001All right. Um, good evening. In accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Act of 1975, the Ottabon Board of Education transmitted notice of the meeting scheduled at 6:30 p.m. in the Ottabon Junior Senior High School Media Center to the Retrospect newspaper and the Burough Clerk and by postings on the Ottabon Public School District website and at the main and the Pine Street entrances of the Junior Senior High School. Roll call, please. >> Allison Lipsky, >> here. >> Mark Gaddy, >> here. >> Bill Wilson, absent. Danielle D. Franchesco >> here. >> Alison Cox >> here. >> Andrea Robinson >> here. >> Amy Davis >> here. >> Steven Wilson >> here. >> Sarah Cen >> here. >> And Michelle Kennedy late with notice. >> Thank you. Whereas while the Senator Byron Mair open
002public meetings act requires all meetings of the Ottabon Board of Education to be held in public NJSA 104-12B sets forth nine types of matters that may lawfully be discussed in executive session i.e without the public being permitted to attend and whereas the Ottabbon board of education has deemed it necessary to go into close session to discuss certain matters that are exempted from the public and as are noted in the agenda. May I have a motion to go into executive All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> All right, we'll be approximately 30 minutes. May I have a motion? >> Thank you. Please stand for the flag salute. Liberty. >> At this time, we will hear from our student representatives. Hello everyone. I have a lot to report on. Actually, there's been a lot going on this
003March. A couple weeks ago, the musical happened, Once Upon a One More Time. That was really fun to go and see. Spring sports are in full swing. And senior trip is next week and 110 students are going which is 75% of the senior class. Spring break is coming up which is very exciting. Um last week there was a RIA dinner for the students that attended Rya to come and share their experiences which was really interesting and the new applicants for Rya will be soon rolling in for Interact. The officers yesterday went to mothers matter to build care baskets for mothers. And then the unified game happened last week and the AI survey was also sent out. And the NJGPA for juniors is currently happening and Ryan is going to elaborate more on those. >> Hi
004everyone. Good evening. Uh so I'm going to start off talking about the NJGPA. They're running pretty smoothly. It's a lot of fun, but um yeah, they're running pretty smoothly. I know there's some scheduling issues right there in the beginning. I know we were supposed to take the essay for the English portion today, but it ended up being yesterday and we had no testing today, but we continued testing tomorrow for the math sections. For the unified game, it was really awesome. Sterling came over and played our unified team and we got the debut of the mascot, which was really cool. Overall, really cool event. And for the AI survey, uh, it went really well. I know all the classes, everyone participated. I'm looking forward to seeing those results. So for me, uh, going to Havland, continuing
005on with that, I met with a second grader, Ree, who I just like to say has an awesome fire to, uh, I don't know how to describe it exactly, but the entire time I was in there, she was going back and forth in this leyard, and it was cool to see that that uh, tenacity is still within the younger generations. But she was telling me about their buzz bucks, which are really cool, their upcoming poetry show. Uh, they're doing experiments with Skittles, which is very cool. And yeah, overall seems like it's going really well. and they're work on multiplication. So yeah, >> question for our reps. Mrs. Coen, a couple of us are just wondering what Ria is a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. So here the Mounty from Rotary sponsors three to four students each
006year. Last year we had three students and one alternate and we get to go to Stockton for about four days and each day is a full schedule of lectures, some exercise outdoors, um leadership building activities and team skills that you get to learn and meet new people and put yourself out there. And it's a very good experience to get out of your shell a little bit and learn what college is like and have more leadership in unfamiliar environments. >> Thank you both very much. Okay, next we have our student spotlight program. We are going to recognize our students of the month as well as our faculty of the month. So when your name is called, we ask you to come up and stand. uh right off to the side of the podium, we're going to
007say some wonderful things that have been written about written about you that um from your teachers and we ask you to stay until the end because we like to get a group picture. Also, if you are a little bit unsure coming up by yourself, you're most welcome to bring up a special person with you if that gives you just helps you to be a little bit braver. All right, so we will start with our pre kindergarten student of the month. Oh, yes. Thank you. Mrs. Cox just reminded me we are all wearing mismatched socks tonight in case you're paying that close of attention. We're going to be taking a picture later on um to in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. So that's why we may look a little more unusual to you tonight than
008normal. >> Thank you. Uh so this month's preschool student of the month is Dean Low. Stay right there. Dean has shown so much growth in the realm of fairness. In preschool, the idea of fairness consists of sharing, turntaking, following rules, consideration of others feelings, and conflict resolution. Dean has a strong understanding of classroom rules and expectations that he follows every day. >> Dean has learned to share all the fun toys in the preschool classroom with his peers. Playing games and waiting patiently for his turn has been a newly developed skill this year. Dean is developing the ability to consider other people's feelings in relationships to his actions. Finally, Dean is developing strategies to help him ne negotiate through disagreements. It is only fair to have Dean be the student of the month when he has
009grown and continues to grow every day. perspective taking, developing the ability to consider others feelings, conflict resolution, learning to negotiate and talk through disagreements. With this growth, he has become an outstanding leader in the classroom. Dean is helpful, follows directions, loves to learn, and he brings so much happiness to those around him. As we can see, preschool is a beautiful journey and Dean has accomplished so much already. We are so very proud of you, Dean. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. And our kindergarten uh February student of the month is Tula Felton. Is Tula here? This month we are proud to celebrate a student who demonstrates fairness in everything she does. Tula waits her turn patiently, shares with others, and always follows the classroom as well as schoolwide rules. Tula demonstrates Havlin's
010safe, respectful, and responsible behavior each and every day. Her positivity and willingness to always lend a helping hand to anyone helps make our classroom a welcoming place for all. Congratulations to Lula. Okay. Grade one student of the month is Ora Meager. me mayor. Sorry, I got the name right. February student of the month theme is fairness. Ora emp exemplifies fairness in all of her interactions with her classmates. Laura is a is new to our school. She joined the first She joined us the first day back from winter break and walking into a new classroom midy year can be a bit scary. She navigated the change easily partly due to the fairness with which she treats her classmates. Our includes all classmates in games, recess, and free time activities. She notices when a student is not
011included and ask them to join in. She also shows fairness by playing games by the rules. waiting her turn and sharing materials. Thank you for being such a positive role model for your classmates. We are so happy to have you in our classroom. >> Congratulations. >> Second grade student of the month is John Coaster. Coaster. >> There you go. All right. Congratulate. The teacher say congratulations to John, our second grade student of the month. John is being recognized not only for being safe, respectful, and responsible, but for also consistently demonstrating fairness towards his peers. Whether we are all playing a game or sharing stories, John patiently waits his turn, shares with others, and follows the rules. Even when he isn't on the winning team, he makes a point to congratulate others and encourage his friends.
012John sets a wonderful example by modeling patience and teamwork for his classmates. Great work, John. All right. >> The grade three student of the month is Hayden Cranley. Congratulations. Hold that proud and we'll just face them. Okay. I got to say wonderful things about you now. I know it's a burden. Okay. So, your teacher is proud to nominate Hattie. Is that how we pronounce that? >> Yeah. >> Excellent. For the student of the month for showing outstanding fairness. Hattie always makes sure everyone feels included and treated equally. During group work, she listens carefully to others ideas and makes sure each person gets a turn to speak. On the playground, she follows the rules and encourages others to do the same. If there is a disagreement, Hattie helps solve the problem by suggesting fair solutions so
013everyone feels heard. Hattie recently made fake tattoos with her new tattoo maker. Totally cool. for the teachers in her classroom. Her classmates showed so much interest in them that Hattie decided to make a fake tattoo for everyone in her class. Did you bring it tonight? >> A man. A man. She loves making everyone feel included. She shows kindness, honesty, and respect to classmates each and every day. We are so proud of the way Haddie demonstrates fairness in our classroom and school community. Keep up the great work. Congratulations, Good evening everyone. Our grade four student of the month is Louisa Alman. >> Louisa Alman is nominated as the fourth grade student of the month. She consistently demonstrates fairness in and out of the classroom. She treats everyone with respects with respect. listens to different perspectives and
014make sure others feel included and heard. Whether working in group projects or resolving conflicts, Louisa shows integrity by making decisions and standing up for what is right. Her commitment to fairness helps create a positive, supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Well done, Louisa. Congratulations. Our fifth grade student of the month is Khesi Leaf France. Congratulations. Kis, I'm going to read what your teacher wrote. I'm proud to nominate Kesi Lef France for student of the month for fifth grade. Khesi shows fairness in many aspects of her day. Kesi flawlessly follows all of the raw expectations at at Mansion. She is kind and fair in all of her daily interactions, always taking an active interest in her classmates. Cly lends a friendly ear to those who need it and treats all peers with respect,
015even going out of her way to include students who may feel left out. She is never one to talk over others, allowing her classmates to share their thoughts and feelings. Kesi includes all classmates and always makes others feel welcome. While in small groups or partners, I witnessed Khesi allowing all students to share, often providing positive feedback and never shooting anyone answer anyone's answers down. In groups, she also plays by the rules and looks to set an example for her classmates by doing her best. Any teacher would be lucky to have Khesi as their student. Congratulations, Kesi. Great job. >> The sixth grade student of the month is Georgia May Jordano. Your teacher wrote, "Georgia May is an incredibly hardworking student who treats everyone with respect and kindness. She makes sure others feel included and heard.
016Georgia is one of the hardest working students and she cares so much about the work that she presents to others. She strives to be the best but supports others to encourage them to improve as well. She is thoughtful in her decisions, honest in her actions, and always willing to stand up for what is fair, even when it isn't easy. Her dedication to her work and her caring attitude toward others make her a wonderful role model for our classroom. Congratulations. >> The seventh grade student of the month is Savannah from Mento. Savannah has overcome and made great strides both academically and socially this year. She's enjoyable to be with and learn alongside. She works hard each day in class and has a positive attitude while working, a fantastic quality. She's resilient and making the kind of
017progress in her seventh grade year that will set her up for great success as she continues her Aubon Junior Senior High School journey. Congratulations, Our eighth grade student of the month is Caroline Sprout. Okay, I'm still going to read what her teacher wrote. Caroline is often very quiet in my class. However, recently, Caroline has participated in class more regularly. She has contributed positively to class discussion and is actively engaged in class. Her answers and opinions are thoughtful and show a deep understanding of the class themes. She's a pleasure to teach and have in class each day. The positive growth she has shown thus far in the year shows a very bright future for her. Congratulations For grade nine, we have Brandon Weekes. >> Brandon's teacher wrote, "Brandon has truly thrived since becoming a part of
018our class. He not only excels academically, but he consistently goes above and beyond to support his classmates. When he completes his work, he immediately offers to help others, demonstrating both leadership and kindness. He actively participates in class discussions and is not afraid to ask questions to deepen his understanding. His positive attitude and willingness to help others make him a joy to teach. Congratulations. >> Jimmy Holt is the 10th grade student of the month. Since the beginning of the year, I have noticed continued improvement in Jimmy's effort and execution of the skills needed in history class. He always comes in with a positive attitude, and he is very respectful of staff and the students around him. When faced with an issue, Jimmy doesn't shy away from a challenge. Rather, he doubles down and sees the task
019through. Jimmy is also active in after school activities and he is an asset to our school community. >> The 11th grade student of the month is Emma Schlowendor. Emma's teacher writes, "Emma has been selected for exemplifying fairness through her leadership in the band program. She consistently demonstrates respect and equity, ensuring every member of her flute section feels supported and valued. Her outstanding work ethic, pride in her playing, and daily commitment to excellence set a positive example for the entire band. Emma's fairness coupled with her talent and dedication make her a role model for all her peers. Congratulations. >> The senior class student of the month is Connor Wendell. Connor is an excellent student. He takes his studies seriously and always puts forth a great effort. He will ask questions if necessary and help others if
020they need it. I always receive top-notch work from Connor while he also maintains a busy life with sports and performing arts outside of his academics. It is a pleasure to have him as a student and role model at HMS. Congratulations. >> All right. All right. Next, we are going to recognize our faculty. So for Havland Avenue School, we have Mrs. Kuchi. when she says, "Nice things." >> I know. Someone take pictures because she didn't bring the entourage. Mrs. Alicia Kawuchcci is a leader both in and out of the classroom. In her class, students are tasked with being safe, respectful, and responsible as they work, learn, and play together. Her students make use of flexible seating, help one another, advocate for their own needs, and work to meet expectations. They make use of classroom resources. And
021when they ask for help, they already know that Mrs. Kawuchcci is not going to give them the answer. Instead, she is going to prompt them with a question designed to help them think, recall, and discern the answer that they need from what they already know. They are respectful because she models respect and responsibly be responsible because in her classroom, there is no other option. As the RTI coordinator, Mrs. Kuchi works with the basic skills team to analyze data, design targeted instruction for students and monitor progress of individual students who receive interventions. She communicates with staff about timelines, data entry, and parent communication and keeps me informed of needs, upcoming events, and things that impact student schedules. She also routinely meets with Mr. Burke and Mrs. Costel to inform and re to review our intervention program
022and inform future planning. Mrs. Kuchi's leadership goes beyond the classroom and curriculum as a founding member of our PBIS team where she collaborates with her colleagues to plan schoolwide activities that make Havland Avenue School a fun place to learn and grow. Though soft in demeanor, Mrs. Kawuchcci's voice is strong and when she speaks, we listen. Her quiet strength, positive attitude, and hard work set an example for us all and we are grateful to work with such a dedicated educator. Alicia, thank you for your hard work, support, and dedication to our students in our school. Thank you. >> Mansion Avenue School, we have Miss Bargain. Let's go. >> It is our absolute pleasure to recognize Jess Barington as editator of the month. She's since the very first day she arrived, she's felt like an integral part
023of our Mountain Lion community, bringing with her kind bringing with her a kind soul, unmatched energy, and an inspiring level of creativity. Jeff Jess does not just teach art. She creates a vibrant, safe, and welcoming atmosphere where every student feels comfortable expressing themselves. Her ability to make every student feel valued is truly special, and her kindness is felt by both students and staff alike. Jess goes above and beyond by linking her art projects to topics students are learning in their other subjects. This pro approach helps deepen students understanding of their academic work while fostering creative thinking. She is an incredible colleague who is always willing to help. Her collaborative spirit has enriched our school culture, making her not only a fantastic teacher to the students, but also a wonderful team player for the staff. Congratulations.
024Yay. And for Ottabon Junior Senior High School, we have Mr. Cassenza. for you. I can see you. Yeah. >> This is a big night for Mr. Cassenza. So, >> it's with great pride we recognize Mr. Dan Cassenza as teacher of the month at Ottabban High School. Mr. Cassenza exemplifies what it means to be an engaging and student centered educator. In his social studies classroom, he brings energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for learning that motivates students to think critically and engage meaningfully in the world around them. His lessons are thoughtfully planned, detail oriented, and designed to ensure that every student feels supported and challenged. He consistently goes above and beyond to advocate for his students, making their academic growth and personal development his top priority. Beyond the classroom, M. Mr. Cassenz's impact continues on the athletic
025fields. As both a football and track coach, he models dedication, discipline, and teamwork. And most notably, his leadership helped guide the track team to its third straight sectional championship. This was obviously written before he won Ottabbon's first group one state championship, which you're here for tonight. Let's see where I was here. Which is an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects not only athletic excellence, but also a culture of commitment and perseverance. His ability to inspire student athletes to perform at their highest level speaks to the strong relationships he builds and the high standards he sets. Mr. Cassenza is an amazing team player within our school community. He collaborates with colleagues, supports school initiatives, and consistently contributes to the positive climate that defines AHS. His dedication to our students, our programs, and our mission makes him an invaluable
026member of our staff. Congratulations to Mr. Cassenza on this well-deserved recognition. His energy, advocacy, and commitment truly make a difference in the lives of our students and the strength of our school community. >> All right. For our special presentations this evening, I'd like to welcome our athletic director, Mr. Baker, to the podium. >> Thank you, everybody. First thing before I want to talk about our teams, I would like to bring up our brand new mascot. If our mascot can come up, >> go green waves. >> Green waves. >> All right, we do not have a name for our mascot yet, so we're thinking about maybe coming up with some type of contest, maybe a a schoolled contest to come up with a name for it. So, um, that being said, uh, we do have a
027couple teams here that we would like to recognize tonight. Uh, our first team is our group one champion wrestling teams. Now, uh, we have four coaches here, three of which were new to the program this year. Coach Mike Ahern, coach Bill Scully, and coach Ryan McGlaughlin join coach Kyle Muckley this year. If the four of them could come up. >> You want them over there for pictures? If you guys just head over that way. >> Right over there. All right. So, again, three of these guys were new to the staff. Coach Skully's the head girls coach. Coach Ayer head boys coach. But the four of them work collaboratively in the wrestling room and led our team to the first sectional title in Ottbon history. Not only that, I think I believe it's 45 of the
028last 43 years Paulsbor has been the group one sectional champions and they've never lost a home match until this year and it was these guys and the rest of the team. So, if the rest of the team could come on up and join the coaches. All right. So, this was a obviously a huge feat for our athletic program. Uh, and not only that, we'd also like to recognize a couple of the individuals. So, Jonah, who could not be here tonight as heavyweight, was the region 7 champion this year. Payton Bryton She was named outstanding district wrestler. She is the first ever female region 4 girls champion. And for and not only that, she placed six in the NJSIA state wrestling tournament this past weekend down at Lane City. all as a sophomore, I might add.
029So, once again, an incredible feat. Uh, it was a tremendous season, tremendous support by the parents, tremendous kids, and great families. And and I appreciate just just being there and watching it. So, kudos to the coaches, kudos to you guys. Very welld deserved. And you made you made the school, the community, everybody proud of you guys. So, we thank you. picture pictures all at the end. >> All right. Thanks, guys. All right, the next team we're going to recognize and again, Coach Cassenza and Coach Pazy, if they could come on up. So, although we we have two teams here tonight, there are three trophies. So, our girls indoor track team was also South Jersey group one sectional champions. And for the first time in school history, they brought home the group one state championship. So,
030if they could come on up. All right, girls. All right, girls. So, the day that they won the state championship, we did have a couple of our wrestlers win the district. So, it was a great day for us. We came back here. If you guys do follow the Green Wave Athletic Instagram account, you will notice there we had the fire trucks here waiting for them and they did parade around town. So, it was a great day for the team. Great accomplishment for the athletes and the coaches. But not only that, Riley Fyer, state champion mileer, seventh in the meet of champions, and holds the school record for the mile among a bunch of we don't have time to go over all the AC accolades and and and awards she won this year. So, just a
031tremendous uh year for her and the team and the coaches. And again, just like the wrestling team, you guys did the entire community, school, everybody proud. And and and being a new AD this year, like I I'm I'm just thrilled with both the team. It was a pleasure watching you guys and a couple of seniors that I've talked to. The only thing I'm upset about is that I couldn't get to watch you guys for four years. But, uh, it was truly an honor watching you guys, uh, both teams, and I look forward to big things in the spring and and moving forward next year. So, thank you guys. All right, one more round of applause for all of our student athletes, our coaches, and our students of the month. Amazing, amazing, amazing. I was lucky
032enough to have the fire truck go down my street. So, I was really super thrilled to see them. Okay, we are going to take um some pictures now. So, I think we'll start with the um our student athletes and then we'll we'll call up our students of the month. So, we'll take a little pause. month over with your certificate, please. >> Thanks, guys. Appreciate. Thank you. All right. So, next on our agenda, post sock picture is our superintendent and district reports. So, Miss Allen, take it away. So, I just again like um Mr. Mr. Baker had said, "It's only my second year here in Ottabon, and what an amazingly talented um community. Every all the grades, all the different activities as athletics, as well as um arts, the band, the color guard, the musical up
033here. There's actually a mansion musical coming up next week. Um we have uh Ryan who didn't mention that he and another student, Nate Witz, were AHS American Legion boys state delegates as well. So we are just all over the map for all kinds of things and it's really amazing and just makes us all very proud. The school community, the the staff, students, the teachers. It's it's a really great environment. It's really great to see so many students give so much. The unified game, which you heard a little bit about. Um if you haven't looked at the counselor corner, has a really nice video showing everything from the students coming in. They lined the floor with some green lights. The cheerleaders were on either side. the uh Sterling and the Ottabbon cheerleaders were on either side
034as the kids entered. It was a really fun experience. The entire student body was there. I think it might be safe to say the student body, I think, had more fun at that than they do at some of the pepper alleys. There was so much cheering and yelling and noise going on. It was great. It was a really, really fabulous experience. Um, and we have more of those coming up next month. We have um some of the uh Miss Bantel and Mr. and Mrs. Bantel some of the programs that they've been doing this year. They're going to come next month and do a presentation for us like they did yet last year telling us about some of those like the green bean and the unified and things like that. It's just been very um uplifting
035this this year being a part of and and making sure I've gotten to a lot of these different things. I have a little cameo in the Mansion musical uh next week. Uh went back I went to play practice today. Um, and that that was great. I mean, to watch these middle schooler, not even middle school, upper elementary kids doing everything for the play was just really I mean, I was there as they were taking their tour around and when they opened the curtains, they like the first time they had been on a stage like that with the curtains opening. Really, really cool experience. So, lots of exciting things that it's great to be a part of. Excellent. Thank you very much. All right. Next on the agenda is the approval of our board minutes. May
036I have a motion to approve the minutes from February 18th, 2026 executive session and February 18th, 2026 public session. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Bill Wilson, >> yes. >> Steven Wilson, >> yes. >> Michelle Kennedy, >> yes. >> Allison Cox, >> yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco, >> yes. >> Mark Gaddy, >> yes. Sarah Coen, >> Alison Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Amy Davis, >> yes. >> Motion pass. >> Thank you. Okay, we have our first public participation session of the meeting. So, this would be anyone who wish to speak on items that are on the agenda. We'd ask you to come forward and state your name, address, and any group that you might be associated with. Anybody to speak on agenda items? Sure. Would you mind coming up to the
037microphone simply because we are um broadcasting right now? >> No, that's fine. Thank you. >> I just want to thank the Havlin PTA uh for for doing this uh on behalf of myself and my family. We really appreciate it. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you. Anyone else on an agenda item? All right, seeing no one else, we're going to move on with the agenda. And next is governance. So, I would like to recognize Miss Lipsky. Oh, pause for one second. I didn't read my first note. I just wanted to let everybody know that on this agenda this evening, um, uh, Miss Allen's administrative assistant, Miss Kums, has done an excellent job separating the motions on the agenda so that Miss Candidate, our Mount Ephraim board of education representative, doesn't have to abstain from things
038that don't pertain to her. Um, so the agenda should look a little bit different tonight. Motions are categorized according to what building they are occurring in or what student population they affect. Our mount from representatives are voting on things that affect the entire district or affect students here in the 9th through 12th grade as they are um ascending district to us. So, if um members of the audience notice that the agenda is set up a little bit differently, I'll be calling for more roll calls and more um votes than uh usual. That's why. Okay. Now, sorry about that, Mrs. Lipsky. I wanted to make sure we were clear on that. Thank you. So, there's a lot, but it's okay. Um most of the so at the last meeting I think I made mention that um
039Miss Allen, Superintendent Allen did we have a law firm that basically does every board it feels like um keeps us up to date on our regulations and policies because laws change a lot or they just change they change a lot in little ways or they just change in big ways but usually it's a lot in little ways. So it's Strauss Esme and one of the things just to make sure that we were as good with our policies as we thought we asked them if they would do an audit of our policies and they said certainly no extra charge which is why we said yes. So this is what we have. What you're going to see is a lot of these are abolished. That is because in many of these policies they were created during the
040co era. So a lot of them dealt with co although it's here is not considered something that is of a national emergency or a worldwide emergency. And so all of those are that are abolished generally are in that realm and that's why it's just they're being removed. They were abolished. the others that say that they are new or they were revised. Uh that is because it turns out there were some that we might have had the policy and we updated it but for some reason the regulation wasn't or there was some updated change but essentially nothing major actually was changed. Uh if you look at one of the things that I think probably most concerning to a lot of people is regulation 5430. That is because when we updated the class rank and grade point
041average, we updated the policy. We did not update the regulation, but the policy is what controls the regulation is just how things are going to be done. Um but so and it in the past did not have how you determine class rank but that is now part of the policy. So not only do we want to make sure that practice matches policy but that policies match regulations and regulations match policy and are doing what they're saying. So this just is consistent. we've taken away because it talked about class of 2004 and other classes. We've got abolished all of that and we now have it just this is how things are weighted and this is how we determine class rank and because we are adding the class rank determination and the calculations and things from the
042policy we're just adding that exact same language into the regulation. So that was the only thing that had a very significant and substantive change. Um in I'm trying to look a lot of stuff like with bilingual education or ESL it was that they were taking ESL out and that was the only change. Other things that needed to be revised were minor things that maybe we didn't have the regulation didn't match the policy and we're just coordinating and we've made sure that everything works accordingly. Um, and I'm trying to see I don't think there was anything that really Yeah, everything kind of was either if it was mandatory we complied with the law. If it wasn't mandatory, we would complied with we had a discussion and a lot of it just we felt the policy that
043we had. We liked who we had selected as the designate and things like that. We just made the changes as they did. But in many cases it was changing instead of having every characteristic that the law enumerates it just says as dictated by the law or the applicable law. That's really what happened there. There was nothing anything different. So, while it looks like a lot, it was just kind of cleaning up and making things a little neater and consistent. And we also and we had met on March 10th, so last Tuesday. Uh we do have a meeting, a second governance meeting solely for AI policy and that is for the governance um board members and that's on March 30th. And that is for us to discuss what the language is for the policy which will
044be very broad be very broad but not the regulation is really where everything's going to be fleshed out and we're working with that um on the ai task force and that is going to be that meeting solely with the AI task force is on March 31st. first and the reason why governance is meeting by themselves about this is because one of our tasks as the governance board members was to review all the various policies from different districts and that we've been looking at and reading and learning to create our policy. Um and then that's what we're going to bring to the roundt discussion that we have at the AI task force. So what do we like? What do we don't not like? what do we want to you know tweak and so that is what
045we will be doing and that is about all I think >> very much miss Allen do you have anything to add >> yes actually we tabled a few things that we were working on that night that had some um questions or some things that needed to be researched 5430 we actually tabled we didn't quite put it on this one uh no because there was a couple questions couple things we wanted to research and make sure were 100% valid before we put it on there so sorry about that there was all that information is true, but we didn't put it for first reading this week. We're going to wait until next month to do that as a first reading because there was a few more details we wanted to work out. There was a couple of
046others, I think three or four. So, this doesn't get us 1,00% comp um up to date, but boy, are we close. We're so close. So, it's just a couple that we had to table and then any new alerts that come out. >> Yeah, I didn't I didn't until you said it and I looked, but there's three or four three policies and I think one or two rags that we table. >> Yeah, I remember the ones that we table. I thought that wasn't one of them because you wanted that one. >> I did. Yeah, there was things we had to figure out. So, all right. But that was it. Otherwise, it was a very very productive meeting. We you this is a lot to go through and it was a big committee and we had really
047good conversation over some things and it's nice to get everything up up and current. >> Yeah, definitely. >> All right. Any questions, comments, discussion on non-aggenda items under governance? All right. Uh motion then for item number one under governance. Any questions, comments, or discussion on agenda item number one under governance? >> Yes, Mrs. Robinson. >> Um for service animals, I didn't read the full policy, but um there's a giant at Havlin that says absolutely no dogs allowed on school grounds. So that might you might want to take that down. It's just like inongruent. >> That's for the public. That's different than a service animal. >> I know. But a dog is a dog. >> Yeah. But people are not allowed to just come on campus with their dogs. >> Right. No, I understand that. But
048it just maybe you could word it differently or something because it's confusing. >> Service animals are exempt from all of those sorts of things. Service animals and therapy dogs are exempt from. We are having a problem with people bringing dogs to the campuses when they pick up their children. That's why we have to have a posting saying that dogs aren't allowed. >> So maybe just like a little thing under it that says service dogs not included or something so that people are not >> well >> it's just like a double is a double standard or >> it is and it isn't. So a service dog in general doesn't ne service dog serves its purpose. So we had someone with service dog in training that wanted to just bring them to have that exposure to children.
049That's not okay. So I don't want to say with an exception of if a service dog is is charged with a child with a particular person and that person is on site that that's part of the concept of the service dog that exempts them from all of those things. So the signage really is valid. There really is not allowed to be any dogs. And just because you have a dog that's a service dog doesn't mean you can bring it. If the service dog is assigned to you and you can't go somewhere without it, you have an exemption. So that's different. >> It's implied. It's implied, but it has to be the service dog has to be in service at that time. Has to be doing his service. I can't just grab a service dog and
050say, "Oh, he's got the little vest on. He's a service dog, but I don't need them for a service for me." So, that's that's the concern is you don't want to say, "Well, service dogs are okay. I have five staff members here that have service dogs. That doesn't mean that they can just bring them. They don't need them with them 247. If they had a a need for that service dog to be with them, then obviously they would be able to come to school with her. I said animals were allowed or not. That's part of what that policy is saying, but um that's more of a law type thing. >> Can you even ask them if it's what the service dog is for? Is that you can Okay. >> Um the Havland is the only
051school with a sign as far as I know that say no dogs. So it's again it it just feels like this weird anti-d dog thing at Havland or I don't know it just seems like we should be consistent if no dogs are allowed except for >> I believe about it last year. I believe all the the facilities have site have sign signage somewhere. I'll verify that but we went through this last year and and we were making sure that the playground postings were all there, the dogs, things of that nature was at all of the sites. So I'll investigate that. But I believe that there are at all sites it's concern with kids go over and get bit and things. We want to make sure that children are safe. >> I just I'm not all
052I have a different opinion on that. But as far as I just think it should be consistent that it does include miniature horses can be service animals. Just saying if someone really needs that it's in the policy and the law, >> but there's no sign about no horses. There's only a sign about dogs. There's not a sign. >> It has to be a miniature horse. It can't be a pony and it can't be a horse. >> All right, moving on. Any other questions? on item number one under governance. As somebody who um sat in on that meeting, I would like to thank uh Miss Lipky uh in public for creating um a little cheat sheet for us. She went through all of these policies along with Miss Allen and it was very helpful to those
053of us that um are sitting in on those meetings to kind of have a summary and synopsis of all of those policies. So, thank you for doing doing that for us. It was much appreciated. >> Very much. >> So much appreciated. Okay. All right. If there's nothing else, then uh for governance, roll call, please. >> Stephen Wilson, >> yes. >> Michelle Canada, >> yes. >> Allison Cox, >> yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco, >> Mark Gaddy, >> yes. >> Um Sarah Coolen, >> Alison Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Bill Wilson. Amy Davis, >> yes. >> Motion's passed. Thank you. All right. for operations. I'd like to recognize Mr. Gaddy. >> You all right? Um, we met last night at Mansion AB. Not you might have gotten me an email from me saying
054otherwise. Um, we started by discussing district openings. We still have a need of about four power professionals. And then we discussed the budget sketch or the budget for the next school year. Uh we received our state aid numbers on March 12th. Ottabban School District received a decrease in state aid for the 2627 school year in the amount of $25,327 or a drop of 2.09% from this year current year. While the funding decrease is not the news we wanted to hear, the school district did receive the additional funding for expansion at Ottabban Park Preschool. This is through fund 20 which is falls outside the general state aid and will allow adding two additional prek classes and serve 84 general ed students and 21 special ed special education prek students. But most of the night was spent
055discussing the biggest hurdle to balancing our budget, a $2 million health insurance increase for calendar year 2027. Uh the word unprecedented doesn't seem strong enough here, but this is an unprecedented 37% increase over calendar year 2026. Our insurance coverage will now cost us $6 million. To put that in perspective, our overall budget this year was about 39 $36 million. $6 million. The state allows districts to recoup some of these insurance increase through additional tax levies. This is something that the board will have to consider to avoid having to cut instructional programs. The operation committee are in strong agreement that we should avoid reducing instructional programs and believe that the community would also not like to see that. We had an in-depth conversation and explanation on how the tuition reimbursement numbers are going and the meetings
056between Ottabbon and Mounty from the finalized numbers are ongoing right now. On the building maintenance front, we have some roof leak repairs at the high school, I believe. Is that correct? Okay. that will be done and will mostly almost all be covered by the roofing company that originally did the work. The estimate for the prek work will come in around 220,000. We expect should be done in time for the start of next school year and that money will come out of the existing capital budget. On tonight's agenda, we have the usual fiscal items. January secretaries report, cash reconciliation report, and transfers. and February and March's bills payable list. We are again asked to certify that there are no changes to the school year's anticipated revenue amounts or revenue sources and to the best of our
057knowledge that the sufficient funds available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of this fiscal year. We have the monthly safety drill report. We are asked to approve three donations. $3,500 to Havlin AB school from Havlin A PTA that will go towards improvements to the school grounds over there. The donation of two playhouses to Havlin AB school in excess of $550 from the Havlin Avenue PTA in memory of Barbara McNelte. And I I don't know if he's I do want to say that if you had a kid in the district or even if you just lived in the community of Ottabon, you probably knew Barbara McNelte. Um, everybody kind of knew her. It's hard not to run into somebody from the null family in Ottabon, but um, that's a very nice uh, gift
058from the PTA there and a very generous donation of $10,000 to Havlin School from the West Family Fund. Uh, we are meeting again next Tuesday at the high school. Correct. >> No, that will be a mansion as well. >> Mansion. All right. There you go. That's why it's right before education. Okay. >> And our meetings this month are at Mansion. >> And then we have our special uh at it board meeting next Wednesday. Um so we're setting ourselves up for that. I will say I know not everybody's available during the day but also on Tuesday at 10:00 am uh the state schoolboard association will have a webinar uh school funding update education highlights from the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Did you want me to speak about uh what happened at Haden Township? Okay, let
059me get my notes for that very quickly. Hopefully the Wi-Fi cooperates. Okay. So um it is the um school board. I'm not sure exactly what the name of it is. It's a consortium. Consortium. >> Okay. that um Haden Township host and uh they had um the speaker of the assembly um Luke Greenwald came and spoke to us. Um I'm trying to think how to word how he said it. Um he was just speaking. This was before the budget was actually even released, but he was kind of uh there to hear what we had to say. There were I was in attendance, a superintendent and our our BA were also in attendance. Um, a lot of superintendants and um, BAS were also there and some board members from I think about 20 schools. Um, he did
060not sound optimistic at the time. Obviously, uh he is says that the assembly is willing to fix the formula, but we will need to be creative and um we'll need to be creative with what we get this budget. It's just uh he did not promise that there would be a quick turnaround to get this fixed. Um he wants school boards and superintendents and communities to get him a list of what they want to see Trenton change. He admitted that this is not in his wheelhouse, but that he is willing to listen and investigate what he hears from school districts. So, I would recommend that we do that. Uh, he spoke on consolidating districts um a bit. Uh, he did not seem to be optimistic that that would save as much money as you would hope.
061Uh, he wants to incentivize district level setting savings. uh he's he wants to reward that if you can show a long-term budget plan that needs funding now that they would get you the funding to get that program started. Um again, that's theoretical right now, but that is what he would like to see. Yeah. >> Uh align school budget timing with state budget timing. avoid districts using scare tactics locally such as saying we're cutting the football team if we can't get this rather than thoughtfully addressing budget constraints. I don't believe that was directed anywhere here. It seemed like he was directing that more at North Jersey to be honest with you. Um New Jersey is losing $800 million in Medicare. $250 million have been lost in beach replenishment and $700 million in other federal funds. uh
062you know obviously he is was preparing us that this state is hurting also I guess um but he seemed open he listened and uh you know I came out of it thinking that we need to speak to him more >> we were um most grateful to receive that invitation from um Haden Township from especially from their board president Kelly Hinkle. She's been very proactive in this um initiative um to get not only schoolboard members but also superintendents, business administrators and state legislators uh together to discuss the lack of fair funding formula. Uh Miss Allen, do you have anything that you want to add or should we let Mrs. Ronase um Mr. Gaddy presented some of the numbers? Mrs. Ronase, do you want to >> Is that how we want to go? >> Yeah, he said
063everything I had on my list. So, well done. >> Okay. Yes. Very well. So, our meeting was last night um with the operations and um everybody I think can look at the agenda uh that we had um it shared with everybody, but I did just want to point out um a couple of the handouts that were given out last night um to the board. Um the first one I always show you is is the revenues where we stand. um right now um with you know our normal 2% our mount from tuition what happened to state aid um so from last year to this year that's a $470,000 increase right now. Um the next page is our expenditures. We break it down um for new board members and even current board members based on location. Uh
064so we always do a zerobased budget. So this is for um you know they ask every year what they would their needs, their wish list, their wants. Um everything um gets put into the budget. Um as you can see that is $3,200 over last year's budget. >> And that's that's the wish list, right? >> Correct. >> Great. That's that's the wish list. Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Right. The next um the next page uh is showing h you know where do we go from here to get down to a balanced budget. So our revenues must equal our expenditures. Um so we started out um with a 2.7 million over budget. Um and one of the things I know uh we will talk about later as as I go through this but um we are because
065of healthc care being extensive this year with the percentage increase um the when the numbers are put into the budget software um there is a healthc care adjustment that we are allotted to um and that is 1.1 1 I'm rounding $1.1 million that is offered to the school district to take to make up a large part of this deficit. Um >> no doesn't sound like it. Um so what I was sort of going to get to that um after like just so so basically it would increase our revenues. H and the line item it increases in is our local tax levy. Okay. So if we use the healthc care adjustment it means an increase in taxes, local taxes. Okay. Um we had a county round table meeting this morning actually and um our county uh
066executive be business administrator said a lot of individuals have a huge health care adjustment this year because of the increase in health costs that Mr. Gaddy just went over. Um, and then after that, you you just have line items that we've gone through to to um reduce all of like the wish list items that we would need. However, as of today, we're still need uh we're still short $483,000 including the healthcare adjustment. Okay. So I on the next page is just the budget guideline from the budget software shows you the health care costs and and and um as Mr. Gaddy was pointing out you can see where our subtotal for 2627 healthcare it's line four A4 is $6 million and last year it was 3.9. So now the big question everybody asks is what does
067that mean when it comes to uh your taxes? This is just an estimate. This is this is um my figures. However, they're not certified. They need to be certified by the tax assessor when everything is said and done. But um at 2% which is what um we're statutory we can we can um raise um is a five cent tax increase. Okay that is on the the last column under total. If you follow it across, you'll see the five cents >> or 100. Yes. Five cents on $100 of assessed value. Okay. Yes. So, if your house is assessed at $24,000, that's what the average assessed value is. I'm still confirming if that is still good for this year or not, your taxes would go up $106.70. On the next page, if we use the uh healthcare
068adjustment, you're looking at a 9.68% increase in local taxes. It would go to 21 cents per $100 of assessed value, which would total um a annual increase of $437 on a house assessed at uh 204. Again it health care is the big underlying factor here the increase in costs I don't know what I'm also saying is we don't use the 1.1 million we have to find the 1.1 million plus the 483,000 still right now we're hoping our goal is not to touch instruction instructional programs or cut staff any did I explain that you >> so feel >> um I'm new to the operations committee thank you Amy >> um I really hope I get you in my anonymous agnostic gift exchange um there might be coal and one of the things that really stood out
069to me because obviously I first we're crunching the numbers. We never want to raise taxes, but you know, no one wants to see that your taxes will go up a little over $400. Um what we did do is look at it. That's approximately $36 per month. Um I know, you know, I'm going to the gas t, you know, I'm filling up my car with gas. that's just exploded. I mean, trying to have a budget, you know, for your own home is very difficult because everything is just inflation and just the prices are going insane. So, none of us I know we were very upset with these numbers and I think as Mr. Gaddy said unprecedented doesn't seem to be strong enough and I think and because I don't think we have this batch here. Um
070one thank you Miss Ron case because you make it so much easier to understand. Um but just she kind of has to like be Madame Zelda and try to figure out what's going to happen in the future. And unfortunately even kind of budgeting at the top of what we've ever seen before with increases. It went more than double that. So, I mean, to go from historically not seeing more than at most like a 15% increase all of a sudden going to 37%, no one could have been able to kind of look in that crystal ball and ever guess that it would just explode like that. So, thank you. I I know it was very difficult but essentially uh when I said well if we say we only raised it by 500,000 and so we have
071600,000 and it was like oh that that means we're looking at like 1.1 million we're still in the hole and um pretty much there was no way to cut that from our budget because we've already cut all the fat from our budget. We are really we are really we are trying to steer a very tight ship and that if we were to um only do the 500,000 the 1.1 million means that yes we are cutting people and we are cutting instructional uh programs and I don't think any of us want to do that as much as we don't want to raise taxes. to the point that we need to of what's allowed. Um but that is the difficult position that we're put in. One thing um I just want to uh real quick uh something
072we discussed last night also is the ratables of the town. um which if you recall last year we did go out for the tax levy incentive um aid which was 1 million and our taxes only went up 11 cents. And the reason because that of that or part of the reason that you only saw 11 cents instead of 21 cents is because our ratables which is the net valuation taxable of the town. Okay. about the um it's the valuation net valuation of all of the taxes that are collected or assessed I should say in the town um went up 1 million last year as well. So that is your denominator that is um that we're we use when we figure out the taxes. This year it only went up 300,000 which is pretty much flat.
073Um so that's why you see it almost double from last year. I just wanted to >> let you know that insurance. >> Oh sure. So um we are in state health benefits. I think you um all know that by now. Um, and with that, what's hard for budgeting also with state health benefits, it's not like your normal plan as far as the renewal being July 1 with increase rates. Our our our plan rates change January 1. So, I think you've heard me say um earlier, either it was in January or um February, that um you know, we saw an increase of $138,000 that's monthly that's going to go forward from January to June per month. So, we got to find that in this year's budget, you know, that increase. Um so it is very hard
074budgeting um that but they see the most increase they went up um Mark said 30 31 37% right um in January so with that said is we are currently getting our experience and what that is is really our usage of our health care um the employees usage to see if we can bid out to other insurance companies to bid our health care. Obviously, it's equal or better to the plans have to stay the same, but um what we've done this in the past, we did it last year. Our issue is our experience is over one which means we have more claims than our premiums. There are more claims out there than what we collect in premiums. Um so we're hoping that's why we went out again because it's a two-year look back. So add another
075year in. Um maybe that will change. Um so uh working with a broker uh hopefully even if it's a $10,000 savings, it's best to get out of state health benefits. So we're still working on that, but I can't guarantee it because I don't know what that usage rate is because I don't have that information yet. Thank you for answering the question about the benefits program because Inmmani from our business admin administrator was able to negotiate down from 30% to 18% but it is in in a private >> so that would be different and I was going to ask the contract what it was. >> Um Mr. Mr. You talked about the tuition with Mount and I thought it should be on noted that 23% of the total budget in Mount is tuition to Audabon and
076we're at a point where that cannot be sustainable. Um over the past three years we've paid paid because of discrepancies 1.2 over $1.2 million. Most recently last year it was over 400,000 that was paid in one year when it was a two-year term. And right now we're looking at this past this year um about a half a million dollars again. So when we're looking at things um I'm going to ask that if you could because I need to be responsible for my taxpayers. Um when we're looking at the budget, I see that some things are broken out through Audabon or for the high school, but what is all build directly to the high school because I need to just double I need to be do my due diligence as a as a public official so
077that I know exactly what's being build to that because the uh tuition rate for Ottoman, the certified tuition rate or however you call it, is anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000 different than some neighboring districts. And the difference between the elementary schools and the high school is about $3,000. So I just need to do my due diligence as you know the representative from there. And this has been an ongoing conversation. I've had nine plus years on the board. I think it is at this point um where there was discrepancies in the number of students build. So that part is getting better and then the amount build and then how it is. And I and personally I feel that it's always like a we're on the back end of it and just it cannot be sustainable. So,
078and the only thing that I I would say to that is um that in the past couple of years that has been the case that Mount Abram has um owed money to Audabon for the education of those students, but that has not always been the case. There have been plenty of years where it's it's been the reverse and Audabon has had to pay Mount Ephraim. And I just, you know, I just want us to be careful with using the term discrepancies because those agreements are signed off on by both your business, Manny Firm's business administrator and our business administrator and both superintendent. So, I just don't want there to be any um misconception that there was anything uh nefarious or intentional when we use that word. Correct me if I'm wrong, Miss Ron Casease, but
079I believe the amount of what is charged is determined by not by us, but by the state. Correct. >> Well, it it there a certified tuition rate um that is given to us by the state and it right. It's calculated um per the per the state based on our number of pupils. um that attend uh the um and it's broken down between um elementary, middle, high school that that rate. >> And so we're not setting this rate, the state is. And so if the state is saying based on this formula, it's going to be different per district because every district has different costs, components, things like that. But we're not saying hey Mounty you're from we're choosing this the state is >> correct and it's back from >> 20 the it's the certified rate we
080have now is 2425 school year >> correct me if I'm wrong from my understanding which it could be is that it's based on the expenditure of the budget >> how that is set is that a correct statement >> like that rate that certified rate is based on the expendure expens expenditures of Yeah. And we do spend 98% of our budget. Yeah. >> That um the discussion of a levy a year after a levy of this size I don't have to tell you guys is significant and you know that. Um, and I think that to say that there's no place to trim before we double check because I think like Deb said $10,000 would be a nice amount right now, right? That that would that would you said that was the number you said is 10,000
081would be good. >> 10,000. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. So, I would you said just a moment ago you said 10,000 would be a good amount. >> Oh. Oh, sorry. >> Um, yes. So if if every penny or every 10,000 could help, I'd like to make sure that there are no areas that are redundant. I could think of some I've talked about before. Um but just that there's no redundancies, there's nowhere to trim. I know it's not going to make up exactly what we need, but if every penny counts, then I think that we should make sure. >> We're still we're still in the process of that. We only did um I'd say barely even phase one. Uh Mr. Burke, uh Mr. Ron Casease and I spent two days this week going through the wish list,
082really going through things with a fine tooth comb, looking at the supply orders, looking at things um softwares that teachers want. Okay, you want four programs. Well, next year you can have two. Uh things like that. We haven't finished that by any means. Um so that will certainly help, but I it's a lot. >> It's a lot. It's a lot to get to that. >> Absolutely. that that 1.1 million that we could totally ask which we can consider that assumes that we will be trimming 400,000 >> almost 500 that is that's a lot of trimming already um again I mean this is not I was told I'd be talking about roofs when I said I would chair um >> you're welcome >> the the the the state's uh very generous in saying that we can
083raise local taxes and if you want to send something to Trenton, let them know that that just we can't keep doing that every year. It's not the right way to fund this. >> No. And uh nobody takes this lightly. I can tell you that. Not at all. >> And there's and there's none of us that hasn't felt the the um the increase in the health benefits. I mean, we've all felt that personally in our own homes. Um, it it's it's just simply out of control. And, you know, again, like Mr. Gaddy said, it's nice that Trenton gives us this option, but it's just, you know, well, we're not going to tax the people. You you can tax the people. It's just that's that's not a solution. That's just, you know, kicking the can down the
084street. not end without thanking our BA for the work and care that she puts into this. I appreciate it and our our superintendent and our assistants. Uh really appreciate it. It's not easy. It's not easy for us and we're not crunching numbers as much as you are. Yes. >> Thank you. >> And I think it's it's all it's the position. It's all business administrators out there. I'll speak to all of them. It's never a fun time. our I think our families know to stay away from us until March 27th. But um one thing I I guess I the operations wanted us to bring that healthcare adjustment to the full board is because you know we're going to have to submit a budget to the county on and vote to submit the budget to the county
085next um Wednesday. It's not the final budget. It is the budget to go to the county. You still have the opportunity to um make changes at the public hearing, which we'll have to talk about what date that is going to be, but um we just need some guidance on right now. I guess are are I think it was up to oper well I don't want to speak for operations but um about using the healthc care adjustment but they wanted the the full boards um you know I know I know Bill you're you you're saying you know let's cut all that we can to get down to I if we go be below the 1.1 million in like the 48 483 we get there. Can we go any further? Is what you're looking what you're >>
086um we're all taking. my gas tank the other day just about broke me. And uh and I don't have to tell you that our teachers uh with the premium increases, the district doesn't just feel that. The teachers feel it, right? So, everybody's feeling this >> in every way. >> And so to go to the taxpayers and say, "Hey, cough up more because whatever this reason is that we can't help. It's the the you know, the the boogeyman that nobody can help. We need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to make sure that we're we're we're trimming every piece we can. And that that's all I'm we're going to have to ask people. >> We are trimming we're still going to have to trim 500,000. We have to find the trim of 500,000.
087And that's even taking the tax increase, which we don't want to do, but we still have to f trim 500,000, which $500,000 when you're using 98% we're over, you know, it's we're going to find it and we're, you know, they're doing everything they can that it's not going to be losing positions, losing instructional, but >> but to say 500,000 that's out of reach, so we're not going to do No, that we have to. No, we have to >> every penny, >> right? That's what that's what I don't think you're understanding. That 500,000 we have to do no matter what. And then that's even with the tax increase. We have to find 500. >> We're not done by any means. We are not done. We are maybe half or twothirds of the way through things that
088we with the first and I said that's the first run and then we will go back again and do. We're not done. We did as much as we could to be able to be here tonight and talk about the things we have. That's why we have another operations meeting. Um Deb and I pretty much share one office anymore. We spend as many hours as we can doing things and then we have to walk away. Um but it's it's a lot. It's a lot and we are we are being very conscientious of what we're doing. >> It is very frustrating. I keep hearing that I keep hearing this like don't cut instructional programs, but I think that we could look at instructional programs. There might be some instructional programs that could be cut. Maybe they're outdated.
089Maybe something new could take its place that cost less money. Um, and then class size. There are some grades that have very small classes. And if we could balance the classes, then that that could save a whole salary. I know we don't want to let anyone go, but maybe there's ways to redistribute people so that we don't have to hire new people or whatever it is. I'm not good at this money thing, but I do know that there are some classes that are very small and it it doesn't really seem educationally necessary. We we're always looking at that. There are some that are small. We've already made some changes to some like the cycles and things like that for next year, but there's also some classes that are very large. So getting everything more equalized
090would help. We don't want to cut programs that are already existing. Uh Mr. Burke had a few things that we were going to move into next year. We've already decided next year's not the year. So we are chopping some instructional things, not things that are currently in place, things that we were looking to expand and things we were looking to bring in next year. We've already said next year's not the year. We're going to have to hold off for another year. We're going to have to hold off. So we are making some of those. It's not that we're not touching it. We're trying to make sure an entire staff person is a lot. I mean, that's not a class here and there. That's, you know, five classes and whatever and and so we're trying to
091be very conscientious of that. We are we just finally got fully staffed with our special ed and we're still short paraprofessionals. So, I mean, we are looking at things what can we do for some things like that. But, um, it's certifications become an issue for things like that. Like you you have, you know, the upper sciences, you need a chemistry, you need a physics, you need a biology. even if they're not full, things like that. So, there's things that make very difficult >> elementary school. >> Question about the 483,000. What is that based on? So, we have a wish list here that's like 3 million 3.2 million above last year. Does the 483,000 include those items or is it based on where things are currently from this year or like it just it's a very
092specific number for a budget that's not complete. So I'm just curious like what that's reflecting. So to come up with how much you're over budget to so I took the expenditures of 3.2 two million that we're over from the year before. Our revenues are only going to go up 400,000. That's that that's that top number of 2.7 million. Okay. So then we're we're going through everybody's budget and saying, "All right, this is something that, you know, not needed this year. Um can we repurpose that?" Um can we make it another year? Not with that. So that's sort of we went through budgets. We >> So that is the 2.7 minus the things that we've already cut. >> That's our work in progress. She's showing you how we're going about line item by line item cutting
093things out. It's not done. But this is showing that we are going to every single thing and taking out these are the things that we've already said that's a lower priority. We're not going to make that for next year. We're not going to we can you know there's two of them let's cut that back presenters we're not going to have field trips for preschool we're not going to have that kind of stuff is what you're seeing there outlined that's how the process we were sharing the process that we do too but it's not done that's >> so so when you say a specific number because I'll put that all in the budget software and it says we are still not balanced by $483,000 >> but is is that based on what the expenditures are this
094year and not uh it's from the expense. It's the expenditures of what >> of 26 27 school year. >> Okay. >> Right. Well, like so for instance on the the wish list expenditure sheet there's like a 402% increase for security. >> Correct. >> Is that included in what you're saying the shortage this 483,000 would be? So, so, uh, correct. Their budget went up $64,000, um, from the year before. They're asking for a specific, um, new upgraded panic system. We've already taken that out >> of the budget. >> Start under security, you see 60,000 in parenthesis because we've said that's not a priority for next year. So that's an example of they asked for 64,000. We said you could have four. Those things are needed. We need the batteries for the panic systems. We need the
095whatever. But the new overarching system that you want that's going to have to hold on for another year. I know it's not great and I know there's things that could be better, but it works. So we're keeping that for a year. So that's what we're saying. This chart is this is from what they put in saying we'd like to have and us going Yeah. like the the um tuition for the IE like sometimes we put aside money for maybe we're going to have somebody we try to plan ahead just like we tried to for health insurance we try to plan ahead what if we get an out of district placement student what if a student needs to go out of district and we weren't planning for them so we try to put money aside for
096that if we're stuck we're going to go you know we can't put money aside for it we'll have to figure it out if and when it happens we can't have that that safety net so those are the kinds of things that we're taking out um in order to try to get our number down. It would be nice in a perfect world to have that cushion because almost every year we have somebody that comes in and needs an out of district placement and but we're just going to have to pull some of that stuff out. >> Thank you. >> Is the maintenance the increase in the maintenance is that for like a one-time fee or is that wasn't adding to staff or or things? It's a variety of things. There was one uh piece of equipment,
097a tractor that is necessary, but it was a lot of it was the gas prices and things like that that went up. Um >> and even supplies on supplies, some of the things that were um yeah, not like he got quotes for things. A lot of these people come in with quotes like technology comes in with all of their quotes. Curriculum comes in with estimates and as they get quotes, they adjust it. where you're talking about supplies for the elementary schools or the middle school, they just say, "Hey, we're going to need $250 for each classroom." So, those are kind of like fudge numbers where these other things. So, maintenance is one that's pretty legit. They they have the quotes, they have the whatever, but paper products went up. But gas is gas is one
098that's really killing us because the transportation um even the buses for the field trips and whatever is in that budget. >> Uh so, that was a big one. But there was also a tractor, which I tried to say, "We don't need it. We get it next year." And they're like, "Yeah, then we're not getting things cut. Grass isn't going to be cut." I'm like, "All right, fine. I guess we need the grass cut." So, you know, even though there was things that we were trying to >> It is also used. They do hook up a snow plow. I did find that out today because >> Yeah, I did. We got to plow snow. I don't know. Um I I did I did try to push that one off, but I lost that one. But that's
099that's kind of what our day is like. We sit there and I'm like, "Ah, we don't really need this." Well, actually, we do. Well, do they need the Well, maybe they can get a smaller one. Okay, but they get a smaller um wax for the the floors. We had conversation about the sealer for floors. We get a sealer that you have to do every year. He wants to get a sealer that lasts for three years. That's more expensive. Is this the year to do that? No, because we don't have the money. But it would be a savings to not have to strip and seal every single year. But at some point, that's got to be a big outlay. Right now is not the time for the outlay. Sorry, you're back to a one-year sealer. Like
100these are the kinds of conversations that we're having that if it was a nice world, we could say, "Yes, this is great. Let's do that. Let's get the three-year so it's going to save us for workforce and this and that." But we just we just can't. >> What I've learned about maintenance stuff in the last I mean all of the it's it's creepy. >> To what degree can the health plans be changed without violating the teacher contract? So, you're saying you're talking about going to like trying to find a different um >> a a private provider. Yeah. Like a p in a plan or >> Yes. Health plan. >> But is there anything in the teachers contract that says you can't change our health plan too much or our expenditures too much? You're saying yes.
101You're saying no. >> No. As a no. As a as a >> I'm sorry. When it comes to um what is negotiated with health care, you negotiate a certain level of benefit. It is always the employer's right, not just school districts as a labor rule. It is always the employer's right to be able to go out to shop around for more cost-effective plans so long as the level of benefits um is is equal to or greater than. So that that's the role. I mean, I know the healthcare is extremely expensive and I know you have a great plan here. I mean, theoretically, you can always um, you know, approach the unions and ask to offer up a contract and say, "We need to find some savings." But that is a a whole separate process. If
102there's no change to contract, you retain the rights to go out and find a cheaper alternative so long as it is equal to or better than. Exactly what Mrs. Garin said. It has to be it can't just be cheaper and not offer the same >> benefits, same level of benefits that are being received right now. >> Gotcha. Thank you. >> I was wondering why she was shaking her head. No. And I was shaking my head. Yes. I'm like, wait, no, we can't do that, right? Yeah. >> But the problem >> is nobody wants us. >> Yeah, we tried to get lower. >> Yeah, that would be great. We would do that, but nobody wants us. We went out last year. We we'll keep trying, but they're looking at us laughing going, "There's no way we're
103taking you your way to, you know, we we use we cost them too much. We use our benefits." I mean, >> we're just a bad bet. I mean, it's a good and a bad problem, right? I mean, we're there for our for our and and when we have the conversation with um Mount Ephraim and Mike saying, you know, it's a lot different. He's shopping for 30 bodies. >> We're shopping for 160. And with those 160 actually we even more than that with them using it and and the needs that makes the cost and so we're we're like stuck in a a rat and a wheel. There's nothing we can do. We can't get off and they just they have us. Now it is one of the things that Greenwald said that that this is broken.
104It needs to be fixed. This is insane. And the amounts that they're going up like how can you justify things going up by millions of dollars? But that's nice. You say that you're not helping us any. You're just agreeing with us. Yay. We all agree. It sucks. Now what? Um but that is, you know, we we have to hope that it it's out of our hands. This is something that's at a much higher level. Somebody needs to um you know, he kept referencing auto insurance and the same thing was a problem in New Jersey with auto insurance and that they had to at the state level do something to uh rectify that and to to figure out what was going on. and and he went on a little bit in that, but he does acknowledge
105that healthc care the way we're doing it is broken and it is not right that we are all it's all being put on us. Like it's it's just not right. But we can't there there really isn't any hope for us to do it at this level. >> So I believe what um Mrs. Ron case is asking is what is the I mean we've expressed the fact that we absolutely want to make sure that we're cutting everything that can be cut. We're taking a deep dive and a close look at at every all of our costs and all of our expenditures. But they need some guidance as to what the board's comfort level is in going ahead and taking advantage of the um the the healthare incent it's not an incentive adjustment. Thank you. the healthcare
106adjustment um operations talked about it last night and the general stop me if I'm misspeaking here as painful as it is the general consensus among the committee was to go ahead with uh the healthcare adjustment but we didn't feel as a committee that we wanted to you know unilater unilaterally make that decision >> I kind of look at it as we we don't really have much of a choice. I mean to be to be responsible to make sure that we're able to run the district and we're cutting every corner. You know, agreeing with Bill, if we're literally cutting everything that we possibly can, do we have another option? you know, let's take a moment of silence and hope that they can find things that can be trimmed, cut, um, redirected, put off for a few
107years and that we don't have to go out and take that full amount. Um, but it it's I'm judging from body language and gestures that I'm getting here that um that that's something that we have to entertain. Are you asking if we're in support of it or >> Yes. >> Okay. Body language is indicating that we are >> Are you willing to allow after they cut as much as they can cut from this >> that they tap as much as they have to >> from the uh the relief >> levy that we're we're being allowed to use. Can she run the numbers as high as she needs to, which at the time we assume would be 1.1, whatever, 1.12, 1.17, whatever it is. That's what we're saying. She's going to run numbers. She's going to
108trim as much as she can off. It may, I don't know, something happens. It's 900,000, but it might be the full amount. And it might be the full amount plus some. We still have to figure out what we're going to do. Are we allowing her to go as high as she has to go for that? >> What's the alternative? >> Well, she could be could be could be cutting cutting staff, cutting instructional programs, >> cutting extracurriculars. I mean, like B that that second one >> cutting everything. Not everything, but >> so what is your number that you're willing to allow her to put in as a tax le 600 700 800? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> What does she top out? You don't know >> what is it right now? 1.2 little under >> one point.
109>> Okay. Then I would say >> 1.1 million >> and make up the rest with just staff losses. One million to cut. >> One million to cut. >> That's your opinion on that. Okay. >> Yeah. I just didn't want that to not be I didn't >> I didn't know what my body language was. >> Okay. >> And so that's why I just wanted to be very clear that I would rather cut programs than >> I will add because it hasn't been touched on but it was touched on last night. It is a tough situation and like I said, it's tough. I'm privileged enough that it's not going to hit me as hard as I'm sure about half of the of the community. I'm about the average here. But we also owe to them and their
110housing values to keep this district a strong district just as much as we owe it to them to trim as much as we can. And if we overtrim this, then their housing value isn't going to be worth what it was before we did it. And I would just like to point that out that we have, it's not all one-sided. We have to do a pretty good balancing act here also. So straw vote. How many people would like to after every measure is taken, after every rock is turned over, after every option is examined and considered? How many people are comfortable raising and taking advantage of the um Healthcare adjustment the total healthcare adjustment st okay >> and then how many opposed >> yeah you would be because it's the budget for the whole I would
111I would assume to vote for the whole district so to oppose >> I'm in education I know what it it stinks thinks like the same conversation is happening everywhere but you know I could we're teachers got told today that they might not have a job and things that way because of the class size situation when a class size is not completely filled although everything is ideal sometimes we're in a a situation where things might not be ideal like I would have loved my kids to be in a class size of 16 and when they were younger and Helena can talk about that they were 16 then at the time when the budget came they were up to like 30 and it happened because of what the way it had hap what went on. It stinks.
112And as a teacher, it stinks. It feels terrible. But in looking at programs, I would I would charge stuff that does not directly impact student achievement that it's not student con like contact. Um if there's, you know, I'll say it out there, if there's administrative levels that can be I'm not trying to put any more work, but like everything I would I would charge everybody to look at everything because there's things that everybody would like, but maybe not. It might not be ideal um but maybe some diff different things but and I am new to this >> you're saying is what I what I feel like I'm feeling in in this you're showing me a number and telling me what that number is and then uh there's uh the alternative is these hypotheticals. What I
113would really appreciate is if you go that route to explore that option, we get to evaluate that because I want to I don't I'm not saying I do want to cut things. Nobody wants to cut it. >> That's why I wanted to make clear that this is not the final budget. this is the preliminary budget and that we will have time to speak about this and it could come back that we say >> we're taking a straw vote now and you're asking me to put myself on like my my vote on the on on a preliminary record here >> to tie myself to the idea of cuts which I don't want to make >> that's what I just had to do >> so what I'm trying to say is if the choice is charge people
114more money or cut something hypothetical and I don't know what it is I cut the hypothetical, >> but when you show me the list of things, I might very well change my mind real fast. >> Right. And unfortunately, that is where we're stuck is that she has to get our she can't run the numbers without knowing what number she has. >> And the other problem, too, is that the numbers came to us later, right? Because the governor and and again, it's nobody's fault. She's a new governor. She she took those extra two weeks to get the budget out. Um so yes there will be another discussion about this on Wednesday right we have our special meeting well operations is meeting on Tuesday >> Tuesday >> the full board will be together again on Wednesday so
115there's another discussion there and then even after that budget gets passed on and voted on to the county that is still not there's still things that can be changed it's not set in stone after you know because we have to have the budget presentation to the public so it is still a living breathing >> this kind of conversation happen so fast >> it did and again that was again that was >> yeah and like it's it's split decisions happening quickly >> I know I know >> you wish you had time to really mull it over >> we had whiplash last year and then it was hurry up and make the decision and then how long did it take them before they told us yes or no that we had it >> we had what >>
116that was so on that. That was interesting that Greenwald also said was the budget um calendar at the at the state level is very different than ours. So they just made that address. That's all based on hypothetical numbers. They don't know what their budget is going to be until April 15th and then they finalized in June. That's why we didn't hear about the tax levy numbers until June and July because but even though they told us to have it in by whatever. Um you've given me a lot of good things to think about and I know that Mr. B always takes notes when we're here and meets me with me the next day. But I'm writing down some things like the class sizes, the the electives that we're offering, other things. I just wrote to
117him and said, "We got to start being creative. We got to get outside the box and come up with some more stuff." So, we will do that. We have every intention of doing that, but you've sparked a couple ideas and I'm sure he's over there with some ideas on things we can do as well. So, I appreciate knowing that if push comes to shove, you'll consider the conversation. I'm not looking at it as woohoo, we got a million. We can just No, it's if I do all that I can in my due diligence and we're stuck. You'll consider taking some of that. That's the max. I don't want to need that. I don't want to have to go to that. But I just it it makes it easier when we're sitting in a room to
118say, "Okay, like let's keep going. Let's keep going. We can do this. We can do this." Um, and that's that's it's just nice to know that we have the support to do what we need to do in the best interest of the district. But I don't want to just add things. I don't want to just keep things. I don't want to You're right. A class size of 16 is great, but if 20 means that I can save $100,000, well then I have to look at that. That's definitely a noteworthy thing. Um, we are fortunate. We are a small town and we are a small district and the small class sizes is a big selling piece. So we don't want to go to 30, but a 20 might be something that we have to look at
119and consider. And we do have smaller class sizes at Havlin than we do at Mansion. So, and that's intentional because the kids from K to2 are very different. And having 20 of them in a room is different than 16 in a room. Um, and then we get back into AIDS and can we get AIDS in there so that you at least have two adults in there, but we can't hire aids. So, there's lots of factors, but we will take all of that back to the drawing board when we're back in the room. the next couple of days. Like I said, we just started. We haven't gone through everything, but we have taken out all of the Hey, it would be nice to have a gaga pit for the high school. Yeah. No, that's not happening.
120Like there's no bells and whistles like that. Just know that that's already happened. Now we're really looking more strategic stuff that we can do to try to um consolidate things, put things together, things like that. Uh we're trying removing a lot of things out of the budget that we used to use and putting it into title accounts that we can title one and title two. Try to take that out of our general fund and some things like that. We don't know those numbers either. No, that's another hypothetical. We'd like hypotheticals and and not for it to be such a rush trying to get Mr. Wilson's point across is it's going to it takes time to put all of this information into the budget and it spits out edits and you have to make sure that
121they're all clear. So what we present on on Wednesday night or to the operations on Tuesday to um present on Wednesday night for a vote and I and Mrs. Davis is keeps uh reiterating is we'll have that time after between then and the public hearing to go back and look at the budget again and then have conversations as far as you know we might be meeting more as a committee but hey we're now thinking of we could we can do this we found some extra things so we can change it at the public hearing to go down even further so just to keep that open, you know, not not so much rush rush by Wednesday like, oh gosh, that's that's a lot because we'd like to meet with our administration team also. Maybe we're not
122thinking of something and and they are and get their opinions or why we can't do that that we want to. But with that note, um the public hearing dates Um there there is a window that you have to hold them between. Uh it's between April 24th and May 7th. Um the two Wednesdays in those are April 29th because our board meetings are normally on Wednesdays. So it's April 29th or May 6th. Um I did look at the calendar um for use of this building right now May 6 there is a meeting of project grad in the media center which is not something that can't can't move to a classroom. Um, so just a >> Yeah. So we normally go >> No, we would we would we would just we'll just bounce them out, but there
123are no we did look. There are no concerts. Um we you know nothing that we saw on our calendar. Um meaning the business office trying to find anything. Um but we That's the public hearing. Public hearing on the budget. That's what it's called. would it be possible to Bill's point, Mr. Wilson's point. Um, could you come up with a worst case scenario where you have to we don't get that million so we can get a better concrete idea of what would be cut and I obviously don't don't want to make that public but at the committee meeting that might be appropriate and then we can >> talk afterwards or >> mentally I'm thinking about like a plan A, a plan B, and plan C. Right now I'd just be happy to have one of those.
124But yes, we will see what we can do about having something like that to to break out. >> Yeah, the doomsday type of scenarios. Deb, I have a question. Um, >> at at what point do we need to make a decision about that tax levy increase? Is that months down the line here? Like well, by that um April 29th date or is it is April? >> So, April 29th, whatever is submitted at that time, that is your that's the final. >> Correct. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Are we good? >> All right. Now, I need a motion on items one through eight under operations. Roll call, please. >> Excuse me. Hold on one minute. Michelle Kennedy. Oh, what do we miss? >> Yes. Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Allison Cox, >> Miss Danielle D. Franchesco, >>
125yes. >> Mark Gaddy, >> Sarah Coen, >> Alison Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Bill Wilson, >> Steven Wilson, >> yes. >> Amy Davis, >> yes. Motion passed. >> Next, may I have a motion on items 9 and 10 under operations? >> 9 11 >> 9 and 11. 9 and 11. >> Motion. >> Any questions? I forgot to ask this on one through eight. Yes, Miss Golden. >> So, number nine, it says a donation of $3,500 to Havland from the PTA to be put towards the black top fence. Is do we know the cost of the fence that they're putting money towards? Like is that something that was budgeted to make up the difference or >> that was the full amount? >> I I don't recall what the full amount, but it's
126not budgeted. It's just coming in as donations. >> Um >> ear for that >> earmarked for that project. I believe that the that it just talking with the principal. I don't believe it's the full cost because they were looking at using some of the West family correct >> fund to um fund the fence. So I I I don't know the cost >> the full cost at this time, but I can find that out. >> Well, I guess I was curious if it's not the full cost, does that move forward or does it just kind of stay an escrow sort of thing unless and until the full money? >> I believe she has garnered the full amount, not through us, whether it was through these two donations or she's expecting another donation, but she had the
127full amount will be available before we do the project. And um she knew that we weren't going to be able to budget it. So that was why she worked with the PTA. And then this other um and we talked about where that fence was when we had our meetings over at Havlin. I showed you guys what you were talk where she was talking about to be able to keep the playground and the trucks from being on the same platform at the same time. Thank you. >> All right, then. Can I have roll call, please, on items 9 through 11? >> Allison Cox, >> yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco, >> yes. >> Mark Gaddy, >> yes. >> Sarah Coen, >> yes. >> Alison Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Bill Wilson, >> Steven
128Wilson, >> yes. >> Michelle Kennedy, >> and Amy Davis, >> yes. >> Motion's passed. All right, moving on to education. I'd like to recognize Miss Robinson. >> Um, our last education meeting was on February 24th at Havland and we talked about Linkit and how it's being used for course placement. um specifically moving students in and out of courses that are more appropriate for them based on the data in link. Um we were particularly impressed by how Havland is uh doing so many things with link. Um and we we really appreciate how they're the foundation for everything that comes after. Um, and on today's agenda, there are the usual paper report, student statistics, facilities requests, workshop requests, building use requests, field trip requests, um, homebound instruction, political practice uh a a guest speaker and option two
129for bized our next meeting I don't know when it is never mind I should just stop talking >> I got an email because I got an email >> it's Tuesday >> March 24th >> at mansion Okay. Excellent. Miss Allen, do you have anything to add to that? >> Uh, I was not in attendance for most of that meeting, but I know that it was very successful. I think we also talked about walkthroughs a little bit. Um, and I think we had talked a little bit I think that we had there about the mentoring. And I just want to say I had a post conference today with one of our newer teachers who did one of the peer observations and was talking about how fabulous it was and how much actually two different teachers told me
130that they had done peer observations and and how great it was and the things that they brought back by doing that. So in our um high school admin meeting today we were talking about the veteran teachers want to do it. We're looking at like how do we expand that? It went really well. It was a soft launch. We didn't want to go too too hard into it, but it went huge. It's been fully supported by the union, by the teachers, by the new teachers, the veteran teachers. Everybody's enjoying it. So, it's really exciting to see them getting into each other's classrooms, seeing things of success and wanting to bring them back to their What's interesting. The foreign language teacher here was very excited to go down to Mansion to see foreign language being taught down
131there because she's very comfortable at the high school, but it gave her a lot of good ideas for cycle for seven and eight. like it's interesting that it's not just seeing people here, they want to go across grade levels and things like that. So, it's it's turning into a really really neat program that again we just started, but it's that culture that we wanted to really work on and build that that collaborative culture and being welcoming each other in your classrooms and stop being it's my four walls, stay out, nobody needs to know what I'm doing. So, we're really starting to see that blossom. So, it's very exciting. >> All right. any questions, comments or discussion on non-aggenda items under education? >> Add on to what Miss Robinson said. Um the discussion that we had
132about linkit was was great and it was impressive and I want to thank the the folks for the presentation. It was so impressive that Miss Robinson was impressed and and and won over. I just want to say she it was incredible. Um, but it spoke to uh we had one of their outstanding teachers here tonight uh that was uh recognized uh who runs their RTI program and they're able to use it to make that RTI program even better. And I can just say from personal experience that that program runs excellently. Um and uh they're doing a great job and this link program I think is helping them do an even better job and it was just great to see. That's very exciting because I think you remember last year it was actually a conversation of
133was this a worthwhile investment. It went from pilot to purchase and everybody wasn't really 100% aware. So there was a lot of people that were concerned about it last year. So I'm glad to see that you're seeing the usefulness. I mean we are but I'm glad as a board that we're able to really help you see how profitable it how beneficial it is for us. Not profitable beneficial it is for us in all different grade levels for a variety of different reasons. Any other questions or comments on non-aggenda items? >> All right, then I'd like a link. Just know are you is the district using the full version of linkit meaning with the MTSS and uploading all things and are the link are they using progress monitoring to move kids is it the elementary level
134or is it across the board all through the high school the benchmarks and things that are available. So we're not doing the benchmarks just yet. We are putting all the pull all the data in. We are using the progress monitoring. we are u entering everything from our dibbles and the all the different uh the different types of benchmarking that they're doing but let's say at the high school some of that stuff isn't necessarily in there yet but we are doing the progress monitoring we have test scores and we're getting it even for students that transfer in from other districts we're pulling that data in as well >> other question too are the teachers able to are the teachers trained on how to create their own assessments on the link and >> not yet we haven't
135gone to there yet >> that's the next Okay. All right. Then can I have a motion for items number one through 10 under education? >> Any questions or comments on items 1 through 10 under education. All right. Roll call, please. Danielle D. Franchesco. >> Yes. >> Mark Gaddy. >> Yes. >> Sarah Coen. >> Alison Lipsky. >> Yes. >> Andrea Robinson. >> Yes. >> Bill Wilson. Steven Wilson. >> Yes. >> Michelle Kennedy. >> Yes. >> The data related to other other schools beside the high school. >> Alison Allison Cox. >> Yes. >> Amy Davis. >> Yes. >> Motion's passed. >> All right. Then may I have a motion for items 11 to 14? Any questions or comments under 11 to 14? >> Roll call, please. >> Second. >> Okay. Mark Gaddy, >> Sarah Coolen, >> Alison
136Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Bill Wilson, >> Steven Wilson, >> yes. >> Michelle Kennedy, >> Alison Cox, >> Danielle D. Franchesco Amy Davis. >> Yes. >> Motion's passed. >> Thank you. I'd like to recognize Mr. Steven Wilson for human resources. >> Thank you, Miss Davis. >> Absolutely. >> The committee met last night before the operations committee. Was a long night before a long night. >> Yes, it was. >> Um, fortunately, nothing too dramatic going on in HR. We reviewed uh openings as we usually do, resignations. We have a new hire. Um we did talk about the um upcoming contract discussions which we mentioned in executive session. Um I think I can say this. We were one of the things is we were hoping to pay some people more but that got
137scratched because of the >> still figuring that one out. >> We we would like to pay some non-union staff more not only because they deserve it but because it makes us more competitive in the market. And that's a problem that we're having. We're not able to pay market rate. Um, and one of the consequences of the budget being what it is is that those people are not going to get a rate. So, it's one of those things where you have to kind of you have to spend the money to make the money. Um, and this is a wise investment, but we just don't have the money for it this year, unfortunately, which is going to put us into the deeper hole next year if we don't address it then. Uh, observations are on track and
138looking good. So, congratulations to the administration team for doing that. Um, and one of the things that I think you're discussing still, um, Miss St, uh, Miss Allen, was having administrators cycle through the preschool, I think this is upcoming year, to relieve Miss Ledger a little bit on being in both buildings, but also to give the admin administration team more facetime with the preschoolers. Um, so you know, serves as two functions, right? Where you're getting more facetime with your teachers and your littles, but you're also kind of relieving some of the burden on mislead two buildings. Um, tonight on the agenda, we have motions to approve several FMLA requests, motion to approve a new substitute teachers, motion to approve a paid assistant boys tennis coach, and several volunteer assistant coaches. A motion to approve homebound
139instruction teachers at their perdemium rate. A motion to approve two retiring teachers. Miss Skiseller has 20 years of experience, excuse me, of service as a par profofessional in our special ed department and Miss Murphy has 24 years of service. 19 of those as a part-time basic skills teacher and then five as an elementary teacher at Mansion. So, the board wants to recognize their service and wish them well. I'm sure there'll be more to come on that. Uh motion to approve amended tenure track for a special ed paraprofessional. Um motion to approve leave of absence uh that does not qualify for FMLA. A motion to approve volunteers to help build the set of the Mansion Avenue musical which apparently Miss David Allen has a part in. Uh and a motion to approve an evening chaperone. And
140that was it for me. >> Alon, do you have anything to add? I do not. >> Okay. All right. Any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda items under human resources? I just wanted to mention uh one of our board goals was to create a negotiations handbook for um future teams that are um charged with that task for negotiating with the education association as well as the administrators association. I'm happy to report that we have a first draft of that now worked on it. It contain timeline for bestes. It also um links um each one of the contracts starting with the year 2018. It contains uh initial proposals from both sides. So that it kind of shows um historically what starting points were and then it also shows the uh it links the memorandum of agreements
141and then it also links the actual contracts and to the best of my recollection if I didn't have notes on it, it also lists the teams. So, who was representing the board and who was representing the particular association? So, it should be um I'm hoping that it'll be a good resource for um negotiations teams in the future to have at the ready. Is that on the agenda or did you share it with >> I shared it only with I shared it only with the negotiations team and people that were Yeah. only with the negotiations team which is HR because I wasn't sure people that were in conflict shouldn't have wouldn't have access to like mo um proposals and things like that. >> I'm going to suggest that >> I share it with you. I I
142I think that's probably a good idea. >> Okay. >> Um I am going to suggest that we have an offline conversation where I can um render an opinion on some of the content. >> Okay. >> Um so that you are not inadvertently divulging um confidential negotiation strategy and turning it into a public document. >> Right. Right. Right. um and and putting all of that together um may inadvertently create problems. >> Okay. So, I will share it with you and then we'll go from there. >> Okay, great. >> Okay, >> Davis, thank you for that. I forgot to put that in my notes last night, but I looked through it. It's wonderful. It's going to be such an asset for future negotiations when we've all moved on. >> Yes, you did. What was the other one?
143I can't remember. Oh, I the new member handbook, but that doesn't really go under HR. But >> I don't know where you have time to do all this, but it's much appreciated. >> My kids are bigger. My kids are bigger and my husband works crazy hours. So, okay. Um, turn the page unfortunately. Okay. Any other questions or comments under HR that are non-aggenda? All right. Then, can I get roll call for motions one through eight? Double checking myself. >> One through eight under HR. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Sarah Coolen, >> Alison Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Bill Wilson. What happened? >> That's okay. >> All right. Not present. Um, Stephen Wilson. >> Yes. >> Michelle Kennedy. Yes. >> Allison Cox. >> Yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco. Mark Gaddy.
144And Amy Davis. >> Yes. >> All right. Then I need a motion for items 9 through 14 under human resources. >> Any questions, comments, or discussion on 9 through 14. All right. Roll call, please. Alison Lipsky, >> yes. >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. Bill Wilson, >> Stephen Wilson, >> Michelle Kennedy, >> Alison Cox, >> Danielle D. Franchesco, >> Mark Gaddy, >> Sarah Coolen, >> Amy Davis, >> yes. >> Motion's passed. Thank you. All right. Next, we have um our reports and then our special programs. Mr. Steven Wilson, anything for ED services? I'm jealous of how short their meetings are. Um there wasn't really anything that affected Ottabon as usual. Um they changed some of the transportation route quotes. Um and they updated some governance stuff on sexual harassment and policy updates, but no direct actions
145impacted on. >> Thank you very much. Uh, Miss Robinson, Camden County School Boards. >> Uh, Mr. Gotti went to the eighth grade or one. >> Okay. Did you want to speak a little bit about that? >> The students were amazing. >> Students were as always the students were amazing. Um, the organization of it wasn't quite I think there was a last minute switch in MC's, so that added to that. But, uh, it's always a good night. It again, I always recommend it. Um, kids have a lot to say. We are hoping and maybe as a as a board we can put out a letter asking them to change the questions up every once in a while. These kids seem to have more to say than uh what they're being offered as questions. Let me put
146it that way. But they are they're smart kids and I go away thinking that we're in safe hands. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. Well, the good news is that I've already signed up for the May school board's meeting, >> so I'll be able to take that over. >> Do you have the date? >> May 7th. >> Okay. It's the dinner one. >> Oh, >> anybody can go to that if you're interested. Yeah. >> Yeah, we did that one time. >> Yes. All right. Um, >> Ottabon Education Foundation, Mrs. Coolen. >> Thank you, Mrs. Davis. So, um, we last met uh, sort of recently. Here it is, uh, March 9th, and discussed uh, the n the night at the races, which is the big fundraiser for AEF each year. Um we did have enough interest amongst board
147members to sponsor a race and I believe we got pretty much the last race that was available. Um we have to name it and Miss Lipsky has already uh volunteered the idea of productive struggle uh for the name of our race for the race um you know to highlight the focus this year amongst the school district. So are we is productive struggle? Okay. So I will let them know. So if you attend the event and you see the race productive struggle know that that was sponsored by us. Um I think there was a little bit extra money pledged beyond what the cost of the race was. So we can potentially buy a horse as well or something or just give an an additional donation to AEF for that. Um, the event is on Friday, April
14817th at 7 PM. It's going to be at the Magnolia Community Center, uh, which is different this year. It's typically been in Ottabon Park. Um, but the building that was used for that before has some, um, structural issues that need to be fixed. So, Magnolia Community Center, um, it's $30 for an individual to attend or $45 for a couple, which, um, gets you a meal. Um, you get to bet on races if you'd like to win gift certificate prizes. Uh, there is a 5050 and a basket raffle. Uh, AEF is probably happy to continue receiving additional sponsors and um contributions toward the basket raffles if anybody wants to participate in that. The um there is a dining in date scheduled dine and donate scheduled for March 30th. Um, so coming up very soon, that's at
149Mulligan's from 400 pm to 10 p.m. It applies to dine in and takeout orders. So if you like Mulligan's food and you want to come out that night, that would be excellent for AEF. Yes, March 30th, you have to mention it. You have to make sure when you order with your server or you're checking out that you say that this is part of the dine and donate for AEF. So, you got to make sure get everybody that's there that night to say that they're there for AEF. >> I tried that and got yelled at, but uh I think governance should have their meeting there that night. Just putting that out there. >> No issues with that. And anything we can do to help further with the community and anything I'm always on board with it.
150So, >> if everyone else is okay, we can have our meeting on March 30th. >> We will be able to hear each other. There you go. Uh just to highlight the the importance of these events, um AEF recently had to turn down a grant request because the funds just weren't there for it. Um and so nobody wanted to turn down the request. We all saw the value in it. Um but if the money's not there, the requests can't be granted. So these u fundraising events are fun. they have good food, you know, but it's it's really a way to support the um teachers ability to do um special programming that's kind of outside the budget um enrichment activities bringing in multicultural pieces to the students and things like that as well. So if you can
151support YouTube audience out there of three people um as well as us it it is really worthwhile. And the next meeting for AEF is going to be on April 6th. That is the Monday after Easter, so part of spring break. Um but because of the events coming up, needed to have a meeting prior to um the night at the races just to make sure everything is running as smoothly as it needs to be. So, and those meetings are here at 7 o'clock. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. All right. Um Mrs. D. Franchesco for community outreach. >> Yes. So, we had a lot of events um that we have all tried to attend over the last couple of uh weeks and a bunch more are coming up. So, please click on the link to add
152in your name. Um there were a couple of events that weren't happening uh that we found out in the moment. Um, and somebody was I was going to ask I think Mark, did you end up attending the online CPAP meeting? >> Okay. Because >> I couldn't find the link anywhere although it said it was going to be posted on the high school's website. It was not. >> It was not. >> And so I just wasn't sure. >> I see that it was in there now and I was like, how who found it? >> How did we get access to that? Um so just going forward whenever the next one is happening if we can locate that link that's great. Um this in the next week or so uh there's a Havlin PTA meeting tomorrow night.
153If anyone's able to attend um there's an Ottabon Fathers Association community cleanup this weekend at uh meeting at the Murray Trout American Legion. Uh Mounty from board of education meeting is on Monday night and then um Mansion's having their Wizard of Oz musical next weekend, Friday night and Saturday and that kind of wraps up March but then April gets really exciting with all kinds of stuff. So check out the the links. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh Mr. William Wilson for ad hoc committee. It is my great pleasure to announce that we have our first meeting of the new year tomorrow night. Um and uh we're pretty excited. So uh it's we'll uh we'll all be meeting discussing and then hopefully have something to report back next month from that. Um that's it. We're
154pretty fired up >> here. Yeah. I I offered I I told I said, "Look, we're coming to you." And he said, "No, let's go here." So So we're going here. >> Time is just for >> uh 5:30. >> What time? >> 5:30. >> Oh, 5:30. >> All right. Excellent. Thank you. We're really looking forward to that. And um thank you for your work in in meeting with Lou and having conversations with him. You and I spoke about that, so that's wonderful. Okay. Uh, and then Miss Lipsky, anything for board member orientation? >> Apologize. I got nothing. Everyone seems oriented to time and space and, um, competent on a legal standard. Excellent. Okay. All right. Um, I will, uh, any board member comments. That's our next agenda item. >> Because I haven't talked enough today. Um,
155also we are trying, Miss Liy is trying to get us the chairs of the four committees together for a a more casual informal meeting. Um, and then the budget dropped. So, I apologize. It It's going to be put off a bit. Um, two things I I wanted to say that I didn't and I should have when he was here. Um, we have talked uh about finding out about dates of athletic events. Um, I would recommend that you if you are on Instagram, I I assume maybe he's on Facebook also, but our new AD is doing a great job posting a lot of pictures, but also daily saying what's going on that day. Um, and okay. And, um, I should add that the mascot that we did see, nameless for now, um, was paid for out
156of a donation last year, if you may remember, from the high school class of 1959, which had asked and um, superintendent had asked the students what they would like to see, and they wanted a mascot. So, there you go. Thank you. Class of 1951, >> ask a question of Miss Garren. Um, one of the things that has come up is we're looking at policies is when we make an ad hoc committee and usually it's short term, but like something like the Ottabon Mount Ephraim ad hoc committee that might last for years and things like that. Um, is it normal or expected that we will create a policy that will talk about what the I guess um the reason for the committee, its purview, its goals, things of that nature. Or is that something if it's
157not normal or expected, but we feel like it would be something that would be um beneficial for certain committees. Is that something we would be permitted to do or is that considered something you just don't do for ad hoc committees? >> So ad hoc committees uh in general are meant to be temporary in nature um focused on a specific issue that would be discussed and fleshed out and agreed to at the time that the committee was formed. Now whether you formalize that in a formal policy, policies are meant to be long-term more permanent things that Pardon me, >> pardon me, I don't know what's happening. >> Um, they're meant to be um policies are supposed to be uh more established long-term things. So I do not think Oh my god. Thank you. I'm so sorry.
158>> How dare you drink water? >> I don't think it's necessarily There. I'm back. Look at that. I don't think it's necessarily required that you need to have a policy um for an ad hoc committee. Quite frankly, Audabon, I think, is um more developed as a board in this sense that you do have policies and guidelines and goals established for your specific individual committees. that is not a common thing among school boards. Um, so I think that's I think that's wonderful. But if you if you have an a a quote unquote ad hoc committee that is anticipated um to go for years and years, you just might want to establish that as a regular longstanding committee with its own policy um or description consistent with what you do with other long-term um regularly meeting committees.
159>> Okay. >> I don't know if that's helpful or not. >> No, no, that's very helpful because If this is something that we do see in the long term, >> right, >> I'll be talking to Mr. Wilson. >> Yeah. And I mean that could even I'm thinking we could even like parlay that into like a board goal, right? >> Um >> to look um so uh because that I mean I don't think that that has been a long established committee. I don't see that going anywhere. Um whereas negotiations ad hoc, they you know come and go as as needed. But I think um I think maybe we should flush that out and Okay. >> establish some dialogue. >> Cup of tea. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Good question. >> Awesome. >> Love tea. >>
160I love tea. I love tea, too. >> Sorry. I'll have tea with you another time. >> Okay. Any other board member comments? >> Yeah. I wanted to say that uh first off, um I want to thank the staff of Mansion. They were at the Take Over the Diner tonight. Um, I wasn't able to be there obviously, but I was getting photos. It looked like a great time. I have a couple bunch of face painting photos. Uh, they really did it again and had a great time um there doing that. And the PTA at Mansion did a great job uh with candy bingo just a week or so ago. It was awesome. We won a couple big candy bars. >> Nobody got me my f Nobody got me my favorite. They all the kids just got
161what they wanted. I love a payday. They had paydays in the pile. Nobody would get me. But uh it was a great time >> and uh yeah, thank you to them. And uh Oh, I got a munchkin at home. A soon to be munchkin. Uh tickets are on sale. It's going to be great. So forward to it. >> Yeah. So get your tickets now. >> Board comments. Mr. Steven Wilson. >> Quick. Uh, Miss Allen, I want to thank you for thanking the custodial and maintenance staff for the snow removal efforts this year. Good job engaging your staff and I know the whole district appreciates all the hard work they did because it was a very snowy winter. >> Was a very nice event. I think they really appreciated it. It was nice for the uh
162administrators to come in and and say thank you, but you know the these people did not sign up to shovel a foot of snow twice this year. And I joked with them and said, "Look, I sat at home, went outside for an hour with my snowblower, and came back inside, sat for another two or three hours before I went outside for one hour with my snowblower." And you were here for seven and eight hours. And I on Google meet me or chats with other Camden County people saying, "My facilities aren't ready. My facilities aren't ready." And I'm getting texts from James going, "We can open. We're good." Okay. So, it means a lot. We really really have a great team. Um, and like I said, that's that's not necessarily what they signed up for. They're
163cleaning at night waiting for us to leave so they can vacuum and do whatever. This kind of stuff is more what they thought they signed up for. So, it's a lot to ask them to come out in the the nastiness and do all that. So, it ended up being real easy. We got them a hogy tray and some salads and stuff and they sat in here and we sat around with them and it was a good it was a good day. It was a good day and it was wellreceived. So, it was a lot of fun. I just wanted to say whoever puts together all the newsletters for all the schools that you put in the agenda, the weekly wave, I find them extremely valuable. Like I don't we I can find out what everybody's
164doing at all all of the schools and it makes me feel like I'm a part of something and it I get to talk to like my family about it like oh you know what they're doing at Havlin or you know what they're doing at the high school. Like it's just really cool. Um so that's that's awesome. >> That's been progress. We did get those uh we had some that were using S'more, others that weren't. I'm not sure if Havlin's up to S'more yet. They're getting there. It's trying to get the login, but we're getting everybody on S'more and getting everybody involved. Uh it's actually the principles at each of the buildings that do um the the newsletter. The secretaries of are a big key part of that, but that's I maybe it's the secretary with
165the principal helping out. I don't know. It's a team thing between the principal and the secretary. They send it out to the staff. I get copied on it. So, I just attach the link. Um I don't know when I started doing that, but I felt that was a really good idea. Um like same thing the counselor corner the high school does counselor corner high school doesn't have quite the same thing but when they do have their um it's not a weekly wave what's their green wave they have a way they have something when their newsletter comes out which isn't necessarily weekly and the counselor's corner but then sometimes Mr. Leb has a email that goes out to the parents I try to put that on there as well. So really trying to make that a
166little bit um of a of a hub so that even if you don't see it that night, you know, that Friday, excuse me, I got it out Friday. Even if you don't see it that Friday, if Monday or Tuesday, you're like, "Oh, wait. I want to go back and check that." So that's that's the intent. So I'm glad it's working that way. Anyone else? Board member comments. Okay. All right. Um I will open up our second public participation session. And this is not limited to agenda items. So, anyone is welcome to speak on whatever they uh would choose to. Again, we'd like you to introduce yourself and your name and where you live. Sorry, who are >> Trisha Martell, president of the Oddine Education Association. And Sandy, no, I'm not trying to give you a
167heart attack right now. >> Uh, I want to me. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the board of of education for your dedication, your long hours, and the emotional weight you carry while making decisions, especially surrounding budgets that profoundly affects our schools and our community. The work that you do is demanding in ways that are often unseen, requiring not only time and expertise, but also resilience, compassion, and a willingness to shoulder difficult choices. Your commitment does not go unnoticed. At the same time, I want to acknowledge some broader concerns that are being raised by the NJA and some of our discussions among members about the state health benefits program and its plans. As districts have been permitted to leave the SHBP, the risk pool has shrunk dramatically from over 225,000
168members to less than 184,000 members from the latest data that I received, which I think is two years old. A smaller pool increases volatility and cost pressures from every district and employee who remains. Another major factor driving rising costs is the consolidation of our health care vendors themselves. As fewer hospital systems can control larger and larger portions of the market, their pricing power increases. This means that cost increases are not tied to higher individual member usage, but to higher overall billing and the reduction in competition. These structural issues place additional strain on districts already working within very tight budgets. This is a real there is a real need here for strong allied political support. School boards working along with their labor force to encourage the state health benefits plan benefits commission to make make and
169take meaningful action. This includes holding their regular and transparent meetings and moving forward with things like prescription drug options which they are supposed to hold periodically and yet have not done since 2018. These steps are essential to stabilizing the system and protecting both districts and employees employees from these everinccreasing and escalating health care costs. Thank you again for your leadership, your perseverance, and your willingness to navigate these complex issues on behalf of our students, staff, and the community. Your efforts truly matter. >> Thank you. Do I wait for that to? >> Yeah, >> I timed this. I should be good. >> Resetting. Waiting. Waiting. >> Survey says we good, Mr. >> You in a car? >> All right. >> Hi. Can you hear me? All right. Uh, my name is Jen Miller and I am
170a resident of town. I am going to decline to share my address for reasons I already spoke to Mr. Gaddy about and I thank you for understanding. Um I am a reporter. I'm a freelance reporter who writes for publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post and I also write about um AI for business publications like CIO dive and independent banker and recently in a letter to the editor to the retrospect. Um I understand the school district is formulating an AI policy which is why I'm here today. um because I have concerns. There are good applications of AI, but it can be a dangerous tool. And I want to specifically address what I'm worried about with uh students using AI image generators. And please know that this is all based on real things
171that are actually happening. This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is happening. Um so let's say an assignment is to make an AI avatar using AI for uh sorry AI platform Grock allows users as young as 13 to sign up. So, a 13-year-old girl uploads photos of herself into a platform for an assignment. Those images are now being used by Grock to make non-consensual sexualized images. According to the Senator Center of Countering Digital Hate, Grock generated approximately 3 million sexualized images, including 23,000 of children as young as infants within the first 11 days of its edit tool being added. Then, let's say in the course of the assignment, a 13-year-old boy learns how to use Grock's edit tool, which is now also known as the Nutify tool. He then uses the kinds of prompts that
172Wired magazine has reported are really being inputed into Grock by its users to do things like take a classmate's photo and replace her soccer uniform with a bikini, have her undress, make her cry, cover her in blood, and perform acts that I will not repeat here. And I am sorry to have to say that but this is the reality of the situation. And then he shares those images with his classmates. It's not just Grock either. Chat GPT and Meta have been accused of allowing their AI to be used to create such images. I would like to think that anyone involved in educating children would not want to have anything to do with something like this. But unfortunately, as someone who went to Catholic schools in Camden County in the 80s and 90s, I know that's
173not true. And I know you all know what I'm talking about. And I apologize for getting upset. Um, so I ask you to consider the potential legal risk of encouraging children to be anywhere near these platforms. Schools in Pennsylvania and Tennessee have already been sued over this and investigations into similar situations are happening in Louisiana and California. And in Minnesota, another school is being sued because a teacher was arrested for doing the same thing using pictures he took of at least 60 students. AI might have seemed like a fun party trick, but those days are over. Please consider your students and the legal jeopardy of allowing or even encouraging these tools to be used in Ottabon public schools. And I'm happy to speak longer on this. But that's what I have to say. Thank you
174so much. Is there anyone else who would like to make a comment? >> We talked about the budget today. >> Yeah. All right. No one else. Okay. All right. Um, seeing that there are no other comments, we do not have another reason to go into executive session. So, um, our next meeting, as we have stated, is Wednesday, March 25th at 7 p.m. I am aware that myself, Mr. Steven Wilson, and Mrs. D. Franchesco are not going to be able to attend that meeting. So, it is imperative in order to have a quorum that night that everyone else is here. So, just bear that in mind. Um I I know extenduating circumstances and things like that come up, but if anything changes, you need to let Mrs. Ron Casease know ASAP. Okay. All right. Um may
175I have a motion to adjurnn? >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? All right. Thank you once again for your