001Here. Mr. Henry. Here. Mr. Melchiorri. Here. Mr. Master Cirello. Here. Ms. Kennedy. Here. Mr. Mesmer. Here. Ready? Yep. The New Jersey Sorry, no internet. Good luck for me, right? The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to advance notice of and do attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Brick Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be posted on the administration office bulletin board, the official district website, and Channel BTV-20, and sent to the Asbury Park Press, the Brick Times, Star-Ledger, and Municipal Clerk's Office. Thank you. Uh Mr. Edwards, can you open up executive session? Uh I need a motion, right? I think
002we do that after you read it. >> Motion, George. Either way, it's okay. Okay. I need a motion and a second to open up executive session. Motion, George. >> Second, Fran. Second, Fran. Yes. Okay. All in favor? All in favor, right? I. I. I. Any opposed? Yes. All right. Good. And we're off. >> Mhm. >> I pledge allegiance 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. Order Colors Attention >> Okay, we're going to start with our student representatives, Dr. Farrell. Yes, I think we're starting with Erica this time, right? Erica from Brick Town? Good evening. I'm Erica Bacorney, the president of the BTHS student government. I'm excited to share this month's BTHS Dragon Report with
003you. This past month, the BTHS band and chorus programs coordinated vertical articulation and collaboration across district schools. The Southside Band Day brought together students from Drum Point Elementary School, Emma Havens Young Elementary School, Lake Riviera Middle School, and Brick Township High School, where the district chorus day hosted by BTHS brought together all four secondary schools. Brick Township High School, Brick Memorial High School, Lake Riviera Middle School, and Veterans Memorial Middle School. Each of these events offered students an opportunity to collaborate and perform alongside their peers, strengthening connections within each program. The Thespian Honor Society Induction Ceremony was on April 20th, recognizing students for their dedication and achievements in theater. The Multicultural Club went on a trip to New York City last week to see the Buena Vista Club on Broadway. Girls Lacrosse had an impressive
004start to their season with a current record of 10 and 1. Congratulations to Teresa Kelly for hitting the 200-goal milestone on Tuesday. Penn Relays were last weekend. The boys and girls track team did a great job and put up some impressive times. Earlier this season, Kira McHugh broke the 1600 meter record with a time of 5:03:48. Junior prom had a great turnout. Senior brawl will be held on Thursday, May 14th, at the Southgate Manor. We are looking forward to another successful event. The junior and senior classes began practicing for powderpuff, which will be held on May 26th on the football field. Class officer applications have been sent out. Elections will take place in 2 weeks for qualified candidates running for president, vice president, treasurer, or secretary of their graduating class. Student government executive board appointments
005will follow in late May. Our guidance department will be hosting the senior scholarship awards night on Thursday, May 21st, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the BTHS auditorium. Local donors and staff members will present scholarships and awards to honor the accomplishments of our seniors. Staff appreciation week is next week. Our staff members will be celebrated every day with goodies, including a luncheon sponsored by our PTSA and a student-sponsored snack cart. SJA and Key Club will be visiting teachers on Wednesday with the snack cart, as well as staff shout-outs and reverse dragon scales. Teachers will be able to use their dragon scales to enter a raffle for a host of awesome prizes. That's all for today. Be sure to stay connected to BT BTHS events and inside information by accessing our school website, SJA Instagram at BTHS_SJA,
006and our school Twitter at BTHS_Dragons. You can always see our happenings monthly through Dr. Cascone's Dragon Review. Thank you for your time. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Erica. Now, Michaela from Brick Memorial. On April 1st, we welcomed over 60 local business representatives to our 2026 Career Day. Many of whom were Mustang alumni. It was an insightful day, and we thank Ms. Reinhardt and our guidance department for on organizing this event. By far one of the best days of the year for BMHS is when we invite our Mustang staff members to take their children to work. It was a fun day last week that saw over 60 kids come and take in some fun activities and games, and even become a part of our Mustang family. We are especially proud of our students for being so
007welcoming and inviting to help brighten the experience for everyone. Our ninth graders just participated in the NJSL over the last few days. All freshmen were tested in ELA reading and writing. Our ninth graders will test once again in a few weeks in math. While our 11th graders have one more round of testing, also this time in science. Thanks to Ms. Pierce, Ms. Monninger, and Ms. Butler for meeting with our students and helping them prepare for our test. We are hopeful and confident that we did and will do well. Speaking of testing, last week we kicked off our AP exam season with our annual ice cream social. It was a way for our teachers and administrators to wish our students good luck and reward them for all their hard work and dedication throughout the school year.
008We look forward to start taking exams next week and wish all our students well. We are looking forward to Chef Lebroni and his culinary arts classes for another amazing lunch supplied to our staff in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. This time it will be part of our amazing week-long celebration for our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Thanks also to our amazing PTSA who has so many treats and surprises scheduled for our amazing staff. We are so appreciative of our teachers and all that they do for our entire school community at Brick Memorial. This weekend wraps up our incredible year for our Mustang players in our drama program with our run of Xanadu. In what has become customary, we look forward to Broadway like performances and backstage work, including our amazing set design, choreography, and lighting.
009Shows run tonight and tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Don't miss our opportunity to see all of our hard work in action. Congratulations to coach Evan Rizzitello for his 200th career win as our baseball team earned its way to the semi-final round in the Ocean County tournament. They earned a rematch of last year's championship game as they will play Toms River East on Saturday. Congratulations to our sophomore Charlotte Kennedy for placing 17th overall in the Shore Conference Girls Golf Championship out of 61 qualified golfers. Charlotte qualified herself by placing 13th overall in the Ocean County Championship. Also, congrats to our senior golfer Max Larson for qualifying for the Shore Conference and State Championships as well. Thank you for our continued support of our students, staff, and the entire
010Mustang community. Please be sure to stay connected by following us on social media and turning into our Straight from the Mustang's Mouth podcast. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Sure, I think we have our technician in the back. We're going to queue the 2026-2027 uh budget presentation. It's only about an hour and 50 No, I'm joking. Brick Township Public Schools 2026-2027 budget. First, I'd like to thank the Board of Education, our central office administrative team, and all that has helped us navigate another very difficult budget season. This is my seventh budget here in Brick. To say that I feel that we are just keeping the ship afloat would be an understatement. This was one of the toughest budgets we had to manage in my seven years here. Last year we were allowed to exceed the tax
011levy cap at 2% and we were awarded additional stabilization aid. This is not the case this year. Last year was also the first year we were deemed a winner and slated to receive additional state aid through the funding formula. We've been lobbying the state for years to change the way they fund special education and switch from a census approach of 15.9% to an actual enrollment approach. And this positioned us here in Brick schools as a winner and to receive an additional 3.8 million in aid. However, also last year they placed guardrails in effect and capped losers at 3% and winners at 6%. Therefore, we lost $3 million. This year is similar as we've been capped an additional 6% costing us more than $3 million once again. For the 2026-2027 budget, our tax levy is 2%
012plus a 3.84% health insurance benefits waiver for a total of 5.84% which is lower than the previous year. In addition, our general fund is going up 3% which is also lower than last year's budget. Enrollment is static, however, at-risk student populations have increased. And the cost to educate a student who is classified economically disadvantaged, ELL, or at-risk in any other way is much greater than the average cost per pupil. Thus, the recommended budget has the 2% tax levy cap plus a 3.84% health benefits insurance increase waiver. This budget has a reduction of 40 plus positions and has an average class size of approximately 27 with four sections of 29 or more. Once again, we are forgoing capital projects, facility improvements, roofs, parking lots, etc. in order to retain positions, people. Just to reiterate, according to
013the New Jersey Department of Education, Brick schools is 30 million under adequacy still. The adequacy budget is what the state tells us is a thorough and efficient education, your T&E budget. And we are also 70 million under our local fair share. The goal of this presentation is to review budget priorities as well as projected revenues and expenditures. We have developed a fiscally responsible and balanced budget which we tried to minimize the impact of budget cuts on student programs, prioritizing class sizes and staffing while improving efficiencies with economies of scale wherever possible. Special education costs have increased as well as other at-risk student populations such as ELL and economically disadvantaged as previously noted. In this budget, over 40 FTEs are being reduced with the hope that the majority of these job cuts are absorbed through retirement,
014attrition, and some vacancies not being filled. We are still not getting our equitable portion of state funding. Salaries and benefits make up 86% of our budget. Our at-risk student populations have increased as well as operational costs have increased as well. Unfortunately, due to continued budget shortfalls, this year's budget again results in the reduction of positions within the district. As you can see from the slide, the budget includes the net reduction of minus 40 positions. The hope is that the net job cuts are absorbed through retirements, resignations, attrition, etc. Additionally, some vacancies are not being filled to help mitigate any loss of positions for staff. Reduction in state funding continues to have an impact on class size. The result is the average class sizes for the 26 27 school year is approximately 27 students per class.
015At the middle school level, the average class sizes for the 2026-2027 school year is approximately 25 students on average. At the high school level, the average number of students per core subject area will be around 24. However, other courses, depending upon course selection and number of sections available based on staffing, could be higher than average. Again, it's important to note across the levels K-12, the lack of funding continues to challenge Brick schools in its efforts to provide for a positive educational experience and the best service to our students. The special education department budget directly addresses the needs of our classified students with all classified categories comprising almost 24% of our student population. This significant percentage drives increased budgetary demands with increased costs to support IEP required services, specialized programs to meet students' needs including out
016of district placements, specialized staff to address student needs and programmatic and New Jersey Department of Education requirements for class size as well as space. Each year we work to identify areas where students require additional support and ensure that the money in our special education budget is being spent on supporting students where needed. We are so proud of our pre-K program. It is regarded as one of the exemplar pre-K programs in the state. This year we are excited to announce that we were approved for pre-K expansion through the New Jersey Department of Education PEA grant. This means an additional six sections for 90 new total students. Brick schools is awarded over $9 million in this preschool education expansion aid grant, the PEA grant. And this helps provide full day preschool to our three and four-year-olds in
01742 general education integrated classrooms at the Herbertsville and Warren H. Wolf ECDC's as well as some new additional classes this year in Osbornville Elementary School. The curriculum and instruction department recently secured a $400,000 grant specifically dedicated to purchase high quality instructional materials aligned to the science of reading. These funds will now allow us to move forward with an elementary reading program. Due to budgetary constraints, several positions have been repurposed to reduce class size at the elementary level. The general fund or operational portion of the budget will increase by 3% to support our educational programs. We anticipate grants and entitlements will increase by 18.36%. This large increase is primarily due to additional preschool expansion aid. The New Jersey School Funding Reform Act establishes an adequacy budget for school districts. For Brick, the New Jersey Department of
018Education determined our adequacy spending should be over 169 million. Our actual spending, however, is approximately 142.6 million. This means the district will still be operating 26.8 million under the state's projected adequacy level, which continues to be a significant revenue problem. The SFRA formula also establishes a local fair share amount. The New Jersey Department of Education determined Brick's required tax levy is over 214.6 million. This figure suggests that Brick can support 100% of its adequacy budget through local fair share. However, our proposed 2026-2027 general fund tax levy is 142.6 million. This proposed tax levy is 71.9 million below the amount the formula suggests is needed to provide an adequacy funding. A change in state policy now calculates special education aid based on actual enrollment rather than a fixed percentage for all districts. This calculation should have
019provided Brick with an additional 3,866,368 dollars. However, the New Jersey Department of Education limited our increase to only 6% or 923,445 dollars, withholding nearly 3 million from Brick. The New Jersey Department of Education implemented the 6% cap on districts so that a guardrail could be put in place for districts losing state aid, so as to limit their losses to 3%, thus creating a new category of adjustment aid, an aid category that bill S2 sought to eliminate. Over 2 years, Brick has now been shortchanged $5,769,349 by the state funding these limits. >> [clears throat] >> I need a motion in a second for the approval of minutes from the March 30th meeting. Motion, George. Second, Ali. Mr. Edwards, with the vote. Uh Ms. DiBenedet- Ms. DiBenedet- Yeah, sorry. Ms. DiBenedetto. Yes. >> Tongue twister. >> Yes.
020Mr. Henry. Yes. Mr. Malgieri. Come on. Yes. Mr. Mr. Masters Ceriale. Yes. Ms. Kennedy. Yes. Mr. Mesmer. Yes. Moving on to committee reports. I believe there were only two committees that met this month, finance and facilities. Uh Mr. Edwards. Thank you. Uh facilities committee met on April 21st. Um in attendance, Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Picallo, Mr. Henry, Dr. Farrell, myself, Ms. Roberts, uh Mr. Pecoraro, Mr. Siegel from Spiezle Architectural Group, Mr. Ms. Cashman from Spiezle Architectural Group, Mr. Dubovich from FVHD Architectural Group, Mr. Shatone from FEHD Architectural Group, Mr. Kapoor from DMR Architectural Group, and Mr. Yoor from Netta Architectural Group. The uh first item of business discussed was the Warren H. Wolf air conditioning project. Mr. Yura reported to the committee that the work has been completed. The final TAB report submitted for the engineer
021review is currently being reviewed and performance standards being confirmed against OEM specs. The closeout documents have been submitted and the final payment application prepared and ready to be sent upon the TAB report approval. Herbertsville air conditioning, Mr. Yura reported that the contractor advised all work is done but that he has not received the final balance and report or confirmation of punchlist completion. He also noted that no closeout documents have been submitted and there is still an open change order to resolve. I spoke to the committee about the discrepancies between the previously identified credits and the newly introduced cost. Mr. and questioned Mr. Yura in regard to the change orders that were not properly documented at the board level. The committee discussed approving change orders 3, 4, and 5 while holding 6 and 7 pending negotiations
022of the credits and costs. Oakhurst Kitchen Addition, Ms. Cashman Ms. Cashman reported that the project remains in closeout phase. She noted that additional coordination is required to finalize the documentation. Midstreams air conditioning, Ms. Cashman reported that the boiler requirements imposed by the township code officials have been agreed upon. The estimated change order for the boiler installation across Midstreams and Osbornville projects is approximately $36,000. The committee agreed that the change order must be formally prepared and submitted for approval to allow the project to receive the final inspection. Osbornville air conditioning, Ms. Cashman reported that the HVAC system HVAC systems components and installation issues were reviewed including coordination of the rooftop units and related infrastructure. She also noted that the replacement of the three-way valves for one section of room supplied by a rooftop boiler have been
023reviewed and approved at no cost to the district and the cost is being covered by Spiezle Architectural. Brick Township High School ADA chair lifts, reported to the committee that the ADA compliance and accessibility needs remain under review and the district has gotten back proposals from the design concepts and they'll be reviewed and discussed at the next meeting. A referendum, the committee discussed long-term capital planning needs. Significant concerns raised around aging infrastructure including roof replacements at Veterans Elementary School, Brick Memorial High School, the solar solar panel degradation and replacement needs at Brick Memorial High School, ongoing HVAC systems including the compressor replacements, more specifically at the rooftop unit at Brick Memorial High School. Uh there was discussion for a potential district-wide referendum and the necessary mechanics to address deferred capital improvements. Uh we discussed the recent
024New Jersey legislation related to school solar funding opportunities and the recommendation was to continue advancing discussions on the referendum in both facilities and finance with potential inclusion in upcoming board discussions. Next committee meeting is Tuesday, May 19th. We then moved into finance committee. Present was Mr. Mesmer, Ms. Kennedy, Dr. Farrell, myself, and Ms. Roberts. Uh first item of business was the state aid litigation. Dr. Farrell informed the committee that the attorneys have interviewed the families to be added to the litigation. He noted that a draft of the complaint has been shared and is being reviewed prior to filing. 2026-2027 budget. Dr. Farrell informed the committee that the budget is in the final stages of review and at that point when when we had this meeting, um the current levy was at 5.96% as you saw
025tonight, it's at 5.84 um due to health care cost increases. Um I noted that the budget reflected a reduction of at that time 43 uh positions including 24 retirements. Um I informed the committee that the budget also reflects bringing the surplus back to the required level of 2%. Advertising, I informed the committee that Ocean Partnership of Children has purchased stadium banners at Brick Memorial High School, Brick Memorial High School, and Veterans Memorial Middle School for $1,950. Uh we discussed the post severance contribution of sick and vacation pay for the business administrator having that be a employer contribution rather than an employee contribution as per the contract thus saving both the employer Brick Board of Education and the employee social security taxes. Um that was on that's the committee concurred that the resolution for the business
026administrator should be on the next agenda, that's this evening. And the next meeting is May 19th. So although the same I committee didn't meet this month, um I would just like to convey a message. Help the slides, Christian. Um from our committee chairperson, Mrs. Pacala. She would like to invite the community to attend the Brick Green Fair on May 16th at Havens Farm on Herbertsville Road at 10:00. It begins at 10:00. It lasts for about 4 hours. Um we will be featuring our green teams and our STEM clubs and they're going to showcase their impressive student-led initiatives. Um also next week is Teacher Appreciation Week and we are just so proud and appreciative of all of our teachers. We are so grateful for the work that they do. Um in fact, our president of our
027teachers union is here tonight. We're thankful for his support and all of their support. They do such a great job in working with our students and helping them grow. Um also in uh the May board meeting Can you click the next slide? Great. We'll be honoring the teachers of the year for each of the uh buildings. And um we'll be doing our special tribute that we do annually and uh our nomination committee for our district It is at Brick High School. Very good. And our And our district Teacher of the Year will be announced. Um Dr. Farrell and I will pay a visit to the school on and don't tell. On Monday. Don't tell. It's a surprise. You don't remember? You remember. I know you remember. So, um, we'll be visiting on Monday and so,
028um, here are the here's the list of teachers of the year and then on the next slide is our educational services professionals of the year. Um, we will be providing a wonderful tribute. Our beat our television studio, Fran Still and her students created this year's video tribute video. It's it's amazing. Our students had a uh, a big part in the production process. Um, and tomorrow next is principal appreciation day. And we have a few principals here. If our principals in the audience, there's a few of them [applause] here. Just stand up and please be recognized. Um, you know, having been a former principal, nobody wants to stand up today. >> [laughter] >> Well, thank you to our principals. We have an amazing group. Uh, probably the hardest position I've done in education is to run
029a building. You do everything from uh, put out a grease fire and shovel snow, uh, to leading instructionally and spear letting uh, spear heading tests and curriculum. So, thank you to our principals as well for that. Um, I also just want to add, last night was an amazing night down at the Ocean County School Boards Association uh, meeting uh, dinner they had because not only was our county teacher of the year, Jacqueline Castellano from Brick Memorial, recognized and spoke, um, but we had five board members also awarded and recognized certificates and appreciation. Uh, I joked when they asked me to get up and speak and introduced uh, Jacqueline that um tonight, which was last night, all great things run through Brick in Ocean County. Um but the truth is the excellence that we were awarded
030and recognized for last night really is the exemplar in the county the last few years. And for our board members, Ms. Pacal received a 10-year milestone recognition. Mr. Henry, Mrs. Kennedy, and Mr. Malgieri uh got their new board member certification. And Ms. Benedictus got her certified board member designation. This takes a lot of time, a lot of off hours. Sometimes they do these webinars on Saturdays um for hours. Uh there was one woman there that got the master leader teacher, and I was told that it was equivalent to a three-credit uh college course, something over 40 hours uh in that. So, it's a lot of time, and as I always say, it's a thankless job for all the volunteering uh that you have to do up here. So, it was a great night to be
031recognized. Thank [applause] you to our board members, and congratulations again to Jacqueline Castellano being recognized. Dr. Farrell. Mr. President, so uh one of the things that I did forget about that we discussed in finances on the agenda you'll see the adoption of the final budget. A little confusing in the way the state makes us present it. They started this last year. You'll see that it's a tentative budget, which is the budget that we approved in March, which as I mentioned in March isn't worth the paper that it's printed on. And the next to it is the final budget, and then they make us play it provide a difference. And you'll see there's like, you know, some big variances. The reason for those big variances is quite frankly the one that's done in March is for
032lack of better words, fake. I mean, we I don't know why they make us do it that way. Uh and so the variances have no significance whatsoever. Um so, if you're looking at them and thinking, "Wow, there's a $900,000 change between that one account, it means absolutely nothing because it was just a plug at the time that we adopted the tentative budget. Thanks for pointing that out, Mr. Edwards. Um okay, we're going to move on to uh the first public comment section. So, this will be the first opportunity for public comment and will be for agenda items and the budget presentation. Uh each participant is asked to give his or her name prior to making a statement. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. Comments shall be limited to 5 minutes. Does anyone
033have public comments? Seeing none. Dr. Anderson, can you please introduce curriculum and instruction? Thank you, Mr. Mesmer. Under curriculum and instruction, the superintendent recommends that the board approve the following items, 1 through 9. I need a motion and a second. Motion, George. Second, Fran. Mr. Edwards, with the vote. Ms. DiBenedictus? Yes. Mr. Henry? Yes. Mr. Malgieri? Yes. Mr. Mastrocirillo? Yes. Ms. Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Mesmer? Yes. Mr. Edwards, can you please introduce operations? Yes, this evening the superintendent recommends items 1 through 29. I need a motion and a second. Motion, George. Second, John. Mr. Edwards, with the vote. >> That was Mr. Henry, correct? Yes. Yeah, okay, good. Uh I thank you. Uh Ms. DiBenedictus? Yes. Mr. Henry? Yes. Mr. Malgieri? I actually need to abstain on item number seven, but I do vote yes on
034all remaining items. Okay. Mr. Mastrociero? Yes. Ms. Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Mesmer? Yes. Mr. Edwards, can you please introduce human resources? Yes, this evening the superintendent recommends items 1 through 26. I need a motion and a second. Motion, George. Second, Fran. And Mr. Edwards with the vote. Ms. DeBenedictis? Yes. Mr. Henry? Yes. Mr. Malgieri? Yes. Mr. Mastrociero? Yes. Ms. Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Mesmer? Yes. Okay, moving on. Dr. Anderson, can you please introduce policy and planning? Thank you, Mr. Mesmer. Under policy and planning, the superintendent recommends that the board approve items 1 through 3. I need a motion and a second. Motion, George. Second, John. Mr. Edwards with the vote. Ms. DeBenedictis? I'm going to abstain on one and yes to the other, two and three. Mr. Henry? Yes. Mr. Malgieri? I also abstain on item one
035and I vote yes on items two and three. Mr. Mastrociero? Yes. Ms. Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Mesmer? Yes. Okay. This will be the second opportunity for public comment. Uh each each [clears throat] participant is asked to give his or her name prior to making a statement. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. The board is not required to respond to comments during this session, but may address them during the board comment portion. Comments shall be limited limited to 5 minutes. Anybody have any public comment. Wow. Seeing none again. All right, moving on to uh board comment. I'm just going to go first uh this time just being the chair of the finance committee and going through this uh budget process. I just wanted to give my perspective on how things went. Um So, this
036is my third budget since being elected onto the Board of Ed and uh it was very frustrating. So, last year Brick was designated a winner under the state's funding formula and we lost $3 million. So, as a result to last year, uh we were supposed to get some increase in funding, we lost an additional $3 million again this year. It's pretty frustrating. Um because of this, I did want to point out we are taking legal action. We are in litigation with the state. We are fighting it. And I know all of us here think we have a really strong case. So, we're not just, you know, giving up and accepting this constant cut in funding. We are fighting this. Um same time everyone's aware, you know, costs have risen. Uh health care costs are crazy.
037I know, you know, I work in a different industry, our costs increased like 30% this year. Um so, I mean, our costs in the district increasing [snorts] 15% is pretty good comparing other districts, especially in Ocean County, who are in a much tougher situation. So, if you can look for a positive in a 15% increase, um so, that I mean, that that alone added $4 million to our budget that we had to account for. So, it's things like that that add up that really put administration and the Board of Ed in a tough spot as to, [snorts] you know, where we're going to go with this. So, you know, it's another year we tried to be as fiscally responsible as we can, you know, in limiting the amount of positions cut as we possibly can.
038But, we didn't even have any leeway from the state as to, you know, what [snorts] else we can do here. So, we made the best of the situation as we could. Um and as Dr. Farrell mentioned, uh you know, according to the NJ Department of Education, Brick schools are $27 million under adequacy. So, I mean, for and we have phenomenal teachers in this district, and I think our level of education is exceptional compared to where we're at. So, I wanted to point that out. >> [snorts] >> But, I mean, despite these challenges, the budget, uh you know, we stay student-focused, financially responsible. Uh Mr. Edwards has done a great job in his tenure here, so it's going to be a tough loss when you retire, but uh we really appreciate your hard work and the
039entire administration's hard work throughout this process. >> [applause] >> All right, George. Or who's on the end? Sorry. >> I am. Sorry, Mr. Mestery. So, it's all good. Um I just want to reiterate some of what you said, um and thank Mr. Edwards and Dr. Farrell. Um I work in another district, and we're actually our insurance costs have more than double what they're we're going to be paying uh here in Brick. Um it's it's just tough all over right now. Um I'm hopeful that in the future things will get better, um but unfortunately, it's seems like it's a situation that's getting worse throughout the entire state. Thank you. Um Mr. Melchiorre. Thank you very much, President Meserole. Thank you very much all for for all of you to come in. Good evening. Uh we're we're
040always happy to have you see uh faces so that we could speak and see uh as a reflection of uh what takes place in this community. And frankly, uh I I'm sure I'm not the only one. We are very sorry that we are in this particular position. Frankly, we'd like to think we didn't do anything in particular um to be uh in a position of benevolence by any stretch of the imagination. Frankly, what you lose because we are members of this community as well, we lose. When you pay, we pay. Whether it be in terms of layoffs or what you see in your tax bill when it comes every few months in your mailbox. Uh the pain that you're experiencing, we all experience in one fashion or another collectively. Whether it be in the classroom
041as a teacher or as a student uh particularly if you're with a special need, for example. Frankly, I have a very big um bias in this case because I was in the special education program as a student in this district. Uh and I was in out-of-district placement for a period of time and I can certainly attest to how it can certainly be costly, but frankly very worthwhile. It's a long-term it's a long-term matter. And uh nearly one in every four of our students fall under that category. It is a commitment that we certainly need to keep um given the nature of the uh demographics of this community and given the socioeconomic reality of this community. Frankly, I find it quite rich that um whether it be people who work in the office of the governor
042or uh members of the state legislature of the belief that we're under adequacy, that we're not contributing our fair share, the idea that we would simply uh not have an interest in doing so, or that we're not doing enough from the same people who in many cases, they probably do not even send their children to public schools. I just think frankly that's quite rich, but uh I'll uh digress from that for a period of time because I don't want to be uh too uh or rather not diplomatic enough. We did that diplomacy is not my specialty. My fellow board members and members of central administration could attest to that. But anyway, thank you for the sake to that and it's just frustrating. So you could certainly take into consideration. Frankly, you're educated people, intelligent people.
043You work, you live here, you have students in the district, you work in the district, whatever the case may be, you pay taxes here. You know what's going on in many cases in one fashion or another. We have faith that you understand what it is that we are attempting to do and we certainly appreciate your patience and understanding and consideration and how we are doing what we can. I'd like to think collectively in the best interest of this community in one fashion or another for all of our parents, students, residents, taxpayers alike, employees in the district, teachers, so on and so forth. And um I could end on a more positive note by saying for example, there are a number of different wonderful events taking place in the district and that have taken place. For
044tomorrow you could go to Xanadu or on Friday at Brick Memorial High School. I was at um an event with Dr. Anderson. I thought I was going to see you. I actually thought saw Jennifer Huey at Honk Jr. I meant to mention that at the last meeting and completely slipped my mind. I I go in and out in terms of functioning in my brain with my allergy pill cuz that half asleep but for that. But anyway, and certainly in that regard Dr. Anderson will certainly miss Dr. Etwaru. Hopefully it's not a goodbye but a see you later and I could say so many different things but you probably all like to go home. That's pretty much how I end whenever I end board comments. Thank you all very much for listening. Thank you. Thank you.
045>> [laughter] >> Mr. Henry. So Mike, your comments earlier, I couldn't agree with you more. They were well said. Frustration is what comes to mind. However, I want to remind everybody and not not so much remind but just take a look around the district and the positive things that are going on. There's incredible work still being done given not our ideal budget. Every time I'm just blown away. The teachers, the administration, the work that the board does, the PTA, everybody else in the community has really supported the school. So, let's just focus on the positive given the circumstances. They are not ideal by any by any means. However, what I see when I go into the schools and I attend plays or attend other events, it's just amazing to see that and that keeps my
046spirits really high. So, you know, just let's focus on that, too. And even going through some of the the agenda items tonight, I'm looking at some of the folks and the teachers who write grants, everybody's trying. And trying is, you know, you can you can put a definition on what the word is trying, they're actually accomplishing. They're still moving forward every day. No one's backing off at all. And this is what makes Brick a great district. It has always been a great district. We have always been innovators and front-runners and we will continue to do so. And I just want to thank everybody for showing up tonight and being part of this meeting. And everybody have um a safe night and safe travels home. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Benedictus? Ditto to what everybody said.
047It's kind of stinks, but um I guess we do have to really focus on what this is all about, which is our kids. And we need to make sure that they get what they need. And something I was really struck by when I was looking at all the slides was I remember as a parent completely freaking out at the numbers that were going to be in the classroom. And if you remember last year, one number really stuck out to me and that was 37. 37 were going to be in a class. And even though our budget still is horrendous, we are nowhere near that. Are we exactly where we want to be? No, but we have to look at that and we have to understand that it could be so much worse. And I look
048at so many other districts around us and they are closing schools. They are just completely bare-bones stripped and we're not there yet. And I do believe that it's because we have so many people that are working so hard. Like these grants, the the PIA grants and the impact grant, that does so much and especially the PII, I'm a huge proponent for starting early. When you get a kid in here at 3 4 years old, they develop an absolute love of learning. They want to learn. They get excited. And when you get them in young and they you you build those foundations, that is so much better for us in the long run. And I am so grateful to everybody who has written these grants cuz it is oh my goodness, such a long arduous tedious
049horrible thing to do. So, thank you to everybody who does those and everybody who you know, the the $1,700 there that you give us, the $2,000 there that you give, every little bit every little bit that each person gives, it doesn't seem like much but it does add up to be so much and and every little thing just kind of snowballs and it turns into this amazing little thing at the end. So, thank you guys for all of that and um I will be attending on I don't usually say this stuff but on Saturday, there is a save our schools funding rally in Bayville and it is such a good thing. This is not about either side. It is about going and trying to get people to listen that our schools are underfunded, that we
050deserve more. These children, you saw how much holy guac, $70 it's insane. But we shouldn't have to go on such a shoestring budget. So, I I be there at 1:30 in Bayville. If anybody wants to come, it's at the Veterans Park. So, go out and support our kids and have a great rest of your day. Thank you. Ms. Kennedy? Um well, first and foremost, I wanted to thank Dr. Farrell and Mr. Edwards, um your central office administration, and all of our building administrators um for putting together the best budget possible with the funds that we were allotted. Do we like what we have here? No. Is it the fault of this administration? Absolutely not. Triton has been failing us for years, and they take our taxes that we pay, our hard-earned money, and they send
051that money, your money and my money, to other towns to educate and elevate the learning experience for other children. While the children of Brick Township are learning in bigger classes with less electives and less specialized secondary classes. It's not okay. I commend our team for making some very difficult choices. They have once again postponed improving our buildings and properties in order to keep our people the priority. We should not have to choose one or the other. As taxpayers, we deserve more. Our children deserve more, and we thank the taxpayers in Brick for your continued support of this board. Um then I have some other good stuff, but that's my my comments on the budget. Um first off, I want to welcome our new staff members and congratulate the staff members retiring. Um our one of
052close to me, our legendary um soccer coach, girls soccer coach at Brick Memorial, Coach Billy Caruso, will be retiring December 31st from teaching. Um I am so grateful at the timing because you can finish up our fall 2026 season, hopefully with a a good a good result, and then um retire with plenty of rest before preseason for 2027. So BC you're not going anywhere. Thank you to the anonymous donor who donated to the VMES Community Cares Pantry. Thank you to the Brick Township Education Association the BTEA for your banners at both of our stadiums. Thank you for always supporting the students of Brick schools. You support our board. You are the backbone of this district is our BTEA and we appreciate the heck out of you which leads me to next week is Teacher Appreciation
053Week Staff Appreciation Week. Please don't forget to spoil your teachers and that does not mean that you need to go to the store and spend a million dollars on them. I like to sit the Kennedy kiddos down and they write notes to their teachers and that I think to most educators would mean more than anything. Tell that educator what they mean to you and don't you write it mom and dad. Let your student write it. If it says I like your pretty sweater cuz they're eight that's okay. That means something to that educator. So sit down, put pen and paper together and give your teachers a gift that they really want during appreciation week. So do not forget your teachers next week. It's important. Um I would like [clears throat] to congratulate our Pre-K team
054Mrs. Janick, Miss Osborne and Mr. Hersenko for a very successful Pre-K lottery draw. We are so fortunate that we received this peer grant and we are able to provide a free Pre-K full day education for so many of our littlest learners. It is so exciting that we were able to add another 90 seats this year for our lottery draw. Thank you so much for your hard work and your efforts of coordinating this program. Now if your number was drawn in our lottery, you should go and buy a New Jersey lottery ticket because it is the hottest ticket in town apparently. So Um congratulations to our seniors. Tomorrow, May 1st is decision day. Um I know that the kids are all planning to wear their shirts to school tomorrow to show everyone where they are headed
055next year. Um I really enjoy looking at all the posts on Instagram. It's BTHS Decisions 26 and BMHS Decisions 26. Um and they do a great little post and show pictures of the kids and where they're headed. And then I saw this on social media and it really stuck me with me. Um and it says, "Senior parents, we've reached the home stretch, the last semester of school. We've spent 18 years preparing them for this moment. Yet somehow we forget to prepare ourselves. I'll just be crying over here through the smile. So Class of 2026, let's go. You're almost there. >> [snorts] >> Have a safe and fantastic May. Thank you to all of our educators. Um next week and every day they should be celebrated. So thank you. You got 2 months left. You got
056to hold it together. >> [laughter] >> All right. Reviewing the calendar of events, May 12th, May 22nd, early dismissal, May 25th, schools are closed for Memorial Day. May 28th is our next regular meeting at Brick Township High School where we'll be celebrating the Teachers of the Year and uh Service Professionals of the Year from our different schools. Uh so that's a fun meeting to come to. And that's it. So thanks for everyone coming out. Uh I need a motion and a second for adjournment. My second, George. Second, George. I don't know who said what. >> All in favor? >> Aye. Aye. Thank you.