001We have a big agenda today. >> Um, Miss Alvarez is Mr. Zikner. He's not coming for this one, right? >> No, because there's >> Okay. Sorry. I was going to ask if he was here and then I realized as I was speaking. I apologize. Go ahead. >> Okay. All right. So, I see we have Mr. Cordiero and Zach Moralda as well. >> Yeah, Mr. Moralda is uh listening in. >> Oh, okay. All right. Got it. All right. So, I want to start with the uh regulation 5440 because we have to move this forward. Correct, Dr. Layman? Um at the last board meeting, we decided to table it because we still had to discuss the National Honor Society. There was some push back from the recommendations. So, it came back to committee. However, in order to
002uh make sure that the report cards and the grading is is um up to speed for September, we're deciding to move it for a second read, but and leave it as it was prior to any changes being done. Correct. >> So, actually, I think it has to go back to a first read because we're making substantive changes between the last read and this one. So it'll be first read, >> but the only the the changes we're moving forward with are the honor role changes that everybody was good with. >> We we're reverting all of the honor society piece. >> We're reverting that back to uh its original pre-edits. >> So basically, this policy is going to move forward with uh the practice and now policy aligned changes for honoral for both uh elementary, middle, and
003high school. And then what we're going to do is uh we'll bring back NHS changes once middle school and high school uh and high school, you know, is kind of uh taking a look at what they had, but we're also going to bring the middle school and kind of sync them two uh two pieces together. So August and September will be read one and two. So then all the honor roll stuff will be good to go after September and then we'll bring back the honor honor society piece um at a later date. We're probably targeting more like October um which would then make changes to just the honor society side of things. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. But how does that affect um the students this year that >> so any honor society >>
004Yeah. For >> we're gonna delay it one more year. So, we have we can we'll make the changes. Anybody coming in honor society this year, nothing changes. Any changes we did with honor society would would go into effect for the following uh the following freshman class. So, right now, anybody coming in is going to be under the original uh guidelines. >> All right. Got it. >> We just think that's fair for both middle school and high school. That way, anybody walking in the building now, everything is what it's always had always has been. Um, and anything we change this year will be in effect for a future class. >> All right, sounds good. And then >> go ahead. >> And the good thing is we'll have everything squared away by the second read, which is
005September for, you know, really what we put, you know, aligning the practice and the policy with honor role and things. >> Okay. Did you have a question, Miss Rner? >> I did. Um, I actually, we can ask Mr. Weiss about this. I was um watching a I I I watched some of our local like our surrounding communities board meetings um and something that I actually heard last week at one of the meetings was that um and this was from their board attorney that only policies require two reads um and that regulations do not which is something I had never heard before. Um I found it interesting though um especially if there's times when we need or want a regulation to you know go ahead. I just, you know, thought it might be a good idea
006for us to get that information. Um, if there was a time when, you know, we feel like we need that. >> Yeah, I'll I'll touch base with him. I think there are cases when things can can go through a one read, even a policy. I I don't remember the exact verbiage of what it's called, whether it's an expedited or emergency or, you know, some some sort of kind of tweak to it, but uh I'll check. you know, our practice has has consistently been >> yeah, >> we we're doing the two reads on both, but uh yeah, I'll I'll sync up with him. I mean, even with this one, >> uh honor roll and things kicks in towards the end of a marking period trimester. Um so, even a September 2nd read, we'd still be good
007to go in terms of not having to, you know, having things in place before they uh they actually had to get printed and things. So, >> okay, that's good. It was just a little bit confusing for me because I thought we had approved the the uh principal list and the honor the honor roll and all that already for it not back to a first read. >> It's all been it's all been kind of grouped together in that one document, you know. So, it's it's kind of been >> got it >> installed installed installed. So um >> yeah that's why and and because I think it's embedded in that and again we can talk about whether regulation needs one read or two but u because it's all in grouped in that one document kind of got
008you know grouped in with that change. So >> right >> over the summer like over the last you know few weeks we got a new policy alert uh number 235. So we're going to try to get through that as quickly as possible. really most of it is and I'll read you know from the stress SME alert this helps us understand why these are happening so uh chapter A it says uh the entire chapter NJAC 6A23A fiscal accountability efficiency and budgeting procedures was revised and adopted by the state board of education these revisions affect many policies and regulations therefore over the course of the next Few policy alerts is more are coming other than than the ones we just got. Uh Strauss estimate will provide revised policy and regulation guides that need to be updated due
009to these revisions. So along those lines, there's uh 1 2 3 4 5 6 eight policies affected by this. There's one that I highlighted which I think we should start with because we have to make choices on it and that's policy 0174 legal services. Um let me just pull it up here and then we'll see what the uh administration is recommending. 0174. All right. No. Why did I highlight that one? It was 0173. Yeah, >> 0174. I see it. And it's a mandated policy. Um there it says in accordance with NJC 6823A, the board of education adopts this policy and it strategizes to minimize the cost of legal services. So it says the board authorizes a superintendent of schools and a designated contact person. And then we're given choices. uh it could be the superintendent
010of schools designate, school business administrator, board secretary, board president or other. >> So from a district perspective, we've uh we have all three of those as the current policy. >> Um and the superintendent school's designate, right? What I would what I would read into that is, you know, if we're dealing with a situation and a specific administrator is involved in something, they I could give them or the superintendent could give them uh you know, acknowledgement or permission to engage with the the board attorney themselves. Um, you know, whether it's a you know, school-based issue at one of the buildings or, you know, something with uh, you know, human resources or, you know, whatever it is. Um, so I I I think those three just to keep it the same as it was before. I think
011that is a uh, you know, I don't see a reason to necessarily make any substantial revisions. You know, just I think selecting those three would be your kind of foundation, but it does give you the ability to broaden it if you need to. Um because I think I think the essence of this is making sure anyone in the entire you know chain of command doesn't have cart block you know access to you know picking up the phone and getting you know a 15minute charge for for calling. Um there is a process in place to kind of get >> um a filter right before anything goes to the board attorney where it costs money. >> Okay. So what so I guess I misunderstood this. I thought we can only pick now one person >> and then
012we would have to change our current policy which allows three contact points of contact. But you're saying we can maintain those three. >> Yep. Yep. Because it's person and then the S is in parenthesis next to it. So okay. >> Um parentheses. So I I still think those three as a good basis, right? Board secretary, superintendent, >> superintendent designate, right? So, in the moment, whoever needs to talk and then board president as the go-to from the board piece, um, which would then, you know, kind of filter off for access from there. >> Okay. And then, um, there's some things that were uh, crossed off, slashed off, and then there was something here that I saw about keeping a a log. We've been doing that. All written requests for legal advice and logs of legal counsel
013contact shall be forwarded to the designated contact person. who shall be responsible for the bills and compare them to the contact logs. I'm assuming um Miss Allen does that, correct? >> So, yeah, Miss Allen gets receives the bills from the uh the board attorney and um you know, anytime we usually make a call and stuff. That's the kind of thing I usually put things in my calendar, you know, because we schedule times, right? So, our log is kind of, you know, embedded in our calendar and in scheduling stuff. Um, so yeah, I mean that's the that's the piece that we, you know, we look at and we all we always look at those bills. We actually talk about it in finance now too, right? We look at all the individual breakouts of calls and and
014things like that. >> Okay. And then the other part that I saw and I wanted to ask in the event the school district legal costs exceed 130% of the statewide average per student um the procedures established below shall be implemented. >> And there really hasn't been much changes to those procedures either. >> Yep. >> So we're good to go on that one. Okay. But just so for clarification >> um because what I saw was if it exceeds the 130% of the contracted costs that >> student statewide average person if we exceed 130% of that then we need to um approve like an additional amount that the administration would recommend. I like it says um it becomes nec pursuant to NJAC etc. um will annually establish a maximum dollar limit and if we exceed that maximum
015for legal services the superintendent has to recommend an increase to the maximum dollar limit. Have we never reached it before that I just don't know or h is this has this not been a practical >> I'm not aware that we've reached that threshold. I'm not aware that we've ever reached that threshold, at least when, you know, we've been around um in these seats. I can talk to Laura. I mean, we haven't seen anything any action through the board and even previous superintendent for decades, right, for years. So, um >> I don't know how extreme that 130% of the statewide average is. You know, that could be a pretty high number that we don't even come close to. So, >> right. I guess what my thought was there are districts that have in-house counsel that's it's
016not contracted and so and a lot of those are the larger districts that would normally be the ones to spend a significant amount of money on leg legal services right they might also contract certain things but for us because you know we go out which is you know more common now than the latter unless you're one of those larger districts um I just wasn't sure if that was new in that administrative code. Um because I just hadn't seen it before. But >> no, it it's it's not something that's in the revised section. It's already, you know, it's not highlighted or crossed out. So, it's something that had kind of been in place already. So, >> uh Dr. Layman, can I ask if someone calls me and I give them permission to call Mr. Weiss or
017email him. How do I keep track of that for bills? >> Yeah. So, the the the the logging comes into place when you're under under the you've already gone over the 130%. >> Okay. All right. >> So, that they require you you to log it. Now, what we do, like I said, what we here what we have here is the majority of time we're we're interacting, it's an appointment on our calendar, right? Okay. >> Um Right. So, >> I just want to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong or I should be doing some logging and thing like that. >> Well, you'll get an invoice then too from the attorney, right? >> Gets reviewed every month. But you could also if you wanted to CC Lara >> on it, maybe she has, >> you know,
018keeps track of it as well. >> You're muted. >> Okay. So, I'm going to move quickly then to the next one. It's um I'm going in order by the uh the print out the summary page. So uh policy 0173 duties of public school accountant. This was revised. It's a recommended bylaw. It just to revised to update the language. There was nothing significant on on that one. All right. So then we have 0177 professional services. This is a mandated policy and just some change in language. >> Yes, >> I do see it says the board shall establish a maximum dollar limit annually prior to budget preparation for each type of professional service with appropriate notification to the board if it becomes necessary to exceed the maximum. And change up the language. They changed the word legal
019to professional services and contracts for legal services shelby was stried and then now it says in professional services contracts. >> It's really just wording changes. >> It's alignment with code >> mandated. All right. Internal controls policy and regulation 1570 and these are mandated as well. Uh, let's see. >> Let me pull. >> I think it's similar, Miss Alvarez. >> The language is there's nothing. >> Yeah, I highlighted they changed the shalls to musts. One of those changes. Yeah. >> Any questions on that one? >> No. And 1620 is also language updates, correct? >> Yep. uh administrative employment contracts and that's regarding the role of the executive county superintendent in reviewing employment contracts for the superintendent, assistant superintendent and school business administrators. >> Yep. >> So again, it was just language updated on that one as
020well. The next one is mandated policy and regulation 611. So this applies to SEMI which is something under special education. It's how we get reimbursed for speech therapy, any therapeutic services that are in school. Uh evaluations. It used to be IEP meetings. That was changed recently. So now you can only bill for evaluations. Correct, Dr. Layman? >> Yes. Yep. and and we spoke a little bit about the semi uh re reimbursement when we went through the budgeting process because our semi-reimbursements because of the changes are going to be lower than they have been in previous years >> and like you had mentioned that you uh the administration was reviewing that even if it was worth it to continue to participate in SEMI based on these changes. >> Yeah. And and we are required to participate
021unless we submit for a waiver. Right. And that's kind of the essence of this whole policy is to make sure that districts um do participate in it. Um and it's quite a process to try not to do it. So um at this point, you know, it's something that we are participating in. We you know, we budgeted for I think it instead of maybe around 70 80 90,000 we would get each year, I think we're down to 15 20,000. So it was a significant change. Um again, it's all budgeted. Um, and we'll continue to look forward to see, but the the amount of tracking and, you know, labor behind it in terms of reimbursement, you know, we're getting to the point where is it does it cost us money to manage the program just to get
022the reimbursement and and we'll take a look at it and again, if we're required to do this um and we have to do it, then we have to do it and you know, if our if we can't opt out of it or whatever, but um, >> you know, this is this is the policy change to adapt to all the new changes. >> I was thinking that this would be a good discussion for curriculum and people personnel services sometime in the future >> like to review the you know before the changes after the changes and >> collect some data on that. >> I thought it would be appropriate for that. >> Yeah. And Miss Urella always comes to our meetings and her and her team can certainly kind of give you an update as to you
023know >> I always call it the boots on the ground right the boots on the ground perspective of uh you know the semi-reimbursements and things. >> Yeah. Because um you know it has gone down a lot now that the IEP meetings you can't log them anymore. So, and I'll just for the public who doesn't know like usually uh you have an IEP meeting once a year, sometimes more depending and evaluations are usually done every 3 years. So, now you can only bill for evaluations and not these annual IEP meetings. So, of course, you're going to start to see less uh reimbursement coming back from the state under this program. So, all right. So the next one, budget preparation mandated policy 6220 and the regulation guide 6220 is recommended. So let's start with the policy. Uh
024it's just some language changes. So to update it according to the revised administrative code. Uh it says the only revisions in the regulation guide are assigning the budget preparation process to the superintendent and the school business administrator/board secretary. The internal budgetary procedures used in the school district are not governed by any statute or administrative code. Therefore, a district may revise these procedures to meet local needs. Policy guide 6220 is mandated as the QAX DPR's fiscal indicators section requires provisions listing the statutory and administrative code requirements of budget development and the regulation is recommended because it reflects the internal process used to develop the budget. >> Yep. I would say the biggest change is right at the end of um end of the policy, end of the regulation. It it speaks to instead of the BALboard
025secretary being the the name there, it's the superintendent and the BAL/board secretary. So, it really weaves in the superintendent as a part of this process where it used to just be >> the BAPboard secretary referenced. Um, that's I would say that's the most significant change other than the language that they've been changing throughout all these policies. >> Okay. Any questions on that? Nope. All right. Next one is uh board member number and term. This only applies to regional school districts. It's a new uh policy or bylaw. It's recommended. We are not a regional school district. So I'm assuming this does not apply to us. >> Correct. >> You can move forward from this one. Correct. >> Yep. Correct. >> Um the same one with 0141.4 board member number and termit for v vocational school districts
026which again does not apply to Monroe. >> Uh policy 0143 board member election and appointment. Uh so >> there's a lot on here. >> Yeah. So, this one we just talked about recently at our special meeting and now they are uh revising it to add an optional section that applies to the process in which county vocational school districts again that doesn't apply to us appoint board members to their board in the event of a vacancy. Uh let's see. For all type 2 districts within elected board and regional school district boards bylaw 0143 has been revised to better align with the new lang new code NJSA 18A12-15 which addresses the rules for filling a vacancy on these types of boards. So it doesn't really affect and there there won't be any changes to our current process.
027So, Miss Alvarez, I'm looking because I read what the Strauss Esme alert said, but then I'm looking over the revisions unless there's things that are bolded that shouldn't be. Um, because the top of it says applicable for type two districts with an elected board and regional school district boards. Wouldn't we be that first one? >> Are we considered? >> We are a type two. Yes. Um, so what what it looks like they did in this policy is they re retyped it, reorganized it. Yeah. All the stuff that has been stried. So like when it speaks to the must be filled within a certain amount of days that's in the bottom paragraph of that top section, right? Instead of being a separate line lower down there, they put it embedded in the paragraph. >> Um so
028it's almost like they kind of reorganized it. Um and then the piece that is optional for us is that second set of bold um sections that says applicable for county vocational school districts only. That would not be something that applies to us andor um you know they called it an option but uh it doesn't have a check mark like the options usually do. So it would be something that we would um >> not include in our version. Um >> okay. But but Miss Ratner, to your point, the things that were stried, if we if we go up to the section that's right above it, it looks like they re not I don't even say reorganized, you know, they they instead of bullet points or numbers, they've kind of just rewarded things, resequenced them. Um >>
029I don't see >> Go ahead. Go ahead. I was going to say there's no changes to like the actual process. It's just how they're wording it on. >> It's still 65 days. >> Yep. Well, 60 days immediately preceding such election. >> That's it's still 65 days, but then if there's a election coming up, it says each member so appointed shall serve until the organizational meeting following the next annual election unless the member is appointed to fill a vacancy occurring within the 60 days immediately preceding such election if the election is held in April. >> Yeah. So here here's a thought we could do too because the board is in the middle of this process. >> Yeah, >> it might not be a bad idea to say let's finish the process with what we have. >>
030Again, it it will be done by the time you Well, this is a uh is this the I'm looking to see this is yeah, this is a policy. So it does it is a two read. >> So um two reads would put us in September. So you'll be done with this process or just about done with it even if we did a two repeat piece. But it might just be the right thing to do here is to sit on this until the current process is done >> and then >> because you're kind of in the middle of it and again I don't doesn't look like anything changes in here but it might be better just for us to finish what we are in the middle of before we tweak revise or and again there's nothing
031significant other than >> the county vote tech piece but >> that just might be the right thing to do here. um you know and maybe bring this back up >> in October right when the process is done everything is completed and then we kind of take another look at it. >> Sounds >> I don't know what you I don't know what your thought is on that. >> No, that's that's I don't want to start changing any anything while we're still in the process of filling the vacancy because >> it's not a good look in my opinion. We should just stick with what we have at all doing >> and then we'll move forward after we fill the seat. >> I agree. If it was just >> think that we're undermining undermining the process. >> It
032was just adding vocational if applicable, I'd say let's move forward. But even with language changes, I I like this recommendation. Let's just hold off. >> Yeah. So, we will How about we put a pin in this one? We'll bring it back in October. >> Sounds good. >> All right. The next one is recommended policy 1636 notification of promotion, new job and transfer opportunities. Okay, let's see. Policy guide 163601 was written to address NJSA 346B23 which requires employees employers including boards of educations to make reasonable efforts to announce post or otherwise make known opportunities for promotion that are advertised internally within the district or externally on internet-based advertisements postings flyers or other similar advertisements to all current employees in the affected departments of the employer's business prior to making a promotion decision. Policy guide 163601 outlines
033the requirements in the statute. It's recommended as districts are not required to follow the procedure outlined in the statute when hiring for an open or new position. It's recommended. >> Yeah. So, our practice, we post everything. >> Yeah. >> Literally everything. So, um, >> you know, if there's a another position that's open, it always gets posted. Um, >> this is also >> Sorry, go ahead. >> I was going to say there are transfers like third grade teacher to second grade teacher, teacher to teacher, building to building like and but you know, step-on guide pieces and it's not referring to a step- on guide like everybody kind of moves up the step-on guide and the teachers guide or the administrative guide. Um, I think this is speaking to different positions, right? Say you had a payroll
034position and a payroll supervisor. In our operation in here, they are two different roles. So if something becomes vacant, it is vacant, posted, and then advertised and hired. So um you know, we we have this process in place. It's something we had in place. Maybe there are other places that move people around without advertising or posting or >> um but this is some you know when we have open vacancies no matter what they are we put them up for uh posting >> and we're usually ahead of of stress estimate. So this is another example. >> Dr. layman this polic policy right yeah it mentions the the board shall disclose in each posting um that's advertise the hourly wage or salary or arranged is that something we do >> so that is that is new beginning
035the past couple months and that is a change in the statute so there that is why um that is why probably another reason this is being edited um so that is something we're putting out um and we've started to do that so it's a usually a salary salary range, right? So, for a teacher salary, it would be the salary range because again, >> it would be beginning to top of the guide or whatever the range we put in there. Um, oftentimes it's the hourly rate now, you know, a contractually agreed upon hourly rate. Um, you know, whatever whatever the the pay is um commensurate to the role. Yep. But that is new in terms of putting the the specific um it's a requirement now. >> Okay. >> Dr. Layman, can I ask a a question?
036>> Yes. >> I know you have to post. That's always been the the thing. You know, you have to post a position. >> How many times when you post, you know, you have an internal candidate? >> Do you have any guesstimate on that? Whether you have to go out because you don't have the candidate. >> What's the percentage here? >> I I I think if we're posting a teaching position, right? So that is posted internally and externally. Right? If we're posting like a graduation marshall that is posted internally and we fill it internally, right? So, >> right. But I'm saying like more of an administration position. >> Any any vacancy gets posted internally and externally. >> Right. But how many times is the internal person always taken even though somebody externally applies? There's it. Uh
037I would say it's every time it's a we're equal opportunity employers. So, >> okay, I just want to double check. >> Whenever whenever we interview, it's an open book and an open uh >> Okay. >> open process. So, >> okay. >> Um there's there's not a predetermined, you know, >> predetermined right of somebody to move up. >> No, no, no. It's definitely not. It's anything is posted. We're we're equal opportunity employers and and that's why we that's why we post them. So, >> okay. Thank you. Okay. The next one, this one is kind of long, so you may need to help us out one. >> It's policy 2422, statutory curricular requirements. >> I can give you the summary. >> Okay. So, so what happens is we know that uh our curriculum is driven off of
038the New Jersey student learning standards, NJSLS. >> That is the that is the core driving uh alignment for our documents. The other thing that we're required to weave in there are our statutory requirements. And for example, um and this is updating the statutory requirements since the last update. So, one of the things particularly that we're required to teach about now is um ticks and limes disease. That is a statutory requirement. So, we are we have um that's included in this update and we as a district, you know, weave it in uh a lesson here and a unit there and that's something we've done in the health classes as well as some of the science classes. Um, another piece is Pacific Islander specific uh instruction and >> acknowledging the history and uh contributions of uh Pacific
039Islander and the cultures associated with that. So, we've done that through our social studies. So, >> yes, >> um those those are examples of the things that are since the last update have to be woven in there. And there are other things that are already statutoily required. episodes like that is the Holocaust uh education and weaving that into our history and and things. So, um this is an update to all the statutory requirements that have been added since the last update. Does that make sense? >> Yes, it does make sense. It also says it talks about a case that's pending right now in the Supreme Court regarding LGBTQ content and letting parents to opt out. And it says, "While this case works its way through the federal court system, the Supreme Court ordered the board
040to notify parents in advance whenever one of the story books in question or any other similar book is to be used in the classroom instruction and to allow parents to have their children excused." So, I think we're doing that already because I've seen that on the summer reading list. >> Yeah. So, >> yes. So we we we have the summer reading lists out there and then um you know when we do our any of the health instruction or you know anything related to something that the parents can opt out that's when we have uh the notifications go out or um you know the parents have the ability to uh choose to have the students participate in an alternate assignment. Um >> and how are they notified? Is it through genesis a letter? >> Well it
041depends on the grade level. Usually we'll use fifth grade for an example when they do the family life unit. Um the teachers often notify even at a back to school night. They'll say this is one of the topics that we're going to be teaching this year. If it's something you'd like to you know more information on, you can let us know. Um and then also we push out a letter before we teach uh we teach that. And that three elementary schools have a consistent message that they push out. >> So and that's just an example. >> Okay. And um so then it also suggests that while this plays out um that is recommended that a district develop a protocol in consultation with the board and board attorney that addresses the Supreme Court's preliminary injunction. Do
042we have that protocol in place? >> So the protocol would be just what we have in place for any parent or student that chooses to opt out of something is okay provide them an alternate assignment. oftentimes in the health class, it's also an alternate location. Um, and again, these are small units and small snippets of time. So, it's something that we can we can adjust to. >> I'm only bringing it up because we've had sometimes we've had a couple parents come to the podium about this. So, I just want to make sure the public is understanding what's going on and that it's currently being litigated. >> Yep. >> All right. Uh, let's see. Policy 5117. >> Well, can I ask questions? Anyone? >> It's all right. Um, so it's changing it from the physical education
043to statutory curricular requirements. I know you mentioned SLS, but this is still exclusive to like I don't see like math or science or things of that nature. So, it's not all of our curricular requirements, right? >> No. No. Because the curricular requirements are SL or New Jersey student learning standards. These are those unique >> not unique. These are the legislativelymandated topics to cover. Okay. And that's what if you look at the strikeout, it was previously called the comprehensive health and physical education. So it's just under those two areas, >> right? Because but then it mentions that the the student landing student learning standards on here. >> Um I guess is it just saying it's that in addition to the rest of the stuff that's here? Is that what they're doing? Okay. because it's both, >>
044right? >> Then it lists each of those other things individually, but it doesn't list the the student learning standards on there. So, I guess that's where I was confused. Um, but that makes more sense then. >> So, the the the legislation legislators only have control over the things here, right? These are the legislativelymandated things. The New Jersey student learning standards are on the Department of Education side of things. So that's why they're too different and they the legislators unless they go through the process can't change that the the NJS side of things and the NJSLS team and that the the DOE can't change these things. So they >> they as things change in the legislature we get new things on this list and as things change on the DOE side NJSLs and that those changes
045are much less frequent. Right? You you heard us talk about 1080 curriculum, >> the 2023 standards, >> they were they weren't even approved or passed until, you know, last year. So, >> by the time they get approved, they're actually usually a year or two behind the what they're actually labeled, right? And the next time they get approved would be years from now, whereas these are things that happen in in much quicker, faster timelines. >> Okay. I was just curious why they wouldn't just put then to look at those two things, but I was just confused about the wording because them removing health and physical education. So, I appreciate the uh clarification. Thank you. >> Okay. The next one is policy and regulation 5117 interd district public school choice. I don't think this applies to us.
046>> Correct. Okay. Uh and I believe we have one more left. Policy 5339, student sun protection. It's new and it's mandated. >> Yep. >> So, let's pull this one up. >> Uh, so it says, "Student sun protection policy was adopted requiring school districts to develop and adopt a policy concerning a student's use of sunscreen and sunprotective clothing while outdoors as school and school sponsored functions. Strauss Esmea has developed policy guide 5339.01 01 to address the requirements outlined in the law and the considerations listed in the New Jersey Department of Education's broadcast memo released on June 4th, 2025. Uh so there's two optional language sections. The first option addresses a district's right to require written permission from the parent of a student prior to the student carrying or using sunscreen at school or school sponsored functions.
047And the second option addresses the district's right to limit the types of sunscreen that are allowed to be carried by students at school or school sponsored functions. So it seems that we have to make a selection. >> So I reached out and uh I have uh a consensus on one part of that and not on the second. So, >> okay, >> the consensus on the first part is we'd still like a process in place to have permission from K5 families, >> the elementary specifically the the uh specifically like the K2, K3 families. Um, but we because our buildings are K2 and or K3 >> um we're kind of just thinking elementary in general would have a permission piece assigned associated with it. Um, and it's just more of an acknowledgement so parents are in the
048loop when you know their kids come in with a bottle of sunscreen or something specifically we're looking at, you know, field days and things like that that the parents know that they are, you know, bringing that in and have that in place. The second >> I'm not understanding why this even like was this an issue that you you can't bring sunscreen in your backpack that this policy had to be created. I I think at the state level or maybe they had some legislative like we've always >> um >> I never even about this. Yeah. >> Yeah. So we've had our parents put sunscreen on and ask them to put sunscreen on their children before they came to school, right? So I'm sure you've seen those either on a field trip or field day. >> So
049it's assoc I think it's in the same kind of uh and I was talking with some of the nurses, same kind of ballpark as you know uh cough drops, >> some of the over over-the-counter medicines. >> Okay. um kind of kind of in that same ballpark. So, they made a specific piece to address this, right? Because it's sunscreen. So, we want to make sure our students can apply and reapply andor um have help doing that. So from our perspective so far the there's a there's a consensus that we at the elementary level want to put something in place so the parents at least acknowledge um this is coming through too late for us to put it through the forms we click off at the beginning of the school year >> right >> but I would
050envision something like this of you know you're okay with you acknowledge that it's okay for your child to bring in um you know sunscreen and at times throughout the school year or something like that. So I would envision something in place probably starting next year because again we're already in that process now. Um >> and we'll put something in place for this year. The second piece is there is a little discussion about whether aerosol is yes it's super easy to put on right so we can spray our arms and legs or whatever and it's it's not messy and things like that but there is an aerosol component that that does bring into effect some of the other stuff that we have concerns about in terms of allergies and and things like that. So, we need
051a little more time to to parse that out. There is a preference right now to have suntan lotion as opposed to the aerosol piece, especially with the fragrances associated with it. But I need time to parse that out with the not time. >> Yeah, >> just I didn't get it in place for this. Um, parse out what that may look like. Um, >> so should we not put this out for first read? >> Correct. Let's t let's table it for first read um until whether it's September or October. Um, I want more input from some of the other nurses. Um, >> okay. So just so we have some time and again not everybody's in in has been in this summer to get the feedback from so it would give us time but moral of the
052story is we're looking at K5 for at least a quote unquote permission from the parents once you get to middle school and high school they're really kind of self-sufficient in terms of putting you know being able to manage that and put it on themselves. And then uh at the other level, what kind of sunscreen are we talking about? Right. Okay. So, we want to make sure we're in the right realm uh so we're not having fragrance issues and or aerosol issues that cause other issues. So, >> okay. So, we're pinning this one and we were pinning the uh 0143. >> Yep. >> Correct. Okay. >> Miss Alvarez, can I say something? >> Yeah. questions or comments? >> Yeah, I just want to let everybody know, especially your committee, that Middle Sex County speaker for a
053September 30th meeting is a gentleman from Strauss Esme. >> So, if you're interested in coming, it'll be at the Pines Manor in Edison. And you know, I think Kate, that would be good for you, Amanda, and all this whole committee because um I I talked to the president today and she said he's on board and they're going to try to limit his speaking because it tends to he's, you know, tends to speak a lot because he's, you know, >> don't you hate people like that? >> I it really drives me nuts. But, um I think that should be a a good meeting for people on this committee to attend. Um What is the date and time again? Just >> September 30th. >> Okay. >> Pines Manor in Edison. >> I I think it's six o'clock.
054I don't have the time, but they're normally >> And it's open to anyone or just board members. >> No, board members um can register. It should you should be getting a popup registration. >> Okay. >> Uh to register for it, but I think it would be great for this committee to come and listen to this gentleman. So >> I think it's usually and you Mr. you've been involved with the county board more than I but I think it's usually board members or administrators right like >> yes >> who are able to to attend um >> yes because uh dinner is provided so they and they pay for the dinner so you know you're not going to bring your husband and three kids because you didn't want to cook that night so uh >> you know
055but I mean I but yeah it this committee would be good to come to that meeting so >> okay um okay >> any questions anyone Dr. pack. >> I would just um miss for that maybe if you want to pass it along because I know Miss Alvarez and I discussed putting our policy wellness check on tonight's agenda. Um but then with all of the revisions that came from stress EME, we decided it would be better to do that when we don't have as many. Um, but I would really like to know how New Jersey School Board Association and Stress Esme work together as far as policies because from what I was told, they're the two policy makers for the state. Like technically, school boards has its own policy manual that you can select. Um, from
056what I was told, majority use Strauss SMA, but then school boards will also do the review of the Strauss SMA policies. >> Kate, um, great question for that meeting. Okay, sounds good. >> The gentleman's gonna be there and I'm sure he'll answer that question accurately. >> All right, I'll see if I can remember it. >> You will. You will. >> All right. >> Also, just as a note, well, I don't know why I keep freezing. I don't know >> all the time. >> We could hear you, though. >> We didn't do the one to abolish the recordeping for healthcare settings. I don't think you spoke about that. >> Oh, yes. The COVID one. Yeah. Yeah. Let me just read it for the public to know that it's being abolished. Let me just find it. Yes.
057It's uh policy 1648.15 recordkeeping for healthcare settings and school buildings. COVID 19. It was mandated. Now it's abolished. Um you know why we've gone past the COVID crisis. you know, it's okay now. We don't have to quarantine, so there's no need to uh keep records about it. Thank you for pointing that out, Dr. Peek. >> Can I can I offer a potential idea for a board goal? >> Sure. So maybe the review of the policy manual and adjusting, tweaking, monitoring, you know, revising, uh, you know, and taking the recommendations from that NJSBA audit could be a board goal. >> Just to run it out there as an idea. The reason I bring that up is, you know, I went through it. Um, and we still have I still have a lot of stuff to kind
058of dig into. And I did see like >> there's a lot >> there there is I think the policy manual is in really in really good shape from my perspective because there's nothing I would say that is you know red alert um and they were kind of they were sharing that in their kind of overview. >> There are a few things like they said one of the policies missing. I went in there and we actually have it. It was revised in 2008. again an old revision date, but um there is some work to go through to see um you know, just to make sure what they looked at is what we really have. There are some things that we have kind of in the process of being revised that I think kind of weave in
059here anyways, >> but I think it would be a nice kind of >> um >> like you said, this is a big meeting for us on our normal alert. There it sounds like there's going to be some other alerts, but it'll help fill the gaps. And then, you know, maybe by the springtime, and again, some of these are quick and easy to to look at. Some of them are a little bit more complicated because I think they're they're talking about, >> you know, why things are numbered the way they are relative to the way they see it versus the way Strauss Esme sees it. So, that involve us kind of getting in in sync with Strauss Esme and asking them because we we we don't change the numbers of the policies that Strauss Esme gives
060us, right? because we're following their kind of process. So, we need to engage with them a little bit to to see where the discrepancies are. Um, >> but again, I think uh overall when I saw it, you know, there there's definitely like a nice alignment to what we do and considering all the policies we have, there isn't, >> you know, what I would consider, >> you know, huge huge red flags or anything like that. No, I mean, it looks like, you know, they're major recommendation. Let's take a look at some of the things that haven't been touched in a while. Um, and let's take a let's take a fresh look at it. And again, the reason they haven't been touched in a while is because there nothing really has changed, but doesn't mean we need
061we shouldn't take a look at it. So, >> yeah. >> Okay. So, uh >> I don't know. That's just a thought for >> right instead of doing it in one meeting. I like that. I think we can also sort of add into that other elements of our own that like they might not have known like um you know I had shared I think with Miss Alvarez how you know the mission statements like there were schools that you know which like no one's ever really going to think of but there are schools that when they created them didn't exist and now they do and like Applegarth is still a middle school which those are things they might not have thought of right or even like um I think it's the executive session right now we include
062HIVs in there um which you know honestly I think HIVs would be a great schoolboard training for our our board um to learn about that as just as a side note because I brought it up um I know that's one of the trainings they'll come to do for board members um but you know that I think was added after that revision so you know sort of going through it maybe we can you know what Dr. instead as a goal like we can take a couple of the different >> categories in the table of contents and do it that way instead of just doing one day with the review >> and I would like to look at some of the older ones that haven't been looked at in a while because I don't remember which one
063but there was one that it was a discrep oh this 5440 right it had been a long time >> you know so and that's taken us a while to go through that so I think it would be a good idea to look at some of these older ones M >> yeah the honoral national honor society one it wasn't you know cohesive with current practice so it's good to go back and look at these older ones >> right >> all right any other questions comments no right so that concludes our meeting >> this evening we got through it quicker than I thought I thought we were going to need a whole hour but we did >> good night everybody >> good Okay.