Boonton Township Board of Education Regular Meeting 4/16/2025

001Sounds good. If you're all ready, I would like to call this meeting to order. This is a regular session of the Bootton Township Board of Education held for the purpose of transacting appropriate business in compliance with chapter 231 laws of 1975. The notice of this meeting was advertised in the Morris County daily record. Copies of the agenda of this meeting were appropriately posted and made available to the public. Mrs. Barta here. Mr. Brainer here. Mrs. Cabana. Mr. Chen, Mrs. Hermy here. Mr. Johnson here. Mrs. McBride here. Mr. Mills here. Mrs. Noika here. Also present. Mr. Fini, uh, superintendent principal. We have Christopher Ellis, our representative. We have a quorum. Great. Thank you. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for

002which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we're going to rearrange our agenda slightly and have our report for student representative from Mount Lakes, Mr. Dilly. Hi, how are you everybody? So, today freshman had their field trip to Romeo and Juliet. That was really great. Um, we have uh Christopher Ilick was Mountain Lakes 2025 unsung hero. To us, you're very uh well known in our perspective. We have um AP testing coming up soon. Spring break begins tomorrow. So, really not a lot of uh you know, major updates really since last time. Now, we're getting into May. It's going to be very chaotic. So, next time I'll have a lot to report. Uh, but I just want to like say definitely we're at this phase in April where really

003um end of the year is coming by and I know obviously your eighth eighth grade are going to be soon transitioning into high school. I just want to let everybody know if you guys have any questions um regarding that. I can definitely work with principal man and Dr. Seagull to make sure that everything goes smoothly to the incoming um class and out next high school. If you guys have any questions feel free to let me know. Thank you very much. I think um Grace and I attended your ceremony and congratulations once again from the county schools association. And with that um we will not be offended if you have other things you need to do. You're welcome to understand. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you very much. Yes, that's right. You got any Catholic? Yep. We

004committed. Congratulations. Thank you. Take care. Good luck. Thank you. Okay. Next we have a presentation. We have some training from Charlene Pearson, our New Jersey School Works Association senior field representative. And be gratefully this I believe will be our last time that Charlie will be giving us a presentation. It will be I will be I guess seeing you guys whoever comes to the North County meeting to get your board certification. I'll be there to give you that. But yeah, I am really on the countdown now. But we don't look too sad. No, it does feel it does feel a little weird. I little fell over. So, yeah. So, this is the last you guys needed one more training, right, for the certification. So, this is um the last one. And then also the board needs

005to complete the board self- evaluation. So, that's part of the requirement too. Um yeah, so I was saying no, they already sent the letter out. I'm like, "Okay, the letter's a little in advance, but I know they're going to get it done. So, I'm not worried about it. Ordered your plaque because that takes a couple weeks for our mail rooms to make." So, everything is, you know, depending on the condition though that we're going to get all this done. When does that have to be done though? Again, two weeks. The seventh is our uh Okay. So, and and I should say, you know, that the board self evaluation is completely new, right? So um and in this new format, it allows the board to evaluate the board goals. So the board self-ealuation is set up

006so that similar now to the superintendent's evaluation where the superintendent had to go in first to put the goals in. This evaluation is set up so that the board president has to log in first and you know either say that you have goals or that you or else there's a box to check that says you don't. But either way, the rest of the board if you tried to log in um before the president did it you get a error message. So um so just to let you know that so um this is like I've more kind of like a conversational training almost just kind of talking about student achievement and the the board's work in this area and how the board can help make a difference. And it's really kind of the basis we changed

007governance three and this is um the basis of it. Let's see. Is that Am I just clicking on the plus the right arrow on your remote? The right arrow. Uh on the circle. Go. Maybe. Okay. Are we too far? It was just too low. of cash. Um, so um, like I said, we're just, um, going to, you know, so, so most of the time we'll just be talking. So there's not a lot of slides of information. It's more conversation. So this is kind of really talking about, you know, we always talk about how student achievement is the basis of everything that we do that what motivates our decisions. So this is essentially saying, okay, that that passion that inspires you to become a board member. You know, sometimes people feel like, you know, and I've

008heard Gord say this, like sometimes it feels like all we do is vote and then go home, right? And that sometimes our agendas are so linear and there's so many things that we have to approve that you don't always get the time to sit and celebrate student achievement as much as you'd like to talk about the kids, talk about your goals. So sometimes we really have to make a concerted effort, right, to make that be part of our work. um you know it we always say that anyone sitting in the audience it should be clear to them that that the focus of your meeting is based on student achievement and sometimes a lot of the things we talk about while it may not seem like we're directly talking about student achievement it has an impact

009on it right so um kind of as we start this out then just kind of wanted to go around and just really kind of talk about your why kind of like what your why was for running for the board or now that you're on the board like the decision that you make at the board table and how that is expressed like how how does that come into play when you're making decisions and you're having conversations and um so if you want if you want to start and Sure. I mean, I I think I ran for the board originally because I wanted to just understand the why, like why things were done the way they were around the school and also because basically having four kids in this school system K to8 for so long, I

010just felt like it was my opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. Um, and yeah, yeah, I mean, I'd probably say something similar. Um, you know, I I wanted to run for board because um three kids in the school um still have two kids in the school and you know, I saw a lot of kind of the front facing school. I really want to know how it worked, anything changed, improved. Um I really liked the I went to the um five year teacher planning sessions in 2022. I think it was and that was really exciting. big room full of like parents and you know I think our teachers and you know it was really great kind everyone talking about the school doing how change like that was really exciting kind of this could be

011and I really kind of wanted to bring that kind of like spirit to the word and you know I do kind of feel that quote kind of feels like a little bit times but I do try to think about Yeah, I I had been in this town for several years. My kids had gone to the school. We had been before, lived here before they went to the school. And I just wanted to see the schools and be the best it could be. Not that it wasn't, but um you know, I just felt like I I wanted to see how it worked, how can I help? Um you know, my kids were here and you know, that also is a motivating factor for just about everybody right in the room that had kids go through or

012to have kids go through some point. Um, so I every decision we make, I always say every negotiation we've been in or every decision it's like it it should be about the kids, the academics. We brought that up numerous times and I I still feel strongly about that. No matter what we do, we do a lot of some bulls blocking and tackling. Some of it could be very, you know, it seems like almost boring, but at the end of the day, everything should be about student achievement. So I do think to me that is the most important thing that we do. I'm on deck. Um I guess uh I I grew up in Bootin Township. I went to Rockway Valley School. Um after I graduated college, I was volunteering in our community many different ways,

013you know, other other ways. And once my children became school age, I wanted to learn about what the school board did and and also be involved in in the school. And I I think there was um some openings and vacancies. I was interviewed for a position, you know, and appointed at first and then I was elected thereafter. Um but I thereafter and there few there um and you know really um you know just want to you know do the best I can for our community you know and this was another way you know since my kids are in school and even though they're in high school and going on I still want to continue doing what I can for our community any way I can and you know I enjoy it. It's been it's all

014is all about the children you know and and you know their success and their achievement. So similarly to the previous speakers, my why was to um become involved in a meaningful way in the educational process of my own two children were at that time um enrolled in the school and now I only have one child in the school and uh this is a uniquely American model from the country where I where I come from Poland. parents do not have um an option to be so intimately involved in the uh decision making that takes place at that level. And um and having that opportunity here, I wanted to um to seize that opportunity and be involved in in the schooling of my own children, involve the schooling of my own children in meaningful way and hopefully

015contribute with some of the ideas and knowledge talents that we all have um in this process. Yeah, similar to me. So I also went to RVS and wanted I started in middle school here. So I made a big move from a very large district to a small district and obviously moved back and raising my children here and I thought you know I'm an advocate is my career in social work and I thought it was really important to be the voice for the voiceless and have equity for all children and really enhance the academic experience but also the socio emotional piece. So that's really why I came on board. Okay. So my youngest is now in in college, a freshman in college. So back in the day when they were much much younger, I had a

016number of positions on on the school association. and I kind of got to the point I wanted to do something a little bit more directly that impacted the students and similar to Barry there was an open position and I had interviewed for it and um was given the opportunity to join the board I think at that point it was like an eightmon um part of the charm that was left and I had enjoyed it and then when a position opened up on the board I ran for that position and here I a number of years later, but that's kind of what led me to this um to being a member of the good. Okay, I'm going to turn it over to your administrators too to have you guys tell us your why. Why you why

017you do this work? Um, so for me, I chose to to go this direction as superintendent because I feel that, you know, the more people that I can have an influence on, particularly kids, the the better and the the greater the change, you know, in the world. I was very hesitant to leave the classroom, but my my mentor told me, he said, "If you think you can have a really good impact on 20 kids, imagine a school of 400 in a district of 4,000." So that really inspired me and I think by the moment it's time. Thank you. Um I've been here uh about 18 years and in this profession for about 34 years and I guess when I was in college I never would have thought that I'd be in education. Um started out

018in the private sector. Um, I'm I'm really a hands-on person. So, I enjoy projects that I could start, I can see through, and finish that have an impact. And every day is to me it's exciting. I can see the kids running through the hallway. What we do in the business office, we keep things running, but we also see the benefit because the kids are there. If it's a if it's a building project or you know project to keep the facility running or keeping the the staff happy through you know payroll everything else I think that's exciting but but really to start to see things start to finish um you know you can be a major corporation and be a little cog and you never really see the impact of what you do but I think

019when you see you know I've had offices in schools I've had offices in separate buildings I enjoy being in school because you see what happens every day. You know, even when I was at a district that had several schools, I always made it a point to get to every school to get to know the people. Um, you know, you had populations of over a thousand faculty and you get to know, you know, each of them, each of the principles and so forth, but I just enjoy I've enjoyed it for so long. I wouldn't be here if I didn't enjoy it. Good. Okay. Right. Abby, do you want to do it? Yeah. I'm clicking right where she closer. You can give it a go. Perfect. Okay. Um so this is then just saying you know as

020much as we talk about student achievement and you know recognize that you know we know that it has an impact on the work that we do you know this um the Iowa lighthouse study which is almost what like 25 years ago now was kind of the first study that came out that was made a researchbased connection between the work that the board does and the impact that it has on student achievement. So in this study um they studied six board and superintendent teams and it was from the state of Georgia even though Iowa was the one conducting the study and said because Georgia had a more extensive database. So they the six districts had similar demographics but three of them were high achieving and three of them were low achieving. So they said, "Let's see

021if there's any like similarities between those three high achieving boards or any things that distinguish them between the the the three boards that were um you know getting low achieving results. And so the the the outcome was that the boards in the high achieving districts were just distinctly different um in their knowledge, in their beliefs, in their actions. So that was kind of then became the basis of the study and then they did kind of part two of saying okay now that we know what these things are how do we help sustain them or how do we help other boards you know start doing those things and understanding those [Music] things that's So um so you know and it's going to come down to so these are pretty much then those different actions are kind

022of the goals that the board um you know has an impact on and we'll go through each one of those but it starts with setting clear expectations um and that's probably really the basis of all of it and we'll look at that in just a minute and kind of creating those conditions for success. How are we helping um you know student achievement and our students be successful here? Then how do we hold the system accountable? How do we make you know bring you know when you talked about strategic planning and bringing the community in like how do we make this be important to the community as well and like say you know this is their school district so how do we help them be part of this process and then saying that we have to

023commit together to to learning together as a board team with your superintendent. So those were those those factors or those things then that were identified um as you know making a difference in the high achieving boards. Okay. So, this one kind of really starts with those high expectations and saying that boards in low achieving districts made excuses about why some students or groups of students were not succeeding. And in high achieving districts, the boards had a no excuses attitude and said things like poverty, lack of parental involvement, and other factors were described as challenges and not excuses. So kind of thinking about the importance of that attitude starting at the board table and then how then that would kind of filter have an impact on the rest of the school. But it has to start

024here. I mean I know even one board it's right in their mission statement that says like no excuses like kind of so just kind of saying like we are making it clear that we have this board is saying that every student in this district has the right to be successful and that that's the message that we want to make sure that we're getting across and important that the board sends that message. Um, so this is just kind of an example in the study that came out of like saying, you know, sometimes we don't really think about the impact, right, of our words at the board table, of our actions at the board table, how we're saying things, what we're, you know, accepting and kind, you know, so like in in some of the examples saying,

025well, you know, like some board members saying, well, other schools don't have the challenges we face, or some kids just want to be average with average jobs. Um we know from day one some kids are going to walk through the door that there's not much we can do for them. So think about the difference between that attitude and kind of saying that we can't let anything stand in our way. We won't take excuses. Everyone has the potential um you know in what was there is no status quo. So when you think about that being the difference in the attitude at the board table and with your administration um that makes an impact then throughout the entire district. It seems to me that um the differences between the high and the low groups, if you would,

026is that the high performing, if I'm using the right word, I've already changed the high expectations group on the right, they really like reframed whatever challenges there were and just looked at them as an opportunity. They're really they could have had the same issues. So just kind of as we you know so just as we're sitting here then so what are some excuses that you've heard about student learning I know like I know I was um so like I said part of this was a little bit of governance three and so like somebody stood up in the room I did in a workshop this past year and he's like I am so tired of hearing about co you know and the impact that co had has had on our students and said I'm tired of

027hearing that's an excuse like we get that that happened and we get that that made a difference but what are we doing about it instead of just blaming it and um so just kind of wondered as you think about that um like how can the board have an impact so I don't know like you know if there's any areas you want to share that you've heard or like what can the board do in this question to take a stance against that thinking and I would say that we've done it with a strategic plan right we identified areas of opportunity brought the our stakeholders in as a board collaborated and came up with bullet points where there were needs and not just academic needs facility needs you know professional development needs and I think that's kind

028of you were through it all the our doctrine as of the last three to four I also think it's a matter of mindset because if you if you have people or board members who have that positive mindset just like the studies show then that's going to move people teachers you look at everything like problem like oh he has a problem reading well no he doesn't have a problem teaching that kid because he has a different learning style so if you kind of like change it change that perspective a lot of people get on board with [Music] Yeah, you know, it's funny. I was think when you guys were going around the table and you were talking about your why and you know, talking about the kids and like I was working with a board where

029they couldn't agree like it wasn't enough to say anymore, we're doing this for the kids because they couldn't agree on what was best for kids. So like what one part of the board thought was in the students best interest, another part of the board thought something else was better. And so like we finally had to figure out how to come to an agreement of okay well do we all agree that every student is right to be successful. So instead of even just kind of that blanket of like as long as we do what's right for kids, there's some boards that don't even agree anymore on what that is. So as much as kind of you guys were taking that I don't want to say taking it for granted but you are really all that really

030is what motivates you just recognize that that's not the case every [Music] um so in terms of like you know taking meaningful actions and when boards starts discussing the need for improved results you know we talked about that mindset right that just said it can be intimidating to staff right so saying kind of like what's the board doing poking ourel in our business or am I going to get in trouble because my, you know, the students are not as successful as we want them to be. So, how do you help staff see that we're all right? That you're already responsible for this work um and that it's a shared challenge rather than an intimidation. So, how as a board can you help send that message? I think it's what Ken said with the mindset. We

031don't ever look at if we we always want to achieve I think as a district to do better. I think every district should want to do that, right? Whether it's test results or seeing growth of children. Um, but we, you know, we just need to make sure that we're focused on that and and not looking at it as, oh, what, you know, so and so didn't do well, this cohort didn't do well. The mindset should be what can we how can we help, right? What can the what can we how can we help the administration? How can we help the teachers? I think that's pretty much our job is how do we set policy and how do we remove obstacles to help the to help everybody achieve and welcome feedback from the staff you know

032you know to see you know what they're seeing and and try to you know use that to help help you know what what can we do you know to help kind of help help them all that goes to Canada Right. [Music] Okay. I'm just I'm just looking at the wording though. You know, we always talked about board goals and district goals, the how, the what, the why, all that. So, if you look at the top part, the top paragraph, when the board starts discussing the need to improve results, that's sort of the, you know, what needs to get done. But then I'm looking at the second paragraph, what does the board, what can the board do to help staff see? Is that kind of a cross between what the administration is having the direct impact

033or the direct contact with the staff versus what the board the board can direct the administration here's what we need to have happen go do it. So, I think it comes down to, you know, I think kind of what was saying about making sure that the staff has the support they need, the professional development they need. Um, you know, that when somebody comes, you know, say an administrator gives you a a testing report, that they feel comfortable that the board is not going to challenge them or criticize them. and know that the, you know, when they're coming here, knowing that we're all on this same team and that we're all working together to help the students. And so, we're not going to do the work. We're not going to tell you what work needs to

034be done, but we're going to make sure that you have everything you need to do that work the best that you can, right, to help our students. [Music] So the research shows that teacher effectiveness is the single largest factor affecting academic growth. So what can the board do to convey its belief in the power of instruction? Improve continuing education. Yeah, I would say the latest and greatest, right? Uh standards are always changing. um you know the the how the method that the teachers use I wouldn't begin to know and scratch the surface on everything that's changed over the last 5 10 years so yeah saying you know courage is really important so now and how do you celebrate the work of your staff or their accomplishments could I just make one sure about that I'm

035finding this question here in treaty what can the board do to convey it belief in the power of instruction ction. So more specifically like what are some of the actions and words and things of that nature from board members not only to the staff but to the community about not only like saying this a different way the power of instruction but the power of an instructor. You know there's some of the things that people are doing on the board here for all very very good reasons but some of the outside people may not know it. You know like you all have wonderful stories. My children I went to school here. My children went to school here. They're not even in the school anymore and they're still here because I really believe in the the power

036of the instruction in this particular building. We believe in the power of these individual teachers. I think that message needs to go out to the community and to the teachers and to the faculty. So again, if we kind of look at those things then that um kind of demonstrate that those high performing boards are kind of how they um responded differently. Boards in the high achieving districts um believed and could describe the staff development activities to support student learning and the link to district goals. In the low achieving districts, the board members knew there was a budget for PD. it was chosen by the staff but they weren't sure if there was a plan and they questioned the value of the expense and the time. So just kind of think about like the difference and

037the different message that each one of those describes, right? In terms of, you know, the board supporting staff and their professional development and and the board kind of understanding and I think that goes back to what you just said with the power of instruction, right? For the board to demonstrate its understanding of the power of instruction, the board would have to be providing the staff the tools that they need, right? And understand the why. They're important. [Music] So you creating professional development systems that move the needle and achievement is not easy. And this kind of almost like probably maybe what we've been talking about, but how can a board send the message that learning is valued and not just confined to students? [Music] I think the study you just showed right is really important by

038not saying no. Um I mean clearly if Mr. or a teacher comes and believes that they that this is something worth thinking we should listen to them and probably support them rather than question isn't for going through a process right now getting a certain thing these are the things that he's answer sorry okay that's a better answer the faculty may not know this community may not know this even if you haven't received that certification just Yet the knowledge that you're going through this this process to become better to be a learning community of board members that says a lot and just showing that we're continuous learners as well you know and um and you know sharing what we learn um in Atlantic City and you know it's just like that we're investing our time and

039energy into the school because we value what we're learning and that um and we value our teachers and I think one effort we made I guess it was maybe two or three years ago when we started reporting out on committees and I think that really shows the community as well with what we're doing behind the scenes and transparency and you know how we can support admins as well when we're hearing from you know different areas of opportunity in those different groups and actually something we've discussed but we haven't put it on the agenda yet was in governance was to have an opportunity or space on the agenda for um then the governance committee yeah for the um the teachers to speak if they'd like to in Mountain Lakes they like every once in a while

040they get up just sometimes just to say nice things sometimes it's it's slightly more confrontational but just just to let the board know what's going on but most of the time they're c they're celebrating each other you know and celebrating retirement and they come up and speak on behalf of their colleagues about their return. I so it's just it's it's a lovely place to share goodwill and um messaging you on things. Well, I mean even um in one of the board votes uh Unity Charter School like they start out their meeting with with good news and sharing and so then the or you like or in and acknowledgement so that way the board any of the board members want acknowledge staff or accomplishments or even other board members and just kind of like how do

041we start this out on a positive kind of note, right? [Music] I think it has to have um and this is Chris and I talked about it for a minute last month like a student I know Lake studentship student could certainly give um a quick report about what's going on with the student body. I mean we wouldn't be asking questions of the student but they would sort of be an interface beet um that township does that they have an eighth grade I think that would be kind of a similar idea great to kind of hear from a student or rotating eighth grade rep so everyone who I mean the eighth grade officers would be right but it would be I think it'd be really interesting I think also would show students that we're here what

042we do and parents as well. [Music] Talks about some of the things that that the board can do to demonstrate its commitment to professional development saying by through policy sending a clear message that it's a priority, making sure you're providing your staff the time and the resources. Um, be willing to bring in the healthcare staff needs. um review and discuss progress regularly. Um keep the focus on the bottom line student to learning and be visible in helping parents and community members understand. And I think that goes back what we talked about before of you making it that fact back known outside of kind of these four walls here, right? Of the great things that are happening and the the value that the board places on staff and student learning. [Music] So then um kind of

043one of the other areas then talked about setting clear and focused goals um you know so we know that we have the goal setting process that we do every year and we know that um you starting from a strategic plan that that's the basis but just kind of saying that you know again in the lighthouse study they found that some districts either had very few things or had too many. So, in either case, they weren't really, you know, putting the level of focus that was needed. Um, and kind of saying that they didn't have clarity about what the main student needs were. Um, you know, and it's funny, one of the the superintendent on Clario used to say like Charlene, the main things got to stay the main thing. And, you know, so it's kind

044of a simple thing, but it's really kind of the b like the bottom line, right? that um because we sometimes find ourselves getting pulled in so many different directions that you have to keep remembering keep the main thing the main thing, right? And um so just kind of you know in the sense you can't do everything at once. So make sure that you you know that those things that you're setting as goals are those what those priorities are to help you accomplish what what you need to accomplish. At work we have a saying if you have more than three or four priorities you have none. Okay. So otherwise it's just everything can't be a priority. You need to focus narrow it. No, that's true. Yep. So this was um one of the examples in the

045study. Um this is kind of an extreme example, but it's more just to set a point. So it said there was a North Carolina school district that knew they had to narrow their focus. So they went from multiple goals to one tightly focused goal. That was a long-term goal is that in the next five years, a certain percentage their students tested would score at or above grade level in reading and math and they would be benchmarked at grades three and eight. So after the five years it said they did not accomplish their goal um but they did see a large increase. So it said okay they knew it was a stretch goal but not impossible. Said that single goal made it clear to everyone and galvanized the school system community. so that everyone was railing

046around it. Um they made sure that's how they aligned their resources had to make any adaptations um any funding increases you know that that was where the priority was and then brought the community into the work. So kind of as we think about our goals and you know like you said you know narrowing it down to like three or four. So what are those things then that um you know are that important? And at the end of the day it come kind of comes down to balance right so um saying so what can the board do and a lot of times this because there's you know so many competing priorities if you people want you to to move in different directions so what can the board do to ensure there's a strong commitment to the

047focus goals without losing sight of accountability in other areas. What do you guys think? [Music] One of the um things that we had talked about was in in our in our committee meetings to kind of go back to the goals and and and revisit them in our committee to make sure that like we're working towards that in our That's a great idea. Mountain Lake is looking to do the same thing. They have their long range plan and each committee which I think is something we could look at doing making sure how does it tie back to those long range plans. So each time you meet the decisions we're making how do they impact that? So it's very similar. Yeah. Yeah, we had some similar conversations at what committee was some goals specific for those committees.

048I think it was policy or know current program that we were going to be reviewing in cycle. We had like our own little goals that we were discussing. Good. Okay. So this kind of talking about data and kind of looking at it as kind of the story that it tells, right? Or or kind of the picture it paints and said that one of the board members said that when they look at data and if it showed that one in four students they was not reading at grade level. He said I picture my daughter's fourth grade class and like wondering which one of those four, you know, who are those those kids that that need our help? So kind of then as you look at that kind of thing, what are some ways that your board

049puts a base or you know how do you look at data to kind of think about it more than just numbers but to think about it as students? I think because we are such a small district and our kids have all gone through the whole grades, it's like it's almost impossible to look at a grade level score and not like know who the teachers are and know what it feels like to have the kids in that class. You know, it's very um you know, I don't know. So, it's kind of I feel like the base just is there. It's like you know we all know each other and teachers become like family you know so it's just uh it's meaningful when you see that data and you see like you can say so and so's

050brother or sister is in that class you family very realist it's not some other school or my kid didn't go to that school and I don't know those teachers you know it's very it's personal definitely visualize each, you know, each grade in class, you know, especially when you have children going here, you know, you can picture all the the kids in each grade. I think we look at the NJS play results and sometimes we see cohorts that aren't performant and you can visualize that that's not fun. We realize what can we do right to help the child. So you kind of picture okay what is this group? How do we help this group but you're not necessarily putting a literal face to it but putting you know what does this group look like and why

051do they need help? How can [Music] This one kind of talks about making sure that we kind of, you know, kind of take this approach of like a methodical approach, right? It, you know, kind of builds off of the flywheel concept and good to great of saying that there's just not one wonderful thing that's going to happen. there's just not one magic bullet that it is kind of taking the process and just keep doing the work, keep pushing the wheel, right? Um building momentum until you finally start seeing those results that that you were hoping to see and just, you know, kind of not give up on on the work instead of thinking that well, if we only do this program, it's going to raise our scores or if we only do this, right? instead

052of thinking that it needs to be a you know a concerted effort that builds over time. So I think that's why like when you know when they showed that one goal and they were measuring it over a fiveyear period right because you kind of need that much time that much work to go into it to be able to see those types of results and movements. [Music] So, here's a couple examples of like from the study of how boards like kind of kept their focus and said there was a board that turned down a technology grant when it realized it would take up to 50% of the staff's PV time and dilute the focus on the commitment to improving reading. So, think about like what a big step that would be, right? to turn away some

053money. But if it is stopping you from doing that that main thing, then kind of recognizing that that is how that board kind of demonstrated, right, that they kept that priority. Um, and then here's an example of, you know, saying if you've got some initiative that's going, you don't really realize as new board members and new staff members are coming into the fold that they need to kind of have that that same excitement and that same understanding as people that were there right when you you kicked it off. So again, how do you make sure then um that you're providing everyone the support that they need to help carry it forward and make sure that they have that same focus and then just kind of the importance of celebrating successes, right? I thought this was

054a good quote that says praise what you want to raise, right? that just kind of a way to to just look at it and saying, you know, sometimes we, you know, that there's short-term wins that maybe we should be acknowledging that sometimes we don't always do, right? And saying that instead of formal recognitions that board members, think about how else can we express and sometimes it's just the language we use, right? The shout outs that we give, it's just, you know, can be all kinds of um ways that we can demonstrate that. And you know, also celebrate your own work. like it would just sound like after the board you know gets its certification and you know there should be some acknowledgement of that. [Music] So just kind of in summary saying these are some

055of the habits then that emerged to boards as a result of the the research and saying to designate a time on the agenda to talk about um progress on key district initiatives um to learn about supports for quality professional development, you know, to get a better understanding of that. I mean, I've even had some boards say like if like if the board approves the staff to go somewhere that the staff then comes back to a board meeting and tells the board, okay, kind of this is what we got out of this and this is what we need that professional development that you provided for us. So, just kind of as a way to kind of keep everybody, you know, so that you are working together that the staff is, you know, coming back to explain

056to the board how that helped make a difference. Um the next one, you know, talked about the strong commitment to our district goals, knowing that, you know, learning data should be an ongoing conversation, right? Not just that once a year and kind of again that that belief that the board shows um in the ability of the staff to achieve their goals and to provide the the support that the staff needs. So this is just kind of a summary then of those five things that we looked at of saying you know you get what you expect. So make sure you act on the belief that all children can learn. Focus on what matters most. Teaching causes learning. So aim for instruction. Can't do everything at once. So jumpst start success with clear measurable focus goals. What

057gets measured gets done. So use data to drive improvement. And you can't lead what you don't know. is a lead as a learning team. So, I think that was the last one, right? Yes. Okay. We have to pass it to Christmas. So, I don't know if anyone has any questions or any thoughts about anything we talked about. Do you have any I wish more people you have any thoughts about that? It' be a great way to have people know there's not many people here today. I don't know. Is there any way you recommend getting start is there anything you recommend to or the value in kind of getting people more engaged in our process? I think you know that you pretty much hit the nail on the head, right? That there there's just they're just

058not going to come. So rather than trying to figure out how you're going to get them here, figure out how you can get the information to them if they're not going to come to you. So, you know, kind of, you know, they say like some boards will say, "Oh, nobody's here, so the community must be happy and we're doing things great." Well, say like don't rest on that or don't assume that. you don't let that stop your responsibility to make sure that the community knows what you're doing and you know so kind of saying how do we meet them where they are instead of making them come to where we are right so that's and you know I had talked to one lady who's a a PR person she's the PR person um in Montville

059and she was telling me just you know again we hate to go back to co and excuses but she said from a PR standpoint it's really changed parents coming to things and community showing up at things and it's almost like a new reality too for her job, right, of how to to get the word out and how to get other people engaged in this work. So great. I think it I mean I think a better job or maybe and I don't know if it's appropriate but like there is like board notes that went out like on Facebook or you know just like things got Facebook page we could do it. down the left updates or like a board newsletter. Be pretty dry, but I like the meeting like highlight. [Music] I just go and talk

060to ourselves sometimes. Um yeah, which is fine, but it'd be good to hear or understand about like a quarterly, you know, state. Yeah. All right. Date on the goals, strategic goals like once a year or twice a year. um an update like I'm looking at our board goals and we're we've pretty much hit like four of the six already that that's pretty good. I mean there's one board that even just kind of like had a calendar on it and under each month like it talked about what it did that month. So then people then once you see it up there for the whole year you can kind of see all the things that the board accomplished for the year. Any other questions for Charlie? Thank you. Thank you. [Music] Thank you very much for your

061guidance over years. We're actually leaving in the morning for the spend Easter there yet. Our kids have not seen the house yet. So, our girls are flying back. County. It is in South Work. So, it's kind of like in between Wilmington and Beach. You might see me in a couple years. But but as Chris said, thank you for all your many years of doing help and support to our board. I I say all the time us through a lot of uh exciting times. Yes. I I don't know you know I don't know like you you've just done an amazing job over the many years no matter when one calls you know you know you work five you know five days and nights a week and weekends and I don't know when you know when you

062have time off but you know you're you're always there and you're there for multiple districts. So I so I I'm always amazed at how you you know do your job and you do a great great job doing it. So but so thank you for all your many years of help and support. I I know it's you know been invaluable valuable in valuable to me. You know we're going to miss you. Thank you so much and I look forward to giving the board your board certification award. And what day is that? Day seven. Thanks. Thank you so much everyone. Really has been an amazing experience working with you guys. Thank you. Okay. Do that. Yep. Okay. Good night everyone. It's been fun. you know, not only help out, but I mean, you come to our group,

063you're active with our group, and it's appreciated. Come here. Or maybe thank you again. We are board business that may we have a motion for board business. Motion 1 through five. I'll move. Is there a second? Second. Any questions, comments, or discussion? If not, the questions on the adoption of board business motions one through five. All those in favor say I. I. Post say no. Any abstensions? And that brings us to administrative report starting with the business administrator board secretary, Mr. Murray. Okay, just a couple of items. And this is what excites me to be here every day. So, the the 20 2025 2026 tenative budget, remember the board had approved it um submitted to the county on March 18th. Still waiting for approval to advertise the budget um for the uh the public uh

064to to get it to the paper. And the deadline for all county offices to approve district budgets statewide is April 21st. So, copy our advertised budget need to get to the paper today to meet our statutory deadline to get it advertised. So, we're still waiting for approval. Um, and what I do is I need to get approveof back. I need to get the cost of it. So, we we needed to get that ball rolling. So, we'll still get the approval. We had to put things in place. That's why there's some discussion of moving a meeting, but there's statutory deadline along the way. So, public hearing, as a reminder, is on uh scheduled for April 30th. Um, cafeteria replacement, we talked about that months ago. They're scheduled for Monday the 21st to replace all the in-wall

065units. Wow. Um they and and not a moment too soon because they're really at the end of life. So they'll be a one or two day project. So hopefully, you know, during spring break, they can get it all done and be ready to go for the students when they come back. Financial disclosure statements. Thank you to everybody for getting those in. I certified the the final uh uh reports and sent it all to ethics commission and we are now in compliance with all the firing filing requirements. Uh an update on the heating system. Uh we're replacing a number of valves uh that are involved with HBAC and the boiler. They'll be here next week to replace some valves. They have to drain the entire system out. Um replace some valves and uh you know, fire

066the system back up again. So at least we have the week to test to make sure there are no leaks and we'll be ready to go in case we get any uh cool weather when the children come back. uh and the New Jersey schoolboard conference. Uh you remember there were a number that attended last year. The workshop 2025 will be Monday, October 20th through Thursday, October 23rd. Uh anybody interested, let me know. And uh what I will do is like we did last year worked out very well is we uh register as a as a district. We're allowed to do that for a group break. So if three or four of you go decide to go in person, um the whole board has access to all the documents after the conference is over. So you

067please let me know. They u uh the first day that the uh the hotels and everything opened up, they sold out a couple of hotels that were booked. I think what's happening is they are um giving fewer and fewer hotel rooms a lot or blocks to school boards. So let me know. I'll get you know Sorry, Jeff. Did they open already? You Yeah, they open and they already did. But I I already put in, you know, booked it for, you know, all the board at least place card holder. So, let me know and then I can I can actually, you know, pay for and book the rooms. Yeah. All right. So, October 20th through the 23rd. Unfortunately, I won't be there this year because I have another conference that's that's conflicting. But, as I said,

068I register I'll register the whole board once we get on the uh uh the May agenda. We'll have it to approve all board members and then just tell me as far as who wants to go and I can do the hotel or my office can do the whole hotel. Uh that's all I have to report. Great. Thank you. That brings us to the superintendent report. Mr. Patini, thank you. Engineering with empathy is the focus on the eighth grade STEM curriculum. Mrs. Carvak and the eighth graders partnered with E N A BL E enabled Noacow, a California-based high school robotics team to create and assemble five custom 3D printed prosthetic arms for recipients in Uganda. One, two. The collaborative project focused on building gripper quu prosthetic arms for individuals living with limb differences due to congenital

069conditions, workplace accidents, and unfortunately combat related injuries. The devices will soon be shipped to Uganda where they will be life-changing tools for the recipients. Enable Norcal, a team affiliated with the global enabling the future network, coordinates the project by designing the prosthetic arms using advanced CAD computer aided design software. The designs were then shared with Rockway Valley School students who assembled the prosthetics and oversaw quality control, ensuring that the devices were live were reliable, durable, and ready for realworld use. The goal of this project was more than learning how to assemble a 3D printed prosthetic. It was an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the recipients. The project was also a valuable hands-on experience, giving students practical exposure to engineering, design thinking, and humanitarian outreach. The students also saw that youths

070are capable of making a meaningful impact. The members of Enable NorCal are high school students. And just to let you know also, we had our visiting professor from Moner State, Dr. Bridget Looney, who is also an author. She teaches STEM and has written her dissertation and a book on STEM. Thank you. That's fabulous. Exciting. Very exciting. Big props to this department. Thank you very much. Let's see. You all had you all had a chance to look at the nurses report, the student attendance report, the staff intense report. That brings us to commendations. Mr. Pini. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to give a huge round of applause for our Brizzy Visual and Performing Arts Department for one, the music in our schools month, March concert for featuring preK and second grade, the lower grade spring

071concert with third through fifth grade. The upper grade spring concert for select course and upper grade band, and the amazing art show featuring every student, Mrs. Bartell and Mrs. Kovart, Mrs. Fusco. You and your students really made us proud. One more standing ovation for the cast, crew, and creative staff of last month's Triumph, Beauty and the Beast. Particular shout outs, tireless effort to the following adults who lent their expertise and patiently shared all they know with our budding performers, the set, lighting designers, and more. Larry D. Rosha, Harry Patrick Christian, Beth Johnson, Allison Looking, John Gartner, Heather Toto. And massive thanks to the Ed Foundation for their financial support and organization. Thank you to the home and school association and Mrs. Cooper for arranging the Jordan Sonic author day for grades 5 through8. His presentations

072are fascinating. The eighth grade workshop was inspiring. As you all know, we're moving away from just strictly having assemblies. We're having workshops of kids have some real tangible experience and firsthand uh workshops with the authors. Um next kudos to Mrs. Parade and all the staff members for the wonderful literacy night um last week. Many stations for K through4 students were available for families to explore. And on to spotlight on student work for March. Congratulations to in kindergarten, Dylan Casper, Kieran Ramik, Sammy Anakin, Maddox Mckenzer, Jack Bavville, and Jenna Bullian. First grade, Valentina Burrow, and Riley Winters. Second grade, Elani Lung, Colette Bardock Sarn, Daffany Lowski. and third grade, Daniel Zeniga, Julia Ram, and Alexandria Zunowski. On to fourth grade, flying high in fourth. This certificate is awarded each month to recognize students who display a

073variety of outstanding character and/or achievements within the classroom. Fourth graders John Olirri and Victoria Gibbons, Nolan Bardac, Swarn, Finley Lee, and Kayla Maul, Lily Landau, and Asher Matau. And Falcons of the month for January, congratulations go to in fifth grade, Alexandra Perez Bosson, sixth grade, Kendall Maul, seventh grade, Michael Vanella, and eighth grade, Gia Leon. Falcons of the months are students that exhibit a dedication to learning, leadership skills, great attitude, strong character traits, who promote a positive school climate. And that concludes the uh commendations. Oh, thank you. Thank you. And that brings us to correspondence which you've also had a chance to read, one through four. That brings us to open session number one. The first public comment period will be limited to adjunct items only. The second public comment period will be open to

074any 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 administration administrators according to the channel command concept. Questions may be directed to appropriate school personnel or board from email. Please state your name and address for the record and all comments are limited to 5 minutes. There do not appear to be anyone here to address them at this time. And that means we'll move on to our leison reports starting with the Mountain Rice Board of Education. All right. So we've had two meetings since so bear with me on the first one. It's been a while since we had

075that meeting, but I have to go off my notes here. Um, we there was a lot of student recognitions. It was a great um ceremony for all the winter sports and activities they went through. So, um they they talked about Lake Drive, the dev academic bowl. I think they went to the quarterfinals. Uh there were winner sports recognitions. I won't list them all because they may have messed some up. I don't know if I got them all, but there was uh some really great uh accomplishments by by some of the folks in the winter sports. um the visual performing arts recognition. I think they had some folks that went to the NJSMA region one orchestra. Three students um from the Sonic band wind ensemble. Uh they had uh seventh graders created artwork for uh the

076academic planner for Brier Clips. That's actually on the cover which is kind of cool. It went out. Um they they won that award. Um, and I guess our own Michael Sarah, uh, who's a RVs alum, won an award for best photo show at color and contrast through a photo contest, which is kind of beautiful photos. They showed him um, a slideshow. Um, and there was a photo robe award winner, Sabrina. Um, the big thing that happened in that meeting was they went over the turf presentation. If you haven't heard, they want to turf um, the pit. Um, they got a $1.2 $2 million grant from the state to do so. Uh there were just some concerns from some people that live around there about will you put lights, will it host um you know uh

077larger events, you know, like uh I'll call it varsity type sports. And the answer is no. It's more of a practice facility. They will hold games, but they'll be small games for like JV and um freshman. So nothing different than probably what happens today except and they actually think it'll improve the drainage because the turf field drain down instead of draining out. So some of the they had issues in the past with water running into the folks that live behind the pit. A lot of discussion in the pit. Um we must have spent over an hour with people for it and against it and most people were for it. Uh, so it was a pretty good discussion and I think the board did a really good job of explaining how they got the grant, the

078timeline, and the big issue was the town had to sign over uh half of the land. Uh, the school district owned half of the pit and it's affectionately known as the pit, by the way. And then the um the town owned the other half. So the town had to sign over the other half and they had to find a title. They lost the title. It had changed hands 37 times. Um, they had no idea who where it actually was. They finally found it and last night, I don't know the outcome of it, but they were supposedly finally going to sign over the town, the land to um the district. Turns out the little snapshot that's at the high school school didn't own it. It was actually on land owned by the town. So, it's very

079interesting how that Yeah. So, they now own that whole the school now owns that whole parcel of land going up through the pit and down through the snack shack or whatever. So, that was most of what they talked about. And then they went through the tenative budget. Everybody cleared out after the percept the pit discussion. So it was just our board discussing the tenative budget. They had healthcare increases of $660,000. Um they're actually going to increase their tax levy to 2.5% but they had a reduction of debt services of 5%. So it kind of somewhat uh evens out. um their total budget after all the special revenues that they have in their tax levy is 46.3 million which is up from $43 million in 2025. Um and I do have a note um when we

080went through everything Dr. Seagull was very appreciative of the collaboration on the calendar as they went through because we had approved the calendar that um and they new policies and interesting policy on spectator behavior. Three strikes and you're out. You can't come to mountain league sports anymore. So I think you know overall there's issues not just in Mount Lakes but everywhere with parents sort of being a little too vocal. So they they put a new board policy into that. Um and then we we gave an upgrade update on the long range facilities uh committee. I'm on it. Miss Hermy was on it before. Um so they're looking at that that long range plan is about 2027. So about a year and a halfish from being done. So they're starting to think about what's the next

081thing so that they can have that ready no longer plan. And then I don't know what happened but all my notes from last night are gone. So uh last night we talked about Charlene uh Peterson came and did a presentation. So I saw her uh conversation on Monday night two times. She did an update on the superintendent evaluation process. So we went through that. Um I'm trying to remember we had um oh an update from uh Mesi on the um new um I think it was LA program that they're implementing on grades 3 through 5. They finally chose a new program. Uh they're going to have new new textbooks whole new curriculum around uh you know LA in that space. So that was very informative. Um and they they talked about the rankings. I guess

082the new nj.com I think it was had the rankings of the high schools and Mount Lakes came out according to that number one um high public high schools. I don't know if it was public or all because I have I don't have the subscription to nj.com so I couldn't get to the article but uh we were told they were they were ranked number one. When they looked at all the criteria that they put on the board um they did very well. They they decreased their chronic absenteeism which was great. So they have obviously more people attending full-time and their the academics did come out very well um across the board both on um great younger grades up they they saw that they were basically as they passed through the different grades they're really um they're

083making great strides. Uh they're they're I forget the word that they used but they're they're seeing the progression of the children there. And then the SAT scores were excellent. Um that came back across the board. So it's all positive news as far as the academics go over there. That's that's from memory. So hopefully Yeah. Can I ask a question just for the whole board? If there's a new three through five literacy program coordinating with you should be doing discussions with Mount Lakes about I don't know. It's first I had heard about it cuz I usually only hear about the high school stuff and I'm not on the program committee. So they had the committee read out and they went through it. Um so we can talk about it. I think it's um I I they've

084been discussing it. I remember I watched some old videos before I joined the board and you might remember there was one they had people come up that I don't know what the program was with the old administration. They were looking at people weren't happy with that. So they spent a lot of time going through it. So I'll have to, you know, defer, we don't have to discuss it now, but maybe we can discuss it with Virginia if there's a connection if they change their LA program. I think it's just more the vendor they go with and materials. I I don't know if it's a huge shift, complete shift in curriculum is my understanding, how I interpret that makes sense. We've had some conversations, but I'll have to double check on that. Okay. I didn't get

085the sense that they were completely revamping the whole curricul. Thank you very much. That brings us to New Jersey School Boards Association. Much shorter report and nothing to add. Sorry. Thank you. Thank you. And that brings us to Morris County School Boards Association. So Morris County school boards on April 2nd, Piper Hulse was awarded our unsung hero award from our district. Um was there um that happened on the 2nd. The next meeting is on Wednesday, May 7th. This is at Mount Olive High School. This is their end of year awards and recognition. Um, as we've discussed tonight, we're going to be awarded the board will be awarded awards. So, it be great if everyone can make um an effort to be there. And then, of course, Charlene for breakfast. What time you know? Right. 6:00

086to 8:30. Now, usually the first 45 minutes are dinner. Okay. typically and unfortunately uh since it's not all planned for synchro traffic. Yeah, get there. Take that into consideration. There's no easy way. Let's see. That brings us to the educational services commission of Mars County. I attended the meeting last Wednesday night. Very routine business was carried on. Nothing nothing, you know, out of the ordinary to report. And that brings us to the Hampshire special education parent advisory group. All right. Um on March 26, Mrs. Greater and Mrs. Hayes delivered an engaging and informative presentation on speech and language development during the early childhood. The session was very well received into an audience of over 15 attendees reflecting strong interest in community involvement. Uh CPAC's annual survey has been circulating and is and is now nearing

087its close. In the coming weeks, CPAC will meet with the school administration to review the results and begin planning for next next year. Thank you very much. That brings us to the Boot Township Education Foundation. Heartbeat. That's Jeff. Jeff. Jeff. Oh, Jeff. Okay. Uh Jeff is not here. Does anyone else have any insight? There's a trivia night coming up with the Ed Foundation. I believe that's May 17th. It just went out. Trying to think what else are they doing. They're in recovery mode. Four kids starts soon. I think registering after spring break. Um, I think they sponsor trucks as well. That's right. So, the trucks in the fifth grade, you got it. Uh, so HSA. Yes. Next is the Rockway Valley Open School Association. Yeah. So, the big thing that's coming up with the HSA

088is the Harlem Wizards Mount Lakes High School, April 30th, 5:30. There's still tickets available. It's going to be fun. And then the large fundraiser, which is uh the fun run. I think that's nice, but don't quote me entirely on that. Um, all of the fundraising activity links have gone off this week and the goal is to build a walkway around the playground, a little walking truck, right? That new to you? That's what it says on the That was an idea. One of many ideas. Did they broadcast that? It's out there on the flyer. Yeah. One of the fundraisers where they talking about where you said around the playground they got back. It says walking path around our school. But let's just preface it as a proposed idea. Proposed idea. Okay. We just want to raise

089funding to help the school. How's that? That's awesome. I have to report. Thank you. And that brings us to the attention of Putin as usually a bit aware, but I think I I do know they had a budget hearing. Yes. Last evening and I heard it was well attended. That's all I know about that. Uh touching. Okay. Um so we had our regular meeting on April 4th and u there's been quite a lot of activity actually going on. Um I had attended the work meeting just to talk to the committee um the town committee about like all the things that the green team's been doing with the water developing municipal water story and um we have a green fair coming up on June 4th and um and we bumped into the DPW Robo and and

090he shared that um over at Leonard Park there was u you guys might have seen that on Facebook because there's some chatter but they're beautiful capitals that like that whole area was like covered in invasive weed mugwart. Anyway, long story short is we've dug we dug up some of those and planted a few of them in front of the school with some girl scouts. So, it's kind of like a nice way to like rehome some of that. But, um that also impacted there's a rain garden over there that is meant to um catch water and runoff and salts and stuff like that from the road and oils and stuff. So, we're working on that. Um, and yeah, we're starting to work on the garden now as well. The Girl Scouts also helped get sew a

091bunch of seeds, so that was kind of fun. Um, yeah, including your daughter, right? Did she have a good time? She did. Okay. Um, let's see. Um so the ne our next meeting is oh uh May 2nd but more importantly we have community cleanups, street cleanups um led by Alicia. She's um and or organized I should say and uh so we'll be out there. I'll be out there with you picking the garbage up off the street and we're trying to rope in as many high school volunteers as we can, you know, service hours. When is that? um Saturday uh May 3rd and May 17th. Yeah. And um and also on on behalf of the town's news that the the um rec department does the river clean up on April 20th. That's right on road. And

092you can shred Saturday, I believe. Right. If you have cleaning up. Oh, there you go. Believe it's our shredding day. Yeah. Yeah. The Saturday that would have been that would have I know that would have been in the township report. Yep. Great. So we put it we put it together. Thank Thank you. And with that we had a facilities transportation. The committee did meet. Yes. Um, we had a meeting on April 4th and this was to kind of re uh realign on potential referendum next steps. We discussed um what happened, what might happen in the future, and there'll be more discussion to come, but right now we're kind of revisiting the whole red. Great. Thank you. That brings us to finance. I don't believe the finance committee met recently, but we do have finance motions

0931 through 15. May I have a motion, please? Is there a second? I'll second. Any questions, comments, or discussion? If not, the questions on the adoption of plans motions 1 through 15. It's a roll call. Mrs. Barta, yes. Mr. Brandon, yes. Mrs. Hermy, yes. Mr. Johnson, yes. Mrs. Mcry, yes. Mr. Mills, yes. Mrs. No wicket. Yes. Okay. Thank you. That brings us to the personnel. The personnel committee met recently as well. Yeah. Two weeks ago. Yes. And the main things that are on the agenda tonight are Mrs. Pott's maternity leave and Mrs. Writer's retirement is primarily what we discussed. Thank you. And with that, may I have a motion for personnel motions 1 through seven? I'll move. Is there a second? Second. Any questions, comments, or discussion? Just comment that we'll miss Mrs. Weer, but

094she's been amazing and so we want to, you know, just run a beautiful program. My my son who was a junior in high school was in the preschool program and also networkked him way back then. So amazing. Great. So thank you. Good luck here. Yes. Thank you. Questions, comments, or discussion because we have a motion in the second. I do keep me honest. Good. Any other questions, comments, or discussion? If not, the questions on the adoption of the personal motions one through seven. Mr. Roll. Mr. Yes. Mr. Brainer. Yes. Mrs. Hermy. Yes. Mr. Johnson. Yes. Mr. McBry. Yes. Mr. Mill. Yes. Mrs. O. Yes. Thank you. That brings us to program yeah remember you took notes and graciously offered extremely detailed notes I did met on Monday Tuesday very recent can't Tuesday morning uh was

095was with Miss Wroth uh discussed a couple of topics um an update on a few sessions we recently had Michelle Lockwood Wood from coalition for inclusive education being uh discussed with staff applying for various grants and some special development training on top of Charlene's presentation about um human education in class resources. Um there's a meeting with a STEM author from Montlair State. I don't have his name but believe met with Sparbeck about STEM education. Samantha Negro from the Morris County office uh met with the sixth or eighth graders discuss perfect use technology as social media uh and testing. We discussed the upcoming SLAs's on May starting the 12th. So all week uh and how the benchmark testing is going. There's some discussion of uh possibly changing benchmark testing vendors which we discuss briefly. Uh computer

096rotation is on May 6. There was a discussion of um possibly having climate and culture u survey for students. Um Vicky Wilson an intern was uh discussed came and discussed the SOAR program some changes uh in testing evaluating gifted students including students in social emotional intelligence. Um and we discussed further uh anticipated changes to the upper grade math programs. That concludes the report. Can I ask you what you said about kindergarten? kindergart orientation orientation orientation. Sorry. Apologies. No problem. I got you can write this up. Uh, you know, I can do it. I could have just recorded what he said and then he did like Fortunately, it was recorded that way. It's all It's a record of itself. It's a good point. Yeah, that was a great point. Thank you. Thank you. Let's do voice

097to text. Yeah, you can watch it tomorrow or the day after. Exactly. Okay. Okay. With that, we have program motion number one. May I have a motion, please? Is there a second? Second. Any questions, comments, discussion? I'll let Mr. Murray call that time on the second. Uh Mr. Good. Uh any questions, comments, or discussion? If not, the questions on the adoption of program motion number one. All those in favor say I. I. Anyone post say no. Any extensions? That brings us to policy. Uh the committee has not met recently but we are attemp we are scheduling a meeting soon. I believe all these policies were first reading and described at that prior meeting. I'm hopeful. Yeah. So so with that we have policy motion number one. Motion please. Is there a second? Second. Any questions,

098comments or discussion? And if not, the questions on the adoption of policy motion number one. All those in favor say I. I. Anyone post say no. Any abstensions? We have governance. We need to have a meeting. Whoever's on the governance committee after the meeting, let us uh put our calendars together and schedule a meeting. Sounds good. Um with that, open session number two. Um, I'm not going to read the statement because there's no one in the public. See, no one in the public. We're going to move on to old business. Is there any old business to come before the board? Is there any new business to come before the board? I had something that I wanted to bring up. Um, and I I talked about this new program a little bit. It's just goals. Um,

099and I I really weren't able to make it, but um I'd like to see if we can get the goals set up earlier um and and established before June if possible for next year. And the reason being I think it'll give the administration some time being new to like catch their breath after this year and then have the summer's plan for the goals instead of setting them in like July or you know August. So maybe if we I don't know if it's next meeting. I know we have um the next meeting's the um the 14th the 14th but it's the um it's the budget meeting right or oh that's the following so we could discuss a little bit at the next meeting if we want to come with some ideas and then you know put

100something together maybe vote on the you know whatever it is May or June the idea would be just give the administration some runway to get stuff done after you know I'll call it a a wonderful but chaotic start as it was, you know, when Ken was coming in uh fresh in in September and like the school uh year was already off and running. Yeah, that's my thought. If we could just give him some time, I it's a little tangential to that point, but um can we just clarify what we have to do in the next few months? We have to do um superintendent. I have I have it in my other business. They have a board self evaluation and a supernet evaluation and I mean just where just thinking about what comes first or part

101of that can work with goals. Maybe that's something I don't think the evaluation has anything to do with next year's goals. No. Um it's just something we have to do. We evaluate can on the goals from this current year. Yeah. And we do our self evaluation on the current and we should also say and reflect and from that we could set the goals. Yeah. And I'm saying really just just however we want. I'm working backwards from June is what however we want to do it and stack it and and uh sequence it. But really, I just thought if they had, you know, July and August, the whole administration to kind of sit down, okay, this is what we're focused on now, rather than if we get delayed and we wait too long, it could be

102July and then all of a sudden we're putting it into July and now June is too late or I mean, I'd do it sooner if we could, but June would be like the the last date that I think we should approve. Is that the like the goal setting like you do? Yeah, the goal setting get the goal setting. You got May and June coming up. Yeah. Why do we So when we do our board evaluation, we we discuss, right? So at that point when we we're doing a we're focused on our goals. It could be that that point that we decide or make a proposal for next year's goals and we could have some kicked around so everybody can come prepared and we can maybe put something together and we just talked about succinct kind

103of narrow crisp goals too. So we don't need 30 goals, right? But we need to also I guess you know maybe we can talk in I'm not sure the personal government to Ken about that behind the scenes about his schedule too and how that might fit in or not fit in. Yeah. As well. What was the timing last year? Exactly. Last year was crazy. Last year was probably this year whoever the new rep would be. But We get an hour's worth of towards the Carol Larson. Yeah. Yes. Some of them in general timing in general if you did it with their f like they've always done you not only get the goals done, you have you have for the board. I think we should timing. Yeah. So, so we so after you know I had

104two things to bring up but I I asked for others first. Some of the other things two things we do have to do is a board self evaluation in order in order to get the award that is eminent from New Jersey school boards on on mea we need to complete a board self evaluation. So, I'm going to go on and open open that up. Um, I'll have to see if there's anything I did, but I'm going to do it very quickly, like let's say by Friday or Saturday latest and and then if and I guess I'm not even sure. I've never seen this new system they have, but if you all wouldn't mind just going on there and you know between we don't have to we won't be discussing it yet before May 7th because

105we have you know we have a budget hearing. We won't discuss it until the May meeting but we just need to complete it. Yeah, before the May before May 7th is that that's we get recognized. We haven't had time. Yeah, maybe I mean maybe by this so Charlene can go in and verify that we all completed it. She won't be here May 1st. Is it back for the recogn I assume she knows she's coming back for the recognition, but I just don't think she knows how she's being recognized. So there's the uh we're being oh like awarded but if that's not the Carol Lee Larson one that certification you had to get board reertification and then you need more on top of that for the Carol. Yes. Once we get certification we are working towards

106Carol Larson for another 16 P number. Yeah it's another but John has a good point. we bring school boards back where we could for the process we can get some more towards it and just get it and I like what Christine had said like you've got um it was pendulum we had six goals this year maybe two next year um and we've done really well to your point you know grace sorry um we've got the the pendulum that's going the other way and I think we already did four six and we're done maybe we just narrow it just narrow so yeah so we have the the the board set up evaluation that we have to do. Hope, you know, if you don't mind, you know, help help us out, you know, at least the majority

107of me, but hopefully all of you, you know, within the next two weeks after that, we all have to do it. Yeah, we to get it, you know, to get that completed at least an input into the system well enough for whoever's checking to to make sure we did it. Do you get a report? Yeah, maybe. Yeah, complete, Barry. Like, will you know like, oh, people have it or whatever the number might There are lists. Okay. And when's the superintendent valuation? Is that the next one you're going to talk about? Uh yes and then the other thing that's coming up is we talked we I think in our governance committee we or governance personnel we governance I believe we're talking you know it'll be uh Mr. first round of a superintendent evaluation. Um you know

108as you all know the process is you know I guess the system opens up um the district goals are placed into the system. Um and then the board you know evaluates you know I think there's a this is all generically speaking um I think met didn't partially met or didn't meet is like the three categories you choose from and they they superintendent evaluation on the district goals. Uh, first the superintendent, you know, puts their what they think. Did they meet it? Partially meet it or not meet it at all. You and then the board goes in and there's like um support put behind that like you know what what was done to accomplish those goals during the year, you know, evidence, you know, to support whatever conclusion was there and then you wouldn't agree or

109disagree with that, what you think was met partially might have not met at all. Then there's a whole several pages of just generic information about um about super evaluations you know different categories that you all rank you know and and also put comments in. So um you know we talked about how by waiting till June it becomes interesting in June because there is a lot of stuff going on in June graduations year end stuff and all that. So, we want to try to, you know, try our best to get done a little bit earlier than the June meeting so that, you know, you know, Ken could get, you know, get his piece done and we can get our piece done and then we still have breathing room as a board to get the results and

110we're supposed to come up with a summary and then we're supposed to prove the summary and then discuss it with our superintendent. And often times we have all the results. We we we always do it in Jim and like the whole thing. and we got the whole thing out there. Um, you know, all the the comments, all the rankings, and then uh in the past, the board president takes their best guess on summarizing it and and seeing if this, you know, the summary comments are, you know, to the board's linking and then they can be tweaked, but they have to be completed that night and discussed that night. So whatever happens that night, it could be, you know, you know, if there's tweaks and changes made, it's, you know, very unprofessional. So it's handwritten and

111whatever. So we're thinking of trying to get it done by May, but May's coming quick. May's coming really quick. There's a lot going on in the next few months. Yeah. So we'll we'll discuss that timeline, but but keep your eyes open for that, you know, eventually too, you know, when it comes out. Please try to Yeah. do that. So self evaluation superintendent. Yeah. Because is that that's a May I kept it capital by May 7th. You got to get that done by because the meeting is when a few days before at least I mean you don't want to do it right. That' be a bad look. But that's your goal is because you have recognition. Yeah. May would be nice. They have at least a bank. So we're going to get that window. Yeah. The

112ink has to be drawn. After that, we do terminate. Yes. And that will be in the works in, you know, in the process. But while we're doing, according to the school board's 12-month calendar, which is what we were referring to in governance, while we're working on our board self-evaluation, Ken can be doing his portion. Absolutely. And it's supposed to be we were I think we agreed to like early April or April 1st. And then in April, we conference on it. We do our part in May. May we're in April. Yeah. Oh, we're already month. So guys, just getting back to the board of valium. Yes. Can we all commit to completing it by uh Sunday night, May 4th, so that when they come in on Monday morning? Yes. They see it. It's there. And gives

113them two days. Then we're done. Yes. And then we're done. Done. Yeah. And then maybe we'll discuss it in our meeting, but at least that'll be done. They can see it's done. And then this is all the weekend too. You can use that to do our next. Yes. And then and and while we're doing that, we could, you know, that would be something if if if we choose to begin setting those goals. You you'll use that as your your springboard into one of your goals to complete that certification. Yeah. We could check. Yeah. But I you know I do I just want to have the goals set soon both board and district if we could and then that way you know it kind of clears the runway for you know here's I think it's a

114good best practice pushed them up early on earlier yeah goal number four the New Jersey school board certification award number three forgot what you to maintain it. We have to maintain the credits. Maintain the credits to keep it. But no one launched the Carol Ears. Yeah. To keep the certification at that level. That was a number after after that, but that only lasts so long. Yeah. We were the first one of the first one of the first people that lacked us now. So now will we be the first to get it twice or we can ask the We have to find out if we'll be the first to get it twice. Yes. There you go. Hopefully locally. Yeah. eat from but I think once you get it as long as you keep doing credits and

115you maintain that level or status there yeah that was like the year when co was hitting a lot of stuff there's a lot of other stuff going that'd be good to get it back I said I'm going to do the training I mean that's a year to keep it going four at least four things a year why don't I do this why don't I tomorrow email Charlene yeah tell her where we ask her where we are and how you know how to maintain coming full. Yeah. Carol mean the next one. Yep. Absolutely. And how long our current one? She says it's like 12 credits and we have to do what? Four year. I think that's the advert. It was like three or four year. It wasn't a lot. Wasn't a big ass. You just have

116to do. Yeah. To achieve it and then maintain. And then maintain. Interesting about who our new person will be as well. Yeah, I was going to ask if you know it or I was going to ask her, but I know they'd advertised for position, so they may still have some open. Could have been her the person she was with her. All right, maybe you have some time. That might share. They're probably going to share counties. Let's move on. So, where are we? So, did we cover business? That was part of new business. Was that all new? That was all new business. Yeah. Three things. Board indication and superintendent evaluation. Is there anything other new business that come before the board? If not, I believe we do have close session to do and what was it

117the category student matters. Okay. With that you can do close session. We can do that too. Yes. Thank you. So you want you want student matters negotiations and then I can do a quick update on residency. Uh so you have three things. Okay. So with that may have a motion to enter into executive session to discuss issues that warrant confidentiality as permitted in the open public meetings act chapter 231 of the laws of 1975. These matters may or may not be made public when the board reconvenes. They will be made public when the confidentiality of the subject was no longer warranted. We are going into we're going to discuss negotiations with the boot township educ education association student matters and student residency and there will be no board action taken when we reconvene. Now may

118I have that motion please? Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say I. I. And thank you. It is 9:56 p.m. We've just returned from our our close session. There is no other board action. May I have a motion to adjurnn? Second. Is there a second? All those in favor say I. I. Thank you very much for coming and we'll see you next month.