001Okay, at this time I'd like to call this meeting to order. This is a regular session of the township board of education held for the purpose of transacting appropriate board business in compliance with chapter 2 bills of 1975. The notice of this meeting was advertised in the Mars County daily record. Copies of the agenda of this meeting were appropriately posted and made available to the public. I'm going to be John Murray this evening for the roll call. Mrs. Bard >> here, >> Mr. Brander is here. Mrs. Cabana, Mr. Chen, Mrs. Mr. Herby >> here, >> Mr. Johnson >> here, >> Mrs. McBride >> here, >> Mr. Mills, and Mrs. Newick >> here. >> Okay. And also present is Mr. Fini. We have a job. And at this time, we have no presentations, but we do
002have a flag salute. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I alian to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God. indivisible with liberty and justice. >> Before we move forward, I would like to stop the meeting in its tracks and say thank you to Mrs. Victorton for all of her many years uh of dedication to the Bootin Township School District and Rockway Valley School, our our kids, our community, our parents, everyone. you, you know, just done so many great things over the many years and, you know, in everywhere, you know, you know, in all the corners of, you know, what goes on at the school, you're you're there and you you know, and you're doing an amazing job and we just thank you
003so much and want to wish you the most wonderful retirement, you know, you know, with your your family and you know, you know, get some free time and, you know, enjoy it with your family and and and keep in touch with us as well. But we'd like to stop and and uh yeah, congratulate you and and perhaps have some have some cake. >> Well, I have a little actually two little one not so little one um gifts for you from the board. Um there's a card circulating that um I just got it. >> Yeah, finishing there. Um >> that's an important board document we're talking >> what they um what they want to say. But um I did want to just highlight a little bit of what I said in the because it it really
004um is so true. You've been a guiding light behind the scenes, always ensuring things run smoothly and always with care and kindness. Your work has touched the lives of so many and your legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come. We congratulate you on your retirement. You've earned every moment of joy that's ahead of you, but you will be deeply missed. There's some other [Applause] I could say wanted me to give you a hug, too. So, I will hug you for her and for me. >> At this time, I would like to recess our meeting briefly. Let's enjoy some uh some cake and refreshments for Mrs. Pickerton. >> You okay? >> Did you want to say anything? >> You don't have to. >> Come on, Catherine. >> So, you can Well, 25 years
005is a long time to be in one place and it's been a wonderful, wonderful ride. And um I just want to say one thing. Everything that I know about policy and I know a lot now. I learned from Marta. >> So, thank you, Marta. >> Um, >> now we know who to call. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Um, and I've had a lot of fun here. You know, people have come and gone and it's a really special place and people don't leave that often actually. Um once they land here, they sort of land for a long time and it's been a it's just been wonderful working here. Worked for lots of really great superintendants and had lots of great colleagues who back me up with everything and going to miss it. >> We're going to miss
006you. >> But I'm going to be happy not to get 4:30 and 5 a.m. cold. I know early from early to late that was kind of I had all these thoughts in my head that like you've been here just through it all like running the operations and everything but I think what I appreciated most like was your creative artistry like that you do through it all like adding like the touch and the way you capture the kids joy and put them you know and put them up on Facebook for our community. So I feel like our whole community is better because you cared you know about So, you made the world a better place. >> Thank you. >> And hopefully snow doesn't give you PTSD. >> I can sleep through the snow and deal with
007it whenever I want. >> And I can't Well, I also can't forget that you're a district school district historian and you've done so many things collecting information and pictures and things from I know >> many years gone by and you know that that is like special you that you did that. Somebody has to remember to open the time capsule. >> It's got a date on it. It's in the file room. >> Okay. >> It's in a box wrapped up in green and gold tape. >> And it says the date. >> When did it get put in? >> I should probably >> on our 50th anniversary. When was that, Barry? >> Oh, yeah. That was that was uh that was not that long ago, right? That was uh Dr. Hungry was here roughly. >> So it
008was a long time ago. >> It was more than more than 15 years ago. >> Yeah. More than 15 years ago. >> Yes. Wow. Okay. >> Well, we we know that Katherine has touched everyone's lives, students, parents, board members, teachers. So, I'm assigned a mentor through our mentoring program, but Katherine's been a great mentor to me. So, thank you very much for teaching me. >> She's a great teacher. >> Thank you. and I wish you all the best in your retirement. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> With that, let us take a brief recess. >> I would like Where's the cake? [Music] >> Okay, we've returned from our brief recess. And at this time, we do not have any presentations. We do not have a student
009representative rightly. So, it's August. That brings us to board business motions one and two, please. >> I'll move. >> Is there a second? Any questions, comments, or discussion? If not, the questions on the adoption of board business motions one and two will in favor say about the board. So, are we >> Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. Too quick. Yes, we have an edit, a proposed edit, and I'll read the updated wording on it, and I've already put it. If you guys are able to see the uh Google doc, I'll read the updated. Um, it was to evaluate slashimplement a plan to best meet the district's long range facility safety and infrastructure needs to develop a multi-year plan to create flexible and innovative education spaces and address foundational facilities. >> Wait, >> that was the
010original. >> That's the original. You read the original. >> You're right. I did read the original and everybody like it again. >> So, I think that was more of like a plan to plan. I think this is more direct. So, if we if we look at the I'm sorry, I highlighted the wrong one. I highlighted the one I wanted to take out. If we look at the document, the the one that Grace is proposing is re-evaluate slashimplement a plan to best meet the district's long range. >> No, you're reading the same one again. >> No, it's a different one. >> No, no, no, no, no. >> You say reevaluate, implement a plan. >> Why did you copy the same one? >> I thought I'd do this and have it in the same document and make
011it. >> It's develop and implement. I copy the old goal instead of copying the new goal. My apologies from your email. >> Yeah. >> So, here's the develop and implement facilities plan that addresses the district's evolving educational priorities and foundational facility needs enjoying safe, flexible, and future ready learning environments. >> It is cleaner. Um, my apologies. I copied the old one. I thought I had it. Let's see. >> I know. I'm making sure you're on your toes. >> The beginning. >> I'll put the new to without Mr. Murray, the parl parliamentarian to figure out how to do this. We because we almost have to make a motion. Take a second. Discuss it. >> I'll make a motion to >> and then but but we to introduce it as amended. >> Yeah, >> we can do
012that. >> Revive it as amended. Yeah. >> Okay. So, so we have ordinances motions one and two. Gordon's motion two or goal number three would read as Mrs. McBride has just stated is is the motion. >> I'll make I'll move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Amen. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the board of business motions one and two as with board business motion number two being corrected from the agenda to read. >> Excellent. Okay, with that discussions on the adoption board. This is motion one and two. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone say that? >> And get too far ahead. Great. race. >> I have to remember that I am Mr. >> Good job. >> Okay, with that we are administrative reports. Mr. Murray is not here
013for the administrative boards activity report. So we'll move on to the super report. Mr. >> Thank you. Uh just want to reiterate that um we were the recipient of the New Jersey inclusion project grant managed by it. It's a comprehensive initiative designed uh to facilitate systemic systemic change and increase the restrictive environment percentages in K12 schools across New Jersey. Um to this end we are able to increase our co-eing classes and I'd like to thank the HSA for their and the parents for the support in supporting this through um purchasing tables with the white race tops for collaborative groups. Uh we've also had an opportunity to increase physical education time each week for the students. Uh this year we're also including algebra one for seventh grade and math 8 and eighth grade. And I would
014like to also encourage parents who are new to the district to come to our new student open house and tour the school with your child from 9 to 9:20 on August 26th. Preschool is welcome to come and get a tour from 9:30 to 9:50. kindergarten with last names beginning with A through K. At 10:00, kindergarteners with last names beginning L through S. And at 10:30, kindergarteners last names beginning with T through Z. At 11:00, all new students from grades 1 through 4 who are new to the school, please come and get to get a tour of the building. And at 11:30, all new students from grades 5 through 8 are welcome to get a tour. Uh please also note that the updated school calendar is posted on our website. As a reminder, Friday, February 13th
015is an early dismissal for professional development for the teachers and we are switching from DARE to the LEA program which is law enforcement against drugs. And uh one more thing, last reminder, back to school nights are Wednesday, September 10th from prek to grade 4 and Thursday, September 11th for grades 5 through 8. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. That brings us to Mr. >> Many thanks to our custodial maintenance crews for their unlimited work getting the building cleaned and ready for school reopening. And thank you to the business office staff for their assistance and attention to detail while the auditors were on our campus. The secretarial staff for their preparation and communication projects that help inform and keep our community on target for coming back to school in the most prepared way possible. And
016thanks to our extended school year staff for the wonderful job they did keeping students on track for September. And once again, last but not least, thank you to Mr. Pickton for dedication and their service. Great. Thank you. Justice correspondence number one. Just open session number one. The first public comment period will be 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 member command concept. Questions may be directed to the appropriate school personnel or board. Please state your name and address for the record and all comments
017are leaders in five minutes from the wish forward on agenda items. Yes, >> Mary Leo Bunorn Drive. I'm just looking over everything and the tuition to vote a lot less than our tuition to the high school, isn't it? >> Yes. >> We can encourage more. >> Okay. Just just an observation. That's all. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Is there anybody else from the public that wishes to address the board on agenda items at this time? If not, we'll move on to committee and report communication. >> In a rarity, we haven't met since the last time. Our meeting is actually on Monday. So, I have an award. >> Thank you. That brings us to the New Jersey School Boards Association, which um think the only thing I can think of coming up for New Jersey Schoolboards
018Association is workshop 2025 and just gearing up for that October. Um Mars County Schoolboards Association. >> So I'm looking at the website now. It looks like the first meeting of the new school year will be on Tuesday, October 7th at 6 and we're very lucky it's going to be at Google. So it might be a good one for um the board to try to attend as a group. The topic is from budgets to brilliance too much more of right now. Budgets to what? >> Brilliance. Brilliance. >> Sorry. Sure. It's October 7th which is a Tuesday. So it doesn't at 6 again easy drive now. >> Yes. Thank you. That brings us to educational services commission for county. Dave met a week ago this evening. Um we conducted routine business reports and that brings us to
019the retention special education advisor. >> Thank you. and tension education. I'm surprising that not much has been going on to July and August. Just a bunch of public school association. Um the only main update is that people can order lunch right now that's open and we're meeting at committees the next week and the newsletter will will be published for the community next week. >> Thank you. [Music] Doing something with gas um potential green team. >> Yeah. So, we have a river cleanup coming up um this Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00. We're meeting um on River Road where the boat racks are. >> What did I say? 11. >> 10 to 1, sorry, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And um we'd like volunteers to be 18 and over and wear shoes and come out and help
020us clean up the river. We're actually going in the river pulling stuff out. Um, I don't know if you've seen on Facebook, but there was uh Bo Hills Association has is River Road over there, and they did their own cleanup and cleaned up like 50 tires at least and like all kinds of stuff. I mean, that was massive amount of like so um uh we uh we actually GPS marked all the trash spots from Denville down to Powerville. And so we're going to go and try to hit it. Be fun. May it's this Saturday. This Saturday. Yeah. >> Thank you very much for decision there and that brings us to the piece of transportation um meeting. So, we had um a meeting on July 29th and right now the group is uh looking at a
021list of proposed list of educational and facility needs and um I'll reach out to John to connect when he's back on vacation and we'll have another meeting to um talk about next steps. Um just a reminder to those on the committee who are in this room, we should be going in and putting comments on the list um that was saved out to the more questions. >> Y >> I I also create I I didn't want I felt bad editing it so I copied it and another version of one that you wanted to add to talk about it. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I'm just making I just want to make sure that you guys had access to it. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. And that brings us to finance the finance committee met finance
022motions one through nine. I have a motion please. Is there a second? >> Any questions, comments or discussion? If not, the questions on the adoption of finance. But before you proceed, go back and document >> second. And there were no questions, comments, or discussion. So this is so >> Yes. Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. Johnson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McBride. >> Yes. >> Mr. As said, motion carries. That brings us to the personel did meet on August 15th Friday. We discussed personal personal motions. Two, three, four, six, and five. Accept those. motion for personnel motions through nine. >> I'll move. >> Thank you. >> And is there a second? >> Okay. Deferred to this. Okay. And are there any questions, comments, or discussion? And if not, this is also Mrs. >> Yes. says yes. Mrs.
023>> Yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mrs. McBride, >> yes. >> Motion carries the program committee also 15. Um discuss several things. uh discussed the ambassadors program with uh oh we we discussed the ambassadors program with some uh to partners school districts to um do some interesting things for our students with some school districts. Uh we discussed the district goals. We discussed our math program. Um with you >> it is. >> I'm sorry. I'm like right under there. >> It's very hard to hear. >> Thank you. That's better. Uh we discussed the math curriculum and the and the in the new uh I guess um structure of how the math program is being delivered with math 8 algebra one and geometry. We discussed some textbooks and workbooks that are outdated. Uh the upcoming NJSLA
024scores. We just discussed the fact that they're coming out soon. We discussed the comprehensive equity plan which is program version six. We also discussed the LP uh program update which is that you know replacing DARE um and let's see a few other minor things. >> To be clear, we discussed the appropriate disposal andor um donation of textbooks that are outdated. >> Yes. >> So that's just one. >> Yes. Yeah. First we want to try to sell them. If we can't sell them, we want to try to donate them someplace so they're not just put, you know, in the landfill. for sure. And okay, and also I guess the curriculum, you know, the curriculum updates that went along with the math program. Think yeah, that covers it. I do have to post the notes to our
025drive. I apologize. I'm one of those people that did not post it timely for your review, but they we will get those up there shortly. Um, with that, may I have a motion for program motions 1 through 7? doing on the Zoom meeting. >> Okay. Is there any questions, comments, or discussion? Okay. If not, any questions on the adoption of program motions one through seven? All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Anyone opposed say no. >> And motion carries. That brings us to policy. We did not meet as a policy committee, but I think we are trying to get a date. Yep. We were scheduled to meet soon. Yes. And governance committee also should be meeting soon. We were going to try to get something between July and August, but that did
026not happen. So, we we'll try again between August and September. Governance, on that. And 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 not appropriate subjects for board meetings. These can always be most effectively resolved the appropriate staff members or administrators according to the chain of command concept. Questions may be directed to the appropriate school personnel or board through email. Please state your name and address for the record and all comments are limited to five minutes. Would anyone like to address the board on any matter? >> Yes. >> Mary Leborn job. The math program. I'm assuming it's going
027to align with Fountain Lakes. Correct. Yes. >> Because I know you've been, you know, we've that's been an ongoing thing for 30 years. Um, but will the algebra one that's going to be in seventh grade and then you're having geometry in eighth grade? >> There's algebra 1 and geometry, algebra 1 and geometry in eighth grade. >> Okay. And so, so when they get to high school then does that then you don't have the first year of algebra one. this will take care of that and they'll start right at geometry or algebra 2, however it goes. >> Algebra 2. >> Okay, algebra 2. >> Those those students who um who meet the criteria for algebra 1 and seventh grade will then have >> another set of exams obviously to see if they can move on to
028geometry in eighth grade. >> Okay. Historically, they'll have uh math six, math seven, and then have algebra 1 and geometry in uh both >> in eighth grade, >> okay? >> But they didn't have math eight. So, some of the kids weren't really developmentally ready for that. So, we implemented that. And this is considered a transition year coming up because those individual students who were on the path to I guess say take algebra and geometry and eighth grade, we didn't want to take that away from them. So this is the last year that those students who are eligible to take geometry can take algebra 1 and geometry in the same year. Now those individual students who are in seventh grade who have algebra 1 and move on to geometry they'll continue on that path for algebra
0292 in the high school. But if those students in seventh grade who do not meet the criteria for algebra 1, they'll have the opportunity for algebra 1 in eighth grade. >> Okay. And if they want to go on a more accelerated track, there are opportunities over the summer or for them to double up in the high school. We've already had a big meeting with Mountain Lakes superintendent, assistant superintendent, the math supervisor, the high school teachers, and the middle school math teachers along with our administration and our uh math teachers to kind of like work out this path and set uh similar criteria. >> Well, thank you for that. But just to clarify, so if they get through the algebra one and the geometry, they'll skip both of those years once they get to high school.
030>> Yeah. Then they go into >> Right. Okay. So is it still two separate years in high school? Algebra one, a freshman, geometry as a sophomore. >> As far as I am aware, that is correct. No doubling up. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Yeah, that's a lot for them >> to take. >> Yeah. Yeah. So >> have a question. Just one last. >> Sure. >> When I spoke with Dr. Seagull and some of the math supervisors over there or the assistant superintendent or both of them at the same time, I believe that they said that that even though they don't have the opportunity for them to double up, they thought that that was inappropriate, you know, in alignment with us. So that there are opportunities for them to take the that course over the summer
031which they typically I think one of our teachers teaches the algebra long course over the summer in mountains >> opportunity >> or in line. >> Thank you. >> My apologies. >> No, that's okay. Do they need to at RBS need a certain grade like uh AB, you know, 75 and above or whatever is >> in that eighth grade in order them to go into the high school at the next level. >> It's um multi-measures. There are several components to the rubric or >> okay >> um or the chart that they have and they get a certain amount of points if they have an accumulated number of points that meet or exceed the threshold then they can move on >> and the student will know what that where they stand. >> Yes, >> I think that's
032beautiful. Um so no longer just teacher recommendation. there's no teacher recommendation even when I know I met with all the administration including the middle school administration >> as as well as in teachers so there's no teacher recommendation it's strict points this year we did percentiles which frankly was a little bit more forgiving because we understand that this is a transition year >> but moving forward probably move more to a strict point system like they have in in order >> Mr. routine also did several math nights like for the community and for all the the parents, the students and they were really well attended and lots of questions were asked and I think there one of them was videotaped I think right >> one is yeah like the details I don't know that's >> we did
033two the second one was videotaped it was posted on our website as well as the um the slides posted >> great everybody being the same up until the end and then doubling up it's a track. >> Yeah, that track. >> I'm just thinking back to some, >> you may remember this, apex >> Yeah. geometry and some things that happened around that program >> and it sounds like you've encouraged. >> Yeah. >> Without even probably never. >> The teachers worked really hard on it >> and they created spreadsheets that calculated the percentiles and they had certain predictions about the number of students that were going to be in certain tracks and they were pretty spot on. Mr. Savage also attended one of our math nights and she compared everything that we've discussed. >> Wonderful. >> Thanks
034to the teachers for their hard work and validating it. That's huge. >> Thank you. And >> yes, >> Marta Pascarella 12 Dolphwood Lane. Could you just give me a brief overview of what this comprehensive equity plan is or program? >> Yes. >> What is that? So in order to meet the regulations or the requirements of the department of education, we have to demonstrate that we have programs, assemblies, curricular aspects that meet the the diversity um in terms of race and things of that nature so that uh the kids have um a most comprehensive experience across the uh the school in terms of demographics and things of that nature. Did we have any were we failing in that in some way form? >> No, everyone's required to do it. Every uh every state is noted for
035it's >> we have to discuss are we having the appropriate amount of diverse types of experiences with the kids curricularly, assemblywise programs, uh things like that. We did not. The only reason why it was on here again a second time is because some of the wording was um was different. So when we accepted this plan throughout the course of the year, we submitted to the county superintendent. When the board accepted it, they said they have to uh accept the submission. There was a slight change in in word. >> I think we approved. >> We approved it. We're supposed to accept it. >> I can show you. It's a big dip. >> That that comprehensive equity plan is also posted, but if you want I can always pull it up and give you a hard copy.
036It's basically a list of these objectives that were meeting all this the standards and all basically like some of the activities that are going on in the classroom schoolwide assemblies and curricular projects. One thing that pops out in my mind is the third grade multicultural event where the kids research their history and they do a presentation that meets one that meets one of the requirements. I'm sorry I interrupted. >> No, no, no. That's okay. Just one other question. Do do does every student in this school have a Chromebook? >> Yes, one to one. >> I'm sorry. One >> Yes, we're one to one. >> Okay. Because I it's my understanding that there's some kind of a little bit of upheaval in Mountain Lakes that there's parents actually upset that the kids are getting Chromebooks in
037Mountain Lakes. So that is not just a rumor. It's actually >> No. Yeah. Mountain Lakes. I'm on the board over there. They went to a onetoone. Instead of bringing your own device like I have here, they mandate you use the schoolisssued Chromebook device. >> Right. Okay. >> Yeah. It has protections on it, as you can imagine. makes sense to go to a onetoone >> but there there is a group that's opposed to that >> actually >> I haven't heard but I I could imagine just >> yeah thank you and is there anyone else from the public wish to address the board on any matter if not is there any old business to come before the board is there any new business to come before the board >> yes >> um so as you all kind
038of know by now that I've decided not to run again in November. So, um it but it's been an honor. I just wanted to say out there, it's been an honor to serve on the committee and u comm. It's been an honor to serve Township community and the experience has been tremendous and um it makes me feel incredibly optimistic of where we are right now and for the students. Like I feel just really ecstatic for both the Mountain Lake High School students and our students and the collaboration together. It's like so many of the things that I wish that I wanted to see happen are happening. Thanks to Mr. Patini, you know, and um and obviously to the board for finding Mr. Patini and and um it's just been an incredible experience. Um um I
039encourage parents who are interested in serving to feel welcome to reach out to me or any board member I'm sure you know because it's uh it it's it's just valuable lesson and it's a great mostly for me it was just feeling like when you know your kids are spending so much time and so many hours in the school you just want to be like how can I be a better partner you know and like learning about the school and learning how it works and how to support the teachers it was just it was it was an amazing experience. So, um yeah, so I just want to uh get it out there and hopefully some there was some brilliant people at the math night that were asking amazing questions, you know, so it'd be great to
040see um you know, few families engaged. >> Thank you for being on the board and dedicating your time. It's team effort. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Absolutely. Yes. No, thank you. We'll have more time. Thank you every not decided not to run again. So, we have some time to put our words together for you guys. >> Oh, yeah. I don't even need words. I just kind of like I just want people to know that it's it's a great thing to volunteer and to do and it's not overwhelming and you all are working and it's like working full-time jobs that you can get it done and it's very rewarding. >> It t it takes a team for sure. >> Yeah, >> it takes everyone contributes and it's a team. Oh, thank you. Uh, is there any other
041new business coming before the board? If not, I don't believe we have a closed session this evening and therefore we have no need to reconvene. We have no other board action. So, may I have a motion to adjurnn? Is there a second? All those in favor say I. I thank you and that thank you all for coming to our meeting and I guess