kids can be. I know how parents can be and after being here for about the past 10 to 15 minutes and hearing the statement from the parents about what happened, it just confirmed my assumptions. Coach Aaron should not be in this position. He should not be here having to defend himself, his reputation, and his character. It's unnecessary. I've known this man for decades and all I can say is that he's a testament and a credit to the hacken sack community and that's why I'm up here as a non-resident to speak on his behalf. Thank you. Hello, my name is Courtney Matias.

045I am a Hackin Sack resident. I also do a couple things with a couple of you guys. I'll speak into the mic. Um I am here to speak uh about Coach Taylor as well. Uh but first um last week we spoke about communication in our other meeting. I think this is a perfect example of you know lack of communication. Um I believe that uh one everyone should have been made aware that something there was an issue and um as it was said before maybe some kind of policy or procedure can be in place if this happens the next time because hearing two coaches get suspended uh for a parent allegation is a little disheartening especially when you know the person and their heart. Um, our town is already under a microscope, so this just intensifies

046it and makes it harder for those of us that love this town and believe in it and our district. Um, no one should ever have to fight for their livelihood based off one allegation and as I've heard from other people, apparently from a person that has continuously um done things like this and with no repercussions. So first I believe there should be some kind of policy and procedure in place for academics and coaching for any kind of complaints parent and student wides and then and then a policy in place maybe voted upon amongst yourselves and maybe suspension can be a punishment before after an investigation instead of before. Um it's very easy for the correction to get lost. back when they printed newspapers, your your headline was on the front page, but your rejection retraction,

047excuse me, was on the 15th. Let's not do that. He's been in our community for more than 20 years. Um I don't have a child that plays a sport that's involved with him, but he knows Aaron. Um I have been out in public with Aaron and children from everywhere. He cannot go to Shopright. He cannot go to the mall. He is loved. Um children that don't play basketball. Um I think we set a really horrible precedent especially for this generation of children. If you can go to your parent and say XYZ did this and they don't ask you what you did come here and then that teacher is suspended that is again entitlement. That's not how we want the next generation will then live that way. Um I do again want to preface that some

048kind of procedure does really needs to be in place. Um, and I do also would like my friend to stay employed as a wonderful coach and teacher. Thank you. Good evening, Chester Brown Hackinack. Um, also here with many others to stay with Coach Taylor. I've had the privilege to play with him, coach with him, um, guide him, advise him in many different ways in life, in basketball, and of course disheartened by the allegations. And you know, we hear these monikers about colloquialisms, about bleeding, blue and gold. And I just think he is, you know, one of the uh standards of blue and gold in his athletic career, his career as an educator and his career as a coach. And I just think that, you know, these are the type of people that administrators, board members,

049you know, have to defend against all odds, especially when the attempts at defamation of character come from known actors that, you know, have tried to do this to other people on other occasions. And, you know, you just have to stand and defend on your own. Um, I do know Coach Taylor to be a very animated coach and I from my high school coaching days under coach Daryl Harris and Larry Beaman, Gordon Whiting, um, and my college coaching career, uh, coach college playing career, um, the worst thing a coach can say to a player is nothing. And the more and the more intensity a coach gives to a player, the more desire that coach has for the player success. And sometimes that gets misconstrued and we're in different times of how these children are raised by

050their parents and what they're prepared for in athletics. Um, one of my seventh grade science teachers, Joe Summers, taught us some Latin. He said, "Nonsc." and some of these um things that we receive in sports and from our coaches not only prepare us for the game but for the other things that we're going to face in life. And I know coach Taylor's passion is far beyond the basketball coach for himself, for his students, for his family and his players. So I, you know, again, there are many people here for him that probably won't speak, but you know, have just shown up also to stand in support of him because we do stand for him. We stand with him and we just want him to be treated fairly. Thank you. Good. Good evening. My name is

051Isabella King and I am a manager of the for the Hackinack boys varsity team. From 10:00 a.m. bus times to 8:00 p.m. games in Newark and 90°ree days in the Hackinack High School main gym during our annual summer league. Me and my fellow managers have spent countless hours with the Hackinack team. During this time, we have seen the the team dynamics and we have seen how Coach Taylor has been a positive reinforcement on this program and to these student athletes. To coaches to make challenging decisions that benefit the team, not a player's personal agenda. When one signs up for a team sport, they sign up with the understanding that they might not play, they might not get the amount of minutes they want, they might not score the amount of points that they want, and

052it is not about what they want. The individual who filed this HIV has continuously been rewarded despite her blatant harassment of Coach Taylor and his family. On Saturday, February 21st, I did in fact witness this harassment. There is proof. This is on video. This is not like her baseless claims of her of bullying on Coach Taylor's end. There to bend the rules for one player is to bend them for all. We have seen how coach Taylor has been a positive force on his players. He has encouraged them to do well in school. He has encouraged them to show up despite the negative despite the negative um connotation that this might bring. We have been that we have been at every single game. We have heard conversations go on. To communicate in a gym like that,

053we've all seen videos from the East Orange game where it's packed full of students, full of reporters. To communicate to those players on the court is to yell. It is not about how the message is said is it is about what he is saying. What he is saying to the players is what he wants best for them. If a player is not performing to the standard that the team meets at the time they are going to get taken off. He in fact gives them the benefit of the doubt and he puts them back in despite the poor performance before. I as a volleyball player if you mess up in a game you might not get that second chance. Coach Taylor gives his player that second that second chance to prove themselves because he knows that

054they can do better. He knows that this one mistake does not outshine all the good that they might do on the court. The baseless claims made by this individual should not have reflected Coach Taylor and Coach Banks in this light, and they should not have been punished for what this parent might have thought her son deserved. Thank you. Have a nice night. Anyone in person that would like to speak? Okay. >> Oh, hi everybody. Um, Adam Sufi, a premise resident, head custodian of the high school here. Um, first, like I want to get to Coach Taylor. You know, I get to see the coaches and things when nobody else even knows I'm there cuz, you know, I have all the keys. So, um, Coach Taylor specifically, he's special. Uh, he really is. Um, and it

055it actually caught me off guard about what's going on. This I just found out a couple days ago and um I don't know it it you know with everything else that's going on with like the budget and everything. This one like was like a low blow cuz he's okay there's the best and then there's the best of the best. Coach Taylor really is the best of the best. You know, you know, I've seen it. You know, the way he is with the kids it he's special and you know that's really nothing more to say. you know, he's the right guy and he's in the right place. And um I'd also like to, you know, speak on behalf of my fellow custodians, you know, um I know that the budget, um really affected them, you know,

056and um you know, they're some special guys, you know, um you know, they're all good, but like one particular gentleman, uh Alex Hernandez, you know, um he came from a school in the Bronx that had 6,000 kids. He used to run that school. So um he moved to New Jersey, purchased a house and um you know the commute was a little too rough. So he decided to take a pay cut and come to Hackinack for a regular custodian rate. So it it's like we you know this gentleman we already have at a discount and unfortunately he was rifted and um he almost never called out of work. He was so handy with everything. Um, and it it's really, you know, heartbreaking, you know, to see such a good guy like this, you know, let go.

057And I feel like let go with no consideration. Just employee number 1 2 3 4, you know, you got to go. And um, no, he was Alex. He was awesome, you know. And um, you know, I'm not going to lie. Um, today I had another custodian, Deshaawn Cox. um he turned in his badge and his uniform and his keys and I don't know it it just really upset me you know it was hard to accept that you know because inside I always felt like it'll it'll work out you know in the end um but it became real you know when um you know I had to say goodbye to the um you know we have you know I have um you know Kareem you know um you know just another great guy they're all great

058you know Gustavo he worked you know, eight years as a substitute, you know, finally gets offered the full-time position, you know, and and he it was just, you know, cut like that. And um it's coming from somebody who really loves Hackin Sack, you know. Um I spent a lot of my youth on Main Street because my father had a store there, Apollo Camera, um across from Lucy's Deli, if you remember that, you know. Um yeah, old school, you know, back in old Main Street. But um you know, that that's it. Well, thank you very much everybody. Anyone else in person that would like to speak? Okay, the floor is now closed for in person. We're going to online. Is there anyone online? Okay. >> Hello. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? >> Hello.

059>> Can you hear me? >> Yes, now we can. >> Okay. My name is Aaliyah Walker. I'm a Hackinac alumni and um resident. So, I had the privilege of serving as the book manager for Coach Taylor from 2015 to 2018. And during those four years, I was able to see firsthand the type of mentor he truly is. Coach Taylor has always been one of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals I've known. He consistently poured his time, energy, and heart into basketball the basketball program and more importantly into the lives of the young men that he's coached. His focus has always been helping the players grow not just as not just as athletes, but as respectful, disciplined, and responsible young men. He pushes them to work hard, stay focused in school, and believes in and to

060believe in themselves. The countless hours he spends preparing, coaching, and mentor shows how deeply he cared about the success of each and one every child on his team. From my personal experience working alongside him for four years, I have never witnessed anything that would suggest he intended to harm or mistreat any student. Maybe they have mistreated him, but he has always has shown him the children genuine genuine genuine excuse me. I believe the allegations being made against Coach Taylor does not reflect the character of the man I've worked with. Coach Taylor has always shown dedication and his true passion for helping the kids reach their full potential. Thank you. Hello. >> Yes. Good evening. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. Good evening. >> Good evening. I am Michelle Hammond Dudley, proud Hackinac resident, a

061proud graduate of the class of 1988, a former varsity coach for women's basketball. And I'm here to speak on behalf of Mr. Taylor. Good evening, members of the board and administration. I am here to speak in support of a coach who has dedicated over 20 years to building a basketball program with integrity and discipline. This coach was a dedicated player and a fluent student while he was in Hackinack. He followed rules and was very humbled upon listening and receiving directions from his Hackinack coaches. Recently, we've seen a troubling trend from a student's lack of respect is being met with parental guidance to demand a veteran coach's termination. When a student feels entitled to disregard the rules and a parent chooses to weaponize their influence rather than hold their child accountable, it undermines the very foundation

062of our athletic department. And I serve as a coach still on the track team. Success on a field is earned through sweat and humility, not through the privilege of a loud voice or a per personal vendetta. We cannot allow a two decade legacy of mentorship to be discarded because one family refuses to hear the word no. I urge you to stand by the standards this coach has upheld for 20 years and prioritize character and over entitlement. And Mr. Taylor, I would like to tell you you were you had every name called in my household between 2011 and 2014 when you coached my son. But now today, my son tells his six-year-old son, "I cannot wait for you to be coached by Coach Taylor." Thank you. Okay. See, I'm sorry. When I had said no, she

063had already raised her hand very low. It's okay. Sorry. Okay. Come on. Give me for you guys. Miss Pman, you know Mustavo how many years? 10 years in every school the hack working in I give you the husband days for thinking so many things for pain. You know why do you think it's all right? Everybody think it's all right. No, every custodian Mr. Grac Mr. for defending the custodian. Miss Palman, you know, talk you hard in every custodian. Everybody need your job. Everybody is excellent. Everybody respond. He has no right. Hello everybody. God bless you. Thank you for listening me. I know. Okay. I'm talking English. Perfect. I'm trying. I talk today. I talk on my I'm sorry. Sorry. Okay. Gracias. >> Okay. At this time, public comment section is now closed. We're going to

064move on to our Oh, I'm so sorry. Let me just address um something here. So, I I do want to thank the community for coming out. I do want to thank the students who spoke out today. it, you know, it it does unfortunately, you know, I I love seeing the students. It's unfortunate the situation um that brought you guys here, but we do want to hear from the community. We do want to hear from our students and staff uh to address about the board making policies and uh procedures. So when a lot of this stuff did come up, our policy committee did review and did question and we'll be looking at our policies and procedures um with a much tighter lens. Uh we do notice that there are some things that we need to revamp

065um especially now in the technology world. Uh a lot of our policies were back from 2017 that don't reflect um to what we have going on now with technology. So those procedures are going to be looked at, especially our athletics department. We're going to refine a lot of those. So yes, we're looking into that. Um, and that is it for yep for the public comment part. We're going to now move on to our committee reports and resolutions. We we will start with personnel and our chair of personnel is Trusty Amaranza. >> Thank you, Madame President. Um the personnel committee met uh last week and um I would like to offer personnel items A1 A through I for consideration. >> Okay. We have a motion from Trusty Amrahamsa. Can I have a second? >> Second by

066Vice President Martin. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >> Trustee Austin Balaputra. >> Yes. >> Trustee Amraham. Yes, >> trustee Carol. >> Yes. And accuse myself from H1 and H2. >> Trustee Gilmore, >> yes. >> Trustee Pringle, >> yes. >> Trustee Stein, >> yes. >> Vice President Martin, >> yes. >> President Harris, >> yes. >> All motions carry. Thank you. Moving on to policy and the chair of policy is trusty Pringle. >> Um for policy this evening we have no policies and regulations of report today. >> Keto keys. Moving on to curriculum and chair of curriculum is trusty pringle. >> Um for curriculum I would like to motion C1 through C22. I would like to highlight C8 through C 15. Okay. Be it resolved the Hacksac board of education upon recommendation of

067the acting superintendent of schools approves the memorandum of understanding between New Jersey Transit and Jackson Avenue schools to provide anformational presentation about railroad safety to third and fourth grade students on April 8, 2026 at no cost to the district. Um C9, the memorandum of understanding between Hackasac public schools and Nicole Killigan, a registered nurse at Hackasac University Medical Center to provide a stop and bleed presentation to Jackson Avenue School staff April 14th, 2026 at no cost to the district. uh C10, the memorandum of understanding between Alexis Hasbrook, a Broadway cast member of Great Gatsby, to provide a musical theater workshop to Hackasac Middle School chorus dance students on March 24th at no cost to the district. Um C11 um approves the Hackasak public schools to participate in the 2027 National Survey of Science, Mathematics, Computer

068Science, and Engineering Education being conducted by the Horizon Research during the 2627 school year. No data will be collected from the students and there will be no intrusion on the instructional day. Teachers will receive a $40 honorarium for completing a questionnaire to be paid for by Horizon Research. um the memorandum of understanding between the hacksac board of education I'm sorry this is C12 um education okay the board of education and the New Jersey department of environmental protection for the 2526 school year to establish a framework for collaboration between NJD and Hack High School to promoting students decisions at no cost to the district. Okay. No, wait, hold on. Well, to promoting students scientific I'm sorry, the scientific knowledge to fostering civic education and raising public awareness to water quality by measured datomics at no cost

069to the district. Datoms. Um C13 approves the reschedule of Fairmont Fairmont Walk for Warth and Wellness fundraiser event date Wednesday, March 25th with Thursday, March 26 as the alternate inclement weather date. All the funds raised will be deposited into the student activity account and distributed to the local shelter at 40 Pacific Street in Hackasad. Um C14, the particip participation of high school students in the 26, 2026 academic to Catholon Nationals taking place in Orange County, California from April 22nd to the 26th. The total cost will not exceed $13,340. Um, last but not least, um, C15. Should I read this? You read this. I read it already. Unless you want to read it. >> No. So, to go down to since we have to vote this in, I'll read the bottom part. Now thereafter, be it

070resolved, the Hackasack Board of Education officially recognizes Ashley Karolina Martinez as an unsung hero of Bergen County in the Hackasack School District. And be a further resolve that this resolution is presented to Ashley Karolina Martinez as a sincere token of the Hackasack Board of Education. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success as they continue to lead by example. Um, and thank you. I would like a motion um for C C1 through C 22. >> Perfect. Okay. So, we have a motion from Trusty Pringle. Can I have a second? >> A second. >> Second by Trusty Gilmore. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >> Trusty. All >> Yes, but I need to abstain from C17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. Yes, you're abstaining through C17 C17 through C-21. >> That is correct. >>

071All right. Thank you. >> Trustee Amra Hamza. >> Yes. To all. >> Trustee Carol. >> Yes. >> Trustee Gilmore. >> Yes. >> Trustee Pringle. >> Yes to all. >> Trustee Stein. >> Yes to all. >> Vice President Martin. >> Yes to all. >> President Harris. >> Yes. All motions carried. >> Thank you. Moving on to finance and the chair of finance is Trusty Stein. Yes. I'd like to welcome team service uh making captains of the $1,000 award from the new pathway to career opportunities and presenting community college and 38 which is a agreement with food market. >> Okay. So, we have a motion from Trusty Stein. Can I have a second? >> Second by Trusty Carol. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? Trustee Austin Balutra. >> Yes, but I'm abstaining from D2.

072Trustee Almarza, >> yes. >> Trustee Carol, >> yes. >> Trustee Gilmore, >> yes. >> Trustee Pringle, >> yes. >> Trustee Stein, >> yes. >> Vice President Martin, >> yes. >> President Harris, >> yes. >> All motions carried. >> Thank you. Okay, moving on to community relations and chair of community relations, Miss Trusty Gilmore. >> Hi, good evening. Um the community relations committee met on March 12th. Um we had a fantastic meeting and um we are working towards um some fantastic things um that will be coming, but our most important goal is to um set up time to talk to the public about what we're doing. So we have um set up some subcommittees. So stay tuned for information about um where we will be and um hopefully you can come out. Thank you. >> Okay,

073thank you. Moving on to other committees. Um there is nothing else to report in regards to other committees. Um any new business? >> Yes, Madam Chair, >> Madam President, new business. that we touched I touched on it briefly last meeting but I want to revisit it for this meeting in the interest of time I kind of pushed it to this meeting. I would like for the board to consider moving to a p to a committee of the whole for the function of personnel given that we are in the process of making major personnel decisions due to the budget deficit. I think it is an it is important that all trustees be a part of the conversations and be party to the information at the exact same time. I think it will um expedite some of

074the decisions that need to be approved and the the the decisions that we need to make as a board. That would be my recommendation for us to consider as a board. Anyone else have anything to add to that? >> We can ask a question to that. >> Sure. So my question is if we all come together as a board, let's just say if we did do something like that, that would create a quorum and it once we have committees is because we can't have and correct me if I'm wrong, is because we can't have over a certain amount in each committee because it would be considered a quorum. >> So to have personnel in the whole, how do you see that looking? How how would you see that as being possible? According to what I've

075read on the Georgia School Boards Association website and some of the information that was discussed in some of the the classes that I've had to go to as a new board member committee of the whole because it's specific to personnel, we would open it public. It would be a meeting where the public would have the opportunity to comment to us, but we'd still handle the conversations in executive session, but it would it would change the format in terms of we'd have to meet like this, but the almost the entirety of the agenda would be still held in executive session because there is a quorum. But I think it's important that we all because we're making >> the discuss personnel out in public. >> No, it would still be because it's personnel. That's the one topic

076that has to be handled in executive session. So, we still would be in executive session, but it would include all of us and the way we announced the meetings probably would have to change. And um Mr. Dunacher, if you correct me if I'm wrong, but it still would be we still would open it public, go to executive session, and then come back out and vote. >> So, because there is a quorum, it's part of the open public meeting act. So, we still have to have public comments. We it's it's still run like a regular meeting except that no action is going to be taken. >> So it would be like having a committing like a special meeting personnel. We have to discuss it or announce it out here and then take it to to the

077back like executive >> everything except for any resolutions any any type of voting matter. >> None of that takes place except that everything happens. Then we say we have to go into executive and that's what we would discuss and then we just come back out and we close or however we want to do it whether public comment goes first or it goes at the end like that. Um I I will say you know in those trainings they do tell you there are pros and cons to both right. So there is no right or wrong way in how we do it. It depends on how how the board um functions and you know availability. Um, I will say currently right now we're having meetings every week. Um, and that's pretty much what it's going to look

078like. Not only meetings, special meetings. We have regular meetings and then that would be committee meetings. Um, I were you going to say something, Mark? I'm sorry. >> Speak into the mic. Well, in the structure of the whole >> is not on to turn it on. >> No, it's not. >> It is. Okay. >> In the structure of committee of the whole. >> Okay. Okay. >> Take four. In the structure of the committee of the whole, would we have to rice certain employees if we're talking about them and possible employment? >> Yes. I think that everyone should be right. So, it wouldn't just be, you know what I mean? because I I don't like I don't I understand what you're saying >> that would cause unnecessary um anxiety for people, right? >> Yeah. >> Because

079that why are we being why are they being rice just for the purpose of >> of convers of a conversation, >> right? >> If we did it with transparency to the staff that they understand it as a formality so that we can meet in this way. My concern is that we are about to make unprecedented decisions that will impact this district for years to come. And as a board, it makes it we're all held accountable for whatever decisions we make. and to ensure that all trustees have the information at the same time and can participate in full discussions with each other making decisions that are going to impact the children's community for years to come even if it's just for this year I think is something that we should really consider. I think that the

080way that it sounds and not to go against what you're saying, but the way it sounds is like it's only the personnel committee that's coming together to make decisions for everything that's what's going on. And that personnel is is more privy to information to have information to vote and the rest of us are not because if I was sitting out there listening and because that's almost how it sounds. >> I appreciate that point. Um so let me be clearer for those who may not understand how the committee system works. We have six we have committees for personnel finance uh policy curriculum and there are no more than four board members on each committee so that it is it doesn't constitute a quorum that the four of us can get together discuss some things and then

081present to the rest of the board when we come together. it it's kind of like a group project where I'm working on the bibliography and they're working on the introductory paragraph so that when we come together it comes together faster and more more cohesive. We're not saying that the personnel committee is privy to information and that the other trustees are not. It's about the timing of it and the ability to discuss it at the same time. four people have a discuss get to have a discussion and then we have a more abbreviated discussion when all nine of us are in the room together when we we're in executive session. We usually all receive the information at the same time is emailed to us. So those of us who are not on the personnel committee have

082the opportunity to present our questions to the chair prior to the personnel committee meeting meeting. And under normal circumstances I think it works pretty well. I think our system works really well. the chairs are are responsible responsive to the questions of the committee members that are not on that particular commit trustees are not on that that particular committee but facing what we're facing we're in a situation that I don't believe this district has ever been in you've seen tonight just from some of the comments that have been shared in English and in Spanish the decisions we make impact people's lives their livelihood but more importantly they impact the lives of the children's community that will have lasting impacts. I think in this particular senate in this particular situation this is a going to this committee

083of the whole structure will help us get all of the questions answered at the same time everybody hears everything and then we can move forward in lock step so that we're all on the same page. That's just my opinion. If people aren't open to it that's okay. But I thought that before we move to whatever is going to happen in the coming months that this is something that we need to consider. >> Yeah. And just to be clear, um it wouldn't just be personnel, it' be all the committees that were able to be discussed in post. So any other questions that are related to personnel? Yes. >> So if there's finance that's related to personnel, then that could also be discussed. So that that that puts all committees under this. So it would be a

084very very long meeting. Any additional comments? Um I I will say, you know, in speaking because this is not the first time this was, you know, brought up. Um and I was just saying publicly, but just in in conversation with other trustees, I know that, you know, it's it's it's a lot, right? It's a lot of information. Um, but I think that everyone does feel that they've received enough information and everyone has the ability to ask those questions ahead of time and I know the the importance of what's coming down to us and we have been currently facilitating it where we've had we've had a lot of committee meetings smaller committee meetings that I think have been very helpful and thank you to to central office staff are also opening the doors for us to

085allow us to um ask these questions and until we turn blue in the face. Uh but the it it sounds like to me that right now the board does not feel it moving in the direction of the committee of the whole unless somebody else feels otherwise. >> Do we vote? >> Do I have to make a motion? If you if you make a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Um, all comments I I receive that. I hear you. But I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't feel strongly about it and and and feel differently about it. But in the interest of time, I move that we change to a committee of the whole structure for personnel. Can I ask one question before you ask a vote? >> We have to have a

086second in order to have discussion. I'm sorry. There's no second in. >> So, Trusty Austin Balapucha put a motion down. Can I have a second? Is there a second? >> Okay. So, motion fails. Um, did you still want to say what? >> I mean, I guess it doesn't. >> Well, um, yeah. So, I mean, sometimes we want to be on certain committees. I like the committee that I'm on, but my question to you is not to take it the wrong way, but has you been sitting in the personnel committee, would this be still a question? Absolutely. When I first joined the board in ratified in February, started meeting in May, March, one of the first things I said with noticing some of the things that we were faced with, I thought that finance and personnel

087should be everyone. Especially because when I joined the board, I was appointed to the finance committee. and seeing the things that I saw with some of some of the financial stuff that we were dealing with, I said, "Everybody needs to hear this at the same time." I didn't feel comfortable, especially being new to the board with us seeing this and no, everybody needs to hear this. And that was a year ago. And I said, "Finance and personnel." As I took more of my classes and understood and became more knowledgeable of the complexity of having finance be committee of the whole versus personnel, I understood how unwieldy it would be for finance to be committee of the whole. But one of the first things I said to all of us, finance and personnel, we all need

088to hear this stuff at the same time because there's some stuff that we need to know. But I do feel that way. Feel very strongly about that. All right. >> But thank you for asking. >> Okay. Thank you. So, we are going to move on. Um unless there's other new business. Okay. Thank you. Um just because it is 9:45 as just a precautionary thing since our board attorney just kind of pointed out to me. Um I need to I need a motion to extend the meeting or past 10:00. >> I'll move it. >> Okay. Motion by Trusty Pringle, second by Trustee Stein. All those in favor say I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? You don't get a vote. Okay. So, motion passes to extend the meeting past 10 o'clock. Hopefully, we don't have to. All right.

089So, moving on to our second public comment portion of the evening. Individuals may address the board on agenda and school matters of community interest for one minute. Is there anyone in person that would like to speak? Okay, seeing that there are none, so in person is closed. Anyone online? >> Sure. >> Good evening. >> Oh, good. You can hear me. Okay. Uh, Donna West, I wasn't able to get on earlier because I want to go on record that these Wednesday nights are still hard for those of us who have church obligations. But anyway, I'll speak quickly because you are talking about some of the changes. I would like to just uh point out um that all of the schools are not the same, right? And I know that might seem obvious, but there are decisions

090that are about to be made, especially as it relates to I would feel the special ed um population um conversations regarding resource room and in-class support. And I just want us not to paint uh every school with the same paintbrush. Parker School specifically, I'll speak about does not have, as you know, uh doors, does not have windows that close. And so when we talk about least restrictive environment, that doesn't look the same at Parker School. And so I just want to make sure, especially when we're talking about third and fourth grade, which are testing grades, that we give more consideration to the fact that we still do need resource room at those levels. And so that conversation concerns me that we're trying to push to a model where we would have in-class support um like

091just in all of the grades, especially when you have schools that don't all look the same. and I'd like that to be considered um in the decisions that are being made. Thank you. Have a good evening. >> Thank you. Anyone else online? One more. Sure. >> Name is Jessica Cruz. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Good evening. >> Good evening. Jessica Cruz, Nelly K. Parker, PTA president, um special ed mom, community member. Um just uh listening to um what Miss Alen Balucha had brought up about the personnel committee um involving all of you. I've had the privilege of getting to know all of you a little bit with my involvement in the community. And one of the things that has gained me trust in this board is that you all bring something different to the

092table. And I just ask that the board maybe reconsider what she's asking because as a mom of a special needs child who has an OT, a PT, a speech, a case manager, teachers, and so many people that have already had such a big impact on his four years in or three years in Hackinack. Um my son went from me not knowing whether he would have a normal future to making tremendous progress because of all these people that are involved in his everyday. And I just would like that every all of you bring your individual experiences to the table when discussing personnel because at the end of the day it's going to you know affect his future progress in Hackinack which thus far I've been very happy with. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Second public

093comment section is now closed. Moving on to board comments and we'll start off with Trusty Stein. >> Thank you very much, Madam President. >> Welcome. >> Um, so far this been a very busy half a month. Um, I want to first congratulate our athletics, um, Coach Taylor and his basketball team, um, track teams. um they have shown what it is like to be on the court or on the field. Um, a number of us attended the uh uh Martlet chapter of the National Honor Society where we saw another group of our kids um 27 get inducted as juniors or seniors into the National Honor Society. Um, again, we've heard about the Unsung Hero Awards, and this past weekend, our kids showed their abilities to act when they did uh I think it was five performances

094in three days um with Shrek the Musical. So, I just want to uh congratulate all of our students on their accomplishments this past spring. Um, yeah, that's it for now. Thank you. >> All right, >> Trusty Austin Valipuche. >> Good evening, everyone. Um, I'll start off. I want to say congratulations to Miss Chapon. I don't know if Glenn if I messed up your last name. I'm sorry. And Miss Deffina for their awards. Bergen County School Counselor of the of the County and School Nurse Association Nurse of the Year. It's always great to see our staff be recognized for their contributions. Um I love the art show was work was impressive. I suggested to one of the PTA parents, we need to start selling it some of the artwork, really set it off, and you know,

095I'll bring my checkbook and credit cards and whatnot. There were definitely some pieces I would have taken home and paid for, paid good money for. Um, I want to give Fairmont, I don't know who does their um emails, their parent square, but we received an email from Fairmont advertising the Parker Tricky Trade and I just thought that was that was very unique that one school was spending their time supporting another. I thought I'm sure there were definitely people you see people from all the schools at each all the events, but that someone took the time to advertise another school's event, I thought that was amazing. Um, congratulations to not only Hackers High School's unsung hero, but one of our board unsung heroes, uh, Trusty Harris's son. He was, um, the unsung hero for his school

096at, um, the Tri Valley program. I think it's important that students are recognized for how they contribute to their school community. Um, so shout out to Chanty. Um, this one's a little it's not negative, but and it's a keeping what we talked about with our basketball program. We we watched 600 kids or hundreds of kids show amazing school spirit and dedication and they had outfits and this and then we had a couple dozen students not do what they were supposed to do. And we've received comments from other towns about the behavior of a couple dozen kids compared to the 6700 that figured out a way to raise money and get shirts and show how much they love their school community. And I I don't want to highlight the couple dozen, but it goes to a

097theme or a recurring theme I've been hearing tonight about entitlement and not for school, for life. That we are making sure that our students become who they're supposed to become. And I want to see us keep molding our students to become who they're supposed to become. Cuz sometimes they're teenagers, they mess up. But that was not a good look. and it it put a a shadow on something amazing that 600 kids did that a couple dozen could could put a bad light on that and I would hope that those students rethink how they show their school spirit in the future. Um for me personally something that impacted my life significantly was Shrek the musical. I reached out to the directors and cast and crew to thank them. My son and I attended the opening night.

098my son who is autistic and non conversational. I didn't think he was going to be able to get through it. He did. It highlighted to me just how the performing arts reaches students in a way that traditional modes of communication may not. That he was digging it. He didn't stem the entire time. He was smiling. He clapped. He was reacting to it in a way that he have not seen him react to other things. And um it was an incredibly moving experience for me as a parent. I understand that the cast also did a sensory performance for the rise program at Hackinack High School that we are using the arts to reach a wider community community and be more inclusive of all students is extremely um important in general, but for me personally as a

099parent, it was especially important. Um, I'm looking forward to getting my Women's Worth t-shirt even though I can't make the brunch. And um, we had a blast at the Parker Tricky Train. >> Thank you, Jesse Pringle. >> I thought you have me laugh. I was going to say, well, good night and everything. But, um, well, so far everything Mark and Melanie said, I don't want to be repetitive because it's going to be repeated again. Y'all know I don't talk that much, but um yeah, as a Parker, I didn't get the opportunity to go to a lot of events cuz I went to go visit with uh my twin grandb babies um a couple of weeks ago, but uh I did go to uh Dell K. Parker Tricky Trey and we did have an amazing time.

100I was able to win Bluey for um my little nephew MJ and he came and got it. So, I was happy about that. And um I'm going to keep praying um for the work that the school board still has to do. And um yeah, that's it. Good night everyone. Thank you for coming out. >> Thank you, Trusty uh Gilmore. >> Hi, good evening. So um I had an opportunity to attend um the art show which was amazing. Um, one child actually drew um, pictures of Andrea, um, Cassimine and I think Tara, the library director, which was a absolutely amazing. I asked him if he could draw me one. But, um, I also attended Jennifer's um, son's um, unsung hero award, which was fantastic. I think that's such an amazing event to showcase students that don't

101shine in in the normal realm, but they do shine in their own way. And Shrek was absolutely wonderful. Had a great time with that. But the highlight, I think, was when I visited um Jackson Avenue and Nelly K. Parker. I had an opportunity to read uh to two classrooms and I received such a warm welcome. I actually brought my mom along with me and she enjoyed it as well. Um the kids were just so joyful. Um although this the district is in turmoil, they still were happy. They were excited to learn and to listen. So we have to keep that in mind. What we do is about them and we have to do everything we can to protect them. Um so thank you and good night. >> Thank you Trusty Mahamza. Um, thank you everyone

102for uh sticking in with us um for such an another long meeting. Um, but you know, these are very strange times. A lot of um challenges that we're feeling as a district. Um, you know, unfortunately a lot of other districts, it seems like every week you're hearing a new district across the state that is also facing um financial challenges. Um but at the same time there's also a lot of good things to celebrate a lot of things which we we heard about um tonight and you know without um you know really being too redundant you know it it does instill in all of us a great sense of comet pride you know whether we are um lifelong comets or new comets um you know f first and and foremost you know our comet pride you

103know as as women that serve on the board. You know, we are celebrating women and all of their achievements. Our our our female students, athletes, all of the leaders of our district, beginning with our acting superintendent, our assistant superintendent, our board president, um and all of my fellow female trustees. Uh definitely appreciate and celebrate all of your hard work and dedication to our district. Also, um our female um honores that were celebrated tonight. um Ashley Martinez as our unsung hero. Um our nurse and counselor, you know, that just have have made us so very proud and all of the other women across the district and our our students. Um we're also celebrating our Comet scholars um our academic dathletes that we heard about um earlier today um that continue to make us proud and will

104continue as they go on to uh nationals. um you know all of those that were inducted in the honor society including Trusty Carol's own daughter um and uh and then of course our future inductees. I know we're celebrating our Spanish honor society and in the coming weeks um you know our Comet artists that we were able to celebrate at the youth art show at the library we heard great performance from our middle school artists, our choir uh dance dance team. Um we will be hearing from our musicians at the spring concert coming up. Um you know just makes us so very proud. Um and of of course our Comet athletes major achievements that we were able to celebrate. Um you know our our track team, the New Balance Nationals um you know um our girls

105relay um you know the um the boys basketball team for getting to uh state sectionals. Um, you know, obviously we heard a lot about um, Comet Pride and and Comet values, you know, from our staff, our coaches, and, you know, we definitely heard all of the comments that everybody made. Um, and I think to President Harris's point, it is really important for us to take that feedback and now revisit our policies um to make sure that Comet Pride is not only and those high standards are not only reflected by the students but by our our coaches and adviserss, all of our staff, um, and also the community. Um, so that is really important to us. Um and um you know finally you know this this Friday is first day of spring so hopefully we start

106to get some spring weather. Um it is also um Eid. So I do want to wish everyone who observes Eid a very happy Eid. Um it is also uh Norus um which is the Persian New Year. And for for me personally as someone whose family celebrates the Persian New Year um I do hope and wish for a very peaceful uh new year. Um, and so again, thank you everyone for joining us tonight and for making all all of your comments. We really appreciate it. >> Thank you, Trusty Carol. >> Listen, um, Trusty Amaran just crushed it. Like I like just echoing everything she said, so I'll just keep it short. Congratulations to um our Decathlon team. Um National Honor Society, um Unsung Heroes, um our boys basketball team. They came a little short in the

107finals, state finals, but good work this year. Um track team, state champions, and um last is uh distract performance. I quit uh the last day And um it was a great show, great musical. It was great. >> And that's it. Thank everybody who came out and spoke tonight. And um have a good night. >> Great. Thank you, Vice President Martin. >> Everything was said like, but uh I just got to highlight a couple things, two couple things. Uh congratulation to Ashley Martinez again. uh the ensem was a a great um program and to um our president and her husband. Congratulate to both of you on Chanty. I love his salute. What I mean by that when he was up on the stage, he saluted the crowd >> many times and and uh I thought that

108was great. So when I did see him face to face, I had to salute him back. So, uh, also, um, uh, thank, uh, good job to our basketball team as always. Uh, coach was coached by the best, um, uh, with D. Harris and Larry Bean. So, it doesn't surprise me that our program went as far as as it did. So, good job on them. Uh, good job on our track team as a former track member. Um, uh, we have great coaches on the, uh, track team and, uh, uh, I'm looking forward to see, uh, be out there as well with the team on, uh, doing the spring, uh, track, uh, when they start. Um, also, um, I just, uh, thank you everyone for coming out and, um, coming to the mic. As I always said,

109uh, we always, uh, happy and glad to see you here. glad to see you come to the mic. We want to hear from you. Uh those who was home uh thank you for uh calling in and um have a good night and get home safe. >> Right. Thank you. Uh so I just want to add as women's history month, you know, I always reflect back and to all the women that are that I have had in contact with that are continuously in my life. And you know in having all these meetings I've had the honor the privilege to be surrounded by these remarkable women who are sitting here with us today from my board members which majority are women >> terrible >> and uh to our yes we run the world and uh you know

110to our acting superintendent our assistant um superintendent I mean um yes assistant superintendent um central office staff, you know, administrators, supervisors, it it is such a true honor to watch you work. It never goes unnoticed. Um and all the hard work that you put in, just know that you are touching a child. Every time, everything, every decision that you do, a child is watching you. Another young girl wants to fill those shoes. So, continue to do those remarkable things that you do. Even if no one tells you that you're doing great, you are. and someone sees you. Um, just to also congratulate again if you didn't hear me in the beginning, our trusty Jones just had a baby yesterday on St. Patrick's Day. So, congratulations to him and my son is calling me. >> Someone

111check on him, please. No. Uh, you know, congratulations to him and his growing family. Also, I you know, again, just to clarify, I I meant to say this again um for our second public comment, you know, in regards to personnel, you know, just to just to make it clear that everyone does receive the information ahead of time. It's just a matter of being in the room to to ask the questions in person or to hear that information in person. you know, there's I guess it's it's just the the perception or the view of you being in the room versus you not being in the room when the information is given out to you. Um, but everyone has all the information. Um, Shrek, amazing. I don't think I have laughed as much as I did in

112a musical um before. I I look forward to how much this program is going to grow because a lot of them are young. They're freshman, sophomores, and juniors. So, I'm sure the next play next year is going to be phenomenal. Um, to our unsung hero, Ashley, you were great. Um, the way your teacher spoke about you, I I really love that it was your teacher who spoke about you at the actual um, ceremony because it just showed the passion and what what you did as an individual and continue to inspire others who don't get that opportunity to be seen. Um, and as everyone had, you know, mentioned who saw my son and just so everyone understands, my son is a kid on the autism spectrum. Um, amazing kid and I always say that he is

113just a a unique human being and those of you who had the opportunity to get to know him as educators and paraprofessionals, he is a Comet, will always be a Comet. Um he unfortunately we had to move him out before he got to the middle school, but he was here from 3 years old. Remember his first day getting on the bus when he was 3 years old screaming bloody murder um on that bus because it was his first time as a three-year-old getting on a bus. Very, very scary as a parent and as a child. And the teachers reassured me from that day on, received emails, "Your son made it here. He's good. He's safe. He's happy. He's eating." And from that day on, I I kid you not, this child has just like skyrocketed.

114Um, and and I give thanks to all his teachers in Paris that have helped him. Um, and so when uh trustee Vice President Martin said that he saluted, my biggest concern was what is he going to do when he gets on that stage? Because anything can happen. So my fear was, is he going to run away? Is he going to shy and be shy and not do anything? instead he stood there nice and proud saw the entire crowd of like it was a good amount of 100 200 people and he just stood there and he just started saluting everybody and it was a a real kick to it. Um to our sports they are thriving. I you know it is so nice to see on social media, so nice to see in the news. Um

115seeing from track to basketball, it it is amazing the camaraderie, the um support that all of our students came out and I heard that the pep rally that they had was also just as phenomenal as the actual game. And I hope that that Comet spirit and just showing up continues from our students. Um, Nelly K. Parker, Tricky Trey, again, hands down, amazing. I look forward to the other activities that our other schools are hosting. Um, and you know, when it comes to communicating to the public, we are trying to be as communicative as we can as a full board, which is why we are having all these meetings, doing as much as we can to give you as much information that we legally can. Correct. As much as we legally can. um especially you know

116navigating through areas where we have never been before. So what we ask is just for patience uh we will try to be as clear um as possible. Our next meeting is a special meeting to go over the preliminary budget. Um and that is it. So with that information I hope everyone >> I have one question. >> Yes. Was it Chanty who went crazy going on the bus or was it you that went? >> It was both. It was a mutual It was a mutual thing. Yeah. >> Middle school play this week. Uh, yes. Adam's family on the 25th and 25th. I want to forget that. >> So, it would be the 25th and 26th. Yes. Wednesday and Thursday. >> Yes. That's next week. >> Next week. Not this week. Next week. Yes. So, with that

117being said, thank you all for coming out. Thank you for everyone who spoke out tonight. Um, can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> I'll offer. >> Okay. Motion by Emra Hamza, second by Trustee Pringle. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone opposed? >> Thank you. The time is 10:11 p.m. Have a good evening. Thank you. You and me both.