001[Applause] So, uh, if we could have the flag salute, please. Aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act, a public notice of this meeting has been sent to board members, all district schools, the Herald news, the trends, the record, aim, West Milford, the messenger, West Milford town hall, county superintendent's office, the board attorney, and cable vision of Warwick. And it's also been posted in the administration building. Copies of the board meeting calendar resolution was provided to all local media, town hall, township library, and all district schools. Roll call, please. Mr. Franciscan here. Mr. De, Mr. Drew, Mrs. Dwire, here. Mr. Foody present. Mr.
002Yubert here. Mob O'Brien here. Mr. Robbins. Mr. Schulz here. Okay. Steve will be here around 8. He said Jamie Jamie can't make it and Rodney's leaving on a trip. So, um John, would you mind uh reading the resolution for executive session, please? Resolve the board to go into executive session at 900 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes for the purpose of discussing personal personnel negotiations and matters of attorney client privilege. The executive session minutes will not be released until such time as privilege or confidentiality applicable. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Uh Mr. Rashika, superintendent report, please. Sure. Good evening everyone. Uh first let me mention that uh last week was teacher appreciation week and I would like to say publicly I do appreciate and I know we all appreciate our staff our teachers
003for doing a wonderful job all year. So belated happy teachers week and I hope everyone was able to uh get some good information some nice comments from their colleagues from their students and some parents. So again thank you. Uh and moving ahead, I just wanted to share some very positive news which I just received uh about three days ago. Uh as some of you know, we were uh investigated by CUAC back in February. Uh and the reason being back then is we we had fallen short in one or two areas uh actually one area uh back three years ago. Uh so they did come out again. And the the important sentence that I that I like here is that I am pleased to inform you that your district has satisfied at least 80% of the
004weighted indicators in each of the five areas of QAC review process and has been designated as high performing. So congratulations to our entire staff, administrators, teachers, the board for their support. Uh so we're hopeful now that uh QAC won't be here based on their new process. They probably will not be here for another four or five years. So, uh, very happy about that. And, you know, we tagged this on top of the fact that we did, uh, a good job at the high school with Middle States last spring. So, I am very happy about this public quality single assurance continuum uh, which basically looks at I'll give you all the areas. They look at instruction and program, fiscal management, governance, operations, and personnel. So basically um we have to spend a lot of time filling
005out what are called DPRs uh district performance reports and we go through each of those for each of the areas that I just mentioned and you have to look at you know with instruction and program you would look at the amount of students who are passing test uh your scores you would look at curriculum a lot of time was spent with curriculum I know uh my sidekick Mr. you know, back spent uh quite a bit of time with the instructional person, Alma Morell, from the county office and and going deeply into our curriculum, visiting classrooms, seeing what was going on in the classrooms to make sure that, you know, I think I had mentioned here before is that, you know, when we're working with inclusion teachers that the inclusion teacher really is part of the
006process and that really came back positive. So, I was happy to hear that. But it is every one of these areas is scrutinized in that way. So, in addition to this, the county superintendent, uh, one of the things I had the pleasure of doing with the county superintendent was, uh, taking him for a ride through West Milford, and he had absolutely no idea how big West Milford is. And, uh, we visited. I didn't go into every school with him, but he just wanted to see the locations. So, we did, we visited the schools, and he enjoyed the trip immensely. Uh, fortunately, as I said, it was February, but the weather was nice. So, so it's quite extensive. It takes a long t period of time for them to review everything. Uh again, this took place
007in I think it was February 3rd, 4th. It was early in the month and we just got this back. So, it's not something they do quickly. So, we got to be very happy and proud about that. Okay. Um moving on. Uh just to let everybody know, I don't think we're ready to announce them yet, but I do want the public to know that the board of education did meet last week with New Jersey school boards to uh look at the board's goals as well as the district's goals and uh that's been in the works. I think we have a framework and a couple of different goals that have been selected. They sent them back from school boards. So, the process is ongoing, but I think the basic goals are in place and we're going to
008do some more work on that. And then Dr. animal will have the pleasure of putting the action plan into effect. That was always one of my favorite jobs. So, uh you know, you you will have everything in place and I'm sure that uh they will be announced at the beginning of the school year for you to have knowledge of. And that's pretty much where we're at. I just also uh want to remind everybody that we're coming to the close of the school year. Please check those dates that we had given back as uh snow days and so forth to make sure everybody's calendar at home reflects what we're do doing here with the school. So that's where we are. Thank you. Barbara, special reports and correspondence. Not at this time. Okay. Um my president's report
009um I will be talking about the board and district goals at our um May 24th meeting. So I don't have anything other than that to say uh for my president's report tonight. So we'll move on 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 and then time permitting other petitions and requests limited to five minutes per petitioner will be allowed until the 30 minute 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 name, provide their address. Township is really all you need. I don't know how to know your street address. Speakers may not use the names
010of students during petitions and request. Do we have anybody who would anybody like to speak? This is Schubert. maybe is my answer. I have a question for Mr. Rashika about um tenure recommendation of the freshman vice principal. If you can answer me whether that was recommendation was made, I'll know whether or not I'm speaking tonight. If you can't answer, then I'll just be Yeah. Yeah. It's not It's not on the list for recommendation. Okay. Anybody else like to speak? Tina, how are you? Good evening, Mr. Foody, Mr. Rashika, and the board. I'm here tonight to represent the West Milford Principles and Supervisors Assoc Association. My name is Deborah Gratina, Gre Ta, and I live at 67 Highlander Drive in West Milford. We are a small group, only 23, but we are dedicated as educators and
011professionals and invested in the West Milford community. We have enjoyed dynamic and exhilarating years of academic optimism, endure lean years of anxiety and and unease over state mandates and daunting initiatives. But somehow we have managed to keep our priorities in a good and honest place. Our first concern is for our students, of course, for their chance to learn in a healthy and positive environment surrounded by teachers and staff that are genuinely supported with the best resources and opportunities. We counsel our teachers, encourage our students, and partner with parents and families. We come in early, we stay late, we work weekends. We make hard decisions when we need to be strong and wipe away tears when we need to be gentle. As principles, assistant principles, and district supervisors, we aspire to the standards of our chosen
012profession. We believe in honesty and integrity as models for our faculty and our students. We hope that we are supported in this endeavor by central office, by the board of education, and the community. We are grateful for the priorities granted to us year after year by the careful administration of a local budget that fuels our district and hope that we have honored that generosity with our commitment to excellence in West Milford. But as much as we want to believe that all is fair and good, we are in an anxious moment. There is a quiet and pervasive rumbling that disturbs our very core as educators. As much as we want to believe that we are fulfilling a responsibility to do our jobs well, there's an apprehension that no matter how hard we try, there will not
013be the support that we need to carry on the directives of this board. We want to be forthright and equitable and agents for good education for all students and that means all of them. Those who are ready for challenges honor students and those who might struggle along the way. We seek a culture that is indeed healthy and productive. And sometimes that means that we have to interpret directives and enforce practices that are not popular. That is our job. We don't ask for applause. We get it rarely. We just do our job. Together and as a cohesive unit. We rely upon each other for professional conversation, research, collaboration, and creativity. We develop relationships that grow every year, pulling ideas from each other to best bring bring best practices to our our district. We have some who
014have been with us for decades and others who are so new that we barely know them yet. Our unit is younger now than it has ever been. Over half of us are non-tenured. In my own short time, I've worked with 20 separate principles and 23 different supervisors. And that's only 10 years time. You know, I had to throw some numbers in there somewhere, right? We talk a lot about investment in education. As educational leaders, we know this applies to our students and to our community. Does it apply to administrators as well? Please remember that you have sworn to uphold these tenants. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools that meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race,
015creed, sex, or social standing. I will confine my board action to policymaking, planning, and appraisal. and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them. I will carry out my responsibility not to administer the schools but together with my fellow board members to assure that they are run well. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my fellow board members interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer, the superintendent. And finally, I will support and
016protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. As a board, your job is not easy. Some of you have credentials in education. Others carry a different mantle. You all bring expertise to this board and many of you have brought your own students through this system with success. As administrators, we could not be more proud. Our hope as we move forward and as we welcome a new superintendent despite a current and counterproductive culture that surrounds us is that we can all continue to work together to renew and polish the academic excellence and brilliance that allows West Milford Township Public Schools to shine. Thank you. Anybody else like to speak? Seeing none like to move to close. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Um Terry, I need a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. I
017move to adopt the motion as presented for May 11, 2016. Second discussion should Okay. So I move to adopt the agenda as presented for May 11th with the hand carry amended. Is there anything that Tony that you wanted to adjust? I think we're in good shape. Everything has been adjusted. Um Okay. Um, Terry, who's who that? Marilyn. Maryland. Thank you, Marilyn. Um, all in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Debbie. Yeah. The rest of the show here, boys and girls. I'd like to make a motion to approve the following agenda items. Items number 1 through 13. I'll do the car. Second. Any discussion? I thought we were going to have discussion was discussed at personnel meeting. These are the to rehire the unaffiliated administrative supervisory personnel. Are you referring to the hand carrying maybe something in
018there that you wanted to discuss the um this motion this if I'm not mistaken administration That would be in line with number one, right? Yeah. And then number two, motion two. And it would go right down right down right down to um Yes. Did you We actually a couple of people not for tonight's meeting. last week's meeting. That was for last week's meeting. We did that. There was one for the evening. Yeah, just for this evening. We not for tonight. It was just I know there was one last week that were riceed were riceed for last discussed pricing one person at least for this meeting. I think it needs to be too late. Did that get done? and there was notification. Should we take a five minute recess and get this drink done before we
019continue? The question is did it actually happen? Yes. To my knowledge it did. Okay. In that case I was there. I mean so we don't need to Well, we take the vote then. Do you want do you want do you want to table a motion for a particular motion? I guess so after table that first one and we could talk and we could discuss about it. Would that be motion number two then? Uh uh yes if it's who I'm thinking. Okay. I believe number two on the on the blue sheet. Okay. So you want to table that until we Yeah. Yeah. So there's a motion on the table currently to 1 through 13. I made a motion through back on. So I'll move to table number two I guess to amend that. No, you would
020if you want to divide the question. You move to divide the question to separate out number two. You'll need a second. And then you'll need a second motion to table until a time certain. And if I'm until after the executive session. Correct. Okay. So I'll move to separate out motion number two. Second. Now if he wants to call separate, he doesn't need a second one. They're calling it as a separate vote. He would only have to table. Okay. Correct. All right. So, it's already Yes. Okay. So, I'll make a motion to table number two until after discussion table. Is any uh is there any discussion on the motion to table? I didn't I don't understand why we have to table this. I'm I'm not too clear either. I don't want to discuss get into a
021I mean it's it's something that can't be discussed because Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. The Yes. Yes. One second, Mr. Bailey. Um Okay, we're we're okay. Okay. All right. We're we're okay. All right. Yes, Mr. Bailey. Mr. President, it might behoove us to call for an immediate executive uh session, go in, discuss this, come back and make sure we know what we're doing because um you know, this is a major oper uh excuse me, a major motion that we're about to approve and to have it, you know what I mean? I think I I don't know what the process is to call for an executive session, make a motion or whatever, but I think we close this down, get in that room, discuss this privately, come back and approve these motions. That's my thought. I
022agree. So, you need to there's now there's a superseding motion on the table that requires a second. Okay. I'll I'll I'll give his motion a second so that we can we can discuss that. Yeah. Um, I'm sorry that motion. I'm sorry. You have to vote it up. I can just withdraw the motion table. Do that ex um for let's say five minutes. I mean, I don't think it's going to be any more than that. All right, we'll give it 10, but we'll All right. Yes. I seconded it. So, now we got all in favor. Any opposed? Okay. So, we're going to go in there. We'll be back in 10 minutes. Um Are you getting We're back from executive session. We'll go back um Debbie to your motion. Okay. um which was to move items 1
023through 13. Correct. Okay. Um any any more discussion? No. Okay. Um roll call please. Can I have clarification? There's no table and carry will be severed. Okay. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mrs. Dwire, yes. Mr. Yuber, yes. M O'Brien, yes. Mrs. Schulz, yes. Mr. Absolutely. Like to make a motion to move hand carry number one, item 14 under personnel student affairs. Second. Okay. Discussion. None. Roll call, please. Order. Mr. Dwire. Yes. Mr. Bailey. Yes. M. O'Brien. Yes. Mr. Schultz. Yes. Mr. Yuber. Yes. Mr. Foody. Yes. That concludes personnel student affairs for this evening. Um, old business. Do we have anything under old business? Seeing none, I'd like to move to close old business. Okay. Second. All in favor? I New business. Do we have anything under new business? Uh do we need a motion to do the
024first reading on it? Yeah. On the grievance policy. Yeah, you we would Okay. Um grievance policy, right? Yeah. Okay. I'll I'll second that. Everybody has a copy of it. Okay. Um yes, this is motion for the first reading. Did anybody I second. Any discussion? Marilyn. Yes. I don't know why this there's such a rush to put this policy on the agenda for this evening. Um, I'm not even sure if this is recommended by our superintendent. I don't believe that the high school administration was involved in the changing of this policy. Um, the fact that it's being asked to be retroactive. No, that's not we're not doing that policy. We're not doing that. This is this is on students grievance has nothing to do with the attendance policy. the student grievance polic this there's a grievance
025policy um that's listed in our policy manual that has um unfortunately has nothing mentioned in it for following uh a grievance procedure. So this would basically be the policy to to make that whole. Yes. Yeah. Um shouldn't the administration the administrators and faculty and um you know be involved in this process also I mean even for this policy I mean I think any policy that affects our kids has to be um collaborative and I think the administrators need to be a part of this. At the moment we actually don't have procedure in place officially. So I mean we could get something into place which is I I believe you you said that this is similar to what has been done in the past. The attendance Oh, the grievance the grievance. It's similar, right? So there's
026nothing stopping us from making changes later, but this way we'll have something in place. Well, I don't understand why you can't just use what you have in place now. And we don't have anything now. It's it's a two paragraph um policy that says says almost nothing. That once again, there's a grievance policy put in place that has has no steps if you want to u this. Okay. Now, just to be clear, Tony, you didn't have any objection to this, right? No, I I don't have an objection to it. If you're going to if you want to hold back to get feedback, I mean, I can see this going either way. Uh, but we do need a grievance policy. It is um basically very similar to what we received from Strauss SME and from school boards
027and it's been enhanced a little bit but certainly again it's your decision to either do it now or you want to do it later. I mean I can't tell you that but you do need one. That's all I can and I I support the need for one. Yes. And you support this one? Yeah, you do. You do? You want to see the old one? I'm not [Music] just th this is the old one. Okay. So, we we need one. Okay. Now, whe whether this is something that you're going to adhere to forever or you want to pass it and then maybe somewhere along the line you want to look at it and and make some changes. That's fine. You have a new superintendent to guide you with that. And as board members, you you know
028what you're doing. So, it's just a matter of there's nothing here. That's the problem. And I would like to at least for the sake of the incoming superintendent and for everybody else involved, have a definitive grievance policy put into effect. So, something you can start with. You could always revisit your policies. That's my that's my recommendation. the the attorney wants to say something, but you know, we had did discuss this in policy committee. It's been ongoing for like three months. Um, and it just it came out. Now, the other policy, Marilyn, that you're talking about, we need to work on that that what you just said about getting administrators administration and and more people involved, we're going to do that. So um but this is something that when you look at our old policy really
029wasn't a policy at all and this was taken from other schools from all right and I just wanted to mention to the board um under number two which is your disciplinary um provision that there is an automatic statutory right for students to uh appeal. there is a very specific due process um procedure that is laid out. So, I just want to make sure that the board is aware of that distinction because certainly your policy can't um give less protections less protections than what the statutory policy would would give. But though that's for um what we consider major discipline anything over 10 days, should that be included in this policy? Should it be cited? it would be a recommendation because the the purpose of your policy is to inform right your students your your commit your
030community. So I think that that would be a an excellent place to to include some reference that you know um discipline over a certain period of time will be handled in accordance with statute. Can you email that to us so we can add it before the second reading? I will be happy to have Mr. Roselli do that for you. Okay. And I and I do have another comment about this. I'm looking at the chain of command and we have we go from teacher to principal to superintendent to board and then to state board. But doesn't a supervisor have a role in this after the teacher is in the chain of or the or the supervisor can be part of the first meeting with the teacher which is advisable or if not definitely with one of
031the principles in place. and anybody that they want to use. Uh my suggestion, you know, I know we want to move ahead on this. We're looking at September. If there's going to be this much much discussion and you're not comfortable with it just yet, we can table this, put it on for a first reading at the next meeting, gives you two weeks to have some uh discussion about it and then have a second reading in June and you're still going to be ready for September. So, I mean, if that's what it's going to make you feel comfortable, then by all means, that would be my recommendation at this point. Okay. Okay. So, we can just I'm clear. So, you want to make a motion to table it and then we can amend this before our
032second reading or just I would just say table it for now. Let everybody get a chance to look at it with the new piece in there uh and then bring it perhaps on the 24th meeting for a first reading and then the second reading in June. Thanks. be listed under all business. So you really don't need a motion to table because you should just withdraw it. You just withdraw your motion. Okay. You haven't had a vote to bring it forward yet. All right. So Joe will Okay. All right. So, anything else on new business? Seeing none, like to close new business. Second. All in favor? I I any opposed? Um okay. Petitions and requests. Petitioners have requested to speak prior to the meeting will be first with five minutes for each petitioner for a period
033of 30 minutes and then time permitting. Other petitions request limited to five minutes per petitioner will be allowed until the 30 minute period transpires. All speakers are asked to give their full name, spell or last name provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during petitions and requests. Uh Barbara, has anybody requested to speak? Would anybody like to speak? No. Seeing seeing none like to move to close petitions and requests. Okay. Second. Second. Thank you, Marilyn. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. Uh Glenn, you've read the motion for executive session before. Um would you like to read that again with the time of 8:22 going into executive session? 8:22 executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel negotiations and matters of attorney. Second. Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. We'll
034go. Okay. There'll be no action after executive session. Okay. Tell me when we're ready, sir. We're good. To make the motion to close. Second. One minute. One minute. We are returning from executive session. And before I make the motion to adjourn the meeting, uh, Mr. I just have a quick announcement. I received a text message, which is great news. Uh, we want to inform the board and the public if you're watching this or will be watching it that Jackie Becker, one of our teachers at the elementary level, will be featured this Sunday for Classroom Closeup on NJTV. We're very proud of that. And uh, actually, it's three shows. It's 7:30 a.m. for you early risers, 12:30 p.m. Sounds more like me, and 7:30 p.m. So, so three times. So, that's what we are. Jackie Becca,
035congratulations and thank you for representing our district. Yes. All right. All right. Okay. Now, uh will somebody make the motion to adjurnn? Second. 853. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Officially uh for this board. Yeah. I think they've gotten out a little bit sooner though in in the past, but it's good. All right. Okay. Now, tomorrow remember it's a Thursday, not a Wednesday. See, that's good news. on a Tuesday. Baby