Board of Education Meeting 2/27/18

001with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings 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, 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, could you call the role? Mr. Bailey, Mr. Sidowitz >> here. >> Mr. Drew, Mrs. Dwire >> here. >> Mr. Gorino >> here. >> Mrs. Fritz here. >> Mr. Yuber >> here. >> Ms. O'Brien. >> Mrs. Van Dyke >> here. >> No one called? No. Okay. I'm going to uh need uh a

002motion uh for executive session uh for 9:00. >> Somebody >> Okay. I move that we resolution. >> No, we're just we're just doing the motion for ex executive session first. Will Okay. >> No, I don't have to read that. >> No, >> just >> you don't have to. It's right. >> It's right there. >> Yeah. >> I move that one. >> Okay. Need a second. >> Second. >> Sorry. And uh any uh all those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Dr. Anamone. >> Good evening everybody. Welcome to the February meeting of the uh of our board of education. We have a first we have a student presentation to begin our evening. Uh we've discussed STEM on many different occasions at the board meeting at the board level also in committee since I've been

003here really and uh we did bring some staff members here. We have Colleen Weiss Magisk our supervisor of science she is here and we have two staff members Karen Flareity from the high school and Mary Bozamire from Makapin and they each have some students here. They're going to give us a brief robotics demonstration. Just start. >> Good evening. Thank you. Um, I think you probably are all aware that we've had a robotics club for a number of years. Uh, recently Miss Boozer started joining Mrs. Flareity and Mr. Madora at the high school, bringing some students over for Makipin. And earlier in the year, Mrs. Flareity said to me, you know what? I'd really love to compete. And I said, let's just jump in. Let's just find a competition and do this. So, she spent the

004day up at High Point with a robotics teacher there and came away with a competition that we were that we did compete in earlier in the year in Sparta. And this is the robot they created. So, I'm going to turn it over to Mrs. Flareity and Miss Bosmire and their students and let them tell you about what they did. >> Sure. >> Hi. Um we have um brought about a dozen Makipin Middle School students now that are very interested in becoming part of the robotics program. Um very excited to get them acclimated early especially with the competition aspect of the program. Um, and I think that's really all I have to say about it that we're just really happy to boost the the numbers in the club and get them started at seventh grade, eighth

005grade, and then when they get to high school, they already are well acquainted with the robot, the programming, how competition works. And so, it's been very exciting. Your >> turn. Well, I'll give you one of these because this was I have a brought a few of these. This was the competition that we jumped into. First of all, thank you so much for supporting us. We're It was so thrilling. It really was this year to be able to jump in there and compete. We were so excited. We came in third place to last, but we can't. And we didn't care. We really didn't care. Um so I'm The kids are going to really tell you what they did. I'm just going to tell you this. So, um, when I went to High Point, um, I was

006able to see, first of all, the long-term goal is that we can host our own competition at the high school. Um, because if we can do that, um, we get the field, whatever the field is that year, we get that, um, which is an advantage for us and we get money. Um, we get, I believe it's $500, we get a stipened amount where we can use it for extra materials that we need. So, we would love to do that. But overall, this course um had it was a 12 by 12. And that's all I'm going to say because Zach is going to speak to this. Um but what you see here is what you saw there. It was 12 by 12. What you see over there was over here. So, Zach is going to speak

007to that. Go ahead, Zach. You speak to the the field itself. >> Okay. So pretty pretty much like the the field that we put together like in in the in the robotics team was like scale to the scale to the actual like like field that was it that that we were actually testing the robot on. So what we did was we scaled it by measuring then then we uh like put like all kinds of tape duct tape on the floor where it was supposed to be and that's how we tested and we obviously we have test cones right here and so >> and as and like as as you might already know like there's a in the high school there's a robotics class that's now that's now opening up to sophomores and freshman which I'm

008obviously probably going to be interested in in the upcoming years >> for All things. Thanks. Um, I'd like to say that this was a combined effort this year. Um, we were limited for time. Um, and we really didn't know what we were doing. So, it was a combined effort between my classes, my my robotics class, um, and the robotics club. And we had builders, a builder, builders, programmers, and drivers. Um, my programmers are here, so they're gonna want them to speak to that. >> Hi. Uh, my name is Dean Montasana. So, um, first thing, uh, we got the package with the robot in it about 3 weeks before the competition, so we didn't really have a lot of time, but we, uh, we opened it up and there was just a whole lot of mess

009of pieces and whatnot that you could put together, and we didn't really know how to begin. So, we found a manual and we basically just built the basic robot, the claw robot that uh the manual had said to build. So, me and another student, Sheamus, we worked together and we built the robot step by step together and it came out to be pretty good. Nothing special like some of the other people at the competition, but just a standard robot and it worked. So the next portion of it was the programming and unfortunately not many people or actually nobody knew the robot C program language that uh the robot took. But I had taken C++ the year before and was able to use the knowledge of C++ I had and um just kind of look up

010videos online to learn the robot C language. And then eventually we were able to develop a program that worked for the controller so that we could move it manually. And then eventually we were able to move it autonomously. That actually the autonomous period we just figured out how to do about 2 days before the competition. So that was fun working to figure that one out. But uh I'll let Maggie speak now to the rest of the part. >> Hello. Uh my name is Maggie. I'm a senior at the high school. Unlike Dean, I had not taken C++ ever and I had no idea what anybody was talking about. So, you see all the packets you got with the little gold fasteners? That was my job. I put all the fasteners in there because I was

011essentially just trying to distance myself from the robot because I saw everybody, you know, building and programming and I just had no idea what we were doing at all. And then one day, Miss Flardy came over and she was like, "Maggie, you know, why aren't you helping? I want you to be involved with this." And she handed me a laptop and said, "Just go on YouTube and look it up and just figure it out." And so I found a few YouTube videos and I followed them step by step and just input things into the program and you know we were all around the robot and everybody was trying to use it and I said hey you know can we just can we try this and I didn't think it was going to work and then

012we plugged in the program and the arm moved up and down and then Miss Flarity was like jumping for joy and she's like it moves it moves and that that was just great and so Dana and I worked together. remember we're sitting at the computer and just following YouTube videos and trying to figure out how to use it and everybody in the class was so involved and just so into it. Even the people in our class that you know for the be like the beginning of the year they weren't really into it. They were just sort of there you know seniors trying to get their credits in not really uh passionate about robotics and then you see all these kids like like fighting over the controller and they're like I want to try it. I

013want to try it. I want to I want to do it and you know we couldn't have do it we couldn't have done it without the MacB kids uh you know coming over and using the field and doing everything and like Dean said we did not have a lot of time and nobody really knew what they were doing but so I think that everything coming together was sort of a miracle it was just like it was good to know uh we didn't do amazing at the competition but we did what we could and that was good enough for all of us and it was just really a great experience and I'm so happy that the younger kids are getting involved with it because as a senior I took this class and so now you know

014it was only a two marking third period class. So, I'm out of it now. And I do I miss it and I wish I could go back, you know, building with Legos and programming and working everything out. So, I'm really very excited that the younger kids are getting into it and that they're really passionate about it. Uh that's about it really. But robots was robotics was really awesome and I'm just so happy that everybody else is getting involved in it. >> All right. >> Okay. So, we have builders, programmers, and we have drivers. >> Hello. >> Driver. >> I am. >> Of course you are. show. >> Hello. So, like Maggie said, I'm well, it's more like a combined effort and well, >> the robot isn't as isn't doesn't look like much, but it's honestly

015it's pretty decent, I guess. >> Very reliable. >> Exactly. >> Everyone else broke down at the competition and ours did it. >> Good. Good. >> Yeah. So, what the robot can do basically is it can pick up the clock and open itself up. It can drive around. It can It can't really pick up like one of the bigger cones, but it can pick up the smaller cones to get big on the bigger cone to get more points. And you see the little humps over there. If you get to the very edge of the last hump, it's more points. So, it's 20 and then the middle is 10. And then the last one is five. And if you guys want, I'll just demonstrate right now. >> Mhm. And it was a timed event. >> All it

016was time. >> Fortunately, we didn't get a lot of time. >> And there were others in the arena at the same time. >> Exactly. >> Come on. You can do it. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. All right. Roll it over the >> tube. Oh, it's going to go on top of that. >> It's like a double dip ice cream cone. >> All right. >> Yeah, because the arm isn't actually as tall cuz we were trying to go for like there's bigger poles than that. It's like just a couple feet high, but since our arm is like not as not as tall as the other as other robots, it can't really reach up to the highest highest points, but it can go over. So, that's good. >> I just need to

017jump in here because everybody sees him using a handheld remote, right? So, that was programmed by the students. Nothing came ready to go. They programmed the remote. They had to tell it what the robot was going to do and then how to go ahead. >> All right, here we go. >> Yeah. [Applause] So, do any of you want to give it a try? >> Come on, Will. You know you do. >> Will wants to try. >> I can teach you the control tools if you want. >> Okay. >> All right. Watch out, Barbara. >> It's going to snip your toes. >> Oh, there aren't controls. Here we >> hope you don't drive like that. >> Those two those two other ones. Oh wow. Come here, Dan. >> All right, I will get carried away. So,

018thank you very much. >> Oh my gosh. All right, take it away from me. >> All right. >> Too cool. >> There you go. >> I wish they had that when I was in school. You know, I also want to say, if you don't mind, that the night that we had that showcase tonight um was really important for our robotics club. Number one, thank you Susan Epicer because those poles were made from the maker space. Um wow. And >> what we did that night was we went down to the maker space and we we just gathered a lot of stuff so we could make some type of obstacle course so we could get draw people in as they were coming in. Um At the same time, we had a video going of the competition that

019we wanted to get into. Um, which proved really helpful for our club. So, thank you for that opportunity. >> I knew there was a plan. >> I knew there was now playing. >> I could tell just by his face. >> There you go. It's >> almost like it's got a personality. It's a little scary. I was so we got this. >> Okay. Very nice. >> So, why don't you guys grab everything and and start to gather it up and um I'll just finish up here. How would that be? >> Um so, thank you again for your support. Um, obviously just jumping in is the best way to go because as with any good engineering, you don't know the problems you have to solve until you encounter them. So, we discovered that our robot was super

020reliable. Other ones broke down. We were um in the area we were in, there were four different robots at the same time. Two on the blue team, two on the red team, and you were competing against the other color team with your team. So, there was another group that said, "Our autonomous program is great. Let us do and theirs totally crashed and burned. So, again, we were, you know, better off than we thought right from the get-go. Um, we're going to enter another competition in May. We're going to go to PCC and jump into their competition. It's a little bit different. Um, this one is VEX. That one is Tetricx. So, we're looking at two different robot types, but same programming platform and kind of building the program from there. In addition to that, our

021science Olympiad team jumped in this year. We won some medals on the high school level and this is the first year that we had a Makapin team join us, which was really a lot of fun. The high school coaches agreed to coach both the Makapin team and the high school team. So, we came home with medals in two events on the high school level and two events on the middle school level. So, that's always gratifying. And as we are becoming a more STEM focused society, we now have students asking us for another physics course. So, we put um chemistry B in place a couple of years ago and those students are now asking, can we have physics next year? So, we'll be looking to add a physics course. So, lots of great things going on

022in science and always I'm grateful and thankful for all of your support and helping us make these things happen. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Colleen. Thank you, Mary and Karen. Uh really appreciate your time. Thank you to our uh four students who came out tonight. Uh you're dismissed from the meeting. You don't have to stay any longer. Feel free to go home. Uh and I'll see there's anything we can do to help you in uh in May or next year. Just please let us know. Uh we'd love to support you. So >> that was great. >> That was a very nice great great. >> Okay. Next up, uh last I want to say last spring. >> Oh, quick question. That cost money to buy the kittens. >> Everything costs money. >> What? However much you

023want to spend on more of those and more teams and I'm 100% there. >> I mean, that's exciting. It really is. And other kids see that. I get excited. It's way more interesting than a board meeting. I'll tell you that one. >> Sure. >> Thank you. It was a nice presentation. Uh, next up, last year, I believe it was in the spring, Governor Christie announced a uh an op opioid education and awareness program uh statewide. Uh, it didn't it didn't run till its completion until after he had left office. So, we have a new governor now, uh, Governor Murphy, and probably maybe two weeks ago, they finally released the, uh, fact sheet. So, I shared with the board members here. There's copies on the counter here. Um, this is what we share with our student

024athletes, with our parents, with our coaches. So, it's a lot of good information on here. Uh, I just wanted to follow that up. Very important stuff. Uh, next up, we have a coaching honor. I was hoping to award this tonight to Coach Taylor PVN. He was named the State County Wrestling Coach of the Year. However, Coach Pvy has practiced today because he has our very own Trevor Fleet qualified for the state tournament this weekend down in Atlantic City at 126 pounds. So, Coach Pney can't be here, but he will be getting a certificate of honor uh from me on behalf of the board of education. So, congratulations, Coach Pney. [Applause] And last up, the uh monthly progress toward district, school, and department goals. Uh Dan's going to handle most of the educational updates tonight. I'm

025going to handle more of a financial update um just to give the community an update and even the board because they can always use a refresher course. But our budget timeline, our budget calendar, uh we're in the middle of it. We're getting close to the end of it. So, just to give members of the public an idea of how long this has been working on, we started working on the budget internally in October of this year. The administration here working with the principles and supervisors, we had meetings in October and November. Uh also in October, the budget and finance committee developed budget guidelines for this year. Those guidelines include things like we will use zerobased budgeting principles. We will be respectful of the use of public monies. We'll look to find efficiencies and so on

026and so forth. Those are developed in the fall. Just last week we held a special board of ed meeting, a committee of the whole discussion on the budget. Uh normally this is about the time of year late February where we receive our state aid figures. Usually it's right after President's Day. Uh this year because of the new administration, that deadline was pushed back three weeks. So the governor's budget address, which is normally held the day after President's Day, has been pushed back to Tuesday, March 13th this year. The state aid figures are uploaded into the uh onto the database 2 days after 48 hours. So we should get our state aid figures on m on March 15th. and we have our preliminary budget presentation and the board has to vote on a preliminary budget on

027March 20th. So there's really a 5-day window and in reality we'll probably get the state aid figures. We won't get them at 9:00 a.m. on the 15th. We'll get them at 4:59 p.m. So it doesn't leave a whole lot of time for us. >> Um so after the board votes and adopts a preliminary budget, it is sent to the executive county superintendent and advertised in the newspaper. uh all the local newspapers, the record, etc. And then we will hel we will hold another public hearing, right? We will hold a public hearing and the board will vote again at the end of April, uh April 24th. So at that point, um that's the end of the budget process. So we have about two more months to go. So we have a lot of outstanding uh we

028have some we have some significant variables out there yet. So nothing's really been finalized. We have our stated figures yet to come in for a few weeks. That's approximately $15 million last year, give or take. So, we don't know if that number is going to be 15 million or 12 million or 16 million or no change. So, it's a big number out there that's just not firmed up yet. Um, our health benefits uh budget line, this is expenditure is about 11 a.5 million that has also not been finalized. So, we have some other variables as well, but these are two large numbers that we just don't have finalized, which is why we can't present to the board. We can't present to the community a finalized preliminary budget. So, this going to take a couple more

029weeks until we get these numbers hashed out. We have a much uh stronger idea of what we're looking at. Okay, next up, >> um, students report. Student award, Miss Madison. >> So, February 2018 has been a crazy month for the Highlanders. Winter sports are coming to an end and our basketball team, cheerleading, dance, and wrestling have had a great season. We had a massive wrestling tournament at our school this past week and it sounded like it was really fun. Um, there is word going around about the start of a new mini golf club, so that's really exciting. A lot of students are talking about it. Um, the musical is approaching and will be held next Thursday through Saturday. And now we have two shows on Saturday. So, come see The Little Mermaid. And up and

030coming in March, we have the Empty Bowls fundraiser, Junior Prom, and the All District Arts Festival. >> Thank you. That's all for the superintendent report. Mr. >> Thank you. Um, as Dr. Dr. Anon mentioned in his uh monthly progress towards goals. I'm going to talk about a few of our um educational initiatives that were able to um play out over the last month. Um one of them is a brief update on uh February 20th. We had a professional development day, which for our staff is the equivalent of a nice big um deep mindful breath. I see one of our mindfulness representatives in the audience, so I I threw that in here. Um but a a professional development day the way the way we've been um running in the last few years has really tied into

031uh our district goals in particular um our goals in in our math department and our goals in the differentiated uh differentiation of instruction for all students. So I'm just going to give a few highlights um from from across the day in in a few of our departments. And I'm going to start from from kindergarten and and work my way up. um our teachers in grades uh kindergarten through two, they met uh they did half a day with a representative from our potential new phonics program. We've uh been in the process of looking at a variety of uh multiensory phonics programs that are um that are popular in in other districts and researchbased. and we um brought in one of those uh vendors in particular to work with our staff. That that seems to be one

032of our um highest contenders at this point. Our our staff got a good good experience with with that program. Uh second half of their day they spent with um representatives who uh train them on interactive smartboard use. It's not it's not actually a smartboard, it's a um projector that that has uh interactivi uh interactivity and and smart notebook hands-on software. So they spend a half a day with that. um grades three through six had a um day where they were able to stay in their um their own building and they worked with their grade level peers on a number of the initiatives that we've we've had through over the the last few years which is readers and writers workshops. So they were able to uh stay in their classroom, work with their grade level colleagues

033and um just you know take a day to go through the materials that they've been presented with and and talk about how it really works in the classroom. So, I know that day was was greatly appreciated and we have to do um a little bit more of that for everyone going forward. Um grades seven uh six, seven, and eight teachers of history and social sciences, they met with a representative to uh talk about updates to uh Holocaust education and and how it uh presents in our standards. uh grades seven uh six and seven teachers of math. They spent a full day with the Gleno publisher um in anticipation of a new uh textbook series in grades six and seven for for next year. So, they had a uh a good day of a uh preview

034with that program. They were able to get their hands on it. They were able to try out some new um online tools that are that are supportive with with that program. So, I know they had a uh they had a great day with that. um our grades uh 8 through 12 teachers of math spent the day with uh a presenter that we had back in September. His name is Dr. Milo from Rowan University. And it was a day of uh best practices in in math instruction. Uh building on what they worked on beginning in September. A lot of uh interactivity, a lot a lot of whole class engagement strategies. Um and the teachers really appreciated the work that they got from that. um our uh remaining departments in grades 7 through 12, we had a

035um presentation in Google Classroom for beginner and advanced users and we also had presentations in something called Flip Classroom and they're both um you know class engagement, student engagement um structures and our staff was able to spend half a day with Flip Classroom, half a day with Google Classroom um and we're able to to do u work with that uh one one activity that we had in place which was uh we talked about at the last meeting um the board approved for us to um bring in our cafeteria aids for uh project adventure and and outdoor um outdoor supervision training. So we they had a uh they had a great day. They spent the day with uh Mr. Stryens and a few representatives from our uh fizzed department. Mr. Shrines was able to walk them

036through outdoor supervision and and some of the um you know some of the the best uh practices that we see in that and they were able to work on team building and um some structured play ideas for um some of the things that we do in our project adventure program. Um so that's uh that's in in a nutshell some of the highlights. We you know we got a lot of great feedback from our staff and and being able to spend a uh a meaningful day with our with our professional development plans. Uh, another area I wanted to highlight and I'll try and go through briefly. Um, last year we began or we we started the process of um working with a uh company called Renaissance in terms of a program called Star Math and we

037were able to uh train our staff. It's a um it's a benchmark assessment for math which was something we didn't previously have in the school district. We administer this assessment now in grades um all students in grades two through eight and we also added it midyear to our uh geometry and algebra students and I just wanted to report on this is our uh we gave our second administration of the assessment um we gave a you know pre-est in the fall very early on the year we did it in early October and then we um we did our followup in January and I just wanted to report out um percentile growth gains by grade level across the district. Uh in grades two, we increased uh 11.4 um in our percentile rank. And I'm just going to

038for those of you who don't know, uh our percentile rank scores range from 1 through 99 and express student ability relative to the scores of other students in the same grade nationwide. And when we first got into using STAR math, we were presented to the board that that is a comparison between approximately um 280,000 students nationwide who use who use the STAR assessment. So that's that's pretty much the the comparison pool that we're we're um going against. Um in grade three, we improved 7.1 uh percentile points. in grade four. This is an average across all of our students at at the grade level. Uh 9.4 in grade four, 9.7 in grade five, 10.3 in grade six, 6.1 in grade 7, and 2.2 in grade 8. And I mentioned that we have uh we we worked

039with our um geometry and algebra students, but we we started that midyear. That wasn't part of our original proposal, but we added it because of the um interest in our staff from from the assessment. So, we don't have a uh we just got our baseline with that group. We'll give a follow-up assessment in uh last week of March, first week of April, the two weeks prior to prior to our uh spring break, and we'll be able to get some some growth data out of out of that. >> I'm sorry, I missed it. When was the baseline that that's based on? >> This was uh early October. So basically get a you get a window that we're able to take these assess. We can take these assessments at any time. Um but during a certain window

040is where we pull our data from. Uh we get a wide range of data. Grade level equivalency, percentile rank, um comparison for projected park readiness comparison against state uh state standards. Uh we sent a parent letter home uh with with all of our students at report card time. So parents were able to get that report to show some of the numbers that I was just talking about, grade equivalency, percentile rank, um comparison to to park readiness and and that sort of thing. Um, also, uh, since our last meeting, we had, um, some new additions to our, um, our ranks of schools who are named in, uh, state or national schools of character. Um, joining our list of, um, schools who are already one, I see we have a large PK crowd, so I'll make sure

041I'll mention that. PK is a state and national school of character along with our upper Greenwood Lake and Macken School and also Maple Road School are state and national winners. Um the new additions to that were the uh Marshall Hill School won the uh title of honorable mention and the Westbrook school school we're all in is uh just received the rank of state uh state school of character and the West Milford High School also received the recognition of high school of state school of character. Last year they were named as um honorable mention and this year they won the state rank. So the um process for being recognized nationally uh is taking place over the next two months. Uh during the month of March, we get site visits from character.org who will uh come into

042the building, interview staff, interview students, they work with focus groups and they um talk to parents and they um you know make their designations for that. Uh so we anticipate our our new schools who have been added to this list will do presentation down at U Ryder University in May and they'll presh present their school and and their character education program to um everyone in attendance at at that time. So it's a uh it's a great honor. Um it leads me to announcing um this is the first night of my onslaught of Honeywell messages in regard to digital citizenship night. Um awardinning award-winning congressionally recognized digital citizenship night. Um this year our event takes place on March 19th. It's the first year that we're going to be use the West Milford High School as our

043venue. We're going to try and highlight our uh our new auditorium. It also gives us the opportunity to have all of our families in attendance have dinner at the same time. Um, which I think will be a nice nice upgrade because, you know, one of the things that we've seen is we hand out two sets of schedules. Group A eats first, group B eats second, and we get a lot of B's who slip in with the A's because they're hungry. Um, so we're going to try and cater to that and and allow all of our families and children to eat at the same time. I'm very excited that I'm not going to be doing the presentation this year. Um, but we're bringing in a woman named Melissa Stra who has been in district before. We

044have had a few pres uh parent presentations with Melissa Stra over the last three years. Um, she's from organization called High Impact Youth. She is a former law enforcement agent and she has worked in a cyber crimes unit and she does a phenomenal presentation on uh cyber bullying and digital citizenship and really um gives parents the the straight talk on on what they need to know. She's worked with our students quite a few times. She was here this year. Uh she met with all of our uh she met with all of our students in grades um four through eight this year. She was here previously two years ago where she met with all of our students 4 through 12. Um, and she's had some individual parent nights that weren't connected to a major event where

045we get a turnout of about 20 to 30 parents. So, the the hope is that we'll bring her into this event and we'll get that crowd that that great turnout that we that we usually get. Um, the plan is that she will work with a combined group of parents and students for a uh group discussion. We'll have dinner and activities and then we're going to have a breakout at the end where where Melissa Stra will talk just to parents and and talk about some of the things that are just a little bit more parent appropriate. And at that time our students will be working with our staff members um who you know led by um Mrs. Laura Oaks and our educational technology committee uh who've been really fantastic in in helping uh get this event

046going this year. So I apologize in advance for the many honey wells that you're going to receive. Uh you can anticipate that the permission slips will come home um at the end of next week with an RSVP um RSVP about uh a week week and a half before the event. So again, I apologize in advance, but but get ready. Again, it's for grades uh students in grades 5 through eight. U but we've we've had a tremendous turnout with it in the past, so I'm excited to announce it. And I think I'm done. I have to jump in. >> Sorry, I have I forgot one thing before. I should have remembered, but uh I forgot. So, I'm gonna jump right in one last piece. This past week and weekend, uh West Milford High School hosted a

047uh something called a region one wrestling tournament. This is a three-day event. It was Wednesday, Friday, and all day Saturday. Uh there's one of it's one of eight regions in the state. It's the second leg of the state tournament for high school wrestling. The final week is this weekend ahead of down at Lang City. Um I was speaking with the head official. He's a 46-year veteran official and he says he's been working region tournaments for 33 years and this was the best region he's ever worked in. So some small token uh words of thanks are are needed. Uh our wrestling coaching staff, coaches PvE, Blakeley, Stole, and Spencer. Uh they were critical in helping out in make sure the weekend ran wonderfully. Uh they were creating the brackets. They were just helping out with the

048organization. Our booster clubs combined to work the concession stand which is held in the cafeteria. The soldout event. The podium that we use for our photographs for our place winners. It's the ones you seen ones you see in the Olympics with the first place here and the second place that was created by our students in Mr. Be's wood shop class. Uh, we had Board of Education Trustee Ray Garino volunteered his time all three days as a scorekeeper or clock operator. >> Computer guy. >> I got the state all the information. >> Okay. So, that's right. He was uploading the winners in real time to the brackets online so people across the state could follow along with region one. Uh, obviously another board of ed trustee, Mr. Barry, was instrumental. He assisted us with many different

049issues. Uh we are every region there's eight regions they had a it was broadcast on a website I think it was News12 uh purchased the rights to broadcast we have a TV science class here with Mr. Jordan he had four of his students Norman Babinsky Luis VeZ Joey Heistler and Kyle Fernley working a our own live stream so live stream events were banned or not allowed at all the region events so Mr. placed a welltimed call down to Robinsville at the NJSIAA and they permitted our students to run a live stream event region one. So we put the link out. We had over a thousand people watching in addition to a soldout gym. So thank you Mr. Barry. Thank you to Mr. Jordan and his students for creating the live stream on their own time.

050the live stream that we put together was probably in higher quality than the one that was professionally produced. So, I had them on my phone and my friend's phone at the same time watching it. So, uh and lastly, congratulations and thank you to Joe Trenic Costaster, athletic director, for running such a wonderful event. Um he sent me there's a Google document here that he forwarded to me and it was coaches and referees last night was awesome. You guys did a great job. Last year, the region was held at Bergen Community College. So, this coach says that Bergen Community is 10 minutes from my house, but I'd rather be at West Milford any day of the week. Tournament was run efficiently. We would be blessed for you to have us back. So, we're looking forward to

051hosting in 2019. And again, thank you, Mr. Bailey. Thank you, Mr. Go again for your uh spirit of volunteerism. Great, greatly appreciated. >> Um, Mrs. Francisco, special reports and correspondence. Um, can we just break up the minutes there so that the May 26th, 2015 is separate vote? Okay. I wasn't here, Mr. >> Um, I don't know whether that's issued. Um, Mr. Rosselli, >> it's it's not an issue. We just have to correct one item on the minutes. You can vote on them. Uh, assuming that you feel you have enough information to do so from the business office. >> Um, I just assume I'm saying I don't know. So you but you are you could just abstain on that one and vote yes. You didn't have to break them up specifically. >> Okay. So we need

052a motion for the uh minutes. Okay. A motion the minutes. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh we need a second. >> Okay. So now would you do them all as a whole or break them up? You can you can move them all at once like the motion says and you can just vote yes or no or >> Okay. It's not a roll call though. It's a voice, >> but you can still do that. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, why don't we just >> Okay. >> Any of us that weren't here for that day or >> So, like I said, you don't have to abstain. >> Okay. >> Assuming you feel that >> you have enough information to vote. I just to clarify, I did put um information in the budget and finance

053minutes so that everybody understood that one of the uh resolutions never made it to the original ones that were right. >> Did you have a question, Mr. J? >> Yeah. What was the revision to May 26? >> It was in the budget and finance minutes. Um, we had approved the resolution after executive session uh for uh appointing Kevin Kevin Senabino and Associates to do the uh roof re uh referendum. >> Yeah. >> And um >> Okay. >> We we realized that it wasn't in there. >> Made the final minutes. >> So, we need to approve it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh I I think I'll just Can we just do the May 26 first and then we'll do the rest together. All those in favor um for the May 26 regular minutes revised say

054I >> I >> any abstensions >> three. >> Okay. >> Myself and now the the the remainder of the minutes. Uh all those in favor I >> I >> any opposed. >> Okay. And there's one extension legal report. Uh we will discuss legal matters in executive session after the regular business meeting. uh under the president's report. Um one thing that I I wanted to say um New Jersey school boards also is running a workshop on the opioid crisis on April 13th and board members I'm sure they if you got it in your >> mailing. So if anybody's interested in that that's April 13th and it's a 9 to3 I think it's an um >> 3:30 >> uh 3:30 at Mercer Conference Center. Uh, also, uh, taking note on the agenda tonight, I see that Mrs.

055Sber is retiring. I'd like to wish her well after 30 years in the district. She's earned her retirement, so good luck to her. Um, I was going to talk about the play, but Madison addressed that. I think you all should come out and see it. It's going to be quite quite an interesting array. We have kids flying, we have fish flying. It's going to be a one a wonderful three-day event. And if you have a little one that loves to The Little Mermaid, definitely try to get to the matinea performance and do the before cast before show uh pictures with the cast members. It's going to be a fun day for everyone. Um I like Doc Dr. Anamone said um our next meeting is the 13th and that is not a budget meeting uh because

056we're not going to get our state aid uh numbers until probably the 15th. So March 20th will be the meeting where we will be discussing the budget and they'll we're hopeful I would like to build a question and answer in there so that parents will be able to come up and address the budget at that time because we're not going to have any answers on the state aid before that. Um yeah, I think that's about all under my president's report tonight. So now petitions and requests. Petitioners who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with five minutes for each petitioner for a period of 30 minutes and then a time permitting other petitions and and requests limited to five minutes per petitioner will be allowed until the 30 minute time period

057expire transpires. Uh petitioners speaking during petitions and requests 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 may not use the name of students during the petitions and requests. Is anybody signed up to speak? No. >> Would anyone like to speak? Come on up, Mr. Foody. On an agenda item, please. It's >> all on the agenda. Mhm. >> Uh James Foody to Kashaka Trail North, U New Jersey. Um first agenda item, safety committee. Um you had a lockdown the other day. All right. Um class my daughter was in, they made the kids line up against an an accordion that goes to divider for the classroom as it's shaking. If somebody came in from the other side, easily

058get shot up. I mean, let let's think about it a little more. Also, I had the opportunity to drop my daughter off because my my wife had mentioned it to me on several occasions. She drops her my daughter off at school in the morning. There's nobody out front. Doors are wide open. Anybody can get in. after what happened in Florida and what's happened in all schools across the nation. Why there isn't administrators out in the front of that building and Mrs. Van Dyke, your husband was away, why she my wife did mention that she saw your husband outside a few times, but he's in California and there's there's nobody there's nobody around. >> Let's not bring up my husband, please. >> Okay, >> I'm not bringing up I'm go whatever. Um but a after watching

059the meeting last week, you guys talk about new bleachers and new fieldhouse and nowhere except Mr. Bailey mentioned about his friends in the security business. I think getting the security in order is is more important of an issue than at this time than bleachers and a fieldhouse. So, I would hope that you guys could discuss that in budget and finance. Um, Mr. Mr. Drew. Um, I had him on budget and finances the committee chair. >> Is this about an item on the agenda? >> Is budget and finance and the chair on the >> Is this about the agenda, Mr. Food? >> It's on the agenda. Is budget and finance is the item? No, it is not. What you're discussing is not on the agenda as you're speaking. It's a Is there a topic on the

060agenda? >> Budget and finance is on the agenda and the chair is on the agenda. >> So, Mr. Free, that's not an agenda item. An agenda item is a resolution. >> Budget finance isn't an agenda item. >> Not specifically. There's an agenda item under finance. >> It'll come up. >> I'll let I'll let you go on a safety. No problem. >> Excuse I'm okay with the safety issue because policy isn't discussion. >> Excuse me. >> Policy. >> Excuse me. >> Who has the floor? I got my five minutes to speak unless you're going to give me. >> But you're not talking on the item. >> Yes, I am. I'm going to policy next. It's on the agenda. >> If you wouldn't mind, I have a point of information and question. >> All right. Is a

061topic under superintendent report an agenda item or not? >> Yes. >> Then budget is on the agenda. >> No. No. That's that's not It has to be on what the superintendent specifically talked about or it has to be on a resolution item in this particular section. There's no uh restrictions on the next section for anything. >> Okay. So, >> on policy, I see that you're you're abolishing um some of the policies that were put into effect early on with regards to students coming a little bit late to class. um you're abolishing that and I guess going back to the old ways because I see no reference of it in the policies that you have listed online. Um I'm a little dismayed that why you would do that. But I guess you guys can can do

062what you want, but you you're going to hold the students to a higher standard than you hold your own members to. um kids late. You're going to be marked as a cut where board members can can come and go as they please and and be disrespectful of other board members. And I'll get to that at the at the next petitions and requests. Um the rest I'll I'll I'll wait till the next time. Is there anyone else liking to speak before petitions and requests? If not, I need a motion to close petitions and requests. >> Move to close petitions and request. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? We need a we need a motion uh and a second to adopt the agenda as presented. >> Move to adopt the agenda as presented.

063Second. That's okay. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Personnel, student affairs. Mrs. O'Brien is not here. Um, would you like to do that, Mr. uh, Sawitz? >> Sure thing. >> I'd like to move items number one through 24 under personnel and student affairs. >> Second. Um, is there any discussion? Mr. Yub, >> I got a few things. First, number 12, thank you to the administration for getting a couple more ma mathematics people for homeschooling. We've needed that badly, I understand. So, that's great. >> Home instruction. Sorry, >> wrong word. Um, number 13, the grant incentive. Is that something that the uh the teacher applied for or something? >> Yes. >> Well, I would like to say kudos to Mrs. Cmerford uh for uh working on getting the funding for

064the things you need. Um paragraphs 19 and 23 has to do with the miniature valve club. Um do I understand I understood in one paragraph that the um advisers is going to be volunteers. >> Okay. So that's the 23 uh approves the $35 per hour uh stipen and the advisers for the mini golf are on that list. Is that an error? Wait at the end. >> No, it's not. >> Oh, sorry. 24. >> No, here. >> My bad. >> Yeah, it is. >> Oh, it's volunteer. >> It says volunteer. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> Two separate two separate items. >> The mini golf club is completely voluntary. There's no cost to the board. >> Extension 23. Sorry about that. >> Okay, that's all I've got. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Mr. Drew,

065>> I just have a question. What's family numeracy? >> Not family. What number? >> Under number 14. >> Uh family numeracy night. It's a um >> family family numeracy instructor. >> Yeah, that would be for So family numeracy night. It's what we call um our our event. It's a evening event. It's a parent involvement event for um celebrating math. It >> it used to be called family math. that. Okay. >> I did have another question for Dan at the West School and paragraph 18. What's blue ribbon and making strides? What are the two organizes? These are um >> making strides or hooking club. Let's >> see where they're funded. PTA funded. To be honest with you, I don't know what all these are. They're PTA funded. They're not through my uh my title. We can

066find out for you. >> I don't know if they were there. >> I think the one might be walking. >> Yeah, I think the making strides is walking. >> I don't know about blue ribbon. >> Any other discussion? >> The blue ribbon is a book club. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? If not, Mrs. Francisco, roll call. Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Gorino, >> uh, yes. Uh, on all but, uh, 16, I'll abstain. >> Mr. Yubert, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Okay. Uh, Mrs. Drier. >> Okay. the main character. >> Oh. Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Yes, I'm sorry. >> Um, >> will >> I would like to move

067items 25 student affairs. >> Second discussion. Th this again, this is a retirement. Mrs. Benson's been with us for many years, I believe. I don't know how many years, but is it like 30? >> No. 17. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> It was 18. >> We wish her well in her retirement. >> Uh, any other discussion? >> Mr. Question. >> Can we move a teacher from a different area into one of these areas or if do they require special certification or >> we're just talking about a retirement? >> Yeah, but you now have an opening and we're talking >> to you have to be a math teacher. there. It couldn't be qualified. >> It would have somebody with a math certificate. You know, at the elementary level, you can move a second grade teacher to

068third grade. >> Uh they're generalists. Uh secondary level, usually your subject specific. So, this would be a math teacher. We would need >> a math teacher to replace her. >> It seems like a real shame to lose a math teacher. >> Any other discussion? >> Mrs. Francisco. Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwyer, >> yes. >> Mr. Guino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. Thank you. >> Okay. Mrs. Dwyer, education. >> Okay. I'd like to move items 1 through six for approval. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Um just I just want to note that it's music in our schools month and the resolution is laid before everyone. Um the

069the um music in the uh high school. What night is that? The uh program >> it's the end of March. Uh >> yeah, we're still technically one day away from music in our >> Okay. Well, I I just I I but we have the big program at the high school. >> We do. We have a busy month in March. We have uh the school play. Then we have later in the month we have >> March 21st. I just want to remind the the public that March have the date of March 21st. It's a great It's a great night especially for um elementary parents when they come out and they can see the the gate the range of what happens with your child from listening to that tune at fifth grade to when you see them

070in the band in the high school in 11th and 12th grade. It's just amazing and it's a great night to just come out and see our kids at their best. It's it's a wonderful night. So I just wanted to make a note on a little comment on that tonight. So, okay. Mrs. Uh, any other discussion? Mrs. Francisco, >> Mrs. Dwer, >> yes. >> Mr. Gorino, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Education, >> Mr. >> We just voted on everything. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Um, Mrs. >> Dwire, number seven. Hips. >> Oh, those are hips. That's for after >> I have it written. >> Okay. Um, budget and finance.

071>> Items one through four under budget and finance, please. >> Second. >> Um, any discussion? >> Curious who's responsible for the uh grant number one. I believe that's the same. >> I believe that is Mrs. Commer. >> It's the one you just >> Okay. So, that's a different part of the grant then. Correct. >> It's accepting the funds. >> Oh, cuz the other the other one said $175. >> That's what she's getting. >> Oh, I see. Okay, great. >> There's different components to the grant. >> Great. Even better. Um, can you explain the - Consulting, Inc. contract? What's that for? >> Sure. It's uh they provide all of the services we need to file the - application that we have to do annually. The - application is done through schools and library which is a

072federal program and depending on what we put into that grant application if they approve it we get a portion of that money that we spend back um as a grant. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome. >> Any other discussion? >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mr. Gorino, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Like to move item number five under budget and finance, please. >> Second. >> Anybody? >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. Mrs. Francisco. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. Mr. Gorino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >>

073yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> yes. >> Move item number six under budget and finance, please. >> Second. Anyone? >> Second. Any discussion? >> Mrs. Franciscan. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. Mr. Gino, >> abstain. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke, >> I abstain. >> Like to move number seven under budget and finance, please. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Mrs. Franciscan. >> Welcome. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Garino. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. Mr. Sidowitz. Yes, >> Mr. Yuber. >> Same. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes, >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> To move items number eight and nine under budget and finance, please. >> Second.

074>> Discussion. Roll call. Mrs. Dwer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz? >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Abstain to eight. Yes. And I >> Mr. Gorino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. Policy. Mr. Gorino. >> Oh, I'm sorry. There isn't. It's after >> I don't have it either. >> I don't have I don't know. Three in one. >> No, you didn't distribute it yet. I'm waiting until after >> that is after executive session. >> Okay. >> Policy. Mr. Greener >> like to move items uh 1 through 21. >> Second discussion. Mr. Sits. >> I agree with resolution number one in principle. Unfortunately, after speaking to uh several people about the issue, I do agree with their sentiment that

075there are legal issues involved with it. However, I want to reiterate I do agree with it in principle. So, I will unfortunately be voting yes to it. Um I was going to ask if we could separate out um some items. Uh, I need to ask uh Mr. Rosselli a question. Is >> is the secretary allowed to decline if a board member asks for a policy to be shown with editing marks? >> So since so we're in public so I don't want to give legal advice. I will say that board members should have the information that they need to make a decision on items on the agenda, but I don't want to talk about anything specific because we're in public right now. Other we can go to executive session and have a discussion. >> Um, but

076board members should have whatever they feel they need to make a decision if an item is on the agenda. >> All right. Um, I I'd like to make a motion to table a few things till next meeting. Um, I have a little background to it. um in at the December meeting, Mr. Bailey sparked at me, but he was right um about showing the uh policies that are up for vote on the website with editing marks. And I had never noticed it because on the policy committee, I knew what was in there, so I didn't really check that. And he was absolutely right, though. The public and the board should have the ability to go in, see what's marked for editing. I sent a day after that I think or maybe two I sent Dr. random

077an email asking for that and nothing ever happened. And then uh about a week ago I sent that again. I didn't get any responses and on so on Friday uh I asked uh Barbara to send me editing remarks on 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 nine I think nine of the policies and regulations. Now, I simply don't have the time in the day to review an 11page policy against another 11-page policy out, you know, when I have a list of 21 policies to review. It is just, you know, they're not all onepage policies. So, I'd like to ask that these particular policies be tabled until the next meeting. Um, and the motion will be for 5200 attendants. 5200 attendance regulation. Um, and then obviously if you're going to do those, we have to

078do the 5200.1 and point two. And I don't have a necessarily have a ne a problem with these things. I just haven't had the ability to to figure out for sure what we're doing. Um 7440 school district security 7441 electric surveillance on school property 7441 regulation 5460.1 high school transcripts >> that's a regulation 7101 education adequacy of capital projects that's a regulation 8630 emergency school bus procedures and 5516.01 1 student tracking devices. So, I'd asked for those and I didn't get the information I need to to vote and I'm asking that those be tabled until I receive that before the next meeting. >> Right. >> I just want to add one thing. Um the question as to whether to put the proposed changes on the website for public view really is an entire board issue.

079It's not an administrative decision >> because that's still what's known as advisory uh and consultative material. So, it's not a public document unless the board itself wants to make that public. So, it's not a decision that Alex or Barbara would make on their own um or one board member. It would be an entire board discussion and vote. >> Ray, you had a discussion. >> Yeah. So, I was going to say, you know, when you brought that up, I happen to agree with it. I I I agree with what you're saying, but I also feel like where we are now, this is what we've done up to this point. I think from this point forward then we can have that discussion and I think we can we can move forward with that. >> Any other discussion?

080>> Second to what? >> He made a motion. It needs to be second before >> you second. I'm sorry because Mr. Yuber was talking about tableabling it and there was no motion on the floor at that point. Okay. So, right. I made a motion to table. >> Which motion? Which motion? You table the motion. You seconded the motion to table. >> Okay. Can you just re reiterate those policies? >> Could you say what numbers they are? >> The resolution number. Maybe >> I I >> maybe it's easier to do resolution number >> the number like 13 12. I can go I can run through. >> Hold on a second. Let me just run through the list and I'll start going. >> It's mostly the newer stuff. Well, I mean all of the up up to

081item 17 are all second readings. >> Yeah, it's mostly 18. >> So, it would be 18, 19, 20, and 21. You have two that you were talking about that were second readings already. >> Hold on a second. >> I thought he was it was 13. Electronic surveillance. >> Yeah, 12 and 13, I believe, which is a second reading. High school transcripts I think is number six. >> Number seven you are >> and 1920 >> 21. Thank you. All right. So, attendance, all the four attendances, school security, school district security was >> 11. >> That's 10 and 11. Uh, I think that's got them all. Okay. So, that would be I don't think we have anything before five, right? No, that would be 6 7 10 11 12 13 18 19 20 and 21. So the

082motion was to table those until next meeting. >> Correct. >> And you're seconding it. You seconded it. Um so we we do a roll call on that. Okay. >> More discussion. >> Mr. Bailey discussion. >> There there's no discussion on the table. There's no discussion on motion to table. Okay. So we have to just take the >> Mr. Bailey. >> No. >> Mr. Sidus. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> no. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> no. >> Mr. Gorino, >> no. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Van Djk, >> no. >> Okay. So, that motion did not pass. So, now they're all up for vote. >> Okay. Now, we can discuss. We can go to discussion. >> Correct. >> Mr. Bailey, >> we don't have anything now. >>

083No, because we're moving forward, right? discussion. >> I thought you wanted to talk. >> That is >> Mr. Yuber. >> All right. First one. An empetism policy number one. Okay. Um I'd like to make a motion. Well, first yeah, I'd like to make a motion to um that if there an employee who is up for a uh a position um particularly new hire that the uh administration notify the board by email like we did the last two meetings ago, three meetings ago um so that we can consider that in u in our voting and be fully informed. It's a transparency issue. >> I I understand that. But do you want to modify the policy or you just want a directive to the administration? You wouldn't need a motion for that. >> I'd like it in

084the policy. Okay. >> So, what am I doing? >> Well, there was a motion made to >> That's to amend the policy. So, it's for an amendment. >> Yeah. >> I >> Mr. Bailey need to second. >> Well, he raised his hand to talk yet. >> But if you're not going to second, there's no discussion. So, second, >> Mr. Bailey, >> talk to me. >> President. Yes, >> this meeting has gone so far off track. I have no clue what we're talking about. But I do know one thing. >> I do know one thing. There's a lot of time and effort on the part of our staff administration and my colleagues on the board that go into reviewing these policies. Now these policies are presented before us to be approved at a second reading. It's

085an important thing that we're doing. It's an important act of the board. And here we are at this point trying to apply the brakes to this process. And it's bad. It's inferior boardsmanship. And I'm disappointed because I'm here to support the administration and to support these policies, not to attempt to reinvent them, modify them, pull it what you want. So, I want that to go on the record and I would hope that we can see that this vote get taken sooner or later so we can move on to other items of importance. What we do here is very very important and this is inferior boardsmanship. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Did I thought Did you have your hand up right Mr. Yuber? >> I'm going to ask the chair to please ask the

086other board members to remain civil to each other. I I think that that's a given that >> Yeah, but you didn't say anything. >> Okay, let's >> noted. >> Okay, so there's a sec there's a there's a second on the floor about the amendment. We need to do a roll call. Correct. >> On the amendment. on the amendment >> which was to include in the policy language that requires the administration to email to board members whether uh a new hire >> or is a relative of an employer. >> I have one more >> on the motion to amend. >> I'm allowed to >> on the motion to amend. >> Yes. >> Um I'm just going to say that this is a vote on transparency. So pretty much if we vote against this it means that

087we want to be willfully ignorant of what we're voting on. Thank you. Okay. Mr. Bailey, >> my colleague hopefully is speaking for himself because to a broad gush that this board is about to vote for something and render it non-transparent. Is that the word? >> Non-transparent. >> That's not what I'm doing. That's not what none of that's what not that's not what I do. And that's what I don't think most of my colleagues do. So I take the exception to these flippant remarks that fly around here and kind of get attached to the board as a whole. >> Okay. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. B amendment. >> Is this on the amendment? >> Just on the motion to amend the policy. Mr. Bailey, >> no. >> Mr. Sidtoitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >>

088yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> no. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> no. >> Mr. Gino, >> no. Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk, >> no. Okay. >> Where am I? >> So, that that did not pass. We are back to the regular agenda items. >> Okay. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Um, yeah. Can you guys specifically describe what the change is to number six, the regulation for high school transcripts? There was in the the should be in the policy minutes. There were some minor revisions to that one. I don't have the policy. The >> policy minutes don't say specifically. They kind of have a vague comment. >> Uh I'd have to look it up. This is part of the regular Strauss update. >> Well, that's what I'm asking. Somebody tell me what the change is. >>

089Mr. Strauss, >> correct? >> Yeah. I left. No, I don't have them with me. >> All right, let's go. >> It's the second reading. It's not It's not the first reading. We had them when we were here for the first reading. >> Let's go on to number seven. >> Sure. >> Anybody know what the change to the student tracking devices is? >> Yes, that was because of the >> number seven. Yes, this is a new policy actually. Uh there's been a growth with techn technology devices, tracking devices that children can now have parents can buy for their child to clip on their book bag, put in their back pocket if uh we have some children who are runners. They might get off the bus and take off in the wrong direction. So the tracking devices

090allows parents to track their child in real time with the device on the child and an app on the parents phone. So, this policy really just spells out when and how they can be used in a school. So, children will be allowed to have them on them. However, they cannot be recording devices, either video or audio. So, they're solely used for parents to track their child. Some of these devices have audio video capabilities. This policy uh does not allow for that. It just allows the tracking of the child. >> So, um I know for a fact that phones have an app. So, are we allowing them to have their phone on with them all time at all times if it has the app on it for the parents to track where they are? >> I

091think the app is on the parents phone and the device is on the student's book bag or on their hip. >> Yeah, but the device is is the student's phone. >> Uh, not necessarily. It could be a separate device for a little >> It can be. I'm asking how would we treat that? >> They're allowed to have tracking devices. They're not allowed to use it for recording purposes. So, most of these are really primary grades. Okay. >> Children who are too young, typically too young to have phones. >> I know high school students that have this on their >> That's a parent issue. >> So, I'm sorry. Does anybody else have something? I keep going. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Number 10 and 11. Uh policy and regulation. How is that adjusted? Is that a

092Strauss also? Yes, there was a large stress estimate updated uh policy drop probably maybe six weeks ago and this was part of it. Um all those ones in a row or all the second readings are pretty much the new Strauss updates. >> Well, that's school security. I'm guessing we're going to be looking at that again pretty soon anyway. >> Sure. >> Uh number 12, electronic surveillance. Number 12 and 13 is electronic surveillance in school buildings and on school grounds policy and regulation. What's does that start ask me also and is that >> Yeah, these all are. >> Do you know what that changes? >> Uh I don't have it here. We had we had it here last week. Uh I'm just so the board's aware. I'm always available in my office during the week if

093you want to review policies with me over the phone, via email. Uh I don't know that now is the best time for all this, but um >> they're not here because they're the second reading. Yeah, they they're in the board members page and you all have hard copies as well. >> Anything else? >> Yeah, so without the mark you can't go back and forth. >> All right. So, um on the first reading items, >> the attendance policies, this is all one discussion. So, I'm going to say 18 through 21. Um I saw that we have the policy 5200 which was the original policy and then 5201 which uh was the lower grades for attendance and cardio and 52 5200.2 um which was attendance and target for the high school. Um and I I see that

094we're keeping 5200 and we're getting rid of the two adjustments in 5200.1 and 5200.2. And I saw that they took a page or so from I think 5200.2 and they added it to to 5200 maybe in the regulation. >> Yes. Uh >> I I have questions about that. It it seems like um there were some things and I I did wasn't able to compare it against the previous policy. Didn't have time to do that. But I did read it and it looks like um it's opening it up opening up everything for discretion discretionary uh penalties for whatever it may be and tightening a couple of things up and making them more punitive. Um could you tell me specifically what the differences are now? >> Sure. And I understand that in cleaning up the policies, it

095was kind of cumbersome the way it was. So I don't disagree with >> some of it merged together. >> Yeah. I don't redundancy >> in general cleaning up and simplifying it a bit. It seems like it made it applicable where you took the high school standards and made it applicable applicable to all grades and tightened some some things up and made them tougher when we know that you know incoming students at the high school have a lot of difficulty navigating especially since you know nobody takes into consideration where their locker is and where their classes are and such. >> Freshman seminar does >> freshman seminar helps support >> yeah freshman seminar with that with that process. Well, this this this tightens up the the grace period to five days then. >> It's only five days.

096Special seminar. >> Uh well, uh regul uh policy and resolution number 20 policy 5200.1 um we don't have a tardiness problem at K8. These children walk to class typically at the K6 levels and the MACUP's a very small building. Uh but the attendance policy 5200.1 was in uh contrast to these new state regulations. So we wanted to abolish that. We don't believe we have an tardiness issue at those levels. For the next policy resolution 21 policy 5200.2 we abolished it. However we did take a few paragraphs from that and insert it into another regulation. Um so the new the old policy uh allowed for a 20-m minute grace period to class um which is you know 50% of the class. So we were finding some students who were 18 19 minutes late to class and

097it was a tardy and then that's uh there's also a 4 minute four or five minute uh four minute passing time in between periods. So that's on top of that. That gave that gave students 24 minutes to get from one class to the other. >> Yeah, it was uh some some students, not many, but some students were really taking some liberties they probably shouldn't have been. So, this new policy cuts that 20 minutes down to five, >> but again, this still includes the four minutes of regular passing time. So, >> that's nine minutes total. >> In essence, you have nine minutes to go from point A to point B in a high school. And if Miss McIntyre were here, she would say that that's more than enough time. Could could you tell us about what

098the state regulation was that conflicted? >> State regulations now limit very much how you can excuse an absence. So, a doctor's note doesn't excuse an absence for a child. If you're chronically ill, uh, if you're chronically absent, I should say, you're absent 10% of the year. So, 18 or more absences, you're considered chronically absent and accounts as a a check mark against the district. I think we've discussed this briefly, the new ESSA regulations. So, the state wants to know if you're in school or if you're not in school. The only excused absences are uh take your child to work day is a very limited number. So, this policy said basically so long as your mom called, it was excused. So, you could be absent 40 times and have it excused every single time, but the

099state was marking our children as chronically absent. So, we wanted to tighten that up a little bit and really make it more consistent with one another. So, so this this change was driven by um the administration brought this up early. >> Yes, we're really looking to again this a major uh the school performance reports came out probably in mid January or early February and that's one of the indicators now. I think it's weighted 15 or 20% how your school how your district is graded uh in this document and student attendance is now a large component of that. So, uh, we're looking to make some improvements in that area and we want to make sure our children are in school every day. >> We don't necessarily see that as a gotcha. It's more of a proactive

100approach to get students into school so that the teachers can instruct them from the time that they're that they're there. Yeah. >> You know, it makes >> Well, that that's not actually the problem I have with it. Um, right now what I'm looking at here is one, I'd like to see Macken differentiated from this because I don't think this would work well for Macken. Um, and two, um, I the high school has a history of consistency problems with their discipline and, um, I leaving it discretionary with the history we've got over there bothers me. Um, so I I'd really like and ask that if the policy committee would be willing to take this back, talk about it, maybe fine-tune it a little bit more, >> right? >> I just want to get clarificate. Why does

101it not work for Mac in your mind? >> Um, I'm just I I don't know. And again, I'm just saying I know when I went to Mac, we had three minutes to get to class. >> Yeah. Well, it's not the It's not the time to get to class. It's not the time to get to class. It's the um >> it's the the fact that if you're you're late for uh you know reason. It's a cut. >> It just seems a little bit heavy for that age group. >> We had that too. >> Okay. >> It's accountability. >> Well, let let me let me just give you my perspective because I was I I I was part of the process many years ago when I was on the board. Mrs. Ta and I and I maybe

102I shouldn't even mention her at the because but but anyhow we're two board members an issue came up that kids were having a tough time to get to class and we're thinking four minutes should be enough time for them to get to class. So Mrs. Tow and I go to the high school and we we change classes with the kids. At that point there were probably 1500 kids. I have a feeling Liz was probably in the building at the time and Mi Mrs. Tal and I were able to get to all of our class. We ran a schedule and we were able to get to all of our classes in four minutes. These two people that really had no knowledge of the building or anything. So to me when I looked at this 20 minutes

103seemed re a a a ridiculous amount of time. Plus I'm thinking of the contact time that the students are getting in the class. if they're out of there, even if it's for three late, they're losing 60 minutes of class. And I I that kind of bothered me. They're getting 24 minutes of travel time to get to a class. Even as a freshman, I think that that is an excessive amount of time. Myself. So then we're sitting there saying, well, of course, when you're a freshman and you're new to the school, maybe you do need a little time, but now you're giving them 9 minutes. 9 minutes is a long time to walk through those halls. So I think we're being more than >> well >> yeah I'm sorry the I believe if I'm recalling correctly

104the previous policy it was um >> 20 minutes >> a late was under five minutes and then it was a cut if it was they were 15 minutes late. So it was it was a graduated issue. So if they were if they were um >> this reads 20 minutes late the old policy >> 20 minutes for a late >> it says tardiness to class of 20 minutes or more shall be counted as a cut from that class >> right >> 20 minutes >> right now we reduced it as a cut to five. So it's like they missed that class. >> They have nine minutes. >> Well that counts punitively as if they missed that class purposely. Okay. There's no exception for medical issues or anything else. There are exceptions for medical issues. I want to

105clarify that if somebody has an IEP or a 504 or an individual health plan that those trump >> or or crutches or any other kind of plan that that would allow them to be able to have a different plan than the general population. So we we would be able to still accommodate those. >> I I know of somebody who who had crutches. They gave her three extra minutes to get across the entire school full filled with students. It wasn't enough. I I don't believe that that happens now because well >> she's still in the high. >> Okay. >> So it's got to be within the last couple years. >> Let's let Can I call the question at this point? I'd like to call the question, please. >> Mrs. Francisco, roll call, please. >> I didn't

106get a chance. >> I'm sorry, Mr. Drew. >> It's too late. >> I called the question. >> You have a right to two discuss. >> Could you please be the attorney? >> I said no question has been called. >> Oh, thank you. You roll us here chair. >> Y >> Mr. Yuber. >> No to number one. No to 18 through 21. >> Yes to the others. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes to numbers 1 through 17. No for 18 through 21. >> Mr. Drew. No to one. Yes to 2 through 17. No to 18 to 21. >> Mr. Garino. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk. >> Yes. >> Special committees. >> Mr. Gerrio. >> Sorry. What's that? >> We're under special

107committees parks and wreck. >> Oh, parks and wreck. We did not have a quorum. >> Oh, >> for parks and wreck and they are in search of a fortunately a new rec director. No meeting this one. >> Okay. Uh safety. Uh we had a meeting. It just happened to fall on the day after the shooting um in Florida there. I I felt it was a very good meeting. the we had the police there and there there was a lot of discussion. Um we will have another meeting coming up in March. I believe the end of March is they're scheduled and they're coming back because there's some discussion about uh the different security policies that we want to change. Uh student uh superintendent roundt Mrs. Drier. >> Okay. some of the highlights. Um, parents were concerned

108about how much time teachers had to put the grades on the portal and Dr. Anamon is addressing that. Um, Dr. Anamone is looking into opening sack to parents um of school for school clubs but whose kids are not currently involved in sack. Um, there's issues with the current cursive program and Dr. Mcclaid explained a systematic approach. Um there's ongoing training of the Orton Gillingham reading program and the biggest question of again was the voting at PK. Um I believe we still have not heard from the township administrator regarding this and as as it comes, you know, we're getting closer, we need to have a decision. Okay, that's it. Thank you. >> Next meeting is Thursday. >> Thursday, right? >> And I will be attending for you. >> Thank you. The state county school boards um

109I attended the the county meeting uh at the Brownstone on the 5th. Uh there was uh basically a discussion about the new government, the new governor. They still didn't have they they still didn't have a picture of what is going to happen with the Department of Education right now at that point in time and they didn't have an answer either on state aid. They had the same kind of questions that all the districts were um asking. Um New Jersey school boards, that's also me. Um Mrs. Dwire and I will be attending a conference in April um leadership conference um through uh New Jersey school boards and we'll move on to legislative. Mr. Yuber, >> can I ask you a question? >> Sure. >> Do you know if there's any upcoming topics on school security? >>

110There was something that was on there about about security, but I thought it was it was >> like right before all of this happened. >> Oh, yeah. It it it like felt >> bring it up again >> like on the It was like February 9th. >> Would you mind inquiring? >> Sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. Def I'll definitely talk to Ray. Yeah. >> All right. >> Legislative. >> Okay. Uh sorry. Give me one second. All right. There's there's quite a bit. So, as we discussed before the meeting, I'm going to do the most recent stuff tonight and go back in time at future meetings because there's just too much volume for one meeting. Um all right. So, uh, at the last, uh, at the first voting, uh, session of, uh, 2018, uh, uh, 2019 legislative session,

111uh, the assembly passed a package of bills, uh, intended to prevent sexual abuse, misconduct, and harassment among public school employees and students. Uh, three of the bills uh, direct school districts to incorporate uh, education into the curriculum. uh while uh fourth it requires schools to ensure job applicants have no history of sexual abuse or misconduct before they're hired. Okay, so going through those um I'm just going to say first, second, third, fourth. They're not really in any particular order. Um the first requires um districts to incorporate age appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in in grades preschool to 12. Um and that's supposed to be put into the health and fizzed curriculums. Um amongst other things, the bill also provides that a teaching staff member may satisfy each professional development cycle or

112uh one or more hours of the professional development requirement established by the state board of education through participation in training programs on sexual abuse and assault awareness prevention. So, they're looking to um for the teachers to get educated on that as well. Um the next one has to do with sexing and it asks board of education include instruction on social, emotional and legal consequences of distributing sexually explicit images. Um I don't think I need to elaborate too much on that. Uh um third one is another thing another uh bill that has to do with sexual content consent instruction. Sorry, sexual consent instruction. And it requires um school district to incorporate instruction in grades 6 through 12 on the law and meaning of of consent for physical contact and sexual activity. Uh they wanted you to

113want us to put in that health and fizzed as well. Um, and it's designed to increase discussion and awareness that consent is required before any of those sorts of activities and the social, emotional, and relationship impact surrounding sexuality. Um, the last one uh requires school districts to review employment history of prospective employees to ascertain allegations of child child abuse or sexual misconduct. And it explicitly prohibits employers from hiring a person serving in a position that has direct contact with students unless the employer conducts conducts the review of employment history of the applicants by contacting former and current employers and requesting information regarding child abuse and sexual mis misconduct allegations. It requires that the district ask a certain three questions of the candidate and then uh basically go back to the employers and double check all

114that stuff. Okay. Um >> and the employers are going to give them that information. >> Uh it's in here that basically the the employers are not going to be able to have any kind of confidentiality in their separation agreements anymore >> to prevent that. >> It's going to be they're going to be unable to do that. Um, and they can't suppress that information, so they're going to have to. >> Okay. Um, let me see. Uh, Dr. already talked about the extension, twoe extension on the on the budget for the new governor. Um, and the last thing is not not something that has been passed yet, but uh, the committee advanced the repeal of the superintendent salary cap, and that's moving along in the process as we kind of expected it to. >> And that's it

115for legislative for tonight. >> Okay. Mrs. O'Brien is not here tonight. Um, Mr. for a techn I'm sorry. You know, I have a highlight thing around it. >> That's why I didn't see it. >> Um, no, that's fine. Thank you. Uh uh we had a first uh technology oversight committee meeting um the first one I think that's been held in quite some time. Um Bart Bubar's did a great job of pulling together kind of state of the state of where things are um in the district as far as our technology goes. Um some of the things that um we talked about that need addressing are um our VO the voiceover internet protocol. Um we need to expand our existing switch infrastructure and the wiring. Um due to the age of our existing technology um we

116need to invest in new edge switches. Um please don't quiz me on exactly all the definition. Uh these will connect basically connect all the schools to each other. Um we need cabling and switches internally to support the the vo system. Our phone system is also coming to the end of its life. Um parts and replacements can take days or weeks. I think there was an issue not too long ago. Um so that's something else that we need to be looking at. Um the servers are also very very old. They're stretched um pretty thin and can't really support the district the way it needs to. Um and they need to be replaced. Um and as I mentioned earlier in the agenda, we'll be trying to use the - federal rebates whenever and wherever possible to lower

117costs. Um but I think the way it works is you don't really find out what you get back on that until later. So we have to kind of budget budget now um kind of without taking that into consideration. um things stand they're currently assessing the different vendors and looking at pricing and packages and that has been built into the new budget. So um they are looking at that but no final definition of decisions have been made yet and we don't have another meeting scheduled quite yet. >> Oh thank you Mr. Sowitz. Okay. I met with Councilman McInness and Sigino and uh we spoke about several items. First being the budget and uh I was asked by the board to relay what their expectations were for their budget and they are expecting to try to get

118to zero or as close to zero as possible and they'd like to see us do the same. Um, they asked questions such as how much debt do we have? And I believe that's in the audit. Is that correct? >> I'm sorry. >> How much debt we currently hold? >> Um, $6.5 million. >> Okay, that's the answer. Thank you. >> Less the payments that we made this year. >> Thank you. Um, they wanted us to be reminded that ratables in the township are going down and that the population is continuing to decrease. And uh lastly for the budget, they believe that the county at this point may have a decrease in their taxation in their tax. >> Um we spoke about school security and we bounced around ideas about uh armed guards and any of anybody

119uh related to that and we talk talked about the different classes of officers. Um it led me to opening up a dialogue with um Chief Storebeck to find out if there are any uh options that we have that maybe he could discuss with the board at some point. Um they the councilman's asked if we had a list of safety concerns that we would like to see addressed and that was the bulk of school security. We spoke about Hillrest and they would they were asking what Hillrest is zoned as. I didn't have a definitive answer for that. >> They they should know. >> They're the town. >> I'm just a messenger. >> No, I'm just saying >> you're the zoning officer. They they may have sign. >> I will. >> Uh they did say that if

120a business were to go into Hillrest, the council can offer tax abatements as incentives to get somebody into the building. >> Um >> they also uh spoke about the ideas that were discussed at the joint meeting of having a possible satellite hospital, YMCA, a recreation complex, possibly knocking down the building. So obviously all that is in the air and that's a matter of time and under old business I'm sure we'll find out a little more information as to where we are standing and future areas of uh cooperation uh include the Wallish estates and pending what the results of the LGBA are and the possibility of an EIP down the line which is energy saving improvement program. >> Thank you. Uh we would You're welcome. They keep coming, right? >> Um depending the results of that,

121they would like to see part of the field as we discussed be converted into a solar farm and the possibilities of perhaps turning Walsh into a sports field as well. And those are things that we can obviously discuss down the line. and I'd like to hear more from the board regarding your thoughts on the issues. That way I can bring it back. Uh we plan to meet as frequently as once a month and I will report back and hopefully that's the case. >> Maybe you can ask them about the voting. >> Absolutely. That is now on the list. >> Good. Thank you. Will. >> You're welcome. >> Mr. Yuberasa. >> Okay. All right. At the last CAS meeting on February 12th, it was an open meeting and it was very nice to see uh Linda

122and Terry there. Um I hope you found it interesting and >> I was on it for years. >> Um >> I open >> that's a little different. >> Yeah, it's a lot different. >> Okay, so um at that meeting we uh we have two new uh youth representatives that uh came on to the committee. Uh they're juniors at West Milford High School. I'm very happy to hear. So they have they can have some longevity and beyond there more than one year. We had a couple of seniors uh last year or year before last year and their insight uh was really helpful to the old folks on the Kasa committee and all of us and um so I'd like to say thank you and and kudos to uh uh Olivia D and Kelsey M. I'm not

123going to say their last names on on TV. >> They were good. >> And um uh Ada Eric is going to be applying for a vacancy in the citizenship uh position. There's a certain number of physicians with particular titles and requirements that are uh preferred to meet certain grant requirements that we're trying to get to get a a grant for West Milton Township to uh uh really promote uh uh various drug prevention programs and uh uh you know various uh abuse uh programs that are uh would be really helpful to the citizenry. Um, let me see. Uh, at the meeting, say county municipal alliance coordinator Donna Huber presented a film about what the alliance community uh is and what prevention, you know, and about prevention. Um, let me see. Uh, the community awareness dinner was

124discussed and that's going to be on May 19th at the West Milford Library. The topic is going to be what communities need to know in the age of legalized marijuana and um for anybody in the township. It's open to everybody and it's also open to people not in the township. Um but you need to register and they need a headcount for the food and so it's it's a free meal and some good information. Um, I've been to them for the last few years and uh, uh, they have always been quality uh, information from a guest speaker that uh, is very qualified. Um, we're going to work on the DFC grant application. That's the large grant that I was just talking about. Um, the director thanked the school superintendent for allowing CASA to put a survey

125out. um that helped uh CASA by putting some additional questions on it that had to do with uh students exposure to drugs and and at home and in school or whatever. And um it's kind of eye opening some of those uh that information as you get it. >> Um uh the hidden in plain sight program was scheduled for April 4th. It's now going to be rescheduled for April 30th, which correct me if I'm wrong, I think is a Monday. >> I don't think we've finalized a rescheduled date. >> The presenter had a cancel on the on us uh from April for April 4th. We're working on a new date, but I don't think we're finalized yet. >> Okay, that's the one floated tentatively then. >> Yeah. Okay, >> that is a month. >> All right.

126Um there's a uh the Lions Health Fair, which is at the uh recreation center, is scheduled for May 12th. Um there's going to be a another pre-prom discussion which went very well last year. I think last year was the first time and uh we got very good feedback on that and that's going to be covered by uh Kelly Hart on June 1st with the uh senior class and um the high school health fair is going to be on June 5th. Um and the CAS will have a booth at all the all of these health fairs you know with information for anybody who wants it. Um, and there was some general discussion about vaping. Um, which I'm going to have more about that later on in the meeting. Anyway, >> Mr. Vind, I'm sorry. I left

127something out of my report. >> Okay. >> If I may. >> Okay. Let me just finish up with Mr. Yuber and we'll come back. >> I I just had one thing. I I believe March 13th is the Naron training that people can um sign up for. Mhm. If they're interested. I don't know if that's in the minutes. >> March 13th. >> It is March 13th. So, if if anybody's interested in that, that's a it's definitely a good idea. >> I have to double check. >> Okay. Thank you. Well, what did you forget? >> My apologies. Um, the township, the councilman would be supportive of a joint venture to have a 5-year program to update the uh elementary school fields that we have. So, that is a topic that uh will probably be discussed in future

128meetings. >> That's good. >> Very good. >> I guess we're here. >> Move on to old business. I need a motion. >> No, old business. Uh, Mrs. Francisco, you have Hillrest on here under old business. Um, these are items I believe that came from last month. Um, the RFI that we did put into the newspaper is due back tomorrow. I have not gotten any inquiries for any additional information, so I'm not quite sure if we'll get anything back. Um, the LGA, they're in the process of doing the walkthroughs. They started it. It's about a 14-day process. Um they're here uh usually one day a week. So it'll be a period of time yet before they complete everything. And the UGL water remediation project has been completed. Um we're waiting for the results of the um

129the latest test, but we are now compliant. Uh so the aeration uh program that was put into place um has worked and um we're just in the process now of providing the D with all the information that they're requesting so that they can uh give us their sale of approval. >> Oh good. Very good. >> M van question for Mr. So after the RFI is finished on the 28th. At that point, the board is able to seek a commercial realtor. >> No. Um I mean, we we could decide to do that, but there's a process that we have to go through. This RFI was just to see if any nonprofits or um public entities wanted the building and what they would do with it. we could still declare it uh you know and give it

130to them to somebody if they wanted it if it's a nonprofit or we would have to pass a resolution to get uh a commercial entity to come in and market the building. Um so but we'd have to follow the process and get some approvals from the state on that first to basically to give it away to a nonprofit. We could just do it. >> Mr. Roselli, how would that occur to come about doing the right thing for the state to satisfy their requirements? >> So, we would have to pass a resolution to do that. I would have to send in some documents, as would Mrs. Francisco, to the state to get their approval to get rid of the building uh off of our roles or whatever you want to call it. Um, and then we

131would have to put a um competitive contract proposal out to get a realer to uh do that. We would have to put the building out for a bid to see who would come in uh and give us the highest price for it. And if we didn't get the price we wanted, then we can go to a realer anyway and say, "We want you to list the building." But we have to first offer it in a bid to the public. >> And we can do this as early as next month. >> Yeah. >> Great. Thank you. I mean the process would have to start then. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Can you can we rent a portion of that building to a nonprofit entity >> in the short term? >> Sure. >> So like the

132new life section of the building is like the best >> the most usable part of the building. >> We could rent. >> If there was a non for profofit that wanted to rent month by month, >> we could do that. it. I guess it would depend on whether our building could handle it and whether we would have every other part of the building prepared for it uh for the winter that comes or whatever by the time we do it. But yeah, we could rent it. >> Nicole, >> if we go the commercial route, are we able to parcel it up to keep, you know, like I know that there's the building piece and the fields piece is a big concern for people in town. Are we able to parcel it off that way or does

133it have to be in its entirety? >> No, we we could sell it however we wanted to. Uh, I guess the question would is would the interest be there if it was parcelled >> though? So curious. >> May I Mr. >> Yuber? May I comment? >> Sure. >> All right. Uh, one of the reasons why we wanted to do the RFI with nonprofits is that it would be much easier for us to say, well, you get this, but with the restriction that you have to keep that sports field or whatever, you know, it it just made it easier to do that. >> Well, we could do it if we wanted to sell the building. We could say that uh or we could sell part of it or whatever it is, but the question is who

134would be interested in it, right? >> Um >> but a nonprofit like Hawaii or something probably would be happy to have a sports. >> Yeah. I wasn't involved just in a sale like this in another district where they sold the administration building um which had a baseball field on the back and that was a big sticking point as to whether there would be any interest in the property. So I've seen it happen before. I don't know what'll happen here. >> Um anything else? U Mr. Drew, I'm sorry I didn't see you. >> You're so quiet. >> I'm sorry I keep hiding you. >> That's what it is. >> I'll just jump out. Maybe I need a robot. >> Maybe I'll get you a little little flash or thing or something. >> Couple couple of questions.

135I I think these are old business regarding the budget. Um Miss Francisco, if we do a bond, we receive state reimbursement for part of that. What what sort of percentages are are reimbursement for bonds? >> With the roof referendum that we did, we're um eligible for about 40%. >> Does it change depending on what we're doing? >> Um I'm not quite sure if the Department of Education has the ability to exclude certain items from the referendum and whether or not they're educationally s um you know for educational adequacy >> does the percentage change depending on how long the bond is or is it >> always 40%. Okay. >> No, it's always 40%. >> All right. >> They they just to clarify they can come back and say we approve this part this portion and not

136this portion. So there are some things that they would approve uh and some that they wouldn't. >> Yeah. um when I I built this school about 10 years ago and um they re you know they 40% came back on on the building but uh not a second gym and and things like that. So >> um there were some exclusions in in in the referendum. >> All right. Uh and and one other question. When we did the uh open meeting regarding the budget, um we made the assumption that we'd have as much money from the state as last year. And of course, one has no idea at all. What was the uh potential tax increase in that budget we discussed? Um we the the draft budget that you received had no um no information at all

137on the debt service portion of um anything. So at this point um everything is still up in the air. So we haven't um we haven't come up with any kind of uh tax implication at this point. We want we're waiting for more information to come in so that we can finite it make it more finite. Forgive me, but I could have sworn I saw something that proposed likely 3.5% tax increase, >> right? >> Yeah, but that that's the determined by the ratables in the community >> tax increase. >> That's a tax levy, but we don't know the debt service. We don't know what the ratables are going to be. That's the other part of that equation. So >> since since we're not even going to be able to get the preliminary budget together until the

13820th, we're not really going to have answers or even be able to make decisions on anything until we know the answers. >> Like I said at the last meeting, can't really consider that too much until they know what you're >> right. We have to wait. We really have to wait. So I don't think any of us have an idea of what what it's going to be or how we're going to do it. >> But but we sent a letter to the community saying we thought the budget was going to be a certain amount. We're certain enough of that to send a letter. >> We haven't sent anything yet. >> It was Dr. Am sent a blog post that a blog >> that was it said that there was a modest increase of 1.25% um to

139our budget, but it didn't say that there was a proposed tax increase of 3.5%. >> Right. >> So, and there's >> because we don't we don't know that to that, is there? Well, there's still a lot of relation between the one and a quarter to the three and a half because we don't know what our income is yet. >> Right. That that was basically as of last week based on all our estimates. We estimated our state aid at a certain number. We don't know if that estimate is going to be correct. We won't know for two more weeks. Um we estimated our health benefits cost at 11.5 million. It might be 11.3. It might be 11.7. So there's a lot of other variables. So as of last week tenatively the budget increase was 1.25%. Tentatively

140that could change it could go to 2% it could go to.9% it could change in any direction based on variables that we have no control over. So at this point it's a little frustrating. We're normally have this information by now >> but this is an election year or a new transition year for the governor. So we don't. So typically once every eight years we have this new compressed timeline and the other seven years we have a more uh typical timeline. So it's just this year. So uh next year we won't have the same situation. >> Thank you. >> And you're welcome. Any other discussion under old business? >> Mr. Sitz statement. Uh for 2017, I was the board's New Jersey School Boards Association or NJSBA liaison. For those that don't know, NJSBA is a training,

141advocacy, and information group that supports New Jersey school boards. I took my role seriously, and I took off many work days and weekends to attend sessions and report back to the board what I learned and promoted what I thought would further the board as a whole. In the course of being the liaison, I attended a training session entitled School Safety and Security Conference. During the conference, there were guest speakers that talked about the assortment of issues facing school districts in the here and now. Following this, there were breakout sessions. One of those sessions was about emergency lockdowns. Are you prepared? It was hosted by a company called Eastern Datacom. I was interested in this topic because I felt the board would be most interested in hearing a report about it. Eastern DataCom presented a lockdown

142system that is tied in with a communication system. It was greatly informative and impressive and the light bulb went off. Not only were they presenting an emergency lockdown system, but the administration had recently informed the budget and finance committee that they would be looking into replacing their phone and communications infrastructure. It was killing two birds with one stone to have Eastern Day to come present. I came back to the board during a regular meeting, gave my report and suggested we have Eastern Data Comp present to the board because it covered the two issues of student safety and the communications need. My request was referred to the budget and finance committee. During the summer, Eastern Data presented themselves to the committee, but their presentation was greatly cut short and defeated my personal intent of having them

143come. I've heard nothing about it since. I brought up this company again last week and emailed the administration and board president. I have not received any response from the administration and Mrs. Van Djk suggested Eastern DataCom present to the safety committee. With all due respect, I sherk when I hear the word committee because I've learned that in a couple of months, all the hours you spend working on committee assignments can be ignored or overturned. Worse yet, the safety committee, formerly led by Mr. Bailey, has not had a report or meeting in about two years. In my opinion, the board as a whole should view the presentation and be informed about the possible options available to make our schools as safe as possible. To be clear, the presentation was amazing. We don't have to commit, but

144we should know all of our options. The safety of our kids deserve our time. >> Thank you, Mr. Sowitz. And I did speak with you today and I followed up on it after we talked. And one of the reasons that it wasn't followed up on was the technology portion of it because we weren't ready to even take on somebody until the infrastructure was done, which I did not understand. Now, I was not here last year, so I don't know why it didn't go to where it went, but I think once we get past the budget and we see where the technology lies, we'll have a better answer. And I I would poll the board sitting here. If they want to have the pres these people come and present to the board, we can more than

145willingly have them come. >> We straw poll now. >> Sure. If Yeah. Once we once we know if we could if we don't have the infrastructure to support it, we're probably kind of >> Well, it's a system that, you know, >> we're just looking at as a matter of having the information. We're not tied to taking upon the project, but knowing what this system does and what capabilities it had regarding a lockdown situation I felt was very important. Obviously, now more than ever, just after the recent events in Florida. So, >> yes, Mr. >> There are a lot of solutions out there right now that are basically invented by some of the teachers that you know saw. >> Yes, I have seen them >> and a lot of them are low tech. It's not like

146we need infrastructure for it. They're they're made they're set up and made >> for his for his it had to do with the phone system. So it does >> that that's why I said it because you know >> we are looking at the uh the phone systems. We had a tech oversight committee meeting a few weeks ago. So uh Mr. Eler did present us with a comprehensive overview of what we need, what we'd like to have, but then what we absolutely need. And uh that's to me that's sort of step one is getting the the wiring, the cabling, finding out the uh finding out which phone to buy is like the last thing you do. I think getting all the background information. So there's a lot of companies that do what Eastern Datacom does. Uh

147shared 911. There's a lot of vendors that make, you know, a very comparable product. I don't know which is the best or second best, but it definitely is something we we should look into. I do want to uh correct you know we do have uh quarterly district security team meetings um by four sometimes five times a year. We do have monthly meetings with the administrative council where school security is discussed once a month with our administrative team and then typically once a mark period with the broader group. >> We we are we are going to be meeting >> we just met probably a week ago maybe two weeks ago. We will be meeting again at the end of March. >> So every we have a district plan and then we also have individual school plans

148for each individual school. Uh the contents of the plan we do not publicize uh what our procedures are for lockdowns, what our procedures are for shelter in place. Where is our reunification site, things of that nature, we keep confidential. We do do 10 drills per year. That's one per month, not including fire drills. We do 10 school security drills per month and we do all the the same drills every month. So for example, if September is a shelter in place, all the schools do a shelter in place. If October is a bomb threat, all the schools do a bomb threat. And then when we have our monthly meetings, we debrief. We have our police department uh participate in all these drills. So immediately after the drill ends, we brief with the police. They tell us

149what they saw, what that they liked, what they saw that they didn't like, what they didn't see perhaps, and we make corrections for the next time. So, we are constantly reviewing our plans. Uh, we have a I have a meeting tomorrow with my administrative team. We'll be reviewing some of this as well. Some of it's cost, very costly materials. Other times, it's just smaller items reviewing with parents. When you walk in, you get buzzed into a building, don't hold the door for the person behind you. As rude as that may seem, it's what we can't do. So, we have people show up to they buzz in. Uh we ask who they are. What are you here for? I have a 10:00 meeting with the school nurse. We check the school nurse's log. She has a

15010:00 meeting. They're confirmed. We buzz them in. We want to make sure that door doesn't get held for the person running up the driveway. And that's kind of not what the people in this community are like. They're they're polite. they naturally want to hold out to hold the door open, but things like that we're trying to uh review. Um >> and you are looking at everything now. >> Everything we're looking at um you're experiencing a little bit of the contagion effect right now in our schools statewide, nationwide, something happens and people are hyper sensitive. Uh we do social media plays a big role unfortunately. Um we're trying to utilize all the mental health resources that we have in our community, in our county, in our state. Uh and ultimately we take every threat seriously. So

151we investigate it no matter how small and we invest we take care of that every single time. So uh >> so will we do be able to do that in May have them present? >> Sure. >> Let's let's let's Mr. Drew in >> favor. >> Okay Mr. Joe, >> there is U if if I remember correctly in their case, you need to get your phone handsets from them and they've got a particular server piece that may or may not run on our servers or proposed servers. So sometimes the VIP does integrate with the hardware. It isn't going to or it makes a difference. The switches, the backbone, that kind of stuff aren't going to matter. But we ought to have some idea what we're looking at before we make huge decisions about the hard >>

152of course. I mean I wouldn't expect anything less of >> they're not independent of each other. >> So I I I think what what the question is would the rest of the board like to have a presentation from this group? Let's just poll it. >> All those in favor >> I Dr. mentioned there's other companies. I mean, should we have a couple of companies like maybe a couple short, you know, a couple of companies come maybe rather than just kind of >> probably the same May. >> Yeah. >> Does that sound good? >> Please. >> I I'll look I'll look into it. You said March uh May. >> May. Yes. >> So, uh I'll look into a few companies for uh one of our May meetings. >> The more information, the better decisions, right? >>

153Can we include um low tech devices as well in that, >> please? >> Sure. I I'll tell you about >> I know what you're talking about, but Okay. Any other old business? >> I don't know. It's not necessarily old, but it would segue into security. So, >> that's the only place you're going to find that right now. >> Sorry. I put it under new business, but it seems like it would fit now. >> Mhm. Um, I got a uh um a Honeywell uh from the high school um saying that they were doing a pre-announced lockdown drill to address anxiety of the students. Um not sure how that would make them less anxious, but um that having been said, I've heard a lot of talk about lockdown drills. Okay, lockdown, lockdown, lockdown. um been doing a

154little research lately and I'm starting to believe that lockdown isn't what the um uh optimum is considered for student training these days. Um there's active computer readiness training that a lot of schools do with the the students. And as a matter of fact, I think even Parkland already had this. >> Um so I don't know, you know, but it involves three things. um uh a threeprong strategy for dealing with active shooters. I think it would be great combined with some of the low tech possibilities. Uh it would be uh a budget outlay because these low tech things are per classroom. Uh every classroom would have to be equipped. Um so uh but I I'm wondering do we have any active shooter training at all? And have you if not have you looked into it? >>

155Yes. We train all our staff annually and like I said we run 10 drills a month. A couple of them are probably two are probably active shooters drills >> but this is student training. >> Do you have active stu active shooter training for the students? >> Internal and external threat. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um >> there's also other things that they're talking about in the safety committee that address some of exactly what you were talking about. >> Is that at the high school? I know it's not >> it's also district right district one. Oh, my my son my son has no knowledge of that. >> I asked him. He's got no knowledge of any acting. He said they just lock down. They just let you know shelter in place. That's the only thing that they

156do. >> Maybe they don't call it that. >> No, I asked him about, you know, what they actually do and how to describe it. He didn't I didn't go by name. I I also think that the police themselves do active shooter drills in the high school on some we don't know their when but they're doing them. So according to when we spoke >> okay well I don't know whatever we're doing at Min is not very effective as so um >> Mr. Citro is the head of the committee >> okay um and there was something else I can't think of what it is on security right now. Anything else? Anybody have anything else under old business? If not, >> under sorry to close business. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> New business. I need

157a motion to Well, >> no, you don't. No, you don't. >> Okay, we discussion. New business. >> I have a list, but I'm waiting for somebody else if they have it. >> Does anybody have anything? >> Okay. >> Go ahead. First thing on the hip grid, I gave out an article regarding popcorn lung from uh National Lung Association, >> American Lung Association, sorry. Uh that had references to CDC articles and so on and so forth. >> Did anybody read it? >> Yes. >> You guys, everybody? >> Um all right. Basically what this article says in a nutshell, >> okay, so that the public can follow along is that um there are three chemicals in various vaping products which are dangerous. Um and what brought this to my attention is I was actually at a scout

158function and a doctor who was there mentioned and it was not because I'm a schoolboard member. He just happened to be part of the discussion with the adults and he said, "Yeah, I was vaping." is like you can get popcorn lung really quick. And what popcorn lung is, it's permanent damage to lung tissues that create popcorn like holes in your lung. And this particular condition is permanent. It's not reversible. And it mimics the symptoms of of uh COPD. And so we've got um you know, young kids in the middle school. It's getting it's it's starting to gain popularity in the middle middle school and it's already in the hallways at the high school. It's really hard to catch because the equipment is very small and um and and it there's really not a whole lot

159of vapor that you smell. Although you can get second hope secondhand smoke effect according to the article um and the other research that I I looked at. Um, so it's something that I believe we just added to our our policy that it's not >> acceptable to have it in school. >> And is as far as state law, I understand that it's the same as cigarettes. You have to be over a certain age to buy them. >> And I I also have done a little bit of inquiry and I know around town that almost nobody enforces them. Okay. So, I have I have a three-prongong idea of what I'd like to do, but maybe I should just tell everybody we could discuss it and then decide what to make motions on. Is that all right? >>

160Sure. >> Okay. First, um I'd really like the administration to do a very quick time type of educational I don't know if you want to do an assembly or do something. You know, it it wouldn't take very long to explain this um to have somebody knowledgeable come in, show some pictures, stuff like that. It would take less than a half an hour, maybe even 15 or 20 minutes um at McPen and the hospital and then in the future start educating the kids maybe fourth fifth grade about this so that by the time they get to middle school they already know about it all right and they they won't get caught unawares. Um >> would this be something that maybe we should do through maybe education if they want to put it into the health class

161or something? >> These are Yeah. Well, these Yeah, that's that's something that we should definitely do, but not all not all the students are going to have health classes right away. And because it's such an insidious thing that could, you know, it probably depends on the kid, but >> you can have very quick damage. You know, it's not like smoking where it takes, you know, a number of years and you can actually heal from it. This is something that's a permanent damage in very short order if they're if they get the wrong particular little bottle of uh liquid. Okay. Um, so that's that was one thing, but I'd really like to see the schools just do an education thing. I mean, you're not going to stop all the kids from doing things, but some of

162them any any kid that hears about it and goes, "Man, I'm not going to do that, or I'm going to make sure I don't do it with these chemicals, who use bad chemicals, you've just saved the kid a lifetime of misery." Okay. Um, two, uh, add it to the health curriculum, please. >> Okay. Number three is I was going to suggest that we this this one I'm definitely going to make a motion, but I'd like to ask the board to write an official letter to the town council requesting them to pass an ordinance prohibiting the three chemicals uh and and the sale of any products within the town and to step up enforcement of the age restrictions on buying this stuff. Um, and let me see. >> I think you're on the perfect committee for

163that. Casa should be the one that should would in in the past when we had problems with smoking. Casa was the one that got the council to do the resolutions. >> I brought it up to Casa, but there's no reason why we shouldn't do it, too. >> Um, and uh, I'd also like them to step up spot checks for once they pass that ordinance, do spot checks. including the notice that they'll do spotex for um the products with these three chemicals. Um this was originally discovered, the reason it's called popcorn lung is because it was originally discovered when factory workers in microwave popcorn factories uh they used this chemical to give it the buttery flavor. >> They've stopped doing that. They stopped using it since then, but that was about 10 years ago. And that's

164why they call it popcorn. >> So if I popcorn with buttery flavor, am I in control? >> Not anymore. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. So, um in any case, so I'm going to go ahead and make the motion with regard to the um the letter to the township. Do I need to repeat that? >> I got it. >> Or does everybody got it? Okay. And um and then uh so that's it. I'll do that first. I'll do the motion. >> An ordinance to ban those chemicals. Uh raise the age to buy and was there a third thing or >> uh and just basically includes include spot checking for the those products. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Who would do >> I I'm guessing that >> The health officer, please. >> The the health the health officer who

165used to do sig that they did the smoking if you were underage. >> So, this would be an official letter on behalf of the board signed by the board president. >> Yes. Exactly. >> Okay. Um can we do a do we have to do a roll call? >> Okay. Roll roll call. Mrs. Francisco, >> can I ask a question? >> Oh, yes. I'm sure you could. Do we know whether these chemicals are at all used in agricultural industry? >> Because I don't think we want to pass an ordinance against something that somebody's going to use to feed. >> I actually intended to specify vaping products. >> So, not just products, just specify vaping products and >> All right. All right. >> Okay. >> We can go ahead with the roll call. >> Okay. Mr. Sidowitz.

166Um, one more question. I'm so sorry. Like, may may we open >> Sure. discussion again. >> Um, now I lost it. >> That was the point. >> Well, >> you're not old enough to have a senior moment. >> Will we reviewing a draft of the resolution before submitting it to >> Wouldn't we have to draft the letter? >> I don't know. I I don't >> Then you just maybe send a copy to everybody. I don't mind if if you want to send it around an email or something, but I I trust Joe and Linda to do this. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> He said yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van

167Djk. >> Yes. >> Anything else under new business? Um, I'm just going to ask Dr. Anamone and and uh M. Novak to just tell me, do I need to make a motion for any of this stuff or are you on board? >> We'll talk about it at committee. >> Yeah, I think it's already in our health bill. I think we're ahead of the game. >> Well, I was looking for something shortterm uh to to get the word out in whatever way is effective. >> We are um following up with our process survey. There's a couple questions we wanted to expand upon and it was a request from CASA to add taping questions to it. We also add someformational links and >> okay >> um you know get get out there immediately because that's something we're

168doing within the next week or two >> and then we can talk with that committee about what >> particulars I think that's perfect for curriculum but I think to get a safety warning out I think I'm going to go ahead >> every student would click on the survey with a link to the information you're requesting they see. So to me it seems >> and if they just you know kids kids kids will click on an agreement for anything >> not when they're being supervised by our staff. >> The only thing that I would suggest is that if you're going to and and I I read the article and I do manage the nurses. The only thing I would suggest is that and and I do think it has a lot of credible sources in it

169and I and I would agree with you. But if you're going to try to push something out as an educational piece to parents, to staff, I think that should be vetted through administration and our staff, those professionals that are the experts in the field to make sure that the information that gets out there is actually like appropriate and like that and valid. That's not >> it's it feels like it's administering the schools. >> So, I'm going to I'm going to make >> I was just going to say this is an administrative function and I understand what your motion should be, but this is something that Alex, I think, should bring up with his administrative council meeting. decide what best way to do this and then whatever that is, do it. Whether it's a letter to

170parents or um a letter to kids. >> Well, he hasn't agreed to do it yet. >> So, I'm going to make a motion that the administration take action within is 30 days reasonable to >> I I don't know to students in the schools. >> I was going to say that's not really No. Well, the board would have reviewed curriculum and improved curriculum. If this happens to not be a new health curriculum, you just both know. But when you're when you're talking about what goes on within the school and how we educate the kids within that curriculum, that's the superintendent's responsibility. >> I'm not saying what they have to put in there. I'm just saying that they give a safety warning. >> But it's up to them to what how they do it, what they do.

171It's just that they I want them to do it quickly to prevent kids from damaging themselves because it's an active threat to them their health. >> Well, we all agree on that. We're not trying to say that we're supporting this. We are 100% against smoking, vaping, >> ecigarette, you the whole world, the whole the whole bit. It's just uh I think deciding to have an assembly or not have an assembly. It's an administrative task. >> I'm not I'm not specifying an assembly. I'm just saying that you get out a safety warning about the dangers of the vaping and the popcorn one. That's all I'm asking is that we do it in short order because the kids are vaping every day about it. But >> I don't know how quickly somebody can get damaged by this

172for sure. All I know is that the doctors seem to think it was pretty it could happen pretty quickly depending upon the person >> and some of these kids are vaping every day and if we wait 3 months there could have been somebody who could have been helped. That's all I'm saying. That's my motion. If somebody wants to second it, great. If not, then then not. >> Okay. >> Anything else under new business? >> Yes. Um, I'd like to make a motion uh that uh the policies presented on the website for consideration uh for changes and such uh show editing marks, crossouts where language is omitted. uh bold font or something for to show what the the actual added or changed language is so that it's um easy for the public and the board to

173see uh what the differences are without having to do major major time-conuming research. >> You mean you mean when the agenda's posted? >> No, the policies that are >> they're posted on the website under the under the board section, the policy section, right? >> And then policies for consideration. >> That's what I mean. So policy >> but that's not public. >> there is a problem. >> There is a simple solution. Glenn >> all the >> there is a fairly simple solution. Uh Strauss does offer you know for an additional fee of whatever we can get additional uh I guess usernames for the board so they can log on to the Strauss website and see the updates as they come in in real time. They have in word, they have them as PDFs. Um, and we

174can get every board member for I don't know what the fee would be, the ability to log on there. And furthermore, we could also get have the opportunity for the public for an additional fee of something that the public would have access to review our policies in the same format that we would review them on the Strauss website. Not edit them, but review them. >> Okay. There's a problem with that. Two problems actually. One, a lot of the sprout stuff comes in with options that the policy committee considers, checks the options, fills in the blanks, and then you have a finalized policy. >> This would be before that. It would have all the as it comes in >> before that as the problem. It would be before that. We need the the final version with

175what the policy. >> He wants the copies like when we take them out of committee that that where they're crossed out to be on the website so that it's easier to read. cover policies that board members or whoever or the administration bring up that aren't straps. So I I I we're making the motion for all policies that you know we we have them shown so that the public can see it and the board members can see it >> with the edits like track changes format. >> Yes. >> Is that hard to do? >> We could figure out >> most of them come in that way. So it's really ex except for the stress estimate ones. the stress estimate one should be pretty easy which is the what 90% of them 95% >> got 100% >>

176you know and then and then the the other stuff that the the policy committee chooses to look up and say hey listen we need to update this we need to do this policy committee you know is going to be looking at things that brought up as concerns those things when I used to do them I I used to do my own markup and then I was able to email it to Dr. and aimone as a markup >> so that they knew what we were going to have discuss discuss at the committee meeting. So if anybody's doing that on the policy committee again all we have to all they have to do is provide that to Barbara and and and Alex it's not that big I can't see it as big that big a deal >>

177Mr. modern version of awards have an option to compare two documents with those types of changes which would be way cheaper than paying Strauss estimate >> per user access. So somebody's got the ability to do >> I don't Glenn just correct me if I'm wrong. I don't think you're even asking for compare documents. It's really just a track changes version that shows what >> I just want one version that shows what you're deleting and what we're adding. >> That's it. and simple stuff. Uh and and to compare two documents those Steve some of these things are 24 pages long and you got 20 or 30 documents on an agenda. >> So if you have to compare two documents it's so time consuming if you can just scan through and watch watch for the crossout. >>

178No it compares them and gives you the this was added this was struck out this was it gives you the markup you're looking for. >> We're cross talking. >> Okay. >> So that we'll handle it through committee. We'll we'll mark it up. We'll give it to Barbara. We'll get it onto the website. Well, does that make sense? >> It does, but that what I was saying before, this is something the board has to vote on because the policies are still in draft format. They're not public >> unless the board wants to make them public. >> Oh. Oh. Oh, okay. >> So, that's a board. >> I thought you meant in the board portion of the the you know, website. >> I said for public. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. >> Because the public has the

179same problem. It's like how how do they know what's going on? How can they come and speak to us if if they can't tell what we're doing? And you know, a lot of them don't even know where to find the actual first version of the policy. It's it's not that easy to navigate because our indexing system is spread. It's not one single index. It's spread into into all the different sections separately. We have a whole bunch of different indexes. >> No, I have a second. >> No. >> Okay. So, so the motion is to have it on the website. Is that >> y >> with the redacted copies that are up for approval? >> Another transparency thing, but it's also is big time saving. >> Okay. >> Um I guess um any a more discuss

180no more discussion. Let's roll call Mrs. >> Mr. Slider. >> Mr. Drew, >> can you come back to me, please? >> Mrs. Dwire, >> no. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Garino, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yeah. >> Carries. >> Is that for all for new business? >> Last one. >> Okay. >> This one will be quick though. Okay. We have executive session. >> I expect to have lots of objections, but um >> I then we could just move right on right now. >> Jack, your time. >> I I recently asked um Barbara for uh copies of our employment applications. There are five of them. Um, and uh, I looked at them to see if they asked a question because I want

181to be able to ask our administrators a question and have them know the answer. And um, because I kind of anticipated what was going to happen today. And uh so uh only couple of these have a question that asks if the person has a relative in the district and it's and it's a limited it limited to a relative of the superintendent board member or a supervisor. Um I'm asking that we add a question to all of our applications. It just says do you have a relative that is employed in the district? on top of that uh that other question that's in most of them. So it should ask the original question that is in a couple of them already and then also just do you have a relative in the district period and then I

182imagine that if they say yes to that the administrators would find out who it is and figure out if there's any implications and be able to answer private questions if the board member had one. That's my motion that that just be added to the the application so that at least the administrators are aware. >> Is there any more discussion? >> Are you seconding? >> All right. Sorry. >> Question. >> If I have a third cousin that works in a district, >> that might not matter. But if you have a third cousin that's going to be a supervisor for somebody or or is in a position of influence anyway, it might matter. >> I mean, we we just a couple meetings ago voted on somebody who's going to be a custodian and the the other person

183in the district had no relation to that that position at all >> and it didn't matter. >> But this is something that, you know, just it's just about being well informed and uh knowing what you're voting. But I think he already and I I I I want to say that they already do that. Well, if there's somebody in the district, I think he did Do you talk to them? >> Do that. >> Do I talk to who? >> The not me. He's not talking to me now. When you with the employment application, what is the process when somebody checks off? Yes, I'm related to me or whatever. >> It's not on. >> I got a couple of questions. >> Is this your last motion? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Have a motion. Okay.

184>> Second. >> But wait, wait. There's a motion on the floor. That's the problem. >> Regarding this, >> right? Am I? >> Yes. Regarding his motion about this. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I thought you were moving on to something else. >> New Okay. I sort of see the value in this, but I don't think we're going to get to the end of any sort of potential corruption because it might be, you know, is your friend m >> Mr. Drew, please stop saying stuff about corruption. I I I I feel like that's kind of >> disingenuous word. I'll be happy to use it. >> Well, I mean, what a problem maybe, but corruption, I I don't I don't think that's the word. But >> a conflict of interest, maybe >> could be a friend, it could

185be you're close to some political boss, etc., etc., etc. We're not going to arrive at understanding all relationships in a small town that somebody might have. >> Um, there's going to be friendships that'll address that at all. >> No, >> which is probably the bigger issue. >> Can So, so that you want to put on the application. That's your motion. question to be on the application so that if we want to inquire, we can. >> So, did you second that motion? >> I did. >> Okay. Um, let's do the roll call, please. >> Alphabetical order banking. >> Well, you second. You seconded. You go first. >> All right. All right. All right. Come on. Let's Let's just do the >> Mr. Sid. No, Miss Midway. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew? >> No. >> Mrs. Dwire?

186>> No. >> Mrs. Fritz? >> No. >> Mr. Gino? >> No. >> Mr. Yuber? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke? >> No. >> Are you done? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Did you have something else, Mr. Drew or can we get a motion to close uh petitions new business? >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Uh we're going to move on now to petitions and requests. Petitioners who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with five minutes for each petitioner for a period of 30 minutes. Then the time permitting other petitioners uh other petitions and requests limited to five minutes per petitioner will be allowed. uh until the 30 minute time period expires. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name, and provide their

187address. Speakers may not use the names of students and or uh during petitions and requests. Mrs. Francisco, has anybody signed up for the second part? >> Uh no. >> No. Okay. Anyone want to speak? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I don't see Mr. Fenwick in the audience. >> Is he here? Come on up, Kate. Yes. >> Good evening. I shouldn't say that. >> Uh, my name is Kate Romeo. I live at 1 Crest Hill Drive in Oakidge. Um, I didn't plan on speaking. Um, but first I just want to say thank you to the administration um, for working on not allowing voting at Paradise Old School. We should not have voting in a school when children are present. It is very dangerous. It is very scary. Um, I know that Dr. Anamoon is working

188on that. I just want to ask the board if a resolution is not found with the county or whatever that you could work out a calendar that our children are not there when voting is happening. Um it was scary. Um I don't know if any of you were there to see it. Um but the parking when our children are on the playground. I can go on and on talking about a safety issue that cannot continue. Please and thank you Dr. Andimon and thank you to our principal who are in agreement. and I know that they are working on this, but if a resolution isn't found, please change the calendar. I know it was a professional development day. Something has to be done. Um, with that, um, school safety, I heard about mental health. Um, I

189heard about vaping. Um, and no school in America today could have enough mental health in my opinion. when you're looking at your budget, um could you please look to put full-time social workers in our elementary schools? Please find out what it costs. Our children need counselors. There is more research than we could talk about for weeks on building relationships with an adult. Every year they get a new teacher, but that counselor stays, but ours are only part-time. Please, we have to consider more counselors in our district. Our children need them every day. Not half the day. Not three days a week. Not two days a week. Every day. There are more children in our country with anxiety and more mental health issues than we have time to discuss in your term here on this board.

190Please look at more counselors in every school. It's it it is a big cost, but find out what it costs. Um, I don't think I'm allowed to ask questions. So, please be careful when you're talking about chemicals that are in vaping and whatever. If you look at the history of K2, which is similar to marijuana, um, the FDA uh, banned the chemicals that were in it and then the compound structure was changed and new drugs were created. Um, children are savvy, adults are are savvy in making money on these things. Please be careful what you put your name on when it comes to chemicals with drugs and things like that. Know what you're talking about. Um I was hoping you were going to table that vote on writing that letter so that you can look

191into those chemicals and know really because they go they will replace it with another chemical tomorrow probably within the hour. Forget about tomorrow. Um I don't know when I'm on time, but I hope the nepatism that you voted on was the normal stress one. >> Let's talk about transparency. But let's also talk about treating an incredible staff in this district and an administration with fairness. Fairness. Why would we treat our staff in West Milford any different than we do across the state of New Jersey or anywhere else? Please stop. Stop with it. Yes, we are all friends. Yes, many are related in West Milford. It's going to happen. Um, and you know, we know that it's been the history of West Milford forever. It's a small good town and that's what makes us special. So,

192I really hope I'm not sure what ne I'm confused on it, but I hope that it was the regular Strauss estimate policy that was voted on and that the silliness could stop. Um, my last thing was transparency issue. I vote you in on the board. So, I trust that you're reading those policies. I don't need to see as a public member what's crossed off. I need to know that you're voting what's right for our children. So, you need to read those policies before you come here to vote on them. I don't I need to know that you are making the right choices for our kids. Please read those policies before you come and vote on them. Know what the changes are. I don't need to know it. I need to get to the website and

193see what your policy is so that I know I'm following it, my child's following it, my friends are following it, but you vote on that. I don't need to come here and fight you on what policy you're going to vote on. >> You're good adults that are here volunteering. >> So, I think that's everything. I I I thank all of you. Um, and we really do. We have great great staff here. Trust them. Work together. These meetings are entertainment sometimes because you are mean to each other. Some of that needs to happen before we get here. That's it. Thank you. Thank you. I really just came up to say please don't let voting happen at PK. >> Thank you. Come on up. Don't my husband. >> No, I'm not going to talk about that. Don't

194worry. >> I was only complimenting him, by the way. He was out there watching. >> I I would prefer his name not be mentioned. Okay. >> I was only complimenting him. >> Thank you. >> Um >> All right. Jim Jim Foody to Kashaka Trail North, Huitt, New Jersey. Um what I wanted to talk about before with with Mr. Drew. Um he probably out of all the board members understands this budget and the budget process better than anybody else. He's got a certificate to be a business administrator and you keep him off of that. The reason he was on that committee and he was chair is because of his training and and now you keep him off it. And I got to wonder why because you know that he can go through that budget as good

195as her if not better. And you you put him in. >> Excuse me. >> Come on. We're going to >> Are you going to Are you going to shut me down again? >> No. >> Like you did to Mr. Drew before? >> No. >> You have Mr. Bailey on the as the as the chairman and I heard a word before about the kids and I Mr. Dwire, I think you used it, accountability. That you want these kids in your class 9 minutes. Accountability. Accountability. Accountability. But there's no accountability for the people that sit here. He comes in late, leaves early. God, he's never been to in in all the years I've been on the board, he's never never been to a board retreat where you set board goals, you set district goals. And the same

196goes true for all the superintendent interviews that we've had. Didn't attend a one. probably the most important things that a board member can do besides being in that back room during executive session. So, you know, I see the stuff going on here. I saw in in the last meeting, Mr. Drew is speaking. He gets up, he's talking to you. He's got to address the meeting through the chair and you're having a conversation with Mr. Bailey while he's speaking. I I I just I don't get it. Um, one other thing I'm going to speak about the budget at the next meeting. I have a meeting with Dr. Anamone um, with some questions, but um, on 222, February 22nd, I believe it was last Thursday, Alex, I texted you. Um, I was on Route 23 southbound in

197front of the light at at uh, at uh Jackson A and 23. The light turns green for me to continue on going south on 23 >> and the school bus goes shooting through a red light. West Milford school bus number 240. >> Isn't that great? I just want to caution you, you know, be careful what you say just in case you implicate any. >> I'm not imp. >> I'm just saying just in case you implement implicate yourself in any slander or liel this, you know, you don't want to >> I yourself exposed to that. >> I get it. I get it. I know that, Joe. I've had conversations about with with you about that. But I witnessed a bus go shooting across 23 went right right through a red light and I I reached out

198to Dr. Anamone to let him know. Um I'll be putting in a formal request Barbara tomorrow. I want to know the driver on that bus on that day because I plan on filing a uh complaint because that's unacceptable. I don't care if there were one kid or two kids or three kids on that bus. unacceptable. So I I I don't know if he shared that information with you. I'll share it with you and share a lot of other other things as well. >> Would anyone else like to speak under petitions and request? >> Yes. >> Hi. >> How are you? >> Good. >> Um my name is Dea Russo. I live at 71 Hudson Drive. Um A. Please excuse my mom uniform. Uh B I'm been I'm going to be coming to meetings because I'm

199interested in the budget and how our school system runs. But I just wanted to say tonight thank you to Mr. Novak and to Mr. Citro who's not here and the board of education for allowing Casa to use the Makaban gym so we can host the annual semiformal which I can announce the date now because I've been given permission. It is going to be April 27th and if it weren't for the school district and for the hard work of Rebecca uh Sump who is the CASA coordinator and for the help of Mr. Trenticcasta and the help of Mr. Novak and Mr. Citro allowing us um to use the Macapen gym uh we wouldn't be having a summer formal semiformal this year because the rec center is having their floors replaced. So, I just want to thank

200you guys for not disappointing and helping us and letting these seventh and eighth graders have what they look forward to all year. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Hi, my name is Julia Chesy. I live at 22 Glen Cross Road. And I apologize in advance. I'm not great at public speaking. So, I wrote down what I wanted to say, but I know many of you have read my letter. I sent a letter to all the board members uh and they're aware of this my safety concerns. I want to thank the ones who have reached out to me very quickly. And those who I have not had the chance to get back to, I will be in touch. For those who have not read my letter, I will summarize it. I was

201let into this school and was able to walk through the hall through past all those classrooms unattended to the office. Uh sorry, I was let into Westbrook school and I was able to walk through the halls unattended to the office past at least three classrooms. Now regardless of whether I had an appointment or not, whether you were expecting me or not, I have no children in this school district. I am a stranger to this school. A stranger. Nobody asked me my name at the door. They asked me what I'm here for. I feel we are all too trusting and no one wants to believe that violence will happen to us. But this is the world we live in today. We cannot trust anyone. It is to my understanding that the high school bleachers need to

202be replaced and I agree. But your plan to spend $750,000 on them and the budget for the fieldhouse has doubled to $200,000. That is just short of $1 million being dumped into the sports program. And that is shameful. When the security in all the schools needs updating, now I'm going to assume your board members have children. So, I would like to ask you, would you rather sit on top of the line fancy bleachers or would you like your children to come home alive? The answer should be obvious. Now, if you have to come up with $1 million for updates to a football field, it should be easy to come with up with money to update security. I plan to forward my concerns about the security in all of our schools to my county and state

203representatives. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak? >> If not, >> I move to close. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. We need a motion to go into executive session. I move that at 10:19 we go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel appointments, resations, current litigation matters, special education matters, negotiations, HIV and matters of client privilege >> and we we will return for action. >> Uh we need a second. Did you second uh Nicole? >> Yes. >> All uh all those in favor. >> Any opposed? Is this joke oression? Is this joke oression? Is this joke or is this joke or >> Mr. Bailey? Mr. Sidowitz, >> Mr. Drew >> here, >> Mrs. Dwire >> here, >> Mr. Gino

204>> here, >> Mrs. Fritz >> here, >> Mr. Yuber >> still here, >> Miss O'Brien, Mrs. Van Dyke >> here. >> Okay, so let's go to the first uh Terry under education. Okay, move to approve the recommendation of the superintendent to affirm the 12 [Music] 2018 E14 is unsubstantiated and 2018 H10 is substantiated. Need a second. >> Second discussion. >> Mrs. Dwire. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Yuber. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fritz. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz. >> Yes. >> M. Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyke. >> Yes. >> Now, uh, under budget and finance. >> You want to move that? >> You know what? Nicole has it. Let's get out of here quick. Um, I make a motion to move the recommendation of the superintendent for resolution

205number 10. They need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? If not, Mrs. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Gino, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mrs. Van Dyk, >> yes. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Third, fourth >> night. [Applause] >> I thought she was leaving tomorrow. >> Carry.