001[Music] Hi, good evening everyone. Welcome to tonight's board meeting. We called our meeting to order earlier in our closed executive session. So, we are be ready to begin our public portion of our meeting. And as this is the last meeting before spring break, um I hope everyone's excited to uh renew uh refresh and re-energize because we have the rest of the school year and the rest of the um calendar year as well to uh to finish up. So um I'm going to turn it over now to Dr. Adhold to see if he has any comments. Uh thank you very much. Uh good evening everyone. I I just wanted to uh send a special thanks to Send Hungry Packing, a local organization, our school community that raises um funds for uh students and families in need
002with food insecurity. Uh specifically, they reached out to the district um about about 2 3 weeks ago with an opportunity to partner with uh a local company, Jersey Mike, with a fundraiser and had to coordinate um up to a thousand coupons for students, faculty, whatnot. and um they did a tremendous job working collectively together and raised just under $4,000 um through that fundraiser. Um so it was a tremendous collective effort um from building association leaders uh through Pemma Nadong at at the central office as well as working with our principles and and administration. So, a real team effort all around to take advantage of a fundraising opportunity to raise money for our local, but doesn't happen without uh the work of Senator Hunger Packing and her partnership with uh Tony Kallik and Pemma Dandong. So,
003thank you to all of them. Great. Thank you. And now I'd like to turn it over to our students for their report. Uh from High School South, we have Rachel Joseph and Anna Chen. And from High School North, we have Ana Slal and uh Johnson Lynn. So, take it away, kids. Hello. Uh, thank you for having us. So, to start us off, I would like to talk about spring sports. Our athletic teams are well underway into the start of their season with our baseball, boys lacrosse, and boys tennis team getting off to particularly hot starts. Uh, we would like to highlight our boys tennis team that just won first place at the Brian Bennett tournament this past weekend to supplement their 6 start of the season. On to individual accolades. One of our seniors, Shilley
004Holden, was named as South's NJSIAA Woman and Girls in Sports Honore. So, we would like to extend a congratulations to her. And South was also very honored to host the CBC unsung hero banquet where athletes across Mercer County were recognized for their leadership, sportsmanship, and talent. Senior Julia Kazakowski was nominated as South's unsung hero. As the season continues, we wish all of our teams the best of luck and look forward to seeing them succeed. This past Friday, South hosted their junior prom at the Camden Aquarium. I didn't get to go myself, but from the many Instagram pictures I saw, it seemed to be a hit. Students got to enjoy a nice dinner and dance floor among sea life exhibits, and I heard that some students even got to touch stingrays, which is very cool. Regarding
005our music department, South recently hosted the CMEA Concert Band Festival where bands from across the region came to perform. South's wind ensemble did very well placing highly at the end of the day. And South's nonet and wind ensemble also had very great performances recently. Lastly, our south choir also had a music festival where they got to perform for younger students across the district. Next, I would like to hand it off to Anna. Thank you, Rachel. Now, I would like to highlight one of our own guidance counselors, Miss Walsh, who won Mercer County Counselor of the Year award. Not only is Miss Walsh a dedicated counselor, but she's also a class of 2025 adviser, as well as the South's girls golf coach. Her efforts and involvement at South definitely do not go unnoticed. For the most
006part, South students are eagerly waiting for spring break to start. When we come back from break, student council will be holding their spirit uh spring spirit week along with their final pep rally of the year. Many of our art programs will be hosting performance per performances to look forward to this spring. This Thursday, our jazz band will have their spring concert. And later this month, one of our cultural clubs, SASA, will be holding their annual show, which will be filled with lots of cultural dances and food. For spring performing arts club, Pirate Player, um they look forward to performing their play called I Heard It Through the Beantoalk to our elementary schools in our district. Likewise, another spring performing arts club called One Act will be performing Almost Main. Not only are South students busy
007with extracurricular extracurricular activities, um as the AP season approaches and the third marking period closes out, students are preparing for the exams and managing their academics. And with that, we will now hand it off to North. Thank you. to start off strong. The club applications have finally opened and all underclassmen who have an interesting idea that they want to materialize can submit applications through the student council website. Keeping up with clubs, last week NHS had their read across America event where North students went over to Mellowstone to read some books to other students. Um, continuing on, student council hosted their Tonight Show event where they were able to raise a good good amount of money to donate to Ava's voice, the New Jersey Association of Student Council's state charity this year. And despite some technical
008difficulties, the show was a success and a lot of fun. Additionally, SASA was held this Saturday and the show sold out before doors even opened and proceeds were sent to SAFC, a nonprofit dedicated to me to providing mental health resources to AsianAmerican youth. The show consisted of various specialty dances consisting of classical, Ross, South Indian, hiphop, hungra, and others which are always a fun watch. Now passing it over to Johnson. Whoops. Thank you. And to continue off, North's annual belonging matters day took place last month where kids got to enjoy a variety of fun and entertaining activities while learning why they are important and belong in the community. A lot of clubs such as cultural clubs were able to hold their own workshops and sessions from topics ranging from character development and education to immigration
009culture. And something else that makes culture possible here is that we held our annual art show where the annual West Windsor Plains Art Show had their reception tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. where I went saw a lot of great pieces much more talented than me and the art show had a pieces ranging from a lot of students from high school North specifically from our photography ceramics and also our foundation classes. In addition, North Small Congress confended a conference at the University of Pennsylvania where they won best delegate again and many other awards. Congratulations to all our participants. And then afterwards, the very next week, they went to Ruckers MC to compete in a completely new conference where they had lots of fun and also won awards. In addition, moving on to sports, our spring
010sports are in full in full swing with many teams doing a great job in their season. One team, the North Volleyball varsity, has started with a 4-2 record with impressive wins at the start of the season. We wish them luck continuing into the rest of the season. Furthermore, PTSA will be hosting a spring into summer event for all of our seniors where they will be providing food next week outside after spring break while we go out for lunch. Finally, on the topic of seniors, prom tickets are now in sale for the rest of the week where seniors can buy their tickets for prom, which will be in June. Thank you. Awesome. Thank you. A lot of lot of fun stuff for juniors and seniors. And I was at that art show and yeah, a lot
011of lot of amazing talent there. So, that's great. And it's nice to see that it's evident that your theme of belonging uh matters uh goes beyond that day because you were just talking about all of the uh events and shows that goes on between like the high school students down to the elementary school students. So, it's really nice to to hear about all this. Thank you guys so much for your updates. Thank you. Okay. Next, I'm going to invite Dr. Christopher Russo to take us through the public hearing on the refunding bond ordinance of the West Windsor Plainsbor Regional School District. [Music] Okay, it's going to be an exciting report. All right, so we have before you have uh several pages of motions and resolution to approve essentially a bond uh refunding for uh an
012energy savings improvement project that's been previously approved and moving forward. Uh this is for the construction uh of the project. Bonds will be yeah sold to fund it and then the savings will pay for it. They there will be no tax increase. I'm going to start with that. The savings from the energy lines makes the payment against uh uh the bond debt. So we'll start with so we're funding refunding bonds are sold by the district to finance the energy conservation measures ECMS. They're the individual projects like HVAC units or uh uh um uh new boilers etc that are much more energy efficient. So the financing in this resolution is up to 20 years and I'll explain why we can go to 20 years instead of the typical 15-year in this uh in this offering. So
013there'll be zero tax impact no in no tax impact. The money for this uh the payment the refunding of these for the payment of the refunding bonds uh comes through the savings of the uh uh uh in the in the budget uh the energy lines and that's due to reduced energy consumption from the energy conservation measures and the new solar arrays included in the power purchase agreements which again that project's already been approved to move forward. The principal amount of the bonds will not exceed $8.6 million there. Uh and it's written that way because the writing of the bond will actually of the bonds will occur over the next several months. The bonds won't be sold until June. So as the market moves and what seems to be more marketable, uh the documents will be
014written to make it most marketable for the district to sell. There's $1.89 million in incentives and rebates of which 1. 1.03 03 million is from uh Schneider Electric, our energy our ESCO, our energy uh uh conservation company. Uh their tax credits from 179D forms uh which were based on the first energy savings improvement project. So there's a million dollars in savings that the district could not receive in tax incentives. However, the company that created our first EIP, Schneider Electric, was able to receive, they're offering a million dollars of that back to the district. The there's $750,000 of uh that 1.8 million is from additional New Jersey payforplay performance rebates from the first EIP. What that means is the first EIP outperformed what it how it was what it was intended to perform. uh where our
015third rebate was to be a million dollars, that rebate is now 1.75 million. So we're moving $750,000 to offset the cost of uh of the of EIP 2. So $1.78 million of the $1.89 million is uh generated by rebates that are already due to the district. Um, I think that's important because obviously there's concern with any rebates or any energy savings uh paper going forward that we should, you know, this is based on a prior project and uh, you know, which the district's entitled to at this time. Eip 2, what are the projects? And these are the projects that have been approved and the the programs moving forward. The Mars Hawk Ele Elementary School HVAC replacement, this is for the entire building except for the new wing. Uh there are a couple of units, literally
016two units in the building that were also upgraded when the the one wing was upgraded was built. Uh the new wing, those two new units and the new equipment will all be integrated. So into the building automation system, the BAS. Grover Middle School has four rooftop units over the gym that will be uh replaced. The Village Elementary School has two boilers that will be replaced. districtwide. There'll be ventilation optimization due to bipolar air ionizers and uh there's also building envelope and weatherization measures. What that means is uh leaky windows will be cked up. Uh you know they'll be um weather stripping put in places. Typically sophets have gaps in them and such. They'll be cockked up andor uh uh weatherized. And then finally, the high school north will have a micro combined heat and power
017unit to replace the current heating unit in it. And what that does is the heat generated from the heating system uh essentially we'll say goes to a radiator per se and the water goes down into the heating system for the pool and will heat the pool. Not the same water. It'll heat it'll help heat the heating system that heats the pool. So the energy is used two ways. you're actually generating energy. So, uh um and that allows you to go from 15 years to 20 years on the on the loan or essentially on the bonds. Again, this is just a quick recap uh because obviously we all um you know have heard what's going on in the markets recently. But before that, we'll say an EIP may be funded through a lease. EIP 1 was
018fun literally funded through a lease. We took a lease purchase for 15 years and moved forward with it. the market is now more favorable to sell bonds. So that's what this the motions before you are for. Um from our finance uh our financial adviserss, there's a strong demand for high-grade municipal tax exempt issuance. So recent sales have been received well by the bond market and then the bonds the bond uh sale will actually call occur late in June. So realize the documents as they're written up will reflect what makes it more um marketable for the district. What I mean by that is the notice the motion says up to 20 years. Uh the the details are not filled in on that motion because they will be filled in on the final documents that makes it
019more marketable for the district and uh uh as we move forward. And then another quote, bonds are most cost effective in the current current interest rate environment. recent lease rates have been in the mid 4% range compared to bonds that are in the uh mid 3% range over the term of the loan of the 20 years. That's approximately a million dollars in savings on interest. So uh that's why we chose to go with um uh with the bonds. So that is my presentation uh for this evening and I guess are there any questions at this time? Yes. Go ahead Dana. Thank you. Um, thank you Chris for the presentation and thank you for all the details that you provided. Um, so I have two questions. One is, um, is any of this, um, bonding subject
020to any f federal rules or regulations that could change? Oh, I see what you're saying. You're meaning could the environment change in which we're selling these and therefore cause uh, something not to continue would be a translation. Could be. Um well with respect to the lang the question I took it as with respect to the language of the sale of the bonds I mean that part I don't know um with respect to incentives and and that sort of uh question if that was part of it. Um, that's why I mentioned the majority of incentives are current based on the previous project and the rest is $114,000 and that's from PS&G and JCPNL. So, uh, my bet is they're secure. Okay. Yep. Thank you. And then my next question is about um can you remind us
021how many um facilities that you anticipate how many of our district facilities do you anticipate will be energy neutral? Sure. When this is done there should be uh approximately five and I say approximately it'll be four or five depending on the final project as it's presented as it's created. Um I'll if I'll go a step further. It's kind of disappointing because um we couldn't get approval for our JCPNL schools which are Village and Grover in which we could have taken them they could have made them energy independent and the town center roof which uh PSEG won't approve a project for that which could make that building uh uh 100% electric uh efficient or I hate to say off the grid but we would be generating 100% of our uh electric electricity needs and that would
022take us up to seven or eight schools. Uh, however, we lost those. We can't do it because not saying we won't cuz that in my mind that'll be EIP 3. Um, but, uh, with EIP 2, we should be up to five schools hopefully. And, and just to add on that, the um, the projects get approved by the grid has to have capacity in order to do these energy savings projects. So, when Dr. Russo talks about not being approved. JCPNL is at capacity. So that's why those two schools had to come off. So that would have saved additional savings on our energy bills, which would have allowed us to do additional bonding for additional projects. Same thing with Town Centers. The grid was at capacity. So if the roof had been completed, we could have chosen
023Town Cent's roof instead of other areas that we're selecting, but the roof is not in a at a status due to the rod grant. So, it's really about grid capacity, not our capacity. Okay, um could you just remind everybody we I mean the ESIP in 2 includes installing a number of solar installations? Could you just refresh everybody's memory on where we're putting new solar? Sure. So, new solar, it's um high school North, Milstone River, uh the the the the community school, uh high school south, and Mars Hawk School, and they are carports over various parking lots is uh what's going to go up. Thanks. Anybody else have questions? All right. Well, thank you so much for breaking all that down for us. Thank you. That takes us to um an opportunity for public comments on
024the refunding bond ordinance. The board invites thoughts and reactions on the refunding bond ordinance 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 3 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. Anybody have any comments for this? Nope. Okay. Seeing none, I will move to close this um opportunity for a public comment. And um um I would like to get a motion to adjourn this public hearing on the refunding bond ordinance. Um Ajanta and Louie. Um all in favor say I. I I Okay. Um and so then now I'd like to get a motion uh to
025approve the refunding bond ordinance. Uh Louisa and Robin. Any any other questions or comments before we vote? Nope. Okay. Okay. We'll start with Miss Hoe. Yes. Miss Zovich. Yes. Miss Fruit. Yes. Miss Chinier. Yes. Miss Maliga. Yes. Miss Sha. Yes. Miss Shetty, yes. Miss Bonsel, yes. Miss Mcuan, yes. Um, and that takes us then to uh the first opportunity for public comments. 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. Um any public comments? No.
026Okay. Seeing none, I will close this first opportunity for public comments. And um since our committees have not met since the last board meeting, uh we don't have any committee reports this evening. So we can move on to the voting voting portion of our meeting. Can I get a motion for administration items numbers 1 through 7? Uh Dana and Liz, any questions or comments? Okay. Okay. We'll start with Miss Krugs. Yes. M excuse me. Miss Jenner, yes. Miss Maliga, yes. Miss Shetty, yes. Miss Ho, yes. Miss Sha, yes. Miss Zovich, yes. Miss Bonsel, yes. Miss Mcuan, yes. Uh there are no items for curriculum and instruction this evening. So can I get a motion for finance items numbers 1 through 12? Uh Louisa and Ajanta. Any questions or comments? Okay, we'll start with Miss Hoe.
027Yes. Miss Sha, yes. Miss Oich, yes. Miss Chennera, yes. Miss Krug, yes. Miss Malika, yes. Miss Shetty, yes. Miss Bonsel, yes. Miss Mcuan, yes. And now, can I get a motion for personnel items numbers one through two? Uh, Dana and Puja. Any questions or comments? Oh, plus the personnel addendum number one, the green addendum. Thank you for the reminder, Robin. Um, Dana and Pua. Okay, we'll start with Miss Krug. Yes. Miss Bonsel. Yes. Miss Chenniera. Yes, Miss Hoe. Yes, Miss Maliga. Yes, Miss Sha. Yes, Miss Shetty. Yes, Miss Zovich. Yes, Miss Mchuan. Yes. And before we move on, I would like to recognize uh three retirements we just voted to approve. Barbara Whitmer um is our Milstone River music teacher who has been with the districts for 32 and a half years. Donna Matthews, our
028central office secretary who has been at WWP for 21 years. and Christine Capassie who is our director of data assessment and accountability. Uh though I don't believe that's her that's been her only role in this district in the last uh 17 years and we just want to congratulate you on your retirements. We wish you the best of luck and um we are grateful for your many years of service to WWP. Now moving on, can I get a motion to approve the board of education minutes from March 13th and March 18th? Uh, Schweta and Liz. All in favor say I. I. I. Uh, do we have any board liaison reports? Liz. Um, I actually just uh wanted to supplement what Dr. Adhold had mentioned about the said hunger packing. um uh the work that was done
029just very recently. It was a very nicely worded letter and I just wanted to draw um make a couple of comments and read from the letter for just a quick moment because it was very important. Um a special thanks to the West Windsor Place Regional Schools for rallying the teachers and staff to get involved. It takes a village to create such a meaningful event and you all have made a difference. Your dedication, organizational skills, enthusiasm, and generosity have not gone unnoticed. The letter really did highlight the importance of collaboration across different entities, whether it's a small business, nonprofit organization, the school community, the local community, and just responding to a call to action. So, we just very much appreciate everyone's involvement. Thanks for sharing that, Liz. That was very heartwarming. Um, do we have any
030other leazison on reports? No. Any new business? Nope. So then that brings us to our second opportunity for public comments. Uh, the board invites comments 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 15 minutes. Any takers? Seeing none, I will Yes, you may, Dr. Adder Hold. All right. So, I I did want to just note one um accomplishment for one of our staff members here at central office. Um it's not one that we've had before and I figure it's just worthy of just recognizing Ivy Harrington, our district social
031media manager. On Sunday night, she was crowned Miss New Jersey. Um, so, so, so as Ivy prepares for MissUSA uh, competition in September, um, she is, uh, you might not know she was a D1 athlete at Morgan State. Um, and her platform is about female athlete empowerment, becoming the architect of your own identity outside of your jersey. Um, so Ivy's been a coach for us and she's been a contributor in our our district and we just want to say congratulations to Ivy and wish her best in the the upcoming competitions, pageantss, whatever it's called. So, thank you. Thank you for that. Wow. Such rock stars across this whole community. This is amazing. Um, and with that, um, can I get a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? Louisa and Robin. Uh, all those in favor say
032I. I thank you. Good night. [Music]