001All right, we are live. So, we'll just wait a second and see if that's Lisa and we can go move forward. >> All right, then we are good to go. Um, Mr. Davis, if you want to call the meeting to order. called it's start called meeting order for say pledge please >> I know we're a little rusty ar that one month does us no good to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> Mr. Davis >> here >> Mr. Allen >> here Mr. Phillips >> here >> Mr. Golden >> here >> Mr. Juliano >> here, >> Mr. Row >> here, and Morant >> here. Thank you, Mr. Oh, I got to approval minutes. Can I
002have a motion, a second to approve the minutes from the June 26, 2025 meeting for the action meeting? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed or abstain? >> Abstain. >> All right. Now, Mr. >> Good to go. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, quick report here for everyone this evening. This is the uh student safety data uh for both schools uh from the the the second half of the school year. So, I reported out to you all after the first half of the school year. And this is just that second half report. Um same data points, uh same data sources. Can you see that? um but it is going to be new data of course for the months the the second half of the year. So we'll start with uh JFK's uh
003JFK's data and just a reminder right we often refer to this as the violence and vandalism uh report um all incidents of violence vandalism weapons substance abuse hip incidents that occur in school have to be reported through this system. So we report them in encourse and then we pull them out of encourse and we report them to the state through the system. Violence includes the category there on the left. Vandalism includes the category there on the right. Happy to report that nothing that happened at JFK fell under those two categories for the second half of the school year. That's a positive thing particularly for an elementary school. Um we also have weapons any weapons offenses that we have to list. uh and substance abuse um cases that we have to list for the state as
004well. Um once again a JFK all zeroed out. None of those things occurred in the second half of the year. Um we also have the the Hib uh offenses, right? So we have to tell them about all the Hibs that were alleged and then also the Hibs that were confirmed. The other category there is other incidents leading to removal. So that's any um student who is suspended um and it's not necessarily for one of the violence vandalism categories. It's just a student who's suspended from school. So for HIPS, we had two alleged and those two were confirmed. So we had total of two HIPS for the second half of the year at JFK and we had seven um students who were suspended um or seven suspensions total um for the spring uh at the elementary
005school. Uh all right, DDE's data. All right, so the middle school data, of course, we expect it to look a little bit different than the elementary school data. Um we had for violence statistics, we had three things that were listed um counted as an assault. One thing that was counted as a fight for a total of four. Difference really in that category. An assault is when someone um is when a student attacks another student unprovoked. All right? So there's a difference between an assault and a fight, right? A fight is when two students square off. And it's pretty easy to see like they were both willing participants and they decide we're gonna we're g we're going to do this. An assault is when one student just decides, you know what, I'm going to go after
006this other student and the other student either tries to protect themsel uh or get away from them um or acts in self-defense. So that's where those four items come from. As far as vandalism, we didn't have any vandalism um events at DVD in the second half of the year. We go on to weapons and substance abuse. Um we did have the one uh weapon possession uh towards the end of the year at DD. So that's listed here in the state report. Um there was no reported substance abuse happening at the middle school for the second half of the year. And then in our HIP category, there were five alleged kids at the middle school. None of them confirmed. All right, for a total of five. Uh and then other incidents leading to removal, we had
00713 suspensions uh in the second half of the school year. But again, there's a suspension for a number of reasons according to the code of conduct policy. We have any questions about any of that information. Pretty pretty straightforward. And to be honest, our numbers are where I would expect them uh to be. I know it's it's more suspensions for the spring semester at the middle school than we had the prior year. Um, but I also feel like, and we've spoken about this, there needed to be a little bit more accountability um, at the middle school. And so we're we we brought that with the um, with really enforcing the code of conduct when students make them see. That's it. two district goals or anything like that. >> Well, let me say something real quick about
008that. >> So, um we have a a district a mission statement uh and then which is being redone and then the district goals which are redone. These district goals are the ones that we had last year. And what you'll see further down in the agenda is the two newly created district goals, which I'll explain when we get to that. And once you all um vote on them, then they'll be added to the top. >> All right. So, don't need to talk about them for now. So, can I >> And one more. >> Sorry. I'm sorry I cut you off. Um we also have board goals. Okay. It looks like one of the board goals actually got cut off here at the top of the third page, but um those those are goals that we really
009haven't changed or you haven't changed as a board. Um and it may be something we want to consider doing. And last year we spoke about it and I was like, ah, they still look good, but it may be something that the board wants to discuss um moving down the road here. They they all they do still apply. Um I don't think they're they're out of date. Um but just again something for you all to discuss and see if you want to change. >> All right. Um motion and a second to open the meeting to the public for the discussion of agenda items only. Please >> motion second. >> All those in favor of a motion second to close the public portion of the meeting. Motion second. All those in favor or abstain. >> All right,
010you're up. >> And we're back. Okay. Uh see, first uh two items on my report there, item A and item B, they're both safety and security uh drills that happen over the summer. Of course, whenever students are in the building, um we are required to do safety and security drills, and that's why you see these drills listed there. Um item C is monthly reports uploaded to the portal for review. You can access them at your leisure. Uh item D is our HIB incidents. Of course, there were none over the summer. That's good. Uh E1 is to uh affirm the HIBs that were were first heard back in June that the board already heard back in June. F1, we have two new uh regulations. And the reason why these are split out is regulations and policies.
011Regulations need one vote. Uh policies get two readings, which is why you'll see under F2 uh the use of artificial intelligence. That's the policy. That policy was read uh back in the June meeting and now this is your second reading of that policy. Um we've also created the AI plan for the staff, which I can share with the board. Um it's it's pretty straightforward. Uh but essentially it lays out the um the guidelines for how uh teaching staff will request access to different AI tools um because we a lot of stuff is blocked but if if a teacher were to were to find something that they wanted to use they could always um pass that along to us and then we could either approve it or or not approve it. Um the two new regulations
012one you actually did read is the conduct discipline um draft that that we started that is now complete and uploaded for review. We're very proud of the committee on the work that they did. Um, and and both principles, Mrs. Bright and Miss Carrie. Um, and also, uh, dress code. So, they updated our our dress code to bring that back bring that up to sort of current times. It's still essentially the same rules, just a little bit easier to read. Um, and we're able to share that with parents so they know right from the jump what's, you know, what's expected. Uh item F3 is the um one fundraiser which is piece uh JFK pretzel day and that pretty much runs the entire school year. Uh item F4 is disposal of district inventory. We are trying to
013clean out. We got a lot of old stuff. Um, we were we have more um that will be likely be on an agenda that we're getting rid of that's been um loading up the stage at JFK to where the backstage area is like completely unusable and um we're we're getting rid of all that. It's not going to be a storage space anymore. It'll be a space that we can actually use with the kids. Uh item F5 is uh some things that need to be approved per the state. We've got the safety and security plan. hasn't really changed much. Just a couple of names have changed. Um, we've got the district professional development plan. Again, not not a whole lot of changes there as well, just an update. And then the district mentoring plan, um, which
014is just an update as well. All right. Our two district goals and I'm asking the board to review and uh, vote on. Our first goal is related to what I identify as one of our our largest issues we have right now, which is our chronic absenteeism uh rate in both of our schools. Um so when I began the rate the rate was high. Um I wasn't really quite sure um if it was if it was something that was consistent after going through this past school year. It's not only consistent, but it it increased. Um and so the state basically says that um if a student is absent for more than 10% of their 180 days, 10% or more of their 180 days, they're considered to be chronically absent. And so at JFK, uh the number
015was 26.44%. And at DDE was 20.97%. Both pretty high numbers. Now, New Jersey as a whole has a pretty high chronic absentee number. Um but these numbers are above the state average and so we need to begin working on that. We also need to create a uh corrective action plan um that I'll present to you all at our next meeting. Um and then um I'll submit that to the county office to show that we're you know actively working on this. Um there were some things that we found like the way that we report absences and like some systematic things that will definitely help going into this year. Um, but we also need to place a larger focus, all of us, on making sure that it's a the the the parents know, the families know, the
016students know that being there as much as possible, unless you're sick, is what we need to do. It's like the number two predictor of student success is regular attendance. Number one is how good your teacher is. So, um, you know, it's it's it's very important, which is why I made it one of our goals. Um, the second goal that I put on there is something that we work to revamp over the summer. Um, and that is working to make sure we place a high priority on our new multi-tered systems of support, which is RTI, INRS, um, systems we use to identify students who are struggling and be able to get them targeted interventions throughout the school year. Um, and we need to get that really get that rolling um, this school year. So, we're going
017to train the teaching staff and continue to monitor student performance throughout the school year. All right. G1, personnel. We have a number of new hires that are on the agenda. Uh G2, we have three resignations on this agenda. G3, we have uh two retirements. So, I would like to congratulate both uh Miss Masterson and Mrs. Schaefer on their retirement. Um they they gave a lot to our front offices over the years and they will certainly certainly be missed. Um and we are we are working uh diligently to replace them. In fact, two of the new hires are um replacements. They just they can't they're not going to start right away. Um Miss Schaefer, her retirement is official October 1st, I think, right? >> Um and so that that will be filled on time. Uh, item
018number four there is our some some more stipen positions. Item number five is a leave of absence. Item number six is a staff renewal that did not make it onto the agenda before the summer. >> All right. Can I have a motion and a second, please, to approve? >> Here we go. >> Oh my god. Oh, here we go. Motion a second to approve superintendent items XA through XH, please. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions on any of those items? >> All right. Mr. Golden. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Allen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Phillips. >> Yes. >> Mr. Row. >> I'm sorry. Yes. >> You're good. Mrs. H. >> Mrs. Telma. >> Yes. >> M. Truliano. >> Yes. >> M. Doriente. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right.
019Moving right along. Um, we have the financial report for the month of June 2025. It's likely in September that you'll have both July and August. Um, as I'm just about done July, but we just got everything rolled over. Uh, board secretaries report um for the month of June 2025. No line item was overextended. There were sufficient funds available to meet the district's obligations for the remainder of the year though it wasn't much but we were in the positive but it was it was tight. Um treasurer's report and secretar's report were in agreement for the month of June. Um there were no changes in anti anticipated revenue amounts or sources. Um the finance committee reviewed all of the bills um batch number 50 and 51. We only had a few checks written in July because we
020didn't have a board meeting. So, they were only things that were necessary to get out. And then we have batch 51, which is pretty much all of our um remaining July and August purchase orders that um needed to be paid and have gotten us ready to open um our school for the for the beginning of the year. F is the July 2025 uh listing from source for teachers with their corresponding rates listed below. G is to approve the cafet um cafeteria. I'm sorry. Nope. 2425. It's June. I hate working in multiple years. Um the 2425 cafeteria dispersements for the month of June in the amount of $30,100. H is to approve the 2425 care dispersements um for the month of June 2025 in the amount of $10,4286. and then July 2025 in the amount of
021$27923. I is um professional development and travel as well as the associated costs and um actual trainings that some of our staff are attending. J is to approve some of the contracted um consultants that the child usually the child site team uses a lot of that. Um and then to approve our commission for the blind uh services for um a special ed student. K is to approve um tuition contracts for the 2526 school year. Um these are all listed. And then L is just to approve um the revised adjustments to the public bing thresholds. They were increased a little bit. So I wanted to get that revised amount on there um for approval. Any questions? All right. Motion and a second to approve business and finance items Xia to XK. >> Motion. Second. That's actually
022L. How many times do we look over this, Adam? We just had this conversation in our meeting. >> Thousand times. >> A lot. >> A thousand times. >> And send it back. >> And yeah, and make corrections. We missed that one, too. Um, all right. Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Mr. Golden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Allen, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. >> Mrs. Row, >> yes. >> Mrs. Helma, >> yes. >> Miss Juliano, yes. >> Mrs. Dorian, >> yes. All right. Okay. Uh, old business, I don't think we have any unless anybody has anything tabled. Uh, new business. Um, nothing new for BTA or BTPSA, right? I don't think so. >> Uh, finance, we met. I mostly drag them in so they could sign all my bills because we didn't have a meeting
023in July. Um, other than that, we had the budget report from June, which like I said, it ended in the positive, but we really stretched our budget thin um with all the related services costs this year. um revenue report. I pro provided them with that. We were good. Other than the state aid funds, which they never come in, that last payment never comes in Jul June. It already came in in July. Um so that wip will wipe itself out. Um bus passes went out this morning. A message I think went out yesterday. I asked Mr. Lee to send it was having problems with our new um send it messages app. So Mr. Lee took care of that. But they're all out today. My email address is on there if anybody has any issues or questions.
024Um had a bus driver meeting on Tuesday, so they're all ready to go. I think that's it for for finance. Um school boards workshop will be in October. I'll send you the details in case anybody is interested in going. Um I know a lot of people just do their online training and virtual stuff now. So um just let me know and then we'll go ahead and get anybody that's interested uh registered to go. and services. I know they're looking for another alternate um person if anybody's interested. I know you don't want to do the executive piece, right? Because wasn't weren't you on an executive? Can you explain a little? So, >> I tried to ask her for that. She didn't really give me >> I don't know what why she's confused respectfully say that. Um
025so, prior to them voting for the board of directors, now there's like 20ome towns to vote from. There's only 15 board of directors. I It was when Matt had his accident. said, "I would like to not be nominated for the board of directors. I'll attend the two meetings that you have that everyone has to attend. That's fine, but I can't do monthly with Matt's accident." >> Um, and they still put me on there to be nominated. >> So then I said, "Could you please put someone else in my place on the board of directors so that I'm just not on the board of directors so I don't have to go to I'm meeting every month, but I can go to February and June, the big ones." Yes. >> And then I don't know why I
026got confused. her and I started talking back and forth. >> I'm just gonna email her and I are you okay? In the event that she can't go to a regular meeting, you can jump on for the regular meeting, but I'm gonna tell her we don't have an alternate for the board of directors. Like, we're going to step back from that. So, reach out to the rest of your pool. >> Sure, >> that makes sense. Now, because I think it was getting a little muddy when I was talking to the woman from Ed services and I'm like, >> yeah, I don't know. I like I said even before they voted for it because they vote in June and the accident was in May. I was like oh can I just not be nominated for that um
027but they still put me on there and I most people I think just pick the first 15 towns and Berlin's number two. >> Yes it is. Yes. All right. So I will email her and say we have an alternate just in the event that you can't make the regular. >> Yeah. >> February and June. That's fine. It's just the monthly. I just have too much going on. >> Yes. All right. Perfect. Just not that board of directors component. Okay. Awesome. And Kim's sign here for Pinehale, but has anybody else heard anything from Pinehel? >> No. What we talked about earlier with the the new lights are installed and um next next week is next next Friday it's the Friday night game and it's the lights the dedication of the lights. >> Oh, cool. >> So
028that should be pretty cool. I'm just over there for that. >> Um and then school boards. I haven't seen anything really no >> of note from school boards. All right. Anybody else have anything new business? All right. Um, oh, we're need a motion, a second to open the meeting to the public for the discussion of agenda or non-aggenda items. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Nothing from the public. >> All right. Then can I have a motion and a second to close the public portion of the meeting? Motion second. >> All right. All those in favor? Opposed or abstain? >> U. We don't have a need for an executive session. Is that correct? >> That's correct. >> All right. So, if there's nothing else to discuss, I'd like a motion to second then
029to adjurnn the meeting, please. >> All right. Meeting adjourned at 7. All those in favor? >> I. Perfect. Oppose or abstain? That one's going to be opposed. 7:22. Thanks guys. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone.