001I'd like to call this meeting to order. Um, please start with a moment of silence. Please stand for the flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good evening. The Open Public Meetings Act. 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, the messenger, West Milford town hall, the county superintendent's office, the board attorney, cable vision of Warwick, and West Milford 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
002district schools. Roll call. Billy, I mean Mr. Sorry. >> Mrs. Okano, Mr. Sidowitz >> here, >> Mr. Lippy >> here, >> Mrs. Dwire >> here, >> Mr. Gorino >> here, >> Mrs. O'Brien >> here, >> Mrs. Lockwood >> here, >> Mrs. Van Djk >> here, >> Mrs. Romeo >> here. Um should I change this to acting now and then read it? >> Sure. >> That's what they mean is change it to. Yes. >> Uh before I read the next thing which is the purpose of the meeting. Um there is a change on that. Uh it will need to be an acting superintendent not the interim superintendent. Um as that's what the county was uh saying that we need to call it. So that is the one change on the agenda also when we get to
003that point. So, I wanted you to know that before I read it. The purpose of this meeting is to appoint an acting superintendent of schools effective July 1st, 2023 through July 31st, 2023 and take action on items including personnel and any other additional action item as necessary. We will have public comment. Um, 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. 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
004members 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. Is there anyone wishing to speak? Come on up. Mom in the front. You're next. Good evening. My name is Lauren Fry and I'm a senior at West Milford High School as well as one of the captains of the girls cross country team. I'm addressing you this evening because at the last board meeting, girls cross country along with other fall sports coaches were not approved. I'd like to take a minute to explain how important approving the fall sports coaches is to the student athletes of West Milford High School. Without these coaches, our training would be put on pause. This training
005is so vital to a successful cross country season, as I'm sure it is to all the other fall sports. The cross country team may seem like any other extracurricular activity to some, but to me and my teammates, it's a family. The foundation of this family is built in the summer. It's where we set goals as a team, learn to work together without the stresses of academics, and make memories together. When most teenagers would be sleeping until noon or sitting on their phones any given weekday over the summer, we are out there in the early morning hours bonding together. From the trails, we can see our other friends who participate in field hockey, soccer, and other fall sports, knowing they are building their families right along with ours. These practices are never mandatory, but somehow we
006all show up for them because we love to. Cross country may seem to be an individual sport to some, but it is not. We race together as a team, and we train together as a team. It is vital that we have the knowledge and skill of our coaches there to guide us through these practices and prepare us for the season ahead so we can have as much success as we possibly can. I appreciate you considering approving all fall sports coaches tonight and go Highlanders. >> Thank you, Lauren. Next. >> Hi. Sorry I don't do public speaking so if I'm clammed up. Yes. >> Say we're in your living room. >> Yes. I am Rebecca Zea. I live at 129 Wesley Drive in West Milford. I'm also a High View resident. Um I just wanted to
007address um the letter I received denying my school choice request. I feel like it was really very short and not very nice. >> Okay, I have to stop you. Um so school choice is not on our agenda. >> I understand. Um this public comment speaking part is for agenda items only. >> Okay. >> Um I will also tell you that um as as board president I'm not sure yet about who I I know that there I did receive your email. >> Yes. >> Um so uh it I mean it's under discussion. I'm not sure um what will happen if anything can happen but um we will discuss it at our committee meeting next month. Um, I don't want to give you hope if there is none. I have no idea. Um, >> that said, it's
008being discussed. >> It will be discussed. Um, but it's not a current agenda item. >> Okay. >> So, you can speak at the second public comment portion tonight if you'd like to. So, I just I apologize. >> No, that's my >> No, that's those little those little rules and rags, they seem really casual all the time. >> Um, is there anyone that would like to >> Robert? Is my name Robert? That's right. Is there anyone that would like to speak on um a current agenda item for tonight? Something that's being voted on tonight. >> Good evening. Good evening. Jessica Sprag, one Burma Court, West Milbour, New Jersey, lifelong West Milford resident and current parent to a freshman coming in on the football team tonight. This morning, he had his first real football practice for the
009high school. I can't tell you the amount of disappointment I felt hearing that this board did not put through coaches at their last meeting. Why? There is no apparent reason why this board would not put through these coaches. This is a tradition. They do this every summer. As you've heard from a student here tonight, this is their team building opportunity. Why would you jeopardize these students summers by failing to put through these coaches? It's fiscally irresponsible. You are opening yourself up to liability through lawsuits. you're opening yourself up to losing more students to PCTI to private schools who are going to offer better opportunities for our kids. That is not a good idea. We want this town to be successful. We want our school district to be successful. Why would we open oursel up to
010more financial loss? Every student we lose, we lose money. This is not a good idea. This should be approved tonight. There is no reason for any further delay. These kids deserve their summer. Thank you. >> Next speaker. Anyone? >> Seeing none, I'd like to close public comments. Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Um, I made you aware of the one uh change on the agenda. So, I'd like a motion to adopt the agenda with that um change as acting superintendent. >> Second. >> No. >> Oh, I need a motion. >> Oh, move to um amend the agenda. >> I move to adopt the agenda with said amendment. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> any opposed? >> Mrs. Van Dyke, personnel. >> I'd like to move items one, two, and three under
011personnel. >> Second. >> Any comments and questions from the board? No one else? I'll make a comment. Um, thank you uh to the community for the countless number of emails that I received uh and that the board has received and the administration about our sports team needs. In no way was this meant to hold you back. Uh, in no way was this meant to hurt anyone. Um, and uh, it is my understanding um, that there may be some misinformation. I'm not sure how or why or where it started. However, all of our coaches are uh under our insurance policy and practices could have started. Um so uh that decision uh in no way um was what the many of the emails said that I received. So definitely misinformation. I'd like you to know this board
012would never hold our sports teams back um from practicing in the summer. So I wanted to make that statement from me and speak for my reg my trustees that that is important to us that you all have what is important to you so that you can grow and flourish in your activities because we know that that helps you then with your academics also it all works together and um we would never ever want to take that from you. So thank you for being here in support tonight. I know many of you are here for that. And that is number three on this part of the agenda. And like I said, I received countless emails. So, thank you um for supporting our children. >> We all did. >> Yeah, we all do. And and that was
013definitely there was miscommunication. Um so that's my comment on that. Does anyone else have comments or questions before we go to roll call? >> Roll call. Mr. Schultz. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> I abstain on one and two. And yes on three >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lippy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ronaldo. >> Mrs. Lockwood. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gorino. >> Abstain on number one. Yes. On number two and three. >> Mrs. Wire. >> Yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. And definitely yes on number three. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Abstina on number one. Yes on the rest. Thank you. Um the next part of public comment um is for any items agenda or non-aggenda items. Um all speakers will have 5 minutes to speak until a period of 30 minutes transpires. Before speaking,
014please state your name, group affiliation, and the address for the record. Members of the public who requested to speak prior to 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. Do I have any speakers? Come on up. Yeah. Again, I'm Rebecca Zea. I'm at 129 Wesley Drive and I just wanted to address, like I said, the letter that I received. Um it's three sentences
015being you know we received your request unfortunately due to multiple factors it's denied and I wish you best of luck next year. There was no explanation nothing. So I went to the criteria for the amendment that was made and my son qualifies for more than half of them. And so I just wanted to ask if you guys in any way could please step in and try to help us because I don't know a single person that got accepted and we're all so heartbroken. Thank you. That's all I have to say. So >> thank you. >> Any other speakers? Seeing none, I'd like to close public comments. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Uh, we do not have a need for an executive session tonight. >> And so therefore, um, >> motion
016to adjourn. Second, >> all in favor. Any opposed? Good night. Thank you.