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 of the administrative offices of the board of education on the district website at the office of the Freel Township Clerk, published in the Asbury Park Press on January 11th, 2025, and sent to the Star Ledger on January 8th, 2025. 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,
002with liberty and justice for all. Can I get a roll call? Mrs. Brand, Dr. Casey, Miss Crosby, here. Mr. Gulo here. Mrs. Lambert here. Mrs. Spieler here. Mr. Williams here. Mrs. O. Sullivan present. Mr. Amaroso here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Can I get a motion for the approval of the April 29th regular meeting minutes? Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor say I. All those opposed. Any abstensions? Mr. Williams. Can I get a motion for the approval of the April 29th executive session minutes? Second. Okay. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? One abstension. Two. Got two abstensions. Y. Thank you. Uh, communications. Uh, communications. We have an enrollment. In March 25, we had 3,422 students. April of 25, we had 3,420. Compared to April of 24, we had
0033,499. And that is all. Excellent. Okay, president's remarks. Um, well, first I would like to say that this is a joyous meeting because we have reached um a memorandum of agreement um with the FTEA. And I wanted to say a few things. First, I want to say thank you to Mrs. Lambert who was our chairwoman for doing a fantastic job. And I'd like to thank Mrs. O Sullivan for being on the committee and um Miss Bhower and um Bob, I'd like to thank you as well. Both of you were um really really um there the late nights with us. I know it's never easy and I appreciate all the extra hard work that you put in. Um, but I am happy to say and just like I said at my last remarks that we were
004I felt and I think our team felt that we were very close to an agreement and true to our word um it just took that one more session to really you know knock out the last few details. Um and you know negotiations are never easy. Both sides always have to make some concessions. But I think um this board values its staff. Um we value our teachers. Um we value our custodial workers. We're very happy to announce that we do not have to outsource. Um and that was a decision made by both sides. We came to an agreement where financially we were able to keep everyone in house. We were able to make the necessary changes so that our contract was responsible and viable for the next three years. And um I think it what was
005it midnight when we came to an agreement around 12:30 count 12:28 my wife had long gone to bed. She gave up on me. She's like he's never coming home. So that was it. That was it. Um so uh yeah, congratulations. So, so in the coming weeks, um, you know, we'll be ratifying that. And another congratulations, um, to Kathleen Rosen who's here. We have a new principal at Ericson. I know I'm preemptively saying that, but, I wanted to get that in there early because we're going to actually vote on it tonight, and that's when it's official. But, um, it's a very special occasion when we appoint a new principal. and congratulations to you and this is Arm who will be at her retirement party soon enough. She's going to be celebrating soon. Um with that I
006will move over to the administrative report. Uh good evening. Um I want to also congratulate Kathleen Rosen who's been in our district for 23 years uh as a teacher and as an administrator, as a supervisor and assistant principal. So um I am preemptive preemptively prevote also congratulating you as well and I'm glad to see some of your colleagues here tonight um to support you. Uh end of year is is a foot. Um so there's a lot of activity happening. There's some double double activities happening. There are nights where three things are scheduled. So, you want to watch your emails and read all of the things coming out of the schools. We have chorus concerts, band concerts, rock concerts, art shows, night of the arts, um retirement parties, um we have our recognition night for students
007and retirees June 3rd. And then we also have two business meetings in June. So, it's three Tuesdays. will all be together, but at the third we will all be at the Barklo school because there'll be hundreds and hundreds of people there. Um, so just wanted to to not drop the ball on any of those fun and exciting things. And I do want to congratulate Michelle Lambert who in the midst of uh leading our negotiation team became a grandma uh [Music] last her children. I feel like we we birthed a baby. So, a little baby boy. And um so it was a good week. It's a good week. And that's all I Oh, the bullying report. Sorry. Always got to rain on the positivity here. Um we had three cases this time and two were founded
008and one was unfounded. and the board certification. I, Robert Deviden, school business administrator/board secretary, certifies that as of April 30th, 2025, no line item has been overextended in violation of NJC 6A23A-16.10 C3 and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the year. That's all. Excellent. This is the first opportunity for public participation on anything on tonight's agenda. Do we have anybody that wishes to come to the podium on any agenda item? Okay, then I won't read the rest of it. Easy pass. Easy personnel. Personnel policy communications. Mrs. Spieler. Hi. Good evening. Um we did meet tonight um briefly. It was me and um Dr. Breth hour and Jeff Williams and we briefly discussed um some of the u the um the non-hires back right we talked about
009that renewal process renewal process and um I'm not going to give details about that no so um and then also a position that they're looking for a custodial supervisor so we look forward to maintaining things even better. Right. So, I'd like to move the following items on the agenda here. Number two, um let's discuss the committee meeting. Number what? Number three, thank you. Retirement as listed. Number four, resignations as listed. Number five, new employment as listed. Number six, renewal of non-tenured professional staff as listed. It's a long one there. Uh, number seven, contract renewals as listed. Number eight, change of assignment salary adjustment as listed. Number nine, salary adjustment as listed. Number 10, leaves of absence as listed. Number 11, unpaid days as listed. Number 12, affirm bullying investigation findings as listed. Number 13, student
010teacher practicum observation placement as listed. Number 14, affiliation agreement William Patterson University as listed. Number 15, ESY uh 2025 staff as listed. Number 16, ESY volunteers as listed. Number um 17's on the bottom. Sorry. Oh, yes. I almost skipped that one. Thank you. Number 17, certified substitutes as listed. Number 18, non-certified substitutes as listed. And that's Thank you. Do we have a second? Second. Um, do we have any questions? Roll call. Mrs. Brand? Yes. Miss Crosby? Yes. Mulo? Yes, Mrs. Lambert. Yes, Mrs. Spieler. Yes, Mr. Williams. Yes, Mrs. O. Sullivan. Yes, Mr. Amarosa. Yes. Motion carries. Now we can congratulate. Yes. Congratulations. Oh, there's no turning back. That's it. Sucker. All right. Curriculum committee. Mrs. Brand. Yes. The curriculum committee did meet this evening. In attendance were myself, Emily Crosby, Elena O. Sullivan, and Mrs.
011Rebecca Montgomery. We discuss the items on the committee agenda, which was the HIT tutoring grant updated. Uh the Wilson foundations for third grade was also reviewed. Uh district goal data were reviewed. testing D state testing updates were reviewed and uh information about the state releasing a grant opportunity called focus grant which funds uh early literacy screening which we will be uh in going into uh we're applying for that excuse me we're applying for that yes we're applying for that grant agenda will be on the next So, uh, I'd like to move the following items. Number three, course reimbursements as listed. Number four, home instructions as listed. And that's all. Okay. Do we have a second? Second. Do we have any questions on curriculum? Okay. Um, all those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Any
012abstensions? Okay. Motion carries. Finance, facilities, and transportation. Mrs. Lambert. Um, good evening. The Finance, Facilities, and Transportation Committee did not meet this evening. So, I will move right onto the agenda. I'd like to move um item two, Secretary and Treasurer's report. Item three, bills and claims in the amount of $3,589,795.50 approved by me. Travel and related expenses as listed, transfers as listed. Uh consultant and item number six as listed. I'm going to skip item number seven for now. I'd like to move item number eight, nursing services. Item nine, the renewal of the professional development services RFP for 25 and 26. Um, item 10, renewal of another RFP for social and emotional learning coach as listed. Item 11, cooperative pricing agreement with Camden County Edge Services Commission. Item 12, shared services agreement with Mammoth County Vehicle
013Wash Facility. like to move item 13, resolution authorizing the sale and issuance of the bonds in accordance with the referendum. And that is all I need. Uh Neil, if you can move item number seven. I have a conflict so I can't move. I'd like to move the following. Um number seven donation um as listed clear to close title agency. Thank you. Clear to close title agency. We appreciate on vote. Second on both. I'll second. Okay. Thank you. Oh no. So on number 10, could you tell me a little bit more what is the uh social emotional learning? What do you do? So we we've been working with to train our uh we've been focusing on middle school um in restorative practices and now we've moved into restorative conferences which allows a process to take place
014for it's a process for accepting really what has happened and sort of making restitution for that. Um so we want to continue that work in the elementary school next year. We were focusing on middle for the last two years, but we find it important to to get to the littles um and have that work. So, that's really Becky, am I missing anything? It's it's an extension of the work that we've been doing for the last several years. It's a renewal of that same work that and expanding it. What is the R I'm glad you put that up. I didn't know what that was either. What does RFP stand for? Request for proposal. Okay. It's a process when we spend a certain amount of money, right? So, justice restorative practices. What What is that exactly? So,
015it's a it's a a framework for how we deal with student conflict. So, along the lines with how we have PBS in place and we employ behaviorists, right? And we're working on the functions of behavior. Additionally, another layer to that is having children sort of be partners in that process um and to understand how they might make someone feel. So, I read these hibs and Neil reads these hibs every month and you guys get to see this sheet, right? That it's not public, but um we need some of our kiddos to sort of have a reflection piece to that and to understand when they say some of those things, how it made someone else feel and then how they own that and make things better. It's like So, who is the emotional learning coach right
016now? It's Alicia D. Lorenzo who is our coach. Um and she's been working with, like I said, mostly middle school right now. Um, but we want to move that into elementary and it's a process because there's layers of training and um staff for staff and and admins and counselors. And then I think Chris today she's like someone who's on assignment like on retaining she's a consultant. Yes, she's an independent person that we hire as a consultant. I think we had a training today, right Chris? Miss Kley and not to put you on the spot. We had a training today social work on their role in restorative. There we go. So it's we really we're just continuing that work that's ongoing. You're welcome. Thanks for asking. Do we have any other questions facilities finance? Can board
017members drive their car through the vehicle wash facility? Conflict. Is somebody really get your undercarriage washed? You get a little off the bus. You You have to go to the depot and borrow one of the special passes that we get like a swipe card or take one of the drivers with you. So, all right. Might it's really for your Yeah. underneath the car. Other questions? Don't expect to hear. I You don't hear. You nothing else for finance. Okay. Did we have a second? We did, Mr. Williams. Okay. Excellent. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed on number seven, one abstension on seven. Okay, moving into old business. Um I have one item of old business. I guess it's um the superintendent evaluation. You all should have received your email notification that Mr. Dixine
018completed his section. And um maybe a show of hands, how many people have logged in and started it? like a big deal. When is it due? We have a question. Chromebook stuck your breath out. When is it due? We have a question. When is it? Um I would say I'd like to see them done within a week. I almost wanted to rate my idea, but I know you get lists. That would be the 20th. No one's looked. We didn't have much time. Well, what your is Mike then has to take that and he's got got we riceed Mr. Dixon for the next meeting and so you need that data before then so you can kind of tell the whole board this is a synopsis of what everybody thought at the table here. So now so
019it's really got to be done by this weekend because it takes them like a week to 10 days to get it back to you. Correct. I think um Todd did his. He promised me he would do his before he left for vacation, but I don't get a notice that he did his, but he said he did it. So, actually, there's one hand that is up. All right. When it has to be this weekend. To do it by this weekend. This weekend. Okay. Can everybody pull that off? Yes. I was actually going to work on it. All right. It's on my calendar today because I thought last year we had them done before Memorial Day weekend. Yes. It was It's been on my list by the weekend. Okay. Well, Mike, you didn't put your hand up
020either. No, no, you can't feel bad. No, no, no. I I only got mine just a few questions done. I'm not complete either. Um, okay. I think Do we have any other old business? The link to get there is in the um your New Jersey school board's login. Yeah, if actually if you check your regular school email, they gave you a notice and a link. So, you could also use that. Okay. Any new business? Okay. Then we'll go into second president's remarks. Um, which I really have none. So, we will go into public participation of any type. And this is your opportunity um to address the board. Write your name and address on the sign-in sheet. State your name for the record. and statements are limited to three minutes and should not be abusive, obscene,
021or defamatory in nature. Do we have anyone that would like to address the board on any matter? Okay. Well, we forgot to tell the new the new principal pass. We only we only deal one blow. Slow, slow and steady, right? So um before I read this um thank you to everyone for coming out. We're going to go into an executive session um where we have to exclude the public. But I thank you all for coming out. So whereas pursuant to NJSA 104-12B, 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 in NJSA 104-12b1-9. 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
022pursuant to the personnel and legal exceptions prescribed by NJSA 104-12 for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Personnel central office administrators contracts for the year 2526 and pending or anticipated contract negotiation FTEA negotiations. 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 closed session no longer exist. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor say I. I thank you. Discussing the contracts. What we're going to do is we're going to do administrators first. Gotcha. Okay. Well, cuz Neil's not here. That So, we're going to dismiss Diane.