October 16, 2025 Board of Education Meeting

001The New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend meetings of public bodies at which any business is affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon in accordance with the provisions of this act. Brick Township Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be posted in the administration office buling board the official district website and channel channel BV BTV20. Having trouble getting that out. Sorry. And sent to the guys park press the brick time store ledger and miss clerk's office. >> Motion a second. >> Like a motion and a second executive session. >> All >> Mary roll call. >> I got to read the resolution. Like this be a tough one. >> Oh, there we go. Thank god. Mike,

002you have that one back. Thanks. would never be able to read that. Whereas the Bricktown Board of Education has been formed pursuant to New Jersey statutes. Whereas the board is charged with responsibility performing all acts and doing all things consistent with the laws and rules of the state board of education necessary for lawful and proper conduct, equipment, and maintenance of local schools and public school property and break times of school district. And whereas section seven of the open public's meeting act permits the exclusion of the public from meeting of the board in certain circumstances. And whereas the board determined that circumstances exist for such an executive session. And whereas the board has found the action described below to be necessary and proper now therefore be resolved by the board on October 16, 2025, that the

003public shall be excluded from the discussion of an action on the executive session here and set forth. The session will be approximately 30 minutes and the general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is harassment, intimidation, and bullying reports, personnel matter settlement of anticipated litigation. It is anticipated at this time that the above stated subject matter will be made public if and when it is deemed in the public interest to do so and the need for confidentiality is no longer required by the board. >> Miss Pulla, >> yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> yes. >> Miss Benedictus, >> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. >> Miss Sorry. Okay, good evening everyone. Um, can I ask everyone to please stand for a salute to the flag and a moment of silence?

004Allegiance 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. All right. >> All right. Dr. Pharaoh, please introduce the student representatives. >> Sure. Second month in a row, right? I think we went first with Brick Memorial last month. So, we'll start this month from Brick Township High School, Erica Bourney. All yours. >> Good evening. I am Erica Bakornney, the president of the BTHS student government. I'm excited to share this month's BTHS Dragon Report with you. Last week, BTHS participated in the week of respect with a highlight of positive actions and kindness throughout our school community. Students engaged in a in community research through the painting of shells, had the opportunity to send a positive message to

005a staff member, and engaged in multiple respect lessons. BTHS continues to promote and emphasize the importance of having a respectful learning environment. On Wednesday, October 15th, the BTHS Jazz Band had the prestigious honor of performing at the NJ PSA FEA Fall Conference in Atlantic City. Their performance continues to showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of our student musicians, bringing pride and recognition to the entire Bricktownship High School community. On to the club report. There are many clubs that will have a table set up at Fall Fest on Saturday, including National Honors Society, Student Government Association, Student Community Connection Committee, Spanish Honor Society, Mock Trial, Multi Multicultural Club, and a few sports teams. The Student Community Connection Committee is holding their annual stocking for the soldiers collection. The donated items will be sent to soldiers and

006canines that are serving overseas. Officers for the class of 2029 have been elected. Congratulations to President Lillian Martinez, Vice President Stacy Lynn, Secretary Cole Brummit, and Treasure Anthony Hansen. After working hard during lunch, the peer leadership program hosted their first outreach to the freshman students today. Now for the sport report. The football and cheer team are hosting their senior night tomorrow, October 17th, against Manisquan High School. The team is looking to pick up a win to secure them a spot in playoffs. Congratulations to the boys soccer team. They are the C South Division champs, finishing 4-0 in their division. The record is currently 10 and three. The boys just won their first game in the Shore Conference tournament. The girls volleyball team is currently standing with 12 wins and five losses. They worked hard and

007came out as Cath division champs. Great job, girls. Our girls soccer team hosted their pink game last week and will make a donation to breast cancer at the making strides walk on Sunday in Point Pleasant Beach. The team finished their division as co- champions of C South. Field hockey is currently standing with a winning record of 65 and two. The BTHS marching band scored an 87.8 at their last competition. They're looking strong going into their last three competitions of the season. Coming up at BTHS, homecoming will be hosted on Thursday, October 23rd. The court will be announced at the dance and the winners will be announced at the football game the following day. We are hosting the annual Halloween costume contest on October 31st. All students are encouraged to dress up. That's all for today.

008Be sure to stay connected to BTHS events and inside information by accessing our school website, SGA Instagram at BTHS SJA, and our school Twitter at BTHS Dragons. You can always see our happenings monthly through Dr. Casun's Dragon Review. Thank you for this opportunity. [Applause] >> Thank you, Erica. And now from Brick Memorial High School, Michaela Gorehead. Hi, I'm Michaela and I'm your 2025 2026 BMHS SDA president. We have an amazing month and I'm excited to show everything that we've done so far. I want to thank I want to give a huge thanks to the class of 2027 for planning and running our first ever Mustangs fall bazaar. Over 30 vendors brought food, crafts, music, and fun. All helping to raise funds to our junior class. We're already excited for next year. Thank you for everyone

009who came out and supported in any way. Next up, we have our Mustang money momentum. We showed very lots of positive behaviors and we're thrilled to see students earning Mustang money and joining the raffle opportunities and rewards such as pizza lunches, breakfast sandwiches, free yearbooks, and more. We participated in the week of respect and our school community showed incredible spirit and kindness during the week reminding everyone that musting pride starts with respect for ourselves and others. Each day we highlighted a kindness challenge. First we had hold the door for someone. On Tuesday was pick up trash in the hallway. Wednesday high five someone new. and of course Thursday blackout judgment and raise up for Mustang wingness on Friday. It was a week of true example of our Mustang mission of being respectful. We also showed

010lots of spirit week energy from themed outfits to hallway decorations and of course our homecoming dance. Our spirit week brought out the best of BMHs pride and creativity. Thank you to everyone who joined in, especially on Wednesday's pink day and our breast cancer awareness in which we helped to raise money for our cheerleaders donation cause at homecoming. It was no doubt a fantastic night of celebration school pride. Want to give a huge thank you to Miss Stanbury and all our SGA members that helped to set up. Supervising the event was the SGA parents. They prided an unforgettable night at this year's Blackout homecoming dance. The gym was alive with energy as nearly 700 students packed the dance floor and carried their smiles throughout the night. It was true reflection of our Mustang community that showcased

011everything good about our students and staff coming together to create a positive atmosphere. It was truly a wonderful night and one we could be proud of. Congratulations to our homecoming king and queen Shane Trotweiler and Jaden Krowski. Next we have our Italian dance assembly. Students were treated to a lively and cultural experience as we welcomed Italian dancers from a world-renowned folk ensemble from Mescina, Italy. Our auditorium was filled with rhythm, tradition, and energy. It was a great event that helped provide our students community with unique opportunity to experience global culture, history, and the universal universal power of music. We have our stack PD day inspiration. A special shout out to Brick Memorial's very own Miss Castellano, who's Ocean County's teacher of the year, for serving as our keynote speaker at this past week's staff PD

012day. Her message on teacher passion and evolution inspired everyone in attendance. Next up, we have our dig pink with purpose. Our girls volleyball team associated another moving dig pink event with Jonathan Catholic this past week raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Thank you to our players, families, and local businesses for their incredible generosity and spirit. From raffle baskets to heartfelt tributes to and from survivors, this year's pig pink reminded us of what Mustang family truly means. We also had our brick first brick game. It was a great night for our town and community that saw a few thousand people take in our annual football game. We are excited to welcome all of our many football players and cheerleers to help our Mustangs and Dragons onto the field. The night saw our Mustangs take

013home the win while also honoring our march Mustang marching band and our 2525 homecoming court. It was definitely a great night to be a Mustang. Finally, exciting events are coming up. We have our first seal of bi literacy info session, our second round of class meetings with administration, our Halloween costume contest, and our district trunk or treat as we aim for our ninth grade ninth straight win. Please keep up with all the things Mustangs with our straight from the Mustangs mouth podcast on Spotify. Our social media platforms include BrickMemorial High School on Twitter and BM Stang on Instagram and our monthly Mustang Madness newsletter. Thank you. Um we have two presentations this evening um that we do every October. Uh the first one will be our HIB assessment by Mr. Rabone, our new district uh

014HIB coordinator, and then the second one will be by Dr. Anderson on our student performance um scores. Both presentations and data will be posted to the website I was told by tomorrow. So Mr. Rabone Yeah. >> All right. All right. Good evening. Can you hear me? All right. Good. All right. So, uh first of all, thank you to the board. Thank you for Dr. Farrell for the opportunity to serve as the uh district HIV coordinator. Uh state titles the anti-bullying um coordinator. Uh tonight I want to go over the self- assessment process that is uh connected to the anti-bullying bill of rights act uh that began 14 almost 15 school years ago. Um a lot of work has gone in but uh every year districts are required to conduct a self assessment on the programs

015um policies and so forth that the district has in place. There we go. All right. So uh the why what is the self- assessment process under ABR and how are grades determined? All right. Uh each school is required to evaluate the implementation of our programs policies um in order to make sure we're addressing the fact of harassment, intimidation, and bullying is is hopefully being prevented. Uh the time frame of the process is from July 1 of 2024 through June 30th of 2025. the the self assessment was was uh will be submitted after this board meeting and it covers all of last school year 24 and 25. Uh there are eight core components which I'll get into uh briefly in a minute that address the AVR requirements uh for each school including our um preschools. A

016quick overview of the AVR, the anti-bullying bill of rights act. Uh it is a state law so it's mandated. Uh the goal is to ensure that all students learn in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment. Uh it focuses on policies, procedures, trainings, and programs that districts must have uh to respond to instances of HIV, harassmentation, and bullying. Uh a lot of it or some of it can occur off school grounds, at school events, on school buses, off campus, and obviously uh within our hallways, fields, and so forth. Uh anything connected to the school environment. a lot here to digest but it really the the crux is um bullying versus conflict. Okay. Um the first three bullets are uh focus on uh requirements for them to be considered for any incident to be considered HIV act.

017All right. It cannot be one of the three cannot be two of the three. It must be all three. And in the bottom uh few bullets focuses on uh as long as one of those three are hit. All right. Then you can it could reach to the level it's an HIV. All right. Uh perceived characteristic takes place on school property, school sponsored function, on a school bus and so forth and substantially disrupts or interferes uh with the orderly operation of the school. Right? All three must hit to be considered an HIV. If one of the of the three hit, but maybe the other two don't, it doesn't mean it's dismissed. Now it's looked at as conflict and it could be a violation of school code of conduct. and the bottom three, as long as you

018have one of those three with with the top three, it could be considered HIV. Uh on the bottom left uh portion above the uh the logo, there is just a screenshot of a video that was created by the district. And thank you to Dr. Farrell for for uh having a vision for that. It's a threeminute video uh very clear and concise based on a law, based on the requirements, the difference between conflict and HIV. Um, it goes into very um I believe it's uh I guess I created uh it it's it's pretty well done. It's on our website. It has been shown uh at back to school nights by certain schools. It's been shared with students and it's going to continue to get more traction. So really uh really happy about that for the district.

019As I as it's mentioned on the bottom, really important for the community to understand also the board. If an incident that occurs uh is not deemed to be HIV based on a criteria that's required, it can be handled by the school code of conduct. It's not simply dismissed and and we move on. Before I get into the actual self- assessment, just kudos to to certain people or certain groups of people. First of all, I want to thank Mr. Mosley who has been the HIV coordinator for 14 years. Not only did he hold that role for sign significant amount of time, he held it from the beginning of the law. And I remember in in my different role that was a new law, very challenging um for everybody involved and for him to step in as

020a HIV coordinator at the time for a brand new law. A lot of mandates and a lot of requirements. Um you know, you know, thank you to him, but also for him helping me transition into the role since uh since last June. He's he's been hands-on. We both work at Quick Memorial High School, so it's great to have him there as a support system. Uh school safety teams, as you'll see, are very involved with regards to the self- assessment of the HIV uh process. anti-bullying specialists. Most of them are all counselors if not your sacks, your students assistance counselors, teachers are involved in the process. A lot of them sit on the safety teams, uh support staff, obviously your principles and assistant principles are involved in the process as well as administrations and then your

021administrative assistants. A lot of paperwork, uh a lot of back and forth communication. So, uh I want to thank all of them. Uh it's not an easy easy process. All right. Oh, here we go. Um and you'll see why. The assessment is a 38 page document. All right. Uh 26 indicators are in there and I I'll give you a snapshot of the indicators and there's 207 recommended artifacts that should be reviewed and and set aside to be able to um make sure that our scores are aligned to the requirements. All right. So there's a lot of work I created I put into five buckets. All right. the documentation that's required to support our scores uh regarding uh documentation as uh based on the investigations. So if somebody submits HIV investigations, all those documents are are

022are stored and then we review them for the self- assessment. Uh any records regarding reporting and communication, right, back and forth communication, whether that be from the uh anti-bullying special to the principles, principles to the anti-bullying coordinator or the superintendent and obviously reporting to the board as well, which we do uh prior to every meeting. uh training and professional development um evidence that that's occurring because it's not simply let's just make sure we follow the law. We have to train. There's certain requirements. So we score ourselves based on the amount of work that's done and you have to have evidence to support it. Uh school climate programs and data. Um again you'll when you see the scores you you'll realize you know uh there we did well but we have a lot of evidence to

023support it. Uh and then policy curriculum dissemination uh materials. The board has policy uh multiple multiple policies that address the ABR and HIP. It's not just one. Uh a lot of them overlap because there's a lot of curriculum integration for uh on character ed and so forth because when you hear HIV, you hear about the reaction. Something has happened and the district addresses it and they may take action based on HIV confirmed or they'll take action on the code of conduct based on the investigation. Um but with that, it's also it it that's the negative side of HIV and AVR law, right? The positive side is all the great work that's being done in the schools, right? There's a tons of information. It's embedded in your curriculum. There's lessons being taught by counselors, lessons being

024taught by teachers. Uh in some cases, your principles, assistant principles are are having conferences with students. So, uh that's all built into not only uh policy regarding the law, but also uh policy that impacts the curriculum and the way that it's rolled out. So, a lot of implications and connections to what the board does. And Dr. barrel. I mentioned there's eight core components that were evaluated in order to get our our um our scores. Uh core element number one, as you can see, I I I bolded it. Programs, approaches, other initiatives. Uh then we speak about training on bo board approved policy. Uh for example, I trained all the new staff hires in August. I had a presentation for them um uh late August, all new hires. So we went over policy. We went over

025all the requirements, expectations and also the support systems to help them. Um corman 3 talks about staff instruction and training programs. How do we train the staff? It's required by law to staff get retrained trained for new staff and also they have to be retrained every uh certain amount of time. I mentioned curriculum instruction on HIV and related information and skills. Anything that has to do with HIV in the law um that you you'll notice a score on that one a bit. Uh personnel, right? Do we have an anti-bullying specialist as required by law in the schools? Do we have an anti-bullying uh coordinator which is myself? Are we following the process? Right? All all the pieces of the puzzle, are they there? And and we get scored on that. Uh are we reporting it

026correctly? Are we we we are required to have an anonymous way of reporting? Do we have it on on our website? Uh is it being followed? Uh all those things. We we have evidence for that and we score ourselves on that. And the final two elements are just procedures and the way we report all the way to reporting to the board as I did prior to this meeting in executive session. So, uh we'll get into the the scores. Um here's some just really quick ones and Dr. Farrell mentioned this presentation will be up online. Um so you'll be able to see this in detail, but just real quick 15 points. A total of 78 points is what we're going to score the schools are scoring themselves out of. Uh core element one is worth 15

027points. Every indicator is worth three points. So as you can see a 15 point max there's five indicators for this particular core element. Core element two is a total of nine points. That means there's three indicators at three points each. Core element three 15 total points which five indicators. Corlement four is six points only two indicators. Corlement five three indicators total of nine points maximum. Six is six points. Seven is 12 points. And the last corman is six points which covers two indicators. So how did we do? All right, we did really well. Really really impressed. And um what I'll mention is one of the benefits that that I I appreciate with this role is I get to work with all the schools, right? I get to go in and out of all the schools.

028And um you know the old adage is numbers don't lie, right? Um I have to be honest with you, the numbers that you're going to see tonight moving forward align to what I see and what I experience and the conversations I'm having. uh attended many back to school nights. You know, the culture, the climate very positive in all the schools. So, it's no surprise that that our self- assessment scores align to what you actually see. A lot of times we say, "We're doing great. This feels good." And also, you look at the scores like that doesn't match up. The hard work that was done in the school level and also district level behind the scenes and also doing the assessment um are are aligning very well. So, um this first slide covers the two high

029schools, Brick Memorial High School and Brick Township High School. as as you can see little dark over here. Um so the bottom two columns are a uh compilation of all their points. They score each other uh one core element at a time, right? So um you see Brick Township High School scored themselves a 78 out of 78. So that's 100%. And Brick Memorial High School had a 73 out of 78 for a 94% um self- assessment rating. So again, excellent. Excellent numbers uh for the two high schools. Did I skip the middle school? Middle school. All right. We have uh two middle schools. As you can see, the breakdown uh by each core component uh total for Lake Riviera Middle School was 74 out of 78 total points, which gives us a 95% uh score.

030And uh VMMS, Vets Memorial, had 73 out of 78 points. They scored at 94%. Okay. Again, when you look at numbers, remember we had lots of evidence that we had to review uh lots of time uh devoted to this. The state gives us like 90 plus days uh actually almost 120 days to go over it. So, we we had a lot of work and again, thank you to everybody who was involved. Moving on to the elementary schools. Uh this slide covers half the elementary schools. Uh Drum Point scored a 76 out of 78, 97%. Uh Emma Havens was at 73 out of 78 94% and uh Lanes Mill was at 75 out of 78 for a score of 98%. So they did very very well. The uh last three elementary schools uh Midstream 74 out

031of 78 for 95% score. Osborneville 77 out of 78 99% and Vets um Vets Elementary 76 out of 78 97%. So, as you can see, we're all in the high 90s. Excellent work by uh by all the schools and the leadership um and and the parents who are involved in the process as well. And our last two schools are are uh ECDC's, our preschools, right? So, uh Herbert'sville scored 78 out of 78 as did uh Warren H. Wolf. They both received they both came up with 100% for both schools. So, so again, excellent numbers uh by by all eight schools. And the last slide is really just a compilation for all of them. And again, this will be on the website broken down 7378 for the high schools, middle schools 7473, and then the breakdown

032on the uh on the middle for your elementary schools, and the last two um on the right for the preschools. And that is all I have. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Rubon. Um there isn't a data sheet that the board approves that we submit that will also be on the website, right, Mr. Rabone? Tomorrow, that that data sheet will attach as well. Um, I want to thank Mr. Rabone because last week was our week of respect and that's where we really implement a lot of our HIV procedures, protocols, talking about kindness, really working with students on an ongoing level and last week was phenomenal between the videos and and the staff members wearing certain things and it it really is important for us. So, thank you for facilitating a great week of respect last week.

033Thank you. Thank you. Again, our next presentation is on um our data and test scores basically um from curriculum and instruction. We present every year. Dr. Anderson presents every year. I think the template is the same almost every year. Uh but I know she'll give a different twist this year, right? >> Okay. We'll see. Anyway, Dr. Anderson, >> do you want me to do it without the presentation? >> Why you don't have it loaded yet? >> I'm not in charge of it. >> I can do like a little preview just saying, you know, that this is um required every year that we report out to our community about our statewide assessments. In the summertime, I had talked about NJGPA and access testing. And tonight, I'll be talking about DM um and NJSLA. Um and so

034this is really a bird's eye view. It's not going to be very specific because um you can always look at our website to see the specifics and if you have any Well done, Aiden. Um if you have any questions, you can always come you know and email me or or you know, reach out. Are we good? Okay. All right. So, as I said, um I'll be reporting out on DM and the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment and JSLA. Uh they assess students in ELA, math, and science. When we receive data, we look at it at three levels, at a district level, at a school level, and in a classroom. And we have teams of people that are looking at ways to act on that data to make it actionable. And so first we'll start with

035that with the DM. Um dynamic learning maps is uh an alternate assessment for students who do not take NJSLA. Uh special education students are assessed in English language arts and math in grades three through eight and 11 and science grades three grades five 8 and 11. The dynamic learning maps assess essential elements knowledge and skills linked to the grade level standards as identified by the state standards. Uh in the spring of 2025, 64 students were assessed in ELA. And this graph shows the results which are reported in four levels. Blue is emerging, gold is approaching, green is at target or advanced. And of those 64 students, 41% of them were either at target or advanced. And that is an improvement of 3% over the previous year. Now that's now the next slide shows DM math.

036We had 61 students assessed in grades three through eight and grade 11. 35% of the students scored at target or advanced levels which represents a 5% increase over last year. And finally science. This slide shows the results for 23 students in grades 5, 8, and 11 who were assessed um in science two which is a 2% increase over last year's results. Sure. >> A I think he's under more pressure than I am tonight. Poor Aiden. Aiden, we can always work it out over here, I'm sure. Right. We can move that podium maybe and put that last mic over here. >> Okay. >> Oh, we could do wireless. Okay, great. >> So, in terms of intervention strategies to support students and having greater proficiency in DM, uh we have an extended school year program, uh we

037are constantly collecting data and monitoring our students IEP goals and objectives and progress monitoring their IEPs. We have our teachers working to structure their classroom with daily I I want a bonus for this. I want lunch. Um so teachers structure classes to ensure that the daily learning centers um support not only uh the standards, the general standards but also focus in on group work and individualized instruction to help students meet um their learning targets. and that we we have developed specialized curricular materials um that address skill barriers and align with grade level essential elements and we provide a great deal our special education department is excellent. They provide a great deal of support to teachers who are administering DM. um our special education coaches backwards design planning from DM blueprints identifying those essential elements in

038math, ELA and science and design lessons and assessments so kids have exposure to the content and we provide that targeted support and guidance prior to DM because it occurs during a long long testing window and during testing and we our coaches distribute and integrate those manipulatives into the classroom so students have practice using them and they research accommodations so that all of our students have access to the accommodations that will help them the most. So now we're going to turn to our statewide assessments for NJSLA. And so the first slide will show you um the grades three through five district versus state results in ELA. Um the first bar graph has the district, the second has the state. Uh the students who scored each level of proficiency are designated in colors. So a level one

039is not meeting, it's in blue, and then partially meeting is in light blue. Approaching is in yellow. And um in green there's levels four and five. That's meeting and exceeding. And that's our comparison to the state. And then once we look at it by grade level compared to the state, we also look at it um by school. so that we know how to divert our resources and support our schools. And so, um, if you look at at this, we had a overall 3.4% increase in grade three over last year. And, uh, two of our, uh, schools, Midstreams and Vetsel, actually scored above the state average with Lanes Mill scoring at about the state average. And here's grade four results. Overall, the district's growth was 3.4% over last year. And midstreams and drum points scored well

040above the state average, which was 53.5% by scoring 60.1 and 64.6 uh% respectively. And Osborneville scored um at just about the state average. This is grade five ELA. Um the district growth was 4.5% over last year with Midstreams in Osborneville scoring above the state average. And here's grades six through nine um ELA scores district versus state. Um as you can see by the graph um in grades seven and nine we were more than five points above the state average. And in grades six and eight we were within three points of the state average. And here it is broken down by school. Again, it's always gives us an opportunity to look at it by grade by school to see how we can shift and support the schools and those staff and students at those schools. Um,

041uh, both schools were above the state average in grade seven and VMS was at the state average in grade eight. And in grade nine, uh, both schools scored above the state average. And here we look at subgroup performance. So our goal is to look at the subgroups in order to help provide additional interventions and support so that all of our students are scoring on par with the district. The district is in blue. Our economically disadvantaged subgroup is in red. Our yellow subgroup is our students with disabilities. and our English language learners or MLS, multilingual learners are in green. And so what kind of strategies do we have in place to support ELA growth? Um, our computer adaptive learning platforms are really important. We use Lexia Core 5, which is a really highly rated program. It's

042considered high quality instructional uh programming. Um, and as identified by the What Works Clearing House, we use that for grades K through five. We use achieve 3000 which is another very highly rated program. It's computer adaptive and helps uh provide kid the students with um support based on their needs and uh we use that the middle school in six through eight. We focus on the subclaims which is really like an item analysis to see where our students are um having difficulty and we are integrating a lot more interdisciplinary writing so that um students uh improve their thinking and writing skills. We have targeted interventionist support with our basic skills teachers and our teachers are always involved in data um using data to provide uh support and small groupoup instruction and um we are we do

043dibbles progress monitoring and schoolwide contests. So the schoolwide contests create that um component of competition to help kids feel like they're part of a culture of achievement. So we give a lot of shoutouts teachers um have plays in their classroom where students are earning points. Um so it's a real um goal is to really create a literacy-rich environment. In terms of professional development, our coaches are awesome. Um they provide job embedded professional development in the classroom. Um they provide uh meetings with teachers and professional learning communities or PLC's. They do some data analysis. Uh we look at benchmark assessments together. Um we focus on the areas of weakness and provide curricular resources in those areas and we do a lot of monitoring with um the computer adaptive pro platforms along with lesson plans. Um and

044we are so excited that last year we got a grant for $22,000. So we were able to bring in um a consultant who is a former brick educator uh Christine Brown. She is our focus grant coordinator and so she's helping our teachers respond to the progress monitoring data that um parents just received last week u called dibbles. So now let's turn to math. So math um in grades three through five, this is uh a slide that shows the district versus state um levels when we had 3,923 students in grades three through nine take the math assessment. Um, we are just 4/10en away from the state average in grade three and about three points away from the state average in grade four and five. And here's grade three broken down by school. Um this slide um

045has we are 410 from the state average with four of our six schools exceeding the state average and with Emma he Emma Havens just a.7 uh behind the state average and that represents a 12.2 point increase over last year. Uh grade four we scored within four points of the state average with three schools scoring above the state average. Jump Point, Lanes, Mill, and Midstreams. And grade five, we scored within 3.4 points of the state average, representing an eight point increase over last year. Uh this slide shows the proficiency between uh grades six and eight between the district and the state. Uh we are above the state average in grade seven, but grade six has the greatest need for support. And that's where we're focusing our basic skills services. uh we're concentrating at that grade level

046this year. And this slide shows by school the breakdown between the school. Both schools scored above the state average in grade seven. And here's algebra. Um we offer algebra accelerated um algebra in eighth grade at Lake River and mid and vets middle school. And then the the high school scores are are next to it which are pretty comparable. And then here's the algebra by district and state and then gometry scores compared to the state. Um we are uh about 5.4 points below the state in algebra and 2.7 points below the state in geometry. And algebra is a really big focus for us this year. And so is middle school math. And here are the percentages by school for geometry. And here's a subgroup of data. What's really not uh interesting about this slide is that

047there is no achievement gap in geometry between economically disadvantaged students and the the overall population. And in grade three, our m our English language learners actually outperformed general population. And I actually called someone today, one of my coaches, and I said, "Are we sure that's true?" And they said, "Yeah, no, that is absolutely true." So I confirmed that data. So when the right supports and interventions are in place, you can really see that it levels the playing field. And so we are constantly looking to improve um and ensure that all of our students are growing. And so how do we do that? We do that with um a focus this year um on grades six and eight in algebra. Uh we're implementing the try discuss connect routine with fidelity. This is like our fifth year

048using I Ready and so kids who have come up with the program. We're seeing that growth and that's why the the the growth in um the elementary school is so impactful and we understand that the middle school scores would be those students would have some difficulty because remember they uh were uh really at a critical time during the pandemic and they really didn't have the opportunity to probably uh deepen their knowledge and understanding of math concepts. So they're playing catch-up, but the longer they're in the I Ready program, the better they do. And so with this year, what we decided to do is u offer more cumulative practice and track it through link it. We also are using Delta math in our algebra course. Uh our teachers tried Freckle last year and it it was

049it didn't work out and so the feedback was let's try something different. They piloted Delta Math last year and now we're um scaling it up and all of our um algebra teachers will be using uh Delta Math and our grade eight teachers will be using. We continue to do small groupoup targeted instruction and really having kids set their goals and track their progress and having data chats with the teachers is really so important. We do the schoolwide contest to get the kids motivated and all of the support for teachers is is here in terms of professional development with walkthroughs and lesson plans and pacing and um providing uh training additional targeted training for I Ready especially for people who came in the last two years or even last year that didn't get the whole uh

050program uh professional development because when we first initiated it was a full day. So we brought those people together and provided them enhanced training and support um since um they came in after the initial adoption. And so we're doing uh coaching support, model lessons, PLC's um and going over those evidence statements, which is it like an item analysis and where the weakness standards are and how we can provide resources to the teachers to help their students. And how do we support the subgroups? Through our multi-tered system of support. So making sure our core programming is strong that we have computer adaptive programs we have small groupoup instruction that students are aren't meeting with success that are still struggling receive some basic skills support and then the students who are still in need of support have

051increased interventionist support and we do have some student mentoring programs. We also have some extended school day programs um that are set to begin later in the year. And so finally in science um we you'll see the district compared to the state in grades five, eight, and 11 and then broken out by school and then by school by grade 8 and break by grade 11. and then by subgroup and you would understand that um the academic language in um understanding SC the science assessment is really robust. So it's very hard for students who are uh new to the country or u English language learners to have significant difficulty with that where you could see our district and our economically disadvantaged numbers are closer as along with the students with disabilities percentages. So what interventions exist

052in science? We have a 5e lesson model and making sure teachers are using that inquiry based approach to understanding science concepts and focusing in on physical science and sensemaking in grades K through five. In the middle school, we have an open sed curriculum which is based on phenomenons and having kids actively uh apply science and engineering practices because science is a process. It is not a collection of facts. Having them think like scientists is really important. So they use uh digital platforms like gizmos and they've used ink kits to do investigations and simulations. Um and it's really important that we embed this into all of our courses and at the high school as well. What's challenging is that um the kids um it's a cumulative assessment so they only take it in 5, eight and

05311. So sometimes things that they learned in previous grades they forget about. So what we are doing this year is building in linkit benchmark assessments and having kids each quarter take those assessments to keep the concepts fresh in their minds. And we're doing that K through um K through eight. And we're integrating it into biology, chemistry, and physics. and we have an academic coach who is so in demand that um we she she's just all over the district because she's the teachers really um and as our other academic coaches really appreciate her assistance. So in terms of ELA growth comparison just as a summary of some of the things that I talked about tonight, Brick Township, everything in green shows where we are outperforming the state. So we are outperforming the state in our growth.

054Not necessarily did we hit the average in some cases, but we definitely outgrew the state by a significant number. Um and if you looked at how the state grew last year, it was a point. We grew by three points. If you look at our cohort growth, which means students um uh how they did compared to how they did the previous year. So for instance um in grade our fourth grade students grew 12.2 points over the previous year when they were in third grade. So that cohort of students moving from grade three to grow grade four grew 12.2 points in ELA. And so like it's just a significant growth. So our growth was three points as um year-over-year from different students same grade um to compared to cohort students following them to the next grade level.

055And we are so excited because we uh were awarded the impact grant for $400,000. So that will enable us finally because we have delay delayed our reading adoption um and have been piloting for several years which ends up being a blessing. It is absolutely a blessing because if we had selected a program that we weren't really and our teachers had piloted and weren't really pleased with it would not have been aligned to this to the uh science of reading. Now the program that we are piloting three programs this year. The publishers have caught up with the science of reading. They have reworked their programs and so we are even repiloting programs we piloted a few years ago. We are super excited and so that $400,000 has to be divided equally between the core reading program

056and professional development. So we are like super excited. I know. And so um in terms of math growth comparison uh we know that math um continues to be a struggle. It's a state struggle. It's a national struggle and it's it's hitting us in the middle school level uh where we are going to focus all of our efforts and resources. It is our district goal by our superintendent. It is a call to call to duty uh call to action. So we did grow significantly in grade three, seven points where the state grew only 2.2 and in grade four to 2.7 points where the we outperformed the state and in grade five eight points where the state only grew four points. So we're closing that gap. And in grade six we went down a bit. So that's

057an area focus. And in grade seven we went up 4.8 points whereas the state only went up 1.2. And in grade eight we grew by 0.5 whereas the state grew by 1.2. So really our focus is at grade six on algebra because we went down 4.8 and geometry. Now geometry there's a lot of reasons why that happened. More students were tested in the fall than the spring and because there are more days and it was fresher. Kids did better when you're tested and you have more days in that but we're on a block schedule. So in in the fall, they're tested in the second week of December. Whereas if you're tested in the spring, you aren't tested until the end of May. So there's more instructional time. And so we try to balance the schedule.

058Our uh guidance supervisors are awesome. They try to shift more kids to take their math in the spring, but some kids have to take it in the in the fall, otherwise our staff would have no one to teach. And so lastly, in science growth, uh I am like It's outrageous, but we grew 7.4 points in one year in science. And I I just so thrilled to see that kind of growth. And I haven't seen that before. And my colleagues in surrounding towns don't haven't seen that. And so uh like shout out Amanda Bey and Heather. [Applause] Grade eight and 11. It's it's really hard with a cumulative test but we are really prepared because we have a like I said a set uh in we have a created link assessments that will provide a cumulative

059review and we're doing in every grade level instead of just grade five 8 and 11. So that's going to keep the content fresh for our students. So I'm really optimistic that next year those scores will be stronger. Um and what's our district goal? our fearless leader. He gives us our goals and of course it's chronic absenteeism. Kids will do better if they are here. So every school has an action plan and that action plan is customized based on their data. We meet every month to talk about it and how it's going. Um our teachers are big plan part of that plan. Teachers call after two days of absences and say hey where are you? We miss you. Our office staff say hey oh I'm so glad you're here today. So there is a lot of

060work being done by our principles, our school leaders and our assessment teams in each of the school. We have a student growth goal in every subject of 5%. Um and and that's a an ambitious goal, but it's a goal that came as a result of our strategic action plan, right? Our strategic planning that came uh that was initiated four years ago, that was all as a result of that. Um, and we create an action plan and work with our principles. My team works with building administrators every single month to look at the data and decide how to make the data actionable and what additional interventions because it's a fluid plan. It changes every month. And so with that, that strategic action plan is a real source of pride for us. Thank you, Dr. Farrell who

061was honored for being a top um honors for New Jersey policy institute. They did an analysis of the state and there's over 600 this was this was this dropped today. We have over 600 districts in this state and the the New Jersey policy institute highlighted the fact that school districts don't create a strategic plan that involves academic achievement. They might do it for facilities. They might do it for finances or but they don't do it for academics. Dr. Farrell did it for academics. We were only one of 50 districts in the state that even had one that was evaluated by academic achievement. And we were we were the second highest scoring district out of the 50. Because our plan had ambitious, measurable goals. It had support for those goals and a clear understanding of how

062an and intentional that support would be a commitment to instructional change and a holistic structure where we were supporting students, we're supporting teachers and we're involving our community and so all of that and that's Mr. Sluka I think that came from you. I remember you speaking about the community over and over again and in our rights community connected, student centered, teacher-led, community connected. All of that was a result of our strategic planning process which um we were recognized for and our mission statement really does say it all. We are committed to student centered instruction, teacher-led practice, academic growth, and we involve our community so that our kids are res are their talents are cultivated and we're preparing them for their future. We're impairing empowering them for altruistic roles and lifelong learning. And I can't thank

063my team enough. Uh Amanda Bey, uh Allison Nunees, uh Jennifer Huey, uh where are you? Where are you? Christopher Thompson and Chad Cuts, thank you so so much. You are enabling us to to move the needle and we couldn't do it without our school leaders who are fantastic. And those school leaders and our teachers are working so hard to help improve student achievement. And did you know, I don't know if you knew this, Dr. Farrell, it is October is what? >> Principal. >> It is. Nope. It is National Principles Month. And so we'd like to take a moment to extend our deepest appreciation to our principles. They have arguably the most demanding role in education. They're visionaries who set the academic tone. Their chief operational officers who create a safe and supportive environment. Their instructional

064leaders who inspire our teachers. And every single day they manage a very complex and challenging um school community. They support countless students. They navigate the unexpected. uh all with a focus on student success. And so thank a principal if you can. We appreciate please. [Applause] >> I could be done. Do you want me to be done? >> I want to thank you. I first of all I need to thank Dr. Anderson and her super soups cuz >> I know the army call that we literally call them >> the super soups from Augustan collect all this data and we go through it and they review it with our curriculum instruction committee and we talk about it. Um I do want to also thank our principles. I was a principal for many years. >> I I know

065there's a lot of hard jobs in education but boy running a building is one of the hardest jobs and we have many principles that run it by themselves. you know um single administrator buildings. So I want to thank them. I want to talk just briefly real quick. We really are believers in the growth model right measure ourselves against ourselves and we did our strategic plan four years ago. It took us almost two years. I started six and we implemented it three years ago. We did a short term and a long term three and five years. Uh it's all posted on the website. That information came today from the New Jersey Policy Institute. One of our principles Dr. occasion down in Atlantic City was with a colleague and he was being congratulated about us being recognized.

066I did not know anything about it. I don't think Dr. Anderson knew anything about it. So, it was a nice recognition um because that strategic plan took all stakeholders and we took 18 months for it. And I do remember Mr. Sluca saying we need to add parent connected. We ended up added community connected uh to our shield and our mission. And when we set our academic performance goals, we specifically set them as growth goals. Very ambitious, but very measurable. Now, it's hard. You've heard many of times in here, you know, we push off some milestones on our strategic planning due to budgeting and financial constraints, right? Implementing, you know, a literacy program or things that we just had to do without because of financial woes. Um, but it's a work in progress that plan and

067it is measurable and if you notice one thing about test scores I really believe especially the last few years is that we're moving the needle. It's never good enough for me. I believe that you know as long as they keep score I want to be the best and we need to do better and we know that every day but we're moving the needle. Um, I will tell you and this year we talked about middle school math and math is a big big goal. If you look nationally and we saw this postcoid, there's so many studies coming out of so many colleges and universities about specific middle school math postco. Um, and that was really a point of emphasis for us in our strategic plan. We also set our goals for two-year periods. So you don't

068do a goal whether you achieve it or not and throw it away, right? We kind to do it with absenteeism. We started at the first, we're in the second year of that, moving the needle and then kind of morph into some other measurable goals. But I do want to thank our curriculum and instruction department tirelessly gathering this data. This will all be online. So for you data geeks like me, this will all be online tomorrow. Have at it. I'm sure Dr. Anderson and principles will welcome. I mean, this is what we do. So we welcome emails and questions on student performance. it is important. Um, and like I said, long as we keep moving the needle forward and doing it the best we can, um, and allocating the most resources we can, which is very

069important, um, I think we're going to keep being successful and even move the needle further. So, thank you, Dr. Anderson, and thank you to the super soups out there as well. All right. I need a motion and a second for the approval of minutes for the September 18th meeting. >> Motion Fran. >> Second, George. >> Mary, vote, please. >> Miss Palao. >> Yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> I'm going to abstain. >> Miss Benedictus? >> Yes. >> Mr. Henry? >> Yes. >> Mr. Maleri? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mesmer? >> Yes. Moving on to committee reports. Uh Dr. Anderson, CNI. >> Thank you, Mr. Msmer. The CNI committee met on October 7th at 4:30. In attendance was Mrs. De Benedictus, our chairperson, Mr. Henry, Mr. Malgiri, Dr. Farrell, Dr. Tuaru, and myself. Uh first, I started by

070reviewing the items for this month's agenda. Agenda, which included travel and training, field trips, and student teacher placements. Also on this month's agenda under operations is the motion to accept the NJDOE impact grant for $400,000. Half of the funds will be used to pilot and select a new reading program. The other 200,000 must be used towards professional development and training to implement the program. We are thrilled to offset the cost of a new adoption with this grant. And I need to thank my team for this for their countless hours of grant writing. Thank you to Allison Munes, Amanda Bey, uh, and Christine Brown, as well as our ac our ELA coach, uh, Kathleen Fitzgerald. Next, I provide an overview of the DM and NJSLA data presentation. Dr. Tuarro shared the DM data with the committee,

071and I shared the NJSLA data. Spotlight on academic coaches. I next provide an overview of our enhanced intervention framework that promotes continuous growth and improvement through a network of classroom teachers, interventionists, and academic coaches who respond in real time to student needs. The coach's roles involve job embedded professional development by modeling lessons uh in instituting coaching cycles, uh PLC support, workshops, department meetings, curriculum development, data analysis. They work with teachers to create instructional plans based on the data and focused on small group instruction. They also create district and schoolwide contests to create culture of achievement centered around goal setting. Um next I provide an update about assessments. I explained that Dibbles reports would be sent home to K to3 parents on Friday October 10th. Dibbles is our early literacy screener which is used to measure

072the foundational reading skills that stu children need to be strong readers. It checks for phmic awareness, phonics, and reading fluency. Uh the data helps teachers figure out quickly what extra skill support is needed for students so they can tailor their lessons or provide small group support. Um I Ready diagnostic assessments will always also be posted in parent portal on October 10th. These results provide valuable information about students current understanding of key math concepts. The report offers an overview of performance across several domains and identifies areas of growth as well as opportunities for areas of strength as well as opportunities for growth. These results guide instruction and support continued academic progress throughout the year. Um, in terms of family engagement, on October 7th, Osborneville School held a title one night to provide parents with an overview

073of the basic skills program. And we also um held a virtual parent information session uh for our bilingual and ESL programs. On the same evening on October 20th, we have a um a parent academy for parents uh to support uh their child's uh reading and um to understand the Dibbles report that was sent home as well as the I Ready Math diagnostic assessment. And so that'll be a virtual academy on October 20th. And we've been blackboarding that information out. Our next meeting is to be determined. Um and so that's all I have. Thank you. Uh, next committee, Mr. Edwards, uh, facilities and finance. >> Thank you, Mr. Mezner. Uh, facilities committee met on October 6. Mr. Mesmer, Dr. Farrell, myself, uh, Mr. Purio, Mr. Seagull from Speasel Architectural, Miss Cashman, Mrs. Gallardi, and Mr. Williams

074also from Speasel Architectural, Mr. Gapour from DMR Architectural, Mr. Chone, and Mr. Dubich from FVHD, and Mr. Y from Neta. Uh first topic of discussion was the warm wolf air conditioning project. Mr. Yur reported that the project is progressing well. All the unit ventilators and the VRF systems have been installed. The rooftop units and energy recovery units are remaining pending. Any installation of those is scheduled for October 9th which was last week. Uh update on those. Those those have been done. Uh the rooftop units been delivered but has not been installed. that will be installed November uh 6th and 7th I believe over the teachers break uh for the teachers convention rather uh Herbertsville elementary school air conditioning miss you reported that the uh progress is well the ventilators are prepared for the heat in

075the classrooms the boiler pump is backorded and um should be delivered also installed the week of uh the teachers convention the temporary pump is installed in place and a permanent pump is expected midstream's kitchen Mr. Yur reported that the kitchen is currently being utilized by the school. The double all oven and the refrigerator have been installed successfully. The remaining punch list items including electrical finishes and wall tile insulation around the grease trap. Project closeout remains pending and these units are uh these items are being completed. Osborneville Elementary School Kitchen Edition. Mr. Williams reported that the project delay to the exterior ramp and anterior doors. It's expected that they were that they would be delivered the week of October 20th. uh update for the committee and the board is that those items have been delivered and

076are being installed this week. We're expected to have that kitchen online uh the week of October 29th after complete setup. Um Midstream's elementary school air conditioning, Miss Cashman reported that the 30-day medium project is to be completed on October 14th, which will determine the extent of any electrical change order that may be needed. Osmo Bril Elementary School air conditioning. Miss Cashman reported that the punch list is being addressed with the fin tube and UV covers currently being installed, followed by the training and system balancing. And finally, the long-range facility plan. Uh reported to the to the committee that we are waiting for clarification from the DOE on the LRFP action that needs to be taken by the district. Uh we're going to be putting out a scope of work to the three architects of record

077to get proposals uh so that they're all proposing on the same body of work. Next meeting is November 10th. We then moved into finance committee, Mr. Mesmer, Misty Benedictus, Dr. Farrell, myself. Uh first item we discussed was a civil engineer of record which uh the three civil engineer of records are on this evening's agenda for approval. Next we discussed the state aid litigation, informed the committee that myself and Dr. Farrell had a kickoff meeting with the attorneys. We're gathering lots of information that they've requested. Um and uh we also talked about the timing of the filing without litigation. Uh long-term care uh discussed with the committee the program offered by all state where employees would be able to elect long-term care insurance as a payroll deduction. Uh the committee did not see any issue with

078that. It's 100% voluntary by the employee and cost the board nothing. advertising. Uh Plymouth Rock Assurance re-uped their parking lot banners. The US Army purchased two stadium banners at one at Brick High and one at Brick Memorial. Renegade Heating did a did a bus ad for three years and Bonefish Grill did a stadium banner at Brick Memorial High School and the next meeting is November 10th. >> Thanks, Mr. Edwards. Um, last but not least, the policy committee did not meet in person uh this month, but there was communication via email with Dr. Frell. Okay, this will be the first public comment section on agenda items only. This will be the first opportunity for public comment and will be for agenda items only. The board invites thoughts and reactions on agenda items. Each participant is asked

079to give his or her name prior to making a statement. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. Comment shall be limited to five minutes. The board will not during the public portion of this meeting discuss matters involving employment, appointment, termination of employment, negotiations, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of, promotion or disciplining of any specific or perspective or current employee or student. Anybody interested in uh public comment on agenda items? Seeing none. Okay. >> Dr. Anderson, can you please introduce curriculum and instruction? >> Thank you, Mr. Mesmer. Under curriculum instruction, the superintendent recommends that the board approve the following items one through three. >> I need a motion and a second. >> Motion. >> Second, George. It's like four. But >> who was who was first? >> Victoria, I think

080was first. >> Okay. >> George was second. >> Any board comment? >> Mary, please vote. >> Miss Pala, >> yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> yes. >> Miss Benedictus, >> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Meljeri, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. >> Moving on to operations. Mr. Edwards, can you please introduce? >> Uh, yes. Superintendent recommends the board approves items 1 through 22. >> I need a motion and a second. >> Motion B. >> Second. >> Whoever else said it could go sec. >> Second, George. >> Any board comment? >> Yeah. >> Um, go. >> I will quickly just like like to thank um there's a bunch of donations on here at number 11, number 12, number 13, number 14. Um, so the PTAs, uh, some anonymous donations, the Boy Scouts of

081America, the Elks Antlers. Um, thank you all for supporting our students in places that the state does not um, because of our funding issues. So, we appreciate your generosity and our children. Thank you. >> I just like to say what she said. Thank you. And I'll triple that >> and say that I am so happy to get this impact grant. I mean, that's that's why our scores are going up because we're finally getting a little bit of what our students deserve and I am so grateful for it. >> Okay, Mary, vote please. >> Miss Paka, >> yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> yes. >> Mr. Benedictus, >> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Maljeri, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. Moving on to human resources. Mr. Edwards, can you please introduce? >> Yes.

082The superintendent recommends the board approves items 1 through 29. >> I need a motion and a second. >> Motion France. >> Second. George. Any board comment. >> Yes. Yes. I just want to talk about the volunteer par profofessionals and special education support we get for our students. They um they go above and beyond. They give of their own time. I really think they're like headed for saintthood. So, I would just like to call them out and let them know that we appreciate what they contribute to our school community. We couldn't do it without them. Um, quickly, I just wanted to shout out um all of our current teachers and admins that are going for further degrees. And I think that's super cool that they um keep their education going. And I think it's even cooler

083that we support them with some reimbursements and some paying increases because they're I think that's great. So, thank you. >> Okay, Mary, vote, please. Miss Pala, >> yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> yes. >> Mr. Benedictus, >> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Meljeri, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. I I want to congratulate our retirees, but I know there's a few here tonight. Terry, congratulations. Osborneville, second grade. Is there any other retirees? I know some come, some don't come. I congratulate you. I always joke, I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel just yet, but well worth it. Um, for all your years of service, not only to Brick, to anybody else in education. We thank you as educators. So, thank you. >> Yeah, Terry. Terry's amazing. She's one

084of our teacher leaders, always embraces every new initiative. Um, she's amazing. And, uh, just worked at the PLC, right, with Karen Lita, former educator. students that are >> former teacher of the year >> and here >> and this is interesting Karen's husband Mr. Ita was involved in a strategic planning process years and years ago in 2008. >> Good to see you. >> Yeah. So like really thank you. Thank you Terry for your service. We really appreciate it. >> Thank you for coming. Thank you. Thank you and congratulations. [Applause] >> Okay. Next we have policy and planning. Dr. Anderson. >> Thank you Mr. Mesmer. Under policy and planning, the superintendent recommends that the board approve the following items 1 through 4. >> I need a motion and a second. >> Motion Brand. >> Second. George, any

085board comment? >> Okay. Mary, vote, please. >> Miss Pulla, >> yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> yes. >> Miss Benedictus, >> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Malerie, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. Okay, this will be the second opportunity for public comment. Each participant is asked to give his or her name prior to making a statement. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. Comment shall be limited to five minutes. The board will not during the public portion of this meeting discuss matters involving employment, appointment, termination of employment, negotiations, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of, promotion or disciplining of any specific or perspective or current employee and/or student. Do we have anyone for public comment? Where do you want him to go? Okay, [Applause] >> there we

086go. >> All right, >> I'm gonna This is about as loud as I could talk, so hopefully um First of all, what happened to the middle school report? Do we do away with this year? Even if it's short, it's nice to hear something. Okay. Okay. Let me read my letter that I or my note that I sent Dr. F. >> I will a second. Yeah. So, anyway, so I'm gonna read my letter and it's John Sluka 950 Sylvia Court and I wrote it to Dr. Farrell, but again, he gave corrected some things for me. But I just wanted to make sure you got an opportunity to tell everybody, not just me. Uh, so we often hear that school, brick schools aren't doing as well as they could be. And I don't get it. You need

087to be in the top 15% of the class to get into the stars program, but it sounds like you need a higher than a 4.4 to get to the top 15%. The max is 4.0. Shouldn't everybody be tied at that point? I understand you're lucky to be in the top 30% if you get 4.0 that will not qualify for stars. So the top 15% most of them most of them go away to college. And those who might take advantage of the stars because they're economically disadvantaged or people who just are not mixed up, don't know where to go, don't don't know anything really don't get into the stars because they're only like 99th in the class with a 4.0. I mean that to me that's kind of high. I think we had two kids in

088a 4.0 when I went to high school. Uh, are we overgrading or we just got a crazy way of marking now that we always get advantages or is the stars completely just a waste of time? The kids have no chance either financially or just have no direction so they don't get in. Uh, I did this based on a Zen diagram. I think it's a Zen diagram. It's been a long time since I used it, but it usually goes slow and up. Ours probably go across and down, you know, and then across. It's just a little mixed up. So, I'm gonna let Dr. Farrell answer my questions. Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? >> Justin Delaney. Thank you uh for the time, Mr. Mesmer. Um, something was brought to my attention earlier this week. It

089was a um, comment from social media that was posted by a board member that I think is slanderous and unethical. And I wanted to bring it to the attention of the board because I thought this was a subject we have moved way on from. I will read it for you and I quote, "With direct instruction from the Brick Republican Club, four BOE members voted against the 7.8 8 million New Jersey D grant to provide brick schools with 25 electric buses and the infrastructure and training to implement them into the fleet. Those buses would have been great for our school children and community. No gas or oil needed. Who votes against $7.8 million for school children? You know who. Exclamation point. Just going to ask real quick. Anyone up here ever been forced or coerced or

090told how to vote on something? >> I didn't think so. So if you ever are, let me know because I'll personally go to the Attorney General's office and make sure that's investigated. And I think that is very rude to talk about your fellow board members. I think somebody like Vice President Mes uh Mesmer did a lot of research into this and he has way too much integrity. He's way too smart of a person to allow someone else to influence how he votes on something. But since it was brought up and since it was voted down, I'm not going to beat a dead horse because I know we discussed this a lot in the past. I'm just going to give you a little rundown some stuff recently that's happened with EV school buses in addition to

091them costing almost four times in a regular school bus and 15 years from now trying to replace 20 to 25 of them. That would be a big burden. But earlier this year, one of the manufacturers of electron of electric school buses went bankrupt. They were bought by another company that is based out of Canada and is only going to work in Canada. So everybody who bought buses from this company has no warranty no longer. There's a school district in Winthrop Maine. I actually spoke with Talian Soua, the assistant superintendent. They have four buses that are out of service. That's the only four buses they have that are electric. They're broken. They can't fix them. Parts are too expensive. And they said every month the bus breaks down, something else goes wrong. There's another manufacturer that

092had two years worth of buses recalled because there was an issue with smoke coming from them. This manufacturer, what they did was, oh, it's a wiring issue. Let's update the software so that this fan that it runs only runs at 80%. Wasn't effective. They went bankrupt. We're bought out. And as of August of this year, the new companies promised to work to try and find a solution on two years worth of buses. Um, and coincidentally, one of the biggest causes of fires on EV buses is faulty wiring. Um, in June 2025, this instance a little close to home, there's an EV bus fire in Philadelphia that destroyed 40 buses. We were looking at a delivery of eight months to a year if we bought those buses. We wouldn't be even halfway to that point if

093we were on time. And I guarantee you they would not have been on time. With China being one of the largest suppliers for parts for these school buses, with the added tariffs that are on there and the difficulty getting parts and the prices being high already, it doesn't help much to try and repair buses on your own when no one's backing your warranty any longer. There's several school districts such as Asheville, North Carolina, Colorado Springs, Colorado. They spent millions trying to bail themselves out of their transition to EV school buses because it backfired on them. They thought it would work, it backfired, and now they're millions in the hole because of it. Some of the other common issues that have come up with these buses that other states and districts are saying is that when

094it goes below 35 degrees, they don't get heated properly inside. Some of them have issues with frames not lining up, so the doors don't open or close properly. Sometimes not at all. They have software that freezes up sometimes while the bus is out in the road and the only way getting it to start again is to reboot the whole computer that runs the bus. The technology for electric buses is not here yet. It's not ready to be implemented into our district. If we would have spent a grant of $7.9 million 10 years from 15 years from now, we would have had to replace 25 buses and no one knows where that money would have come from. Posting stuff like that on a public forum as an elected official who is supposed to be looking out

095for our children, not themselves and their own positions is completely unethical and out of line. It's not the first time I've seen that. And I would wish that we continue doing what we're supposed to do up here and focus on helping the children get the best education they can. I'm glad to see that nobody up here has been coerced into voting. Anyway, go ahead. >> So, your time is up. >> Is it? >> It's a quick five minutes. I thought it was going to be like three. All right. Thank you. I'm done. Thank you, Mr. >> Anybody else for public comment? Uh good evening uh superintendent, administration, and board of ed members. My name is Charlie Bacon. And uh I want to talk about a couple things tonight. And the first one is going to

096be Meline. Unfortunately, she's not here, but I think this is worth talking about. I've known Meline for over 25 years. I've known her through the WCK program when I started coaching over there. She's a tireless individual, always focused on the children. She spends many volunteer hours making our community better. I understand this is an election year and with that a certain hyperbole is expected. Your record as an elected official, platforms, philosophical difference, they're all legitimate issues. However, distorting information and making discriminatory remarks are out of bounds. Couple of weeks ago, I received numerous phones, phone calls, and texts about something about Meline and a picture that was on social media. And I want to repeat what was submitted by Mayor Crate's campaign team that had hit social media mentioning elderly. I understand that. But these

097comments have had a direct repercussion to people on this board and they were taken out of cont. not appropriate for this board. I'd like to proceed if possible. >> Understood. Thank you. So, these were totally taken out of context and there was pictures taken of Meline at a board of ed meeting and the implication was she was sleeping at board of ed meetings. First of all, for anybody to make those comments that has never attended a meeting in years, anybody that goes to these meetings know full well that you people are looking at your laptops and you're looking down. I do not appreciate those kind of comments at all. Ultimately, what will be decided will be next month and I'm going to leave it at that. I'd also like to speak about something else if

098possible during my time frame and I want to mention about Fran. There's been a lot of things going about. She's been on the board three years. She moved from California to come here purposely to get away from the districts out in California and she landed in brick. She's a tireless individual for this board. She maintains her children and juggling a lot of balls. I do not appreciate comments that are made that are coming out in the public around this town about a tax increase. That's totally inappropriate. And unless you understand what's going on with this admin and this board and the pressures that they have, the loss of money, $25 million with S2, the amount of immigrants that are in this town now, that they have a fiduciary responsibility to teach those students without the

099proper funding for that. and to go around and make comments that are disparaging to me about her or anybody else on this board that works hard and tireless when you don't understand what they're trying to balance with our budgets with this school district and everything else. I feel you better get educated before you start floating that around in social media or any other events. And I want to close with one thing. I do appreciate all the work everybody does here. However, if you don't understand what goes on with budgets, the constraints, the amount of teachers we have lost, support staff, and everything else, then I appreciate you start coming to these meetings and supporting these individuals. Thank you and good night. >> Anyone else public comment? Hi, I'm Kristen Stirtz. You already know why I'm

100here. Same same spiel every week or every month. Um, but so I'm here on behalf of both Ocean County Council PTA as well as Vets Middle. We got quite a few exciting updates, but I first just wanted to take a moment to thank everybody that did participate in our recent Meet the Candidates event. All four candidates joined. It gave a great opportunity for, you know, our community to hear their views on the questions and issues facing our district. And again, thank you to the seven sponsoring PTAs and PTO's including Vets Middle, Vets Elementary, Lanes Mill, Midstreams, Drum Point, Osborneville, and Warren Wolf for all their collaboration and hosting this and getting the word out there. That was a mouthful. Um, if you were unable to attend the live stream, there is video playback of it

101available on the League of Women Voters website at lvw.org, org as well as I have it posted on our PTA website which is vmsms pta.ptboard.com. Okay. Um from the Ocean County Council PTA, I'm happy to share that we did fill three of the committee positions that I've been begging to fill. I'm sorry in advance, Mr. H. I took a lot of your people. Uh but Nicole Andraitz will be serving as our bylaws chair. Erin Deladana will be serving as our special education chair. and Sierra Frank will be serving as our legislation chair, but I'll make sure they prioritize Herbertsville first. Um, we we do still have four committee positions open for events, membership, publications, and juvenile protection. I would really like to see the juvenile protection one be filled as soon as possible because that

102one's going to oversee the countywide safety poster contest. Um, we are bringing that back. It was something that was taken away last year and the winners are going to be recognized at our spring meeting scheduled for May 19th. Also, Looking ahead, I did send out an invitation for our founders day celebration, which is February 17th. So, you probably got an email from me in this room. I sent it to every superintendent, principal, vice principal, anybody you could think of within Ocean County. Um, so if you didn't get it, um, I will gladly forward it on. We are being shown up a little bit right now. Beach Haven is really, uh, buying their tickets and even their superintendent's coming. So, just >> I know. >> I thought I'm coming to that one. You didn't buy your

103ticket yet, though. >> Is it like February? >> It's not official until I have your mommy. >> Is it like January or February? >> It's like a shake down. I'm being >> I need the money. >> I'm being shaked down here. You know I'm coming. >> Okay, I know you're coming, but just so you know, there is some competition because there's only two schools right now in Ocean County that have already hit their 10% membership growth, which is Beach Haven Elementary and Bets Middle, and I beat them to it. Um, but we are looking also to have a school course or band at least one or two perform at that. So, if nobody's filled out the invite on that. >> Cool. Awesome. So did I. So we got double there. Um, so if anybody would

104like to perform, we would greatly appreciate it. And then also piggybacking on your comments earlier. I should have got up at the first one, but I didn't. Um, under operations item 13, always like to give a quick shout out to any donations. I did uh have a hand in with the so my son is in the Boy Scouts Troop 20 down in downtown Toms River because he likes to go far. Um and in addition to that, one of our adult leaders is also a member of the Ocean County Historical Society. So they both decided to go haves and donate this bench that we're going to have at our Veterans Day celebration coming up, which I think you'll all be at. Um so we'll have a reveal for that. and he doesn't like when I bring

105this up, but our troop scout master was actually my music teacher when I attended vets 25 years ago. So, uh, Jeff Kempy. So, I'm trying to get him to come there. He's a teacher now in Bridton. So, it's a long drive to make it back to vets, but we'll see. But he said all in. So, we got that big reveal. Um, God, I'm gonna do this real fast. Sorry. And then for vets middle PTA, we are going to be hosting our first national PTA healthy lifestyles vendor fair on January 29th when you make your new meet, you know, schedule of meetings. Do not take January 29th for me because I want you there. Don't book a board meeting that night. Um, so it's going to focus on promoting wellness across three areas. Healthy minds, healthy

106bodies, and healthy earth. So if you or somebody you know, because I know sometimes we get some groups in here um that want to participate as a vendor that fit into any of those three categories, please reach out to us. Um, we're collaborating with our school-based services who kudos to them. I love them all. They I I don't know if they get enough credit because they are all fantastic. I love Delaney. I love Robert. I love Rachel. They're fantastic people that we have at Vets. Um, so we're excited to bring that coming in January. And then finally, I'm going to close out. Before I go with this, congrats because I think you manifested about that grant like two meetings ago and you got it. And I'm in my manifestation era. And at my first PTA

107meeting in September, I told everybody that we applied for these NJ PTA awards and I was manifesting it, that we were going to get it. And Sunday, I woke up to two great things. Taylor Swift dropping a documentary and that we also won the 2025 New Jersey PTA exceptional local unit award winner. So, it's a very exciting Sunday for me. Um, so the award is recognized as a unit that's gone above and beyond to strengthen PTA in their community. We will formally receive our award and banner and yard sign at the PTA NJPTA convention on November 3rd. And I also want to thank uh Mrs. T, Mr. J, and Mr. Carr because they really support every crazy idea I have and let me just run with everything. So, thank you to all. >> Anybody else?

108Anyone else for public comment? >> Seeing none, >> Dr. Farrell, >> I'll try. First of all, Kristen, >> if you don't know, Kristen has more energy than God. I met with her a few weeks ago. I came out of our meeting with more homework. Of course, some of the homework gets pushed off a little bit, but we're applying for lots of things. I will be at that founders day dinner. I just look at February 17th because I come back from our national uh that weekend. I will be there. Um, we're applying online. She's sending me forms. We're doing a lot of stuff uh with the PTA. Lot of energy. Thank you for everything you're doing for the district and even coming to board meetings and updating and getting a lot of the parents and teachers

109and everybody involved. So, thank you. I really appreciate it. Um, Mr. Mr. Sluke, I I did respond, but I want to just clarify a couple things and then maybe if Dr. Anderson can even see you afterwards. So, um, first of all, the middle school reports are usually part of it every other month, but I'm going to follow up. So, we'll see if that'll be that's usually part of the high school reports, but I'll remind um principles, we'll remind them that we usually every other month give a middle school update within theirs. But the stars program, if you don't know, is in New Jersey for the community college is phenomenal for the top 15%. I have two nieces uh that received donor to TCJ Rowan. I had another cousin that went stock. Phenomenal. Phenomenal. phenomenal um

110uh for our a lot of them uh for uh the schools around here locally going to the community colleges and then going on to four-year schools um from those community colleges. We're having more and more go to four-year schools, but I want to talk I I hate the word great inflation, but I want to explain what happens. A four row, as you know, is 100, right? But there's weighted and this is what it happened when I was at Shore Regional, it happened, too. So if you take an AP class or IB is a form of AP or a dual enrollment college class that A is weighted more than a 40. Okay. Honors is weighted more than college prep. That would be the 40. Okay. So there are people that are heck at SH regional the

111separation between the top person in the class maybe the seventh a couple ten of a point. And we actually changed something here and at Shore Regional where students were taking the AP classes just to have the higher weight on the GPA and not sitting for the tests. You know, we got a lot of smart students out there and they kind of get So, we did a waiver at Shore Regional my second year and we did it here, I think my first year where if you sign up for an AP class, uh you need to know that if you don't sit for the test, you're going to get uh honors weighted average on that, not advanced placement. So, that is why you see GPA with over a 40. And this is obviously not just specific for

112brick. across the state, across across the nation. Um I gave you the response and and and Dr. Anderson get in a little more detail. We have a lot of students that qualify uh for the stars program and I don't think that money is going to go away. I know more and more students are not choosing to maybe go to Ocean County College or or community colleges or utilize that in that capacity. Um but I don't think it's going to go away. Um did you want to add anything to that Dr. Anderson? No, it's just such a a a benefit to our students, right? Um I I started at OC. That was my first year um before I went on to Ruckers and I didn't have a program like that. In terms of grade inflation, it

113has to do with what Dr. Farrell said. Those top students, those are STEM Academy students or students who really like to challenge themselves with a lot of AP courses, they end up with pretty high grade point averages. Um, and so I don't know that it's necessarily great inflation, but about 30 if we have a 300 uh a cohort of 300 students that those 45 top students are really working hard to try to take those classes strategically in order to get those those grades. And there's also a STARS 2 program. So if they're in STARS and then they keep a grade point average of a 3.25, 25 they can then transfer to a a state school or and and continue in a stars program. So it is a a huge benefit. Thank you for highlighting it

114because it it's an important piece and it saves our families a lot of money and that and we try to do that with our partnership with OC with dual enrollment courses. Um and we offer as many as we possibly can. any teacher who has a master's degree that um and has an honors class, we try to offer it as a dual enrollment class. So, we have a really strong partnership with OC we're really proud of. >> Okay, we're going to move on to board comment. Start with George. George, you have any board comment? >> Yes, please. Thank you very much, Vice President Mesmer. First of all, thank you all very much as always for coming out tonight. Um all of you for your uh interest what takes place in the district. Uh teachers, uh parents,

115um residents, taxpayers alike. Uh I see a number of familiar faces in the audience this evening, such as Mrs. Buo. She was my um eighth grade Spanish teacher. We just finished Hispanic Heritage Month actually. Uh Phelis Mencia Espana Latina. Uh it just finished yesterday. Um and Jennifer Huey, I actually Miss Huey, she was so gracious in the first time I ever met her. It was a few months ago. I was trying to come into a meeting because I'm always doing a thousand different things and running late to everything. She held the door for me when we were coming in and that was when we were first voting to make it so that she would be our supervisor of visual performing arts and secretary science. Uh so I thought to myself, I'm so happy that I've

116got to meet this person. Uh so thank you very much to both of you and um really anyone who comes out here for any particular interest uh of any particular category uh because we really do appreciate your input, questions, comments, concerns, recommendations so that we could do a better job and improve ourselves frankly as board members to the benefit of this district to this community. um whether that be in terms of information technology like the gentleman who's sitting in the back um Aiden who has been wonderful this whole uh evening as he always is whenever we are uh graced with his presence with uh the microphones and um that I I tried to hand him mine and then my uh name tag fell down and then one of our lovely uh members of legal council

117was gracious enough and humble enough to come and get it for me. So, thank you for that. And um I could go on and on and on with gratitude, frankly. Um to anyone in relation to human resources, special services, I'm on the autism spectrum. That holds a very near and dear place to my heart. Miss Pala mentioned the uh volunteer pair of professionals and teachers aid. I could not agree with uh I could not concur with Miss Pala more. uh the value um the infinite value that um any support staff would afford to us whether paid or voluntary in one fashion or another. And buildings and grounds considering that we happen to be in a building right now, maintenance, coaches, bus drivers, um voluntary and paid alike. Um very valuable because we cannot do anything

118that we do in this district without your help and we thank you very much for that. God bless you. In that spirit, uh, frankly, I know that it can be difficult, um, particularly in the climate in which we find ourselves. uh you and I alike as taxpayers in one fashion or another, whether we live in brick or if you're familiar with the Mammoth Ocean County area, uh this has not been a uh particularly easy time for any of us in recent years as mentioned by a number of individuals uh during public comment and understandably so, frankly, uh with inflation, with higher interest rates for people who even need to go buy a home or rent a home and then pay the property tax. And certainly you've seen an effect from that from us, whether it

119be from board of education or from your towns, for your libraries, for your county, whatever the case may be, municipalities. And it's not because you really think that the idea, frankly, that someone would think that we take pleasure, we take joy in increasing the tax levy to make it more difficult for you to actually live and work. It that it's just frankly nonsensical. You'd have to be an idiot to like to do that, in my view, frankly. Um, and any insinuation that we do so with pleasure or joy or that we do so with any personal motives or political motives. This is just one example because one individual mentioned electric buses. I remember when we had that vote. I frankly I knew that was going to be a contentious time and it still is to

120this day and it probably will be to the end of time when we see the whole experiment of what takes place across the nation in various districts with these buses. I bought I me remember mentioning in that meeting because I mentioned interest rates for any sort of loan like if you're going to go buy and rent a home in my case I had to get a new vehicle uh because I had one of these new age vehicles so to speak that my father got he's a mechanic uh originally and he thought it would be a great idea. This was his best friend's car. I needed a car for college and that car was one nightmare after another because nothing had been tested. We didn't know what was going to go uh what was going to

121happen with it because his friend didn't need it anymore. Uh so I got all the issues. Actually, we all did. So, not only in a matter of being personal, but with a certain degree of admiration and respect for the taxpayers who make all of this possible, what we do here. That is why I voted why I did because I had my own experience with new and untested. And I that would reflect on the community if we were to absorb what would have been not knowing who the company would have been going to what was said in public comment. Even if we were to know who the company is, depending on the company could have gone bankrupt. We lose our warranty. Whatever the case is, that's another thing. I got a vehicle with a warranty because

122I want to do something tried and true, something that I know frankly wouldn't uh end up in a situation where I quite candidly would get screwed. And I don't want the taxpayers to fall into that category either, or our parents or our students, especially because two weeks after this took place, there was a bus that was uh subject to an accident in our district and it was hit in the rear, which is where the lithium ion batteries go for these electric buses. Uh, if that catches on fire, what are we going to do with the students? Especially if we can't get them out in time, particularly given the size of a bus, whether it be large or small. I'm not saying never. I'm just saying not now. When I vote, my vote is mine. If

123anyone would like to imply that um there is contribution which is true quite frankly for any member on this board past or present or future people contribute to your campaign people donate whatever recommendations they would make requests they'd like to see done if they're really interested they would be in the seats we are not. We vote the way that we believe is best for each and every single student, parent, resident and taxpayer of this town. There is no personal vendetta or individual interest whatsoever other than what is best for all of us. I'm speaking for myself. I will swear to that on a stack of Bibles. I will say it from the highest mountain top of the lowest valley. Test me on it. I've been here only since January. You want to test my record?

124Try it. Compare it with all of our board members as well. >> Hey, George, can we just I'm just going to try and keep board comments five minutes or less. >> Yes. Actually, this won't take much longer. I'm sorry. How much How much time have I taken already? I think you've reached your limit. >> You're well over. >> Just finish your thought, George. I don't want to cut you off. I'm just trying to move the meeting along. >> Thank you. You could thank you for that. I'm sorry. Thank you, Vice President Mes 38. I'll take 60 more seconds, hopefully less. Um, in that spirit, please take into consideration what I said. Um, know that we are working, I would like to think, collectively and individually, for what is the best interest for all of you

125and all of us collectively. Uh and in that spirit on a lighter note frankly uh in the realm of finances I'd like to thank all of those who have made donations to the district different associations organizations individuals mentioned tonight by uh Miss Kennedy uh and piggybacked by Benedictus the Boy Scouts the Elks uh the impact grant uh so on and so forth given different issues that have manifested from uh frankly uh acts taken place in Trenton at the executive and legislative levels uh that's going on for a number of different years uh compounded in recent years going back decades actually. Uh if you study the issues in uh the state manifest into suburban districts such as ours. Uh I could go on, but anyway, thank you all very much. Uh if I'm sure you're probably

126tired of hearing me speak. If you're not, I could do it at the end of the meeting for you privately. That's up to you. If you have any questions because I want to be transparent. Thank you. Thank you all very much. >> Thank you, George. John, you're up. >> Thank you. Um, no, as always, um, thank thank you everyone for coming out tonight, for the comments, for the attention, um, that you that you give every time you show up in this boardroom, and I'm, you know, frankly, I see the needle moving, right? We are doing great. They might look like small percentages when the scores, but those are big wins. And I know the curriculum instruction team and all the administrators and staff here is doing an incredible job. From what I've seen, this is

127a wonderful school. I'm glad to be part of it. Thank you everybody for again coming out again for the impact grant, for the for the strategic plan, for the small donations that the the organizations that donate, every little bit counts again to move the needle. We are doing great. I'm sure this is going to continue to be a wonderful year. And again, thank you everybody. Good night. Drive safe. Going home. >> Thanks, Gran. >> So, congratulations, Kristen. Yes, you are a bundle of energy. You make me exhausted, but you so deserve it. I know you work really hard. So, congratulations. And I know that the whole team worked really hard. Um, and I'm going to be quick. This is, as um, Dr. Farrell says often, this is a very thankless job. Um, everybody sitting up

128here is sitting here because we have a heart for these kids. Every one of us, we care and it's not always easy. And we do it because that is the place that we feel we should be. We feel like that's our calling. And I am grateful for everybody up here because everybody up here has contributed in some way to the lives of our students and our teachers and all staff. So instead of getting upset, I think we should just be grateful for each other. Um and thankful for all the extra the the grants and the the grant writers. I don't know if anybody knows this, but grant writing is crazy hard. It is so strenuous and fine-tuned and you have to make sure every tea is crossed and every eye is dotted because if you

129don't, you won't get it and you're going to be like, "Oh my gosh, did I mess it up?" So, I am so grateful for everybody who put into getting that amazing grant because I know that we see we see in these scores the impact that every little tiny bit that's not a tiny bit, that's a pretty good chunk, but every little bit really helps these students and really helps our teachers and gives them the tools to be the teachers that they want to be and that they need to be. So, thank you all for that and have an amazing rest of your evening and have a fun and safe Halloween. Bye, guys. So, a lot of years ago, because I now have a sophomore and a senior, which is crazy, um it was me sitting

130out there in the in the seats and I would come to the meetings just like Kristen is and get all the information and try and throw PTA stuff out there. And Kristen, your energy is amazing and off the charts. And I adore you. I just think you're doing such good work. Um, my heart and soul. >> Me, too, Kristen. >> My heart and soul is was in the PTA is in the PTA, but not as much as I used to be because I'm here, but um I commend you on everything that you're doing and stepping up to the Ocean County PTA is amazing. Um, so really truly kudos to you. Um, to be piggyback on that a little bit, I was the president of the PTA over at Betsel for four years and in 2019,

131um, I said, you know what, I go to these board meetings and we vote for these people every year and the number of people that actually have no idea who they're voting for, um, it's it's crazy. So in 2019, we had the very first meet the candidates night, which I am very proud to have brought to Brick. And I think that that night is so important for the people of Brick Township to get to know and educate themselves on who you're voting for. Um, it is a great way to get to know the four candidates. Um, they all get asked the same questions. They all get the same amount of time to give answers. I was very impressed with all four candidates this year. Um, they all had really great things to say. Um, I

132encourage everyone to go to the Women's League of Voters website, which is ocean countyj.lwv.org. Um, you go to their homepage, you click on more, and then recordings, and you can find the recording of the brick. Um, word of education you. So, watch that. Educate yourself. Pick the the candidates. I don't think you can go wrong this year. There's there's four great ones out there. But truly educate yourself. Make the decisions for yourself. Do not go to the voters's booth and just pick. You you've got to know what you're doing. Um you've got to educate yourselves. So, um that's really all. I wasn't here last month to give the um commercial for it before it happened. So, I apologize for that. Um my husband dragged me to a concert so I didn't get to come to

133the meeting. Um but um thank you to everyone for coming. It truly is a learning experience. If you are sitting home and watching on YouTube, thank you. Um, it's really great to come here and be able to stand up at the lectern and and and and give your opinions and speak and be I feel like Molita for a minute. I just had a Molita moment, right? Malita I had a Molita moment. Um, >> it's important to be here. Come and and learn, be educated, be involved. Our kids need you to be involved. Your kids need you to be involved. Um, shout out to Mr. Sar Luca and your incredible team at Brick Memorial. You guys um have had a fantastic September and October. I go to as many events as I possibly can. I apologize,

134Dragons. I don't get on that side of town very often. You can always find me at a girls soccer game because my daughter's killing it. Um the boys soccer games, her boyfriend's killing it. The field hockey team, my son's girlfriend is killing it. So I'm I'm always at sporting events. Go Mustangs. I love you two, Dragons. The football game between the Dragons and the Mustangs was a good one. It was a It was a It was a good one. Um, all right. That's all. Thanks everybody. Kristen, keep up the good work, kid. >> Kristen, I want to tell you, I promised you I was going to watch that um um League of Women Voters round table. I had to set my alarm. I was in Florence, Italy, and I set my alarm for midnight, and

135it still wasn't on, and I'm texting you like, "Why didn't the debate start yet? The forum start yet?" And I just didn't calculate my >> time. >> My time change, right? But I did watch every word. I did watch every word. And as usual, as um um >> Ally, nice to meet you. Um said, It's such an educational experience. I want to say happy birthday to Mr. Kaiser. I would also like to say how thrilled I was to attend a couple of um events um representing the Brick Township Board of Education. On Saturday, September 13th at 8:00 a.m. in Princeton, there was a New Jersey School Board Association, County Association leaders meeting. We spoke about how to increase attendance at our county meetings. The next meeting is in November, no December 4th. There's going to

136be a countywide roundt on navigating fiscal challenges. We could all learn from that. Um, it's hybrid or attend at central reason regional. Ask Jim to register you on Monday, October 6th. I represented our board at the monthly brick municipal green team meeting. There was great news that I wanted to share with my supervisors, my super soups and all of the teachers that lead a green team um effort in in their schools. Brick Township was was um has attained the silver reertification status for our township. And uh all these years I've been on the team, I never really knew what those applications look like. So Fran, I got to tell you, they're tedious and there are like 20 areas that um municipal people have to report on and some of the categories are about being EV

137friendly, having community gardens, the farmers market, sustainable land use, energy tracking, solar systems, wind systems, community outreach, and one of the things that um our chair talked about was what an great environmental and economic benefit this is to the town and I just I'm so thrilled that our teachers have run with this over the years. I'm so proud of them and um I'm so proud of our kids because they're the spark if you've ever been to a green fair. Um I'm looking forward to the New Jersey School Board Association workshop. It's a great opportunity for training and speaking with other board members across the state. Brick Memorial High School, Miss Castellano, she's awesome. She w she deserves the Ocean County Teacher of the Year award um in double time and I'm so glad for her

138making brick look so good. Um, I want to thank the new HIP coordinator for um, the presentation today. He was great. Um, he has big shoes to fill. Um, Dr. Anderson, I read the superintendent's weekly packet and I saw your curriculum committee report and this presentation and I read it and I was just so amazed. like you're making Sue proud, you're making all of us proud. Um, I really think the Super Soups are people that have a gift and a calling and and they just do so much for the students of Brick and um I'm just so pleased the strategic academic plan briefly. I was on the CNI strategic team. We had so many teams and I worked with Dr. Anderson and Dr. Cajun. And I have to tell you about that committee because I

139think the people who contributed the mo the most, no offense to all you professionals were our student members. Our student members came out. They represented their schools. They represented their experience in brick schools. And I think they really helped make the strategic plan better. Of course, the teachers, parents, administrators, supervisors, coaches, board members, you know, all those people, they were good, too. So, um, thank you, Dr. um, Farrell for that. That's one of the things we hired you for, and you did it. So, thank you. Um, see you at workshop. And, um, the last thing is, um, in 10 years that I've been on the board of education, I've never sat here and heard a political rebuttal. and it's not the place for it. It never is. It never has been. And it's um inappropriate

140to campaign here on somebody's behalf, anybody's behalf. Um just inappropriate. Thank you. Have a great October. Enjoy Halloween and I'll see you in November. Thank you. >> Cool. Thanks. Looking at the calendar of events, November November 6th and 7th, schools closed for teachers convention. Our next board meeting is November 20th at 7 p.m. Can I have a motion and a second for adjournment? Motion George. >> Second, Fran >> Mary with the vote. >> Miss Pala, >> yes. >> Miss Kennedy, >> yes. >> Mr. Benedictus, >> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Maleri, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Happy birthday, Mr. Klyler. >> Oh, happy birthday, Mr. Marvin, as well.