001Let's just get there. Happy place. All right. I'm sure I don't want for the most part. Just call me There we go. [Applause] [Music] Hi guys. Thank you for coming. I'm so excited. I'm happy. Oh my god. >> YouTube. talking to people. >> Yes. You have notes. I have notes. >> I think we're good. [Applause] Hey, how are you? >> You know how it is. >> Yeah, I know. I had two sessions. Oh, I heard little That was just sir. I ask you Yeah, I'm [Applause] How are you? Ready? Like to call the meeting to order, please. Roll call. Mary, >> Miss Piccolo, >> present. Miss Kennedy. >> Misty Benedictus >> here. >> Mr. Henry >> here. >> Mr. Meleri. >> Yes. Here. >> Mr. Mesmer >> here. >> Miss Ayanaroon >> here. >> Mr.
002Ever. >> The new Am I on here? Yes. The New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the brick township board of education has caused notice of this meeting to be posted on the administration office buling board, the official district website and channel BTV20 and sent to the Asburg Park Press, the Brick Time, Star Ledger, and Miss Barker's office. >> Will everyone please stand for the pledge in a moment of silence [Music] of the One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I'm going to need a motion and a second for June
00326 executive session meetings and June 26 regular meeting. >> Motion, Brad. >> Second, George. Roll >> call. Mary, please. Miss Pala. >> Yes. >> Mr. Benedictus. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Maljeri, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. >> Miss Ayanaron, >> yes. >> Facilities report, please. >> Just bear with me one second. Um, I was just being made fun of down here for my large font. >> That's what I have to do, too. >> Thank you, Dr. Anderson. Uh, is there any way we could rearrange the seating? >> Oh, no. >> Uh, July 14th, facilities committee met 4:30. In attendance, Miss Kennedy, Miss Ayano, Mr. Mesmer myself, Mr. Porio, Mr. Seagull from Speedel Architectural, Miss Cashman for Speedel Architectural, Miss Galliardi from Speedel Architectural, Mr. Cheton from FBHD, Mr. Williams
004from Speedel Architectural, and Mr. Yor from Neta Architectural. Uh, first item discussed with the Lake Riviera Middle School and Veterans Memorial Middle School updates. Um, Miss Y informed the committee that the Lake Riviera Middle School project is completed. Yay. All done, finished. Um, boilers are done, air conditioning is done. So, that school is up and running. Veterans Memorial Middle School is underway with the electrical transformer upgrade once the power is on for the HVAC. The work will resume and hope is to have startup completed by September for the opening of school. Warren H. Wolf. Uh, Mr. You are informing the committee that the job meeting with thermal piping is set for July 15th and uh that the UVs have been demolished and removed and the new unit ventilators are currently being delivered. The condenser units
005are on site. The rooftop units are still pending delivery but are anticipated soon. And Jersey State Controls is working on the control coordination and is on site. Herbertsville uh Mr. Y informed the committee that the next job meeting with Chappelle Mechanical is July 15th. The UVs have been demolished and removed. The new leaders are on site. The asbestous abatement has concluded. Uh there's a change order pending review related to the uh pre-cast cast iron wall-mounted radiators. uh Midstream's elementary school kitchen. Mr. Yur informed the committee that the Midstream's kitchen project has encountered an issue with the sanitary sewer pipe tie-in in the new kitchen. A resolution has been brought through engineering and the contractors implementing it. Uh site meeting to review the implementation is scheduled and all other mechanical issues and components are on schedule.
006Midstreams and Osborneville air conditioning uh speed architectural Mr. Williams reported that the managed air conditioning projects are progressing as scheduled at Midstream's Osborneville Elementary School and remain on track to uh August 22nd substantial completion. Osborneville kitchen. Mr. Williams reported that the kitchen project has been progressing on schedule. The new access ramp has not yet shipped uh and is currently does not have an ATA. The contractors indicated that if it does not arrive in time, they will construct temporary stairs so that the food service department will be able to utilize the elevator to be able to get into the space through the multi-purpose room. Long-range facility plan. I informed the committee that um in response to Mr. Steagel's inquiry, there was no decision regarding the award of the contract for the development of a long-range facility
007plan until the board has uh approved architects of record, which is on this evening's agenda. And then other business, uh, Miss Kennedy and Miss Ayanarone discussed the need for the school board at your Veterans Memorial Middle School complex, um, which I informed the committee that Dr. Farrell is actively working on. Next facilities committee meeting is August 18th at 4:30. Go right into finance. Yes. Finance. Yes. Okay. Let me make the font a little bigger so I can see it. Uh 5:00 the same day was finance. Mr. Mesmer, Miss Iran, Dr. Farrell, myself. Uh first item of business was the 2526 budget. I informed the committee that the tax levy incentive aid application is still pending. However, I did hear from the county that the uh there was two questions on two items that we previously
008had changed and so I expected to have the approval soon. the community solar project. I informed the committee that the RFP received uh DCO is in the process of reviewing the RFP for compliance. Uh just as an update to the committee and the board, I did hear from DCO and we will be able to move forward at the August meeting with an award for the community solar project. So that will finally bring that to a conclusion or at least a start to a conclusion I guess. Um RFPs, I reviewed with the committee the various RFPs and uh competitive contracts that were outstanding. the competitive contract for substitute services, the grant consulting competitive contract, which the committee decided not to move forward with at this time because of the costs involved with such, the architect of
009record, the auditor, civil engineer of record, financial adviser of record, labor council, uh general legal counsel, special education legal counsel. I also informed the committee that I was still reviewing the uh civil engineers and that we will have that ready for the August board meeting. uh Drum Point Elementary School playground informed the committee that we are establishing a meeting with the PTA and township officials to try to review the uh situations at Drum Point Elementary School advertising. I informed the committee that Adamson Vetinary has permanently closed and therefore is not reviewing renewing their second year and the committee is next committee meeting is August 18th at 5:00 p.m. >> Thank you, Mr. Edwards. This is this will be the first opportunity for public comment and will be for agenda items only. The board invites thoughts
010reactions on agenda items. Each participant is asked to give his or her name prior to making a statement. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. Comments shall be limited to five minutes. The board will not during the public portion of this meeting discuss matters involving involving employment, appointment, termination of employment, negotiation terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of performance of promotion or disciplining of any spec specific or pro p prospective or current employee and or students. Anyone have a comment or a question? Mr. Finelli, go right ahead. There's no one behind you. Just you. >> Yes. >> Well, first I I I want to say I've never been to a board meeting where there wasn't an attorney, and I guess falsely assumed that it was a legal requirement to have an attorney here,
011but I guess it's not. We're going to talk about that in one of my questions. So my comment would be if we don't need to have a board attorney here, uh why do we have one and pay him $500 to sit here and not say anything? My first question or first comment, my one of my favorite topics and I'm going to do this every meeting. Field trips. We haven't started school yet. Got a month to go and we already got 15 field trips you're voting on. My thought process has been and will always be until such time as scholastic achievement improves to at least the state average, you really ought to seriously look increasing classroom time and cutting down and and and I realize not all these field trips take away, but certainly something you
012ought to look at. I think we finished last year at 135 field trips or something. Going to break that record. I don't know. Uh item four, uh $488,000 grant for cops, SVP. Uh just I think I know that's all for security things, right, Tom? If if you if you get that one, that'll be certainly an attab boy. It's a lot of money. $488,000 for anything. Okay. Uh I'm a little confused on this RFP process. remind you last meeting you four you four voted no on items 18- you gave all your reasons why uh we have a great RFP system better for students if we get the best better for the taxpayers but when I look through this and the list of time uh that yeah Jim gave um about the responses I'm confused about one
013thing. If if you look at item 22, that's the architects and all it says is the group of architects on record blah blah blah as per the responses and you pick the ones that you picked. All right. So that one and the next item for new uh the financial is just a short sentence. These are the people that responded and these are the ones you picked. But then when I go like to to the attorney one, there's a two-page paragraph, which sounds like it didn't go to RFP, but we picked people anyway. So, could somebody explain the difference between that short statement and listing them and then this whole other thing as an example? Um, let's let's stay with the board attorney. All right, that's that's a big dialogue. And the thing I noticed in
014both of them is they both gave the same cost $145 an hour. So obviously we ended up changing board attorneys. So my first question is why? And second of all, what processes we did we use? And the last one or last two I know the one you're not going to answer now, you answer later. I'm just looking at the amount of money that that you're going you're going to be spending this meeting and going to be voting on. All right. And I I realize there's a lot of new people in there, so don't take it personal. It's just me. All right. I'm looking at money, not people. You're voting on new positions, hirs out to 1.323 million. That's just the new hires that you're voting on. In fact, that's just the new hires that are
015teachers and administrators, not clerks and everything else. The 1.3 million 1.323 million that does not include benefits. And I didn't want to include benefits because I'm not sure that put 40% is right because some people don't get full medical coverage. Then on top of that, at the end of the meeting, I'm sure you're going to tell me how much you gave out in the teachers contract to add that to the amount of money, which I'm starting to think that money is not an issue anymore. That just me thinking and that's it. So, can we explain the process, Mr. >> Mr. Finelli? Yes, I got them all written down. Uh, so the first thing is thank you. Over the last few years, I've been harpened to Dr. Anderson and all of our principles about getting as
016many field trips approved early in the year um because we would approve them later. So, we're actually starting to approve field trips now in the summer so that hopefully that they're already approved because they've been budgeted for. Many of our field trips, as many teachers here know, is actually part of the curriculum. So it just you're thinking of a brickandmortar classroom and part of the curriculum are some of these real learning environments. Um especially when it comes to science or the arts. So that's that on the cops grant. I know you asked me today the cops SVVP is for security technology video cameras and that I'm told I'm going to have Miss McMra expand on that a little bit. I'm told we've gotten it before. I don't know to this amount. Um, but we're hoping
017to get this almost a half a million dollars which helps with the update in security cameras technology. We work with our SRO's and local police. Mm. >> Thank you, Dr. Farrell. So, uh, our technology department did work with, um, our local security, uh, to put together this grant. Uh, we submitted it. >> I can't hear you. We submitted the grant with hopes of getting up to $488,000. It's no guarantee. Uh we are looking to upgrade our video security system throughout the district. >> And I'll I we'll do the RFP last because I'll punt that to Jim. Um as you know, um the positions being hired every year, we tell you in the budget, are not new positions. They're filling of vacancy positions. Many times uh fortunately and unfortunately uh we have what's called breakage. I
018know there are many people out there even know from our teachers association that understands what breakage is. Breakage is when we actually have budgeted for a higher amount or unfortunately we lose a more experienced higher paid um employee and we then fill that position with someone lesser paid. that breakage actually helps us in the budget, but it's already budgeted for. These are not newly created positions. They're all for vacancies. And lastly, on the RFP process, because I want to uh make sure we have your question for Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards will explain the RFP process. He's done a great job explaining it to this board and the committee over the last few months, and I think he could probably explain the different wording of the resolutions because they are differently worded for a reason. Mr.
019Edwards. >> Yeah, sure. So, the the two different resolutions are when you're looking at the architect and the financial adviser, that's because of their of record. So, when you're looking at the architect, there's three of them being approved. So, if a capital project comes up that we need to do, we're going to take that capital project to all three firms, have them give us a budget on the capital project, and sometimes a schematic design on what how they would proceed with the project. We're going to get all three of those responses back from them, take it to the facilities committee, review it, and then select one of those responses. So, they're of record. That's why it's a short sentence because they're not these approvals aren't giving them any money. They're not earning anything at this
020point. It's just that they're of record so that if we need them, we know who to go to. In the other cases, those are actual um we're hiring those firms for the amount that's listed in the resolution. Uh a not to exceed amount. It's based upon a fair and open process through a request for proposal. Uh as the purchasing agent for the district, I've reviewed the proposals for all of them for compliance and in every situation we received a different number of responses. Um and then based upon the most fiscally responsible response, uh I recommended the finance committee who we should move ahead with and but they all done through a request for proposal which is a fair and open process. So, if I understand you, the short ones are people that are just bidding
021on individual jobs and the other one is the people that are going to be supplying the service the whole time. You got it. >> Okay, you got it. Now, what what what happened with this with the schoolboard attorney? >> So, the schoolboard attorney, we had uh multiple responses for that. Um, unfortunately the the incumbent attorney had an issue with their response, had to be deemed non-compliant, and so we couldn't couldn't include them in the process. >> After all this time, they couldn't put the RFP in, right? >> They had a technical difficulty. Yes. >> Okay. So all of these things that that that the RFPs, everything else went out to bid and went out all all the other things that are on the agenda tonight. Uh >> it all went out publicly for procurement. They
022all provided responses and at this point we're just selecting who you know the the firms that are being recommended. >> Okay. And I and I do I assume correctly that you don't want to talk about the teachers contract until you vote on it? Yeah, we we can't talk about that. But you knew that answer already >> because you've asked that question multiple times before. >> Anyone else? >> Oops. Dr. Anderson. >> Thank you. >> Under curriculum instruction, the superintendent recommends that the board approve the following items 1 through five. I'm going to need a motion and a second. >> Motion Fran >> second. George >> vote. Mary, please. >> Miss Palao, >> usually after we have a motion, we do board comments. >> You want to board comments? Go ahead. You could do board comment.
023>> I say um yes to all five. >> She said yes to all five. Okay. >> Anyone else? >> Benedictus. >> Yes. Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Malieri, >> yes. >> Mr. Mesmer, >> yes. >> Miss Ayano, >> yes. >> Mr. Edwards, operations, please. >> Uh, sorry, down here providing myself comic relief with Mary. Sorry. Um, superintendent recommends uh items 1 through 23 and 25 through 31. >> I'm going to need a motion and a second. Motion Fran. >> Second, George. >> Any board comments? >> I have several questions. Um, I'd like to thank the >> No. Yes. >> Um, in items 18 and 19, I want to thank our PTO. They are the backbone of this district and they always put our schools and community first. Um, as far as number 23. Oh,
024wait. We got rid of 24. I have a question about 26. We usually um approve a certain attorney to represent the district for special ed matters. Is there a reason we're not um naming Paul in this um uh item? >> He doesn't work for you. He's no longer there. >> Oh, so we're switching from Paul then. >> No, Paul's out of law. >> Okay. As far as number 25, um I I'm just alarmed that um we're going to hire the former Gilmore firm from Tom's River. I see this as purely political. I understand that the president continues to make decisions for the BOE policies based on pressure from the Brick Republican Club and the Ocean County Republican Club. I would I would really hope that I'm going to stop you because we focus on the
025students first. >> That was an RFP >> and that's who came in. >> Mr. Edwards hander handled that. has nothing to do with who we chose or who we didn't. It was done through >> So you were never contacted by the Brick Republican Club or the Ocean County Republican Club and told that Democrats are making money in this district and we need to >> Exactly. This is not the time for this and I have to tell you there's plenty of Democrats that we chose. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else have any comments? >> I have one. I am just really grateful that we have so many amazing people on this board that have come together and knew that we need to make sure to, as I said last month, do our due diligence. And as
026we sit here, there's no letter next to our names. That's not what's on these. We do not have any sort of of whatever our political affiliation is cuz as Victoria said so amazingly we are here for the kids. So let's all just be here for the kids. Any other comments? Okay. I need to abstain on number four. >> I don't know why I'm thinking number five. 6 7 8 9 10 13 and 27. >> Um, Miss Sorry, we didn't do the vote yet. >> I know. I got I got a little set off. Yeah. >> Okay. Mary, could you do a vote, please? >> Operations V. Miss Pella. >> Pardon me. >> We're voting. >> Oh. Um, I'll say yes to one to um 24. No to 25 and yes to the rest. >> Miss
027deedictus. Yes, Mr. Henry. >> Say yes to all of them with the exception of number 25 and that's a no. >> Mr. Henry, just we couldn't hear you. You said no to 25. Correct. >> No to 25. Yes to everything else. >> Yeah. Thank you, >> Mr. Maljeri. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mesmer. >> Yes to everything. >> Miss I had her own. >> Um I'm abstaining from number four, number five, 6 7 8 9 10 13 and 27. Yes on the rest. We're going to move to human resources. Mame. >> Thank you, Mrs. Ion. The superintendent recommends the board approve the following items under human resources 1 through three and 5 through 29. I need a motion and a second motion for >> second. George, any board comments? >> I have one. It's quick. um
028in reading maze. It was really neat that we have so many um teachers who are going from paras to actual licensed educated teachers. I love that we are retaining our people and it is so fantastic that in education that we know that we need to further our own education and do better by ourselves so that we can then it's kind of like when you're when you're in an airplane and you know they say to before when the when the oxygen falls you got to help yourself before you can help others. So we need to educate ourselves before we can educate our students and I love that we are doing that in this district. Amazing. [Applause] >> Any other comments? No, we're good. I need a vote. Mary, >> Miss Pala, >> yes. >> Mr. Benedictus,
029>> yes. >> Mr. Henry, >> yes. >> Mr. Malerie, >> I actually need to abstain on 5, 12, 18, 21, and 27. And yes to all else, please. Me. >> Mr. Mesmer. >> Yes to everything. >> Miss Ayanna. >> Yes. >> Miss McNamera. Policy and planning. >> Oh, that's right. She's going to introduce. >> Thank you, Mrs. Ayanone. Uh, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the brick family so many amazing new staff members. So, please give us a round of applause for Jennifer Huey, our new supervisor of secondary science and K to2 EPA. Next up, please give a warm welcome to Mora Mullhern, our district-wide supervisor of special education. We have several teachers in the audience. Christine Morgan, Katherine Murray, Jennifer Kempner, Brittany Leonard, um Jennifer Roma, Madison Monith, uh Tony,
030I lost my place, Tony Raspolley, Nicole Tilton, Jessica, um and we have nurses, Jessica Copenhofer, Melissa Gartner, and Nicole Watts. Um and then we have a social worker, Carly Cura. I don't think I spelled your I don't think I said your name right. I apologize for that. Um and a couple of teacher aids, Borderheim, uh George Petri, and Jillian Cypotelli and Ariana Cousins. And the list goes on. Christine Gion, uh Trisha Triola, Lauren Cortez, Nicholas Nicholas, I'm not even going to try. Nicholas B. um Rebecca Emmanuel, uh Cameron Kaufman, Christine Russo, and Ama Clinger, and then from transportation, Gina Peek, and welcome back um Trudy San Jose. So, please give a warm welcome to all those folks. Congratulations all and welcome, Miss Missy. I just want to let Miss McNamera know that if you make
031the font bigger, it's easier to read. >> 200%. >> Thank you, Mr. Edwards, for that intervention. Um, >> Miss Mcamera passing planning. Thank you again, Mrs. Ayan. The superintendent recommends that the board approve the following items. one. >> I need a motion in a motion. Fran >> second. John, >> any comments? >> Yeah. I'd like to know if the policy and planning meeting uh committee met this summer. We have not met this summer because I've been working diligently with the administrative team to um make the edits to some of the existing policies that have been suggested and to work on an IIA I AI policy and an AI plan with the curriculum team. So, we just finished that work this week and we will be meeting with them in early August to hopefully put all
032of those policies and regulations on the August agenda. Thank you for asking. What? What about the NJSIS policy? >> Okay, please. >> I still have questions. I'm sorry. I guess no. >> Miss Palao, you can email Miss Miss McNamera. She sent down an email to the policy and planning committee twice in June >> in early July that we weren't meeting. There is no new policy to be approved tonight, >> but there are state approve but there are state DOE policies that need to be in place by September 1st. >> There will be on the August meeting as Miss McNamera was saying, but they have not met. The only thing to approve tonight is an exchange student which is under an existing policy and regulation that goes under policy and planning. But however, if you do
033have questions on existing policies like you had last month which has been brought to the policy and planning committee of which you're a part of, they are going to discuss that still. We are have that on in front of the committee for the August meeting. >> A vote please. >> Miss Polla. >> Uh, sure. >> Mr. Benedictus. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Maljeri. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mesmer. >> Yes. >> Miss Ayanna. >> Yes. This is 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. Comments shall be limited to five minutes. The board will not during public portion of this meeting discuss matters involving employment, appointment, termination of employment, negotiation
034terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance or promotion or disciplinary of any specific or prospective or current employee and or student. Anyone like to get up? All right. Good evening. Thank you for this time. Uh members of the board of education, Dr. Farrell, and central administration, I wanted to take a brief moment to thank you in person for my appointment as the new principal of Laker VR Middle School. I apologize I couldn't be here last meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It is with deep gratitude and great humility that I stand before you tonight. I want to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve as the principal of Lake VR Middle School. This appointment is not just a professional milestone, but truly a personal honor. This district has been my more
035than my workplace, my home. It has shaped me as an educator and the leader I am today. From the classrooms where I first taught in the hallways and grew along students and colleagues, every step of my journey has been rooted in a shared commitment to excellence and the belief that every child can thrive when they are valued, supported, and inspired. To the board of education and central administration, thank you for your trust, your trust and confidence. I recognize the responsibility this role entails, and I will lead with integrity, vision, and stead steadfast commitment to our district mission. Thank you for your leadership and support. I am honored to work alongside you and our district leadership team. To our families and community partners, I look forward to continuing to build our strong relationships and developing supports
036for our students so they are prepared not only for academic success, but true success beyond the classroom. And to the staff of Lake Riviera Middle School, I'm excited to begin this new chapter with you. I know the heart you bring to work and I'm eager to support you, learn with you, and lead with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and student- centered growth. Thank you again for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to working collaboratively with all of the stakeholders and honoring the great work from the influential leaders at Lake Rivier Middle School that came before me. So, thank you and I look forward to creating a shared vision for the future. Thank you again. Anyone else? Mr. Finelli, go ahead. >> I know Mary wants to go home early. >> It's funny. >> I have
037a few uh just just to follow up on a question that Miss Pawa asked about the new attorneys. I'll ask it a little different. Do do any of you people know those people? >> I'll answer that question. >> Okay, >> go ahead. I have to wait till we get >> I can't hear you. >> I have to wait. >> We're going to have all your questions in the second public comment. >> We've been saying this for months. Answer. Ask all your questions. We'll try to answer everything we can at the end of it. At the end of everybody speaking at the second, >> but I'm going to stay up here so I can respond. >> Look, this isn't a Q&A, Mr. Finelli. You said this a year ago. It is not at the second public
038comment. It's public meeting question. >> Okay, we're not going to do that. Ask your question. Ask >> It's not a one-way meeting. >> Ask Ask your questions, please. >> Oh, that's my question. >> My second question is I'd like an an explanation of what you gave out in the in the contract for the teachers, what they got and what you got back. And the third one, um, I'd like your your opinion on this or what's going on. All right. We've been into, um, preK about seven years now in the district and I I I'll read you a statement that I read that I read somewhere. Research shows that early childhood education drives academic achievement. All right? and they were talking about prek and I know you're all for that. Um, now I just read in
039New Jersey that they're coming out with a mandatory new reading program for all of the schools because the students in the third grade can't read. And that that's that's New Jersey Education Department and New Jersey government talking, not me. They said they're coming out with a mandatory new reading program because the kids can't read. So, if the kids in third grade have already gone through prek and supposedly they're much better for it, what's the problem? Why can't kids in third grade today read to the point of where the state is going to come back and tell you, "Here's your new reading program. Go with it." >> That's it. >> I'd like to answer your question. >> Yes. I'd like to answer your question on the attorneys. First, I'd like to say I'm very sorry to
040all of you because this is supposed to be a non-political board. I'm sorry for what one of our board members did that should have never been brought up. But the RFPs went out. I knew the Montenegro. I knew a I know every attorney that has applied for this. And the choice was made by the attorney who came in by the lowest bid. And let me tell you something. Before I was on this board for eight years, there wasn't a Republican anything. So, I'm not going to play the game if this is Republican or Democrat. We did it the right way and only the right way. We went out for RFPs. There are still Democrats on this that are going to be doing this board. I don't know what her problem is. So, yes, I do
041know this attorney. I also know the Montenegro very well. Very well. >> Contradict what you just said. Both came in at $145. Both were The old one was $145 and the new one was $145. So was not in comp. >> Hold on a second. Mr. Finelli Ben, explain to Ben Jim, explain to you that they were not in compliance. Okay. So when they were not in compliance, they were not eligible. Okay. There's no game here. The game was played before we ended the game. >> Really? And that's it. >> Really? >> Okay. >> Go ahead, >> Jim. >> Is there anybody else for a second public comment? >> No, they're all scary. >> Okay. So, what we've been what we've been doing for the last year, the first public comment session on agenda items is
042always a Q&A. What we've been doing is asking everybody at the second public comment to get up ask all the questions. If I can answer them all, which we can, we will try to answer them tonight at the end of everybody because some are similar questions. If we can't, we tell them I'll get back to you or if there's an administrator not here and I got to get the answer. Um the I want to start with the explanation of the contract. I'm going to let Mr. Edwards go through the process cuz I am not privy to that being conflicted. So, I'll let Mr. Edwards talk. >> That might question the process. >> I I'm This is for general second public. I will let Mr. Edwards talk about the contract process and the actual contract as
043far as the dollar amounts and as far as the percentages and the years. That'll be one. I also will have um I'll ask Dr. Anderson to talk a little bit about prek. I'm going to talk a little bit about prek right now that prek is is the best thing we've done here as you know I've talked about it at nauseium that the more we can remediate any child through prek to be reading at grade level at third grade helps us not only financially but tremendously academically it also helps to retain um our own students our own children into our district so it has helped that way not to mention the financial impact of getting 83 cents on the dollar I think I'm looking and 83 cents on the dollar. But I do want Dr. Anderson
044uh before Mr. Edwards gets into all the contract numbers for you for Dr. Anderson to talk about the mandatory uh new reading program and some background on that for you for everybody. >> Yeah. So the the state isn't isn't um mandating that we have to adopt a specific program, but the program has to be high quality and it has to align to the science of reading. So the research on the science of reading talks about the importance of using phonics and having like a balanced comprehensive reading approach. And that's why my team um applied for that grant last month because that was the second part of the mandate that not only do you have to have high quality reading tools, but you also have to have a universal screener to ensure that students are uh
045on track for their foundational literacy skills and that they're assessed uh annually in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade. And so what they were finding is in the data was that some districts didn't have any universal screener at all and parents weren't aware of their child's um reading progress and that we should be communicating that regularly. So they put that into into a mandate and they also offered funds grant funds to help districts implement that. Fortunately, in 2017 when Miss Cloud was the uh ELA elementary supervisor, she worked with Rutgers University and found that we didn't have a universal screener and she um inter implemented that in 2017. And then we implemented materials aligned to that early literacy foundation skills and what we use is foundations. and both our screener and foundations are considered high
046quality instructional tools. So we're good in that respect with the mandate. And so we do need to adopt a new literacy program at the elementary level and the one and we are piloting. We're still piloting. We will make a recommendation so that we have a new core program K through five in the coming year. >> Did did you answer my question as to why why did why the students are not reading up to snuff? What's the reason? >> Well, reading is a complex process, right? We all we all understand that. Um, what I would say is that it's a combination of um and it's it's so it's so complicated in terms of there's like a phonics component to it. There's prior knowledge that goes into helping students read. Um, there's oral reading fluency. There's vocabulary.
047There's so many complex pieces that materials weren't aligned around what we call the science of reading. And so now with improved programs, the dis the state is saying districts need really need to adopt these improved programs because we know that these are researchbased practices that will work and they'll have better better results with our students. >> It has nothing to do with the fact that prek might not be the great godscent that everybody talked about it. I think it's a tremendous service for our community, Mr. Finelli. I mean, having been a a a student of brick schools who didn't attend preK because my family couldn't afford it. I am so grateful that we're able to offer this for our for our community. And I think that people choose brick because we have the the preschool
048grant. And I think then they stay in brick schools because we have such a phenomenal program. And I think that that helps strengthen our district. And yeah, it makes kids better prepared for kindergarten. It makes them better prepared to learn. >> Thank you, Dr. Anderson. >> But my my last comment would be stay. >> Mr. Edwards, would you please give would you give can you give Mr. Finelli all the contract information that not only process but of course all the numbers. >> Let me stop you a minute. All right. I asked very specific questions. All right. Now, this is my time and I don't have a lot of time. No, >> your time is >> Let me finish. >> This is my time and I don't have a lot of time. I asked the question
049of what was given out in the teachers contract. I know what the process is. I don't need wasting time process. I don't need this as an opportunity for you to sell whatever it is you want to sell. I want to answer the question. This is not a forum where you said this is not a question and answer thing. But you but but you're using it as a forum. So answer the question that I >> Mr. Finelli. Everybody's trying to be courteous. Everyone's trying to >> Mr. Edwards will answer that. You're right. But let me ask let me just make the comment now that it's hard when someone gets up and asks a question and then tells me how the answer should be. I know what you asked. I thought that putting it in context for
050everybody else in this audience by talking about the process that that would help. So I you can't ask a question and expect me to answer it exactly the way you want. That's not the way this works. Now you're going to get the answer to what you want. I actually asked Mr. Edwards to give that to you. So I heard you the first time, but this is not just for your edification when you come up to the podium. You said yourself this is for the public. I'm giving this for the entire public especially for new people here. So if Mr. Edwards would give the exact information uh that Mr. Finelli wants and if you have to explain some of the process maybe like why it took a little longer this year than normal and how we
051have to renew teachers again based on new dollar amounts that would be good for everybody. >> Okay. >> So the process took a little bit longer than did in the past year and we're going to have to renew everybody again. Thank God just trying to provide a little levity here. Uh the as you know I don't have to go through the whole process with you Mr. Finelli as you you've been around for a long time now and you know what the process is but the process is that the board of education has three appointed members appointed by the president. President was one of them. She appointed herself uh that meets with the leadership team from the btea who is a representative of the collective negotiations unit. Um, I think we met 15 times, maybe close,
052right? I didn't count the exact number. Um, over multiple months starting way back in the beginning of the school year. Um, you know, negotiations is one of those tough things that when you know you did a good job in negotiations when both teams leave the table unhappy, sort of, right? happy but not happy because they didn't get exactly what they wanted on either side but they came to a good middle middle ground middle area. So um I think in that regard this was successful in the end. Uh the contract has a a lot of language cleanup things that aren't really important. You wouldn't really care about those I don't think. uh changing some words such as the word statue to statue where it was spelled wrong where it should have been statue referencing u you
053know a code or a section rather than a statue that is made of concrete. Um and the more important things that I think you're really after is what were the percentage increases? How long is the contract? Right. Correct. Uh let me start because I know one of the things that you're always curious about is what are you doing about health benefits? uh nothing because the state of New Jersey kind of gave us the you know what a few years ago when they adopted the New Jersey educators health plan that school districts were required to go with it pretty much takes the negotiations of health benefits off the table. There's the plan is dictated in regard to what it is the co-pay the amount they're going to contribute. So when we go into negotiations there is
054nothing to negotiate over that. It's written in law with what that plan is going to be offering. So negotiations of health benefits unfortunately for school districts across the state has been taken off the table. Uh for teacher unions that is uh the contract that was agreed to is a 5-year contract. >> Five years >> 5year it's uh 3.4% in the first year 3.7% in the second year 3.8% in the third year 3.9% in the fourth 3.9% in the fifth. Um the guides were agreed upon by both the BTEA and the board in regards to uh how the teachers will progress through the salary guides and the teacher aids that is as well because they're included in this. Uh I would say the only other highlight that I would that I I thought was something that
055I I like that we're bringing back we're bringing back the perfect attendance clause. Um I'd like I like the way we're bringing this one back. However, we're bringing it back rather than being a counter by quarter. We're bringing it back in a semianual counting period and it's going to be phased so that when a uh a professional uses a day, they don't lose the whole amount. It's going to be phased down. So they get if they don't use any days, they get a certain dollar amount. I want to say it's 500. Looking over at my BTA friends, right? 500 for that amount. If they use one day, they get 400. If they use two days, 300. Do I have that correct? They're all shaking their head. Yes. So, and it's semiannually rather than quarterly. So
056it gives people, you know, we're trying to think of ways to promote better attendance and we believe that this was something that would help and both parties felt that was something that was needed to help promote better attendance. So the people who do um you know we didn't want people coming to work to get the $500 if they really are sick and we also didn't want being penalized for staying home if they really are sick. So uh like miss any highlights there Mr. Mesmer? I don't know that there was anything else I can think of off I have. They were the the two key components, right? And a lot of language issues. >> So, let me summarize. He did a 5-year contract. He gave 3.4 up to 3.9% over 5 years. They got back money
057for perfect attendance. What did what did the school district what did the taxpayers get out of this? >> Well, we we feel we got back for perfect attendance, too, because when the teachers are in the classroom, we're not paying for a substitute. So, there's a cost savings there. When I when I was a manager, people that had attendance problems ended up looking for new jobs. >> Maybe you're in a different you you worked for a Xerox, which is a private corporation. We're working at a school district. When a teacher doesn't show up or a power professional doesn't show up for work, we have to provide another adult for that scenario because you can't leave the kids in the room by themselves. Copy machines you can leave by themselves. >> Is just different. >> Is this
058is the school district selfinsured? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, I don't understand your comments about the court >> self-insured, but that doesn't mean we aren't required to offer the plan. The plan is the New Jersey Educators Health Plan. We have to offer that plan. >> Okay. But my my end comment was, you're always talking about lack of money. You're always talking about class size being too big, yada yada yada. That comes up all the time. Yet, you had enough money to come out with nice nice increases. 3.4, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.9. Those are nice increases that you're going to be paying for for the next 5 years. >> Yeah. Only going to happen financially in the next 5 years, right? Your money could go way down. Now, I >> Okay, Mr. Finelli, Mr. Edwards answered
059your questions. Oh, >> now I'm talking. >> Yeah, I But you're done. You had your chance to talk. We've given it to you twice. Mr. Edwards answered it. Dr. Frell answered it. Everybody answered your questions. We're going to boycott. >> I'm not responding to him. >> We're done. You're not responding. We're done. >> All right. Well, who are you to cut me off? We're done. I'm talking. >> You have gone. We've given you over 10 minutes. Would you like to get up, Kevin? Okay. >> You got a clock running. >> He's going to run it right now after he talks. All right. You want to play that game? >> Mr. Finelli, you went for 10 minutes. >> I raise my hand. Yeah. Okay. >> Kevin Blle, uh, BTA president. First, I want to congratulate all
060the new hires. It's great to see us hire within. It's nice to see Paris move to teachers, um, assistant administrators move to, uh, as a principal. I've always, you know, it's it's a good brick thing to move within. So, congratulations to all you guys and welcome aboard. Um, second, want to thank the board uh for always having the teachers and the powers back and and everybody else. And even though I don't represent the administrators or the custodians or sec secretaries, but I know you always have our backs because the number one priority for you and us are the kids as was mentioned before. Um, so I want to thank you for that. You build our morale just for speaking highly of the teachers and the paris and you always do. So I want to thank
061you for that. We appreciate that. We we have all sorts of battles going on as teachers and paris and even the administrators as well with Trenton. You know we we're fighting for our pension. We're fighting for the school funding. So, I ask that the community stick to Dr. Farrell's little motto up there that I love, okay? Because we all need to work together on this, okay? It's not about the teachers getting a percent, a certain percent or this or that. Our battle is with Trenton and the school funding. I'm doing my part. I've been meeting with legislators. I've been talking to NJA to get them on board. I know that Dr. Fowl has been doing his thing. I know Mr. Edwards and I know the board has doing theirs. So, if anybody wants to jump
062aboard on the community and help fight this battle, which we should start now, not wait till the next budget season, I I welcome you. That's anybody. And a lot of our community members have some great ideas when they come up here. I don't I don't see Mr. read out here tonight, but he always has some very good ideas. And we have financial experts right right up here sitting at this table. We got Mr. Mesmer, Dr. Fowl, and Mr. Edwards. They all know what they're doing as far as financials. So, let's work together. And again, I thank the entire board and and the community. And again, I congratulate all the new hires. Thank you. Anyone [Applause] else? >> Either one of you. >> He wants John Sluka 950 Sylvia Court. Uh, every year Dr. Fowl talks
063about how many students came in in January that we don't get credit for. How many did we get this year? >> How much? >> He's got an answer at the end. >> Oh, and then we've been also can you give me a breakdown of the non how do I put this? kindergarten through 12 and those before kindergarten to break down the amount of students to get to the I know we get total students all the time but there's a breakdown of non I always call them non-traditional because not everybody goes to preschool but so before preschool or whatever it's called and then kindergarten on up I'm done thank you >> thank you Mr. Um, so the the it's a little hard, but I've been saying I think I said this past February that we were
064around 55 or 60 new students from January to February or March that come in. Now the better question we should all know is the state takes the October 15th cutoff for your enrollment. Anybody after that that increase that we do not get credit for regardless whether they came from another district or not. So that number does fluctuate. Um I don't know that exact number this year, but I promise I will get that to you. I could give you some round numbers. I would say from October 15th through May, the net people that have left our district and people that have come in is probably around 40 to 50 just based on what I saw, but I could get that exact. The breakdown our prek 3 to four years old is about 590 students. I think
065we're around 8,200 total students are in that area. So the K to2 would be roughly 7,600 K to2 but um you know if you email me I could give you the exact numbers as of today's date and what we report on on October 15th um because that's public information. Thank you >> Mr. Finelli. Did you want to get up again? >> There was somebody >> I just want to finish my thought. All right, you got a contract for five years. You have no no concept or idea at all what the next five years are going to hold as far as finances go. All right, but you're committed to giving out those payraises for five years. The only alternative if the finances get worse is you have to cut more positions. So instead of giving cutting
066more positions, you you you give out more money. Now, all I hear all the time is salary and benefits make up 85 86% of the school's cost. And every time I hear that, I want to throw up because that all falls back on you. You're the people that negotiate the contracts and give it out. And with this contract, you've just increased that amount of money, but I was going to ask Jim how much the contract cost. I'm not sure he knows, but if he is, he can tell me. You just increase that by 18.3%. Over the next five years. So every time you say benefits and salaries 85%, that's because of this, because of what you voted for and what you negotiated. And as far as I heard in this contract, you you gave nothing
067back. You got nothing back from from from the union at all. They just got fat pay raises, which is above the cost of living and no c no increase in benefits. Reality, my secondary insurance just went up a dollar a day, right? I got my little letter from OP. Hey, dollar a day. It's going up another $360 a year, right? it you you really have to think about what you're doing or stop crying about money. I I don't care about what the what what the state gives you or don't give you. You got a responsibility to run with whatever you get. And if you want to give out big fat pay raises over 5 years, then you deal with the consequences. That's it. >> Thank you. Come on. right up. >> Hi, good evening. Mara
068Mullhern, um I'm new special service supervisor. I just wanted to extend my sincere gratitude to the board of education, Dr. Farrell, Dr. Tuarro, and all the hiring committee. I am so excited to work with the teachers, the child study team, um all the par profofessionals and um all the administration and staff here in Brick Community and um and all the families and students. I a firm believer in uh students always come first and I'm excited to learn and grow with all of you. So, thank you. >> Board comments. Oh. Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. Hello everyone. My name is Jen Huey. Thank you board for having me. I am the new supervisor for 6 through 12 and the K through2 supervisor of visual and performing arts. I just wanted to thank you all the board
069and Dr. Anderson and the hiring committee for uh taking me on and having this opportunity. I look forward to supporting our teachers. I am excited to see what the students have. I'm excited to showcase what the students can bring into this uh community. And thank you for bringing me into your community. So, thank you for the opportunity. And I hope I make you proud. [Applause] Anyone else? Okay. Um, board comments. George, >> thank you very much, President Naenone. Uh, thank you all everyone actually for coming out this evening. I feel like I say that actually no, I do say that uh cuz it's like a recording device almost coming out of my mouth. I say that every meeting. Thank you for coming. But truly because we need people to ask questions and frankly hold our
070feet to the fire because we are in effect representing your interests in one fashion or another as parents, as residents, as taxpayers, uh as teachers, as staff members, so on and so forth. Um, and we cannot understand at a personal level what you need, what you'd like, what you would like to see done and need to be done within the district without your input. And we truly value that and appreciate that. So, thank you for coming. Please feel free to come back uh because these are public meetings. Please feel free to make use of them. And uh it is just so wonderful and admirable to see people take a vested interest in what takes place in their respective communities as we see here. And um in that uh spirit, uh President Ayanna, I would actually
071like to thank you very much for what you've done over these last few months. When I first started here, I felt so candidly lost. Uh excited, but lost in the sense that I've never done this before. I didn't know what to do. Um you've known me since I was a little boy. Uh and I grew up with your Angelina, uh through elementary school all the way up to high school. And I still see you and uh Janna, your daughter, across the street from me for so many years. And I wish everyone here candidly could get to know Meline as a person and not simply as your school board president. She's wonderful human being and I just think it's sad that uh not everyone necessarily gets that opportunity. Um in that spirit, I'll mention something that
072you mentioned to me once before because we're talking about attorneys. Uh I'm sad to not see Mr. Montenegro here. He was very nice and welcoming when I first started here. But I will say that uh considering that we will um uh be looking to new legal counsel, perhaps that could help us in one fashion or another with um pursuing aid that you said uh Madame President uh we were supposed to get related to our special education students uh within our special education program from the state of New Jersey that we are not receiving. So perhaps legal counsel, new legal counsel could help us in that endeavor to be successful um the benefit of our students and overall for our community. Um, I'm not sure what else to say, candidly. Uh, yes. Thank you. Thank you
073very much, >> Mr. Henry. >> I always enjoy following George because I can keep it short and sweet and he's has a lot to say and that's great. But I also want to congratulate the new hires and I have no doubt that you'll do an exemplary job because everybody that surrounds you from what I've seen is doing an incredible work in the classrooms at the administration level. Everybody really cares a great deal about the students including the board members and central administration from what I've seen on my short time on the board. So congratulations. I have no doubt that you're going to do a wonderful job and again thank you for coming out tonight and the comments are always appreciated because it helps us grow as a board and we also find out what is
074on your minds and so have a safe trip home and enjoy the rest of your summer. >> Thank you Mrs. Dub Benedictus. >> Thank you all for coming. Um we are I'm so excited to see what this next year is going to hold. We have so many amazing people here that I know are just going to impact our students so greatly and I'm a huge proponent of the arts. I love this for you. I am so excited. I feel like the arts and school they go hand in hand and it just it it builds their math skills and their listening and their just all the things. Welcome. I'm so excited with this. Um and thank you all for coming and I hope you guys have an amazing rest of your summer even though it's really
075hot. Um, enjoy it. Soak up the last little bit of fun. See you guys next month. >> Miss Pulla. Hi. I just want to say how pleased, proud, and excited I am for the coming school year. I'm talking to you, Brittany, and Jen, and the all of our new um principles and vice principles. I you know what I love about you and your class this year is that you're so close and connected to our teachers and our students and that's just um the most phenomenal thing any uh board of ed could ask for. Um, I want to welcome the new teachers. Welcome to the brick family, as Sumac would say. And I'm really looking forward to um your drive, your excitement, and your vision for what's best for our kids. Thank you very much for
076being here tonight. Oh, and BTA, >> Mr. Mesmer, >> good evening everyone. Uh, I just wanted to talk about Is my mic? I just wanted to talk about the negotiations uh for the BTA. I thought I really thought everyone uh I led the negotiations for the board of ed, so I thought everyone on both sides came to a fair agreement. um we had to give up things on both sides. Um and when you know you talk about raise percentages, we used a lot of data to come up with those numbers. We looked at all the surrounding schools in the district, likes districts. And one thing you have to consider is we need to be competitive when we're trying to attract teachers to come to this district and also to retain those teachers. So we felt
077that the percentages that we came to were fair for both sides. Um we also focused on year one to uh we did not exceed what we budgeted. Uh so we were able to stay within our budget for year one. So there's no negative impact to what we projected for year one. So I I really thought both sides did a great job. It was really collaborative. Um it was fun to be a part of. I mean it was stressful in some situations. 15 meetings seemed more like 20. Um, but I think overall it was a win for the district. Um, because I mean the teachers are the backbone of this district and I feel like we really as a board took that into consideration while trying to be as fiscally responsible as we could be um
078while still making sure that our teachers um you know were competitive in the landscape of things. So, hope everyone has a good rest of your summer and have a good night. Thank you. Um, I want to say a couple of things. One thing is, um, every Sunday after church, I seem to hit the car wash on the corner of Drum Point Road. And the wrestling team, the football team, and the band have been out there trying to get money for their groups. Anybody who wants to have your car wash, go because I have to tell you, I've been to car washes and they really do a great job, those kids. They're really good. Got hosed a couple of times. think someone set me up, but I don't know. Um, another thing I want to say
079is thank you everybody. Congratulations and have a great rest of your summer. Thank you. And now I'm going to read to you the uh calendar. August 26, 2025 regular meeting. And I'm going to need a motion and a second. >> Motion Fran. >> Second. George >> vote. Mary. >> Miss Piccolo. >> Yes. >> Miss D. Benedictus. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henry. Yes, >> Mr. Maljeri. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mesmer. >> Yes, >> Miss Ayanna. >> Yes. >> Good night, everyone.