001I call this regular meeting to order. This is Paris Board of Education work session regular business meeting on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. The meeting starts at 6:35 p.m. at the early child center, 270 Street, Penny side Park, New Jersey. Everyone, please rise for the flag of the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, Mr. Trump present. >> Yes. >> Mr. Erica, Mr. Jun, Mr. Sergio, here >> Mr. Ray. Miss >> here. >> Mr. Justin, >> Mr. Carl Aldo >> here. >> Mr. Drea >> here. >> Do we notify Mr. >> [clears throat] >> In compliance with the open public meeting act, I hereby state the notice of this regular meeting has been provided to the public by a written notice dated January 15, 2026. The meeting notice has been emailed to all state
002members at the district three school locations communicated to the record by the board. Okay. Boro cler of pis park posted on district website. Now um we'll review and discuss resolutions to be voted at the regular session. So we start the works session first and item K approval of both minutes. There's two minutes for approval and then we discussed if there's any correction request on those meeting minutes dated December 17, 2025. session and executive meeting minutes. Do you have any question request for any questions, discussions and minutes? If not, next building and grounds since the we approve for the committee chair person or just read the agenda. So we have one consent agenda in creating grounds that was the request for the fee waiver by the AR lod competition. Actually the answer was made in January
003first and as the former letter was shared with all body members that they sent us for the um to to wave the fee of the non no refund of $250 deposit and since for some reasons that it would have been requested but um by the But that actually asked them to pay previously. So they were not really prepared for this fee for now. So they asking that they probably be according to preparing next next event. Do you have any questions? >> I don't understand the reasoning behind this. So they never paid before. Is that what it is? >> Yeah. By policy they are what they they are requested to pay the ordinal property organization who rent or use a facility of a school school then they are asked they they are requested $250 and for
004some reasons they never and then not just this orientation but this been ongoing long years years multiple years of discussion within the board which never been really cleared it up that's how He mentioned about the fee structure with the US administration how we the more word to go with it. >> So what's the timeline here? So they made the request. We told them this is going to be this much and then they said no. >> Yeah. >> Grace and I had most communication with them. So the board policy basically states that even for a nonprofit like the Elks, the board will will receive a $250 non-defundable deposit to offset cost. basically I think I think was the intent. [clears throat] What we understand is it it hasn't been consistently implemented and there are some school
005districts that don't accept I mean don't don't take any money from nonprofit organizations such as the Elks especially if if the event is during regular hours. So I think it's important for the board to understand this particular event we didn't have to add for example custodial overtime. It it happened when our staff was was scheduled to be in. Uh it was a small crowd. There wasn't a lot of setup or cleanup. So there really wasn't much of an imposition. However, the policy does say 250. So uh Grace Lee um following the policy requested it and and that's when we learned they have they haven't paid it for many years. So they they really don't have a lot of funds available. Um, so they're [clears throat] making a request that the board wave it for this
006year. I I did tell them we may revisit this policy and a fee schedule in the spring for the upcoming year and then next year we may have to charge them, but but it's really the board's decision. Um, so it's part of a bigger discussion, but I think the request for this year is a reasonable one just because every year they they never anticipated paying this cost because they just weren't asked for for that fee for many years. >> So we didn't know prior to this just prior to the event. We didn't make that condition known to them before they had the event. We >> we did. >> Okay. >> We did, but but the the request is their their funds are very limited. and would we wave it? If the board says no, they
007will they will provide the 250s. So, it's it's just the it's a request to the board. Um but if not, we will um we will keep the payment of 250. I don't mind if it lowers but their their former request letter was shared in our order. So there's more details in the letter as well. And for now for the bigger discussion like we previously mentioned and then discuss about this issue that all I requested all board members to consider or tell me your your opinion on how we we're going to uh or just keep it as it is. Our current policy doesn't allow the board to print or allow the copy making organization use of our school or but we've been waiting some cases actually a lot and or we can just stick to the
008policy quantity policy that we can just rent it out or have allow approve of the nonprof and they request us to grant those use of the land or facilities. So the parts were bringing to next month and months until we have some more concrete opinions and resort and more discussion might be necessary as well. But I don't know do you anyone record the pilot numbers 91 130 13 something. So we will share that pilot and then let's just try to solve the reservation as soon as possible because it be years. So every time that we have this those request we just have the same question and answers over and over. So yeah, so I actually I will share all the this policy with you through email maybe this week or next week and then so
009we'll be prepared by next month. Next the education we have four consent agenda for both approval. The first one is a bridge tree. There's a four bridge tree request and there's a number two I think it's a mass seance in preschool and number three to approve submission of preschool projected in Walmart 2026 2027 school year. Number four, to approve the vision of 2026 2027 preschool program plan and annual update. [clears throat] Any discussion or questions? If not, next finance. We have 13 consent agenda for voter approval. Number one, step member visitations workshops. Number two, approval of the January release. Number three, approval of payroll. There's actually three payroll for customers December 16, December 17, December 23rd. Number four, students activities accounts. Number five, out of the street contract. Number six, donation acceptance. Number seven, appropriations
010and transfer of 2024 2025 extraordinary aid. Number eight, approval of acceptance of IDA fiscal year 2026 grant application approved. Number nine, approval of submission of amend amendment from amendment one of IDA fiscal year 2026 rate application. Number 10, secretaries and treasur financial reports. Number 11, certification of board secretaries on city certification budgetary line status. Number 12. So fun transfers three number 13 for you have any discussions and questions in finance. I know for it's a lot for the new baby members but someday in a few months then Mr. Deandrea will give us some presentation and guidance how to read and address this um agenda. >> If I could just make a comment on the payroll. Sure. So everyone for the board members that are aware we had a retro pay that was due that was
011specifically the 1216 and 1217 payrolls that was the retroactive uh payment on the payment of the contract and we're now working towards uh getting the retroactive payment to the staff members for the hourly adjustments also but that the 16th and 17th was the adjustment for the retroactive payment for salaries, headbased salaries. We're now working on the hourly adjustments >> and and just add that is for the the teachers as well as our clinical staff. >> Yeah. Which is the biggest our largest bargaining unit. >> All right. So just to add one more voice to the the mix, but when the teachers union the teachers salaries are controlled largely by the collective bargaining agreement that's reached with the teachers union. So uh the teachers contract expired before a new agreement was reached and settled. And when
012the new agreement was finally settled, there was terms in it that said that these salary raises are going to be retroactive to when the last contract expired. So that's what these payments are. It's the the difference between what the teachers were paid based on the prior contract rates uh and the new rates that went into effect retroactively. >> Thank you for explanation. Any other questions? If for next board meeting, if you have any question, you could reach out to our administrators and also you can email them prior to the meeting as well. Also, you can question in the meeting too. Sometimes sometimes is more efficient if you give us prior um context world of Christianity. So next the personnel we have eight consent agenda for personnel matters to for number one regation of staff. Number
013two, resination of a head track and break quote. Number three, salary adjustment request. Number four, tuition reimbursement. Number five, approval of employment contracts. Number six, senior adjustment band drivers. Number seven, assisted parent night. Number eight, NJSFA after All teachers. Any discussion or questions? Actually, can we go back to finance for a second? Um, sorry, just realized that there was a section here. The out of district contracts in section five are those like they're multiple students. Correct? >> Yes. So, uh part of the transition from your prior administration to your new administration um we did a thorough review of all your open purchase orders, encumbrances and all. And when I was preparing the um the ASSA, which is our annual summary of at students, we came across a number of contracts that were not approved by
014the board. So these are based on our internal audit working with Miss Lee, accounts payable, the director of special services. We have now ensured that all contracts for out of district students have appeared on the board agenda for approval. All of these students have been in the district from Jul September one on. It's just now making sure that the board is officially approving all of the contracts that you back with outside agencies. >> So each one of these is one student. >> Um, no. >> Oh yes, each one. Yes, each one is an individual student by placement by the school that they're at. >> So what causes something the the the difference in all these titions. >> I think the best way to explain >> $100,000 >> every every child has very specific needs and
015disabilities. Every school certain schools cater to certain disabilities. So everything is geared around the disability of the child. So there is no standard rate for a child's tuition. It's based on the child's needs. some children require some additional services that are also outside of the regular programming that the school provides. So that's why it's broken up between tuition and extraordinary services and every child is unique. I'll just add um keep in mind because there are some dramatic differences oftent times there is a paraprofessional assigned to a child um each each um school institution may have different salary schedules um different benefits packages so that that expense is passed on to us um but you know all of these for the new board members all of these students Pal Park doesn't have or small district. As
016you know, we don't have every program for every child. As much as possible, we try to educate all of our students here at Pal Park. But when we don't have an appropriate program, uh legally, we have a responsibility to find an appropriate program. And that's what these contracts uh represent. [snorts] >> And do we negotiate them or do we just have price? >> They're they're not negotiable. Do you mind adding what we have part about discussion of course all of these uh private placements they are required to go through an annual audit also and if there is any adjustment in the salary any adjustment in the tuition they usually come a year two years afterwards sometimes you get a refund sometimes they charge you for the excess so they are monitored by outside agencies for
017their cost associated to the programs >> thank I'll make one last one last important note. Let's believe this and drag it out. But there is a significant amount of state aid to support these children. So, you know, you do look at at some of the figures and and think, gee, that that is a significant amount of money, but this is not all funded by local tax dollars. In fact, uh a significant portion of it does come back to us in state. Would you say like 50% 75? >> I'll get I'll get into the >> maybe during the budget >> in May. Every May, school districts are permitted to file for an extraordinary aid application and based on the application's requirements. It's generally driven by a cost factor of greater than 40,000. So you have to
018document all of your cost associated to each child in excess of 40,000. Then at the state level based on how many applications are filed and the available funding they provide support based on the available funds at the state. So is it 50%. Could be one year the following year they may have extra money they may fund 60% of the excess over 40. So there is no direct percentage amount. It's based on your actual filing and the filings of the host state and available funds. Uh well, I can tell you for the 2425 2425 year, your application was funded. Uh you received over $800,000 in revenue revenue from the filing. Prior year it was 540,000. is a fluctuation and again depending on the needs of the children how many children you have placed drives assess and
019the number seven on the finance agenda is that >> that's exactly why I know the number >> that's that's what that's the extraordinary >> that's your extraordinary >> thank you >> and just these are not new placements in number number five for this school year. >> Nope. >> These are many of these if not all of them were the same place that they were placed last year. >> That's the cause of the change in administration never made it to the board for >> relative to that number two list that amount is not just fully fully paid by tax. There's the inclusion of the state aid especially for the preschool fund applications. Okay, let's go back to person. You have a discussion in person matters discussion. Okay. Next, the new business organized the new committee structure
020for the year of 2026 and there's a if you have questions any requests then we can also discuss here too. Oh, I I think I don't I don't think I'm necessary as a chairperson for the education committee. Perhaps Justin or would like to take that or Just thank you for taking the chair first. So there will be so in our regular session we are voting on this committee appointments in educa uh for education committee Justin Mr. Justin was in the chairperson and the members for the committee will be for you and in your rest of committees. I don't think we have a report or any any agendas for discussion today. May I have a motion to close the work session and we're going to the regular session? >> Um yes, I want to make a
021motion by to propose a walking tour maybe at the schools. Yeah, that that we can do. Yes, you do this. Thank you for bring that to our attention. I actually forgot to mention about so Mr. Ch because the administrator put the four of the greetings. >> Yeah. So we can maybe schedule the date and I know it's daytime and many of you have the daytime jobs and other where works but I think we can yeah we can schedule and then probably we can email and then discuss about the the meeting dates a visit date thank you one of the teachers having an outing or something >> what what So I requested the motion to open our meeting to the regular session um regular meeting. I have a motion >> motion and a second. All in
022favor? >> I so started with the present report. I don't have a report for this month but um yeah I I just want to thank Mr. that you I see the reports of the superintendence that just in advance that thank you for to recognize the vote is January January is just new Georgia school recognition month and I see the agendas um that you recognizes our first go for this school district thank you >> and that's your turn. >> Sure. Sure. So, I I have um something to read from from the New Jersey State School Boards Association just to recognize our board members uh who serve and volunteer and spend many hours um giving back to the school district. So, uh, if you could bear with me, uh, whereas the New Jersey School Boards Association has
023declared January 2026 to be school board recognition month, a time when all residents can acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members. And whereas the Palisades Park Board of Education is one of 581 local school boards in New Jersey, which sets policies and overseas operations for public school districts. Whereas the Palisades Park Board of Education embraces the goal of highquality education for all New Jersey public school students. Whereas New Jersey's local school board school boards, excuse me, helps determine the educational goals for approximately 1.4 million children in pre kindergarten through grade 12. Whereas New Jersey's 5,000 local schoolboard members who receive no renumeration for their services act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public education. And whereas school boards strive to
024provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs. Whereas boards of education provide accountability to the public. They communicate the needs of school districts to the public and they convey to school administrators the public's expectations for the schools. Whereas New Jersey can take pride in its schools which rank among the nation's best in key achievement indicators such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress scores and the preparation for college through advanced placement offerings and SAT assessments. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Palisades Board of Education does hereby recognize the services of local school board members throughout New Jersey as we join communities statewide in observing January 2026 as school board recognition month. Being further resolved that the Palisades Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to
025work with their local boards of education and public school staff towards the advancement of our children's education. [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> My pleasure. >> Yes. So last month in December 2025 the I and O um thanks to the board members their efforts and their contribution just to district including our outgoing board members and now this January 2026 we thank ourselves for your services and work for 2026 including our new board members. Thank you. So next the vote minutes. Approval of both minutes. I have a motion to approve the board minutes December 17, 2025 regular business meeting and December 17, 2025 executive session. I make a motion. >> All in favor? So the minutes in December 17, 2025 were approved. Next breathing and grounds. May I have a motion to approve the item number
026one slation to wave their fee. Second all in favor. >> So Miss P abstain. Any other abstain or objection? Motion pass. Okay. Next item is education. We have four consent agenda for board approval. We have a motion. I make a motion. >> I second. All in favor? Next. Finance. We have 13 consent agenda in finance for board appro. May I have a motion to approve the 13 consent finance agenda and resolutions? >> Mr. Motion I second please vote for yes. Yes, >> Mr. Justin Brown. Yes. >> Yes. Next. Personnel. We have a consent agenda for both appro. I have a motion to approve personnel agenda and resolutions. the motion. >> I said yes for this except three absent. >> Okay. >> But but um Miss P made a motion. I'll second and then were abstain
027for number three for rest of the trip in favor. I'm sorry I have a question. Sorry. Will be chosen name both resation salary adjustment. >> Such a good question. But yeah, he can Mr. Will explain. [clears throat] >> I I will explain. Um Mr. Cho is is um a science teacher at the high school. He is resigning uh for another opportunity. Um but at the same time before he had a job offer um he completed uh additional graduate credits which contractually entitles him to a raise. So um although the raise is only going into effect for maybe two weeks um he is entitled to it and he did do the work. So um my my thinking is maybe he he did that graduate work not anticipating the job offer. So um that's why he appears
028in two places but but it is contractually um uh accurate. >> So is it going to be this adjustment is for just about a week like seven days? >> Yes. Yes. It's a It's a very brief adjustment and it's a nominal amount of money, but again technically he he earned that and is entitled. >> Do you have any more questions? >> None. Miss, could you take >> Yes. Mr. >> M? Number three, >> Mr. Justin. Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next business we approve for the committee um committee members and chairperson for and the change of the chairperson in education in educ in in the education committee. The chairperson will be Mr. Justin Jung and the board member will for the committee will be Mu and Miss. With that change, may I have a motion
029to approve this um committee appointment? >> I have a motion. >> Second, all in favor? Thank you. So next I forgot that we need So we used to so I think we'll open our meeting to the public and um in order to conduct its meeting properly and efficiently the gold that a board shall require the following procedure to public participation at board meetings. Any individual desiring to speak should give his court name, address and group. If any that is represented the presentation should be brief as brief as possible but no more than three minutes per individual. The vote best in its presence or other presiding officer authority to terminate the remarks of any individual if he she deems it is best interest of those present to do so. Any audience in public like to speak?
030This is very unusual. Anyone um may have a motion to close our our session. Um >> we may have a few um the tests over at one school. >> Can I just give your name? >> Oh, sorry. Andre 54 of us. And we got a message saying that there was one, but what has been done about it? >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that? >> There was a pest issue at one of the schools and so we want to know what was done about it from the time that they announce >> um >> Okay. Um, I also have a question as far as like um when they're hiring um new teachers like especially when there was a teacher in place for so long and then they replacing with someone who is brand new. Um how
031do they go about um safeguarding the children and not not using them as like a learning tool? That sounds correct. I mean just because a lot of teachers come in with brand new who just basically just started teaching and then they're going into the school. So, how do you make sure that everything's going as it should because in the beginning you it's very hard to even know if anything's even going wrong unless you're in there. So, I just want to know how do you go about that? >> That's actually um questions for our administrator but just as a board member that's a very um fundamental questions from the parents since I become a board member four years ago every once every year we kind of received those questions as well too so it's not you're
032not just person to question about this you >> sure yes um we did have a a pest problem at at our elementary school uh the princ principal. Uh, Miss Bratos was very diligent in immediately notifying me. We do have someone on contract who is a licensed pest management service. Um, who's been with the district, knows the district well. Uh, we increased all of our efforts. Um, and I will say, you know, I've been in only four other districts, but um, schools, especially older buildings that have openings and cracks of the cafeterias, it's not so unusual to sometimes when the weather gets cold that maybe some rodents get in. What's really important is that you're you're you're actively managing that and and we do have a plan and and the owner of the company actually I
033met after Miss Bratos met with him I met with him we reviewed the the plan and everything we have to also be very careful when students are with us there are only certain there's certain techniques that you can use and things such as poison and stuff uh we're following all guidelines doing as much as is allowable and safe for students and staff and we will increase during breaks we could do a little bit more. Um so so it is I my understanding is it's already improved but but yes about right right before the break that there there were some rodents I'll be honest with you and and I I am I feel comfortable with uh the response to it. Okay, the next one is maybe a little more complicated. um you know new teachers uh
034ideally if if you have a firstear teacher uh hiring them and onboarding them in September is always ideal. So we have opening conference days we have new teacher orientation. So for example this past year we did hire a number of new teachers. Many of them had experience, but some it was their first official assignment. You they did internships in student teaching, but it was their first permanent teaching position. Uh but we were able to, you know, do a new teacher orientation, assign mentors early on, get them acclimated through conference days and and get them into all the the trainings that we do. And we have some half days for professional development, full day professional development. Um but sometimes mid year if you have a teacher leave um during the school year I have to admit
035it's a bit more challenging. um depends on the situation. At Lindberg, for example, what what is helpful is when you have a grade level, if it's a let's say a third grade teacher or fifth grade teach, you have a grade level typically with six or seven sections. And what we will do is match the teacher up with with a a veteran teacher who can mentor the person. Additionally, our supervisors provide mentoring. Of course, our principles and vice principles provide mentoring, but uh and additionally, we we do observations and evaluations. So, uh for for non-tenure teachers, there are three formal observations. There's additional just classroom dropins. Um but you know, get getting your experience. See, you know, there there's Malcolm Gladwell has that famous 10,000 hour rule. You know I I would say it probably takes
036six or seven years for a teacher to be really an expert teacher. So in those early years we provide as much support as possible and you know hopefully the the colleges we we do consider uh college programs and there thankfully there are many highquality teaching programs in in in colleges in this area um where we we draw a number of teachers from. So that's considered and hopefully they they got that basis. But you know more learn learning continues when when >> my question is kind of like early on can you see that everything's going the way it should or do we find that out when it's already kind of too late? You know what I mean? That's my question. >> Well, you know, and every situation is unique, right? So in an in a if
037we know about a teacher's departure, if we could provide transition time with the incoming teacher and the outgoing teacher, some overlap as much as possible, we would try to do that. But if someone leaves suddenly, yeah, >> it's a bit more of a challenge. And you know, [snorts] at also, as you would imagine, midyear, it's sometimes it is hard to find a veteran teacher who's maybe tenured. So sometimes you do give a young person who has potential an opportunity uh and provide a lot of support. Uh so you know I think it it's it's a case by case but no we try not to just throw the person in and then you know um wait wait wait for a complaint or something like that. I I do think even with experience, new to Pal Park,
038but years of experience or new to teaching, I do think we provide a good amount of support and oversight and and have, you know, our administrators and supervisors do have an open door policy and then again a teacher mentor. So hopefully with all those supports in place, the person can be successful. Um you know, but we do our best and and I'll add one last thing is the challenge is it is um there's a shortage of teachers, you know, and and that that is nationwide, but but also here in New Jersey. So, you know, where if we had an opening, an elementary opening in the past, maybe you saw three or 400 qualified applicants, those numbers are are much less. You know, it may be only 150 or 200. And for specialized areas, the challenge
039is even greater. So sometimes giving young promising uh you know motivated people an opportunity and and support them and train them makes the most sense. >> Okay. Maybe that's not exactly what we're looking for but >> yeah that's what we do. >> Thank you. And what one of the differences with Mr. about he actually shared more information when he had the new recruitment of any teaching staff or any school district um employees. So we have more documents than review we review more and then we pretty much confidence that um he bring people qualify people in >> and uh we discuss prior to even meeting sometimes with all the leadership and so I want to just ask you to trust us to >> yeah concern and then my child has been a students in our school
040district for 10 years as your parents. Some my fellow parents prefer young teachers, some parents prefer the experienced teachers. >> It's sometimes dependency here. So that's kind of like, oh, you know, I feel like it kind of sets the back. So that's why I'm asking I'm asking these questions and so many resations. It's kind of like replacing and it's terrible because the ones that were here were very good. So we start to you know >> it's hard not to notice a difference when when you have so >> I I will I will add one thing you know parents perspective is valuable so if you are seeing something from a parent's perspective let's say maybe a parent feels my child is not being challenged enough >> you know they they're in third grade but they could
041read at a fourth grade level and I want them in more challenging books well a new teacher it may take two or three months for them to realize the child's potential, right? You have 23 students, so reaching out, you know, and and I I I am a big believer in the chain of command. I think try to communicate with the teacher first. Um if the responsiveness is not there, then then you could call one of the administrators, but you know, it parent don't don't feel like you shouldn't speak up or or you should and and especially if it's done in a constructive positive way, it's helpful. Um just one more comment on that. Um because the teachers resignation and those are kind this is a question matters and often the well most times the reason
042of their resation is confidential. We don't really discuss in the public meetings but it's not always the same for it match to what you think that the reason would be. Sometimes it's very different reasons. So that's why thank you. >> So may I have a motion to close public participation and um we proceed to the closing session. >> Okay. The motion second. >> All in favor? So the board of education will convene in closing session in accordance with the open public meeting act for the purpose of discussing HIP and no action will be taken in the closing session and I think we probably needs at least 20 minutes for discussion or probably you can remain here or you could leave. If you leave, please have a good night and thank you for attending our meeting
043tonight. >> And just to I think action is expected to be taken after >> after right not in the close session but after once we back to the public we may or may not take action. May I have a motion to close our clos session and open it to our public our meeting to public? >> Motion second. >> All in favor? I >> so we discussed in the as we discussed in uh in the closing session. So board need um we have one agenda that we need to approve after this heap reports. So be reserved that the parasite board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent affirms the key investigation reported as discussed in the executive session. Justine motion second. All in favor? >> Motion passed. We have a motion to close our regular
044meeting tonight. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. Have a good night. Thank