Monroe Township Board of Education 12.10.25 Regular Meeting

001for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Yes. Um, Miss Alvarez here. [clears throat] Miss Aziz here. >> Miss Bora >> here. >> Miss Depain >> here. >> Dr. Peek >> here. >> Mr. Piro >> here. >> Miss Ratner >> here. >> Miss Chararma >> here. >> Mr. Tufano >> no. Um Mr. Zikner >> here. >> Okay, we have a quorum. In accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey open public meetings law, the Monroe Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published and electronic notice provided by having the date, time, and place thereof posted November 28th, 2024 and December 3rd, 2025 at all

002schools on the district website, Home News Tribune, Cranberry Press, and filed with the clerk of municipality. >> Thank you, Miss. >> You're welcome. >> Close session resolution. Whereas Senator Byron M. buyer open public meetings act NJSA 10 col4-6 at se the act provides that the Monroe Township Board of Ed education may hold an executive session from which the public is excluded [clears throat] to discuss matters that are confidential or are one of the nine subject matters listed section 12B of the act and whereas that the board hereby declares that its discussion of the following subjects will be made public at a time when the public's interest [clears throat] in disclosure is greater than any privacy or governmental interests being protected from disclosure. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Monroe Township Board of Education that

003the board shall go into executive session to discuss the following items. Additional items may be determined and announced as needed. One, pending or anticipated litigation [clears throat] and matters covered by the attorney client privilege. Two, matters involving employees in terms of their employment and contract. And three, HIV investigation involving students or HIV appeals. Okay, we will go into close session right now. Um, did I actually open the meeting? >> Um, uh, till 7. I'm sorry. >> I was going to make a motion to go into close session. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Okay. and we'll be back at 7:15. Okay. Thank you everyone. >> Motion to go into close session. >> Second. >> Motion made and second. >> Um do you >> want roll call? >> Roll call. >> Okay. Miss Alvarez >> here. >>

004Mr. Milano just walked in. >> Yeah. Oh, okay. Okay. Um Miss Aziz >> here. >> Miss Bora >> here. >> Dr. Peek >> here. >> Mr. Piro >> here. >> Miss Ratner >> here. Miss Chararma. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Just >> Okay. Mr. Z. [laughter] >> Yes. Did I say? >> Yeah. That's okay. >> I think you said here and everyone followed and then I realized it after I said here. >> We can consider that to be attendance. Um [laughter] >> so if we could just have a motion and a second to go into executive session, which is going to require yes or no vote. >> Motion to go into executive session. >> Second. >> Okay. Um Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Aziz, >> yes. Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >>

005yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> I have a question. I'm sorry I'm late. >> Okay. I sent an email um a couple of days ago which wasn't answered um about the school ethics saying that the doctrine of necessity what we're doing is not correct. So I would like that to be addressed now so the public can hear what's going on and maybe you could read my email. >> I've read it Mr. Tfano. Um so >> how how come I didn't get a response? Uh I I couldn't tell you why I didn't get a response. Um with regard to the doctrine of necessity, uh the ethics commission has indicated that the board should not uh when we invoke the doctrine of necessity,

006the ethics commission does not want us going into executive session and having those conflicted members be part of the discussion despite the fact that the doctrine of necessity has been invoked. Therefore, um going forward to the extent that any conflicted board members um are going to participate in a vote when the doctrine of necessity is invoked, those conflicted board members cannot be in executive session during the time that any discussions occur with regard to the vote. The only thing that the conflicted board members can do once the doctrine of necessity is invoked is actually just vote on the matter out here in public. They cannot be in executive session as part of a discussion related to anything concerning the vote that's about to happen in public. So, we are going to be doing things differently.

007>> Thank you. >> I have a follow-up question, Mr. Weiss. Um I did read the email and it stated in the advisory opinion that the three board members that were unable to um participate in the discussion was because they had uh members of their family employed in the district. That is not the case for all of us here. Does this still apply to us? >> Correct. So there are several different ways that one can be conflicted from being involved in in participation. One of the ways um potentially is when you have a family member who is an employee um Mrs. Alvarez that doesn't come into play here because we're looking at whether or not someone's conflicted. If they're conflicted, we don't necessarily I'm not saying this to be flipped, but we don't necessarily care about

008the reason why they're conflicted. The fact is that they're conflicted and just shouldn't participate at all. So, um, while in the one advisory opinion it dealt with the family, the only thing that we should be concerned about with regard to that situation is the fact that they were conflicted and because they're conflicted, they're limited as to what they can participate in. And the same goes here. Um, conflicted board members cannot be part of the conversation in close session. and conflicted. Can you just if you can just quickly review what conflicted? >> Sure. So there there are many different reasons one could be [clears throat] conflicted. Um I'll give you a for example if a board member has a member a spouse let's say who's a member of the NJA that board member should not be

009participating in negotiations and that board member is conflicted. Um there are there's other situations that we have here where board members have been involved in litigation uh and that creates a conflict such that the board members cannot participate in close session pursuant to the uh SEC's uh recent uh correspondence. So while there may be different reasons for a conflict, what we're concerned about here is whether or not somebody has a conflict. If they do, they're not going to participate in executive session discussion. Great. Just >> if we're conflicted >> appear on the road >> and we can't talk about it in executive session then how can we vote on something that we can't discuss? >> The ethics commission um has said that you can vote [clears throat] but the ethics commission has said that you

010can't discuss deliberate etc. >> But how do you vote if you don't >> um >> if you don't have enough information you can abstain right? Yeah. >> Mhm. Yep. So, just to follow up to what Mr. Lightner said, I know that um A2417 has like the chart for like the familial relationships and things like that as regards to who's conflicted. Is there another part on the >> I don't think it's in that. >> So, A247 is one of the first ones that we ever saw for those of you who um >> sorry. >> Okay. So the school ethics commission has issued an advisory opinion back in 200 24 I believe. Um and that that opinion is the docket number is A24-17. The reason why a lot of people know that that particular decision it's the

011first time that we saw a chart from the SEC the school ethics commission that tells us about the different conflicts and you know you figure out your situation and you look at the chart. There was subsequent to that >> right that was 2017. Then there was another one >> uh that came out about a year or so ago. >> Um and that one was a bigger chart. >> Oh, I know. >> So that one is um you know and and I'm and I'm saying it kind of in a in a in a colloquial way here, but uh that's where we look as attorneys. We we look to those charts um to figure out whether or not somebody's conflicted. Um so so I would suggest you know that you continue to mind A2417 and the other

012decision from 24 which I can't think top my head the the number um but those two are very instructive uh with regard to board member conflicts. >> Mr. Mr. Rice, if I may ask a very laymanlike question specific to our board situation because what Miss Alvarez has said was speaking to this advisory opinion for another board, but we are referring to it to make our future course of action specific to us. Um, I think your guidance is any discussion regarding Dr. Chanley should not be participated in by conflicted board members. >> But, but I'm going to actually take it a step further from just Dr. Chanley, okay? It's any board member who has a conflict if we happen to invoke the doctrine of necessity because there are not part of deliberations. >> They should not

013be part of the the conversation in the room. >> So I'm going to make a very specific question. We are waiting an investigation report which should be coming out. >> Be careful because some of this is [cough] for executive session and >> no I'm just talking general public knowledge that that report is [clears throat] going to come out sooner than later and the board would typically be deliberating on that in a close session. So until these litigations are resolved, we are looking at >> I would just only only a few members deliberating. I >> I would be careful only because um Dr. Chanley has not been riceed. We're talking about a personnel matter um out here in public and I'm one of those people that rather be safe than sorry. Um no I >> you

014got to guide me. You're right. >> Um so I'm happy to have a discussion offline about that specific situation with you. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Okay. >> I I just have two quick follow-ups. Um so the first is if you are conflicted I know we can't have the discussion in executive session if the doctrine of necessity is read and I know it lasts for 30 days. Um I'm assuming that any like one- on-one conversations or anything like that like a conflicted person can no longer discuss anything regarding that or is that a gray area? >> Here's a great rule of thumb. If you're conflicted from something, I would strongly suggest that you don't talk about it with anybody um other than perhaps me and or Dr. Layman if it's if it's appropriate to

015do so. Um just because you want to be really careful and and I never want to be um involved in a situation where um I'm essentially aiding in the violation of of of the do of the doctrine or uh the code of ethics for schoolboard members. So, I would suggest that if you're conflicted, let's, you know, we're all adults here and we all um can measure our words and I think that we should, if we're conflicted, we should be extra careful as to what we say um both publicly and privately when you're conflicted. >> Okay. And then just to really quick follow what Mr. Piro sort of said about taking action. Um once the [clears throat] doctrine is read and we're voting here, the conflicted board members, can we ask questions during that discussion because

016it was read or can we only vote? So, um, [laughter] until we hear further from the SEC, I'm going to suggest to you that if you're conflicted and if we read the doctrine of necessity and we invoke it and we're having a vote out here, I would say that you're entitled to ask, you know, in the part where it says questions, discussions prior to the vote, we're in public. I think it's okay to ask questions, discussions, so long as it's a publicw worthy question. For example, if we're talking about an employee, we shouldn't talk about the employee during questions discussion out here on the vote. That's all I'm saying. >> So, Mr. >> So then the way I'm understanding what you're saying is if we're all conflicted, our safest bet is to all just abstain

017and then we can't be >> either way. >> I can't tell you how to vote, Mr. period. But what I can tell you is that if we invoke the doctrine of necessity and if we're in public and if we're voting on something that people who are are conflicted on but they are allowed to vote because a doctrine has been invoked, you're allowed to vote, you know, up down or recuse or abstain. But I will never tell you how to vote just because it's it's a personal choice for you. >> It's not really a choice because you're saying that we >> I think you can anything. What I'm saying is >> how do you vote for something that you're not allowed to so I think our safest bet if anybody's conflicted is we should abstain and

018then just leave it at that like >> I would say you would use the information available to you and then vote the way you feel is right because an abstain is an automatic no >> right so if you feel like you don't have enough can we raise our hands because we have a discussion going on and everybody should hear what everybody has to say and I I don't want people jumping in on each other. >> Okay. So, Miss Ratner, >> right, I was just sort of going to follow up on what Miss Bora said as Miss Bora was then following up, but essentially I think Miss Alvarez had actually said it. Um, if you feel like you have enough information regardless of not being able to ask before, you can vote. If you feel like

019you don't have enough information and it's a topic where you can't ask questions out here, then you can abstain because you don't have enough information. Um or you can always obviously recuse if you feel like that's the most appropriate thing to do as well. >> So even if we abstain it's no vote. >> So the v voting system could be wrong also and could be right also. >> So m um an abstension is not necessarily no. >> It's not it's it's not a no. Um it kind of seeds to the majority whatever the majority is but it's not a yes and it's not a no. >> An abstension is I'm not taking any action on this. No, I understand. But if we don't have proper information enough and don't understand and don't agree, how are

020we going to vote yes or no and it's not right for the person also? You know, >> right? And and so >> we're making wrong decision. >> All I can say is what you're not allowed to do is you're not allowed to make votes that are arbitrary or capriccious. >> Yes. >> So if you think your vote is not arbitrary or is not capriccious and there's a a reason behind it and you feel you have enough information, you're allowed to vote. >> That's >> Yeah, I get it. Okay. So, who all will be attending the meeting today then in the closed session? >> So, we're not discussing um that that issue. >> Nothing to discuss and close. >> Yeah, I know. We can all go in. We can all go in. >> We all can

021go in, >> but we will be, you know, just so the public's aware. There are two >> items on tonight's agenda for which a majority of the board are conflicted. So, when it comes time to vote on those two items, um I would hope that the board's going to invoke the doctrine of necessity out here and vote out here. Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. >> You said the doctrine is good for 30 days. Are we still under the other one? >> We're not. So, from my perspective, I'm always going to suggest that the board invoke it fresh every time just so that there's no issue. >> Um, I have to finish taking roll call or the roll call. >> Oh, sorry. >> It's okay. >> A point point of order. I think we >> we did

022the roll call I think up to Mr. Tufano up to Mr. Tufano and then it would be Mr. Mr. Zikner like yes >> Mr. Payne >> I'm sorry >> Mr. Tano is a no you're >> no close session >> what was that I'm sorry >> it's for closed session >> this is just for closed session >> no it's for closed session >> I thought it was the indoctrin okay and dep yes okay motion passes okay We now bring the meeting back to order. >> Approval of minutes. >> Motion. Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Um just a clarification. Is this for the public meeting? >> Yes, we're in public meeting. Yeah. >> So for the minutes, we're approving just the public minutes, right? Or are we approving close session? Motion to approve the public.

023>> Okay. Thank you. >> Is there any any second on that? The public >> you did. Okay. Is there any discussion related to that? >> Miss Allen? >> Yes. >> Miss [clears throat] Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Aziz? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Dr. Peek? >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro. >> Oh, he's not here. Okay. Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tfano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Payne, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Now we're going to the close session meeting of November 19th, 2025. Do I have >> motion? Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion related to that? >> Miss Allen? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Aziz? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes.

024>> Dr. Peek? >> Yes. >> Uh, Miss Ratner? >> Uh, yes. but recusees on the portion where conflict exists. >> Miss Sharma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> abstain. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Mr. Depay, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Student board members report. >> Hi everybody. I hope everybody's still a little excited to hear this. Um, we're going to begin with Mil Lake Elementary School. Milik has enjoyed a festive and eventful few weeks as we moved into the holiday season. The PTO holiday gift shop was a tremendous success thanks to the amazing parent volunteers. The school was transformed into a winter wonderland where students joyfully selected gifts for their families. They extend their sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this tradition shine. This year they

025welcomed a new holiday tradition, the Elf on the Shelf, Millie, named by their students. She has brought lots of smiles and mischief as she pops up in surprising places around the school each morning. The Gingerbread Festival is on December 18th where the kindergarten students will participate in the annual Gingerbread Festival, a fun and creative celebration that brings the magic of the season to life. December 19th marks the 67th day of school, a highlight of their 12 days of holiday fun. Students and staff will wear six, seven festive items for the occasion. Another fun event during their holiday fun is the Mil Lake annual singalong led by Miss Day. They're hoping for a few special visitors. They also proudly congratulate Mil Lakes recipients of the 2025 Governor's Educate Educator of the Year Awards to Mrs. Susan

026Hoy Koi, third grade special education teacher who was named teacher of the year. >> Now moving [clears throat] on to the Woodland Elementary School. During lunches, students participated in the SEAL extravaganza marking period 1 rewards. This SEAL in incentive highlights skills students build every day focusing on kindness, empathy, teamwork, and responsible decision making. Students were awarded for their self-management and responsible decision-making throughout the marking period to earn raffles for extravaganza. As part of their ongoing commitment to supporting the literacy at home and at school, each title one ready to rise student received a book to take home and enjoy and foster a love of reading. Mr. Dale, the student council adviser, coordinated the student council officer elections. Candidates, prepared speeches for the students at Woodland, and each student had an opportunity to vote. Mrs. Newome

027and the grade 5 character crew are leading our toys for tots fundraiser. Donations will be collected until December 19th. The Woodland/Mill PTO organized a holiday shop. All students had an opportunity to shop for their families and friends. The unified/pals committee had organized a 12 days countdown to winter break with fun and festive spirit days. And now we'll be moving on to Barkley Brook Elementary School. They're very pleased to announce that the 2025 Governor's Educator of the Year award winners were also in Barkley Brook School. Teacher of the year was given to Mrs. Noel Batitelli, grade 1 teacher. Educational services professional was given to Mrs. Britney Ragusa, school counselor. Educational support ta staff was given to Mrs. Mala Ryondi, par profofessional. They're very grateful for all they do for the students at Barkley Brook and are

028very proud to have them represent the Barkley Brook Elementary School. Barkley Brook continues its partnership with Parker at Monroe, a local senior assisted living facility. In November, Barkley Brook welcomes several residents for a visit with Miss St. Mary's second grade classroom for a STEM activity. Students and residents explored Osmo Monster, an interactive learning tool that blends hands-on drawing with digital animation. Using an iPad and Osmo's reflective technology, their illustrations sprang to life on the screen, sparking creativity, inspiring storytelling, and fostering meaningful intergenerational connections. >> Now, moving on to Brookside Elementary School. The third grade participated in Balloons Over Broadway on November 26th. The students created imaginative parade floats featuring a moving character [clears throat] or animal as part of a hands-on STEM project. All of the projects were displayed in the cafeteria. Brookside held their

029family night family math night on December 4th. They had an excellent turnout with over 125 families attending to complete a variety of math challenges. On December 2nd, Brookside had their winter concert. The students did an incredible job performing and put on a great show. They had a tremendous parent turnout. The Brookside band and chorus will be forming for the entire Brookside student body on Tuesday, December 23rd during the school day. And now we'll be moving on to Oak Tree Elementary School. Oak Tree ended the month of November with beautiful balloons over Broadway created by the third grade students. Lots of holiday themed events going on in December, including a staff door decorating contest, the themed 10 days of Oak Tree, the PTA holiday shop, and the month ending with the [clears throat] holiday pep rally.

030Oak Tree students have earned enough Falcon Feather tickets so that they will have a movie celebration day on December 19th. On December 9th, they had the Magic of Clean Communities assembly sponsored by the Monroe Township Clean Communities Organization. >> Now moving on to Applegarth Elementary School. Their student council is sponsoring a gift drive which has been go ongoing through the month of December. Thank you to the Applegarth and middle school staff members who have also contributed to the drive. Unified Winterfest was on Monday, December 8th. The club code showcase will be held on Monday uh December 15th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the high school commons. Applegarth currently has their winter band and chorus concert happening as we speak in the high school pack. [clears throat] And now we'll be moving on to the

031middle school who wants to begin with this announcement by thanking the middle school parents and staff who made the parent teacher conferences so meaningful. They know how important comm communication is with parents into building a strong partnership to ensure that all their students reach their truest potential. On November 20th, the young actors of sixth grade put on their annual sixth grade performance of Leap Day. It was very well attended and owes that our the future seventh and eighth grade play will be in good hands in the coming years. The Monrocha Middle School chamber singers performed at Clearbrook lit tree lighting and sing along on Tuesday December 2nd. After the performance and single sing along, the singers mixed and mingled with members of the Clearbrook community enjoying cupcakes and conversation. On December 6th, Monroia Middle School

032held its sixth grade band concert. The event was very well attended as the sixth grade band has shown their skills and talents. As always, the middle school is very proud of their students. This morning, the middle school held their first student of the month breakfast of the year recognizing the students from September, October, and November. Parents and staff were invited to celebrate the students and their achievements. While we recognize these students monthly, they also have these celebrations quarterly to provide more of an audience to recognize them. On December 16th, they'll be holding their annual Menotancha Middle School winter chorus concert. Come out and see their wonderful award-winning chorus perform. A great free evening to break up the cold days. The students at Monancha Middle School raised 27 $2,750 through the Mamamera Foundation. The students bought

033multiple items to help support the cause. Mamera helps people with breast cancer by supplying meals, wigs, or help in any way needed. The Monroe Middle School Purple, Gold, and Falcon jazz ensembles were visited by an accomplished tener saxophone, Jerry Walden, thanks to an MEF grant. Mr. Weldon spent a morning as a clinician working uh their jazz assembles to prepare them for their upcoming concerts. Mr. Jerry Welen is a tenor saxoponist noted for his involvement in various groups such as the Liliano Hampton Orchestra and Harry Conics Junior's Big Band. >> Now, finally, we have the Monro Township High School. The high school has a very busy month so far, hosting a food drive for the school and numerous uh different school activities. The high school food drive has been a major success with one classroom alone

034donating over 80 items to the food drive. The past marking period, the National Honor Society and Ducks [clears throat] have also been showing their commitment to the community service accumulating a total of over 1442 service hours. And on December 15th, they will be hosting a letterw writing event to the local healthcare workers. The emerging innovator awards have also named one of Monroe seniors as one of their top 100 emerging innovators. Congratulations to Avika Ugarwal who received the honor. The high school's key club has also donated over 50 toys to the children in need during the holiday season in partnership with Rise. A special thanks to all of the students who make these achievements possible every month. We as a school district appreciate the hard work each and every one of you put forward. That concludes

035our report. Thank you. >> Very good. We as a board of education appreciate what you put into your reports every week, too. They're very thorough and keeps us informed of what's going on in the district. So, thank you both. [applause] Right now we have presentation of plaques to outgoing board members. >> [clears throat] >> Yes, [clears throat] go first. >> I think Charlie is going to do one first. >> Yep. So, the mics are here and then we go and I go front. >> I'll stay here. presented to >> Sarah A. >> I'm not loud enough. >> Presented to Sarah Az and sincere appreciation for dedicated service to the students and the schools of Monroe Township while serving as a board member of the Monroe Township Board of Education. [applause] Miss Mora, [applause] Miss Bora,

036this is pres presented to you with sincere appreciation for dedicated service to the students and schools of Monroe Township while serving as a board member of the Monroe Township Board of Education January 2022 to December 2025. I also want to thank you for your constant dedication, hardworking, and caring willingness to do what you do here for the students of this district. >> Um, Monroe was very happy. We're very lucky to have you in the last four years. You're very thorough in what you do. I'm sorry. Can you hear me out there? Um, and now you can spend more time at the soccer field watching your son's senior year and being at every soccer game. [clears throat] So, I want to thank you for your dedication. [applause] >> I just want to check if Mrs. Fabiano

037is on virtually. >> Thank you, Charlie again. now. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, hopefully she'll join us virtually. I have a little uh speech I wrote on her behalf to present her with the award. So, good evening everyone. Tonight we gather to recognize and celebrate someone whose dedication, leadership, and heart have made a lasting impact on the Monroe Township School District. Katie Fabiano be began her term as a board member in January of 2022. From her very first day, she brought with her a deep sense of purpose and unwavering commitment to our students and a thoughtful, steady voice that helped guide this district through both challenges and accomplishments. In May of 2024, Katie was unanimously elected board president, a reflection not only of the trust and respect of her fellow board members, but of

038her collaborative spirit and her ability to lead with integrity. her time as president. In her time as president, she championed transparency, fostered teamwork, and ensured that every decision was grounded in what was best for the children and families of Monroe Township. Although her service concluded early in July of 2025, her departure was for an important and understandable reason, a move out of state. While we were saddened to see her go, we are deeply grateful for the mark she leaves behind. Katie, your contributions have strengthened this board and this community. You have helped shape programs, policies, and priorities that will benefit students long after this moment. On behalf of the Monro Township School Board, our staff, our students, and the families we serve, we thank you for your years of service. We sincerely appreciate the time,

039energy, and passion you poured into this district. >> She's on. >> Oh, okay. It is our honor to present you with this plaque in recognition of your outstanding service and leadership. May it serve as a reminder of the positive difference you made here and the esteem in which you are held. Katie, thank you for everything you have done even when faced with adversity time and time again. You have and will continue to be missed. Congratulations. I heard [applause] you're on now. No, you're muted. Well, I will give you the plaque personally in a couple of weeks when I see you. Congratulations. Congratulations to all three women tonight. I mean, you have to dedicate a lot of time and effort and they have and so I'd like to thank them. Next are the student and staff

040recognition. >> Yep. So, Mr. Bendik, if you'd like to take the mic, uh, we'll go up and meet you up front. This is our student staff recognition for our winter seasons, uh, fall season and our winter recognition. So, as always, I'm excited for the opportunity uh to highlight the success of our student athletes. Uh today, we will be honoring 21 fall student athletes who were recognized at the conclusion of their season at the conference, state, and national level. I will begin with our volleyball team. Our head coach was Victoria Steek. We have all red division Christina Neves [applause] and we also have Christina Latash. [applause] Um, all conference and all red division Adia Mucunda. [applause] Next up we have cross country head coaches Mary Howardoid and Nick Bleo. All conference Ana Raja [applause] and all

041red division James Gordano. [applause] Uh we'll move on to field hockey head coach Melissa Lad. All red division. Brianna Bukowick. [applause] All red division. Victoria Duza. [applause] There you go. Oh, back. Here you go. Uh, we have all red division Francesca Latilla [applause] and all red division duo Majid. [applause] We also have all conference and all red division Isabella Rubino. [applause] All right, next up, uh, football head coach Nicholas Isola. Second team all division Logan Richtor [applause] second team all division Jaden Badilo. [applause] Congratulations J. and first team all division Julian Hughes. [applause] All right, next up we have girls soccer head coach Christian Jessup. We have all conference and all division Caitlyn Brownley. [applause] She will also be moving on to play at the collegiate level, division one at Mammoth University. [applause] We have

042all conference, all division and all state Isabella Sigman [applause] and all division and all state. Remy Tanzer. [applause] All three of them also were honored to play and represent MTHS at the conference senior showcase this year. [applause] And next up we have boys soccer. I am going to ask Coach McKenzie who is here come up top join you guys so we can All right. First up we have all division Dominic Dwarte. [applause] All conference and all division and all state second team. Akai Davis, [applause] all conference, all division and all state third team. Christian Tay. [applause] Christian was also selected to play at the conference senior showcase this year. [snorts] [applause] All conference, all division, and all state, Drew Offenberg, [applause] he was selected to play at the conference and state senior showcases. And our

043last recognition for the evening for boys soccer as well um is all conference, all division, all state, and all-American Christopher Duran. [applause] He goes by FIFA. So, we do have a list of a couple other accolades and we did want to highlight a couple things. Uh he was a conference player of the year, the section player of the year. He was also selected to play at the conference and state senior showcases. And that all-American title that you see there is not easy to come by. Uh we have had only one more all-American in the past. So he's the second all-American in school history. [applause] That is our first in boys soccer. He is one of seven in New Jersey and one of 110 nationally. [applause] and he will be formerly recognized at a ceremony in

044January 17th in Pennsylvania at the national convention. [applause] So, as always, we're very proud of you. Make sure you guys go on and do big things and always come back and remember us. Congratulations. [applause] Okay, great job to everyone. Thank you so much for representing this school district as good as you have this year. Next is our committee reports. Anyone like to We didn't have too many this month because it was a short short time. Yes. Um I'll give the minutes for the curriculum co-curricular athletics and pupil personnel uh committee meeting. Uh the committee met on December 2nd, 2025. The main agenda item for this meeting was an update on the launch of esports in the high school by Mr. Moralda. He shared that starting December 3rd, the first group of students from MTHS esports

045teams will be competing in the contender league of Garden State esports. This pilot for the winter league had been launched as a pay-to-play opportunity for interested students and there were no auditions or tryyouts. The spring league will expand into the middle school as well. The only game for the winter league is Mario Kart 4, but in spring we can expect to see Rocket League and Valerant added to the mix. This program is not going to be using any district budget this year. Um, as the interest in the program increases and we reach the varsity sports level of competing leagues, the financial setup of this program can be revisited. This launch was made possible in large parts due to donations from three local businesses for which we are grateful. The cost of running the program besides

046these donations was recovered as participation fees from the interested students. Uh please do reach out to the MTSD enrichment department for any more information on this new addition to our co-curricular offerings. Um next, Mr. Snder uh briefly addressed the committee to assure that option two was still live and being available by 321 seniors. There is a deadline for applying to option two which is during the course selection in junior year. The seniors that missed this deadline and were trying to join in marking marking period 2 were informed that they did not have that option any longer. This resulted in some false information being shared by a student representative Adityaura shared with him by the students and so he advocated for bringing back option two in the last board meeting but we know that everything is

047as it should be. Option two is still going to be continued to be offered in the future years. And that concludes the curriculum report. Thank you very much, M. Ratner. >> Um, yeah, I just had a a question. Um, and in just a quick comment, kudos to you for advocating for that program. Um, as far as the esports, I just wanted, I guess, get clarification on this because I know this is not a new thing, but it's newer to Monroe. Um, and we've talked about like the varsity level. So, this was to be considered a sport or is it a club? So this is an enrichment activity and that's how we're beginning this. We have we see this evolving into a sport at some point. Um that's the the trajectory and the path and in

048doing so it will merge into our operating budget. It'll be a part of what we live and breathe and we anticipate at some point it actually being an NJSIA sanctioned uh activity as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Oh and then I have my report. I just have to pull it out. Yeah. >> Okay. Um so the legislative advocacy and community engagement as well as the citizens advisory committee met in a combined meeting on December 2nd. Um board of education members present were myself, Mrs. Ziz, Miss Depay, Dr. Pek, and Miss Alvarez. The district administrators in attendance were Dr. Layman and Mr. Moralda. The committee began by finalizing the advocacy letter, always a work in progress. We modified the letter to reflect the questions asked on the Department of Education funding survey. And

049we also added a request for senior citizen supplemental stabilization aid. That's a mouthful. Which provides an additional subsidy of $500 in state aid per student for municipalities with a high percentage of senior citizens. Um this is something that was in place prior to SFRA in 2008. um and some of the municipalities that are in a similar situation as as ours have um asked and advocated for this with their legislators as well on the state level. So there was a bill as recently as 2024 about this. Um we discussed sending the letter to the Department of Education officials in addition to our elected officials and we're hoping that um we will be able to send this out and have it on our website shortly. Um the next item was a discussion on the creation of the

050school calendar. Dr. Layman explained some of the factors that go into creating the school calendar and there was a discussion about some of the concerns brought up by board members and residents in the recent few months. As we know, the calendar is a certainly a puzzle. Um, and so we appreciate understanding a lot of the work that goes into it and we look forward to seeing it um in the next month or two for the following year. Uh, finally, there was a discussion about community engagement. The committee discussed ways of engaging local groups such as the senior advisory council and our local PTOs. We look forward to continuing finding ways to collaborate with our local groups and others besides these that were listed as part of our board goal this year. >> Thank you very

051much. Anyone else have a committee report? >> Yes, Mr. >> We didn't meet but I understand Dr. Leon, we may have some news regarding Apple School that the public would like to know. >> Sure. So, we shared with the Apple staff and uh message will go out to the parents. We're looking at uh the Monday, December 22nd as our first day back at Applegarth School. The building will be open uh several days the week prior to that in terms of uh staff having access to it. materials will be moved in the weekend before and that'll give an opportunity to kind of get resettled in before we take the winter break and we can come back January one or right after winter break with a fresh start and occupying Applegarth, you know, as it stands. So,

052that is uh hot off the press as of midday today. That is the uh revised updated timeline from our contractors. >> Thank you. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> No. But I did have um was there any other committee reports that needed to be read? >> Okay. So uh just for finance um because we did not meet but um we had a couple small items on the agenda which we decided to just have a discussion here in the board meeting. Um the board was looking for an update on the training and onboarding of just foyer for the new OPRA system and then another update on how the Genesis payroll onboarding is going. So Miss Allen if you would be so kind to do that. >> Sure. Um so regarding Genesis with the payroll um

053we're we aren't scheduled to go live with the new payroll system on January 1st 2026. Um the team has been actively participating um in the Genesis um implementation trainings which will continue through January of 26. Um all the employee um data, payroll data has been transferred successfully into the new system and we've begun running parallel payrolls um to validate the accuracy. Um so that's that's going as planned. There's no snags. Everything's going well. Yes. So for the employee aspect of it, whatever processes they were following, have the employees been trained on or would >> being trained. Yeah, the employees are being trained for the payroll staff um yes so that they will be ready to go. Um so that is the um Genesis update, the just foyer update. So that is the Oprah um system

054that we will be using. We've been um training pretty I think every week now. I think it's been seven sessions so far where we've been training um getting the program you know the form getting it the way we want it customizing it to our district um and um learning the the whole system basically. So we have I think one more training next week. The system is planning we're planning to go live on December 22nd. Um, and it's it's been going well. We've got, you know, they provided a wealth of um, information for us and resources. Um, so it's been it's been going well. >> December 22nd is a big. >> So, when and what does the public see um, as an impact of this change? So there it's the for the public um they're still

055going to go into our website into the Oprah into the OPRA um and they're going to see the form that is required you know with the required questions that we have to ask um as well as some additional um information that is optional if they want to provide just to make it easier um if they want to express you know what you know to make it easier for us to fill their request. Um so that's what they'll see. Um the system is very um you know it's it's it's going to automate everything. So they'll get responses. They'll be able to go in and see where the status and they can even go in and see um previous OPARS that have been requested or filled. Um so it'll be built into that. >> Was there supposed

056to be like a dedicated portal where they would be going? So when do we >> It'll be on our website. Yeah. >> It'll be on our website. So where Okay. >> Yep. So that link to that portal >> we will you know put something out so that everyone is aware >> and if somebody did not use that portal and just sent in a written form or something like that we would we our staff would put it into that portal. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Any other questions? Miss Ratner. >> Just to follow up on what Miss Bora had said um I know a lot of our residents or people who have submitted opra requests would use Oprah machine and I know we said that this works with that. Um, do the people who

057utilize Oprah machine then have to fill out the form on our website or would is there an easy way for that to >> Yeah, at this point um yeah, they could still do that on they can still use Oprah machine. Um and then it will their their system they're in the process of getting so it automatically comes over. Um for now we will just have to take that what we get into the oper machine and put it into into our program. So but they could still use oper machine of course. Yep. >> Any other questions for M? >> Just good luck. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Sounds like all good things. >> Yeah, I think it's gonna It'll streamline the process. It'll um Yes. Yeah, definitely. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

058>> Uh we're public forum on agenda items only. Anyone wishes to speak, please come up and say your name and uh where you're where you live. [clears throat] Uh, good evening, Christy Scurby, Monroe Township. Um, I want to start off by saying thank you, Gazala. Um, I think there should have been a much longer um, uh, list of accomplishments uh, read this evening of what you have done for this community. Um, and you should be celebrated for everything you have done. You have been a pillar of strength here in our community. you have advocated tirelessly for students, for our staff, and for the community at large. Um, I am happy that you and I had years to serve together on this board, and I believe that you truly did make an impact on thousands and

059thousands of students lives. Um, I admire you for everything that you have done and you have gone through. Um, being a board member, it's not easy. Um, and it's not a thankless job. You are thanked by the community. You are so appreciated more than you'll ever know by all of the students whose lives you've touched. Thank you so much for everything you've done, Gazala. And thank you for staying with it even when it it gets really tough sitting there around the table and when you have a lot of people that are not there for the right reasons. So, I thank you for always standing tall and making sure that you did what was right. I do have a couple of questions. So, I'd like to know whose decision it was not to hold buildings, grounds,

060and transportation committee meeting. >> Is anybody going to answer since the president of the board just walked away? >> Do you want to answer your ask all your question? >> No, I want I I would like to know whose decision it was. So, I met with uh all the district personnel relative to their agenda items and uh in terms of BG&T, there were no imminent uh contracts to approve or share bids or anything like that. Uh and with the quick turnaround since the last board meeting, uh we determined that meeting uh didn't need to occur. >> And finance, was it the finance chair's decision to cancel the meeting? the finance chair was >> so due to time constriction we decided to do that discussion here because it was a small agenda. >> Okay. Well, you

061know, I just want to say the committee meetings are supposed to be where you discuss and deliberate and and ask your questions. Um, and for transparency, they're recorded. So, there should not be private meetings being held, phone calls being made. Th those conversations should be held in public like they've always have. That's a failure of of transparency. Um, for the donations for esports, is that on the agenda this evening for approval? You said there are donations from local uh businesses. >> I don't believe they >> we do have a donation from a local business. Um, >> if I may add, Dr. Leman, I think um >> the Monroe Orthodontist was approved last month. I'm not sure if the bagel one was also approved last month >> and that was for the esports program. Do we

062have a total for donations for esports? And you could answer that after. I have another one last question for Miss Allen. Um I asked last month when the discussion was about the health insurance premiums um going to Etna Private Health Care is a 24% premium increase. Um you couldn't answer, but I wanted to know tonight if you could. What is the estimate in dollars that a 24% in premiums means? >> We don't have that information yet. We don't have the final enrollment numbers yet as it >> I But an estimate you in the millions, correct? It it would be >> Yes. >> Is I don't think that's an agenda item tonight. >> You're correct. It's not an agenda item. >> Yes. So, you won't be able to answer. >> Say it's in the >> Well,

063she answered me. It's in the millions. So, is there an answer though on the total amount for the donations for esports? >> I'm going to look at the back agenda item and I'll get it to you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I just don't know it off my top of my head. >> Okay. I And I don't know if it was listed in any agenda that it was for esports. I don't recall that. >> Yeah, the the donation tonight is for uh enrichment services in general. Um and then I'll go back and look at the uh Monroe Orthodontics one from last week and see if that was or last month and see if that was identified specifically for esports. >> All right. Thank you, >> Miss Kirby. If you didn't get your answer, you can

064always come back at the end and ask the question again. >> No, I I got my answer. She said it was in the millions. >> You're all set then. Okay, fine. For that to make sure. Anyone else? Oh, yes. >> April Gardner, 67N Amherst here in Monroe. Um, I have a question. It's on I'll be simple, page 13 and FB. So, I'll read it. Um, it has to do with previous submitted list of requests for field trips. So, um I think that field trips are one of the most important things that lend to learning and development of students. So, I was wondering the list is in here. It was previously submitted and I wanted to find out if the district takes advantage of the free opportunities from the Zimmerly Art Museum at Rutgers University or

065the Princeton Art Museum. the Princeton Art. I actually was a volunteer there for a really long time at the Princeton Art Museum and they are free and they also include a creativity lab with different types of um tours, free 1-hour tour with a connected um creativity lab um devoted to culture of art or literacy embedded art. And I would think it would be wonderful if our district took advantage of the free opportunities because it's such a universal and wonderful exposure. Um, I just wanted I didn't see the list here, but I just wanted if it's not on the list to um suggest that it be on the list in the future. wonderful for middle school and um high school students across the disciplines. And the Zimmerly is the largest um ha they house the largest

066um collection of Russian art here in I think on the east coast. It's really wonderful. So free is free. My favorite four-letter word free. And um I didn't see the list, but just as a suggestion. >> Thank you. Yeah. And they're not currently on the list. Um what we do is we approve them as they're submitted to attend and that that list is a monthly list that we submit. Um so they're they're not currently on the list and I don't recall us attending there. Um but I will certainly wrote them down. I'll share them with our supervisor of arts and uh just so he can share it with their uh the staff and see if those would be a curricular alignment with anything we have going on. >> I can I can give you the

067name of um the woman who runs it. Their online system isn't up yet, but they're um putting in tours at Princeton now um beginning in March till the end of the year and for next year they have an online system, but it didn't go active yet. >> Okay. >> And all you have to do is call the Zimmerly. All right. Thanks. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I can't remember the last time I walked in here and there were fewer people in the audience. I'm Dave Ratner. I live with that woman over there. And uh I am not going to perpetuate this too long, but I was fortunate enough to have the Apple concert coincide with Gazala Love Night. And Gazala is wonderful and appreciate all of the amazing things she's done for the town

068and the district uh and helping in the board. So, I will close out by saying thank you all for all of your work and uh for everybody who's put in time to help support this district. Uh and uh amen for Gazala. She's tremendous. Thanks so much. [applause] >> And thank you, Mr. Rner for what you do for this district with our [clears throat] music program and the middle school singing down singing down at our schoolboard's convention opening it up. >> Oh yeah. >> And to sit there and listen to that chorus was phen they were phenomenal. I mean there was tons of people listening to them and it was just a wonderful way to open convention. So thank you for your time too Mr. Ratner. >> Is there anything else? Anybody have any questions about

069anything? Nobody else in the uh audience. Okay, we'll go on to the super superintendent. >> Sure. >> So, just uh there's a lot of highlights. Our student board members did a phenomenal job on on touching on on many of them, but we have all the winter concerts. Tonight was our Applegarth concert. Um if uh things were set up differently and we got out got out in time, I was going to invite us all to walk down there and listen to it. Um but I believe it's over by now. the uh we had winter wonderland events this week. We had a unified winter uh celebration and we had the Red Cross uh I would call it a similar to the haunted high school event uh scaled down a little bit. Um but we had Santa Claus

070there. I saw Elsa there. Um so it was a great event. And then we also have uh in terms of curricular programming was able to catch a few of the engineering and design midyear presentations. I know Miss Boro was there as well. uh tremendous tremendous and those mid-year presentations evolve to the final year presentations and there's usually prototypes associated with the projects they presented um solving problems in the world. So excellent excellent uh presentations and in a tremendously busy time of year. Um but one thing I wanted to highlight this week was we spent Monday uh visiting each of the schools awarding the governor's teacher of the year uh the educational support professionals of the year and our educational support staff of the year recognitions. Um it's a highlight of um the entire district all

071the staff whether they received the awards or their colleagues are receiving the awards they look forward to the day. They look forward to recognizing and celebrating their colleagues for their work and their dedication to the community and the students. And uh we will be recognizing them as we always do in the spring. So it's something we have to look forward to. We typically do it in May. Uh so once we establish the schedule next month um we'll plan that out. But uh that was something that takes the better part of Monday um this week. But uh everyone appreciates it. Everyone from the transportation staff, central office staff, and then every single school building. Um you can hear the cheers in the parking lot as we walk and we move to the next uh next building

072as the as the names are announced. So um I just wanted to highlight and say that congratulations to all our recipients and we look forward to recognizing you formally in the spring. >> Um and with that said we'll go through >> Dr. Layman if I may just add to what you just said uh Mr. P. So the engineering design and development presentation that I saw, it was a capstone project idea presentation and I have to say if this was the last thing I did as a board member, I am super fortunate because I saw kids seven teams propose uh ideas for solving [clears throat] a whole variety of problems in the world and now they're going to start building the prototypes. And I'm an engineer by education and that was something that I did in

073my final year of engineering. So the opportunities and I know it's 20 years later but still the opportunities that our kids have and I believe is tied to the project lead the way um uh program and Miss Gory Shanker is amazing. Those students blew it out of the park. Um I was very very impressed. I think we have one of a kind program here in Monroe Township. Um and these students have an opportunity that I hope they keep taking advantage of batch after batch. I I was thoroughly impressed. So kudos to everybody for putting together such a great program. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> The kids network with industry experts all over the country for their projects. So that was just so impressive. >> Yeah. And just to highlight, we had uh representatives from Bell Labs.

074>> Yes. >> Um on the panel. We had uh engineers from Jack Tool. They always come and they've been a part of a partner with us for many many many uh years. Um as well as other community members. Miss Borro is there. Um, and it's just a great experience. Two sample projects. One, the one of the problems the students were trying to solve is uh addressing the affordability of prosthetics um and how it's an unreachable uh solution to many uh health problems. And uh they analyzed, they took surveys um and they actually have some ideas on how to uh create durable, affordable, and the price point is $250 to $350. So, we're talking extremely affordable uh prosthetics. And another project was um addressing many of the new cars have uh alarms and alerts that alert

075you when a car is changing lanes or breaking in front of you. Um but there's a recognition that not all cars are new enough to have that technology. So, the problem would be to solve the alert problem. if uh a car is stopping in front of you, but you happen to have a car that's older that doesn't have that technology built in. So, they have ideas on how to use LiDAR and other things to make an affordable solution. I believe their target price point was somewhere around $50, $30 to $50, um that could plug in play in a uh late model car to increase the safety. So, just [clears throat] to give you the range of, you know, a health and wellness problem to a technology problem. and they communicated with our community members like

076Monroe Assisted Living and places there because one of the projects was how to uh address the shoulder and back pain that happens to wheelchair users. So they tapped into our own community to get you know the research data. So it was all very impressive networking you know their uh you know just the whole acumen engineering acumen everything was very impressive. >> Yep. All right. All right. So, I'll move into the recommendation. So, this would be 10- member vote in under personnel. Uh, it's recommended that the acting superintendent uh recommend the approval of items A through J under the 10 member personnel. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? >> Miss Allen? >> Yes. Um, Miss Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Aiz? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? Yes, >> Dr. Peek. >> Yes, >>

077Mr. Pero. >> Yes, >> Ms. Ratner. >> Yes, >> Miss Sharma. >> Yes, >> Mr. Defano. [clears throat] >> Yes, >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes, >> Miss Depay. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> So, under nine member personnel vote. It's recommended that the board approved attached personal items K through AF. K through AF. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion or questions? Okay. >> Miss Miss Al. >> Yes. >> Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Aziz. >> Yes. >> Miss Bora. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro. >> Yes. >> Miss Ratner. >> Yes. >> Miss Chararma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tufano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Depay. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Yes. >> Do it now. >> All right. Board members and members of the public.

078Um I'm going to read a resolution related to the invocation of the doctrine of necessity related to some votes that are about to occur. Um so without any further ado whereas Dr. Shrie Chanley serves in the capacity of superintendent for the 2025 2026 school year and whereas the board must consider personnel um related matters concerning Dr. Chanley's employment where upon review of various conflicts of interests of the current board members. It has been determined that seven of the members have conflicts of interest pursuant to the New Jersey School Ethics Act. Whereas polic pursuant to policy when a quorum of the board has conflicted interest, the doctrine of necessity may be invoked in order to allow conflicted board members to participate and vote only when the board of education has fewer non-conlicted board members than are

079required pursuant to statute to take action. And whereas when invoking the doctrine of necessity, the board shall state publicly that it is invoking the doctrine of necessity with the reasons for doing so and the specific nature of the conflicts of interest. And whereas the board policy further provides that it shall read the resolution invoking the doctrine of necessity at a regularly scheduled public meeting, post the notice of the resolution for 30 days, and provide the the school ethics commission with a copy of the resolution. And whereas the New Jersey School Ethics Act NJ NJSA18A121 uh at SEC was enacted by New Jersey state legislature to ensure and preserve public confidence in schoolboard members and school administrators and to provide specific ethical standards to guide their conduct. And whereas the school ethics commission has provided guidance

080regarding the invocation of the doctrine of necessity when a quorum of the board of education is not available because members of the board of education have conflicts of interest on a matter required to be discussed and voted upon and whereas the board intends to vote on issues concerning Dr. Chanley whereas members of the board have conflicts of interest that would prevent their participation and vote on the matters related to Dr. Chanley are as follows. Carmen Alvarez, Gail Depain, Peter Piro, Usha Sharma, and Charles Zikner are involved in litigation with Dr. Chanley. Sarah Aziz was previously involved in litigation with Dr. Chanley. Kate Ratner's husband, David, is a teacher employed by the board. Whereas, as a result of the foregoing, the board does not have a quorum to vote on matters related to the superintendent's employment,

081and the board's council and the board have determined that it is necessary to invoke the doctrine of necessity. Now therefore, be it resolved that the above paragraphs are hereby incorporated by reference, and be it further resolved that the doctrine of necessities hereby invoke with respect to the board's public votes related to Dr. Chanley and be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution having been read at a public meeting of the board on December 10th, 2025 be posted in accordance with the board standard procedures for not less than 30 days and that the board secretary reflect the same in the minutes of the meeting and be further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the school ethics commission. Can I get a motion and a second? >> Motion. >> Second. >>

082Any discussion? [clears throat] >> Miss Allen? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Aziz, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Mr. Depay, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> So, I'm going to move on to board action. 10 member vote. It's recommended that the board approved. Board action items A through F. A through F. >> Second. Is there any discussion? >> Okay. Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Aziz. >> Uh yes, except for uh D. Um HI number 297419. I'd like to vote no on that. >> I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Is this a G through L? You said >> no. G

083through. Oh, we're not on number 13 yet. >> 14. Page 14 through F. >> Page. >> Okay, I'm good. Sorry. I'm sorry. We're on a >> No, we we're on >> right. G through L. >> Mhm. >> Yes. Okay. >> G through L. So you >> No, A through E. >> A through F, right? >> A through F. >> Page 14 and 15. Just for a point of clarification, I think the because the first roll call was just to approve the doctrine of necessity. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes, >> that's where I'm confused. Okay. [clears throat] So, let me get these. >> These are board action 10 member A through F. >> Okay. >> Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Aziz. >> Uh, yes. Except for D. Um, HIB number 297419. I'd like

084to vote no on that. Okay, Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Pac, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> I'm gonna vote yes, but abstain on D. Both of them. >> Both of them. Okay, Miss Ratner. Um, yes. However, I'm going to abstain on letter A um for Dr. Chanley um and for Dr. or for Mr. Snyder. I made him a doctor. Um, and I'm also going to ab So, letter A is uh abstaining due to conflict. Letter D, I'd like to abstain on both 297851 and 297419. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Chararma. >> Uh, yes. >> Yes. Mr. Tufano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Uh, yes. Except I will be abstaining on um check number 12611. Not there yet. Not yet. Not here yet. We're still on the through S. >> Oh, eight. I'm sorry.

085>> 14 and 15. >> Then it's Yes. >> Okay. Um and Miss Deay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion passes. >> So now we're on board action nine member vote. >> It's recommended that the board approved the attached board action items G through L. G. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Miss Miss Allen. Okay. Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Okay. Miss Aziz. >> Yes. >> Miss Bora. >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro. >> Yes. >> Miss Ratner. >> Uh, yes. Recuse on um, sorry, I wrote letter B, but it's it's letter H for Mr. Ratner. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Sharma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tufano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Payne? >> Yes. Motion passes. Now we're up to the business administrators report. Okay. >> Yes. >> Um page. Okay. So um

086get to the sorry take your time >> you had this okay it's recommended that action board action on items A through G under the 10 member vote be approved by consent roll call >> motion >> second >> again right any discussion. Yes, Miss Ratner. >> Uh, yes. I just wanted to thank um um the Riverside Insights um for their uh donation um or the gift certificate. Um and then there was also I wrote it down um the liturgy our donation of the sponsorship from the Monro Township Boot Club um for $1,000. So, thank you to both of those groups. >> Okay. Anything else? Miss Allen? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez? >> Yes to all. Abstain on check number 12611. 61. Okay. Miss Aziz. >> Yes. To all. Abstain on uh check number 12611. >> Okay. Miss

087Bora. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Dr. Peek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro. >> Yes. to all but abstain on uh check number C12611. >> Okay. Um Miss Rner. Um yes to all abstain on addendum uh number one for checks C12580 and 12581 for Mr. Snder and for addendum two uh C12611 for law firm of William Koi. >> Okay. Uh Miss Chararma. Yes to all but abstain for check number 12611. >> Okay. Mr. Tufano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. Except uh abstain on check number 12611. >> Okay. And Miss Deayne. Um yes to all but I have to abstain on check number 12375 for myself and abstain on 12611. >> Okay. So motion passes except for um check number 12611 and that concludes my report. >> I think one board action. Sorry about that.

088>> Number I'm out of order. Okay. I'm sorry. Okay. So it's recommended the board action items H through J under the nine member vote be approved by consent. Motion >> second. >> And any discussion? Matt. >> Um, yep. Just also wanted to um acknowledge the grant for the unified program. I know that these have been trickling in like Dr. Layman had said at the last meeting. Um, this one is for Woodlands for $500. And then we also received two donations. Um, so I just wanted to thank our Monroe um, public works department for their donation. Um, as well as our anonymous donor um, for $1,000 of supplies to Applegarth Elementary School. >> Okay. Anyone else? >> Miss Allen. >> Okay. Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Aziz, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >>

089Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Mr. Depay, >> yes. Motion passes. That concludes my report. >> Um, my report this evening, I attended the Middle Sex County School Boards Association meeting on Wednesday, December 3rd. The topic was security and uh the superintendent from South Planefield which is a very small district and the superintendent from Woodbridge which has 24 schools. I forgot how many students 12,000. Uh how many that gentleman has under his purview spoke that evening about security. I gave um Dr. Dr. Layman the uh printout that was given to us that evening so we could have that. And I just want to wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Quanza, and also a happy,

090safe and prosperous new year. And I just want to thank too, I don't know if we have any students back there videotaping our That's right. Uh board meetings, but I want to thank them for always being here and videotaping the board meetings. Thank you very much for your time. [clears throat] >> Now, is any other board of education business? Miss Bora, I want to start by saying that next time I talk, I would be on that timer on that microphone. So, I hope you all will indulge me tonight and give me 10 minutes. [clears throat] Thank you, Monroe, for the honor and privilege of serving you on the board of education for the past four years. 16 years ago, I moved to Monroe as a mom of three boys, drawn by strong schools, reasonable taxes,

091and what I soon learned was an exceptional community. I still believe deeply in the strength of our schools and the heart of our community. The taxes, well, that's a conversation for another day. My first glimpse into what a board of education could mean for a community came when my oldest was in kindergarten and the district proposed full day kindergarten. That ballot question failed, but l but it lit a spark that never went out. And for the next decade, I kept coming back to board meetings, sometimes advocating, sometimes questioning decisions, but always motivated by a desire to improve our schools. Although I've always been deeply involved through PTA, scouts, and soccer, running for public office was far outside my comfort zone. But by 2021, our student population had changed dramatically, and I felt leadership needed to

092reflect the community it served. After years of urging change from the outside, I sought a seat at the table. And I'm grateful that so many of you believed in me and trusted me with this responsibility. Long before I got on the board, I had been asking hard questions. And today, I'm grateful that many of those long-standing issues have finally been addressed. I repeatedly questioned why Applegot was ignored in the first two referendums despite being in the most desperate need of repairs. Today, Applegath Elementary is in its final stretch of those long needed repairs. December 22nd, we moved back in and all of this without a referendum. I questioned why computer act education was not accessible to every student who needed it and was told we didn't have the space. Today, even with three failed referendums

093and no extra space, every student who wants to take a computer science class has the opportunity to do so. I urged the district to lead the narrative on social media to combat misinformation. Today, district and school social media pages are active, transparent, and community focused, giving families a direct, reliable source of information. I questioned why our gifted students were being asked to choose between enrichment and extracurriculars by placing enrichment only after school. Today, our talented and gifted students no longer have to choose. more advanced programming is available during the school day. These are just a few of the examples of what we as a community and a district have accomplished in the past four years. I do not take credit for the solutions, but I do take pride in keeping taxpayer and student priorities front

094and center and in using the vote you entrusted to me with that in mind. The real credit for these and many more positive changes in our district belongs to our exceptional administrative team, our staff and families who spoke up and stayed engaged. Speaking of the administrative staff, it is no coincidence that for the first time in over a decade, Monroe finally experienced stability in district leadership under Dr. Chanley's steady leadership from late 2021 to sorry late yes late 2021 to May of this year key initiatives were able to move forward and for a district of 6,500 students strong consistent leadership is not optional. It is essential. That is why the events of the last 6 months have been so difficult and disappointing. Since May 5th, our district has operated without a superintendent and without an

095assistant superintendent with one person, Dr. Layman, shouldering shouldering both the roles. I respect him tremendously and I'm grateful for his professionalism and grace. But this is not sustainable and it is not fair to him or to our already stretched administrative team. At what was supposed to be the superintendent's annual evaluation, a surprise motion was introduced at 1:30 a.m. to place Dr. Chanley on administrative leave. Some board members, including me, had no prior knowledge of this action, even though it had been discussed by the leadership with the board council beforehand. Serious decisions like that should be discussed with the full board in close session. That is not just best practice. It is our responsibility. After taking that action, the board did not appoint an acting superintendent or initiate an investigation for four months. All it should

096have taken is one month at the most, or even less had we called a special meeting. That delay has left us in multiple lawsuits, increase investigation costs, and left the district without a clear leadership structure. This could have been handled transparently, lawfully, and thoughtfully. Even if the majority felt strongly about taking action, the process should have reflected care, transparency, and responsibility to Monroe students and taxpayers. It is not too late for this board to change course. When the investigation report is complete, I urge the board to act swiftly and decisively. Share information promptly, call special meetings when needed, and work as a board of 10, not a board of two or six or any faction. Prioritize the institution over personalities and the students over politics. Monroe deserves nothing less. Over my four-year term, I have

097served with 17 different board members across three different board configurations, and I have learned something from each of you. I hope I was always respectful, and if in moments of passion, I was not. I offer my sincere apologies. Disagreement does not have to become disrespect. We all serve this community in our personal time, and we all deserve dignity. I have never met a board member I agreed with 100 100% of the time and never met one I disagreed with 100% of the time. A strong board needs independent voices and courageous principled votes. When I rate ran with Kate Ratner and Katie Fabiano four years ago, we made a pact that running together did not mean voting together. And we have stayed true to that promise. I am proud of how I served. I stayed grounded

098in the community. I voted independently. I did not bend to social, political, or personal pressure. And despite what has sometimes been said, I never used my position to seek special treatment for my own children. If anything, being a parent while serving gave me a deeper understanding of how decisions affect families across Monroe. I'm an engineer by education, a business executive by profession, and an immigrant who grew up in India before coming here at the age of 21. Nothing in my background pointed towards serving in public office on a board of education in an American town. So when I was elected, I committed to learning. I prioritized professional development and I'm proud to have earned the certified board member designation through NJSBA. I have served on five different committees, served as a vice president of the

099board, and I have chaired the finance and curriculum committees over the last two years, spearheading several initiatives to benefit the students and taxpayers of Monroe. Balancing 20 hours a month of volunteer service with a full-time job and three kids was not easy. My family made sacrifices alongside me. I owe my deepest gratitude to my husband and my three sons who supported me even when they did not wholeheartedly agree with my decision to run and who stood by me during public attacks included those including those that touched them. Some here have called me selfish. If I were acting out of self-p protection, my choices would have looked very different. My family allowed me to stand firm in service to the community even when it was hard for them. and for that I am forever grateful to

100them. To the people of Monroe, you have been my compass and my strength. You were the reason I showed up month after month. Whether it was mobilizing support for the 2024 budget question, seeking feedback or spreading awareness with clubs, scout groups, sports families, cultural organizations, faith communities. You always showed up to my networks through soccer, PTA, scouting, Monro Indians for civic action, and the Monro Muslim community. Thank you for helping mobilize crucial votes and for believing that this work matters. This is your district, your investment, and your future. As I step away, I hope some of the incredibly talented people in this community will step forward. First to be active and informed and then eventually to run. The district needs you. The students need you. The work is challenging, but the reward, [snorts] the chance

101to shape something meaningful is immense. All you need is the willingness to serve and the resilience to ignore the noise. Monroe will always have my heart and my loyalty. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for challenging me. And thank you for allowing me to fight for our children in our schools for these past four years. Happy holidays everyone. Thank you. [applause] >> Is anyone else? Yes, Mr. >> U. Two things. Uh, one, Gazala, you um are an excellent mom, a great community member. You volunteer a lot of your time to help the people in this community. That's wonderful. You are an excellent board member. You're the perfect example of what a board member should be. Just you read everything that I was going to say. So, [laughter] and I'm I'm going to miss you

102and I'm still coming by your house because you make a good cup of tea. So, I appreciate you and all the work that you did. >> Uh the second thing I'd like to say is when when a member of the public comes up to that podium, it's imperative whether you like the person or not to answer their questions. The same rule should apply when an email is sent to you. If you don't like the subject matter or the person that sent it, an answer should still be given. I've noticed that there's a trend lately of emails that are being sent to this board and not being answered. I'm one of the person persons that this has happened to. And I asked the lawyer why I wasn't answered and he had no idea. So I' I'd

103like to make sure that people are paying attention to answering these emails from the public and from other board members. Whether you like them or not, they still need to be answered. That's it. Thank you, >> Mrs. Um, as I step away from my role on the Monro Township Board of Education, I want to end on a note of gratitude. Um, when I was appointed on August 27, 2025 to fill the seat of former board president Katie Fabiano, I knew I had big shoes to fill. Her leadership set a strong example, and I'm grateful for the trust placed in me during my time on the board. To our current leadership, board president Gail Depay and board vice president Carmen Alvarez. Thank you for your steady guidance, your professionalism, and the way you lead with both

104heart and purpose. And to the majority of my board, my my my colleagues, thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve alongside people so deeply committed to our students and our community. Though my service here has been brief, it has given me a genuine appreciation for the work that goes into supporting this district. I have seen firsthand the dedication of our educators, our administrators, our families, and our community members who show up every day for our students. And it has been a privilege to contribute to that mission, even in a small way. Thank you for the trust, the support, and the opportunity to serve. I wish this board and the community the very best in the years ahead. I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday season and a very happy and safe new

105year. Thank you. >> Thank you, [applause] Miss Rner. Um, so really quick, I just wanted, I know Dr. Leman mentioned, uh, Winter Wonderland. I actually happened to go last night with my son. Um, it was fantastic. Like you said, it was sort of like a scale down um, haunted high school. Um, but there were a lot of unique things about it. Like there were a lot of science activities which my son loved, which I wasn't really expecting at Winter Wonderland, but it was perfect for him. Um, and you know, I just wanted to, you know, say kudos to everyone who was involved with that. It was nice to see a lot of the different uh clubs that were uh involved. Um and then I also did want to share just a very little bit about

106the um legislative committee meeting that we had this past Saturday. Um Vin Gopal was our guest speaker. So that was really exciting for us. Um this is either his second or third time speaking at our committee meeting uh for school boards. And so um it's really nice when he comes. um he usually has his aid there and they bounce back and forth and he tends to talk really fast but he has a lot of things to say. Um and so there was some discussion on there's now actually two major funding bills. Um which is actually something when I emailed the updated letter today I sort of tried to put that in there because when we first made it there was only one but now there's two competing ones but Senator Gopal is the uh sponsor

107for one and then the co-sponsor for the other one anyway. So they're trying to find a way to bring them all together and compromise. Um another really interesting thing that was brought up was about a pilot discussion um which is payment in lie of taxes. Yes. And um I think that's something that would be really great for us to look at more as a district um and a township is pilot sharing. I know that Woodbridge has had a really successful time doing this. They have a bit of an advantage because of some of their personnel sort of understand it better. Um but you know it's always good to find somewhere to model from and there was also um a discussion from the resol the delegate assembly and what was actually really interesting was normally most

108of the resolutions pass um but at this one um out of the I think it was the three resolutions two of them were postponed um so I found that to be really interesting um there was one about so I just you know we'll keep an eye on that there was also a vote for the new New Jersey school board's president and vice president of legislation. There might be some issues with the VP legislation because there was a recall vote regarding her seat. So, I guess to be determined on that, but um I did just want to, you know, share a little bit about what had happened there. Um and then finally, I did also just and I will try to make this brief because you guys are stuck with me. [laughter] Um but I just

109want to say thank you to our outgoing board members. Um when Katie and Gazelle and I ran in 2021, we all committed to uh multiple things. One of them was we all committed to learning that all we could do um in order to do our job as board members. And I'm really proud to say that all three of us have earned the certified board member certification from New Jersey school boards. Um this is not a a common thing for you know every board member to earn like you've seen I guess at the annual thing. there's really just, you know, five or six board members each year that earn it. So, I'm really proud of all three of us for earning that. Um, I did I think we also all earned the new board member certification

110as well. >> First year. That's the first year, right? >> Yeah. So, um, so good us again. Anyway, [laughter] um, I did say a lot of my thanks and appreciation to Katie back in July prior to her move. Um, I just, you know, we all know how hard it is to volunteer, especially when it takes time away from your family. So, thanks again. Um, Kasala, I was gonna try to wing this and I decided that would be a bad idea. Um, so, you know, I started to write stuff down, but we really have had quite the roller coaster over the last four years. Um, you know, there were times when we have been very much on opposite sides and then there has times when we've been aligned, but I've always been able to talk to

111you and have a respectful conversation even if I completely disagreed with what you were saying. And I can really appreciate that. Um, I [clears throat] really applaud your efforts as a board member and the due diligence that you've done. Um, I do have to say meetings will likely be shorter now, but I promise not to try and fill her time as well as my own. So, don't worry, it's not a goal of mine. Um, and I really just want to say thank you for all the experience that you shared with me as a mom with older kids and someone who's been in the district and watching a lot of these things that when I first got on the board, I didn't necessarily know as much about. Um, so thank you and I appreciate all that

112you've done. Uh, Sarah, I know you've only been on the board a few months, but I did just want to say I appreciate the our participation and ideas you brought to the two committees um that we've been on together. Um, there's been some good ideas that I hope we will be able to implement. Um, and you know, finally, I did just want to say, and this is, you know, a general thing, and you sort of touched on this a little bit, but when the three of us ran together, our slate was United for Education. Um, we've accomplished a lot of things over the last four years, and I know you've listed a lot of them, but as a board and a township, I still just think this is one that we need to keep striving

113for. Um, and you know, I think we can only each do our best, but I hope that we will all continue to try and work together for our common goal, which I think we all do share and it's just sometimes different in what we think is the right way to address that. So, thank you all very much and have a good holiday. >> Thank you. I And another thing legislative I wanted to I should have drew your attention to, I saw an article in the home news the other day. my husband, he he reads all the papers and he tells me about it. But I think it was Senator Gopal again. Um Mikey Cheryl, one of her, I guess, objectives when she ran or was um school consolidation. >> Oh yes, that bill that was

114his and it was in the paper. And I know one thing that stood out in mind was that New Jersey has over 600 school districts, which is more than the whole state of California. So Mikey Cheryl is going to make that a priority in trying to consolidate the school districts in our state for financial reasons and for other reasons. I know that's part of her uh platform. So that was actually discussed um which I won't go too much into the legislation that they had shared but there's always this balancing act because there are a lot of districts that don't want to you know lose their local power. However, there is a huge cost savings you know both to the district and statewide. Like I can only tell you like the very first district where I

115taught was out right by like um Frenchtown. Um and there were five I was in elementary school that was a kid 8 district with like 600 kids that had its own superintendent, its own board and we fed into a high school that was Delval High School which was its own district with its own board. And we were actually the largest of the five districts that fed into it. All five districts one only had 50 kids in their district. So, Jame Jamesburg actually looks really big compared to them. [laughter] Um, but I think that, you know, obviously places like that is a great place to start where they already sort of have that, you know, framework in place, but I think that there's going to be more of a push. And I actually did ask about

116the grant money because they have not renewed that yet. And they had said that it was in the budget for this fiscal year, but they haven't opened up the application yet. So, I think they might be looking to open that in January or February, I think, is when they normally do it. So, that might be something we want to look at as a board um over the next couple of months um to potentially do a stud the study um for sharing services and consolidation of some sort. >> Right. Thank you very much. Yes. Anybody else have anything to say? >> Okay. We come to the public portion of the meeting. Anybody from the public who wishes to come up and speak, please list your name and uh where you're from in Monro. >> Hi, my

117name is Chira Sha and my daughter is senior and u I live in Mon obviously. Uh so I have a concern regarding AP psychology teacher Mr. Leons. Um so he has been absent since I guess almost end of September and I have followed up with doc um Dr. Layman principal as well. I've just got updates and sometimes not even timely updates. I'm asking for updates I find out something and I don't know why we are waiting since 3 months like we could have implemented a it's not like there are other teachers not available in school. They could have rotated. They could have done additional classes. But still my daughter told me yesterday they have taught half half chapter and all the substitute teachers whoever comes they're giving them same repetitive work. Students are not excused.

118They still have to attend the school and I guess I think one of the student might be even better option to teach other than these substitute teachers. So I'm not sure you know we're not kids here. I mean this kind of delay is not acceptable. You know I I don't know why I I probably I'm going to get one more update. Similar reason you know we're trying we're doing but when is the date we're going to have a teacher. So, >> right. >> Yeah. I mean, in terms of details, the reason you're getting the type of uptage you're getting is because we're dealing with a personnel issue. Um, I can tell you that we are cycling teachers through as another additional support. We started that again this week. Um, they're gathering information, gathering data. Uh,

119and we will be prepared to support the students um as soon as things get back to normal. and and that's as vague but as detailed as I can be in this in this situation. I know it's not the answer you want to hear. There is there is no date. It's a dynamic situation. It's a unique situation. We've been managing it to the best of our ability uh in terms of the information we get that changes daytoday and week to week. Um which is why it's been handled the way it's been handled. Um I've read and I've been engaged with Dr. Higgins in terms of his replies. I've replied as well. Um and we're like I said we're managing this to the best of our ability. It's a unique situation >> but at the same time

120we understand the impact that it's having on the students and so there is a sense of urgency as you know as much as we can tell you about the personnel matter which is not much. There is a sense of urgency to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. We are working on it behind the scenes. We're sorry that we can't provide you with much more clarity on it. Um but please know that we are working on this to try and get things back to normaly as quickly as possible and we're hopeful that that will happen um rather soon. >> Yeah, I heard that in November as well. So we are already one month after that. So what's the consequences? Tell me if this keeps going on for after 2 months, what are we

121planning to do? kids are supposed to drop the subject. Are we going to tell all the colleges where we are saying we have taken a AP class we could not finish the class or we probably have a bad grade because our school gave us a hope that we will have a teacher you know allow students to even self-study worst case I mean what kind of like they're not able to ex they're not excused from classes they're given their substitute teachers are showing up they're also rotating they have no clue there's is giving same homework or similar and they have to actually finish the work too. It's a waste of time. I mean by this time I think one of us could have studied the subject and probably started teaching. I mean can you not learn

122one chapter in two months as an adult? We can right >> sir I have to stop you because your four minutes are up. Thank you. >> My four months are actually gone right almost four months. We're at four months and we don't have teacher, >> April Gardner, Monroe Township. Um, I was going to go home and then I heard mention of I believe the online OPER request, right? So, I had gone there and I wanted to share with you what I saw because I think it's important the I was looking at that because I wanted to get some information because I want to better understand the board of education and where I live because I heard too much about quite frankly Facebook the last time I was here and I was very disappointed. So I

123went on there and it was very interesting because in August when there was the open seat I believe it was August I remember being with my mom and saying maybe I should call up because I have a lot of knowledge about education. I have 10erts from the state of New Jersey. So I kind of understand what goes on in school. And when I looked at that, I noticed that the resumeumés that were sent to apply for that um to be interviewed to serve for that interim um the opening which um the lovely lady just um gave you know her little speech goodbye. They're there in entirety and I don't think that anyone who went forward with good, you know, faith and they sent in these resumeumés and I was like, what is this? All of

124this personal information things quite frankly that should be redacted about someone are right on the Oprah. So say you went on Apple to apply to be a teacher, right? And you give everything out. It's as if you were to photocopy that like comes out to like 24 pages once everything comes out and you're done on Apple track with the complete application. That's like putting that up there. And I don't think that's appropriate. And I think that maybe you should ask if there ever comes out again if you want to just have the interview with the person because if you run for office, you certainly don't have to give out your private employers. You don't have to give all this information and that's right there for someone to read about everyone who applied to be interviewed

125to be then selected to serve for that s you know short period of time and I know that if that were me I would be quite disappointed to know because every request that is made online remains open so you don't have to make it for another request you can just look on the side and they're there because this is all new and people are doing it and they come right up on the side. Prior requests come up. So their letters are there and as and the other thing I want to quickly add is about consolidation. My brother Charles was very very involved with consolidating Seaside Park Schools with Tom's River. It is not easy. It has to be approved and sometimes it's not in the best interest of the community when that happens and you

126have to absorb staff. the staff is not going to be let go from the prior school district. They're going to travel with the school and they have to be absorbed. And that's one of those little things. So, um, and that's what he learned from that. But anyway, um, think about redactions on personal information if it comes up for an OPER request because it'll be on those. You shouldn't even give out the resume. They didn't apply for a job, right? They applied to serve. I was very, very surprised and I wanted to share. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else willing to wishing to speak this evening? [snorts] >> That's okay. >> Hello, my name is Robbie McGuire. I'm from Monro Township. Um I was just uh wondering I am working on a

127project uh through a college class that the high school offers called Entrax. Um my project it it along with my partners as well. I'm sorry they are not here. This was sort of spontaneous. Um we are working on a solution to prevent casualties during a uh attack you know on a school more specifically a school shooting. Um and so our so our product that we have right now is a uh version of a bulletproof desk that you can um efficiently combine together to make a barrier and also combine together to build a barrier on the door frame so that it blocks anybody from coming in. That's just the base idea to give you guys an idea of what we're working on right now. Um, we do have a good amount of time on this, but

128uh, I just wanted, you know, some feedback on and the board's opinions on if that would be something that if it were a product, it were affordable and it was, you know, practical to implement into a school, uh, would our school district be interested in, you know, um, what's the word? Investing into it. >> Investing. >> You want me to take it? >> Go ahead, Dr. Layman. So, um I would invite you and we can meet we can meet with Dr. Higgins. Uh we can meet with our director of security and have a conversation about what your idea is. Um you know, we certainly could give you feedback from our perspective as the district leadership and from our uh perspective in terms of how we uh view security. We're not going to share any of

129our security protocols or any of the unique things we may have in place to prevent or support us uh in managing a situation like that, but we can certainly give you some feedback. Um just broad feedback and general feedback from from a lens. Um I don't know if the the board specifically has feedback on that. Typically the way the process would work is we would we would evaluate safety tools. We would bring them to a committee, have them review that, share the, you know, the process we went through and then the board would take action in terms of uh supporting that purchase or supporting that program. Um, and that's kind of the the role and the way that the operations work. Um, I think your starting point would be reach out to me. Um, since

130it's the high school, we can certainly loop in Dr. Higgins and Mr. Christopher Foley as our director of security. Um, and we'd love to meet with your group. We can certainly give you some feedback. Um, we also have experience with seeing other types of interventions and creative ideas. And I mean, you see the the uh Velcro we have on the doors and that's, you know, an efficient way for us to, you know, all the doors are locked and we can instead of having people stationed by doors with keys that in a situation they fumble with their keys and try and lock the door, everything is locked. We just pull that um Velcro efficiently and and the origin of that idea could have been a student somewhere, right? Um, so we'd love to hear that. We

131can certainly give you some feedback. >> I appreciate that. >> I I just want to say I like the word affordable and safety and security because that's what I went to with Middle Sex County and it was on safety for two districts, South Planefield and Woodbridge. They have um the metal detectors in their schools and it looks like the TSA at the airport. All the children have to come in, the students have to put their book bags on the um conveyor belt and if they're caught with anything, >> you know, they try to get rid through [clears throat] it with vaping. A lot of the vape stuff was caught right in the beginning and they had a pile of it. Um, but they said 97% of the students in both districts actually complied with the

132instructions on going through the um metal detectors, putting their stuff on um the conveyor belts and if anything and then if they found anything, of course, they called the parents and talked to them. But if it wasn't uh warranted, any kind of discipline, it was just taken care of. So, and they used evolve. Um, I don't know. I think the name's on the information I gave you. Dr. Layman, if you want to look into that, too. Dr. Layman can tell you the name of the company that they both used, but they it was quite expensive. Um, I think it wasn't even outfitting all the schools. It might have been just the high schools and middle school. It was like $295,000, which is in that um PowerPoint. >> Yeah. No. >> So, I I liked your

133word affordable because nobody's safe. We all think we're safe, but no, we're not. And we have to consider the teachers and the students and anybody that's in our buildings. So, that's great. Great ideas. I loved all what you said. So, meeting with Dr. Layman sounds wonderful. So, keep up the good work. >> I I really appreciate that. And yeah, we uh when I when this idea I know my time was up, I'll be quick. Uh when this idea was formed, one of our first goals was how can we make this very affordable so that it won't impact the school's budget too much uh depending on whatever district wants to invest in it. Whether it's a district like this where we have a good amount of money or a smaller district where they won't have as

134much funding. >> And the other thing is we want it to be something that can be implemented seamlessly. So metal detectors, they're very efficient and very uh you know good, well working, but you know, it it's very obvious that they're there and it it makes it feel like less of a school. Uh our product is going to look very similar to a regular desk, a regular school desk, like a wooden school desk, so that you don't have that feeling of I'm in a prison. You have that feeling of I'm in school. Uh but you also have that extra layer of safety if needed. >> Yes. Wonderful. >> Thank you guys so much for your time. >> Thank you very much. [snorts] Good evening again. Chrissy Scurby, Monroe Township. Uh, Madame President, we are all aware

135that you will soon be taking the stand in a lawsuit filed by Dr. Chanley. And before that day comes, this board in this community deserves clarity because when you walk into that courtroom, you will be under oath. You won't be able to spin a narrative, hide behind prepared statements, or rely on political alliances. You will be legally required to tell the truth. And that's exactly why I'm standing here tonight. There have been conversations witnessed by board members where threats of revenge and getting even were made in connection to Dr. Chanley's evaluation. These conversations did not happen in private fantasy. They happened in real time with real consequences for this district. You told Dr. Chanley in the fall of 2024 that you would get even with me for not including your statements in her evaluation the

136year before. and you told her that you would give her a bad evaluation. And on May 5th, 2025, you made good on that threat to get even and made a motion to put her on administrative leave. No discussion by the board, just a plain and simple act of revenge at 1:30 in the morning when you knew you secured the votes through lies and manipulation of board members. So, the question is simple. When you take the stand, are you going to tell the truth about what you said? Or are you prepared to lie under oath to protect yourself? This isn't about politics. This isn't about personalities. This is about whether the president of the Monroe Township Board of Education intends to uphold the law or manipulate the court to cover up a very personal vendetta. Our

137district has been dragged through enough chaos because of grudges, retaliation, and behindthe-scenes scheming. Staff morale has been damaged. Public trust has been shattered. And for what? Ego, control, revenge. So, let me put this plainly. You could either walk into that courtroom as a president who tells the truth or walk in as somebody willing to gamble your credibility and your legal liability on a lie. The community is watching. The court is watching and every board member here will know exactly which path you chose. >> Anyone else from the public wishing to speak this evening? If not, can I have a motion to close? I just Yes. Really quick to point just clarification. I don't want to extend it, but I thought there were a couple of things. There was an I I don't want to make

138ex I don't want to give details because it's conf some of this is confidential stuff but there's something that we would have to vote on HIVs for next month that were >> was in here. >> It was it was in the agenda tonight. >> It was in the agenda. >> Yes, >> we voted on those tonight. >> Yes. >> I think what Mr. matter means is the discussion we usually have about the HIV for the following months months there. >> So we never ask any questions is what you >> right we usually you'll say like are there questions if there were any we would go over we're not doing that this time that's cuz that's what I'm confused about. I know that the ones that we listened to we we voted on today, but there

139were the ones that were in our close session area that we discussed and then there was also a couple other things that we were told would be discussed today that we didn't >> I close session >> if they don't need to happen then >> issues right there was another case >> I I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't know how much detail I can go into But there were two things that are not things we can't talk about that we said we would talk about today. And then there was also the one the HIBs for next month voting on >> I I don't have anything else of an attorney client nature to discuss in an executive if you're talking about like litigation or anything. I'm not >> right. There were

140two that we had gotten things back about that we said like one you actually said that the board should discuss it collaboratively. >> Does the board want to discuss it? I guess is the issue. >> I didn't know if there was a final decision made or if >> Oh, I I I think absence of a decision is the decision. >> Okay. >> Right. >> All right. And then there was a second one that was involving something different that we had gotten something back that you said would be discussed, but I don't think there's much to do in terms of activity there. So, >> at the end of the day, I'm happy to go into executive if the board wants to go into executive. It's up to the board. >> I like if we don't if

141we don't need to if there's nothing that needs to be done, that's fine. I just know that it was there like saying and it was on here that we would. So, I just wanted to make sure we're okay. >> Do you want to go? Do you feel like you need to discuss it in executive session? >> Well, with motion, >> we have to make a motion to go back into exe executive session instead of >> I will make a motion to go to in because I do know what she's talking about. I feel like >> I barely do anymore. >> Is there a motion to go back into executive session? >> I'll make a motion to go back. It'll be quick, guys. >> I will second the motion. >> Okay. Is there any discussion about

142that? I I have a question um regarding our usual process of discussing a hip the meeting before we vote on it would the board or it I don't see why we can't do that and vote on it the same day >> like if we waited till January when we go to vote you said >> is there anything >> you said >> everything in the agenda was voted on it was voted on it may not have been discussed in exact >> it was voted on tonight because I know Mrs. voted um against one of them, right? Yes. >> No, we don't discuss it. >> Okay. >> You need to go into >> Is there a second to go into close? >> We're going to go into close so we can get this question straightened down. >>

143Yes, >> there was a second. Yes, there was. Okay. Yes. Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Aziz, >> No. Um Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro. >> Yes. >> Miss Ratner. >> Yes. >> Miss Chararma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tufano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zitner. >> Yes. >> Mr. It'll be quick. Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. So, the board's going to go into close session to receive attorney client advice and to also potentially discuss student matters. >> Right. >> Um it's expected that the board will be in close session for 15 minutes, 10 to 15 minutes. We will not be taking any action in executive session. Um we will be returning to this room for public session at which time the board may take public action um or

144may adjourn. But the members of the public are invited to stay. We should be out within 10 minutes. >> Did you pick school? >> What >> did you guys pick school? >> Oh, I haven't picked yet.