001May we please uh call to order the December 16, 2025 meeting of the High Point Regional High School Board of Education. I ask you please stand for the flag. >> 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. Open Public Meetings Act statement. New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the board of education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted at the Augusta,
002Branchville, and Sussex post offices and notice sent to the New Jersey Herald, the Sunday Herald, and the clerk of the burrows of Branchville and Sussex, and the township townships of uh Frankfurt, Lafayette, and Wantage. Our mission statement, High Point Regional High School, in partnership with staff, family, and community is dedicated to the quest for individual excellence. By fostering high standards of achievement, we prepare students to become responsible and productive members of a diverse society. May I ask for a roll call, please? >> Miss Palac here. Miss Diaz here. Miss Schuman here. Miss G here. Mr. Van Stone >> here. Miss Longberg >> here. >> Miss Weise >> here. Miss Forsy >> here. >> Mr. Dunn >> here. >> Dr. Ripley >> here. >> We have a quarum. Excellent. >> Uh, a motion will now be
003made that High Point Regional High School Board of Education enter executive session to provide an update on legal personnel and negotiations items which are exempt from public participation pursuant to New Jersey Public Law 1975, Chapter 231, Open Public Meetings Act. Any discussions held by the board which need not remain confidential will be made public when appropriate. Minutes of the executive session will not be disclosed until the need for confidentiality no longer exists. The board will reconvene in public session in person and virtually at the conclusion of the executive session. It is not anticipated that any action will be taken. Uh and we actually anticipate to come back uh a little early this evening. uh estimate approximately4 to 7 and we'll start the public session at that time. So uh I'll make that motion. May I
004have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. Executive session May I have a motion to return to public session? And a second. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay, we have return to public session. So uh according to our agenda we have next up is approval of minutes the regular meeting minutes from November 25th 2025 and executive session minutes also from November 25th 2025. Um make that motion to accept I have a second >> second one. >> Any uh comments or corrections? See none on approval minutes please. >> Miss Palac. >> Yes. >> Miss Schuman. >> Yes. Mr. Anstone, >> yes. >> Miss Weise, >> yes. >> Miss Orsy, >> yes. >> Miss Longberg, >> yes. >> Miss G, >> yes. >> Miss Diaz, >> yes.
005>> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Passes. >> Okay. Public comments on agenda items only in accordance with the open public meetings act. We will open for public comments. At this time, each speaker should state his or her name and address. You will have three minutes to address the board, which will be timed by the by myself. We will limit this section to no longer than 45 minutes. Please be respectful and mindful that your comments are being recorded. And as usual, we have two methods to address the board. One in person and the second virtual to the email address that we have posted. And I'm going to look to see if we have any comments there. And seeing none in the room, may I have a motion to close public comments? Oops. A second. >> Second.
006>> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Uh that brings us to presentations. First we have Dr. Ripley who will present some service plaques. >> You know every year we have the opportunity to uh welcome in new board members and say goodbye to others and you people talk about public service. Um people often say about you know whether you're in Congress or you're a part of government but they get paid and the servants here this evening who come of their own time and their own will. You are true servants because you're not being compensated and you come to do that which is best or what you believe is best for your community and participate in the the governance of your community and that is true service. And we have two people who
007are leaving us this evening. And uh that's Miss Palisc and Miss Schuman. And your service to our board and to our community is greatly appreciated and noted. And it is my hope that you've received some semblance of achievement and fulfillment for having served your community selflessly and with great uh distinction. So congratulations and I very much appreciate we appreciate what you've done and we wish you nothing but the best and uh in all areas of your life. >> Thank you so much. It's been an honor. >> If I may just personally add to um I've now served with both of you a number of years and um I want to thank you for your time that you've given freely and uh the skills that you brought to this this board um have complemented the rest
008of the board members that that have sat with you. Um I mentioned to you earlier this that the um the things that like u putting together baskets um and selection of scholarship recipients are things that I I'm going to have to find somebody else to help do that. And um and Tina, the things that you've helped with, both of your um your knowledge of the finance world have helped me do my job. Um be sad seeing you both go. >> Thank you. Pleasure, sir. Pleasure. Come back. >> Yeah, you can come back. >> Can come back. >> Thank you very much. Um, okay. Uh, I saw Mr. Oriana come in right in time for his presentation to the speaker of the house, uh, student council. If you want see your updates. >> Hi. So, as
009you all know, it's the holiday season and uh so student council wanted to celebrate it with a spirit week. Uh, it's starting on days uh on starting on a Wednesday since you know winter break is coming up and it's cut off short but um uh it starts up on Wednesday uh tomorrow 12:17 where uh we want the student body to wear red and green for a walking in a winter wonderland Wednesday and there's going to be during lunch rocking around the Christmas tree uh in your favorite Christmas accessory at Santa hat, headband, jewelry, and soper outfit. Um, and then the next day, Thursday, 12:18, uh, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, so let it snow and we want everybody to, uh, wear white, white out. Uh, on Friday, maybe it's cold outside. Uh, ugly Christmas
010sweater day. And then the following Monday, uh, the 12 22, it's going to be, uh, wearing blue, white, or silver, or gold, uh, to celebrate Hanukkah, so that way we can celebrate all the holidays. And then on Tuesday next week, it is going to be a half day and so we can have a pep rally um to where it is also going to be a pajama day for onesies, sweats, and slippers. Uh and also to know with the um hallway decorating contest uh between the freshman, juniors, sophomores, and seniors here. Uh the crown went to the seniors this year. Uh the sort of wonderland >> the hallways look beautiful. >> Uh this this area should be off here with the seniors and then with the Thank you. >> Did anybody else have any questions for
011>> Thank you for your update. Don't feel like you have to stay here throughout the plan. >> Miss Miss, >> I hate to do this to you. We started a little bit early, but if you're you're welcome to come to the podium and give your update right now if you're ready. >> Thank you. That's fine. Good evening. >> Sorry, I came right from another meeting last year with the county executive. So, I just drove here for the cigarette. So, I just wanted to um take a moment to recognize the extraordinary kindness, generosity, um and sense of community that we have at Beckley. We've had since Thanksgiving, sort of all right through Thanksgiving and now here we are right before Christmas break. Um even though that times have been difficult for so many of our staff
012and community, um I feel like we are taking a step in the right direction and it has been inspiring to see how how much our staff and our students have donated not only their time um but as well as their their money to support others in need. So, a couple of things that have happened since Thanksgiving break. Um, one of our staff members I wanted to recognize is Marie Sullivan who has consistently always helped around Thanksgiving and her dedication and compassion to make this happen has been exceptional. This year they had, she said it was an unprecedented record-breaking almost $1,500 was raised. all went directly to providing Thanksgiving meals to members of our community and once again I think it's just a testament to the heart of this district. So and John and I met
013this morning and we just talked about how great it is to work here um and see things like this. So um another one is our chief Joe Schaer. She's an adviser for student council. Her leadership with the stocking stuffer which we've been doing now and she is on top of it constantly sending emails out. We have seven families still in need and staff members can either donate anonymously or they can highlight um if they do make purchases that are going to go to families in the district as well and I think it just makes a difference at this time of the year. Another one is one of our math teachers Sue Slack also would pass it along. She does an annual coat drive and she also said that this has been the largest collection that
014we've had in several years which is really nice. So that I think again the generosity of our with our district um so that way individuals in our community don't have to um they're staying warm through the holiday season. And last but not least, Aaron Bang and Bill Percy for their efforts with the food bank. Um, we've had kind of like a pour out for what we need for the food bank and their leadership and commitment to constantly making sure that families have access to their essentials as well as foods through this time of year. And truly, last but not least, John for his support in all of these efforts to constantly encourage everyone here um to participate and give back. Um, so his support means a lot to us as a staff. to make all
015of these initiatives successful and um that I've been super proud. I know I consistently learning month after month. So, it has been um very rewarding and the support that I've received from the administrators um has been has been great and again being a part of this committee has really meant a lot to me. So, I'm grateful for that and I want to wish all of you a happy and safe holiday season as well. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, presentation we have Mr. Tman up for principal report. >> Good evening everybody. How you doing tonight? >> Just wanted to highlight a few things a little bit. How's everybody doing? All right. >> Good. Well, um we have a lot of student um recognition. Just wanted to kind of go through. I think it's important
016to make sure that we um they're heard and they're they're seen. So, performing arts is busy, very busy this time of year, specifically going out in our community and doing a lot of great things. Um so, we're very proud of that underneath the leadership of Mr. Slain and Mrs. Martin. They tremendous job as kind of the face of our community, our school community out all the time. So, just a couple things our chamber singers are involved with. Um we call it community tour. A lot of these sing their late evenings late at night. Um so they have the responsibilities to get their stuff done and also participate in this. So they'll be at Walco Valley Rotary the S Pres Presbyterian Church and also part of WSUS which will be on Wednesday. So Wednesday and Thursday
017their big night out. Um so if you get a chance um usually it's about 8:30 in the morning on on Wednesday for them to be on the air but they will play that later on as well and you can go back and look at it. So um great job for them being out in the community. We had our Canelite concert last week which was our choir um and also band and then there's breakouts of that ensembles of that as well and it was a beautiful beautiful choir beautiful beautiful people beautiful beautiful people beautiful beautiful band and really cool to see the students um full capacity which is great to see the stage was full um choir and band and it was really a great thing to see because that's definitely an area that um has
018been growing um after co because the performing arts across the country took a big hit after that um couple of students that were recognized um for band and also for choir for all state mix choir, Michael Walsh, Charles, Brule Karuso, and Grace Mackoy. Um, I achieved that accomplishment for all county band, Haley Brown for flu, Laura Manan for flute, OnX Margato for clarinet and fourth chair, which is really, really good what I'm told. Um, Mackenzie Zinger for clarinet, Leila Prael for alto saxophone, Jack Gain for baritone saxophone, first chair, very, very good. And then George for baritone saxophone as well. So, these are students that over the course of the last month um have been honored to recognize for different achievements. And I just want to say thank you to the board of education particularly
019because it's it's difficult and challenging to support all these great outreaches and great focus for our students. Um and you could hear them uh and see them literally thriving in that. Also, we had again for the other side of arts our fine arts um in uh area that we also thrive in. We had our Walco Valley art show. Students get invited. You can see you're surrounded by art that's around you. they get invited to these art shows around the county um participate with their work um along the way. So we have several students that went some names you may recognize Nora Van Stone congratulations Mr. Manstone Stone Mal for Morgan Moran third place Crafts Alia Harley Matthews Victoria Myers Juniper Bole Jaden Aguero Roxan Kevline and Trevor Unex all were honored and recognized at the
020art show. So again a way for our students to be out there in the community very proud of that. not about if they get the ribbons or anything else. It's nice. It's great. Um and then to be part of something is really really a great opportunity. So kudos to our art teachers um and our band music teachers for big students out there. Um also recently we were able to um announce that our passing along scholar athletes for those that do not know pass it along um is a a county organization and each year they sponsor um a scholar athlete program and that program is historically one of the longest stated programs in our county. um and they recognize a student athlete from each one of the schools in the county. They do a very nice
021um uh dinner for them later in the spring. Um and it is probably one of the longest standing um accomplishments that they able to do as a county. We talked about our local basketball along which we have here um here the county pass. So our scholar athlete this year um is Claire Saminsky who um is actually playing basketball right now. Just left from there um and she's on the court. Claire is a three um three sport varsity athlete, track, soccer, and and girls basketball. So, we're very proud to have her as our athlete, and she'll be recognized amongst the other county recipients later on in March. What's really neat about this program is it's kind of been revamped and redesigned the course of time, but they actually will work with the other 12 scholar athletes
022in the county, and they'll do a service project together. Um, and they get to choose it. The students get to choose it, they get to design it. Um, it's really cool to see them coming together. Sometimes they know each other right from sports, sometimes they don't and they come together and do a service project like that. Last year they did a u second annual unified basketball tournament that they kind of coordinated and completely unheard. So look forward to see what that's going to be. Um also along the same lines kind of blend a little bit with athletics as well. So also playing basketball this evening right now as we speak is our National Girls and Women's Sports Day nominee which is Kennedy Shepard. Um she'll be honored at a Ruckers basketball game. Again a very
023very great program. They bring recipients down to Ruckers at a basketball game that's going to be later on in fe in February. And then they bring everybody out at halftime recognize all the individuals that were recognized across the city. So uh congratulations to Claire and Kennedy for um very very very um honorable achievements and also welld deserved. Um some of the events that we have coming up 8th grade open house part that we're here but we're here open house is going to be January 8th when we come back from break. So we're excited about that. planning a way to to welcome really the second stage. We look at our stages of eighth grade transition very intentionally. Um as a uh a regional school, it's very very very challenging but also very rewarding. Right? So we
024have regional schools that come in. Our job is to transition students from where they're at, whatever school they may be, public or private schools um into High Point Regional High School. So our first step in that is our eighth grade tours. We talked about earlier in the fall. Our second step is unintentional step is eighth grade open house and there'll be some scheduling along the way where our counselors go down and schedule eighth graders and their home districts and then we'll have another event later on the spring which is more just again bring them together to be together as part of high point and then our final four step that transition is a nth grade orientation which will be their their beginning of their their journey there. So try to be very intentional about that
025steps and that's a great night. Kudos to the guidance department and all the many supervisors that are working on getting that ready to go. We also have the following week after that another great community event, our district music and arts celebration night. This has been going on for several years now. That's on January 15th. What's neat about that is all the students um like third grade on from all the Senate districts and it is a packed auditorium um because everybody's there. It's it's literally like moving parts on the stage, off the stage, in front of the stage. So, it's really cool to see. That's all kudos again to our music and band instructors that coordinate and collaborate, work together to make that a special night. And then we also have artwork. So in the hallways
026around the auditorium, you'll see all the district artwork high points. Um students are recognized and we have on the boards and out in the hallway. So so parents can walk around and see their students artwork as well. So it used to just be a music night. Um and several years ago, Mr. McCarthy and others said, "Hey, let's let's combine that and make it an arts night as well." So we're excited about that. Some staff accomplishments. Um, we're going to recognize our goey, which is our governor's educate, educator of the year and ESP of the year hopefully in January. Both our recipients are winter coaches. Um, so they have responsibility as a coach and winter time is very busy, so we hope to do that in January. But we're very, very proud of these two recipients.
027Again, this is somebody that, um, represents what High Point is about through and through. And every school gets a chance to nominate a teacher um, and also support professional across that'll be later on in the spring. I think it's about April or so when we'll do that. So this year's recipient is Mark Beltry for our teacher of the year. Um and our ESP of the year is Anthony Tobar. Um individuals that truly represent the DNA of what High Point is about. Um and as we talked about this before, Mr. Beltry is a veteran teacher here. I don't know have I seen anybody more visible at his door with the students every single day, every single period. Um and that means a lot, right? As as a student that's coming into a classroom, right? This is
028small things, right? Something small, but it's huge in the eyes of the school. So kudos to both of them and Mr. Tokart for all that he does behind the scenes uh to keep us running. So we look forward to that. Miss Sutton has said a lot of things about the staff which I'm glad that she brought those up because we talked at the staff meeting and I'm trying not to cry because I get very emotional about these things but our staff gives and gives and gives right and she mentioned Miss Sullivan. She mentioned Miss Schaefer. She mentioned Miss Slack, right? many of those individuals that are doing these things whether it be for the families that are in need um or for the stuff stock efficiency or for the Thanksgiving baskets and the donations that
029we do right is it's not for a site they don't get paid to do that and they do that because it's the right thing to do um and our staff continues to give on everyday basis um small amounts right these are the ones that you you quantify right $1500 right for pastor along um for that Thanksgiving uh drive that's tremendous All right, that's what you see on paper. Um, we they wanted us to get our staff together, get some some idea for a picture because they were overwhelmed because they never received that much donation from a staff. Our staff didn't show up for a picture because they didn't want a picture and I knew that was going to be the case, but that's okay, right? They do it for the right reasons, right? In the
030middle of that, right, we're doing the Thanksgiving drive. We're helping families out. Um, teachers are all the time giving to the students that are in their classroom because they need stuff. Um, and our food pantry has been replenished three times already this year by just staff jean stripes. Um, because That's the right thing to do and that's what they do. They give all the time. We came in on Monday drive and the main office counter literally which is why these tables was full of food for a food pantry which will probably you know going to Hollies it'll last a little longer but the three weeks will be empty again because very hard. So I just wanted to echo that. I'm very proud of the staff every single day for what they do um in the
031classrooms right very important primary job but what they do between the classrooms is just support as well. So I just want to make sure that you heard that. That was a lot of information. That's all I got. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Mr. Mr. Thank for our kind words and to say this has been a very pleasant year. Our relationship with the association has been outstanding. So, thank you for your thank you for your service. Uh to echo what Dr. said is unpaid many many hours and meaningful and your contributions um were very impactful. All right. Um we are incredibly proud of High Point of our curriculum and a curriculum that is we think arguably second to none in the region. One of the best in the state's program to be
032laid out in a um an exceptional document. um 10 15 years ago it was a word document. It is full of graphics and hyperlinks and videos and um graphics that help you uh appreciate the sequencing of courses. It's embedded with videos. It's almost like a curricular yearbook. Um I want to thank uh Miss Jessica Briggs in the curriculum office who saved us $1,000 a year converting the uh software program we have put them all into a Google document. um that I believe it's it's an outstanding document and as I mentioned um our curriculum it truly is exceptional. What's been particularly challenging is our enrollment has contracted over the past decade but our teachers have continued to teach halfear courses and multiple preps etc to ensure that those foundational courses are still learning still experience. So,
033it's more challenging for the staff to keep all those programs going in a healthy manner and our teachers have done a great job making that happen. Page five of the program aligns with policy 5460 which is on this evening's agenda. What we're trying to do and I think this would be an appropriate annual occurrence because every time there's a change to this document to ensure that we have a lock step alignment with that policy which is something we'll do in C. One of the corrections on the or the adjustments on the program of studies, science is a 15 credit requirement. Those are not six credit courses anymore. So your three lab science courses, you fulfill the requirement of 15 credits. Also kind of um interesting, the state of New Jersey is beginning to break away
034from saying students must take biology, chemistry, physics, etc. And what they're looking towards is saying here are the standards. You must meet the standards and you must engage for at least three years. So we're in the early stages of doing that. What we hope will come about is certification flexibility where we can have science teachers move a little more freely into physical science and life science etc. Health and fizzed is a very confusing requirement. Um it must be in your schedule at all times. But the requirement is that you earn 15 credits in order to graduate. Now, our students take five credits every year. So, if they do happen to fail off of fizzed one year, they're not they're still fully eligible for graduation. Um, which we put some language in clarify that we have
035fewer new courses this year than in previous years. um just not a lot of new courses, but one we're particularly excited about is an AI elective. Um the course will be bringing in the spring and over the summer, and it will be completely different by September. Um so we're going to be following live how the technology of our students generation. So 15, 20 years ago, the internet changed the world for a generation. And maybe 10, 15 years ago, smartphones and saying, "This is the new wave of what's changing the world." Workforce leaders are uh not concerned about whether or not you plagiarize your high school paper. We take that very seriously. I don't mean to dismiss that. What the workforce wants to know is that you can leverage this tool to do your job more
036efficiently. And all of our students need to leave here feeling as if they had uh some confidence instilled in how to do that, how to make um how to be efficient, how to leverage these tools, but also how to balance the ethics and to make a civics lesson. And that of course is so what is real, what is fake, um how to verify sources is all embedded in this. In addition to that elective which we hope will grow, we plan to target, this is just hypotheticals here, one core subject for each grade where they have a specific AI project that is really robust in how they pulled data or information from AI, site it properly, etc. We would like to be able to say that next year um every student didn't just kind of um
037experience it, but they truly engaged with it in at least one if not more meaningful project. So, we're excited about that. A creative solution to ensure that certain classes continue to run. Uh AP bio, AP 10 every other year, US Gov and Econ every other year. Computer animation, video game design likewise. What that does is it's a commitment to sophomores and juniors that we tell them this will this will run. So don't worry, you didn't take it as a sophomore. It will be here when you're a senior. And we uh stand by that commitment and sure that the students that for example want to go into physical therapy or an advanced science program at Bio A camp will be accessible to you and by um by doing this we believe it's it's worked very effectively.
038Um so we're about them. We continue to have the strongest AP um course program in the area. Some schools have caught up, no doubt. It's a national trend that we've been on the forefront of, but we offer 29 in courses with a commitment to support students through third-party virtual providers should they want to take Mandarin or another course that we can't offer NC. So, it's a really bold commitment we've had for a long time to provide pathways to access these courses. Three new AP courses next year we will be uh debuting in it's inaugural year AP business which is a comprehensive honors class with marketing um accounting and other business principles. AP African-American history um and AP pre-cal will replace um pre-cal honors. So, um, we think that the resources, support, training, and curriculum available
039through the AP course will support teachers and students taking that advanced pre-cal class. So, we're thrilled with our program of studies. Um, very proud of it. It's a lot of work on our staff to make it make the magic happen. Um, that's a little bit about the program. Any questions on on that? Will the AP business class be replacing the halfyear intro business class? Uh, >> I'm glad you mentioned that. Um, what we plan to do, and I don't have the list in front of me, I apologize, but there are two or three business courses that we plan to not run this year, halfear courses, and we hope that uh they'll be absorbed by our halfyear API course, which will be kind of comp comprehensive. Um, I'm getting the specifics on that, but I forget
040which uh actual business courses including two or three that were kind of putting aside right now. One of the things that's important is that the program of studies is not the schedule. So the program of studies is our intentions and our hopes, our vision of providing for the most robust opportunity for our students. Staffing teaching those is how we run the uh student centered schedule. And so everything all 29 AP may not want to be here, but what it is is it gives our kids opportunities during the four years of their high school career to have access to most rigorous courses. And so that there are two different documents and two different the vision is the program of studies the application of that vision given the context of resources human and fiscal is the uh
041the schedule and I would also point out it's not our goal you know we have to have the most AP we value the the experience but it's not always appropriate we um pull back from AP world history for freshman this year we replace that with honors world history we believe is the more appropriate curriculum for our ninth graders. And so, um, it doesn't have the AP distinction. That's okay. It's what we thought was best. So, we're not, um, overly driven to have this thing, but we are, um, very proud of the number that our students can access. We we supplement that with current enrollment and dual enrollment. So we have kids who are going to college sophomores particularly with the dual enrollment where kids can go to community college for half day take a number
042of credits so that they as any of you may send kids to college these days is rather daunting and to be able to have access to the most to dual enrollment uh while they're in high school is something that we owe it to our community to provide. and we provide that and it's and it's it's a part of that vision program studies and it's challenging it's confusing but our offerings for confer enrollment are massive um tremendous opportunities there also at lunch today and Sunday night we're talking about um the flexibility that we increasingly use to allow students to leave go to SECCC take college courses while they're here we're doing it more and more and more and I think we have a senior this she was going to graduate with her associates in May and
043then her high school diploma in two. Um so um and even if even if you don't get the full two years done I think that speaks to the opportunities that are there to have that exciting experience have a schedule here that's flexible and supported um and make those work >> with the the AI and I don't I don't want to like go too big giant deep dive into the AI how are you structured so for plagiarism so that individual isn't using co-pilot and and just say give me a 10page paper on this and make it sound like a high school student because it can do it and cited APA seven so you can get all everything in there. >> Sure. Some of our teachers are giving some of their assessments in pencil and paper on
044occasion. Some are giving live inhouse assessments where through software I can see the student screen. So I can see 20 screens. I'm giving them a small writing prompt. We're doing the writing right there in class. I'm watching the sources they're using. Lock down browsers for in class assessments are um effective. Um there are um there's a lot of technology that's it's a race, right? So every every day or every week the uh the software that tries to help identify plagiarism advances. It's a bit of an arm race. Um there is no definitive easy answer. Uh but >> is there professional development teachers to help give them the skills to be able to look at that and be able to identify when teacher is generating? >> Yes, I would say um language arts department in particular
045has been really um invested in that. Joey workshop on that topic on Friday. Uh math is is increasingly called math. Um we had a photographer here last week. Um Dr. Patrick O'Neal, great biologist came as a guest speaker and he spoke about how the photography field is wrestling with the fact that we don't know. Is that a is that a photo that a world generated that? And those are that's the kind of um awareness u those are the things we're grappling with and we want that that struggle to occur. We've spoken a lot about AI that direction throughout the uh fall semester and training that has to go into it. I was as I said before recognizing last summer that this is the direction we have to go. I started to participate areas professional development
046to educate myself because I have not been in a classroom in 15 years. So recognizing we need to transition possibly our uh learning management system into AI and fuse it so as to have have it inform how we do business. And so what we uh I was in a uh was part of a panel October for a uh AI summit. I will again participate as a presenter in an AI summit in February. Uh we have a trainer coming in to train the administrators in the first half of January to prepare us. It's our hope to be able to implement some form of co-pilot pilot looking for to pilot some AI into some capacity in the spring and then that the right is going to be an ongoing process so that by we're not ready but
047by September 1st we will make sense >> it is it's exciting but it's >> challenging for the classroom teacher but to identify what is original work and what is very clever AI work >> yes it is um one other topic last week uh and this week um I had one of the best professional experiences ever. Um we have 13 students this year that are in the second year of the AP cat sequence. Um this is Carl teaches AP seminar when they're sophomores. this teaches um AP research and if you take these two courses along with four other AP exams you graduate with an capstone diploma um and it's very prestigious um designation for for our students. Um because we had 13 students, we expanded our community panel, um and it was phenomenal to have the
048president of SECCC, um a psychologist, a local mayor, um all these professionals come in and give up, um 3 hours of their day to listen to our students presentations and provide them feedback uh based on research. Uh most of our panelists have done doctorate level work. Um and IRB's job is to ensure by law that research involving human subjects follows appropriate protocols to protect um the subjects. U very very few I know one other high school that has their own IRB. Most schools use a local college. So we're proud to have our own. And um here's some of the members that that came in and were part of our IRB. Uh it was a fantastic couple of days and here are students. They hit it out of the park. Unbelievably poised, articulate. These are research
049projects they've worked on since September. I just picked three of the 13. Give you a sampling of uh the gravity of some of the questions that they're exploring. What the panel did in most cases is tell them all narrow it narrow it narrow it. Um you really can't get that much done. Research has to be very very granular and the next researcher builds on it. I think Dr. Homer from college said you build you put the greatest sand on the beach um that will contribute to the body of research over uh decades or centuries. So it was it was pretty powerful. Uh there's some more of our students. They were great. Um And I thought this this email from one of the students was really touching. >> So for our for our young students to
050stand up in front of um college professors and psychiatrists and um have them you know fire away at them with questions and hold their own um was was really special. Okay, moving on to presentations. Uh we have no other business. We'll get right into our action items for the evening. Uh first we have curriculum, instruction, and technology. >> Okay. >> Uh so items one, two, and three are uh faculty, student attendance, and a suspension report for November. uh with the attachments. And then I'd like to move items four through nine together. Um item four is the harassment, intimidation, and bullying reports for November 26th through December 16, 2025. Uh number five are the field trips, and there's an attachment for that. Uh number six, professional development activities with an attachment. Number seven, uh the revised
0512526 school calendar due to a weather related closing. Uh item eight is approving a partnership with Caldwell University to support clinical interns in our Wildcat wellness center which is a great opportunity for them and for our students and also um and item nine is to approve the 26 27 program of studies uh which Mr. Campbell just presented to us uh was beautifully done and like to move those items together. Um making a motion seeking a second. Second. Any discussion? >> Miss Schuman, >> yes. >> Miss Longberg, >> yes. >> Miss Orsy, >> yes. >> Miss Weise, >> yes. >> Mr. Manstone, >> yes. >> Miss Ball, >> yes. >> Miss Diaz, >> yes. >> Miss Palac, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Passes. >> Okay. Uh, next we have personnel. Mrs. We have
052two items. Number one is approving the following substitutes for this school year. Brenda Michael, Julie Pearl, Briana Watts, and number item number two is approving Carla Joffrey as a counseling practical student through Cwell University. That's it. Making a motion. Seeking a second. >> Second. Any questions or discussion? >> Miss Orsy, >> yes. >> Miss Weise, >> yes. >> Miss Longberg, >> yes. >> Mr. Van Stone, >> yes. >> Miss Gaul, >> yes. >> Miss Schuman, >> yes. >> Miss Diaz, >> yes. >> Miss Pac, >> yes. >> Mr. Duck, >> yes. >> Passes. I will move the single item under extracurricular is a recommendation that the board approved Kai Rubo as a volunteer goalie coach for the ice hockey team for the 2526 season. Uh make that motion. May I have a second? >> Second.
053>> Any comments or discussion there? Uh as always, thank you to our volunteer coaches. Uh if I recall I was a player himself a number of years ago uh coming back to give his experience on the ice. So thank you very much for your volunteerism. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Schuman, >> yes. >> Miss Palac, >> yes. >> Miss Diaz, >> yes. >> Mr. Van Stone, >> yes. >> Miss G, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wise, >> yes. >> Miss Longour, >> yes. >> Morsy, >> yes. >> Mr. D, >> yes. >> Passes. Okay. In policy, go back to Mrs. RC. >> Uh, we have three items. I'd like to move do them together. Uh, number one is approving the second reading of the new policy accepted for use of generative AI. Number two is
054to revise policies bylaw 0141 regarding Montigue County. Monteue is a board member. Um and policy 5460 which is high school graduation which was just an update. Uh number item number three is abolishing regulation 5460 graduation requirements which determined is not necessary. >> Making a motion seeing a second >> and any discussion or questions. I want just want to recognize uh and maybe mention through the public view. We we've talked about AI tonight that this is this is our effort to put in place some of those guard rails by having a policy um that covers all stakeholders and users. Um we believe if it's not perfect, we will adapt and change. Um but we have to have something um in that regard. Um the other uh Could I ask you, Dr. Ripley, to just mention to
055the public what the the board member change? >> Yes. >> How relates so that there's there's no confusion when we go into our Yes. >> uh January uh reorganization. >> So bylaws govern the u the decisions and the execution of of the board. And so bylaw 0141 is board members and term. And the code, the New Jersey code stipulates that when districts are in a send receive relationship, when the sending district reaches 10% enrollment in the receiving district, they are afforded a board member with full voting rights. And so this this lays out the process by which the boards are um are to follow this bylaw. And we will we anticipate having a fully voting board member on the Highpoint board which now will be a board of 10. Therefore, it will require a quorum
056of six and a vote of six affirmatives to move any of the uh agendas items. And so we believe that this will be in place in January. They will choose they choose the board member who is a sitting board member that they is currently on their board and we will have that individual. We anticipate at our regularly scheduled January board meeting and High Point will now incorporate Montigue as a full voting member and we will now be a board of 10. Monu, if you're listening, we very much welcome your presence on our board. And uh I guess if we could thank you for achieving the 10% threshold, >> good on you, right? >> Yes. >> We we're hoping that it has become as much of a blessing to the high to the Montigue community as
057it has been to the High Point community. And now that Montigu is fully institutionalized and now we'll have a voting board member that they are one with the Highpoint community and that there's no debate or question over that because we believe it's in the best interest of all parties and we're very excited about it. >> Any other questions? >> Missy? >> Yes. >> Miss Schuman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vanill? >> Yes. >> Miss Wise? Yes, >> Miss Longberg. >> Yes, >> Miss Palac. >> Yes, >> Miss Gaul. >> Yes, >> Miss Diaz. >> Yes, >> Mr. D. >> Yes, >> passes. >> Excellent. Uh, no action items under negotiations or buildings and grounds. So, uh, we'll move under finance uh, one through six together. One is a motion to accept the report of the board
058secretary business administrator for November 2025. Two is a recommendation accept the report of the treasurer for the same month. Item three is recommendation to approve the reported transfers and minimum expense transfer report for the same month. Uh item four is a recommendation to approve for payment the attached schedule of audited bills dated December 16th, 2025. Item five is a recommendation to accept the adult education agency account, athletic account, cafeteria account, construction account, principal's petty cash account, scholarship account, school store, and student activities reconciliations for November 2025. Item six is a uh lengthy resolution uh about surplus property being sold through Dove deals. Um that is probably not worth reading in its entirety. There are two units uh that are going out for sale. Um and we have to have a resolution to do that. So
059that is item number six. Um I'll make a motion on one through six. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion or comments? >> Miss Schum. >> Yes. >> Miss Palac? >> Yes. >> Miss Diaz? >> Yes. >> Miss Orsy? >> Yes. >> Miss Wise? >> Yes. Longberg. >> Yes. >> Mr. Van Stone. >> Yes. >> Miss G. >> Yes. Mr. Dun. >> Yes. >> Passes. >> Mrs. PC. Would you like to perform your ultimate um transportation? >> Sir, I'd like to move for transportation items one through seven in one motion. Number one is approving the authorization execution of joint transportation agreements as listed. Two to recommend um approval and authorization to execute quoted contracts awarded for the 2526 school year as noted. Three, recommended the board approve author and authorize the execution
060of quoted contracts of the lowest quote for the 2526 school year as noted. Four recommended the board upon recommendation approve and authorize the execution of the quoted contract awards for the lowest quote for the 2526 school year as noted. Five recommended the board uh approve and authorize execution of parental contract with the parent of student ID as listed for the 2526 school year as noted. recommended for approve and authorize execution of the joint transportation agreements for the transportation of student for the 2526 school year as noted. And finally recommended that the board approve and authorizes execution of joint transportation agreement for the transportation of 2526 school year as noted. Making a motion seeking a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? I have a question about the student host. >> I don't know. >> Sorry. Number
061one for transportation. This is just one student. They're going. >> What's the joiner? >> Joiner is the um process that highway offers as a as a administrative service. Correct. >> Correct. This is just when they have the contracts. You don't necessarily not necessarily for us. It has to do with part of an agreement. >> Okay. You're facilitating the busing, not >> necessarily bus. >> That's where Joiner is the other school that uses our service essentially. >> Oh, not right. >> Excellent. >> So that's where you see the administrative fee that we actually collect for providing the service. Yes. Any other questions, comments? Roll call, please. >> Miss Pel, >> yes. >> Miss Diaz, >> yes. >> Miss Schuman, >> yes. >> Mr. Ben Stone, >> yes. >> Miss Wise, >> yes. >> Miss Gaul, >>
062yes. >> Miss Longberg, >> yes. >> Miss Dorsy, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Passes. >> Okay. Um, we have no correspondence or any items under miscellaneous. will open for public comments. Our second section of the evening. Uh no restriction to agenda items. However, the same rules apply. Please state your name and address. So forth and so on. Anything in our virtual platform? Anyone present? Seeing none, may I have a motion to close public comments? >> Motion in a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Um, any non-committee board member reports or comments at this time? >> I would just like to say I am honored to have been on the board with everyone here. Um, it is a privilege to be able to represent your
063community and I could come back. I could be back. You never know. But I want to thank everybody. Um, and it is a pleasure and I know that you're going to do great work for this district and the students and the staff. Thank you very much. It's been a pleasure working with all of you as well. So, thank you so much and good luck to the new members as well. >> Um, I just I want to uh recognize uh I happen to notice the passing of a former uh board member Charles Lane. Uh was a longtime serving member, I think 12 years and a couple years as president. Um it would have been a long time ago when he served. I think he finished his term when I graduated high school here. So, um it
064was a while ago, but uh was a friend of my father. So, um >> sad to hear that. Other than that, wish you all a great holiday season and we'll see each other most of us and January 6th is our >> Tuesday, >> which I don't think is scheduled for >> it is uh the time I may ask about that. >> There's no need for executives. So, we can start proceed at six. If you prefer, we can change it to seven. We have to advertise as such. >> We have Have we advertised already or it's been >> I don't >> there's a Hall of Fame meeting at 6:00. >> Okay, we'll change it to seven. >> I don't know that it would have been um advertised yet. It might have been, but we'll we'll figure
065it out. >> 7 o'clock. >> 7 o' There you go. >> With that, there's no other comments. I'll take a motion. A motion >> with a