001moment of silence and please remember George O' Conor. He was one of our custodians from Westbrook school who passed away this past week. Please remember his family and u remember him. Thank you. >> Please rise for the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting act, a public notice of this meeting has been sent to the board members, all district schools, the Herald news, the trends, the record, the messenger, West Milford town hall, the county superintendent's office, the board attorney, and cable vision of Warwick and posted in the administration building. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution were provided to all
002local media town hall, town library, and all district schools. >> Roll call. Mrs. Franciscan, Mrs. Romeo >> here, >> Mr. Sidowitz, Mr. Drew, >> Mrs. >> here, >> Mr. Bino >> here, >> Mrs. Britz here, >> Mr. Oinsky >> here, >> Mr. O'Brien >> here, >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> here, >> Dr. >> Oh, yes. Good evening everybody. Uh welcome to our November meeting and happy Thanksgiving. Uh a little bit early. Uh so our first bullet point here we have an update on the MACbin uh config great configuration committees. So our subcommittees have been meeting throughout the fall, September, October. Um I think we might have one or two meetings left in November. Different committees. One is tomorrow I believe and I don't have the other dates off top of my head. Um so we're
003wrapping that up now. Uh I plan to have uh this to the board ready to the board as soon as uh I have everything collated and collected. I do plan on making a presentation for the board uh prior to the vote. So that'll be either December or January. I could present this to the board of education and obviously to the community as well uh what the committees have learned and what the recommendation will be. So when the board does vote, it'll be an informed opinion and everybody will know what they're voting on and if they have any questions, we can take time out of that meeting to certainly uh have those questions answered. >> Is there any does anybody have anything for tonight? >> Okay. Uh next up, uh our monthly progress towards district goals.
004About two weeks ago, the state released and has and also embargoed the uh ESSA accountability profiles for the schools and for the district. Um ESSA is the uh is the new No Child Left Behind and they release these accountability profiles once a year and they give them to the districts first. So we got them about two weeks ago and then but unfortunately the information is embargoed. can say that we do have overwhelmingly positive accountability profiles that once we're able to share it publicly, we will. Um, so the state will give us a date when we can share this with the board and with the community, but you're going to see market growth and market improvement at all eight schools and obviously the district as a whole. So, uh, we're really excited about that and, um,
005we just don't know when we can share, but it'll hopefully hopefully be very shortly. Okay. And next up you have a picture on your the board members have a picture looks something like this. This is one of our students Steven Chimalleski and his teacher Mr. Bey uh in wood four class they made as you know we did the green houses already we renovated at Makipin in the high school. So, this is some of the furniture that they're making for the high school greenhouse. And they're going to be installing that along the walls, tables, shelving, so that they can put different pots and different plants at different levels. And they'll get they'll use basically the whole greenhouse from the floor to the ceiling or or at least close to it. Um, at the high school right
006now, they're test using the greenhouse with some of these tables to test the effects of diff different conditions on seed germination. All right. and we have a similar project going on at Makipin. We just don't have that woodwork finished yet. So, thank you again to the board for their support for those two projects and our student representative, Mr. Rena. Uh good evening everyone. Before I begin, I would like to start with announcement uh that through the spectacular event on October 26th, uh the high school in Makipin and student councils were able to raise $4,000 for Cheryl's Den animal rescue, 11th hour rescue, West Milford Animal Shelter, and Abua Fire Department. On behalf of the student councils, I would like to thank these organizations for what they have done and their contribution to this town. We
007are also planning to donate food to a local food bank and a day of giving in December to collect gifts for those in need. The district is busy as always with many events going on throughout the month of November and into December. In the beginning of the month, the seventh graders went on a 3-day overnight uh trip to Fairview. While in the trip, they were able to bond with their friends and make new ones while enjoying what the YMCA camp has to offer. On November 5th, high school students listened to speakers ranging from multiple different careers during career day, gaining valuable information about jobs that they might be interested in the future. In addition, Makabin students will uh get to do the same thing on November 25th. On election day, elementary students were able to
008see what it was like to vote during their vote event and at their schools. and the Highlander Marching Band invited Clifton's marching band and multiple bagpipe groups on Saturday, November 9th to recognize um our veterans and first responders during Veterans Day weekend. Following this, on Monday, November 11th, elementary school students recognized uh veterans during Veterans Day assemblies. On November 15th, parents of elementary students were asked to attend schools, attend their school with their young students during parent visit day. Um, the sciences are coming into action in our district. On November 18th, the science honors society inducted their newest members during the induction ceremony and in addition, young students who participate in LU were able to display their projects during project night. Upcoming events include the high school volleyball tournament which is on November 21st and
009being hosted by the junior class council. Uh parent teacher conferences are next week from November 25th to the 27th which leads into Thanksgiving Day recess. And on November 5th on December 5th, I'm sorry, seniors will have the chance to interview with colleges during on-site decision day. And as the seasons begin to shift from fall to winter, new sports and activities are beginning. And we hope that our Highlanders continue to succeed in their winter sports. We hope we are also approaching our winter concerts in which you can see our high school choir perform on December 5th and our Mackaban choir perform on December 12th. Also, the Mackin band will have their concert on December 18th and the high school band on December 19th. Are there any questions? >> All right. Thank you. Brian, I'm sorry. December
0105th was which school? >> December 5th was the high school choir. >> Okay. And December 12th is Mackin. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> No problem. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Novak, >> good evening. I'm going to just a few uh brief announcements in regard to uh parent visitation day or and um parent teacher conferences next week. I've mentioned a few times in regard to the uh fingertip report that is coming through our uh our data analysis system called link it. Uh we do anticipate that that fingertip report will be available uh for parents to review on on Monday and Tuesday at conferences. Uh and parents and uh families can should expect a Honeywell to come out on Friday that's going to uh include a digital copy a with a uh you know redacted names,
011no identifiable information. uh so parents and families can see a sample of what that fingertip report will look like and I will include some information um sort of describing what the the document is just so that the entire parent teacher conference isn't taken with the teacher having to explain what this thing is. So I'm going to try and get that information out in advance. Uh parents can also expect to see along with the report card in those conferences the star math report that we've been doing for uh believe this is our third year uh having star math reports available. So that'll be available in grades 2 through 8 uh at the conference as well. And uh again just uh want to let everyone know to expect that Honeywell on Friday. That'll be descriptive and it's
012it's worth uh it's going to be worth giving it a good read and and trying to understand that document before going into uh before going into that parent teacher conference. Mrs. Francesca, uh, the board minutes from October 29th are available for your consideration. I need a motion. Any uh discussion about the minutes? All those in favor? >> I oppose. Motion passes. Good evening, Mrs. Hel. We'd like to welcome you from New Jersey school boards. U Mrs. Hel is here to speak with us about our strategic planning tonight. >> Thank you very much. Thanks for having me. Um it is a pleasure to be back in West Milford. >> Um you're very welcome. Nothing fancy tonight. Um but I'm really pleased to come and talk to you all about strategic planning. >> Um so I don't
013have any if you don't mind. No, I don't like I'll just feelings never get hurt. >> Brian apparently [Music] I don't I don't >> if you really want to look I can fine >> sure. >> So really what I'm just kind of looking to have with you guys tonight, no tech, no powerpoints or anything fancy. It's just a conversation about strategic planning and the process and how West Milford would like to, you know, would like to actualize something like that. Um, and it it really is an honest question to talk to this group in particular about it because I know that West Milford knows how to use a strategic plan. Um, you know, board and administration bought in fully to your last strategic plan and I know that that was formed with stakeholder input. um
014and it just informed the work of the district for the entire five years that you had it before it matured. So what we're looking to do is kind of renew that process over again. You don't want a strategic plan to last for much more any longer than 5 years really because education changes so rapidly and there are so many moving parts and different factors that come into play from you know five years ago that three to five years really are the ideal uh lifespans for a strategic plan. Um, and Linda, if you wouldn't mind, do on your last strategic plan, do you recall the the process for that? And the And >> I wasn't here for the last strategic plan. >> I was. >> Okay. >> You're probably the only one. >> Yeah. >> Well,
015Debbie, what I could do is I could tell you how we do it now. And if if it's been there were two different programs um that New Jersey school board facilitates to uh boards of education. Okay. And I believe the one that you use was called the 3D plan. And that's the one that is by and away the more popular. There's also something called a traditional plan, but I'll lead with the 3D plan. Um, and that one is um, it's really a very streamlined but a very comprehensive process at the same time. Um, it comes together over three meetings, three 90minute meetings with all of your stakeholders. Typically, a school district will issue a blanket invitation, publicize it on the website, you know, go in home and school newsletters, um, press releases, all sorts of
016different ways of getting the word out to any stakeholder who would like to attend. Um, and in that first meeting, I I see you nodding, so this sounds so far so good. Okay. And we start that meeting out with um with data, right, with a a state of the district report that is delivered by administration. Um and after that and everyone's kind of on the same page with where the district is right now, where it has been, what are the, you know, initiatives coming up or any kind of concerns that are on the horizon, we break into small groups and then Okay. So, so I've got it right. Okay. Um, and this is really, honestly, this is my favorite way of doing a strategic plan, too. So, I'm not surprised that your plan came out
017of this process. Um, and we talk about the strengths and the challenges as the participants see it. And then we report out in a large group. Everybody reads over their work. I encode it into a report, issue it to the board. you kind of put it on your website, disseminate it for everyone to see because at our next minute meeting, which is also 90 minutes, um any stakeholder can come again. Typically, we have it set up so that anyone can attend one, two, three, a combo of meetings. You're kind of free as your schedule allows you to attend and participate. >> Okay. But when we broke into groups, was correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't there a group for a specific component or area of of our educational community? And then another, you know, one
018was finances and one was eventually we do get there. Right. No, no, no. You're absolutely right. Because we're still kind of forming what those areas are going. We don't really know what all of your stakeholders are going to say. this is where we want you to focus, right? And those focus areas become the goal areas, become the goal statements and become the objectives. Before we get there, we have that first meeting and then we have a second one where we talk about our vision for the district. It's really a fun meeting and we break up into, you know, those randomly assigned small groups again, work together, report out. That's a real feelood meeting. That's a terrific one. And at by the time that all of that work comes together, by the end of the second
019meeting, I guarantee it you will see common threads starting to show up through all of the groups work over the first meeting, over the second meeting. And from there, we'll be able to discern what the goal areas should be, right? I'm sure teaching and learning is going to show up in there. Maybe finance and facilities, maybe safety, maybe social emotional learning. We don't know, right? It could be anything. Each plan is as unique as the district that it comes from. And it comes from the ground up, which is why it's, you know, such a great process really. It's not like Trenton's feeding me anything. This is comes from here. Um, and then at that third meeting, um, we do the small group thing again, but you self- select. If if teaching and learning is one
020of the goal areas and that's my passion, that's where I'm going to work. If I'm more of a dollars and cents person and finance and facilities is a goal area, that's the group that I will work in. And together your participants work on draft goal statements and draft objectives. Afterwards, we get together with administration, make sure that it's, you know, workable, fine-tune it, get it into a document that the board can peruse and approve. Um, it needs to be formally approved by the board and then you have your road map for the next three to five years. uh depending on how you want, you know, we we kind of um identify at the beginning of the process what lifespan you want it to have. Um and that helps to guide things along. Um but can
021I throw something in there? >> Sure. What I found most impressive is that we had people from the community that we would normally never see. You know, we had business people, we had retirees, we had um uh people, you know, that didn't have any vested interest in in the district. you know, either no children or their children have, you know, have graduated and have gone through this style. Um, and it was very nice because you got to, you know, usually people who come to board meetings, there's a vested interest, rightly so, but they came in to really like to have their point of view brought what's at the table. And I thought that was a really awesome thing. I think that's a really awesome thing, too. And you know what? You guys must have really
022promoted it very well. >> Yes, we did. That's key in getting participants out there. Um, and I went through strategic planning in my own district as a school board member and I found those conversations to be the most rewarding. And even as I'm typing up the outcomes, I find that work rewarding because it's just wonderful to see all of the viewpoints and all of the, you know, visions that are brought to the table during this process. I mean, it's not something that you can guess. It's something that rises organically. And it's different in every are are we all participants? >> You can be participants. That is kind of a casebyase based of whatever the board decides. If you were all to participate and I do think that that is a good idea. I mean, but
023it's up to you. Um, you would advertise as a board meeting, you'd open it just like you would normally, Linda, and then we would disperse through the to the strategic planning portion of of the meeting and you'd close it. You'd have flag salute fun time for public commentary. You know, typical >> meeting, but it's a really we had it we had it at the high school cafeteria. >> Oh, okay. >> Now, we can do we've moved away from a lot of that weekend stuff, but if you wanted to because I'll tell you >> it was a weekday. >> Oh, okay. You know, location, location, location for whatever reason. >> Yeah, that's not a bad And you know what? That brings out participants from that particular school community. they're more apt to participate if it's going
024on in their children's school or the school that they graduated from. Another great constituency to have as part of your strategic planning process are your students. >> Um, so that's something that you can consider as well. And what I have been telling uh districts is that if you are going to uh if you are interested in having your students as part of the process and you should be um you know you may want to know that it's a great line to have on a college res you know application that you participated in the strategic planning process. We take everyone's name down and it get and it's you know typed up it's printed in the book. So, um, it's pretty cool and and you know, you have an active role in helping to guide the district
025broadly. You know, it's not like you're going to come in and say, "Well, I want a swimming pool and I wanted these measurements and this is what that's not going to happen. We're talking about, you know, visionary things. We're talking about, you know, what's right for the kids in West Milford now and going forward." So, it's really rewarding. I love doing them. I uh typically uh myself and another field service representative will come out and we facilitate the process from start to finish. And um it's I I really can't say enough great things about it. I know I'm chirping a lot and I'm wondering if you guys have any questions on it that I haven't quite addressed over time. How long over time like the three meetings? How how >> I would work with you
026and that's different for each district. Normally it's one per month. >> Um but sometimes a district feels that keeping the momentum going is the better option. So we might do you know one every two weeks or something like that. Um it's depends on your school calendar. Certainly don't want to do this on the night of a big event at one of the schools or a big event in the town. Um a colleague of mine was we were all set to go in for a strategic planning. I got a last call. It's a town Christmas tree lighting. You can't do it at night. So, you know, you do have to kind of coordinate that sort of a uh of scheduling and I'll come out beforehand, you know, during business hours and and sit with you all
027and identify the dates. >> Anybody have any questions? >> When does it is it something that starts in the new year or like when does it start? >> Well, you have to pass your resolution. It costs $4,000 to do it and then um we set the calendar, but we're probably I'm guessing we're looking like the spring. I think we'd have to get past budget time >> and >> you know, do you know what? Because our our meetings for budget, >> we we have extra meetings built into our calendar for the budget. So I I would >> Well, it could be. >> Yeah. So I think it would be more like more effective if we did it after like a you know like some April and May. >> I think April April and May is probably
028where we'll wind up, but we'll see. I mean sometimes those months are challenging. We'll work together. Um what was I going to say? Something just kind of blew out of my head. Um, oh yeah, you also want time to promote, right? Because I mentioned how many different staples. You're not going to get that many if you start in, let's say, December or January. You just don't have enough time to create the kind of outreach that that you probably want to. And I have, you know, promotional materials and templates that you can use to, you know, help you do just that. I I think I think the ideal thing would be to put it out when we do our reorganization meeting to vote on it at the same time when the new board is seated and
029then we could move forward from there and see how um our time frame fits as far as you know having the public come out. Barb, do you remember how like how we did? You were here for that, right? So what it the plan lasted for five years. The plan that we're working with is five years now, right? So, you know, I'm >> part of your moving forward senior, right? >> Yeah. Right. I think it, you know, when I when I read what came out of the other one, I feel like we're in a good >> I think it's a lot of work to do it for three years. >> Yeah. >> You know, you're not really getting that much out of it. I think five years is good. Longer than that, it's kind of tough.
030>> It can be longer than that, I would never advise. Um, shorter than that, you know, it depends on the district, but I think a well-written plan is broad enough that you can make it work for 5 years. And you're right, it is a lot of work. You know, it is a lot. And also, you know, I've been to your goal setting sessions. I know you base all your goals off of the plan. So, it keeps it alive. You know, your plan's a breathing document, which is exactly how we want them. You know, sometimes you facilitate it sits on the shelf. What are you going to do? But you guys don't do that here. So, and that's just a way of honoring your public's work because there's really few things worse than asking people to
031come out and participate and do all this stuff and then just kind of ignoring what they have to say, you know. So, that doesn't happen here. That's that's the really good news. >> And I do think our community is in a different place >> now than it was 5 years ago. >> Yeah, I I think so, too. I and but but like she said earlier, education's changed tremendously in the last 5 years and I I really think and going back to the two years, five years or anything like that, so much changes in five years. Um and I you know all around. So this it would be a good time to do it next year, but if you're doing it in April and May, we got to really make sure you get it done before
032like crunch time before you know the graduation. >> Yeah. I I I I it seems to me like that's a tough spot because people don't mind coming out to a meeting in the springtime because the weather is not the winter just you're you're dealing with snow or ice and and >> cancellation and trying to res >> plus adding another meeting on top of the the budget meetings to me seem like you know it's kind of >> tiresome to to to a degree. >> Yeah. So, it's on it is on our website under the community tab. You can click right on the strategic plan. Kate and I were just going through now. It looks like March is when they started it. >> Well, that 5 years ago >> and it was adopted September 23rd of 2014.
033So, we're within the time in that time frame. Yeah. >> Yeah. You definitely want the skeleton in place before the summer so that when you're making your administration goals and you're thinking about your board goals, you can build off of what you know you're going to improve, right? You know, so that's ideal. That's ideal having those meetings before the summer before your goal setting sessions. That's your best practice. Um, you know, we'll see how it how it works out. Um, and I just want to know and I think, you know, I'm a big fan of that 3D. There's also in some of them, I think Katie, you got the only one that's just >> We did the 3D one in 2014. >> Perfect. I just don't want to confuse that one. Some of those booklets
034have um the traditional as the lead one. Not too crazy about that one. It's only because you focus on a core group of volunteers in the same um and that's kind of difficult um for a lot of communities and um it's just not as efficient. also a little more expensive. So, >> it seems like we got very good results using the 3D one last time. From what you're saying, >> it was it was it was probably the I hate to use this word, but it's the only thing like that comes to mind. It's like intense because there were so many people that were generally interested and generally, you know, was it was a good meeting of the minds and um I I thought it was it was such a positive result overall and positive uh
035outcome and a positive experience on from parties. So I I I I would even like to be part of this next time around if I'm if I am around. So um but it's it's it's definitely worthwhile the education community. >> So So Kathy, you have the school systems listed. There's 3D, there's the RF next to some of them. >> What about schools? >> Okay. What about the schools that don't have something next to them? What's that mean? >> That probably means it's a traditional traditional probably mostly Mammoth County districts. The traditional is huge in Mammoth County. >> Well, there's Wayne and Sparta. That's why I >> I just redid Sparta and we did it with the 3D process and it went really well. It went really well. Um and you you know the key to
036having these be as rewarding as Debbie mentioned is to have all different stakeholder groups, you know. Um and you hit the nail right on the head. I mean, you want families, you want people who are alums, you want people who are community members, you want staff, you want admin. Yep. and and board members participating and sitting together at the same tables and you know talking about these are the conversations that really matter you know when I work with boards a lot of times the question that really nettles boards and board members think well how do we communicate with our community we know it's supposed to be two-way street how do we do that this is the best way these are the important conversations you know so >> I do think it's best that all the
037board participate because it gives you a good feel of what's coming. You know, you're hearing it. It's not being conveyed to you secondhand from somebody else. You'll be able to hear it and be able to interact with the community and get the kind of feedback that we're looking for. >> And Linda, we were asked to to participate in the entire board. >> Yeah. I I I think it was I think it's best that it's a a board as a whole um you know, objective here. >> That's great. >> Any other questions? Thank you very much. >> Thank you for coming tonight. We appreciate it. >> Oh, my pleasure. And if any questions arise, give me a call. Let me know. >> I'll touch base with you and then >> All right. Happy Thanksgiving. >> Happy
038community. >> Yes. >> Okay. I I really don't have anything much under my report um this month. So, um Mrs. Van Digen, um I did attend the tattoo. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Yes. >> Yeah, that's okay. And that too tattoo was phenomenal as usual. And I think we have to thank Dr. McLaclin, Mr. Grammada and the whole staff of um music people for what they put together and what they performed. It was incredible. The only disappointing thing was that the Bergen County firefighters were not there and they have they do this thing with bag pipes and rock music that is phenomenal. So that was a little disappointing, but other than that it was a night to remember as usual. You were there, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it was good. So, thank you. Thank
039you to the music department. Thank you for going >> different beef. Okay, >> so we'll move on to public comment. Um, this portion of the meeting is open to members of the public for the purpose of addressing resolutions 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 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. All 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 and
040group 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 a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that 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. 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. 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 light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in their
041comments. Members of the public are reminded they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Anyone wishing to speak under public comment? >> Seeing none, I make a motion to public comment. >> Second. All those in favor? Any opposed? >> All right. And I have a couple of uh edits to make to the agenda very briefly. On uh page four of the agenda under education number three. Number three is going to be pulled from the agenda. It's replaced by >> the hand carry. >> Would you repeat that? I didn't. >> Uh education number three is replaced by the hand carry. Okay. >> And on page page five, education number five, we have to add a hip. One just came in uh yesterday morning. >> Okay. >> So, it's going to be 2020/H5 and that's substantiated.
042Next up is page six, personnel student affairs number resolution number four is going to be repulled and replaced by with a hand carry. And lastly, resol on page number page number nine, personnel student affairs, resolution number 19 is going to be pulled al together. >> Say that again. >> Resolution number 19 on page nine. It will has been pulled from the agenda. Okay, that's it. >> And 21's added >> and the hand we have here. Yeah. [Music] >> Okay. So, I need a motion uh to uh adopt the agenda. >> I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda with all of the um >> amendments >> and carries and amendments. Yeah. Thank you. >> You got it. I knew you were going. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed education. Mrs. Brier.
043>> Okay. Move to uh accept and approve the recommendations of the superintendent numbers 1 through five. Four >> question. That's a good question. >> So was that number three was that it looked like it was going to be a lump sum payment. And now it's a perdm payment. >> Is that because we don't know how long >> it it actually has to do with the student start date? >> No. >> So, um the student start date was modified. So, and we're, you know, you never really know exactly what the start date will be, but it's it's anticipated that the start date will be December 2nd for the student. So, that's why we changed it to a daily. You'll see the PDM rate. The total though, I had a feeling this might come up with the
044board. So, the total is now $19,486.60 60 cents for the year. But again, that might change by a day or two. So we Barbara and I felt it would be best to word it the new way. >> Great to flexibility. >> And I think it's a test. Yeah, I think it's a testament to our Highlander Academy and what we're doing that we've got. >> So this is a receivable coming in from Lakeland to our academy, >> our Highlander Academy. So great job Dr. McUade. uh this does help offset our cost associated with that program >> and hopefully that will open the door. >> We did get another after following this inquiry, we did get another inquiry from another district that's going to be coming and touring again. So >> good. >> Very good. >> It's
045a good thing. >> So kudos to the program and the staff that work over there. >> Miss Lewig, >> it's a good thing. We were very impressed when we came for to to view the program. So I I'm I'm hopeful that when other schools come to look at it that they'll be as impressed as you. >> Thanks for explaining. >> Yeah, no problem. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> If not, uh local stuff. Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Ojinski, yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. And the other the motion for the hip will be at executive session executive session for personnel. Mrs. >> Sure. Um I'd like to move items 1
046through 20 and then the new number four on the hand carry and number 21 on the hand carry discussion. Anyone have any No discussion. Mrs. Francis, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Britz, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mr. Dino, >> abstain from 14 and 15. Yes to the rest. >> Mr. Oinsky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, abain for 13. Yes to the rest. >> Mrs. Dwire. Yes, Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. [Applause] >> Operations and finance. Mr. >> like to move items one through three under operations and finance. >> Any discussion? Not. Mrs. Francisco. >> Mr. Green. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien. Yes. Mr. Oinsky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brier, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vand, >> yes. >> To move item number four
047under operations and finance. >> Discussion. Mrs. Francisco. >> Mrs. Pritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Greeno. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. Yes. >> Mr. O. Yes. >> Mr. Oshinski. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. Yes, >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Like to move item number five under operations and finance. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Mrs. Francisco. >> Miss O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Absene. >> Mr. Greener. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Oshinski. >> Yes. Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Like to move item number six under operations and finance. Second session. >> Mrs. Francisco. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Abstain. >> Miss O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mr. Greeno. >> Abstain. >> Mr. Oinsky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bler. >> Yes.
048>> Mrs. Van. >> Abstain. [Applause] Okay. >> Number seven. >> Uh, I'd like to move item number seven under operations finance. >> Discussion. >> Mrs. Francisco. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. Mr. Green. >> Yes. Mr. Oinsky, yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vanzy, >> yes. >> And I'd like to move item number eight under operations and finance. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Mrs. Francisco. >> Mr. Green. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Oshinsky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. Yes, Mrs. Vand. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Corino, >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Uh, yes. Fun policy. Uh, I can move by the policy. >> I need a second. >> Second. >>
049Discussion. Okay. Mrs. Franca. >> M. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwer. Yes, >> Mr. Gino. >> Yes, >> Mr. Oshinsky. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Yes. >> Back to Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> On to committee reports, Parks and Recreation. Mr. Ko. >> So, I think the biggest thing coming out of parks and recreation, uh, they're looking forward to 2020. Any >> Did I miss something? >> Yeah. Stop. Um, I just noticed that I'm sorry. Under hand carry for student affairs, did we do 21? >> Yes, >> she did. She included it in the >> included it. She did when when Nicole moved it, she moved it with 21. >> She said and Hank carry >> and Hary. >> I didn't write it down that
050way. Sorry. Sorry. You okay? Okay. I'm sorry. I lost my train of thought, so I'm Enzo pond uh field and now in 2020 they're going to work to completely uh revamp Feroh Field which is a long time coming >> uh safety. There was no safety meeting this month. I think the next one was in January. me so I probably won't remember a lot of it. It was um it was a it was a good meeting. We talked a little bit about making my brain hurt. Um >> we talked about some of the math on the math spelling program. Um I think answered a lot of questions from folks around the room there. >> Um I know that was that was we spent a good good bit of time on that. >> We did talk that
051was was we had a good conversation a couple different spelling programs that we're using. >> Yeah. Very >> explain the pilots >> pilot program in one school district program another school. We're looking to see how those different programs go. >> Okay. Uh P County school boards. Um Mrs. Dwire and I attended the PT County School Board meeting which was a very interesting meeting. They had um a person who does branding from Montville Montville school district which is very their schools are very similar. She's a part-time employee for the district that does >> the branding for them. But >> crazy. >> Is she a grant writer also or just the branding? >> No, I don't I don't think she was a grant writer. I don't think so. >> She's a independent contractor. She has her own
052independent business that she does. >> So everything's all under one Montville Mustangs. >> It's the green and like they have green and yellow and and they have a mustang as their >> mascot. >> Their mascot in the elementary buildings. They they kept their colors because some of the buildings were like blue and white and they kept their colors, but they brought they brought like almost like a coat of arms as the um letter head and it had like a m it had a mustang, but it kept their say their mascot and their colors in it. It it it was very interesting how they brought the district together and got them all on the same kind of plane moving forward because we we've we've been having the discussions on wanting to bring everybody in as >>
053black and golders and as you know Highlanders or Junior Highlanders. So it it was a very interesting and uh issues that that we're facing as far as instead of having a district of schools. It's a school district. So everybody is one. And that's what they're trying what it what the branding really is trying to do is to bring everybody together as one as one school district instead of separate schools. Oh, uh, New Jersey school boards. I think that kind of fell under the same meeting. They had, um, they had just talked about the school board, uh, uh, the school board member who is from Clifton, who won the school board member of, the New Jersey school board, uh, Judy from Clifton. So, that was, you know, >> interesting. The the thing that that I liked
054um about our our meeting was they also talked about me. this board needs to talk more about um in light of the fact that one out of every four kids, >> you know, I mean there's there's an issue and we have to address it. I mean, we can't solve it, but we can we can help. They were they they put out there. We didn't get a copy of it that night. You had to go online. >> He said he was going to email it to us. We haven't gotten it. >> We got the email of the PowerPoint, but we didn't get the email of the the booklet itself. I probably have to contact >> Yeah. >> because it was very interesting. They did a whole interview process with with students and staff members and how
055you you know how how you could you know get a group in your in your own school to to kind of facilitate some of some of these issues and and help. And they talked about a wellness room, right, which I liked, you know, where if a a student feels stressed and he can't sit in a class, he can go to that room and he can have a rest bit, you know, and >> there's a lot of things a lot of a lot of things that we have to look at for our kids. >> Didn't Academy have one of those rooms, right? >> Oh, did it? This was a regular this was a uh the high school itself. >> Yeah. No, but I mean it obviously serves a good purpose. It was it would it's >>
056health. >> Yeah. I will promise I'll say something intelligent this time and not go into a panic mode. Um but five years ago IC right it has to be >> so again that that's why we need to to do something like that because it is now brought to our you know to the table and it's very important for our kids. So um definitely when when you meet next year and start working on that that definitely needs to be brought up you know up front and center and discuss and and work on and there was there was the other topic they talked about the non-olbound learner too which is another study that they just completed through New Jersey school boards and Terry and I invited Dr. uh Dan Sinclair from Lakeland to come over and look
057at our vote tech programs so that they could get a good insight to how when you're a comprehensive high school, what you're trying to do to help facilitate that in your own district. So, I'm looking forward to showing off our programs there. So, >> uh legislative. >> Yeah, would you >> I told him I would. Yes, he he'd reach out to >> I'll let you do it then. a lot of it. >> He he just said that uh the January January 14th um Senator Sweeney, he will become president again. So he'll be the longest running um Senate President in New Jersey history. Um minimum wage will go up to $11 an hour on uh January 1st. And remember the goal is uh by 2024 the minimum wage will be $15 an hour. And then um
058the last piece was in June the anti-bullying legislation which we commonly know is uh Mallalerie's law was uh passed in the state senate. So be on the lookout for uh potential things with regard to the assembly uh and that bill u maybe some things happening during this lame duck session. So that's it. So, uh the um I think it's Eastern Dataccom, they'll be uh at a few school end of this year to help uh provide some uh much needed cell phone coverage to uh few of our schools where uh way with um if you use uh Windows, if you use um OSX, you know, there's a certain shelf life that a company will support software. So, uh we have some computers where we're get we we feel like we might be getting to the end
059of life on that. And again, just computers in general, the useful life is probably about four years. And you know, we've started this uh program a number of years ago. So, we're reaching the shelf life for some of our computers. So, Robert, um Dan, Alex, Barbara, they're going through and looking at our uh our Chromebooks and working to replace some of those in the the next year. So, um I think there'll be more to that coming uh in the future. If you want to expand, you can, but I think that in the future there'll be some, uh, pretty neat stuff coming. >> Um, and then, uh, I think probably the last big piece that came out of that is, uh, I know, >> how to improve those things in particular. We we just had this
060happen. We were looking at the strategic plan. When you pull up pull up the menu, >> um Kate and I were doing this and Kate was clicking, we were clicking on the name. >> You clicked on the name community like three times and it brings you right back. >> You click on the arrow and then it works. So I think that right to make it more user friendly that'll help. We don't know whether or not that can happen with the with what we're using, but I think Robert uh is working on that. And then the other piece which uh he has worked on has gotten better. Um you if if you're looking at your phone straight up and down um sometimes you'd lose a piece of uh the text on the side and once you
061turned it you could see it. I think that's gotten much better uh in recent weeks. So um we're all using these devices more than we are our computers. We're using this to look at things. Some people as we were talking about the strategic plan, they might have been sitting there just like we were going, "Hey, let's look at the strategic plan online." So, and we're doing it on mobile devices. So, it's great that our website is kind of growing. Uh, and we appreciate the feedback from uh everybody. do have apps and that bring you right into their website or other some districts also have like a barcode or these things that are being discussed like you're looking >> an app is >> Yep. >> Yeah. There's two like I've seen both uh different districts. Some
062just have an app that you download the app onto your phone and then when you click it it brings you into their website. Um, and then it's mobile obviously. >> And I know in talking >> others have a QR that you could just scan it and it brings you into their >> Yeah. In talking to Robert from an app perspective really what they do isn't technically an app. All it is is it's it's just Right. >> It's bringing you >> so so and you can actually save the website so it looks like an app on your phone, >> right? Most websites now they make them responsive so that like they build it for the computer but then if you're on a tablet it shrinks it for that and then on the molding to me today
063it was I was on my tablet and I couldn't I couldn't log in because the login was underneath the Oh, >> so I I see where the quirks are. >> Yep. For sure. >> That it. >> Yep. >> I have two other questions if We replace everything when it's end of life. So, uh, Ray mentioned four years. We're getting maybe five, >> five, right, >> out of them just to stretch the life a little bit longer, but everything gets replaced, but it's no longer functional. >> I think we're doing desktops anymore. >> Well, depends on on the program, too, >> because certainly some of the programs have Apple computers, you know, the Macs and things like that, >> right? >> But it depends on the program. And do we have like onetoone for staff or
064students? Do we hand out like Chrome to anyone? >> At this time we have for staff >> staff has Chromebooks. >> Yeah. Just curious. I'm just catching up. >> Staff received Chromebooks maybe two years ago. >> Yeah. >> I believe two years ago we had a little money for left over for staff. So we got all the staff. >> Show and tell. >> Yeah. Show and tell >> on those devices. >> Thanks. Yeah. And so, you know, like instead of replacing desktops, we can just get have that and have a docking station, you know, like those types of things that I'm just >> back it comes back through Ray and then comes back through the individual committees. We were talking about the Chromebooks the other day. Yeah. the other committee meeting because it does look
065like we're getting closer to that number that we want to be at where everybody has a Chromebook. >> So that you know that's >> as we're aging out we're kind of you know >> trying to meet that need. >> Any other questions? >> Uh township and board of ed joint committee. Mrs. Dwire, >> we had a meeting um this month and uh Mayor Dale was um concerned about Hillrest and the um bid that we received. So, we talked about that a little bit that um our garbage is going to be doubled in price. So, that means our taxes are >> an albatross and and we're working on it. Thank you, Kasa. grocery that >> had any meetings since they named that person. >> Well, so the meetings were scheduled on holidays. >> So Veterans Day
066and the holiday. So >> Columbus Day. >> Yeah, they were both >> our normal meeting day would have been both on holidays. >> Okay. >> So they're rescheduled. >> That's good. >> Okay. We'll look into that. >> Hopefully December we'll have an update. Okay. Um old business If not, we need a motion. >> Motion to close. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I posted new business. >> Um I just Veterans Day. Did you want to talk about Veterans Day? >> I I I I can, but if you want to talk about >> No, no, you were there. I wasn't. >> Okay. You actually should say something because you were honored as a veteran, right? >> I was. Yeah. So, at Marshall Hill, were you in Marshall Hill? I know a bunch of
067schools had I was sitting with a gentleman that uh you had a student at uh Marshall Hill. He commented that it was so fantastic. He thought the air from some of our veterans. So, thank you to all of those that have served. I >> I I want to say that I I attended Westbrook. Normally, I I do go to PK, but I went to Westbrook this year because um my grandson's here and he had his had my son-in-law Michael here who's a Marine who's serving uh in he's in New York, stationed in New York right now. And it was a very proud moment as a mother-in-law, but even prouder just to see how our schools each each school has is doing such a remarkable job at honoring our veterans and the turnout is just so
068wonderful. I I I actually went to veteran I went to the monument on Veterans Day, too. And I have nice turnout that there was a good group of people there and and I we we do need to remember that and be thankful and you know we are thank the soldiers serve but their families serve too. So >> yeah sure do. >> Kate, did you have something? >> I do. two things looking at the recommendations when we did the enrollment study um was to talk about this. I'm curious how the board feels and what we think about a utilization study. Um, obviously we're talking about the possibility of moving our students and you know it's a big change to the community um if that happens. And so I think it is a good idea that we
069do a utilization study and look at all of our buildings and what are we using and what are we not and how could we better use it possibly. Um, you know, when I heard about this recommendation and I looked it up and I and it even in offices they come in and look just at the space and say it would be better if you use this over here because then you would have better utilization of how this works. And I just think that would be amazing to have someone look at our entire district, each building, using or utilizing that we can better, you know, use for learning and education. So, um um as a new business, >> if we have if we're going to have one, is that >> Well, I I don't know if
070we have we could we have one. It was recommended to us by another report and um I'm thinking that if we're going to make a big change to our district, we should probably look at each what space are we using properly? What space could we use better before we make a big decision? I think it'd be nice to >> help well into the strategic plan. >> Yeah, that's absolutely. >> Yeah. I don't know. I'm not sure how anyone else feels about it or what anyone thinks, but >> it's a good idea. >> I think it's a good idea. >> I think it is. It's a very good idea. >> To do it before the decision is made, though. >> Well, I think that would be smarter. >> I think some of it, I think, but
071also kinds maybe let let everybody live in the space as it is. more efficient and do more with it. I do I do I'm just going back and thinking I I mean I don't know about anybody else but when you moved into your house remember and you bought your house and you thought of the changes that you wanted to make to your house when you were first there >> and then after you lived there a while you realized that >> that that would not have functioned well. So I I think what Nicole is saying it is really you might have to live with something first if if a change happens. We might have to live with that. But in the process before we get there we might be able to do that. But I think
072we'd have to see what we're what how it how it fits first before we go. And you want to look at the elementary buildings you're talking about. >> Well, I mean our entire district I think it would be silly for us to make a kids starting in September. >> Well, I think we're only changing the lives of like 200. >> No, I'm counting seventh, eighth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders that would be in Macan. It does change their school environment and their culture and their climate. Things will change and it will be different, right? Whether it's absolutely amazing I think it would be good to look at our district, you know, and and maybe everyone decides that they want to do it after. I'm proposing that we do it before. >> I also don't know
073how long this would take, but our enrollment study didn't take that long. It was only like 3 weeks. >> Well, the reason the enrollment didn't take is because it was already done >> and because they didn't really need to come out and go into the building. They just piggybacked off of another study that they did and they just did the they took they just updated all >> they just up updated the information. It it had been done >> and they just picked up on it. Uh Terry, go ahead. I'll let you go on that. >> Are we talking about moving these sixth graders into MAC this coming September? >> That seems awfully fast to me. I mean into sick. >> It seems >> I was hoping that >> we'd wait like the extra plan. I
074think I think we're I I think we're moving too fast. That's That's just I'm going to go to Nicole and we'll come think that as part of what they're doing with Makipin, they are taking all that into consideration. I mean, they're saying, you know, over the last, you know, couple decades of, you know, time, how many kids were just among the seventh and eighth graders, you know, the the enrollment has gone down so much when you look at the total capacity, the school can handle it. And then it's, you know, they're looking at, you know, can the seventh and eighth graders be in this wing and then the sixth graders down here and then they use those science. I mean, so I think they're that's all part of that process. So I think that outside
075of Makipin, what you're saying isn't a bad idea. But again, I think, you know, you need to get the current fifth graders out, you know, see how things happen. You know, Macken will adjust and then look at all the space. I think do all of this at the same time and and make that happen by September, >> right? I I >> So I the other two grades, they don't know any different because they've never been in Makabin. So they had never been together with the utilization study utilize it. Is that what you're saying? >> Well, I guess yeah, I I am saying that. I'd also then ask the company that recommended it, why did you recommend that? >> They must see something, right? Like if they're making these recommendations to us, right? >> They get
076paid to do it. They get paid to do it. As a consultant, they are going to get paid. I think the other thing too is >> but they already did the work so we paid them twice. >> The utilization study the utilization study might also show us something else >> like it might show us we have space that we don't have anything to utilize it for. So like keep that in mind. >> That that's part of exactly why I would bring that up. Right. We know that uh financial like that we're losing money. So are we using our space? Are we using it properly? Can we save money someplace somehow? Is there you know and about functioning an entire school district properly and doing things the absolute best way that we could. It's not just
077about the six. So when I say that Mar take that one step further, it could show us that we're not using space correctly and it could say, "Hey, you know what? Maybe we don't need six elementary schools." And like I'm not one >> for not having six elementary schools. So that like I'm just saying we have to be aware that that's a piece >> that's something we might get also. Again, not that it's wrong to to do it or not do it, >> but then we have that recommendation and can discuss it, you know, because if you live in this community, you know, people are afraid of it and you know, they're discussing it already. So, why don't we hire someone to tell us their opinion rather than and I respect everyone that's been on
078every subcommittee, but everyone that's in there has has their opinion before they even walked in the room on these big decisions and whatever. So, we'd be hiring someone outside to come in, a professional to tell us because of how it's going to benefit themselves, you know. >> Yeah. I >> I have to say at this point I think >> they're really going to cloud. We haven't addressed which issue >> the the ma we haven't addressed the makipin issue before we go and look at the utiliz whatever we decide to do with makabin and the move we should take we should handle that now because that's been in under under the microscope now for a few you know like six months and >> and that's been recommended to us by professionals outside that we've hired >>
079what has been recommended I'm just saying has this been something? >> It's okay. >> Well, now I'm just so the I hear I think >> I think what she's saying is that >> best decisions. >> Are we moving those students there and it has been recommended that Mac can handle that? I mean I know that for a lot of years Mackman had 800 right >> plus students right we know that. Um I am I do I turns to >> and and we've got to look at I I mean we we have to look at I know everybody's talking about the building and the utilization activities are they going to And I mean you have to look at the whole student just not the building. >> Nicole then Debbie. >> I mean I think to that
080point that is all part of what's on the table now. We've looked at the teacher certification. We we feel comfortable that they're the teachers are we have enough of them. I think they're looking at the schedules. And I know, you know, my point was going to be that I know, you know, amongst all this conversation, it's bubbled up with, you know, talking to other schools about the the different kinds of scheduling and the block scheduling and I forget what all the names are for the different types of schedules, but where we might think that we could benefit from change in the schedule, but they've acknowledged we can't do everything at the same time. So to do this for September and, you know, get all the information, you know, you have you can only can only
081bite off so much, you know, and they want to do it. I think everybody wants to do it the right way and I do I agree that it's aggressive but I a lot of noise out in the community and I think for for good reason but I think you can't add all you know you can't now at the 11th hour add these other things that I don't >> saying okay well here's what's left here's here's where we are with all these other spaces, you know, figure it out because it could be an evolution. It could be eye opening, you know, down the I don't feel that it's necessary to do before the maximum. Um, I was fine with everything you you were saying, Kate, until I I and I could be perceiving this incorrectly that
082you're that you're feeling as an outside firm would do a better job than those that have vested interests in in our district to to meet in subcommittees. I have heard and seen people who came in with the mindset of one and change their mind to another. I think we we sometimes underestimate those who are um uh who have a uh uh uh have something to do with what's going on with the moving um the fifth graders over to Macen. Okay. >> Like the idea, but again, if we start throwing something else in the mix, I think it's going to really muck up what we're doing right now, which is I I I can speak the English language. No, I just not. Um, so I I think we need to keep it the way it is
083and then after the decision has been made one way or the other. I mean, I know how I feel. may not may or may not be around for that, but it's it wasn't. >> Yeah, >> we have a like a drop dead date in mind when we say we have everything we need to know to make a decision on on the map can change and you know, is there like a time frame if we go past this point, we really can't do it by September or nothing? Well, we're we're looking to go not past January. So, you know, we could probably be ready in December if you if you if need be, figure out all the loose ends. So, I I'll present some information to the board and it'll be sort of like a this
084is what the recommendation is. This I would think January is more comfortable. >> I I'd be comfortable with January. >> I wouldn't be comfortable with much much later than that. I think it just >> that could be haphazard if it's if it's much later than that. I think January I'm comfortable with I've been comfortable with that all along. go. >> I I I I think one of the things that we have to take that we have to take into account and and and this is coming from my perspective. My my major goal here for MAC for whether we move the the sixth grade to Makipin or not is education. Is this educa is this going to be educationally in the advantage of the students of West Milford? and are we going to be able to
085help move our students ahead educationally the the building and all of the other stuff that plays into part that's that's really the administration's job to make it work. They make it work. >> As far as the amount of kids that are students that are going to be in Makipin, there's still going to be less students in Makipin than were there at their peak. Um I I what I was very impressed with in sitting in these committees is so the answers that Mark has got put together the committee the administrators themselves Mark and and his team has have put a lot of hours into looking at this. I I mean I've sat on this and I've heard this kind of discussion for 20 years. the kids. When you look at other districts and you talk to
086people from other districts, we we've sat with other boards, the 678 model is really where our kids should be. it there. You know, that that to me is was one of my driving forces in saying let's look at this study agree with you that the I feel too that we should be looking at the utilization of the elementary buildings. We have to do that whether you know now which is mccipin and then maybe the next step is to look at the you know to do a utilization what we need to do but I don't think we should be cloudying that water with another another you know project to look at that will just take away what months of stuff that has already been put in, right? >> So, so Alex, you feel it would be
087better to get this out to the current board as it's constructed now in December as opposed to right. If we got three new people come, they're going to have to get to speed and they might go, "Hey, I need to wait before I do this." >> I mean, you think it could be ready December? >> It's up to what the board thinks. >> It really is. depends on our last round cuz some I don't know when the last could be I don't know how it could be ready in September. You're talking about having a contract. >> No, he's talking about the report. >> I know. I know. But I'm saying you have >> like it sounds like Mark Citro and his team have done that work. But you know, I want to see it. Well,
088that's what he that's what okay >> that's what the point of what Alex was saying we're is the plan is for him to come before us and show us where they where they ended up after all of this and and what they're projecting for us to do at McAPIN oh I don't disagree with the sixth to 8th grade model like I said I'm concerned with the educational part your your sixth graders at the elementary level are not going to be taught or given the same curriculum that they're going to be in a middle school model. It's going to be there's going to be a difference and we've got to be ready for that. >> I mean, that's all part of this report. Am I correct? >> Mhm. >> That we're looking at that. So, I
089it's really up to the board. I It does not matter to me. You know, the vendors who prepare materials for sixth to eighth grade students, they assume that sixth graders are in a in a middle school model. So, our current our current curriculums and the our current um programs that we have in place do support a a middle school model. And for our math, for example, we have uh Gleno, which is a course one, two, and three series. We're offering course one at the sixth grade level. Course two and three or seventh, seventh, and eighth grade. So, we have some um we have some problems with that implementation, >> having them not in the same building with that sort of continuum with our with the math department that's that's a little bit cohesive. So, there
090are pros and cons. Um but in terms if you're if you're one of your concerns is uh curriculum based our curriculum support this 678 model because that's what the are expecting when they when they sell to uh seventh sixth through 7th eighth grade um sort of environments actually save us possibly. We don't know what it would say. We don't know. Um I'm not sure how it would take away always be done. It might provide new ideas. It might tell us nothing new. But the study that we did have done made recommendations that we get to decide if we want to follow or not anyway as we're doing right now in this discussion. So if it made recommendations, it certainly wouldn't mean that we would have to follow them. Um, so I just don't see really
091and right now we have so many different things on the table. I think the utilization study just within itself outside of the Makipin decision is a really good idea and I just wanted to say that and I would never um think lower of anyone with a vested interest being you know my child of fifth generation in West Milford. Obviously I would hold that to be most important but we hire professionals to give us like we have Kathy Hawa who's we're going to pay $4,000 to help us write our strategic plan. We hire profession I I agree with where you're coming from Kate. I think that the point is if we agreed to move forward with the utilization study, it's going to decide what we do with Macin but outside of the elementary schools, I feel
092like in all these discussions, it's not as needed for Makipin. So to hold up the work that's being done to get this implementation in place for September when they have a really like Mark and and team have a really good sense of how they're going to use the space and maximum to accomplish this. The study would hold that up. I mean it would it would we we wouldn't move forward until we got those results back if it was all comprehensive. So that's why I go back to let's parcel it out, you know, get this piece done. There's a lot to be done. then you take a look at and if if there's findings that come out of it after the fact that's that's great you know but I think they I I feel like they
093have a really solid sense of where they need to make adjustments and make everything in now that >> they I think utilization studies a good idea I think we should find that long and once a decision is made from that clinic to go ahead with it any results we see in that study could maybe contingent upon you know we wouldn't hold right result but we like I don't think it would take a tremendous amount of time for this study We had like if we said next month let's go for it. We probably have the result maybe in February something like that and that could possibly enhance the plans with match or have no impact at all but at least we have something else to look at. >> So we're not taking action here. We're just
094this was discuss I just want to make sure that there's no motion or anything. >> I have one other comment. Um, is there a way that our superintendent, director of education, um, our director of special services could do that utilization study for us? [Music] >> Never. >> Oh, okay. I didn't know. I just thought money. >> Well, I don't know. I mean, >> yeah. I don't I don't know. >> Maybe they'll tell us. be anything. But I don't know. Why would we not look at it? I just >> Well, I think we have to find out how much it would cost and how long it would take >> and how long it would take information on it. >> Absolutely. That's a good point. Yeah, it it shouldn't it should. My other question is why are
095we paying $4,000 for a strategic planning thing if we're playing if we're paying school board dues? >> You have to have >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Okay. I haven't done it. >> Okay. >> It's like it's like when you do a superintendent search with them. >> Pay for that. >> You have to pay for that, too. >> Or if you want to be part of the policy service or all of that. >> Then what are we paying dues for? >> Catholics conference. >> Huh? pages for your monthly meeting. >> Your training. >> Okay. >> Your training. >> Retreat. The retreat we did. >> Uh any other new business? I guess just the last question I have is there was just talk about December or >> do >> you can I you can >> you okay
096>> it's just that we're not under an action >> well there's no action but you can do a straw poll and at least get people's opinions why >> you could each give your opinion on when you would want the report back, you know, if you want it to be in December or if you want it to be in January. >> Alex seems like he >> can be read ready or >> ready by in Jan December. I would caution you though that taking forward action on this during the period before the meeting. That's a different question. >> Okay. But we wouldn't take action. >> That's okay. But you've got new board members that would need to be part of this, >> right? Part of the discussion >> December. Well, >> let me go with Kate. I
097don't know. I'd love to see the presentation in December and vote on it in January so that if I have questions and things I wanted to look at way or the other. >> Yeah, I know. >> Would we get it before the board meeting though? I can I can have the appointment >> like a committee or something needs a Tuesday. We usually get your packet Friday like that. >> Something makes it crazy. >> If not sooner. >> Well, will you have it sooner because you still >> one more committee meeting? I know. >> So then I guess my vote is officially January because that's what we told the community from the very beginning and the letter that went out in June was that we would the board would be voting on this in January. And
098so I wouldn't want to change that in November. >> Are we we're talking about the pre two different things, right? When do we get the presentation and when do we vote on it? Like >> Yeah. Well, you you really it would it would put it would put the new board members at a distinct disadvantage if we do the presentation in December. ing them to sit in on the presentation. And they knew that when they were running because they got the letter, they all got the letter in June. >> I want to see in December as soon as I can see it. >> You want to vote on it in December? Um I would prefer it to be in December. Um but if it's in January, it's in January. >> Date. >> Pick December. >> I
099think I'm with December. >> Janu January. >> And I'm really okay either way to be honest with you. So the majority is December. So I I'm I'm I'm okay with December. I mean we can still have it and if we feel that we can't come to conclusion after that we can look at it >> table until the next month >> table until January. Okay. >> I think that's, you know, I mean, I think when we picked January, if I remember correctly, we weren't sure if we could get all the information done in it a January date. Um, but things happen, things fluid. I mean, you know what I mean? Because we want to take >> Well, let's be snow. >> Whoa. [Music] >> She's in trouble now. >> In trouble. >> I think you if
100you can get it out to into our packets, let us look at it. we can have a better sense of it once we get in our packets and more discussion because this is this is a topic that no matter who has to make the decision it's going to be a difficult topic. So, and I would definitely >> send a you know send we should put it out to the three new board members that December's meeting that meeting will have the presentation so that if we're not going to act on it that they can see what's going on and have the same input and information. >> So, can we make an announcement somehow or put on the There you go. So, >> okay. Are we any other new business? >> I need a motion to close
101new business. >> Motion to close new business. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Public comments. Uh this portion of the meeting is open to members of the public having a legitimate interest in the um actions of the board for the purpose of addressing any subject matter pertinent to and or directly related to the operations 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 all speakers are asked to sign the register provide and give their full name spell their last name group affiliate The response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The
102board asks that members of the public be courteous and respectful of the rights of others other individuals when speaking specifically comments 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. The board is not responsible and is not liable for any comment 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. Anyone wishing to speak during public comment? Okay, we need a motion for executive session. Okay. Move to go into executive session at um
103um for the purpose of discussing personnel appointments, resignations, current litigation matters. Executive session minutes will not be released until such time as the privilege of confidentiality is no longer applicable. >> Need a second. >> We will be approximately 30 minutes. All those in favor. >> An action will be taken after Michael Johnson. I got >> Mrs. Dwire >> here. >> Um, Mrs. Fritz >> here. >> Mr. Ojinski >> here. >> Mr. O'Brien >> here. >> Mr. Romeo >> here. >> Mr. Green >> here. >> Mr. Bike >> here. >> Mrs. Dwer. >> Okay. Move to accept the recommendation of the superintendent to approve the following HIVs. 2020H4 unsubstantiated. 2020 H5 substantiated. >> Discussion. If not, roll over. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> yes. >> Mr. Oshinski,
104>> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Romeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Djk, >> yes. Need a motion close the >> motion to adjourn at 9:34. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> Everybody have a happy Thanksgiving today. Everybody happy happy turkey day. >> I'm going to be in Atlanta. >> Oh, we going to have turkeys. >> No, I don't know what we're eating. My It's my son's