Board of Education Meeting 12/20/22

001like to call the meeting to order. And if you could uh please take a moment of silence and please remember those that are going through some difficult times at this time. Our community has had some rough days these last few days. So please remember the members of the community. Thank you. Please rise for the flag. I pledge algiance 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 meeting 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

002West Milford TV77, and posted in our administration building. Copies of this board meeting calendar resolution were provided to all local media, town hall, town library, township library, and all district schools. >> Roll call. Mrs. Francisco, >> Mrs. Romeo >> here. >> Mrs. Stevenson >> here. >> Mr. Conklin >> here. >> Mrs. Dwer >> here. >> Mr. Gino. Mrs. O'Brien >> here. >> Mrs. Lockwood >> here. >> Mr. Stillman >> here. >> Mrs. Van Dyke here. >> Dr. Anamon. >> Yes. Good evening everybody. Welcome to our happy holidays. Welcome to our December meeting. I think it certainly feels like PK night here at our December board meeting. We have a couple of presentations. Our first one up is one of our high school students, Eric Riley. He has an Eagle Scout project he's looking to complete

003this spring. The paperwork uh is on your in front of you for each board member. It is at Paradise Null, which I'm assuming is your former elementary school. So, why don't you come up here and tell us a little bit about your project. >> Hi, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, my name is Eric Riley. I'm currently a life scout with 51 in Oakidge. Um, I'm here tonight to present to you my proposal for my Eagle Scout project to construct the Gaga wall pit at the uh my former elementary school, Paradise Snow. I have many memories of spending on time on the playground with classmates during recess, field day, after school sack, and many other countless times. I have all given you a copy of the packet detailing the project. And I have provided the general rules

004of what playing duck ball is and what it looks like. Uh the first four pages uh go over like the rules and regulations of the game and explaining what it is and how it can be played. Um and I also in the next few pages explain how big it should be and what it might be used for. Um which is mostly during recess and just the day like the other games on the playground. And then the next few pages show um what it would look like and the the plans for how it would be developed. And then after that it has the details where on the playground it will be uh in at various time. And then it goes over the uh and it also has on it the approximate cost of the project should

005be a little less than $2,000. and I'll be um raising money for that as we go through the project as well. >> Are there any questions about the Eagle Scout project? >> Is this on this one map uh in blue? Is that where it's going? >> Yeah. >> Is it made with pressurized wood? >> Yes, it is. >> It is. So, that'll last. So, if I'm in the parking lot at PK and I walk down the stairs, it's going to be to my left, >> right? It's going to be nearly right in front of the stairs in between like the uh rubber mulch uh pit with like the >> I do the jet thing. >> And then there's like the whole game that has the balls that come out the top in between those. >>

006Awesome. Thank you so much. Looks like a looks like a good added recreation uh program for uh recess now on FK. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see that. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean I didn't raise my hand. Um I've never heard of this game. I've never heard of this. >> Could you give me a little background as to >> like where where like you know where where did you come up with this? you I don't you didn't invent the game but how did this come to be? So, uh I'm so like at uh different scout camps they have a few like camp. It's on here. Um it's in uh Jefferson. It's um I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. If it's in here, I'll I'll read it

007up. I don't want to I don't I just I just never heard Lewis in Jefferson. They have one Solid Rock where I went to when I was growing up over the years. They have one there as well. There's a few different playgrounds in Jefferson that have one. >> Oh, it's >> Oh, Solid Rock right here in town. >> Yes. Also, that's where I first learned about the game, actually. All right. >> And um it's sort of a like freef fall free-for-all dodgeball, but it's like a safer way of playing. >> Okay, cool. Thank you so much. >> We will be playing it at the next board retreat. >> I'll be playing my website. Yes, we we we need to uh gang up on some people. >> You can try. >> Thank you again. >> Next

008up, uh also from Paradise No, we have two teachers, Jill Cullin and Kelly Frasa. Earlier this fall, uh we culminated right around Veterans Day, but we got a new program this year called the Island of Flags. It was wildly successful. We do have a nice novelty check to donate to the local BFW. And Mrs. Culler, Miss Rascco, would you mind coming up and just give us a a brief explanation of what we did? The board has your packet already. Yes. And I do members of the public. >> Hi everyone. Um, thank you for having us. I am Mrs. Hullen and this is Mrs. Rasca. Uh, we work at I'm at Paradise Null on Marshall Hill and Mrs. Rasca is a co-orker of mine at Paradise Snow. um years ago before prior to co Mrs. Rasca's

009son um in Butler actually hosted the Islands of Flags project. So we stole it and brought >> You ask permission. >> Yes, she asked permission first. Um but she pitched the idea um to me years ago and we you know talked about it but then CO hit and so we said we'll put it on the back burner until we can get everything back again. And so we're back and we decided this year it was going to be um excellent that all the schools were able to host all of our veterans back in the building. And so we also agreed that it would be a good good time to pitch the project. Um and I met with Dr. Annalone over the summer. He said yes, of course. Um, I did ask about the BFW because I

010figured we could choose a charity of choice each year or try to see how we can come up with it as a board and um, administration, but the BFW, as many of you know, has been suffering financially. And our BFW and locally has been searching for a home and so luckily they found a home and they need a lot um, of financial assistance in order to make it a home um, in order to host our veterans. And so we hosted the project districtwide. We had many um supporters at our school and our student body and families are amazing. Um as many of you know, I'm the founder of the um Veterans Day tribute in the elementary schools districtwide many years ago because of the veterans in my family and I was a military air force

011back growing up. Um but I can't say thank you enough to every person in this room who has embraced our veterans and our students. um to see the students this year going out and asking if they can go out and pick up the flags because they know it's respectful and that they shouldn't be laying on the ground. Um we had a special ed student specifically who said it's my duty to be the soldier out there, Mrs. Cullen, and pick them up for you um when you're not here. I also had another student that said said, "Mrs. Cullen, can I when you're not around on Saturday and Sunday, I ride my bike past PK. Um one thing you didn't know is I go and I pick them up because the flags fall over." and I was

012like, "Oh my gosh, Mrs. Frasa and I are doing something right." Um, so I just wanted to say thank you, Dr. Anon, for allowing us to run the project. Um, our staff is amazing. Um, basically I just said, "Is there anyone willing in all the schools to really take this on?" And of course, many people say yes. Um, so again, thank you to the staff and our community for really um going above and beyond. Uh, we raised 200 $2,763 in a short period of time. Um, in addition to that, the flags, it was a sea across West Milford. So, for years to come, we hope that this project will continue. >> I I have to say that thank you. I I got to I was there for Veterans Day. I attend the ceremony for Veterans

013Day every year and I happen to be there and I I went back to the VFW and I cannot tell you how happy these men were that they were receiving this because this is something that has been needed in the community for so long and now they have a home and they were so thankful for the donation to help improve where they are and to make a difference. and the VFW and the American Legion in this community support our students with scholarships and the the um essay contests and different things, the the coloring. So, this is wonderful and taking it on and making it like a community service project is a wonderful thing and it kind of gives our students a little give back to to the people who help them every day. So, it's

014amazing. I got stopped in the supermarket and I live in Ringwood and a guy just stopped me and he and I said, "Thank you so much for your service." I shook his hand and he said, "You know, you're a good one." And I was like, "Oh, thanks." I said, "You know, I have a lot." And then my kids go, "Oh, my mom goes everywhere and tells me, you know, you saw them, Linda. They came with us and and and Kelly's son." Um, but they've all just embraced it. And it's just funny cuz he goes, "I know best because they take care of their veterans." And I was like, "Oh my goodness." And he, he said, he cares about us. And so we don't do it to hear about us. We do it so people know

015that our veterans matter. And so that message is going home and that's what we love. So thank you for your support every year >> and thank you for organizing it. Every year is just phenomenal. on this year, you know, even to see the the little kids at Maple Road plant those flags and and say, "This is my this is my uncle. This is my Oh, and this flag is for my my older brother." It was just a beautiful thing. Thank you so much for doing that. >> So, we do have two certificates here for you. I'll read them out loud. certific certificate of recognition for Kelly Fasch and for Jill Cullen for implementing the district-wide initiative islands of Flags, a collaboration with schools, parents, students, community. All proceeds were donated to the local VFW presented

016by the West Milford Public School District December 20th, 2022. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Just a guess. Thank you. >> Thank you again. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, we have our on-site decision day results. This is from earlier this month. On-site decision day is every year that I've been here and every year prior to that as well. Just as a to recall is held in the media center every year in the high school for our seniors. We have multiple colleges who show up. They bring a college a rep from their admissions office. The students make appointments ahead of time, although they do take some walk-ins, but most of the appointments are made pretty much all day. the students show up, they present their academic profile to the admissions officer and

017they get an on-site decision that very day. So, of that of the students that day, we had 27 and also the in most cases the application fees are waved. So, right off the top, you're looking at about $100 worth of savings at each school. So, we had 273 separate appointments this year with 100 students participating. Of those 273 appointments, 240 students were accepted to one one or more colleges and we have 27 students on the wait list and we have only two who I see zero who were denied but two didn't show up. We're still circling back with them. Scholarships earned between $5,000 and $15,000 for students and that's multiple students who earn those scholarships. So, thank you to Mrs. Lambert for putting this all together and congratulations to our students. There's a presentation on

018your in front of your board office in front of your in front of you. They just list all the students. They took photos with the dependence of the colleges that they were accepted into. So, congratulations to our seniors. Now, they go home for the holidays and they've already been accepted to one or more colleges. They can accept and go there or they can apply elsewhere, but the pressure of getting in somewhere is now really mitigated. So, congratulations to everybody um on our on-site decision day. And lastly, we have our student rep report, Miss Meza. >> Hi. So, on December 8th and 9th, as we heard, we hosted our on-site decision day, which was a success. The band and choir performed their holiday concerts recently. On Thursday, the TV signs will present their winter wreck assembly.

019On Friday, the band and choir will perform their holiday concert for students and staff. The winter sports season is in full swing. The student council is hosting our holiday spirit week leading up to break. The National Honor Society collected gifts and donations for families in need. We are having our holiday door decorating competition and the winner will get a bagel breakfast on Friday. And I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday. >> Thank you. >> To you as well. >> Merry Christmas. Alex, if you don't mind, I just want to comment on this um on-site decision day. I've worked in four high schools and this is the only one that does it like us and it is incredible. I've never seen this packet like this. So, whoever made this, thank you. I love this. Um,

020>> this is the first time we've ever had it's gorgeous. I love this. I think I think the photo ops were a new wrinkle this year, but they put it all together into a little >> but I know the amount of work that goes into this day for our kids and it's tremendous. But what this does, I mean it also does allow senioritis to set in, right? But um that's it at some point anyway. But this is an incredible day and our kids are so so lucky to have such a great guidance department to put this together. So I just really want to say thank you. They also shared it with everybody who has a high school student so that we know what's coming for our under >> graduate classes which is really cool too.

021>> That's the end of your report. >> That's the end of my report. >> Mr. Novak. >> All right. Thank you. Is this working? I'm having problems with the button here, Nate. >> Yeah. >> I'm on. All right. Good. I just want to comment on on site decision. I agree with you, Mrs. Romeo. It's a tremendous event. Mrs. um Lambert and the and the guidance department and and the support of the guidance department um do a tremendous job in, you know, bringing in all those all those schools. Um one thing we didn't mention tonight is that um Mrs. Lambert is often um reached out to by various schools around Northern New Jersey to see how we do this. So, she's often giving uh tours of that day to to other high schools who want to

022take a look at how we do it. I witnessed it as a parent um this year. Takes on a whole different perspective when I'm you know sitting there wondering what's going on and and uh you know knowing my my son was going through it. So it's uh an amazing event >> and it's a long-standing tradition. We had it as students. You I mean we had this when you and I were in high school. So West Milford's had this for a really long time. It's incredible. >> Mr. >> All right. So uh on on my report tonight uh we are going to talk about a few of the um new courses that we are um proposing uh proposing for completion uh so we can put them in our program of studies. Uh the first course that

023I want to talk about is our um it's actually the the course is not on the agenda for approval tonight because this course was um previously approved. Uh and that is the AP human geography course that we've spoken about many times in um in our education committee. Uh we are finally going to be able to offer it and um have it in our program of studies for students who are making decisions for next year. uh we have been able to um work with staff members who are interested in receiving the training. So this course will uh course will be offered just a little glimpse of what uh AP uh human geography uh entails. Uh explore how humans have understood used and changed the earth's the surface of the earth. You'll use tools and thinking processes

024of geographers to examine patterns of human population, migration and land use. So this again this um will add to the our existing uh AP offerings which we have 27 that are in our program of studies. This will be our 28th AP offering course. Uh this will be the only AP course that a freshman um can participate in. There are no prerequisites for this course. So it's uh truly one of those opportunities for um for all students. Um the next course that I want to talk about is our this is a um single um it's a halfyear course. Um this is our uh SAT seminar. Uh this is going to prepare students obviously as it's named aptly named um for taking the SAT. Um it would be a marking period of um of preparing for the

025English language arts uh part of the SAT and then a marking period of um preparing for mathematics. The uh process will begin with students uh PSAT results. So we have uh tremendous data. We also have the data that we glean from linkit. But the PSAT gives us that um most valuable uh information in terms of predictive information on how a student may score when they take the SAT based on their uh PSAT score. Uh we've expanded the um grade levels that take PSAT over the last few years. So um we're happy to, you know, be able to put this data uh into action in a um in a very specific format. We use it, you know, quite a bit across the board in all of our ELA and U math classes, but this one will

026target specifically for those juniors who are um you know, most likely taking the SAT for the first time uh in the in the spring of their junior year. The one of the resources that we'll be using and it's a program that the board has supported and will be in our uh budget proposals coming up is a resource called Albert IO. Um I don't know if people are familiar with Khan Academy. Khan Academy is a free resource for SAT preparation that we we do use. Uh Albert IO is a resource that we fund and it gives us a little bit more specific and targeted um you know a targeted approach to addressing the the needs that we needs that we have within Albert IO. We can pick the standards and the content matching the needs of

027our students based on their uh PSAT scores. So depending on the students who enroll be very specific to those kids who enroll who enroll in that class. Um I'm going to uh before I talk about the last two courses I'm just going to preface that we've been very proud over the years to be uh one of the few remaining um comprehensive high schools in in Bay County. We've been proud of our auto shops and our uh our technology ed department um our graphics our um you know our woodwork you know all those all those things are um concepts of engineering uh two courses that we are proposing tonight help to expand that uh comprehensive approach. Um you know we talk a lot about opening up career pathways and and those types of things that are

028that are you know allow for more opportunity for more children. Uh the first of the two courses that I'm talking about in that regard, um one is going to be the um we're still working on a clever title. Uh we're calling it right now it's the EMT course for approval. Um that is the emergency medical technician course. This will allow students the opportunity to um participate in school and prepare for the EMT training course. It also gives them the opportunity to be trained um at the um public safety academy or a satellite of the public safety academy housed at the uh Pay County Community College at the Wanuk campus. Um it's a it would be a demanding course. It would be a half-year course um for our students, but because of the demands it would

029be a five usually a halfyear course would be 2.5 credits. This course would be a five credit bearing course because of the time required outside of school. So a student who enrolls in this course um would be required to one you know attend that class during their uh during their school day and then also um participate in training at the public safety site uh for two nights a week and it's probably about 4 hours each night. Uh, one of the, um, connections that we've made with the, um, with the public safety academy and our local, um, our local ambulance corps is that the local um, local EMT support would fund the students participating in this program for the off-site, you know, off West Milford property um, course if they volunteer a certain amount of hours

030toward our local um, our local volunteer ambulance score. So, that's one way that we can not only help our students with a potential career path, but also help our um our local units that are, you know, you can't drive by a a fund drive where they say our, you know, volunteers are in critical demand. So, um this could help, you know, our community and also help our help our students with a with a cho a chosen career path. Uh and the the last one um was kind of an intro. I'm just going to give you I'll give you a brief story on the background. Started at a Veterans Day um where I was sitting next to um Mr. Robert Maner and I was with my father for the Upper Green Lake Veterans Day um uh

031program and um Mr. Maner was talking about wanting to get a meeting with the director of education because he's got this idea for a for a great course and I said, "Well, I just happen to be the director of education." So we we had a great conversation from there. Um at that time when we were um enjoying breakfast, uh I was able to share with him that um our interim supervisor Brenda Ludwig um was in the process of you know working to put this course together. She has uh relationships with the um Lincoln Park uh airport. So I know I'm starting backwards and talking about the story. This is an aviation pilot pathway program. Uh it would um train our our students. Let me let me just read from the uh you know from the

032description a little bit. It's uh pretty in-depth. Prepare students to progress in the practical portion of training as a pilot in an airplane. The topics are aerodynamics systems and instruments, airports and airspace, federal regulations, airplane performance, aeromedical factors, aeronautical decision-making, aviation, weather, navigation charts, navigation systems, and cross-country flight planning. This would prepare students to take the uh FAA private knowledge test. So, in a in a very simple analogy, this is like what we offer for driver's ed with our driver's ed course for our uh sophomores. Students who take this course in our schools will complete all of the groundwork necessary to take their um uh pilot pilot test with with actual uh actual flight time. Um so, before I before I go any further, I just want to make sure I want to acknowledge and

033thank uh Mr. Veneer and just invite him up for a minute to just give us a little bit of uh little bit of his background. He has volunteered to um participate with us and be a community resource. He has um you know has had children in the schools, grandchildren currently in the schools and um you know I I would try and summarize you, but I think you'll do a better you'll do a better job. >> Well, both my wife and I have lived in this town for over 65 years. Uh we're both graduates of West Milford Old High School. Um I'm a licensed FAAP mechanic. Uh I worked in aviation maintenance for over 50 years. Um I retired from DOS Falcon Jet as a senior technical representative. Um and I I I belong to the

034uh EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association out of Lincoln Park. Um and uh we promote youth. Uh we give free uh rides and we have workshops and stuff like that. So this is a great idea and great program because this field right now is really short of people. So I'm glad to help. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> We we appreciate that a member of our community wants to help. That's that's wonderful that you're willing to volunteer your time. >> If anyone's interested later, he left a um portfolio of the certificates he's accumulated over 50 years in the in the field. Uh and one of the interesting parts of it is that and one of the pieces of this that once once the course is approved once we start working on the curriculum and and all the

035things that go with it that the advertising of this course are trying to encourage this course is not only for students who want to be pilots. There is a wide array of careers that go along with this uh you know this aviation course. So, it's, you know, everything. We've talked about it numerous times and you'll you'll be able to ramble a list, but, you know, air air traffic controller, pilot, ground crew, you know, all all of those all of those jobs that go along with the industry. Um, this this course could open up some of those open up some of those doors. So, again, thank you. And we'll be, you know, we'll be you'll see a lot of them. Um, I think that's it for new courses. Um I was uh I was not here

036uh at the November meeting. I I was uh I struggled with the I had the flu that so many of us had. Um so right so I I just want to take an opportunity to um you know Dr. Mcuade we've uh I just want to say goodbye and and thank you. The joke in the office is that I've kind of been in denial that um that that you are you know moving on. Um but you've you've made me a better administrator. Um, you know, I think you're you're a huge loss and uh you know, so I'm finally acknowledging it. So tomorrow I'll go through the stages of grief. Um, but yeah, uh, you've left the district better than you found it and you've you've made me a better person and a better administrator through your

037friendship and through your um, collegiality. So, thank you. >> Thank you. I was um, I was going to speak a little bit later at the public forum as a community member, but I'll just say a couple words now then, Mr. go back if that's okay during a report. Um, so I have been in the district for 10 years. This is my 10th year. So I'd like to take an opportunity to say farewell, but not goodbye, but farewell to the administrators, the students, the teachers, the child study team, the social workers, the nurses, special class aids, therapists, staff, parents, and community of West Milford. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. And my heart is certainly here. At that October meeting, I could barely speak when I resigned. West Milford is a special

038place to me and my family. My husband, Chuck, and I were raised here. We attended school here. We work here. And we make we made it our home. West Milford is home to us. We're raising two girls and our children, our students in our public school system. Our family is vested in this community. Therefore, the success of the West Milford School District and the West Milford community is very important to us. So, when I was offered and accepted the position of director of special services, I was thrilled. I had the opportunity to work in and help to improve the district that educated me. With this focus, I endeavored to make West Milford Special Services one of the finest in the state. With the cooperation and support of this administration in our school community, we have

039improved programs for special needs students and have achieved success in many areas. Under this administration, we have returned out of district students to our schools while opening new programs such as climb our autism program, saving the taxpayers money while also providing those with specialized needs a quality education in the least restrictive environment. Our climb team is one of the best. Under this administration, we strengthened Highlander Academy, which has generated revenue for the district and serve students that would have once been sent out of district, also saving the taxpayers. Our academy team is outstanding and highly recognized. Under this administration, we have improved special services for our special needs students, providing multiensory reading that reaches both students with special needs and also those without an IEP in the general education environment. Our general education and special

040education partnerships and our cross collaboration is noteworthy and highly effective. Under this administration, we expanded our transition program to serve students post-graduation and ensure they have community-based instruction opportunities here in West Mulford, returning multiple students back to our district program with parents that see the value in what our high school programs offer. Our transition team and the Highlander Cove is a leader in the field, often hosting events for other districts to come and see our programs. Under this administration, we worked with our families to create educational partnerships, creatively supporting students to meet their unique needs, all while doing more with less. We collaborated with our CPAC and our parents felt supported. Under this administration, we kept our schools open through the pandemic and focused on the importance of students being in school for academic learning

041and mental health needs. Our community supported this and wanted this for our children. Thank you to the administrators, the teachers, the staff, the parents, and the students. West Milford services and the educational programs are extremely successful because of you. As I bid farewell, I would like to thank Dr. Anamone, Mr. Novak, Mrs. Francisco, the leadership team of principles, supervisors, administrators, teachers, staff, and parents whose hard work and dedication to the students of the district are unparalleled. I'd also like to thank the students who have brightened my day, reminded me of why I'm here, and who will always hold a special place in my heart. In closing, I hope West Milford will continue to improve and excel. Let each of you not only look to your own interests, but also the interests of others. My hope

042for the future is that the incoming board will support the advice and recommendations of the educators they employ. Where there is no counsel, the people fall. But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Chief administrators and educational leaders of the districts are experts in the field and diligently work to improve schools and educational services to students. Everyone must always remember that the students are the foremost priority of all who have the privilege to be involved in the educational process. In humility, count others more significantly than yourselves. This administration has always operated with that principle in mind. As I embark on this next phase of my career, I plan to stay involved in the community. Once again, thank you for allowing me to serve here in West Milford. I'll be grateful to you for this

043and cherish my time spent here. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. >> Thank you, Dr. McUade. Thank you. Uh, Mrs. Francisco, special reports. >> Yes, we have the minutes from the November 29th uh meeting, the workshop, regular minutes, and the executive session for your consideration. >> I need a motion to accept the minutes. I move to accept the minutes for the workshop of November 29th and the executive session of November 29th. I need a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> Any opposed? >> Under my president's report tonight. Well, I I just want to say I would like to wish everyone in in the community, a merry Christmas, and a happy new year, happy Hanukkah, and happy holidays. And I hope everybody gets a chance to get out and go to

044the concerts for the kids. I heard that the the coral coral concert was very good and I I know that the tomorrow night is Makipin >> tonight. >> Oh, is is Oh, because of the ch Okay, because of what happened with the snow. But I just wish everyone a happy holidays. Um uh we'll move into public comment. This portion of the meeting is open to the members of the public for the purpose of addressing resolutions on this agenda only. Members on of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be recognized by the chair first. Each speaker will be given five minutes for a period of 30 minutes and then time permitting other public comment limited to 5 minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 minute time period transpires.

045All members of the public speaking during this public comment period are asked to address topics listed in the agenda. All speakers are asked to sign the register provided and to give their full name, spell their last name, group affiliation if appropriate, and provide their address. Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded by the board. All comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that the members of the public be courteous and respectful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged, and the board and the administration will not respond to them. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded to them by the laws of New Jersey. This board is

046not responsible for is not responsible and is not liable for any comments made by members of the public. Members of the public should consider their comments in light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments. Members of the public are reminded that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Would anyone like to speak under public comment? >> This is for something on the agenda. >> Yes. Okay. I promise. professional. Hi everyone, Marissa Goth, last name spelled G U G H, resident at 34 Center Street. Happy holidays and merry Christmas. Um, I will keep this brief and you'll be happy to know I didn't type anything up today. I just wrote down some notes. I did just read the agenda last night. So, I just had a couple questions. I

047had a couple parents reach out to me yesterday that wanted to ask questions. So, I said I would ask on their behalf. Um so I am here you know spending time away from my family to be here just to ask questions for myself but also for some other moms as well. Um looking through the agenda in particular I just wanted to ask a question and again I don't even know if I'm asking this correctly. I am not in education. I'm in the medical field so I don't even know how this works but um I was looking through some of the resignations. Um the two kindergarten teachers from UGL that was one of the moms that reached out to me in particular. Um I see that they are resigning pretty close to one another. one being

048in December, one being in February. And I feel for those parents that have five or six year olds in kindergarten. I know just feeling for those for those children that are starting kindergarten, it's a huge transition to begin with. Um just like think about not even just kindergarten, having to go from high school to college. It's a huge transition going from different schools. So I feel for these little five and sixyear-olds. So I wanted to know for these teachers. I know there's already been to replace the one kindergarten teacher that is going to be leaving in February. I just wanted to know if there was a way to ease the transition for these um young kids. If there was a way to maybe have the new kindergarten teacher come in and maybe shadow for a

049day or two. Um I don't know if you do like going away or fail farewell parties, you know, just to make it just a little bit easier for these kids so they don't come into school the next day and realize they have a different teacher. Um I am aware that the principal already did send a farewell letter. It was very professional, very heartfelt. Um but the kids don't know that. They can't read. They don't know what's going on. So unless their parents discuss that with them, I just don't want them to be hit with, you know, thinking it's their fault that they have a new kindergarten teacher all of a sudden halfway through the year when it's already a big transition. So that was one of my first long-winded questions if that's even a possibility.

050If you can answer the question um for me, if someone can ask on my behalf, that would be really greatly appreciated. >> We'll let you do all your questions and then we'll get to the if we appreciate it. Um and let's see, my other follow-up question. This one's a little bit more of a simple question. I was looking through the agenda minutes and I just wanted to know just as a resident, as a a you know, a family member being new to the West Milford um public system is if we did receive or hear anything about the stabilization aid because I didn't see anything in the agenda minutes. I could be incorrect. I was trying to look through the website last night at my daughter's girl scout meeting. So, I just wanted to know if

051there were any updates on that if we haven't heard yet or if we did get acceptance or denial regarding that. Um my next question is I know Dr. McCrade was mentioning with the county we were pending approval for middle schoolers for middle school age children to become a part of the Highlander Academy. I just wanted to know if there were any updates regarding that. Um just cuz obviously you know that would make me feel better knowing that the program obviously has more room for growth now that it has a bigger building to accommodate that. And then my last thing really isn't a question. It's more just a comment in general. Um again I've only been a part of the West Morford public school system family for a couple months. My children are only three and

0525 years old. My daughter goes to kindergarten here. And just so you know, when I did tell her that she was going to Marshall Hill next year, she said, "Good. I like their playground better." Anyways, so she'll be fine. Um, it's right it's it's right next to our daycare zone right now. >> My children will be fine. They'll take what they did. >> Aren't they so cute? Well, we're glad you that they save their toys and it's right next to their daycare. So really our transition will be will be fine. But you know I've only been a part of this family for a couple months with my children being so young. But I have to say so many people have said so many good things about you Dr. Mcuade. I've heard only positive things and

053how you will really sorely be missed. And I really hope the next director of special services the only research I did on her. I know that she was um formerly retired superintendent of Vernon schools. So I really hope she can fill your shoes because it seems like it's big shoes to fill. Um, and with that said, I really hope that um, this new endeavor that we have going on as early as fall of next year is that we're all ready to take this on, not just me as a resident. You know, I hope I can continue to come to the meetings. You know, I'm not putting my kids to bed right now. My poor husband's flying solo. Um, but I really hope that we're really thinking proactively, thinking of the fall and how we're going

054to um, utilize this space to its full capacity, whether we have middle school age children here or not. um and and whether this person can really fill your shoes because it seems like the common trend from people reaching out to me is that it's going to be a hard position to fill. So that would say thank you. Thank you. And happy holidays. >> Just for the board's notification, we do we have not heard yet from the stabilization grant. We check every day, sometimes twice a day. Um I probably drive Mr. Schultz crazy when I stick my head out and I see anything yet. So, we're told it's imminent. We're going to be notified imminently. What that means, I don't know. Maybe 5:00 on Friday. Um, we'll find out, but we we'll certainly share with the

055board with the community as soon as we hear about the stabilization grant. >> The kindergarten teacher those maybe they don't understand how that is. Can you explain it? >> Yeah. So, we we typically, it's a good question. Um we typically have a process for transition uh where the uh you know principal would would request a about a week typically. Uh that's usually a good uh period of time to get both teachers in there together. Sometimes it doesn't work out then depending on their um on their requirements for moving on to a next position or if the person who's going to be filling in for that position is leaving another one. So um you know we we do our best to make sure that that transition occurs. I knowing Mrs. Pes we know very well. Um

056you know she'll have those the the students prepared for uh for that transition the best that she can. But yeah that's a common practice to have two teachers there you know shadowing showing the ropes that sort of thing. >> And then just to answer the question about the academy just to update the board. Um our we won't be opening up a new program. We'll just be actually filling out paperwork to relocate to a different school because we never closed the school building. It will be more transfer paperwork to here and then the county will do a walkthrough with Mrs. Francisco and you know hopefully Miss Deavino who will get approved tonight. She'll also do that as well. Um she's here tonight as well. Um and I'm confident that with her experience she will be able

057to serve as the interim and carry through the plans that I plan to leave. So >> thank you. Is anyone else wishing to speak under public comment? >> If not I need a motion to >> Seeing none like to close public comments. Second. >> Um, car second it. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Just a two quick amendments uh changes to the agenda before we adopt it. On page six, education resolution number eight. We had a HIV come in this afternoon. So, we added it to tonight's report. The incident report number is going to be 2023-2 and it's going to be unsubstantiated. We can review that in executive session and vote uh afterwards. And then in personnel student affairs page 11 resolution number 26 is going to be pulled. We have to

058work through some details there to to make sure it's uh completely accurate. Um, I'm not entirely certain it is, but we'll pull that now. We'll get that added back in January. >> 26. >> Resolution 26 will be pulled >> under personnel, right? >> Personnel. >> Okay, >> that's it. >> All right. So, I need a a motion to uh adopt the agenda. I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda. I was presented with the two changes. >> Second. >> And the hand carries. All those in favor. >> Any opposed? Education. Mrs. Dwire like to move items 1 through 7 for approval >> and hold eight till after executive session. >> I have seven. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Eight. Okay. Okay. Um so it's 1 through seven and number nine >> discussion discussion any discussion

059on education >> if not rollser >> yes >> Mrs. Stevenson >> yes >> Mr. Greeno >> yes >> Mrs. Lockwood >> yes >> Mrs. O'Brien >> yes >> Mr. Silman >> yes >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conklin. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> See, this is personnel student affairs. Mr. Bham like to move items 1 through 25, 27 through 28 on the uh regular agenda. And then on hand carry number two items 29 through 31. >> Secondly discussion under personnel Mr. Karina >> abstaining from number 23. Yes to all others. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Laughwood. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conlin. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwer. >> Yes. To all and abstain from number three. >> Mr. Silman.

060>> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. Um, all right. Can we just make uh just want to introduce the board? Um, Dr. Deino is here. She came down tonight. Mrs. Hart would like to be here. She had a family commitment. She could not make change to the last minute. Uh, Dr. Deino came here. Congratulations. Welcome aboard. We're happy to have you here. >> Thank you. >> Very nice to meet everybody. My name is Dr. Dina. You can call me Karen. I am the um, pardon my back. I am the retired superintendent of schools from Vernon, but while I was there, I also served as the director of special services uh for a period of uh more than 15 months. Um I'm very excited to work with the faculty and the families here in West

061Milford, but most importantly to serve our students. So, it's a pleasure to be a board here in West Milford, and I look forward to doing the best that I can to um assist and fill Dr. McQuay's shoes. Congratulations on your new position. Thank you. >> Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. >> Operations and finance. Um, Mr. Stillman, I'd >> like to move number one through six. >> Second. >> Any discussion under operations and finance? >> Roll call. >> Mr. Stillman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Laughwood. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Go. >> Yes. >> M O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conklin. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> I'm seeing on six. Yes. To everything else. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Like to move number seven. >>

062Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Mr. Stillman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. Mr. Greeno. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> Abstain. >> Mr. Conklin. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Abstain. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. Yeah. Abstain. I'm sorry. It's going right along with >> I can move 8 through nine. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. Mr. Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> that's a yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> still a yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwyer? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Conklin? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson? >> I'd like to make a motion to move numbers 1

063through two under policy. >> Second. discussion. >> I I have a question update. Go ahead. >> No, because Courtney went and then >> Oh, she can go first. You go first. >> No, no, go ahead. >> You'll probably cover what I have to say. Go ahead. Probably. >> Okay. >> Um, I just want the public and everyone to be aware of these policy changes because I know not everybody in the community might read through all of our paperwork. Um the homework policy has been changed so that all children in grades K through 8 are getting some homework going forward. They are going to be required to do some reading as well every night. Um the board felt that it is appropriate and age appropriate as well as being age appropriate in Makipin as well. um

064Makipin's limit is one hour in total. So that does not mean that teachers should be giving um children a half hour to an hour in every single subject. It should be an hour in total. Um we just felt that there was there needed to be a pendulum swing so that our elementary children were doing study skills and feeling prepared for middle school and high school and homework to come. whereas we wanted to make sure that they weren't being slammed in middle school as well. Um I also want to take a minute to talk about the religious holiday policy as well. We um are very much trying to accommodate all diverse populations in our community and very much trying to accommodate everyone's um needs. We felt as a board that making sure that if school is

065closed for a religious holiday or even if school is not closed and there is a religious holiday that there should not be um extracurricular activities that children are missing out on. So we want to just say that publicly. I wanted to say that publicly and feel free to chime in that that um we are making amends to do what we can to honor the diversity in our community. >> Kate, I'll come to you D. That's okay. >> Um about the religious holidays. So number five on that policy says no athletic games or teen co-curricular activities will be scheduled on days where schools are closed for religious observances practices will be permitted. I feel like those two sentences contradict each other first of all um because if we're saying that they can't have co-curricular activities well

066that is what practices are. So that statement just really confuses me. Um and whether this gets voted in tonight or not, I would really like to see further discussion on what exactly that is. I mean, if we have a snow day, practices are cancelled. If we have school off, practices are cancelled. So for a student, let's say who No, >> but just just for just to clarify, we >> have, you know, next week we're off. >> We will have obviously we have we have games. We also have practices during the week. >> Okay. >> And also there have been days when schools, you know, the roads are bad in the morning, they clear up at noon, >> but we're home already. We have a 3:00 practice, a 7:00 >> uh game or something. So it's

067h it's not common, but it has happened. Okay, >> thank you for the clarification. I guess where I'm struggling with this is how many days are we really talking about here? Um, and excuse me, >> It's not a lot. And to be fair to our community members who practice different, you know, religious holidays, I think it would be very fair to say that they should not I I know that it's excused. I know that it's you know not required but it's also in my opinion not fair and I wanted to share that >> well you can always go back to committee if you feel that there wasn't that something wasn't I didn't think there was an issue within committee but I I thought we we all >> I know a lot of work has been

068done on this a lot of discussion in committee I'm not on that committee so um but and when I saw this I was just shocked I think I've also received a parent email that you know when I read it I was like We all got the parent. >> I'm sure. Yes. I just I don't know what you all have. I only know what I have and I'm just sharing me. So >> when I read that, it upsets me. I want all our students to feel safe and included and on their teams and and so that's just where I am on this. So I'm I will feed from this tonight. And >> it will be it's a first reading. It can go back to committee. It's that you know both both items here are first readings.

069So awesome. So they can always go back to committee and that's could be the direction of the board at that point. >> Thank you. >> So uh Debbie, did you have something? I just want to piggy back on on Courtney. So I'm also on the policy committee. Um and and just for kind of like um pulling the curtains aside for a moment. So in committee when we are uh brought forth issues um such as homework and such as the religious holidays what we end up doing is we do a cross comparison to different districts through in the area to see what they're doing cuz a lot of times you're able to glean um both the good and the not so good policies from different districts and then you you I wouldn't say cherryick but you

070see what what would be best for the the Milford community and I and and um I want to say thank you to the people on the policy committee because we work very hard in gleaning um information from different districts and finding out really there's a bit of you I really did not think there was going to be a big diversity in the homework area but oh my gosh >> um you know it it was amazing but I uh but under uh the religious holidays and the homework. We really urge due diligence in trying to get the best for our uh our students and for our community members and our families. Any other discussion under policy? So again, I just want to let you know it is first reading. If the board feels that it needs

071to go back to committee, it can come up in committee next month that you maybe you'll have different people, you'll probably have different people sitting there, so you'll have different ears on it. So that would be the right way, you know, to look at it. Anybody else have anything else? If not, please roll. Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. >> Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> yes. >> Mr. Conklin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. I'm one. No, I'm two. >> Mrs. Twire. Yes, >> Mrs. Lockwood. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Committees, parks and recreation. >> Safety, there was no meeting superintendent round table. Mrs. Um sorry we had a meeting last week uh with the PTOs and the principles from the elementary schools joined.

072Um we had a collaborative discussion um to present ideas to help students transition as flawlessly as possible for the changes coming in September 2023. There were a lot of great ideas that were presented. Um, I guess I'll just go through a few of them. Um, fourth grade yearbooks, possible consideration for Westbrook could be a yearbook sale offered at uh cost to all families. So, not for profit. And there was even talk, I think, about doing it um not just for fourth grade, but for every grade um so that every child could take something from their um time at Westbrook. Um and then there was a transition day talked about possibly end of May, early June where the students changing schools could possibly visit their new schools. Um possibly an open house in August that would

073coincide with kindergarten experience. um discussed with PTA PTO's in schools including families coming to their school in September 2023 in future PTA PTO meetings, activity nights, family fun nights, etc. Um meet and greet for staff that will be moving buildings with their new principles and fellow teachers. Penpal Google meets between students so they can begin to get to know one another. Um there was a discussion about uh Westbrook students and staff and possibly doing a big sendoff for them and a year party. Um individual PTO PTO's may want to consider school celebrations for the students moving schools. Um another uh Westbrook PTA is allotted for their scholarships for graduating seniors to be continued until the current fourth graders graduate from West Milford High School, which would be the class of 2031. And then there was

074a suggestion about school messenger and just uh maybe using that to um be able to utilize all the activities coming up and getting that information out to the pertinent parties. And just a other Paradise Null PTA is hosting their Wizards event on March 18th, 2023. More information will follow, but I know that that's usually a huge event, so just wanted to plug that, too. Thank you. Um, the state county school boards and New Jersey school boards. I have no report. I have no report. Um, legislative. On December the 8th, the Assembly Education Committee and the Assembly Human Services Committee approved the various bills concerning preK education. Student dropout prevention A398 would establish an office of dropout prevention and re-engagement of out of school youth in the New Jersey Department of Education. This bill would also

075establish a student dropout prevention task force. DOE's office of the dropout prevention and re-engagement of out of school youth would be charged with de developing a statewide strategy plan to prevent students from dropping out of school addressing the needs for the reenrollment of student dropouts and the development strategies to increase reenrollment. The office would be required to collaborate with school districts in the development of this plan. The purpose of the student dropout prevention task force would be to analyze the causes of students leaving school prior to graduation. Recommend best practices for reducing dropout rates and developing strategies to increase the reenrollment of students who have left school. DOE DOE registry of tutors would require the New Jersey Department of Education to establish and post on its website a search searchable registry of individuals and organizations

076interested in offering free tutoring services to students throughout New Jersey. The bill spec specifies certain qualifications that an individual or an organization may possess to be eligible to apply for inclusion on the registry, including but not limited to a teacher with a New Jersey certification, a retired New Jersey teacher who was in good standings at the time of retirement, a student enrolled in a two or four-year institution of higher education in the state, or an industry professional with relevant subject matter expertise. The bill would require anyone included on the registry to undergo a criminal history record check. Highly highly high oy high efficiency accelerated learning grant program would establish the high efficiency accelerated learning grant program. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm being redundant here. To provide high impact tutoring opportunities to mitigate the effects of interrupted

077learning due to CO 19. This program would support school districts in creating and implementing high impact tutoring programs. Each tutoring program would be required to meet certain c certain minimal requirements. This bill is now headed to the assembly for floor for further consideration. Its Senate counterpart S3220 was considered for hearing only by the Senate on October 27th. >> Thank you. Anybody any questions? I do. Good. >> Debbie, what that that bill about the prek um is it is it mandated yet or is it still in discussion? Um um okay, the the the one the one little section I took I I cut out. I'll I'll I'll read that. The New Jersey School Board Association supports the bill. It's headed next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Um, but there's a Senate counterpart which

078was approved December 1st and that's also just being it's going through the process. It's up for further consideration through legislated. >> It is being seriously considered. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh technology >> due to the uh delayed opening on Friday the meeting was postponed. uh the township joint committee. Um there was a meeting um but I don't think anything's really come out of it yet. And I feel like they're going to be forming a new committee. So I think that that would you know with our with the restructuring I mean with the um reorganization committees are going to take I think that the committee should meet next together publicly. That's my own opinion at this >> what does that mean? That's the meeting with the town council. >> Oh, not Yeah. When

079was it? >> It was December 9th. >> Last week. >> Yeah. Last week. >> December 9th. >> Yeah. >> I think that >> um I think that it should move at this point discuss with the new committee because they need to get direction. >> And who from our board of education was in attendance at that meeting? >> Me. >> Mrs. Dwyer and Mr. Garino, I was they were unable to attend. >> Okay. Was anyone else invited to take their place? >> I didn't know that until that morning. >> So, >> okay. >> I was not I was not able to go because I had an emergency meeting in the morning and that's when I let >> I had messaged Mr. Corino and he had some >> I was in a meeting. >> Yeah. So, it

080it was not able to get somebody to come at 9:00 on that morning. So no committee it's there's still discussions and that would be that Western Milford Alliance. >> That's me. That's me. Um we just want to thank um those who were able to attend the GCA meeting on Tuesday to see Kelly Hart win the volunteer award for county. Um we are so lucky to have her as part of the alliance. A special thanks to Kate Romeo for representing our board of ed this year. It also says me in here, but I find that weird to thank myself. I'm skipping over myself. Um, so thank you so much, Kate, for all you've done. For those of you who were not able to attend the meeting on Monday, Debbie applied for the Atlantic Health Grant with

081the intention of obtaining money towards Heroes and Cool Kids for 2023. We made it through the pre-application. There is a meeting next month and the application is due at the end of January. Thanks to Kelly and Stephanie Drag from the Center for Drug and Alcohol Resources. Um Debbie is working on reallocating the money we received from the Youth Leadership Grant. This will also be up for discussion come January. Also up for the discussion is um having a DEA come to our community to the school and other groups to discuss and bring awareness to drug issues on community cate state and dealing with um drug abuse. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 11th at 700 p.m. It is hybrid or on Zoom depending on the weather and it is a public meeting. Anybody can go.

082It is really um informative and great to go. Um you will be getting a new committee meeting come member come January. That would be me. And so then I'll add thank you to whatever. >> Thank you Courtney. Your valued um opinion always um and your time with the WMA was as Debbie wrote in the email to you. Um we're very You're outside. >> I'm going to now that I'm finished with the board, I will be joining the WMA. >> Okay. >> Officially, >> not a board of ed alliance member. >> She said you'll be getting a new member. >> You'll be getting a new member. >> Thank you. >> Um, old business. >> I have something. Um, I I I just have some questions. Did we pass? Do we miss >> Oh, I'm sorry. >>

083That's okay. And we had a meeting yesterday. >> I apologize. I'm sorry. >> So, Dr. Mcuade put a meeting together yesterday. It was just a Zoom meeting. Um, there were actually I think about 15 parents there, which was, you know, for the 3:15 time, which is not an easy time to meet for parents, I thought was uh was uh good. and um Dr. McQuade gave a discussion um about all the programs where she would like to see them lie loading very emotional my last seatback update with Dr. McUade, but um she gave an update to all the staff in um and just um to the parents about uh the programs what she you know that she was going to leave detailed plans for um the interim um and you know it was just Dr. McQuade

084just talking really I think everybody was just in shock a little bit on that meeting and I know um CPAC wants me to wish you well um and you will be very missed. It's been 10 years that I've been working with you, I feel, and uh you will be missless. Good luck. >> Thank you. >> Now, I I apologize all the time. >> I I just I just have a few questions. Um I would like to see how much revenue is brought has been brought in since the inception of the Highlander Academy for out of district students. how much the total and I would also um like to know the cost to refurbish this building. And finally, how is school choice going to be dealt with when parents don't want their their children moved from

085school to school? >> Terry, could you just say that first part again that you want about high? to see how much revenue has been brought into this district from out of out of district students for Highlander Academy since it >> I would like to add on to that and also say I would like to know how much we've saved this district in keeping our students in this district. So how much would it cost to send those districts those students out of district also? >> Question and I think I have a right to >> Oh no you do. But I'm saying I want to add that on also. You can ask snarkiness. I don't mean >> Okay. Okay. Come on. I'm not being snarky. No, you're not. That's You're No. That But I think that in

086the mix of what Mrs. Dwire is asking and what Mrs. Lockwood is asking is a good basis on why the academy is there. >> Can I ask a question? You only want Highlander Academy and not the other programs that we also get toward. just want to know how much money we're bringing in from out of out of district students. That's >> I could I could roughly answer that question since it is the last board meeting and I have some of that knowledge on the top of my head. What I can tell you is that over the course of the time of the program, only a few years ago did we start to bring in tuition students for our program because again being a perfectionist as I've been called several times, I didn't want to bring

087students in until I was ready to make sure that our reputation then as those students went back to their home districts that it was going to be sustainable. So over the course of the time in the past several years, we've had four tuition students coming and going at different times. Right now we currently do not have any right now this school year but and the state certified cost I believe is around 28,000 >> I think >> or 30,000 >> 35,000 >> so let's say somewhere between 25,000 to 35,000 is the is the what we charge the district we use the certified rate the county rate for that um and then the cost on the flip side so it's a savings for public schools because an outof district placement if you have to send your child

088your student out of district can run anywhere for a school that's an emotional regulation impairment program. It can run anywhere from 75,000 to about 165,000 not including transportation. So you would then figure out the numbers by that by multiplying it by you're right not every one of your students is going to go out but that would roughly give you the cost. So I'm sure we could get you more detail but at least then the board and the public have some of that information. >> Thank you. Okay, >> so why don't we charge Can we not charge 75,000? >> We can't barely explain why we have to certify county rates as opposed to >> charge if that's what it's costing us. That's what cost. >> It has to be basic once the audit is completed every

089year. the um state of New Jersey determines what the cost per pupil is for each of the programs that you run and um for the high school program for special education for behavioral disabilities that is the rate that they calculate is the cost. So if those stu if we were sending a student now and it would cost us 75,000 of that like because we're going to a private program and not a state >> program because very very few public programs have >> behavioral programs and um they would go to the private programs >> we have just we just saw last and if it wasn't last meeting the meeting before where we did have to send someone out to one of these programs and it was >> upward I know some like nine people. >> It

090was 165,000 I think. >> And and that was without that was without transportation. >> Yeah. And just to kind of give the public and the board some of a picture of some of the transportation costs that Mrs. Francisco and I have been dealing with right now with some of either residential placement. I don't know if you want to >> that one bill. Yeah. >> Yeah. You want to just mention that? >> Um we have we have uh and I might have mentioned this last month actually. We have one bill that um is $15,000 a month because we have two homeless students that need to be transported at different times. So that's just one bill. We're looking at um a large deficit from um what we budgeted for our um out of district students um yeah

091than what we're paying. So we're trying to trim it out. Um we're we're trying to figure out ways that we can um mitigate the costs because we're pretty much at our mer at their mercy um with out of district plate because we have to go out to bid for our out of district routes. We don't have enough drivers to do them. >> Yeah. >> I have an idea. Are we on old business? >> Yes. Because >> we're old. It fits. >> Do you have something else for old business? >> You have an idea? >> I have an idea. I went on a field trip today and my students had to pay for their own bus. >> Yes. >> And it was expensive. But my idea when I was sitting on this bus was like any

092district could bid for those field trips. Mhm. >> Right. Could West Milford bid to take Wanuku students on a field trip at 2:00 if Wan doesn't have their own buses? >> We're very restricted. Um I think we we tried to work out something with Bloomingdale on that, but we're very restricted with the times that we have available. >> So um even for um our own buses for us to take our own students, we've limited um to what trips that they can do, what time they have to return so that we can pick up our high school students. >> Yeah. >> And um >> some of our some of our trips are They're they're having to pay exactly for a private bus. >> I was just sitting on this bus and I thought, "Wow, like districts

093could >> we've tried I mean bidding those things." >> My colleague in Bloomingdale for some shared service ideas, but it's >> not so much field trips, but preliminary discussions. There are ways to do it, but we do have >> we don't have we don't have the we don't have the manpower. And Mr. Trenasa has been really um working with us to try to um so that we can use our we can do our athletic buses a little bit later and and compress the number of buses that we need. So um we're trying everything that we can in order to make it to facilitate it as much as possible, but it's it's difficult right now. >> We we don't have enough drivers. >> Yeah. If anybody wants to be a driver, we're here. I have one

094different top like >> Okay. I do I have I have something. Go ahead. Yes. >> Um I appreciate all the discussions on the transition activities for our elementary students. >> Um I just my request um as a family member and a community member obviously and for every student that needs to move schools, please don't just make it about Westbrook. remember that we have many many students throughout our district that are switching schools. I be I just want you to know that there the topic was with all of the schools >> and so my found my request and my statement is that I believe one of the biggest struggles that we have as a district and we see it through and through is that we don't always have all the opportunities at our six elementary schools

095right it's hard to do that in this please I'm begging the principles the parents the PTAs the administration please make it the same um having discussions with my own family and being questioned by an 8-year-old this week. Extremely emotional um about his future and why this is happening and my involvement in it and and yeah, this is extremely personal to many many many people in our community, me being one of them, you know. Um and I just beg that we do it the right way. I don't want next year or at any, you know, not at Shopright, not at my family dinner to have to hear, well, the second graders at Marshall Hill got it a yearbook, but the second graders at Maple Road weren't offered to buy one. You know, like those are the

096things that just then build divide and hurt and and they're little things. >> Well, I think one of the reasons that Dr. Anamone and and uh Mr. Novak got the principles and the PTA presidents involved in that is so that everyone knows what's happening and that we can that it it can be shared. Nothing was set in stone at that meeting. I think there's going to be more conversations, but I think it was made very clear to everyone there that we have to do things that are the same for for the buildings and the kind but a lot of what you heard are still some ideas. nothing is set in stone. So the the one school Westbrook actually bringing forward about the yearbook I think made it so that the other PTAs that were sitting

097there they thought oh okay and the scholarship was a wonderful idea for them because in all honesty that they have I'm sure they have money that they have set aside and that would that it's wonderful that they even had the forethought for that too. Yeah. So I I think I think they have you both have been in that discussion process. >> We were brainstorming last week with everybody in the same room together. So we're at the start of the planning process. We'll start getting more and more narrow maybe. So we started out broad with every idea. Let's get it all on the table now and see what we can do, what we can afford and we'll try to standardize it across the schools. And we know the students at all the schools that are moving

098more in one building than another, but we know it's it's more than just West Virginia. >> And some buildings are having different changes and we're trying to see how that that could be addressed if they're not having new students or students moving. Maybe they're having a program come and how they can address that program in that building so that it isn't like, you know, surprise, we're here. So they're they're trying to do all that and and and that's really the reason for the discussion and I thought it was a very good discussion actually. Um any other old business? I have one thing because there is an issue um going forward. Two of the new board members their fingerprints are not bad. Their their clearance has not come back. Their fingerprints and there is a backlog

099on that. you cannot we cannot see the new board members until they're back by law. So, our reorganization meeting right now is scheduled for January 3rd. And I I think it would be in our best interest to move the meeting to January 10th just to give us another week of cushion so that it's not like we're meeting at all, but just so that we have another week for those fingerprints to come back. After speaking with Kathy Hela, I it is my understanding that some of the other districts are doing that, but we cannot go past January 10th to reorg. So I I need to get an opinion from the board members if they're okay to move that meeting to the 10th and if they're available because Barbara has to advertise if so we if we

100if we wait until next week to see if they're back. It's going to be an issue because of New Year's like all of the holiday seasons and it it looks like it takes three to four weeks for fingerprints and that to come back. So, we would probably not make it for the third for two of the members. And I think it would be wise to re if we could try and see everybody together would be the right thing. >> I will be away. >> Yeah. So, >> on January 10th? >> Yeah. I'll be on a business trip. >> Okay. Will you be here on the 9th or No, >> no, that week I'll be away. I'll be in >> Okay. Um, >> and I actually have something on the 10th, too. >> How about the

1019th? >> The 9th. I do, but I might be able to switch that. I'm not sure. The 11th. >> I'm just trying to make it so that we don't have so we have enough past the 10th. >> What? >> The 10th is a drop dead date. >> We can't go past the 10th. >> So, >> is it rumor or true? Um, Barbara, you will be able to answer this that one of those two new board members can um has fingerprints. >> No. Yes, they have fingerprints. No, they cannot archive. >> Thank you. >> It it there's a time frame on that too. Like right after No, you just can't do it. >> Depend. It depends on >> It's okay. You don't have to explain it. >> Depends on the on on what the finger >>

102Okay. >> what role you were in. Okay. >> For the fingerprints and whether or not you could archive. >> Thank you. >> So, we definitely have to we won't be able to see them. And I I I think it should be we should try to give a a a a bigger window to th to the two that are not don't have their fingerprints back. You know, it's not their fault that they're not there. And and you know, I mean, if we get to a point where we can't wait, you know, where we're p if we get to the point where we have to reorg, we can. But I I just feel that there we should give them some kind of cushion. I think that would be the right thing to do. But I mean, it's

103really up to the board because on the third, you'll probably have only six members present. >> And on the 10th, we'll only have seven, right? And you won't know about the other two anyway. >> Well, if their fingerprints come back, then you'll have >> No, I mean, me and Ray can't come on that 10th. So, you'll only have seven, and that's only if their fingerprints come back. >> But, I mean, it's your reorganization, too. So, you know, but it doesn't matter to me if we, >> you know, if you if you're okay reorging with, you know, not having the president, >> that's why. >> Well, we have to honor the people. That's different. >> That's the point. I I feel like we we need to give them a cushion. You know, if not, then you

104would swear them in at another meeting, but still be able to reorg. We'd still have to do the reorganization by the 10th. So, how is I I I mean I don't know if we want to push it back to say Thursday that week if you people can't make the 10th. I you know Thursday is what date? >> Uh 5th >> but that's really only given two days. >> I know. >> You know maybe they'll come back this week. I mean >> Monday the 9th you think you will be away the 9th too. always >> it and the fifth then it is only two otherwise we can leave it. It just leaves Barbara and the office in a bind because they have to advertise if we have to cancel and there that is not going to

105give us with New Year's in there we're not going to have a good window because if they're if they're not back by if they're not back by like th uh Wednesday right the 20 They're not back on the 28th. Would you have time? >> We'll be in the office on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. So, we can make a determination. If we don't have any anything by Thursday of next week, we could just push it out. >> Question about reorgarch. Um, if Mr. Greeno is not present, we could still elect him for president, right? >> I'm teasing. >> Not here. >> Can you elect someone that's not present? You know, that's normally the way committees work. You normally elect the president by who's not sitting at that many times. >> I know how it

106goes. I've been told that many times. >> I don't know if I want to vote for Mr. taking the thoughts right out of my head. >> Oh, >> this is how we dress. >> Um I you know, I I'd like to be able to guide you, Mr. Brown. I don't know whether we should, you know, push it off and make the final decision next week. I I don't know what to do. >> I can't tell you what to do. >> Well, as a practical matter, if you push it off to the 10th or the 9th, you're going to have one person who's not here and you might have two other people who still can't. >> So, that creates >> the nth. There will be three people. There's no >> you explain that. So then that

107that's what the case will be. If it's January 3rd, you're going to have you'll have >> you'll have six members present, >> right? Six. >> And the only other thing that you could do is push it back. And Terry's not present on the third. >> I'm not present on the third. So that's six. >> The only other choice is to make it another day of the week of the third. >> Yeah. The fourth, fifth. I mean, you could reorganize on Friday night, too, if you wanted to. It's not a long >> No, it's a very short meeting. >> 10 minutes. >> Really? We up to the 30th to decide, right? Because I I I think the reason advertise it within 72 hours prior to the change of the meeting, >> no one's going to be

108in the office on th on Friday or the 30th. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. So, we're only going to be in the office on Wednesday and Thursday. >> Okay. >> But really, it's >> But you need the date. You got to know by Thursday morning >> that that we need to know a date to revertise for it. >> So we're if we're here, I think that we should try to get a date. >> Does any Does anybody have a problem with Friday the 6? >> I mean I have something tonight. So I just have to see if I can figure out something. >> It's not a long It's not a long It will not be a long meeting where in past we had the ethics presentation. We don't have that scheduled. Okay. >> Um, >> no,

109Daniel. >> Sure. What's the earliest? >> Sorry. Could we be earlier on the Friday? >> You could. So, >> let's go. I'm going to go. Kate, are you good with the six? >> Yeah. >> At at say 6:00. >> I'd like to leave the meeting as is and there are fingerprints coming for now. >> Okay. So, you don't want to go. >> Okay. >> You know, and the other thing, too, is I'd have to check with the new board members to see if they have anything going on, too. You know, they're they're expecting to reorganize on the third. >> Um, >> realistically, that's not going to happen. >> Well, we don't know for 100. We don't know 100%. Um, you know, we may get lucky. They may push him through to get him out of

110the way by the end of the year, but I I I've given up trying to figure out what Trenton does. >> I I was very surprised when I reached out to Kathy about this today because she said she had a lot she had a number of calls about the same question. So that says that things are coming back slow and that's you know that the fingerprints are coming back slow. So, we can leave it and then it'll just have to you'll have to send it out and pull the board, I guess, if they're not back or we'll just have the meeting and we'll just reorder without we'll just hold off, you know, we'll keep it at the third and then I'll reach out to you next week and see if we need to change it.

111>> Okay. >> All right. Any other old business? Well, no. >> Are there any any other old business? >> Seeing none like to close old business. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Okay, new business. >> Dr. Animal. >> This is me. So, um it's not often we lose three board members this at the same time, but that's what's happening this year. Um we have three wonderful board members, Miss Stevenson, Mr. Compton, and Mr. Stolman who have served perhaps the most eventful term in BOE history. Um, and I'm including people who served for 20 years. They probably didn't go through what we did here. So, you all came on in January of 2020. And as you remember, it was just about when we started hearing the stories about this virus overseas. And,

112you know, maybe it comes to America, but it was still in the joking stage. And then obviously every week, every every day at some point it just got a little bit worse and a little bit more and more serious. So uh obviously the middle of March we'll just kind of shut down uh completely and then we've been dealing with the after effects um that first year with the the cohorts, the Aday kids, the bday kids, the old virtual kids. Um it just been a you know a heck of a three years and now we're you know hopefully coming out of the pandemic. I know it's still in the newspaper a lot. We're probably never going to be completely out of it, but um you guys served uh with great valor throughout the entirety of the

113past three years and you brought a unique mindset, a unique skill set, and a unique um passion to our to our district. Um all three different types of people. Mr. Stillman's a West Mil West Milford alumnist, born and raised. He was, I know we mentioned before, the Marshall Hill playground. He's too shy to admit it, but that was he built that playground and made it the envy of all the other schools in the district. So, um, >> evidently, >> we I've seen it. It It's fantastic. And, uh, it's nice to be validated by a 5-year-old. So, >> an honest perspective on it, >> probably the best validation. >> That's who we That's what you built it for. the kids, right? Definitely grownups. >> Mr. Council, obviously, you brought a very uh businessminded approach to our

114district and you helped us out, asked us great questions in budget discussions. Um, and we really appreciated that over the past three years. Passionate sports dad, which I am as well. So, I do always enjoy speaking with you about sports. um was very excited one day to walk to a baseball field and see our kids on opposite sides of a field just by happen stance at a random field on field on Route 46 and Low Die. That was that was a fun night. Um and obviously Mrs. Stevenson is our uh our educator. Um she goes to work every day, you know, late meetings at night. She walks in the next day to a group of 25 I think first graders second graders down in Maf Township. So, um, she brings us the unique perspective of

115a of an educator as well as a mom. So, um, you're all going to be missed. We have, uh, plaques for you here. I'd like to give them to you now. Um, >> I'm going to I'll read the resolution here. >> Um, it's all pretty much the same one. So, I'll read the one. >> Just read it. >> I put all your names. >> Yeah. Yeah. Whereas, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Stillman, and Mrs. Stevenson have served as prominent members of the West Milford Board of Education from January 2020 until December 2022. And where have whereas Mr. Consul, Miss Stevenson, and Mr. Stillman have served diligently on the operations and finance committee, negotiations committee, education committee, personnel committee, and were liaison for the parks and recreation committee. Whereas they held uppermost the welfare of our students in

116their decisions and served with great skill and dedication. And whereas their service on the board has brought them the respect of their colleagues on the board, the administrative staff and the teaching and support staff. Now therefore be resolved that the board of education on behalf of the grateful community publicly acknowledges and expresses its sincerest appreciation to Mr. Conklin, Mr. Stillman, and Miss Stevenson for their outstanding contributions to the West Milford Township Public School District. And be it further resolved that this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the regular meeting of the board of education on December 20th, 2022. >> Okay. I need I need somebody to make that motion. >> Make the motion >> and somebody to second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> No way. Count me as a no. Yeah,

117that's it. >> Oh, yeah. Mr. Stillman, I would dress more appropriately, but >> that's okay. You're showing your Highlander prop. >> That's perfectly appropriate. >> Yeah, I'm going to put this next to my teacher here. >> I got Thank you. Would would you each like to say something or >> I'll go first cuz Courtney could take forever. >> I'm a man of two words. You guys know that. But I do appreciate my fellow board members for all their experiences. >> Microphone >> safe. They share action. >> J action that works. >> Exactly. More action that works. But I appreciate all the administration, the board members for the last three years. It's been a benefit. And I want to thank Mr. Brown also because everybody forgets you for some reason. >> Thank you for your friendship

118and your your >> Mike. All right. I just like to thank West Milford giving me the opportunity to serve the board. My friends, family, my wife Jill that made it here from my niece's winter concert. My son Shawn been the constant supporters. Uh had not done it without you guys. I ran for the board to try to make a difference. I want to make this district better for all the children, teachers, administrators, and staff. It's nearly impossible to make a difference when your hands are tied and the state continually cuts funds. I did my best with the situation at hand. I hope this board continues to fight for what is right, for what is right, and works hard to improve the school district. All West Milford kids deserve better. Thank you to the new members

119for coming in and stepping up and trying to make a positive change. And thank you Liz and Dr. for all you guys do. >> That's it. >> Thank you. Thank you. And now for the forever. >> Sorry I had to. >> It was funny. It was perfectly >> only 17 pages. J >> chapter one. >> I'd like your early years. >> Yeah. I'd like to thank everyone that supported me during my three-year term on the board of ed. Being in this position has taught me so many life le life lessons that I am grateful to have learned. Serving the community that I love and listening to you, the West Milford citizens has been very rewarding. I would like to thank the administration for always respecting me even when I disagreed with some of your decisions.

120I would like to thank the board of ed me members for listening to my suggestions and not attacking me personally even if they didn't see my side. Even though my term sitting at this table is over, I still will be very present. You'll still hear my voice and before I leave, I'd like to encourage the board of ed members for a few things. Please be transparent with the community as they as you all go through these next few years that are approaching our district. They are going to be difficult. Please communicate openly with each other. Please have some urgency and rigor within. Yet be mindful that children are your main concern. I think everyone sitting at this table can agree that nothing can remain status quo. Changes are needed and growth needs to happen for

121this district to be saved. Positions and seats must be rearranged in order for that to happen. As I walk out the door and new members walk in, I hope that there is a change coming. The community of West Milford is depending on you to have the fire within yourselves to make those changes happen. Thank you. You all did a great job. I I do just want to say that thank you for the time that each of you have put in and I know the things time taken away from your family and it's not an easy task doing as a board member. And unfortunately for all three of you, you did come on in and at the beginning of the pandemic and I don't think you you ever got that true growth that you you needed

122for as a board member and I appreciate what you have done. We may not agree, but I appreciate the time that each and every of every one of you have put in and the conversation and the the thoughts and ideas that you have brought forward and West Milford thanks you for serving because it's not an easy it's not easy for people to do it anymore. So, thank you very much. Anyone I don't know if anyone else wishes to share something. Um, I think out of the three of you, I worked the closest with Courtney and um, I've always respected you, Courtney, and I always appreciated the respect that you showed other board members. And, um, you're going to be missed. Thank you. And Jay and Mike, you're going to be missed, too. But I I

123didn't work as closely with you as I worked with Courtney. So, but thank you for your service. retired teachers for the most part. >> Is there is there anybody else there? We I need a motion. >> I need a motion to close new due business. Unless there resolution. >> Oh. Oh. Did Oh, we didn't vote on the resolution. I thought we did. Yeah, I thought we did. We did. Yes, we did. >> There it is. Actually, I wrote that down, too. >> I'm sorry. >> Is there anything? >> I will say goodbye. >> No, I said no. Um >> because um obviously the three of you are um the people that I've been closest with in my four years on this board. I have in the last year ventured through and made new relationships and

124really um made new friendships and I'm excited about those moving forward. But I'm going to miss the three of you so much. Um the late night phone calls, the you know, are you kidding me? The, you know, what the heck, who called Alex, who's emailing him first or whatever it is, you know. Um it takes a lot to get to that point with people for trust and respect and um yeah I'm super emotional. I will miss all of you. Um Jay we became I consider you a great friend now because of this board and I'm really excited for you know just continuing to be friends and you know it's just emotional for me and that's why I will vote no I am excited to work with the new board members too. Um, and hopefully they

125can handle late night phone conversations and emails and very little yelling. But, um, yeah, I love you guys. Thank you for everything that the three of you have done on this board and for our students of West Milford. Um, my passion is through and through, and that's what all three of you have. Um, time and time again, Mike, you're always the quiet one. Uh, your speech was great tonight. Um, and uh, you would always say like, who's going to say this? you know, and I'm like like you are and we all know, you know, that you've been paid quiet but with great ideas and a lot of passion and understanding. So, thank you guys. Sorry, I'm well, too. >> You get to go last. >> I have a motion. >> Does anybody have anything else

126for new business? >> None. I make a motion to close new business. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? find it. Uh, public comment. This portion of the meeting is open to members of the public having a legitimate interest in the actions of the board for the purpose of addressing any subject matter pertinent to andor directly related to the operation of the West Milford Public School District. Members of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be recognized by the chair first. Each speaker will be given five minutes for a period of 30 minutes and then time permitting other public comment limited to five minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 minute time period transpires. All speakers are asked to sign the register provided and give

127their full name, spell their last name, group affiliation if appropriate, and provide their address. Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be recommend may not be responded to by the board. All comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that the members of the public be courteous and respectful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged, and the board and the administration will not respond to them. The board and employees have specific legal rights afforded to them by the laws of New Jersey. The the board is not responsible and is not liable for any comments made by members of the public. Members of the public should consider their comments in the

128light of the legal rights of those affected by affected or identified in their comments. Members of the public are reminded that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Anyone wishing to speak? Oh, wait. We have somebody signed up. >> Yes. Rachel Warner. Rachel Warner. >> Hi, my name is Rachel Warner on 37 Alvin Road. Good evening. I come to you tonight as a concerned member of the High View Estates neighborhood, a neighborhood which is a stones throw away from two elementary schools, West Brook and Maple Road, Macken Middle School, and West Milford High School. I come to you tonight to ask you to reconsider the redistricting of High View Estates from Maple Road to Awa. I ask you to keep High View Estates at Maple Road where it was and has always been.

129Myself and many others have purchased our homes in the High View neighborhood because of the close proximity to the schools. We chose to live in this neighborhood for this very reason. We didn't choose to live on the outskirts of West Morford. We chose to live in a neighborhood that is in very close proximity to the elementary, middle, and high school. And we pay a very fair amount of taxes because of this. But now you're asking elementary age children to go from a 5-minute bus ride to perhaps a 30 to 40minute bus ride to pass their elementary school, which is West uh which is sorry, Miss Maple Road, and go to an elementary school that is so much farther away. We're not talking about high school age kids here who would probably be be able to

130handle a bus ride of that capacity. We are talking about 5-year-olds, incoming kindergarteners, and elementary age children who will not be able to handle a bus ride that long. Furthermore, if you keep our kids at Maple Road where they have always been, you would not have to figure out the details of coming up with a new bus route to get our kids to Absua. At the last meeting in November, we presented you with the numbers and data supporting the fact that our 32 kids would still be able to fit at Maple Road without going over the state maximum class size. I have the numbers here printed out for each board member so you can visually see and look over the data we presented to you at the last meeting. I understand that you have already

131made difficult decisions and that you will continue to make difficult decisions. I do want to thank you and the H High View neighborhood wants to thank you for listening to our concerns and giving us the time to speak. I hope that you take what I have said into consideration. Look at the numbers and the data that we have presented to you and keep our high view children at Maple Road Elementary School. Thank you board members for your time. I appreciate it. Can I can I hand these out to you? >> You could just give it to them. We'll pass it right down. >> I printed out 10 for each board member. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Anyone else wishing to speak? Me again. It's okay. That's what it's about. >>

132Hello everyone. Rissa Goff, resident at 31st Cent Street. I just have two questions that were both in old and new business. Um the one is in regards to the you said you had two new board members that you're waiting for fingerprints. Um, I wanted to know if that was including as well the write in vote that you had from Carolyn Rano. If you have to wait for hers as well and that was just >> Oh, I'm sorry. You wanted for the right in Yeah. Well, that yes, she's here. >> I I didn't know we were waiting on that as well. No, no, that that's been s that has been certified, I believe, but we can't do anything until January. I do ask quick questions, too. I promise. Okay, now this other one isn't as quick.

133I'm sorry. So, the other one I've been actually thinking about for the last month, um, because it seems like the common issue that we're having in this town, obviously, because it's one of the larger towns. I grew up in Jefferson, also a very large town, similar district, um, is transportation seems to be a common issue throughout this district, which I completely understand. Um, one thing that you just said yourself, Lind, is we don't have enough bus drivers. So, one thing I noticed with my daughter's bus stop, she gets on her bus stop right at the corner of our street. She loves it. She loves getting on the bus. She waves and says good morning to her bus driver. But I notice it stops all throughout Ridge Road at every single corner. >> And I'm thinking,

134okay, I'm watching and I've asked numerous bus drivers because this is what I do as, you know, a type A individual is I ask, okay, but when you stop at the bus, how many children get on the bus? Sometimes they'll have multiple, sometimes they'll have none. And then I ask, okay, on William Street, is there ever a child there? No. I've been stopping at that bus stop since September 4th or 5th, and there's no one being picked up. I said, okay, so that's strange. And then I wonder how many times that happens throughout all of West Muler district is how many times that bus, this bus that probably gets awful gas mileage, has to stop and go at each individual bus stop, even though they know a child's not going to be there on the

135off chance a child will be there one day out of the entire school year. So my question is every year there's a transportation form as I've come to find out in what was it May or June there's a transportation form that I fill out for my child where they're going to be picked up or what their address is and if I want a different pickup or drop off location if they're going to daycare after care stop whatever it is. So my question is can we somehow even though this is possible have a waiver? Can parents wave bus stops and say, "I do not want my child to be picked up by the bus. I will opt to bring them to school because I know a lot of parents that I have spoken with do that.

136It's just easier for me. It's more convenient. Gives me a little bit more time to and get from work. I don't have to worry about I know I've been there. I'm literally going 60 m hour up my street to get to that bus stop by 802. I totally get it." So, I'm wondering if that's even a possibility because if you get enough waiverss, maybe that'll save you one or two buses. That saves you one or two bus routes. Think about all the money that saves. So again, something that I've been thinking about for the last month. I don't even know if that's a possibility. I don't know if legally from the state we have to offer bus stop to each individual child, but if there's a way that maybe we can form some type of

137a waiver. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, anyone else wishing to speak under uh public comment? >> Come on up. >> You can. We don't have Are your fingerprints in? >> We don't have your fingerprints in. >> Let me see. >> This is what they look like, folks. >> William Sideways, 1953 Mackin Road. Haven't even started. I'm already causing trouble. >> Uh, first and foremost, I just want to say to the three departing board members, it's not easy, right? But a simple yes or no really tugged at your heartstrings, but you pulled through. and decisions were made and there's never going to be a decision where you're happy about it in your heart and you have to move on with it and the community is going to have a hard time with it. But sorry

138I had to kind of jog here. I was live streaming and all of a sudden I'm like, "Oh my gosh, I have time." But um back to what I was saying. Um, >> oh well. >> You make these decisions and you do it for the right reasons and I think everybody can say that you truly did put your heart into it when you made those decisions. So, thank you to the other board members. I'll see you in January. I don't know what date yet, but I will see you in January. And I look forward to serving with you again uh for the same reasons. these students that we work towards uh building into better people. It's so worth it. It's so absolutely worth it and I can't wait to do it again. And I'm going

139to speak for Mr. Lippy also. He can't wait. Um, to the administrators, to staff, from teachers to custodial staff to cafeteria workers to bus drivers, this place buzzes like a hive and is always incredible from the time lights turn on to the to the time they turn off. I It's It's amazing. There's a 700 plus staff and thousands of students. It's incredible to know that that happens each and every day during a school year to the future that we have. We're going to make more yes and no decisions that are going to tug at heartstrings and are going to be hard for us and the community, but we're going to pull through. I really have the deepest hope in my heart that it's going to just make this district stronger. And my last thing is

140Dr. Mcuade, thank you so much for everything you've done for the district. It's upsetting that you're going to leave, but it's going to open a new journey for you and somebody who has to fill those shoes that you are departing. It's going to open up an opportunity for them. And again, I think that this is going to be a big opportunity for this whole school district to become stronger and better. So, I hope it's proven right. and we'll find out in due time. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> See you in a few weeks. >> Anyone else wishing to speak under public comment? >> If not, >> seeing none, like to close public comments. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Okay, we need a motion for executive session.

141All Terry at 8:58 p.m. I move to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel appointments, resignations, current litigation matters, special education matters, HIV negotiations and matters and will return in 30 minutes. and the uh session the minutes will not be released until such time privilege or confidentiality is no longer >> second we will be returning for action you second it all those in favor any meeting back to Mrs. Stevenson >> here. >> Mr. Stillman >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire >> here. >> Mrs. O'Brien >> here. >> Mr. Gino >> here. >> Mrs. Lockwood >> here. >> Mr. Conklin >> here. >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire. Okay. I'd like to approve the following um recommendations by the superintendent on Hibs. M2 is unsubstantiated. M4 is unsub unsubstantiated. H3 substantiated

142and E2 unsubstantiated. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Dwer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood, >> yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mr. Conklin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vinda, >> yes. I need a motion to adjourn. Make a motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor. >> Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Congratulations. Thank you very much. Congratulations. >> Thank you for your service. >> Yeah. Thank you.