001I'd like to call the meeting to order. >> If we could have a moment of silence, please. Please rise for the flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting at meetings act, a public notice of this meeting has been sent to board members, all district schools, the herald news, the trends, the record messenger, West Milford town hall, the county superintendent office, the board attorney, and cable vision of Warwick and posted on the district's website. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution were provided to all local media, town hall, township, library, and all district schools. Mrs. Francisco, roll call. >> Mrs.
002Romeo here. >> Mr. Sidowitz >> here. >> Mr. Drew. Mrs. Dwire. Mr. Greeno. >> Mrs. Britz here. >> Mr. Oshinsky >> here. >> Miss O'Brien >> here. >> Mrs. Vandex here. >> Um, Dr. Anamone, your report. >> Good evening everybody. Welcome to our February meeting, our workshop meeting. We have to start off, we have some nice student award winners here today. We have representatives from a local VFW who are going to help us out. We have I know I see some of our children in the audience who won the awards. So, we have a nice certificate to give you from the on behalf of the board of education. And we also have some nice uh plaques from the uh local BFW. I think we're going to ask you to read your essay. If you brought
003it, that would be terrific. So, without further ado, BFW. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. I'm Pat, excuse me, I'm Pat Lachman. I'm with the BFW here in town. And uh thank you board of education members for giving us time for give out our awards. We've actually increased our our program, our awards program. We now have two. We've included the grammar school this year. Uh the grammar school is called the uh patriots pen and the uh uh high school is called the voice of democracy. And just for those of you who do not understand what is involved in that, I just got this little very quick explanation. It's uh for the uh Patriots pen. It's uh each year more than 125,000 students in grades 6 to 8 enter the Patriots pen essay contest. The first place
004winner from each state competes in national awards totaling $50,000 with each first place state winner receiving a minimum of $500 at the national level. The national first place winner wins $5,000 and an all expense paid trip to Washington DC. >> Wow. >> Okay. So that's the grammar school, excuse me, a winner curse. Okay. The next one is what we've been doing for a while, which is the Voice of Democracy, and that is the Veterans of Foreign Wars is proud to present the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program. The scholarship is open to students in grades 9 through 12 who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or or home study program. That's Relatively new voice of democ democracy audio essays audio important program provides high school students with a unique opportunity to express
005themselves in regards to a de democratic and patriotic themed recorded essay. The winner will receive an all expense paid trip to Washington DC uh tour the city and its auxiliary and receive their portion of $154,000 in national awards. >> Wow. >> The top scholarship being $30,000. The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program in 1947 to provide the opportunity for the students to express themselves in regards to democratic ideals and principles. Veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for their sacrifice and vision to the VFW and these reports. Okay. Any questions at all that anybody wants to know about? Okay. Uh so far, West Milford Post alone, we have contributed over $800 to this program with our uh winners. I'm not going to read off the winner. Oh,
006and I I I should make a a point of uh recognizing Karen Johnson who is here. Thank you, Karen. who was uh who was our liaison for the high school in in picking out these winners and and helping us with this program. And uh she's also very new to us. I hope she did tolerate us and stays with us. Okay, I'd like to read off the winners of the Patriots pen first. And our first place winner is and if I slaughter your name people, I'm really sorry. I apologize now. is Lily Rodek from the board of education township of West Milford Board of Education. Loy Road has attained recognition for 2018 2019 BFW Patriots pen essay contest first place and is hereby awarded the certificate of honor. This is from the board of education from
007the No, we're not done yet. We put this down after the full report. The veteran of foreign wars of the United States and its auxiliary youth essay certificate of merit presented to Louis E. Rodc first place in recognition of excellence in the Patriots pen youth essay competition. You have been designated an outstanding young spokesperson of the future. [Applause] Okay, congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Okay, our second place winner is Wait, the second place winner is Jillian. Jillian. Jillian has >> Jillian. Okay. And her dad is also here, a member of our post. And maybe he would like to give the award to his daughter. There you go. [Applause] >> No, you don't have to. >> Same thing. >> You can explain the pin in the middle if you want and how much you
008get. [Music] Is her dad male? So there's no felony. beautiful. >> And our third place winner is Jordan Man. [Applause] Good job. Okay, now we'd like to call Lily back and have her read her essay that won. Okay. Why I honor the American flag. The American flag is an important part of our history. Betsy Ross was the woman who hand sewed the first American flag. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the first 13 colonies. I honor the American flag. It is a very valuable piece of our history. These are the reasons why I honor the American flag for our first responders. All the police officers and firemen that risk their lives to save ours are astonishing human beings. They respond to any type of trouble, big
009or small. They come in an instant, no matter how far or how close you are from them. They keep us safe, and I respect that deeply. I honor the flag for the men and women who leave their families and homes to fight for our freedom. There are more than 1.2 million Americans who died fighting in war. That's a lot of people. Not only was that their choice, but they knew that dying was a possible fate. When I listen to the national anthem, I put my hand on my heart and think of all the people who fought and are still fighting in war. I give my prayers and thoughts to them and their families, waiting for them at home. I honor the flag for the diversity of our country. Everyone is different in their own special
010ways. There are more religions than I can even count. We should treat everyone equally. The American flag stands for the unity of our country and is a symbol for what we fight for. We fight for our people and our amazing country. Even when times are hard, we do not give up. We keep persevering through. The American flag is an important symbol of our freedom and our country. We should honor all the people that died fighting for our freedom and those who still are. The American flag stands for our the stands for the diversity of our country. We are all different. The flag will always be in our hearts and minds and help us think back to that day 242 years ago when a strong woman swed the flag we call ours. [Applause] Okay, now I
011would like to read the voice of democrat. Read our voice of democracy winners. Our first place winner is Kalin Rose Ozanic. >> Okay, >> she's the first place winner. Okay, our second place winner is Jordan Spencer. [Applause] The board of education issues to Jordan Spencer certificate of honor the 201819 voice of democracy. You're in second place. >> Thank you. Congratulations. Our third place winner is Marie Parkin. [Applause] >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. This is uh >> Yes. Same as first said, certificate of honor. There's your certificate. >> And you got a ribbon >> and a patch. >> Thank you. >> A pen check official. Uh >> Oh, wow. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Okay, our last We now have we actually had two first place winners because we have a a home of school student
012which is new to us and uh he is here tonight. Connor, help me with it. >> Copco. Thank you. Connor Copco. He won first place also for us, but he also won second place in the division. >> Oh wow. And we would like you to read your uh essay too, please. Why does my vote even matter? What use is it? After all, it is only one vote. What difference will it make? These are the questions that plague so many in society today and continue to impact young and old alike, especially those of my generation, ultimately hurting voter turnout. The best way to counter this drop off in voting is not by simply saying that voting is a right that we are blessed to have and one we should exercise. While this statement is absolutely true,
013it does not address the looming question that pervades America. Does my vote really matter? The answer is yes. My vote matters throughout the local and national political arenas is a power that we are to use, protect and pass on to future generations. Local elections are some of the most ignored elections in the country when in fact they are some of the most crucial votes for all citizens. Most issues on the agenda which will directly impact everyday people are those that are decided at the local level. Sadly, voter turnouts for local elections, especially in the largest cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, continued to decline. Recently, only 20 to 30% of voter age people came out on election day. Unsurprisingly, the voter turnout with the lowest percentage was the 18 to 24 age
014range. Many have simply not realized the importance of these elections. For example, we vote for the school board, which decides what happens in our schools in addition to the taxes that our parents pay, which I will eventually pay as well. These votes impact classes, sports, and nearly 60% of our local taxes. Votes directly decide these crucial matters, and results are easily seen. We play an important role in deciding the laws of our country and an even bigger part in the local laws of our states and towns. After seeing the impact my vote can have on the local election, I'm more apt to consider the value of my vote in a national election. I can see why it matters in local elections. But does it matter in presidential elections? After all, there are millions of people
015voting. However, take some of the closest races in history, such as the 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush. In this election, the Florida race was only decided by a mere 537 votes after recount. The difference that those people made is astounding. If they had decided that their vote did not matter and instead stayed home that day, imagine what the election would have been like. In 2000, there were a little over 1,300,000 voters aged 18 to 24. Yet only 41% of those voters cast their ballot. Florida in 2000 was worth 25 electoral votes. Only 1% more of those voters would have meant over 13,000 more people, potentially swaying that vote one way or another. The impact of just a small percentage makes a substantial difference. Single votes can change history, and history could
016have been changed not by famous politicians or electors, but by everyday voters like you and like me. Voters may just be one part of a hole, but that hole can make a difference. Especially in my age range, few acknowledge that politics affect youth, while those that do often only complain about it instead of taking the action to vote. Banded together as voters will make our voices heard about issues that matter. Not just a single voice, but a whole cacophony of them. If we do not exercise this right, we are giving away our power that the constitution has granted us and fewer and fewer the population will be represented, moving the country farther from a democracy. According to the Federalist Papers, some of the founding documents of our nation, it is the voters's job to elect
017politicians that are honest with good morals so each and every citizen can have representation. In addition, it is not only for us that these votes matter. In fact, what we vote for today will impact the generations that come after. It matters. Wasting my vote is essentially making a statement that I do not care for those who come after me. How else can I say it? My vote, your vote, our vote matters. In state and elections, state and local elections, it matters. In presidential and congressional elections, my vote matters. It matters because the impact it will make in the future generations, the impact it can make now and the historical impact that voters have made on us. It is the right that we have and are free to exercise. It is because of freedom that my
018vote matters. The tomb of the unknown soldier says, "Freedom is a light for which many have died in darkness." We have not had to die in darkness. We have been granted that freeing light. I will use that and the freedoms I have been granted. This is why my vote matters. >> Impressive. >> Very good. >> Yeah. Excuse. Sorry, I said winter curse again. It's amazing what what our uh students can really do when they put their minds to it. And uh as a VFW representative, I'm glad that we can uh spur them along with a little money in a in a new Porsche. But uh Oh, I didn't say that. And uh thank you again for for allowing us to come here and your and your time. I appreciate it. Thank you. And thank you
019to the parents and everybody. >> Thank you again. Thank you again and congratulations to all our winners. Uh we are now move going to move into our harassment, intimidation and bullying investigated investigations trainings and protocols report. So now if you wanted to sneak out here and get ready to go to bed for school tomorrow, I'd be at a perfect time. We won't hold it against you. So to the board and to the members of the public, we have to do two reporting periods for something called HIV ITP every year. Our first reporting here is September to through December and our second one is January to June. So at actual school we had for September to December zero HIV investigations. At Maple Road we had zero HIV investigations at Marshall Hill. We had one investigation. It
020was unsubstantiated. At Paradise Snow we had zero investigations. El Greenwood Lake. We had three investigations. Zero were confirmed as hit. At Westbrook, we had zero investigations. At McAffin, we had one investigation and zero were affirmed as hip. And at the high school, we had eight investigations. Two were HIV positive. >> I'm coming out with my winter. >> Oh, okay. Are you going to you're in climate weather? We skip that, >> too? No, we'll get right. >> Can we skip it? >> No, it's just brief update. We were having some issues with our Honey Well reporting system that the Honeywell messages were going out, the phone calls and emails were going out on time, but the text messages were not. So, we believe we rectified that. And actually, tomorrow is going to be early dismissal. So,
021we think it all got fixed today. I think we're okay. Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> Mrs. Francisco, um, we have four minutes. >> I'd like to start with the >> Oh. Oh, that's right. The audit. I'm sorry. Yes. >> And Mr. and they're going to >> Oh, there they are. The results of the June 30th, 2018 audit. Um, just to let you know, um, we posted everything online, but we don't have the down copies. We should have them by the end of this week, and we'll go out for >> Thank you, Barbara. Um, so this year's audit was, uh, pushed off a little bit because of, um, the state of New Jersey. Um, there was a new governmental accounting standard for um, number 75. Um, and the state had to give us information on
022that. Uh, the audits are usually due December 5th. Uh, the state of New Jersey didn't even give us the information until around late January. So, the audits got pushed off. Um, after that, they were there was a required supplementaryformational uh page that was supposed to go in. Um, it wasn't included in the first things first packet they gave us. So they had to update it update it again. So that pushed it off another two weeks. So here we are. Um it didn't really change much. Um as I talk about every year um I talk about the um the caffer report. Um we have the capital report which is the uh comprehensive annual financial report which has all the uh the financial statements in it. Then we have the AMR the audit management report which basically
023gives you the comments and recommendations and and some information on what we trust a little bit. Um the CAFPA has three different types of fund balances in it. One is under the budgetary basis. One is under like a gas generally subject government auditing standard and the other one is full GAP. And that's the reason why we had to wait for this for the governmental accounting standard board um information is because it changes GAP. Now exhibit C1 in the audit report is under the budgetary basis and that's what we use when we make decisions about budgetary uh how much we're going to put in fund balance um and make decisions uh on your financial statements. All the other fund balances and all the other statements are skewed by um acrruels um accounts pay you know payables
024um bonds payable um the the um acred numbers for sick and crude medications and and things of that nature. Um, so what I want to do tonight is and I listen every time we do give this speeches. Uh, I usually go to exhibit C1, which you don't have that. Um, but what I do is I have a um a quick synopsis of exhibit C1 from last year to this year because the exhibit C1 that we normally give you is only one year. So, what I did is I sort of compressed it and gave you two years of information and the differences between the two. Um, I also gave you a schedule back here of um, which I'll give you a hand out in a second of the of the debt service. Um, and I'll be
025really brief um, because I could talk about this for um, months, days, hours. No, I got >> Thank you. Thank go. >> Thank you. Thank you. [Music] Okay. So on the first page um we have the recapitulation which is uh uh from last year's order report as of June 30th uh 2017. The second column is this year's um C1 schedule and on the right side is is the variance. As I mentioned, every year your fund balance is made up of different components. So that's the first part. So um the first restricted fund balances are your capital reserve, maintenance reserve, any excess surplus from the current year, any excess surplus that we have from the previous years designated for subsequent year. Assigned fund balances are your incumbrances, which are basically your purchase orders as of June
02630th that we know we're going to pay as of July, August. Um, and then we have your unassigned fund balance, which is your 2% uh number, which is the calculation that you'll see in the uh audit management report. That's the maximum amount the state allows us to keep in fund balance. Anything above that is what is considered excess surplus. the excess surplus then has to go to at a minimum towards your fund balance anticipated to offset taxes. Um, and for the most part the school boards the first year it always hurt. For the most part, school boards kind of use that and they kind of use it. They normally use about the same amount and it usually doesn't vary. Um, if we do have a lot of excess surplus, it's the board's um, uh, decision
027to pay to put it into either your capital reserve or into your maintenance reserve or some districts have tuition reserves um, to keep that number steady. If if the the school district knows that you're going to do some capital project, they might want to keep it higher and offset it with expenditures so that there's not a huge fluctuation in the amount of excess surplus. So, um, the first line you have the capital reserve. Uh, last year to this year there was a $53,000 increase. The maintenance reserve went down $100,000. Excess surplus um went up $451,000. And the number in the um 2018 column, the excess surplus is going toward the year 1920 because we're missing a year. So as of 8 as of 18, we're already in the new year. So it goes off to
028the next year. Um the in the second column, the excess surplus designated for subsequent year expenditure is what we're actually using in the 18/19 budget at a minimum. You can always use some of your undesated monies if you so desire to help um for expenditures. Um so moving on on the bottom then I show uh your revenues, your expenditures, your excess or deficit, any other financing uh transfers in and out and your excess uh deficit from other financing sources and uses. Um local sources, the first line is your tax levy, tuition, miscellaneous revenues. state sources in excluding the on behalf numbers which is your TPAF and your FICA um numbers that skew it and also I back out the same number on your expenditures. So you can see that um local sources uh there was
029a a small decrease of $70,000. State sources you actually had a plus to $237,000. Federal sources, which is your Medicaid uh reimbursements, uh a plus of 34,000. On the expenditure side is your general fund, which is your the bulk of your monies in the budget. Um that went up $850,000. Capital expenditures, which are for your capital outlay um for small items that went down 306. and the charter school there was there was um one in eight in 17 but not one 18. So you see that our excess s um excess or deficit actually was down a little bit in 18 $312,000. Um other financing sources for 17 we had um a large dollar amount transferred from the general fund to capital projects for a capital project. Um I think that was like $1.2 million something
030dollars. So that's why there's a huge difference between 17 and 18. And then on the bottom it shows you what your fund balance was in total. Again on the left hand side we started the year with uh 9.6 million. We ended year with um 8.8 and then in the 2018 column we started again with with that same number that 8.8 and we ended with 8.9. So, I know that was a lot. Um, all this was taken from exhibit C1 in the order report. So, when you get it, you can look at it and you can see what the detail is. Um, the second page is from on the uh from the caler report um exhibit um I1 and it shows um as of June 30th you had 6.6,888,000 $6,888,000 in bonds payable. Uh the first
031one um is the school bonds of 2016. They mature July 15th of 2029. Uh they're 12 years. The first principal payment was excel um extended um and I'll tell you what that means in a minute. So basically there were no principal payments um between 17 17 and 18 because when the other bond the 2003 bonds dropped off which you can see they ended year with 388,000 in 17 and they're gone. So now you have $388,000 to put towards the principal payment of the uh $6.5 million um which I think was around $400 something,000. So it was worked out that way so that when these dropped off it kicked the other ones back in. So you can see that we ended the year as of June 30th with $6.5 million bonds payable. And again, I think
032they're 12-year bonds. Um, that was quick. I know. Like I said, I can go over these numbers for three hours. But, um, like I said, um, anything else in that order report is either special revenues, the special revenue fund, which is, uh, your IDA, all your titles. Um, and that money basically comes in. We have to spend that money exactly the way the state tells us to. So, there is no free balance. we spend it as it as it comes in and goes. Um the debt service fund is just to pay off these bonds. Um there's trust and agency monies for your payroll, uh student activities, athletic account, and basically it's in trust for those students or the payroll. Um the only other thing that you can control is the cafeteria account. Um and every
033year you take a look and you can see where you are with the cafeteria. Right now, we have no retained earnings or no fund balance in the cafeteria because um we're running in a a slight deficit where the general fund picks up the difference so that we just take out of the general fund exactly what we need to break even. Um and as I mentioned, every year the cafeteria should run like a deli. It should pay for itself. Um we're getting there. um uh 2017 was a lot larger than what we had used in 2018. So, we're getting to a point where hopefully we can do we'll break even and then eventually hopefully uh turn a profit on it. Um that's all I have for financial statement information. Ryan Clary over here is going to
034go over um the audit um management report um the two comments that were in there. So, Ryan Um, so every year we uh assemble a team, we come in, put together a plan, we visit Barbara, we just check up on the uh, you know, the the financial processes within the school and, uh, just want to make sure everything's running according to plan. Um, we had two comments that we included in the order report. The first was that there were multiple instances where the ed check worksheets, this is uh school uh food service. Um the ed check worksheets didn't agree with what was reported to the state as far as meals served. Um what happens then is you either have an underclaim or over claim and it affects the amount reimburseed to the district for um
035the school nut nutrition program. Um the second comment that we had related to transportation of students to nonpublic schools um within the I believe within the transportation department they're supposed to collect VAP forms which uh stamp to certify that the child attended the nonpublic school that they're supposed to attend. Um and these files were not available for us to review. So um our two recommendations are that the ed check worksheets should agree to what's reported to the state on a or on a monthly basis and that the VATS be collected for non-public schools transported nonpublic children. Um, can you just clarify? It wasn't it just one school that because we did the transportation >> the one non-public school I believe >> it was just school that we didn't have school. >> But there might was
036there multiple kids that went there. >> Yeah, because we transported it was cheaper for us to transport than >> Okay. >> So, we had the one bus that went there, but there were the only ones that didn't have the BAT. Everyone else did. >> Okay. So most of the uh 90% 99% of the time the comments or recommendations for any school district is either ASSA related, student activity related or cafeteria related. Um basically what the process is is that when the student is either classified as free, reduced or paid or or their income is um they go through the line and we have to keep track of it and then we get reimbursed by the state depending on if it's free, reduced or paid lunch. Um so it's a lot a lot of work. So,
037while we're in the process and we do find these problems, we bring it to Barbara's attention and we try and fix it before we even start the school year um that we're in so that you don't have a repeat finding um so and it was only $9.80 or something like that, >> but that was in their sample, so we only picked a small sample. Um but again, it it wasn't actually we underclaimed. So, they owe us $9, >> which I'd rather be on that side than the other side. >> I I I don't know if anyone has questions. I just want to say I've sat through this many times in the past and to have two items is amazing. So, I want to say thank you to Barbara and to um Billy Schultz. They great
038job. Good job on everybody in the board office for the hard work and I'm sure they're going to work hard on the correction a action plans, but I I think I can remember times where we've had >> more many especially especially under the food service >> category. So, um I don't know. Does anyone have any questions? >> Oh, of course. >> Of course. >> Thank you for looking at >> I was right on you, Mr. Drew. Go ahead. Um what I I think that's actually remarkable to have only two audits. What do you typically find the number of items in the district that you audit? >> Um well it it depends some it's two three four maybe zero sometimes two >> really. Um, yeah, because the way we kind of, like I said, the way
039we work is before we even leave the school district, we don't just leave them in alerts. Being that we we do so many school districts, we try and use what we have from other districts and try and implement anything we can so that they don't occur again. And like I said, before we leave, we try and fix the problem before it even starts. So if we're there in July or August, we can do it before this the school year even starts. >> Um well to me that seems remarkable that I have only >> Well, I mean um as they mentioned, I mean the staff is the Barbara and her staff is are really great to work for and uh they pretty much make our job pretty easy. I mean >> now looking at this quickly,
040we added uh half a million to capital reserve. So that that was something we loaded on and we said we're going to add a half a million to capital reserve. Right. >> And then we had an excess surplus of 2.5 million. So we actually collected I guess 300 or I'm sorry 3 million more than we really needed. What was the um not that you don't want to have some surplus but you know we had we had quite a substantial cushion. What was the uh tax increase in this year? >> Was for which year? 1718. >> No, this one. >> Well, they're both 1718 is there and uh 1819. >> The 2018 >> 17 >> the 1718 budget I think was >> zero. >> Yeah, I think it was. >> I just wanted to make sure
041that I remembered correctly. >> Went a little bit more of a household, but the Because >> so we generated three million more than we actually needed to meet our our actual >> is that the 2% in there. >> We we had a lot we had some unfilled positions too. I think that helped us with this number. >> Well, there are a lot of reasons for that. But >> there's a lot of reasons. >> Um but uh we spent half a million on capital outlays. Do you remember what that was? >> Up for 1718. >> Yeah. I mean that would that have been buses? I don't think we had any big >> big items. >> And I'm sorry I I don't mean to put anybody on the spot, but >> there's a lot of categories. Um,
042one of the bigger ones was uh non-instructional equipment 84,000 >> instructional equipment 47,000. >> Student transportation 34,000. >> So that might have been a bus >> 34,000 usually like >> a piece of equipment. >> Buses there was about 80,000. >> Okay. So, come on. >> And construction was the biggest 185. >> Did was there a transfer at the end of last school year for the uh Maple Road roof? >> We we transferred. >> It's not in this year. >> That's not this one. >> Not this year. I thought that was additional. >> Sounds like we actually had a pretty good year. >> Thank you. Does anyone else have any questions? >> A comment. Um, having been an auditor and a finance everything about 40 years, to have a budget or numbers this size and only
043be off by like $7.38 is uh commendable. It's remarkable. Great job. >> Good job. >> Any anyone else have any questions? >> I guess not. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> So, thank you so much. Thank you. >> Have a good night. >> Good night. >> All right, moving on to our minutes. >> The minutes will be available at next week's meeting for um consideration. >> Okay. Thank you, Barbara, and thank you and your staff. Tell them thank you very much for all the hard work. It's appreciated by the board. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Uh, under my report tonight, um, I wanted to mention that, um, Nicole, Rey, Terry, and myself attended our governance training, which was at Monville High School this year, which was very, very welcomed, but something up
044north and not having to travel down south for it. It was a I thought it was pretty well attended and it was it was a very good training. Also, uh Terry and I attended I believe Will was there too for a leadership conference this um past weekend. Uh one of the board members in Montville have now become one of the school board members uh one of the uh on the school board uh New Jersey school board. So I think that's going to help give us a little bit more trainings have happening up in the northern part of the state which I thought was very very wellreceived and um and uh I also wanted to announce that we're rescheduling our ethics training. Unfortunately, we did have inclement weather on the night that we were supposed to
045have the meeting on the 29th. And Kathy Haw will be here on February 26th next um our regular meeting next week and she will be doing our ethics workshop after our meeting because she is coming from another place. So, she'll be here probably around 8:30. Um, I want to also announce because I just got this um a little while ago that I heard from Councilman McInness today that our new election poll place will be the Freedom Church. Uh, came through from the board of elections. I want to thank Will for his hard work and I would like to thank the mayor and council and especially um, uh, Mr. McInness for all that they put into this because this is something that's been going on for a long time and I'm sure the parents of the
046children at PK will be very happy to know that but also the board is very happy that um the mayor and council put forth the effort to help us get this done and I want to thank Will for the time that he spent on it. It was well done all around. So, thank you. Um, I don't know. That's that's all I have for my report. And we're moving on to public comment. Uh, members of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with five minutes for each speaker for a period of 30 minutes. Then time permitting other public comment limited to five minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 minute time period transpires. All members of the public speaking during public comment are asked to address topics
047listed in the agenda. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name, and provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during public comment. Would anyone like to speak? Come on forward. [Music] [Applause] pass. Uh Jim Foody, Tuk Shaka Trail North, Hwitt, New Jersey. Um, I came here tonight after watching last month's meeting with regards to uh changing the conduct uh policy number bylaw 164. And I was really surprised to hear the president and the attorney say that through training that she's received that New Jersey school board said that it's okay, you know, not to use Robert's rules. I I reached out and this letter that is a copy of an email that I got from the director of communications for New Jersey school boards. And I'm just
048going to read the two highlighted areas. Um, while New Jersey School Boards Association does not endorse the use of Robert's rules by school boards per se, our field staff, our field services staff through training and consultation encourages boards to adopt either Robert's rules or another parliamentary authority to govern the conduct of meetings. Additionally, New Jersey School Boards Association follows Robert's rules of order, newly revised current edition in the conduct of its delegate assembly. What what I want to point out to you guys, I mean, Robert's rules is really important. And Linda, I don't think you maybe you understand it as well as you should. No offense, I hope. Oh, sure. No offenses. >> New new Robert's rules or any parliamentary authority is is here to do several things. One, project protect the majority rule. It's
049also there to protect the minority in allowing them to speak. Creates an orderly meeting. It creates a set of rules, transparency, fairness. So I really don't understand why you wouldn't want to have Robert's rules and then and if when you don't have Robert's rules when you turn to that word from shall to may anybody here can say all right challenge you and say under what authority are you recognizing that person calling the question making the motions it's really there to make these meetings run smoothly. and and having a real good understanding makes it easy to have a meeting go smoothly. Not having it, people are going to, you know, they're going to jump up and and speak whenever they want to because Robert's rules requires them to be noticed by you. But if you're not
050using Robert's rules or some type of parliamentary authority, I I wouldn't have to recognize you. I can speak whenever I want to speak and that doesn't create a a smooth and and well-run meeting. So, I really wish that you guys would keep Robert's rules. It's it's there to protect the majority rule. It's it's there to protect the minority and allowing them have them a voice. I've watched a few times where you've called the question and not had everybody hasn't had a chance to speak and and it's important that they do get a chance to speak even if they're not going to be on the the winning side of an argument, but it's important that they they're able to speak. Um, by not having Robert's rules, you don't need to make a second. Steve doesn't have
051to recognize anybody. Nicole can speak whenever she wants. she can speak over you. It It's really critical that you guys have a parliamentary authority running the meeting. And if it's not Robert's rules, it should be something else. But that leads me to another point. This policy manual was adopted on April 25th, 2012. policy before that required just as the Strauss estimate policy requires that you have to have two readings just like you tonight you're going to have a second reading of of a couple of of policies and bylaw changes that manual when it was adopted in April of 2012 one reading there weren't two readings it was done at the reorg meeting. I really that brings up another question is what policy manual are you are you going you're using the new one but to
052me it looks like you really should be using your old one now there's a lot of similarities between Strauss meme and what we had but I think before you vote on any more policy changes you get advice from your legal counsel as to which policy manual you're actually using. >> Thank you. >> All right. Yes. Thank you. >> Would anyone else like to speak? >> Good evening. >> Hello. >> Glenn Yuber, West Milford resident, parent of Makipin student. Um, first I'd like to give some kudos for the Makipin uh uh vaping uh presentation that's going to be happening in a couple days. That's a great idea, guys. Um, I'm up here to speak about um same thing Mr. Futy was speaking about. It's um on the agenda. It's uh uh section uh 14 number two
053uh policy 164 actually bylaw 164. And in this bylaw, the first line reads, "Robert Robert's rules of order, newly revised, shall govern the board of education in its deliberations and acts in all cases, etc., etc." The change on the agenda uh proposed is to change the word shall to may. Now, shall is a a word that's used in drafting to mean that something's mandatory. When you change it to May, what you're doing is you are making it permissive, optional, optional to everybody at the meeting. Okay? I think Mr. Foody pointed that out in a different way, but in doing that is going to make things very interesting. Now, at the la last time I spoke with regard to this, I completely agreed with Mr. Foody. I've thought about it a little bit since then. Now,
054anybody who's been at the meetings or watched them in the last 13 months knows that our board president, Mrs. Van Djk, has a preference for minimized discussion. A result of that is minimized transparency. And she also has a tendency to like to limit discussion, particularly discussion that she doesn't agree with. Under these circumstances, I would have to change my opinion and say that I'm in favor of this change because it will make her unable to limit discussion for those that need to say something. Thank you very much. >> Would anyone else like to speak? >> Seeing none, like to close public comments. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Any oppose? Agenda. >> Okay. We need a motion for the the for the agenda. >> Like to make a motion to adopt the
055agenda as presented. Second. discussion. We have We're doing workshop and special act. >> We have special >> first. Okay. >> And then we have all righty. So budget and finance. Any questions under the adoption? Let's make a motion. >> You did. >> You already did. >> Oh, we did. >> Wow. for >> what somebody did. >> For the agenda. For the agenda. >> Oh, yeah. For the agenda as a whole. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I'm here. I'm >> okay. >> I took a New York minute. I'm sorry. >> Budget and finance. Mr. Guino. >> A motion to accept under budget and policy. Second discussion will >> for item three. I just want to say thank you for keeping the the fieldhouse replacement uh under budget and that's my comment. >> Any other discussion? Did
056you have something Mr. Any discussion? Question >> just very briefly. I think Barbara worked very hard on trying to find a an alternative to the fieldhouse that was we had a lot of different bids and there were a lot of different ways to do this. She kept going back to the drawing board to find a good way to do it and I think we came up with a outstanding choice that's going to work well for the district that's not going to cost a fortune and I I there was a lot of effort put into that and uh I'd just like to say thank you. You're welcome. And I'll pass that along to Chris Kelly because he worked really hard on this. >> Any other discussion? I do want to say thank you, Barb, because I
057know it was u the the the bids that were coming back were just like crazy. So, this is this is a great great alternative and and same thing to Chris. Thank you for sticking, you know, for keeping at it so that we can get this accomplished. Uh, ro. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Britz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sits. >> Yes. >> Mr. Oshinsky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, education. Mrs. Dwire is not here. Mrs. O'Brien, would you do a education for me? >> Sure. I'd like to make a motion to um approve items one through five under education. >> Second. >> Uh any discussion, questions, Mr. Drew? >> I look right at you
058now. >> Thank you. Um, item number one, I' I'd like that that took a lot of work by our people and and by the bargaining unit and uh uh I just No. >> Oh, no. That's uh Oh, what is that? That's right. I had a question here. What is that? >> This is an annual document we signed the the superintendent, the board president, the county superintendent of schools, the West Milford Police Department chief, and the county prosecutor. is a cooperate agreement of cooperation. Essentially, we communicate with the police department, the county prosecutor. They communicate with us and cooperate. >> So, this is done annually. >> Uh, it just came to us uh probably in January. >> I guess I haven't noticed it before. Thank you. >> Any other? >> Correct me if I'm wrong. Uh,
059Dr. Anon, that's that's like that I was going through the um going through the computer today. That's a really thick packet where you just there's a discussion between like weaponry and schools and that kind of stuff. So there's that collaboration so that there's an agreement between what they consider a crime or a >> misdemeanor or stuff like that and and so everybody's on the same page for god forbid when there's a a need to to be dealing with the police department. >> Good. >> Anyone else? >> Mrs. Franciscoca. >> Mrs. Fritz. Yes, >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ojinski. >> Yes, >> Mr. O'Brien. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sawitz. >> Yes, >> Mr. Marino. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. Item six will be done after executive
060session. >> Thank you. >> And now, personnel. Mrs. Ritz. >> I'd like to make a motion to move items through second. Discussion. Uh, I did want to mention um items one through five are for retirements for our district and um it's a lot of years of service. I'd like to say thank you to to the people that are leaving for all their years of service and how much they're going to be missed. Karen D'Angelus I think is going to be a big vacancy for us and I have known her for years and I'd like to say thank you for all the time that she's put in and it's much appreciated. Gan Reynolds, um Diane Capello. >> I I just want to say thank you. When I look at these lists, I see more and more
061people who were here when I first started that are leaving, and that's kind of sad, but I'm I'm happy for them. I hope that I wish them the best in the years ahead. Any other discussions? If not, >> yes. >> M O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mr. Green. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes, >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sulitz. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Policy. Mrs. O'Brien. >> Like to move items one through five under policy. >> Second. >> Oh, wait a minute. >> Mhm. >> Oh, there's no place to write that. First, second. Okay. Thank you. Oh, good. I'm not I'm not I'm not having another New York minute here. Okay. Mhm. >> Any discussion? >> I was >> I thought it was around. >>
062Um just a question on number one for committees. Should costa be on there or is that like a floating on >> I think I think we decided that those are just liaison. So when >> Okay. I just want to make sure. >> Well, >> uh resolution number two. I'm sure you all remember how I feel about it. Please vote no. I think it'll be disruptive to the board. >> Any other discussion, Mr. Drew? >> Um, having been involved in at least a dozen organizations over the years where you have to have some kind of order to the meetings. Um, I don't know of any organization or board that I've been involved in that hasn't used Robert's rules. uh when I have mentioned it to other people, I think it's silly not to use Robert's rules.
063It's a no-brainer. It's a way to conduct the meetings where everybody gets heard, everybody has a a fair say. Uh there's particular order to which things are done. I think in a public forum like this where all of the people were elected by some voters, we need to make sure that people have their opportunity to be heard. and I'm very concerned about what could happen if we're not using Robert's rules and that's what we're saying. The may says that sometimes we won't and uh you know I don't know why we would want to do that. I can't think of any good reason not to do that. I can say, however, that if we're not using Robert's rules or if it's, you know, optional that uh I will certainly feel free to interrupt uh speak whenever
064I feel like it. Uh recognize the rulings of the chair or not. Um I just think it's absolutely silly not to have structure to the meeting. So, I absolutely will vote against this and I really implore other people on this board. We've been using Robert's rules and it's worked perfectly fine. No reason to change it. >> Any other Mrs. Fritz? In all honesty, I'm struggling with this one a little bit and I've gone back and forth since the discussion's come up because I think I understand why the May was presented initially based on the conduct of other meetings. Can you just reiterate why the why? >> Well, it wasn't that we weren't going to follow Robert's rules. It's that we may follow Robert's rules. And it has to do with with different the I I
065my reasoning for it was for the discussion that we were having. We were not really following Robert's rules to begin with over the years. We didn't the May ch the shall changed to May. I mean the May changed to shall in 2012. It was May before that and the meetings always followed underneath that. It flipped it flipped then. And I feel that our meetings have been run running in a more unofficial manner and that's how we've been following them. And that's the reason for me for May. Not that I wanted to do away with any rules. If there's another set of rules that need to be uh formulated, we can, but the May does not mean that we're not going to follow Robert's rules. It just meant in certain instances when we were got to
066a point where we have a deadlock or whatever that we could move on with a different type of discussion. That was my reasoning. Now everybody has a right, you know, look there's there's nine of us on the board. So everybody has a vote and they should vote the way that they feel is best for them. >> Yes. Right. >> So would May give us the opportunity to have additional discussion? >> I I think it opens the discussion. I think it does. It doesn't stop where you say okay only, you know, you're not able to talk. I think we've kind of let the discussions happen because I think that's what the public wants to see. They want to see the transparency like we have been sharing. I mean, our last meeting probably was a very good
067um example when we were talking about different things going back and forth and and I think that's what I was looking for. So, that as president I that's what I was looking for. But this is a nine member board and everybody has a right to their, you know, not going to live or die on any one little motion. So, it's up to each of you. Any other discussion? >> Yeah. Um, you know, the rules are or laws um really can't be optional at times. Like when I pull up to the stop sign, I can't say, "Well, I don't think I'll stop this time." there's a reason for there's a reason for the order of having them there. So that's why I think having it more concrete in the term of shall is appropriate. I just
068wanted to say may or shall I know that being a new board member there's a lot I don't know about the past but I think whatever's voted on that together we can all work together and have really good meetings and make really good decisions for our schools which is what we're all here to do. >> Um and as I stated in the last meeting I did look into the Strauss estimate and that is why I'll be you know voting for what Strauss recommended. So, no problem. Anyone else? Mrs. Francisco, >> Mr. Drew. >> Uh, yes to one through five, but no on two. >> Mrs. Romeo. >> Yes. For one, three, four, and five. And no on two. >> Mr. Yes, >> Mr. Oshinski. >> Um, no to two and yes to the remainder. >>
069Mrs. Fritz, >> no to two and yes to the remainder. >> Mr. O'Brien. >> Uh, no to two. Yes to the remainder. Mr. Sidus. >> No to two. Yes. To the remainder. >> Mr. Vander. >> Yes. >> Now we'll move on to the workshop portion of the meeting. Correct. >> Budget and finance. Mr. Bino. Is >> this just discussion? This is just discussion. Yep. I was just responding to you. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> It is just discussion. >> Even though I >> Anybody have any discussion? >> Discussion items 1 through 10. >> Any questions? Mr. Drew. >> I didn't worry about >> I don't want to forget you. >> You raised your hand, don't you? >> I didn't have any question. >> It looked like it was going up. >> Thank you.
070No, no discussion. >> Okay, we'll move on to education. Any you want to comment about Stephanie? >> Okay. All right. Okay. Anyone have any questions under education? >> Mr. D, >> if you don't mind, I would like to make a comment. I think this is absolutely outstanding that Miss Primava is was recognized for what's clearly an outstanding job and it's just you and we have so many good educators in our district and I am really pleased about that and there isn't any way we can actually recognize the job that that people like Miss Priva do. >> She's going to be here next Tuesday to get to work. But >> yeah, >> we have something um so I'll probably say that. Great. I mean, that's just absolutely outstanding. Educator after educator is doing a great job
071for us. >> This is wonderful. We have a lot with our >> We have a wonderful staff. We really do. >> Personnel, Mrs. Fritz, any questions? >> Okay. Now, negotiate. Are we going to have a part of a negotiation? Um we will have um a discussion uh regarding the member and the agreement in close session. >> Okay. >> And also um the SUV drivers. >> Thank you. >> And then are we voting on that today or next week? >> Next week. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Old business. >> Anyone have anything for old business? >> Seeing none like to close all business. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I new business. >> Anything? Bill, >> uh, I did have a question regarding the Makipin gym floor. >> Mhm. >> Um, that wasn't in any
072of the long range facility plan documents. I have one from 2017, one from 2018, and the long range facilities plant. I was just wondering uh one, why it wasn't there, and the second thing is how much is that expected to cost or how much are we budgeting for rather? Um I'm still thumbming through. I still have, you know, about 100 pages to go. >> So if you don't have the answer now, that's fine. I just want >> Not a problem. Um we have 13,4 and It's not in there. >> I'm not that. [Music] >> Is there any other >> She found it. >> 128. What section is that? >> Um, it's under um >> I thought I did see out. under the under mapp right >> because it's I don't see it in operation typically
073under um there's not a separate I don't use for >> you have a special >> okay >> um it would be >> she has it committed to memory I'm sorry. Sorry. >> That's what I saw. >> Oh, yeah. I guess I should have numbers, not the one for uh athletics. >> Yeah, there is a tab for athletics. >> Yeah, I think that's where it is. I think that's where I saw one for athletics. Is it on the high under the high school? >> Oh boy. >> Can you make the book smaller? >> Don't if you make the print. >> Yeah, I couldn't read. I can't read it. >> Is there while while Barb is looking, is there any other discussion under uh new business under the budget? >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. answering uh
074Will's question. Um the reason why it wasn't part of the capital project, we um never did anything about it because of the leak in the roof. So it had been changed a couple of time. We had the problem that had been sold a few times. So um Mr. trying to con the >> We're having a problem with the floor. It's a rubberized floor. >> Well, the township had the same thing at the BL building. So, we're going to have to replace the floor one way or the other because it's becoming slippery the surface because as it wears and it just makes sense to have a wooden floor again because we don't have a problem with the roof because then you have another regulation size gym >> that you can use right >> for sports. >>
075So, um that's why um I included in the budget Mr. Cons talked about it, but once again, it's the board's decision on what they want to see and what they don't. Well, there's a problem with the floor, correct? >> Yeah. It's going to be need to be replaced either with another rubberized surface >> or you put a wood floor back. >> Since the roof is not leaking anymore, we fig we could put hardwood in it >> as opposed to another rubber floor. >> And because it's rubber, we can't use it for other sports. We can't >> just It's too uh I mean, there are a lot of limitations. >> It's good PE gym now. We use it for athletic stuff. >> Did you have a question, Ray? >> A long time ago. >> What year
076was the rubber floor initially put in? >> It was a while ago. >> Yeah. >> A long while ago. >> Before May, >> it had to do it was put in, as I remember, was because of the leak. >> Because something happened to the wood floor and >> Yeah. So, I've been here almost nine years. It it was even before I think it was I think it it was like probably in the two maybe like 2000 years. >> It was I think it was done before our kids went to uh >> our kids were in the >> No, it wasn't when my children were there. >> No, the wood floor was still there. Um it it maybe 15 years ago maybe because it did leak. You're right. Uh Dan, it came through the doors from
077something >> kids were there >> that caused it. >> Well, >> um the reason why I bring up something like that is uh you know, I don't disagree with the need, but I coming up those stairs along the side of the building here that was listed in this uh capital project uh projection as 75 grand. is, you know, tugging at my heartstrings that there are possibly other things that could be worked on in the meantime. And I know that's not ultimately, you know, my decision to to pick and choose those items, but >> you know, just something to consider. >> Um, I know that you're talking about the series right after school. >> Yeah. I plant them in this year's budget, the current year budget for and um >> there were other mason projects for
078sure. >> We um because we need to repair the ones behind M's school also. >> Did you say you wanted them to be repaired here? They need they need we started >> kind of have to pick and choose projects in >> in my understanding there already >> right >> you can get back to me >> the the stairs outside we would repair them our maintenance people >> would do the repairs on them >> because you're not going to be taking them out and replacing them. >> So that would be a maintenance It's not part of the loan range >> thing part won't be a capital outlay because we're not having another company to do it. >> Okay. >> Any other questions under the budget? >> Mr. Drew, >> quickly. Um, I have not I have
079started going through it, but I certainly have not been through it at all. So, I'm not going to comment on it until I've done that. I'm not going to take everybody's time tonight. Are we actually voting on the preliminary budget at the next meeting or we're just discussing? >> Okay. So, we've got >> we we unfortunately had bad weather the night that we were going to do this at committee on whole. So we put it on the agenda so that if you had some questions that we could start the dialogue. >> Yeah. >> And now at the next meeting if you know we have the ethics presentation >> but if the board wants to schedule another meeting to have discussion about the budget that's >> well the 12th >> March 12th is our budget meeting.
080It >> is the preliminary budget. So that's a meeting that Dr. Adamo will do a presentation. He'll have a lot of time to discuss it >> and then whatever is approved on the 12th has to go to the county. >> You still have another six adjustments to whatever the preliminary budget is. >> But the the the March 12th is the budget meeting. >> Yes. For the preliminary budget. Nothing else. >> No. >> Any uh will >> in terms of uh future projects, I know the PA system and the telephone systems have to be replaced and in my understanding that's going to be a big ticket item. I was just wondering what kind of steps are being taken in order to fund that. Well, now that we have a new umology, >> he's um Rob Winston
081is over there in the corner. >> Oh, hello. >> I was wondering who that was. >> Yes. Who was I? >> So, Rob, >> stand up. B, too. >> No, you're you're just Mr. >> Welcome. >> Rob Rob comes to us with a lot of experience. Um, and we're looking forward to um him familiarizing himself with what we have and what we need. And I do believe that um he's going to set up a meeting with the tech committee once he feels comfortable with recommendations. So, um we're looking at I think the 2021 budget, right, for any kind of telephone >> changes. I'll be prepared to uh I'm starting discussions now and doing an investigation as to what our options are just so we can get an idea of where the price points are depending
082upon the technology. >> Um and then we can let that guide us as far as uh delivery because it's it all depends upon where it fits into your budget. >> But uh I'll have the information for you sooner than later. >> Like it that way. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Um, I didn't see any um added staff in the budget. Um, is it possible to look um to add staff, what the cost would be discussion-wise for social full-time social workers in the elementary school? Is that like something that we could look at what it would cost >> to add three more >> to have each? >> Well, we have three and for each elementary school to have their own counselor. Um, >> it would be a step one position. >> Mhm. >> Okay.
083>> What? >> So, added three step one positions is really kind of my answer. >> Plus benefits >> with with benefits. Yeah, >> depending on school, >> right? >> And they're under 26 and they're still with mom and dad or >> Right. Right. >> Whether they're 27. >> Thank you. I didn't expect an answer that quickly, but um Thank you. Any other questions regarding the budget regarding anything else under new business? Seeing none, I'd like to close new business. >> I need I need a second. >> Thank you. >> There's 128,000. >> Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Okay. Moving on to our second part of public comment. Do I need the motion? [Music] >> Uh, moving on to public comment number two. Members of the public who have
084requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with five minutes for each speaker 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 speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name, and provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during public comment. Anyone wishing to speak under public comment, come on up. >> I think someone else >> one more time, Jim Foody. Um, I guess first I'd like to say I commend the board for the decision they made uh regarding Robert's rules. I think it was truly the the right decision to make. So, I'm I'm glad to see that uh it was made and you guys
085can move forward and keep things going smoothly. Um, regarding the budget, um, having a $2.5 million surplus is a beautiful thing. Um, would have been would have been 3 million if we hadn't moved or you guys hadn't moved $500,000 into capital reserve. It would have been a a $3 million surplus. Um, and I alls I can remember is when we did that approved that budget, alls we got was gloom and doom that we're our surpluses were going to be going down down down and they did the opposite and they went up up up and up with a 0% increase. So, I I just I need to point that out. Um, I don't know if the board's aware, if they look at the bill list like they should, but um, as everybody on the board, uh,
086knows, some of them campaigned with it, that I had, uh, ethics charges filed against me by the, um, president of the, uh, bus drivers association. um that cost the district to the tune of $25,417. Um not including what the attorney at the time, Mr. Rosselli, had what he had spent. I would ga I would gather he probably spent another five to six hours. So it's probably closer to 20 6,000 500 maybe 27,000. Um that was done for the way I voted. Um NJ paid for it. I think it was a waste of their money as well as a waste of of the district's money just because of the way I voted. And both the commission and the judge in that case dismissed the charges based that there was no factual evidence as to what they
087had uh put forward to the commission. Um uh I found something I was looking for um last week and I I don't know if if I was surprised, something I probably read before, but um 18A17-28 and that is called duties of the business manager. And there is A, B, C, D, E, and F. And E, which I I wish I would known about when I was sitting on this board, states, and this is under statute, report monthly to the board as to the prog progress of any work of construction or repair in the district. So, I I think that you guys I don't know if even Barbara was aware of that, but I you know, we're spending money on on a lot of projects from the roof at Maple Road to the greenhouse of the
088high school, the middle school, the bleacher repair, the fieldhouse, and you guys should probably all have a uh report done to this board and that's not something I don't believe and Mrs. Butler um can inform the board of that but I don't think that falls under the perfection. I'm pretty sure that has to be done out in the open and it would be well um served to have that done in public because it lets the the citizens of the township know where their money is being spent on and and they can get an idea and and again if anybody wants that it was 18A1 17-28. I think that would uh serve the board well. It would serve the township well. um and and hopefully that we can uh see that occur. And lastly, I would
089hope that um the board members would try to find out um what policy manual you're using. Um investigate the minutes. If you have your a new policy manual adopted at one sitting, our bylaws previous and current, say that those changes can only be made at two at the first reading, then the public gets to read it on the website and the second reading. So, I would encourage the board to uh look into that. Thank you. Um Glenn Huber again, Leakaban parent. Um I didn't plan on getting up and speaking again. Um but first, as a former policy committee chair, my suggestion on the policy issue, if it was never read twice, simply put it on the agenda and ratify it. Read it twice again and ratify it. >> Were you the chairman in 2012? >>
090In 2012? No. Well, because that's when he said it wasn't. >> No, no. I as a policy chairman, I'm just making a suggest as former policy. I'm just making a suggestion on how you can deal with it the most in the most easy way to resolve it. If it never got done properly, you can fix that by simply ratifying it and and putting it on for two readings and being done with it. Um, we've done the I know that uh Dr. Anamone and the policy committee did a lot of work to get them up to date after Mr. after uh Mr. Rashika left and it was a ton of work. They're now compliant and to go back and go to a previous set of policies is kind of silly. All right, so that having been
091said, um being that we're in budget season, I'd like to encourage all of you to go back and take a look and fully understand the uh reductions in state aid that are coming. I don't remember the exact number, but I think it was somewhere around $7 million per year over a period of time we're going to be losing. And because of those reductions, they're permanent. I don't think simply raising taxes is going to do the trick. So, I do not envy you the difficult decisions you have ahead of you, but the district needs a long-term plan to deal with these things while keeping academics and student opportunity and increasing it at the same time as protecting the taxpayers. It can be done, but you may have to make some decisions that are difficult and unpopular.
092I wish you luck. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak? >> If not, motion to close public comment. >> Seeing none, I make a motion to close. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Uh, we need a motion for executive session at 9:00. can make a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel resignations litigation matters, special education matters, negotiations, hips, and matter of attorney client privilege. >> Can I just include >> Oh, I I'd like to move to add something to description. I'm sorry. >> No, that's okay. >> No, because it just came to my attention. including professional services and other contract negotiations and then go through with HIPS. Go ahead. >> Keep going. >> Okay. Oh, so pick up from HIPS. Yes. Okay.
093Thank you. Hibs and matters of attorney client privilege. The executive session minutes will no will not be released until such time as the privilege or confidentiality is no longer applicable. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> So we will be returning to take action. uh for action under the hips. >> Please [Applause] Mrs. Romeo >> here. >> Mr. Sidowitz >> here. >> Mr. Drew >> here. >> Mr. Reno >> here. >> Mrs. Ritz >> here. >> Mr. Oinsky >> here. >> M O'Brien >> here. >> Mrs. Van here. >> Okay. Mrs. O'Brien, would you take that motion? Sure. The recommendation of the superintendent to approve the following resolution. Whereas in accordance with the requirements set forth in PL210, chapter 122, the West Milford Board of Education has received results of HIPP investigation
094reports on Feb February 19th, 2019. Therefore, be it resolved that the West Milford Board of Education approves issuance of written decisions affirming the superintendent's decision in the following HIPB investigations. 2019 E5 on the substantiated 2019 H9 substantiated 2019 E6 substantiated. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Mrs. Francisco? Yes. Miss O'Brien? >> Yes. >> Mr. Greeno? >> Yes. >> Mr. Oshinsky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz? >> Mr. Swood? >> Yes. >> M. Mrs. Romeo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke? >> Yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Any oppose? >> Good night. Good night. Be safe everybody. >> The ice the other day just glazed over. >> You need something. >> I know. >> You need your bed and sleep. Petri dishes though
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