001e e e I'd like to call this meeting to order the mission of the fre Township School District is to honor and support every learner every day on the journey to become curious and engag members of a diverse Global Community a notice this in the time date and place of this meeting was posted on the public buing Board of all freal Township Schools on the entrance door to the administrative offices of the board of education on the district website at the office of the fre Township Clerk 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 stand one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for can I get a roll call Mrs BR Dr casy m
002here Mr here Mrs Lambert here Mr sper Mr Williams here Mrs o solivan mros yeah you have a quum mind if I just move the minutes can I get a motion for the approval of the March 11 regular meeting minutes second all in favor say I I any oppos any extensions okay can I get a motion for the approval of the March 11th executive session me minutes any second second okay all those in favor say I I any oppos your extensions just our two conflicted members and Mrs steer okay I'm going to table the meeting for five minutes and we're going to in the gym and I'll see you guys all over there e e e [Music] e e e I'd like to open the meeting back up can I get the building investigation report
003since the last meeting we had three reports of harassment intimidation and bullying and all three were confirmed uh I'd also like to um thank our community for their support of our referendum um it the the issues that we were experiencing and continue to experience until we get these projects underway um have been causing several of us to lose some sleep um many of our parents at specific schools are very familiar with the issues of our infrastructure unfortunately um VI the experiences that their children have been having relative to heat mold um air condition issues electrical issues and those things do keep us up at night right Mr D hee um We Care a great deal about our staff and our students and uh this was extremely necessary in order to give our students the program
004that they need and deserve in an environment that's safe and conducive to learning and our staff an environment that is safe and conducive to doing what they do best working and teaching working with our students and teaching our students so thank you to our community for Su successfully passing that on refer referendum this evening I would also like to recognize um an achievement among our students in structured literacy programs um each year students who are in our structur lersy programs use Learning Ally and learning ally supports a program called the Great reading games this year our school district had two buildings placed in the top 10 in their bracket of learning allies great reading games 2025 and we have a student who also with a national Award winner um so Erikson ranked fourth in their
005bracket and will receive a $100 prize West Freehold ranked eighth in their bracket and they will receive $50 and a student at Baro Middle School read 25,26 pages During the period in which um the games um were conducted and that is Riley Moore from baralo middle school just a comparison uh that student read 25,26 pages the schools that won the awards cohesively comprehensively those students at Ericson read 41,400 pages and West free hold 6439 two pages that's all heck of a lot of reading and our students uh I have excellent see our reading score go up maybe a half of Point what do you think never know um cameras weren't rolling in the other room but for those watching um I did um give my congratulations to Mr Dick Ste Mr DEA actually all our
006administrators Dr BR Howard um Montgomery um I just want to thank you on behalf of the board for all the work you did on the referendum outside of your normal business hours I know it was a grening process um we really do appreciate you and I think the residents of Ral Township really do appreciate you um I know there wasn't a great turnout for the vote but the right people did turn out there were enough people that came out to say you know what we're going to stand for our students we're going to stand for our town we're not going to let our infrastructure crumble and we're going to sustain our school in quality buildings for our students and for our families so I do want to thank you personally and on behalf of the
007board with that I'm going to now open the meeting to public oh do I have one thing I sorry all right um on that not so whenever the board when I go to the county we declare a facility emergency and they Grant it yes um when you are done with it you then you have to report back to the board in terms of what your costs were and what all the results were so um when we contacted the county in August of 24 about the mle situation over at Donovan um we started compiling the cost so we spent about $1.1 million between the abatement cost um the IQ testing services and for replenishment of some of the things that were um thrown out during the process we had whiteboards that were um in especially on
008the Derby side Wing that had you know they were they couldn't be cleaned in time we threw them out there were some cabinets and some bookshelves some tack boards um some rugs they were in the very beginning Mr dixin I'm sure probably his nightmares but this still when we were trying to open for August we made unilateral decisions of all right win in doubt throw it out so there were things that we tossed out in the hopes of getting school open um there were some curriculum books and some other books that were were thrown out so about 1.1 million was spent on this emergency the insurance company recognized all but $150,000 of those cost and what they didn't recognize was the initial cleaning um that didn't result in it failed and then we had to
009go back out for the second company to come back and remediate they didn't recognize some of the cost for the initial IAQ tests that were done um we uncovered removed some of the um the bookcases and the shelves there was a very small section in one room revealed 9 by9 ESP Tes which we said well if it's exposed right now we might as well get rid of it they that was $5,000 so they didn't recognize a very small portion of this um so the total that they did recognize was about $971,000 you reduced the $250,000 deductible which we spoke about it's all solely based upon at this time the age of your building and so at the end we were reimbursed $721,000 so um it's helped it's the budget's in much better shape than it
010was I mean I borrowed from a number of accounts you all will gave us the blessing to move out an additional $400,000 for maintenance reserve some of that money will go back to the maintenance Reserve account come June 30th but um I think we learned a lot from this process and we know going forward for the summer um the insurance company wants to have a couple of trainings with our staff our maintenance team which we're more than happy to do um we know that through some conversation with the IAQ expert from the nja um we're going to make sure most of our dampers are closed we're control more of the air than what we've done in the past um but unfortunately so we do have to do this report it's part required in code when
011we declare an emergency so but it's over and we're looking forward to moving forward with the referendum getting new equipment and not having this ever happen again so you have a question Mr I do so the amounts that we weren't able to recoup 150,000 200,000 again I know you threw a lot of numbers it's it's about it's about 150 so say 150 any thought of going to the state because they do have a fund to get us you know they there's money there for this reach out to Senator gopal see if we can recoup some of that 15 and see if we can get this whole I believe and Mr Dixon correct me wrong he did reach out early on or somebody on behalf reached out and when they it's not as clean as just
012reach out to get money back it's if you're in a situation where your district is in need and can't spend the money on what was needed and you need support then reach out so he did contact me and I speak to him not for anything I never asked for anything I just said hey this is what's going on and he had said whatever whatever I can do to help I think that's during the time of the emergency I don't think that they're in a position where they reimburse um for what you did I think it's during the emergency if you couldn't come up with the funds the difficult part I think we have is we have a very robust maintenance Reserve account um you know we talked about during the budget process in the past
013few years we've done $300,000 uh for the budget we can we could look again but I don't I think the part the conversation was Neo came asked how don't you have maintenance Reserve when I told every goes yeah I don't think this is going to work I mean you know it's we obviously know the residents support us by action of the referendum we should shake every tree if there's money there for us for in this particular case I think we should try to get it that's that's my thought and if we can make that 1.1 million hold what what's the worse we're going the same place that we're are right now so I can reach out to him but he told us based on the amount we have in cap in maintenance Reserve we wouldn't
014be eligible but I can ask him again it would likely be the same answer it hasn't changed yeah I you we're fortunate that we've been with in the spot that we are and we were able to manage it and that we weren't a small District or an S2 District that would but that's it that's it thank you okay at this time I'd like to open the floor for public participation on agenda items only if anyone wishes to address the board please write your name and address on the signin sheet and state your name for the record statements are limited to 3 minutes and should not be abusive obscene or defamatory in [Music] nature I'm seeing none I'd like to go to Personnel policy and Communications Mr sper good evening um so we had our uh
015meeting today and a uh in attendance was myself Dr um Todd Casey Jeff Williams and um Dr breett hour and I'd like to move the following on the agenda we met and we discussed um what would be up for a first reading next uh next meeting and so that stuff is to follow in in the email okay and um as per Dr Casey um he was mentioning about an AI policy and he's going to review that and uh that's something that'll be addressed for next year the way it's it's good in making right okay uh so I'd like to remove number two committee meeting as listed number three adjust start date as listed number four interim guidance counselor as listed number five resend offer of long-term assignment as listed number number six unpaid days as
016listed number seven leaves of absence number eight salary adjustments number nine salary account update number 10 change of assignment as listed number 11 temporary change of assignment as listed number 12 affirm bullying investigation finding as listed number 13 student teacher practic come observation placement as listed number 14 curriculum committee as listed number 15 certified substitutes as listed number 16 non-certified substitutes as listed thank you do I have a second thank you do you have any questions none I got a roll call Cas M Crosby M Ro yes Mr Lambert yes M Steeler here yes I'm sorry Mr last time yes mros yes motion carries thank you okay curriculum committee Mrs brand yes good evening so uh the curriculum committee did not meet this evening and uh the comme members are Miss Crosby mivan and Miss
017Rebecca Montgomery myself uh I'd like to move course reimbursement as listed number three 2024 2025 field trip list update as listed before home instruction as listed that's it wonderful we love the community Farm um do I have a second second and do you have any questions for curriculum okay saying none all those in favor say I any opposed or extensions okay thank you our finance facilities Transportation Mrs Lambert good evening the finance facilities and transportation committee did meet this evening and attendance was uh myself Mr amaroso Mr gjuro Mr de and Miss Williams and uh we had quite the agenda um so we discuss now that the bond referendum has passed we discussed the tensi of schedule for the uh projects that the bond referendum is going to fund these projects must be completed by
018law within five years so uh we talked about what this was going to look like in as I'll be as brief as possible um over the next um I would say over this summer right hopefully the first two roofs um by the end of August should be worked on eclc and CA they are the smallest we're hoping to go um into certain bid for that where we can have one warranty districtwide the remaining roofs will take place next summer uh second part of the work the hbac bids uh we need to consult with our attorneys as for how we're going to do the structure for the HVAC um bids um and they'll be spread throughout two summers when we finally get that work started Third Leg of the work would be the security work and
019the Pod conversion and that will be spread over three Summers um what this is all going to look like is still in the very early stages but attempts to keep the public informed via progress tracking on the website is the goal uh Mr D is going to look into that and uh talk to everybody we've talked about the fees involved uh in terms of paying our Architects bezel and what that looks like um I have all those numbers if any of the board members are interested um also we have to talk about uh going out for bid for a construction manager and what that interview process is going to look like so Mike will get into more detail about that whether we're going to form an adhoc committee for this construction work only and carve
020it out of Finance because it does take up a considerable amount of time in the finance meeting um and this way when we do switch committees in January one ad hoc committee would provide consistency through this process you know as much as possible um so also on the May 14th agenda you'll probably see a 30 page resolution for the issuance of the bonds relent will publish the bonds on the bond bar there will be an electronic sale and after that Bob will meet with SNP and Moody which are the bond rating agencies to get that in place Bob's also got several meetings lined up with the bank that will hold the money invest the money as is required um there's a lot going on in the business office right now um with regard to that
021um anybody have any other questions about where we stand with the referendum or the timeline please feel free to reach out I'll get your your answers as quickly as possible but by May 12th um Bob should have a better uh layout of what the timeline's going to look like um before we put the bond uh resolution on the agenda May 14th the other item we discussed was Food Service policy 8500 um I I know that um that was also um we have a couple things going on with food service most of the changes that were made were to comply with the current law um one of the newer changes were that parents will now need to sign a firm refusal acknowledging that they received the offer to apply for free and reduced lunch on the
022flip side of that the paperwork is uh a little bit less because the state is tracking these students and there's some automatic um students that we have that we are already tracking also both middle schools will be required um to serve breakfast uh we fall into that category so um that's when does that begin next year next year okay in September um we don't have prices yet uh in terms of the food service contract we have a 2 and a half% increase on the management fee the guarantee will remain the same and we don't have prices on the lunch yet but should be coming shortly we don't anticipate a price increase of more than what 5 cents you think 51 cents 5 cents 510 cents we have more control because we have cash reserves and
023districts that are you know aren't making money or breaking even so at least that's when I get a quick number ma but we're waiting for the state's official tool to come out that we use so I'm guessing no more than that so I mean and then we discussed uh the remaining um items on the agenda obviously there was a lot of stuff if you have any questions just reach out to me um with that I'd like to move that committee report item number one um and the committee meeting um item number three bills and claims in the amount of 6,624 and9 cents which were approved by Mrs BR Mrs bran thank you very much um transfers as listed item number five um the Consultants as okay item number six consultant updates as listed and item
024number seven a donation of $500 from petroleum Marketing Group for the obligate school we thank you petroleum Marketing Group very good any questions do we have a second second no questions for Michelle and Bob okay all those in favor say hi hi any opposed no abstentions or business um R musical happened after our last meeting the meeting was in between yes it was uh got for sh at barle awesome job there really great job with that it was really really fun good job I all there and then one little note on the referendum I know that a lot of our staff a lot of our staff a lot of our staff and I thank every single one of them personally for the work that they did but I do unfortunately he had to he left
025he was in the other room uh when I was going and I didn't want to say anything at the last me just in case it did not pass but now that it did pass um when I was at the Eisenhower play um Mr crop asked every single person that came through those doors for three shows are you a freeold resident yes no if he got a yes he immediately handed him one of the Flyers so I wanted just personally give again I saw this with my own eyes I I can't speak to all the other but I we want Shout Out Mr CL for what he did he stood at the front door literally ask every single person that came through those doors that embodies John crop right there that's because he he's a true
026General other St understand every effort appreciate this that is who he is and we thank him he made he made them available my brother my brother-in-law my sister every single person that came through that thank you Mr C thank you excellent um and there's the um this Friday we have the future Chef that everybody do oh it's Thursday I usually do that I can't make it as anybody uh you got inv first excellent love it if anybody else I don't know if they you need any other people but um keep that in mind helpful it went out a while ago yeah that was just a followup the original one was posted right well well you got Cupcake Wars there's plenty of them that should be coming up plent of right that's do we have any
027great it's great but after a little while that's a rough one cupcake war did Cupcake Wars at Ericson very yummy think the one me and Neil were the tasters last year it's a barathon excellent do you have any M this okay uh president's remarks um the only thing I'll say during this time uh is to um py back off of what Michelle started to leading into at the referendum um we were 10 years into the last referendum I think Michelle and I we were about 10 years before it was in 20 2001 right when we joined the board it had already been about 10 years since there was a referendum but for those first few years that we were on the board we saw some of the ramifications of what had gone on with that
028and there was a learning experience going on people were like hey you know keep an eye on your construction management you know keep an eye on this and that you kind of learn from those meetings a little bit about what had gone on you want to learn from that you want to do it right this time and I think Bob has a great handle he's got tremendous experience and how this how this whole process works but I'd like to like learn as much as we can from what happened last time and try to correct that behavior this time and I think we're already starting out on a great foot I think the idea of creating this separate committee and um I'm going to ask all of you if you have interest in serving on that
029committee to maybe send me an email and say hey you know what I think i' like to be a member of that committee and then I'll get some feedback see how many people are actually interested and I think um to Michelle's point it's good to have that be separate um there's elections that go on every year some of us may or may not even be here but there is that continuity piece that I think is important um so I do agree with that and we're also worried about the amount of workload that that might take it might completely overtake the finance committee meeting like if we spend the whole time talking about that we even hear about other District problems so there's enough work there and it's not going to ramp up until about the
030summer so it's not anything that we have to do right now but probably by Midsummer I'd like to solidify how many people we want um who's interested and then I will probably set up that ad hoc Committee just so people kind of know that process and um one of the other things we're tossing around is the idea of um having some interviews at the board meeting for the construction management team um and I'm leaning towards maybe having Bob and maybe that committee narrow it down to maybe two candidates and maybe we bring those two candidates in and they could speak to the whole board and we can all listen and decide if you know we like one person versus the other because from what I did learn that role is is vital um so we
031want to make sure that whoever is monitoring the actual implementation looking at the specs talking with the Architects watching what's getting built in the field making sure that what is being built was what was specified preventing problems it's a critical role because we can't do that as board members Bob can't do that our staff can't do that so um just keep those thoughts going so there's some new things that this board will be working on that boards don't always have to work on but over the next three years we're probably going to have this side committee working um along with our other committees so just something to think about um another thing is um we're getting close to the superintendent evaluation so um shortly um within the next few weeks NE is going to complete
032his section and then I'll keep the board informed as to when you can log in and do your evaluations just so that we meet the uh the timelines that are mandated it's pretty much all I have so with that I'm going to um go to public participation of any type so if there's anyone that would like to address the board please write your name and address on the signin sheet and state your name for the record and statements are limited to three minutes and should not be abusive obscene or defamatory in nature do we have any takers for the podium seeing none then uh this board is going to move into an executive session you could do that we're asked pursuant to njsa 10 col 4-1 12b the Board of Education May exclude the public
033from that portion of a public meeting at which the board addresses any of the matters described at njsa 10 4-12 b19 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 exemptions prescribed by ngsi 10 4-12 for the purpose of discussing the following matters pending or anticipated contract negotiations ftea negotiations it is anticipated that the length of time of this executive session will be 45 minutes and that action will not be taken in public after the executive session be it further resolve that said discussion may be disclosed to the public when reasons for discussing and acting upon it in close session no longer exist do I have a second second all those in
034favor say I I any opposed thank you folks for coming out