001I'd like to call this meeting to order. The mission of the Freel Township School District is to honor and support every learner every day on the journey to become curious and engaged members of a diverse global community. A notice listing the time, date, and place of this meeting was posted on the public bulletin board of all Freehill Township schools on the entrance door to the administrative offices of the board of education on the district website at the office of the Freel Township Clerk and published in the Asbury Park Press on January 11th, 2026. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance. 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. >> Can I
002get a roll call? Mr. Dvita. >> Mr. Fran. >> Dr. Kase >> here. >> Mr. Gordy. Miss Crosby here. >> Mulo here. M Lambert here. Mela. Mr. So Sullivan present, Mr. Amarosa >> here. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, can I get a motion for the approval of the April 28th, 2026 regular meeting minutes? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Was anybody absent that's here? No, I think everyone was here. Oh, Todd, you have to abstain. Okay. Okay. Can I get a motion for the approval of the April 28th, 2026 executive session number one minutes? So move. Do >> I have a second? Thank you. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? One abstension. >> And finally, can I get
003a motion for the approval of the April 28th, 2026 executive session 2 minutes? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. And one abstension. >> Thank you. Um, communications. my communication. See if there's enrollment and want me to read it. >> No, I got here. Never mind. Thank you, Jim. Sorry about that. So, as of March of 2026, we had 3,356 students. April of 26, we had 3,365. And compared to April of 25, we had 3,420. And that is all. >> Thank you. >> Okay. President's remarks. Um, my first would be to remind everyone that Mr. Dix's evaluation is available. Mrs. Lambert this year is our number one ace who finished it within minutes of it posting. >> Congratulations. You're normally the last one. >> Do it today. >> Yeah.
004I'm usually that that bad email >> chasing her down >> like please do this. I'm like sorry. So >> making us look bad. Mrs. Lambert. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So uh reminder to everyone if you can get on there. >> What was that? >> Yesterday um There's always a deadline. If we could get How about, you know, about a week? Is a week enough for everyone to get it done? >> It takes one. >> Yeah, I have to compile it. I have to get it to Tim and Tim over at school boards has to like evaluate it. It goes through his um his little algorithm there. And then he gives us some copies that are usually um redacted so that we could kind of look at it together. So, let's set a goal to try
005to have that done within a week. Uh, second thing is, um, if you haven't heard, there's going to be a slight change to how we do 8th grade graduation. Um, you know, I won't get into the details as to why we changed it other than there was a lot of time taken for kids to walk across the theater, up the stage, get the award, walk back. It was causing it to be more lengthy. Um, so for one reason or another, um, and Mr. Dixon could elaborate if he cares to. But we are going to have a separate ceremony for the awards and so graduations will thus be a little bit quicker, which is never a bad thing, especially when the air conditioner doesn't work in there. But so, um, the date of that this year
006is going to be on Wednesday, June 3rd. It's going to start at 6 p.m. Um, I think did everyone get a copy of this? Okay, I guess you have it in your folder. So, uh, keep that. Um, >> so that's one I got one from Susan Perry for the same night. >> Same. So all together >> I'm a little confused. We usually do two middle schools three and I think 5:30. >> This is separate. This is the graduation will be as we explained in the email 3 and 5:30 and the >> from those from the graduation ceremonies we're removing the awards and doing what similar districts of our size do and do eighth grade awards separately at an awards night where those students who receive awards are invited with their families. >> We should do
007them all at once. >> We used to do it all at once. Now the families Yep. Yep. So, >> what time is that going to be? >> Six o'clock. >> So, 6:30 June 3rd 6 o'clock. >> It's in your email and there's a paper copy. >> Although this paper copy only says Barcelo, so I guess that >> that's where it is. >> Oh, okay. >> That's just where it is. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. If you read that though, it doesn't really make it seem like it's both middle schools. It was word, but it's fine. I knew it, but I just wanted to make sure everyone know. Yeah. Yeah, that was a good point. >> It was. >> Okay. So, is everybody clear on that? >> Yeah. >> Good. Okay. All right. Um, with that, let's
008go to administrative report. >> Uh, again, check your calendars. We have a lot of upcoming events. There's, um, multiple, I think three upcoming art nights. Uh some of the schools connected to art night also have some kind of performance by a band and or chorus depending on the school. Um you explained June 3rd is eighth grade awards. Again, a number of reasons behind why we are attempting uh that this year. After we do it, we'll get some feedback on the ceremony and potential opportunities to provide potentially create more awards since it'll have its own night and get feedback on how that ran and um adjust from there. Um again it's for all eighth grade just like the surrounding districts. Parents of students who are receiving awards will receive an invitation um via Genesis parent portal
009and also in the mail inviting them to attend that evening. However, until they're there and their name is announced, they don't know what award they're getting. Um, so June 3rd, 6:00 at Barlo this year, all the letters that went out have both principal signatures on them and then create a district letter head that had both of their principal names on there. Um, so we're looking forward to that evening. Um, and Thursday, I want to say 21st, right? >> Thursday the 21st. Thursday the 21st is Eisenhower's um, Back in Black and Gold annual concert. I don't remember the name of the group this year because the band names themselves as they go through >> um freeze frame on the 21st all three choruses will be performing that evening which is a little bit different from what
010they've done in the past. Um many of us attended the Barcalo one on May 7th. This is year two um of building the program over there and year two in my opinion unbiased opinion was that um it rose to the level of what has been performed over the years at Eisenhower um it was an hour and a half performance all three courses performed um it was excellent. >> So tons of >> Yes. >> in your small >> Yes. Yes. So the program has grown in number of students participating and of quality um of performance and the whole school attended. They were amazing. They sat for an hour and a half all sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Um it was amazing. Um and Mrs. Montgomery will share another opportunity as we are partners in Rev 250
011with our town and our county government. >> Yes. In your folders is an invitation for I don't usually talk. So, um, in your folders is an invitation for board members to attend our district, uh, Rev 250 celebrations. Um, Dr. King, our supervisor of language arts and social studies, has been working with a committee of middle school social studies teachers to put together a really exciting four days, two days at Eisenhower, two days at Barcelo of events all recognizing and celebrating and teaching our middle school kids about um the wonderful recognition of the 250th anniversary of our uh revolution. So, um there will be several um displays and learning stations um within the steam steam center at Eisenhower and as well as a um an interactive opportunity to engage with an AI tool that our history
012teachers have been using where kids can have conversations with historical figures. So, we want to show that off for you. Yes. Um, so on this invitation, there are two different opportunities um to attend on either Tuesday, May 26th or Wednesday, May 27th. We're going to do a morning session and an afternoon session. I just ask that you um email me and let me know which one that you'll be attending so I can let the school office know when we can receive you. >> Thank you. >> And finally, since our last meeting, we've had four reports of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Three were founded and one was unfounded. Let's do it. >> Okay. Thank you. Well, one more thing that Neil uh forgot to mention is that on behalf of the board, I did ask since
013we're disclosing the award winners on June 3rd in advance of the ceremony. I did ask that the names be kept in the booklet because I feel like parents would want that as a memorabilia. Yeah. The graduation booklet. So, we're going to that'll also make it a little of a smoother transition because people are used to that being announced at those graduations. So, just a little side note on that. Okay. Um, do we have any other administrative reports? I see none. So, we're going to go to public participation. Do we have anybody that would like to approach the podium? I won't read my statement. >> Okay. I see none. So, we will go to uh personnel policy and communications. All right, good evening everybody. Um the personnel policy and communications committee did meet this evening. In
014attendance were um Elanora Sullivan, Michelle Lambert, um Mr. Dixon, and Dr. Brethower um and myself. We reviewed um a few of the agenda items as well as the um policy terms and conditions of employment for non-affiliated support staff members um which will be coming in the future. Uh, that being said, I'd like to move the following items. Three, resignation as listed. Four, adjust retirement date as listed. Five, new employment and congratulations as listed. Fix established salary 2026 2027 as listed. Seven, renewal renewal of non-tenure professional staff 2026 2027 as listed. Eight, change of assignment and salary adjustment as listed. Nine, leaves of absence as listed. 10, unpaid days as listed. 11, ESY 2026 transportation staff as listed. 12 ESY 2026 staff as listed. 13 ESY 2026 volunteers as listed. 14. Separation agreement as listed. 15.
015Restorative practices team as listed. 16. Affirmed bullying investigation findings as listed, 17 certified substitutes as listed, 18 non-certified substitutes as listed. That's it. >> Excellent. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Um, do we have questions? >> Okay. Can I get a roll call? >> Mrs. Brand? >> Yes. >> Dr. Casey? >> Yes. >> Miss Grimford? >> Yes. >> Miss Crosby? >> Yes. >> Mulo? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lambert? >> Yes. Mr. Sullivan, >> yes. >> Mr. Amaros, >> yes. >> Thank you. Curriculum, uh, Dr. Casey, uh, yes, the curriculum committee did meet. Uh, it was just me and Mrs. Montgomery and, uh, we basically discussed the K2 reading pilots um, and the Rev 250 celebration, which she mentioned. Uh, and uh, I did mention that there I have some concerns about the AI
016um, characters being used. Um, but that's for another time. And we talked about uh, the fact that next meeting uh, she will be addressing the summer curriculum committees and putting those together. So, I'd like to move the following items. Uh, number three, course reimbursement and number four, home instruction. Thank you. Do we have a second? >> Questions for curriculum? Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Finance, facilities, transportation. Mr. Garjul, >> good evening. The finance um facilities and transportation committee did not meet today. Um so I'd like to move the following items. Bills and claims. I'd like to thank Neil for it. Oh. Oh, you're welcome. We had three thou 3,112,546.79 worth of bills. It was one bucket. Travel and related expenses as listed. Transfers as listed. Homebound instruction
017services as listed. Adjust tuition contract for out of district student as listed. Out of district transportation contracts, MOE SC update as listed. Renewal of manage backup as a service BAS and disaster recovery as a service DRA competitive contracts 2401 as listed. Nine, renewal of garbage collection services bid 2402, renewal of RFP for assistive uh technology suite services 2408. 11. Renewal of competitive contract for uh absence management platform 251. 12. Renewal of recyclable collection bid 25-03 as listed. Renewal of the competitive contract for EIE management practices 254 as listed. Renewal of the competitive contract for an online data management analytics assessment and intervention intervention manager 25-08 as listed renewal of the professional development services RFP 25-10 as listed 16 renewal of the competitive contract competitive contract for benchmark assessment and adaptive learning platform 25-13 as listed.
018Renewal of school vehicle maintenance bid 2601 as listed. 18. Renewal of competitive contract for crosscurricular digital content and skill building platform with integrated lesson delivery and assessment tools. 2602. I need to know I need to know what that is. I don't know what that is. Um 19, renewal of RFP for high impact tutoring 2607. And lastly, um 20, renewal of competitive contract for Sedex Sedexo revised. >> Thank you. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Do we have any questions? I'm sure Neil's going to have a question on item 18. >> 18. Could you explain that in more detail? to see which one it is. Oh, Newella. It's Newella. Okay. So, Newella is one of our digital platforms. Um, it includes um content uh crosscurricular content. So, math, language arts, science, social studies, um
019content for that uh teachers can use to supplement our curriculum. So, um, science teachers use it to, uh, supplement the reading of science content in science classrooms. Language arts teachers use it to access lots of non-fiction text. Um, there's a platform that sits alongside of it where teachers can create digital assignments that um, pair with the text. So, they can kids can practice learning vocabulary that's embedded in the text, responding to things in the text, um, Is that answering your question? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> It's a lot of word salad for the platform that we use which is Newel. >> Now that I read that little box after a minute, maybe you could explain the $750 for the 90minute PD. Do we use it? How many how much would that come to? Is that
020>> um we used we did one PD session with them this year. um uh they had they launched a new tool in the platform and that is um an AI feature to give students uh live feedback about their writing and train u of our staff to use that and and our instructional coaches and they did some turnkey training. So we did one. >> So one used it then >> one session last year. When we first used the platform we did a lot more PD but we've been using it and our coaches use it really efficiently. So they're the ones really supporting teachers in use. If we do PD it's really on a on a narrow scale. Um we did PD with social studies teachers this year also because they use it as a supplement for
021historical text. They have some primary and secondary sources that are available. Um, so like at the most one or two PD sessions in a year. >> Gotcha. That's nothing for budgeting that we need to worry about. >> Okay. Do we have any other questions? >> Very good. Um, then I guess all those Did we get a second on that? >> We did. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Um, old business. Do you have any old business? >> All right. Um new business. Um the first thing would be that um we have to work on a retreat date. So again, a reminder to all um start looking at your calendars and uh we'll come up with a date and we have to solidify and go over our board
022goals. Maybe what I could do is ask all the chairs at the next meeting to kind of finalize where we're going to be when we do our board self-evaluation and we're going to have to kind of report as to what we've done in the past year. So, if you want to give that one last go, um maybe at our next meeting we could just go over that and then maybe we can come up with a date for the retreat. Um is everybody in agreement that the summer is the best time or do you want to push this out further? What do you think? Summer's now good. track. Depends on people's vacations. >> Yeah, I know. I'm away a little bit in July, but >> yeah, >> maybe early August. Is everybody kind of around? Early
023August. >> I'll target something like that. I'll send something out and maybe we can get a date on the calendar. Does that work for uh you early August? >> I did that. Um four schools moving out ceremonies are the same morning. >> So, we probably It all go through you to make sure we had a board cup >> like where normally we just sign up at like on our own. We probably should >> make sure there's a spread. >> Yeah. I mean make more work. We triangulate our >> Yeah. No, we could do that. We could coordinate that. >> Maybe if we can look at how that list gets filled out. If there's not a good distribution, we could kind of move it around. >> That's true. That works >> because people have days that
024they can't go even if we try to force them. >> Yes, >> we'll work it out. >> Okay. Um, do we have any um other new business? Anybody have anything they want to share? Okay, then we're going to go right I think to um the second public participation. Um so, uh this is the second opportunity for public participation. If anyone wishes to address the board, write your name and address on the sign-in sheet and state your name for our records. Statements are limited to three minutes and should not be abusive, obscene, or defamatory in nature. And they be this may be on any topic related to the schools. Anybody? Okay. Well, seeing none, then this board is going to move into an executive session. So, I thank everyone for coming out. Um but whereas pursuant
025to NJSA104-12B, the board of education may exclude the public from that portion of a public meeting at which the board discusses any of the matters described at NJSA 104-4-12V1-9. Now therefore, be it resolved that in accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting act, the board of education shall conduct a closed session pursuant to the personnel and legal exceptions prescribed by NJSA 104-12 for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Tonight we have a construction claim which is pending or anticipated litigation and then we have the TWWU contract. It is anticipated that the length of time of this executive session will be 50 minutes and that action will not be taken in public after the executive session, be it further resolved that said discussion may be disclosed to the public when reasons for discussing
026and acting upon it in close session no longer exist. Um, do I have a second? >> All those in favor say I. I. >> Okay. Thanks everyone.