Board of Education Meeting 5/9/22

001I'd like to call the meeting to order. And if you could please uh be silent for a moment of silence, please. [Applause] Please rise for the flag. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation and justice for all in accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting act. on public 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 Office, the Board attorney, Cable Vision of Warwick, and West Milford TV77 and posted in the administration building. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution were provided to all local media town hall Township Library. >> Congratulations. Next up, congratulations to our Wester High School theater arts program. Uh

002they recently had they had a great year and it culminated just this past week, two weeks ago rather, uh when they won a whole bunch of awards. So the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards are modeled after Broadway's Tony Awards. Paper Milk Playhouse Rising Star Awards were created in 1996 to encourage and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production of New Jersey High School Musicals. The Rising Star Award is a national high school recognition program and has been replicated in several regions nationwide with Paper Mill Playhouse Assistance. Winners for the paper mill leading female and male performers go on to compete at the N National High School Musical Theater Awards presented by the Broadway League Foundation. We had seven nominations this year. Our West Co High School Theater Arts cast and crew of the March production

003of Anastasia including overall outstanding overall production of a musical. Individual nominations. Mia Gresudi for best outstanding leading performer in a female role for the role of Anastasia. Jason Pritchette for best outstanding leading performer in a male role male role for the role of Dimmitri. Jaden Becker for outstanding performance by featured ensemble member for the role of Counttop. We also were nominated for outstanding achievement in choreography and staging. Amanda Deljakamo and Landon Fry were nominated in the category of student achievement. Mrs. Burns also received an honorable mention for outstanding achievement by a teacher/director and an honorable mention was received for the costumes. The cast will perform a number for the show at on the paper mill stage along with performances from Mia Graudi and Jason Pritchette. >> You have to say it all over again. Jason.

004So Nate's working working on it for best outstanding leading performer in a female role for the role of Anastasia. Jason Pritchette for best outstanding leading performer in a male role for the role of Dimmitri. Jaden Becker for outstanding performance by a featured ensemble member for the role of Counttop. Outstanding achievement in choreography and staging. Amanda Dela Jakamo and Landon Frey were nominated in the category of student achievement. Mrs. Burns received an honorable mention, an outstanding achievement by a teacher/director and an honorable mention was received for the costumes. The cast will perform a number from the show on the paper mill stage along with performances from Mia Graudi and Jason Pritchette. and their final awards will be announced June 6th at the Paper Mill Playhouse. So, good luck to everybody. And additionally, on May 26th, three

005of our theater arts students will be receiving a governor's award at the ceremony in Trenton. Sophia Asgo and Carrick Gadish will be receiving one for their first place win at the Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey annual state theater competition for pairs. Victoria Evanchic will receive two Governor Awards for her senior scholarship monologue win and her first place in dramatic monologues. Victoria was also chosen to perform her senior scholarship monologue for the ceremony. The governor's awards are held at the War Memorial Theater in Trenton and only 100 students from the entire state receive these awards. Congratulations. [Applause] >> What about >> Congratulations to our boys lacrosse team this past weekend. They won the their first ever state county championship in boys lacrosse with a victory over Wayne Hills at Wayne Valley neutral sight. So,

006congratulations to Coach Stole, his whole staff, and all the boys. The first ever. And just a few minutes ago, I think it's why Nate was late here. We had an extra inning win at Kallen Field for the baseball team. They beat Pontton Legs 3 to2 in eight innings in the county tournament. I believe it's the quarterfinals. So, the baseball team advances to the semifinals in a few days. So, good luck to them and all of our spring athletes. Thank you and congratulations to everyone. Uh his time is public comment. This portion of the meeting is open to members of the public for the purpose of addressing resolution on this agenda only. Members of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be recognized by the chair first. Each speaker will be

007given five minutes for a period of 30 minutes and then time permitting other public comment comment limited to five minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 minute time period transpired. All members of the public speaking during the public comment period are asked to address topics listed in the agenda. All speakers are asked to sign the register provided and 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 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

008board are discouraged and the board and the administration will not respond to them. Students and employees have a specific legal right afforded to them by the laws of New Jersey. The board is not responsible and is not lie before any comments made by members of the public. Members of the public should consider their comments in the light of the legal rights of those afforded those affected and identified in their comments. Members of the public are reminded that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Uh Mrs. Francisco, do we have anybody signed up? >> Yes, we have Mr. Sidowitz, former trustee and uh Chrissy Clay. Mr. side of it. >> Should I sign first or second? >> After that, >> I think you're first. >> No, I mean, should I sign right now? >>

009I left the space for you. >> Oh, great. [Applause] And done. All right. Good evening board. Good evening administrators. All of you administrators and board members alike sit in unenviable positions. Tonight, this board will be making a decision that sets the stage for a series of painful decisions that will be made without haste that need to be made without haste in order to save the district. Your first painful decision stems from the board's show of solidarity on April 26th with its 9 to0 budget failure. That leads us to tonight. I understand your concerns about the firing of teachers while seeing a simultaneous increase in administrative salaries. As noble as the solidarity of our solidarity was in principle, my hope is that this board looks beyond this hill to die on and votes for the in

010favor of the budget. The S2 state aid cuts that began in the 2008 2009 school year will now start to see their full devastating effects on our school district. In my opinion, the board is incredibly late in preparing for those effects. And if this budget fails tonight and if you wish to lose your independence for an indefinite period of time through a stateapp appointed monitor, you rest assured that you will be further placing the school district into jeopardy. Furthermore, the items that you're fighting against will more than likely be the items that will be approved by the monitor anyway. We all saw the facts and figures that Dr. Animone presented to you. These are two more the there are two more years of state aid reduction which will lead us from a budget that was

011once supported through 25% state aid and if these projections hold true will lead to about 5% in the 202425 budget. Those millions of dollars that are guaranteed to be removed will only be replaced by a $1.17 million annual increase through the general tax levy. Using simple arithmetic, it's obvious that the district is headed toward insurmountable deficits. Within all the madness that CO 19 caused, his board had unforeseen but fortunate circumstance. Despite having another round of state aid cuts, the district saw itself with a significant monetary windfall because its operational expenses uh saw an incredible decrease and the federal government directed money towards school districts. It allowed for the West Milford School District to have a buffer year before it started to face what you have now. We all heard Miss Francisco clearly state that this

012budget is being supported by a onetime $4 million excess fund balance that resulted after 2020 2021. By June 30th, 2022, your administration is probably going to need help lifting their jaws off the floor because it's going to become more and more evident that you will not only be losing capital reserve and maintenance reserve, but you may not have it. The bigger problem is your excess fund balance at the end of the year. Basically, your checking account, you will be close to not having enough cash flow to managing the basic operations of a district. The battle that was fought on April 26 was fought in an effort to save several teachers by using the proposed increase in administrative cost toward them. I hope you see beyond this short-term effort. In the very near future, your battles

013will consist of how do you not cut so many teachers. They will also consist of what programs you'll cut, which ones you'll save, and for how long you'll save them for. You'll have to decide what capital projects are the most important ones and which ones you'll need to kick down the road. As this budget leads to the necessity of restructuring the district, aka closing schools, the scorn that I faced in my time as a board member, may pale in comparison to what you're going to face. However, my hope is that you take tonight as an opportunity to build a framework for future fiscal discussions and that you strengthen your resolve to make those difficult choices now in order to save the district. First, it's imperative that you pass this budget tonight. Don't let your good

014intentions result in poor consequences. Don't lose your independence. Thank you. >> Thank you, Christie, please. Hi everyone. I'm Christy Plays. Uh for those of you who don't know me, I teach the multiple disabilities class at Maple Road. I coach our Special Olympics and unified sports teams and I'm a leader on our school and district character of education committees. My daughter will be a kindergartener next year and I have a student who's in the 18 to 21 transition program. I feel very passionately about the growth of our special education programming, inclusion, and teaching all of our learners academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally throughout our West Milford district. I love this district and I love my career here. During Black History Month in Trisha Kane Granny's fifth grade classroom with Caitlyn Helder, our school social worker, we

015collaboratively taught about civil rights, segregation, inclusion, bias, and fairness, amongst other things. The co-taught lesson infused reading with character education, while students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities were challenged to really relate to these terms. Students with different backgrounds learned together and respected each other's voices and thoughts. The lesson was highly differentiated, completely inclusive, and was equally valuable and meaningful to the students and the staff in the classroom. As we all know, a way to connect to such themes. Students were driving their own instruction forward as they asked the hard questions and they activated their schema about what they knew on the topic. When it came up, some couldn't believe that there was a time where students with disabilities were also not allowed to attend the same classrooms or schools as others. They expressed

016verbal appreciation that they are in a diverse classroom. And as young as fifth grade, they could list for you why they felt as though it was meaningful. As I often do, I left the classroom feeling inspired by the students young minds and kind hearts. Lessons like this are the norm at Maple Road. And I imagine as we have many highly qualified teachers and truly specialized programs throughout our district that this is the norm in all of our schools. Our our teachers, support staff, and administration have an inclusive vision. Though I'm good for an off-the- cuff TED talks TED talk when discussing the importance of inclusion, my purpose for speaking today is in support of our budget. Specifically, I'd like to speak to the board members who may have had their mind made up before coming

017here tonight. Please have an open mind and consider that each person speaking has something that could change your mind. That's what I've learned to do in this district. Listen, collaborate, and though I'm as strong willed and voiced as many of you, I adapt and change when I hear valuable opinions of those I trust. I'm standing here as a person I believe you can trust. someone who cares deeply about these kids and about this district. Some districts still have students with disabilities learning separate from their peers. Your reaction to that should be one of shock and appall as that would have been the reaction of Mrs. Grady's fifth graders had I shared that with them. West Milford is so far from that closed-minded philosophy for many years now. We need the specialized programs, the educated teachers,

018the passionate administrators, and we need it to be provided right here in West Milford. We need to provide the least restrictive environment for students with the correct supports and we need to do it with a vision and a plan. It's never okay for me to hear that we were able to best serve our students in an out of district placement because we didn't have a place for that child within our own district. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but if we want to teach children to live, work, communicate, and have friendships within our community, we need to teach, talk to, and educate them here in our community. And let's not forget how many students we've already brought back with that that mission in mind. We cannot do this without a supported budget. And

019we cannot afford any more of our department to be cut or dismissed. West Milford has been able to achieve so much growth in our specialized classes. I see the change. Our specialized programs with our specifically trained staff make a difference for the entire student body, not just the student with an IEP. We need to tweak what we have and move forward. What we have is something good. We need to ask questions about what's needed. Dr. Mcuade is one of the most knowledgeable people I know. And she's sitting right here on your board. Have you asked her what's needed to support the continued growth in our least restrictive environment in our multiple disabilities? our ABA, LLD, BD, 18 to 21, preschool, and all of our programs that focus on the needs of the unique learner and

020focus on getting students access to their peers in a way that's educationally sound and with a strong philosophy behind it. We can't just push students forward without support. I have heard a lot of you say what we need. We need to listen to our teachers about what they need and we need to collaborate in a way that's heard from both ends. We need to lift each other up. We need to think of each student like they're personally important to us. And the more that we do that, the more easily we will teach students to do the same. We need to pass this proposed budget and vote yes. And then we need to continue to grow. Maybe we need to hit restart in some areas but not rewind. >> I have to stop. >> Last line.

021We cannot go backward. Let's band together and move forward. >> Thank you. >> Is anyone else signed up? You can go on there. Whoever's next, if they're on the list, they know [Applause] everyone. My name is Cheryl and I have been a school psychologist elementary child for over 20 years. As I speak, As I speak tonight, I am also speaking on behalf of the dedicated, hardworking, and most supportive co-workers who I've had the pleasure to work with each and every day in the elementary job creation office. I'm speaking specifically to the motion of the budget and also personnel number. I will begin by discussing some data regarding the student special education population in West Mil. According to my record, there are 712 special education students enrolled in the West Milker Township School District. 26 of

022these students are attending out of district placements. In 2014, the out of district student numbers were 75. So what does all of this mean? It means that we are case managing students with significant needs within our own school district. Our school district serves close to 150 spec students in variety of programs. This means that we are not only servicing the students, we also the sounding board for their parents who rightfully so have many questions and concerns that require our attention. This also means that we need access to our special education administrators, both the director and supervisor in order to provide information to the parents in a timely fashion. You also may need their presence at meetings in order to clarify district policies and procedures as well as answer any questions that need administrative input. Presently,

023it is challenging to do all of these things as you can imagine that Dr. Mcuade and Mrs. Pearl cannot be split into several different pieces in order to address these matters. I'm here to advocate for both the director of special services position and supervisor of special services position. Strong, highly qualified, and easily accessible administrators that are placed at the top of the department in turn make for competitive appropriate programs within the schools district. If this department does not have all of the necessary appropriate pieces in place, then we cannot provide these services that include special education programs that are appropriately staffed and access to administrators for consultation purposes. This will leave us no choice but to look elsewhere in order to appropriately educate these students, costing the district additional funds that could be kept within

024the district, continuing to provide the services for these students. Furthermore, parents who are dissatisfied with their child's program in the district will have no other choice but to file for mediation or due process. This leads to additional attorney costs that the district will have to provide. Our special services administrators look to resolve issues with parents all the time. On a personal note, Mrs. Parisol has made herself available on a bi-weekly basis in order to meet with each of our teams to discuss any issues or cases that require more immediate attention. This has proven to be most effective in being able to collaborate and generate responses so we can provide what is needed for teachers or other staff members, students, and their parents. Mrs. Pearl has attended many IEP meetings with our teams and has helped

025collaborate with both staff and parents to ensure an effective outcome. She is wellversed in special education code and compliance as well as empathetic and in touch with the needs of the parents and teachers in this district. She extremely responsive to our needs as a special educated department and helps clarify any matters that need clarification in a reasonable amount of time. She is a positive asset to our department and has helped our stakeholders in so many ways, many of them behind the scenes. We thank her for all of her hard work and dedication that she has given the special education department. And we are grateful for her dedication, time, effort, and support she puts into her work. Her efforts truly show, and we want the board of education to know how Mrs. Pierce gives 120% in

026her will here as supervisor of special education. And I thank you so much for letting me speak tonight. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else? >> Yeah, she's Caitlyn, are you you're on the list or you signed up? Let's let Caitlyn speak and then you can >> Good evening. Citing the CPAC manual produced by the SPANS start project. By definition, a CPAC is a parent advisory group. Best practices call for a parent-driven process that works closely with schools and the larger community. Parents can offer input and strategic solutions that help schools overcome challenges and make decisions related to budgets and resource priorities for special education programs and services. When parents are trusted and valued as adviserss, they are empowered to advocate for changes that can result in positive outcomes for all stakeholders and are less

027likely to feel like isolated outsiders trying to fight the system. Parents and school leaders by establishing sustained positive relationships can work together in the best interests of students. That being said, we have come here tonight to address the board as part of our district CPAC. We are expecting the board to support the budget in the area of special needs. If the board likes saving money by not putting the students in out of district placements, then you need to support those students in the special services that they need in the district. Our district has worked hard to create, grow, and sustain programs for our students. Co has not been kind to any of our children, but our programs have taken its fair share of the hit. We foresee more struggles to come with the turnover of

028staff as well as the budget cuts we are facing. Having teachers but also administrators being pulled into too many different roles and struggling with their workload is not going to help morale. It trickles down to our children. They are the most affected. We are asking the board to fulfill its obligation to provide appropriate staffing for our special needs population. This will provide our students with the free and appropriate public education that they are legally entitled to and that you, the board, are legally obligated to provide our children with. We're asking that you pass the budget. Thank you. Good evening. >> Your name, please. >> Lissa. So, my name is Lissa Heindinger. I've been employed by the district as a special educator for 21 years. During the past school year, I was able to seamlessly transition

029from my long-standing position at the high school to Highlander Academy. And for those of you who know me know that I was not happy about the transfer at first. This positive transition, however, is what has driven me to stand here today with my colleagues to speak on behalf of special services and discuss my prof the profound impact Mrs. Pearl has had on our Highlander Academy team. It is our understanding that the special education advisory position may be cut due to the budget restraints. We request that you reconsider due to the negative ramifications it will have on special services including programs, staff, and most importantly the students. Although there has been some discussion about restructuring Mrs. Pearl's duties and responsibilities among several other employees, we do not believe this would be in the best interests of

030the students that we serve. Mrs. Pearl is an influential figure at Highlander Academy as well as providing support and guidance to all programs across the district. Her calming and consistent presence in addition to her rapport with students, parents, and staff has become the foundation at Highlander Academy. Since the inception of the program, high staff and supervisory turnover left the program very vulnerable and unable to meet the district's mission. However, since having consistent leadership, many positive initiatives have proven to be beneficial. Mrs. Pearl recognizes that each student is an individual with unique educational and emotional needs that can't be met with a one-sizefits-all program. Her restorative rather than punitive practices empower teachers with more effective ways to build relationships and reach students who are struggling. Mrs. Pearl has helped to foster a committed team of faculty

031and staff who rely on her direction and legal expertise surrounding special education. Highlander Academy has prospered under Mrs. Spears leadership, especially with the addition of two tuition students. As the program continues to grow, additional tuition students will allow for more revenue for the district. However, the loss of her position will pose an issue in soliciting those additional students. Mrs. Pieraw's leadership also allows us to provide a stable learning environment so for some of our more challenging students within the district, thus saving at a district cost. Mrs. Pearol's crisis prevention intervention expertise allows for an important skill set and specialized lens to meet the individualized needs of students. She fosters students emotional, intellectual, social, and physical maturity while creating a positive school climate based on mutual respect and responsibility. This stems from her commitment to the

032community in which she was raised, a community that has always rallied behind special services. If part of our district's mission is, and I quote, to continue to identify, enhance, and monitor fiscal practices that enable the district to maximize efficiency, then one would think that eliminating such an integral part of our school community would not be in the best interest of the district or those that we serve, the students. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? Hi everybody. My name is Helen Frank. I think you know a lot of you know me. Um I work in the board office. I am Dr. McQuade's assistant and I also get the pleasure of working with you. Um I made the decision to come tonight on my own. And just to give

033you a little bit of my background, um, I worked 20 years downtown New York in finance and personnel before I got into education and I am a New Jersey certified teacher and I've worked with special needs children for many years in the autism classroom as an aid. So I have a pretty big background. U, my duties at the board are administratively to support Dr. Dr. McQuade in the district, but my duties also include assisting and supporting the special services supervisor, Mrs. Purcell. She comes to we work on ongoing projects, budgeting, calendar, hiring, ESY, and general administrative needs. She's extremely professional. She's compassionate and highly capable. as a supervisor whose responsibilities cover preschool through 21 years of age. She works closely with parents, case managers, teachers, and administrative staff. Her calendar is filled with meetings. I

034mean, I look at it and I'm like, how the heck is she going to do this? She has evaluation meetings, re-evaluation meetings, staffing, parent meetings, and she does it with a smile and she doesn't she doesn't give up. Um, so it's her day is busy busy and she just does that. She also is a fully certified crisis prevention specialist and trainer for our district. I don't know if everybody knows what that means, but if a child is having an emotional crisis or behavioral crisis, she is trained to help those children um and intervene so the students do not harm themselves or they don't harm a teacher or administrator. and she's taught many classes to our CST members, teachers, and special class aids about um crisis prevention. Since I started in 2015, we've had several supervisors.

035Dr. Mcuade was promoted to director just before I came and we had an interim supervisor for a short while. We hired a highly qualified candidate and he stayed for a year until his former employer recruited him back for more money and less responsibility. Since Wels Milford is so large and its supervisor position over received so much, it is difficult to sell this position. The next supervisor we hired stayed for a year, but then advanced on to a director position in another town. Then an internal staff member was recommended, but the board voted no for her to fill the position. It took a long while where it took a long while to find a highly qualified candidate and we were fortunate to hire Mrs. Purscell, a highly qualified candidate with experience who wanted to be in

036West Milford and was willing to take on such a large school district. Dr. Mcuade and Mrs. PCEL work really well together. They support students with special needs. It is extremely important for the district that the supervisor and the de director have a professional relationship that supports one another for the sake of the approximately 700 students who are under the special services umbrella. If we lose Mrs. PCEL as supervisor, the department once again will be set back from progressing forward. It will be the students who will suffer most. The amount of specialized oversight that is required for the multiple programs we have for students that return to district and and the IEP information within the state guidelines is immense and intense. She obviously is highly regarded by her peers as seen by the staff that are

037here to support her. She is devoted to this district and our students. She is highly regarded by administration as well as as shown sorry as shown by the agenda motion to rehire her for the 22 23 school year. So it begs the question why is there any hesitation with rehiring her? Please do not take support away from our most vulnerable population of students. And please vote yes to agenda item 19 tonight. As Mrs. Purcell has earned her position here, has supported West Mulford special needs students with compassion and professionalism and diligence. She deserves to stay. Thank >> you. Anyone else wishing to speak? Uh before we do that, uh we're at 30 minutes, so the board would need to extend, please. to extend >> if there's other speakers. Sure. >> I made a motion to

038extend. >> You need a second. >> All those in favor? >> Anyone else wishing to speak? >> See none. >> Motion second. >> All those in favor? >> I I And a motion for uh to adopt the agenda as spread before you. Motion to adopt the agenda presented. Second. All those in favor I operations and finance. Mr. >> Huh? >> Yes. Once he open once he makes a motion, we're going to go into discussion. Is that okay? >> Okay. Sorry. >> I'd like to move. >> Second. >> Discussion. Did >> anything changed in this or is it just the date? Just the date. So we went over this in a committee on Thursday. So it is the same budget presented two weeks ago. That's on the PowerPoint again. >> You went over this document on

039Thursday night. >> We went over the budgeting committee on Thursday. >> That operations and finance meeting budget discussion was part of the agenda. There was really no budget discussion. >> Well, there there were only four members for the discussion. But so there was no direction given to the administration and whatever direction is given to us has to be at a public hearing. >> But there there was discussion. It's just that >> yes there were only four board members that were able to make the committee meetings on Thursday. All four board members sat through all three committees. So one flowed right into the other. There was much much discussion through the night. And I I think that the other board members who were present will attest to that there was a large amount of discussion. >>

040So does that mean that the operation and finance notes are incorrect? >> I I don't think they reflect fully what was discussed because there were items discussed in personnel and in education that flowed into that had to do with budget. I'm happy to hear that because it was extremely disappointing to get those notes today at I'm not sure what time definitely after 300 p.m. and to make it seem as if there was no discussion on the budget. So, I'm glad to hear that that wasn't true. Thank you. >> There wasn't a dollar amount on that. >> Nothing. There was no discussion that was going to change the resolution before you tonight as far as the money that supports the overall budget or the tax levy. I would agree that there was no money that we

041the the members of the board and they can speak for themselves because they are present did not ask to reduce the budget. That was not asked. If anybody that was present wants to say something that's up to them >> if they see it if they if it reflected differently please tell me that I'm speaking at a term. Is there any discussion on the budget itself? >> Before we before we move on, um at the April 26 meeting, there were some things discussed publicly. Um we had discussed what were all the attorney fees I remember was discussed. >> Um not any one specific position, but something ad in the administrative budget >> and so were those two things discussed? >> They couldn't take any action on anything. It has to be done at a public hearing.

042So if you wish to reduce something that was brought up, you have to have a motion, a second, and you have to have board support. So that's how you reduce the budget at a public hearing. I believe that we we discussed positions being reduced, but not the dollar amount being reduced because as you look ahead, there are a number of issues that are coming up. I I don't know if I have my mic. There are a number of issues coming up that are increases. I I I'll use an example of your hand carry. Our transportation costs our are our 11 of our transportation rooms have now doubled almost. So that that's you know it's 200 it d it was 178 a day for the run. It's now 11 of them are going up 200 to

043$298 a day and that's beyond fuel. So there's a number of things that are coming up where I think the I I will speak for myself. I think the other board members can speak for themselves. I think that we felt that the money that we could save in a reduction on a on a on a position could flow into that area. our our health our healthcare costs have now gone up we budgeted for what was it 8% and it went up to 18 >> right and and and that's not anything that was never discussed that's very public >> no I'm saying I'm I'm I'm saying we discussed >> that shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody sitting at the table >> but that's the kind of cost that that's what we were talking about with

044the budget we asked we asked for a position cut we talked about the position cut we also talked about not cutting the dollars in the budget because we see that those dollars will be spent in other areas because of increases >> and that was discussed last at the last hearing also that you do transfers on a regular basis in order to cover costs and so that's not a surprise to anyone at this table either. So I guess what I'm saying and I would look to you is if we wanted to cut a position, this is the time where we could cut a position. >> You could you could cut a position now and reduce the tax levy or whatever whatever documents you need or you can pass the tax levy as it is and eliminate

045a position at a future date or a future point in the agenda. The most likely way of reducing the budget or not approving number one, you would have to say we want to reduce the general fund by a million dollars. And then it would be up to the administration to determine how this reduce the budget by a million dollars. And then you would have to tell me whether you want me to take it out of the budget fund balance of $4 million or whether you want me to reduce the tax levy. That's up to you. Anybody have any questions? And if the budget is does not go to if the budget doesn't pass tonight, >> goes to the county office and they will look at our budget and decide what our budget will be for

046next year. >> I'll ask again, does anybody have any other questions on the budget? >> I just want to clarify. So if we say no to the budget tonight, it goes to the county >> and the county makes a determination as to whether our budget and that's the preliminary budget that we had sent originally. Correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. So then they're the ones that make the determination. What happens after that? >> They'll send us a letter. >> Okay. >> With their determination. Um, but we haven't gotten our CQAC letter either. And not approving a budget is an 8-point reduction in governance on CUSAC and they had the ability to reduce our CQAC score. >> Okay. So, also >> Okay. So, let's take let's go to the next step. If they reduce our CQAC score,

047what does that mean to the district? >> Mean depends on where the other things are because QAC covers four different areas. So if you don't have a passing score, >> 80 would be passing. 80 would be passing in each area. It depends on how much above passing you are now. Does that put you below 80 or does it keep you above 80? We haven't seen the scores yet. I couldn't tell you. >> Let's play devil's advocate. Let's say this is going to put us under this will this will totally mess up our score and will mess up our district. Please tell me enlighten all of us what will happen. >> So you will no longer be an efficient district. What does that mean? >> Well, it depends on what the state determines. Whether they want

048to start doing QAC on a annual basis until they feel that you're now deficient again or whether they determine that the problem is large enough to bring in a state monitor. >> Do we lose any money by by this? Will we be will we be punished fiscally in any way, shape, or form? >> Okay. Well, >> it depends on the way you look at it. If you bring in a state monitor, you have no longer you won't have any more control over what your expenditures are because they will basically tell you how to spend your money and there will be the additional expense of the state monitor. >> We pay for that. >> H >> we have to pay for the monitor as well for us. >> Yes. >> What kind of cost would that

049be? >> What kind of cost? I couldn't tell you. I don't know whether it depends on your budget or not, but it could be substantial. They usually get >> I don't know about $800 a day. >> It's hundreds of dollars a day. The question is how many days that they're here for a week. >> Is that is that for the entire fiscal year? Is that >> for as long as they want them here? >> It could be for many years. It doesn't have to be one year. >> Question. Depends on them. Basically lose control. I have a question in the insert um number 23. >> There are 10 unaffiliated board office unit personnel. Could you tell me um are there specific job titles there? Yes, there's specific responsibilities and at one time there were more

050like 20 of them and we've reduced them. We've consolidated assignments. We've um what year were there 20 of them? >> Probably before I got here 10 years ago, 11 years ago. In the last since my tenure here, I would say we've eliminated at least three positions and we've re um we've rewritten job descriptions. Uh the most recent one was last year we lost a high school secretary. We took on some of the responsibilities there and we created a position in central office that was two positions consolidated into one. So we have been looking for efficiencies over the years and we're at the point now where we don't have any cross trainining. Cross training is limited. So, um, the problem that creates is that if you do have someone that's out sick for any length of

051time, um, there's nobody to pick up the slack. We used to have people that were crossrained in payroll. Um, we used to have people that were crossrained in attendance and um, we just don't have the ability to do any in-depth overlap any longer because we don't have the people that can do that. Barbara, how many unaffiliated board office unit personnel are assigned to the VA in the budget? >> The business office is four or to the business office. >> Mhm. >> Mr. Noach, how many are assigned to the director of education office? >> Two. >> Dr. McCle, how many are assigned? >> One. How many other scientists you bring in? >> Zero. >> She's not. >> Thank you. >> Unaffiliated. There's a couple different spots. >> But do all of them do work for everyone

052in the board office or >> Well, they have assigned roles. Um, I have one person that's responsible for attendance of all the staff. uh tracking uh all the staff for New Jersey Smart and Hire and dealing with all the applications for any personnel that comes in. I have another individual that's responsible for um all the insurance that we have the insurance programs uh submitting claims to the insurance carriers. Uh she's also the liaison to the food service. She handles all of the free and reduced applications for students and she also is the liaison for transportation. So she handles a lot of the expenditures for transportation. Another individual who's responsible for payroll benefits and workman's compensation and one other individual who's responsible for accounts payable. So, all of the purchase orders, all of the checks, all

053of the monthly bills. I don't know how you overlap any of that. >> Mr. Mr. Novak, what what are the the two people that you have? What are their responsibilities? >> To be perfectly honest, I don't even know where to begin with that um question. Uh, I can tell you that, uh, my administrative assistant manages, and if you can give me the million dollar amount of federal grants, uh, I typically manage four federal grants each year. This year, I managed not only uh, four federal grants. I was uh tasked with three more uh large federal grants um multi-million dollar uh grants which basically has been a a full-time job in itself. Uh along with the other day-to-day operations of the uh education office doing parent phone calls, setting up meetings, all those all those things

054that we that we do. Uh, another assistant took on the entire role of the testing coordinator, which at one time was a testing coordinator secretary, which was at one time a full-time position uh here in the district not too long ago. Uh, along with the support of our administrators of the high school and um our uh English and language arts and math for encore students, invitations, those types of things. um as you have been I guess systematically reducing leadership and supervisor roles in the district over the last as long as I've been here uh my office has picked up a lot of that slack and we're dealing with purchase orders and instructional materials uh pres uh presentations um you know everything that goes with um running the educational program in the district. This past year,

055I assumed the role of uh K through five supervisor of all instructional um all instructional materials, supplies, professional development, planning, textbooks, etc. And that has been picked up by the uh administrative assistant who also took on the role of the full-time testing coordinator, secretary. So, I could probably go here all night. If you'd like me to do another uh explanation at ed committee when I'm when I'm prepared for that question, I'd be I'd be happy to do so. But I think what I just explained is a pretty elaborate amount of work. >> And uh I could add to that because she's also responsible for uh tuition reimbursement and tracking all of the um tuition requests that we get for our graduate school for our teacher. and she also does the >> provisional teacher when we

056have to um you know move a teacher from a um certificate with advanced standing toward their standard certificate that's a process that takes a lot of tracking uh the piece that I don't know how I forgot this piece but it's really management of our entire evaluation system across the district the database that we do that keeping track of who's who's evaluated uh every staff member in this district gets two evaluations in a summitive All of this has to be reported to the state. Um, you know, as this meeting goes, I I'll just keep popping in all the >> grant federal grant reimbursements have to be done on a monthly basis. Otherwise, um, >> collecting time sheets for um, everybody who does an after school club. >> So, I I think the best analogy >> the

057best analogy of the business office is we're in the business of running an education. That's we're we're in the business of running the school district. So, think of a corporation. Central office is your corporation that's running your school district. We're responsible for compliance, ethics compliance. We're responsible for that. Making sure that we keep everybody out of trouble. We're responsible for following all of the laws in 18A and all of the code in 6A. So, that's what our job is. >> Civil rights upload at the end of the year. Can I just Can I just say something, Mr. Novak and Mr. Francisco, because I think as a district, we've been doing an administrative team, we've been doing more with less. And the one thing I don't want to I don't want to make it seem like

058any of these people do something just individually or divided because we really work as a team and everyone picks up slack for one another. So even something like professional development overlaps for special needs too. So everything is is intertwined where as it's been cutting and these people have stepped up and they've added more to their plate. But I I I just don't want us to lose sight of of what of the the immense detail that goes into each of their positions. And we obviously didn't come with each of their their list of items. Two years ago, we um reduced the transportation secretary to a part-time position and it became so problematic that we had to bring it back to a full-time position because there's just no way that they can handle the volume of work.

059I apologize the conversation went that way. I wasn't looking for job descriptions. I just wanted to know numbers. Um so to continue with my questions in the general fund expenses um we did discuss a dollar amount. We discussed the administration dollar amount the increase of $128,539. That's what was discussed. >> Right. >> Okay. So my next question is this. Are the unaffiliated board unit personnel in that amount? >> They're one of the line items. Yes. >> Okay. Are the secretarial and building aid personnel in that line item also? >> No. >> Okay. >> Yes, they are. Oh, yes, they are. Mhm. They're in 240. Yes, they are. along with the technicians which I mentioned the last time along with the principles and vice principles. >> What is 240 mean? I'm sorry. >> It's the expenditure

060line number. >> Got it. Thank you. >> We also cut watermelon and hand out ice pops to stem. Anyone else have a question? >> I think I also spoke to about the um increases in insurance that are also incorporated into the administrative costs >> that is in the administrative cost. Yes, it is not health not health benefits, but the bonds and the uh student liability insurance and the you know for uh erosen emissions and to um if if if the district gets sued um that all comes out of there. That's not counting what we have as far as insurance increases as far as our health. >> No, that does not have anything to do with that. >> Just your general liability insurance to run the district, >> right? >> Any other questions? >> I'd just

061like to make a statement after um you know, making a joke. I don't really feel like making jokes right now is a really great idea considering that as a volunteer I'm here away from my family for another night talking about a budget that I thought we were pretty direct. I thought this board said what we wanted. You It wasn't a sacrificial lamb on an agenda and a circus. >> You did not say what you wanted because there was no vote on it. If you're going to have a public hearing, you just can't put stuff out there. You have to have a motion, a second, and you have to say, "I want to reduce the budget by this much money." There was none of that. >> And I take exception to the joke comment. >> Yeah.

062>> I've been hearing for months that we don't have any student contact. So, that is not true. And I was called a liar at the last meeting and I don't appreciate that either. Any other discussion on the budget? No. You do you have one? >> You're up. >> So, do we have to vote first and then >> Well, make a motion for what to cut. >> No, it has to be part of the resolution that gets finalized. >> So, we can make a motion now. >> Sure. >> To cut. >> So, what you want to cut? No, you you tell me how much you want to cut from the budget. You don't tell us where the cut has to come from unless you say specifically you want to reduce the expenditures for blah blah blah.

063But normally because the resolution is for general fund, you say I want to reduce the general fund by so much money and you need to let me know whether it's coming from fund balance or whether it's coming from the tax living because that's going to change the resolution. Got it. So, you're saying I can make a motion to cut the general fund? Let make sure I'm getting this right. >> What What's your intention? >> I want to make a motion. You said to cut the general fund by a certain amount to reduce the tax levy, let's say. >> Okay. >> Right. Okay. So, I want to make a motion to cut the general fund by $128,539 to reduce the tax levy. That's what you're saying. That's money. >> I'll second that. >> Discussion. >> Could

064you repeat the number, please? >> It's the amount of,539. Go ahead. >> So, in essence, what Mr. Marino just did was cut the change the increase in the administration cost. >> No. So I think what I did was I only gave a dollar amount. >> Right. >> You can choose to do what you want with that. >> Thank you. Any other discussion on the motion to cut 128,539 that was presented by Mr. Gorge Corino? >> I just have a question for Barbara. So, does Mr. Gorino or anyone else from the board have to at this point identify what specific go? >> That's what she said. >> Okay. And then >> this resolution is for the district budget, right? It has different funds. You can't cut debt service. You can't cut special revenue. So, you have

065to cut the general fund. You want to reduce the general fund by that amount of money. And you want it to reduce your tax levy by that same amount of money. >> Okay. And I will just say I had called and asked that question I think yesterday and you helped clarify that for me. I understood that. Yeah, it would be anything, right? That could be pulled from any area. >> Okay. So, right now we're voting on the motion. We're not voting on the budget right now. We're just voting on the reduction of the 128,539. Any other discussion on the motion for reduction? If not, roll call on that. Mr. Conqu >> Mrs. Dwer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gino. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood. >> Yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes.

066>> Mrs. Stevenson. >> No. >> Mr. Stillman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conklin. >> No. Okay. So now the budget number is going to change by that amount. Correct. >> Mhm. >> So I'll give you a minute to tell me what that new number is. 72670751. >> Could you repeat that, Bob? >> 72670751. And the total budget is >> 74 45 764 >> total budget. She gave you the general fund. >> She gave the general because the is reducing the general fund. >> So she took that money out of the general fund first and then she's going to add those together to come up with And then it'll be a different number. >> And then she she's figuring out what the new tax. >> We're always, you know, Yep. post.

067I don't know. [Applause] Christmas. Next time, I'm Yeah. Okay. Please I don't know. I don't want to. Okay. No, you got it. So general fund will be 72,670,751 and the total budget will be $74,457,664. The tax levy for the general fund will be 59,710,949 and the total tax levy will be 60 million 01533. No. >> So if I >> Go ahead. >> So the change instead of the 1.173 million, now it's 1.044 million, right? The the local tax levy. I'm just going by what Alex had. >> Oh, you're looking at something else. I'm just looking at the sheet. I'm just trying to do simple math what Alex gave us >> on on the on the tax impact. >> So yeah, it shows like the local tax levy with the number you gave us, >> right?

068>> But you would subtract that by >> right that amount. >> So the so the percent change obviously also went down was that like 1.8 eight instead of 1.3. >> I'd have to figure it out. I don't know. >> I mean, I just figured out simple math. I mean, I don't know if I'm not a math. >> Probably it's probably like 1.8 or or thereabouts. >> Okay. >> Any other discussion on the budget? >> What does that do to next year's budget? >> Well, it just gives you a little bit more room to increase your tax levy over 2%. Right. That carries over. Right. >> Right. >> Go ahead. >> Um I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but I think it is. So things like that were discussed last time.

069Attorney's fees. Is that where we would discuss this now? >> No. Because you're you want to reduce our minute our our tax levy. You are not reducing the budget expenditure lines. >> It's not a line item is what she's saying, right? >> You're reducing the overall budget by $128,000. >> Thank you. >> But I want to get this understanding. We can approve this budget tonight and we can still ask for reductions of other things after the budget. Like in other words, if we said to you, um, you know, we want to cut, we want to eliminate a position, right? >> I don't want to eliminate you, Courtney. >> That's a horrible. That would be a very bad thing to say. Um, but if we wanted to eliminate something after the vote of the budget, if

070we were in agreement, we could do that. We could make the motion to do that. Well, you you have personnel on the agenda, so you can certainly not renew personnel, but as far as the other expenses within the budget, the time to have reduced them is passed. >> Right. Okay. Because we approved the preliminary budget. >> And there was multiple weeks of opportunities of discussion. >> Yeah. >> Excuse I think we've discussed a lot you know what we as a board hoped that they were going to cut. >> Any other discussion? Um, if this budget is voted down, what I think I heard tonight, and I just want to clarify, is that then tomorrow goes to the county, not the state monitors that come in and take away everyone's freedom, right? Or it goes to

071the county and then they come back with probably a preliminary budget, >> okay? >> Or an idea of when does the state come in monitoring >> it? the the trigger >> when you go into a deficit. >> Yeah. >> You're not in a deficit, >> right? >> I think the whole concept of where the budget is going because we've been able to sustain what we have because of the infusion of federal funds that we've had due to co if we're we're looking to restructure for next year. If that doesn't happen, you won't have the money to sustain what you have now. You have $4 million that you have put into this budget to keep things moving forward. But there are a lot of things that that grant money is supporting that we are not going

072to have the money for next year. So the way you see your This past weekend, I read an article about a school district in Sussex County where a council person just had a a meltdown. And the meltdown was because they're being cut as we are and they're cutting art and they're cutting music and they're cutting extracurricular activities in order to maintain their school district. Yet the inner cities, the Abbotts or formerly known as Abbotts have all of those things plus and you're not seeing the bang for your bucks because that's your tax dollars. So what road are you going down? You're going down the road where you're going to have to cut. You're going to have to cut program. and you can't afford to cut your special ed program because pay me now, pay me

073later, it's going to end up going up because you're going to pay you don't have the personnel here to support the students that you have. So then you're going to have to send them out of district. You have no control over the education they're receiving when you send them out of district. So, we're doing everything administratively that we can to maintain what people are so happy is going on in West Milford. And it's not going to happen in the future. And I keep saying it and I don't really know how else to to phrase it. I mean, the state monitors will come in if next year you don't have the money to pay for the health insurance and the transportation costs and any other unforeseen things that might arise. The diesel fuel that we don't

074even have enough money in the budget to pay for gas. We didn't have enough. We were transferring money in order to cover our natural gas costs for the buildings because the heating season has been extended so much. I I think there is confusion though because when we were talking I think when you were explaining to Debbie about the the budget the QAC number plays into this it I think that's what you're asking. Is there a trigger? If the QAC number drops down does that then tell us well you're a monitor's coming in because you can't meet >> No because a monitor goes along with a deficit. That's what I thought. But that's not how I it I'm not the only one who felt that way. >> Monitoring a QAC is different than the state monitoring

075you're talking about now. >> For the state fiscal monitor, which is what Barb was talking about for QAC, if your score goes under 80, it would trigger some other you may get all those things keep coming. Yeah. But that doesn't mean an individual is going to come back. You know, you have stuff like that. you have to create a corrective action plan in order to show improvement. But the fiscal monitor when you go into a deficit and I believe that's what Mr. Sidowitz was also referencing >> is that when you go into a physical deficit because you don't have the money to pay the bills, >> that's when the physical monitor comes in. >> Mr. Corina. >> So I Yeah, I know you're talking about this and we've talked about this extensively too about the

076money that's being taken from the more rural areas, right? And infusing that into other school systems. Is there a consortium of we've written letters and so forth, but is there a consortium of superintendent, BAS that go down to Trenton on a regular basis to talk, fight about these things, or is it just sending letters? >> It doesn't seem to be doesn't seem to be falling on deaf ears. Perhaps the most diplomatic way of saying it. So, it's falling on deaf ears. >> I don't anticipate any changes. >> No, there's no change. They say they're going to continue with S2. They know that it's creating problems. You find more and more school districts that are now looking at um taking the grant money from the state in order to review consolidation. >> But when you're in

077So, when you were in front of somebody as tonight, I don't know how many board meetings we've had with nobody sitting there or three people sitting here, right? when you're in front of somebody that may help it may help make a difference. And that's what I'm saying. Is there a group of the >> Perry? Go ahead because you haven't had a chance to speak. >> Alex, I was under the impression last year when when um you spoke that there was a group called SOS, Save Our Schools, >> um with parents. Has that been publicized? And um you know have you out have you uh reached out to parents in the district to help us with this or >> so the SOS group was statewide and it was all the districts essentially that we're losing state

078aid large amount of state aid the problem and we did make a push and it has since petered out. I don't know that it's really going any place. There are simply more districts getting state aid than are being cut. So from a political perspective, you're taking money from 150 districts and you're giving it to 400 districts. So you have more winners than losers on the on your balance sheet. So and if you add up the population of those winners and losers, there are four far more people living in the 400 districts that are getting state aid that are living in the 150 districts like West Milford. So from a politician standpoint, I think this is something they look at as being a positive for themselves. Doesn't it's not positive for West Milford, Vernon, Sussex County,

079any place here, but it's positive for the people who are initiating this this plan. So there are simply more people who want it than don't want it, I think, at this point. We can write another letter. I don't know it's going to make a difference. We can drive to Trenton. I don't know it's going to make a difference. We've met with our both our assembly persons, our state senator, county commissioner. I believe it's been brought up. I I don't believe it's I would love to do that. I don't think it's going to have any effect. >> But have we continually met with him or was it a one-shot deal and that was it? Have we pushed Have we really really pushed? >> I believe we have. I don't know that it's going any place. I

080mean, even in our local representatives in their large district, there are many districts they represent, many communities that are getting state aid. So, it's very difficult for those politicians to not support something that's benefiting a large part of their district. You know, there's just redistricing this year for New Jersey State Assembly and state senate. So, I think West Milford's getting moved again into another district. So, that changes who we have to reach out to as well. Um, but like I said, it's it's just I I think we're just in it for another two years. I don't see anything this board can do to really change that. It's um it's disheartening. I just think that's the the honest answer. We could tell everybody we're going to write letters and we're going to go get them, but

081I I don't believe it's going to have any effect. >> But clear, but what I am going to say is we still keep advocating. we don't stop and those deaf ears may suddenly turn into ears that are listening. You know, one thing that I've learned over my career and even being the CPAC rep in this district for so many years is you just keep going at what you feel you need to do. And even though people aren't listening, you don't stop. >> Yeah. Got to have hope. >> Exactly. I I feel I feel too like the we're kind of on that precipice, you know, because now all the other districts that are similar to us that have lost so much money are sitting doing this right now. They they're saying, "How are we going to

082how are we going to fund all the programs next year?" Because we don't want to hurt any, you know, no one here wants to see somebody hurt. But we also have to be conscious that next year there could be another there could very well be $2 million more and there isn't a $4 million surplus sitting. You know, there's not $4 million there that we can use. We took our one $4 million shot and we shot it. So now we have to I I think what we're doing tonight is trying to be cautious in what we do here so that next year we can do still continue to do what we need to do for everyone. And those are never easy decisions. Nobody's sitting here and saying, "Oh, gee, this can go. This can go." I

083I would like to say I want everything to stay. I don't want to change anything. I I hope we could get more. You know, but re realistically sitting here we have to face it's like being home. You know, if you only have $152 and your bills are $153, you got to figure out where you're going to get that other dollar. And Barb is right. We don't want to be in a deficit where the state comes in and then they start to tell us how to run this district. So I I you know I think we all we all have concerns and no one I don't believe any person here is sitting here wanting to do damage to this district at all. This is everybody's true concern. I don't feel any one of us sitting around

084this table without good their good heart trying to figure it out. Just a side question. Do you Alice, you happen to know I mean it was before you were here, but our enrollment when we were getting 26% of our budget was from state aid back in 2018. >> You know what our enrollment was then? >> Over 4,000 students. was >> I mean aren't I okay I'll give you the numbers but that's probably 4,000 >> 4,000 4200 so probably at >> 800 to a,000 more students >> I would say we're at 3,000 now so quarter drop definitely over 4,000 students like maybe 4200 >> that information is available in your book. >> Yeah, I don't have it here either. That's why I said I don't know if you just got it before you got here. I

085don't have >> I I I would say though like our high school right now is at 937 students back then. I I would say there were almost 1,600 students. >> Oh, no. back back when we were getting our full amount. I would say say the high school was almost >> because we couldn't we didn't have enough lockers or anything >> and there were only 35 students going down to PCI >> but I I would say we were close you were you were in the high school at that point right there were there were there were a lot I mean because we had graduating classes of 394 I think there were even graduating classes of 400 at that point so if you're looking at four grade levels reasonably. >> Uh any other discussions on the budget?

086Are you still you have some other questions? >> Okay. You have a question? >> I do. >> Um I have two things. The first is just a statement. I heard a speaker say something like that at the last meeting, something along the lines of that we battled cutting administration costs to save teachers. I don't know that that was ever really the intention, but I believe that the intention was to vote on a fair budget where cuts were seen all across all the disciplines. Um, and I just wanted to make that statement that it wasn't that we were really I never got the impression from anyone on this board that anyone was trying if they were one over another. Um, so I wanted to say that the second thing is while I have my chance to

087still discuss this budget hearing. Um, I wanted to ask Alex, have you considered or changed um the decision for your highly effective teachers that were non-renewed? Have you considered changing those to riffs? And if so, can you just discuss that? >> No, there's no there's nothing in here about that, but we are not uh not changing any >> Well, there certainly is something in here on that. There's the proposed cuts. There's six, possibly seven teachers that are getting cut. That the last meeting you told me they were all non-renewals. >> Correct. >> It's my understanding that some of them are highly effective teachers in our district. And I'm asking you why we're not ripping them rather than non-renewing them. >> It's a more prudent course of action for the district. Uh you know, my responsibility,

088my fiduciary responsibilities to the district as a whole, and reducing our budget by this many staff members is never easy. um 12 months from now this pay is going to be a lot bigger. You have a lot more cuts and when you reduce in force a riff you are required to hire that person back at a later date or at least offer them the position and that really limits the district's flexibility. So from the district's perspective and again I represent the district a more prudent course of action is what we did here >> and Mr. Marino, for your um information, in 2008, the 78 school year, we had 4,385 students. And in 2009, we had 4,209 students. So, we lost 75 students that one year and it's continually decreased. >> Yeah. We're right around 3,000

089now, right? with considerably more TCTI. You said 25 to 35 then >> well there there's like this year we have 100 students that are that were paying for tuition. That's not 100 students from 8th grade moving over. That's 100 total for all grade levels. That brings up another question about consortium of superintendent, right? Because the state provides money to county technical >> schools >> and the county provides money to county technical schools. And then every school district provides money >> to every county technical school. So to your point earlier, right, you may have less. Well, now you probably have there's 20 what 21 22 counties, 530 or so school districts. I'm guessing you have 500 and something school districts that you might be able to get together with to say, why do we have to

090keep paying this when the state pays you? the county page. >> Well, not every county operates as Pay County Tech does. >> Oh, interesting. So, some county vote allow half day >> and some and some have no tuition. >> Go to vote in the morning and then get bus back to your local high school for the afternoon and for athletics or something like that. So, say connect does not permit half day enrollment. full-time or part-time at all. That's something we've always been pushing, but you know, again, it's the people who >> you got every town in P County, right, that they think would probably be on your side and there's one >> school district that would not be >> right. And we don't have any influence over their their budget, their board of education, their

091operation, how they run their business. It's uh >> Bergen County Bergen County Tech has a lower tuition than state county tech. >> Do they still do I I wonder if they still do a part-time program because some of some of the schools in Berlin do the more do your >> maybe it's different because it's academy now. >> I don't think that it's academy now. That's the difference. >> I don't think that that work study type program or that that part-time program has been in effect for quite some time. But we did what you're speaking I agree with with Ray is because we did have a meeting with some of county schools that are losing and it would be wise to push forward with the superintendants to continue that because we are not alone in Pate

092County at a loss because we did learn >> that >> um Manchester loss loses 400 and some kids every year. So that's a big loss to them and they still are getting state funding because of where you know because of their enrollment but they're they're losing a lot of kids too. >> Yeah. So I I think that that would be a good idea for the superintendent to meet and try to organize something and even with the ad with um politicians because this is a lot of money that everybody's losing out of their budget every year and you know enrollment's going down here and may go down in other places too. So >> Barbara, what are we paying a county state? Is it right around a million dollars? uh which is basically >> which is basically

093our tax levy, right? >> Yes. >> Budget. >> Yes. >> I have one more question getting back to what um Trustee Romeo was talking about with the proposed cuts are administrators do they fall under getting categorized as reduced in reduction in force or or um non-renewable? Sorry. Do they have that same category? ST >> I just from curios I just wasn't sure. >> You mean like a non-renewal? >> Are they are administrators considered under both categories non-renewable? >> Well, you could either non-renewed administrator or you could rift administrator with any standard. >> So these teachers that are um highly effective that were non-renewed. If we have administrators that are nonrenewed, but they are highly effective, that doesn't look great. And going forward, there's going to be a lot more proposed cuts with teachers and administrators,

094unfortunately. And making them nonrenewables, I don't think is right. Thank you. >> Any other discussion on the budget? If not, it's time for the vote order. >> Okay. So, we're voting on we're voting on the amended numbers for the budget number one. Okay. Um, Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood, >> yes. >> Mr. Conklin, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwight, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. [Applause] >> I would like to move two board. >> Second discussion. I I have one question. Blackboard again, that's the new website, right? Is yes, that's the hosting services for the new website. I just want to clarify that. Uh any uh other discussion under operations and finance items

0952, three, and four? >> Roa. >> Mr. Stillman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. L. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conklin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Reno. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. Personnel student. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Number five. Don't know how I forgot. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Mr. Stman carry. >> Any discussion? I just want to say that this is I don't know how it could be sustainable for districts going forward. This economy right now is is so bad and to almost double the cost of a bus run. We we couldn't and we've had discussions. We couldn't even run the buses if we could if we had we couldn't even do it in house

096because we don't have enough buses or drivers. And this is just a small item that's going to impact us going forward. in in such a negative are the fund balance in a negative way the c the increase of doubling almost are are there transportation grants available from the state and the federal government >> only if you want to use electric buses maybe >> sorry I >> work perfectly right any other >> besides putting the batteries in to charge them every night could you imagine them trying to go up Warwick turnpike. >> Easy >> in the snow. >> Any other discussion? >> If not, roll. >> Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mr. Srian, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Slwood, >> yes. >> Mr. Conlin, >> yes. >>

097Mr. Greeno, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwyer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van, >> yes. Okay, Mr. B, >> personnel, student affairs. >> So, hand carrier just I'd like to move items 1 through 49 under personnel and student affairs. >> Second. discussion. >> Mr. Stillman, >> can we table second? >> Number two. >> 19. >> Ray, you seconded that. >> Do I need a roll call vote on that? >> All those in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Um any other discussion under personnel Mr. Kina? >> So you have more teachers gender rights and nations. Oh, >> recently >> retirements res >> and resations. Yes, there are resations, right? >> I don't know why that continues to happen. >> We are losing people. >> Do you have a question on any? [Applause] Okay. Jay, you have a question. >>

098Have we done any of the exit interviews on those people that are I did one I could do a couple more though. >> Well, I feel like the board has really directed that we want exit interviews. Am I if I'm speaking out of turn, I I feel like we're losing many people and we need to know why. And just because the the response that they're getting more money or they're moving closer to home is not flying because we're not that's not the feedback. Debbie, you have a question? No, I have a com. Well, yeah, maybe it's a question. I don't um I thought in during discussion in personnel the other day when I we had brought that up and I think I'm the one that brought that up that it was said to us as

099a as a group that phone calls were made. Um I don't know if they would technically be considered exit interviews for the staff but the administration administrators did do that. >> So I don't know where is it. Did you do one? Did you do more than one? Did some people did more than others? I don't know. So I'm I'm really like exit interviews. We're losing We're losing people. We need to know why. >> All right. Okay. I'll get that thing here though. Easy. I I would like to just clarify for the board of education because many of the motions on here are my resignations in the area of special services. So I did share with u Miss O'Brien and the other committee members that everyone that has resigned we have and from special services followed

100up to like just personally ask you know the why question but I know Dr. Edmon said he would also do official exit interviews. >> We didn't see that. >> Yeah that's why I know it wasn't Yeah, it was kind of in that extra discussion part. Thank you. >> Have any of them sent letters to the administration or explaining why they were leaving? >> Do they send a resation letter? >> The only question is there anyone on tonight's agenda that sent like a letter? >> No, just a date effective resation at that. >> So they don't put the No, you did not receive a letter from someone on this agenda tonight resigning with the reasons why they're resigning. >> That's my question. very >> not not that I recall unless you've seen a letter but I

101have not seen a letter with specifics in it like I said I I try to make that a personal touch with reaching out to people to then just kind of find out what's going on or usually and typically when someone also resigns for the most part people and we have good people they usually will come and explain to you kind of like hey this is the situation and they usually give at least special services a heads up as to you know what might be coming in the next couple days within might be waiting on an agenda to approve, things like that. >> Discussions, any more discussion? Anybody have any other questions? I want to say uh I wish Mindy Turner and Debbie Vanzle a healthy, happy retirement. And we are sad to see them go.

102And Iris, our Iris, I I I will miss Iris. And I I just wish her nothing but good health and happiness. She is a redheaded firecracker that we deeply love. So I I do wish her well. >> If not other discussion if not roll >> Mr. Karina >> uh abstain on 2021 and yes to the rest. >> Mrs. L. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> No on 20 and 21. Yes on everything else. >> Moran. >> Okay. Okay. I just want to just want to clarify 19 has been pulled at this time. Correct. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> I'm seeing on 20 21 24 and 37. Yes. To everything else. >> We're standing on 20 21 35 24 25 and 37. You need it one more time. >> No. 2021 24 25 37. >>

103Got it. >> Mr. Silman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conklin. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Okay. Um, I'm going to abstain on 20 and and 25. Yes. For everything else. Mrs. Dw. >> Okay. Education. I'd like to move items 1 through eight in education and number nine will be voted on after executive session. >> Second. discussion. [Applause] If not, roll order. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> yes. Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. >> Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mr. Conklin, >> yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Okay. At the end, um, Mrs. Stevenson, policy, please. I'd like to make a motion to move numbers 1 through 4 under policy. Second

104discussion if not roll call >> Mrs. Stevenson >> yes >> Mrs. Lwood >> yes >> Mrs. Mr. Greeno >> yes >> Miss O'Brien >> yes >> Mr. Stillman >> yes >> Mrs. Dwire >> yes >> Mrs. Romeo >> yes >> Mr. Conlin >> yes >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> yes [Applause] 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 giving five minutes for a period of 30 minutes. Then time permitting and other public comment

105limited 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 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 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 in the administration will not respond to them. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded to them by the laws of New Jersey. The board is not responsible and is

106not 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 and identified in their comments. Members of the public are reminded that they are legally responsible and liable to their comments. Anyone wishing to speak under public comment, come on forward. Do I have to sign again? >> No. >> Okay. >> With that 100,000 Will Seditz Macin road with the 100 plus thousand that was cut tonight. I have no idea what was accomplished. Uh please please please really think this through going forward. I don't know what you what damage you're going to end up doing in terms of the fund balance going forward for next year, but you know, learn how this process works and really get a grasp

107because you are a year or two away from a totally different district and you will be kissing a lot of teachers jobs goodbye. So, if you don't understand something, learn it. There's plenty of NJSBA opportunities to do so, but please, this district is is going to be on life support in two years if this board doesn't understand the process and doesn't do the right things in short order. Thank you. >> Anyone else wishing to speak? >> If not, I need a motion to close uh public comment. Seeing none, I make a motion to close. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any oppose? Okay, we need a motion, Terry, for executive session and we will be back to we will return for action. All right. At 8:54, I make a motion to go into

108executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel appointments, resignations, current litigation matters, special education matters, HIV, negotiations, and matters of attorney client privilege. The executive session minutes will not be released until such time as the privilege or confidentiality is no longer acceptable and or applicable and we will return after um executive session for action. >> Second. >> All those in favor I >> we will be should take a little while >> 45 minutes. 45. Is that >> you're closing the >> Okay. 45 minutes. Thank you. >> Like to bring the meeting back to order. Uh Barbara, could you do the roll call, please? >> Mrs. Romeo >> here. >> Mrs. Dwer, >> here. >> Mrs. Lockwood >> here. >> Mrs. Stevenson >> here. >> Mrs. O'Brien >> here. >> Mr. Conklin >> here. >> Mr.

109Stillman >> here. >> Mr. Gino >> here. >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> here. >> Uh Mrs. Dwire. Okay. I'd like to move um to approve the recommendate recommendation of superintendent to do the following regarding the HS 2022 H9 postpone for further information. 20 I think it must be 22 H10 postpone for further information. and 2022 E5 as substantiated. I need a second. >> Second discussion. >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lockwood, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stevenson, >> yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mr. Conklin, >> yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> yes. >> Mr. Stillman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. Now under personnel student affairs, Mr. Glorian, >> I'd like to make a motion to move item 19 under personnel and student

110affairs. >> Second discussion roll. >> Mr. Conquin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwer, abstain. >> Mr. Gino, >> no. >> Mrs. Lockwood. >> No. >> Miss O'Brien. >> No. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Mrs. Stevenson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stillman. >> No. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> No. >> That motion fails. [Applause] >> That fion. I need a motion to adjourn. >> 958 motion to all those. I need a second. Second. All those in favor. Good night.