Board of Education Meeting 1/26/16

001Thank you. Superintendent report. Okay. Good evening everyone. I just want to um go over a couple of things from the high school. Um Matthew Ventreller is not here this evening. Couldn't make it. So I tried to get uh as much information as possible. So I'm going to share some information with you. Um I can tell you that scheduling for next school year begins actually tomorrow, January 26 through the 30th. the first group of students to be uh scheduled uh will be the junior class going into their senior year. Um also happy to announce that the Interact Club hosted a Pride New Year's carnival at Hillrest. Uh Pride works with mentally challenged adults in our community. The members of the club made games such as pin the nose on a frosty, penguin toss, icing toss, worked

002with the guided residents as they played. Uh they even had a photo booth and they had lots of fun and all the residents had a wonderful time. So kudos to the Interact Club for getting out there and doing these positive things. They'll also be hosting some other projects uh called the Cinderella Project where they collect uh prom gowns for those students who cannot afford to buy a new gown. Uh they collect some nice gowns that are in good shape and do that. uh in guidance we are happy to report that on January 7th uh 58 alumni visited our students here at back at rather over at the high school and they shared their post high school experience uh those students who are in college shared what the college classes are like what's difference between the

003high school experience and the college experience especially those who are living on campus living in dorm rooms and also we had students who did not go to college and are out in the workforce who shared their experience with students who are currently at the uh at the high school as well. So, that was very nice to have them here. Um, I want to give a special congratulations to one of our students, Belle Mullivville, uh, for scoring her 1,000th point over the holiday break in basketball versing uh, Butler High School at the and also named athlete of the week in the suburban trends. uh member of the Lady Highlander basketball team and they won their third straight first place finish in the Butler Holiday Basketball Tournament. So kudos to them. Um our history department uh well

004under Greg Matloss, Dr. Matloss very busy. Uh the department will be hosting or they did actually uh their second annual pose county history education roundt that just took place last week. teachers and administrators and professors from around the county uh came to West Milford to discuss the current state of history and education. So, that's a positive thing. And also, we will see the um History Club is preparing to compete on the History Channels History Bowl, too. So, they're working toward that and I will give you more information when I receive that. Um looking at our music and art department, we had eight students who made it into North Jersey region. And I believe this is the most amount of students we ever had accepted. Uh Jordan Dryer, bassoon, symphonic band and orchestra. Alexis Silverman, bass

005clarinet, first chair wind ensemble. Megan Hogan, bass clarinet, symphonic band. Daniel Drier, contrabase clarinet symphonic band. Becca Cronia, alto sac symphonic band. Steven Shahan, tener sack symphonic band. Zack McIntyre, horn, first chair, wind ensemble and orchestra, and Felix Gonzalez, percussion symphonic band. Congratulations to our young musicians. Uh the Winter Highlanders from different grades gathered to share their love of poetry, literature, and music, and all other artsy things they have here. This year was the third uh seasonal poetry slam. compared to last year's uh turnout. This is one of one that is truly outstanding with almost 50 uh 50 to 60 people in attendance. Uh there also was a uh poetry out loud contest which took place as well. So we're proud of those students and teachers involved in the program. World language department uh world

006language honor society students went to Milford Manor to sing Christmas carols to the residents. Uh the songs were sung in Italian, German, French and Spanish. So that must have been very interesting. And uh they made international Christmas cards to share with the residents as well. So great stuff going on there. This is one. The next one is the industrial arts and business department. Uh we might have saw this in the newspaper. I think I sent a link. U the building trades students worked in part partnership with the Makipin Fire Department which I believe we probably uh uh approved that back in October, November. and uh in renovating an all-purpose room in the kitchen. The first stage of the project is to have the students properly demo the two rooms and prepare them for the construction.

007Uh this has been set up as an educational field trip for students to the firehouse in order to help them perform the work that they were trained to do in the classroom. So, it's great hands-on experience. We're very proud of all those students that participated. And last but not least, uh the students in the architectural design and drawing, otherwise known as advanced CAD, CAD class took a field trip to the Wallish Homestead in town. The objective of the trip was to learn about real life applications of surveying. They work with the Langan Engineering Company to coordinate field lesson on civil engineering. The ultimate goal is to have our class, our students gather information to plot scaled site plan for the three major buildings, a windmill and flag pole monument. So, lots of positive things are

008going on there and we're happy about that. Um, other information, I really like uh to send my best congratulations to the entire staff and the principal, Mr. Bill Kane at Maple Road. uh they were officially selected as a school of character uh for New Jersey. So that makes West Milford have three schools that are now schools of character. So um it seems that we're on a good path and we certainly want to continue along that road. Um and we have a thank you uh also going over to Makipin School to Mrs. Reinhold, Mr. Jocks uh and the student council, the West Milford Elks. want to thank them for their uh collecting and wrapping and delivering toys and books to our toys for tots drive on December 19th. Um all this was distributed. One of the

009moms who showed up came up and left crying because she was so happy that she was able to bring toys home for her children because this is a very tough year for her. She couldn't afford to do so otherwise. So very proud of those students and staff involved in this project. So that's good stuff. All right. Uh, one of the things I want to talk about briefly is, um, we talk about our goals, and I'm going to get to that in a minute, but one of the, um, areas I'm looking at for West Milford High School is the National Youth Leaders Forum for Medicine. Um, I'm going to recommend to Mr. Gorski and to um, Miss Aronson that we participate in this group. Basically what it is is we will based on scores in science

010and interest in medicine select students who we feel are capable of doing a special program over the summer. Uh it's in conjunction with Stanford medicine. Uh the actual program for our students I mean there's various states I would suggest strongly that they use the one or try to attend the one at Hofster University out in Long Island. And um I would like to see at least have two or three students participate in this program. I think it's in line with our goals when we talk about steam and all the other programs and certainly uh when they're running something that has an emergency room simulation uh heart transplant simulation and they're going through all this they also visit uh a couple of hospitals the program is about 4 days um there's one section that or one

011program that runs through the month of July and another one during the month of August so I'm hoping that we can identify some students and are successful in getting some of our students to be part of this national youth leadership program. Yes. Does Ruters run this program also? I think it's a different program because Ruckus is not on this particular list. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Uh so that's that's where we are with that. If you want to, I did uh in addition to everything else I was just talking about and talking about goals, I did supply everyone with you a a blue packet that has all six of the uh my my task in the in the goal setting process was to uh put together the action plans. So, I did three action plans for the

012um board goals and three action plans for the district goals. If you haven't had a chance to read them, that's fine. All I'm asking you to do at this point is review them. If there's anything that you would like to add, delete, whatever, just let me know. I'll make the modifications. But I think it's pretty comprehensive in the sense of what we're trying to do refle reflecting all six of those goals. Um, the only one that I left uh kind of open and I just gave you some suggestions on there was one one of our goals is about redoing uh and rebuilding our team charter. That really has to come from you. I just gave you a couple of steps that I suggest that maybe you could uh review to make that happen. Uh but

013other than that, I think I put enough information into the rest of the goals that certainly we can start moving on as far as I'm concerned yesterday. I mean, and some of the things that are in there, we already did start to implement in October and November because I knew this is d the direction we were moving in. So that's certainly uh what we started to do already. So, please, when you have a chance, look at it, give me an email, call, whatever, whatever works. And if you want to have some discussion about it later, that's fine, too. If you have any questions now, uh it's a good time to ask me. But, um so hopefully that'll get us going. I believe uh Mr. Foody has reached out to uh school boards. There is a

014meeting scheduled for the next goal, uh meeting would be in May, correct? May May 3rd. Okay. So, good. Tuesday at Tuesday evening. So, that's what we're going to work on there. Um got this is we got our blowboard goals. Uh also, I wanted to point out too, we have a couple of great programs coming up. Um we have one in particular on cyber bullying that will be taking place in February. Uh I believe it's on the 8th and 9th or 9th and 10th somewhere in there. Actually, the 9th and 10th. uh we are going to have programs for the high school for the middle school on one day and then the next day we're going to combine what we're going to do and discussing this with Mr. Novak and with Ron Row. Uh what we

015want to do is I felt that instead of having the person go to each school and talking to a small audience, we're going to combine elementary schools and uh put the kids together so that there's less uh traveling for the presenter to do uh therefore be less amount of money that we have to pay. But certainly the important message will go out to those students and have a better understanding about you all of this having to do with cyber bullying. Um, so that's part of our HIP program. There also will be a program for parents, certainly all board members and everybody in the audience is invited. That will be on February 10th. There's going to be an evening program uh where a guest speaker, the same speaker who's working with the children, will also come

016in and work with uh parents and board members, whoever else wants to attend. Uh I certainly would have no problem in inviting the entire community, those people who are interested if we could get a big enough venue. I'm guessing at this point we would probably use the high school auditorium. Uh but I think it's something that we should all see, listen to, and uh think about. So that's happening. And then uh last but not least, I'm going to just go over the um EVVRs report only the EVVRS. So the uh that would be the violence vandal vandalism uh component of this. Uh the HIV report I will give you next week or not the at the next board meeting. The report is due on the 29th. So that's uh Friday. So I'm going to give

017you that information at the next meeting. So we can just do the the violence piece tonight and we'll do the hib on the next uh at the next meeting. Uh for violence at the high school, um I'm going to start rather with Makipin School. We had two cases of violence. Now violence, just so you know, can be two kids taking a punch at each other. Okay? So that gets reported under violence. at the high school. We had five five incidents that took place for a total of seven. Vandalism would be uh two incidents that took place at the high school uh and one at Apua school. Uh weapons, thank goodness, nothing. Uh substance abuse so far at the high school, two reported incidents. Uh hereby I said I would do next time. And then as

018far as uh total schools, we have two at McAppin, one at AUR, nine at the high school, uh and 13 uh total district incident reports, which is uh not bad. All right. So we are in good shape here. Uh we continue to look at ways to make students understand what's right, what's wrong, and to implement programs that keep them on the right track. So that's this part. So this is the EVVRS and again as promised next uh meeting I will share once that report is completed the updated HIP report. Both of those reports uh are sent into the state at the same time they put together uh they go in as the same report they connect the HIB to the violence and vandalism report. So um we want to make sure there was seem to

019be some discrepancy as last year I was notified by one of our parents that we showed on the hip report a total of zero I believe was the number or some low number at least uh which we all know is not right because we spent time and we went through the through the process here and we discussed what incidents took place and what didn't. So um and that's pretty much all I have for now. I will save the rest for later. Thank you Mr. Novak. Oh wait wait M Mr. I'm sorry. What time on February 10th is that evening program? I'm going to guess right now probably 7:00. Okay. But I will soon as we have everything uh in place, I will give you the location and uh and have everything set for you. You

020you you'll be invited. Will it be advertised? Absolutely. Yes. I have one question. you said uh with regards to um the additional programs for staff and students and you wanted to consolidate the elementary schools. Yes. How you going to do that? What grades is Oh, we're look Well, we're looking at combining if we take uh the two schools, if we have two small schools of 200, it'll be 400. We could certainly put them into one of the auditoriums that would house those students and we'd be fine. So, it be like a regular, you know, a regular goodsiz assembly program. So the auditorium either a high school or sorry middle school. Okay. Okay. All right. In grades three and up. So it'll be three and up. It'll more or less be like an indistrict field trip

021for some of the students because they'll be all going over to another school. We've combined for assemblies in the past since we're worked up. Pretty beneficial. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Okay. You're up. You're up. You're up. uh at a uh a few previous meetings I referred to um the term digital citizenship. So uh at this point our educational technology committee has uh selected a date. We're offering a parent night on March 21st uh which we're pretty excited about. It is still in in the planning stages, but I you know we know we know the outline of the event. Um we're going to be uh it's going to take place at the Mackaban School. We're going to be inviting families in for a light dinner. And during that uh dinner period, there's going to be a

02245m minute or so presentation in regard to digital citizenship, the uh types of things that we're looking for uh families to support us with at home as well as an overview of our program. Uh the night is then going to turn into a hands-on interactive session for parents to come in. um they're going to be issued a Chromebook as if they're a student coming into our classrooms and uh taking part in a Google classroom um process and there's going to be breakout sessions run by um volunteers from our educational technology committee as well as uh past members of the committee and other teachers and we are also planning on having some students from both the MCI and high school help facilitate those sessions. So the parents are going to be issued the Chromebook, you know,

023during our during that dinner presentation and then break out into sessions throughout the MACD school and get to see some hands-on interaction with Google Apps for Education and things that we're doing in the schools with uh with our Chromebooks. Our our target target audience right now um in our development stage is going to be grades fifth and up. Uh that's really the the group that we've been targeting that beginning stages of of um of Chromebook implementation. Uh so right now that's our that's our target group. And like I said, that's going to be on on March 21st. As we get closer and we know the the specifics, the uh invitation is going to go out to all the parents in the district in that in that um in that grade level group, excuse me. And

024then we'll have an RSVP process because there is is a dinner involved. Um so it should be should be a great night. We're modeling after um you know, in the past with our we've had family literacy nights across the district that have um had a similar feel to them. So that's that's what we're modeling it after. Um, also at our uh at the uh workshop meeting last week, I discussed a little bit about our presenter that we had for our staff professional development day who was named uh Jean Paul Gonzalez. and I talked about the um process of being allin where he related the the idea of putting all your your chips to the table and being uh being allin and relating that to education and um you know and and basically getting it across

025with the staff in a motivational way that we're all in for for all kids. Uh so I have the chips for the for the board member and at the end of my presentation I'm going to present each of you with your chip. the uh chip says uh WMTPS and on the other side it says allin and um as our elected officials you need to be allin with us and uh you know as you get it and it's a little exercise that we did in our session two on professional development day as the teachers receive this chip they also you know symbolically agree that we're we're all in together so uh I think that'll be a good process as I hand this chip over to you tonight that we'll we'll go through you don't have to

026say anything there's no sword you know something like that. But um there you go. Are they good in AC? I don't No, I don't believe they're these were purchased at at Walmart. Right. Right. He actually warned us about that. So any uh anybody had any any ideas. U I also have a um I have a very uh Mr. Alab if you can turn on the projector. Uh I put a few slides together um just of a couple things that are going on around the district. Uh Mr. Rashika mentioned one in regard to the buildings trades class. Uh, and I have a link to that um newspaper article. While it's warming up, I'm going to issue your chip. That's cool. Yeah, the same color. Thank you, sir. That is nice. We got them. Y I had

027one for here. Can we use this for voting? Oh, you did have one for when you want to vote. Yes. Hold it up. Mr. Rashika mentioned earlier uh about our um industrial education and technology course. the high school building trades class with Mr. Bey um working with fire company number four to have students go in. This is a earlier um this is a younger class in in the same department where we had students designing bridges from scratch and they um project include applied math, geometry and engineering principles. The students learned a lot and embraced the philosophy that learning can be fun. Um, in that process they um they they built the bridges, they tested them out, and then they were uh able to see what kind of load loads they could support and and that

028sort of process. Uh this is the article that uh Mr. Rashik referred to. Exit out your hands. Oh boy. All right. In the article, it um it shows the the students in action, it talks about the the process that it was actually um generated from a student uh a student's idea whose father is part of that fire company and it was his idea to bring the class in and and work on some of the demolition. They also talked about Mr. bey um taking teachable moments and pausing the group as they were in the middle of the demolition in the firehouse to to talk about building code and talk about the process and and really walk away with some of that um application of what they're learning in the classroom and seeing it play out in

029in the real world. So, it was a um a great opportunity for the students. You can leave it back on the slide. Switch In our business class, they participate in something called Hour of Code. Uh Hour of Code is a uh movement uh created by code.org. It is um the basics of block coding for uh students of all ages and they use um you know sometimes they'll use a Star Wars theme they'll use um they've used Minecraft they use a lot of um game oriented approaches to get students interested in the in the basics of of computer coding and when students you can see in the picture the students hold up a cert certificate when they complete that process they get a little certified um little certificate that they completed their hour of code and

030then it happens periodically where code.org releases a new challenge and a new activity um for them to to participate in this process. Our English department at the bottom, I'm going to click on the link in a moment. um they created a video uh to promote some of their genre based coursework that they now have in the uh in the senior classes in um alternatives to English 2 and three that they've had in the past that um they're able to now explore genre in a different way with some more interesting titles that the kids um the kids are really excited about. And the TV science program uh helped them put together this promotional video. I'm not going to show the whole video. I'm just going to show bits and pieces, but it will be available on

031the TV Science YouTube channel that's available through our website. Um, I can be a nerd without being criticized for it. You're looking at my hummus more than you're looking at me. [Music] So, I'm going to talk about Dune, right? So, this book is pretty much like the king of science fiction and is like the major work of science fiction. And when you read this book, you kind of fall into your own universe and there's terminology and religion and ecology and things in here that that you just don't get from the real world. We talk about like Star Wars and Doom and everything on a daily basis, especially like right now. And it's just great to be able to like nerd out without other people just looking at you and like I'm just not going to

032[Music] [Applause] lift up. I love Gothic Lit cuz the whole class is like a family and the atmosphere makes it fun. No one else likes to talk about the evil in the world, but we have the chance to do that in this class. I really like Gothic literature, first of all, because it's taught by Mrs. Cassenna, who really isn't like any of the other teachers I've ever had from Twisted Writing. And what we go over, we go over relatable topics, social and current, books that we read, and the way we get so in depth discussing them with the whole class. The eerie, dark, background elements of the books and the discussions we have about them. Class itself, we read so many interesting stories. There's such a variety from like posts slavery um doppelganger things and

033Dracula. There are just so many things. We're even going to watch movies like Fight Club and we've seen The Woman in Black and we just watch a lot of cool things and we critique them and go over them. [Music] We're going to be getting a lot of cool English classes to the high school next year. And one of the classes that I really wish I could take is the memoir class. You know, you get to read about all the fiction stuff and all other English classes, but sometimes you just want to read about real life people. In this class, we get to read about some people like Anne Frank, Alice Sevil, Stephen King, who just happens to be my favorite author. It's going to be a pretty cool class. I'm in college level uh English

034right now and I heard about all the different classes that are going on like the memo class. Sounds pretty cool. Hey, do you know what English class next year? No, I don't. But how cool are you going to take a course that focuses on just us women? You're right. Women's voices should be heard. Yeah, we'll probably read a lot of books about women. Yeah, like Tony Morrison. That'd be cool and interesting. [Music] So this video was, you know, created by TV Science, but it was an attempt to promote the classes for the, you know, different target audiences with the with the genre. And the students were able to see this as a little bit of a sometimes in elementary school, they'll do a um a book talk to try and highlight their favorite book to

035uh to their classmates. This was a very similar process where um students were able to talk about their you know favorite genre and be able to try to sell that class to their to their peers. And like I said that's just a little little snapshot of some of the things going on around the district. I have um I was provided a lot of material from do uh John Barnau from music and art department and it's really going to be its own sort of program with the amount of information that he gave me. So, we're going to uh we're going to invite him back in February to to showcase uh all the great things going on in their program. So, that's something that we're going to add add on for next month. But, thank you. Okay.

036Um I just wonder I am so happy to see that these genre courses are also including the classics because when it was first presented, it sounded like they were just all trendy books. But I'm glad to see that the classes are um you know including the class. I think it's it's a variety. It's um you know some some pop culture and then uh some classics to round I do have a question. Um we did talk about the possibility of a park presentation, you know, the comparing the scores to local other local districts like us. When do you think we can have that? Hopefully before the next part. We're still the state hasn't released the the local scores the scores the scores are released but the idea of the breakdown of the um peer groups has

037not yet been not yet been released together usually it would be so as soon as we have that testing it was and that's why I thought it would be a quick thing to put together but then we found out that not so much okay okay uh before we move on I just want to if you don't mind first I want to thank Dan for uh who's going to supply dinner at our meeting in March that's very nice of you Dan But I want to move over to uh if on the hand carry number two. I want to do this now. Uh it's new business. And uh this is board of education recognition month. So whereas the New Jersey School Boards Association has declared January 2016 to be the school board recognition month, a time that

038all residents might acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members. and the at whereas the West Milford Board of Education is one of the more than 581 local school boards in New Jersey that sets policies and overseas operations for public school districts so on and so forth. Uh we want to thank you for being here, dedicating your time. Uh those who've been here for multiple years, special thank you and those of you who just joined us, you're going to earn it this respect and you have it already. But we're going to move on and I would like to give out a certific certificate to each one of you in recognition of uh of your hard work. So, Mr. Foody, sir, President, thank you, Tony. There you go. Thank you very much, sir. You're

039welcome. Did you guys figure out this is going to be real easy, right? We have a lot to learn. Mr. Sorry. Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brian. Thank you so much. Thank you. Well, thank you for all of you taking the time. This is for those of you I'm sure you're aware this is a nonpaid position. So, uh it has its moments of high stress and you know there's lots of things that have to happen to take care of it. So, thank you very much. Thank you, Tony. Thank you. That we're done. Education report. We're done. Okay. Uh special reports and correspondence, Miss Francisco. Um, I'd like to start by um acknowledging the board of education. Uh, the snow scraper was delivered and the transportation department said thank you very very much. Um, they

040are so excited. They It's like a toy at Christmas time for them. But they did use it. Um, unfortunately they weren't able to get it here Friday, but they did get it here yesterday. They did have a couple of um buses that still needed to have the snow taken off, including the band bus. They tried it out so that everybody could get uh an idea of how to work it and they are just thrilled. So, they asked me to pass along. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Um and normal business, the December meeting minutes from the executive session and the workshop meeting are available and for your consideration. I'd like to make a motion to approve the following board of education meeting minutes. December 15, 2015 workshop regular meeting December 15, 2015 executive session.

041I'll second that. Voice spoke. Any questions or comments, changes, corrections? Voice vote. All in favor? Abstain. Okay. Any opposed? You weren't here, isn't it? Liz. Oh, that's right. Oh, I abstain. I'm sorry. That's okay. Sorry. Technically, you could go against since you weren't there. It's better. Okay. Yeah. Everyone else's. Yep. discuss legal issues in session. Okay. Uh president's report. Um I want to thank everybody for their service to the school board is Terry and Glenner finding out this isn't a uh walk in the park. And that was my reference when I was sworn sworn in and let the fun begin. You guys having fun? [Laughter] Um, my report is going to be pretty short and simple. Um, we're going to be starting our superintendent interviews tomorrow and um, we'll be going through our first round

042tomorrow and Thursday and next week we will be doing our second round. So hopefully um, with luck we'll have a candidate. Um but that'll have to be decided by the board. Um really concludes my president's report. Um we'll go on to petitions and requests. Uh 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 5 minutes per petitioner will be allowed until the 30 minute period transpires. Petitioners speaking during petitions and request are asked to address address topics listed for special action in the agenda that uh really needs to be stricken out of there because this isn't any special workshop, right? Why not? I don't ever remember special action being

043referred to as special action. Um all speakers are asked to give their full name, spell or last name and provide their address. Speakers may not use the name of students during petitions in request. Do we have any speakers? Seeing none, like to move to close petitions. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. I need a motion to uh adopt the agenda as presented. Like to make a motion to adopt the agenda as presented this evening. Second. Any discussion? Anything we pulling, changing? No, everything's there. Just uh be aware of the fact that the hand carry number one is part of personnel numbers 26 through 28. Okay. There is one um change personnel number 21 says the digital citizenship committee to conduct the parent presentation at Mackin School. It's not

044for Macken School. Okay. And there's one more thing. Yeah. I'm listed again as chairperson of the budget and finance as Mr. Drew so with those notations. Okay, that was on number 16. Yeah. Yep. Page eight. Okay. Uh, all in favor? I opposed. Mrs. O'Brien. Personnel like to make a motion to move items 1 through 25. I'll do the hand carried separately under uh personnel student affairs. Any discussion? I have a motion to amend 8 and N to exchange the word parade with the word annual to make it more accurate. Motion to amend 8 and N to change the word prrated to annual to make it more clear. Yeah. Second. It should say annual salary of 54920 prorated. That's how it should. That's correct. Okay. Second. discussion. Yeah. Yeah. Because in the future, it's if we

045do it um during the motion to adopt the agenda as presented, we wouldn't have to go to another motion as we've done in the past. So just in the future, if you have these corrections, it's easier to bring it up at that point. Okay. Thank you. But right now, there is the motion to end it in. Yes. And there's no discussion. Okay. Have a roll call vote on the amendment, Barber, which is Mr. Deber. Yes. Mr. Drew, yes. Mrs. Dwer, yes. Mr. Foody, yes. Mr. Yuber, yes. Miss O'Brien, yes. Mr. Robbins, yes. Mr. Schulz, yes. Like to move items 26 through 28 under Personnel Student Affairs. Second. One minute. We didn't even vote on the motion is out there. The mot the mot I'm listening but I'm not listening. The motion's already been made for

046125. Now it would just be as the amendment reflects. So if there's any other discussion, I have to make another. No, no, you don't. No, you don't. No, because it's still it's still on the floor. Is there any other disc? Is there any other discussion on on one through 25? No. No. Okay. Roll call vote, please. Miss Francisco. Miss O'Brien. Really? Can I? Yes. Mr. Robbins? Yes. Mr. Drew? Yes. Mrs. Dwire? Yes. Mrs. Schultz? Yes. Mr. Mr. Yuber. Yes. Mr. Deber. Yes. Mr. Foody. Yes. I continue entertaining the audience this evening. I'd like to move items now items 26 to 28 personnel student. And that and that's the hand carry. That's the hand carry. Yes. And I have a similar motion on 26 and 27 to change prrated to annual the annual prorated. Okay. Second.

047Any discussion? Roll call vote, please, on the amendment to number 27. 26 and 27. Mr. De. Who was the second on that? I was. Yeah. Mr. Drew. Yes. Mrs. Dwire. Yes. Mr. Foody. Yes. Mr. Yuber. Yes. Mrs. O'Brien. Yes, Mr. Robbins. Yes, Mrs. Schulz. Yes. Okay, we're going to move now. 26 this way. 26. Oh, you're right. Boy, now I'm I I just pulled a pulled a Debbie. It's contagious. I'm going to find that in the dictionary. I pulled a Debbie. All right. All right. Any any discussion on the uh 26, 27, and 28? Seeing none, roll call vote, please. Mrs. O'Brien, yes. Mr. Robbins, yes. Mr. Drew, yes. Mrs. Dwire, yes. Mrs. Schultz, yes. Mr. Yuber, yes. Mr. De, yes. Mr. Foody, yes. That concludes personnel student affairs for the month. Thank you, Debbie.

048Uh, moving on to education. Um, Mrs. Dwire, would you proceed? Motion to move items 1 through five under education. Second. Any discussion? Yes. Okay. Mr. Um on number five, I I would like to see and I think we all would like to see more specifically what um these trips that these teachers or these these person not personal these school business days more specifically what they're going to accomplish. um just saying professional redu uh professional development related to curric curriculum. I'd like to know how that's going to affect their classrooms. That's just maybe that's nitpicking, but when they return, they have to complete an evaluation form and they have to answer those specific questions. Okay. And do they have access to that? Uh I don't think I I review those. Yeah, because there's an explanation before

049they go and then one because the some of some of the explanations were very good but some of them were very very vague and I just Is it unreasonable to ask to see? Yeah. Is that unreasonable? That short section you fill out a condensed version or something? I no problem. I think it's fine. Okay. Could we could we do that in the for future? Sure. Okay, great. Thank you, Mr. Bever. Um, is it possible just to provide that electronically as well or is that something that's just sent through via email? I know that some of these are provided electronically and the details are provided electronically, right? That's what it says at the end here. Documentation provided electronically. That's what they're filling out for for their travel. So that so the after evaluation would be the

050same thing. provide electronically. Yeah. Whatever. Not normally. Yeah. I think Well, most of them are handwritten. Yeah, they're handwritten. Oh, okay. Yeah. We'd have to We'd have to scan each one and then it'll be taking up a lot. But I mean, if we copies you to look at maybe the easiest Well, that's Yeah, I was just asking how Yeah. I mean, if it was online, be happy to just Okay. So, so if we're curious about how they felt after the course or whatever, is it something that we go to the board office to investigate or look at or we can bring it we can bring it to a workshop meeting or whatever before the meeting starts we can review it. Okay. Thank you. Uh any other discussion on one through five? Mr. Drew, I would

051uh like to commend I think it was item number three where we are paying for travel for the I think it was item number three where we are paying for the uh travel and uh to model UN and that is just such an outstanding program for for these kids. I I just I'm so glad we're doing that and you know I wish there were more kids doing it. Um it will uh change lives. That 18125 is per student. Which are per student? Yeah, that's per student. Yes, that's the cost per student. Okay. Any other discussion? Roll call vote. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Francisco, yes. Mr. De, yes. Mr. Drew, yes. Mrs. Dwire, yes. Mrs. Schultz, yes. Mr. Yuber, yes. Mrs. O'Brien, yes. Mr. Foody, yes. Budget and Finance, even though it says Mr. Yuber,

052I'll pass that on to to Mr. Drew. Can I pass it back to Mr. Huber? Uh, I'd like to move uh items I guess one through nine excluding six. 1 through nine excluding six. So you want six 89. You want six for a separate vote then? Yes. Okay. Second five. Okay. Any discussion? I have a motion to adjust number four, the word disposal, change it to sale. Last week, I understood that this is something that we're going to be receiving money on. Right. Right. But it's we're disposing it because it's surplus. I will say the actual word in the law is disposal. Is it? Yeah. In that case, we should add wording to say that we've received the amount of $3,900. Just adjust it in that way for the amount of $3900 received by the

053district. That's fine. One second. Are we changing this resolution to clarify that the $3,900 was received by the district? Any discussion on that? We have a motion, Steve. We just need a vote on that. A roll call vote. Roll call vote on the amendment to item number four to clarify that it was received by the district. Yep. To clarify that the 3900 is received. Mr. D. Yes. Mr. Drew. Yes. Mrs. Dwire. Yes. Mr. Foody. Yes. Mr. Yuber. Yes. M. O'Brien. Yes. Mr. Robbins. Yes. Mr. Schulz. No. Now it's the motions are still up. Yep. I I want to I have a question with regards to number five, Barbara. Um Morris County Co-op um from Allied Oil Company. This is for fuel oil. Do we normally pay a delivery charge per gallon? I mean, I don't

054ever think that that's something uh done for a homeowner and I don't I'm kind of surprised that I I believe that this is oil for Abua and for UGL. Okay. But we pay a delivery charge for that. It's part of the co-op. Yeah. The bid request. No, Mr. Huber. If uh at a delivery cost, that's what the the Yeah. So if if we have a,000 gallons delivered, we're going to pay $179 delivery fee for that. Mhm. So now, well, the thing is, if the co-op is cheap enough and the delivery cost still keeps it under the commercial cost of other companies, it's worth it. I'm assuming that understood. Well, if we don't if we don't use a co-op, we have to go out to bid for the fuel. Mhm. Okay. Co-op has you pay that

055on your home heating oil anyhow. They just include it in there and it's the reason you pay a higher price for them to show up at your house. So, one way or another, you're going to pay that. It's like you can pay a higher airfare and no fee for baggage or you can pay a lower airfare and a fee for baggage. You're going to pay the fee one way or another. And I just want to clarify, the co-op has already gone out to bid. So this is the lowest price that they received. So they bid on our behalf rather than us doing it on our own and not knowing what we're going to get. And because they have many contracts, naturally they're going to get the lowest possible price because it's an aggregate of many

056districts. Could just just for my own peace of mind, could you send us or send me the price per gallon just out of curiosity if you don't mind? Thank you, Barbara. Any other discussion on items 1 through five or 7 through nine? Okay. Roll call co roll call vote, please. God can't speak. So Brian, okay, this is 1 through 5, 7 through 9. Yes. Okay, just double checking, Mr. Robbins. Yes, Mrs. Schultz. Uh, yes, except I thought we were only voting on one through nine. Uh, except excluding number six. We are. We are 1 through five, 7 through nine. Yes. Thank you, Mr. De. Yes, Mr. Drew. Yes, Mrs. Dwire. Yes, Mr. Yuber. Yes, Mr. Foody. Yes, I would like to move item number six regarding replacing the sighting second on the admin building. Second,

057discussion Rodney. Uh we talked about I believe it was back in in Odor in our re reconfiguration meeting uh January 5th about you know kind of generating a list of items that uh you know need repair. Um so I think this item is no different. I I would highly recommend that that you know the board receives kind of a list a wish list or a a list of items that will take us through this year so that we can a prioritize which items possibly is more critical than others. I know that the sighting obviously will certainly improve the maintenance of the building and will long last for years. However, it may not be the hottest point. Um, you know, we've had a number of uh uh bomb scares and different activity at the high school

058and and you know, other schools. So, I would just want to make sure that, you know, we we are covering oursel for any additional improvements for safety. um you know have a list so this way we can ch pick and choose that we are picking items that are desperately needed and that they just don't come up as these meetings you know that we attend each month that they don't just show up trickling in. I I'd like to see a list we talked about this at budget and finance and we talked about it last week. We're having an issue with woodpeckers. We we've had to replace some of the the sheathing because it rotted out. So, we did have to replace a section. And then, uh we also have an issue with woodpeckers. I did have

059a conservationist come in to try to do something to scare them away, but uh the the spers or whatever they put on the outside of the building seem to be much more attractive. Um we are having a problem with the woodpeckers, the the holes. Um if you had an opportunity to look at the photographs that were in the um board members um uh web page, uh some of the holes are getting pretty significant. So um we talked about um getting updated prices. We talked about comparing the sighting um to make sure that we were getting, you know, apples to apples, although I hate that phrase, apples to apples. And um this was uh the best price that we could get. Um there's a number of about 60% of the um the building the sheathing needs

060to be replaced. It's it's in pretty um significant disrepair and it's been um a topic that we've discussed budget-wise um amongst you know the administrators over the last five years that I've been here but it's always been a low priority until the woodpecker decided he wanted to try to nest in our building. So that's where we are today. Um Barbara I'm sorry hold up there Mrs. One of my questions was going to be going to be um did you receive any other bids? But you just mentioned that this was the lowest, but still my question would be what is going to prevent the woodpecker from pecking at new sighting besides those? I don't think he can get through the sighting. I brought a sample here so that everybody could see it. It's uh not the

061the most expensive. It's the middle of the road, but I don't I don't think he's going to be able to get through here. I don't know. those pictures. Where there's a will, there's a way. Now, Mrs. Dwire, thank you. Um, on the proposal, it said the proposal says that um the company will replace the plywood. That's the sheathing. Oh, okay. That's that's the rotted the rotted areas that are the T11 siding the sighting would have to adhere to. Okay. Thank you. And a lot of that is not has nothing to do with the woodpecker. I can say it's just uh it's just aged. It's rotted out. We had one whole section on the front right hand side as you face the building that had to be replaced last year and we're starting to see that

062around the buildings. And I think there was mention of carpenter bees also being in there. So I think it's just time to they visit me every carpenter ants or bees. Bees. Okay. Mr. Huber. All right. Uh there was discussion and it makes sense. Woodpeckers are attracted to bugs. That's why they're pecking. They're looking for food. So I don't see anywhere on here any allocation for money for extermination. If it's We have the exterminator there on a regular basis. They're is it? They come in every every month. The exterminators come. We have a contract. Yes. Okay. Any other discussion, Mr. Drew. Um, first, this is a very good price for this, I think. Um, my concern here, honestly, is that this is kind of sending the wrong message to all the things we need to do

063in the district, spend money. I can't hear you. Sorry. My concern is that this is kind of sending the wrong message. with all the things we need to do in the district, spend money on the ad administration admin building. I would personally like to, and I'm sorry, I had asked to look at it and I accidentally I didn't mean to micromanage, but I walked past the building and looked at it and u it seemed to me that uh we could probably prep it and paint it and uh do that more cheaply. I would like to see a bid uh for that before considering replacing the siding. Well, painting it is not going to stop. We have rotted wood there. So, yeah, you just can't paint over it. It's We've already replaced a section in the

064front of the building because the water was getting inside of it because it was breaking apart. It's not even wood. I believe it's a press board or something. Yeah, it's a T111 siding. So, it's it's not anything like a particle board. Yeah, it's particle board. So through the years, it's just started to rot. If you go into the back of the building, it's all rotting out. So for somebody to paint it, they're going to have to replace the sheathing anyway. They're going to have to replace. Mr. De Barbara, I just had a quick question for the 27 650. The people that examined the building siding, they said that this is probably our best avenue of fixing this. the rotting wood, the woodpeckers, the bugs, all the stuff that's happening here. Does this seem to be

065or are we going to spend like three quarters of that to fix it or would this be better just to redo the siding? I mean, who I mean, obviously, you're hearing this from the people underneath you that are informing you that this stuff needs to be done. I mean, I kind of agree with Rodney with a with kind of a list, a heads up list of the things that are coming up in the next year, maybe for consideration, but I I would vote for this if this is what we need. Do we need to do this? I mean, it sounds like we have for the woodpecker, you probably wouldn't have this in front of you, but he's he's on three sides of the building now. And the you know the holes he's insistent and he

066sounds like an evil woodpecker to mention. It really does very socially. I I really um I I don't is to the board. Here's my question is who who came to look at this and said, "Hey, this this is pretty bad here with these woodpeckers and bugs and stuff that this this building siding is falling apart. We need to replace this." Did someone we've had we've had proposals in the last few years and this is an updated proposal. So both our supervisor of operations from that retired and our current supervisor of operations is recommending that this was the way that we could hopefully eliminate the woodpecker and fix the building a little bit and and it'll and it'll also make the building look a little bit more attractive, right? Um hopefully not to woodpeckers though. Hopefully

067not to woodpeckers. But aesthetically too, I mean, one of the problems with the with the painting is that after a while that starts to peel off. So, um, you you know, you're probably going to have to paint every two to three years if you're going to paint it. So, you have to look at the amount of money you're going to spend doing that every so often as compared to putting the siding on. So, that's something to consider, too. Board's pleasure. Mr. Dwire, um, on the proposal, there are three prices. There's 30,450 27,650 26,800. Then there's an additional 2500 and then an additional 690. So is the price really going to be 27,650? Yeah, the 25 the additional 2500 would be if we chose a premium color, which we would not. Okay. Um and the leaf

068the gutter the gutter covers. I guess that's for gutter covers. Probably have our maintenance people take care of that. Covers. Those the the leaf covers basically that's what they are just leaf covers. That way you don't have to have staff going up and cleaning the gutters and uh they stay clean. I just want to make sure that gutters until last year when the sophets fell off with the ice rotted the ice the icicles were like this long and it ripped down the sophet ago. So, we just got gutters in on the the the north side of the building. Mr. God bless you. couple of people with asal health as a priority and I know we've discussed a few of these things and so I guess I'll take responsibility for not having the forum just didn't

069but maybe what I should do is make some kind of report of other things to be considered u which I will so we can discuss whe that's a good way to do it um the elevator in the high school needs to be prepared and uh the moment is a uh problem with disabled students who need to use the elevator and so absolutely needs repair. The front steps at the high school uh cannot be used. Um and there are those steps in the main building are falling apart, right? But they're you they're usable. They just need to be replaced because they've been we've been losing. Okay. So, they're usable and they're they're usable, but No, they're dangerous becoming in they're going into dangerous. We're trying to we're trying to repair them before anything. And part of

070the problem there is that it's masonry with concrete and when you put salt on it, it decays every time you do it. So, we just keep replacing these things. Those I think are the relatively largest must do. We've got all kinds of cracks in the auditorium roof in the high school that as a result of the leaks although I think we need to put the roofs on and review that but you know we can't let that sit there. That's further out. um those seem to mean to do the big things that we're going to have to consider and probably don't have a lot of choice now. I'll try to make sometimes they come up as well over the line there. We got to do something. Any further discussion? I can just highlight what Mr. Drew

071had mentioned and that is it appears that the elevator is definitely an urgent issue and the steps. So I'm not sure what the cost that we will incur but can we occur this expense after the fact of approving this repair? We we discussed the elevator repairs um in uh budget and finance. Uh we are we had another company come out early today to look at it. We've gotten two proposals. Um we'll have to have an engineer come in and we have to go out to bid because it's over the bid threshold. So replacing the elevator is not an easy fix. Most likely it's going to go into the budget because we're not going to be able to do other than keeping it operational and we've been trying to do that for this entire school year.

072um other than trying to keep it operational. Right now, we can't really do anything because we need to have engineering costs and we need to go out to bid in order to replace it. But um we have a rough idea uh of what the cost of it would be. However, once you bring in the engineers and the bids, it's going to go up. So, but that'll probably be part of the the budget uh for 1617. I guess I'll try in the future with the workshop meeting. I recall and I'm doing this off the top of my head. There's potentially an issue about upgrading the generator, electrical generator at the high school. Also, uh we had issue the last time we had a storm where we had to run the generators. problem is the generator got

07324 hours servers and maybe some alternatives about that but that's another item on real you know just what you had just mentioned about elevators I would tend to think does a generator need to be able to run that elevator yes no no if no not if we had a power failure No, you'd have to use the um the steps anyway. You know, every What about the disabled kids? Yeah, we actually have Well, if there's no power if there's no power, if you have a power failure, most likely have the fire department going up there and bringing the kids down in a chair. Okay, that's the way you would you you would evacuate if if you have no power. Um but but as I said, the elevator is not an easy fix. The generator is something

074that um we're trying to be proactive about. Is our generator working now? Absolutely. But the building systems have increased. Um the things that have been added to the existing generator have increased the demand and so we are trying to be proactive and that has been something that's been on the list of items that were talked about. you prioritize and other things take precedent because either you have an emergency like when Ashua's driveway caved in and we had to replace all the septic system underneath it um or you know we had uh the issue up at UGL earlier this year where um we had to um replace the the well thing because we had no water the well pump because we had no water wasn't working. Um, so there's a number of things that we're trying

075to be proactive about and you just kind of hope the band-aid holds until we get to it. Okay. Like to call a question number six. Roll call vote, please. Um, Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. Deber. Well, with all the uh the bugs and the woodpeckers and the rotting wood, I'm going to say yes on that. Mr. Drew, yes. Mrs. Swire, yes. Mr. Foody, yes. Mr. Yubert, yes. Mrs. O'Brien, yes. Mr. Robbins, no. Mrs. Schultz, yes. like to move item number 10. U pay bills. Second discussion. Mrs. Dwire. Um I have a question about paying for teachers memberships and professional in their subject areas. Uh their professional memberships. There's only three teachers that asked for this. and the rest of the district, the teachers that do belong to professional associations pay for their own membership. It's not

076contractual. Why are we paying these three memberships? Usually when the memberships come across for payment, it's because of student involvement that um if if we don't pay for it, the students can't participate in certain activities because I saw two things. I saw the cost for the conference and then I saw the cost for the membership in the profession. Oh, okay. Well, that's not nice. To a student. Okay. In order for different I've asked that question in the past. Yeah. It's not it's not for uh you know to pay for any kind of certification for what they're doing normally. This would be stuff uh or tasks that we want them to do beyond the classroom. So that's basically what happened. So, in order to make that work, they're willing to do it, but you have to

077pay for the training after. And I have another question. Why are we buying an exercise bike for a special needs classroom for phys? It's a special needs classroom. Well, I need to I would need to see it first, but just be just to reference it again. I don't I just took notes. Do you have the page number? I swear. Of course not. Maybe I have it. No. While they're looking, is there any other Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Um, the Highlander Academy since July 1st, it looks like we've spent $62,9.80. And this includes administration by an outside facility, utilities, and a lease. Is that correct? Since July 1st, 6200. I'm sorry. I can't I think I haven't mastered it. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Well, he asked if I had anything else. No, just trying to just

078trying to move it along. Okay. Do you have the supply account for that? It's 11 something. That's okay. Tell you I should have I don't know what I did with my budget. I had it all highlighted. That's the 20 account. Okay, let me look over here. I think I can answer that question a little bit. The um the the lease um on the building is x amount of dollars per month. I don't know the number off the top of my head, but certainly uh a couple of thousand dollars. And then what we pay for our portion of the utilities at the Highlander Academy. Uh we share that building with the preschool program. So that we don't pay the entire expense. Um I think looking at it the the total for the year was somewhere probably

079close to around 100,000 for that program. Um also you have to keep in mind that we're keeping anywhere from 11 to 15 students in district by doing that. So, um, you know, it keeps them in their own town. Also, those students, some of those students actually come to the high school for the last two, uh, periods during the course of the day. So, I know it sounds like a lot of money. I'm not saying it's cheap, but it's still a lot less than we would be paying for 11 to 15 students to go to other other districts, other programs, and and so on. So, and Mr. Reika, just to kind of add to that, the number um, enrollment is currently at 17. 17. Okay. Would it be um I can't find your um the can't

080find the bike. It's in there. It's um Would it be less expensive for us to use our own administration to oversee that school rather than paying an outside company? I mean, we have a lot of good people in this district. Um the the answer is you would have to have someone who's certified to be there and whatever position they're currently in would have to be uh left to go over there and run that program. Now specifically for that program and I think uh Dr. Mcuade can back me up on this is that you need someone who's trained has that background in special education and dealing with those students with those needs. Um, so, you know, the long and short of it, yes, if there's somebody available, absolutely, but if they're already in another role, then

081you're going to have to replace them somewhere else. There there is a lot of um, you know, I I hear it many times that it's a part-time position. It's really not a part-time position. I mean, I don't know why I wasn't here at the time, why it was listed like that. Uh, the principal who the administrator who runs the building actually is here every day and has been doing an excellent job. So, it's not like he's here from, you know, 10 to 2. He's here in the morning and he leaves when the when the students are uh done with the school day and often he will attend meetings and be involved in other things. Is he there on Fridays? He is and he is and actually if I could just support also with what Mr.

082Rashika is saying is he does have a principal certification but also has a history of director of special service background. So I do believe that that level of expertise helps when you're balancing site administration as well as a variety of disabilities. with 17 students with varying types of disabilities, you're talking about a very unique population that does take a a it really is a specialty area. So, I will just say that I do feel the administrator we have in there right now does suit the program very well. He's in very early and opens up the program, stays late administratively, when we ask have meetings or anything else we're doing, he's he's readily available. So, I will support him at at this time. Sorry, Mr. O'Brien. You're doing your job, my dear. You're Go ahead, Debbie.

083Um, since we're approaching 9:00, I'd like to make a motion to extend our meeting until 9:15. Okay. Sure. I would say to get back to that topic, Miss Dwight, um, you know, I'm I'm not going to be here much longer, but you know, I think the goal the goal somewhere along the line should be to try to move that into one of our existing facilities if at all possible. Uh, when we look at the possibility of spending money in other areas, perhaps that should be one of the areas we look at. and and by doing that you would invest in your own building and then save the money on as far as doing a lease or something like that. And so uh I think that's something we have to look at seriously. All in favor

084of extending executive session till 9:15. I I Any opposed? Thank you. That's okay. That's okay. Um I we're looking through the bill list and we're trying to find the u I haven't highlighted at home. Yeah, I did. It doesn't say I don't think it says anything more than that it's for a special needs class. I don't know. And if I if I knew the account code number, then I could reference in my head to what budget line item it goes to and then I would be able to give you a a more definitive answer as to where it comes from. I don't know if that's something that I could get back to the board on or if it's something that has to be decided. generally the the stationary bikes um you know my my experience

085in running autistic programs many times that's put into a classroom uh for those students to use as an exercise uh tool and also for some kind of behavioral modification programs that are put in place. Um so that's pretty much I think what the direction we're moving in based on what I'm hearing and what we've discussed in the past. And then the only other thing that I can comment on is I could say that we have ordered bikes in the past for our resource center classes. We did a pilot program through the educational foundation where we piloted it with students to get their feedback from a survey on if they needed to take a movement break instead of like leaving the classroom to go for a walk, they would instead go on a bike as they're

086reading or as they're it actually had a desk on it where they could they continue to work on the bike. So I don't know if it was that type of bike. I know also speaking of behavior modifications, at one point somebody came to me to ask if they could add a bike at Highlander Academy for again the same thing, releasing energy as you're still learning and for instruction. I just didn't want to speak to say yes, that's exactly what it's for if I don't have the information in front of me. Can we call the question? I we can, but I I know I have a question. I think Mrs. Dwire had some other things. Did you have anything else that you wanted? Um, these are things I think I can meet with Barbara about. Um,

087the only other thing was the cost of the food service since July first. Um, 33,23521 and that's for all areas of management and serving except for repairs. And I thought, boy, for a quarterly that seems so high. That's it's over. Yeah, there's a fixed amount, but it's you have to realize it's uh 34 3,500 students that are going through now. Not every student buys lunch. Um you know, we we didn't we just do a breakdown at the last meeting on the actual cost of how much money we had to transfer to the auditor. Yeah. On the auditor's report. So, okay. I thought it was only that's basically it. And I was just surprised that we're still using propane in her kitchen. Um I think that some of the buildings aren't equipped for natural gas. Okay.

088In some cases, I I have one question on a bills barber and it's it's pretty easy. Um under library supplies, it looks like we have a credit going in for the cost of record newspaper, $111.80, 80 cents, but then I see that we're paying that out of um board dues, membership dues. Well, the newspapers delivered to a number of different places, but it's with Mrs. Neker's name on it. In board dues also. And board dues also. Yeah. She might be our point person, but uh but we also get it delivered to the administration building. She's in trouble. Okay. All right. And then the only other question aid in lie of I will definitely double check on that though. Okay. But aid in lie of where that's those are transportation costs. I see 8.84 and 442.

089Those are is for students that live out of that are going to school out of district that are entitled to transportation. Okay. So, I thought I just wanted to make sure. Any other questions on bills? Roll call. Barber. Mr. Bailey. Yes. M O'Brien. Yes. Mr. Drew. Yes. Mr. Dabber. Yes. Mrs. Schultz. Yes. Mr. Robbins? Yes. Mr. Yuber? Yes. Mrs. Wire abstain. Mr. Foody. Yes. On payroll, no on bills. Mr. Drew, I would like to move item number 11 uh regarding transfer of funds. Second discussion. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have so many questions. Why do we get ourselves in a position to have a negative balance? Well, it depends on the situation. Um, let me pull out the transfers and we'll take a look at them. Those I have. And you know what? As as

090she's filling that out, I think I just figured out what um you're referring to as far as the exercise bike. It is for a teacher in the middle school that currently teaches our behavior disabilities class. It does appear to be, I believe, through the Ed Foundation miniigrant supplies. So, it was not funded through one of my accounts. So, but it is similar to what Mr. Mr. Rika said that it was for behavior disabilities modification system. So what I what I said before but I did find it. It looks like it was funded through and it looks like it was funded through bed foundation. Correct. Not like special services. Okay. We have one transfer for a smartboard. Apparently we moved the classroom. The teacher was had a smartboard in her old classroom. Uh the smartboard is

091being used for a special ed program and so special ed has um decided that they would replace the smartboard that this teacher was using. So that was the reason for one transfer. Um uh Maple Road needed to buy two walkie-talkie bases bases. um because they were in different ends of the building, so they couldn't so they bought two new bases. They didn't have enough money. uh the high school um we received a credit. We put it into an account, but the purchase order was then um processed and the building principal thought he had more money in that account than he did and so he had to transfer money to cover the deficit. [Applause] Um this one um the security radio was also purchased for our new multiply disabled class at the high school. So that's

092why money had to be transferred out of our resource center textbook account over to cover for an extra radio for security reasons for some of our students with some more significant behavior so that we could reach administration if we needed to. There was professional development for some staff members. There was not enough money in the staff professional development account and so uh West school had to transfer money for um staff development. Um they purchased some they uh had some supplies that they needed for school administration. They didn't have enough money so they transferred $50. um textbooks, um they were purchasing textbooks at the high school and they needed to take money from actu uh from the elementary schools at McPin in order to um purchase the additional textbooks that They needed they were using ebooks

093but they needed the hard copy books for the class. Um, field trips. Mr. Mr. Matlo had money budgeted in uh in in an account that he needed for um field trip entry for admission. Okay. So, it's for various different reasons. Um most times this budget was prepared a year ago and things come up that they are not aware of that are going to come up. Okay. Um here the English department um had to rebind prints books that were that they're using that are out of print and so they had to put an aggregate of their monies together in order to pay for the bonding. Step development is going from one account to another because we have individual accounts for every bill. Okay. Is that satisfactory? Yeah. I just I don't understand how people can't budget

094their checkbooks. Mhm. Yes, Mr. Dor. Yeah. Fellow board members and uh the public out there and TV viewers out in TV land. I just wanted to say please don't misunderstand me anybody any of these groups I just named. The workshop meeting that we do has all these items listed on it. And I know workshop it was a long time. We we spent a lot of time but now we're turning the regular meeting into a lot of time. Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying because questions do have to be asked. But it's just um I'm hoping that we can stick to this regular meeting agenda and continue with the uh approvals here that need to be approved. That's all I'm saying. Please don't misunderstand me. With a $72 million budget, it's virtually impossible for you to

095stay within the guidelines of the individual expenditure lines that you you develop because you have no way of knowing what your total expenses are going to be and things that you need from something that's developed a year ago. If you have um you you you purchase books and they changed the you're getting a proposal in November and then they're buying the books in June and they're being shipped in August and your shipping fee might send you over the over your budget only because you have no way of knowing what the shipping fee is nine months out and It's just a fact of life. A $23,000 transfer for one month is really not a significant amount of money. Thank you. And real quick, and in defense of Mrs. Dwire asking questions, I wish Mr. De was

096here to hear this, but um I'll I'll mention it to him. We get our bill lists and our transfers last Friday. So, we only have over the weekend to go through them. It's not like we discussed all this stuff in our last meeting. So, you know, we we've got new members who've who've got to ask questions and I'm completely respect their right to ask those questions. Um, I would be more than happy to review any bills with you and any transfers with you. Okay. Thank you. At any time. Thank you. What's uh that was more or less what I was going to say, but I I do like the idea of questions. It actually brings things to light. The public can understand what we're doing better. Um, those that want to watch it watch the

097meetings. Okay. Any other discussion? Roll call vote, please. Mrs. Francisco, on item number 11, Mr. Yuber, yes. Mr. Robbins, yes. Mr. Drew, yes. Mr. De, yes. Mrs. Schultz, yes. Mrs. O'Brien, yes. Mr. Bailey, yes. Mrs. Dwire, yes. Mr. Fruty, abstain. I would like to move items 12 and 13. Second, discussion Mr. Drew. Um, with regard, I guess it's the appropriate place to bring that board secretar's report. Um, you know, I think we're doing well at this. Uh, I am concerned that we are accumulating excess surplus, at least partly. We know we've swept some of the funds. Um, a few years back when governors changed and they said, "Oh, you guys are rich district. We'll take some of your money." We, my guess is we'll have a change in governors. Well, in fact, I think we're

098guaranteed we're going to have a change in governors again. I'm sorry. Um, use your microphone. Sorry. Um, but the the the biggest issue is that we are accumulating excess surplus. We're collecting more than we need, which is financially good uh for the district, but uh not necessarily for the voters. Um, I think we and uh an example of that I guess would be Bank of America. And I'm sure the shareholders and the managers and the board of directors is perfectly happy with all the money that they continue to make. But their customers uh rate Bank of America is one of the three most hated corporations in America because people think they pay too much and uh provide crappy service. So, our customers are the citizens, voters, and students. And you, you know, it's nice to

099accumulate an excess surplus. Um, but I think we really have to ask whether that's in the best interest of the citizens and students. Um, I think the uh uh voters showed a lot of confidence in us with the uh vote that we received on the referendum and we owe it to them to be honest about what we need. If we don't need the money, we shouldn't uh ask for it and u so yeah, that's the entire extent of my comments on that. Um I'm not quite sure um why you feel that we're accumulating a lot of excess surplus. We're only halfway through the school year. We haven't paid out our retro yet on our salary agreements. So, um I I you know I I caution you to wait until the next few months because we

100only had the accumulation was the increase from the 20 134 year it's reflected in our cash balance but it's not reflected in our budget. Yeah. the 1415 surplus going into the budget starting July 1st at 2.9. Right. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. It's in your It's in your cash balance, but it's not but you have no control over your cash balance as far as that goes because once the budget is touch that that money is there, we can't touch it. It just helps our cash flow. Okay. Mr. End. I just want to remind uh everybody that some of these board members on this board didn't vote for the budget increase. We did have a budget budget increase last year. Um I understand we're all conscious about budgeting now and that um we're going to try and keep

101costs I agree with a lot of things Mr. Drew is saying. We're going to try and keep costs in check. That's all. Um, but there there's a vote at the end on if we're going to increase the budget and ask the taxpayers for more money or hold the budget or drop the budget. That stuff will all come. So hopefully we can do right by the taxpayers. I I just want to add that you you have to be aware of the fact that there's uh probably a 75% chance of the formulas being changed soon uh where you're going to be receiving less money. I think we had discussed that based on district size. uh some of the districts that have grown are still receiving the same amount of money uh that they had when they had

102lower enrollments and districts like us where the enrollments lower still collecting the other amount. So there's a good chance that uh that's going to change. So what we're getting currently we have to be very careful. I understand what you're saying and I and I believe you're concerned about the taxpayers, but we just have to watch and see where this goes before we dedicate ourselves to trying to be spend thrifts. Uh but we want to keep the district in a healthy place. We see around us, if you pick up the newspaper, districts very close to us, $1 million deficit, $2 million deficit. The state's coming in. Uh we certainly don't want West Milford ever to be in that kind of situation because you don't you know I like the state but I don't want the state

103coming in to run a school district. So they do enough. Okay. It is now 9:15 and we are still here. So ladies and gentlemen, I would like to say let's extend this meeting for another 15 minutes to 93. Second. Okay. All in favor. Any opposed? Okay. Um, like to call a question for 12 and 13. We have a roll call vote, please. Mrs. Francisco, Mr. De? Yes. Mr. Robbins? Yes. Mr. Drew? Yes. Mr. Yuber? Mr. Bailey? Yes. Miss O'Brien? Yes. Mrs. Schulz? Yes. Mrs. Dwire? Yes. Mr. F. Yes. Mr. Deber. Policy, please. Like to make a motion to approve the following agenda items under policy one through six. Second. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call, please. Yes. Mr. De. Yes. Mr. Drew. Yes. Mrs. Dwire, yes. Mrs. Schultz, yes. Mr. Mr. Yuber, yes. Mr. Bailey,

104yes. Mr. O'Brien, yes. Mr. FY, yes. Okay. Negotiations um is it week after next? February. February that we'll be meeting um with the supervisors and administrators. Um so nothing nothing to report at this time. Um special committees and liaison reports. Mr. Robbins, parks and wreck. Yes, I have nothing to report. Thank you, sir. Mr. Bailey, safety pass. Superintendants roundt. Mrs. Schultz. There was a superintendent roundt meeting on January 14th. Items of discussion. Uh there was some concern with Google Gmail, Google Docs for students. It was also brought up by Mr. Novak. um the parent plannings that are going on along with the um evening at Makipin. So those were items that were brought up at the superintendence roundt meeting but of course we discussed it this evening as well the um parent events that are

105being planned. Um another item that was brought up was uh the streamlining of the district website which is in process. school messenger which is which was formerly sharp schools. Um the district is convert converting the existing sharp school system to the new messenger school messenger system and the conversion is going to take a little while and the process should be completed sometime in February and while the streamlining is being done um Highlander Academy will have its own new tab so that's going to be a new feature on the website among others there was discussion about late buses at McPin School on Fridays and Mondays. Uh in the past there used to be late buses run at those times. Um if there's the availability does exist and if there is a need that arises it can

106always be adjusted. There was discussion about uh the duties of the high school nurse at the high school and how busy the nurse is and how um there's shared nurses throughout the buildings and sometimes that could be problematic at the high school. So that was going to be looked into further. Um there were some issues or discussion on the high school walkway request and uh Makipin's school walkway. Uh the painting that with the bright fluorescent paint was already repainted at the walkway at Makipin. And one of the requests at the high school with regard to a walkway concerns um the transportation side of the parking lot, but that is an issue because it's a town road and there's a process that needs to be followed. So I uh it was being brought to the attention

107of Eric Sanvi um and he would have to discuss it with the town because there's a process. So, not sure where that's going to leave um that topic for a walkway, but right now it's being looked into. Um also a discussion about the parent climate survey, which was a state generated survey and the district chose to participate in it. Uh right now the high school and Makipin character committees are going to be meeting and they're going to go through the survey data which staff, parents and students responded to and the results will be posted on the district website and the goal of the survey is to identify areas of concern and make changes where needed. And uh the other topic was kindergarten registration and that process is going to be streamlined. And then there were

108follow-ups that were already discussed. So um that's it for the superintendent round table that there's another meeting uh February 25th. Okay. You could thank you very much. Um county school boards is also yours. Yes. um February 1st there is um a meeting. It's a PA County School Boards Association and the Paya County Education Association colleagues are having a meeting at the Brandstone on February 1st at 6 p.m. and it's on collabor collaboration to improve student achievement. So ends my report. Thank you. You're welcome. Um, New Jersey School Boards Association. Um, I don't have anything to report at this time. Mr. Drew, you have legislative and technology oversight. Um, yes. Thank you. Uh, if you'll remember at the workshop meeting, I distributed a proposed resolution that the Pay County Legislative Committee would like us to approve

109and um the to review. They want us to oppose the spending by Pay County freeholders um to issue a bond in the amount of 60 million to expand Pose County Technical Institute. Um, and so I guess I'd like a sense of the board or probably a vote whether we want to support that re resolution to oppose the bond by Pay County or not. We we would have to draw up a formal resolution. Correct. Um, yeah. Did they which I had passed out? Yes. At the last meeting. Has any has everybody got had a chance to read that? Yeah. Resolution. Is it the same one you emailed to us? Yes. I could read it or do you want to read it? Making a motion. Well, I'll make the motion that, you know, I guess to support

110this accept this resolution, right? You know, on behalf of the West Milford Board. Did I do I have a second? So, in that case, you should read it to the You want me You want me to read it? Be resolved that the Okay. West Milford School District. It resolved that the West Milford School District together with uh uh PCSBA do hereby disagree with and oppose the recent Pay County Freeholders proposal to bond 60 million for the expansion of Pose County Technical Institute. Uh, further be it resolved that the West Milford School District and PCSBA do hereby disagree and oppose the proposed increase of enrollment at PCTI by approximately 1,200 students or 50%. Be it understood that such an expansion of 60 million bond and 50% enrollment increase would place additional undue financial burden upon all

111sending school districts as well as every property owner throughout Pay County. In addition, it must be noted disclosed that such an expansion would take additional funds from the West Milford School District and reduce the educational programs of of our district either through the reduction of staff and our programs while enhancing the programs of PCTI. Further, it should be understood the current funding formulas for PCTI case of double taxation monies received for tuition and transportation PCTI are derived from both local school tax and county tax. Such a formula has and will continue to hinder and take funds away from the West Milford School District. Okay, so that's the motion to support that resolution seconded. So now okay any discussion Mr. Bailey author of the resolution please uh Pose County Legislative Committee which has a representative from

112every school district in Payic County. The uh chairman of that committee is uh Tafari Anderson from Clifton Schools. Uh all of the He's the president of S County High School. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. he's president kind of school association. Um there were at the meeting there were eight people in attendance. All the other board members seem to support this. The general general feeling is that this will raise say county taxes uh and so they don't want to pay for it. On the other hand, I think it improves education uh from which we all benefit. And I I raised as an example well I went to a STEM school. They didn't call it back then and nobody here paid for it, but we benefit from it. People across the that's the whole point of public free

113public education that we educate everybody and then they move wherever they're going to move. You know, cost us in West Milford and they move wherever they're going to move and they benefit that community and somebody else educated somebody and they move to our community. And so I like that. I don't know. But it also works uh Pose County Technical Institute works a bit like a charter school. The money we will wind up paying a lot of money to send a kid down there that isn't in our school district. So [Music] any other discussion? So a yes vote would be to support that resolution. Yes. Right. Yes. Yes. which says to the Pay County freeholders who will probably ignore it that you don't support the bond. Correct. Disagree with and oppose. So yes means no. Yes.

114Okay. Any any other discussion at the roll call? Okay. Um Mr. Bailey, no. Mr. Deborah, I'm viewing this uh question as a kind of a sticky political question. So, I'm going to abstain from voting. You're going to abstain? Correct. Mr. Drew? No. Mrs. Dwire? Yes. Mr. Foody? No. Mr. Yuber? No. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. If we vote yes, we're saying that we don't want this, right? Correct. Okay. Thank you. So, what's your vote? Yes. Your vote was a yes. Okay. Yes. Um, Mr. Yuber is no. Mrs. O'Brien? No. Mr. Robbins? No. Mrs. Schulz? Yes. Okay. So, that pass. Okay. def the the result $50 million the result of that means that you know we would support a $60 million bond referendum no it means the West Milford board is not taking a position

115with regard to county free we're not opposing it we're not we're not opposing it and and and and I think that there's a lot of parents out there who would like to send their kids to PCTI yes it It has the potential to hurt the district a little bit financially by us paying to send our kids there, but I don't want to deny the right of a child who wants to get their education there. So that's that was why I voted no. Mr. Bailey, Mr. Roselli, when you vote no against the resolution, the resolution was put forth by the state county school boards association. They authored it, right? And their their position is against the freeholders. Correct. Mhm. Right. Excuse me. I'm talking to an attorney. Do I have that privilege? So when you vote

116no against the resolution, you're supporting the freeholders or voting against them. You're you're really doing neither. You're That's good enough. Yeah. Right down the middle. Okay. No more. Thank you enough. Thank you. You answered my question. Okay. Mr. Drew, would you uh continue with your report on legislative and and beyond that? I didn't see anything. I didn't spend the time that I normally do on this, but I didn't see anything that jumped out. Are you aware of anything, Barbara, that's important legislative? They're pretty quiet right now because the governor's not around. Mrs. O'Brien, that's Milford Education Foundation. Um, we will be meeting next week. Um, for the record, the Taste of the Highlands will not be taking place this year. We're replacing it with a fundraiser, but until everything is solidified, I will not be

117announcing what we're going to be doing. Um, but we've been working very hard and it should be something different, something fun, something for the community, something for our teachers to come out and have fun. So, I will be happy to even hopefully even do a PowerPoint presentation next month. Don't hold me to that. Oh, we're holding it. Oh, uh, Mr. Diver, Township Ordered Joint Committee. Thank you. Uh Jim and I both attended a committee meeting with uh town council members Michelle Dale and Lucy Narino. We discussed the Hillrest building, some maintenance concerns surrounding the property in the building. Um we also briefly discussed the Walsh property and um I have spoken with Barbara on a few of the questions that were raised at this time. Uh that's that's all information. I think the the rest

118will discussed with the board in executive session. Um there were a bunch of things brought up by um by the township and I I won't go into it at this time, but um will be addressed. All right. Uh old business. Anything under old business before I move forward? It's 9:30. Yeah. I would like to give us another 15 minutes. Hopefully, we only use five. Uh to 9:45. I second it. All in favor? I thank you. Mrs. Schultz, old business. I'm just wondering, Barbara, if you have an update on PK as a polling place while schools are in session. That's right. Say that again. I didn't update on Paradise Nol as a polling place while schools are in session. I I did speak to um the township administrator and she said that that's not possible. Well,

119it's not possible. We cannot change the falling district. It has to stay as it is. There's a there's a first a house there though. I don't understand. I'm sorry. What? There's a first aid building there and I don't believe it's uh accessible ADA and um there would be I'll ask her to put it in writing but she said it's not possible. Okay. I think you should get it right in. Anything else under old business? Seeing none like to close old business. Second. Thank you. All in favor? I I opposed. All right. What is this? M Mr. De I have a couple things I wanted to bring uh to everybody's attention. Uh back in January 5th on the uh board reorganization resolutions. If we go down to resolution one, it sets forth the um the times

120of the meetings commencing at 7:30 p.m. to end at 11. I would like to make a motion to revise that to say 7:30 to 10 and keep us on track and get us out a little bit earlier. It's probably helpful to staff. It's helpful to other people who have jobs where they have to get up very early in the morning. Um I know there's times that we'll run later than that and we can always make an adjustment on that time, but I would just like to put it forth a resolution to amend that from 11:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. if possible. We're half an hour out right now from 10 p.m. So, we'll probably have to extend tonight's meeting, but for both meetings, both types, or just regular or Yes, please. I just need a

121second. Anybody second discussion? I don't think it's Can we Can we start at seven? Miss, I'm sorry. Miss O'Brien. Miss I I threw my voice out. I came out of her. That's what exactly I was going to say. Can we start it? So, it it it's, you know, I mean, some of us I wake up at 5 in the morning, and I know a lot of you are up early, too. It's just I I like to stay through the whole meeting. I I hate to leave, but I have to leave because I have to get up at 5. And I just think if we can make it a little earlier, give us a little leeway. I mean, that's my opinion. You raise your hand. I I was just going to say if we amend it

122to seven, we have to readvertise in the paper. If we just change the one part to 10, we don't have to readvertise. So that's it's up to the board. It's just one something to think about. Okay. Thanks. When you say readvertise, we still have to send our meeting list out right now. The entire list is at 7:30, right? Do we want to make that change or do we want to leave it as from 7:30 discussion? I have a question. What if we're not done with the business on the agenda? We extend just like we do when we just I think it's a guideline. It's supposed to be used as a guideline. Right now it says we end at 11, but under no circumstances are we supposed to go past 12. Yeah. Um so you know

123in between there's an hour right there. So the board really it's a guideline for the board. I think Mr. De just wants to move that down to 10. If we have to go over it's just a question for the board is to make a motion to extend. It's it's like putting the date on a calendar to meet somebody that if the date is on the calendar, you're conscious about it. If I if we amend this to 10, we'll all be conscious about streamlining our meeting so we can try to meet the 10:00 deadline if possible for the consideration of staff and board members and public and for the people watching on TV so they can get Mr. Question. If we're in executive session, do we have to leave executive session, come out to make a

124motion to extend, and then go back in? technically, yes. But if we're going into executive session at 9:59, we'll know that we just need to do it anyway or at 9:45 or 9:30. And um but yes, the answer is yes. Okay. Any other discussion? Right. You want to vote on it? You want to vote? There's a motion. So, it's got to It's got to be a roll call. Mr. Bailey. Yes. Mr. De? Yes. Mr. Drew. Uh, pass. I want to think about it. Mrs. Dwire. Yes. Mr. Foody. I'm going to abstain. Mr. Yuber, I think we're going to be making lots of motions to extend, so I'm going to say no. Miss O'Brien. Yes. Please. Mr. Robbins? Yes. Mrs. Schulz? Sure. Yes. Mr. Drew. All in your report. No. Motion carries. All right. So that

125justice will be amended to 10:00. We have an item hand carry. I know Mr. Rashika spoke about it, but we didn't vote on it. It's a voice. Okay. Thank you. Nothing. I'll second it. Go ahead, Jamie. One more item in new business. I just wanted for the board's consideration. Uh we spoke last um meeting about Ponium. Um the auditors had brought to everyone's attention that uh we moved 100 I believe it was 135,000 to float Ponium along. Um we've had them for a few No, not to float that to float the district to float. Right. They're not turning a profit is what I'm trying to say. They're not breaking even on anything. Right. Is is this a there's a question in my mind to say, can we do something better than Ponton? I mean, when

126we had um lunch people working that lived in our town and worked in our town and cared for those kids, I felt more comfortable about having people that I know rather than outsourcing. I'm I'm against outsourcing. I'm against uh sending I understand that they're now employed by Pmptonium, but I don't like the idea of it. And I just wanted to bring to the board's attention that maybe we can do this cheaper or at least look into it that we can do this a little more cost effectively yet still generating jobs within the town for those lunch people for those ladies and gentlemen that work as lunch people. We pay their salaries. Correct. Not telling you the cafeteria. We have people that are still district employees. Yes. Mhm. And we also have um Pmptonian employees working

127um Pontonian we we pay all of the costs of the cafeteria. I can tell you that uh we did have a discussion that we have to do an RFP for a food service provider because they've been in place for five years and that's the maximum. So, I'm just waiting for direction from the state in order to do an RFP. However, if we hired our own people, the cost was significant. We've um whittleled down our we've reduced our personnel costs and we're still um not turning a profit. My question is when you say the costs are significant, did we lose more money when we ran it or did we lose less? We had more people just the money that's and we had more students. Understood. And um we were it was before um the new rules

128came from the White House on the I know the whole lunch menus and healthy meals. So um there it there were different I can't say that we don't know yet. No, we we did not lose as much money. However, we had more students buying lunch at the time. Understood. So, you're not you're saying it's not apples to apples. More oranges to oranges, right? I just I'm bringing it to the board's attention. It's true. I'm bringing it to the board's attention because again, I like people who work in our town and live in our town and deal with our kids. We're towns people's kids rather than outsourcing. This is something that's going to be on the budget and finance agenda for February because there will be a resolution on the agenda in February to allow me

129to go out for an RFP. So, this is something that's going to be discussed in budget and finance. Thank you. Any other new business? Yes, we have a first and a second on the hand carry and we didn't vote on it. We didn't have a first and second. Yeah, we did. And I seconded it and Terry seconded it here, man. He did a joke. So, um, you know, we're I caught that one. Did you roll in there? Okay. All right. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. Anything else in new business? I do. This is I promise this is my last question. the um I asked Barbara to send me the the LGBT policy. Um has that been accepted by the board or is that still We don't I don't believe it. We don't have

130it. We didn't review it yet. No. Oh, that that should be reviewed very very soon. I have requested materials on that and ready for the policy committee. Oh, good. because of what's going on in the state. I thought, you know, Mr. Bale, you had your hand up. Yes, I did. I want the record noted as usual. The biggest snowstorm in a generation in here over the weekend. True. Tremendous timing. Saturday midnight, the moon was out, the snow was over. There's no school on Sunday. Nonetheless, as I was circulating around observing because of my close proximity to the, you know, complex here, tremendous work, everybody doing their thing, going through whatever steps it took to make sure that this district was ready to roll on Monday morning, which it was. And there's so much that goes

131on in these board meetings. I know I don't think I know at this point that we miss these types of items which have are of tremendous importance because you have our employees who by by and large are citizens of this town. So therefore they're our neighbors. We're all the same peas in the pot fighting these little battles when it comes to mundane tasks like clearing snow. custodians shoveling little walkways, salting walkways, all in essence throwing their arms around every student, every staff member, every parent, every anybody that interacts and uses our buildings and our facilities on a typical school day. So, it's not as dramatic and it was as intense as a Monday into a Tuesday, but it was a major major snowstorm. The region is still digging out. We're all a gasast every day.

132There's a story about crazy things happening with tailpipes not being cleared, etc. And what goes on here day in day out, I want the record noted. Um, I can't imagine anybody on this board that wouldn't be following my lead, but nonetheless, I want put it in the paper. Put it anywhere you want. my gratitude as well as that of my fellow colleagues, I hope for a job well done. One other personal side, I'm going to go off the uh grid a little bit and recognize our township employees who are responsible for having the roads ready to go on Sunday. And as I was riding around, the roads in West Milford literally in the overnight period sat um Sunday midnight into Sunday morning were clear. They were black. I could see asphalt, my favorite site. As

133I went into other jurisdictions, and I'm not gonna mention because I'm not looking to pick a fight, the roads were white. So, in other words, this is a shout out to our township employees for a job well done. Because even though we're used to snow and dramatic weather here in West Milford, the fact of the matter remains, I want the record noted for a job well done because this was the blizzard of 2016. We'll probably be be talking about it until the day we check out. Mr. I'm sorry. This is from I just want to thank Mr. Bailey for for bringing that out because that really is a good recogn thing to recognize. I happen to be out very early on Sunday morning with the scouts and he's absolutely correct. They everything was completely cleaned

134up the night before and there's a lot of towns in the area that couldn't manage to get schools open on Monday and we were open. So, and no delayed opening. No delay opening. Mr. Aika, can you write a letter? Um, I I already did. I just This is actually a minute business. I just concur with Mr. Bailey. Most definitely. That was wonderful. I made some calls here during the day. Uh and by the evening around 6 or 7:00 or so, my final phone call with uh Charl Charlie Maisy from the transportation and Eric Sanvi from maintenance and a couple of conversations. Uh I made the decision to open the schools on time based on the information they shared with me. Uh it was a plan that we discussed on Friday, the whatifs and uh they

135followed through exactly as planned. I can't say you know there was actually from the town as well, but I know that our people did an excellent job. I wrote to both of them said, "Share the email with the entire staff from both departments for making this possible. I can tell you that I received at least five phone calls on Sunday night from other superintendents in other areas saying, "When are you putting up your delayed opening or your closure?" And I said, "I'm not." And they thought I was crazy, but uh a lot of people think that, but anyway, it's just a matter of uh just a matter of getting the the job done the right way, and it happened. So, I'm very happy that it did. So, thanks for pointing that out, General. I appreciate

136that. Um, while I'm on here, can I just uh continue here? Also, I just want to go through you received your school board notes. I just want to point out to a couple of things real quick. The assessment study commission uh again put together by our governor and the uh New Jersey Department of Education. The commission recommends that the continuing and the use of the park test as a state assessment. That's definite. They want that to continue. test the group found that the necessary criteria and it can be used for a tool to improve classroom instruction so on and so forth. Also at the high school graduation requirements there is a requirement in the state that students must take a test. Uh so that will take place in 2019 uh where this will be mandated

137for the students to take this test as part of their graduation requirement just as the HESPA was in the past. Uh so that's I can tell you there's no movement on that unfortunately or fortunately whatever the case may be but the test is still here on the standards committee also put together by Governor Christie uh he decided a few months ago that now he does not support common core so therefore the school boards had to meet again and at the state board of education meeting on January 11th the academic standards review committee released its recommendation for proposal revisions to the standards. The new standards will remain uh to be called, I'm sorry, renamed as the New Jersey student learning standards. New Jersey has embraced standards based on education for two decades and those standards have

138been continuously revised and improved. Um that's according to the president, Dr. Feinol. We welcome this initiative to revise the standards with the goal of better preparing our students for higher education in the workplace and in the workplace. Uh the next part is the new standards will be substantially the same as the common core standards. Kimberly Harrington, NJOE's chief academic officer noted at the meeting that the state was not looking to develop a whole new set of standards but simply to improve upon the existing ones. Um uh also I want to point out to you that there was some concerns that many board members were not able to attend a number of the uh programs that they had back at uh in October. So, they're putting together a New Jersey school board's uh boot camp where

139you will be able to take some of these courses. Uh it will take place on February 27th, which is a Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. at the Princeton Marriott. You can go there and spend the day and have your spouse meet you for dinner or make a nice day out of it. Uh but they will be issuing credits and everything else that you need. So, there are a uh a nice list of programs and courses that you can take if you want to on on that date. And finally, on this uh information, 27th the school board's technology conference they're actually having a conference on March 3rd uh that will be a full day conference as well and that is the again Princeton Marriott hotel and conference center so uh if you're interested in

140technology and uh you want to see some of the proposals they have here and equipment that's the date March 3rd which is a Saturday as well I also wanted to share with you sorry I also wanted to share with you the uh New Jersey education broadcast today that I received mentioned that there were uh 20 bomb scares in 11 school districts over the last two weeks. It's an epidemic. Um and we've had our our own share of that. I could say honestly that the last uh lockdown that we did the stay in place that we had here was not a bomb scare. It was a totally different situation and we have plenty of time to investigate it and the uh school administrators at the high school did an investigation and we were able to rectify

141that problem and therefore we did not leave the building. So I know there's some chatter out there about different scenarios. Bottom line is it was not a bomb scare. I just want everybody to know that but we are concerned uh with the number of either students uh creating these situations or these rooc calls that are coming in and everything else. So we will with the safety committee continue to review our plans and make sure that we're in safer place as possible. Thank you. Yeah. One second. Jamie um like to extend uh the meeting for another 10 minutes. Second till uh 10:00 before we go into executive session. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you. Mr. De uh just wanted to comment quick about the park testing. It's it's very troubling, almost appalling that, you

142know, 35 to 40% of the people out there, parents and students, said we're not going to do this, yet the state's not listening. It would be amazing if we can get 35 to 40% of anybody to agree on something. Um, you mentioned that in 2019 park testing will be mandatory. So this year, next year, 2018, I guess there'll still be refusals out there for the population unless unless there's some kind of a change or and they can come up. You know, I I don't know the answer to that, but um certainly I think if it lasts that long, maybe there will be modifications that will address the issues that people have. It's a shame. It's disgusting. So Mr. Yuber, you had your Yes. Um, since our meeting time now ends at 10, I'll make a

143motion to extend. I think that we have an unusual amount of stuff for the executive session. Am I right? We have a bunch. I'll move to extend to 11:30. The meeting. Yeah. Okay. Second. Do we have a second? I'll make There won't be an executive. Yeah. I'll I'll make I'll make the second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All opposed? Nay. Should I do a roll call? Okay. We have to have it. It's just we got to try and stream, right? Can't we move it to the next meeting? Well, no, because there's one extend to 11:30. Can we be quick, Mr. Bailey? No, I hope so. Mr. De? Yes, because maybe we can get it done earlier than 11:30. Mr. Drew, yes. Mrs. SWire. Yes, Mr. Foody. To extend to 11:30. Yes. Mr. Yuber. Yes.

144Mob O'Brien. No. Mr. Robbins? No. Mr. Schultz? No, definitely. I just point of privilege. Uh, you know, if people just start walking out on these meetings, the meeting is over. I mean, once once enough board members say that's it, that's it. So, that's it. Can we go into executive session? All right. Any other new business? Mr. Buden or Dr. Buden, I'm sorry. All right. I just wanted to um take this opportunity. This is my last board meeting while I'm in West Milford and I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everybody for making the last two years really very enjoyable opportunity for me. It's been a real privilege for me to work here and uh uh especially privilege to work with Dr. McUade and kind of quote unquote mentoring her for the last year

145until she took over in October. And I found that to be a great great uh opportunity for me because I usually don't get to work hand in hand with the people who s uh succeed me. This is my fifth interim and so uh I usually just meet for a few hours in between and then I move on. So this was a great opportunity. It's been a very big privilege for me to work here. Um those of you who have been singular to a district for a long time sometimes don't see it like the way I do. This is my ninth school district and uh if pension rules allowed, I would be petitioning Dr. McQuade to let me stay on for a little bit longer. But so it is I can't stay. But um it's a

146wonderful wonderful place to work. And I think the thing that makes this place so unique, excuse me, is is the discreet core. No one ever says it's not my job. No one ever says no. They all work together to find solutions. So once again, thank you very very much for this opportunity. I wish you all all the best of luck. Particularly thanks to Tony and Dan and Barbin and Liz. Um and uh and I I've made some good strong professional personal relationships here that I hope to continue and I really do wish you all the very best of luck. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] And Dr. Burden, we would like to thank you too because you have been an incredible mentor for me, but also for the district and for the students. You've always put

147them first. So I really appreciate that work as well and I and I know that the board does as well. We like you so much. We'd love to have you stay grant us if it's if he would. I'm just six numbers away. Good luck in your new district and thank you Dr. Barud. I'm just six numbers away. Any other new business? Seeing none, like to close new business. Second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. 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 5 minutes per petitioner will be allowed until the 30 minute period transpires while speakers are asked to give their full name spell

148their last name and provide their address. Speakers may not use the names of students during petitions and requests. I see a hand up in the back there. Mr. side wits. First, I am so sorry. Uh, I just can't keep my mouth shut. Will settle at 694 Lakeshore Drive. Um, I'd like to revert to Mr. Robin's statements uh during the siding replacement discussion. He asked if there was a prioritized list and um I'd also like to make note of Mr. Bailey's concern of micromanaging. However, I think it's fair to to wonder if the building and ground supervisor has a prioritized list that could be provided for board members. That way, it just is kind of out there. That way, that won't be an issue to come up again. Um and also in terms of the the

149budget itself, I think the crux of any bure bureaucratic problem is personnel liabilities from federal to district school districts. That's just my two cents. Thank you very much. Thank you. Will anybody else like to speak? Seeing none, like to close petitions and requests. Second, all in favor? I. Any opposed? Miss O'Brien. Mrs. O'Brien, would you read the resolution for executive session, please? Sure. At 9:57 p.m., I'd like to make a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the superintendent search, personnel negotiations, matters of attorney client privilege, as well as the Wallace estates, and a student matters. Second. Okay. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. We will retire into executive session. Are we going in the back room? Yeah. Neither one of these two. Okay. Business to vote on and discuss.

150I'd like to u make motion to adjurnn. Thank you. Second. All I Anybody Anybody opposed? No, no. The meeting is officially adjourned. 11:25. We're in a meeting tomorrow night. Did Debbie already? Yeah. And Terry, before you go, can you give me five minutes scheduled for 6:15? No, of course. Tell you guys, how do we leave off with Joe? What do we do? We didn't have a quorum to do. We have five people. Um, you said something about meeting you guys. I can't count. Yeah, I'd like to We'll meet with you first. You want you guys I wasn't counting Steve. Steve already. We're going to be at 6, but will you guys come in at 5:30? Sure. And we'll just real quick discuss the You want Do you want us to talk to them first? Right.

151Yeah. Talk to them first and we can And then you guys can come. Yeah. All right. So, we're coming in. Are we coming in at 5:30? Yeah. Not tomorrow. We come in at 6:00. If you need to come in at 5:30, we'll do it Thursday. You're bringing sandwiches? Oh, sandwiches. Is there going to be something to eat? Sandwiches. All right, I'll come right back. Peanut butter and jelly. What kind of cookies? I don't care. I don't care. As long as my sauce is not rumb I don't need any cookies.