Bridgewater BOE Meeting 6/16/2026

001All right, good evening everybody. Um we are back from closed session. Uh we are up to item three, which is the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand and uh if you can and join me in the pledge to the flag. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good evening, Dr. Jones. Good evening, Dr. Fonder. Dr. Fonder, I should have asked, are we good to go? >> Yes. >> Awesome, thank you. >> I would have called out too. >> Thanks. >> [laughter] >> All right, we are up to item six, which is the president's report. I have very little tonight. Just as we come to the end of a school year in about I

002think three three days from now. I just want to congratulate all of the students who are graduating, who are moving up to a new school. That's a lot of students this year and thank everyone in our district who made this a really wonderful 2025-2026 school year. For anyone who may be leaving the district, whether a retiring staff member or a student is moving or moving on, we thank everyone for their contributions this year and for being part of our community here at Bridgewater-Raritan. That's all I have to have have for tonight and look forward to hopefully seeing a lot of people at the graduation on Thursday and the 8th grade promotion on Wednesday. All right, we are up to item seven, the superintendent's report. Dr. Founder, Dr. Jones, anything this evening from the administration? >>

003No. >> All right. With that, we are moving straight ahead to committee reports. We have the academic committee with Mr. Joshi. >> The committee met on June 8th at 5:15 virtually. In attendance were myself, Mr. Asuna, Mr. Walker, Mr. Peppy, Dr. Jones, and Mr. Beers. The committee reviewed several policies. This is a policy heavy meeting and the relevant Strauss Esme alerts. Policy R2460 .30 additional compensatory special education and related services will be abolished as it was a COVID intervention and it is no longer relevant. Regulations R2200 and 2411 will also be abolished as required um, are now included in revised policies. All policy revisions, uh, and new policy recommendations were supported by the committee. Uh, the discussed policies were as followed. Uh, 2200, which is curriculum, mandatory, and revised. Uh, regulation 2200, curriculum content, which

004is abolished. Uh, 2260, equity in school and classroom practices, which was revised. It's a mandatory policy. 2411, career education and academic counseling, which is revised and also, uh, mandatory. Uh, regulation 2411, guidance counseling, which which was abolished. Regulation 2460.30, additional compensatory special education and related services, mandatory, which is abolished as mentioned before. 2530, resource materials, which was revised. 2535, library materials, which is a new policy, mandatory. Regulation 2535, 2535, laboratory library materials, which is new, also mandatory. Uh, 5460 and regulation 2460.30, additional compensatory special education and related services, uh, which is high school graduation, which was revised, mandatory policy. Uh, finally, 5461, high school diplomas, which is a new policy and mandatory. Um, item two were, um, other discussions. The final recommendation and pilot feedback for the Spanish one textbook were shared. Savvas, as mentioned

005in the last meeting, um, Auténtico was selected. And we adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Our next meeting is on July 13th. >> Mr. Jeffries, would you like to to take any questions at this time? I know a lot of policy will be on the >> yeah, let's wait until the policy portion of >> Okay. If there's questions on anything other than that, would you like to take questions on that or >> Sure. >> All right, any questions other than the policy which will be acted on later? Mr. Leak? >> This is about the meeting. So, you adjourned at 6:00 p.m., correct? >> Yeah. >> And you started the meeting at 5:15. >> was it was We ended at >> No, it was later than that. It was not 6:00. It says 6:00 here. >> It says

0066:00. >> Then it's wrong. It was a 55-minute meeting. We started at >> 5:15 and we ended at Yeah, it was 55 minutes cuz I remember made the little gesture. >> We dove kind of right into the to to the policy. >> Yeah. >> And you guys obviously focused a lot on policy. There were about 11 different policies here. Give or take, how much time did you guys spend per policy actually going through this and talking about these changes? >> I I was in that meeting, we took the time that we needed, and the recommendations from the committee, I think, reflect that. >> It's about 5 minutes per policy. >> about the substance of Again, we're not holding We're not going to talk about the substance of the policies. Do you have any questions about

007the substance of the meeting, not the logistics? I am. I'm curious during those 55 minutes discussing 11 policy changes, what's the reasoning or what did you discuss and how did you go about approaching the discussion of these different policies? >> before, >> hold on. I'll I'll give a an answer. Um, some of these things, um, believe it or not, we review ahead of time. So, we do review it. Couple of these were abolished. We didn't need to review it. It was COVID related. So, there is no point in going through something that doesn't affect us anymore. So, two or three of them were irrelevant to discuss. What is there to discuss because it was particularly for COVID reasons. So, we moved on to the ones that were relevant. That's it. Doesn't need to be, believe

008it or not, it doesn't have to be 3-hour long discussions when you do your homework. >> So, which ones did you guys discuss? >> Mr. We'll discuss that during policy >> Mr. Joshi, do you do you mind if I hold off? Mr. Singer had a comment about the Academic Committee report. >> So, to your point of doing homework, I read these policies which were extensive, but my understanding is that almost to a word, they're all statutory changes, correct? Like, they're all only being made because the law changed and Straus has made word for word incorporated the legal changes. Is that right? >> Accurate. >> Yes. Well, it's actually law changes. It aligned correctly to standards and then other thing that's kind of you can see it integrated throughout the policies were the Q Sac indicators.

009So, sometimes, you know, um they're required like to me, we talked about this at the committee, a lot of the changes are things that we are already doing cuz we're required to do them through Q Sac. It's just that they finally captured them all in revised policies to make sure that people are compliant. So, So, yes, and the policies are different. So, some require more conversation and some require less conversation. >> Hm. The point is >> Mr. You haven't been recognized yet, Mr. Lee. >> Are you going to recognize me? >> I I think we've exhausted that topic. Are there any other uh is there any other questions for Mr. Joshi on the Academic Committee report? >> Can I ask my Can I Can I make a remark? >> on. >> Wait. Point of order.

010Point of order. No. Point of order. I have a point of order. No, I have a point of order. My My point of order is that the chair does not have the authority to end the discussion without a vote of the board. I appeal the decision of the chair. I have I appeal the decision of the chair to overrule my point of order. >> The FFT committee met on June 10th at 5:30 p.m. In attendance was myself, Mr. Maloney, Mr. Pepe, Mr. Lumsky, and Mr. Beers. Up first was the business agenda review for tonight's meeting. The business administrator reviewed the draft business action items for the June 10th meeting, highlighting the end of year resolutions for capital for capital and maintenance reserve transfers, special ed bus routes, transfer of cafeteria funds into the general fund,

011and several professional service awards for the 2016-2017 school year. The consensus of the committee was to approve the action items. We then reviewed the 6400 series of policy. We discussed that review with clarifying questions regarding certain budget transfers and what required what the commissioner versus what required the commissioner versus county approval and voting requirements of the budget transfers. The consensus was to continue with the policy review of the 65 through 6800 series at the next meeting. Other matters, the committee discussed the status of the Commons Way softball fields. A draft agreement was shared with the board attorney and the district is awaiting confirmation of an easement from the property owner before moving forward. It was also discussed that campaign signs were found on Adamsville property during the June primaries. Additional effort will be made by

012district staff to report and remove any signs on district property. Next up for discussion were the recent plan review fees being assessed by the Borough of Raritan for constructing project for construction projects at JFK. Follow up with the bureau will be done if the fees are not waived in the near future. Finally, the committee discussed the pros and cons of moving to an April election. The business administrator shared the additional work and costs that would result from holding April elections. There were no recommendations at this time and we adjourned at 6:30 p.m. with our next meeting date to be determined. >> Singer, I'll ask the same question again. >> Yes, that's fine. >> Would you like to take questions or comments? >> Sure. >> Okay, any questions or comments on the FFT report for Mr.

013Singer? >> I have a question. >> Mr. Lee, I can see that. Go ahead. >> Well, I was just curious, in your review, did you talk about any potential changes or was this sort of a read through the different policies? >> So, you're asking about our policy review? >> The policy review, yeah. What did you guys discuss? >> We discussed the 6400 series policies. We discussed what they mean and and our understanding of them. As you may or may not recall, the there is a board goal of reviewing policy and it's not necessary to make change so much as to ensure our understanding of them and to make sure that they're up-to-date. The committee had no changes to the policy. >> Did you talk about any potential changes? >> I just answered your question. >>

014I'm assuming not. All right. >> Well, I I think that if there were potential changes, then we would have mentioned those or they would be reflected on the agenda and made their way to the full board. So, I mean, someone may have tossed out something, but not something that the committee had support of. >> Would that that be in the minutes? >> No, the minutes don't reflect every single word that's said at a meeting, sir. >> All right. Uh, any other questions for Mr. Singer for finance, facilities, and transportation? All right, seeing none, we are up to the personnel committee with Mr. Walker. >> Thank you, President Pappy. Uh, we met on June 9th at 5:30 p.m. remotely. In attendance was Dr. Founder, Mr. Beers, Mrs. Santa, Mr. Lee, and myself. The first item on

015the agenda, we talked about the personal addendum. Uh the committee discussed the personal addendum items. Dr. Fonda reviewed specific sections of the addendum, answered questions. The committee supported the action items. Um item two was a personal legal matter. Dr. Fonda reviewed the confidential legal issue and reported information to the committee from his discussion with an immigration law attorney. The committee members supported the moving forward as proposed. Item three on the agenda was the substitute rate of pay. Dr. Fonda presented a proposal to increase the daily rate of pay for substitute teachers who are fully credentialed as teachers through the NJDOE. He also discussed rising the hourly raising the hourly rate of the part-time cafeteria play assistant substitutes. The committee supported these action items. Stipend positions. Mr. Beers, Dr. Fonda discussed the re- readjustment and addition

016of stipend positions related to the reconfiguration staffing reductions. This is some of it would do with the middle school and the changes there. The committee supported these actions. Comprehensive equity plan year two statement of assurance. Dr. Fonda discussed the requirements and the year two statement of assurance which is on the agenda for this evening. The committee supported those action items. I think is it on the agenda now? We don't Yeah, it's okay. Thank you. Sorry about that. Last uh the item six was the 12-month staff holiday calendar. Dr. Fonda shared the holiday calendar uh for the 2027-28 school year and the committee supported the action items and it's on for approval this evening. Other matters. Dr. Swander just briefed the committee on a confidential employee matter and related the resolution that will appear on the

017agenda. The committee supported the action items. We adjourned at 6:25 p.m. and our next meeting date is August 18th at 5:30 p.m. and it's a remote meeting. Mr. Walker, would you like to take uh questions or comments from the board? Questions or comments for Mr. Walker. All right, Signan. We are up to community relations with Ms. Lockran. >> I'm sorry, I'm still kind of getting myself organized here. All right, we Huh? I have a pop up. Okay. I'm ready. We met on July 3rd at Sorry, June 3rd at 5:15 p.m. In attendance was myself, AJ Joshi, Steve Singer, Mr. Beers, and Mr. Pepe. Up for discussion was the 2026-2027 school calendar where we discussed an oversight that was made in the number of days and how that was resolved. The document is linked hopefully on

018the agenda, but it was linked in the minutes. And we discussed BOE protocols and we discussed policy around those protocols. One of them was public complaints and grievances. The other one was use of electronic devices. And then last, we discussed the civility pledge that has been in agenda for the NJSBA. We had no recommendations at this time on that particular agenda item, but I did forget to mention, I'm sorry, it's the jet lag, that there are two policies that are are up for review. I believe in first reading on the agenda. Which I discussed before. And then last, we discussed the way we do the minutes, which is what we're doing now, whether or not we take questions. And our recommendation was we will do what the majority of the board feels is most appropriate

019in that matter. And I don't believe there are any walk-in items. The meeting adjourned at 6:34. And that was all I had. >> Ms. Lokken, same question to you. Would you like to take questions, comments from the board on your report? >> No, thank you. >> All right. Well, in that case, we are going to move on to liaison and delegate reports. Are there any liaison or delegate reports this evening? Mr. Singer. >> Just very briefly, the Bridgewater Town Council during one of their meetings recently recognized Teacher Appreciation Week and I thought that was very kind of them and they spoke highly of our teachers and their appreciation for them. That's about it. They also approved the town budget and discussed uh how that is broken down between the town, the fire department, the schools,

020and the county. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. Any further delegate or liaison reports? All right, just before we go into open to the public, I just want to make sure that the board is aware that since we were in closed session or about to go in when the email came out, there were some revisions that are in the BOE drive. So, if anyone at some point needs to just take a minute to look at those, let me know and we can pause for a second. Let me know. I just want to make sure that everyone got a chance to see that email and look at that information if they need it. All right, we are up to item nine, open to the public. Individuals and or groups are invited to present their

021concerns, comments, and requests to the Board of Education at this time for any matters. In accordance with board policy, members of the public are allotted one opportunity to address the board for a maximum of 5 minutes during this period of the meeting. Please be advised that a that a video recording of this meeting will be posted on the district website. And if you could just give us your name and town of residence for the record, it would be much appreciated. Good evening. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Joan DePaula. I am a resident water for over 30 years. I've lived here, paid taxes here, sent my kids to school here. Of course, you could tell by my hoary head that I don't have them in the district anymore. So, um what my concern is

022uh well, first of all, it's interesting um the pledge of civility because that was what was on my mind today uh was treating one another all with civility. Uh and this is for the sake of the children and prod- productivity of our time. It is so important that we exercise civility and treat one another as we would want to be treated. Um school board isn't political, we're not political here, but we should allow for disagreements, discussions, no one should be called names or humiliated uh like happened the last time uh a board member was humiliated uh said, you know, it was like talking to an eighth grader. Uh I realize people can be frustrated with one another, but uh we really have to be mature here and a good examples to the children in my

023opinion. And another thing that happens is often times there's heckling in the audience when uh people disagree with other people and I think that that should be called to account to stop that behavior because I don't do that toward people that I don't agree with. Uh and I don't think anybody should do that um toward me. Uh I did have responses uh a couple times I suffered from uh the superintendent like getting angry at something that I said and even though as a policy you don't uh answer anybody that comes up to speak here. And uh but if he becomes upset with it, he would he says, "I know I'm not supposed to speak, but And that was the other thing that I would like to request. At the town council meeting, uh you do

024get answers to your questions and everything. I don't understand like if I come up here and I give a concern or a question, and some people that don't know about this, and then they're waiting, and I Oh, no, we don't we don't answer back. So, nobody ever gets an answer. I think that is terrible. So, even if you feel that there's not the allotted time to give the answer here, I think that I would like to see you consider uh making a way whether the person leaves their email, but it be made public because a lot of times when we ask questions, the public that are listening in do They're They're interested in the answer. And it makes me I just want to tell you it makes me feel like it matters nothing of what

025I'm saying because uh it's just I'm getting something off my chest, but I'm not getting an answer. I'm not getting the respect to have a response. It's very nice when you go to the council meeting in the town, and they take the time to act like concerned about what your concern is, and they talk to you about it. So, I would like that to be a consideration of how to do that. If you feel Obviously, if you have a ton of people lined up, you you know, don't have the time to answer every single person, but um but make a way to do this because uh we're paying taxes here. 68% of the money that we pay in taxes go to the Board of Education. And so, we're interested in how that's being used. And

026um >> The other thing The other thing I wanted to say is like for some reason the board decided to have a meeting once a month instead of once every 2 weeks. So, even more so the public doesn't have a lot of time to say anything or if if somebody brought something up today and somebody was interested in following up, they can't for a month. And I'm not really sure why that decision was made, but [clears throat] the other thing I would like to see is when decisions are made >> Ma'am, you're sitting about 30 seconds left. I I'll pause you I'll pause you for a second. >> Thank you. That there would be more um more opportunity for and I lost my train of thought. I'm sorry. No, that's all right. Um Uh What's

027that? Yeah, yeah Oh, what I want to say was uh please give the public more chance when you're making especially serious decisions like uh like the AI program and everything. Like I don't understand how a small group of people can make really heavy decisions in a district where I've spoken to people that they moved here specifically for that. And then all of a sudden they hear it's gone. And things like that or there's that now the board meetings once a month. Well, how about asking all of like the public before doing these things? Thank you. >> Thank you very much for your comments, Ms. DePaula. I appreciate that. Good evening. >> Hello. My name is Maxim Vorkun and I'm a junior at the high school. I also in the mornings go to Vo-Tech for the

028theater arts program. At Bridgewater I'm a part of the theater program and I'm very thankful for all the support that you guys have given that to the students. There was a big change to the schedule that's happening next year and I'm not sure how much backlash was received, but I am very excited for it because at Vo-Tech, my last class is ending at 10:40 and my first class at Bridgewater's ending at is starting at noon and that gives me an hour and 20 minutes in the middle of the day where I have the time for myself. That's very exciting for me and my peers because in the last couple years, we haven't had a lot of time to eat lunch, only about 10 to 15 minutes. So, now I have an hour and 20 minutes.

029So, thank you guys so much and have a great night. >> Thank you for your comment. Hope you have something good to eat. Good evening. >> My name's Kerry Genza. I live in Bridgewater. I'm a mom and teacher in the district. Um I just wanted to touch on a couple things. Uh the pledge of civility. Um it is our job to be the role models for our students, our children and it's embarrassing and disappointing when our students see adults acting in an uncivil way. So, just keeping that in the back of your mind because I know that a lot of people have been talking about that. Um the other thing is senior parking and I don't know all of the details. Um my child will be a senior, but we live right next to the

030high school, so we don't have to worry about it. But, there have been a lot of people on Facebook who are confused about how it's going to affect their child if, you know, the parents are gone, the kid walks out in the morning and there's a flat tire, but they're he can't take the bus. And maybe communicating exactly what happens if bus privileges are revoked for a senior who had a bus reservation, I guess, or they had a parking spot and didn't need the bus. So, just maybe some more clarification to the public about what the actual policies and the rules are for that, I think would be helpful. Thanks. >> Thank you for your comment this evening, Mr. Enza. Any further comment this evening? >> [snorts] >> Right, seeing none, I'm going to close

031the portion of public comment. And we are going to move on to section 10 of the agenda, which is approval of minutes. We did discuss um the possible tabling of uh resolution number two, which is the May 16th, 2026 closed session uh minutes until the next meeting. Mr. Lomsky, can we uh would the best way to be to table that formally or just make a motion specifically for the regular session minutes and handle them one at a time? >> I would do a formal tabling. >> Okay, would you like to do >> someone motion, and then I'll do a roll call vote. >> All right. >> I'll motion to table the closed session minutes from May 16th. >> Parliamentary inquiry? >> Yes, Mr. Lee. >> Shouldn't there first be a main motion first before Shouldn't

032a main motion be made first before you can make a motion to table? >> Okay, I think we Would you like to withdraw your motion since I heard you say fair Fair enough. >> It's moved at this point, but sure, I'll withdraw it. >> Okay, do I hear a motion for the minutes, section 10, for one and two? >> to approve the minutes from May 16th. >> Right, is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a second. >> I'd like to make a motion to table the the closed session May 16th minutes. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. um Since that's closed session, then any discussion about it being closed session, Mr. Lamsky, could you I mean we did discuss it in closed session. Mr. Lamsky, could you please call the roll to

033table sit number two, May 16th closed session. >> Mr. Sanger. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockhorn. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Ms. Sutera. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. >> The motion carries and that is tabled. Right, that leaves us with item one, number one, May 16th regular session minutes. Any comments? >> I have a motion. >> Mr. Lee. >> I move to amend the public meeting minutes by replacing the old business 26 03 attachment with the original document, the colorized document that was shared with the board secretary instead of the current black and white copy version which doesn't show the changes that were made or proposed. >> Okay, thank you for your motion. Is there a

034second? >> I'll second it. >> There's a motion and a second. Do we have that Mr. Lee, do we have that in front of us? You've indicated you sent that to the board secretary. Do you know the status of that or Mr. Lamsky? >> Yeah, you sent it in color, right? >> Yeah, I sent it in color but it's not in color. >> I could reprint and rescan and reattach it as a color copy. >> Is that something was it in what format is that something you could forward to to the board or And and and I apologize if I had seen it. >> The board already has it. Like it's really this this is pro forma. Like if we had just asked Mr. Lamsky to change the document. >> Mhm. >> Perhaps we don't

035need a formal resolution to do that. >> Do you just want it on the website to be in color? Is that >> Uh so I know what I originally attached was I don't know if there necessarily needs to be a need to scan it because I I think I sent over a PDF. So you would just replace the current old business 2603 attachment with the original document which was the PDF shared. Instead of scanning it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> That should shouldn't be a problem. So the question remains do we need a formal motion to do that or is that something that we can just do? >> That requires a formal motion. >> As an attachment to the minutes? >> If we're changing from black and white to color. >> Isn't that an administrative

036thing though? It's not really a board business. It's like a something that >> It's meeting minutes. >> Yeah, but it's still it's still minutes. >> Well for for the moment there there is a motion and a second. So let's It it may be but for now we we do we do have it before us. >> As we don't have it before us. >> Yeah. >> As we don't have it before us. Actually, can we even vote on it or should we table it? >> I can email that. >> received it at 9:00 during the last meeting. >> Oh. >> During the May meeting at 9:00. May 16th I believe. >> May 19th. Sorry. >> Mr. Lee, what's the title of that email? Did you say September? Everyone >> Amendment to 2464. >> 2464. Amendment to

0372464. I see. >> Correct. >> Just to make it clear. >> Yeah. >> May I make a comment or are we still in the comment portion of this? >> Still on comments. >> This lock right now. >> I mean, I support being in color, but I don't support making motions for administrative functions. So, I intend to vote no, but I support the effort. >> May I address that? >> Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> The approval of the meeting minutes is a board function. >> Not the approval of the attachments, though. >> It's not tacky. It's changing the meeting minutes, and the board >> uh one at a time, please. >> The board can amend meeting minutes to reflect a change in the meeting minutes, which is not an administrative function, because we are in charge

038of approving the minutes, and a motion to amend is an appropriate motion that is in order as it pertains to the main motion, which is the question to approve the regular public meeting minutes. >> Point of order. >> Are you changing the wording in the minutes? >> Just Excuse me 1 second. It's a point of order. >> Mr. Walker, go ahead. >> If a motion was made and not a seconded, does that even need to be >> I second it. >> It There was no second. No, the 20 No, in the minutes I'm reading the minutes, it says Mr. Lee made a motion to amend policy 2464. There was no second. So, being that there's no a second, it doesn't need to be attached, cuz the motion was never discussed. So, the minutes are good

039with in my opinion because there was no discussion on it, it doesn't need to be included. >> Mr. Lomsky, help me with that. Is the attachment that we're discussing the one that we had emailed the the 2426 amendments that Mr. Lee's talking about, is that cur- currently part of the official minutes? Or I know it's mentioned in the minutes, but is the >> Yes, it There's um in the minutes it references an attachment. So, >> That that that is part of the minutes. >> Right, so it is part of it. >> Okay, so for the moment it is part of it, so I'm going to overrule that point of order cuz it's it it's there at the moment. Um I'll I'll I'll leave it for now. Thank you for your motion. Thank you for the

040point of order. All right, is there any discussion so the so the motion is to make it in color, basically. >> Cuz it's already there. It's already in color. >> This is what we're talking about. >> I just want to be clear though, no wording on the actual minutes is being changed. It's a document that exists on a drive. >> Correct. It's just changing it from non-color to color. >> Any further discussion on the motion to amend the color of this attachment? Mr. Singer? >> No. >> I'll just vote first, so. >> Right. Um Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the roll? >> Mr. Singer? >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockhorn? >> No. >> Mr. Lee? >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney? >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker? >> No. >> Ms. Suna?

041>> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe? >> I'll abstain. >> Does the motion carry? >> Yes. >> I believe the motion carries. Mr. Singer? >> I'd like to move to strike OB 2603 from the minutes. >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> There is a motion. Is there a second? Okay, motion and a second to strike that Is that the attachment we were just talking about? >> It is. >> Thank you. Right. >> The reasoning for doing so is as Mr. Walker just mentioned. >> Okay. >> Wait a minute. >> A- Any further discussion? >> I have some discussion. >> Mr. Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> That makes no sense to me because how can people know what the motion was without seeing the attachment? This is not transparent. >> get a second, so there was no motion.

042>> not matter. The motion was made, so it needs to be clear what motion was made regardless of whether it gets a second or not because the motion was made regardless of whether it got a second or not. If it did not get a second, that should also be noted, which I'm perfectly fine with. However, if you make a motion to amend, it should be clear what that original motion made by the member was regardless of whether it's seconded or not. I don't think there's any precedent under our bylaws or under Robert's Rules that would allow you to remove that optionality for people to actually see what was changed. It's not transparent. >> Ms. Lockert. >> I think if we have to spend 15 to 20 minutes talking about whether or not a document is

043in color then, you know, I'm in favor of striking it because it's just an abuse of resources, an abuse of our time, personally. >> I think it's even it's even more any further >> Any further comments on the motion to strike uh that from the minutes? >> Only the attachment, just to be clear. >> The the attachment. So, it'll still be referenced to be clear, it'll still be referenced in the minutes, but the attachment will not become part of the official minutes book. >> So, >> Any further comments? >> I have a comment. >> Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> How are members of the public expected to know what the motion was without clearly seeing the text? That I don't quite understand. I don't understand what The the rationale proposed by Mr. Walker, correct me

044if I'm wrong, was that you strike it out because it did not get a second. However, for a member of the public, I'm sure they would like to see what that specific attachment was rather than removing it entirely. And so, I I feel this feels sort of more like an attack on the original idea proposed, which was to support gifted and talented students rather than to actually make sure that the meeting minutes actually reflect what actually happened during the meeting. >> Mr. Larkin. >> I would like to clarify my position on this because I think there's been a lot of discussion about civility. And part of civility is not that we have to be polite when people are abusing our time. It's that we know that when we come to a board meeting that we

045need a second in order for a motion to stand or to be discussed. And if you don't have that kind of ability to work with your fellow board to get support for something, then your motion is recognized in the notes and it really doesn't deserve all that much more attention than that unless you can get more support. If you had a second, I would support there being a link, but you don't. Otherwise, you could just keep making motions and keep attaching documents and this thing could be like the size of a ring. >> But it's not, Mr. >> business business cuz this is business. >> I'm going to recognize Mr. Singer. >> And to that point, uh this attachment was already attached in the minutes to the April meeting. So this is it was a

046second time that this motion was brought to this board and not passed. So this is not something that is not being transparent. This was already discussed. It was already posted for people to review and it was already rejected. >> Okay. Any further comments? Mr. Lee. >> I'm really, really confused by the fact of how this would make the meeting minutes much longer because we post our meeting minutes in a Google Drive. Number one, number two, people can go to the attachments folder and actually look at the attachment itself. And this isn't a matter of wasting people's time. This is a matter of making sure that the meeting minutes accurately accurately reflect what is actually happening during meetings. And I know that there are folks here that are upset that I make motions and I understand

047that and that they don't get seconds. But Mr. President, the meeting minutes should reflect accurately what happened during a meeting. What was moved and how it was moved and the fact that it did or didn't get a second and what that vote is. And by removing the attachment, it fails to deliver to taxpayers, parents, and students, and to our community the real facts of what happened during the last meeting. And to address Mr. Singer's point about this was at the April meeting. Perhaps we should amend the meeting minutes to indicate that they can go to that document. But otherwise, we're leaving people out in the dark not knowing where to find this document or where to find the actual minute itself. And I think that we need to be allowing people to uh scrutinize and

048look at these meeting minutes and actually understand what happened. By removing it, you're not allowing anyone to do that. >> I'm I'm just going to jump in real quick. My understanding of the meeting minutes is that if someone a member of the public were looking wanted to find out what happened at a meeting or at the last meeting, they have a general sense of what occurred and and most importantly, the action that was taken, the business that was conducted, and specifically how people voted. I don't think that the minutes in our minutes don't reflect every single point about every single don't go into detail on every single item. So, I think that if the minutes reflect that you made that a motion was made and did not receive a second and what the topic was,

049I tend to think that that is sufficient. It's not a policy that we were looking at. It wasn't a policy that was on the main agenda. It wasn't [snorts] changing a word. It was a whole It was changing It was making substantial changes to policy, and I do worry about the precedent of that that Mrs. Lockridge talked about. Are we going to have 20 of these every every meeting? And I think that by doing that, it actually makes it less clear for the public. Cuz even though it's not necessarily really long, if someone's looking through these folders, "Oh, the board changed something. They were talking this policy. I guess this is the new policy." So, I think too much actually makes things un- unclear. Anyone who's watching the meeting has a sense of what's going

050on. They can The board considered this topic, but decided not to move forward. So, I I think that is clear to me, and I I think that might be the way I'm still debating how I'm going to vote, but that's the way I'm leading at the moment. Mrs. Lockridge knew it's something. >> Right. You clarified what I Okay. >> What did you say? >> And and and in and in the like right of transparency, the most transparent thing is to make sure that the information is clear. So, by making all of these motions that don't get a second, that don't get even the support of one board member at the table, then the public is not clear that that discussion was brought up by a singular person versus the whole of the board. So, I

051just think that in the form of transparency, it is more clear when the topics that are discussed are like on the board level are more precisely reflected as to what we're actually doing in terms of board business, not just >> I'm sorry. Mr. Maloney. >> Yeah, I just wanted to make a note about the the length of the the minutes and documents and attachments and whatnot. As they are posted on the website, it's one combined file. It's not a thing where we have like in our own folder. It's where it's separate folders with attachments that we can look at individually. It's all one big giant file. So, adding more attachments in there will make a bigger file and have more scroll through or going back and forth between different sections. It makes it a little

052bit harder to read. >> All right, we've now been on the minutes for a while, so I would like to put this to bed, Mr. Lee. One final point and then we're going to and then one final point. >> I have one question. This is really a rhetorical question, but for a member of the public revealing the meeting minutes, how will they know what was moved exactly? I'm really curious what the answer to that question is because I don't think members of the public will know if we decide to start removing these documents in the first place. And I would like to add as well that just because I'm a single member that happens to oppose every other member on this board on every issue, it doesn't mean that I give up my rights as

053a single member in any way, shape, or form. Robert's Rules and parliamentary authority dictates that the majority rules, but it does not mean that members of the minority or members that are on the opposing side that aren't on the majority don't give up their rights. So, we need to recognize that. Everyone has rights at this table. Also recognize the majority rules. But we also have to recognize as a part of the meeting minutes here that we want people to know what happened. And by removing this document, no one's going to know what happened. >> Okay. Is there any further discussion? I would like to move this along as much as possible. >> I just want to make one comment. >> Ms. Locker. >> One little comment. Um literally on the last vote, we didn't all

054agree. It wasn't the majority against Jeremy. In fact, it's often not the majority against Jeremy. There is no minority on a school board. There is no majority on a school board. We are each individuals, each who have a vote, and our power is as a whole board. So, I'm tired of this rhetoric, but it's just not accurate. It does not reflect government. >> Okay, Mr. Olmski, would you please call the roll on the motion to strike the uh the document we were talking about, OB >> 2603. Thank you, Mr. Singer. >> Mr. Singer >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockrem >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee >> No. >> Mr. Maloney >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker >> Yes. >> Mr. Asuna >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe >> Yes. >> Right, that brings us

055back to uh the minutes number number one, May 16th, 2026 regular session. Any further discussion? Mr. Olmski, please call the roll on the regular session minutes. >> Mr. Singer >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockrem >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee >> No. >> Mr. Maloney >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker >> Yes. >> Mr. Asuna >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe >> Yes, the motion carries. Right, we are up to section 11, approval of action items, starting with the personnel uh section of the agenda, personnel 2636 through personnel 2640. I'll note one more time, there were some changes that came out since the meeting started way back at 5:30. >> So moved. >> Motion? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion on the personnel agenda? Seeing none, Mr. Olmski, would you please

056call the roll? >> Mr. Singer >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockrem >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker >> Yes. >> Mr. Asuna >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe >> Yes, the motion carries. Right, we are up to curriculum 2652 through curriculum 2655. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion on curriculum? >> I just like it's great to see the dual enrollments moving forward at two more universities. So, I think it's fantastic. Great job the administration, you know, moving our goals and getting all that career readiness for our kids. So, thank you so much. >> Point. Any further discussion? Mr. Lomsky, please call the roll. >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockrin. >> Uh I will abstain from

0572552 and yes to the rest. Simply cuz I don't know what it is. >> Mr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. >> The motion carries. All right. We are up to business 26140 through business 26161. You've been busy You guys have been busy, Mr. Lomsky. All right. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay, motion and a second. Discussion on the business agenda. >> I have a motion. >> Mr. Lee, you're recognized. >> I move to amend resolution business 26146 by adding two concluding be it further resolved clauses. The first clause shall read be it further resolved that upon the realization and certification of the final audited financial figures

058for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Board of Education shall formally approve a subsequent resolution delineating the exact finalized dollar amounts transferred into both the capital reserve and maintenance reserve accounts. The second clause shall read be it further resolved that concurrently with the aforementioned resolution, the district administration shall prepare and publicly present a comprehensive statement of reasons detailing the specific budgetary line items and fiscal mechanics that generated the surplus along with a detailed rationale justifying the strategic allocation of these funds into reserve accounts in lieu of appropriating the fund the surplus for subsequent taxpayer relief. >> Is there a motion on the floor? Is there a second? >> I have a point of order. >> All right, there's no second so that motion does not move forward. >> Point of order. Under our parliamentary authority Robert's

059Rules of Order section 49:21 clearly outlines that the procedures for small boards of fewer than 12 members under those specific motions do not require a second to be debated and voted upon. And since this board has only nine members, my motion should be properly on the floor and I claim my right to debate it and for the board to vote on it. >> Okay, I'm going to rule on the point of order. Uh this board and no board of education or council, I think just about every board of education in the state of New Jersey is smaller is nine members or smaller, maybe 10. Every uh borough council that I've ever seen or township council and governing body is smaller than that and the requirement for a motion and a second is practiced everywhere across

060the state to assure that a an idea has at least some support to be uh before it is considered. Um there's nothing in Robert's Rules that mandates that. Robert's Rules also gives the option for small boards to essentially get rid of any rules. So we could un- even if that were the case, we would also have the ability to to swer- to to move around that and to not apply those rules. So that is not a rule this board has ever followed, that is not a rule that any board of education in the state of New Jersey follows and the NJASBA guidance on this is very clear in their training on Robert's Rules. A second is required for a motion to move forward. So, I'm not going to completely change the way this board does

061business. Um I'm not going to change completely change the way that this board does does business. I respect your reading of that. I just respectfully uh disagree. >> Mr. President, I would like to appeal the decision of the chair. >> Okay. Is there a second on that? All right, there's no second on that, so we're going to move forward, but thank you for uh laying out those reasons. Uh if you want to chat more about it, let let let me know, but I'm confident that we are moving forward in a in in the correct fashion, in a proper fashion. Great. Any further discussion on business 140 through business 161? >> I have some discussion Well, questions. >> Mr. Lee. >> Thank you. Um I'm just I'd like to ask once the final amounts of transfer

062have been determined of what's going to go into the capital reserve and what's going to go into the maintenance reserve, are those numbers going to be reported out to the public and to the board at the next meeting once it's happened or are we going to report it at the end of the year in the audit report? >> It's typically discussed at our audit exit conference, so it'll be discussed in FFT and then it could be reflected in the FFT minutes. I don't see any reason why we >> So, when does the actual transfer of the funds into reserve happen usually? >> Uh after the completion of the audit, so which could be around September, October. Um it depends on when the audit gets done. >> So, just for my understanding, with the transfer of

063funds, these are sort of setting limits, but the board wouldn't have to approve another resolution to specifically transfer and that transfer would typically happen near September once that audit report has been sort of finalized by auditors, correct? >> Correct. >> Understood. Um So and I was wondering as well, as a part of that, why would we do it now versus doing it once we know those numbers from the auditors? >> There's a law that requires us to do a board resolution. Uh I think it's between June 1st and June 30th, so it has to be done at this time. It can't be done at the time of the audit completion. >> Got it. Is there any idea of like what specific amount we would, for the sake of the public understanding, how much we expect

064to sort of transfer into capital versus transferring into uh maintenance? >> You're asking what I think we will be transferring? >> Like a forecast of that essentially. >> So, my initial projections are 3 and 1/2 to 3.75 million dollars that can be split amongst the two. And there is a limit that can go into maintenance reserve. So, depending how far we are from that limit, we'll try to max that out and then the remaining can go into capital reserve. >> So, I know that there's a rule that we cannot obviously put into capital reserves more than what's in our existing outstanding sort of long-range facilities plan, correct? Um if we were to transfer the that whole amount or a large portion of that into capital reserve, would that still put us below our non-referendum capital

065long-range facility plan limit? >> Yes, we're far from the maximum for the capital reserve. I believe our long-range facility plan is in the hundreds of millions, so >> 260 million dollars or more. That was 4 or 5 years ago, plus the increases happening from then. So, we are well away from that. >> I think currently, I mean, don't quote me on it. I think we are in the teens of millions currently in capital reserve. So, we're quite a bit of ways from the maximum. >> So, I know the limit is at 10 million and you mentioned it's about 3 and 1/2 to 3.75. I just feel like this 10 million limit is just a little bit too high. Um you know, and I don't think it's going to change from that to 10 million. So,

066I can't say I'm 100% supportive of this. Um my main concern is that, you know, we we have to wait until that time period of September and let alone, you know, December to actually report what's being transferred in and what those specific dollar amounts are. You know, I'm I'm also concerned that members of the public, you know, I I don't expect members of the public to go through our hundreds and hundreds of pages of audit reports and actually figure out like what is transferred in, but this is a very important figure and I feel like, you know, we want those figures that are reflected in the resolution to actually better reflect the amount that's going to be going into capital reserve versus this 10 million dollar limit, which I feel is is far too high.

067>> Any further comments? Mr. Asuncion. >> I just was wondering what data you have to give you the reasoning that that's too high. >> Because Mr. Lomax just said that he expects about 3.5 to 3.75 million to be transferred or that's the expected surplus. >> think it's too high? >> I mean, 3.7 3.5 versus 10 million dollar limit. We're talking about almost three two a little less than three times the amount that we expect to be going into surplus. That's a lot. >> too high? Like what what data do you have to to give us the reasoning that that's too high? >> That 10 million is too high? I just told you. >> Is this just your opinion? >> Yeah, well, one person at a time, please. >> Is this just an opinion or do

068you have some reasoning? Cuz I'm looking at things that have happened in the past and emergencies that we've come up with that have cost millions of dollars to fix that we didn't have to take out loans or anything. So, I just on the experience I've had here, this doesn't seem too high to me based on those facts, but I'm wondering what your reasoning is. >> 200 more than at $3.5 million that is expected to be transferred versus the $10 million limit and you think that that's seven that $6.5 million isn't too high? Really? >> I'm asking you what your facts are for your reasoning. >> I just stated the facts. >> Clearly it's a lot of money, but >> It's a big gap. >> Fair enough. Can I share my >> I'd rather see that

069going towards taxpayer relief. >> From from experience back during COVID times when things shut down in the middle of the year, there were a lot of anticipated savings from not being open. So, at that time I think we didn't have a number as high as 10 million. So, luckily legislature changed the amount of unreserved money we can carry from 2 to 4%. Um but so it's for, you know, the what if if there's a say our self-insured sees a huge drop in claims and that creates even more surplus than we have that wiggle room. That's the purpose of the I mean 10 million if it drops down to five then you know, it's it's we just need the wiggle room. Um because it is unknown in June versus when we get the final audited numbers

070in in the fall. So. >> So, I appreciate that that that sort of extra feedback and obviously, you know, that you never know if there's any extraneous factors can affect this. But I I feel as though people in the public also deserve an answer to how this surpluses consistently generated. I also feel like members of the public should should should understand that this is also money that could be going towards taxpayer relief. Um and that's something that I think is very important as well. >> Ms. Lockridge. >> Uh yeah, I just um I'll be quick. Um I'm not voting I'm not going to vote to approve 26 148. And the reason is basically I I just think that um at no fault to anybody, but uh it didn't come in where I sort of anticipated

071that it was going to come in. And I'm just not going to support it. That's all. >> Any further comments? Any further comments? >> Yes. >> Mr. White. >> Um I didn't have any time to review business 26 161 since this is one of those kind of last-minute items that were added. But, just allow me to understand what why why we're rescinding the transportation bid award. And what that bid award originally was. >> This is four four routes or two tiers of regular ed transportation routes that we awarded at the last meeting. Um between then and now, we've been analyzing what we can do in-house with our drivers, our vehicles. Um and we also opened up special ed routes um in between the meetings on June 9th. So, after looking at those, we're trying to

072bring in-house the more costly routes. So, these four that are being rescinded are on the on the more expensive side. So, we're rescinding so that we can do them in-house and then award more of the special ed routes, which were more affordable. >> All right, got it. Thank you. >> Uh for my part, I just want to Just give me one moment. Uh on behalf of the board, I would like to thank uh the Adamsville uh I'm sorry. An an anonymous donor for donating uh to offset the uh lunch debt at Adamsville School. Um the 16th annual Edison Pitch Contest, which sounds like a lot of fun, for the donation of a 3D printer to Hamilton School. Uh the Cream PTO for 24 seat sacks, Bradley Gardens PTO for uh teacher and staff mini grants,

073which I'm sure will go a long way, and uh a microwave oven donated by the uh middle school PTO. So, thank you to everyone who is Oh, I'm sorry. And also the Van Holten PTO uh for a monetary donation. Any further discussion on the business agenda? Seeing none, uh Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the roll? >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockrem. >> Um yes to all except for Uh 26 148 Yes to all except for 26 148, and I'll abstain on 26 14 161. >> Just to be clear, that's a no on 148? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Lee. >> No to 26 146, abstain on 26 161, and then yes on the rest. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >>

074Ms. Asuna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. >> The motion carries. I'm going to read a whole bunch of pages. To special services. Special services 36 35 26 30 Special services 26 35 through 26 45. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, any discussion on special services? Mr. Singer. >> Mr. Lomsky, I just see that there's a typo um on ID 103999. It's suggesting that the form 10-month cost is somewhere in the range of 4 million instead of >> [laughter] >> Okay, we'll make the correction. >> Thank you. >> Do we need any We don't need a motion or anything for that, Mr. Lomsky? >> Uh technical uh You do need a motion to change that. >> I asked the board secretary, Mr. uh Lomsky, in your opinion, is that Is that a clerical

075error error that you can change or would you like us or you would you prefer a motion to clarify that? >> We could clarify it. >> I move to revise SS2635 so that ID number 103999 reads dollar sign $106,380 instead of what it currently reads with the 10-month cost. >> Second. >> Okay, I'll do a voice vote a voice vote on that. All in No discussion, I take it. All right, all in favor? >> All in favor. >> Anyone opposed? All right, that motion carries and the and the main motion is amended to will be amended to reflect that. Any further discussion on the special services agenda? Seeing none, Mr. Lomsky, please call the roll. >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockrin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes.

076>> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Suna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes, the motion carries. We are up to other 2625 through other 2630. Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion and a second. Uh discussion of 2625 and 2626 we need to be in closed session. Any discussion on the rest of the um, items. I'm seeing none. Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the roll? >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockridge. >> Uh, yes to all, uh, except for abstain on 2625 and 2626. >> Mr. Lee. >> No to 2428, yes on the rest. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. The motion carries.

077All right, we're up to policy. Policy 2621. So, we'll start with the academic committee uh, policies. Policy 2621. Uh, do I have a motion? No, I'm I'm sorry. I apologize. We said that we would take them by committee. So, do I hear I have a motion for policy 2621 and policy 2620 two, the academic committee policies. >> Second. >> A motion and a second, any discussion? >> I have a motion. >> Uh, ple- please wait. Mr. Lee, please just wait to be recognized. I do want to see if there's any discussion first. >> I have a motion. >> Okay, policy. Mr. Lee, you're recognized. >> I move to postpone definitely policy resolution 2622 on the adoption of academic committee policies for first reading and the and the abolishment of uh, 22. Uh, sorry. Uh, 2621

078and 2620 >> I'm sorry, that's all right. Take your time. >> Postpone definitely policy resolution and 2622. >> 2620 Okay. >> to postpone indefinitely depending on >> When when you say oh 26-21, you are you talking about I was looking for a 26-21 below are you talking about delaying the entire the entire motion? >> Yes, postpone indefinitely. >> All right, so the motion to postpone indefinitely policy >> postpone indefinitely >> postpone all right Actually, do me a favor. You mind making your motion one more time? >> I move to postpone indefinitely policy resolution 26-21 and 26-22. >> So the whole thing. Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't pick up on that immediately. Uh any is there there's a motion on the floor? Is there a second? Okay, seeing none that motion does not move forward.

079Any discussion on policy 26-21 and policy 26-22? >> I have another motion. >> Mr. Lee >> I move to divide policy Sorry. I move to divide policy 26-21 to consider each policy for first reading separately before the board. >> Is there a second? Okay, seeing none that motion does not move forward. Thank you for your motion. >> I have a I have an amendment. >> Mr. Lee >> I move to amend policy 5460 to add in the language that's just been emailed to the board and the superintendent in order to protect access to senior activities and events for every student who graduates early. >> I have a point of order. >> Mr. Singer >> Has this amendment been brought before the board attorney to see that it doesn't conflict with state law? >> Um I

080would imagine not since it was emailed to us well one I haven't gotten the email. Oh no, now I've gotten it. But I would imagine not considering the email came out seconds ago. >> Okay. >> Um and no one has come to me um, with this language or this topic to bring before the board attorney with that request. So, no is >> I have a further point of order pursuant to our board norms. Any amendments to policies or any really uh, amendments to the agenda should go to the board president prior to the meeting. Is that correct as well? >> I believe that's I believe the no surprises rule. Um, or the no surprises Now, I I think someone can make a motion but probably is not appropriate considering the board norms that we've all

081agreed to but nonetheless I have received this motion. Um, did everyone receive it? You might need to refresh. >> I have a point >> The motion is on the floor. >> I have a parliamentary inquiry. >> Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> You just stated the motion's on the floor, so it's currently up for debate, correct? >> No, you've made the motion. There is a motion that's been made. I'm waiting for us I'm wait I said that because I was seeing if there would be a second. >> I have another parliamentary inquiry relating to the point of order that was raised. >> Mr. Lee, Mr. Lee, I'm not in the mood to play games at this particular moment. >> inquiry. Um, that's not a game. It's just a clarification. Which I law references board norms? >>

082I am >> Which Robert's Rules refers to board >> a motion on the floor. I have entertained the motion but there is not a second. Is there a second to Mr. Lee's motion to amend policy 5460? Okay, without a second the motion does not move forward. Any further is there any further discussion on the academic policies 2621 and 2622? >> I have a parliamentary inquiry. >> I'll give you one more. Go ahead. >> Mr. Singer referenced board norms and he referenced whether or not the board attorney needs to review this. Which by law or Robert's Rules or state statute indicates that all policies must go before the board attorney prior to it being heard and discussed before the board. >> said that >> And number two, which by law references board norms, which was the

083basis of Mr. Singer's point of order. >> I overruled the point of order and I'm entertained your motion. You're right. I don't think that there is one. I think the board if it wanted to could consider your motion. You made it. I accepted it. There was not a second. So, it's not moving forward. Mr. Milani. >> Just want to make a point that we discussed this somewhat in the last meeting. >> I I I thought you might go there. >> Uh board policy 0131 says that all revisions have to go through the superintendent first before it comes to the board. >> And I think the reason for that is is we don't know what effect this could have. I mean, we have graduation in 2 days. I I think that it's always a bad idea

084for a board to even if it's a well-intentioned idea, just to kind of willy-nilly make policy um without really considering it and asking the opinion and using the expertise that we have at our at our fingertips, but I would not want to to your point, certainly pass something or even really put something before the public before the board that I mean, could could change people's plans over the next 2 days if it were to if it were to pass. So, I think that underscores the reasons for that um being part of policy. >> I also just want to make another further point that uh policy 1230, the superintendent's duties, outlines that he is the principal advisor to the board and should be consulted on any changes to policy. So, if we're going to be supporting

085him in his duties, we need to provide these policy revisions beforehand. >> Yeah, it would and it would also be a shame to see a good idea that might have legs and might be implemented in the future not go anywhere because procedures and the best interests of the district aren't considered. >> I I have a point of information for Mr. Maloney. >> Mr. Leigh, just just say what you have to think. We don't need all these points. Go ahead. >> Was the superintendent copied on the email that I sent over? >> Yes, but he's not at this meeting. >> So, he got the email. >> But he was not at the meeting. >> that's That is you sent this 2 minutes ago. That's not a serious comment. >> So, policy 0131 >> comment. So, I'm

086going to I'm I'm going to pause that there. There is a motion This motion is on the floor. We probably shouldn't be discussing it. Although we're not discussing the substance, there's no second, so it's not moving forward. Um I think I said that already. We are still on policy 2621 and policy 60 2622. Any other discussions? >> Seeing none, I have I have I have >> Mr. Lomsky, please call the >> No, point of order. >> You would have led with that instead of discussing >> order. Point of order. No, point of order. Point of order. >> The roll is being called. >> You cannot end debate as a chair without first entertaining a motion to previous question. >> is being >> that. >> The I'm sorry. I'm I'm I'm going to interject for a

087second. Mr. Lomsky, I asked you to please call the roll. Are you comfortable call call calling the roll on the main motion? >> Yes, Mr. Singer. >> Thank you. This is for the main motion. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockridge. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leigh. >> No to 2621 and no to 2622. >> [snorts] >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. When there's silliness that comes betw- that gets in the way, there might be something great coming left coming afterwards, but it means we may not be able to get to it every time cuz we need to conduct business. So, next time lead with your best thing instead of saving it till the end. That's my suggestion, Mr.

088Lee. All right. We are up to policy 2623, which is from community relations. Is there a motion? There's a motion and a second. >> I object to the Mr. President, I object I object to consideration of the question to approve bylaw 0169.03 for first reading. >> What was the thing? >> I object to the consideration of the question. Objection to the consideration of the question. >> Okay. So, I don't know what >> So, what? Let's call on the roll. Let me just double check here. I think there's no second required for that. And it's a 2/3 majority. >> No second needed. >> All right. All right. So, if this if Mr. Lee's motion or objection were to be sustained by 2/3 of the board, this would be set aside indefinitely. Mr. Olomski, can you please

089call the roll on that? >> Mr. Singer. >> No. >> Ms. Lockrem. >> No. >> Mr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney. >> No. >> Mr. Joshi. >> No. >> Mr. Walker. >> No. >> Ms. Asuna. >> No. >> Mr. Pepe. >> No. >> All right. The motion does not pass or the objection is not sustained. Whatever language is correct there. But, the board is not moving forward on that at this time. We are moving forward on policy 2623. Is there any discussion? >> I have a motion. >> Mr. Lee. >> I move to amend bylaw 0169.03 by substitution with the amendment that I have proposed in email to the board and the superintendent, which is common sense and grounded in real estate statute and not made up laws and suspicion. >> Okay. >> I

090I I I can't hear you. >> Oh, okay. Okay, so there's a motion on the floor to amend as is before everyone. Does everyone have that proposed amendment in front of them? Okay. All right. Is there a second? Okay, seeing no second, that motion does not move forward. >> I have a question. >> and we come back to the main motion. Mr. Lee, just please wait to be recognized before making a motion cuz I want to give everyone an equal chance to make their own motions or discuss as appropriate. All right, we have not even had any discussion on the main motion yet. So, I'd like to do that first if possible. Um is there any discussion on this policy? >> I have a question. >> I see that. Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> I

091don't know who wrote this specific bylaw, but I'd like to know which district goals and board goals or board goals are being progressed by passing this bylaw. Anyone have any answer for that? >> Sure, I'll answer it. We talk about civility. We talk about working as a board. And this is intended to ensure that this board focuses on the business of being at this meeting and not on externalities or other interfering uh issues. So, that's what this is intended to further. And while you don't seem to really care about the board norms that you agreed to sign, this goes to how this board works and how we can work together as a board. And I think that is reflected in this uh propo- uh proposed uh uh policy. >> I I think there's also a

092fairness element to members of the public who who who who who who are here and are following the the proceedings for some people that have kind of an inside view potentially uh if there's outside communications from this table, I think that's fundamentally unfair to people who are who don't have that who who may not have that access. Um that said, I I do think it is worth I think I do think the policy is worth worth looking at. Um some some more this is first reading I believe. Um So yeah, those are my thoughts on that. Mr. Lackrin. >> Yeah, I just wanted to make it clear to the public and for the board members who may not have had the time to read it thoroughly what the policy specifically addresses. First, it addresses the

093use of technology at Board of Education meetings by Board of Education members while a meeting is being conducted which includes when we're speaking to each other, when it includes when the public is speaking that we are paying attention to the public and not typing on our computers. And it also includes the use of AI. Um and whether or not it is appropriate for board members to be using AI and to be using social media platforms to have discussions with outside members while a public while a public meeting is taking place. Further, it ensures that we are all upheld to What is the I'm sorry, I'm exhausted. I You know, I I I had family uh I've been traveling for What's the Oprah We are adhering We have to adhere as board members to the uh

094Freedom of Information. [snorts] Is that the right one? Or am I Oprah. Thank you. I'm tired. Uh the Open Public Records Act in which uh the business that we conduct here at the table is open to the public. So, the only way to be able to ensure that that happens is if we're using district devices and if we're not using social media platforms to communicate with outside people. >> Sorry, please wait to be recognized. Any further comments? Mr. Lee. Mr. Joshi, you're up next. >> Yeah, the other thing >> I'm I'm sorry. I did say Mr. Lee and Mr. Joshi, you're up next. I apologize. >> I'd said Mr. Lee as I saw you. >> We we just spoke about externalities and questions and typing on a keyboard. You know, can you give me an

095example of sort of external communications going out and these externalities and like you have screenshots and stuff of this and like what is this really based off of? >> I think as a board, it's our job to look at what's relevant in the world of technology. And one of those things is AI and another thing is obviously being able to communicate with other people. For example, you could use a platform like Discord or a platform like Grok to perform activities here behind your little screen while somebody a member of the public is speaking to you. And you're not even looking at them, but you're busy. So, maybe it's not even just because there's specific proof or facts that this is happening, but more that we want to make we want to ensure that the public

096is being recognized. We want to ensure that board members are being recognized when they're speaking and not that. That's all. >> But what if what if a >> Mr. Lee, you don't have the floor right now. I did indicate that Mr. Joshi would be next. >> Well, one of the let's put all of that aside, but on a serious note, um just a few years ago, we had the the ransomware um that affected the entire district. Um having these devices that are given to us by you know, our IT department ensures that such things don't happen again. Um there are firewalls, there are updates that are being put on this. So, forget about all the other stuff. I mean, we have to be careful because I think our we were down for a couple of

097days. Um so, that's one of my concerns and why this is important. You know, in this day and age, we we're all struck by this. So, by using some other devices, we're just leaving ourselves open. Um that that's it. I mean, that's why this is important to to use, basically. >> Mr. Malley. Just want to make a note uh Mr. Lee asked about what board goal this pertains to. Very first one for this school year is continued review of policy over the course of 3 years, year three. So, reviewing policy includes any new ones when there's gaps that are we find. And that comes out of the committees, and that's exactly what happened here. >> I've coming. >> Mrs. Suna. >> In addition, we also require that all of our students use district-issued devices. They're

098not allowed to use their personal computers. So, as an example to our student body, I think that we should follow the same rules. >> So, Mr. Lockton and Mr. Lee. >> Great. And I'd also like to add that like, you know, we are perfectly capable of speaking to each other like human beings rather than reading off of a laptop that we're typing in real time. I I think that we've had some really important discussions over the years and have accomplished great many tasks that believe it or not, we're not like we did not agree on everything. We were not always a board majority and uh we've had plenty of disputes, but we were able to do that because we weren't combating each other with just prepared statements all the time and AI-driven material all the

099time. That's my last statement on that. >> Mr. Lee. >> So, I would like to just point out that when I asked about examples of external communications on blah blah blah or whatever social media platforms, I wasn't given any specific examples. There are no explicit references to this that were given when I asked about it. I also want to note as well that I I What if a board member actually does seriously take the concerns of a public seriously and then instead of typing into the I don't know whatever strategic response generation you think that a board member's typing into, what if they're actually typing about the concerns that are brought up? How would you even know? I mean, it's it's it's a little ridiculous to just assume in bad faith that every board member

100just needs to sit there and stare at a stare at a member of the public speak when a board member should really be making sure that those concerns are addressed. And I understand the optic side of it. I understand the optic side of it. But you can't tell whether or not a member is I don't know using AI or or even or even or doing whatever on social media or or [snorts] or actually typing and thinking about the genuine concerns that are brought up here to this board. So, it's I I I just want to know, you know, how exactly is this bylaw going to be enforced? >> I mean, I I share some of those concerns. Uh Mr. Lee, I agree with the spirit of this 100% and what he's trying to do in

101keeping everyone present in in in the meeting. And there is a way to I'm sure that there is a way to do that. At the moment, I'm not This is still an area that I don't know enough about. At least I can barely turn my computer on and keep it charged. So, I plan on voting no for this for now cuz I do share some of the enforceability concerns and I do There there are just a lot of what ifs that I have. What if this computer breaks down and you need to use another one? What if there's some kind of an outage or something happens where you where where this device does does not work. What if you get a communication that can only come in one certain way that might impact um the

102board. Like for for liaison and they'll get a report. I just think I need a little bit more time to consider this before moving forward and I know this is just first reading, but that's that's where I stand. I appreciate the discussion. I think it's an important one. I just personally don't feel I just feel like there are too many too many what ifs, too many uh questions that I still have about how this would apply to meeting. Um but when I look at it some more they they may be answered, so. >> So I have >> This is soon as next. >> Um I just a comment. I would agree with you about the fact that how do you don't know what anyone is doing. Completely agree. But if we're all using the same

103devices, then we can find out. Like we'll know what everyone's doing and also we would know if anyone's recording anything in closed session or in open session. Like all of that would be known and everyone can have a complete level of trust in what's going on. >> And how's that different from now? Everything is operable if it's a public government or board related matter, right? >> I just want to be careful this closed session was mentioned that we're staying >> I won't talk about closed session. >> on on topic for everybody that >> I won't talk about closed session. I'm just saying >> Understood. >> text messages are also operable if there's anything that is related to board business or the business of the district, it's operable whether it's from a personal device or whether

104it's from a personal phone. Um and I also want to note as well the fact that you know, these these documents cannot obviously be maliciously deleted cuz that would be illegal. So unless you're willing to break the law, it would be kind of ridiculous to think to ourselves that you know, people are you know, using personal devices to get behind the law or whatever this whatever the assumption is behind this. And and I I'd like to know like you know, there's a lot of things that are referenced in this policy and and and there are too many concerns and and another one as well is about these district devices and and what happens if a board member's computer breaks down before meeting? Like what is a board member going to use to like actually figure

105out, you know, what what to do and and and and and navigating the agenda and and remembering to bring up certain things because there's a lot I mean, this is a 30-page agenda. Like how what happens if a computer if if someone's computer breaks down? How are they going to get information? >> I don't If you want to go first, by all means. >> [clears throat] >> It's Joshi dead. I don't know if you >> yeah, no, you you make [snorts] a good point, Jeremy, but same token, what if you're using your personal computer? What if that breaks down? What do you do? Right? So, it could go both ways, but as far as enforceability goes I don't know, but here's the the most important thing out of this entire document is that the board

106recognizes that the use of non-district approved software and hardware may create risks related to data security, confidentiality, records retention, authorship, accuracy, and public transparency. Right? That is the crux of this whole document here. And it's important. You go to any workplace they will not allow you to use your own personal devices for these reasons. How do you enforce that? In a workplace, you can. Here, I'm not sure. Maybe we We to look at that. But that is the most important thing that's in this document. And that needs more attention than any of these other things that we're talking about. Because as I said before, we were hacked. And the only reason that the ransomware people went away is that they recognized that Bridgewater was you know, the the school district. >> Comment? >> Mr. Singer.

107>> Um Mr. Lomsky, can backup computers be arranged since you distribute the computers? If someone needed one, could we have a second in this building? >> Yeah, we have spares available. >> And I >> Mr. Lee. >> I was going to ask as well, I mean I Well, actually, this is really related to the to how this whole bylaw was treated. I mean, obviously it was pushed through in a closed door committee meeting without any public input and and and sort of no other feedback and it was sort of a backdoor meeting. But but what even is the purpose of the community relations committee? Can anyone tell me what that is? >> I know Right now, we are on the topic of this is >> say >> It's improved It's improved two-way communication. This has

108nothing to do with improving student outcomes. This has nothing to do with improving our communication with parents. >> This is what has been moved and seconded >> This is a waste of time. >> policy for first reading. There is a motion to call the question that I believe has a second. >> a waste of time. >> This is a 2/3 majority vote. Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the roll on the motion to call the question? Is there a motion to call the question? Is there Singer? >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockridge. >> No. >> Mr. Lee. >> No. >> Mr. Maloney. >> No. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna. >> No, only cuz I want >> No, just respectfully just just a vote, please. >> Mr. Burdick. >>

109I'll vote no. >> Okay, does not pass. Motion fails. >> Right, so we are still on the main motion. Ms. Lockrem. Did did you have a comment? >> Go ahead. >> I have a couple comments. One, about enforceability. I mean, in reality, there's many policies that can't be really enforced. What are they going to do? Drag you out here out of here in handcuffs, kicking and screaming because you didn't abide by the rules? Because so far that hasn't happened. But the other part to this is that the public is always demanding transparency. Always demanding transparency. And part of that transparency comes from knowing what we're doing on our devices during a public meeting when everything that we do in public the the public deserves to have access to. So, that's number two, transparency. You can't

110demand transparency on one hand, but then not be willing to review the policy on the other. And then and then the last portion of this is that this is just first reading. And and you must know me by now that bureaucracy is not my favorite thing in the whole wide world. So, for me to even be able to be the one to put up this policy, let alone to stand behind it, means that there's real reason and issue and concern to be discussing this. And it's not specific to one person or evidence that one person is doing any wrongdoing. And if there was evidence, I guess you could put in an open request to ask for it. But no, that's not it's not about that. It's about the future of board governance. And part of

111the thing one of the things that we have to start considering is that, you know, one, if we're we're talking transparency, you know, do we have uh AI driving our policy in real time during board discussion? Because that's kind of terrifying. I mean, I can sit here and speak to you guys like and look you into the eyes, but like you know, can I just also type something in and have AI respond to you with what my opinion should be? Well, I mean, maybe that's why this discussion has to come up. So, I encourage the board to review the policy and if you have changes, I I am I am on board with with you know, changing it, discussing it. If the board majority is not in favor of it, by all means withdraw it,

112but I leave it to the majority of the board. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Just a a note on the enforceability. Um, if we're all using district devices, that means that there can be security policies in place for content filtering, uh, the type of software we can use on the devices, all that and Mr. Jersey, you kind of touched on this with, you know, corporate policies and anywhere you work is going to have software in place for data loss prevention, uh, security, all that kind of stuff. So, if we're all using district issued devices, >> [clears throat] >> we can all have the same security policies in place on those devices. >> Just if I could just chime in on on that note. One of the things that I when I look at this policy, I

113see it it's it's called the title of it is use of public electronic device by board members at public board meetings. So, as I read this, there one or two vague spots, but it mostly talks about what happens from gavel to gavel, from the start of a board meeting to the end. I don't know if it purports to >> [snorts] >> control what devices people use, you know, 5 minutes before meeting, over the weekend. Like I was at the to be honest, I was at the public library yesterday printing something for this meeting and I logged on to my account. So, would this policy disallow me from from doing that or being on that on that network or accessing briefly to to conduct business? I I'm just not I would want to know a little

114bit more. I I would almost kind of want to hear from a tech expert a little bit more for for guidance on this, especially when you get outside of me. Because I hear the stuff on board members being present and part of this board and accountable to the public during meetings. But I think this just opens up kind of a whole bunch of other questions for me. So I I would prefer not to move forward with it just at this time. Mrs. Suen. >> Um I had extensive conversations with some leadership at NJSBA and they recommended strongly that we have a policy that requires district-issued devices. >> I Can I Can I just add a couple of things here? >> Sure. >> Number one, you know, we're we're people are staring at me and they're

115saying, "Oh, external communications, AI strategic response generation, blah blah blah." But yet there have not There hasn't been any You have not shown the proof, the screenshots of this. And you you talk about how we want it all to be on a district device. And it begs the question, let's say I violated this bylaw, what are you going to do? Are you going to like lock me up in jail? Are you going to give me detention? Like what's going to happen? You're going to suspend me? Like What are you going to do about it? >> is about you. It's not about you. It's about policy. >> It's about It's It's about a policy based off of nothing. It's based off of zero state statute. >> That's That's an opinion, for sure. But we did get

116in NJSBA is not nothing. >> Is NJSBA like the like the the unilateral government of like all school boards in New Jersey? Like I I I don't know what like There's There's no enforceability of this. There's no There's no mechanisms on this. >> still in the middle of his statement. >> I And it And it And it's really drawing what the hypocrisy is here because we're talking about micromanaging of board members' use of technology and using I don't know lockdown browser when we go into board meetings and and and adding all these weird you know like monitoring things like do we expect someone to like sit next to us and like take a look at like if we're like you on a different tab that we're not supposed to be on with this policy? Like

117this is this is really absurd um and I I A really important question is why doesn't this include our administrators? Why should we be forced to use district devices and then all of a sudden an administrator >> They all have district >> doesn't have to use it. Why why is it why are certain people at this stage exempt and why are only board members mentioned in this policy? >> Call the question. >> Is there a motion to call the question? >> Second. >> There's a second. Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the roll on the motion to call the question? A 2/3 majority, I believe. >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockren. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> No. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes.

118>> Ms. Asuna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes, the motion carries. All right, this is a vote on resolution 2623. The academic I'm sorry, the community the community relations policy as stated in in the agenda. Mr. Lomsky, please call the roll. >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockren. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> No. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> No. >> The motion carries. All right, we are up to item 12 old business. Is there any old business? Seeing no old >> I have a I have a motion. I have a motion old business motion. >> Mr. Lee take take it down a notch, please. I have an old If there any old business,

119please wait to be recognized. Mr. go ahead. >> Thank you. Mr. President, I move to pass a resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and affirming the board's commitment to civic learning and shared national values. The resolution was just shared. And it's essentially the same one that was introduced last year. Who's going to second that motion? Celebrating America? >> I'm sorry. Do you want people to actually read your motions before we just vote or not? Because >> You got to vote your side to do it. >> just got You just sent it the last second. You talk about civility and yet you don't actually engage in it with the board. I'm literally reading your resolution. Let me read it and then maybe I'll second it. >> You want to give We

120can recess for 5 minutes and everyone can read it. >> We don't need to recess it. >> If it's so important to you to celebrate 250 years of America, why didn't you send it to us earlier? Why are you sending it like 2 seconds ago? >> I'll start sending things when other people here start sending things and not doing stuff like that. >> say, "Don't you want to celebrate America?" >> All right. I'm going to ask everyone to pause for a second. I rather not get too off track. >> Point of order. >> There is >> Point of order. >> There is a motion on the table. >> Mr. President, I have a point of order. >> Well, there's a motion on the table. >> And now I have a point of order. >> What's

121up, Jeremy? >> Mr. President, I'm afraid that there are members of this board that are questioning the motives >> All right. This This is not allowed. >> which is not allowed under any circumstances. >> not >> And I would like to I would like you to remind members of the public. >> point of order. Right now, there's a motion on the floor and we need to see if there is a second. But members have requested a moment to read it. So, I will I'll I'll I'll wait a few moments. Okay. So, motion on the floor. Is there a second? >> I need to read this first. >> Okay. >> I would like to add that this was also shared last year, and we talked about extensively >> Mr. Lay, right now there's no discussion of

122it cuz there's not a second yet. Does anyone need another moment to read? Right. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Okay, a motion and a second. Does everyone Now that there's a motion and a second, everyone's looking at the >> revise the resolution. >> Right. Mr. Singer, go ahead. >> I move that the resolution end at the paragraph that ends that define the American spirit. >> And that the last two paragraphs be struck. >> I'll second that. >> I'll give everyone just a second to the motion and a second. Give everyone a chance to look at it. Just Oh, hold on. The motion in a second. We need to vote on that first. Well, we need to discuss it first. So, discussion strictly on eliminating on eliminating everything after the words American

123spirit, the last two resolve clause. Mr. Singer, would you like to speak to your motion? >> Yeah, just very briefly. I you know, obviously wholeheartedly agree with the commemoration and the celebration of our 250th. What I don't necessarily agree with is language intended to impact our curriculum, which already deals with civics and and patriotism and our American history. I feel that if this board is looking to commemorate and celebrate our 250th, then we can do so with as written except for the last two paragraphs. >> Any further discussion on the motion to amend the resolution? Ms. Sasuna. >> I would also like to suggest another amendment to add on to that. >> Just Go ahead. Try to speak to that as much as you can. >> paragraph, which is ending from the consent of the

124governed {dash} with New Jersey standing at the crossroads of that founding struggle. I think that should be >> Ms. Sasuna, if you can, let's just stick to the just for the moment since we're talking about the motion to amend and striking those two clauses. I know that that might affect it, but as much as you can, try to speak to that. Do you have any comments on eliminating those two? The motion to eliminate those two sections. >> No. >> Okay. Any further discussion on the motion on the motion to amend? >> I I have some discussion. >> Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> Thank you. Just for people in the public to know >> Mr. Lee, please address the board. >> But Mr. President, I would like members of the public to understand that those two

125clauses were be it further resolved that the board encourages district educators and administrators to integrate instruction, projects, and activities that highlight the founding era, the Constitution, the evolution of American freedom, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a constitutional republic. And the second one was, be it finally resolved that the board affirms its commitment to fostering a curriculum that cultivates civic literacy, personal responsibility, respectful debate, and a deep appreciation for the principles of liberty, limited government, and individual rights that have guided this nation for two and a half centuries. And there's this uh gaslighting of the of the resolution in saying that it's making the board do any action. As a matter of fact, there's actually no action. There's a very big difference between implementing curriculum and encouraging curriculum, or encouraging specific things to

126be taught. And I don't think there's anything wrong for this board to be encouraging educators and administrators to integrate instruction, projects, and activities that highlight American history. I don't really think it's illegal for the board to to to to implement this resolution because all we're doing is celebrating 250th anniversary of America. We're not changing anything necessarily. We're simply encouraging our district to make this a core focus. We're not trying to do anything else here. I also want to add as well that the board isn't committing to doing anything. It's simply affirming our commitment to the basic American values, civic literacy, personal responsibility, and respectful debate. And I would also just want to add as well that, you know, as the author of this, you know, board resolution, I'm really proud to have introduced it um

127because at the end of the day, we need to make sure that as a board that we affirm our commitment to teaching our students, the next generation of students, about common sense patriotism and the love of America, especially in our classrooms. And this is exactly what the resolution does. Unfortunately, the amendment that was proposed by Mr. Singer would not allow that to happen. I'd also like to add to that as a proud first generation American and the son of two hard-working immigrants, my family and I are very blessed to be here in this country, and I'm very blessed to have an opportunity to serve here on this board, to represent the community I love, and to make sure that we celebrate American values, not undermine them. >> The suggestion that our teachers are doing anything

128but what you just said, or at least the spirit of what you just said, encouraging love of country and patriotism, I I I I'm not sure what to say to say to anything that >> I'm I'm not sure I'm not sure what to say to that. So, um I I I I believe that while the first part of this, I agree with Mr. Singer, is is lovely language, and I think everyone uh in this room and in this community would would be all for it. The The reasoning behind it is now become apparent, and my view is the board should move on from this uh at this time. So, there is currently a motion There is currently a motion to strike the last two uh resolve clauses. Excuse me, I'm in the middle of a

129sentence. Respectful debate, I'm in the middle of a sentence. Is there any further discussion on this motion to amend? Seeing none, >> I have some discussion. >> You just talked and you waited to the last second. So, I already went ahead and spoke to Mr. Lee. >> Point of order. >> call the >> The chair cannot end debate. The chair cannot end debate. >> The chair cannot end debate unilaterally. >> Mr. Singer. >> Yes. >> Ms. Lockran. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> No. >> Mr. Maloney >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi >> Yes, with the two last paragraphs redacted. Yes. >> Mr. Walker >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe >> Yes. >> And the motion carries. We are now left with the resolution from the beginning ending with American spirit. >>

130Can I make a motion to send this to committee so that we can discuss it further? >> Okay, motion to send committee. I think that would be the academic committee. Uh Mr. Joshi or or committee relations >> Yeah, committee relations. >> I think I think committee relations makes the most sense, especially now now that that's been struck. Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> Sorry, there may have been one before. >> I have some discussion. >> Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the roll on the motion to refer this to committee? >> order, you're you didn't even ask for debate on the motion. >> Mr. Lomsky, can you please call >> And the motion to refer to committee is debatable. >> Mr. Singer >> We're breaking all the rules. >> Yes. >> Ms.

131Lockridge >> I would just like you to know >> No, Ms. Lockridge, we're calling the roll on the motion on your motion, please. Thank you. >> No. >> Mr. Lee >> No. >> Mr. Maloney >> Yes. >> Mr. Joshi >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker >> Yes. >> Ms. Asuna >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe >> Yes. The motion carries. Are there any further old business? Seeing none, moving on to new business. I was going to someone who's left the room. Uh does anyone have any new business? Ms. Asuna >> Um in the spirit of the end of the school year, I would just like to um mention about our administrators, especially the three who are here, and what a tremendous job um you all do all through the year to carry the district because I know

132that everything kind of goes to the head of the district, but I think that you are the massive supports of what we do, and everything you do is greatly appreciated by the board. >> And I know this summer they'll be like they look all calm, but they're ducks on a pond getting ready for the big shift and change. So I know you've used a lot of energy and the summer's going to be incredibly a lot of more energy going out and I thank you for what's going to happen and the beautiful changes that are going to happen with the evolve this year. So thank you for you done and what's coming up cuz I know you guys have heavy lift this summer. So you'll be here to support you out of, you know, bring out

1335-hour energy or you know, bring water, whatever we can do. But thank you so much. >> Well, since we praised you guys, um I'm I just want to shout out to everybody that put together the student awards um and all the effort and work that goes into you know, um finding sponsors and getting these kids scholarships and how much it means to students to be able to have access to college and and the work that that has been done to to put that together is tremendous. They do it every year. I don't know that it's you know, we always say thankless. I don't know that it's thankless work because so many people are so grateful, but it certainly deserves to be recognized. >> Hey, uh Mr. Ryan Ryan, new business. He said you had something

134for us. >> Yes, and Jen, we give the back page >> Would would Would would Would you like to come over on camera here? I know if you're >> [laughter] >> Everybody board of ed members, please pick up a copy of the Prowler which we handed out to the graduating seniors today at our rehearsal for graduation at high school. And then at Thursday at Rutgers, every family member or guest who enters will receive >> It's a beautiful cover. >> We would like your copies published. >> Yeah. >> And you'll enjoy reading it. It's 12 pages. Every story was written Every story from the only written by the class of 2026 students. >> Wow. >> Sports stories are written by members of the teams. Theater written by members of the theater arts program, choral members, orchestra

135band, and so on. Just enjoy it and I hopefully >> That is so cool. >> That's wonderful. Thank you. >> Tremendous amount of work and on the yearbook, too. Wow. That is the coolest yearbook ever made. >> Motion to adjourn. >> There's a motion to adjourn. There's a second. All those those in favor? >> Aye. >> Anyone opposed? All right, we are adjourned. Have a good evening, everyone. Our next meeting will be July 21st, 2026, right back here at 7:00. >> Who will be at graduation?