001Evening. We'd like to call the meeting to order and welcome everyone. Mr. Ganella, >> yes. Uh, roll call. Um, Biner >> here. Yes. Here. >> Crinkoli >> here. >> David. >> Ferrara >> here. >> Haber >> here. >> Hardina >> here. >> Lead >> here. >> Donichi >> here. >> Zimmerman >> here. >> We have quorum. Okay, we'd like to ask everyone to please join us to rise to salute the flag 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. >> I will now circle back and do the open public meeting statement. >> We're switching it up. It's okay. This meeting meeting is being held in accordance with the schedule. [clears throat] Meetings is adopted at
002the organizational meeting held on January 6, 2025. Adequate notice of this regular meeting of the Kennaworth Board of Education has been provided to the Home News Tribune. The Star Ledger, the local source on January 16, 2025. Copy has been filed with the Kennorth Burough Clerk, posted in the board office, Kennorth Burough Hall, Brilliant Harding Schools as is provided by the open public meetings act. >> Thank you, Mr. Ganella. We will now have receiving of the minutes and committee notes of the secretary. October 14, 2025 regular meeting minutes and October 14, 2025 finance and facility committee meeting notes. Can I have a motion, please? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Herdina, seconded by Mr. Ferrer. All those in favor of accepting the receiving of the minutes, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed?
003Eyes have it. Motion carry. Mr. Ganalo, do we have any um monthly correspondents? >> No, we do not. >> Okay. At this time, we will move on to the superintendent reports and presentation. Superintendent Davies. >> Thank you, Dr. Penichi. Uh good evening, everyone. Welcome to our board meeting. Uh tonight's an exciting night. We have Mr. Bubnowski here with several of our Harding students. So, u we're looking forward to recognizing them. So, I'm going to introduce Mr. Bubnowski to the podium, please. [applause] >> Well, good evening everyone. We have a full house which is nice to see at a board meeting. So, welcome everybody. At Harding School, we place a strong emphasis on social emotional learning through our schoolwide secondstep program. Each month, students learn lessons that focus on skills like empathy, problem solving, emotional management,
004and making responsible decisions. To celebrate and reinforce these lessons, we hold our Harding Hawks of the Month assemblies. During the month, teachers nominate students who exemplify kindness, teamwork, positive choices, and the very ideals taught in our SecondStep lessons. Those nominated students have their names added to the digital wheel for their grade level. And at the assembly, we spin that wheel to find out who our uh Harding Hawks of the Month are. These assemblies are high energy, joyful events that our students look forward to, full of celebration, cheering, and community pride. It's [clears throat] a great way to not only recognize individual achievements, but also the positive culture we'll build that we're building schoolwide. At our most recent assembly, a group of our fifth grade leaders helped open the event by summarizing what our students have
005been learning in Second Step throughout the month. This evening, I'd like to invite those same students to join me and share the message that they presented at the assembly. So, please welcome our fifth grade student leaders in order of appearance, Allesia Crinki, Angelina Diaz, Jackson Capra, Benny Ayakovo, and Christian Garcia. They know what to do. >> [applause] >> Success in school is not just talking about reading and math. It is also about knowing how to learn and get along with others. This year, your teachers will continue to use the SecondStep program to help us develop these skills. Each each month, we will review the Whoa. Each month, we will review what you have learned in your lessons for the month. [applause] This month we learned about being respectful learners. Focusing your attention and listening help
006you be a better learner. Focusing your attention and listening shows respect. To really listen, focus attention on the speaker and think about the words you're hearing. This helps you remember what you hear. When you use your eyes, ears, and brain to focus on the speaker and think about what he or she is saying, you become a better learner. Focusing intention and listening also show respect, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect. [applause] We also learned how to focus our attention and block distractions. When a teacher says words like focus, pay attention, watch carefully, time to listen, they are reminders to focus your attention. When you focus your attention, you use your eyes, ears, and brain. When you ignore distractions and focus your attention, you will succeed in school. [applause] Self-t talk is an important
007skill for learning that students can use to stay focused, stay on task, and ignore distractions. Selft talks means talking to yourself in a quiet voice or in your head. Selft talk helps you focus, stay on task and handle distractions. [applause] Learning how to ask for help is an important skill for for learning. Being assertive involves an assertive posture. Face the person you're talking to. Keep your head and shoulders back and an assertive voice, calm and firm, and use respectful words. >> [applause] >> Some of my fifth grade students understandably were a little apprehensive to come here tonight to speak before all of you, but if you can imagine, they did this in front of over 500 students the day of the assembly. So, they are very brave and they truly show what it means to
008be a Harding Hawk. So, congratulations to my fifth grade leaders. Please come on up and receive a certificate and perhaps a photo with the principal. We'll see. [applause] >> Where should we do our photo? >> And yes, parents, don't be afraid. Get up there and get your pictures, too. Don't worry about it. Congratulations, >> baby. Thank you, Mr. Babnowski U and also Allesia, Angelina, Christian, Benny, and Jackson. Thank you. Um, your words are inspiring. And I just want to say a shout out to you because one of our district priorities is student behaviors this year and we want to make sure that all of our students are treating each other with respect and kindness. So, I appreciate hearing your words as youngsters in the fifth grade and um it's great to hear. Uh, so thank
009you for embracing our district priority of student behaviors and kudos to all that's going on at Harding. Uh, from the faculty to the administration. Uh, kudos to all of you. So congratulations again. Uh one more round of applause for our students. [applause] If you wouldn't mind staying just for two more minutes. Uh we have some of our Brerly students here for the student liaison report. So I'd like to um welcome back um our two students, Madison Rizzo and Adelina Caruso for the Brley report. [applause] Good evening everyone. My name is Adelina Cruso and along with my friend Madison Rizzo, we are excited to be speaking tonight at the meeting to discuss all the great things that have been happening at David Bley High School. The high school had a college fair which took place in
010the Brley main gym on October 15th during our lunch blocks. Students got to talk to college representatives about deeper details about their programs from more than 35 schools. That same day, English teachers spent time in the board conference room offering support to seniors on their college essays. Their support was greatly appreciated. October 27th was not italana Italian night in the back gym of David Burley. Students presented on Italian history, music, fashion, geography, culture, and sports. Food was provided and a group of students sang Bella Chowo that night. There were close to 200 people who attended and Miss Foch, the Italian teacher, did a great job setting up this event all by herself. Last week, students in grades 6 to 12 took part in the field test for NJSLA and NJGPA testing. This was good practice
011for the real state testing coming up in the spring. Fall sports are coming to an end after a successful season. The football team finished with a five and five record and made it to the state playoffs. Boys soccer finished a solid season, eight and seven, making it to the girls making making to the state conference games as well. Girls soccer is still alive and in is the highest speed remaining in the Central Jersey group 1 bracket. They take on Point Pleasant tomorrow afternoon. So, good luck, Lady Bears. >> Bears. >> Tomorrow, select members of the choir will be performing at the Veterans Day ceremony at the VFW Hall. Veterans Day, observed every year on November 11th, is a day to honor and thank the brave men and women who have served in the United States
012Armed Forces. Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who have died in military service, Veterans Day celebrates all veterans, living and deceased. This day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made to protect our freedoms and the ongoing dedication of those in the military. Wednesday, 9th and 10th grade students will have an assembly on ebike safety and the auditorium. This is done in conjunction with the Kennaworth Police Department. Thursday, DBHS will host an eighth grade open house for parent info night at 7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn about all the essentials for your child's high school experience going into 9th grade. The first marking period will end on Friday, November 14th, and next week we will have grade level meetings with the administration to review some of the policies and help students plan for
013the next marking period and the rest of the year. Coming up, the David Burley High School drama department will be presenting Puffs in the auditorium Friday and Saturday, December 5th and 6th. Hope to see you there. Thank you for taking the time to hear about all the current and upcoming activities we have going on at Berley. Have a great evening and a wonderful Thanksgiving. [applause] Uh, thank you Adelina and Madison. Any questions from the board for our student leaison? >> All good. >> Oh, one one question. Is that um the soccer game home or away? >> It's home game >> tomorrow. Four o'clock. >> Four o'clock. Thank you. >> Is it tomorrow? I thought it was the Wednesday. >> Tuesday. Tuesday, right? >> Wednesday. >> It's Wednesday. I'm sorry. I thought >> Wednesday. Okay. >>
014Wednesday. >> Um >> dress form. Yes. Um there's also a gift bag for you too on the way out. Thank you very much for your participation. Yes. So grab that on the way out. Um, at this point, if any of the students want to head on out, you're welcome to. Or you want to stay for the rest of our report and board meeting, you're welcome to stay. Uh, but this is a good time to take a graceful exit. Um, but thank you everyone for being here and congratulations again to our Harding Hawks of the month. Congratulations, [applause] >> Dan. You could say >> no. [laughter] >> Bring shirts for everybody next. >> Um, as Madison and Adelina mentioned, we talked about or they talked about the ebike presentations. I also want to just uh thank
015the Kennallorth Police Department for their um partnership with us uh in providing ebike safety presentations. Our middle school students um experienced the assemblies last week and now um this week our nth and tth graders are going to be experiencing the same assemblies. That's a partnership with the state of New Jersey Easy Ride. Um so they do a great job uh in our auditorium. Also, um, on the academic achievement front, I'm just, uh, I wanted to report that I'm proud to report that two of our Burley seniors achieve the AP Capstone diploma. Um, this is a first for our district. The AP Capstone diploma um, requires students to achieve a three or higher on the AP Seminar and AP research exams, as well as four additional uh, AP courses. And they had to receive a score
016of three or higher on all of those scores uh, tests. Uh certainly a feather in the cap for those students as they're applying for college. Uh it's also a feather in the cap for our districts as we continue to push academic achievement um and our AP scores continue to rise. So it's great to see that um recognition for two of our seniors. Um I do want to uh remind everyone that this Wednesday is our strategic planning meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Brley's cafeteria. Um this is the second strategic planning night. At our first meeting, uh small groups of stakeholders discuss the strengths of our school district as well as areas and opportunities for improvement. Uh so that was our first session back in October. Uh this Wednesday, uh is the second meeting and it's all
017about visioning. Um so we're going to pretend it's 2030, the year 2030. Uh what do we want our district to be? Where do we want our district to be? What's possible? What's our potential? And how do we get there? Um so we're basically describing the vision for Kennallworth School District. All voices are welcome. Um, if you were there last time, you you're encouraged to bring a friend. If you weren't there last time, you're encouraged to bring yourself and a friend. Um, so we hope that the public can come out and um add their voice to the conversation about the future of our school district. Again, that's Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. here at David Burley, uh, the cafeteria. Um, also again, Adelina and Madison mentioned it, but just to remind it to all our eighth grade
018parents that we have our eighth grade openhouse night this coming Thursday. Um, so that's a really important night for our eighth grade parents to come out and see all the electives, the programs, and the opportunities that exist at the high school level for their eighth grader, soon to be ninth grader. Um, they also mentioned Veterans Day and I just wanted to also extend my appreciation and thanks to all of our local veterans as well as nationally all of our veterans. Um, the second grade at Hardening is going to be taking a field trip to the VFW tomorrow as well as some of our choir students here at Brley. Also attending the VFW tomorrow for their ceremony honoring and recognizing our local veterans. Um, so that's a special event. I'm looking forward to participating myself. And
019again, just a thank you to all those who serve uh and enable us to enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy. And also just a happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I know it's a couple weeks away still, but it's going to be here soon. Uh so I just wanted to wish the board and the public and everyone a happy Thanksgiving. >> Happy Thanksgiving. >> Um yeah. Um our October HIV report is in your packet board members. Um, as an FYI, there were six investigations uh in the month of October. Uh, so there were six investigations districtwide. It resulted in four confirmed HIVs, three at the middle school and one at the high school. Um, so all the information on those six investigations is in your packet. I know you like to take a moment to review that.
020So, I'll give you a moment and um let you take a look. Of course, if you have any questions, please let me know. >> [snorts] >> While you're finishing up your thoughts, just a note that in the board agenda resolution number 19, um that is the HIV uh resolution. um you're voting on last month's there's one there was one confirmed HIV at the high school and one confirmed at the middle school just to um refresh your minds and that's what resolution number 19 is also I wanted to draw your attention to resolution number >> did I get the wrong number >> oh 21 I'm sorry >> sorry about that Okay. >> Resolution 20. >> Yeah. Gotcha. Sorry about that. >> Um, and then also, uh, in your packet is the discipline report from October, the
021enrollment report, and the residency report as always. Uh, if there are no questions about the HIVs or any of the discipline enrollment or residency reports, though, that concludes my presentation. Thank you very much. Appreciate your time. >> Anyone else questions? Thank you. >> We'll now have report of committees, review of resolutions, and more discussion. Up first is finance, facilities, and negotiations. Mr. Lani, >> great. The committee met last month, if you recall, just prior to our the October meeting. Most of the items on the agenda were reported during that session. Our official meeting notes were distributed. You guys should have them. You got them last week. Um, looking ahead, the committee is preparing recommendations regarding the the additional aid funding for site improvements. Um, we'll present that during the December meeting. As previously discussed, these
022recommendations will target strategic projects across a district. We're looking at renovations and upgrades to the tennis and pickle ball courts, lighting on Ward Field, playground enhancement, middle school courtyard, and district-wide fencing. Um, resolutions. Um resolution one is a superintendence report and emergency drills. Um this resolution approves the superintendence report for October 25, I mean November 25 and formally acknowledges the completion of all required emergency and bus evacuation drills. Two is the bill list um authorizations and payments for vendors totaling 3,232,522 all in order. I found no outliers. Um the financial reports were also reviewed. Um we're in compliance with all state codes. There's no major account or funds have been um overexpended. Four line item transfers. There were none over the 5,000 cap. Five and five is conferences and workshops. Six are field trip approvals.
023Um seven are payments to the contractors in the amount of $33,557. Um, again, all related to the referendum projects. Um, and all the work, the $33,000, basically the work matched up with the payments we're making. Um, eight is the bus bus um busing contract for 2526 with the joint venture with the joint system. Um, nine, tuition rates for non-resident students. Um and 10 is the Johnson and Wales University agreement um for occupational therapy. Um that's all I have negotiations. There's nothing going on, but I don't know how the setup's going to be next year, but you know, we always have try to have a meeting in January. So, who's ever on that committee to discuss trends and attorneys and everything else? So, that's all I have. >> Any more questions? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Liddotti.
024of next personnel and management. Mr. Haba, >> thank you. There are nine resolutions. Uh resolution 11 is uh the approval for a preschool teacher, hiring of a preschool teacher. Resolution 12 is a 2526 school year par profofessional and lunch aids. Resolution 13 is a maternity leave of absence request. Resolution 14 is approval of academy testing. Resolution 15 is a temporary additional teaching section sections for leave coverage. Uh resolution 16 is the um is a HS book fair. Resolution [clears throat] 17 is a KA sidebar agreement for stipen. Resolution 18 is the approval of 20 school year 2526 stipen positions. Resolution 19 is the approval of substitute staff. And then skipping to resolution 22. Um it is the approval of an occupational therapist. And that's it. >> Anyone want to have questions for Mr. Haber? >>
025Only one question. The book fair resolution 16. Is that something that happens outside of school hours or what's the the logic behind the the payment for staffing it? >> It happens uh both uh inside school hours and outside of school hours. So there's a couple of night events um that those individuals host and it's the preparation >> and coordination of that. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Yes. >> Any questions? >> I I have a question for resolution 22. This is an adjustment to that part-time salary. Correct. >> It is just an increase. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> Anyone else any questions? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Hebrew. will now move on to curriculum and instruction. Mr. Ferrer, >> good evening. Uh, resolution 20 is just the HIP report for September. Um, and that's all. >> Uh, would
026you like to read policy review or >> um Yeah, you can. That would be all for sure. >> Resolution 21 is the second reading adoption of the use of electronic communication devices um R5516. Anyone have questions about the policy or anything? Any of the additional resolutions? Okay. Thank you everyone. We'll now move on to old business. Does anyone have old business? Okay. I would like to remind the public as I do every meeting. Please make sure that you're checking websites, looking on the internet at our social media pages to be informed about school events, opportunities, tutorings, all types of things that we share in the school community. We have a lot of resources for people in the community and want to make sure that everybody's getting the appropriate information. Anything under new business? Uh I
027would like to share two things. One, um I had the opportunity to go with district leadership to the school boards. We participated in a lot of different workshops. One of the most important was the funding presentation which I think it's like three years now Mr. Ganella and I attend where we talk see what the legislature has to say. They brought up the [clears throat] funding formula again, which is really important to us. Um, they talked about redoing the funding formula. I sent an email to everyone about they're soliciting feedback now about the formula. It doesn't appear that there will be any changes before the next budgeting season, but they're still continuing to talk about that. We attended um capital projects, some things about negotiation, school policy, law. So, um it was a great opportunity and
028we were able to learn a lot while we were there. anything you want saying that they actually used the our um referendum project. >> I signed up for the capital projects one which was our architect. So we were [clears throat] there and there were two monitors in there. One from SPSS architects talking about understanding capital projects from a local code perspective and regulation to state code and all of the things that happen in between. It was a great two and a half hour presentation. They actually used Kennworth as the model. They referenced our drawings but off also referenced a lot of the process um and referenced us which said a lot um some of our colleagues were there and like wow wow because we have been through the process of the referendum I'll say it
029publicly we were one of the first um now many communities are following suit with the referendum because it's really the way to go. So it was nice just to kind of see um just how they showcased us and talked about all the different things that they did. I do want to follow up on the legislative uh discussion. I've been going to those things for years. >> They're interesting. They're fascinating. You learn a lot. But they say the same thing every single year. >> Yeah. >> And nothing changes. So >> nothing changes. So it's always transportation. Oh yes. We want it coordinated. It should be coordinated on the state level. Special education should be fully funded. I've been hearing [snorts] this stuff for 30 years. 30 years. >> And the funding for Oh yes, we know
030it's a problem. >> It's bipartisan. They agree on it. It's something they actually all agree on. Everyone up there agrees on it, >> but it doesn't get done. >> Yeah. >> It's fascinating. >> Yeah. >> So, I also went to Atlantic City. We spent some time um spent a lot of time with um on security measures for schools, all the AI, all the tech stuff. It's really interesting. >> You know, discussed a lot with Vince already on that issue. um sub went to a seminar on a absenteeism which kind of was in our school also and some legal issues but um the big thing is I spent a lot of time looking at security systems seeing all the new um tech that's going on into all the schools so it's [clears throat] interesting >> it's
031great everything is so expensive though so >> yeah it's very expensive >> just to mention about state aid I know the governor elect has stated that she supports changing the school funding formula >> so we'll see what happens maybe next year maybe they'll be pushed to change it. We'll see. >> Yeah. So, they they did release that link which I sent to the finance committee for their review to we have the opportunity to submit feedback. We'll that the team is going to coordinate and see so we at least can say what we need to say. One more thing I'd like to note, I'm on the board of health. It was brought up there and has been shared by the council that there are a lot of planning projects and things that are happening with the
032Merc property that potentially are going to increase the already high estimation of what our town is worth. I brought it up there and I will say it again because I think there is a little bit of disparity in the community's understanding as our community value is going up the state funding formula will say you're going to get less and less. So, I brought it up there and said it when they brought it up and I would like to say it now because the more and more improvements we make on that side and the more money they give us, they're going to say, "Oh, your community is thriving based on the funding formula. It's estimated in the millions or billions, whatever, and now we're going to give you less money." So, just that's something I want
033to note and and we'll continue to um but they've also discussed it publicly there and and are starting to talk about all the wins, which is great. it's not exactly a win for us because it's kind of counterintuitive and then we have to balance and raise taxes and do that anyway. So, just saying that is um something that people should be paying attention to. >> That's it. Those are the only new updates that um I wanted to mention, please under your business. >> And just piggybacking off of your mention of the referendum and the highlight that we had [snorts] at that conference um today, the David Brley Middle School uh sign went up. So, uh I forgot to share that in my superintendent report. So, it was just a nice um kind of closure moment
034uh to see that sign um added to >> It's even nicer lit up. I saw here really nice lit up. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I just wanted to point that out to the public and the board. >> Six years of work. >> Anyone else, >> right, Ryan? >> Yeah. >> New business. It looks nice. >> Fantastic. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Um at this point, we'll now move on to open up the meeting to the public. Is there a motion to open up the meeting to the public? >> So, moved. Motion made by Mr. Ferah, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman. All those in favor of opening the meeting to the public for comment, please say I. I. >> Opposed? >> Eyes have it. Motion's carry. Mr. Ganella. >> Public comment will now be
035accepted. The board of education sets a limit for the public to speak at the board meeting to five minutes per person unless prior permission has been granted by the board of to for extended time pursuant to BOE policy bylaw 0167. Please be reminded that while uh members of the public may uh speak on personnel matters during public comment, the board of education um 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 and ensure effective operation of our schools while personnel recommendations are the exclusive responsibility of the superintendent of schools. The board reviews and acts on those recommendations in accordance with the state law and district policy but does not initiate or manage
036individual uh staffing decisions. >> Thank you. Any public that would like to comment at this time? >> No. Okay. Seeing none, I'd like to make a motion to close the meeting to the public. Second motion made by Mr. Ferah, seconded by Dr. Conoli. All those in favor closing the meeting to the public, please say I. >> I. Opposed. Eyes have motions carried. The meeting is now closed to the public. Mr. Canalo, we prepared to vote on resolutions, please. >> Yes. Uh we have uh 22 resolutions on this evening's agenda and including one we did I did um look at the close session agenda. Um want to point out that re resolution number 17 though we have previously discussed it. If anyone does want to discuss it during close session that's regarding the cyborg we are
037prepared to discuss that in close session. You just have to ask that one to be voted on separately. Otherwise um if there are no exclusions we could vote on all 1 through 22. Everyone okay with voting on 1 through 22? Okay. And this is for resolutions number one through 22 on the agenda. >> Diner, >> yes. >> Crinkolei, >> yes. >> Ferrara, >> yes. >> Ather, >> yes. >> Gardina, >> yes. >> Lady, >> yes. >> Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Penichi, >> yes. >> Motions carry unanimously. >> Okay. Thank you. Do we have to go into close executive session? >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. Can I have a motion, please, to go into close executive session? >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Herdina. Was that you, Joe? >> No. Oh, sorry. Mr. Ferrer,
038seconded by Dr. Pinkoli. All those in favor of going into closes executive session, please say I. >> I opposed. Eyes have it. Motion carry. Mr. Ganella. >> Be resolved with the board of education. The board of education meet in private session from which the public shall be excluded to discuss the confidence of attorney client privilege of privilege um which private discussion is being held pursuant to section 7B and aid of the open public meetings act. The matters under discussion will be disclosed to the public as soon as final decisions are made and voted upon. Sorry. Riner, >> yes. >> Crinkley, >> yes. >> Ferrar, >> yes. >> Haber, >> yes. >> Lady, >> yes. >> Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Kijiji, >> yes. >> Okay, we're in close session. >> Thank you so much. Thank you
039everyone.