001Good evening. We'd like to call the meeting to order and welcome everyone. >> Good evening. This meeting is being held in accordance with schedule of meetings adopted at the organizational meeting held on January 6, 2025. Adequate notice of this regular meeting of the Kennorth Board of Education has been provided to the Home News Tribune, the uh Star Ledger, the local source on January 16th, 2025. A copy has been filed with the Kennorth B clerk. Posted in the board office, the Kennaworth Burough Hall, Burley and Harding Schools as is provided by the Open Public Meetings Act. >> Thank you, Mr. Galile. Please rise and join us in the salute to the flagg to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty
002and justice for all. >> Mr. Gal, do we have a roll call? >> Yes. Viner >> here. >> Koli >> here. >> David. Ferrara >> here. >> Ather >> here. >> Hardina >> here. >> Lead >> here. >> Kenichi >> here. Zimmerman, we have quorum. >> Thank you. At this time, we will now have receiving of the minutes and committee notes of the secretary from September 15, 2025. The following regular meeting minutes, finance and facility committee meeting, and the personnel committee meeting. Does anyone have questions on any of these notes? Okay. Can I please have a motion? >> Move. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Haber, seconded by Mr. Ferrer. All those in favor of receiving the minutes of the secretary from September 15, 2025, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Eyes have
003it. Motions carry. At this time, we will now have the superintendence report and presentations. >> Thank you, Dr. Penichi. Good evening, everyone. We have some exciting presentations tonight. Um, we, as you know, we do our student spotlight. And tonight, um, I'm pleased to bring back uh, Sasha Seshak. Um, Sasha was here a year ago. I don't know if you remember, but she was here a year ago presenting some of the research that she was doing in the AP research course. Um, and that has kind of catapulted her into an experience that she had over the summer that I learned about through her counselor. So, we invited Sasha back to take the podium um to tell us kind of how things have continued going with her experience in her research. Uh, a great opportunity here at
004Kane. So Sasha, if you could please um head over to the podium and tell us a little bit about your your work with Kane University. >> Hey, good afternoon everyone. Um, I'm Sasha and the last time I was here, I was actually talking about um a presentation for my AP research class and I had to sort of talk about like an overview of my proposed um research question which had to do with analyzing chemical compounds found within chocolate. And one of the main processes in actually being able to conduct that study was getting access to a laboratory. And so after about a month or so of just sending out countless emails, um one person had actually accepted my request and that was um Dr. Derek Swinton, the um assistant dean at Keen University. And he
005had actually given me permission to use his um one of the Keen laboratories. And so um after a few months of just going there and completing my research for my AP research class um he had given me the opportunity to work as a sort of um lab assistant and like a kind of internship with two other high school students over the summer. And so this summer um I had basically attended sort of shadowing this GSSRP program at Keen. essentially just um this type of summer program they do where high school students are able to actually work with um college professors on projects that they were more interested in. There was um forensic chemical analysis, genetics and even um computer science and machine learning. And so u me and my lab partners actually were able to
006sort of walk around all those programs and learn more about the techniques and processes which helped us to conduct our actual um project over the summer. So the title might sound a little scary but comparative analysis of differential expression in apoptoic genes in humanf7 cells exposed to hybrid gold nanop particles. So essentially what this means is that we have these nanop particles these are just these uh really small particles as you might imagine and we expose them to um a few different cell lines um in this case cancer cells cervical cancer and breast cancer. >> Okay. [Music] Sorry guys. Okay. So, and basically what we're trying to see is whether or not these different nanoparticles um influence the expression of apoptoic genes within these cell lines. So whether or not these cells are actually going
007to go through programmed cell death or not based on those type of nanoparticles that we expose them to. So nanop particles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can come in silica, carbon, um gold and silver and they come in a variety of shapes as well. You can have um nanospheres, nano rods and even nano stars. And um their main applications are for theostic uses in which these nanoparticles can be used as either a sort of drug delivery device or even in biomedical imaging. And the main thing about nanoparticles is that because of the different material shapes and sizes that they come in, the overall interactions they have within the human body actually gets influenced. So depending on the type of molecules you might conjugate them with. Let's say for instance um in
008our study we just have regular gold gold as well as silica and gold with polyethylene glycol and um these different surface chemistries that they um contain can actually affect the way they interact within the body. And this could pose as an issue because let's say you had this nanoparticle with a drug that you want to deliver to a certain part within the human body. Um the interactions within um your bloodstream your immune system might actually affect its efficacy in actually delivering that drug. And so the main purpose of the study was to gather um data within different types of nanoparticles to sort of see how they influence um biochemical reactions within the human body. And essentially what we're going to be using this data for is for um an AI machine learning sort of algorithm.
009We can sort of compile this data to helpfully um inform which type of nanoparticle would be most useful in certain types of scenarios. And so um the main thing that we'll be using these nanoparticles for or why we're actually looking at the expression of apoptoic genes in these cells is because during um cancer is basically the um uncontrolled cell proliferation which occurs when um certain processes within the cell actually get skipped or certain molecules um fail to actually function. And this can be seen and you see you see this apoptoic pathway chart where um in order for a cell to actually undergo a cell death um it has to actually express certain types of biomarkers or proteins and genes. Um they're sort of one and the similar sort of thing. Um genes code for certain
010proteins and that's why we're looking at the proteins for now. And so we want to actually look at two different types of biomarkers. We have proeptic and antipeptic markers. Um proapoptoic means it would actually influence or um sort of promote apoptosis while anti would actually inhibit and um which could be these different um proteins backs B p-53 and BCL3 and essentially we're just trying to look at those and their overall expression and intensity um after doing chemical analysis. And so for the overall procedure that we did, we cultured those um two different cell lines for about a week, exposed them to those nanoparticles, three different nanoparticles for a day, performed a cellis in which we um broke apart the cell membranes to release all the organels, proteins and nanoparticles. Uh we performed a protein digestion
011to break up those extra long um amino acids and then um ran them through a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method so that we could actually um measure the differences between the expression and concentrations of those certain proteins within those various different samples. And so um this project had actually been partially was sort of worked on as well with Dr. Swinton by his um graduate students and they looked more towards the Hila cells while me and my lab partners did more on the MCF7 cells. And just to give a brief overview of what um the grad students found was that um the different concentrations of those nanoparticles within those different cell lines as that concentration increased the cell viability or the um cell's ability to actually continue living decreased. as well as how um the activity
012of caspace 3 actually began to increase as concentration increased. And the thing with caspace 3 is that it is a proapoptoic marker. And essentially what this all means is that um the increased concentration of those nanoparticles actually did promote more apoptosis. >> Okay. >> You want to fill in >> Okay. Um again those students also just did more like comparative analysis um between those different um apoptoic markers. Again we see as that concentration keeps going up so does um the biomarkers that are um associated with prooptosis and a decrease in that antipoptoic biomarker. And here we also have this um correlation charts a heat map and a PCLA um scores plot. Essentially um this is just used to show like the correlation are the intensity similar are the type of protein similar between those different
013types of samples. And the main thing I want to highlight here is that um there's not one single uniform color within this map. And the main takeaway from that is that um they are showing a differential expression in those proteins. Um if those um different samples were to express similar concentrations and types of proteins, we would see a more uniform color. And so what this is showing us is that the surface chemistries of those different nanoparticles actually do have an impact um a differentiating impact on the um biological processes within the human body. And so this is actually the data we found during the summer. Um a little limitation was that while performing the protein digestion, we didn't have hair nuts. And although that might sound kind of silly to have hair nuts, um our
014hair and nails have a lot of protein such as keratin which could actually um contaminate the sample. And so this bright red spot over here is just the keratin um from the sample. So it kind of masks the other underlying proteins within it. So it was a little bit harder to actually find those proapoptoic markers that we actually want to compare. But um another thing which we found sort of to we found it to be a successful experiment mainly for two reasons. We were able to gather data which could be used for that um AI machine learning software as any data is helpful. And um again we also see this non-uniform color again just showing that those different nanoparticles results in the different expressions of different proteins and different intensities. And again, it's just highlighting
015the fact that yeah, those surface chemistries do have an impact, a differentiating impact on those nano um cells. Yeah. So hopefully in the future um hopefully soon I'm going to be going back at Keen. We're going to be continuing this research. We're going to use more different types of nanoparticles. Um we're hopefully going to use some normal fiberblast cells as opposed to just cancer cells. And we might um conjugate it with a drug and actually use um drugs that are meant for cancer. >> Yeah. Pretty good. >> Amazing. >> Sasha, that was that was very impressive. That was excellent. Um board members, do you have any questions for Sasha? >> I I just want to say this is amazing. I looked down three times to make sure that you were a high school student and
016it's just it's it's I'm looking forward to what you do and and I think we all are incredibly impressed. >> Thank you. >> I second that. >> You did a really nice job of explaining to a group of people who maybe don't understand what you're talking about what you're doing and that's really really important. I I have a question for you. So what are your future goals? >> Well, I think it's pretty obvious. something with biology and chemistry. It has to be something with that. >> Are you spear hunting already? >> Yeah. >> Good job. >> Thank you very much, >> Sasha. Congratulations on this um summer experience. I'm glad to hear too that I didn't know that it's continuing into this school year. Um so I'm just really um proud of you and proud
017that the course that you started here at David Brley with AP Research has now catapulted you into this research experience and who knows where else it'll lead you down the road. Um so I was going to ask the same question that as Dr. Dr. Pinkoli, but um sounds like >> this is an obviously obvious pursuit for you u moving forward. >> Um but thank you for the presentation. Um any other questions for Sasha? >> All right. Congratulations and thank you so much for being here and sharing that with us. Thank you. [Applause] >> Um thank you Sasha. Next we have our Brley student liaison report and joining us tonight Mr. Pllo was able to appoint Madison Rizzo and Adelina Caruso to give us the student liaison report for this meeting. If you wouldn't mind um
018stepping up to the podium ladies. Thank you so much. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Adelina Cruso and along with my very close me friend Madison Rizzo. We are thrilled to be speaking tonight at the board of education meeting to discuss all the great things that have been happening at David Burley High School. This September welcomed 525 students to the halls of Burly. This year, the staff and students were extremely excited to see the science wing completed. Um, along with not having to go up and down the stairs for our science classes anymore, the cheerleaders created bulletin boards in the cafeteria for each grade level, as well as our Brley Rumble outside the board conference room. Mr. Pillo, Mr. Miller, and the counselors hosted grade level meetings to focus on information specific to each
019grade level within the first few days of school. On September 18th, we had almost 400 parents attend back to school night. Student volunteers were in the hallways helping parents find their classrooms and not to be late to their children's classes. On September 26th, we held our activity fair in the gym. Students through grades students grades 9 through 12 had the chance to find out about the 30 plus club sports and activities we offer here, which proved to be a huge success. October 3rd was the DBHS new student mixer. Students from the peer advisory group met with brand new students at Brerley to help them with the transition to a new school building. This event included student made games and snacks for after. October 6th through 10th was the week of respect. Peer advisory students worked
020together to create motivational and encouraging signs on pieces of cardboard they recycled from boxes to hold up for the students as they arrived at school. Students in peer advisory during their class period walked from the high school to Harding Elementary to read books about respect to kindergarten and first graders. During this week, students have also worked together to create videos to post on social media that promote kindness throughout the building. Our athletic teams have also been busy this year. Our boys and girls soccer teams, football team, cheerleaders, and marching band have been representing our school with great Brley pride. October 9th was a half day for all students. Seniors enjoyed their senior sunrise, marking the start of their last year at Berley. Bagels were provided and other snacks. The PE staff created a scavenger hunt,
021which was lots of fun. And the PTO provided pizza and drinks for lunch. Sophomores and juniors sat for the PSATs, one of their pathways for graduation from the state. And freshmen traveled to different classrooms working with teachers and counselors. They learned about setting up their score accounts, organi organizational skills, and self-care. This week is an exciting week for the students at Brarley. Spirit week is in full effect. Today was country versus country club. Students dressed up like they were at a country club or a fan of country music. Lots of cowboy cowboy hats and collars up. Tomorrow is Wednesday's wear pink. Thursday is Brley Spirit. Ender wear purple and supportive glad. Friday is Teen Beach Movie Day. Students will dress up like surfers or bikers. Wednesday will be the David Brley High School and Career
022Fair in the gym from 10 to 12. Colleges, universities, and professional organizations will be on hand to offer insight into our future. On Thursday afternoon, we will hold our pep rally followed by the homecoming game and the announcement of the homecoming court as well as the king and queen. Additionally, this will also be senior night for the football team, cheerleading team, and marching band. Friday is also the homecoming dance at 700 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Thank you all for taking the time to hear about the various activities we have going on at Burley. Have a great evening. [Applause] >> Uh, thank you, Madison, Adelina. Any questions from the board? >> Sounds like great stuff going on at Brley. Thanks for the the overview and the updates. >> Thanks. >> Uh students, this is
023a good time for you to take a little departure if you like. Um Sasha, thank you again so much. Congratulations Addie and Maddie. Thank you so much. Have a great night. >> Thank you everybody. >> Uh next up for our presentations, uh we have Mr. Canella who's going to give us an overview of our facilities, projects, and what's next on the horizon. as you may recall. Oh, I got to put the This is Okay, as you may recall last month, uh I did a wrapup of uh the projects that we had completed um between uh when we started our projects and um to September when we just finished our uh major last project that included the FAC the the the fields, uh the auditorium renovations, the HVAC projects, and and the addition to uh the
024Brley, uh which included the science wings and this the middle school lab. Today, I'd like to go over where we're going from here with our facilities projects. Um so, the first project I'd like to talk about is our early child education uh project. Um so this will incorporate the renovation of pre of uh two existing classrooms uh in the 2000 1923 edition of Harding. Um and it's a critical step uh towards our uh the district's long-term goal of providing free and full day uh prek for all students. These two classrooms will be renovated to include not only uh bathrooms but wardrobes um uh meeting state requirements for early childhood facilities. uh compliance and future uh planning. Completing the project by hopefully this September will prevent the need for future resolutions such as the one on
025tonight's agenda uh requesting for alternative uh uh toilet facilities waiverss uh and ensuring the ongoing regulatory compliance uh of our prechool students. The students will be uh in January. We do plan on opening these two classrooms uh in January with that resolution providing the toilet waiver uh which will allow us to use them from from January to June and then hopefully the project will be done over the summer so we get back in there in September without any such waiverss. The uh next project I want to talk about is the current tennis courts uh are in severe disrepair and require significant remediation and reconstruction. Um this is a great community source. The board intends to for this renovated uh facility to serve not only as a physical education classes but also the broader community. Um
026pickle ball uh will be integrated into the uh current configuration capitalizing on on the sports uh popularity and providing a unique recreational resource which I believe are the would be the only pickle ball courts in Kennoworth. I don't think there are any other ones. Um, note I know everyone thinks that pickle ball is a relatively new type of sport, but Brley has been playing pickle ball for I'd say at least 20 years. Um, as long as Mr. Lteran's been around because I think he was the one who brought it here. Um, so uh, so it's not new. Uh, they were used to playing I think they played it in the gym. Uh, they lowered the volleyball nets and they played in there and they I still think they still do play it. Um, so hopefully
027uh next year they'll be able to go outside uh breathe in the fresh air and play pickle ball on the the new pickle ball courts. Oops. Uh Wardfield lighting. Um the current field lighting system is approaching to be approaching 24 years of age and require some modernization. Um retrofitting the lights to LED technology uh is projected to cut the energy cost by half and significantly reduce the maintenance expenses associated with individual bulb replacement. Uh uh the the finance and facility committee is currently reviewing dimming dimming and zoning options to allow the track to remain open for the public use at night with controlled limited financial exposure. So that's something that also we were focusing on is getting the facilities to be able to be used by the um uh the community on a more regular
028basis. It was great over the summer when that facility opened up. You saw the amount of people who were out there not only using the track but the field, you know, just playing out there was a very great thing. Um that goes for the new playgrounds, too. Uh we added to the existing Harding playground. Um, and the uh added a new playground on 18th Street for for the little ones. Um, and uh they're used all the time. Uh, so the board is looking for an expansion of that as well by adding something a little more unique um and distinct uh dimension to our playground, which is some type of rock climbing uh wall that would be outside by the gaga pit. Uh I think uh everyone would enjoy that. Um uh so that's something that
029the board is considering as well. Um so this is the middle school courtyard. Um this project aligns with our vision to provide the middle schoolers with a dedicated separate outdoor space apart from the high school students. It's a flexible uh learning area. uh in the renovated court courtyard will be utilized for outdoor instruction, club meetings, small group of sessions, enhancing the flexibility, flexible learning opportunities for our middle school students. Site improvements and know this is the pictures aren't aren't going to be that clear, so there are some language there that could help you and I will try to walk you through it. So, we want to put some type of Belgian block or concrete curbing uh around Harding's playground. This is important for safety purposes. As well as infrastructure purposes. Uh this is the area
030like that whole area where the grass is behind the cafeteria going over towards the Harding playground. Uh currently the ashvault is is disintegrating and falling apart. Uh it's a trip hazard. Uh so we'd like to clean up that area by adding some type of curbing. uh there which would prevent that from continuing to deteriorate. Um repairs to the concession stands on uh uh doors system on the concession stand. It's a request by the the Brley booster boosters that's they're pretty old and they're very difficult to open and close. Um so that's something that we're looking at as well. And then there's a whole bunch of fencing that needs to be done. Uh the fencing after we did the renovation over it by the uh addition uh the transformer and the chiller area needs to be
031fenced in. The Brley kitchen loading dock area needs to be fenced. Uh the back uh parking lot of Brley um needs to be redone. Uh those two gates there, those are probably in excess of 60 years old and looking like they're at least 60 years old as well. So those are two areas that another area that we're looking for. And then finally, a area uh around the the Harding uh existing Harding playground uh for safety purposes. Um uh and to prevent bicycles from going onto that uh that surface. Uh a that would be a 4-ft fence as opposed to a six or eight fence. Um and then the last area is a potential to in the Berley parking lot along the softball field to replace that one as well. Something that we're also looking at
032is our fire alarm systems. Uh uh we have a new addressable system in the the the new addition. Uh and it's great. We love it. Uh it really shows shows the deficiencies in our current uh um um uh system. Uh so we're going to be taking a look at um what we need to do to upgrade the existing Brley system and then even possibly Harding system as well. uh a new system provides superior life and safety for e uh egress. It has a rapid response system where it tells the uh first responders exactly where the situation is. Um it provides for orderly evacuation through audible system. Um it provides mandatory compliance uh and uh uh risk reduction uh as well as operational uh savings and stability through lack of uh false alarms and lower maintenance
033costs. Um uh systems go into trouble. Whenever a systems go into trouble, we're obligated and mandated to have a technician come out and those technicians are not cheap uh to do a review to ensure that the system is is running and functional. So those are uh a couple that's another area that we want to focus on uh moving forward. Funding sources. Um so these are the potential funding sources for the project uh referendum bond proceeds. We still have referendum prawn proceeds if you recall. We were conservative in our first uh round of projects. Uh and we wanted to make sure those were done properly and done efficiently and done uh to completion prior to moving on to the next phase. Uh so now that we're beyond that point, we're feel comfortable that we could start
034uh planning for that next uh phase. Uh so bond proceeds uh restricted state aid. We received some restricted state aid specifically earmarked for site improvements that we will be utilizing for these projects. Bond interest proceeds. We have been aggressive in how we invested our uh bond proceeds uh since 2022 which generated uh income for the district and we were allowed to appropriate those funds on an annual basis. uh and uh use those funds for various sources. We recommend that that they only be for one type purchases such as capital improvement, not for operating costs because when you use such funds for from operating co for operating costs such as salaries or programming, what do you do once those funds are no longer available? And then finally, the current operating budget. uh we do uh put
035a small portion of our operating budget on an annual basis aside for these type of programs and projects. Uh the key fiscal constraint in all of this, the finance committee wanted to ensure you the tax impact all projects must adhere to a no new tax impact requirement. So all all four of those funding sources will have no tax impact on the uh uh community. Um, want to wrap up by seeing saying a thank you to the Hardy PTO. Uh, this is our new outdoor classroom at Harding School. Uh, I think it's almost complete. There might be a couple more things there. >> Just need a sign. Right. Okay. Uh, and uh, came out great. Beautiful little project. Um, um, you know, it's a little one of those little what do they call those? Pocket parks.
036I guess it's kind of be considered that. It's now I have no place to put my botchi courts so I don't know. Uh but uh otherwise it came out beautifully. So thank you Hardy PTO for that. Uh and that's all I got. Any questions? >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> Um I think great job to the finance committee for the no tax impact. Just to repeat that for the community to hear. This will not have an impact on our taxes. Um, the second question I have for you though is um I I love the idea of sharing the tennis and pickle ball and the track with the community. However, from a fiscal point of view, have there been conversations with the bureau to maybe share that cost since it will be a benefit
037to both the school and the community? Is that a possibility? Uh the cost operating >> lighting yes maintenance lighting >> tennis courts I don't see there's much operational cost okay um the lighting that's why we're looking at the dimming capabilities so you need very little light I think to operate the the running um or the walking track area. Um so that's one of the reasons why we're looking at that um to be a either a zone system where let's say only two lights on each pole just to give you adequate light. You know we have to run some things we need to do is and review this. We need to make sure that we don't expose ourselves to a liability by opening it up. Sometimes you turn the lights on and it's open for business
038and now you're liable for whatever happens there. But I think if we do it properly I think it's okay. um something that we definitely can consider but um sharing the cost I'm talking about uh but I know pretty sure I know what the response is going to be. >> Um but um you know like we said this is like I think we said in the last meeting that that the committee and I think the full board believes that you know this is a community's facilities. Um, so that is a small maybe a small price to to pay for that, but could definitely we could definitely talk to recreation about it. >> Vince, we were also talking about with the tennis courts or the pickle ball courts now also is trying to combine with the wreck
039um to maybe get someone there, open the gates, close the gates at night because part of the problem with those tennis courts in the past have been they kind of get beat up or destroyed. Kids are playing hockey on them, rollerblading on them, skateboarding. Um it's kind of hard to say to to watch that, but that's one of the concerns if we're going to spend the money on those courts that we need some type of maybe management of it. Yeah. >> With the town. >> Yeah. >> Because that's my concern. You know, we're spending all this money and I played tennis there years and years ago and all a sudden that the the nets are down. People are, you know, ripping the nets off. So, um maybe we could work something with the town with
040that part of it. Isn't the current procedure that they go to the police department and isn't that that's the >> but we don't have I don't know if that's the plan though. Is it >> don't know I mean there's also we also have the capability of doing some type of um electronic light locking system >> um that works off our system so it you know closes at 10:00 or whatever the the nighttime hours are. Um >> it locks the kids in there at 10:00. >> Got them. They're just going to climb over the fence anyway, Anthony. So, they're getting >> true. You're right. You're right. >> All those things are going to be taken. We'll take a look at all those things. Um uh but you know, once again, even with the even with the
041kids using using it. Um you know, we have to do our due diligence and ask the police to to monitor it. Uh which they they're great. Um you know, in the community that I live in, they're open all the time. The tennis courts are open all the time. So, you don't need a key. you don't need to go up to the town uh hall to get it. So, you know, is it the price of doing business? Maybe. Uh but maybe we do what we're doing since we put in the student handbook that there's discipline associated with kids riding on the track. I haven't seen a kid ride on the track. Um right. Have you? It was constant over the summer. It was a constant thing. It constant was every night I was going out there.
042So maybe it's something that goes into the the the the code of conduct that you know anyone caught out there there will be severe disciplinary uh uh infractions to to doing that. >> Thank you. >> Yes sir. any chance of like uh to offset some of the cost installing like solar panels um or a company to I don't know sponsor that like installing or we install or we get sponsorship for that and I know some some like CD poles around the town have solar panels. It's awesome >> on the poles on the >> on the light on the light. >> I don't think I ever seen one on a >> I have one on from my house >> right you're talking about the telephone poles. Yeah. Uh, I could take a look. You're talking about
043on the stadium light poles. >> Mhm. >> I could take a look >> cuz then if if we're using it at half capacity, then it's should be sufficient enough to some type of lighting at night. >> Yeah. Okay. Go ahead. Anything else? Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Canella. >> Thank you, sir. Uh we're going to pivot right now into u my presentation on our state of the schools as well as um that's going to um transition into Miss High School is going to be presenting our NJSLA score report. So I'm going to stand up over at the podium while Mr. Ganella prepares Thank you. >> All right. So, uh, good evening again. Um, I had a wonderful experience this past Wednesday, um, last week where we had as a district our first strategic planning meeting.
044Um, so it's wonderful to be entering into strategic planning right after we have had uh successful completion of our referendum projects um because our district is so poised right now um for big picture thinking. And so that was the theme of our strategic planning session number one. I know some board members were there, so forgive me if you're going to see some repeats here, but I thought it was valuable to review this presentation with the full board as well as the public uh so that everyone has a good sense of where we are as a district and then that'll dovtail into Miss Hipel um reviewing our NJSLA scores. And I invited the principles of our buildings to be here, Mr. Pillo, Miss Pavle, and Mr. Bubnowski. thought it was really important um for the board
045and the public to see um all the great things that are happening in our schools um are are here in this presentation as well as hard work that we know that we still have to do. Um we are seeing a lot of great growth. We're seeing a lot of great momentum um and we also know that we have a lot of great work to do ahead of us and I wanted to make sure the principles were here um in support and in unison. Um so starting off uh as I said this past Wednesday we had our our state of the schools presentation at strategic planning and basically what I wanted to do is I wanted to um frame strategic planning with all of the things that we have going on in our district so that
046folks knew kind of where we were starting from. We're starting from a really strong foundation in Kennallorth as we enter into strate strategic planning. Um there's many things to celebrate and I wanted to start off with the celebrations. One of the things that we've done a wonderful job in over the last few years, I'd say since COVID, is with our literacy initiatives. Um, specifically, we've done great work at Harding Elementary School, uh, by bringing in a whole K6 word study program with Orton Gillingham practices being implemented in case 2, morphology in 36. Um, and you see all of that happening. Um, and it's having an impact on our achievement in reading for sure. Um, also you you'll see that there's shared reading in grades K to three. We have book clubs going throughout all of
047the levels 3 through nine and as well as upper level high school classes. The middle school classes have double ELA periods which is strengthening our literature and our language skills and we've expanded the course offerings at the high school level for English. So, a lot of great work since the pandemic really to focus on literacy throughout our district and we're seeing the benefits of that in our ELA student achievement scores. Um the next area of celebration for our district is the arts. We have come a really long way in the arts over the last few years. Specifically, we've implemented our dance program, uh which has brought about new middle school dance cycles and electives. We have new high school dance classes as well as advanced dance. Additionally, in the other arts areas, you'll see that
048there's new courses that have been brought on uh in the past few years. Ceramics and sculpture, digital sound engineering, and film making are all fairly new courses at the high school level. Meanwhile, we have a very high percentage of band and chor students at both Harding and David Brillley Middle School. And of course, everyone loves our Harding musicals. They are a fan favorite and Mr. Mills does such a wonderful job with them. So, really another thing to celebrate is the arts in our district. Concurrently, STEM learning has catapulted in our district. Um, this past summer, we redesigned the Harding STEM lab. Um, so if you were there for back to school night, you will have seen, um, our new STEM lab, uh, which needs continued work. Um, but it's it's a great new space. Um,
049and we have STEM for kindergarten through grades five for all, um, students at at at Harding Elementary School. It's now a special for everyone. So, I'm proud of that. Um, also at the middle school level, we created through the referendum the David Burley Middle School STEM lab, uh, which is now able to offer STEM 6, robotics, and 3D printing. Those courses didn't exist. Um, additionally, we have now the David Burley High School STEM lab, which was created in 2022, uh, which is offering courses such as esports, 3D printing, invention and innovation, engineering one, medicinal chemistry, and zoology. So again, just like uh we've advanced so far in our literacy and in the arts, we've advanced significantly since the pandemic in our STEM learning. I'm also really proud of our mental health supports. I think we
050do a fantastic job as a district in this area. Uh whether it's student orientation programs, mixed grade level initiatives, univers universal supports via second step, seal, the sore program, transition supports, secondary uh post-secondary planning. All of our school counselors, our case managers, our school psychologists are working very hard to make sure that our young people are well supported preschool through grades 12. And I think we do a fantastic job as a district there. So again, it's one of those things that we need to celebrate as we're involved in our strategic planning um going on. And of course, uh facilities, I mean, uh that's been the talk of the town for the last two, three years. Um, we have fantastic facilities thanks to the referendum, thanks to the support of the community. Uh, the new Brley
051wing is fantastic. Our new science labs for the high school on the first floor, the middle school electives classrooms on the second floor. They're just wonderful, beautiful spaces that we can all be proud of, and they're having an impact on instruction because they're able to elevate um the feeling of academia going on in our schools. Similarly, we have new and renovated classrooms in the middle school, the Harding and Breley auditoriums. As you know, the Harding playgrounds, as Mr. Canela was just reviewing, um we have preschool classrooms coming online in January. The air conditioning is topnotch. Our athletic track and field look beautiful. Um the community is utilizing them as well. And of course, our entrances for Brley um and the multi-purpose room. All of these demonstrate another celebration for our district. Um a lot of
052times districts move into strategic planning with the hope that they're going to then eventually pass a referendum. We don't have to do that. U we can focus on quality instruction and quality programming with our strategic planning because we just did all the facilities upgrades and we're in in great shape. So I'm really proud of that. Again, something to celebrate. I also think we do a fantastic job with school pride. You heard Adelina and Madison just a few minutes ago presenting all the wonderful things happening at Brley. I wish we had a Harding student liaison because you'd have the same energy here. Um for Harding Elementary School, we do great things at both or all three schools, excuse me. Um we have our Harding Harding Hawks of the Month. Uh we have really end of month
053recognitions of scholarship, pride, and grit. We have the book machine athletes of the week. Uh and of course the student spotlight as you saw with those uh wonderful students who are here tonight. So again, school pride, something to celebrate. This is one of my favorite slides. uh this shows our growth since co I would say and that that I think is the narrative that I want all of us to have here uh the public the board uh the school district we're growing if you look at the top chart there that trend line there represents our NJSLA scores in math and you see the trajectory there um we're growing uh ELA has a similar um path and then at the bottom chart there you'll the AP scores for David Brley High School for the last seven
054years. Again, that same trend line is there. We're growing. Um, so you see the trends here of our district. Student growth is happening. Um, again, something to celebrate. We know we have work to do, but that is something to celebrate. Finally, um, uh, a few other additional highlights that were presented on Wednesday night to the public via strategic planning. We have our preschool expansion is happening right now. Um, I'm really proud of that. Again, something to celebrate for our community. The fact that we're going to be moving forward into next year, being able to say that we are servicing all four year olds in our district for free full day prek is huge. What a gamecher for our residents. What a game changer for our real estate. What a game changer though, most importantly for
055our academics because we are pro providing the foundation for our students to be successful in kindergarten uh and beyond. Um, so really fantastic, something to be proud of. Also, recently, the New Jersey QAC um auditors came in and rated us uh several months ago. They rated our district as highly effective. Um that's something to really um be proud of. I know that's a lot of um there's a lot of compliance stuff back there, but the state of New Jersey came in and rated our district highly effective in personnel, in governance, in finance, in curriculum and instruction. Um all of these things were rated as highly effective. And I think it's important for the public to know that and celebrate that. Um, so often you hear on social media that um, this district, that, you know,
056all these things are are bantered about on social media, but we're rated as highly effective by the state of New Jersey. That's the Department of Education. Um, so again, something to be proud of. And finally, the last bullet up there says that budgetarily we managed to continue a loss of state aid while maintaining our student services and programs. So, we're able to do all of those things, all of those things that I just mentioned that we're so proud of, that we're celebrating, and we're able to do that while maintaining um, you know, fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers and doing that while losing state aid repeatedly year-over-year. And I think that's those are things again to celebrate. Um, I pivoted then on Wednesday night into our areas for growth. We know we have hard work to
057do. We're not just going to rest on our laurels and sit here and say, "Look how good we are." No, no, no, no. We have more work to do. Tons more work to do. And again, that's why I wanted Miss Hemple here as well as our principles to be here to to show that we are united in this as a district team and our teachers are on board as well. We know that we need to continue to grow in academic achievement. We see those trend lines. We love those trend lines. We need to keep going. Um, specifically in math, we've implemented a reveal program and the I Ready program at the middle school and our teacher our teachers are working uh really hard to make sure that they're providing the best instruction in our math
058um areas. Additionally, uh, as you know from the district priorities that I presented, uh, to the community that student interpersonal behaviors is an area of growth for us. We want to make sure our kids are more kind. We want to make sure that they're treating each other with respect, and that's something that we need to grow into. We also want to build our a stronger academic school climate. We want to make sure kids take this seriously. That not only do they have great facilities and are our sports teams winning and do we have great clubs and activities, but we want to make sure that they feel like they're going to a wonderful school and that when they go to this school, it's serious and that they have serious business to do in their classrooms. We
059also need to grow in the area of highquality programming while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers. It's hard. I just celebrated it, but it continues to be hard as we anticipate, you know, potentials for continued loss of state aid. How to make sure that we maintain our strong programmings. Next is post-secary pathways for high school students. We want to grow in that area and be able to provide greater opportunities for students via the form of work study programs, internships, and the like. The third to last bullet is about supporting our ESL and special education populations. We know we need to grow in that area as well. We have a growing population of ESL students and we continue to have our special education populations that we need to differentiate for and provide um opportunities. And finally,
060absenteeism and community partnerships are the last areas of growth that we've identified as a district. So, speaking of some areas for growth, uh Miss Hample wants to review our NJSLA scores. Um, this is something that we do every year and I'm proud to turn over the podium to Miss Hyper. >> Thank you. Um, I'd like to start by just speaking on behalf of the administrative team and the work that um, we started last week at our strategic planning meeting. Thank you for those of you that were able to be there. I know that we debriefed and all found it extremely valuable to be partnering with the community um on that strategic planning and sharing and hearing all the different ways we can partner together for growth. So really exciting work ahead um tonight. So I'm
061going to share an overview of our spring NJSLA results um building on Mr. Davy's framework. We continue to see natural es and flows across grade levels and content areas, but as you saw our overall trae trajectory remains really positive. We'll look at our district um ELA. We'll look at math. We'll look at science along with some subgroup data and our key next steps. Our goal is to celebrate areas of growth while identifying where we'll focus our instructional support moving forward. Um NJSLA measures how well students are mastering grade level expectations aligned to the New Jersey student learning standards. It provides a consistent lens for identifying strengths and needs across schools, grade levels, and content areas, guiding both classroom instruction and district-wide planning. By examining these results together along with many of our other data points
062as we talk about it's not just one piece, we gain a clear understanding of where our curriculum instruction and supports are most effective and where additional supports are needed. Um, by now, every family should have received their family score report in the mail. It looks something like this and a letter that tells you if you want to log on, you can also get a digital copy of this. If any families are listening and have not received that, please reach out to me. Um, and if you want to discuss it, obviously reach out as well. So, I'm going to show you each of the data points in two different ways. The first one is just going to be a simple chart. If you're a visual person, this slide represents our overall English language arts performance broken
063down by grade. The last one is all the grades together. The bright green bar indicates where our students are meeting um expectations and the yellow um the darker green is exceeding expectations. So lots of bright green, lots to celebrate. If you're a numbers person, we can look at it this way. Um this is also broken down by grades. So again, these are the ELA score percentages broken down by students kabless that did not meet, partially met, approached, met, or exceeded. The dark purple column is all of the students in Kennallorth School District that met or exceeded in ELA this year. And the the pink is the column that discusses um uh us the state scores. So some of our levels um are performing at or above state averages reflecting the impact of the ongoing literacy
064alignment work that we have been talking about and working on. Same thing with math. If you're a visual person, here is our district view again. Uh the bright green represents um our where we are meeting. Dark green is where we are exceeding. Um know we're encouraged to see multiple grade levels meeting or surpassing state averages and year-over-year growth in our foundational math skills. The transition to our new math program along with our strengthened tier one instruction is beginning to show measurable impact and we obviously hope that this trend will continue. That being said, we wanted to share an update to the way that we test our students in geometry and algebra 2. We test 100% of our students in geometry and 100% of our students in algebra 2 every year. Originally, this is what the
065state mandated by was mandated by the state. However, a few years ago, the state relaxed its text uh testing requirements, but Kennallorth did not follow suit. So therefore, we can't compare ourselves against the state average for geometry and algebra 2, even though we have been doing that for the past several years. So just to go a little deeper, we took a dive into the numbers of other districts and have identified that in fact other school districts test only students who haven't taken algebra 1 in high school. That means that we're measuring our entire population against the top percentage populations in other districts because you only need to take algebra 1 and then one high school math. So to explain it a little further, many schools have a percentage of students who take algebra 1 in
0668th grade. These are the most advanced math students who score highest in NJSLA. When they're nth graders in high school, they take geometry and they take the geometry NJSLA. Kennallworth has these students too. However, where other schools test only those students on NJSLA, Kennallorth has tested all geometry students of all ability levels on the NJSLA. And this is something we just wanted to share. Um, for the 2026 NJSLA test administration, we'll be testing only students who haven't taken algebra 1 in high school, enabling us to compare apples to apples, which will give us a more accurate read on our high school math, specifically geometry and algebra 2 with our 2026 results. Despite this, we know that we have work to do and we are doing a lot of great work around math K to2 either
067way, but we're looking forward to seeing more accurate readings. Um, NJSLA science is taken at grades 5, 8, and 11. Our science results mirror statewide trends with most students performing within levels two and three. These data points reaffirm the importance of our continued work to refine our science programming and expand our inquiry based learning. Our new science lab spaces are perfect for this, and we're really excited to be expanding our programming into them. Upon closer examination of our data by different subgroups, when we took a look, um, we continued to observe, as Mr. Davies had mentioned, lower scores among our MLL population and our special education students. With both of these populations, our programming and support continue to grow in various ways, and we are looking to continue that work. These students will also benefit
068from a lot of our new programming that's coming in because they include many opportunities for differentiation and supports in in language and skills. These are our action steps built directly from our data across both schools. Um we're working on building a culture of continuous reflection and responsive instruction making sure that every student is known, supported, and challenged to achieve at their highest level. At Brley Middle School, we're implementing the double continuing to implement the double ELA and in sixth and seventh double math periods to provide added time for mastery. Along with the new middle school math program, the students also have their own pathways for ELA and math to help students reach grade level skills. We're also continuing our targeted support and classroom support and feedback. Um, and some of our teachers are continuing to
069attend professional development. We're using our data teamwork at both schools to target collective areas across content areas at Harding. Departmentalization in fourth and fifth grade as well as work around small group instruction across grades are deepening teacher expertise and the new math curriculum and materials are supporting tier one and intervention instruction. As in previous years, we'll also continue to conduct individual teacher student data reviews to ensure midyear we're meeting our benchmarks or adjusting as needed to support all our children. Um, a letter went home to parents and I'm sure we all know by now this, but the state is piloting a new adaptive NJSLA format this November. This means questions will adjust in difficulty um for students based on their student responses, giving us a more prec precise measure of student ability. We are preparing
070our teachers and students for this change. Um and we hope that it's going to end up providing us with some richer diagnostic information moving forward. So the presentation might look a little bit different next year. Um and we will look out for that. That is our NJSLA data celebration for the year. Anyone have any questions? >> I have one question. >> Of course. Go ahead. >> I I think it's good that we're moving in the right direction. That's a comment. But my question to you is why why did we continue to test all those math subjects if everyone else was not doing it? And does the data allow you to pull out that subset to then compare against the state at this point or you not able to extract just what the other districts are
071looking at? >> I suppose we could extract the students that took it um that didn't need to take it over the last few years. If we wanted to take a look at that data and dig deeper, we could for sure. Um the suggestion was given, I guess, to all districts a couple years ago. I can't speak on behalf of why that choice was or was not made. I was not the district testing coordinator and I don't know the conversations that happened between the district testing coordinator and the superintendent at the time. That's I don't know um why that decision was made. I think that some districts that the tough part about it is there might be other districts in our situation as well. >> Sure. >> So I just think it was fair that we
072we have been looking at these the past couple years and they're not really >> the gap we're seeing between the state and our district is not reflective of it. Of course, we look at our own students, right? And that's why I always say NJSLA is just one data point that we look at, right? You know, when I meet with the teachers, it's about what's going on in your class. How are the teachers meeting the standards in your class on your benchmarks and what's happening, not just NJSLA? Because in truth, also the state average is is pretty low, right? So, um you know, we have a lot of open conversations about this and we are looking to grow regardless of of what those scores said or not. If I could just answer I don't know the
073exact reason why that happened either to go to your question but I will say you know it is there's you try to balance as as a as a principal or a superintendent or a testing coordinator you try to balance um students taking the test seriously u versus saying oh don't worry about it >> sure >> um so that balance is very real and I think if you if you make the choice to not put too much weight on the test >> because only a few kids are take, you know, there is that reality of um everyone's taking it. We're all doing this. We're taking seriously. We're committed to it. And there I I believe that that was part of it is we're just going to focus on this as a as a thing to do.
074And the impact that this was having on the comparison, the apples to oranges um wasn't thought through when that when that decision was made. It was more so a let's just test everyone because we want to make sure that our students are taking this seriously and we're committed to it as a district. >> And I think that's where it came from. >> That makes perfect sense. >> That's what I'm trying to get at is you you want the community to see the improvements that we're making >> in a valid way. And so it's okay to test everything, but maybe for reporting, maybe we can dig in a little bit deeper and see if it changes the outcome a little bit because that skews the results a little, right? And and you and I think it's
075hard for parents to understand that skewess. um you know, but it's just a thought. >> And the ripple the ripple effect of that geometry test score is that then that that goes to like >> um New Jersey Monthly and you know all the other magazines that rank things and they don't care that we're testing all of our students and others aren't. They just look at the number and then put it in as a formula and then spits out a ranking and that's what the community sees on Facebook. And so that I don't think all of that was >> stop. Yeah. That's >> so I just I I'm glad you said this is just one part of it. And I was going to ask the question like what is your you guys are all administrators, principles,
076everybody, teachers. What are you feeling? I mean is it are we getting better like on the daily basis from what you're seeing in the classroom? >> Um what the test you know our actual test in the school with the homework is saying are we better? >> I mean >> so yeah I mean I mean >> yes that's like a loaded lots of information. >> Sorry I'm a I'm a bottom line guy. I just want to know like are we better, you know, are we getting better? Do you see it? >> I think I, you know, this is my fourth year here, right? And so, um, definitely 100% over my time here have I seen amazing things happen in classrooms? Have I seen people take over programs and own them? Have I seen student engagement go
077up? I think that that's multiaceted. It goes along with our changing in our um technology rules and taking away the phones. And I think that, you know, our call to be getting parents to be more involved um and I'm really hoping that with strategic planning, this call out for this partnership and hearing what we need as a community together. There are teachers that came, there administrators that came, there's board members that came, there are family members that came. um that we all should come together and say we want this community to be successful together. So there are so many points to it not just the tests right but yes wonderful things are happening. I'll also just say, you know, this is not based on this this is street level data, but like when you watch
078the news and read the newspaper, all signs show that across our country, across our society, test scores are going down. >> And then you look at those for chemists and you see them going up. So I am I do believe the answer to your question is a resounding yes, we are improving. >> Good. >> Thank you. >> I have a comment and a question. Um, one as a state certified still because it's good for life, uh, high school math teacher to test kids in geometry that are not taking geometry is like giving me a Spanish test. Uh, number two, um, about this the I don't speak Spanish. >> Oh. Um, number two, um, the special needs students, I know that some in the past different from when I was teaching that they're always not included
079in the results. I could see here that they are included in the results. Um, just to make sure that, and I'm not questioning this, but I just want to make sure we do have a very good system in place to making sure that their AP needs are met when they're taking the test. >> Yes, 100%. It is checked by multiple people over and over again to make sure the accommodations are in place for their test. >> Yes. >> I just have a comment. I mean, for the last three years, I've seen the progression of from the basically I'm trying to say is I'm trying to give the flowers where where they're supposed to, you know, um to the teachers to to to your team. Um I've seen in the last three years, the progress that
080you guys done and how, you know, with the support with the board and the BA, um I'm just proud. Just just completely proud, especially with my two kids coming in. Um, I've seen them day day by day just going to new heights and I I I just want to applaud your team and the teachers. >> I think we're all proud. >> I am too. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? >> I'm good. >> Thank you. um not as fun but uh to transition every year I have to present to you our HIV self- assessment scores as part of state statute. Um so uh here they are um our HIV scores um this is part of a self- assessment. So what the state requires you to do
081as part of the HIV anti-bullying bill of rights is that each school um evaluates itself through a self- assessment and scores it based on a rubric. Uh we have completed our scores and this is the presentation of those scores. At Warren G Harding School, you'll see that there's a score of 77 points out of a total of 78. Uh so we were shy from perfection by one. Um and at David Brerley there was 76 points scored out of 78. Historically um we are right in line. Um I would say before 2223 we were much lower than this in the in the upper 60s. Um so we've done a lot of work in harassment, intimidation and bullying to make sure that we were meeting all the expectations for the anti-bullying bill of rights. Um where are
082we improving in this area? We are look, we're going to be doing an administrative training uh with our law firm, Porzio, to make sure that all of our administrative team knows the ins and outs of the HIV law uh so that we're following all of our protocols and procedures properly. Um, additionally, we need to tighten up things with our volunteers. Those who are coming into our school should be trained u with harassment, intimidation, bullying. Basically, anyone who is interacting with our students needs to have that training. Um, so we're tightening up that um and and that's where we are right now. Um so that is the HIV um self- assessment report. Um speaking of which in your packet are the HIB cases um from the past month. You'll see there was one at uh David
083Brley Middle School and one at David Brley High School. Uh the results of those are in your file as well as the enrollment report, the residency report. And while I'm walking back to my seat, if you have any questions, I'll give you a minute to take a look at that. If there are no questions, that does conclude my superintendent report and I thank you for your time. Sorry that was so long, but there was a lot of great stuff to celebrate and a lot of great students to recognize and a lot of great information to share. So, uh, appreciate the time and thank you for that. >> No questions. Okay, we'll now move on to reading and acceptance of monthly correspondence. Mr. Gala, do we have any? >> Yes, we have we have one item.
084Um, we have a letter uh from Robert Gregory, executive director, division of field support and services from the New Jersey Department of Education to Mr. Davies announcing our New Jersey QAC results as a highly effective school district. >> Thank you. Any questions about that? Can I have a motion to accept the monthly correspondence? Second >> motion made by Dr. Conoli, seconded by Mr. Biner. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Eyes have it. Motions carry. We will now move on to review of committees, resolutions, and board discussion. Up first is finance, facilities, and negotiations. Mr. Lady. >> Hi. Hi, Brandy. Um, the committee met earlier this evening to discuss, believe it or not, it's time again, the 2627 budget timelines and goals. Um again, it's going to be a tough year
085with no bank cap, potential for um state age reduction, depleted surplus, and multiple um district-wide demands. Again, this will be a very challenging year for us. Um the extens the U planning committee conducted an antipist. Um again, we do extensive planning um anticipation of state age, which which figures come out really at the end of the budget crisis. um process. So um again, this sure will be a lot of tough decisions to make um before we finalize that budget in April. Uh Mr. Ganella presented an outline the committee tonight which he went over on all the projects. Um I don't have to go rehash that again. But again, for the people that have been on this committee, the finance committee, um it's been like a long six years um till we get to this point
086um of a lot of meetings um a lot of decisions. So, but I'm glad everything seems to have worked out. Um, as to resolutions, um, the first four are finance-based. I reviewed the financials in the billing report. All are in order. I found no outliers. There were no I line item transfers over our cap. Um, resolution fives were conferences and workshops. Resolution six were field approval. Seven, payment to contractors. There were only three, as you know, that's been dwindling over the last few months. Um eight is the arbitrage um rebate. The board is formally establishing a restricted account called the BOE arbitrage rebate liability account and transferring the $618,21 of interest earnings into that account. This is required by federal law to reserve funds for an anticipated tax liability related to the school bonds which
087is due in December of 27. Um health and safety. Health and safety. Number nine approves the health and safety evaluation of the school buildings checklist that basically is a statement of assurances for the school year. Um 10 is the comprehensive maintenance plan. Um Vince spoke about the um bathroom facilities for the prek. That's number 11. We have to send that to the county to be approved. 11 is the HIV report which Mr. Davies just went over. Um 13 is approves the district level nursing services plan for the year. Um nine is um school um security aid um approves um coordinating with the Kenworth Police Department to provide special law enforcement officer services for St. Teres utilizing $38,130 in nonpublic security grant aid funds. That's basically we just act as the conduit for the state because
088they can't give it right to the to St. Teresa's. So, we actually as the go-between. Um 16 are security cameras. Um approves the purchase installation of security cameras for David Burley Middle School addition. Um and that was awarded to RFP Solutions. Um 17 are for furniture for the um middle school items including items for the cafeteria, science and art rooms, nurses office um etc. 18 is the board of ed workshop in Atlantic City. And 19 is approval of the occupational therapist internship agreement with Raritan Valley Community College. And there's no notes on negotiations. So that's all I have. >> Anyone have questions for Mr. Ladi? Okay, seeing none, thank you Mr. Lady. We will move on to personnel management. Mr. H. >> Thank you. There are 16 resolutions 20 through 32 and then 34 through
08936. Resolution 20 is accept the resignation uh of a classroom aid. Resolution uh 21 is the approval for a preschool teacher um hiring. Resolution 22 is the approval of oh sorry is a leave replacement for an English teacher. Resolution 23 is uh par approval of par power par power par power par power par power par power par professional and lunch aids. Uh resolution 24 is a temporary additional teaching sections for leave coverage. Resolution 25 is salary adjustment uh per sidebar agreement. Uh resolution 26 is the approval of stipen positions for the 2526 school year. Resolution 27 is the um is uh the board giving the uh to establish a model United Nations club at David Brley um and the approval of the teacher to oversee that. Resolution 28 is ESA after school enrichment program staff.
090Resolution 29 is um maternity leave of absence request. Resolution 30 is the approval of student teachers. Resolution 31 is the approval of the payment of unused sick days for a recently retired teacher. Resolution 32 is the approval of substitute staff. Um and then resolutions 34, 35, and 36 are policy reviews. >> Did you want to do those now, Mr. Um review that. >> That's right. >> Yeah. So um policy review. So there was one new policy which was uh sorry one new regulation which was the use of electronic communication devices. Um regulation 5516. Um basically we're putting into regulation what the buildings already do for um electronic devices. Um so it's formalizing that with board regulation. Um so that's the new um regulation there. The policy is also revised. Uh 5516 policy was revised. Um
091same thing um just some minor changes to the wording. So that's what's going on with 5516. Um 5460 which is the policy high school graduation. Um the old policy still mentioned park testing. Uh, it also used ELELLL for English language learners as opposed to multilingual learners. So, there's some language changes there. And then added language around the financial aid application graduation requirements. So, now all students who are graduating from high school must have completed the FAFSA form. Um, so this policy is now updated for that. um policy and regulation for student smoking has been updated and basically what that is doing is the memorandum of agreement with the police has changed. Um so therefore the policy has to change in that if a school administrator believes that there is cannabis or marijuana associated with a
092smoking device, they have the responsibility to inform the school resource officer and myself as superintendent. So that's the policy change there. Um and that just puts that into policy and regulation language with 5533 student smoking. Um 5701 was also um up for proposed revisions. Um this policy governs ethical standards for students regarding honesty, integrity in their academic work. um this policy the the change is that um it's prohibiting the act of using AI um and referencing policy 2365 and a district AI plan. So that's new there. Um finally uh two more excuse me the student grievance policy 5710 is also under revision. Um students as you know have the right to grieve something. Um, and this just solidifies the language around that grievance process. There's no real impact to us with these revisions. Simply the
093chain of command remains the same for our district. Um, and the policy language has been tweaked. No real impact there. And then the last one is policy and regulation 9320, which is cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Again, the memorandum of agreement has changed. And what this policy does is it enables uh the superintendent, myself to designate a law enforcement unit for the school district. Um we already do that. We have our uh school safety specialist, Mr. Ganella. So we already have a direct liaison to the police. So we didn't need to do anything different, but we just need to change the language in the policy. And then on top of that, the handle with care program um which is operated by the police. um they are asking for us to now have a specified person
094at each building designated as the c handle with care liaison. So the language is being changed so that now each building principal is officially the handle with care leaison even though they always were in our district. Um we're just now solidifying that in the language. So um that overviews the policy. Any questions? >> Thank you. >> I'm good. Thank you. >> Any questions for Mr. Hibbert? >> Okay, we'll now move on to curricum instruction. Mr. Per, >> um we just have one uh for is HIV August of 2025. And uh that's it for for us. This is resolution 36 here also. >> Mhm. >> Is that mentioned? >> Yes. >> Sorry, my apologies. >> That's okay. >> Anyone have questions about any of those? >> No. Okay, seeing none, we'll now move on to old
095business. Does anyone have any old business? Under old business, I would like to mention, please continue to read our websites, look at our social medias. The Friday folder goes out every week with information. Please use chain of command, reach out to your building administrators if you have questions, and follow proper protocols to resolve all incidents. Anybody else? No new business. I have no business um on Thursday uh with Mr. Davies there as well. I was able to attend Hispanic Heritage Night and Miss Pavloch did a phenomenal job. Uh Professor Mahia uh did a great job as well. My my little one was able to attend and like I said before, I'm I'm not a Spanish speaker. I wrote up in something else. But to learn the culture of of each of those countries was was
096great. And it's just something really I I just I didn't realize that till later in life. And I just love that you guys are bringing into into a younger generation to understand that we are all different but we could all have similarities and share such culture. It was it was beautiful. The dancing from from start to finish. It was a wonderful wonderful night and I really had to say something about it. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Nothing else under no business. We'll now move on to public comment. I'll take a motion to the public. >> Motion to Oh, hold on. I was going to I'm sorry. >> Yeah, that's okay. I was I was just gonna I was gonna just read. Is there a motion to uh open the meeting to
097the public? >> Yes. >> Second. Second. >> Okay. Motion made by the person. >> Mr. Hatherther, seconded by Mr. Lead. All those in favor of opening the meeting to the public, please say I. I >> oppose. Mr. Ganella. >> Public comment will now be accepted. The board of education sets a limit for the public to speak at a board meeting to 5 minutes per person. This prior permission has been granted by the board of education for extended time pursuant to BOE policy or BOE bylaw 0167. Uh please be reminded that while uh members of the public may speak on personnel ma personnel matters during public comment, the board of education is legally prohibited from discussing individual person personnel issues in public session unless the employee at issue has requested a public discussion. The board's role
098is to set policy and ensure that effective operation of our schools while personnel recommendations are the exclusive responsibility of the superintendent schools. The board reviews and acts on those recommendations in accordance with state law and district policy, but does not initiate or manage individual staffing decision. For the record, please include your name and address prior to making your comments. >> Any public? Would you like to speak at this time? >> Okay. >> Make a motion to close the public. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Haber, seconded by Mr. Farah. All those in favor of closing the meeting to the public, please say I. I. >> Opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carried. The meeting is now closed to the public. Mr. Ganella, are we ready to vote vote on roll call of resolutions? >> Sure.
099We got 36 resolutions on this evening's agenda. Are there any that need to be voted on separately? No. Okay. So, this is for 1 through 36 on the agenda. >> Biner, >> yes. >> Crinkolei, >> yes. >> Ferrara, >> yes. >> Haber, >> yes. Herdino. >> Yes. >> Lead. >> Yes. >> Ponichi? >> Yes. >> Motions carry unanimously. >> Thank you. Do we need to go into close executive session? >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to go into close executive session, please? >> Motion made by Mr. Haber, seconded by Mr. Viner. All those in favor, please say I. >> I oppose. Eyes have it. Motions carry. Mr. Ganella. >> Yes. uh uh be resolved uh that the board of education meet in private session from which the public shall be
100excluded to dis uh um to discuss the topics of personnel and negotiations which private discussions being held pursuant to section 7B and eight of the open public meetings act matters under discussion will be disclosed to the public as soon as final decisions are made and voted upon. Biner, >> yes. >> Cranki, >> yes. >> Ferrara, >> yes. >> Haber, >> yes. >> Ladi, >> yes. >> Dichi, >> yes. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you, Mr. Thank you everyone.