001Good evening everyone. At this time I would like to call to order the October 8th, 2025 Hamilton Township Board of Education meeting. This meeting is being held in compliance with the sunshine law having been advertised in the press of Atlantic City and notices posted at the township clerk's office, Maze Landing post office, MSBA post office, Atlantic County Library as well as the schools of the district. This meeting is being recorded. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Ankra >> here. >> Mrs. Bachelor >> here. >> Dr. Serino >> here. >> Mrs. Dirks >> here. >> Mrs. Jackson >> here. >> Dr. La Hawk >> here. >> Mrs. Pto >> here. Mr. Rogers >> here >> and Mrs. Bar >> here. Can I please have a motion to convene into executive session? Motion by Miss Perto, >> second
002by Miss Jackson. All in favor? >> I oppose. >> Resolved that pursuant to section seven and eight of the Open Public Meetings Act, the public shall be excluded from that portion of the meeting involving discussion of legal matter, attorney client privilege, personnel matters, and HIV. Be it further resolved that the discussion of such subject matter in executive session can be discussed can be disclosed to the public when formal action is taken on such subject matter or at any other appropriate time. Be it further resolved the board may take action on items discussed in executive session. Now therefore be it resolved that the board will be in executive session for approximately 30 minutes. Good evening everyone. Welcome to the October 8th, 2025 Hamilton Township Board of Education meeting. Can I please have a motion to close
003executive session and reconvene in public session? >> I'll move. >> Motion by Miss Ankra. >> Second by Miss Jackson. All in favor? >> I oppose. This meeting is being held in compliance with the sunshine law having been advertised in the press of Atlantic City and notices posted at the township clerk's office, Maze Landing Post Office, MSPA post office, Atlantic County Library, as well as the schools of the district. This meeting is being recorded. There are two opportunities to address the members of the board. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents as long as remarks are not personal or discourteous. The public comment portion of the meeting allows the board to listen to community members and to hear their opinions on school policy and operations. The first public portion is reserved for persons
004wishing to speak about agenda items only. The second opportunity following action items is when residents may address the board on any school related issue. Each speaker is asked to limit their comments to three minutes and you are not permitted to yield your time to another. The public comment portion of the meeting during both sessions will not exceed 30 minutes. Upon being recognized, persons wishing to speak should stand identify themselves by name and address. Can we please stand for the flag salute? Please take a moment of silence for private reflection. Thank you. At this time, I will turn it over to Dr. Zitto for presentation. >> Thank you, Mrs. Bar. Uh Mrs. Bzitzki, I saw our reading challenge winner for October. Can you call her up? I am proud to announce that Addison Levvin, grade four,
005is our winner of the summer reading challenge for this month. She is in Miss Lee's class. And Miss Lee said that Addison is a determined and involved student who always tries her best. She brings a kind and positive attitude every day. Congratulations, Addison. Okay, Mike. At this time, can we have the video for the staff members of the month? Staff of the month. Staff of the month. Staff of the month. Congratulations, Miss Aen. She is our September staff of the month. >> All right, Miss Aen will be recognized at our next board meeting. We have a little something for you. And the funny part of all of this is we call you We didn't even know students less was learning about have you seen me at school before? >> Have you seen school before? >>
006And it seems like many of you have. Have you seen Mrs. Aen before? >> I heard we're happy to see you when you when you walk through the door. So congratulations again. We say congratulations on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three. Congratulations. [Applause] [Music] Are you ready for us to interrupt? >> Yeah. >> Hi everybody. So the reason we all came to Hi. >> So the reason we came to your classroom today is because we have some exciting news to share at the H school. Our we have our staff member of the month. We call the count of character here. And Miss Shman is our September. [Applause] >> So this says, "Man is a team player. She goes above and beyond for her colleagues and provides a collaborative and supportive environment for her
007students. She makes learning engaging and every student respects her because they feel valued. So >> thanks. >> Thank you. Congratulations." >> It's all because of you guys. >> Thank you. Wow. I'm so awkward. Do I just hold this? >> Hold it. >> Yeah. So, I wanted to call and read something. So, bear with me for one second. So, I'm going to read a couple of things. Miss Hayden, we all agree, is a wonderful staff member who takes leadership very seriously. She has stepped into her role as eighth grade eighth grade coordinator and has been doing a wonderful job. She is fantastic at listening, giving advice, and pointing you in the right direction. She is honestly a ray of sunshine in our school who makes working here enjoyable and less stressful. So, every month we have
008a staff of the month and then all the teachers submit who they want. So, that was the first person that put in for Miss Hayden, but who knew? I mean, I knew, but there would be more. So, somebody else put in and said she's doing a great job as the eighth grade coordinator. Somebody else put in that she's been doing an amazing job so far this year as our eighth grade coordinator. She's constantly sharing information with us. Has found a way to set up an app so the entire eighth grade team can communicate together since there are too many of us on a group text. Another person put in, "Amazing coordinator and just an awesome person." and another person put in, which is the most I've ever gotten from one single person in a month
009in all the years I've been here. She has worked tirelessly to unify the eighth grade team. She makes sure we all have the information that we need as well as to make sure we are all on the same page. She is a rock star and I couldn't have said it any better. Congratulations [Applause] said something different. >> Thank you. >> All right. At this time, I'd like to call our student council board representatives up to the front, and that is Angelina and Vienna. Please come on up. We're going to swear you guys in. [Applause] Okay, if you guys up your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. promise to do my best as student representative to the Williams Davies Student Council. I will respect and follow our school rules, be honest, kind,
010and responsible, and work hard to make our school fair and welcoming for everyone. I promise to listen to other students be a good role model and always consider the needs of my classmates. This I promise. Congratulations to both of you. [Applause] Congratulations. [Applause] All right, student council members, now that you are part of us, do you want to read your William Davies update? on. Can you guys hear me? >> Yep. Go ahead. >> On 911, student council and NJHS members attended a first responder brunch where they got the opportunity to talk with EMTs, firefighters, and cops about their brave careers. On September 25th, 8th grade students attended the high school fair, giving them the opportunity to learn about each high school in their in the district. and their magnet programs. On September 26th, students competed
011in in a color wars competition. Eighth graders came out on top, winning the spirit stick and bragging rights. The Davies pep band performed at the Oakrest versus Absagami football game on September 26th. Student council elections were held on September 30th. Congrats to all of our winners. The Red Wings trip was also on September 30th to Young Skating Center. The new family breakfast was held on October 3rd, thrown by our kindness club. This week is our week of respect. Today was superhero day. The upcoming events for October are this Saturday, October 11th, the Davies Pet Band will be performing at the Lakers football game. On October 18th, we will be having our Piad administrator event concluding the PTA competition between the staff and students. The Halloween dance will be held next Friday, October 17th. Trunk or
012treat is on October 18th from 1 to 4:00 p.m. Student council members will have a trunk setup. Our theme this year is Snoopy. On October 20th, the Davies academic academic team will be competing at the 17th annual Quiz Bowl at St. Augustine Prep. October 24th is pinkout day. Clubs and activities clubs and activities will be wearing pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month. October October 24th is also the cow championship for cross country student council. I mean, sorry, for cross country student council will be selling snacks at the bake sale. October 25th is our first ever hallway. Sorry, is our first ever ever Hamilton Hallways of Horror where the school will be transformed into a haunted house. October 30th is the Halloween parade. All clubs and activities are invited to walk in the parade.
013Thank you. >> That was a great job. Thank you. Thank you guys. >> Okay. Uh so as we step deeper into the fall season, I want to take a moment to offer my sincere gratitude to the many individuals who make the success of our school district possible. To our board of education, thank you for your steadfast support, forward thinking, leadership, and commitment to the students and families of Hamilton Township. Your guidance creates the foundation upon which we continue to grow. To our incredible staff, your dedication, creativity, and resilience are seen in every hallway, every classroom, and in every smile in our students faces. You make a difference every single day. To my administrative team, your tireless efforts behind the scenes ensure that our school runs smoothly and our students feel supported and our initiatives come
014to life with purpose and heart. Your collective energy and passion are the driving force behind everything that we do. some community events. Hamilton Township is proud to be a community that not only values education, but also knows how to have fun. This month, you're invited to join us for some exciting events that showcase the spirit of our schools and the talent of our PTA and staff. On Friday, October 18th, there is a townwide ghost tour. There you can take a guided walk through our township spooky side. I'll be one of the guides and I promise promise that you'll leave with chills and maybe a few laughs. It's a great evening for families and community members alike. On Friday, October 25th, we will be having our hallways of horror. Our PTA has gone allin to transferring
015Davy School into a fullblown scare zone. This is one of our two signature PTA fundraisers and it's definitely not for the faint of heart or for little ones. Think haunted house meets school spirit. Support a great cause and prepare to scream. Just want to say to my PTA and to Mr. Lavine for taking the lead on this. It's a huge undertaking and it's going to be a lot of fun. So, I thank you for all that you did for that. Uh, since our last board meeting, I visited all the schools for walkthroughs and team check-ins, as well as back to school nights in each school, attended all PTA meetings, facilitated October administrative meetings with an focus on inclusion, met with student groups participating in the new Wingman program, participated in the safety and security roundt
016with local law enforcement, uh, reviewed the CUAC documentation progress with central office teams, held planning meetings for Centennial events, and a district AI roll out, and attended the Hamilton Hallways of Horror Community Meeting. Some dates to remember, October 13th, we are closed for Columbus Day. Saturday the uh 18th is the PTA trunk or treat at the Hes school. There'll be two sessions, one at 1:00 to 2:30 and then 2:30 to 4 p.m. On Monday, October 20th through Thursday, October 24th is the New Jersey School Board's Conference in Atlantic City. On Monday, October 20th, uh we have our PTA meeting right here at Davy School at 7 o'clock. On Saturday, October 25th, we have our Hamilton Hallways of Horror at Davy School starting at 6 o'clock. On Monday, November 3rd through Friday, November 7th, that will
017be our fall break. Schools are closed. And Wednesday, November 12th, the board will be our next board of education meeting at 5:15 p.m. with for our executive and 5:45 for our regular session right here at the DIY School. This concludes my superintendent report. >> Thank you, Dr. Zto. At this time, we will open public comment on tonight's agenda items. There are two opportunities to address the members of the board. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents as long as remarks are not personal or discourteous. The public comment portion of the meeting allows the board to listen to community members and hear their opinions. The first public portion is reserved for persons wishing to speak about agenda items only. The second opportunity following our action items will be when residents can address the
018board on any school related issue. Each speaker is asked to limit their comment to three minutes and you are not permitted to yield your time to another. The public comments portion of the meeting during both sessions will not exceed 30 minutes. Upon being recognized, persons wishing to speak should stand and identify themselves by name and address. Seeing none, we will close public comment and open board member comments. There any board members that would like to Any comments this evening, >> Mr. Rogers? >> Question. Uh, I don't see a discipline >> where >> 6.1 Mr. Any other board? >> Um, I want to echo Dr. Zitto in saying thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for what a wonderful job you've done to get the school up and going. But not only that, make it
019warm. Make the kids happy to come back. We know they're not thrilled all the time, but it's a nice place to come when I I've walked in these classrooms and seen you could see the love that you love what you're doing. The the support staff has been amazing. The administration wonderful. So, I just want to echo his thanks and uh you know, can't ask for more. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Dr. Shino. And I just wanted to welcome our new student representatives to the board of education. Um we had last year was our first official year. So we're so excited to have um two more reps this year and looking forward to a great year. So thank you girls. You're amazing. >> Okay. At this time, can I please have a motion to
020approve the minutes of regular and executive session meeting September 10th, 2025? >> Motion by Miss Pedto, second by Mr. Rogers. Any comments or questions? Roll call. >> Mrs. Anker, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bachelor, >> yes. >> Dr. Serino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dirks, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jackson, >> yes. >> Dr. La Hawk, >> yes. >> Mrs. Pedto, >> yes. >> Mr. Rogers, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Bar, >> yes. >> Okay. At this time, we will um have our personnel and policy committee report. Miss Jackson. >> Good evening. We met on excuse me, on Tuesday, September 30th at 6:15. It was a virtual meeting. Um, in attendance was myself, Miss Bachelor, Miss Burks, Dr. Zitto, Miss Lazitzki, Mr. Beni, and and Mrs. Bar. Um, on the agenda, we discussed um a few grievance procedures,
021some new attendance protocols, including letters to families, um, a couple of title changes for our directors and new staff and new hires. Um, our next meeting will be held on November 10th. That will also be virtual. And I'd like to motion to approve 10.2 through 10.14. >> Motion by Dr. Sino, second by Miss Pto. Any comments or questions? >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Bankra, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bachelor, >> yes. >> Dr. Sero, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dirks, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jackson, >> yes. >> Dr. La Hawk, >> yes. >> Mrs. Pedto, >> yes. >> Mr. Rogers, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Bar, >> yes. >> Finance and operations. Dr. Sino. Um we met on Tuesday September 30th and present uh was myself Nancy Bar uh Harry Rogers Dr. Zitto Mr. Venziani I hope
022I said that right. Um and we talked about the purchasing manual that uh Mr. V I'm not going to try again. Um Mr. V created and reviewed for us. Uh we re we reviewed the prechool construction and got an update on that and we looked at a proposal for ceiling buildings. Um our next meeting is November 10th and um looking for a motion to approve 11.1 through 11.18. >> Second >> motion by Miss Bachelor, second by Mr. Rogers. Comments or questions? Roll call. >> Mrs. Anka, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bachelor, >> yes. >> Dr. Serino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dirks, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jackson, >> yes. >> Dr. La Hawk, >> yes. >> Mrs. Petta, >> yes. >> Mr. Rogers, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Bar, >> yes. >> Hey, Dr. Lahan. Curriculum. >>
023Yes. So, the curriculum committee met on Tuesday, September 30th at 5:10 p.m. virtually. Um, agenda items were um Mrs. Wilson reviewed the HIPB self assessments for determining grades and we reviewed the need for a grading committee which will take place later in the school year involving teachers, parents, and board members. Um, can I have a motion to move 12.2 and 12.3 second? Motion by Miss Pedto, second by Miss Jackson. Comments or questions? >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Anker. Yes, >> Mrs. Bachelor. >> Yes, >> Dr. Serena. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Dirks. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Jackson. >> Yes, >> Dr. La Hawk. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Berto. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rogers. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Bar? >> Yes. >> Thank you. At this time, we will um open old business. Are there any
024members of the board that would like to comment on any item that's been previously discussed? Is there any new business that any board members would like to introduce this evening? At this time, we will open public comment and receive comments from the public in accordance with the board policy on participation at a board. Sir, come to the microphone. Good evening. Jerry Nelson, 624 Cypress Street. Uh, a couple different comments I want to make. One is I look for the board's approval to consider year 20 26 27 the or I'm sorry 2526 27 uh fall uh for the introduction of a club for street hockey. As a member of the township committee, we were approached by parents that um were upset with our current ordinance that does not allow a forprofit to use our fields um
025at zero cost um and in the interest of doing it for the kids. uh we couldn't uh we tried to work with the local uh other groups and we couldn't get them across the finish line, but I had pledged to the parents that I would be here tonight and as well with uh Greater Egg to ask for each individual board and board members to consider bringing it down your subcommittee and consider that for the next year's fall season. That will align with our ordinance and allow us to allow the kids practice on our fields at zero cost. And uh the school would uh essentially um endorse slash run um the uh the practices which would align with what the parents need at this time and maybe as far as later on bring it in as
026we did with baseball a few years ago and bring that sport actually into the schools. As of today, the teams are already using your names. So it only makes sense. There is a H team and a Davies team and they are made up of our kids, our township kids and so it kind of naturally aligns with uh the intention. Any questions on that? Okay. And then the second part of it is as a township committee member, I want to say thank you for bringing your kids to the the dam opening. I snick every time. Sorry. That's because I'm immature. Um that uh for the uh the dam event and they funny every single time. And uh it worked out great and uh we got a great feedback and thank you for last minute changes that
027we did and uh rolled with punches. It was a big success and um I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I was very sick but uh I heard it was great things and um uh Congressman Van Drew even spoke about the uh the kids in the band and um it was everything that Hamilton Township looks to be. So, thank you for bringing it and um continue to be out in our community. I look forward to the mascot parades coming up and front and ghost walk, which I got suckered into as well. I'm not sure what I have to do yet, but I'm going to be there as well. So, I look forward to maybe I'll be your minion or something. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Any other public comment? At this time, can
028I please have a motion to adjurnn? Motion. Motion by Miss Jackson, second by Miss Dirks. All in favor? I opposed. >> Thank you everyone. Have a great evening.