001I'd like to call this meeting to order. Um Amina Cattle and Gianna Vairo, can you please come do the pledge of allegiance? >> Thank you so much. Come on up, Amina. Is Amina here? >> Yeah, she's right here. >> Okay, excellent. Ready? >> Good evening. My name is Amina Cattle and I'm in seventh grade at King Port Central. >> Good evening. My name is Gianna Vairo and I'm an eighth grader at Central School. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> You may be seated. >> Thank you. Public notice of this meeting was advertised in the Asbury Park Press on January 13th, 2026
002and notice was provided to centraljersey.com on January 15th, 2026. Notice has been posted in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act of 1975, chapter 231, effective January 16th, 1976 in the board office, 370 Broad Street. A copy of this notice is also on file in the office of the borough clerk. Members of the public wishing to address the Board of Education on both agenda and non-agenda items must state their name, address, and are requested to limit their comments to 5 minutes. When it appears the public comment portion of the meeting may exceed 30 minutes in duration. The public participation portion of the meeting is open to citizens for the purpose of addressing agenda and non-agenda items. Issues raised by members of the public might require review and investigation and may or may not be responded
003to by the board or superintendent during the meeting. All comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged and will not be responded to by the board. Students and staff have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by any member of the public. This meeting is being tape recorded for the purpose of board review and future reference and to assist in the preparation of minutes. QR codes are available at each board meeting to access the agenda. Mr. Rapolla, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Abrahamson?
004>> Here. >> Ms. Cunningham? >> Here. >> Mr. Petapolas? >> Here. >> Mrs. Grabowski? >> Here. >> Mr. Uebler? >> Here. >> Ms. Kahane? >> Here. >> Mr. Stall? >> Here. >> Mr. Staley? >> Here. >> Mrs. Tevis? >> Here. >> Ms. Van Houten? Uh, we have a quorum. >> Thank you. Uh, so we do have our student representative this evening, Mr. Jose Ortiz Herrera. >> Uh, good evening, everybody. Uh, I'm Keyport High School student Board of Education representative for Keyport High School and thank you for uh, having you be here tonight and let's delve into the school's news. Today was spirit day, Adam Sandler day at today at Keyport High School where students dressed up as Adam Sandler style clothing. The yearbook club has announced that yearbooks are now in production and they're excited
005to for their arrival in mid-June. Yearbooks cost $100. If interested, please see Ms. Varga. The Keyport High School junior and senior prom will be held tomorrow, May 21st, at Jacques' Reception Center. The Key Club is planning their next community service outreach. They're planning to do a kindness walk and to bring treats to the crossing guards and they are looking for more members next year. The National Honor Society induction will be held on June 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. New members will be inducted and graduating members will be honored and given their tassels and honor cords. Out of 110 Monmouth County high school students who showed interest in participating in the opening and closing numbers of this year's annual Basie Awards in Red Bank, eight Keyport High School drama students participated in the performance
006last night at the Count Basie Theater. Now to sports news. For the outdoor track team, congratulations to Jenna O'Brien who placed third in the long jump and second in the triple jump this past weekend at the New Jersey Central Group 1 Sectional Tournament this past weekend at Hillsborough High School and she qualified to compete in both events at the New Jersey Group 1 Championships this next weekend at Franklin High School. Jenna O'Brien also placed sixth in the triple jump at the Monmouth County Championships on May 6th and also qualified for the Shore Conference Championship meet today in the long jump and the triple jump. Jermaine Barden and Jose Ortiz also placed within the top 15 in their respective events at the Sectionals this past weekend. The baseball team had a win at Highland Park on
007May 19th yesterday and currently has 14 wins throughout this entire season. Congrats to the seniors who were celebrated on May 16th and for the impact they made on the team. Congratulations as well to Coach Keelen on his 100th career baseball victory. Good luck to our baseball team as they face Holmdel Valley for the first round of the NJSIAA tournament Central Valley Central Jersey Group 1 on May 27th and their first home playoff game in years. Congratulations to our senior softball players Nicolette Sickles and Ava Mitchell who were celebrated recently on their senior day. Our Lady Raiders currently have seven wins for the softball team with their most recent win against Long Branch on May 4th. Good luck to them as they will be facing against Dunellen for the first round of the 2026 New Jersey
008softball tournament of Central Jersey Group 1. Thank you all for having me here tonight. I'm excited to share with you more news hopefully in the next month and as the year comes to an end, thank you to the Board of Education once again for everything you do and we would not have a successful district without all of you. >> Congratulations to you and thank you. Um okay, so we have two presentations this evening. We are going to rotate them though and we are actually going to start with the KCS Greece presentation. So Ms. Smith Um board members, if you could >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you to all of you for coming out and thank you to Miss McSpirit and Miss Smith for taking ON THIS CHALLENGE. NEXT WE'RE GOING TO DO STUDENTS OF THE
009MONTH, so I'd love it if you could stick around. >> Great job, Drama Club. Uh Miss Melanconico, students of the month. >> They were so cute. >> Good evening, everyone. I'd like to announce April's students of the month for Keyport Central School. Iker Flores Hidalgo Hidalgo Victoria Prudente Nina Garzone Uh Elijah Abwaya Aubrey Sutfin Natalie Gonzalez Morales Jace Green Harper Dash Raina Vasquez Sarah Borja Gael De Loras Arlis Wilson Gill Ryan Matter Amina Cattle Wheatley Devlin High and Giana Varo >> And congratulations to our students of the month. You can all go home if you would like, or you can stay. It is up to you. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Great job, Jace. Bye. He can't find me. >> Okay. Uh president's remarks, the Grease show was very good and
010all of the students did a great job. We were able to see a snippet of the show that they performed this evening. Uh we have a lot of busy things going on in the district for the remainder of the year. Uh please make sure that you are checking your calendars, accepting your invites, etc. Okay? Uh Dr. Savoyard communication. >> This is a such a robust agenda this evening. Okay. Uh the bolded items are that we received resignations from Mr. Caligiuri and Ms. Latterwasser. >> Thank you. Um public participation on agenda items. Uh Dr. Savoya superintendent report. Very good. Come on. Okay, there we go. Uh we have received preliminary approval for her I high-impact tutoring grant, $80,000. The funding will support intensive after-school tutoring in mathematics and ELA during the summer of '26 and throughout
011next academic school year. Uh in addition, we found out today that we are up for some uh summer programming funds because out of the 100 districts that were uh that applied for this grant, uh only 55 got them, and I want to say we're one of three districts in Monmouth County that were awarded it. So, we are going to try to uh submit an additional application to offer some summer programming at the high school level, which they do not generally cover. So, that is a great thing. Uh students will receive their summer reading and math assignments on Friday, uh the 22nd. In addition, paper copies will be accessible through the curriculum page to further support student learning. The letter is attached there. Um the we also host a summer reading and math kickoff party on
012May 28th. We hope all can join. Uh registration for our Red Raider University summer program will begin on May 22nd and close on June 4th. Now, this program will run Mondays and Thursdays from the 29th of June to July 30th with those times allotted, but as I just indicated with uh the first uh bullet, uh the high-impact tutoring grant can be expanded. So, there's a possibility that depending on what we um brainstorm and we submit, that that could be extended further into the summer as well. So, more information to follow, but the timeline is uh only 2 weeks long. So, we will be moving very quickly. Uh the Holocaust educational assembly featuring the son of two Holocaust survivors was phenomenal. Um students learned uh well I'm so sorry. They connected the Holocaust while reinforce reinforcing
013the importance of remembrance, empathy, and standing against hatred and discrimination. It was extremely moving. On the 27th, uh Keyport High School will participate in civic education experiences with Monmouth County judge, including in grade eight civics assembly and classroom visits to AP history, criminology, and sociology at the high school. During the month of May, the Red Raider Teacher Academy hosted professional learning sessions focused on AI. I actually attended one today. Um learned a little bit more about how to utilize Notebook LM. Um in addition, we will host an AP information night on June 4th for Union Beach Central School and high school families. The uh participate in a brief presentation led by Miss White and Miss Pearson, and then we can talk a little bit more about the course offerings and expectations. Uh through the advanced
014AP grant, all students receive AP t-shirts in recognition of their commitment to rigorous academic coursework. Um I did speak to you previously about the uh communication. We had our students of the month. Uh the art show was held on May 16th from 12:00 to 6:00. It was with I love Keyport Day. Phenomenal. Over 156 pieces of work. There's a video for all of you to check out if you did not make it down to the waterfront to check in the businesses. We also had a pre-prom assembly with Miss Frances this week, uh which she reviewed the dangers of substance abuse and making good decisions. In addition, on May 15th, the calendar counselors took pictures of the class of 2026 celebrating their future commitments. Uh the video is attached for you to review. Uh Chicago, the
015play, phenomenal as you saw this evening. I'm I'm sorry, Greece this evening. The high school is going to be doing maybe maybe Chicago next year. Um and if I have the video to what you call it to the actual Grease show because I do recall that Mr. Guevara recorded it. So, if that's the case, I will also push that out for you as well. HIB, there was one new incident of reported at Central School, none at the high school. New case at Central was unfounded. We were featured in the Monmouth Journal for the state commissioner of education's visit to Keyport. We have borough articulation next Wednesday. In addition on that same day if I'm not incorrect, the business administrator for the borough will be doing a walk-through with us of the campus. I'm going to
016draw his attention to the curbing in particular at by the pre-K over there. The ginormous hole that's in Jackson Street right outside the basketball courts. There's a couple of locations, the water pooling that's in front of the Central School, variety of different things so that we can work together. But to complement the articulation already, he reached out and let us know that they're applying for a grant to improve Cedar Street. And we all know that how nice it looks this year it needs more work, but they're pursuing the borough a grant so that they can work with some lighting, work with irrigation, bleachers. It It would really be phenomenal. So, I look forward to that meeting next week. Tim's Earth Angels has also donated another thousand dollars this year for unpaid lunch balances. Tim Kelly
017is the representative for such and we were able to help some families out with their balances. In addition, we have the shared services agreement to talk about as a board for the communication position if you will, the allocation of funds for that. So, just to elaborate for a moment the committee did meet. We're going to do some more research before anything is proposed to the board, but I will let the committee chairperson speak to that in more depth if they so choose. Um in addition, uh alert 2037 has come out. You'll see policies and regulations to be approved after the second reading. So, I'd love everybody to look at that, but the policy goal group will meet next week um and go over them as well. You have your awards banquet for athletics, your senior
018signing day. Um as he uh the high school student indicated, Jen O'Brien delivered impressive um an impressive performance for the Central Group 1 champs, earning second place triple jump and third place in the long jump. Uh very and amazing. Just so many great things going on. Uh lastly, there's as Miss uh Cunningham indicated, many, many activities going on. If there is something, you know, even such as uh that I report out in my superintendent report, like the Holocaust presentation, if there's ever something a board member would like to attend, please always reach out to me. Um definitely was a moving experience. So, you know, if you'd like to visit, that would be more than appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Rapolla, board secretary, buildings and grounds and finance. >> Uh yes, a couple
019of things. Um There are a few members that need to uh let me know uh their intentions of what they if they're staying in Atlantic City and what nights. Uh Miss Kubaski has been very impatient uh putting pressure on me to get the rooms booked. Uh so, if people could just uh please please let me know. Um also, I won't be at the next board meeting. It's one the it's the school business administrators uh I'm New Jersey's uh workshop uh that I missed the first meeting in June every year. You You do know that the June meeting is a monster uh agenda. So, I'd like to do the same thing that I normally do, which is I will send out a few days before the meeting an explanation of all the motions and and what's
020going on. You can let me know if you have any questions with it. And again, you won't be voting that night on on them either. You won't be voting on them for a week or so after that. So, just wanted to know that that will come out also. And as far as the uh new motions that are on the agenda since the since the last uh meeting. I think everyone's aware that they hosted a uh a DEP meeting at the high school on Sunday. So, we're just approving uh usage of that uh although it's already happened. Hopefully, you won't vote no on it. >> Yeah, the the time element was short. Sorry. >> Uh 10-9 is a lengthy motion given to us from Tim Teehan of New Jersey School Boards. Uh and it's basically they're
021asking all the boards of education New Jersey uh to pass this resolution and then send it to our uh state government officials. And basically, it's just a motion uh identifying the crisis of of health benefits right now uh and the need to have something uh you know, done on a on a global level. So, we'll be asking you to to pass that as well. Uh 10-10 is the workshop school boards next year. 10-11 is the donation that Dr. uh Savoia mentioned. 10-12 is tuition from a uh a parent who's paying for their student to finish the year uh at the district. Um and 10-13 has to do with the reconnecting of the main power supply at Central School, the same one that uh went out uh after the blizzard. Uh 10-14 and 15 are just
022approving uh professional service agreements uh for next year. That's physical therapy um occupational therapy. Uh again, that's for next year. Um so, it would be 8.1 to 10.15. >> I need a motion for 8.1 to 10.5. >> Motion. >> Second. I'm sorry. >> Oh. >> It's kind of like 10.15. 10 to 10.15. >> Oh, sorry. 8.1 to 10.15. >> Motion. Second. >> Questions? >> Mr. Rapolla, could you just 10.13, could you just go into more detail on what that is about? >> 10.13 you said? 10.13? >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know if you if you remember the few days of school that we weren't able to open up the central school after the snowstorm because we didn't have power. There's a a giant breaker outside of the central school. Yeah, it's in the fire
023lane area. It was part of a project that the district did approximately 12 years ago to upgrade the the electrical electricity at central school. And that panel fried out during the storm. So, that panel had to get shipped. We We found after extensive search, we found a company in Pennsylvania that happened to have one of those breakers that we can lease, which is what we've been using since since the storm. Our breaker was sent to Texas to be refurbished. When our breaker came back to Phillips Electric, the company in Pennsylvania, and they did the test, it popped again. It So, it got sent back again. Now, and this time when it came in, it it's working. So, we needed to give them their switch back. It uh, we've been renting it on a monthly basis
024and we needed to uh, have our one put back in. In order to do that, JCP&L uh, we wanted this done uh, not during school hours. Uh, so it wouldn't impact school. Uh, Mr. Guevara, uh, technology department, I know had to spend uh, Saturday afternoon and Sunday rebooting the whole uh, technology system the to get up running again because I had to come down all the power had to go down. Short version is uh, we'll be getting closing bills for this project at some point soon and then we'll be submitting them to our insurance uh, company. Mr. Steve, you have a question? >> For 10-9, do we do anything with that or is that like a policy group or you? >> So, uh, this motion is went to all the boards of education and but
025uh, it's specific to our uh, region. Uh, I don't know what we're we're group >> 14, I think. >> 14. >> Yeah, yeah. >> So, everyone for 14 has the same motion. Everyone from, you know, has the same motion and you will hopefully pass this as a as a board and then I will send a certified resolution uh, to state officials uh, to my and they basically want everyone to hammer them with these >> Okay. >> you know. >> So, you handle that. >> Yes, I'll handle it. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> I think it's a the motion is exactly what we were talking about when this came up. >> Yes. >> I think to a T to to a person, everybody had you know, some critical some critical language for the way the insurance
026was going up and I I I wish that this I wish it was stronger but it is sufficient the way it is for sure. >> I I there's going to be more to it like eventually. I This is just the starting to like try and get the ball rolling, get something to the governor so that there is like they know that we are advocating and fighting for what every district in New Jersey needs, not just Keyport. >> Yep. And and these these types of resolutions carry a lot of weight, especially when I mean, I I wouldn't see why it wouldn't be close to unanimous, if not unanimous, in the state, so. >> Yep. >> Can you repeat that, Jen? >> I said it's something that we all passed that I think we should let the
027public know that we passed. >> It's a fantastic idea. >> Any other questions? Mr. O'Pol, roll call. >> Ms. Abrahamson? >> Yes. >> Ms. Cunningham? >> Uh yes, but I need to abstain from the minutes for the April 29th meeting. >> Mr. Petropoulos? >> Yes. >> Ms. Grabowski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Uebler? >> Yes. >> Ms. Keane? >> Yes. >> Mr. Stoll? >> Yes. >> Mr. Stahley? >> Yes. >> Ms. Tevis? >> Yes. >> Uh motions passed. >> Thank you. Uh Dr. Savoy, curriculum, personnel, policy. >> Okay, we'll focus on the additional bolded items. Uh there are some to approve um so sorry, I can't speak this evening. To approve the following out-of-district workshops. There's a couple of bolded items there. In addition, 11 9 is 11 9 is the AP teachers, the class trips.
028Uh 2 hours to prep for Red Raider Academy. 11 12, uh the 6 to 12 uh adoption. Motion to approve the teachers to complete curriculum writing for the adoption of the 6 to 12 a high-quality instructional material. Under personnel, we have the resignations I spoke to. We have the approval of staff members throughout the district, as well as athletics. But, let me flip through because I know that we have a new member a new Red Raider in the audience that will be approved this evening. Hold on. We have uh 1219, Miss Grimaldi is going to be moving over to the high school. We have Mr. Han who's going to be doing her internship with me. Um we met with her today. Miss Wait and I motion to approve Mr. Kirchner as step 2 BA. Riley
029Gray Kiefer alumni as a teacher. Miss Tara Hurley as elementary teacher step one. Uh Sophia DeBlasi as elementary teacher step one and Kaylee McGrogan as a substitute teacher. Is that it? >> Yep. >> Okay. Uh so, we need a motion for 11.1 to 12.25. >> Make it. Second. >> Second. Questions? >> Yep. Uh I didn't count, but how many how many staff are in this motion? Uh if you don't if you're going to have to count it, then don't bother, but >> We can do it quick. >> Do we we don't we don't know. >> Yeah, how many? Yeah, but we don't have to count. I was just curious. Somewhere in that area? Just yeah, just the well, no, the staff motions. >> No, cuz you'd have to go through the the charts, Tone, and
030then you'd have to add the other people after. >> Some of them multiples? Okay. >> Yeah. But, I'll get that count for you. >> love that. >> get that count for you. Not a problem. >> Just because >> And I can do it by section by uh building and all >> in the teacher section. >> Okay, that's good for now. >> Okay. And my apologies that I don't know that all. But neither did Tony and I, nor I didn't know it all. >> that hard. >> Yeah. >> The reason why I think it's important is cuz it comes up once in a while. >> Absolutely. >> Any other questions? Okay, Mr. Ruoppolo, roll call. >> Mrs. Abrahamson? >> Yes. >> Ms. Cunningham? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vitopoulos? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Grabowski? >> Yes. >>
031Mr. Eubeler? >> Abstain on Michelle Eubeler. Yes on all the others. >> Ms. Cain? >> Yes. >> Mr. Stahl? >> Yes. >> Mr. Staley? >> Yes. >> Ms. Steeves? >> Yes. >> Motion's passed. >> Thank you. Old business? Oh. Tell them who you are. >> Hi. >> She's joining us. She's excited. I know we just called you out in front of everybody, but hey, you know what? They're very happy to have you. We're looking forward to great things. >> Congratulations. Thank you for coming. Okay. Nice. Uh, old business? New business? Uh, Yeah, you can. And if you you're saying too much, I'll just stop. >> So, we the goal to um, communication goal met set tonight. And we talked a little bit about the partnership that we had with or have with Lori Perlow, and
032whether or not we want to continue in that for the following year. There's some things to consider. Um, some of the things that you might have noticed that have been done this year were the newsletters that she's talked about this more and the instead of getting a million emails, you're getting like one a week with all the information. So, I think that was a good thing. Um there are some other things uh that we we might want to explore with her. Um so, that's another a discussion we're going to have in more in-depth. Uh we we do want her to log in I think it'll be virtual, right? If she did this in one of our June meetings to talk to us as a board. >> With the goal of >> As the goal two
033group. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. With the goal group. >> So, no decisions will be made until obviously the board will vote on anything, but this committee's going to do the work. That's how I look at it. Um but I do have you know, we did have something close session, but I don't know that it really is. I I will speak it out public and state that Mr. Rupolo and I did do this last summer, but the custodial unit has approached us of considering the four 10-hour, 12-hour work day and we're going to be meeting with them to discuss that and if that's the case, I'll communicate that to all of you, but I think we did it last year and I just want to make sure that I say that we're going to have
034that dialogue. >> Please. I was going to ask a question, too, but go ahead. Go. >> Um so, I I don't know how many years it's been now. Dr. Savoy might know, but uh the administration and secretaries have been taking we've had Fridays off for for a few years now. And the custodian and maintenance did not have Fridays off, but it was something that you know, they they were the only ones in the buildings on those days and and they wanted to uh they've asked for it a few times. Uh it wasn't agreed upon at negotiations this past time, although they brought it up. Uh Dr. Savoy had mentioned that she was willing to to try it on a non >> non-precedent setting. >> Thank you. Uh And we'd see how how it how it
035went. Uh I feel uh and I think uh Mr. Borders feels as well that it was the most uh prepared we were to start the the year as we ended uh August. I had concerns about it initially that I shared with the department because they're going to be working 10-hour days in in you know, during the summertime, which I thought could maybe slow down productivity. Uh out of being tired. Uh but um it worked out very well. So, they are asking >> Yeah, they're asking us to sit down again. And one of the things they did also do um Tony was uh Mr. Apollo was they they did stagger it where somebody did Tuesday a Monday to Thursday and Tuesday to Friday because we do get a lot of deliveries. That was one of the
036concerns I had. We did have one person >> All right. So, uh I know I seen it or thought it went down that way, too. >> It didn't? We There was Well, we had Well, what we had agreed upon was that there was going to be one person that was here. >> Okay. >> I mean, you can take that up with >> was Well, what came up the other day with the administration was we're going to have sports in the summer uh down at the field on Fridays. Yeah. So, then the question became do we need a black seal? And in researching that uh >> We did. >> I would what came what I realized or what I was told was we didn't have uh or the need for a a black seal down at
037the field last year on on on Fridays. Um so, I guess I'll I'll ask again. >> we need to speak with them again. So, that's why we'll let you know if we're going to make that managerial uh recommendation to the board and we'll do a non-precedent setting document if we could agree to that. Correct, Mr. Apollo? >> Yes, please. >> Great. I'm not really sure if we don't need a closed session. Okay. Uh public participation on agenda or non-agenda items. Um I need a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Gladly motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye.