001[bell] [music] Okay. Hello. Good evening everybody. Thanks for joining us on this very frigid winter day. Um we um we called our meeting to order in our closed executive session earlier this evening. So we are ready to begin the public portion of our meeting. And first I would actually like to invite the student representatives uh representatives who are here tonight to give us their reports. Uh we have um uh we have Alice and Anna from High School South and uh Nissa and Logan from High School North. I don't know which of you guys want to go first. I think you guys went first last time. Do you want to switch or change it up? High School South will go first. So, hello. Thank you for having us again. As we roll into the winter season
002with the 90-minute delay opening due to the snow on Monday, we'd like to start off with our sports. Many of our fall sports athletes have received first team allconerence nominations. The following athletes were recognized. Rimla Raza for field hockey, Meta Bang and Maya Monttoair for soccer, Laura Woo for volleyball, and Caris Cohen soned away for doubles tennis. Additionally, Riley Dugay from girls soccer earned the first team allconerence nomination and was named CVC forward of the year after an outstanding season recording 22 goals and four assists. While Vidilich was awarded the Vins Paul Mary award for his unique commitment to the community and Anna Chen was awarded the CVC sportmanship award. Rishio Sakiar, Jeremy Shaffle, Wen Vidich, Riley Dug Gay, Maya Montameir and Meadow Bang were all recognized statewide in the NJ Scholastic Coaches Association. Congratulations
003to all our fall athletes. We're so proud of their successful season. Moving on to winter sports. Both boys and girls South swimming kicked off their season with a win over North at the Pirates Bubble. This past Friday, both boys and girls basketball held their competitive rivalry game at South. While the girls team was able to get a win over North, unfortunately, the boys team suffered a loss. Regardless of the score, many students came out to watch and had a great time cheering for the respective team. As for our arts program, our orchestra, band, and choir have been busy holding their annual winter and children's concerts. And just yesterday, our theater program published a cast list for their musical Legally Blonde. They're so excited to start rehearsal rehearsals after break. Um, and now for our after
004school clubs, our debate team participated in the TOC National Debate Tournament two weeks ago, and we are happy to announce that the varsity team broke into elimination rounds past preliminaries. This past weekend, they competed in the Ridge Debate Tournament at Basking Ridge High School, and our Model Congress team competed at Princeton University. Our student council recently held a successful joint volleyball tournament with the North Eboard. It was a great way to rally high school spirit and have a fun time during this hectic academic period. We also just started our first ever 7-day spirit week. On Monday, we had our classic pajama day. Today, we had our first generation spirit day. Wednesday will be anything but a backpack day. Thursday will be a trending theme, performative day. And Friday will be another trending theme, rhyme without
005reason. Going into next week, Monday will be winter and festive day, and our final day before break will be class color day for the pep rally. The freshman will wear white, sophomores yellow, juniors green, and seniors black. We are so grateful for our staff and their continued dedication in supporting our students. First, we'd like to give a special thanks to our food service team for distributing Thanksgiving meals. Next, we'd like to congratulate and acknowledge our student teachers for completing a successful semester. We are always thankful for their help at our school. Our counseling team has been working extremely hard to launch a new peer tutoring program after uh during study hall and after school. It's a great way for students to receive extra help outside of the class. For our Advid program, they've spent the
006last few weeks exploring and visiting several colleges across New Jersey. Recently, our staff, alumni, and community members held a dedication ceremony to honor the first principal of WWP, Ron Watson. To this day, we continue to value his quote, "Once a pirate, always a pirate." Lastly, as we enter the season of giving, our PTSA has been holding a Pokemon card trading event to help run fund raise for our students. And our Pirate United program has been spreading joy throughout lunch to run their annual holiday drive and fundraiser. During our half day, our sen senior musicians hope to hold a music showcase concert on stage. As we wrap up 2025 and headed head into winter break, we would now like to pass it on to North. >> Thank you. The annual North volleyball tournament was a great
007time. Congratulations to the teachers team for winning. Additionally, as you have heard, North and South Duo hosted a joint volleyball event earlier this month, which was a huge success with 10 teams in total. They fought to win a dozen crumble cookies with the North team bringing the victory home. Moving on to sports, all winter sports are underway. Most recently, North wrestling celebrated its victory over Riverside yesterday. Moreover, congratulations to our North basketball team for beating South this past weekend, 47 to 41. Our student section came out to support with a white out, making it a fun wash. We wish all our winter sports teams good luck with their season. Going to our clubs, our thespian society has finished hosting auditions for the musical and congratulates everyone who got a rule. The musical will be MMA
008Mia, which is always a fun watch and a little bittersweet for our seniors. Looking at other clubs at North, our Red Cross hosted their annual winter blood drive, which was a huge success with around 50 pints of blood donated. With the holiday season coming up, we're excited for the extra long winter break this year. We're looking forward to our winter pep rally planned by our freshman and sophomore class councils as well. In order to raise anticipation for the pep rally and winter break, we have our spirit week, which has been extended a little bit due to the short two-day week next week. Um, the spirit days are as following. On Monday, Monday was pajama day. Tuesday was twin day. Wednesday is would you rather quarter zip versus Nike Tech. Thursday is Santa versus Grinch. Friday
009is National Ugly Sweater Day. And then next Monday is festive hat day with Tuesday being our festive school colors. Additionally, many seniors are anticipating or have started receiving their early decision and early action college decisions this week. So fingers crossed that they that they receive an acceptance. Looking into the future a little bit, we approached our annual distress best on January 13th where students were able where students are able to select workshops um which they did earlier last week. With workshops ranging from foods around the world to karaoke, there's a workshop for everyone. As we move towards winter break, we wish everyone a happy holiday and hope everyone has a good good time. Thank you. >> Thank you all. And I I think we can all feel the excitement about upcoming winter break. We're only
010we're a week from the half day before it starts. So, I'm very excited for you and the rest of us as well. And um yeah, the children's concert uh I attended was so nice and so nice to bring in the rest of the community and all the different grade levels and the little ones and um and a couple of us were also at the basketball game. Lots of energy from the kids. the other side. It was so loud, so excited, uh so fierce. So, we really enjoy um seeing you guys in your in your element and enjoying um your school year. So, um without further ado, um I know you guys probably want to get home and get some stuff done or some rest or just relax until tomorrow as you count down until winter
011break. So, thank you again. And um so we're going to move on to um we're actually going to move on to the attendance and absenteeism presentation uh to be led by Jessica Sincada. And we'll we'll get the presentation up and ready. Hi, good evening everyone. um thank you for offering a little time this evening just so I can share some of our our data about uh attendance absenteeism and you're going to hear a term chronic absenteeism. So just to start I want to get some terminology out there as obvious as it may seem it needs to be defined um as so that we're all on the same page in our understanding. attendance. Attendance is when a student is present during the day, right? And absent is when a student is not in attendance during the
012day. Now, there's lots of discussion about excused or unexcused absences, but absent is absent when they're not present during the day. And then chronic absenteeism is when a student misses 10% or more of the days they are to be in school during a year. Okay? So if we have school for 180 days, that would be 18 days. When we talk about that at the high school level and and credit, it changes a little bit because we don't not all classes meet every day. Um, but there's chronic absenteeism as defined by the state. Now, how do we report this? Right? New Jersey school performance reports are one way that our attendance is reported. Chronic chronic absenteeism is included as a measure for state's federal accountability system. Um, every student succeeds act is the vehicle by which
013we do that. Um, and the district submits attendance reports through what was New Jersey Smart and now is New Jersey Sleds. That's big picture attendance. When we think of attendance calculations for high school credit, um, once your student enters uh, 9th grade, we need credit to graduate from high school, credit on courses, and so then Genesis, our which is our student information systems, calculates credit per course or class. Um, and that's where that rotation comes in. The high schools are on a 4-day rotational cycle. And so then that 18 days is paired down based on the number of times that class meets for a full-ear course for a three quarteryear course such as PE or a quarter course such as health. We think of health and PE together, but three quarters of that is physical
014education, one quarter is health. And then there's um financial lit which it would be a half year like a a half credit course, a halfyear course. Um we do attendance calculations in through our student information systems genesis for warning letters and loss of credit letters. And then there's a process for credit recovery because remember absent is absent whether that is excused or unexcused. And so we have a process to gain back credit if someone does um exceed the limit. Um and that is worked out at the high school level and explained in the letter. Um and then absenteeism and disenrollment. So the district tracks extended absences through a a Google form. An extended absence would be when you know that you're going to be um missing school for example two to three weeks. That's an
015extended absence. We're not we're not sick but we're going to be away from the classroom. So we do track that that data through each of our schools and our attendance offices. Um the the attendance and registration secretaries collaborate with the registar the registar here in central office and the registration secretaries in each building and we communicate with families um on a personal level from school to family. So all of this was is in our policy 5200 that's our attendance policy but that was updated um by my predecessor Dr. from McDonald's and a team. In June 2023, we looked at our attendance policy, what needed to be updated in language and our processes as we compared those to the state of New Jersey. And and so I've I've linked in here and we can revisit that
016later if any of you um have any questions about that. But what we really wanted to do was make sure we communicated accurately about what we as a school district considered excused and unexcused absences um and that we were clear um in our communications with families as the year came um into as we started the next year. As you can say see it was adopted in June 2023. So we headed into that 2324 school year with clarity. So with that, I would like to report out some of our numbers and some trends that we've seen over the past few years. At the bottom of both this slide and the next slide is the New Jersey state average. So you can see where where we fall in there. Again, what we're looking for, remember the state's
017um expectation is 10 is less than 10% because anything that is 10% or more would be considered chronic absenteeism. Um, we have here listed our elementary schools. What I'd like you to take note of is the difference between 22 the 22 23 school year and the 2324 school year because that's where we implemented those changes in the attendance policy. And you can see a number of the schools dropped, meaning that's they dropped in their chronic absenteeism. So that's what we would like to see. We'd like to see the lowest numbers possible. Um and we believe that is due to two factors. One, the clarity in the policy and our our communication and maybe even some overcommunication at the beginning of the school year. Um and also we were going through those COVID years, the previous
018two where there was a lot of missed school due to requirements um by health departments and such when we think back to 2122 possibly and our data prior to that. Um and so we had normalized some of our expectations around attendance as well as updating the policy. And again, here are middle schools and high schools. And you would see again that same drop between the 22 23 school year and then the 2324 school year. We're really proud of some of our um some of our numbers in there. Now, some of you might also notice that some schools would have a a higher absenteeism rate um than another at the same level. There are lots lots of factors in that. Not only family the ne the necessity for families to travel or the choice it both
019of those happen, but also some um some of our students who might have more medical needs than others and might therefore be missing school. if we think some students might be more medically fragile than others. And so all of those are taken into account than at the school level for excused or unexcused absences. And finally, our plan of action to make improvements, although some of those numbers that you saw were pretty low. We saw some four and five%s at at um at our high school and middle school levels. We're really proud of that. Um and we do contribute that to our Genesis communication. Um and how at least at the secondary level and high school specifically, we've really enhanced our communication via Genesis. So our plan would be to broaden that and make sure that
020we're using all the same tools at all levels. K12 uh as well personalizing our communication. Genesis is passive communication, right? um it's from us to caregivers, but we don't always necessarily know if the caregiver received that information. Um so personalized communication, working with our counselors and our case managers, our counseling team, our CST team to utilize some of the features in Genesis that will help them personally track students on their case loads um so that we can make more phone calls home when and if necessary. That's that personalized communication. And three, our third step is also the evaluation of our of our practices and what do we do for those extended absences. Um because although it might fall under the 10% which for the 180 days and if we think elementary that's 18 days, there
021are also state requirements about not missing more than 10 consecutive days. And so we've always been um flexible and supportive in our thinking, but we can see also um what that does when we report our numbers and it and it does increase our chronic absenteeism um especially at those K5 levels. And so that'll be something else. Um currently it's just an evaluation of practices to make sure that I have a full understanding of what's happening at all of our buildings and then we would make any changes. Um we would recommend those changes, you know, based on our practices and and um what we see would be most fitting to support first of all our students um and secondly to support our families. >> Great. Thank you. Um any questions for Jessica? Go ahead, Dana. >>
022Maybe I missed this, but I think we went over this in committee and I just want to make sure everyone hears the answer to this. Um, so how many late equal an absence? >> Sure. >> That's very important at high school level, especially when those classes those, you know, the health class and all that. Okay. >> It's it's a good question and that's part of it's not um it's part of our practice here and it is on our handbooks and it's three tardies equal and absence as well as if if we're going to stick on high school. Um you your question was high school specific and if if you're out of class or miss more than 20 uh 20 minutes of that class that would be counted as an absence as well. Thank you. >>
023Go ahead. >> Thanks so much for this presentation. Um I had a question about the letters that are sent out through Genesis and then the personal approaches. You mentioned a warning threshold. What is that? And does that differentiate between elementary school, high school, or is it sort of a standard district policy? >> No. Good question. The warning threshold, I'm speaking specifically at the high school level because it it does come with it's credit bearing, right? And so if we send letter if you for a full year course because of the rotation at the high school, you lose credit after 14 absences. Um so our warning letters go out prior to that. Don't quote me on the numbers because it is different per quarter, semester, three quarter, and full year, but um would go out partway
024through seven. Um I think for a full year course, but warning for PE would go out after two because for PE or excuse me, for health it's only um after four you lose credit. So that warning would come much faster. Uh Louisa, go ahead. Yeah, I just wanted to check looking at the numbers for North is a Pathways program. Are those students in the north numbers? >> Um, well, Pathways specifically opportunities at Pathways is a middle school program. So, those would be a part of Grover and community, but our um our graduate postgrad program that is housed at Pathways, yes, at 72 Grover's Mill it is. Okay. So those are also students just to fully clarify that question um who are in school beyond their 12th grade year, right? So more students in that way.
025>> Uh Liz, >> thank you Jessica. Good to hear this presentation for everyone. Um >> uh for the students who go out on like these school uh endorsed clubs or tours or college tours, how does that count especially at the high school level? >> Right. Exactly. that's actually coded as a school activity if it is a school sanctioned activity. Um you heard several of them listed with our students uh whether that be mu model congress music tour Disney Washington seminar those are all marked as excused um school activities and they would not count toward their credit loss. >> Uh Schwatha >> thank you for the presentation. Um, I was just wondering as we're looking at the absentee rates, are we looking deeper into maybe some of the reasons why, like is there barriers that are
026preventing or is there disengagement? And then how are we addressing >> those? So addressing a couple of things. Yes. When we look at those and and when we let's look at grade levels, right? When we're looking at high school, a lot of times we're going to target is that morning, is that afternoon? and have very focused conversations with whomever the the team is surrounding that student counselor, case manager, caregivers, right? Um any outside resources, doctors, um therapists, counselors, things like that who are welcomed into the conversation so that we can best support the student. Um, at the elementary level, what we what I have found thus far is a lot of our absenteeisms are through that extended absence form where families are gone for again an extended period of time, 13, 17 because 17's right
027under that 18 threshold, right? Um, and so those typically are the the cases at our K5 level. Um but with the personalized communication and the use of Genesis um with our case managers and counselors, our goal with that is that one, we can have more targeted conversations with families sooner so that if there is a concern at home that we are able to partner faster um in that way. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Uh anyone else have a question? um when students at the high school level um when families receive the warning letter um what I guess what what sort of examples um can they uh take part in to kind of address the chronic absenteeism that would make up for in terms I'm thinking graduation graduation rates and all that kind of thing. >>
028Um typically they're told to contact their high school the one of the administrators um and that's typically one of the assistant principles to work out that plan. There are ways and this um follows with the statement requirements where you make up t time that has been missed in the classroom and opportunities could be not limited to um although we would use the word Saturday detention. It's not a consequence for a behavior but it's a time to be here in school where you're focused. It could be um and again this is what has been done in the past. they might come up with new new ideas. Um after school tutorials, homework tutorials, again, not as a place where you need to go for maybe you do need to go for focused work, but you could benefit
029from a focused situation. Um and that happens in both high schools after school um multiple days a week. That could then also look like some senior privilege. if someone had a senior privilege of first block or last block, they might be able to work that out depending on what their afterchool commitments are, something like that. So, that's where that personalized um conversation comes into play. >> Thanks. Uh go ahead, Puja. >> Just to piggy back off of what Lorie said, um how would that look in the K through five level in terms of after you get the warning letter, the process after? Well, and I should be clear, there may not be a warning le letter in the K5 area. That's part of our genesis communication that we have to fully examine um to see
030if that is happening and where it is happening and if not, would that be a benefit? So, that's part of that first step of the action plan. Um so, I will have to to get a fuller understanding of how we do communicate. Um, and then it's usually a conversation with parents, but when they do go on an an extended absence, what we have found that might be happening right now, right before a break, right, because we're going to miss less school, if we pair that with a break or spring break, something like that, but then when someone again gets sick later, now that could be excused, but with that policy, we've clarified what excused and unexcused is as well. Um, and so we don't want families to be in a situation where then they're they're
031concerned about that. So we do need to enhance some of our communication in that way. Um, and that is specifically at the K5 level. >> Thank you. Um, thank you for that. is really great information for us to understand that you know it is still a work in progress and you're looking into it and I think great for parents and caregivers to hear about this in a little bit more depth whether they have kids in high school or younger kids and they're kind of anxious and getting ready for what to expect in high school. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh, and so now, um, so we kind of switched the order just a little bit, but I wanted to take this moment, um, oh, I thought you had a question, but never
032mind. I wanted to take this moment on behalf of the board to thank and acknowledge our very own Louisa [laughter] for her many, many years of service to WWP, uh, 12 years, I believe. And, um, I think you have onboarded almost almost all of us. Uh so we truly value your your historical knowledge, your pragmatic perspective um and uh your your dedication to serving our entire community. And this is your last meeting. Uh so it is well your last meeting publicly. We still have you for one more, don't forget. Um but it is bittersweet because we we will miss uh your mentorship and your contributions and the many hours of discussions and debates and brainstorming and and this and that. Um, but we are excited for you to be able to spend even more time
033uh serving our community [laughter] ma managing your the Girl Scout troops and uh supporting the troop leaders and um and setting a wonderful example for emerging young leaders uh in the Girl Scouts. And we're also excited that you're going to be able to continue seeing the world with Carl and your family without having to schedule it around our board meeting. So, we are very excited for you and um maybe one day we can plan a whole whole group trip. You can you can tell us all about your adventures and um so we we wish you well. stay in touch and um we promise we will try to bring our reusable water bottles. So, thank you. So, um, I've been trying to balance these very good job >> flowers from you before [applause] >> and we
034also in honor of your service have this beautiful plaque um from uh from >> Yes. Yes. So, yes. Thank you. >> Can I say a few words >> by means? >> Yes, please. So for those of you who don't know, the finance committee is the unpopular committee which I have been chair of for a long time. So it feels like every new board member gets stuck on the finance committee because they have the least seniority. So they spend like a year with me and then they move to a more interesting committee. So that's why I have onboarded so many of the board members because they've all passed through the finance committee on the way to cooler committees than the finance committee. So I would just like to say it's been a pleasure and honor serving
035the community. It's been 13 years. So I did 12 years and then I did a part of a term. Uh the district has been through a lot of changes over that time. Uh Dave's Dave and I you were assistant superintendent or did you when I started I think. Yeah. But we've changed a lot of things. I look now at the course offerings the districts offer. It is much better than when my kids went through. The change to A&E math much better than when my kids went through the holidays that we allow now. We're just there are a lot of different ways that the district has improved and I'm really happy to be part of it and part of that is that we don't use as many disposable water bottles as we used to. Okay. Um
036Dr. Dr. Adhold, we've had a long ride. Have had a long ride. And I really want to thank you because it's been great for the district having a consistent leader who is courageous enough to shake things up. Um, and if you think about it, we got through the pandemic better than almost any other district I know. And you were a strong leader and you were flexible. Like you you were changing things because you kind of had to. I don't know if you've thought about how hard that job is. That is a horrible job. I [laughter] mean, it's a horrible job because you're on call all the time. You're in an organization this big. Every somebody is doing something wrong somewhere. You don't know who it is and you don't know how to stop them. So,
037it's it's just a real burden. So, I appreciate the people who take on that job and stick with it for as long as you have. You've been a really big part of the district. Um, all the staff here, I love the staff. I will talk to you individually at some point. I even like with the lawyers. Um, [laughter] so my fellow board members, you are fabulous. You really are. You have been amazing and great to work with. And I leave without any concerns because the the school district is in good hands with all of you. So, it is so nice I can schedule things for Tuesdays now. And so, in January, there'll be a Tuesday. While you're here, I want you to picture me on the couch working on some Girl Scout craft with a
038cup of coffee watching TV TV with my husband. And I will not be watching the simal cast of the board meeting. [applause] >> Thank you. And now finally, Dr. Arhold for your comments. I don't know how you're going to follow that though. Well, I'll I'll I'll do my best. Um, so I I'll start I'll start with my congratulations to Louisa. Um, 13 years on the board of education. Um, stepped in for Bob Johnson's seat when Bob when we switched the board elections um the vote from April to November, right? When when that change happened, Bob had promised his wife he'd be done in his term and he stepped down. Um, and that's when that seat posted. At the time, Louisa was had been on a a committee charged by then uh board president Marath for
039facilities uh use committee. Um but part of the reason she got invited to that committee because she was so involved with with the marching band and the utilization and supporting the marching band and the Girl Scouts. Um and she has just been um a steward in our community serving our students always with the intention of how do I do things? How do I mentor? How do I uh help support um our young women in the community? How do I give back? Um and during that time, I've seen Louisa play the role of whatever the board needed, whether it was the critic, whether it was the mentor, whether it was the big sister, whether it was to on board, whether it was to be the reflection and the mirror to the board about what do we
040stand for? Um she's been willing to make very hard decisions and I've truly appreciated your voice on the board, Louisa. So, thank you. 13 years is an incredible run. Um, I know there'll be some other folks that have an opportunity to to mention and speak to Louisa. Um, but I do want to just also acknowledge uh uh Thea Burke. Uh, Thea Burke is our West Windsor Plansboro Service Association uh president, but she's also an instructional assistant and she has just received the NJA ESP um uh of the year award from Mercer County. So, we congratulate Thea for that award. [applause] Um, and as as we head into winter recess and we head into um what I hope for everyone is a very safe and healthy and happy holidays, I want to stress the safe part.
041Um because it's not lost on me that a year ago, New Year's Day, we lost a student um in a tragic car accident. Um, so I also recognize that this is a very difficult time for many folks in our community, whether that's food insecurity. And I want to just remind everyone that on our website, there's a tremendous amount of resources around food insecurity and finding services within Mercer County, within our local count community, with our food pantries, uh, and with our faith community. I want to thank Pemma Dadong and Tony Qual um our food service director um and district d uh diversity coordinator for putting those resources together. Um but want to make sure families know that those services are there. Uh and then on the website under counseling there's two specific spots with the
042call to action as well as with supporting children through trauma and grief where there's a tremendous amount of resources and hotlines for individuals and families as they may be navigating some very tough times uh now. And while it's a joyous moment for a lot of folks, um the the conversations that we end up having with the counseling offices and the administrative offices are often with families in need. So I just want to make sure we're calling out those resources and recognizing that they're they're there for our community. And then lastly, around this time when we also make uh snow closing or delay calls, I always get questions about like how do you think about the work or how do you think about the calls? Um, and I I really tried to think around the idea
043of would I want my kids driving? Um, would I want your children driving? Do I think it's safe to drive to work for our staff? And then you have to think through a litany of topics like how far are individuals coming? What's the snow totals look like? What's the deep freeze? Are we worried about the windswept roads? Was the bridge open? All those kind of things have to factor in. Uh, but we get on a call as a county collective of superintendent. Uh we all have different uh factors that we have to think about. There's more hills in Hillsboro, excuse me, in Hopewell and in Princeton than maybe out in East Windsor, but East Windsor has different factors that they don't have to think about. We've had to make calls for everything from not having
044enough salt. Right. Over the years, um the windb blown uh uh univventilator and coils, do we think we're going to be able right um or is it too deep of a freeze? Uh when's the sun coming up? will we get any melt to just hopefully get people in safely. So all those kind of little factors factor in and then we make it we make the best decision we have with the information we have and sometimes uh it's a great call and sometimes uh you get told there's 12 ines of snow coming and you get nothing. Um and that that happened one year. Um but um we we really do try to factor it always through the idea of safety for for students, staff, and our our parents and our community. Uh and we'll continue to
045always keep that at the forefront. Um along with that, we're still advocating strongly for laws to go into effect because we're not allowed to move to virtual. Like back in the pandemic, we were allowed to flip uh virtually. Uh now you're only allowed to flip after three consecutive days closed and on the fourth day with county superintendent approval, you can flip per storm. So if we had 2 feet of snow, we would have to be closed for three straight days. Then we could go virtual on the fourth day and then let's say a month later we had 18 inches of snow. We'd have to go three consecutive days closed and on the fourth day we could flip. Um so that's the current law. Uh we've been trying to say you know what kids deserve staff
046deserve a snow day. Build three in on the fourth snow day whatever that closure is you're allowed to move virtual. Just something logical. Um government's not always logical. So, so we're we're we're trying to still advocate um for that and there's a chance in lame duck we could see that move through. So, with all that, I'll we'll turn it back to happier notes. So, thank you everyone. Wishing you a healthy uh safe and happy uh holidays. >> Thank you. Thank you for the reminders and for that insight into uh the decision-making process. Uh so, I think we we all appreciate hearing hearing some of the thought that goes into it. And without further ado, I know we have some folks in the audience who are excited to be here for the first opportunity for public
047comments. The board invites thoughts and reactions on agenda items and items of concern 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 with board policy 0167. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. This public comment period shall be limited to 60 minutes. And we have our first uh public comment. >> Hi, my name is Maya Kamoth. I live at 14 Shatter Drive. As a parent in this community and on behalf of my family, I'm honored to speak tonight to thank Louisa Hoe for her service on the West Windsor Plainsboro Board of Education. Louisa, thank you for your years of dedicated service on the west on the board. Your
048dedication goes far beyond attending meetings and reviewing budgets. Since joining the board in 2013, your thoughtful leadership and commitment have strengthened our schools and shaped a bright future for our students. I've seen you personally inspire young minds through Girl Scouts and your passion of supporting girls in STEM. [snorts] You encourage them to explore their interests, dream without limits, and truly believe in themselves and the impact that they can make in the world. A quote that feels fitting is, "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." Louisa, you have shared your gifts, your leadership, your time, and your commitment with our schools and community. On behalf of parents, students, and community members, thank you for all you've done. Our schools and our children are better because
049of you, and we are all so grateful. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, I am not a public speaker. If you're wondering why I'm up here, the answer is simple. It's Louisa. I just want to say thank you, Louisa. What so many so many people may not fully realize is that the care and dedication you brought to this board didn't stop when the meeting ended. The same heart you gave here who's quietly shaped our community in countless other ways. You lead by example. You step in when something needs to be done and you somehow make people believe they can do more than they ever thought they could. I'm one of those people. not a good talker. Sorry. Because of you Girl Scouts. Um, and service became a part of my life and my daughter's life
050in a way we never expected. And I know we are just one small example among many. [cough] [clears throat] Thank you for showing up year after year with generosity, patience, and purpose. Your impact doesn't end tonight. It lives on in the people you've inspired and the community you've helped build. We are so grateful. Thank you, Louisa. >> Oh, thank you. Wait, wait, Denise, come back. You got to say your name and address. >> Oh, my name and address. Uh, Denise O'Brien, 31 Prospect Avenue, Plainsboro. >> Thanks. >> Okay. And and up next. >> Good evening, everyone. Can you hear me? Latoya Edwards, 249 Robertsville, Edinburgh Road. So today we are honored um to say goodbye to an extraordinary public servant. Someone who served this community for many years. Louisa gave so much of herself both
051both as a member of the board and the leader of the Girl Scout Council. I met Louisa when my daughter Ava was in first grade and I was looking for a way for her to become more involved in this community. Troop was formed with a wonderful and diverse group of girls and Louisa was their leader. She taught them invaluable life skills, communication, collaboration, leadership, sales, and strong interpersonal skills. The list truly goes on and on. Louisa constantly encouraged the girls to succeed and go further than they thought possible. On a personal note, Louisa has a special talent of convincing folks to step up even when they don't want to. She somehow recruited me as the troop nurse responsible for making sure the girls stayed safe and healthy on all trips, a role I took very
052seriously and she knew it. In Louisa introduced me to parts of New Jersey that I did not know existed. And because of Louisa, I have slept in tents cabins and yurts. But that yurt trip was tough. Remember, I ended up sleeping in my car. I was like, "This is too much for a girl from the Bronx." Okay, Louisa, thank you for everything you have done for West Windsor, for its students, for the Girl Scouts, and for my daughter personally. I am deeply grateful, and we honor you're here tonight. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. Think we have more. >> Don't forget your name and address. >> Oh, thank you. Hi, I'm Jane Campbell. I'm at um Franklin Drive in Plansboro and uh on behalf of myself and many other people We present this basket to you,
053Louisa. [applause] Oh yeah, I got it. One, two, three. Beautiful. [applause] Thank you for indulging. Uh, any more public comments? I don't want to change the flow, but thank you, Louisa. I'm Laura Kellogg Abraham and I I'm at 23 Lapi Lane um in West Windsor. Um I just wanted to bring to the board's attention something that has been a situation since I went to the school, which was back in the dark ages. Um since I was like the last school, the last class to enter seventh grade at the high school. So, that's how long this has been a problem in this town. Um, I'm a walker and now my kids are a walkers um to the high school south and especially now with the snow, but it was a problem before. The it's there's not
054a safe passageway for most of our walkers, especially during fall and winter. there. The leaf collection is being piled in the bike lanes to the point where the kids have to veer into Pen Lile and like on Harris Street which are already um Harris is already narrow but um Pen Lile is the only 40 mile limit road at remaining now in uh West Windsor. Like even Clarksville is down to 35 miles an hour. Um there's been near misses like that I have witnessed. I've had a stop like traffic to let kids cross. um if there's something that the school board could do because we've reached out to the town and we're kind of getting nowhere and I think as a district we should address this but now with the ice it's a homeowner's responsibility to
055make a clear passageway and they're not like 2/3 of penile is not shoveled um and so we already have so much traffic on the roads because of the bridge closures closures and everything now we're going to have more traffic because parents have to drive their children to school and If anyone has driven to High School South, um, which I'm sure most of us have, and you're stuck there forever and like then your kids are tardy and late and you've left 45 minutes before school. So, I'm just asking, is there something we can do as a community within our district to address safe passageway for the kids to get to school? I don't know what that is. I'll be happy to help with whoever. Um, but I've reached out to the town and asked and they're
056told, "Well, where else are the own, you know, homeowners supposed to pile the leaves or, you know, they're not plowing enough to leave the bike lane open." And I mean, I lived in Massachusetts where we were all walkers and you, we actually, you know, the town, you got a $50 fine if you didn't clear your passage within 4 hours of a storm. Um, or if you pile leaves or debris or garbage like and then they would multiply it if it was town houses by how many units. So, it didn't matter if one person didn't do it. Um, so the town can make money based on this very easily if they like just something to enforce clear passageways. Um, especially if you're going to require them to be walkers or we need transportation which then would
057raise the budget. So, we don't want that. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you again, Louisa, for all your hard work. >> Thank you. Any other uh anyone else for public comment for this first period? No. [snorts] Seeing none, I will close this comment period and uh move on to board of education committee reports. So, I'll ask Dana for our administration and facilities committee report. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Um just a couple words. I just wanted to thank Louisa. I remember various things. Um we actually met when our sons who were um definitely adults um [laughter] when they were in first grade. Um we our kids were in the same class and then I got to know Louisa through different committees and through um obviously be on the board with her
058the entire time she's been on. And I remember walking these holes with you in the middle of the night when we were doing negotiations um among the many other walks and talks we've had. So, we're really going to miss your voice on our board, but thank you. Um, and I also want to just tell you that finance committee used to be the committee you wanted to be on when I first started. Dave, can you you remember that it was ANF no one wanted to be on? So, um, and I'm also glad to know that, um, people used to complain to me about snow days, like, how could you have made that decision? and I'm like, it's not our divi decision. So, I'm glad that you clarified that. Um, so, um, [snorts] the, um, administration facilities
059committee met on Tuesday, December 9th. The committee reviewed policy 2535, um, which is library materials, and its accompanying regulation, which is uh, 2535 as well, and recommended them for a second reading and approval at uh, tonight's meeting. In addition, the committee reviewed the uh 2530 resource materials policy and regulation and recommended abolishing both of these at tonight's meeting per the guidance from um Strauss May. The committee also got an update on the winter athletic seasons. Both High School North and High School South are excited that their um winter seasons have begun. North has a new scoreboard in the pool area and both High School South has celebrated or will be celebrating their high their high school athletes who will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The committee started the um calendar review
060for the uh 2728 school calendar. We looked at a few drafts that have been provided by the um staff here. No decisions have been made at this time and we will continue to discuss the calendar and the staff will share it with the stakeholders various stakeholders over the next two months. Um the committee reviewed the attendance and absenteeism presentation that we had seen in um that we had discussed in our November meeting and um the committee is recommending a resolution to accept the action plan to improve attendance at all schools. Um the committee will next meet on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. Okay, thanks. >> Thanks, Dana. Uh any questions from the board for administration and facilities? >> Okay, I'll turn over to Ly for our curriculum uh committee. >> Thank you, Grayen. Uh the curriculum
061committee met on December 9th. We began with a uh presentation by Karen Soalookski, a teacher at High School South, who shared her doctoral research project titled Beyond the Cap and Gown Exploring Workforce Readiness in a High Achieving Suburban High School. Uh then Dr. Gold and the committee discussed a few updates to the program of studies which will be voted on this evening. And yes, on the agenda to vote on this evening, first off is high school program of studies. The committee does recommend approval of the 2026 2027 high school program of studies. Um so yes, that's on the agenda tonight. Next, uh the curriculum committee also recommends approval of the uh community education 2026 spring day off camps and after school enrichment programs listed on tonight's agenda. And finally, field trips. Um let's begin with
062high school south. The committee a um recommends approval for a model UN to Philadelphia January 22nd through jo January 25th of um 2026. Cost of the trip is approximately $500 per student. Model UN to Washington DC February 12th through the 15th. Cost of that trip is about uh 600 per student. Debate and speech club to the uh 2026 Harvard Invitational uh from February 13th through the 16th of next year. The cost of that trip is approximately $600 per student. Future Business Leaders of America to Atlantic City from March 9th through March 11th. Uh the cost of that trip is approximately 550 per student. And now High School North model Congress to Columbia University from February 5th through the 9th. Uh the cost of that trip is approximately 500 per student and um the model UN
063trip to DC which I mentioned for high school south. Same for North the 5ifth the 12th to the 15th of February. Approximately $600 per student. The committee will next meet um on Tuesday, January 20th. And um this will be the last time we hear Louisa's report for finance. So I'm going to miss you, Louisa. I think we all are going to miss you. And I'm so glad we had a chance to shine a light on you because I know you hate lights sometimes, but you do so much for everyone and our community. So, I'm so glad we get to spoil you with the with things and words cuz you are so loved. Um, so I'm looking anxiously waiting for your report and we and I just want to clarify we all think that the finance
064committee is cool. [laughter] It's awesome. Thank you, Lloyd. Any questions for curriculum before we move on to our last committee report on from Louisa on finance? >> Not the last report ever. Finance will continue. All right. The committee met on December 9th. Um, we reviewed agenda items for tonight's meeting. The committee reviewed the monthly financial reports and the items scheduled for approval. This included submission of an other capital project to the Department of Ed for the High School North Auditorium seating and flooring replacement. Authorization of a cooperative purchase for cafeteria equipment removal and electrical upgrades at North. Acknowledgement of year two of our copy or lease contract. Student activity software agreement. cancellation of of three Hawk preschool routes due to them not being needed, quotes for transportation routes and professional development for a district coach.
065Administration shared that although solar renewal energy credits are typically sold in December, the sale will be postponed until January this year. Regarding the budget, administration provided an update on the budget calendar and informed the members that the budget software has been enabled for all budget managers as of November 17th. Budget meetings have been ongoing and preparations for the upcoming budget retreat are underway for EIP 2. Administration shared that there has been a change in the power purchase agreement rate of 1/10enth of a percent onetenth of a cent per kilowatt hour. This adjustment is due to an increase in the cost of real-time metering equipment and the addition of closed box beams for the carport structures. For cafeteria administration shared updated data from the food services department for November, there were 3,728 breakfasts and 35,037 lunches
066served across 15 serving days, which is the same number of days as the previous um year's November. This represents an increase of 131 breakfasts and 1513 lunches over the prior year. for transportation administrator updated the committee about a potential grant opportunity for electric buses. Uh reorganization meeting review. The administration reviewed the structure for the reorg meeting in January. Regarding the audit, administration reported that the audit will pres be presented to the finance committee at the January meeting and then presented to the full board at the January board meeting. There was no other business. The committee will next meet on Tuesday, January 20th. Thank you, Louisa. Uh, any questions for finance? >> No. >> Okay. So, now that takes us to the voting portion of our meeting and can I get a motion for administration items
067numbers 1 through five plus the purple addendum? Uh, Dana and Liz, any questions or comments? Okay. Ready for roll call. Okay. Um, Miss Krug, >> yes. Miss George, >> yes. Miss Hoe, >> yes. >> Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> Miss Bonsil, >> yes. >> And Miss McCuin, >> yes. Can I get a motion for curriculum and instruction items numbers 1 through three? Uh, Ly and Puja. Any questions or comments? >> Okay. Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Miss Bonsil, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. Miss George Janera, >> yes. >> Miss Ho, >> yes. >> Miss Krug, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> And Miss Mcuan, >> yes. Uh, can I get a motion for finance items numbers 1 through 20 plus the
068blue addendum? Uh, Louisa and Ajanta. Any questions or comments? >> Okay. Miss Hoe, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss George Chanera, >> yes. Miss Krug, >> yes, but I abstain on C1. >> Okay. Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> Miss Fonsel, >> yes. And Miss Mchuan, >> yes. Can I get a motion for personnel item number one plus the green and yellow agenda? Uh, Schwatha and Liz, any questions or comments? Okay. Miss Shetty, >> yes. >> Miss George Chanera, >> yes. >> And I think this is going to be the last time I say this. Miss Hoe, >> yes. >> Miss Krug, >> yes. >> Miss Maliga, >> yes. >> Miss Shaw, >> yes. >> Miss Bonsel, >> yes. >> And Miss Mchuan, >> yes. Can I get
069a motion to approve board of education minutes from our November 18th m uh meeting? Uh Ly and Ajanta. Uh all in favor say I. >> I. Any abstensions? >> Yes, I abstain. >> All right. Um, do we have any board leazison reports? Go ahead, Liz. Um, so as the le liaison for different community organizations, I do want to say to Louisa, thank you for all the many ways that you have contributed to the community. We've heard so much today about your involvement with Girl Scouts that so many of us are very familiar with, but I do need to also note that you have also been an advocate for boys as well. Um and I say that from the personal experience of a that you are a mother of a son as well and uh I
070have many recollections of times when you have ensured that our programming at the Girl Scouts level was open to all so that our mothers who are troop leaders can bring their children in regardless. So you have always had that mindset of being open and fair and inclusive to all. And that is something so unique about you, Louisa, especially uh knowing all the many many many many countless hours of conversations that we've had on many many many different topics. So um I just want to make sure that for the record that I do state here that you [laughter] have been a very strong advocate for children in general. So thank you. >> Thank you Liz was very nice. Do we have any other board leaison reports andor final thoughts? have one. Nope. Okay. Any new business?
071Nope. Uh, that brings us to our second opportunity for public comments. The board invites comments from members of our community who are still 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 15 minutes. Do we have any takers? Seeing none, uh I will close this opportunity for a public comment and move to adjourn. Um so a motion to adjourn. Uh Loy and Dana. Uh all those in favor say I. I. >> I. Thank you. And uh have a safe trip home. [bell] [music]