001Good evening everybody. It is Wednesday, July 30th, 2025. This is the Monroe Township Board of Education monthly meeting. Can everybody please stand for the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Miss Allen, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Miss Alvarez, >> here. >> Miss Bora, >> here. >> Mr. Depay. >> Mr. Payne, >> Mr. Depay, are you here? >> Here. >> Okay. Miss Fabiano >> here. >> I'm not there, but I'm on the I'm on the call. >> Okay. Dr. Pac, >> here. >> Um, Mr. Po >> here. Miss Ratner. No. Uh, Miss Chararma >> here. >> Mr. Tfano >> here. >> Mr. Zikner >> here. >> We have a quorum.
002In accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law, the Monroe Township Board of Education has called notice of this meeting to be published and electronic notice provided by having the date, time, and place thereof posted October 25th, 2024 and July 23rd, 2025 at all schools on the district website. Home News Tribune, Cranberry Press, and filed with the clerk of municipality. >> Madam President, >> I would like to make a motion in light of all the facts that have been presented in the past few weeks in town with the Fabiano family moving to Delaware. Um, Mrs. Fabiano having resigned from the East Brunswick School District. >> I didn't resign, I retired. Just be clear on that. >> Um, I I would like to make a motion because I feel like any decisions,
003any any action that this board takes has an impact for months and years to come. And since you don't plan to be a resident of Monroe beyond next month, I feel that it is imperative that we do not include you, especially as a president and as a board member, in all the board actions, close session and public tonight. So, I would like a motion to remove Mrs. Fabiano from all board proceedings tonight because she should not be weighing in on decisions that impact the school district when she will no longer be a resident very soon in a matter of few days uh in Monroe County. >> Would you be making this same motion, Miss Bora, if there was somebody else on this board who was moving at maybe at the end of their term? Would
004you be making that same motion? >> Anybody? >> It it the the the fact stands the same. >> And and I I welcome comments. Are there any questions or comments? Miss Alvarez, >> I think you are ridiculous for suggesting this. At any moment, any of us can resign from the board. That does not mean that we are not invested in the community or continue to be invested in this community moving forward where regardless of where we live. So, I vote no. >> The law says differently, Mrs. Alvarez. You should be weighing in as a board member, as an elected official. Your vote is because you reside in this town. and that does play. I don't have anything personal against Mrs. against Mrs. Fab, but the fact that we as board members >> despite everything that's
005going on, there has no not been a single communication to the rest of the board members about your plan. If this was me, everybody on the board would have known my plans for two months out, 6 months out. >> My personal business, Miss Bora, as I've already stated, is my moral personal decision way is my personal business. You have spoken with the board attorney about this. You've received legal advice. By all means, I have a right to make a motion and have a vote. Can we have a vote on Can we have a roll call on this, please? >> Before there's a vote, I just want to make everyone aware that the vote that is about to occur is more or less symbolic only because the board members are not empowered to remove one of
006their own. So to the extent that there's going to be a vote, it'll be a vote um that will have symbolic um >> I understand and the reason and I let me state my reasons. Uh thank you Mr. Rice because you actually I I I should have mentioned that right up front. We have too many lawsuits as we have too many lawsuits as a board and this is going to become another lawsuit a month later, two months later when people will file an ethics against us. >> There is no Mr. Otherwise, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but you are aware that I am a resident of Monroe Township. I do still live here. I am still a resident at 19 Patricia Place. You all know my address. It's been shared very publicly. >>
007Can I make a comment? >> Go ahead, Mr. Po. >> I I find this ridiculous. I can't believe that Miss Bard would make this comment. Um, if anything, I think this is a violation of your civil rights. You're a resident Monroe. Until you're not a resident, Monroe, you have every right to do whatever you feel. And Miss Bore cannot stop you. >> To say that I do not have a vested interest in here. I have lived here my entire life. My entire family still lives here. So do not even try to think that I do not have a vested interest in this school district where my family lives. Not just my own children, my nieces, my nephew, my parents who are all taxpayers. >> I respect that. So we would we can move this to
008a roll call. >> I respect that. And the only reason this motion is made of Miss Allen, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Miss Alvarez? >> No. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Mr. Payne? >> No. >> Dr. Pek, I'm going to abstain. Mr. Piro, >> no. >> Uh, Miss Chararma? >> No. Mr. Tfano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> no. >> Miss Fabiano, >> no. >> Motion does not pass. >> Thank you. The next item on our agenda is our closed session resolution. Whereas the Senator Byron M. Bear open public meetings act NJSA 104-6 provides that the Monro Township Board of Education may hold an executive session from which the public is excluded to discuss matters that are confidential or are one of the nine subject matters listed section 12B
009of the act. and where is 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 by the Monro Township Board of Education that the board shall go into executive session to discuss the following items. Additional items may be determined and announced as needed. Um pending or anticipated litigation matters covered by attorney client privileges. Matters involving employees in terms of their employment and contracts. Hib investigation involving students. Donaldson hearings. Be it further resolved that said discussion may be disclosed to the public when reasons for discussing and acting upon it in close session no longer exist. Action may be taken on any of the items
010stated above. >> Motion by Miss Boris, second by Mr. Tufano. The board will be in close session um until about 7:15. >> One one moment if I can. We just need questions, discussion, roll call. And then I wanted to make mention to the public that the board is going to be retiring to close executive session for approximately one hour. The board will not take any action in executive session. If there is any action that's going to be taken by the board, it will be done out here in public in the sunshine. Um so with that, I think we need a >> All in favor? >> Oh, you could do all in favor. >> All in favor? I >> I >> We'll return in about one hour. >> I >> Thank you. Okay, so the board
011has returned from close session. We do need to retroactively appoint a acting board secretary from our closed session. Um, so if there's somebody who would like to make a motion to retroactively appoint Miss Alvarez as acting board secretary during close session. >> Motion. >> I don't think >> you Yeah, you should not. Um, I can't make the motion. Somebody has to gonna make the motion. >> I'll second. Oh, okay. So, there's a motion by Mr. Tuano, second by Miss Dr. Peek. Um, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Bora, she's >> Miss Depay. That's Oh, >> Miss Bor, we just made a motion to retroactively appoint Miss Alvarez as acting board secretary during close session. >> Yes. >> Right. Um, Mr. Payne, >> she should be
012Mr. Payne. >> Okay. >> Um, Dr. Peek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Uh, Miss Ratner, >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tfano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Fabiano, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. So, we now are going to make a motion to reopen the public portion of the meeting. Right, Mr. Weiss. Okay. Um, so can I have a motion to reopen the public portion of the meeting? >> So, motion. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. second by Miss Ratner. Um, can we have roll call or can we do all in favor? >> Um, all all in favor is fine. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I I. >> Any opposed? >> I >> Okay, so we have now returned to public session. Um, the next
013item on our agenda is our approval of our board minutes. Um, first um item up for approval is the public board meeting minutes from June 11th, 2025. >> Second motion by Mr. Mr. Duvano, second by Miss Bora. Any questions or comments? Miss Ratner? >> Um, just a point of clarification. That was a a unique meeting towards the end. Do I abstain for the portion for the public >> for the minutes >> part of the minutes? >> I don't see any harm in doing that. >> Okay. So, all those in favor? >> Any abstensions or recusals? um obain on the portion of which there's conflict that exists. >> Okay. And then the second item is our close session meeting minutes from June 11th, 2025. >> motion by Miss Bora, second by Mr. Zikner. Any questions or
014comments? >> All those in favor? >> I. Any recusals? >> Um just abstain on the portion where conflict exists. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. The next item on our agenda is our committee reports. Um we only had two committees meet this month which was the personnel committee and the buildings grounds and transportation committee. Um we did encourage everybody particularly our Applegarth families to watch the buildings and grounds um committee meeting. It highlighted a lot of important information pertaining to the reopening of school at Applegarth. Um I don't know if there's anything we want to highlight from that meeting in particular. Um but recess was addressed. There is still going to be recess. Um students will not be having lunch in their classrooms. Um they will be having lunch in the cafeteria after
015the middle school students get adjusted. Um when as a board we did um commend administration for the plan that they had put forth. So I don't know if any board members have anything that they would just like to add. >> Mr. R. This is still plan B and when plan B becomes plan A that is when we start to execute this um Dr. Dr. Layman did share with us in that meeting that the parents will get enough notification in advance. And Dr. Layman, I think one thing that bothered me after the meeting was that I didn't ask about the staff town halls. Uh I know Mrs. Graziano was part of that meeting and shared everything that you know answered every question we asked. One question that we forgot to ask was that has there been
016a town hall with just the you know the fourth and fifth grade teachers and the entire Appleguard staff to kind of explain plan B in detail to them. >> So they'll be brought into the loop on the details of plan B just like uh when we pull the plug and we start to roll out plan B. um they were part of the conversation and they're aware that there is a potential for plan B but they have an entire uh the administrative team has an entire piece for the the staff that is basically you know here is your guide book for what happens and where you go they have room assignments done they have everything you can think of related to the staff uh extent room extension numbers all that kind of stuff where the nurse's
017office is and as soon as we flip the switch if we need to um they will get an update that's specific to the staff and then they plans and uh communication for parents/ students. So, >> and and from one of the things that I believe is also top of mind for the public right now is when is it that we will we will make that determination that now plan B is plan A. Do we have a deadline like a specific date in mind right now? >> For me, it's mid August. So, we're not too far from that. um because it's about what we've been talking about about two weeksish in terms of uh installation from this last piece of equipment we are you know anticipating coming. Um and hopefully it comes a little earlier. Um,
018so that's about our that's you know if it comes and it's 13 days instead of 14 days it makes a difference right because the company what they're doing at Apple is they're working seven days a week right now on everything we have and like we talked about in BG&T there's a financial incentive for the company that is uh doing the electrical installation which is going to be the the piece that could potentially you know be an issue for us um to get it done on time because they will financially pay us every day that they're liquidated damages. So, they will work seven days a week. Um, they'll work as much as they can in order to get this done. So, um, we're ready to pull the pull the plug whenever we can. As I said
019in BG&T, we're going to send out a save the date for the parents and the students. So, if we pull the plug and go to plan B, this will be the night. This will be the evening where they can come and uh meet us at the middle school and we'll have some information for the parents and the students can have an opportunity to take a look at what their uh learning environment will be for a few days. So >> again, we're not looking longterm here. This is um we're talking days uh a couple weeks. um if something, you know, drastically goes wrong, we could always stay if we needed to, but um we're not when we first, you know, had this brought to our attention, um we were looking at an off-site location, which is
020a self-contained operating school, um because we weren't sure, um you know, how long this could be. So, we were planning going to be into November, you know, how late this is going to go. >> The timeline has significantly shortened. Um, some of the parts that we were also worried about are on-site and already installed. So, it's going to be this last piece we're looking for gets dropped into place. Everybody plugs into it. We power on all the equipment and make sure it works. It's balanced. And that's the part that um, you know, takes a little fine-tuning and things. So, if there's a delay, we're prepared to stay longer if we need to. We, you know, we've had everything go as planned so far. Um, Mr. T kind of gave a nice heads up in terms
021of um the the crews that are working right now, the HVAC and roof. They are working in harmony together and is not standard practice when you have two separate crews from two different contractors. Sometimes they butt heads and it creates delays. Uh and that is not the case. they're working seamlessly together and it shows um where they've they've completed a significant amount of that work that they've already already been tasked to do despite the weather issues we've had and things like that. So, yep. >> So, whatever was humanly possible is being done and I I would urge everybody to pray to the God that they pray to um and send some, you know, goodwill in that direction and hopefully you don't have to go to plan B. That's still a possibility. But we we're prepared
022and uh you know we will transition that way if we need to. >> Yeah. Um once again as as you send the communication out to the parents and the students make sure the teachers are just as prepared. Thank you >> Miss Rder. >> Okay. Um I can just piggyback on what everyone had said. There was really a lot of great information um in that meeting. Thank you to the administration for answering all of the questions. Um, I think just my only other additional question, understanding that we aren't going to provide all of the details and everything until we know for sure. Has there been any communication other than sort of what we have shared in the board meetings to the Applegarth parents that there is the possibility of this? We will let you know at
023this time just because I've we all miss things sometimes, but I've heard from more than just one or two people that they were unaware. So, I just wanted to clarify that. >> So, Dr. Graziano sent out a message uh right is either the last day of school or the day before kind of giving a heads up saying, "Hey, have a great summer. As you know, we're getting some work done in the building. Uh it's on our radar. we're developing a plan B if there's something that happens that we can't you know necessarily start the school uh school year in our home school. Um and it was more information to follow. So it was a right at the end of the school year kind of a stay tuned and then uh we'll send something out sooner
024than later with a hold the hold the date piece uh with another update and then uh when we decide to pull the plug it'll be obviously a much more comprehensive communication if we needed to go down that road. >> Okay. And was at that point were we already on the middle school as our official official plan B? Um okay. >> Yep. >> All right. Thank you. >> Anything else? >> Um on not on BG&T but can I comment on the so um Mrs. Alvarez had done a turnkey for personnel and we had this conversation towards the end of it which I felt was >> a conversation fit for the entire board. The personnel was changed to personnel and security. So, one of my questions to Miss Alvarez that night was what was discussed in security
025and she said nothing was discussed. Um, I I feel security belongs in buildings, grounds, and transportation. Um, like we have Miss Martyr attend the BG&T meeting. We should have the head of security attend the BG&T meeting for any incidental questions which are not confidential that can be answered by the director of security at that point. I think our previous structure was right. I don't see the reason why we should. I know that we have to sometimes turn off the public meeting when we have confidential discussions, but that should still still stay in the frame of the BG&D because it's more relevant there than in personnel. So, I would like to I'm not sure if this is a motion to make for or if this is completely your preview. It should come back to BG&T. Security
026should come back to BG&T. That's where it belongs. If any other board member agrees or disagrees with me, I would love for you to comment now because it is something that you know um when we're discussing buildings and transportation, there are often times when our director of security has commented during the public section of that meeting relevant to his role and it is it just is more relevant in that meeting but not in a personnel. In my opinion, he shouldn't be sitting in a personnel. He's waiting outside till there's a security discussions and he comes inside and sits in for the security discussion. I still I feel his presence is needed for the entire BG&T uh meeting. So that's my thought here. Yes, go ahead. >> Like I shared when I turn keyed I think
027we should just remove it alto together the title security and just go back to building grounds and transportation and when and yes we invite the director of security and when he has something to share publicly he can do so in that. I just don't think we need to have a security committee, >> right? If there's discussion or the agenda doesn't have anything relevant, he he could not be there, but I just don't think it belongs with personal >> I don't think we need to make a motion for that. I think the board president can simply just remove it. >> That's I agree. I I also know the policy so that can be changed. So, >> but we would have to but we have we would have to approve the change in policy because we're changing
028the name of the committee. No, >> use your mic. I apologize. Um I don't think I know we have changed the overall um committees there but um it does give the board president the you know the right to change them as >> they desire. Yeah. >> Um so if we're moving that back there I agree. I like with being with buildings um and grounds. Y >> uh so >> yeah I think we should just remove it. I agree. just removing it entirely from the >> and then we can modify the language and policy again. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Then the next item on our agenda is our public forum for agenda items only. Members of the committee have four members to speak. Please state your name and municipality for the record. Are
029there any members of the public wishing to speak? Good evening, George Gungleman, Five Kelly Court, Monroe. Um, I have a couple questions about items that appear. Um, there a number of sponsors have been identified for um, soccer and and grants and stuff, but particularly for the sports stuff. It says for the lifetime of the item. What does that mean? >> Do you want to ask all of your questions first or do you want us to answer? >> Better to answer them as we go along. >> Dr. Layman. >> Sure. >> There's another public session. >> So that so the that particular item is a uh >> shelter for the soccer team. >> Sure. >> And the the lifetime of the item would be the the lifetime that that item is in our possession and is
030actually functioning. If it gets over the lifetime of a banner, >> no, the lifetime their their artwork or their print work will be on the the structure itself. >> It's a for the lifetime of the structure. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. I had no idea. >> Um there are some some information about bus contracts and there's u the pricing. There's a number out there, but it doesn't say what that number represents. It does obviously it doesn't represent the whole contract. It's, you know, a few hundred dollars. Is that per day or is it per what? Per trip what, >> Miss Alan? >> Yes. The bus contract regarding the bus um the bus routes um that is per day. If you're talking about the um the field trips, >>
031Raphael was identified as one of the contractor and there was a number there besided, >> you know, $475. >> That that would be per day. >> Per day. Correct. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> So, how many buses are we talking about and uh in in that contract at this time? >> Do we know? >> I think there were >> I have it out if you want me to address it. Yeah. So, uh, there are se a couple different contractors that are get getting awarded different routes. >> Okay. >> So, there are a total of one, two, three, four, five, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 routes. >> 19 routes >> that we're contracting. >> Yep. That we're contracting. Now, th those routes are inclusive of 1 2
0323 4 5 6 nine different buses. >> Okay. So some of the buses do the high school go to middle school elementary and you'll see the pricing for each high school is 165 middle school's 165 elementary is 164 then the total is the daily total for that bus for that those three routes. >> Okay. And the total value of the of the outsource school busing for the school year. Is there a number that's available at this time for that? >> No, we do not have the number at this point. How do you budget >> based on estimates? >> I don't think we're doing day by day here. >> We don't have all the >> you know if you don't have it you don't have it but u at some future time it'd be you know
033and it could just if it fits into the the the minutes or you know or the the agenda that's fine just at some point. I'm just curious. So there's there's a line item in the budget that is that is a placeholder for these before we go out to bid, >> right? >> These these bids come in and we adjust it. And >> last year we were using the education services commission as a middle person. We self bid these. So there's a significant savings by us not having a middle middle person involved. >> Okay, that's that's that's great, but yep, >> we don't have that information. So I'm just asking to share it with us. Um the the last item I pretty much understand but it's not clear uh what what the motive is entirely and
034that's the bid threshold item. >> What item on the agenda is that? >> That's that's on my report. Did you go >> ahead? That's um so that is the amount that we um that the state um has come up with. They change it every five years. they amend it. Um that the threshold of when you have to go out for a bid versus you know a quote versus not. So so the new amount so the $53,000 I think it is. >> So that's basically adjusted for inflation. >> Correct. >> Which in theory we don't have. >> Yeah. I saw the news. >> Are there any other members of the public wishing to speak? >> Okay. Seeing none. Wow. We are going to close the public forum and we're going to move to the next item
035on our agenda, which is the assistant superintendent report. >> So, I'm going to combine assistant superintendent and acting superintendent report. Um, just in terms of things that we have going on this summer, I just wanted to highlight and complement our summer programming that we have going on. Um, we are currently engaging students in summer geometry advancement. It's our first year for an advancement course. Um, we have virtual uh credit remediation program. We also have various and it depends on the week and I'll give you a sample of what it was uh not this week but the week before um programs that engage students from prek all the way up into uh really it's like a freshman in high school. Um so we have the Falcon Nest summer uh academy that's our preschool. Um a few
036weeks ago they had an under the sea week. So they have a different theme every week. Um and these are all tuition based. So all these programs I'm about to list um the community has a fee that they uh pay and some of these programs are week to week, some of them are twoeek programs, some of them are weekly programs. Um the Mind Emotion Academy is our younger students academy, typically grades one and two. They had a dino week. Um code and conquer, that's our grade two and three uh advanced enrichment. They did a game design week. Um cooking with cancer, that is uh the theme was Boardwalk Bites. They cook different boardwalk foods and you'll see a lot of our sponsors sponsor the supplies and the consumable materials. So they we found with the
037sponsors that we pair with and we partner with, they like to be a part of something and that's uh something that you know one of our local uh restaurants supplies us with the funds to uh purchase a lot of the food. uh MT MTSD summer studio that's an artwork an art uh based activity sketchbook challenge in ceramics and sculpture was two weeks ago and then we do uh all of our staff that do the summer academy uh activities they push into our ESY our extended school year both here in the high school and at Oakree u that way we are totally integrated and any student that has other obligations um related to their uh year-long school program has the opportunity to engage in these uh enrichment activities. Um we also had a summer theater program.
038We had a summer band program. We had a percussion uh academy as well. So um those were a few weeks ago. So it's been an exciting summer. Our staff is awesome. They're here for a couple hours each day. Um the staff that's working with our geometry advancement students are here for much more than just a couple hours with our students. That's an intense program. Um but we're excited to report out on that. We typically do that in the fall. We'll get a total number of how many students participated. Um what you know we we operate this at minimally a break even. So none of this is being funded out of the taxpayer uh funding. It's all self- sustaining. Um it's al also not a you know massive piece to try and drive revenue. Um we
039we the revenue that we get if we get any is used to grow and support future programming. Um, and again, I invite you to listen to the curriculum committee probably in September, October, where we do a nice thorough debrief. Um, we'll give exact enrollment numbers and things like that. So, that's really what we've had going on this summer. It's really been an exciting piece. We've been hiring a lot of staff um for leave replacements and retirements and things. So, that concludes my kind of summer update and I'm going to move on to the acting superintendent report. Great. So under under personnel items for the 10 member vote, it's recommended that the board approve the attached personnel items A through V. A through V. >> A through A. Hold on. Wait. A through A. >> A
040through A. Correct. >> Yes. A through A. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Tufano. Second by Miss Bora. Any questions or comments? >> Okay. Seeing none, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. Mr. Depay, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Ms. Ratner, >> uh, yes. Um, abstain due to conflict on letter D from Mr. Ratner. >> Okay. Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tfano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Fabiano, >> yes. Motion passes. Under personal items for a nine-member vote, it's recommended that the board approve the attached personal items AW through CZ. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Tufano, second by Miss Bora. Any questions or comments? >> Okay. Can we
041have a roll call, please? >> Okay. Miss Albert, Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Miss Depay, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, Miss >> Um, yes. abstain on due to conflict on CQ15 and 16 for Mr. Ratner. >> U Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tfano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Fabiano, >> yes. >> Motion passes >> for board action 10 member vote. It's recommended that the board approve attached board action items A through R. >> Can I um I wanted to ask we were I wanted to make a motion to table an item. Can that be done within the main motion or should I do that now? >> It's it's it's done within the main motion and it takes precedence. >> Okay.
042Well, I'll make the motion for >> after. >> Oh, so you're making the motion for Dr. Layman's? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And I seconded that. >> Okay. Motion by M. Ratner, second by Miss For. Any questions or comments? Miss Ratner, I'm going to you. Um, I'd like to make a motion to table um letter E, the uh second read for honoring people achievement so that we can discuss it in committee next month. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss Ratner, second by Miss Bora. >> Questions, discussions on Miss Ratner's motion to table. I just want to add that since the policy commit committee didn't meet in July um we we think it's a good idea to table it so that we can complete the discussion in August >> and and if I can add the
043discussion in question is a national honor society >> correct >> uh requirements that were um that had a lot of public opinion in the last meeting. Thank you. >> Okay, Miss Allen, can we have a roll call, please? >> On the motion to table, >> but Mr. I was like, you're referring to obviously the the new list that came out >> on the honors. Is that what you're referring to? >> Yep. Letter E in board action. It's policy 5440 honoring pupil achievement. And that was not the discussion was not finished on that particular >> no it's uh the uh there was a discussion on the weighted average uh proposal to raise the weighted average to a 95 for national honor society admission. >> I thought that's what he prop from what I read is that
044not what he proposed. >> It is Mr. Zner. It's my understanding at at the last board meeting a policy was read in as a first reading and uh if I'm not mistaken, Miss Ratner has now made a motion to table the second reading to hold off on implementing that policy until further discussion can occur. >> If Okay. >> Okay. I was going to say um when we had the first reading last month, we had discussed um the the number because there was concerns that that number was to hive by some members of the of the board and of the public. um just to then discuss it again in committee, you know, do a little bit of a deeper look before we have the second and final read at committee uh in you before our next
045meeting, but because we didn't have our committee meetings as Miss Alvarez, you know, had shared, I didn't want to have the, you know, we didn't want to have the final vote before we had the discussion that we said we would have. >> It was clear. I understand. Fine. You need you always do second readings obviously uh at committee before you vote on anything anyway. So, fine. Thank you. >> Great. So, we're doing a roll call vote on Miss Ratner's motion to table. >> Okay. Um, Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Miss Depay, >> yes. >> Dr. Pac, >> yes. >> Mr. Pero, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tfano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Fabiano, >> yes. >> Motion
046passes. So now we need to do um a a vote on the main motion that Miss Ratner u made with the exception of the item that was just tabled >> exception of letter E. >> Are we able to have discussion on the rest of the items if >> yes >> okay so com first >> comments yes miss Bora >> um so um I did um sorry Dr. I did send you this question and you replied, but I still have a concern with the way uh item N is uh worded. Uh it says that approved the previously submitt agreement between Turnitin and Monro Township School District for the period of September 30th, 2025 through September 29, 2026 to provide on-site or online trainings for Turnit and Feedback Studio and originality for total. So I think you
047explained to me that this is renewal plus and training is always part of it. >> Correct. >> But I feel like it the the >> resolution just says it should say a renewal of okay >> the software. So is there a way to modify this retroactively? Uh Mr. Weiss? >> Yes. Well, so um >> or I make a motion tomorrow. >> My suggestion would be that the main motion be withdrawn that a new motion be made to approve everything including whatever um change you're suggesting right now in that specific item. >> Okay. So, first I make a motion to withdraw. >> Whoever whoever made the motion just withdraw. >> I'm happy to to withdraw it. I just wanted to get point of clarification. You said letter N. >> M has for turn it in. All
048right. >> Um I it doesn't say it's renewing the whole software. It just talks about the training aspect whereas the cost includes >> right for draw my motion >> and I should have replied to that email just I'm reading it again now and I'm just that's why I had the question. >> So Mrs. Bora do you want to make a motion to approve all items with the exception of that which was tabled and including a revision to item M as in Mary to include whatever your concern is. I do. Do I have to repeat all of that? >> Um, you could just >> I I agree to make the motion that you just stated, Mr. Rice. Thank you. >> But we need to uh indicate what the change is to item M as in Mary.
049If you could do that, >> Dr. Layman, would you help me phrase that? To provide uh No. So, it's >> provide provide uh >> the software with the >> to How about to renew? >> To just to renew >> renew turn it in feedback studio. Yes. Yeah, >> that just so instead of provide on-site and online training that should be struck off and it should say renew turn it in feedback studio in originality. >> Miss Allen, do you have that language? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, >> I made that motion. >> Let's get a second and then questions discussion. >> Second by Mr. Dufano. >> Questions, discussion. Miss Ratner. >> Um I just wanted to um on that motion. >> Oh, wait. >> Motion for everything though, >> right? It's motion for all of the
050items, right? with the exception of the one that you tabled and the change. >> I feel like we're playing I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing everything but okay. No, you're good. Okay. So, any item except for that tabled item is >> right turn 33. >> Okay. This is getting even more fun. Um so I first of all um I have a very quick question on where was I? Letter R. I just wanted to clarify what that was for. I see it's for a facility. Um I just want to it's for the all >> Allstar >> athletic center. >> It's cheer related. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. Thank you. >> It's an annual piece that we do for cheer. >> Okay. Um, and then I wanted to um just congratulate um our
051administration and our staff on the um the QAC uh ratings under letter N um that was determined that this district is high performing. Um which is fantastic. Um so congratulations to all of our uh staff members for that. Um, and then also I just wanted to um, you know, I guess acknowledge the grant um, letter Q for 28,000 over $28,000. Um, I think that's always important whenever we can find grants um, to help us save a little money in our budget. So, uh, thank you to everyone who worked on that. >> Miss Bora. >> Yeah, I just want to uh, that was one of the points that I wanted to speak about. So, thank you, Miss Rnner. The QAC scores um, congratulations to the administration. I do want to share with the public a conversation
052I had with Dr. Layman on that. Um, of course I was picking on the lowest number in that chart. Um, and given that that I had the curriculum committee, I wanted to make sure that we weren't doing anything less. Uh, Dr. Layman did explain that that score typically has a 40% component of documentation and processes followed by the district which we usually have 100% score on. 60 other 60% component of instruction and program is related to abs absenteeism, graduation rate and things that are out of our control and also the way the the state looks at it. If we have some students that stay with us till the age of 21 and are then considered not graduating on time. I'm probably making mistakes while saying this so Dr. Dr. Layman, please feel to free to
053correct me, but it's still an exceptional score >> relatively given all of those factors. So, Dr. Layman, please do commend us. >> Yeah. No, we we got perfect scores on anything that was district related on that instruction and program piece. Um, they come in, they audit the curriculum documents. They look at to make sure we have all our mandates included in it. They look at the timelines which the mandates were um dictated to make sure that everything's in sync. Um, they look for standard alignment. They look for crosscurricular alignment. and uh you know they come in and they they often times and they did this time you know we offer ourselves up to say we we can be a model district other districts can come take a look at our documents they can work with
054us you know we were we're here to support um because we are considered one of those high performing districts and um the unique thing with QAC is it's all or nothing if there's one thing off you lose points across the board um and that's you have to be perfect in order to get perfect scores. There's no, you know, you get a couple grace grace points and that's any of the sections. That's all of the sections. You miss one upload, you miss >> one staff, you know, certification is out of sync or something like that, you lose all the points. So, um it's a testament to >> how clean the records are, how uh efficient we are, and and um it's a it was a collective effort from the entire district. every every building based staff
055member was involved in this at their offices there all the way up through central office and supervisors, principles, etc. Yep. >> Excellent. Thank you so much. >> Any other questions or comments? Okay, Miss Allen, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. Okay. So, um, Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Miss Deayne, >> Mr. Depay, >> yes. >> Dr. >> Okay. Dr. Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tefano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Fabiano, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Board action under nine member vote. It's recommended that the board approve the attached board action items S through V. S through V. >> Motion by Miss Bora. >> Second by Miss
056Alvarez. Questions or comments? >> Okay, seeing none. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. Miss Alvarez? >> Yes. >> Miss Bora? >> Yes. >> Mr. Depay? >> Yes. >> Uh Mr. Piro? >> Mr. Po? Yes. Um Miss Ratner? Yes, MH the roundabout. Take the first exit. >> Um I just need to recuse on um letter I was trying to find the letter. Sorry. It's letter S. It's the field trips uh to at for Mr. Ratner uh for the band trip to Atlantic City and to Six Flags. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um Miss Chararma. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tfano? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner? >> Yes. >> Miss Fabiano? >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. Um I think that's it. All right. And our next item on the agenda is our business administrator's
057report. So um included in the business administrator's report as we have mentioned are the um >> one mile >> trips uh the the um bus transportation routes as well as the routes um for um athletic trips and student um activity and field trips. They were all awarded. Um we also have the um lease purchase financing which was um awarded or which we would like to award at this meeting. Um and we also have the um the district specific um state aid that we received this year. um the additional aid of $500,000 which is to be used for capital improvements and that was out of the um the fiscical year appropriations act um out of the state budget. So these are all um items in the report ask for approval to page. Okay. So under a
05810 member vote. Um it is recommended that board action items A through N be approved by consent. Roll call. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion first. >> Miss Alvarez. Yep. Second by Mr. Tuano. questions or comments? >> Yeah, I uh first of all, congratulations to all of us to the town for the $500,000 in capital improvement appropriation. Uh definitely a result of all the advocacy work that has happened in the last 6 months. Um I do have two more comments on the uh agenda. One is related to the question the gentleman had about the bus route contracting. I we did not have a finance meeting. Uh so we did have to have an offline discussion. Uh Mrs. Allen, myself, um Dr. Layman, Mrs. Fabiano were there. We discussed uh what was coming on the agenda
059from the finance desk and um I just wanted to give a little uh background on item N in and that we are deliberating on right now and I would ask for a comment Dr. Layman from you once I'm done. So we had about 30 plus routes contracted last year in a concerted effort. Miss Martyr the director of transportation um has been able to bring that down to 19 routes uh which cannot be driven by our drivers and are we going to contract it out? Last year those 30 routes 30 plus routes were done through the educational services commission of New Jersey ECJ um and that they were our middlemen. So they would find these contractors for us. So what Miss Martyr has done is that she has directly contracted uh with uh for bids. Uh
060so she asked for bids and we deliberated over them. Uh I think initially we were going with one person and then we ended up going for different routes and different cheers. We finalized three contractors who Miss Martyr will be working with directly. So 19 routes, three contractors. uh a very different situation from where we were last year and Dr. Layman what I would like to um discuss in front of the public is um I what can we expect as an improvement hopefully in our operational efficiency and safety of students as a result of going direct take I know that there has been uh you know uh definitely a lot of money saved when we go directly by taking the middleman out. We did those numbers. We can see uh the daily cost even by going
061through three different contractors instead of one. We are saving at least $500 a day. So all of that is great, but for the public to know we're taking out, you know, ESCJ. What what is it that we can look to in this coming year in terms of improvement? >> So one of the things one of the the benefits of directly contracting is we directly communicate with them. I think that was one of the major hurdles we historically have had with a middle person is in order to get in contact with some a driver or you have to call the middle person then they call the contractor then they reach out to the bus driver. So, um, we've eliminated an entire step in that process, which speeds up communication. And one of the pieces that was
062included in our bid package was the expectation that these companies have someone available to receive calls when the buses are on the road at their location. So, there'll be somebody there to respond and receive our call if we need to make it. >> So, I think that in itself is a massive um, step in the right direction. The safety standards for any drivers, including our drivers or contractors, are consistent. Um, you know, we we have high expectations. We have the highest standards for drivers. We expect those standards and require those standards of any of the contractors that we bring on board. Um, but I think the the notable change and improvement besides the cost factor, right, which is eliminating an entire middle person that we have to pay. Um, is the direct contact. And that's
063especially important on a standard uh bus run, you know, whether it's high school, middle school, elementary bus run. Um, you know, we still use the Ed Services Commission for many of our van runs. Um, they have equipment that we don't traditionally have, but they also give us the opportunity to if students are going uh to a out of district school and there are other people along the way, other students along the way, we can share costs and things. And that's a nice piece that the Ed services commission uh brings to us uh that we would lose if we were to individually bid that. Um and we probably wouldn't realize that the cost savings either um because it would be for much smaller volumes of students. So um we do still still use the ed services
064commission for some things. Um and we have had historically uh for that. But the number one improvement for us is communication and that was a piece coming out of you know last year that we wanted to improve and it and that certainly was um addressed. >> Thank you. Thank you. And I I hope that helped the public also understand this. I do have one more comment on um the business administration uh business administrators agenda. This is um a thank you to all the donations that we have. Dr. already mentioned how some of them are collaborating with our enrichment program, but I specifically wanted to share a story about the soccer club receiving the covered uh benches. Um I being a soccer mom for the last seven years for the Monro Township High School varsity program.
065I want to share how this came about. We have about six donors giving anywhere between $2 to $5,000. And I think this story is very heartwarming for everybody to know. Uh this was a project a dream of a mother who has been a varsity parent for eight years now. her youngest child um graduated this year, but it had always been her dream to, you know, raise enough funds through volunteering and concession sales and all the fundraisers we do, bagels and donuts and everything to have these covered benches for, you know, fall weathers where it's pouring and they're playing despite and she would make empanadas for every concession game concessions and herself and sell them. we weren't able to get enough money. So then she didn't want to go out without getting those benches. So she
066reached out to the soccer community and people here listed here are either fans or parents of and and this is half the cost. The other half is what the committee, you know, the volunteers raised over the last six years. So to see that this is on the agenda finally was very heartwarming. Um, huge shout out to all those parents out there who not just stand there and encourage our students, but also put in the hard work and their money to make sure that our athletes have the best. We've seen this with baseball. We're seeing this with soccer. I hope this culture continues. Thank you, >> Miss Ratner. >> Um, so quick question. Letter A number one. Um, is that just for any potential need? >> I think it's existing >> standard I think. Right. >>
067I think there's one remaining. >> Oh, there is >> one existing. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you for the clarification. one. >> Um I wanted to um I know Miss Allen had um mentioned the uh the $500,000 that we received and I'm you know everyone knows like I was hoping for a lot more, but I'm very grateful for what we we got. Um I actually took a look at the appropriations and we were the only school district in Middle Sex County who received a budget appropriation. And while we we struggle with funding and I don't think I've been making that quiet, you know, there are other districts that are also. So, I do appreciate what we get when we can get it. And I think it's important for us to all continue advocating um you know,
068and trying to work together to find ways to, you know, make that even better. Um in addition to the um the donations which there are you know as was highlighted there's quite a few um and a lot of these are sponsorships um as well as donations. Um I I really first of all just wanted to um congratulate administration. I know I think it was at the citizens advisory committee meeting. It might have been somewhere else where we discussed um the sponsorships and and how that sort of happens. Um, and so it's really nice to see this list growing. Um, and I think as we continue to work, we talked about information on the website possibly. So if people want to get a little bit more information, um, I know M. Moralda has the community at
069Monroe email, um, which is always a good way to get started. Um, but you know, thank you, Dr. Leman and Mr. Aldra and the rest of the administration for working on that. Um, and then also the grant for the, uh, the unifi program. I just wanted to also acknowledge that um because which is I lost the page, but it was right around there. Uh letter G for $2,000. Um so, thank you for working on that as well. >> Okay, any other questions or comments? See, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes, Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. Three cues on letter B. Items related to the learning tree. >> Okay. Miss Bora. >> Yes. >> Mr. Depay. >> Yes. >> Dr. Peek. >> Yes. >> Mr. Piro. >> Yes. To all abstain on A number
07023. >> Okay. Ms. Ratner. >> Yes. To all um abstain on letter A number 23. Um and on the bill list for uh C08441 um C 08469 uh C 08161 and C 08352 which were for Mr. Ratner and Mr. Snider respectively and then the bill addendum was uh C 0885 and C 08969 for Mr. Snder and Mr. Lur. >> Okay. Um Miss Chararma. Yes, >> Mr. Tfano. >> Yes. >> Oops. Um, Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. >> Miss Fabiano. >> Yes. To all recuse on A23. >> Okay. Motion passes. Um, um, it is recommended that board action items O through R R be approved by consent roll call under a nine member vote. >> Motion. Second. >> Motion by Miss Ratner. Second by Miss Fora. Questions or comments? Miss Ratner? Um, thank you for the the
071donation um from um residents Naria and Sona Gole for the basketball nets for Applegarth. Um, as well as there's additional unified grants that are here. Um, I also did just want to ask a quick question about the temporary um facility use. I know that we're approving the the possible use as needed of the while we're figuring out what's going on um in regards to Applegarth in the middle school. Um, but I I guess I was curious if we also had the cost for that if or if that's a separate item. I wasn't sure if we had that approved that previously or not. >> You want to take it? You want me? >> Okay. So, this is approving the documentation so we can submit and notify the county that we're going to maintain those trailers. Um
072we are going to uh ensure strongly that the goal is the end of uh basically end of September early October cut the lease with the uh the trailer company. >> Okay. >> Um typically we would you know have an entire year's agreement and then pay off in kind of intervals. It's not not always monthly but intervals. Um the goal this time is to get that out of there as soon as possible. Now, the end of uh October works out well because then we can sync up a removal of those trailers over a November break and um you know, it's a >> as long as the company's available to do it, it's a it's a nice process. Um but that is something that is still in the works to to finalize those details. >> Okay. Thank
073you. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Katie, I have a I have a question. Katie, >> go ahead, Gail. >> Um for Laura. Laura, um, regarding the bill listing, I know my sister-in-law is a part-time special ed sub, but she's never her name is never listed. So, would she be on the list now for September, or would she would she be included in the population of names that you have for um, August? >> No, she's a sub. >> She's a part-time, >> so she wouldn't be on the bill list. She would go through the payroll. So, you wouldn't see her on >> I just wanted to make sure because I didn't want I didn't want to vote on her if uh I didn't have to. I just want to double check. >> Okay, >>
074that's all. >> Okay, >> thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Okay, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. Um, Miss Alvarez, >> yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Miss Depay, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> yes. >> Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Defano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zikner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fabiano. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. That concludes my report. >> Okay. Thank you very much. The next item on our agenda is our board president's report. I'm going to keep this very brief. I do want to just thank our staff um and our administration for working this summer. Just because it's summer and our students are not in school does not mean that the work stops here. Everybody's gearing up and
075working hard for September. So, I do want to thank and commend everybody for their hard work this summer. Um, and I hear that our students are doing amazing things and really enjoying our summer programs, too. So, thank you to all of our staff that are continuing to work um, with our children this summer. And with that, we are going to not be ready for August in a couple of days because that's also going to happen, but we're going to move on through the agenda and that's going to be our other board of education business. So, are there any other board members who have anything that they would like to share? M. Ratner? >> Yep. Um I had um sent an email I believe it was to the entire board but um there were a lot
076of legislative there was a lot of legislative action taken um at the end of June early July um there were a lot of bills passed there was one um that was providing you know eventual expansion for full day kindergarten that's mandatory by 29 20 you know 2030 which I know we are hoping won't you know even be a relevant thing for by then. Um, as well as other initiatives um, for that. There were also modifications made to Senator Gopal's funding um, bill. I believe it's S3917. Um, so, you know, we'll definitely take a look at that next month in in the lease committee. But um definitely it's worth keeping track of these bills, especially the ones that have not been signed yet by the governor. Um just in case there's anything of concern to us
077that we want to reach out um to our legislators about and you know try to advocate for. Um and then I also just wanted to um piggyback and say that I've heard some really great things about the summer program. Um you know, one of my my son's friends was really excited. they added on extra weeks because they were having such a great time um in in their class. So, thank you to everyone who is working on those. Any other board members comments? Okay, then we're going to move on to public forum. Um this public forum is for any item not in the agenda or otherwise. If you have anything that you'd like to discuss, you have four minutes to do so. Please state your name and municipality for the record. Bob, I'm exciting. Uh I
078think just three items and I'll list them and let you respond to them. Um first is I know it's early, but before we get too deep into it, I just wanted to ask you to consider uh setting up some type of quarterly update on that HVAC project. That's a huge project. a lot of money is invested in that project and I think it'd be good periodically maybe on a quarterly basis to just talk to us about how that's all proceeding. Is it on track, non-track? What's happening with that? Uh second, we're talking about capital tonight. One of the things that I never got to circle back on, we went over the operating budget. I was curious whether or not there's a capital budget that talks about what capital you going to need to invest in
079over the next three, four, five years if such a document exists. if it does, is that something that could be shared with the people in the community who are going to have to pay for it? And then the last thing as we kind of look ahead the next few months, uh do you plan to provide uh some type of update on the strategic plan and your board goals and where are you planning to do that? Thank you. >> Okay. Um Dr. Leman, >> sure. I can take uh first and third. Uh I think I believe you're referring to the EIP project. Um so we actually had that conversation in BG&T. Um we have been getting updates but they uh are general updates from the company. Um and their general and this is what uh Mr.
080Tagus told us their general updates are related to they don't have the committals on some of the larger equipment that they're waiting on but we we certainly are going to cycle back and push them a little bit to give us some uh committed timelines and then we will report those out. Um and then the last piece was remind me one more time. >> Board goals. Yes. >> Strategic plan. >> Our plan. Thank you. Our our plan was to update uh in either September, October. We do have some student achievement reports that we're required to do. So we're going to plan out. So we don't necessarily do them both in the same meeting. Uh do a cycle back on our strategic planning and uh we can definitely we'll have to uh come up with some board
081goals again moving forward and we can reflect back on the board goals that we uh had this year as well. And then Miss Allen the question with capital budget >> capital. So um regarding you know a five-year budget capital budget um we do discuss definitely a budget time um plans for the for the next several years and what we can what we can have to do this year and next year and the following year. But um there is not really a formal document that we can provide. Um but we definitely do discuss this um at budget time. >> Thank you. Are there any other members of the public wishing to speak? >> Okay, seeing none, we're going to close the public forum. >> Guys, this is a record. >> There is no close there is
082no close session resolution that is needed. So, we are also not going to have a public forum for the close session. Um, before we get to our next scheduled board of education meeting, um, I do need to take a moment to announce that I will be stepping down as president of the board and resigning from my seat effective end of day August 1st, 2025. You can wipe this mark off your face, Mr. Tuano. >> No, you can really just Yeah, listen. When I f I do still live here. I you can check ask Miss Scurby ask Miss Scurby to check the tax records for you because she has all of my personal information that she should. Sure. >> When I first joined the board, my intention was to serve a single three-year term. However, due
083to a series of irresponsible decisions and poor leadership by previous board members, I felt it was my duty to stay on longer than planned to help restore order, accountability, and trust. That extension came at personal cost like being stalked, harassed, having my personal information splashed all over social media. Not information that's very easily found. Information that has to be searched and searched and researched some more for it all to be on public display. That extension came at personal cost, but I have no regrets, zero, about the decision to step up during a difficult time. This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one for me, my family, and for the continued functioning of our school district. My resignation at this time is intended to ensure that leadership changes can occur
084now in a way that protects the district's ability to operate smoothly and without interruption. The timing allows the board to take immediate steps to ensure paychecks continue to be issued on time, bills are paid without delay, and the district can remain fully functional. That is why it's a date of the end of day August 1st. So pay now there will be no disruption to payroll. Our staff, students and families depend on us to provide stability. Delays in action or uncertainty could put that stability at risk and that is something I was not willing to let happen. I am incredibly proud of the work we've done together. I'm confident that the majority of this board will continue to fight the good fight and work tirelessly to continue to support and protect our staff and students. Thank
085you all for your trust, your partnership, and the opportunity to serve. It has truly been my honor. So, with that, we are going to be scheduling a special meeting. So, the date that's on this agenda is not going to be the next meeting. Um, there needs to be a special meeting scheduled for next week so that the board can appoint a new board president so that there can be a new signatory added onto the account so that there will be no disruption to the district whatsoever. Um, so the board needs to select a date. I don't know if next Wednesday. >> I just want to >> vote tonight. >> Hold. Can I just make a >> You cannot. >> Um I just wanted to let you know like when you dropped the news to me,
086it was difficult to hear, but I commend you for your bravery because what you had to go to through these past two to three weeks was horrible and you were just trying to do the right thing for the staff so that there wouldn't be any disruptions to their paychecks. And I'm sure that our staff and administration really appreciates your sacrifice because that's what it was. And I'm so sad to see you go and I'm so so sorry you had to go through all that. >> And with that in mind, I did reach out to Miss Allen and she said if the earliest that we can get this in order if we decide tonight would be August 6th. So, anyone that is available August 6, can you please raise your hand or if you're virtual, say
087yes because I want to make sure that we have a quorum. >> Uh, can I ask a question though? What is it that needs to be done in the special meeting? Can it not be done right now? >> Um, if I can, uh, it's from what I just heard, the concern is about a signatory. Um, and typically my understanding is that it typically takes about a week for the bank to >> to get all that to happen. >> Got So given the fact that Mrs. Fabiano's resignation is not effective until August 1st, my suggestion would be that a special meeting be called to appoint a president. Not because I mean it's an important thing, right? But it's even more important to ensure that the bank has the ability to get the new signitories on so
088that there's no further delay post August 1. Um, and so my suggestion would be that you call a special meeting um to appoint a board president um and that way that person can go right away to the bank with Miss Allen to become a signatory on the account. That's my critical concern um at at this juncture. Additionally, um I would suggest that the board or someone make a motion to accept um Mrs. Fabiano's resignation effective >> August end of day August one just so that there's no question about what happened and all of that. So uh that and to the extent that a special meeting is going to be scheduled. I think it best for everyone to uh someone to put a motion out to to call the meeting to to vote to have the
089meeting. We're here in the public in the sunshine. Everybody will hear that there's a special meeting and in addition the regular and typical required notices for the public meeting will be issued um with plenty of time to do so uh as 48 hours notice is required. We're well be more than that. So I think it's just since we're all here we might as well do those two housekeeping things just so that we can maintain order. Should we make that motion later because she's still presiding over the meeting? And >> so it would be to um to accept the resignation effective if you want to say 11:59 p.m. That way she can we can continue this meeting. She can sign and whatever she may need to sign with the bank tomorrow. Um and it's all kind
090of coming into view for me. So I I see that we have a short window of time to to get things done to ensure the continued operation orderly operation in the district. Can I miss RER? >> Um, so I was I was actually thinking of speaking about elections and being nice to each other and decided not to. But when we ran together four years ago, you know, we ran on this United for Education platform. Listen, there are there have been times where we've been on very opposite sides of things. I'm like, there's times where we've been on opposite sides of things. This is not an easy job to do. and and and we do not get paid for it. That's not to say that I agree with everything everyone has has done. There's things that
091now I look back and look at it from a different perspective too. Um but you know I think anyone regardless of how many how often I've agreed or disagreed with what the action has been you know deserves a recognition for the hours of of unpaid service that it is to be on this board. Um, I also am really hopeful going into what most of the people that are up here know is my least favorite time of year, which is election season. Yeah, Miss Fabian's not nodding her head. She knows. Um, that I that we treat each other with respect as much as we can. You know, it again, people that are are running, you're putting yourselves out there. By all means, ask tough questions, but just keep the personal things out of it as much
092as we can because no one on any side of any of it deserves to be in that situation. Um, I I could make the motion unless we wanted to allow other comments. Um, so um, >> can I make I'd like to make a comment. >> I'll make it there. Go ahead, Gail. >> Okay. I have to agree with Miss Rottner. I think I think Charlie said it before. We all have to act like adults on this board of education because we're not here for personal attacks and we've all been through it. Nobody on that board can say they have not been personally attacked. On another board I was on was never attacked in 18 years, but here for three years, probably 20 times more. Nobody deserves to be ridiculed, harassed, and called names from the
093public to any of you up there. All of you, because you, like, like Miss Ratner said, the time that you put in to make sure that this district is run properly, and that's what we're supposed to be doing, make sure the policies and procedures are followed. And we have we have under Miss Fabiano. I have loved working under her and Miss Alvarez knowing that whenever I say a comment or make a suggestion, it's not going to be thrown out or made fun of. They're going to consider what I what I say. And I have 21 years experience. It might be new. It is new now, but I have quite a bit of experience and that should not be put aside because but I have an experience. I love being a board member this past year
094under Mrs. Fabiano. I wish her the best and her family and it's a shame what they did to her and her family. And I think everybody that comes up to this board meetings from now on, like Miss Ratner just said, and Kate, you said it fantastically, let's all be mindful of each other and what we put our time and love into doing this position. If I would have got paid, I could have retired 20 years ago. So, I I I just want to say thank you to all of you for putting in your time and effort. I've been written I've had letters written about me to New Jersey school boards, Middle Sex County school uh boards, but you know what? I decided not to read them because all my friends on those boards sent them
095to me and it was horrible. And I really wanted to say something back to the person, but you know what? I'm better than that. And I'm not going to I'm just going to move forward for this board and all of us have to move forward for this board and this district in the future. That's it. >> Thank you, Gail. Mr. Zikner. >> Yeah. I just also want to add to what was said. Uh I'd like to take it just a step further. Uh and I I want to congratulate you. I know what it's like having been in leadership roles in various stages throughout my career. I know what it's like. It can be extremely stressful. It can be extremely difficult because you're dealing with personalities and when you deal with personalities, you know what you're
096going to run into. You know, everyone has their different concepts and different ideas of way things should be said or done. And >> see how that goes. >> And there's been some very inappropriate things that have been said. Uh but I congratulate you. I think um you've shown great leadership. You you really if I had a question, you called me back right away or you picked up and um you stayed on task and that isn't that is difficult especially when people are coming at you. That's very difficult to do. But I thought you did a just an an excellent job as president and and I I just want to commend you for the job you've done and I on behalf for myself I just want to personally thank you for your efforts. >> Thank you
097>> Katie. >> Miss Chararma. >> Hi. Yep. I'm not a speaker but today I want to say congratulations to you Katie. I just came to know you just a year ago. I'm very new member but always learned a lot from you. You're very kind. You're well educated. You're very graceful person, wonderful person. You are strong. The president job that you have done, you have done very gracefully. And I'm sorry the last two three weeks that you had to go through social media, they had no right to do that. You would have made a right decision anyway. You would have not stayed here if you were out of state. Why would you do that? No, you're well educated. You're a teacher. You give education to the kids. So, I'm sorry, but I'm happy for you. >>
098I'm very happy for you. But yes, I will miss you. >> So, congratulations, best wishes, >> and that's all I have to say. >> Thank you, >> Katie. Our journey started together is ending. Yours is ending four months earlier than mine. We've had our roller coaster ride. I have I would like to say that we've accomplished a lot of things together in the last four years despite our disagreements and I would also like to believe that as critical as I have been of some of the things in the past few months I have done it respectfully. Um we always agreed to disagree when we were running. We said that we don't have to vote on the same things together and we can have different opinions. it just got out of control because there were more
099voices besides yours and mines in the room that were trying to influence the conversation between you and me. Um, I hope that our conversations in future will continue to be respectful. I hope that we will not hold grudges. I want to thank you for the time you've given to the Monroe Board of Education. you are like you said in the beginning of this meeting Monroe raised you're not going too far away ever no matter where you move but I want to wish you luck with your move um wish your family luck too thank you >> thank you and to be clear I am still very much a resident 19% place I still have a bed there that's where I live >> okay so >> would like to make a motion to accept Miss Fabiano's resignation
100>> and I would like to second date >> from from the board of education um effective 11:59 p.m. August 1st, 2025 >> with a second. >> So that was a motion by Miss Ratner, second by Miss Bora. Um >> questions, discussion. Please no more. >> Okay. Um we need a roll call. >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. Do I stand on this? You can do whatever you like. >> Accept my own vote. >> Okay, um, Miss Alvarez, >> regretfully, yes. >> Miss Bora, >> yes. >> Mr. Depay, >> with deep regret. Yes. >> Dr. Pek, >> yes. >> Mr. Piro, >> I think he might have. >> I think he not. Did he leave? Okay. Um, Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. With Mr. Yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr.
101Zikner, >> with very deep regret and thank you, >> Miss Fabiano, do you want your last stain? >> Okay. On motion passes. And then I'd like to make a motion for a special meeting. Um, >> can we first discuss a date? >> Can we a motion to schedule a special meeting? >> Well, well, you need a date >> for the for the purpose. >> Well, we need a date first. >> So, can we just look at August 6 real quick? Because that's what >> Do we have to do it on a Wednesday? Can we do it on Tuesday? >> Uh, Tuesday is nice and all night out. >> The earliest she can do or the district can handle is August 6th. >> August 6th. And it'll be quick. >> Okay. >> August 6. Make a
102motion. >> I just want I just want to make sure we have a quorum. >> Can you just raise your hands? >> The sixth. Right. >> The sixth. Okay, we do. All right. So, now we can make that motion, right? >> Okay. Yes. Or Miss Ratner can continue to make her motion. >> Okay. All right. I would like to make a motion to hold a special meeting for purposes of electing a new board president on August 6th at >> 6:30. You made 6:30. >> Does that work, Laura? Yes. >> PM >> second. >> I have a question. >> Uh we have a policy about filling the vacancy. Um >> Oh, right. >> I'm sorry to bring this up. >> We have 65 days to do that. >> Should we also announce that or discuss that
103at this special meeting or >> so? Um okay, let's with let's withdraw >> um >> because time tonight you guys. >> But here here's the reason though. >> Yeah, I'll I'll withdraw my motion. There's no statistics be >> because with the special meeting, you must announce in the meeting notice what the topics to be discussed are. So because the motion was originally originally made to select the president, it's actually to select the president and to discuss the process for filling a vacancy is I think what it should say. >> Can I make an amendment to my motion? >> Sure. >> Yeah. Um, so I would like to amend the motion um to include discussing um the process for uh filling the board board vacancy. >> Great. And so the only thing Thank you. Uh we'll
104we'll still need a second, but u Miss Allen um please just note that the u public notice for the special meeting must include the topics. Yep. >> Um because if we don't then it's a problem. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Okay. be before we do a roll call, can I just I guess ask a quick question. Um because a nearby district just went through a similar thing and they were looking at the calendar because the amount of days before because Miss Fabiano's seat was going to be up in November. Um but now >> December >> well I meant Okay. So like the election for that seat would have been November. It would have been effect January 1st or whatever. it usually would not necessarily go. You know what I'm trying to say. I know
105where you're going. Okay, good. >> I know where you're going. Um, so my recollection uh because I just dealt with this in another district um is that June 20 July 21st is I believe this is July 21st is a cuto off date for um for candidates to put in for the upcoming election. And once you hit that third Monday in July, >> um a vacancy that arrives after that third Monday in July, then uh essentially serves for a year >> as opposed to Well, no, I shouldn't say that. Um Miss Fabiano's your term is up. >> Your term is up. >> Got it. So it's really a fourmonth uh spot. >> Okay. >> Essentially, not when depending on when you 65. It must be filled within 65 days of the date of the vacancy. If
106the board doesn't fill it within 65 days, then the county superintendent will >> Oh, we know. >> Yeah. >> Yep. We had drama. >> Um, okay. But we still fill it even though it's after that third Monday in July >> and it be very short term. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, I guess we need we need a roll call. Yes. >> Before the roll call, um, should we know where the meeting is going to be held? >> Here. Here. >> It's going to be held here. And it's going to be held at 6 pm. >> 6:30. Okay. Fine. >> Wednesday, August. The next scheduled So, if I were reading it off the agenda, it would say the next scheduled public meeting will be Wednesday, August 6th at 6:30 p.m. >> And it's a special
107meeting. >> Special meeting >> to discuss the board vacancy and the to elect a new president. >> A new president. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Miss Alvarez. >> Yes. >> Miss Bora. >> Yes. Mr. Deayne, >> yes. >> Dr. Peek, >> yes. >> Uh, Miss Ratner, >> yes. >> Miss Chararma, >> yes. >> Mr. Tufano, >> yes. >> Mr. Zikner, >> yes. >> Miss Fabiano, >> abstain. >> Okay, motion passes. >> Okay, with that, um, that concludes our meeting. I wish everybody a great rest of your summer. Um, and good luck to everybody. [Applause]