November 17, 2025 Board Meeting

001Good evening everyone. Please stand for the flag salute. In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA 10 col4-6, adequate notification of this meeting has been provided by advertising in the record and 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 notice to the board meeting to the acting school of business administrator Linda Agastra at l aagastrahackschools.org. I hereby call to order the regular public meeting on Monday, November 17th, 2025 in the Hackinack High School Media Center at >> 6:16 p.m. >> at 6:16 p.m. Miss Aasha, can you please do a roll call? >> Miss Olsen Balucha, >> present. >> Miss Emma Hamza, >> present. >> Mr. Carol, >>

002present. >> Miss Gilmore, >> here. >> Mr. Jones, >> here. >> Mr. Martin, >> present. >> Miss Spring, >> present. Miss Harris >> present. >> Mr. SC >> here. >> We have a quorum. Excellent. Um, we don't have at this moment a student presentation and our student rep is not here. Correct. >> Okay. So, we're going to move on to executive session. Be it resolved that the Hackac Board of Education determs it necessary to meet an executive session on Monday, November 17th, 2025 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 to into executive? >> Motion by Trusty Pringle. Can I have a

003second? Second by Trusty Jones. All those in favor say I. I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Okay. Thank you. Uh it is 6:17. We shall return >> by before 8:00. Thank you. Okay, good evening everyone. Can I have a motion to reopen to the public? >> Okay. Motion by Trusty Stein. Can I have a second? >> A second. >> Second by Trusty Pringle. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Excellent. We are back to the public. It's 8:29. Thank you for waiting. Um, so at this time we're just going to quickly have our student report by Zoe Gonzalez. Thank you for joining us. Last week, our drama department performed our annual fall play entitled Check Please. A wonderful time was had by all. On November 20th, the high school will be hosting

004our annual grade 8 open house for our Hackinac Rush Park and South Hackinac 8th grade families. The evening will include an academic presentation for parents, tours of the building, and a student panel discussion for students with an overview of our sports, clubs, and activities to end the evening. On Thanksgiving morning, our annual Hackinac T-neck football game will be held at Hackinac High School at 10:30 a.m. Events include a parade that begins at the middle school and involves clubs, bands, and activities from both Tene and Hackinade begins at 9:30 a.m. On December 10th and 11th, the high school will be hosting our annual parent teacher conferences. Conferences will be held in teacher classrooms and it is a great opportunity to see how your child is performing in their classes. Come comment ambassadors will be on hand

005to assist with directions and elevator usage. Thank you very much. Okay. So we are going to go on to approving the minutes. Be it resolved that the Hackasack Board of Education approves the regular and executive session meeting minutes on October 15, 2025. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes? >> Motion by Trustee Gilmore. Can I have a second? >> Second by Trustee Jones. All those in favor say I. >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Moving on to presentations, we have our school safety data system report um which will be reported by Ralph Dana who is our school safety coordinator, Miss Nicole Adams, principal at Fairmount, and Miss Heather Coleman, student assistance counselor and anti-bullying specialist. Please come out. Absolutely. Good evening. >> Evening. >> So, tonight uh myself and Miss Coleman and Mr.

006Dana will be presenting the student safety data report for the 2024 2025 school year. Okay. So in terms of SSDs, this report is required uh as per state and federal mandates. The incidents under SSDs include all incidents where violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation, and bullying as well as weapons, substances, or any other incidents that lead to removal of students must be reported to the to the Department of Education. This includes our training programs for HIP as well as any other proactive trainings or programs that take place at the school level in support of our students. The SSDS reporting period extends from September 1st to December 31st. That is our first reporting period. Our second reporting period takes place from January 1 to June 30th. In terms of what is reported, these incidents take place during school

007but also are reported at any school function that includes after school activities or games as well as any events that take place off school grounds where a student may report those incidents within the school day. Our trainings and programs related to improving school climate and culture are also included in this report. These are all of the categories under SSDs. Um under violence and vandalism there are multiple categories whereas HI substances and weapons are standalone categories for reporting under SSDs. I would like to thank Mr. Jenkins for his work in putting together all of the data districtwide um for this report. Um here we have each school detailed in terms of the infractions under SSDs and also any infractions that have led to a student removal. Although HIP allegations that are not confirmed are not counted

008against us as far as infractions are concerned for SSDs purposes they must be reported. So as you can see our total um incidents under SSDS for the entire 2024 2025 school year was less than 100 and other incidents leading to removal were 115. Here we have a three-year uh comparison detailed for your review. Um the high school and middle school are detailed here. Those are our schools with the largest number of our students. Um and also we see a trend here of those numbers consistently going down. Uh we attribute this to the support of the board of education as well as central office in providing us with the resources as well as social workers and programs. Our school monitors, our teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators have worked very hard um to continue to be

009proactive with our students to support their social emotional wellness and also to ensure that when they do report back to school that we have counseling support ready for them. This is a three-year comparison of the HIP alleged uh reports for each school within the district. As you can see, um our numbers substantially trend downward. We attribute this to the education that uh parents, families, and students have been getting at our schools in terms of what qualifies as a HIP allegation um under the state guidelines. And here we have detail other incidents leading to removal. These incidents are not covered under SSDs, but they must be reported to the state as these are any incidents that lead to a student missing school. We wanted to provide a comprehensive picture of the percentages that are detailed in

010this report. So, the next two slides illustrate the percentages of students that are accounted for in this report um by grade level. So at our elementary level, these SSDs reports represent less than 1% of our student population. At our middle school level, these SSD reports represent less than 8% of our student population. And at the high school, they represent less than 5% of our population. Um, we always want to see zeros across the board. Um however this is a um excellent effort by um the central office staff, the support of the board of education and our teachers, counselors, social workers, school monitors and staff. I can't say enough about um the work that continues to be done to support our students and make sure that they have access to what they need so that we

011don't see these numbers trending up but we see them trending down. So that is good news for the district. So here we detailed each um grade level in terms of SSDs and fractions. And if you take a look at third grade, fourth grade, seventh grade, and then at 12th grade, those grade levels have less than 10 offenses. Um, so that's why the less than 10 sign is there. And at every other grade level, the offenses, the infractions that fall under SSDs are detailed for your review. So I will now turn this part of the presentation over to Miss Coleman. She will detail the trainings and the programs that are submitted for the district under SSDs. Miss Coleman. >> Thank you, Miss Adams. Good evening. Good evening. So, in addition to all the data reported by

012the state, we also must be responsible for the document for documenting the programs and trainings conducted in each of the schools. This slide shows the number of programs and trainings that were conducted last year. And I would like to thank the principles, vice principles, and anti-bullying specialists at each of the schools who did provide the data and report the data so that we are able to track it. Trainings, as you can see, these must these may include trainings for staff, students, andor families or one-off assemblies. programs may include district or schoolwide programs such as our SEAL lessons or the nurtured heart approach or the weeks of celebration such as the week of respect. And although I'm not going to read in detail each of these um pres each of these things that I put in

013here, I will provide an overview of what we as a district are doing to promote a positive culture and climate at each school as well as interventions to both prevent and address behavioral in infractions. It's important for us to highlight all the things that we are doing as a district to support our the development of the whole child throughout our district. Training has been provided for all districts staff, students, and families on harassment, intimidation, and bullying, identifying the policy, law, and procedures, as well as indicators and criteria. And all administrators and school monitors were trained on SSDs reporting. All of our schools utilize both the school safety and climate team as well as the administrative teams to review and analyze the data both from discipline incidents as well as survey data to create action plans

014for all schools. We also work to plan spirit weeks and weeks dedicated to respect, antiviolence, anti-drug, autism awareness, and mental health with activities, educational materials, and resources for both students and our families. Additional staffing, including additional social workers, school monitors, and our parent outreach workers in each building have greatly increased our ability to meet the social and emotional disciplinary and disciplinary needs of our students at each grade level. Further, each school has created partnerships with outside agencies and organizations to not only provide interventions and resources, but provide additional funding support. Universal interventions include classroom teachers establishing with their students norms to ensure students feel safe, included, and respected within the classrooms as well as large group assemblies and classroom lessons using the castle framework to work on social emotional skills in the way that is

015developmentally appropriate. Higher tiered interventions include afterchool and Saturday interventions, host suspension counseling, as well as success and alternative programs at the high school. We also support our students in transitioning from one learning environment to another by preparing them in advance with orientation activities to allay any of their fears about moving to a new school. Finally, all of our schools support our students by celebrating our cultural diversity and celebrating their academic achievements. We host events that both educate students and staff about different cultures as well as celebrate them. In addition to the Hispanic Heritage, Black History, and Women's History Month celebration months, which we have promoted for years, in the past few years, we have added celebrations in a multicultural assemblies and celebrated Diwali and Italian-American Heritage Day. We celebrate both the academic achievement and pro-social

016development of our students with both assemblies honoring them and activities to reinforce their continued success in these areas. Thank you very much. And now Ralph Dana who will present our uh district safety and security. >> Good evening everyone >> with the security updates. We're going to start with the staff updates. I was going through and realized that the newest staff member is uh for security is myself. >> So to get me up to speed I want to thank Miss Adams and Miss Coleman. And um I haven't met one person in district yet that has not been fully supportive um with assisting me. So I came from 20 years police officer. It was a little transition from law enforcement to being the safety coordinator here. But like I said, everyone has been tremendous. Uh I am

017certified now uh with applied I have I applied recently for the safe school certification through department of education. I just completed the training a couple of weeks ago. So as far as fulfilling the requirement uh with the state I'm fully certified. The other change we have the number of security professionals in the high school has changed from five to one. I feel like this was a common sense change because we've increased the number of deans to five and it's a more warm environment in the high school where the deans and the staff can uh do a more appropriate job of knowing the students and kind of reading the room, assisting students with what they need. Whereas uh an outside security vendor can be more appropriately served as the uh perimeter checks and conducting duties at

018the front uh by the cameras. Uh that's more appropriate. The results of the checks that he does uh every hour are forwarded to myself and the building administrators. we're able to then take these checks and you know uh adjust accordingly. If there's a door not latching, if there's some kind of physical security measure that needs adjusting, we can send it out to the text or the head custodian. So, it's been working really well. As far as uh security upgrades go at the uh football games, we've enforced a policy that was previously there with the backpack policy. we've had an effect but we weren't using it for a while. We went back and we tried to address that to you know reduce the number of contraband or hidden items that are brought in. This been a

019tremendous undertaking but uh we felt the change was needed to reduce uh any contraband to accomplish this as painless as possible. Michelle Castrino from the athletic department was incredible. she would put the word out to other schools uh to let them know the visiting teams that we're enforcing this. Now, announcements were also made in school and in Parent Square to let parents know that this change is coming. Appropriate signage [snorts] as you see pictured there along with the stands were done by Pablo and his crew. So, everyone was helping out. You see, we have a couple other photos there. That's right behind the kitchen, that middle photo behind the high school, the kitchen classroom. A 10-foot fence was installed there. That was a area where previously people are climbing over our fence trying to get

020in the games. Uh that's dangerous. The photo all the way to the left. That's an area of the fencing which hasn't been modified yet, but that's one of our modifications to come. We're going to put 10ft fencing there. There's kind of an area, a little concealment area there where students go to probably do things that they shouldn't really be doing at a football game. the Hackin Sack Police Department. They're really good with knowing these hot spots. Uh so, we're going to improve that area as well with the 10-ft fencing. As far as the rest of schools go, uh we have a behavioral threat assessment management team in every school. These school uh these teams are comprised of counselors, teachers, uh a senior administrator, the school resource officer. Basically, everyone's all hands-on pro approach to helping

021out a student when they give off certain criteria when there could be a tendency toward uh harm toward themselves or toward others. Uh we're going to refine this process and standardize it for the entire district so everything's the same. As far as our alert and notification system goes, I don't want to go into too much detail about what we do at a public meeting for obvious reasons, but I will say that we've crossrained with the Hackinack Police Department regarding these systems and uh they are certainly working effectively. We see the results. We're happy with the capabilities they offer and they provide to us. The police department has also helped us out with walking through the high school for a risk and vulnerability assessment that we conducted with the prosecutor's office. The reason why we picked

022the high school is the largest school and if we could uh we could knock that out with the team of the prosecutor's office and the police department and learn the best practices how to do that. We know we can transfer that over to the middle school and the elementary schools. Um, since they've been there, I've already started with other team members of walking through the middle school and putting those practices into play. Uh, we anticipate that we will do the elementary schools right after. These assessments, which are due annually, help us identify any security gaps, but they also give us an idea for implementing needed upgrades around uh, such as push bars by gates. We could be in compliance with uh, fire code security best practices. Uh we just completed a muchneeded upgrade at Jackson

023AB School last week. The school now has a secure vestibule at the front entrance way which prevents visitors from directly entering the school without permission. Uh bottom bullet over there regarding the drilling. I'm happy to say we're fully compliant. Uh the start of school year we got all our drills done on time. Most of our bus exit drills have additionally been done for the fall. Uh the the administrators that handle security each school have been doing a tremendous job with these drills and afterward they uh send out surveys to their staff which is really critical. Staff members give us real-time feedback whether they can hear announcements how the drill went and uh we're there the next day, the next week to address any kind of physical security measures or redo uh redo a certain infrastructure

024that isn't working correctly. These afteraction reviews have been real critical for that. Moving forward, we're going to keep on doing uh lowcost to no cost improvements where we can immediately make it uh happen based on all of these assessments. I think uh we're doing pretty solid. All right, thank you. Does anyone have any questions? >> Okay, moving on to our superintendent report and that is our acting superintendent, Andrea Oats Parchment. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. Can >> you hear me? >> First the enrollment report. Uh we have an enrollment of 5,110 students and you can see the breakdown per school. Our residency report uh we had three residency cases received. One was verified, two were unverified. Uh but no, um withdrawals to date. For our harassment, intimidation, and bullying report, we had 10

025completed investigations. Three were founded, seven unfounded. We have three pending, and we have four where the preliminary determination was not HIV. I also want to uh thank Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Coleman, and Mr. Dana and Mr. Jenkins for a very informative report, more informative than we have had over the past year. So, thank you for the effort you put into it. I also want to thank our entire uh school community for your demonstration of care and concern during a time when families and neighbors um are impacted by the loss of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, SNAP. Um the activities that I have seen our staff engaged in really uh show the comet spirit and show that we care about our families and community. Uh during the week of October the 20th, uh I attended the New

026Jersey School Board Association along with my colleagues. Uh and we are proud to announce that all of our schools at a special lunchon received awards from the sustainable New Jersey and they were recognized at a lunchon. Hackinack really looked great and I just want to give a round of applause for Hackinson. Uh, as a result of the last couple of meetings, I wanted everyone to know that I met with our athletic director and the middle school girls basketball team is being established and we want to uh thank Dallas for her advocacy and I attended the city's veteran day event. It was very meaningful and it was heartfelt. This this was the first time I attended as acting superintendent. And once again, I want to acknowledge our veterans, especially our staff. I found out that we

027have staff members who are veterans and have served in the armed forces. And a special thank you to the Rotary Club, the Center for Food Action, and Strap Hangers for their efforts. they have things that are occurring now to support our families and we just want to acknowledge and recognize them. Uh this month uh on election day, our staff uh participated and I would say meaningful professional learning and I want to thank our curriculum director, our principles, our coaches and staff for coordinating these meaningful learning experiences and being engaged with the learning because that's what we're here for. uh to ensure that we are equipped to give our students the best possible education. And finally, I want to say as we approach uh this Thanksgiving season, I thought about what I wanted to say and

028this time I want to just say I'm thankful for the things that we do and our staff every day. Things that we don't see. For example, handling a parent call. I may not see that by going the extra mile to help them navigate through a situation, speaking life to a student with encouraging words. I may not see that, but I know you do that. uh repair repairing something in a classroom, assisting with a technology issue, supporting a colleague, being there for someone, contributing to a food drive, volunteering your time, offering to help, sending an encouraging email or message to someone, and I could go on, but these are things we don't see that people do every day. And I just want to thank you um and wish everyone a happy event. >> Thank you. Moving

029on to public comments. Public participation shall be governed by the following rules. If in person, a participant must sign the sign-in sheet and be recognized by the Prooseidon officer and must prepose 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 3 minutes 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 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

030be held until the end of public participation. At this time, the floor is open for public comments. It's in there so tight. Thank you. always see mayor comes to my rescue. Anyway, I just wanted I went to Atlantic City. >> Can you state your name? >> Oh, I apologize. I got messed up with the microphone. Vetolet story, a pre kindergarten teacher from days of old and still living in Hackinack at 290 Anderson Street. And I just wanted to I did go to my 59th teachers convention and brought back you a little sample of uh caffeine plus your regular candy. But I just wanted to actually wish you all I think you all do. You work very hard and I think you all deserve a wonderful and happy and healthy Thanksgiving and I wish that to

031all of you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. You as well. So, my name is Victoria Arzu. I am a health and phys teacher here at Hackinack High School. I have to tell you where I reside. Patterson, New Jersey. I don't think that's relevant, but um I come to you tonight to confront some injustice in this district. For 17 years, I have taught six classes at HHS, while my colleagues with the same job title have only taught five for the same money. I'm not alone. Special education, fine arts, buildings and trades, STEM and music also face the same inequity. To make this situation even more insulting, when our colleagues voluntarily teach an extra class, bringing their total to six, they are paid extra for their time and effort. Imagine how it feels to work

032shoulder-to-shoulder with someone who is being appreciated and compensated for their effort while you are expected to do so without complaint and with no relief in sight because it has always been done that way. The question I bring before you tonight is, will this board, you, be the change agents, or will you be complicit in inflicting an unfair labor practice onto honest and hardworking people who are doing their best to educate kids in this district? My question is, what will this board do? I think that most people believe they have a strong moral compass. I believe that in most situations, people think they will choose to fight the good fight and stand on the right side of history. Do you think that? Do you believe that people should be cheated out of fair compensation for their

033labor? If the answer is no, then I ask you to willingly write the glaring inequity in our current contract. Allow those who teach an extra class the right to apply and be paid for their efforts in every subject. There are many things in this world we cannot control, but small actions add up to great change. I am asking you to change this way the way the district has done business and do a simple thing that should have been done years ago. This year we are hopeful hopeful that this board of education will negotiate a contract in fairness. It is long overdue. Hello, my name is Veronica Alvarez and I work at Hackinack Middle School. Um, I'm gonna jump out of what I wrote here, but I not only work for Hackitak Middle School, but I

034also have, and everyone here knows I have thousands of little jobs around Hackitak Middle School District, so I'm everywhere. Um, my understanding is that our union and the board of ed are currently engaged in negoti in negotiations regarding contact time. I want you to know that I am a teacher who teaches a sixth period. I do so without additional compensation. I am asking you to negotiate in good faith to fairly recognize my additional contributions to this district and its students. Thank you very much for hearing me. >> Good evening. My name is Jacqueline Nunes. I am a special ed teacher here at the high school. Um it is my understanding that our union and the board of ed are currently engaged in negotiations regarding contract time. I would like you to know that I am

035a teacher who teaches six periods. I do so without additional compensation. I am asking you to negotiate in good faith. To fairly recognize my additional contributions to this district and its students. Thank you so much. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Marissa Calfan. I'm a special education teacher here at the high school. And my understanding is that our union and the board of education are currently engaged in negotiations regarding contract contact time. I want you to know that I am a teacher who teaches a sixth period. I do so without additional compensation. I'm asking you to negotiate in good faith to fairly recognize my additional contributions to this district and to its students. Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Jamie Pamilia and I am a special education teacher here at the

036high school. My understanding is that our union and the board of education are currently engaging in negotiations regarding contact time. I want you to know that I am a teacher who teaches a sixth period. I do so without additional compensation. I am asking you to negotiate in good faith to fairly recognize my additional contributions to this district and its students. Thank you. Hello, my name is Corey Carroll, a lifelong resident of Hackinack, 51 years. 30 years I have taught in the Hackinack district in special education. My understanding is that our union and board of ed are currently engaged in negotiations regarding contact time. I want you to know that I am a teacher who loves my children and teach six periods. I do so without additional compensation. I am asking you to negotiate in good

037faith to fairly recognize my additional contributions to the district and its students. >> Thank you. Good evening. Donna West, lifelong Yeah. resident of Hackinack, 31-year teacher at uh 31 years at Parker School. Uh just wanted to uh thank you first of all, Mr. Martin, for hearing me. Um, we have had a female floater um at Parker School as a custodian. So, I'm excited about that. Um, the guys are doing some things with her, but I I'm I'm fighting for her, so don't worry. Let me just say a little prayer. Lord, I pray that these words will accomplish what you desire and not my own personal desires. Uh, so Sylvia Hughes, a cousin of the late Lilian Whitaker, spoke early earlier this year. I'm trying to do this without crying because when I first wrote it,

038I was angry and then I was hurt and now I'm just generally concerned. Um because Parker School is on fire right now. Um we have minimal support from central office, but in their defense, they don't know everything because they're not told the truth about everything until someone like me comes forward. I'm coming forward not for me because honestly I'm good, but for my colleagues and other people in the building who are exasperated. They're ready to throw in the towel and they're fed up. This is not a game. It's our livelihoods and folks are talking about quitting. Everybody knows that we have to put everything in writing because you'll be told that I never said that. Scheduling conflicts affect the staff and students. Our new VP doesn't seem to get the support that she needs and

039she never complains, but we see her and we tell her every day that we see her. We are lied to. We are ignored and we seem to be set up to fail. If something works, our leader takes all the credit. If it fails, our leader says he knew nothing about it. Morale is down. There's no rapport with the children and many of them don't make the connection that he's the new principal. There's no rapport with the staff unless there's something in it for our new leader. And I've had these candid conversations with our leader. So, I'm not coming here to say something that I have not had a conversation with him about. But I honestly and sincerely care too much. I said to him, I want Parker School to be successful. Parker is an easy

040building. We know what to do. We've had very strong leaders who laid the foundation upon which it is easy to build. But our new leader seems hellbent on undoing what he has what we have worked so hard what has worked so for so long without consideration for what has made Parker successful. I'm so sorry. We are willing to learn, grow, and do what we're asked to do as long as it doesn't violate ethics or good teaching. And I'm hearing that that is what's happening with some staff. A lot of quidd proquo. Bottom line, I'd like our new leader to work with the staff and not against us. It's okay not to know everything. The harm is in never admitting it. And after this, I'm sure I'll be retaliated against because he's already made comments and

041every time he's had he has I've told him I'm going to a board meeting. But I don't fear retaliation. I need our school to work. I'm sorry. I just need like 10 word. I need our school to work. >> Finisher. >> I need our staff to feel safe, heard, and supported. And if our leader takes offense, maybe, just maybe, it'll prompt him to look inward and make a change. Please help us. You all know that Parker staff has never come to the mic before in this capacity and with these concerns. So, I hope you hear us and you help us immediately. Now, I know you're going to say there's not much you can do. So, but I want it on record that I made this board aware of what's happening because no one listened to

042Fairmount staff at that time. And the final turn of events proved that many of those staff members were indeed telling the truth. Please help us. Um, hi, my name is Dallas Pway >> and I live in Hackinack, New Jersey. And I just wanted to give an update that we did get our basketball team and tryyous [laughter] and triyouts will lay on to tomorrow and Wednesday. That's all I wanted to say. >> Good luck. Congratulations. >> What time? What time >> Dallas? What time are the triyouts? >> 5:00 5 to 6:30. Good luck. >> At the wreck. Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening, uh, Reverend Davis. I want to say congratulations to Dallas. She is my little cousin and her mom. Amen. Um, I I just want to say one thing I heard in the reports

043tonight. I may not be accurate, but I've always felt that part of the problem in schools um with discipline was there wasn't enough counselors in the schools to help the students. My philosophy in life is help the children while they're young and don't build more jails for when they're 16 years old and now they're in trouble. I was glad to hear that there were more counselors. I'm glad to hear about the deans because I feel that police do their job, but I do feel the count the deans have more of a relationship with the students that can relate to them better. So, I am grateful for that cuz I want to see less jails built and our students help more in school as you're doing here. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, online please. >> Hi,

044good evening. My name is Abigal Luna and I'm the parent of Luna and Zambian Biscayino, students of Nelly K. Parker School. I am happy to hear that there is a shift in moving towards a culture of respecting anti-bullying that make children feel safe, included, and respected. But I ask that you please shift this culture towards all adults in the school building as well. I'm here to address an uncomfortable issue that has been ongoing for almost 3 years. a repeated pattern of disrespect, mistreatment, unprofessional behavior from staff member Penny Lockwood. That's L C W O D Lockwood directed at both my children and at me. This began when Miss Lockwood worked for the after school program where my children attended. It seemed to have started with an incident with my mother who worked there as well.

045My mom was denied a referral she rightfully earned. Miss Lockwood falsely claimed that referral for herself. And after my mother reported the misconduct, Miss Lockwood miss um her treatment towards my kids changed drastically. And that's what follow what followed was clear retaliation. Over the years, I've documented multiple incidents like November 22nd, 2022, my daughter was kicked in the face. My son was later injured. I was never notified of the incident. I raised concern and Miss Lwood dismissed me and made inappropriate comments when my ch when a classmate pulled my daughter's shirt down, making it seem as if she was looking for it because she plays with boys. In spring 2023, she withheld snacks from um my kids. >> Ma'am, I'm sorry. So, this this sounds like this is a personal matter. >> It's not personal.

046It's more than personal because it has to do with principal Galana. I can get to that if you give me some time. >> Personnel. Personnel because it involves one of our staff members and our students. the same. >> Okay. Can I continue or what's going to happen? >> Just wait one second, please. >> Okay, >> ma'am. I'm going to ask you if you can keep it more general. Um >> Okay, I'll get there. >> Because you're you're really getting into student disciplinary uh matters that >> not not student disciplinary but staff. >> Well, okay. Same thing. So, if if you like to make a general statement about something, you're obviously welcome to do so. as to any spec as a specific situation. I I think it's you make an appointment uh with the with the

047principal or >> Yes, I've done that several times. That's where I wanted to get to. And with Dr. Galliano, I've uh requested several meetings. I was dismissed a few times and when I did mention the incidents, he he kind of shued me away and didn't really no changes were made. Lockwood is protected by Galana and that's why I feel she is entitled and she's not changing. And what I did want to mention is um I'll skip the specific incidents, but I did want to say that um these incidents showed a sustained pattern of retaliation and professional conduct from the staff. And my children have been denied basic respect, emotional safety, and fair treatment. And when adults in the school behave this way without consequence, it sends a message to the children that is very harmful,

048that they are unprotected, and that bullying from authority figures is unacceptable. Sorry to cut you off, but there's a policy that I the the the board president really can't let you get into slander defamation statements. If you have an issue, it seems you tried to go through the building principal. >> Yeah. So, what can I do then? How what do you advise? >> You can send an email to our assistant superintendent, Miss Markx, or acting superintendent. You can >> Miss Markx, >> you can CC the board president. You you you you made you you you you put this on the radar of the board and but the board president and myself were not going to let you just start making comments about the staff that sound like into a defamatory nature. >> Okay, it's not.

049But I hope that you would understand that this has gotten nowhere with the principal. So if you suggest I speak with Miss Marks and the CC board president, I will do so. You guys will continue to hear from me. >> Thank you. Hello. >> Yes, good evening. Uh hello. My name is Philip Broofphy. Uh I'm a teacher at Hackinack High School for 16 years uh in special education and I stand in solidarity with my colleagues who are there now when I say that I also am a teacher who teaches a sixth period and do so without additional compensation. And I'm asking you all to negotiate in good faith to fairly recognize my addition and our contributions uh to this district and its students. Thank you so much and have a good night. >> Thank you.

050>> Uh peace everybody. My name is Tony Maxon um Nelly K. Parker school teacher uh H me member. Um I want to start by just saying that I I stand with my my colleagues who are seeking to be made right for their additional contributions and contact time. Um, I implore the board to please do what you can in the name of fairness as negotiations continue. Um, I believe that your response will show all of the stakeholders, uh, especially the staff that all of our voices are valued. And as often happens, we're asked to bring our concerns to you. And I I deeply appreciate that um because I believe that it's it's a genuine concern. Um, and it will show that when we do that, we're actually heard. Um, I had a couple other things. One

051is that, um, I've asked a couple of times about uh, report cards, if they can be made more functional. Um, for elementary, I know that we have standards each marking period that are active and we need to click a box for them, but they're not being taught. Um and so I think as they are grayed out before we get to the subject um to that standard um I think that that should be a practice in the next marking period that it's not something we have to um put in as we as we haven't taught it. Um I would love if if we could be um spoken to and and have some clarity on why there are four marking periods now instead of the three for the elementary schools. Um I think that we had a

052longer time to um actively implement instruction and show growth and I I don't see maybe if somebody could share with us why it has happened that they've been made to for uh but it doesn't seem to be um sharing any benefit from what I can tell as a teacher um or as a parent in the district. Um um I also think that in terms of the standardsbased report cards, we're getting used to it and we've had some issues with when the window is opening up. So the more transparent that you can all be, we definitely would appreciate that. Um, this may be something that you speak to a little bit today, but I noticed that on the agenda there are several policies that are going to be discussed and at a glance it looks as

053though teacher voice is being limited or whittleled down in a lot of areas and it seems like more of a concentration of power away from where teachers voices um are mattering as they currently do. And so, uh, specifically in terms of when complaints are filed, um, uh, with instructional materials and and library resources. So, I I'm I'm hoping that that will be addressed. Um, I appreciate that it's put out there so that we can see it ahead of time. Um, and you know, I and I many of us will be listening and hoping to understand a little better once that all is explained. Um, thank you all. Have a good night. >> Thank you. you. >> Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> My name is Jacqueline Peron and I work at Hackinac

054High School. Like many of my peers that have spoken tonight, my understanding is that our union and the board of education are currently engaged in negotiations regarding contact time. I want you to know that I am a teacher who teaches a sixth period and I do so without additional compensation. I am asking that you negotiate in good faith to fairly recognize my additional contributions to this district and the students in which I love to teach. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Michelle Tvarez, longtime resident of Hackinack, longtime parent in the community. I am a PTA president and president of all the PTAs in this district. And I would just like to say first and foremost with regard to the employee that was discussed earlier by a parent, I stand by that employee entirely. I

055think she's a phenomenal staff member and she contributes positively to this community and to this district. And I'm just going to say that about that particular employee. I am calling I'm calling in on behalf of parents who are concerned with regard to um the hold on the budget with regard to um field trips. And I would just like to ask the board if um any decision has been made with regard to sixth grade camp. We have a lot of parents asking and a lot of parents tremendously concerned um and hoping that sixth grade camp will move forward. So on behalf of parents of the community, if you can possibly answer that, I understand you may not be able to, but I can tell you from my daughter's experience at sixth grade camp, it was one

056of her best takes out of the middle school. It was such a positive experience for her. I actually went up to the board and thanked all of you the year that she went and I truly hope that we are not able to take that away from our children in this community because it is such a powerful experience for these kids and it makes a difference on who they are as a person in the middle school. Thank you. >> Hello, my name so sorry. Give me one second. I just want to answer the question from Miss Tavaris. Thank you. >> I I This is Andrea Oats Parchment. I want to address the sixth grade camp question. Sixth grade camp is still a priority. Um and a pause has been put on field trips for right now,

057but sixth grade camp is still a priority, right? Hi. Hi. My name is Michelle Ballock and I work at Hackinack High School. My understanding is that our union and the board of education are currently engaged in negotiations regarding contract time. I would like you to know that I am a teacher who teaches uh six periods. I do so without any additional compensation. I'm asking you at this time to negotiate in good faith and fairly recognize my additional contributions to Hackinac and the students. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi. Um this is Stephanie Shaw. I teach at Hackinag High School for the past 26 years and I just want to say that I stand with my colleagues who are teaching six periods. I do believe that they deserve extra compensation. I teach five periods for

058the last 26 years and I believe that my colleagues deserve the equity that I have. They work hard. They are dedicated. They love our students just the way we do and they deserve the same thing that we do. So please, I know we are in a contract negotiations era here. Please consider this. Listen to them. Listen to um your employees and make sure that they are heard and think about the equity. Thank you. >> Thank you. Hi, good evening. My name is Melissa Ruell and I'm a teacher at Hackinack High School. I first would like to thank the board members who came out on Thursday and Friday night to see the Hackinack drama club performance of Check Please. We greatly appreciate your support. Secondly, I would also like to state that I am one of

059the teachers who teach six periods and I do so without additional compensation. I am asking you to negotiate in good faith to fairly recognize my additional contributions to this district and its students. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, hi. I'm uh waiting for the timer to reset. >> There we go. Thanks. Uh, I'm Tom Tzano. I'm a teacher at the high school. Um, I'm also an executive member of the HA. I've uh been listening to a lot of people u standing up and bravely speaking before you obviously with a very u a very notable concern about equity. Um, the other thing that I've been listening to, and I think I've heard it from three or four voices this evening, is the idea of uh of retaliation for standing up for something that you believe in.

060I don't think that Hackinack is a place that ends up tolerating uh any sort of attitudes of retaliation for people doing the uh the brave thing. Um standing up and speaking at a a public hearing like this, saying um you know what they believe to be true. Um what they know to be true, what has been documented to be true. and whether it ends up being a case of uh management of a building or in speaking up about the uh the fairness and the safety and the health of the people inside of that building. Uh whether it's a matter of equity in terms of how the contract ends up being negotiated and brought forth. Um there is a concern about using your voice and the consequences uh being retaliatory in nature. Um, as I've said,

061I don't believe this is something that HackinSack um pushes as a matter of policy. I don't believe we're uh a group of people um who end up having um private vendettas against people who end up speaking up on behalf of what they believe to be correct and right and fair and just and equitable. Uh and so I would like to punctuate what many of my colleagues have brought forward by saying that um I would like to maybe just remind ourselves publicly and with a promise that retaliation is not something that we end up standing or or not something that we stand for, not a policy that we end up employing, not a strategy that we use to push inconvenient truths um away from our, you know, the center of what the issues are that we

062have. Um, so that's uh something I I think we need to be openly vocal about. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Tzano. I want to remind everyone that we have a certified affirmative action officer, my former position, but we now have uh Rosemary Marks as our affirmative action officer. And when I hear retaliation, I am moved to say that our policy states that we do not tolerate retaliation. So I just want to make that clear because I've heard that raised a couple of times this evening and I find it necessary to state that. Thank you. Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Good evening. >> Hi, my name is Anna Garcia, lifelong Hackinack resident. I have some questions regarding the budget. I would like some assurances that the academic decathlon for Hackinack High School

063will not be cancelled. Those kids work very hard. They have class at 7:30 in the morning. They went to nationals last year and this year's national is in California. And I hope that that is not being paused. Number two, I also would like some assurances that the track and field program will not have any of their national competition canled. They have one in Boston, Maryland, and they've also gotten an invitation to run at the Arcadia meet in California because they placed second at last year's outdoor nationals in Philadelphia. So, who can let us know what is going to be paused and what is not going to be paused? That is all. >> Thank you. Good. Let Miss Oatsman just answer that one part. >> I um I just want to make it clear we're in

064budget season now. So as we approach the new budget season in preparation for we're evaluating the current year and the future year budget just to ensure fiscal responsibility. There are some things that are priorities. I've spoken to principles and academic decathlon is one. Uh so um just please be reassured but once again we are evaluating our budget and we want to be fiscally responsible. Anyone else online? Nope. Anybody here in public that would like to speak that didn't get the chance to? Okay. At this time public comment section is closed. Moving on to our committee reports and resolutions and we are going to start with personnel and chair for personnel is trusty. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you madam president. Um the personnel committee met uh last week and um before I make a motion,

065I do just want to highlight um that uh uh the district terminated its contract with Kelly Services for purposes of of par profofessionals. You um and we we did so in accordance with the 90-day provision in the contract. we rehired uh as some of the PAR professionals. You'll see you'll see all of that in um the personnel section C on your agenda. Um and um I want to say that this was done as a cost-saving measure um to the district. Um and as I said, you'll see that reflected in personnel section C. Um at this time, I would like to make a motion uh for consideration personnel items A1 A through T. Okay, thank you. So we have a motion from trusteeza. Can I have a second? >> A second. >> Second by trustee Pringle.

066Miss Aashric roll call. >> Miss Olston Bibutra. >> Yes. >> Miss Amrazza. >> Yes. >> Mr. Carol. >> Yes. I will have to recuse myself from B4, B5, B6, and section C. Miss Gilmore, >> yes. >> Mr. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Martin, >> yes. >> Miss Pringle, >> yes. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Mr. Stein, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Okay. Thank you. Moving on to policy and the chair of policy is Trusty Pringle. Um for policy I would like to make a motion for B1 um and B2. Um I would like to highlight um and read this for policies. Um, the policy policies being submitted for the first read tonight are needed to be compliant with the guidance released by the New Jersey Department of Education for implementing the provisions of the

067Freedom to Read Act. One, updates to policy and regulations 2530 remove any reference to library materials as defined in the Freedom to Read Act. And library material is now addressed in the new in the new library material policy and regulations 2535. Two, policy and regulation 2535 are new and mandated because the district is required to adopt a written policy and procedure to address the curation of library materials. Three, updates to policy and regulations 9130. Remove any reference to library material as defined in the freedom to read act and remove any reference to library books. Library materials which include library books is now addressed in the policy of regulations guides 2535. Again, I would like to motion policies B1 to B2. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I said I would like to motion, let me see. I

068would like to motion um and policy B1 to B2. Okay. So, we have a motion from Trusty Pringle. Can I have a second? Second by trustee Jones. Miss Aash local. >> Miss Alustin Balapuchrav. >> Yes. >> Miss Amraham. >> Yes. >> Mr. Carol. >> Yes. >> Miss Gilmore. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> I >> Mr. Martin. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Miss Pringle. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stein. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Yes. Moving on to curriculum and the chair for curriculum is trusty Pringle. >> Um for curriculum I would like to motion C1 through C21. Um I would like to highlight um C7, C8 and C9. Um C7 Um with recommendations of our acting superintendent of schools approves a proposal with Bergen County Zoological Park for the 2526

069school year to provide educational outreach programs to all districts preschool classes and district preschool classes at Bright Adventures and Bright Seedlings Early Learning Center. The total cost will not exceed $3,425 and will be paid for with preschool education aid C8. The Hackasac board of education upon recommendation of the acting superintendent approves a collaboration between Hackasac University Medical Center and Hackasac public schools to conduct preschool oral screening using the dental program dentist for a 25 26 school year. And lastly, C9 um authorizes Select Wellness to provide wellness services at all schools, ECDC, Office for Special Services and the Pod Dobbano Center, December 2025, June 2026. Services provided will be at no cost to the district. I would like to motion um C1 through C21. >> Okay. Excellent. We have a motion from Trusty Pringle. Can I

070have a second? >> I'll second. Oh, >> I have question. I'm sorry. Okay. >> Yes. C8. I believe that should read that at no cost to the district also. I think that's clarity that we got prior to today. Um, I'm sure it is. It's not statement on on here, but I think it is. >> Okay. I'll make sure to take that. >> Thank you. All right. So, we have a motion from Trusty Pringle, a second from Trustee Arma. Miss Aasha, can you please do a roll call? >> Miss Olston Valuch? >> Yes. >> Miss Emma? >> Yes. >> Mr. Carol? >> Yes. >> Miss Gilmore? >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Martin, >> yes. >> Miss Pringle, >> yes. >> Miss Harris, >> I. >> Mr. Stein, >> yes. >> Motion passes.

071>> Excellent. Moving on to finance. And the chair for finance is Vice President Stein. >> Okay. I'd like to uh finance D1 through D10. And I'd like to call everyone's attention to D5 uh where the Homes Depot Corporation um accepts they don't well the school district accepts a donation of $10,5451 uh in the form of gift cards um to be used in to construct furnish an outdoor classroom at Fairmont Elementary School. Other than that, again, I'll offer one, please. >> So, we have a motion from Trusty Stein, a second from Trustee Carol. Miss Astro, roll call, please. Miss Olston Baluch, >> yes, but I have to abstain on D2. Miss Amar Hamza, >> yes. >> Mr. Carol, >> yes. >> Miss Gilmore, >> yes. >> Mr. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Martin, >> yes. >>

072Miss Springle, >> yes. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Mr. Stein, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Just a quick comment. >> I don't know how quick it will be. Uh the board president just wanted me to take a moment to explain uh D9 and D10 um and >> in finance >> finance >> in finance. >> Uh so um in the the legal profession there's a code of ethics such as where an attorney has a conflict that attorney may not be able to handle a matter. So the the board has wisely um make has made these two appointments where if something does come up in the um in the operations of the school district in which in which I may have a legal conflict because of any reason that um to expedite the process and make

073sure the district is always represented um properly they're just appointing uh these two law firms to serve as backup so to speak. Um they're not be there won't be duplicative services. I won't be billing the same thing that these other law firms may be billing for. Um so that that's the only I'm not I'm not going anywhere unfortunately. I tried I tried to lock myself out of close session today but they kept answering the door but um the board president just wanted me to take a moment to explain that. >> Thank you. On to facilities and the chair of school facilities is Trusty Martin. Now I'd like to uh motion E1 through E7 highlight E2 and E5 uh approve to approve the proposal from business furniture incorporated to provide partition office at the Hacksack Middle

074School guidance room room 130 in the amount of $42,542 $40 $8.50. Um that's um E2. That's basically um is done with a grant that we received. So it will be no really um through that grant that we received. And uh E5 is also um to approve the um to approve the proposal from a EEI associated architect engineer construction for the Hacksac Middle School classroom and subsidized in the amount of 16,800 that um E5 is also So, um it's a special education uh class. Um and the petition will be built in, uh July. Yeah, that's all I have on that one. Um again, um like to motion at E1 through E7. >> Excellent. We have a motion from Trusty Martin. Can I have a second? Second by Trusty Carol. Mr. Agashra, please do roll call. Miss

075Olston Balacutra. >> Yes. >> Miss Amrahamza. >> Yes. Mr. Carol, >> yes. >> Miss Gilmore, >> yes. >> Mr. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Martin, >> yes. >> Miss Pringle, >> yes. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Mr. Stein, >> yes. >> Motion passes. Thank you. On to community relations and chair is Trusty Gilmore. >> Good evening. Um the CRC meeting that was scheduled um for November 13th was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts, but we are actively working to reschedule and as soon as a date is confirmed, we will um share to the community and to the board. And um the CRC has a a great opportunity to participate in a focus group for a comprehensive bicycle plan um being done by the city in conjunction with New Jersey Division of Transit. So, I'm going

076to um get some uh committee members to uh join the the focus group to provide valuable information um on the bicycle plan because as we all know there's sometimes more bikes on the road than there are cars. So, I think this is very timely that they're they want to include the school board in in the planning of the bicycle plan. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. On to other committees. Uh I'll just give an update. the joint board and city meeting. We did not meet for November. We are going to meet in December and we're still exploring um opportunities for shared services. Moving on to new business. Any new business? Um public comment. Individuals may address the board on agenda and school matters of community interest for one minute. Anyone from the public that

077would like to speak? Are you in person, I should say? Anybody online? Go ahead. >> Hello. Once again, this is Philip Broofphy. I work at Hackinack High School 16 years as a special ed teacher. And I forgot to mention uh in my previous round that the Muslim student association uh in conjunction with the administration and MSNos has successfully brought halal food to the cafeteria at the high school. Um and that's due to the hard work of that student organization which has also created a space for Friday Juma prayers. And I just want to uh make space to discuss or just to to state that that in the two years that that this group has come together um that I have been the adviser of uh it has been extraordinary to watch these students just create

078space for them and for everyone. Uh and it's just exceptional. So, um, yeah, thank you and shout out to the students and to, uh, Patty Lozano and, uh, everybody at Mianos for making it all come together. Thank you. Have a good night. >> So, thank you. Hello. >> Yes. Good evening. >> Hi, my name is Laura Martin and I'm a teacher at Hackinac Middle School. I'm also a member of the HA executive committee. I am calling in tonight to stand in solidarity with my colleagues who teach six periods. A number of them spoke tonight and it is my hope that you take their pleas to heart as you continue the negotiations process. If we cannot achieve equity in scheduling, which I should be our ultimate goal, then I would hope that you would like to

079find a way to substantially recognize their extra contributions to our students and schools. I would also like to address a comment made earlier this evening about the upcoming budgeting process. Uh when we returned to school in September, many of us discovered that the programs and resources we have used for years were no longer available for our use. It is my understanding that the district chose not to renew several contracts due to budgetary constraints. I would like to ask that as you begin the budgeting process, you reach out to staff to identify which programs and resources they find most valuable and prioritize funding um those programs. the greater programmatic consistency we have, the better we as a staff are at utilizing those tools for effective instruction. Um, thank you for your time and have a good

080night. >> Yeah. >> All right. Now, at this time, public comment, the second public comment section is closed. Moving on to board comments. But before we get to board comments, I need a motion to extend the meeting past 10:00. Unfortunately, I'll make that motion just in case. Right. So have a motion from Trusty Amra Ham second. I have a second. That was uh Vice President Stein. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. So we are safe just in case. Um we'll start with Trustee Austin Balucha. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening everyone. >> Have a couple of comments. Um, one, I was um had the pleasure of participating in the trunk or treat event at Mount Olive Baptist Church on Halloween. I was a little nervous because

081my car had books and coloring books and crayons as as opposed to candy. And I was thrilled with the number of Hackers Public students that were excited to get the books and the crayons and the and the coloring books. So they were reading books by grade level and it was just a an a positive sign of what we're doing in terms of love of literacy and I just wanted to to congratulate the teachers in our community from for making students love literature. Um, two, I had the pleasure of attending the NAACP uh, gala last Saturday and uh, saw uh, Tony Jackson, a teacher at Parker, received the inaugural Liam Whitaker award and our own Reverend Carolyn Davis receive an award as well along with all the other honores. It was a great evening with my

082fellow trustees. I just want to say congratulations to Mr. Jackson, Reverend Davis, and all the other honores. Um, last but not least, I I want to say something in her absence to Dallas Pwe. Uh, when I was in middle a student at Hackasack Middle School, I too played basketball and I was reminded recently of an incident that the Bergen record wrote an article about our basketball team that was defamatory. And it was the first time that I used my voice to write an editor letter to the editor to defend our students and our community. Fast forward, I was in high school and I came before the board of education to advocate to a change in the school calendar and to my shock and amazement, they gave me what I wanted and I was in high

083school. And that change to our school calendar exists to this day. >> That's awesome. learning to use our voices early and Dallas got to see that in a number of ways this evening um is an important part of informed citizenry. It is an important part of we the people. I'm super proud that it played out that a student came to us, expressed a need, advocated for herself and her peers and made a change. that lesson will stay with her. I can say firsthand for me from 7th grade to high school till now that that has become a part of who I am and probably why I sit in this chair and God help me why I signed up to sit in this chair for three more years. Um, as a young person, I was a

084student with a disability and had a very difficult time learning to speak. I had a severe speech impediment and did not speak like the average person until mid elementary school, fourth, fifth grade, somewhere in there. So using my voice both physically and it it is an important part of who I am, but it's an important part of who I want this children of this community to become. and I'm just excited to see the example of Dallas and that we're moving in that direction. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Trusty Gilmore, >> good evening. Um I just wanted to highlight in October I had the opportunity um to attend um an event uh that was um put on by the Hackinack Municipal Alliance. Um it was called hidden in plain sight. It was totally um eye

085opening and now the entire district has an opportunity um to experience this interactive drug awareness experience because um the city um the city's health officer um I want to get her name correct. Um Miss McVey Susan McVey has offered to um um pay for this for the district. Um so there will be no cost to the district. Um and our children will um get exposure to how um detrimental drugs, vaping and alcohol use can be. Um so I think this program is very timely and um I think our kids will get a lot out of it. So um the details are being worked out and um stay tuned and we'll publicize the information. Thank you. Have a good night. >> Thank you Trusty Pringle. Um well I didn't get out much in October to be

086honest with you. Um outside of um us going to our workshop um in Atlantic City, we had um a lot of team bonding. We learned um a lot of new things um and it was great. I'm looking forward to um next year. I wanted to also congratulate um trustee Mike Jones, trustee Dimmitri Carol and trustee Melanie Bella Pre. Yeah. [laughter] On their win for um their seats on the school board come January. I'm very proud of you guys and I'm w I'm looking forward to working with you. Um, I did attend the also did attend the Veterans Day ceremony. It's actually was one of the first ones that I attended uh since living in Hackinack and I see myself going every year from that point forward because it was beautiful. It gave me chills at

087the end when they shot the the gun, the rifles and stuff. Um, it was just amazing and I felt my ancestors and my grandfather, my uncle spirit, like I felt like I was standing there for them, my cousins, everybody who served um that I knew and didn't know. Um, Dallas, I'm so very proud of you. I know you left. you got school tomorrow. But um I just want to say from two months ago, I think she first stood here and she was shy to speak and she didn't have much to say that day and she came back the following board meeting the next month and she spoke again and now she came and she got her result. So, her presence, her her fight, her tenacity. Um, I'm just really proud of her. I wish I

088was her when I was her age. I wish I was outspoken like that. But, um, I'm proud of you, Dallas. Um, that's really much. And I didn't get out much. Happy Thanksgiving [laughter] to I've been enjoy them grandb babies on FaceTime though. But um um happy Thanksgiving. Sending many blessings you all for a lovely Thanksgiving holiday and we'll see you again um in December. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Trustee Newbie Jones. >> Oh yeah. Trying to figure out what order you going. [laughter] >> Keep your guesses. >> Uh that's right. Um I'm not allowed to say that for too much longer. Uh, uh, first of all, I'd like to thank Zoe, my new table neighbor, for doing the student report, and she hung out with us a little bit later than she usually does.

089Um, I'd like to thank Miss Adams, Miss Coleman, and Mr. Dana for the school safety data system report. Um, it's it's good to see that, um, you know, not only that safety effects are put in place and security measures are put in place, but that they're constantly being reviewed and and maybe revamped. Um, and also um, off of something that Mr. Dana said and also um to echo Reverend Davis was um you know the deans and my son's a sophomore in high school and I see it with the deans. The deans have relationships with these kids and that's super important. Uh it's almost like community policing like it's nice when people patrolling the neighborhood know the people that live in the neighborhood or from the neighborhood. But it's definitely seen and felt and I've seen

090it not just on back to school nights but heard it from my kid. And it's these deans are constantly checking up on them. They know them. they know their families and I would imagine that they could probably detect issues that are going on before then before someone that is maybe a third party coming in from outside. So, shout out to the deans. Um um I like to thank everybody that called in the teachers that spoke and and uh came and spoke to their piece, the parents that called in. Um you know that dialogue and that us hearing that is important and sometimes people might think there are certain things we all know already and it's good to hear things from people. So, we always encourage people to to kind of come and speak. Uh, which

091brings us back to Dallas uh and and I was very touched also by Melany's uh story just now. But, um I know Dallas's main concern was basketball, but I also want to shout out her mom whose main concern really seemed to make sure that she was good speaking in public and and she you could tell each time she came up each month she had a little bit more confidence behind her. Today, it was like that felt like it was like nothing. like she walked up super nonchalant and and uh and and it's amazing that she she kind of did that and and and helped be part of that change and that that was incredible. Um not to go too long, but I also did uh attend a Veterans Day um ceremony and we were able

092to lay a wreath um and and it actually strangely snowed the entire time we were there and it just stopped as soon as it was done. Uh but it was a very uh it was a very touching ceremony and uh it really was it was something nice to be uh to be a part of. Um and uh that's pretty much it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Justice Carol. >> Yes. Um just want to say um Thursday night I had the opportunity to attend the uh Check Please performance at the high school and um I loved it. I loved it. I think everyone can relate to having bad dates. [laughter] One or two at least one or two maybe maybe more. But um at the end it just showed that there's someone for everybody. So hang

093in there if you have >> [laughter] >> you're having bad days, hang in hang in there. You'll be all right. You'll be all right. Um, I want to thank Miss Adams, um, Miss Coleman, and, uh, Mr. Dana on their report. And um and um I like that um the numbers are dropping and uh also it's good to see some of the updates that we're doing at the schools uh to secure safety for our students and our staff. Um Dallas, I got to echo everybody. Dallas three time three times is a charm. you came up here each time you got more comfortable and more confident. I'd like to commend you for advocating for yourself and um got things done. You know, this this is um a good thing for her and her confidence and good luck

094on triyous is tomorrow I believe. Right. Tomorrow I think I'm gonna pull up >> tomorrow five o'clock. Yeah. So, good luck to Dallas and um good luck to our comments football team Thanksgiving playing T-neck. Handle that as we always do. >> Um and I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trusty Martin. >> Uh I too want to echo uh Dallas um on a job well done and her mother for coming up um and addressing this problem. uh this board if uh you you come up and have an issue, we listen and uh we try to work with our superintendent and and directors and everyone to try to get this uh executed and done and um it it I can see that um it happened and um we happy, you

095happy and um anyone else have issues like that or others please come to the mic. Um the Hackasack uh Rotary Club will be um hosting T-C uh not only on the field but uh on the football field but we'll be hosting a lunchon um the Thanksgiving Eve that Wednesday and then we'll be here at Hackasack High School in the cafeteria. uh gonna try something new this year uh by uh instead of going out to the um restaurant, it's going to be in the uh cafeteria and it's going to be cater um Hackis um Rotary wants to show off our facilities, our new facilities and brag to Tene um what we doing here in Hackasack High School. what and I and this be the first time out of 30 years hosting a lunchon that ever be

096in Hackasack High School. Um in addition to that um going to have um community guests. Uh we'll have a judge here who graduated from the school system, went and uh became our deputy mayor and then became a a superior judge who would speak and tell them tell uh her about her experience and what it was like being um on the field as a at that time they called them ponies. [laughter] and um and we'll have um someone from the Hustler County Prosecutor Office that went through the school system and and speak about their experience and and afterwards what it was like to run into the same people that they uh played with on the field and on the courts and uh hopefully we have someone from um also from the um child protection service uh

097who will uh went through the school system as well. So, and then Tene will also have their uh speakers uh from their town. So, this is something new and uh uh I hope to inspire the kids and show them that although you meet on the field, it's an extension when you graduate, you'll still see each other and possibly even go to school in college together. So, that's that's the new experience for um the lunchon on Thanksgiving Day that uh Hackasack will beat Tene. Who said that? Oh, in addition, there's a trophy that's given out every year. It's about and uh that trophy is about 510 and it always go to the winner. I don't think Tene had ever seen that trophy. >> And don't land on two. >> Uh oh boy, that was hard. Um

098I want to thank Miss Adam, Miss Coleman, and Mr. Daniel for a great uh presentation. Uh we see we're doing fabulous things here in uh with our security and um uh keep up the good work. Uh with um the numbers that we saw up there, I'm sure that uh contribute to our um uh people that's in the in the uh trenches as such as our principal, our um assistant principal, mainly our assistant principles and our deans. uh they they in the trenches and and um um keeping our kids on track and making sure they do what they supposed to be doing, making sure they in school every day and on time and their grades is up to par. So, uh yes, uh I as Mr. Jones said that um Trusty Jones said that the uh

099deans do play a big role because when our assistant principles are busy and probably doing evaluations, that's where our deans will kick in. Uh these play a big role uh throughout our district. Um okay. Um I want to thank our tech guys who's and our custodians who's the backbone of our district. Uh they always hiding in the back. But uh they do a job well done. So uh to our tech men and women, keep up the good work. And our custodians as well. Another job well done. Thank you for your service. Uh to all our staff members that came to the mic, I only could say uh three words. We hear you. We hear you. We hear you. This board do listen. Uh trust in us um what we do. We we do we will

100look out uh uh for our district. We'll look out for um uh uh um the main people. But just trust in us that we uh make the uh right decision. Also um I think I touched on other thing. Um just um the last thing at Parker School um spoke to um our director of building the grounds. um he's still um going to continue on looking into uh uh the custodian, the female custodians to make sure that um that that fit uh is good for the uh Parker School. And anyone else, please continue on coming to the mic. Uh we had a good showing. Uh that's what it's all about. And uh thank you and have a great holiday. >> Thank you, Trusty Amraza. >> Uh thank you again to everyone for coming out tonight. Um,

101just to echo some congratulations to uh Tony Jackson, uh to Reverend Davis, a major supporter of our schools and our community. Uh really a wonderful representation um of Hackinac. Um I also wanted to um to congratulate and thank uh the Muslim Students Association um Mr. Brophie, Miss Lozano, and and the team at Mashios for um this wonderful news about making our cafeteria more inclusive with the introduction of halal food. Um and uh again, thank you to the team that came out today um to give us this really um comprehensive report on school safety. um the data and systems that we have in place, Principal Adams, Miss Coleman, Director uh Dana, um obviously, you know, it's important that we continue to improve um and and get our our um and continue to get training um with

102threats um and technology, continuously um advancing, becoming more sophisticated. Um, it's also really great to see another example of how um the city and Hackinack Police Department are really working closely um with our district um to help make us a safer uh district for our students, for our staff, and all of uh their families and our community. Um, I also uh do want to give a special thanks to uh the mayor and city council uh and city manager um for their commitment to food security and donations of box lunches for our students during the teachers convention. Um and also um for their coordination of and and partnership with um the Center for Food Action um around uh food drives for families that were impacted by the delay in SNAP benefits during the federal um uh

103government shutdown. um and all of the work that continues to be done by our PTA families and school communities across the district um that are committed to making donations um to help support our community. Um that is really, you know, a great example of what we can do when we work together um and how our schools and our city can continue to to partner together and lift up our community. Um, I also again just want to echo what other folks have said. Um, you know, thank you to everyone who came out and spoke tonight. Um, it's wonderful to hear from students from Dallas. Um, but it's also wonderful to hear from our staff. Um, and as Trusty Martin said, I I hope folks know that we are listening and um, we have heard what you

104said and I hope that you know that this is a a safe space um, to bring forth any concerns that you have and as acting superintendent Parchment said, you know, we do not tolerate any forms of retaliation. Um and so please know that um and make sure you come forth um if if there are any concerns around that. Um and um again congratulations to my fellow trustees to uh Mr. Jones, Mr. Carol, Miss Alustin Balaputra. Congratulations. Um, I I just hope that people know we have um a great team of of nine very committed um board members that really um care a lot about our students. They care a lot about our staff. They care a lot about our community. Um and you know, we do that with under the leadership of our amazing president

105um and vice president. Thank you both um for your leadership. Um, and I also just want to since this is this season of of giving thanks, you know, thank all of our staff across the district in every capacity for your hard work and your dedication. Um, you know, through good times, through bad times, you know, we're we're all here with the same mission to help our students. Um, and a huge thank you to our leader, our fearless leader, um, our acting superintendent Parchman. Thank you so much for your commitment and dedication. and the work that you do around the clock. Thank you so much to our assistant superintendent, Markx. Um, thank you so very much to our acting business administrator, Mandita and Gastra. You know, we see the work that they do around the clock.

106Um, and the entire team at central office, the entire team of our administrators, our secretaries, our custodians, all of our teachers, um, who do so much. Um, thank you so very much. And and also a huge thank you to our attorney. Uh, [laughter] we we couldn't make it, you know, we we we couldn't operate if we didn't have the teamwork and the commitment from everyone across the board. So, thank you all so much. Um, wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Go Comets. We looking forward to watch that Thanksgiving game. Um, and thank you. >> Thank you. >> It's a game. Vice President Stein. Thank you. You're welcome. Um again, uh I just I'm glad Okay. All right. Bear with me as I've been speaking all day for all my teacher friends. You guys understand me.

107Uh, so I just want to thank uh our student report um Zoe Gonzalez. Thank you for um staying with us as late normally. She's one of the first ones in, first ones out. Uh, but thank you for also bringing to the attention of the parade. So, not only is there a football game, but there is a parade that happens prior to the football game. And, um, that is also one of my favorite moments here whenever we host it here in Hackinack. Um, so I hope to see many of you there. Prep your turkeys, prep all your food ahead of time, and just step out for at least for an hour and a half and enjoy some of that time. Um, I also would like to thank the HA for their comments and for coming out.

108Um, our board attorney won't let the board comment on negotiations. However, the board of education will always negotiate with all unions in good faith and will continue to do so. Um, and it is a time to give thanks. And trust me, that took the words right out of my mouth, literally verbatim from what I have here. It's okay. Um, you know, I want to thank first to all the schools that either initiated, collaborated, supported all of the contributions for the families in need in the past weeks. It truly takes a village to to create something like this. And it didn't take someone to tell them to do it. They did it because they saw the need within their schools. And I am truly proud to be a part of a community that takes the initiative

109based off of what they see and what's going on within their house, within their schools. Um, and I want to thank you for that. for you giving me this candy. [laughter] I want to thank you um for for for taking that initiative. Um I also want to give again reiterate thanks to our central office, our administrators, teachers, our IT guys, our custodians, support staff, my board members, um our attorney. You know, it is a very stressful time for a lot of people. you know, some people can't really see their families during this time. Some people have families who are sick, um families that are just far away. So, you know, if you know somebody who is in need, this is the time for you to show some support, to show um comfort, maybe invite them

110or just let them know that you are here to hear them out. Uh and the holidays can be stressful for for those individuals. So, um just keep that on your radar. Thank you all for sticking it out here with us and I hope and wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Yes, Mr. Martin. >> Uh I just uh I failed to mention um Mel Henderson who was the teacher here, a uh assistant principal and went on be to become um deputy mayor and principal over at uh Inglewood uh public schools. Uh just keep in mind that uh when you if you're marching in the parade, he was um one of the people that uh started that parade back in the 90s along and um he put a lot of effort into it and that's when

111he was the assistant principal in charge of athletics. So, I just wanted to mention that that uh let's uh remember him when we end the parade to uh on Thanksgiving Day marching over that this this is how that parade started through Mel Henderson. >> Thank you for that history lesson. >> Okay. Um well, that's the end of my comment. Can I have a motion to close? [laughter] >> I have a motion from Vice President Stein. Can I have a second? Second by Trusty Gilmore. All those in favor say I. I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Thank you very much. Meeting is closed at 10:14. Thank you all and have a good night. Thanks. >> Happy Thanksgiving.