001Sure. And we're good. Okay. Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order of the El Pac Board of Education at 6:01 p.m. Will you please rise for the flag salute? 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. Okay, the opening statement according to the agenda. Mr. Henback, can you please call a role? Dr. Capella, present. Mr. Davio here. Miss ShraMM is absent this evening. Mr. Chaffy here. Jay, Phil. Harry, Harry, we're calling attendance. Mr. Dphano, us present. Miss Palena here. Mr. Citri here. How's it going? Miss Gulan is absent. Miss Falcone Schubert here. Can I please have a motion to go into executive session? I'll second. A motion by Mr.
002Chaffy and seconded by Dr. Dr. Capello. Yes. Mr. Davio. Yes. Miss ShraMM is absent. Mr. Chaffy. Yes. Mr. Dphano. Yes. Miss Paulina. Yes. Mr. Citri. Yes. Miss Gulan is absent. Miss Falcone Schubert. Yes. Reconvene. Can I please have a motion to reconvene? I'll make it. I'll second. On the motion to reconvene from exec session by Mr. Chaffy, seconded by Dr. Capello. Dr. Mr. Capelloa. Yes. Mr. Davio, yes. Miss ShraMM is absent. Mr. Chaffy, yes. Mr. Dustphano, yes. Miss Pelena, yes. Mr. Citri, yes. Miss Gulan is absent. And Miss Falcon Shuer, yes. Can I please have a motion to approve the April minutes for the special executive and regular meeting? I'll make the motion by Dr. Capella, seconded by Mr. Dphano. Dr. Capella, yes. Mr. Davio, yes. Sh is absent. Mr. Chaffy, yes. Mr. Dustphano, yes.
003Miss Paulina, yes. Mr. Citri, yes. Miss G Mulan is absent. Miss Falcone Schubert, yes. Hey, next we'll move on to the superintendent report and the HIP report. All right. So for this evening um our HIB report on second reading this evening um board in executive session con uh discussed all of our existing HIP cases those that were deemed to be code of conduct and not applicable. Uh they confirmed each of those initial decisions on second reading and this evening uh they reviewed uh two new HIP claims uh for the month of May. Uh one that was deemed to be a HIP and a second that was a code of conduct. Uh both of those will be on the June agenda for second reading. Um, in terms of our superintendent report, um, just information again to
004share with the board as we are moving through state assessments, uh, both AP testing, uh, NJSLA testing is underway. Uh, we're also starting to enter that, um, kind of that home stretch of the school year. Uh, beginning to, uh, hit the final stretch of, uh, spring athletic season. Uh, field trips are underway. Uh we just had a wonderful uh coming off a wonderful set of performances for our drama program. Uh students are gearing up for uh graduation and and the end of the year efforts as we move forward. So uh what has been a uh a school year that has gone in the blink of an eye at at many many times um is is starting to uh come to an end. Uh, I do want to take a moment uh to again recognize all
005of our teaching staff after teacher appreciation week and all of the hard work that they put in. Um, but even more so all of our staff across the district. Uh, our custodial staff, our support staff, our secretarial staff, teachers, administrators. Um, they do a tremendous amount of work on a regular basis um with our most important and vital asset, our children. And I'm proud of the work that they do. uh as I shared with you um you know there are areas where we need to continue to grow and get better um and and that starts with me and we will continue to to do that as we move forward uh and get ready to to close down the year. So keep an eye on your inboxes for invites for graduation and all of the details
006that come along with that. And with that I am going to turn it over to uh Lilianne our student representative on the board so that she can give us her report. All right. Uh, thank you. So, we've had a very busy past month. Um, and we have a lot of stuff coming up as well. The National Honor Society induction will be this Thursday. We're having sports awards tomorrow. The band concert will be Wednesday with special performances from the jazz band, New Music Ensemble, and the choir. The new music ensemble was actually the feature band at William Patterson University and they performed an original piece by Mr. Cerulo. Uh June 11th, there will also be a triam recital. That's like the advanced music honor society. Uh they play very nice pieces, so I'd recommend going if
007you get the chance. Um the marching band will be attending the Flag Day parade on June 14th. Uh prom will be approaching quickly. It's at Perona Farms. It's in three weeks and graduation is in four weeks. We um we've had the state and AP testing the past couple weeks. The AP testing is done and there are only the eighth grade testing was left. Um the Lightning Thief musical was a couple weeks ago. It was one of our best performing shows in years and we'd like to thank everybody who came to that. Uh our baseball team played Lenipe at Skyland Stadium. The score was 5 to6. It was very close and as we know Len is like a very strong town, a big town. So, it was very impressive for our team to pull that out.
008Um, softball team has just made it to their first round of state championships. Our golf team has had a very successful season. They won the division title in a three-way tie and we've had a very good record of six to six. Our esports team has also done pretty well this season. Uh, we won the they've won the statewide championships in Super Smash Bros. Riley Cobb will be moving forward in track to a statewide meet in two weeks. Um there is a thespian showcase and art show on May 28th. And lastly, we are all getting ready for finals and for the summer. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Can I please have a motion to approve 7 A, B, and C? Make it second. The motion by Mr. Davio, seconded by Miss Paula. Dr. Capello,
009yes. Mr. Davio, yes. Stephano, yes. Miss ShraMM, Miss ShraMM is joining us virtually. Mr. Chaffy, yes. Mr. Dphano, yes. Miss Polyana, yes. Mr. Citri, yes. Miss Gulan is absent. Miss Falcone Schubert. Yes. Okay. Next, we'll move on to acknowledgement and correspondence. Um, congratulations to the following students who were chosen as Hopaka Middle School students of the month for their outstanding performance in April of 2025. Grade four, Catalia Hernandez. Grade five, Austin B. Uh, grade six, Giata Schubert and Isabella Gavinellis. Grade seven, Paige Johnson and Maya Pua. And congratulations to the following Alpakan High School students who have received the seal of biiteracy. Lizzanna Gonzalez in Spanish, Michelle in Inter Inaro in Spanish, Danielle Morat in Spanish, Jean Franco Melo Ruiz in Spanish, Brandon Pachana in Spanish, Joanie PZ in Spanish, Juliana Pon Gonzalez in Spanish,
010Pierro Pon Gonzalez in Spanish, Caitlyn Sanchez in Spanish, and Sebastian Wick in Polish. Congratulations. Very cool. Are any students here in the audience? Not this evening. Not this evening. Okay. Right. Next, we'll move on to parent teacher organization representatives. Anyone in the audience like to speak on their behalf? Okay. Um, HESBA I mean um is it comment? Hepto. He nope. Uh, yep. The other one. So many letters. The high school high schools. The high school PTSO. We are hosting or we did host I can't remember. um uh signing day for anyone who was either committing to college or the armed services or a career. So, we had a bagel breakfast for that. June 17th, a little ice strike is coming to the high school. Everyone's going to get their favorite Spongebob ice cream or whatever
011they want um to celebrate the end of the school year and finals and things like that. They have early lunches, so it's going to be ice cream for breakfast those days. Um, and then, uh, we should have elections coming up. So, if anyone's interested, I know we have eighth grade, uh, seventh graders moving up to the eighth grade. So, there's a lot of active parents in that group. So, if anybody would like to help out on the executive board, we can always use more hands. I'm sure the same thing goes for the other PTOs. Okay, moving on to public comment. Is anybody on that list? Yes. Okay. I will miss Yenko. So, hi, good evening everyone. Stacy Yenko. I live on Paputing Road in Hop Paccom. I also am the high school guidance secretary. Um,
012it's nice to see everyone tonight. So, I just have a few things. Some are for clarification, some to share information. Um, I saw that under personnel 13C, um, it says for school counselors, it says district school counselors to work up to a total of 21 days for the summer not to exceed 7 days per individual. I wanted to know if that was specifically for the high school because last year um it was specific and it listed three counselors and it basically said the same thing that each one could work up to 7 days not 60 21 days total or is it for all of the school counselors in the district. So I just wanted clarification on that um if possible. Um and then I did see the very lovely resolution um for our student representatives.
013So my question is will they have the opportunity to continue next year or like to be reappointed? That would be an opportunity. Um and I just want to thank you for the great job that you are doing representing the high school. Um, I wanted to say thank you on behalf of the 12th employees um for Friday the 23rd that the district will be closed um and that we'll all be able to enjoy that. It is very much appreciated. So, I wanted to say thank you for that. And then some good news that I don't even know if Mrs. Martinez is aware of, but I thought we should share. Um Jim Macauen, a teacher at the high school, has been awarded the NextGen Personal Finance Distinguished Educator Award, um which recognizes teachers who complete six plus
014NextGen Personal Finance Certification Courses. In addition, the Sussex County Education Association held a My Hero Works at school essay contest and they had different groupings like K to 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and grades 8 to 12. One of our 11th graders um essays was chosen and she wrote about a school counselor Melissa Stein. So, both the student and Miss Stein will be recognized at the Sussex County Miners game on Saturday, June 14th. So, I wanted to share that. Um, and I did want to mention, I'm not sure if Mr. Helenbeck was able to share a letter that I formally put in. So, I would just ask that really all I need at this point is for you to know that that's what our intent is for the Hopakhong Office Personnel Association to
015merge with the Hopakhong Education Association. It will benefit and support our small members and it is at no cost to the district, but it's a long process and a lot that we have to do on our end. So I wanted to make sure that I could get that acknowledged so then we could do the next piece which is a little bit more. Um so thank you for letting me share that and I want to thank Mr. Hollandbeck for speaking with me and allowing that opportunity. And finally I just wanted to mention again as you acknowledged at the last meeting Tuesday June 3rd will be our senior awards night. Um, I actually am waiting for one more organization to get back to me and then the invitations will go out to our seniors who will be
016receiving awards. Um, I will send you an email, but I just wanted to make sure you all knew. I know Mrs. Falcone Schubert will be there. I know Mr. Dphano will be there and I'm very excited that you'll be presenting um something to our seniors, but you are all welcome. Everyone is welcome to attend. Um, and this is the first year I'm doing it by myself. I used to do it with Mrs. Padulla. So, I'm very excited. Um, our our seniors, I think, will be who are receiving only seniors receiving something will be invited. They don't know what they're getting. So, it's a big surprise for them. So, um, if you're available, I do understand it's a busy time of year, but I just wanted you all to know that you are welcome to attend.
017Um, and with that, that's it. Thank you very much. That's June 2nd. It's at 7:00 p.m. It's Tuesday, June 3rd at 7:00. And we do try and start promptly at 7. Um, and we're usually done by 8:30. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Yanko. That's from C. Uh, yes. Mr. Renault. Oh, I want we want I want to be friends. My father is Mr. Renault. You can call me Steve. Mr. Mr. Steve. No. Mr. Steve. Um, I did go to the Patcon High School drama club production of The Lightning Thief on Sunday. Ellen and I went. It was superb. Had a great time. Uh, I thought they did a wonderful job. Uh, they had little problem with the sound, but they got over that. I thought the way they set it up with
018the billboard, with the kids pictures outside the auditorium was wonderful. It was really great. It was a lot of It was a lot of fun. And I thought um for the I understand one of my neighbors went on uh first uh on Thursday and the same thing happened on the 5050 they gave the whole thing back to the drama club and the same thing happened when we were there on Sunday and I also learned walking out of the parking lot was talking to the sixth grader and he said she said excuse me I I asked did you like the play and she said yes I had her read it and I also had my grandchildren with me at uh at at brunch at the Beacon on Mother's Day and they said they had a read
019it and they're in their they're in their 20s. So basically it was fun and I want to thank you for all the work that you do and I wish you uh a really great time at the prom at uh at Corona Farms. It's a great place. I'm sure you'll have a great time. You'll have a great time. Uh Jeff, one thing I want to I will give you a call. Not to take up your time tonight, but um we had the candidates night for the Democratic Club and um basically there were some ignorant comments passed about school systems and the schools and uh I will give you a call. I'd like to set appointment up with the candidate to come whether we can get together for lunch or something like that or a meeting with
020you. uh basically because uh they just uh they're illinformed and they make their pressing they are passing a lot on the old about schools. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else in the audience who'd like to u make a public comment who didn't get a chance to sign in? And we will close public comment. Can I I'd like to make a motion. Like to make a motion to move 11 through 17F. We have a second. Second. So the motion is to move 11 through 17F. Is there any discussion? Wow. Perfect talking. Everybody good? Okay. Hearing no discussion. Call the role. On the motion by Mr. Chaffy, seconded by Miss Paula Chain. Dr. Capella, yes. Mr. Davio, yes. Miss Shrimp, yes. Mr. Chaffy, yes. Mr. Dphano. Uh, yes for everything
021except 18 and I vote abstain. We're not on only 17. Only through 17. Only through 17. Ah, okay. Good. I can say yes to everything. Perfect. Miss Paulina. Yes. Mr. Citri. Yes. Miss Gulan is absent. Miss Falcone Schubert. I'm here. Oh, I didn't even see you sneak in. Miss Gulan. Yes. There she is. I didn't even see you sneak in. Miss Falcone Schubert. Yes. Healthy. Quiet. Okay. Uh, we have a special resolution underneath 17G. [Music] Okay. Can I please have a motion to approve 17G? I'll second. Motion by Miss Dr. Capella, seconded by Mr. Dphano. Would you like to read the I'd like to read it, please. Absolutely. Whereas Natalyia Grana Roman and Lilianne Zinsley has served with distinction on the Hopakam Board of Education. And whereas through their leadership, the Opacum Board of Education
022has 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 Natalia Dana Roman and Lilianne Zinsley have shown exemplary commitment to fellow students and the school board and the school district has promoted clear communication between the board, district administration and the student body. And whereas Natalia and Lilianne has maintained a professional decorum at board meetings, shown respect to 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
023resolved that the Hopakon Board of Education recognizes Natalia Dire Roman and Lilianne Zinsley's dedication and commitment to 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 Opacon Board of Education extend their sincere appreciation to Natalyia Dire Roman and Lilianne Zinsley for their dedicated service on the Opacon Board of Education. And be it further resolved that the members of the Opacram Board of Education extend their best wishes to Natalia Dire Roman and Lilianne Zinsey Zinsley and all of their future endeavors. Thank you very much. Poor Lily thought she was fired when she read this, but we just really wanted to thank you both. I know that um some of us has kids in the district in different schools. So, I
024think you guys being up here putting a personal perspective on things really helps us understand what's going on in the schools. And um the fact that you both are involved in all aspects of the high school life and the community life and you still make time to come here just shows that you are really committed and we appreciate, you know, everything that you do and u look forward to working with you in the future if you'd like to um apply to be back on as our student representative. So, thank you very much and wish you, you know, the best for the rest of the school year and hopefully you get to enjoy yourself and relax this summer. Thank you very much. You're welcome. And when you're 18, you could become a member of the board.
025Yeah, that's what I told her. Yeah, we had some we had some youngans. Had them before. On the motion by Dr. Capello and seconded by Mr. Dphano. 17G. Dr. Capello. Yes. Mr. Davio. Yes. Miss ShraMM. Yes. Mr. Chaffy. Yes. Mr. Dphano. Yes. Miss Paula Chaina. Yes. Mr. Citri. Yes. Miss Gulan. Yes. Miss Falcone Schubert. Yes. I please have a motion to move 18 uh 18 A through J6. Mhm. I'll make it second. Any discussion? Hearing none on the motion by Mr. Chaffy, seconded by Mr. Davia. Dr. Capelloa, yes. Mr. Davia, yes. Miss Shramp, yes. Mr. Chaffy, yes. Mr. Dustphano, present. Miss Pelena, yes. Mr. Citri, yes. Miss Goul, yes. And Miss Falcone Schubert, yes. Excuse me. Yes. Okay, moving on to board member comments. Would anyone like to make a comment? I guess just have
026a memorial. Oh, we can. Okay. I just wanted to take a moment and say congratulations to everyone involved in the production of the Lightning Peace. It was really nice to see so many families and people from our community attend that. Um especially the Friday night that my husband and I attended. Um I thought the students did a phenomenal job. Um and I just want to give credit to all the students, you know, on stage backstage in the pit, all of the parents volunteering, the teachers that helped kind of make the magic happen. Um, it was just an incredible job and if I was there in person, I'd be giving you all a standing ovation. Um, but I'm just so proud of everyone's hard work on that and I want to take this as an opportunity
027to say this is really um an invitation to our community. All of these events, whether it's a sporting event or a show, we, you know, completely welcome all of you. This is not just for our students, but it's for all of us. Um, and it's an opportunity to see just what our students are up to and how amazing they are and and celebrate them. Um, and for not only for us to celebrate them, but for them to see that we are supporting them and that we are a community together and we're uplifting our neighbors. And so I just encourage everyone to think about future events um, and show some support and um, to the students, keep doing what you're doing. You make us all proud. So, thank you. Thanks, Veronica. Um, I just wanted to
028say everyone to have a safe Memorial um, day and also to the seniors. I look forward to the s to what um, their future's bright and what what they're going to bring back to the community because I'm so excited to see them, you know, go off to college or to technical schools or even the military and then what they're going to bring back to this community and hopefully it'll be even better than what what it is now. Thank you. Anybody else? I'd like to just mention one thing. Um, Lillianne was able to go to um a Rotary function last last summer. It's called RIA Rotary Youth Leadership Award. It's open to any senior sorry any any uh high school student going into their senior year and and you attend it during the summertime. It's usually
029in June or July, I forget. Um, but any senior can apply for it. And I ask or remind folks that yes, you should try to apply for it. So next, that would be next year sometime, probably in March or April. That's it. Thanks, Phil. Um, just to piggyback on what Veronica was saying about the play, we received a um an email from Sarah Platt, the booster club president, and she said that they doubled their ticket sales from last year, and they had a record-breaking concession sand sale. Um, and all of that money goes towards the scholarship that they offer at the end of the school year. So, that was, you know, really great on behalf of the community for everybody to come out and support the kids. That's great. That's great. Right. [Applause] Um, and
030just to mention, uh, the senior awards were already mentioned. That's June 3rd. Tomorrow night is the sports awards at the high school. I think that's for all all of the three seasons. And also there's some Hall of Fame inductees I believe as well. And then on Thursday is the NHS and the NJHS uh National Honors Society inductions. So all fun ceremonies coming up at the end of the school year. Um and I just wanted to take a moment and point out that there are uh a bunch of involuntary transfers on this agenda. And I just want to thank all of the staff that's being impacted for their flexibility and their professionalism. Um, making these moves is not easy between buildings and between grades. And I know we get um, you know, our our colleagues are
031our family and it's hard, but making these moves um, allows us to keep the majority of our staff and make sure that the students are getting what they need in the classroom. So, thank you very much. Um, I know it's probably not ideal, but we appreciate your flexibility and your professionalism, and we know that the kids will be in great hands and you'll have a great school year. With that said, can I please have a motion to adjurnn? Second. All in favor? I Thank you.