001Good evening everyone. I would like to welcome you to the February 10th, 2026 board of education meeting. We are calling the meeting to order and it is 7:06 p.m. And if everyone could please rise for the pledge of allegiance. A reading of meeting notice. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of the public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed on or acted upon. In accordance with the provision of the act, the Verona Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published in the Star Ledger posted with the Township of Verona and the Verona Education Association. Posting of this meeting setting forth the time, location, and agenda were posted at
002the board of education office and on the Verona public schools district website. Copies of tonight's agenda and resolutions have been made available to the public via the board of education website. >> Dr. Riley, if you could please call attendance. >> Mr. Rocka, >> yes. >> Mr. Turner. >> Mrs. Kenotic. Mrs. Frisco, >> here. >> Mr. Dun, >> here. We have a corner. >> Thank you very much. Moving on to routine matters. I need a motion to approve our minutes from our board meeting of January 20th, 2026. >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Boon, seconded by >> Second. >> Mrs. Kenotic. Any discussion? Uh, Dr. Riley, if you could please call RO. >> Mr. Waka. >> Yes. >> M. Kenotic. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Chris. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
003Moving on to our superintendence report by Miss Diane DJ. >> Good evening. I'm gonna start out with some uh good news. Congratulations to Michael Larry, the VHS class of 2026 valadictorian and Dylan Neil, class of 2026 saludiatoran. These are amazing uh young men who have worked hard for four years and uh we're so proud of them. Yeah, that was what it was. Okay. Sorry about that. Um, and so the next order of business on my report tonight is the report of reporting period one for the student safety data system. Um very quickly we are uh at Verna High School we had 21 total incidents that we reported to the department of education. Two of them were HIV alleged. In other words um someone made an accusation of HIV and it was investigated as an HIV
004and not found to be u a violation of our HIV policy. We had eight confirmed uh harassment, intimidation and bullying I should say for those that don't know what HIV is but I think most probably do. And then we had six uh that were um they were asserted to be HIV but they did not rise to the level of the HIV law. So that's called the preliminary preliminary determination. Um and what that says is if everything that is accused were to be 100% true and it still doesn't fit definition of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, uh we do not investigate it. It's a much more involved investigation to do it under HIV. um we just investigate code of conduct violation etc in that case. So there were three what's called other incidents uh leading to removal
005and uh for the most part they could be anything from uh insubordination to physical alter altercations. Um we had zero uh bites this year at the high school, zero vandalism, one uh incident of substance abuse and one um uh what's considered a simple threat. Total incidents at HBW were 12. Four of them were HIV alleged. One was HIV confirmed and there were four preliminary determinations. Um other incidents leading to removal there were three and uh nothing else reported of HIV. Um no incidents at all of Brookdale Avenue school. Uh two total incidents at FN Brown and they were incidents leading to removal. Um, Forest Avenue had one incident leading to removal and Lanning had no incident. So, that is the SSDS report. Um, we are heading into testing season. I can't believe that we're heading
006into testing season. This year is going so fast. Um, we start on March 16th. In the week of March 16th through the 20th, the uh, high school juniors will sit for the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment Adaptive. Um, the NJ GPA adaptive is a next generation version of the New Jersey graduation exam that uses a computer adaptive testing technology. It's actually early AI is that what that technology came from. Instead of a fixed set of questions, the assessment adjusts in real time based on the students responses, making it more personalized and better aligned with each student's uh demonstrated skill level. Um, adaptive testing has two key features. Dynamic difficulty choose the test chooses future questions based on how a student responds to earlier ones. So if a student answers correctly, the next question will be
007more challenging. The student struggles, the next question may be less challenging. Um this approach gives a more precise measure uh of proficiency and helps reduce anxiety compared with the one size all test. Um and it is um personalized so students see a tailored test to their level of understanding which can them show what they know more accurately. So, we we really don't know the quality of the test because it's a new uh manufacturer. Uh it's not the it's not Pearson, which has been making our New Jersey assessments since 2010 when uh when the state went to the park assessment. Um so, we're we're going to withhold till we get some information back from our students as to whether or not um they were it was a well constructed test. The subject areas assessed on this
008are English language arts, uh reading comprehension of literary andformational text, analysis of evidence and claims, writing uh to sources, argument and explanatory writing and language conventions uh and vocabulary and context. In the math portion, um they uh test algebraic reasoning and functions, quantitative reasoning, problem solving and modeling and interpreting data and mathematical relationships. Um along those lines, we have 13 students this year that did not um uh pass the GP NJ GPA last year or in the fall. There's a fall administration. Um that's eight for math and five for both math and ELA. Uh for those that don't know, a portfolio appeal is a formal process that allows students to demonstrate graduation level proficiency through a collection of work instead of uh instead of or after not meeting required statewide assessment like the GPA or
009the alternative uh assessments and those alternative assessments are um ACT, ACUPPLACER, uh PSAT, both PSAT 10 and uh PSAT uh national merit uh qualifying test SAT and SAT uh SAT evidence based reading and writing and reading. Same thing for math. Um the only difference is actually the professor is back on the list for math as well. So it's the same test that that they allow for math. The only caveat is in order to do the portfolio assessment, you also have to be on track to graduate by meeting um your credit requirements, your course completion requirements, and your expectations. So last year we had uh 16 students um um qualify for the portfolio portfolio appeal and all of them were successful. So the portfolio is actually um scored in it used to be sent to the
010state and it took months for the state to assess them. We actually assess them in house now. And finally the state released the unit test times for ELA and math for GPA and NJSLA. And uh there are two sessions for ELA reading 75 minutes each for a total of 150 minutes. and um one session of writing for 90 minutes and then mathematics has two sessions at 75 minutes each for a total of 150 minutes and that was kind of an unknown because they didn't they had they just released that this week. So that's my report for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any questions? >> Moving on to our student report by Mr. Ryan G. >> Good evening. So first of all, I just like to echo Mr. Congratulations to both
011our solidictorian and valictorian Dylan Neil and Michael Squares um respectively. And moving on to some discussions about some athletics. And as always, our girls field and track team have been very competitive and successful this season. And they had just won their third sectional championship in the last four years of Rona history uh at the Bennett Center Athletic Complex in Tom's River as of last week. And um also last week, the Verona High School Concert and Chamber Choir welcomed and hosted a joint concert with the Heric High School Trouble Choir who had come down from Wong Orange to have a joint concert and exchange music with our program as well. And furthermore, um, today the January edition of the VHS newspaper, The Fair View, was published and it features articles on involving student highlights among uh
012recaps of things that are upcoming, including the uh, sorry, this spring musical, Mamma Mia, which tickets have ROI for. And for Valentine's Day, the student council is actually hosting a candygram sale in order to fund raise and students are able to purchase kind of sweet treats for um students and teachers they admire. And that's essentially my report for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Ryan. Appreciate that. Anyone have any questions or comments for Ryan? Mr. Walker, do you have anything? You always have something to add to No, not tonight. Thank you. Moving on to committee reports. Finance. Did finance meet? >> Uh yes, we did. Um we're heading as um as you know in deep into budget season. Um and uh it goes without saying that throughout the state um so many schools
013are under uh deep deep financial challenges. Um the encouraging thing here for us in Verona is that while challenging um it is um very um clear that we're going to come out um with a very strong budget. Um but that doesn't make it uh an easy process. uh biggest challenge that we're probably facing um along with health care costs uh is the fact that the uh state aid is going to be uh lower than what we had hoped. Um this will again p some challenges that are uh not insurmountable. Um so it again there's very strong cause for uh optimism. Also, uh, a couple other points, uh, and we'll talk about this on, uh, agenda item or, uh, uh, excuse me, that it's on the agenda under uh, E5, um, where we are, uh, heading
014into a, uh, co-op, uh, purchasing agreement. This is going to go a long way to saving um, some uh, financial costs. Um, and then the other item of note is we are moving into And Dr. Riley, please correct me where I get this wrong into uh binding arbitration on the playground resolution um and and making sure that those playgrounds are safe and sound. I'll pause there. >> We may have to adjust our our budget calendar as well because the governor has pushed her budget address out to March 10th from February 24th. Um, does that impose any kind of um hurry up and wait uh situations on us as we go deeper into completing that budget or >> No, it just it will delay for two weeks um the release of the state aid numbers. So
015the our final our final ability to lock in exactly based on what what our state aid is will be just delayed which is what you know we delay our our approval of the tenative budget. >> Just a quick question. Um you mentioned that there were factors that um give us cause for I guess hope that you know that the challenges are not insurmountable. Could you speak a little more about what what some of those factors are? I know there's like anxiety that does result from the sense that maybe we're you know around budgetary considerations. >> Sure. I you know it And and again, I don't want to speak out of turn here other than to just to say that um the Verona budget um has long had a uh been planning for the long term
016and so that we have been situated for um financial challenges that other school districts may not have been able uh to to withstand. And so um the fact that we were left on a very strong footing uh under um Jorge um it just makes again the financial challenges that we have a lot more maneuverable you know and I know that doesn't get into very much the specifics you're looking for but that's >> another one um because we have private insurance we don't we're not in a state state health benefit plan >> uh We are experiencing only only a 20% increase in our health benefit package packages for our staff. When uh for districts that are in state health benefit plan, they are experiencing a 32% increase in the cost of health benefits on top of
017a 28% increase last year. So for those districts, their budget has their health insurance has um gone up by 50%. Yeah. In two years. Um it is it is going to be a difficult budget but um we are in a better position because of our insurance carrier than if we run the state house. >> Question moving on to our facilities report. I can report on that. Um we met on February 4th regarding our facilities. Dr. Riley and Mr. Spinelli had reported out actually I have to um compliment you Dr. Riley for such a wonderful report. It's been uh Mike you've been on facilities and I think Mr. Waka you were on facilities. This was probably the most uh detailed report we've received in a long time. So I appreciate that um for being so detailed
018and explaining everything. So um thank you on that and looking forward to saving the district money is really what came out to it. So, um, regarding our roof report, uh, you're looking to any of the maintenance to bring that inhouse, which would save the district, um, a lot of money by doing on on ongoing maintenance for our roofing projects. So, thank you for that. That's in progress, but can definitely save the district some money there. Um, the roof leak at Lanning was repaired and that was under our warranty. uh Forest Avenue hallway flooring. There was an issue with the adhesive and you're look they're looking into that to see if that's covered under the warranty, but it may not be to fix that. Our press box, we're in the process of awaiting some quotes for
019a new press box. Any Did anything come in on that yet for the quotes? >> Has not come in. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh just because our we have our football some of our football team here and we know we have that press box. I'm pushing them, guys. >> Me, too. Um, district HBAC is ongoing. Um, and I think what else? Let's see. The playground you touched upon with the meeting with the attorneys and other than that, I believe that might be it, right? Thank you. Any questions from anyone? Thank you. Moving on to public comments on any agenda action items. So any items that we are voting on tonight, please feel free to come to the podium and just state your name and you will have three minutes. Moving on to discussion items. Any
020new or old business from any or correspondence? No correspondence. No newer Okay, moving on to our resolutions. So, I need a motion to approve our personnel from A1 through A5. Motion by Mr. Waka, seconded by >> Second, Miss Koic. Any discussions? I'd just like to uh congratulate uh Miss Pico on her retirement at the end of the school year. So, congratulations to her. Dr. Riley, if you could please call. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to our education resolutions. I need a motion to approve resolutions B1 through B8. So moved. Motion by Mrs. Kotic and seconded by Mr. Boon, are there any discussions? None. Dr. Riley, if you could please call. >> Mr. Waka. >> Miss Kenotic. >> Yes. >> Mr. Boom. >> Yes. >> Moving on to athletics and co-curricular. Need a motion,
021please, to approve resolutions C1 through C5. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Boon, seconded by Mr. Waka. Are there any discussions? really uh optimistic about the two new varsity coaches. So, congratulations. >> Yes. Um I would also like to comment um on Mr. Garuso as being the head lacrosse coach. He's wonderful and will do great things for our program. And um Mr. Matt Ricatelli who is here tonight with his family. Um, I can't say enough about how happy I am for you and from watching you on Rona Eagles to championship high school to being a teacher here and now being the head football coach with Mr. Crawford alongside of you. So, congratulations to you and your family and to your fiance. Um, I wish you all the best and I'm so happy to see you.
022I'm really so happy for you. So, thank you. Congratulations. Dr. Wley, if you could please call RO. >> Mr. W. >> Yes. >> Mode. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brisco. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Mr. B. Yeah. Pass. >> Thank you. Moving on to facilities. I need a motion to approve resolution D1. >> So move. >> Seconded by uh motion by Mr. Boon, seconded by Miss Kotic. Any discussions? Just I love the fact to see Verona summer music coming around once again. It's hopefully it'll warm up by then, but no, it's always good to see that. >> It is. Yes. >> Dr. Riley, if you could please call roll. >> Mr. Watkins. >> Yes. >> Mod. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brisco. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to our finance. I need
023a motion to approve resolutions E1 all the way through eight. So moved. >> Motion by Motic, seconded by >> Mr. Boom. >> Are there any discussions? >> None. Seeing um Dr. Wley, if you could please call RO. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mod. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to our governance and policy. Motion to approve resolutions F1 through F3. Motion by Mr. Waka seconded by Miss Kotik. Any discussions? >> A question. What I see there's a lot of changes in the the public complaints policy. What's the There's a lot of red things that are added. What's the gist of that? >> Um Oh, that was Strauss. Let me bring it up. Sorry. >> Well, if you want to just get us, you send the
024board like a cliff notes on that. Not that anyone would ever complain about how we run our board, but u >> I have it right now to uh So for the public complaints that one uh was changes came >> Oh um that's right um because of the change to the library materials the way it uh as a result of the freedom to read act um library materials are different than other instructional materials. So we had to do a lot of changing to differentiate um what would be considered a library material versus an instructional material and they and when they yes that reflects language like that and and what it does is um it when anytime Strauss estimate goes in to update when when there's a policy or I mean a a legal change statutory change
025they also clean it up. So, a lot of the changes are just cleaning up language. Um, removing the word pupil, adding the word student, taking the word guardians out of parents and guardians. They just refer to everybody as parents. So, they do that kind of clean up. So, some of it's that, but most of it has to do with the freedom to read act. >> And one of the recommendations we made around the public complaints in particular was to um to your point about being now very long and potentially difficult to understand was to propose to maybe a flowchart to help individuals understand exactly what the you know the expectations are when initiating a complaint to the point. There's a lot there's a lot going on. There's a lot and there's a lot with the
026new sexual harassment uh policy as well. Um because they are uh combining the idea of is it an affirmative action or a title n and the superintendent has to like decide which to um which statute to investigate under or vote. Any other discussions? Um Dr. Riley, if you could just call roll. >> Mr. Walker, >> yes. >> Menote. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Moving on to public comments. If anyone from the public would like to come to the podium and state their name, please do so. And you have three minutes. Thank you. I am uh Matt Ratelli, the new head football coach. And I just want to start off by saying thank you to everyone that's here. To my players over there, to my family behind me
027here, to the fifth downers, the boosters over here, and uh Coach Crawford, who was just here a second ago, he'll be back in a second. But um it really is truly an honor to be standing in front of the board. Most importantly, thank you for approving me as the head coach. Um, you know, growing up in this town, growing up in this community, it's a really special place and, uh, this town really did a lot for me as a young man and I'm just really humbled and thankful to be able to now give back to this community as the head football coach. And, um, to the Verona administration, thank you to the Verona staff, the teachers, the custodians, the cafeteria workers in this building. Those are the people that really make this this job and
028this building a special place. And it's been like that since I went to high school here. And I hope it's going to be like that for the next hundred years to come. So, um, and really the entire community of Verona, um, my phone was was ringing off the hook when, uh, this kind of came to fruition when, you know, there was rumors of me becoming the head coach here from players that I played with, players that I coached at the youth level, coaches that coached me, um, people just in town that I've crossed paths with paths with once or twice, you know. Um, to just have that feeling that the whole town was behind me was truly special and and really humbling. So, um, I'm going to do my very best to serve here as
029the head coach and I can't wait to get to work and, uh, most importantly, go Hillbillies. >> Thank you. Would anyone else like to come to the podium? >> Anyone? Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Matt. Appreciate you. All righty. So that is moving on to Okay. So our next scheduled public board meeting will be on Thursday, February 26, 2026 beginning with confidential session at 6 p.m. public session at 7 p.m. in the Verona High School learning common comments. I need a motion please to adjurnn. So move >> motion by Mr. Boon, seconded by Seconded by Mr. Vaka. >> Are there any anyone all in favor? I >> thank you. The meeting is now officially adjourned. It's 7:34 p.m. Thank you all and have a great night.