Board of Education Meeting 4/30/24

001I'd like to call the meeting to order. If we could have a moment of silence. Last salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act, a public notice of the meeting has been sent to board members, all district schools, the hero news, the suburban trends, the record, the messenger, West Milford town hall, county superintendent's office, the board attorney, cable vision of war and westmill for TV77 and posted in the administration building. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution were provided to all local media, town hall, township, library, and all district schools. Roll call, please. Mr. Jones. >> Mr. Stovich, >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire >>

002here. >> Mr. Jurgensson >> here. >> Mr. Lippy, >> here. >> Mrs. Marquar, >> here. >> Mrs. Romeo >> here. >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> here. >> Mrs. Rakano >> here. >> Mrs. Laughlin >> here. Uh, Dr. Fare, your interim superintendence request. And at this time, um, Mr. Schultz and I will prepare to, um, present the, um, the budget through the budget hearing process. So, uh, board members, if any of you would like to sit out in the seats so you can see the screen better, please feel free. And, um, we'll be with you in just a moment. Good evening everyone. Um we are just make sure I have this on. Good evening. We are here to present the uh budget as has been approved by the executive county superintendent uh for the board's consideration

003this evening. Um just on the outset, I want to just thank um Mr. Schulz and his team at the board office, all of the administrators and the staff who have helped us to craft a budget that we feel is really in line with our district goals, objectives, vision, and mission. And it also uh is aligned with our district strategic plan. So um without further ado okay so some of the slides that you're going to see presented here this evening are slides that you have seen before others give a little more detail uh most prevalently in the budget highlight section. So just for uh the edification of those who have seen this before, the alignment of the budget was to our district goals and strategic plan. Um it was always our intention to impact the classroom

004last when it came to any uh budget deficit. So you'll see that we have really paid attention to instruction and program um and staffing needs. Uh we were able to reallocate funds uh within the existing budget um in order to really flesh out the goals of the district within those those positions that we felt were important to the district. Um we've also looked at enrollment and class size considerations and really maintaining our current level of staffing overall. So we've gotten a number of questions. how come we're not cutting staff this year? Um, and we will demonstrate here. We were very, very fortunate with the amount of state aid that we received. Even though there was a reduction that we'll talk about later, it was nowhere near the amount that we anticipated losing. So, um, we

005again, we were extremely fortunate and were able to, you know, use our pennies wisely and make sure we put them in the right places. Um, there are program improvements. We've heard Mr. Novak talk about language arts program, math program, professional development, um, and a number of other things that are really baked into this budget to help us to make sure that our students have what they need. Um, we've also have uh made some efficiencies in support staff uh, support services. Um, and that merely you'll you'll notice that especially when we talk about some of the uh things with our special education programs that I know Dr. Resa has spoken about many times. Um we have the uh there are some positions in our budget that were funded using the ESSER grant and we know that

006that uh ESSER grant is ending in September and so what we've done is to absorb the positions uh that were partially funded through ESSER into this local budget. Most prevalently we're talking about um 0.5 um so that's a half a salary for our encore staff members that was formerly funded by ESSER is now in this budget. Um the other half of those positions will be coming out of title one for the schools that are designated as title one schools. So um we feel that encore is extremely important to the support of our students in in reading and mathematics and so we wanted to make sure that those positions were not lost. Another thing that we had um funded under ESSER that we've absorbed into the local budget is some of our Chromebook purchases. So you'll

007see that that is is also part of this budget. Um construction of the budget does include the use of bank cap and a uh healthcare adjustment that we'll talk about a little bit later. Um and the tax levy increase will also be discussed but uh please know that um without debt service that tax levy increase is anticipated to be 3.11% and with the um the tax levy increase is a slide that will demonstrate what that is later. We wanted to make sure that we provided to you the information about staffing that was a little bit vague last time and the reason it was vague was because we weren't sure if the budget was going to be approved at the county level at the level that we funded it. So we uh because we have that

008county approval we uh have in this budget um again maintaining current level of staff overall. Sorry. Thank you. Um but we have been able to add a few positions. One of them is a physical education position that will be part-time at the high school and part-time at Mac Middle School. What this does, it's amazing how one position, and I say this all the time, that you fix one thing and there are lots of ripple effects. Just the same as when you take something away, there are those ripple effects. So, by adding this physical education position, we help reduce class size in physical education. our classes are up over 30 35. There are six students at both schools. So, the position is going to help alleviate some of that. It also in combination with some other

009scheduling things that were able to be done. This position helps us to take most if not all of the uh science lab coursework out of lunch. So, we're really trying to make sure that that as many of our students as we possibly can have um are going to be in their labs during that same period that they would normally have physed during that time. So, they'll still get their 150 minutes of phys safety a week and they will also have their science lab period in a place where it's not going to impact their ability to eat lunch on a daily basis or at least even eat lunch the same length of time as as other students. So, we were able to do that. and at the elementary schools. This means that our physical education staff

010members are able to be assigned at the elementary level. So any travel that has to happen would be between elementaryaries, not coming to the the middle high school complex. Um and also it enables our physical education schedule to put back into the elementary schedule um project adventure and to have our physical education teachers also help to teach the um the CE social emotional learning secondst step program that we've instituted at the elementaryaries. So by that one position we have been able to really restore and or enhance a number of different things. Uh there's another position that we've added and it's another split position between middle and high school and that's in Spanish. Um, when the district decided that it was going to phase out Italian, the students coming into the program could no longer choose

011Italian. Majority of them were choosing Spanish. Um, we had no place for them to go other than in the existing classes. And so those classes are also very high up over 30, 34, 35, six students. Um, so that position is intended to help reduce class size a little bit in the Spanish classes that are those now. Um, we also have a few special education positions. Um, two of them are to provide additional resource teachers from the elementary school. One of them is a uh a multiply disabled class. Um, but also the possibility of flexing that to an LL class as well. So, you know, Dr. Resza and I were speaking with that just the other day to make sure that that was here. Um, again, we have already put an assistant principal in at um

012at Highlander Academy and we will be maintaining that position for next year. So, with the program improvements that we um that we've been talking about making, I think I I mentioned about the language arts and the math. I know Mr. has spoken about them many times in his reports. Um but we we also um with the new language arts program that is coming in, we're going to have professional development that's going to be necessary. So all of that is is also part of some of those program improvements. The second step program is expanding. So that's going to be a um another avenue for our students to get some of that and say health safety the health safety piece in that 150 minutes is done in a number of ways and social emotional learning is one

013of those ways that we can help fulfill that. So that's in this budget. Um class size improvements at Mcapeen in the high school I just spoke about. um as far as the uh special education programming and um the encore I've already mentioned. So this slide really just gives you a little bit of better understanding as to what some of those those priorities have been. Uh when it comes to um continued funding for state mandated programs, we talk all the time about the New Jersey student learning standards and we want to make sure that all of our curriculum is aligned to those standards. Our math program and its professional development and new language arts program and its professional development I've mentioned already. The New Jersey um student learning assessment readiness is uh addressed by our use

014of ready diagnostic and formative assessments, conquer math professional development, curricular alignment for the middle and high school. Um making sure that course sequence is aligned properly and in general professional development for all ELA programs. Uh as as far as other efficiencies on all schools, um we want to make sure that the staffing is truly aligned to the needs of the schools and they believe we've done that. Um and under sustainability and operational improvements, we've we've all heard especially those of us in operations and finance about at the UGL project and we want to make sure that that is able to be completed. So that's partially funded out of stabilization aid and partially funded in this budget. Um and as far as the high schools refurbished. So um all of those things are uh of of

015note. Um I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Schulz right now um to talk about the impact of S2 cuts over the years. >> Thank you Dr. Canary. Uh, as you'll see on this slide, back in 2017 2018 when the S2 cuts began, our state aid that we got each year was roughly 14,611,000. And since those years, it's been steadily declining. Some years more so than others. Uh, coming into the current school year 2023 24, we had a decrease of 1,194106 from the amount we received in 2223. Uh in total we have lost $9,121,40 since 2017 2018 in state aid annually. Uh for 2425 I never thought I'd say I'd be happy to only lose $81,000 but our state aid only went down by 81,537. So our state aid was relatively flat for next

016year compared to this year. So this we were able to have a more successful budget season and go through the whole process without having to make the staff cuts that the district has unfortunately had to make over the last few years. Um here's a breakdown of last year's adopted budget versus the proposed budget for this year. Um in special programs that includes the multiply disabled program, learning and language disabilities, the emotional regulation impairment program, the resource room and the autism which is our kind program and the preschool disabled program. So the amount for that category is 7,27410. Uh regular education is general education. All the the uh regular ed classes, supplies, student uh teacher salaries. That's a big piece of our budget. That's 19,28,454. That's relatively flat compared to last year. Went up 76%. Um

017the tuition, it went down from last year. Uh the tuition number we have in the budget for next year is 3,231502. The biggest reason we went down is we have an adjustment for prior year tuition adjustment from PCTI that totals 325,533. So we're saving some money there. And also we have some graduations or students who are not going out of district next year. So that has that helped out the budget as well. Um I don't know what the future holds with PCTI tuition adjustments based on the certified tuition rates, but this year it was fortunate for us. Hopefully next year we have a similar story. Uh speech, OT, PT, and extra services uh for our special education population. uh pretty similar to last year as well with $1,676,818. Uh child study teams that went up

018a little bit. We had to hire a lot of new staff in the fall on some of those staff and they're very highly qualified and they came with some higher salaries when we hired them. So that's the biggest fluctuation for it and obviously some salary increases for next year as well. We we worked in it. Um general administration the biggest problem that not problem but by that count went up 4.81% 81% was our phone system that we implemented a couple years ago. There was an annual fee for Zoom that was not that was omitted from the 23 24 budget which is included in the 2425 budget. So that was for this past year it was $70,000 and the budget went up for 67,000. So that's basically exactly why the account the account went up. So

019general administration is looking 1,477,896 for next year. uh school administration. The biggest piece of that is the addition of to the uh vice principal position at Highlander Academy. So this budget for next year includes the current vacant position at the high school as the assistant principal and also the position that Mr. Shuy shipped over to fill at Highlander Academy. So that includes that salary into that number that went up this year. Uh central services is IT and business office personnel. Um that number went down this year. Um I used Miss Francisco was here for many years. she retired and then I came into her position. So that kind of went down to my salary a little bit lower than she was making. Uh operations maintenance uh that is relatively flat as well. That's all of

020our improvements to adapt the district. The custodial maintenance or fields uh 6 million 782 188 is the number we have for next year. Student transportation went down. I adjusted the budget a little bit this year because we had less drivers. No big secret we had less drivers. The problem is a lot of more runs are being outsourced. So that those costs pretty much offset more than what we'll be seeing when we have our own drivers. So if we can get some more bus drivers work in district that leads to great savings from district and it'll just make everything a lot easier with transportation department. But that budget for next year is looking at 6,634 78. Employee benefits that's always a big one every year. Um we didn't get crushed on a rate increase for this

021year. We actually have a pretty reasonable rate for next year. Part of the problem is a lot of employees have shifted over from the chapter 44 to the employee health educators health plan rather than the previous plan and the contribution requirement is much less for that. If all the employees are still requirements from the state but the chapter 44 plan is based on percentage of salary and the chapter 78 plan is based on percentage of premium. The premiums range on the chapter 78 plan from 3% to 35% of the premium. Meanwhile, the chapter 44 plan is much more favorable to the employees, from 8%. It ranges from 1.7% to 7.2% of the salary and the salary is capped at 125,000. So, anyone making over 125,000, it's capped at 125 at 7.2%. Um, so that's the

022biggest piece and that's actually why we're using a health benefit adjustment that's included in the budget because we have over the past few years obviously health benefit costs increase dramatically throughout the state throughout the world basically. So we're trying to use that adjustment to offset some of these costs and these things that we need to offset for the employee benefits. Uh other expenditures that includes our encore basic skills program, bilingual program, our co-curricular activities, athletics, our reading specialists, guidance, uh supervisor instruction, media specialists, and staff development. Uh it's pretty wide ranging group, but it includes everything else that didn't fit into one of the earlier earlier categories. Uh for facilities and capital outlay, that went down a lot this year. Um we're not we don't have as much projects planned. Uh Mr. Glenn, our new

023building ground supervisor, he just started he started in February. I was new to the position in October. So, we're we're working through our long range facility plan familiarizing ourselves with the district and we're working on um we' also like to build up our balance on capital reserve as well. So, we have like Dr. Fer mentioned we have the 450,000 in there for the UGL window project which the original 450,000 was included in this year's budget. So, hopefully that will offset the rest of the cost for this project and we can get that done next year. Uh the total operating budget is total of 75,18929. It's an overall increase of 777%. Uh special revenue budget is I put in 80% of last year's aotments that we received. So the total grants for that which won't include

024any of the esser grants is 1,186286. And the debt service budget it went up based on our debt service payments from our referendum project we did a few years back. I just notic the debt payments due for next year 66,000. Uh this chart will show basically everything I just ran through, but here is a different way of showing it. It shows the percentages for each of those categories that I just went through. So you can see the regular education is the largest piece of our education system. Um but if you combine the special programs, tuition, uh speech, OT, PT, and extra services, and child study teams for our special education, that totals 19.5% of the budget. Uh then you'll see general administration, school administration, and central services combined don't even equal 9% of the budget.

025So it's pretty small relative to everything all the other policies that year. Uh operations, maintenance, and student transportation are roughly 9% each. Employee benefits as I just mentioned is a our second largest piece of budget, which is 23% of the total budget. And the other expenditures that I went into is 6.8%. and uh facilities and capital outlay some equipment, some of our music equipment and the facilities projects you mentioned is about.7%. >> Billy, um I'm sorry for special a 19.7%. >> Uh 19.5. If you combine the percentages for special programs, the tuition, which is our additionary tuition, uh special uh speech, OT, PT, and extra services, and child study teams, if you added those percentages together, it's 19.5. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> And here's a breakdown of the other side of

026the budget, which is our revenues. As you'll see, 83.62% is our current expense tax levy. Um state 80 now is dwindling each year. So, this the 8.42% 42% there even includes our special uh other aid that we received but 8.42 is the total 842% of the total budget is the state aid that we received which is nothing compared to what it used to be years ago. Um our fund our budgeted fund balance the audited fund balance from our June 30th 2023 audit was 1 million 393863. That's an amount we have to use in the budget. We're using additional fund balance of 1,732163 to balance the budget for a total fund balance of 3,12626. Uh last year for frame of reference uh we used fund balance that was used was4,73,5 uh $7,500. So we're using $947,000

027less fund balance this year to balance this budget. Uh the bulk of the additional fund balance that we're using is our June for June 30th uh ordinate allowable adjustment for extraordinary aid. Last year we received roughly 2.2 million in extraordinary aid and we only and we budgeted 800,000 but it varies how they funded each year. So last year we were very fortunate but that doesn't calculate into the excess surplus number. It's an allowable adjustment that you can use. So we use part of that. We use that throughout the year for some of our other projects and transportation costs this year. Um and then we're going to use some of it for next year as well that we roll over. And obviously for some of the supplemental stabilization aid, last year in the spring after Mr.

028Francisco finished the budget, we received roughly 700,000 of supplemental stabilization aid, which obviously she had time to use last year and we haven't really used much of it this year. So hoping to roll a lot of that into next year for use as well. Um so last year for frame of reference um 7.47% of our total budget was for was strictly state aid. So that and uh this year it's 7.3 the 8.4 looking forward to and include some of our special revenue uh a lotments like IDA and uh ESA. Uh some of the smaller areas that we receive revenue is uh as district tuition. I know Dr. Russ has been working hard over higher academy. So hopefully we can expand that next year and have some tuition students uh join the program. Uh debt service

029aid. We receive some aid from the state each year to offset the cost of our debt payments. Special R projects, some of our special revenue uh grants, smaller grants that we receive. Miscellaneous is a many small things. It's a lot of our pay to play fees. Uh things don't fit into the other categories. You have pay to pay fees that the students pay. Uh the parking that they pay for at the high school any other uh reimbursements or prior year adjustments, maybe tuition adjustments for uh prior years, they go into there. Uh transportation fees, that's a small piece of our budget, too. That's roughly 0.05%. That's just reimbursements we get. We have transportation joints. We haven't had many of them in the past few years. And the reserve withdrawal is what we reserve what we

030withdraw from capital or maintenance reserve. So we kept that number pretty consistent. So this year the reserve withdrawal for maintenance reserve is 150,000 which we've done in the past and we're taking 450,000 out for the window and door project at UGL. So here's our famous salaries, benefits, and everything else slide. Um, so it's pretty self-explanatory. Salaries are the larger blue portion of this pie chart. Uh, 57% uh, of our total budget is in salaries. Um, benefits costs are 23% of the overall budget and that's the burgundy color. And the piece that's sticking out in green, that 20% of our budget is how we run the district outside of paying salaries and health. So everything else that we do and that's why we say everything else literally all those things that that we've been talking about

031and we will continue to talk about are in that 20%. Uh this slide demonstrates a lot of what I just spoke about earlier. This is a different way of showing it. A pie chart here and it shows $19 million is what we spend on our our regular education, our special programs. These are all the same numbers that were just on the last slide. It's just demonstrated in a different way that shows the different way that these expenses are to run the district. It's these expenses include the salary and then we have obviously the $17 million number which is our health benefit that we have to pay each year for uh employee benefits. Um our next slide get our script. Uh okay. So we've talked about the salary categories but this gives you another look at

032the percentages. So when you take a look at um teachers just the teacher salaries and we're looking at 67.30% of the salary portion which was that 57% pie chart piece that that blue piece on the pie chart. 6730% of that is teacher salaries. uh instructional aids are uh 5.16%. Then we move on to non-instructional aids that's 73% so less than a percent. Um coaches, adviserss and trainers 2.15%. Administration is 6.67%. [Music] Our secretaries, our secretarial staff is 3.32 3.82% sorry. Uh operations and maintenance is uh 6.92%. Um transportation salaries are 6.09%. Non-affiliated uh employees are 1.26% and then that large large colony is just the total. So of that blue high piece that 57% of salaries this is the breakdown of how that looks. Okay, this this demonstration this shows the 20% that Dr. Canary

033mentioned earlier of our non-s salary expenditures. So the out of district tuitions that we pay, this is PCTI, our special education tuition, it's uh 3,231502 is what we have budgeted for next year. Our supplies, our our in-class supplies and textbooks is 1,61,953. uh purchase services which includes our OT, PT, speech, uh BCBA, legal services, nursing services, and our audit. To give you an example, our architect, uh that's 1,354,967. Uh some of our other expenses include our phone, internet, staff development, athletics, uh field trips, and copy leases are all enrolled into 782,9 uh 391. Um our energy cost costs we had the EIP a few years ago which helped us tremendously but since co our energy costs have sore I can't imagine where they'd be without us doing the EIP. So what we have in the

034budget for next year is 1,122,516,000 and that includes the debt payment that we have for the EIP um that we had when we had to take the bond out. Our insurance costs uh went up roughly they're projecting up for close to 10% for next year. That's for general liability insurance and student acting insurance and things along those on workers compensation. Uh it's 1,2240,91. Um our facilities which includes our custodial supplies, our groundskeeping supplies, everything along those lines to keep the facilities up and running, keep the required maintenance and keep facilities open and comfortable for students and staff. That's 1,180,174. our technology costs which are a lot of our subscriptions online our real time a lot of our student uh programs that they use that's 582,796 our transportation cost so outside total budget was over 6

035million but we're paying 4 million for either out of service out of district routes we have to contract out uh and other costs are um to repair our buses we handle most of our repairs that we can in house with our uh mechanics we have do a great job so they um they a lot of their supplies the tires the everything that they worked on plus the ad district runs. Uh it's over $4 million $4,34,67 as you can see not even close to any of the other categories is our benefit costs which is for next year projected to be 17 million257275. Um that is why we have the health benefit adjustment we're hoping to use in the budget for next year to try to offset some of those costs. a capital outlay which is our

036UGL window replacement project and some of our equipment um and our insurance that we buy for the van which falls into that category for capital outlays $563,39. This is showing the same breakdown of the non-personnel costs that I just went through, but just to show a dramatic graphic that the health benefit costs is more than or clearly more than half of everything else that makes up the cost outside of uh salary costs. So, as Dr. Terry mentioned, 80% of this budget is salary and benefits. And when you just take out the salary piece, still more than 50% of it is just the benefits and everything else falls into the other 20% that we have for our all of our expenses districtwide. >> And here's the breakdown for the tax levy increase compared from this year

037to last year. Uh last year the average tax levy increase was $235 uh per average assessed home in West Milford. This year it totals $187.71 which breaks down to roughly $15.64 monthly. Uh the average successful home in Wester went up $600. Got that information from the tax assessor's office. Um the general fund increase is 1,938,983 and our debt service um tax le I went up $113,47 even though the debt service only went up 16,000 for the year. The reason for that is we had savings from our uh referendum project we did for the roof projects a few years ago where it came under the bond amount that we received. So we had over 400,000 of savings that we applied to debt service tax uh tax relief over the last few years. We used 100,000 each

038year the last four years. Unfortunately we used all that up. So for 24 25 that's the first year we don't have that available. So that looks that's why tax increased so much in that service. Uh 2324 there was a healthc care adjustment used uh and no bank cap use and the healthcare adjustment was 1,478,000 which $570 which increased t uh tax by 4.4% in total for this year. We're using a bank cap adjustment from that wasn't used in 2223 and the allowable healthcare adjustment for this year. The bank capital amount is 128,539. That was from the 2223 budget cycle and the healthcare adjustment is 562,769 for a total increase total percentage increase in that general fund of 3.11% and overall including debt service of 3.27%. Just to put a little bit of perspective on it,

039and we've shown this slide in previous presentations, but this gives you an idea of the 12-year trend um of how the general fund tax levy has been approached. So, you'll see that we have everything from a couple of years of 0% tax levy increase all the way up to a high last year of 4.48%. Um and we have brought that down a little bit and uh to a 3.11% to a general fund. Um when we had those years of lower tax levy increase or no increase that of course shrinks the base and so over time it was much more difficult for school districts to make that difference up to keep up with the cost of living increases um negotiated salary increases, insurance cost increases. So, um, we were again trying for some efficiencies and we

040were able to, um, make what we felt was a, um, a reasonable adjustment that would also help us to, to recover from some of that low basic. So, on March 12th, we presented to you the preliminary budget. Um on March 20th, submission of the preliminary budget went to had to be at the county office. Um we've received the approval for that. Um and on April 20th, we had to advertise the preliminary budget. Uh as of this evening, that's why it's highlighted in bold. Um we now have a county uh approved budget here for the board's consideration. Um that's all required by the state of New Jersey. They provide us with the budget calendar and we have to adhere to it. So, we're here for the budget hearing this evening. Um, and by May 2nd, the

041approved budget must be posted to the district website no later than 48 hours after public budget hearing and adoption. So, uh, that's that's the state's requirements for all school districts to adhere to. They may not have the exact same components for their board meetings, but it all has to fold within that window and that time frame. So, at this time, board members, if you have any questions for us, please feel free and we'll do our best. Okay. I I do I have a few questions. First of all, um about the science labs, I like the idea that the kids are going to have a half lunch and then go to go and do that lab because that's important. I'm curious as to whether or not we've hired a chemistry teacher and will that chemistry teacher

042be providing labs so that the kids are not doing it online. Yeah. So, um that was one of our goals. So, we have had a vacant chemistry position this year. It is in the budget. So, we are going close to that position. Um, and the hope is with the new schedule that, you know, the pulling children out of lunch will no longer become necessary, but that they will have the opportunity for more physical labs and less online. Okay. And now I have um two other questions. Um the cost of benefits is extremely high and I understand that is when when the insurers give us a cost for what we have to pay is that based on the number of claims that they have from our district. >> There's an entire calculation that they use that

043has the claims for our district. Our claims are actually very good. Uh I actually met with Brown and Brown. Brian Riser is our rep today and our our percentage increase for next year is great compared to other districts. He was telling me he says uh our claims right now for workers compensation are much higher. That's why insurance went up quite a bit. Um some of our other claim general liability claims a little higher but for our overall claims for employees that are putting in they said generally compared to other districts we're pretty good shape. >> Okay. And now I have another question. Um, can we mandate that our stat takes um 78 instead of 44 or is that negotiated? >> Uh, it's negotiated. There's open enrollment each year which happens in May. The first few

044years for chapter 44, there wasn't many people who switched and then I think as a few people switched and they talked to their co-workers, they realized the plan may work for them and a lot of them have switched over. So I think I after the preliminary budget hearing I sent the board a analysis that I did which it's almost 50/50 districtwide now between chapter 44 and 78. So even though the benefit increase isn't much isn't ridiculous next year that the actual premiums are going up the offset that we need to do in the budget for the health benefit the contribution from the employees which is governed by the state that is impacting it greatly. So I think uh Miss Francisco last year had a 3.2 2 offset for the health benefit contribution in last in

045the current year's budget and we're project for next year's maybe 2.8 at most and then open enrollment which happens next month. I'm sure more people are probably going to switch over to the chapter 44 plan. >> And my last question um what is your justification for splitting the Spanish position? Why if the number of kids that are going to be taking Spanish has increased so greatly, >> why have why are we splitting that position? because we wanted to make sure that we were able to mitigate some of the large class size at both schools and um you know as scheduling has been happening um you know right now both schools are seeing classes of over 30 students and we're hoping to get that into at least the mid20s um >> I hope so because as

046a foreign language that's very effective plus size >> no just for clarification sake if I could just go back to that chapter 44 chapter 78 question the other thing that's required in this state of New Jersey feels that as a new employee comes into a school district, they must be they have to apply for the um unless they don't take our benefits, they have to apply for the educator health and so that is chapter 44. So as new people come on, the idea is that they must take it. So we don't even have a way to you know they can't choose chapter 78 or chapter 4. Wednesday morning before sunset. >> It might be next year, right? >> Yeah. They're supposed to do the state's supposed to do a study that prove that they hit

047their benchmark on savings. Curious to see how much >> if they don't hit their savings, they reserve the right to change the plans and adjust it as need be. But we'll see when they come out with those numbers. >> Okay. Thanks. Um my first question is did you say that every elementary school will have encore? >> Yes. So every elementary school right now does have encore and the budget funds.5 of an encore teacher in all five elementary schools. What then happens in the title one schools and that's the way it is now but in the title one schools um the way Mr. Novc has been able to write that grant um in addition to that.5 for the part for the title one eligible. We don't know who our title eligible schools are yet because we

048haven't gotten our um our grant funding yet from the state but that calculation will be done and um but in at the very least this budget funds from 51 position. >> Can I piggy back on you for a second? >> Yeah. Encore is offered at all elementary schools, but is it offered for all the same grades at every elementary school? I'm going to have to defer Mr. Var with the um population size of the building. Um we also have sorry enjoying the show. Um we also have um a different level of students who qualify for um title one services building by building. So with doing this will this allow so that there's you know for better equity so that if at one school on kindergarten through third grade it's offered kindergarten through third grade at

049every school. >> So that's happening regardless of funding. There's a summer committee getting together to make sure that we have um a um general approach to how we are covering encore in in each building. We've had some discrepancies in the last few years because we have had a different uh variety of um funding structures with su title one and local. Some schools have had 1.5 um encore teachers. Some have just had um.5. Uh so next year in the proposal we'll have five encore teachers in each building locally funded and then the schools who uh qualify for title one funding will have a full-time person. Okay. But regardless of funding, the um coverage of Encore will be consistent by subject by grade uh for next year. >> Thank you. Sorry. >> No problem. Just a quick

050yes or no questions. I think I'm not comprehending. The high school will allow out of PE. So, um that's typically the way that it is. It had been structured. So that it's right now they're scheduled for 5 days of physical education, health and safety and one of those days would be a laboratory. So um that's what we're hoping to return to because right now we have a lot of students who are missing all or part of their lunch for lab. And you know I I've always been of the uh the understanding that as a student and I did it when I was a student, you can choose to take a class during your lunch if you want to. But I I feel very strongly that we shouldn't design a schedule that requires students. >> Thank

051you. Um my next question is did I hear you say something about flexing the Wait, let me take this back. There will be a new M andd program in elementary next year. >> Yes. Um and that's based on data that Dr. Resa and his team and the principles have been reviewing and the and the flex space comes in I did use that word um because you are also looking at the need for not only the MD services but LLB as well. So um there's still some >> it's going to really depend on the evaluations and progress of students. So all of that is pending which is why we want to have that flexibility. Um the tennis court repair. >> It's a very easy question. Are we talking the tennis courts behind MCU or an NZ

052pound? >> Yeah, the sensor found out. So sometime Mr. Glenn got a price that came out, but even the person who came to look at it said they were they were booked till July anyway. So rather than try to do it this year, which was pretty different. >> Thank you. This question is for you too. like just a clarification like um you said that the phone system and you use the word Zoom and I think most people would assume that Zoom is like the town meetings that comes free that you could also get with Google but that's not what you're referring to. >> No, when we upgraded the phone system a few years ago, uh Zoom was the company that we decided to go with and they so we are holding the phone system. The

053whole phone system has been up and running for a couple years now. not been working great. But there is the annual cost that associated with running the program. Uh for some reason that was omitted from last year's budget and oversight. I think because it was the first year that we had the full time maybe wasn't in the budget the year before so it was overlooked. But this year we had to build for it and we had to find money for it and then we included it for next year. >> Thank you. >> Good. Um both Bill and Dr. Thank you very much for your stats are sharp pencils and I'm sure a lot of books here is what it is. Um couple questions for you on the benefits side of things you um what percentage

054of it is we're talking about 48 to 44 to 78 program medical insurance program long-term short-term disabilities unemployment retirement packages things like that. What part of that is the health? >> The 17 million that's fully health benefits. >> That's fully health benefits. The workers comp and other things was in the insurance category. Workers comp, general liability, that was all in the insurance category. So, so the $17 million number that we're focusing that is the health benefit cost uh for dental, prescription, um health health benefits for the year. granted that that includes the offset for the employees. That includes the the credit offset, >> correct? Okay. Yes. >> So the um and then does that include long-term short-term disabilities? We have that in the program or >> No, you you get the pension program employees going

055to buy disability program. >> Okay. So 17 million is the health and I'll have to go back to that the other question. The other question I had was I see that we're we seem to be increasing technology cost which Well, the 2024 um the textbook costs, are we seeing those go down because we're we're migrating to online type stuff? >> A lot of it's part of that and also on the cycles for each year. So last year, I believe I forget which program it was that we they replaced last year, but there's no major upgrades on technology or um textbook replacements for this year. So it depends on the cycle. Sometimes there's a 5year license for the books. There's none that are up for this year. There's no need to really budget for a whole

056lot of textbooks for this year replacements, but there are a lot of things switching over to the electronic version which in theory may say. Yeah. >> Okay. I'll come I'll come back to my insurance question. Sorry. >> I just had um a quick question. The second MD programs, are they going to be housed together in the same building >> and do we have space? >> So, yes. See, so speaking about the the flex the MD or LT program depending on the needs, the intention is to house it in the same building with the existing MD program. Um, it also benefits us because we have a lot of our preschool program in the same building in April and it really allows for us to have a seamless transition for those students as we evaluate what their

057needs are as they are little ones and we developmentally want to make sure we do it right by those students in that process. I think it's included in other. So on the slide that you were looking at just that budget comparison 23 24 proposed 2425 that is included in general administration is included in that that line for for the budget account uh breakdown from a slide >> yeah it's included in one of those one of those other >> I can get the actual they sent that >> is it is it manage program or is it contractual? >> No, it's a manage program. It fluctuates each year if they do uh adjustments if you have a good year in a HIP, the food insurance fund. >> Uh and uh they adjust each year. So we're with

058other districts as well. So it factors in their ratings as well. So the whole fund that we're included in, it factors that I know we discussed that with some of the insurance costs on some of the vehicles. It's the same type of thing there. They calculate ours. And then we receive um if if the fund has a good year, we'll receive a refund. And then some years if it's bad year then we'll receive a bill usually haven't received bill by two years. >> Yeah. >> And last again you know transportation sorry we're we're running 60% of our cost transportation is on vehicle costs maintenance things like that and the other the other 4% is salaries. >> So the salaries well included in the uh the 60% is like the outsourced runs I have as well.

059>> Okay. >> Yeah. So that's that's the biggest piece I think those are stay skyrocketing. So a certain run might be $700 a day but it might cost us $100 a day to do it one of our we have salary. >> Yeah salary it's not exactly it's a huge huge >> thank you. >> Any other questions? I actually I have followed school budget this West Milford school budget for many many years and this is the first year I have to say that I just it was so smooth. I understand every single thing. Every question has been answered. I feel calm. I'm not sweating. Um and the fact that um it's the first year that I've ever seen that Mr. Satovich doesn't have any questions. Um, I know that you've just done a really good job.

060Um, so I >> I wanted to say thank you. Um, I really I feel so comfortable this year with this budget and um I don't I can't say I've ever felt that way before. So, thank you so much for your hard work. >> Thank you. >> I said it right. Yeah. >> You nailed it. >> I nailed it. Mr. Satic is to my right. Yes. His last name. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. >> Okay. And thank you everyone. Um you know the the discussion is so helpful to us because we think we got it right and then you know just being able to participate in this kind of discussion board is really helping us to make sure that we, you know, we're should feel as confident as we do. Um, I'm going to continue with the

061rest of my superintendent report. It's very brief, but it's also a state requirement. So, um, I wanted to make sure that the board and the public are aware that the 2022 2023 school performance reports were re recently released by the state of New Jersey and are available to the public. You'll be able to access these reports from our district website for each of our schools and for the district itself. These school performance reports reflect the New Jersey Department of Education's commitment to providing parents, students, and school communities with a wide variety of information. These reports can be used as a tool to help evaluate whether all students have equitable access to highquality education. The uh NJ do encourage districts to use these reports to learn more about our schools and about the district to start

062conversations within our school community to engage with school communities to identify what's our schools are doing well and where we can make improvements. It should be remembered though that these reports reflect uh data that is over a year old and that they do not include any of the work in which the district has been engaged in order to move forward. You may recall the presentation concerning assessment data that was given by Mr. Novak and our principles earlier in the school year. That was the data that was that was presented, the 2223 data. Um, in addition, the school performance reports include information about student and staff demographics, school climate and culture, attendance, and many more items. The 2223 school performance reports include some changes made by NJ. They are student growth data which has not been

063included since the uh 2018 2019 school performance reports, an expanded computer science course participation um which includes all grade levels K12 and the results from the fall 2023 every student succeeds act or ESSA accountability process which is included for the first time. In June, we'll be reporting out on our programs um for the achievement of year 2 goals of our district strategic plan um goals, objectives, indicators, and tasks that we've been engaged in. We've already presented that uh report twice. Gave you an initial and then a midyear update. And so in June, we'll be recapping and showing, you know, what progress we have made on the things that we said we wanted to accomplish this school year. um most and many of those items are found in the uh the school performance reports. So rather

064than giving you you know a data recap on old data, I will be reporting out on what we've been doing to address that old data if that makes sense. Um we always want to keep an eye on making improvements to curricular alignment, instructional practice, student achievement, social emotional learning, school climate and culture and the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. And although these school performance reports um you know they they always hit the news and they and people make a big deal about them but please know that just for our own school community edification you know that data is a year old and we've been doing a lot of work since that that data was gathered. Um, so the timing of the report always has school districts scrambling to remind everybody, yeah, but

065we've been reporting on all this great work we've been doing. And you know, I just wanted to make that connection. So you you're welcome to visit our website. You'll find the link there and you'll be able to access those reports. It >> does this report have comparison to what our students are doing with other districts that are like? >> Uh, no. It has a comparison with the state, but not other school districts. with the state. >> Yeah. Usually they'll use a state average. >> Yeah. The data. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> And Miss Harrison is not here this evening, so we'll skip the student representative um report. So, Mr. Novat, Director of Education report. >> Right. Thank you. I'm just going to provide a few brief updates right along the lines of

066some of the things that Dr. just alluded to with um some work that we've been doing. Uh as many of you are aware, we've been talking for the last few months or almost a year now about our intended uh replacement of our English language arts program for our students in grades K through five. We are at a uh critical point now in the process. We we are near completion of our um first pilot program which is the um curriculum associates magnetic program. Uh we had a meeting this morning with the uh representative with our kindergarten through second grade teachers and our third through fourth grade uh third through fifth grade teachers were able to um check in virtually with our trainer just to make sure that they're understanding everything that goes along with this uh

067with this new program. The the feedback has been uh the feedback has been been positive. uh visiting classrooms and and talking to our administrators and our staff. They really loved um this new program and uh we're in the process of beginning the second program pilot which is provided by Monro Hill. Uh that program is called Wonders. Uh the materials have been arriving a little bit starting uh starting last week. Uh by the end of this week, our teachers will have everything they need to begin teaching that program on Monday. Again, that's called Wonders. We have a launch training with the uh I think it's about 23 staff members who are part of the uh who are part of the wonders training and they will be getting on uh they will begin on uh Monday May

0686th and they will complete one unit um one unit of study and they selected that unit so that it is um comparable to the work that they would have been presenting to their students at this time of year in our existing curriculum. Um, one of the interesting things that we've seen is the um, teachers who are using the pilot materials uh, want to continue using it. They don't want to go back to what we've been using. So that's uh, to me that's a positive sign. um the uh group of teachers who um are currently piloting the magnetic program. Uh I think there's about I think we have 24 24 staff members piloting magnetic and not all of those teachers are going to be the ones who transition to the wonders program. Some of them will

069be the same uh but we have a we have a some new teachers who are not part of this pilot doing doing wonders. So um overall about half of our u half of our district classrooms K through five will be experiencing these these pilot programs. So it's been a a lofty and ambitious goal. Um but it's been um fun and rewarding to this point and we are hoping to have a recommendation for the board for program replacement at the uh May 21st uh board of education meeting and then I will provide a um a pretty detailed update at our next education committee which is I believe on May 13th. Um that's my update for um the LA pilot. Um, one one um other uh area I wanted to point out and I' I've spoken about

070this in uh education committee often but I think it's a good um a good process to point out for for all and and and talk about it publicly is that um one of the things we've been working on for the course of the year is the um course sequence at Mackaban. Um and what we believe is that um our our kindergarten through 8th grade process is is really geared towards preparing students for uh that next level. Algebra 1, algebra 1 readiness is so crucial um to making sure that our um high school students, you know, reach that level of success and have that mathematics trajectory that can prepare them for uh post-secary careers, the college path, all those all those great things we want out of out of our students when they when they come

071in kindergarten and we want to see them, you know, go on to a great career. um this realignment of our Makabin U math course uh sequence is is crucial. So I I did print out uh a copy of the that I'll I'll pass around and reach out before the end of the night. Um this is the new course sequence um that that really focuses on algebra one readiness by the time our students leave uh leave the eighth grade. And again, we we've talked about a lot in uh education committee. I thought it was important to share with the the entire board tonight. And I I will pass this around and um you know continue to talk about it at Nosing at at that committee. So that's it. Just my uh just my update. >> I

072have a question. I don't know if it's well kind of related. The kids coming into kindergarten when you do an when the teachers do an assessment of them, >> how long is that assessment? >> Uh it depends on the assessment. Uh in our um in our kindergarten orientation process. >> Yeah. Uh we we our students come in for about half a day. Um they go through a number of different assessments. They have a they go through a social assessment. They go through some um some basic skills like you you know cutting, coloring, um identifying letters, um identifying numbers, those types of things. Um so there's a period of time where our administrators, reading specialists, some of our transportation department will come and talk to our parents. While that process is taking place with our parents,

073the kids are in the classrooms doing activities and then those activities are are all observable um observable task. And what I what I can do is bring that criteria to ed committee if you want to see what that >> I just was wondering if the kids were together in a group or they were assessed individually. >> It's a little of um a little both. that we do something also with the with the preschools, right? The preschools do >> we have a we have a for students who who come from a a preschool um in our in town or who have access to our forms as part of our pre-registration packet as a um kindergarten readiness inventory that our preschool or our early learning uh caregivers in in the town or where our students are coming

074from fill it out. It's a it's a checklist of of skills, you know, range of um you know, range of uh you know, kindergarten readiness, you know, >> so there they are being assessed oneonone usually with the preschool, >> right? >> And we assess in kindergarten pretty early on. We don't do that in our kindergarten um we don't do it in our um our kindergarten orientation screening. We have a um you know we have a a phological awareness screening uh we call it the TOPA um that's also part of our dyslexia screening that happens that happens very early in in kindergarten with our our reading specialists and our kindergarten staff take us forward nine years at the end of Macin we're we're talking about the the math programs that we're running in Macin to make

075sure these kids are ready for high school. Are we see have we gone through a period where we're starting to see the students going into high school more prepared? And is it is the is the baton being passed yet or we're not quite there yet at that point? >> Just to be perfectly honest, we're not not quite there yet. Um I think the current sequence is why we know we needed to address the sequence. So that the current sequence um in my opinion leads to uh a acceleration of students maybe beyond what they're um what they're ready for. So this this is a sequence that um focuses strongly on prerequisite learning making sure that the basic skills are mastered before moving on to that moving on to that next. this program. We have principles in

076here and teachers in here a few months ago talking about making sure it's a a clean smooth transition. >> Right. And they were going to go on not just math but also to language arts and sciences and things like that. >> Right. So we've got the math in place now. Are we the other the other pieces in place as well for going forward? I ask question I'd say yes. um you know if you want to specifically which which other pieces um this leads to um you know access to the appropriate mathematical um course for our students you know beginning in the sixth grade. Uh we had a process for the last few years, probably the last five or six, right around um just before we moved the sixth grade to MAC. Um sixth graders can

077come in and have access to a um pre-alggebra class. Um pre-alggebra, which is one of the um one of the courses that we will we we won't have a course named pre-alggebra going forward. We have a course named um grade seven honors. And essentially what that um what that pro what that class is is the combination of seventh and eighth grade New Jersey student learning standards in in an accelerated course. Um pre-alggebra has been you know just looking and talking around the county. There's been I guess different interpretations of what a pre-alggebra classes. um we're making sure that we're having a process to prepare students for algebra 1 that doesn't skip um student learning standards from a particular grade. And I think that's the process that we've had the last 5 years where um a

078student may have been accelerated and didn't get exposed to all those standards um because they did well in in um a previous class. >> Okay. So then they're in the pipeline for math at that point with the basic knowledge to move forward. We got the same programs in place for English language arts and science and and everything like that. Is that all coming together? >> Yeah, I don't think we had the same um I don't think we had the same discrepancy um in those uh in those areas that we've had. Uh I know our um uh previous uh STEM supervisor um did great work in um making sure that we had a physics for all approach. So we had a um we have a process now in high school where every student is taking the

079path of biochem physics um where you know allows all of our students access to uh access to physics which we didn't didn't always have. So, I think our um language arts and uh science and history programs were a little um I don't want to say ahead of the game, just um um you know on on the right path because we didn't have this um mathematics is one of those you know builds on >> build on builds on on prerequisite learning and to have an accelerated process that skipped pieces uh didn't have a great option. Thank you. Can I add on to that? >> Sorry. Do you have a question about math? >> No. >> Um >> Danny, when you started in your position, how many students do you think on average did we have going

080into the high school as freshmen in either geometry or above? >> Uh I think annually we probably had uh less than 10. >> Less than 10. >> How many do we have now? >> Around 30. >> 30. Um I have I'm want to piggy back's question because I remember my first few years on this board math was the biggest question and again this year I I mean where all this positivity is coming from but I have seen so much math um increase like in all you know um in men in elementary with ready. So I I am grateful and confident that I think we are moving in that right direction and I happen to know a lot of those 30 students that are not entering as freshmen in algebra 1. you know, um, before 10

081years ago, everybody, you didn't enter high school above algebra, you know, everybody was in algebra 1 or below. And now we have 30 students in our district above, and we can only go, you know, in a better direction that way. So, I'm very pleased with the things that have happened in the last few years, the programs we brought, the structure, the um, opportunities for students. I just wanted to add that to Peter's questions because I I see it in in our community. [Music] All right. Just a short special reports and correspondence. >> Sure. We have the uh minutes for the March 12th, 2024 preliminary budget hearing special action meeting. Uh the minutes for the March 19th, 2024 workshop regular meeting. the March 28, 2024 special meeting. Uh the April 4th, 2024 special meeting and the

082executive session for April 4th, 2024. >> Thank you. Could I have a motion? >> I have a question. >> I I just want to make sure that this last time this was a little bit of a issue. I just want to make sure that I can abstain from March 19th before we do the the voice. So I will just want to abstain from March 19th. >> I move those meeting minutes. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay. I too have to abstain. Mr. Schultz, I I need to abstain from March 12th and the April 4th meetings. And yes to the absolute >> and I um have to abstain from March 19th >> down on this. I need to abstain from the April 4th meetings. >> Um March get it right.

083>> Mr. I'd like to have seen from March 28th. >> Thank you. Thank you. anymore. >> Okay, the president's report. So, just uh two quick things uh to move it on quickly. I just wanted to um congratulate the um National Junior Honor Society inductees that were inducted last week. It was a great night. Um, I expected Miss Harrison to be here, so I wasn't going to say anything to the high school, but uh, just a quick shout out also to the distinguished scholars, which was that evening also, and all the um, you know, the students that, um, received some amazing awards and uh, recognition. And also just want to say um, a little blurb about the Makipin play, James and the Giant Peach. Yet again, another great performance by our students. I am just blown

084away by the performances that I see in this district. Um it's an amazing um thing to see and thank you to everyone who participated, the staff that you know gave so much of their time um to those students night after night, day after day, week after week. But the performance was amazing. So, congratulations to the students of the MCAPIN play. And that's it from my report. So, now we'll go on to public comment. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. We forgot something. And I think you, you know, kind of felt funny because your son was involved, but I'm going to say it. The high school band went to stop. They did a wonderful job. They were so well behaved. It's another example of how we have to be proud of our arts program.

085And congratulations to the Highlander band. You're wonderful. I watched you on YouTube. I watched you. You're great. So, thank you. >> That was an amazing uh trip. I will say my son was there and had an amazing time. And then the next day, they came back at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning. And then the pipes and drums were at West Point for the day on Sunday for the West Point tattoo. So they got up and went to school. Yes. >> Yeah. And then they got up and went to school yesterday. >> Thank Thank you, Mrs. Dwire. So public comments. All speakers will have 5 minutes to speak until a period of 30 minutes transpires. Before speaking, please state your name, group affiliation, and address for the record. Members of the public who have requested to speak

086prior to the meeting will be recognized by the chair first. After speaking, all speakers are asked to sign their register provided and give their full name, group affiliation, and their address. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer, and no participant may address or question board members individually. All speakers are expected to have read the statement within the agenda regarding the regulations concerning public comments. Members of the public are reminded that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Um I do believe that we have one person who signed up for uh the second session, but if it's okay with every >> I was actually uh going to ask Miss Lockwood if we could suspend the rules just to allow speakers to speak on anything that way out of respect for their time

087and we can't >> let them run with their lives. >> I was going to ask you the same thing. So, having said that, I would like to invite Miss Palato. Um, >> all in favor? >> I So, I would like to invite Miss Palato uh to speak to the National Day of Prayer. >> Thank you everyone for allowing me to speak with you tonight. I was here last year um invited uh the week out and I've got to say I just am so happy to see how well and how much effort we put in to support our kids because our our kids are precious to us here in West Milford and are so precious that the National Day of Prayer um as you know we gather with the entire nation and we join with them

088in unity to pray for our country and uh but the education is so important to us here in West Milford that we actually designate an event just for education. So um our national day of prayer is in two days. Um we're going to have three events. The first event is at the Veterans Park in front of the town hall at 12. Um, we're going to be covering uh seven categories in all of our events except for the one for education, but I just want to tell you what they are. Um, the country and our town joining with them. We are going to be praying for um the government, the businesses in our nation and in our town, education, churches, family, the media and arts, and military. those seven uh categories um because as you know

089um our country is facing some pretty severe things and uh it's really important as our churches [Applause] [Music] said something is that you [Music] >> on the line >> yeah it's on the line uh so at any Um there are the three events that that we're going to be going to the the um the first at 12. The second one is specifically for education. We're going to be meeting at the board of ed building outside at 4:00. So from 4:00 to 5:00 we're going to be praying for all of you and our stu our students, the staff, the teachers. And if any of you or any of the uh teachers too uh want to come out, we would love to pray for you individually in your needs. And then our big event is here in

090this building. But over at the cafeteria, uh we meet together um with all the churches. Once again, we will have a um music worship from a combination of all of the churches coming together with their musicians. uh for singing and then we're going to create a couple of these uh these areas of concern for America. Um but what's really important to understand is um it's important to God about unity and I asked the Lord I'm like you know I I need a picture I need a picture of the importance of unity and I know this sounds kind of strange but this is what I got. If anybody is a is a gun owner and you have a bullet inside that bullets are brains and the higher number of brains that you have within that bullet

091it's the it's more powerful the more the higher the brains the more powerful it is and that's the same way that God works when you have a large number the more people that come with like faith and believing and trusting in him come together. It's powerful. It's more powerful than you know. So, we are asking people if your faith is in God knowing he's still on the throne, please come out. Support the National Day of Prayer. Pray for our country. We need it so badly. We need prayer for our kids. You all, we pray for you throughout the entire year. We have community prayer that meets once a month um the second Friday of every month of every month. And we pray for all of you, our students in all of these categories as well

092for our town because we want our town to be successful. We want our kids to be successful as all of you do. We can tell by the efforts that you put in. We want them prepared for the next step. And so so do we. And we want you covered in prayer. We love you. We appreciate you. And we just wanted the time to invite you out for the National Day of Prayer in two weeks. So thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? [Applause] >> Catherine Weiss, 37 High Drive. I just have a question about the budget. I don't know if I have to call the board office to get the answer or not about it. It's about the tuition. Why is PCTI um included under the the

093tuition when you're including special education as well? Because the students going to PCTI are not necessarily special education students. They're general education students. So, I was just confused on why they were considered part of that. So, I don't know if I should call the board office for the explanation. >> Interest all the tuitions together just as a grouping of all tuitions. I can provide you a breakdown of special ed versus the PCTI breakout if you'd like to >> I just when you sit and you talk about special education we're sitting going both PCTI like I understand it's part of tuition but we you're homing it together as part of special education I was like that's that could be a little deceiving I just didn't know how much actually went there >> yeah so um just

094to clarify a little bit that tuition category is not necessarily just special it's not special education tuition it's all tuitions so um the category. We're sorry if we made it seem as though that was a special ed cost. It is not. It's a combination of general education and special education. Thank you very much. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? >> Move to close with public comments. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. Um, is there any um changes to the agenda? >> Okay. So, members of the board, you probably saw this in your packet, but I just want to make sure that it's pointed out to you. Under education on page 19, there's a motion that was not in your original budget, and it is number 14 for uh training and

095travel. And there's one caveat with that. Um, not only is the motion new, but from the information we did receive, we have one more staff member's name who's been added. Um, and it's um, page 19, motion what? >> Motion 14. >> Oh, 14. >> Yeah, sorry. >> Okay. >> So, there is one more name that we've added and um, Dr. Russell puts that information for you. Okay. And then I I know that you saw the hand carry motions that I present to you earlier today. >> I move to adopt the agenda. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay. M operations and finance, please. >> Uh under operations and finance. [Music] our operations and finance. I'd like to move motion number one. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay, seeing none. Roll

096call, please. >> Mr. Libby, >> yes. >> Mr. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rakana, >> yes. >> Mr. Satovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Smart bar. >> Yes. >> Holy cow. >> Sorry. Okay. Under operation finance, I'd like to move motions number two through six. >> Second. >> Any discussion call? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Liby, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rakana, >> yes. >> Mr. Satilovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vanetti, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mark, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood, >> yes. >> Operations and finance. I'd like to move number seven. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call. >> Mr.

097Licky, >> yes. >> Mr. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rakano, >> yes. >> Mr. Stovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> excuse. >> Mrs. Vand, >> same. >> Mrs. Wire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Markmar, >> absame. >> Mrs. L. >> Yes. Under operations and finance, I'd like to move numbers 8 through 11. Second, >> any discussion? >> Mr. Libby, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rakana, >> yes. >> Mr. Satovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Djk, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. Mrs. Mark. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lwood. >> Yes. >> And then Peter >> Peter. [Music] My apologies. >> Okay. On operators of finance, I'd like to move number 12 on the hand carry. Second. I have a question. >> Okay, Connor. >> Um, without

098getting without getting into specifics, is this a student who lives in town but can't have use our transportation? So this is a a parent contract in which a parent is is electing to uh drive or transport their child to a school in lie of uh district transportation. So transportation contract has been created. >> Can any parent elect this? >> No. This one is uh it's a special student and the cost from the student they would need a nurse and other services for it. So the parent is willing to drive the student, right? It's a cheaper option than correct outsourcing it. >> Okay. Thank you. You're >> welcome. >> Any other discussion? Seeing none, please. >> Mr. Rippy, >> yes. >> Mr. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rico, >> yes. >> Mr. Silvich, >> yes. >>

099Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vend, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mark, >> yes. >> Mrs. Locker, >> yes. Okay. Personnel, student affairs, Mrs. Van Dyke. Okay. Um, I'd like to move items one through Can I include the name? >> 1 through 66. >> Second. >> Okay. Before I open it up to discussion, I just want to um just say a little something in regards to the retirees uh which is number one, number two, number three, number four. I just wanted to congratulate these staff members and all the years of service that you've provided. Um I just wanted to go through who they were and the amount of years that they've given. So Mrs. Metaf has given almost 28 years in education, 23 years in our district. Uh Miss Pine um

100has given 30 years in district. Uh Mrs. McCarthy has given 18 years in district and Mr. Olo has given 25 years in district. Congratulations. I wish you well in your retirement. Enjoy and good luck in the next phase of your um life and career. So now I'll open it up to >> just like the second when you said thank you to them for their years of service. >> Yeah. A lot of years. >> Yes. And Mrs. Romeo. Um I also I'll um congratulations to everyone and I just want to say that I'm really sad for us to see Jen Maf retire. I don't know the other retirees, but um she's number one on the agenda. And um Jen Metaf is number one. Um man, is she an incredible teacher, a great communicator, always prepared. First

101high school teacher I ever saw send out summer letters to every student and just always so energetic and wonderful. One of the best teachers I've ever seen. So, I'm sad to see her on the agenda, but I'm very happy for her. So, >> and a product of West Milford. >> What? >> She's a Wester alone. >> And she's a West Milford alum. Yeah. Um, Mrs. >> Yeah. I I second that about Jen Metaf. I've known Jen Medcap since she was a little girl and um her enthusiasm is inspiring and she has inspired many students and many of those students have become history teachers, psychologists, um just really productive members of society and we have Jen to thank for that. So um thank you Jen if you're listening Mrs. McQuay. So I also think that she

102should be given enormous accolades for her work with the yearbook. She has done. So I mean the amount of hours that she put in for the yearbook was so many many many more than she was compensated for. And our yearbooks were amazing. And she was excited about it. and she would come in and make you take your picture even if you wanted to use the one from when you were hired 10 years ago. And she is an amazing teacher, but she also did so much that wasn't part of her salary or her job. Um, and she's just amazing. Big loss, but very very happy for her. Any other discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> I abstain a number 43 and yes on the rest. >> Mr. Satovich, >> yes. >>

103Mrs. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rakana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> I would use 42,554. Yes. On the others. >> Those numbers one more time. 425 >> 42 55 55 and 54 >> 54 Thank you >> Mr. Libby. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Abstain on number 63 and 65. Yes on everything else. >> Mrs. Mark, >> abstain on 43. Yes to everything else. Misswood. >> Yes. Okay. Education, Mrs. Dwire. Okay. Turn to that page. Oh my goodness gracious. All these personalities. I know there's six 15. Okay. I'd like to move items 1 through 15 under education. Second. >> Any discussion? [Applause] I see none, Mr. Schultz. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Satovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Markwart, >> yes. >> Mr.

104Liby, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vanzy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rakana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lock, >> yes. >> Okay. Mr. Mr. Tvich, policy. >> Under policy, I'd like to move items number one through 21. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, roll, please, Mr. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Drien. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mr. Okconor. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Markard. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lurkey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Block. >> Yes. >> Committee reports. Uh, parks and recreation. Mrs. Dwire. >> Okay. Well, we were supposed to have a meeting this past Thursday, but it was cancelled. And the meeting before that was wonderful. There's a lot of things going on in the town. I gave everybody at committee

105um packets of the activities that were going on. Um they're working hard with our maintenance people to get those fields in order and um I just I appreciate everything they're doing, but that's the only report I have for tonight. >> Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Der. Safety. Uh Mrs. Rakano, Mrs. uh we have our next uh safety meeting in May >> and superintendent roundt Mrs. Ricardano and Mrs. Pandike um we met uh with the superintendent's round table on April 18th. um items on the agenda. Um we they brought up the uh Paradise bus accident. Um and they really wanted to know what the protocol is for informing parents about this because um because of the chaos happening, parents weren't um immediately informed. So uh Dr. Fernari mentioned that um it identified a little bit of a

106hole in our protocol and we know now know that we need a second and third backup of someone in the building who can send out those messages to parents. Um parents were concerned that the ELA pilot um may not be long enough. Um it I think it was 3 weeks each for the two um programs but um Mr. Novak assured us that the ELA committee has been working on this for about a year and investigating all of these potential programs and they feel confident that this is just the final mile. Um they mentioned a playground grant that um Mr. Glenn was looking into and the um the funds came through in the second round of the stabilization act aid. Uh drainage will be improved at Marshall Hill and worked on through the summer >> and

107the um preschool equipment will also be um put in there. Um they asked when STEM camp registration will come out and um it's going to be the same as in the past. On Friday 4:19, a message was sent advertising the program with dates and um as in past years, there will be a link with the appropriate information sent out. Um the committee was concerned that open job postings weren't being posted and um that we might be missing out on um the qualified candidates. But since our budget was passed tonight, um I am assuming that they'll go up tomorrow. Um and uh May is the month to find um these candidates. So we are in good shape. Um, previously I had mentioned the book vending machines um that they were thinking about implementing in the elementary

108schools and um the update is that UGL will most likely be the pilot school um just to see how it goes and then we'll we'll work on that model for the rest of the elementary schools depending on how that goes. Um, again, you know, I feel like we bring this up every month, uh, calendar complex and, you know, different schools having things happening on the same night, same time, same day. And, um, it turned out that everybody was looking at different calendars to schedule their activities. So, I think we've rectified the problem and everybody will now be looking at the district website calendar and that will be it's not the gag or whatever. It will be the district website calendar. Everybody needs to look at that calendar to schedule anything. Um um as of that

109day, I'm sure it's gone up by now, but there were 182 students enrolled for kindergarten. And um that that was all from the SRT. >> Thank you, Mrs. Shano. The Paya County School Boards Association. Um nothing to report. The next meeting is May 29th. and Mr. Savage, the New Jersey School Boards Association. >> You'll get used to that last name. I promise you that. >> I don't know. Am I doing it right? >> So, in terms of the New Jersey school boards, there are plenty of webinars that are coming up in the month of May. I'm not going to rattle through the dates, but I'm just going to give you the topics that are being discussed. So, navigating education governance insights into QAC contract review and special education. Next one is enhancing student success strategies

110and tools. The following best practices for policy development and maintaining the manual. And lastly, for the month of May, empowering K through 12 education, a deep dive into Microsoft Copilot. That's great. So on May 10th, Friday, May 10th is the NJSBA spring conference uh entitled student success, school safety, and public relations. There is no time set yet, but it will be at Mercer County College, and it's usually during the day, probably around 10:00 to 3:00. If you can attend, as always, I recommend it. And last for the month of May, there is a delegate assembly on May 18th. And this is where the school boards of the entire state get together and vote on a a number of advocating policies that uh are suggested either by the school districts that have approved a resolution on

111their own to submit to the school board or are being brought up by the school board association to advocate on behalf of students throughout the state. So I may be able to make it but if I can't if somebody could stay in in my steed to be a part of it. It's a great experience. It's very formal. The decorum is is something that we could all really all meaning any uh board can learn from uh because of how well it's organized. So, I'll keep you up to date on that. And the your pasta being brought up for go. >> Yes, Mrs. Dory. >> Mrs. Dovich. >> N I nailed it. >> Where is the street held? >> That is that is also at the Mercer County College conference. >> So, the date May 18th. >>

112So, I did sign up for that virtually. Do you typically do the virtual or the in person? >> The voting has to be done, I believe, in person. >> Yeah. >> So, you could obviously participate virtually, but in order to be involved in the voting process, you must be there. >> Yeah. Do they give you lunch? >> Always. The New Jersey School Boards Association always gives you food. >> This is bad. And that's it for school boards. >> That is it. And no legislative report. >> Okay. Easy. So technology oversight, Mr. Lippy, and Mrs. Laquire. >> Hey, technology oversight. Uh, we met with Mr. Wson, Mr. Novak, Dr. Fernari, and there was someone else. >> Yeah, I could I could make you Mr. Um, good meeting. Um, very open, very honest as to what's going

113on. Um, basic highlights of the meeting. Uh, we are getting ready to switch the this next year. Incoming freshmen are going to be switched to 11in Chromebooks versus 14inch Chromebooks. This way, um, districtwide with 11 in going around will help save us money in repairs, help save us money keeping things consistent and things like that. There is a thought process from making the insurance um the $25 payment for insurance every year as a mandatory with a possible $50 per family uh top dollar. So if you have two students or eight students, it would be total of $50. Also along with that, we're talking about um any particular family that goes for a a year or two without damage to their machine getting free year or so of insurance on that. Uh the $25 pay is

114very minimal in terms of um the cost of repairing. Number one number one problem we have with the Chromebooks is a screen and that can run upward to $300. So just on that first page, you're covered on that. We're also looking at trying to finance it through other means those families who may not be able to afford the extra money. Um the is the awareness training has been completed and it's gone throughout all the staff on the know before your fisher goes on the board. Once you see your email, there's a little fish oak on the side. Now, uh that helps find some fishing emails. And that actual day, I found one on my email that I received supposedly from Miss Lockwood asking me to go out to Walmart by gift cards cuz you weren't

115in the office possibly get the money in time for the district. It's just one of those fun emails, but it's it's a good thing to have to to teach um to instruct teachers, administrative people how to avoid fishing and how to avoid things that could in the long run cost us a lot of money. It's also a good way to help keep keep our um online insurance or our cyber insurance premiums down if we we have this training going up. Okay. Uh currently the website uh we talked about this at one of the meetings but um our current platform that we're using Blackboard has been acquired. Um, this is our content management service. The So, we're going to be looking, we have a a runway to look at other possibilities. Um, other platforms that we

116can use that we may be able to pull everything that we do all through one type of a a service and it's going to cost money, but hopefully it'll cost us a little less. um other things in the more physical sense that are going on. There are current plans right now to update some of the last few classrooms throughout the district that need uh cabling and hardware in some of the classrooms. They just it wasn't run through. Um good news is it looks like we have a little bit of e-ray funds. So it'll basically cost us about 50% of the actual cost. So we'll save some money there. Um there is uh Mr. Novak and the team at the high school are looking at updating our computer lab with furniture uh furniture that can be

117used with today's what these what the kids are walking in with walking in with a uh the Chromebook and they have their computer and maybe they have an open things like that but the way the tests are situated it's just not coherent. It's not conducive to to doing that. as we're looking at trying to refund that, try to rebuild that, try to redo the wiring. There's currently some safety issues with some wiring. Um, the way the boxes are mounted on the floor and things like that. Um, and leads you might be able funds are hooked over are part of that. So, you may be able to actually get that with federal funding. That's a good thing. Um, last on the list, we've had some upgrades to cameras over Apua. Should help us with our our

118early morning choppers um running around the building doing things I shouldn't be doing. And um Mr. Winston's team was able to mount one of the new cameras for the playground um with a better technology than we have today. So, we didn't have to put a camera in the middle of the playground. still in the building, but the lens and all that we can see and then see what they were doing. Um, they give the the proper registration the the access that they need to see things that are going on, things like that. Um, and we're looking at a couple other areas that we need cameras up and such. Our next meeting will be when we need to have another meeting. [Laughter] >> Thank you. um township board of education joint committee. Mr. Sich, I'm going

119to ask you to >> So the township board of education joint committee met last night and our discussion involved delineating the respective board of education versus township responsibilities with regards to any possibilities for Hillrest or the Delos field. And primarily the discussions were involving the highlands regulations, board of education restrictions, and any funding sources that would fund the project to improve the services for our community while at the same time protecting the taxpayers. So our next meeting hasn't been announced yet. Please stay tuned. >> Thank you. Municipal Alliance, Mrs. Van Dyke and Mrs. Jurgensson. Uh the the pals the pals for prevention was a great success and the alliance I believe is planning on doing it again next year. It was a fun event. It was very well attended. Great. >> Um also on May

12019th is Scott's fun run which is at the West Mford parks and private uh building. That's all we have. >> Okay. Thank you. And special education parent advisory committee. Mrs. Mard, do you have anything? >> So, the next meeting will be May 8th here in the Macken cafeteria from 7:00 to 9:00 um in person or virtual. Um there will be a presentation on transition resources from the division of vocational and rehabilitation uh services. Thank you. Old business. Any old business. >> Move to close old business. >> Second. >> All those in favor. >> Opposed. New business. Um, Mr. What else? Can we have an update on the kill gallon field, the bleachers and the drainage there? >> So, I really have an update on the drainage. So now we've done a lot on the drainage

121over the years and it's gotten a lot better than it used to be. As for the bleachers, we ordered new bleachers at the be in the fall. I believe we ordered them. They the bleachers are in. It's just the guys in our maintenance department have not had an opportunity to assemble the bleachers and to put the concrete pad down and play concrete. So what they recently did was they put the old bleachers that were there, they put those back in there. This way the uh the spectators at the games have somewhere to sit for the time being. So, it's on the docket to get the project done. It's just the guys with the weather hasn't assisted and also maintaining all fields. They've been doing that. They're trying to find time to pour the concrete pad

122and then also assemble the bleachers. To try to alleviate that, we actually reached out to a couple companies to see how much it would cost to have a company to assemble the bleachers. And the prices we got were between 13 and 16,000. So, when we told our maintenance guys that, they laughed and they said they could do that for even if they did on overtime, they can get it done for a fraction of the price. So, it's just a matter of finding time for that done to get it done, but it's definitely on their priority list and but for the time being, put the old bleachers back there. And I actually went down yesterday and checked them out and they seem very sturdy. They're they're old, but they're they're still structural sound features. >> Thank

123you. >> You're welcome. >> This is Romeo. >> Um, I have two recommendations in new business. The first is um being that this year there's hasn't always been a high school student to represent, I was wondering if maybe we could invite students from other schools certain things. Um like it would have been nice to have a um an update maybe from a MAC student tonight or um you know an elementary representative to talk about things going on in their life. Um, I do know in other districts that the student representative is a member like of the board. They're not a voting member, but they stay for the full meeting. >> Um, and I just think it's something I'd like to discuss more maybe in community and and talk about some ideas about that. >> Um,

124and my second recommendation is um I'm I'm not sure who else on the board is a member of um the Highlander Education Foundation. Um but I'm willing to report on them. I I think that um when we have the committees and reports higher education foundation would be a good report for us to keep note of what activities and ideas and things that they're doing. Um a lot of times Dan will include it in his report but I I wanted to recommend it under the businesses possibly um one of us be the liaison and then bring back the information to us. Um an idea I guess we can discuss that and operations are in committee um and I am willing to volunteer to do it. I am a member of the HS but if someone else

125wants to do it it does not have to be me. It would be just nice to have on my board. >> Thank you. >> Committee, are you a paying member? >> I am. Yeah, >> I'm a voting member. Is that what I heard? Um, yeah. And I thought that it was that important for our kids. Uh, you know, I I my family are voting members and I I've only been able to go to one meeting. They have meetings in one meeting. Um they do also have their meetings online so you can attend virtually. I mean, I guess, you know, the whole idea of the Hunger Education Foundation, and I don't want to speak for them at all, but it came from us, you know, like at this table when we were being yelled at, but

126about the budget and the cuts and the things. It was like, well, let's let's get a community of people together where we can work with you and, you know, and we said that and then we don't show up, you know. So, yeah, I am a paying member and I'm going to support you to the end. um you know and it's supporting our children. Um so I'm not sure why or how or what it is like any help with anyone else not supporting it but I I'm just speaking and saying I think we should have a report and understand what they're doing and what's going on. I think the only reason that I asked is cuz I know there's been some conversations about whether that would be a conflict, >> but I pay taxes too. And

127if I wanted to be a voting member on the municipal alliance, I could apply through the um you know, it's not I mean that's the attorney. I'm not an attorney, but >> but because they're going to be benefiting our schools and bringing in funds, >> I'm also >> fundraising. I'm not sure if that means that you I mean we could all >> I've also always been a paying member as I hope everyone else would be of PTA. So um and was told that I could always be a member of the PTA paying voting member. However, I the only one thing I was not allowed to do as a board member I was told was collect my amendments. So I don't see it being any different. I don't know why. You know, >> I think the

128only difference is is they're going to eventually bring things onto this agenda that we're going to have to approve probably funds that they may be gifting or providing for programs. >> We can discuss the PTA, right? Because we vote in all of their Well, tonight we voted in some of their activities. >> Do you know what I'm saying? That they were paying for. I think it's a little bit different but maybe um our attorney could clarify as to you know the difference or if there is any difference but um >> did that discussion happen in operations and finance? >> It it has not but we can definitely put it on the agenda. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Schultz put it on agenda. >> Where was the discussion of it being a possible? >> There was no

129discussion. >> Just that there's been discussion of it being a possible conflict of interest. That's what you just said, right? >> Just a mom length. I think I know that I had reached out to um Mr. Brown, you know, prior to ask him if there what even with the uh fundraising that they were just currently doing, offering a table like just like is there um any conflict between us like participating in something that we would eventually have to maybe vote on funds coming? So, um >> I'm not sure that that was possible conflict. >> That's why we >> Well, that's why I asked. >> Yeah. Well, I just said when you were in our community when you talked about the the table, you know, that was brought up then. >> Well, not about being a

130payment member. >> No, but about it being a conflict. Yeah. >> I just didn't know that. No, you just mentioned you were a payment member. That's why I just wanted to clarify because you said it that just if you were doesn't I mean it doesn't mean anything to me but we did speak of the conflict in the committee with the table and I had reached out to Mr. Brown in regards to where if there is a conflict where it is and he's going to get that >> which which committee we talk about. >> Um it was education. >> Okay. >> So it was in regards to the email that we received Mrs. Romeo brought up about the email that we had received in regards to the fundraiser and doing a table. So she wanted to

131know um who was going to be attending um and she offered to say >> having a table and a fun not receiving a table. >> Did we write Yeah. Now having a table did we write back as a board and say that we were not having a table? >> I mean I didn't respond because it went to everyone. So I didn't want to speak for the board. You should I guess speak for yourselves, right? Uh cuz it went to all board members and all administrators. >> I think we have two two different subjects here. >> We did. >> Yeah, I think we're >> But the table you asked if the board had responded. It went to every board member and administrator. So >> we would have to vote on >> No, I don't think we

132would have to vote. They just offered to um give us a table um for their fundraiser. >> Right. Yeah, that's that's a little different than having a leaison. >> Yes. Yeah. No, that's a completely different Yeah. No, that we've already said we can definitely discuss and we have multiple, you know, like even the municipal alliance has always given us money for programs as >> I I I think I think Will had brought it up in the past that it should be something that comes under policy because we we do have all of those liaison. We're adding new policy and it follows our bioreism and I think that that's where it would land. It should be a discussion in through that because when you start to assign a liazison there it should be part of your

133body like an adult committee. I remember you um okay last question business it's for Mr. Brown. So this weekend I have volunteered to uh volunteer to help at their food truck festival which is raising money for our schools. I'm not touching money. I'm not collecting money. I have nothing to do with the money. But one day I might vote on where they put the money. Am I allowed to not volunteer at their food truck festival? >> Point of order. Is this something that should be discussed in executive session for attorney client privilege purposes? >> It could be, but I'm I'm it's my own personal and I passed it out because if I cannot volunteer publicly, I'd like people to know why I'm not volunteering and that's where I stand. So, I've asked the attorney and

134if he doesn't know right now and yes, it could have waited and I could do it p privately. Um, but I this is about me as a board member here on this board and I'm asking publicly about myself. So, I think uh given Mr. Brown the opportunity to be able to look into what it is exactly would probably benefit um you know without without him speaking to something that he really hasn't looked into. >> Okay. Um and you emailed him already about looking into membership. >> I just asked him like you know where like if we could have a table if there was any conflict if members >> Okay. Thank you. >> Hello. I just want to support our programs and our kids every way that I can. So, being a board member, voting means

135>> Yes, I have new business. >> Thank you. So, in the order of new business, the Wesno for freshman baseball tournament is happening in May. There are 16 teams involved and this freshman baseball tournament is solely to fund the Benji Memorial Scholarship and this scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who is moving on to college with a baseball career in mind. So, um he is part of my family and we have awarded um quite a few scholarships to seniors in the past and the final game is going to be on May 22nd at Hill Valley Field. And I just want to say thank you to Mr. Trancasta and Coach Matthews for all of their hard work and all of the participants. I know I have students of my own participating in the tournament and

136some of my colleagues have their children's participating. So, um, the final game is going to be at Kill Ballen on May 22nd, like I said. So, if you have a chance to get out and see the kids play, that'd be great. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Any other new business? Yes. >> So, Mrs. Lockwood gave everybody a link to the uh board self assessment. uh I recommend that you all participate in it because after we participate in the survey itself, we get the results back and then have basically a small retreat to discuss those results and I do feel it lends itself to creating a stronger board. So I hope you take part and take it honestly. Thank you. Anyone else? Yeah. >> Move to close new business. >> Second. >> All those in

137favor? >> Any second? >> So to second public comments, all speakers will have 5 minutes to speak until a period of 30 minutes transpires. Before speaking, please state your name, group affiliation, and address for the record. Members of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be recognized by the chair first. At the speaking, all speakers are asked to sign the register provided and give their full name, group affiliation, and their address. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. No participant may address or question board members individually. All speakers are expected to have read the statement within the agenda regarding the regulations concerning public comments. Members of the public are reminded that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Anyone wishing to speak? Courtney Stevenson 307 Bridge

138Road, New Jersey. I'm just coming from an ETF meeting um and wasn't going to speak tonight, but in light of the conversation I felt it important to speak. Um I just wanted to let you all know that our meeting was recorded tonight and will be on our Facebook page. I can also email it to you if you would like. And there we talk about membership tonight. The reason why we have a paying membership for the integrity of our foundation, but also that members do not have to be paying to be part of our foundation. We welcome all of your support and look forward to our partnership together. email, please. >> Thank you, Mrs. Stevenson. Anyone else wishing to speak? >> Move to close public comment. Second, >> all those in favor? >> Any opposed? So,

139Mrs. or can you um the executive session motion >> at 9:05 p.m. I move to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel negotiations and matters of attorney client privilege. The executive session minutes will not be released until such time as the privilege or confidentiality is no longer applicable. The board will be in executive session for approximately 45 minutes. Action will not be taken. that will be taken will be sorry. >> So we'll be returning after executive session. All those in favor >> all those in favor and we will be trying to detain action. I'd like to call the meeting committee back to order. Roll call, please. Mr. Charles, >> Mrs. Vanett, >> yes. I'm sorry. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> Mrs. Jurgensson, >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> here. >> Mr. Ly >>

140here. >> Mr. Silvich >> here. >> Mrs. Okcon >> here. >> Mrs. Mark >> here. >> Mrs. Lockwood >> here. >> Um, Mrs. Van Dyke, uh, personnel student affairs. Under personnel student affairs number item 67, the recommendation of the interim superintendent to approve an administrative leave of absence for employee 1170 with pay retroactive from April 18th to 20 uh April 18, 2024. >> Second. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Mr. Vand, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Stovich, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jurgensson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rano, >> yes. >> Mr. Libby, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Markart, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood, >> yes. I'd like to move item 68 under personnel and student affairs, the recommendation of the interim superintendent to withhold the salary employment increment of employee

1411170 for the 2024 2025 school year. >> Second that should be adjustment employment and adjustment increments. Okay. Employ. It should say employment adjustment and >> Employment and adjustment increment. >> Could I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Vind. >> Yes. >> Mr. Satovich. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jensen. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ric. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lippy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. Yes, >> Mrs. Mark. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Lockwood. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. Yes. I I >> All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? And it's 10 p.m.