Board of Education Meeting 5/16/17

001Please silence your cell phones and note the locations of the emergency exits. Thank you, Mike. Uh, I'd like to have a moment of silence for the victims of yesterday's plane crash. This is lucky that it didn't uh turn out to be a lot to two. Please stand for To the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [Music] 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 messenger, West Milford town hall, county superintendent's office, the board attorney and cable vision of Warwick and has been posted in the administration building. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution were

002provided to all local media, town hall, township, libraries, and all district schools. Mr. >> Mr. Mr. Bailey here. Mr. Sidowitz >> here. >> Mr. Drew >> here. >> Mrs. Dwire here. Mr. Foody >> present. >> Mrs. Fritz >> here. >> Mr. Yuber >> here. >> Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Ross. >> Thank you. Um, would you read the executive session resolution, >> sir? Uh, okay. Move to approve the following resolution. Resolve that the board immediately go into executive session at 7:00 p.m. for approximately, sorry, 7:03 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes for the purpose of conducting a hearing and then again at 9:00 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes for the purpose of discussing HIV personnel and matters of attorney client privilege. The matters discussed in executive session shall be made public as soon as the need for confidentiality

003no longer exists. Second. >> Thank you, Terry. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay, we will be back in about 20 minutes. We're going to executive session. It's for grievance hearing. Yeah. I move to approve the recommendation of the superintendent to affirm incident report number 2017H9 as unsubstantiated. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Chris. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drew. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. We're going to be all right to >> motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Good night, everyone. We'll see you next week. Okay. 7:00. [Music] Chitty chatty stuff. >> I'll be out in a minute. I'm going to go get a sandwich. >> You need to get some sleep. >> Load up on >> Why before

004midnight? 7:35. We're back. Sorry for the taking a little bit longer. Um, we are moving on to the superintendence report. Take it away, Dr. Amalo. >> All right. Thank you very much. Good good evening everybody. Welcome to the regular meeting for May. Uh item number one, about a month ago, we discussed uh what to do with Hillrest and it was suggested that we put a somewhat of a smaller survey out to the community just to take the temperature of uh West Wolfford, not just the parents, but also the township as at large. We've shared this with the with the township with local media. We have over 1,400 responses thus far and just to really it's still open the survey. So we have a lot of activity on it. a lot of people interested in sharing

005their opinions. The two takeaways thus far, the most desirable outcome uh with about 74% of the people responding uh is to make it into some sort of athletic field, athletic complex, uh we gave the analog of Maple Graange in Vernon and the least desirable outcome would be to donate it to a hospital or nonprofit. Um, a lot of the comments added that they they should have something like athletic fields for the children or a business that gets added to the tax roles. >> Just to be clear, there were only two choices. >> So, most desirable and least desirable. >> No, there was four. >> It was one to four uh rating scale. >> Uh, so that's still open and we're still love for anybody who has not yet responded to uh log on to our

006website and it's just a four or five question survey. should take you two or three minutes to complete. So, uh we'd love to hear from you. It's a big item on our uh moving forward in the district and it affects everybody in the community one way or the other. Second, uh the maintenance garage cameras update. Uh we discussed last month the dollar amount that I had in my notes was 1,600. We met with a vendor about a week ago and he does not think that it can be done for that amount. My guess is it'll be over. >> Uh, Miss Francisco, >> AC Dory. And this was for cameras that would cover there's multiple doors in and out of the building. And we also looked at interior cameras as well. We think we can just

007add one camera perhaps to the inside to cover the whole inside, which is which is high enough to cover everything. Um, so we're not moving on that yet unless the board would like to, but it will be more than 1,600. We can get an official quote, but when we talked to him about that number, it was it seemed like it wasn't >> really that close to his >> right. But the sense I got was it was not going to be slightly over that. It was going to be, >> you know, times two or three or something like that. >> Terry's ahead of me. >> Yes. >> Um, we also, somebody brought up the fact that back with the buses at night is not um safe for them. Did we look into lights and cameras for

008outside when those bus drivers came back? >> Electrician has looked into it >> and um that'll be addressed this summer. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Is that why the cameras came out more expensive because we added out exterior cameras to the estimate? I >> I think I I don't I don't know. I think it's just more than going to cost more than that. >> These are all interior cameras. >> These are interior and exterior. >> Okay. So, but the wiring the wire, it's just a few cost plus labor and whatnot. So, um companies thought we used >> No, they wouldn't do No, they wouldn't do that. >> They do our fire alarm monitoring or security monitoring. >> All right. Next up, about two weeks ago, we had a as did almost the entire

009world, there was a giant Google Gmail fishing epidemic or outbreak that affected Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, school districts, and obviously just uh everyday people. Uh we did a quick investigation that same day and we sent a memo out to the community that there was about 20 or 25 emails affected. We spoke with Google security about 2 days later after we were able to uh take a breath and it turns out it was a little more comprehensive than that. We had 123 emails that were affected that clicked on the the link that they shouldn't have. So uh we've changed passwords. >> We've we've changed passwords and uh uh we don't believe there's any data that could have been compromised. Um but we are taking every precaution to make sure it doesn't happen again. Next up, the

010water update. We are, as per state regulations, every water outlet in a school district has to be tested for lead. So, we are in the process, well, we've already tested. We're now waiting on results. We have slightly over 20 fixtures that have tested higher than the allowable amount. Many of those have tested less on the second time we've tested them. Uh, nonetheless, we're replacing the outlets anyway. And by an outlet, I mean a water fountain, uh a drinking faucet. In some cases, it's one classroom with a f a faucet which tested high for lead and a bottle filler attached to it, which did not. So, we have we're very inclined to think it's the in the fixtures itself, not necessarily the water. All right. Um Apua school had so many water fountains test high that

011we just we obviously took them all out of uh circuit but we bring in bottled water to Apua. So they'll be on bottled water until we can get it all repaired and once it's repaired we'll send our water testing consultants back to each school to retest the new faucets. And we think that should solve the problem. All right. Uh second to last. This did not make it here but I'm going to read it out today. We have an update on our senior class walk and this is the first year we're going to try it. Here we have our senior class advisor working with our high school administration. What we're going to do with our graduating class is the last day of school or second to last day of school. Bring the kids in for a

012breakfast, give them their cap and gowns and load them on load them onto five buses. We'll walk over to Westbrook and we'll have our graduates that went to UGL go back to UGL and walk the halls. the kids will be in the hallways cheering them on. We'll do the same for all of our elementary schools. It will sort of hopefully be a a new tradition here in West Milford. Uh again, this is our senior class walk and that's for late in June. >> We're excited about that. >> Mhm. >> And lastly, >> fantastic idea. And lastly, we have a couple tickets left for this Saturday's uh West Milford High School Athletic Hall of Fame fundraiser at the Bloomingdale Firehouse. This is an organization created early this year by a Hall of Fame committee led by

013our athletic director, Mr. Trenticcasta. The board approved it earlier in the fall, and our first fundraiser is this Saturday. There are still tickets left, not many, but a couple. If you're interested, please call the athletic director's office. What's the fundraiser? >> It is a beef steak turkey tray. >> Beef steak and a trick and a turkey tray, I think. Um, so we hope to induct our first class the following year. So once we get this money, we uh start looking at our nominees and we'll have a wonderful inaugural class probably one year from now. Um, I know Mr. Novak's going, former West Milford High School allstar. Unfortunately, I'm going to be out of town, but I would like to make a donation. I know our our AD is here. Mr. Trancasta, you can come up,

014please. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Where's the real check? >> Oh, thank you. This is Okay. Mission zero. >> I felt bad. Question for you. >> Yes, Mrs. Dwer. >> Okay. Um, when we talked about the athletic hall of fame, we also talked about an academic academic hall of fame and the high school principal was supposed to get back to us. Has he done anything about it? We have we've been brainstorming and working uh behind the scenes a little bit. I think we'll be seeing some movement on that very shortly. Um, and hope to have a report out to the board. >> Thank you. That's all Barbara special reports and correspondence. >> Uh yes, the minutes from the April meetings, April 4th, April 18th and April 25th will be available uh next week's consideration legal

015report. Okay, we have a very full agenda tonight to be discussing the next president. Um, as you know, we had uh well, we had a committee meeting of our board. We couldn't get a form for that meeting. Um however um our New Jersey uh school board's representative gave me the packet on the superintendent evaluation. Um I would like to hand those out um for board only to receive and review them at next Tuesday's meeting um so that we can review it and and and look at it. Um that's step one. Um I'm going to have we're going to have to write Alex for that meeting. Okay. Um we will then write a summary or narrative report which documents the majority opinion of the board. Um, step three would be the board receives the summary narrative

016document, agrees it reflects the majority opinion of the board and again Alex will need to be rised for that meeting. Um, I'll provide copies of the summary to report to Alex a few days prior to our scheduled summary conference. And that's step five. The law requires the majority of the full board and the CSA meet in executive session legally advertised and and again CSA has received a rice notice for this summary conference. The evaluation is discussed and the minority opinion can be voiced. the board of education president and the CSA signed dates document and Alex then will have 10 days if he wants to make any comments to to that uh evaluation and the narrative. Um and then step six, we start the process all over again next year for our goal setting. And and

017so um I will hand these out to everybody um next Tuesday. All right? And we'll have a dis discussion and I'll send you a quick note regarding that. Um and also the only other thing that I have to report is say when we meet after after our meeting on the 25th I'm seated please be recognized before um you're spoken before you speak or spoken to. All right. and and the comments are addressed to the board chair. They're not addressed to the audience. I mean, we got to start going by the rules. Um, all right. Petitions and requests. Petitioners who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first. I have Mary Ellen. I don't know how you pronounce >> Okay. Heather Colorado, Michelle Kesh, Joe Marie Fred. Um, since we don't have good

018video available this evening, um, and he's got no videos, I would like to cancel and pull from the agenda. >> Um, Joe, what was that? >> Number 19 under personnel and special action. I'd like to pull that for tonight. um until board is one Alex has reviewed the other tapes and two some of the board members can get in or review the tape just in case we can't have it available for our meeting on the 23rd. >> Yeah. So I don't know if people are to speak tonight until tomorrow. [Music] Hold on. Yes. >> Please hold on one second. >> Read the uh I still haven't I haven't read it yet. I'll be uh going in for petitions and requests. >> Okay. No problem. And if you're going to speak, I don't know if you

019guys want to hold off until next week since we're going to be pulling that agenda item. >> So, the agenda item will be relisted for the 23rd. >> Yes. Correct. >> Okay. We should we need to warn members that haven't been able to see that video supposed to be available. It's not. So, then we can have >> Okay. Okay. So, as word president, are you administratively removing that? >> Yes. Okay. So, 23rd is off the 23rd. Number 19 is says tabled >> until next week. No. >> And just for clarification purposes, this employee did wish that the discussion take place in public. So, that employee is is Gail Kish. So, everyone's aware that we'll be rewriting. So now they still right to speak if they like you the four people that are mentioned if you

020still want to speak. >> Yes. >> Okay. So let me finish reading the All right. Um petitioners are requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with 5 minutes for each petitioner for a period of 30 minutes and then time permitting other petitions and requests limited to 5 minutes per petitioner will be allowed until a 30-minut period transpires. 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, provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during petitions and requests. We have four people listed and Mary Ellen, you are number one. >> Deferring to Joe and not Hi, Joe Marie Frederick's 38 West Shore Road, West Mford, New Jersey. Uh, good evening. As

021you know, my name is Joe Marie Fredericks, and I stand here tonight as president of the West Mover Bus Drivers Association. It is with great sadness that I feel the need to relay the story. On Tuesday, May 2nd, Gay Cash, a highly respected and explanatory bus driver for 21 years, experienced a medical emergency while driving her run. Having been under a doctor's care for this problem, she was well aware of the imple implications that would soon occur if she did not find a bathroom facility. With 10 students already on her bus, Gay knew her upcoming bus stop is a close friend of hers. She called her telling her she had an emergency situation and needed to use her bathroom while her friend watched the children. Gay then Gay then resumed her job as her friend

022returned to her house. Upon completion of her run, Gabe voluntarily went into her supervisor's office to re reiterate what had happened and what she did to protect the su students. Her supervisor took down the information and the rest is history. The rest is why we are here now. I guess the real question here is could she have done what she could have done differently? We all are human. We all are subject to occasional stomach issues. But there is a big difference here. We are not all protected by the ADA. The American Disability Act like gay is. Have we become that district? Those people who don't view people as people but as a problem. Are we that shortsighted that we can't put ourselves in this position? What would have you done? What would have you done

023differently? This is crazy. If this is indeed a disciplinary issue, then it should be progressive, not right to the top. We are trying to fire a person for having a disability. This is a This is a new one. I thought we protected people with disabilities. I thought we were all life lifelong learners, not vindictive, cruel, or retalitative. Gay is innocent here. The caring bus driver who just wants to perform her job. No one would want to be here having No one would want to be here having their gastroint intestinal issues discussed in public forum unless their job was important to them. That is worth it. How low do we go? Where does this stop? Please dismiss this ridiculous resolution and react humanity. Humans elected the board of ed. Humans who voted because they care. Humans

024put faith in the board of ed to lead the school district. This doesn't reinforce that. It's embarrassing and mortifying. Ask yourself, what would have you done? my guess. Not a darn thing different. Okay, that's what I have to say. And I also have petition from the bus drivers that was signed again by the bus drivers. And I'll read that really fast. We at the West Mofford Transportation bus drivers. We appreciate the opportunity to show our support to bus driver Gay Kish and her continuing employment at West Mford Transportation. Gay started as a bus driver 21 years ago. Gay has gone without incident for over two decades. On May 2nd, Gay was not feeling well. She had been on medication for an unfortunately gave her severe gastro international distress. It was a medical emergency that put

025her under extreme distress and required her to get to the bathroom as soon as possible. Gay pulled over at a designated bus stop and had a friend watch over the children on board the bus while she was sick in the bathroom. The Westminer bus drivers association has a contract of collective bargaining agreement under article 11 disciplinary precedure. It states disciplinary actions including the removal of a bus driver from a run shall depending upon the nature of infraction normally include the following in order. One, verbal. Two, written warning. Three, suspension without pay. Four, discharge. It is understandable that the administration may want to address this issue, but these are clearly ex extenduary circumstances and to terminate her job when she has had such a good record after 21 years would be unjust at best. Please consider

026one of the first three steps rather than jumping immediately to the final step for the discharge. Thank you for your time. She's right here. [Music] Did she finish? >> Uh, good evening everyone. Uh, my name is Mary Ellen Kandrino. I live at 42 Papsco Road, Guitt, New Jersey, and I am a friend of Gay Kish, and I would like to speak on her behalf. Gay called me and stated she needed to use my bathroom that morning, Tuesday, May 2nd, because it was an emergency. I quickly told my husband to open the door so that she could easily access its use. Our house is part of her bus route. She stops in front of my house every day. Most mornings I am outside. I talk with the parents and children waiting for the school bus. The

027parents and children are my friends and neighbors. When I was asked to go aboard the bus and watch the children, they waved and said, "Hi, Mary Ellen." And I engaged the children and asked them how they like school. And one girl said she went to Florida and had an interesting conversation about Disney and Universal. But then Gay quickly came back to the bus and later called me that day to tell me she filed a report explaining what had happened that morning. She stated the protocol dictated she call a dispatcher, but she had an emergency and I empathize with her situation and decision. What would you have done? Her emergency was taken care of with the children in mind. And she has done this for a a clean record for 21 years, earning the respect and

028confidence of parents and children on her route. That m that morning, her emergency caused her great physical discomfort and also mental discomfort. Knowing the rules, but what could she do? Not taking care of the situation immediately could have caused a health issue on the bus. Our friendship, our house being part of her bus route, parents and children knowing me made it possible for Gay to have me temporarily watch the children on her bus. She returned immediately and was able to continue her route. At no time was there any reason to be concerned about the children's welfare and safety. She exercised due diligence by following her report. What would you have done? I am certain this was a difficult decision to make, but she could make this decision because she had a bathroom available and a

029friend whom she could trust. Why wouldn't anyone make the same decision to deal with this emergency and preclude comprising the condition of the bus and the children's health? I respectfully think Gay had no other choice but the choice she made on that morning. She was able to complete her route and safely bring the children to school. What would you have done? Thank you very much. [Music] How you doing? I am Michelle Kesh Kis and I live on 45 Dunham Road which is two roads over from this woman that I also know too because she is one of our neighbors and a family friend gone to many of barbecues with everything on this side. Now, I know this is probably most one of the most uncomfortable topics to humanly talk about for most men, whether it's

030men, females, anything under the sun. So, I almost want to express to you the extreme nature of the medical emergency. It was a lot of you guys don't understand unless you have been with somebody that has gone through it. Whether you or yourself have gone through it, there is an extreme emergency. And it is a medical emergency. There's nothing under the sun you can do. There's no amount of time you can sit there and delay and wait and say, "Maybe in 25 minutes I can have somebody that can maybe help me." There really is no way around that. Now, our house is literally two roads over. If she even thought that, hey, maybe I could even make it there. That would have been an option. But guess what? That wasn't even an option. So, she's

031even going out of her way in a sense to embarrass herself in front of her friends and say, "Hey, I really have this extreme emergency. It's an emergency." You know, and obviously, I mean, I could sit here and stutter and go out of my way to say a million different things. I love my mother and I know her decision-m there is not one second that she did not make the most correct decision any of us would have made and that's kind of all I have to say cuz I mean honestly speaking like if let's say for instance said bus driver no matter what bus driver they are they pull up to a bus stop they're loading children into their bus they actually start having a stroke parents are then supposed to what watch the bus

032driver have a stroke or get onto the bus and help that bus driver or instead wait until the bus driver has a stroke and then call a paramedic and then wait and see if maybe then somebody can get onto the bus to help the bus driver. It's the same exact situation. There in no way was a stranger involved. No way were the kids in any kind of jeopardy. It was an emergency situation and I hope any of you could eyes like could even realize or even fathom what that's like and the situation you yourself would actually be in and go through with that. And that's it. Heather. Hi, my name is Heather Camarado and I live at 35 Papepsco Road um in Hwitt right near the where the incident took place. Tonight I did bring

033other parents. So if you guys could just raise your hand real quick so the board of ed realizes and there's many more that is I did not talk to one parent that did not feel what I'm about to read to you. Um we are here to totally support Mrs. Kish. We know exactly what happened on that bus that day. My child was actually on the bus. So, you know, we I have different perspective than everybody, you know, the other two that got up here. Um, she didn't follow protocol. No, I'm not going to stand up here and defend that actual action. We do agree that you guys took the right approach by stepping in and taking a look and saying, you know, what is going on with all this? The children were not stressed at

034all. You, many of you probably have kids. You know, when they're stressed, they come off and the stories are like insane. I had to ask my son, "Did something happen on the bus today?" You know, it was really, it was really no big deal to them. Um they are actually so you know being more caused by stress by her not being there. That is how loved this woman is. Um the students who ride the bus and the parents trust her without a doubt. Um she's been with the district for 21 years. We should be supporting her in finding ways we could help with those who basically dedicate their lives to us, to our kids, to our town. And there's not many professions that you see that 20 21 years goes by and nothing happens. You

035know, there's always something. Um, so her record should really come into play here. So I ask of you when it is time to vote, you you really take a look at everything, the whole picture. Obviously, you're going to look at video um and everything else. So, obviously, you'll be hopefully be able to have those records to also be able um to see. She made a mistake, but she thought it was under good intention. She was having a medical emergency. So, when we all did find out, our first thought was, "Oh my god, they were in danger." That never passed. Not one parent that I talked to, not at all. Our first response was, "Oh my god, is she going to be okay?" That's how the relationship is with this woman. Um, my son wanted to

036come to speak tonight. He's sixth grade. Um, however, I said, "No, we're going to sit this one out. We'll let the adults talk about it." But I said, "Can I bring a message?" And the message from him, he's 12, was the first thing he said is, "I want to let them know that I want to have a great day at school." So, I'm like, "Okay, they're talking about the bus. What does what does that mean?" Well, that that means if I start my day off right and I end my day up right, that will be a good day. And then he went into a lovely analogy that I could thank the West Milford School District because it was a very good analogy. It was a lot of details. I won't go into all of them,

037but he's 12. So we're sitting there having a snack and he goes, "It school is like a hamburger." And of course I'm like, "Okay, where's this going?" So he took his cookies and he's like, "You see?" and he rambled off everything he does during the day, which also coincided with something that goes on a hamburger. Um, but then he held up his cookies and he said, "This is the bus. This is the thing that holds us all together and we get home and we are safe." He said, "Mom, we want her back. She made a mistake." Um, you know, this is just so heartening to even stand up here and talk about, but we as the parents hope that when you do vote, obviously now it will be next week, um, that you hear our

038voices because it is our children on that bus, ours. We trust her. We trust her to get back behind that seat. She should not be terminated. Should there be an action? Absolutely. We can't have anybody doing whatever they want. That's that's not what we as the parents are saying. We're saying that we trust her enough. And really quick, I just as we're closing up here, I think it's a good time that we we take a second and we appreciate the bus drivers. This specific bus driver for the past 21 years has gotten up at an ungodly hour when sometimes it's 0° windchills below. There's snow. There's fog, there's rain, there's hurricanes, there's the aftermath of many blizzards that we have and we need to trust that. We need to know. So, I would never stand

039up here and vouch and say I I don't know many of you know me, but who do know me is, you know, I protect my children and I'm not afraid to say it. So, for me to be up here is is really really important. So, from the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank Mrs. Kish and all the bus drivers. You know, times are stressful. Everybody deserves to be thankful. Everybody deserves appreciation and every single one of them deserve respect. So, when you do vote, please please just keep that in mind that we we want our bus driver back. We want that person to know that that vehicle on that road shouldn't be there and I'm not letting the kids off the bus. And unless you've had the experience that Mrs. Kish has, you

040you're not going to see that. She is totally an asset. The kids say things like they she waits for me. Mom, I come running in and I'm from the bus. Am I done? >> Okay. I'm sorry. I usually go over. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. Well, that's how I want to complete the night. Thank you for listening to me. I'm sorry I cannot come back next week, but thank you for letting us speak at me. Is there anybody else who would like to speak? >> I saw I saw hands up over there first if you don't like. >> Okay. 1 2 3. I push everything that fast, but it's not. I'm Gay's husband, Roger. I've had my business in town for 30 years. I just want to make one statement while my wife is home

041pondering whether or not you're going to can her. The other day we got a phone call to go look for a girl that was missing in Upper Green Lake. And I just want you all to know she knows the neighborhood. She found the girl. Put that in your mind when you're voting for her. Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Connie Burton, 81 Pine Cliff Lake Drive, West Milford. I'm here tonight as a bus driver at West Milford Transportation. I seem roughly half of all the drivers I've known either leave or be discharged. The entire office staff and fueler position turn over multiple times and all but one of the mechanics leave. We have been left with a situation where there simply are no longer enough drivers. There is such a shortage of drivers

042that we are often forced to have both mechanics and office staff drive the bus runs. Sometimes leaving the office or garage with no one in them. When we raise our children and send them off to school, we concern ourselves with statistics like student teacher ratio in the classroom. When they go to college, we evaluate similar statistics. Colleges will often boast that you are not just a number to demonstrate that they value the worth of the individual. We deal with numbers and performance metrics here at West Milford for transportation too. For example, we have a seniority system in place where seniority is given to people based on the date when they were hired. This system is used when selecting desirable runs and trips. A more senior driver is given the privilege of selecting before a lower

043number junior driver. My number is 26 because I am the 26th most senior person at transportation. However, we are more than just numbers. We are people. Most of us West Milford taxpayers. We are husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons. We contribute financially to our family's income. We volunteer and show fundraising support for our communities with our churches as well as special causes such as breast cancer, world and local hunger, the environment, the animal shelter, and West Mulford's own project graduation, which we have donated to for several years. We have hopes and dreams, strengths and weaknesses. We have good days and bad days just like everyone else. Tonight, I do ask that when with any bus driver when assessing which course of action to take in the disciplinary procedure, please whenever possible, honor

044our disciplinary procedure in order and in accordance with our collective bargaining agreement. Also, please take into consideration if you are dealing with a chronic offender and if and if additional training could correct the situation before taking more harsh steps such as termination. Remember that we are people too and not just replaceable number. Unfortunately, we will continue to be treated like disposal numbers until you make a conscious decision to do otherwise. Thank you kindly for your time and consideration in this matter. Number 26, my name Connie Burton. [Music] >> Just let you know that I'm number three. Number seven. Number nine. >> Number 23. >> No money. >> Good evening. My name is Sandra Yoda. Dio D O N T 30 C Chadam Rude Huitt. Actually the mother of your first state champion. So I'll plug

045that in. 400 meters 2015. Um, so West Milford has been very good to our family. Um, my husband told me, "You have to come to this board meeting." And as an assistant superintendent in Patterson, I love board meetings. So when he told me that I had to come, I knew it was serious. Um, and so I don't interact much with Miss Kiche, but when I do have the pleasure of dropping off my son at the bus stop, she has been nothing but pleasant. Um, obviously based on what she's done and said, you know, she told on herself basically. And so that talks about her character, her integrity, and her work ethic, which we have to consider. As somebody who's on the upper echelon of education in my district, does she deserve a consequence? Absolutely. Does

046she deserve termination? I don't think so, based on what I'm hearing. So, I just have a few questions in my mind, such as, is there a standard operating procedure for emergencies? Um, what about progressive discipline? Did she have a union rep present to help her? All these are questions that perhaps she did, perhaps she didn't. But those are things that you as a board I would ask that you consider before you make this um this statement. I mean before you make your decision. Lastly, I think that safety did play an issue here. I would much rather her go as a mother, not as an assistant superintendent, go to a friend's house that she knows doesn't have a criminal record than to continue to drive and end up with 10 kids that might be hurt or

047or die eventually if she couldn't concentrate on that road. And you know how those how that mountain could be. And so just consider those different facts when making your determination. Thank Thank you. Anybody else like to speak? >> This message is just from Mrs. Gish from my son. Just thank you. >> You have to step up to the microphone, please. >> Sorry. My name is Michelle Bueno and I'm scared of public speaking. I live at 38 Fllanders Road, Hwitt. So, this message is from Mrs. Kish. My son says, "Thank you for waiting for me." He says that he feels safe. He's always late running to the bus stop. And she always says, "Don't run." And Jakey, my son always feels bad about cars waiting. And she always says, "Don't worry about the cars. Don't worry

048about them. You're first." So, I just want you to know that he feels safe and he feels important. Thank you. Is there anybody else who would like to speak? >> My name is Terresa Demensa, 10 First AB, West Milford, New Jersey. D I capital MCA. I've been a bus driver for 39 years in West Milford. 35 contracted years. Four years I subbed because the old-timers never left. They stayed forever. So you had to wait your turn. I've worked with Gay for 21 years. Not only is she considerate with the children, she loves us, the bus drivers. She's always there for us. We try to be together. It's been a rough five years. Transportation is not the same. It has changed so much. There's so many things that could be done that aren't done. And I

049hope this, you know, what I'm saying, I'm talking from my heart that Gay is a good person. She's a good bus driver. 21 years means a lot. You don't give up your life and leave your children home and take care of someone else's children if it's not in your heart to do so. Thank you for listening. Anybody else? >> All right. >> Seeing none, like to move uh close petitions and request. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Okay. We'll make a motion to adjust the agenda as presented as amended. Carry >> and number 19 uh is moved till next week. >> Number 19 has been hold until next week. Move to adopt the agenda with the withdrawal of item number 19 personnel. uh with the hand carry and as amended. [Music] >>

050I'll second. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Okay. Um Mr. Drew, would you uh start finance, please? Um the special action items for the number one uh and I move all six. Any discussion? I have uh a number one barber. We went from from two to one. Is that the based on the recommendation of supervisor and maintenance manager and mechanic? >> Yes. And since we're only going to be purchasing one vehicle, we can buy it outright. We don't have to lease purchases. Okay. Okay, please. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mr. Yuber, >> yes. >> Mr. Foody, >> no. On one, yes. On two through six. Um, this is a wine

051isn't here. Sorry, I ask you to Oh, boy. Okay. Okay. Let me just see how many she has here. Um move to move to approve items one through 18 under personnel and student affairs. >> Second. >> Oh and the hand carried. Go back >> 1 through 18 and number 20. >> 20 any any discussion? I I have something to say. Okay. Um I'm I'm very sorry to see Terry Charles at the board office leave uh and retire. She has been an asset to this to this district. She has worked above and beyond what she needs to do. I know as a first year board member I called her and I said I need a copy of all policies. And I thought all right two weeks she had them in the next in the next day.

052She's just a magnificent employee and we are going to miss her dearly. So I just want to recognize her. >> Mr. Bailey, uh, piggybacking on my colleagues comments, I would also like the record to note, and I don't care if this is personal or not, I wish uh, Miss Charles nothing but the best. Um, her and Skippy. I hope they have a wonderful retirement. And um when you talk about one person like this, you have the tendency is to leave many others out. That's not my intent. But as a board member for 21 years, Mh. Charles has been there with any question I need answered, any administrative thing, making sure that I was always meeting my obligations and was in compliance with different things we have to do as a board member. So, she will

053be sorely missed, but the clock ticks. It's her time. I wish her and Skippy nothing but the best, but I will really miss her cuz she's a pleasant voice on the other end of that 6973059 line. And uh who's ever going to take that over, they have big shoes to fill. Uh I trust that our human resource department is able to come up with a suitable replacement. But I will miss uh Mrs. Charles and I wish her the best. If I could just make one quick comment in addition, I know Miss Charles I'm congratulations on her retirement and I think she's also done a phenomenal job um in her long run here and I just would like to also recognize that we are sorry in the special services department to accept the resignation tonight of

054Dr. Jonathan Hesnney. But I do want to just commend him because for the past year that he's been with us, he has really been a positive influence on our families, the community, our staff, and he has enhanced our programs and helped us to implement best practices. So, I just want you I know it's a short time and he's going to move on, but I have valued the time that he's been with us and I think our department would agree. >> And those I think you'll be uh sorely missed as well. And Miss Charles um she'll be enjoying some golf down for her. I uh I look forward to those days. >> Talking to the mic. >> Okay. Um on item number seven, um you remember we had a reduction in force um at our last

055meeting that we didn't vote in favor of. Um Terry, this is the paper. I don't know if you remember that. This was we got personnel with all the >> the enrollments. Yep. Um >> Oh, no. The ratings. >> The ratings. >> Oh, let's not talk about that then. >> Um but this particular teacher was rated higher than the last one and I can't support that. I I I want to keep our high performing teachers and I think that uh we all want to have the best possible teachers that we possibly can. And in getting rid of one of our top five non-tenure teachers, there's 40 on that list. uh 20 20 in the elementary school, but um I just I can't I can't vote for that again. Um it wouldn't wouldn't be correct. Um I

056think that was it for as far as as I had. Um, anybody else like to say anything? Okay, roll call, please. Barbara, >> didn't say raise it fast enough, but thank you. Um, I would like to I I know we've got several quality people who are retiring here, but I got to tell you, Terry Charles just stood out in my mind. immediate, confident, professional, prompt, timely, and I really think that's a great loss for the district. You know, I I wish her the best, but um it would be very difficult to find a person quality. I sure wish her the best, but I'm tempted to vote now once. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. Um on item eight we are moving two people. Is that correct? >> That is not correct. Number eight. >> Yeah.

057>> These aren't people. Last month we did all our rehires for the year. These two names are not on the list. Do not re being recommended for next year. >> Okay. So these are rehires of people that were not on the list from the last one. Okay. I get it. Um, and I I I'm very concerned. Well, Barbara, when we went over the projected enrollments for next year, if I recall, and of course, the numbers always change a bit, but my guess is they're not going to change that much, that we had about the same student population in the elementary schools. We had 48 kids left less in the middle school and something like 12 to 14 in the high school. >> So I mean from my own knowledge and I'm sure the educators know

058this that class size makes the biggest difference in in elementary grades. And so I'm just kind of shocked that we're considering um eliminating somebody in the elementary grades when we don't have a change in enrollment and we're not looking at anybody at all in the middle school when we do have a decrease in enrollment. So just think about why we're looking at an elementary teacher. um you know uh teachers make an absolute huge difference. >> See about that kind of answer. We have we have about 50 something 55 60 give or take sixth graders at Westbrook this year graduating Westbrook. We have about we're projected to have about 40 coming into kindergarten here. So we're going from three sections to two. All the other grades will stay the same. So it's just that we're going

059to have one fewer elementary section next year compared to this year. >> So we do have a loss of about one class size in the element. >> Not not about one class size. One class size. >> Yes. Okay. So that that's different than my initial information. >> I'm very concerned that you know presumably our our evaluations are u um accurate. they're worth something. You know, if they're not, I don't know why we take all that much time to do it. And I think as a uh as a board, as a district, one of the highest impact things that we can do is to make sure that we hire good teachers. You know, it's it's it's more important than curriculum. It's more important than, you know, putting good teachers in the classroom makes a difference. That's,

060you know, we we personally I want to improve education in West Mil and the very first thing we need to do is put the best teachers we possibly can in in the schools. >> Mhm. So if we're looking at eliminating a teacher who's been evaluated highly and keeping teachers who are rated much lower that I mean either our evaluation system is worthless but it just really calls into question what we're trying to accomplish. That's exactly how to decrease the quality of education in West Morford. you know, keep keep, you know, lower performing teachers and get rid of the good ones. Uh, so I I just can't possibly uh uh approve that. You know, maybe there's some other discussion that we can have about this, but I want good teachers in the classroom. And it sounds

061like we're about to get rid of a good teacher. And boy, I sure don't get it. I just want to add I think when you're looking at the non-tenurers I think a lot of them are very good and I think we ran into this problem last the last time with the other person and now we're you know going to argue that again and if we didn't pass this one there'll be another one. I think that it's more that it's it's a reduction in force so much not so much as performancedriven and I think they're we have to trust the district a little bit. We have to trust the administrators that at some point there's there's probably you know things going on that they're looking at. Maybe we're not privy to everything and I think that

062the the performance rating is probably not the end all be all of everything and I know it's hard and nobody wants to see anybody go but I think at the end of the day it's going to be somebody and if it's not you know this person someone else will argue 10 reasons why it shouldn't be the next person and I think this is one of those situations where where we have to trust that the administrators are looking at everything with the lens that's that's the best for the district and I think we could argue whoever you're going to put up there but at some point you have to trust that they you know what they're doing. >> Um I have I have a question about number 15. Um on these moves across the guide, um

063are these credits that are teachers receiving in their fields and in administration? >> Number 15. >> Yeah. >> Oh no, no, no. Number 16. Understand? >> No. What number to leave to? >> 15. Here it is. I have Oh, number 16. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, I'll keep my mouth shut. Sorry. >> Okay. I have a little time. I'm already Yep. Yep. A little bit. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. That worked. >> I'm going to abstain only because this is coming on the board. I feel that all sides of the argument have highly disappointed me with not providing facts and whether that goes for administration, board personnel, all of the above have uh left me as a uninformed board member. So I will be abstaining from everything. >> Mr. Drew, one one other quick

064comment. We're uh moving somebody to a long-term substitute. And I wonder >> uh that's number 10. I wonder if any consideration was given at all if if we're riffing somebody someplace else. >> That's for this year though. >> A short-term leave. We have a uh somebody going out from May 17th to 38th. 5 weeks. So this is uh just a short term. I just always think you got to consider >> it's a replacement for number. >> Got it. Um when we uh allow somebody on leave of absence or to extend leave of absence, does that mean that we're required to hold a position open for them when they decide they're paying off leave of absence >> if they're tenued? Yes. >> Is there a time limit on that? >> Two years. It it depends on

065a lot of factors including which law we're talking about and if we're extending it other issues. So >> generally no. >> Okay. >> Depending on the law we're talking about. All right. I got my question. Any other items through 18? Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bailey. >> Number seven, no. All the rest, yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> number seven, no. Everything else, yes. [Music] >> Mrs. Fritz, yes. Mr. Drew, >> number one, no. Number seven, no. And yes on the Mr. >> I like that. Uh number seven, no. Yes to the rest. >> Mr. I abain on it. >> Mr. uh no on seven. Yes. Okay. All right. >> We got a point of order. >> Okay. >> Doesn't this hand carry go with that same section? >> It did. It did. >> Oh,

066it did. I thought she said 118. >> Oh, okay. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Just to clarify, >> pass number one now. The mic is on. Number one did not. Uh, number one passed. Number one passed. Number one passed. Too big. >> Number one passed. Number seven did not pass. The rest did pass. Number 19, which is Mrs. Kish, was administrative withdrawn until next week. 56. Sorry. >> Unfortunately, you can't force anybody not. >> Okay. Move to approve item number one under education and item number two will be moved after executive session. >> Second. Thank you. Any discussion on item number one, [Music] please? >> Mr. Sidowitz, >> yes. >> Mr. Drew, >> yes. >> Mr. Bailey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dwire, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fritz, >> yes. >> Mr. Huber, >>

067yes. >> Mr. Foody, >> yes. >> Okay. Um Mary, I'm going to let you fill in for Debbie again on personal speech affairs workshop discussion. >> Okay. The following items are presented for anticipating action at the regular meeting on the 23rd. Items 1 through Oh, I have a minute here. 1 through 1922. Um >> 34. You sure? >> Yep. >> Okay. 1 through 34 just for discussion. >> Yeah. >> I don't know what the numeric goal procedure, you know what the number will be, >> but we're taking 19 tonight and move it to next week. I don't know what the number is going to be. >> Right. >> Correct. Right. Well, I do know one thing. whatever the number is and they all know it and I don't care. I'm voting. >> Mr. Bailey, >>

068excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me, Mr. President. Excuse me. Excuse me. >> Do I have the floor or not? >> Yes, you do. I don't need There's no grand. Excuse me. We all agreed on that. >> Excuse me. Excuse me. Do I have the floor or not? >> Not Not if you're going to grandstand. >> Are you going to shut me down? >> If you're going to grandstand. Yes. Because that >> What's the definition? Or better yet, how do you spell grandstand? >> How do you spell it? I don't know. >> There you go. Are you shutting me down, sir? >> Yes, I'm shutting you down if you're not grand. >> Cuz I think you're out of order. Joe, may I have a ruling, please? >> There's no ruling to be made. >>

069He can shut me down at any time. So, I'm not allowed to express my opinion on a motion. That is not what I said. >> There is no There's no motion. There's no >> There's no motion. You can motion the these there's nothing to discuss here, but we can talk about it further. the opinion at part of it in executive session. I can talk about it with you. >> So even though it says workshop discussion, I'm not allowed to discuss any of these items that may come up for at the next board meeting >> in our team charter. We >> Excuse me, young man. I'm talking to the lawyer, not you. >> Go ahead. The >> team charter also talks about respecting each other. >> Excuse me. I'm not talking to you either. I'm talking

070to the lawyer. I don't have a copy of the team chart. Are >> you pardon? >> I don't have a copy of the team chart. I don't know what it says, >> but it does I know it does say one thing. It does says we are not supposed to be grandstanding. Whatever whatever that means. That's discussion between the two of you. But this is a time just to make a comment on expected action. Not what the the comment you're trying to make, I believe, is what you should make when you're about to vote on the resolution, which is during public not public comment, but discussion of the of the resolution. >> Okay. So then would it be more appropriate to ask perhaps a question about a motion that it will come up on board meeting?

071>> That's exactly what this is for. So >> may I ask a question? >> Sure. >> May you ask a question or what's your question? [Music] >> There will be more information for us as board members to process. >> Yes. before we make this decision concerning this employee who was so highly spoken of tonight at this meeting. So, I'll be able to contact who, the superintendent or the BA at any time for information that I need to make the right decision even though I know the decision I'm going to make. What's the answer? >> Excuse me. I'm not talking to you. >> I would suggest you watch the video. Dr. has sent an email out asking everybody to come in and watch the video. >> Sorry, I work for a living, sir. >> So, I

072didn't see it in. I'm not saying you did. I'm telling you what I do. The hell would know the video. I asked a question. Is it appropriate what I just said? Is that appropriate to contact the superintendent or the BA at any time? >> The answer to your question is yes. >> Okay, I'm done. >> Um, okay. Now, I can ask my question on number 15. um on these movements on the guide. Um are these credits I hate to say this but quote unquote legitimate credits? Are they in the person people's expertise? Are they in administration or are they just credits for credits and I would also like to know where the credits were received. Were they received from an accredited school or >> I have that information in my office. Okay. I don't know

073which subjects they took it in off top of my head. I can get that for you though. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Dr. Anam. >> Oh. Oh, and I have another I'm sorry. Number 19, the district evaluation advisory committee. Um, what is this and will it include an evaluation of our board? >> Craig, can you can you tell me the number again? >> Number 19. The district the DAC was created a few years ago. It must be maybe four or four years ago maybe by the department that every district needs to have a district a DAC. This does not involve board evaluation. This involves staff administration. So that's probably the group four years ago that selected that review different evaluation models and selected Danielson over Marshall or >> Okay. Is there a board evaluation? I

074mean, we do I know we do our own evaluation. Okay. >> It's a little Yeah, that's not what this is. >> Thanks. >> Okay. >> Um, this is for uh Mr. Novak and Dr. Anamone. Items 17 through 23 list a number of committees. And I'm going to ask you guys to if you would at the next meeting briefly run down those committees and give a brief explanation for the public's edification. I think it's going to be very revealing about how the district, you know, how the district works and what we're doing for the students in the district. Uh to just do that and this is kind of a nice opportunity to have them listed and just go right down the list as part of the agenda. >> Right. >> If you just please do that,

075I'd appreciate it. >> We'll do that. >> You said I'm sorry. Hold on. You said >> committee >> 17 through >> 23. Okay. >> All right. And just to notice the language in the bottom, we did change it. Used to say NCB title 2A. Now it's going to say ESSA title. >> What number is that? >> All those. Yeah, it used to that's new language this time because the uh ESSA reauthorized NCL. So that's going to be federal money that we're uh funding this bill. >> Okay. I've got two questions. Um the 19ear act committee, there seems to be an implication in in the employee that we wanted to risk who had a high evaluation over employees who have lower evaluations. That's telling me that we don't believe in our own evaluation process. And so

076I guess basically I don't understand it and I might recommend that a board member uh be on that committee so that we have a better understanding of how that works and frankly if we're not doing a good job how to maybe improve. So I'm not volunteering but I'm just this committee is an administration committee. It's made up of employees uh district teachers and that's by law. So that's not >> so we couldn't do that. >> What you could do is obviously talk to the superintendent no back and ask them to explain the evaluation procedures. >> Well that's in line with what you I'd like to understand better. >> Well we can do it again in education committee I believe. >> Okay. I thought I'll give you a once over. >> You know what would be

077nicer is that the board have a better understanding of what it is. So I would if Dan could do that as part of a education report. Sure. >> Um I think that would that way everybody knows and it's not just a committee. All right. Cuz I think it it's probably important. >> Yeah. Quite frankly, I think some of the push back you guys are getting as administrators is because the board isn't well enough informed. And I think if we were better informed and had a little bit more certainty, I think you'd probably not have some uh resistance where where it exists. Um and and I guess I've got kind of a similar comment about 17 that's clearly a fairly important committee um that uh makes recommendations regarding high dollar amounts and uh you know but

078but I don't understand how decisions are being made uh and again if it's possible maybe it isn't under New Jersey law but I would recommend a board member be at least a listener on that committee so that we understand a little better where we're recommending going and so on and so forth. I would rather not be the person that the ed is where we have to uh trust our administration. Um I know these committees have been in place for some time and you can just see the technology in the district and how they've improved it. >> Major major improvement and I think just that alone should let us trust what these people are doing. >> We'll give the board a run over of all these committees at the next board meeting. uh what each committee

079does, what its purpose is, what function it serves, and how is it how does it role connect to our district goals? Really, how does it further our district goals? >> Any other discussion on any of the items under personnel? Okay. Okay. I'd like to move items. >> I'd like to present items 1 to eight for discussion. >> And this is not to say that I don't know if there any possibly have an HIV if one occurs. I have a question on number one. >> We're here. >> 9 day no contact period. Um is that monitor monitor? >> Our athletic department does it just means no practice, no scrimmages, no wait room, no no anything. It's family time for 10 days, nine days at the end of the summer before fall sports start. It's not being

080done at another field. >> Nope. This is uh family days, family time for all of our children and their parents. And uh we hope they make the most of it and either have a vacation or a station, but they spend some quality time with their with their children. >> And I have a >> I had another question on number three. Um I know we introduced a freshman seminar this year and I was not in favor of that last year. Could you tell me or or tell the board you think that was a success this year? >> That's actually that's actually planned for my edi um my director of ed report next week is an overview of freshman seminar to you know past and present where we came from and and the successes for this year.

081>> Okay. Thank you. >> Do you have any idea board on number five? >> No, we don't have our anniversary. On number two, can you just explain what we're changing from to a three-year program? I'm just >> We're already at a threeyear program. Well, we're changing the >> not we're not changing. We're just reaffirming our current ESL program. It's a requirement for the city that we present a three-year plan every three years. >> Okay. and uh how we service our students. >> Okay. >> Item six, >> amendment to previous [Music] >> I could speak to that the in the board in one of our board meetings back I think it was either March or April, we talked about our enrollment in our ABA autism program increasing midyear. So you increased therapies, you increased a teacher

082midy year and because of the enrollment of preschool in our ABA programs, we need access to our behaviorist for an extra half day. So that's why they've seen a increase. Any other discussion [Music] finance? Um item one through 39 >> 1 through 39. Oh, that'll be fun. Uh, I have a question on the um I guess item one right off the bat. >> Me, too. >> Um, and and basically it's who chooses. I'm looking at at several of these um are professionals and of course most of them have done an absolutely u fantastic job. Uh as I look at the uh tax over annuity companies uh of the u seven presented here um six of them fantastic companies and one of them I know is full of people who only care about their own commissions

083and so I'm just wondering how do we choose who who's on this list? um it was established uh a number of years ago and um basically the employees themselves determine who they want to invest with. So while we give them an opportunity to invest with each one of these companies, they might not have the clientele that's as the employees, >> right? They choose they choose who they can in they plan insting. >> Steve, let me know privately which one that is because I have >> my money going to one of these companies too. So if you can let me know privately, I want to >> make sure I didn't pick wrong. That having been said, if we're if we we should be vetting these companies and if if there is a company that's not advisable,

084we should replace it with one that's better because a lot of the employees, they're not they're not stock brokers. They they don't really they're not investment counselors. They're going to pick something off the list and take the best guess. That's what the average person does. >> It's not your responsibility to vet people. >> No, it's not. But it would be a nice thing to do and good thing to do for our employees. And I don't think it would take much. >> No, I'm not. No, she's not saying it's not a board member responsibility. She's saying it's not a district responsibility. >> All right. It's No, but it just because we're not required to do it doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. You know, unfortunately the way the laws go, the more companies you have, the

085more chance you have of having the laws abused because you have to we have to track the the um the investment that each individual makes because they're subject to limitations. and the multiple companies you run into issues because they can then increase their contributions without us being aware of it. So there's many layers to this >> and you want to restrict the number of companies as much as possible in order to safeguard. >> I suggest adding numbers. >> I didn't suggest adding numbers and making more. I just suggest looking at the ones we have and keeping up on whether or not they're doing a good job. >> And the people that have already invested in those companies are not going to be able to continue >> or invested in those mutual funds. They're going to

086have to then liquidate and and move to something else. >> All right. [Music] >> I have um number one Um now when we had done the Hillrest study, we were told to use these guys. They would be the ones to bring us up uh a list with the most recommendations, the most creative, the most innovative. And we went with them and we got nothing. I personally um I would like to see them removed. I don't know how the rest of the board feels, but I'd like to see them removed from the um the list if that's how they're going to treat us. We, you know, I owe x amount of dollars and we don't get what we're promised and I don't want to use. >> Well, if we have a contract with them, we should

087be our attorneys. We should be asking our attorneys to enforce that contract. >> Enforce it. That's how they are. >> I agree. >> Yeah, I to agree with with Jim on this one. >> No, I agree with that. We should do both. >> Yeah, we Mrs. Francisco, we've had problems with land, right? >> She's not He's not referring to >> I'm talking about Oh, [Music] and part of the issue where we had issues and we're aware of it. If we leave them on the list, future boards may not be and they might go down that path again. So I think if we really had a negative experience, we would be better off to revise the list so the mistake is not made. >> Agree with that. >> I have a question. Another question. Good. >>

088All right. Um, the professionals on this list, do they have any kind of a contract or is it just an approved list for if we want to use them? >> Like for instance, the attorneys, do we have an annual contract? Can we cease using them at any time or are we stuck with them for another year if we approve them? >> It's usually an annual contract. We sign a contract for the school year. [Music] >> Okay. But the architects are on an individual basis. >> Basically what we've done is we've we've um had so many capital projects going on that we've used a number of different architects in order to address them. >> But it's by by project, right? >> Basically. >> So really the only ones on here that we that have the annual

089um uh contract is the >> basically it's just a record. It's just um they're listed as the architect record. Normally if we have um engineering things that need to be done I usually go to land associates first. >> So it's it's almost you know it depends on the project who you would reach out to. >> Yeah that that were really Thank you. That was informative but I did that wasn't really what I was asking. What I was asking is the architects we don't have a a regular contract for this per project but the attorneys have an annual contract. So we're if we use them we're stuck with them for a year. Look, most situations you if you're involved in litigation or some kind of a a court action, you don't want to change attorneys in

090the middle of that situation. You want to continue. You want to have continuity. >> Well, on on that basis, once an attorney starts litigation for you, you're you're probably never going to be done with them because then they'll get a new case and then another new case and it'll just continue on and on and on. So, >> are you referring to the special education attorney or another attorney? >> I'm asking general questions. >> General question. Okay. >> Now, Barbara, everybody on this list is certified in some way by the state of New Jersey, right? >> Absolutely. We have to have the registration certificate. [Music] >> I have two questions. One question on number eight in the state. Uh, is the citation 18 a-343? Is that is that correct? And I tried looking it up just

091now. I couldn't find it. Item number eight. 18 A-3. >> 18 A- 18. 188-3. >> Oh, so there's a typo. >> Okay, so that was my question. My statement is >> $40,000 bid threshold to me seems fairly high. I didn't know if that was uh a statuto. >> Statuto qualified purchasing agents. Okay, thank you. >> Although we've raised it above the requires we can't raise it above we state and >> just a clarification Mr. True. We do have opportunities to award um projects for more than that amount of money without going out to bid using different purchasing co-ops and things like that. >> Uh on number 27, >> have we? Yes, we went out to do last year. >> That's right. But what was the result of that? >> We only had two companies that

092um responded to the RFP and uh the one company was not a New Jersey company. It was from out of state. >> Oh, okay. All right. And we can't do that. We can't go out and do it again. >> Well, you'd have to do you'd have to go out for an RFP, but it has to go out in January. >> All right. Thank you. on 21 and 22 roughly. What are we being paid for that service each year >> roughly? >> Um, it usually comes out to about $50,000 a year >> for both of them or just one of them >> in total. >> And it's part of your revenue source for your budget. So, it supports the budget. Mhm. Okay. Okay, I I want to talk about item number recommendation to such a proposal

093from land for continue remediation based upon the data not to exceed 353,000. [Music] Um, you know, we were originally going to do a test and and I got a concern that maybe since we questioned this that now that we're getting a recommendation that, oh, let's just go for it. If it doesn't work, then we'll close off on it. Um, I would have much rather us have seen us do what we were originally advised to do, which was do that test to see if this I don't know a better better way of saying it, but injection of biologicals um would actually work. Um, I'm concerned that [Music] we're going to spend 353,000 and still be square one. Um, I I I almost wanted an explanation, and I actually kind of do want an explanation from our

094environmental rich as to why this is a good move. when originally we were going to spend 75 $8,000 on it or something like that. >> It was 75 I believe. >> And and now after we questioned and made some inquiries now it's the whole it's the whole enchilada and me that raises. >> Yeah, me too. It certainly seems like since [Music] >> extraordinary services this this is this is like probably or it is one of those things that you don't have to go out but people still would like to hear explanation because it just raises red flags for me. Why are we going to >> Let me um let me I did have um our environmental attorney vet this. So I clarif >> Yeah. So basically um what he said was that it appears that

095the company haven't seen the report from the 3D modeling um has tightened and improved its plan and budget and feels that the odds of achieving the desired results in the planned period of time and budget. um he I guess they feel that they could achieve what they're looking to do in a shorter period of time by skipping that other step. I mean, we can talk about this in executive session. >> Yeah, we're going to go any further in January. This is what I stated I would hope they would do. So, I I don't know. I think we got great explanations from him last time and I hope he reassures us. >> All right. Now, did you say we should have any further discussion in executive session >> about riches being to us about what we

096should do? >> Yeah. I it it does appear to me that >> that since we were maybe talking about uh >> Oh, I'm sorry. No, I wasn't. >> Um Okay. Uh that >> that maybe uh uh since we were looking at um other possibilities, let's be vague. Um and now we suddenly have in front of us a a an option where [Music] the you know it'll all be done and paid for much sooner. I find it suspicious. Um, and I would I personally would still like to see a a second opinion on this whole project. >> Thank you. >> I suggest that we discuss it in executive session. [Music] >> Told me not to say something. That was a [Music] um on number 333. Just curious, what have we done historically along those lines? Um,

097normally the ticket sales cover all of the expenses because there's um certain expenses that um have to be paid out that are not covered by the the the amount is included in the collective bargain agreement, but um the money has to be raised by the pro play proceeds. And in this particular situation, um this is the first time we've been in this >> situation. Okay. >> All right. So proceeds came up a little short. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> Okay. >> Is number 30 every year? >> Absolutely. >> Otherwise, you won't have any budget accounting system personnel or >> um >> I mean the name of your budget. >> Yeah. No, it's every year. Is there support for our um our software? >> Going going back to 33. Another quick question. Um, did did they bring

098in less money this year than normal? >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Okay. So, it wasn't it wasn't that it wasn't a spending issue. It was a >> ticket. >> All right. >> Okay. Any other further discussion? >> Uh, I want to thank the folks that were donating in auto to auto shop. That's very generous of them and I think that'll give the students an opportunity to do some things they might not not have otherwise done and um and uh I think it's great the administration managed to find somebody to donate 11 podiums for >> presidential debate there were [Music] Okay. Anything else? Um executive session 9:30. All right. >> I'll make the motion. >> He said approximately the original. >> Okay. All right. I have I have a question. Uh we have nothing on here for

099uh policies on the next agenda. >> Not this one. >> No, it will be on. >> Okay. first question for that that policy and all the other discuss Wednesday night again Thursday on the 23rd. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> We have use of storage areas for >> Is that the players? That that was good for the music and I think athletics are having problem [Music] we had talked we talked a little bit about um with the committee meetings looking at maybe how we can better organize them so that people may not be coming two nights in a row and we can maybe switch flip-flops so like um personnel and education are in one night and policy and finance are in the same night. So I don't know if that's something we can look at

100just from maybe a time efficiency. It's easier to do two and a half hours in one night versus giving up two nights. Yeah, that's a good idea. if you're not going to make it. You know, one one got a uh a taste of personel and finance. >> I want all of them. >> You know, it's it's nice to get a little if you're if you want to see be involved on any of the other committees. >> Um there's a a vacancy. Okay. um go on to business. >> I have something you know. >> All right. Um I'm always impressed when I see people come come forward with positive things about our school district because there's a lot of good going on. And recently um there was a um >> this is old. >> No, this

101is new. He's going to close out old business. >> Wait, wait. I have one more thing for old business should have on it the um uh the turf field testing. >> Okay, that should be listed there so that until we have an answer to that, it's on our agenda. >> Okay. Talking about the health of the children, it needs to get done sooner than later. >> Okay. [Music] Correct. Well, >> we close business in favor. I >> new business. >> Go ahead. >> The new business um recently the art department at the high school um they assigned senior projects and once one group of seniors went down to St. Joe's Regional Hospital in the oncology unit and they did this gorgeous collage on the ceilings. I mean, that means they had a drive from West

102Milford to go all the way down there and to make people happy. And and that to me just speaks to the character of of the kids in our district. And I think they should be recognized. I think the art teacher should be recognized for their effort. They went down there to supervise them, to help them. And that's one of the good things that's going on in this district and it should be recognized. Thank you. Anything else under business? No motion. Wait a minute. Were we going to discuss the models and uh >> at this next meeting? the we had our ad hoc committee meeting last Thursday night. We couldn't get a quorum, so we did have a meeting with school boards and so we turned it into an ad hoc meeting. We have a district

103slogan for 1718, a vision statement, a mission statement. We have district goals and we have board of ed goals that will be recommended for approval next Tuesday >> or 1718 agenda. >> Pardon me. it'll be on the agenda. >> I'll I'll send I'll send out um copies of that everybody so that before you >> um Okay. Anything else under new business? Seeing none business. >> All in favor? I >> I uh petitioners who have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with 5 minutes for each petitioner for a period of 30 minutes and confirm any other petitions request limited to 5 minutes per petitioner will be allowed until a 30 minute period transpires. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell their last name and provide their address. Speakers may

104not use the names of students their petitions and request. I see that we have Kevin in the queue. >> Yeah, >> I have a few questions, but I want to move it to the next meeting. Okay, >> you can ask questions, but we normally don't question. We're not supposed to wait. Did I ask questions? Well, you can ask. >> I'm not really looking for an answer. I don't think I'm going to get one. >> Yeah. I just want to hold off at this time, but I think it's a good time to ask them. So, >> okay. >> Do you want your name on the agenda for next week? >> Could you do that now? Appreciate it. >> Okay. >> All right. Anybody else? Okay. [Music] Um, Erica Craco, 153 Ridge Road in West Milford. Um,

105I'm coming to you to this evening as president of the West Milford Players and their association. Um, on behalf of our board, I have been actively involved with the West Milford Players for approximately 15 years now. I'm currently the acting president. We have some other board members here with us as well, both our secretary and our student leazison who attends um West Milford High School. Um as some of you may be aware, the West Milford Players has been serving the community for since 1980. So we're actively involved for 37 plus years. We are currently the only standing theater group that has survived in the community. Ringwood um unfortunately and surrounding areas have lost all of their community theater groups. So, we are proud to know that we've been here for 37 plus years. Um, being

106that we've provided amazing theater to Miss Wford and the surrounding areas, we also are a theater group that gives back to our community. With every production that we do, we give back to a nonprofit organization. Um, I'm not sure if the board and any of the people here know that, but we do like to pride ourselves on giving back to our community. Some of those or organizations have been worldwide as well as local. The organizations that we have provided to locally have been the Westminer playground, the animal shelter pride, the New York New Jersey ASPCA, the Project Graduations, Community Food Drives, and the IC for you foundation. Some of the other organizations that we have committed to worldwide have been the veterans, the MS Society, Operation Smile, Toys for Tots, the American Cancer Society, just

107to name a few. We are proud to say that we have been giving back to the community and organizations for 37 plus years. With the uncertainty of what's going to happen with Hillrest, part of the discussions that we've had tonight, we are finding ourselves losing our home of 37 years. So, we're reaching out to Mr. Foody as well as Dr. Anne and they have been kind enough to give me some assistance in possibly assisting us with getting Makipin for use as our future facility theater. We hope that the board will consider allowing us to do so so that we can continue to bring community theater as well as provide the organizations that we have been able to graciously give money to all these years. Um we additionally have very small storage space at Hillrest. Um,

108with again the uncertainty of knowing what's going to happen with that, we would hope that in the in term of trying to decide what to do with that, we would be able to utilize the small storage space and it is a very small storage space that we use within Hillrest. Um, one being an attic and one being one room. That's pretty much all that we utilize there. Um, so that we can continue to bring benefits to the association here as well as the school district. It will also incorporate a young um younger students to be able to come into the community. So though for those who can't do necessarily the high school production or the MAC in production, it'll allow us to be able to utilize some of the younger people in the facility. My

109daughter um being the high school um in the high school locally is currently the student leazison for the last four years for our board. So we also incorporate a student leazison into the district to be able to give back to the community. So, just in closing, um we want to be able to utilize the space. If it's at all possible, we ask graciously that the board consider that. Um we did have the permits provided to us that we will be filling out accordingly. Um and we just want to be able to emphasize that we want to continue to give back to the community and be able to provide that theater with the use of the Mackaban school. and I'm happy to address any questions or issues um that you may have, but we certainly are

110not in any intention to be able to use the facility in any way that will um incorporate any additional expenses to you guys directly. Um we just want to be able to continue doing the good that we've been doing and bringing it back to the community. Thank you for your time. Can can we put that for discussion um next week for old business? >> Well, there there's a protocol because you have to go through a facilities request. No, I I I understand that, but just the possibility of allowing them to continue to use that little bit of storage space at Hillrest until we >> figure figure out what's going on. >> Okay. >> I would like to at least just discuss that. I know the facility uses they got to cross the tease and dot

111their eyes, but um we can't vote on that now, Erica. All right. Um, >> so continue to use storage. >> Yes. Yeah. [Music] >> Uh, anybody else like to speak? Seeing none, move to close petitions and requests. >> Second. [Music] Um, all in favor? >> Any opposed? Um, all right. Glenn, if you could read the resolution for executive session. >> At 9:23 p.m., I'll move to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing an HIB personnel and matters of attorney client privilege. >> Second. All >> in favor? I opposed. Yeah.