Dover Public Schools BOE Meeting - 11-18-2025

001Okay, are we ready? All right. Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. This meeting, which is hereby called to order at 6:37 p.m., is in compliance with the notice requirements of the law. Public notice was posted in the office of the board of education and communicated to the municipal clerk and the daily record on January 15, 2025. Miss Panales, can you please read our mission statement? >> Of course, Mr. President. Working together as a community, our mission is to welcome all and be and provide opportunities for our students in a safe and accepting learning environment to become creative, empathetic, resilient, and who choose to make an impact. >> Thank you. Can we please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

002republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley and justice for all >> please have a roll call >> Mr. MS >> present >> Mr. Corp. Miss Phillips >> here. >> Miss Penellis >> here. >> Dr. S. >> Miss Shower >> here. >> Miss Son >> here. >> Mr. Miller >> here. At this time, I'd like to We have no presentations. Correct. All right. So, I'd like to open this portion uh of the meeting to the public. 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 minutes. Public comments limited to items on this agenda shall be entertained for

003approximately 30 minutes upon the discretion of the presiding officer. Please understand the public uh comment portion of our agenda is not structured as a question and answer session 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 to the rights of others when providing comments. Comments may not be abusive, obscene, threatening, or irrelevant. Please understand that students and employees have specific legal and privacy protections. The board is not permitted to respond in public to 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

004you to legal liability for defamation. Is there anyone from the public that wishes to be heard? >> Agenda. agenda items. I said that the same already. Okay, I will close this uh portion of the meeting to the public. Do we have a motion for the October minutes uh regular session and executive session? >> So moved. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. So >> okay, any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Downs. >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips? >> Yes. Miss Penelis, >> yes. >> Dr. Ser, >> abstain. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Sonis, >> yes. >> Mr. Miller, >> yes. >> Okay. Whole board communications. We had uh two emails uh from Miss Klene uh concerning Eastover Lighting and the concerns that were there and then the second one was thanking

005us because now it's been resolved. So, all ended in on a good note. And so, now we're up to our student representative, Miss Garcia. >> Hi, good evening everyone. Thank you for giving me your attention and the opportunity to share updates on what has been happening in Dober High School. I'd like to begin by highlighting an important presentation our students recently attended a human trafficking presentation while also given the opportunity to talk to a human trafficking survivor. The session brought powerful awareness to a serious issue and gave students valuable information about staying safe and recognizing warning signs. I would like to revisit a topic I brought up at the last meeting regarding the restocking of feminine hygiene products in the girls bathroom. The custodial team, nursing staff, Mrs. Ross and have been working directly with

006Mr. Bullock to explore options for obtaining additional supplies. However, a as of today, after speaking again with Mrs. Ross, we still do not have enough products available to restock consistently in the bathrooms or nurs's office. We will continue to follow up and look for solutions to support our students needs. Next, we successfully held our PBIS kickoff event. Students rotated through a variety of stations where they completed in minute towin it style competitions designed to build community and reinforce behaviors with our rare expectations. Respectful, accountable, resilient, and engaged. Our daily announcements are now being read each morning by a member of our student government. And this is giving students more visibility, a voice and leadership opportunities. Students also took part in the NJSLA NJPA infrastructure trials for the state of New Jersey, helping us ensure that

007we are fully prepared for testing systems and technology needs in the spring. And moving on to athletics, we are proud to share several major achievements from this fall sports. The girls soccer team finished second in their conference and made it to the first round of states which was held at our home field being the first in history. Our boys soccer team won their conference championship. and our cross country team had an excellent season finishing with a record of 13 to zero being undefeated. Our unified sports program also had a strong season with many students participating both athletes and partners. We are also excited about the upcoming school play Murder on the Menu. You may see them have saw them practicing right now. Um, their first show debuts this Friday with another performance on Saturday, both

008at 7. Anyone able or interested in attending should contact Dover High School by tomorrow as tickets will not be sold by the door, but we would love to see you all there. And our academic assistance program has officially began as well. As of today, onethird of students have already completed their required studies. And we are thrilled to announce that over 200 high school students made honor role or high honor role this marking period. Additionally, more than 100 students were nominated for the catch a tiger award recognizing outstanding character and effort. The high honoral and catch a tiger award ceremony will be held next Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. with family. We look forward to celebrating with our students. Well, thank you, Miss Garcia, for a wonderful report. I really love all the details that you provide.

009Does anyone on the board have Dr. Ser? >> Um, thank you for your report and for drawing attention to the human trafficking presentation. Thank you to the high school um administration for bringing that in. I think that is a critical um thing for students to know about. Um, I apologize I was not here at the last meeting. Um, in regards to the feminine hygiene products, this is a state law to my understanding that we provide products. So, I guess if it's a law and we're required to do it, what is the problem? >> Actually, we never received an order. I think there's like a communication problem. If you receive the order, purchase education, we can just process and get it done. >> Okay. Because the law was passed in 2023. >> I mean, we did

010make a big order last year and we got the reimbursement for it soon. It was a 12,000 hour order. We can do another one this year, but someone needs to put it in together so we can process the order. >> Okay, Mr. Hime, can that happen as soon as possible for our students? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you, Miss Garcia. >> Miss D. >> Miss Garcia, thank you for that lovely report. Um, when I was walking into the cafeteria this evening, I did see the sign on the door that said that the tickets were sold out for our our show. So, I'm happy to hear that. I I don't know if it's all performances, but it's I'm glad to see that this new idea of a dinner theater is sold out and they're all

011excited about performing. Thank you. >> Thank you. As always, you can stay for as long as you want, but if you have things better things to do, we understand >> because I have a lot of homework. >> Yes. >> Mr. Could I just add the middle school to make sure we don't have this problem as well in the nurse's office? >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay, moving on to president's report. Uh, good evening again. Um, it's been a very productive and eventful five weeks since our last board of education meeting. In addition to the numerous facetime discussions with Mr. Haimey and Miss Phillips, I participated in meetings of [snorts] both the finance and facilities committee and curriculum committees as well as the Mars County Educational Services Commission. I also had the pleasure of attending the

012district-wide Hispanic Heritage Festival at Dober High School. Um, it was a very vibrant uh community celebration showcasing the rich history and cultural pride of our community through stories, music, dance, art, and food. Uh, it was inspiring to see students, families, and staff come together to honor our shared Hispanic heritage and the many contributions that continue to enrich the Dober community. I also enjoyed a wonderful community day at the town of Dover's trunk or treat event. Mr. behind me. Miss Phillips and I had a great time giving out candy to uh hundreds of excited trick-or-treaters. A special thank you to Miss Phillips for her creativity and spirited decorations of her trunk display. They were awesome. Uh last month I also had the opportunity to attend the New Jersey School Boards Association annual convention where I connected

013with educational leaders from across the state and I'll provide more detailed update during new business along with other board members who also attended. Following the convention, I met with several educational vendors to explore new opportunities and resources that could benefit our district. Additionally, I participated in a meeting with district administration and representatives from the Dober Quantis Club to help ensure the longevity of a scholarship uh a scholarship fund that will continue to benefit our do students for years to come. I remain incredibly proud of the direction of this administration is leading our district, especially the innovative programs and learning experience is being created for our students. Everyone involved in these efforts deserves recognition and appreciation for their dedication and collaboration. Uh finally, I'm very much looking forward to the groundbreaking of our North Dover sixth

014grade annex, a major milestone that represents the progress and partnership and you know the bright future for our community with with all of these programs and these events that are occurring. That's my report. Mr. Good evening everyone. Showers, I do have an answer for you regarding DMS. Bathroom is stocked, so they're all good to go at DMS. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you, Miss Christiniac for watching and sending your quick text. I appreciate that. Uh, so I have a few things to announce. Um, first [clears throat] I want to kick off with our listening tour. I kicked it off last week uh visiting at Academy. I want to thank the teachers that came to speak to me and engaged me in conversation as well as the uh pumpkin pie they brought by. So

015that was uh delicious and I appreciate that as well. Um and this upcoming Thursday I'm going to be at North do uh so I look forward to seeing everyone in North Dover and engaging me once again uh robust conversations regarding the districts initiatives and for the future as well. Um conferences are coming up uh starting on the uh 20th uh prek through 8. I want to encourage all of our community members or our families to come out and this is a great opportunity to really uh meet with your uh your child's teacher, be able to have conversations about the academic goals, any behavior, any concerns, any social emotional supports that we can give as as a building. Uh this is also a great opportunity for you to meet uh new administration. you know, as we

016have a new principal over at East Elementary, new principal at the high, sorry, not the high schools, the high school is not doing conferences, but we have new administration that will definitely give an opportunity for our community to be able to engage everyone in conversations. Once again, I want to encourage encourage our community to please go out and go to the conferences because once again, it did just give you a quick review of what's going on uh within your child's academic uh year so far, but as well to be able to talk about what the next steps could be to continue to support the growth of our students. Um our district newsletter, we had our second one go out last month. Um and this month it's going to be released at the at the end

017of November. And some of the topics that we are going to be discussing are STEM week, academics, and highlights uh for some of the schools as well. So, look out for the next district newsletter going out at the end of the month. Uh our murder mystery dinner, as Miss Garcia had mentioned, is kicking off this Friday at 7 p.m. Uh I'm looking forward to it. And then the encore is going to be on Saturday at 7 p.m. here at DHS. So, come and support our students. Once again, the performing arts are huge and major part of our students. is a great rep representation of the hard work that our staff and our students put in. We have our third annual Latino parent workshops on November 22nd at 9:00 a.m. breakfast starts over at the cafeteria

018at DMS and ED. Uh there's going to be workshops on financial aid, uh knowing your rights, as well as how to help academically with elementary math, uh and further information for our parents here for the community. There's also going to be nonprofit organizations located in the cafeteria providing resources for all of our families. And the last uh is our prizes. Uh last year we gave away uh 55 in TVs, air fryers, microwaves, toys for the kids. We're going to be doing the same giveaways this year. So I look forward to all the community being there once again November 22nd um at the DMSED cafeteria starting at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast. Um our ed camp was a success. We had our ed camp on November 4th. Um, and I want to take this opportunity to thank

019Mr. Carl for the organization uh, and work that he put in for our ed camp. I want to thank all the presenters that came together and a big special thank you to our tech department and our custodial staff who did an amazing job. Everything went went without a h without a a hinge and it was a fantastic um, fantastic really day for our staff to really engage in inhouse PD and we look forward to ed camp every year. Um, Some of the highlights for that day that we talked about were diverse professional offerings, districtwide collaboration, and innovative uh instructional practices. Um, I want to also announce that our transitional coach started at DMS. This is a uh grant that we received and this uh clinician will be assisting our students in and mental health supports.

020We are excited to share that door public school will host their first dual language site visit tomorrow. We have a district coming in um Maplewood School District who is going to be exploring because they're looking to launch also their dual language program and they're coming to look at our showcase our scheduling our uh way of this you know our way of planning within the classroom um some of the bumps that we've hit on our road. So we really are hoping to give them a lot of insights on how we developed and executed our dual language program here in in do uh dual language also want to share that we're halfway through our in-house PD as the cohort met for the second session on dual language again training continuation understanding and the growth that is important

021for our multilingual students. So thank you to all our staff that was present there as well as uh administration who was part of the uh the workshop. Once again, it's important to see that collaboration between all of us as we continue to grow our dual language program. Uh, shout out to the preschool who had a bingo night and thank you to the Colombia Club Colombia for hosting and allowing us to have a family bingo night there for our community, our students. It was great to see the laughter and the fun amongst our families enjoying an evening to be able to come together. Uh, that was a very nice event and once again, thank you. Um, and then this is a calling to all of our fifth grade students. Uh we need your help. As you

022know, we're going to have the new annex build six annex building coming up next year and we thought that maybe all of our fifth grade students who will be sixth grade students next year can assist us in picking the names. I'm going to be sending out a survey to all of our fifth grade students on Friday with suggestions of names as well as them giving us any suggestions they might have in mind. And we will then break the news on December 8th when we have our groundbreaking ceremony of the new name for our sixth grade annex building. So, we're excited for that. So to all our fifth grade students, uh, look out for that survey. It'll be out on Friday. I'm excited to see what we pick. Um, and for the last piece, I want

023to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions from Mr. Dr. Ser? >> Um, no question. Just thank you for your continued um, dedication to communicating with our staff members and making yourself available to go from school to school and hear concerns or issues that they might be having. I really appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, our business administrator's report. >> Good evening. I'll be talking about the finance items. Item one, I would like to formally extend our gratitude to all donors for their generous contributions. Their support continues to make a meaningful impact on our programs. Item two, four, and six, the reports for September October 2025 are presented for review and approval as part of today's agenda. Item seven, the annual principal application to the state

024is prepared and requires board authorization for submission. Item 11, I wish to acknowledge and thank Mr. Carr and Mr. Kosanski for dedicated effort in preparing the farm-toschool grant application. If awarded, this grant would provide $100,000 in funding to support our initiatives. Item 13, the agreement for residence verification services is presented for approval. This initiative is expected to improve the accuracy of student residency verification and generate long-term savings for the district. Item 15, pending board approval, we will proceed with a reverse speed with process for the listed IT supplies to ensure cost effective procurement. This concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Sapahulu? >> Okay, moving on to board of ed reports. As I mentioned, I attended the Mars County Educational Services Commission. Uh, normal business, nothing to report in this

025group. Uh, legislative report. Dr. Ser. >> Thank you, Mr. Miller. Um, a few items from the last two months. Um, the Senate Education Committee met on Monday, November 10th, and approved the following bill re relevant to boards of education. Mental Health Referrals. A1657S2380 would permit a student assistance coordinator, school counselor, school psychologist, or other mental health professional working in a school district to refer or help facilitate the referral of a student to an individual or practice licensed to provide professional counseling. The bill provides that neither the school district nor the individual making or facilitating the referral would be required to bear the cost of assessments and services provided to the student by the licensed individual. The bill would not limit a school district's authority to provide mental health assessments um and services to students. The

026Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee approved the following bill um S3915 sharing pilot revenue with schools would require municipalities to share certain revenues from payment in lie of taxes pilot agreements with school districts unless the municipality enters into an agreement with the school district and the entity receiving the pilot to provide one or more special projects for the school district. In addition, it would require municipalities to provide notice to the county, school districts, and division of local government services within the Department of Community Affairs when a municipality considers and approves a property tax exemption. Um, Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed uh A5779S3776 chronic absentee task force which would have established a task force to study the causes of chronic absenteeism and develop recommendations for lowering absenteeism rates. As initially passed by the legislature, the bill would

027have created a 20 member group um and would have required would have required the group to issue a final report to the governor within six months following its organization. The governor recommended that the included in recommendations included that the time the task force had to issue its final report be extended to one year. Um, this means that the bill will now return to the legislature where both the Senate and Assembly will need to concur with the governor's recommendation before it can be returned to his desk for signature. Um, and then finally, on October 1st, Governor Murphy signed the TPAF reenrollment changes into law. This extends the length of time a member of the teachers pension system can discontinue their service and still maintain their membership to the system. The legislation will have no direct impact

028on school district finances as the state pays the employer share of the costs on behalf of boards of education. This law explicitly states that there will be no additional contributions imposed on the reenroll member or the member's employer. This concludes my report. >> Any questions for Dr. Sainer? >> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh Mars County School Board's report. Miss DS. Good evening. The the Denver Board of Ed members and administration attended workshop in Atlantic City the week of October 20th to 23rd. Um we had the opportunity to meet with vendors and attend many sessions on various topics. The next MCSBA meeting will be held on December 2nd at Montville High School. It will be a hybrid meeting. Um the topic is empowering education AI for enhanced learning and community community engagement. Um you may

029register online and it's preferred that you register in advance. This concludes my report. >> Thank you. Any questions for Miss DS? No. Okay. Uh we have administrative approval number one. Do we have a motion to approve that? >> So moved. >> Do we have a second? Second. >> Okay. Are is there any discussion? >> We please have roll call. >> Miss DS? >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips? >> Yes. >> Miss Penales. >> Dr. Ser. >> Yes. >> Miss Shower? >> Yes. >> Miss Son? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller? >> Yes. Personnel. Miss Selenus. >> Good evening everyone. I would like to make a motion to approve items 1 through 16, including the attendant under personnel. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Dr. Ser. >> Um I have a a couple

030of questions about and they're tied in with finance, so if it makes more sense to um discuss them in finance. Um, in regards to adding residency verifications to the director of security position, um, why are we making this change and what is the advantage to the district over previous our previous procedure? >> You want to start and you can uh the the whole soft actually we are getting a software for $17,000 if you add it up. Uh right now we are paying $39,000 for the professional service to a company and we don't find them really effective and we have like too many complaints from like the town saying that we are not doing really good with this checks and also uh uh with the stipen amount it still goes under $39,000. Uh uh with that

031said Mr. Hime was in NGSB convention and he talked to a couple superintendent and the big district that bigger than us actually some districts are using it. They were able to save like I think over $300,000. One of the districts and he can add more to this. >> No, and we Yeah, sorry. Uh the program itself uh just works off the DMV uh database uh and it allows us to be able to do cross cross references with any registers any students coming in or if we have any questions about residency within our students um and then um Mr. will be the person to um do the house visits and the investigations that are necessary based on the data that we're going to be collecting. Um based on the information that we're giving us as well

032is that with the data and how much information can be given to us, you know, we found that the price itself was much lower than what we were spending already and and I believe that keeping it in house will allow there to be faster communication between myself and staff members in regards to any of these residency checks that we want to make as well. There's also multiple data sources, okay, that are included with the software, a variety that enable you to really cross check a lot more to the point where there's satellite images and license plates on streets and but that's the direction using data to be able to to verify. >> So in summary, it should save us money and be more efficient at identifying residency issues. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Any other

033questions? >> Please have a roll call. >> Miss DS? >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips? >> Yes. >> Miss Penellis? >> Yes. >> Dr. Ser? >> Yes. >> Miss Shower? >> Yes. >> Miss Son? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller? >> Yes. >> Uh, negotiations. >> At this time, there's no report on their negotiations. >> Okay. Uh, governance, Miss DS. The governance committee met on October 28th at 6:30 for approximately a half an hour. It was held virtually and um myself, Mr. McCor, and Miss Phillips were in attendance along with Mr. Haime. Um we discussed fellow members attending the NJSBA workshop in Atlantic City. Mr. Court and I had attended a session called governance is a journey not a destination that was presented by the long hill board of education. Superintendent Mr. Alexis and board president Miss

034Kim Casease. Topics presented which would benefit our board included constructing formalized guidelines for the responsibilities of a chairperson. Uh chairperson to annually summarize governance accomplishments and to have the agenda for committee meetings out to the full board five days prior to the meeting committee meetings so all board members could review and present any questions to the committee. Um we discussed how we would put something together for the responsib of a chairperson and share with the entire board. Um, and it would also include the unified agenda and unified minute templates which governance updated this year. And another topic that was discussed during that session at workshop was how um the governance chairperson chairperson would annually summarize what has been accomplished throughout the year and inform the board of outstanding items. Um this would be available for

035the new committee chair in the governance committee folder in the upcoming year. The action items. Uh the following policies were presented for first reading. Uh basically the policies are up for an annual edit and review with no major changes. PO 173 uh duties of school a public school accountant. Um all good is just rewarding. PO 174 legal services revised. We discussed talking uh taking out the director of preschool back in because back in 2022 when this was adopted, the director of preschool and special services was one person with two jobs. That no longer applies. Also change it to the board president and vice president. Um PO 177 profess professional services. All was good there. PO 143 uh is the board member election and appointment uh rem recommended removing unnecessary language. This concludes my report. I

036make a motion that we move PO 173, PO 174 and PO 177 for first reading and PO 143 for second reading. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss St? >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips? >> Yes. >> Miss Penellis? >> Dr. Ser? >> Yes. >> Miss Sher? >> Yes. >> Miss Son? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller? >> Yes. Student Achievement and Curriculum. Dr. Ser. >> Thank you, Mr. Miller. Uh the student achievement and curriculum committee met on November 11th at 5:30m with uh Mr. Haime, Mr. Carl, Mr. Chewy, Miss Sarno, um Miss Asivido, Miss DS, Mr. Miller, and I in attendance. Um we had a jam-packed agenda. Again, we ran over time, so from now on, we'll be meeting 15 minutes earlier. Um just to avoid running

037into the policy committee. Um we um had a presentation by Miss Sarno about the real talk curriculum. Um this is a new class running at DHS. There are three classes full of students this year. Um this is run in collaboration with Dober now and the DHS media specialist. Um that kind of combines uh issues in our community, social media as well as journalism. And this is an English elective open to all DHS students. Uh we learned that two do high school students attended the NJA convention um as part of their program at uh William Patterson and uh this was completely covered by William Patterson and the students enjoyed themselves. Uh we talked a lot about the ed camp. Um and I would like to echo Mr. Hime's thanks to the staff members, tech, um the

038administrators, and the custodians who made that possible. It sounded like a really great day. Um we spent a fair bit of time looking at the Dover data dashboard. Um this utilizes all kinds of data um on the link platform um and really highlights our district's commitment to making datadriven decisions. So, um it is pretty impressive what each teacher, what each building administration and then what district level administrators, um the information that they have available to them and what they can do with that information in terms of looking at causes of you know maybe some issues that we might be having and as well as how um intended solutions actually pan out. are they are the solutions or the programming that we have um implemented are they having the intended effects? So this is an incredibly

039powerful tour. Um and we learned that Mr. Carl and Mr. Chewy went to all of our um elementary schools and met with grade level teams from K to sixth grade um looking at individual standards and allowing teachers opportunities to self assess maybe identify areas that they needed to retach, sharing resources um to do that reteing. Um and this is a tremendously powerful um opportunity for our teachers. Um we uh heard about our Dover students who won five out of the six awards at the Novartis Hispanic Heritage Art Show. Um the fi the five students Jason Guzman, Julissa Cardana, Stephanie Figuroa, April Arius, and Bellatina Anastasio um won various prizes with the first prize winners receiving a MacBook MacBook Air laptop. Second prize winners received an iPad Air and the third prize um winner received a

040Nintendo Switch. So huge prizes for our students. So thank you to um our district for making that happen as well as to Nardis for always making sure that we participate. Um we learned about how our department supervisors are supporting our ML students. Um, we learned that our administration went into Miss Pollson's AP language class um to identif. So, uh, the administrators really enjoyed that and I'm sure the students, my daughter was in that class last year, really enjoyed um having um access to our administrators who are making the decisions that impact them. Uh do district administrators attended the literacy leaders network lab site in Pramis which is run by a former Columbia University teachers college professor and this is a workshop model where administration puts themselves in the role of a teacher and thinks about

041how they would support a teacher who needs help with a literacy lesson. We learned about project USE which is um outdoor adventure-based program that helps build confidence in students and the project actually wrote the grant for us and we got it. So that's funded entirely by the grant. We uh talked about the literacy coach um who will um this is funded by a grant position that will help our K to4 teachers. Um the Dover Middle School received an invitation to attend Hamilton on March 4th and then we talked about um substitute teacher staffing. Our next meeting will be on on December 9th um at 5:15 so that we don't run into uh policy. And with that I move that we approve items 1 through six. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Any

042discussions? Thank you Dr. Ser. Any discussions, questions? >> I just I am amazed with, you know, what they can do with the data and the amount of time now they're spending to help uh teachers understand how to use the data so that they can improve instruction for students that need instruction in different areas. So, it really wonderful. So, it's great. >> Mr. Miller, >> yes, >> I'm sorry. I did have a question and I I think I did submit this Mr. Haime as a public question. Under field trips item number three, um some of the field trips list transportation meth method as district bus with zero district costs. Some list them as district bus with a cost. Some are different costs. um some you we just found out um the one is um from William

043Patterson that one was paid for from William Patterson but it doesn't indicate that on the report so I'm wondering if in the situations where it is a involved in a grant and there is no cost to the district could we indicate that that for example William Patterson is paying for it instead of just zero and then I have to ask the question >> most of the zero ones uh district doesn't pay anything at all meaning that we collect sometimes from the parents sometimes the grant uh if you would like to change the format we can discuss with Mr. And >> we can make it a little more detailed. >> So sometimes it is included in the field trip payment. So the parent is paying it and sometimes it is a grant if it's at zero.

044>> Yeah. At the title it says district cost meaning that it there's no cost for us. That means we collect the money from the parents. >> Okay. Um I for just sorry uh the when it says like a district bus if there's is a mandatory or curriculum related we provided so we don't even calculate we just send our bus >> okay um I I for one would appreciate something that indicates who's paying for it then if it's no cost to the district who's paying for it whether it is a parent or it is a grant make more detail >> great thank >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Any other questions? >> Roll call. >> Miss DS? >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips? >> Yes. >> Miss Penellis? >> Yes. >> Dr. Center? >> Yes. >> Miss Char?

045>> Yes. >> Misses? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller? >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips, can you give the community relations report? >> Nothing to report. >> Well, wasn't there? We did have a citizens advisory committee meeting on I believe it was November 3rd. >> Okay. Um so it was before the So it was during this time period. >> Yeah, it was on November 3rd but it was there was not a lot of members there. Okay. Um there was >> myself and Mr. McCort were there and then only two other two two members of >> I knew there was something that's why I wanted to bring up. >> So um At that meeting, Mr. McCort kind of gave an uh touched base on some of the things we had discussed at the previous meeting. Um, one of

046the topics that came up for discussion, and I don't know whether Mr. report has shared it or not was the possibility of implementing parent meetings for sports teams because the discussion was that depending on the team, depending on the parents, there are, you know, certain parents do things to help, some don't. But the conversation was that some of the parents may not know what's needed. Um, so the question was if that was something that Mr. Bullock could pass to the coaches as a suggestion of trying to have some kind of a group conversation with the parents of the team, the parents of the players just to kind of set out, you know, expect not necessarily expectations. Um, as an example, I'll give an example. It's probably better. So, as an example, last year's senior night

047for volleyball was an epic extravaganza because myself and one other parent paid for everything out of our pockets, which is fine. That was our choice. I don't know that everybody necessarily knows that. So then this year when it was something different, everybody's kind of like, well, what happened? I thought I think a lot of parents think the school handles stuff and they're not aware of who actually does and that the parents do need to be involved. And so the conversation was if you can have that conversation with the parents and just let them know so that they don't assume that it's something that the school district is handling that it's more a parent involvement. That was really the main topic that we talked about. But again, I don't know if he's shared that >> out

048yet. I think that's a great suggestion because you know depending on the team and correct and the sport not not every sport needs support but there are others where it it would make the experience much better if we had the support of the parents >> right because the goal is you want every every class to have the same you know type of experience and if they assume that it's the school handling it and it's not and then they come and then they're disappointed because you know you don't want that right you I want every every group to have the same, you know, extra experience. >> Mr. taking notes, so >> I see that. >> That's good. [laughter] >> But that that was the main topic of the conversation during that meeting. >> All right. Thank

049you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Policy. Miss Panales. >> Good evening. The policy committee met on November 11 at 6:40 p.m. In attendance was Mr. Miller, Mrs. Chauer, and myself along with Mr. Haime. For first reading on policy, we have therapy dogs. We discussed it um and moved it to policy. It is there is preliminary evidence that suggests that therapy dogs can enhance children's well-being. Brooksbury has a policy for comparison and we are looking into it. Policy 1631 36.01. There's a notification of promotion job and transfer opportunities. This is a new policy. Policy 533901 a student sun protection. This is also a new policy. We are looking into options one and two. Um sun sunscreen can be packaged as aerosol, spray, lotion or cream with fragrances. Um we discussed the possibility of reviewing this

050policy to restrict aerosols because we believe we it could be it could pose as a risk. Policy 6471 a school district travel. This policy has been revised to specify what is in state and out of state travel and there's implementation of a more modern language. For second reading, we have policy 2422, a statutory curricular requirement. Policy 5117, interd district public school choice. Policy 611, a special education Medicaid initiative, SEMI. And for regulations, we have second reading. As a second reading, we have regulation 5117 intent district public school choice which has been revised. A special education Medicare initiative SEMI program and we also have a policy for abolishment which is policy 1648.15 which is recordkeeping for healthc care setting in school buildings during COVID 19 for obvious reasons. We also have job descriptions, director of safety

051and security, literary coach, literacy coach and um we also discussed as I said before policy 5537 on service animals and therapy dogs. With that I conclude my report and I would like to approve policies items one to five. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Discussion any questions? Okay. Roll call. >> Miss DS. >> Yes. >> Miss Phillips. >> Yes. >> Miss Penellis. >> Yes. >> Dr. Center. >> Yes. >> Miss Shaw? >> Yes. >> Miss Sonus? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miller? >> Yes. >> Finance and Facilities. Mr. Shower. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Um, the Finance and Facilities Committee met on November 4th from 5:30 to approximately 6:30 at the Belmont Avenue Administrative Office. Board members in attendance were Mr. Miller, Dr. Ser myself um absent was Miss Asavdo. Administrators in

052attendance were uh Mr. Sabahulu, Mr. Toth, and absent was Mr. Hime. Agenda and discussion. We had numerous discussions because we have numerous things going on. Mr. Tot is very busy as are many of our district maintenance staff. Uh it's a busy time of year getting ready for winter. Uh number one and always at the top was the space utilization plan for our 242 Route 46 building, former Dover Sport. We have no update from the Department of Education on the packet that we submitted months ago. And our last contact um confirmed by the architect was in October. They had several questions. We answered several questions. Um, and that's where that sits right now. Um, we did ask if the building was being emptied. We were told by Mr. Toe that yes, he's keeping track of that

053and they are emptying out that building so that the minute we get approval, we can get in there and start working. The second item that we discussed as an ongoing project, we are just simply awaiting the delivery of our generator here at Dober High School right outside here. Um, which is still on schedule for a Christmas delivery of 1223. Uh, everything is on site, prepped, in place, and we are still, Mr. Sabul under budget. Correct. >> Under budget. Correct. But uh I just got an email uh scheduled date changed to January 9th. >> I had hopes. I had hopes. Um so January 9th uh HVAC upgrades at Do Middle School, North Dover Elementary School, which are our ROD project through grant. The majority of the projects are complete with punch list items being made up

054by the contractor with help from Mr. To and our staff. Our payments have been made already and we are awaiting reimbursement from the state. Uh the sixth grade annex building which I'm very interested to see what the name is going to be. Um Mr. Toe advised us that there were several ads to the contract of items that are sort of upgrades um that he has asked our contractor to add. Bathroom stall walls have been changed from the spec stainless steel, which dents and rusts, to a more applicable solid surface material that stands up to better cleaning, no rust, and regular use uh for a cost of $6,500. We he also asked for a bathroom fixture upgrade from the basic um kind of flimsy fixtures that they were including in the bathroom. Um that altogether would

055be a $66,500 upgrade. Um, and he believes that these will also add to the life of the fixtures. He also um and this is this was very good thinking. We're adding one more unit to the entire modular system uh which will be called a warming kitchen and this is to heat and distribute meals. This will not remove any space from the gym area, which would have been the case if we were including the warming kitchen inside of an existing modular unit. That unit would be $217,000. All of these change orders, if approved this evening, will be part of the following year's budget. Correct. >> Actually, no, we're not approving them. Uh we have to still get some uh numbers for uh Fox fans. Okay. >> Well, this this was as of the November 4th meeting.

056Thank you. Completed projects discussed. We discussed the Dober High School bus parking lot relocation which is well underway. We're facing the pond now. The ground excavation and paving work has been done. Striping. Has the striping been done yet? That was coming up. >> I mean they were do that but I don't know if they finalized it. They were waiting for the confirmation from >> Okay. So, we're working on the striping. Um, space for 10 buses has been made. We only have eight buses at this point, so we have a little room for expansion. Mr. Toth is wonderful with his photos, and he um he previewed to us all of the photos of all of the work that was being done. We also added additional parking spaces. As you may have noticed, um, into the White

057Street exit area of Dober High School, there's 15 spaces for cars, which is much needed, especially if we're taking away 10. Over here, we needed to add 15 to have a little more space. Um, East, Academy Street, and North do all have ongoing door replacement projects. Mr. to is um he was very pleased to announce to us that he is well underway um after working with the maintenance of those buildings and also our fire department chief who had issues throughout the years with various doors. So he's working as needed replacing those doors. That will be an ongoing project. There was also the uh roof at North Dover Elementary School has been repaired and the inspection went well. We passed with flying colors. Easttover roof, there was a repair um that was made to the girls

058locker room area and hopefully that holds out for a few more years. Belmont Avenue admin building is uh the admin of our district is asking to relocate some of the office for ease of public access inside that building. Uh there was no cost involved in that as far as we discussed. Um so we look forward to that. The 2425 audit took place here physically in the district and I believe that they are finished with that. Mr. Sabagore. most likely next week where I can get get the draft report. >> Okay. So, we are just waiting for them to have access from some government offices that were delayed with um responding and now that the government is back open hopefully we can get our answers. And Mr. Sabigulu briefly discussed the groundwork being laid for the

0592627 budget. Um, we tried to have some early communication with the town of Dover and we will still continue to try and and establish that communication with their administrative offices. Action items. Uh, Mr. Toth will follow up with details and a decision in from the old bus lot fencing on uh, whether we're going to keep that for another project in the future or if we are going to remove it and salvage it. old business that we are awaiting still the approval from the department of education on the route 46 building. Uh and under new business, Dr. Ser questioned details regarding the student family pay option if in line with the new state department of education regulations requiring payment options be listed on our pay um system. Mr. Sabagulu did check and answered us the um

060the very next day in an email that we are in compliance with the new regulation and the um there are options for parents to make their payments for their student accounts. Our next meeting is December 2nd at 5:30 at the uh Belmont location. And that is the end of my report and I would like to move on to um the approval of finance items. I'd like to make a move motion items 1 through 15. >> Do we have a second? >> I have an answer for you. >> Oh, hold on. We need a second first before discussion. >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Questions, discussions? >> Sorry. A little excited. Um, I have asked for the striping. The striping was done on both. So, they're all

061done. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. >> Thank you to Moff and Mr. Raw for >> Thank you. This is excellent. These answers, these immediate answers. Yeah, >> get used to this. >> All right. Is there any questions? Dr. Sainer. >> Um just one. Uh we are disposing of hundreds of iPads and MacBooks that are only five years old. Um could you describe the process um by which we dispose of these please? >> I mean uh as far as I know uh we circle back and in five years we set it back as a reverse bid. So, uh, highest bidder, whoever is going to pay most is going to be approved by the board and we're going to get that and with that amount, we're going to purchase next generation. >> And just to clarify,

062we will know when that happens and we will be um approving that. So, we'll know the amount that we got for those. >> Yes, I mean board has to approve. It's a regular like it's like a regular bid, but usually we purchase something. This is reverse bid. So, we are selling something. But other than that, it's everything. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Savahulu. >> Mr. Miller, I did just want to thank uh we have several donations um some from former students families. Uh we have the Storm and Joyce family that um are donating a drum set and we have Mr. Goldstein or Miss Goldstein who is uh donating an acoustic guitar. We have ABCZ Development donating $5,000. Maybe Mr. Google could tell us the $5,000. Is there a specific need for that or >> as

063far as I remember that was for what? For one classroom supplies and all the the stuff for classrooms. >> Excellent. Excellent. And then Mr. Gary Evans uh Roland digital piano approximate value $500. Mr. Evans is a good egg. Um and then we have uh donors choose for Dober Middle School for incentive snacks. A a donation of $150 and then Trinity Lutheran Church 15 Shopright Gift Right cards at a value of $25 each, which this is a very good time and I'm sure those will be well used so we thank them. >> Any other comments or questions for anyone? >> Okay, roll call. >> Miss D. >> Miss Phillips. >> Uh, yes. And I will recuse myself from payments to vendor 1950. Miss Penelis, >> yes. >> Dr. Ser, >> yes. And recuse myself from payments

064to employee 900009685. >> Miss Shower, >> yes. >> Miss Son, >> yes. >> Mr. Miller, >> yes. [clears throat] >> Okay. Our upcoming board meetings, uh, December 16th and our reorganization meeting is January 5th. Uh we had a couple of facility requests uh do van booster for their spaghetti dinner in February. So mark your calendar. It's a good time. It's a very good meal. And the act the Academy Street PTA is having their turkey tray April 10th. Miss Phillips and I attended that last year. It was quite an operation. And Mr. Haimey won big. I forget what it was, but he won something. Okay. Do we have any old items for discussion? Any old business? Okay. Moving on to new business. We're going to talk about the uh convention. And I have a um a

065report that I put together from my experience at the convention. Um, and for folks that don't know, the the New Jersey School Board's Association Convention is probably one of the most valuable opportunities for board members to really deepen their understanding of governance and best practices from experienced colleagues and educational professionals across the state. Um, I was able to complete some mandatory training governance for school law, which was very interesting to see things that are going on in other schools and understand how to avoid some of those pitfalls that those other schools are getting themselves into. Um you know the the session reinforced the importance of transparency, professionalism and inher in adherence to both the letter and spirit of the school ethics act in all that we do as board members. Um, one of the most

066inspiring sessions I attended was in titled Symphony of Brotherhood, uh, presented by Murie Ben Ai, who is a Grammy awardwinning uh, artist, violinist, technology entrepreneur, and founder of the program. She shared her vision for fostering unity, empathy, and mutual respect in schools. The Sympathy Symphony of Brotherhood is an award-winning high school initiative designed to build positive relationships and promote a message of peace, understanding, and inclusion. The program's energy and message were uplifting and directly aligned with our district's value values of community and cultural pride. And I know Mr. Haimey is going to be attending. >> Yep. Uh I will be attending myself and Mr. Carl will be attending this Friday. uh at Newark Public Schools. Uh they invited us to be part of the re the uh inauguration of the program. So, we're looking forward

067to it. >> That's great. Thank you. Um also attended the the opening general session which uh was an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Timothy Pernell who is the executive director and CEO of the New Jersey School Boards Association. Um, following the o that opening ceremony, I visited dozens of exhibitors on the convention floor to learn about new products and services that could benefit our district. Uh, this included innovations in artificial intelligence, school safety, educational programming, and district operations optimization. Um, I've shared my findings with Mr. Tahhea, and of course, one of the software solutions that we are purchasing today was based on our visit with that booth. um at the convention. Another impactful session I attended was entitled leading with the heart building relationshipdriven school cultures. This workshop focused on the importance of cultivating strong

068relationships among staff and students as the foundation for effective school culture. The presenters demonstrated how relation based leadership can lead to fewer disciplinary referrals and bullying incidents, improved attendance, and lower dropout rates, higher student achievement and test scores, increased student uh teacher satisfaction, retention and recruitment, and a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive school environment. So, I I took all that information and presented to Mr. Haimey. So if any if if the school district finds that that program may be uh something we can do, they'll they'll let us know. So the the convention offered an outstanding opportunity uh to gather new insights, tools, and partnership to strengthen our district's mission, and I look forward to um you know, some of the the fruits of our efforts with some of that. Uh, is there anyone um who

069attended that would like to present um some of their findings? >> I would love to, Mr. Miller. >> Um I attended along with um board member Debbie Asavdo. We traveled together and we um we left Tuesday morning early, showed up Tuesday just in time to uh arrive at the ethics session which was very well attended. um presented by New Jersey school boards with their insurance group presenter Mr. Archerald and Miss Baron who um is school board's attorney. The uh the focus was the school ethics act of course explaining what it is. Um but the highlight was a growing concern over complaints with the school ethics commission um that are either asking for a review of the complaint or an advisory opinion. Um the unbelievable number of school ethics complaints to the commission has risen. Unbelievably,

070the number of 95% is from a board member to board member or board member to former board member. That's 95%. Leaving only 5% for members of the public or organizations on behalf of the public. That's just unbelievable. What they are finding with many of these that they are becoming unfounded, but they are a very expensive process. Correct, Mr. Crew? very expensive process from the uh factf finding to the litigation to filing it. Um the entire process is long, it's cumbersome and it ends up costing the district and sometimes the um accuser a lot of money. So, they're asking that school boards take it upon themselves to try and put a stop gap on some of these complaints by establishing a complaint process through perhaps our governance uh committee or something where we can have a

071conflict interest panel to stop these things before they get to the point. since they are board member against board member for the most part. Um they'd like to see some sort of effort made local boards to put a stop to that. The um the one very interesting issue was that a lot of what the uh commission is finding is that these are politically driven uh attempts to take action against people to stop them from doing things. Um and and it's it's the commission is aware of it and they're trying to put a stop to it. Um the second thing that they talked about with the out with um the commission were some consequences that have come up that have left the commission almost unaware of what to do next. Uh situations that they cannot rule

072on because they don't have the authority. So they're asking again board members, prospective board members, candidates to take it upon themselves to think before they act. when it comes to to a lot of this stuff. For example, um one of the findings recently was that they could not enforce any action, but they recommended action on a a candidate to the county commission who was running for the county commission and running for the board of ed at the same time as a uh incumbent had already been on the board. So, they asked, you know, you have to decide. You you run for one thing or or for the other. We can't enforce that, but we're asking you to use common sense and not make us get to the point where we have to enforce things. So,

073the ex ethics session session was very good. There are a lot of very disgruntled boards out there um that were sitting in the audience and making comment on this. So, that said, it was it was a good session. All of my uh materials are online in our shared Google drive. The second and again very interesting event that we also did on Tuesday afternoon was the annual workshop legislative session and uh this was in the keynote theater and this was insight into education related proposals before the New Jersey state legisl legislature which was co-hosted by the garden state coalition of schools. the New Jersey School Board Association Governmental Relations Department and moderated um by them a panel discussion about various educational issues and we had legislative representatives. In attendance was Senator Terresa Ruez who is the

074um from district 29, the Democrat from District 29 and she is the Senate majority leader. Senator Declan Ocalan Jr. Republican from district 13 and he is the budget officer. Assemblywoman Verina Reynolds Jackson from district 15 and she's the chair of the assembly of the education committee and Assemblyman Eric Simson from R1 way down at the tip of New Jersey and he's on the education committee. Um my personal which this is the shortest part of the report. My personal point of view of this as well as um Miss Asavdo was that this was sort of a candidates panel in lie of having the actual go governor candidates there. They had their representatives and this in fact was the intent of the panel was to give their view of what their candidate offers to education in the

075state of New Jersey. Um in doing so of course you had the Democratic side and the Republican side. So it was a bit of a candidates panel in my mind. Um but it was very very good and and lengthy. It was almost two hours. Um there's a lot of lame duck going to be going on in the first month of the year it would seem. Um we have to wait and figure things out. Some of the agreed upon items where the funding formula has to be looked at. Um transportation has got to be looked at especially for districts that are not as do is not a transportation district. There are some very small districts in southern New Jersey that are well under the two mile size, but they have students walking in areas where there

076are no sidewalks, there's no lighting, there's no anything uh which is similar to do as well. So, they're going to be looking into uh transportation. Um significant premium increases in the school health employee program. Um and they also admit on both sides of the aisle that the um there need to be changes made to the state aid distribution to the funding formula um in timing which Mr. Miller and I also spoke about in last February in Trenton in front of the Department of Education. So that's good that they are listening to us. they um they agree that more needs to be done with towns, local towns and the pilot agreements and it's good to see that some of that is already in action. Um and then lastly, there was discussion about cell phone policies in

077school. So I believe that those will only get stronger and not go backwards. Um so that's good to see that. So that's we spent Tuesday doing those two items briefly walking the convention floor and then Wednesday all Wednesday we spent walking the convention floor. It was very well attended. School boards did an excellent job. It had been seven years since my last convention. So it had changed a little bit and the automation and the ease of getting your badge and coming into the convention was much easier. finding everything on the convention floor much easier. So, kudos to New Jersey School Board. They did a really good job. Um, and then we left Thursday morning. >> Any further discussion on the convention? >> Um, I had attended a few sessions. Um, I have the app and

078I was not able to get my notes out of it. So, I apologize. Um, I know it's not as detailed as Miss Shower, but um I went to a healthc care session. Um it's was basically for um staff like teachers. Um it was run by I don't know the name. It was a clinic, like a clinic that was promoting um good health and things to do to help the staff have better um it's in addition to like like health care, but like it's basically for the teachers and um not anybody can just walk in to this. >> It's just promoting healthcare. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And um the next one was the governance which I already discussed. And then on Thursday I went to this one on absenteeism and they had causes and solutions um

079from throughout the country and they had really good examples which I'm sorry that I can't provide because my notes are in the app. Um >> okay >> but it was very informational. I spent time walking the floor as well and it was a great opportunity and I thank you guys for allowing us to go. >> Okay. >> Um I have other things that I'd like to discuss if >> Sure. >> Um >> I just want to make sure does is there any questions or any other discussion on the convention before we move on to a a new business item? Okay. I would like to congratulate u Miss Aso and Miss Phillips for winning another term on the board and to Miss Gates for joining the board in January. I have faith that you will all

080continue to work together with [clears throat] our administration for our students and staff within our district. Um I also forgot to mention their next governance meeting [laughter] is um November 25th at 6:30. It will be held ver virtually. And then there is um I'd like to remember Miss Marie Mbuk. She passed away um on November 6th. She was an active parent in the um PTA at Academy Street School back in like the 70s and 80s. Um she was the PTA president and officer um at Academy Street and served on the parent advisory committee for special education for the do board of ed. So I'd just like to recognize and remember her. Um >> thank you. That's fairly nice. Thank you. >> Okay. Now, I know there's one other new business item, the delegate assembly, uh

081that Mrs. Shower is going to and I had sent out uh you know, forward the information on for people to look at the items that are going forward. I know there's only a few and I know based on what I read and the fact that New Jersey school boards um is recommending the approval of those, I agree with what was written and what they're from my perspective. Yes. Um, there are three that were adopted by New Jersey school boards and met the requirements for them to endorse as part of the resolution. The Delran Board of Education criminal history review was adopted. The Clifton Board of Education Universal Free School Meals was adopted and the Bridgewater Raritin STEM system program was adopted. Um the rest there were one, two, I think three that were not adopted.

082And all of these were sent I believe Mr. Miller sent these. They also are all on the um we as part of New Jersey school boards. We all received the delegate notification. I will be there um I will be appearing in person. They had the option of in person or virtual. I will be there in person very early on Saturday morning. Um, so if you could perhaps do a voice vote to let me know how we should be voting. >> I think people just can provide their opinion. Okay. And then and then you would be I mean as if folks had a chance to look at. Do you have any thoughts on >> I did not receive any email. >> Okay. Dr. Ser. >> Um, yeah. The first one I think is fine. Um, definitely

083yes to three and four. I did have a question once this part is done about something else that's happening at the delegate assembly. >> Okay. Did anyone else have any comments? So, Mr. Shower knows you can go and press the right button. >> Okay. Dr. Ser, >> thank you. >> Um, as part I believe it's part of the delegate assembly that we are voting on two officers. >> Yes. >> Um, I have a question. I believe that the um woman who was nominated for the VP and I forget the whole part of it. Um, I believe she did not win her election to her local school board and according to um, NJSBA bylaws, you must be a you must be serving currently on a board of education. So, I don't know if you've received more

084information because the the the nominations were sent out in the November 6th um edition of the NGSBA report, which I guess is too soon for that to be not, you know, to be known, but um I would ask that you vote if that is actually coming to a vote, I would ask that you vote no on that. um even though that person may be serving for another six weeks, I think it is important for the committee to identify someone who can serve into 2026. >> Um I'm looking I thought there was another email with that item mentioned and another member. >> I I don't believe that came out to everybody. No, I don't think so either. This came from um Carl Tensley from the attorney. I'll look into it. I will look into it. But

085I believe that there was another nominee in the place. >> Um I >> they just may take nominations from the floor as well. >> It could be. Yeah, >> it could be. I I thought I had an email that mentioned something. It said correction and change. Um so if I do have that, I'll forward it to everyone so that we all have that same information. Okay. Any other new business? >> Um, I do have one small thing. Um, this was also forwarded to all board members and I did receive some input from um, thank you Mr. Haime and Miss Phillips. This is in reference to the Mars County School Board Association which um I sit on the legislative committee and we are advocating for change and recognition to uh what we feel are three items,

086one of them being HIV and that now 13year-old uh program. Assemblywoman Matt Sedokus, I think that's how you say her name. Um I believe she is from district 19 has established a draft bill. Um, and I sent that to everyone uh addressing HIV and the issues that she feels along with other supporters feel are at hand with the HIV program. And I'll read the statement that's on the bill. This bill establishes a task force to strengthen and streamline the state's anti-bullying policies and procedures in the state's public schools. The task force is to consist of 13 members as follows. the commissioner of education or a designate, four members of the public, each of whom has specialized knowledge or expertise in issues related to work of the task force and are appointed by the legislative leadership

087and eight members of the public representing the education community who are then appointed by the governor. Um the bill I'm not sure if it is still in the draft form and is still being worked on. Our next meeting is December 3rd and I will follow up with them after that uh to let us to let everyone know how we did. But I do totally appreciate the input um and Dover's voice will be heard in this issue. So thank you very much to Mr. Himeay and Mr. Pandalfo if he's listening up there. Um thank you very much for the information and for the reports that you put together for HIV in our district. Thank you. And I believe that is it. Yes, I believe. >> Anybody else have anything? Okay. >> All right. Now, we're coming

088upon the second public uh portion. 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 minutes. 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 between in-person and online comments. Please understand that public comment portions of our agenda are not structured as question and answer sessions, but

089rather 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 to the rights of others when providing comments. Comments may not be abusive, obscene, threatening, or irrelevant. Please understand that students and employees have speci specific legal and privacy protections. The board is not permitted to respond in public to 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. Before we uh open the session fully, I'd like to read a statement. Um, at our last meeting, there was some confusion regarding

090the procedure for conducting the second public comment portion of the agenda. As is stated before the opening of each public session, the board values and welcomes the opportunity for members of the public to express their views on matters related to schools. At the same time, we are responsible for ensuring that all comments remain respectful, appropriate, and relevant to district business. During the last meeting, you may have noticed there was considerable back and forth discussion between myself and our border tener as we worked to clarify the appropriate process while managing both inerson and virtual participation. In the course of that discussion, several online comments were received but not read aloud because the 30-minute public comment period had concluded. Upon reflection, I believe that it would have been more appropriate to allow all submitted online comments to

091be read into the record regardless of the time limit to ensure that every member of our community, both in person and virtual, had an equal opportunity to be heard. To uphold our commitment to transparency and inclusivity, we will read the remaining online statements tonight so that all voices are represented in the public record. So, at this time, is there someone in the public that wishes to uh speak uh before the board Thank you. John Kiglio, president of the Dover Education Association. 131 messages. That is how many messages I've received from our members since September about the issue that I'm addressing here tonight. On behalf of our staff and myself, I'm going to share our deep dissatisfaction with the persistent and worsening substitute coverage crisis in our do schools. Each one of you has an orange

092folder. Inside that folder is a snapshot of our daily reality. It reflects data from one school, but let me be clear, that school is not alone. This is a district-wide problem. Let me take you back to last year. We had occasional coverage issues and to address them, we relied on a combination of in-house district substitutes and supplemental support from Swing Education. It wasn't perfect, but it was functional. This year, the district replaced Swing with EDGU staff. But the real problem is the district signed an exclusive contract with EDGU staff. What does that mean? It means the district can no longer hire its own substitutes. Every substitute must be hired through edu staff. This has severely restricted our substitute pool because edust staff subs can work anywhere, not just here in do. And financially, this decision

093hurts the district even more. EDU staff charges the district $200 per day per substitute, while our own district subs cost $150 per day. We are literally spending an additional $50 per day per assignment on a system that is providing fewer subs and far less stability. The data in your folder also shows that classes have been combined at an unprecedented rate. 48% of our school days in the school referenced. When I've addressed this previously, I've been told that the number of students in combined classes is manageable. I ask the educators on this board, those who know what it takes to teach effectively. Is combining classes half of the time manageable? Is teaching two different groups, often learning at different levels and speeds, manageable? Is scrambling for desks, materials, differentiation, and planning, manageable? The answer is no.

094This situation is unfair to our teaching staff, our office staff, our administrators, our students, and our community. Combining classes is supposed to be a last resort emergency measure, not a daily thing. The data in your folder also lists many of the professional development sessions this year that have required staff to be pulled during the school day and how many staff were pulled each time. These days away from our students are in addition to the five full PD days already built into our school calendar. Pulling large amounts of staff for these PDs has only made the coverage crisis worse. Finally, on the last page, you'll see the situation with a special area teacher currently on leave since early September. Unfortunately, the district waited until tonight's agenda over two months later to hire someone. In the meantime,

095that class has been cancelled at least 15 times. 15 times with no lesson plans. Mr. >> Your time's up, so please finish up. >> I'll finish up. I'm almost done. >> Thank you. with no lesson plans because there's been no leave replacement teacher to provide lesson plans. Teachers covering the class were simply told to cover or watch the students. Our staff has stepped up again and again. Teachers are helpers by nature. We want to support our colleagues and students, but we cannot continue to be taken advantage of. Nor can our district continue operating under these conditions. The current model is not sustainable. The 131 messages I received about this one issue alone should tell you just how serious and widespread this problem has become. The board referenced using data to drive decisions earlier. You have

096all the data you need now in front of you to terminate the district's contract with EDU staff and return to hiring our own district substitutes. Thank you. >> Any new online comments? >> So from today >> from today. Yeah. >> Yeah. There's three. Um so the first one okay the first one is from Elavina Rosario. Does the board of education conduct conduct any type of background check before someone becomes a board member? What if they have a concerning background? Instead of harassing current board members, people should be looking at the bigger picture and the bigger problems. We are talking about individuals who make decisions that impact our children. And the community deserves transparency, consistency, and clear standards for who is allowed to serve. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there anyone else uh present uh that

097would like to make a comment? >> No. Okay. So, now we're just going to go to all the online the new ones and then just go to last month's comments. >> So, the next one is from Fernando Barios. Last meeting, board members were targeted for campaigning and dropping off campaign literature recorded on a Ring doorbell. In the past, a member of this board was involved with a Facebook page that targeted Dover School employees. If the discussion is really about ethics, that history should be part of this conversation. The board should clearly define what ethical conduct means and apply it instead of turning people's private lives and political involvement into gossip. Then the next one, the next one is from Melissa Kiglio. Earlier this evening, Mr. Sabahulu spoke in response to Miss Shower to Miss Shower

098regarding district buses for school field trips. I believe he said that district buses will be provided and paid for by the district if school trips are mandatory or curriculum related. This has not been the directive for this school year and staff has been asked to include district bus costs in the total cost for the trips. That being said, school trips are traditionally curriculum related. Therefore, according to Mr. Sabahulu, district buses should be provided without cost to our families. Could this information be provided to all staff so that they are aware when planning and budgeting field trips for our students? >> Okay, if you can just read all the remaining from last month. Yes. >> Okay. The next one is from McDonald. I'm submitting this statement tonight because the actions of a member of this board

099have shaken the trust this community places in its leaders. When someone entrusted with guiding students uses that position to circulate attack materials about a local candidate, it reflects a failure of judgment and of conscience. This is not about politics. It's about ethics. Public servants are expected to rise above gossip and cruelty, not spread it. When those charged with shaping young minds engage in behavior meant to humiliate or harm, it exposes the specific kind of moral bankruptcy that has no place in education. Do deserves public servants that lead with integrity, fairness, and care. I humbly urge you to take this matter seriously and to make clear that this district will always stand for decency. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. >> Uh the next one is from Linda Hugaboom. I strongly condemn the actions of a member

100of this board of education. This person distributed malicious material in the form of a flyer that brought hatred and intolerance to every doorstep she touched. As a board of education member, you have been entrusted with the safety and education of our most vulnerable vulnerable population, our children. How can you possibly justify blending your duties to prioritize in your leadership position on the board with disseminating such narrow-minded propaganda? Daniela Menddees is a proud resident who has proved herself to be focused on uniting all the people in the Dover community. She rose from board of education member to board president and has taken on the task of working for solutions and focusing on opportunities for all the residents of Dover in her campaign for W one town council in Dover. Miss Mendes makes me proud every time

101I hear her speak. She is a true force of good and Dover would be proud to call her a council member. The voters can see through these desperate and distracting tactics. Next message is from Maria Chicone. I am writing to you today as a concerned parent, a community member, and an advocate for the LGBTQ plus community to file a formal complaint regarding the recent conduct of one of the board of education members. The video shows there is video show the video attached shows her distributing hateful literature on people's doorsteps while canvasing for rescue do. This was shared on social media by a resident of Dover. Her actions, which have been publicly documented, are a severe violation of the ethical standards expected of a school board official and have caused significant harm to our community. I

102emailed a supported supported video evidence showing this board member engaged in the distribution of political literature that contains def constitutes defamation and targeted harassment. The literature in question features disparaging images of Miss Mendes in her underwear with horrible and damaging accusations against her. The Rescue Do group is purposefully purposely targeting Miss Mendes for her being for being transgender. Miss Mendes is a candidate for public office and the former Dover BOE president. As board of education members, you are held to a higher standard. Your role is to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students, families, and staff. The decision to disseminate such material is not only a gross ethical lapse, but also directly contradicts the values of dignity and respect our school district strives to uphold. The specific harm of these actions are

103clear and profound. The literature contains deliberate falsehoods intended to damage the reputation of Miss Menddees. Using one's position as a board member to engage in a smear campaign is unacceptable. The use of the use of a transw woman's image in a derogatory and sensationalized context is not a coincidence. It is a deliberate act of othering and intimidation. This sends a terrifying message to our transgender and LGBTQ plus students implying that they are acceptable targets for mockery and public shaming. As the mother of a transgender child, I am acutely aware of the challenges our children face. When an elected official an elected official responsible for their education and safety engages in behavior that stigmatizes their identity, it directly contributes to a hostile school environment. It undermines the trust of vulnerable students and tells them that those

104in power do not have their best interests at heart. This is not a matter of political disagreement. It is a matter of basic human decency and ethical conduct. The New Jersey School Boards Association's code of ethics for schoolboard members mandates that they recognize that authority rests with the board of education and act in a way that respects the right of others. These actions are a flagrant violation of these principles. Therefore, I respectfully demand that the board and district administration take immediate and decisive action. Our community deserves school board members who lead with integrity and work to unite, not divide. We must hold our elected officials accountable when they fail to meet that basic standard. I look forward to your prompt and serious response to this critical matter. Are they timing me? >> This is a

105lot. [laughter] >> Um, the next one is Ronald Arazzo. My children came home and found a campaign flyer on the front steps. This is a major issue for me because my children should not have found something like that on our steps. to find out it was a board member as well as a town employee board of education member is absurd and should be handled immediately. Disciplinary action should be should take place to reprimand these people or the public will have to seek legal counsel. The next is Sierra Winters. I am deeply concerned by the decision to distribute explicit materials depicting a former colleague former colleague Daniela Mendes to homes in Dover. As a member of the school board, you should be guided by what is in the best interest of the town's children. Delivering such

106material to residents doorsteps where any child could easily encounter it without context or parental guidance is highly irresponsible. This action reflects a troubling lapse in judgment and suggests a focus on personal or political vendettas rather than on the well-being and education of do students. Our community deserves leadership that upholds integrity, respect, and a commitment to modeling the values we expect our children to learn. The next one is Kelly Labar. I'm commenting on the defamatory and personal images distributed by a board of education member for their own political or personal gain and demand they be held accountable. This is an adult being a bully. Is that a great example to set for our children? We urge the board to publicly condemn this behavior and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of this of the district

107and restore community confidence. The next one is Joanne Mcinary. I find it deeply troubling that a sitting school board member would distribute defamatory material about a fellow resident and former board member to the homes of Dover families. This kind of conduct is not only unbecoming of an elected official, but also sends a dangerous message to our community. As a board entrusted with guiding our schools, you have a responsibility to model the values we expect our children to uphold. Failing to publicly condemn this behavior effectively normalizes it. We tell our children that bullying and personal tax personal attacks are unacceptable. Yet, this incident embodies exactly that. I urge the board to take a clear and public stance against this conduct to reaffirm that Dover does not tolerate harassment, defamation, or intimidation in any form, especially from

108those in leadership positions. How would this behavior hold up against HIV laws? Shouldn't our schoolboard members be held to greater standards than our students? Um, the next one is Nicole Torres. I am writing to denounce the actions of one of your board members. I understand that as a member on the board of education, she is entitled to have her own opinions, but I question the decision-making skills of someone who was caught on camera leaving materials of a half- naked woman on the porches of residents homes. These flyers were left out in the open where they were found by young children as they were getting home. Aside from the fact that these flyers were distasteful and evil in nature, they were also not appropriate to be left in public spaces. She owes a p a public

109apology to the parents of Dover schools. This was extremely disrespectful to the parents and children of Dover. It was also disrespectful disrespectful to Miss Mendes, but I'm aware that Miss Panales already knows that and simply did not care. The next one, the next one didn't give their full name, so I'm skipping that one. Um, Ashley and Carnosion. The video evidence showing a board member distributing defamatory flyers with images targeting a former board president and disrespecting a community leader is hurtful to me as a woman in this community. Such behavior represents a serious breach of public trust and violates the ethical standards we expect from those who serve on this board. What makes this situation especially troubling is that it weaponizes a woman's image in a way that echoes a much larger problem in our society.

110Women are too often shamed or targeted for their sexuality. And when one woman uses another's image without consent, it harms all women. It reinforces a culture of humiliation and double standards that our school should be working to dismantle, not perpetuate. Our students, families, and educators look to this board as an example of integrity, leadership, and accountability. When an elected official engages in conduct, that's conduct that spreads misinformation or personal attacks, it not only damages reputations, it damages the dignity of the entire district. This is not the kind of example we should be setting for our children. I urge the board to take this matter seriously and to take appropriate action to uphold accountability and restore community confidence. No member of this board should be permitted to weaponize falsehoods or personal material for political political or

111personal gain. The public deserves transparency, respect, and assurance that those entrusted with guiding our schools are acting with honesty and professionalism. I ask the board to publicly condemn this behavior and to reaffirm its commitment to ethical conduct and the values of our community. Um, this is a duplicate. I read that already. Uh, Lauren Alrech. This comment is authored by Lauren Alrech, Garden State Equalities Senior Director of Advocacy and is for any Do Board of Education member who may have forgotten what they actually believe in and what they actually stand for. It's disturbing to see footage of a seated board of education member sharing explicit materials doortodoor for some illgotten political gain. If you can't win an election without resorting to bigot bigotry, then that is an illgotten gain. As a woman, it's disturbing to see

112women to see women use the bodies and personal lives of other women against them. As an LGBTQ person and an advocate by profession, I know what this is about. Sadly, in Dover, a woman can be a strong community leader, an elected member of the school board, chosen to lead that school board by her peers, have a family, a successful career helping people, and when she puts her safety and security on the line to push Dover forward even stronger, the consequence is being demeaned and debased for her very existence. Uh, Brian Lozano, no Dover resident should have to suffer the consent, the non-consensual publishing of intimate photographs, let alone AI images, liel, and defamation. While I believe in the separation of church and state, particularly particularly when it comes to education, I know that certain board

113members are guided by their faith in the Bible. in the same chapter used in the same chapter quoted to justify her defamatory actions. But in verse eight, it reads, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far f far for me. They worship me in vain. Their teachings are merely human rules. Spreading sexualized images of former Dover Board of Education President Daniela Menddees is not what Jesus would do, nor condone of his followers." And that is the last one. Okay. So, there's no >> and there's nothing new from tonight other than the ones I already read >> and we don't have anyone else from the public. >> So, at this time, I'm going to close the this public portion. Uh, Mr. Haime, do you have any comments from anything that you've heard?

114>> Just in regards to the online comment from Miss Kiglio. Um, so the field trips so that we're clear the and there was a miscommunication so I do apologize for that. Uh there are trips that uh the administration did budget for in order to reduce cost. Uh there are also trips where yes the cost is on our families. Um and there are also budget items that the the uh administrators budgeted for in hopes of helping any of our families who are going through certain hardships in case they can't afford to go on those field trips. Um and then there are those trips where are paid by other companies as well. So yes, that is something that I wanted to clear up really quick. uh in regards to the situation with the the substitutes. Um I

115appreciate the the data being shared. I know we've been working closely to make sure we address these pieces and we'll continue to work. Um and of course with the PDS, I just want to mention that and when it comes to professional developments, these are tied into our teachers PDPs and our goals and we want to make sure and be mindful of that. but as well the fact that we have done a major reduction in our PDS from last year to this year and we'll continue to explore and look at our calendar to make sure that moving forward we're mindful of the PD days and how we're using them moving forward as well. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else on the road? Dr. Sainer. Yeah, I wanted to um address and assure our teachers um this

116issue, the severity of this issue came to my attention through a Facebook post. Um and I asked that it be included on our last curriculum and student achievement agenda. We did talk extensively with Mr. Haime about changes in the system since um the severity of the issue was known. And to be clear, it is never okay for classes to be combined. It is never okay for a teacher that teaches X to cover a class that teaches Y. But we live in a world where there are not enough substitutes right now. And so I appreciate that there is a problem. I appreciate that Mr. Haime is doing everything he can to solve it. The data from I believe this is North do um whichever school that this is. Yeah, it's North do. Um I appreciate it.

117One of the things that I looked for um in this data that the number has come down since our discussion with Mr. Haime about the new procedures in terms of class coverage and moving teachers and combining classes. And again, let me be very clear. It is never okay. It is never, you know, a a choice that any administrator wants to make. And I appreciate that this process of um fine-tuning this will continue and we will certainly in curriculum be asking for updates, but the number of um instances of class coverage um are much less in the first two weeks of November compared to um September and October. So that is um reassuring. I I trust that Mr. Mr. Hime and the rest of the administration will continue to refine the process. I hope that um

118teachers with concerns will take advantage of Mr. Hime's um I'm forgetting what they're called. >> listening tour take advantage. If you have an idea, I'm sure he'd be happy to listen, right? You know, um we're all on the same team. Um so, thank you for um bringing that to our attention and thank you for finding trying to find solutions. I hope that you can work together to find solutions um moving forward. Um and then I wanted to address one last thing. One of the um questions addressed background checks. And I I don't I'm sorry I wasn't fast enough to write down the name. Um but I wanted to reassure the public that one of the first things that happens when you are um elected to the board is that you do undergo an extensive background

119check. >> Thank you, Dr. Sander. And I want to echo the same that our administration I know is working very hard to rectify the situation and I have full confidence that they will be able to get to a solution that will be satisfying to everyone involved. So thank you for trying me. >> One last thing if you're at home and you have met the requirements for a sublic um we would love to have you. Um I'm sure information for that is on our district website. Mr. Hime, can you give better directions to where that might be? >> Is it still is it >> Well, we'll double check it. I know that we had it pop it up on the on the website. Um, we can revisit that again and then uh see where it's at

120or at least have a location for everybody to be able to apply. >> Thank you. >> Any other last comments? >> I have a comment. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Um, I think everybody knows I'm not going to be here next month. Um, so since I will not be at the meeting next month, I just wanted to take this time to say thank you to Miss DS for the time that she has spent on the board and all of her contributions simply because I will not be at the next meeting. I doubt I'll be watching it um because I'm going to be recovering. So, I just wanted to say that since I won't see you next month. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Miller. I did just I was also going to mention that board of

121ed members are subject to background checks and not only background checks but um we have to establish an account with the state of New Jersey that remains open. I was on the board from 2003 to 2017 off for seven years and that account remained open. So anything that happened on those seven years in between, the state takes a look of that when when you do your background checks. So um we are subject to those background checks. And also um if you are at home and you have statements to make about actions that the board of education should take, um I encourage you to go to New Jersey school boards and read up on the power of the local board of education and what we can and what we can't do. We had I mentioned tonight

122the um the presentation from New Jersey school boards at convention of ethics and nowhere in that ethics um session did either the attorney or the insurance uh professional acknowledge that local boards of education can at any time choose who they want on and who they want off. I wish it was that simple. Many of us, I'm sure, wish it was that simple. Um, but it it it isn't. So, if you um if you didn't hear my presentation this evening, please do go to New Jersey school boards, check up on ethics of what the boards can do, what we cannot do, and what we can also do, and what we can't do in our personal lives. >> I I was going to ask uh Mr. crew, if you could just briefly summarize the fact that uh

123we've had conversations that this board can't take action and it's the ethics commission. If you can just kind of talk to that. >> Yes, I I got it. Thanks. Yes. um the uh because there's been a number of references to people um referencing the code of ethics for schoolboard members and the and and the school ethics act and those any potential violations of those are within the purview and the of the school ethics commission and would require a complaint to be made to the school ethics commission. individual boards of education are not um authorized essentially to take action against board members for violating or potentially violating the code of ethics for school board members or the school ethics act. That's something that has to go to the school ethics commission. >> Okay. Just I just

124wanted to clarify that. Any other comments? Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Do we have a second? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Have a good night everyone. >> Happy Thanksgiving everyone.