001education meeting for the month of December. Uh to get things started, I will do a reading of the open public meetings statement and then we'll do the pledge of allegiance and get right into our student recognition. So, the New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend meetings of public bodies at which time any business affecting their interests is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act and board of education policy 0162, the board of education of the bureau of bound has caused notice of this meeting to be posted in the board office and at Bound Brook High School and mailed or faxed to the Courier News, Bound Brook Clerk, Southbound Brook Board of Education, and any
002person who has requested individual notice and paid the required fee. Please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. Miss Lee, a roll call, please. >> Here. Here. >> Here. Here. here. >> Here. >> Thank you very much. Uh, I will reserve my comments for this evening apart from wishing everybody a very happy and healthy holiday season regardless of what you celebrate. Dr. Freeman, you're up with your superintendent report. >> Okay. Good evening everybody and welcome to our December board meeting. Glad to see everybody out in the audience. At this time, we're going to start with our students of the month at I would like to call up Dr. S to introduce the students of the month from Lamont and Lamont Annex. Okay. Good evening everyone. It's the most wonderful time of the year.
003I'm so excited. Um, today I'm going to congratulate Matias in preK student and Miss Kaliso and Miss G's class. His favorite part of school is center time because he enjoys playing with toys with his friends. He likes practicing his letters with his mom. When he grows up, he wants to be a police officer. Congratulations, Matias. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Okay, >> congratulations to Annabelle. Annabelle's a kindergarten student and Mrs. Monaco's class. She has two sisters, Antonia and Anne, and one brother, Anthony. Her favorite part of school are lunch, recess, choice time, and centers. Annabelle loves going outside, riding her bike, and dancing. She grows up, she wants to be a doctor. Congratulations, Annabelle. Congratulations to Al Oliver Videll. Oliver is a first grade student in Miss Salah and Mrs. Miss Borso's class. He has an
004older sister named Luna. His favorite subject is science because he gets to do cool activities. Oliver enjoys listening to music and will like to have his own lemonade stand. Congratulations, Oliver. Okay, next we have Miss Cahas for Lafayette School. >> Good evening. Our first student of the month is from second grade Missto's class, Chanel Shannon. Come on down, Chanel. Chanel has three siblings. Her favorite school subject is reading. She loves her favorite hobby is art. She likes to color and draw. And when she grows up, she wants to be a doctor. Congratulations, Chanel. Congratulations. Our third grade student of the month is Jimea Lopez Escobar. Oh, there's Henna. Uh, Jimea is from Miss Dhinka and Miss Guilford's class. She has one sister. Her favorite school subject is math. She likes to play with her sister
005and she wants to be a gym teacher when she grows up. Congratulations, Amanda. You want to take a picture? >> Congratulations. And next up from Smallley School, we have Mrs. Morgan. All right, for fourth grade, our student of the month at Smally is Victoria Galindo Rodriguez. Oh, there she is. Okay, so Victoria has two sisters and an older brother. Um, she her favorite subject is math. She likes that because she feels she's good at it. Her favorite hobby is swimming. She took swim lessons over the summer and enjoyed swimming. And she wants to be a hair stylist when she grows up because it's fun. Nice job. >> Okay, our fifth grade student of the month is Jacqueline. Oh, yes. Jacqueline Escobar Hernandez. Is she here? Okay. I couldn't see anybody. I got nervous. She has
006three little sisters. Her favorite subject is reading because she feels that she's good at it. She loves to play soccer. And when she grows up, she wants to be a fashion designer because she likes drawing dresses and other things. And then for sixth grade, our student of the month is Mallayia Jones. She has uh one younger sister. Her favorite subject is math uh because she loves solving problems. She loves to play sports, especially basketball, softball, and volleyball. And oh, there she is. Okay. And um she thinks she also might want to be a fashion designer when she grows up because she loves to draw. >> Come on. >> Oh my god, she grew. And next from Community Middle School, we have Dr. Santa Surma. Hello everyone. Community Middle School like to recognize our seventh grade
007student of the month, Yamary Guzman Gonzalez. Mary was nominated by his ELA teacher, Mrs. Barrows. Has three siblings, favorite subject of course being ELA. Uh loves playing soccer and wants to grow up and become a professional soccer player. Congratulations. Next up from the community middle school, our eighth grade student of the month, Mate Razmadzi. Mate was nominated by his science teacher, Miss Espazito. Has one sibling. Favorite subject is social studies. Enjoys playing guitar. But when grows up, when you grow up, you don't want to be social studies. Want to become a biologist. Congratulations, Monte. And next up, filling up filling in for Mr. Smith, we have Mrs. Larson. Thank you. Our first student of the month is Nathan Rambarin. Nathan has a younger brother, Ashton. His favorite subject in school is biomed science. His favorite
008hobbies are playing on his PlayStation, reading, family gatherings, and just being Nathan. Mhm. >> And his future career plans for now are either a biomed scientist or a biomed engineer. >> So congratulations Our next crusader of the month is Aiden Rucker. Aiden has one sibling who is being supported by the drama club. Her favorite subject in school is English. Favorite hobbies are art, drama, and writing. And future career plans are either acting or becoming an artist or author. Our next student of the month is Lanni Morales. Vanny has one sibling. His favorite subject in school is biology. His favorite hobby is shopping with his friends. And future career plans is an immunologist researcher. And our final student of the month is Carly Morales. Another member of the drama club. Carly has um three siblings. Her
009favorite subject in school is bands and law and society. Her favorite hobbies are playing music, hanging out with friends, crocheting, reading, and shopping. And her future career plans are becoming a music teacher and business owner. One last round of applause for all of our students of the month. Okay. And at this time, we're going to move on to our employees of the month. Like to call Dr. Santa Surma up to announce our uh community middle school representative. >> Hello again. Uh ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome Mr. Michael Ratliff, the Bound Brook School District employee of the month from the Community Middle School. Throughout his four years at CMS, Mr. Ratliff has distinguished himself as an exceptional educator whose dedication and compassion have made a lasting impact on our school community. In the computer
010science classroom, Mr. Ratliff delivers highquality instruction that blends real world applications with rigorous academic expectations. His students are not sl simply learning to code. They're developing critical problem solving skills, practicing perseverance, and learning to collaborate thoughtfully and respectfully. These skills prepare them not only for a future in coursework, but also for success in an increasingly complex and technologydriven world. His lessons are intentionally scaffolded, engaging and accessible to all learners, ensuring that every student, regardless of background or skill, experiences meaningful growth. Beyond his classroom work, Mr. Ratliff is a valued member of our school community. He collaborates with staff, shares instructional strategies that elevate teaching and learning schoolwide. Mr. Ratliff invests countless hours outside the school day, co-advising the robotics club and guiding students to competitions. His enthusiasm and mentorship have helped many students develop confidence,
011pride, and a passion for STEM. In addition, Mr. Ratliff volunteers his time to support the school play with sound system operations and is always the first to chaperone school events. For these reasons and many more, please join me in a round of applause for the Community Middle School Educator of the Month and the Community Middle School teacher of the year for the 2526 school year, Mr. Michael Radley. Next, I'd like to call Miss Cahes back up to the microphone to announce our other district employee of the month. Hello again. It is my pleasure to nominate Miss Mary Kate Gerardi as Lafayette's schools educator of the month. Mrs. Gerardi joined Lafayette last year after many successful years teaching in Arlington, Virginia, and she has quickly become an invaluable member of our community. As a reading ASI
012teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the science of reading and consistently applies high leverage instructional practices that support our students foundational literacy development. Her expertise is evident not only in her instruction, but also in her ability to collect, analyze, and act on data to help students meet growth goals and essential benchmarks. Mrs. Gerard's impact extends far beyond her small groups. She is a true team player, collaborative, dependable, and always willing to share resources, strategies, and instructional insights with her colleagues. Her professionalism, calm demeanor, and positive spirit help create an environment where students and staff alike feel supported. Whether assisting with schoolwide initiatives, stepping in wherever help is needed, or contributing thoughtful feedback during team meetings, Mrs. Gerardi consistently demonstrates her commitment to our school success. Her dedication to student learning, combined with her strong
013instructional skill set and collaborative approach, make her a standout educator. Lafayette is incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Gerard on our team and she is highly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Mary Kate. Okay. At this time, we'd like our students of the month to come to the stage to take a group picture. If our employees of the month would just remain for a bit, we're going to take a picture with you as well. >> Families too, right? Families too. Students and families. Families, please come up with your children, your students to the stage. What's up everybody? >> Congratulations. You guys took all the awards tonight, huh? >> How are you? You have gotten so tall. Congratulations. Hi guys. >> Slide down a little bit. Slide down that way. >> Keep sliding. Keep sliding. We're getting around
014the back. >> Yeah, let's just go. Huh? >> There's nothing. I'll get pictures of them later. She's after interview let her know. I mean this happens again. This is >> of course >> Yeah. No, >> regardless of what the reason was, you know what I mean? >> That's what the letter says. >> Okay. Congratulations. >> Yeah. So I think she's doing a pretty good job. >> Oh yeah. tonight when we were heading. I have >> Okay. No, >> but I fig I figure I'd share it with you because I know you're >> just tell me now. Okay. >> So that the equipment isn't >> okay. sanitizing that >> I mean how about >> that's kind of what I was >> and if you need to have a discussion if you're still coming >> like all
015the 40s are gone like rates in post office >> that's That sounds like that sounds like an execution problem. That's a >> Dr. You know what? At the end of the day, our responsibility to make the resources available, >> right? >> So that >> our part is artist. Yeah. And these are two guys that are coming from weight rooms that are like >> little bit different. >> Real different. Yeah. But they both said the weight is awesome. Like they're really >> compared to when they left. >> Yeah. They've been going in there every day and they've been in there like twice. They're going to be twice. I kind of always thought like >> Yeah. I mean, there's nothing preventing them from volunteering, >> but also with all the money that we put towards this, we
016shouldn't have a lot of time. >> No, >> they didn't want to make Yeah, I didn't even know if we should say that there is one. I don't care. You don't care. Okay. Okay. At this time, we would like to call up should I say doctor? >> Yeah. Why not? Do >> Dr. Will to come on up to make the presentation. >> The difference Oh, we're gonna have to go down. Okay. >> This is part of the calisthenics part of class. It's >> It's the brain break. >> Brain break. It's good for you. >> Move the body. Move the mind. Move the spirit. >> Here we go. Let's see. Move the body. Move the mind. Move the spirit. Move the soul. Right. >> We're moving and grooving. >> We're gonna get there. This will be
017quick, folks. Um, but I do want to la ourselves. >> Welcome. Welcome. Good to see you, man. How's it going? Getting there almost. You smelling that break yet? >> Everybody smelling break, right? >> The holiday joy. Um, so this is something we need to do by statute, which is to review our HIV process. We self-reflect and we give selfc scores from each building. Um I'm going to go over this. This is something that we did already sort of review in June. Um in future we'll be able to probably condense the presentation to one time in October to get you uh understanding what we do. So from tonight you can see we certainly have a community of great diversity and humanity and we do connect. So, I think one thing that's changed over the past uh
018few years with this HIB process is the level of training that we have for our specialists and other pieces that we have going on inside of our programs for guidance. So, I'm just going to point that out to you as we get to our scores. So, together we thrive, right? A a part of our strategic plan is our theme of together we thrive. It's a theory of communicative action, right? The goal is to listen to one another um and figure out how we grow. So there's key elements that we have to self-reflect on. Our principles have done that for us and I will buzz right through the scores because we had a pretty much perfect 78 out of 78 for every school and I'm going to explain to you why. Um for for our um
019HIV personnel structure enhance enhancements this year we sent all four specialists thank you board to do stress SMA training. That was very good for them to interact with the lawyer because one our board lawyer has great conversations with myself Dr. Freeman um in order to understand the nature of the HIV whether it's founded or unfounded. So that's been a helpful tool. Um we expanded our multilingual HIV staff support. So in guidance two years ago we had zero um people who were multilingual. Now we have three of four. So that's really important. Um and we've also diversified by having um two specialists at the high school so that the counselor doesn't have to work with per se students who are on their case load. So that's been a way that we've been attending to issues as
020well. Our reporting and investigation procedures are spoton. Um the specialists really turn it over quickly. Um they follow the 10day, you know, report process. um and they are often in conversation with their principles um over that 10 days to make sure they're getting it right. So um detailed and collaborative revised investigation procedures that's been really important because again your feedback in the board through our conversation executive has actually changed our structure and reshaped how we're doing things on the ground. So um for me quickly for us to take a look at we had seen this before but I'm just reminding you of it. We have seen a decrease in reported. So we don't control the reporting of the HIV because a parent can do it a student could do that a teacher could do that.
021So as the HIV specialists and as the school district we can't um manage that. However, we can create a culture and we can set up programs where students aren't feeling the, you know, harassment and intimidation and bullying. And I believe that's why we're seeing the change in numbers because again, I'm just going to point out that 29% drop in reported HIVs from 80 to 57 last year. That is a pretty immaculate number when you think about the number of interactions that a student has per day. So 57 reported HIVs well um researched. Um we've seen again if you look at 2425 which we will be reporting on in total you can see we had basically none in the Lamont Lafayette area and that is a trend that continues. We really don't see a lot there
022maybe one incident um and again a lot of times those would be reported by parents not students then with uh Smally and CMS those are those grades where you're discovering vocabulary and your brain doesn't have impulse control. So we're working on supporting students with SEL with you know some social emotional learning and making them aware of the trends that they see because part of the conversations that you'll see on our founded and unfounded HIV are Tik Tok trends or other trends from social media. So that's something we've been working on. And then with CMS and the high school both those teams are very diligent. Um, and for me that high school number really speaks to the way the students are maturing and making it through here. So that's again and it's a trend that we're
023seeing currently this year where high school is still on track to be that low. Yep. >> Yeah. Right. So, yeah. And again, we are pretty much on pace for that. And it's very impressive because that means that those conversations are happening with teachers, they're happening with the administration, they're happening with guidance. So, our VPs, our principal, our guidance counselors um are really having those conversations and and you know, resourcing our students. So, I think that's been important for us to see this trend. Um, and so here I'm just going to flash through these because we get a 78 for Lamont because all these, you know, pieces that I just went over, we did well on 78 for Lafayette because, well, they didn't have any. So um you know 78 for Smally because uh again they're
024our specialist is very strong been growing the practice communicated with the principal last year and has jumped on with a new principal this year and he's really doing a great job there. So 78 same thing with community middle school they were a little more seasoned there because our uh guidance counselor has been there but he is growing in his writeups and understanding how we support students. So that's one thing why we're getting these 78s I want to thank the board for is that we've done more to help the offender as well as the target. I think when I first started we tended to um bias towards just supporting the the target without really developing a deeper dive into why the offender is there. So I want to make sure that we highlight that and that's
025been a distinct change. So hence why we're getting a 78 here. Um the high school despite the nine gave themselves a um 76 in their self-reflection. The one concern there was out of those nine there was one I think where we didn't meet the 10day window. We missed it by a day and that was probably due to a weekend or something of that nature but last year um that was the one thing that they took a point off for themselves. So together, Boundbook School District, its board of education, the community that we just witnessed tonight thrive as one, we create um academically rigorous and safe place for students to learn. And I think we're really seeing that in our self-report, but you know, also as we continue in this year with HIVs that are, you
026know, still low in numbers. So that's really all I need to share with you. Is there any are there any questions that you have about our numbers? This is again to reinforce the 2425 year as we are still working through the current year. >> Yes. >> 78. Where does that number come from? >> So there are eight components where we have to score ourselves out of you know a certain number and then from there we get to the holy grail of 78 is the top number. So since we were basically getting a 78 out of 78 and and it's based on the pieces that I had shown you in the first slides where that's what we're looking at. So they're they're looking at those personnel stuff or reporting structures um and that's really what we're
027looking at. So that's what we do um for us is that we break down these different components. So they'll they'll review what do we do with personnel? Um what did we do for reporting? What did we do for investigation procedures? >> No, that is a top score. I should have articulated that. Sorry. >> So that's where we are. Yes. >> Yep. to the state as far as cell scores that I would have to research. I'm not sure. I have not looked deeply into how other people self score. So, that is a good question. So I think the next steps are really the the the dialogue we're having. So the continued dialogue we're having, one with the board, one with the board attorney. So um again I think we need to understand that that com those
028conversations that I have are useful for me to reflect on where our specialists may have a bias either leaning towards founding something because they sympathize too much with the student and maybe not looking at it in a more unbiased and or legal way. So I think that's a key point. So I think for us we constantly review that. Plus, we continue to send our specialists out to training so that they can figure out ways to address the issues that are currently out there because they change. So, right now for me, we see a lot of like tick- tock challenge issues or we see the, you know, things that go on with this small A school where these kids pick up these phrases and I think for us, it's educating students on how to manage those
029things. So, we continue to have these conversations. So I do need to say one the conversations we have as the board with the administrations are fruitful. Certainly I need to again sing you know Miss Marman's praises again because those are valuable conversations that I have with him and then that goes directly to the four specialists that we have in the district. Yep. Thank you. Next You got your books. >> So happy. >> Everybody got their books. Yep. >> Yep. >> All right. At this point, we are up to item 2.4, four which will be a presentation from Miss Valerie Dolan who is our CPA to present the results of our external audit. Miss Dolan. >> Wonderful. Um yes, like just to first of all to say thank you again to the board of education for
030the confidence in hiring our firm to do the audit. It was as always a pleasant job to do the Bound Brook School District audit. Even with a change in personnel during the summer with Mike retiring, Christine coming on, it was still a flawless, seamless audit. We have to say thank you for all of that. Just to give you a quick little overview, you do get two documents from us. You get a large book, which is the annual comprehensive financial report. It's that big annual report. It's made up of four big sections. There's a small introductory section in that report. There is our opinion, some information. There is a very large financial section. And then the last there is a section called the Jay's which that Jay's is a statistical section. It actually gives you 10
031years comparative data. So it's actually a very useful section if you're ever looking for anything. It gives you not only 10 years comparative data on the school district, it also gives you 10 years comparable data on the county, the town, and a lot of other things related to Bound Brook itself. So very helpful information. And then that last section is compliance with grants. The second report that you do have is a small management report. That's my report to the board for all of the things that we look at. All of the things that we find, any errors, any types of issues we might have will be reported to the board in that report. That being said, it actually was a very good year for Bound Brook. You are landed yourself in a very good financial
032position. your surplus, your fund balance, as we like to say, is up, which means that gives you the flexibility to do some future capital. It gives you the flexibility to do maintenance in your buildings. It gives you the flexibility to do any of those things that you need. Especially in this economy where things are growing in expense-wise, inflationary growth, it's actually good that you're on the other side, that you're having that ability to rely on some of the numbers that you have. And a lot of that surplus does get generated from being fiscally monitoring your budget throughout the year. That's where that generates from. You do a very good job in monitoring and spending to ensure that you do not incur any expenses and that money gets a set aside into things like your capital
033reserve, your maintenance reserve so that you can use it in future years and that way you always have that extra money. And additionally, the district had about $2.8 million worth of federal and state grants that flowed through. That's actually down from previous years. You had a very high COVID years where we were getting a very a large sum of money. Under the COVID years, we are now returning districts are now returning back to their normal funding model of about 2.8 to about $3 million, which is usually where Bound Brook sits and had pre- pandemic. In addition, your food service also had a slight decrease of about $48,000. That's actually by design. that also during the pandemic saw an increase in fund balance due to the program and the way it was being funded by the
034government. They were giving you more money to fund the lunches. Then now that a lot of school districts generated surplus, they now made you spend down your surplus. So you're doing what the Department of Agriculture has requested, spending down your surplus. As I look at your report, we actually have a clean audit with no formal recommendations. Therefore, you can accept the audit with no corrective action plan. It's not the easiest thing to do for a school district to come out of an audit with no recommendations. I must say we do have in our report also what we refer to as suggestions to management. Those are areas that we always like to highlight things that are coming down the future for school districts to keep in mind or areas that other districts have gotten into trouble
035for and have had issues for. So this year we do have two re two of those areas that we did highlight. One of them is obviously in accounting standards. They love to change the accounting standards. When they change the accounting standards on us, it changes the reporting. So the report's going to look a little bit different. They're going to change a little bit of information the way it's presented. But we will work with the district in implementing those new accounting standards. As I said, all in all, the best answer that we can always tell every district right now is to maintain those budgets and monitor your expenses because I'm sure everyone is seen everywhere. It can go south pretty quickly. So, we are saying be with the cautious eye. And I'm here tonight to present
036answer any questions anyone might have. >> Excellent. Thank you, Valerie. Any questions from the members at this point? >> I have a question. >> Sure. Do you see any trends um with other districts or any advice for this board to keep our eyes out in 26 like things to kind of keep kind of at our belt and like watch >> the ones we are telling everyone to watch is watching budget expense okay >> because with rising costs best budgets are plans they are being developed with what we think costs are going to be you all know it can all of a sudden take a turn very quickly. Special education costs can be unforeseen. So, we're always telling everybody to really monitor those budgets because if you don't and not pivot somewhere, that's where problems can
037come. So, we are always saying it is the due diligence of monitoring the budget is a very important. >> Yep. >> Other questions? >> Wonderful. Thank you again for the opportunity and have a great holiday everyone. >> Thank you. So at this time let us move on to item 2.5 which is a motion be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education upon the recommendation of the superintendents the annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30th 2025 along with the auditor's management report on administrative findings financial compliance and performance. Be it further resolved that the board authorizes the school business administrator to submit all required documents to the New Jersey Department of Education and any other applicable agencies as necessary. I have a motion. >> Motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Bal.
038A second. >> Thank you, Mr. Zupco. Any discussion hearing? None. Miss Lee, can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. And before we close, let me just take a moment to congratulate Oh, graduate. Congratulate Christine as well as the rest of the administrative team uh on a very successful transition into our new business administrator and a nice new clean audit to start things off. Well done. Okay, at this time we are up to our student board member report. And unfortunately, while Harrison couldn't be here with us tonight, he did send a substitute in his place. Miss Mson, >> he sent his mother. He is home taking a final. So, um, so let's see. Sports teams, the 2526 winter track, uh, track and field season has begun. Their first
039meet occurred on December 8th. It was the Ridge, excuse me, Ridge Winter Invitational at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island. And many athletes took home PRs, Harrison included, and some even placed in um their events. Some highlights of the meet were um Dylan Jean Baptiste u taking fifth in boys long jump. Jake Marky placed second in pole vaultting getting 12 feet uh 12 feet in pole vault. and the next meet is this Saturday at the bubble in Tom's River. Uh boys basketball season has begun and they've already competed in three games. Some highlights are their win against Great Oaks Charter School with a score of 8929 and their win against Newark Vocational School with a score of 6533. Their next game is against Belvadier tomorrow, December 18th at 5:30. Um girls basketball has also begun um
040practices and games. Their first competition was against Manville, starting off their season bright with a 5526 win. Wrestling has also begun. The athletes competed in a tournament at Governor Livingston. Um, some highlight athletes include Queena Morgan who went 3-0 with his tournament win, Ethan De Cruz, who finished 30-0 to win his tournament, and our girls wrestling team also pulled through at North Huntington with many firstear wrestlers getting their wins in their very first wrestling tournaments. Competition cheer for the winter season has started practicing and are preparing for their upcoming season. This is their second official winter season and with a very successful first season, winning first place in multiple competition and events and we hope to see the same and even better this year. And in school news, Lafayette um introduced a form of pet
041therapy for students. Um students enjoyed animal assisted visits that help, excuse me, help support social and emotional learning. Um, Smallley. On November 26th, Smallley students put on a Thanksgiving Day float parade. Each student showed their creativity and festivity by designing their own floats using basic materials, and it was joyous and fun for everyone. And then high school um sports and marketing club has introduced a new schoolwide tradition where the student body votes for MVP MVP for the season sports. With the fall season, multiple athletes were chosen by coaches to be a candidate for either male fall sports MV MVP or female fall sports MVP. This week is spirit week in celebration of the winter season and abundance of holiday spirit. Next week on Monday, the student council has planned and is hosting a schoolwide winter
042pep rally to end the spirit week and honor our winter our winter athletes. There will be fun games and the male female fall sports MVPs will be announced. Then Brook High School continued its community and career support with FAFSA and financial aid scholarship related events in early December to help seniors and their families plan for college. RO Kappa, our National Honor Society, National Social Studies Honor Society, hosted a mock election in the library participating in New Jersey student mock elections. They showcased their civic skills and passion for history through this event. The National English Honors Society has resumed their reading buddies program for the year where they go to the local elementary schools to read to the students engaging with the youth and high schoolers encouraging them to read. The most recent one was at
043Smallley where they where students engaged in winter related books. Their next reading buddy program is this Friday at Lafayette. Bound Brook hosted the Bound Brook Bash, first Lego League qualifier um on November 23rd, 2025. Local and regional teams competed and several visiting teams picked up awards. It was a strong showcase of our youth robotics team, STEM skills, and leadership qualities. And last, stamp testing for the seal of biiteracy has begun. And many biiterate students either tested today or will test tomorrow to see if they are biliterate in the language of their choosing. Students who pass will get the biliterate stamp on their diploma can include it in their resume for jobs in colleges and will get a medal at graduation. And that is it. >> Thank you, Miss Musen. And thank you uh to Mr.
044Musen for a very thorough report. Um, and just noting that it seems like he's now getting down into happenings that are throughout the district and into other schools, which I think is uh a welcome change and a nice improvement. So, some recognition there. All right. At this point, we are up to committee reports. First up is education. Mr. Dawson, the floor is yours. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, the education committee met uh recently. The topic of our discussion were on a number of courses that have been updated or newly proposed for the upcoming school year. Uh the courses were received well by the committee. They're required updates that we need to do for our curricular cycles in many cases and in some cases uh there are new programming or expansions of programming. uh we
045talked about an AP seminar course which is a good first step for students who are interested in AP uh level coursework. We talked about an AP cyber security course um and expanding some of the partnerships that the district has cultivated in recent years. Um all in all, it's a very exciting um some very exciting updates. It'd be a really fun time to be a high school student. We all probably wish we could go back. Uh but we're we're very wellreceived and we did start um workshopping the idea of um ways we can promote these courses to our student body and make sure everyone's aware of the opportunities that they have uh within the district. >> Well said, Mr. Dawson. Any questions on education committee? >> All right. Hearing none, we are up to governance. Mr.
046bell. >> Okay, a few small items of governance this month. Uh first, we got a very quick update on the grievance that had been filed by BBEA. Just know that Dr. Freeman has responded and we're kind of in a back and forth uh phase right now. So, nothing official has happened yet, but we have responded. Um we had a new club proposal, Bible study club. Um we got a lot of clarification on that based, you know, on the nature of of what it could be. Um, we learned quite a bit that um, adults will not be participating or advising. They'll really just be there to supervise. Um, there won't be a stipend. Uh, we will be allowing it. Legally, we have to allow this club to meet. Um, and it will not cost the district
047anything at all. So, um, that club will be starting next year, I think. Right? This Oh, this year. Okay. Um, this one's kind of funny. We looked at policy 2624. I'm sure you're all really well verssed in what that is. No. Okay. That is our district grading policy. Currently, it lists um only smallie middle school with a grading policy. It was written in 2006 2007. This is one of those policies that has been there forever that nobody has looked at in a long time. And when someone looked at it, we found that it needs to be updated. So administration is going to look at things like uh letter grades. They're going to look at things like course waiting for AP and honors courses, things like that. So it does need to be updated and we
048are working on it. Next, um we got a letter from Dr. Frank about a change in policy. Those of you who have children in the district got notice of this. Um they're changing the policy on over-the-counter medication. Uh it looks now that in order for a nurse to give a student over-the-counter medication, they're either going to need to fill out some type of form or need a prescription from a doctor to get that. So no more Tylenol for your kids if they feel have a headache or any other thing going on. Um and lastly, we got the uh new calendar for next year's meetings that was also sent out in our weekend correspondence. I'm sure you saw it. The only date we saw that might conflict with anything was February because it falls on Ash
049Wednesday. The committee uh decided that was okay to meet because the other options for the dates really were not great. Um they would be uh the one that would work second best was maybe a week or two away from the March meeting. So it just wasn't it it wasn't really good. So it looks like we'll be meeting on Ash Wednesday. So if you have any super strong objections to that, you can let us know. But otherwise everything else to to the committee we couldn't find anything else that conflicted with anything major. So we went ahead uh with that calendar and that was everything. >> Thank you Mr. Bell. Any questions for governance? >> Excuse Basically what happened was um the the doctor said that uh his insurance mandated that he that that the student have
050a physical and a prescription so to speak for that no longer be able to do it based on his issue that we spoke about is becoming more. >> Great question and thank you Dr. Freeman for the answer. Any other questions? Okay, thank you Mr. Bell. Uh item 4.3 is report from human resources committee with uh Sue's indulgence. I'll be delivering that tonight. Um we started off the meeting similarly to all other meetings with a review of the um personnel status spreadsheet to understand what positions are open, where we are in the process of filling them as a district, what contingency plans we're making uh to ensure that we have coverage. Uh we also received an update regarding the NJ I'm just going to say sleds uh which is a mandatory reporting process that is currently
051uh in transition from one methodology to the next. And so um we received confirmation that if there are any reports that cannot be filed as a result of technical challenges uh within the allotted time that those will not be uh penalized for us. I believe in conjunction with QAC, right? Um so that was all good and the team is continuing to work on the the required reports as they're able. Uh the most interesting thing that I think we talked about really was an update with uh regard to exit surveys for the staff. um and not only just the feedback that we're receiving from um personnel changes that are being made this year, but comparative information regarding how we are performing relative to prior years. Um and I just want to add how impressed the entire
052committee was with the work that the administrative team has been putting in. I think very early on uh in Dr. Freeman's tenure, one of the things that the board expressed as a concern was the amount of turnover that we were seeing from the staff uh in any given school year. So, as a uh point of context, the number of full year separations in the 2023 2024 school year was 57, which sounds pretty high, right? That number dropped to 29 in the 2425 school year and we're currently at 11 for the 25 26 school year. Significantly improved. I think that's really a testament both to the quality of the individuals that we are bringing into the district, but as much as that likely the support that they're receiving and the environment that we're creating. So, uh,
053congratulations Dr. Freeman to you and your team on doing an outstanding job. >> Thank you. >> There you go. Who's clapping? Let's give a round of applause. Let's go. >> So, since you clap, a lot has to do with the people sitting in those chairs there. They're really the ones that are making it happen. They're taking the vision, making it happen through whether it's an interview process, making connections through different um points of uh contact for potential employees. So, that the people in the chairs that they're kind of making that happen for me. It just make me look good. >> Of course. >> Can I can I just say that I think one thing that we've noticed I think as a board too is the reasoning behind people leaving the district. So people will leave
054jobs for various reasons. They want to be closer to their homes. Their schedules change. Their family life changed. But I think what we've noticed is, you know, when I first came on the board, for example, we had just people leaving um and not feeling like they could really express themselves when they were exiting the district. And there was almost sort of I I'll just be really honest, like a kind of a fear base of like not really expressing why they were leaving, just sort of leaving and exiting with their mouths closed. Um, and I and I applaud uh the administration for allowing people when they're exiting to really freely say why like express themselves a little bit because I think uh what I what I witnessed in the past was just sort of a like
055a a fear-based uh exit um without a lot of knowledge to the board of like what people's intents were. So I applaud again the administration for really changing that whole culture and changing that um that ability for for teachers to express themselves. So >> yeah, >> well said. Any other comments or questions on the report from HR committee? >> All right, hearing none, we are up to item 4.4, operations, Mr. Zupco. >> Operations. Uh we began our meeting with getting a copy of the uh the audit and uh I have to say uh um on behalf of the operations committee we again are very thankful for our administrative team uh and uh for our BA for doing such a a a wonderful job. So again wonderful uh incredible work. Thank you very much. Um the
056majority of the time that was spent in operations was uh we had a state health plan presentation or an update from uh the Gallagher uh company Mr. Columbbo. Basically it was a uh to summarize it was a is a large uh hodgepodge of different numbers and percentages and the the the reasons of why insurance health insurance in particular is going up. uh various medications everything from cancer drugs to weight loss drugs to various procedures where it explained in depth that it's not just um you know a New Jersey a Somerset County a boundrook issue but it's across the country where health health rates are going up exponentially. Uh it had it gave us uh a very good opportunity to look at uh that presentation verse a prior presentation that we had received uh to look
057at various options and the administrative team will be diligently looking at those options to see what is it what is the best fit for um not just our uh our employees but just you know for for all of all of us in general. Uh I know that our administrative team is working diligently to make sure that we do have a good fit and so that things are financially um responsible on our end but also giving our employees the best possible coverage that uh you know we can offer to them. So it was interesting. Um I uh I think that we're definitely going to have some further discussions in relation to that. I I know that when I had spoken to uh Dr. Freeman in relation to the other presentation. Uh there's some uh there's some
058uh things to be gleaned from the that other presentation as well. Um so that was pretty much it. It's um health insurance is definitely uh this is achilles heel for all of us, but uh I am confident between the board and the administrative team here, we're going to uh have a concrete package for everyone in the in the upcoming months. That was pretty much it. >> Thank you, Mr. ZupCo. And I think just to tie that those two items together, you know, we heard from Miss Dolan before about fiscal responsibility and uncertainty being the themes for uh 2025 and into 26. I think when the operations committee looks at the potential risks on the horizon, uh you know, a double-digit percentage or multiple double-digit percentage increase in healthcare expenses is one of the things that,
059you know, keeps the group awake at night. And so it remains a focus and a priority. Any other comments or questions for operations? All right. Uh, no report from SCEESC and I don't believe Mr. Incalcetera is here this evening. So, we have no report from our southbound Brook member. Uh, any final comments before we wrap up the committee reports? Going once, going twice. Okay. So now we are up to item 5.1. Uh we are open to the public for agenda items only. Any comments or questions? Okay. Hearing none, let's move on to item 6.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education uh approves the minutes for the following board of education meetings, regular and executive meeting minutes from November 19th, 2025. May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> I'm going to
060give it to Mr. Bal, a second to Mr. Dawson. Any discussion? >> Okay. Hearing none. Miss Lee, roll call, please. >> Yes. Oh, I apologize. I abstain. Yeah. >> Oh, >> yes. >> Thank you very much. Just as a point of order, I believe. >> Yeah. Um I'm sorry. Yeah, I just realized I was also not at that meeting. Sorry about that. So, I have to abstain as well. Sorry about that. >> No worries. And Ms. Lee, that does not change the outcome of the vote. Correct. Very good. So motion passes. We are up to item 7.1. Be it resolved that the superintendent recommends for approval the resolutions as outlined in district personnel resolutions. These are items 7.2 through 7.43. I have a motion. >> Thank you, Miss Men. A second. >> Thank you, Mr.
061Dawson. Any discussion? All right, hearing none. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Item 8.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in district education resolutions. This is items 8.2 through 8.13. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. Guzino. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mrs. High. Any discussion? All right. Hearing none. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Item 9.1, be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in board action resolutions. This is items 9.2 2 through 9.37. >> 9.27. >> The meeting dates Understood. So, as a point of order, do we need to make a motion to withdraw that or can we just
062state that it is now withdrawn? Okay, >> great. >> So, the recommendation is that we table item 9.27. I will entertain a motion to do that. >> Thank you, Mrs. High. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Bow. Uh, do we want to do a roll call or just an all in favor? Great. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Motion carries. So, uh we are currently now voting on items 9.2 through 9.26 and then 9.28 through 9.37. And we have already moved and seconded that motion. So, I think we can go straight to a roll call. >> Whenever you're ready, Miss Lee. >> Yes. Yes. >> Thank you. We are now up to other matters to come before the board which I have received none. Uh so any new business from the
063members great uh that moves us to item 12.1 open to the public for general participation. No comments from the room. Moves us to item 13.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education enter executive session as allowed by NJSA4 colon I'm sorry 10 col 4-11 for the purposes outlined in numbers 1 4 and 7. I have a motion. >> Yeah, but it's incorrect. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Musen. A second. Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Zupco. All in favor? >> I. We are adjourned to executive. Mike, we're good to go. You got it. All right, everybody. We're back in session. Item 14.1 be resolved. The Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in approval of HIV cases under high school. Just item 14.2. May I have a motion? >> Motion.
064>> Thank you, Mr. B. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mrs. Gazino. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dawson. >> Yes. >> Miss Gazino. >> Yes. >> Mr. High. >> Yes. >> Mr. Januzi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Minhas? >> Yes. >> Miss Mosen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Balmer? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Zupkco? >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. Item 15.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in approval of HIV cases under middle and elementary schools just item 15.2. I have a motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. High. A second. >> Thank you, Mr. Minhas. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bell, >> yes. >> Mr. Dawson, >> yes. >> Miss Casino, >> yes. >> Mr. High, >> yes. >> Mr. Januzi,
065>> yes. >> Mr. Manhaz, >> Miss Musen, >> Mr. Walmer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zupkco. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Thank you. Item 16.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education adjourns. A motion. >> Motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Dawson. A second. >> Second. >> Mr. Bal. All in favor? I. We are adjourned. >> Happy holidays, everyone.