001I would like to call this meeting to order. This is a regular session of the boot township board of education held for the purpose of transacting appropriate board business. Compliance with chapter 23 231 1975. Notice of this meeting was advertised in the March 9 daily record. Copies of the meeting were appropriately posted and made available to the public. >> Mr. Bora >> here. >> Mr. Brander >> here. >> Mrs. Cabana >> here. >> Mr. Chen >> here. >> Mrs. Herman >> here. >> Mr. Johnson >> here. >> Mrs. McBride >> here. >> Mr. Mills >> here. Mrs. No wicket here. [clears throat] >> Also present, Mr. Foutini, superintendent principal. We have a quum. >> Thank you. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America
002and the republic for its indivisible. Before we move forward, I wanted to take a moment to remember Miguel Castro, who recently passed away. I want to pass my condolences to his family. I had the pleasure of knowing Miguel for over 17 years. He was always hardworking and has long made our school a great place. I would see Miguel before and after almost every board meeting. He was always friendly and had a smile on his face. After bidding him good night every after every meeting, I had a smile, too. Tonight, I I would have wished Miguel a merry Christmas. So, I'd like to end with Merry Christmas, Miguel. And I'd like to move on to presentations. Um, our report on the Rockwood Valley Schools submission to the state student safety system. >> Unfortunately, this is [clears
003throat] more sick shocker. >> Right. That brings us to the report who was not able to make it this evening. Uh but she did pass along uh a a brief report. She basic she she said the band and choir did a fantastic job at their holiday concerts and that the drama department is beginning their work for the end the musical Frozen of the upcoming year and she wishes everyone happy holiday. And that brings us to board this motions one and two. Motion please. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any questions, comments or discussion? If not, questions on the adoption of work. This is motions one and two. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say no. Any abstensions? And that brings us to administrator reports. Uh starting with the business
004administrator report secretary for Mr. Murray. Okay. Thank you, Mr. R. You skip [clears throat] one step ahead of me. [laughter] >> Well, stealing thunder because we had a finance committee meeting prior to this meeting. >> Yeah. >> So, we discussed it. So, that's why they have their copies. >> Um, basically, um, I guess I'll start the report out with we had a recent snowstorm. the uh the custodial staff that you know sculpting crew that we have with Al Miguel did an excellent job keeping it clear. The township with our shared service agreement has the plowing of the lots and we get the sidewalks take care of all the fire exits and so forth. So they did a great job. Now this part is very preliminary because it is early on in the game. Um but
005we met with the finance committee we discussed a number of things agenda items. I'll I'll save that for Mr. Chen but we uh we discussed preliminary budget. So, what I'll do is I've handed you a PowerPoint. I'm not going to do any other kind of presentation. We'll go through this. You've seen a lot of it before. I'll talk about some of the slides that have changed. It will be up on the district's website tomorrow. So, you know, when we do put a budget together, we always look at the district goals. They always appear on our agenda. People know we can see those. So, in putting a budget together, we always make sure we have those goals in mind. Budgetary goals. Again, you can see those. I won't read them all, but you know, you're looking
006at maintaining your class sizes through programs um while keeping the uh the taxes as low as possible. Again, maintaining class size, looking at your facility maintenance, improvement needs, and again looking at your technology replacement plan considerations, you know, district goals, you look at your enrollment, you look at staffing, revenues. Putin Township has a very limit as far as revenue resources. We have the majority is your tax levy. Then you look at the state aid which is roughly about 5% and then a small amount for the prepaid program tuition. Look at the capital needs and so forth. Health benefits cost our send receive relationship and tuition to Mount Lakes and out of district placements. So looking at our budget assumptions again these are early numbers they may change. Um, we're looking at anticipated increase in enrollment
007for RBS in concert with the 2022 demographic study. So, we're sort of in line with that. Um, Mountain Lakes, currently we have 184 students at 1999 per student and next year again as preliminary projecting about 187 uh students at 20,598. It's a three student increase. Again, as we go through this, as I have discussions with Mountain Lakes, the number could be refined. It probably will be status quo. State aid funding because of the new governor. Um, when there's a governor change, you generally they will release state aid at the end of February. With the new governor change, it could be delayed um just because they have an opportunity to look at the budgets and see where the previous one is and what the proposed one is. 2% cap anticipating benefits. You've seen in the paper
008with the state health benefits going up 30%, you know, as much as 30%. We're in a private plan and we've been able to mitigate over the years, good experience. We're in a pool of over 150 um other districts with 150 or less employees. So, we're a small select group. The BTA contract expires in 2028, so we know what those increases are going to be. We're not anticipating any additional staff, and I'll get into that a little bit later. Um and right at this point we don't have any known uh retirements coming up. Uh if you look at page five which is the enrollment currently by sections we have students at RBS. Uh if you roll everybody down anticipating that you have a kindergarten class the size of the one that came in this year which
009was sort of unexpected. Got quite a few more than we expected. That was 56 this year. Um, I'm anticipating 50 again as we get closer and you really don't know till August after the budget set. So, if you're looking at the demographics in those those birth rates, I think 50 is a good number. I may want to adjust that a little bit more. So, you're looking at about 523 students next year. And this slide on page six, I've added a line at the bottom, but currently have 13 out of this placement for special education. projecting 15 that could go up after my conversations with our special ed director. Currently have four placements that are individual placements over $100,000. Summer one is approaching almost 200,000 one child and we have no students aging out which is
010the age out of 21. So we have a number of these students that uh that will be here for a few more years. again have transportation costs, instructional [clears throat] aids, and other costs related. Um, and we have our prek program. So, if you look at the enrollment history, I've done it since 1718. The new line that I added was vote because it's something kind of unique has happened for the last couple of years. Generally, you will have uh our smaller classes now rolling up to the high school. Some of the smaller classes are up there now in the n eighth grade going into ninth. A couple more years will be even smaller and then it starts growing again. But the votech is the phenomenon that uh if you look at that history from 1718
011we have three full-time students and and four part- timerrs. I think as you roll the calendar forward we're up to 13 full-time students and four part-time sharetime students projecting about 16. So we have four seniors that are rolling off and then if they're replaced by freshman they're running some good programs over there. So why that matters is that we were pretty I I say pretty close on target with Mountain Lakes enrollment projections. This year we budgeted for 190. We're at 184. So last few years we've been in within five or six students, but again this year because of the vote, they're no longer we're no longer paying with tuition to Lake. So that dropped a couple more students. Again, I think we're going to budget conservatively for next year. But if that trend continues, um,
012you know, you're probably going to see more more children going to the vote. And that that tuition there is about 10 a little over $10,000 per student. Um, I mentioned staffing. If you look at page seven, no anticipated additions to the staff. Um, so even with the enrollment increase, we were able to swerve that. Uh, if you look at page eight, we've talked about this in the past, the roof projects. Each summer, we've been doing those. I did one in 2022, 2023, 2025. Total is about $2.4 million. We pulled that money out of capital reserve. So there was no tax impact for that. However, in 2024, there was no roof project. Remember, we included it in the referendum. Referendum failed. It it delayed us until 2025 to do that roof. So, you know, rolling forward,
013we did about 40 we have total about 68,000 square feet in in roofs. We completed about 72% of 40 a little over 48,000. We have about 19,000 remaining. So, again, you know, you've heard me talk about the the upper gen the leaks. We've been we have a great program for patching those, but again, as you patch them, other leaks pop up. So, that sort of is our priority roof. If yeah, I sort of had to have a decision. I think going forward, I'll make some recommendations. But if you look at a summer 2026 program, the way we've been doing it, you won't get state aid. You won't roll it out over a 20-year period. However, you'll be addressing the roof. So, if you include it in a referendum, again, I'm not making a decision for
014the board. I'm just advising you that if it's included in a referendum and it passes, you probably won't be doing a roof till 2027. So, now we continue to patch. Maybe that's not going to be good enough, but that roof is over, it's probably 25 years old. It's a little over 20 years old. So again, I'll be coming back with some other re recommendations. So the good thing is if we decide to budget from capital reserve, we can pull that money from capital reserve, put into the budget for roof. If we decide not to do the roof, at the end of the year, rolls back into capital reserve. So you have to spend it. Okay? But it's a good it's good to have it if you decide to move forward or does some planning. We
015have the architects to do the drawings and we possibly could do a 2026 roof. >> Do you think you put the amount for the 4,000 reserve or you not? >> Well, I have again have to have discussions with the architect and and the roofer. We've been doing a great job going through one of the co-ops getting pricing. So, right now I'm doing some exploratory to see what these roofs would cost. As you know, we've talked about the cost skyrocketed after co in and supply chain. So, a roof that we did this past summer for 800 what 900 some odd thousand probably would have been 400,000 three or four years ago. >> Should we get working on it then instead of waiting I know against day but I don't know if that offsets the increase in
016cost or three two years from now. Well, again, again, I'll I'll make some recommendations, but as we go in through finance and through facilities that uh you know, right now at this point, can we get another year? It's 2027 for a roof. I'm going to say, you know, that that roof is continuing to leak and you're just bandating. So, you know, again, would I make a recommendation just to do 2100 square feet? Probably not. You want to do get more bang for your buck, get a bigger project. So we could either do, you know, a big portion of that 19,000 square ft or some some fraction of that. So more more to come later. Um again, in the referendum planning board has made no decisions at this time. It's all in the exploratory stages. It's
017in committee. Um Mr. Fatini has had a number of community contacts either through his meetings, through community connections. see that on page nine. A referendum survey ad hoc committee was established and meeting with the architect. The architect has gone to faculty meetings, has met the students, has has been to the community connections. So, we're doing the exploratory to find out maybe there's something we didn't think about. Maybe there's something that we can put into the planning process to help the board make make a decision whether they want to move forward with something. Again, nothing's been decided on now, but um the architects have laid out a plan as you have certain timelines. We have to get permits and I'm sorry, but plans to the state. They're working on about 6 months, six to seven months
018by the time things get down there and you get something back. Um again that process uh we're getting no decisions but we originally thinking about March of 2026 from preliminary discussions then kicking it back a little further to November give the new board a chance to you know come up to speed on some things right now again it's just for planning purposes November of 2026 that would that would fit into the calendar of approvals and state approvals and all So again that's all preliminary and the budget timeline again as I mentioned this is the last slide um state a notification which is a key piece if there are state aid cuts that we receive we'll be having a different conversation right now I'm looking at status quo that's how I was trying to budget status
019quo on state aid but planning for in case um the budget that we have that's lean you know 70% 60 to 70% of your budget is salary benefit Then you have out of district tuition, your Matt Rex tuition. So when you're looking at a cut, you're looking at staff because you can cut all the supplies out of teaching supplies. You're not going to sustain $100,000 cut or something that might come from the state. So more to come when we have more information and I get a lot of information back from my contractors, my professional health benefits. So January we'll be meeting again administration faculty. The budgets are due back just before the break. So, I'll see all the different departments in in grade levels what they're asking for. Then I'll try to fit it in
020in January because between January and the end of February is when the board has to make a decision to approve a budget to submit to the county. Then it's a quick time frame March budget approval and then the hearing public hearing is in February. questions answer question about I looking at the picture I completely appreciate the way he tackled it over the fact like the years that like the classrooms are covered and so now we're down to like the big gym art room right trying to get all the classroom now >> right so I mean well done on that and uh I was just wondering where the active leaks are. I know the big gem has issues, but like >> how much is it disturbing education? >> Right now, we tackled all those areas and
021part of that plan was, you know, if you have children in classrooms, they have to study. They could be worried about cans that were on desks and we've tackled all that with new rooms, >> right? >> And a major part was the hallway. So what we have left if you look at the picture is the gym which continues the lake after we patch it stops for until the next heavy rain and the 20 buckets. >> So that is and then with with the other pictures there's the hallway. So we're really down to common areas and not classes that disrupt teaching and radio call that says can you bring some buckets in the room? The most significant leaks are in the large. >> Not the choir or like I'm like worried about it like hurting and
022putting in. >> No, those are good. >> But but they're still the roofs are old. >> Yeah. >> The gravity vent, too. Or is the I thought >> No, we did all the gravity. >> The gravity. I thought the gravity vent was causing the leaks. No, it's actually No, the gravity vents are in the hallway. We really We had some leaks in the hallway, but uh >> maybe it was the lip on the air conditioning or something. >> That was in That's in the upper tube. >> Oh, that's in the upper tube. So, but uh and the strange thing I don't want to devote, you know, too much time to it, but the strange that's a pitched roof, >> which you see a flat roof and and your your insulation is all pitched towards the
023drains and so forth, but in there, it's a pitched roof, metal roof, and if a leak starts here, it could travel along the corrugated metal and end up over here. >> So, when you attack here, it might not solve the problem. So, we've got to replace that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. That brings us to the superintendent report, Mr. Thank you very much. Uh I want to give a shout out to Dr. Steven from Memphis Superintendent for joining us on Saturday for our play date between our K4 students. Both towns showed up in force. Uh we had hot chocolate and snacks thanks to the HSA. Um and parents showed up and we had a really good time with the kids. Turned out to be a very nice day after all. We had a little bit
024of snow, but everybody enjoyed it. And then on December 3rd, Mount Lakes had their open house for our eighth graders and it was well attended and everybody came back and gave very positive reports to have a good time. Our de on December 4th, we had a winter fest here from the student council for grades five and six. It was an evening event. Again, we had a lot of good time. Kids showed up. Parents had a good time and um even some staff members stuck around for fun. Uh just yesterday on Tuesday, December 16th, um the ambassadors that I have here, um Hannah Egan, Jane Prediger, Leila Burns, Shanti Star, Celia Shrager, Anthony Perico, Dominick Barco, and Justin PCH were all ambassadors that attended the um the hunger and homeless summit at St. Paul Prep with
025other ambassadors from other districts and we're partnering. This is the first step in partnering with another [clears throat] district, school number two in Patterson, where we're going to do other service learning projects and also visit each other's schools. In the past, uh last year, especially when I first came on, I noticed that the teachers needed or uh we felt that they needed some gelium training, some multiensory approach training. So, we implemented that using some of the pressure from the budget money that was left over. And this year, you'll see on our report, we're moving forward with more OG training. And this year, we are hosting as a like a focus group or focus school where other districts are going to be sending their teachers here and the trainers going to come here. So, we don't
026have to travel anywhere. So, this again is going to be moving in a direction where we're going to be like a beacon district where other districts are going to be sending their teachers to not only get trained here, but eventually go in and have classroom labs where you're going to observe teachers doing great practice. So, we're seeing al also the fruit of our labors here. And I'll give you a little example. A short vowel assessment was given to a second grade class uh earlier in September. And then these kids who received specific OG or or Gillingham finance instruction for at least part of their first grade year scored 11 out of 15. That was really good. um they they scored 11 uh 11 out of 11 out of 15 students, my apologies, 11 out of
02715 students scored above the benchmark and the ones who scored lower than the benchmark mostly had non vowel errors and letter reversals which is not connected to their OG training. And then we compared that to a group of third graders who never received OG training or a systematic approach to phonics and less than 20% of those that took the short vowel assessment scored above the benchmark. However, then we started implementing some support services with our OG training support teachers and that increased to 92.3%. So going from four out of 13 to 12 out of 13 students meeting benchmark assessment numbers which is I think about 300% improvement improvement in decoding fluency and automaticity ultimately leads to kids not struggling for reading and then they can focus on comprehension. So we're we're moving in the right
028direction as far as overall. Any questions? >> Sounds very good. >> So then that takes me to some of the other things that Mr. Nur said about the possibility or the exploratory phrase of the referendum. I've been expressing some of the needs for the district as a whole, whether it's the building or programs, and we've met with architects. We've met with community members. Some of the things that we've done in the past, I'm going to read some community connections. For example, uh in September, we had four community connections. October we had three or four. November we had four and December we had five. Yeah, that's five. Um so moving and we did the survey. We had the architect come in and speak with people in the community connection faculty and also students. So that's where
029we currently are talking about things that we might possibly do to help get the word out about the needs for the district such as videos and school tours which we've done already. Possibly having uh some type of mailing and developing a website where we're going to house all of our information. We did have uh our first ad hoc committee. I sent it out in a survey if anybody was interested and we I sent it out to about 13 people. Seven people uh responded positively, four did not and uh two declined. Moving forward, we're going to be continuing having more community connections. There are going to be several in January and there's a [clears throat] parent letter that's going or community letter rather going out tomorrow. I have it right here which is also going to
030include two live stream sessions where parents and community members all can join in on Google meet and connected with that is also a Google doc or a form where parents can or community members can enter in questions or topics in advance of these so that we can answer them but they'll also still have an opportunity to write questions in the chat box and then some a liaison will be working with me to ask me the questions. in real time so that I can talk with the community as they're coming up with some topics that we need to discuss or have some questions about specific topics that we're discussing during that live session. Among those live sessions within the month of January, we have uh three other community connection meetings and I'm reopening the survey for
031those um for those parents and community members that would like to add on to those uh those in that comm uh that survey. Sorry. uh that this letter right not that letter this letter that has those dates on it is also going to be posted this Friday in the township newsletter. So I'm encouraging all community members to join us for those community connections and that's all I have. >> Great. Thank you very much. And that brings us to the student attendance reports September October and also the staff attendance report which you all had a chance to read. And that brings us to accommodations. Mr. Thank you very much. Once again, uh, our commendations for Falcons of the Month for December, I'd like to congratulate fifth grader Kale Dusa, sixth grader David Brooks, seventh grader Max
032Monell, and eighth grader Patrick Trinowski. In fourth grade, they have Flying High award for November. This certificate is awarded each month to recognize students who display a variety of outstanding character and or achievements within the classroom. Congratulations to Evelyn Chen, Willa Hansen, Thomas Seneri, Kendall Luchiano, and congratulations to our RBS Falcons that were quite soaring for the month of November. The entire kindergarten class for Mrs. Olsen and Mrs. school. Lucas Brown, Giovani Chihari, Byron Marowitz, Izzy Rachel, [clears throat] Ezra Havens, Declan Velasquez, Stone Papa, and Leo. And for a spotlight on student work, this is exemplary work by students in preschool to third grade, which are displayed in the lobby on a monthly basis. For preK, Maddie Brian and Sienna Teodoro. Kindergarten, Cole Nichi, Giovana Gaglio, John Michael Becker, Shane Constantino, Ellis Loraca, and Grace
033Law. First graders, Giana Maselino, Evelyn Matthew, Claire Kenny, and Hannah Wickham. Second graders, Wesley Ishmail, Kamaya Hopkins, and third graders, Hunter Blander, and Declan Hentino. I'd also like to shout give a shout out to our music teachers, Mrs. Bartell and Mrs. Colart for our awesome uh concerts they put that they put on, especially those students who participated. And I'd like to make accommodation for Josie Chen B. Hinger for their acceptance into North Jersey Area Band on December 6th and accommodation for Rehea Emis in seventh grade for acceptance into the North Jersey Area Honor Choir on November 24th. and the uh music teachers would like to say if they're excuse me [clears throat] very lucky to have such wonderful and talented musicians and I believe that is the end of my accommodations >> question kindergarten classes
034that >> oh that would be Mrs. morning rush. She told me that they were walking down the hallway and maybe they behaved a certain way in the cafeteria and they've been really sore [laughter] >> the whole class. >> Thank you very much. And that brings us to correspondence one also had a chance to read and we now come to open session number one. The first public comment period will be li limited to agenda items only. The second public comment period will be open to any topic. Please be mindful that public comment periods are available to enable the public to give comments and feedback to the board. Personal matters and day-to-day operations are not appropriate subjects for board meetings. These can always be most effectively resolved with the appropriate staff members or administrators according to the
035chain of command concept. Questions may be directed to the appropriate school personnel or boards through email. Please state your name and address for the record and all comments are limited to 5 minutes. Does anyone have any comments regarding the agenda items at this time? >> Thank you. Moving along, we start our VA report started. [clears throat] >> Yes, we had our meeting on Monday. Um, [clears throat] so we started off with the recognition of the girls cross country team which were reception champs. So congratulations had a good uh reception. They each got up to say something which was fantastic. Um, there was a uh report from Dr. Seagull and Mr. Ryan Dunn and facilities on the prioritization for long-term facilities plan. Um so some of the prioritizing guiding principles they looked at for students uh
036staff safety, operational necessities, educational and extracurricular enhancement and efficient fiscal management. Um so they had various priorities they ran through ranging from a new phone system security invest uh both in Lake Drive and some prior to the Wildwood um updates as well to security best fuels um Wilkins field leisure replacement high school library media center redesign high school parking lot and cliff roof replacement roofs are are a thing um repair need to be done this and there's numerous others there's actually a longer window slide they put up of different um different facilities needs over the next several years they got um there is on January 13th in the high school auditorium attendant Tom Branch is is giving uh it's open to high school students and their families on the impact of social media on students
037uh sponsored by the mountain lakes HSA um there was a curriculum committee update one talked about maybe changing uh from Navian to score uh new systems you can look at. Um some new classes are being discussed, new accounting class, principles of flight, drone operations courses and advanced CAD courses. >> Covered it [laughter] sounds like maybe >> thank you very much. And that brings us to New Jersey Schools Association. and Mars County Schoolboards Association. >> Yes, Mars County had their meeting on December 2nd. It was empowering education voices for enhanced AI learning. We literally just got the slides a couple days ago. So, I'll move those over um to our committee and school boards folder. Um and then the next one is say January February a lot more information next. It's the annual virtual meeting which
038is one of the year that's virtual. >> That's a good one. >> Thank you. I could attend this one for >> you. Uh that brings us to the Educational Services Commission of Morris County. I attended a meeting on December 10th. Um uh I would say just a routine agenda, nothing out of the ordinary on that. And guess in January, well, the boards of education appoint folks to go to representative assembly um to meet and I guess they did they do their elections board of trustees in June. They still do that but we still each year each board of education sent them some represent the assembly January and they still vote on certain things in January and Mayor Gly that brings us to the booth attachment special education parents advisory group >> as always the C
039seure that special education January 12th presentation practical tools and strategies another February 6 p.m. working children. >> Could you repeat the date of the January meeting? >> Sure. January 12. So >> it's here >> February was February. >> And you don't need to attend the first ADHD event to go to the second. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. [clears throat] And that brings us to the Men Township Education Foundation. >> So the last meeting uh was joined that meeting. Let's see. Uh couple highlights, but a couple couple highlights. Um they did get the uh aviation club with conjunction with the Mountain Lakes Foundation together so that the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders can join um aviation club. They're setting up their own and different things. It's like a full pool full
040program that the the two uh and foundations kind of joined on to try to to fund. Uh what else is there? four kids after school programming will start January 12th, same day. So, signs I think have already started. So, um those programs are starting up again. Um let's see mentioned Wonderland on December 4th. Um cool because my daughter's in seventh grade, but they are sponsoring a trip to go see the outsiders for all seventh grade kids. And then um upcoming events um bowling event in February, probably February 22nd is what they're targeting. >> Great. Thank you. >> And that brings us to Broadway Valley for the school association. >> Okie dokie. We did not have a meeting this month due to the weather, but we've had a lot going on behind the scenes. So, we
041had a holiday shop that was spearheaded by Lisa Pontia and Lori Presnavoitz, which the kids loved. Dana Egan just fulfilled the teachers and administration wish lists for the school year. We wanted to thank Mrs. Cleitz and Mrs. Narratives for organizing a holiday giving tree wish list for families in need. We had a joint playd date with Mountain Lakes. Um, as Mr. Fratini mentioned, there were over 40 kids that I counted, so it was really successful. It was really nice. kids playing snow. It was fun. And then we had a craft night with over a dozen members of the HSA in attendance. And this week we are having a joint holiday lighting tour of Booten Township. There's 12 houses registered. So we're asking you to vote on the best. There will be three prizes uh first,
042second, and third place. Sunday, December 21st at 5:30 at Leonard Park. We will have fire pits, s'mores, hot cocoa, and a few other surprises. Uh we just ask that you RSVP. So we have a number of people who are attending so we can buy stuff. So that's this Sunday. And then we This is holiday school spirit week is in full force right now at school. I think it's ugly sweater cozy Friday, but I think the kids are having fun with that. As Alicia said, we have the January 12th ADHD presentation. February 6th is the talent show and then February 26th is the Zen night. And that's what's going on for now. So, thank you. >> So, I've posted it all over social media, but I can send it to you, too, if you like to
043put it in the newsletter. But the sign up is all over social media and um school websites, but anywhere you want me to put it, I can send you the flyers. >> Great. Thank you. >> And that makes us to the township. >> Okay. A couple things to report. Benton Township Fire Department will be escorting Santa Claus around the township on Sunday, December 21st, beginning at noon time. Just a reminder, the event will begin at noon, but there's no specified times throughout the afternoon for him to be in each neighborhood. Listen for the sirens, and when you see the flashing lights, come out to say hi. Beginning on or about today, Wednesday, December 17th, Harbor Hill Road will be closed to all through traffic for utility work. The road closure will occur between Twin Hills
044Drive and Meridan Road. The detour has been established which a detour has been established which will allow all through traffic to circumvent the work zone. This road work and road closure work will occur daily Monday through Friday with the exception of 1219 through 15 during which time the utility crew will be suspending their work as to not impact holiday travelers and visitors. The road work is then scheduled to resume on January 6th and the project is expected to be complete on or about January 16th. And that concludes my report. [clears throat] >> Thank you. And lastly, that brings us to the green team. >> Yeah, green team met just last um last Friday and they've been putting a lot of energy in working with the township on the solar ordinance. They just have a new
045sold solar ordinance which um limits ground arrays for solar. You can't do it on your house. So um we wanted we worked with them to try to match that with sustainable Jersey friendly ordinance so that we could um still try to earn points from that. Um and uh so they did pass the ordinance with the prohibition of that and wind, but we'll um we're hoping that we'll be able to make modifications in the future. So looking forward to working next year on these um and uh so Sustainable Jersey also has paused their um their certifications for next year. They've extended everything a year. They're totally revamping their website. It's not political at all. Like it's great to hear. It's just it's more of like they called it like the weed and seed of like kind
046of weeding out the old actions and and updating. So it's actually a very good thing. Um, so we were due um to our bronze was up at the end of 2026 for boot township. And so we're hoping now it's 2027. So that'll give us more time and we're hoping by that point we'll be have enough points to silver. Um, and so we took some time to review some of those actions and also we're continuing to collect information on the municipal water story. So on the township e newsletter there's a survey that you could fill out. friends to fill out, but it's just helping us gauge like what what are um people's interests, concerns, like how do you feel about your drinking water? Do you know how to test it? Um do you feel that do
047you have any concerns about the recreational use of the Rapaway River? Is it safe for swimming? You know, like all kinds of things that like as waters are shared resources. Um, and we're excited to have um there's a a new teacher for the environ who runs the environmental club that teaches AP environmental science. Um, she's a new potential resident and so she's very interested in engaging with the green team and doing things. So exciting. >> Great. Thank you very much. And moving on to facilities, transportation committee. Oh, yes they have. >> Yes, they have. Um, have a meeting December 8th. Couple of items to touch on that we've been discussed so far. There is a motion later on in the meeting under finance to approve the company for soil testing and ground penetrating labor. It's
048going to be Whit Stone Associates. Um, that'll be coming up again finance on November 20th. There was a application meeting with the department of environmental protection with the architect and I believe Mr. and Mr. Murray also joined and that was just for the architect to kind of kick tire and understand some application submission questions that they had again still feedback is coming in that they wanted to have this preliminary meeting just so they understood forward. Um at our last meeting here and then we touched on it in committee [clears throat] there was a recommendation to have a board trade for referendum planning. Um I already know you reach out to Dr. Paul Panero who's our new county rep. Have you heard that? >> I've not heard that yet but although I did send it recently.
049>> Okay. >> But I will let you know you know I gave him the three dates that we believe we're having our meetings in 2026 early January. I think that'll be really key. Um when he does he'll get back to you. He has questions. You know, you're on Q& so you know some of the questions that have come up and we're still trying to wrap our heads around communications and see. Um there's also in my committee notes a listing of some important timeline dates beginning in December through November and I'll add to those as as we meet. Um, these are all of the ad hoc meetings, the community connections, our board meetings, um, dates when applications and things like that are due. So, that's all in there that you want to take a look at
050it. And we didn't decide on a meeting, uh, date yet uh, for January. So, that's TBD. Um, but that's uh, everything that we talked about. >> Great. Thank you. There are no facilities on agenda meeting. Most of the discussion was on the packet that Mr. report and most all of the finance team said one person testing and I think there is actuallyification to business thank you before we go to ask for a motion on the finance motions I would like to direct you to finance motion four where we wanted to add some numbers before introducing motion. So when you go to the attendees, the first, second, third, and fifth name should have $1,500. After that, the fourth and sixth names should have $1,750 after that. That's in the first row and first column. And then
051in the second row, last column where it says expense, where it says up to 63410 should be up should be up to each. So I just strike the up to 15,000 and 634 the right top. Just strike those out. Okay. >> We'll replace them with >> great. >> Okay. So I can defeat Zoom repeated. Okay. >> Could you do the first bunch again? >> Absolutely. So going to the first row and first column where it's have there are which is for six attendees. The first, second, third, and fifth names should have $1,500 after that. And then the fourth and sixth name should have $1,750 after that. And then to go along with Mr. Murray, the la first row, last column where it says expense, eliminate up to $15,000. Cross it out. Then on the second
052row, last column where it says expense, strike out up to 63410 and add 3125 each. $312. >> Oh, sorry. >> 3705 each. Sorry. That's how you got >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. What we'll do is we just put those amounts under each name as just red and then just replace the actual amount of those >> and you'll see them. >> Should this 1705 actually be with the mess in the first first column or the second colum? Well, it's going to say attendees and then expense in the fourth column. >> Say each [clears throat] fine. >> Yep. >> But yeah, that's the same thing. Okay. >> Happen during the school day. >> Yes. 8 to 3:30. It's an all day. And if you're wondering why those two teachers have a higher cost because those teachers teach
053a wide grade level where the other teachers teach a specific grade. So Maldina, she's basic skills. education and they work with kids from K to 3. So their kit has more material in it. So >> thank you. >> And with that we have a motion to approve finance motions 1 through 7 with finance motion 4 those changes. Is there a second? One second. And any questions, comments or discussion? And if not, this is all in favor say I. >> I. Anyone oppose say no? Any extensions? That brings us to personnel. >> So we met last week. Tonight we are approving a substitute for social media the resignation of Mr. Picket um as well as a hiring to replace resignation. And then we are approving the appointment of Mrs. Kenny is a pair of professional as
054well as and a leave of absence for a par professional. >> That's it. >> Great. Thank you. And with that, we have a motion for personnel motions one through seven. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions, comments, or discussion? Federal session. Um >> not gonna happen this year. >> Yeah, absolutely. Any other questions, comments or discussion? And if not, any questions on the adoption of personal motions 1 through seven? Mrs. >> Mr. Marta, >> yes. >> Mr. Brander, >> yes. >> Mr. Cavana, >> yes. >> Mr. Chen, >> yes. >> Mr. Permy, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson. >> Yes. >> Mr. McBride. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mills. >> Yes. >> Mr. No, >> thank you. >> That brings us to the program. Unfortunately, I was not able to make the committee meeting.
055administer what transpired. >> I have not just we talked about Oh, I >> talked about schedule for the talented program trying to um do a rotation rather than have same class all the time. That was a good discussion. Um we talked about the presentation that would come up for the SSDS that was postponed. So we get more later. Um can you tell us about the CIP committee school improvement panel uh which needs to discuss fresh teacher evaluation leadership opportunities so forth. Um support then a comprehensive technology plan. um that we're looking to take a hard look at. Um I think some of it's been completed, but there's still pieces of it that they're looking at long range technology plan, but I think they're looking at computer cards for one second book in grades five through
056eight. We'll have Thank you. And with that, I have a motion for program motions one and two. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any questions, comments, or discussion? And if not, questions on the adoption of program motions one and two. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone post say no? Any extensions? There are no policy motions. I don't believe the policy committee met. >> Yeah. >> So, we move it to here. and the governance committee also did not meet. That will move to the next year. That brings us to open session number two. The second public comment period will be open to any topic. Please be mindful that public comment periods are available to enable the public to give comments and feedback to the board. Personal matters and day-to-day operations are
057not appropriate subjects for board meetings. These can always be most effective resolve the appropriate staff members or administrators according to the chance concept. Questions may be directed to the appropriate school personnel on board through email. Please state your name and address regarded from all comments related to five minutes. Would anyone from the public wish to address the board on any matter? >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. I'm Joanne Barkowskis, 158 Lake Drive, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. I'm here tonight as the president of the Mountain Lakes Board of Education, simply to say thank you. This has been another impressive year of good work between our districts, our boards, our superintendants, our teachers, our students. It has been a year filled with dedication and impressive work and achievement and cooperation. I I come because I sincerely
058am grateful for what I get to watch and be a part of. I also come because as always the representative from your board who gets to work with us and become a part of our board is a critical component of the work we do. Mr. Johnson has been exceptional. He is not only a champion for every student and every family and every faculty member of Township, he's an intricral part of why we do such good work. You speak with such knowledge and such commitment to what we do and such a willingness to do it together. It's been it's been again another year where our boards get to work like that. It's a it's a tradition and a heritage that we share and I find it um I'm just incredibly grateful and I'm honored that I
059get to be a part of that and I want to come and thank you for allowing that and thank you for making it so wonderful and to publicly say Mr. Johnson it's been wonderful having you a part of our board. So thank you sincerely. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. Fantastic. >> Thank you very very much for your kind words as always. You know, they're much appreciated and I you know I'm you know so happy you know past and and present and moving moving forward that we have a wonderful and great relationship. Thank you so much. >> And and you are three fantastic yourself. So thanks it's always a pleasure working with you. >> Let's see. Is there anyone else from the public that wishes to us on any matter? Thank you
060very much. And that brings us to old business. Is there any old business that come before the board? And that brings us to new business. Any new business that come before the board? >> Oh yes. >> Opportunity to thank for Thank you for all the wonderful sharing together. It was a time to feel and I'd like to emphasize that each member of the board individually and collectively has taught me so much. Each of you brings your time, dedication and expertise to this. Each of you comes together to this group to make decisions that are focused above all on the wellbeing of every student and on the good of the school. Over these three years, I have been deeply impressed by the professionalism demonstrated that each of you as well as by your ability to engage
061in respectful and constructive discussions of individuals have differing in today's world. This is increasingly rare and for that reason each of you is truly deserving of your class. I thank each one of you for the support and I step away both and I wish Thank you. Thank you feeling it's mutual and we will get to you and appreciate your contributions as well. >> You always have my own little [laughter] >> and Mr. Wicker's comments and and I'm sure that Mrs. Her comments, you know, reflect, you know, how, you know, what great members, you know, board members you have been and friends, you know, to work with here on the board and, you know, thank thank you both so much for all that you've contributed and as you say, each person contributes something to the board
062and makes the whole board and, you know, thank you so much. You really do appreciate that. >> But is there any other new business for the board? >> Oh, yeah. So, I just want to thank you all for a deeply meaningful and impactful five years. Um, do you know who Mark Grover is? Anybody? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I just learned about it. He has 70 million followers on YouTube. He's a science, you know, was an envir um mechanical engineer turns like YouTuber and his dream job is to be a teacher um a science teacher. So um he had a quote that just kind of struck with me and it says if we want to invest in the future this is like an all all brains on deck situation. So we should be investing in
063the senior teachers, those who are creating the next generation of big problem solvers. And he's referring to teachers and this metaphorically. And I just believe that like from RBS at this well. So at some point as a parent of young children, you realize that your kids are spending far more time with their teachers than they are with you. and handing over your children over to the public school system is an act of love and faith and deep respect for the these educators. So, I have enormous gratitude for educators in general, but uh we truly have the best here at RBS. And if I tried to list all the teachers who have profoundly impacted my own children, it just simply couldn't. From speech, music, math, writing, science, computers, um everyone mattered. And what is almost unfathomable
064is that each of the teachers has had that kind of impact on hundreds if not thousands of students and families. It's just I'm in awe. So I hope the teachers go to sleep at night feeling accomplished and loved and yet I know they're always worrying about that one student they don't want to see fall through the cracks. So um I just am very so much gratitude. Um and so um I have a little something for each of you. So after 10 years on the ed foundation, it was grace who asked me to consider a position on the board of education. So thank you. Um it's been wonderful seeing you in action. Um you're like the consmate professional. Agendas ready, notes posted, reminders sent, and I just truly appreciate your leadership, your organization. Um it's been
065it's been wonderful seeing you, and I'm very much admired your work. Um Christine, you've always been um willing to look at every argument from all sides and and you really enriched the discussion and at the core it was always clear that your decisions were centered on what was best for the children. Just I love that. Lauren, I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, your fresh perspective, professional background in mental health, your advocacy for special education. and you shine the light uh where you can't that we a light on where we can and must do better and where our district is already seeing you know feeling that. Um so thank you Alicia my partner and fellow eco warrior. We've spent countless hours talking through whatifs and imagining ways to make the world a better place often with
066one hand on a garbage bag or one hand in the garden dirt. We do a lot of community cleanups, too. Um, so John, you're on the tightest ship. Thank you truly for keeping our schools running smoothly, safely, and responsibly. Um, from finances to facilities, there's nothing better than seeing the shining floors at the end of the summer and knowing our students will start the year in a healthy, welcoming environment. Your balance um of long-term planning with our short-term realities. Um, always mindful of our taxpayers, too. So through our facility challenges, negotiations, and more, you're always ready with a spreadsheet and a clear explanation. And I just appreciate it so much. Um Barry, I'm excuse you for a minute. >> Barry, you've come a long way uh together. We still have two and a half years
067left uh with our youngest in high school together, but your kindness and empathy and deep respect for the process and policy have set the standard for this court. and um you're just incredibly generous with your time and your knowledge and our community has been lucky to have you. Um Chris, you're an outstanding board member and while we often I laugh because I think we often land on the same side of issues most of the times, but we've kind of mastered the phrase together. I hear you, but I respectfully disagree. >> [laughter] >> uh that is the essence of good boardmanship and I deeply deeply appreciate your thoughtful leadership and representation am um Ben it's been a pleasure getting to know you watching your legal mind work through our challenges that we face your negotiations um
068and please keep challenging and questioning it just makes us all better and Jeff I've learned so much from you watching you negotiate uh with humor and um with think you bring humor and you keep us focused and you have a gift for seeing the big picture and it's been a pleasure being your tablemate for the past few years. So, uh much of what I hope for for this community um as a community member has come to fruition with partnership with Mr. Patini and Dr. Seagull from curriculum to alignment to the professional development. Uh what once felt totally impossible are sending and receiving districts now feels like second nature. It's just amazing. So, thank you for the impact you've made in such a short period of time. And then back to the teachers, I just will
069remember them um with immense gratitude, their confidence and therapists, families, friends, disciplinarians, um their mentors, coaches, um just amazing. So, and because of them, my children are artists and scientists, poets, writers, mathematicians. So, thank you for planting the seeds. Thank you for fighting. Yeah. Thank you for your patience, guys. >> It was very emotional. I'm very emotional. >> It's all good. >> But you're still welcome to come back. >> Yeah. I know. I mean, you know, if I really really miss it and all the good vibes, >> I can always come back out. [laughter] >> It's been a journey and I really appreciate it. It's just I I love all the good vibes when we leave here, you know. So, good work. Thank you for all your contributions and for standing up for so many
070causes over the years and being vocal. It's impressive and we've learned so much from you and really appreciate you. We're going to miss you. Thank you so very much because you don't have to. [laughter] >> Oh, all right. exciting. >> Thank you both for such kind words like and it just shows what amazing board members you both are and we how much we are going to miss both of you. >> Best of luck to the next generation [laughter] >> like someday people >> someday leaving the board I don't think I can because I don't think I can ever talk to 5-year-old >> so that keep running so we don't [laughter] have school. I don't think a word about that. >> Yeah. But thank you. Amazing. Thank you. [laughter] >> Wow. Well, thank you very very
071much. I have to ask, is there any other new business? >> We have some new business in there. >> Oh, yes. want to take a short recess. >> Oh, yes. That mean >> you'll find out short recess. >> Okay. It's 8:56 p.m. We have returned from our recess. Um, one brief thing before we go into close session. Um, one other item of new business. Um, um, I will send out an email to everyone. Sorry. Sorry le to seven of you. uh just asking for your committee preferences and also the board vote some of these on things so you don't have to really do that but just think about what you'd like to do and come to the January meeting you know thinking about that uh but I'll I'll collect all the committee preferences and you
072know you know start crunching that for January for you and I also send an email out to our two new members that will be joining us you know in advance because that's you know something else they can also ponder and think about what committees they'd like to be on and then you know having an explanation leons, you know, in front of them will help them to to decide what they might like to volunteer for as well. With that, may I have a motion to enter into executive session to discuss issues of more confidentiality as per the open public meetings act chapter 231 of laws of 1975. These matters may or may not be made public means they will be made public when the confidentiality subject is longer warranted. We have two items, legal matters and
073student matters. I have a motion, please. >> I'll move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any question? No questions on that. All in favor say I. >> I. >> And there will be no board actions and Kitten will return. >> It is 9:59 p.m. We have just returned from our closed sess session. There is no other board action. I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday and we'll see you in January. And motion to approve. >> Second. >> Is there a second? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Have a great night. Thanks. Have a great Thank you everyone.