001Please rise for the flags, please. >> Here come the boys. right now. >> 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. >> Hello. >> We already had it. I figured we'd make a grand entrance. Thank you. >> In accordance with provisions of the open public meeting in accordance with the provision of the open public meeting act. A public notice of this meeting has been sent to board members, all district schools, the Herald news, the trends, the record, the messenger, West Milford town hall, the county superintendent's office, board attorney, and cable vision of water and posted in the district on the district website. Copies of the board meetings at the calendar resolution were
002provided to all local media, town hall, township, library, and all district schools. Mr. Bailey, Mr. Cytoitz here, >> Mr. Drew >> here, >> Mrs. Wire >> here, >> Mr. Gino >> here, >> Mrs. Fritz >> here, >> Mr. Yuber >> here, >> Mr. O'Brien >> here, >> Mrs. Van here, um, a motion to go into executive session. like to make a motion to resolve that the board immediately go into executive session for the purpose of conducting two HIV parent appeals. The executive session minutes will not be released until such time as the privilege or confidentiality is no longer applicable. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> So, we're going to go to >> It's interesting. I don't know. I think >> did a complete break. >> They had to
003put pins in it. >> The s the surgeon realigned it >> and put pins in it. >> Yeah. It was >> He did a real good job on it. >> Board me with with music. I'd like to >> Mr. Sidewitz >> here. >> Mr. Drew >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire >> here. >> Mr. Gino >> here. >> Mrs. Fritz >> here. >> Mr. Yuber >> here. >> Ms. O'Brien >> here. >> Miss Van Dyke >> here. >> Dr. An. >> Yes. Good evening everybody. Uh couple of quick points here. Um one fairly positive and the last one very negative. Uh so I'll start off the top. Changes in the park. Uh we have some changes. In fact, the board members probably got an email from school boards. Uh on July 10th, Governor Murphy announced that
004the Department of Ed is going to propose some draft regulations. Uh, so they're not official yet, but we they most likely will be very shortly. The park is going to reduce the number of tests in the or the state's going to reduce the number of park tests in the high school from six to two. Uh, currently we were taking English 9, 10, 11 as well as three math. The new proposal is for English 10 and algebra 1. Uh, still no word whether what happens to the students who complete algebra 1 in middle school. Uh we're still waiting for some guidance on that, but the only high school parks moving forward starting this year uh will most likely be English 10 and algebra 1. So they're cutting that down uh a little bit. And uh they're
005also most likely reducing the weight of these assessments on teacher evaluations. Uh specifically, that's the SGP, the student growth percentiles. So right now it's about 30%, that's going down. We don't know to what number, to what percent, uh but it is going down. Uh we're not sure by how much. >> Dr. Ammon. >> Yes. >> Um on these SGOs's are are teachers still going to be required to create SGOs's >> SGOs. Yes. >> Okay. >> This is referring to SGPS >> The percentiles. So that percent how much that weighs into their their summit valuation is going to decrease from 30% to a number lower than that. >> Okay. Thank you. uh monthly progress towards district goals. As you know, we have our district goals set for next year. We are meeting with the admin team
006over the summer. Uh last week uh as well as week before we had some one-on-one meetings with supervisors. Uh we had a group administrative council last week and we'll have some follow-up meetings uh next week and the week after. And we'll have a uh a more coherent plan by our August board meeting. And now the bad news. Um our state aid was reduced. Just to give you all a a background as we did our budget, we crafted our budget last probably started in October and then we we we kept telling the board we don't have our state aid numbers yet in January, February. It was probably the middle of March. We received our state aid numbers. It was approximately 15 million. It was just reduced in July. So, we budgeted for the 15 million. We
007rehired our staff accordingly. We were just notified about a week or two ago that our state aid is going to be approximately 14.2 million. So it was decreased by 800,000 after our budget had already been finalized after our staff had been rehired for the year. As you know, we had a May 15th deadline statutory deadline for rehires for the following school year. So after all those deadlines passed, we received an over $800,000 uh reduction to our budget. So, uh, we do have a new public hearing tonight and, uh, I think Miss Francisco can explain a little bit greater detail. >> Uh, okay. What they've done is they've decided to rerun the, um, funding formula and although we've not heard anything, uh, specifically about how they did it. um they were using the current enrollment numbers
008and they removed a hold harmless provision uh regarding uh the 2008 formula which is the last time they ran it. So we're scheduled to lose state aid over the next um over a seven-year period. So six more budget cycles. Of course there's going to be a um administration change most likely in that period. So, who knows what's really going to happen, but in the short term, we're we're facing a reduction of $816,000 in the current budget, and uh we're looking at between 6 and 700,000 for the budget, which totals about 1.5 million. Um in this year, we're fortunate um in some respects. um we had budgeted for a increase in our health benefits and by the time the reduction of by the time um May came around when they finalized our renewal it turned out
009that there was no increase. So we were able to absorb this $816,000 cut in the current budget simply by uh the fact that we didn't have a a health benefit rate increase. Had we had that increase, we would be looking at reducing program and staff. But fortunately for us, there's no um no detrimental effect on our students for the 1819 school year and we're already starting to plan for for 1920. Um, we've talked to the administrators and we've we've given them a heads up that they're going to have to think globally and see what we can do for 1920 as we develop the budget. There's a resolution on the agenda which basically um shows that we are taking uh the um the the reduction from our um health benefits account. It's uh reducing our um
010overall budget by that $816,489 and it's a a mirror of the resolution that we passed in in April with just the adjusting figures on it. So, our special revenue account has stayed the same, our debt service has stayed the same, and the total budget uh and the general fund are reflecting an $816,489 uh um change. So, um, for those of you that are questioning where the $816,000 came from, because we, um, newspapers only reported a $415,000, uh, reduction. Um, as Dr. Anamone had said, back in March when we got our state aid numbers, we had received an additional $41,000. So, if you add the 401 and the $415, you come up to $816. Uh $816,000. >> Yeah. I wish it was >> Wish it was only $16. Yeah, we'd all write that check. >> Yeah.
011>> But, um so that that's where we are. And if there's any questions, um be willing to ask some. >> Anybody have any questions? >> Anybody in public? >> Does anybody from the public wish to ask a question? >> Okay. Um, I need a motion to uh to adopt this resolution. >> Um, do I read the entire resolution? >> Uh, I think you do. >> I do. >> Yes, go ahead. >> Okie dokie. Um, I'd like to u motion to approve the following agenda item number one. Whereas the final 2018 2019 budget for the state of New Jersey included adjustments to the state school aid for the 2018 2019 for 2018 2019 and whereas the adjustments for the West Milford Township public schools reflected a reduction in transportation aids from 1,658,498 to $842,9 a change
012of $816,4 $489. And whereas the superintendent of schools recommended this adjustment be reflected in the expenditure line 11-0000-291-270 originally approved for 11,600,68 and amended to 10,783,579. Now therefore, it be resolved that the West Milford Township Board of Education County Pake approved the adjustment to the 2018 district two 2018 2019 district budget as follows. General funds 72,775,152. Special revenues 1,149,663. Debit service. Debit debit service $554,934. Total budget 74 million469,749. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Any questions? I'm sorry. >> Yes, Mr. Drew. Um, I would like to make an amendment to the motion. Uh, what I would like us to do is to remove the funding for the roof from the budget. >> I can't do that. I can't do that. All I can do is change the state aid. That's all I
013can do. You can't you can't amend you can't amend anything else on the budget. All you can do is amend the reduction in the state aid. So, >> so the state can amend our budget at any time. But, >> right, you can't. You've already certified for taxes. That can't be changed. And um >> we received guidance from the department maybe a week ago or something what our options were for for this. >> This is it. All you can do is reflect the transfer. reflect a transfer from one of your appropriation lines that reflects the adjustment in your state funding. That's all you can do. You can't reduce the tax levy. You can't change anything like that. That's all been certified already. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Mrs. Francisco, >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes.
014>> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidtowawitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> No. >> Mrs. Van Dyk. >> Yes. [Music] >> Uh, special reports and correspondence. Um, we have four minutes. >> Yes, we have the minutes from uh the June 12th uh recognition meeting and we have the minutes from June 19th um regular meeting. Motion to accept the minutes of the meeting. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve the following meeting minutes. June 12th, 2018 staff and student recognition special action meeting. June 12th, 2018 executive session. June 19th, 2018 workshop regular public budget hearing meeting. June 19, 2018. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Stain >> Mr. Sorry. >> Oh, wait. >>
015Um, item 13 in the June 19 minutes does not reflect what happened. Um, >> no. >> Well, we should have we kind of rushed through discussion. We weren't rushed past discussion. Maybe we should go back. >> The votes already occurred at this point. I mean, you know, we want to have a discussion on it. I guess you can, but it's going to have no effect on the outcome of this. >> They're going to be approved any minutes are incorrect. >> Yes. >> Can he point them out to me? You point out where they're incorrect. >> Number 13 under education does not reflect what actually happened. Motion was made and seconded. Another motion was made and seconded. The motion was made and seconded. the only one that's in the minutes is the final motion and second
016result. >> Can't hear you. >> Sorry, >> need the mic. >> I misunderstand if you can't hear, but uh just please don't just shout out in the middle of the meeting. I'm sorry. We'll try and keep our voices up. Thank you, though. >> Well, then you should catch that. >> You're asking for it to be changed. Is that you're asking for it to be corrected, right? Doesn't matter. If I at this point, look, point of order. I'll just say um it's already been voted on. There's nothing that can be altered at this point. If you would like to make a motion to reconsider, that could be done. >> I'll make a motion to reconsider the vote on the minutes so that it can be amended to correct them to what is accurate. >> Okay. Um
017is there a second for that motion? >> I'll second it. >> Barbara, could you do a roll call, please, for a motion reconsider? [Applause] >> It's here somewhere. This is just the June 19 workshop regularly >> and just as part of the discussion um if we vote yes is just like the previous vote didn't happen and then she can go back fix it and bring it back to us at the next meeting >> as to the June 19th only that's the only motion that's on June 12th June 12th and then the June 19th are all passed >> correct >> and again depending on if this passes if it fails then you know we have to move on >> Mr. Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. Motion to reconsider. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >>
018Mrs. Fritz. >> I'm going to abstain because I missed that meeting. >> Mr. Gino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> I'm abstaining. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> We'll go back and listen to the meeting and make the question. >> All right. Thank you, Barbara. I can catch this. >> Yeah. >> So, the other ones did pass. >> The other ones did pass. Those minutes haven't been approved. Once Barbara makes them, they'll be brought to the next meeting and then everyone could vote on them if they're correct at that point. >> Thank you. Uh, under my president's report, I just wanted to uh note about graduation, which was uh probably the most beautiful night in West Milford history up there. It was there was a beautiful breeze. It was
019just perfect. Everyone did extremely well. The graduates did wonderful. It it was a really really nice night and it it was an honor to be there. Um McApin's promotion also was a great night. It was very comfortable in in the auditorium and in the gym and it went very well. So uh just kudos to the staff, everyone involved. It's everything went off. mixture project. So, thank you. Hope everybody's having a good summer and I look forward to seeing everyone in September because I will not be here in August. >> So, uh move on to the public comment. 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 and then time permitting other public comment limited to five
020minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 minute period transpires. All members of the public speaking during public comment are asked to address topics listed in the agenda. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name, and provide their address. Speakers will not use the names our speakers may not use the names of students during the public comment. Would anybody like to speak? >> Seeing none like to close public comments. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> We need a motion. >> All right. Hold on, Miss Fande. I have one typo to adjust on the agenda. >> Okay. >> Page 19, page 19, budget and finance resolution number one, the dollar amount that says 15612.74 is incorrect. The correct number is 12,260. >> We were able to get a
021reduction on the umbrella policy, right? Good. >> So, we need a motion to adopt the agenda. >> Go ahead. >> I move to adopt the agenda as presented. Second. >> All any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. personnel. This is O'Brien. >> Okay. Um, we're going to uh make Oh my god. >> Um, I'd like to take item three off the uh personnel student affairs. >> Make a motion first. >> Oh, I'd like to make a Yeah, that would be a good idea to make I How long I've been doing this, right? I'd like to make a motion to take item three out of personal student affairs for the table it for the time being for further consideration >> until until next meeting or until after executive session. >> Uh
022next meeting >> any um just for for more information >> for more information yes I'm sorry >> please >> Mr. Sidowitz >> yes >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> No. >> M. Mr. Garino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Miss. Van Djk. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Now, let me get to the all fun stuff here. I'd like to move items one, two, three, uh, four through 41. I'll do can carries next under personnel student affairs. >> Second. I'm sorry. Say that the numbers again. >> One, two, 4 through 41 under personnel student affairs. >> Okay. >> I'm doing hand carries next. >> Okay. I >> second. >> Okay. And discussion. >> Yeah. Um I'm concerned. I'm looking at
023number 25 and I'm looking in at the advisor who's doing mock trial. Why are there 80 hours for that? I can understand model UN but mock trial >> 80 hours. A >> lot of preparation probably >> really >> ask him. He's sitting next to you. Ask him. >> I mean it's not exactly a legal question but it's possible they have a competition that's going on um in high school. I mean, we met every Wednesday for about three hours uh for throughout the school year. So, >> really? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I just thought >> that's between two advisors. >> Oh, the 80. >> Oh. Oh, okay. Because it just says one person. It just says one person. >> 25. >> No. No. >> No. Yeah. I'm 25. Um >> second to the bottom above DECA.
024>> It's only one person. >> Model UN. >> No, Model UN. I understand. >> Okay. And >> she's still going. >> No, I'm not done. Um 28 and 29 and 30. Um I really feel that this should be part of their responsibility as guidance counselors. I don't see it as extracurricular. So that's just my feeling. >> Okay, Mr. Huber. >> Um I have a question about that now. 28 >> is what does their contract say? I mean, is this clearly outside of their regular responsibilities? >> These are evening events, >> right? >> So, it's it's outside the contract. >> Okay. >> All right. So, back to my original. >> It's contractual. >> Yeah. >> It's not contractual. This is extra. >> It's not covered by their salary contract. >> Not covered by the regular. Right.
025>> Okay. Um I wanted two things. Uh number seven, uh if you don't mind, I'd like to hold that till after executive session. I have a question. >> Okay, >> we have to go. >> So, it's a motion just to not necessarily table it, but motion to just we'll consider it and then there's a better way to phrase it, but motion consider it after um the board comes back from executive session. >> Um we need we need a well just a voice. Well, someone second >> table it briefly. Yeah. Second uh voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> All right. Table table. >> And number 41. >> Uh I just think that needs more clarification because it took a little figuring out today. Um which merit goal that was. Um it should the
026minutes should reflect something more specific than what's on there cuz there were five merit there were five goals >> should the board members page >> it it was um but we should we should say which one it is that we're saying yes to >> this the one that was in the I uh >> yeah it was >> I believe this it had to do with the um reading right >> correct >> okay maybe you could give just a little brief explanation so that we can actually put that in the minutes like you know not we're not just approving a miracle for this amount because there are three of them for that amount I have it right here if you want >> okay all right >> I have it here >> had to do is with
027meeting the goal for English >> the reading assessment >> benchmark the benchmark reading assessment that we conducted this year >> in grades K through six >> okay it and >> you might have got a black and white it's easier on the I have a colored copy here it's probably easier to read >> the students needed to get to a certain level >> correct >> of reading uh comp conf competence and they they accomplished that okay and that's Why? We're we're having a merit goal payment to our superintendent because he he he did something good. >> Well, everybody did something good. >> Well, the team did something good. >> Yes. >> Any other questions? Mr. Drew. >> Thank you. Uh >> I'm going to get you a buzzer. >> Oh, I like that. Of course, I
028could always >> Every time you need me, you buzz me. >> Um I have a question with regard to 28, 29, and 30. I think that's a really good question. Do we pay teachers for staying for parent teacher conferences? >> no, that's just part of the >> contract includes parent teacher conferences for all. >> The contract includes >> the contract included. This is not this is not parent teacher conferences. This is >> one's a financial aid night for high schoolers. One is a freshman parent night. One is obviously an eighth grade parent night. So these are not this is in addition to the uh parent teacher conferences that people show up for. So that this is not included in the the the regular contract. >> All right. Well, the parent nights are what orientation type
029of things, right? >> Basically should be in the contract for our job. >> Well, we talk about putting that in the contract. >> I agree. Do you have a question? Anybody have any other questions? >> If not, Mrs. Francisco Miss O'Brien. >> Uh, I'm sorry. I lost my spot. Yes, Mr. Greeno. >> Um, sorry, I lost my spot on. Abstain from, uh, five and 20. Uh, yes to the rest. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. Uh yes to all no to 28 29 and 30 >> 16 >> 41 >> uh yes to all and no to 28 29 and 30 >> Mr. Fritz. >> Yes. >> M van. Gotcha. >> Yes. >> Can I go back to >> Do you need to make a correction to your >>
030um So, sorry. So, sorry to interrupt the roll call. Um >> what what is the uh >> So, the correction is uh to abstain also from uh 41 for superintendent. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. Um yes, for All but 27 I abstain and 41 I abstain. >> All right. I'd like to move items 42 through 44 hand carries under personnel student affairs. >> Second. >> Uh yes discussion. Mr. Yubert you have something? >> Yeah. On number 42. What's the administrative experience of that candidate? >> You did get a copy, right? Or you did >> I got I got the hand carry by email late today. >> We got like attachment with the resume. >> It was a resume. I'll tell you >> the resume attached. >> Well, yeah, that was working. >> Uh pass you with
031resume now. Would that be easier? >> Yeah, it'll probably be better. I kind of don't want to hold up everybody. >> Can I go on to discussion? Are you >> Yep, by all means. >> Is there any other questions under the three hand carriers? Mr. Drew, >> uh, on 42, how do we pronounce that fell's name? Is it Shy? >> He's in the audience. We can ask him. >> Shooty. Okay. One more German name misspelled >> Ellis Island. >> Does anyone else have any discussion on the motion? >> Well, I I sat in on the interviews. Can I say that? >> Sure. Go ahead. >> And I was very impressed with Mr. Shi's um presence, his knowledge of school law, his disciplinary interventions at Rowway High School, and his um he he just his ability
032to convey his passion for what he loves the most, which is education. And I I was truly impressed and didn't expect to be to tell you the truth, but I I was. Don't take it the wrong way. Okay. >> Does did anybody else have any other questions? Mrs. O'Brien, >> I just want to wish uh Dr. McUade uh well during her time away will be missed at the round table here or the >> horseshoe table here and uh I wish you and your family well while you're at work. >> Thank good luck. >> Thank you everybody. >> We will miss you. >> Thanks. >> You'll be available. I'll just drop off anything you need to her house. >> Just interrupt the labor to take a call. >> We know accidentally wash your cell phone. You'll
033be fine. >> Right. >> Mr. Drew, did you have something else? >> Yeah, I I had read uh Mr. Shudy's resume and and certainly I look forward to meeting him. He looks extremely wellqualified with several skills that will be of asset to the district. So, uh, assuming you're approved, welcome. I think, um, you can really help us out. >> Any other discussion? >> Just that I I have a continuing concern about our hiring practice that we don't seem to ever hire anyone with administrative experience for administrative positions. And it's not turned out well, you know, some a part of the time, at least, a fair part of the time. And uh while it's not a reflection on Mr. Shudy, I have no idea. He might be fantastic. Um I would really like to see our
034hiring practices look for people that have some level of successful administrative experience prior to getting here. So we're not rolling the dice every time. >> He does. He does. >> He was an assistant um >> director. >> He was an assistant athletic director. Any other discussion? If not, go over to the roll call, please. >> Miss O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> no. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> All right. Motion carries. Congratulations, Mr. Shy. >> Very much. [Applause] would um do you want to say a few words? >> You want to say a couple words? >> Just it's great to be here. I'm very honored and humbled
035and flattered and um extremely grateful. I can't express my gratitude. I'm very excited uh to get to work and uh I just promise to do my best every second that I'm up here. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. [Applause] That concludes student affairs until after executive session number seven. This is required. >> Okay. I'd like to move um I have to get this hand carry one here. Here we go. I'd like to move items 1 through 16 and hand carry 17. >> Second >> for discussion and approval. Okay. I I I have a couple of questions. >> All right. This is Okay. Go ahead. >> All right. On number one, the 9day no contact period by coaching personnel. Who's going to monitor this to make sure that it's not going on? >> Number
036two. >> I think I have number two for that. >> Oh, that's number two. I'm sorry. >> Okay. That is a uh a conference uh decision. So, no teams in our conference. I know that, but who's gonna monitor it to make sure that this is not going on? >> Our athletic director. >> Uhhuh. >> Athletic director. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> I I Okay. >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> No, you go ahead. >> I I have a question for for Liz. >> Oh, sure. >> 8 through 14. Um, correct me. I I you know, don't have a photographic memory. >> This looks like more than it used to be. Um, more more out of district placements. Am I wrong or is it just all in one spot this year? >> All together
037all together, >> right? It just happens to be all together on the same agenda that we got it on. I think because I'm going out on maternity, we tried to get as much fun as we can in July. So, you will just notice that we were more efficient, I guess you could say, in the past few weeks. And also, as I said to you last time, I didn't expect to be keep going this long. So, I just keep we just keep moving. So, we're get So, that that is what you see. But actually, in all seriousness, our out of district numbers have actually reduced. If if I was to give you numbers comparing, I don't have it with me, but they've actually gone down. It's just that on here. And also for the board, I
038started to put the the student numbers as that also helps me so that I could keep track along the way. So that obviously takes up a little bit more room as well. >> But I can assure you our numbers are going down. >> Thank you. >> Not up. >> Mr. >> Can I ask about number 12? >> That's what I was going to talk about. >> Okay, good. Um maybe it's different but so so we have 80 students Barbara that >> they're going to say county technical institute. >> Well the way they bill us is we have to give them an anticipated enrollment number and that's what we get built and then next year they'll adjust one way or the other uh based upon the actual number of attendants and they and they do that
039on a on a monthly basis. So we might have students that decide to come back to district and that's all recorded on uh with each billing cycle. >> So because we don't know who's going who's coming back >> we have to give them an anticipated number. >> Does so are those 80 counted? So the state aid that we had taken away are those 80 counted as our enrollment? >> No. That was my question. >> We have to get this into our budget in like January, February. We don't know exactly who's going. So we take an estimate as best we can get it. >> So can I ask >> but we're paying to send those students there right? >> We cannot count the students that go to a technical school as part of our resident enrollment.
040>> This is why >> so as taxpayers we pay for p county tech right >> in addition to what we pay in taxes we also have to pay tuition. >> Yes. So where does our tax money go for P County tax? Are we providing tuition for down county schools? >> I would say it it's going for the facility for the staff. It going for this. It creates a budget. It it's a revenue for the budget. So whatever taxes the uh the county government allocates to >> and they don't they're not capped. Is that correct? They have different rules than we do. >> They have different rules. So, but but their budget is predicated on um the funding that they receive from the county freeholders and whatever um they have a lot of um enterprise services.
041So, they they outsource, you know, they provide outsourcing services. So, they create a revenue stream for themselves. And then they also have the tuitions that they charge each of the school districts for that participate with students. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions, Mr. J? >> Little bit of clarification about this. >> We collect a little bit over 20,000 per student in property taxes. Um, so we actually are saving money in the district on the kids we send to Pose County Tech. >> The taxpayers are paying not only the property taxes to us, but they're also paying the property taxes to the county. >> So, we're paying both local property taxes and county property taxes that fund kids in I >> uh PCTI which in the case of let's say oh I don't know
042Clifton by sending kids that way they're taking county money to subsidize >> these kids by sending them to PCTI they're not paying the full freight for all the kids in their district right >> we're paying part of it. >> That's right. And it's it's a parent choice. It's a student choice. >> Yeah. >> But I don't understand why the county is is d I look at it as double dipping >> and I don't think it's fair >> as people keep telling me. However, we have a freeholder in West Milford. >> Well, yeah. My my question my question is is that there's there's 80 students that are on here and those 80 students should be included in our enrollment because our money is coming out of our our our budget to pay for those and losing
043those 80 students impacts us on state aid. >> Yeah. So it doesn't seem like the I didn't I didn't realize that until just this week that those 80 do not count towards >> it's kind of a jab and a right cross and then a body. >> So it needs to be it needs to be noted. That's all. Uh any other questions? >> If not um roll call. >> Mrs. Dwer. >> Yes. M O'Brien. >> Yes. Mr. Gino. >> Yes. Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Budget and finance. Mr. Drew, would you like to do budget and financing? >> There's Oh, there is uh Okay. I was at the meeting. So, let's um I would like
044to move Items one through >> 19. >> I'm sorry. I have a question. >> Discussion. >> Waiting for a second. >> I second. >> Sorry, didn't hear. Thank you. >> Question. I I do I do have one one comment and it's under number two under the insurance the student accident increase going up to $85,000. >> Yeah. >> What was last year's >> uh last year I think was in the 60s. We actually our first proposal was 91. >> We took a major increase um this year under that particular insurance. >> Why? It's gone up significantly in the last couple of years. Uh the claims experience it. >> But it's not only our claims. It's based on everything. >> The general pool. >> It's No, it's ours. >> Just our students, athletes. It's It covers your
045athletes. It covers >> Okay. >> your students. >> But is it because of the state as a whole? >> No. Okay. >> It's individual experience. Any other discussion? Mr. >> Yeah. Barbara, on number 14, could you just briefly elaborate on what the turf field requires for grooming? >> Sure. >> And on number 17 after that, if you could just elaborate on that for the public. >> Um, since the turf field was installed, we have the Lantech Group, which is the um it's a maintenance firm. They come in and they uh groom and clean the turf field twice a year. They clean it um in August before football season starts and then after the winter for spring. Um we share the cost with the township because they also use the field. So um we build the
046township for half of the fee and and they res reimburse us. Um, as far as 17 goes, uh, you'll recall that we, um, initiated a, um, an LGAA last year. Um, we had all of our facilities reviewed by, uh, the the company that the state has authorized to to do the walkthroughs. They have provided us with draft reports of um what they deem to be possible um savings in cost um in our energy costs. But in order for us to take advantage or to maximize the potential that's um been outlined, we would need to have an energy company come in um and and review the reports and make a determination whether it makes sense for us to do a um a referendum of well not necessarily to sell bonds because you don't have to go
047to referendum. you could just bond the the the um improvements that you're going to make whether it makes sense just to do a rebate, you know, to do installations and and just take whatever rebate the state is offering at the time or whether to do it through New Jersey Smart Start, which we have done in some in the past in some of the lighting instances. So we don't have the expertise to determine where we would get the um how how to maximize our our our savings. So this is where and if you recall a year or so ago we had um gentlemen from Seammen's Corporation come in and try to give us an overview of how important it is to have the LGA. Um, Seammen's Corporation would be one of the companies that would respond
048to the the RFP along with other companies that are approved by the state. There would be a cost to us, but most likely the costs would be paid for by the savings that you would experience with the um after the installation. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? Also I I just see under here on under 12 without the resending of the transportation for St. Catherine's um I wonder how many students have we seen anything we have we have seen some students from St. Catherine's enroll in our district. I don't have the number. Uh we have opened our schools to for open houses for these students and their families. So some of them have already taken tours of our building K to 6 as well as Makapin. Uh and we already know we have about
049a half dozen I think enrolled so far, but it could be more than that. >> Does that really came as a surprise? >> Yeah, that's sad. >> Okay. Any other questions? um Francisco 1 to9 correct? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz? >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber? >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew? >> Yes. >> Mr. Garina? >> Yes. 1 through 18. Abstain from 19. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. Um 1 through 18 and same 19. Okay. Um, Mr. Drew, next one. 20. >> Move item number 20. >> Second. Any discussion? [Applause] Roll call. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Abstain for myself. Yes. For others. >> Mrs. Dwer. >> Abstain for myself. Yes. For others. >> Mr. Drew, >> abstain for myself. Yes
050for the rest. >> Mr. Yuber, >> abstain for myself. Yes to everybody else. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> abstain for myself, and yes to everyone else. >> Miss O'Brien, >> abstain for myself. Everybody else, yes. >> Mr. Greeno, >> abstain for myself, yes for everyone. >> Miss Van Dyke, >> abstain for myself, and yes for everyone else. >> Okay. like to move item number 21, list the bills. >> Second discussion. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> abstain. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Miss Spend, >> yes. >> Like to move item number >> second >> discussion. >> Mr. Drew, >> I have a question. There was an unidentified student who transferred in from another
051district, never attended school here. We get to pay tuition for them for the remainder of the year. and uh public the transportation for it also. Is that standard New Jersey practice? Why do we get stuck with that? >> I think you're talking about the student who's placed in a district school. >> Yeah. Is is it's based on where you the district where the family lives is responsible for that cost. >> Their home district. >> It's a statutory thing. It's a residency. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Mrs. Franciscoca. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Like to move
052item number 23. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Mrs. Francis, >> Mrs. Dire 23 or 24. Okay. Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gino. >> Abstain. >> M. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> I'd like to move item number 24. Second. >> Any discussion? >> Mrs. Francis. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mr. Garina. >> Abstain. >> Mrs. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Abstain. >> Like to move item number 25. >> Second. Any discussion? >> I just want to thank Mrs. Francisco for answering my questions before the meeting. You're welcome. Thanks. Mrs. Dwer,
053>> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> abstain. >> Mr. Drew? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gino? >> Yes. >> M O'Brien? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk? >> Yes. I'd like to move item number 26. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Not. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mr. Garina. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Drew. >> Oh. I have a hand carry. >> Move a hand carry. >> Uh I apologize for the this just came in today and since we don't have another meeting until the end of August, we need to get this moving.
054>> I need to talk. >> Any discussion? >> So that's 27 and 28. I'm sorry. >> Yes. 27 and 28. So we need a second. >> Yes. >> A second. >> Any discussion? I'm kind of wondering what that is. Why we need an architect? >> I'm sorry. >> Who wants to know why we need the AR architect? >> Well, you can't do any facilities project without having a um submission to the Department of Education and it has to be signed off by an architect. >> So, these are not pre-approved. >> No. While they might be in some kind of a cooperative, you still have to go through the Department of Education to do anything to your facility. Um, that's just the way it is. We can't we can't make any major changes. >> Okay. Full
055employment act for architects. >> Build this $100. >> That's basically how the whole thing came. Yeah. Back in 2000, that's how it came together. >> Architects were out of work and they created a Yep. >> Income stream for architects. >> Attorneys help them get that. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Hi, Jess. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Oh, jeez. Yes. Mr. Garino. >> Yes. >> Miss O'Brien. >> See, the party's on the other side of the room right now. Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now we're done with the theater. >> Was that included in >> Yes, that was 1 through seven. Yes. Yes, it was. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> No.
056Okay. Under committee, parks and recreation, this >> uh at the uh most recent parks and recreation meeting, we u had some conversation about um fields in particular, Hillrest Field, the future Hillrest Field, baseball and football continuing to work together with that field. Also, uh spoke about Nenzo Pond. So, they're going to do some seating there. They're they're hoping that uh we can keep people off of the field for a period of time to let the grass grow and take. I know that our um I think it's freshman or JV soccer, they use the Zenzo pond to to practice and even maybe play some games. So, um I think that he's talking to uh Mr. Trent about that. And then um there's also a pavilion there in Nenzopon. So, they've done a great job in um
057really sprucing up Menzo Pond, adding parking and so forth. Uh that pavilion there, if you've ever been by there, uh it's kind of it's used as a skate park right now. Uh I know that our um the idea could have been to make that a picnic area. It's really not the best idea or best use. A lot of kids get great use out of that and they do a good very good job at taking care of that. So, um, when speaking with John, he we kind of filled him in on how that works. So, that's going to continue to be used, uh, as a skate area. >> So, gets a lot of good use. >> Very happy. >> And there's no meetings for, uh, the parks and wreck over the summer. So, the next meeting
058won't be till the end of September. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Safety. Um, there's no meetings until September. >> Superintendent's round table. No meetings until September. the county school boards. That's the same um New Jersey school boards. Um Mrs. Dwire and Mrs. O'Brien and myself are attending a training on August 1st at Pipony High School for leadership. >> Mr. Yubert, legislator. >> Okay. Uh well, there's a number of things that have gone to the governor's desk. There's actually quite a list. Let me ask you guys, do you want me to wait and see what he actually signs or would you rather know what's going on? Okay, >> let's that's the end of that report. >> False hope right now. We don't need any more false hope. >> There's there's like 20 or so things
059about 2/3 or 3/4 of which would actually apply to us. >> Good. >> Oh, wow. >> The wall change. He's going to take one. >> Mrs. Fritz, has there been any technology? >> There hasn't. Um, we probably should schedule one. It's been a while, so maybe we'll work on that for the next meeting. >> Perfect. Um, Mrs. O'Brien, what about Education Foundation? >> Nothing new to report at this time. >> Okay. Uh, Mr. Sirewood Township. >> All right. You're fine. >> You're good. You're good. >> Can you hear me now? >> I think you woke the kid up. >> So, last night, Councilman Signarino, Councilman McInness, Mr. Garino, Miss Van Djk, and myself met and we discussed fields, Walsh, Autumn Lights, and the Highlands Act. Regarding the fields, we identified the three fields with the
060greatest needs. And now uh the council would like to see a cost on our end to discuss any further joint activities with that. Regarding the Wallish estates, uh we all agreed that we'd like to call a meeting and I will be reaching out to the trustees to see if there's any topics that we'd like to see on an agenda. Um, and I'd like to remind the board also that we relinquished stewardship control in 2016 until 2021. So, we have do have to keep that in mind when we do approach agenda topics. >> Oh, another topic that we talked about was losing. >> Well, you talking about Wall Street estates, right? Okay. Thank you. >> Um, we spoke about the the money that we are losing and basically we're all upset. Uh he also spoke about
061the Highlands Act and uh the council would like to just throw out basically to the community at whole but especially the trustees and the administration. How is the Highlands Act costing us? That is the big uh need that they need to identify in order to have further discussions on their end. How is the Highlands Act costing us? Whether it be personal or whether it be as a school district and that is my report for the evening. >> Which field did they talk about? >> Kill Gallon Howard and Ober all the fields that are behind Westbrook School. >> Okay. That's the name of >> So >> input regarding some of these things we talked to you privately and you take it to the group. >> Sure. You can bring it up publicly or privately. Either way,
062I'll be receptive. >> They're looking impact, you know, for the district that's connected to the highlands and it can't just be that houses aren't selling. Even though that's the bigger the biggest impact. Well, I don't know that anybody has noticed necessarily, but in uh New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Jersey is actually gaining population for 2017. Connecticut and New York are not. Highlands Act prevents us from gaining population at all and it has a severe impact on the state funding. So, you know, we we we've got districts that are gaining students. we can't and so the Highlands Act has limited us in terms of commercial uh uh ratables uh you know how many properties we can't get anymore we can't grow and they've made it clear to us because we're doing something wrong and can't
063grow they're going to claw back uh money from us I >> I would think it would be great if you could reach if you you have some ideas I think they would love it if you could reach out to them because that's what they're looking for for you know some input from everyone. Um I I I felt like it was it was a good meeting last night. We got to like something happened that doesn't usually happen between the school board and the the council. We kind of worked together and talked together about um especially the funding and how it's going to impact us not only this year but in the years ahead. And I I I felt that both u Mr. Narino and Mr. McInness were very, you know, open to working with the board
064to help us. So, it was it was a good meeting. >> Another another item for the Highlands Act. Highlands Act has caused a lot of land in town uh to become unbuildable. >> As a result, that unbuildable land has been reduced in value and as a result, our tax revenues have gone down and there's a lot of vacant land here. That's true. Anyone? So, if anybody has anything that they would like to put forward, you know, reach out to Bill or I mean, I'm sure you could reach out to Mr. McInness or Mr. Signarino. They'd be happy to help, you know, talk to you. >> One other very brief comment. One of the candidates wants to attract a brewery to West Milford, and I would highly recommend the Hillrest Brewery as being a suitable place
065to put it. Well, thank you. >> Um, the last scheduled meeting was cancelled, so there's >> It wasn't that. There we go. The last scheduled meeting was canceled, so there's no report. >> Okay. >> Uh, under old business, does anyone have anything for old business? >> Seeing none, I'd like to close all business. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> oppose. New business. >> Anything? Mr. Silence? >> Uh, just in brief discussion. I I know uh Ray was there last night and you were there last night. We were talking about things that do cost the district and maybe the administration would discuss and report back to the board on cutting honors courses and just making it an AP program. I don't know if that's something that's a shared sentiment, but personally, I'd like
066to understand more of the positive, negative, and all that's in between regarding that. >> I believe Mr. Drew um started that discussion at one point, and we didn't we didn't get a report back yet, and that might be something to consider for the follow, you know, for our next budget. >> Yeah, I'm I'm very highly in favor of the AP program. Uh, it gives students the ability to save money toward college by getting credits. And I know one student uh who's gotten 19 AP credits and it was worth something around $17,000 >> and it eliminates an entire semester of college. >> Um, so it's a significant savings to families making college more affordable and doable. Just so you know, we don't have there's not an advanced placement test in every subject. So in the areas
067where there's not an AP test, the highest level we have is honors. >> Understood. Thank you. >> So that would be >> without the test, you don't get the credits for college >> would go through education, >> right? >> You're committing. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Garino. Well, we do have AP English and honors English and AP math. So, just what the diff what's the difference in the curriculum? >> I'm guessing the curriculum is very similar. Somebody could technically take an AP >> course and decide not to take the test if they so choose, right? I mean, it'd be silly to do that. Yeah, if you're in if you're involved in AP course to take the test, you're certainly not required, but >> strongly encouraged. It's that's the whole point of taking it. So you you
068can get the college credits. Yeah. >> And even if you're in the C-level class, you can take that test. You can take that A test. So >> good. >> Any other discussion? >> Any other new business? Yes. >> Um the state aid cuts $816,000 this year and it's going to be roughly 10% of our budget over a period of of of several years coming up. This is to me a gamecher. Um, that's a lot of money and it's going to draw away from um the goal of of uh academic education and anything else that you might want to do. Uh, scholastics, band, anything. It's going to put uh a real real uh tightening on the on the purse strings on everything. So, um I would like to propose that um the board bring a referendum
069uh in the next possible election uh to the public on whether to close one as one choice or you maybe even two elementary schools. >> H >> because our enrollment is down. uh significantly. Um students could easily be moved, sixth grade students could easily be moved to middle school, which is kind of the norm in the state anyway. And uh a couple of our schools could easily be consolidated. Um there's a couple that are logistically would be very easy and um there would be other benefits financially as well depending upon the school chosen. Just to weigh in on that legally, um before we do got to stop slapping the table, uh before we do anything like that, um as you guys know about trying to get rid of property, we have to get DOE approval.
070Um so I'd have to check and see whether you have to get approval before you can put a referendum on. >> Well, it's a referendum to close a school, not >> necessarily to sell the property. >> Okay. >> For clarification, >> did you need a second? We need a second. Yeah, that's that's a motion on the forum. >> So, we're going to ask the >> vote. >> I just want to clarify something. >> Second. >> Well, >> that go ahead. >> That said, so I'm saying over the next seven years. Did you say it would be 10% of our budget? >> Am I understanding it's around 7 million, >> right? But that's over seven years. It's 700,000 a year, right? No, >> it accelerates over the time period, >> but in total they anticipate, unless
071your enrollment changes somehow, uh they anticipate a reduction of $7 million over seven years based upon the latest information >> per year. Per year. So, our budget this year is $74 million and the reduction is a lot at 816,000, but that's 1.1% of our budget. >> All they're doing is reducing your state aid. No, 7 million over >> the reducing your state aid. >> Take our budget over. >> But you said next year, for example, will be 1.5 million. >> That well >> the year after would be 2.2 >> 1.5 million less in state funding. Yeah, >> that does >> per year >> between in 1920 1920 school budget >> your state funding will be $1.5 million less than when you got today. That doesn't account for any adjustments that you have to your tax
072levy or any ways of bringing in revenues. Talking about you got you have to keep your your column straight. >> So, um, >> but this year it's it's 800,000 less,000 this year. >> Next year it will be 1.5 less than we got last year. >> And the seven is 1.5. >> So, seven or however many years from now, it will be 7.6 million or seven whatever it is. >> We're not exactly sure less than we're getting right now. So, we're getting $14 million in state aid >> and it's anticipated that in seven years our state aid will probably look more like 7.5 million as opposed to 14 million. So, you understand that the that there's a lot of factors that go into state aid and one of the things that they're basically funding is a
073thorough and efficient education. and thorough and efficient education is basic basic education. It's not a lot of bells and whistles. >> Art and music are not in thorough and efficient education. >> I'm certainly happy to see the commitment to education that our governor made. >> So that I mean that that was decided a long time ago and every thorough and efficient means different things to different people. So, I think that um I I think that there's a lot of of of research that we have to do in order to try to figure out >> the best use of of our tax dollars and the best use of, you know, um using our voices to let the governor and and the legislature know how this is impacting our community. Um and and I think that it's
074incumbent upon all of us to to try to think of those those ways to to try to we have to raise our voices. It has to be a grassroots >> I I agree. And uh these state aid cuts are draconian. It's really unlike something we've ever experienced. >> But the decision to close a school is also very important. And >> if the board is going to do that, there should be a discussion process. >> Yeah. >> I would recommend not discussing it for one minute and then voting. And I think this is something that you need to really flesh out all the details over time and then there's nothing preventing you from having this discussion in August and then September and for as long as you want to until you can make a decision. But
075uh there's no rush to do anything this evening. That's for sure. >> I I I would want another company to come in and evaluate the whole system before I would even think about looking at >> We would probably need to have a demographic done. Makabin probably would need to be completely renovated in order to put the sixth grade there. So, and not that it putting the sixth grade there isn't a a wonderful idea, but there's a lot of things that go into to doing that. >> So, um Debbie. >> All right. Now, you just said we should raise our voices. Could could somebody give us more concrete ideas of what should we should we independently contact the governor's office? What? It's it's you know we're surrounded by people who are interested in education one in
076one way or another. Okay. It's a nice little discussion that we're being videotaped as we speak so other people are watching. What can we do as a community? Something concrete. Should we should I be on the phone tomorrow morning with the at the for the governor's office? Should I be writing a letter as a representative of the West Milford Board of Education? >> Is is that is that enough? >> I think the board is I think the board has to have a discussion. Uh I think I think we need a discussion and and Will brought up a good point earlier that maybe we should pay a visit to Mr. Sweeney and to Mr. Murphy because when you look at someone face to face, it's a different conversation than on the telephone or on an email
077or in a letter. Um, it's a whole different conversation and I think that might be beneficial. As far as a school closing, if we're going to discuss this, we have to discuss what we're going to do with that empty building because once you close a school, you can't reopen it. And um it's I don't think it's beneficial. We have a crisis right now with Hillrest. I mean, it's an albatross and to add another albatross is just going to sink us and I don't think it's practical. Um, I also feel for the little kids on these buses who are going to be on the bus for a longer period of time and our elementary classes are right where we want them. We want smaller classes at elementary. That's where our students are the most impressionable. Um,
078so those are things we have to consider when we talk about closing a school. >> M. >> In addition, uh, Dr. Quuade is working diligently in bringing students back into the district. Yeah, granted there'll be students that will never come back and you know cannot for reasons too numerous to to say at this at this point. But if we are in if we are intent to bringing these students back into the district, we have to put them someplace. We just can't. We're not going to put special ed kids in a closet or in the basement. Um and and uh and I've I've experienced this firsthand in other districts where they've the numbers were so tight that they would work in little cubbies that that were not conducive of a good education. We need to keep
079that in mind as well. >> Yes. >> A few things. one. Um, while I'm not opposed to getting a a new one, I believe the district has a demographic study from uh several years ago and our enrollments dropped below the threshold for the recommendation to close an elementary close a school. All right, that's one. So, we already have that. But if the board would feel more comfortable with a new one, I'm sure it's going to say the same thing. Um, it'll just cost money and spend time. Um, two, I don't think Mrs. Mr. Dwire was correct in that once you close a school, you can't reopen it. It's just that there are requirements that from the >> the requirements to meet certain standards and stuff in order to reopen it. Um, so that's not necessarily
080true. We would certainly not want to get rid of a perfectly good school right away until we see what the enrollment does. But it and I I the third thing is I have to defer to Mr. Drew. I think he's probably more familiar with enrollment numbers than I am, but my understanding is that our enrollment is down some significant number of like 25% or a third of our our enrollment from um several years ago. And so we have room in the schools. We have lots of room in the schools. Okay. And it shouldn't impact I don't think you know the space is a problem. I I don't think that should impact the the classes or the students. Any other discussions? >> Um, as I understand it, what Glenn is asking for is that we ask
081the voters. We're not saying we're going to close the school. >> We're not going to close the school. There are very serious issues to be considered in doing that. Um, and and I kind of like the idea of asking the voters ultimately, you know, instead of either us preempting the decision from them by by doing it or not doing it. And it would be incumbent upon us to discuss the particulars of whether it makes sense or it doesn't make sense. Um, with regard to, you know, one of the things the state is doing to us is they took the the the fundamental state aid that we're working on was based on their formula and assessment generated in 2008 when that act was passed. And so kind of what we're looking at is what's happened to
082our enrollment since then. the state said Patterson grew, West Meltick didn't, you know, we're taking money from you to meet our commitment to quality education in Patterson and Newark, I guess. Um, so there's some pretty serious issues, but I I I think in general I like the idea of us sort of trying to figure out what those issues are and ultimately leaving a decision like that up to the voters. I Frankly, I don't feel comfortable making that decision for people in the town, uh, one way or another, either to close or not to close. So, it's it's a little bit different than making a decision right here, right now, where we're going to recommend close it or don't close it. I think what we're saying is let's ask the voters. Now, one of the reasons
083I believe to consider that question regarding a referendum now is that if we were to um make a decision regarding that before July 30th, we could get it on the November ballot where it would not have additional cost of a special election. All right. There's still some cost, but uh um any other time later on to make a decision like that. Uh costs us substantially more to have a a special election. Just a to ask. So, >> did you have a comment, Mr. >> Yes. Um Mr. Donnu? Um I know that town council can make resolutions of sentiment. Can boards of education do the same thing? >> Not that I'm aware of. There's nothing in the statutory like title 18A or the administrative regulations. And just getting back to this whole concept of bringing it
084to the voters. Closing a school is not something that I'm familiar with. It's not something that's come up in my time as a education attorney. I'm not even sure if it's legally permissible that if you had a referendum out there that said, should we close the school? If you were just looking for an opinion, maybe. But I don't know if that's actually something you could bind that if say there was an election, they said to close it, how that whole process would go. So even if it is the sentiment of the voters of West that they want to close it, the logistics of how that's handled, how the employees are transferred, whether they're let go, how the students are reassigned, this isn't just I understand the idea and I understand that we're trying to think
085of radical ideas to try and deal with this draconian method. Alex >> perfectly. But to try and get something in, it's the 24th today. You're correct. We'd have to get a referendum approved. Uh because that's another thing. We'd have to take action and figure out the referendum tonight. Unless you want to meet for a special meeting and figure out what exactly the referendum is. This is I understand like we we want to take action. We want to do something for the town, but this is a tremendous undertaking that we're trying to get in at the 11th hour. But >> um it's actually not if I'd like to clarify the motion. The motion was at the next possible election. So if November is not workable for getting the explanation, the analysis done because referendum my understanding
086has a significant explanation so the public can understand the issue. >> Okay. If that's not doable by the November election, then the next election is April. I did not say to do a special election because I don't want to pay for it. And I know we do have time. >> There's an election in April. >> I'm sorry. I primary when's the next one after you want to switch the primary >> June I'm sorry June I don't know that June would actually allow any B any non-binding referendum >> what I could recommend is this and again it's your motion and we can figure this out what we could do is we can do research and I'll figure out what the best possible method is if that's something that this board wants me and my firm to
087do that's fine and we can figure out the best possible way so we could do this then if you'd still want to go forward with this motion again. I >> point of order. >> Point of inquiry. I still have the floor. >> Secondly, there's a motion on the table because we're discussing two different topics and they're not related. It's not gerine to if there's a motion, it's not gerine to the motion. >> What's not related >> as well? >> I'm I'm confused. >> You know what? >> I've let everything go like in a conversation because we're trying to talk back and forth. >> Actually, the motion of sentiment was for our legislators because we did discuss our legislators in this time period >> before going forward and talking to our legislators. That's what I meant
088by motion of sentiment. >> Oh, I see. So, >> this has nothing to do with closing a school. I >> make that clear because we did discuss. >> May I ask a question? Let let him finish with his >> I don't know what a motion of sentiment is >> I think all right a resolution of sentiment will correct me >> of sent okay >> correct me if I'm wrong what you're saying is would you like that we would send essentially a letter to like the board as a collective to the governor and the legislator saying how we feel that is something that absolutely you can you have you'd have to make a motion and then just you know >> why don't we deal with the motion that's on the floor right now and then we'll
089come up and back >> can As the person who made the motion, can I ask a general straw poll of not? No, >> no, no, no. Not of the motion of something related that Will said >> um or that you said I'm basically does does the board want to table it? Does the board want to give a month for the our legal counsel to do what Matthew said? >> Uh Mr. Donahue, >> that's fine. And if so, I will, >> you know, move to table my own motion. >> All right. >> Fair. >> And then that'll that'll solve any conflicts and amendments and all that stuff. >> You guys don't have to vote or information research. That's something that I can >> He can withdraw his motion. >> So I Yes, I will. I am
090more than capable to >> as long as Mr. Drew withdraws his second. >> I I mean, I'm not putting a condition on. If you'd like to withdraw, of course. >> No, I don't want to withdraw. I'll table it till the next meeting though so that we it stays on the agenda. >> Does that have to be voted on? >> Yes. >> Uh yes, this table has to be voted. >> All right. So that's a roll call vote. >> We need a second on the table. >> Yes or no? >> Second table. >> We're we're wait a minute. Let me let me just we're voting on tableing the motion that's on the floor until >> Yeah. I move to table my own motion. >> Ray seconded the motion table. >> If you said let me put
091it this way. If you put vote no on tableabling it, then we have to move forward with the vote on whether we have the referendum or not. If the vote is defeated, there is nothing to stop Mr. Cuber from bringing the motion again at the next meeting. Again, there's nothing that says this is a once or done. >> Well, motion to table is on. Uh there was a second, I believe. Barbara, if you would please. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Marino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Brien. >> Yes. >> M. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> So, it's >> Yes. And now we >> August 28th. >> Now, we move to Mr. Sidowitz's uh would like
092to make a motion that the board as a collective send correspondence to the legislature and the governor indicating how they feel. I could draft a letter or, you know, someone from my firm could draft a letter. submit it to you all and you could either edit it, you know, make the change that you >> I didn't know. I was going to make a motion to make a motion all over again because that was out of order in the middle of considering in the discussion. >> So I move the attorney put together a resolution for us to approve to send to our legislators. >> Legislators. >> Mrs. O'Brien second. >> Thank you. Well, >> if can I can I make a comment? >> Well, if there's a discussion, we certainly have >> any discussion on that?
093Yeah, because that's >> I I just want to let the board members know that we did I did reach out on your behalf to your legis your local legislators. Senator Pacio did call me last week. Um he had tried to do an amendment um on the floor when the um when the uh the state aid changes were brought up by Senator Sweeney um and the senators defeated his amendment to um to to to consider the impact of the Highlands districts. So, um, just want to let you know what you're up against because we we have and and your legislators are very much aware of of the impact of the state aid on on the the communities that are affected by the Highlands Act. So, um, you know, I think we just have to keep badgering
094them. But I just wanted to let you know that Senator Pacio has is very much aware of it and he did try to to stave off um what he just went through to to know without success. >> I I I I know that that you did reach out and I appreciate that. I I do think though that we have to be that annoying person >> that's pecking at you because I also think that we might need to be reaching out to other other communities in the northern part of the state here because Vernon and different areas up here all took a brunt and they took a big hit and they're all impacted by the the the Highlands Act and it seems like >> we were the little corner of the state that they thought we
095would be okay to do this to even though you Now, so I do agree that we should be putting that forward. >> Well, >> I make a motion to amend the motion to include freeholders. >> You you can just withdraw it >> and then make the new motion >> so you don't have two votes. >> So, Mr. S, which is the point of order, would you like to withdraw your motion and just add the free? >> I'd love to. >> I'll second the revised version. I move that the board gets a letter draft or resolution drafted by the attorney to express the sentiment of the board to our legislators and freeholders regarding state aid. >> Second >> discussion Mr. You good? >> I think uh well, you kind of hit on it. We really have
096a bit of a triple whammy here, but I don't think there's a single district in New Jersey that's in this position. Um there are many districts whose whose aid has been cut. We're the only one that's 100% within the Highlands Act where we can't do anything at all to grow our populace, to grow our revenue, to attract more state aid. And and then we have our our friends in Patterson on the freeholder board who just for grins, let's smack them one more time with the PCTI taxes. So we I mean, we just got hammered. I don't think there's anybody in any other district in the state of New Jersey that's got to put up with and and even though you're right about Sussex County, but they don't have a Sussex County Technical Institute that they're
097>> get they do. >> They do. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I was wrong. >> We're not the only ones who get the triple whammy, but I don't think there's another school district that's 100% within the Highlands Act. I mean, every other school district at least got someplace they can build something and we don't. So, >> okay. >> So, now there's no more discussion. We're going to take a That's a roll call vote. >> It's a roll call. >> Are we roll calling on the amendment or are we roll call? >> Just the latest motion which includes three holders. >> Okay. >> But my point was to mention all three of those things because >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino,
098>> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. O'Brien, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Anything else under new business? >> Sorry, I didn't know that. >> Seeing none like to close new business. >> It's good for them, but >> the county any discussion? Okay. All those in favor? I >> I >> any opposers of the public who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first for five minutes for each speaker for a period of 30 minutes and then time permitting other public comment limited to five minutes per speaker will be allowed until the 30 time 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.
099Would anyone like to speak? >> Not. >> Can I speak about what was just spoken about? >> Absolutely. Anything. >> Just something very quick. My name is Tamara Jordan. >> Just can you give your name and address just for the record? >> Tamara Jordan. J O R D A N. >> Thank you, M. I wasn't sure. >> Thank you. Yes. >> First of all, >> I'm very um concerned that we would even consider closing a school. I I just I I just think that it's it shouldn't even even be thought of. It shouldn't even be looked into. We're paying all these high taxes. I understand you're trying to lower taxes, but I'm agreeing with someone that wants to try and speak about situations face to face first to try and make people understand in our
100government that, you know, they have to help us out monetarily. And I think that that's the best way to do it. Even better than a letter. I feel that that is the best way to handle it. Okay. Face to face. If we close a school, what's going to happen? We're going to have another hillcrest. Yes, we can update it to meet the criteria that the state expects, but how much money is that going to be down the line if we get more children in our district? I can't I can't even believe that that's even considered. There's other ways I think we should look into it, but this is a very very important decision. And I and I can and I can attest and I could speak for many people in our town. They are not
101going to be happy when they hear this and they will be hearing it. So be ready. Thank you. >> Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak? Mr. >> Hello everybody. L Signarino 3 Red Bar Lane. Uh you guys have a lot on your plate. So I can appreciate what you're going through. Uh the township we're always facing possible cuts every year year in year out. So um whatever we can do to help you out certainly we are uh we're here open arms. So thank you very much for the meeting last night. I think it was very um it was a good meeting and I appreciate it. So I look forward to many more. Thank you. >> Any other discussions? Any I mean any other people would like to comment? The the only thing that
102I want to say is that I I understand and I get everybody's feelings here because we all feel like we've been run over by a truck with this. But I want to make sure that we're not making a knee-jerk reaction to it either. I think we need to stop, think, and take the time that we have because we're addressing the cuts we have now in this year's budget, and we need to go in to to next year's budget knowing that we have we know that we're not going to get worried. We're going to lose it. And I think as as a group, we need to really discuss it before we make any kind of rash decision on anything. I I agree. You know, we need to be grabbing and seeing how much money can we
103save here, how much money can we save here, because we want to make sure we want to give the most to our kids as possible. But we shouldn't do it in a in a in a knee-jerk reaction either because politics changes over time >> and the same governor may not be there in three years when the time comes to re reook at this even on a bigger scale. So, let's let's listen to the input from the from everyone. Let's combine it and let's try to try to talk about it and let's hear from the public and see what they have to say because, you know, I I I know what you're saying about a referendum. I get where you're trying to get the information, but I think just even putting it out there, like Mrs.
104Jordan said, >> you're going to get input from people now. You'll definitely get input without an election. So, um I I just want to just say that to each member just please, you know, think keep thinking about the the what we can do, but also let's not make any jerk reaction. >> Um >> I move business public comments. Sorry. >> Second consideration. >> Well, any discussion? Those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Now, we need a motion to go into executive session, and we do have to come back because we have to vote on number seven under personal. At 9:03 p.m., I make a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel appointments, resignations, current litigation matters, special education matters, negotiations, matters of attorney, client privilege, and items seven under
105personnel. The executive session minutes will not be released until such time as the privilege or confidentiality is no longer applicable. Second all those in favor. Any opposed? We will be back. Yeah. You build it. And then they promise I don't know where they are from. [Music] Hey, how you doing? >> Thank you. [Music] We're looking forward to make sure I give you a video. 12year-old and then I just [Music] Have a great night. >> Congratulations. >> Take care. This is true