001Off we go. We Okay. All right. Good evening. I would like to call the meeting to order. 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 Burrow 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. Mrs. Ron Casease, Amy Davis, here. Steven Wilson Sarah Alison Lipsky Mark Gaddy Bill Wilson oh you said yes sorry Danielle D Franchesco Alison Cox Andrea Robinson and Jonathan Max is absent at this time. Okay, thank you. Whereas while the Senator Byron and Bear open public meetings
002act requires all meetings of the Ottabon Board of Education to be held in public, NJSA 10 col4-12B 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 Ottabon Educ board of education has deemed it necessary to go into close session to discuss certain matters that are exempted from the public and are noted in the agenda. We have a motion to go into executive session. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Will be approximately 30 minutes. All in favor? Any opposed? All right. Once again, I'd like to call the meeting to order and invite everyone to please stand for the flag salute. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation
003indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Next on our agenda are student representatives to the board. Uh, Miss Pony, actually gonna start. Jane has a lot more to say than I do, but uh, our debate club is a newer club that started uh, the later half of this year uh, run by Ryan Wyn and Jack Borzada. And it has been so awesome because they have been competing for captain. So, we went through all of the debates for that and Ryan has won our debate team captain. So, next year we are going to start matches and it's really exciting. I have a couple things to touch on. Um, for one, uh, finals are this week. So, if you have a student in seventh to possibly 12th grade, they have finals, uh, this week and next week
004leading up to the final day of school. Um, was it Monday or Tuesday? Earlier this week, we had moving up day on Monday um, for our sixth graders from Mansion. So they came over to the school and they had some students in all grades to tour them around the building just give them a little bit of an idea like what they're going to be seeing next year. A lot of them were really scared of the older kids. So we had an opportunity to just like meet them and like be like you're going to see friendly faces in the hallway like you'll be okay. Um coming up is the is obviously graduation which I'm very excited about. Um and then we have our eighth grade graduation which is like more of a c celebration thing this
005year I believe. Um so that's really exciting and that's great for them. They're going to be moving on to nth grade meeting all their um friends and fellow classmates from Mount. And finally I just want to say thank you. Some of you might know I'm a senior. Um this is my last board meeting. Um I just really want to say thank you for giving me this great opportunity to be on the board and learn all about how the board works and speak my mind and speak for myself and my fellow classmates. Um, I'll be furthering my education at Lasau University in the fall. I'll be studying nursing. Um, and I'm really excited and I hope that I find something kind of like this to continue doing stuff like this in college. Um, on behalf of
006the board, it has been an absolute pleasure to have you with us and we really appreciated your voice and we're we're looking forward to I know that you guys are meeting tomorrow, right, with the um potential candidates for for next year for the junior class as Elena moves up. So even though this is your technical last meeting, you're you're still you're still doing your boardsman uh work which we really appreciate and we wish you all the best. Stay in touch, please. Shall we shall we do that now? Okay. All right. We have a we have a little uh something for you from the board. Yeah, take your time with that. Thank you. Sure. It's got straight. Make it straight. Thank you guys. You are so welcome. So welcome. All right. Um, next on our agenda
007is our spotlight program. So, we're going to start first with our students of the month. We will ask them to come on up. You can come up by yourself. You can come up with your special person if you uh feel more comfortable doing that. But we'd ask you to kind of stand up there in the middle so that everybody can see you when your name is called. The preschool student of the month for May is Delaney Develin all about you. Delaney loves to come to school and always has a big smile on her face. She practices mindfulness by always using her words when she needs or wants something from her peers or teachers. Delaney is always encouraging to her classmates and her teachers, practicing safety and respect by always listening carefully, following directions, and reminding
008her friends of our classroom rules. She often volunteers and participates in classroom activities, and always contributes to our morning message. Delaney achieves her goals when she continues to work on writing and drawing. She enjoys making books and cards. Delaney also works together with her classmates to clean up centers even if she was not playing there. She is an amazing role model when it comes to kindness, friendship by including everyone in class and learning new things. We're so happy Delaney is a part of our preschool classroom community. [Applause] Nolan Quigley is our kindergarten student of the month. He is respectful, kind, and caring towards his friends and teachers. Nolan is a wonderful reader, problem solver, and is very responsible in our classroom. Nolan likes science and investigating things. We learned a lot about animals from Nolan,
009especially facts about the turkey vulture. Nolan is often seen helping a classmate, figuring out a fair and safe way to play a game or working on solving the Rubik's Cube in his free time. He is a hard worker, gets right to work every day, and likes to share his knowledge with our class. We are so glad he was part of our school family this year. Congratulations on being student of the month. You deserve it, Nolan. Tyler Wilson is the First grade student of the month. [Applause] Good. Tyler consistently demonstrates academic excellence across all subject areas, showcasing a strong work ethic and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. He approaches every task with focus and independence, often taking initiative and going above and beyond what is expected. Tyler stands out as a natural leader and an exceptional
010role model for his peers. He consistently upholds our core values of being safe, respectful, and responsible, not only within the classroom, but throughout the school community. His positive attitude, dependable character, and willingness to help others truly make a difference in our learning environment. We're incredibly proud of Tyler and all the dedication he puts into everything he does. Keep up the outstanding work. Well done, Tyler. Our second grade student of the month is Connor McHugh. [Applause] Connor's teacher writes, "Conor shows what it means to be safe, respectful, and responsible every single day. He is a great example for his classmates and always tries to do the right thing. Even when things get a little silly in our very energetic class, Connor makes smart choices. And if he makes a mistake, he's the first to fix it.
011That shows a lot of maturity and honesty. Sure does. Connor is also one of the kindest and most caring students in our class. He's thoughtful, friendly, and always willing to help others. He's usually one of the first to get started on his work and always listens carefully to directions. His positive attitude and hard work make our classroom a better place. We are so proud of you, Connor. Keep up the great work and best of luck in third grade. You're going to do amazing things. [Applause] Our grade three student of the month is India Pool. India's teacher writes, "I am proud to recommend India Pool as the third grade student of the month. India consistently exemplifies what it means to be a mountain lion. She is respectful to peers and adults by listening to what others
012say and adding to the classroom discussions. She makes sure everyone feels included. India is always willing to lend a helping hand to classmates. She takes ownership of her work by asking questions for clarification and putting forth her best effort. She applies the strategy she has learned in all content areas. India demonstrates achievement by handing in her work on time and is an active learner. India is a responsible, hard-working, kind and friendly student who leads by example. Congratulations, India. [Applause] Our fourth grade student of the month is Ella Jascowitz. Okay, you didn't have far to go. Congratulations. Thank you. Ellis stands out as a student who shows respect to her peers and teachers every day. She listens attentively, uses kind words, and helps create a classroom where everyone feels like a part of the family. She
013takes ownership of her actions and her learning, always showing initiative and making thoughtful choices. Her achievement shines through her academic efforts. Ellis sets high goals for herself and works hard to reach them. She strives to always master new skills. She does not give up when things get tough and always tries her best. Ella also knows responsibility by staying organized, completing her work on time, and being a dependable classmate. She is encouraging to others, and always lends a hand. Ella is a wonderful example of what it means to roar. You know what that means. We're lucky to have such a positive leader in our school community. Congratulations, Ella. [Applause] The fifth grade student of the month is Olivia Tracy. All right. Congratulations. This is what Olivia's uh teacher said. Olivia Tracy has earned a nomination for
014student of the month. Olivia consistently demonstrates Mansion's war behaviors. She is a kind, hard-working student who is always on task and puts forth her best effort in every lesson and on every assignment. Olivia is consistently engaged in the classroom and enjoys learning with her classmates. Her dedication to academics and her positive interactions with her peers highlight her understanding of Mansion's core values of respect, ownership, achievement, and responsibility. Congratulations, Olivia. Okay, the grade six student of the month is Robert Robson. All right, congratulations. It is our pleasure to award Rob Williamson with the sixth grade student of the month. Rob had a positive and productive sixth grade year. He is a kind and respectful student who is always willing to help both his teachers and classmates. He has demonstrated ownership and achievement throughout the year in
015all of his subjects. He is disciplined to turn in work on time and with a high level of excellence. He takes responsibility for his actions and words as he works in a small group and has shown leadership in those groups. We are confident that Rob will continue to work hard and be successful as he transitions to the Ottabon Junior Senior High School. Congratulations, Rob. There we go. [Applause] And for seventh grade, we have Katarina Kaj Yogis. I hope I said that right. What's the right way then? Katarina Karaogis has earned the title of student of the month through her unwavering dedication, strong work ethic, and positive presence in our school community. She consistently approaches each day with enthusiasm, actively engaging in class discussions and offering thoughtful insights that elevate the learning environment for everyone around
016her. Katarina is known for going above and beyond on assignments, always striving for excellence, and embraces challenges with determination and grace. Her outstanding academic per performance has earned her a well-deserved spot on the principal's honor role, reflecting her commitment to achieving at the highest level. Beyond the classroom, Katarina stands out as a well-rounded and compassionate leader. She participates in dance, basketball, and science activities, demonstrating both talent and teamwork in every setting. Her kindness and willingness to support her peers have made her a trusted friend and role model to many. Whether it's encouraging a teammate, assisting a classmate, or contributing to school events, Katarina's genuine care for others and commitment to her community truly set her apart. We look forward to her continued contributions and are excited to see her remain a great asset to our
017school in the months and years ahead. Congratulations. Our eighth grade student of the month is Maxavian Freeland Soal. I say it right. [Applause] All right, I don't think he's here, but we're still going to read it. Maxavian has truly earned the honor of being named our eighth grade student of the month. Max is a standout in the classroom, especially in math, where his enthusiasm and commitment to learning shine each day. He is one of the most active participants in class discussions, so much so that we often have to ask him to pause and give his classmates a turn to share their ideas. Max consistently engages in meaningful, thoughtful conversations about math concepts, offering insights that not only deepen his own understanding, but also enhance the learning of everyone around him. His dedication is reflected in
018his academic achievements. Max is a well-rounded student with a passion for culinary arts and cooking. His love for creating in the kitchen is something he eagerly shares, and it's clear that this interest brings him as much joy as solving a math problem. Max's ability to balance his academic responsibilities with his personal passions makes him a great example for his peers. We're proud to recognize his hard work, positive attitude, and genuine enthusiasm for learning, and we look forward to seeing all that Max will accomplish in the future. Congratulations. [Applause] Okay, for ninth grade, Alexa Trans. [Applause] Alexa's teacher writes, "Alexa has truly earned the recognition of nth grade student of the month through her consistent growth, hard work, and positive attitude. This year, Alexa has made a noticeable effort to improve her school attendance and limit
019her late arrivals, showing a strong commitment to her education and personal development. Since last school year, she has demonstrated remarkable growth not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. Alexa approaches each day with a fresh, positive attitude and a genuine respect for both herself and those around her, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment for her peers. In addition to her academic efforts, Alexa is a kind and friendly presence within our school community. She enjoys spending time with her friends and values those connections while maintaining focus on her schoolwork and responsibilities. Alexa consistently demonstrates good conduct, treating her teachers and classmates with kindness and respect, and always representing our school's values with pride. Her hard work, positive outlook, and personal growth make her a wonderful role model for others, and we look forward to
020seeing all she continues to accomplish throughout the years. [Applause] So for our sophomore class, we have Bella Owings. [Applause] Bella has been selected as our 10th grade student of the month for her outstanding dedication, positive attitude, and impressive involvement both in and out of the classroom. Bella is a model student who consistently arrives prepared and eager to learn, immediately setting a positive tone in the art room and beyond. Her passion for art shines through in every project she takes on as she brings creativity, originality, and thoughtful craft craftsmanship to her work. Beyond her own assignments, Bella is a supportive classmate uh always ready for to offer guidance, encouragement, or a helping hand to others, making her a valued role model among her peers. In addition to her academic achievements, Bella is an active and well-rounded
021member of our school community. She balances a busy schedule as a member of the cheer team while also participating in sports and several academic clubs including Dungeons and Dragons, debate club, and academic challenge. Her ability to manage these commitments while maintaining a strong work ethic in all of her classes speaks volumes about her drive and character. Bella's genuine enthusiasm for learning, leadership, and school spirit make her an invaluable part of our school student body, and we look forward to seeing her continued success throughout the year. Great job, Ella. Congratulations. [Applause] The junior class student of the month is Chase Carr. [Applause] Okay, Chase, your teacher wrote, "Chase has truly earned the honor of being named our 11th grade student of the month through his consistent display of hard work, character, and leadership. Chase demonstrates a
022deep respect both for himself and those around him. Always treating peers, teachers, and staff with kindness and sincerity, he consistently lends a hand to others in need. Whether it's offering academic support, words of encouragement, or simple acts of kindness that brighten someone's day. His positive attitude and excellent conduct in and out of the classroom set a powerful example for others to follow. In addition to his academic and personal achievements, Chase is actively involved in our school community. He is a proud member of the varsity golf team, Interact Club, principal's advisory committee, and senior council. His love for STEM shines through in both his coursework and extracurricular activities, recently earning an impressive second place finish in the Colonial Competition. As one of the top returning golfers in South Jersey, Chase balances his athletic and academic responsibilities
023with maturity and enthusiasm. his ability to lead by example and academic responsibilities with maturity and enthusiasm. Oh, I messed up. His ability to lead by example, stay humble and success, and uplift those around him makes him a valued member of our school, and we look forward to all that he will continue to accomplish. Congratulations, Chase. [Applause] Logan Bitner is our 12th grade student of the month. Logan has been selected as our 12th grade student of the month for his outstanding character, academic excellence, and positive presence within our school community. Logan is a respectful, intelligent, and kind individual who consistently demonstrates drive, compassion, and integrity in everything he does. In the classroom, he is a dedicated and hardworking student who continuously pushes himself to reach his full potential. Logan has challenged himself throughout high school by
024taking a demanding course load, including multiple AP courses through VHS, and has excelled in each one with determination and focus. Outside of the classroom, Logan is an intricate member of the varsity tennis team, where he brings the same leadership, commitment, and teamwork he shows in his academic life. His ability to balance rigorous coursework with with athletic responsibilities highlights his impressive time management and work ethic. Logan's caring nature and supportive attitude make him a role model to his peers and a valued part of our school community. We are incredibly proud of all he has accomplished and look forward to seeing him continue his success at Ruckers University where he will study business analytics and information technology. His future is undeniably bright and we're confident he'll make a meaningful impact wherever his journey takes him. Congratulations, Logan.
025All right. In addition to our students of the month, we have um staff members of the month now that we would like to recognize. So, we're going to start with our preschool Havland Avenue faculty member. And I'm gonna try my best. Mrs. I know I know her as Mrs. I. So, can I just say Mrs. I instead of trying the last name? There she is. [Applause] The Havland Avenue Educator of the Month for May of 2025 is Mrs. Robera Ignashevski. As a second grade teacher at Havland Avenue School, Miss I affectionately I messed up my own writing there. I apologize. Affectionately known as Miss I, Miss I turns first graders into third graders. How does she she do this, you ask? Miss I runs a tight ship and maintains high expectations. In her classroom, students
026work in groups, pairs, and independently. They use good manners and exhibit kindness toward their peers. They show their work, make corrections, and publish final drafts. They also engineer a variety of challenging STEM projects. They mark their text. They use research to support claims, and they write, write, write. And at the end of each year, each of her students will tell you how much they loved having her as their teacher. Miss I has a firm but gentle approach that helps even the most sensitive students tackle the challenges of growing up learning and using self-regulation strategies. She is a proactive communicator who maintains positive rapport with families and who works closely with administration INRS and special education so that every student can reach their highest level of success. Miss I contributes to professional development at Havlin during
027PLC's, contributes to staff meetings and building planning and supports her colleagues whenever anyone needs a hand. She is a leader among leaders and an asset to our school students and team. We are fortunate to have her as a teacher and happy to call her friend. Miss I, thank you for your hard work, support, and dedication to our school. Congratulations on being selected as the Havland Avenue Educator of the Month. [Applause] For the Mansion Avenue School, we have Mrs. Salamon. Before I read the blurb here, I just want to say from day one, my day one at Mansion, before you were even at Mansion, thank you for everything. As your colleagues have said, I would like to nominate Terry for teacher of the month. As this was my first year teaching sixth grade, Terry has been
028an incredible mentor and support system throughout the year. She welcomed me with open arms, generously sharing her knowledge and experience and guiding me through the challenges of a new grade level. What stood out most was her willingness to listen to new ideas and perspectives. She never made me feel like my questions or suggestions were unwelcome. Instead, she encouraged collaboration and made me feel like a valued part of the team. Terry's kindness, professionalism, and openness make her not only a wonderful colleague, but a truly deserving candidate for staff member of the month. Terry, congratulations. [Applause] And for our Ottabon Junior Senior High School, we have Mrs. Bolskus. Is any here? It's with great pride and appreciation I recognize you as Ottabbon High School staff member of the month. Your dedication to our students, your high standards,
029and your all-around excellence make you a standout member of the AHS community. In the classroom, you set the bar high. Your instruction is rigorous, purposeful, and engaging, pushing students to meet their full potential while holding them accountable in meaningful and constructive ways. You foster a learning environment built on respect, structure, and high expectations. Qualities that prepare students for success well beyond high school. You are also a valued team player. Whether working alongside colleagues or contributing to schoolwide initiatives, your collaborative spirit and steady leadership are deeply appreciated. And of course, we can't forget your incredible work outside the classroom. Your efforts in organizing the best prom in South Jersey can't go unnoticed. The memories you help create for our students are a true gift. Thank you, Amy, for your passion, your professionalism, and your unwavering commitment
030to AHS. We're lucky to have you. Great. At this time, it is my great pleasure to begin the recognition of our retirees. Um, unfortunately, you folks won't get to spend time with them um and have the benefit that um other generations have had, but we certainly would like to take this opportunity to recognize them and all that they have dedicated to our district. So, first we have Mr. Carbone, our assistant principal of athletics. [Applause] This is my second speech retoning this two nights. So, we could we could spend hours up here talking about Tony, but I I I made it one page. Um, as you prepare to retire after an incredible 26 years of service to Ottabban High School, we extend our deepest gratitude for your commitment, energy, and the heart you've poured into our
031school community. Since starting in September of 1999, which by the way is the fall after I graduated high school, so don't feel too old. Um, you have worn many hats and excelled in every role. From your first 11 years as an industrial arts teacher to the last 15 as the assistant principal of athletics, your dedication has left a lasting impact on our students, staff, and school culture. Under your leadership, Ottabbon Athletics has seen an extraordinary number of team and individual accomplishments, culminating in your well-deserved recognition as the 2024 Colonial Conference Athletic Director of the Year, among other awards. But your influence extends far beyond wins and trophies. You've been the driving force behind countless award ceremonies, always ensuring our students are recognized and celebrated. Your commitment goes well beyond the job description. You are often
032the first to arrive and the last to leave, including weekends. Whether serving as athletic director, security, grounds crew, custodian, mediator, or anything in between, you've done it with unwavering pride and a tireless work ethic. In addition to your athletic leadership, you've taken on critical responsibilities within the high school, overseeing departments, conducting observations, managing budgets, and responding to the many needs of teachers and staff. Your role has extended to the grammar schools as well, further showing your broad and invaluable influence across the district. The position you've held for the past 15 years is among the most demanding in public education, and you've carried it with passion, integrity, and a smile every single day. Your presence, leadership, and support will truly be missed. As you begin the next chapter, we hope you take time to put yourself
033first. May your retirement be filled with rest, joy, and quality time with your family and friends. Please know you will always be part of the Ottabon family, and you're always welcome back at any time. Thank you for your 26 years of outstanding service to our students, staff, and community. Next, we would like to recognize Madame Georgelle, our teacher of French. [Applause] Unfortunately, Madame could not make it tonight. Um, but we're still going to read for her. As you prepare as you prepare to turn the page on your truly remarkable career in education, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the passion, dedication, and warmth you have brought to Ottabban High School over the past 15 years. Your impact in the World Language Department, and the countless students you've taught is
034immeasurable. Through your leadership in the French club, the French Honor Society, and your dedication to organizing unforgettable educational trips to France, you have brought language and culture to life in ways that textbooks never could. Prior to your time at Ottabban, your years at Lenipe High School were an important part of your journey that shaped the exceptional educator you are today. Across your 22-year career, you have left a lasting legacy at both schools and in the lives of many students lucky enough to have been in your classroom. Beyond the lessons in French grammar and vocabulary, you have taught kindness, perseverance, and global citizenship. You have been a welcoming face and a bright light in our halls, a positive influence whose presence made every school day better. As you step into the next chapter, we hope you
035find joy and fulfillment in traveling and in spending precious time with your children and grandchildren. Your retirement is so welld deserved, and while we'll miss you, we are excited for all that lies ahead for you. Thank you for your service to public education and especially the students of Ottabon. You will always have a place in our hearts and our school community. Next, we have Mrs. Bigalow, our LDTC. I don't think Penny is here, but she may be watching uh from home. She's recovering from knee surgery. Uh, good evening. It is my pleasure and privilege to speak to honor Mrs. Penny Bigalow's career and well-earned retirement. I've been fortunate to work with Penny first as a fellow case manager on the child study team and later as her supervisor. She joined our team in January of
0362014. And though she ended ended up leaving the district for a short time, we were lucky to have her rejoin us and finish her career in Ottabon. Learning disabilities teacher consultants, LDTC's or LDS for short, are one of the specialist positions on the child study team. Most would not know that you're required to teach prior to pursuing this career. So before Penny was an LDTC, you should know that she spent the earlier part of her career as a reading specialist and elementary teacher. And in true elementary teacher nature, Penny's care and kindness once lovingly bestowed upon her young students easily transfer to her colleagues on the child study team. Known for coordinating gifts, recognizing special moments in teammates personal lives, or simply bringing in baked goods, Penny really went out of her way to be
037nice to others. She was more than an LD. She was a thoughtful and considerate teammate. Her empathy and dedication to students didn't stop when she left the classroom. It followed her into all elements of her work as case manager, CST meetings, conversations, and difficult moments. Penny has helped guide countless students and families through their often complicated world of special education, making them feel seen, heard, and understood. To her colleagues, Penny has been a mentor, a collaborator, a walking buddy, and a friend. The team will miss her sharing stories about her three boys, talking about podcasts, daily walks, and quite simply, her heart of gold. We know she will bring the same warmth and goodwill with her in retirement. Her service to Ottabon and kind heart has left a mark on our team and community making
038both better. Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your 36 years of service and education. [Applause] Next, we'd like to recognize Mrs. Null, special education teacher. [Applause] Mrs. Mary Null began her career in education as a par profofessional or aid in a mansion avenue self-contained class in September of 2000. A few years down the road, and as luck would have it, Mary ended up being assigned to work in Missy Falcowsky's self-contained class. It is not surprising to me that Missy Saul, the special education teacher in Mary at that time. Mary was encouraged to return to college and gain teaching credentials. By 2009, she had earned her mers in special education. By 2010, she was hired as a full-time special education teacher at Ottabon High School. This change would only prove to be a continuation
039of what she had been doing all along, making a difference. This time with middle school students in her own classroom. Mary's rise to special education teacher mirrors what is so special about what she does. She sees the potential in students and inspires them in an environment that is safe and accepting. It is my great pleasure to speak about Mrs. Mary Null, someone who I've had the privilege of working alongside and admiring for years. There's a special bond that forms between a case manager and teacher, especially when you share the same values and mission. And when I moved to case manager at AHS, Mary and I quickly became teammates. She has been an advocate, a mentor, a problem solver, a comforter, and most importantly, a champion for every student she served. I have missed the days
040of that partnership, but have such good memories of working so closely together. Mary has worked with our middle school students. Um those are grades that not all teachers necessarily love to teach. Uh students have transitioned from mansion and um going through those tough middle school phases are met with a kind and supportive environment in Mary's classes. And this makes all the difference transitioning to high school. To say we'll miss her is an understatement. But today and tomorrow too after school, uh more than anything, we celebrate her. We celebrate a career filled with compassion, impact, and service to our special education community. And we thank her for every late night, every patient moment, every word of encouragement, and every ounce of belief she's poured into students. On behalf of the district, we wish you all the
041joys that retirement can bring. We know you deserve it. We're happy that you'll have a shorter commute now. And we thank you for your 25 years in special education with Ottabon Schools. [Applause] Doing okay, Miss B? Thank you. Uh, these don't get easier unlike other speeches every year. Uh, no, they do not get easier. All right. Next, we will recognize Mrs. Lynn, another special education teacher. [Applause] Being a special education teacher takes something truly extraordinary. It takes creativity to meet every student where they are. It takes persistence to navigate challenges others may never see. It takes compassion, not just for students, but for families. colleagues and the wider school community. And it takes a fierce belief, a belief that every child can grow, learn, and thrive when given a chance. To quote Maya Angelou, "People
042will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." This is especially true for children. We can all remember the teachers who made us feel seen, heard, and cared for. Kate has shared this level of understanding and compassion with her students her entire career. I am honored to speak on behalf of Mrs. Kate Lynn's career and celebrate her retirement. What she has done during her years of teaching has gone far beyond the boundaries of a classroom or the expectations of a job description. As a matter of fact, Kate has gone to so many great lengths to support her students. She's even gone as far as giving money so their cat could see the vet. Um she she uses Yeah. She uses these keen listening
043tactics and skills. I call them mom eyes. Um when she's intensely paying attention to whoever's speaking. Um, Kate began her career at Mansion Avenue where she was a special education teacher who also supported struggling readers through Wilson reading intervention. She later transitioned to high school special education teacher and taught across multiple grades and subject areas. Our district was fortunate enough to experience Kate's impact on not one but two schools during her career. In special education, there is no one-sizefits-all approach. It requires unending patience, resilience, and a heart big enough to see the worth and potential in every child, especially when the world might not. Kate brought all of that and more into work every single day. As you step into retirement, I hope you carry with you not just pride, but the knowledge that you've
044left our school community a better place. Our students are better because of you. We are all better because of you. While you'll be greatly missed, we are so happy for you. On behalf of the district, we wish you all the joy and happiness that retirement can bring. and I know where your shore house is. Thank you for your 32 years of service to our district. [Applause] Thanks. Thanks. Okay, now we have uh Mrs. Myers Griffith, another special education teacher. It has truly bittersweet to speak on behalf of Mrs. Patricia Myers Griffith in celebration of her career and retirement. Tonight, we honor her more than three decades of teaching special education within Ottabban High School and more than four decades of teaching in her entire career. Miss Griff, as students call her, began her career in
045Stratford Elementary Schools. She then spent 11 years working at Kingsway Learning Center before being pursued by Ottabon's director at the time, Dr. Barbara Williams. Patty was first hired in Ottabon as a part-time special education teacher. She served 18 years in that role, teaching students with special needs from grades 7 to 12 and across multiple subject areas. After being hired full-time, she eventually became the life and sle class expert in combination with teaching any and all math courses needed. Um, no matter the setting, Patty has served students with exceptional needs with her exceptional heart. What makes Patty's work so special isn't just the number of years she's taught. It's what she's done with those years. In a profession that requires patience, empathy, and an unshakable belief in the potential of every student, Patty has led by
046example. Every student who entered her classroom was met with respect, kindness, and the belief that they could, no matter the challenge. Patty is known for showing up every day way before everyone else and before the sun is up. She is responsible for our breakfast express which is a a morning ritual for many staff and an important part of our students life skills preparation. Patty has also been a key part of our community- based instruction efforts or CBI which are aimed at post-secondary preparation. Uh Patty is also known for writing the most detailed and lengthy IEP contributions. Uh, parents and CST appreciate how thoughtful and meaningful her conversations and input are. We will miss Patty playing Santa and delivering gifts outside our CST doors the day before winter break. I will miss the thoughtful and supportive
047notes she would send me each summer. Most of all, we will miss seeing the joy she has in teaching and helping special education students. When asked about becoming a teacher, Patty simply describes this as her calling, a desire to show up, bring your heart and skills, and overall an unwavering dedication to every moment spent with students. Thank you for your 46 years of service in special education. We wish you all the peace, freedom, and joy that come with retirement. All right, we're going to continue on with recognizing Mr. Tigan, teacher of social studies. Mike, he's not here. Okay. Is there a video? I prepared a song and dance and I've been working on this for three months. All right. So, please please bear with me. All right. Good to get you up. My name is
048Frank Corley and I have it's both an honor and privilege to stand here today to recognize and celebrate the remarkable career of Mitik and a man who has dedicated 26 years to the Ottabon School District. Mike began his journey with us not only as a social studies teacher but a vital part of the EMS educational media program. For those who haven't who've been around long enough, uh you might remember Mike delivering overhead projectors, blowing carts on TVs, and setting up technology in classrooms before most of us knew what a cable was. He was a go-to person for anything with plugs and screens, and always with a smile and a calm presence. But Mike was never just a tech guy. He was and always will be a passionate and deeply caring teacher of history. His love
049for teaching was obvious in every interaction with his students. Whether it was early in the morning or long after the final bell had her rang, you could find Mike in his classroom working one-on-one with students, making sure they had the tools they needed to succeed, not only in school, but in life. Mike was an instrumental in ushering the technological revolution in the Ottban High School. While some may have fought the change, Mike embraced it. He gave up countless prep periods, mornings and afternoons to help fellow teachers, learn how to use gradebooks, explore new strategies, and adapt to the ever evolving world of educational technology. He was not only a trusted colleague, but a generous mentor. His fellow department members described him with warmth and humor. One shared, "My own children love Mike as a teacher.
050The only problem was as a cooperating teacher, his desk was so messy, I could never find anything." Another added, Mike was a true professional. He was dedicated to his craft and prepared his students well. He taught them to take good notes and to work independently. Mike truly cared. Omega is a great teacher. He's even a better person. Alongside his wife Robin, he raised two phenomenal children, Aaron Joe and Patrick, who not only attended but thrived in Ottabban High School. It's been a joy to watch their journeys through college, marriage, and how to hear about Mike's grandchildren in another chapter in the Tika legacy. And who for who could forget Green Fridays? What began with Audabon spiritware slowly transformed into impressive rotation of Ireland rugby t-shirts, rugby shirts, and polos. If you were lucky enough, you
051could catch Mike doing a river dancing through the hallways on Friday afternoon. This is where if he was here, I would do my river dance. Um, with the same joy and humor that you brought every single day. Mike, your impact on the school, community, and all of us is immeasurable. You leave behind a legacy of dedication, kindness, laughter, and excellence. We wish you nothing but health, happiness, and time well spent with your loved ones during your well-earned retirement. Thank you, Mike. Uh, I'm not done. We have so many retirees this year. I would be remiss but not to acknowledge all 12 of you. um here tonight. You've had such a profound impact on our students, school, and community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you. [Applause] Next, we have Mrs. Amarosi, ELA
052interventionist. [Applause] I am honored to tell you about Sue Emorosce and what a great teacher and staff member she was at Mansion Avenue School. The summer before she began, I was desperately seeking an instructional assistant. At Mansion, this position is critical to supporting students who require academic support, formerly known as basic skills. Instructional assistance work in classrooms with certified teachers to help them close achievement gaps with students. This is a difficult role to fill for a variety of reasons. When Sue's resume came across my desk, I knew that Mansion students just won the lottery. And I was completely correct in thinking that. In welcoming Sue back to Ottabon Public Schools, we secured an excellent teacher who knew exactly how to analyze data and plan instruction. She jumped right in. and how great it was for
053us and probably for her too that her closest academic support colleagues were ones she taught with at Havlin back in the day. How neat is that? From day one, Sue's focus was on students and their learning. She served across several different grade levels. And when our enrollment was busting at the seams, Sue became the teacher of the extra home room, my favorite and I'm hoping yours too, was the year she taught sixth grade science and social studies. I mean, she was an expert social studies teacher, having had many years of experience and truly made the subject come to life for our students. This was such a fun year. Watching her develop positive relationships with students that carried over through her years at Mansion was awesome. and how lucky she was to carry those relationships into
054the junior high school when she transitioned to the win position there. Her knowledge in teaching, her ability to analyze data, her facilitation of interventions continued to help students make strides during some critical years at the junior high. So Sue, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you have enjoyed the time spent in Ottabon and at Mansion Avenue School specifically. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work has made a difference for so many students. Such a positive legacy to leave behind. I wish you well in all your future endeavors. [Applause] And now we have Mrs. McGilloway, reading interventionist and elementary teacher. [Applause] Well, Mrs. McGillway, yes, it's been an incredible journey, hasn't it? 39 years in the making. Master teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, data analyst, teacher leader, respected colleague, and my my favorite personal confidant.
055You are all of these things. Whether it was at Havland Avenue School or Mansion Avenue School, didn't really matter. In all roles and in all ways, you have been the greatest educator I have ever known. Teaching is hard work. It's no secret. And I'm not telling you something you don't already know. Yet your enthusiasm day in and day out keeps the mansion team going. It keeps the students going, too. And then there's your sense of humor and your ability to create memes. But I digress. And how about your creativity? Your ability to think outside the box. Your ability to dream big. I'm thinking too. And your ability to inspire those around you to try to reach to achieve. How many initiatives did you champion champion at Mansion during the last nine years we've worked together
056refining of RTI changing of the universal screener increased use of data student data folders positive behavioral intervention and support productive struggle shifts in academic support increase of teacher leadership and professional learning independent reading and may I say reading reading and more reading In everything you've done, you have been laser focused on children. Your expertise has touched the lives of thousands over the years with the foundational thought that students need to love learning. And when students love to learn, anything and everything is possible. Your craft has been about changing lives for the better. Dear Lisa, your objective has been met. So in this moment, I am profoundly grateful to have known you, to have learned from you, to have worked side by side with you for the last nine years. As you move on to your
057next life's chapter, whatever it may hold, I wish you all joy. [Applause] Thank you. All right. Next, we have Mr. Shyo, teacher of physical education. [Applause] All right, Ralph. I'm still having a hard time believing that I'm congratulating Ralph on his retirement. How can you possibly be retired? It was only yesterday that we were It was only yesterday that we were working together here at Ottabon High School. You were always my go-to person in the PE department when I needed help with a student. You remember those days? You remember those days? coach, mentor, teacher, jokester. He's all of that. You are serious like the quiet guy in the background taking care of things no one else thinks of. You're funny like the guy in the background with a quick wit quick wit and a dry
058sense of humor. And you seriously still have the best handwriting. But most importantly, you're an empath. I've never seen you as the stereotypical gym guy, the one who was shoving diehard sports down people's throats, someone who had to have competition at all costs. Instead, you were the never vain, never narcissistic, never too big a personality to approach. You connected with people, whether they were athletes or not, because that's simply who you are. It's why you were as successful as you were as a teacher. And as a coach, your empathetic leadership highlighted your ability to connect with and understand others on a deeper level, which fostered strong team cohesion. Make no mistake, being an empath in sports, whether a player or coach, is especially difficult because empaths feel everything. They feel their own needs, but also
059the needs of their players or teammates. It can make for an overwhelming experience, for sure. But you have been a champion of empathy in sports. It is evident in everything you've done both on and off the field as well as in and out of the classroom. It's why the kids have loved you so much over the years. It's why your players have loved you. It's why I love you, too. So, from one empath to another, I miss you greatly. Continue to be the strong and caring person you are, influencing people's lives for the better. The people who are in your circle are better because of you. [Applause] All right. Now we have Mrs. Mariano, administrative assistant to the business administrator. [Applause] You'll be okay. Hopefully, I'll be okay. All right. Good evening, everyone. Thank you
060for being here as we gather to celebrate someone incredibly special. not just to me personally, but to the district. Tonight, we recognize and honor the retirement of Michelle Mariano, who has dedicated 26 remarkable years of service to the Audabon School District. It's hard to put into words the impact Michelle has had during her time here. She has held many positions in these past 26 years. Michelle started out in the community ed program as co-director, later to be director and still holds that position today. A few years a few years later, she began working in the keys program which is our before and after school program later to be the director of keys in that program as well. In addition to those two programs, Michelle was asked to handle transportation and the municipal alliance fund along
061with other responsibility other responsibilities that may have come her way and still come her way because a lot gets put into our office daily. That's where they land. Uh finally in 2018 she found her home in the business office as the administrative assistant to the business administrator me. Uh she was hired for that position before I started and I would have chosen Michelle as she is just the perfect fit as my administrative assistant. Michelle has been steady hand behind the scenes, organizing, coordinating, brain minding, proofreading, gently nudging, and often quietly rescuing situations before I knew there was even a problem. Michelle is the kind of person every organization hopes to have. professional, dependable, managing my mountain of paperwork, fielding phone calls with grace and patience, and being the first smile people see when they walk
062into the office. But beyond all that, Michelle brings something far more valuable. A kind heart and a genuine care for people around her. Personally, I cannot thank her enough for the support, loyalty, and quiet strength she has shown me throughout our seven years of working together. She made my job easier, but more importantly, Michelle went from being my coworker to someone now I call my friend. So, as you continue the next journey, no, the next chapter, well, it can be a journey too of life. I hope you take the time to enjoy the things you love to do, soaking up those sun rays in your pool, um, your outside gardening, taking care of your inside plants, and I just, fun fact, I'm like diverting here a little bit, she names all her plants. She um
063all of her inside plants have names. Um so I thought that was interesting. I hope I'm I hope you don't have a plant after me. I don't know. She enjoy your walking and your yearly Wildwood trips um with your high school friends, but most of all enjoy spending time with your family. your husband Frank of 40 years over there. Uh your son Anthony and daughter-in-law Jenna and of course those two beautiful grandchildren Anthony which is called little aunt because that's how we know him in the office and Sunny and I believe her mom is here as well. Bonnie. Yes. Thank you for joining us tonight. So on behalf of the entire Ottabban School District, thank you Michelle for your 26 years. We wish you nothing but happiness and retirement. Congratulations. Enjoy every moment. You've earned
064it. [Applause] And our final recognition for this evening is Mr. Rudder, our director of facilities. [Applause] All right. Good. Yes. All right. Good evening again, everyone. Okay. It's an honor and privilege to stand before you tonight as we celebrate the retirement of someone who has been the backbone of our school district's operations for more than three deca three decades, our facilities director, Bud Rudder. For 31 years, well, 31 and a half. Okay. Um, Bud has served this district with dedication, tireless work ethic, and a quiet pride that spoke louder than words ever could. Rain or shine, snowstorm or heatwave, early mornings or late nights, you could always count on Bud to be there making sure our buildings were safe, clean, and functioning for our students and staff. Many p many people pass through the school
065building in the course of a day, but few truly understand what it takes to keep that building running. Unless, of course, you've worked alongside Bud. He has been the go-to person for emergencies, the steady hand in times of crisis, and the mastermind behind countless renovations and improvements, often accomplished on tight budgets and even tighter timelines. In Bud's retirement letter, Bud wrote, "You, Ottabon, have inspired me to strive for excellence, and I'm grateful for the trust you've placed in me through our time working together. Thank you once again for an incredible journey. Well, it's now your turn to continue that incredible journey by spending time with your family, your three children, Trisha, Colleen, and Craig, and their spouses, and of course, your eight beautiful grandchildren. Take time for yourself, with a drink in your hand, whatever
066that might be, enjoying that sunset at the Jersey Shore. On behalf of the administration, the staff, and the entire school community, thank you, Bud, for your 31 and a half years of service. Thank you for your loyalty and your legacy. You've made a lasting impact on this district, and your fingerprints, figuratively and literally, are all over our buildings. We wish you a long, healthy, and happy retirement. You've more than earned it. Congratulations, [Applause] Can we have one more round of applause for all of our retirees this evening? My goodness, somebody should have added up all of those years of service combined. That that was truly remarkable and amazing. Thank you. All right. At this time, we're going to take some pictures. So, we would like to invite all of our students, faculty, and retirees to
067um gather over by our over there. We'll take some pictures so that we can remember this evening. Students first. Any other student? Okay. No. Okay. Next, we're gonna um we're going to continue on. Thank you, Miss Lipsky, for the cake. You're welcome. Uh we're going to continue on with the superintendent and district reports. Miss Allen, thank you. If you look at the agenda, there's a lot of students to recognize. I'm not going to read all of the students names, but I do want to recognize Mr. Stub and his students um from uh the students of the staff that delivered Memorial Day flags down to Mansion Avenue. Mr. Pal Ponyi Palmeni, Mrs. Amarosce and her students that are all listed. We also want to recognize the students who helped with the spring festival at um Ottabban
068Park. That's the Interact Club members. We would like to recognize a group several groups of Ottabban High School students who helped with the triathon, the inter intergenerational club members, the interact club members, and the national honor society members that are listed. I do want to say thank you to Jane. Um it's been a great year with you on the board and it's really been great you advocating for the students. We've had many conversations in my office and talked about things and I I really appreciate your student voice, your um passion for the things and I think it's worked out well. You being able to come and give us that impact, that input. So, I've really appreciated that. Thank you, Helena. You have big shoes to fill and I appreciate the two of you working with
069our candidates tomorrow and giving them an idea as to what it is that they're uh we do have three sophomore candidates that have applied to become the junior apprentice next year. The students will vote on that in September after they have a little bit of time to campaign. But until then, they came and met the with one of the board committees last night. They'll meet with the current student representatives to get a little bit more feel for what the job entails to make sure it's something that they're interested in. We've invited them to attend some of the summer board meetings and even the retreat or some other um board committee meetings, explain to them the committees, things like that. So excited about that. Um, just want to again congratulate all the the retirees. Obviously, I've
070spent the least amount of time with these people, but they are really amazing people. It's great to sit and listen to those speeches about the wonderful impact that they've made on Ottabon schools. It's it's really a great place. Thank you. Okay. No, we're good. All right. Thank you, Miss Allen. Next, I'm going to ask for approval of board minutes uh from the May 7th public session, May 14th executive and public session. Motion. Roll call, please. Alison Lipsky, yes. Jonathan Maxon, yes. Andrea Robinson, yes. Bill Wilson, Steven Wilson, yes. Alison Cox, yes. Amy Davis, yes. Motion's passed. Thank you. Our first public participation session is on agenda items only. The board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school
071matters of community interest. In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, the board has set aside two portions of this meeting for public comment on any school or school district issue that a member of the public feels may be of interest to the residents of the school district. For the first portion, this portion, public comments are invited on matters pertaining only to the agenda for tonight's meeting. And for the second portion, which will come at the end, public comments are invited on all matters pertaining to the school district. Participants are invited to announce their name, address, and any group they may represent if applicable. The board reserves the right to limit public discussion. Public discussion of a topic will be limited to 15 minutes, and individual speakers will be limited to
072three minutes. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. And please reference bylaw number 0167 of the Ottabon Public Schools Board of Education Manual. The board uses the public comment period as an opportunity to listen to citizens. Not all issues brought to a board meeting will be resolved at that particular meeting. Complaints stated or actions requested by the public may be taken under advisement by the board for investigation, discussion, action or disposition at a later date or time. The public comment sessions are an opportunity for citizens to share their opinions and remarks with the board. It is not a question and answer session. The board may or may not respond to public comments at the time they are made
073and is under no obligation to do so. The board does not endorse public comments, nor will the board be held liable for comments made by members of the public. Any individuals who may be the subject of public comments, including district employees, shall retain all rights against defamation and slander according to the laws of New Jersey. Is there anyone who would like to make a public comment on agenda items at this time? All right. My name is Matthew Davis. I'm resident of Ottabon 412 Washington Terrace. Um, I'm here as a community member and parent and as someone who values the contributions of all of our dedicated teachers, staff, assistants, administrators, board, and everyone who helps to support all our students and this district. I just want to take a moment to express my personal gratitude to
074Mr. Rudder and Mr. Carbone. I realize this is a bit illtimed here, but Mr. Ruer and Mr. Carbone, who I understand are retiring, but how dare you. Um, my experience with both of you as as a band parent and in full disclosure, I'm the treasurer of the Ottabon band boosters you mentioned in association too. So, but in particular uh for Mr. Carbone. I appreciated the fact that he never let us get lost in the shuffle. Whether it was checking in on us in the midst of the madness that is a football a home football game. All right. Uh or a panicked call from Hershey when the truck caught on fire. Someone else will remember that one. And Mr. Ruer, I remember a particularly challenging marching band competition at Eastern High School where it was raining.
075again. Someone will remember that reference as well. And we all returned back to the school soaked literally to the bone. We were expecting to return to an empty school. And it was a Sunday after all. And instead, there you were with fans, air movers, extension cords, everything we could possibly need to start drying out the uniforms and equipment so everything didn't smell like wet dog after that. These are little moments that may not seem like much, but I think show your kindness, dedication, and truthfully your character to the kids, parents, and community. And I just want to express my sincerest thanks to both of you for all your years of service to us and wish you the best all the best in your next adventure. Right. Thank you. Anyone else who would like to make
076a comment on agenda items? All right, seeing no one else, we will move on with our meeting. I would like to recognize Miss Lipky for governance. Thank you, Miss Davis. Um, while at this time we don't have anything to approve on this agenda, we did meet um last month. It was actually a very good and vigorous type of meeting have members of the high school administration Mr. Kley uh Mr. Miller and Mr. lab. All were present and we were going in in depth into the code of conduct um the attendance rules lateness that then turns into absences and looking at different types of ideas and solutions and really talking about since this was a year where I guess I coined the term things could be squishy and I believe everyone in the administration has enjoyed
077that very um specific term, but it was a time where we were giving administration a chance to figure out what works best for Ottabon. And it looks like they have really come a long way and have a lot of brilliant ideas. And so come July, we will be meeting with them again and we will be seeing a new code of conduct. We will be looking at a dress code without not many changes at all because the students have spoken and they were quite um they did a great job of coming forward with petitions and speaking out and so everyone has heard them and so there's not going to be any major changes to the dress code. It's just so that everyone understands what is expected and what is appropriate, male, female, and non-binary student alike.
078Um, so everything it was actually a very productive meeting and I think we're going to see some wonderful things and some good positive changes where we're hoping to have kind of like a buddy system and people working together to help you know what's that that um a rising tide raises all boats and we're kind of looking at that. So, um, expect to see a lot coming from us, but we are in the trenches. We're all working together, and I I expect to see very positive and progressive changes in the code of conduct and I what we're already seeing happening, but it will actually be our policies matching our process. So, uh, look out for that and we'll be you'll be seeing more about that in the summer months. Zen, do you have anything to add?
079Again, it was a very productive meeting and I do thank the high school administration for being there. Um, there were some things that we left outstanding to talk about in June. They actually plan to come to our June meeting with a few things. They'll be there in July with the things that we wanted. Um, and we also have a a good number of policies that we will be revisiting in July that kind of fell by the wayside with these other AI and this as our other initiatives. But we're very much looking forward to getting back on track. There are a handful of policies that you will see on the agenda um for first reads and things in the next coming months. All right. Even though we don't have any motions under governance, any questions, comments,
080or discussion on non-aggenda items for governance? No. Okay. Then I will move on and recognize Mrs. Cox for operations. Davis. Um, we did have a meeting on June 3rd. Our next meeting is scheduled unless our retreat is scheduled for then is July 1st. Um, on our discussion, uh, we talked about the tax levy and how we haven't heard anything yet. It's not discouraging us. Okay. Just questioning why not, but it's not discouraging us. Uh, so that kind of led to the preschool. We're going to do what we can um without having those monies and then hopefully we can accelerate it more. But that we're not stopping work because of that. We're just doing the thing the items that we can. Um we're still looking at keys, the rates and also possibly an ease of payment
081for the parents um that are in need of those services. uh we had discussion about all the new hires and the salary requirements for them and that there will be two resol resolutions that are on the agenda. Um one is for maintenance reserve and the other is for capital reserve. Not that we will be able to fully fund them at the end of this budget year, but it just allows us uh to go it doesn't give us a bas gives us a baseline or the benchmark. Uh we can we'll be able to fund anything that's left over from this budget into those accounts. Hopefully, there's something. Um we also uh we're just uh we just had some discussion on the um AAA contract which is on the agenda and um had talked uh about recapping
082and re uh uh wrapping up the bond referendum and we'll be uh hearing that very soon if not next month, maybe September, I'm not quite sure. Uh Miss Allen's timeline. Um, and then other items that are on the agenda are the April board secretary report, the cash reconciliation report, and the transfers, May and June's bill, accounts payable bill lists, um, the May safety drills at the appropriate schools as listed, two agreements for service, approval of transportation entities as listed in the motion, the lead testing statement of insurance of assurance, And then the schedule of tax taxes both for Ottabon and Ottabon Park. That was very easy for me to say. Um that's all I have to report. Let everybody know that Miss Ronase did send an email today to the state tax levy people to
083say, you know, you asked, you sent us a letter saying respond. We responded. When when can we expect a final? So, we are following up on it. We're not just sitting around waiting. We are seeing what we can find out. And it's not just us. Oh no, nobody nobody has heard anything. No one has gotten their uh approval letter yet. So it was hurry up and we'll get back to you when we can. Um and Miss Ron Casease is very much in touch with the other BAS who have also applied for tax levy. Um some that had gotten uh told they they got lesser money than they asked for have heard, but other than that and even they haven't gotten the final. So we're all in limbo. Unfortunately. Well, it's nice to know it's not
084just us. At least us, right? All right. Any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda items under operations. And can I have a motion, please, for items 1 through 18? Any questions, comments, or discussion on items 1 to 18? This actually may have been due earlier, but just for clarity, until we get that confirmation on the tax levy, we can't do any kind of hiring or anything like that. We we really have to wait for that. So, what we're going to do is we're going to post for the positions and we're going to start doing interviews, but we will not hire anybody until we're sure we have it. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? All right. Roll call then, please. Sarah Coen, Alison Lipsky, yes. Jonathan Maxon, yes. For all those Robinson, yes. Bill Wilson, Steven Wilson,
085yes. Allison Cox, yes. Danielle D. Franchesco, Amy Davis, yes. Thank you. I'd like to recognize Miss Robinson for education. Our last education committee meeting was on May 27th and our next meeting is on June 24th. I think uh we heard from instructional council about their grant writing committee at the last education meeting. Um what they learned is that applying for grants is very specific. There are specific criteria, specific dates that have to be met, specific organizations you have to be a member of. But they also found out about a lot of interchool connections and sharing of resources. So microscopes were passed from the high school down to the elementary school. Uh 3D bathroom passes were printed by mansion for Havland. And I think I have these names right. Miss McCarti helped the Havland art teacher
086apply to the Camden County Director of Health and Education in Camden County for a $7,000 grant for uh challenge day and Mrs. Collazo helped Mr. Webb apply for a garden project grant. Um after that, Mr. Burke presented the summer work uh summer assignments for grades 1 through 12. Um he also mentioned that Mr. Miller will be meeting with all incoming new students to the junior senior high school to give them a Chromebook and to go over those summer assignments. And on the agenda tonight is the HIV report, the last of the field trip requests, conferences, uh requests of staff members for their children to attend school here. All the clinical practices of people in the fall who will be sponsored. Uh just a couple things to add to that. The instructional council with the grants,
087one of the other things we talked about was that it's very timeconuming and so we thought maybe it would be a good idea for some of the instructional council people to talk at the faculty meetings before the end of the year so the teachers can be thinking about things over the summer instead of say in September coming and saying hey we need to know by November what you want for this grant application. If we get some it's really about more information. there needs to be more information out there so that people can be more aware because it it's a very cumbersome pro process. Um, we also talked about the summer PD things that we plan to do with the administration, something that Mr. Burke and I are very excited about. We have professional development and
088things for the administration to do over the summer as well. So, I just wanted to make sure everybody was aware of that. Thank you. All right. Any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda items under education? I did have a question. Um, Andrea, you said that a grant was applied for for challenge day. What What grade level was that supposed to be for? I think it was for Havland K through two. That was my understanding. Oh, okay. Oh, okay. Because it it had been done here before. I messed it all up. It's a but now have we received that grant or we just applied for it. Okay. Thank you. It's not exactly a grant. That was one of the things that came out of their discussion was that there are these money resources that are available
089that you can draw from like at the county level. So it's not a grant per se I don't think but Exactly. Miss, sorry, Miss Allen. Uh, you might want to I don't know if Aldi's doing this again, but it seemed like this was something that they do every year. So, you might want to let the teachers know. There is a $500 Aldi grant um for teachers to basically get things for their um classroom. So, you know, to further decorate it, add some, you know, educational games, prompts, things like that. So, if the teachers want to and also if say a group of them got together and kind of wrote something up and they can kind of mix and match and stuff like that, that's something that I I know was available in the past and
090one of the thing one of the grants that I found. So, I and I doubt that Aldi would just stop it this year. So, that might be Exactly. So they can kind of because I think it has to be in by no later than like the end of July or August or something like that. So just something to think about because then if they kind of get together it's not as much work and then hopefully they can all get 500 bucks to help make their rooms just be educational and fun for the kids and themselves. Um the one other thing I I had a question about um I am uber excited about the high school having a speech and debate club. Um, I'm a total speech and debate nerd and I've been wanting to see
091that for a very long time in Ottabon because I believe that every person should know how to give a speech because you end up having to speak and promote yourself through your entire career, your entire life. So, I think it's very valuable. Um, but I have a a few little questions and concerns because one, it's called a speech and debate club, but I've only been hearing debate and essentially Lincoln Douglas debate. Um, I was actually, I'm sure no one will be surprised, the president of my forensic society, which was our speech and debate at Madawan Regional High School. Um, and we were in the New Jersey speech and debate league, which actually you end up going on competitions around the state. And then there also is this um amazing competition done by Harvard University and
092everyone travels from around the country to Boston and gets to compete in speech and debate. But what is also so wonderful is that it's speech. So you have um dramatic interpretation, pros, humorous interpretation, impromptu. Those are the speech categories and you have Lincoln Douglas debate. Um I haven't heard anything about the speech components, but it's being called a speech and debate club and I've only heard about debates to be a debate captain. And I'm just wondering I I don't know if Mr. Dusa even knows that there's a New Jersey debate league. Uh when I was looking to make sure that it still existed, it does. And there actually is a grant for student for schools that are new that they will help you. You can apply for it and they'll help give you the money
093to pay for going to the different things and things like that. So, I know I need to talk to Miss Garin because I've already been approached by some of the students because they know that I'm a litigator and also done a lot of speech and debate and want me there to volunteer as someone for workshop and I've volunteered before and I so I think I understand it but I will talk to Miss Garin but given my questions I didn't want to overstep any bounds but as I was seeing this and I was hearing from other students where they were like I thought there were speeches I thought there for other things besides debate and I'm not sure if Mr. Dusa is aware of that but I'm like if you're calling it a speech and debate
094club then you need to be also doing the speech stuff to it as well and I believe that there's ways that can be expanded. So Oh no exact I'm Wonderful. And if you want just reach out to me and we we can talk because I know that's kosher but it's not kosher for me to be talking to him about some of this. So just wanted to be very transparent but that was what I was seeing and started to do and I was like oh wait grant money free lovely. Exactly. Any other questions or comments under education? All right. Then can I get a motion for item number one? Questions, comments, or discussion on item number one? Roll call, please. Sarah Cen, Alison Lipsky, yes. Jonathan Maxon, yes. Andrea Robinson, yes. Bill Wilson, Steven Wilson, yes.
095Allison Cox, yes. Danielle D. Franchesco, Mark Gaddy. Amy Davis, yes. Motion passed. Thank you. Can I get a motion on items 2 through eight under education? Any questions, comments, or discussion on items 2 through eight? Okay. Roll call, please. Allison Lipsky, yes. Jonathan Maxon, yes. Andrea Robinson, yes. Bill Wilson, Steven Wilson, yes. Allison Cox, yes. Danielle G. Franchesco, Mark Gaddy, yes. Sarah Cen, Amy Davis, yes. Motion's passed. Thank you. All right, moving on to human resources. The committee met last evening and our next meeting will be July 15. Um some of the things that we spoke about uh as Mrs. Cox mentioned the uh administrator's contract has been signed. We had signed a memorandum of agreement which was kind of the the placeholder for um the contract at that point. But now the language has
096been um finalized and all parties have signed on that. So that is truly finished. Um we did have a nice opportunity to speak with the sophomore student candidates. um they would be the junior class representative next one of them will be the junior class representative to the board of ed and as we've mentioned they're going to be meeting with Helena and Jane tomorrow now they have dessert too they will be elected in September and as a committee we talked to to them and amongst ourselves and I know we've spoken about this as a board that we're looking for just some more robust training and interaction for for them next year and um Miss has also mentioned some possible connection with area student reps with maybe um Haden Township or Haden Heights or Hadenfield and I
097know Mr. Maxon has also um mentioned in depart as well. So that share ideas. Yeah, it would be nice for them to you know make connections among their peers in the same position. So hoping for that for next year. Um, we reviewed the open positions and the uh interviewing process. We reviewed the job descriptions that are on tonight's agenda. Just talked through the retirements, um, the new hires, and we reviewed uh the superintendent action items for the year, and everything is current and progressing. On the agenda tonight, we have a recognition of all of our retirees and we thank them again for the commitment that they made to our district. There is a motion to approve a resignation with intent to retire. Also on our agenda, we are um we have approval for some new
098hires, a reassignment. There's a motion for an FMLA request, motion to approve bus drivers and substitutes. motion to approve fall paid and unpaid coaching positions. There's motions to approve um staff members to serve on a variety of committees and teams as noted and a motion to approve summer hours for a variety of staff members and motion to approve job descriptions for the supervisor curriculum and instruction headteer for the primary grades K to2 registar mental health counselor and municipal alliance grant coordinator. Any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda? Oh, I'm sorry. Do you have anything to add? Oh, we have Oh, I Oh, okay. No, let's take care of that right now then. So, yeah, number six, I had changed it. I guess it got changed back. Number six on the agenda um says that it's
099a reassignment. It was actually a voluntary transfer. So, we could change that um wording to voluntary transfer for the 2526 school year. Everybody see that on page 14? I don't know what the public says, but mine says reassignment, and I thought I changed it to say voluntary transfer. So, I just want to make sure it's on record as saying voluntary transfer. She did to move to the high school. So, thank you. Sure. Anything else under HR? Um, no. Uh, just wanted was going to clarify, but Mrs. Coolen had already asked, we are going to post for the positions. Even though we don't have the million dollars yet, we want to make sure that we at least get our applicants and start interviewing. We are of course hoping to hear any day so that we can
100move forward with those things. Okay. Can I get a motion then for items 1 to 53 under human resources? Any questions, comments, or discussion on items 1 through 53? Okay, roll call, please. Jonathan Maxon, yes. Andrea Robinson, yes. Bill Wilson, Stephen Wilson, yes. Alison Cox, Danielle G. Franchesco, Mark Gaddy, Sarah Coen, Allison Lipsky, Amy Davis. Motions passed. Thank you. All right. On the agenda, we have our HIV district reports. And next, we'll do our special program of representatives. Mr. Steven Wilson, anything for ED services? Services uh elected. Last meeting, um I was not elected, but I did not run for it. So, if anyone ran for it. Um, other than that, nothing else to report on CCSE. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Maxon for school boards. No report, Madam President. All right. Back to Mr. Steven
101Wilson for the Ottabon Education Foundation. AEF is on their summer break. Uh, there's no more meetings until September, although they may have an August meeting because uh, Night of the Races will be coming upon us pretty soon, and we want to make sure we're set up for that. Um but other than that um looking forward to a summer of new meetings or at least one thing. Yeah. Right. Not us. All right. Um Mrs. Coolen for community outreach. Mrs. Davis. So events recently attended by our board members included the walk for inclusion on June 1st. U Mr. Gaddy, Mrs. D. Franchesco and myself as well as Superintendent Allen. Um many district staff members, students and families um attended. It was a really lovely event. I'm hopeful that it raised money for the wonderful cause that it
102is. Um some of us also attended the Hannen Township Pride Parade last Thursday, June 5th. That was Mr. Gaddy, Miss Lipsky, Junior Student Rep, Miss Helena, uh and myself along with my eight-year-old, my second grader. Um we were one of only two school boards present in the parade with Haden Township being the other one. and they're the um host town for the event. Uh and then there were gay straight alliances for Cherry Hill East, Hadenfield, Haden Township, Pensaken, and Woodbury. Um next year, I would love if we can to get our school community um even greater involved with the parade if they would like to do so. So whether that's um faculty, staff, uh students from our district who would like to participate just as a show in in the parade for our sport of
103Yeah. There's a lot of the gay straight alliances there and we have the stars club here which uh aims to achieve this a similar goal. So it's students and teachers against racism and stereotypes and next year I'd really love if we would talk to Miss Mueller who runs it if we could be involved in that parade and walk it too. Great suggestion. Thank you. Uh upcoming events this Tuesday upcoming the 17th is the sixth grade promotion ceremony. We received tickets um so that we can attend as well. Uh Wednesday is the high school graduation. Um so you should have received information from Miss Cavalo about that. Um we're meeting in the principal's conference room between 5 and 5:15 to be out on the field in time to wish Jane and her uh graduating seniors the
104best. Uh then July 4th there are the parades in Ottabon Ottabban Park and Mount Ephraim. We are registered for two of them formally at this point. I'll be reaching out to Mount Ephraim shortly as well. Otabon Park wants to know if we have any veterans on the board. I didn't think so, but they're honoring veterans as part of their parade and wanted to honor any veterans that we have on the board. Also, um information about those parades will be coming out as I I get more detailed information about that. Um, and then this is kind of further into the future, but the uh national night out is typically scheduled for August. Audabon has decided to do an Ottabon Police Department night out on September 30th. Um, so that is an event that we can have
105presence at if we wish to. So, I'll bring that up again later, but did just want to let you know that that's the date for that. I updated the spreadsheet um with that information. Still no updates on Third Fridays. Um, but I'll be on the lookout for other community type events that we can be have a presence at. And that's it. Thank you. Thank you. It was 4,000 something. No, not 4500. 4500. Yeah, we raised 4,500 from the walk that was donated to Special Olympics. Yeah, that was great. All right. Um and um Mr. Gaddy for ad hoc nothing report this month. Oh, you don't want to talk about the the students that went? Oh my gosh. I know. I did forget that. That was quite a to get a a text from uh Amy
106in the middle of the day saying you have to see this. This was on Facebook. Um I don't know how well I can speak to it, but they did Oh, well yeah, you want to speak to it. Okay, go right ahead. Student report. But uh the club I created, the Mounty from welcoming committee was to help uh promote inclusion for people from Anra because I had the same experience where I was I lived there from zero to uh a freshman. So I had the same kind of transition where I felt like I wasn't very involved my freshman year and I didn't know many people and I wanted to help other people that felt the same way. So, we had a bunch of students that came over and helped us and they all decided to speak
107and it was amazing. We had a presentation and the eighth graders and choice kids that were going to come here. So, anyone no matter grade six through eight uh that was going to come here got to see all of our clubs and sports and meet some of the people uh at Autobon. And yeah, it was really great. It was amazing. And the the key part of that is she created this club. She went to Mr. Leb and said, "There's a need and created it." And Mr. Leb said that was one of the things that they talked about when they were over there talking to the Mount from Kids. If you find a need, if there's a club that you want, come to the principal. We can see what we can do. We want the students
108involved. The student voice really matters. And that was a really great idea and great club. on this board. Excellent. Okay. And uh board member orientation, Miss Lipsky. have not met as a committee, but um I've met with my mentee and we had a meeting. I did not reach out to u Miss Cox and Miss Cooland to see if they've reached out, but I figure they are kind of likeminded and they probably had. So, um so the mentorship seems to be going well. Would you do you do you feel mentored? Thank you. I feel very mentored. Um, it is just a really nice opportunity to be able to to dig in a little bit deeper and find out about policies and procedures and history and culture and everything. Um, so I I just really appreciate the
109committee existing at all. So yeah, so that's been good and if um I'll kind of reach out and if uh you know Miss Cox and Miss Davis and Mr. Gaddy and Miss Cooland and Miss D. Francesca would like to kind of meet as a group again kind of just kind of all together and talk about whatever issues or concerns or just hey this seemed cool. Um I'll be happy I'll send out an email to everyone and we can maybe get that going just to kind of have that checkin. But I think uh it's going pretty well and I appreciate it. And I did want to say that um if Miss Cooling could once again somehow pull sway in the pride parade that were behind the corgis of South Jersey um her child had a very
110we we whiz by like usually I'm sweating bullets and like where's the end and it's the shortest parade known to mankind and I'm like where where and get we were like blazing through and her kid was like it's the corgis those little legs move and we just have to keep up with them and they are quite adorable to be behind. I will just I will just say so if you if you don't want to come for any other reason, come for the corgis because they dress them up too. It's precious. Thank you for that reminder because I was going to say that we got a lot of cheers as we were going through the parade, but it was hard to say if it was for us or for the corgis, but there were a lot
111of people that said, "Yay, Ottabon." So, you know, it was very nice. Um, next we have board member comments. Anybody have anything to say? Yes. So, I made this announcement at the uh Mount for Board meeting on Monday and during public com or board member comments uh session. So, I figured I'd make it here. Um, I am not going to be running for reelection uh in the fall. I know paperwork is going to be due over the next couple of weeks. Um, I was asked that at the meeting. I said it there. So I want to say here as well. Um so I look for so just uh you know with my my new job coming up I feel like I wouldn't be able to do both of these roles the justice that it deserves.
112Um my two years I look forward again to finishing the next six months strong. But um this is a passionate board. Uh it's a board that really advocates for its values and its beliefs and um it's been an honor to serve with everybody here. Um and I look forward to finishing the next six months and I look forward to uh seeing what the future holds in Autobonox. It's bright. So um let's keep this thing going. Thank you for giving us the notice, Mr. Max and we will certainly uh enjoy the remaining six months that we have of your term but um certainly understandable but uh considering your new responsibilities but um you will be missed and we know you're only a few minutes away so that's good. Congratulations. Yes, congratulations as well. Any other um
113comments? Um I just wanted to uh from your the board member orientation and the the mentor and mentee um I enjoyed our meeting immensely Sarah. Um a lot of people think you know institutional knowledge because I've been on here forever but it's it it's not because I I'm looking at it from a fresh pair of eyes as well. So I enjoy the privilege of truly being with a new member who I anticipate being on the board in my shoes years to come. So, thank you for the opportunity. Just wanted to quickly comment um I had the opportunity to attend the art show and I I know Mr. Steven Wilson was there as well. I'm not was anybody else, but I just didn't it was so crowded it would have been very easy to miss somebody.
114Um, and I just I just want to um uh just compliment all of the students and and all of their efforts and uh our art teacher as well. It was just it was an amazing community night and if you haven't had an opportunity to go, uh I strongly encourage you to attend that next year. It was phenomenal. Really, really was. Uh yes, please. Uh yes, I second that. It was very cool. The art was incredible. There was music, there was visual arts, there was digital art. It was just really genuinely impressive. Um, Miss Müller also mentioned how hospitable the hosts were of the church. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the church, but um, just how great they were to work with, and so I want to extend our thanks to them. Um,
115and then additionally, Miss Cooler and I attended the fifth and sixth grade play this week, which was adorable. Um, it's like a little song and dance thing. Um, That's been one of the great pleasures of mine being on the board is just having the opportunity to attend all these cool things that go on in the district that like you maybe don't know about and you don't see. Um and so especially as we're ending the school year, just a shout out to all the teachers and staff that have gone above and beyond to um put their time and effort into all these additional things, the plays, the arts. Uh it's just a pretty cool community we have here. Absolutely. Um and you you haven't seen the memo from me, please make sure that you let us
116know your availability for the summer retreat. Lots of people have responded. Just a couple more to go. Um just to try to coordinate a date when we're all available. I know it's not Yeah, it's not easy. Okay, any other comments? Okay, we are going to move on then to our second public participation. So, this is an open discussion. It does not have to be limited to agenda items. There's anyone that wishes to speak. Um the same parameters that I read at the beginning um still stand. So is there anyone else who would like to make a comment? Okay. Um then we're going to close the second public participation time and we are now going to move on to an informal employee appearance before the board. Uh good evening everyone. My name is I'm the solicitor
117for the board. Um and uh you first is for the benefit of the public. I assume you're Miss Kbo. Okay. So, for the benefit of the public, for the benefit of Miss Kbo, and for your benefit, I want to review what is going on here tonight. Um, the informal appearance before the board is a statutory right that non-renewed employees have uh to essentially appeal their non-renewal so that the public is aware. This is a confidential personnel matter that is normally discussed in executive session except that Mrs. CBO has requested that it take place in public. It's her right under the Open Public Meetings Act to have her personnel matters discussed in public. The procedure for tonight is going to be um 30 minutes for the employee to present her information, her or her representative and
118witnesses, and then for the board to discuss. During your discussion, you can ask questions of the superintendent. Um the employee portion is going to be broken down into two segments. This is going to be 10 minutes for Miss Cable or her representative to say whatever it is they want to say. Of course, you and I know you know this, you can't um make any uh for your derogator derogatory statements about current employees. Um and the same for your witnesses. I hope you've advised your witnesses of that. Um other than that, it is um not a question and answer period. There is no cross-examination. This is not testimony under oath. This is quite literally just an opportunity for the employee to make their case as to why they ought to be offered a contract for the
119coming year. Um, and then you can ask uh, oh, pardon me. 10 minutes for the employee, 20 minutes for the witnesses. Mrs. Cable, how many witnesses do you have tonight? Just one. Can you ask your witness to wait out in the hallway, please? Okay. Um either Mrs. Kar, are you gonna be speaking on your own behalf or do you have a representative? On your own behalf. Okay. All right. Does anybody have any questions about process before we get started? Mrs. C, do you have any questions? All right. So, feel free to take the podium. You're up when you're ready. Documents that go along with my speech. if you're going to use the whole 10 minutes or not, but I'll give you like a two-minute warning. Okay. Okay, great. It'll probably be right around right now.
120Um, do you tell me when to begin or not? Okay, I'll just let her hand out um what she's handing out and then I did put my speech on top in case you wanted to reference it. Okay, ready? All right. Members of the board, it's not easy to stand before you today and defend my employment in Ottabon. I have worked in schools as a school social worker and counselor for 20 years. I started in Philadelphia and then was employed in Lawrence Township for 15 years, pre-K through sixth grade, before coming to Ottabon in 2022. I'm a certified school social worker in the state of New Jersey. Um, I'm a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey. My LSW allows me to provide private therapy outside of a school building and diagnosed from the
121DSM5. In my previous district, I was nominated by my colleagues and won the educational professional of the year in 2018. I chose to leave my previous district, which I had tenure in, to come to Audabon for a number of reasons, but mostly because a former colleague that is employed here let me know how special the students, staff, and community of Audabon were. Besides being the mental health assistance counselor here since March 2023, I have also been the district homeless liaison, which has allowed me to work with the administration, secretaries, and guidance counselors across all schools. As of June 9th, there have been 3,254 student loginins through our computer system, Genesis, into my office, specifically this year and last year alone. Every day, I am in the seventh and eighth grade lunch period, checking in and
122speaking to every student in the cafeteria at least once. I do this to build a rapport with students so that be they become comfortable speaking with me should a mental health counselor need arise. It is also to get to know the students in Ottabon regardless of their mental health needs. Doing this for the last three years has allowed me to get to know almost every student in grades 7 through 10. I make it a point to go to the transition days for Mount Ephraim which you just spoke about and the sixth grade moving up day for mansion to introduce myself to the students before they start here so they know my face and where my office is located. I make sure I am known in the guidance office to any students that are runners or
123waiting for a guidance counselor. When I walk in the hallways, I do know most of the students. Um, and if I don't, I make sure I smile, say hello, and how are you today? When I was informed that the mental health counselor position was being rifted, I was devastated for the students in this community. Some of the students I work with have extremely sensitive needs, and I wanted to ensure that their needs were still going to be met. I informed the parents of the students on my case load of this news. Ethically, I would have to terminate my therapeutic relationship with them accordingly. I was emailed by Miss Allen on March 18th, stated that she wanted to speak to me first thing the next morning with a union rep. She let me know in that
124meeting on March 19th that she was not happy with me informing parents about the position and that any communication about my position should cease immediately or I would be fired. At that meeting, she also informed me that my residency exception to live in Philadelphia that I received from the state in my last district did not cover me in this district. This was the first time that since I was hired in 2022 that anyone has informed me that my residency paperwork was incorrect, even though Miss Allen's office had requested it and received it February 24th. If I had known when I came to this district that my residency paperwork from the state did not cover me here in Ottabon, of course, I would have gotten a new exemption. I would have never risked my career to
125not get an exemption that I already had. Miss Allen also stated that it did not matter if she found the money for my position. I would be on the non-renewed list due to my residency. She repeated a number of times in front of two union reps that my residency was the reason I would not be renewed to work in Ottabon. I was heartbroken. I love working in Ottabon. I love working with our students and the staff here in Ottabon. I've stated to all the administrators here. I never have anxiety. Sunday scaries dread coming into work because I truly do love working here. This has been the most rewarding work that I've done in my career and has been the best job. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry, I lost my place. Um, as you have heard at
126both the March 19th board meeting and the May 14th board meeting, I have made a connection with the students and the community in Audabon in my short time here. It is so easy to make a connection here because the students in the school, I think we all can agree, are amazing. The students and the parents respond to me because I genuinely like working with them. I applied for my residency exemption for Ottabon on April 4th, two weeks after Miss Allen informed me that my residency paperwork was incorrect. According to the law, I must submit a letter from either my direct supervisor or principal. I submitted the letters to the state from both. I have provided you a copy of these letters along with my personal letter written to the state. I informed Miss Allen on
127April 4th that my date for residency hearing was going to be May 14th. On May 1st, I was non-renewed for my position. When I asked Miss Allen for her reason for non-renewal, she informed me that if I wanted a reason, I needed to put it in writing and she had 30 days to respond. I requested in writing that day on May 7th. Um, I was informed by the Department of Labor, the emails which you have in your packet in front of you, that my residency hearing was cancelled because it was brought to their attention that the authors of my submitted letters were not authorized to send the letters. Confused, I asked for more clarification. They responded with, "Your superintendent, who is a higher position than the authors, has objected." I could not understand that if
128the reason for my non-renewal was residency, and I tried immediately to fix the issue, why Miss Allen would object to me to obtain my correct residency exemption, especially after hearing from the students and the parents at our board meeting. I then filed for my residency again with the state on May 19th under financial hardship, which I had the hearing today. At 3:00, I was granted an exception for residency to work in the state of New Jersey, specifically Ottabon, and live in Philadelphia. This was a verbal confirmation that it was be posted online within seven days, but it can be confirmed by emailing them um which is the Department of Labor which I have provided for you. It was not an easy choice, but I did submit paperwork for an unhealthy work environment against Miss Allen
129in accordance with district board policy 4351 in reference to gratuitous sabotage on May 13th. On May 28th, I received my letter for reasons of non-renewal. Miss Allen had added an additional six reasons for my non-renewal besides residency, which she listed as the seventh and last reason. I could go through each one, numbers one through six, prove them wrong with data, experience, my evaluations, but you have that all in front of you. My counseling signins on Genesis as of this morning for this year are 1,749 compared to the other social worker at 218 and the psychologist at 212 in the building. I have never been written up or investigated by any administrator in this district or my previous district for my performance. I have never refused to do any of the 70 items listed in my
130job description. I have spent my career working with younger students. You have heard from the students and the community across two board meetings. Needless to say, not one of the six reasons Miss Allen wrote are true or based in fact. I do believe that Miss Allen wrote these things to retaliate against me for filing the unhealthy workplace environment and that she was upset that I informed parents that the position would be rifted. I believe the things written were meant to intimidate me from speaking up at this meeting publicly. Miss Allen has never observed me. Miss Allen has never asked my direct supervisor who has observed me about my performance. Miss Allen has been to my office one time in her tenure here. Miss Allen has only seen me with students three times. Twice because of
131a crisis intervention for students whom I already had a relationship with and once because she wanted to talk to a senior about her attendance. And when she told the student she could bring a friend to talk with her, the student chose to bring me. Miss Allen has never asked myself or my direct supervisor either before or after the mental health presentation to you on April 16th of what was already happening in the district in regards to mental health. She did not know we're already using an app for counseling at AHS second floor which is free and offered through the state 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are QR codes for it on every bulletin board in the high school, the counseling office, MI office, as well as every counselor's corner newsletter sent
132out by the counseling department every month this year. She did not know that I am already trained in nurturing heart approach, which she spoke about during her presentation when speaking about dreams. She does not know that I am trained and certified trainer in restorative practices and I've been using them here at AHS for three years. She does not know that I am extensively trained and have used zones of regulations for years, which is the social emotional program used at Mansion. She doesn't know that I was the staff member that set up a meeting with the county and the former superintendent for our district to partner with Oaks Integrated Care for the last two years for free so that our students needing screenings for suicidal ideiations in all schools can go to an appointment and not
133wait up to 18 hours in the ER for a screening. She does not know that I have this year again for free linked our district with the statewide program NJ4S which is a wide array of student support services for our school and within the community. She does not know any of these things because she has never had a conversation with me about my performance, my qualifications, or myself. Miss Allen asked for educator of the year nominations on May 5th. The staff at AHS was aware that I was non-renewed on May 1st. Multiple teachers at AHS nominated me for educator of the year. On May 20th, I did fill out an OPER request with the district to present them to you tonight, but as of today, I have not received them. In the packet in front
134of you, I have the one nomination of the staff member um that was sent to me um by my colleague who did nominate me. I have been CCed on numerous emails sent to the board from the staff at AHS about my positive work ethic and performance. Across two board meetings, you've heard from parents and students about how I have supported him. The most important stakeholders are our students. And if I didn't stand up here today for them when they have stood up multiple times, signed petitions, sent emails, I would not be true to myself or my student center approach and philosophy. At the end of the day, this is about the 800 students in the school and the 1400 in this district. I understand that Donaldson hearings very rarely go in favor of the staff
135member. My reasons for this hearing and publicly was so that the students and parents I have counseledled or formed a relationship with in Ottabon could hear me advocate for myself. I tell our students on a daily basis, have a conversation, be honest, stand up for yourself, and most importantly, the right thing is almost never the easiest. It was not easy for me to stand up here today and speak before you, but it's the right thing for me as I would be a hypocrite to my 20 years in education as a social worker and counselor if I did not. The admin does not agree with my non-renewal. The staff does not agree with my non-renewal and the community does not agree with my renewal. But most importantly, which I feel Miss Allen has lost sight of,
136is the students who do not agree with my Renewal. Thank you. Your time is expired. Thank you. Okay. Uh Mrs. KBO, do you want to call in your to the board? Um, you have 20 minutes uh total to speak and I'll start the timer when you start. Sure. Um, hi, I'm Jillian Madison. I am a former school psychologist um that used to work here in Ottabon. I recently changed districts in December. Um, and I just would like to say a few words on behalf of my colleague and friend, Miss Aaron Cbo. Uh, as a school psychologist for 14 years, I've worked with other staff in her role and comparable roles. Um, and I can tell you that you won't find anyone like her. Though, I don't think that there's much I can tell you that
137you haven't already heard. Um, across the last two board meetings where there's was an outcry of support for Miss CO from your students, staff, and community. Um, it was staggering to watch. Miss CO has changed the lives of many students here at AHS. Her nature and her approach with the students is one that is supportive, loving, relatable, and welcoming. Her office has been a safe haven for many students to land, knowing that she'd be there to catch them. No problem is too big or too small to bring to Miss CO, but you've already heard that from all of your incredible students. Students who work with Miss Cabbo feel less alone. They often refer their friends in need to her. But you've also already heard that she's an exceptional listener and an observer, constantly looking for
138students who may be in need. She helps students make connections with one another to further build their capacity for resilience and peer support. But you've already heard that she focuses on students strengths and interests. She takes the time needed to cultivate relationships, build on trust with her students. Her personalized approach to each child and treating them as the unique individuals they are allows them to feel heard and seen. But you've already heard that she perfectly balances her open door policy with appropriate boundaries for students that reflects the expectations of Ottabon High School. She's the first person willing to drop everything and help without hesitation regardless of the situation. From a crisis response to far smaller issues such as providing students with deodorant, she's there and can be counted on every time, but you've already heard
139that. What you probably haven't heard is all the ways that Miss CBO has moved this district forward. Something I was fortunate to bear witness to in our time working together in the district. The positive impact that Miss CO has made is immeasurable. from her time on the child study team advocating for special education students to her role as the mental health counselor bringing in new resources for student support to the many other leadership roles that she's taken on here at AHS. You may not be aware, but she was crucial in helping to move forward the PBIS initiative in grades 7 through9. She assumed additional responsibilities on the INRS committee going above and beyond to lead the meetings at the high school offering creative ways to support the academic and emotional and behavioral needs of the
140students. In her role as homeless liaison, she's been a strong advocate for students and their families who are Mckin Vento eligible as she has brought forward resources and supports to the otherwise marginalized populations than this district has ever had. students, your children, and their well-being are always at the center of her decision-making. Miss Cable's presence is one of the only reasons I was comfortable to leave the district to pursue employment in another district after 10 years. I knew that my high-risisk students would be in good hands under her care. Before I left in December, I made sure that my students knew who she was, where her office was, but many of them already knew because that's what good professionals do. They build relationships and they collaborate. Collaboration is a specialty of Miss Cavos as she
141works closely with a variety of staff and outside agencies to take a coordinated approach to the therapeutic care of her students. Most notably, she's an advocate and an ally for your children daily. As a mom, there is nothing more important than that. Should you choose to move forward with terminating Miss CBO, I'm confident that she'll move on and continue to touch the lives of countless students, change lives as she has here in Ottabon. But that would be a mistake, not without consequences. And you've already heard that, too. So, as a board, um, you have an obligation to ask the right questions. Why is this happening against the wishes of your students, staff, and community? Thank you for your time. Thank you. Um I need this is just so you know per regulation. It's not a
142board decision. The regulations actually require me to ask you to leave the meeting after your statement is done. Okay. So um is this correct? So um the members of the public aware uh the board now deliberates. Again, this is normally aial Yes. Yes. We're This is normally a conf conversation that happens that Mrs. Cable, who has asked to be in public. Um, and if the board wishes um to hear from Mrs. Allen, now would probably be the time to ask her to answer any questions you may have. Thank you. Um, just to echo some of what Mr. Kbo said, it's not an easy decision. It's certainly not an easy decision to non-renew someone. It's something that I struggled with quite a bit. Um it's not something that was done maliciously or done without the um
143unhealthy workplace environment uh accusation I didn't know anything about until about two weeks ago which was long after these things I had been talking to the board about some of my concerns and my um issues throughout the year. Uh she referenced the letter so I want to go through some of the things that were in there. Um, in accordance, the board did not offer you employment for the contract for the 2526 school year for the following reasons. Served an insufficient number of students. The students who did serve, the school districts is not satisfied with the level or type of service provided to many students who had experienced trauma. I I understand that we're getting a number of students that checked into the health office, but that doesn't necessarily count as a number of students. If
144you go through Genesis, I pulled Genesis has a report of students. There's an icon for mental health. there's 41. Um, when Miss Cabbo referenced that, she reached out to parents, that was 47. Again, we're a school district of 880. So, that was a concern to me. I don't know how many students we have that are in need of trauma because we don't have a universal screener at the high school, but it seems to me, and I've had several parents approach me over the fact that services were not delivered to them. Uh the school district has noted numerous instances where here we are where no services had been provided to students in need despite your knowledge of specific trauma or requests from parents or caregivers. Uh failed to refuse to perform or address some of the
145duties of the job description. She was talking that everything is covered. One of the biggest areas that I had concerns with is the substance abuse which is another component of her job description and that's supposed to be a K12. Um, Miss Smeltzer has reached out to me a couple of times because there have been incidences with at Mansion with students with vapes and drug substance abuse and those things should have been covered. Those are responsibilities of her to do for the district is some of those programs and they have never been happening. Um, my understanding is they haven't happened for years. Clearly, I only been here since July, but the administration has told me that they have never happened. um sharing personal information regarding your employment with v vulnerable children um uh who had come
146to you for assistance and experienced trauma. We did see that at our board meeting in March and April. I personally do not feel that that's something that the students needed to be made aware of in March. I feel that these are students that are already dealing with trauma. It concerns me that as a mental health professional that was the way that that was handled. I think that that's information that could have been done in May or June. Plus part of the role is to help the children be successful without you, not entirely relying on you. So I think that that was just um a little concerning based on the f the performance. I do not believe that the that equipped to execute the K12 vision for the mental health uh position in the future. uh
147do not believe it capable of training and supporting the school district staff with understanding how to better talk and support the students who have experienced trauma promote the importance of mental health throughout the larger community. Um she spoke about being trained and nurtured heart and everything of that nature. No one on the staff is including the the administration. So if that training is there, it's not being used in the capacity that we need it. That's why we're looking to dreams to train the entire district and of course the failing to comply with the requirements of New Jersey first. A couple of things about that. That is not the district's responsibility. That is the employees responsibility to make sure that they're abiding by that statute. I didn't know anything about it until February when I went
148to a school board, I'm sorry, superintendent's roundt and the conversation came up and that's when things um became a conversation countywide. Uh it is and again I've reached out to the board solicitor. It is in fact an employees responsibility. Her exemption in Lacy's Township was for a position of hardship. A position of hardship doesn't transfer with you. So Lacy Township wrote and said we can't hire somebody else with that credential. We need you. That doesn't transfer with you to here. Besides the fact that the credential she was using at that time was as a social worker. That's not even the role she had here at this time. She was hired as a social worker, but at this point she had moved over to a mental health counselor. Um, yes, I did contact the uh Department
149of Labor and revoke that. We are a position of hardship means I can't possibly hire somebody else in that role. If you take that person, I'm going to have a hard time hardship replacing it. I don't believe there's a hardship in replacing a mental health counselor that lives in the state of New Jersey. There are several. Um, so that was yet the other reason. I know that in the beginning. Also, just to note for the board, if the million dollars doesn't come through, we can't afford this position. That's still yet another concern problem, something we need to consider. Um, of course, we have every hope that we're getting that, but that mental health counselor is a part of that million-doll tax levy incentive. The budget we have currently just doesn't afford it. Um, so that
150was part of why. And when we did do budget, I came to the committee meetings. I was very upfront and honest. Um I know that this position also was funded by Esser. Essa I I say that one wrong. Esser which is no longer existent. That's another thing. And I know that this position was also talked about being eliminated last year. It was one of the things that Mr. Davis had told me. It was one of the things that Miss Ronase had told me that as they were trying to make cuts and things this year, it was not an arbitrary. It was not an easy decision. It's certainly not that I don't think mental health is important and necessary. I understand that. I know that and I totally embrace that myself. I have been counseling several
151students in my office for the last three or four months that are students with trauma that have had issues and things of that nature. So, I'm very understanding, aware of, and um not necessarily knowledgeable about, but very u aware of just cognizant of the importance of mental health. But there's only so much we can afford. You're the ones that have dealt with this budget for years. I've only dealt with it for one. It's really difficult to get everything you need out of that tight budget. Does anybody have any questions or anything that I can clarify? Okay, not to interrupt, but could you use your microphone, please? when she stated that her counseling signins on Genesis as of this morning for this year are 1,749. Uh but then when you were talking you said that when
152you look at Genesis and what is for mental health and who she's talking to, there's only 41 students. So there's an icon in Genesis just like there's an icon that says uh loose loss of good student standing or allergies or whatever. There's an icon that says mental health. That turn style is what it's called that you're talking about. Like anybody that goes to the nurse, they they scan their badge when they get there and that that counts in a turn style. So the number I think that she is giving you, it wasn't my statistic, it was hers, but I believe the number she's giving you is the turn style. It's the number of students that have come through. It could be one student that went there seven times. That would count as seven of them.
153So that's not bodies, that's visits, just to be clear. Right. That's what I So it's somewhat so it could be it could be just 41 students who have visited and it could be more than that. I just am telling you that in in Genesis it's 41 and the parents that were reached out to on that email on the 19th was 47. Okay. Thank you. the state law residency requirement. That's something that the staff is aware that they need to comply with. It's been for years. Is there a grace period for staff? Sorry, like a grace period that they have a certain amount of time. They have 365 days from the time they get a job to apply to the state to either move to the state or apply for an exemption. And how long has
154she been employed here? Two and a half years. Okay. And we We have to comply with state law, right? Yeah. Okay. We don't That was That was one of my first calls to Miss Gearan is like, "What do I do?" And again, I understand that nobody asked, which first of all, it's not our responsibility to ask, but I can't be responsible for what HR did or didn't do before I got here. I'm my job to ask with you all is to make sure that we're compliant, following the laws and everything. So, anything I find that is not compliant and not following the laws, I need to rectify, clean up, whatever. So that is how and why I started to we have one other uh employee in the state in I'm sorry we have one other
155employee in Ottabon who lives out of state who's not grandfathered. So when the law went into place people that were already out of state were grandfathered. So we have one other employee he started in January. He's looking to move to here but he has 365 days to move. We will keep tabs of it tabs on it this time. Um, but that's the only I did run a report other than Miss Cbo, the only other people that live out of state are grandfathered. If she would have stayed in her Lacy, it would have that exemption would have stayed with her. It's But when you do a break of service, is that what the proper terminology is? A break of service, then you have to reapply. Even if I think even if it was a financial hardship,
156as long as there's a break of service, you have to reapply. It doesn't matter which kind of exemption. Kinds of hardships. It's hardship prove a financial hardship in um and so it's a hardship exemption that the position and that's what the like principal and and supervisor don't have the authority to say that is a hardship to the district. They don't do the hiring and whatever. That's where that was. It actually the code actually says that it's supposed to be a director or hire. To be clear, regardless of how we feel about the law or we feel about the staff, we have to comply with the law. Correct. Correct. Yes. But she got an exemption. So if we we would be in compliance with the law if she has an exemption. That's not on us. That's
157on the state. That's again, I have none of that. That's apparently transpired today. So, I can't speak to that. Okay. If she was in state, that bullet would be taken care of. But again, it doesn't doesn't change any of my other concerns that we had throughout the year. I mean, you and I spoke in my office the other day. There's there's many things. There was many red flags, many things that had me concerned throughout the year. Um, you know, but the residency thing, that one piece, yes, possibly has been taken correct. We can take that one off the list. Um, it seems that I can understand how if somebody had an exemption in a different district, they came here for two and a half years, nobody said anything. And then on March 19th, 18th, it
158was like, well, you got to you're not a resident. And then I think it was two weeks later. Yeah, your timelines are off, but that's fine. It doesn't matter. Well, I mean, that's what it says. In February, I had asked her for the actually Rachel had asked her for the copy of like did she have an exemption because we didn't know for sure. Uh and when she sent it, it was one from Lacy Township. So that was when we found out that it was and I I my understanding is that she was operating under the understanding that the exemption traveled with her. I assume. Okay. I don't know. I mean, again, I don't think that anything was malicious here. I don't necessarily either, but I have to enforce the law. And now I have an
159exemption. I am just trying to enforce the law. Okay. But all right. I just I know because I know as a board we have heard of some concerns and we were learning that we knew what a tight budget we had and we knew that there were going to be certain things that were going to be eliminated. So we had kind of known that there were issues in funding certain positions. Um in looking at the packet I just I have to say was Mr. Leb and uh the principal and Mr. Howe the vice principal, one of the vice principles, were they not aware of the fact that this position was being cut and that we did not have the funding for it when they wrote these letters? They were aware and again things like homeless liaison.
160Yes. anybody. I mean, every district has one. It's not an irreplaceable position like somebody else will the it usually it was handled by CST. It'll be handled by CST again. Um the mental health position didn't exist to before Miss Kbo. There was a um consultant uh what's my right word? Help me. Think of a if I recall from my time working with Dr. Davis that it was a newly created position um that was being outsourced. Yes. Mental health had been outsourced prior to correct and it was you say there was a free thing with integrated oaks and someone coming in which they stopped offering that service because the the district was not being cooperative and helping with that. So that's part of why that had ended. But yes, so with a lot of our testimonies
161and it's the best mental health counselor we've ever had. It's also the only mental health health counselor that we've had. So keep that in mind as well. Um, so I remember that we spoke about this when originally the position was going to be rifted, I guess is the right term, right? And I expressed a lot of concerns working in mental health myself. Um, and you told me about the residency requirement and um, some other concerns that you had and so I just wondered when did you share those concerns with Miss CO? um like at at what point was she made aware that there were those other concerns in addition to residency and things like that? So when the budget came so March was 1st was budget so the position was cut. So that was there
162wasn't any need to get into a non-renewal or anything like that and knowing education myself it's actually easier for her to get another position somewhere if she's been rifted as opposed to being non-renewed. So, I backed off of anything with non-renewal. I was only looking towards the RIFF for that reason. Then the um tax levy incentive came in and the other things. I hadn't I didn't do a corrective action plan. I didn't do any of those things, but I had been talking to the principal who knew very well with I say I counsel five or six kids right now with traumas and issues. You know, we've spoken about that. Um, so those areas were known, but no, I I hadn't sat because I really thought the riff was going to happen. I really thought that
163that was a better way for her to get be able to get another job because when you walk into an interview saying you're non-renewed versus the position was terminated, it it's a difference. So, I was really leaning towards the termination. So, then I didn't go through and and do any of those things. I think once that um March 19th and she stood in front of or that had all the students and sent the email out from I don't have a problem with you contacting parents. I have a problem with you contacting parents using school email in the manner that it was done and put on social media. That was as did other people have an issue with. That's what I addressed. I felt that was very unprofessional, unethical, things of that nature. And then from
164that point on, I I just that's not the headsp space of someone that I want working with our most vulnerable children. Um, in terms of concerns about job performance, in terms of not doing all the duties and things like that, do you happen to know if there was ever discussion about that with supervisors or anybody to say, you know, we want to make sure that you're getting down to Mansion to help with the substance abuse things? I honestly don't know. again first year I was still getting to know and being around. Thank you. Um I believe you said you told you had spoken to Mr. Leb though about some of your concerns about her not meeting the needs of all the students. Um, and obviously you had talked to Miss Smeltzer because she was the
165one that was coming to you saying that the drug substance abuse issues at Mansion were not being addressed by Miss Gabbo and that that was an issue because there were students who were vaping and using drugs. There's no assemblies or anything happening down there that on those topics to address that. Okay. Thank you so much. You're cold now. It was too hot. Now you're cool. Um, you mentioned Miss Daniels or I'm sorry, Miss Ko's um, job performance and some issues that you had there. U, but I'm looking through observations from 2022 straight on through and uh, I don't see on a Danielson scale, I don't see anything that is not between a three and four. Every single domain is between a three and four. It's a point scale. So, and you said that she wasn't
166on any kind of plan. So, how she to know at any point that she's not doing the job sufficiently to our expectations if her observations are good and there's no plan in place in discussion with her. Again, I um I thought we were doing a riff, so I wasn't worried about a corrective action plan at that time. and the manner in which the riff information was handled, how she handled herself and things like that with that unprofessional manner. I stopped doing anything moving forward with that kind of a plan. Observations as a teacher, you know, that's an isolated that's a snapshot of what you're seeing at that time and it's that particular person. Like I said, last year I wasn't here. I don't know effective, ineffective, asked for job description, whatever. I don't know any
167of that from last year. I actually was four or five months in before I started having questions about why are there so many kids with attendance issues that we sit at meetings and we say I've tried everything. I've tried everything. There's nothing we can do. The parents don't care. The kids don't care. There's nothing we can do. And I said all right but there has to be something we can do. Are these kids getting counseling? Are they this? Are we to the root causes? Second meeting, third meeting, fourth meeting of sitting and hearing these things. I went back and pulled the job description to see what it was. I was not micromanaging anybody's job descriptions when I got here. That was not, you know, like on the forefront of my domain. But after I was
168asked to sit in parent meetings, I had parents coming to see me. I have students that are coming to see me. Things just started to become more and more uh to light about the concerns. And it was just a Are the services being provided? Yes. Are they being provided enough? I don't think so. I've been in a district. I've seen mental health be used throughout a building and I've seen it used far more effectively than what I see here. I think my concern is only that if we're saying I I have a conflict here. conflict and the conflict is I see an employee who has had exemplary observations and two supervisors sign off in a letter endorsing them for this exemption and that conflicts I feel like with what the the idea of them not
169doing their job sufficiently. So I I that's the conflict I have in terms of those letters for the exemption in addition to this two and a half years of observations. different lens. That's all you got to remember. Different lens. And you're talking about people that are very much from this area. Um I have experience outside of here and that's part of part of what brings, you know, that value to my position is I do have experience outside of here. Um, and I've just I've seen far more progress with students, with families, with finding root causes, with helping students and parents get services. Um, there aren't, I keep saying there's not big problems in Ottabon. There's only little problems. There's not many kids that have big issues, but we have many of them that we're just
170letting sit there and not doing anything about. You know, oh, we'll just drop her from the roll. She's got 50 absences, so just drop her. What? What do you mean just drop her? Like that's not an option. This kid is is a wild card and and tells off teachers he need she needs to be out of the building. No, she doesn't need to be out of the building. You know, this boy is it thought he was threatened, so he brought something to school. He should never be allowed in the building again. That's like these were different circumstances that I felt. And again, these are just the ones here. Like I have parents coming to me crying. My child went through a god-awful thing and has never been seen by the the mental health counselor. Nobody
171reached out when we were at home. Nobody reached out on the day back to school. These are I don't know. These are things that were brought to me. So, I'm just sitting there taking it in and I pick up the phone and I call Mr. Howy and I call Mr. Leb. Every time one of these things happens, I call them and say, "What's going on? How do And again, I don't um in my conversation with Miss uh Robinson the other day, is it all on mental health?" No. Some of it's on guidance as well, but when you're talking about a traumatic loss, when you're talking about um parents, like that definitely falls in that domain. Um one of my first conversations was about a particular student and I said, you know, well, how does she
172feel and what's going on with her? Oh, I don't know. I don't ask her any questions. I just let her vent. Okay. Well, that's a concern to me. Like, that's that's a great start. I think as of right now, I probably have a diff a firmer relationship with that student and know more about what's going on in their lives. And that's a concern. I don't have a a social worker background. I don't have a guidance background, but I have kids that are coming and confiding in me with things and I'm working with them and and helping them get to the finish line and the fruition that I love doing, but that's not my job. That's not who I should be counseling every day. That's not what I should be working on. I love having an
173open door policy. I love kids coming and seeing me. I miss the kids in this position, not to be honest, but that's not my role. And if we have somebody that's trained in that and that's their role, why is it that I have so many coming to see me? Like that's where to me that's again another red flag. There was just different things. And I have talked to the supervisor, I've talked to the principles, and it's just it's a concern, Miss Davis. Um Just so that No, Miss Allen. Sorry. Sorry. She's asking you. That's good. Not asking you, Miss Davis. My apologies, Miss Allen. Sorry. Um, it's been a long night. Um, Miss Allen, just so because I think from what I'm hearing from you, a big impetence impetus into why you did not start
174looking for a correction plan was because at the time that Miss Cable was being rifted on March 19th, we did not have and at the t at this time now, we do not have the money for this position. Correct. Correct. So this position was being removed because if we don't fund this position, it means that we can have certain education and certain other things that are either mandatory for the school or have the only other option was to cut educational staff. We weren't interested in in going there. And so except even though at that time when she was being told that this was an incredibly tight budget and it was very difficult decisions were being made and that her position was being cut, she then made the decision to on her school email contact the
175parents of at least 47 students who I can only assume because she knows the parents and had that relationship with them must have significant crises and issues that needed to be addressed. So they were particularly vulnerable and then reached out that to them and said let the board of education know if you have a problem with me being fired not explaining that the position was being cut that it was a budget issue and then but did that and thus caused a I would assume a lot of angst and anguish and grief to this most vulnerable population. So, is is my understanding correct that that really tainted a lot of what happened after because that was seen as the ultimate unprofessional thing to do? Is that is that correct? Thank you. That was a Yes. That
176wasn't what the letter said, though. The letter said the position is being cut. If you value this position, let the board know. And people did let us know and then we reinstated the position. believe that I got that it was this position is valuable. I believe it was my position. What I mean I can look it up. Do you have a copy? Is there a copy in here? I don't know. Well, and there was and if you and you go back and again we have the YouTube like a lot of the the students and and people that were talking some were about Miss CBO and others were about the position. So it was a little bit of a mix. And also just clarifying on that, she did not post it on social media. I don't
177think that we can. No, but she used her school email to write to parents about something that was that is who you I mean would No, you can't use your school email to write about something for your own personal to save your position things like that. It was it was to save the position of mental health counselor. it was not to save her job or she never said I'm being fired. I just think we we have to be very clear about that. We can't blame I can look it up for something that didn't happen. Um, I believe we all know what the intent was that of that of that email and I believe arguing the semantics of saying the position is being cut while then doing a public Donaldson hearing and also all the students
178that have come through and parents who very clearly anticipated and thought and and believed that that was her saying save my position. If you don't want me to be fired, if you don't want me to not support your students, it didn't say that. We can't say that. It said that. I don't think she's here because she doesn't want to be in this position and just wants this position to exist. Because then, okay, when we get the money, the position will exist. So why are we going through all this? She wants the position for herself, which is why we're going through all this. This is her job, her lily, right? So now to now, so I think it's very disingenuous to say, well, she just was saying she wanted the position to exist and not for
179her to hold it. I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying that she wasn't unprofessional in the email that was sent. There was nothing unprofessional about the email. It wasn't saying that I'm being fired. It was saying the position that's very legitimate to say the position is being cut. Let the board know because I want to go and have my job. in doing so in the community letting us know we reinstated the position so it worked what we wouldn't have done that we wouldn't position come said we really value this I don't agree with that because I was already and I was one of the people that was very concerned about the cutting of the position and one of the things that we were talking about and when people were talking about whether or not
180the position would be cut we all were saying well see where this goes. This is just our initial sending in the budget. We haven't approved this yet. And a bunch of us asked those questions. And I believe that sending that email was incredibly unprofessional. And I don't believe that it was you need to have this position. It very clearly was they're firing me. And they might she might not have said that, but she clearly was saying, "Hey, if you want me to still be here for your kids," because not one of those parents and not one of those kids said, "Please bring whoever you have, keep the position." Every single one of them. No. Every single one of them, I'm not rewriting history. Every single one of them said, "All right, we need to we
181need to refocus here. We need to continue to direct our questions to Miss Allen. on that point. Um, the I don't know anything about the email or anything like that, but the mass amount of people that came here to speak on her behalf, from what I could understand, the majority of the people that were here were speaking on her behalf as if she would as if they were asked to do so. My concern was the fact that we had a multitude of community members in here who have already experienced trauma and now had to relive it by explaining the traumas that they've gone through and the relationship that they developed with this person. They it made it so personal that the whole community just went through a trauma as a result of this versus just
182we need this position to exist. And I am a huge mental health proponent. But saying that, I have a proponent of everybody in the community and I don't think that the community needed to be traumatized that way. I think it could have been done a little bit more professional. Just one more thing. I I'm a numbers person. It was 27 people at the first one and eight at the second. It's 35 people. It's, you know, it's not mass. And of those people, you remember one student said they'd never met her. Another student said they had been there one time. Um, so I just want I want the whole gravity of the things to be a part of your decision. I stand by my decision. I believe it's the best thing for the district. I think
183we can do better. I know we can do better. I know it's not a hardship to find somebody who lives in the state of New Jersey to fill that position. So, I know we don't have to go out of state. I have high expectations. I'm sorry, but I think we can do better. In terms of some of the job duties that were not completed um or students that weren't seen um who had different traumas or situations, are you aware of the workflow, let's say, to let Miss KBO become aware of that? Like would she just know because everybody knows? Is there like um a formal process where someone would come like whether that's the head of counseling or or whoever would come and say, "Hey, this student went through this thing. Can you check in
184with them?" because the district admin the the administration does that. I did it with things that came to me. I went to her. I have a personal friend whose wife was going through chemo and he was worried about the two kids. One is at mansion and one is here. So, I made sure at Mansion and here somebody knew and would look out for that child. I had another person reach out to me and say they were in the room that their child was in the room when their grandfather coded this weekend. I'm worried about her tomorrow. Can you check on her? I reached out to the guidance department and said somebody needs to touch base with her and make sure things are are there. So I know that those things occur. So it does occur,
185but does it happen every time? So for instance, could there be situations? There's no way I could know that. Okay. So it sounds like there's a process in place, but it's not entirely formalized or um it may be. I don't know. I can't speak to that. I have no idea. That's not I I know I had parents coming to me crying that things didn't happen for them and I know that the school district and everyone in the school district knew about these particular tragedies. So they were they were local. So I guess just my question is whose responsibility is it to follow through with that? Is it the mental health assistant counselor's responsibility to have heard something and to follow through or to potentially wait for a formal request from the counseling department or from
186um an administration person? Places I've been as long as we know we know that there's a trauma. We know that something happened. Uh Mr. Leb was dealing with a student who was friends with the Camden U charter school student who was killed. So immediately scoops them up when they know they make sure that they are grabbed and and taken somewhere and gotten the the things. I mean that's as a building principal that's what I always did. We had our ear to the ground. There was always people that knew if a parent contacted us. If the police department we had our handle with care was the police department would write to us and say there was a police action at the school last night. You or at the house last night you may want to go
187check on the child. So we had those things in place. I don't know what they are because I'm not the building principal. I just know that I had, like I said, I and I think I've talked to you about the specifics. I refuse to put people's names in. Oh, sure. Um, but there are more than a couple people that have come to me and with concerns and I turn around and I go to Jeff and Dan because I don't It's a hearsay. They come to me and say, "They didn't this, they didn't. I don't know." I go to Jeff and Dan and say, "This is what I'm being told." And they said, "We're on it. We'll figure it out. We'll fix it." Like that's, you know, kind of the answer I want. So, right, move
188on. But then Is there ever any feedback of yes, we brought these concerns and or No, I you know, take care of it. They take care of it. I I followed up once or twice on on other things to make sure things had happened, but and again, you know, I I was asked if complaints are filed against her, why doesn't she know? These weren't complaints. These are parents coming with concerns or, you know, it's not a complaint being filed. So, it's not something that I should turn around and go, "Hey, you need to know that this parent came to me and talking about, you know, they come talking about concerns with teachers, concerns with administrators, concerns with whatever." That's what I do. I hear these people's, you know, concerns and then I try to do
189what I can to fix and improve the things. It's not in my domain. It's in Jeff's. So most of the things I'm doing I'm handing off to Jeff andor Dan to address. But these just kept coming to me. I ended up with a group of students that are, you know, some are graduating, some are younger. So I'll have them, I guess, for another three or four years. Are you able to estimate the number of families that reached out to you that were unsatisfied with the supports we have to offer? Less than a dozen, more than five. I mean, it was somewhere in there. I have a question about that specifically. Admittedly, it is it is not her sole responsibility to manage every drama. There's a guidance department. There's assistant principles. There's a principal. And you
190said the principal handled, you know, whatever with the kids. Well, got him services. Like, we're not trained in that, right? But the mental health counselor, the traumas in particular should go through We're holding one person accountable for the dissatisfaction that occurred because multiple people didn't reach out. These were particular ones about grief and that is kind of one of the primary roles of the mental health counselor which of course we don't have at the other buildings but most of the ones that that came to me were about grief about death about things of that nature that you know and there were other people who also should have reached out. I mean just as a teacher if a student's has a grief a teacher would want to say I mean somebody else in the community beyond
191this one. Yes. But as a teacher can you do therapy with that child? You know grief counsel we're talking about reaching out. So reaching out is just saying like hey if you need to turn that assignment in late that's fine. I mean it sounds like what you're saying is the parents were saying this is what you told me. The parents said, "Nobody connected with my child." So, there's a whole school here that's at fault and we're holding one person responsible for that. I say I disagree. If somebody if you have somebody die to me, the mental health counselor is the person who is responsible for making sure that that child is acclimated when they come back. Grab them. Like we have a kid that kid that goes to crisis or special ed student, the CST
192team grabs them the day they come back to sit down, go through, have a re-entry meeting, things like that. That's part of their role. And do we have evidence that that did not happen? Sometimes kids will be grabbed and they'll say, "I don't want your services." I don't have evidence. I have the parents crying. Yeah. No, I didn't. Okay. I, you know, just like when you come to me as a parent with with concerns, I Okay. I take what you give me. Okay. Does anyone else have any other questions? Yeah, I have some more. Um I'm not familiar with the email that had gone out uh using the school system. So forgive me if I'm if you know um in reference to that uh Miss Ko in her speech let me find this uh I
193wanted to ensure the needs were still I informed parents and students of my case load on my case load of this news ethically I would have to terminate my therapeutic relationship with them accordingly. Was that also mentioned in the letter at all? No, I have it on my phone. I can pull it up for you if I need to, but thank you. It's the semantics of it really isn't that important. I have a question about the training. So you one of your reasons was that you don't believe she can train staff, but is that should that be a responsibility? It's a different skill set. So should it be the responsibility of the mental health counselor to then provide professional development for I'm not sure who like so as I said in my in my former
194district the mental health counselor would have grief sessions for all the students that had suffered a loss. The guidance counselor for that particular grade would be a part of those sessions for two or three times and then that person could go to another grade level and that counselor was now able to continue to conduct the grief counseling sessions. So that's what I mean by training them. The guidance counselors, they go to school for other things. School guidance counselors, they're not necessarily trained in that sort of thing, but my mental health counselor was. So, she taught the guidance counselors how to handle grief counseling sessions with the grade level kids so that those things could occur. I would love to see that for Mansion and Havlin because God knows they're dealing with grief and I have
195guidance counselors winging it and figuring out what to do with kids down there. you know, everybody's very concerned about the students up here, but we have a whole half of a district down there in K to6 that's also in need of these services. So, you know, I want to see something that's more K12, more broad that that does overarching like said I think we can do better. Miss Allen, would you agree with me that post-traumatic stress disorder, I'm not sure if you're aware, but it is a DSM5 diagnosis. So, it is a mental health diagnosis. Would that be the purview of a guidance counselor to counsel a child who is showing exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder from a severely traumatizing event? Or would that be more appropriately the area for the mental health counselor
196who herself says that she is capable of providing private therapy outside of a school building and diagnosing from the DSM5? Precisely. So, would a parent expect that the mental health counselor at some point would reach out to her child who's gone to guidance and is exhibiting those symptoms of PTSD? Would you anticipate that child would have been seen by Miss Ko? I would. Yes. And so, would it have been a dereliction of duty that she never once reached out to that child? That's my opinion. Yes. Thank you. for progress. So I understand for things that weren't done made like okay we need to see this next year. I think we would all agree that our academics are in the same situation. There are lots of things that haven't been done that need to be done
197but we're not nonrenewing anyone. Miss Robinson. Miss Robinson, let's make sure that we stick to the issue at hand. Well, I am I feel like this person is being held to a higher standard than the rest of the school community. This is the only individual who has requested a Donaldelsson hearing for a non-renewal. So, we need to keep it specific to this staff member. I believe that the standards that she is being held to are higher than the standards that the rest of the community is being held to. I can offer some guidance here and some advice. The law says that the board can only renew a staff member upon the recommendation of the superintendent. And I I don't want to divulge um confidential attorney client communication here, but um through Mrs. Davis, I supplied
198all of you with a memo that laid out all of the legal standards at every step of the process. So the determination in the first instance of what standards need to be met is within the superintendent's discretion. When it comes to a Donaldson hearing, it is the board is not making an employment decision in the first instance. The board is hearing an appeal, right? And you can decide not to non-renew for any reason, small, big, whatever, you can decide not to for any reason that is not arbitrary or capricious. That is the standard that the commissioners held to. That is the standard that the courts apply. And there are a multitude of decisions and I cited in my memo a couple of them for you that say it is this the law on appeal will
199defer to the board's discretion but in employment matters in general not just non-renewal but hirings in the first instance transfers promotions demotions the law specifically says that you defer you can only take these votes upon the recommendation of the superintendent. So, I'm not trying to tell you which way to decide or which way to vote, but if if we're going to start having conversations about what standards the superintendent is applying to different staff, you are now crossing the line into administration of the school district as opposed to hearing a specific case and making a decision on a specific case when all other matters you defer to the superintendent. Does that make sense? Yes. Okay. Mrs. Davis, um, would you like to continue conversation or would you like to see if anyone is ready to make
200a motion or if you're ready to move on? I would like to see if anyone is ready to make a motion. I would like to Ms. Cable's contract with the understanding as long as she is officially granted the exemption. Is there a second? I have roll call, please. Opportunity to discuss further before roll call. Okay. Um I'm disappointed over the I guess what I'm disappointed by is that the performance evaluations are pretty glowing and if there were concerns about certain job duties not happening. Um I don't think that the employee would be aware of them because they weren't they don't seem to have been brought up in the performance evaluations. I didn't have a chance to read through them all the way. Um, speaking as someone who has worked in a mental health program, um,
201I can tell you that the day is not scripted in any way. Um, crises come up all the time. You could have a plan like this is what I'm going to get done today and then somebody comes through your door and they're suicidal or whatever the case may be and it throws all your plans up in the air. So outside of a formal um system or reminder of these are the things that we want you to do, I can see how different aspects of the job could easily go a miss. Not through any intentional practice, but just because the job itself can be so demanding. Um, so it's it's really hard to see someone being non-renewed um being held to a standard that maybe they didn't even know they were being held to or that
202they were not meeting certain obligations of the job. Um, with that said, as superintendent, you know, you have the prerogative to make these calls. I don't believe from what you said that it was malicious on your part. I think it could have happened differently. The whole riff versus non-renewal thing, like really complicated things. Um, and I respect that you and members of the HR committee had discussed this and made a decision not to um, fire her when you found out about the residency requirement and gave her the opportunity to finish out the year. Um, so I'm I'm uncomfortable with the situation, but I I do respect your authority and the fact that um I don't I don't believe that it was capricious or I forget the exact arbitrary or capricious. Thank you. Um but I
203do hope that moving forward and I know that we have a um specific job duty statement now. So any new employee coming into the role will know right from the beginning this this is what's being expected and required and I certainly hope that uh performance evaluations will take all of that into account as the employee is um evaluated. Um I guess I'll leave it there. Thank you. to say to Sarah's point that said this a couple times now. The process is important. So if you think that somebody's not doing their job correctly and they don't realize it, then how are they ever supposed to know? And then if we are just going to nonrenew people or get rid of them and they don't realize it that they're not doing what they're being asked to do,
204then what message does that send send to everybody else? It feels arbitrary and capriccious. If you are just letting people go, what message does that send to the rest of the staff, anybody can just be let go? Not feel that it was arbitrary and capriccious. I believe that there was a kindness to Miss Cable when position was being removed and so no one was going to have the position. And although you had these concerns and I had heard about these concerns and I might have personally myself in my own private matters had a few concerns but I was listening to what was being said and some of the concerns that were happening and I was looking at what was happening and it did not seem in some of the private instances that I had that
205at least guidance counselor that um I was personally dealing with felt that they could go to Miss CO to help with certain situations. They definitely were not going to to her to get guidance on mental health issues. Did not feel that she was someone that they could refer students to or the like. Um I do feel that there was a kindness when the job was being removed and I think people are kind of convoluting the two. She was being the the job was being nullified. it didn't exist and it was a kindness to her to have it at that position so that it's not because of her performance she could go find another job and not have this kind of stain on her work history. However, given the highly unprofessional manner in which she dealt
206with the news that her position was being removed and I don't believe it was I'm not going to get into a semantic into an art argument of semantics of well my position is being removed but she didn't say go to the board if you don't want me to be fired it was very clear and I even went through my emails from numerous people the people parents that she contacted and then they told their children and then they all said please don't remove please don't remove her and then even when they came and talked it wasn't about the position it was about her. Please, if you had some if you make the position come again or you find the money, you can't no one will fill the position like she will fill the position. And many
207of them were seniors and they were not going to be with her again. And then there were some concerns because some of these seniors were saying that they were still having sessions with her. And I don't know if that is ethical that you have your own kind of private practice with the students that you started that you worked with as a mental health counselor here, but it definitely did not seem appropriate and there were concerns and so I do not believe that this was capriccious or arbitrary. I do believe that once and once again, we don't have the money yet, but once it was that a situation that we potentially could have the money and reinstate this position, it was always that it would be broader, that it would truly be K through 12 and
208wouldn't just be a select handful of students here at the high school. And I am glad that they got that help. I do believe that mental health is incredibly important, but it definitely seems that it is more that Miss Cable was more capriccious and arbitrary in who she was helping and when she was helping them and that she was not fulfilling all of her duties to all the students of Ottabon and not just her select few. Any other comments? Hey, roll call, please. So, it is yes to Andrea Robinson. Yes. Bill Wilson, Steven Wilson, Alison Cox, Danielle D. Franchesco, Mark Gaddy, Sarah Coolen. Alison Lipsky, no. Jonathan Maxon, no. Amy Davis, no. Motion does not pass. Fails. Okay. Um, there'll be a notification. Matter of law, the board must notify the employee formally in writing
209within three working days. You can delegate that responsibility to the superintendent or the board secretary as you wish. Thank you. All right. At this time, I'd like to have a motion to move into executive session. All in favor? Any opposed? Um, we'll be maybe 30 30 45 minutesish. Um, no action will be taken. it. Just to be clear on the um superintendent's evaluation, you've assembled it and this is the opportunity to review with the superintendent. Correct. And then we vote on it. You usually you've never voted on it. Okay. If that's your practice, we of my other districts always Okay. Thank you.