001Good evening. We'd like to call the meeting to order and welcome everyone. >> Good evening. This meeting is being held in accordance with the organiza uh with the schedule of meetings adopted at the organizational meeting held on January 5th, 2026. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Kennaworth Board of Education has provided to the Home News Tribune, the Star Ledger and local source on January 15, 2026. A copy has been filed with the Kennaworth Burough Clerk posted in the board office, the Kennorth Burough Hall, Brilling and Harding Schools as is provided by the Open Public Meetings Act. >> Thank you, Mr. Gal. Can we please rise and salute 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,
002with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. Can we please have roll call? >> Yes. >> Biner >> here. >> Crinkolei >> here. >> David >> here. >> Haber. Herina >> here. >> Lead >> here. >> Ponichi >> here. >> Tears >> here. Zimmerman. >> We have quum. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll have the receiving of the minutes and committee notes of the secretary. Monday, February 9th, 2026, regular board of education meeting minutes. Wednesday, February 11, 2026, finance and facilities committee meeting minutes. Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, we have the personnel committee meeting minutes and the finance and facility committee meeting minutes. Any questions on those notes? >> Can I please have a motion to receive and accept the minutes and committee notes of the secretary? >> Motion second. >> Dr. Conoli. Seconded by Mr. Biner.
003All those in favor, please say I. I. Opposed. >> Eyes have it. Motion carried. Mr. Ganell, do we have any monthly correspondence? >> Yes, we do. Uh we have uh three items. We have a thank you note of appreciation from the Penichi family to the board following the passing of Dr. Penichi's uh mother, Gail. We have an email from myself to the finance and facility uh committee regarding key budget updates. We have an email from myself to the personnel committee uh regarding uh key budget updates. >> Thank you. Anyone have questions about the monthly correspondence? >> Motion, please. Second motion. >> Motion Dr. Concoli seconded by Mrs. Tears. All those in favor of accepting the monthly correspondence, please say I. >> Opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carries. We will now move on to the Superintendent
004reports and presentation. Superintendent Davis. >> Thank you, Dr. Penichi. Good evening, everyone. Uh, welcome. It's good to see you all. Um, we are starting off with a wonderful group of middle school students, uh, theater students who are here tonight to, uh, we want to recognize their amazing work this past weekend with Changing Charming, which was a fantastic production I enjoyed on Saturday night, um, led by Miss Fancy Um, but first, I'd like to introduce David Brley, Middle School principal, Miss Maline Pavle. Good evening everyone. Thank you so much. I'm really excited tonight to highlight some of our eighth grade cast and Miss Vaner and Mel who's not here tonight um for their wonderful performance this past weekend, Friday night and Saturday night of Changing Charming. I was there Friday night and I have to say
005that in my past five years here, it was probably the best middle school play I've seen. So congratulations. You guys were really, really great. Um, just something to keep in the back of your mind. Later on tonight in the middle school budget presentation, I will be mentioning some extracurricular opportunities. This is one of the already existing opportunities um at David Brilliant Middle School. So, you'll get to see some of the excitement that comes out of things that we get to do outside the classroom. Um, so keep that in the back of your mind when I propose a few more later on. Um, Miss Van Sener Hi everybody. Um I'd like to apologize for the um lateness of half of the students who are supposed to be here, but they're actors. Um they kind of run
006on their own time and they're also middle schoolers. So um this past year we had 54 stu middle school students involved in the cast and the crew of the play. um with the um addition of the sixth grade, now we have an opportunity to grow our program over three years instead of two, which is very exciting. Um I've been doing this a long time. Um this is like year, I don't know, like 25 or so. Um, and every so often, um, every couple of years, I have, um, an amazing group of eighth graders who, um, are not only talented, but they are leaders. Um, this particular group of eighth graders have been amazing community builders. I've always seen the middle school play more as an opportunity for middle schoolers to kind of find their place
007and their people. And that's always been much more important to me than any kind of production that we can put on. We just happen to put on a play and wear fancy costumes. Um, but at the core of it is an opportunity for middle schoolers to to belong somewhere. And at that age, it's it's not so easy. Um, and I have to say that this particular group of eighth graders standing here have have really taken the seventh graders and especially the sixth graders under their wing and really were amazing role models and built a a community, a theater community and friendships and made them feel like they belong. And there's nothing that I'm more proud of than that. They just happen to also be talented. So, so, um, who's talking? This is Lyanna. Thank you,
008>> of course. Um, so I've been in the middle school play for all the years I can, which was last year and this year. And what I could say is that it was genuinely really amazing. It was a great opportunity for me. Um, since I joined the plays in Harding, I've loved theater and it's just been something I've really enjoyed doing and something I've been really passionate about. And Miss Van's really helped me like um I don't know like almost like fuel that passion if you guys know what I mean. And it's just been very it's been amazing and it helped me realize that I want to continue this through high school, through college. It's something that I want to try and pursue in life. And I just really think this was great. I love
009the middle school plays. Yeah. >> Um, so like yeah, I did the plays in Harding. They were awesome. But I feel like the middle school play especially now that I'm especially this year because like I'm kind of like a leader. Um, I've really taken this as an opportunity less than to like perform even though like this gave me the amazing opportunity and made me realize that like I want to do this less as a hobby and more like something that I actually want to do. Um, it also gave me the opportunity to make amazing friends and like really put myself out there and I really want to thank Miss and all my lovely peers for that because without them I never would have put myself I never would have put myself on stage like I
010did. So yeah. Yeah. Um >> yeah. So we have Jacob L. Carla Valentino. >> Yes. Um, we could everyone take a group photo. If everyone could grab their obviously costume and um, >> gather together by the banner, please. >> So, you want to >> That's why they were dressed. >> I think they just wanted to wear the costumes one more time. >> If you if you ask them, I'm sure they will. It's on It's on demand. >> You want it? I'm sure they will. Have you heard it once or twice, Suzan? >> All day, every day. >> Miss Pavle check. Um, I just as the students leave, u I just want to thank Miss Pavle for providing this opportunity for them and Miss Vanceer for all of your leadership. and to the students. It's great
011to hear um from the two of you, from all of you um how about about how this is more than just a skill on the stage, but it's about community and it's about building community and it's about supporting those younger than you who are rising up. So, I really appreciate your leadership. Um and I thoroughly enjoyed the show on Saturday night. So, thanks for a great performance. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Do you want to do a scene? Is there a >> They want a scene. The board is asking for >> How about the male carrier shoot? That was really funny. >> Just be completely impro. >> That's okay. Two minutes. Just see what you could do. >> Well, go help her. You guys can help her. set the scene. >> Okay, >> wait. Okay,
012I'm not going to do the >> Hey A lot of pressure. Imagine shoes. Yeah, imagine there shoes here. Actually, >> what is up with all of these shoes? Seriously, what is up with princesses and shoes? Especially Cinderella and Rapunzel. Cinderella's shoes don't even look good on her. Especially like like No. Um, see this is what we mail carriers have to deal with every single day of our lives. And I bet none of you in this crowd have any sympathy for us. We have to we have to go on Whoa. >> You guys park in front of your mailboxes. So then we have to walk on your LAWNS AND THEN YOU GUYS YELL AT US FOR THAT. >> Are you done? >> No. No, I'm not. >> You We We have to walk on YOUR LAWNS
013AND THEN YOU GUYS YELL AT US FOR THAT. THAT'S NOT our fault. You guys NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PARK. >> OKAY. >> CONGRATULATIONS. That was wonderful. Thank you for the two minutes. Yes. Well done. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you Miss Van. Uh moving on to our student report. We have Miss Katie Lima here uh yet again to provide the David Bley student liaison report. Thank you, Katie. >> So wonderful to see you all again. It's actually seeing all the middle schoolers come in today. It was funny because I remember in my seventh grade here I I was in the play and I was the background character because at the time I was very afraid of public speaking but I remember such a fun time and what Miss Vance Dener made it like the
014best experience ever. So I'm glad that they're having a good time. Um I hope you're all well and enjoying the wonderful weather. I know I am obviously. Um, but anyway, I want to start off today talking about a b basketball recap of the season. The team finished the season 714 overall and se in in 3-7 in conference, improving from last year. They opened the season with two wins and picked up several key victories along the way with strong scoring and defensive efforts. And the team now growed and the teamwork has improved throughout the season, which is amazing. and to go next to girls basketball. The team finished the regular season with a strong 15 to4 record, which is actually just is amazing. Um the team was led by standout performances, including Georgia Sod reaching 1,000
015career points and as they enter the postseason with this new strong momentum. Both great ends to the basketball season to be very proud of. They all did very well. We love hearing about it. um to talk about the Black Cultural Celebration that happened on February 27th. The David Brley Black Cultural Society hosted its third annual Black Cultural Celebration. The event highlighted black history and culture throughout student presentations, guest speakers, music, dance, and food, bringing the community together to celebrate diversity. And it was really amazing. So hopefully you were all there. I hope. Um the student council volleyball game occurred on February 26th that had seven themed team comp teams competing and the winning team was actually called Jersey Shore which I thought was really funny and they earned a pizza party and many teachers and
016te students and teachers came out to support the event that night. And also on March 6th the Universal Technical Institute visited Brley to speak with juniors and seniors about career training programs such as automotive automotive technology, diesel technology, welding, and HVACR. All righty. And looking forward, Brley's new Model United Nations Club continues to make progress. On March 21st, members will attend the North Brunswick High School Model United Nations Conference to debate global issues with students from all across the tri-state area. Additionally, Model United Nations President Rivera is actually here tonight. Her and I attended the West Windsor Plainsboro High School North Model United Nations conference where we gained experience to help prepare our team for the upcoming conference. So, it's wonderful experience that we both had to come and report back on to our peers.
017And today actually marked the start of spring spirit week at Brley featuring different fun themes every day to promote school spirit and community engagement as the school welcomes in this well now this spring season. So I will now open the floor to any questions if anyone has any and I suppose not which is always good. So I wanted to thank you all for this opportunity. It's always a pleasure and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your evening. >> Thank you. >> Uh just one additional addendum to Katie's report. A reminder to Brley juniors and their parents that March 16th, 17th, and 18th is the NJ GPA. This is an important graduation requirement assessment for all students in grade 11 um in order to ensure that that we have the most conducive testing environment.
018David Brley High School will have a specific delayed opening for students in grades 9, 10, and 12 um so that the students in grade 11 can test in the morning. Um all this has been communicated to parents and families via email. It'll be recommunicated to parents and families via email. Um a reminder that NJGPA testing uh has no impact on the middle school. So, middle school will have a normal school day. So, no delayed openings for middle school students. >> Jeremy, that was not true in the past, right? >> Uh, correct. In the past, middle school would also have a delayed opening because of the the building's situation. >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh, at this time, I'd like to invite members of the leadership team to the podium to walk the board and the public
019through various highlights regarding our 2627 school budget proposal. um in setting the stage for their budgetary highlights. It is important to know that we are facing what many districts are facing across the state of New Jersey, the school budget fiscal cliff. I'll be describing the concept of the fiscal cliff in more detail after my colleagues provide their highlights, but suffice it to say at this point we are in a significantly difficult position budgetarily speaking. I want to remind you where we were last year in advance of the 2526 budget. Um, as you remember, Kennallorth lost significant state aid while costs were rising dramatically last year. Consequently, we eliminated one administrative position and collapsed two additional administrative positions, enabling us to restructure our administrative team and reduce our admin ranks from 13 to 12. We also
020eliminated eight certificated positions districtwide. These cuts have been painful for our remaining staff as class sizes have risen and additional supports have been cut. I continue to be impressed with the abilities of our leadership team members and our teaching and support staff to provide our students an excellent learning program in the face of these continual painful budget constraints. Make no mistakes, the cuts from last year have had a negative impact on the ability of our educators. Cuts are painful and they have real consequences for our programming. Unfortunately, the outlook has gotten worse. The governor has delayed her annual budget address until tomorrow, March 10th. will learn the status of state aid in the coming days. Mean meanwhile, costs have risen and continue to do so. When we went into this budget season, we focused on
021several budgetary goals. Of note, we prioritized the following in development of this year's current budget or sorry, next year's budget. We want to honor our promise to the community in expanding prek. We want to enhance our middle school extracurricular programming now that we have a separate separate spaces and dedicated middle school principal. We need to prioritize the needs and requests that have that will have the greatest impact on curriculum instruction, assessment, and achievement. Meanwhile, we want to minimize impact uh the tax impact by maximizing the use of our tax dollars. While my colleagues are presenting highlights tonight from this year's school budget, their highlights are minimal. Instead of growing programming, they have been cutting. Instead of providing additional supports for student success, they have been cutting. And yet, and yet, the educators in this district
022continue to rise above the painful budgetary cuts. Our staff continues to provide a stimulating, challenging, and engaging learning experience for our students. There are wonderful things happening, as you saw in these presentations from our students throughout our district constantly. And I want to make sure that we're all aware of that. Wonderful things continue to happen despite these cuts, but they are painful. So to share some of the highlights in the in advance of next year, leading off the administrative team presentation is Mr. Bubnowski and Miss Carrera to speak about Harding Elementary School highlights. >> Good evening everyone. I'm going to speak a little bit about our library program both this year and then looking into next year. This year, without a dedicated library teacher, the responsibility for supporting students access to library books has fallen
023solely on our classroom teachers, which has of course been an additional responsibility on their already full plates. But it was really important to us that our students still have access to library books and all of the resources in the library. So, you know, they've committed to taking in students at least twice a month to check out library books, use the facilities, but at the same time, we also saw saw something really positive emerged that we want to continue to grow into next year. Our library has increasingly become a true community hub in our school, which exactly was our vision um moving into this year. So, it's a space where classes gather for lessons, partner grades collaborate. We have family activities there and um like schoolwide events as well. The room is active throughout the day
024as well as some evenings and really serves as a central meeting place that supports learning and connection. So, if you look at some of our pictures that we have up there, we recently had our family science fair and our counselors down there do during Red Ribbon Week. So, they'll have like some schoolwide activities there as well as groups and classes. And then last week, our first grade team had held a family event for ReadAcross America and it was standing room only. It was packed. It was fun. Kids had a blast and I think parents did too. So, we really look forward to building on that momentum despite the fact that our library doesn't look like we want it to. But, we're excited to continue to use the space in a great way for our staff
025and our students and our families. Moving on to prek expansion. As you all know, preK expansion across uh the district is still a very important initiative for us here. Um this January we expanded our prek by two sections, one prek4 section and one prek3 section. So our total enrollment in prek currently is 45 prek4 students and 15 prek3 students. this coming September. We want to hold those numbers uh in the hopes that in the future we can even expand on those numbers. If the need of prek um exceeds the seats that we have, we will hold a lottery again this May uh to fill those seats in a fair and orderly fashion. Uh, another void that we had this year in Harding School is the lack of a Spanish teacher, but we filled that that
026void this year with a program called Dual Lingo. Dual Lingo uh was able to expose our our students this year to the Spanish language, give them exposure to the culture of the um Spanish regions, but unfortunately it has fell a little short with our upper elementary students. So this year we're proposing a new program for our upper elementary students called Sarah Spanish class. Sparis Sarah Spanish School provides a weekly engaging video lesson for for Spanish lessons. Okay. It's designed specifically for elementary age students. Lessons are interactive, age appropriate using songs, games, storytelling, and movements to help students naturally acquire vocabulary and conversational skills. Each lesson also includes instructional materials and assessments that will allow teachers to reinforce the learning of the students and to monitor their progress. This program comes with 24hour uh support from
027certified language teachers. They can specifically design our scope and sequence and curriculum around our current curriculum so they can literally give us what we need in our upper elementary um grade levels. So, we're excited to adopt Sarah Spanish School for our elementary students. >> Any questions for myself or Mrs. Carrera? >> I have a question about Sarah Spanish. Sure. Um, >> so it's it only starts after a certain like third grade or second grade or >> Yes. So currently, our K through 2 grade students are going to still continue to get exposed to a foreign language through their teachers, whether it's dual lingual lingo, whether it's use of the library and use of Spanish books or um short videos, but then our students in grades three through five will get fully engaged into Sarah Spanish
028School >> with room to expand. Sarah SP Sarah Spanish School does service preK through 8th grade. So there is room to expand if if the program >> you would say if there's success with the third through five you'll probably introduce it the hopes >> correct >> the prek numbers that you pre total prek that's just the expansion >> that's our total prek population currently >> and that's how many teachers >> that is with four four pres four four regular preschool teachers and one preschool disabled teacher. total of five teachers with that number of students. >> Uh next, Miss Paville is going to speak about the middle school. >> Thank you, Mr. Bowski. Thank you, Mr. Car. >> Hello again. Um as you know, our budget is limited this school year. to navigate this and also
029still provide students with valuable opportunities through our budget. I've worked to partner with student council, the KA PEP, and the PTO to offset some of our current costs so that we can still have extra opportunities that we haven't had before. There are three main budgetary points for the middle school that I would like to highlight tonight. We've loved having our own separate space for the middle school students that's developmentally appropriate. You'll notice items in the budget that will add life to the building like bulletin boards for the hallways and bookshelves in our newly assigned ELA classrooms with the addition of sixth grade. In addition, now that we are separated, I've noticed an area that is lacking for middle school students is the amount of extracurricular opportunities compared to Harding or the high school. I've submitted
030a program improvement proposal which lays out six additional clubs, our own middle school musical, a stool school store, and two intram murals which you will hear about in the athletic budget. These extracurricular activities will ensure that we are reaching the whole child at school and provide them additional opportunities to get involved and find their passions. as you just heard a little bit earlier. And finally, now that our middle school students are using these high school level science labs, you will notice funds in the budget dedicated to science lab materials. It's important that teachers in these beautifully equipped labs are prepared with the consumable materials that provide the hands-on experiences um that students require in these spaces. Any questions for the middle school? >> I'm It's middle school kind of high school. Just wondering, do we
031have a wood making class? >> We don't have wood shop. >> We don't have a wood shop. >> Okay. >> So, I was going to say they could make the bookshelves. >> Interestingly, it's it's something that was on the proposal list and it's something that we already took off knowing where we stand. Um, but it's something that we were talking about specifically for middle school. Uh, offering an additional elective >> or cycle class to get students working with their hands in the woodworking field. Um but it's it it is expensive to have. >> Yes, absolutely. >> One day. >> Thank you, Miss Pavle. On to the high school. Um Mr. Luciani couldn't be here today, so I just wanted to highlight um something about our budget which I think is impressive. We are a small
032school with a small budget, but we are able to offer a really rich and robust array of course offerings and it's something that we continue to prioritize and it's something that I know that the finance and facilities committee continues to support and I I appreciate the board's support um for the high school to offer this amount of electives to enable students to find passions and to develop skills outside of the traditional you know subject areas I think is really amazing. Um so I just wanted to highlight that list. Um when you look at that list and you think about how small our school actually is, um it's really impressive to see the amount of courses that we offer um for our students. So um I mean some of the new ones that are there that
033were introduced last year with the budget were uh zoology um hugely popular with our students as you can imagine u medic medicinal chemistry engineering. Um, so those are some of the new ones that came on board last year. This moving into next year, we want to make sure that we're continuing to support those programs and continue to invest in them. We don't have any new course proposals for the high school for next school year. Uh, we want to take what we have, which is already a robust array and continue to to support them. So that is from the high school perspective. Uh, athletics. Mr. Miller is here to talk about athletics and the highlight. >> Mr. Uh before uh I get into talking a little bit about athletics, I just want to kind of add
034to something that Katie was talking about earlier regarding our winter athletic teams. Uh the girls actually made it to the semi-finals of the the sections uh for basketball. They wind up finishing the year with 18 wins, which I go back and I look as far as I could. Right now, I believe that is the second most wins that we've had in school history. Uh so the girls had a tremendous year this year. Our boys did a great job of doubling almost tripling what they did the year before. Uh wrestling had a great year. Uh finished with 15 wins, most wins since the mid 2000s. Uh we have one wrestler who actually is advancing to the state tournament uh Thursday down in Atlantic City. A rider of VR uh will be representing us down there. Um,
035our competition cheer team had a great year, uh, finishing in the top three and I believe five of their 10 events they were at this year. So, um, winter athletics had a had a really good year. Track team did really well as also. Uh, just kind of when we talk about athletics, I think one thing that kind of gets lost is the fact that I don't think people realize how many kids we actually have that participate in athletics. uh probably over a quarter of our students per season participate in athletics. This uh I think we average probably about 125 students per season who participate. Um the last couple years it's it's been tough on the coaches. It's been tough on trying to give our kids the things that we need to compete against some of
036the schools that we compete against. Um, coaches made some tough decisions this year and we were able to come in under budget uh with trying to add a uh inter mural program in the uh middle school. So, I think a lot of credit has to go to our coaches and our kids uh for for what they put out on the field uh to represent us. Um, and I'm proud of the work that they've done. Uh, just to talk a little bit about the middle school program we're looking at. We're looking to add an inter mural program uh focusing mostly on soccer. Um this would be a uh fall uh inter mural program that will run for probably about two and a half, three months. We're looking to have uh a separate boys and girls program
037where they can go out and learn basic skills of soccer and and it would be more competition against each other as opposed to us trying to travel and play other schools. Um, I think when we look at the middle school and and especially from an athletic aspect, we try to rely too much on the recreation department and for as as good as they try to to take care of our kids, it they don't have a lot of offerings. So, I think this would be a great program for our middle school kids, especially on the female side, especially when it comes to soccer. Uh, I know our our youth uh boys soccer program is pretty strong, but there there's really not a stronghold in in town for for the girls. So, I think this would be
038a great opportunity to get our kids involved. Uh, also be a great feeder program for our high school team, keeping them here uh after school and being able to to work on their skill levels. Uh, so we were able to kind of put that in the budget without going over. Uh my coaches understood what we're trying to do and they they made some cuts that a lot of them weren't happy with, but uh we were able to do it and uh be able to add this program really without increasing uh the athletic portion of the budget. Okay, any questions? No, I just want to state that I know it wasn't this is preferred pertaining to uh baseball, but the um the high school baseball team volunteers their time in the summer for a weekl long
039camp for the little kids and they just absolutely love it. The little kids look up to them. So, >> yeah, as they do it, they do a very good job. We're trying to start, as a matter of fact, we were talking earlier uh this month, a couple of the Harding students want to come and be bat boys and and get involved in doing some things with the high school team. So, we're working on making sure that, you know, uh we take care of it in terms of uh liability and stuff like that, but we're trying to get where the the young students at. >> Thank you, M. >> Thank you. Uh, next I'd like to invite to the podium Sam Hypel, director of curriculum. >> Good evening everyone. Um, one focus of next year's in-house
040professional learning will be strengthening handwriting instruction and writing by hand across the district. In the early grades, this work will focus on teaching students how to properly form the letters. Um, learning correct letter formation at a young age can have a lasting impact on students academic performance across the grades. When handwriting becomes automatic for kids, students are able to focus more on expressing their ideas rather than getting stuck on the mechanics of writing. This supports stronger reading and writing development, improves writing stamina, and helps students produce clearer responses on assessments and assignments. So strong handwriting skills also benefit learning across all subject areas by reducing frustration and helping students work more independently and confidently. When we talk about the upper grades in middle and high school, our focus will shift to ensuring that students continue
041to engage in meaningful writing by hand activities as a part of their learning. So research shows that writing by hand activities um activates multiple parts of the brain involved in memory, language, attention and motor coordination. So as a result, students often retain information better and process content more deeply when they write by hand. So as a part of this initiative, we're going to try and explore um different ways that we can um support students in effective notetaking strategies and continue when handwritten work is more beneficial for learning than technology. And the goal is just really to be thoughtful and strike a thoughtful balance between how much we're using each of those for our outofd district PD. One big highlight you'll see in the budget is that our K to2 teachers will be going to conquer
042math um where they will study best practices around foundational math teaching. Um once completed then grades three to five have already gone. Um all grades K to five teachers will have gone to this amazing professional learning and have a common language around math instruction. And so I'm really excited to to round that out. Although we are not bringing in any um new large curriculum shifts or courses, we always are continuing to strengthen our programming. Curriculum work will continue to focus on planning instruction through the process-based approach that emphasizes how students learn, not just what they learn. This approach um will be paired with engaging instructional strategies as always collaboration, discussion, pushing hands-on learning and opportunities for students to explore and explain their thinking while applying learning across all their different content areas and new situations.
043Together, these practices help to increase student engagement, strengthen critical thinking, and problem solving to help us remain uh keep our programs rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the needs of all our different students in um all across the grades. >> Any questions for me? PD curriculum. >> Thank you, Miss Hyple. Next is Miss Kukulo who's going to talk about the HR department and the work going on there. >> We're so excited to have a brand new HR department here at Kennallorth Public Schools. Although it's just myself and Rosalyn, we've had a lot of positive um feedback from staff this year. we've been able to do a full staff survey and we got a lot of really good insight as to how um teachers and staff would like us to make the uh work environment better for
044them and better for students and we're acting on a lot of those suggestions. Um, also from the HR committee, uh, I'm sorry, HR department will be new HR committees. That's a HR committee is an advisory committee. So that's going to be volunteer staff who come out and they talk about how to raise morale and um maybe work on environmental factors that can help, you know, teaching and learning staff do their jobs. So we're very excited about that committee. And then we have a community outreach committee which is actually coming out of strategic planning as well. um both staff within the district and the community members of the district have identified a community outreach as an important goal and a next step in um ensuring that I guess the legacy of our school committ community continues.
045So those committees will begin meeting this spring and you'll probably be hearing more from us with them. Um the community outreach committee and the HR committee will be reaching out to building PTO's and um we look forward to their next steps. >> Any questions for >> I have a question for you. I think it's great that you're assessing the overall morale and work environment just because with the budgetary changes, we all have to address that and and everyone's environment, but um will you be including outside folks in the community outreach? Okay. >> Absolutely. Yeah, we um so we're just going to have our preliminary meetings in the next couple weeks and then we're going to figure out how best to invite um you know, community members and parents to join in our committee work. But
046I think it's going to be important for both committees to have liaison with the parent community because it all you know works together. So yes, thank you for your question and we look forward to >> anything else. >> Thank you, Miss Kulo. Uh the final administrator who's going to present is Miss Derillo who's going to talk about school counseling and special education. >> Good evening. just to kind of frame the department that I have the privilege and pleasure of supporting. Um we're a large multid-disciplinary team. Uh within student personnel services, we have special education teachers, aids, school counselors, related service providers, um which are speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists or reading specialists, um also school social workers, and school psychologists. So we have a very robust, brilliant department of staff. Um first off, school
047counseling. School counseling is the new word. You might see it as guidance there. Those words have been used interchangeably, shifting more to school counseling. Um, school counseling department spans grade prek all the way up through 12. And the budget reflects individual functions and really prioritizes different activities based on the level. So, at our elementary level, our counselors are working on schoolwide seals, social skills development. At our middle school, we're looking at developing those peer relationships and really starting to push leadership skills in our students. High school, our counselors are supporting high school needs and really preparing for those post-secondary opportunities. Terms of special education, special education spans ages three all the way up to age 21 when appropriate. We have individualized programming really based on eligibility and area of need. This can also include related
048services. Our department goals are designed to meet needs in the area of academics, social skills, and functional performance. We're looking to meet the needs of the whole child. Something that we've continued to push on is a focus on inclusive opportunities. Uh that is reflected in Miss Pavle's budget for an addition of a middle school unified club as well as a high school unified club. Um, we're looking for specialized instructional materials uh to supplement our existing curriculum for some of our students with higher needs, some of our students in our LLD programming. Um, also just included a couple pictures um I actually took today. Have some magical things happening uh in the district, but really it's um the educators that are at the heart of it. So, thank you. Questions? >> Thank you for listening. >>
049Thank you, Mr. I'm going to transition now to um a same topic, but uh I wanted to focus uh for the public mostly because the board has been um informed of it. The idea the proposal of of moving to an April vote um regarding the budget. U but before I do that, I want to talk through what this idea of a fiscal cliff looks like and what that means. So, I'm going to head over to the podium while Mr. Ganell cues up. Oops. Oh, I forgot that. You're welcome. So, I mentioned um at the beginning of our budget presentation this idea of this fiscal cliff. Um, and it's it's it's not a fake term. It's it's real. Many many superintendents and business administrators uh around our county and around the state are experiencing um this
050concept. Um I wanted to start off with just this idea of phase one. So you heard from our administrative team tonight uh regarding their budgets and um the highlights from their budgets but much of the budget that they have presented to us and that we have presented to you involves cuts as I indicated. So you see the parenthesis there in the you know column all the way second to the right um you see the parenthesis there which show the negatives. So, in the school counseling area, we've cut $6,000. In special education, three 3500 um at the high school, 11,000. So, you you you add all these cuts up and specifically in curriculum and textbooks, um you see 178,000 um cut there. So, you you see with this phase one of our budget, we are coming
051in very slim. Um we are down 10 almost 11% uh in terms of our budget. So that the the the team has done a lot of work here anticipating um where we are as a district with our finances, anticipating um what we need to do. Um so they they preliminarily um made cuts before we need to potentially make further cuts. Um you take all of that um we already made cuts and this is where the problem lies. Our tax levy last for this current school year is 23,267175. Um so that's our current tax levy according to the rules. Um we are allowed to raise our tax levy by 2%. um which equals $465,000 essentially, which means next year um next year's budget, which is what we're presenting, um we can go up to 23,732. Uh
052so that 465 is an important number to keep in mind. When we when we look at that 465 and ask the question, well, how far does that go? It gets very daunting um and kind of scary. Um our health benefits alone are rising approximately $900,000. Our out of district placement is going up. Um our our yearto-year increase in um salaries is going up $735,000. Um and you can see a breakdown there. So all told when we just move from one year to the next simply because the calendar changes from June to July, we are over $2.2 million. So that 465 doesn't go very far. And that right there is the definition of the fiscal cliff. We cannot keep up with our expenses given the 2% um cap on our funding. Um so that is the
053fiscal cliff and this is not unique to Kennallorth. Um every superintendent that I speak to is struggling with this. Either they were have been struggling with this for years and have reached the fiscal cliff maybe two years ago or last year or they're at it now with us or they're see it coming down the pike um in the next year or two. But every single district in the state because of that that that tax levy cap is struggling in the same way. So that's a big number 2.2. Um additional concerns on the horizon. As I said earlier, the governor gives her um state of the state address tomorrow with her budget. U we then get state aid released on Thursday of this week. Um we have 652 remaining in equalization aid from last year. We're
054not sure what happens to that. We've seen a steady decrease in that over the past four years. Will that still remain? I don't know. So that's um a concern. Additionally, last year we used 1.4 million in reserves. Um so we've tapped a lot of our reserves already. Um that is an additional concern here. Oops. Um so that brings us to this idea here. Um the idea is that we can't survive doing this over and over again. Um, as I said earlier, we cut an administrator last year, so we're down by one. We cut staff by eight. Um, how does that end, right? Like where does that keep going? That's the concern. Um, the state did change the law in 2023, uh, enabling districts to move back to what was always the case of an April
055vote, um, where you move your schoolboard election to April. There's changes to the law which make this possibly uh something to to to truly consider and I think we should. Um in the April vote, no longer is it automatically reinstating the public vote on the the entire school budget. Instead, the base budget is not voted upon in this new law. The April vote allows voters to decide only on the items that exceed the tax levy cap and any other separate ballot questions. So again, only what's above the tax levy cap is what the public votes on. So we can we can pass our budget as we typically would and then if there are things that we're looking to add, for example, middle school programming and whatnot, um we can then go out to the public
056for a vote on those things. If we see that um because of the budget we might need to cut in more positions, we don't want class sizes to go up, we can go out to the public and say, "Do you want class sizes to go up or do you want them to stay where they are?" So the April vote enables us to go to the public and um ask their opinions and see how they vote. Um this, by the way, just for the record, um this is not regarding this coming April. Um implementing this would not happen until April of 2027. So this year's budget is what it will be. Um we're talking about the move to an April 2027 vote. There's some rationale to this. Um Kennorth public schools is at the precipice of
057the fiscal cliff as I just described. Each year these inflationary increases, the accelerating costs um exceed the tax levy cap. That's the fiscal cliff. Um we have been buoied by interest on our bonds and reserves. These are running out. That's a that's a another struggle. Um and without raising the tax levy cap beyond the cap, the district will slowly atrophy. We will slowly just reduce reduce programming personnel and then what comes of it? This is hypothetical, completely hypothetical. There's no basis in reality except for some of those numbers up at the top. Um let's say health insurance costs rise 22%. Energy rises 7%. Sounds like it might be going up. um special education rises 15%. With this ongoing reality, again, this is hypothetical. Um we face another reduction in staffing. We have to reduce four
058teachers. Hypothetical class sizes in grades 1, two, three, and five will need to rise from 21 students per class to 26 students per class. Without the April vote, the board and the administration make the difficult choice to cut the four elementary teachers. The community packs into this room to voice their anger. They learned that the district had to cut a sum of $420,000 in order to ma remain within the tax levy cap. That's without the vote. With the April vote, the board and the administration work to inform the community in advance that the elementary school class sizes are at stake. Community members should make their voices heard at the April school board election. The voices of the community vote maybe to keep the class sizes at Harding low by passing a voter-approved $420,000 spending proposal
059above the tax levy cap. So this is a again a hypothetical example of what it would look like potentially if we had to cut additional say four staff members. Um to me this is very American. To me, this is very much going back to the way it used to be and the way that in my opinion it should be that the voters have a choice that the people of Kennallorth vote on anything above 2%. Um, I think it's very American. I think it's very much the way that it should be run. It's the way that it used to be run and it allows the community to have a voice. There are some benefits to this. Increased focus on school issues. Sometimes in a November election, you could argue why not just have a question in
060November. Sometimes the school board election and the questions that we might ask in a schoolboard election in November get lost. Um people are focused on the president or the governor or the senator, whatever it might be. They're they're focused on those things and the school issues just get get drowned out by all the noise. Um so an April vote could have a more engaged and more informed voter um base coming to vote. Um the cap override questions become more transparent. No longer are we making these decisions in committee meetings and as the board voting upon them, but these would be promoted out to the community um to say this is where we are as a district. This is where we are with our funding. You come out, please, and make make your voices heard as
061a community. Uh, additionally, there's no automatic budget approval misconceptions. So, it's not that that idea that they're just making decisions behind closed doors and they're not, you know, communicating out to the public. This is very much out in the public and in people's um inboxes and mailboxes. And then the April voter approved votes can take effect July 1 for immediately imple immediate implementation of the budgetary proposal. That's why the April vote works so well. It aligns with this budget process. Uh according to state statute, we have to approve our budget uh in April. All of that can get done at the same time as a as a vote on the school budget and then implementation can easily happen in July, right in time for the roll over to the new budget season. There are some
062drawbacks. I want to make sure that you're fully aware of them. Some people complain that a an election off on its own in April might have low voter turnout. Um that is a reality. You know, people aren't paying as much attention sometimes. it would be uh incumbent upon us to make sure we get out the word. Um but that is a concern. Um there is an additional district cost. The district owns the cost of an election in April. Um if we have a November vote, we are able to just lump ourselves in with the normal election voting process. If we have an April vote, the district assumes that cost. It's about $30,000. In my mind, it's worth it um so that we don't have to cut those four hypothetical elementary teachers. Um there's a lot
063of work on the administration to get the word out, to communicate, to be out there going to committee meetings, going to burrow meetings, going to all sorts of meetings to make sure that people are aware that this is happening. And the concern, a big drawback is the voters could make their voices heard and they could um vote down the questions that are being raised with an April vote. Um there's also additional impacts on board member terms. I just want to make sure everyone's aware of that. Um this would also be the board member election vote. Um so terms would be um in this current cycle would be extended. Um so if anyone on the board is up for um reelection or election um they would be m you'd be maintaining your position a few months
064longer um given this scenario if we were to move to an April 2027 vote. So you can see the timeline there in terms of um there's like this bridge term it's called where you'd be staying on in your capacity as a board member for an additional four months and then the new election would happen for new board members in April and those new board members would take their um places in um uh I believe it's July. This is just a a chart that kind of overviews the impact on board member terms and such. Um, you can see the difference between a November election in the middle there and a proposed April election. Um, there's some similarities there. There's some differences. Um, I apologize. Board member seating is in May. And so, next steps. So, we've
065already done um committee meetings um conversations about this in in committee. So, everyone on the board has already kind of heard this presentation. Um this March 20 26 meeting is the first time we're airing this idea in public. Um we'll be talking about it again in April and then um we have to make some decisions um from there to then seek county approvals regarding elections and all sorts of things like that. So this is the first opportunity for the this to be aired in public. Um and I wanted to make sure that we had a thorough presentation um aligned with hearing from my colleagues about where we stand as a district with our budget. Um, so you know why I believe that this is the only way forward for our district um to to transition.
066But it's not only that. I also think it's very American. Um, and I think it's a way to let people vote on things and to get their voices out there and to to help us decide on these big decisions for our school district for for the public school district. Um, so uh what questions might you have at this point? And I'll also invite Mr. Canella to to potentially answer them as well. Just one qu the um so the town folks in the town will get a ballot like we do for a normal November election these questions and etc. Correct. Vote for in the candidate. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I had a question for you. Um >> so whatever comes up on the April vote will be inclusive of some of what our your colleagues
067here have have mentioned today for for their budget. But does it also allow for the opportunity for let's say you know a community, this community has one particular idea in mind. Can they come to you and propose that idea to be included if that's something that works for our district? >> You know, is this an opportunity for idea sharing? Absolutely. To increase the opportunities that we already have that may we may want to strengthen. >> Absolutely. So, uh I've been talking a lot with the Westfield superintendent. They started the April vote two years ago um because they faced their fiscal cliff two years ago. Um, so Westfield moved to the April vote. Um, he describes it as we can we can build again. Um, because he was in the boat of just cutting, cutting, cutting
068every year, cutting more staff, cutting more programming and they were able to reverse that and now he's able to build things. They were able to add a new um counselor position. They were able to add programming. So yes, so ideas right now when we have great ideas like we had strategic planning, it's wonderful all the ideas that are embedded within strategic planning. none of them are possible right now because they all cost some money to grow programming. Um, so it's frustrating, right? Like we see what we should be doing to help our district grow, but we can't go there. Um, so yes, absolutely coming, you know, having the voice of the community come and inform us where we all want to see our district move. That's what strategic planning was. Um, and we would certainly
069be open to that moving forward. Absolutely. with the budget. >> Correct. >> Number does it stick to those specific items or is it a number? and then we have to figure out what we're doing. >> That's a great question. Um, you have to put out the number and the programming and we would have to make sure that whatever programming that we're putting out there for a vote are things that we could do without. Um, so you cannot put, you know, healthcare. Um, that's not negotiable. We we have to have to pay those those exorbitant fees. Um, >> right. Exactly. >> Correct. Yeah. would no longer be something that we could do in that budget. >> Correct. Yep. Thank you for that question. >> Okay. >> I just I just want to clarify the >> when
070we're talking about that base budget 2% it includes any statutory adjustments that are allowable um if the board so chooses. So there are allowable increases for such things as health benefits and um um increase enrollment. So if we are eligible for those, we could go beyond the 2% and that wouldn't be part of that question. So budget could be for example last year's budget did exceed the 2% because we did have some uh adjustments. So just want to be clear that that base budget isn't just could just the 2% it could be beyond it. So whatever is beyond the actual 2% cap plus the statutory adjustments. That would be the question. >> So I would think that we'd have to start this budget process September. >> But we do start we do start it in
071September. I don't >> think formally if we're going to get people's ideas from the township, >> right? Because probably have to get the ballots all done. All that information is probably going to get to them January maybe. >> I think it's I think it's around March sometime that it has to balance out. >> Yeah, I got I gota look at that. But I think I think it's maybe like a two three week ahead. Don't forget this this year is delayed because she >> No, I was just thinking of our process here to get the budget in place and get it to the county with the numbers and the questions. >> You probably have to start about two weeks early. >> Okay, that's good. That's easy. Yeah. >> Other questions? Thank you for the clarification. Mr.
072>> G, my problem. The ballot questions would be brought to the committee members here. Yes. And board approved. Correct. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> That would all be going through committee throughout the fall. >> Any range or idea of two questions, 20 questions, 70 questions? Like do you have an ideal number or did they give any guidance on it? It depends on the needs of the district at the time and the budget and the you know I this is an example that I think would be reasonable. Um you know like you you're also paying for the election so you have to make it something worthwhile for um a vote. Um so >> most of most of them I've seen they're not like itemized. They're not like >> middle school sports question number one. Uh, it's one
073question, right? Preschool preschool, you know, it's it's it's kind of bundled together as >> govern $500,000, >> $200,000 for this, $300,000 for this. I don't see I've I don't think I've seen one unless it's a construction type. So, I think I've seen one that has the second question from a programmatic standpoint and then a a a more of like a facility one, but I've never seen like itemized, you know, >> soccer, football, >> sample ballots, >> but the public will be educated on these and they'll be committ like you said, >> you said there's sample ballot that sample ballot like you get will have have to have a specific statement and will have to be explained. So I have a question. Yeah. >> Obviously this means taxes rise. Correct. >> So do you have any
074idea of the ratio between people in the community without children and people with? And have you seen other districts where it's constantly like this fails this like it doesn't pass it doesn't pass because of situations like that? >> I don't know the numbers of of Kennallorth residents with children and without. So I don't know that. Um, but in terms of the models of the Westfield model is really the the the local one that I've been eyeing. Um, >> they the way that superintendent describes it, they had to unfortunately go through significant pain in order for the public to be aware of what was at stake. Um, and so one of the concerns that I have is that I'm trying to be proactive and do this in advance of the pain. Yes. >> Um, >> and
075that could honestly backfire because if people aren't aware of the pain, then they won't come out to vote potentially. That's a concern that I have. Um, but I'd rather not have us all experience the pain and have all the anger because we're making cuts in X, Y, or Z. >> I'd rather not do that. Um, so >> I I mean I I agree to giving right to vote, you know, out there. I just didn't know if, you know, this is normally a successful thing in other >> district. So the the Westfield has been successful ever since they implemented it because there was so much anger over what was cut during one particular year and ever since then no one wants to go back to that dark place. Um so they've been voting uh with approval
076ever since. That's that's the local example that I have. There's not a ton of districts that that have moved in this direction frankly. Um it's a fairly new concept because the law changed in 2023 >> and I think a lot of districts reason a lot of districts haven't moved in that way they still have a little bit of flexibility within their budget this year with the way healthc care has gone universally I think that might be a game changer >> but I think universally a lot of districts still have some ability to reduce program with it we're at a bare minimum we are one of the only districts in the county that have budget that ab that our budget adequacy budget is below adequacy. So we're point4 $4.6 million below adequacy. What does that tell
077you? That everyone else's other districts are above or at adequacy. So there's a whole slew of programs that they could probably say, well, you know what, you know, let's do this with, you know, instead of having three basic skills, teachers will have two. We're we're barely at that, you know. So there are, you know, I guarantee you most of the schools have some type of Spanish program, have librarians, have those type of things. We don't have those, you know. So these are the things that um you know um that I think is the though a lot of districts are really seriously challenged with this health benefits uh issue. When I talk with other superintendents and they tell me they're facing this fiscal fiscal cliff and oh my goodness, we're going to have to cut these
078things, it makes me chuckle inside because we don't have those things already. Like they're talking about cutting these wonderful things that I think oh my gosh gosh I wish we we had that but we don't even have those things that they're thinking about cutting and they're talking about this >> in the same way. >> Absolutely. And it also goes to the state aid numbers because if you go back two years ago when we got cut originally 18% basically every other union town got >> in fact I think except we got cut Berkeley Heights got cut like $1,000. Yeah. So all the other towns got increases. So that's that also is our problem. We're this current school but school year budget. We're $1 million less in state aid than just two years ago. >> So we're
079dealing with that too. >> Always back to the funding formula who it serves. So some, we've talked about that serves some communities, other doesn't. It doesn't serve our community because as these assessments are going up, it shows the town is very wealthy and they say, "Let's just take some more of your money away." So that is something we've mentioned at meetings over the past two or three years. State's aware of it. They know it's a problem. Nothing has been done yet to pitfall to kind of support the different communities. >> And the and the other flaw in the funding formula was they took away the state aid, but they didn't allow us to increase beyond the 2%. Um there should have been some type of uh statutory adjustment to allow us to recoup some of
080those costs, >> right? >> Um but good by raising taxes, granted, but you know um >> and I mean everybody talks about changing this, you know, the state aid form and what >> it could be worse for us in in the near future. We don't know. >> Could. >> Mr. Davies, is there an example from from Westfield that has been very positive that you might want to share, >> you know, that just an example for the community to hear? >> Sure. Uh why don't I um I don't want to misquote their programs and their numbers. Why don't I do that at the April meeting? Okay. >> Um and I think that's a good example to to share. Um the Westfield superintendent has shared all of his presentation materials with me and all of his uh
081for the past three years. So I have all of that. Um so I think it would be a great idea to share that with the public, too. Thank you. I appreciate your openness to this. I don't again I don't see any way to survive um without changing the dynamic unless something miraculous happens in Trenton tomorrow uh and Thursday, but I don't see that happening either just given the the rhetoric coming out of um of Trenton regarding the overall state budget. Um so I'm concerned about our future and I'm trying to be proactive and I I just thank you for your openness to this and appreciate your time. Um I have a few other things be uh before I turn it back over to Dr. Ponichi, I just want to give a shout out to our
082uh supervisor of buildings and grounds and our maintenance crew. Um I know it feels like spring outside, uh but imagine like what was it two weeks ago we had 2 feet of snow. Um they worked overnight, literally overnight, pulled an allnighter here on campus um through the course of that storm, constantly plowing. Um they were here, they basically worked a 26-hour shift um to make sure that we were able to open school on Tuesday. Um and I just appreciate that their prioritizing of classroom instruction and making sure kids can go to school. It brings a tear to my eye and I just want to say thank you to that crew. They did a fantastic job. Um >> they did an amazing job and they did. I think we were one of the only districts open
083that day. >> We're one of three in Union County that were open that day. Yeah. Um, I also sent a letter to the uh the Kennallorth Council to thank the DPW for their collaboration with um our crew uh because there was a lot of collaboration, sharing of resources and communication between the organizations and it it worked and we were able to run school and everyone got in safely and it was it was great. So, thank you to them. Um, spring sports started today. Um, as you heard, I just want to remind everyone that you will be seeing at some point in the near future a net going up along 14th Street um to protect those um community members um from errant foul balls. Um so that was something that um there was a presentation from
084someone during public comment back in the fall. The board has approved that. Um and so you will see a net going up which we hope will minimize um any um errant baseballs heading over there. >> So Superintendent Davis just as as you just kind of mentioned but to be clear so a a member of the public came expressed their concern talked to you talked to the board and the problem got solved. >> Correct. Yes. Thank you. >> And just came here didn't go on Facebook. >> Correct. There was Yes. Thank you Joe. Appreciate that. Um yeah, so the the the delay has simply been that we had two feet of snow um and the ground's been very frozen from the winter. So we'll get that up and running very quickly. Just so you know that
085we sent a letter to all the community members along 14th Street so they were aware of this. Um so everyone should be fully aware that this is happening. Uh also want to bring your attention to in your packet is the newest um David Brley essay scholarship. So, uh, a thank you to the board of education for approving the Horus Haymon Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide support for one additional Bruy senior this year in the class of 2026. Um, this is to recognize and honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And in conjunction with Kennallworth's Amrev 250 celebration throughout this calendar year, uh, we are also doing our due diligence to honor and recognize the 250th anniversary of our uh, nation's founding. David Brerley was an integral um founding father. And
086so we have a wonderful essay for our seniors to fill out and complete uh with a $500 award. Um the question is who was David Brley and to what extent did David Brley's concept of the New Jersey plan and his ideas around judicial review influence the founding of our nation? Um so I hope some seniors who are here tonight maybe fill that out and tell your friends. Um, as you heard, pre-K registration is being opened up. Um, so I won't belabor that point. Um, but the March 23rd is the opening of preK registration. Um, Mr. Bubnowski and Miss Carrera have communicated that out to parents. Um, so please spread the word. You'll see resolution number 12 is our school calendar. Excuse me. Um, so I've been communicating about that um, and what that entails. Note
087that I did add two additional snow days because we had been taking a risk with only one given this winter. No point in taking that risk. Um so we have the traditional three um snow days embedded into the school calendar for next year. So that was just one revision. Also want to draw your attention to resolutions 27 and 28. Resolution 27 is new policies. You heard the first reading last month. Um policy and regulation 1552 is sexual harassment. This is because we've abolished the previous um um policies and we're creating one large sexual harassment policy um involving title 7 and title 9. Um also policy and regulation 2535 which is library materials. This was due to the um um freedom to read act. Um so you'll see new uh policy there which is this is
088the second reading. So we're approving that policy tonight. The revised policies are policy 0142.1 which is nepotism. Um every board of education needs to implement a nepotism policy. The updates to this one is simply that um the executive county superintendent can also approve um questions involving potential nepotism situations. And then policy in regulation 9130 is about public complaints. The reason why that one's being revised is simply because we have the new library materials policy. So, we're simply taking library books out of the public complaints policy and moving it into the library materials policy. Thus, the changes. Um, resolutions 13, 14, 15, and 16 are four separate retirements of Miss Nancy Bcheler, who has served Kennallworth for 29 years, Miss Jen Donahghue, who has served Kennallorth for 30 years, Miss Laorray Shaw, who has served Kennallworth
089for 36 years, and Miss Michelle Ziggraph who has served Kennallorth for 22 years. I want to thank each of these staff members for not only their service to our students, but their dedication and loyalty to our district. Uh we look forward to celebrating their upcoming retirements at a future meeting, but in the meantime, I congratulate them on coming to this career moment, and I wish them all the best. Uh Mr. Ganella is going to present a brief overview of our referendum projects. Uh you're staying there or you coming here? >> I'll come up there. >> All right. Okay. All right. Uh, good evening everyone. I just want to highlight two resolutions on tonight's agenda um that both were made possible by the community support of the 2022 referendum. Um uh resolution number seven, the HVAC
090projects. Um this authorizes one of the two final payments uh to unit HVAC contractors. This contract was originally awarded in August 2023 for $5,517,500. It included a comprehensive HVA HVAC upgrades uh and replacement of all unit classroom uh classroom unit ventilators um uh installation of modern building uh management system uh both Harding and Brley uh the final checks which have been authorized uh will be held up until all physical closeout documents are received but they're in good order. Uh the primary goal of this project was to ensure superior air quality and climate control for our students and staff. I am uh particularly proud to report that this project was completed uh with uh with zero change orders impacting the original bid. Uh this is a testament to the diligence of our design team and the
091professionalism of unit. I want to thank our teaching staff uh for their incredible flexibility as contractors worked through uh their classroom spaces. Second resolution I'd like to highlight is resolution number eight uh which is the u um it officially kicks off the uh final phase of our referendum which is the expansion of our early childhood education uh by transitioning our sixth graders to the new middle school this current year. We have created the footprint necessary to grow our programming at Harding School. Uh this contract will convert two existing spaces uh into specialized prek uh classrooms complete with uh dedicated bathrooms. Uh to put uh uh the growth of our early early childhood education into perspective in 1989 when I started here we had only three classrooms uh dedic dedicated to half day kindergarten. By 2026
0922027 next year, we will have nine classrooms dedicated to full day prek and kindergarten. Uh this transition from three half-day classrooms to nine full day classrooms underscores the district's unwavering commitment to our youngest learners and their facil and their families. So u two key resolutions on this evening's agenda. >> Thank you, Mr. Gella. Uh in your packets, board members, is the February HIV report, the the discipline report, the enrollment report, and the residency report. Um but at that this point, that concludes my superintendent update. Sorry for the length. Um but there's a lot of serious things, but also a lot of exciting things. Um and it was important update for you all. So, thank you for your patience and your attention. >> Does everyone want to take a minute to look at the HIV? Mr.
093Davies, why everybody's looking at that? Um, I was looking through the thing. Is there a decision about March 20th in here or not? >> Uh, you know what? It turned out 75 degrees tomorrow, so we decided to just forego that plan. Um, so March 20th stands as a PD day for teachers and staff and a non-school day. I was worried that we were going to have a lot of snow, so I was considering changing the calendar uh for March 20 March 20th to be a school day just in case, but it looks like we might be out of the woods. Not >> wood. >> Sorry. >> Listen, we have a great day plan. >> And we have a great day plan. We have a great day plan for our staff. Absolutely. Questions on the report.
094>> Questions on HV. Do you need another minute? >> No. No questions. >> Okay. Thank you, Superintendent Davies. We'll now move on to report of committees, review of resolutions, and board discussion. Up first, finance, facilities, and negotiations. >> Um, heard a lot about the the budget. So, the committee has been actively engaged in in details of the year 27 budget meeting twice until the last board meeting ensured that a comprehensive review was completed. February 11th, the committee um continued its detailed review of phase one, the administrative's budget with Mr. Davies, Mrs. Pablo, Mrs. Dello, and Mr. Miller. We also discussed key topics as the Winfield send received relationship, the status of the 2425 and 2526 audits, the role of bond interest and reserves in the budget development process. Um February 25th, the committee met with
095um Anthony Silverella from Brown and Brown to discuss um the health benefits. You know, that's the concern of Mr. Davies and Mr. Canel just brought up um we conducted a detailed review of phase two of the school administrators administrator's budget. Reviewed the current status of the phase two which is salary and staffing and phase um one budgets. Discuss the operational deficit, potential loss of state aid, use of fund balance which is the reserves, um the 2526 Winfield tuition rate and proposed facility projects. Um we we did receive date on the progress of the audits. Um let's see what else I have here. Um reviewed adjustments to the budget calendar following the government's rescheduled um budget address which I believe occurs tomorrow. Um and the state aid figures are expected to be released on the 12th
096because I don't think she's going to release the individual aids, right? Yeah. >> Um Jeremy mentioned the snow removal guys did a great job. Um, as for resolute re resolutions, I'm just going to touch on a few. Um, the financial reports, I reviewed all the financial reports, found them all to be proper with no outliers. There were no line item transfers that exceeded their cap. Um, resolution seven is payment to contractors in the amount of $132,000. That was for um, HVAC work and um, the H blue light system. Um resolution number eight is the contract awarded to Triform Construction for the two preK bathrooms, toilets. Um um resolution number nine is a special budget meeting. Um we canled the 16th meeting obviously because of the governor revised when she was going to bring out her
097numbers. Um and that's rescheduled for March 25th at 7 PM. Resolution number 10 is appointment of our new auditor Barry and Company um for the 2024 25 and 2526 audits. Um resolution is nursing services um agreement with health health source group incorporated to provide substitute nursing coverage for the 26 27 year and 27 is the district calendar and I have nothing for negotiations so that's it >> anyone questions for Mr. just with the resolution 12 calendar. Um, did we take the pulse of the staff on that one at all? I I know we talked about >> calendar, not the snow days, the start of the school year before Labor Day. >> Uh, we did not take the pulse of the staff. Um, there has been conversations with the KA about the potential for starting before
098September uh before Labor Day. Um, in the past, um, there's not a formal taking of the pulse. There's been anecdotal taking of the pulse and individual conversations that myself and some other administrators have had with teachers. You have people on both sides of the spectrum. Some people don't want to start before Labor Day. Some people don't want to stay so late in June. Um, so >> I just wonder, you know, because >> just traditionally that being the normal end of the summer, having young children themselves and dealing with those last, you know, the last haras and now finding themselves in a situation where, okay, well, now I'm going back and I've got to get the child care because my kids aren't starting back until after. >> I I just was concerned for the staff in
099that respect. >> We are seeing more and more districts start earlier than Labor Day. Uh, not everybody, obviously. Um, not everybody, but we are seeing that as a slightly growing trend. Um, but I'm happy to to field staff responses to that. Um, they'll be getting an email from me in the coming days regarding kind of logistics about the calendar. >> Vote on it tonight. It' be kind of too late unless we bring it back. >> We could bring it back, but I mean I think >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm just wondering if we ask them about it before. >> I think Well, we did not. Anyone? Any other questions? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Lady. Now, personnel and management. Mr. David, >> thank you. Um, the personnel committee met on February 25th. During the meeting, we
100conducted a review of upcoming staff requirements and their impact on the fiscal year 27 budget development process. We established the instruments and timelines for the annual superintendent evaluation and the board self- evaluation and we discussed the process for filling the position of school business administrator. Um there are a number of resolutions under personnel this evening. Uh the first four 13 through 16 Mr. Davy's already covered in his report. Those are the retirements. So jumping to resolution 17 that hires Raphaela de Alivera and Aaron Bella as classroom aids. Resolution 18 approves an unpaid leave for Jamie Ripquitz through April 12th, 2026. Resolution 19 approves five teachers to cover PE health sections during staff leave. Resolution 20 appoints Elliot Platt and Paul Jones as assistant track coaches. Resolution 21 um is for the SAT boot camp. It
101approves Anthony Rosetti and Paul Weinstein to provide SAT tutoring. Resolution 22 is mentorship assigns Leanne Dunn as a mentor for novice teacher Karen Moss for 10 weeks. Resolution 23 is for student teachers. It approves Caitlyn Mark Marcus um for Montlair State for a student teaching placement. Resolution 24 approves a counseling practicum partnership with Montlair State University for the 26 27 year. And lastly, resolution 25 approves a list of four new substitute teachers and aids at the approved PDM hourly rate. That's it. >> Any more questions for Mr. >> Okay, seeing none, we'll now move on to curriculum instruction. Uh there's just one resolution tonight, resolution 26, and it's the approval of the HIV report from January. >> Any questions? >> Okay, thank you. Now, moving on, we'll move on to old business. Is there any
102old business? Please continue to use the website, the social media pages, and communicate any questions or information you have with the superintendent, principles, vice principles to get the correct information. Anything under new. >> Okay. >> Did we need to address the policy review? >> So Jeremy discussed and read during his presentation the policies. He brought it up and then we asked if anyone had questions at that question. Happy to answer. >> Yeah. Does anyone have any That's what we've been following. So, does anyone currently have any questions about the policy review? >> No. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. Now, moving on. We will go into public comment. Is there a motion to open up the meeting to the public for comment? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. David, seconded by Mrs.
103Tier Tears. All those in favor of opening the meeting to the public, please say I. I. Oppose. Eyes have it. Motion carry. Mr. Ganell. >> Uh, public comment will now be accepted. The board of education sets a limit for the public to speak at a board meeting to five minutes per person unless prior permission has been granted by the board education pursuant uh for extended time pursuant to KBOE bylaw 0167. Please be reminded that while board of uh while members of the public may speak on personnel matters during public comment, the board of education is legally prohibited from discussing individual personnel issues in public session unless the employee at issue has requested a public discussion. The board's role is to set policy ensure the effective operation of our schools while personnel recommendations are the exclusive
104responsibility of the superintendent of schools. The board reviews and acts on those recommendations in accordance with uh state law and district policy, but does not initiate or manage individual staffing decision. Uh for the record, please include your name and address prior to making uh any comments. >> Is there any public that would like to come back and comment at this time? >> Hi everyone. Tony Perno, 241 FA2 Avenue. So, I have a couple of questions that um came up during our last Rotary Club uh meeting, and I'm not sure of who to um direct the questions. We understand that there's career day on April 24th, if I'm correct, and I believe that's at Brley or is that the middle school? >> That's um the person who's here tonight Miss Patino, she's in charge of that.
105So, the two of us connect about that. >> Yeah, they they were asking like who exhibits and what we could do. So, if we could connect on that. Okay. Um and then on Wednesday, April 29th, the Rotary will be interviewing seniors for scholarships starting at 1:00. And I believe they're doing them every 10 or 15 minutes. Um but I don't know if the students are aware that it's not just for traditional um colleges, it's also for trade schools. And if there was anything that we could supply to um let the students know, I think right now we have two scholarships specifically for a trade school and maybe two other donors. So there might be four but again I don't know who to share that information with and how the students um know to come to
106the Rotary for an interview and to be considered for the scholarships. >> Appreciate that. Yeah. So um every year we have about 10 students who do apply for the Rotary scholarships. This year I was proud that our counseling department under the leadership of Mr. created a new scholarship website uh which we communicated out to the students and their parents. Um so if you go to our schools our district's website and then you can find that and I'll show that to the Rotary separately. >> Okay, good. >> But there's a special website and on that link is the both of the Rotary scholarships both the one for uh collegebound students as well as those who are bound to the trades. Um so both are prominently displayed there. Um, so students, if they're reading their emails and
107listening to announcements, um, and checking their Google classroom, they should be aware. They're not doing that. Hopefully, their counselors are cluing them in if they're specifically a person in the trades. >> And Katie, you reported on that and then I relayed that at last week's council meeting, but when I was at the Rotary Club, it seemed like they thought there were more or whatever, but I'll figure that out tomorrow at our next meeting. Uh last thing is uh March is women's history month and the mayor had a beautiful proclamation prepared and surprised me and presented it with me to me. But I would like to pass this along to Katie tonight. Um and if I could just read one section of it because it's very long. It just says that this year's theme is designated
108by the National Women's History Alliance is leading the change. Women shaping a sustainable future. The 2026 theme celebrates women who are driving meaningful change, strengthening communities, advancing opportunity, protecting our environment, building inclusive economies, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. And when I first met Katie, that's what I thought of her. So, I know she's new on her path. Um, and I wanted to give this to her to have. Um, I enjoy her conversation. She's so articulate and full of information that I shared at council. Um, and that Hector comes every one of our council meetings. I love it. Um, so if you don't mind, I'd just like to give this to you to keep from the mayor to me to you. Is there any um other public that would like to comment at this
109time? >> Motion to close public portion of the meeting. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion made by Mr. David, seconded by Dr. Koli. All those in favor of closing the meeting to the public, please say I. >> Opposed? Eyes have it. Motions carried. The meeting is now closed to the public. Mr. Ganella, are we prepared to vote on >> Yes, we are. >> Resolutions. >> We have 27 28 resolutions on this evening's agenda. Do any of those need to be voted on separately? >> Number 12. >> 12. >> Okay. Uh, this is resolutions 1 through 28 excluding number 12. >> Okay. Biner, >> yes. >> Crinkley, >> yes. David, >> yes. >> Herdina, >> yes. >> Ladi, >> yes. >> Tears, >> yes. >> Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Penichi, >> yes. >> Motions carry unanimously. >>
110And this is resolution number 12 on the agenda. Biner, >> yes. >> Roli, >> yes. >> David, >> yes. >> Herd, >> yes. >> Madi, >> yes. >> Tears, >> yes. >> Zimmerman, >> no. >> Damichi, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Mr. Cannon, do we have a need to go into close executive? We do. >> Okay. At this time, can I please have a motion to go into session? >> Motion made by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mrs. Tears. All those in favor of going to close executive session, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carry. Mr. Ganell. >> Uh be resolved by the board of education. The board of education meet in private session from which the public shall be excluded to discuss the topics of potential litigation
111and attorney client privilege which private discussion is being held for soon to section 7B and 8 of the open public meetings act. The matters under the discussion will be disclosed to the public as soon as final decisions are made and voted upon. Uh this concludes the uh public portion of our meeting. We will not be returning and taking any action this evening. Thank you. Thank you guys. >> Take care. >> See you turned that off. >> Check if you turn the cameras off. Thank you. >> Besides