001Mhm. >> Hey. >> Mhm. >> Okay, every time everybody rise for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. I know. In accordance with the open public meeting act adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by advertising on the legal notice page on the district website. Okay. Okay, approval of the board minutes. Mr. Labue. I'll take roll. >> Roll call, roll call. Yes. Mr. Folcarelli. Present. Mr. Redzio. Present. Mr. Diaz. Present. Mr. Kielcz. Present. Mr. Taylor. Present. Mr. Ryle. Present. Mr. Gabba. Present. Mrs. Hassan. Present. Mrs. Petrie. Present. >> Our student representatives, Ms. Bolanos. And Ms. Martinez Cherry. Present. Okay, so now it's motion to approve um um the board minutes. So moved. I'll second. Mr. Fulgerino, Mr. Gabba. Roll call. Mr. Ga- uh Mr. Fulgerino. I. Mr. Regio. Abstain from
0023.1, 3.2, I to 3.3. I can't hear what you're saying. 3.1 and 3.2? Yes, sir. Thank you. And then I on the rest? Yes. Okay, got you. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Quiles. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Rado. I. Mr. Gabba. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Piteri. I. Thank you, Madam President. Just uh give me 1 second here. I lost my uh She's here? I see you're here. I can Oh, there you are. So uh good evening, everyone. We'll start with student of the month. Hello, I'm Ms. Cristani. Few people are lucky enough to watch someone grow up. It's hard to put into words what it feels like to stand here and recognize someone that I've watched grow up from the beginning. My first year teaching back in 2022-23, I of anxious of what was to
003come and as I as I looked at my rosters weeks before school started, specifically the English one freshman class I'd have on my own right after lunch, the first name on the list rolled off my tongue like I had known them for years. And I did. I've had the pleasure of knowing Belen since she was in diapers as I grew up and played softball alongside her older sisters. Belen might not remember this as she was a toddler then, but she was also there for my first breakup as we watched Pitch Perfect and ate brownies. She is an outstanding student herself inside and outside of the classroom. Belen is in the early college program and this past Friday graduated with her associate's degree from Bergen Community College before she earns her high school diploma next month.
004During her time at Garfield High School, Belen has played softball for all four years, was on the winter track team, a member of the Interact Club, the lead photographer for the school newspaper, and it was a power back representative, a program offered exclusively to high school juniors dedicating their time to learning, helping, and spreading awareness about abuse and relationships. Outside of school, Belen serves at the altar at her church, and was a success coach at Myokinetics, a physical therapy clinic. She is part of the National Honor Society and Math Honor Society. Belen is also this year's unsung hero for GHS softball. Beyond her academic and extracurricular achievements, her kindness and ability to connect with others sets her apart, making her a role model for her peers and a deserving recipient of this recognition. Belen, watching
005you grow into the generally kind, respectful, hardworking, and determined young woman you are today has been incredible. This award recognizes what you've accomplished during your four years here at Garfield High School, but the people who've known you the longest are just as proud of the young woman you've become. Belen will be attending Seton Hall University next year to study nursing, a fitting career choice for a young woman who treats people with dignity and sets the standards for others around her. Our GHS May Student of the Month, Miss Belen Acevedo. >> [applause] >> Good evening everyone. I just wanted to say thank you so much for this award. I've I'm really honored to be chosen as student of the month. Thank you to my family and faculty and staff at GHS and the Board of Education
006for this recognition. And especially Miss Cristani for always believing in me from the beginning and all her support and encouragement throughout all four years. I'm very grateful for this recognition. Again, thank you again to everyone. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Again, just incredible stuff happening here with all of our students and this the seniors um and the high school spotlight just really kind of, you know, put it all in perspective. Um So, the the student government board who's been doing an incredible job this year, they're they're going to have a final presentation for June for us, kind of wrapping the whole year together. So, it was great working with you all. Uh you know, obviously uh we've we've made a lot of progress these last 2 years together. Uh and we'll be, you know, again,
007I know next month is crazy month for graduating. So, so we look forward to it, but good luck. Um I'm sure the board's going to wish you well at some point, but I just wanted to say that. So, so what we look forward to the final wrap-up for June. Um okay, Miss um Gutierrez, I don't know if you want to do uh Mr. Kovach. Come on. >> [laughter] >> How long do we know each other? A long time. A long time, too long. We have to tell. Okay. Uh Mr. Edward Kovach, whereas Mr. Edward Kovach has dedicated an extraordinary 50 years of service as a volunteer firefighter in the city of Garfield, demonstrating unwavering commitment, bravery, and selfishness in protecting the lives and property of the community. And whereas Mr. Kovach was honored by the
008mayor and council of the city of Garfield on April 16, 2026, in recognition in recognition of his distinguished and long-standing service as a volunteer firefighter. Whereas Mr. Kovach has also faithfully fulfilled services of the Garfield public school district for 25 years as a dedicated and valued employee contributing to the success and daily operations of the district with professionalism, loyalty, and integrity. Whereas his dual service to both the city of Garfield and Garfield public school amplifies the highest standards of public service, civic responsibility, and community pride. Whereas the Garfield Board of Education recognizes the importance of honoring individuals whose lifelong dedication positive impacts students, families, and bordering communities. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Garfield Board of Education hereby commends and honors Mr. Edward Kovach for his remarkable 50 years of volunteering service to the
009Garfield Fire Department and 25 years of dedicated service to the Garfield School District. Uh be it forth be res- Oh, yeah, resolved that the board expresses its deepest gratitude for Mr. Kovach's commitment, sacrifice, and service, which has greatly enriched the Garfield community and school district. But if further resolve that the resolution should be entered into the official minutes of the Garfield Board of Education and that a copy be presented to Mr. Kovac as a token and appreciation of our recognition. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Mayor, how about I want to say a few words? >> [applause] [applause] >> I want to thank you know, Dr. Tomko, members of the Board of Education, fellow Garfield residents. Thank you to the Garfield Board of Education for this incredible honor recognizing my 50 years of service with the Garfield
010Fire Department. I am truly grateful and humbled by this recognition. For For five decades, serving the community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Whether responding to emergencies with the fire department or working with the Board of Education, the mission has always been the same, keeping people safe and helping everyone get home safely to their families each day. I'm proud to live in this great city, proud to serve this community, and proud to work alongside so many dedicated people who care deeply about our residents, our students, and our future. Thank you again for this honor and for your continued support and commitment to our city. It means more to me than words can express. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Dr. Tomko, thank you. >> [applause] >> Hey. Thank you, Madam
011President. Um What uh just an incredible man. Obviously, I don't have to tell anybody that, but even when you when you go over the three saints, just a conversation with him, it's is hum- just humbling. It really is. And I And I haven't known him a quarter of a minute of the time that you all have, so just really an incredible incredible guy. We wanted to uh obviously, we you know, appreciate what the the town the town did for for you, and now we wanted to honor you as well as as one of our loyal employees. And so, thank you very much. Appreciate it. All right. So, I just wanted to talk um well, before I do this, before I forget and and then pass the uh mic back over to uh President. Uh we
012called for single session or half days for tomorrow and Wednesday already. You know, the air is on in here. You can feel how hot it is already. So, um this is for students. Half day for students. Um again, you know, just trying to alleviate some of that discomfort and uh and some of the health possible um issues that may happen tomorrow and Wednesday because of the impending >> [clears throat] >> heat wave. You know, they're not calling it a heat wave. Uh so, I just wanted to make that clear. You should have all received Parents should have all received a some kind of announcement. So, that's uh tomorrow and Wednesday. All right. So, so um the statute is very clear about the May 15th recognition of uh employee renewals in New Jersey, speaking of New
013Jersey. The New Jersey statutes. The contracts here also have their own little um caveats on all of that with regard to uh especially in the uh uh the GFT contract and some of the other two were the talk about assignments by May 15th. So, at a time like this, unfortunately, I've I've been involved in a few different districts where where there was an impending need for financial stability. And these are not easy decisions to make. When I first came here and we looked up some of the of those issues and and everyone here who was whether here at the meetings with me or not, even prior to me starting, we knew what the financial distress was in the district. I think just looking at some of the the budgeting aspects here where the board is
014borrowing from one year into the next. We got lucky with extra money that we didn't think we would get that kind of got us out of a jam last year. Um we still since day one I was here talked about health care. We didn't realize the energy costs. We didn't know there was a a war coming, you know, for gas and oil. I mean, I'm sure all of you are going through the same thing like I am, $100 to fill your tank up, right? So, all of those things together make the perfect storm and you know, if you are reading the paper, which I guess you are, Garfield is not the only district that's going through this. Um so, in order to do that, we were very transparent with regard to all these things, including
015health care when I first got here. And all those other changes that had to be made. Now, if you look back historically, I don't like looking backwards. There's that really, you know, you should learn from from the history. However, I don't know what was going on at the time. Um there were things that kind of helped get us to this point. One of the things that's very important that we can we're going to be discussing um over the next few months is what occurred during COVID, right? During COVID, there were extra money set aside by the federal government so that you can have class size reductions, smaller class sizes, and then MTSS really kind of blew up uh multi-tiered supports, which have been around for 100 years, believe it or not, um because students were
016going through a learning loss. And the argument was that students always go through a learning loss, right? But COVID really did that. And we And we see that, and we still understand that. Um so, those monies are gone, right? I mean, again, I think that you have to kind of unravel or unbox all these things that created these issues for all All of the districts that are going through this. Um especially several districts in uh in Bergen County. Um so, in saying that, when we had our budget presentation, and even prior to that, we talked about the cuts that had to be made um based on the needs that we that we saw coming with regard to the budgeting. And that was after the board supported a five 5% right? 5% increase to the tax
017levy, which is a burden already as it is. And we discussed uh when we first got here, we I I basically looked uh I said it, and then and a lot of people didn't believe me. Um they were looking at 100 cuts. Um we're actually not at 100, thank God. Um and I will say that even some of the cuts we made right now, I'm going to put this on the record, cuz it's very important that everyone understands this. Some of the um the cuts that were made um or some of the restructuring that happened with regard to the district, that decreased positions that weren't necessary anymore, um because of our special education enrollment that's going through the roof just from the past month or so, uh and also preschool enrollment, which we're not really
018sure yet, um we may be hiring for some additional positions as well. So, um unfortunately, with the May 15th date, with a couple different things that I just just uh expressed, you know, these things had to happen at a certain time, including where people were placed, right? So, I hate to limit it to like a puzzle, but but that's really what it is uh with regard to my individuals, their experience, and their experiences in the district. So, kind of that's what brings us where we are tonight. So, uh so, let me just go over the process. Recommendations are are um through the superintendent of schools. That's anywhere. Um the board you know, really doesn't have much say in the recommendation with the regard to that except uh with regard to any recommendation except for the
019fact that they support it or they don't. Um there's really no wiggle room here um without making any of these restructuring needs um we would be in deficit. I mean, there's there's no other way around it. Uh I think we had the ability to kick the can down the road for the past years, and there's nothing wrong with that. Uh we but there's not an ability to do that anymore, and I think that's proven with all these other districts going through the same thing. If we were on a spotlight right now, we were the only district doing this, I would say that's a concern, but it's not. So, again, it's where we're at. So, for the recommendations that you see tonight, it is less proportionally of different um positions that individuals were let go um
020with regard to restructuring, performance, financial needs. There's a bunch of different reasons. I like to just call it that unfortunately through your probationary period, um we we had to go through a restructuring, and we we couldn't um recommend a a rehire. That's where we're at. Um in saying that, uh that's not an easy thing, obviously. Nobody wants to see that happen, and this is weeks and weeks of trying to you know, save as many individuals as possible. Um especially those individuals that left districts to come here um because they heard all the great things that were happening here. Um No tenured teacher was affected. There's So, there's been, you know, technically no reductions in that area. I mean, that's really what where where it gets very very bad financially. So, I'm I'm saying this out
021loud. So, I said a few things out loud here and nobody's believing me, but with the special ed numbers coming in the way they are, um we may um you know, have to really go back and look at some of these these uh these uh programs and other things. So, in saying that though, I'm I'm happy at the board's vision was to try to restructure everything we could so that we didn't we didn't affect any programs for students. Okay, and that's what happened. So, even even what you see in some of the transfers, and I'll talk about that in a second, even you see with some of the transfers, like you may look at this list and say, "Oh my god, I can't believe this person's here, this person's there." Even with some of those
022transfers, the main program uh still is not affected. What we were basically doing regardless was a revamp of the MTSS, and the board hopefully with their support tonight of different issues uh different programs like Parthenon, etc., um basically is tying in all of those needs, okay, in a one-stop-shop kind of atmosphere. Um basically IEPs, um any type of interventions, etc. We don't have that now. Um I'm not saying that our teachers aren't doing an incredible job, but I think it was time to look at some of that. This is not COVID days anymore. There's basic skills doesn't I said this I said this to the administrative team. Basic skills does not exist alone anymore in the space. Basic skills is infused in every classroom that's called tier one, right? 95% of your students are getting
023basic skills in classrooms. All right? Sometimes it's happening, sometimes it's not here. Um that's going to change. Um so, again, one of the restructurings of the MTSS component is to bring those interventionist spots back into classroom spots. These are veteran teachers that have have done well, and and that's the need right now. Um there's nothing else to really uh you know, kind of discuss about that except that. And the reality is this. Looking at this since 2020 is not a bad thing at this time when we're when we're looking to restructure something when you're looking at scores, when you're looking at the needs of students, when you're looking at all these different things that are available out there with title money etc. There is definitely a way to to do that. So, moving forward after
024this the May 15th deadline and then tonight with what the board has in front of them, we're still going to going to sit down and and and talk about this continued restructuring. Nothing is is set in stone until September 1st, right? Again, we really didn't get much I'll say I I didn't get much input from our administrative team because then we start talking about who's here, who knows this, who knows that. I'm just being realistic with all of you, okay? This was What did he or she used to teach? What are he What is he or she certified in? Where can they help? Because what we were doing is we were trying to keep a team that was here as much people as as many people as possible for the needs of of our students.
025That's the reality. Now as we get to this point and we look at enrollments, we look at some money is coming back. I don't even know where the title money is going to be, right? They just took away the Blue Ribbon program, right? So, I mean there's different things that are happening. So, we are in limbo still. So, what I'm saying to you is this, the promise that I'm making to the community and the staff and this board knows it is that we're still going to get to work moving forward. We are absolutely not happy about letting anyone go and if we could bring everyone back we will. That that's not done for performance reasons. And that's really where we are where we are, but I appreciate the board listening to a lot of these
026reasons. They really had I don't want I don't want to say you had no say in it cuz that's not completely true, but the reality is is that these are the recommendations of the chief school administrator. Um that's why they're done by a certain date. Um and that's why, you know, again, um one of the reasons why I was brought here was to to kind of make sure that our finances were were were stable. Um we're going to be again, I'm going to say it again, and I don't know how else to tell everybody this except to say it, but they're talking about health care going up again, another 40 45%. Um if that does happen, and there's no relief, and there's a resolution tonight on this agenda uh for me for the board, hopefully
027the board accepts it for me to send to our um assembly and Senate and everyone we possibly can, we need some relief. Um we're still in the state state health benefits plan. We probably can't even get out into a private plan right now. We're one of the Now it's a smaller pack of districts in state health, and now we're pick taking on a bigger burden. Um but if you put yourself now again into another 40% increase, we're we're here again next year. We're here again next year. I mean, I don't know what else to say to everybody. Um so, we're going to do everything we can to prevent that. We're going to do everything we can not to hurt programs, and this is the first step of making sure that our students are taken care
028of, our families taken care of. Um we're doing the best we can. I know we have an incredible veteran staff who's been hearing me say this since I got here, so I know the veteran staff understands where we are. Um and I know that when we make some of these changes moving forward to some of the placements and whatnot, they're going to do everything they can to make that work. Um because again, they're if anyone had a different solution, then, you know, I I must have missed it, but this is really it. And again, it's not just here, it's all over. It really is. Um and it's it's upsetting, so nobody wants to do this. Um this has not been forget this week. The the weekend's been incredible. And I know there's been stuff on
029social media here I try to I get it. I get it. It's very easy out there. It's very easy out there. It's not easy up here when you know, these are these are people's livelihoods. You know, we're not home to say, "Hey, it's here's a game." It's not what it was. I mean, every position was talked about to me. Every every possible, you know, change or what can we do this or how we can save money here and and just this is where we at. We were talking almost $4 million in cuts. Um and again, I we're we're I mean, you know, I think Jack's got to report later and just to kind of reiterate the the special ed part of it. Because we just had we just had several students register last week. Now,
030this is the end of the year that are really going to affect some of our numbers. Um I just want to say one more thing about special special needs and charter schools and all this other stuff because I think I think people don't understand it unless you're up here. The most incredible thing for a special ed students is to stay in what's it called the least restricted environment, right? Stay with your friends, stay here. And that's what we do. We did a great job. We built all these programs, right? The issue is this, when you send a student out for high tuition, you get money back from the government, right? It's called semi. It's called Medicaid. When you're here, the tuition rate is lower. So, you don't even get any you don't get much money
031back. So, that's the other fallacy. Like, "Oh, all these kids we get aid for." If we sent them out, we did. We would, but we're here. So, we're doing such a great thing for our kids and their families, but it's it cuts both ways. So, there's all of these things that come inside a box that you have to think about or you peel the layer out, whatever analogy you want to use. It's just not a get up in the morning kind of thing. I mean, you know, we've been dealing with stuff financially. Jack's been trying to scrub everything to try to find a nickel here and there to save positions. Um and again, we're going to try to bring back as many individuals as we can. Um but this steamrolls into a lot of different
032things. Supplies, um you know, all these things that you you know, I want October comes, you know, we're we're going to have to look at our numbers and say, "Where are we?" Um you know, cuz we we have to make payroll, obviously. And and have to make sure that everybody all these programs are in effect. So, um again, that's that's kind of how it is. Um you know, and we're going to do our best to to maintain every individual that we can to service our kids from in the city. Uh and uh moving forward, if anyone has any questions and you want to ask me, you can call me at at the office. I give everybody my cell phone. I can explain all this. It's It's really not you know, it's not difficult. It's It's
033just a It's a numbers thing and it always has been and I've been saying that for a very long time and unfortunately, I think this has been a Garfield issue for years and I think we're the first administration and now board, I guess, to actually say we're going to make these cuts and stay financially stable and you know, that maybe it hasn't happened that way. So, um so, that's the explanation. Uh again, if any questions, you can reach out to me. Thank you, Mrs. Petrie. Are there any committee reports? Uh BA, okay. Thank you, Mrs. Petrie. Um um >> [clears throat] >> so, first I again, I want to extend my appreciation to the administrative team. Uh as Dr. Tomko mentioned, um we shoulder shouldered a lot of the burden in terms of of combing
034through uh and making sure that the budget we submitted to the county, the allocations that we had to salaries, was what was in fact um where we are today. Um so, between the tireless uh work between the professionalism and and the maintaining of of confidentiality, uh I can't thank the team uh enough and Dr. Tomko, of course, working through very very difficult decisions. Um one of one of the things that I wanted to do tonight was just share um next steps through this process. As Dr. Tomko mentioned, uh we understand that the goal is is to have the best educational environment for our staff, for our students, for our families come September. Um and so, that that work will continue in maintaining those programs. Um, it's something that the board had asked that we do
035and and it's something that that we still have in in in plans to do. Uh, but I want to stress that what's going to happen over the next few months. Um, the involvement of building administration increases, the formulation of of um, schedules for 26-27, the ongoing registration process, both pre-K registration and our regular registration, uh, will continue. Uh, again, we are a transient district. We know that you know, our our community, um, has some some variables in terms of our numbers from building to building and in grade to grade. Um, so that's going to be managed through the the academic side and of course through Dr. Tomko. Um, so that that part of that process, uh, is going to provide some challenges. Um, we alluded to a little bit. Dr. Tomko directly mentioned the special
036ed piece and talking to our director, um, and our CST, we've talked about just, um, the last couple of months, the increase in numbers of students with with, um, services where we we need to prepare additional sections that we've done uh, to this point, but again, that may change. So the increases that we've already factored and budgeted for may increase moving forward. So that's something that we're going to monitor closely. It's going to be the collaboration of our child study team, our registrar, and our guidance department in terms of their placement and the work that that they do. I mean, we don't talk enough about, um, our middle school our high school guidance counselors and and the work that happens over the summer, the magic to get things um, to where it needs to be
037in September. So all of that is going to happen. So again, um, although there's a lot here, um, there's a lot left to be done to prepare to get open in September. So again, I just I wanted to make sure that we were clear on that and and you know, we'll be confident in what we're doing and making sure that our district, um, puts those programs together and put them in place in the appropriate fashion. Uh, just wanted to to to directions, um, and speak to facilities, our director of facilities, our maintenance team um, has been incredibly busy over the last month uh, working within buildings, uh, working on a facelift at school seven in their gymnasium, working to get that area ready for their assemblies and and and their events. Um, so I thank
038that that group. Um, I thank our custodians for what they do daily uh, keep the buildings clean. Um, additional lawn care and those type of duties are are happening now and of course our work orders. So so that's that's where we are today with that. Um, lastly, again, we've had some HVAC issues um, that have come up. Um, the heat obviously and changing temperatures has impacted our our buildings, our trailer classrooms. Um, so we're going to continue to work through those, get those diagnosed and and and work to repair them. Um, so again, I want to thank Dr. Tomko. I want to thank our central office team. Uh, I want to thank the Board of Education for for their support um, in making challenging decisions and and having open and honest dialogue. Um, and I
039look forward to continuing on on all of the things that need to be done before September. Thank you, Mr. Lebou. Before we go I ask are there any committee reports? Okay. Uh, before we go on to public comments, I'd like to make an um, uh, 8.15 I'd like that to include August. 8.15 to include summer hours for August. Point of order. President is amending 8.15 Yeah, we got that. So we're amending 8.15 to include August as well. Madam President. >> I don't have to. So now we're all together in the public comments. Harlem Unit 7 Wattska, 67 Maurice Ave, Garfield. A little back or you can't ever hear me, so. Now it's good? So, I have a question. Um you're getting a merit raise, Mr. Laboot, this evening, but you didn't even when I asked
040you for a list of employees, you didn't even give me a whole list of employees. And I understand you said it's an at-will, but a security guard working here for 25 years, I assume is not at-will and should have been on that list. But I feel like you're incompetent, so I don't understand how we're going to fire teachers, but give you a raise. Right? But cuz we don't have money for it. And you're getting a raise, too, I assume. But we don't have money, so we're going to fire teachers, but let's pay them more. Also, I'm very curious why we need a supervisor at the central office. All of you at the central office are over a hundred K. Like who needs to supervise you? I don't get it. Also, a high school supervisor, what
041is that It's in your transfer things. If you look, I can't mention personnel, but your middle person is now a supervisor, your high school person is also a supervisor. I don't understand why you need supervisors. I thought you guys were against supervisors, but now we have three extra ones. To me, if you have a supervisor at the central office, you're not doing your job, cuz you're making so much money, you don't need to be supervised. That's ridiculous. Also, are you replacing all the basic skills teachers with your I forgot the name, Partheon, whatever that AI thing. You know, AI slop. You guys loved it online. You guys commented that my slop is so bad, but now you're replacing specialized teachers, special needs No, basically basic needs teachers with that Partheon Technology LLC, which is a
042startup. So, and it looks like it's all AI based. It's one owner, two investors. So, are you selling our information to them? Cuz like I don't get it. What how that's going to work? But, um that's all. That's all I got for today. Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to come up and make a comment? Could you please state your name, hon? Sure can. Danielle Marcello, 66 Krakow Street. >> [clears throat] >> So, I'm doing some back of the napkin math here, and I'm coming up short. Yeah, sure can. I'm coming up short with um some of the financials here. So, I'm going to tell you guys this in a very polite way, but I was given the list here of um team members, 870-something, 857. I can't tell who was renewed
043or who wasn't. In prior years, I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, I don't mind being corrected, it was evident who was not being renewed in the grid that we were given. This grid gives me lots of names of individuals, but doesn't tell me exactly who's not coming back next year. So, I'm going to use some estimations that I made up, I think, but if we're looking at potentially 30 certified teachers or team members, that may be under or overshooting, you guys can tell me how many are not invited back next year into this district, but if you look at fringe benefits and you look at annual salaries, you're looking at roughly $80,000 per person. Again, back of the napkin math. That's $2.4 million. Plus $3.5 million that we were told was a surplus
044in the budget from last year that we're carrying over to this year. And if insurance benefits are the constant thread in which we're saying that we're having to potentially cut teachers or our taxes are going up, well, that was almost $1 million. So, the math isn't adding up because why do we need so much of the savings? Cutting teachers, those teachers carry benefits. So, if you're cutting those teachers and their salary and their benefits, your $1 million increase in insurance is not really $1 million, is it? The other thing, is this a workforce reduction plan? Because that's important for the public to know. Are we reducing the workforce? The other thing, we're talking about savings, tightening the belt, scrubbing the numbers. Well, we have a quite robust, and again, I'm speaking from experience. I manage
045multiple million dollar budgets, 23 exactly. And I don't have the number of people in a central office that's here. We have an accountant, an executive payroll manager, an accounts payable coordinator, a business analyst, and a director for data, planning, and research. In the wave of technology and the way that automation is happening for payroll, we are not handwriting checks out with a paper checkbook and a pen anymore. That's a lot of people in finance. And with automation and reports that are auto generated, you can plug anything into AI and you need someone to validate what's coming out is accurate because we all do it. Many of us are using AI. So, for us to have highly salaried team members, and I choose to call them team members not employees, it's just not working. We're spending
046and we're hearing about cuts, but again, where is that money? The other thing and lastly, cuz I know I'm going to get timed out, we're talking about anatomy tables. $70,000. I have taken more anatomy classes than probably almost every single person in this room. And guess what? Not a table, not a video, a teacher is who taught me how to be what I am today. I can tell you that the top surgeons in the country are not learning from a table. If you want to have children exposed to the latest and greatest technology, live from surgery. Liberty Science Center, check it out. It's funded by Johnson & Johnson, multiple major health organizations in the state. Allow children to watch things like open heart surgery, bypass, renal transplant, neurosurgeries, even semaglutide in diabetes management so they
047understand what an Eliza is. So, before we go spending money, again, I'm all about technology, but that's money that we don't necessarily need to spend for our children to get a great future in healthcare. I think that's it. Um if there's anything else, I'm sure I'll be back up when it's public comment again. Thank you. Is there anyone else that like to make a comment? Okay, so the public portion is closed right now. Mr. Chair, through the chair, can I Would you like me to answer a couple of those for the board? Just so before you make a decision? Thank you. Um so, um I'm going to just try to just be very clear with a few things with regard to some of the comments up here. Um I I I think the categorization of
048uh what what the uh BA provided for open requests is not true with the out will part. Open Just I don't know if people in the city understand what open is um exactly, but it's requesting a public record. It's not requesting that the board make a public record. So, if you ask for a record and there's a record there, if it's the wrong record then ask for another one. I don't know. So, just to be extremely clear though, I don't know what happened before I got here, but last year this is exactly the way the list was approved. I only put on uh for approvals those individuals that are being renewed. The board does not get to vote on people not coming back. The public does not get to see who's not coming back. That's
049not how it goes. Um non-tenured individuals uh are temporary employees. They have their contract is from usually from June 1st or a start date. Uh I'm sorry, from September 1st or a start date to June 30th and an end date. It's a temporary employee thing. The board The board does not get to vote on non-renewals. The board has to vote on terminations mid-year when a contract is already uh set, but at the expiration of a of a uh of a contract, um that that doesn't go on any list. So, if that happened before I got here, then that that shouldn't have happened, but I guess the board was voting on those things that they shouldn't have and I think uh any attorney would tell you that as well. Um but again, that may could have
050been the board's perspective before I got here. Um you know, everyone is getting a raise in contracts. So, so no one that has a contract is not getting a raise. We do have two bargaining units that are in the middle of contract negotiations. I'm pretty sure they'll get retro pay once that's settled. Um so, just to say that peo- So, people are getting raises. I don't know where that comes from. These are reductions in actual um structuring of different types of positions, not a true workforce reduction. It's not a riff. Um basically, when there's non-tenured individuals not being renewed, that doesn't have to be a reduction in force. Reduction in force is when we say, basically, "We're not going to use this position anymore ever again." That's a reduction in force. This is for non-tenured
051employees, uh the board for financial obligations or restructuring or performance. They they could just say, "Thank you very much." You know, just like if the board let a Latin teacher go last year, doesn't mean that they even have to rehire that person ever. There's no need to do that, as as you all know already. Or if we have a spot for 10 teachers, and I say we only need nine teachers, we don't have to fill that 10th spot. So, this is the same thing that's happening, so it's really not a reduction in any way. There is There is no supervisor supervising the central office. What you're seeing on there is that all of the administrators right now are reporting as central office because the board and I have not discussed any position locations for them
052yet. It's not in their contract. Um that's going to be after tonight's meeting. That'll be the further discussions. Uh we have a restructuring idea going on there as well. So, what you see right now is just a placeholder. There's nobody supervising us uh at the board office. It just says probably central office office or district. Um we try to stay with some of the same language that was there just to avoid some confusion, but all that will be cleaned up um as we move forward. Um And supervisors, you know, you take the entire administrative team, and you take the non-tenured um staff, which now will be a little less, and you take the tenured staff, and you multiply how many observations um and evaluations we have to do, regardless of the other work that supervisors
053and administrators have to do or principals. You know, we have We have members of the administrative team that are doing 80 evaluations. There's only 180 school days. Okay? So, if you just put that in perspective, to take that to take that team and even eliminate more means that they have to take on more observations and I don't I don't even know how it's possible. Um, I know I know the the perception here is that everything's top-heavy. There's too many people up in a in a board office and stuff like that, but it's absolutely not true, which brings me to that. Um, there is no the you know, again, the business office now has been eliminated is going to lose two individuals today um, after this, okay? So, you see that for the transfer. So, two
054individuals. So, I maybe that was something that wasn't um, seen on the on the paperwork. Um, data planning and research has nothing to do with the business office. That's an academic um, it advisory role. Um, just happens that's that's where Ms. Bellinger's position is. Uh, uh, her office is upstairs. Uh, but that's all data planning and assessment. You guys used to call it curriculum and instruction, but but it's it's really the data piece that's important. Um, because that's really the Q-SAC, you know, they want to see how the how the data is flowing um, through all the all of those uh, those those areas. Interesting point about payroll though, I will I will I will say that. Um, we've had one payroll person here for a million years uh, and there's some interesting things uh,
055that was very telling to me uh, and how dangerous that is actually. Uh, so now a company helps do that, but with any payroll company you have, you have to have a liaison on this side. So, that's basically that role. Uh, so I don't know how we would we would be able to do that especially in a in a the largest corporation in the city here with a thousand employees. You're talking about pension, you're talking about 403(b)s, talking about FSA. There's a lot of things that that individual does uh, uh, along with some of the uh, other HR stuff that kind of flows into that. So, um, I'm not really sure uh, if there's any any more workforce reduction in that area uh, at all up in the business office. Actually, I think that office
056is pretty light. Um, but everybody can disagree with me, that's fine and we're going to make do. Um, just like, you know, again, when I was brought in here, uh, I had an assistant, that assistant's no longer there. So, we're all we're all doing with less that we thought we were going to have. So, we're going to continue to do that. And I and I just want to say one one more thing if I can. Uh, actually two things. Partheon is not replacing teachers, okay? Again, just to explain this cuz I know the board had a lot of questions on this as well. Partheon is a software program that is basically going to take the place of what Real Time did for IEPs, right? And then integrate that with your MTSS, um, structure, uh, with
057regard to progress tracking, etc. So, we have none of that right now. We used to use something here called Edge Climber. With all due respect, we've had that here for about 5 years, we're just starting to use it this year, okay? So, what this does is now takes that and puts it all together and your MTSS teachers will tell you this. Puts this all together now, again, one-stop shopping, okay? So, if you have a child with an IEP right now, you go into an IEP meeting and I'm sure our team gives you a whole packet of papers, right? That's your IP. We're just talking to one of the board members about this. Now, Partheon's incredible, have something called the sandbox. You sit down with the team, you go you're on this like screen and they
058talk about different things that the team and the parent feels would would benefit the the child, you know, three times a week tutoring, whatever it is, it's all based on standards, it's all based on different things. Uh, right now, the IP portion's being used by the South Bergen Jointure, so I don't know where all these things came from these these companies. What we're doing here is a pilot. Uh, we're in a pilot group with uh, select New York City schools, Miami schools, uh, San Diego schools, High Point, a bunch of different schools, um, and the MTSS pro MTSS program that is surrounding this software package basically is was, you know, developed or professionally developed by the by the individual and the team that put the entire MTSS package here during COVID. So, it's a perfect
059fit, okay? Not only is it a perfect fit, but besides the professional development monies covered by title monies, not local tax levy, it's $0 this year to do that transfer, and next year the promise is $5 a student. So, to me, financially, it's a home run. And as we reevaluate it with our team, our our our our parents, everybody, if it doesn't work out, then like anything else, right? We move to something else, which isn't optimal. We don't want to do that. Um but that's what we do. It integrates in PowerSchool SIS, so it's a home run, okay? So, again, I really don't know what else to say about Parthenon except it's it's an incredible thing here. The AI piece is in everything now, everything. We have Brisk that we use, the teachers will tell
060you if they're not using it, they should be. There's an AI piece for lesson plans, okay? Uh we're using AI portals for Power Buddy that's coming up. All the parents are going to be able to look at their phone and say, "Hey, my kid hasn't done their homework yet." That's AI. All All of it's infused. We just had someone get up here and talk about AI for budgeting. Um that's another thing, right? So, so I don't know how AI gets involved in this either. This is This is good stuff. But the last thing I'm going to talk about, if you if you don't mind, Madam President, are the Anatomage tables. We've been talking about these things for months. These things are incredible. I can't wait, hopefully with your support tonight, that to get individuals in
061the field to look at these things. They are a game-changer, okay? Uh Jack was talking about it a little bit in in the in the work session cuz he he was at the demo. I've I'm obviously very familiar with this. There's not too many high schools that have this. This is what will set our kids, and especially our academy, apart from kids going to the tech and all these other places. Why not do that, okay? Medical schools are using these. Uh several high schools are using these. Colleges are using these. This is put put together uh with funding that we found from title monies that are still left in this year. So, this purchase tonight has absolutely no effect, zero effect, on the individuals that are are or are not coming back. But you're There's
062two different buckets. The the re-nom renewal and renewal of the renewal list tonight has to do with 2026-27 budget. The Nedom Osage tables, we're still in this current year. If we don't use these monies and Garfield historically has had carryover funds, I can almost guarantee that the federal government is going to take away those those carryover funds because they're looking for money, too. So, I don't know what else to say except that we this board has talked about keeping programs, expanding and enhancing opportunities for kids. Again, these are title monies. I would I don't know why you would want to use them. I really don't. So. But thank you. Okay, we're going to move on to resolutions. Can I have a motion for um personnel? Can I So so moved with the amendment Yeah, as
063amended. As amended. To number 8.15, restoring summer hours for the full summer to certain employees. Yeah, Alan, I can't hear you. I'm sorry, I thought I was too loud. I'm making the amendment to 8.15. So, I'm making the motion to approve the resolutions with the amended 8.15 restoring the summer hours to certain employees. I don't know what's wrong. I can't Did you hear me? >> Yeah, he's he's he's He made the motion to approve as amended. Okay. I'm sorry. Do I have a second? Second. I'm sorry, Mr. Geiser. Just Let's just clarify this. So, the amendment was already made by Ms. Petera before the So, is Mr. um Focarino The motion was as amended. As amended. Okay, sorry. Correct. Yes. Yes. Uh Adrian. Mr. Diaz. Mr. Forcarino. I. Mr. Regio. >> Oh, excuse me 1
064second. I'm sorry. Uh recuse on 8.16209. Recuse on 8.20. Say that first number again, 8.16. Number 209. >> 209? And recuse on number 8.20. I on the rest. Mr. Regio. I. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Keeler. I. Mr. Taylor. I abstain 8.17 number 787. I to the rest. 787? 787. I abstain 8.17 number 787. 8.16. 8.16 787 I to Thank you. Mr. Rallo. Recuse 8.1 through 8.20. 8.1 8.1 through 8.20. Mr. Gabba. I. Mrs. Hassan. Abstain. Abstain from 8.17 number 5. Abstain from 8.20. I to the rest. Mrs. Bettini. recuse from 8. 16 number 209. I to the rest. Just clarification Mrs. Hassan, it's 8.16 that you're I'm sorry. It's 8.17 number 5 and 8.20. Okay, thank you. All right. Okay. Can I have a motion uh for finance from uh 10.1 to 10.12? I'll make
065the motion. I'll second that. No, I abstain. As Lou Russo and I abstain. Mr. Focarino. Recuse on 12.16 I'm sorry, 12.6 I and the rest. 10.6? 12.6. 1.1 We're we're on 10. We're on finance. Uh Thank you for that clarification. Recuse on 10.1 I and the rest. 10.1 I and the rest. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Regio. Abstain 10.1, 10.2, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, I to the rest. 10.1 through 10.4 Okay. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Quiles. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Auto. I. Mr. Gaba. I. Mrs. Asan. I. Mrs. Patiri. I. And I work to finance. Okay. What? The education, okay. Um can I have a motion uh for the uh yeah for edu- under the education 12. I and the rest. I got to say the numbers okay first. >> 12.1 to 12.4 Motion
066was made by Mr. a motion on the floor by Mr. Hassan. Mr. Hassan. Second by I'll be there. I was the second. I was the one who made the motion. Got it. Who made the You made the motion and I second the situation. Correct. Okay, Mr. Fulcarino. I'm going to try again. 12.6 I'm recusing and I am the rest. Mr. Redzio. I. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Kieles. I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Otto. I. Mr. Gabba. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. I. So moved. I didn't I didn't hear the second. Wait one second. What is that? 12.6. Oh, no. Wait. That's constant. I'm sorry. I yeah I I needed to abstain in um um 12.2 number three. And I'm right. Oh, and also And also 12.6. All right, so Ms. Perillo would like to change
067her vote um to abstain on two This 12.6. 12.6 and 12. 12.2 number three. Okay, is there a motion on the floor to allow Ms. Perillo to change her vote? So He has a question first. Just so you know, there is a motion on the floor for number 14.1. Madam President I um I need to go back and abstain for 12.2 uh three. I'm sorry, Angel. These mics something >> Hold on, one one moment. So, first on the floor was a motion by Ms. Perillo. There was a motion to change her vote to abstain on two. Mr. Gaber made the motion. Mr. Sant seconded. If we could do a roll call vote to allow Ms. Perillo to change her vote. I. I. Roll call. Roll call. Who made the second? Mr. Forcarino. I need to
068change my vote for number 12.2. The motion was >> I. Yeah, I need to change my vote as well. All right, so we'll do another motion after that. Let's go through the roll call for this. That's That's it. Yes, sir. Okay, Mr. Folcarino. Um I I'm sorry. I'm I'm hearing a lot of things from this board. I'm not sure what we're voting on this time. Can you please clarify? >> now we're we're voting to allow Mrs. Petrie to reopen the vote and change her and vote as she needs to. Are we reopening the vote or just changing her votes? The president's votes, I'm sorry. We could just re- There's a couple of us who have to change our votes. I'm just trying to clarify the motion. That's all. Can I Can I uh reintroduce a
069motion just to reopen the voting for this particular resolution? >> I'll second. And then everyone will be able to Mr. Folcarino has made a motion to reopen the vote to allow members now to change their vote. I'll second that. Seconded by Mrs. Sciortino. Roll call. Mr. Folcarino. I'm going to abstain on 12.6 and I on the rest. Um I'm sorry. Yes. Vote Just a motion to reopen. Mr. Folcarino, I. That's an I vote. I. Mr. Rezzio. I. Mr. Diaz. >> I. Mr. Keeler. >> I. Mr. Taylor. I. Mr. Arado. Abstain on 12.1. This is just to reopen. This is just to reopen it. Okay. So it's an I. Mr. Gabba. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. I is I'm sorry. we cannot hear up here. Something's wrong with the mics for us. [clears throat] He's
070laughing. I'm sorry, I can't hear. All right, so let's go for a motion. So now we're opening for a revote. Yes. Okay, so motion to I'll make the motion to approve resolutions 12.1 through 12.14. Okay, Mr. Focorino, second by Mr. Gabba. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Focorino. 12.16 recuse I and the rest. So you're recusing recusing from 12.6. 12.6, correct. Okay. Mr. Regio. I. Mr. Diaz. I. Mr. Kieles. I am I'm abstaining on 12.2 number three. 12.2 number three. Mr. Taylor. >> 12.2 abstaining 12.5 number four. I to the rest. Mr. Auto. Abstain 12.2 number three. 12.6 I to the rest. Mr. Gabba. I. Mrs. Hassan. I. Mrs. Petrie. [clears throat] Okay, I recuse from 12.2 number three and 12.6. I to the rest. Okay, thank you. Did we get it right? Oh, I
071can't even hear. Where is my other paper? Okay, we're up to This facilities. Can I have a motion? 14.1. I'll make a motion. I'll second that. I don't know. Somebody down there. Diaz Fucarino. Roll call. Mr. Fucarino. Hi. Mr. Redzio. Hi. Mr. Diaz. Hi. Mr. Kielesz. Hi. Mr. Taylor. Hi. Mr. Ratto. Hi. Mr. Gabba. Hi. Mrs. Hassan. Hi. Mrs. Piterri. Hi. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. This is what it is. Uh uh policy Is okay. Can I have a motion on policy 17.1? >> I second. So moved. >> too. Mr. Gabba, Mrs. Hassan. Okay. Mr. Fucarino. Hi. Mr. Redzio. This is for number 17? 17.1 and 17.2. I vote no 17.1 and abstain 17.2. Abstain from the 17.2. Mr. Diaz. Hi. Mr. Kielesz. Hi. Mr. Taylor. Hi. Mr. Ratto. Hi. Mr. Gabba. Hi. Mrs. Hassan. Hi. Mrs.
072Piterri. Hi. Okay. Okay. I'm going to open this up for public comment. Any has any comment? There's no public comment? Comments? What? Any comments from the board members? Yes. Madam President. Uh first I want to uh thank all the district uh employees that uh have retired. Uh that have resigned and uh will no longer be with the district. We appreciate their service and uh thank you for their dedication to the district. Uh congratulations to Fireman Ed Kovac. Congratulations to the student of the month. I want to thank the uh student government representatives Sarah Bolanos and Darla Martinez for their work and dedication throughout this past year. In addition, I'm calling on the governor and the state legislators in the Senate and Assembly to find a solution to the public health benefits crisis that we're going
073through right now as approved by this uh particular board. And uh want to wish everybody a happy Memorial Day, remember the fallen, and uh upcoming uh 250th anniversary of our great country. Thank you. Thank you, Alan. Any other board members? Uh Shawn. So to begin, I'd like to congratulate the e-sport our high school e-sports team on their state championship. So congratulations to Mr. Durn and all his students. We are very proud as the board. And I'd also like to congratulate the Garfield softball team on being voted as team of the week for Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Now to explain all my absentee uh absentations, uh I apologize if that's not the right word. I'm saying sorry. Abstentions, there you go. Um I wasn't on the board, so I won't vote in favor of it.
074Uh but going forward as things are going under uh so when everything after May, I'll be voting in favor against, whatever the case may be. Uh lastly, there will be a spring concert at the at May 19th uh at 6:30 p.m. All are invited. Thank you. Any other comments? Mr. Quilleth? Yes, thank you. You're welcome. First I want to congratulate Mr. Kovac, 50 years of service, selfless act to this community. We appreciate all that. Um I also want to congratulate the new member, Mr. Agioll for being here. Uh but I also wanted to bring to the attention that uh during this school board, I want to raise a governance and voter access issue for the board to consider. Whether Garfield annual school board election should be moved back to November. My concern is not about
075anyone candidate or anyone election result. My concern is participation. In April 2025 school election, Garfield turnout was approximately 8.41% and in April 2026 school election turnout dropped to approximately 5.92%. By comparison, the November 2024 general election turnout in Garfield was approximately 56, almost 57%. That is a major difference in how many residents actually participate in choosing their school board. A November election give voters more access. Election day voting from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Early voting, typically 9 days of voting countywide with a Garfield location available. And vote by mail as part of a broader general election process. The April election has a shorter voting process or window from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. And no comparable early voting period listed for that school election on Bergen County 2026 schedule. I also want to address
076the budget issue directly. Moving the election to November does not eliminate the public accountability on budgets that exceed the cap. Under the current school election framework, only separate proposal to spend above the cap need voter approval. Finally, Garfield spent roughly $29,000 to run an April school election that produced less than 6% turnout. Even in a race that appeared highly visible and competitive, the April date did not produce broad voter participation. For those reasons, I believe this board should publicly revisit moving the annual school board election back to November for 2026. If legally and pre- uh pre- servatively available, or for 2027 if that is the more practical path. The goal should be simple. More voters, better access, lower stand-alone election cost, and stronger public confidence in the legitimacy of our school board election. That'll be
077all. Are there any other comments from the board? Mr. San. I just wanted to congratulate the student of the month and uh Mr. Kovach for his service to both the city and the school. I want to congratulate e-sports on their state championship. And um thank Dr. Tomko for mentioning special ed programs several times because I think that's um it's important for the students, but it's also a major consideration in staffing and budget. As far as uh changing the date for election, I think the numbers are very concerning, but I think it would have to be next year because we've already had an election this year. But the turnout was, I agree, very poor. Mr. Tomko. Uh I just wanted to uh mention the Special Olympics piece. I know we were talking about that. Uh I
078had the opportunity to to uh hang with some incredible athletes at the Special Olympics in uh PCTI a few weeks ago. Um we talked about this when Ms. Teke was here and uh um, we were talking about expanding that program. Um, they do a they did a winter program. Uh, so we did we couldn't get into the big the bigger one in Essex County they do in Bloomfield, but uh Bergen County does one. Um, believe it or not Bergen County does one in Passaic County. It's a little odd, but uh so we were there for for the morning. I couldn't stay the whole time, but uh you know, um Ms. Mirando uh did an incredible job. Our teachers were there. Just an just an incredible incredible uh morning. Uh, we're looking to expand into bocce.
079I mentioned bocce. They have bocce teams. Um so uh so I just wanted to put that out there. So, thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Not to repeat what everyone said, but the student of the month Mr. Kovach uh the Eastwick team, but I'd also like to congratulate uh Ms. Dora DeMarco, president of the high school. Uh, she was honored at the Freddy the Porter scholarship dinner, which was a great success. And also Ms. Amy Sabani and Angela Kovach, they were honored at the Garfield's um community award beefsteak dinner. Did I say it right? Yeah, okay. By uh the Oz the chairman Stewart runs it. And uh thank you for bearing with us tonight. It was a little crazy. And do I have a motion to adjourn? I'd like to motion. The rest said? Mr. Taylor.