001All right. I want to welcome everyone to the reorganization meeting of the Westminster Plainsboro Regional School District. I'd like to call the meeting to order and read the following. In accordance with the state sunshine law, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending a notice of the time, date, location, and to the extent known, the agenda of this meeting on January 10th, 2025 and January 2nd, 2026 to the Home News Tribune, and the times posted on the district website, placed in the board office, and in each of the district schools, and sent to the Plainsboro and West Windsor public libraries and Plainsboro and West Windsor township clerks. Again, I want to reiterate that this is the reorganization meeting of the West Windsor Plainsville Regional School District for the period January 2026 through January 2027.
002In accordance with the state Sunshine Law, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending a notice of the time, date, location, and to the extent known the agenda of this meeting to the Home News Tribune, the Times, and the West Windsor and Plansboro Public Libraries. Copies of this notice have also been posted in the board office, filed with the Plansboro and West Windsor Township of Clerks, and placed in each of our schools, and posted on the district website. So, I just want to report the results of the November 4th, 2025 election. Grayen Mchuan received 8,171 votes and was elected to the board of education representing West Windsor. Congratulations, Grant. Sharon D. Sebastian received 8,573 votes and was elected to the board of education representing West Windsor. welcome and congratulations. And Paul O'Brien received 3,53
003votes and was elected to the board of education representing Plansboro. Congratulations. Okay, now we will administer the oath of office to each of the individuals who were elected. So I will start with Grayen. In front of you is the oath. if you could just raise your hand and read the oath of office. >> Thanks, Bonnie. I, Grain McHune, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So help me God. I, Grayen McHune, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of a board of
004education and that I'm not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS194-1, nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJSA1 18A12-1, and that I will faithfully, and partially, and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. Okay. And next, uh, Sharon D. Sebastian will take the oath of office. faith and allegiance to the same to the government established in the United States. Oh, thank you. of this state and under the authority of the people. So help me God. I, Sharon D. Sebastian, do solemnly swear or affirm that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of a member of a board of education and that I may not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS194-1, nor disqualified due
005to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJSA18A 12-1. And that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform all of the duties at the office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. Thank you. Thank you, Sharon. And now, Paul O'Brien will take the oath of office. >> I, Paul O'Brien, do solemnly swear that I support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So, help me God. I, Paul O'Brien, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of a member of board of education and I am not disqualified
006due to a voter p uh as a voter pursuant to RS19- uh 4-1, nor disqualified due to conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJSA18A 12-1. and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. So help me God. >> Thank you. Okay, now that we have our everyone sworn in, um we will now vote for president. Um, so I will take nominations for president for the board of education. Ly, >> I'd like to nominate um Gaylin Mchune. She's done a really great job this past year leading um the board and being the voice of the board and always taking our thoughts and um and our words into consideration. So um for the next year, I think Greylin would be do do
007a fabulous job. So I'd like to nominate her for for this upcoming year as president. Okay. Do I have a second on that nomination? Okay. Okay. All right. Are there any other nominations for president? Okay. Seeing none, then I'm going to put a vote to the board um for to vote for Galin Mchuan as president of the board of education. When I call your name, if you agree that Gaya Mchuan should be president of the board of education, please say yes. So, Misty Sebastian, yes. Miss George Tiner, >> yes. >> Miss Krug, >> yes. >> Miss Mchuan, >> yes. >> Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> And Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> Okay, congratulations, Grayen. board president. And >> I will now turn the meeting over
008to the board president. >> Thank you, Bonnie. And thank you everybody for your um vote of support. And um um well, thank you guys for all your support. And speaking of support, thank you to my husband and uh kids who are sitting in the audience because he holds down the fort whenever I have to do board business. So, thank you So now I'd like to open the floor for nominations for vice president. Do we have a nomination for vice president? >> Hi, I'd like to nominate Puja Bonsal for vice president. I think Pua has done a great job in the last year of being a leader and a liaison for the rest of uh the board and I think she would continue to do an excellent job. >> Thank you. Do you have a second
009on that nomination? >> Yes, I second. >> Thanks. Uh do you have any other nominations on the floor? >> Okay, seeing none, um I'll close the floor and ask for a roll call vote. Okay, Miss D. Sebastian. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm asking for for a roll call vote on nominating Puja Bonsil for on I'm sorry, electing Puja Bonsil to the office of vice president of the board. Miss D. Sebastian. >> Yes. >> Miss George Chanera. >> Yes. >> Miss Krug. >> Yes. Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> And Miss Mcuan, >> yes. >> Okay. Congratulations to Miss Puja Bonsol for being elected vice president. >> So, Puja is sick tonight, so she couldn't be here, but she is aware of the
010nomination and she is uh very happy to accept it. So, hope you feel better, Puja. And uh as part of our reorganization, there are several items to vote on to continue the regular business of the school district. So, can I get a motion for items number 7 through 34? Uh Dana and Schwatha. Uh any questions or comments? And I'll ask for another roll call vote. Okay, >> this is for items 7 through 34. Um, Miss D. Sebastian, >> yes. >> Miss George Chanera, >> yes. >> Miss Krug, >> yes. >> Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> And Miss McCuin, >> yes. Uh so thank you. That closes the reorganiz reorganization portion of our meeting and we can move on to our
011regular business which starts on page 11 of the agenda. Uh so um hopefully it's it some have told me it is too late to wish everyone a happy new year but happy new year nonetheless. Um Dr. Adhold do you have any comments to start us off? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Uh good evening everyone. Um and again happy new year and welcome back to the start of the 2026 second half of the school year. Um tonight I just want to recognize that there's a resolution within the agenda um portion of the for school board recognition month. Um and I'm just going to take a moment just to read that that resolution. Uh January is schoolboard recognition month in New Jersey and the district would like to acknowledge with gratitude the schoolboard members for their contributions
012to the success of the district and our students for the time they volunteer uh to set policy oversee the operations in in our schools and to recognize the following uh resolution. Whereas January is schoolboard recognition month, a time that all residents might acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members. And whereas the West Windsor Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education is one of more than 581 local school boards in New Jersey, who sets policies and oversees operations for public schools districts. And whereas the West Windsor Plains Regional School District uh Board of Education embraces the goals of highquality education for all New Jersey public schools students. And whereas New Jersey's local school board members who receive no rene renumeration for their service act as advocates for public school students as they work
013with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public education. And whereas board of education strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students. And whereas boards of education provides uh accountability to the public, they communicate the needs of the school district to the public. and they convey to the school administrators the public's expectations for the schools. Now, they're very resolved. Uh therefore, be it resolved that we recognize January school board recognition month and honor uh the members of the board of education here tonight. Uh Puja and also Louisa for her service as uh she's uh just exited the board in December. Uh we thank all of you for your service to our community and the work you do on behalf of our students and our staff. So, thank you to
014the members of our board of education. >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Dr. Adhold. Uh it's such a lovely recognition. So, now I'm going to turn it to our student representatives for a report. Uh tonight we have um well, from High School South, we have Logan Klein. We um missing Ana Sl. But hopefully she'll join be able to join us next week. North. Sorry, did I say South? Oh, my bad. You know what? It was the green hoodie that threw me off. I'm very colorcoded, so I apologize. And from High School South, we have Anna Chen and Alison Dochi. So, I'm not sure who's gonna start off today. >> Perfect. Okay. So, hello everyone. Uh we hope you all had a relaxing winter break and a happy new year. Uh a lot happened at South
015before we headed into break and we're excited to highlight some moments. We'd like to start off by giving a huge thank you to one of South's gym teachers, Lisa Hayden, and her work with the Pir Pirates United team. Thanks to her incredible efforts on the holiday drive, over $2,600 in gift cards were distributed to South Families along with the truckload of coats, toys, and stuffed animals donated to PEI kids. This was an amazing example of our school community coming together to support others. Next, we'd like to move on to our music department who closed out the semester on a high note with their winter and holiday concerts. The concerts were a fantastic way to sail into winter break, featuring performances from our band, choir, and orchestra. We'd like to thank our music department for all
016their planning and preparation. In addition, our jazz ensemble performed at Quakerbridge Mall before break, spreading some holiday spirit beyond our school walls. Our student council wrapped up 2025 with an exciting spirit week and a memorable winter pep rally. Thank you to our student council adviser, Mr. Coburn, and all of StuCo for organizing such a fun week. The pep rally featured performances from our pep band and dance teams as well as introductions for our winter sports team and a variety of competitive relay races. The grand finale of juniors versus seniors tugof-war was definitely a highlight and some events such as hungry hippos and mattress run may have introduced new traditions for years to come. Over winter break, our athletic teams were busy and saw great success. Congratulations to our swim coaches, Miss Bidwell, Miss Riley, and
017Miss Pigs, as well as a pirate swim team for their win at the Pirate Invitational. Girls basketball also had a strong showing going 2 at the WWP Holiday Classic. Academically, peer and staffled tutoring programs officially began just before break. Students can partake in these helpful opportunities during school um and after school. Thankfully, seniors are finishing their college applications for the regular decision rounds, and we'll continue hearing back from their early applications. We would like to give a shout out to our teachers and counselors who wrote recommendations and advise students during these times. Looking ahead to the end of January, our first semester will begin wrapping up, and counselors will begin introducing the next school year. On January 21st, they will lead the program of studies session for rising freshmen, followed by sessions for grades 10
018to 12. For our arts and clubs, South and Grover music departments will collaborate for the Building Bridges Music Festival. China Night is in the works and North and South Chinese clubs will get together to hold their annual event on February 20th. Lastly, our spring musical is set to run from February 26th through the 28th. Our students are excited for the second basketball North and South showdown that will take place on January 27th at North. And as South continues to stay busy with their academics, clubs, arts, and athletics, we excited to see what the rest of the marking period will be bring. And now we would like to break pass it on to North. Thank you. I wish the whole board had a great new year. Now to start off, our students are officially back from
019winter break. Hopefully well rested and ready for school. The High School North freshman and sophomore student council also held their winter pep rally on the Tuesday before break. Students had the opportunity to compete in games from dodgeball, relay races, and of course, our traditional tugof-war. Congrats to the seniors who brought home the win. During break, many of our seniors wrapped up regular decision applications for college, and we are wishing them luck. Our winter sports are now in full swing with many of our teams experiencing a lot of success. Most recently, the girls basketball team had their senior night against South Hunter yesterday. Congratulations to their team on their win and to the seniors. Tomorrow, our student council is attending the NJSAC winter conference. We will be wishing our own representative Kushi Maheswari a great end
020to her term serving as the NJASC 2025 state secretary. Our peer leaders are continuing with their second semester freshman group this week. Freshman group helps build community among the freshmen, allowing for them to ask any questions they have on their mind. Additionally, the prom shop will be open to WWP juniors and seniors on Saturday, January 24th, 2026. Special thanks to Senora Z and Miss McCarthy for organizing this opportunity for students. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. Um, just when I thought it was going to be a light report because of winter break, you guys just keep just keep uh active and busy. So, thank you so much. Thank you for coming out tonight and giving us this report. We really do appreciate it. So, have a good night. if you wanted to want to sneak
021out. I And now we're going to turn over to uh I will open the floor and invite our board attorney Jeff Mr. Jeff Cachesy uh to give our annual ethics training microphone first. >> Yeah, >> you have two two options. You have many microphone options. I'm so glad you're you're peppy. Ready for this? Oh, >> I'm ready. >> We are ready for this. >> Are you? >> We are. >> Well, sure. I got this. I'm sure you're all excited. Um, get your annual ethics training. Uh, I know we have some new folks here, so actually this is really important for you guys. Um, these guys have heard it all before. Um, it's a little bit repetitive, but um, let's see what we got here. See if this is working. All right. So, let's talk about
022uh, you know, what is a board? Um, you know, obviously you're a regional board. Uh, West Windsor and Plansboro together. Now, you know, you're in trouble. Uh, it's a governing body of you're the governing body of the of the school district, right? um charged with high level policym only can take action as a body, right? That's that's uh important. You're not doing this as individuals. So, you have limited decision-m authority authority and you may not administer the schools. You can't engage um if you have a conflict of interest and this is all governed by the school ethics act and the code of ethics for schoolboard members. Um, so this is like a highlevel overview of what your role as a board and we'll get into the detail. Um, think my my did not come out
023well. All right. And I know what you're thinking. Like here this ethics training again, da da da. Um, but you have to go through it. Every board member has to go through it. You have to discuss the school ethics act. Um, you'll get you should have a copy of the code of ethics. Uh, and then Bonnie will actually we'll have a copy in here, but Bonnie will pass out afterwards something for you to sign to acknowledge that you've uh received it. Um, but that's I mean that look, that's the main part of this. It's uh 6A is a regulation requires that you receive this training once a year. Um, as you'll see in another slide, doesn't replace your annual board training. Um, so like I said, Bonnie was going to pass this out later. Um,
024you can't try to wiggle out of it, so make sure you sign it. But the act itself, right, this is the important stuff. This is what you have to know. Um, and I don't want to read at you. Uh, there's we highlighted some things that we think are important. The one thing that's really kind of stands out to me is that you are in uh you have you have the public trust, right? So it's not actually it goes beyond just the conduct, right? So you may engage in in conduct that you don't think it violates the act, but it the question becomes does it give a justifiable impression among the public that trust is being violated. So it's not just your conduct and what your intent is, it's what impression do you give the public
025by that conduct? Um again under school ethics act um this is these are the standards that you use to guide that conduct. So just so you understand like so what h we're going to talk about the ethics act right what happens if you violate the ethics act you have the school ethics commission um complaints can be filed if complaints can be filed there's certain levels of discipline that can occur you get reprimand it's like your slap on the wrist censure which the board actually has to read something uh in public about the conduct you can be suspended or actually removed I I mean you can get a censure suspension removal for a first offense but That's typically for chronic offenders. All right. So, code of ethics for this is the actual code of ethics. I
026know that's hard to read, but um there you go. Look at that. My partner did it right. Um again, I don't want to read at you, but it is important to know these. So, I will, it says, I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of education and court orders pertaining to schools. desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. So what are some examples of that? Um you'll see and you can actually go to the ethics commission website. They have advisory opinions on the website. They have their SEC decisions. Uh the numbers like 8, you'll see 8122 that stands for the advisory opinions. The C 5814 so the C numbers are actually cases that were heard and decided. Um, if you ever have a
027question about whether something violates the ethics act, uh, before you engage in conduct, you can always ask for an advisory opinion. If you do have that concern, please talk to the superintendent. You can get in contact with us or or or Granland as board president um, and we can discuss what you need to do in order to get an advisory opinion, but it's always better to air on the side of caution. Um this auh 1222 um you may I don't know some of you may remember um when they had um the fizz edge standards the change in the fizz edge standards uh there was a lot of issue surrounding that um you know um sorry can't read my own writing here. So there there was a lot of issues surrounding that. This was the advisory
028opinion that came out um where the SEC advised um that because it was the law because the board by law had to adopt the curriculum whether you agree with it or not. If you didn't do it, the whole entire board could be uh in violation of the ethics act. I I know that wasn't um an issue here. Um I mean there's so much drama in WWP. we don't need this. Um, but it was uh that was a big issue uh in a lot of districts. The SEC decision C5814 uh board member violated the code by trying to issue a rice notice to a district employee without following the proper legal procedures of seeking board authority or consulting with the board. So, uh, for the new folks here, who don't know what a rice notice is,
029it's just a a a letter that goes to an employee to say the board may discuss you and your employment, uh, in executive session, gives them the option to to have it in public. Um, the board members don't issue rice notice typically. Um the board can ask superintendent to do so but typically administration that issues the race notice um other than to the superintendent. Okay. So uh next one is uh B. I will make decisions in terms of educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing. I say this every year. Um they they have never updated this. That is that should cover every protected category that you see in New Jersey
030law against discrimination. And for some reason it does not. So uh I would tell you it actually goes beyond just those categories. I love that picture. Um the the your job on the board generally, right, it's to support the kids. I mean, that's what you're here for. You're here for the kids. The kids always come first. And that's what you got to keep in your mind as board members. Um this is an an advisory opinion. This is an example of of the SEC's position on this. Conflicted board members could not participate in any manner related to the search, hiring or selection of of selection of uh criteria, job description or vote to advertise relating to the hire of a new superintendent as their decision-making abilities may not be focused on the educational welfare of the
031children but rather their relationship with the board employees in the district. So that's like a conflict of interest standard. If you have some relationship with someone in the district, uh, familial typically, um, then I've had situations where some people are like, "It's my cousin who works in a district or even an aunt or uncle and say, I've never talked to them in my life. I've never even met them." Does it give a justifiable impression though? Right? That's that's what you got to You may not have ever met them, but it will give that impression. So that's where you got to be concerned about the conflicts. I will confine my board action to policym planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be
032affected uh who be affected by them. Uh that's the policym right that's your m kids come first but policym is your is one of your main jobs here as as board members that's what you do you you are the oversight of the district you create change edit add delete policies um which is what the district uses to run itself. So you're looking at the big picture, right? Uh this advisory opinion, the board member a board member would violate the code by volunteering for a school club where a member had contact with and control of students personnel resources and administration as well as receive orders from district personnel and administration. Um B member would fail to combine their actions to policym planning and appraisal. Uh this topic comes up a lot volunteering. Uh this is something
033we always say let's look at the set of facts. Um we actually prefer you come to us. It's better to be proactive than reactive and ask the question. Um and sometimes you may need an advisory opinion on something like this because it's very fact-sensitive. But that's the general standard they're talking about. The general standard is are you going to have control of students of personnel of resources of administration? Um, are you going to appear like you're supervising, for lack of a better term? Um, you know, we we and again, we I know you guys have a lot of volunteers, generally speaking. Um, and and that's a great thing. No one wants to dissuade you. Even the ethics commission, they say that they don't want to dissuade you from volunteering. But you have to remember your
034role as a board member. I mean, uh, I mean, you may be helping kids get ready for homecoming, right? You know, say we're just having fun. Um, we don't care. We see, you know, kids are young, wild, and free, right? They may, um, but and you may see something you don't like, and you may want to correct them, but that's not your job. You're a board member, right? You have to be careful of what you do as a board member. So this is some another advisory opinion um regarding um volunteering and again I just I I don't want to overstate it. If you are volunteering and you have questions uh please ask us uh you know I don't want you to be too laid laidback about it. um you should question it and and we
035don't want you to vote or put yourself in a position where you may have an ethical issue. Um you may not think you do, but you should ask the question. Um so if you if you're volunteering and it may give that justifiable impression, drop it like it's hot. Don't even worry about it. D. I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools, but together with my fellow board members to see that they are wellrun. It's another biggie. You don't administer the schools. That's administration's job. Um, you may say it's kind of hard being a board member, right? Um, and it can be. People when they first get on the board don't realize you're not involved in day-to-day operations. Um you're you're here to oversee, not to administer. Leave the administr administering to the
036administration. Um so don't be a micro manager. These are these are advisory opinions. And look, you guys are I can tell you typically really good about that. Um there are boards where they want to run and insist upon running the district. Um I I I know there's a a uh in here somewhere. One of these is um I don't know if it's advisory opinion or decision, but a board wanted to um conduct a survey. So a survey of staff of students, right? And you think of that like that to me is very kind of basic. You can't do that. That's administering. That's administering. And and the ethics commission found that. So that would be micromanaging. That's just an example of something like that. I will recognize authority rests with the board of education. It will
037make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board. Um, this to me has always been one that is I don't want to say a throwaway. They're all important, but um, the languages says private action that may compromise the board. We'll talk about a little bit later. Um, it's it's language that the courts have used when people are acting board members seemingly in a personal capacity. they will sometimes find it's private action that compromises the board. So, um it's especially relevant when we talk about social media. People get on social media. It's another fantastic picture. Um I can't even take credit. This is one of my partners. That was phenomenal. So, no lone wolves. Uh this is C216. A B member BOE member with procedural concerns about the superintendent's contract wanted
038to file a petition of appeal to the commissioner of education regarding their individual concerns. Board attorney advised the BOE member could not do this oh without the pro support of the majority of the board but the member filed anyway. The school ethics commission found the board member violated the code by instituting proceeding adverse to the board and taking personal action that compromises the board. Board members, you can't sue yourself, right? You can't sue the board. Um that's quite honestly, you're automatically kind of kicked off the board for that. Um, but you can't take prime, you can't take action by yourself. It's the board as a whole that can take the action. So, if the board wanted to institute something, they have to do it themselves. No matter what that is, you can't do it individually.
039So, no promises. um BOA members via the code of ethics by making personal promises to a candidate for assistant superintendent that they would recommend his appointment and resolve a contract issue. These promises had the potential to compromise the board. Um you say who would do that, right? Like who what it happens though. Um you have these board members that are kind of creeping and crawling behind the scenes and doing things that they shouldn't be doing. Um I mean this type of stuff happens every day. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment or to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the school for personal gain or for the gain of friends. This is a volunteer job. At the end of the day, you're elected, but it is you're not getting paid for
040this. But not everybody looks at that way. Some people have their mind on their on their money and their money on their mind. Um, so you got to be cognizant of that. It's not about me. Um, I I love the pictures. Sorry. Um, C3614. The BOE member must make clear that any endorsement of a candidate for election to the board is only as a private individual and specifically state that endorsement is not in their capacity as a BOE member and or on behalf of the board. We do get this once in a while, right? Um it's innocuous, right? You don't mean to do this. Maybe you're on Facebook and you have a candidate um that you want to support and you put it out there. Um it another board member, you think they're great. You
041want to you want to uh support them. You have to put a disclaimer. Um that's really important when you are um putting anything in writing really that relates to the board of education. you have to put a disclaimer that you're you're this is in your individual capacity, not in your capacity as a board member. So, just be be cognizant of that. Um, A2914, a BOE member who owned and operated a business could not continue to hold a fundraiser charging students and splitting profits between their business and the local educational foundation because that could be perceived as using their position for BOE's per uh BO members personal gain. And I I'm sure I know what you're thinking here like look, they're they're they're trying to help out. I'm sure they're giving a discount. They got to
042break them off something. But um you can't it's got to be a volunteer thing. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed would needlessly injure individuals of the schools. In all other matter matters I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. It's another biggie. You have a very highly confidential position. We have executive session for a reason. The you are privy to confidential information that if it gets out can harm individuals, can harm the school district, can harm the board, the community. Um you have to keep things confidential. Personnel matters, uh everything of that nature. Um I can keep Well, yeah, I can keep a secret. Um so uh A3414 BOE member could
043continue to be a freelance journalist but cannot report on a board issue and must ensure that no information that was uh discussed solely in the BOE executive session is disclosed. Um C4407 BO E member vied the code of ethics by publicly posting confidential information that a district employee had been removed from the school and hospitalized for a medical condition. Um, I mean, unfortunately, and again, I'm you guys are really good, but you do run those boards, uh, that you get the gossipy board member who just wants to be on the board to be in the know, and they're going to tell you all about their life, you know, uh, they wake up at 10 in the morning, you know, put on their Johnson's baby powder and cool water cologne. Remember Cool Water cologne? Fantastic. Um,
044but they they get gossipy and they just got to keep talking and start talking about school stuff, but they shouldn't be talking about, you know, it's like this and like that and like this and um, so that's not what you you can't do that. You have to keep things confidential. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer. Um, not going to lie, I tried to get a picture of Dave here. Um, didn't have enough time. Um, but look, it's a superintendent's recommendation that you're relying on for a lot of stuff, but really when it comes to personnel, it's not your role. Um, your role is to trust your administrators, trust the administration to make the best recommendations. You can certainly, if you have
045concerns, express those concerns. You can question things. It's all done in executive session, by the way. Um, but you have to let the superintendent do their job. AO412. And I'm going to tell you, I hate this one, but I'm going to read it anyway. Board member may participate in interview committees for candidates for high level administrative and supervisory positions. However, um, and I'm going to take away the word supervisory, high level administrative positions. However, board members participation must be limited to offering observation and assessment and the final recommendations are within the purview of the superintendent. So, number one, you don't get to make the recommendation. Number two, if you sit in in an interview, it's going to be a problem. It's you're you're invariably going to have an ethics violation. You can't ask questions. You
046can't comment. You can't open your mouth. Um really hard thing to do sometimes. So, you got to be really I don't ever recommend it. It's better to let administration do their job. Your job is to hire the superintendent. If you have concerns, your concerns are with the superintendent. You raise them with him or her. I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. Thank you for your support. Uh, I don't know if you remember these guys. This is a commercial from the Come on. You gota remember Bartles and James. I don't even know what's in that. Probably like Jin and Juice or something. I don't know. But um, that's a long time ago. Uh, anyway, another great picture. C4907 BO BOE member via the code by sending a letter to the
047superintendent with copies to the state board of education and executive county superintendent accusing the superintendent of allowing employees to violate board policy. That was a violation of uh the code not supporting per district personnel. uh 5305. The board member vided the code by sending an email to the superintendent with copies uh to the business administrator and all board members asking the superintendent to provide an accounting of personnel leave. It's not that you can't ask the superintendent for an accounting as a board but not individual board members and it's not showing support. Um, by the way, and I didn't see it on here, but I do want to jump back um to the confidentiality thing to know how strictly um the the school ethics commission takes that and how seriously they take it. Um I don't
048know that it was in here. Um, but there is a decision where a board member was reprimanded for sending an email to the board and accidentally hit reply all and copied a community member. Accident, but it broke confidentiality. They were reprimanded for it. Not intentional. Um, I just want you to know to to kind of reinforce how serious that is and how serious they take they take it. Um, not meaning to jump back there, but Jay, I refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on the complaints at the public meeting only after failure of an administrative position. Um, so you know, this is one of those things and you'll see the cases. I I mean, you got to use proper channels. can't go, you have an issue with a principal or
049you hear there's a problem with a principal, you can't go to that principal and say, "Hey, this individual from the community has a problem with you." Um, you know, and and you may say, "Well, look, everyone does it. It's a WWP thing." Like, but you can't as board members, you can't do that. You you have a different role. Um, you can't you have to everything has to go to the chief administrative officer. Everything goes to Dave. Um, community members will come up with you. They will lodge complaints with you and you just have to tell them, "I'm going to refer it to the chief administrative officer. I'm going to refer it to the superintendent." Can't refer it to the principal. Can't refer it to anybody else. You can tell them to follow the chain of
050command, but you can't refer it to anybody other than the superintendent. All right? So, I am going to go quickly through this um conflicts of interest. What I would just tell you is um and there's actually a nice little chart in here that you're going to see. Um if you have any financial involvement or a spouse has a financial involvement uh in any business entity related to the school district, let us know. Um we will discuss whether you have a conflict, what you can vote on, what you cannot vote on. Uh so it's that I don't know um if any of you have that. I don't think you do, but if you do, please let us know. Um the issue usually arises where you have a family member who works in a school district or
051in particular in this school district. That is um an issue on a lot of levels. Let me rephrase that. Not an issue. It's just something you have to be aware of. We have to be aware of. So, you make sure that you're not voting. Uh because that would be a conflict of interest. Bless you. Um that would be something that you'd have to recuse yourself on. Uh otherwise, oh jeez, be a violation of the act. All right. This is the list I was talking about. Um, I I think this is a a a great list for definition of a relative. Um, the one that always gets me, and I always have to refer to this because I don't ever remember off the top of my head, is is brother or sister-in-laws. Um, whether that's a
052conflict because if you look up there, the let's see, let me see if we can find it here. Um, the spouse's sibling I believe is not the conflict. The let's see where where brother's sister's spouse um that's a no. See I thought they refer to this the spouse's where is it? spouse's brother spouse no. So brother or sister spouse is a no. Um the right am I reading that right? Yeah. So it well my point is it's confusing and it doesn't make a lot of sense but that's a great list because that's that's what they go by whether you agree with it or not. That's what the schools commission goes by. Excuse me. >> Uh, this is another advisory opinion example. When a spouse is employed to substitute teacher in the district, uh, a BOE
053member may not participate any personnel matters for anyone in the chain of command over the spouse. So, if you have a relative in district, anyone in that chain of command, you can't vote on anything related to them. Sometimes it becomes a problem because it's very innocuous sometimes. And if you don't if you don't have enough votes for lack of maybe just lack of uh members at the meeting, it can become an issue. All right. As a reminder, this presentation does not replace the individual ethics training required for all newly elected and appointed board members. So, you got to make sure that you take that training. All right. Um just a couple more. I I told you we'd talk about this. Uh I love that one too. Sorry. Uh beware of the social media. Uh so
054this is what I was talking about earlier. Uh these are a couple of different cases. So we have uh this these companion cases 5619 and 5719. A the the Squishian found that a board member violated the act when he posted offensive posts on his personal Facebook page that were anti-Muslim. Although it was found that the the posts were on his personal Facebook page were not made in the capacity of a board member and the content of the posts were personal opinions. The BOE member violated the act as it was private action that may compromise the board and undermine the public trust. The member was only censured because he had not run for re-election. However, therefore, removal is not an option. Now, contrast that with C121. The SEC found that an alleged that allegedly racist remarks
055on a personal Facebook page did not violate the act. Although the board member claimed they were hacked, the SC found that even if the posts were attributable attributable to the board member and he was acting in his capacity as a board member, the post did not constitute personal promises or specific actions attributable to the board and the complaint was dismissed. If you ask me to square that, I can't. Uh, it's why I just say be careful on social media because you don't know what the outcome is going to be. Well, this is especially to the board me new board members. You made it through. Um, I know what you're saying. You don't want this to end because ain't no party like a WWE party. But you're going to have to wait for the next episode.
056So, so if you have any questions, feel free to call me if you forgot. What's my name? >> There it is. Any questions? >> Go ahead, Dana. >> Thank you. I learn something every time you do it. So, thank you. >> Oh, shizzle. >> Yeah. Um, okay. I have a couple of questions. So sometimes we are invited as board members to do um by teachers who are running specific events in the school like a readin or a read across America, those kinds of things. >> And I'm wondering if that's something we should actually be doing because we might be directing st like if I say to a teacher, "Oh, I'd love to read there, but I can you get me this book out of the library." Is that directing staff >> um >> in this
057district? >> Yes. >> Be in this district. >> Yes. >> Can you get me I mean >> like can you I want a book on whatever and can you can you get that out of the library for me or I would like to show a clip on >> this is why we we you should do everything through superintendent. >> Right. Okay. But they reach out directly to us. So >> so perhaps we shouldn't respond to those things. Maybe. Is that what you're saying? >> Well, yeah. I would say go through Dave. >> Okay. All right. >> That's the best. >> Right. >> It's I It's I get it, man. It's innocuous. You're you're you're volunteering. You're helping out. It shouldn't be that difficult. >> But to protect yourself. Yeah. You probably should say, "Love to
058do it. Love to be involved. Got to run it through superintendent because I have a board member." >> Okay. Okay. Well, I just want to make sure like if I let's say I said, "Oh, could you have a projector in the room cuz I want to show a clip from, you know, a YouTube clip, am I directing staff?" >> Well, like I said, that's why I would coordinate it. >> Okay. >> You know, you shouldn't be coordinating it, right? That should Okay. >> go through superintendent. >> Um, and then I have a question about um uh politics because we often get issues with that. Um, so let's say that on a personal level, a board member went to a political candidates's um, event, you know, while they were running for office. Um, and maybe your
059photo was taken with the candidate and then the candidate posted it on social media that maybe looked like you you or the board were supporting this candidate. How do you handle something like that? Like if you go to an event, should you say, "Do not take pictures with me." Um, "Do not post pictures of me with you." >> So that's a pretty a more complex question than you probably think. Um, yes, it is. You have a you have you >> you don't leave your First Amendment rights at the door, right, when you become a board member. However, >> they are restricted somewhat, right? Um, and that's always the question we're asking. Where do you cross the line? Where do your first amendment rights start and end as a board member? Um, that's a very fact-specific
060example. So, um, I would tell you that if someone takes a picture of you with someone else and you have no control over that, what are you going to do about it? You didn't post it. You didn't do it. You weren't putting it out there. Um, I think it really does. Oh, everything with that type of stuff, social media stuff especially is really facts sensitive and we kind of try to judge on a case by case basis. So we that's why we tell people come to us, ask us um if you have questions um because we can get into the detail of it. In that example, as you as you put it um in that hypothetical, I would say it doesn't sound like it's something that would violate the act because it's nothing that you
061did as a board member besides going somewhere. You have a right to support candidates if you like. Okay, >> Lloyd, do you have a question? Go for it. >> Thank you so much, Jeeoff. I also learn something new every time uh this presentation is is done. Um and I think a lot of us, and I probably asked this last time, but just volunteering in the community, like that's a big thing that a lot of us do and love to do. And you know, every maybe a tip for our new members, I usually email Mark, our attorney, um or the other one, um uh at the beginning of every year and say, "Hey, these are the things I'm doing. Is that okay?" And then he usually comes back and he's, you know, he's like, "Yep, that's
062all good, good, good." But I just don't want it to be like discouraging folks from taking part in the community because sometimes you do you know what I mean? It's >> No, exactly. I think it's and the school ethics commission doesn't want to and they they say that in their opinion. You don't want to discourage volunteerism. It's just that perception that you may give. Um, so you just have to be careful if you're volunteering in the community. >> That's >> I mean like PTAs and you know coaching and that kind of stuff. >> Even coaching as long as I mean it's really when it comes to school district events, school district functions. I I mean they're going to be staff members who are community members as well. You know you you might coach one of
063their kids. you know, that's a different story. That's outside of the school district, right? Um that's, you know, you know, a local you typically local athletic association, >> that's separate. If it's a district event, if it's a play, for example, um and you wanted to help with the set, uh that and I think that is an actual case that's out there. Yeah. >> Um that can be okay, but it could be a problem depending on what you're doing. Um if you're just helping set up and you're taking the direction, it's it's less of an issue than if you are telling people how to do things or telling them what to do. Right? So that's kind of the distinction. But and if you're ever unsure um and Mark can't give you the answer, you can you
064can get an advisory opinion. Okay, great. Thank you. Uh, any other questions? Were you good? >> Any questions from this side? >> Yep. All right. Well, thank you, Mr. Caches. That was uh very comprehensive training and like the other board members said, we learned something new. Great examples. Thank you. And that takes us to the first opportunity for public comments. The board invites thoughts and reactions on agenda items and items of concern from members of our committee who are present. Each participant is asked to give his or her name and address prior to making a statement which will be limited to three minutes in accordance with board policy 0167. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. This public comment period shall be limited to 60 minutes. Uh do either of you have a
065comment? Seeing none, I will move to uh close this public comment period. And uh since we don't have any committee reports, we can move on to the voting portion of our meeting. So for um can I get a motion for administration items numbers 1 through three? Uh Liz and Dana, any questions or comments from the board? Nope. Okay. Okay. Miss George Chanra, >> yes. >> Miss Crew, >> yes. >> Miss Sebastian, >> yes. Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> And Miss Mchuan, >> yes. Uh, we don't have any curriculum and instruction items to vote on. So, can I get a motion for finance items numbers one through three, uh, as well as the blue addendum? Uh Paul and Ajanta, any questions
066or comments? >> Okay. Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss D. Sebastian, >> yes. >> Miss George Janera, >> yes. >> Miss Krug, >> yes. >> Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> And Miss Mchuan, >> yes. Can I get a motion for personal items uh item number one plus the green addendum? Uh Sharon and uh Schwatha, any questions or comments? >> Okay. Uh Miss D. Sebastian, >> yes. Miss George, >> yes. >> Miss Krug, >> yes. >> Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> And Miss McCuin, >> yes. And before we move on, I would like to recognize a couple of retirements that we just approved. The first is Michael Alberto. He is our
067high school south school counselor who is retiring after 25 years of serving at WWP. And we have Lorie Silvers who is our language arts teacher at Community Middle School who is retiring after 33 years in the district. So we wish you both well uh in your exciting new journey and thank you so much for your service to the district all these years. And we do not have uh any board of education minutes to approve. Do we have any board leaison reports? Okay. Uh any new business? Uh that takes us to the second opportunity for public comments. Uh the board invites comments from members of our community who are present. Each participant is asked to give his or her name and address prior to making a statement which will be limited to three minutes in accordance
068with board policy 0167. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. This public comment period shall be limited to 15 minutes. Any takers now? Seeing none, I will close this second opportunity for public comment and move to adjourn. Um can I get a motion to adjurnn? Uh Liz and Ajanta. Uh, all in favor say I. >> I. So, thank you and have a good night.