001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> All right, 7:25. We are back in the second of session. Can I please have an approval of tonight's agenda? Motion to approve. Second. Any questions? May I have a roll call, please? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you. Number seven, presentations. Epic Environmental Indoor Air Quality at Frog Pond Elementary. Over here? Yep, you can come over here to present. Good evening. Uh I just wanted to summarize. We've uh we're asked to come in and do some inspections, uh air quality inspections based on staff concerns. There uh were some roof leaks that were primarily a result of the storms that we had. Uh there was a lot of snow build-up, ice build-up, and then when it began to melt off, uh there were several roof leaks around the school.
002Um So, actually, when we do an inspection for mold, uh air quality, things like that, there are a number of things we look at. Um you have a handout that I'm just going to go off the top of my head. It's easier for me. Um that way I'm not looking down all the time. Um so, there are several things that are required for mold to grow. Uh you need to have mold spores present. You need to have moisture, enough moisture for mold to be come active. And there are several sources for that amount of water or that amount of moisture to be present. Uh one can be water intrusion where you have a leak, plumbing leak, um you know, something like that that causes a supply of water to an area. Uh you can actually
003have mold triggered by high humidity, which we see actually quite a bit in school buildings, humidity-related mold. As a matter of fact, we've actually recommended a closure of a few schools over the years because of the heating and cooling system, things like that. Uh the third are floods. You know, basically you have a flood and then you have a large amount of water that intrudes. So, in this [clears throat] case we had water intrusion. So, it takes approximately 48 hours for certain types of molds to become active. So, one of the things that we look for uh is we do take relative humidity measurements, we take temperature measurements. Uh now, as far as your state regulations, um there are state regulations in regards to temperature in classrooms, 69° to 75°. There are no regulations or
004guidelines for things like humidity. Uh for humidity, we always recommend that you keep it less than 60%. Now, in a school, humidity is a challenge cuz you're bringing in fresh air. So, during the summer it can be a challenge to bring in fresh air which is laden with moisture uh in addition to cool cooling. Now, that was not the issue here uh because we had water intrusion. Um so, we look at those things. Uh then we also look for visual mold. We look for evidence of water intrusion. So, we did see it in several areas. Uh we were asked to look at several areas on a couple different occasions. Um pretty much they said, "These are the areas that were most affected." So, we tried to coordinate the areas that were most affected. We didn't
005look in every single room. More often than not, when you're doing an inspection like this, um once you take a look at several areas that are similar to others, you can make make some educated estimates on the how those rooms could be affected. So, the third thing uh that we look for visual mold. Uh there's several places that can be uh you can have mold on the ceiling tiles if there's a constant source of moisture, but mold does not generally grow on inorganic surfaces. Mold will normally grow on wood, cellulose, things like that. So, uh it usually it needs a food source. So, there are thousands and thousands of mold spores in this room right now as we're talking. It's a naturally occurring thing. What we look for are conditions where not only is mold
006present, but is there enough moisture, enough water for it to become active if there's a food source. So, very often in classrooms, we'll look under desks, under wooden tables, desk chairs, things like that. And in this case, >> [sighs] >> we had to look at how much moisture was there, where it was coming from. So, generally with roof leaks, um like when it rains, you have rain, it comes down, and then it dries. So, very often we see uh ceiling tiles were stained, ceiling tiles that don't have mold on them because for whatever reason, the rain came and dried, and then it was gone. Uh then it dried, and there was none of moisture to sustain mold activity. However, the state does require or strongly recommend that whenever you have wet ceiling tiles that are
007visible, once they're noticed, they're supposed to be changed out. So, we always make recommendations in our reports, and we did see quite a number of ceiling tiles throughout the school we came through that those be changed. So, it's not an attempt to hide anything. It's what you're supposed to do. So, when you see a wet ceiling tile, you remove it. The last thing we do is we collect air samples. Air samples are the snapshot. So, you collect an air sample for 5 minutes. You know, depending on the the type of test that you're taking, but it's usually 5 to 10 minutes. And then you compare the indoor concentrations to the outdoor concentrations to see if there is a significant difference. Now, the state does not even mention air sampling in their regulations. The reason they
008do not is that it is almost impossible to establish what a quote safe level is. During the summer, we can see mold counts even indoors in the 10,000s, depending on, you know, what's going on that day, how much moisture is in the air, what is, you know, active at that particular time. So, what we do is we have to make an interpretation. So, air samples are there as part of the tools that we use. Um honestly, when we do an inspection, we concentrate more on the conditions, you know, is there a water source, is there any Is there a intrusion, high humidity, things like that, and visual inspections. The air samples will help us indicate or get an idea, you know, how active the mold is. During the wintertime, it's usually much lower than it
009is during the summertime. So, when we came in, we did an inspection. Um we did find some visual mold in a couple areas. However, those areas were already known to have some humidity issues. So, the mold that we found in those areas was actually on bookcases and things like that. And the school is the was instructed to clean the clean that, run an air scrubber to clean up any residual mold that's in the air. And then they put everything back. Um, generally speaking, as long as you can get those ceiling tiles and with the water intrusion, you can get them ahead of time, you're not going to have a high level of mold in the air. So, that's kind of a just a general summary of what we did. Um, I'm not sure if you
010had access to the reports. We gave you a handout that kind of gave a summary of what we did. Um, just, you know, do you have any questions? Anything you'd like to see in addition to what we've done? Yes. Uh, in regards to the compatibility of the the mold in and out of the classroom. Would that have something to do with opening windows? Would that equalize, you know, mold coming in from outside? Most Most modern systems, uh, most modern HVAC systems are designed to run with the windows closed. When you open windows, you're actually hurting everything that the system's designed to do because the the system when it brings in fresh air is designed to filter it. So, if you open the windows, you actually are allowing, you know, uncontrolled air to enter the space.
011Okay, so when you say that the mold levels were on par or less than the outdoors, you just mean with the air conditioning running. Yes. At testing. >> Yes. Yes. And we do want to see a difference between inside and outside. If you have windows open, essentially you're looking at outside versus outside because you have so much exchange. Because if the if the mold counts are higher inside than they are outside, and significantly so, I mean, they can be slightly higher. And again, it's a snapshot. I've already collected samples 5 minutes apart and the results are very different. Uh, based on wind currents and things like that. But if you take an inside sample and the mold spore count is 200 outside and the inside is 10,000, guess what? You can't explain that away and
012say, "Oh well, it's coming from the outside at all." Um so normally we have a cutoff of 800 to 1,000. If it's above 1,000 higher than outside, we say slightly elevated. In the absence of visible mold, it would be something residual from the day before. Um but if there were, you know, I'm more likely to tell people that they have an issue even without the air samples if they have evidence of water and evidence of mold, visible mold in the classroom. I have one more question. Just with the reports and they all came back fairly low in your evaluation. Um airborne mold spore concentrations, let me get this right, Aspergillus and Penicillium was slightly elevated and you attributed that to um plants in the room. Is that right? Potentially. Potentially. Why plants in classrooms? >>
013[clears throat] >> Uh we generally recommend that you don't have live plants in classrooms unless they have an educational purpose. Only because especially, you know, allergies seem to be more common nowadays than ever. Um just the plant activity itself within the soil, within the plant plant, pollinate, release uh pollen into the air. So people that are sensitive, especially allergies, you know, could have issues with that. So we would be trying to recommend that you have as clean a uh environment as possible. Yeah, that you recommended because it grows in decaying matter. So you said not and plants that aren't used for educational purposes. Yeah, that we make that recommendation all the time. Okay. And then one recommendation to clean the wood cabinet. Yeah. Yeah, another recommendation we make and I know it's a little off
014this one is carpet in classrooms. Um, we are going to have to remove some. Yeah, we we we are not a fan of carpets in classrooms because they they hold, you know, just imagine the carpets in your car. After 6 months you can vacuum, beat that thing for 10 minutes against the tree and it's still going to have some you know, particulates in it. So, the well, carpet is just dirtier [clears throat] and dirtier as you go and harder to clean. So, sometimes they actually contribute to the higher indoor concentrations just by traffic going through a room. Tile floors, some schools are going to luxury vinyl tile now. So, it's much easier to clean and then clean it. Okay, thank you. I I just have a question. So, could the fact that when we go
015on break and I'm assuming that we turn down all systems and then turn them back on, could that contribute to anything mold related? So, when you say go on break? So, let's say for spring break when we turn the thermostats to We go into a vacation mode as far as heat. So, we drop everything down to 55 during the heating season. Um, during the heating season that's that's fine. Um, outdoor outdoor air in the winter time has very low humidity. Um, think of it as like a sponge. So, outdoor air during winter time might be 10 or 15% 20% especially if it's a northern arctic air coming through. So, if you're heating it up, you're actually it's going to be less humid. What I also what I do recommend though is during the summer times
016we see a lot of issues with mold in the summer time because these systems are designed to have people in them. So, you're you know, you're bringing in fresh air. And we see it all the time where you're bringing out just imagine and picture this. You have 90° outside, 95% humidity. So, you're you're almost at the dew point. And then you bring that fresh air into the school and you lower it you lower the temperature down to 74. Uh we we've actually seen schools where they have, you know, buildings where they have the walls are wet and the desks are wet and things like that. So, very disturbing time. >> any of the situations and conditions that he found. What What I [clears throat] recommend is that anytime um there's a rain event or something
017that's causing rain water intrusion to come into the building. Now, first of all, those are going to be addressed. But they can't be addressed immediately because they're on roof and they have to be found and they have to be fixed. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is when there is an event, as soon as you see stained ceiling tiles, water, you know, coming from somewhere, that'll be cleaned immediately. So, the faster that you can address that, um the less chance you are of any microbial activity to to get started. That That's the main focus. But But to be clear though, um and for clarity, um what you have found um is mold, but it's mold that is appropriately found in an indoor setting. >> say common. Okay. I mean, I could go
018into any room in this building. I could go into any room in in another school. Um it is rare. It's very rare to collect an air sample for mold and have nothing. It it doesn't happen very often. We see it sometimes in the wintertime when the humidity is very low, and there's just no microbial activity going on at all. During the summer months when you know, things are you know, kind of going crazy biologically outside, then then we'll see it. Then we'll see it a lot more, but there is mold in the air everywhere, everyone's home, everyone's business, everyone's car. What we look for is, you know, mold lands on top of this table. Okay. You know there's mold in the air, it's going to land on surfaces. Does it have an opportunity to become
019active? That that's what that's really what we're looking for. Now, you can set a petri dish out there, and the mold can land on that petri dish, and now you've given it a Thanksgiving dinner and say, "Hey, let's grow." And it's going to become active because you've given it optimal conditions. Or it can land on the tabletop, and it'll be inert. So, what we're looking for are the conditions where uh it can become active or we see that it is active. Ted Bruce. Um and isn't it correct that um school institutions are held at a higher accountability for mold and toxins and things like that for their air quality than businesses or homes? Like correct with the parts per million, parts per billion? That the threshold is lower in a school setting than in a
020public business setting or a home setting when they look at those values. Do you mean from a regulatory standpoint? >> Yes. Okay. No. Not really. I Cuz I thought that it was like No. the values were different. Is that >> No. No. It It It It A public entity, any public entity, uh is under the same regulation as the school is. So, uh you can have uh an office. Uh we've done inspections in in a municipal buildings, for example. Um and it's not a school, but it's a public building. So, they they have the same requirements. But they're higher than the public's. They're than the private sector, if I can try to say. Yeah, I mean, we apply the same standards everywhere we go. Um so, if if it's elevated, it doesn't matter if it's
021in someone's home or if it's in a school. We're going to make the same recommendations. Um it's it But in in schools, because there are children, um there there's probably more I'd say um I don't want to say less tolerance, but people are more aware, and they keep a closer eye on everything. Um because you don't want your kids to become sick. And because you're sending your children uh to a space that you're not in, there's always going to be a natural uh tendency to, you know, have concern. One more question. It's just something I Um so, do we have air purifiers in the rooms in classrooms? >> We did notice that. We did notice them, yeah. Okay. The state provided them a number of years ago during COVID. So, they they run in there,
022yeah. But most air handling systems are designed to uh remove particulates down to pretty pretty close. I mean, mold [clears throat] are in different sizes, but the air handling system should remove mold particulate when it goes through the filtration process. Thank you. If If anyone has a question, would you mind answering that in the back of the head any particular questions cuz we're not supposed to interact with the public, but I know there's a lot of specific questions. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Or you can stay around for public comment. Just Um a couple of minutes at the most as well. >> a long drive, but if someone has a question or two in the back, I'd be happy to answer as long as it's respectful. We greatly appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you for
023your time. All right. Thank you very much. On the public comment. The Board of Education now welcomes the public to comment on the items which are on our agenda tonight. It may not always be possible or appropriate for the board to directly answer questions during public comment period. Each speaker is allotted a maximum of 5 minutes to make their statement. No one may speak more than once on the same topic. You are required to give out your name and address before speaking. Please keep your comments respectful and non-defamatory and maintain a level of decorum appropriate for a public meeting where minors may be in the audience. Uh just one thing I just want to reiterate that it's for anything on the agenda. The second public comment is for anything outside of the agenda. Uh anything
024that you want to talk about regarding the district. This first public comment is specifically on agenda items. And you have 5 minutes and the clock is right there. Are you able to see it, sir? Just want to make sure you can see Yeah, I can see it. Thank you. Mike Komosky, 431 Laurel Road. Uh not as exciting as mold, but it's going to be uh numbers, which I'm not a numbers guy, but I I got the budget from Carl and I looked at it because uh looking at the budget and the concerns I have of firing any one pair of professionals so that we could buy school buses concerned me. So, I looked at some items and um initially just just taking the buses initially um I took averages because the wide range is and
025the the buses range from 90 to $190,000. So, I just took an average and so I went $150,000. Figure you're going to need probably at least 30 buses. So, that's going to be $4.5 million for buses. And insurance in New Jersey, if you're lucky is $4,500 a bus. So, 30 buses at $4,500 is going to be $135,000 a year. Fuel and gas estimate is about between 5 and $8,000. So, you're talking about $240,000 a year. Maintenance the estimate was $8,000. So, 30 * 8 is another $240,000 a year. Now, I know you're not looking to buy all of the buses at once. But look at that number is $6.9 million for those buses. But let's just say that our fabulous new governor decided she would give you the 30 buses. 2018 the average cost of
026bussing your student was $1,152 per student. The number you gave me was 1,560 students. That comes to $1,797,120. Now, if you add the insurance of $135,000 plus the fuel is 240,000 and the maintenance is 240,000. That's 2,412,120. You budgeted for this year 2,265,000. Already we're over what you budgeted for this year from your program. We didn't add the drivers yet. Now I know your plan is part-time drivers. So, 29 hours a driver figure that's 754 hours a year, $25 an hour which is what Durham is paying. That's $18,850 a year for the driver. Figure you're going to need probably 45 drivers. $848,250. You're at 3,260,370 a year. That's well over what you budgeted for the Durham. Now, the National School Transportation Association did a study just like this school district did when they sold the
027buses that they had. And the National School Transportation Association found that you save 20% on your budget by contracting out your bus services. So, all the numbers you gave me, 81 paraprofessionals, 50 have insurance. I went high. I said they all took family insurance. So, that's $3,049,000. The 321 full-time employees, if you had looked at alternate insurance plans, if it was a single plan, you could save 1.9 million. The family plan would be 4.9 million. You would still be able to do your bus program, which doesn't make sense anyway, and keep these people employed. So, I don't know where you're doing your numbers and why you think buses are more important than pupils or people, but I would like to thank the school board but the school board of Union Township for taking the superintendent
028and SAVING THIS SCHOOL. >> [applause] >> AND I ask that you take the DEA with you because you are doing us no favors and wasting money. Thank you. Yeah. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening. Yeah? Yes, thank you. Uh good evening. I was here at the last board meeting. My name is I My name is Barbara Rheault, R H E A U L T. Um I live at 667 Pine Valley Court in Carver City. I am the Atlantic County NJEA president as well as a National Education Association director for um New Jersey. I know that creating a budget is difficult. At the last Board of Education meeting, parents, staff, and community members spoke clearly and passionately about the value of the Little Egg paraprofessionals. And I'm encouraged to hear that conversations have been had to
029work toward a plan to retain them uh in some form of full-time capacity. That matters. It shows that when stakeholders speak, this district is willing to listen. And let's be clear about who those stakeholders are. They are the parents who entrust you with their children every day and the staff who dedicate their professional lives to those children's growth and well-being. Together, they share a commitment to doing what is best for students, especially our most vulnerable learners. Students with special needs, those with IEPs, rely on consistent, skilled support from paraprofessionals in order to access that instruction their teachers provide. Without that support, you are not just cutting positions, you are cutting off opportunity for learning. Paraprofessionals are not optional, they are essential. They are the steady hands, the patient guides, the trusted adults who make inclusion
030real and learning possible. When talk is centered on student success, we cannot separate it from the people who make that success achievable every single day. But, this conversation is about more than staffing. It's about your budgeting values. Schools are not businesses and children and staff are not widgets to be balanced on a spreadsheet. The success of a school cannot be measured solely in dollars saved. It is measured in relationships built, trust earned, and lives changed. That is why it is critical that all stakeholders have a voice in how the school operates and in crafting the budget over the next week for your presentation on April 28th. Real solutions come from collaboration, from transparency, and from inviting the very people most impacted into the conversation. We understand that budgets require difficult choices. There are always multiple
031priorities competing for limited resources. But, diminishing essential supports, like you have started to eliminate full-time paraprofessionals, is not a cost the district can afford. Not in terms of daily operations, and certainly not in terms of rebuilding and maintaining trust within your community. If you are serious about making this school place where every child can thrive, then we must be equally serious about investing in the people that make that happen and possible. That means prioritizing human beings. It means recognizing that the strength of this district lies not in what is cut, but in what is chosen to protect and grow. So, I urge this board, continue down the path you have started. Make people your priority. Open your doors wider. Invite parents and community members in, not just to observe here at a meeting, but to
032partner with you, and foster conversations that are productive. Work together to identify those values and priorities that make this school a cornerstone of your community. Because at the end of the day, the question is not just what kind of budget is adopted, but what kind of school, what kind of community, and what kind of future you are choosing to build. Thank you. >> [applause] >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM KATE SANCHEZ, IS THIS ON? CAN YOU test again? One more test. Hello. Let me see. Hello. There we go. Okay. All right, try that again. Round two. Uh my name is Kate Sanchez. I live at 5 Oak Knoll Lane. Uh I want to start with the simple truth that the decisions made in this district have consequences, and right now our children and our community
033are the ones paying for them. Uh we've been told that the current administration and board were not here when the COVID funds were mismanaged. Uh but to many of us this feels like a part of a larger pattern. People come into the district to make financial decisions uh that have lasting consequences and then move on, leaving the community to deal with the damage. And we are dealing with it. We see in the aides who are being laid off and rehired at part-time hours, dedicated people who support our children every day. We see it in the fact that our students have to wait for something as basic and essential as a new roof. We are not abstract uh these are not abstract budget issues. These are real impacts on real children. Those funds were intended to
034strengthen our school's infrastructure, [clears throat] to improve air quality, invest in new HVAC systems, roofs, doors, windows. They were meant to make our buildings safer and healthier for our children. But that didn't happen. Instead, much of the money went into staffing, decisions that are now being reversed, leaving both employees and students in a state of uncertainty. The money in question, whether from local tax or state aid, was earned by hardworking members of this community, many many of which are sitting here tonight. That money was entrusted to this district with a purpose. It was not meant to be used as they saw fit, and certainly not without consequence. But most troubling is not the mistake the mistakes that were made is that no one was held accountable. So my questions are, what safeguards will we put
035in place to ensure this never happens again? What systems will protect our school from future mismanagement? And what consequences will exist for those who misuse public funds, even if they move out and leave the district? We teach our children every day about accountability and consequences. We tell them that their actions matter, and that lesson shouldn't stop in the classroom. It's time for the adults in this district to be held to the same standard. >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Anyone else? All right, seeing none. Uh moving on to the board work session. Discussion of the April 28th, next week, draft board agenda. We can just go through it section by section. Any questions anyone wants to start off? I have a question on page five. Um call I'm making I think I clarified
036this with you, but the 2% that was added to last year's budget and the user-friendly, if I might suggest for my colleagues that were the user-friendly budget is really helpful to look at on our webpage to see the 5 million in taxes we added from last year to this year and the roughly 1.5 we're adding this year. That's the 2% that we went up plus the interest that we're paying on the bond. 1.3, right? And that gets us to the 20 million that's taxable for the taxpayer. Well, that's our 2% on the tax levy plus the debt service. Plus the debt service. Okay. Just wanted everybody to understand that. So, it's a little bit higher eventually. More realistically, 5% with the debt service. Um when is the debt service over? That's from our referendum. Is
037that the referendum? I believe the bonds end in 2032. That sounds about right. Cuz that was for the George Mitchell relocate issues. So, we made principal payments during the year, and then this is our yearly interest. So, we've done that every year. Right. It's not something that added additional. It's just that we have to kind of think think of it. You know, the percentage is higher for the community, is what I'm saying. To Laura's point, Carl, do you know the percentage that that will be the total tax levy inclusive of the debt service? 20 million. The percentage? 8.92. Uh the 2% plus the other million on top of it we're probably at about 3%. If you add it together. Yeah, I got somewhere between 5 and 6. It gets it it There's a lot of
038confusion with how people look at the number because other districts will say we're going up 6%, but it will be 6% plus the debt service if they have a debt service. That's kind of the thing that they don't talk about. Uh we're now at a flat 2% for our tax levy. So, technically, we're up only 2%. The debt service is something you voters voted on with a referendum I guess at this point in the 18 years ago. So, it's an existing factor, is what you're saying? >> factor that's been going on for years. People tend to forget what happened years ago, but the bonds are 25-year bonds. And I just Yeah, just looking at the budget more and more, I just kind of wanted to make that a revelation. Thank you. Okay. I I Does
039anyone have I also have a couple of questions on page five. Is it the budget or what number? I can start with the budget and then I can I Well, I'll start with the one and then I'll go to the budget. Um So, just what number? Sorry. I didn't I said page five. I don't know the page number, but Item number. Where is that? Page five? I know. H. Okay. Um the $35,000 for travel and the fact that we've used almost $25,000, is that average for other districts? It seems extremely high to me. Um to attend meetings, workshops. It's been It's It's been the number that's been used here for several years. >> Well, we brought it down from 50. I didn't think that we actually would approach that much. Um 24,000. Yeah, so it's
040I mean, can we drop that down to 20,000 maybe and see how we do as a district? But what Does that just count for travel? These are This would This would encompass travel for faculty for attending meetings, conferences. Dr. Silas Quinn, what if we took historical over the last five years? My mileage reimbursement people that are traveling to conferences, to classes, to include staff members, administrators, and coaches. The entire district. I realize that we're not I can't remember if we've traveled out of state or anything. Does it encompass No one since I've been here. And because I've seen it each month on the bills list, um nothing that seems that it had reached this this magnitude. Does it include the course and the workshops also? No. It's just the travel. Travel then. Carl, to Dr.
041Steiner's comment, can you perhaps give us for the next meeting the average of the last 3 years in in those costs? Sure. To help with that motion. And if you'd like, I can give you a breakdown of that $24,000 if you want to see it. Yes. That'd be great. Because I too would like to see it. I agree with Dr. Steiner. And um just um speaking with the public with regards to the budget, I know there was questions regarding the seven certificated staff. Uh Dr. Antunes, would you like to like elaborate as to what staff we're looking at and areas? I met with the administrative team and we are going through a process of where they believe their needs are in each of the buildings and as a district. So, they are certificated staff. It's
042excuse me. It could be special ed teachers, general ed teachers, BCBAs, nurses, and we're going through a prioritization process. Okay. So, then we're just supposed to blindly blanket approve as seven certificated staff members. Right. Because I just don't want to go through the process of what happened last year where um we removed stipends and we almost didn't have safety patrol. >> There's no removal of that this year. Right. But I also too, we have no idea like where this is in relation to because I remember last meeting I asked about the classroom sizes and I forgot and I remember afterwards that sixth grade was our largest size this year, but I believe we move forward it's our second grade class that's moving up. So, are we going to be trying to do things to alleviate
043that class size? And but they're you're not willing to provide any confirmation. what the building administrators and the district administrators believe to be the priority because >> So, we can't have an answer before we approve the budget? Well, we know it's seven certificated staff members. It could be depending upon where our other special ed numbers are, where we're putting those people. But we won't have them before next week. I wouldn't say we would have a solid at that point. We still have registrations coming in. Any other questions? I think I can just add to that, Dr. Snow. The budget contains the allocation for seven certificated staff members. The board still has to vote for the approval of each staff member. So, what you're voting on in the budget is just the allocation of the money,
044not where it's going as far as positions go. When Dr. Intunes proposes to the board and recommends where they should go, the board still has the opportunity to vote for that position. Yeah, unfortunately, like we've had some allocations and there's been significant delays in appointing those. So, I think that I think in the future if we knew in advance what they were, so we could see a foresight and have a timeline that they would be utilized within the school year. I think it For me and myself, it would make it easier voting on some of these items in advance, especially with the budget. Just to play devil's advocate on that, we do we should remain somewhat flexible to the needs the ever-changing needs. This school year is not going to look the same as next
045school year. I agree we need to know who they are as soon as possible, but also just keep in mind that we should have somewhat of flexibility. If we fill all seven spots and then realize we have a need outside of what those seven certificated are, we're going to be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just something to think about. I just knowing what has happened this year and I'm just trying to prevent it for the future. What's the development? Might I suggest we go in order of the actual agenda of the bouncing ball over by OCD just to follow with that. All right. Um number eight is really where it starts. Approval of the minutes. And then anybody have anything on that right now? Number nine is public comment. Number 10 is
046correspondence. Correspondence from Mr. Cole. The enrollment for the fire emergency show reports. I have a question. It also involves um the home instruction that's further into the agenda, but I'm not seeing any increase in suspension totals to match the homebound instruction need. Homebound instruction may not necessarily be due to suspensions. It could be due to a variety of other things. Uh medical issues, behavioral issues. So it may not be an actual suspension. But the behavioral issues would be on a different report. May not be a behavioral issue. May not have to May not have resulted in a suspension. It could be a different behavioral issue. It might not even necessarily be aggressive behavior. It could be school phobia or something like that. Okay, maybe we can dive into that a little bit more. Is Is
047your question do they home instruct if they're on suspension? Was that your question? No, I'm looking for the need to match. So we're not showing suspensions or anything like that in the enrollment suspension totals, but we're showing that we're looking to approve I think it's three homebound instructors. That That could be for health reasons. But they're Yeah, they're not related necessarily. >> That was my question Just to confirm that there were not due to any legal issues that we were aware of. Cuz it's not matching. Yeah. Okay. And then since we're on that page, um right now are we there yet? Okay, never mind. I'll leave. Anything else with correspondence? Uh action items number 13, school business administration finance. I I know I had requested it and I think Laura might have also. I've not
048received any attorney bills list. That we used to receive monthly. This month? I I I didn't request it but I know someone wanted to review the bills list. Was that you, Chris? I did. Um That would have the illegal fees on there but not >> But usually we used to receive a detailed one. And it came with each invoice each month or or my firm or whatever. I believe I believe last month's were sent out. We just received See this month's. Okay. So one's on the bills list would be a month behind on the bills list. So if we receive a bill today, you won't you won't receive that bill until next month's bills list. No, but I we used to receive >> is what you're looking for. Yes. And the last month's invoices did
049go out. This month's haven't gone out yet. Yeah, I think Laura needs them approved first on the bills list. Is that what it is before you'll send them to us? They We send them out to you to review as the bills list is being Okay. But they're a month behind. Yeah. I just haven't received any email. No. I was late last month. I apologize. Okay. We'll let that happen again. There was no hourly charges so Let's leave it at that. Anything else with finances? I will say would not have an increase in our legal expenses. We've also increased our meeting. Yeah. And uh Adam's going Number two, facilities. Any questions on facilities? Seeing none, number three, non-personnel items. A through H. I'm just going to say if anyone hasn't checked the attachment for their preschool
050budget, it's very easy to read through. It's a breath of fresh air. Uh thank you, Dr. Flynn, and uh I wish all budgets were as simple. And I learned from Carl we get that reimbursed almost completely except for about $400,000, right? That's correct. Our Our budget this year is actually $400,000 that we collect each year for the preschool program. Okay. That's a relief. Carl, letter number three, letter E, regarding a transportation joint share with Tuckahoe Elementary. This is an example of them paying us, correct, to do their routes? Yes. And based on what you've said, we have to be making a profit like that route. Correct. >> Including the bus lease fee? The bus trip, the lease fees, fuel, insurance, driver, aid if necessary, and then we show a profit on top. Our goal is
051to basically undercut the private sector bus companies to help out our neighboring districts, but we're not transporting neighboring districts at a break-even point or a loss. So, it has to be profitable on our district side if we're going to get involved. And how many routes are we providing to Techline? This is for only one route. One route. >> I believe it might be a It might be a special ed route. How many students? Three students. I I don't have that information. Three students. Three students on one route. No, it's three routes. Three routes. It's at a profit. And Dr. Inturias, I have a question about the semi. I just got opened it. Is this something that's a correction or is it submitted twice a year? What What did we do that for, the semi plan?
052You have a copy. I couldn't open that first. >> Okay, so so the Oh, I'm sorry. The If the semi corrective action was taken twice a year, it is sufficient Okay. based on the volume of semi operations. I I got a question. I see here there was a donation for five coding robots. What are they? Like what are they for? Technology for STEAM. Okay. So, like they teach Very cool. Still on the topic of donations, thank you Elizabeth Nino for the 250 for the five coding robots, uh Donor's Choice for $243, and then the Lola Barber PTO for multiple line items as well. Um donations are absolutely critical for uh the school and thank you so much. Anything else in finance? All right, moving on to superintendent items. Personnel? Any questions? Do we have a
053plan to equalize the resignations of Paris to the hiring of Paris? Looks like there were six resigning but only three hiring. I think Dr. Eyler kind of answered that in the presentation. For the public cuz Is he he So you're providing one for the public, right? >> And we are also cons I have them on my calendar. So as he interviews, then they come to me and then we interview and then we bring them to the board. So he's been doing a lot of interviewing and I think he's doing a lot of Thank you. And just thank you to Mrs. Perchio. I don't know how many years she's been with the district, but anyone know? Um for all her years of service. >> Any more questions on that? Moving on to superintendent non-personnel. Can I
054go back a second? Sorry. Sure. I need to flip my page. Um so, are we hiring per diem bus drivers at a lower rate than our part-time bus drivers? I'm looking at seven under Yeah, under staffing. On page nine. There's not a name listed, just the position. So, the per diem would be the backup drivers. So again, we're paying them at a lower rate, and we're not paying hourly at the same rate? Because what is the rate for the summer? For our parents also. It's like a sub rate, right? This is a This is based on like a sub rate. For substitute driver. So again, and that's my question also too moving forward, if the part-time paras move forward as well with this, um are the rates going to be consistent for substitutes [clears throat]
055versus part-time, etc. That's something I uh asked quite a bit about for this year currently, because currently we have substitute paras being paid less than our current part-time paras. Um and it's something that needs to be addressed. I think there needs to be something in place that's more formal than um us reviewing it on a an agenda to approve. Um and in some ways that's some of the difficulties with not having contracts with these individuals, I guess is the best way to say it. I guess sub rates are always less than regular pay, right? Teachers' rates are less. Right now we're paying subs $10 an hour less for paraprofessionals than part-time paras. Right. So you just increased the part-time para. We increased it in September, and I have been asking since probably November, December about
056those rates, and they didn't bring it up. So it's something that has to be addressed. Okay, minimum what we're mandated to pay, right? Doesn't make it right. >> [applause] >> Any other questions on that section? All right, non-personnel items? I just want to say I'm happy to see we're hiring nurses at that rate because we have a hard time getting nurses. Page 15. >> [clears throat] >> Um on letter G on page 15, um do we have a or could we have um a dollar amount of how much we have dispersed for um those parts of the contract allowing covering courses for, I believe, contract with the dollar amount is that we're But how much do you use for this? How many days are there? Tuition reimbursement. >> That's what we're looking for. Thank you.
057I'll include that with the travel expenses. So, it would vary slightly via that's the contract, right? Depending on the contract. Okay. All right, page 16 for non-personnel. Do you want to talk about the contract here? Because the not contract yet. >> Calendar. Who has questions on the calendar? I think it has made great improvements. Thank you. So, I know we took a lot of feedback from everybody. Um you know, everybody there's a lot of input, a lot of stakeholders affected by the calendar. And I think if I just boil it down to the important parts, uh we're starting after Labor Day. That Tuesday. For students, right? For students, yes. The staff will come in Tuesday, September 1st. But students would start after Labor Day. Uh we'll have our full November break. And we get out
058June 18th. And studies will be after that in the event that we have any. Um Chris, I just wanted say I'm grateful that uh this show is starting on the 8th, finishing before the weekend of the 21st of June, and that the November fall break, as you stated, stays intact as next year. It's important to me. It was definitely feedback that the teaching community asked for here, so happy to get that done. Any other questions on the calendar or the that section in general? The policies? Were we given a copy of policy 01 55.1? Yes. Should we review that since that was uh a topic? I must say that counsel made some revisions. Not many though. They're really minor. All right, any other questions? >> [clears throat] >> So, can I just on this policy?
059So, this now requires I don't know if you know this. Oh, there it is. Um that we will have a vote every on policy 01 55, sorry. Um We'll have a vote before a member is allowed to participate electronically. No, if you read it, it says no vote. Sorry. I didn't get that far yet, but thank you. Sorry. Um You read it. I Yeah, I don't know. Um I don't know how everybody else feels about this. It's at the board's discretion, am I right, whether it happens? Can we share the first paragraph? Yeah, so as as adjusted, um it says a vote by the board to permit the board member to participate via electronic device is not required. That that's the update. I So, last evening then if you're talking about last evening, it should
060have been required. I will go back and check that. >> the currently you know, as it's currently written um my recollection is that um the board member that wants to participate electronically would have to first seek permission from the board president and let me just see I'll I'll I'll quote it directly. Um Yeah, they are to make every effort to notify the board president of their intention to participate remotely at least 24 hours in advance. Um and then it says current This is the current policy. Um the board member must have their participation in the board meeting using an electronic device formally announced at the beginning of the board meeting. A vote by the board to permit the board member to participate via electronic device is not required. So, that it appears as though it's
061the same. So, my concern is is that in the past we um especially during COVID, um, we had one elderly board member. I hate to refer to her that way. But, um, and she reported from home, but she had to assure us that she was alone, especially during executive session. And currently, how some instances could occur, if a camera is not on, we're unaware if an individual is alone or if there are other individuals or exactly what's happening. So, is there any way the verbage could include something so that So, um, my suggestion, if there's a concern, um, that we can't trust board members to to be alone for an executive session, um, would be that you prohibit participation by electronic device for, uh, executive session, if that is a concern. Um, if the board
062members don't have, and I don't I don't want to sound flip here, but if there are no trust issues present, um, there's no reason why a board member, uh, the board member's word couldn't satisfy that they're being truthful. Um, mind you that it would be an ethics violation if they were lying, uh, or if they permitted another person to be in in the room with them during an executive session on electronic participation. That's on the board member. But, certainly, if you wanted to tighten it up and make it so that no board members can participate electronically in executive session, you could certainly do that. And I think just going forward, good practice would be if you can't make the meeting, then you you can't make the meeting. Um, just going forward, because, you know, a
063lot of what we do here is is important to be here, to hear from the public directly. Uh, the conversations that we have in person are a little bit different than being virtual. So, I'm just asking if you can make every effort to to be here in person, and if you can't, then, you know, unfortunately, this is an option, but I would personally prefer you not be here if you can't make it up. Just we've had so many issues with the electronic device up there and not that anyone's fault, but just the technology is not always dependable and you know, we should be here as much as we can. Uh [snorts] joining remotely seems to be more of a distraction than a benefit, at least to the members that are at the meeting physically. Do
064we have to have this policy by law? I mean, can we abolish this policy? Is anybody wanting interesting retaining this policy? Uh just so you're clear, there's no legal requirement that you have this policy. I think the main purpose for this or intent was for people who have a medical condition that would prevent them, you know, and who want to participate or any other extenuating circumstances. Yeah, my my just thing is that if it was on like oh, it was done on the technology and Yeah, like also too, we had you on camera, we could see when you were trying to speak and I was on camera, but I was behind the curtain. So, that was not on me, that was a decision that was made here, was set up. Well, I'm just I'm not
065you know, questioning, I'm just saying that that's a huge difference for me also. Well, all of that would be cut out going forward if either you're here present or you do not. And if there's a medical issue, that's a different case, but I would just encourage all board members to attend meetings in person so you can hear directly from the public and conduct our meetings. And in general, I mean, so does the president have the ability to deny a board member's request? Just curious. Sorry. Just bear with me one moment. Um with regard to the proposed revision, um it's my recollection and as I review it now that there's nothing that the president would grant or deny. Rather, it says that they should make every effort to notify the board president of their attention. I
066have a question. The board is supposed to be involved with creating policies. Is that correct? Only the board can create policy. Okay, cuz I know nothing about that. Like who worked on that revision and I don't agree with the revision. So at what point will that be a discussion? So I was asked to revise it, which I did maybe a month or two ago. Um and it's it's my expectation that the board would have a full complete discussion about it, which you know, we're doing now. We We no longer have a We no longer I'm sorry. We no longer have a policy committee, so that makes it a little Well, your committee of the The board is a committee of the whole, so collectively here in the sunshine, um the board should be discussing this.
067To the extent that there you know, my revisions here were based upon information that I received about how things were or weren't working for the district. Um what I say is certainly not gospel. You have to decide as a board what works for you here. What's best for the residents here, what's best for the students here. And and you're going to make a determination that way. That's why the voters put you there. So you know, to the extent this is a work in progress and you should certainly make all of your concerns known. Um and again, this can be revised and continue to be revised. It's a It's a work in progress. That's also why we do two readings. First reading and then the board discusses it and then second reading to either approve or
068not So this is first reading and Tuesday night will be first reading and next month will be second. So this is just going to be talked about No, I I can rationalize with So so bad last meeting in terms of the connection. And I think it's important that board members vote be counted. But if you know, we have to be able to work through the issue with technology. There has to be a balance. I'm glad we're having this discussion. Because it was it was tough last meeting. But the votes should have been counted in my view. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, it should have been counted. I'll make that amendment. This is our time, I think. I'll make that amendment next next week. Can I just I hate to say no. I've got
069I don't want to jinx anyone. But God forbid someone breaks their leg, breaks their ankle and physically can't make it here and wants to be here. And so that's the reason, but I do feel that something should be added that camera must be on and that the public must see the camera. And trust me, it'll be an deterrent enough because you're zoomed in right on that screen when it's just you. Having attended meetings via Zoom and you're the one sitting in person. But in you know, those cases I don't want to say a hard fast no because of that because we don't know what can happen and you know, you signed on for this and we all have intentions of attending and we don't know what could happen. But I would say that the individual
070has to be on camera. And that we have to be able to see them. Agreed. I respectfully disagree. I think that if you are not able to attend a meeting that you should attempt to why you're not at the meeting. You come first, your family comes first. If you cannot make a meeting because something else is a priority, then that's important. It's not okay to feel like you have to put your family aside to jump onto a board meeting. We appreciate the time that you volunteer to come to put these things in, but at no point should any board member feel like they have to stop caring for a family member or themselves to come on to the board meeting. If it's that important that they can't be there, then they should be focusing on
071that. I understand your point, but we are a voting board and we have an action meeting. And when we leave one out, then we have a six-member board. So, it makes it a little tough to get things done. So, I Show up. Yeah, I think also it should be at the discretion of the board if a board member is remote and they want to break away from their family and care for them. That should be their choice to do so. I said if you're able to break away, then you should come to the meeting. Yeah, I agree. If they can break away and they're physically here and if they're not tied up with something else, but yet they can participate. Okay, I think they should have the right to do so. So, I'm going to
072remember to do it on the motion. I guess Christy went and asked if do you people want to abolish this since Greg uh presented that or Or we could bring it up next meeting. Um it doesn't have to be decided today, but it is something we consider. The only thing I would say about against abolishing it is that you just never know when you need it. I would say it's the last last last last resort, don't come, uh but you just never know when and if we need it for whatever reason, uh at least it's there, but it should not be the first option, second option, or third option. Could it be that >> Yeah, I don't think that's how it's been used. And it's really a distraction. Our level of execution on technology uh
073definitely is not meeting the need to have this as a as a regular basis. Um uh maybe we make a stipulation limited in scope to just having it if there is an illness, but I I think it has to be few and far between and not used as often as has been. What if it's a no on the policy, not abolish, that there is a policy saying that we cannot do it at any point we could both go and that policy and then there would be a vote. Is that correct? I like what you were saying about the limit, but maybe we could put a number on it. >> that would potentially limit it then it would have to be voted. So, if the policy says that we are not allowing electronic involvement at any
074point. For example, if I can't be here at the next meeting, the policy says no I cannot come on electronically, but I want to, somebody could motion to amend it and therefore they could get on, but that would have to be a vote. So, it would always be a no unless we amended it for that specific meeting. Listen, you're exactly correct. If you recall, there was a board meeting maybe two or three meetings ago where the board suspended the policy at my urging because I wanted to allow somebody to attend, but the the remainder of the policy it was unclear whether or not it was followed. So, what we did to make it absolutely kosher, is we voted the board voted to suspend the policy, which would be the similar thing that you're talking about
075if the default position was no. Correct. And don't forget we moved to two meetings a month in January abruptly. So, that changed things. And and if we abolish the policy, we still the president has the discretion to still approve somebody joining electronically. I don't think that I I don't think he can even approve on his own. He can't vote on his own. Well, if we abolish the policy, then there's no policy and the only way that one can join is by a vote of the majority of the board members. Cuz there's no other way to allow. Okay. If there's a policy in place, it would have to be voted on. Okay. Uh what have you seen in other districts cuz I'm sure we're not the only ones. Yeah, I've seen across the state or up
076and down the state, um it ranges from no participation whatsoever to participation with advanced notice to you know, just just hey, pop on and and you'll be on. And that's it. So it really it has to work for your community and your board in particular. >> [clears throat] >> I think to Greg's point, the level on which we execute technology here is a real challenge. That's what it was to me last week. The last meeting was terrible. So if we can get around that issue >> Yeah, we had a huge discussion and you know, you have audio issues. Um you know, the the list goes on and on and um I just really need to get these speakers. I'm going to say cuz I I I I attended virtually um when I was handling my
077brother's estate and I had to be out of the state. I don't know what the technology was like here for those of you who were on the board at the time whether it any better or not. Um but you know, I think it has to depend on um you know, the reasoning also. I think there's a lot of different factors that need to come into play. I don't think it's a black or white situation. You were president at the time. I remember that. Cuz I and then I asked you to for two meetings. >> Yes. So to that, a vote would be most appropriate because it depends on each situation. Yeah, just it's not yes or no. But you need a policy in place to vote. Not necessarily cuz in the absence of a policy,
078you can still vote to allow the the default position would be not allowed if there was no policy, but to allow the board would take a vote on a case-by-case basis at each meeting where somebody wanted to join. And perhaps that's what the policy says. Like we can revise the policy to actually say that if that's the direction that the board wants to go in. But I think it's up to you, all of you here. Um I'll write whatever it is that you decide uh on. I'm I'm fine as long as it's not, you know, like a definite no given the circumstances, you know, and that every board member has a vote to decide whether or not it happens and takes place. I think that's fair. You're fine with abolishing it or fine with redefining
079it the way everybody wants to do it. You want to add voting into it? Into the policy? Yeah, I think it's it's the same in the end. If we don't have a policy, then we have to vote on it each instance. If we have the policy and include the policy that it has to be majority approved by the board in order for it to happen, that's the same thing, basically. Well, for tonight we don't have to do anything. We're we're just discussing it. No action. And if you want If you want, I can take a stab at in view of everybody's dialogue tonight, I can take a stab at redrafting. Um and if you like it, you like it, and if you don't, that's fine, too. If that'll be helpful, you let me know. Sure.
080Thank you. All right. Anything else in the board work session? School ethics disclosures? Are due April 30th. >> Yeah, please make sure that you If you need some assistance, just reach out and we'll make sure they're done. I know I did mine. all I know. I have too many children that I have to list and it just drives me crazy. All right, number 10, school business administrator board secretary. Recommend a motion to approve finance items A. I have a motion? Motion. Second? Second. Any questions? I thought this was a no action meeting. resolution Well, it's highlighted in my book here. The resolution that is up for vote tonight is a tentative budget resolution, which had adjustments in it for the county approval. So, what you voted on prior meeting for the tentative budget, these numbers
081are slightly different. They were adjusted to the review by accounting. You mean the chart on page three? Yes. So, you're you're voting right now on the tentative budget resolution. Can I have one other question? Can other action items be acted on this evening? Was Was I'm sorry, Dr. Was the question could other action items be voted on? My understanding is the way this was advertised is that there was action may be taken. I would someone like to request to go back into executive session. That's the case. Who's someone to make the motion? How long do you think we need to be in executive for? If If we're going to go to executive, let's do public forum first so people talk and then we'll do it afterwards. So, we're not keeping everybody here. Okay. Any other
082questions? So, Carl, we can go I mean, we submitted this already, so we don't have to act on it tonight, do we, Carl? Yes. We do. Okay. It's a correction. And this these are corrections from the county, nothing that Correct. Did we receive any type of email indicating that we were voting on a correction to the budget this evening? Were any of us notified? I actually checked the numbers and I thought they were the same, actually. The base number. It was Am I the only one? The 2892 was $2,000 that's had to be adjusted. In the 2892706? Yes. What happened was over the past few years the district received tax incentive from the state. Since the state now has announced that they are no longer providing we had to make an adjustment of $106,110. So,
083all the numbers were brought down to reflect that. I mean, I did ask if this was an action meeting the other day when we had a different meeting. And it was verified that it was a no action, and Chris and Tiffany were both at that meeting. So, Carl, what if we Two questions. One, when did we get this this these updated numbers, and two, what if we don't take action tonight? Okay, so the numbers were updated yesterday from the county and from my office and then verified by both offices that this is our tentative budget. And they were put into the agenda. The tentative budget was put in numbers put out on Friday and then they were adjusted down one more time yesterday. Okay, and what if we don't approve it tonight? Oh, well, we
084will not be in compliance. will We will not be in compliance. Is it a Q-SAC issue or It's a Q-SAC issue. The county has allowed us additional time knowing that we had a planned meeting for tonight. And and requested that the vote be taken tonight, otherwise we would have had to call for a special meeting for last night in order to accommodate the county. We would have had a special meeting last night and another meeting tonight. But none of this has shared with any of us, correct? And unless Correct. Well, we can discuss this in executive The discussion though about a budget is not an executive session discussion. So, to the extent that it's going to be discussed, it has to be discussed out here in the sunshine. What is this really changing? It's just
085changing the revenue number and expenditure number uh based on the tax levy incentive that the state is no longer providing. Carl, we originally were at a 2% increase plus debt service. That has not changed. That's not changed. I've seen tentative. You have communicated any change, any increase, so I There's been no change in the appropriations, in the revenue section, except for the tax levy incentive which the state is no longer providing. Dr. Antonucci, were you aware that this was you were going to be voting on this resolution today? Uh this was That was Friday. literally put out just The I I just need to tell everyone on Friday I had told a parent that this was a non-voting meeting. And if you knew that it was a a voting meeting, then I have issues because
086I wouldn't have said that to a parent. Now, I was also under that same impression. If you recall at our meeting I I did I Well, but maybe this might help. The vote that's being asked for tonight by the county is for the tentative budget. The final budget is next Tuesday. I think we should stress too the numbers are exactly the same cuz I calculated 2% and I got >> The 2% Nothing has changed in the budget except [clears throat] for the tax levy incentive aid which was placed on the user-friendly budget which the state now is saying they're not going to provide. And so my my notion or for seconding of this is Carl, when you don't communicate any type of change the trust and assumption is that that 2% remained in place and
087it stayed tentative. So actionable or not you didn't communicate a change. You didn't communicate but you didn't therefore communicate a change. Therefore I was okay with seconding that. So I'm still okay with Yeah, I agree. It doesn't change these numbers at all. It was the inner budget. It's still the same. It was supposed to be a non-action meeting. I think we had And we were all disclosed this was a non-action meeting. That's the issue that I'm holding. You're asking me to take action on something that I was unaware that I was going to be voting on and that is not ethical. So we should call a special meeting then. I guess we should if we have to. Carl, when is this after we turn it in? The county is expecting it tomorrow morning. This is
088because of the state change. They throw in things that either we call a special meeting or if you have something planned already you can talk about that. Now Carl though, I don't think that was made clear obviously to the members that this was something time sensitive that needed to be voted on tonight. So Dr. Snyder, how would you like to proceed since you Is this what you want to talk about in executive? Well, it's just the fact that I was under the impression and I was told by You were in that same meeting where this was not a non-action meeting. Dr. Antunes said it was a non-action meeting. We had a meeting last evening. It was a >> Typically these aren't non-action meetings, but this is something my understanding that needs to be done by
089the county. We can't wait till next week. We had a schedule >> And email. All it had to be sent between Friday and today was an email by Dr. Antunes or Mr. Marotta. I believe correct me if I'm wrong, but the agenda was sent out on Friday. This was included in Friday's agenda. Again, I'm under the assumption that it's a non-voting. And especially when I was told by the superintendent on Friday that no action would be taken. Okay, so this communication, we're here now. How would you guys like to proceed? Uh it sounds like we have a first and a second, so I think we have to vote at this point. I think we're all dissatisfied that we came into this believing that it was a non-action meeting. But at this point I believe we
090have to vote on it. No, I just wanted to note our business at hand is a very dynamic situation. Things occur. If on Friday Carl was given a state change, he presented a budget through the agenda. I wasn't privy to that. I don't see it as unethical cuz we have we live in a very dynamic situation. We as professionals have to choose to trust one another and to be able to act and stay in compliance and not be We had to be given the information and it's not only that. I I don't think that's actually I think we're allowed to have I'm sorry I'm wrong. No, but we are allowed to ask questions through email. If we see something awful, we have you know, answers we want. Correct. Yeah. What what typically happens is Carl
091would say, "Hey guys, this is non-action meeting, but this particular item needs to be voted on to satisfy the county." But we weren't told that in this non-action meeting. So, in the future if we have to do this in a non-voting session and vote on something that's outside of our normal procedure, could you please let us know? Yes. Uh what can we do now? Are you guys comfortable We have to vote on it. So, what questions do you have to feel comfortable voting on this change? And again, this is a tentative budget. >> Oh. Tentative. It sounds like it's time sensitive, too, at this point. I was the second. I second. And again, this is tentative, right? So, even though Correct. And the budget is not raised. And And the budget is not raised. We
092vote on it right now. We still have next week to change it or to challenge it or to >> Correct. That your final budget vote is next week. This is just to satisfy the county. Is that correct, or Correct. And the numbers are exactly the same. Chris, to your point, I I truly operate If I don't hear from Carl or Dr. Antunes, then I'm assuming there is no change in the last conversations we had. And then you would be ethical and reach us if there was a change. And so it's tentative budget, it's time sensitive, there's no change to the increase. It's not considered a major change because the tax revenue increase is not changed. Okay. Carl, I I get I guess you deal with these numbers every day. It's not a big deal to
093you, but us walking into a meeting believing that it's not action, it's a big deal to us. So, it definitely caught us by surprise. Even though it was on the agenda, I do understand. Correct. In the future, we would appreciate a heads-up, but I I understand where you're coming from. All right. Can we vote on it? I get one hand. Anyone have any questions? Um I I I want to make one more comment. Um so, prior to education, I was 20 years in the private sector, home building and engineering, and I was a P&L um finance budget manager. And you know, um there's there's administering budget, there's overseeing the budget. If I were to have reported every item to my regional president, I would be in a non-unionized environment, which I'm proud and happy to
094work in now, and then it was an I would I would not be viewed as someone who can manage his in his universe and his world, and I would be held accountable in that regard. So, I completely understand how how this can stress some of us out, and I respect that completely, and I do believe this now that Carl knows you should definitely communicate that in the future. Um I can see I can see where Carl's at in a little bit just having worked in that world, and really being spot responsible for 74 million-plus dollars in budgets myself in the course of my career. Um it's hard. It's it's a responsible action to let everyone know, and certainly now that you know that, um but um you know, I I I'm still okay with having
095something to see in the budget. See it in the agenda part. Respectfully, do not say that this is stressing me out. This was a uh board workshop, which meant that this posting for this event had to be changed to an event that was going to have an actionable item on it to vote. Therefore, that should have been clarified. It's not stressing me out. It was how it was handled, and I Forgive me for stating that point, but it's not stressing me out. That's my me doing my due diligence. >> Did I just misunderstand you? >> [applause] >> I I do believe that Okay. Did I Did I not hear you correctly? Did you use the term stress? That's what I thought I heard you say people were stressed out. Did I just misunderstand that? I
096I think I'm paraphrasing you. So, I'm paraphrasing you. That's what I'm talking about. I I >> Yeah. Now, I but at this point I'll try I think unless we have questions on the numbers I'd like that Dr. Snyder, all workshop sessions from our reorg meeting were never advertised non-voting, which means they could be voting meetings if necessary. Okay. So, if you want to change that then go back to make a change on the workshop. Then again, Dr. Antuna should have clarified that on Friday when I told the parent that no action could have been taken and I was very stressed I stressed that greatly. So, then more than one of us are under the impression that these were non-actionable meetings. So, if you Yeah, I I think in the future it needs to be crystal
097clear made crystal clear to us if we're taking action at a workshop. My assumption coming into a workshop is that we're going to discuss all the matters, talk through policy, everything, not take action. So, I I think this We have to determine the protocol if there needs to be action taken at a workshop. How is it We should clear the barking in here. Yeah. Yeah, I think we didn't understand maybe but you did mention this resolution in executive, did you not, that that we would be reapproving it or approving it. Yes. I think you did I think I'm sorry I was late um due to my daughter's doctor's appointment but But again, we can't you know, we can find things That's the it's the first time we've had an issue come up in a workshop
098right that actually got voted on. So, now put some kind of protocol together and action. So, just one point on that um this is our fourth month of doing board as a whole. Last year we did board as a committee which meant that we had side committees in between board meetings. And one of the reasons why was why we switched was so that everybody could hear the same information at the same time. And the understanding was when we did it when we did the switch that the first meeting would be informational only. So, we'd have a week to digest the information, ask questions, follow up, and then we would vote the second meeting. This is the first time my understanding that we've actually had to take action in an informational meeting. So, going forward, if
099that happens again, can you please let us know so we know walking in here in an informational meeting that we need to take action. We could do it so that when the agenda comes out on the Friday, I know it's going to come out with it. Yeah, it's a simple fix. It's just communicate. >> like an honest misunderstanding. >> Yeah, because it's even like if changes happen in the agenda that we're reviewing, all I ask for is a highlight or anything that's changed, anything that has been added, um any agenda line items. And in the past, I recently had to ask Chris if anything has changed. Um but when we previously did workshops with the former superintendent um for a couple months, we did receive an update saying, "Okay, this has changed, this has changed."
100And I think that's important because every time that you read the agenda, it's different for each one of us. It's when we have time in our schedule. So, changes could have occurred um between the first draft to the draft that the next person is reading on the Google Docs. So. Maybe we could construct it so the agenda could be resent out with the highlighted change, with change highlighted, so you could identify right away. Okay. All right. Um roll call, please. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Chacon? Yes. Ms. Herbert? Yes. Mr. Lasher? Yes. Ms. Littlejohn? Yes. Dr. Snyder? Absent. Absent. Mr. O'Keefe? Yes. Mr. Filicchia? Yes. Motion passes. Okay, public comment. The Board of Education welcomes public comment on the items that was any choice. Uh the Board of Education recognizes the value of public comment
101on educational issues. The Board requests that each statement made by a participant is limited to 5 minutes as cited in policy number 0167. There is a sign-in sheet located at the podium. Please sign in before you speak. Barbara Rowe, 667 Pine Valley Court in Harborcreek City. I have no skin in the game with the Millcreek Township. I'm here to support 81 paraprofessionals, my union brothers and sisters. I've just witnessed the exact definition of cognitive dissonance, and let me read that to you. >> [applause] >> Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort or psychological stress experienced when a person holds two or more cognitive beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. Introduced by Leon Festinger, this theory highlights that inconsistencies between behaviors and beliefs cause tension, motivating motivating people to alter their attitudes or actions to restore harmony. Folks,
102you just spent more time talking about a calendar, about a board policy on cameras and being on a camera, what have you, and now this discussion about whether you were going to be taking action, yet you didn't spend the time to talk about 81 people who are going to who are losing you're going to make them not full-time. How is that possible? Where are your values? Honestly, it's astounding to me. The president of the NJEA was sitting in the back on his anniversary night here to come and speak in defense of any one power professionals, essential employees. >> [applause] >> And you are so ugly amongst yourselves about your policy and guidelines. And I had to avoid the questioning. I thanked the questioner. But if you value doing your jobs and your fiduciary responsibility and
103you're a board of the whole, then everybody should know what's happening. And if you didn't know in your executive session, you should have figured it out. If everybody wants to know, and if it's a working session as advertised with no action being taken, it's a problem. This is a problem. So, when you talk about your priorities, and I thought, "Oh, good. I think they're I hopefully you're doing something here." You just disproved my what I said that I thought that it was some kind of progress. Honest to God. And the dysfunction and who's doing what, that's wrong. And I'm not saying shame. But I'm saying, "Get your priorities together. Start working together for the betterment of the school. >> [applause] >> Stop fighting amongst yourselves about this and that or I'm here or I'm there."
104But fine, have the discussion. It might be a fierce discussion. But have it before you come out in public and you are worried about all that uh stuff right now that doesn't that is not big potatoes. Big potatoes is 81 people that you're >> [applause] >> reducing reducing your hours. You're causing them stress. It's absolutely insane to me. Worrying about being on a video. You just lost people. If I have no skin in the game. I just have to go through the Burlington tail of the dog, go across the mall, go over the river, get off at exit 44, and just drive over the Blue Heron Pines where my house is. But I came up because I believe in people, and I believe in how important these people are to making your school a success.
105Please, start to work with each other and professionals. You need to do a better job communicating with this Board of Education. Otherwise, you're going to constantly be on this perpetual wheel. And you don't have confidence in the public. The last board meeting had this room packed with people trying to emphasize how important the jobs were, 81 people. Yet you're worried about cameras and and whatnot. It's just It's It's baffling to me. Please. Please. When I use the word "ruminate" in my earlier speech, yeah, really. It's like reflection. Our practice when we're in the classroom, we're supposed to go back and think about and reflect on what happens. This does not reflect very well on you right now, all of you. You need to get your act together, and you need to determine what your priorities
106are, and you need to build a collaborative group with your community where it truly is open and transparent of what happens. And integrity, when you tell someone there's no action going to be taken, but then action gets taken, that's wrong. And and and it puts a person in a bad situation. It's not right. That's all I have to say. I I just I will be here next Tuesday. And I hope and not [applause] only you had the NJCL president here to speak. We we were just baffled. We were baffled about what happened. But you but I'll tell you, I will I will organize every one of the county presidents to come down and talk to you about how important it is to support the members here, to support your staff, and not worry about running
107a private bus company, and undercutting and undercutting and then undercutting a private bus company, but then yet you're going to then charge any districts a premium price. Well, are they going to take your premium price or they're going to go to the to back to the private company who's going to outbid you? Okay, ma'am. Thank you very much. Just just please. I'm going to be probably the only person that stands up. All right. Carl, are you going to talk to me about it? Come on, please. Please. >> You're already over your 5 minutes. >> I understand. I understand, but my frustration is coming out because everyone in this room is frustrated with this. Thank you, and there's other people I want to speak. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> THANK YOU. I'LL SPEAK. I'LL
108SPEAK. >> [applause] >> IT'S ME AGAIN. JASON BAKER, 23 Maple Drive. Um I actually wasn't planning on talking like last time. Kind of felt the need. Uh I will just point out I do appreciate the tone of the meeting. It seems to be a lot more respectful, a lot less condescending. Um I did come here to hear updates. I didn't hear any. I was hoping for something. I got nothing. Uh there was some verbal pats on the back, a lot of verbal mutual assurances for each other. That was cool. >> [clears throat] >> Um I'm not going to ask questions because last time I was here hundreds of people asked questions and not one answer came to them. Once when it went back to you guys. So, what's the point of asking questions if you're
109not going to give us answers? Uh I did notice though I feel like there would have been a lot more support for the parents from their fellow co-workers. But I know I feel like um they were all worried about repercussions or uh consequences if they got up here and spoke in support of the parents. And that seems kind of telling. A little upsetting. Um I also want to point out I think the buses are a bad idea. I agree with Mr. Piwoski. You guys >> [applause] >> Sure it's going to be pretty cheap the first year or two cuz they're new. But uh I've seen firsthand what happens when new things break. get expensive. Um I said the last time, I don't envy you guys. I really don't. The elected members, I don't envy you
110at all. You guys You're in a tough spot. Hopefully, you can remember all the other people that came up here and talked and remember where your values came from. Other than that, just sitting here seeing what a lot of us are going to be asking from you guys. Just You guys seem fractured. Hopefully, you can figure it all out. Um but just sitting out here, pretty disappointing. I hope you guys do what's right for the community and the kids. Thank you very much. >> [applause] [laughter] [clears throat] >> Hello. My name is Raquel Seedlander. I live at 12 Rosemont Lane, Little Lake Harbor. Um I wanted to say thank you to Carl. I had a very nice conversation with you yesterday regarding school repairs. Um I do appreciate feeling heard. I will also also say
111that I did speak with the gentleman outside regarding the air quality test. I did confirm with him that standing water is a big issue. When my daughter was having the hives all over her body, there was a lot of standing water in the building during that time. And he did confirm that it is a big issue and it cannot often times be that he said there was even worse things than mold in that water sometimes. So I just wanted to point that out. I also wanted to point out that I believe my daughter's classroom was cleaned up prior to the air quality test. I know it was. The numbers were the lowest on the test, which is great. That was the point. But I just wanted to point that out that if you had that
112test prior to cleaning up the classroom, I would imagine the numbers would have been different. So thank you again for cleaning up the school. That's really just what I want. I know from being here last year when I came to a school dance, there was stains all over this wall. It's cleaned up now, but I mean you can still see the remnants of it. I just hope that the school takes the measures to not let this happen again. It's unhealthy. I'm sure it's costing you more money than if you had gotten the new roof sooner. I know that a lot of this seems to have been passed along, but maybe put in your notes when you leave your position, let's keep up on the facility stuff for the school. That's really it. Thank you. >>
113[applause] >> Elizabeth asked again 15 had a right burning in New Jersey and I'm a teacher in the district. And uh I'm going to keep it very simple cuz I have a lot of things to say. There wasn't a verbal request uh that was not fulfilled uh and it pertained to the attendance of one of our board members. Uh I believe she is pretty close to using up all of her permitted absences. Uh so I do hope that the board holds all its members accountable for attendance and I would like to point out that our technology team does not get paid to be here. They don't get paid to be here. We are two people in the district. A network coordinator was posted to be hired a very very long time ago. I don't have
114the exact date and it has not been fulfilled and we have two people who give up their time and adjust their schedules and do not get any kind of reimbursement. So when you guys stand here and talk about technology, it is not necessarily technology on our end. Sometimes it's technology on the users' end. And you cannot and heaven help me, you cannot be participating in a board meeting while driving. So, please do not >> [applause] [applause] >> We are working on their phones. And we're telling you all you like because I am here advocating for the people who make us function, who set up your tables and your microphones, and pull down the screens, and make the lights, and all the things, literally all the things. I can't function without them next week for state
115testing. I can't. I need them here. And they're not going to be here because they're going to be working at a board meeting because they have to work late that night for you guys, for all of us. They're essential to all of us. And it's unfortunate. And there are a lot of other things I'd like to say, but thank you for getting the building cleaned up. And I am curious about our insurance and the solar panels and how all that's going to iron out. I think there are a lot of unanswered questions after the last board meeting, but I hope next week we get answers soon. I agree with Dr. Schneider in the fact that in the past there was a budget presentation where it said, "We are going to get this many essential employees,
116this many paras, this many the whole breakdown of all the details." And I really, really, really, really hope that on Tuesday we get to hear the para presentation that the board got tonight. I hope that you can tell us exactly where you're going to spend the money on because going back 21 years, last year I said the same thing. Where's all the information? Which was my using this. But he also did not provide the information and I don't think that we have that information. >> [applause] >> Thank you very much. Anyone else? Hi everybody. How's everybody doing tonight? So I'm here just to talk about the cost of living. Right? So can anybody make a reasonable argument that the cost of living has gone down in the last year? Has anybody make a reasonable argument
117that inflation has gone down this last year? Can't, right? It's not really possible. Because inflation goes up every year. The US the feds they set a 2% target for inflation to go up. They don't want it to be more than 2%. This is federally for our entire United States of America. But it's higher than that sometimes. Sometimes our economy just can't keep up with it. Right now inflation is at 3.6% so far for 2026. To the last year was like 2. 7% or so. Yeah, 2.7. Last year was 2.6 2.7. Stable near target. 2026 and so far is excuse me, 3.3 in Horizon. We can't help global events. Can't help it. What we do is set a budget. We try to figure out a plan for the future. If we're going to I don't need
118to pick on the buses, but I'm going to use them as an example. If we're going [clears throat] to set a target for how much it's going to cost to run our buses, one of the things is the cost of fuel. Does anybody see what's happened to the cost of fuel in the last three months? So, the question is in the budgeting, this is purely hypothetical, is you can set it's going to cost $6,000. I don't care about the number. It's It's broken down by miles per gallon, static miles, hours burned, how much it's going to be per gallon. And so, if diesel fuel, for example, is $4 a gallon on your calculations, and it spikes to $6 a gallon as it has now, what do we do? I know you guys want a 2%
119cap on the on the increase. I get that. I understand that that's the goal. When diesel fuel is $6 a gallon and you cannot pay the the bill, are you then okay with raising the taxes to the residents to cover the unexpected fuel cost? Here's an interesting one. Armstrong, the company Armstrong, makes ceiling tiles. We've got through a couple of them, huh? So, have they gone up? So, according to some data that I have, uh they have uh I think I just lost it because I was moving stuff around here. Oh, here we go. A major manufacturer, Armstrong, announced a 5% increase on mineral mineral fiber panels and 7% increase on fiberglass panels in 2025 plus a planned additional 5% increase in 2026. I know somewhere in your budget you have ceiling panels cuz I
120know you guys are buying them. I hope you guys are buying them with reward points on them at this point. But, they're going up. When those go up and you can't get your 2%, what are you going to do? The price of everything goes up. I want to point everyone's attention to that Hershey's ice cream thing right there. Right next to the vending machine. Thank you for your service, sir. That Hershey's thing on your way out, I want everybody to look at it. If you do nothing else, think of me when you look at that because it has a sign on it that says ice cream $1. Good deal for the kids, right? There's a sticker over it. You know what it says? 25 over the 00. Now it's 45. Then there's a sticker over
121that says $1.50. Now, [snorts] when you go look at it, it's $1.75. Because it costs more money. Everything goes up. You have a responsibility to your taxpayers. You have a responsibility to your senior citizens. I get it. But the people here on this board have a responsibility to your school, to the students and to the staff. And when you are afraid, chicken, to do what's right and raise the cost just like everyone else does. Go to McDonald's and tell them, "Hey, that Happy Meal was five bucks last year. Why is it 12 now?" >> [clears throat] >> That's because that's what it costs. It costs to run a business. A school is a business. Everybody knows I'm in the auto repair business. Oil changes cost more money than they used to. I can't tell people,
122"Well, no, no, no, we're still going to do $25 things because that's what it used to be." Get the the just You're going to have to raise taxes. No one did it. You're going to have to do it. This is what happened to Pylons. Pylons ended up in collapse. The schools closed for for years because for 30 years their board was too chicken to do what was right and take care of their building. Take care of their staff. Don't fall into that pattern. You guys are better than that. I respect you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Anyone else? All right, seeing none. Board forum. Before that, can I just turn on the answer again? Um >> Well, that's that's board forum. Oh. You can do it. If that makes you feel better. Um Uh just
123again, I been a member of the public and I never like to feel like I made all this effort. I came out here. You know, I'm not sitting comfy on the couch and ask questions and I never going to receive a response. So, I'm going to just go through. It was a lot more manageable this this week. Um Mr. Formosky, I know asked about the the buses in Paris. And I'm just going to say from and I'm not a bus expert, but there are two as and I'm going to use an Abby Martin line. You know, we're only as good as the information that we're given. And so that's how we can proceed with votes and decision-making and things like that. From our understanding, the buses in Paris are completely separate categories, line items. Buses
124are buses and it's comparative from this year's bus budget to last year's bus budget. And I'm not going to try to answer those questions, but I I know you spoke with Carl. I would suggest it again if he has um more questions. And again, I do not know much about previously uh what we had. And again, my position on the Paris doesn't change. Um still encouraging meetings with the Paris trying to work to come to something. I guess that's all I can say about that. But I haven't given up hope. Um as Mr. Weisz has said, everyone knows my position on this very, very clearly. Um I guess I'm an open book. But I'm hopeful. And I That's I have to have hope. Um that at the end of the day um And I know
125he also mentioned the Paris with insurance, but I forgot what it was. So, um I know the acting president um has spoken. Again, we have we have spoken. We We're very grateful for the meeting we had last night with paraprofessionals, union representation. And we're open to have more meetings. And we're It It's It's It's not over. I guess that's it. Let's Let's have the hope that it's not over. Um in my opinion. Um >> [applause] >> I guess that's just that's me. Um with regards to the extra funds and you have to ask Kate Sanchez. Um I was on the board at that time and I did vote no to things. Um and as each of us can sit here, we're only Laura and I were on the board at the time together. I think
126we're the last ones from that era. Um we both voted no, but when you're only two people out of seven, that voice isn't always the dominant voice. Um and again, I I did I know Jason Becker. I did try I do try to ask her questions. And I I will say um I'm a college professor and I am saying there's never a stupid question or a question that anyone should be afraid to ask. Um the school repairs, thank you and for bringing different things to our attention. You are right that standing water is extremely um hazardous and that's something that should be looked at a little more or taken care of on a daily basis and you know that there's rain, things like that. As for um Mrs. Basque um the insurance costs. I I
127I had forgotten about that, but I have requested that we continue to look at other vendors or other possibilities to see if that's an area that we can save money um as well. Um And along with some things with cars and cars, a lot of things were restricted upon as regards to insurance. Now, remember Mr. Komaski's question. Um we're locked in by contracts, state requirements. There's some things that our hands are tied on that we can't say, "Okay, we'll change this and then things will work out." It's just not in our we don't have that power. Um And then Mr. Miller brought up a wonderful point regarding fuel and things like that with regards and the projections. Um You know, I wonder if we would be in a different position with the question of raising
128taxes for the budget for the school if members of the community still voted on it. But then again, how many times were budgets voted down on when community members voted on it? Um think about I mean, I've been in this district for 20 plus years now. Um I don't remember how many times we went out for the referendum for George Mitchell. Um and you know, same for Pinelands. So, we are doing the best we can. Um as for myself, I ask a lot of questions and that might seem very, very annoying even to my board members. But um that's I have to feel that I was given this position and voted in number one originally with just 23 votes. Because people tell me I ask questions and I I steer with what's right and not
129who's saying it. Um And if it's not personal for me, it is about the kids. And that's what I heard last night from the parents. Um sac- everyone is willing to sacrifice for the children of this district. And that is one thing that everyone here is amazing for. And that I'm forever grateful and I had children go through this district. So please know that we're still working on this and we're still trying our best. Um and you might not always see what we're doing. But we're doing it. And thank you for all of you coming again tonight. Thank you. >> [applause] >> That is what I wanted to say. Everything Christine said. Um again Um I was not chosen to be on the negotiations committee, but thankfully Christine was. Um so I didn't get all
130that information from those who participated in that until today. Um you know, it's tricky when you're not able to get the information directly from being in the committee. But I was happy to receive the same information from all the board members separately. Like everything lined up. Um and as well as people who were at the meeting coming back to me as a parent, it all lined up. So it does look like it was a a good meeting, if if will. And I am hopeful that there will be a meeting very soon to continue those negotiations. I look forward to seeing the outcome of the negotiations being done ethically and morally. Um with that, I say I usually save all my fun stuff for the um the regular meeting where we take action, but I just
131want to remind everybody that staff appreciation week is coming up. So, please look for that from the PTO because it is important that the community shows [clears throat] all staff, not just teacher appreciation week. It's staff appreciation week. That's every single person who is employed in this district. And I appreciate every single person who works in this district. So, please look for that and um be part of it. So. >> [applause] >> I want to say uh a big shout-out to Mr. Cole of facilities uh maintenance department. Um great that they got right on top of the indoor air quality issues that we had here in the building. Um we had some wet ceiling tile, we had some standing water. It was great that they got Epic Environmental out here right away to get on
132top of these things so everybody would feel safer and know that things are being taken care of so nobody's getting sick, you know, things like that makes it a better teaching environment for the children for the children. Um congratulations also to the attendance for I think it was Miss Goodman's, right, in George Mitchell. And then in Frog Pond there was a tie with Miss Savage and Miss Parker. And me and Dr. Steiger here talked about getting the kids pizza so that's something that we did, which was great. Happy to do it. And I'm happy to see the numbers get up for the the kids showing up for school and being here getting their education. Um That's pretty much it. Thank you for everybody coming out tonight. Great to see the NJEA out here tonight. I
133am also a member myself. You know, so I appreciate seeing you guys out here. Um and hopefully we can come to to some terms with some of the paras possibly. I mean, hopefully that's something we can do, but that's a a talk. It's good that we're talking about things and seeing where it goes. So, thank you everybody. Have a good night. Uh since the last meeting, um I had the pleasure of sitting in on a host of meetings um with several community members, um the administration, and um it is just absolutely incredible to see the the community rally around um our paras. I know we had a meeting with Mr. Miller, and and it was just beyond incredible. Uh the amount of time that, you know, he invested out of his own time to offer
134solutions, crunch numbers, uh come to sit down with us during the during his business day, um was just amazing. The meeting I got to sit in last night with uh the union and the paras, um it was incredible how things shifted to the paras wanting to talk about the students and um what they were concerned about would impact them and tell us stories about what the day in the life looks like and the challenges and the struggles they have. So, um this is definitely at the forefront of our mind. Um I appreciate everything each and every one of you do every single day. Um and that I thank you. Um as some of the members have said before, we have we're not able to discuss I'm glad you're discussing what we're doing behind the scenes,
135but we can't discuss details regarding those meetings. And with all due respect, we did do our due diligence and made a decision on 310 of this year. Um so, we are moving on as suggested at the last meeting. If you watched it, uh we're doing just what was suggested and that is having discussions. Furthermore, I would like to respond to the way I was treated at the last meeting. I'm sure I won't get applause. Um I really hope it wasn't one of our teachers who went to Facebook to quote track down the alleged Laura over Florida home to have her removed because we believe the board already can do it legitimately and quote. I really couldn't believe that some members of a professional organization like the teachers union would try to dox a duly elected
136board member or anyone else for that matter. And while I do not owe anyone but my colleagues on the board an explanation, I will inform you all that I don't have a home in Florida. However, I needed to be there for a short while to care for my 3-month-old grand baby. Like I said, no one's business, especially not the teachers union. In my review of the last meeting, I also heard Miss English ask for my removal from the board. It's unbelievable the lengths to which the NJEA will go to try and intimidate and even ask Excuse me, this is my time. This is my time. Okay. But I was I was mistreated. Are we going to call order but this is my time. We're not going to call order but this is my time. You're
137only talking about yourself. >> Please let her finish. Okay, clearly harassment, intimidation, and bullying were on full display at the last meeting from many professionals. Unfortunately for them, the teachers union has a pretty consistent reputation of being very bad examples for our children. Remember Watch the last meeting. I have a right to number to this board and I have a right to speak. We're very ignorant. Aren't we? That's terrible. So were we. Remember when trying to locate a board of education member who traveled out of state to care for family owes my family and myself an apology. It seems there are no limits to how low some folks will go just because you disagree. Finally, to our parents and teachers who were respectful in the audience, thank you. You all have compelling stories and were
138definitely heard and felt at the last meeting. This board must make decisions in the best interest of students first and be fiscally responsible at the same time. Please understand this. We are doing the best we can with the current situation. Thank you. All right. 9:40. I just want to say real quick thank you to Mr. Randazzo for his leadership last night and for everyone that came out to start the discussions. It is the beginning of the discussions. You know, like Greg said, this is at the forefront of of what we're trying to do to to negotiate. So, thank you for coming and we're going to continue to give you the information that you need. And also just thank you to all the paraprofessionals. It's been very difficult for you guys over the past couple weeks,
139but you continue to show up for the kids. Every single day I've seen it with my own kid. You guys are phenomenal. You continue to show up and I just want to say thank you despite the circumstances. You guys are amazing and thank you for showing up every single day for the kids. All right. Adjournment, can I have a motion? Whoops, motion. Can I have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Adjourned at 9:20.