001I'd like to call I'd like to call this meeting to order. Please stand for the pledgece to the flag of America to the republic for it stands one nationy and justice for all. Public notice of this meeting was advertised in the Asbury Park Press on January 13, 2026. A notice was provided to central jersey.com on January 15, 2026. Notice has been posted in accordance with the Open Public Meetings 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 burough clerk. Members of the public wishing to address the board of education on both agenda and non-aggenda items must state their name, address, and are requested to limit their comments to five minutes when it appears the
002public 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-aggenda items. Issues raised by members of the public might require review and investigation and may or may not be responded to 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 asked 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 be liable for any comments
003made by any member of the public. This meeting is being tape recorded for the purpose of board review and f future reference and to assist in preparation of minutes. QR codes are available at each board meeting to access the agenda. Mr. Rapole roll call. >> Mrs. Abrahamson >> here. >> Miss Cunningham >> here. >> Mr. Vopoulos >> here. Mrs. Kowski >> here. >> Mr. Hubler >> here. >> Miss Kahane >> here. >> Mr. Stall >> here. Mr. Staley >> here. Mrs. Teas >> here. Miss Van Hton, we have a quorum. >> Thank you. Uh we do not have a student representative for this evening. Uh we do have two presentations this evening. The first one will be for um Al Smith, 30 years of service as a high school wrestling coach. Uh Miss Gross. [applause]
004So, I have a little something to say, but I don't want to turn my back to all of our amazing guests. So, Al, here's your plaque, and you have to hold it awkwardly while I read about you. Okay. Okay. Tonight, we recognize Coach Al Smith for 30 years of dedication to Keyport wrestling. Over the past three decades, Coach Smiths has truly built this program from the ground up, growing it into something our community is incredibly proud of. He has always given everything he has to his athletes, going above and beyond to support them, challenge them, and help them reach their full potential. Coach Smith has always helped spark a love for wrestling at a young age through the Matt Rats program, building a foundation that keeps our wrestling tradition strong. What truly makes Coach Smith
005special is the passion he pours into every single wrestler who steps onto that mat. He pushes them to be tougher, work harder, and believes in themselves because he believes in them first. And anyone who knows Coach Smith, and clearly by the attendance here tonight, uh we all know he has one of the biggest hearts in athletics. Coach Smith, thank you for 30 incredible years of dedication to Keepart Wrestling and to the young men and women who whose lives you helped shape. Your legacy will continue to live on in every wrestler who proudly represents the Red Raiders. [applause] Now you have to take all pictures, too. Yeah. >> Can we have everybody come up and we can take a picture? >> Yeah. Mr. Flynn positions them perfectly. I'm taking my own I do my own [laughter]
006>> [applause] >> Congratulations and thank you everyone for coming and supporting Mr. Smith this evening. >> Yeah. Is everyone staying for the budget meeting? I just want to say this is a nice school and it was a point where we made the right decision. So, thank you all. You're welcome. Uh, our second presentation for this evening will be the introduction to the 2026 2027 budget. Mr. Rapola, it's your turn. Uh thank you. Uh good evening. Uh tonight's the first uh budget meeting of the for the 2627 uh budget. There will be a a couple of meetings. Uh there's this one where we give you as much information as we can of what we have at the current time and um then at the following meeting we will approve a preliminary budget so that we could
007submit it to the county and then in the last week of April uh we will have a formal uh budget uh presentation and the board approves the uh final budget. uh at that time. Uh I'd like to start off with uh going over revenues and please understand that uh we don't have all the numbers yet. Uh and some of the pieces before we can put one piece together, it's going to take receiving another piece together. So what we don't have yet is state aid. Uh and the state aid piece will dictate some other pieces such as uh what the local tax levy will be. Last year, if you remember with the tax levy incentive, um our tax levy was, I believe, was seven and a half percent, but it was 12.219 uh 513 12.2 million.
008Um this year, we we don't know at this point what it will be, but I I can assure you it's going to probably be a significant uh increase, and I I'll explain some of the factors for that uh as I proceed. uh tuition revenue, which is money we receive from Union Beach, which is a a large portion of uh or an important part to this puzzle. Um we were told by Union Beach uh BA Friday uh that they plan on going to contract for 83 full-time students and five shared time students. Uh that's down over 30 students from from last year. uh when they pay 199 a student, let's just round it up and say 20,000. Uh so so that's, you know, a decrease really of over $600,000 uh in revenue compared to where we
009would have if they were sending the same numbers as last year. Um but when you look at this revenue, the proposed amount is going up $278,000. And you say, well, why? How can we be getting more revenue with going for less? And if you remember, it's because at this time last year when we presented this, we showed that we were paying almost a $800,000 refund for a previous year. We paid that off. And this year uh this two I'm sorry, this this $2.1 million that we're projecting includes uh almost a $300,000 payment to us for under uh paying last year. So, if you take that 300,000 away, uh, we'd be at about 1.8 million again, which is So, with with the numbers they're sending us now, the right amount, I'd say, is uh is probably
0101.8 million, but we'll take the extra 300,000 uh that that they owe us for for last year. Again, we don't have state sources yet. Um, our reserves uh last year is 900,000 we put in. this year's 571. I got to explain it. There's a a caveat to that. We and I mentioned this at a couple board meetings ago when the audit was presented. We uh we had $500,000 in tuition reserve that uh they determined for many years we shouldn't have had in tuition reserve. We should have had it in another location uh based on how you can use tuition reserve. So they moved it into fund balance for us. So, you're going to see the $500,000 decrease in the reserves. You'll see a $500,000 increase in fund balance. The next line, uh, but included in
011those reserves are again, we plan on using 400,000 in maintenance reserve uh, and 171,000 uh, which will be a capital project, which is elevator that we we've spoken about here at the high school. Miscellaneous revenue is 200,000. And that's the sale of our SREx or solar credits and and the interest that we gain uh on our bank accounts. And there will be no tax levy incentive aid uh this this year, which is what which is what we're being told when we go to expenses. Um and some of these numbers right now these are projections and they will change by the next meeting. Um there's a a few different reasons why that will happen, but uh one of them includes where you charge salaries to specific salaries. So a couple salaries will get moved around before
012the next meeting um for a few different reasons I could explain in detail, but uh regular instruction is projected to go down uh $50,000. Uh and that's you know that's teaching, that's supply. So anytime you knowing that salaries are going up 3.6% 6% and to see this number going down, you know that we've definitely trimmed uh supplies which had already uh been trimmed. So, uh because of our increases in so many areas, we we're forced to cut in in the areas we don't want to cut in, which which one is regular instruction. Special education instruction is uh projected to increase 275,000 and that's because we needed to move uh one of our staff members. Uh we need an extra special education teacher. So a teacher was moved from regular ed uh to special ed. And
013then also we're projecting a close to $150,000 increase in professional services that are required for our special education students specifically in areas of OT and PT. Uh so that that's a large increase. Operation of maintenance and plants you see that going up about 116,000. Well, 100,000 of that is uh electricity and gas expenses that have have skyrocketed. This next line is is is a monster as well. I'm sorry to be painting a a bleak picture. I just want to give you the facts the way the way they're coming across. I'd mentioned at the last meeting that employee benefits, they're projecting between 20 and 25% and health benefits increase. Uh the final number from Horizon is 23 and a half percent increase. Insane amount of increasing of benefits by 800 and some thousand. We will and
014are in the process of marketing that to six other uh companies. Um I can get you that in I can email you that information. You're like, but it's Etna. There's uh I I don't know all of them off the top of my head, but I have them in a in a letter and uh and um my experience because we've done this before is have never have come back with a with a savings. No other company has have so far has ever undercut uh our current company for this because we have to provide the same level of benefits per contract. So, uh, we are allowed to switch benefits to another carrier as long as we are providing a plan that is equal or better and and I'm hoping, uh, we get surprised this year and and
015someone makes uh, another company comes in and comes in at a lot less. I >> is that Mr. Repula, the state benefits went up over 31%, right? >> Yes. Yep. Okay. So, um, even though we're going up 23 and a half%, which is horrible, uh, the state benefits went up 31.1%. So, we're still we would not switch to state benefits obviously, uh, and we're actually saving 8% compared to what the state went up. And because the state benefits went up so much, uh, we're able to, uh, use a a health waiver that I'm going to explain in the last slide, uh, today. Administrative cost right now, you see I'm up at 186,000, but that's not a real number. Please just let me explain. I don't mean to to try to get confusing, but uh, that's
016a salary that's allocated. And at first we were told to allocate uh certain people's salaries in administrative lines get moved to administrative lines uh such as uh Mr. Mmano uh uh Mrs. uh Mrs. Pearson uh Mrs. White and these are people like for instance Mrs. employ historically have been paid uh from curriculum lines. Uh not considered administrative, but uh I don't believe this is the number you're going to see at the next presentation. I think it'll be more in line with what you've seen in the past for administrative uh costs. It's just I'm trying to give you as much information as I can. I didn't want to put a blank up there for right now because you go, why don't you know? As of today, it looks like it's $186,000 increase. I believe it'll be
017more in the neighborhood of probably 30,000. uh uh increase co-curricular activities we're showing is up 21,000, but I also think that will come in relatively flat. I believe we'll be running the same probably programs as we did uh last year. Um that's like clubs, uh activities, th those sorts of things. Uh athletics is projected to go down uh 20,000. Uh that's not with any presently with any kind of uh sports being eliminated or coaches being eliminated but it is a decrease in athletic supplies health services incre expected to go up 10%. >> Mr. Paul could I could I ask a question on the slide is it better to ask as we go or >> I'm fine with that. Yeah, when you mentioned on the administrative thing you're talking you expected >> that 186 to decrease
018but my question is does it get does >> a different line is going to increase by >> so some other line is going to increase and one or the other either regular or special >> absolutely right I think you're going to see the I believe you're going to see the increases uh show in support services like right now we're showing decreases in support services of 48,000 and 94,000 was an instructional appro. Well, that's where the salaries got moved and I think they're going to get moved back there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Since we're asking >> the uh back to shopping the health benefits, do we also shop to brokers or does that not >> It is a Yes, it is a broker. Okay. >> We use our brokers, Brown and Brown. >> Okay. >>
019Uh are the ones who put it out to all the different health carriers. >> Got you. Thank you. >> Yes, Mr. Abrahamson. You said we can get equal or better if we wanted to switch the carrier. >> We would we would have to >> Would we have to get KA approval? >> Yes, but they I think they basically have to give it if you we show them we're giving you at least as as good uh benefits. >> Is that right, John? >> It's it's not it's not that you have to get their approval necessarily. The board has the right and ability to change But it has to be equal to or better. So if you don't get their buy in and approval and they don't think it's equal to or better, they'll challenge it. They'll
020challenge it. So it, you know, so the the the prudent thing to do if you get hopefully get to that point where you have something helpful is to present it to them and explain and show that it's equal to or better and get their buy in so that you don't have a challenge. uh capital out, excuse me, capital outlay, you see $317,000. I predict that at the next presentation, this number will decrease as well. Uh the district's been dire need of a maintenance vehicle for a long time, very long time. Uh when we put this budget together, we said without, you know, we're putting it in this budget no matter what. And so the there's a $100,000 maintenance truck in it right now that I'm anticipating based on the finances that are presented to us
021is probably going to have to get cut out of the budget. So, but as of today, right now, uh, with what we have what we have prepared, there is a maintenance truck uh in there right now. Um, I told you we don't have the state aid numbers yet, but and I think everyone here basically knows this, but the state aid is going to be based on our resident enrollment, the type of enrollment we have, lowincome special ed or LEP, uh, an adequacy budget or an amount the state feels that we should be spending to adequately educate our students, and a local fair share, which is amount the state determines that the taxpayers uh, should be paying uh towards the education the because we receive we would normally have these numbers uh by now. We normally
022got them in the end of February uh state aid numbers but because we have a new governor uh it allows uh an extension. So uh the governor is going to give their budget address on March 10th. Uh that is next Tuesday, six days from now. And then 48 hours after that or next Thursday, eight days from now is when we will get our our our budget numbers. Uh we by by law this year we have to adopt the budget for the county by March 27th. Our next budget meeting is March 19th, 18th, sorry. Uh resident enrollment has stayed basically the same from last year. It's at 750 students, but over the last seven years uh you've seen that it has has dropped significantly. Resident enrollment different than student population. Resident enrollment uh is Keyport students,
023students who live in Keyport. Historical tuition revenue from Union Beach. you see that it has fluctuated over time. Uh 2020 at a high of 2.8 million. Uh last year at a low of 1.8 million and this year uh for next year projecting 2.1 million which is a $286,000 uh collection of what they underpaid last year. Yes. Yeah, that uh Miss Abrahams, that's something that's actually concerning because yes, the the prek3 numbers are added in those numbers and yet the numbers, you know, uh they would have those numbers would have dropped more if if if we did. >> Yeah. >> On this on that slide. Yes. one. >> So you just um so this year 2.147 that includes the payback, right? >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Which but then what I'm trying to add up but
024we have from Union Beach have 30 students less. Okay. So have 30 students less which is approximately 600,000 but we're that's minimized by 200 and something thousand right so I'm still that's what >> it's going up because last year that 1.8 million would have been a lot higher if we didn't have to pay back $700,000 to Union Beach that that 1.8 would have been like 2.5 Okay, insurance rates are increasing. We talked about the health insurance. Property and casualty uh increases are projected at 16.17%. Here's a little bit of good news. Transportation costs are starting to to go down. Uh one of the biggest factors in transportation costs increasing you know exponentially over the years was uh supply and demand and and the demand for the supply of drivers was was low. Um so bus
025companies were just charging as much as they could uh I guess to attract drivers and we didn't have any choice but to pay it. But, uh, they've l they've loosened up a little bit the, uh, what it takes for someone to get that license. Um, and I guess there's more drivers in the market now. I'm projecting $9.95 for next year, which is $45,000 decrease, but I do believe that this could even be an area we might be able to cut a little bit more from uh, if if we need to to balance the budget. use of fund balance over the years. We've used uh you know approximately anywhere from like 1.4 to to 2 million. You see that next year's budget we're going to be using 2.5 million, but again 500,000 of that was just
026the tuition reserve money that got moved into fund balance. So basically we're using about the same amount of as money uh as we did last year from fund balance. I don't have information yet on prek three-year-old and four-year-olds uh funding. It's a fully funded program from the state but they have not uh received we they have not given us that information. We will get that also with the state aid numbers. The capital projects we need to replace the elevator here at the high school. debt service. There are some numbers we don't have yet, which is our debt service aid from the state, but it's going to be almost exactly uh those numbers really don't change uh from year to year. So, the local tax levy in 2526 for uh for our bonds was 578. I
027believe our debt service debt service payment next year is increasing $3,000. The debt service aid will be in the same neighborhood. So, you know, I would say at most probably our that will increase $3,000, but it may even stay flat. We'll know when we get the state aid numbers. And I just I keep this number just to remind us, uh, the bonds expire in 2040 when we ended with the projects of the referendum ended. uh in 2022 with a $ 1.5 million balance. That was great. We the the projects cost less than what we anticipated the projects costing. So, we've been giving back $250,000 credit to debt service each year. We had $779,000 remaining uh at June 30th. So, another $250,000 will be going into this year's budget. And last, I I told you I'd
028speak to you about the health waiver. Um, as you know, we can increase taxes uh 2% a year. Um, I'm going to actually read this if you don't mind. Uh, this health waiver allows us to increase more than 2% based on on this parameter. The adjustments for a budgeted increase in health care cost applies to regular districts with the projected increase in healthare cost that exceed 2% of the pre-budget year. Pursuant to code, the allowable adjustment cannot exceed the average percentage increase of the state health benefits program as determined by division of pensions. The average percentage increase of state health benefits is preloaded into the application. Health benefits are defined as group health and prescription only doesn't include dental, vision, or life. Uh for 2627, the average percentage change of state health benefits is an
029increase of 31.9%. Therefore, the maximum adjustment is 31.9% less than 2% or 29.9% increase over the prior year. So, what that is saying is we still expect the health benefits to the you take the normal 2% out uh and that leaves 29.9% from what the health benefits were. So, basically we are able to pass on that's a horrible word pass on I don't know a better word. were able to appropriate uh to to to we're able to tax to the taxpayers a tax levy um 29.9% of the health benefit increase. So, we're projecting a 23 and a half% health benefit increase, which means pretty much most of that increase uh will be able to add to the tax levy if if it's decided we needed to do that. Um I personally I find it very
030hard to believe that we in any way we'd be able to do it without without passing that on. I do not think we're unique uh in the situation. I think uh that 31.9 is is a number that most districts are facing and what benefits have gone up or you know I I think basically what I'm trying to say is I believe maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised by state funding but I believe you we may be in a position where we're going to need to to utilize uh that entire waiver. Um just also want to speak to you about the you know the rumor on the street I don't have any inside information but what was expressed uh on some various meetings I've attended was that the we're in a the states in a in a
031in a big fiscal hole. I guess the the governor is maybe going to express I heard a number of three billion. Someone else heard a number of four billion uh of a uh of a whole. So I'm not anticipating state aid increasing. In fact, I'm petrified that it's going to decrease. Uh and I just I want to bring one other point that's real scary to me. Uh if you remember when state aid came out last year, we were projected to decrease over a million dollars based on our numbers, but the state came out with a cap of we're only going to take we're going to let all districts only a 3% cut. Uh they haven't mentioned whether or not that's in place. If that's not in place, we we'd be looking at it even. So
032again, I I really am not happy that for like the last three or four years, my presentations have been relatively bleak. Uh um I'm I'm sorry that's how this is coming across, but I want you to know I really believe and you could do your homework, you're going to see we're not unique uh in facing these problems right now. I don't know if that makes you feel any better. Uh but uh probably not. But I just don't want you to to feel like uh we're the only ones who have no idea where how to fill some of these holes at the moment. So we're going to get our information on the on the 12th. Uh Dr. Zo and I will spend a lot of time together at that point. uh see what what the numbers
033look like and I know we will then be communicating uh with the with the board ASAP as far as what that looks like for our budget and and what that looks like for our programming. >> Miss Tus, you had a question [clears throat] >> for this section. Can you break it down in our terms like what those numbers reflect based on our increase of 23 point something%. >> Yeah. Um, I could come with hard hard numbers for you, uh, but or I could email it to you, but right now, uh, it's approximately a, uh, $800,000 increase in in health benefits, >> but is it like 29.9% of our 23% increase? >> No. Uh so hypothetically if we pay $5 million for health benefits right now they're going to say well they're going to jack that
034up 2% which is going to be $100,000 and they're going to say anything 29.9% over 5.1 million you're able to use as a waiver. So they say you're going to have to we expect you to take care of of the 2% over health benefits. So from five to 51, but now if your health benefits have have gone up to six million, uh we'll let you take 29.9, you know, we'll we'll let you go up to 29.9%. So in our situation, if we were to use the waiver, uh our health benefits would probably would just go up 2% from what they are, I'm sorry, the part that of the general tax levy that would fall into the 2% would be the regular 2%. So the waiver itself uh Mr. Tivas would be you know approximately $800,000
035minus the hundred,000 is is really what it would be. >> Does that make any sense or you need me explain? Can I have I have a clarifying question? >> I think >> yeah maybe you can help. >> Well okay so let me let me try this. Right. So that number whatever the health insurance cost is goes into the budget. Let's say it's the 23% I think the question we're asking is that would not be the 23% would not be in a sense the percentage increase in the tax levy. But the question would be what if we if we went with this waiver, what would be the percentage of the tax levy increase >> of a total tax levy? >> Yes, >> I understand. I'm sorry. Uh I I believe based on the numbers we have
036so far and if uh state aid remained flat and if what we have in the budget right now stayed in the budget, programs, teachers, etc. Uh instead of 2% increase, I think we'd be looking at 7.71%. >> So yeah. So let me >> That's done by the total and not the percentage. >> Well, it's the it's a total of the whole budget. this piece gets put in. So, it's only it's only 7% uh kind of the big number. >> That's what I was thinking. Almost 30% of our 23% increase. >> Yeah. >> No, I'm sorry. Um it so in the budget software, there's probably 70 different tabs. Uh and one of the tabs works on this calculation. So, you see our tax levy last year was 12.2 and increase that 2% it's going to be
037about another $244,000. So you would think 12219 plus 244 is in the neighborhood of 12 million uh 500,000 roughly. That's the 2%. the difference. That's where we would normally be able to to have our tax increase. This extra six or $700,000 would turn that number from 12.5 into maybe 13.1 13.2 million. And then when you ask, well, what is that percentage-wise from two? Then the total amount instead of going up 2% is approximately 7.71%. >> Can I Yes. So I then I want to look at our you know so it's going to be um decisions made but I'm looking at the calendar right so you're going to get your numbers on March 12th >> the 12th we have a board meeting on the 18th right now right we we have we have an option I
038think Dr. Seavoy has considered it Tony is we could move it to let's say April 25th right right now we're decid we haven't made that decision right but when we look at the calendar that the let's just say when when you present your budget you are going to give us and we're going to be voting on it and how are you going to know or how are we going to know if we are going going to go for or what portion of the health insurance uh piece that we could pick up? How do we how do you how do you know what we would one how to how how is that going to work in five days and even with the public right so I think um I think Dr. Seavoya I think >> doesn't
039it make should we reconsider meetingth I I don't have an issue with that. Uh you know, unfortunately, a lot of these things and it doesn't help uh somebody to hear it, but these timelines are are given to us. So, I would say that at least on the 25th, if you moved it to that date, then the board who has to make that vote ultimately has to make that decision. >> We wouldn't be we would have to without we would have to finalize budget that year, >> but we would have to vote the same thing on the 8th. >> Yes, you would. Okay. Yes, you under even more constricted >> Also, quite frankly, no time >> to really prepare if we choose if we were inclined to go this way. No time to prepare the our
040constituents about it. Right. I think at least theoretically it gives the 25th gives us some time. My only comment on that I first of all I agree with everything you're saying support everything you're saying. My only comment on that is going to be there's going to be a once this board has determined what the budget's going to look like preliminary then there's a month to get to educate the constituents and get them on board. >> This is the this is the county budget. >> This is not the final. >> Okay. But with the board's directive, we can move. >> But even for ourselves, even think about our process, >> you're going to need I think you're gonna need to know from us by let's say the 25th, the 18th. You're gonna need to know this
041is like a question. Won't you need to know from us if and how much of that health insurance bump we are willing to propose? Because in your budget, >> we want to know. Yes, we're going to present either on the >> otherwise we're at the risk of presenting it and you voting it down, right? >> And now we're in a situation where we're scrambling to decide how but is it high is it highly likely that that amount based on the cuts that we're predicting, it's only further that that you would go down that down that road. So just hypothetically, if we're at an $800,000 increase no matter what, let's just say that. I'll say that figure. I'm not saying it's from any of these pieces of paper. You have your uh utilities, your uh pension,
042your pension, and your um my goodness gracious. What's the third thing, Tony? That goes to the to the big the big increase, the cost of living increases. It we're at $800,000 as it is as an increase to provide what we're already providing. If the benefits are deducted from that, that's just more instructional costs that you're cutting throughout that amount. So what we could do irrelevant of whether you guys make the meeting the 18th or the 25th which does not what we offered it absolutely um is that you could have the information to make your solid vote but it is extremely likely that that waiver is just is going to just save personnel because that's kind of where we are in a tight budget but you would definitely have more time to uh answer questions as
043the public could um but you it is not your final vote. So, I think that for comfortability purposes, we really need to look at moving that date because I think if you did a poll, I think the majority would probably say the meeting should be changed to give more time >> and that's why it's on the report. So, we will move the we will advertise it differently. Move it to the 25th everyone. >> Mr. Kroo, that's something I guess we need to do take a motion on today. A simple motion. Okay. Okay. >> Are there any other questions? May maybe this will I'll bring it up in um in new business about how the board we should discuss how we're going to discuss right like we need to find >> like what that's going to
044look like >> what what is our plan on how was we can't you know public open public meeting we can't so I think would we can we discuss that in new business or should we discuss it now? >> I mean, you're in that you're in that element. Can you discuss? >> We could probably do it now. Workshop meeting. >> No. Yeah. Like I think we we need to Right. I think >> Well, um, Scunningham, what are your ideas? We know what we did last time. >> I was going to say I think the way the only way we can do it is it has to be part of a committee meeting. So in order for us to discuss it outside of an open public session meeting. So it would have to be >> if could
045you have two different you have three committees but only one of them is to the future of >> so it would have to be a goal three meeting technically right >> sorry >> because we are technically go because I was going we're going to talk about goal two for because we have to set that up later. Um so it's really goal three that committee that we are meeting on. So it would have to be a goal three committee meeting in order to meet without it being a actual meeting. >> What we could do what we could also do is and I don't know if this is you can tell me if I'm correct or incorrect once Mr. poll and I give you the information of what those numbers are and the projected cuts if you
046will my without the 7.1 without the benefit increase and without what we could do is allow you guys obviously the opportunity to email us questions so we could be prepared and then wi within um not violating a quorum could I have a Google meet or some kind of a zoom John without violating a quarum >> yeah the issue The issue is that under the open public meetings act the majority of the board cannot discuss >> uh the board business. So so sending out the information is fine >> right? >> So Tony and Dr. send out the information so that the board members get the information that's fine. >> Um board members responding directly with questions provided they don't reply also it turns into a board discussion because you can have a board discussion in email
047just as easily as you can have a board discussion >> in in person. So having the board members send questions to the Dr. Seoia and Mr. >> and we could be available just like we could in an office situation John say say hey um you know we're available I'm being hypothetical from 5 to 6 on the 15th um and making sure that just like you'd have a question if you called us on the phone that you could still do the finance thing. I'm just giving ideas or it could be like an open you know office hours like the professors have >> and it also could be discussing committee. So if you have a finance committee the finance committee because it's not a majority of the board can get together and have there you can have
048a discussion. If you have another committee that's appropriate that committee can have a discussion. >> So committee discussions are fine less than a quorum. >> Sending the information out to everybody is fine because as long as there's no discussion about it you know you get into trouble if some people sending emails like what if we do this with and everyone's involved and everyone is on the chain then that's >> maybe it's maybe it's cleaner having the committee meeting and then each one of you having I don't want to say a buddy for lack of a better phrase but somebody you contact from the board and then we open it to them >> so I think there is like if we are going to set a date for that committee to meet the email should be
049sent to both Mr. Ola and yourself by X date and then the group can collectively discuss said questions and then a response from either you or Mr. Paula can be put back out regarding the questions and then it is not >> okay. Right? Because everyone is getting C >> could we consider well consider meeting on the 18th and the 25th >> the 18th not on a vote but a board discussion on what the possibilities are. That way we're all >> so just adding an additional meeting. Yeah. >> A workshop meeting. >> You may not have the experience and and I'm open to anything. We're here. Um you may not have the experience of of having some of the information you may want right in that live moment there. I don't know. You know, I don't
050know what you're >> speaking to be able to have candidly open conversations that the public is privy to and that we are able to share all information. We are able to ask our questions and it is in a open format and then we're not make nothing is not >> makes perfect sense but I wouldn't want you not to give the luxury of Mr. reper myself knowing the questions because then we may not be prepared for the random question. >> You're going to have your numbers on March the 12th. You're going to have an idea, right? >> I mean, even if we send you questions ahead of time, you're going to have a tight turnaround to answer those questions. >> Again, I just don't want it to be a look that we we're not prepared for
051something. That's all. So, whatever you decide, um, we're open. >> I think from the board's perspective, it's it's a twisted it's a twisted route. If we have to come up with a you know, an idea when we're not really able to talk to each other as a whole. We did it in the past. We've worked around it. Sure. But it's awkward. Right. Right. >> But also, we could be creative on >> March 18th. >> It's not your final budget. Just to remind you, >> Mr. Well, but I'm saying Mr. Rapola could show us a couple of budget scenarios, right? Because we're not voting on it, right? We're looking at it. We're looking at it from a big picture, right? We could kind of I don't we we don't have to just look at one thing,
052right? We could look at we could go this route. We can go this route. I I mean I think that suggestion is fine. It's it's certainly something that promotes transparency. It's transparent in that sense that the board will be having an open discussion in front of open to the public where you'll be discussing these issues. Of course, the flip side of that is that the board will be having an open discussion in front of the public when you're discussing this issue. And I say that only because not that sometimes the advantage of a committee system is that some ideas can be thrown out, things can be bounced off the wall, things can be discussed that it makes sense. Uh, you know what? Maybe that's a terrible idea. We're never going to bring that forward to
053the public. You do have some advantages in participating in committee discussions. >> We could also do both. We could have the committee conversation still and then have that additional meeting so that you are still getting that aspect. But I think just because of what we experienced with the tax incentive levy, this is the way to make sure that we are having these conversations and no one can say that we aren't being transparent with what we are trying to do and trying to accomplish. >> You're just going to and the only concern that I have is when it comes to your biggest outlay of finances is personnel. We would just have to be very careful that we did not we're small so we would just have to be very careful. So when we say op choices
054of budgets ideally Tony and you can back me I mean correct me if I'm >> I don't think it's specifics >> who those are >> but we don't know that because we have a month to make those decisions right like this is the preliminary budget this is what we're saying we're approving a preliminary budget so we're not approving which three teachers or which three things are being cut in that moment it's the possibility that that is what's going to happen. We don't know where that's at and you guys are going to do the work to figure that out. >> I would say that a lot of people might be able to figure that out because you know what you have to offer. You know what the basics are as to what we've cut thus far
055in so many years and the staff members that we have. I I again transparent I am open. We we can do it. If I just don't have the answer to the question Mr. Rapola >> and or I think if it's something that can't be answered you say that that's not something that can be answered. >> Okay. I don't know. I was just asking. I'm saying that the only thing I'd say is if we didn't have an answer um as far as like a staff member, I would be hesitant. That that's my only concern because it it it is that way and and somebody could know, you know, you know that you have to have, you know, uh a math teacher, you know that you have to have I'm just a little concerned about that. But
056whatever you want to do, we're an open book. >> I was just going to say I would be concerned for morale for the teachers if we're even putting that out ahead of time. Like there's we're going to be cutting three teachers. It's going to make people feel very uneasy again and if to do that ahead of time if we don't have to I would think before it's the final vote of the budget because you're just submitting to the county at this point. But again, transparency on the record, whatever it is that the board decides. I >> I think the the big issue big picture issue is whether we're going to go for the waiver, >> right? >> Our focus should that's the biggie, right? >> Yep. um whether we're going to go for it, what
057portion of it we're going to go for. I think that's to me what I would see uh as kind of the core issue because in the end from our our our residents, right, that's kind of uh the thing that concerns them. So I just um that's how >> so what I hear is the 25th we're going to somebody's going to make a motion when we get into uh action that to move the board meeting to the 25th. That's a that's a given and then you need to decide if you are going to have a committee meeting and go in that format or if you're having a committee meeting on the same day you're having a workshop meeting whatever you just tell us what you'd like to schedule. What are your thoughts? >> Well, I think
058I think we're I think we're talking about three things, right? Meet on the 18th as a board to discuss budget. We're not voting. Um we could also do some committee work to do some more work on that. And then whether whether where that where that committee meeting goes, I'm not sure where, >> but then and then we're going to do that vote on the 25th. So >> I mean that's what I in my mind that's what I am thinking is probably what happens. We move the policy meeting on the 18th. We change it to the finance meeting. We then have a board meeting that night to discuss budget things. And then the 25th is an additional action meeting to approve the budget. really would be a motion adding a meeting on the 25th >> and
059we would have to change >> moving the 18th to >> the 18th would have to be changed to workshop. Correct. >> If you're going to have a finance meeting and the board meetings in the same hour >> because not everyone can be part of that meeting and part of that discussion. The finance committee can only those five people can be there. So they want he is saying he wants the entire board to be able to collectively discuss this in an open public session. >> Okay. So what would we discuss differently in the finance? That's what I'm saying. Why do you need >> the things that John was saying that you might not want to put out to the public because it's not something that's going to work or happen? Like it's just an idea that's
060not necessarily a good idea. >> I'm just saying the turnover between that meeting and the finance to that board meeting. Nobody's going to be able to talk to the five people that can't be there. So, they're just going to have to put faith in I don't know. I'm just asking. I don't know. Well, I mean the the the if if there was a um among the the committee if there was um and I'm just we may the committee may have a recommendation. >> Okay. >> Right. We may not be a but what if if that group at committee uh looks at it u discusses it and and has a consensus opinion. We may want to it has no for it has no force of It's only a recommendation. We may or may not be able
061to give one, but if we had one, I think the other board members would appreciate hearing it and the reason behind it. Right. So, I think >> does anyone else who's maybe not necessarily on that finance committee have an opinion or a comment that they want to share on that? How they feel about it specifically? because it affects those people more so than the five people on the committee. >> I I respect all of you here and so the people on that committee if you're to meet and have ideas that you came and report I would appreciate it. >> Yeah. Um would it possible for that. I'm on that meeting, right? >> Yes. >> The finance committee. >> Would I'm just making sure before I ask for something. >> Yes. >> Well, I want to
062ask for it anyway. Um >> would it be possible not for either one of you to do to have somebody do or send it to me and I'll do it to make up what accounts for each group on our budget? So like um like benefits, how much is medical, how much is dental or um >> Oh, so you're talking like in each subset how that subset is broken down. >> Yeah. Like transportation. What is Union Beach transportation? What is vocational transport? What is >> magnet? >> What is sports? Uh, it's probably two or three. Yes, please. >> Jay, you can come in and I'll share it with you if that works anytime you want. >> Okay. >> I'll print it out and and I mean it's, you know, but that might be easier than trying
063to >> No, that's that's perfect because I think that would help with being transparent as as far as saying too, like >> you know, I know I have it in my notes, but I forget every year. I have to look at my notes what capital outlay is. But then looking back or at least being able to answer that, what goes into that? >> Thank you. >> Does anybody have anything else regarding the budget? >> Okay. So, I'm moving the board I'm moving the finance just to be clear, I'm moving the policy meeting, making a finance meeting in that place and Mr. polls advertising uh the 18th as a workshop meeting, not an action meeting, and adding another regular meeting on the 25th. >> Motion on that right now. >> Sure. >> You just stated it.
064[laughter] So we need a motion to change the 18th meeting to a workshop meeting and in addition to add a action meeting on the 25th. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Apollo. Roll call. >> Miss Abrahamson. >> Yes. >> Miss Cunningham. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vopoulos. >> Yes. >> Scowski. Uh I'm I'm going to vote vote yes, but I am not available on the 25th. So you just make a note of that. >> Mr. Hubler, >> yes. >> Miss Kane, >> yes. And I'm just going to say I will not be here on the 18th. Also, >> Mr. Stall, >> yes. >> Mr. Staley, >> yes. Stevens, >> yes. >> A motion passes. >> Thank you. Uh, okay. President's remarks, right? Is that where we are now? Yes. Um, so we did
065um we had a meeting with Senator Gopalano Scanland. Dr. Seavoya will be giving more insight to this in her superintendent report. The eighth grade symposium is on 3:10 at 6 PM. Um, and lastly, I was not personally able to attend the high school play. I have rent. I did hear it was really great, but Mr. Stall is going to share some information because he was able to be there. >> Yeah. Um, first of all, I thought it was absolutely amazing what they did. Um, it's not an easy show and they did a great job with it. Having had kids in the drama club for the past 10 years, this is the first year I didn't have any kids and and but my family's still involved. My daughter volunteers to do the crew and uh she
066did the sound and um my wife volunteered with food and all that stuff. Um at some point during the show I turned to my wife said and said, "I don't know why I'm getting so emotional because I don't have any kids in the show." And um and I thought about it, thought about it and I just I know most of the kids that were in it and seeing all the hard work that they put into it for months at, you know, months and months on end every night. And um I just I don't know, it just overwhelmed me. I I got choked up watching it. And um and I know that I know that some of these kids don't really have any other outlets. they find their people there, you know, and um just I
067think um and I know this probably isn't the time to mention it, but um especially after this uh budget um but I'm gonna I'm gonna push for um improvements to the sound system over the next if not this next year, maybe the year after. Something has to be done. It's it's um that's all I'll say on it for now. But uh >> yeah, >> thanks Mr. Stall. >> I um if it's okay, Madam President, not having any kids um in the district or any kids. Um, I love living my life vicariously through all of you who have kids and seeing the kids in the district perform in sports, uh, perform in other ways, excel in education, uh, come back to the district, um, you know, with diplomas and professional union cards in hand. Um, and
068I've seen I've seen the evolution of some of these young people. Uh, I didn't know all of them who were performing, but I've watched at least four of them grow up and um, I was blown away. I turned to I had almost the same experience as you did, Joe. I I turned to my wife after one number Uh, and I said, "I'm blown away." And yeah, we do need, you know, whether it be through donation or something like that. Um, we need to we need to look into upgrading the system. not this year because of the shortfall that we're experiencing, but um certainly uh certainly I'd love to see the kind of commitment and investment in their efforts which are obviously you know I don't know I I was a drama kid and a band
069kid and it's long hours after school during play dur you know during playtime when play when the play is coming up. It's a lot of work. And um when I was a kid, I'd done it both as a kid and an adult. And when I was a kid, I was more enthusiastic about it. And I didn't mind the the work and and the long hours because like you said, Joe, I was with my people. I was among my people. And um I uh I commend I commend all of the uh extracurriculars that we have uh in our district that we're able to afford and um but you know being on top of and after seeing this play I'm convinced that uh an investment in their work and their effort uh is well worth it. And
070that includes the investment we're already making. And I'm grateful that we have the music teachers. I'm grateful, you know, for the arts programs. We saw the presentation a couple of weeks ago. Um and uh yeah, I just they everybody they all have my gratitude for the performance and for their hard work that they did. >> Sorry, I'll be quick. Um, I did go too on the last night and it was phenomenal. Um, but I did want to mention what also impressed me very much besides the kids. That was phenomenal. Like I said, Joe, I saw your whole family there except for your son >> and I thanked all them for coming. And then even the live music we had >> was alumni >> coming and doing it. And I just think that speaks volumes and
071I just wanted to shout out give a shout out to all them who we had a lot of alumni there working the play and it's very impressive. >> Thank you. Uh, Dr. Seavoya, communication. >> Okay. I'm so sorry. I was focusing on the superintendent report. No additional pieces. I'm focusing on the other one. >> It's coming. Don't worry. >> Oh, no. It's fine. [laughter] >> Public participation on agenda items. Uh, Dr. Seavoya, superintendent. >> Here we go. That's where I was ready. So, sorry. We are very proud to share that the district has been awarded two additional grants from the NJA for sustainability. one for $10,000, one for $2,000, one is going to be farm-totable, and the other is going to help extend our summer programming, which is definitively showing yields and our uh student
072growth. Uh in addition, the AP grant that the high school host hosted a boot camp today or actually I'm fibbing tomorrow and that session is going to target academic prep and test taking strategies for those students taking the examinations. Professional development continues through the Red Raider teacher academy. We had a f a session focused on AI integration and social emotional learning practices led by staff. Uh we have also submitted an application which I would call a grant application to the New Jersey STEM innovation funds to strengthen STEM identity, increase student interest and expand hands-on learning opportunities aligned to our growing STEM and AI pathways. Hopefully, fingers crossed, we have been on a great upward uh trend. So, we're we're hoping for the best there. Uh Read Across America week, we've been doing a lot of
073activities. I know Miss Kowski read today. I read uh this week. Um I actually got to go to my daughter's school as well, which was was phenomenal. Um so, it's great to see everybody in the buildings and uh the students making contact with all of you. Our ELA and math departments are actively engaged in structural coaching partnerships with Magnolia. Um, we'll get a little bit more detail on that, but I will tell you that one of the experiences this week uh included surveying students and I know that Mr. Staley and several other board members talk a lot about culture climate. We wanted to hear from our students at the math our mathematics students at the high school level and we allowed that person to meet with our consultant that's working with us to get their
074input. Um, in addition, I met with the freshman today. I had a superintendent coffee with them and we got to experience students at a variety of different mathematical levels there. We had some questions and some dialogue about that. So that was great. Uh uh we were featured in the Mammoth University climate education collaborative school district spotlight for school of education. The highlights include our summer program, Red Raider University sustainability projects. It's great to see it out there and we'll make sure that we get that out to the public as well. Our 11th grade students are set to take the new state graduation proficiency assessment the week of March 16th. The state has shared some new information about the way this adaptive test will be administered and and I do want to speak to each word
075on my report for it. The test has three sections, writing, reading, and math. Each section is one continuous adaptive test. Students will have 90 minutes to complete the writing section. reading reading and math. They all have 75 minute sessions, two of them. Because the test is adapted, students are required to answer a question before moving to the next. This differs from the old test of the NJSLA GPA in two main ways. The first is that uh those tests were broken into district units within a section with an endpoint for each unit. And why that's important to understand is that we would tell students that they they couldn't speed through a section. if if some if it takes 25 minutes to do a section and somebody's done in two minutes, it's rarely um for the positive
076for them. So there's definitely concern with it being a session uh is that it's broken down that way. And then the second way is that it differs is that it's due to adaptive nature of test students answers will inform the next set of questions. So students can can return to previous questions but any modified answer will only change questions they have not answered yet. Okay. So it it it's definitely a new format. Um how we're even going to report out on it uh in the fall u it'll be a learning experience because of the fact that it's adaptive and I don't know how the proficiency levels will be set. So it's definitely a new experience. Um but I do want to expand on above that above bullet by saying they also cut came out with
077new cut scores for both of those two tests, the NJGPA and the NJSLA. And that's not even going to be shared until the summer. So, we're not even going to know what the cut scores are there. There may be a delay in reporting. I'm not completely positive, but Miss Pearson during one of our snow it actually was a snow day. Uh she attended that because they didn't reschedu that opportunity. So, it's definitely a work in progress for us and they are just rising uh giving out some of that information as we progress. Our rising star notification letters have gone out. Uh Mama County has also sent out theirs. Please understand the district does not receive who is entered. You are going to see that on social media. Oh, who was accepted. You're going to see
078that because people are going to post it. We don't get it with the kids. They get it first. So, that's a little frustrating because we'd like to know, but it is how the process is designed. Um, we have a leave replacement, another baby coming our way. So, we're happy about that. Uh, Rent, I don't know that I can speak any any more about that play. It was phenomenal. Um, we do also we had the uh link for the um the show itself to see uh the senior trip. There's a letter attached to that as well. Um, I will tell you that the senior trip, Mr. Waters will speak and say to it that there was a lot of anxiety as they were pulling away. Um, and he did give me a call with a student
079medical issue and I did alert the board to that. But I will tell you that that is the only thing and no news is good news to me. Everybody had a great time is what I heard. >> Yeah, my daughter was on the trip. Um, and my nephew, it was a great trip. It was great experience for them. They really got to be mature and experience it as young adults. Um, and I think the chaperones did an amazing job >> and I I just am so happy that they had this experience and that they were able to do that. And it was commented on by many people that were on the boat >> just how mature and students were and just how well behaved they were >> um even by people that were in the
080rooms around them. >> That's excellent. And but there's a letter attached linked not to minimize it by Mr. Waters commending Miss Cowan for her work and Mr. Keelin for his as well. So that that letter is attached. >> Not that I want to create more work, but is it possible that >> maybe some of the seniors who went on the trip came and told us about their experience? >> You know what that would be actually great because we do have that fourth time. Yes. >> And then that way if they chose that they wanted to do it again, there would be some information shared, experiences, etc. >> And we have the 18th and the 25th to pick from. So yes, I can I can figure that out. Absolutely. Okay. In addition, um >> there's still
081Oh, sorry. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. Uh our perfect attendance winners are in there. Um Miss Fleming, I'll be doing a duty. I'm going to art. I don't know how well that's going to work out for everyone in there, but I will do my best. Uh, we offered a staff a cereal drive incentive, too. Bring a box of cereal, wear a pair of jeans. Um, jeans and parking are very big things in Keyport. Very important things. So, um, we I think we're at 3,200 boxes. Coach Car's miss Cunningham, the bag, I don't know. Well, we got it in there, but there was a lot of cereal in there, so I think she just gave us 300 boxes. Our attorney just gave us uh not our attorney, our um auditor just gave us 200 boxes. So,
082we are cruising along and um I would like to go upstairs, downstairs. We'll see. Um and Miss Perllo is supposed to be in the district that day as well to help us record this time. Uh let's see. Uh student of the month, uh Jersey Performing Arts Center, Lauren Wickham will be there. Um we also received exciting news that, uh the right eighth grade had her heart her artwork selected, uh by the Art Educators of New Jersey. Um and she'll be the exhibit will be on March 28th. Uh we had seven students including Larrett will be featured in the Mammoth County art exhibit in March and April. We we're just it's amazing that their their work is just spectacular. We also participated in the fair h housing contest. Uh Miss Fleming with the League of Women's
083Voters. Congratulations to her. Rent I I see I wanted Rent in there twice because it was that good. It really was. Mr. Waters added the letter up there, but the link is there for you guys to watch it at home. I knew I saw a link somewhere. I apologize. Um, and then NAPE testing is on the 4th. Students were randomly selected to participate in that test and math and ma math or reading. Uh, the college career fair will be April 14th. So, we're recruiting people for that and community members. So, please anybody if you know a skill set that you would like a child to see, please contact Miss Pearson. No new instances of HIV. one at at Central. Um I'm so sorry, none at Central, one at KHS. The investigation was confirmed and consequences
084and services are being provided. Okay. We are required to make up three days of school. The uh electric last week and I have it on here as well. I'll com combo the two of them. Um we know Mr. Propul can do it better than myself. We I know what a breaker is. I know that we have now have a 4,000 amp breaker out there. If you see the temporary fencing out there, we know that there are three sections, at least three sections of uh JCPNL that you could go through to get on the wait list. Mr. Rapola had one phone. Uh I had the other. Um we had Mr. Borders who had a contact there. We had Mr. Kaden who had a contact there. Um finally by 1:30, I called Dean Oscalin and I said,
085"Hey, here's our work order number. Can you help us?" Um I think the community took it well. There was nothing we could physically do. Uh none of us wanted that. Um, I met with the teachers union as well as county soup and some students as well and talked about the modifying the calendar. Uh, and we what what I'm proposing that we take action on on the 25th is modifying um Good Friday to be an early dismissal day and graduating on the 19th. So, we would add two days at the end. I have not uh received any uh input otherwise. The union is in support of that as well as I said previously. Um, if there's an employee that would like to take off that day, they can because it is a federal holiday. We work
086on other federal holidays. I just want to be very transparent about that. I collected the information from others. If that changes in the next two weeks, I'll present another opportunity, another selection, but no more snow. >> I'm just asking because I know we discussed it. They were okay with graduation on Junth. >> They were they were okay. Uh, they were okay. Okay, the route I did the 50/50 the press release for the serial challenge. Somebody told me it was in the patch. We did get some coverage out there. If you did see it, please don't hesitate to share that link with me. I did work with Miss Pllo and gave her all of our newspaper contacts and she did put it out to NJ12. Um, and I remembered Sally Mosy's email cell phone from when
087she was here years ago and she said she'll try to help us out. So maybe we'll get some positive coverage in that event. Um, the education foundation's tricky tray is coming quickly, April 18th. Please, please, please, if you can clear your calendars for that, that would be great. Um, also underneath the board highlights, there are board highlights. Central school uh, the central scoop. I like that. So, we've talked about communication and over I don't want to say overcommunicating, but communicating in different fashions. Enough uh, school messenger stuff. So, long story short, Mr. uh, Flynn is probably going to get something out once a week. Mr. for waters maybe every two weeks. There is something that I will do after the regular meeting each month for board highlights. Another way to get people to just maybe
088see in a condensed version um what we report out on here which is great. So we're making some strides along those lines. The eighth grade dialogue I invited all of you. I understand that not everybody can come to that but that's just something some newer members might not have seen. Essentially each district uh nominates an eighth grader and there are panel of questions. It's great to see our kids shine. I know Miss Grabowski was there for some support for a student last year. You're all welcome. Um, let's see. The budget calendar, as Mr. Roa spoke to, I think is is what it is there. We don't we do not have the figures yet. It's not what I want it to be. For some reason, this computer does not want to scroll. Sorry. Um, we met
089with Mr. Gopal uh Senator Gopal and Senator Ocan. Um the slideshow from that uh communication is attached. They did say that they were going to invite out an assistant commissioner and commissioner of education to visit the district. We are a small little district with a lot of spirit and a lot of resources. However, financially, you know, it's really important for them to see what we're doing and what we're going to have to reduce if and if that's the case. Um Mr. Rupola presented that. A huge thank you to Mr. uh borders, Mr. Gibbara and Mr. Huins because let let me tell you, we we brought the system came down on Tuesday. We couldn't get it back up on Wednesday. Actually, we got back up later in the day. We were here Thursday, came back down
090again. There's speculation as to whether it was water, whatever the case may be. Mr. Rep's working on the insurance component of that. He will fill you all in on the outcome, but right now we have that temporary server out there. But the the minute you know I texted them or Mr. actually Mr. Borders I don't think he left for for several hours on on different occasions. But Mr. Huins Mr. were here on point because if that system goes down we only have a 30 minute backup on our MDF which controls everything. If it's not shut down it causes more problems. So Mr. Huins is in the audience but so thank you for him you know being on point. They were right there when we needed them. Um and I think there's a lot of activi
091a lot of um events coming up. One popular uh showstopper is the science fair, the fifth grade science fair that's coming on the 20th. >> Yeah. So, we also have the women's conference that day. So, I'm going to come to the science fair first because my child is in it and then go to the women's conference >> every year that something happens on that one for me. >> And then well, or the wax museum because the wax museum is also the 27th. So, go if you are able to, please make sure that you guys go to it. Those kids work really really hard and they really appreciate being able to show >> asking them all the questions. They do such a great job. >> It was I think uh there was the science fair came
092out today. Miss um Vincent sent out a science fair invitation. >> Yeah, but I don't I don't have Miss Cunningham the you said the wax museums on No, I did >> on the 27th. It's the following Friday. >> Oh, because I have the heart challenge there. So, I don't have the wax museum on there. So, hold on one second. >> I don't know where I found it, but I found it. No, that's my apologies on that. Wax Museum, I will send invites out to both for both of those. Not a problem. Thank you. >> Can I just go back to a quick question about Junth on graduation? >> Yes. >> Do we need to survey the students because I feel like we are a group that is not representative of our entire senior class and
093to make sure that we're not okay being tonedeaf to that it is a federal holiday, but it also has a big meaning. Okay. that >> that were represented that people are okay with having it on that holiday. >> That was my first question. When was initially brought up all parties? >> I think we'll send student survey out as well. >> No worries. >> Yeah, >> but Veterans Day other days are. So, yes, we will send out a survey. That's not a problem. >> I think it would be the Monday. >> It go what we would do at that point. Let's put it this way. If we were to not come back on a Monday, I I would my suggestion would be for us to leave Good Friday where it is and add the three days
094at the end. You you're off on that Friday and you come back that Monday and two, you know, you come back the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and graduate on the Wednesday. Yeah. So, I I would want to give them if I do a survey, I'm going to give them a couple scenarios to select from. >> Okay. I'll bet that out for them. >> I I got to make the survey and get it to them. So, I will get it to you as soon as I can and we because we'll have to take action by the 25th. I'm gonna I just want to go on record as saying I I don't even think >> we should ask them. I think we should not do it on the 19th. But okay, >> that's just my opinion. >> Uh
095you know, it's in a in a way it's like should we have uh should we have graduation on President's Day? It's it's even worse than feel. But I'll leave it at I'll leave it on the floor like that. So then I will do the survey to ask the staff and the students. I mean the union did say it but would do you want me to include that too? >> I think if it turns out to be that we need to extend it to another week of a Monday people aren't going to like that or even send their kids to school. Can we take a day from this is going to sound terrible spring break. What we do advertise on our calendar is that we will add them to the end first and then take a
096day of spring break. I was based on the guidance that I received from the KA as well as you know not every student some students was that they would prefer not to come back that following week. But we can put that out in the survey to them. I mean is that what we want to do or are we saying just no at all? Like I mean if if that's the case then I don't need to do a survey. So I I will I will service I will survey the students and I will let you know the statistics of those results. Perfect. >> Obviously in terms of an issue that could and I have no idea an issue that could potentially be sensitive. >> Yes. >> A survey survey is not >> it's on. He's just
097not close enough. >> I'm sorry I'm not close enough. Boy, I'm pretty close and it's still not coming to me. Um I I just would I just just throw out there that an issue that could potentially be sensitive to certain students a survey um you just have to take that in cons consideration. It may be that uh 90% of the students say yeah let's do it then but the 10% of the students who might be affected by the sensitivity of it might feel differently and it's just something to you have to take into consideration. >> So is it an out of survey or a survey? So you know I mean that's a lot of ifs. I don't care. It doesn't again consulted with the union. I don't I can survey all the kids but like
098he's saying if I feel if 10% say yes then >> so then maybe we just make the decision and we add the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. >> I will I will communicate with the staff um that that could be a possibility and then um again we can't make a decision make a vote here based on that. But I will communicate that um we leave Good Friday where it is. We uh take the three days and we do the 18th which is Thursday and then we do the uh Monday and Tuesday after that. >> Yes. >> All right. Okay. Would be on that Tuesday. Yes, the 23rd tentatively >> once everything is talked about and approved. >> Um, anything else for the superintendent report? >> No. >> Okay, that concludes the report. No, sorry. >> Just wanted
099to make sure before we moved on, >> Miss Cunningham. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Just uh Dr. First of all, I just wanted to uh commend I saw on rising stars that you accepted 16 students. >> We did. >> Um out of the 28, you had you you mentioned you had a >> a strong a strong group. >> At least 16 were meritorious enough. I just thought that was >> excellent. A great number to see that. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> Sorry. Um, board secretary, buildings and grounds and finance. Mr. Rapola, >> thank you. I just want to reiterate uh what Dr. Seavoya stated as far as uh thanking Mr. Goa, Mr. Yuans, uh Mr. Borders, uh Mr. Kaden, um Mr. Bellinger, um and Mr. Collins. uh all phenomenal uh in what handling the storm situation.
100Uh the crew this was a this was a uh you know few times in a lifetime uh storm. Uh in fact because it was so great uh FEMA is allowing us to submit uh some of our cost in the snow cleanup. uh they determined that uh because of our county got hit so hard, we'll be able to do that. So, uh we'll be doing that. But, uh those guys worked uh extreme amount of hours in some tough conditions and then they were uh really working hard with the electric uh with the electrical matter and the uh while that was happening, we had to still pay our employees. Uh there was a payroll that needed to be done electronically that we needed access to our servers. Uh so we had to provide temporary power to the
101servers like there was a lot to get coordinated and a lot of people uh it really stepped up. So I wanted to to acknowledge uh acknowledge that. >> Thank you. >> We appreciate you. Um, also as far as the motions on on the agenda that I really don't have much in finance at all. There's a couple of uh donations and there's the sustainable uh jersey grant. I just have a question. I don't know if it's a question to Miss Cunningham or Mr. Crroo. Um, so on March 18th, it's another workshop agenda. Will we be looking at the same agenda and then just some items that have been added to it perhaps? >> Yeah, I was going to say I think really the like we've done previously when we only have the one topic discussion. It's
102mainly going to be >> That's what I'm wondering. Are we going with is it like a separate budget only meeting? >> Yes, it's a special meeting budget related I believe >> on the 18th. Yes. Right. >> Because if that's what we wanted to, >> this is the workshop meeting. That stuff has to be would you leave it off and have one one item on the on the 18th? It says budget, but then bring all the stuff we have on this workshop agenda to that. >> Well, I mean, I think this this is can still be, but we know that we're not discussing most of this again. We're specific. >> We keep this agenda. Yes. >> And we focus on the budget. >> Yes. Because that's really the only reason we're coming >> on the 25th.
103Same thing again, but there'll be budget motions added to it. >> Yes. Whatever needs to be approved will be >> your regular. >> No, it will be the 25th because the 18th is only a workshop. >> So, yes, just leave everything how it is, Mr. Rapola. We'll focus on the budget and then you can add everything for the 25th. >> Just make sure there's nothing time sensitive that needed to be done. >> Oh, yes. Anything if it needs time sensitivity needs to be approved on the 18th. just the the bills, but we'll be fine waiting the checks. We'll be we'll be fine waiting till the 25th. >> We'll get a couple of ones that are necessary. >> Okay. >> Um Dr. Seavoya, curriculum, personnel, policy. >> Let's do it. This was actually a lighter agenda,
104which is good because the budget is the most. Okay. curriculum, your incidences of HIB, your drills, uh the approval of the uh submission for the grants, the Magnolia consulting that I spoke to I think very very much in detail, climate event. Um and then in regards to personnel, um substitute teachers and uh Jason Spangler is a substitute custodian. >> Thank you. Um old business Uh, so for new business, um, I just have two things. Uh, we need to schedule a new policy meeting date now that we're moving that. So, please add that to your list. Um, we also need to schedule a meeting for the real goal two, not our goal two, which is really goal three. Um, so goal two is Laura, Joe, um, Stall, Dennis, and myself. Oh, and Sean. Uh, we are
105we need to schedule a meeting. So, Dr. Sway, we need to look at that. And, uh, Laura is going to be the chair, she said. >> Okay. >> So, >> don't mind. I'll have my calendar right here. >> When we conclude the meeting, if I I can put my calendar up. We could just book it up. >> Yes. I just want to make sure that we get both of those things on the calendar because we have not met for goal two and we need to change policy due to changing committee 3 meeting before the budget. >> Um, Mr. Staley. >> Yes. Um I think I'll start referring to our committee as finance plus rather than uh gold committee too. [laughter] So we're now finance plus. Okay. >> Plus plus >> but our just so you
106know committee members and also those who aren't serving like our our focus is on the internal and external developments that impact current ongoing and future of the keyboard school district. Uh just a couple of things that we did. One of the things we asked Mr. Ola to prepare for us. Um he's already prepared the historical enrollment number and then we ask him to look into his crystal ball and look at what would be our u enrollment going forward for the next five years based on u the feeder classes that are coming up. You know, if we look at our own school, looking at fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh grade, those are going to come into the high school, many of them, as well as some uh educated guests on Union Beach. And so, today was the
107first time we're just looking at them. Um, but we'll continue to uh look in the near future and in the future. I wanted to um you know, we each get, you know, the copy of the school leader. And there was a in our meeting agenda today, I I asked the members to read a couple of articles. Um, and I think uh this this particular edition had many really good ones in addition to the two I'm going to mention. One was um on page um One was called um engaging in celebrating multilanguage learners and families and this was done by uh the Dunellan school district and one of the comments during our committee meeting as we're talking about it and it says oh it sounds like all the stuff that we're doing here. So that was
108just good to see u to see that. The other one um on page 46 was an article uh presented by the um Westfield School District on falling over the fiscal cliff and finding our way back. Um if you have the chance to take a look at it, I think this this addition is worth looking at. The other thing we talked about and um I have a u we've completed the s the climate survey that's done with students, parents, um the teachers uh that has been done. This is actually the second year. So Dr. Zavoya uh they mentioned that her staff will be looking at that information um and reviewing it and then that'll be made available in the correct time to the committee as well as to uh to the full board and um I
109think that's it. >> Any other new business? uh public participation on agenda and non-aggenda items. We do have close session, right? >> Okay. >> Um so be a resolved by the keeper board of education as per chapter 231 PL197517.1 that hereby determine that is necessary to meet in executive session for litigation. Um can we have a motion to go to executive session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? I