001Good evening. This is to advise the general public that in compliance with the open public meetings act, the Little Lake Harbor Board of Education meeting was advertised in the Atlantic City Press and posted at the office of the board of education located at 307 Frog Pond Road, Little Lake Harbor, New Jersey, and was posted at the office of the municipal clerk in Little Harbor. Roll call, please. Mr. Shone is absent with notice. Mr. Burgerer, >> here. >> Mr. here. Miss Middle >> here, >> Dr. Snder >> here. >> Mr. Fichello >> here. >> Okay. Uh, >> okay. >> Here. Before we get start >> before we get started with the substantive portion of the meeting, um because Miss Ber is going to be joining us virtually tonight, um I'd like to see if I can
002get a motion to uh suspend board policy 0155.1, which is board electronic participation in board meetings for the duration of this meeting on March 10th. Can I get a motion in a second? >> Motion. >> Second roll call. I'm sorry. questions, discussion. >> I do have a question. Um, so does this was the notice supposed to be in writing or just verbally? >> My recollection is that the policy requires 24-hour advanced notice. I can't recall as I sit here whether or not it's written notice or verbal notice. I'm familiar with the Strauss policy that typically says written notice. Um, but because we don't have that written notice and in an effort to avoid any question with regard to Miss Herbert's participation tonight, I'm recommending that the board suspend the policy to permit Miss Ber to
003participate electronically. And then as if um that's not enough uh to be extra careful um I would also recommend that the board consider adopting a motion to specifically allow Miss Herbert to participate fully and completely in tonight's proceedings um just for this meeting only only by electronic participation. >> Do you have an email from us? >> Okay. I have a question. Um and when it was in fact a case of the president that was joining remotely. >> Yes. So, >> so like how would we know if there was a notice or if it was allowed to like this was never something in the past that we've seen. >> Yeah. Um and and that's this is more a function of my being new to your board and reviewing the policy. I can't say what was done
004in the past, but I can say that um the policy does require the advanced notice as it's written now. If it's the board president who's actually out, you know, if I was asked for my recommendation in that scenario, um I would suggest that the board president give notice to the board vice president, the board vice president run the meeting, um to the extent that the board president is not able to be there. However, if the board president is able to be there electronically, in theory, he or she could chair the meeting, I don't know if that's the best way to go. when I was president and uh had to be out of state for family matters um I had vice president which was Laura at the time run the meeting even though I was still
005able to participate >> and and Dr. Mr. Schneider, that's something this is something to the extent that the board wants to tweak or adjust the policy as written so that this current board, you know, it suits this current board's uh needs. That's something certainly that the the the board can consider as a committee. >> Sure. >> Question. >> I thought that we were doing committee as a whole in person because we could not meet virtually. >> That's that's my understanding. So your committee of the whole meetings are actually noticed as formal board meetings because you have more than a quorum present. So while technically it's a committee meeting because it's a committee of the whole and the full board is there we're required to advertise it as if it's just a regular public meeting >>
006right but we couldn't do that virtually. It was frowned upon for us to do that meeting virtually but now we're going back to allowing virtual. So it's a little bit contradictory and >> so yeah so uh board meetings again taking aside the fact that this board operates as a committee on the whole board meetings are not supposed to be conducted virtually absent state of emergency or things like that >> but that prohibition doesn't apply to an individual board member's ability to say zoom into a meeting should that person you know an individual not be allow able to be here physically it doesn't mean though that the that the meeting itself is going to be held virtually. That would be a problem again only because this board operates as a committee of the whole and you'd
007need a actual formal board meeting to have that committee of the whole. >> Okay. But this is not in your policy, right? Like this has previously been in effect and we just weren't following the policy. >> Apparently, it was previously in effect and prior council maybe didn't think to have a formal motion uh to do this. But my thought is I want clear a clear understanding for history as to what happened tonight. And I think um for documentation purposes and documentary purposes, this is the most um conservative way to go so that it's very clear on what this board thought about tonight and what we permitted tonight. >> Thank you. I appreciate I appreciate you following the policy. >> Absolutely. >> That's I will do that all the time. >> Mr. Just for the record,
008this is Laura. >> I did give notice, right? >> Both on email and via text. >> Yes, you did, Miss Ber. Um, that was confirmed by Dr. I'm sorry, Dr. Antunis this evening. So, that is noted that you gave prior written notice. Again, I'm just trying to be very careful here. Uh, because I don't want uh to put any votes this that this board may cast tonight in jeopardy or question. I want things to be very clear um and out in the sunshine as to the actions that this board. >> Okay, got it. >> Mooper, >> no. >> Mr. O'Keefe, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Mr. Phillips. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> May I have a motion in a second
009to approve um Miss Berber's participation tonight via remote electronic device for the entirety of tonight's board meeting, including but not limited to the casting of votes, making comments, asking questions as if she were present at this meeting. I'm sorry, physically present at this meeting. Have a >> motion. Motion. >> Second. Any questions, discussion? >> Miss Middle, >> no. >> Mr. O'Keefe, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. >> Mr. Ber, >> yes. >> Mr. Dichella, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Now you see how the sausage is made. Now we're going to do the pledge of allegiance. Please rise to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all >>
010student presentations. May we have students of the month acknowledging for George J. initial followed by Frog Pond Elementary Schools. >> Congratulations all student of the month once. So when you hear your name called, you'll come over by your principal as she reads your award. Uh after that, you'll step up to the blue line uh where you'll wait until we'll take a picture with everybody. Then the most important part of this award, you get cookies right after. >> Good evening. The character shape for the for February for the George Mitchell School was honesty. I'd like to start with Penelopey Sherry. >> Mrs. Cusk said, "I am so proud to choose Penelopey as our student of the month for honesty. Penelopey always tells the truth, is responsible and respectful, and shows she can be counted on to
011do the right thing. Penelopey is one of the most positive, hardworking, and happy students and helps to make our classroom such a happy and respectful place. I am so proud of her. Next, we have Savannah Chando. So, Mrs. Arowski said, "Savannah has been chosen as our student of the month for honesty because she's a true example of what it means to be a soaring student at George. Mitchell. Her honesty, respect, and kindness make her a sweet and amazing first grader. Don't let her calm and quiet personality fool you. When Savannah smiles or lets her personality shine, she is one of the happiest and most fun students to be around. We are so lucky to have her in our class and I am incredibly proud of her for always doing the right thing. Next, Na Jameson.
012You're welcome. >> Mrs. Ketta said, "Maisie is our student of the month for honesty. She is truthful, responsible, and can always be counted on to do the right thing. Macy's honesty helps make our classroom a fair and respectful place. We are so proud of her. and Troy Dano. Congratulations. >> Mrs. Maggie said, "It is my pleasure to recognize Troy as our student of the month for February, focusing on the character trait of honesty. Since joining our classroom, Troy has been a wonderful asset and a positive role model for his peers. He consistently demonstrates honesty in his words and actions and encourages others to make good choices as students and as friends. Troy shows kindness, responsibility, and integrity each day and his behavior has been outstanding. We are very proud of the growth he has shown
013and the positive impact he continues to have on our classroom community. Congratulations. more than one. Good evening everyone. I have the February students of the month for Frog Pot Elementary School. We are going to start off with our third grade student from Miss Hex's class, Nolan Cers. Come on up. Here's what Miss had to say. I can't think of a more deserving student for the third grade student of the month than No. He is an excellent role model for his peers. He always exhibits our school's three behavior expectations of being safe, respectful, and responsible at all times. If I need help with any task, I know no one will follow through from beginning to end. Erands are taken seriously and never take longer than needed. Classwork and homework are always completed to the best of
014his ability and on time. He is always helpful in the classroom and with his peers, ready to lend a hand to complete any task that needs assistance. He is hardworking, diligent, cooperative, and always pleasant. He's really just a pleasure to have in my class. Congratulations. I am proud to have you represent our class this month. Our fourth grade student of the month, I don't believe she's here, but I'm going to read what Miss Hansen had to say. Our fourth grade student of the month is Bel Charisma. Bel is a kind-hearted classmate. Without being asked, Belle will include anyone who needs a friend or a group. She is sensitive to others needs and looks out for those around her. Beyond her kindness, Bel is a hard worker. She has grown so much this year in fourth
015grade. She is able to articulate what her challenges are in class and always seeks help and clarification. She holds herself accountable for her work and makes sure it's completed to the best of her ability. Kind, hardworking, and responsible are just three of the many adjectives I have to describe real this year in fourth grade. So, congratulations. Our fifth grade from Miss Gunsp Rex Lacy. Come on up, Rex. I chose Rex Lacy as the fifth grade February student of the month. Rex is an outstanding student whose quiet dedication to learning and strong work ethic truly set him apart from others. He consistently demonstrates determination, focus, perseverance, and always gives his best to every task presented to him. Rex comes in every morning. Um, sorry, I lost my spot. Rex comes in every morning ready to tackle
016anything that comes his way with kindness and respect. He is always willing to help others without hesitation. It is all of these incredible qualities that Rex possesses that make me very proud to work with Rex on a daily basis. I look forward to watching Rex grow even more throughout the remainder of the school year. CONGRATULATIONS. Next from Miss Bezos's class, we have Ha Hernandez. Come on up. Ha is an exceptional young lady who brings happiness to our classroom every day. Her work ethic, respectful attitude, and kindness are unmatched. Hama has progressed tremendously in all academic areas as a result of her constant determination and drive. She shows up every day ready to learn and appreciates those who are helping her. I could write a book about how wonderful she is as a student, classmate, friend,
017and human being. Having her in my class is like winning the lottery. Congratulations, And last but not least, in sixth grade from Miss Beck's class, we have Chaseki. Come on up, CHASE. Chase is new to Frogman Elementary and we are very lucky to have him. Chase is a focused and responsible student. He is making great strides this year because he gives true effort every day. He is always the first one ready for what's next and gives his full attention to his teachers and his sons. We need more students like you. Congratulations. All right, congratulations everyone. We're going to move on to executive session. Whereas Little A Carver Board of Education is a public body subject to the requirements of New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act NJSA 104-6. And whereas pursuant to the OPMA, all meetings
018of public bodies are required to be part of the open public except provided in NJSA 10-4-12 where the public body may exclude the public from that portion of the meeting at which the public body discusses certain specific matters and whereas the board has determined that is necessary and appropriate to discuss certain matters in private exe executive session from which the public shall be excluded and those the board enters exe executive cutive session for the purposes outlined and described by our attorney. >> Good evening. The board will be going into close executive session to discuss uh negotiations, pending or anticipated litigation and personnel matters as well as to receive attorney client advice. >> It's expected that the board will be in close session for 1 hour. The board will not be taking any formal action while
019it's in executive session. To the extent that the board is going to take formal action, it will be done out here in the sunshine at after executive session has concluded. Thank you. All in favor? >> I motion. >> Motion second. >> Roll call, please. All in favor? >> I motion carries. >> All right. If you haven't done so already, you may leave and we'll be back in an hour. Thank you. adjourned executive session. Now we're coming back into public session. Item number seven, approval of agenda. Recommend motion to approve the agenda. Can I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Are there any questions? All in favor? >> I I motion carries. >> Approval of the minutes. Recommend motion to accept the following minutes. Can I please have a motion? >> Motion
020to approve. Second. >> Any questions? Okay. Vote in favor. All in favor? >> I carries. >> Great. Public comment. Agenda items only. 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 the public comment period. Each speaker is allotted a maximum of three minutes to make their statement. No one may speak more than once on the same topic. You are required to give your name and address before speaking. Please keep your comments respectful and non-definatory and maintain the level of decorum appropriate for a public meeting where minors may be in the audience. Chris, we amended that policy to be 5 minutes. >> Get approved this evening for second reading. So
021going forward, >> it's still >> I would like to make a motion to suspend the time limit for tonight's meeting. >> Second, >> Mr. Would you also within that motion like to indicate how much time you're proposing um for public comment policy? Since we have so few public, uh I'm willing to hear uh everything they have to say. Um I'm welcome to the board's input. >> I agree. >> Okay. So it would be then the motion is for essentially unexpired period of time for members from the public to address the board during public comment. >> That would be my motion. >> Second. >> Awesome. Questions, discussion. >> So just a reminder that it does say that at any point the president could ask the speaker to stop for does it say a specific reason? It
022>> it may not say it, but certainly to the extent that the board feels that um they no longer wish to permit that the board a board member can make a motion to essentially end public comment. >> Perfect. So if it's completely necessary to stop a speaker, we can go ahead and do so. But I agree at this point. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Oh, sorry. What's the motive? M server, the motion is to suspend the policy with regard to time limitations from members of the public uh for purposes of public comment portion of this meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm sorry. Can Laura see how many people are here? Just she has an idea. >> I don't know which one she can see. Can she see or just >> She can see. >> Okay.
023So, >> she sees from there to here. Miss Herbert, if you can't see, there's approximately 11 people in the audience. >> Yes. >> 11 staff members. >> All staff. >> Okay. >> I am, but I only need a minute or two. >> All right. Let's go take a vote. >> Miss Ber. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Dr. Snder. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe. >> Yes. Mr. Phichel. >> Yes. Motion carries. Agenda items. >> No, we just This could be a long night, guys. >> I have the floor. Hello. >> No. >> Yeah. >> See how fast you got. >> Hi, my name is Christina Bore. I reside in New Jersey. I work here at the department for the past 25 years. I have a brush on one of the
024items on the agenda. The bus driver, you are hiring approximately nine bus drivers for ESY, although I know it's important because we need them. Last year we had eight. This year you're hiring nine. My question is the 195 per day. ESY hours for students are 8 to 12. Okay. There's 20 days in ESY. driver hours, I'm assuming, and I could be wrong, but someone will tell me, you come in about 6:30, check your bus, you get out about 10 to 7, 7 o'clock to go on your route to pick up the kids for ESY. There's approximately about a 100 kids on ESY. You come back at 8:00 cuz ESY starts at 8:00. So, approximately one and a half hours in the morning. Then, approximately maybe about 11:30 to 1, you're checking the bus again. You
025get into uh the building, kids get on the bus about 10 to 12, they're home. The buses come back here about 1:00. That's how it's been for the last couple years doing ESY. I've worked it. So maybe about 3 hours. I don't know what the bus driver is doing from 8:30 to 11:30. Those three hours. Now I get the 195 maybe right now $35,000 180 days it's based on six hours. ESY is not 6 hours. ESY is 4.5 hours. I was a teacher for ESY. We make $22.50 a day for 4 and a half hours. four direct hours with a student, half an hour planning time. We come in 7:45 to 12:15. The difference between the bus driver salary and mine is $7.50. But we are with the students for 4 hours of that day.
026They are driving just here in LA. 30 minute ride, maybe an hour. 30 minute ride, maybe an hour on the way home. 2 hours. I still don't know what they're doing between 8:30 and 11:30. We're working directly with them. If I take that half an hour planning time away, I'm at $180 a day. They're making $15 more. It just seems all the money that we're saving throughout this year is going directly to transportation. Although I know it's important to break away from Durham, come in, get our own fleet. But since the money that we are supposedly have, I don't know what it is. We've increased salary in transportation. We've purchased mini buses. We're now doing a 19 bus fleet. We've hired part-time bus drivers with a CDL and without a CDL. So, if you have
027no CDL, they have to get their CDL. You answer that question that they would get it themselves, but they're going to be reimbursed. We hired substitute bus drivers, some and bus eights. at 19 drivers that we have eventually have to have come September at $35,000. It's over a half a million dollars. Since then or over the last two years, we cut teachers. So, we're down teachers, down custodians, down maintenance, which we do need. We're down tech, but we're spending a half over half a million dollars. I understand the buses. In the end, it's going to be great, but I don't understand the 195 a day right now for this summer. >> That motion, excuse me, that's on the agenda for tonight will be tabled. >> Okay, great. That's perfect. >> That's perfect. >> And I
028I would like to answer one of your questions. >> Sure. >> Excuse me. the buses that we purchased over the past six months, seven months, the new ones, the deal that was structured, which I explained during the transportation presentation several months ago. Our first payment for them is this August. It was done that way because there was no money in this current year's budget to do anything like this. So while they're running right now, we are bringing revenue into the district minus the cost of the drivers. But the actual vehicles themselves, which is, you know, the highest cost, we've incurred no cost because it was packaged in the the interest rates forward that the first payment is in next year's budget. So I know a lot of people say, "How are we affording these buses
029right now and all of that?" We're not paying for anything right now as far as the buses go. We pay for insurance and we pay for the drivers. So we actually have revenue coming in that's higher than what our break even is right now for that. Our transportation costs all start July 1st with the new budget. >> I just wanted to clarify because a lot of people have been saying how we afforded buses. That's how we're afforded. >> So we should worry about the budget for the >> it's already into next year's budget >> and yes it is a half million dollars for drivers. the district this year is probably over $2.4 million for transportation. >> So when you have that half million and we have the expenses of the lease purchase agreements for the
030five years for the new buses and the rentals for the 19 buses, it looks like an estimate will be between $500 and $600,000 net savings in next year's budget off that 2.4 million that they're paying this year. So yes, there are there are expenses involved, but the ending number is a net savings to the district, >> but not instantly net savings. >> Is it going to be an instant net savings? I got to see that to where we could hire. >> So the savings are realized in next year's budget. >> Now that's the transportation piece of it. The governor spoke today. State a figures come out in two days >> and then we'll find out what happens there. But the actual transportation realignment is a net savings to the district of somewhere between 500 and
031600,000. We also are entertaining other districts to do their transportation which would be additional revenue coming into our district. So we're going into the bus business. >> Sure. the bus that that you bought from the other school, >> the one that >> that they're going to approve tonight. >> So, the current estimates on that bus with the wheelchair lift run about 80,000 for the used vehicle. It has 14,500 and some miles on it. We're purchasing it for $40,000, about half of what it's cost. We could take we could take it and sell it tomorrow and make that money back at a profit if we wanted to, but we need bus for it. >> And the same thing is for the cargo, excuse me, the van that's going with that purchase. Anyone else for public comment
032one? All right, seeing none. Moving on. Correspondence. Items. The following items are being presented forformational purposes A through C. Any questions? Okay, moving on. Superintendent report. Recommend a motion for a board of education special meeting be held on March 24th at 6 p.m. to adopt the 2026 2027 budget. Can I please have a motion? >> Motion to approve. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Any questions? Seeing none. Roll call, please. Mer. >> Mr. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Miss Middle, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. >> Motion carries. So, just reiterate, we're going to have a special meeting on Tuesday, March 24th at 6 p.m. to discuss the approval of our budget. March 24th. Moving on to presentations.
033None at this time. Next action item, school business administrator. Recommend a motion to approve finance items A through F. Motion to approve. I have a second. Second. Are there any questions? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> M. Middle. >> Yes. >> Dr. Snder. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe. >> Yes. >> Mr. Phillips. >> Yes. Motion. Recommend a motion to approve facilities item A. >> Motion to approve. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Any questions? Seeing none. Roll call, please. Miss >> Yes. >> Mr. Leega. >> Yes. >> Miss Middle. >> Yes. >> Dr. Snider. Yes, >> Mr. O'Keefe. >> Yes, >> Mr. Phillips. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Recommend motion to approve school business administrators non-personnel items A through E. Can I have a
034motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> I'm sorry. Was that three or four? That's on personnel. >> Three. Any questions? >> See none. Roll call, please. Miss Zerver, >> yes. >> Crystal, >> yes. >> Miss Middle, >> yes. >> Dr. Snider, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Recommend motion to approve personnel items A through G. Can I have a motion? Is that with Oh, sorry. Can I ask before I Is that with under staffing a table or we need a table at first? >> On page six. >> Page eight. Item four. I suggest whoever made that motion um if the there was a motion if they could withdraw it and then if someone wants to make a motion to table um item number four
035which deals with the part-time ESY driver's daily rate you can make that motion to table and then subsequent to to the motion to table if that passes then go back to everything else under that item with the exception of number four. Who needs to withdraw? >> We made the motion that we need to withdraw. >> You just talked about it. >> I spoke about it. >> We didn't actually do it. We can actually do it. Okay. >> You're on Dr. Schlider for a motion to >> go zero. >> Um can I make a motion to table um B one? >> Oh, it's B. >> We have to do the motion to withdraw first. >> No, we actually make it. B1 C4. >> That's correct. >> To table that >> motion. Second question. >> Any questions?
036>> Yes. Uh what's the motion? I'm not hearing it very well. So under superintendent action items under personnel letter C number four it's approving the hiring of the part-time ESY bus drivers we're going to >> Okay. I thought it was a different number. >> We're going to do >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any questions? >> Thanks for the clarification. Roll call, please. Miss Ber, >> yes. >> Mr. Oga, >> yes. >> Mr. Miss Middle, I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Dr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. Motion carries the table. >> Okay. Recommend a motion to approve personnel items A through G without number four. >> Motion. Second. >> Are there any questions? >> Yes, I think so. Um, number seven under C on page seven. Um, is there
037a reason that we're approving the school safety specialist at this time and not at the beginning of the year? >> No. Okay. Any other questions? >> Okay. Roll call, please. Miss Zerver, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Miss Middleg, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. Motion carries. Recommend motion to approve superintendent of schools non-personnel items A through F. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion. >> There's a second. >> All right. Any questions? >> Yes. What calendar are we actually voting to approve this evening for this year and the upcoming year? Um, I do believe that teachers did supply some great feedback as to why certain days should be chosen and certain days shouldn't be chosen. And we were supplied with three potential
038calendars, but which one are we actually voting on at this point? >> So, should we do 2526 first? >> Yes, please. >> Okay, so 2526. We're seeking to I listen to what the board asked and we are preserving spring break and adding days. >> And what was the reason that the um Good Friday could not be utilized. >> Just wasn't a recommendation to utilize Good Friday. >> Oh, it wasn't because of the contract. Uh well actually one of the the support staff contract is very clear about Good Friday being a holiday and so we'd have to pay time and a half and provide another holiday for the those >> because I know we have done that in the past. That's why >> so Lisa or Dr. What day do we end school in June? As
039of today, >> if this passes, yes, >> June 23rd. >> And how does that affect um promotion? >> It it not it ought not affect promotion. >> And what's the schedule date for promotion? >> So, it will be adjusted accordingly. >> So, it will affect it or we didn't have >> I thought you meant I thought you meant would we have it and then come back to school. We won't do that. I apologize. >> No. >> So, we'll we'll have a discussion with Mr. presenting again if the board >> the promotion would be on the last day of school. >> It's a second to last area. >> Yeah. >> Right. Come back. >> Okay. So, that was that one. That's that motion. >> Okay. Then the attachment that's on the board agenda for 25 for
0402627 is what we're calling a Okay, that one begins school. Let me just make sure I have my notes. >> Okay. In the future, it would be helpful if we did have these up so when we were discussing it as a public in the future when we discuss calendars, it would be helpful if we had it as slide so that everyone can see what we're discussing. So option A is the original calendar currently on the March 10th agenda for approval and that indicates uh beginning school on the 3rd which is the Thursday and being first day of school being the third and having off Labor Day and having the full November break. Okay, so that was the original one that we talked about. Okay, that was A. >> Calendar B, there's another calendar. Calendar B
041has the first day of school is Thursday, September 3rd. The district is closed on Friday, September 4th. November break being reduced to the 5th and 6th only. So only teachers convention. that making the last day of school Tuesday, June 15th, but ends a little bit earlier. And option C having September 2nd and 3rd are professional days for staff. Closing school on Friday the 4th. First day of school September 8th after Labor Day. November break being reduced to only closed for teachers convention on the 5th and 6th. That makes the last day of school Wednesday, June 16th. comment >> so after receiving the email from the late teacher feedback with the survey that they did for the 135ish staff members, there was an overwhelming request from the teachers >> um to try and keep that November
042date intact and to try and assure they can get students to come in on the first day on the 8th. Um, and we only received that late this week, right? We got that uh >> Last night. And so I'm always trying to make decisions in the spirit for the kids first and the the community and certainly the staff. And um I would I would love to try and preserve the November week off as best possible, but given the math and with I'm looking at calendar C given the math and showing us our last day being June 16th, which is a Wednesday and having a holiday on September 1st, 4th, and 7th with students starting on the 8th. I would personally like to see first day for students on the 8th. I would like to try
043and get the teachers as many days off on that first week of November as possible. I would personally like to see um CLA um um the half days move to Friday the 18th for full for uh to extend the year to the 18th. Um and that would then give teachers a little bit more time off in November in the first uh the first week of November. I guess essentially in order for people to digest the amount of information that that's been given or the feedback that was given from the teachers um just today, I know we don't want to kick it down the road one more time, >> but I think we need a moment to discuss it as a group >> and I would like to make a motion to table it one more
044time to discuss. >> Yes, I'm sorry. I I I can't find these calendars. I did cuz I did ask Chris if there was anything new and I go back to the old agenda. So I only have one calendar for this year and I'm going to just say this. We're spending way too much time on this calendar than we should be and that what is and last one also for this current year. This is why I think we need without a shadow of a doubt to have built-in snow days. This is where there's no question at the end at the bonus there's no snow. Guess what? get extra days off. Make you can make me Memorial Day a 4-day weekend. I don't really care. If there's snow, then you have to come in that Friday. It's
045not fun, but at least there's a plan and everyone can plan accordingly. But I do think that the teachers provided some good feedback as to and what I was seeking actually um as to why um certain PD days and what they're for because what I'm trying to question is this year we had random PD days. I'm sorry. They were planned by someone. I apologize. Um on a Wednesday, uh I to have a PD day in the middle of the week as a working parent makes my head spin. Like what are you supposed to do on Friday? Oh, you can go say grandma's okay. You know, working parents can work together, but a Wednesday is like, you know, throwing a wrench into the flow of a week. Um and especially given our special ed population and
046consistency. Um, I think that's important. And secondly, I don't think we can really consider taking away um the November break. Pinance has November break. Whether we're sharing buses or not, families have students in both districts and I think we have to have that discussion among the other districts as to what everyone is doing and look at their calendars and administration needs to have that discussion. Um, and then I also propose and I told this to Chris that maybe in this upcoming retreat this summer that we think of the 2728 calendar. Um, and this way that everyone can have the administration team can have a discussion. Teachers can have enough time to look at it and when it comes to us to vote, you know, we don't have to have a 30-minute conversation on a calendar,
047which should be um something that shouldn't be this difficult to vote on. >> Um, but I still can't find those other ones. Um, at the risk of sounding like a parliamentarian, um, I just want to mention that Mr. O'Keefe made a motion to table. So, under Robert's rules that takes precedence over anything else that we're supposed to be doing right now. So, >> thank you for letting me want to interrupt you, Dr. But uh, is there a second to the motion to table? >> Yeah. Third, fourth. Yeah. >> All right. So, then we should we should proceed on with questions, discussions about the motion to table and then vote on the motion to table the calendar. >> Yeah. I mean, is it is it out of the ordinary for, you know, representatives of teachers, admin,
048and Dr. Antunes to sit down at a table and say this is, you know, this is why we're doing this or this is what looks well and it works for everyone so that it works in the best interest of the students. I I do just think that we have to build in snow days. I don't understand why there's a fight to do it. Like it just given this year and the the nature of the weather that we had, I just I don't understand why we wouldn't consider doing that just to make things more definite. >> So the way I see it, there's three huge variables. One, when do we start before after two, November break? And three, when we end. >> I disagree. I think that number three is snow days. whether or not to
049build them. >> But I'm saying like no matter what decision we make, it's going to affect one of those big three. So if we start later, that's we start after Labor Day, then we're going to end later in June. If we don't take away any days from November, we're going to end later in June. Um I'm in agreement. I think we should, as much as I don't like saying this, the summer is probably the most flexible that we have that can be taken back if we don't need that. So, if we're able to build something, we start after Labor Day. We keep November break just cuz it's been tradition. I'm sure Disney will be very happy that we have a week off that week because that's Jersey week apparently. And then just build on to
050the end of the summer. I was always trying to get out in the summer earlier, but I think that's the simplest is to just build at the end of the school year and if we don't have snow days, we get out earlier. We'll know after March if we had any snow days or not and people can adjust accordingly. >> Chris, excuse me. Point of order. Did somebody motion did Dennis motion for a vote? He mentioned motion to the table, I believe. >> Yes. Yeah, Laura, it was second. And >> and now, Mr. Mrs. Now, we're on questions, discussion as a result or following Mr. O'Keefe's motion and the second that was received. >> Oh, seconded already. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. And we can we call the question and vote? >> I think you just
051did that, >> right? So, um, let's go ahead with the question. >> Can I ask one more statement? Am I around if it's all you over? >> Uh, the question's been called. Um, I I would say that the, uh, the chair has a discretion. >> One more thing. Good. >> Well, I I just, you know, I think this the blanket statement of no one should make any plans that cannot be changed. Um, again, as a parent, I have five children. Trying to arrange child care for any of these weeks is challenging. And then once you finally do it, and then if there's snow and then your children are expected to attend school, um, that's really challenging. And, um, I think building them in at the end, again, if you want to add one to Memorial
052Day, that's I'm sure many people would appreciate that if there wasn't snow and you have a nice 4 day weekend, assuming it doesn't rain. Um but again I also feel that there should be consistency like if we start on the Thursday before Labor Day sorry to interrupt >> um this question in time is whether or not to table it. I think we all agree that we're going to table it. >> Yes. >> And I'd like to call for a roll call please >> clarify the motion please. Motion to table the resolution for the calendar. >> Okay. Yes, >> Mr. Lagga. >> Yes, >> Miss Middle. >> Yes, >> Dr. Snder. >> Yes, >> Mr. O'Keefe. >> Yes, Mr. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. recommend approve motion to approve superintendent of schools nonpersonnel items A through
053F except for the item that we just stated. >> Motion second. >> Any questions? Seeing none. Roll call, please. Reserve it. I'm sorry. Did you have >> Well, um, can I have a motion to table the job description for No, that's just for the ESY bus. I was just wondering those are similar >> to the driver that we table that motion that we table for that and those hours are those are less hours. >> This is just the job description. >> It doesn't include hours in that description. What is what is the motion? Sorry. And you're welcome. >> The description for the part-time bus aids, does it line up with the action that we tabled earlier? We want to make sure that they both say the same thing. >> And Lisa, >> is it just
054the job description? >> But in the job description, there might be hours. Lisa is checking to see. >> Yeah, I don't see ours. So, it's okay. >> I don't see how that has to do with the salary >> because if we're hiring ESY bus driver aids and for 6 hours and they're not going to be on buses for 6 hours, that's a concern. Okay, Lisa, are you still looking? >> I'm looking at it now. I don't see it. You're good. >> I wanted good, Lisa. >> Yes. >> Okay. Roll call, please. Reserve her. >> No. >> Say that again, Laura. >> A no. Not that. I don't I don't agree with tableing it. >> No, we're not. >> We're not tableing it. >> Move everything forward. >> We're not tableling it. We're just moving forward.
055Recommend a motion to approve all the items. >> Oh, we're not tableabling the job description. >> No. >> Correct. >> Okay, >> Miss Voting on the rest. Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Miss Middle. >> Yes. Dr. Snider, >> yes. >> Mr. O'Kee, >> yes. >> Mr. Phillips, >> yes. >> Motion cars. >> All right. New business. >> Are there any new motions? >> Yes, there are. There is. recommend motion to approve the following recommendation from the superintendent of schools. Be it resolved that the Little Harbor Board of Education approves the recommendation of the superintendent and hereby abolishes the position of full-time par profofessional and full-time preschool teacher assistants. The superintendent, business administrator, and board attorney are authorized to take all actions to effectuate this action of the board. May I have
056a motion? >> Second. Second. Any questions? >> I'd like to make a comment if I may. >> So, tonight's decision is one of the hardest votes I've had to consider since joining the board. First, I want to acknowledge the power professionals who serve our students every day. You are often the quiet heroes of our classrooms. You support children who need extra help, patience, encouragement, and care. Many of our students succeed because someone like you was by their side guiding them through a difficult moment. Your work matters deeply in our schools and to this community. I also want to acknowledge our residents and taxpayers. Families in our town are facing rising costs nearly uh in every part of their lives. Another significant significant tax levy increase will further affect seniors on fixed incomes. Young families trying
057to stay in our community and everyone working hard to make ends meet. As a board member, I have a responsibility not only to our school employees, but also to every resident who funds our schools. Tonight, we're being asked to weigh two responsibilities that both matter. Supporting the people who serve our students and ensuring our school systems remain financially sustainable for the community. The financial reality before us makes uh for tough decisions. The projected 32.7 increase in health benefit costs and salaries would place substantial uh additional burden on taxpayers at a time when the levy has already risen dramatically. Ignoring that reality would not be responsible governance. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the human impact of our decisions. These are not line items in a spreadsheet. These are people who are children
058who care for our children and who rely on this work to support their families. The path being considered tonight is an attempt however imperfect to maintain or even expand par profofessional supports uh for our students while bringing long-term costs into alignment with what our community has uh can reasonably sustain. I do not take this vote lightly. My goal is to ensure that students vote uh students continue receiving the support they need in the classroom and that our districts remain our district, pardon me, remains financially stable and that our community remains a place where families can afford to live. No solution here is painless. Um but responsible leadership means confronting difficult realities honestly and making decisions that balance compassion with fiscal responsibility. to our parro professionals of whom I have a wife who is a 17-year
059PAR professional. So, I take this decision very, very seriously. Uh, your work is valued and this decision does not change the respect this community has for you to our residents. We are committed to stewarding your tax dollars responsibly. And to our students, every decision we make ultimately centers on your success and well-being. That balance between people, decisions, and the sustainability of our schools is what I will keep in mind when I cast my vote tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Are we opening this to a public comment? >> Yes. >> Are we We already motioned it though. Do we have to resend it to open to public comment? >> I don't think we're done. Um >> So So here's what I would suggest. Um to the extent that any board members want to make
060comments right now like Mr. O'Keefe did. Um, certainly you can do that to the extent that the chair wants to open this specific item up to public input. There's no uh prohibition on the chair doing that. Um, but it would be, you know, we would just set parameters um for length of time if if at all, etc. So, um, before the votes are cast, certainly um we can pause for public comment on this item. Can I speak first, Chris? Is that okay? >> Yeah. I'd like to have all the board members speak and then we'll open it up to the public to speak and then we'll vote. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um many of you know now a lot of you are here but um know me and um I can't even describe how
061unfathomable this vote has been for me. I'm going to try not to cry. Um, I've lost sleep over it. I know Abby said that when she was on the board with me. We bounced that off of each other because that's how we felt. This is literally like Sophie's choice. You're asking me to choose from people and then also financially to serve the children of this district. And honestly, I can't do it. There are 81 par professionals in this um position. Some are long-term paris. And that has been my concern throughout when this was first proposed 16 months ago. and I have been pushing it off um since that date. I can't even tell you how hard I have fought to find other ways to do this and I accepted bringing in part-time par professionals because
062I figured okay this is a gradual attrition of it and it won't um have as drastic of a of an impact. Um, I I I really just don't know what else to say other than I how this was handled in my opinion is is partially the reason of how it's affecting my vote and I I have and I do I there's been power professionals here that have been 20 years here in the district and they have been named power professional of the year and I I just it's not something that I support um for that reason. I would have liked to look for other options and I understand this isn't the best fiscal financial um service to the district, but it's just something that I've really struggled with. Um, so I hope that everyone that
063is affected by this, whether it's a child, um, or a pair professional, a person, um, that it's something that I have to live with the rest of my life and how I cast this vote and it's not easy. >> Thank you, Christine. Greg or Tiffany, >> I'm going to save um my written statement to reflect my vote, but I do want to acknowledge the shock in the audience, which then tells me that there wasn't I wish that it was an agenda item. I wish it was a little bit more transparent. I wish that it was done a different way um to put it out there. I think in the end we will do the right thing. I have faith in that, but I'm not comfortable with the way that it's happening. >> I don't have
064a comment at this time. >> Okay. >> Um just my thoughts on this. This decision is not a reflection at all on the hard work in Paris. You guys serve the the kids day in and day out and and put up and you know experience some of the toughest situations our school has to offer and you do that with grace and dignity and with love for the students. Unfortunately, it's a reflection of the terrible economic times we're in currently living in today. Uh the governor even gave a speech today and reiterated how bad the budget is on the state level which trickles down to school districts especially in the form of state aid. Uh we are actually one of the last school districts in the state to restructure like this. Uh we've held on as
065long as humanly possible as Christine mentioned to try to avoid making a decision like this. Um but the unfortunate reality is last year we raised the taxes 32 6% and health care costs continue to rise and it's just something that's untenable. As a board, we want to make sure that everyone of the PAR professionals is treated with dignity and respect. Um, I believe there is a plan that Carl is going to mention if this passes of how we can support you the best way possible, give you as many resources as possible, and just give you the opportunity to continue to work with the district. We want to make sure as a board that the money that is quote saved will be reinvested into the classroom and into the school district. This decision is with is
066trying to put the students first and giving them as much resources as possible and give them the best education as possible. So, as we vote today and if this passes, um I just want to reiterate that we want to show you the same dignity and respect that you show our students, we want to do for you after this vote is made and if it passes so that you can have all the tools necessary to make the right decision that's best for you and your family. So, thank you for all your support and thank you for everything you do for our children. like to open up the public comment. >> Um, you forgot. >> Oh, sorry. Yes. I'm sorry. >> Sorry if I'm loud or not not coming over well, but I would just like to
067piggyback on what you said that the savings from this decision almost, not entirely, almost offsets our healthc care increase for this year. And in order to keep the program sustainable for the students, I believe we have to make this decision. Thank you. >> Thank you, Laur. >> Okay. Sorry. Public comment, please. >> Mrs. I think I heard Craig. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Just one more statement from Laura. Craig passed on. is still good. >> I just have a a short statement that I would like to make concerning this. Unfortunately, our district, like many other districts in New Jersey, are faced with huge increases in our health insurance premiums. Our district is facing a 32.7% increase which amounts to 2,381,491 bringing our total healthc care bill to 9,664,339. The board members have been provided with all
068the necessary information to make an informed decision together with the re recommendation to no longer defer our choices. Approximately 75 to 80% of our budget is salaries and benefits and over the past few years has made cuts and last year substantially increased the tax levy which was felt by all the residents of Little Lake Harbor. The time has come to no longer balance our budgets on the backs of our students futures. We are committed to navigate this process as professionally as possible to help all the staff members affected. This resolution before us tonight clearly places our students first. Thank you. >> Okay, now you can speak from above. Yes. Thank you for your patience. >> Welcome. Can you feel mine better? >> Elizabeth Basque 15, New Jersey. I'm a staff member here and I had
069no intention of saying anything tonight and I want to thank um Miss Muk and possibly Schneider for recognizing that this was not handled with transparency because I can tell you these seats would be full if anyone in this district staff faculty support staff administration would be here supporting the fact that these people they are our classroom they are supporting our children. They're the backbone of doing all the things that we do and the numbers have not come out yet, but we're making this decision before the numbers even come out on a projected budget. So, yes, I wholeheartedly agree that the state of the world is in a bad place and our health care system is 100% broken and these are horrible choices. But we're making a decision on numbers that haven't come out yet seems
070inappropriate to me. Let's get all the information before we decide to dismantle people's lives. 81 people, people have been in this position for 20 plus years waiting for their pension, hoping to get their health benefits. And we're going to take that away from them. You can't grandfather in our people who are part of our family. It's not a business. It's a and I agree it's not a line item. But we used to be a family here and that's being lost and now you're making a decision before we even get the numbers. And no, it was not transparent and that was very disrespectful. Is anyone else? I really just have to echo what Liz said to no transparency That's really shocking because there would be a lot of community members that would be here tonight, not
071only our staff. Um, preschool has to have an aid in their classroom. Is that correct? At law. Okay. And specialized students have to have an aid. Correct. Okay. So, we're on a daily basis, we are moving aids for call outs and absences and times off. How are we going to get people to invest in our community? How are we going to get people to stay here and love our children the way they are if there's no forward goal? How are we going to just say you're indispensable and not give you your pension? Those are I'm not saying this is an easy decision for any of you. I know it's not, but I agree the numbers are out and it's really irresponsible. into effective immediately to just chop it off and not that no one has
072any warning to get their lives together or to make an alter say in September I have to apply somewhere else. Um I worry that nobody's going to be best to our community because it doesn't affect me anymore. >> Is it now? >> Is it is it effective immediately? >> Next calendar year. Okay. So that's Um, but they are our classroom resource to give resources back to the kids in the classroom. I don't know what that looks like to you. I don't. Um, but I know that those people are resources. They care for them. They take them to where they need to go. They support them. Um, they calm down so other children can learn. >> They do so much here. Um, I I'm just astonished. This is really shocking. What are you going to do?
073Take your time. Someone's coming back. >> Hi, Karen Strang. I am a teacher at Brockton Elementary and I have been um a special education teacher for over 23 years. I rely heavily on my powers and I've had some amazing men and women over the years and to just pull the rug out from under them is totally unfair. They work as hard as anybody else in the building. They have direct contact with their student and they help any student that they can. Um love all of them beyond belief. They work so hard. Um, I don't really understand the whole thing and not nothing about the busyiness because that's way above me. But in the interim, we're hiring all these bus aids. >> I mean, is there any way that these full-time aids could somehow also be
074the bus aid to make up the difference that we're paying for a bus aid for their health care, if that makes sense? So, maybe their day is a little bit longer, but we don't hire a bus aid. So, saving the couple hundred dollars that we pay busy that that money could then be used to keep them so they could have their benefits. I don't know if they would want that, but I do know some of them personally and they carry the benefits for their family. You know, a lot of them their spouses are in construction, landscaping, and they are they used to work here just for the benefits. The salary has gotten much nicer over the years, but they still need the health coverage. If we take away the health coverage, we're going to lose
075a really great population and the people that come in might not be the people that we want. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Talk on the same topic, right? topic. >> Sure. >> Elizabeth Bas 15 teaching district. Um, from what I understand, and I do not have any written kind of proof, but I've been told by Paris that they have applied for bus positions and aid positions, and those positions are being given to new people, not our people who already work here over them. So, we're not even giving the priority to our own people for job openings that will help fill in the gaps. Sorry. >> If this vote passes this evening, tomorrow morning by approximately 11:00, information will go out to all the people affected by tonight's decision. That will be the beginning
076of several meetings, several pieces of information that will be going out concerning health care, pensions, retirements. It's our goal that this is handled in the most professional, graceful way possible to help support all of the people that are affected by this. It's a very tough decision. So I would just ask for patience to tomorrow morning to see the information come out and that the doors open to move forward. Thank you. >> Anyone else would like to see? Mr. Wallace is on his way back. We wanted to thank you for the dream. >> David's dream. >> Yeah, we can't wait. >> No, no pat. >> Can you go on speaker phone? I mean, we're doing our board member virtually. Can somebody just hold the phone to the microphone? >> Anyone else here like to make a
077comment? >> There's another public comment at the end. >> Okay. Okay. All right. >> We have first and second. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> M. Middle. >> No. >> Mr. O'Keefe. >> Yes. >> Mr. O'Keefe. >> Pardon me. This roll call is for the resolution. >> Oh, yes. >> Mr. Leega. This is I don't have a statement prepared. Uh this is by far the most challenging boat I have ever had to make and uh hope that this is the most challenging boat that I ever will have to make. Uh this one hits close to home. Uh my mom was a parent for 25 years. Um I remember the stress uh when she would come home when there was rumors that they were going to uh privatize and uh seeing that uncertainty hit her.
078Um I know that's going to hit 81 families uh after this vote. Um, I see firsthand what these parents do. Uh, the love, the care, and the passion that they put into these kids each and every day. Um, which makes this absolutely heartbreaking. Um, but we do have 32 uh 32% increases in um benefits year-over-year. Uh, it's just at a point where it's unsustainable for the district and to protect classroom sizes and uh other budgeting. Um, this is an unfortunate uh necessary evil. So, uh, with that said, uh, I'm a yes. >> Dr. Snider, >> I'm I was a no before I walked in this room, and I was a no last week when it was first proposed to me that it was going to be on this agenda. And by looking out at this
079room, and the shock on faces, um, I can't be a part of of I some of the same questions that were brought up here were questions that I had. So I thank you for all bringing them forward and my vote is no. >> Mr. Herbert, >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Phillips. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. All right. Public comment. Second public general comment. The floor is now open to members of the public. The board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues. The board requests that each statement may be made by a participant. Well, it's unlimited tonight. There is signin sheet located at the podium. Please sign in before you speak. >> Yeah. All right. My boss 235 said drive. Um, sorry 34, but I know you guys said executive and
080all that. Um, had I known that stayed on the agenda was on the agenda to discuss this, I would have stayed here and not rushed back. Um, but I'm sure there would have been a lot more people here to discuss this. You guys have a a tough job to try to run this and I appreciate that. But it's getting a lot harder as a parent to defend this district with everything at this point. I've always been a guy who no matter what I heard, hey, we have great teachers here. We're lucky. Hey, don't worry about it. Hey, there's brown sledge leaking from the ceiling. Hey, there. Listen, they'll fix it. It's under warranty. We'll get it. They're here for the kids. We're here. It is getting so hard to just keep you in a guy
081who's here for this school, who's who's trying to spin everything positive, who's trying to make sure the kids are happy, who's making sure we always put a good light on this. Um, for this to knock out, I mean, I read the board agenda. I read the draft when I was supposed yesterday. Nothing on there. And then to not have it on there again, like I said, I went home. I mean, I I then all of a sudden find out about it and then debate kind of made it back here in time for public comment. I mean, this is this is tough. You're talking about people who've been here for a long time, people who get their hands dirty directly with the kids, people who have these relationships. And I mean I it sounded like it
082passed so it was probably a little too late on this but I mean at at what point do we look at what people are doing here and what's best for the kids and understanding yes I understand there's a financial responsibility that you guys have to look at at times but it feels like we're taking a human element now. It doesn't feel like teachers are happy or supported here. It doesn't feel like administration is happy or supported here. Again, I try to do anything I can for here. I try to donate where I can. I try to donate my time where I can. Um, part of the hip committee for the past couple years. I come in, you know, anything you guys need. But it is getting so incredibly hard to spin this district to make
083it out to be something that it's not cuz I feel like it's really starting to hit some bumps. And some of you are new here. I voted for a lot of you on this board. And maybe I'm getting my voted for. I don't know. I appreciate the ones who are who are standing up to stop this or try to at least talk against it cuz I mean it is it is just so disheartening as a parent. I mean it really is. And again I understand you guys have a task of things you have to do. Um but this is frustrating enough for me to get off the couch again and drive back here and just tell you like it feels I mean it feels crap. It just feels terrible. I mean, and now these teachers
084are going to have to go and look at their co-workers, uh, administrators have to go look at some of these par professionals who've been in the district forever and talk about losing benefits, losing, you know, uh, you know, hours or pay or whatever. I mean, how do you keep those good people around who do need benefits at this point? So, if that's part of it, I mean, maybe they go work a different job somewhere and now we start losing good people cuz we're trying to be a little bit, you know, tight with the finances. So, I mean, again, I just wanted to come and just voice frustration as a parent. And you don't get very many parents at these meetings, and I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but I feel like maybe they should at least
085put out to the parents and let them come and talk to you. And you probably could say 4 hours, listening to parents, give stories of some really fantastic people we have working here that we may not have working here anymore because we're making these decisions. So, um, you know, those ones who who try to say something, we appreciate it. I mean, appreciate you guys being on the board. It's thankless at times. I get it, you know, but again, I feel like it's just so it's really so damn hard to defend this place, man. I mean, it's it's disheartening. So, probably have two years left till my son's here and then we'll we'll head on out and, you know, just hope it'll be at least at least a year and a half. >> Thank you. Anyone
086else? Hello, Karen Strang again. Um, I just wanted to talk about uh next school year teacher hours and student hours. Um, from the very beginning this year, it has been an issue. Um, teachers are asked to work seven hours a day, which is absolutely not a problem, and that is not what I'm questioning. Um, I was on negotiations and I did a lot of research with my colleagues and we looked down at how many hours other teachers are expected to work in Ocean County. Um, we gathered 27 districts. Some of them have multiple schools. 12 districts have seven hours for teachers just like our contract. 10 districts have less than seven hours. And five districts do have over 5 hours. But I am not here to talk about our time. I'm here to talk about
087the student time. Our district is the only district that I could find in Ocean County that has their students in this building for 7 hours, the exact same hours as teachers. And that is not fair. That is not fair for teachers and it's not fair for students. I am on bus duty. My hours are 8:25 to 3:25. I am expected to be out at bus duty in a uniform at 8:25. That is my start time. You can ask any of my administrators. I'm usually here probably between 7:30 and 7:45 every day. That's my prerogative to come in. I like to come in and be forced to do it. Nor do my colleagues. So, I went as far as to look at hours with the same 27 districts for their student hours. Um, our district, like
088I said, was the only district that had 7 hours. One district had 6 hours and 50 minutes. Two districts had 6 hours and 45 minutes. Eight districts had 6 hours and 40 minutes. Four districts had 6 hours and 35 minutes. Five districts had 6 hours 30 minutes and seven districts had under 6 hours 30 minutes. Now I'm I'm not asking for 30 minutes less. But I am asking 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after. So I'm asking for a student day to be 6 hours 40 minutes. That gives teachers 10 minutes to get in the building, get in their classroom, set up, and then when the kids leave, they can get back to their classroom and pack up. It's only fair. And I do have one copy of my data that I will share with
089the president. And if you would like to make copies, this was about 2 years ago when I gathered it all. I would imagine it's relatively up to date. We will be updating it. I just haven't had a chance. >> That's it. >> Thank you very much. >> Would anyone else like to speak? See none. Uh there's no need for second executive session. Public comment closed. Board forum. >> Would anyone like to speak from the board? >> Sure. >> Um before I get to my fun stuff, I'm going to read my statement that I went out before uh in regards to the fall Paris. While I respect the board's decision, I want a record that I cannot support eliminating full-time paraprofessional positions. Our paras are essential to daily success and safety of our students. I also
090want our paras and families to know that their work and impact on our schools are seen and deeply valued. And I hope we can continue to work towards solutions that support both our budget and the people who support our students. Um, my resources for the month. Girl Scout week is this week. Aren't you all excited? I have been a Girl Scout leader for 10 years. Um, and Thursday, uh, I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Martinez. Um, the Girl Scouts are invited to wear their vest to school for National Girl Scout Day, is our leaders have been told. So, we hope to see all of our Girl Scouts wearing their vests on Thursday. And to those who choose to participate in that picture, I look forward to seeing that. We have family night book
091fair at Propon this Thursday from 5 to 7 on next Thursday, sorry, the 19th from 5 to 7. And I want to thank Dr. Martinez for um dealing with my emails about community resources and creating that corner. Uh so you know if you take a look at the district website they implemented a tab under the parents for resources, community resources where you can find tons of information if you need any help with anything. Also I believe that you're welcome to reach out to administration if there's something that you need that you don't see. Cops and Crayons is at the library Saturday the 21st. You do have to register for that program. They have a sensory hour um 10 and 11 10 and 11:30 to 12 and they have a a general from I believe 12:30
092to 1:30. So if you go online to the Ocean County Library website, you'll see the Little Lake. You can register there, but they also have a drop in for New Jersey Makers Day where you can make a craft without reservations between 11:30 and 12:30. So free fun. And ending with my favorites, the PTO. Um, they have a 4-day fundraiser coming up for the Double Good Popcorn fundraiser. They earned 50% back. The Gertrude Hog fundraiser uh raised $13,500 and change. So awesome. And candy pickup for that is going to be March 18th from 2 to 4, March 20th from 5 to 7, and March 24th 4 to 6 at George J. I'm sure that you'll see information roll out about that. The Jersey Mike's fundraiser is Friday 424. Um, don't quote me, but we usually get
09350% back, so look forward to that. Designer Bad Bingo. Um, I believe we sold out of VIP tickets, so it's going to be Full House, but we are still looking for sponsors and donations if anybody wants to make up a raffle basket. And their next meeting will be April 13th, 7 p.m. at Park. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tiffany. Anyone else? >> Yeah, Christine. >> So, again, I just wanted to thank everyone who spoke tonight. Um, this I I did not support this for my fear that the public was unaware. And I want transparency also as as Tiffany said. Tiffany said it very very well. So, I appreciate that. Um, and for myself, how difficult this was is I was on the board when we eliminated 26 teachers positions. >> And I went to the
094point and I had to go to some self-reflection and go, how was I able to do that? Which was extremely hard and you know, and for myself saying, okay, if you're a non-tenure teacher, that's always in the back of your mind. if you're a contract renewal, things like that. That that's that's hidden somewhere there. This um I I would have liked to seen it handled in a different fashion and maybe I could have come to some acceptable terms to it, but under that case, I couldn't. Um so that's my statement on that and thank you for coming back this evening to speak. Um, I greatly appreciate that. And again, I do think we would have seen u more individuals here. Um, my fun fact is it's women's month. It was National Women's Day the other
095day. Um, a mother of three daughters, so I always stress that. And here is my interesting science fact. I have two. One, Rosalyn Franklin. Rosalyn Franklin was involved and responsible for the discovery of the structure of DNA, but she had died due to radiation exposure. I always tell my students I always have a little bad side effect to my stories. Um and I apologize in advance. Um so she died before the Nobel Prize was awarded so she did not receive it only Watson and Crick. So I always make sure that everyone knows about Rosalyn Franklin and by any other science buffs um read the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lax. It's a fabulous story um about a woman Henry Alax from Baltimore and how her cell line from her cancer that was taken from
096her has been used in many many research studies um to this day and um so that's my on that and I hope to see everyone um on the 24th when we do have our first budget presentation and I hope that we will have some information on busing and transportation times next year as I did receive an email. An email was sent to the board so parents aren't questioning. So I do hope we have something to discuss about that next time. Thank you. >> Thank you Dennis. >> Sure. Uh thank you everyone for hanging around tonight and voicing your opinion. It's greatly appreciated. U first foremost most important stuff. Thank you. Congratulations rather to our students of the month. Truly love seeing smiles uh every time I'm here. Uh it's been two months on the board
097for me and being thrown into the fire so to speak is an understatement right now as an educator, a father of three, a wife who works very hard in education as well, uh and a family with career ed people. Um these are really tough decisions. These are tough times. Um and I'm I'm grateful for the discourse that we have here in the sunshine, but also in executive private session. I am truly grateful for the difference of opinions uh the and the discourse that we have as a board of ed. Um I I do feel that um we do the best job that we can and I'm proud to be part of it. Um I'm also grateful uh for um getting the information that I need to make a decision as provided by um Mr. Morelli
098and Dr. Antunis. Thank you for that. Um, I was able to make this decision tonight because I was given a certain amount of information, uh, not only real real- time financial information that I could make sense of, but I was also given feedback and my qu all of my questions were answered regarding what was going to be communicated to the public and how that could um, fall into place, what the future could look like. And I'm I'm ex I'm I'm anxious and optimistic that that information as the days unfold will be disseminated to staff members of and the professional educators in Little Egg. And um if you are still I would like to encourage everyone if you're still feeling uninformed in in the days uh to follow um I would love to hear everyone's opinion
099because I want to champion that that point of view. I truly do. And you know, as as someone who is truly proud of living in Little Lake Harbor, um I had many communities I could have chosen to move down uh to five years ago, and I'm super proud to be here. Uh taxes have gone up. Um happy to pay my fair share, happy to lend my perspective on this board, and proud to be part of um a special group. Uh to the professional educators in the room, thank you for truly creating an environment that um I'm proud of as an educator and a father of three and um you make the community special and that's at the core of it. So, I look forward to meetings to come and hearing information and getting feedback from
100the community on on what you've been um advised of because I know that the information that we've been provided um I feel optimistic about in light of the very tough decisions that we've had to make and will have to make. Uh so I'm optimistic and I look forward to hearing the information and getting your feedback in the future. So, thank you. Thank you, Dennis. Laura, >> thank you, Chris. I'm going to try not to be too loud. Um, with respect to the decision, it was a difficult one and as a school nurse, I know how important paraprofessionals are. But with respect to the uh parents concerns about losing their paraprofessional, we are not eliminating them. We are potentially hiring two for full-time position. And I think that may avert burnout because that's a real problem
101in in this service to our school. Um we hear it all the time. The parents are overworked and potentially burnt out. With regard to the uh good funds that we haven't learned about yet, um correct me if I'm wrong, Carl, but they do not cover our healthcare costs. They are a fixed cost and we have no control over them. >> That's correct. >> And they are going up and and this uh financially saved the district almost as much as our total healthc care is going up for the district. That number had to be dealt with and um unfortunately we have to make fiscally responsible decisions. That's the charge that we have for this board. It's one of our roles. Financial oversight. >> Thank you, Chris. Thanks for letting me be a part of this meeting.
102>> You're welcome. Okay. Um just I just want to reiterate the decision we made tonight is not a reflection of the hardworking paras. They are truly the unsung heroes of the district. Day in and day out they put in so much work and effort. It's a reflection of the terrible economic times that we live in and the extremely tough financial decisions we have to make. And unfortunately we are not looking forward to any sort of rescue package from the state of New Jersey. In fact it's probably the opposite. More than likely, we're probably going to get less state aid than we got last year, which puts us even more in a dire financial situation. But this decision tonight is something that many, many, many other school districts have taken before us, and we've held on
103as long as possible to keep the benefits for paras uh in the structure that we have as today. We do hope that all many if not all paras do stay with the district and follow the process that Carl's going to outline tomorrow. Um you know it's just a tough financial decision that we had to make. It's affecting people's lives and we don't take that decision lightly. That's all I have. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Hereby resolve the Little Lake Board of Education to adjourn at 9:17 p.m. All in favor? Time out. >> Time out.