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 Freel township schools on the entrance door to the administrative offices of the board of education on the district website at the office of the Preole Township clerk and published in the Asbury Park Press on January 11th, 2026. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance. Can I have a roll call? Mr. Devita, >> Mrs. Dr. Casey, Mr. M. Crosby, Mulo, Mambert, Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. Thank you. >> Can I get a motion for the approval of the January
00227th, 2026 regular meeting minutes? Do I have a second? All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Any abstension? Okay. Can I get a motion for the approval of the January 27th, 2026 executive session minutes? Have a second. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? extensions. Okay, thank you. Uh communications, >> the only communication we have this evening is enment 3,33 students in January 265. >> Thank you. We have one more. Uh welcome everyone. Um I'd like to especially welcome tonight. Um, we have some student recognition. We're going to be doing the allshore intermediate band individual awards for not only Eisenhower but also Barlo. We have the Central Jersey Music Educators Association region 2 band individual award. And last but not least, we have the Baro Middle School girls basketball and we will be
003giving those awards out very shortly. I'd also like to congratulate all our governor's educator of the year and staff of the year awards that we're going to be giving out tonight. It's an exciting night. That's why everybody came out, but it's not so cold anymore, right? Getting a little better. Still a little bit cold. Um anyway, um welcome. And I'm going to turn this over, uh to Mr. Dixie for the administrative report. I'll do that after we'll do the um student recognition and the governor's educator of the year first. So, we'll start with student recognition this evening. Um we are going to start this evening with all shore intermediate band individual awards. We'll start with um Eisenhower Middle School. I'd like to invite up principal Mrs. Lechner and assistant principal Mr. Escalis and our band
004director from Eisenhower, Mr. Dearis. We'll do at the same time we'll uh recognize our all shore intermediate band Barcelo students. I'd like to invite up our administrators from Barcelo, Dr. Curus and Mrs. Layman and the band director for Barlo Middle School, Mr. Crawford. Good evening everybody. Not that loud. Okay. Can you hear me? Great. Uh, so the Allshore Intermediate Band is an honor band made up of students from fifth through 8th grade in Mammoth and Ocean County. Now we have band in school at Barklo and Eisenhower, which is great. We do our district competition band thing which is a higher level an honor band that's outside think of it like a travel sports team your all-star kids it's a mix of a travel sports team and the Olympics and I'll get to that in a
005second. Um so students as I mentioned fifth grade through 8th grade are eligible to audition in Mammoth and Ocean County. They get their audition materials in about April or May the season prior. And from then until mid November, they practice playing a bunch of different scales, both tonging and slurring, which are technical terms in music. Um, a solo that is specific for their instrument that demonstrates the students technical and lyrical abilities to play their instrument. And then they have to practice the art of sight reading, which is looking the moderator in the room flips over a piece of paper. about eight measures of music and they say, "Okay, look at this for 30 seconds and play it as perfectly as you can after 30 seconds, never being able to prepare that, which is a very
006challenging skill um to develop over time. So these students practice all of this stuff for months and then like the Olympics, well sort of like the Olympics, they have one shot, one five minute snapshot in time when they go into the room to play all three of those things. There are sometimes we have great playing days. Sometimes we make one little flub and it just throws the rest of the audition and that's unfortunately all they get in the music world. So, it's a very intense thing. Not to mention the judges. It's kind of like the show The Voice. The judges are, it's a blind audition. They don't see who's in the room. That's the only way we keep it fair. The judges never turn around. The student comes into the room. They can't speak. They're
007only allowed to whisper to the moderator who's the liazison between the judges and the student auditioning. Um, so it's a very intimidating process to go and do really any music audition because 90% of music auditions occur in this format. Um, so the fact that we have had some seventh and eighth graders tonight that have gone and done this um, and won their audition into any type of honor band group is a really cool thing. So um, you know, we um, I have some students and Mr. Dearis has a student as well. So, we would like to invite them up to be recognized. Um, I'll start with the Barlo students. Uh, Megan Brooks who ninth chair flute. Megan Brooks was ninth chair flute. When we say chair, it's like place, but it's where you sit in
008the band. Henry Calder, second chair, clarinet. Olivia Leone, 11th chair flute. Matthew Ukno, seventh chair, clarinet. And from Eisenhower we have Sophia Porcelli, 10th chair clarinet. Well, wait, there's more. So, allshore is Mammoth Ocean County, but then the next level up is the Central Jersey Music Educators Association or CJMEA region two. These students are from six different counties in the state. All in the central region. It's Mammoth, Mercer, Middle Sex, Hunter in Somerset, and Union. I usually leave one out, so I'm impressed with myself that I got them all. Um, there were over 700 students that went and auditioned two weeks ago. They formed two different bands. Uh, this audition is for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in those six counties. um they their audition requirements are a little more challenging. It's very similar
009except all of their scales need to be memorized and there are three judges instead of two and it is you it's a harder audition for for these students and um I I was there two weeks ago and I listened to the same trumpet solo for 68 different times. Um when when you send a student you have to go and judge or some type of duty on audition day. So, that was that was my duty. Um, but I have a clarinet student at Barcelo who was one of I believe it was 82 clarinet players from the the region that went and auditioned. Um, and I'm proud to announce that Henry Calder from Barcelo scored seventh chair in the symphonic band. So, seventh seventh chair in the symphonic band is 19th chair overall out of all of
010the students that were accepted. But it's that means that he's 19th best out of the 82 that went and auditioned in the region was a which is a really impressive accomplishment. Next, we'll be recognizing the Boral Middle School girls basketball team for the 2025 Santa Scamper Hoop Stuffer Tournament Champions, seventh and eighth grade girls division. I'd like to invite up the girls basketball coach, Mr. Santi. Hello everybody. Uh my name is Kevin Santi. I am the girls basketball coach, proud coach of the Barkloady Blue Jays this year. We had a tremendous season. I'd first like to thank the board of education for having us in tonight, Mr. Dixon, Dr. Breth, Mr. Montgomery, as well. Um and as well as our building administration, Dr. Curus, Mrs. Layman, and our athletic director, Mr. Benjamino for putting this
011together and allowing us to be able to compete. Our um our girls basketball team had a tremendous season and I knew kind of at the start we were going to be competitive. I even said to Miss Layman, I was like, I don't know where we're going to be. We'll see. Um but to be able to have the opportunity to compete over winter break was a big opportunity for us to finish the way we did in the season. Um that's for a different time when we win the whole thing. We'll be up here for that. But the winter break tournament, um, our girls competed over winter break. They filled out an availability form on November 18th, 19th or something like that and they went two feet in from the start. So to be able to have
012an opportunity to coach an incredible group of kids that I've known either since sixth grade when they walked in or some of them since fourth grade when I met them through summer camps or clinics, whatever it might have been. um to be able to put together this group and have a group here that went two feet in on something. I think that's the real life skill here. Um I'm those of you know me, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm very passionate about this program and trying to turn things around a little bit with the girls team and they went two feet in from day one. They ran through a 21 game schedule over the winter break. They gave up their time on, you know, a cozy winter morning on the couch to getting
013over to hoop group at 9:00 a.m. for a game. and um playing against teams that we did not know about who they were. They competed through every game. Um they did so well that they made their way through the the pool play and they made it to the championship game against a really strong program. Uh St. Catherine's in Spring Lake and they showed up on top. Uh 2921 was the final score. Um we had a tremendous season. Um, but I really think that the Santa scamper winter tournament that the district was able to allow us to go to um that helped us um kind of capitalize on what we wanted to do this year and this group was two feet in. So, there's something to be said about doing doing things and being all in
014on it and this group did that. So, congratulations to the girls basketball program. Come on up. Congratulations to our uh instrumental music students and our girls basketball team for their accomplishments. Thank you parents for your support of our programs, supporting your children in basketball and in the arts. We appreciate it. And a thank you to our coaches and our instrumental uh music teachers for their support of the students as well. Let's give one more round of applause to all of our students being recognized. We're going to move into the next part of our meeting this evening. So, if there are any students, it's going to take a little bit of time. the opportunity. You're leaving or staying. We're going to move into the next part of our program. Uh we have two opportunities, two big
015opportunities every year to recognize our staff, our governor educator and support staff of the year award winners and at the end of the year for our retirees. And these are special times as you recognize by being here and supporting your colleagues. Um it speaks a lot about our staff, the quality of our staff and the support and collegiality we have in the district. Um we of course and I know all of us in this room believe that we have the best staff in Mammoth County in New Jersey. Um and we have an opportunity once a year to highlight members of our staff who by nomination from either their colleagues, parents or students are recognized with the governor's educator award winner uh award recognition win or support staff of the year. So this year we're going
016to take the opportunity to recognize by school. Um sometimes I reverse it so I'll go back at the beginning. We're going to start with Applegate school. I like to invite up our administrators, Mr. Miloway and Mrs. Cerulo. Uh, we did not see her come in, but we just in case she is here. Our governor's educator of the year at Applegate School. Our award winner is our speech therapist, Nancy Pacetta. Here, I know there was a parking issue, so we didn't see everybody. Good evening everybody. Um, I'd just like to extend my sincere thanks for nominating me for teacher of the year. As a speech therapist, I'm truly honored by this recognition and deeply appreciate all of your support. It's really meaningful to know that my efforts are valued and grateful for the opportunity to work
017along such supportive colleagues. Applegate is the best. Um I truly love the work that I do. I appreciate our supportive administration and I have worked with the most amazing students and parents during my career. Um my students continue to push me to be my best and they have taught me so much along the way. It's a privilege to work with them each day and this recognition is especially meaningful because of them. Um, thank you again for your thoughtfulness and your encouragement. And I'm so blessed to have my mom, my husband, and my son here. Thank you. Next, from Applegate, I'd like to recognize our support staff of the year award winner, Cindy Degley. Next we'll be recognizing our um next we'll be recognizing our award winners from Barcelo Middle School. I'd like to invite up
018Dr. Curus and Mrs. Layman. Our governor educator our governor educator of the award of the year for Barlo Middle School is unable to join us this evening. Um but let's give a round of applause to Danielle George, sixth grade language arts teacher. Our support staff of the year award winner for Baralo Middle School is Stacy Shapiro. Next, I'd like to acknowledge our and congratulate our award winners for Eisenhower Middle School. I'd like to invite up our administrators, Mrs. Lechner and Mr. Ascalles. And I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate our award winner, sixth grade math teacher, Melissa Stagger. and unable to join us this evening. The support staff of the year award winner for Eisenhower Middle School is Christine Calbert. Next, I'd like to recognize our award winners from the ECLC. I'd like to invite our
019principal, Laura Cesleon. And we'll start with our Governor Educator of the Year Award winner, Julie Brain. And that is one magical classroom because our support staff of the year award winner is from the same classroom. Serita Gaswami. Next, we're going to recognize our support staff award winner from our uh it's actually transportation property services. And I'd like to recognize our support staff award winner from our maintenance department, Dan. those five days a week that I'm here and that five days I'm here for the kids. And that's why these five words, it's all about the kids. Have a great day. Next, we'll recognize our support staff of the year award winner from central office and technology. I'd like to invite up Mrs. Montgomery to recognize our support staff of the award winner support staff award winner
020from the curriculum department, Amy Graph. Next, we'll be recognizing our uh and giving a congratulations to our educator of the year, award winner, and support staff of the year, award winner from the Kina School. Mrs. Shaw is sick this evening. I'd like to invite up our supervisor from Kina, Jen Fern. We'll start with our Governor Educator of the Year award winner. Congratulations, Bianca Boyce. and our support staff of the year award winner. I'd like to congratulate Pauline Cresbow. Next, we'll be recognizing our award winners from the Donovan School. I'd like to invite up Mrs. Ben Brookke and Mrs. Hoppy. They're always the rowdiest over there. Congratulations to our Governor Educator of the Year Award winner, Julie Cune. Okay. I'd like to thank the academy. Oh, sorry. Wrong speech. Wrong speech. Okay. Um, I first want
021to thank my actual family. um for putting up with me and my exhaustion for all of these years. Um and for welcoming an extra 20 or so kids into the family every year. Um but most of what I want to say right now is for my Lord Donovan school family. Um I am so truly grateful to have you all as part of my Lord LBS family. I want to tell a quick story and so you get a taste of what it's like to be in my classroom. I will tell you ahead of time that I promise this story has a point. Um when I shared that I've been honored with uh teacher of the year this year. It was wonderful to hear from people that I hadn't been in touch with in a while. But
022one of the people I was most excited to hear was from was my high school English teacher and one of the most amazing teachers I ever had, Miss Bond. Miss Bond commented simply on my Facebook post, "Congratulations, Julie. What an honor." Forever and always a teacher's pet, I eagerly wrote back, "Thank you for being such an incredible inspiration, Miss Bond. Thank you for helping me develop such a deep appreciation for reading and writing. I always teach my students that an essay conclusion has to answer, so what? And I think of you every time. To which Miss Bond replied in her perfect Miss Bond way, well, now I feel that I have been honored as well, Julie. Which leads me finally to my point. We are lucky enough to be a work family full of incredible,
023collaborative, supportive, creative, masterful educators. So when one of us is honored, we are all honored. My name might be on the award this year, but I would not be the teacher I am today without everything I've learned from all of you in the school and in the district. Even when it seems like I'm not paying attention, which I know is quite often, I am observing, coming to you for all strategies, advice, picking up amazing tricks of the trade. I hope that you all feel honored because I know what an honor it is to work with you each day. Next, I'd like to recognize our support staff of the year award winner from the Laura Donovan School, Donna Ruster Holtz. I love it. Next, I'd like to recognize our award winners from the Ericson School. I'd
024like to invite up I'd like to invite up principal Danielle Pella and supervisor Mrs. Parker. Our governor educator of the year award winner for Erikson is Rita Boringer. Thank you so much. Um, I'm so appreciative of this recognition. Congratulations to all of the other recipients. For those of you who may not know me, my name is Rita Boowinger, also known as Mrs. Bow. I introduce myself to you because a few recent events made me pause and reflect about the possible impact I may have had on the students I have taught. One of these moments was last spring when former students returned to Ericton to visit and work with the fourth graders. While I was teaching, an excited, happy high school student walked past my classroom. We caught each other's eye. We waved, exchanged how wonderful
025it was to see one another. And she told me she was heading to Mrs. Zach's room. And I replied, "Oh, how fun." I remember thinking, "Wow, she remembered me. I must have made an impact." I returned to my classroom with a full heart, and moments later, She came running back to my door and said, "It was so great seeing you, Mrs. Reorder." Another moment happened just this past fall. As I was leaving Ericson and walking to my car, a very excited little one in afterare was wildly waving at me. I wave back only to hear him shout, "Have a great weekend, Mrs. Tweeton." As I continued to my car, I thought, "Do people even know I work here?" Then I laughed and I thought, "Hey, if former and current students thank Mrs. Rearen and Mrs.
026Tweeten, I must be doing something right considering they both have been recipients of this award. It has been and continues to be an absolute pleasure going to work every day. I have been teaching for the past 30 years, which is hard to say. 20 of which have been in Freehold Township. Recently, I was asked what the best lesson was that I have ever taught. Honestly, I couldn't think of just one. Of course, there have been those magical moments when the light bulb goes on, when a suddenly understands a concept and beams with pride. Those moments will stay with me forever. I couldn't pinpoint a single lesson that felt profound enough to mention. What I did realize instead was that I was the one being taught every single day by my students. Not that long. The
027font's very big. They taught me patience, kindness, empathy. I didn't teach the greatest lesson. I learned the greatest lesson of all to understand and celebrate the strengths and challenges of every individual. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with outstanding administrators throughout my career, supportive, enthusiastic, and always making decisions behind closed doors with the best interests of the staff and students. Whether at the central office or our home schools, I can't imagine all that you manage each day, but I thank you sincerely. The teachers and TAs at Ericson are unbelievable. One is better than the next, and I learn from them every day. I'm uneasy being recognized because everyone is so deserving of the award at Erics. We are not only colleagues but family. I have had the privilege of working with wonderful principles and
028supervisors who set the tone for our school and who work tirelessly to ensure Ericson is a place where everyone is seen and heard. Can't thank you again from the bottom of my heart for this recognition. I am truly humbled and I wish you all of life's blessings. Thank you. Next, I'd like to recognize our support staff of the year award winner from the Ericson School, Annne Paresi. Next, I'd like to recognize our award winners from the Westbury Hold School. I'd like to invite up our administrators, Mrs. Rosen and Mrs. Danbury. Congratulations to our governor educator of the year, Kim Sabbo. And our support staff year, a support staff member of the year award winner from West Freehold, Hector Pachego Orripeza Congratulations again to all of our awards. Let's give another round of applause. >> Again,
029on behalf of the board of education, congratulations. We're going to take a fivem minute recess. If anybody has anything to do other than listen to Okay, we're going to go back into open session. We'll continue on with the administrative report. Dixie, >> thank you. Um, this month, uh, February, our elementary schools are participating in a February fitness challenge. I'd like to thank our elementary fizzed teachers. They took the time to put together a calendar of activities in which our, um, students can participate with their families, uh, indoor activities for the month of February. uh parents sign off on the calendar for each day and then uh graciously donated by Dicks House of Sports, which is at the Freehole Mall, a newly opened store. Um they have donated for the winning class in each school in
030the K2 category and the 35 category, 15-minute climb passes for each child in the class um who the class that had the most percentage participation. Um this is in partnership with our mayor's wellness uh committee. It is um something that we're doing to support wellness through our township. Um again, a special thank you to our elementary phys teachers. They uh I asked them to do one more thing in addition to the calendar. What can we do to engage our students in physical activity in school and our phys teachers took the time to record short clips of themselves with students from that school um doing there's five um domains of physical fitness. We did four of those. Not body composition. We did four of the domains and each day one of the five elementary schools modeled
031a different physical activity. Our goal behind it was ideally all classes at the same time were participating in physical activity across the school modeled by our phys teachers and students from all of the schools in the district. So I really would like to express my appreciation to our phys teachers for putting that together and um for their participation. Uh since our last meeting, we had two reports of harassment intimidation and bullying and both were founded. This is the one with the reading. >> No from from reporting period one. Uh we have our 2526 incident reporting period one which was July to December. Correct. July to December 31st. Um across of our schools. Kina school we had five incidents total. Applegate school 2our 16 one zero west 2 early child learning center 31. Across the district,
032we had one incident of violence, zero vandalism, zero substances, zero weapons, 30 hit confirmed, 21 other instanced hits. >> Thank you. I'll change it up and I'll start the public hearing on the uh SSDS report. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education shall open the public hearing on the SSDS reporting period one for the school year 2025 2026. Do we have any public comment? Seeing none, now therefore, may it resolve that the board of education shall close the public hearing on the SSDS report period one for the school year 2025 2026. This is the first opportunity for public participation on board agenda items. If anyone wishes to the board. Please write your name and address on the signin sheet. State your name for the record. Statements are limited to three minutes and
033should not be abusive, obscene, or defamatory in nature. Okay, seeing none, we'll move to personnel policy and communications. Mr. Crosby, um the personnel policy and communications committee did meet this evening. In attendance were myself, Dr. Bower, Mr. Dixine, Michelle Lambert, Elanor Sullivan, Mike Emoroso, and a special guest speaker Michael Gross to speak on residency. I'd like to move the following items. Uh, number three, first reading of policies and regulation as listed. Number four, resignation as listed. Number five, retirement. Um, we'd like to recognize Susan Perry with 27 years of service. Thank you and congratulations. Number six, new employment. Um, congratulations to our incoming members. Number seven, resend offer of employment as listed. Number eight, adjust start date as listed. Number nine, salary adjustment as listed. Number 10, leaves of absence as listed. 11, position control
034as listed. 12, temporary change of assignment salary adjustment as listed. Number 13, change of assignments 2025 2026 as listed. Number 14, change of assignment 2026 2027 as listed. Number 15, district honorarium for as listed. Number 16, district honoraria as listed. Number 17, Futilio Honor area um as listed um in the amount of 1,000 from DEES for volleyball, 1,000 from DDS for golf, and 1,000 for the from JJC. Number 18, translator or interpreter as listed. Number 19, district mentors as listed. Number 20, stipen teacher assistant as listed. Number 21, SSDS report for reporting period 1 for 2025 2026 as listed. Number 22, affirm bullying investigation findings as listed. Number 23, student teacher practicum observation placement as listed. Number 24, student teacher practicum observation placement update as listed. Number 25, certified substitutes substitutes as listed. Number 26,
035non-certified substitutes as listed. >> Thank you. Do we have a second? >> Any discussion or questions? Seeing none, can I get a roll call? Yes. Agenda item number two reimbursement and item number three. >> Thank you. Do we have a second? Any discussion for curriculum on that long agenda? Okay, see none. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Any abstension. Thank you. Finance facilities and transportation. Mr. Grio, Ranada brand Mike Amaroso and the owners Robert bills number two bills and claims as listed at 4,14 8. Travel and related expenses as listed. Transfers as listed. PTO honor area update as listed. Short frame. Wow, we like that. We have a second. Any questions for finance or facilities? the bills with one hand tied behind her back. All right. Thank you. All those in favor say
036I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Old business. New business. None. President's remarks. Um I have Again, congratulations. I don't think anybody else is still here. It was a good night. I like it's great. I like the new screen, too. I think we need to reposition. All right. So, we're gonna move on to the second opportunity for public participation. If anyone wishes to address the board, this could be on anything related to our school. Please write your name and address on the signin sheet. State your name for our records. Statements are limited to three minutes and should not be abusive, obscene, or defamatory in nature. participation seeing none that this board is going to move into an executive session. Uh whereas pursuant to NJSA 104-12B the board of education may exclude the public from that portion
037of a public meeting at which the board any of the matters described in NJSA104-12B1-9. 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. Residency appeal. It is anticipated that the length of time of this executive session will be 60 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 and acting upon it in close session no longer exists. Do I have a second? All those in favor say I. Okay. Thanks.