001Mr. Kenny, can I have Good evening, folks. We were in executive session, so we're going to start by uh coming back into public session. Uh Mr. Kenny, can I uh rec can I have a motion to reconvene the public meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Aikone. Uh all in favor? >> I opposed. All right, we're back in public session. Good evening. Uh we are going to start at number four, routine business. We have the board secretaries report for October of 2025, the receipts and appropriation adjustments for October of 25, the treasurer's report for October of 25, the monthly transfer report for October of 25, the high school activities report for November, [snorts] the food service management cost performance statement for November, uh the bill list as of December 16th, uh and
002the approval of minutes, the November nomber 18th executive session uh number one then executive session number two and November 18th regular minutes. Uh Mr. Bramhaul, can I have a motion to approve section 4 routine business items A through H. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. M uh Miss Eileen Blstein. Comments or questions from the board? >> Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Uh, Miss Falconer. >> I I >> I motion approved. Moving on to section five, routine matters. We have the enrollment report as of December 12th. Have the health report for November of 25, the fire alarm report for November of 25, the crisis drill report for November, and the superintendence monthly report. Mr. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mrs. Fitzwwater. Um, I've already given off the first part of my report by
003thanking uh the singers from Cinnamonson Middle School. What a fantastic job they did. Uh, it is that season in the district and we find ourselves coming to the tail end of the musical performances. So, as I mentioned, you can catch the middle school tomorrow night at Chick-fil-A from 6:00 to 7:00. Uh, unfortunately happening simultaneously with this meeting is the high school musical performance. So, uh, I will also use as an opportunity to plug Mr. Steve Krill who is simultaneously live streaming this meeting along with the live stream of our musical performance as well and we do usually keep those online for one of those performances. You have an opportunity to check them out. Uh for instance last Wednesday uh the Eleanor Rush School put on a fantastic performance. Um Cinnamonson High School as I mentioned
004is happening right now and I got to catch part one of two of the new Albany second grade holiday show entitled December in Our Town. It was fantastic today and part two is tomorrow. Uh, while I'm talking about the performing arts department, I did want to give a quick plug and congratulations to our CHS coral director, Mr. Brian Bacon. Brian Bacon has once again co-written a musical performance that is currently running at the Ritz Theater in Haden Township. Mr. Bacon's said it is a musical Panto. For those of you in the know what that is, uh, I'm not 100% sure. Uh, but it is entitled Goldilocks and the House of Ginger. It's a family-friendly holiday show that runs through December 21st. So, you have about four more chances to catch that if you visit richthecco.org.
005Uh, but we are we are truly fortunate to have someone as talented as Mr. Bacon uh teaching our students with his side hustle of putting on professional musical performances uh is very impressive. So, uh thank you and congratulations to Cinnamon Middle School Home and School. Uh we had a huge crowd here last weekend for the Winterfest Express, a reboot on this fun tradition here in Cinnamonson. another one of those holiday traditions that truly makes it feel like the holiday season. Um, so thank you to all of the folks who were involved in planning that uh was a wonderful community event. I also want to give congratulations to our governor's educators of the year. Uh, and our principles did a fantastic job surprising them last week. Uh, we had family members in attendance, students, parents. I
006think we had our first aunt and uncle in attendance to recognize uh, Governor's Educator Year. from New Alb and we will officially recognize them later in the spring. But from New Alb School, congratulations to reading recovery teacher Christina Breitbill. From the Eleanor Rush School, congratulations to Jennifer Ogazali. From the middle school, Lauren Ever Clayton from the high school, Mary Orfanos, and our district ESP of the year, Gabriella Roach. Congratulations to all of those individuals. Oh, and from Memorial School, almost missed it, uh, Miss Beer. Uh, congratulations to Carly Oldfield preschool brighteyed teacher. Uh, also congratulations to first grader Violet Miller for being the top reader in Senator Singleton's jump into reading challenge. And Mrs. Millie, I don't know if I'm allowed to share this or not, but we'll take the off chance that maybe she's
007not watching live stream and I'm ruining the surprise. Congratulations to third grader Mackenzie Ser and Miss Cotton's class who uh won the jump into reading challenge at the Rush School. So, uh, if I did just break the news, you might want to surprise her tomorrow morning. Um, I'd also like to take a moment to thank members of our community. Uh, on behalf of the Cinnamonson Township School District Board of Education, teachers, support, staff, students, and family. I want to thank everybody who participated in recognizing the three years that it's been since the passing of our student, beloved Maddie Harris. Uh, thank you to Mrs. Arbles, faculty leaders, and the students from the CHS Kicking Cancer Club, who raised money for a scholarship fund on behalf of Maddie. Her spirit continues to have a lasting impact
008on our community and others. And we appreciate everybody who participated in the event right after Thanksgiving. And finally, on behalf of the board and administration, I wish all of you a very happy holiday season. Uh, tonight is night three of Hanukkah. So, happy Hanukkah to all of you who are celebrating. Happy Quanza and a very merry Christmas and a happy new year to everyone in our Cinnamonson community. Thank you. That's it. Mrs. Fitzwater. >> Thank you, Mr. Capello. Miss Con, can I have a motion to approve section five, routine matters, items A through E? >> So move. >> Second. >> Thank Mr. Trump. Comments or questions from the board? >> Hearing none, we'll take vote. Silene Bllestein. >> I >> motion approved. Moving on to section six, the student representative reports. First, we will hear
009from the high school student representative, Carly Trump. >> Good evening. The November class, the November students of the month for the class of 2026 is Samantha Bobin. Class of 2027, Thomas Bob, 2028, Reed Hobson, and 2029 Erllyn Fondura. The winter sports have started their 2025 seasons. The boys basketball captains are Shawn Mson and Henry Stewart. Their first game was at home on December 15th versus Bordontown. On December 17th, the team hosts Willingboro and Drew and Noah Harvey. 2025 grads will receive their thousand point basketball. Um the girls basketball [snorts] captains are Norah Quinn and Shiloh Moore. Their first game was a resounding win at home on Monday, December 15th versus Triton. Their next game is at home is at Delran on Thursday. The boys wrestling captains are Dominic Marino, David Gomez, Max Fry, and Jake
010Barbick. The team opened its season at the Blue Devil Classic featuring seven champions and six additional medal winners. The team's first home duel meet is today, December 16th, versus Bordontown. The girls wrestling captains will be announced on Thursday. Cinnonson High School athletics are is thrilled to announce the formation of the Cinnamonson girls wrestling team. These determined athletes are ready to compete and showcase their skills on the mat this season. Catch the Lady Pirates in their very first competition on December 18th at Peton. Winter track season will kick off on Thursday, December 18th at the Cherokee Throwdown number one. And the track athletes will get their first taste of competition on the 20th at SJTCA number two at Upin's A Center. The swimming captains are Sophia Rocks and Brett Hess. The swim team opened its season
011with a 105 to 56 point win over Peton at Camden County Technical School in Sichlerville on Friday, December 5th at 4:45 p.m. The bowling captains for the girls are Elena [snorts] Elena Miller, Eliana Malave, Abby Gordon, Michaela Zmit. The boys captains are Ian Jungla, Chase Gallant, Logan Mcciser, and Matias Corona, and John Deilo. The teams nailed down another bowling sweep against Penn Stalken Tech. Matias Corona and Abby Gordon received 10,000 pins and Elelliana Malave reached 15,000 pins. The class of 2028 held their sophomore Catilian on December 3rd at the Madison and Riverside. Memories were made by all who attended. Congratulations to the newly inducted members of the National Honor Society. On Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, 42 seniors and 42 juniors and five seniors were inducted into the NHS chapter of Cinnamon Sim. The Interact officers
012visited Morstown Rotary for their monthly lunchon on November 20th to share what our club is working on and learn what opportunities the Rotary has to offer. 10 Interact students and their adviserss took a field trip to Urban Promise on November 21st to help pack Thanksgiving meals to those in need in the community of Camden. Interact students will also help out with the breakfast for Santa on Saturday, December 7th and the Home and School Association's Winterfest December 12th and 13th. Finally, they're in the process of making holiday hot chocolate kick kits as a fundraiser to raise money for various interact activities and scholarships. DECA sponsored a Toys for Tots drive and collected 90 toys for autistic and developmentally challenged children. This year, the high school raised $425 for the Chop Pajama Day fundraiser. What a success.
013The funds are truly appreciated as they will go towards supporting children with cancer. It was such a joy to see the school come together for such a wonderful cause and it's heartwarming to know that our efforts will make a difference in the lives of these children. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed for a successful year. It's been a busy season for the CHS music department. On Tuesday, December 9th, the chamber choir performed their annual tree lighting at Lake View Lake View Memorial. On Thursday the 18th, the chamber choir will sing at the dollar and Chick-fil-A for a fundraising event. Additionally, the CHS indoor drum line and color guard have started rehearsals and are excited for their upcoming season. The CHS winter concert featuring the band, choir, and string students will be held on
014Tuesday, December 16th at 700 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend for some holiday cheer. The CHS Spanish and French clubs visited Riverview Estates to ring in the holiday holidays after school on December 1st. Both clubs sang Christmas carols to the residents in Spanish, French, and English. This annual tradition has become a favorite for our club members. Lastly, on behalf of the student council, I'd like to thank Miss Forbes for her 30 years of service and dedication to Cinnamonson student council. While she will continue teaching, we thank her for decades of extra time and commitment she has always given to student council. Her impact on our students and school community will be felt for many years to come. Thank you. >> Thank you, Carly. And now we'll
015hear from uh Matthew Kenny, the middle school representative. Good evening to all of you. I hope everybody had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday with their families. The student of the month for November are sixth grader Charlotte Winter Bonner, seventh grader Charlie Kaos, and eighth grader Matias Riviero Bizera. The teacher [snorts] of the month for November is Mrs. Hannings. Congratulations to Aiden Arino and Chubby Okali who recently selected for the all South Jersey choir. CMS is proud to announce that seventh grade science teacher Mrs. McGonagal has been selected at as this year's New Jersey second ex Educator of the year. CMS is also proud to announce this year's governor's educator of the year sixth grade math teacher, Miss Laura Everclaid. Congratulations to her and the other educators of the year in this district. Winter sports are rolling
016up. Mr. McDonald has taken over as head coach of the wrestling program. A total number of 42 wrestlers have joined the middle school team, including seven female wrestlers. The wrestling program has already had four meets early into this 2025 2026 season. With only a handful of returning starters, Coach McDonald and coach Fraatello are looking forward to seeing growth for their team throughout the season. They hosted Harrington Middle and traveled to Delran and Marlton and Glen View. The coaching staff is eager to see how well the team will continue to improve as they gain valuable experience throughout the season. The boys basketball program has a total of 46 students students try out for the team in the winter. Coach Carol, an art teacher at Rush Elementary and Mr. Willis, a sub a substitute teacher in CMS
017will be leading the program with this season. The final roster includes a total of 22 players between both A and B teams. Our A team has played one game so far at Delran Middle and B has played both Delran and Harrington. With a young team, the coaches are confident that the boys should be competitive throughout the season. The girls basketball program is led by Mr. Sin along with one of the ESPs at CMS, Mr. Boardman. The coaching staff is extremely excited for the upcoming season. a total of 20 a total of 20 from the basketball program between two teams. The girls have started off with a combined record of 4-1 with a win over Delan and Hadenfield. The aggression and athleticism has been on a full display so far at the beginning of the season.
018Junior cinem hosted the food drive in South Jersey food bank. All donations were collected through December 12th. On December 4th, CMS participated in CHOP's pajama day. We raised almost $900 for pediatric patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. And we celebrated by wearing our pajamas to school because we beat our goal. The kindness of CMS students, families, and staff will make a real difference in lives of pediatric patients at CHOP and help bring comfort and hope to childrens when they need it most. The CMS Unity Club went to New York City on December 4th to visit the 911 Memorial Museum. It was a memorable day. CMS hosted its annual winter concert on December 11th. The con the concert features performers from the band course and strings. Congratulations to Mrs. Sigman, Mr. Huracock, and Mr. Beccanis
019for the amazing concert. On Friday, December 19th, Unity Club will be hosting the annual holiday breakfast for senior citizens in town. There will be food and music provided by our own CMS music department. December 15th through December 22nd in CMS holiday spirit week for students and staff. Monday, fa la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la fl flannel. Wear a cozy flannel. Tuesday, Grinch day. Go green or go gle and wear your ugly sweater. Wednesday, candy cane day. Red, white, delight, just like a peppermint treat. Thursday, twinkle Thursday, sparkle, shimmer, and shine. Let your outfit be divine. Friday, festival Friday, head to toe, let your holiday spirit show. Thank you and I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday and new year
020with their families. >> Thank you, Matthew. Thank you to both of you and I hope you do have a good holiday and a good break. Here [snorts] we're moving on to section seven presentation. Mr. >> I found it. Daddy system is paying off [laughter] that one. [snorts] >> All right. Um I have to apologize first that um our presentation scheduled for this evening with Miss McDonald is not going to be possible. There is a an illness going through her household that we did ask that she not bring to this forum. Uh especially considering we're hosting a big crowd here on Friday. So, uh, [snorts] we will table the presentation for exemplary secondary education, um, professional for the January board [clears throat] meeting. Uh, that said, I did want to seize this opportunity to invite a
021couple of my colleagues from the board uh, to come up next to me. This is the first time certainly since I've been superintendent or that I can remember in recent history here or anywhere uh, where we have had a mother daughter duo serving on the board of education. I would like to take just a moment to recognize them. So, Miss E. Blast, Miss K. BL, if you don't mind joining me, you don't have to, but if you're welcome to come up here and stand next to me, I did want to uh offer a couple thank yous. That was good. [laughter] [snorts] So, um, if you were here at our board meeting last month, you know that we had a bunch of students here with us. And before the students come to the board meeting, we
022meet during the day and we talk about what it means to be a member of the board of education. And I always ask them a couple questions to sort of activate the conversation. Um, having been the parent of middle schoolers, I know where to start with them. And we ask, how much do you think board members make? And I will tell you, the conversation usually starts quite high before we come to the realization that this is a volunteer position. So then I ask number two, why do you think uh people want to be on the board of education? And that usually sparks a really great conversation uh that goes handinhand with lessons that they are learning about service and lessons they are learning about civics in their middle school social studies classes. Um and I
023can't think of maybe better representatives that members of the board of education to represent what it means for service to your community. So I will start with Miss Eileen Bllestein. My plaque will spelled correctly. So [laughter] I'll hold I'll hold on to it for just a second. Uh Eileen Bllestein joined the board of education in January of 2024, but has been an active participant in the community for many many years. As a fellow educator, she appreciates the importance of quality public education. And if you have ever spent time in her presence, you understand that she has a deep appreciation for the Cinnamonson community. If you know Miss Blstein like I have gotten to know her, you know that she pours her entire spirit into everything that she does. I think that's a fair statement especially
024as I have observed into her service on the board of education and with that I'm very grateful for the service she has spent as a member of the facilities and transportation committee as well as the curriculum and student activities committee. Uh in this role she has helped advance student programs including what our high school representative mentioned earlier helping to bring the first standalone girls varsity wrestling team to the cinemy community. Also, Eileen was a member of the subcommittee for public relations and communications for the referendum, and she has been active in meetings for the Burlington County School Boards Association as well as meetings at the New Jersey School Boards Association. As an extremely visible member of the board of education, Miss Blindstein could always be counted on to jump in and to help with all
025board related issues. If you needed a volunteer, Eileen was always there to step up. Her passion is truly something to be noted by all. [snorts] And as a proud mother of four, five, five. [laughter] I was just testing you. I remained in awe of her ability to find time to commit to service. And speaking of being a mother, talking to Eileen, anyone would know that her family is an immeasurable source of pride for her. My first glimpse into this may have been at a board meeting about three years ago when I watched her in the audience smile from ear to ear as her own [snorts] daughter was being in um sworn into office. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Miss Blindstein was one of the active members of this board that helped
026to reopen the Memorial School for Service after 30 years and to help bring preK to many, many families in this community. I applaud her for her service and I ask that you join me in doing the same. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> And that's it. No, I'm kidding. [laughter] No, no, you have to stay here, too, because we're going to take a group picture. We don't get an awful lot of opportunities to do this. So, I would also be remiss if I didn't take an opportunity to recognize Miss Kate Blin. Uh Kate Blin has been a member of the board of education since 2023, completing her three-year term. Now, she joins she joined the board when she was only correct my math here. Early 2022, 22 years old. Let that sink in for just a
027second. She was the uh [snorts] youngest member of the board of education in a generation. Um which really helped to serve as an inspiration for many of our young people. Um it's an incredible accomplishment and making her role model for service for a future generation of students, particularly the young ladies who got to watch her from Cinnamonson High School. We quickly learned that her youth need not be mistaken for lack of capacity, ability as she jumped right in and worked hard as a board member. Miss Blaststein's influence, participation in education helped this board to accomplish a great deal in the last three years and perhaps most notably, as I mentioned earlier, the launch of the prek program, which will leave a generational impact on all of Cinnamon Township. In her time on the board, Kate
028has served on the finance policy committee, excuse me, the finance personnel committee, the policy legislation committee, and the facilities transportation committee. She's been an active member in growing professionally uh participating in many workshops and events for professional learning at the New Jersey School Boards Association. I wish [snorts] Kate the very best as she takes the next steps in her life and I hope her um future in uh all future engagements are fulfilling and I thank her for her time on the board of education and if her time has proven anything, it is that youth has an important part in this board in service and in leadership to the entire community. I am certain that great success awaits her and I'm thankful for the time she has given to all of the students and staff here
029in Cinnamonson and to the greater Cinnamonson community. Kate, thank you so much for your service. [applause] [applause] >> Can we do one shot? >> Yeah, >> actually one without me. [laughter] >> [snorts] >> Thank you. [laughter] >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> All right, moving on to number eight. Um, correspondence to the board. We have had a few emails from [snorts] community members um with issues that are being handled by appropriate administrators. Uh, anyone else have anything to add to that? >> I didn't hear. >> Okay. Uh moving on to section nine committee reports. We had this month a um finance personnel committee uh meeting and Mr. Bram Hall is going to uh talk about the minutes. >> Thank you. Uh the finance personnel committee met via Google Meet on Tuesday, December 9th at 6 p.m.
030Miss Wilky began the meeting and spoke about the budget process and the budget timeline. State aid figures are expected to be released within 48 hours of the governor's address which is scheduled for the last week of February. Miss Wilky reviewed the current guardrails in place with state aid as well as potential health benefit increases. Then Mr. Capello provided the committee members with an update on anticipated personnel need. He provided us with some feedback that was articulated by staff members at the new Albany school and we reviewed some job descriptions. The next meeting of the finance and personnel committee is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Bramal. Um, Mrs. Ayakone is going to give us an update on the Burlington County School Board Association. >> Thank you, Mrs. Fitzwwater. Good evening,
031everyone. The following is an update for members of the board of education and the public from the New Jersey School Boards Association. I have the privilege to represent Cinnamonson as New Jersey School Boards Association delegate and vice president of the Burlington County School Boards Association. On Thursday, November 20th, the Burlington County School Boards Association held their semiannual meeting which was hosted by Willingboroough School District at Willingboro High School. During the meeting, which I had the honor to preside over, members received an update from NJSBA County Representative Justin Wright. Members received updates on ELF New Jersey from Mr. Michael Mccclure, vice chair. Also, membership was briefed on current legislative information from NJSBA senior legislative and policy council and proud Cinnammenson alum John Burns Esquire. [snorts] The keynote speakers for the evening were members of the Chesterfield
032School District who presented on their implementation of multi- tiered system of support or MTSS. District personnel shared their experiences and successes in providing a framework for academic behavioral and social emotional supports. The presentation was referred to district director of counseling Mrs. Linda Kella, who was working on a site visit. There are a number of upcoming events that may be of interest to board members. Board members should keep an eye out for an invitation to the next county meeting, which will be held on January 22nd. The topic for that meeting is partnership readiness. The annual 8th grade dialogue is scheduled to take place on March 19th. And finally, on May 14th, the annual spring celebration is scheduled to take place at Meford Village Country Club. Thank you. >> Thank you, [snorts] Miss Aikon. We're also going
033to hear from uh Mr. John Mer. He was uh he is our delegate for the delegate assembly and he has a report on that meeting. >> Thank you. Um the 2025 annual New Jersey School Board Association delegate assembly met on November 22nd, 2025. In attendance from Cinnamonson's Board of Education was John Mer, Donna Maria Iicon, and Eileen Blindstein. Three resolutions were on the agenda. Resolution one, the Delrand Board of Education proposed new policy language to support a limitation on the period of time in which a board member's criminal history can be reviewed. The proposal also included language that would consider the nature of the crime committed before a board member could be disqualified from service. Resolution two, the Clifton Board of Education proposed new policy language stating that the New Jersey School Board Association should
034support the belief that there should be universal free school meals for all preK through 12 students in New Jersey funded at the state or federal level. Resolution three, the Bridgewater Raritan School District proposed new policy language supporting the belief that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education should be integrated from preK to 12 for all New Jersey students. Um, the outcome are as follows. Um, once resolution one was brought to the floor, the resolutioner from Delran made a motion to table the resolution indefinitely. This was followed by a debate about whether the assembly should vote on the resolution that put a decision on the record. In the end, the motion to table the resolution indefinitely succeeded. Resolution was two was brought to the floor with concerns about how the funding would be implemented and members addressing
035the stigma associated with reduced or free lunches. The resolution passed directing the New Jersey School Board Association to advocate for universal free school meals for all preK through 12 students at the expense of the state or federal government. Similar to resolution one, the resolutioner from Bridgewater Raritin made a motion to table resolution three and submit an updated version in May of 2026. Debate occurred regarding the importance of STEM education in elementary classrooms. In the end, the assembly voted to table resolution 3. The next assembly meeting is scheduled for May 1st, 2026. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Maker. Um, Miss Kate Blstein, can I have a motion to approve section 9, item [snorts] A? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Trump. Comments or questions from the board? >> Hearing none, we'll take
036a vote. Miss Valinero. I >> I I >> I motion approved. Uh moving on to section 10, public comment on agenda items. Members of the public are reminded that comments should be limited to items appearing on this meeting's agenda. There will be another opportunity during this meeting to comment on non-aggenda items. All members of the public wishing to speak on agenda items only should raise their hand to indicate their wish to speak. When called upon, participants should state their first and last name and address clearly for the record in accordance with sentiments and board of education policy. Comments will be limited to a maximum of four minutes per person. The commenter period will be limited to 30 minutes in duration. With that said, do we have anyone who wishes to speak on any agenda items?
037Okay. Uh, moving on to section 11 personnel. Mr. Bella. >> Thank you, Mrs. Fitzwwater. Uh, under section 11, personnel, letter A, seeking the board to approve items one and two as listed in the agenda. Under letter B, resignations and retirements, there are two items for the board's consideration listed in the agenda under items one and two. Under leaves of absence, there are three items. Employees are listed by employee number for consideration by the board for approval this evening. Uh, letter D, teaching overloads. Um, sorry I'm getting a little bit of lag here in my board docs. There is one item uh for the board's consideration. That item is listed in the agenda. Under letter E, extra duty appointment seeking the board's approval for items 1 through 7. They are listed by name in the agenda.
038Under letter F, two items for the board's consideration for approval. They are listed as items 1 and two under F on the agenda. Nothing under letter G down in mentor teachers seeking the board's approval for two mentor teachers. They are listed in the agenda. Under letter I, there are two student teachers for consideration of the board. Both of those placements are listed in the agenda. Under letter G, G, excuse me, J, substitutes items one through seven. They are listed uh for approval in the agenda. Under letter K, tutors, uh number one, the names for tutors to be considered by the board are listed in the agenda. And under letter L, New Jersey minimum wage increase. That item is listed under number one under letter J, section 11 in the agenda for the board's consideration. And
039finally, there are two job descriptions that are on the board agenda for approval under section 11 numbers 1 and two. And that is the personnel section. Mrs. Fitzwwater. >> Thank you, Mr. Capello. Mr. Mer, can I have a motion to approve section 11 personnel certified non-certified items A through M. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss. >> Comments or questions from the board? Hearing? None. We'll take a vote. Malcanero. >> I I >> I I >> I motion approved. Moving on to section 12, curriculum and instruction. Dr. Goldburn. >> Thank you very much. Under 12, letter A, requesting approval of the monthly professional development requests. Under letter B, the monthly field trip request. Under letter C, we have one instructional material for Simmonson Middle School. Uh no curricular documents this month. under letter
040E uh acknowledging receipt of the HIV investigations on first reading and affirming the outcomes on second reading that is reflected in the report. [snorts] Under letter F is the monthly suspension report and under letter G number one is the uh seeking approval of the school calendar for the 2627 school year. And those are the items this month please. >> Thank you Dr. Goldburn. Miss Eileen Bllestein. And I have a motion to approve section 12 curriculum and instruction items A through G. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Maker. Comments or questions from the board? >> Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Miss Falconero. >> I >> abstain from 12A.1 line one and then I for the rest. >> I motion approved. Uh, moving on to section 13, special special education. Mr. Pella, >>
041thank you again, Mrs. Fitzwater. Under section 13, special education, letter A, there is one contract amendment for the board's consideration listed in the agenda. Under letter B, student placements. Again, I apologize. Board Docs is a little slow to load. I have to go analog here for a second. Unless yours is working a little better and I can peer over at yours. We won't let her be there yet. doesn't seem to be working for anyone up here. >> There you go. Here's C. >> There are two items for the board's consideration under special education section B. Items one, excuse me, that was letter C. Uh there is one item for consideration uh under letter B. Uh down in consultant agreements, there are two items for consideration by the board under letter C. That is special education
042section 13. U Miss Falconer, can I have a motion to approve section 13 special education items A through C? >> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Kenny. Comments or questions from the board? Hearing none, we'll take the vote. [snorts] Mileen Bl. >> I I >> I motion approved. Moving on to We don't have anything under policy for this month, so we're going on to 15. Business and finance. Mrs. Wilkey. >> Thank you, Mrs. Fitzwwater. Under grants item 1A, that the board accepts the grant from PPG Industries in the amount of $949 to the new Albany STEM program. Under section B, finance, that the board approves the staff mileage reimbursements as listed. And item number two, that the board approves the solicitation of quotes for school buses as list listed. Under C, operations,
043we have none. And under D contracts, item number one, that the board authorizes the qualified purchasing agent to solicit proposals for school physician services for the 2627 school year. And item number two, that the board authorizes the qualified purchasing agent to solicit bids for custodial services due to expiration of the current contract bid for the 2627 school year. Thank you, Mrs. Fitzwwater. [snorts] >> Thank you, Mrs. Wilkkey. Um, Mrs. Trump, can I have a motion to approve section 15, business and finance items A through D? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Mer. Comments or questions from the board? >> Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Um, Miss Een Blaststein. >> Um, abstain from uh 15B1 line 4 and I to all the rest. >> I'm going to abstain from item 15 B1
044line six. I for the rest. I >> I sorry. [laughter] >> I I I >> I motion approved. >> Uh section 16, we have uh other business. You want to take that? >> Yep. >> Thank you, Mrs. Fitzwater. Under section 16, there are two items for the board's consideration. Uh they are the results of the recommendation of the ad hoc committee on residency um for a determination made by those committees. Uh those committee recommendations [snorts] are before the full board for consideration this evening. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Kenny, can I have a motion to approve section 16 other business? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thanks, Miss Trump. Comments or questions from the board? >> Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Miss Eileen Bl. I >> I I >> I uh moving on to
045public comment section 17. [snorts] All members of the public wishing to speak should raise their hand to indicate their wish to speak. When called upon, participate should [snorts] participants should state their first and last name and address clearly for the record. In accordance with sentiments in board of education policy, comments will be limited to a maximum of four minutes per person. The comment period will be limited [snorts] to 30 minutes in duration. During pursuant to the open public meetings act, the board will not publicly discuss or comment on matters involving personnel, litigation, negotiations, or attorney client privilege. [snorts] The board may choose not to respond to comments made by members of the public during this portion of the meeting. [snorts] However, all comments will be giving appropriate consideration. Matters requiring follow-up will be referred to
046the superintendent for resolution. Please be aware that all board me all board employees retain the right of privacy and shall retain all rights against defamation and slander according to the laws of New Jersey. The board shall not be held liable for comments made by members of the public. [snorts] And with that said, is there anyone who wishes to uh speak Scott Nikki, 8:30 Hilltop Road at the October meeting and later in a public Facebook post, I raised concern concerns about the district's treatment of students with disabilities, the culture surrounding those decisions, and the comments members of this board made about me and my family. [snorts] Immediately afterward, the district beh district district's behavior toward us changed in ways that were hard to ignore. An email I sent simply asking whether I needed to come in
047to sign our son's IEP was escalated and described as threatening, even though it was completely innocuous. Communications that had previously been straightforward became tense and guarded. The sudden shift is why we filed an official retaliation complaint with this board on October 27th. In addition, over the past several weeks, my wife and I have tried repeatedly to obtain basic educational data about our son. Federal law makes clear that parents have a right to this data. Yet, our requests were denied, dismissed as quote, "not educational records, even when the district was actively using the same data to justify placement decisions." After multiple denials, the district finally provided only summaries, not the underlying information required for meaningful parental participation. This is not how a collaborative IP process is supposed to function. And these actions provided additional evidence of
048what we perceived as retaliation by the district for our advocacy. What truly alarmed me was an email I received from the superintendent on Thursday morning of last week. In that email, he wrote that because we filed a federal civil rights claim and intend to file a special education due process claim, the district, quote, will look for guidance from the courts to help solve disagreements on placement. Let me be clear. Placement decisions are not made by courts. They are made by the IEP team based on the child's individual needs with parents as equal partners. Again, with parents as equal partners. The law requires it. Federal guidance affirms it. And every family in this district depends on that process operating fairly. When the superintendent signals in writing that the district will not engage in open discussion of
049placement because a parent pursued their legal rights, that is the definition of predetermination. And when a parent's advocacy, whether at at this podium, in emails, or in a public Facebook post, is followed by a withdrawal of collaboration, that raises serious concerns about retaliation, whether intended or not. Those words also put pressure on the child study team by telling them implicitly or explicitly that placement is off limits, already decided, or frozen because of litigation. But that is not the law and it harms children with disabilities when IEP teams are not free to exercise their own professional judgment. Tomorrow we are scheduled to have another IEP meeting for our son. Yet after receiving the superintendent's email, it is hard to imagine that a substantive discussion on placement will occur. It suggests that the district does not intend
050to seriously revisit placement regardless of the new data, teacher input, or the law's requirement to consider less restrictive options. This is not about one placement decision. And this is about whether families who raise concerns publicly, respectfully, and lawfully will be met with transparency and collaboration or with defensiveness and closed doors. It is about whether the board will en ensure the lawful process processes are followed or whether parents will be forced into litigation simply to obtain the rights that the IDA already guarantees. I am asking the board to exercise their oversight ro role to ensure that all IP meetings include full open discussions of placement and that no discussion decisions are predetermined before the team even walks into the room. I am also asking the board to ensure that our pending retaliation complaint is investigated by
051someone other than the superintendent given that his actions are central to the concerns we raised. We [clears throat] have tried and tried and tried again to work with this district. We want our son to thrive here, but that requires a process that treats families as partners, not problems, and honors both the letter and the spirit of the law. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Wiki. [applause] >> Anyone else like to speak? Go ahead, sir. [snorts] My name is Daniel Pelicone, 809 Heritage Road. I just wanted to speak on behalf of a teacher that I've never even met in this district. Um, his name's Mr. R. Um, Mr. I don't know, Rizlowski or I don't even know how to say say his last name. And I wasn't even sure if I was going to talk today
052or not. Um, a lot of the students in this school that I see on the streets and all, you know, the one teacher that they've all talked about a lot was Mr. R, how much they value him, how much they respect him, and how much they like him. Um, and a lot of these students have been telling me that he's no longer in the school. They're not sure if he's coming back to the school. They're not sure when he is. There's been rumors that he could be coming back in a different role than where he was at before. >> [snorts] >> I just feel like there's not a lot of teachers that all the kids come around and they speak very highly of. Now, people make mistakes. They say things they should or shouldn't say.
053Some things are right. Some things are wrong. I'm not the person to judge how bad or not bad that something that somebody did was. If you guys were to look at me right now and tell me, "Hey, this guy molested a child in our school and you might want to rethink going out for him." I [clears throat] would walk out right now and say, "You're right." But I haven't heard that from anybody that I spoke to. So, I as a parent who has a student in Mr. R's class that really values his his leadership, his mentorship, I just wanted to come out and say that um I think we should consider bringing Mr. R back to the exact position he was in before. And if you're telling me that I'm sticking up for somebody that's
054totally wrong or whatever, I would respect that and understand that as well. Um, but I just wanted to be somebody to come out and speak highly of somebody that I've asked multiple kids in the in the town. You know, what do you know about Mr. R? He's great teacher. Great teacher. Always there for everybody. So, with that being said, you know, we got to try to keep good teachers. whether they do things the way other people would like it or whether they say things that might not be uh politically correct all the time or whatever it may be, I think he's a valued part to this uh to this board of education and and the school district. So, I just wanted to come out and at least say my piece on Mr. R. >> Thank
055you. >> Anyone else like to speak? Okay. Uh we're going to go to uh board comments, Mr. Kenny. >> Okay. Thanks. Um quick one. Congratulations to all of the award-winning staff members who were recognized recently as governor's educators of the year. Uh we're proud of you and appreciate all you do for our students. Congratulations and thank you to Mrs. Eileen Bllestein and Miss Kate Blestein for your service on the board. And congratulations to Miss Eileen Bllestein on becoming a certified new board member. A huge thank you to Mrs. Sigman and the Cinnamon Middle School Select Singers for their performance tonight. And that is it. The next regularly scheduled meetings will be our reorganization meeting that will take place on Tuesday, January 6th at 6 PM as well as the regular business meeting for January, which
056is Tuesday, January 20th at 700 p.m. Both right here in the middle school cafeterium. Happy holidays and enjoy the break. All right. And with that, um, >> don't eat for a second, exec. >> Right. We're we're done, right? We're jouring. Okay. Mr. Bram Hall, can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Thank you. Happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and enjoy the break.