001In accordance with the open public meeting act NJSA 106 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 access 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. Steven A. Lewis, at Steven Lis at hackschools.org. I hereby call to order the special meeting on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 in the Hack High School Auditorium at >> 6:16 p.m. >> 66 6:15 p.m. Uh 6:16 p.m. Please stand for the flag salute. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >> Trustee Austin, >> present. >> Trustee, >> present. >> Trustee Carol, present. Trustee
002Gilmore >> here. >> Trustee Jones here. Trustee >> present. >> Trustee Scott here. Vice President Martin >> present. >> President Harris >> present. >> We have Paul. >> Thank you. All right. Good evening, Hackinac family. We know this is a difficult time for our community and we thank you for being here. I would like to first say that all board members have been very proud of our community these past few weeks who have come out to advocate for our school district, especially the students who have come out to support their teachers. A lot of us up here were in your very shoes as students in these hallways. And we are all and we have all commented that we do not know if we would have been able to speak with the eloquence and poise our
003students have shown these past few weeks. Your comments have been heard and left an impression on each of us. It is that spirit that makes us all proud to be Comets. Not only did we hear your concerns, but so did our city council. I want to acknowledge that the city council is currently in a special meeting to consider a 6.5 million transfer to support the preservation of the educational continuity of our students to help keep instructional staff such as teachers in place through June 30th. We very much thank the city council for their consideration. If approved, our board this evening is ready with a potential resolution accepting that transfer with appreciation and gratitude. I ask you all to please keep in mind, and I know this may be a bit confusing, that as we sit
004here this evening, no matter if the city does vote tonight to approve that payment, the board is still required by certain New Jersey laws, the county superintendent, and the New Jersey Department of Education to follow through on the corrective action plan we adopted that we adopted last week, including unfortunately proceeding with the reduction enforce items on tonight's agenda. In other words, tonight our hands are simply tied in that respect. It is our sincere hope that most of these actions are only precautionary measures. However, you can all be assured that if the city approves the transfer of funds, we will aggressively pursue permission from the county superintendent and the New Jersey Department of Education to permit a revised corrective action plan without a reduction in force as to instructional staff. If we gain that permission, the
005board will hold a special meeting as soon as it is able to to resend the mid-year instructional layoffs to preserve our students educational continuity through June 30th of 2026. We now need to go into close session to discuss personnel matters and then public comments and action on the resolutions will follow. Be it resolved that the Hack Board of Education determines it necessary to meet in executive session on Wednesday, January 28th, 2025 to discuss legal personnel, student related matters, HIV reports, negotiations, and other confidential matters and be a further resolve that these matters will be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Can I have a motion to go into executive? >> A motion. >> Motion by Trustee Pringle. Can I have a second? I second. >> Second by trustee Stein. All those
006in favor say I. I. >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? All right. Thank you. We are going into executive session. It is 620. Okay, welcome back. Um, can I have a motion to reopen to public session? Please >> make a motion. >> Motion by Trusty Jones, a second by Trustee Amra Hamza. All those in favor say I. >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, thank you. Um, moving on to the approval of our minutes. Be it resolved that the Hackas Board of Education approves the regular meeting minutes of January 14th, 20126. And I have a motion to approve the minutes. >> A motion. >> Motion by Trusty Tringle. Second. >> Second by Vice President Martin. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, moving on. Okay, so before public comments, I
007do have a statement, a short statement to make. I stated before that the city council also heard our communities, specifically our students concerns about mid-year disruption to the education process. I am happy and incredibly grateful to announce that the city council tonight has now authorized a 6.5 million transfer to the board to support the preservation of the educational continuity of our students through June 30th. We very much thank the city council for its help, leadership, and commitment to our students. We will now have a resolution tonight approving the acce the acceptance of those funds. This new resolution has been made available to the public as a handout and I will read it aloud when it is introduced and it will also be available on the screen behind me. As a brief summary as to the
008personnel resolutions tonight and the new resolution that is being added to the finance section. As I stated earlier, even with the city's assistance, our hands are currently tied as we are still required this evening to proceed with a number of midyear mid-year layoffs pursuant to the currently approve approved corrective action plan. I absolutely assure you no one up here wants to vote for anyone to be laid off midyear. We unfortunately have no choice but to proceed with them. However, because of the city council's action tonight, we will immediately notify the county superintendent and the New Jersey Department of Education of this new funding. We will actively seek permission to adopt a new corrective action plan that does not include layoffs of teachers and other instructional staff as set forth in the new resolution this evening.
009If we get that permission, we will schedule a special meeting as soon as we are possibly able to take action on rescending the mid-year layoffs of teachers and certain other staff. We will now move on to public comments. Public participation shall be governed by the following rules. 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 three minute 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
010determine 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 their acting superintendent responses to questions or inquiries shall be held until the end of public participation. At this time, public comment is open to anyone in person. >> Good evening. >> Yep. >> My name is Monica Brenson. So, good evening members of the Hackinack Board of Education and Acting Superintendent. My name is Monica Brenson and I'm currently a substitute teacher at the Hackinack Middle School. I am standing here tonight in front of this incompetent, cowardly, corrupt board. to first thank the mayor and the city council for snatching $6.5 million from our tax dollars to help our school district keep running after being robbed by the
011board to the tune of $17 million. This is only a temporary fix to a catastrophic failure. I have two questions tonight that one may have been answered. Um, is this $6.5 million a gift or does it have to be paid back? Um, will our teachers and staff go through this riff again in May? I ask that every mismanaged dollar and all stolen funds be returned to our schools for our children's education. And if not, I will personally ease on down the road to Trenton to the Attorney General's office to demand an investigation on what appears to be gross negligence and Democrat corruption. In closing, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, there comes a time when silence becomes betrayal. Thank you and good night. Don't fire our staff. We need everybody. And I will
012be looking for your recall and removal if you don't fight harder for our kids. Thank you. [clears throat] Good evening. My name is Saran Rodriguez. >> Good evening. >> And I'm a senior at Hackinack High School. >> I'm sorry. Just wait one second. We can't hear. >> I'm a senior at Hackinack High. And yet, this change has not affected me yet. it will eventually and the people that come after it. I just want to ask after the 72 certified members that will be laid off and I believe the 26 non-certified, how many are from the central office? Combined, their payroll is a total of 3.1 million. And yet from the agenda, I've only seen one of them resign. Along with this, I think multiple people would like to know where is the money that McBride
013sent and spent on services that were never that were found to be never done by multiple parties and the jobs that were created by him, all 40 of them. McBride created 40 jobs that you may not have all um accepted or I guess approved. However, the passport board members did approve for the jobs that he convinced you all that we can accommodate and you guys didn't even look into it. I believe that we do not deserve the grace of the city to give us 6.5 million for something that could have been avoided if you all simply just looked into it. This money is missing and services that were never done. money he spent that you all shouldn't you all should have cared to look into and none of you thought for a second can we
014accommodate this no you took his word for it and you didn't even bat an eye and look where he is now he's being sued for who knows how much for how much he spent how much we could have still had to contribute to the budget that was not any of our faults yet the people of Hackinack are suffering and lose a valuable part of their education for something that all could have been avoided. Thank you. >> Uh good evening. Any >> uh just um when we were uh speaking the last couple weeks, I was concerned with the the narrative and timelines. So, >> state your name. >> Oh, Tom Tzano. Um teacher at the high school and uh ha uh second vice president. Um a couple of weeks back we were talking about timelines. Uh
015we're talking about narratives and whatnot. And it seems like um with the resolution uh and the developments coming from city council, timelines have shifted considerably. Um there are as soon as possible written into the resolution uh which I think is reasonable. But I think what we would like to hear maybe a little bit more is um you know concrete meeting times uh how quickly things can accelerate in order to inject the money into our district and then um you know have uh a sort of a a system of of dispersement that uh honors the intentions of the resolution. Um I don't know how you go about proceeding to uh discuss that and decide that but I think the public and uh the HA in particular deserves to know um the meeting schedule uh how the
016timeline has reset when the new action plan ends up being introduced how it ends up being presented. Is it going to be presented in the same method as the previous action plan or is it going to simply be um an addendum to the action plan that had been presented previously? um and uh any sort of commentary that you can end up offering with respect to dates and times, months and such. Uh thank you very much. Good evening everybody. My name is Addison. I am an eighth grader in Hackinack Middle School. I want to I want to speak from the perspective of a middle schooler that this is happening to currently. I want to the people who live with the outcomes of this decision every single day. I want to speak about something truly that truly
017worries me. Teachers are struck. The the debt of our school faces indirect people of our staff and hurts our classrooms. Teachers are struggling to get basic support for their students and they be and they are asked to do asked to do more with less even though they are already giving so much to themselves. What scares me the most is because of this situation, many of our beloved teachers may be forced to leave us. I ask you, I ask you to remember that behind every number is a classroom and behind every decision is a student who is desperate on the adults in this room to do what what is right. All of us. All I want is for my teachers to have a stable job, to be safe, and to be able to care for their
018families in the same way they care for us. When teachers are supported, students are successful. When teachers are protected, every community, the entire community is stronger. Please choose to protect our teachers, our school, our future. Thank you. Hi, my name is Chisa Jordan and I am a Hackinack resident with two small beautiful children that are currently in this school district. Um, as important as it is for us to hear the good and positive news of the 6.5 million that's coming from the city, we also need to discuss what are we doing for the 2026 2027 school year. We're in a deficit now. That means we're starting at zero for the next school year. We need to have a resolution not just for the next school year, but forecasting perhaps over the next four to five
019years. What we've had this year is an accounting issue, a huge accounting issue in addition to leadership. And I do pray as a faith leader that Hackin Sack and all of those who are here tonight, we come together and we do something to make sure that this never happens again. Thank you. Good evening, Kasim Gaines, mayor of the city of Hackinack, and I just wanted to come on behalf of the city council and just say how important it is to the entire city council that our schools are supported, that our children have educational continuity, and that we come together to do what is in the best interest of the entire city of Hackinack. The 5,000 plus children who are in our schools are Hackinack residents. Their families are Hackinack residents. and the entire council felt
020very strongly that for a long time when there was an issue in the schools, the response from the city was that's the problem of the folks on Second Street. They can solve their own problems. We have our own problems here on Central. That's not who we are. And when I say that, I don't mean that's not who we are as a city council. I mean, that's not who we are as Hackinack. There are lots of municipalities throughout the state right now that are having a lot of financial trouble in their school districts. I am proud to be a part of a community that took swift action to do what we could for our children. because it's important. For a long time, we had a philosophy where we said, "Come to Hackinack as long as you
021promise to not have any kids. As long as you're an empty neester, as long as you're a young millennial, we're going to build 4,000 new units for you to live in. Just don't bring any kids. That's not the philosophy of this council. I am proud, although I recused myself from their vote today. I am proud of the action that Councilwoman Sonia Clark Collins, Councilman Phil Carol, Councilman Roberto Diaz, and Deputy Mayor Agatha Tumi took because it says a lot about who we are as a people. Thank you. Good evening everyone. I'm Erin Msia. I'm a Hackinack resident. I have two children at Fairmont Elementary School. I am the one of two PTA vice presidents at Fairmont Elementary School. um immediately as a parent, as a member of the PTA, doing everything we can day-to-day to
022support our students and support our teachers and the staff at Fairmont. Um but longitudinally, I think it's important to look to the past and I know what happened in the past is the past. Um, and I know we um have a new auditor now and our auditor is the same as the city council as was spoken at the meeting earlier today. And that fact that that continuity of understanding the finances of both entities is what was able to produce the opportunity to make the $6.5 million transfer so quickly. Um, so auditing is important. I also think when a lot of us lay people like myself hear about auditing, we kind of think like, oh, the auditors, like that is tried and true, that is foolproof. But it's not. And I know there are some things
023you can't speak on um with regards to filing claims with our insurance against consultants and um partners we may have had such as our former auditors. But I went ahead and I confirmed that for 2019 and 2020 um the financial audit reports for Hackinack Board of Education, Maywood Board of Education, Carlstead, Rutherford Board of Education, um that's Beckton Regional School District, all we all had the same auditor, V uh Learner, Vinci, and Higgins at the time. So their job as a firm is to keep their clients happy, right? So we are their clients along with Maywood, along with Carlstead, East Rutherford. Um so I think it's worth looking at and I know there are timelines on filing some claims with our insurance if you know once um something becomes apparent there might be a timeline
024and we don't want that time out. Um but even beyond the thought of recouping any, you know, money left on the table here, I think it's a lesson worth learning. um they are also the auditor currently for Bergen County Special Services School District, Bergen County um technical schools and we are some of their biggest partners if not their biggest partner. So um in your investigations, I urge you to just look at all of these um competing lines of sending and tuition coming in and tuition going out. um in addition to these overseers that we hire who have a public responsibility as public accountants, a duty um overseeing and being stewards of municipal funds and um yeah, so if you could just look into that, I think you already are as you've stated in previous sessions.
025Um but thank you Anyone else from the public? Good evening, Ed Caparal uh resident here for about 27 years and I want to congratulate uh the mayor and the council for passing the ordinance of u helping out these kids. Um, so for that I say thank you, mayor. But, um, I'm going to have to echo what um, a lot of neighbors who are taxpayers who've lived here as long as I have and their concern is that there has to be accountability on the monies and how it was misused and transparency. So, if that can happen, we would be happy taxpayers once we're able to see where all our t hardearned taxpayers money is being applied to and hopefully is being applied to the right places. That's all I have to say. They weren't able to
026make it here today, so I just wanted to be their voice as far as transparency and making sure that the funds are used accordingly as they supposed to be used. Thank you. Uh Dan Crush, Colonial Terrorists in Hackinack. Hi. >> Um I used to have your job um on the board of ed and we never had to deal with what you're having to deal with now. We had some tough decisions. We had some hard times where we had to do things that might hurt people. We got through it and we were fortunate that we had the support of the people of Hackinack. And I'm here class of 1960, my kids 83, 86, 89. And I'm speaking on behalf of I think all the people who are not here because of the snow and watching on
027television. um to say we've got your back. We're there for you and I know what you're going through and yes, I'm sure you're going to pursue all the avenues that need to be pursued um and do all the things that you can do. But I say this on behalf of myself and all the organizations I'm part of and to all the people who are watching here today. You need our help, too. And you know, we we can't do bake sales to raise a couple million dollars. That's not going to happen. But we can raise a few hundred dollars here and there. We can raise a few thousand dollars here and there. And we can help some of the programs. I you know I remember when I was on the board, one of the frustrating things
028was there were so many activities for the kids that needed just a little bit of extra money that we didn't have. And I think it's up to us in the public to reach out to ourselves, to our neighbors, and see if we could find ways to help those kids. Maybe it's a few dollars to buy an instrument for a kid in elementary school that would otherwise couldn't play in the band or a uniform for a kid that couldn't otherwise participate in sports. All of those things help. They all make a difference. I was so happy to hear Mayor Gaines, the city council is behind us, you guys are behind us, and we're there for you. And we'll do what we can to help you. Thank you. Good evening, uh, Reverend Caroline Davis. As a 77y
029year resident of Hackinac, I stand here today, um, just to congratulate you. These are tough times, and you have borne it well. People say they don't want to talk about the past. The past also controls the future and what you're going through. I am in support of you 120%. And I know there are people in the town who are there are always those who will speak things and don't do any action, but actions speak louder than words. So, I'm here to say that I support you. I know this is difficult. I know it's not easy. I know you will do the right thing. I know you will make sure that these students are taken care of because that has been your claim since you first went in. I'm very thankful for our city council. It
030is good that we have a city council and a board of ed who can work together. Doesn't mean everything is going to be agreed on all the time, but as long as you come to the same conclusion and the heart is for the children of this district. I believe that years from now, not even years from now, people are going to look at Hackinas as a community that came together, as a community of comets. People don't like to hear that, but as blue and gold as comets, as a community that came together in spite of what was going on, and they worked together to make it work for their students. We will be a model that everybody else will look at later. So, congratulations to you. Congratulations to our mayor. There are people in the
031community, parents who are saying, "What can we do to help?" That's the common spirit. God bless you all. Ron Jones, Overlook Avenue, Hackinack. I wanted to say that this woman just took my my whole speech. Johnny, this young lady, but I wanted to let you know that I think the people in this room, the people that are watching us now, >> actually saw a remarkable thing, teamwork in play. The mayor and council with the board of education. It doesn't happen happen all the time. But I think every one of you saw that our children are going to be hurt by this devastation of loss of ch of teachers and you're doing something about it. I wish you God's speed and thank you. >> Good afternoon to uh superintendent, administrator, board members. My name is Ron
032Towns. I am a fixture in this [snorts] community. I've been to B Street, the middle school, graduated from Hackac High School. I I brag about this town. I've uh worked in the city for 38 plus years uh for one of the what the largest municipal hospital systems in the world and my specialty was I was investigations and a top-notch internal auditor for the city of New York and after what I have heard that the auditor had presented to you all I have to say it's an issue. It's a major issue. It's accountability issue and there are controls that is necessary to be in place. I again commend the mayor and council for what they had approved for you all to rescue out of this situation. However, don't take it for granted. You have to get
033your system in place. You have to know where your staff is from central headquarters to each school facility and account for them as well. Um, as far as your overall organization, you need to have purchasing controls, accounts payable controls. I'm not sure what the responsibility is at central headquarters who whoever is going to be your your finance person, but you also need a independent individual that reports directly to the superintendent so that they can do audit projects throughout the whole system independently to maintain and access all school records. records to make sure everything is in order. Um, that's all I got to say right now. I have not sat down and read the audit report that the auditor gave you uh the other night. I hope it'll be online so I can go through it.
034And for those who know me, there's a couple of you. Um, you know, I'm a straight shooter. I'll tell you what is good. I tell you when it's bad and I offer my help to anything that you all would ask me and I'm here to to help and I'll be watching you because I'mma ask questions. But thank you and congratulations on your appointment and going forward I wish you all the best. Anyone in person? Okay. So, the public portion in person is closed. We're going to move to online. Anyone online? Hello. >> Yes. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Fran Campolo. I am a lifelong Hackinsek resident, parent of a child who attends Hackinse High School, Spanish instructor at Hackinse Middle School for almost 30 years, alumni,
035taxpayer, and HA association rep. Last week at the 121 meeting, a small portion of my statement was cut off by Mrs. Harris, our board president, because I went over the threeinut aotment. I was the second person in line. To be specific, I spoke after Mrs. Brinsen, my former classmate and class president of the Hackinack High School graduating class of 1989. I stayed for the entire meeting both in person and online and noticed that others who went over the three-minute aotment were not silenced. I recognized the time limits and asked for a few seconds but was denied. My mic was cut and I was ushered away from the microphone by our school safety coordinator. I am very respectful person and I did not feel respected. Despite this, I would like to now finish my statement. I
036will not be silenced. For me personally, this current crisis is not about who is allegedly to blame or not to blame. I believe if any given party is to blame, the truth will unfold and consequences will prevail. Right now, it's about coming up with a solution that makes sense and is good for our students learning and social emotional well-being. This solution should not damage our students lives, nor should it deplete the taxpayers's pockets. To reiterate, if you have a 3minut time limit, that's fair. It is however inequitable to allow some people to speak over the 3 minutes and for others to be silenced. If you encourage the community to come out and speak, you should listen and treat the public equitably. Thank you. Good evening. Uh Anthony Ziza. I'm a parent at uh Nelly K.
037Parker and a lifelong resident uh and graduate of the Hackinack public schools. Thank you to the city council for their uh you know aid in this incredibly challenging time. Uh aid that will hopefully allow us to focus on our primary purpose uh which is the children and the educational mission of the Hackinac public school district. This infusion of cash should allow us to move forward as a district with deliberation as we assess uh next year's educational needs and priorities. But I think the key question is what that moving forward will look like. Uh students, staff, parents, we all stand ready to aid the board of education in finding savings that can prioritize the classroom and the students. And we hope that the board brings together all stakeholders into this conversation as they move forward with
038a revised um uh you know fiscal uh plan. As I've said in the previous weeks, this crisis is the result of many years of decisions made without input from this community stakeholders. No plan going forward that doesn't remediate this central issue will place us on a sustainable path that puts our students front and center. I know the board inherited this crisis. It does, however, own the response. You've received an incredible opportunity tonight to move forward together, deliberately, carefully, and with our entire focus on the true purpose of this district, providing a stellar education to the children of Hackinac. We stand by ready to um help. I urge you to take that help. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Michelle Tvarez. I am the PTSA president and the president of all the PTAs within the
039district. And I apologize for not being there this evening, but you all should appreciate it because I will not be spreading my germs. I would like to state for the record that tonight is a prime prime example of why I love this city. This is a first for me to witness the city and board of education unite in this way. It is powerful and it is meaningful. Tonight, I can say not only that my children bleed blue and gold, but that I am proud to stand here alongside them and say that I do as well. We are Hackinack. I would like to address the board of education and our community, most importantly the staff and students of this district and those who are asking quote, "How do we know this won't happen again?" The PTA
040in all your buildings is present. We are parents and educators who are committed to ensuring that it does not and will not happen again. We are engaged. We are informed. And we are prepared to hold ourselves and everyone else accountable. I would also like to thank our new business administrator, Dr. Lewis. I want to reassure the community that he has approached this process with transparency and clarity. He has taken the time to explain the district's operational finances to those of us without prior experience in this area, and he has helped guide us in the understanding both the challenges we face and the role PTAs can play in addressing them. While the $6.5 million that was passed is significant, there are additional resources that we can and should continue to advocate for. I'm not suggesting that
041we can resolve this entire deficit, but I am speaking publicly to affirm why we are here tonight to support this district. There will be upcoming fundraising efforts and opportunities for legislative advoc advocacy and as community, we have a voice. Now, I would like to address the board directly. How many of you remember at least one teacher from your grade school years? Were they simply an employee ID number or were they a name, a person who made a lasting impact on your life? Now consider how many of you remember the name of your superintendent from that same time or the president of the board of education. I understand that financial decisions must be made with a three-year perspective last year, this year, and next year. I'm here to say I will support you as you move
042forward. But most importantly, I want to be clear that my strongest and most steadfast support is for our educators, our students, and our support staff. Thank you for your time and your service to our community. >> Hello. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> All right. My name is Philip Roofy. I'm a teacher at Hackinack High School and uh thank you for having me on. All right. So, um first of all, I want to thank uh city council for uh providing this opportunity. Um man, it's so much harder doing it on the phone. I don't know why this is uh for providing the opportunity to uh bring the community together. Uh I think this is really important that we recognize that had this happened a year ago, how much different things would have felt
043if we had uh different people in positions of power uh at at city council. So uh I'm just so absolutely grateful for the city of Hackinack for helping to bring all of this help to turn this ship around. Um, I think it's an ex an extraordinary opportunity for us to uh cooperate and value cooperation over competition. Um, to sort of to uh Mr. Gaines's point, uh, that working together is really important because that's what defines this city, this uh, community and the people that, uh, really make up the the lifeblood of of this town. Um, I do think like what Mr. Zisa said that it is a really important opportunity for the board and for the people to get together and to listen to one another um and really engage in uh greater community involvement
044and um to listen to the the folks that work so hard in the union uh and the students who work so hard to uh be good students and take the time to listen to these meetings. Uh it's really really important that we recognize that there's an opportunity to work together as a collective here and not to um go back to these ways of just viewing people who step up to this podium as um maybe enemies is too harsh a word. uh people who don't deserve to be listened to because um you have really really good people that wear many hats that really want to just see this community come together and be strong. So uh yes, I want to echo all the statements of those who have come before me and uh thank you for
045uh everything you do and to the city council as well. Have a good night. Hello. >> Yes. >> Okay, perfect. Hi. Um, my name is Jackie Alert [clears throat] and I do apologize. I am definitely a little under the weather, which is why I'm not in person. I am a social and emotional learning social worker, anti-bullying specialist, 504 and INRS case manager at Nelly K. Parker School, the greatest school in the world. I'm [snorts] speaking tonight from the heart, grounded in the work that I and my team members do every day with our students and families. As [snorts] social workers, counselors, and child study team members, we often meet children at their most vulnerable. We sit with them when they're grieving, when they are anxious, when they're struggling to regulate their emotions, and when they're
046carrying burdens far beyond their years. We support children who come to school hungry, exhausted, overwhelmed, and afraid. We help families navigate crisis, food insecurity, homelessness, and all of their concerns quietly, compassionately, and often behind the scenes so that learning can continue to happen when we talk about a budget crisis. And now with the support from the city council, thank you for attempting to aid us in our situation. I need you to know that for our students, this is not theoretical. The impact is real and immediate, including reducing enforce multiple social worker positions in the district. Whether it's 60 days from this meeting or in May, this shows up in children who lose access to these trusted adults, in increased behavioral crises, in unmet mental health needs, and in classrooms where students are expected to learn
047while carrying their emotional weight alone. Social workers are not extras. We are essential. We are part of the foundation that allows schools to function. When supports are reduced, the cost is paid by our most vulnerable students. The proactive work that we have done these past few years is now null and void. Prevention turns into reaction. [snorts] Um, early supports turn into crisis management and the children who need us most are left with fewer lifelines. I continue to recognize that these are difficult and complex circumstances. I'm not here to assign blame or to question intent. I understand that decisions will continue to be made and must be made and I respect the weight of the responsibility that comes with that. But I ask that as these decisions continues that the lived experiences of our students and
048families remain at the center. Our children deserve more than survival. They deserve safety, connection, and support. We are investing in long-term outcomes, healthier school communities, and brighter futures. Please remember that behind every position, every program, and every line item, there is a child who depends on us to show up. So, thank you for everything that you guys are doing. Thank you for listening, but please keep our students and their needs at the heart of this work. Good afternoon. My name is Cindy Roman, also known as Cindy Roman. I am a parent of four kids that are in the school district. A sharetime student, a middle schooler, a third grader, and a prekare. Unfortunately, my sixth grader came home crying on Friday because of her 504 coordinator may not be there. Also, my case manager for
049my son may not be a fair amount. You guys have lost so much trust in parents and I am one of them that I don't know if I can trust you come June 2026 for September of 2026. If the city is giving you guys the $6.5 million to help us to become better, I hope you take this lesson and learn from it and do your check and balances like you're supposed to because the job of the BOA is to supervise the superintendent, overseas policy, and approve the budget. Those are the three functions that the BOA has completely forgotten about and who we are. I am a hack resident. I'VE BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE. I tell people about Hackac. WE ARE KNOWN FOR SIXTH grade camp and no one understands that. And it's frustrating to
050sit here and to be going through this after something that could have been taken care of in 2019. We can't blame no more. We have to move forward. If this is WHAT WE'RE DOING AS A HACKERS UNITE, then as a unity and as a family as we are, we need to do better going forward for the teachers, the staffs, the children, ESPECIALLY YOUR CASE MANAGERS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE AN overload of work and your guidance counselors as well. You guys take take away from the gratitude and in the professions of these people that come here to pour into our students on a daily basis when they have issues at home. Thank you. Hi. Can you hear me? Yes. >> Okay. Um, my name is Isana Garcia and I am a high school senior. Firstly,
051I'd like to thank Mr. Gaines and the city council for providing $6.5 million to make sure our teachers stay. However, I would like to know what does this mean for academic trips such as academic decathlon nationals in California and also what does this mean for highlevel sporting events such as New Balance indoor and outdoor nationals and the Arcadia Invitationals in California. I wish we had been informed about the budget deficit earlier so we would have been able to fund raise at the beginning of the school year. Also, no teacher should be expected to pay out of pocket for these expenses or have to wait months for reimbursement. Thank you. [snorts] Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Yes. >> Awesome. Um, so good evening members of the board. My name is Dalia Rodriguez and
052I'm a proud product of the Hackinack Public School District. I walked the halls of Fanny Meyer Hillers, Hackinack Middle School, and Hackinack High School. I wish I could name every educator who shaped me, but I know I only have a few minutes. Um, Hackinack didn't just educate me, it raised me. I grew up on Railroad Avenue, the daughter of immigrant parents. Statistically, as a Latina, I shouldn't be standing here today with a master's degree and a fulfilling career. But this district poured into me, believed in me, and helped shaped who I am today. In 2018, I completed my social work internship at the middle school under Linda McGawan. I remember joking with her, "Let me know when you're leaving so I could take your job." Not knowing that years later I'd see a job posting
053in my hometown. And I knew that was my chance to come back and serve the community that once served me. I had the honor of interviewing with our beloved Mrs. Whitaker. And when she told me, "You'll never have to wonder what I'm thinking because I'll always tell you, I didn't fully understand yet how legendary she was." And I just replied, "Oh, good. Me, too." The room went silent. She nodded and smirked and she said, "I like you." Looking back, she knew my honesty in my heart before I even understood the moment. That told me I was exactly where I belonged. My time at Nel Parker has been nothing short of amazing. I've been nominated two years in a row for educational service provider of the year. I brought a sensory Santa experience to our ABA
054students. I created the Good Vibes Club to build connection and joy in the building. Most importantly, I've shown up every day for our most vulnerable students. Students who need safety, stability, and someone who believes in them. And I'm not sharing this to boast. I'm sharing so you understand what is being lost. You're not just cutting a position. You are letting go of someone who is a reflection of this district. Someone raised in these schools carrying its values and heart. Last last week, I kept hearing comic pride and bleed blue and gold. And I've always lived that pride, but right now I feel heartbroken. I'm not a number on a spreadsheet and I absolutely refuse to walk away feeling like one. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a colleague, and most importantly, a born
055and bred Comet. Once a Comet, always a comet. I just hope that the students, that little girl growing up on Railroad Avenue today, are given the same belief, support, light, and opportunity that this district once gave me. Have a great night. Okay. Okay. Um at this time public comment section is now closed. We are going to um someone had a question about the auditor's report. So once the audit report is approved tonight, it will be posted on our website by tomorrow. Um someone had also asked about the corrective action plan once it's revised, how will it be presented? Um, Mr. Traman, would you like to answer that? >> We will I'm sorry. We will present the plan again and I will have highlighted on the plan what has changed in terms of uh the gift
056from the city and also the information we received back from the state of New Jersey Department of Education. So, I will review the plan again. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. So, we're going to move on to our committee reports and resolutions. So, we are going to start with personnel and the chair of personnel is Trusty Amraham. >> Thank you, uh, Madame President. Um before I move forward um in offering these items for consideration, um I do want to clarify that we would like for everyone in the public to know that the reduction in force being voted on uh as a precaution is being voted on as a precautionary measure and therefore all items must appear on the agenda until all parts of the corrective action plan are in place and approved. Um just
057reiterating what President Harris said um to start out the meeting. Um Madame President, the personnel committee met last night. Um it is with a heavy heart that I offer personnel items A, B, and C. Um including a walk-on addendum to item A that includes item A numbers 72, 73, and 74. Um there was a handout um that was uh brought out uh to the public. I think it's here in the front of the room. Um so I would like to offer um personnel items A, B, and C including the addendum. >> Okay. Thank you. So we have a motion from Trusty Ham. Can I have a second? >> Second by Trusty Jones. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >> Frosty Austin Balucha. Yes. >> Trustee Amanda. >> Yes. >> Trustee Carol, please.
058>> Yes. >> Trustee Gilmore. >> Yes. >> Trustee Jones. >> Yes. >> Trustee Pringle. >> Yes. >> Trustee Stein. Vice President Martin, >> yes. >> President Harris, >> yes. >> Motions carried. >> Thank you. We're going to move to curriculum and our chair for curriculum is Trusty Pringle. Um for curriculum, I would like um to motion to approve the school calendar um with highlighting um the first day of school for staff will be Tuesday, September 1st and for the students will be Thursday, September 3rd. Um, again, can I get a motion to approve B1 and curriculum for the school calendar 202627? >> Okay, so we have a motion from Trusty Pringle. Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Vice President Martin. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >>
059Trustee Austin. >> Madame President, I have discussion on this item. Okay. Thank you. I understand that we need to approve the calendar. It is a time-sensitive matter because students would be are slated to start before Labor Day. Families and staff need to plan and our sending districts. We have to coordinate our calendar, our sending districts. So, I apologize for asking that we take a second to discuss this because I don't want to be the hold up. However, I have some concerns and we didn't get a chance to discuss this in the curriculum committee and an executive session. It would be inappropriate for us to discuss this. It is a matter of public record and should be discussed in open session. So, as a matter of transparency, I want to be in compliance with that. Um,
060I'm concerned. It's only a day or two and I'm concerned about the the the psychology of students starting school before late, how that impacts custody agreements and family reunions and just that last gasp of summer. Um, we may not have time to table this matter, but I would like to see if we have time for more discussion. We have a community and a staff and associations crying out for input on things that impact their lives. And this is one of those things that doesn't necessarily have a cost attached to it. And if there's time for us to to discuss this a little bit more, I would appreciate that. But if that's not logistically possible, I did want to um make my concerns known. I understand that the superintendent and her team need to get this
061out there as soon as possible. I understand all the logistics behind it, but I do think that we could take I would like to see if we could take a beat to just discuss this a little bit more. Okay. Anybody else? Um I do know as an educator myself, other districts are starting before Labor Day. Unfortunately, this year, the way Labor Day falls, it's at actually the second week of September, which, you know, eventually that does happen. Um, but in starting after Labor Day, many districts then because of all the holidays that are now integrated in our school, um, it would make the school year longer. So then students get out at literally I think the last week of June which we all know we don't want to be in this heat because not every
062classroom is has air condition. >> I'm just saying what I have heard also from other districts. >> I I agree. I all that's definitely valid. Um, do I have to make a motion to to table or to postpone until the next meeting? >> So, are you making a motion to table it? Is that what you're doing right now? Because then we would need a second. >> I move to table the adoption of the school calendar for the next meeting. >> Okay. So, we have a motion from Trusty Austin Balucha to table the calendar. Do we have a second? Okay. So, the motion fails and >> so I vote. >> So, now we're going to move back to the original motion. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> So, my vote is no. >> Thank you. Okay. Dr.
063Lewis, >> trustee. Yes, >> yes, >> Frank. >> Yes. >> Trusty style. >> Yes. >> Vice President Martin. >> Yes. >> President. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. Moving on to finance and the chair for finance is Trusty Stein. >> Uh yes. uh finance has uh two resolutions on um I'm going to read part of uh C1 and I know that uh President Harris has comment about C2. Uh the Hackinack Board of Education must have a certified external audit of the district's accounts and financial transactions. Whereas the board of education received an audit performed by Will Cox and Company LLC and discuss said audit at its public meeting held on January 21st, 2026. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um and now I'm going to read the walk-on resolution which is C2. Oh,
064thank you. >> I know I said it earlier. I wasn't sure if it was really going to happen. Okay, so not that I don't trust you guys. You guys are great. It is awesome. All right. D2 be it resolved that the Hackers Board of Education upon the recommendation of the acting superintendent approves the following. Whereas a recently completed financial audit by the independent auditor for the hackag board of education, referred to as board for the 2425 school year and projected analysis for the 2526 school year has determined that there is a deficit of $17 million for the current 2526 school year referred to as a deficit amount. Whereas, if a public school district ends the school year in a budget deficit, such deficit may result in the reduction of state aid and may result in
065an intervention by the state of New Jersey Department of Education, referred to as NJ DOE, as to the operations of the Hackinack Public School District. Whereas, pursuant to the New Jersey Administrative Code governing the operations of public school districts in the state of New Jersey, within 30 days upon learning of a projected deficit amount, a school district district is obligated to create and adopt a corrective action plan to include the corrective actions taken or to be taken to correct or prevent the deficit and the dates or projected dates of such actions referred to as corrective action plan. Whereas, if a school district is not in compliance with the corrective action plan, the school district is subject to reduction in state aid and intervention by the New Jersey Department of Education. Whereas, pursuant to its obligations
066under the New Jersey Administrative Code, the board considered and approved a corrective action plan on January 21st, 2026 that necessarily included a midsole year reduction in force for over 90 subject staff members. Whereas the term subject staff members as used in this resolution shall mean any full-time and part-time teachers, full-time and part-time paraprofessionals, certified school nurses, guidance counselors, child study team members, librarians, therapists, full-time certified athletic trainers, and school-based office professionals. Whereas to be completed with the New Jersey administrative code, the corrective action plan needs approval by the executive county superintendent of Bergen County, referred to as county superintendent and the New Jersey DOE. Whereas action by the board as to the specific subject staff members subject to the midschool year reduction in force needs to occur on January 28th, 2026 as required by the
067corrective action plan. Whereas indicative of the ongoing extensive collaboration and alliance between the board and the city council of the city of Hackinack referred to as city to benefit the thousands of city children who are students of the board. The city has approved resolution number 41-26 at a special meeting on January 28th, 2026 to provide a one-time transfer to the board in the amount of 6,500,000 referred to as city transfer to substantially assist the board in reducing the deficit amounts. Whereas there is no repayment obligation by the board to the city of any amounts comprising the city transfer. Whereas the board recognizes that the city transfer is subject to the approval of the division of local government services. Whereas, while there are no conditions imposed upon the board by the city as to the acceptance
068of the city transfer, the board shall use such funds to preserve the educational and instructional continuity of the several thousand students for the 2526 school year, including the board's commitment and intention to not lay off any subject staff member midschool year. Whereas the board extends its appreciation and thanks to the city council for its committed leadership and partnership to benefit the children of the city. Whereas upon the acceptance of the city transfer, the board is actively requesting that the county superintendent and NJOE approve a revised corrective action plan that does not include a midschooly year reduction in force of subject staff members. And now therefore, one, the board hereby accepts the city transfer subject to the approval of the division of local government services. Two, the board president is authorized to enter into any agreement
069to accept the city transfer as may be determined necessary by the city division of local government services, county superintendent, andor NJ DOE. Three, upon receipt of the city transfer, the board shall continue to actively request that the county superintendent and NJ DOE permit a revised corrective action plan that does not include the midschoolyear reduction in force of any subject staff member. Four, subject to the county superintendent, New Jersey Department of Education approving a revised corrective action plan, the board will not lay off any subject staff member midschool year as part of its revised corrective action plan. If such approval is granted, the board will hold a special emergency meeting as soon as it is able to resend the midschool year reduction in force of subject staff members to preserve the educational continuity of students for
070students through June 30th of 2026. Okay, >> Madame President, I am offering uh C1 and C2 for approval by this board. >> Okay, so we have a motion by Trustee Stein. Can I have a second? Second by Trustee Jones. Dr. Lewis, can you please do a roll call? >> Trustee Austin Balutra. >> Yes. >> Trustee Amar. >> Yes. >> Trustee Carol, >> yes to C1, and I recuse myself. the entrance for C2. >> Trustee Gilmore. >> Uh, yes to C1 and I recuse myself from C2 based on legal counsel. >> Trustee Jones, >> yes. >> Trustee Pringle, >> yes. >> Trustee Stein, >> yes. >> Vice President Martin, >> yes. >> President Harris, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Okay, moving on to community relations and chair for community relations is Trusty Gilmore. >>
071Hi, good evening. Um, I'm happy to announce that there will be a community relations committee meeting on this coming Friday at 7 PM at the Padamano building. Um this this meeting is um essentially to to listen to our community. This is a a group of broad um diversity. Um there's educators, there's community members, parents, former students in our group. So we're looking to get um a nice understanding of what people are thinking and we just want to listen and see where we, you know, we go from here and what we can do. We've been doing a lot of talking. Now, we want to listen to the community in a a small setting and um I'm looking forward to it. So, see you on Friday at 7. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um Dr.
072So Louis, can you just please note that Trusty Carol had to leave to go to work? Just so that people didn't think that he just left. Thank you. Just to please note that. Um as far as other committees, uh we do have a joint board city meeting. Uh well, that will be happening in February. Uh other committees we also have uh sending and receiving district committee which we will need to still set up a date but that will also be happening in February. Also please note for the month of February uh the board along with our central office acting superintendent and local leaders we plan on having small focus groups. We I did mention that last week, but our intention is to be out there in smaller groups to speak to families, community members, leaders,
073go into out into the community and in maybe the wreck, out in uh our local community churches and really hear your concerns and um and also those who can't come to the meetings or don't understand what is what is going on to explain to them what is happening currently. So, please keep a lookout for those dates. Uh we don't have new business at the moment. Uh and now we open back the floor to public comments. Individuals may address the board on agenda and school matters of community interest for one minute. So the floor is open for anyone here in public. Okay. I see that there are none. Is anyone online? Yes. Okay. Hello. >> Yes. >> Hi. Um, my name is Carara Ferzano Hezgia. I am a school counselor at Hackinac High School. I've been
074working here for 10 years. I also run the HHS guidance Instagram page. Um, and I have an ESL counsel case load for the non-speaking students. I want to speak on behalf of my colleagues, the bilingual ESL counselors and our social workers who are laid off. This will have a devastating impact on the high school community. Many of our bilingual students come to us for everything, even things you may not think are school related. They bring us notes, ask what emails mean, and ask us basic questions. One of my ESL students asked me last week about what a budget was. Many of them have no help at home because of parents not growing up here, not being educated, or parents working multiple jobs, and we pick up the slack. Most of them are firstgen students. Some
075students have no idea that they have to pay for college after high school. Um, I would like to just skip to the end. Please um also consider the state of the world, the state of our country and our students desperately need school counselors and social workers. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Okay, at this time the second public comment section is closed. Moving on to board comments. Uh, oh, I'm okay. Sure, sir. Go ahead. >> Can someone tell >> I'm sorry. Can you speak into the mic and just say your name one more time? >> Ron Towns. >> Thank you. >> Um, can someone tell me who the executive county board that you all report to is currently? >> I'm sorry, I can't hear you. >> The executive county uh educational superintendent for the education for
076the county. >> Who who that is? >> Yes. Patrick Fletcher. >> Okay. How long has he been with the county that you all are supposed to report to? >> And if so, what is it that you all pass to him in order for your budget to be approved? If that's the flow of documentation before you get your budget from the state. >> No, we can answer that after. Are you done? >> Oh, okay. Oh, I thought I was drinking damn smile. Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else? Okay. Thank you. >> I didn't hear the question clearly. What >> of the county? >> Yeah. Maybe two or three two or three years. Don't hold me to that. But he's been >> and and I believe the question was how often do we report to him? >>
077Excuse me. >> How many years he's been there? I believe. Yeah. Two to three years. >> A followup question, too. >> Okay. But I'm so sorry, sir, but the time is up. >> But she was asking what I said. What was the question? Okay, sir. Come up. Come back up. [laughter] >> You could come back up and speak into the mic loudly on your second question. >> What was your second question? >> The executive county superintendent. >> Who who is the county executive superintendent? And do you all submit your budget to him before approval? before you all are reimbursed or have your budget submitted back to you for the following school year. >> We submit the budget to the county superintendent for approval and what >> okay you answered it >> and I asked how
078long you been here. You said a couple of years. Someone said two or three. >> Yeah. I don't want to say exactly how many years because I'm not sure, but we've been working with him for at least two or three years. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you so much. All right. So, moving on to board comments and we'll start to my right. Trusty Pringle. >> Good evening everyone. Um, >> speaking to the mic, please. Can you hear me? That's better. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um I'm going to keep mines rather short this evening. Um however, I'd like to thank um all the students and members of the community um that came out to speak um whether it was in person or um a phone call. um whether regardless of what it
079is that people say, their opinions, their concerns, um we as a board are always open to listen to what you need to say. I want to thank um Mayor Gaines and the city of council for supporting and believing that we can all push forward together for the betterment of our students and our teachers. I want to end in saying and have everybody remember that divided we will fall but united we will stand. Thank you. Have a blessed night. >> Trusty Gilmore. Yeah. >> Hi. Good evening again. Um, I want to start by saying this. This is a serious moment for our district, and it requires focus, accountability, and leadership. The decision before us is difficult, but they matter, and they affect real people across our district. And I want to reiterate this again, Hackinack is
080my home. I'm a taxpayer just like all of you are. So, this is very personal and concerning to me as well. I want to acknowledge everyone seated on this dis with me because repairing this district will require all of us. Progress will come through shared accountability and a commitment to work through hard issues together not divided as uh trustee Pringle just said. And I also want to thank Mayor Gaines and the city council for its unwavering support of the Hackinack School District. This is what happens when the city and the board of education work together for a common cause, our children. We are one Hackinack, not two, we're one. While this moment is challenging, I am proud to be a part of the rebuilding of this district that I love so much. Rebuilding means facing
081reality, correcting course, and restoring stability with students at the center. To our community, we hear you and we thank you. And we know words are not enough right now. What matters now is transparency, followth through, and most of all, results. I am committed to this work and to restoring your trust. I believe Hackinac will move forward stronger because we are choosing to confront this moment directly and responsibly and together. Thank you, >> Trusty Mahanza. Um really just want to reiterate a lot of what has been said um this evening. Uh we really truly have seen a hackin sack united. Um while there is still much to do to rebuild the financial stability of our district and some difficult decisions will still have to be made as we go into the next school year. We greatly
082appreciate the support of our mayor and our council to ensure the educational continuity of all of our students for the remainder of this school year. The collaboration between our city and our board of education should serve as a lesson of what a community can do when government works in service of the people it represents. And really this should stand in in stark contrast to those who previously held positions in leadership at both the board and the city. Um leadership that really put us in this position um with poor decisions and lack of budgetary oversight. Something that you know we do have to look at so that we can make sure we're never in this position again. Um I do also want to echo um all of our fellow trustees remarks. um our appreciation for all
083of our students, our staff, our members of the community who came out last week and again tonight to make your voices heard. Um your voices do matter. Um and again, um everyone here, um all of my fellow trustees, everyone at central office ha has been working around the clock to look at any and every possible alternative to disrupting our students education. Um all of this I I do also want to thank members of the community who have jumped in uh into action. Our PTAs, our faith leaders um and other members of community organizations who have really tried to start brainstorming on ways to come together um to reach out to the community to fundra for the community for our students. Um all of this um being said, we still have a long difficult road ahead
084of us, but tonight's action by the council has put us in a much better position to face the challenges that lay ahead. Um helping us to close this budget shortfall for the current school year puts us in a stronger position to explore other options for the next school year and gives our acting superintendent and her team the time they need to ensure we can maintain continuity and operations. Um, we know that we have a lot of work to rebuild our financial stability, rebuild the public trust. Um, and um, you know, we do want to remind you again for folks who didn't have a chance to see last week's meeting, um, our acting superintendent and business administrator presented the um, initial draft of the corrective action plan. There was also the presentation by our auditor and
085as president Harris said now that it has been approved by the board um it will be put up on the website as well. So please um continue to stay tuned to all of our meetings, continue to look online for all of the information and thank you again for coming out. >> Yes, trustee sign. >> Uh thank you madam president. Uh I attended briefly uh tonight's city council meeting. I was very impressed by the outpouring and impassioned speeches by parents, community members, um clergy for their support of our children. It speaks volumes to what we as a community of Hackinack can do when we work together. I understand that uh Mayor Gaines uh because of his position here in the high school has had to recuse himself from part of the meeting. But the city council
086showed fortitude in their support for our students and to which I commend them wholeheartedly for supporting us as a board. And we will in due diligence carry out the wishes of making sure that our students, our staff are treated fairly and the fact that we can educate our students to the best of our ability. Thank you. >> Trusty Austin Balucha. >> Good evening. Okay. Hello. Yes. Okay. Um, good evening. I would like to echo um the sentiments to thank our city council board leadership, district and building leadership for all of the hard work and the assistance in starting to solve the issues that are in front of us. As a child of an employee of this district, as a former former employee myself, this is a heartbreaking experience as an alum and a mom of
087a child with disabilities who 11. And to be in a situation where the decisions that we make will impact him for years to come, it's an energizing experience that there's work to be done and we roll up our sleeves and we figure out the solutions. In figuring out the solutions, we welcome we celebrate the freedom of speech and the input of our community. But I ask that as these documents are posted on the website and made available to the public, I ask that people read them and take that time so that when you come to the table with input and comments and questions and possible solutions that you have a more informed bigger picture of of what we're up against. Um, I think there have been a lot of things said online and on social
088media about what's going on, but I urge those that are commenting in that space to make sure that they at least skim the documents that are available so that we're coming together in a in a most in the most productive way possible. We have some events and focus groups coming up just in this to explain in transparency. Not all of us will be at these events because gathering more than four of us at any event constitutes a quorum. So if you see people are missing, don't think that we don't care and don't want to be there. There are quorum limitations to who can be at which events. So you'll see some people at some things and some people at others. I think that needs to be noted. Um finally, today Shrek tickets went on sale
089March 12th through the 14th as our students let us know last week. I'm surprised nobody hit us up again today. In an effort to support the arts, we ask that members of our community consider purchasing purchasing tickets to see the student production of Shrek March 12th through 14th. Thank you. >> Thank you. I agree. Shrek should be a packed house. Um, I'd like to thank everybody for coming out uh throughout this whole process, students, members of community, teachers, um, everybody. This has been a u this has been a a lot. And to echo um what Trusty Gilmore said, you know, this is this is very personal to all of us up here. We're all members of the community. We're taxpayers. We're parents. Um, I own a business in town. Um and you know I I
090I joined the board in June and it was a very interesting it's been very interesting ride uh for the last six months and while I did not graduate uh from Hackinack High School I think I've actually spent enough time here at this point to earn an honorary uh diploma um when I' I've I've lived in town over 20 years and I've always been active in the community. uh coaching a little league. I have uh three kids uh right now. Um and they're they're in Hackac schools and um I had I have been approached uh probably three times over the past decade and a half to to run for uh public office and I've always turned it down. Um it was never I kind of saw the way things kind of went down over the years
091and it scared me. It scared me as a business owner a little bit. Uh, and when this opening um opened up back in in May and June, I had asked somebody who who uh I I trust very much who's been in Hackinack his whole life and and uh I asked his opinion about this and and what he told me was uh he said, "Mike, listen. Um I understand your concerns. you know, it can be political with public office and and people are going to attack you and and I have been through that. Um, but he told me, I'm going to tell you right now that there is probably no time in the last 20, 30 years that there's been a counseling board aligned like there is right now. And I took that information and I
092trusted him and I believed him and and and then we sat up here. We got beat up really bad and uh and that's okay. And I was I'm glad to hear see people coming out especially the kids. I mean it's it's it's awesome really. But um what I witnessed today was was amazing with what the city council did and it and it justified everything that he told me about that. And uh I I just wanted to really give my thanks to to the mayor and council. Um this this money that's being transferred is in no way uh uh fixing everything, but it certainly gives us a leg up on the recovery. And uh I promise you I promise you that there will be oversight and there will be controls put in place. And we encourage
093everybody to check us on it. Don't just listen to us on it. Come to meetings, call us out on things. I mean, this information is going to be put up. Read through it. Like Melanie was saying, when we put it up, read through it. Ask us. You see me in the in the street, ask me. I mean, I, you know, there's certain things, obviously, you know, personnel and stuff we can't talk about, but um, you know, like I said, I mean, this this was a this was a rough time, but I I think this can be the beginning of of a beautiful recovery and turning this into something else. So, we really appreciate you guys, and we appreciate everybody's voice, and thank you. Vice President Martin. >> First, I want to uh thank um thank
094you everyone out there for uh coming out and uh expressing your opinions, your concerns, and especially your knowledge. Uh it was very helpful. Um, we've been we've been working on this project since day one. We try to be as transparent as possible with everyone out here uh with what we can uh tell you. But as you can see from day one back in early spring, late summer, I mean early spring, middle the beginning of summer, there were things that was happening and you didn't have the knowledge and didn't understand. But now you see everything came together and uh we've been working hard and putting a lot of hours in uh meetings practically once or twice a week trying to sort this problem out and that's what this group is all about uh giving up their
095time for a better cause and moving the uh district forward. Um so we do appreciate you. We we really listen to you. Uh your concerns um uh was um to me uh when you addressed them to us, you addressed them uh with um passion. I don't want to use the word anger but passion because of the fact that we here and we uh we um was elected and we choose to sit here and you uh used all your energy to us uh as possible and then that's okay. You have to vent and if we the people that you need to vent to, please do so. uh we'll we we'll listen and we take whatever you give us and um and move forward. Uh with that said, I also want to uh thank the uh mayor
096and council on a job well done. Uh this is what um share service is all about, communicating with each other and uh believing in each other and uh we have a very good relationship with you and it paid off as you can see. So again, to the mayor and council, thank you for uh listening and and working and meeting with us and and and bringing us to where we are, uh today. Um also, um just keep in mind, uh we have a long road ahead of us. It's not over. We're going to do the best we can. We're going to still seek out other uh sources to uh try to rectify this problem and and move forward and hopefully everything will uh work out uh to the best uh that we can. So again, thank
097you for coming out and uh get home safe. >> All right. Thank you. Um, as someone once told me, I'll be brief, but I'll take my time. Um, so it has been truly an emotional month. One that I never expected to experience. I never expected the public to respond the way they responded. It is also a unique situation that we are in. Um you know and unique because there there are many residents here that are lifers. There are many residents here that just that just got here and they came here because of either the reputation, the proximity to the city and just the amazing things that Hackinasack does have to offer. And our schools and our diversity in our schools is definitely one of them. When I walked into work today, a co-orker of mine
098said, "Oh, Jen, you poor thing. I've seen you all over the news. You know, how are you holding up? Are you regretting to have ran for the board? I'm sure you're regretting it. And without hesitation, I I kid you not, I told her, I said, "I don't regret it. Hack is my town. I will represent my town. I will support my town no matter what the situation we're in. And I am proud to be a part of this solution. It's not a pretty It's not a pretty situation that we are in. I am not happy that we are in this. But I am proud to stand alongside these board members that have been working so hard, central office that has been working so hard and we are finally getting the information that we need to
099make informed decisions and I do not regret that at all. Someone had said that they're happy that the city council has given us the 6.5 million and to not take it for granted. I promise you and guarantee you not a single person on this day is is going to take it for granted. We are walking into this with our eyes open. We are walking into this with questions and we are making sure that those questions if they are not answered at that moment we will revisit them again and just like the other trustees had mentioned as the public as a community keep us accountable. Ask questions. Tell us tell us things that that maybe we might not know. We're all experts in something. We have strengths and we need to come together and bring those
100bring those strengths to the table. I want to thank the mayor and city council for moving as quickly as possible to help us in this situation. Um I I think you couldn't have moved any faster. The meeting literally happened on a Wednesday. conversations. Somebody in the public act actually asked last week and said, you know, have you ever thought of asking for support from the council and thing the light bulb went off, right? And from that moment, it has been a moving conversation, more information. We were getting closer and closer until we finally made it to this day. And I I want to say that, you know, the mayor had referenced and said 5,000 of our students are also our residents. We need to take care of them. They are our responsibilities. We are their
101advocates and we need to continue to speak up for those children. I had an amazing education here in Hackinack and the children that are in our schools right now deserve that same education. As an educator, my primary focus is always to teach our students. As adults, sometimes we also need to be educated on on things. And as a board, we had als we had also made the commitment as our one of our goals is to make sure that we are constantly educating ourselves in everything that is going on in the in the world of the board of education and what is in our purview and what is not in our purview. And sometimes those lines sometimes seem a little gray and it might seem as if we might not know what it is. And honestly,
102it might be because it's just not in our it's just not in our purview, right? Um when it comes to finance, we are not the finance experts, but we can ask the questions and we can attend seminars and professional developments that involve in finance so that we can educate ourselves in that. And that's why we also have our board attorney to also support us in that whenever we have questions. Um also when we see the names of you know again back to as an educator when I see the names of all these educators whether you are in a classroom in the hallways in an office there are students attached to every individual person. There is a child that relies on you. And please know that we respect you, that we value you, and again, we
103will not take any of this for granted. Someone had mentioned the word teamwork. Yes, this was truly a team effort and I hope today is not the last day. I know it won't be the last day because I know many of you will continue to show up and I encourage you to continue to show up. But the teamwork includes central office, our Hackinack district staff, the board of education, the community, those who are listening online, those of you who are here, and those of you who are currently listening live. Make sure that you pass the message on to those who one don't understand or are not able to attend these meetings and the city council because once again these students are our residents. Uh, and it's funny when one of the community members asked or
104or or basically made a comment and said, "Does anyone remember who was your superintendent and who was your um board of education president?" Actually, I do. Um, and you know, yes, I remember one who's sitting here in the audience. Um, Mr. Kersh and actually Mr. Montasano was our superintendent when I was in school. Um, no. superintendent, my principal, uh, Mr. Delpaco. Are you trying to age me? [laughter] Um, so yes. Uh, and and that is one unique quality I would say as a comet. You remember who's at the top. You remember who was in your classrooms. You you never forget. And it I it's the pride. It is those that they make theirelves be seen. and heard and they listened to you and that's something that always stood out to me from Hackinack. Um, so
105with that I am very happy to say that it is before 9:00 and I would like to have a motion to adjourn the meeting. Okay, we have a motion by Trustee Amraza. Can I have a second? >> Second by Trusty Pringle. All those in favor say I. Anyone opposed? Thank you everyone. Have a great evening. It is 8:47 p.m. Get home safe.