001Miss like we he did. Present. Miss Destro Morales not present. Miss wedding given. Mr. Kai. Here. Miss Parks. Here. Is not present at the moment. VP Hargrave. And President Dr. Howard. Present. Thank you Mr. McNeal. Um We should have a fairly expeditious meeting this evening. Folks again, I want to thank you all for coming out. Um do we have any announcements or do we have anything that is pressing? Board members, if not, we're going to move it directly into Dr. Perez's superintendent report. So Dr. Perez, if you would. Good evening everyone. Uh Thank you. So as Dr. Howard said, we're going to move expeditiously, but with that, but of course always highlighting the greatness is coming out of our district. Uh I would like to begin with speaking to an event that we at the
002high school attended on Monday, and that was the Hillside High School uh valedictorian where they were recognized at the Union County's uh scholars award breakfast. So I wanted to give a shout out to Sophia Rodriguez and Priscilla Cockroft. Also wanted to give an honor to Ms. Fernandez, a teacher at the MG Taylor, who received the Union County's Plan a Seed Award certificate for two endeavors. Uh the one was uh one of the certificates she received was for the Kids Dig In, and the other one was for for Futures tree grant. And these grants not only help our schools, but they also help our community with regards to growing gardens and establishing uh new ones and and not only in our community, but also helping our students get an interactive with experiences. This week, which I
003believe it was 2 days ago, we had New Jersey News 12 come out to our Hillside High School carpentry class to take footage of our students and the work that they're creating in the class. And we're looking to have this uh well, not we, but News 12 is going to be uh sharing the uh news with the docu- not the documentary, but the feature in the next 3 weeks. As far as uh Diana G Taylor and the chef cooking, we actually had an Iron Chef competition yesterday. And the students had the opportunity to create their version of what they think would be an enticing grilled cheese sandwich to be offered next month uh on their uh menu. And we did have winners, but with the great thing about this was it really was a all
004hands-on deck event. It wasn't just educators and students involved, but it was Machio's, it was Central Office coming out. It was really just a nice event to see the students engage with each other in friendly competition and have something that they actually create featured on next month's menu. Did it go? Okay, yes. Uh big big big shout-out to our boys volleyball team at the high school. They have advanced to the NJSIAA first round. And what's noteworthy about this is that AD McNeal had actually started this particular volleyball team 3 years ago. So, to see the way that they've grown in less in in around 3 years, that's that's exceptional. We also want to discuss the fact that we had 19 of our students receive scholarship awards last week or 2 weeks ago. It was a
005total of 19 students, I believe. So, big thank you to the scholarship board of trustees and our director of counseling, Mr. Boateng. We also like to extend a special thank you to Mayor Hyatt who came out and gave an inspiring speech to our students about continuing to move forward and continuing to reach for even more than what they um, reaching as they leave our our school grounds. Uh, our NJPAC students, uh, who were featured at NJPAC about few weeks ago, are going to be honored next week at Union County's Board of County Commissioners meeting. Uh, the teacher, Ms. Davis, is going to be there with our students, so we look forward to seeing photographs that come from that and how the students are going to feel not only, uh, honored, but also feel more that
006they're contributing to their community by by their artistic, uh, talents. Uh, next and certainly not least, I definitely want to really give a an already mentioned to the efforts that our district is doing in sharing information out that not only through social media and how to how to engage in social media healthy, but also the and also discuss, uh, the tur- the vaping, excuse me, uh, vaping. And we have these two sessions offered, one at WHS, the other one at Hillside High School. One was during the week and the other was on the weekend. But the reason why I'm sharing this is because it's the, uh, takes a village to make sure that our students and our families are informed of everything that is out in the community and what our students and children are
007exposed to. So, I'm happy to see that we continue to have these efforts not only shared with our students, but also with the community and that we continue to have the township participate in these events and participate. I'd like to definitely speak to that. Uh, and not only was May, uh, our educators month, but we certainly also celebrated our teachers of the year at Union County's, uh, breakfast yesterday. This was at Kean University. I don't want to miss any teachers' names, so I brought the a booklet with me, but I definitely want to I I would be remiss to not mention them at all, but, uh, Judy Alvarez, Sherice Carruthers, Lady Dotel, Kristen Duran, Estela Maniolova, Kelsey Skonover, and Lakisha Samojito were the teachers who were featured. And we just we're just very happy to
008have these educators not only in our schools, but continue to be with us and inspire our students the way that they've been doing all year round. And let's go. Couple things, our track event, we are looking to have this Saturday. It may be moved, however, to next weekend, but we won't know for sure until tomorrow. It all depends on what the weather is. All of that communication will go out later in the day before school ends. Uh we will also have our human trafficking assembly for our middle school students by Winnsboro, and that'll be, I believe, sometime next week on Thursday. And the great thing about this is that we're going to have both our middle schools participate and be and really be educated on the dangers of human trafficking and all that it looks
009like so that they don't fall prey to any of the schemes that are out there now. Uh our football team is going to be having a car wash at the high school on May 30th, so please come out and support. And as we've been doing every month, we're recognizing as much as possible not only the different groups that have that celebrate their heritages, but also different different careers and anything else that we think is uh that we at least are able to determine to share with you so that we can make sure that we're always uh aware in what it is that we're sharing with the community and with our students. So that is going to go out sometime next week. And then our monthly staff spotlight series, I've been sharing this on a monthly
010basis, of course. It really just not only speaks to looking at our teachers as valuable members of our school community, but looking at everybody that has a position as valuable members of our um school community. It's not just about speaking to the teachers and to the paraprofessionals and to the principals. It's really looking at how our nurses, our security guards, our cafeteria workers, and anyone who who hits our students educationally, including our crossing guards, how they are a vital part of the school school community. And so this month it was W.O.K. who identified six members in the monthly spotlight series. I will begin with Keith Johnson who serves as a security officer along with Conroy Langston. Gurfate Bhullar, sorry if I mispronounced the name, our science teacher, Tracy Goglia, our special education teacher, Gail McLain
011who's our paraprofessional for special services, and Molly Cash, our school counselor. So, really thank you to WOK because again, this is not just about the teachers that impact our students but it talks about all the individuals that touch our students in different ways and it's not just always in the classroom. So, thank you for highlighting and identifying those individuals. Uh so, I pretty much already beat the jumped the gun there by saying thank you to you without giving you the slide but definitely thank you to the WOK staff and the administration. And that's pretty much it. Thank you all. >> [applause] >> Thank you so much, Dr. Perez. As always, thank you for for a wonderful and a really great detailed report and truly just again, such a wonderful spotlight on everyone and all the
012good hard work that people do every day and some of the work that goes unseen. But thank you for bringing that to the spotlight. Um at this time, we would Hm? Sure. Um Board member O'Kane, you can make a comment. Go right ahead, sir. Good evening, everybody. Um Dr. Wilson, will you stand up, please? Um so, yesterday I had the pleasure of attending My Brother's Keeper um Dr. Wilson, president. Um I just want to echo that the work that you were doing with these young men is phenomenal. Um I was in there >> [applause] >> I was in there for about like an hour, hour and a half. I was able to talk to the young men and I was blown away and taken away just by how they articulated themselves in that room. Um
013with middle school students, there is a playful side to them um but the way that they were able to command respect in that room for themselves as well as Dr. Wilson, um they actually call him and they refer to him as Big Dub. >> [laughter] >> So, I know that they look at him as a safe space and and they feel like he's community based. Um I know students I deal with students all the time. So, for them to dub him the name of Big Dub it means something special. Um so, I appreciate the work that you are doing. Um I want to honor and commend you for the work and I want you to continue to keep doing that cuz we know you and we see you. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Mr. Okai.
014And and Dr. Wilson, I I'm going to take that point of personal privilege. You know that's an Alpha fraternity incorporated national program, My Brother's Keeper, but >> [laughter] >> to the Q in the back of the room, I I truly appreciate that work and Yes, sir. We >> [laughter] >> Uh we hope to highlight a whole lot more. I had a good talk with Mr. Okai yesterday and that's something that we definitely need to focus on. Our young men need that driving force in their life and thank you for being that, sir. You're welcome. As And while we're on the subject of our wonderful students, I would love to have our student representative report this time. So, if you are ready. Oh, it's on. >> [laughter] >> Good evening everyone. My name is Jennifer and
015I'm here as the Hillside High School Student Council Board of Education representative. May has been a very busy month for Hillside High School arts. On both April 30th and May 1st, the Hillside High School Theater Company presented their one-act spring one-act the one-act play Disaster, which was spectacular. The student actors and crew members were wonderful and there was positive feedback after each performance. Hillside High School also hosted the district dance recital, the dance ensemble show, and the band, string, and chorus concert during the first 2 weeks of May. Additionally, our newest honor society, the International Espanola Society, which honored students involved both backstage and theater, including seven members this past Tuesday. May 1st was College Decision Day. The seniors that participated had an amazing time sharing the colleges and trade schools they'll be going to
016be attending. Our school also hosted administration of SATs on May 2nd. On May 8th, our JROTC program hosted their annual military ball. It was an amazing event, and all the cadets had a wonderful time. Earlier today, our JROTC program went to their time to place American flags on fallen soldiers' headstones in celebration of Memorial Day in Evergreen Cemetery. From track cadets that went, they got to see our the headstone of the man named after our battalion, Alfonso Carducci. On May 12th, the International Club hosted their annual food and fun night. The Hillside Scholarship Foundation Honor Night was held on May 13th. And yesterday, students participated in April's Multicultural Night were treated to a DIY cone for a multicultural barbecue. On May 26th, Mr. Skeleton and Ms. Ella Delacuna will hold their annual park cleanup. During
017this event, students and staff head to Charlotte DeLu- DeLu- -fu, sorry if I'm pronouncing it wrong, to the DeLu- -fu Park on Liberty Ave to do their part in helping to keep Hillside beautiful. On May 28th, our senior class will be hosting their prom at Pine Valley My Myer in Edison, New Jersey. We will also have a prom showcase at 4:30 p.m. in the Hillside High School main parking lot. Come see our seniors dressed in their very best. Currently, the Student Council is sub sponsoring a cereal collection to support the United Way of Greater Union County. We're collecting donations of boxes of cereal that will help combat hunger in our communities. We are gratefully appreciate for any donations. We also want to shout out both our track team for their wins and hard work this
018season and our boys volleyball team for being eligible for state competition this season. Also, a quick shout out to the carpentry program will be featured on News 12. So, please keep an eye out. Lastly, but not least, about 277 students got either honor roll, high honor roll, or superintendent's list for third marking period. Congrats to all. Finally, the Student Council held their elections on May 5th for their 2026 to executive board. The results are Chris Ferrera as president, Alexa as vice president, Victoria Santos as secretary, Galaha Abain as treasurer, Eva Vital as social media manager, David Opoku as community outreach and board of ed representative. As you see, May has been a very busy month for Hillside High School and June will be as wonderful. I thank you for your time and I hope you
019all have an amazing rest of your May. >> [cheering] >> I cannot turn it off. Thank you, Jaden. And while I have a moment, with the upcoming holiday, would you both please stand? To the cadets, I want to just give these youngsters a really big hand. Our Our cadet command With Memorial Day approaching, I truly appreciate your willingness to serve our country and take up this uniform at your young age, and remind everyone every day that freedom is not free. So, I thank you both. At this time, uh unless there's anything else, I would I have a motion to go into public comments. Is there a second? All in favor? Residents are requested to state their names, addresses, and subject matter in the event it appears that the public comments portion of the meeting may
020exceed 15 minutes, the presiding officer may limit each statement made by a participant to 3 minutes in duration. Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board. All comments will be considered, and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that all members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other 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 employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of the state of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility or will be liable for any comments made by Members of the public should consider their comments in light of legal rights of those affected or
021identified in their comments, and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. At this time, uh if anyone wishes to from the public to speak come to microphone, please do so at this time. It was made for me, right height? I know. I know, it's perfect. Angel Lawler, 54 Herden Street. Um I'm coming you tonight to you tonight as the union president, uh president of the Hillside Education Association. Dr. Perez, Dr. Howard, Mr. McNeal, Vice President Hargrave, and board members, community members, and colleagues. As union president, I feel it's important to address the current situation facing our district. The current acting superintendent, Dr. Perez, is not responsible for the wrongdoings or decisions made by prior administration. Over the last several weeks, this has been an extremely difficult time not only for
022Dr. Perez, human resources, but also for the union leadership. Um Our union members and the entire district community, sorry. Dr. Perez has been placed in a difficult position of trying to correct and stabilize problems that she did not create. It would be unfair at this stage of the process to place blame on someone who was given the task to help clean up an already existing situation. The unfortunate circumstances we are facing today were [clears throat] created long before Dr. Perez assumed the role. While some may be uncomfortable acknowledging that real that that reality, it is nevertheless the truth. What we need now is not division or misplaced blame, but unity, support, and collaboration. I sincerely hope that the Board of Education, the community, and the district staff will stand behind Dr. Perez and the support
023of her efforts as she works tirelessly to guide us through this difficult budget issue and move our district forward. Now, I was not asked to come here tonight and state that by anyone, so I don't want people to think that someone spoke to me behind the scenes. This is coming directly from me as the union president. I was involved in the entire process of what we had to do over the past several weeks, but telling people that they didn't have jobs. But, I was hearing a lot of who's to blame, and it's truly not about who's to blame, it's how we going to move forward. And we need to work collabora- collaboratively to do it the right way. So, I just want everyone to know that the union does not place blame on any one
024person sitting here. Um, it is something that happened. There's nothing we can do about it. You can't cry over it. We need to move forward and just do it better the next time. Thank you. Thank you very much, Ms. Lawler. Well said. Do you have any other members of the public? Okay. Um, good evening to the members of the Board of Education and the greater community. Before I begin, state your name for the record, please. Thank you. My name is Sir David Poku, and I'm the newly elected community outreach coordinator and the Board of Education representative at Hillside High School. Part of my job is to voice out voice out and advocate for the students of Hillside High. Now, before I begin, I would like to reflect on the mission of Hillside Public Schools, which
025states that the district aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful, engaged citizens through rigorous academic, culturally responsive programs, while strengthening student character, cultivating innovation, and fostering leadership. I'm here tonight to speak about Mr. Boyle and the impact he has had on our students and athletes. I ask that you listen to this and please take these to heart. I'm from Ghana and we speak Twi and in my language we say "Me srɛw" which means I beg. Now, for the past 18 years Mr. Boyle has gone beyond his job requirements. He not only cares for athletes, but also helps around the school, supports students, and always puts others first. He established the athletic training club giving students like myself real hands-on experience and opportunities. Through his mentorship, one of our own
026and the four other students before her was recognized for the state of New Jersey for athletic training and received a scholarship. Mr. Boyle has personally impacted me as well. I started as a football team manager and through his encouragement, I discovered an interest in athletic training and I was able to grow more in that field. More than anything, Mr. Boyle has created lasting memories and relationships with students and alumni who still come back to visit because of the impact he's made on their lives. Now, Mr. Boyle is more than an athletic trainer. He's a mentor and a role model to many of us. So, our question to the Board of Education is this. If the district's mission is to support innovation, leadership, character, and student growth, how does removing someone who spent 18 years alongside
027so many of these in the district align with the vision and mission of this district? Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir. Do we have any anyone else who wishes to make a public comment? There being none, do we have a motion to close? Is there a second? All in favor? Aye. Thank you so much as always to our members of the community for voicing your opinions. It is truly they do what they are what drive what we do. Uh this time uh Vice President Hargrave, if you will address the committee reports. Good evening. >> [snorts] >> Good evening. Good evening. Um board member Parks, can you uh move organizational item? I'm sorry, not move, but report the committee. Um so, on the organizational items, we discussed item number one. Um Miss Ekwuyasi, can
028you uh provide the finance committee report? Yes. On Monday, um May 18th, the finance committee met and discussed items one through 18. Thank you. Member Horton-Gibbons, can you provide the education report? Yes. >> [clears throat] >> Excuse me. On Monday, education committee met to review items one through 10. Thank you very much as I was trying to get to my pages. We reviewed items one through 10. Thank you. Thank you. And board member Best, can you provide the labor relations committee report? Good evening. The labor committee also met on Monday, May 18th, to discuss the items under the agenda one through 32. It dealt with personnel, contracts, and [clears throat] such. Thank you. And that concludes the reports. Thank you, uh Vice President Hargrave. Uh are there any questions or comments on any particular agenda
029items? There being none, we reserve the right to bring some back when we come out of executive session. Therefore, do I have a motion to go into executive session? Is there a second? All in favor? All right, be it resolved pursuant to the open public meetings act that the Board of Education meet in closed executive session at this time to discuss matters relating to, but not limited to, personnel, pending or anticipated litigation, labor negotiations, contract negotiations, a particular student or students, attorney or attorney-client privilege, or the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property. Tactics and techniques utilized in protecting the safety and property of the public. The Board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of the closed session. The matters discussed in closed session will be disclosed to the public as soon as
030the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. We plan to try our best to get back to you quickly. I know we got a lot of Knicks fans here tonight, so we want to go back and see the game. So, uh >> [laughter] >> we'll try our best to make this as expeditious as possible. Thank you, and we'll be back momentarily.