001Good evening everyone. I call this meeting an order at 6:30 p.m. For those who wish to provide public comment remotely, the Google form was posted on this website at 6:30 p.m. Those comments will be addressed in the second public com section. This meeting which is hereby called to order at 6:30 p.m. is in compliance with the notice of requirement of the law. Public notice was posted in the office of the board of education and communicated to the municipal clerk and daily on January 15, 2025. Please raise for the >> flag of America stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> Mr. Mor present Mr. Miller >> here >> Males >> here >> Dr. S Miss Sh >> here. >> Miss Son >> here. >> Results of the annual school selection
002school election November 4, 2025 election. I need a motion and second for the election results. >> So move. >> Second. Miss Deborah estimated 253 votes threeear term. Miss Kimber flips 1,784 votes threeear term. And Miss Hel, 1569 votes, three-ear term. Roll call. Mr. Mor, >> yes. >> Mr. Miller, >> yes. >> Miss Penales, >> yes. >> Dr. Center, >> yes. >> Miss Sher, >> yes. >> Misses, >> yes. swearing in of newly elected appointed D board members. Uh I would like to have uh Miss Kim Flips to the podium uh for Miss Es and Miss Kate. I state your name. >> I >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> sovereignly swear or affirm >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States
003>> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. I will give our true favor to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the government established in the United States >> and this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God >> help me God. >> I state your name >> I >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law >> that I the qualifications >> for the office of member of of a board of education >> for the office of member of the board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as
004a voter >> and I am not disqualified as a voter >> pursuant to RS194-19 >> nor disqualified due to a conviction of a crime or offense nor disqualifying conviction of crime offense >> listed in New Jersey statute 18A12-1 >> listed in New Jersey S8 12-1 >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform >> and that I will faithfully perform >> all the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability >> so help me God >> so help me I state your name. >> I >> do solemnly swear or affirmly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States. and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established
005in the United States and this state >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God, I state your name. >> Do solemnly swear or affirm that I possess the qualifications prescribed by lawific >> for the office of member of a board of education >> and that I am not disqualified as a voterified >> pursuant to RS194-1 >> nor disqualified due to a due to conviction of a crime your offense >> listed in New Jersey statute 18A 12-1 >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform >> all of the duties of that office >> according to the best of my ability so be Can you stay there? >> Probably shouldn't squirt yourself in better. swear or affirm >> swear or affirm >> that I will support the United States >> and
006the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true >> to the same >> and to the government establish government established in the United States >> to the government established in the United States >> in this >> under the authority of the Say your name. >> I possess the qualifications >> that I possess the qualifications. >> I am not disqualified as a voter. RS4 disqualified due to conviction of a disqualified due >> I will faithfully >> impartally >> and justly perform >> all the duties of that office. According to the best of my ability, Roll call to include newly appointed board members. Miss Eso >> here. >> Mr. Mark >> present. >>
007Mr. Miller >> here. >> Miss Phillips >> here. >> Miss Palees >> here. >> Miss Skates >> here. >> Dr. Center. >> Miss Shower >> here. >> Miss Son here. >> Election of officers. >> Do we have any nominations for the board president? Um, I would make a motion to nominate Scott Miller for president. >> We don't need a motion. Sorry. So, uh, Miss Phillips nominates Mr. Miller. >> Uh, do we have any other nominations for president? See, now I'm closing the nominations for president. I need a motion for second. >> Second. Okay. >> Vote for uh board president. MO. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mor. >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller. >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips. >> Yes. >> Miss Palees. >> Yes. >> Miss Skates. >> Yes. >> Dr. S. >> Yes. >> Miss Sher.
008>> Yes. >> Mess. >> Yes. >> It resulted in accordance with NJSA18 column 15-1 the town of board do board of education in the county of Morris state of New Jersey elects Mr. Scott Miller as president of the board of education effective immediately and until organization meeting as prescribed by law [applause] >> thank you very much I really appreciate all the confidence you have in me and I'll certainly put in 110% Okay. At this time, um, I'd like to declare nominations, uh, in order for the position of vice president. >> I would like to nominate Miss Phillips. >> Are there any other nominations for vice president? This time, I'll close the nominations uh for the office of vice president. And do we have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Do we have a
009second? >> Second. Okay, let's have a >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mor, >> yes. >> Mr. Miller, >> yes. >> Miss Phillips, >> yes. >> Miss Fellz, >> yes. >> Miss Kates, >> yes. >> Dr. S. >> Yes. >> Miss Shower, >> yes. >> Miss Son, >> yes. be resolved that in accordance with NJSA 18A 15-1 the town of Joer Board of Education in the county of Mars state of New Jersey elects Miss Kimberly Phillips as vice president of the board of education effective immediately and until the organization meeting is prescribed by law at this time like to welcome the public uh for any public comment and open this portion of the meeting to the public. The board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of
010the public to express themselves on school matters to ensure fair and orderly expression of such comment. Each statement shall be held to a time period of three minutes. Public comments limited to items on this agenda shall be entertained for approximately 30 minutes upon the discretion of the presiding officer. Please understand that public comment portions of our agenda are not structured as question and answer sessions but rather they are offered as opportunities to share your thoughts with the board. The board may or may not respond to public comments. However, all comments are considered and will be investigated and addressed as appropriate. Please be courteous and mindful of the rights of others when providing comments. Comments may not be abusive, obscene, threatening, or relevant. Please understand that students and employees have specific legal and privacy protections. The
011board is not permitted to respond to public comments about students or employees. Please be advised that you are commenting at your own risk. Any public comments that are directed at a particular individual or individuals could subject liability for Is there anyone from the public that wishes to speak before the board 16 Street New Jersey speaking in my capacity as a council member I would like to congratulate the newly sworn in board members um specifically Miss Phillips and Miss Asavdo. Thank you for continuing to serve our community and to Miss Gatesh. Thank you for your willingness to step up and serve. It's truly appreciated. And finally, congratulations to my friends, Mr. Miller and Miss Phillips, um, for continuing to lead this board. So, thank you all. >> Thank you. And congratulations on your being sworn in
012as the first board council person. Anyone else? At this time, I'll close this portion of the to the public. The next items in our agenda are the appointments for 2026. And as what we've done in the past, I would like to have someone make a motion for all the items through. >> So move. >> We have a second. >> Second. any discussion? >> Yes. Um so uh unfortunately once again we have several conflicts in our board meeting dates um with the town council. Um they approved their dates uh last Thursday. Uh some of the conflicts in in conversation with Mr. Savu are unavoidable on our part. The dates cannot be moved. Um the April May and October dates are pretty much set because of either the budget or um the uh SBA conference. However, the
013dates in June and July are able to be moved. Um and I would like to propose that we sort of as a show of good faith to the town council and hopes that they move the June 23rd date to June 30th. and the July 21st meeting to July 28th. >> Uh actually June 23rd being moved away from weeks for uh middle school and the high school otherwise going to be very overwhelming. Uh July we don't we can move it I guess. >> So unless Mr. Hime has anything for July? Is it okay to move July 21st to 20? >> July works. >> Okay. >> So June is going to be very overwhelming with the graduation. >> So the so the when is graduation in June. It's not the week before that. It's it's the week
014after. >> Uh the graduation dates for the high school and middle school. Do you have a >> They're the week before. >> So then we could do Would June 30th be an issue? >> No. Not Districtwide. We have no events going on. >> All right. >> Um, Mr. Cruz, do I need to make a motion to amend? Since this item was already moved, we would probably do a motion to amend it. Unless if everyone on the board is in agreement that those two dates are are okay, we can do it by application, but it's probably a motion to change those. >> So, so my question is, are we just doing the July? I mean, in June, our superintendent wouldn't be here for that meeting. >> So, Mr. Miller, can you repeat the um the dates
015in which we are changing? >> The the motion is for June 23rd to go to June 30th and July 21st to go to July 28th. >> Thank you. >> Was there some further discussion before uh Mr. McCort makes his I mean, I would say that we we we definitely would want the superintendent at our meeting. Um, so he can't make June 30th. Is that >> He can't make June 30th. Yes. So, um, >> yes. >> Mr. Miller, I I would not be at the June 30th meeting. >> I I can't hear you. I would also not be at the June 30th meeting. >> Okay. >> Um just spitballing. Um what about if you don't mind just going to pull the calendar. Um what about >> the week? >> June 9th. Oh, wait. Nope. June 9th
016is a council meeting. So, okay. Um then I would like to make a motion to amend um section or item D um to to change July 21st, 2026 to July 28th, 2026. >> Is the microphone on? >> Oh, very good. Tuesday >> to a different day. >> 21st. Oh, now I'll be quiet now. From the 21st to the 22nd. >> From the 23rd. You mean 23rd? >> Yeah, I was looking at a calendar. So, from the 23rd to the 24th. That would allow us to move that meeting without losing board members. >> Does that work for everybody? >> Yeah, that's fine. Okay. >> I'm gonna I'm gonna restate. Um I move to amend uh item D to change June 23rd, 2026 to June 24th, 2026 and July 21st, 2026 to July 28th, 2026. >> Okay,
017we need a second. >> We need a second. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Now there would be any discussion needed just on the vote on the amendment. >> Okay. Any any other discussion on the amendment? >> The only question that I would have would be for Mr. Sabulu. This does this interfere with any bills that have to be paid since we're we're just doing one day. Does it interfere with any reports or bills that have to go out? Deadines. >> Thank you. >> Then you can vote on the amendment. It can be voice. >> All those in favor of the amendment say I. >> I. opposed. >> Okay. >> So now now the full thing amendation is now on. >> So the I do have a question. I just wanted to
018know if um all of the appointments that we're making, you know, are there changes from what we had in the past? >> Yes. Uh we added a couple more co-ops. Uh and the names some of the names like Mr. Todd wasn't there. Uh Mr. O'Brien was there for all like a coordinator right to know. So anybody resigned and we replaced that's changed. >> Other than that we added a couple co-ops and also uh just quickly auditor the same auditor. Uh we added one more company to aer right to know hazardous chemical. So we have both RAM RAM environmental and RGB environmental because some of the things RAM doesn't do. So we have to do that those things and also integrated software consults. We have Genesis education services we started last year but so we are
019switching to Genesis from system 3000 that's there and also uh insurance broker of record if you remember we have like a $40,000 savings to change the broker we change the broker threadstone risk management >> other than that u as far as I can see all the personal items we have Mr. Todd in there >> okay um that I just noticed this. I see that the 504 coordinator is Miss Gibbs and a TBD. >> Yes. Is it supposed to be two people and we just don't know who the second person's going to be yet? >> Mr. Hayame can't help with that. Uh 504 coordinator. I think they're going to have someone else. That was a typo. Um, as it it is Mr. Pandulo who is the other coordinator for 504s. >> Okay. Do we need to
020Yep. >> Yeah. I mean, I I think um that sounds like something that we could do without doing a motion. If if everyone if if no board members have any objection, we'll correct that that it will be Mr. Pandalfo and that will be reflected in the minutes. >> Actually, this is uh going through next year to till January. So Mr. Pandalfo is is going to be uh retire retired right in June. So that's why there's TBD after June. >> School year just for now. >> Yeah. I mean till next year it's going to be the same. >> Okay. >> Oh well then okay. I see now actually that it says that the appointments are for the 2026 2027 school year but then it says 2025 2026 appointment. Um so that's another type of just >>
021yeah fix that also. Yeah. >> All right. So, there was another typo and that is also unless any board member has an objection, they're going to correct that in the uh in the agenda. [clears throat] >> Okay. Any other questions on this motion? Can we please have a roll call? >> Mr. Seo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mur? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller? >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips? >> Yes. Miss Penales, >> yes. >> Miss Skates, >> yes. >> Dr. Ser, >> yes. >> Miss Sher, >> yes. >> Miss Son, >> yes. >> Okay, the next one. Appointments by the president. Um, [clears throat] all of the committees and the school assignments. Um, you know, please send myself and Miss Phillips an email with your preferences by Friday so that we can try to work it
022all out over the weekend so that we make everybody happy if we can. There's only so many committees, but uh we'll try to put everybody uh where they are most happy. You'll be on all of them, don't worry. Okay. So, we'll we will have that um I will make sure that I get that out to you by the end of the weekend if we have it all worked out and then they will be in the next agenda to be voted on. Any questions about any of that? Good. All right. Do we have any whole board communications? >> We don't. >> We did have one in December um in which there was uh an anonymous uh email that was sent to the entire board um with concerns about the not closing school and and I did
023respond and the whole board did see that I had that response um about our protocol and how the administration works with other districts to determine you know the you know the safety for our children comes first. And as it turned out, there was really no snow through most of the day. It was all gone. So, it turned out to be a good day for for kids to go to school. So, hopefully um you know, that uh process that we go through is more clear to whoever the person was that uh sent the email. But I do have a question for everyone here. When we get an anonymous email, should we respond to it or should we not? Dr. Ser. >> Um, Mr. Miller, I this was my first anonymous email in eight years. So, I
024was I was taken aback. Um, I think uh as I was thinking about it, a policy might be for the board president to respond and say, "We will not respond officially unless a name is attached to it." And I couldn't tell if it was meant to be anonymous or they just forgot to sign it and had an email that was not >> right. My email is Christa Ser at do NJ. Right. So I I don't know but I think the appropriate >> because I do think we want to be responsive but the appropriate >> thing to do would be for the president to elicit a name to go with the emails. >> Okay. >> I have to agree with that. I think in the past um when I was on the board previously, we did
025not respond to anonymous emails, not necessarily questions to the board, but to just anonymous emails. We did not respond. >> Yeah. No, I I think I I agree with you. I think we should the the president should respond with something so that it doesn't go unanswered, but um you know, that might be something that we should probably put into a polic for the board under governance at at some point just to make sure that everyone knows what to do when we do get something like that. And I guess it really depends on what they say. Well, I mean, if it's just really not >> Mr. Miller, I would respectfully disagree. I think that every email sent to the board should be responded to, but any email, whether it's complimentary or not, >> needs to have
026name attached to it. >> Yeah, the only I agree with that basically a thousand%. The only thing I would say we're talking about responding to anonymous I do think the content of it could be important if it was some you could get an anonymous complaint that does need to be investigated for some reason. So that um that would it would be appropriate depending on the nature and content of it to refer it to the superintendent for possible review. depending on the nature of what the an I mean we're talking about something here that was relatively innocuous but uh you know some situations there are anonymous reports of things or anonymous things that would have to be followed up on not necessarily responded to in a normal board way but possibly referred to the proper administrators
027or authorities if that makes any sense >> and that's kind of what I was might be something a criminal activity or something that you know just have to have enough common sense to say I think we should look at this before we do anything. And I was just going to add um I think to the policy would need to have some discretion built in for the president because not every email especially if it's anonymous would require a response. Maybe an acknowledgement. >> Yes. >> But not a response. If there's no question in the email, if it's just a rant, I don't see any benefit in us responding to that. Um but I think definitely it's a good idea to have a written policy regarding anonymous communication um and how that should be handled. >> So
028and and if it is something that someone else has to investigate like we said we could just say we have received your email and we have moved it on to the appropriate authorities or whatever. >> Okay. That's what I want. >> Excuse me. Mr. Mr. Croo do we we have it in our bylaws that we have appointed our president as our point of contact. So, do we need to establish another policy that says this is what we want the point of contact to do? >> Well, I mean, I think I think you could I it wouldn't surprise me if that somewhere in your policies or by bylaws now there might actually be something already that talks about anonymous complaints in certain types of situations in different different scenarios. And I think a lot of the
029discussion relates to more of acknowledgement language and whether you even have to acknowledge something that's that's >> I I think the wording may be something to the effect of leaving Mr. Leave it to the president's discretion on how to appropriately respond. So if we can check that perhaps and there may be very there may be various policies and bylaws already that address some of this. So it's it's something that could be reviewed and maybe the policy committee would want to take a look at. Yeah, I'll just do Yes. >> Okay. Um I think um everyone has the code of conduct in front of them and you um have the uh code of ethics and I believe that um each board member has to sign for the >> Okay. So, everyone has to uh sign this
030one and the code of conduct is the sign sheet signup sheet is here, but we're going to read through um if each one of us could take the an ethics line as we go around. Uh Dr. Ser, would you start? >> I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of education and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes shall be brought only brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. >> I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, breed, sex or social. I will confine my board action to policy making, planning and appraisal. and I will help to frame policies and plans only
031after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them. >> Yes, >> I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools but together with my fellow board members to see that they are wellrun. I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board. [snorts] >> I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the school which if disclosed will need needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the
032aspirations of the community or school. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer. I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. >> I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution. >> Thank you everybody. Okay. >> All right. So, now we I'm going to open uh this portion of the meeting for the second uh public comment. Uh the board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters. To ensure fair and orderly expression of such comment, each statement shall be held to a time period of three
033minutes. Public comments not restricted to items on this agenda shall be entertained for approximately 30 minutes upon the discretion of the presiding officer. For those who wish to provide public comment remotely, a Google form was posted on the district website at 6:30 p.m. Remote comments will be read by a member of the board of education. The board of education will alternate uh between in-person and online comments. Please understand that public comments portions of our agenda are not structured as question and answer sessions, but rather they are offered as opportunities to share your thoughts with the board. The board may or may not respond to public comments. However, all comments are considered and will be investigated and addressed as appropriate. Please be courteous and mindful of the rights of others when providing comments. Comments may not
034be abusive, obscene, threatening, or irrelevant. Please understand that students and employees have specific legal and privacy protections. The board is not permitted to respond to public comments about students or employees. Please be advised that you are commenting at your own risk. Any public comments that are directed at a particular individual or individuals could subject you to legal liability for defamation. Is there anyone in the public that wishes to speak and have any comments for the board? >> All right. Do we have any online comments? >> No. All right. I will close this second public portion. >> Anybody else have anything? Do we do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Mr. Miller, if I could just say one thing. >> Sure. First of all, congratulations to you as president. Again, thank you. And to Miss
035Phillips for vice president and also to the new board members and then the new or new board member, I should say, Lena. Congratulations and welcome. And also to uh Debbie and to Kim for coming back and uh thank you for doing this. I appreciate the effort that you put into your time, your energy uh towards our community. And I that you enjoy your time on our board. >> Thank you. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> There's anybody opposed? >> Okay. Happy New Year everyone. >> Thank you. I think we have a