001I'd like to call the meeting to order. Welcome to the January 23rd board of education meeting. Have a moment of silence. [Applause] Light swoop. 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 this meeting has been sent to board members, all district schools, the Herald News, the suburban trends, the record messenger, West Milford town hall, the county superintendent's office, the board attorney, cable vision of West Milford, TV77, and posted in the administration building. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution were provided to all local media, town hall, town township library, and all district schools. Roll call, please. Mr. Schultz. >> Mr. Sidowitz.
002>> Mrs. Jurgensson >> here. >> Mrs. Rakana >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire >> here. >> Mrs. Laughlin >> here. >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> here. >> Mrs. Markwart >> here. >> Mr. Lippy >> here. >> Mrs. Romeo >> here. >> Thank you, Dr. your superintendent report. >> Good evening everyone. Um there are just a couple of items on the superintendent's report this evening. One of them is that I wanted to formally announce that our uh kindergarten registration is open and we already have approximately 118 completed registrations which is a good number for this time of the year. Um there had been some question by um our uh superintendent roundt group as to where that information is posted. So, for the edification of the public, I wanted to let everyone know that we have a banner
003that is uh right at the top of our website with a link to kindergarten registration information, including the form. We also have it posted at the bottom of the front page of the website under uh announcements. It is posted on the digital signs outside of our schools. Uh it is in the trends and will appear in the messenger. Um, so we we've got the information out there and based on the number of registrations we have so far, we're pretty confident that that is um is widely publicized. So, we're looking forward to all of that. Excuse me. >> Yes, Dr. Harry. Um, if a parent is having trouble with the with the links or Yep. Maybe they're not technology savvy, could they come into the board office and register in person there? We can certainly give
004people paper copies or give them support, but thank you. And then we also, Mr. Novak, correct me if I'm wrong, but we also have paper copies at places. Um, we were going to send it to the U Family Success Center. >> Okay. The other item on the uh superintendent report is also found under new business, but I'd like to take this opportunity to read the um following into the record. This is uh schoolboard recognition month for January of 2024 and the motion reads as follows. Whereas the New Jersey School Boards Association has declared January 2024 to be schoolboard recognition month a time when all residents can acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members. And whereas the West Milford Board of Education is one of more than 581 local school boards in New
005Jersey which sets policies and oversees operations for public school districts. And whereas the Western Milford Board of Education embraces the goal of highquality education for all New Jersey public school students. And whereas the New Jerseys local school boards help determine the educational goals for approximately 1.4 million children in pre kindergarten through 12th grade. And whereas New Jersey's 5,000 local school board members who receive no remuneration for their services act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public education. And whereas school boards strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs. And whereas boards of education provide accountability to the public, they communicate the needs of the school district to the public, and they convey to
006school administrators the public's expectations for schools. And whereas New Jersey can take pride in its schools, which rank among the nation's best in key achievement indicators such as the National Assessment for Educational Progress scores, preparation for college through advanced placement offerings, and SAT assessments. Now therefore, be it resolved that the West Milford Board of Education does hereby recognize the services of the local schoolboard members throughout New Jersey as we join communities statewide in observing January 2024 as school board recognition month. And be it further resolved that the West Guilford Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to work with their local boards of education and public school staff toward the advancement of our children's education. And that concludes my report. I just want to um thank you all, those of you sitting around this
007table. I know the kind of care and uh detail oriented work that you are engaged in and and I'm happy to be here with you doing all of that, but you know, the recognition of the time and um and energy that you spend on our board of education is definitely appreciated by all of us here. you. [Applause] >> Okay. So, for my report, I guess I'll start with um informing the board that we got a letter uh from a staff member, an email. It's a good one, and it's a thank you. So, I'm going to uh just read it out soon as it um leads off from what Dr. Fernari just read. So, I was just reviewing the board agenda and saw the notation about January's recognition of boards of education. In particular, this line
008struck me. Whereas, New Jerseyy's 5,000 local school board members who received no remuneration for their services act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public education. It is absolutely true that you've all take you you all take these challenging roles where you must bridge the interests of so many without any remuneration. I think the collective we should in a hard pause to consider that fact that all of you are volunteers putting kids first putting their education and their futures first. So in humblest terms thank you. So I just wanted to share that with my fellow trustees that came through this weekend and I of course responded on behalf of us all thanking them for such a thoughtful email. So um wanted to share that.
009The other uh update for my president's report is actually in reference to the superintendent committee. So, just wanted to give an update out to the community that we met on Saturday with our um sorry, my throat's kind of bothering me a little bit tonight, so I might take a a breath here and there. So, we met on Saturday with our consultant, Miss Helawa. Um we went through all um the applications. There were 29 in total. Um, we were able to narrow that down to a very good pool of nine candidates who will be coming back for first round interviews next week. So, um, we're very excited to start this process. We're very, you know, hopeful that we'll be able to find the next candidate within that pool. Um, and, uh, we're looking forward to it.
010We're also going to meet tonight. So, I just want to make everyone aware that uh we will be reconvening reconvening into a second exec session today uh just the um superintendent committee to discuss uh the interviews next week. So, just to be transparent and let everybody know that. And that concludes my president's report. So, now on to Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, I just missed you completely, Miss Schultz. I'm sorry. I just skipped you cuz I was so excited about that letter that we got. >> Mrs. Laughlin, can I ask you a question about your report real quick? >> Yes. >> Um, so I heard you say there's nine candidates for superintendent interviews. What comes after that? Like does the community ever have another say after that survey or how does it what are the next
011steps after those interviews? Do you know? >> So we have first round of interviews next week. We'll have second round the following week. So, which candidates we want to push through to the second round and then we'll have a final round of interviews. I believe it's the following week after that and then hopefully the committee will have someone that they can bring forth to the board candidate that they'll um vet to the board. So, as far as I know that the community has has, you know, already given their input uh with the surveys that went out. So I I'm pretty sure, but I could check with Miss Helway that that's really all the input that is given at that point. And I think it's more because if it's a confidential um confidentiality issue that we
012can't really say too much about who the candidates are or you know um Okay, thank you. That's my understanding, but I can double check and make sure with Miss Hela that that's the process, but I believe the process of having the community involved is already passed. Okay. Um, so again, sorry, Mr. Schultz, I skipped right over. >> Oh, you're on a roll. >> Special reports and correspondence. >> So, for uh for next week's meeting, I anticipate having the December 19th workshop and regular meeting minutes, the executive session minutes, and the January 2nd, 2024 reorganization minutes. Thank you. So now public comments. So 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
013have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be recognized by their chair first. After 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. Mr. Schultz, has anyone signed up? >> We don't have anyone who signed up for the first comment, but someone for second public comment for a non-aggenda item. >> Okay. Um, would my fellow board members have an issue with me seeing if that person would like to speak in the first?
014I believe that person is Miss Fatson. Would you like to speak in this first public comment? >> Can I ask a question? >> Um, yeah. Thank you very much. Okay. >> My name is Nana Beth. I'm from Marshall Hill um school and I just wanted to share with you guys some information. On behalf of myself and the Marshall Hill PTA, I'm here tonight to present to you an issue at Marshall Hill Elementary School that has been discussed at several PTA meetings, spoken about among teachers, parents, and students. This has not been an issue limited to this school year for the last few school years. Our students do not have regular access to the playground. As a PTA board member and concerned parent wondering why my children are not enjoying the beautiful slides and swings outside
015their school, I asked teachers and staff why. They expressed that the playground is constantly lead and muddy, preventing them from allowing students to access it. I have spoken with my children along with having heard from several parents whose children confirms that they do not go on the playgrounds. Several students do not recall having been on the playground since Halloween. Instead, for months well before the snow, their act their recess time is confined to the laptop. Parents and teachers agree that our student our children should not be subjected to playing in muddy and overly saturated conditions. I've spoken with the previous Marshall Hill building mid who provided valuable knowledge about conditions from past years. I understand it is typically covered with a very thin layer of mulch. Um I understand that there is a work order
016that is submitted each year for mulch to be added to the drum. However, it is typically covered with a very thin layer of mulch, never enough to cover the entire area. And because of the playground's location is in the center of the hill, the mulch and any loose objects get washed away. At some point in the past years, large mats were purchased underneath the swings in hopes of reducing the contact with one of the primarily inviting areas. However, this attempts did not address the underlying problem of the stagnant water throughout the entire playground. We are confident that to say that the underlying issue appears to be a lack of proper drainage. Water runs through the playground to a single storm drain at the bottom of the hill which inconveniently is at the main entrance of
017the school causing other issues you can see in the attached photos. When water is not flowing, it remains stagnant on the surface in several large areas of the playground like under the swings or around our buddy bench area. I am here tonight requesting that the board of education help determine immediate solutions to get our children back on the playground. this school year while also looking into a long long-term fix. Could the board of education work with our town engineers to determine the issue causing our playground to be overly saturated? Whether it is diverting water away from the playground, installing a drainage system, elevating the playground, or even relocating the playground. Whatever the solution is, I stand here tonight requesting your help to change the unfortunate truth that our playground is severely underutilized, depriving our children
018of a rich source of physical activity and social emotional development. Not using a playground can no longer be an acceptable solution for our students at Marshall Hills. Teamwork, creativity, brainstorming, communicating effectively, building new relationships, and learning to work together without guided adult inter instruction are all social skills cultivated on playgrounds. In an article written by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia titled, "The benefits of outdoor play, why it matters." The author states, "Outdoor play is beneficial for children beyond the physical activity it provides. that helps them socialize, understand their bodies better, engage in imaginative play, and enjoy the outdoors. Health expert Emily Shoemaker in her article states, "The playground offers a unique environment for building social for building skills such as strength and gross motor skills. Children also learn body awareness, sensory regulations, executive functioning skills,
019and self-esteem." Miracle Recreation wrote a blog that states, "When students plan the playground, they can create games, solve problems, and explore the world around them. They have a chance to work things out for themselves, releasing stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions that otherwise may otherwise be built up inside. It is no surprise the incredible benefits of access to playground equipment and early childhood development, which is why all of our elementary schools have one. Unfortunately, the students at Marshall Hill are not fully experiencing these benefits, not because they do not have a playground, but because they do not have access to their playgrounds. Tonight, I urge the board Tonight, I urge the board to utilize the correct resources to fix the overly saturated and muddy conditions to help our students gain access to their playgrounds. Making
020the playground walk limits can no longer be an acceptable solution for the students at Marshall. So in short, our goal is for our children to gain access to a mudless playground this school year and for the board of education to help put into action a long-term solution to eliminate the constant saturation and mud on the playground. I've attached several photos in this presentation that represent the location of where the playground is on a hill as well as a photo that was taken this past um uh end of summer that shows the lack of mulch around the playground as well as the single storm drain at the end of the hill that shows um even under extreme weather conditions what can happen at the entrance. >> Thank you. [Applause] [Music] Anyone else wishing to speak? Second.
021All those in favor? Any opposed? >> Can you turn that public speaking microphone off? >> Yeah. >> That's it. All right. Mrs. Mitchell, the ethics presentation. I'm your new rep. I don't know. I I think that I emailed everybody. So, everybody should receive an email from me explaining where I came from. I was president for several years for uh Vernon um for Vernon's quartet and I've also served as vice president for Sussex County's board. Uh and uh they've offered me this leader of the school board. So, I'm just so grateful to take it and uh and here I am. So, in your packet, my cell phone is in there. Uh so, I'm very early riser. I'm a 5:00 in the morning. So, if you have any or concerns or something, um information, whatever it is,
022please feel free to call me on myself. Uh send me to any any issues. Uh if you just want them to please while you're driving to work, you can do that. Uh so that's also in your packet is the acknowledgement of receipt of today's presentation and code of ethics. If you can give that to Bill that'll be helpful. So I just want to start by uh giving a disclaimer. This presentation is forformational purposes only. It's not to give legal advice. If you have any specific questions on uh certain situation or what have you, you then uh go and speak to your board attorney. You uh as individual board members, you would just call attorney. It would be based on policy. So if your policy reads that the president would then contact the board attorney, that
023would be the appropriate protocol. Sometimes it says I'm policy. I don't know what your policy is. Sometimes it says the business administrator. So, so please be mindful of that as well. >> So, ethics is an accountability piece, right? So, it kind of tells us like where our leans are and it's really important because as a board member a lot of times, especially when you're a newborn member, you're thinking that your lean are much wider than what they really are. And the code ethics really gives us those guidelines. So it keeps us on track and um and doing a work as board members to do. So this is the actual um act itself. So it's essential that the conduct of members of the boards of education and medical administrators hold the respect and the confidence of
024the people. It's really important to to make sure that you're representing all parties and that the public you have that public trust. So these board members and administrators must avoid any contact which would be a violation of their public trust or which creates a justifiable impression among the public that such trust is being violated. Now, keep in mind that that we're justif. That's part of the act. So, this is what we're going to talk about today. Uh, you know, this is part of the act and all that is encompassed in there act, the mandatory training that you take as a board member, ethics, and those really fun uh personal So the provisions apply to all school board officials, myself included, working school boards and all board members, trustees of any charter schools and administrators. They
025all have to do that same disclosure that you have to do and they also have to make sure that they're mindful of the facts. US board members a little bit later have to uh enact the code of ethics and also that trainee. So who is the actor? It's actually nine members, two school board members, five nine uh nine school board officials and then also two school administrators. appointed. >> The members are appointed by the governor for 3 years and uh the maximum is five from one political party because we're nonpartisan and want to make sure that it is. So the jurisdiction uh there's two different um aspects to that. There's the advisory opinion and that can be only asked for by a school official. So that's the only person that can request that type of
026um rendering and it would take six votes from the uh ethics commission for it to be made public. Ethics complaints however are a little bit different. So that uh would be anybody anyone any member of the public anybody could pledge that there was violation of the school ethics act and they would uh put in for that and then there would be a rendering. On average there's about 85 ethics complaints filed for a year and 35 advisory opinions requested per year. Now you'll see the advisory opinions and um the actual violations of the app. It's on uh New Jersey school board's website and you also get a uh email from my school board notes. I don't know if you've um seen that but we constantly update. So it is uh required that you that you keep
027up with that. So the mandatory training we just had our first weekend um governance one this weekend unfortunately this the mother nature did not cooperate as much so we did have a diminished amount of people coming but we had 90 really great so that was exciting and uh so when you do governance one that's in your first year you have to do it within that 90day period um you can do governance one by the weekend uh the is coming up in February It's, you know, a great opportunity to meet with other board members all around the city. You get so much more out of it, but I understand that sometimes the time constraints, things like that. Um, if you can't do that, we have a live virtual and in person that you can go along,
028you can do 15 minutes at a time if you need to, but you need to get it done within those 90 days. Then in your second year, you you have the end. You have that whole entire year to do governance two which is a finance and labor piece. The third year you would do governance three which is student achievement and you have that entire year to do that. And then anytime you were reelected or reappointed you would then go to that governance four which is the legal updates. Now in any year you could take all four if you're really interested in them but you only get credit for the year that you're actually in. But you can take any of them. >> I have a question. Governance board for do you have 90 days for
029that too? >> No, the 90 days piece is only for governance one and we just started that last year because it's really essential that you get up and running right very quickly because you have a lot of decisions to make very quickly. If you if you waited till the end of the year in your first year, it' be really hard to do your job. So we know I understand that but reelection I I've done all of them time but my question is do I have 90 days a reelection again or can the government work anytime this year? Well, [Music] >> they don't they don't have it out. They don't have it out on February 19th. Um they they have some type of issue with the website, but they're having it out on February 19th. The
030VA can um set you up for Yeah. Sorry for the delaying that. We were hoping to have that out right in January. Any other questions on that? Now if you do go to workshop you can take these during workshop and you can take the next one they will give you credit for that next year if you take that in workshop but say say you're in your second year you did your governance two and you want to take governance three they will give you credit for that if you do not um join workshop second so fun disclosure statements everybody needs to do those if you're in the first year you need to do them within 30 uh you should receive an email. I don't know if our church here and then everybody else has to have
031that in by April 30th. Just a little tip about those. They're a little tricky. They did something a little different last year and you think they can have them done and you press the button and send them record them. So if you save it as a PDF and then send it out, you're you're so much better off because I I literally like three times. So just say that or your VA can help you do that. >> Oh, you have a full service you found to have a violation. So reprimand is basically like go through this event. You do get a little letter and uh you know it's it's very private. Then the second uh is a little bit more formal in the center. You're actually going to have it read at your public meeting and
032then it stays on the website the district website for then goes into suspension. So that could be any period of time for that type of violation. and then removal would be immediate uh termination of your fourth service. Any questions on this at all? So, you do have your code in there. I I just we can either go around the room and and read these and chat about them or you can read them at your leisure, whatever you feel comfortable with. But I do want to tell you that the standards piece and you do have a um PowerPoint presentation um that this presentation in your packet. The standards is what the commission actually uh you know goes and says okay this is this was put in for letter A. They let they go and they look
033at that and they say is it are those standards? Is there factual evidence that we have copy of this? You know that type of thing. So, um, if you'd like, if we can start with, if you don't mind, we'll go around just start. Here we go. I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of education and court orders pertaining to school. uh desired changes shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. >> Right? So we saw a lot we saw a lot of uh the state standards. So when something's mandated, something's mandated. So those are the rules and regulations and laws and and that's what comes into play with with letter A. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek
034to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, or social standard. Okay. So, this one a lot of times we look at that we're looking at the whole entire district, all the children, not just a certain special interest group. Let's see. I will confine my board action to policym, planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by it. Right? So with this one is it's basically spelling out what those guidelines are contractor is where our needs are. So policy making we're a policy making body training and training also we're doing the CSA evaluation we're doing you know we're working in conjunction with the VA with the budget uh
035those are ours we're not running the schools I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools right together with my fellow board members to see that they are wellun >> right so that's the piece So, we're looking at like a blimp view of the district and we're just seeing that they're well run. We're not in the trenches with everybody saying, "Hey, we're going to get in there with you and we're going to help run schools that so that that's basically spelling out that we're just seeing that view of the school being run." authority. E I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board. Okay. So, we're seeing a really big uptick in um violations with
036letter E because we're seeing a lot of board members uh kind of going out on their own making those promises, answering those emails to uh parents and saying, you know, I'll I'll get this here for you. We act as a full body full team. So, you you can't just go ahead and act on your own. And that's what this is. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan polit political groups or youth school districts aim over the gain of friends. So letter E and F are the big uh winners this year. We're seeing a huge uptick in the political groups. So, it's great when you're in campaign mode and somebody's supporting you and whatever group it is. It might be the theater moms, it might be a political group, but
037then once you're out of that campaign mode, you have to put your board hat on and say, I'm not I'm not going to have my judgment moved over sideways by that group that's supported me during my campaign. So we're seeing that that transition is really we're really struggling with that transition right now especially with new board members. So just be mindful of that that it is that is part of the code of ethics and you can be found in violation for that. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed would ne needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community board. So that confidentiality is a lot
038to do with this session. Uh, so we're seeing sometimes board members taking that information from close session and putting it out into the public, whether it be on social media or whether it be to their spouse. When when something's closed and it's closed, it doesn't matter if you're married to that person. It doesn't matter if that's your best friend. This is this is very very important because it really can affect a lot of people if that information gets out. So they really wanted to >> I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer. So with with this one a lot of times people say oh you know here's you have an open position why don't you go ahead and and you know apply for
039the application and that would be wrong right so we have to wait for the recommendation from our uh CSA and then say okay you know this is the recommendation that you honor superintendent the superintendent is putting the best person forward from for a board member to come out from left field with you know somebody else would be improper. So that's just spelling it out that you're appointing the best person for the job and um and based on my colleague Mr. Ric school personnel and proper performance of their duties. >> Yeah. So, uh there was a um violation that happened where there was a block a board member decided to go ahead and do a block and in that block you spoke about one of the employees. Uh so that would be a direct violation of
040right. So so we don't talk about our employees, we support them and uh and their students. You said the board member had a blog. Okay. and um decided on to apology and speak up about um sounds. So that board member did for about I'll try not to do it through the years that day I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and we'll act on the complaint I do not I will act on complete acco only after 10 years of the administrative solution. So just because you don't like the administrative solution doesn't mean that that was a failure. So we're seeing a lot of issues with that or they say okay well I did follow chain of command and um but there was a failure administrative straightly so I'm going to uh fix
041that as the flight. So just because you don't like that solution doesn't mean that that was a failure. So that's uh that's really important to be mindful of. So these are the cases that I was talking about um with letter E and that if you see with all these um it's a lot to do with letter H uh and it says you know take any private action that may compromise the war. So, one of these speaks about how uh a member copied and pasted um information from their board email and then sent it to a non um public uh non public contents to a town council official. You can't do that. So, anytime you use your email, you have to be mindful that it basically is saying that you're speaking in an official capacity. So,
042so be really careful when you're using that email. Another one was that uh a board member went out and solicited vendors on he or she's own and then uh said, "Well, I'm just going to bring this back to the board and say, look, you maybe should change from Chromebooks to iPads." Um, you can't do that on your own. That has to be a majority of the board wanting to move in that direction. So it it really spells out a lot that it's just it's teamwork. That's what we're here for, to work as a team. And sometimes you disagree with your teammates, right? But you if that's your game, you need to stand, not do something on your own. Um but the um the piece about the emails like also replying to all that's another uh
043big issue, right? So when we reply to all we're making a meeting outside of of meeting this outside of our public meetings. So we have to be really careful with that type of uh any type of um using up your board things like that. It's really important that when we get emails that you don't respond even though the public would love to hear from you, right? Because that's where you get yourself in trouble. Even just acknowledging the email kind of puts you in trouble. If if somebody's going to acknowledge it, it should probably be the president of the board that's speaking for the whole board, right? And and say you getting it done by yourself and the other board members don't, then you would just forward that to the board president, right? And then the
044board president would handle it uh as they see fit based on policy and chain of command. So that's really important, but you're so tempted because you're here to represent the community and you feel like, well, I'm representing the community. I'm going to just email back and say, I'm going to fix this. But but you can't because then that means that you're working as an individual and you're not following the chain of command and change plan is really important. So um any questions with that? And you won't use your official board email, right? like Gmail and you know I've been seeing board members using accounts and you know that that really opens you up because anytime there's like they can actually go into your personal email if you're utilizing that. So I'm not going to believe
045all of this. you know you can read this at your leisure but it just spells out um the actual violations and which part of the act. So prohibited acts remember we spoke about the uh you know the violations but then also these so when anytime you have any conflict of interest like where you're going to benefit or your family's going to benefit you just stay out of the discussion stay out of the out of the vote you need to refuse yourself and there's a big difference between refusing yourself and uh a lot of times you know think that interesting that actually like skews the vote and um it's really not common. So with with conflict of interest, if you have a legal conflict of interest, you accuse yourself. Stay out of the conversation, any discussion,
046and also stay out of the question of seeing is for if you don't have enough information to to vote on something. you were absent the uh the day before and you just didn't have enough information or you received your packet really late for whatever reason, you couldn't open it and you just really feel like you don't have enough information to to vote, then go ahead and see. But recusing yourself is when there is a legal conflict. So do we all understand that? a lot of times um keep saying people think like well I'm related to this person you really should excuse yourself. The other things about that too is if in um executive you're having conversations and a family member is going to be part of that conversation you need to stay out of that
047conversation completely. you need to stay question. Um, so if I have a family member that works in district from people, you're saying action recus because it's a legal because think about it when you're saying it's it's how the vote is uh told. Do you want to speak about it? If you scroll back through your other side at some point you say as long as they're not gaining any there is not a greater gain than any others right under other consideration and my view is the payroll is pursuant to collective part agreement they're all getting paid for I'm not sure I don't know that board members here have always taken the position that it person safer than them. >> Yeah, >> I'm fine with that. Better safe than sorry. >> Yeah, definitely better than sorry. But
048I will defer to you and you should always defer to your 50 years every said that you should abstain on the payroll. >> Yeah. So I mean there that seems to be the right >> the refusal is is relatively new. This is a you know a new slide in our presentation that we just put out there. um they're they're saying that uh there's a differentiation between the service. I can see if there's conversation say about an incident or something that involved that that person, but the payroll obviously is contractual. Honestly, in my opinion, and I'm not I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know this, but I would say we have a contract and we have to pay them no matter what. it doesn't really matter how we vote because we so you know I
049agree with that way. Um, however, let me give you a different example then. >> Um, if we are hiring my family member to be the basketball coach, I'm making this up. No one in my family. Um, so just um, but if I was on an agenda, then I would refuse not. And that would be different because then you're hiring them for something that other people are not getting. It's almost my understanding that once you're on the board, your your your you know family member can't apply for a job that they should be considering for a job. Now >> I'm sorry. >> I'm just saying like somebody couldn't come for any other job if we're on the board. That's not that. So, so this spells out the definition of um relationships and and what's an immediate
050uh family member and relative. Uh so that's your packets and then uh it even drills it down even further. Um and this was what brought out by advisory. So um interesting and they just did this in 2023. So you have that and then this spells out you know you're altering here and that's what you're talking about. So it out so you have that right you cannot hire any relative once you're there. So, collective bargaining, this chart really spells all that out of um you know what you're allowed to do. Some you can't there's there'll be times where you can't participate in negotiations. Um there'll be times where you can't participate in negotiations, but you can vote for that contract. So, this uh spells you out really well. And then there's um some additional um possible
051conflicts there if you were um enforced by certain partners and things like that. Um [Applause] >> the relative relationship cousin and sister-in-law does that count just relatives? Yeah. Good. >> Says no. >> It says no. That's what I'm saying. Sandy. It says uh uncle says brother, sister, spouse, brother, sister, spouse, partner. And it says no. >> Well, we have that too. They change this. Yes, they have. It's all changed. >> Okay. Well, that changes things. >> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome for the clarification. I can't really see that. >> And I'm kind of used to doing this. Please don't worry with the paper. So, so these are some of the examples of um the advisories and uh acts. Uh this is relatively new. This just came out in May of 2023. So if a board
052president has uh should be working with the district uh an immediate family member, it would seem that that board president then couldn't hit the committee chairs for negotiations, for finance, for instruction for personnel for those committees and sit on those committees fire. So this is really new and um and it's kind of like a little bit of an up because it wasn't handled that way. Okay. So, uh just be mindful this came out in May. >> That's only pertaining to the board president. The board president is >> No, but I'll tell you about that. They could be on the committee. She said because of that conflict. So, it was interesting just to people saying, "Oh, just be mindful of this. And then this is a piece that we talked about about executive sessions. So that
053if you know you had somebody that let's say was uh your husband was applying for the vacancy for the divorce, you wouldn't be part of that conversation. This is interesting. This is brand new. So, if you're going to use the potential of uh post advice of council defense for penalties, this is spelling out exactly um what it has to have in it in order for you to um use that defense. Uh so, you have to have the approval of advice was prior to the action taken. the individual who offered the advice or rely upon possessed uh authority or responsibility uh with regard to ethical issues. Number three, that the individual seeking advice for approval may have full disclosure of all terms of facts and circumstances. A lot of times when we uh talk to our
054our board attorney, we might tell them our side of the story but not full disclosure of the story. So you wouldn't be able to use this defense if you didn't tell uh the council exactly every little nuance about the story and that individual um complied with the advice received including all restrictions it might contain. So if the board said okay don't do this but then you kind of left out a piece then you wouldn't be able to use that. You have to have all four factors in order to use this defense for a violation. Any questions on that? I thought it was really interesting. I got really excited by this [Applause] volunteering school. So, uh when you sign up to be a guest center, it doesn't take away to volunteer. However, a degree of volunteering,
055right? So, we can't go into a school and be construed as getting a directive. So, if you're going to be in something, let's say the theater um group and you're going to tell the the theater teacher um you know what to do and and you talk about the set design or what have you, then you would need to stay out of that type of volunteerism. So anytime that you're going to give any type of directive that you think that you'll give direction to a staff member, then that volunteerism has to kind of go by the wayside. Um anything to do with handling money, things like that. Um you really need to kind of that type of situation. But if you're just going on a trip or what have you, come at it. You can do
056that. You know, that type of volunteerism. But it's it's the degree of authority of the position that you're taking when you go in. The other thing is is a lot of times board members think that they just go into the schools because they they belong there. It's uh it's really not proper. You you should be in there for a specific reason and you should also go over with the superintendent what your degree of um performance is with whatever volunteerism you're doing. So, I would just check with your superintendent before you go into the schools and say, you know, I'm going to be volunteering to do this. And just make sure uh that your superintendent knows exactly what you do. Those who talked about this before um if there was any. And then our favorite conversation
057is social media. So, social media has really been a button and and when you become a school official, you do not you're right to the first amendment. However, there's a lot that goes into that. So, um you know, you're in this campaigning mode, right? So, you're on Facebook, you have a uh Facebook page that says uh you know so and so for vet and you're constantly feeding that page with all types of information. Well, when you're not um a board member, you could go ahead and do that. But then once you're become a board member and you're sworn in, you need to take that page and and never post that page. you have to either get rid of it or paint it or put it on sleep mode or what have you so that you
058never post from there because think about when you post from uh that type of page you're giving a public impression that you're speaking an official capacity and you can't you can't um that would be a direct violation. So you have to make sure that you um when you do post that you post a disclaimer. This is the disclaimer uh that they uh recommend you posting. Uh do you have to use that disclaimer? No. But this is what they recommend. It should be in bold. And does this disclaimer get you out of jail? Great. No, it doesn't. Just because you have this disclaimer doesn't mean that you can just write whatever you want on on Facebook. Um one have to go from your personal page. And number two, you make you have to make sure that
059any of the content that you post would be construed as being a private citizen, not as a board member, not in your official capacity. So this is a little bit question answer what I talked about before you have that disclaimer. Does that go on from any kind of violation of the act? And then um even responding like to if you're going to put like a link on sometimes if you have a certain type of link that you post, it can it can just make a normal member of the public feel that you're kind of pushing them one way or the other. You're you're just best off um posting on Facebook. I I just uh I didn't know words would ever have a need to do that. Um, I always told my board members as presidents,
060like if you did as a president, if you're going to post on Facebook, can you just do puppies and rainbows? Like, can you just not do any kind of craziness on Facebook? Because it's really not fair to the public. So, um, if you are going to post anything on Facebook, your your safest bet is to kind of just put them to the district web page. So district web page is going to have all the accurate information and all the accurate content so you won't get yourself in trouble. So like I said, take that campaign page, put it aside, put it on sleep until next time because you're going to have so much fun in the next 3 years that you're going to want to run again. You can take that page, you can bring it
061back up, but just remember you're still a board member when you're running at that time. So you have to be careful there. And then uh the liking a page. Yes, you can like a page or that might like a comment or what have you. If it's controversial, it can be construed as content. So just be careful what you do there. And then your language. Any language that you wouldn't use in this room, don't use on Facebook. >> Peter, do you have any language still? [Applause] So points to consider um if you do have conflict maybe you might want like a little uh check checklist so that you all are stay on track with board members and know the conflicts there. Always consult your board of attorney any ethical issues and identify with your members and
062check your school board because you do have an update on the advisory and also any Thank you so much. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Do we have any um [Music] to the agenda. >> No, no, I'll do those. So, none section. >> So, may I have a motion to adopt the agenda as presented? >> How many motions to adopt the agenda as presented? Second. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Education expire. >> Okay. I move to approve the um following agenda item whereas in accordance with the requirements set forth in PL 2010 chapter 122 board of education has received results of the new investigative reports on January 23rd 2024. Therefore be a result that the milk board of education approves issuance of written decisions affirming rejecting or modifying the superintendent's determination in the following
063investigations. Incident report 2024 E3 is unsubstantiated. Incident report number 2024 E4 substantiated. Is that >> any discussion? Yes. >> Am I the only one that doesn't remember which ones these are? >> Yeah. >> I mean, I I am uncomfortable voting on this tonight because I know that I just I don't remember which ones they are. Um, as board members, we don't take home any paper. We don't know any numbers or anything outside of being in our meeting of what heck it is. So, it's not something I can do over the weekend. It's not something that we would know. I'm sorry, but I can't vote on this tonight because I don't know which one they are. But any am these are the these are the ones from our last meeting that I discussed with the board
064of executives. I'd like to ask Okay, I'm going to make a motion to table these until after the first executive session. >> I'm sorry. I can't remember. accomplish what you >> can we can discuss. >> So is that a phase? Okay. All those in favor of table until after executive session. any post. >> I'd like to second. >> Any discussion? I I have a question. Okay. on number eight. The activity took place on January 18th. It's over. How could we vote on something that's already occurred? Why weren't we told about this at the last meeting? I mean, I think it's a wonderful thing, but I think the board should have been informed about this ahead of time. So we could have voted before the fact and after the fact. >> Was it a regular was
065it regular be like this a yearly thing? >> Yeah. So it's not the event it's paying the teachers or paying the staff on the >> when we approve the event we all approve the staff at the same time. >> Yeah. wasn't a different person. She's always done from what I remember. >> You approve that particular event as >> I have not >> I agree in that we should know these things prior and I think it goes along with the bigger discussion that we've had about. So, um I think that's the point of >> and that is I mean it's these things come up and they've already happened or the next one is happening tomorrow night and um you know as a parent these are things you want to see on the district calendar on the
066website not the week prior but you know at least a month prior. Yeah. So, hey, when you said a week prior, I'm not a week prior. That's fair to families, you know. So, without planning a meeting. >> So, we're not notified about this until this week until the week before that. >> No. Um, so we discuss the round table. It was discussed in the round table. It was one of the items on the intent that they raised because they wanted to know how come they only have like six things to know. That's why I'm asking like I I think it's something that was that is part of our yearly thing and maybe we need to find a way to put fort you know how we put our you know to be I'm not being sarcastic
067now but do you know how we put all of our sports stuff on ahead of time who the people are maybe that's what we need to do with guidance and different things so that we give them the same courtesy that we If others >> I have a question. Aren't most of these events the dates picked during the summer like before the school year even starts? Like a lot of this like your fasting nights, your your um fresh all of those things. Aren't those dates usually done during the summer so we have them all in advance? Yeah, majority of the events are uh I think sometimes we've done the spring before looking at so you know so it's feasible to think that we could probably have all that ahead of time >> district calendar we have
068district calendars this this was on that bunch This is middle school. >> It's eighth grade building for the high school. >> I believe it was put on the week before on the calendar when they announced it when they sent out notifications to parents. So once upon a time in like May, building permits would be put in and all the dates would be picked and then all that would go into what was at the time called the Yak, which was one general calendar. So that everything fed into the website calendar. So you would see all those events for the entire year. Um, and then she accurately any other discussion seek. Yes, >> Mrs. Mark. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ly.
069>> Yes, >> Mr. S. >> Yes, >> M. >> Yes, >> operations and finance is delivered. >> Move forward. Operation finance number one, group three. Thank you. >> Okay. Once again, >> we are moving something from July 1st, to the end of the school year. Retroactive. Why? Why is this retroactive? Why wasn't it put on our July or August? It's what? >> Transportation. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. Yeah, but we've been transporting them since July. >> Is it Did the date change like it's very odd? What bothers me is the retroactive. I mean, if we knew we had to transport these these children in July, it shouldn't we shouldn't be looking at it now. We should have been looking at it last May or June. It all depends on when the actual agreement reaches us.
070So, I'm not sure what the date that we received that agreement was, but it was not. Okay. >> Anything else? >> Yeah. this agreement at least half. >> Okay. >> Use ESC sometimes. No, we'll talk about this. >> Sorry. Just a comment. >> I agree with what Peter said about awesome dining. Maybe we can think about what we do within the other things and look at agenda items cuz occupying usually don't give agenda items and I know there's a lot to get added later and as I understand that but if there are some maybe that's something we can add. >> Yeah, I think it's fine as last year. >> Yeah. Um it's just not something that we normally do. Don't look at agenda items and I would >> that's fine to do that. >> I
071think it's a good idea and then we know what you have and then these questions and this stuff would I think it would be helpful at that point. >> You agree? >> Yes. I tried to do it with my share go through the agenda and agenda but we didn't have that time since. >> Thank you Mr. Jones. Anyone else? >> Mr. Ly. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. McConn. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mark. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mrs. W. >> Yes. >> Mr. Swoods. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. And now on to the workshop discussion. Mrs. W. Education. Okay. The following items are presented for anticipated action at the budget regular meeting of January 30th, 2024. Um, so we had a discussion on items
0721 through three. I have a question. >> Okay. Okay. On number one, um, are I know that one of the chaperons is vet, but what about the other two? Are they volunteers? Are they teachers of the district? Have they had criminal checks? Number one, the names of the shackons, the second and third shack, are they have they been vetted? Do they have their criminal check? Are they district employees? >> In process now to appear on the agenda. >> It's in the process now. No, not in process. In order to in order to now appear because we we've been talking about this for years. In order to appear on the agenda now, they should needed to have got to the process. So, >> we're we're no longer leaving the chaperone flag. We're moving people. We're putting
073people on the agenda so that this way we know there's a balance of both male and female and who they are. Not that that I think that's what you're talking about. I just want to make sure they have different confirm that we can. Okay. Any more discussion is okay? [Music] Yes. Um Dr. is going to speak first. >> Okay. So um board members there are couple of things on personnel motions that are going to be discussed. So on page nine item number nine the date that's listed there um and it says on Thursday February 8th that date is going to be adjusted to February 15th 2024. Um, let's see. We then move to page 12, motion number 16. There are two adjustments. Um, as I usually do, I'll use uh staff initials. So, the first
074staff member's name on that list is Jody. Sorry, JC. it. It doesn't matter. It's very I apologize. I'm trying to say um the number of hours there is going to change from 5 to 4 and the amount is adjusted to 148. Uh a few names down we see JK. Um and the reverse is going to be uh adjusted. So the hours go from 4 to 5 and the payment uh changes to 185. And the last change that I have is uh page 14. Um item number 24 is at the bottom of page 14 and moves all the way through the top of page 15. uh we are going to take that motion of the January 30th agenda and add it to the February 20th agenda. This is in order for um our athletics department to
075get us numbers of students who are participating in those sports and it's in question and I checked with um our turkey today and it will not cause any issues with sports being our activities beginning. So we're going to just move that motion to February. >> Just to follow, I did speak with Mr. about it. The intention of this was that it was a month early for you. So I guess in the future, you know, I don't know how it look at committee future would be a different handout. So it doesn't appear as if it's on the agenda soon. So the intention was you have a monthly way. The only problem is that we can have the names of coaches and sports well in advance, but for example, the key um sports student um signups aren't
076even due until February 1st. >> So it it makes it difficult for us to get numbers well in a whole month in advance, but we're going to try and do that. Okay. So, um looks like there's items 1 through 25 being able to any discussion. Yeah. I have a question. So, if I understand it, um the high school's words is not going to be on the agenda for next week. Do you have a committee meeting prior to >> anyone else? >> I ask another sign is going to be just right before that community. If we just head our and I will most likely get you that number before the committee meeting so the board has a sense of What are generally 90% smart and if possible we were close just to see the right areas
077that >> anything else operations and maintenance facility operations finance move to January 30th number 1 3 any discussion. So we move on to old business. Do I have have anything for old business? [Music] All those in favor new business. Does anyone have anything in your business? Secretary first. Sorry. >> I just wanted to say that um I've recently reviewed a lot of um board meetings and um there's a different sound in this room when you watch them. I don't want to come back and watch them. But if you do not speak into this microphone, no one else can. When you vote, they don't know why you're voting. when you rewatch it, you cannot hear anything that you are saying from the table when you rewatch the video unless you were doing as I'm doing. If
078your microphones are here, they cannot hear me right now. Um, I just wanted you guys to know that I'm recently just watched some of our past videos, many from this room. And if you are not speaking into this microphone, that video is not you can go back and watch them and see you can't hear anything that you're saying. um he went very different um and we went so even away from her every year of that picked up system. [Music] So have fun doing all the past meetings if you'd like to um hear what I'm saying. But I just want you guys to know that they're we're not here actually. So make sure you speak it into your micro ready. >> This is an excellent segue to the gentleman that reminds us to speak into the
079microphone. I'd like to wish a preemptive happy birthday to me behind the camera. Make sure that you let go. I >> I don't need the reminder. I just have a question. I guess this is worth. Um, do we have a generated West at night? We have one at the club 6:00. They leave at 6 to high school finish over there. >> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Anyone else business? >> Okay. Seeing none. >> Um we have the large resolution >> already. [Music] All those in favor? >> Any opposed? So moving on to a sec second public comment. So 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 requested to speak prior
080to the meeting will be recognized by the chair first. After 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? Let's make sure [Music] >> 3790 drive West Milford. I was curious too if there was a decision made about separating the special education from the education committee and if not will we be giving more information about that at the next board even thank you Thomas wishing to speak. Seeing none, >>
081I move to close public comments. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Executive session. Mrs. Rakana at 8:28 p.m. I make a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing current litigation matters, tips, 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 be taken. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Thank you. And we will be returning. Okay, I'd like to call the meeting back to order. Roll, please. >> M >> here. >> Mr. Romeo >> here. >> Mr. >> Here, Mr. >> Here, >> Mr. Ly >> here. >> Mr. Sins >> here. >> Mr.
082>> Here, Mr. Mark. here. >> Uh so we need a motion to bring back um [Applause] >> education motion. All right. Coming com. Okay. I move to um accept the recommendations of the interim superintendent for the following resolution. Whereas in accordance with the requirements set forth in PL 2010 chapter 822, the West Milford Board of Education has rece result sorry received results of a hip investigative report on January 23rd, 2024. Therefore be resolved that the West Milford Board of Education approve issuance of written decision affirming, rejecting, modifying the superintendent's determination of the following HIV investigations. Incident report 2024 E3 as unsubstantiated and 2024 E4 as substantiated. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, please Mr. >> Mr. Yes, >> Mr. S. >> Yes, >> Mr. Jurgism. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes, >> Mr.
083Mark. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. L. >> Yes. >> Okay. [Music] I'm sorry. Personnel 12 be resolved that the board of education on the recommendation of interim superintendent terminating employee 4773 effective January 24th, 2024. >> Second. >> Any discussion? The nominal call, please. Mr. Shitz, >> yes. >> Mquire, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferguson, >> yes. >> Mr. Ly, >> yes. >> Mlin, >> yes. >> Mr. Smart, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mr. May, >> yes. >> Um, Mrs. I go into executive session. I move at 9:21 to go into executive session for the um purpose of discussing the superintendent search. We will not take um action after executive session is through and we will dismiss from there. >> All those in
084favor I and your oppos. Okay. Thank you.