001Again, good evening everyone. All right, it's good to see everyone and we like to welcome you to our regular business Board of Education meeting for Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. >> On Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, notice of this meeting was emailed to the press and the Daily Journal. Notice was also delivered that day to the Egg Harbor Township Clerk and posted on the bulletin board in Township Hall. On Thursday, June 11th, 2026, notice of a change to this meeting was posted in the legal notices section of the district's webpage. Notice was also delivered that day to the Egg Harbor Township Clerk and posted on the bulletin board in Township Hall. Okay, so now we'll have roll call. Mrs. Byrd. >> Present. >> Mr. Byers. >> Here. >> Mr. Della Barca. >> Here. >> Ms. Hyman. >>
002Here. >> Mr. Ireland. >> Here. >> Mr. Seppi. >> Here. >> Mrs. Slaght. >> Here. >> Mr. Price. >> Here. >> And Mrs. Gerbich-Floyd. >> Here. >> At this time, we'll have our flag salute. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> At this time, we'd like to have a motion to approve minutes, minute items 4.1 through 4.2. >> Mr. Price, I'll make that motion. >> I'll second the motion. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Byrd? >> Yes. >> Mr. Byers? >> Yes. >> Mr. Della Barca? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland? >> Yes. >> Mr. Seppi? >>
003Yes. >> Mrs. Logue? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gerbault-Porte? >> Yes. >> [snorts] >> All right. Superintendent's report. >> All right. Good evening, everyone. Who could believe that we are here, June 2026? It is the last month of the school year, and um >> Excuse me, Dr. Gruccio. >> Sure. >> I hate to interrupt you >> It's okay. >> during a board meeting, but I'm going to. >> Is this the right mic? Test. Test. >> Am I in trouble? Am I in trouble? >> Okay. It's all yours. Thank you. >> Uh so many of you see Dr. Gusho at the meetings. And she does not like the spotlight. If you don't know that about her. But tonight we're doing a thousand on we're honoring our retirees. We're honoring our student representatives.
004Um our athletes. We're We have a lot of recognition tonight and we're a great district. We're not perfect, but we're a great district. And a great district um has to have great leadership. No one's perfect. But um a person's heart and compassion and love for education um is important. And Dr. Gusho, we just want to let you know on behalf of the Board of Education We appreciate your leadership. And your years of service to Egg Harbor Township School District. Um when I was an employee here I when I first met her she was the principal at the high school. And um first female superintendent in Egg Harbor Township School District history and also she has been honored um and recognized as Atlantic County Superintendent of the Year. So I think she deserves a round of
005applause for that. >> [applause] >> And they say give people flowers when they can smell them. Right? So and you honor people when you can. Um you give honor where honor is due. And I can definitely say um we want to thank you because um I know that there are times where we hold your feet to the fire. Um we ask you a lot of questions. We require We require a lot of accountability. Um The school board has one employee. Just one. And that's Dr. Kushner. She's our one employee that we're responsible for. And we um hold her in high esteem, but we also hold her with high accountability. And I just want I just wanted to say that publicly. So people know we worry her to pieces sometimes about everything from the students lunch
006in the cafeteria to the staff, you know, uh their morale and what they need. Um we don't leave any stone unturned. Am I right, Board of Education? >> Stay on that one page. >> Just so you see it. And And most of you, if you're an employee and you have a supervisor you praise people up public, but you correct them in private. So Dr. Kushner, we appreciate you. We appreciate your transparency and your openness in working with us. And this is a well-deserved um honor. >> Thank you. >> So thank you so much. >> [applause] [applause] >> She's going to get me later. >> Yes, I am. Yes, I am. Um thank you. Thank you so much um for interrupting me, but you're right. I'm humble. It's not about me. The award it occurred as
007recognition um because of the people I work with and all the great work um and the students and what they do to make this place a fabulous place to work and a great place to learn. And it's all about the people. It's not about me. Somebody had to get the award, all right? So thank you again. I appreciate it. All right. Now let's talk about student achievement and recognizing the great things that our students do each and every day um in our school district. Uh we had athletic signing day, which was very proud moments for parents and students senior students who made decisions where they're going to go to school uh next year. Moving up ceremonies going to be occurring from elementary to our middle school. Of course our high school graduation, middle school junior
008national honor society programs and ceremonies occurred. Character education awards were given out. These next two weeks there's a lot going on, lot going on. End of year promotions and the reading awards that occurred in our elementary schools. In the areas of world language, a seal of biliteracy of our senior students. And this this is really unique to Egg Harbor Township. You're going to hear a little bit later how this is a model program. And our seal of biliteracy is very special because look how many languages here our students have mastered. Not only can they speak it, they can read it, they can articulate, they can communicate. And we're very proud students will wear um medallions on graduation night and they'll be recognized for the different languages that they are experts in. And we have the
009global seal seal of biliteracy and these students are experts in these areas global seal of biliteracy. So congratulations to them. Also congratulations, our science department received the green flag certification. Krista DeLaney, Mr. Velardi, I know he's here this evening shared this with me. Very very proud of this award. We get it each and every year but to continue it and with the addition of the greenhouse is amazing. Makes them qualify for the certification even more. The dune grass projects, the student leadership, and the board the Department of Education recognized our dune grass program. So to to have that recognition on their table is quite an honor. Climate and culture, lots of field trips they ended as June began. We had a a of field fun days, barbecues, pep rallies, and celebrations. It just increases the
010the morale of the students and fun days. I mean, we've had a long June and we're one of the latest schools getting out, but we have spirit Fridays going on, student of the week, senior trip just occurred, the Greek Olympic Olympics at the middle school, senior Olympics will occur at the high school. Students celebrating having fun with the World Cup that's going on and Eagle Academy having their barbecue. People's Choice Award is going to occur at our middle schools, one at each middle school. I believe one will be during the day, one will be at night. And the prom was last Thursday night. It was almost just over 900 and some students there. It was great to see everyone smiling. Here's some pictures of our students in their gowns and tuxedos. You see Carter right
011there sitting out in the front. Saw him that night looking all dapper. Did you have a good time? >> Great. >> Awesome. Awesome. All right, that's what it's all about. So, success, another successful prom. Eighth grade dance is coming up on June 19th. That'll be held here at Alder. And we had family bingo night with our intervention team put together, grades K through 3. This was held at Miller Miller School. It was really neat to see the families coming in getting the resources for the summer, families eating pizza, students sharing books and games. It was a good time. Community partnerships, we thank AtlantiCare for being a partner, EHTPD, EHT Emergency Management, Project Graduation staff, our Ed Foundation who sponsored scholarships and mini grants, went to the dinner last night and we honored our students who
012received those scholarships, Reed's Farm Market. I see Liz Miss Butcher here who reached out early in the year and shared the importance of maybe connecting with Reed's Farm and I went over and met with Cookie and her staff. And now Mr. Portel and our food services department have made those connections and that partnership, and it's awesome cuz it's all about fresh produce, lettuce, cucumbers, and strawberries being served in our cafeterias. Atlantic Prevention Resources, they what they shared their their resources with us, and as you see the mock trial, I'm sorry, not mock, the mock car crash that occurred at the high school with our emergency management at the town and Jeff Ziegler who speaks on Holocaust just did presentations at Miller School and I believe the high school last week. Saw him Friday, said he
013always has a good time. This is lead day at Miller. Those pictures that Mr. Battersby shared. All the fun students had out with the emergency management crews. Okay, and now I would like to start our presentations with our athletic teams. Mr. Kevin Rutledge, who is our athletic director, is going to assist me. All right, he's got a plan here. We're going to begin with our high school boys volleyball team, and what an exciting group this group is. I am beginning to study volleyball more intense these days, and it's just amazing to see Some of them are really tall. Some how that ball is spiked, and this young gentleman up front here, he can really spike a volleyball. But, I'm going to let Mr. Rutledge and Coach Christian Weech explain a little bit about their season
014and why they are the champions that they are. You guys look good. I love the shirts. Thank you. >> Uh, so first of all, I'm going to embarrass Coach Weech a little bit here. Volleyball here is about What is it, 6 years now for boys volleyball? 3 years ago, we have enough teams in the Cape Atlantic League, cuz as you know, in the HT, we're one of the first to start anything around here. So, um we have enough teams in the Cape Atlantic League 3 years ago to start a tournament. So, now we have an annual tradition at E.C. where we get to host that tournament cuz we're the top seed um year in and year out. And these boys and the work that they put in uh is a testament to that. A lot
015of these kids are uh going to be able to move on to the next level because of the the competition that Coach Weech puts in front of them. He could easily stay in the Cape Atlantic League and just play the teams that are locally around here, but he challenges this group. They travel they travel a whole hour hour and a half to games to play some competition uh because they need it cuz they're that good. Um they set a school record here with how many was it? 22? >> 23. I'm I'm a sure did you win? 23 wins uh this year, which is pretty incredible uh with two three losses, I believe, correct? Or four? 24? 23 and four, see. I'm close. All right. >> [laughter] >> Um but here, I'm going to let Coach
016Weech talk about the specifics and what makes this group so great. >> Hi everybody. Uh so yeah, so um these boys are 23 and four this year. They broke like nearly every school record that you possibly could in terms of volume stats and efficiency stats. Um and yeah, it's just a the program growing in the making. So, 4 years ago, we were able to start a freshman program. Uh and these seniors, some of the seniors here, how many of you were on the freshman team that year? Uh and we knew that by getting them a place to play and so that they didn't have to compete with the sophomores and the and the juniors for JV time uh would flourish into something great. And this year is the culmination of that. So yeah, so we
017were 23 and four overall. Uh we were 16 and 0 in the Cape Atlantic League, which is pretty spectacular. And uh I don't know if you read the article in the paper a few weeks ago, but uh we are overall in our 6 years, we are 70 and seven against Cape Atlantic League opponents. So, uh we're proud of that record, for sure. >> [applause] >> Um and it's a testament to their hard work, their dedication uh to learn the game and to grow the game. Their dedication work with the middle schools to help kind of mentor those guys. I see some of our colleagues, the bus drivers who got us to all these games. I appreciate you guys for getting us there. They're just as much to get credit cuz I have them driving to
018Hillsborough or Old Bridge and you're like how many hours is that? I'll be like, I'll get you home after dinner tonight for sure. So, I without them, you know, we wouldn't be able to challenge these young men to help them achieve their greatness. So, proud of them, grateful for you guys for being here and doing that. Uh yeah, so our first one is not That's not part of Of course not. Uh is John Lee. >> [applause] >> Junior setter. Uh JD Bisigilia. Junior setter. >> [applause] >> Sorry, I got all the all of them. >> They're all up all the way. Okay, Darko Leshan, sophomore. >> [applause] >> Darko led our team in kills as a sophomore. Kills are Sorry, it's called a kill it's a terminal hit, like a spike. It's not a violent
019game and I mean Um Yeah, sorry. So, yeah, so when you terminate the play with a spike it's called a kill in volleyball and Darko unanimous first team Cape Atlantic League All-Star as a sophomore. Pretty spectacular. So, thank you Darko, great job. Dylan Gonzalez, sophomore. >> [applause] >> Uh Thomas Norkevicius, senior. >> [applause] >> Thomas's season unfortunately was cut short with a knee injury, but uh Thomas I I would have imagined would have been a first team Cape Atlantic League All-Star this year, too, if he hadn't gotten to play. Uh but he's got surgery coming up in uh 2 days, yeah. So, to repair many things. Um so, I I want to just mention Thomas's courageousness uh with dealing with that and his optimism with dealing with it and his dedication to come each and
020every day and support the team even after the fact that he couldn't be there. So, uh that just shows how much of family volleyball is. I'm fortunate enough that I also coach in the girls team and you can just see how tight these young people are with each other. So, I'm grateful to be part of that and witness that. Uh senior Brian Lee. >> [applause] >> Uh sophomore Makai Whitehead. >> [applause] >> Makai was a second team Cape Ann League All-Star which features bright. Got a couple of sophomores who are touching the ceiling at practically, right? Uh sophomore Nick Stickle. >> [applause] >> Senior captain Ifaz Husain. >> [applause] >> Ifaz was also a first team Cape Ann League All-Star and broke a couple school records but most mostly uh career digs. He was our
021our back row defensive player. So, uh good job. What's Do you know what what's the what's the record, Ifaz? 383. 383 career digs. Great job, Ifaz. Uh Maji Maganoy. >> [applause] >> Junior libero. Uh senior Bryce Blake. Captain. [applause] Bryce Blake also uh set a school record. He first team Cape Ann League All-Star uh school record in career kills, again terminals stats. Uh 534 career kills. Bryce Blake playing at Drew University. >> [applause] >> Uh representing us through University next year. Uh so, we'll don't worry, we'll schedule some Sorry, Buster. We're going to schedule a game up in Drew by Drew so we can catch him play afterwards. So. >> I'm going to read what it says. >> And And I Do you have everybody? That's everybody here, right? >> Yeah. Yep. >> All right.
022Boys volleyball team, congratulations to them. >> This is what [applause] it >> If you don't mind, Dr. Grisher, sorry. So, I just wanted to recognize I asked these guys to wear last year's Cape Atlantic League championship jerseys. I'm excited that next year it'll say back-to-back Cape Atlantic League champions. Congratulations to them. Dr. Grisher. >> I just want to read what their certificate says. Egg Harbor Township School District Superintendent's award athletic award, um high school boys basketball basketball volleyball team. And um they're 2026 Cape Atlantic League champions. And coach, here's a um certificate for you. All right. But we have another recognition. >> [applause] >> Yeah, take a picture. And gentlemen, congratulations to you. It's not an easy task. I did have an opportunity to watch you play three or four times this year and I
023was quite quite impressed. So, keep it up. Um I'm learning the game, you guys are growing the game, and you represent Egg Harbor Township High School and our community as champions. So, thank you. >> [applause] >> Do you want everybody or just Bryce? >> They can see me. >> Bryce, if you wouldn't mind, could you just >> step forward for me for a second there. Uh so, um as an athletic director, uh at the end of each season, we have votes for um different criteria of aspects, whether it be a person that comes that that comes back from a serious injury or whether it be a person that persevered through hardship, um or whether it be in Bryce's case, the spring Cape Atlantic League Athlete of the Season. And we got the opportunity >> [applause]
024>> So, we are talking about nine sports and 22 different schools. And we are talking about the male athlete that everybody looked to that said this kid stood out. And when I brought it up at the meeting, you know, of course I had coach Semi um all his incredible stats and nominations and all that. Uh when I brought it up at the meeting athletic director looked at me and said, "Number 19?" And I said, "Yes, number 19." Uh cuz he that's how much he stood out and how much you impressed everybody did and and from my side of things I know I don't get to coach with you every single day, but I can tell you from from looking from the outside in you might be a better person than you are a volleyball player.
025Okay? Um cuz it was incredible to watch you both on and off the court and I really do appreciate you. All right. >> [applause] >> All right. Five all-team, thank you so much. You are now dismissed. >> Thank you, Dr. K. >> [applause] >> Thank you, coach. We should just want to add Christian is a graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School and when I served as principal we had many, many conversations and I'm just want to say I'm proud of you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, moving on to our crew team out in the water. >> Brian, can you give me a >> That's John Kelly, okay. Some more tall gentlemen. >> Oh, yeah. >> I'm just feeling really short today. Okay. [laughter] Okay. All right, so we're going to begin by recognizing
026our Atlantic County champions for 2026, our high school boys crew varsity eight. >> Um so before we allow coach introduce and say things about the team, I just want to go over the fact that I I say this to to the crew coaches non-stop about how I I think crew might be one of the most sports that I respect the most through the dedication that takes to be successful. Every single day these guys are working whether they're at the school, whether they're on the river, or whether they are at home. Um you know, these kids are non-stop. They're doing everything they need to do to be successful and I always say that the the the idea should be about the process, not the results cuz the results will follow the process and that's what's happened
027here. We have How many years in a row now, coach? >> Four years in a row they're Atlantic County champions. >> [applause] >> And I think the trophy is Is it this big? >> They make them bigger. >> [laughter] >> All right, without Without what we'll do here is coach >> We'll announce their names and I'll bring them down. >> Okay, uh first we have our coxswain Praveer Parekh. This is Praveer's Praveer, come on down. >> [applause] >> Praveer's first year in the varsity eight. He has I don't know for the those of you that don't know but the coxswain is invaluable. There's only one of them in each boat. He steers, he guides, he coaches, and he motivates. So he's he's uh got a lot of talents and he sometimes has to put up
028with a lot of business from the other guys, but but he pushes them hard and does a great job and we're lucky to have him. Uh next is Guido Vaccaro. >> [applause] >> Guido's one of the great leaders on our team. This is his third year in the varsity eight. Uh the past two years he's rode stroke seat, which is the seat closest to the coxswain. He and Pervier have become very good friends. Sort of, but uh they uh they get along great, they work well together, and uh it's uh it's imperative to have that kind of relationship, you know, in in this sport, you know, it's really a collaboration uh from a lot of different levels. You know, you have a leader like Guido working with uh someone who's fairly new in Pervier, and
029kind of teaching them the ropes, and and Pervier relaying what he sees. It's uh it's a unique relationship in sports. Uh next we have Thomas Corkran. Tom rode seven seat. He is not here tonight. Uh then we have his uh cousin, Daniel Corkran. Daniel. >> [applause] >> This is Dan's uh second year in the varsity eight. Uh he's uh one of our stronger guys. He's uh he's a great leader. He's leads by example as much as anyone else does. Uh always willing to help out and get get us on the water, help get us off, and uh great motivator in general. Uh next we have uh Lucas Jackson. >> [applause] >> Lucas is the young buck of the group. He uh is a soph- just finished his sophomore year, first year in the boat, and
030has uh made tremendous strides from his freshman year. Uh really matured, grown up, and we're we're looking forward to having two more years from Lucas. Uh next we have Shane Butcher. Shane. [applause] Uh Shane's first year in the boat. Uh he will be taking his talents to Jacksonville University, where he will uh row for the for the college team there. Uh Shane is uh done a phenomenal job of improving being one of the more powerful guys in the boat and in general just a great great leader through attitude and example. Last next sorry we have Rocco Riccardi. >> [applause] >> This is Rocco's third year in the varsity eight. He he came on as a sophomore. He reminded me a few weeks ago of how much time he spent on the rowing machine between his
031freshman and sophomore year to build himself up and has been doing a fabulous job all three years. We're very lucky to have had him and and Rocco will be taking himself to St. Joe's University where he will row for their their crew team in the fall. >> [applause] >> And now we have Aiden Fultz. Aiden this first year in the varsity eight. >> [applause] >> Aiden's going to be a senior so we'll be having him back very fortunate to have that. Aiden rows up in the front of the boat and you know he's one of the more technically sound guys on the team. Does a great job has a very sweet stroke. You know we got to get him uh to be one of the bigger leaders next year as we get into his senior
032year. So looking forward to that. Reed's not here tonight. That's it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So one thing I would like to add this is the varsity eight team but we we have other other events that we row in and this year we won the boys trophy for the Cal which is the second time we've done that in the past four years which is a bit of an achievement. You know you look at at the other teams we go against the mainlands the St. Augustine preps. They're all much bigger teams than we are. They enter more events and you know, can score more points. So, when we can do something like that, we feel like that's quite an achievement. We really do have a complete team and that's always a nice thing to be able
033to do and say. So, thank you. >> [applause] >> All right, gentlemen. Congratulations. >> You're all set. Thank you. >> Coach, coach, you have to get your certificate certificate. Thank you, coach. And gentlemen, very very proud of you to represent Egg Harbor Township High School in Atlantic County. It's a hard task. I know you're out there in what, mid-February? It's it's cold out and windy, but you persevere and you shine as champions. But, before you go, how do you line up in the boat? Can we see that? Where's the coxswain? But, we're rowing which way? Which way we going? We're going that way? We're going this way. Okay. All right. All right. May you always remember your positions as champions. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Okay, moving right along. Mr. Rutledge is going to speak a
034little bit about another team who are Atlantic County champions, our high school boys track and field. >> Coach Badge, you mind asking our track athletes come on out? >> So, these are our two of our exceptional track athletes. These young men were happy happy to be a part of our 11th straight Atlantic County championship for boys track and field. >> [applause] >> First one I'm going to talk about and I have some notes here because we have some incredible athletes here. I know it's may maybe not be the best one just cuz right after you win a section championship you're you're gloating a little bit. I can see it. Okay. [laughter] But no, that's it's pretty impressive. Ari had an undefeated Cal champ competition season. He was the Cal Tournament champion 2 years in a
035row. He was a Cal Group 4 South Jersey champion and his time of 14:03 was the third fastest in school history for the 110 hurdles. >> [applause] >> Did you give them that? I guess I forgot to give you your certificate. Congrats, man. >> Thank you. >> Next is Xavier Cool. Xavier was in also an undefeated Cal competition season, two-time Atlantic County champion, a state qualifier in three events, the 4 by 1, 400, and 400 hurdles, and the 400 hurdles section champion. >> [applause] [applause] >> Gentlemen, once again, thank you so Is this on? >> Maybe. >> Testing. Hello. >> Use gym voice. >> Gentlemen, once again, thank you so much for your contributions to the athletic department, not only with your individual competitions, but the standard and the bar that you guys set for
036everybody under you, whether you know it or not, those freshmen, those eighth graders, those seventh graders are looking up to you and they want to be the next Xavier, the next Ari. All right. Thank you guys. >> [applause] [applause] >> Congratulations, gentlemen. We are very proud of you. Thank you for representing our high school, um not only in the county, but also throughout the state. Thank you. Okay, continuing. We're moving on to golf. Girls golf. There she is. I got a bachelor literature. >> So, Juliana is one of our most accomplished female athletes that we've had in this building. Juliana I got again I had to write this stuff down because there's so many awards for you. Uh but she is a three-time Cape Atlantic League champion. >> [applause] >> She was a two-time Atlantic
037County champion. >> [applause] >> And that would be more except we didn't have an Atlantic County championship until 2 years ago when our coach decided to start the whole championship up. Mainly because I think he might have had a ringer. But um at the end of the day it was a pleasure watching you out in the course. I tried to get around as much as I could. Um you represented us with class, character, and dignity everywhere you went. Um and the last one I forgot to mention was you were also a 2025 um South Jersey Coaches Tournament individual champion as well. I didn't want to LEAVE THAT OUT. >> [applause] >> JULIANA, YOU WILL BE MISSED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR contributions to us, to to the county, to the community, and I hope
038you come back and coach one day. >> [applause] >> Juliana, congratulations. We're very proud of you. And you know, golf is a lifetime sport. So, you know, whether you take it on in in college, um but definitely you'll be you know, something good to know and and be able to do. And you can ask any of us who participate in golf tournaments, it's very difficult. So, keep keep it going. Hit them straight. >> All All Okay. Okay, this award this recognition has is not something that I stand up here and and do every year. In fact, this goes back to 1999 since a female athlete from Haycock Township has received this award award. As a former coach, I know it's like it's it's an award that is just amazing to have an athlete receive. It's
039it's covenant. It's it's prestigious and I can't say how proud I am to be able to have an athlete here in Haycock Township to win the 2026 Old Grad Award. And Mr. Rutledge will explain a little bit about the criteria and a little bit more about Casey Velardi, who I remember when she was born. >> Uh so first I want to take some time to explain, as Dr. Gurcha said, the Old Grad Award. So the Old Grad Award, every school in Atlantic County gets to nominate one male and one female, and they have to be a multi-sport athlete. They cannot just play one sport. Um and of course that means the world to anyone that's grown up in a life full of athletics like myself is someone that takes the time to be great in
040multiple things and that takes a lot of dedication because um in this day and age, everybody's pushing you to do one thing. Do one thing. Do one thing. And to me that's a travesty to kids. Um I think it's important to make sure that you're getting a number of different coaching, a number of different aspects, number of different revelations. But going into this, we get to nominate one male and one female. So as we do that, you know, there's 13 different schools, we'll put them out there. Then there's five finalists. And when we put that out there, you don't always get selected. You don't always have a kid. There's criteria based on awards, based on nominations, based on based on teams, based like first team All-Cal, things of that nature Um, go forward. Casey here
041happens to be a three-sport athlete. She happens to be a three-sport captain. And she had multiple multiple years as well, I believe. So, this award, the first time this award was given out was 1894. This award's been going on for a very long time, as you can see by that board right there. They're trying to fit all the names. I think they need a bigger board, but um, as you can see, we're going through this whole process. There has now Now that Casey has won one, there's only been 11 EHS students that have won this award. And as Dr. Gruccio mentioned, the first since 1999 uh, from Kathleen Sakorski, which I believe she might be a staff member here. I could be wrong on that. Um, so, long story short, I'm going to embarrass you
042a little bit about some of your accolades here. Okay, as I said, you're three-sport captain, three-sport athlete, multiple first teams. I couldn't even list all the teams that I have here. We'd be here till midnight. Um, including multiple South All-South Jerseys. This year, we also get to nominate a national woman in National Girls and Women in Sports Day, where in the state, every school gets to nominate one person that they believe represents their school and what it means to be a female athlete. They get to go up to Rutgers basketball game and compete up there. And Casey was our nominee for that, because anyone who has seen this kid compete understands that she understands what athletics is. She understands what it is to be a teammate. She understands what it is to be there when
043you're down, be there when you're up. She'll also be playing in the Super 36. This When's the game? Oh, you already played in it. Okay. She played in the Super 36, which means the top 36 senior athletes for softball in the state of New Jersey get to play in it. So, it's like basically like a super senior All-Star game. She also holds seven records for softball. Single season hits, 42. Career hits, 137. Stolen bases, 41. Career stolen bases, 109. Single season triples, six. Career triples, 13. She has a season of Excuse me, she has 100 runs, 100 hits, 100 stolen bases. Now, George, I'm not a a baseball guy, but she finishes I I season with a .658 batting average. Is that good? >> That's called a filling the stat sheet. >> Yeah. So, I
044I laughed when you know, midway through the season when Coach Strasser came to me and we were talking about how incredible her season was going at the point. I think I think you might have slumped cuz you were hitting over .700 at that point. And I said, "Why are these teams pitching to her?" And her answer was, "Because they walk her, she's just going to steal second and third." So, um just an incredible athlete to watch not only there, but on the field hockey field and in the pool as well um where she was a major contributor as well. So, um I'm going to embarrass myself from my last year and this is you probably don't even know this. Last year, you were such an accomplished athlete, the end of the softball season, I went
045up and our softball program for those who don't know, we've been we've been very strong the last couple years and and Casey's obviously been a big part of that. And I went up to her father and I said, "We are sure going to miss her." And he goes, "What are you talking about?" I said, I said, "Wasn't she a senior? She's been dominating for 3 years. I just assumed it No, she's she'll be back." I said, "Oh, well, that's awesome." Uh because that's how much she was dominating from such a young age and that's not obviously that common. So, um again, this is an award that you're bringing home to EHT for the first time since 1999. >> Yeah. >> [applause] >> Again, congratulations. We're so proud of you and I know your parents are
046as well and your teammates. So, thank you um for making the board for EHT. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Casey, have a seat. These are yours. These are just the volleyball athletes. Thank [applause] you, Casey. Thank you, Mr. Rella. Let's appreciate your assistance. >> All right. We have some folks here that we uh would like to show our appreciation to um that is our Board of Education student reps, Carter Chew and Ava Nai. Come on up. And [applause] I cannot believe a whole year has gone by so quickly. For these young people here to attend board meetings, take part, always with a smile. Um the passion that they had when they presented um the happenings that were occurring throughout the month um in our schools. Um they're so dedicated not only to their school, to their
047classmates, um and to this Board of Education. So, we are really going to miss you. Um you bring a lot of charisma uh to that table right there, and you set a great example um for those that will follow. And um each um board rep will be presented a plaque tonight. I like they they could look at, but at the end of the meeting have to give it back to me because on graduation night at the commencement ceremony uh you will be presented uh these plaques again um in front of the public and you're the class of 2026. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. I enjoy um your presentations. I enjoy watching you grow, seeing you in the high school, uh seeing you at the volleyball game, seeing you at
048the prom, um even the presentations you did for New Jersey school boards, and um for for the administrators, um we appreciate you. So, thank you. And I'm going to turn the mic over to the board president. >> [applause] >> I just want to say to um Carter, we'll get we'll get to Ava next. Carter um is a man after my own heart as in bringing life to a meeting. We can do business and still have fun and still have a great time because we spend like I said, we spend a lot of time together and I just said, "Oh, we got to match his energy. We got to make sure that we're just as excited as they are." So, thank you for being you. Don't ever change. Ever. Be who you are. And we're very
049proud of you. >> [applause] >> You want to read the plaque, too? >> Just want to read the plaque. It says, "Presented to student representatives to the Board of Education with the greatest appreciation for dedicated service to the children and schools of A. C. Township." And congratulations to you, Eva. You The two of you I always I don't know if you What do you watch on the news, but I watch um Mike and Alex in the morning. And the two of them remind me of Mike and Alex. They have a They're like they they feed off each other. They have a great personality um match together and it's been wonderful having you and having your input. And we really appreciate you all. We're very proud of you to to have you to be our board
050representatives. >> [applause] >> Also featured on A. C. Township Living Magazine, the dynamic duo that they are. So, it's speaks to it all. So, congratulations. I'd like you to stand there as we welcome our two new Board of Education uh student reps. Jackie, you want to come in? >> [applause] [applause] >> So, this is actually a very big process for us. Uh we had 22 people put their names in to be student board reps, which is a uh a record for us. And our representatives for next year are Anastasia Mitnik and Nicholas Natchev. >> [applause] >> We are very excited to have them here. We've We've met a couple times already. They know what the expectations are and and they're they're ready to to fill some big shoes. So, we'll see you guys in September.
051Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, congratulations and welcome. Out with the old, in with the new. Thank you so much. Congratulations and welcome. Welcome. Congratulations. All right, just a few PR announcements here. Sixth grade open house will be on Monday the 22nd between 6:00 and 7:00 at Alder and Fernwood. If you are resident have a child in fifth grade and you do not know which school your child's going to, you can always call central office or Mr. Battersby at the Miller school. You can give me a hard time on that. Whatever I tell you to do. Okay. We have our moving eighth grade moving up celebrations will be June 24th. Our Alder students will be recognized in the right here at the courtyard and the Fernwood students will be in the auditorium at Fernwood. That's
052where they'll start at 9:30 and we look forward to that great event. And speaking about great events, it's one of the greatest events in I say of all of New Jersey. It's so prestigious and it's just so beautiful. The high school graduation which will begin at 6:10 right here right here at the high school stadium. So, the class of 2026 beginning next Monday we'll start some graduation festivities. They will be walking through the the seniors will be walking through the elementary schools and to see their their teachers and have their teachers see how they've grown and have they what they've achieved. And then beginning on Wednesday, they'll have graduation practice, Thursday graduation practice, they'll have their senior picnic, and um other festivities. We have seniors awards this Thursday, and the big night will be next
053Friday um in a beautiful, nice, sunny evening in Egg Harbor Township. Pushing a little forward into the fall, our Eagle Fest 2026 will be September 26th. If you know any vendors, if you want to share any um thing that you have in in terms of activities or things that crafts or um you represent the school in any way, please let us know. You are all welcome. Okay, now we're going to begin some more congratulations and recognition, and this goes uh out to the what I call the class of 2026 um and our faculty members and staff members um who have decided to turn the page uh to a new chapter. So, how we're going to organize this is I'd like the Board of Education to come on down to the floor. Dr. Charlton is going
054to begin the presentation, and I will do some reading, and we have flowers and plaques, okay? >> Is that the video? Billy, where's the video? Which one? This one here? That's the picture. Okay, got it. All right. >> And here it is. >> All right, while we get started, uh just wanted to give you a couple of numbers here. Since July 1st of last year, we have had 49 retirements in the district representing 1,095 years of service. Think about that, a millennium of service. >> [applause] >> 16 of those exceptional people are here tonight to be honored in person, but we also wanted to give due to all 49. So, if you turn your attention to the screen while we take some little time and have some memories about some great people that have served
055our district. >> Egg Harbor Township School District wishes to congratulate our 2025-2026 retirees. >> James Alton >> [applause] >> James Baldi >> [applause] >> Valerie Beck >> Marilyn Leshner >> [applause] >> Mary Ann Cassidy >> Catherine Calhoun >> [applause] >> Karen Cope >> Donna Craig >> [applause] >> Julia Dotola Michael Dickerson >> [applause] >> Mary Devito >> [applause] >> Carol Elwell Julia Funk >> [applause] >> Jill Haines >> William Hillary >> [applause] >> Marika Humphrey >> [applause] >> Tracy Hurst Jennifer Irwin >> [applause] >> Adrian [music] Jackson Jamesella Johnson >> Margaret Kelly >> You were >> [applause] >> I said >> Nicholas Lovallo >> [applause] >> Robin Mack Miriam Martinez >> [applause] >> John McCourt >> Margaret McGovern >> [applause] >> Marie McHugh >> [applause] >> Daniel Medico Annette M Medico >> [applause] >> Rosa
056Melendez >> [applause] >> Susan Monti >> Cynthia Morse-Albertson >> [applause] >> Adriana Orego >> Lynn Pellegrino >> [applause] >> Kimberly Pettit Ramon Rodriguez >> [applause] >> Honoria Scanga-McGinness >> [applause] >> Karen Semmel >> Denise Smith >> [applause] >> Maria Stouts Kathleen Talbacchia Marcel Trean >> April Vacaro >> [applause] >> Shannon Ward >> [applause] >> Patricia Warren >> [applause] >> Jane Wilhelm >> [applause] >> Barbara Williamson Michelle Mimi Weisman >> [applause] >> Catherine Wright Congratulations to all of our retirees. >> Okay, so in our tradition, I'm going to call up the retiree Dr. Gruccio is going to say a few words. The board president and vice president are going to hand out flowers, a plaque and a certificate. And if the retiree would go down the line, our board members are up here and want to
057give you final farewell and say thank you for all your years of service to the district. >> Thanks. >> So, let's get started. Mr. James Alton, 19 years of service from Alder Avenue Middle School. >> [applause] >> Okay, James Alton. James is retiring 19 after 19 years at Alder Avenue Middle School as a seventh-grade science teacher and advanced science teacher. He transitioned to teaching following a 26-year career at Caesars Atlantic City. And after 26 years there, he thought that was the end. But little did he know that teaching science at Alder Avenue Middle School was just the beginning. And he looks back finally on his silver team family, his iron arrest team, and his science department, which is the best in the land. His retirement plans include buying guitars to keep pace with his brother
058>> [laughter] >> and bird watching. He says he would love to teach forever, but unfortunately nothing lasts forever. And got science? You bet. >> [applause] >> Congratulations, Jim. Congratulations. >> With 17 years of service to the food service department, Mary DeVito. >> [applause] >> Mary DeVito. Mary started in 2009 is retiring 17 years with the food service department. Uh she absolutely loved working in the food services department with her colleagues, um and she considers it a gift. She considers working with She considers working with the students to be the most rewarding part of her job and loved making them smile. And and she absolutely could with the smile that radiant smile that she has. Her future plans involves relaxing, traveling, taking her first ever summer vacation. And remember for all of us, as she says,
059to dance like nobody's watching. >> Congratulations. [applause] Going to miss you. >> With 34 years of service to the high school, Ms. Carol Elwell. >> [cheering] [applause] >> Carol Elwell spent her entire 34, I'm sorry, yeah, 34-year career. Carol, wow. In Egg Harbor Township High School. In the phys ed staff, in the phys ed department, in the gym. Starting in 1991, served as a as a substitute teacher. She coached freshman basketball, field hockey, and track to about 1997. Carol says she views her students and colleagues as the best part of her career. It is an honor to work at Egg Harbor Township High School. In her retirement, she plans to travel and spend time with her family, and you should. Congratulations. You're too young to retire. >> [applause] >> TOO YOUNG TO RETIRE. >> WITH
06048 YEARS OF service to the district, Mr. William Hillary. >> [applause] [applause] >> I don't think I ever saw you cords without your cowboy's hat on. >> [laughter] >> This man right here is an inspiration. He comes to work each and every day for to serve his building, his school. He cares about kids, he cares about the faculty. He is Mr. EHT. In the beginning of the school year, he received um EHT jersey, and I you are part of our team and always will be. I want to thank you for your service. We love you. We're going to miss you. You sure you want to do this? Take it back. >> [laughter] >> But I know they say when you know it's time, it's time. So, my man, enjoy yourself. All right? You deserve it.
061And thank you for all that you have done. >> [applause] >> You know what he told me? He said, "Take care of this place." >> Yes. >> I will. I promise. >> [laughter] >> Mr. Hillary's nickname is Courts for his love of basketball. >> [applause] [applause] >> With 28 years of service to the district, Ms. Tracy Hurst. >> [applause] >> Tracy Hurst. Tracy's career in the district began in 1998 working at Davenport and Miller teaching third grade before returning back to Davenport and moving into a Title 1 position in 2012. Tracy feels blessed to be work with her teachers throughout the years. She's proud of her award-winning writing and art programs, and she traveled to Mexico to study monarch butterflies to create a monarch butterfly curriculum, and that was through the Geraldine Dodge Foundation grant,
062something not everyone receives as well. So, Tracy is very proud of that, and she's very proud of her students. And Tracy, thank you for serving us, um, your career here in EHT. We appreciate the work that you've done in and outside the classroom. Thank you. Good luck to you. >> [applause] >> With 24 years of service to the district, Ms. Robin Mack. >> [applause] >> Robin wanted us to know that she was hired by Dr. Heary. And, um, she went the alternate route in education to get her K to 5 cert, and later served as a Title 1 teacher, and she became the parent coordinator for for Title 1 at the Miller School. She's instru- instrumental in bringing fun motivational activities to the students and staff through the Renaissance program, and she's proud of dancing
063with the staff, her pumpkin decoration projects, pep rallies, and employee incent- incentives that she's been part of. But, Robin is a dedicated educator, um, and she plans to travel to Prague, Indonesia, Portugal, Hawaii, on and on and on. So, you go, go, go, girl. Um, we thank you for planning uh the family nights. Um, she's thankful for her colleagues, and she considers them lifelong friends, and she's an avid bird watcher, and wants to increase her bird count, and spend time with her grandchildren. So, good luck to you, Robin. Thank you. >> Thank >> [applause] [applause] >> With 22 years of service to the district, Ms. Margaret McGowan. >> [applause] [applause] >> All your principals are here. >> Margaret McGowan came to teach at Egg Harbor Township High School after a number of teaching number of
064years teaching at the elementary grades at Davenport. She's been a fierce advocate for her ML students and has worked hard to help them find their voice as they got used to a new language and a culture here in the United States. We thank her for helping to prepare our students for life after high school graduation. So, Margaret, thank you so much for your dedication and your service. Thank you. Good luck. >> [applause] >> With 25 years of service to the district, Ms. Marie McHugh. >> [applause] >> Marie must have not been able to make it tonight, so we will make sure she gets her award. And we are going to move on to Mr. Dan Medica with 24 years of service to the district. >> [applause] >> Dan Medica has spent 24 years sixth grade
065at Fernwood Avenue Middle School and he says that was the best life. He has the best life doing so. His His major highlight of his career was working with colleagues to create the annual sixth grade Greek Olympics, which has been going on for 20 years or so. Um he is moving to Maryland to be closer to his family and hopes to continue his passion for teaching in his new home in his new state. Dan, good luck to you and thank you for serving our students. >> [applause] >> With 25 years of service to the district, Cynthia Morris Albertson. >> [applause] >> Cindy Albertson is retiring after 25 years with the transportation department. She served on many committees at in the transportation department and she found training new drivers to be the most rewarding experience of
066her career. Her retirement plans include relaxing on sunny beaches of Florida, volunteer in her new community, and spending time as Nana to her grandchildren. Cindy, thank you. I had the the opportunity to recognize Cindy at the transportation barbecue on Monday. And uh I can't say enough. I mean, I'm going to miss you. We're going to miss you. Your dedication um to the transportation department, to the students, um to to sharing the expectations of transportation, the expectations of what it is to ride on a bus, and then to to hold students accountable, to hold staff accountable. It's all because of safety, right? And you do a great job and that's why you're selected to be the trainer for our new drivers. And um I encourage you. I know you're going to Florida, but you know, we
067really could use that position a lot to help us out. So, if you ever feel like volunteering or whatever, we're here. All right. So, thank you, Cindy. We go way back. They had her boys in in in high school when I was principal and we we formed a relationship, but always dedicated. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, I we talked to you on the phone a few times, but anyway. But, feel free to give me a call. Enjoy your retirement. Good luck to you. >> [applause] >> All right. With 20 years of service to the district, Miss Susan Monty. >> [applause] >> Our food services department Food services department has a good time. Susan Monty, retiring from the district with 24 years of service. First joined the team as a substitute cafeteria worker in 2001. Was officially
068contracted as a permanent employee in September 2002. Always always a smiling face in the all the cafeteria. She treats her students like they are her own and she welcomes everyone. Students, staff, administration, always with a smile, always having a good time. Are you sure you want to do this? All right. All right. Don't cry. All right. [laughter] Congratulations. We appreciate you. We appreciate your your enthusiasm and that's going to be missed. That fire, that fire you have. So, keep it going wherever you go. So, good luck to you. >> [applause] >> All right, 25 years of service, Ms. Kimberly Pettit. >> [applause] >> Kim's journey is filled with passion. She says that teaching is not a career but it is a passion, it's a calling. And that really tells a lot about about Kim. She's
069has taught third, fourth, and fifth grades, K to three, cert, GT, PEP. She named Miller's Teacher of the Year in 2013 and has played a key role in launching the district's advanced math and Renaissance programs. She has fond memories of the Renaissance activities, the Penny War, the Winter Fest, the Miller Mural, pep rallies, and the Phillies game with staff. She plans to travel the world with her husband, read more books, and attend concerts. An EHT School District will always have a place in her heart. And I saw your name on there, I'm like, "Whoa." >> [laughter] >> You're too young, but all right, go have fun. Y'all let you go. I appreciate it, but I had a great time working all the committees that you served on. I appreciate all the work that you've done.
070So, good luck. Do it while you can. Do it while you can. >> Watch this. You got Thank you very much. >> All right, with 27 years of service to the district, Ms. Karen Semet. [applause] >> Karen served Egg Harbor Township for 27 years starting as a high school guidance counselor before becoming the supervisor of health, phys ed, and nursing in 2004. She is proud that her daughters received a fine education within the district. In retirement, she plans to spend time with her aging parents, sleep in, and enjoy books. Congratulations. [applause] >> [applause] >> With 29 years of service to the district, Ms. Shannon [applause] Ward. >> Shannon is retiring after 29 years. She grew up in Egg Harbor Township and has served as a teacher in multiple grades and as a Renaissance advisor. She
071considers EHT her home and treasures the impact she had on her students. Her retirement plans include moving to Maryland to be near her family and would love to work in a public library and travel to Scotland, which is her dream trip. She also wants to visit US National Parks. She admires Dennis Bert. to put that in there. I just saw him last night. He's looking good. Yeah, I would have told him. But anyway, congratulations to you and good luck in your retirement. >> [applause] >> Oh, she already has a job lined up in her retirement. She wants me to tell you she's going to be the library assistant in Northfield. >> [applause] >> All right, from our wonderful transportation department with 32 years of service, Michelle Mimi Weisman. >> [applause] [applause] >> Don't worry, I
072got stuff. I got stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> [laughter] >> Sorry I missed you on Monday. Um, you were out driving the bus. That's okay. That's what you No, no. So, Mimi Weisman has been part of the district since 1994. She was a familiar face to everyone in the township and widely known to her students and community members as bus number 11, Miss Mimi. Um, she loves the township. She loves her students. Uh, again, a big piece of our transportation department. Um, you know, had high expectations for our students with all round safety but had a good time where she was well-liked and you're going to be missed and I already heard your students are a little concerned that Miss Mimi's not going to be there. So, in the bus. Okay. Okay. [laughter] Okay, you're
073welcome. Come on back. Come on back. Thanks, John. Stay on her. So, Mimi Good luck to you. Appreciate you. >> [applause] >> One second. >> And with 25 years of service to the district, Ms. Catherine Wright. >> [applause] [applause] >> Cat Wright began her career in fifth grade when Alder Avenue served as an intermediate school. Those early years, she says, helped shape her passion for education that led me to the the last 18 years teaching in eighth grade ELA. She's taught in the same classroom at the Alder Avenue building for entire 25 years. I I don't know if anybody could say that. Okay? That's pretty good. She's spent 18 years, uh, as I said, teaching the ELA and, um, she has fond memories, right? So, she loves how things can always improve for the betterment
074of the staff and students. Um, the eighth grade stepping-up ceremony, she believes is a wonderful event. There's some change she has seen. Many many memories stand out as the Project Peace mini grant. This grant allowed her their classes to take a trip to Stockton and a college to attend a live performance and meet Holocaust survivors afterwards. The blue team will always hold a very special place in her heart. The motto is blue team rocks, blue team rocks. That reflects their spirit and bond that they have as educators. She also participated in the Kick Club, which will also be a special memory that she will cherish the great time celebrating birthdays throughout the year. It's an honor to serve as an EHTEA rep. And she's also been fortunate to work and learn from exceptional administrators over
075the year have supported her growth throughout the year. Their leadership has helped shape not only her teaching career, but perspective as an educator. One of her favorite pieces of trivia that she shares with her students is being in that classroom for 25 years. As she says, retirement is bittersweet, but there's three grandchildren that she will serve. Um there's the talk of the Great Loop. Boaters who complete the journey are called loopers. So, looking back, she's incredibly grateful for her journey, the people, and the countless moments uh that have defined her in education. And teach- teaching has truly been the most wonderful part of her life. So, Kat, congratulations. Uh thank you for your service. I can I can miss you. Your students are going to miss you. Um you know, you're an icon here at
076All Souls Avenue. And you can't go wrong with Mrs. Wright. So, congratulations. >> [applause] >> And we have a retiree that was able to join us at the last minute. So, with 18 years of service, Ms. Jennifer Irwin, come on up. >> [applause] >> Jennifer Irwin, ELA teacher at Miller and Fernwood. She started her career at Fernwood, served NJEA rep. She uh has Her memories are collecting items for soldiers each year um during the holidays, the stockings for soldiers. Thank you for doing that. Very, very important. Um and a great supporter of Renaissance in staff and student activities. Jen, thank you for your service to our students. Um they appreciate um your your smile, um your your dedication to them, and um just being there for them is means everything to them and to us.
077So, thank you and good luck to you. >> [applause] >> I just want to make sure Maria McKeown didn't walk in since we started, just in case. Okay, we'll make sure we get her recognition to her. So, what I'm going to ask is Mr. Vargas has been very nice to take individual pictures and he's also going to get a group picture. So, if all of the recognition for retirees could come up with your award and or your flowers and we'll get a group picture up here. That would be great. >> You shut up. I know, I'll just hold it. I told her about Anne, she's >> Friends, family members, if you want to scoot up and get a picture up here, please do. >> Good luck everyone in your new chapter of life. I hear
078it's exciting. Good luck. Thank you. We're done. Just always know you can call Egg Harbor Township School District your home and you're always welcome. Thank you. >> Just a few quick recognitions while we're wrapping up Dr. Gruccio's assistant, Sandy Ferriola, for all the plaques and everything. She organizes all that. HR Coordinator Tori Bordanaro, she does all the decorations that you see around here. The Alder Custodial Crew always does a great job. And our students from the high school communication academy that do the narration on the video. And Mr. Vargas for organizing the whole video. Thank you to all of you. How about one big round of applause for all retirees before we start? >> [applause] >> Dr. Shriner. >> Okay, last month of the year, we have obviously a lot of recognitions going on. Uh
079we have programs uh to highlight, so we will begin um or continue if you will. And I'm going to hand the mic over to our supervisor of world languages, Dr. Michelle Shriner, who's going to share the model heritage program and also speak a little bit about the seal by literacy. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. TONIGHT, I AM SO proud to share with all of you the wonderful news that our district's Hispano Hablantes program has been selected as a model program for the state of New Jersey. >> [snorts] >> As a model program Yes, thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> So, what does that mean? Well, as a model program, we host districts that are looking to implement their own Hispano Hablantes program. And in fact, just last week, we hosted
080two administrators from a district in Salem County. So, perhaps you've heard the term Hispano Hablantes. Maybe you're not sure exactly what it means. Um but our Hispano Hablantes program is a Spanish program for students who already speak Spanish to help develop literacy skills at a high level. Just like students who already speak English take English class every single year to improve their literacy skills, students in the Hispano Hablantes classes do the same. But in Spanish. The stronger students' literacy skills are in one language, the stronger they are in other languages. And this year, I'm very proud to tell you that we have more than 450 Egg Harbor Township students taking Espanol en base classes from fifth grade through 12th grade. And now I'd like to introduce the teachers in our program. So, if the teachers
081would come up, please, as I introduce you. At Miller School, we have Luznelli Kenka and Nicole Cheney. >> [applause] >> At Alder Avenue, we have Gabby Priestly. At Fernwood Avenue, Jenny Dilks. >> [applause] >> At the high school, Obed Paredes and Gloria de la Rosa. >> [applause] >> It is thanks to the passion and dedication of our teachers that our program has been recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education. Without strong teachers, we would not be a model program. It This does not happen without their hard work. And I thank them for their hard work every day, in and out of the classroom. Our district is fortunate to have them among the faculty. And I am so fortunate to work with them. >> [applause] >> And we have some students here as well that
082I just like to call up. Um and I'm not going to get everybody's name, but uh we have Dedelis, we have Andres, we have Jeffrey, we have Anelis. Uh maybe Isabellas came and Emmanuel. If you would come up, please. If I didn't call your name, please come up. >> [applause] >> And I'm going to invite our two students, Jeffrey and Emmanuel first here to the microphone to share some remarks with you. >> Um hello. My name is Samuel Leonardo de Castro. I've been going I've been in the HSD I've been been a resident in the HSD for the past 5 years. I'm a junior in HSD high school. Um currently I'll say the program has been like one of the most influential influential parts of my life. I love the people. I love uh the
083teachers. They are really respectful people, really encouraging people. They encourage like students to participate in like events like these uh to >> [clears throat] >> get good grades. Like if somebody's doing like kind of bad in their classes, they they'll notice and they'll talk to that person uh specifically. Um yeah. It's just a really encouraging program. I I love the program. >> [snorts] >> As yeah. That's it. >> [applause] >> Uh good evening, everybody. Uh my name is Jeffrey Portillo. Uh and being part of this program this program has been one of the best parts in my high school experience. Uh it's more than just learning a language for me. It's been about the culture, building, uh sharing, creating confidence, and creating that meaningful connections with teachers along like the years. And the teachers always
084like encourage us to grow, challenge yourself, or making every class feel welcoming and engaging. Again, as Emmanuel said, it's not only about grades. It's just about being there, being present, and like feel what it's like to be like part of your culture even though you're not in a country that it doesn't share as strong as it could be. Uh what makes it program truly special is the people. Over the years we build friendships, share experiences, support one another inside and outside of the classroom, and we're like a big familia for the most of us, and I'm grateful for everything this program has taught me and for everyone who has made it feel like home. Muchas gracias. >> [applause] >> Um I will I'll also like share a word that the program is hard. It It
085is challenging for a lot of us. Even though we speak Spanish, it's not as is easy as like Spanish 101. No, it's like English like honors or AP level English but in Spanish basically. Um even though it is hard, you find ways to like work with it and the the teachers and at least in the high school cuz I didn't have Hispano Hablantes in Fairwood. Um in the high school, they encourage you as I said to like work hard and like they help you throughout the work process. Yeah, it's really helpful. And I'm glad I'm a part of >> [applause] >> Very heartwarming. Um and we appreciate you sharing um your feelings and your experience. So um very very proud. Teachers, thank you so much for the impact that you've made on on the students
086participating in this program. And this is unique program. Not every high school has this. Um Dr. Steiner has worked many many years. Um I've traveled to NJ DOE. I know Ms. Moss traveled to NJ DOE um to to hear about the recognition as Dr. Steiner uh was recognized for the program. DOE comes in and visits the high school and um top-notch. top notch, impressive, checks every box and more to put us on the map, right? And everybody here is a part of that and it's because of you that it's successful. So Dr. Schreiner, you do get a certificate for your valuable contributions to Hispano Hablantes and recognition as a New Jersey model program. Your effort and professionalism are sincerely appreciated. So thank you so much. Appreciate it. >> [applause] >> I had the privilege of
087working with Dr. Schreiner my whole career here. In fact, I remember her being on the interview committee when I interviewed for assistant principal of the high school. So we go back. Yeah, 5 years ago. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Have a great summer. Thank you. Good job, guys. Good job. Oh, wait a second. Missing a slide. Did we miss a slide? You took a slide out of there? Took one out? You took one out because I had special education in there. Okay. Okay. Got to wait. Sorry. Want to go on to this or do you want to skip to the next one? Go back one? Since since you messed with it, come down. No. No. No more No more surprises, please. >> No more surprises. I know this one still,
088but I had to I had to pay. >> Do you want that? >> We can. >> Yeah, I do. >> Pam, you're up. Here we had an administrator's meeting last week and in those administrator's meetings we we share, right? As administrators we share what's going on in our departments, what's going on in in the schools, how we service kids. And the special education teams presented to us and shared with us um a grant that they received. I was like, "Ah, the board has to hear this." And I know it's a long night, but the board has to hear this. Um it's quite impressive. And um they're going to share a gamma presentation on special education. So, Pam Henley, this director of special education, is looking at me and um I'm going to hand the mic
089over to you and you're going to introduce your team and uh talk about your systematic change for inclusive education. >> Thank you. Good evening. Um I have Christina Adamczyk with me who is one of our special education supervisors and Kim Savino. We had applied for the New Jersey All In Grant, which is a grant to help support inclusive education in the schools. It is a 3-year process. And it is a long process, but we were awarded it at um Swiftwater School Complex. And so, Christina has been spearheading this and this was one of the presentations that we had to do. We had a wonderful inclusion night the other night. Or when was that? That was in April and it was a very nice turnout. We had a lot of people there, but I'm going to
090let Christina um go over this and >> All right. So, we're going to start with what is inclusive education. So, we are trying to get all of our students to learn side by side. We want everyone to feel like they belong here and really work together to have amazing opportunity for education. Um overall, we've emphasized a lot of uh staff training um in the universal design learning and inclusive strategies. And we're really trying to get more community engagement going on, families and partnerships involved. Um when we have more support with at home, then we see more carryover within our, you know, our classrooms. Um and it's just really nice to be able to communicate with our families and have them be a part of their students' education. So, where we're headed right now, we have
091a three-year vision. Um, we want to make sure everyone feel safe, valued, and included. And by our five-year vision, we really want to be able to make it meaningful. We want to have it make sure that the impact is there. What we're striving for is appropriate for everyone. We want everyone to feel safe, valued, and included. And of course, we make sure that their academic is on par with being with everyone socially and emotionally. So, here are our numbers. Uh, currently, in comparison with the state's inclusion numbers, we're really not too far off. We're doing really great. Um, and we're really hoping with this grant, we're going to be able to mirror all of the things that we're learning for inclusive practices across the entire district. Just because it's for our Swiss Label, doesn't mean
092that it's only for Swiss Label. Um, we have been working with our supervisors and our teachers to be able to implement a lot of the things that we're learning. Um, so yeah, we're hoping by next year to be able to increase our inclusion by 10% or more. Um, we're hoping to be able to have more of our students with disabilities in general education settings. Um, we're really hoping to build on our staff capacity. We're providing more professional development. Um, it's really great that All In program provides us a lot of pallets and education so they can do it on their own time as well as, you know, uh, opportunities that we provide for them. And also, again, our culture of belonging. We're really trying to, you know, hone in on the values of diversity. So,
093what we've done so far was our professional development. Um, our inclusion inclusion awareness session. So, Julie Lang's Julie Lang is our coordinator. She's been coming into our buildings, uh, monthly and meeting with us and coming to our specials areas, coming to our our classrooms, seeing what we have as a district and what we're providing for inclusion education. Um, and really just giving us some great insight of how to make it better. And, um, really proud of our inclusion community night. We had the largest inclusion community night in South Jersey. It is our first one and we had 36 tables of community and district partnerships and it was really fun night. We had a really great turnout and our board everyone came. It was so wonderful to see everybody there and support it. So it was
094such a lovely night and it's going to be spotlighted in the all in magazine. They did a nice write-up so hopefully by the end of the summer we'll have that. So what's working? We're starting to get more parent awareness and engagement. They want to come. They want to see what we're doing. They're asking to how can we do this? What can we do at home? We've been hearing a lot of teacher success stories in the classroom just from the small things that we've learned and increasing teacher buying. You know, this it's really difficult sometimes to just be able to change up what you're doing you're getting your natural you know environment and you're just doing the same thing every day and we're changing up the routines and just seeing small changes can make everything go
095such a long way. And our lessons learned this year is that change takes time. We don't realize how much time it takes >> [laughter] >> but it's been celebrating the small wins. We've put some some wind walls up and just like a little post and say what was your win today? Even if the student came in the class and they were you know able to do one small thing that's amazing. Coaching matters more than the meetings and and then community events really build trust quickly. So having our parents come in and having that partnership with them has been really such a nice experience. So next year like I said we're hoping to have at least 10% more for our inclusion and the inclusive settings. We're hoping to host it and well we are definitely hosting
096another community night hopefully with more partnerships. We're going to try to we're currently working with our building principles to reshape schedules maybe add in some different adjustments for our extracurricular specials and then also Oh, was that last one? Not showing. I mean we want to celebrate our wins. Every little Everyone counts. So, if that means we're going to I'm going to try doing some 10-minute weekly check-ins, some extra coaching, and then well, you know, if whatever didn't work today, let's try something tomorrow. So, we're not going to give up. We're going to keep trying. And just a little nice picture of what we had. Our staff members came in blow-ups. We had donations. It was just absolutely amazing. The the excitement in the room was so nice to see. So, and we have been renewed
097for another year. So, we're really excited to see what next year brings us. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right. >> So, uh this is Jamie Ang. Uh she was here earlier. Um she uh works in our transportation department. And I was at the Wawa on June 4th at 9:29 9:26 in the morning cuz I checked it when I took the picture on my phone. And I see this woman. She's like She's walking. So, I'm saying I'm like I said I I wrote I was driving. I said, "Are you okay? Do you need help?" I wouldn't think. I didn't know she was um a bus driver. I know she was an employee of our district. But she was just walking
098like she was looking around on the ground, and she was like, "Oh, no." She was like, um "I was just out here um because I had a student on my bus." She said, "I'm a I I I drive the um I work on the the transportation." I said, "Okay." And she said, "I had a student another student um I guess their stuffed animal it somehow it flew out the window. It It was It someone either threw it or she dropped it. She had it out hanging out the window. Bottom line is the child was hysterical, crying, and she was like, "Oh, you know, I'm sorry about your about your stuffed animal." And she said, you know, she said I'll just I told her I would see if I could find it somewhere on the road.
099She was out there scouring the ground for this child's toy. And I literally just happened to be driving. I said, "Are you I just thought she was like a car broke down." She was that's what she was doing. And I said to her, I said, "What is your name?" She was like, "Oh, it's no big deal." I said, "What's your name?" I said, um I want to give you a shout-out because you know what? These are the type of people that we have working in our district. She she, you know, risking life and limb for this stuffed animal for a child to bring that child some peace. And I just said, "You know what?" I said, "I just want to make sure that she gets recognized." And she didn't know she was like, "Oh, that's
100okay." I said, "No, we're going to do it." So, I just wanted to thank Ms. Ang. And if you see her and thank you to the transportation department for all they do. We have great people that work here. Whether you're in a classroom or on the bus, and just wanted to recognize her. >> [applause] >> Okay, continuing with the superintendent's report, we have some reports that are mandated that have to be shared with the board and the public. And we're going to begin with Assistant Superintendent Ms. Lilly Moss, who will share the New Jersey Performance Report from the Department of Education for the 2024-2025 school year. >> I don't even remember how to do this on a regular All right. Hi, Hi Um it's been a really great night of celebrations and now George and
101I get to present our state mandated presentations for you. We'll try to make it as painless as possible. So, I am reporting out because the 24-25 school year New Jersey performance reports were released. Everything that is in this presentation, we have already presented about before. So, all of the data that's in here on student achievement, chronic absenteeism, um the SSDS reports, we have presented about throughout the 24-25 school year, and now the state has compiled all of that into the performance report, and so I we are going to just present that again. So, as you know, every year New Jersey puts out the school performance reports. It was a little late this year, which is why I'm presenting it in June, um but it is a way for them to compile all the information about
102our district, uh our course offerings, our student achievement, absenteeism like I said, along with our graduation um rates and so on. It will be posted on our homepage. You can also go to the nj.gov, where you can search by school and by district. So, like I said, you will get the school and district overview, our demographic information, information about student growth, our college and career programs, our graduation and post-secondary information, um and this is a way for our school accountability. So, here is our student enrollment and demographics, and again, this is 24-25, not the current school year. Um so, in 24-25, we are 50% um free and reduced lunch, we had 17% students with disabilities, 4% ML, um 0.7% for homelessness, 0.2% for foster care, and 1.3% for military connected students. The next will be
103our student growth overview. And if you remember, we presented out separately about our results from the DLM and from NJSLS. Here was our growth in the 2024-2025 school year. So, here was our SGP scores. And if you know, an SGP score is what they're looking at for grades 4 through 7 for math and grades 4 through 8 for ELA. Here is our um participation and proficiency rates from 2024-2025 school year. Um and we know that that these rates are not what we're looking for. This is the federal accountability rate, so this is a little bit different calculation. Um and we did a lot of work this year in reaction to this score from the 2024-2025 school year, and I'll get into that in a little bit. Here is our graduation rates and pathways. So, um
104there were federal changes, but they did not impact the graduation requirements in 2024-2025. And as you know, um our graduation rate is always pretty high here in at um in EHT. So, our 4-year rate was 92% and our 5-year rate was 94% uh 94%, which is well above the state average. Chronic absenteeism last week last month, uh Mr. Weiss had reported out about our chronic absenteeism and attendance. Um across the board, our chronic absenteeism is going down. Um and this is something that we continue to work on every year to make sure that our students are coming to school and to make sure that we're keeping them in school once they're here. You can look across at the different grade levels. Um, preschool obviously has a higher rate. Um, it's hard to get those kids
105our little ones in every day. Also, any parents out there, you know, that first year of school is a lot of illnesses. Um, and so you'll see that that absenteeism kind of bell curve, right? And then we have our seniors who sometimes uh we have to to get to school at the end. College and career readiness. Um, here we have our percentage of students in the district that are enrolled in college and career, took the SAT, dual enrollment courses where we are well above the state average. Um, we do offer quite a lot of dual enrollment courses at the high school [clears throat] in all different content areas, a lot beyond what traditional offerings are. And of course the very high percentage of students in our high school that earn that Seal of Biliteracy, which
106you heard about earlier. >> [snorts] >> Student safety. >> [sighs and gasps] >> Don't worry, you're going to hear more about this in a minute when Mr. Weiss presents. Um, but here are the numbers in our district. We do a lot around training with our student safety. Um, and if you look at the New Jersey Performance Report on the website, you'll see that we have narratives for each of these different areas that explain the intensive and extensive trainings that we do, um the way that we practice in our classrooms and how we provide trainings and support for both our staff and students. Early childhood education. As you know, every year we expand with our preschool grant. Um, and this has been the growth throughout the throughout the few years that we've had the preschool. Student
107supports and services. Um, here is a list of how many employees that we have in the district in relation to the number of students. And like I said, there's lots of ways for you to be able to look at that. So I thought it was really important just to kind of talk about because this is old data, what we've done in response to the data. So throughout the 25-26 school year, we have really done a lot to acknowledge what we had noticed in that 24-25 performance through our state testing and through our absenteeism and the different things that we saw. And we established our PD pathways, which was a way for us to have our staff choose a different pathway for professional development we could dig a little bit deeper into the different areas that
108are affected within this. We relaunched our professional learning teams and established guiding coalitions in all of our building. We have an early literacy focus. We implemented a new screener in our K-3 using Acadience. We have been piloting literacy programs in grades 4-8. We had a tier two website made for math plus implementation of number sense routines to help get those foundational skills going in math. PD and coaching for tier three in all of our programs that we have in our K-8 programs. And then we are working on our tier two implementation um throughout the district. Our plans for next year are to continue to grow in all of these areas. I'm excited for the different things that we are going to be able to implement to increase our students' opportunities and hopefully grow student achievement
109and learning for our staff. That's it. Thank you so much. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Ms. Moss. Appreciate the presentation, but also appreciate how you dive deep into the data and create um committees, if you will, to research committees on on data and um performance and, you know, creating the um the uh PD pathways, just so we have a different angle to um addressing uh some of the data and making improvements in our district. So, that's all you, and I appreciate that. Now, we have Assistant Superintendent, Mr. George West. >> Okay. >> Again, another mandated presentation, SSDS and HIV, which you monitor and oversee all year long. >> Yep. Thank you, Dr. Gurcio. Um the principals did call me on Monday and they said uh Mr. West, are you going to do SSDS cuz we
110want a front row seat. So, you can see the impact um that that um that I have with the SSDS. So, cultivating a safe and positive school climate, everyone hang with me. It's been a while, but you guys are all doing great. This is 2025-2026 uh mid-year student safety. This is for reporting period one. So, reporting period one is September to December of this of this of this year of this school year. So, the big picture, the things that we found out from a transparent reporting uh situation, rigorous tracking of mid-year incidents show a significant year-over-year drop in overall investigations. Um our culture is proactive for our students. Uh EHT has a comprehensive multi-tier support system, you know, ranging from our therapy dogs to targeted character education. And as far as our school self-assessment, we
111routinely score uh in the 75-76-77 range year in year out. Kudos to our principals. Kudos to our uh our SACS. Uh kudos to educating um the whole uh school culture on ways to be productive students, nice students, right, and doing things right day in and day out from a school standpoint. Some executive summary mid-year safety climate information that we received. Our total incidents have a little bit of a shift. We went from 87 to 75. So, this is Remember, this is comparing to last year's reporting period to this year's reporting period one. So, we saw a rise in substance offenses where we saw violent incidents decrease. Okay? As far as and I thought this was a very important data piece in this presentation. Our significant decline in restraints and seclusion. We went from 74 to
11245. You can see someone's excited about that as well in the back. So, district-wide physical restraints dropped immensely sharply from 74 to 45. We had the DOE who's come in the last couple of years to provide PD for our staff and we're seeing the results of that. And then target HB concentrations, we had seven confirmed cases for reporting period one. That's pretty consistent the last couple of years of where we've been as far as confirmed HBs. So, this is a year-to-year incident comparison from 2024 to 2025. You see our violence incidents went down. Our vandalism slightly went up. Our substance abuse did go up and that is a THC related reason why. Weapons offense no change and confirmed HB is a slight increase. But, like I said, fairly consistent. So, that gives us a total
113of 75 compared to 87. Like I said, 21% increase in the violence incidents, decrease I mean, and 78% increase in substance offenses. As far as HIB, this is the legal threshold. This is the definition. The action is any gesture, written, verbal, physical, or electronic, on or off school grounds. They have to have a motivated perceived characteristic as part of this HIB law and prongs regarding These are four of the many race, gender, disability, religion are the big ones. In the impact, when we do an investigation with our student assistance counselors, there must be a substantial disruption in the educational process. There has to be physically or emotionally harmed, demeaning, or creating some type of hostile environment. This part, another piece of data that I felt was extremely impressive for us, our total investigations went down
114by 20, 37th percentile, from 2024-25 to 2025-26. So, we're doing a nice job educating our students. We're doing a nice job educating parents. We are thorough in our investigations. We are non-discretionary district, meaning if someone thinks that HIB is taking place, we we open up an investigation. That's That's just what we do and that's who we are. This historical HIB trend slide, this just shows the confirmed cases and the students that are involved. So, December, going back to December 2021, there were 10 confirmed HIBs in 2022, you see nine there. 2023, you see six. In 2024, you see five. And then, this past reporting period one, you see seven. The light green dot shows the students that were involved in the confirmed cases. So, you see Going left to right, you see 25, 19, 17,
11513, and 16. So, you see you see our numbers slightly decrease a little bit in the involvement of students you know it was pretty um it was pretty steady through through this through gathering all this data. Um the big thing with HIB with confirmed cases what we've seen is middle school 7th and 8th grade. Um a lot of inappropriate comments and we learned this through our school safety team meetings. We look for trends we look to see what's going on with our students. So, I'll be working with our middle school principals and we'll look to put a plan together to continue to address students and to continue to address that trend and we have done an amazing job with that and we'll continue to do that and we always preach it's it's not real hard
116to be nice. Uh so, we'll continue to do that. It's a simple concept. I wish the world would follow that to a T year day in and day out. As far as the prevention uh ecosystem from a safe school climate standpoint uh divvy it up in three categories emotional and mental support character ed and positive reinforcement from therapy dogs to ESS to our wings program and our counseling department they play a major part in this and insights going to take over for effective school solutions and they're going to carry the same responsibilities. As far as character ed be good people K through 12 little spot little spot of emotions our pacers lessons and videos and scred which is a component of be good people um throughout the district we we have built in time for
117these lessons. Middle school use convocation elementary as and high school has it built in and we continue to basically educate our students on positive mood and attitude, understanding others, respect, civic engagement, self-control. These are all the mini lessons that we provide to our students. Communication, healthy relationships, you know, conflict resolution, all those things that are important in life when you move on after school that we try to teach our kids. And then you see on the positive reinforcement piece the soar tickets. They are a big sell within our district. The you know, safety, ownership, accountability, and respect. You know, kids get recognized for behaving well in the hallways, on the buses, in the cafeteria, you know, in the classroom. So that is a positive incentive for our kids that they work for day in and
118day out. We recognize students of the month. We obviously year in year out have respect and red ribbon weeks. And I know the middle school's doing excellent job of positive phone calls home. You know, catching parents off guard, they get that call and it and it really strikes a chord and is very impactful for our parents. As far as building a climate of safety, this is just a slide that's piggybacks off of the things I was talking about. We do HIV training our entire staff through via public school works. I talked about our school safety team meetings looking for trends across the district. Um Our solicitor, Ms. Elko, every year in year out we meet with our vice principals and our sacks and we receive training on the updates in HIV and HIV law. We
119have anti-bullying modules. Our IRS team plays a integral part in mentoring our students. And like I said, the principals make sure that this takes place in their buildings cuz it's important. It's important to educate our students. It's important to hold them accountable and it's important to follow up and stay through that process. We have spirit weeks. We celebrate a lot, that's important. It's a it's a a stress reducer for all. It's a happy time and a lot of people get involved with that and that's part that's important for building morale and everyone has a good feeling when they come into the school in school building. As far as HIP case follow up victim and and aggressors, we routinely do counselor check-ins. We we monitor any nurse visits. We integrate effective school solutions before and care.
120Atlanta care healthy school specialist everyone you know, it's a village. Everyone plays a part in making sure that our students are are are doing the right things. We review academics and attendance. We track behavior through infinite campus. We have mandated sessions with follow-ups with our counselors and behavior specialist. So the work never ends. The work never ends. And obviously from MTSS PBIS, our climate our climate programs, we stay on top of our kids, school wide assemblies, and we have focus character education monthly themes that is important for our school district that we started a couple of years ago. And I believe June is reflection. So that's what we're that's where we're at now as the as the season / school year is coming to an end. Safety net protocols kind of like what I talked
121about with the victim and and aggressor. We routinely check the academics, reviewing report cards, progress reports, doing teacher check-ins to see how the students are doing that are involved in HIP cases. Obviously the counseling piece with check-ins and follow-ups. The mentorship through IRS and the ongoing monitoring that that doesn't stop checking in on our students and how they're doing. And obviously the nurses play a huge part in this as well. You know, are you are you seeing students come into your office? Are they sharing any any information to you? So the more people that we have involved and the more information that we know, we're able to address our kids. Moving beyond some other things that we do, um if there are confirmed HIBs or or incidents uh where it may not be a confirmed
122HIB, we check hallway traffic, we try to separate kids. Um we make sure that we have a supervision and in certain areas where we think students may be, hallways, buses, locker rooms, and and playgrounds. And we routinely look at our policy 5512 on on HIB, looking at conditions and actively revising any type of institutional policies that may come abreast to us. And the last slide that I wanted to show, I thought it was a cool slide. Uh so, it's our it's the eight core elements of self-assessment. Um every year we get graded on those eight prongs. You see HIB programs and initiatives, uh policy training, staff instruction, curriculum skills, personnel, incident reporting and investigative procedures. And like I said, we're routinely consistent in that 76 range. Kudos to our administrators, kudos to our SACS, uh
123kudos to everyone that, you know, obviously plays a part in the world of our children and impacts them in a positive light. Some next steps and commitments, um submission Have we already done the submission of mid-year statement of assurances uh with the self-assessment? So, that's already been posted on our website. Um we will continue to, like I said, have our ecosystem gone prevention of ecosystem where we're targeting and uh we're going to focus on middle school students. I mean, we're going to focus on all students, but obviously there's a middle school piece that we uh that we need to target. And then I will present to the board in the fall the whole SSDS uh from um September to June. So, you'll get the whole layout of the land and I'll show the progression of
124where we're at from a school district. With that being said, thank you to everyone. Thank you for sitting in the front row, and thank you for your patience. Appreciate it. >> [applause] >> Sorry, I'm a mess. >> It's okay. That's right. Thank you, Mr. West. Appreciate that. Um tonight we I shared we shared a lot of our passion here in Egg Harbor Township. Um athletics, retirement, the fun of politics, community folks who who serve our students. And I want to share another passion. One of my passions, um and I explained this before, I shared this before, um from the time I was born. The power of music. I'm going to speak from the heart. >> Microphone. >> It's on. I'm Is it on? >> I don't ran out again? >> And I'm going to speak
125from the heart, and I'm going to speak from transparency, and I'm going to speak facts. Whether you believe it or not, music in our schools is very very important to me and to this Board of Education. To the administrators in the room. To the teachers in our district. Because music supports learning, emotions, culture, and community. And I'm sure some of the signs that the kids are holding up say that as well. Hold them high, folks. Cuz music is linked to memory skills, concentration, problem solving, accountability, and innovation. And it's helped me along the way in my life to express myself, to figure things out, and a lot of times to release my stress. Whether I play my piano, I sit down and play the guitar, back in the day when I played the clarinet and
126the saxophone in the band. Music is training. It improves our abstract reasoning skills. It's important for math, science, and history. And the research says, and I know, it builds eye-hand coordination. Cuz you get old like me and you wake up and the hands are feeling stiff. I said, "I got to sit down and I got to play the piano." It's going to keep me sharp. Because music is a different language, too. Not everybody has the ability or the talents to be able to read music. And I take that I value that that my father taught me that at a very, very young age. Our music programs here in We See build teamwork, self-esteem for our kids. It's an outlet for stress, and I can relate to that. The collaboration and student security, and we heard
127students speak about that. And music allows culture to come alive, and we see that in our schools. It's so beautiful. The songs that the kids sing, the music that they play at all the different levels and age groups in our in our school community. The expression of our students, the costumes they wear. It speaks to who they are, and they get to express themselves. They play, they dance, wonderful performances that we have. And it we we're able to express at the first cultural that we have here in Egg Harbor Township. All through music. Music in our schools builds community. It allows us to celebrate. Our performances are outstanding, second to none. And brings parents in our schools. The participation of parents are so important to me, so important to the support of education. Everyone's welcome
128in our school. But when there's a music event, fine performing event, performing arts event, the parents are there to support. So, with that said, the board heard you. I heard you. But, eight months ago, we listened. And the report at the end at 11:30 or so at night was there was going to be research done in the school district, and there was. And there was going to be discussion in the committee meetings, and there were. Many. And I shared this presentation in the last committee meeting, uh which was last Tuesday, to show that music in our school is important. And to show what music looked like in our schools in the '25 and '26 school year, and what music's going to look like in our schools in the '26 and '27 school year. In the
129kindergarten, theater, music, and no art was provided to our students. But, next year, we're going to have a fine and performing arts course, where students will receive those three areas of fine and performing arts. In grades 1 through 3, general music last year was taught one time per week. Next year, it will be taught one time per week as a special for the students. At our Miller School, grades 4 and 5, in '25 and '26, the students participated in band, orchestra, choir, and general music. And next year, '26-'27, students will participate in band, orchestra, choir, and general music. In the middle schools, doing our research, we saw in '25-'26, band, orchestra, and choir, students had every other day for only a half year. Why Why would that be only a half year? And students were
130pulled out of the WIN during the other half of the year when they could. But next year in middle schools, students will have band, orchestra, and choir every other day for a full year. So, we're improving the music education in the middle school. Students going to have those courses every other day for one full year. We're able to work that out. So, we're very, very proud of that work. And as it flows from the middle school into the high school, well, first the middle school extra extracurricular activities, I do want to show that we have band, choir, choir, and orchestra last year, and we will have the same for next year at the middle school level. And at the high school, we got all those courses we offer. In 25-26, CP band, honors band, CP
131orchestra, honors orchestra, CP concert choir, CP vocal ensemble, piano lab, theater, recording studio, music theory, Eagle Academy music, and AP music theory. That's this past school year, and next school year, we will be offering the same. So, I felt the need to share that with folks in the audience, with our Board of Education, and with our community that's watching. I also want to add that we had many, many meetings with principals and the supervisor of music education and performing arts. So, he even told me, you can say this is Dr. K approved. And uh we thank him for our support his support. We thank you all for listening and understanding. But I thought it was a very, very important need to share with you how important music is in our schools, and it's not going
132to change. It's not going to change. So, I know some folks who were are um that, you know, there's rumors that you know, Miller band was cut or high school band was cut and this and that. No, folks. No, folks. High school extracurriculars, 25-26. Here's all your different uh groups. And in 26-27, here's your extra Here's your groups for extracurricular activities. So, I I I really all the things we did tonight, I wanted to make sure that the board um saw what the work that was done, that the public understands um you know, that that we care, that we heard um and if anything, we improved um the time that our students get music education, particularly in the middle school. So, thank you, principals, for attending the meetings. Thank you, Dr. Kadetsky. Thank you, Ms.
133Moss, for the work that you did curricular-wise um and thank you, board, for listening. Right? Um Madam President, that concludes the superintendent's report. It was probably one of the longest ones, but it was it was filled with uh happiness and good news. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Gucciardo. >> [applause] >> At this You good? Okay, perfect. At this time At this time, we have our student reps. One last time. Carter, you reminded me this is one last time. So, I give it give it to them. >> [laughter] >> Give it to them. >> All righty. >> Give them that energy. >> Yeah, yeah, I got to stretch a little bit. All right. Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight. Uh my name is Carter Chew. >> Good evening, everyone. My name
134is Eva Nguyen and today we're going to start talking about our social studies first. So recently our AP Gov class took a trip to the State House. Students got to get a tour of the state's capital rotunda as well as the House and Senate chambers. Students were also able to participate in a simulation where they were given a bill to pass and this bill was on whether or not cursive writing should be required to be taught in the elementary level. Um I found that this was really interesting because it was an actual bill that was introduced to the legislator and it wasn't just um something that was made for our simulation. Um but what they got to do was vote on the bill and also discuss whether or not amendments should be made to it.
135This trip was made completely free thanks to a grant that was earned by Mr. Marderon, the teacher of AP Gov. AP Gov also took a trip down to Washington, D.C. This is the second year in a row that students were able to tour the National Archives where they got to see the actual copy of the Declaration of Independence as well as other fundamental United States documents like the 19th Amendment. Um and we also got to see the capital rotunda. >> All righty, so on that same field trip we also got to see the old house chamber, the Senate chamber and the current house and Senate chambers. And we also were able to visit both the offices of Jeff Van Drew and AOC. All righty. Um art history. So AP art history took a big field
136trip this year to New York City to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the first time that the class was able to see and actually be able to attend the Metropolitan. Students got a tour of the Greek and Roman galleries. They got to see a special Raphael exhibit and they got to explore all the different parts of the museum as well as Central Park, which was right nearby. I'm telling you after seeing this this incredible incredible museum, I want either a marble statue of myself or or an oil painting. I'll take either. >> [laughter] >> Sorry. >> [laughter] >> Um and the Holocaust trip uh sorry, Holocaust class also took a trip down to Washington D.C. They got to see the National Holocaust Museum, which was really interesting. Um Carter's going to talk
137a little bit about Boys and Girls State. >> All right, so next week uh juniors Anastasia Mitnick and uh Leah Hamid, Raymond Bonsu, and Daniel Shulingkamp will be attending both Boys and Girls State. If you guys recall from um when we spoke about this a few months ago, this is a week-long program where our juniors will be able to learn about the form and the function of our US government, the New Jersey government, uh as well as the legal system, and just democracy as a whole. All right, best of luck to them. >> Okay, and now a little bit about uh music in our district. The high school choir had a very successful spring concert this past month featuring all types of different music from different cultures around the world. Um the choir also had
138their annual trip to Dorney Park where different groups including the vocal ensemble, which is the advanced ensemble, as well as the two a cappella groups Tone N Point and Acquired Harmony were able to compete against other choirs across the tristate area. Concert Choir, Vocal Ensemble, and Acquired Harmony all earned first place ratings. And one of the other a cappella groups Tone N Point earned second place. Focal point, sorry, vocal ensemble received best overall choir and Abraham Michael was named best high school soloist for the second year in a row. So, a big congratulations to him. >> [applause] >> All right. So, as we wrap up the school year, right? Our scholastic extracurriculars are also ending out on a bang. All right. Um our New Jersey Science League competition has officially come to an end and
139may I just say so many of our students did an amazing, wonderful job. Um our very own Anastasia Mitnick, again, she placed third in the state uh for anatomy and physiology. Senior uh seniors Trina Grawl and Alex Griffin ranked third and fourth for forensics. And the EHT team that they were actually on would then go on to place second in the entire state of New Jersey. Uh freshmen Simran Abeer and Sanjana Rajesh uh ranked sixth and 24th respectively in the entirety of New Jersey for biology. And Andrew Golly and Mina Chaudhry, both juniors, ranked second and 10th in the state for chemistry. The two of them and the team that they had that they were on would also go on to place fourth in the entire state for the team-based competitions. >> One of my
140favorite parts of June is Multicultural Day. So, this is actually going to be tomorrow. Multicultural Club is hosting this annual celebration. Um and the day encapsulates just a lot of food, games, dances, and fashion from cultures all around the world. Um I always look forward to getting to see everyone all dressed up and getting to try new foods. >> Oh, also happening tomorrow is math day at the high school. So, um all of the AP math classes, as well as just the regular math classes, they will be able to come out into the field and will be able to actually celebrate, uh play games about math, and basically just have a wonderful time outside in the sun. All righty. Um talking a little bit more about academics, uh the Fernwood and Alder National Junior Honor
141Society recently had their induction. So, biggest of congratulations to all the wonderful um boys and girls that were able to be inducted this past week. Um Northeastern Nick, a local celebrity, is coming to visit Miller next week to actually talk about the weather. And this is an incredible opportunity for the students to learn about the weather, for students to learn about how the climate is changing, and what they could do to change it. All right. Uh Ooh, cornhole with cops. I know that that sounds exactly like what it is. Uh the student >> [laughter] >> Students at our lower elementary schools were able to play cornhole with the cops. >> [clears throat] >> And also in the elementary schools, uh Swift and Stable, students got to do the ice bucket challenge to celebrate their Booster-Thon
142goals being met. All right. Now, we have a lot of senior celebrations beginning. Uh who's starting? Where is it? Where's I Okay. Carter's going to start. >> All right. So, uh I want to say around about 3 to 4 weeks ago, when Eva was on her field trip to the State House, um I and along with a few of my friends were actually able to attend an academic luncheon. So, uh this academic luncheon was meant to commend a few of the seniors here at EHT for their outstanding academic achievements throughout high school. So, biggest of congratulations to William Seaman, Balina Zang, Chiara Michaela Igana, and Olivia Liang that were able to attend this luncheon at the Seaview. Uh they were all celebrated for receiving the top five GPAs in our school district. >> Okay, and
143last week we had our prom. So, uh prom is held at Harris every single year, and it's organized by the junior uh class. So, this year it was class of 2027, which Anastasia Mitnick is class president of, so >> [laughter] >> big thank you to her and her committee for organizing all of it. Um we also want to give a big congratulations to um our king, Ari Bell, our queen, Paige Pacquin, our prince, Blake Wenzel, and princess Chris Christina Tran. All of them were nominated and voted by their classmates. >> So, speaking of prom, the Monday right before prom, we had what's called our mock car crash, right? Where students got to see a first-hand of account of what a drunk driving accident would actually look like. So, our mock car a mock car crash
144exhibited every step of a real-life accident from the initial scene inspection, calling the ambulances and the fire trucks, saving passengers with EMT services and the jaws of life, flying passengers in actually the emergency helicopters, and finally the the very unfortunate passing of a passenger, which led to both the medical examiner and the funerary hearse. Um it was an incredibly eye-opening experience and an educational experience for all those who attended. So, please, on behalf of Eva and I, we would like to extend a huge thank you to the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, our voluntary fire department, EMT services, and everyone else who made this wonderful educational experience happen. Also, last Tuesday, our seniors got the opportunity to attend the senior trip to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Take it from me, it it was honestly a
145once-in-a-lifetime experience. Like, I I I'm not saying that just to be, you know, cliché or anything. Like, it genuinely was. Um we were able to enjoy all the wonders of Hershey Park, the roller coasters, the arcades, restaurants, water parks, so much more. Right? And all in the company of of good friends, our peers, and and dare I say dare I venture to say like some of the people that I would consider my family at this point. Um I had an absolute blast and well, this this may be a little controversial here. This may be a little controversial, but I honestly believe that it was more fun than prom. I'm just putting that out there. I'm just putting that out there. >> Okay. And tomorrow, June 18th, will be our annual senior award night. So, basically,
146in this night, seniors will be celebrated for their accomplishments over the past 4 years and uh scholarships and other awards will be received. Uh here, students that earned their seals of biliteracy will also be recognized. Some students were actually able to achieve seals in their native language or another language learned. Um there are a few people that were able to earn two seals, including Michelle Anderson, Lydia Bonsu, Allan Mejia Aleman, Miguel Espina Aguiar, Liartza Redzepi, Ruth Rosalva, Andreas Varela Sorry, Molina, Vilena Zang, and Perry Zong. And we also want to recognize Isaac Solano, who was able to earn three seals this year in Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Tomorrow students at our high school will also be celebrating their academic excellence through um the annual academic breakfast. While they feast with friends and peers, these students
147will be celebrated for receiving a weighted GPA of 90% or higher across all four marking periods this year. >> Also happening at the high school are the senior Olympics. So, I believe next week every single English class in um the high school will would not every single English class, every single English senior class, sorry, will be participating in senior Olympics, which is basically um this this one-day competition where the seniors were are competing against one another to see who technically has the best English class. And and these competitions will range in a in a bunch of things. There'll be a tug-of-war, there'll be a mattress run. There'll be so many different things, so many different games that I'm really quite excited for. Um also happening next week is the district clap-out. So, our seniors will
148be celebrating uh this year through a new district clap-out, a district-wide clap-out. So, just like how we have the clap-outs that happen at the high school, we will be walking throughout the district um to our old elementary schools to see all of the little kids and all of our past teachers. And finally, graduation. So, graduation is happening on June 26th at 6:10 p.m. at the high school football field. This will be a remarkable end for the class of 2026, the end of 4 years of hard work, studying, volunteering, going out with friends, making new ones, stress, excitement, laughter, and every single one of the bittersweet moments that made our memories. >> And as always, Project Graduation will be held at the high school right after from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. So, for those that
149don't know what Project Grad is, for one night, the school's entire hallway will be transformed and completely decorated with games and other activities. Um one of my favorite parts was getting to see the hypnotist the past 2 years. It's so funny getting to see your classmates just be like sleepy and like just disillusioned. Um another one of my favorite parts is getting to do tattoos. There's a bunch of little stands and you also get to do your own. Um and also one of the best parts is the food. There's lots and lots of food. I know that I will be getting some nice cotton candy this year. But yeah, as this is the last meeting for Carter and I, we just wanted to say a big thank you, especially to the board. Thank you for
150giving us this opportunity, for letting us see and hear a little bit more about the inner workings of our district. I know one of my favorite parts is getting to hear about the budget and the um more like class What's What is the committee? What is your committee? Curriculum. Yeah, I knew it'd begin with a C. Um yeah. >> [laughter] >> It's always It's so cool and I'm going to miss it so much. Um Carter, if you want to say a little bit. >> Yeah, just just thank you all for this incredible incredible opportunity. Um it was extremely eye-opening. It was extremely educational. I love the fact that you all or or maybe not you all, but some of you guys fight over who gets to second the motions. Like that that >> [laughter] >>
151That is a little idiosyncrasy that I have picked up on and I have enjoyed every single time. >> [laughter] >> But yes, thank you all. Thank you all. >> And you'll be in good hands next year. We have two very strong-minded uh students. Yeah. Excited. Thank you again. >> Thank >> [applause] >> And thank and thank you to both of you for all your hard work, your dedication, and um it's been a pleasure to serve with you. And you are 100% right, Carter. That is the I don't know what it is what it is. I don't even try to get into the competition. I just say whoever I'm I never did like no motion. I don't even even when I was a board member, but that's something we do. But um it's been a joy.
152And I wish you all the best and just know that both of you are destined for greatness. Whatever you put your hand to do, it is going to be wonderful. All right. So next we have our public comments for agenda items only. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents. This meeting will now be open to public comments. 3 minutes per person on agenda items only. If your question pertains to litigation, student, or personnel items, uh please see the superintendent after the meeting as the board does not discuss these matters in public. Depending on the nature and the complexity of your questions, the board secretary may ask for your contact information so that someone can get back to you with a response. As a reminder, this is a public meeting and all comments
153should be appropriate for a public setting made and made in a respectful manner. Please come to the podium and state your full name and city of residence. And this is for agenda items only. >> Not agenda items. Our agenda that will be asked. >> Talking about the subjects 8 9 10 all of the things that >> Correct. >> Okay, great. First I uh Is it on? >> It's on now. Thank you. Thank you. Um so it was very good I wanted to say a few things about what um the superintendent's report and all the other uh things as well. I can't do that. >> Could you state your name for the record? And typically no agenda items are items the board is going to vote upon tonight. The second public comment is for any other
154items that you would like to talk about. >> even though it's already been discussed tonight. >> That typically what the board does is agenda items are typically the agenda items that the board is actually going to vote upon. >> Okay, so anything that that Dr. Gurchio or anyone else has presented on would be after the board. Okay, I understand that. My name's Leona Conkel. I live at 28 Winterberry Road here in AHT. I'm sorry that I forgot to say that. Um so I was looking through the agenda items and I saw and I understand um uh one of the um the bylaws that you're uh reviewing um about um basically board meetings. Um let's see uh let uh 0161. Um all meetings shall be called to commence not later than 8:00 p.m. and shall end
155no later than 10:00 p.m. at night. I know that's a change. I'm sure that's made in response to last week uh last month when we were here until about 11:30. Um given that it is 9:35 right now and we are just getting to this portion, I'm really concerned that that will be used to keep uh community members from being able to express their concerns about other things in the district when we don't get to talk about anything until 10:00 and then we are required to end the meetings by 10:00. That does not seem very good for our community. Um So, if that is something that the board is going to put into effect, I think that you will need to reduce some of uh the other presentations that happen earlier on. Um perhaps they could
156be at different times uh because I do believe that having all the retirees honored and such is important, but so is hearing from your community. Also, I see that there um you've also have to go through um there's a new policy or an expansion of the policy on uh publicizing the board meetings. Um I am concerned that by putting it in a let's see an online publication that publishes once a week, these should not be things that are behind paywalls because that would um not be in the spirit of uh making um board agenda items and board meetings publicly available if one cannot reach that. >> [sighs] >> Is there something else? I think those are the things that I had to do had to say about the agenda items. Thank you. Julia Hunter, Windswept
157Drive, A Carper Township. Um I did see on the agenda that is not here tonight, but was available online, but could not be downloaded, that the two positions at the Miller School for the RIFs are on there. So, I can speak about the music program, I presume. I didn't also see drum line or wind ensemble on the presentation about middle school, and I would like a follow-up on that. I also, and I'm a little bit angry, because I've been here for a while and I've been here before. I think it is misleading to tell the students that things will remain the same. >> I Excuse me, I'm just going to interrupt because I was just checking. I just want to confirm that there are no RIFs on the agenda tonight for music. >> There were
158two positions at the Miller School. So, are you telling us those are not the music teachers? >> There are no music positions on the agenda tonight. >> Okay, because when I looked at the agenda earlier, there were two RIFs in the music department. I just want to be clear. I I didn't say music department. It said two RIFs at Miller. >> I'm looking at Yes, I'm looking at Dr. Charlton and who is our director of human resources to confirm that that is correct. So, I just want to >> So, there are two eliminations on the agenda for Miller School. However, they are special education teachers in a reorganization that are also being created in another building to serve the students. >> Thank you, then. That's what I would like clarity on. I appreciate that. I'll
159be back later, though. >> All right, seeing anyone else for public comment for agenda items only? >> So, I just want to clarify. You brought up the music program. Are we allowed to talk about the music program right now, since it was brought up already? >> That would be for >> Press the person button. I can't hear you. >> That would be for non-agenda items. >> Even though it was already brought up initially we have to wait. >> Yes. All right, so we'll be closing out our public comments for agenda items only at this time. We are going to go to personnel. >> I do not have anything additional, Madam President. >> Okay, thank you folks for being patient. You learned a whole lot about our school district this evening. I'd like to announce the
160new personnel for Egg Harbor Township School District. After the board votes on them. All right. I'm employed. I'm good. >> Yes. I'd like to have a motion to approve items 11.10, excuse me, 11. 2 through 11.9. >> Motion, Ireland. >> I'll make the second to the motion. >> Any discussion? Any discussion? Can I have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird? >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> Sorry. I'm a no to 11.6 because while positions that directly serve students are being reduced or left unfilled I cannot support salary increases right now. So with regret I'm a no. I'm a yes to everything else. >> Mr. Byers >> Yes. >> Mr. Della Barca >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland >> Yes. >> Mr. Seppi >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy >> Yes. >> Mr.
161Price >> Yes. >> And Mr. Gerb Boyd >> Yes. >> I'm clear now. All right, here we go. So news new personnel just approved uh to work here in in the in the school district. So I will begin with Ryan Cook, who is the culinary arts teacher at Eagle Academy. Welcome, Ryan. >> [applause] >> Jennifer Reed, teacher preschool Swift Slaybaugh Complex. >> [applause] >> Ralph Palagi, teacher preschool at Davenport. >> [applause] >> The teacher special education at the Swift Slaybaugh Complex, Jenna Brungard. >> [applause] >> Jennifer George, teacher of mathematics at the high school. >> [applause] >> Joanne Sullivan Cantor, cashier. >> [applause] >> And assistant cook at Alder Avenue Middle School, Diane Cranish. >> [applause] >> Okay, two very, very patient people. Congratulations and welcome to A. C. B. Township School District. And with
162that said, uh it is time to celebrate. You probably missed a dinner reservations or your party, but go on out and celebrate with your family. Welcome and we will be following through. HR will follow through with uh the paperwork steps and enjoy your evening. Thank you for being here. >> [applause] >> Administration, it's been a long night. Appreciate you being here celebrating um our our retirees and our students. And I know tomorrow comes real quick. So, have a good night. [clears throat] Jim's hurting. >> It's hard sitting there. >> As everyone is exiting, I'd just also like to thank uh committee man, Mr. Castellano, for being with us tonight. >> Jackie, yeah. >> Thank you. >> This is our thing. I got to give you a sign. >> At this time, we are going to
163have our go to finance and operations. Mr. Smith, are there any updates? >> I had a few questions on that. >> All right, so a few questions came in regarding uh some purchase orders, cooperatives, uh a couple things like that. But a few board members sent in questions about the resolution to transfer into the surplus. Uh so, I just wanted to touch on that and and let everyone know how that works. So, the the motion on the agenda is an estimate. Uh and then the actual transfer into the reserve, if any, would happen in November when the audit is complete and it's always a year behind. So, uh the excess surplus that's in the 26-27 budget, the 2.6 million, that's from the June 30, 2025 audit. So, the excess surplus from the 6/30/26 audit will
164go into 27-28 uh budget as revenue. Uh we've been drawing that number down each year to The goal is to get that to zero so we're not relying on that to fund the budget. Uh and then talking to Dr. Crucio at our next finance committee, we'll go into more detail on that. Uh we'll show the last couple years and we'll show the calculation so that everyone's on the same page and we'll send it out to the full board. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. Uh Mr. Byers, can you give our um committee report? >> Thank you. Uh first of all, uh I'd like to thank uh not having to go right after the student representatives because they've been a hard act to follow all year. So, thank you for putting personnel first. Uh finance meeting met
165on the 9th at 6:00 p.m. We had a short meeting again of an hour and 33 minutes. Uh attending were Mrs. Byrd, myself, Mr. Byers, Mrs. Gilbert-Floyd, and Mrs. Laggy. Administrators attending were Dr. Charlton, Dr. Crucio, Mrs. Moss, and Mr. Smith. Uh first, we discussed transportation department. We completed the second round of bus evacuation drills. We're expanding the Wayfinder program for September and we're in the process of ordering eight new buses for the 2026-27 school year. Uh food service department, Mr. Patel presented an informative update on the status of food service department and took questions from the committee. We're continuing with free free breakfast for all students and we'll maintain the same lunch prices next school year. Facilities, the committee reviewed the outside use of facilities linked to the agenda and several board agenda items
166including the annual lead water testing statement of insurance, dual use renewals, a project change order and bid awards for architectural services, fire and burglar alarm services and generator services. With the referendum, there's no update at this time. The district's architect and engineer are continuing to work on project designs. The business office committee uh the committee reviewed various items on the agenda including the appointment of the QPA, cooperative purchasing agreement renewals, authorizing account and check signatories, cancellation of outdated checks, reestablishment of petty cash funds, SJ gas service agreements, and a resolution to transfer surplus to the capital reserve during the audit process. Several items on agenda were uh reviewed for approval including monthly reports, various tuition and transportation contracts, professional services contracts, grant acceptances, insurance renewals, sick time payout authorizations, insurance distributions, and the 2027 prom
167agreement. Mr. Smith reviewed a preliminary meeting that was held with the EHT Rec Department, EHT Soccer Club, and Cedar Stars Academy about a possible partnership to involve field upgrades for the district and the soccer club. Uh as more information becomes available, they'll share it with the committee. The committee discussed Eagle Academy quick claim deed and the June 5th, 2026 letter received from the township. We could discuss the topic at length and were in favor of meeting with the township before the June 16th board meeting tonight to find a mutually agreeable solution. We'll hear more about that later. As part of the ongoing 2026-27 budget discussion, Dr. Gruccio reviewed the current fine and performing arts offerings at all grade levels and the offerings for 2026-2027, noting that the middle school will increase and the rest will
168remain the same. Uh did I miss anything? Okay. Uh we recommend moving forward with the action items discussed. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you, Mr. Byers. I need a motion to approve item 8.2. >> So made. Second, Ireland. >> Any Any discussion? >> Um Madam President, I just have a quick clarification, please. Um Mr. Schmidt, appointment at the QPA, just to clarify, that's you. You already are and you're going to just be reappointed. There's no >> Correct. Yeah. >> That's just By statute, we have to appoint someone each year. >> Right. Okay. And the other thing is with the um the surplus uh to the reserve account, how much is in there right now? I know I saw it somewhere, but I just wanted to confirm it with confirm it with you. How much
169is in the surplus account right now? >> Uh so it was about 4 million when the school year started, and so far from that we've deducted the bathroom renovation project at Swift and Slaybaugh. So it's it's about uh 2.5 million. >> So So we still So okay. That's how much is in there at this time. >> Yes. >> That's 2.5. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Berg? >> 8.2, right? >> Yes, 8.2 only. >> Okay. Yes. >> Mr. Byers? >> Yes. >> Mr. Della Barca? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland? >> Yes. >> Mr. Seppi? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert Ford? >> Yes. >> I need a motion
170to approve finance items 8.3 through 8.5. >> Mr. Price, I'll make that motion. >> Second, Hyman. >> See, I can't even compete just any discussion on those items, any discussion? All right, seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Byrd. >> On the note two, PO 602 604 320 604 442 Yes, everything else. >> Mr. Byers. >> Yes, to everything except for 8.4, which I abstain. >> Mr. Del Barca. >> Yes. >> Uh Ms. Hyman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland. >> Uh real quick, Ms. Hyman, you probably need to abstain from 8.4. You're on the list. >> I'll abstain from 8.4, yes to the rest. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Ireland. >> Yes to everything except for 8.3 PO 604 274 603 923 uh 604 182 603 925 for which I'll abstain. >>
171Uh Mr. Seppi. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Price. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert-Floyd. >> Yes. >> We are moving on to um curriculum at this time. Ms. Moss, do you have any um updates? >> So, there were a few questions that came in and quite a few surrounding um our new partnership that we're going to have to replace our current uh mental health provider, Effective School Solutions, with Insight Health. So, we have used Effective School Solutions for the past 4 years since the return basically from COVID to help provide some on-site clinicians to work with our students. Um and they their model has changed over the past few years and it's become increasingly um harder to maintain with costs. So, they were trying to bill insurance and do different models
172that that just weren't working for us as a district. So, um we are switching to Insight Health. Um we have met with them extensively. They serve many schools in our county and throughout the state um and have transitioned many school districts from Effective School Solutions into Insight. They offer not only those clinical services for our students, but help provide additional services such as clearances in-house and providing families with support to establish wrap-around services as well. So, I just wanted to clarify um why we're making that change and and how that change will even better serve not only our students, but but our community. >> Thank you, Ms. Moss. Mr. Seppi, would you be able to share your committee report? >> Gladly, Madam President. >> Thank you. >> everybody. Uh we had our curriculum meeting on
173the 9th of this month at 7:40. Our meetings keep starting later. Thank you, finance. Um the length of our meeting was an hour and 5 minutes. We're moving in the right direction. The members present were myself, Mr. Price, Mrs. Gilbert-Floyd, and our uh attending administrators were Ms. Moss, Dr. Brucchio, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Charlton. And our subjects discussed were as follows. We reviewed field trips and professional development as we always do. That's in the right direction. Miss Morse shared that she would be giving a presentation at the next board meeting, which you all heard, the NJ State Performance Reports, and that summarized the data for the previous year. In addition to that, she also shared information about the lift grant that will be coming to preschool and will get some literacy in our youngest students.
174Dr. Gruccio explained about a collaboration with the township to have seventh grade students to submit artwork for a calendar that will be submitted through the clean community grant and and we love that. A chronic absenteeism survey will be sent out to families and you'll see that as that comes forward. Links to all summer work were shared. Information regarding the senior clap out, which we've already heard, again that will take place on June 22nd. The seniors will have a great time with that, I'm sure. A follow-up on the grading committees was shared and our pilot program Otis. So, you'll hear about that in the coming months. An update on the associate's degree pathway with Atlantic Cape Community College was given and I'm happy we certainly have made great progress with that as Miss Morse and Miss
175Alco, they did meet with representatives from the community college and we're going to we're going to develop a wonderful plan with them over the summer. Again, surveys were given out and they're under analysis and we'll hear about them in their entirety in August. ASL will be a discussion topic for the 2020 budget. I'm very happy we again move forward on that. Uh, we had discussed actually finance had mentioned this claim deed for June 5th. We met with the township today, so you'll hear about that further. And then finally, um, part of the ongoing 2026-2027 budget discussion, Dr. Gruccio reviewed the current fine and performing arts offerings at all grade levels and offerings for the coming year. And she noted uh, that the offerings at the middle school will increase and the rest will remain the
176same. Uh, possible items for the next meeting will be our continuing uh, discussion items, summer curriculum, and annual survey results. Our next meeting will be August the 11th at 7:00 p.m. at the central office. Thank you. Ms. Moss, anything in addition to that? Madam President. >> Thank you so much, Mr. uh, Seppi for your report. And at this time I will need a motion for item 9.2. >> Motion Ireland. Second by Ireland. >> Any any discussion? >> Oh, I'll make that motion. >> Is the motion I set her up. I'm sorry. I set you up. >> I'm I'm sorry. Let me just make sure >> I I did that by accident. >> I have no discussion. >> No discussion. Okay. >> Mr. Mr. Smith, Mr. Smith, were you able to determine who made the Okay.
177That's all I want to make sure we have that so we can move on. So, I said no there's no discussion, so at this time we're going to have roll call. >> Mrs. Byrd. >> Yes. >> Mr. Byers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Della Barca? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland? >> Yes. >> Mr. Saffi? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Red Mike. >> Yes. >> Now, my mic is >> It's on now. Mr. Price, yes. >> And Ms. Gerbault Floyd? >> Yes. At this time, we're moving on to our policy committee. Ms. Hyman, would you be able to share your report? >> Policy committee met on Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The length of the meeting was 1 hour. >> Okay. Board members in
178attendance was Mr. Lou Della Barca, Mr. Patrick Ireland, and myself, Ms. Juanita Hyman. Administrators attending, Dr. Gruccio, uh a superintendent, Mr. George West, assistant superintendent, Ms. Lilly Moss, assistant superintendent, and Mr. Dan Smith, business administrator, as well as um Ms. Elco, our um board solicitor. Subjects discussed, number one, bylaw 0161, call, adjournment, and cancellation. The committee reviewed and discussed the bylaw and agreed to all language requiring board meetings to conclude no later than 10:00 p.m. unless a majority of the board votes to extend the meeting. Bylaw 0161 is up for one reading and pending board approval. Now, tonight someone mentioned about this change in the time. I just want to let y'all know we have custodians who get off at 11:00 they need to get in here to clean. And not only that, our air
179and our heat cuts off at a certain time, so that's the reason for this. Number two, bylaw 0162, notice of board meeting. The committee reviewed and discussed the bylaw and approved language directing the board's secretary to publish legal notices on the board's official internet website with conspicuous link on the district homepage in accordance with the law, which is NJSA 35 3-1. And bylaw 0162.01. Bylaw 0162 is up for one reading and pending board approval. Bylaw 0162.01, legal notices. The new bylaw mandated by Strauss Esme was reviewed and discussed by the committee. Key provisions include: One, the board's official internet website must be publicly accessible free of charge with a direct hyperlink to legal notices placed predominantly on the on the homepage. Two, the board must maintain an online archive of legal notices for at least
180one year. Three, legal notices must remain on the notices webpage for at least one week or longer if required by law before being removed to the archive. Four, the board must submit its legal notices webpage hyperlink to the Secretary of State for inclusion on a statewide public notices webpage. The bylaw 0162.01 is up for two readings and pending board approval. Four, bylaw 0143, board member election and appointment. The committee reviewed and discussed the bylaw and determined that no changes are needed at this time. Policy 8561, procurement procedure for school nutrition programs. This mandated revision from Strauss Esme was reviewed by the committee. The policy aligns with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture model policy and is required for districts participating in the federal school nutrition program, national school lunch program and or school breakfast program.
181Policy 8561 is up for one reading and pending board approval. Six, regulation 2460.30, additional compensatory special education and related services. Um, this is up for abolishment tonight. The committee reviewed and discussed this regulation which was adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the underlying statutory uh, requirements expires after the the 20 23 2024 school year, the regulation is no longer effective and should be abolished. Regulation 2460.30 is up for one reading and pending board approval. Other information discussed during the meeting was as part of the ongoing 2026 2027 budget discussion, Dr. Grusho reviewed the current fine performing arts offerings at all grade levels and the offerings for 2026 2027 school year, noting offerings at the middle school will increase and the rest will remain the same. Mr. West also discussed the possibility of utilizing
182Strass Estimate online policy platform to provide public access to the district's policies. The proposal will add a link on the district's website directing users to the direct district's policy library. The policy committee expressed support for implementing this addition. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August the 11th, 2026 and possible topics to be discussed at the next meeting, policy 5200 attendance, policy 5600 student discipline and code of conduct, policy 5516, personnel enabled devices. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you so much, uh, Ms. Hyman for your report. Uh, Mr. West, um, I do apologize I did not defer to you if there was any questions or anything we missed. >> Oh, no worries, Madam President. There was one question in regard to policy. The question was, does utilizing Strauss SMAs online policy platform to provide
183public access to the district's policy cost us anything? Uh, so the answer is yes, the cost would be a one-time setup fee of $1,995 and then an annual cost of $2,240. Thank you. >> And did you want to share any >> If I could have 1 minute and 19 seconds to give a short >> Yes. >> on the Hall of Fame. So, the Hall of Fame committee met, uh, 2 weeks ago to review progress and the plan for the class of 2026, the induction process. The committee discussed expanding marketing efforts through staff emails, the district website, road signs, social media, Parent Square, and community partnership to increase nominations and public awareness. The The The screening committee continued to organize nominations, verified candidate information, and gathered supporting documentation while the selection committee refined its voting process
184utilizing an initial four-tier ranking system followed by a final point-based ballot to determine the five inductees. Finance discussions focused on sponsorships, donations, pre-event meals, and community partnerships while ceremony planning included venue logistics, um, announcements, plaque design, student involvement, social media promotion, and event timing. Members reflected positively on last year's event, particularly the video presentation and student part participation while identifying opportunities for improvement including transportation logistics, um enhanced student engagement, streamline presenter remarks, and greater promotion of the Hall of Fame content. The committee also reviewed the projected timeline for the class of 2026. As a As of present day, the nominees have been selected and will be notified in the next couple of weeks. The induction event is scheduled for Friday, September 25th, 2026, prior to the football game. Thank you very much. >> I believe
185you stayed in your time frame. Thank you so much, Mr. Mr. West. All right. I need I need a motion. >> Can I make that motion? >> Second, Della Barca. >> Hold on one second. Um I need a motion to approve policy items 10.2 through 10.6. >> I'll make that motion. >> Point of order. Do we have discussion first? >> Do we have to what? >> I did >> Did you have a motion? >> First the motion, then we discuss. >> Yes, that's what I was saying. We do motion first, then we do discussion, and then we do a roll call. >> Yeah, someone make it. >> No No problem. So, Mr. Smith, were you able to capture the motions? Okay. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> You can go ahead, Mr. Byers. >> Thank you.
186What are the logistics of dealing with the work that we have to do if we hit 10:00? When are we going to do that work if we can't finish it? If it gets voted down, how are we going to do the work that we're supposed to do? >> Ms. Hyman, would you be able to >> I don't understand the question. >> If we decide to end at 10:00 and not extend it, but we still have work to do, what are the logistics to get the work done? >> Because we got work to do. That will end. If we have work left to do, we have to extend. >> Then why make this policy change? >> So that normally we get that work done. >> So we can done by 10:00 so the workers, the custodians
187can do their job. And like I said, everything gets cut off at 11:00, so yeah. >> Is it possible to change the policy as far as custodial staff and their hours and their pay, or are we constrained by some kind of contract? >> So that's something I think we would have to discuss in executive session, and that would be a negotiations topic and a personnel decision. >> Thank you. >> And and I just wanted to say that um like you said, we have the option to extend uh the time of the meeting um with the majority of the uh Board of Education, so our meetings usually don't last that long normally. There are times when we do have that happen um when there's, you know, situations um or, you know, the the meeting go goes
188long, like like tonight. And if there's times when people do, you know, want to speak. So, this is not an effort to cut the voices of the community members off. This is just um an effort for us to kind of be cognizant of what we're doing. And like I said, we have the ability to extend the meeting. >> Madam President, discussion. I was just going to comment on you pretty much you pretty much echoed my sentiments on that. Um we do have the um ability to vote to extend it beyond 10:00 p.m. And that's it, so if if it does go over, we can certainly entertain it at that point and continue the meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. Price. Mr. uh Ireland? >> Yes. Um something totally separate, but uh related to policy, I just
189want to emphasize how great it will be to go with Strauss Esmay online policy stuff, because the public, I don't know if you know, if you go on to our policies and regulations, you go and you have to put a keyword in that has the subject of the policy and regulation. If we go forward with the other uh implement if we go with the other company, if we go with Strauss Assurances, basically, you just put one keyword in there and then it shows up all the regulations and all the policies that go there. So, it's going to help the public kind of look at every policy that we have and every kind of uh um regulation that we have. So, I think it will be better for transparency for the public to to do that
190and then it's just a lot easier and I hope it alleviates a lot of problems. That's all. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> I have a question. Is Strauss Assurances on It's in this in this policy. Where is it? >> So, other on Miss Heimann's thing it says, "Other information discussed during the meeting was Mr. West also discussed the possibility of utilizing Strauss Assurances." Bullet point number two. >> Number two. >> On her report. >> Okay. Well, also back to uh the 10:00 cut off. Could we amend that a little bit? This just to say that if there's still business to conduct, we can extend. Okay. Whatever. I guess I'll miss a >> And I'd just like to say also, if you have not noticed um that our Yeah, it is past 10:00 and
191we're still working. Um and I will say this, um if you have not noticed that our particular Board of Education, we are very um We have questions. We have discussion. We You know, we talk. We um so, it's also helps us police ourselves. If if that helps. All right. So, you have a question you have something Miss Byrd? >> Yeah, I sorry. >> That's okay. Don't apologize. >> 10.2 We very rarely have board meetings that go this late. Maybe a handful a year. Why are we changing our policy for just a few meetings? I understand that the lights might go out or the heating might change or the cooling at 11. But I can count during my first term and so far during this term how many meetings were we were here that late on
192a few fingers. >> Actually, Miss Byrd, it was 8:00. I made it later, 10:00. >> So, I still have the floor. >> Yes, I made it later, 2 hours later. Yes. >> Is it still my turn? Okay. Thank you. So, even with no voice I'm going to finish my speak my speaking. I just don't see the point. If people come and they want to talk we're here to listen. I told whatever time it takes and that's what we should do. And we shouldn't have to take another vote on a night because if people aren't feeling what they're hearing, we could vote no, we're not going to keep it. And I'm not saying we would do that, but it could happen. We don't know future boards. This policy is impacted by future boards that are not
193here yet. We don't need to do this. I'm finished now. >> Like I said, it used to say 8:00 p.m. We changed it later, 2 hours later, to 10:00 p.m. And it could be changed at any time. So, it's not like it's you're committed to it forever, okay? >> All right. Any more discussion? Comments from board members? All right. Thank you, Mr. Del Barca. >> [sighs] >> So, could we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Byrd? >> No to 10.2, yes to everything else. >> Mr. Byers? >> No to 10.2, yes to everything else. >> Mr. Del Barca? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland? >> Yes. >> Mr. Seppi? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert-Floyd? >> Yes. >> Thank you.
194We are moving We're moving on to new business. I need a motion to approve new business item 12.1. >> Motion, Ireland. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Byrd? >> Yes. >> Mr. Byers? >> Yes. >> Mr. Del Barca? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland? >> Yes. >> Mr. Seppi? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert-Floyd? >> Yes. >> Uh moving on to old business. So I need a motion to approve Let me check my items. Need a motion to approve I I have a statement that I'd like to share after we do our motion with our discussion. 3. 1 I'm sorry. 13.1, thank you. 13.1 through 13. >> Do you want
195to read 13.2 and 3? >> Mhm. Mhm? >> She's just going to read them first >> I'm going to read them first and I'll explain. I'm going to say this too, um uh that Okay. Motion 13.2 A motion for the Egg Harbor Township Board of Education to provide legal authorization to allow Egg Harbor Township to continue to utilize the back of the Eagle Academy property block 5610 lot 14 for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 22 storm water grant municipal parking lot green infrastructure improvement project identified as SWM 2022 EHT00169 as a part of the A-4C Township Municipal Building parking lot reconstruction program. I'm sorry, project. The purpose of the legal authorization is for the A-4C Township Board of Education to work collect- collectively, excuse me, collaboratively with the A-4C Township with A-4C Township
196so that A-4C Township can receive a grant to assist in completing the infrastructure improvement and parking project project lot project. 3.3 is a motion for the A-4C Township Board of Education to authorize its representatives to work in collaboration with A-4C Township to have A-4C Township complete the necessary steps to work on subdividing block 5610 lot 14. So, I need a motion to approve all business items 3.1 through sorry, 13.1 through 13.3. >> Motion, Della Barca. >> Second, Hyman. >> So, I'm going to say discussion and I'm going to um share. So, the Township uh reached out uh to the Board of Education and requested that we take action to support um the grant a grant that they applied for. Um and we felt it was necessary that the Board of Education and the Township Committee
197uh would meet um to have a discussion um a healthy discussion um to get more information and to review documentation we requested from them so that we can make an informed decision. Um when we met uh we met today and we were able to come to um an agreement that reflects I believe collaboration and transparency um in our community and I think it's very important for two of the most important entities in our Township, which is the Egg Harbor Township Committee and the Egg Harbor Township Board of Education to have a healthy working relationship where we can communicate and do what's best for our community. Working together collaboratively so that I feel like was very um I think that was a great a great thing that happened and I think that takes cooperation and transparency
198on both sides. So I do appreciate that taking place um in our in our meeting today. So thank Mayor Framer and um Deputy Mayor who met with us today and I think that we're headed in the right direction to show our community and our students how to work together and you can agree to disagree and you can work together for what doing what's best for the community. Um any discussion board members? Discussion or comments? >> [clears throat] >> Seeing none, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird? >> Yes. >> Mr. Byers? >> Yes. >> Mr. Della Barca? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Arlin? >> Yes to everything except for 13.1 I have to abstain. >> Mr. Seppi? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Logue? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >>
199Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert Floyd? >> Yes. >> For administrative monthly reports. Okay, we're good. All right. So, our next step is public comment. And I did read the statement already, but this is for non-agenda items. This is public comment. Please come to the mic and state your name and your city of residence. Your full name, please. >> Hi. Sorry, is it on? Okay. Got it on. Okay. >> [laughter] >> Um and I live in Egg Harbor Township. Um and I wanted to thank the board for all of your time and all of your efforts. I hear that so many people talked about the music program over the last month and I really appreciate it. Um I am disappointed, obviously, that there was no way to that you were unable to find a way to
200maintain the music department at the level that it's at right now. Um while it sounds great on paper to be adding to the middle school program, um I'm not sure how one person can do more at two schools than they were only doing at one school. But hopefully, um you'll collaborate with those teachers and find a schedule that will be best for all of the students. Um my big concern now is it's my understanding that honors language students don't get a win period. So, if that is the case, um will they have to choose between having band or orchestra and having an an honors music class or an honors us language class? So, I don't know if you would be able to give me that answer tonight or get back to me. But I am
201concerned cuz I do have a rising seventh grader who will be eligible for honors language in seventh grade. >> Ms. Moss, would you be able to >> Um so, no, that's not they will have the opportunity to do both. Um and there's even been emails. I met with the two middle school principals today um because there's been other nuances within schedules where there they will not have to choose. >> Okay. >> And actually in the past that kind of has been an issue. So now the way that we were able to work the schedule, they won't have to do that. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much for your time. >> Uh thank you, Ms. Moss. We just want to have everyone if they can ask their questions and then if they're able to
202answer they will. We want to make sure you have your 3 minutes. >> Oh. Okay. Okay. Sorry, the timer is not Okay. Um So 35 days ago, I stood here at this exact place and delivered my testimony and why we need to support the band programs. >> We just need your name, sweetheart. Sorry to interrupt you. No, you're fine. You're great. I just wanted to get your name and your city of residence. >> Sierra Citron and I live in EHT. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> 35 days ago, I stood here at this exact place and delivered my testimony on why we need to support the band programs. I'd like to remind you that around 10 minutes before that, Dr. Grusho, you said nothing would change and assured the crowd. Unfortunately, your statement has not proven
203true to this day and I'm sure I will you will hear from many students and adults alike that the music programs needs to stay. And I agree with them completely. But today, I'd like you to see the effects these actions had have had on the students here at EHT. To help you understand, I'll explain what happened after we, the kids involved in the arts, received the news through the ParentSquare email on Thursday. It stated, and I quote, "All music ensembles will now take place during our WIN time. If your child wishes to take band, orchestra, or choir next year, it will serve as their primary WIN block. It later states, "This also gives students more time in their schedules for music than in previous years." And as you say, we only had a half course.
204I'm not sure if you know how the schedules work here at Alder, but coming from a student myself, what would happen is you would take band as your class for half of the year, and band is no longer a class starting next year, and then the other half you would do it during your WIN period. So, it's not really um full year now, if you kind of see what I'm saying, cuz there's not a big change, cuz you're just taking WIN your full year. And any kid who takes honors language or receives um language help usually has that during their WIN period. So, you kind of see where this contradicts itself and gets a little blurry. And kind of you're it leaves the question of, "Well, how are you going to fit all these like
205stuff together?" Does that make sense? Um Um this statement does not reflect the reality students are experiencing. It also failed to mention one very important thing. Music is no longer a class, which means we cannot receive a grade for it. If our community is expected to support these programs, they need to be informed. When our district pushes statements like this, it leaves adults uninformed and prevents them from fully understanding what is being taken away. I truly wish you could have been in the music room that day and heard the whispers and the sadness in so many students' voices. But, you weren't. As I continued through my day, I saw so many of sad kids and mourn them and as many art students as I could. I saw the sadness in their voices and the glimmer
206dying in their eyes. But again, you weren't there. See, you make these decisions without having to witness the outcome. I want you to know, and I apologize for repeating myself, cuz I said this last time, that at a district that prides itself on inclusivity and our arts program setting us apart from the 7,785 schools in New Jersey, these decisions do not bring shame to the arts. These decisions do not reflect the values that our district claims to uphold, including you and the Board of Education. If you truly care about our district, you will continue funding the arts, you will continue these classes, and you will not fire teachers. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you for your comment. >> Hello. Okay. Hi, my name is Ashley. I live here in EHT. I'm going to read
207you a poem about um band. The loudest Oh, the loudest the loudest thing in the school used to be the band room. Brass shaking the walls, drums louder than bad days, kids finally breathing after holding everything in a in all class long. Now they talk about it cutting it away. Like music is extra, like creativity is a privilege, like stress disappears just because nobody hears it anymore. Funny how there's always money for new buses and fresh pavement, another parking lot painted painted perfectly straight, but somehow not enough for one room where some students actually felt alive, how some kids how some kids walk these halls invisible, some feel unwelcome before before first period even starts, some carry anxiety in their backpacks heavier than textbooks, and still the programs looked at programs and that make people
208feel seen and call them optional. Band wasn't just noise for some people. That that was the reason to come to school at all, and nobody should feel ashamed for being angry about that because cutting away the parts that help students feel human while building prettier pavement isn't responsibility, it's backwards. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ashley. >> [applause] >> My name is Alicia Donkelberger. I am an EHT resident. I'm a bassist in the general and the advanced orchestra. I'm also a member of the Fermata Choir and Select Choir. I recently spoke out at our last board meeting where we were assured that the school district would not be limiting the arts programs. Meanwhile, two amazing fifth grade music teachers are being cut, as well as the middle school orchestra, band, and choir programs are being reduced
209to only wind time instead of being an elective option for class as it was previously. This is a punishment to the kids who participate in honors language programs because they do not have a wind period. They will only be able to participate in music programs during Focus 40, which occurs only twice in a 6-day schedule. That means some weeks there's only one Focus 40 a week. And if a student misses a day of school and needs to make up school work during Focus 40, they will not be able to have a music lesson. It is frustrating that I work hard and as a result of my hard work, my options have been more limited. In addition to limiting access to music classes in middle school, students will no longer be able to have it as
210a choice in their electives. The options for elective classes have been reduced each year and now we are no longer given a choice of which classes to take. I'm asking the leaders here today to make good on their assurances that there will be no loss of services by keeping Ms. Sarah and Mr. Sutton in their positions and giving students the freedom to have a say in their education. To show us that in the real world world, the leaders of those who are in power are true the words of those who are in power are true and translate into real action and are not just pomp. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Ms. Dunkelberry. >> Good evening. Thank you so much, everybody. Liz Butcher, 327 C Putnam Drive. Um I want to speak
211about um the agenda items earlier regarding the school performance reports and regarding the inclusive practices presentation. Um Ms. Moss, thank you for your presentation. I have been reluctant in coming up here for a few years, but I was thinking it had to do with the COVID-19 pandemic, thinking that, you know, our kids were going to take some time, right, to catch up, but I want to draw especially the board's attention and I implore you to dig deeper at these math proficiency levels. 27% The state proficiency level is at 42%. We went down this year from the previous year as well as the previous year before that. And I come here tonight as a concerned parent, my youngest who Amy knows well, >> [laughter] >> is 3 years behind in math. 3 years. So, I will
212spend hundreds of dollars, possibly thousands, this summer getting him a tutor. When really, you know, Dr. Grugio has said before that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. And I don't see the evidence-based curriculum, the level of intervention, the tier three support that's needed for him to progress. And I have to wonder how many other special education students in this district make up that 27% tile for your math proficiency rates. So again, as a concerned parent and citizen in this community, I'm asking the board respectfully to dig deeper at this data and find out what the plan is in this school district to bring these math proficiency levels higher. Cuz I think we have reached crisis levels in this district for these math levels.
213Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hello, my name is Sophie Klanam I and I am a resident in EHT. I am a sixth grade student at Fernwood Avenue Middle School and I am in advanced orchestra. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. I'm here cuz I want to talk about my fifth grade music teacher, Ms. Samantha Sera, and why I really hope you will keep her at Miller Elementary. I started playing the viola in fifth grade and Miss Sarah was my teacher. At first, I didn't know anything about it and honestly, it was pretty hard. There were times where I wanted to give up but Miss Sarah never stopped believing in me. She always encouraged me, helping me when I got stuck and reminded me that practicing and being patient would
214pay off. She didn't just teach me to how to play the notes on the page. She taught me how to actually love music. She made her lessons so fun and something I looked forward to every week. She made me want to practice at home because I wanted to make her proud and get better. Because of Miss Sarah, I got to play at the All South Jersey Elementary Honor String Festival for 2 years in a row. And I wasn't the only one. She helped a bunch of other students from our school make it into honor groups, too. She spent extra time helping us learn the music, build our confidence, and get ready for the big performances. I know I wouldn't have been able to do it do that without her. Miss Sarah is specially trained to
215teach string instruments, which I think is a really big deal. She knows exactly how to help students learn the violin, viola, cello, and bass. It takes a lot of skill to teach four different instruments at the same time to a room full of beginners. If she leaves, it will be super hard to find someone who can keep our orchestra program running as well as she does. I think Miller Elementary needs to keep someone who is such an expert because future students deserve the same chances to learn from an amazing teacher just like I did. But what makes Miss Sarah so special isn't that she's just a great music teacher, it's that she truly cares about us. She notices when someone is having a bad day. She celebrates us when we do well and she always
216makes us feel like we can do anything if we keep trying. Teachers can change a student's life and Miss Sarah definitely changed mine. Keeping her at Miller Elementary isn't just keeping a teacher, it's an investment in the future for every kid who wants to play music. She helped me find something I love to do and gave me confidence to help me do everything else, not just music. If Miss Sarah leaves Miller Elementary, future students will miss out on the kindness, encouragement, and excitement that she brings to school every single day. Please keep Miss Sarah on staff. She is more than a music teacher to us. She is a role model and someone who has made a huge difference in my life and for so many other kids. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you.
217[applause] >> Hi, Julia Hunter at Cooper Township. I'm back, little less angry, little more tired. Um I wanted to ask my question about drumline and wind ensemble at the middle school level. I didn't see that on the slide when Dr. Gruccio was giving that presentation earlier. Is them being called out as still being available at Miller and Fern- no, Alder and Fernwood. >> Check, Dr. >> Um is this going into my time when I ask the question? Just cuz I wanted to ask the question. >> you you can ask the question. >> I that was the question. Is >> Okay. >> I is um wind ensemble and drumline still going to be at middle school? I didn't see it on the slide. >> Um They said they will get back with you. If you want
218to leave your name and information, they can contact you. >> Okay. >> Just to verify. >> Um so, that shouldn't have cut into my time, but I just want to say that I think it's misleading to tell these kids that the programs will remain the same when last meeting and this meeting we've heard from their experiences that when there is less educators and less time with an educators that have available time for them, that it makes it harder for them to fit it in their schedules and it makes them have less access to these programs. I also want to say that over the last few meetings, we've heard a lot about the tax levy being steady steady. A steady tax levy. Um a steady tax levy is not the budget. And a better question I
219have is rather than worrying about what the tax levy is is how the funds are being spent within the district. As a taxpayer, I would prefer my tax dollars to go towards paying the educators that impact kids' lives and keeping the programs that matter, rather than things like replacing Chromebooks, administration, online learning programs, or anything related to AI. I took the survey that went out and was alarmed by the number of questions around AI that is going on within the district. And that's all I had to say. Thank you all for your time and for letting us continue to speak tonight. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> My name is Josephine Dowdy. I live in Egg Harbor Township and I go to Alder as a sixth grader. When I first started playing my instrument, I
220had no idea how to play it. I thought I would never be able to play it or music. But because of these wonderful band teachers, I am able to read music and I'm currently in an ensemble. It is already hard for me to go to band at least once a week, and having one band teacher teaching band at two schools will make it even harder for me to go to band. Ever since I started band, I loved it. It would be so sad if these future band members will not be able to go to band every day if they need help or just need to practice. You may not realize it, but if you take just one band teacher away, you will be taking you will not only be taking away multiple futures, but you
221will be taking away multiple friendships. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> My name is Jen Dowdy and I'm a resident in Egg Harbor Township. I'm a mom to seven, um six kids in the school district and one recent graduate. And when we moved to the area, we chose EHT in part because the fine the fine and performing arts program in the district. We loved how much time and energy was placed on the arts. Our kids aren't athletic, but they love music and theater. My older kids have all played in band or orchestra and they have worked on middle school and high school plays and musicals. My kids sang in choir, and I my little ones love singing in class, especially theater class with Mr. Aponte. I have a gaggle of musical kids, even though I
222have never played an instrument in my life. I have no musical talents, no musical abilities, but what I can tell you about music is that it has been my kids' lifeline. There are times where my kid is only passing classes to stay eligible for band. When my kids are having a rough day at school, they go to the band room. When something amazing happens, they go to the band room. When they get to school early or they stay late, they go to the band room. When they're happy, they play music. When they're sad, music helps cheer them up. It's honestly their lifeline. And last month, so many kids, including my four oldest kids, stayed at the school board meeting for nearly 5 hours. Many of them, including two of mine, bravely moving out of their
223comfort zone and public publicly speaking in support of music. I assure you, there is pretty much nothing else that would motivate them to sit so respectfully through hours of adults talking. This is important not just to my kids, but to all kids. And my oldest kids have experienced not having an instrumental music teacher at their school full-time. My daughter started playing violin in fifth grade, and in middle school her teacher was there only half the week because she was at the high school the other half. And their practice area was on the stage in the cafeteria, and often she could only go to lessons during another grade's lunch because her teacher was trying to see all her students in half the week. I've been in a middle school cafeteria, as I'm certain many of you
224have, and it's no surprise she said she couldn't learn anything with all of that noise. And she ended up failing the class and giving up on violin because she said it wasn't fun anymore, and she surely wasn't the only one. The impact that one year had was the end of her playing music. One person simply can't do the work of two and give 100%, and truly it's an unfair ask. And I think it's important to note that my current middle schooler, my daughter was just up here speaking, she does have a full-time band teacher and she still misses lesson times because her band teacher is asked to cover other classes when teachers are out. These kids are smart. They know that the district is telling them that even though music is so important to them,
225it really doesn't matter to the administrators. And it's happening at the lower grades, too. The librarian, who is an amazing librarian, is asked to cover music class when the music teacher's out. So, the kids are really missing music and library. And all this is happening before music cuts have even started. And there are music cuts. I understand that music is not being cut out, but it's being reduced and our kids will suffer. Just last week, I received a notification on Parent Square that will be that there will be no dedicated band class in middle school next year. Kids will be expected to go during their wind time, which I know stresses my daughter out and I'm sure other students, too. And to my understanding, students in honors language can't participate in band during wind at
226all and they must go during convocation. And now I'm extra confused by the disconnect in what was sent to the parents from the middle school band teachers on Parent Square and what was presented tonight. It also appears from tonight's presentation that kindergarten I have like two more things that kindergarten will go from two classes to fine arts instead of three or instead of what, two days. >> Thank you so much. >> in EHT. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Samantha Cook. I'm a resident of Egg Harbor Township and the mom of three students involved in the music program in our school district. I think that this started out as an effort to save Joe Sutton's job, which shows how valued an educator he is. But I think it
227has shifted into protecting the music program for all of our students. Losing Mr. Sutton will impact all of our students across all the programs when students' needs are not met. My youngest child is a sixth grader at Alder. Her and her friends have been talking a lot about losing Mrs. Donte as their new next year. No shade to Mr. Spatz, but they love Ms. Donahue. They they're very upset. They're they hate it. My daughter is worried that having a teacher come to Alder only for after school will result in less practice time. They will not have a dedicated band class next year. Instead, they'll go to it during the wind period with all the band students in their entire grades with the entire 6th, 7th grade class in one period every other day. Um there's
228not going to be any specialized instruction at that point. This year, my daughter goes to band during her wind this semester. So, she went to her band class last semester and now she's going this as much as she can, 4 days a week, for extra lessons. Uh she's upset that they're going to lose that as an opportunity. Um a student at the meeting last month said that the band room was their home. I think it was actually a Dowdy that said it. And my kids agree with that sentiment. All of my kids. My son goes to the band room when in high school, and my daughter goes to Mr. Ms. Donahue's class. Uh the middle schools currently have concert band. They wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble was started this year, but I guess we're
229not doing it anymore. Um support and then they also do audition-based ensembles outside of the school supported by their band teachers. My understanding is Mrs. Donahue will be handling the Alder after school rehearsals, while Mr. Spatz does the teaching for the band classes during the day. So, after full day of teaching 125 5th graders at Miller, we're sending Mrs. Donahue to Alder. That's an amazing plan. Like there's no way I would do that. Not a chance. Stretching teachers all over the district to make this budget cut work is crazy because we all know that it's not tenable long term. Last year, a decision was made to combine the high school concert band and honor wind ensemble into one class. My high senior my student hated it so much, he's actually not taking band next year
230as a senior because he was so disgusted with having to an effective program. The because they combined the concert band with the honors band, he wasn't challenged at all. He it wasn't what he expected from our music program. He's actually not taking it next year at all. He's doing marching band, but he's not doing it no matter what I say. However, they have reversed that decision. So, now we are going back to having two separate programs. He's still not doing it. But, the fact that they just that they have reversed that decision and went back to two separate concert and wind ensemble classes shows that the district heard and understood [clears throat] the program program I'm sorry, the problem and reversed course. I encourage you to really listen to the students here tonight and those
231last month and reverse this decision as well. My son will like I said will not continue with marching band. He was so disgusted. So, my question is how many students do we have to have so disgusted by the upcoming changes that they turn away from music also? How many students and families have to get up here and tell you what this program means to them before they're listened to? We beg you to support our music programs in full. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi. Um Kelly Tosh of Cover Township. I'm a parent of three children who all started their musical journeys in the fifth grade band program at Miller School. I attended their band concerts and back then the bands fit comfortably on the stage in the Miller School cafeteria. Last month I attended
232the fifth grade concert at Fernwood School. The band is was easily double the size of my kids bands. The massive surge in participation is due to Joe Sutton. Students see how passionate he is about teaching them music and they are naturally drawn to him. We see that exact same magic happening with the high school marching band program as well. Students match Mr. Sutton's level of energy and excitement. Losing Joe Sutton will severely damage both the grade school music program and the high school marching band. Enforcing our middle school band teachers to stretch across multiple buildings to cover fifth grade is not a viable solution. I know this because I have seen firsthand what happens when we overextend our music teachers. My youngest child was a casualty of the same strategy with the chorus program. In
233seventh grade, when she finally gets to have a dedicated music class, she was told she couldn't have chorus. We were told the reason before this was because the chorus teacher would be at Miller school on the days when she had her special. She was forced to go to chorus every other day during convocation. It stressed her out tremendously, and her other teachers were unhappy she was unable to use convocation for other class work. She also had to miss gym class to just fit in lessons. Ultimately, her chorus grade suffered because it was impossible to fit in enough lessons in a month. That ended up being her very last year of chorus. A program she loved was ruined for her because it stopped being enjoyable. The harder we make it for students to pursue music education,
234the less they will love it, and enrollment numbers will plummet. If we want to thrive, we need to make our music teachers more accessible to them, not less. I urge the board to protect our students' education and keep Mr. Sutton at Miller School. Do not compromise the quality of our music programs to patch a hole that shouldn't be made in the first place. And there is no way we can maintain all the planned music classes that were up there with less teachers. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Uh hello, my name is Nicholas. Um I am an Egg Harbor Township resident. Um I moved here in 2017 and I joined the fine and performing arts in 2019. At the time, there were about 17 music teachers, and now we're down to 10 um with
235all the budget cuts. That is That's almost half of our program. Um but there isn't cuts, right? There are currently 123 Miller students in band. Um when I took um Miller band, there were only about 70 to 80. And I'm not saying it's a teacher change, but since Joe has joined, an increase in almost 40 to 50 students has been seen at the Miller school. And that's out of the 1,200 students attending the school. That's almost a tenth of them. The marching band is um Sorry. Uh Now, I'm not saying I do not understand the budget cuts that need to be made. However, I think there are they are being made in the wrong places. Rather than Joe being Joe Sutton being just a teacher, he is an escape and a friend. He gives students
236a safe place and a tiny band closet, even if they don't have one at home. I know Joe Sutton is not just a teacher, but as but as someone I can talk to. He's always a friendly face, someone who listens, encourages, and believes in his students. When you make a decision when you make decisions about funding music programs and the people who lead them, you're not just affecting classes or budgets. You're affecting students, their opportunities, and the places and the place where many of us feel like we truly belong. The music program is more than an elective. It teaches discipline, teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and perseverance. It gives students a reason to come to school, a place to make long a lifelong relationships, and an outlet and an outlet during difficult times. For many of us,
237it is where we've grown the most, not just as musicians, but as people. Every cut to this program takes away opportunities from current students and future generations. Once these programs are diminished, it is incredibly it is incredibly difficult to rebuild them. I ask you to invest in the students who proudly represent Egg Harbor Township at football games, parades, concerts, competitions, and throughout the community. We are worth that investment. Please do not let the music program continue to shrink. Protect the teachers who inspire us, preserve the opportunities that have shaped so many lives, and ensure that future students have the same chance to find and passion and their place that I did. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hello. Uh my name is Jackson Hunter. I reside in Egg Harbor Township. So, I was a student in
238I've been a student in the district for many years. I went through the fifth grade music program, the sixth, seventh, eighth grade, and high school. I've been in the music program for all this time. I understand how it works. If you're cutting music as a class, students that take honors language, they won't have an opportunity for this. Yes, they might be able to go during convocation, but that's a short period. It takes at least 10 minutes to take out your instrument, tune, set this up. It won't work. Oh, my bad. So, um it won't work. You can't take away this opportunity from the kids. Yeah, you're saying you're proud that it'll be all year round. Well, they're going to be learning less and all these like you continue to brag about how good of a
239music program we have, right? But, if you're taking away the core components that make this music program what it is, how will we continue to thrive? It's all I got to say. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Amelia Simpkins and I live in HT and I'm a freshman. I'm here tonight to talk about the budget's decisions regarding our music and elective programs. Middle school is exactly where I found about choir, theater, and color guard. Participating in these programs personally changed my life, giving me a place where I finally felt like I belong and where I could truly be myself. Programs like band, choir, and theater are so much more than just a class period. They are a family. Half of my friends now are people that I met through band and
240color guard and these programs have allowed me to build deep friendships and get so much closer to people. The teachers in these programs actually care about us and Joe Sutton is a perfect example of that. Uh yeah. While the cuts are starting out in the younger grades, they're already spilling over to affect the upper grades and educators like Mr. Sutton, removing these teachers from our programs would be deeply harmful because each of them has a great impact on so many students. Losing them directly impacts a lot of kids and their overall performance in school. What everyone is forgetting, which I find horrific, is that a great portion of the children in our school are not athletic. So, these programs are vital for them finding their place and community within the school system. Not everyone can
241be a jock or cheerleader. If these classes are removed or restricted early on, younger students will never get the opportunity to know what they want to pursue by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, if we lose staff, our remaining directors will have to travel between multiple schools just to keep programs running. This means high school students will get much less focus and support from their directors and then then in the previous years. We often see funding go to new physical upgrades around the school. Yet, our very own performing arts programs is our district is now currently struggling to survive. We often talk about school spirit and the performing arts are a major part of that. At every major and minor school event, the band, the color guard, and theater and choir provided energy and
242our main reason the community comes together. So, please continue these to support these opportunities and our teachers for the students. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Carrie Sutton. I live in H T and I'm a senior at the high school. Um and I would like to tell you about why I believe that this year I've received the least amount of music education in my entire schooling in this district. Um I've been a part of the band program since fifth grade since I was able to start. I'm in marching band, I'm the drum major, and I'm also the president of the music honor society. Um So, my first two years of band class, there was three classes: percussion class, wind ensemble, and symphonic band. Symphonic band is for anyone, no matter your skill
243level, and wind ensemble is for the advanced kids. Last year, they cut the percussion class. Okay. This year, there is one band class. While on paper there are two band classes, a symphonic band still and wind ensemble, they happen at the same time in the day. So, how are we supposed to have two band classes at the same time when there's only one band room? So, instead we all are going one classroom at the same time. And that's extremely unfair. So, me who I've been progressing very well, I've been a part of All-State, I've I've been first chair, I'm I've been told that I'm very advanced and sitting in the same room right next to a student who's just started playing an instrument. How are they supposed to learn how to play that instrument and
244how am I supposed to get any better if we're being taught at the same time? What are we supposed to be learning? And now I'm not being challenged, they're not learning anything because we're just stuck in the middle. And they're not learning, I'm not learning. So, I haven't learned anything this year pretty much and that's nothing due to my teachers because they are all extremely knowledgeable and talented in what they're doing, but they have they aren't able to teach us because there are too many of us in one room to be doing anything. And this is due to the fact that in the morning my band teacher has to go to a different school. So, instead he has three blocks in the day to teach all of his band classes and all of his orchestra
245classes. There are two orchestra classes and should be three band classes and that's five classes that he only has three blocks to teach. So, I don't really know how that could work, but thanks. >> [applause] >> How you doing? My name's Robert Sutton, Egg Harbor Township. First I'd like to thank everybody for letting us speak. Thank you for staying. Um last month as well. Um I want to talk about music and my son Joe. Um but hearing I I just want to make a comment about hearing about the 10:00 um, vote that's going to be talked about. Um, I think it's going to cut yourself short and also if this is where we're supposed to come and have an opportunity to speak, um, I don't think that should be cut because some sometimes you're going
246to have a little bit of time, sometimes you're going to need a lot of time. Why even have it come up that you're going to have to possibly make a vote and even take a chance on somebody getting cut, whether it's yourselves or the public. So, uh, I just like to ask you to have a second thought on that with hearing the discussions from not only the board, but uh, the public on concern about the 10:00 as well. So, for the music and my son, um, we're here I'm here tonight. We were here um, last month and I'd like you to just take a second thought on what took place last month. How many parents, how many students came here to show support for Joe and other teachers and um, came up here and spoke
247and also um, I hope you noticed whether they didn't even speak, um, but there were several teachers here as well supporting Joe. So, I want to make sure that you're taking a second look and seeing all this and seeing your community come out and tell you what they want and it's something that you all need to hear and really take seriously. I know you're going to say you're going to take it seriously, but we're up here talking about it for the second time and you're going to talk about the music program, how great it is and it is, but you don't have it, you don't keep it when you cut great teachers and that's what you need to keep here and Joe is a great teacher. Make no no doubt about that. He has love
248and compassion which you talk about and that gets talked about a lot. Joe does have love and compassion for music. And that started when he was in fifth grade and never stopped and the short couple of years he's been teaching he's made such a huge impact and that's proven by what's going on here tonight and last month and I urge you to make the right choice and what this community wants and that's to keep the good teachers here. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Sonia Cruz, Egg Harbor Township. Um, I am here representing Project Grad. I'm the Project Grad coordinator. Um, thank you for the students for the wonderful things you said about Project Grad. Um, we started in October with fundraising and planning for it to all end the last night of graduation.
249So, we are here. I don't have any paperwork. I will email it to you. I'm sorry, but we're here to ask for our annual donation to go towards Project Grad and also, um, I want to thank Jackie Gruganeau because she's been very helpful in supporting us. There's a lot of departments in the school that work with us, security, facilities, all it's a huge group of people that make this event very successful and we're talking about 30-plus years. So, hopefully we can keep the tradition alive live by having community members support us, volunteer, and just, um, spread the word that Project Grad is here to stay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um Oh, we're going to, uh, close out our public comment. Um but before we do, I just wanted to say um on behalf of
250the board, I want to thank every student, parent, staff member that came out uh today to express their um feelings and their thoughts and um share what was on their heart today. Um we we we do hear you. We heard we and just wanted to say we heard you last month and we're we're here to let hear you again today. Um Just know that um there have been cuts um in multiple departments um throughout our school district. Multiple areas have um are feeling the crunch. Um not just our music department, but um we do hear you. So, the the budget affects not just the music department, it affects a lot of the up um departments and just just wanted to share that with you. And I at this point I will have to make a
251uh motion to go into executive session um for personnel items. Um no action will be taken. This is taken this is in reference to uh the superintendent's um evaluation. >> Motion. >> Second. Ireland. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, uh roll call, please. >> Do we have to >> Uh >> Do we have to roll call, please, Mr. >> No. >> Okay. >> Yep. Mrs. Byrd? >> You said we don't have to do a roll call. I apologize. >> All in favor. >> I get them out and no action will be taken.