001We're good to All right. Good evening everybody. Sorry for the delay. Um we are going to get started with our legislative advocacy and community engagement um and citizens advisory committee meeting. That is a mouthful I tell you. um our >> you can't use the acronyms because people you know to me people don't know yeah people don't know what it means because I always think when you have an acronym and you're talking to somebody like even new say what it is because they don't know >> I know on our agenda we try to have we were doing we've been doing better about like listing it especially for like >> non-education professionals like who like maybe don't know some of the things that are on there right like even being in education there's plenty of things I
002don't know. Right. So anyway, >> we're going to get started. Actually, uh, Mr. Morala, would it be all right if we start with the advocacy letter? I can start. Okay. Um, so I just wanted to sort of get an update on the advocacy letter. Um, in terms of like I know you had the data. I don't know if that's what you were sharing, if it was something else, but um like do we know how many people have clicked on the link and sent it to to the people? Um >> um I don't have that data. >> Um but I can track web traffic. >> Okay. >> And if you give me a moment, >> um >> I will say that uh while I'm pulling this up, some of the feedback that we received and some
003of the information that uh Mr. Pay shared with me um in between meetings based on some of the things that uh you attended. >> Yeah. >> Uh it seems that there is a call for more specificity in the advocacy letter. Um and that is uh something that I think last meeting that we had discussed potentially make some information provided um relevant to full conver >> right >> um so as far as advocacy is concerned we've had um some pretty good interactions with the page I can see how many I can tell you off the top of my head I can see how many people have visited the page but I can't tell you right now how many people have activated the list >> okay >> and right now since Uh since J uh February 1st,
004we have had I'm sorry. We've had 4,148 people visit that site. >> Of course, it could just be like me. >> A lot of it could be me. >> Could be half of it. Mr. Moral, who's our web editor, development, but um >> it's [clears throat] not like unique. >> I think the important takeaway is that uh I think the digital the digital presence is >> minimal. And I think that um I think that if this is something that we want to move on in the you know in the short term I think that in person discussion is probably the best bet. >> Okay. >> That's what he and I were talking about between the Middle Sex County meeting and I also attended the Cal meeting and I I left all my paperwork home because
005I came >> well it it's where the >> county associations. Got it. >> Well I left all my paperwork home. >> No no that's totally fine. stood for the doctors to hear >> and at both meetings uh and I must say at the first one Senator Gopal he was very insistent that school districts have to go in person or invite the your people your design in person and he said just like Monroe did to me and I was like oh okay but also Dan Harris who is um >> now he's a council person No, he's a council person, but he also works in under Senator Lachland or one I forget. >> Oh, yeah. Coughlin. He's the um he's his >> he's his right hand. >> Yeah. >> And he they both reiterated at both meetings
006that you have to go and which we've talked about Kate many times >> to these people or bring them into your district and have which Dr. Layman alluded to tonight with our full day kindergarten information. You've got to have that in place and you've got to give them that list. This is what we need. This is why we need it and list everything. They and they even said if you're sending letters and we've worked very hard >> and it hit me. >> Mhm. >> It's going to an associate of theirs, >> right? >> And if they're looking through it, they're pushing it to the side. >> And this is the truth. And if you got emails, they're looking through them and they're pushing it aside. in person and look at Senator Gopal what he said.
007I met with Monra, >> right? >> So he was encouraging all of them >> to and that was which I forget which meeting I think it was the whole state one to >> go to your legislators invite them to your district >> and present the piece of paper and I think Senator Greenstein told us that too. I'd like to see what you need and how much. She was the one when I went to testify at the budget hearing. She was on that committee and she said like I need the numbers and poor Dr. Leman had to deal with me like and like we're getting it. We're getting it. We have it now. >> They reiterated that on both meetings that it's more important. And they said even if you want to go to Trenton and
008meet in their office, take one or two people with you, two board members, an administrator and a board member, invite them to your district, right? >> Which we've done here. And that's why Senator Gopal remembered that he had a nice visit with Bunro School District, right? >> So, we got some, you know, >> to that point like with Senator Gopal coming um he's not necessarily going to advocate for the like he might advocate for like a law to be changed if it benefits like his constituents. But, >> you know, I guess he's not going to advocate for like for Monroe. That's where we'd have to reach out to like them D'Angelo and Stein >> and McCoy and Greenstein which like I know we had them come a couple of years ago. I think it would
009be good now that we sort of have a potential plan for full day to maybe ask them back. >> Um I don't know if it would be a committee meeting. I like when it it's public because then the public is also aware of like the requests and that we're we're trying to do that and we can obviously provide them with all the paperwork. We don't have to get into all the nitty-gritty of it at a meeting. Um, but you know, I also wonder like in terms of potential like laws being changed if it makes more sense to like find out when the the Senate and the Assembly Education Committees are meeting and testify at those like because those are not, you know, the full groups, but I I think it was South Brunswick. You could
010probably ask Lisa because I think >> she's not there. Um well she would still remember probably like I think they did a lot of their >> work going to the committee level um and speaking there um if that's what they really feel is more beneficial which I get I just feel like with the letter you have that strength in numbers but I guess if that doesn't >> necessarily matter then we >> that's what I got from both meetings is that they are pushed to the side >> and that the onetoone >> right >> is more important and a list of what you meet >> and I don't know if bringing them to a meeting I don't know if they would be comfortable if like he Senator Opal said a board member an administrator sit down
011and meet you know two board members whatever I think no more than three people with a nice nice chunk of a heavy list of what you need is what they need and then he said they'll go back to their constituents in that section of whatever department of bed transportation wherever in the eight and then they'll in turn bring that paperwork which we've given to them to those people >> and that's how it follows through. >> So that's what I've learned from both meetings. So you know >> I think that's what we need to do >> right definitely. >> So in the in the short term um what we can do is is take a look at what we may would want what we would want to present them with in the event that we had
012that opportunity. But also, I think um to your point, now that the new administration's settling in, >> maybe we can start to develop an advocacy um timeline for because there's a lot of different things that are going to be happening and like budget hearings pop up and things like that and we don't want to get caught by surprise. >> So, um if maybe one of the things we can work on between this meeting and the next um would be maybe to construct that ad advocacy calendar for the for this calendar year. and then maybe um I can work with Dr. Layman and we can see what would be an appropriate update to the letter based on the new information. >> Yeah. We have numbers now. >> Yeah. We have we can put a number in
013there and have something to back it up. >> Yeah. And instead of maybe waiting for the next meeting, we'll kick it around. Yeah. >> You know, and then so we can come here >> with pretty close to finished product. >> Might want to bring CAC into the next meeting, >> right? I think I actually put that in the email >> because if we're going to talk about full day kindergarten and the budget I think the budget the initial budget proposal is before committee meetings I believe right >> it's well it might be delayed it might be delayed two weeks so what's it March 16th but our original one >> right according to Laura it might be delayed >> right because it's a new governor because a new governorship uh they two weeks >> right >>
014all right but either way I think it would be good to have them and you know we Haven't had them in a while. Um, and you think we should get we'll get them that date as soon as we can so that way, you know, they're >> Yeah, I have I've received a few inquiry inquiries from committee members about when we're going to reconvene. >> Well, then yeah, that would be a nice time because it's right in the middle of a lot of of of meat that we're doing here in the district, the budget, um, what we want to do for advocacy with the kindergarten, >> right? We also probably have a summer programs. >> Yes. So, we'll have a lot. Maybe you want to devote an hour to a CAC. >> Yeah. But I feel
015like it's only legislative as well. So maybe we'll have to do that just for that month because we've had much shorter meetings now. So maybe we'll take that >> if uh Zach sends out all that information to the members. We'll get them all to come back because that's all new to them now. >> Right. >> What if we're if we're uh affirmed that we want to bring them in? I'll I'll alert the medium. Yep. I think so. >> Definitely. Um All right. And then I guess that you know that gives us a good task for our advocacy letter and the website. Um so I guess do we >> another edit? >> Yeah. >> If if we move through the budget cycle >> and it embeds full decay, we would definitely want to change the wording
016in that letter as well. Yes. >> Right. Because that letter implies that we can't do it because we don't we can't squeeze it in. Right. Yes. If we can squeeze it in, we revise it and then we focus on >> the permanent solution, right? The long-term solution. So, >> right. >> Yep. >> Okay, sounds good. And we should know by then. >> I guess would we know when but we're trying to meet sooner than later with them. Like when would we know if the budget would that because we don't adopt it till May, >> right? But we we'll bring it embedded in uh the preliminary budget, right? >> Okay. So, we can still use that. when it that's the prelim preliminary budget is designed to be starting point maybe some tweaks at its feedback and
017then in the final piece. So um you know like I said we're going through the process with it in there >> it will come we will make the final call when all the final numbers come in and hopefully it's not going to give us 48 hours to deal with it. Right. They extend the deadline. >> I hope they extend it. >> All right sounds good. Um, our next [clears throat] item that we'll talk about is just reviewing the new legislative updates. Um, there really haven't been as many because of it being a new administration. You know, there are some new legislators. I don't think not from our district, but from others. Um, I did a brief check to see if like even the committees at the Senate and Assembly had changed. Um, which I don't
018think I don't know if they just haven't updated or if all of those people are still there. I thought I remember hearing that the assembly chair of education wasn't coming back. So, it's possible, but um long story short, I don't think there's been a lot of updates on legislation. Um I did just like pull up the school board's update that they had sent um legislative update. Um, and so there was an approval by not actually the education committee, it was the Senate Community and urban affairs committee about pilot sharing pilot revenue with school. >> I know that's a big thing. >> Yes. Which Dan Harris like I still want him to come here and tell me what they did in Woodbridge. But >> I don't know how they did it in Woodbridge. >> I know.
019Which is why I want him to come. >> I was shocked when he said they got it in Woodbridge. >> I know. Well, I've been telling you about that since he came to the legislative committee or something. Do you know if they were saying to ask our BA if our um municipality I can't even talk tonight part they participate in this pilot? >> I know the pilot program has come up before. >> Yeah. >> Uh and it's come up several times. >> Right. >> I do not recall where we landed on it. Um I would assume if it was something we could have implemented five or six years ago, we would have put in place already. >> Yeah. >> Um >> or we would have had extended conversations on it. I do remember the conversation.
020I do remember the topic coming up. I don't recall the outcomes. >> There is a new township business administrator though. Yeah. So there, you know, there it's worth revisiting. So I definitely feel like >> Well, isn't it all depend on if they get that pilot money whether they can we can ask to share it with us. Right. Is that what I that's what I got? >> Right. Well, I think the township is the one that determines if the pilot is is is happening and then from what I understood because impact fees would be like they'd be required to provide funds for schools whereas the pilot funds the township can provide them to the schools if they choose to do so. >> Exactly. >> I vaguely remember this this conversation and I believe when we met
021with the with the people that we met with who escaped me at the moment um I believe it was >> who was the previous BA I don't remember >> there wasn't I can use a previous >> right yeah so now >> we I believe one of the one of the roadblocks we came to particularly when consulting with some of the people at the county level was that >> there were very specific ways that monies could be used and I don't believe they were for academic purposes. I thought it was it was related to installation of recreational and um shared common shared space that would also benefit the district and the community um rather than being able to use that revenue for you know capital improvements and things like that. >> But that was a while
022ago and I could be misremembering it. >> It's definitely Yeah, >> I believe it was definitely athletics related. Um that's >> with the intention that it would be like it's almost like a shared space where it's like a cheer in there versus >> but we do share with our child. So it honestly we could fall under that you know I don't know if the shared service agreement was >> in place at that time the way it is now. So that might be the argument we make is like we're allowing the township to use our facilities at no cost. Well, and again, I don't know I don't know if that was like the deal breaker for us as much as that at the time we what we were looking for were academic space solutions like uh
023and that you know I believe this is right off this was literally in the wake of the failed referendum if I'm not mistaken because we kind of did a little >> let's go let's go let's go pound the pavement and get some advice from other districts that have had successes and that was something we had explored >> and I I probably have notes on it somewhere but I believe that when we what we were looking for if you remember at the time or additional classrooms wings >> um and what they had said well >> this probably right >> isn't going to check that box >> but even thinking about it like I know we've spoken about like feature extensions right that would absolutely help benefit the school district and the the the township because you
024know there are plenty of teams that you know go through the recreation department that utilize the same fields that you know are provided by the school. So that might be an option that would meet that need if that like was one of the the holdups. >> Oh, I don't I'm sure we would have a long list of of applicable benefits that we >> I have Dan Harris's number. I'm call >> it's been a bad week for me, but I need to um call him and find out. Um I was told that he doesn't pick up quite a bit. So I'm >> I emailed him. I haven't heard back. >> You can email me. He doesn't answer. Well, that's what the president of Middle Sex County said. But I'm going to keep hounding him because I'm
025interested in this pilot program too because I and I like I said I came from the doctors to hear that I left the information home about it and not many I think only like 20 or 30 districts I think are in can partake from this pilot program if they're >> the pilot township right it's township by township so they don't do it all the time right but they have the ability to do it but you know there has to be reasons I guess >> you know what something to look into. >> Yeah, definitely. >> Anyway, this bill that they approved um so it hasn't been approved by like the House like you know or sent to the governor or anything. It was in committee they approved it. It would require municipalities to share the revenues
026from pilot agreements with school districts unless the municipality enters into an agreement with the school district and the entity receiving the pilot to provide other special projects for the school district. Um and then in addition, it required municipalities provide notice. Um and then as amended, a school district would be required to use any pilot revenue received um as part of an agreement other than a special project to reduce its property tax levy. Um that's interesting. The payment be subtracted from the maximum levy determined by the 2% levy cap. Um so there there's a whole bunch of stuff in here. um it hasn't been finalized yet, but I definitely feel like this would be a a really good thing for us to continue looking at. And obviously if this goes further, they're sort of doing that
027work for us. Um and then the other one that was brought at that committee was mercury floor removal, which is S370, um which would prohibit the issuance of construction permits for flooring in schools unless the flooring materials are certified as mercury free. So, I didn't know that wasn't a thing, but I guess, you know, it potentially will be soon. Um, so those were the uh the two changes that I saw from this week. Um, they came out with their winter capital watch. Um you know they had mentioned the A2784S2548 which is that November election law that we had lobbyed for um which would allow districts to use funds the following year um which you know could potentially be very helpful um >> was there anything on consolidation of school districts >> I brought up >>
028I don't see anything that's been brought up since the last discussion that we had um it you know things are always changing But I haven't seen any changes on that. I know there was a lot of push back from like all different angles. >> But that was the one of the govern things that the governor's >> all the schools that we're going to be consolid like I said Jamesburg's not even like the smallest 200 districts in the state, right? So when you think about that like there's a lot of room in the state level to do that, but nobody really wants to give up their control. independence. >> Um, >> take a piece. >> Vanessa, I guess, well, I guess all of us, but I know Vanessa, you're our representative for the delegate assembly. So,
029really quick, I had received an email. I don't I think we all get it. I don't know if it's just the two of us um or you might get it about the um potential resolutions um for delegate assembly, >> right? The delegate assembly is in May. Um, and so I didn't know if there was any resolutions that we wanted to consider bringing to the delegate assembly. And if we do, we'd have to move on it rather quickly because it would have to be approved by our board. >> Um, but I think that's just, you know, without going into too much detail because I know we're already a little over, you know, you know, we started [clears throat] like BG& run over and the policy ran over all that. So, um, just something to consider. Um,
030I I'll check the date to see if because I feel like the March might be too late at that point because I think they have to be in sooner than that. Um, but you know, it's definitely worth checking if there's a thought of a resolution we'd want to bring >> that we would want to bring. Yeah. But I told Vanessa I would go with her to the first one cuz I've gone to the the restroom since I was a delegate before, right? >> Just to, you know, because she's never been before. So, I can't vote, but you could. >> Did they I was going to say, did they say that you're allowed to go? cuz I remember them saying only the voting delegate can attend and said >> I I can double check >> but
031you're I don't know if you get like a special circumstance being like a county association >> that I I don't know if I get anything special [laughter] >> block you from entering >> they might block they might or I don't know >> all right um just just really quick the other thing on the agenda and you know we'll keep it short for tonight um I've put this on here from time to time but just like community engagement suggestions Um, I think we're always trying to find ways to engage with our community. I know that we've spoken before about trying to go out to the community like especially when it's not referendum time, right? Because otherwise they feel like we're going to them because we want money, right? And I feel like we want to create
032that good working relationship so that they're not just saying, "Oh, they only come say hi when they need something from us." Um, I don't really know how we do that or like >> why don't you just use this committee, put something together, some type of agenda and then go out to some of the senior comm uh communities. Now, you have to realize there there's a lot of them are still down in Florida. They have snowbirds. So, when they start when the weather gets warm, >> you might want to go and set up times with the um >> I don't know who you would get you you're in contact with a few of them, Zach, right? But we can go there and then just some of the community places around. >> Are you are you like
033talking like bagels with the board? That type of thing. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean if we don't have food just a way of talking like food always brings people >> I would pay for bagels to some place. >> I always wonder if you could how do you kill two birds with one stone. So like the springtime especially um you know we have so many events in the school. >> Yeah. >> Why not just leverage you know obviously you don't want to you know you have to avoid that. I don't know what your rules are. you have to avoid quarums and things like that. But, you know, we have so many concerts. >> Um, you know, we have the I know the high school does a lot of community collaboration events with community. Why not
034just piggyback off of one of those and be like, "Hey, you know, come chat with the uh citizens advisory committee." >> There you go. >> And we'll be set up in a lobby at the uh I'm volunteering programs now, but uh [laughter] you know, why not instead of inventing something new, >> that's a good idea. capitalize on something you know is going to generate foot traffic and and you know that depends on what kind of crowd you're looking for but there there are so many things going on over the next four months really throughout the summer >> you have plays you have elementary play at the end of the month you have all these other things that don't just bring in parents either >> right right >> yeah that's a great idea set up a
035table and say that we'll be there you know if you have any questions right >> yeah I also know that there are plenty of groups that go to perform I know Ross Nort especially but I know other places as well. Like I I actually think the middle school jazz band's performing atale tomorrow. >> They're coming to Rosar. I think um what Yale told me. I forgot to I haven't >> let me know. But anyway, I haven't in my calendar. >> So it might be good to go to those like obviously like being Rossmore you could be there potentially, right? But as like a committee maybe if we get a list of those performances like if there are any of us that can go you know should represent >> I will affirm your your your statement.
036I do think it would be important for us to establish >> if if if we envision going out for some sort of campaign whatever it is I think I think that that would be that would be important to do. >> Y >> um and that would also perhaps make them feel like part of a conversation. >> Yeah. But I know it's funny. There's a lady in Rosmore that does soup for the seniors. >> Oh, Nancy. >> And I always, of course, you know, I don't cook, but I mean, um, I always Venmo her money. And I noticed there was a picture of some of our students who went down to help. >> Yeah. >> So, uh, preschool dropped off letters. >> And school dropped off letters for the senior corona. >> So, their community, that's
037something that should be publiciz publicized. It's getting late. I'm tired. um that look we were down here we were we did this we did that and we did it together so that's you know things like that >> um just really quick the other thing that I had been asked about right >> and this was um just the uh yeah if I I get one more minute then I'm officially over my over over my half hour if you >> you're over you're over >> but uh if there are events going on in the community what is the protocol like specifically I was just at the cultural arts commission and we had a publicity meeting and so we were talking about ways to reach out to more of the community and they had said like in the
038past and I don't know how far back they're going that the school district um wasn't always able to send out information like for those events which I like again I don't know it might have been someone who was speaking about a decade ago but I wasn't sure if there's certain protocols that have to >> things that come through our office Uh, I look at it on an individual basis. >> Okay. >> Um, >> you know, anything that comes from the wreck department, >> you know, we just make sure >> it's authentic wreck, you know, it comes to us. >> Um, >> and what we typically do is we'll pass it along to the schools to share out via their communication methods. >> Okay. >> Um, because the other thing we try and be mindful of
039is >> everyone's sending messages individually all the time and then it's like the boy who cried wolf, right? You see so much stuff, you stop looking. >> So, any problem. >> Yeah, there is an attempt to really consolidate that, right? So, >> um most >> So, and and maybe that was maybe part of the origin years and years ago, right? >> Um >> I could just I could give you a solution. So, I just sent something out for the softball. I'm sure you saw it. >> Yeah. So, so there's no there's no when it comes to us sharing information, >> I could I'll get and and this is important for the state. I will send out stuff and it's all about timing because I try to follow almost like a news cycle because I'm mindful
040of the information overload. So, I have three I'm I'm deliberately waiting to send out the um middle school play ticket thing because we just sent out a scheduling update a moment ago, >> right? >> Um so, with the library, you'll see sometimes I send some out for the library. If the Cultural Arts Commission wants to send something and it fits into our distribution cycle and it and we're not in a situation where we're concerned about um choking the inbox, >> right, will they just email it to the community? That's what I sort of ask. >> Yeah. And and like and I I'll always be glad if it's appropriate to set up like a Facebook event. Yeah. >> Um Oh, that's good. >> To promote it and that, you know, there's no reason for what gets
041posted and what doesn't. It usually just, you know, we have a lot of important information for the district to get out. >> Um this is a busy time of year, right? A lot of times I'll just have to make the decision I can't get that out. But we also have better like if you say I want this just to go out to high school senior parents >> that that's very easy for me to do now. >> All right. Sounds good. Okay. All right. Sorry everyone for going over um I know we started late so it was you know just a domino effect but I appreciate and thank you to our last committee for their patience. Um, and everyone have a good