001Good evening. Welcome to the February 26th Hillsboro Township Board of Education meeting. Um, in accordance with the state sunshine law of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting uh was advertised in the Hillsboro Beacon and the Courier News. Uh, Mr. Eert, would you please take the role? >> Mr. Mr. Arcr >> here, >> Miss Jackson >> here, >> Miss Craig >> here, >> Miss Lammy Beer >> here, >> Mr. Marini >> here, >> Miss Nurse, >> Miss Stats >> here, >> Mr. Hill >> here, >> and Mr. Davis >> here. And we have a quorum. Uh, so we will be uh moving into executive session if that's okay. Whereas the Open Public Meeting Act, chapter 231 of the laws of 1975, provides that the public body may exclude the public from that portion of a
002meeting of which the public body discusses certain matters for which confidentiality is required as permitted in section 7B of the act resolved by the board of education of the township of Hillsboro and the county of Somerset and the state of New as follows. The matters to be discussed are negotiations with the HSPA and student disciplinary matters. The matters discussed in executive session shall be disclosed to the public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> So, uh, we'll be back at about 7:30. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Good evening. Welcome to the Thursday, February 26, Hillsboro Board of Education meeting. We are
003returning from uh executive session and I would like to ask Mr. Eert to please call the role again. >> Mr. Erin Grants >> here. Miss Jackson >> here. >> Miss Craig >> here. >> Miss Lanny Beer >> here. >> Mr. Marine >> here. Miss Nurse. >> Miss Stats >> here. >> Mr. Ho >> here. >> And Mr. Davis >> here. Uh we have a quorum. Uh let us please do the pledge of allegiance. Please your honor to the stands. One nation indivisibley and justice for all. Just give me a moment here. Minor technical difficulties. I apologize. Uh we're going to uh move to committee reports. What correspondence are listed? >> Oh, we do have correspondence, yes, listed in the agenda. And uh correspondence is as listed there. Committee reports. Um Miss Jackson, will you please
004um give us the ED committee report? So, we met on uh Tuesday, February 10th, and we um we reviewed um the book for approval, revised curriculum, uh overnight trip for approval, um and then for discussion items, we spoke about uh curriculum supervisors, and that's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Marini. Operations Committee. Sure thing. Um, most of our uh operations meeting was discussing the budget. Um, we talked about the budget calendar uh and as it relates to the uh the governor's budget address and that timing. Uh we talked about the budget development, walked through all the items that were included. We discussed the options of a 0% a 2% the healthcare waiver etc. I think the the guidance uh that we were given was that 2% was potentially a best option. I know recently there was
005a noted increase to the healthc care budget expenses. I think we expected it to be around 19% but it's closer to 28%. Um it's being negotiated still but that's a really big jump. I think the still ongoing assumption is that we're not going to recommend taking the healthcare waiver and to keep the budget at 2%. Obviously, that's up to the board to discuss and decide. Um, but that is, I think, like an additional $3 million impact with the healthc care increase. Is that correct, Mr. Record? >> Yes. The the additional 9% it was is about $2.8 million. >> $2.8 million. So, the public can understand uh the impact of this uh to us. So, um I think the budget is being drafted at 2%. We could always draft it at a different number, but that's
006for the board to discuss. And beyond that, uh, there was a discussion potentially to move the budget meeting off by a couple days just because of the timing of when the state aid numbers come out and I think that hasn't been decided yet, but um, there was some discussion to that point and I think that was it. >> Thank you. U, Miss Nurse is not here is Allison. Thank you. This is the uh, HR committee. >> Committee. Um, the HR committee met on uh, Wednesday, February 18th. Um we discussed um changes to changes or addition of the sexual harassment regulation. Um we discussed the uh revised description for the director of school counseling position. We also discussed the need for new positions for um the upcoming school year. And I believe that was it. Thank
007you. Um I'll give the report for the governance committee. The governance committee is made up of the chairs of the other committees and it's an aggregation of what's going on. And uh the primary or the first thing we talked about at the governance committee was uh permitting homeschool students to participate in township sports. And we did pass a policy uh three years ago to allow that at the high school level and uh we've received a request to allow that at middle school level and the board was of the opinion that that was the intent and the spirit of the original policy. So we agreed to allow that to move forward. Uh we also talked about uh the calendar upcoming in terms of board of ed meetings and special events and those kinds of things and
008just in terms of what we're planning for the future and uh the beginning of the budget season uh if you will is upon us and the last couple of years uh have have had some uh meaningful developments or have been large increases and so on. And so one of the conversations is well where where's the the gut feeling? I don't want to be that imprecise, but what are people feeling about well what should the upcoming budget be? And uh that can go from we should cut the budget. We can't spend all this money to we want to do what's best for the kids at all times and it doesn't matter and everything in between. And of course, we're in no position yet. Mr. Eert and the administration are in no position yet to be talking
009about specific line items, but there is a conversation about a a general, you know, what would be a general horizon for where we would want to go. And as Mr. Marini alluded to, there's a lot more to that conversation than just the gut feel of, well, we're spending too much or we're not collecting enough. And uh if we have an opportunity, we may take a couple of minutes later on this evening even just to describe how individuals might feel about this. But uh that's what we did at the governance committee meeting. Uh, so now we will move along to the superintendent report. >> The board president's report. >> No board president's report. I'm the board president and I got nothing to read. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Um, and Mr. Davis, I'm going to put you
010to work to start for our next most exciting part and the reason why everybody is here. Mr. Davis, if you wouldn't mind standing in front of that table over there because you're going to be receiving some people. And if I could get my uh administrators to stand like behind the table because we're going to have some people coming up and when your people to be recognized come up. If you could stand by Mr. Davis with your person to be recognized that would be fantastic. Um I do want to say good evening distinguished guests, colleagues, and families. There is profound truth in the idea that while a building is made of bricks and mortar, a school is built of spirit and dedication. We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the architects of that spirit. In every
011classroom, hallway and across our district, there are individuals who do not simply show up for a job, but who answer a calling. They are the people who understand that education is the most powerful tool we have to change the world. And they wield that tool with a blend of art, science, and an unwavering heart. Tonight is particularly special because we are recognizing the unique pulse of every single one of our buildings. Education is a massive undertaking, yet it is felt most deeply at the local level within the specific walls of each building where our students feel seen, safe, and challenged. By selecting a teacher of the year and an educational support professional of the year from every building, we are acknowledging that excellence is a daily practice happening in real time in every neighborhood that
012we serve. It is the teacher who stays late to find the one key that unlocks a student's potential and is a support professional who ensures the environment is primed for that breakthrough to happen. To our honores, you represent the gold standard of Hillsboro. You were chosen by the people who see your work up close, who know the grit it takes to maintain your grace under pressure. You are the north stars for your colleagues and the safe harbors for your students. As we call your names tonight, we are celebrating the collective impact that you have made on the future of this community. You remind us that while one person can make a difference, a dedicated team across an entire district can change the trajectory of a generation. As we begin the begin the presentations, I invite
013you to listen to not just the accolades, but read the words of these professionals which will come up behind me. These are the words of a district that refuses to settle for good enough because our children deserve exceptional. Please join me in a moment of profound gratitude as we begin honoring our 202526 teachers and educational support professionals of the year and give them all a round of applause to this. And the first person I'd like to bring up to the front with uh President uh Davis is Katina Dranis from Amsterdam. Kina says that receiving this award is a profound honor, one that she shares with incredible colleagues and students who have helped shape her teaching journey thus far. As a former student of this district, it is a special privilege to pass on the love
014of learning that my teachers once instilled in me. Um, and Kina, I remember yesterday you and I just had a halfhour conversation. And it was funny during that too, how many personal connections I have here as superintendent when she reminded me she was a product of the school system and coming through. I'm like, "Oh, what school did you go to?" She's like, "Pillsburgh Elementary School. You were my principal." And all of a sudden, I felt very old. Congratulations to you, Cina. From Morton Road Intermediate School. Nicole Jennok. Nicole says, "As someone who has wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember, I am so honored to be selected as teacher of the year. It really means everything to me to be acknowledged by my colleagues, students, and their families for my
015work and dedication over the years. I really can't imagine myself doing anything else with my life, and this award deeply validates that feeling and motivates me even more by making me feel seen and valued." Nicole, congratulations to you. from Hillsboro Elementary School. Kim Wright Kim says, "A great teacher doesn't just teach lessons. They shape lives, spark curiosity, and believe in students before they believe in themselves." I am honored that I have been recognized for her achievements. And I am honored that you taught two of my students. Kim, thank you so much for that and all you do for kids. from Hillsboro High School. Eric Puma Eric says, "Hillsboro educators do so much good on a daily basis, working diligently and passionately to develop, mentor, and guide students. To be recognized and miss this group is
016humbling. On any given day in various spaces in the building, it's clear how dedicated the staff is help is helping the students grow. I consider myself fortunate to be one of those many educators. And Eric, I'm still using when I observed you your fallacy lesson. I brought that up in some family arguments recently. So, thank you for that as well. And thank you for all you do for kids. From Hillsboro Middle School, Lucinda Ferreri. Lucinda says, "Being selected as Hillsboro Middle School teacher of the year as a literacy coach and interventionist means being recognized for advocating for the underdog reader, the student who may struggle, feel overlooked, or doubt their own abilities. This honor represents her belief that every student deserves patient encouragement and instruction that honors who they are as learners. It affirms her
017commitment to helping students build confidence through literacy, celebrating progress big and small, and ensuring that no student feels defined by their challenges. As a TOPS adviser, this recognition also reflects the importance of creating meaningful experiences beyond the classroom. Through organizing and supporting schoolwide activities and leading community outreach efforts, she strives to show students that service and compassion go handinhand with learning. Lucinda, thank you so much for what you do for kids from Sunnyme Elementary School. Megan Jadro. Megan says, "Being named teacher of the year means so much to me, but I truly believe it's because of the amazing staff and school community she gets to work with every day. She is surrounded by people who care deeply about our kids and support one another, and that makes all the difference. I feel incredibly grateful to
018be a part of such a special elementary school. Congratulations, Megan." From Triangle Elementary School, Shannon Gaspari. And I know some people may or may not be here, but I'm going to read about them anyway. Shannon says she's honored and humbled to receive this award. Her past three years at Triangle School have been the highlight of her teaching career thanks to the incredible staff administration and the strong sense of community we share in Hillsboro. She will remain committed to supporting the whole child, fostering students academic, social, and emotional growth. I know Shannon's not here, but congratulations Shannon from Woodurn Elementary School. Christina McKver. Christina says, "Being selected as Woodurn Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor and a reflection of the amazing students she's privileged to teach. Teaching students with language and learning disabilities reminds
019me every day that with patience, support, and belief, every child can grow and succeed. I am grateful for the partnerships of families and colleagues who help make our classroom a place where every child feels valued. And I noticed all that when I was your principal, too, before Dr. Carrian stole you. Congratulations, Christina. From Woods Road Elementary School, Emma Mulun. Emma says, "Being named educator of the year is a profound validation that her passion for teaching truly makes a difference. Her goal has always been to provide a meaningful and positive first school experience for her students and their families. And this award confirms that she is fulfilling that goal. Congratulations to you, Emma. And now for our educational services professionals of the year from Amsterdam Elementary School, Julia Libskin. Julia says she strives to approach every
020interaction through a simple guiding lens. How would I want my own children to be treated? This philosophy ensures that every student receives her very best and her greatest hope is that they leave her classroom truly knowing how much they are valued. Congratulations to you, Julia. From Road Intermediate School, Connie Zang. And I don't believe Connie is here, but but I thought Conniey's uh note was profound that every child in your class is someone else's whole world. Congratulations to Connie from Hillsboro Elementary School. Linda Hook. Linda says, "Being named HS's ESP of the year is an incredible honor and I she's very thankful. She's so grateful to be able to do what she enjoys and be surrounded by amazing staff and students. She's proud to be such a part of such a wonderful team. And Linda,
021I got to feel old before, so I want you. She was my daughter's um first lunch aid at Hillsboro Elementary School in kindergarten. She's a junior in college now. Linda, just wanted to let you know that. Congratulations to you, Linda. From Hillsboro High School, Jalisa Williamson. Lisa is not here, but I'm going to say that she said being selected for this award is deeply meaningful and humbling as it reflects the trust students place in her during important and challenging moments. It reinforces her belief in the importance of showing up consistently and compassionately and affirms her commitment to creating a safe, supportive space where every student can thrive. She's honored to be recognized for a role that she carries out with purpose, empathy, and dedication. Thank you, Jalisa from Hillsboro Middle School. Lisa Girls White, hang.
022>> Is she here? Is Lisa here? No. >> Oh, okay. Well, I'm going to say what she said anyway. Lisa said it's an honor to receive this award and it's her hope that it's a recognition for the words that she has tried to live by for Maya Angelou. She's learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Congratulations to you, Lisa. From Sunnyme Elementary School, Dorianne Shamimi Pelagi. Dorianne says a quote from Rita Pearson. Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best that they can possibly be. Dorian, thank you for being that champion. From Triangle Elementary School, Annie McCcluskey. Annie states, "It's
023an absolute honor to be selected as educational services professional of the year. She works with a team of incredible teachers and staff. We never lose sight of the fact that we are all working together for our students. Congratulations to you, Annie. From Woodurn Elementary School, Stephanie Pryler. Stephanie says she is very honored to be selected as Woodurn's ESP of the year. It is a privilege to support the students, staff, and families at Woodurn and know that her work makes a positive impact within our school community. I'm truly grateful for the ongoing support of the entire Woodfern community and for this meaningful recognition of the work you do. Thank you so much. Stephanie from Woods Road Elementary School, Jamie Clink. Wow, I see a sign back there. That's pretty cool. Jamie took a quote from Ralph
024Ralph Waldo Emerson which states to laugh often and much to win the respect of the intelligent people and affection of children to find the best in others. To know that one life lived has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Jamie, you've obviously succeeded. Thank you so much for what you do. I had a lot of nice words for all of the professionals, but I also just want to say heck of a job. Um, you guys are the backbone, the lynch pin of this school district. You deserve all these accolades and more. And uh, I will be looking forward to catching up with you and there's probably other recognitions for some of you along the way. Congratulations very much to you. Uh, Mr. President, would you like to take a fiveminut
025break and maybe we could shake some hands with some of the people? Um, I am going to I'm a little under the weather, so I'm not going to come around shake your hands like I normally do, but if any other board members or administrators would like to uh meet with some of our ESPs and teachers, now is that time. We'll take a fiveminut break and the board president will bring us back. Thank you all so much. Heat. Hey, Heat. baby. Baby, really? Baby, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Wonder. D hey. Hey Number Jack. Heat. Welcome back from our five minute break and what a pleasure it was to meet each of the honores and family members and thank you all for your efforts and for your work. U >> yep uh Mr. Vulpi has one more
026item. >> Thank you Mr. Davis. Um, as uh aligned with state code, every uh six months we have to report our student safety uh data publicly. So I have that presented for the board tonight. There is not an additional presentation and everything's in line where it typically is. We just have we are mandated to present this publicly. We have it out there and we will be reporting these numbers to the state as well. If any board members have any questions at any time, please feel free to follow up with me uh about that. And again, congratulations to our teachers and educational support professionals of the year. We are thrilled with the work that you do for our children each and every day. Some of you personally uh for my children as well. Um keep up
027the great work. And Mr. President, that concludes my superintendent's report. >> Thank you, Mr. Vulpi. Uh as we move through the agenda, we have approval of uh previous minutes uh public meeting minutes as well as executive session minutes. Uh do I have a motion to accept the minutes? Second, anyone? >> Any comments? >> Can we take a vote? I'm sorry. >> You're going to abstain. >> Allison will abstain. All in favor? >> I So section Oh, no. Comments. Yes. This is where I get to read. We very much welcome input from the public during board meetings. There will be two 30 minute periods of time that the meeting will be open for public comment where members of the public are invited to comment which they may do if they are attending in person. There is
028a clipboard for all participants to write their name at the podium. Before commenting, please state your name and address. There is a 3minut limit on public comment. Please understand that our public forums are not structured as question and answer sessions, but rather are offered as opportunities to share your thoughts with the board. In instances where the board believes that there is a misunderstanding or inaccuracy, the board president or superintendent will address the comment. There may be times when a member of the public makes a comment or asks a question about personnel or hiring decisions. Kindly note that the open public meetings act and the privacy rights of public employees encompassed therein do not permit the board to discuss personnel issues in public session. And this is for public input on budget or action items on
029the agenda. Thank you. >> Amy Salinger um teacher dotten road and aka first vice president action agenda or budget. Okay. Just wanted to make sure. Um I just wanted to make a quick comment about the upcoming budget. I know we've been through a lot over the past few years. um some you know some some very respectful disagreement and we're we are where we are and I hope that you know the like what's happened has happened and we're moving forward and I just wanted to take a moment to um reflect upon what Mr. Vulpi said during the teacher of the year and it was something like Hillsboro is not a district that accepts good enough and I hope we really keep that in mind as we work on this budget season. Thank you. >> Thank you.
030Good evening. Henry Goodu, Hillsboro Education Association, as well as Hillsboro resident and parent as well. Um, I would also like to just offer a brief comment on um the budget as I also signed myself in here. Um, you know, there's a lot of unknown when it comes to budgets and you know, I heard some conversation about that where when the figures come out and what that's going to look like. We don't know what the formula is going to look like this year. Uh especially in comparison to last year. We have a new commissioner of education, a new governor who have committed themselves to revising the funding formula. So, we don't know what that means for Hillsboro. Um hopefully, you know, knock on Hillsboro would that means something good for us, but we don't know. But
031what we do know is that we're not in a position that a lot of other districts are in right now, which is a very strange thing for us. Um, I'm not having, you know, nausea talking about the budget just yet, which normally this time of year that is what I would be feeling. It's a seasonal thing. But we have districts around New Jersey who are talking about $28 million deficits, who are talking about selling off u raising, you know, taxes 35% and still having to sell a school and having class sizes go over 35, right? We're not in that position for once. we have the ability to make decisions this year so that we don't have to be in that position again. So I really strongly encourage the board, you know, reflect our values and
032that that and those values include fiscal accountability, right? But it includes giving the students what they need. It includes building this district forward, which we've done an admirable job of over the years. And I would offer, you know, sometimes having too many options becomes a problem because we're not really sure what to do. So, we've gone from crisis planning for years and now we're at a position where we can breathe for a minute. So, I hope that the conversations the board is having include that that we're breathing, we're pausing, we're defining our values and we're looking at what can we do to ensure that this district continues into the future and that we can provide stability not only to the taxpayers but to the students and staff as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Seeing
033that there are no other speakers, we'll move on to section 11. Mr. Vulpi. >> Thank you. I ask for the board's uh consideration to approve the motions in the area of education, including professional travel related expenses, affirming the superintendent's HIV determinations, book adoption, revised curriculum, overnight trip, field trip destination, staff for triangle title one winter camp, submitting an application for funding for the expansion of the smile community program at Sunny, accepting grant funds from the Mark Shawn Weder Holocaust Education Foundation, grant in the amount of $500. Amending education item 11.10 of the December 22nd, 2025 board of education agenda. And the board was emailed about that pretty late in the day today. And approving the long-term suspensions of students whose names are on file in the office of the superintendent. >> May I have a
034motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion, Mr. Trujillo, >> I have a comment about the FBLA field trip. Um, I had sent an email with my concerns about this field trip. So, at first I was excited because it was in Atlantic City and I thought, okay, it's instate, great. But then I looked at the dates and these dates are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of school. So, my biggest concern is that the students who attend this trip will miss three instructional days. And based on just the calculations of the number of chaperones, that looks like to be about a 100 students who are missing class instruction. But then also there will be eight staff members who will be chaperoning which is eight eight staff members, three days, five periods a day and then whatever
035number of students that they have. I mean it's like we're talking like a thou over a thousand students impacted like per day times three days. So my big that's my that's not to mention how much it costed but but the instructional loss time is my biggest concern and I just I don't see how this can I don't see how we can improve this trip. It seems like I mean in the past FBA has been always been on the weekend and so it seemed okay but like having three instructional days right in the middle of like March it just seems so I just I can't support this one and I was curious what my um fellow board members thought about it. >> Any comments in the stats? >> I've had concerns like that for for a
036few years now regarding field trips. However, our policy is is sort of vague and uh I but it is um a work in progress right now where um I believe there are there's a committee um of of school personnel that are working on uh refining it. Uh but I do hope it will include concerns about and and um you know more you know specific uh um concerns about uh lost time of instruction uh the cost you know monetary cost and things like that but since they're not in place and also uh with the FBA trip it really was out of their control what the days were. I fault the FBLA leadership for picking school days for a club that is comprised of school students. Um, I mean, when I say leadership, I mean national leadership
037or maybe state leadership. Um, but that's out of the control of of our school district. Um, I don't feel comfortable uh not allowing our students to go to that for this one, but um I'm going to vote yes for this for for the reasons I just said. We don't really have anything specific in in the policy to keep them from going and uh they had no choice in what the days were. >> Just to follow up on what Miss Stats is saying, especially the first part, you Dr. Dr. Rabimus who is not here um asked the education committee just for the grace of one travel around the sun um to kind of see how the district operates uh and particularly when it comes to field trips and it's her commitment to starting in this summer
038really digging down and trying to get a process more so around the field trip situation because what it's been here is we get a form filled out and we bring it to the board. So, I know part of her process is going to be asking those questions, Miss Stats, but also trying to get the board more advanced notice. So, if debate needs to happen among board members, that that can happen. So, um you know, she only started here in July and we got some big bucket items that we're dealing with, but we do have that on the horizon. I just wanted to verify that part. >> Mr. Marini, >> um just to be quick, I agree with Miss Stats almost across the board with your comments. >> I didn't hear that. I I was saying
039I agree with all of Miss Stat's comments about feeling generally uncomfortable about it, but this is out of our control and we don't have a standard to go against for this. >> Do you have anything? >> Yeah, I I think it would be interesting to know why um FBLA did this. I I think that's the most disappointing thing here is, you know, why are they put popping it right down in in the middle of March and um three days out of a the week? So, um unfortunately, I find it disconcerting. I think the people that are in control should put a little more thought into what they're doing, when they're doing it, and what the impact is. >> I'm just thinking out loud, but this is a comment section. But it might be helpful if
040uh the board or a committee could perhaps get involved in the process earlier um rather than only being invited in at the decision time, but to perhaps be involved more toward the front end of here's what we're thinking. What do you think? you know, not that we want to get into micromanaging and approving every step along the way, but for something like this to come up and to, you know, some board members almost don't have enough time to react. It's just here it is and is it yes or no? Uh, so that's something we can discuss for future improvements, misstats. Do you mean having board members involved in each particular case or in the pol in the policy revision? I think I'm thinking and of course this is spur of the moment so we could
041kick the tires on this and and you know I'm not making a proposal but rather than just being confronted with do you approve this trip or not if there were a way we could be involved sooner in the process it might just give folks more time >> but but in the process of each particular trip. >> Yeah. Or perhaps we could set parameters for what would trigger >> Well, that that's what I think the policy would do. Yeah, I I I sort of am resistant to being part of the whole process of each particular trip because that would get into, you know, we're constantly reminded that we are here to make sure the school district is wellrun, not to run the the schools. So if we were to be involved in the whole process of
042uh from the beginning of a the decision to for an overnight trip that I think would be like like you posited that it would be micromanagement. >> Yeah. But the policy will be part of that. We'll have to approve. >> Yeah. So perhaps setting a policy where it would trigger our being involved if it exceeds X Y or Z you know but to be discussed. >> Sure. If if I can just say too, I think there's kind of a middle ground here. I think there's two things the board can explore. You know, I think this is probably a good like summer project to kind of look at the policy and see what we want to do, but also Dr. Rabimus does want to set up our own internal procedures where you get this information um
043further in advance than you are getting it right now. Uh particularly for some of these trips sort of happen every year and what happens is you usually get it like a couple weeks before the event. Dr. Dr. Bimis would like to get that to you earlier so that if debate and discussion does need to happen further, there's still time to ask a further question. So there's two different ways we can approach that. >> Like with policies, we have a first reading and a second reading. So maybe there could be we could establish a policy that for some trips there'd be like a first reading, you know, that might be a couple of months ahead of time. Whatever we're thinking. >> Thank you, Mr. Vulpi. I do I have a question about item 111 which is
044uh professional travel and there's a conference in Anaheim California that two people are scheduled to attend and I don't know what that conference is. >> Yes. So that conference is um I wish I Dr. Rabimus was here. She is not. That is a national science conference and one of our um teachers won an award for being an outstanding say this, a non- veteran teacher, a newer teacher who won a national award. Um, there's actually a category for that. I forget the category. And our supervisor is uh on the board uh for that organization. And this is a case of they're having their national conference. They're getting an award and that's where they picked to have the conference. If they had the conference in Atlantic City, we'd be sending the person to Atlantic City. But that's
045the the situation there. >> Thank you, Mr. Vulpi. I think we're ready to vote on this matter. Mr. Eckert, >> Mr. Eric. >> Uh, yes, except for 115. I vote no. >> Miss Jackson. >> Uh, yes, except for 115. >> Miss Craig, >> yes. >> Miss Linger, >> yes. >> Mr. Morini, >> yes. >> Miss Stats, >> yes. >> Mr. Ho, >> yes. except for the two trips to Cal California in 11.1 and then no on 11.5 >> and Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. In the air of human resources, I'd ask for the board's consideration to approve the following motions. retirements and resignations, appointments, change in employment, leaves of absence, spring coaches, co-curricular advisor, AP testing coordinator and support, student teachers, sixth period coverage, instructional assistance stipens, group changes, extra
046coverage, science lab coverage, and a job description. >> I have a motion. So move >> second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay, seeing that there are no comments, Mr. Eckert, will you >> Mr. Yes, except for 125 the uh two hires for live football. No. >> Miss Jackson, >> yes. >> Miss Craig, >> yes. >> Miss Lanning beater. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mariny, >> yes. Miss Stats, >> yes. >> Mr. Ho, >> yes. >> And Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. In the area of operations, excuse me, I'd ask for the board's consideration to approve the following motions. Monthly bills, monthly financials, financial status, line item transfers, out of district placements for 2526, accepting donations, and approving the disposal and sale of obsolete equipment. May we have a motion? >> Some move.
047>> Second. >> Any comments? >> I have a question. In uh monthly bills, uh there are two items that struck me as being rather large and I don't recognize what they're for. One is First Student Incorporated, $58,000 and Somerset County Education, which is $429,000. Mr. Eert, do you have a explanation? >> Yes. The the first student payments are for their um transportation contracts for all the indistrict routes that they run for us. They're they are probably the largest contractor that we have of the several that we have for transportation. And for the Somerset County Ed Service Commission uh checks, that's made up of a combination of um out of district placement students um transportation for them as well as um some tuition payments for students that attend schools that are run by the summer county
048service commission. >> So in a manner of speaking, they're administrative costs. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh, any other comments or questions? Uh, Mr. Ecker, can you take the role, please? >> Mr. Errance, >> yes. >> Miss Jackson, >> yes. >> Miss Craig, >> yes. >> Miss Lenny Beater, >> yes. >> Mr. Marin, >> yes. >> Miss Stats, >> yes. >> Mr. Trio, >> yes. >> And Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Thank you. In the area of policies and regulations, I'd ask for the board's consideration to approve the following policies and regulations. uh abolishing policies reviewed by the HR committee for second reading, approving regulation 1552 reviewed by HR committee for first reading, and approving policy 2431 for first reading as reviewed by the governance committee. And that is what um President Davis said earlier
049uh in his remarks. >> I have a motion. So moved. >> Second. >> Any comments? Mr. Eckert, >> Mr. Eric CR, >> yes. >> Miss Jackson, >> yes. >> Miss Craig, >> yes. >> Miss Lanning Beater, >> yes. >> Mr. Marin, >> yes. >> Miss Stats, >> yes. >> Mr. Hill, >> yes. >> And Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> We now have our second period for public comment. And uh we very much welcome input from the public. There is a clipboard for all participants to write their name. Before commenting, please state your name and address. There is a threeminut limit on public comment. Please understand that our public forums are not structured as question and answer sessions, but rather are offered as opportunities to share your thoughts with the board. In instances
050where the board believes that there is a misunderstanding or inaccuracy, the board president or superintendent will address the comment. There may be times when a member of the public makes a comment or asks a question about personnel or hiring decisions. Kindly note that the Open Public Meetings Act and the privacy rights of public employees encompass therein do not permit the board to discuss personnel issues in public session. Do we have any speakers? 5 4 3 2 1. Seeing that there are none, um I would like to invite the board at this time uh to offer any comments or questions. Yes. >> Cassie, do you have anything to share? >> I have a few updates from the high school. So, I'd like to applaud the students of HHS for utilizing our first amendment rights to protect
051and walk out against ICE on January 30th, as well as our HHS security team for helping to administer a safe and protected protest. Also, Sus the musical production starts tomorrow. The dates are February 27th and 28th at 7 p.m. and March 1st at 2 p.m. And there is also also there although has sorry also although there has been a lot of student and teacher enthusiasm HHS is not adapting a rotating drop schedule for the 26 27th school year and that's it. >> If if I can just add one thing to that too. I did want to say that I know I had to be the the no-go on the rotating schedule for next year. It is something we are still looking at. I just want to make that clear. It is not dead in the
052water. Uh we just didn't feel that we had enough information at this time to implement in the fall. So board members, I want to let you know that we've talked about a plan moving forward. I know Cassie, you might not be around for it, but I did want to say we're still looking into it. >> Thank you, Miss Stats. >> Uh I just want to talk about last night, Miss Trio and I went to a presentation at the high school by Matt Bochi. Um uh he spoke about uh his father um died on 911 and he spoke about uh his experience with that and uh most of the time was spent about his uh addiction and um as he called it act when he was an active addict but now he's a recovering addict and
053it was very very moving um at times sad but ultimately uh uh celebratory Um and he mentioned two things that he is very he's very concerned about especially with uh you know young people you know students teenagers um he's worried about uh underage alcohol drink drinking alcohol and uh vaping and um especially with underage drinking there seems to be more of an acceptance of that but it's not just about drinking and driving um it's about how it can affect them at such a young age and can really result in addiction um that would be very hard to recover from. So um he's worried about that mindset of the acceptance of a dirty drinking. Um but it was a very very uh moving experience to listen to. >> Thank you. That is very important. uh I
054had a parent who had that problem and uh can be a weighty issue for a family to carry. Any other comments? Yes. Uh as I had mentioned earlier, uh the question of budget preparation and forecasting has come up in each of our committees in different contexts. And there's a wide variety of initial opinions and some of those uh opinions are based on an emotional response uh to the increases we've seen the last couple of years. Some of those positions are based on some notion of well what's best for the school district and so on. and we have not yet been presented with a budget. U we're far away from being able to actually have a budget. We are in no position, I believe, we're in no position to offer some kind of a cart blanch
055rubber stamp to say, well, you know, as long as you don't go over, we don't know what the line is. But we did want to allow uh a moment or two uh for individual board members as you desire to just generally describe um your motivation, your feelings, your your view of where you would like to see this go. and um and it is very important and it's important for us to be able to discuss such things in a healthy way. Uh you know any counselor will tell you that one of the attributes of a healthy family is the ability to manage disagreements in a healthy way. So I'm just going to open the floor or perhaps it might be easier if I just work my way around the table. just say you. I need three
056volunteers. You, you, and you. All right. Mr. Marini, do you want to start? >> Sure. Um, I know we went through a pretty rocky last couple years and getting our budget to where we were not technically in a deficit. And I your point is well taken. We don't know. We could magically get all this money next year or lose another bucket of money. Um I think in in discussions I think the best thing is stability at this point so people have some predictable nature of of budgeting and you know I you know Mr. Vulpi has already recommended to the board not to take a healthcare waiver to keep it at 2% where we're at um even though our our costs are going to go up more than 2%. >> If you'll excuse me for just
057a minute can you briefly describe what a health care waiver is? >> Sure. Uh, and you can correct me if I'm wrong here. So, you this is a board member 101 that I'm I'm taking my test on. Now, effectively, uh, if our health care costs go over a certain percentage, we are able to recoup that percentage above the number. >> Yes. Gener generally speaking, the health insurance waiver is any for any costs above 2% for an increase of that up to the amount of the state health benefit increase for the year. The state health benefit increase for this year was I think 32 31 or 32%. Right. >> So we could go up to that if our expenses allowed our expenses are not going to that high of a percentage. So >> So there's a
058starting percentage and there's a cap. >> Yes. So the first 2% is just expected to be within our budget. Everything else above that is available for a waiver. >> And the interesting piece is I think what confounds a lot of this is every board every year there's a potential for a different board and a different perspective. And if we do not go to the 2% and do not take the healthcare waiver, that is capped for I think three years. So if we said, "Hey, we're going to go 0% and not take the healthcare waiver next year within our allowance." It could be something in the neighborhood of 10% or more increase because we've capped that. So I think the approach here is not to go high then low then high then low and then low
059low and then really high. I think the idea here is to kind of set some sort of normaly now that we're at or what the state deems us as being adequate in our in our tax levy. So the 2% seems like where we should be at because that's the expected uh cap. >> Can I add just one thing to that just for layman's uh terms for anybody who is listening at home? So the the healthc care waiver which was accurately described but it's additional taxing power that the board of education has. So there's the 2% and then they can go beyond and have taxes higher due to the health care waiver. So the healthc care waiver is additional taxing power which is not being recommended at this time. I just wanted to make that part.
060>> So basically we don't have control over how much insurance is going to go up and the state gives us an ability to recoup that cost through taxes taxes. Right. >> That's a simple definition. the stats. Do you have any thoughts? >> Well, I I have a question. So, how much would that be a savings just for the healthcare waiver? >> Yeah. So, we got some different health uh care news today. So, I believe Andrew uh if you don't the the current uh healthc care waiver would be about $6 million for us. Is that correct? >> I know. I'm sorry to put you on the spot right there. >> Yes. 6.7% or $6.7 million. >> Yes. So in addition to the 2% that the board of education could tax, we could legally tax another 6.7
061million on top of that based upon the history here the past couple years. That is not my recommendation to take advantage of that even though the board has that power. And in the end, um, just like last year, I will bring a tentative budget to the table and then once it hits the table, it is your budget. But my recommendation based upon what has happened the past couple years is not to exercise that additional $6.7 million of taxing power. >> Point of clarification, >> Mr. Heel, >> in the operations committee, it was 1 million less. So, are you saying it went up? >> We got Yes, we I informed um Joel and Paul today. um it happened early today that we were anticipating and budgeted for by our broker a 19% increase. We found out
062this morning as mentioned by Paul I think as an addendum to operations that it's a 28% increase. So in speaking to our broker today we basically said can go back and see if that can be negotiated down more. I thought a 19% increase was big um which it is and I had planned for that. So to hear that it's coming back at 28% but I think the state plan went up 30% or 32%. >> Just under 32. >> They were just under 32%. So I think even the private plans are looking and saying hey if the state plan's at 32% we can go higher than 19% now and squeeze some money out of here. So we're asking our broker to do do more work. So yes, that changed just this morning. >> Not final though.
063>> It is not final. >> Mr. Erin, >> oh, okay, Miss >> That was a question, but I still have other things to say. Um, and what is the raw number for the difference between 0% and two the 2% cap? Is that 3 million? >> Andrew, you're going to have me on your toes there. So, what is what is 2% on the on the levy? >> Give me a second, please. He just needs to bring up the right file is all. >> 2% on the current tax levy is 2 point almost $2.9 million. >> Yeah. So two the 2% is $2.9 million. And then with the health care waiver, you could you could I'm not suggesting this, but I'm just wanting everybody to understand you could do 2.9 million plus 6.7 million. And I'm not
064recommending to do the additional 6.7 million. >> I'm going to uh say some things that address both sides of the issue. Um you know that 6.7 million for the healthcare not using healthcare waiver is awesome. And um and then compared to the 2% cap, you know, uh of not using two, you know, doing 0% that's 2.9 million. Um however, um you know, the the our residents um bore the burden of a pretty huge tax increase on their part. Uh, and I worry about um, you know, I I worry that we have squandered I don't think we have totally squandered, but squandered the goodwill of of the public. And down the road, we've been talking about the possibility of of of building a new high school. So, that is something they would have to vote on.
065So, we want to make sure, you know, uh, that can be a possible thing that can happen. Um but that that healthc care waiver um I think every if we are going I think every time we mention that that we're not going to use it we should use that number. Say that number. That's a saving of $6.7 million. So um um and also but um also right now I wouldn't say anything definitive what I would want to do because it would depend also on how much state aid we get >> how much state funding >> so and of course you know we have to you know they you know give us that they give us what what this amount is and then we have to within few days make a decision but um you know
066a lot of things depend on that and also Um, I want to make sure uh that we are addressing the needs of our students. Uh, that's direct things that affect our students. That's what where I want to make sure uh whatever extra money we do use does go to them. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Erics. >> Yeah, that that health care that healthcare waiver does that get banked as well? Yes, the the health care waiver any anything that we went to less than 2% plus the health care waiver gets banked. And if you don't mind me just giving 30 seconds on that. So what that means is for the next three years, let's just assume for argument we went to 2% but did not use the health care waiver. The board has that taxing authority
067of $6.7 million in their back pocket. So the following year they could go to 2% again, whatever that year's health waiver is. And then if a board wanted to pull that out of their back pocket and said another 6.7 million, you have that for up to three years. I know this is different because we have not been in that situation before where we have had banks capital. So a future board within three years time could pull that number out uh and and levy that onto the taxpayer without any vote outside of here at the D. So next year we could actually be looking at two healthcare waiverss and 2%. Which is a phenomenal number. Sure. >> Yeah. I'm sorry that that is my and I'm sorry Mr. Davis that Yes. Correct. And that is my
068concern. My concern here at superintendent is to not have >> I see that as a structural issue. It's the way the thing was built. So we're going to have that hammer over our head forever unless something has changed. So I I I don't see where 2% uh or 0% really makes a difference in that context. >> You know, instead of having, you know, 11%, we'll have 13%. >> I know we've said things like this here over the I've been here for three years into my fourth year and I've heard this a number of times. Uh but a lot of these issues are things that descend upon us out of Trenton. It's the way the system is built. It's the way the taxing authority is structured. And the the more familiar with it one becomes, the
069more I don't want to say anything derogatory, >> frustrated, >> strange, >> sounds >> it appears. Uh shell game comes to mind. Uh but uh there are some builtin issues. I mean, even if we were to decide to go to 0% for what it's worth, uh the other side of that could be that the the state evaluates the taxes that are being collected in our town and they decide that we're not paying our fair share and because of that, they penalize us even more by hitting whatever aid we might receive. So, it's a it's a bit of a you can do whatever you want if you don't mind being shot at dawn. And uh but now I'm just expressing my view, aren't I? But thank you, Mr. Eric, Mr. Heo. So my biggest concern over
070this upcoming tax budget season is the last two tax budget seasons in which we raised the community's taxes by $35 million over two years for 32% increase. For me any kind of ups and downs it's in the noise because of the huge increase that our citizens have had to to um pay. So for me 0% I hear what Mrs. stats is saying. So, I will reserve to hear what the budget what state aid numbers are. Um, I agree that I don't think that um not I'm not in support of instability, which is why I'm not saying let's go back to the tax levy before the $26.6 6 million. But, you know, Miss Stats's proposal back in April of going to like a flat tax rate is starting to look really palatable right now, even though
071I wasn't back then. Um, because it would have been like less than half of 26.6 million. So, so for me it's it's the the huge increase from the first year which was what um 2425 we had a two like almost $3 million regular increase and then we had a one time $5.7 million and then the very next year we had the 26.6. So for me it was it's like I can't even I almost don't even want to hear anything beyond 0%. And that's even being um I'm frustrated by this whole thing. >> Miss Jackson. >> Yeah, I I uh I agree with um Mr. Hilo. Um and I think what we're losing sight of is really the financial impact on the families in this community. Um, you know, on top of property taxes, you know,
072we I'd be surprised if nobody was shell shocked by their energy costs, especially over the last month. I'm also a little concerned with um the perspective that some people have that this is normal. And what was disappointing for me in May was seeing three students stand up and give a speech and one in particular saying, "Well, it's a small increase." And It's it's it gets my goat because these are kids that are echoing, paring things they hear, but they're not paying the bills. They have no financial responsibility. And it's it's not appropriate for people who are struggling m you know monthto month living paycheck to paycheck to have to sit here and have people say stop complaining. This is not a good new normal. This is not normal at all. And as far as I'm
073concerned I can't stomach another increase. I think this is beyond it's it's gone beyond where it needs to go. I think the state needs to step up for all the districts that have lost money. And you know, it it becomes a very stressful event for somebody sitting here as a volunteer to have to listen to an excuse for not giving us funding. And to repeatedly hear you're not paying your fair share >> is ridiculous. And on top of everything else with this economy, there are layoffs across this state that are horrible. people big big corporations are leaving. So the economic status of this entire state is poor and I think um and I would hope whomever promised to address affordability will address affordability especially with property taxes. >> Thank you. >> And and and I
074just um I can't support any increase. >> I think this has just been damaging. And me personally, I think there's also this um uh image that everyone makes a good salary and that's not the case. We're not all making the same salary. >> Okay. And for people that have lost their jobs and have found another job at a lower salary, I mean it this is this is really very frustrating. I and it's stressful for me to sit up here and and to say this, but it needs to be said. And I and again, um my biggest disappointment was hearing students say it's a small increase. >> Y >> it's not a small increase. Neither one of these past two increases were small and even 2% is not going to be small given the the economic
075environment that we're in. >> Miss Curry. >> Um so I think that I I do want to see what we get from the state. um if we wind up owing the state um even after the increase we put through already um I'm I just want to see what we get from the state. Um but in I'm also in agreement with Mr. Marini. I think that we should be we shouldn't be just dropping out completely. Um it's kind of a hedging our bets on my in my opinion of We can't really rely on the state to be consistent either way. Um, you know, we might have um made up the difference in the increase we we put through and then we're going to get penalized, you know, any any time in the future. And if we
076don't have if we go forward with zero, it's just it kind of puts us more at that deficit. So, um, I'm >> in support of the 2%. >> Thank you, >> Miss Peter. >> You want to say Fine. Go ahead. And then I'll >> Oh, I just want to make sure that that that that people know and understand that the tax rates, it's not going down. This is your new basis. So, that 26 million that we raised, you're we're going to be paying it again. That doesn't go anywhere. And I'd also like to point out that the average social security check is $1,900 a month and my taxes went up $3,000 on the year. So for the people who are most vulnerable, we've actually taken more than one month's paycheck. They're relying on social security.
077Uh we can revisit this conversation next year, but for this year, I'm a hard no on a on a 2%. Well, and again to to reiterate, we have no hard numbers to work with. We're not saying yes or no, here's your ceiling. That this is just an opportunity for us uh to be able to perhaps clear the atmosphere or make it more clear what the different feelings are. And Mr. Vulpi and Mr. Eard are doing most of the groundwork on this and that remains to be seen. Miss Bader, >> um, so I sit up here. I I do find it very uncomfortable having to make these decisions. Um, no one is going to be happy with either decision. um or or you know there's always going to be a complaint valid complaints. Um, I think
078about my role as a board member in doing the best a and overseeing that the district is doing the best for our students and staff and you are trying to um hope for a better future when you are educating those students. I do not see how any sort of instability when we've reached some sort of level of stability and we're going to throw that up again, how that is going to help the students and the staff in the long run. So I I couldn't imagine taking 0%. Um, I think we need to just go to two and and and not have anything be uh rocky and back and forth and pulling out, you know, the money we have in our back pocket um in a few years because that becomes a bigger sticker shock. And
079I I just I just feel like we need to kind of move ahead and let everyone that's not to dismiss what we did in the choices we had to make, but just to give some sort of, you know, that stable um some sort of stability. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Erin Crafts. Yeah, it's no secret what the state's been doing to us for years and it's unlikely that's going to change. Certainly not in the near term and I think our energy needs to be spent on finding ways to deal with what we've got. >> Thank you. the stats. >> I think I said something like this uh last April, whatever. Whichever way anybody votes. Um I am 100% positive they're coming from good intentions and I would hope everyone would assume that.
080So, if say who a board member uh votes for a 0% tax increase, um that doesn't mean they don't support our students and staff. Um in fact, I I'm sort of coming from the perspective that it I mean that could be, you know, uh um getting the public to be more supportive of the school district where down the road where we will need their vote. Um so that is also uh something that's supportive for our students maybe in the future. Um but also they're worried you know they are taking into consideration the uh you know uh the financial straits that some residents are in. On the other hand those that are voting for 2% or that may vote for 2% or whatever um that doesn't mean they no clue as far as the uh struggles
081that people are going through. again like like Miss Alison Beersate uh said um you know we are tasked with making sure we're providing uh great education for our students um and that often involves more money. So, um, I and I invite all the board members, whatever you're preferring right now, I hope we all start are still having an open mind to considering possibly changing your mind. Whichever way you go, just just invite that we all I am still not totally have not made up my mind. I hope all we're all sort of still considering other options. >> Thank you. Can I just add I I think my decision comes from, you know, what will do the best long long past the time that I'm here or my children are here, you know, what's going to
082to do the best in the long run for the most people. Um, so that's where my thinking always comes from. >> Amen. Well, pardon me. I think one of the things that we need to do is, you know, when you're in a hole is to stop digging. And I think that what we need to take a hard look at is non-academic recurring expenses because every one of these things that we add just increases the burden going into the future. And I think that's one way that we can help. Well, the the the good news is and the exciting part for all the board members is that in all our committee meetings for the next several months, uh these will be the types of things that will be brought up and discussed uh and Mr. Eert
083and Mr. Vulpi will be working on developing a budget that they would describe as the best for the district. And as board members, we will have the opportunity to go through that with them and raise questions and kick tires and if I can use the automobile metaphor and slam doors or um and that will be a time to question uh e even line by line if if we put that much energy in. But I really appreciate the openness and I appreciate folks being frank and there's a lot to be learned here because there there are emotions um that are valid uh that swing both ways. There's there's information I mean me just myself learning about this idea of banking the tax increase. You know you can as Mr. Vulpi says put it in your back
084pocket and somebody >> not literally >> could right but you know someone pop out of a box three years from now and say well boink we're going to do 6% and you know and it's all these hidden little corners that um are very complex. I tip my hat again to Mr. Eert and to Mr. Vulpi who deal with this stuff hours a week. Right. I was going to say 40, but it's way more than that. And uh thank you gentlemen for the tremendous work that you do. And Andrew and Joel, you too. Uh it is a lot of work. Uh that having been said, I mean, we'll have lot more opportunities to examine these things and express our feelings and make our suggestions. And I thank you all for taking part in that. But with
085that, yes, Miss Stats, >> this isn't about the budget. Um, I forgot to mention uh the presentation that Miss Trillo and I went to last night there. Um, uh, Matt Bochi also did a presentation, I believe, for juniors um during school day and uh uh yesterday and then they did they're doing they did breakout sessions today which um that's what it's all about. So and uh there were lot lots of good feedback and lots of uh active interest on the part of the students. >> I believe he also wrote a book though the name is escaping me right now but >> sway. Okay. So if anyone was interested in reading his book. >> Thank you. Thank you for not letting that slip by. U Cassie, do you have anything else to add? So I think
086we're done. All in favor? >> I >> Oops. Oops. Oops. What am I motioning? >> I would like to move that we adjourn. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I think we should change the response to see you.