001I'll call this meeting to order. 601 p.m. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with provisions of the act, the East Rutherford Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting by having the date, time, and place thereof provided to the record in South Bergenite newspapers to have published and posted in the vestibule of the Burrow Hall and public library. Copies of agendas are available 48 hours prior to said meetings in the board of education office and are posted on the East Rutherford School website, www.be.net. Uh please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of
002silence in honor of the members of our p of of our police department, fire department, first responders, and armed forces. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. >> Roll call. >> Miss Caruso >> here. Timed it. >> Uh, Miss Collie is absent. Miss Mena >> here. >> Sanders >> here. >> Miss Shmley >> here. >> Mr. Banker >> here. and Miss Laruso >> here. Uh, fire exits are located to the front and out to your left. Um, at this time I'll call up Mr. Tanel and his uh, Junior Honor Society students for our monthly updates. >> Okay, good evening. We are back with our October monthly
003school reports. We have Josephine Stampone who will read for FA, Arsh Kalamade who will read for Lincoln and Anthony Green who will read for McKenzie. Um, this is the monthly report for FA Middle School. Students and staff celebrated the week of respect with various spirit days. Students and staff participated in various lessons focused around Hispanic Heritage Month and Polish Heritage Month. Special shout out to the PTA for organizing a great book fair for our FA school students. FA students and staff will also participate in school violence awareness week beginning October 20th. FA school will celebrate Halloween on October 31st. Further information will be coming in regards to procedures for the day. All FA students have been focused on accomplishing baseline assessments. All students took the STAR reading assessment and momentum math assessment through SAVIS. All
004faculty and staff part partic participated in a professional development day on October 13th focused on handle with care. Parents/teer conferences are on October 29th. We are looking forward to seeing all the FA school families. Conferences are from 2 to 3:30 and 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. All FA school faculty and students will wear pink on October 22nd for breast cancer awareness month. Good evening. This is the monthly report for Lincoln School. The October Lincoln School monthly meeting introduced our Lincoln leaders program focusing on student expectations and learning about HIV laws as it ties to into major programming and initiatives. Lincoln school celebrated the week of respect with messages of kindness, respect, and positive affirmation to support school climate and culture. October 16th, we'll have the ERFDs on site to promote fire safety week with our fourth
005and fifth grade students. Thank you to fire marshall Barnes and Miss Gil and Miss Falco for our community outreach as well as the entire ERFD for keeping our community safe. Interimm reports for student progress go live to parents on October 17th via Genesis. School violence awareness week begins on October 20th. Announcements, messaging, activities, and events will be planned to promote respect throughout the community. Red Ribbon Week begins on October 23rd and the Lincoln School and programming will include the students pledge for a free drug community. We also hope to have some members of the DEA on site to teach our Wildcats chemistry in the field. Par teacher conferences take place on October 29th. Thank you. This is the monthly report for McKenzie week of respect and spirit week. McKenzie school proudly celebrated the week of
006respect with meaningful lessons, engaging activities, and themed spirit days under the leadership of Miss Gomez, school psychologist and guidance counselor. Students and staff showcased school pride and unity throughout the week. Wildcat Assembly celebrating character. McKenzie will host its first Wildcat assembly of the year to honor students of the month for outstanding character and positive behavior. These celebrations continue to report reinforce our PBIS goals and school values professional development. On October 13th, while students observed Columbus Day, staff engaged in meaningful district-wide professional development focused on enhancing instructional practices, breast cancer awareness, wear pink day. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month, students and staff will proudly wear pink in October. Special thanks to our district nurses for organizing this important spirit and fundraising event. Fire Prevention Week. During Fire Prevention Week, classes learned valuable fire safety
007lessons with an engaging presentation from Fire Marshal Kevin Barnes and the East Rutherford Fire Department, complete with the fire truck demonstration. Thank you to the ERFD for keeping our Wildcats safe and informed. Annual Halloween parade. The Beloved McKenzie Halloween parade will take place on Friday, October 31st at 1:30 p.m. for all preK through grade three students. [Applause] That concludes our monthly report. We always look forward to coming and delivering the highlights and we're looking forward to attending next month. Thank you. >> Thank you. As I say, you guys are the highlight of the meeting. That's why the meetings are so full. >> We certainly are. >> They come to see you. >> Certainly are. >> Thank you guys. Thank you. open house. So, thank you. >> Thank you >> everyone. Thank you. Thank you. [Music]
008>> It's my last McKenzie parade, so I'm kind of sad. Yes. All right. Uh committee reports, school business administrators. >> Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, everyone. Uh just a couple of things since our last meeting. PF1 and PF2 approval of the monthly facility calendar and the district use of facilities application. We did receive a application from use of facility application from Mr. Tanel from the National Junior Honor Society. Uh the date was November 20th which conflicted with erre my office will reach out to the rec department to let them know of the conflict but we wanted to get it approved today and not wait until next month. So that was the that's the reason for that. Uh C1.4 four. I know that's curriculum. We did receive a request for a field trip. It's multiple
009days. Uh they're going to the East Rutherford Public Library. There is no bus. There is no cost. Uh Mr. Scarfield and I we looked at the request being that some of the days were before the next board meeting. It was in the best interest of the board as well as students to have the board approved that tonight. F7 is the approval of the bills list. Uh thank you to everyone. Thank you to Mr. Banker for coming in and reviewing it. And F8 is resolution for budget transfer exceeding 10%. Uh the reason for the 10% is that we had to transfer funds into the co-curricular uh salary line. And then the other one was per the recommendation of the auditor that one of our principal salaries are split split between two different account lines and they
010had highly recommended that 100% of the salary go there. So that's the reason for the 10%. I actually saw the Bergen County uh executive superintendent today at my round table. I made him aware what was going on. He said, "Alex, no, no worry. No problems. Just send it over to me tomorrow." And that's that's all I have. >> Okay. Um any discussion? >> No. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Verace. Uh superintendence report, Mr. Scarfield. Okay. I just want to start off by saying um I got a very good feel for the community last Saturday when I attended the fall festival. Unfortunately, you didn't get the weather you wanted, but it still was pretty well attended. I I think I I had left about 2:30. I think the rain stopped after I left, so maybe I should
011have left sooner, but uh it was very it it was a nice nice affair. I mean, I got to meet a lot of people, so it was um very good. we were next to the um eighth graders and they were very helpful. I should have thanked them before they left because they helped us set up and everything else. Did a really nice job. So, it was really nice to get out there and meet people. Um I'm going to do my report in two parts tonight because I do have a presentation, but I want to run through the resolutions and then I will give you the test score presentation from last year. Um, so again, you'll see on the agenda. One second. Okay. Making sure I'm doing things right. All right. Approval of the fire and
012emergency drill report. That's uh S1. S2 is approval of the enrollment report, and it is going up. We're we're still taking in uh clients. Um, and I'll review that more in depth. um next month just to show you some growth patterns and things like that. Um approval of the HIV and bullying monthly report which zero to report. That's two months in a row. Um approval of school safety data re uh period 2. I think I sent that under a separate cover. It was like the HIVs and everything from last year this year. Um so far so good. um approval of student field trips and transportation requests for 2526 and I think Mr. Vra had uh brought that up. They fall under curriculum, but it's something that the business office function does. So, we're working out
013those bugs. As far as personnel um approval of the Kelly education substitute list and that's an ongoing thing. Uh there are personnel actions for uh P2. P3 is the approval of uh travel expenditures. P4 is the approval of afterchool intervention program appointments for this year. Um we're awaiting the title fund allocation. I put the application in early in October. We're still waiting for that to be uh approved, but we will be beginning in uh December after the teachers convention. um approval of the um I can't read tonight. The BC supervision within the district, approval of appointment of the interimm supervisor of curriculum and instruction and we talked about that last week. She'll begin November 1st and we have a leave approval that just came in so we added it onto the list tonight. Um, as
014far as community relations, there were no new business except the fact I I mentioned uh the fall festival and uh there are no new business under technology. So that will get me to the next piece. And again, you know, test scores I know can be a source subject. Now I'm looking for my document. I had it and it disappeared. So, we're going to find it again. [Music] Going to have to dig it up. Here it is. All right. Okay. So, last year you took the NJSLA. It is changing this year. Yeah. I can't see it. >> Thank you. No, this is These don't help anymore. >> Nothing helps anymore. I have to I'm looking for a new new eyes or a new prescription. All right. It's changing and I'm going to go over that at
015the end. How the test is going to change in the future. Um that'll be the end part. Just so you know, there are when I I got last year's slide, there were like 60 slides. I I I'm giving a reader's digest version of the pertinent information and I've added a couple of things in there that I shared with the board yesterday and I kind of condense it down. So, just so you know, McKenzie is the only uh school that tests one grade level, third grade, and they do ELA and math. And just for the record, when the test began many years ago, they always told us that third grade would be a baseline and wouldn't report it, but they report it anyway. And you remember these kids are starting to take this is the first
016time they see anything like this. So you never see any great shakes out of there. But I'm going to show you some really good highlights from third grade to fourth grade where you see some nice improvement. Lincoln fourth grade is ELA and math. Lincoln fifth grade is ELA math and science. FA sixth and seventh is ELA and math. And eighth grade takes ELA math and science. And then there's an algebra component which you'll be very proud of those scores. Okay, just so you know, it's it's listed ELA and math are listed into five categories. Number one, level one, they didn't meet the expectations. Level two is they partially met. Level three is they're approaching. This is the passing level four and level five. Science. Science is only four categories. below proficient, near proficient and advanced
017proficient. I will tell you this, when you see the overall score for science for the state, it it's terrible. And uh I attribute that to there's got to be either a flaw in the test or something because everybody can't be so far off base. And remember state averages when you find the average there's people below there's people above but in science it's been really difficult. So let's talk about ELA. This is probably one of the better charts. I don't really like the state's templates because they they tend to be confusing but and I'm not a guy that likes to look at test scores year-over-year from the same grade level because technically they're not the same kids. you know, third grade this year is not the same as third grade last year. So, one of the
018things, the best way to look at things like this, so if you looked at level one in 25 this or last year 24 in third grade, you see that 22% of our students were on level one. When you go to the following year, which would be 2025, there's only 14 there's 14% of the kids that are level two. So these kids went these level ones went from 22% which means that they were not doing well to 14%. So in essence, you had an 8% gain, same kids. That's the way you really have to look at it. Um, and then you go on and on with that. It's really like a diagonal look year over year. And you'll see some nice things as you move across. Language arts we did exceptionally well. Sorry about that. It's
019delicate. So level four and level five are your passing. So when you look at your numbers, and I'm going to you're going to get totals later on. So don't uh don't fret. I'm not here to I'm not here to do any kind of magic. I'm reporting things straight. and then I will tell you what our intervention strategies are to move forward. So when you look at last year's third grade, your level fours, you had um you had 36% at level four. This year you had 32. But some of those level fives now you had 6% in third grade in 2024. You have level five, you have 35%. That's like a 29% increase. That's your top kids. actually top tier. So you could see in my eyes, the way I look at it is this is
020like a new thing to them uh in third grade. It's it's and this is tough test. So when they're improving year-over-year like 29% that that's a very nice increase and as I said there are very good highlights in here and then I could show you there will be some low lightss that we really have to address quickly. So again, fourth grade you saw here, 44% passed at level four, which means that they were proficient. Um, the same kid were 39%. However, their level five was 8% last year and that went up to 15%. So if you're looking in terms of comparing the kids, you're seeing good growth. You see some downs in other things, which we have to address. And one of the places I noticed is fifth to sixth grade. And that's kind of
021a transition year. You know, you're going from uh you know, your insulated elementary school into now middle school. And I had some ideas that I had put into the um ESA grant on a transition plan getting the kids ready for sixth grade. So, we'll talk more about that as we go on because I think that's a big point. It's just something different. So overall, when you see the total scores in in um ELA, I think you're going to be pleasantly pleased. We get to math, that's another story. We we have some places that we have to really look at and things that are headscratching. Um one of the places I could point to that you should be very proud of is in your algebra scores. You had 94% of your kids pass algebra. When you
022see what the state average is, it's terrible. So, we're doing something right here with algebra. So, when you look at the eighth grade scores, they don't look they look troubling, but remember, we're taking like the cream of the crop out. And I'm going to show you on another slide how it transcends into if you place those eighth grade algebra kids into the overall eighth grade scores, it brings them up like a lot. But there are some places here again in uh third grade and fourth grade you see like a lot of kids are not doing too bad. I mean 6% 3% 7% in level one. Those are the you want to see lower numbers there. You want to see higher numbers in in level four and level five. eighth grade. Again, you see like it
023it's like troubling that they they went from in seventh grade 13% level one to eighth grade 30% level one. So again, there are things in eighth grade that we have to find out and and this is across the board because I'm going to show you the state averages in here and that they're just not good uh overall in the state. But I know people don't want to hear what the rest of the state is. They want to know what we're doing here. So that's really important. But in terms of your level fours and level fives, you you're we're kind of on an e equal plane. Like I'm looking like when I told you before to look across, you went from third grade 33% up here 2024 that group improved 10%. And that's what they're looking
024for. Fourth to fourth to fifth the fourth graders were at 44% it went to 39. Fifth grade 40% they went down to 33. Uh seventh grade they were at 18%. Level four they were at 16%. Again this slide doesn't tell you a whole lot. This tells you a lot more. So on your left this slide you could tell I made it. So but but the third grade total passing in third grade was uh 53%. The state average is 50%. In fourth grade, 49% of our kids passed. 47% is the state average. Fifth grade, 55% of our kids passed. 44 is the state average. Sixth grade, 47% passed and 40% is is the state average. And seventh grade, you could see 43 to 39. Now, eighth grade, we passed 18%. In red is the state average
025of 20. That 44% represents what the number would have been if you factored in the algebra kids into eighth grade. So that makes a difference. We're above the state average, but the state average isn't good. So we want to we have to do better. That's really what it comes down to. When you get to ELA, which is on the uh right side, you'll see better results be because you'll see that the third grade again, 48% and 45 is a state average. But then you start seeing some bigger jumps. 67% in the fourth grade as opposed to 54th in 54 in the state. Fifth grade, 71% past 53. Sixth grade, you had 69 as opposed to 56. Seventh grade 78 to 64 and eighth grade 70% to 57. Okay. So again, you have small class size
026too. So it doesn't take a lot to skew numbers. You know really you don't you don't have a lot of room for error. And I'm saying that right now I think the weakest area in our ELA scores is the writing. And I think that's something that we have to really concentrate on across the curriculum, which means in science, in ELA, because I do remember with these tests, they actually want you to be doing more factual writing and uh things of that nature. So, we're going to have to see what we're doing and see what we're going to address. Now, eighth grade, I did explain this. Kids participated in algebra 1 and they're separated out of the eighth grade. So, this comes from the state. So this is happening everywhere. So they're telling you that the
027math outcomes are not representative of the eighth grade as a whole. That's why I gave you that slide to show you and I did the math and it worked. All right. So we come now to our grade levels and across the board your levels so you could see the difference. And again I ask you to look kind of diagonal and if you look right away at McKenzie that level one 2024 you had 22%. that same group of kids the following year in Lincoln two 2020 20 only 4% were level one level one is your lowest level so eight that was an 18% improvement of that level you go to 13.3 it went to 14 um 21 went down to 14 in level three but these are pass now you're coming into the passing scores so
02836 to 32 in level five you had 6.7% went up to 35.5. That's really uh that's a big jump. And again, you you'll see the numbers across. These are all that were listed on my previous page. So, these will give you a better idea of where we are. Math, same thing. You could look across and you'll see some numbers that you know are disappointing, but kids passing, that's that white column on all the way on the right here. you know, 46% passing math in uh what do you call it overall and levels four and five from the this is the let me just move this guy out of the way. The state is uh I can't you know what it is unblocked. I got to move this. >> Of course not. >> It's me. I
029got him now. Okay. >> Number of students level four. So you'll see the difference from last year to this year grade level wise. I like to compare the other way. So if you go to the number of students at four and five, these are the passing numbers at four and five. So up on this column, the 46.7 was last year. This same group went to 49. So you're seeing improvement. The 52.8 improved to 55. The 48.6 stagnant. The 48.6 went down a hair. This was the most alarming number, the seven to eight, but you took the algebra kids out, so they they they don't reflect. It looks a lot worse than it is, but it's not it's not anything that's bad in terms of that. Do we need improvement? Absolutely. There's no question in certain
030areas. Okay. So, science, I had to do something because this their slides were were terrible. But the total pass rate for the state in red on the bottom eighth grade statewide 18%. It's terrible. That's where we're at too. 18%. So is there something wrong with the test? I can't believe that the whole state only 18% of the kids passed. So I'm saying that there's got to be a flaw there. There's there's a lot of hands-on things that go on with that and I just don't know if it computes. Fifth grade we did a little better than the state average. We had a 28% pass rate as opposed to uh you know the fifth graders uh in the state going to 26. So we're pretty much on the state average, but the state average is is
031just not good. I have to dig in a little more and see where we're going. We do have consultants that come in from Ruters and once they get here, we'll, you know, that's an area that we're going to really work on. So now we get to the special education scores. Um and again we're we're looking more or less for improvement from you know yearover-year and you know so on the left side level one and two you want to see the numbers going down. Three and four you want three uh four and five you want to see the numbers going up. So when you look at third grade 50% were at level one last year those same fourth graders went down to 30%. So you had a 20% improvement there. Um the level fourth grade was
03223.1 in uh level one and now oh wait these are these are 20 these are across the board. Okay so these are straight out you can't compare that way. My bad. So third grade third grade we had Am I here? That's where I'm at. So 50% 35 14 level three we had nobody in the third grade special ed pass. I don't know the exact numbers of kids in there. I don't think it was a big sample and that's another thing that can skew your numbers. Um you'll see some improvement along the way as uh you know they moved along. I I think I have a comparative score slide on laying around on the uh other end. We go into math and again nobody on level five, level three. So you did see some, you know,
033a big jump in here. So it means they're approaching, you know, passing 10% passing in the special ed realm. Um, ELA and these are for our multilingual learners. These are our kids that are limited English. um you'll see some good things here um that that they are approaching looking to pass levels four and five. So they're getting there. We have in math a little bit more improvement. Math is supposed to be the universal language. So like they they should know more in math than they would in language arts. And again, it's challenging, but you'll see always improvement year-over-year as they master the language. The ethnicities speak for themselves. If you just look down, it it tells you how many percentages uh in each grade level were passing or at these are four and five only.
034So these are all pass rates. Uh grade four in certain populations. You can see um some doing much better than others. Um but overall, you know, they're fairly good scores um for the for that group, for the ethnicities when you break it down that way. And then again, mathematics, you'll see some some of the uh ethnicities much better than others. Um, you know, again, the eighth grade is concerned and so is the third grade. But I have some things. This is an example right now of something they're doing in math. It's called deficit standards. So all of that stuff on the left where you see, you know, your your your uh strands and your um and everything else that belongs with it. They're telling us what they're doing to work with the kids. So they're
035looking at the test. They're breaking it down. This is the question number. This is how many kids passed in our LL, which is our computer um program. There's a link in there that will um get you to where you have to be on that particular strand so that you can master it and you know work on it. You also have your worksheets and then whether or not it was completed and that true false that's when I cut and pasted it. It was a check mark whether they got to it or not. So don't worry about true false. But these are things that the teachers are working with to help out and move the kids forward, especially in math. There's a lot more to do. So, notable achievements, I think there was an overall improvement in
036ELA. There's some minor victories in math and on science were on uh on par with the state, but overall scores were weak. Um intervention strategies. So, we're going to continue to work with the math coach and math uh consultant, but I am definitely going to be involved because I want to see exactly where we're going. Um, our schools are all working on deficit standards, but we're concentrating more on error analysis. That seems to be like a big push with the state now finding out when they make these errors, why they're making these errors, so that we can concentrate on fixing that piece. We're using release questions from the state. So they give us questions from previous tests and what the um teachers have been doing on a daily basis as a do now which means
037they come in they have a question up on the board and they need to do it now and it's the same type of questions that they'll encounter on the test. This way when they take the test it's not a foreign language to them. It's something they'll see every day. I don't know if that was done last year. I know that's being done this year. Um, there is definitely going to be more direct instruction with small groups. You know, there's a lot of different ways you teach math, you come up, you're in front of the group. There's a such thing as being up there too long where the attention is not going to be paid. So, now you also you've also always heard about small group instruction. Well, if you do the small group and you're
038just putting fires out from group to group, that doesn't work either. So what they're doing is they're teaching the lesson as a whole 10 to 15 minutes, break them into groups, and then the teacher will work directly with that group five, six, eight minutes to make sure that they understand because it's really hard to see if they understand. If they can't tell you, they're not understanding. Sometimes in that small group, it clicks. So we're working more with that. Um I am going to with um our principal, Mr. Alley review the schedule in FA for middle school to see if we can tweak any scheduling with math because I think we we need a little more time on task there. So, we're going to look at that to see where we can maybe free up some
039space and get them more what they need. Uh we're going to continue to work naturally with the English language learners to transition them uh to our language and we see you'll see improvement year-over-year. And then uh our data data analysis does show that we definitely need to hone in on writing skills for improvement in ELA. I think that's the place that are um one of the weaknesses and they always said and I recall it was always they want authentic literature. So things facts from science, social studies they can write with that and those subjects are right for that it will translate into the ELA. Okay. So next year, as I mentioned in the beginning, they're changing the test to the NJSLA adaptive type of test. So this past August, they um we used to use
040Pearson as our test uh company. It seems like it's going to be Cambium Assessment. So they they're they're going to do these NJSLA, which is a student learning assessment adaptive. And this is going to dovetail in with the high school test, which is the New Jersey graduation proficiency assessment adaptive. This is going to be the test that students will need to pass in high school in order to graduate. So, they're going to have to show proficiency. But the difference with this test as opposed to the current test they've been taking like the last five years is that when this child starts taking the test, it will start adapting to their level so that you get a better read from where they are. That's the difference. So like a if a kid is taking a test
041now and they're struggling with the language, with the with the concepts, they're going to struggle through the whole test. this way it's going to keep going down to find their actual level. And I even believe I I've never believed too much from the state. I even believe that this might be the thing they need to do because I think we're going to get better data so we can better help the kids and I think then we're going to know exactly where they are instead of trying to figure it out. Because again, if I'm reading something on a, you know, on an eighth grade test, I can't figure it out. I don't know how I'm going to figure it out the rest of the test, but if it gets me down, say to a sixth grade
042level and I'm sharp there. Okay, now I know where I have to ramp them up. So, I think it's going to be a good thing. And again, if it dovtales in with what they're giving them in high school, it's going to be all the same. We're going to be field testing this across the state of New Jersey in November. We already have a test schedule out. I think we sent home a notice already. Um, and I'm curious to see what it looks like. And I and I think it I think I can finally say maybe they're on the right track here because I don't think we've been on the right track in New Jersey. I always when I'm out of uh state uh and people ask me where I'm from. It's not too hard to
043tell where I'm from, but I tell them that I'm from the state of confusion, New Jersey, because it's pretty confusing. But um again, that's our presentation. There's the good, the bad, the ugly. Um, we're definitely committed to working on the math scores and I did sit with the math coach the last couple of days and I been asking a lot of questions. They seemingly feel like they they have things under control but they too notice too there needs improvement in math and again because we're doing well in language arts. You can't back off. You have to keep pushing because you don't want them to forget those skills and say look how good we're doing in math. Why did we drop an ELA? The science is another story. I don't know what they're doing with that
044test, but that's something that I've seen when I see 18% as the passing rate in the state, something's not right there. Something something not working. That's my presentation. And if um I guess I'll take questions from the board first and then I can I go out of order and take them from the public if they have any on testing or do you want to wait till public? >> Wait for the public because we're almost there, right? >> Yeah. >> All right. So, >> we'll wait. >> Does the board have any questions? >> Yeah, we'll do the board discussion first >> on agenda items or the presentation. >> I did this. >> Stop sharing. Yeah, I had to go back. >> I have a quick question. I just want to ensure let me find what number
045it is. >> I don't think I did. It was the approvals for after school help. Where is that? >> Hey, what do I lost it? [Music] >> Which one was it? Personnel. >> No, you know what it was? It was here. >> After school academic intervention program. Um just to ensure the teachers that we have on this list just going back to providing students the additional help they need. All of these student all these teachers have said that they are available and willing to do the after school help. We don't have a shortage of teachers. >> We don't have a shortage at all. And I suggested there's two things. Lincoln school came back and asked about um an early program and I'm in favor of that. When I was in Little Ferry, we ran what
046we called the um Rise and Shine Club and it was really popular because we had the kids in there. A lot of the kids that would go in are some of our struggling kids and it would also get them ready for the day. So, you know how like the struggling kid will come in, they'll kind of be disorganized. They won't be able to like, you know, they'll be ready to go to school. Now, if they come in, they get a half hour of some meaningful tutoring and now they go to class and they're ready for class. It's not like they got to go into class and then I got to find my book. I'm I'm disheveled. I It worked very well and I'm willing to give it a shot. I've also suggested that maybe we
047go in six week cycles so that the kids hear a different voice too. Um and and you change it up a little bit and you change maybe the teacher too. I mean, you change the teacher, change the kids with the teacher because I think that's a healthy thing. I think if you're there, it it becomes laborious. It becomes like, you know, why am I here? If we change up and we do different cycles that we're willing to try anything and I think mornings are good, especially with the little guys, it works really well. Um, parents appreciate it, too. I mean, they could drop them off. Question is, we used to run it like five days a week. I don't think we're going to be running five days a week, but we may with the mornings
048because you could do that in the morning and it it's it becomes convenient for the parent to bring the child in a little early. >> Sure. I think that's actually beneficial for the parents because after school is difficult because the parents are working so you can drop them off before going to work and the student can get their extra help. It's a great idea. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> I lost it. >> He lost zero. >> Yeah, he lost. So, he's got >> Yeah. I could lose anything. My mind, too. [Laughter] There'll be a time where you won't have to hold my hand. I promise. I thought today was that day. >> Thank you. >> What would I do without him? >> I wouldn't have been able to do that. Thank you, sir. Get a
049man. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Good. With that, that's my report. >> Thank you. Uh let's see. So, at this time, we'll open to the public. Uh opening public comments on any agenda or non-aggenda items. State your name, address for the record. Address the board president. Each person wishing to speak will have five minutes each. Anyone wishing to speak will be given the opportunity to do so. Hello, Kevin Lion, 77 Clinton Place. I'm here representing the East Rutherford PTA uh to give the board an update on all of our great activities. Uh so far, membership is at 220 members. That's a 15% increase from last year. Uh thank you, Mr. Garfield because he's been a real cheerleader for us at every uh back to school night and encouraging people to join and
050encouraging our staff to join as well. So, thank you for your support for PTA. Um many fundraising programs are going on. As I've said before, PTA spends a lot of time in the fall raising money so we can spend a lot of time in the spring spending money. Um our back tochool spiritware completed on September 30th. We earned a commission on the sales of $345. Our spiritware can be purchased online all year round. It's just there's certain time periods when there's special sales and other sale opportunities will come up throughout the year and we'll post those on our Facebook and Instagram. Uh Panera Bread hosted a dine and donate earlier this week on October 14th. Uh we earned a donation back to our group for $75. And Wendy's is hosting the next Dine and Donate
051event on November 18th. Uh Blaze Pizza in Teterboro will host one in January and Jersey Mike's will come back in February for another event with them. Uh the Scholastic Bookf Fair has completed both at McKenzie and the Lincoln FA schools. Uh PTA's total earnings for book both bookf fairs was $3,461, an increase from last year. So we thank all of our parents and families and students who bought lots of books and we hope you're enjoying reading those. Uh, our BNL photographers were at all three schools back on October 2nd for picture day. PTA volunteers were on hand to assist the BNL staff and the students to make sure everything went smoothly. And picture retakes are and the eighth grade cap and gown photos are scheduled for Friday, December 5th. So, that will be be posted
052as well. And, uh, flyers will go home with the students to remind them on that. Uh, we are going to have a Gertude Hawk candy sale for the December holidays. We had one last spring and it went very well. So, we're hoping this one will go well as as go well too. Uh families and friends can order either online or we'll have paper forms and the candy pickup will be at one of the schools in early December. We'll coordinate that with one of the PR with the principles. Um our gifts and things little shoppers are providing the products for our holiday shop. Those are already scheduled. Lincoln and FA for the week of December 8th. And McKenzie school the shop will be December 16th. excuse me, December 16th through the 18th. And our eighth grade
053committee has also been very active. They hosted the snack stand at the town's glow garden pumpkin patch and movie night. That was on October 3rd. And they also pumpkin patch at the very rainy but fun fall festival that we had this past weekend. Um we are participating some of our events coming up. We are participating in the McKenzie we did participate sorry in McKenzie back to school night back on September 30th. We had our um table where parents could come and learn about us and join the PTA and our book fair was also available for parents to shop that evening. Um we also appreciate that all three principles brought Maria Russo from the East Rutherford Memorial Library to each of the back to school nights so parents could interact with her. Uh she does a
054lot for our town's children through the East Rutherford Memorial Library and we thank Maria for being available all three nights. Um we have a ongoing paint pumpkin painting contest. All entries are due tomorrow. Uh students are encouraged to paint a pumpkin, send a picture of it to the PTA and we'll have some winners announced early next week and prizes awarded for the best pumpkins. Um our annual trunk or treat event, one of our largest events of the year is hosted with coordination with the East Rotherford Police Department. It will be held on Friday, October 24th at the police department's uh parking lot on I think it's 117 Stanley Street uh right by the um Marshalls and Aldi Plaza right there. Uh trunks and volunteers are still needed. I think we have about 15 trunks so
055far, but we like to have about 20 to 25. Um and we do request that only East Rutherford residents attend. Uh we do know that some neighboring towns like to also come but we try to limit it to our East Rutherford students and families. Uh PTA will be providing our staff lunch um for with Jersey Mike's lunch at all three schools for the parent teacher conference day which is got the full October 29th. Uh last year we did that in the spring conference and it went over very well. the teachers who don't have a lot of time to between finishing the half day of school and getting ready for conferences, they'll have lunch right there at the school for them. Um, and also in coordination with Lincoln School, we host an annual Thanksgiving feast uh
056for our fourth and fifth graders. And we've scheduled that for the Wednesday, the half-day Wednesday just before Thanksgiving holiday, which is November 26th. So, those are some of the upcoming events as well. And I just wanted to mention October is National Principles Month. So on behalf of the PTA, I want to thank Mrs. Barali, Mr. Valardi, and Mr. Barrow for all their work that they do. They're incredible principles who lead with dedication and inspiration for all of our students and staff, and their impact is invaluable, and we thank them very much. And that is my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else? No. Okay. I closed to the public. Uh correspondence to members of the board. There are none. Um we'll adopt our prior board meeting minutes. Upon the recommendation of the interim superintendent,
057the board hereby approves the following meeting minutes. September 2nd, 2025 special uh session meeting minutes. September 2nd, 2025 special session executive meeting minutes. September 18th, 2025 work session meeting minutes. September 18th, 2025 work session executive meeting minutes. September 25th, 2025 public session meeting minutes. September 25th, 2025 public session executive meeting minutes. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Second. >> Motion. >> I motion. >> Sorry. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie is absent. Miss Mena. >> Yes. >> Mr. Anders, >> yes. >> Shley, >> yes. >> Mr. Banker, >> yes. >> And Miss Laruso, >> yes. >> Okay. Well, moving on to superintendent resolutions. Upon the recommendation of the interim superintendent, the board hereby approves motion S1 through S4. S1 approval of fire and emergency drill
058report. S2 approval of enrollment report. S3, approval of harassment, intimidation, and bullying monthly report. S4, approval of school safety data report period 2, January 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2025. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. Miss >> Quali is absent. Miss Mena, >> yes. >> Mr. Sanders, >> yes. Miss Shmley, >> yes. >> Mr. Banker, >> yes. >> And Miss Laruso, >> yes. >> Curriculum committee, Miss Shemley. >> Thank you, Madame President. Upon the recommendation of the interimm superintendent, the board hereby approves motion C1. C1, approval, trips, and transportation requests for the 2025 2026 school year. Second. Any discussion? Roll. Roll call. >> Miss Caruso. >> Yes. >> Collie is absent. Miss Mena. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sanders. >> Yes. >> Miss Shmley. >> Yes. >> The banker. >>
059Yes. >> And Miss Laruso? >> Yes. That concludes my report. Thank you. Uh personnel committee. Miss Caruso. >> Thank you, Madam President. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board hereby approves P1, approve the Kelly Education Substitute List. P2, personnel actions. P3, approval of travel expenditures. P4, approval of the afterchool academic intervention program appointment for the 2025 2026 school year. P5, approval of the BCBA supervision within the district. P6, approval of the appointment of the interim supervisor of curriculum and instruction. And P7, approval of leave. >> Second. >> Any discussion? I just want to say I'm I'm very pleased to see how many of our own staff will be uh doing the afterchool intervention program this year. I'm ve very very pleased. Okay. Anybody else? Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Call is
060absent. Miss Mena. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sanders. >> Yes. >> M. >> Shmley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Banker. >> Yes. >> Miss Laruso. >> Yes. And that ends my report. Madam President. >> Thank you. >> Uh, physical facilities committee. Mr. Sanders. >> Thank you, Madam President. Upon the recommendation of the interim superintendent, the board hereby approves motions PF1 through PF2. PF1, approval of monthly facility calendar November 2025. PF2, approval of district use for facility applications. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. Roll call. >> Miss Caruso. >> Yes. >> Miss Collie is absent. Miss Mena. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sanders? >> Yes. >> Miss Shmley? >> Yes. Yes, >> the banka. >> Yes, >> Miss Laruso. >> Yes. >> And that ends my report. >> Thank you. Uh community relations, there's uh no new uh no
061new business. Uh technology committee, Miss Man, do you have anything to report? >> Thank you, Madam President. We have no resolutions, but we do have some updates for technology. uh the information security program plan. The district continues to proactively evaluate all appropriate district technologies to ensure the safety and security of our data and information systems. Planning of scheduled maintenance and improvements for the 2526 school year is ongoing and scans are being scheduled to test our systems. -ate purchasing for the 2526 school year is ongoing to support the technology infrastructure across the district. Work to fulfill components of the plan has commenced with improvements to infrastructure being a focal point. Student device distribution has been completed for students who have satisfied all requirements. Fine lists have been created and the technology department continues to send notices
062to the families of any students with outstanding fines. Fines must be resolved prior to receiving district-owned technology. The district continues to use Genesis to share and collect data from families through the forms portal to allow for efficient and paperless communications. Annual forms have been loaded to parent accounts and should be completed should have been completed prior to September. Parents are encouraged to download the Parent Square app to ensure all communications at both the district and school level. This year, teachers will communicate with families directly via parent square. We are excited to further the use of the platform in collaboration with our school community. And lastly, the district continues to evaluate varying technology platforms to help support productivity, efficiency, and instruction within the district. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you.
063Any discussion? No. Okay. Thank you. Um, finance committee, Mr. Banka. >> Thank you, Madam President. Upon recommendation of the interim superintendent, the board hereby approves motions F1 through F8. F1 approval of for excuse me approval of payroll for September 2025. F2 approval to amend F2 approval of tuition extraordinary service contracts and agreements for the 202520 year is approved at the September 25 2025 meeting. F3 approval to submit a comprehensive maintenance plan for 2025 2026. F4, approval of financial reports of August 2025. F5, approval of transfer report, August 2025. F6, acceptance and approval of proposal from an on-site Fleet Service, Inc. F7, approval of bills list. F8, resolution for budget transfer exceeding 10% a general fund appropriation account. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay, roll call. >> Miss Caruso, >> yes. While >> he's absent, Miss
064Mena, >> yes. >> Mr. Sanders, >> yes. >> Shemley, >> yes. >> The banker, >> yes. >> And Miss Laruso, >> yes. >> That concludes my report, Madam President. >> Thank you. Um, any old business? Any new business? Um, I had a just a question. um when they were mentioning their assemblies for Wildcats of the month and stuff like that. Um can we get a list of those names so like we can read them out at our board meetings or get them posted as long as there's parental permission like photo permission a spot on our website to honor those students? >> Do we put them on the electric board outside? Um, I don't know. But >> we could I could I can do the names. That's easy. >> I could do the names from each
065school grade level. I mean, right. By probably by grade level. Yeah, >> I could do that. That's easy. >> I think all three schools do something, right? I know. >> Um, >> I could probably even catch up and get if they have September, I could probably put September in October. >> Yeah, that would be great. I think the parents would like >> back to back and then November. That was We used to do that. That's a big deal. >> Yeah, >> I I could do Yeah. And I think the kids would like seeing their names like somewhere or >> you don't put them on the website already. >> I didn't I was just I was just looking and I didn't see it anywhere. So, but yeah, I thought you know on our website or something
066a spot for the Wildcats of the month or something. >> So, >> the marquee outside. Is it Lucas or you? >> Okay. Well, one's not here. One's somewhere else. Okay. So, it's one of them two. >> Okay. Pete. Okay, I got it. >> Okay, >> Pete, I'll get him. >> You know, >> I think >> Yeah. >> But there's like a separate No, it's not a separate computer. >> You do. We do teacher of the month at all. >> That's how they do. >> It's already programmed for >> We'll get there. >> Thank you. >> We'll get there. >> Do we do teacher of the month? like or a staff member of the month >> or staff member of the month because that would be something nice I think to do as well to highlight
067the teachers efforts and then place them on the board as well. >> Let me run that by the era because sometimes they sometimes for it sometimes they think it causes you know the headaches. It's kind of like when you pick teacher of the year like some they don't like it. It's it's some places don't some places do. I don't have an issue with it. I'll just like the district I work in, we do it a Google form goes out to the all the staff members and we usually do um one teacher and one par professional. Yeah. >> Or staff member because like the custodian had gotten our golden apple or the secretary has gotten the golden apple but it's just like a staff member of the month and a like a paraprofessional of the month.
068So, oh look at you >> local lunch, you know that day or whatever it is that would be. >> Okay. Anything else? Nope. Okay. Um, I will open to the public once again uh comments on at this point any non-aggenda items. Uh, state your name and address for the record. Address the board president. Each person wishing to speak will have five minutes. Anyone wishing to speak will have the opportunity to do so. No. Okay. close uh to the public at this time or do we have stuff for exec? >> I don't have anything. >> Oh, >> anybody else? Anybody else have anything? >> I don't know. >> You have nothing for us either. >> Okay. >> All righty. There you go. >> I I do want to publicly wish Mr. Banker a happy birthday today.
069>> He likes to hide. Likes to hide, not tell anybody. I found out. >> Thank you. >> Oh, and now you >> and a happy anniversary to >> Yes. Happy anniversary. Happy. >> All right. So, at this time, since we're not going into executive session, our next board of education meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13th. Uh, >> well, that was the >> I do have some just quick new business. Check your email. I sent you a sample just a sample >> project. So that's it's a work in progress. If that's the kind of way you want to run, I'll get it to be a little more beefed up. But I just I was thinking that might be along the lines. I don't think we want them standing there for an hour, right? >>
070But I think if they're like they get 20 to 30 minutes, gives you time to ask questions and things like that >> and you know you're looking for certain keys on what you're looking for. So that should work. So, so what did we discuss? >> That was my question is just so the public knows too. So they don't show up for a board meeting and we're we immediately go to >> exact short work session and then holding or are we just making that a special >> I think we want to just make that a special meeting with that and the following week we'll go into executive first and then run our regular meeting. >> Okay. And then maybe we'll pu push back the time this way the kids don't unless you want to start it
071go into ex I don't know how you want to do that because I have it advertised that's why >> so I have it down I think what we agreed upon if my calendar is correct after the last week I have it put down at 5:00 pm for the 13th >> for the 13th correct >> yes correct >> okay so rewind >> and you can actually do the same thing for if you can do the same thing even if you go 5:30 the following week to go into executive just to your work session >> because then we can review the agenda, do what we have to do or >> I get out early. I have no issues. I know that I don't know if the others with their jobs coming back from the city. I'm >>
072I just don't want to tie the kids up just >> does that work for everybody, >> right? Maybe we have them come an hour later that day because we can go in and take care of our business and then it should run just like it did today. The meeting. >> Okay. So, November 13th, we are cancelling. We're keeping the meeting, but it's not going to be our work session. It's going to be a special meeting. We are going to do our round two of superintendent interviews. >> Exact board, right? >> Yeah. >> What? No, not publicly. No. >> Um, so that will be at >> 5:00 p.m. >> 5 o'clock. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, so Mr. Laruso, then uh my office will send out a sunshine notice. >> Special meeting second round superintendent interview.
073>> Uh Mr. Coin, should we put just in case to protect the board action may be taken? >> Yeah, it doesn't hurt. >> Okay, so we'll do that. And am I changing the time for the 20th because that'll be another sunshine notice. >> That was that meeting 13th scheduled as a work session? >> Yes. So yeah, I wouldn't >> um >> we're changing the time too. >> You're just changing the the agenda really. Otherwise, if you have to issue a special meeting notice looks a little different. >> Yeah, because it's all that's on there. Just just >> you got advertise what it's for though. >> Yeah. >> Like just just the agenda will be to interview those candidates >> just to be safe. >> Just changing the time. just >> changing the time and that
074it's a special meeting and it has to do with superintendent interview >> because we're not doing anything else. Correct. >> I think just don't call it a special meeting. Just say meeting time's going to be this and then okay >> board's going to exclusively focus on interviews formal action taken something like that. >> Okay. So they'll call it a special meeting >> then you got issue agenda to the extent it's just a different looking animal. >> So what kind of meeting should we call it? just a regular. >> So, it'll still be our work session, but our focus is going to be >> round two interviews of superintendent candidates >> and then the meeting of the 20th. All you're really doing is changing the order on the agenda if you if you're going through the
075work session executive first and then come out and do your regular meeting. >> Yeah, I don't think we have to. I I guess it's better for you guys, too. It's more convenient like so everybody can get here and do your thing. 20th. >> I I'm confident that you'll be out at a at a good time. >> so the 20th, we're not changing the time on the 20th. >> 6 p.m. >> No. >> Okay. We're going to keep it at 6 p.m. >> We can have the kids come at their regular time, let them report. >> You could open and then we can go into the work session, right? >> And then continue on with our business, >> right? If we have any reason to go in, we might not have any reason to go in
076anyway. So >> do that. >> So the 20th work session and regular session. >> Yep. Yeah. Basically. Yeah. Going to combine them. Okay. So I'm not doing anything for the 20th. It's it is a public session. >> Public session. >> Still public session. >> So the only thing is the 13th we're going to put out a sunshine notice at 5:00 p.m. >> And the intent is for second round of superintendent candidate interview. >> Okay. So, just to recap all of that mishmash, November 13th time at 5:00 pm, it will be round two of our superintendent interviews in executive session. Um, action may be taken and then our next public meeting will be November 20th at 6 PM. >> Regular time. Okay. Uh motion to adjurnn. So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >>
077Any opposed? Meeting adjourned.