001Okay. May I call to order the May 27th, 2025 meeting of the High Point Regional High School Board of Education. Please stand for pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation, indivisible, liberty andice for all. Open Public Meetings Act statement. The 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, Branchville, and Sussex Post offices and notice sent to the New Jersey
002Herald, the Sunday Herald, and the clerk of the burrows of Branchville and Sussex and the townships of 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. I'll ask for roll call. Mr. Dunn, present. Mrs. Diaz is absent. Miss G is absent. Miss Longer here. Missy is Palac Mr. Van Stone here. Miss Wise here. Dr. Ripley here. Okay. We do not yet have ACORN so we won't proceed to any uh business that needs to be voted on. But uh we will um make a motion to enter executive session provide an update on legal personnel and negotiation items which are
003exempt 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. In fact, we will have no action taken. Uh and we expect to return approximately 700 p.m. So uh I will u move that uh by voice. All in favor? Any opposed? Uh, may I have a motion to return to public session? A second. Second. Um, all in favor? Any opposed? Good. We're returning to public session and just recognizing
004that we now have a quorum of board members present. So, uh, moving to our action items. Approval of minutes, regular meeting minutes, April 29th, 2025, and executive session minutes of April 29th, 2025. Uh, I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. May I have a second? Second. Uh, any discussion, corrections, wise? Yes. Miss, yes. Mr. Van Stone, yes. Miss Schuman, yes. Mr. Dun, yes. That brings us to public comments on agenda items only. In accordance with the open public meetings act, we'll open public comments for agenda items only. 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 myself. We will limit this section to no longer than 45 minutes. Please be respectful and mindful that your comments
005are being recorded. Don't see anybody in attendance here that may make comments. Do we happen to have anybody virtually? May I have a motion to close public comments? A second. All in favor? I Any oppose? Okay, moving on to presentations. Uh we don't see Mr. Kyle Leansky, speaker of the house, to give his update. Um I imagine nearing the end of the school year uh that he's got other things on his mind. But we are going to read a resolution. Um, be it resolved that the High Point Regional High School Board of Education honors student representative Kyle Leansky for service on the Highpoint Regional High School Board of Education. Whereas Kyle Leansky has served with distinction on the HBRHS board of education and through their leadership whereas through their leadership, the HBR HBRHS board of
006education has gained fresh insights into student concerns, student priorities, and what is on the mind of young people in the community. And whereas they have further contributed to the community by serving as a valuable spokesperson, sharing the student perspective at board meetings. And whereas Kyle's exemplary commitment to fellow students in the school district has promoted clear communication between the board district administration and the student body. And whereas Kyle has maintained a professional decorum at board meetings, shown respective board members, and strive to learn the proper etiquette of serving on a school board. and whereas they have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the education of all students without neglecting their own responsibility to strive for success in the classroom. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the HPHS board of education recognizes Kyle Levansk's dedication and commitment
007to advancing educational opportunity and open communication between the board, district administrators, and the student body. And be it further resolved that the members of the HBRHS Board of Education extend their sincere appreciation to Kyle Bansky for their dedicated service on the HBRHS board of education and be further resolved that the members of the HBRHS board of education extend their best wishes to Kyle and all of their future endeavors. Uh I don't think we have to accept that. Right. So that was just a resolution. Uh thank you Mr. Levansky for your service on our board and we wish you best of luck. Thanks. We'll make sure that he's distributed the signed resolution from both the president and the vice president. Thank you. Not likely to be framed Kyle. So don't be upset. Okay. Uh moving on
008with our presentations, we have uh HBA acting president. Acting president, what'sever more comfortable for you. Okay, good. Can you hear me? Okay. So, I just wanted to introduce myself for those of you who don't know me. My name is Elizabeth Sunda. I've been teaching here at High Point for 22 years, and I will be Continuing on as the acting president on behalf of the HPA union. So I'm honored to be the collective voice for this union. Um I've been serving as the vice president under parliament who served for the last three years. And with her absence I will continue out this year and the rest of her term which goes into next year hopefully. And um so I just wanted to thank you for that and introduce myself to you. As far as any updates
009um we would like to um hopefully settle everything by the end of this year as far as our contract goes and we have about 16 days left. So I think the staff is getting kind of anxious for the end of the year. Um but like I said, everything is going well. Um and then also on a personal note, I'm also grateful for you approving our whale watch trip that we haven't done in over five years. So we're doing that. We're leaving in two days at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday. So we'll be back on Saturday. But um yeah, we're taking 45 students to Cape Cod. So, thank you, Mr. Welcome to your new roles. Thank you so much. Thank you. So, instruction was at the state playoff baseball game today. unfortunately with extra innings. Incredible game.
010We lost the bottom eight to two, but really a great season for a great student. And thank you to Miss Sun for the um persistence to make that turn happen. Uh it's an incredible amount of work and we're really excited. 45 students were able to um you know to go. So really thrilled about this. um equally as thrilled our annual performance report. Um it's not quite whale watching um but there is um there's some really good encouraging information. Once a year Department of Ed releases an exhaustive report on every school and every district in New Jersey. It's easily accessible. It's transparent. It's cumbersome. But if you take the time, you can find out a great deal of information. Just search it. It's right there. And the report that I'm presenting tonight um is posted to
011our website. So if you just go to the bottom right of the opening of our website, you can read this report and also uh a link to go in and read the full report is is available. So I took a look at the report over the last month and identified some obvious areas of growth and a couple areas where we clearly still need improvement. First off on the growth I identified eight areas. The first four are assessments increased performance across the board. Math and English better better. The teachers are working in uh PLC's. They're administering common assessments. The teachers in the math and English department have been very committed to improvement. Uh Mr. Dick and uh Mr. Hartley and their leadership is to be applauded. uh our PSAT scores went up 40 points in a
012year where the state average PSAT score went down. So we're very pleased that our assessment scores have risen. Um, also another four areas that jumped out as significant, our chronic absenteeism, which is a statewide focus, um, dropped for the third consecutive year as we continue to um, return to something relative to normal after the pandemic from 20% to 18% to 15%. the number of the percentage of students uh that were suspended one or more times dropped from 9% to 7%. 7% is too high, but the downward trend is encouraging. So, we're pleased by that statistic that we um take very seriously and want to see continue to drop. our graduation rate rose from 93% to 97% and the number of kids was more than cut and half. So those are some very encouraging pieces of
013evidence that indicate that many of the things that we're doing are working and and working well. So we're encouraged by that. Our SAT scores went down and I listed that as inconclusive because it's a year where the number of students nationally and at high point taking the test increased. States have colleges have now suddenly returned to requiring the SAT in many instances. There are still a lot of test optional colleges but 5 years ago there was a significantly greater number of test optional. So with that trend you see an uptick in students taking it. Naturally, the broader the cross-section of students taking the assessment likely a slight down in results with only the students going to more elite colleges that need the score for competitive purposes for testing. It's a bit higher. We're looking into
014it further. We want that score like the PSATs to be strong. Areas for improvement are also areas that were listed for growth. We are not satisfied with our math and language arts results even though they've gone up and we want to see in science the level of growth on that state assessment that English math has statewide there's a a real challenge with the science assessment they administered it for 20ome years and basically it never counted for anything and it was sort of this um dismissed assessment um it's given to juniors in a year that they're already heavily tested and mildly um not as inclined to pour themselves into it. So, it's a tough assessment. Our goal though is to really work on not just the juniors but 9th 10th and 11th graders showing them more
015assessment type questions to get them better prepared to succeed. Um so, we're excited about that. The federal government establishes growth metrics and for these four critical areas, math, science, graduation, and product absenteeism, they set a target for every district that you need to meet and we exceeded the goal uh in all four areas. So, we're pretty pleased about that. Uh it was a really good report. Um you look first and foremost at yourself and you want to see growth. Um we are not satisfied with um lots of the data and it gives you a goal to work on. So, um we look at it, we take it seriously um and we want growth and improvement to to persist. Interestingly, last week we administered the largest uh test administration in probably school history. 9th, 10th, and
01611th graders all tested. Um so there's a lag here. the assessment that our students took last week will be um uh the results of the performance report that's presented a year from today. And so I guess what I'm saying is many of the things that we're trying to implement to ensure that growth continues um are already in effect and um hopefully um will bear fruit when we get the results in a few weeks from the test that just took uh last week. Um having said that though, I want to thank our entire school community because um people are um creatures of habit and when you have a thousand people and you change the entire school schedule um and it goes exceedingly well um that's a testament to our students and to our staff and to
017uh Miss Jessica Briggs in the curriculum office who could probably lead a battalion into battle. Um she worked on this for months and there was so much so many changes. Um so we're very thankful for her efforts and the fact that it was a success. I also want to say there were instances where seniors and uh sophomores weren't testing. So, it's pretty tough to give a test to 600 students and find something to do for the other 200, keep them occupied. 10 of our staff volunteered to take a risk with students that weren't their own, guide them through an enrichment activity. Um, and it was very successful. So, um, changed things up for two days and have it go really well was a nice reflection on our staff and our students. Um, again, that performance
018report is on our website and all schools and all um districts for the last decade are easily accessible online if you're question. Great. Thank you. [Music] Um, so that I think that's the end of our presentations. Under other business, we have just a notice that the retirement and service recognition awards are scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025 at 12:30 in the auditorium. So, we'll move on to our action items. Curriculum, instruction, and technology. Turn it over. Okay. So items one, two, and three are faculty attendance for April, student attendance for April, and the suspension report for April. And then I will be uh moving items four through six together. Item four is the harassing considation and voting report from April 30th through May 27th, 2025. And there is an attachment. Uh number five are the
019field trips um with an attachment. And number six, professional development activities with an attachment. I'm making a motion seeking a second. Any discussion will Mr. Vansstone? Yes. Miss Longberg? Yes. Miss Wise? Yes. Miss Schuman? Yes. Mr. Dun? Yes. I got you for transportation. I guess I do that. Um I would move the first two separate and then after that I think you can the rest. Yeah. Make more comments. Sure. So personnel number one it's recommended um to accept regret the retirement of Mr. party, the fine performing arts teacher. And uh number two is recommended uh to accept and regret the retirement of Heather Stra, English arts teacher language. Make any discussion? My my family has benefited from both of these instructors. They are incredible teachers, professionals, and so we will be greatly in the high
020community. Each uh each of these educators and that's what they are worthy of the title of educator are two exceptional human beings who have a vast imprint across the society the culture and community. Um the impact that they've had on a generation of kids is truly exceptional and something about which I'm hopeful that they're very proud for now for the rest of their lives. Being an educator is an exceedingly difficult job, particularly in the world today. To be able to have done so with the great success, the great compassion, the great love, and the great inspiration that each of one of these ladies, Miss Terresa Ricardi and Miss Heather Stout, have demonstrated for decades. It's not something that we could ever replace. And uh there the imprint of these two human beings on this community
021is something that will long outlive their presence here and it's something to be lauded and appreciated and I personally appreciate each of them professionally and personally. They are exceptional and they won't be missed. Congratulations. I wish them personally wish them the best in their absolute best in your retirement. Miss Longard. Yes. Miss Wise. Yes, Mr. Van Stone. Yes, Miss Schuman. Yes, Mr. Dunn. Yes. Um like to um three is uh approve the extended medical leave for employee 1050 effective May 8th to June 5th. Um report is uh extending medical leave for employee 1408 from June 9th to the end of the school year. is um approving Corner as substitute secretary and substitute parent professional aid effective May 8th for the remainder of the school year. Number six is recommended um to approve the summer work
022days for the guidance department and child slicing as listed below. Seven is recommended uh to approve James Jr. as a substant teacher for the remainder of the school year pending uh seat of required paperwork. Number eight, it's recommended to approve Kayla as a special education ELA teacher for the 2526 school year as noted in the salary desk. Number nine is recommend to approve Thomas Edge as a special education ELA teacher for the 2526 school year. Um as noted in the salary and Number 10. It's recommended to approve the following uh list of individuals as listed uh for the 2025 summer custodial workers um at the minimum wage hourly rate of 1549 pending student paperwork. The list is there. Number 11, it's recommended to approve uh the list as stated of bus drivers for the 20
02325 ESY program and summer athletic trips as needed at their regularly regular hourly rate. And number 12 is recommended to approve the individuals listed um to work during the extended school year program which begins July 7th through August 7th um to be gated their hourly rate based 234 rates. Oh, discussion. Oh, okay. Sorry, there's there's another item 13 agenda. You can you can move that separate. We're going to move that separate out. Mr. Van Stone, yes. Miss Schuman, yes. Miss Longberg, yes. Miss Wise, yes. Mr. Dunn, yes. All right. And one more item. Um, number 13 on the agenda. It's recommended to approve Alise Gab um as an English language arts teacher for the 2526 school year um at step 10 on the salary guide. Um the 2023 24 salary guide pending receipt of all
024retired paperwork. Miss Schuman, yes. Mr. Van, yes. Miss Longberg, yes. Wise. Yes. Mr. D. Yes. Uh, extracurricular. I will move uh all three items together. One is a recommendation to accept the resignation notification from Faith Card as girls assistant lacrosse coach effective June 30th, 2025. Item two is a recommendation to approve the extracurricular appointments for the 2025 2026 school year as listed in attachment C1. And item three is a recommendation to accept the resignation notification from Terresa Ricardi as fall play director, spring musical director, technical director, and chamber singers advisor due to her retirement effective July 1st, 2025. I will make that motion. May I have a second? Second. Any uh comments, discussion there? Miss Schuman? Yes. Mr. Van Stone? Yes. Miss Wise? Yes. Miss Longberg? Yes. Mr. D? Yes. Uh, no policy negotiations or
025buildings and grounds action items. So, I'll move right to finance. And under finance, I'll move um one through five together. One is a recommendation to accept the report of the board secretary business administrator for the month of April 2025. Item two is a recommendation to accept the report of the treasurer for the month of April 2025. Item three is a recommendation to approve the report of transfers and minimum expense transfer report for April 2025. Item four is a recommendation to approve of payment the attached schedule of audited bills dated May 27, 2025. And five is a recommendation to accept the adult education agency account, athletic account, cafeteria account, construction account, principal penny cash account, scholarship account, school store, and student activities reconciliations for April 2025. Uh I'll make that motion. May I have a second?
026Second. Any discussion? Mr. Van Stone, yes. Miss Schuman, yes. Miss Wise, yes. Miss Lombberg, yes. Mr. Dunn, yes. Um, let me move six. Uh, six is a recommendation that board of education hereby approve the purchase service services agreement between the High Point Regional Board of Education and the Frankfurt Board of Education for the buildings and grounds supervisor effective July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 in accordance with NJSA4A 65-20. Um, and we'll make that motion. May I have a second? Any discussion? I'd just like to say that um I think it's great that we're sharing services and I think it's very fiscally responsible and great for our community schools to be sharing services. So I appreciate the effort that we're very pleased that we are able participant. So we're very blessed for that and it's
027been very positive and I'm very pleased. So thank you. Welcome Miss Wise, yes. Mr. Van, yes. Miss Longberg, yes. Miss Schuman, yes. Mr. Dunn, yes. I'll move the remaining uh three items under finance. Uh seven is a recommendation that the board acknowledges and gratefully accept a donation of 5 yards of brown mulch, approximate value $200, delivered from Wingle Supply for our rain garden. Item eight is a recommendation that uh board grant permission to the High Point Wildcat Baseball Club to host the non-affffiliated co-ed camp ages 7 to 12 uh which would run June 24th through June 27th as listed. And item nine is a recommendation to approve and authorize execution of the following tuition contract uh between High Point Regional as a setting district and the following district uh and related information that's listed. I
028will make that motion for 7 to9. I have a second. Any discussion? To be very generous. Sorry to interrupt if I could. I I failed to uh alert Dr. Ripley to add to the agenda. We also had a very generous donation of mulch from the Donahghue family for another project on campus. Just want to say thank you to them um for their continued support um and for the mulch donation that they've um recently made. Okay. Memorialize it. But thank you. Mud. Yes. Mr. Van Stone. Yes. Miss Longberg. Yes. Miss Wise. Yes. Mr. Dunn. Yes. Uh that brings us to transportation. I could ask Mr. Vance to run us through those. All righty. Uh it's a lot but I will be all together because they are all standing different uh than so items 15 together. Uh
029first three are uh trips that are um ex executing exe executing quote contracts. through four is a quick note that four is also a ced contract. Five is a one of our choice transportation agreements. Six is um another contract. Seven is uh seven notes for transportation agreement as listed of course. Um 8 uh 8 through 12 through yeah 12 are just renewal of contract um that have existed just renewing them. And then uh just 13 and 14 and 15 are also renewable contracts. I just wanted to note uh on those separately that if you look at them uh they have lots of of uh information on this listing of so many places it looks like they go to a boatload of places. It's just that these contracts are all uh they get um approved by
030the board. That way we don't have to negotiate. they will have to be negotiated as needed next year a rate. So if we do end up going to these places then the rate is already negotiated to just because something is listed there does not mean that the money is going to be spent. So that is uh I so that's all of them u uh so I'm going to move that they get passed uh a second second. Does anybody have any discussion on the All right, Miss Lumper, yes. Miss Shim, yes. Miss Wise, yes. Mr. Van Stone, yes. Mr. Dunn, yes. That concludes our action items. I know of no correspondence that we've received under miscellaneous. Uh, no, actually, we'll mention these under non-committee board members report. So, uh, that brings us to our second public
031comment section of the evening. Same rules apply uh as the prior section. Nobody's joined us in person. Nothing online. So I'll ask for a motion to close. Second public comments second. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Uh under non-committee board member reports. I'm going to go first if you don't mind. Um just wanted to note uh that a few of board members were in attendance at the scholarship awards dinner. Thank you. Miss Schum and Mr. Van Stone uh for helping me present that award and for Miss Schuman for um your work in selecting the candidate with your committee. Uh it was it as it is always an incredible evening and to see how many different community organizations come out and support our students is is always just humbling. Um, and you know, like I said,
032great evening. Um, we were going to have a presentation from Mrs. Powell on the delegate assembly that she attended uh represented High Point Regional Board at NJSBA delegate assembly. I think it was May 10th or thereabouts. Um, we'll put that maybe I'll ask her to present that. um next month. Then also in the last month we had uh Sussex County School Board's meeting where um a number of people were uh recognized in the county for her service and uh I did want to recognize Mrs. Corsy who obtained her new board member certification uh during the past month or two and was recognized at that uh at that meeting. Mr. Dunn was also recognized at that meeting for um for his long tenure service to the High Point Board of Education and many of those years
033serving as president of the board of education. It is not frequent particularly in regional high schools I think to have someone uh serve as long as Mr. Dun has he was so recognized. I think it was a couple weeks ago and duly duly noted. So, congratulations. Thank you. Any other non-committee board member reports or comments? I have a motion to adjourn. Second. Second.