001in a minute. Call this meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the 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 and 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.erbboe.net. net. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for
002a moment of silence. Um, for our armed forces, police department, fire department, and first responders, >> 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. >> Miss Collie >> here. >> Miss Meta is absent as well as Mr. Sanders. Miss Shemley >> here. >> Mr. Banka is absent and Miss Laruso >> here. Uh fire exits are located to the front and out to your left. Um so at this time uh I need a motion to accept the rec recognition and appreciation of Giovani A Jean Caspro. >> So moved. Second. Roll call. Miss >> Caruso, >> yes. >> Miss Collie, >> yes.
003>> Miss Mena and Mr. Sanders are absent. Miss Shmley, >> yes. >> Mr. Bank is absent. And Miss Laruso, >> yes. Okay. So here's um in recognition of appreciation of Giovani AG and Caspro whereas Giovani AG and Caspro has faithfully served as superintendent of schools for the East Rutherford Board of Education from July 1st 2016 through August 31st, 2025, dedicating himself to the education and success of the children of the East Rutherford public schools. And whereas throughout his distinguished career in education, Giovani A. Gene Caspro has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and steadfast commitment to the academic excellence. And whereas he has met challenges with determination and innovation, ensuring that the educational needs of all students were met while fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and achievement. And whereas Giovani AG and Caspro has served the
004East Rutherford public school district and the community with honor, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. And whereas the members of the board of education and the entire community are grateful for his outstanding service, leadership, and contributions to the district and to the children of East Rutherford. Now therefore be it resolved that the East Rutherford Board of Education hereby acknowledges and commends Giovani AG and Caspro for his years of dedicated service, his commitment to the educational excellence and his lasting impact on the student staff and community. And be it further resolved that the adoption of this resolution, Giovani Ag and Caspro's service and accomplishments shall be formally recorded in the official minutes and preserved as part of the permanent history of the district. And be it finally resolved that the East Rutherford Board of Education extends its warmest
005wishes to Giovani AG and Caspro for every success, happiness, and fulfillment in all future endeavors. This resolution shall take effect immediately adopted this 21st day of August, 2025. Okay. All right. So, this um I'm going to kind of suspend the order of things because I know you find people here are not here to hear us speak. You're here for him. So, I'm going to open to public comments on just Mr. Jean Caspro at this time. Um, anybody wishing to speak will be given the opportunity to do so and come on up. State your name and address for the record. >> Mayor Jeffrey need >> No, that's not right. >> Mayor Jeffrey Lulia, Burrow of East Rutherford, 58 River Street, East Rutherford. I have Councilman Laruso here with me and um I'd like to just say
006a couple of brief words. My relationship with Giovani goes back even further than him to his dad because I served on the school board, the local school board in Crossstead with his dad. Then I moved, I married my wife, we moved back to East Rutherford. And um you've been involved with this town, I guess, 24 years now between being an educator, superintendent, nine years as a superintendent here. You've done a lot for this community. We were involved when the referendum was being put forward, three times the charm. Um, back then I wasn't I had more hair and I wasn't on blood pressure medication, but that goes with the territory. But as you all know, what brings residents to your town? What's the first thing that brings a young family to your town? It's your school
007system. And what you've done here with improving the schools, the parents are grateful. Us as the governing body, you're grateful. The children are grateful. you have something that you can sit back on and say, and I'm not saying that your career is over. You might decide to do something else, but looking back on what you did here in East Rutherford, you should be extremely proud and it's a legacy. Thank you very much. So, I have a proclamation here. I'll read this real quick. Whereas, Giovani Gene Caspar grew up in Carlstead and was a graduate of Beckton Regional High School. And whereas Giovani began his career as a teacher, teachers aid in 1999 and through the years worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a principal. And whereas Giovani was hired as superintendent of East
008Rutherford public schools in March of 2016. And whereas during the time Giovani led the district as it passed the New Jersey quality single accountability uh continuum multiple times. And whereas Giovani oversaw the passage of a $35.5 million school referendum for FA and the new Lincoln school in 2020 and oversaw the completion of the referendum project in 2023 despite projects delays and impacts from COVID. Whereas Giovani managed and successfully adopted uh adoption of the universal prek via state aid in 2024, created free preschool, eliminating the long wait list for East Rutherford parents. And whereas Giovani Jean Caspar will be retiring from the position as superintendent of East Rutherford public school system effective August 31st, 2025. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor Jeffrey J. Holy on behalf of all the members of the governing body
009and the parents of East Rutherford hereby thank Giovani Gian Caspar for his dedicated and tireless efforts to the students and we wish him well on his retirement and all his future endeavors. >> Uh Councilman Laruso would like to say a couple quick words. >> I just want to say thank you. It was a pleasure working with you on the referendum. For those of you, I don't want to get too into it, but you know, I came into the into politics very late in the cycle in 2019, and there was two reasons. One, I won't get into because I don't want to mention any names. And number two was to get the school built. I saw what you were up against. It was a pleasure to work handinhand with you that as a guy who went
010to this to this school. I knew it needed to be improved. My father went to that school. I knew it needed to be improved. So, you have a lasting impact on this district and we cannot thank you enough. And I personally can't thank you enough. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you and best of luck again. >> All right. So, I get to speak to you tonight not as a board member, but as a vice president of the East Rutherford PTA. Um, so on behalf of the PTA, we'd like to offer a heartfelt thank you to a man who has not only led our school district for the past nine years, excuse me, but who has also been a partner to our organization, Mr. Jean Caspro, for almost a decade. You have worked handinand
011with us and have been a great supporter of all of our endeavors. You didn't just support our ideas from afar as you participated in PTA meetings each month um to give updates to our community, attended our annual tricky tray event with your family, um, and donated to our fundraisers. Your willingness to open the school buildings to our events allowed us to host everything from book fairs to family fun nights, creating a stronger sense of community and support for our students. This level of collaboration is something that we as a PTA have always valued. Tonight, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your support and dedication to the students and families of East Rutherford. You've always believed in the work we do, and that belief has made all the difference. for your commitment and partnership.
012Um, we have a little award here and it says, uh, with our deepest gratitude for your dedication and leadership as superintendent of schools from the East Rutherford. Um, so please join me in congratulating Mr. Jean Casper on his retirement and we wish you all the best in your next chapter. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Add to the goodie table over here. Thank anybody else. Hi everyone. Mr. J, this is Jay and family. Um, it's hard to follow that. I'm just going to keep it short, which I'm not usually short about things. Um, as our administrative team, we'd like to thank you for your years of service, dedication. We want to congratulate you u health and happiness with your family and your future endeavors. Uh, we appreciate you uh your dedication and accomplishments
013as mayor had noted and all the other speakers to follow. Uh we appreciate the the administrative team mentality and the family mentality that you brought within us. Open your your arms to uh your family and ours. So as we always say, once a wild cat, always a wildcat. Uh we wish you all the best. Uh we'll see you in six months. Uh congratulations. Take a Anybody else? No. Okay. I will close uh comments from the public. Um at this time, I'd like to say a few words on behalf of the board of education. Um so, for the past nine years, you've led the district through some of its biggest challenges and some of its proudest moments. You worked in achievement. You got you helped guide us through a referendum that shaped the future of our
014schools and you kept this community moving forward during the toughest days of CO. Uh none of that was easy, but you never lost focus on what mattered most, our students, our staff, and our families. What makes tonight even more special is that your story comes full circle. Growing up in Carlstat, graduating from Beckton, you've always been a Wildcat at heart. This community shaped you and in turn, you've spent your career giving back and shaping it for the next generation. Your leadership has made last has made a lasting difference. You've shown us what it means to keep moving forward through obstacles and to always put the kids first. So tonight, we simply want to say thank you. Thank you for your nine years of service, your dedication, and your heart for this community. You've left this
015district stronger than when you found it, and that's a legacy to be proud of. We wish you nothing but the best as you move on as you move into this next chapter. Congratulations on your retirement, and again, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Oh, okay. You know, it's funny. They say you retire, you you're supposed to be happy and great, right? But it's so bittersweet. It really, really is because uh it hits home. It really does. Do I have a few words? And I know like Mr. Barrow's got me beat, but I have a few words. My words are a little bit longer than yours, Mr. Barrow. Yeah, Mr. Barrow. You and I always in competition with long speeches, right? That's okay. I love my whole
016administrative team. They know that. So, good evening friends, colleagues, uh, Bergen County officials, uh, as well as Pake County in which I served, the families of East Rutherford, and my heart, the children of East Rutherford, as well as the PTA, mayor and council, an extended community. Standing here tonight feels both humbling and surreal. for so many years of my life's rhythm calendar. The excellent the excitement of September, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with June. I've been blessed to serve in a role where my guiding compass was always clear. Our students come first. Always. every decision, every discussion, every late night and very early morning. It was never about me. It was about them, the young people of the East Rutherford School District and any district that
017I had served to entrust us with their hopes, their challenges, and their greatest potential. And the truth is, while I may be retiring from the role of the superintendent of schools of the East Rutherford School District, I am not retiring from my purpose. I still plan to make a difference and to do what's right and just always and no matter what, and to help wherever I can. As I reflect on this journey, I keep coming back to a simple yet profound something that I learned from a palm tree. My ministry has heard this already. Whenever I see a palm tree, I find myself exhaling a little deeper. Does anyone else feel that way when they look at a palm tree and how beautiful it is? There's just something about them. They're tall, they're calm, they're
018graceful. But recently, I learned something that made me see them in a whole new way. We all know palm trees don't snap in hurricanes. They bend. They lean low. Sometimes almost horizontally, but they rise again when the storm passes. I always admired their resilience. But here's what I didn't know. Their strength is not only in their flexibility, but in their roots. Palm trees intertwine their roots with those around them quietly underground creating a bond that makes them never unshakable. Their strength is multiplied in community. And when I heard that, I thought that's exactly what we are meant to live and how we are meant to live. Not isolated, not one thought, not pretending. We can weather every storm alone, but rooted in something bigger than ourselves. Supporting one another when our strength isn't enough. And
019there were times when I thought that my strength wasn't enough. This is how I tried to lead. Not as a solitary figure, but as part of an interwoven root system of students, educators, staff, family, county, and state officials, and the greater community of every district I served in. We held each other up. We shared the weight. And together, we stood strong for our students, especially our Wildcats. Look in Psalm 92:12 says, "The righteous will flourish like the palm tree. We flourish not because we are unshakable on our own, but because we are rooted in something bigger and someone deeper, the children of this amazing county of Bergen and Pay counties as well as the state of New Jersey. However, included in the supported interwoven root system for me has always been my family, my amazing
020wife who's never left my side, and she's here today. The love of my life, my partner in every sense of the word, the person who has steadied me through the winds when they blew the hardest. My daughters Dominique and Veronica, you are my pride and my joy. You have grown into women who inspire me daily with their strength, your kindness, and your brilliance learned from mom and I, and in tandem with Bergen County Schools and their fine educators. And to my son-in-laws, Eric and Daniel, you are more than family by marriage. You are my family by heart. And I am so proud to call you not my son-in-laws, but my sons. to my mom, my dad, my stepmom and dad, my sister and her wife, and my in-laws. You've never end your neverending love and
021encouragement have been part of the foundation that keeps me ticking and steady in every season. And of course, I cannot forget the angels from above, especially my grandparents who never saw me as an administrator, but I know they're watching over my wife's grandparents and most of all my father-in-law. I feel that they are here with me tonight. Their roots still intertwine in mine. Their love and example still guide me from above. Tonight, I stand before all of you with profound gratitude. East Rutherford community, Bergen County and Pacific counties, the two counties that mean the most to me. To the county officials, to my superintendent colleagues, both past and present. Thank you for your intertwining your roots and mine and allowing us to grow together in service of something far greater than ourselves. To the teachers
022past and present, whose dedication to our students have been nothing but short of inspiring. To the administrators who roll up their sleeves every single day, no matter what, tirelessly to solve the challenges we both face with. No one's never ever left alone. To the families who entrusted us with the most precious gift, their children, my wildcats, and to the community who believes in our shared mission, gave us the strength and purpose to persevere. You are the reason that I was able to send to stand tall and even face those wind blown times. But above all, I thank our students. You have always been and will always remain the reason be behind everything that I do. You are the heart of public education, the light and the guidance that guide our path and the inspiration behind
023every decision we as administrators make. It has always been and will always be about putting all students first. All of my friends here today, let's keep showing up for each other. Let's keep the roots growing deep. As I turn the next page of my life, I do so with gratitude, with hope, and with a heart still committed to the same mission. To care, to connect, and to stand for what is right. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to serve and to lead this amazing town of East Rutherford and to walk alongside all of you. Whether I'm here or not, we've been through the storms together. We have risen together just like the palm trees. May you all keep flourishing. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank all
024of you. Thank you. And on the table there's a little something from the district for for you. >> Oh, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you very much. >> Um, we'll take a little break if you want to Sure. take pictures with your family. Yes. All right, back to the regular order of business. School business administrators report. Mr. Varra. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, I'm going to begin my report with the buildings and grounds supervisor report as of August 7th. Uh I am pleased to present this month's operations report and to share that our custodial maintenance and transportation departments are currently operating smoothly and efficiently. Each team has demonstrated a strong commitment to their responsibilities of keeping our facilities clean and safe, ensuring maintenance projects remain on schedule, and providing reliable, well-coordinated transportation
025services. Thanks to preventative strategies, timely inspections, and consistent communication, we continue to see positive progress as we prepare for the upcoming school year. While we remain alert and adaptive to any emerging needs, we are confident in the current stability, performance, and overall readiness of all three departments. On to custodial cleaning efforts. Summer cleaning is well underway and remaining on track to be completed before the start of the school year. There are weekly meetings with the custodial maintenance staff to review current progress and address any concerns or feedbacks they may have. These ongoing conversations are essential in keeping everyone aligned with district expectations and ensuring that we are fully prepared to provide a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our students, staff, and visitors as we approach the new school year. There have been a few
026custodial interviews. Actually, on the agenda tonight, we are hiring uh up for a full-time custodia at McKenzie School. Wonderful candidate. maintenance update. Uh, pendant and completed projects. Uh, the gym floor resurfacing completed except McKenzie, but that might have been completed already. Grease trap cleaning has been completed. The kitchen hood safety control inspections and replacements completed. Fire extinguisher inspections uh waiting for the contractor schedule. Uh, bus fire system inspection and fire extinguishing services. I think that was completed. TMCO roof. If you've uh roofing performed a quarterly maintenance for Lincoln, FA, and McKenzie, the roof replacement did happen last week. They're just doing a a few minor uh touch-ups here and there. Uh but overall, uh everything went smoothly with the with the roof replacement in the building that we're in. Uh town fire inspections uh schedule
027began on Monday, August 4th, districtwide. Fire suppression system inspections uh were com are still pending. Uh and then when was this back? The transformer, the Lincoln school transformer. This was back when was it? Yeah. When you were Yes. When you Yes. Uh when we we had that freak storm, it actually uh took out power to this building to Lincoln. PSNG came realized that it was a blowing transformer. Uh I have to thank my colleagues, the staff that they housed us to the people who work in this building for their understanding that we had to uh go to another location. I also have to thank them for also being able to relocate um uprooted themselves for for a week while the uh the roof project was going on. So I have to thank them for their
028flexibility. Uh Lincoln school AC issues. I I do have to commend Mr. about Johnny and his uh maintenance crew on this. I I really do. Uh several issues were identified and confirmed by the HVAC contractor and they are currently being addressed. In the meantime, our maintenance team has provided significant cost savings to the district. Approximately $18,000 by cleaning the chiller coils at Lincoln and FA with McKenzie scheduled to be next. So instead of uh having a vendor do this, they did it themselves, bringing a substantial savings to the district. uh transportation update. We on the agenda is a part-time bus aid and lunch aid. Uh lunch aid will be at FA and bus aid for the morning and afternoon. >> Uh let's see next is >> can just add Mr. >> Yes. So just I
029want to just publicly thank I you know I met with the custodial team and the maintenance team over the summer. Um I I I agree with everything you said there um Mr. Raji. uh Mr. Batiscani has taken the maintenance and custodial team to a whole new level. Um it's it's great and it's nice to sit in a meeting where you just listen and you don't really do any talking, right? You just listen and and the dynamic between the professional custodial and maintenance team that we have is just great. You know, where Mr. Abatas County is able to empower his team to make decisions and not be told what to do all the time, right? You know, they it's nice having that two-way communication. It's really nice. And you know, it's hard because when we have
030ESY over at Mackenzie School, that's the last school to get finished. And we did have, you know, some scheduling craziness, you know, with vacations and things like that. And we were able to manage that. So, I want to thank Mr. Batiscani as well as Mr. Varachi uh with overtime and working hard to try to get the schools done and they're safe. Uh it's a really really welloiled machine and um I'm proud to say that the schools will be ready to go 20 for the 25 26 school year. So, right where you at, Mr. Varachi. >> Well, to piggy back off you, I don't deserve any of credit really. It goes to Mr. Our custodial and maintenance crew. I mean, even though people are on vacation, they pick up the slack and they it's all hands
031on deck and uh um they may not hear it enough, but you know, credit to them for always keeping our schools in top shape and always having them ready. And I'm sure if the board goes to the schools, you'll you'll be very pleased with the with the way the schools are. So uh you know my hats off to to all those in the maintenance and custodial. Also I want to thank the bus drivers too over the summer you know for helping out and the bus aids you know it's a thankless job but anytime I get I see them I always try to thank them. Thank you for the service you provide to our students and you know it goes a long way. Okay moving on. Uh PF1 is the approval of the monthly facilities calendar
032for September 2025. PF2 is the approval of the district use of facilities. That is for application 159. That is for the ERPTA public meetings. And application 160 is for the ice cream social at McKenzie school gym on September 2nd from 3 to 6:00 p.m. PF3 is the approval of the hazardous routes courtesy bus routes for the 2526 school year. PF4, no changes. uh the approval of the district bus stops for the 2025 20226 school year. PF5, the approval of bus driver and bus aid assignments for the 2025 2026 school year. PF6, approval of the East Rutherford School District maintenance manual for the 2526 school year. PF7, the approval of the custodian manual for the 2526 school year. MPF8 is the approval of the East Rotherford School District bus pamphlet for the 2526 school year. Now
033on to finance. F1 is the approval of payroll for July 2025. F2 is the approval of tuition and extraordinary services contracts and agreements for the 2025 2026 school year. F3, we do this every year, the approval of the East Rotherford purchasing manual for the 2526 school year as well as P uh S F4, the standard operating manual. The purchasing manual is always up on the district website. Uh I let the staff know. Uh I have to thank Mr. Higgins for always, you know, anytime I ask him to put something on the website, he's he answers me within a moment. So I have to thank Mr. Higgins for his assistance. uh this is shared with staff with the with the administrators for their for their reference. F5 is a resolution for member participation in the ESCJ
034cooperative pricing system. They are one of the bigger co-ops in the state of New Jersey. F6 after so many months approval to change the cell phone carrier from T-Mo from I'm sorry from Verizon to T-Mobile. Currently, we've worked very hard to cut out lines that are not necessary. So, I did a little math. We would be saving $7.24 per line, which is approximately around $130 a month per savings. We're going to give it a try. We're going to get new phones. Let's see how it works. If it does, if it's not good at the end of the contract, we can always go back to Verizon, but I think it was uh, you know, worth something to explore. So, I want to uh thank Mr. banker for bringing it to my attention. I want to thank
035Mr. Jan Casper for his support. Uh, and we're going to give this a try. Uh, F7, approval of the bills list. F8, approval of the financial reports. I I have to thank Mr. Rozie because I was on the phone all day with her Monday and Tuesday to get this resolved. Reason why is that the auditors here and we had to get these reports completed in order for for the business office to do the rollover of budgetary. So, I have to thank Miss Terzi. She probably doesn't get enough credit in public from me, so I have to thank her publicly. Uh, and F9 is the approval of the transfers report for June 2025. Uh, this report as well as F8 will go to the county office. They require these reports twice uh twice a year. >>
036Yeah, I think so. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> No. I have one thing. >> What? Go ahead. >> Are we going to have enough votes if I can't vote on PF2? >> No. >> At the table for next, >> but the event is before. Can the superintendent approve it? And then >> PF2. >> You have to. It's the PTA application. >> She doesn't benefit. >> So, can I vote on it? Do I have to recuse myself? >> There's no money. Nope. >> No, it's just use a facility. I can vote on it. Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah, Drew, it's the ice. Well, >> and their monthly and their monthly meetings. >> Yeah. >> All right. But thank you for bringing that. No, thank you for bringing that up, Miss Callie. You know, it's always good
037to ask. >> Oh, >> okay. >> Wait, I'm jumping ahead, but Alex on um >> Yes. >> the approval of the minutes. >> Yes. >> Yeah, because I have to recuse myself from two meeting minutes, the 17th. So, those will have to go on. >> So, we can table you can vote them next month. >> I know, but I didn't want it to open up to that and then be >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. That's not >> Okay. So, let me >> We've done that before. >> Although, I know, but I didn't want to open it up and then you get to me and be like, you're going to hate me. >> Oh, >> just don't move it. >> Table. >> Okay. >> The first time it just don't move it. >> So, we're going
038to Okay, >> that's all. >> But I made a note that we're going to table it for September. So, this way this way Miss Baron knows to include them on September. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yep. I figured I should jump on. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's good. >> Appreciate it. [Music] >> Okay. Anybody else? No. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Verace. >> You're welcome, Madam President. >> Uh, Mr. Gian Caspro. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam President. So for McKenzie school 389 students 227 students at FA 160 students at Lincoln and out of district is 8 784 students again just keep this mind it's it's fluid we can change you know up and down over the last week before school starts um we did have all of our fire drills and evacuation drills for the
039month of July but we had nothing for August because there are no students in the building um HIV of course zero and hopefully that number stays zero all year. We always like the the number zero in that area. Um for for my part of my presentation is all students and staff schedules um are pretty much done and completed. We're just working on a few um schedules. Um what I do is every summer I look through all the schedules of the students um to see where they are. teaching schedules, making sure that they're aligned to um observation schedules that one administrator is not heavier than another. Um looking at class assignments, looking at our special education students and making sure that IEPs follow up with their with their schedules. Um so doing all of those things,
040we're we're pretty close. District staffing for the 2526 welcome back letter. Um I want to thank um Mr. Scarfield who started this past Monday. um been keeping him up to speed on what's going on. He and I work very nicely together. I want to thank him for um sending out the welcome letter to the district staff, to the parents of the East Rutherford School community. Uh Mr. Scarfield, you're in the best place ever. You're going to love our parents and our students and our staff. Um so that's that was already sent out. And we also did our new teacher orientation. We have excited new educators that are coming that are going to be uh joining us next week on Wednesday and Thursday. they'll get to meet Mr. Scarfield and the administrative team and just get
041them acclimated to the East Rutherford School District. So, I welcome them. Um, also the administrative team, we have met several times over the summer prior to Mr. Scarfield coming, but also Mrs. Scarfield has also been in quite a few of our meetings, whether they were either via Zoom um or in person. Uh, we discussed the mission statement, board goals. Uh, Mrs. uh Mrs. Lar Russo. Uh thank you so much with the board to get that board goal set uh so we could align to the district goals which are going to be approved this evening. Um the leadership framework uh the importance was discussed with the administrative team regarding um student services. Um I want to thank Mrs. Laruso for assisting me with discussing it with the personnel committee to give me this the um the
042power I guess the power I want to use the power or the authority to put someone in place um which we're going to retro back to August 4th uh because of the amount of work that the um student services department uh desperately needs to have a successful school year. So thank you and I'm going to thank you on behalf of the students. Okay, that's who really needs uh that guidance. Um we also had a discussion of um with the administrative team and Mr. Scarfield about the importance of a curriculum and instruction supervisor. That's something that I stand strong on um as we are in a very important school year for CUSAC next year. But they look at two years. They look at 2526 and then they'll look at 26 and 27. Um that will take
043place. Um also I want to thank Mr. Varachi um for his to to work with me on this because we had as I depart the East Rford School District, I had asked for a very early audit for financial um how how we are doing financially. Uh I would like to thank uh Mr. Bliss and Chris Vincy who's been here. They started coming in. They started a little bit earlier than anticipated. So that um I would love to see that the board has more information quicker than later. Uh the only thing that we still have to wait is like the numbers that come from the state and stuff like that. So that's some things that'll still be pending, but majority of the audit has been done because I would like to leave the district clean like
044it like I received it clean, right? So that's something that we're looking to wait on. Um staffing is completed. The only thing that we're still going to meet, I know we still didn't finalize all the power professional and the aid assignments. Uh we're still waiting on that. A lot of those things are also IEP driven. So we're looking at those and accommodations that need to be made. um preschool expansion program. You know, I really want to thank um Dr. Lee who has, you know, taken that from Dr. King Dobson and she's doing a great job with the PA program really working on that, making sure all the stuff that's done is done um precisely and taken care of nicely. Um I did receive I know that the board was concerned about the expansion of our
045schools. um they were concerned about pea and because we're expanding our pea program that's eating into our space instructional space and like I said previous meetings that I assured the board that we were looking prior to Dr. King Dobson's departure and before I leave we were still looking at other venues other places we did reach out to numerous places and we just heard talked to Mr. Scarfield. We did hear of a place um that's looking to take on preschool, you know, as as we expand to give us some space here. Um Mr. Scarfield and I had discussed that very driven. He's very driven. So, some one of the things I said that was very important to the board was to find outside resources as soon as possible because we don't want to put the cart
046before the horse and not have a successful program. We want to make sure all of our eyes are dotted, tees are crossed so that the parents are happy with the program, not just something quick. Okay. So, it's going to be left in good hands. Mr. Scarfield is going to be awesome at that. Um, importance of district in-class resource programs that we have. How really important the in-class resource is. This is one of the things that's very very important to the state. Uh, one of the things that we meet with the county is making sure that we keep our in-class resource where students are exposed to multiple educators, being able to expose to the curriculum, different types of teaching styles, which is really, really nice. um is something that we pride ourselves and that's one of
047the things that we have which helps to raise our test scores which is really really nice and the performance not just the test scores but the performance of our students so that those test scores can be be risen so really really good um also we are for the 26 uh the 2526 school year one of the things that the teachers also pride themselves in is the benchmark assessments because we know that SGOs are for our non-tenured stu non-tenured teachers but we also look at the benchmark assessments to see where the children are when they come in and where they will end up at the end of the year. So, that's something that we're looking at where our staff will continue to professional development, look at um identifying deficit standards to make sure that we're able
048to really hone in on those standards and really make sure that we're pulling students um into small group instruction just like we've been doing over the years, which has been quite successful. And I and I will tell you that's not just me, okay? That is on our teachers. Our teachers are doing a really really good job with that. Working hard pulling students more times a week especially in reading uh ELA and also with mathematics because there is literacy in mathematics. So we're looking to do that as well. Uh as Mr. Varachi said the um future projects are McKenzie roof section that we still need to complete the foul school roof section as well. Um also external internal doors at FA school. We're looking to upgrade those. And of course the board roof is now complete.
049uh which is really really good. Um all of the building right now I met with the building principles. Um they Mr. Scarfield had sent out a letter to all parents. So parents if you're out there and you're listening a letter will be coming home to your uh via Genesis via the um the portal. So please make sure you look at that because the building principles will be sending out their communication at the latter part of next week with classroom assignments, teacher assignments, all of those things. any questions that you have, just please feel free to contact your building principles. Um, they will be able to assist you. Um, we did have in Mr. Barrow's building, we did have our preschool orientation, which was 1:00 on the 20th, which was yesterday. It was quite successful. Uh,
050let me make sure I have nothing else. In the area of special education, we're still looking to secure a speech therapist. Occupational therapist, um, we're looking to do an outside service for that. Um, and with the departure of our school counselor, we we are in interviewing next week. This week and next week. So hopefully we'll we feel pretty good with having someone for the board of education to approve at the September board meeting. I think that is it. Yes, that concludes my presentation. Just one more thing that was that concludes that. But I just wanted to go over just a couple of quick things. Um, so before you underneath curriculum, like I said, you're gonna have your board goals there for C1, C2, your mission statement and district goals. Um, I do want to talk
051a little bit about you have the affirmative action team, which the board constantly, you know, approves every single year. We are supposed to have a a skip panel, which we have, but we've always kept in there the DACK. So, if there's any time that we need to talk about some kind of a state assessment or anything that's coming down the pike from our curriculum consortium, we can pull that DACK committee together. It's always nice to have another layer um that's in there. So, that's what you'll be approving over there. Uh let's see. Statement of assurance, our mentoring uh statement of assurance will be before you. And I want to just make sure did it miss anything else. Uh okay. Um also before you there was a question madam president that you had regarding the hib
052the hib report card. >> What we did is it's called a self assessment. So what's before you um is really not truly the presentation. That's where the district feels that we are based upon what we believe is right. Now, a lot of times you never really see districts that have like perfect scores because that's like a huge red flag to like, oh, you're so perfect, right? Nobody's perfect. So, we always look at professional development. We look at how we can train our teachers. We look at how we can help our students be better students and work hard and and really look at staying out of those HIV situations. So, there's always room for growth there. So, what we do right now, we um uploaded it. I uploaded it into New Jersey Home Room. It's after
053it's everything's got to be in before October 25th. At that point, then the commissioner of education looks at it and they will give us the overall report card where Mr. Scarfield um will just let you know all know where where we stand as a district. Um over the years we've been very good. We have not been on any corrective action plan or anything like that in the area of HIP. Um, so that we have um underneath personnel P2. Madame President, I did email you and personal chair Caruso regarding tableabling one action. I'm sure that you got that and reviewed the email. Um, it's going to be P2.5. I'm going to ask the board to table for further communication uh with Mr. Scaffield, myself. Um, and um, also just there's a couple little personnel actions I
054just want to talk about. anybody that needs to be spoken to has been riced um or have w have waved their rice. So um so you feel feel free once we get into executive session that we can discuss that um as we move forward. Um and now I promise you I am now done. Sorry. Okay. Just wanted to be thorough. >> No problem. Um any discussion? No. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Jean Caspro. Okay. At this time, I will open to the public on any agenda or non-aggenda items. Okay. Seeing none, I will close to the public. There are no correspondence to the members of the board. Okay. So, adoption of prior board meeting minutes. Which one aren't we move? We're not moving which date. >> The 24th is okay. >> July 1st and 17th. >>
055Yeah. Everybody >> special meeting and work session. Those two. >> Okay. So upon the recommendation attendant, the board hereby approves the following meeting minutes. July 24th, 2025 public session meeting minutes. July 24th, 2025 public session executive meeting minutes. So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie? >> Yes. >> Miss Mena and Mr. Sanders are absent. Miss Shmley, >> yes. >> Mr. Bank is absent. And Miss Laruso, >> yes. >> Okay. Uh, superintendent resolutions. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board hereby approves motion S1 through S4. S1, approval of enrollment report. S2, authorization to submit McKenzie School 2024 2025 self assessment under ABR. S3, authorization to submit Lincoln school 2024 2025 self assessment under ABR. S4 authorization to submit as FA school 2024 2025
056self assessment under ABR >> so moved second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie? >> Yes. >> Miss Shmley? >> Yes. >> And Miss Laruso? >> Yes. >> Uh curriculum committee. Miss Shemley. Thank you, Madam President. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board hereby approves motion C1 through C7. C1, approval of the board goals for the 2025 2026 school year. C2, approval of the East Rutherford School District mission statement and district goals for the 2025 2026 school year. C3, approval of schoolbased behavior behavioral threat assessment and management team for the 2025 2026 school year. C4, approval of the affirmative action team to conduct a needs assessment and develop a comprehensive equity plan. C5, approval of the school improvement panel committees. Skip for the 2025 20226 school year.
057C6, approval of the district evaluation advisory committee, DAC for the 2025 2026 school year. and C7, approval of the East Rutherford professional development plans statement of assurance and East Rutherford school mentoring plan statement of assurance for the 2025 2026 school year. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie? >> Yes. >> Miss Gentley? >> Yes. >> Miss Laruso? >> Yes. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Uh, personnel committee, uh, Ms. Caruso. Thank you, Madam President. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board hereby approves motions P1 through P10. P1 approve the Kelly Education Substitute List. P2, personnel actions. P3, approval of travel expenditures. P4, acceptance of resignation notification uh for bus aid Tammy Falco. P5, acceptance of resignation notification, James Wagner. P6, approval of compensation
058for unused sick and vacation days upon retirement of Mr. Jean Giovanni Aeen Caspro. P7 approve approval of the affirmative action team for the 2025 2026 school year. P8, approval of the student handbook for the Alfred FA Lincoln School McKenzie School for the 2025 2026 school year. P9, approval of the faculty manual for the 2025 2026 school year. And P10, acceptance of resignation notification for Candensi Selento. Um but just we're tableabling P2.5 until after um executive session. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie? >> Yes. >> Miss Shmley? >> Yes. Muso? Yes. And that ends my report, Madam President. >> Thank you, Miss Caruso. Oh, >> okay. >> You're doing the next one. >> I will do physical facilities. >>
059Okay. Well, then upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board hereby approves motions PF1 through PF8. PF1, approval of monthly facilities calendar, September 2025. Approve uh PF2, approval of district use of facility applications. PF3, approval of hazardous routes, courtesy bus routes for the 2025 2026 school year. PF4, approval of district bus stops for the 2025 2026 school year. Uh PF5, approval of the bus driver and bus aids assignments uh for the 2025 school year. PF6, approval of the East Rutherford School District maintenance manual for the 2025 2026 school year. PF7, approval of the East Rutherford School District custodian manual for the 2025 2026 school year. And PF8, approval of the East Rutherford School District bus pamphlet for the 2025 2026 school year. Second. Any discussion? Roll call. >> Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie?
060>> Yes. >> Miss Shmley? >> Yes. >> And Miss Laruso? >> Yes. Uh, let's see. Community relations. Miss Collie. >> Thank you, Madam President. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board hereby approves motion CR1 through CR2. CR1 approval of the first reading of the new and revised bylaws, policies, and regulations. CR2 approval of uniform state memorandum of agreement between education and law enforcement officials for the 2025 2026 school year. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Miss Caruso. >> Yes. >> Cauley. >> Yes. Miss Shmley and Miss Laruso. >> Yes. >> That concludes my report. >> Thank you. All right. Um, Miss Shemley, you're going to give us the technology report? >> Yes, I will. >> Okay. Technology. Uh, we have our information security program plan. The district continues to proactively evaluate all
061appropriate district technologies to ensure the safety and security of all our data and information systems. Planning of scheduled maintenance and improvements for the 2025 2026 school year is ongoing. Currently, the district team is working towards the remediation of any areas in need of strengthening while also planning our next round of scans. -ate purchasing for the 2025 2026 school year is ongoing and to support the technology infrastructure across the district. With the start of the fiscal year being passed, work to fulfill components of the plan has commenced. purchasing based on the approved budget has continued with major p purchases including renewals of various licensing elements as well as hardware needs. The 2025 2026 school year will see the continuation of the annual technology fee to help support technology programs within the district. All students throughout the
062district will need to will need the fee to be satisfied along with their acceptable use agreements in order to use and take possession of district-owned technology. Forms are updated annually to account for new information. In addition, outstanding fines from the 2024 2025 school year tied to the student accounts must be satisfied prior to receiving technology in September. 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 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, and we are excited to further the use of the
063platform in collaborations with our school community. The district continues to evaluate varying technology platforms to help support productivity, efficiency, and instruction within the district. And the district continues to evaluate policies and procedures related to appropriate technologies to help support productivity, efficient Oh, that's the same thing. That is the same line. Never mind. I'm done. Any discussion? >> The same one. >> Well, okay. Thank you, Miss Shmley. >> No problem. >> Uh, let's see. Uh, finance committee, Miss Carissa. Thank you, Madam President. Upon the recommendation of the of the superintendent of school, the board hereby approves um motions F1 through F9. F1, approval of the payroll for July 2025. F2, approval of tuition extraordinary service contracts and agreements for the 2025 2026 school year. F3, approval of the East Rutherford purchasing manual for the 2025 2026
064school year. F4, approval of the East Rutherford Standard Operating Procedure Manual for the 2025 2026 school year. F5, resolution for member participation in ESCJ cooperative pricing system. F6, approval to change cell phone carriers. F7, approval of the bills list. F8, approval of the financial reports for June 2025. and F9, approval of transfer reports for June 2025. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. Roll call. >> Julian. >> Yes. Second, right? Yeah. >> Oh, I got you. Okay. >> Any discussions? >> Roll call. >> Okay. Got Miss Caruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie? >> Yes. >> Miss Shmley? >> Yes. >> And Miss Laruso? >> Yes. >> And that ends my report, Madam President. >> Thank you. Uh, any old business? Any new business? No. Okay. Once again, I'll open to public comments. Okay. Seeing none, I
065close the public comments. Um, at this time, we're going to adjourn to executive session. Resolved that in accordance with section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231, the board has the authority to adjourn to close session to discuss matters pertaining to legal personnel negotiations, attorney client privilege, and/or student matters. Said matters will be made available upon determination by the board that the disclosure of the minutes will not detrimentally affect any right or interest of the board. The board expects to return to the business portion of the meeting in approximately 30 minutes um for personnel and um legal matters. Correct. Okay. And action will be taken when we return. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> All in favor? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. See you back here
066in 30 minutes. Okay. A motion to return to the regular order of business. Moved. Second. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> motion was >> okay. All >> in favor? >> I >> Okay. Um, our action to be taken is personnel and Mr. Verra, you're gonna read it out for us? >> Of course. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. So, we had tabled P2.5. That'll be up for vote. But before we do that, we need to amend the account code to read as 110221-104-0-0000-le. Right now, it's incorrect on the agenda. There's also an additional item. It's 2 P2.5A for Danielle Espazito. Appointment of supervisor of student services effective September 1, 2025 until October 31st, at a rate of $150 per school day coming out of the account code 1102110200 triple 0. I need my >>
067so moved. >> Okay. So, we're voting on P 2.5 and P 2.5A. >> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Uh, Miss Cruso? >> Yes. >> Miss Collie? >> Yes. >> Miss Shmley? >> Yes. >> And Miss Laruso? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 40. >> Okay. Um, okay. Um, motion to adjourn this meeting. But before I do that, our next meeting is Thursday, September 18th, 2025 at 6 PM. >> Just want to publicly thank the board time here. And Mr. Scapel, I wish you the best of luck in East Rutherford. You're in an excellent district with excellent students and parents and teachers. So, it's going to be great. You're welcome, sir. No problem. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Yes. Here it does.