Monroe Twp Board of Education 08.27.25 Regular Meeting

001really. >> Good evening everyone. It's August 27th and Monroe Township Board of Education meeting. Um, may we have a call to order and the pledge of allegiance, please. Please stand for 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 and justice for all. >> Mr. Kence for that incident. >> I'm sorry. >> Moment of silence for the >> Well, we're going to do it when we come back when we have a full uh I I mentioned it to Mr. Weiss and we're going to wait till we have more people in the audience. Yes. Thank you, Mr. P. >> A roll call, please. >> Yes. Miss Alvarez, >> here. >> Miss Bora, >> here. >> Main >> here.

002>> Dr. Peek, >> here. >> Mr. Piro, >> here. >> Miss Ratner. Miss Chararma >> here. >> Mr. Tfano >> here. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. Here. >> Okay. 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 October 25th, 2024 and August 20th, 2025 at all schools on the district website, Home News Tribune, Cranberry Press, and filed the clerk of a municipality. >> Thank you, Miss Allen. >> You're welcome. >> Mer walking in. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We'll wait one second. Miss Ratner is on her way in. >> Close session resolution. Whereas the Senator Byron Mer open public meetings act NJSA10 colon

0034-6. The act provides that the Monroe Township Board of Ed may hold an executive session from which the public is excluded to discuss matters that are con confidential or are one of the nine subject matters listed in 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 in disclosure is greater than any privacy or governmental interest being protected from disclosure. Now therefore, be it resolved, excuse me, by the Monroe Township Board of Education that the board shall go into executive session to discuss the following additional items may determined and needed. Second page, pending or anticipated litigation and manners covered by the attorney client privilege and matters involving employees in terms of their employment and contract.

004Well, I have I need a vote. We have to have Miss Alvarez is going to be the secretary when we go into a close session. >> Oh, does anybody want to do be the secretary? >> We don't need to do motion for close session first. >> I'm sorry. >> So, so Mr. Payne just read the actual resolution. So, let's have a motion and a second for close. >> Motion for second. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Questions, discussion? >> Thank you. And then a roll call. >> Roll call. >> And then after this roll call, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to have to appoint um by way of another motion um someone to take the minutes while we are in executive session. So, Miss Lord's going to call the role now and um then we'll

005have that other motion. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> you Yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Shapiro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ratner. >> Yes. >> Miss Sharma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ziker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Depay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Like to make a motion to appoint Miss Alvarez as temporary. Secretary. >> Second by Miss Mo. >> All in favor? >> Um questions, discussions? >> Yeah. Is there any questions or discussions about this? >> We can do all in favor. >> All in favor? >> Any opposing? >> Opposed? Anybody abstain? >> Okay, we're going to go into close session. will be back in open session at 7:15. >> Yes, >> we're going to open

006the public portion of the meeting at 7:15. I would just like everybody to stand for a moment if you wouldn't mind because of the tragedy today. I know this town has many religions, faiths, ethnicities, but today we have to come together because we are a school district. We have children. Children lost their lives today. So, let's have a moment of silence. Pray the way you would pray um in your religion and keep praying for the families of those children and the families. Thank you. Thank you very much, >> Madam President. I have a motion. >> Motion to open. >> I have a motion I'll acid. >> Okay, Mr. Zikner. >> Okay. Uh, a motion that the Monroe Township Board of Education retain Patrick uh Madden as special counsel to conduct an employment investigation at the

007rate of $25 per hour. The business administrator and presidents are authorized to take actions to affectuate this action of the board. >> Thank you, Mr. Secret. Mo uh is motion. >> Is there a second? I believe she was the second. >> That was the second. Okay. I'm sorry. Second. >> Roll call. Miss Allen. >> Questions? >> I'm sorry. Questions, discussions? >> I'll get with it. >> You're good. >> Okay. Anybody over here? >> No. >> Okay. >> Miss Allen, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> No. >> Okay. Dr. Peek. No. Uh, Mr. Piro. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. Okay. Miss Ratner, >> abstain. It's a conflict. >> Miss Chararma? >> Yes. >> Mr. Tufano? >> No. >> Mr. Zikner? >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion

008passes. >> Madam President, >> should you call Mr. P? >> Yes. I'm sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. P. >> Yes. >> Sorry. Motion passes. >> Miss Bora, I would like to make a motion as well that the Monroe Township Board of Education immediately reinstate Dr. Chanley and avoid further litigation charges that the district will have to face. Um, that's my motion. >> Second, >> questions or discussion? >> Seeing none, Miss Allen, could you take a roll call? >> Miss Alvarez, >> no. Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> no. >> Miss Ratner, >> abstain due to conflict. >> Miss Chararma, >> no. >> Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> you know, I I lost the entire What was the motion? >> Motion to reinstate Dr. Chandler. >>

009Oh, no. >> And Mr. Okay, Mr. Payne. >> No. >> Motion does not pass. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Any other questions or concerns before we go? We're going into the interviews for the board vacancy right now. Um, Miss Allen has the name and Miss Tagia Tag Taglia Pharaoh. We'll bring them in one by one. >> I'm sorry. We have Yes, we also have to talk about we had um one applicant who requested to be heard in be heard virtually tonight. So, we need to discuss that. Um I need your opinions and what you think about the virtual Miss Ratner. >> Um Mr. Weiss, is there any legalities from one point or another? I know that it says they must be interviewed in public. I know we have a a policy or regulation that says

010board members may participate remotely. This is obviously unique. So, if you can just elaborate. >> Sure. Thank you, Mr. Ratner. Um, from a legal perspective, the process to fill a vacancy on the board um takes the shape of whatever the board says it is. In other words, the board has uh its prerogative to determine how the interviews are to happen or if there should be any interviews at all. Um the fact that this board has uh someone who has asked to be interviewed virtually for one reason or another um leads it entirely up to the board as to whether or not the board is willing to allow that person to appear virtually. Um, I would suggest that to the extent that there's um a consensus or should you want to uh allow an individual to

011appear virtually tonight for purposes of the interview, I would suggest that it be done by way of a motion and a vote so that there's, you know, no question about what happened and we're doing it out here in the public in the sunshine for purposes of transparency. >> Okay. Um, just be so thank you. I my personal opinion based on that information. I think because our legal notice didn't specify when the interviews were going to be held, just that they would be contacted to be scheduled because we didn't know if we were going to do it at this meeting or if we would need a special meeting. Um, and they weren't told necessarily until the last couple of days. I think we should allow if someone wants to participate virtually to do so. Um just

012to give them the same opportunity. >> Is that your motion? >> I I was I figured we do discuss discussion. >> Miss Bor has >> Yeah. I just wanted to share the same opinion that because the timeline has been so up in the air and it's also summer. I don't I don't think it's wrong to do the interview virtually, but I feel like we do need to iron out the whole sequestering part cuz the people here are going to be in a separate room while we do the interview. We would have to ensure how we handle that for the remote candidate. Maybe start with the remote candidate. If we all agree to give the remote remote candidate an opportunity, we start with the remote candidate. that I don't have anything against them doing the interview

013virtually just because of the quick timeline that we had. >> Mr. Lack of notice. >> I I agree with what they said. I think we we should allow the remote but they should have to go first. >> Okay. >> Mr. >> Yeah. I you know if someone is going to take wants to apply to the board and wants to give service to the community, I don't see how you can refuse that. >> Okay. >> So we should go ahead and as such I like the motion. No, wait. Miss Alvarez has a question. Go ahead. >> Okay. >> Or a comment. >> Um, when did the candidate notify the um you that they needed a virtual interview? Did it come with the application or at a later time? >> Should there be a motion first? >>

014If you know >> I I'm trying I believe it was Monday. Um, >> Miss Alen, when were the candidates notified when the interviews would be? >> Monday morning. >> Okay. Monday morning they were notified. >> The request was made on Monday as well. >> I believe um because it went to Nancy. Um I believe it was Monday that she requested it. >> Point of order, please. >> Should we not be making a motion? Second and then discussion >> think would be the correct order. At least that's what Roberts by laws are. So >> we should make a motion. Second it >> then discussion. >> Okay. seek it. >> Please, >> I'll make a motion that the candidate that would like to appear for the vacancy position interview remotely be allowed to do so by the

015Monroe Township Board. >> Second. >> Wait. And Ed, >> may I go ahead and be the first candidate to be interviewed? >> Okay. I need that added, too. Yes. >> And I'll second it. >> And Mr. Zikner second it. >> He did first. Mr. Tfano seconded it first. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Tfano. Uh, can I ask you is the candidate when the candidate ready if we call on her first? >> She has to go first. We call her and she's if she would char >> you have to call. >> Yes, Nancy. >> Okay. Roll. >> Yeah. Does anybody else have anything anything else to say about the issue before we do a roll call? Just >> yes, >> just one quick thing without elaborating too much. My besides just, you know, what Mr. Zikner

016said, which I agree if someone is willing to volunteer their time, we should at least allow them to be heard um without legal standing to say that they cannot participate. Given some of the discussions we've had recently about our costs, I would not want to create a situation that makes this a concern in any in any way. >> So that's the other thing I just wanted to mention. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can you take a roll call, please, Miss Allen? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez? >> No. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Dr. Peek? >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro? >> No. Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> no. >> Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Deayne, >> no. So motion passes. >> Okay. >> So, >> you have

017to call her. >> Nancy here. >> Nancy will call. >> Can we get her on? So >> the people who are viewing can also hear it or just the people in this room. How does that work? >> How's it going to work? >> Well, yeah. Ask the gentleman in it how it's going to work, how they're going to do it. I don't know how they're going to do it. >> Excuse me. >> I don't see >> like a speaker. >> They do a microphone on a on someone's phone maybe. >> I guess I don't know. >> You need about 10 minutes. >> 10 minutes. So then we'll call ahead with the first person. >> No, we can't. >> You just gave the motion. >> No, we got to wait. >> We have to wait 10

018minutes. >> Is there other >> So So the suggestion is to have the candidate call in to the WebEx, live WebEx. We just need about 10 minutes in order to be able to push them through as a participant. So then they could be heard via the virtual public as well as live in the room. >> So could we start interviewing some of the other candidates while we're waiting? No, because we just stated we would make her the first one. >> Oh, okay. >> Madam President, >> yes, >> we could change. >> I'd like to make a motion that we skip this for now and go on with the >> That's what we're going to do. Thank you very much, Mr. >> Second. I don't think I to be honest with you, I don't think we

019need a motion because we're going to do that on the agenda. >> Okay. It's part of the agenda. >> Yeah, we're going to do >> I just wasted a Nothing's a waste here, Mr. Pano. Yeah, they're they're free. They're free tonight. Okay, we're going to do uh number nine. The approval of minutes page four motion >> second. >> Um which Okay. Are we approving which ones? >> Yes. Questions or comments on the ones that I've attached? >> Are we doing them all together? >> We can do Let me list them one at a time. Okay. >> Public board of education meeting July 30th, 2025. >> Motion second. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed abstain. Close session meeting July 30th 2025. >> Motion >> second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed

020or abstain? >> Abstain for the portion where conflict exists. >> Okay. >> Question. >> I will. >> Special board of education meeting August 6, 2025. >> Motion >> second. >> Questions. >> Oh, I know. Any abstensions? Approved. Do I have any discussion on the three sets of board minutes that anyone would like to speak to tonight? >> Um, yes, Miss Ratner. >> Oh, I just did we vote on the the final one? >> Yes, the closed one. >> No, the special public. >> Yes. >> No, we haven't voted yet. We didn't hear. >> No, you're asking questions or comments on that last one >> on the special board meeting, correct? Yes. Yes. >> Okay. No comments. The last one. That's fine. >> No. Yes. >> Now, >> we can move. >> All those in favor?

021>> I >> abstain. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your patience. Committee reports number 10. Committee reports are on our website. Um, great. >> She's ready. Okay. So, if you need to look at the committee reports, you can uh you're welcome to go on the website and actually view the committee meetings and read the reports from the chairs of the committees that we had all the meetings last week. Yes, Miss Ratner. >> Um, just a quick question. I know that we had discussed having the committee meeting minutes on our agenda um for people to see. I see some of them that are there. Um I know that the others are typically added onto um wherever the committee is listed as minutes there, but it's a little bit harder to see for purposes of that

022meeting. Um and so I also had uh you know tried to watch the other meetings like I usually do. There was I think there might have been an issue with the recording on one of them. Um it may have been addressed. This was earlier on the curriculum meeting. I don't think it was all >> recorded. Um, and that's one of the ones that just wasn't on the agenda. So, I can go and look for it, but I just I feel like there's some things being missed by us not having the reports in the meetings. Um, especially when if we have to look for them. >> Can I speak? >> Yes, ma'am. So, I wanted to already apologize. This is my first time that I've not been able to put the minutes out uh before the

023meeting. Moved my son in. I'll say it's just been a rough week. But um the committee the curriculum committee met virtually and we it was because of a power outage here. We were we did record the streaming. I was assuming the streaming was made available but it was if it was not I do want to highlight a few things really quick on the curriculum committee. If I may take a few minutes. We approved about 22 curriculum documents um across all K through um uh high school 12th grade. Um if if once the thing is up and we are approving all of them tonight. Um good discussions around that. Uh we got an update on the summer enrichment and um the remediation piece which I would like to give kudos to the entire team involved. This

024was our first summer of offering advancement in our math subjects. Um, we had 47 students signed up. Please correct me if I'm wrong on Dr. Layman. And the results of were spectacular from, you know, for a lack of a better word. Um, just for anybody who's not aware, typically our students would have to go outside of Monroe to Petty or South Brunswick and pay thousands of dollars there to, you know, to advance in math and then they would come back here and give a test here in Monroe and if they pass that test, they could move up. This time we offered that classes here in Monroe. This is a rigorous five hours a day, six weeks uh course that we had teachers teach, students take, 47 students took and the results were phenomenal. So um

025hats off to that. And we also offer remediation online virtually this time this summer. A big step up. We had a lot of 70 >> correct me >> between se high7s low 80s >> students take that and with again successful results. So this was a great summer for the high school student that were moving up or doing remediation. Um also in the curriculum committee we talked about esports. Uh personally for me that was a big moment. Three years ago when I went to the NJSBA workshop I had spoken to Dr. Chanley that we should be taking you know interest in this. that actually dragged her to the Garden State esport booth to, you know, talk to her about this and she since then we've been talking back and forth about it. And then the NJSBA

026delegate assembly voted on it this uh past spring and I brought it back on the agenda and I was informed by the administration in the last correct program, the esports program in December. There'll be details that will follow through the administration, but that was a big step forward for this district. We're doing something new that is going to address a whole other demographic of students and um I can't um be any more excited. Good luck to the team that's behind esports. So, that was the update from curriculum finance. Again, I have not been able to put the minutes for board members that have not been able to watch the meeting. Uh while everything else was procedural, we are we are voting on Genesis payroll component today. Um last year we approved the Genesis for our

027HR. We're trying to go paper free. This is going to be automated. It's going to also tie into our HR component. Their um initial setup fee for the payroll component is $50,000. And then every year the renewal is $10,000. But because we did not budget for this and we have CSI this year, they've given us a break, it'll be $10,000 this year and then we will pay $40,000 um next year the remainder of the setup plus the 10,000. So that it's just shifted flipped for the first two years and then going forward it'll be $10,000 for renewal and the committee agreed that this was a right step forward and is up here for approval tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Miss Por. Yeah, Miss Ratner, we have the uh candidate applicant on the line.

028>> Okay. Do you want to do that and then we'll come back to committee reports or do you want to finish this >> item? I mean, I just have two questions on that. So, >> finish the item for committee reports and then we'll we'll start the applicants. >> Okay. Um so, I my first question was regarding um just the Genesis portion. Is there a cost savings component to switching over to Genesis from what we were using previously? Um what we're using now is about $14,000 a year. So um actually when it becomes just the maintenance fee, it'll be$10,000 for payroll and 5,000 for the HR. So it'll be just it'll be even >> when we once we get past the setup, >> does that make sense? >> Well, let Miss Ratner's not finish with her

029question. Yeah, >> you had another question. >> I have but it's not about Genesis. So if you >> Mr. payroll. >> Yeah. I I thought we had discussed this payroll piece a while ago and I was under the understanding that the payroll people >> like the system they were using and didn't want to switch to this. So is there a reason why we were switching? Um there's been um a change in um payroll >> okay >> staffing and actually the person the uh payroll supervisor now has had experience using Genesis and her previous >> I was just curious because I know we had discussed it and it was >> yes there was a time and we were waiting >> the old system but we talked about adding so I I was just curious okay >>

030that's fine >> thank you miss Bora did you have >> I just wanted to comment on the cost savings that miss uh while this is $1,000 and this is going to be 10,000 per year. It's just a set of fees. But more than that, we going to be automated. We're going to be paper free. There's a lot of spreadsheets, mergers, and literally paper signing, paper movement between offices for payroll right now that is unheard of in I think we're a few years behind on this. Dr. feel free. >> Oh, we it's it's a significant increase in efficiency in terms of the timelines from uh an affidavit being started to an affidavit being processed by payroll. Um as it's been alluded to, right now things are handgenerated, physically signed in buildings, physically stamped, date stamped, inter

031office mailed via vehicle courier to multiple stops along the way. And oftentimes it takes much longer than it should to get from point A to the endgame. And that affects pay periods. It chunks pay in certain chunks which it impacts uh healthcare deductions, pension deductions. So this will streamline the process. It will clean it up. Um it'll help on the accounting side. It's just a a general well long long overdue process and it syncs right with HR. So changes that happen in HR link right into payroll and vice versa. Um, it makes a lot of sense. It's the next step in in what we need to do to modernize our system. >> Well, we need less personnel then if we're not going paper and moving things now that everything's >> Well, right. So, right now,

032a lot of the people that are doing the paperwork piece are >> building principles, you know, so they're it's a part of their daily routine. They would do that digitally. So, there's still that >> verification that the work was done. You know, the curriculum documents that get written, an affidavit is submitted. So we review the document once it's done once it's board approved then we go through the process of verifying >> the payroll part though. >> Yeah we still >> when we get to the payroll department um you know once it's in action we'll take a look and and see what you know what the workflow is down there. >> Okay I did my my second thing um I did one comment on esports but we can hold off on that until there's further discussions

033in curriculum. Um I just wanted to highlight one thing from um the lease committee um which was we had a discussion um about parent and student communication for the start of the school year which I felt was very important for parents to know and there are probably more people watching this than watched our our committee meeting. And so I just wanted to highlight that that um most people by now have probably logged on to Genesis and done their required forms. But there is a portion of Genesis about communication that is really important for people to log in and make sure that all of their information is updated and that um it may have changed now. I think Dr. Leman you mentioned that the default is they um receive communication unless they have opted out um

034at one point. I know we were having issues with that but either way maybe just check the emails and phone numbers that are listed there and where you want to receive communication so that you don't miss anything. >> Thank you. Okay, we're going to go back to the interviews for the board vacancy. We do have the applicant. Um, Miss Tagley Pharaoh, is she on the line now? >> Okay. >> And okay, so her Okay, so this first interviewee will be Rashny Sha. >> I'm sorry. I didn't hear the name. >> Rash. >> Oh, okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um Rashny I um this is Gail Depay and I have the first we have three questions. You have 10 minutes to answer them. >> The first question is why do you want to be a board

035member? >> Hi G. Thank you so much. >> Can you all hear me? >> Very well. Very well. >> I'm so sorry. >> That's okay. >> Um I promise you I'm not speaking um I'm not speaking very loudly here. Um, but I did want to thank you all for the opportunity for allowing me to speak remotely. It's just obviously very close to Labor Day, so we're we were just on vacation, but I really appreciate you um the entire board allowing me to kind of interview virtually. So, thank you very much for that. I appreciate it. Um, so, you know, I really appreciate your question. Um, in terms of why I want to serve as a board of education member, I do believe that every student deserves access to a highquality education that prepares them for

036success in life. I'm really passionate about ensuring that our stu our schools provide safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where all children can thrive. By joining the BOE, I'd like to contribute my skills, experiences, and perspectives to help shape our policies and allocate our resources responsibly. um and al also advocate for programs that benefit both students and educators. Um and then just to give you a little bit about myself. Um I have two boys in in the schools. I have um a younger child in at Oak Tree Applegarth Elementary School. I also have an older child at the middle school. I serve on the parent organizations for um for both schools. Um, and I I really see what giving back to the community does. I really see how excited the kids get as you um roll

037out different programs for them and what collaboration between a parent and administrator really means. So I collaborate very strong ve very strongly and very deeply with um the different administrators in both those schools and I see what a difference that makes and I I think that's really important um from a professional perspective um I work in strategy and operations and what does that really mean right but one of the biggest things that I do in my current role is I manage very large scale budgets and I think I that could be um I think that could be a strength towards the board of education. >> Okay. Um, I'm not sure if there's anything else you want to hear, but I'm happy to I'm happy to >> I have another two more questions. Rashny, could you

038please describe any previous or current volunteer experience you've had within our community? >> Sure, absolutely. Um, so I I think I just spoke to it a little bit, but I serve on the board of directors for the Oak Tree Apple PTA as well as the um Monroe Township Middle School PSA. Um so within those activities right again I collaborate with the administrators and I help them um shape different programs etc. I also work very closely um with the staff as well. So I work with the staff to kind of determine um you know we kind of we work together to ensure that the communication is streamlined and different things like that. So every year I think we get a step closer to just being better, right? Being better with collaborating with the administrators, being better

039with collaborating with the staff and being better with collaborating with with the parents. Um so I do those both of those two things um from a volunteer basis for the community. um also not directly part of Monroe Township, but I also um serve as a STEM mentor for college students at Ruckers where I help them kind of I look at their resumes, I help them advance their careers, I try to connect them with folks that can help them for their future. >> Okay, thank you. And then last question, what specific skills would you bring to the board? >> Yeah, that that that's a great question. Um, I bring in a combination of professional expertise, personal commitment, um, and community involvement that aligns with the responsibilities of the role. Um, I spoke to my background in

040strategy and operations, but I think that's given me the skills in leadership, in problem solving and strategic decision-making, and I think that directly applies to overseeing some of the district policies and the budget. But more importantly, as a parent, I also have firsthand experience with the strengths and challenges of our school system. I understand the importance of advocating for both our students, our staff, and especially our taxpayers. Um, I'm committed to ensuring that those resources are used effectively to support acade academic achievement and equity. Um, and also student well-being. I also, you know, I've mentioned my proven record of collaboration and service, whether that's through PTO involvement or coaching college students, etc. I believe those experiences have prepared me to listen to the diverse perspectives, build consensus, and help me make the best decisions in

041the interests of the community um and and the children. >> Thank you very much for your time. Uh I'm glad we were able to get you on virtually tonight and enjoy the rest of your vacation. >> Oh, thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Have a great rest of your day. >> You too. Thank you. The next candidate, >> yes, the next candidate is Joanne Newell. >> New N O L. She's Good evening. >> Good evening, Miss Newell. >> Thank you. >> Uh we have three questions for you. Um and we'll have 10 minutes to get through the three questions. Okay. Okay. First one is why do you want to be a board member? >> Okay. So, I want to be a Borman because I've been in Monroe for almost six years now. My

042family have moved here right before COVID from New York and uh I currently have a child in Brookside High School, one just who graduated and started his first day in college yesterday which is very exciting. Um I've always been involved in the school event whether it be room parent fundraising uh any kind of events that you know book fair just I think the more parents are involved in the school activities and what's going on in the schools is very important and just having that support. So I would like to be able to at least provide my um experiences and you know background history uh in investment banking to kind of help ensure the students can be on a path where they're most successful once they step out of Monro Township High School and you know

043so whatever endeavors they may follow after that whether it be college trade school um services or even just straight to work if they're lucky enough right and don't have to owe any college bills. Um, so you know, um, I'm not a native Monroer, which, um, some people might be like a little bit, you know, uh, I have a little bit treposition, but that, but I think for me that might be a positive because I don't know many of the members from previous um, or current. So there's no bias. I won't be taking any sides. I'll just make decisions based off of what I truly believe is best for the student, um the staff, the school, and just the moral community as a whole because it does affect everybody. >> Okay. Thank you. And going along,

044you started to share some of your uh volunteer work. Can you um tell us what or describe any previous or current volunteer experience you have had within our community here in Monroe? Uh in the school specifically, I've volunteered and helped with the book fairs. That's my regular thing that I do. Uh I'm currently helping with my uh children's marching band, marching band parents, which requires a lot of time. >> Um and then outside of this, you know, I take my daughter on joyful rides of dropping off donations to libraries, uh drop off centers, just kind of have her show her that, you know what, we need to give back and help people. Um, also I think Ross Moore, I'm not sure. Um, there's a Nancy there who kind of have this, you know, community going,

045which I think is great, just helping everybody, you know. So, I kind of drop off donations there and I'm actually dropping off cookies next week. So, uh, just, you know, trying to be as involved and helpful, uh, because I do think that we're in a very, uh, fortunate situation comparatively. I'm not rich or anything, but I think, you know, I'm fortunate compared to many people. So, just kind of having to give back and, you know, it helps the community as a whole, basically. >> Yes. Thank you. And the last question, what specific skills would you bring to the board? >> I'm not a confrontational person. I think personally I'm very friendly and I get along with a lot of people. Um so I think having that helps along with uh when it comes to making

046decisions uh I think from what I saw from the past and just hearing things um I think maybe people's passions for the school what is best for the school may have maybe c some lines and then made it where it's not possible to make best decisions for the schools and the children right so I think for me I'm able to talk things out from my past um management experiences just collaborating with a lot of people from different diversities you know backgrounds and working as a team to res we solve problems in a adult manner >> okay thank you >> thank you >> nice u hearing from you >> thank you I appreciate that everybody who showed up >> thank you Well, she's talking. >> Yeah, that's fine. Okay, >> it's fine. Yes, she's talking to

047>> Okay. Um, >> okay. So, the next candidate is Ann Kuini. It's Ann Kuini. >> Hello everybody. >> Hello. Hi. How are you? How are you doing here? >> Great. How are you? >> Good. We just have three questions for you tonight and we're giving 10 minutes to answer the questions. >> Okay. The number one is why do you want to be a board member? >> I've always been a person that helps. Ever since my kids were in school, I've always been part of PTO's, different committees, organized events. Um, even currently now, I was just on a meeting. My daughter got on the high school volleyball team um, freshman year. So, they just had a parents meeting and I'm waiting to see what my role will be there. I'm actively involved currently with the marching

048band and performing arts department. Um, I just like to help and I see that the board can use it. I ran a couple of years ago and I just feel that I'm very levelheaded. I'm open-minded. I welcome different ideas, suggestions, maybe between two people coming together can form a great answer to a problem or maybe even see something that no one else saw. I like to think outside of the box and that's really it. When I saw that there was an opening, I thought that maybe this was just a great opportunity to come on. Thank you. Uh number two, could you please describe any previous or current volunteer experience you've had within our community? So, like I said before, especially through the schools, I am constantly um here volunteering. Um this past summer, I was

049helping with the marching band. So, that's takes a lot of time. Um I've also volunteered through my daughter's like Girl Scouts. Whenever they had any community events, I was always there helping out with them. I volunteered at my church whenever they needed help. I'm an active member there. Um, but primarily I am always here to the point where some of the security guards know me by name. >> Okay, good. And the last question, what specific skills would you bring to the board? >> I think I'm very organized. I think I am a great listener. I think I am capable of hearing all sides. I'm very levelheaded, which I think is very important. And I like to look for answers maybe in areas that other people haven't necessarily looked in yet. >> Okay, great. Thank you

050very much for your time. >> All right, have a good night. >> You too. You can stand next to >> Oh, okay. The next candidate is Sarah Aziz. Hello, Mrs. Z. Hello. You're going to have 10 minutes and there's a total of three questions. Okay. The first one is why do you want to be a board member? Um, my I would like to be a board member to because I care deeply about the success of Monro Township Public Schools both as a longtime community member and a parent of three children in our school district, including a child with special needs. My personal connection drives my commitment to making sure that every child, regardless of background or ability, receives a high quality and inclusive education. Um, also I bring about over a decade of experience in

051finance and accounting. Um, I know how to analyze budgets and make sure that um, our our our tax dollars are spent wisely for the benefit of our students. Um, I also serve on the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities where I advocate for children with disabilities on the state level. >> Thank you. The next question, could you please describe any previous or current volunteer experience you have had within our community? Um, well, I've volunteered um in my children's classrooms. I've also participated in educational fundraisers. This has given me a firsthand understanding of the dedication our teachers have uh to our students and the importance of school and family partnerships. Um, I've also watched every single board meeting since, uh, December 2019 and nearly every committee meeting since March 2020. So, uh, I already know a

052lot about, um, the board, uh, and how the committees work. Um, and I uh not only sometimes I watch the meetings, I rewatch the meetings, I write about the meetings um to inform the broader community about what goes on here because it it's so impactful um to our students and um to you know there are few things that are more important to me than the education of my children. Um and so that's really what drives me. Um as I said on the state level I advocate for children with disabilities um and their families. I also stay informed about the broader trends in education which helps me connect local challenges to the larger conversations about funding uh inclusion and academic standards. >> Okay, thank you. And the final question, what specific skills would you bring to

053the board? >> Um well, I I bring my financial uh expertise. I know how to analyze budgets, prepare budgets, um ask ask the tough uh but necessary questions. Um I also um have experience uh in in in policy as it relates to uh children with special needs in terms of uh evaluating legislation and how it impacts our community. Um, and I also in addition to the financial expertise and the experience in advocacy, um, I also, uh, uh, bring a lot of community engagement skills. Um, I think it's so important to keep, uh, the community, um, informed about what goes on and encourage engagement and, um, community participation in the decisions that occur here. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um, the next candidate is Santok Singh. You spell >> S A N T O K H

054They can stay. >> Sarah, you could stay if you want. >> Yes, you could stay, Sarah. >> As long as you're finished, you can stay. >> Who? Could you please give me the name again? >> Gentleman. >> Santo Singh. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Hi, Mr. Singh. >> How are you? >> We have three questions for you this evening and 10 minutes to answer them. >> Okay. First question is, why do you want to be a board member? >> Well, my son goes to Mil Lake um because he's going to be part of the education system for a pretty long time. So, I'd rather be part of the the the solution making rather than complaining about on the other side of it. >> Oh, okay. Uh number two, could you please describe any

055previous or current volunteer experience you've had within our community? uh not in this township but I do it outside where I mentor kids in different schools for the career choices that they make. >> Okay. And the third question, what specific skills would you bring to the board? >> Well, I served in the military for 11 years right after high school. Um self-taught uh for the technology part of it. I've been working in New York since uh 1998 in various different industries from healthcare to to the technology part of it. Now I work at financial firm managing the cyber security which is I think where a lot of the kids are now going with with the technology and the AI and everything else that's that's coming along. Um I do a lot of mentorship for a

056lot of the kids as part of the corporate um mentoring program. Okay, thank you very much for your time. >> You're welcome. [Applause] >> Um, the next candidate is Bass Masuds. >> Basic What's wrong? >> Yes. >> One after that. >> Okay. Hello. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Hi. >> How are you? So, uh, we have three questions for you and you'll have 10 minutes to answer. So, we're going to start with the first question. Why do you want to be a board member? >> Uh, because I can be a board member. You need a board member. I've been a board member, a treasurer, and working for schools and nonprofit organizations for 12 years. Uh, I've been doing this. I even I'm even the uh treasurer of the Monro Soccer Club for three years

057now. Uh I know the community, love to serve the community. Uh I also serve my church since middle school. Uh St. Mary's in New Brunswick. So uh I guess I can this I can do this. Um I started my career in finance and accounting for uh investment banking. Bloomberg, Middle Lynch. Then I got married. I moved to nonprofits and uh private schools finance uh managing the schools, the finances of uh couple of schools, my accounting firm here in Summer Herro serving schools and nonprofit organizations. Um I have the time, I have the background and skills. I would love to do this. I've been a volunteer uh for over a decade now. Um uh over the past nine years, I've been the senior finance director at the dome, uh NJCEDV, New Jersey Coalition and Domestic Violence.

058That's the coalition that serves the nonprofit organizations around New Jersey. I'm providing finance and technical support to them. That gives me uh exposure to uh the representatives, the senates. Uh, I worked with Senator uh Booker, uh, Representative Ben, uh, Mendes. Um, I have enjoyed this. I know how to approach when something is needed for my community. Uh, yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. You may have answered some of these already, but I we want to be fair and ask the same question. So, the next one is, could you please describe any previous or current volunteer experience you have had within our community? >> Sure. Um, uh, I've been the, uh, Monroe Soccer Club, uh, treasurer for the past 3 years. That gives me, uh, the chance to serve the Monroe community. Uh, I have been a

059deacon at my church for, um, over 20 years. uh serving um uh Middle Sex County in general. Uh yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. And the final question, what specific skills would you bring to the board? >> Sure. Um finance mainly uh nonprofit and school uh accounting and finance management. Accounting for the past and finance for the future. Um another skill I have that I have been working with multiple uh board sets whether for schools nonprofit organizations uh whether presenting a budget or working or creating a budget from the scratch I join when there is a a hassle or a problem uh try to help out. Most of the time I I help out. Um in another words, if I'm not in a finance committee or helping with the finances, um I know how board uh

060sets uh work. Uh I know how to come and be prepared. When it comes to administration, I know how to look at a vendor bid, compare. I know how to look into positions, salaries and fringe benefits and compare and look into the market and see how things can be better, how we can fix things together. I know how to approach and ask the right question without offending anyone uh without making things uh sensitive. Uh I have the time uh I guess that's rare nowadays. I guess I have the time since I'm not a full-time employee. I own my uh my private uh business. So, uh I guess I'll help out. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for >> Thank you. >> You could remain in here if you'd like. >> Okay. >> Um and the

061final candidate is Eric Marazini. Hi. Good evening to you. >> Good evening. >> Uh we have three questions that we put together and you have 10 minutes to answer the three questions. Okay. Number one, why do you want to be a board member? >> Uh I want to be a board member uh because I feel like I would be helpful to the community. I would contribute to the board. Um one of the my greatest qualities I would say is working with a lot of different people. Um, I may not always agree with everything that everybody says or does, uh, but I find ways to work with with people. And, uh, one of my experiences with, uh, I'm on the I was appointed by the county commissioners on the Mills County Board of Social Services. Uh

062and one of the um my tasks uh is is coming up with different ways to come to a conclusion and be able to to meet the same goal even if we have different ideas. Uh so that's kind of why I want to help. I I feel like I would be a great help to the community and asset to the board. >> Okay. Number two, could you please describe any previous or current volunteer experience you have had within the community? >> All right. Well, well, the one I just mentioned, um, I also, uh, help, um, so I I own a preschool, uh, in Jamesburg. Uh, so we do a lot of community work. We give back. Uh, we do, um, uh, candy drives for, uh, uh, those who are not fortunate during like Halloween. Uh we

063uh perform at um the Jamesburg Monroe um Memorial Day parade. Our kids perform. Uh so I find ways uh that the kids and most of them are from Monroe. I would say 99% uh and I try and find ways to incorporate u my business and then have them give back to the community. >> Okay. And the last question is what specific skills would you bring to the board? >> So I have uh budget skills you know for my business. Uh I have a background in education. I started out in the public sector. Uh I worked at um two separate public schools um mainly for uh a receiving district. Uh I did uh different work through that. I worked on a technology committee. I did um various programs uh throughout that time and then that led

064me to what I'm doing now um owning a preschool uh with it's in Jamesburg but mo like I said most of our children are through Monroe and some of our children that have graduated through our programs they're actually going to be entering high schools um this year. Uh, so it's I have multiple families that I feel like I'm obligated just to help support them throughout um their career as, you know, as long as as as well as just supporting the community with um as as much as I can. I just I just I feel the need to to give back and that's why I'm here today. >> Great. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. >> You could stay and be seated if you like. We're going to go into close session to

065make a discussion on candidates presented this evening um because I want to I want to make sure that the seat is filled before we start in September. So, Mr. Po, >> I'd like to make a motion that we go into close session. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I. >> Anybody opposed? We'll be out in a few. So, the board's going to go into executive session to discuss uh confidential matters related to the interviews this evening. The board will come out of executive session and it's anticipated that there will be a vote tonight >> to appoint the candidate. The vote will happen here in the public. The discussion about the candidates will occur in executive session. So, we will come back out and we will vote. It's anticipated that we will come

066out and we will vote uh to appoint the candidate this evening. And to the board members, I'd like someone to make a motion to appoint. Okay. I'll make the motion to appoint Miss Alvarez as a secretary for this close session. Is there a second by Miss Ratner? All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Yes. All for your patience. We we tried to do the best we could. Um going to reopen the meeting to our regular meeting. Um, can someone >> Madame President? >> Yes, Mr. Z. >> Yeah. I'd like to make a motion uh regarding what we discussed. >> I'm not >> Can I do that now? >> You mean >> are you're looking to nominate? >> Yes. I'm looking to nominate one of the very fine candidates. Uh, all the candidates. First, I'd

067like to >> Did you open before? >> Yes, she she did open. Uh, first thing I'd like to say is that I personally, and I know I know the board probably feels the same way I do. Um, I'd like to thank the candidates who came up. I thought you were all absolutely wonderful and I must commend you for willing to give you time uh to serve on the board. Having said that, um I really feel that there was one candidate that truly was for the most part above and beyond the rest of the candidates. And that person is Sarah Z. And I just feel that she brings with her an awful lot of information. Uh her background is extraordinary. uh her background and her service to this community is extraordinary and I really feel that

068she would be a tremendous benefit to this board. So I would like to make a motion >> making the motion. >> I'm making a motion >> that Sarah Z be appointed to this board. >> Second by Mr. Piro. >> Okay. Any other nominations? >> Any other nominations? >> Yeah, I'd like I'm sorry. >> Yes. No, go ahead. >> I'd like to nominate Roshi Sha, please. Is there a second on that nomination for Rashni Sha? >> If I second this, can I still make another nomination? >> We can wait. >> Yes. >> Okay, I second this. >> Seconded by Miss Bora. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. I would like to nominate Joanne Newell for this position, please. >> Is there a second for Miss New? >> Second by Mr. Tfano. >> Yes, Miss Ratner. >> I'll

069make a motion to nominate Ankini. Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. Tfana. >> Are all nominations closed? Do we have any more? >> So, we'll take a vote. >> Yeah. If I could just make a statement for the public. The board's policy uh provides that when there are multiple nominations such as that which we have here, there will be a vote on each nominee starting with the first nominee until we have the majority votes. So, for example, if the first per person who was nominated, there's a vote on it and we don't have a majority, we'll then move on to the second nominee and take a vote until we have a majority vote. >> Um, so we may be sitting here for a few minutes or we may not. Uh, >> we need

070six votes for any. >> Yes. >> Five because we have a nine only nine member board, right? Is it the majority here or majority of the >> It's the majority of the full membership. >> Full membership. So then six >> six. >> Okay. >> Everyone understand? >> About that because the last time we only needed five. >> Let me just double check with >> Mr. Weiss is checking for us. >> Last vacancy. We only needed five. >> Yes, we only needed five. >> Bear with me one moment. >> Sure. It says a majority >> the majority of the full members >> of the remaining board members. >> Yeah. So >> So here we go. Um >> the policy says of the remaining board members. >> I'm looking at the statute though. >> Um >> Trump's

071policy >> statute. says it requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the full membership of the board. >> Six votes. >> Six. >> Okay, Miss Allen. >> Okay. Um, >> so first say we're voting for Sarah. >> Sarah, Miss Allen can say she's got she's been she wrote everything down. >> I just have a question. >> Yes. When you say majority and I understand um you have a total of just nine here that are right now on the board >> right >> now wouldn't the majority of the board members who are present nine would five constitute the majority >> um so if I can >> one second let him he's checking right now let's double check >> with Mr. twice >> doesn't mean anything. It's the statute, >> right? Because it was about the

072statute, >> right? >> So last time the board voted, I guess they didn't follow the statute. >> The veto was a bad lawyer. So >> unbelievable. Hope this doesn't ruin your plans. Can we take a a five minute research while our um our attorney checks us out so we make sure we do the right thing? >> Okay. We we want to be transparent and make sure that everything is up and up. >> So give us five minutes please if anybody wants to get up take a break and Mr. Weiss will double check for us. Um Dr. So for everyone here uh based upon my additional research it's my opinion that five will be needed which is a majority of the remaining board members. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Thank you Mr. Weiss. >> Mr.

073Weiss. Is that what the statute says or is that what our policy says? >> Um this would be in accordance with the statute. Your policy probably silent on this. >> Can can you just read that part of the statute just for consideration? I don't have it up on I was looking at like case and other stuff. So I didn't let me pull this stat >> the policy goes along with what you just said. >> Does it? >> It does. Yes, it says it right here. >> A majority vote of the remaining board members. >> Yeah, it's majority of >> remaining board. >> The only without seeing the statute in front of me, which will take me three minutes to get it back up. It's a majority of of the membership of the board that remains

074>> and that's what our policy says. So >> So that's >> So we're right on right on the money. Okay, >> everyone. Do I have any questions or anything about it here on the board members? Sorry. Okay, Miss Allen. >> Okay, so this is for Sarah Aziz. >> I'm sorry. Wait one second, Miss Ratner. Just because when I I had pulled up the New Jersey school board's number the voting requirements which specifies it says full membership means the number of board members when all the member seats are filled >> and then it says consult the board attorney for a default. >> It actually doesn't believe it or not. >> If you look at >> not on the one I'm looking at at least maybe it's at the bottom. >> Well that that's what we pay

075Mr. Weiss. >> Right. So, I was just reading that first paragraph, which is >> take a look at page three of what you're probably working. >> Oh, golly g. >> Oh, no. It's page five for me. Uh, >> when in it when in doubt, the board should take action by roll call vote and consult its board attorney. But just because that top part specifies the full members like it's not >> Yeah, it's it's my weird it's my position that it's it's of the remaining and so that would be fine. >> Yeah. If I can just make a general comment, not legal. It would have been it would make sense. It still makes sense in my head that we get six. That means majority of the board is aligned with that choice. But we do what

076the law says. >> That's right. Okay, we're all settled on that now. All right, Miss Allen, if you could please. >> Yes. Okay. Um, Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Bora, >> no. >> Dr. Peek, >> no. Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, [Music] >> Epstein. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> Elmo. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Deayne, >> yes. >> Motion passes for Sarah Aziz. >> Okay. To be a member of the board of education. >> Congratulations, Mrs. Ziz. >> Congratulations. >> What is a joke? You're leaving, Mr. Tfano? >> Yeah. >> Well, you have enjoy the rest of your night. >> I will. Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your conspiracy. >> Okay. >> Mr. Actually was >> Oh, now my husband's up there. >> Okay. Cuz

077this was left in front of me. >> We can still do it. Um >> Oh, no. No. We just did it. >> Madam President, I I just have to make this comment. >> Excuse me, everybody. Mr. Zikner is speaking. >> Excuse ladies. Mr. Zeikner is speaking. You know, I'm going to use this. I couldn't wait to use this. >> Um, >> no, Mr. Zeer wants to say as a comment, >> Madame President, and and with all due respect, and I direct this to you because it should be directed to you. Um, but that behavior on the part of Mr. Tofano is so unprofessional. I mean, he is a member of this board because things don't necessarily go his way is absolutely no reason for him to depart from this board and and like that's really

078unacceptable. I'm sorry. Totally unacceptable. >> Well, you shouldn't be sorry. Unfortunately, I know unfortunately Mr. Mr. Tfano left, but let's go on with Mr. >> I agree with Mr. Zikner and dropping the fbomb in a public meeting is and you're supposed to represent children. That's a disgrace. >> Okay. Well, that >> we're done with that. We're moving on now. We're going >> Point of order, please. >> We're going to make >> Where are we? Do >> No, that's it. We just have to >> We have to swear in Mrs. >> Statutory oath. >> Do we have a copy of that? >> Mrs. Z, would you mind coming up to the table here, please? >> Is she doing it here? >> This table? Did it before? >> Yeah. Do you are you doing? >> I can

079do it. Laura, do you want him to do or you want, Sarah Aziz, do solemnly swear that I will will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution ution of the state of New Jersey and thou will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people. So help me God. I Sarah Aziz do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of the of a board of education and I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. I Sarah Aziz do solemnly swear and declare that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant

080to R.S.94-1 19 col4-1 and that I am not disqualified to hold this office due to a conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJSA 18A 12-1. So help me God. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, Mr. If you could join us up here next to Mr. Piro. I was going to move on to the next section, but Mr. Piro asked me out of his committee reports, he wants to make a a small report about Apple so we could Mr. Piro, could you please? Yeah, I just like everybody to know that I I know that some people aren't aware of exactly what's going on, but we are doing the raw grant where the we're doing a lot of construction at Applegart school. Uh unfortunately, due to a delay in an electronic switch gear, which is scheduled

081to arrive to us or be shipped on August 29th, um it's going to delay us in the opening school approximately 30 days. So, um Dr. Layman, I'm sure he'll touch on this. uh he's worked with Dr. Higgins at the middle school uh Dr. Graciano and Appleart school along with administration to come up with a plan where we will be using utilizing the trailers of the middle school and uh classrooms inside the middle school to house the Appleart students for approximately roughly a month um until we could get Apple fully open. Um the original plan according to Mr. take was if we were able to open it, the HVAC wasn't going to be complete and uh contractors would have to come in every night and open the you know run events and everything in the school.

082Um the way this is going to work out now is that since nobody will be in the school, uh Mr. Tate believes that we could get all the construction complete before we actually reopen the school. So, um it's unfortunate, but it was a delay in the equipment and that's what's putting us off. But I'd like to thank the uh administration for really doing a great job in making sure that we start school off properly. Mr. Layman, would you like to add anything? >> Dr. Layman, do you have anything to add? >> Sure. So, we had a uh information session last night for parents and students. It was a tremendous turnout. There were several hundred parents there. Um which means there were several hundred students there. Uh we had tremendous staff that took the students around

083through uh the building. They got to see some classrooms where the nurs's office was. They started in the cafeteria. They got to see where their uh outstanding lunches will be taking place. Um in the parent uh orientation side, we shared pick up and drop off information. We shared a day in the life of your student, Appleguard student at the middle school. Um there's a lot of positive feedback, some good questions, and uh you know, we're really set and ready to go. Um we recognize there's going to be some bumps along the road. Um there is naturally bumps along the road the first three days of school in terms of transportation and delays that we as we get in our routines. Um but you know expectations are clear out there about uh the order of the

084dismissal and arrival processes. Um and there's just been a tremendous amount of collaboration between the middle school and Apple. It's uh uh the best case scenario in this un anticipated although we you know had had enough heads up we could plan for this um and less than ideal situation. Uh so we will move forward. We're looking at October 3rd all students back at Applegarth. Um if there's a window the construction's done early we can uh certainly use even the the days off we have the week before to move students back in as well. So um we are set and ready to go. The Applegarth office is set up at the middle school. Um when you call Applegarth school, it rings at the middle school at the Applegarthth office. If you call the middle school, there

085is a uh uh menu feature that you can choose and it'll send you right into Applegarth or you just get into the middle school office and they'll, you know, uh pass you right along. So, you know, every everything that we thought we can think of, anything that teachers thought of, uh, any feedback we got from parents, we're taking that all into account and, uh, you know, trying to make this as seamless as possible. >> Thank you, Dr. Layman. Yes, Miss Ratner. >> Uh, yeah. So, I just wanted to commend you and the rest of the administrative team, um, Dr. Graciano, Dr. Higgins, um, for working together to get this all ready in time. Um, I know it wasn't something that we all wanted to deal with. Um I also uh just wanted to ask from

086what I remember the part that we were waiting for was had a delivery date of >> around today or tomorrow right is >> shipping shipping date of August 29th >> not arrival date >> shipping date of >> of August 29th >> yes and then the electrician developed an installation plan uh that concludes his work right at the end of September and then the last week in September which has a f the first few days in October. We're have a half day and we're off one of those days, right? So, the plan right now is to transition back for that Friday which is October 3rd. >> Okay. And then just to clarify for because the shipping date is two days from now. Have we heard that there's any potential delays as of yet or everything's on

087schedule? >> Nope. We have a shipping commitment for that day and then as soon as we know it's on a truck, we'll be even happier. As soon as it gets on site, it'll we'll be even happier because we know it won't be damaged. And then once we install it and we get everything rolling and it's in our hands, we'll leave more comfortable. But um what we have right now is the ship date commitment and that's what we've had for the August 29th. >> Miss Boring, you have comment. >> Despite the bad luck of the timing of the part, I think everything else pretty much fell in place. I don't know if Mr. Pro mentioned it, but I want to highlight, >> you know, when life gives you lemon, we make lemonade. One of the good

088things that came out of this is um the work on Applebgart that was going to happen after hours. Uh because the students are going to be in the middle school building for the next few weeks, we'll be able to continue that work during hours which just makes it easier in terms of operations. Um and and we'll probably get that done sooner if you want to add to that. The second shift work as it explained to us is if it were to take place when the students were, you know, in school during the day, they have to come in. Then they would say if they're working in the ceilings, remove ceilings, which is a step that they don't have to take now, do their work, reassemble everything. Uh now we can leave those ceilings down to

089continue the work. It's more efficient and uh they can move, they have more time to actually do the work instead of disassemble and reassemble the building to get it ready for kids the next day. So um that is a benefit. Uh we will continue to you know work on that project during the day now. So >> okay thank you. Any anybody else have questions? Okay we're going to go to the public forum only agenda items only. Please come up to the podium. We do have a signup list. You don't have to sign it. If you have a question that's not answered in the four minutes and you would like it answered. Please write your name, number, and the question so that we're able to get back to you. Okay? We don't want to miss anybody's

090questions. Anybody else would like to come up and speak, George, Monroe. Um, New Jersey is mandating uh full-time kindergarten for uh all of New Jersey by 2930. Um, does Monroe have a plan to meet this mandate? Sir, would you like excuse me, would you like the answer from your questions after you ask them or wait to the end? It's your choice. >> Um, well, I have one other question and my other question was in the last meeting when we talked about Applegarth, it was brought out that there were uh penalties for uh uh not completing on according to the schedule. Now, outside of the issue of the switch gear and how that's being handled, uh, are there any penalties for the nonelect electrical work that clearly hasn't been completed? Are we getting any credits back

091uh from the contractors that they didn't meet the deadline? So the HVAC work part of the the plan was to do the work during second shift once school started. So they are on track for their work. What we have the advantage of now is taking taking the daytime hours to be to get more of that work done because they're not assembling and reassembling. So they are on track. The roofing work is scheduled to be done on time as well. >> And all the other contractors are have met their scheduled commitments. >> Yes. Yep. >> Okay. Then I'd like to go back to my other question. Uh if someone could respond to do we have a plan as a community for meeting the state mandate for uh uh all day kindergarten? >> Yes. >> Yep. So

092and I will be providing an update when we do the strategic plan update which is looking like it'll be the September board meeting. Um and we'll do the student data presentation in October. Uh, one of our strategic plan, one of our goals, uh, was, uh, really doing a deep dive into full day K. What does that look like for us over the next couple years, next year, and maybe a few years out. Um, we will have a plan in place to meet that deadline. I think we'll we'll definitely meet it before that. Um, I will share details about what it if we do something for next year, what does that look like? um what are our options? What are some of the barriers we have in front of us? Some of the variables um about

093making it work on a short-term basis versus a long-term plan. And uh I I'll provide some details when I give the strategic plan update. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> And I I have one further comment. I I I appreciate that we can um access committee meetings on online, but as long as it's on the agenda that we have the committee reports, I as a public person who comes to the meeting and that's kind of the meat of it. uh much of the rest of the agenda is boilerplate and um you know except for the administrator's reports and those reports but you know the 332 pages out of 333 are boilerplate in our agenda and uh but the committee meetings help us understand what the board is doing uh and and bringing forward without sitting

094through every board meeting on our part. So this um the somewhat abbreviated report from the whoever heads the committee I appreciate it that that be if that could continue to be part of the meeting. Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to speak? >> Closing the public forum on the agenda. The next item is the assistant superintendence report. >> So, I'm going to combine that with the acting superintendent report. Um, I do have something uh curricular to report this this week. Uh, congratulations to the Mono Township uh middle school Falcon Jazz Band who auditioned and were successfully invited to perform at the New Jersey School Boards Association conference in Atlantic City this October. Um, this is something that happened uh several weeks ago. Um, and we've been holding out on reporting it. Uh some of us

095are going to attend the New Jersey school board's conference. Uh we're actually kicking off the event. We're one of the first performances on the first day. Um the Falcon Jazz Band was selected from a wide variety of performing uh groups across the state, making this recognition especially meaningful. This marks the first time since the pandemic that one of our ensembles has been accepted to perform in this prestigious event and will be the first time a Mono Township School District group will take the stage live at the conference in person. Wow. Um, it's Tuesday, October 20, October 21st, I believe it's 8 a.m., so it's first thing in the morning. And congrats to our talented students, uh, middle school students, and the director, Mr. Dave Ratner, on this tremendous accomplishment. So, congratulations. >> Um, some general

096updates, and I did hit on the Abgarth piece, which I also was going to touch on. Uh but we just are very excited to welcome back our staff, our students, um all of our community members, our athletes are already practicing. We've started to have scrimmages and our first games. Uh so we're really excited about kicking off the school year next week. Um this past three days, including today, I had the opportunity to present to our new staff. Um I did a presentation on our staff evaluation model and uh the past three days they've had trainings in everything from technology to social emotional learning and uh today they also met with their curriculum supervisors and their building principles. So they've had a very busy three days. I think they're absolutely exhausted. Um but they do have

097the next couple days to get back in the buildings and recover uh in preparation for next week. Uh like I said earlier, we had a very strong turnout at the Applegar student parent information night and that was outstanding uh to see and there was definitely a lot of positive feedback. There were definitely questions uh some apprehensive students and parents when they came in but we hope they feel uh reassured and confident in what we have in place uh to start out the school year. Uh all the buildings are getting their final touches. Uh our maintenance staff are in the buildings. They're fine-tuning the the cleaning the floors. I'm sure be working over the weekend. That's just the nature of as we get to the end of this the summer. All the work that we do.

098Sometimes it just, you know, piles up right to the end, you know, fixing all the the buildings and we end up with those final polishes over the over this last weekend. So, we're excited to see the uh the finished products and we will be ready and we will be open uh for our students next week. During the first few days, I just want to make a comment. We did hit on this earlier. transportation uh we will be communicating uh very efficiently, very effectively. But as we know the first three days of school and it starts at the high school, we take extra time which the high school usually is our, you know, highly efficient all the students get out there, they know where they're going and they get out the door. Even the first few

099days, we take extra time at the high school. We want to make sure everybody knows where they're going, knows how to get out of the building, knows where to find their buses. So just as an example, that's our first year of busing. If we get a 10-minute delay there, that stacks on to a 10-minute delay at the middle school, by the time they get to elementary, they could be running 20, 25 minutes late. So, we will be in communication. We will give you a heads up where we stand. We'll also communicate when things are uh you know, buses are leaving the the the buildings, but just be patient with us. Uh your students and and children are in very safe hands. The reason we're taking the time to dismiss everyone and even during arrival is

100because we want everybody to get home safely. We want to know where everybody is and uh make sure u they have a great first, second, third, and then the rest of the school year. Um so just be patient and uh stand by for our communication. Uh it looks like right now we're going to have a nice uh Wednesday and Thursday weather-wise. So fingers crossed we're not looking at a monsoon with, you know, parents and students standing at the bus stops. Uh that's worst case scenario. But right now it looks like we're going to have some good weather. Um and that's about it. So, if we're ready to move into uh the recommendations, >> please Dr. Layman. >> So, it's recommended that the board approve the attached personal items A through P under the 10 member

101vote. This is A through P and the 10 member vote. >> Motion >> second. >> Oh, we have questions. Yes, Mr. >> My question is not on the personnel. Sorry. It goes back to enrollment. Um I do not see the school district enrollment. I I understand that this is in the works and we'll get the final enrollment in October, but we do have is it but on purpose that it is not part of that. >> We never do it on the summer, >> but we do have students you set schedules, we class sizes, why do we not do it? >> I don't have a reason why we don't typically put it in the summer. Um if it's if we're looking for live enrollment in the past month, the students are enrolled in school but they

102aren't physically in school right now. >> Okay. Um >> I just I I understand with the July month, but I felt like going into the year, but that's all right. I got my answer. Thank you, >> Miss R. >> Um yep. So I actually have a question that's also um it's the home instruction portion. Um so I see there are a few um students there obviously not knowing needs or anything like that but there's an effective date that's you know some of them are a year ago basically um with no end date is I guess my concern is a cost and then providing instruction for them is there I guess updates on whether or not there's a different environment that they'll need I I without knowing too much about them obviously. >> So I'll just

103give you some general information on home instruction. So, home instruction, it really depends on the individual circumstances of the student. Um, it may have an open-ended piece because that student has an open-ended situation. Um, the other piece is we have depending on the absence, there is a prescripted uh set of hours that each student is eligible for. And in again, if they're elementary, middle, and high school, depending on the classes, certain classes uh get certain home instruction. Sometimes it depending on the student's ability to receive the instruction uh you can't maybe can't necessarily give the two hours consecutively within a week of when they need it. If that student can only re able to receive a half an hour at a time, it may take longer than you know prescribed time to receive that home

104instruction. So there's a lot of flexibility when it comes to uh getting the home instruction in terms of what they qualify for. It's a prescribed piece uh and we are required to provide that. So, however long it takes, that's how long we uh provide that instruction. >> Okay. And then um just my other question regarding the the 10 member um vote, there are a lot of um certificated staff members um under letter M that are receiving an additional 17%. Um, I know I've brought this up before and you know I usually we I remember being told that a lot of times we use this to cover classes until long-term sub can be found or something like that, but a lot of these are fully year additional sections and some of them are under the same

105subject matter. So I know like we had reduced our our staff because of enrollment and budgetary concerns. I guess my concern is now in besides the increased student load, if one of these staff members then had to go out because of a medical reason or things like that, you know, not only are we, you know, now having less people to fill it, but they were covering five classes and with everyone else covering five classes. >> So, so to give you a a an example for several of these, um, these are positions we've been looking to fill. um and not having the candidates to fill them at this point before schedules were released to students, modifications were made so these courses could be covered. Otherwise, we would be reducing the amount of sections available, which increases

106class size. So, what what we do here is we tweak the schedule so these staff members have the availability to pick up these extra sections and that's why they're year-long. If we were to find a staff member for many of these positions now, um, one person wouldn't necessarily be able to cover it because we've taken that schedule and maybe run two sections at the same block at this point. So, there are sections that we have open and we're still looking to fill, but some of these ones that where we've exhausted candidate pools at this point in order to maintain the quantity of sections, we're really uh committing to that 17% for the year. >> Okay. I guess just to sorry just to follow up on that because when we had our um personnel call when

107we looked at this um looking at the the vacancy list um when comparing it to the board agenda there are I guess the positions the classes being filled are not positions that are on the vacancy list. Um I that was I guess where some of the additional >> right so as of now those positions are no longer vacant because we're filling them this way. That's and that's the give and take as we get right to the end of the school year or right to the end of the summer. We make those commitments for the full long 17%. Um and then we would reopen a search next year if that's the projected number of sections we need or um if there's less need for Spanish ones or twos or threes um we would allocate that staff

108somewhere else. >> Okay. Does that answer Miss Below? >> I want to add to that conversation because we I was part of personnel this month with the vacancy I just want to add what I understood. So when we see the additional sections in the high school um the understanding Miss Ratner that we were given was that also sometimes based on how many students won that class >> we end up starting an additional section. We don't know if next year we would need that additional section again. So if we >> hire just because there are additional students interested in that class we would then be left with that additional staff member next year. So it it does make sense and I think the bigger concern is do these staff members have the opportunity in their schedule.

109I I was told that this is this position is advertised and staff members commit to it for the whole year giving up one of their prep or lunches and they're doing it willingly uh for that extra 17%. So in in my head as a board member, it did make u more fiscal sense to do the additional section than hire a staff member for subjects that tend to have more interest a particular year and might not have that same interest next year. So if it continues, it makes sense to hire for that position. >> And it it's just fine-tuning as you get into the end of this end of the summer. it's we have a need, we have an interest this year in a particular area or we're short staffed because it's a it's a very

110competitive uh position to fill and that's oftentimes in the world languages um maybe some of the really specific sciences um and that's how we knit it out and we have a big enough staff that most of the time I would say the majority of the time even if someone has uh a short leave during the school year there is the ability to pick up another 17% if a staff member needs to pick it up to help cover for something else. So, um >> you know, when we had we've had more 17%s in previous years, many many more. Um >> so, and and you'll see them throughout the year, you know, a twoe leave, we'd rather fill, you know, certain ways. So, yep. >> Yes, Miss Alvarez. >> Hi, I have a question on letter P,

111the um list of substitutes. It's a long list and I was just wondering how are those people selected? Like is there a process? Is it just by who applies? >> So there's an application process and then in terms of uh there's different positions on here, right? There's avid tutors, there's pair professionals, and then there's uh teachers and security. So the security goes through an interview process just like a security officer would um if they were applying for a full-time position. The teacher substitutes go through an interview process with a a certificated administrator. The everybody gets interviewed. It's typically by uh assistant principles throughout the district. It could be anyone anywhere from an elementary up to a high school assistant principal and they make make a recommendation to the human resources department. Um in terms of

112AVID tutors, uh we have uh staff members, we have administrators and teachers that work with our AVID staff. Um, and we certainly screen them and and vet them before they participate as well. So, um, I think that covers there is a vetting and a screening process for all of our substitutes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, Mrs. Z. >> Um, I have a question for Mr. Weiss. Um, as a brand new board member, am I are there any restrictions on what I can vote for or can I vote on anything barring things like conflict of interest? So the easy answer is that as a board member, you're permitted to vote on any matter. The question of whether or not you you feel that you have enough information to base your decision on is

113is a personal question and totally within your discretion to either vote or not vote. So it's totally within your discretion and uh if you feel that you have enough information to make a vote, there's nothing to stop you from doing so. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. Okay. Okay. Um, Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, I'm sorry. Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yes to all recuse on P. >> Okay. Um and Mr. Payne, >> uh yes to all recusees on number 57, page 16 as it refers to a relative. >> Okay. Motion passes. >> It is recommended that the board approve the attached board action items Q through

114AM. It's a personnel nine member vote. >> Motion. >> Second. I'm sorry, Miss Ratner. >> Sure, no problem. Um, I just wanted to ask about letter Ah, is this something that is in addition to mentoring? Um, or is this for other people? >> So, this is something so we use title funds to do this. This is uh something that is within the grant that we get and this is a support that we offer. Um, and this is the buddy teacher. So, if you're a new teacher to the profession, you're required to have a mentor, right? Right. And you pay for the mentor and um it's just it's a part of your lensure requirement. If you're a new teacher to the district, but you already have your license, right? So, you've come from another district. This

115is something we put into place to support those teachers. Um, and it could be as supporting them in everything as who do I call to get information about payroll or I want to change my last name or my health benefits or it could be how do I log in to they do new teacher orientation but how you know who do I reach out to get this information. So these staff members um will work with new to the district uh teachers that that are already uh certificated and uh don't have that traditional mentor teacher. >> Okay. And this is only at the schools where title one is or we can use them for >> No, this isn't this is title funded. It's not necessarily title one funded. It's title funded. Um I believe it's title two

116and uh this is any school. Any school? >> Yep. So this is districtwide. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Miss Allen? >> Yes. Uh Miss Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro? >> Yes. >> Miss Ratner? Yes. Uh recuse due to conflict on letter Y for Miss Francis. >> Okay. Miss Sharma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ziz. >> Um yes. >> Okay. Mr. Depay. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> It's recommended that the board approve the attached board action items A through R under the board action 10 member vote. >> Motion. >> Second. >> You have a question. Miss Albert. Oh, >> she can go first. >> Well, she was closer to me, so I saw her first, >> even though I was practicing my

117speed after last time. >> Well, I used to I know with the speed, but she I saw hers first. So, go ahead, Miss Alvarez. You have a question? >> Uh, first I have a comment. I wanted to congratulate Dr. Layman on being elected to the representative assembly of the Educational Services Commission. That's good news. He'll be on there until uh the end of June. So, congratulations. And then I had a question on letter J. Do we approve these vendors only once a year or do they get added throughout the year or is this the only time? >> That's a that's a very good question and I actually answered it for uh someone else but uh I'd love to share with the public. So um these are locations u and they're places where our Monroe High

118School community based learning and work-based learning programs regularly visit. So, our special program students uh inclusive of our 18 to 20 20 21 year old students um as well as some of our high school students. We typically and we will continue to approve these locations through our field trip field trip process. But what this does is it allows for some flexibility because occasionally on our end we need to change the location we're going to. But additionally we get additional opportunities to go on a special occasion uh to recognize some sort of event. Um and with these approved this way it gives us the ability to kind of change the location and still still pay them right. They're now an approved vendor as opposed to being uh oneoff approved every time they go there through the

119field tip process. Um, we still go through the field trip process for all of our regular scheduled uh trips. Um, we get we do that for transportation coordination. We do that for board notification. But and there are other places they go. There are definitely other locations that go, but these were the ones and and we had a situation, not situation, we had an opportunity last spring uh where we went through special permission to get one of these classes the opportunity to go uh on an unscheduled uh visit that was in between board me uh board meetings. So, um, this is something we talked about last year and we're kind of chunking some of these items so we can pre-approve them, which gives the our students the opportunity to engage in these activities, especially when they

120come up, uh, you know, in between board meetings. >> Yes, we can be flexible. Again, it sometimes the staffing piece on our end requires a change in date, change in location, flipping one one location to another, and uh, we can still move forward with those events. Um, Miss Ratner. >> Um, yes. I wanted to ask about I lost it. Uh, all right. Over here. >> I'm sorry. The um, turn it turn it in. >> That's what I was going to speak about. >> Oh, okay. >> I I can give you the update. So, we approved it last last uh last board meeting, right? we uh began to update our rostering and there was a discrepancy. We we needed to register more students. We needed to increase the enrollment. It adjusted the price by just about

121$800, $850. So, the way we pay bills and the way we approve things, it's to the exact dollar amount. So, we have a revised and updated document. The business office is prepared to uh execute our our payment. We just need to update the the new uh new approval. Okay. I can I follow up on the same thing? Okay. I I had talked to Dr. Layman and he'd explained that to me, but I have a technical question on that. So, we approved it last board meeting for 16,000 and change. Yep. >> We're changing the amount. So, does this automatically override the last meeting's approval? Yes. So, we don't have >> because we haven't updated quote. We haven't updated everything. >> So, legally it it's not two approvals for two amounts. So I I think what you're

122asking, Miss Bora, is are there actually two purchase orders with two different amounts because that would be a problem. But it sounds to me that whatever purchase order may have previously been issued would be uh deleted or >> and we don't need to take any executive action if that purchase order is canled. >> We just have a new rate and we're going to approve the rate and then >> I would imagine Miss Allen's going to cancel out that other purchase order. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And then I also um wanted to ask um regarding there was something on here for Reed Sounds and I know this is something that's come up at the buildings and grounds meeting um in the past um because a lot of times there's been a rather high charge and

123our policy uh regulates that the whoever uses the um performing arts centers whether it's inside or outside companies have to use the approved vendor. Um I know we had had this discussion I think it was last year um and Mr. Tate had said that he had been you know open to the possibility of other companies but it was hard to find them. Um I do recall also being told that comp uh outside organizations possibly inside but that seems a little bit more concerning I guess can use a different vendor if they're still willing to pay for the 10-hour minimum of re sound because of all the other potential incidentals that might make it more expensive. But that's not in our policy. So, I guess sort of my my question would be because it's not in

124our policy, is that something that is allowed? And if it is allowed, is that something that we should be providing to the public as an option? >> I think your question was directed to me. Um, and and quite frankly, this is the first I'm hearing of that arrangement, which um has is a cause for a couple different areas of concern for me. Right. So, my suggestion would be that the policy committee send the policy to me to review. Um, I do have a concern that I'm not going to get into really here, but about this vendor issue. Um, and and you know, the process by which that vendor may have been selected, identified, andor required to be used. Um, so that's just a you know, something that I'd look to like to look into. Um,

125but in terms of the the policy itself, there's tons of flexibility that the board has as it relates to whatever rules and restrictions it wants to put on the use of facilities. So, I would say the policy should really reflect what this board wants in terms of, you know, boots on the ground, if you will, and how how you want your equipment to be handled, how you want, you know, who you want to touch your equipment, if anyone. I do have districts that require um a a district staff person to be there to utilize the sound um if it's going to be the in-house sound system and lighting system. So, there's all different ways that you can do this in order to not only afford access to to the public, but also to protect the

126the district's resources. >> Mr. Piro, would we be able to consider adding that to the BG&T agenda for one of the upcoming months? Yeah, I I was under the impression that we ironed that all out. I didn't think you could use anybody you wanted. I was under the impression that uh we had a contract. I know like um my experience here is Reedtown used to do these board meetings. Now we're they're done by our staff. My understanding is that um our staff does the majority of things and the things our staff don't do >> it read sound is the contractor because it's the continuity of the equipment and the property and what's used where I don't I don't ever recall us saying that anybody >> second what he said that we did review another sound

127company and then we came back to read sound >> uh so that's the approved vendor by the board now >> yes >> to your point the policy policy should again definitely be looked at but whoever is sent to the policy has to be approved >> by the committee and the board >> and I believe it was all about the equipment and the use of it and we didn't want anybody just coming in because it's expensive >> that that and that was you know my point and I think when we had you know discussed this I don't remember if we had finalized >> I think it's the middle school also too >> we did finalize >> right no no we finalized resound let me clarify so There was um community organizations outside that have been told

128at one point as long as they are still hiring someone to supervise from Reed Sound. >> I well they had to hire Reed Sound. It's not s they're hiring Reed Sound to that. I don't think they could hire Reed Sound to come in and watch them touch the equipment. >> Can we wait and discuss this in or BGT? >> Yeah. And then just Yeah. Right. My other my other qu quick thing was the policy just um regarding the honorable and uh principal list which um I believe we have up for first read tonight. Is that correct? I don't have in front of me but I think it's for the first >> second. the it's the regulation and because there were substantial changes it's back up for the first read >> and what we uh discussed

129in committee was we would move it forward with the changes to the honor roll piece which were uh not controversial not discussed and not really an issue of concern um because they were updated to align with practice and uh consistent as a transition from the elementary up to the high school and we reverted the national honor society piece back to its original standing. Uh, and we're going to revisit that in October. >> Right. Which I I did want to thank administration for hearing the concerns of, you know, both the board members and the um community on that. Um, for regulations, I did have a legal He keeps smiling at me. Um, having watched >> I have a feeling what your question is. >> Oh, okay. Let's see. Um, so having watched um some surrounding districts

130board meetings, one thing that came up at a nearby town was that regulations do not require to Is that what you knew was coming? Is that accurate? I don't think it hurts to have a second one, but from a legal standpoint, >> so from a legal standpoint, um, a board regulation is different from a board policy. A board policy is aspirational. It's what the um the board of ed would like to see in the district and the regulation is the action items that implements those that policy. Um typically it's actually up to the superintendent to make regulations in most school districts. Um and the boards do review the regulations. Most boards adopt the regulations. Um from a legal perspective, is it required that there's two readings on a regulation? And I don't believe that there

131is, but it's my understanding that it's this board's practice to do it that way. So, I would suggest that you continue that practice. And to the extent there's a need for an emergency regulation or an emergency change for regulation, you could always do it that night, read it that night, and then read it again at the next meeting. >> Just like you would an emergency policy. >> Okay, >> I'm good. >> Good. We can move on. Was there a motion? >> Yes. Um, >> so who seconded? Sorry, >> it's been a while so yes. Okay. Um, so Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Pac, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. Recuse on letter A for Dr. Leman and Mr. Snater as well as for

132letter D for Dr. Layman. >> Okay. Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ziz, >> yes. >> Mr. Payne, >> yes. Motion passes. >> So, it's recommended that the board approve the attached board action items S through V under the board action nine member vote. >> Motion second. >> Okay. >> No questions. >> Okay. Um, >> Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Aiz, >> yes. >> Miss Depay, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. >> Number 14, the business administrator's report. >> Okay. Um, it is recommended that board action items A through S be approved by consent roll call under a 10 member vote. >> Motion. >>

133Second. Are there any questions or concern? Yeah. >> Oh, no. Sorry. No, my turn. >> Miss Bora, >> I just have a comment. I would like to thank all the donors, um, all the sponsors for our advertising program, Elas Preso and Elas Council, Country View Farms Nursery, and the Monroe Education Foundation for supporting our district's uh, educational aspirations. >> And I think I missed one, the booster club donation for $5,000. That's what I was going to tell her. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. Miss Alvarez, >> yes to all, abstain on A2. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes to all, abstain on A2 and uh item B, the bill is check number 9333. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Ratner, I for this point of inquiry. Um, so for

134the bill list, I've always listed each of the bill numbers. Um, and obviously want to make sure I'm covering myself. Um, do I need to do each individual bill number as I've been doing, or is it okay if I make more of a statement of the individual or something like that? >> Yeah, I think um, it's form over substance to be honest with you. I I think that you would be okay or I should say put it to you this way. It's my legal opinion that you would be okay if you were to say for example and just judging from memory on uh whom you typically uh recuse or abstain from. I think it would be okay for you to say um approve all bills or yes to all bills with the exception of any

135payments to Mr. Ratner so and so so and so and so and so. That way um you will you don't have to go through each line item which you probably do before each board meeting um to find the individual checks. I think that you can make a statement that you're abstaining on all pay all payments, claims, and bills. >> Wait, payments, >> claims. Okay, >> I have >> for those people, whichever individuals you want to individually name, I think that that is effective that way from an ethics um as far as a school ethics perspective would go. >> Mr. Pharaoh. >> Yeah, I I have a question for Mr. Roy. So, under letter N, um these approved sponsorships for district advertising, the first one, Elias Council, um wasn't there pending litigation with us and he's

136a sponsor of our district. Um my understanding is that at some point he represented an employee of the district but I don't believe that um he himself has uh any pending litigation with the district on behalf of himself or his businesses. But this is a renewal. So that means he was on it at the time he had litigation against us. >> I'm looking at uh item N says it's recommended that the members of the Monroe Township Board of Education approve the following sponsorships >> under Oh, then in the parenthetical. So he was representing an employee at the same time he was advertising within the district. I don't think that's appropriate. Um, as from my perspective, that's not necessarily a legal issue. >> Um, >> I just want to make sure that we're not >> I

137did you want me to do my my vote? I'm sorry. I just wanted clarification before I voted. Okay. Sorry. Um, so yes to all. Um, abstain due to conflict on numbers two and four. um as well as abstain uh due to conflict on the bill list um approve all payments claims and bills except for um on the bill list and addendum one and addendum two for Mr. Ratner uh Dr. Chanley Dr. Layman Mr. Snyder Dr. Higgins Mr. Lurri Miss Francis Mr. Freezy Lithgow, Methyl Worble, and David Rubin. Yeah. Okay. Um, Miss Sharma, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ziz, >> uh, yes. Abstain on N. >> Okay. Um, and Mr. Depay, >> yes. >> Okay. Motion passes. Um, it is recommended that board action items T through X be approved by consent

138roll call under a nine member vote. >> Motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> Any questions about this, Miss Ratner? >> Yep. I just wanted to um acknowledge the donation from the um Bullets Corporation uh for the middle school for donation of the whiteboards, corkboards, and deck. Uh, desk riser. Um, yeah, that is all. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Miss Allen? >> Yep. Um, Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro? >> Yes. >> Miss Ratner? >> Yes. I'm going to abstain due to conflict on the grant for letter T. Um, otherwise, yes to all. >> Okay. Um, Miss Sharma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Aziz, >> yes. >> And Mr. Depay, >> yes. >> Motion passes. That concludes my report. >>

139Thank you. Uh, next is the board president's report. Um, I did sign some paperwork at the board office this week and also approve some early checks. But I I want to read something that means a lot to me and it's coming from my heart and I think all of us on this board have a heart for the children of this district as elected officials who volunteer their time. We do not come to meetings to be ridiculed to the be be the brunt of gossip on social media or even have our name called out at a board meeting. There is something I recently found on Facebook. It said, "Remember, you are entitled to your opinion, but you're not entitled to tell me mine what mine must be." Please keep that in mind. And this is for

140everybody. I'm talking to the board. We only have a couple people out there. One is my husband. Uh, please keep in mind when coming to the microphone to speak, we will try to answer all your questions or concerns either the night of the meeting or in the very close future. I hope that everyone in this community realizes that we are all here to make sure that the children of Monroe Township School District have the best education possible and that we are fiscally responsible to all the stakeholders in Monroe. I would like to ask that everyone who speaks at meetings will do so with the children and the district in mind. Any questions not answered that evening will be answered as soon as possible. It might be nice to get an occasional compliment. I just threw

141that in there because I think everybody during your day, during your life, needs a pat on the back and we all deserve a pat on the back for all the jobs and all the volunteer hours that we do. We don't have to agree all the time, okay? But we have to compromise and come together as one when it comes to providing our students the best education possible. I want to wish everyone a happy, safe, and productive school year. And I also want to add this sentence I came up with the other day. I hope all comments from now on are constructive and not destructive. So please keep that in mind everybody who's listening. We will listen to anything that you would like to bring to us. But we work hard on this board and we

142don't need anybody to come in here and put us down for any reasons. So that's my comments for the evening. Thank you. Other board members, other board of education business, Miss Ratner, I'm really getting above you. I'm going to raise it now. >> Um, so just to piggyback, Mr. P, I agree with you. I think that the social media stuff needs to >> you know die down. We're we're in campaign season. It gets very uh you know stressful um and creates a lot of chaos and I think if you know I don't know how many times I've said if we can just all work together I think you know we can move forward much more. You know I know for some people there's been a lot and I understand it's hard but whatever we can

143do to do our best. Um I Dr. Leman, I know you mentioned um that when we do the strategic plan update, we'll get u an update on full day kindergarten. Um just knowing that this is something that's been, you know, certainly like a passion of mine. Um and I know there's a lot of others on the board and in the community, um I was wondering if it might be possible, um not necessarily to make an actual ad hoc committee for kindergarten, but perhaps um some time in the curriculum committee, I guess, is probably where it would, you know, be best to get updates on this. I know we were hoping for next September. I understand you know sometimes there are things that get in the way of that but just so >> um we have

144as a more clear picture each month as we progress that would be wonderful. Um let's see two other things. Uh in addition to the genesis contacts um one thing that you know we had worked on in the lease committee was the calendar on the website. Um, so I think there are, you know, a lot of people are aware you can now subscribe to the district calendar and it'll be automatically synced up to your Google calendar, which I love. Um, one thing that I I don't know if we've streamlined yet is each school has its own separate calendar as well that if you want the updates for that when we had created this, I think you had to sync up to them separately. So going on to the specific school's website and subscribing to that calendar

145also. Um, so if that's something that is of interest to you, um, just make sure to go ahead and do that. Uh, and then just the the last thing, um, I think it was Mr. Gunglman who brought it up, but the committee reports, um, I try to watch all the board the committee meetings when I can. Um, I definitely feel that, you know, I know there are some people who do, some people who do it on occasion, but I do think there are certain things that we're not learning about, um, that we're missing. You know, there's things that come up whether someone's sick and they don't get the minutes up there. Maybe we can make a plea to have it shorter the reports and just do the highlights instead so that way it's not lengthy

146reports. But I I do think it would be nice even if the committee um chairs just maybe gave two or three highlights or something or any you know I which I think is what we had sort of suggested but I would like from each committee to sort of hear that because it is kind of challenging to get that especially some months more than others. So that would just be my request. >> I I don't think that would be a problem. I mean, if it's left not a half hour, 45 minute, you know, report about your committee, but like you said, the highlights because the highlights are the one things that everybody wants to hear. Mr. Piro asked if he can talk about Applegart. That's important. Uh, Gazala spoke, I'm sorry, Miss Bora spoke about hers

147because we had problems that night. So, I think, you know, if it's up to everybody, I think we should bring it back. It's up to, you know, everybody here. But in I can't get the word out of my mouth. >> Thank you. >> Abbreviated highlights. Okay. And I think um that would be fine. And just abbreviated highlights and thank you. The word just went right out of my head. So >> all right. Thank you. And just I hope everybody has a great start to the school year and be patient. >> Miss Bora and then Mr. Zikner. Um to piggyback on uh what Miss Ratner said about the kindergarten. So, uh, we've had a few offline discussions with Dr. Layman, um, my understanding is that even though we haven't as a board and as committee started

148talking about it, the administration has been putting in work so that they can start to bring their recommendations. That's how board works like they do the work, they bring their recommendations to us or their preliminary plans. So this board is expecting to see uh those discussions to start in September. Uh Dr. Layman has assured us that all the groundwork that they've been doing for the last few months, we will start to hear about it in various committees. I personally as curriculum chair and finance chair am looking to start these discussions soon uh in my committee hopefully in September. Um and I understand that the public really would like to see where we're going. So we're all on the same page there. Uh just wanted to shed some light on what's been happening. Uh there is

149work happening. It's just not concrete enough to start public and board level discussions. >> Right. >> Um Mr. Ratner, you spoke about two things. What was the other thing that you spoke about? >> Committee reports. Second, that everybody's on the same page and then I did raise my hand for a personal plea myself. Um I I agree with you on the social media. It's been the bane of my existence as a board member and I have hope since Mrs. disease is sitting on the board with us. Her page will stop with the attacks that have been made on me last four years. But more than that, I think my plea is about the outcome of those conversations that happened on social media with not all the information. Today, we approved four legal cases. As a

150finance chair, I had my committee built, you know, discuss the legal and all the all the legal expenses in the last 10 years. And we looked at that and that number on cases, legal cases that are mostly ethic cases is staggering. It's the money that would go towards our students. And I've made this plea before. I'm going to make it again today. as board members, as community members, if we can pause and see what has been the outcome of all of these ethics cases. In all of these years, have you ever seen a board member impacted? They come, they serve for three years, there are multiple charges filed by public members or other board members. They leave after three years. What has happened? We wasted thousands of dollars. So my plea is to everybody, not

151one side, not the other side, not a consensious community member, all of us when we do this, I think it just makes sense to pause and see what will this bring to me. I as a board member have seen a lot of things that shouldn't be happening happen and it's being tempted to tempting to file an ethics case, but given that we're a district struggling with funds, I know that I'm going to put that money out, not see an outcome. Maybe I should try to work with the board member on the side. Maybe try to have this. These cases are taking money away from our programs. I cannot stress this enough. You can go back and look at that finance meeting where we discuss it. You know, Oprah, those records, if you can find them,

152if they're publicly available, I cannot stress enough that that's the cultural change we need to bring to this board and to the town. we need to stop and all due respect to law firms. They're making money out of us, but it's not helping us improve as a district. It's just it's scaring people away from doing this community work. Um it's it's an unnecessary pull down on all of us on our budget. And if I can say one thing, I have five more months left on this board. We need to stop filing these unnecessary ethics charges. It needs to be really for a cause that needs to be addressed immediately. Other things, just see what the outcomes are. Go back and do your research. What have been the outcomes of these cases? Who has ever been

153hurt? Only the students. So, that was my two-minute pre. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for your comment. I don't even read any of the social media. I just look at Facebook when my children are on there, my grandchildren, to see what they're up to. So, I don't even I don't even enjoy reading any of that stuff, you know. So, um, that's just me personally, but, uh, everything that was said tonight, we're heading in that direction. And I think if that we keep reiterating out to the town and to the community, um, it's going to get there. It's going to get there. It's going to be slow but, you know, don't read it. Why do you want to get yourself upset, you know, so my suggestion is don't read it? But, okay. Any anybody

154else? Yes, Mr. >> And I'll I'll be quick. Um, I I want to just mention that I think we are getting change and things are occurring and I'm excited about it and I think parents should be excited about where we're going and and you know t change takes time. It doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. It takes planning and it takes people who can get it done in place. And so you just have to you just have to be willing to give it time. And and that leads me to my next point and that is that I was delighted to see that kindergarten mandate come out and and I and I and I thought maybe I shouldn't say anything about it but then I said to myself, you know what, you should because some people

155are not aware who serve on this board the research and I I know you know about the research not Dr. blame me. But the research on kindergarten, full day kindergarten is will blow you away. Kids who are full day kindergarten, who attend full day kindergarten academically take off. It's it's amazing what they're capable of doing and how quick they grow and and I mean all of the research on that, you just got to read the research. And the same thing with um pre kindergorn, there's research on that too that tells you, you know, how what it the the impact it has on our students. So, you know, I'm I was delighted to see that. And and the last thing I have to say has to do with I like the idea of somewhat streamlining streamlining

156this board. Um getting things done where we we're not here until 12:00 uh at night. Um, so I I like the idea that you ca guys came up with. I think it's a great idea, you know. So I thank you all. Change too late now. So forget >> that's it. That's all I have to say. >> Okay. Anyone else? Miss Alvarez. >> I just have a quick comment. I want to welcome Mrs. Z to the board. I wanted to say that I voted for you because you've watched every meeting since 2019 and my experience as a board member has been that there's a huge learning curve and I just thought being this is a short uh position that you would be able to slide right in and we could continue with our business. So, thank

157you very much. >> You're welcome. >> And can I also welcome you too, Mrs. Z's. And that was a lot of my reasoning for voting for you. I before I even ran for the board, I used to sit with you at meetings here 2019 and um talk to you and get the facts and learn from you. So I I figured for five months, four months, we don't have to teach you anything. You'll have to listen to us, okay? But we won't have to teach you anything because you have been following us since 2019 or probably earlier. And I did meet your daughter in the high school at an event, a daughter that has her disability and she's sweet and wonderful. And I'm very proud of you involvement with NJDDC because I used to work for

158a group that had we used to work with them before I retired. So I think that's great that you're involved with all that too. So you're involved out in your children. You're very wellrounded. So I'm glad to welcome you to the board and hope we have uh five months of good meetings with everybody. Okay. >> I appreciate your support. >> Uh you have a comment. >> I know at the end to >> at the end I know what's it >> I just want to say welcome to Miss Aiz. You know that's good. It's a good decision and a choice we have taken. And at the end I just want to say we all have to work together with respect with patience. Listen to each other. If you don't agree, talk very nicely, you know, pleasantly

159and then give your decision because work going on social media writing everything is not making it work together. We have to work together with respect and listen to each other. That's what I have to say very professionally. We have to handle it. >> Thank you. All your comments positive, wonderful. And we're going to be in the right direction. So >> Oh, I Yes. I bet. >> Good. Um, anybody else have any comments? Oh, I I gotta make >> You said you only had a short I know, but if I don't do this, she's going to drive me crazy. >> Oh, no. I really I really have to change this. Uh I got to change my vote on the um on the board action number three, letter A uh to uh what is it? It's >>

160Yeah, I got abstained from that. >> I know what it Okay. >> I don't. >> Thank you, Mr. and it went right over my head. That's okay. Hey, >> thank you. >> And and I just want to thank Dr. Layman and Miss Allen for doing all the good work they've been doing. >> I know I'm adding to our to our meeting, but >> yeah, but Dr. Layman um he hasn't missed a beat and Miss Allen the same way. >> So, we're very lucky in this district to have these two people on board and I want to thank them. Okay, that's it. Anybody else have anything to say? We have um public forum. Anybody from the public who would like to speak, please come up. You have four minutes. >> I guess seeing none. >> Anyone

161make a motion to close the meeting? >> I'll make a motion to close. >> Mr. Piro, is there a second? >> Second. >> Everybody second it. So, okay. >> I I Well, I didn't get a chance. >> The eyes have it. Everyone enjoy the rest of your time and your holiday weekend.