001Good evening. This [clears throat] is to advise the general public that in compliance with the open public meetings act, the Little Lake Harbor Board of Education meeting is advertised in the Adbury Park Press Atlantic City Press and posted at the office of the board of education located at 307 Rock Road, Lil Harbor, New Jersey, and posted at the office of the municipal clerk of Lil Harbor. here. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Sakone, >> here. Mr. Felichello >> here. >> Miss Lawrence >> here. >> Mr. Leega. >> Dr. Schneider >> here. >> M. Martin >> here. >> Mr. Ser >> here. May we please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and
002justice for all. >> I have a motion to approve the agenda. Motion >> second. >> Any questions? >> All in favor? >> I a motion to approval approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Any questions on the minutes? >> All in favor? >> I. Public comment number one, 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're required to give your name and address before speaking. Please keep your comments respectful and non-defamy and maintain the level of deform appropriate for
003a public meeting where minors may be in the audience. Would anyone like to speak? >> See no one at this time. >> Oh, okay. Someone's coming up. >> I do have a question. when because I've only been >> Can you Can you approach the microphone, please? >> When are we permitted to speak on a >> perfect moving on correspondenceformational items? Any comments or questions? We'll move on to committee reports president update. Um I'll speak to this later, but I did go to the workshop training as did two other board members, superintendent and Carl and and uh we can report on that later or or now if you'd like. Uh I attended four sessions only two days. I wish I could have attended more but it was very helpful. Excellent um training and knowledge to bring
004back to the board. I can speak to that a little bit later. Um as far as my committee, the policy committee, we reviewed 12 policies. They're on for first reading and we we've been keeping up with the recommended updates. Um minor changes, but some mandated and some just revisions. So you have a month to review that before you accept them next month. And finance committee would you like to report Christine? >> Sure. Um, we had just reviewed some bills list questions from a board member and we did have our audit update and I believe our auditor should be in the next couple of months coming to present um, our update on our audit and we were updated that our eight we finally have our eight mini buses on property and um, we discussed aid and
005loo payment um, in an effort to get those parents parents um their funds at the end of the school year in a timely manner. And that's about all I have for that. Thank you. >> And curriculum committee met also, I mean, I'm sorry, personnel committee. >> Yeah, personnel committee met. Um we met, let's see, last Friday morning. Um had quite a bit of items on our agenda. So, uh myself, Christine, Greg, Dr. Antunez, Carl, and Jackie were all present. um discussed some grievance matters that the district has um asked questions, went over those. Um also talked about current vacancies that we currently have with um some staffing positions. We talked about observations and co-observations and the process um for the district and administrators. Um we talked about some stipened questions that we had and al
006also got an update on the NJ uh QAC scores and self assessment. um discussed tenure celebrations um talked about some different really cool wellness activities um that's happening with the staff um just around self-care and a step challenge which is neat keeping everybody active in the winter. Um talk talked about the superintendent and her visits to schools coming up. Um so really nice meet and greets available with the staff. And then the last thing we talked about was this awesome personnel newsletter that was just fabulous. Um, so just highlighting some marriages that we've had. Congratulations to to some of those staff members who've recently got married. So really nice to see that newsletter. I think it's a a nice touch to really bring out the personal touch to our staff and our administration. So that's
007it from personnel. Thank you. Thanks for pushing that agenda out to progress support. >> Okay, next up is the 2026 meeting drafts. Everyone have a chance to look at those. Um, can I just ask is was there a reason that we're choosing to do everything in on the first reorg meeting rather than having a separate meeting in January? >> I think just to save a meeting >> to combine the two. >> I know we done before. >> I don't know if we did it last year. >> No, we haven't. Um I just said it's you know if our meeting is that Tuesday um the week prior is a week off from school. So I'm just wondering when we would receive an agenda and then also to our new board member. I don't know if she
008would have access to the full agenda [clears throat] being that she's not uh sworn in yet. >> Right. And even for Chris and I, I don't know what that means for us because we would have to be if we were sworn in. We would be sworn in prior to the access to the agenda. The question new board members do not obtain access until then. So even when we have the reorg meeting, they don't have access before they're actually didn't have it last year when he was appointed that night. He didn't either vot it. He either voted or abstained, right? >> But we had two separate meetings last year, I believe. >> We did. >> Yeah. >> So, I think that I think that we should keep that if especially if our new board members not
009going to have access. >> Anybody else feel the same way? >> Not sure we can decide this tonight. Greg missing. I don't know. Again, whatever is approved on at reorg at the because you the board still does approvals at the reorganization meeting that night. The new board members do not have access even for those things that occur at that board meeting. >> Right. But normally they're minimal. >> There's a lot of all the professional services, all that kind of stuff gets through that night. Curriculum, all that kind of stuff. >> That that's fine. But I mean things that they may need to research or ask questions on. >> Anybody else? >> So is the January meeting uh on Tuesday or Wednesday? Does I would prefer if we do the reorg meeting on the Wednesday? Does
010anybody have any issues with that? >> Uh I prefer the Wednesday. presentations is Miss Andrea. I want to say her name wrong. We're >> here with the Hi, American Heart Association. She's come because we have an outstanding um fundraiser in our district. Miss Molly, do you have a mic microphone there? I do. >> Yes. Can you hear me? Oh, yes. Thank you so much for having me. Um, so good evening. Uh, thank you again for having me. My name is Andrea Marusk with the American Heart Association. For the past 15 years, I've had the privilege of partnering with your school community through the Kids Heart Challenge, which is held each February in your elementary schools. Tonight, I'm here to celebrate the incredible impact your district has made through this service learning initiative and to recognize
011the dedicated physical education teachers and inspiring heart heroes that make it possible. Um, I just want to go through some of the numbers because they're truly speak volumes of your impact. Um, we had 560 students and their families that were engaged with the program. They embraced our educational resources and initiatives that promoted physical and mental well-being. 185 students and families completed Finn's mission, which is our online module that taught them life-saving skills like how to perform handsonly CPR, recognize the warning signs of stroke, and empowered them to act quickly in case they're ever in a situation where they need to um if there's ever an emergency. um through their fundraising efforts, we had 560 families that potentially saved 1,062 lives, which is truly remarkable. Um not only did your participation help save lives through your
012schools, but your schools also earned um over $5,000 and it gave us $5,500 in givebacks to support and enhance your physical education programs. George Mitchell School was ranked number six in Ocean County and number two in New Jersey. And Frog Pond Elementary ranked number three in Ocean County and number nine in the state of New Jersey out of 954 participating schools. So, congratulations and thank you so much. [applause] These accomplishments are the direct result of the passion and leadership of our outstanding educators and administrators. These PE teachers have made the Kids Heart Challenge a glove tradition, one that students eagerly anticipate each year. Their dedication is shaping not only healthier bodies, but stronger hearts and minds. >> [snorts] >> I would like to recognize from George Mitchell School, Tracy Williams Moyer, Tommy Clifford, and of
013course their leader, Mrs. Cummings. From frog pond school, I would like to recognize Amy English, Tim Valet, Alejandro Martinez, Mr. Denning, even though he's not here, he is instrumental in uh the success of that program, and of course, Mr. Nazerok. Last but not least, I want to thank um and extend a heartfelt thank you to our second grader from George Mitchell School, survivor Molly Modus and her family. Molly has served as our local youth heart ambassador for the past two years. She is one of over 40,000 babies that are born each year with a congenital heart defect. Molly had her first heart surgery at just 36 hours of the of after birth and she's doing amazing today. Um, so I just wanted to thank them for sharing her cou courageous journey. She gave her peers
014a personal connection to the cause, showing them the real impact of their efforts and reinforce values like kindness, [snorts] responsibility, safety, and empathy. These are not just lessons for today. They are life skills that your students will carry with them forever. Thank you for your continued participation in your partnership and commitment to the health and well-being of your students, your community, your teachers. Together, we are making a difference one heartbeat at a time. So, at this point, I'd like to call up um just representative from here from frogcon today is um Amy English to receive her top school award. [applause] Um, I'd also like to call out Tracy Williams Moyer and Mrs. Cummings. I know they're both here tonight as well to receive awards. [applause] Thank you. Great job. And of course, let's call up
015our heart hero, Molly Modus, who's here with her mom and dad. [applause] Good job, Molly. I know maybe wanted to say something >> on behalf of the physical education department. It is an honor to receive this recognition tonight from the American Heart Association. Our partnership with the AHA and the kids heart challenge has been incredibly meaningful not just for us as educators but for our students, families, and community. I've been in Little I've been in the Little Lake Harbor School District for 27 years. And one of the things I'm most proud of is our longstanding commitment to heart health education. In fact, if you walk down the hall, you'll find a plaque by the gym that goes all the way back to 1980 when Jump Rope for Heart first launched. Our district has been involved
016with the American Heart Association since then. More than four decades of consistency, caring, and community involvement. We are proud to carry on that legacy. Over the last 15 years, our PE department has nourished and cultivated this program into the impactful initiative that it is today. Because of that dedication and growth, our department received over $5,500 in equipment and vouchers in funds just last year alone. Resources that go directly back into our program and directly benefit our students. It is a powerful reminder that when we invest in our kids, everyone wins. Through the kids heart challenge, our students learn skills that are truly matter. CPR, how to use an AED, and how to take care of their own heart health. They learn what it means to make a difference. Many of our students participate because they
017know someone in their own family who has faced heart issues. They understand even at a young age that their actions can help others. This work is deeply personal for me. Just a year ago, my [clears throat] dad went through open heart surgery. And three weeks ago, I learned that myself had what my cardiologist calls a really large ascending aortic aneurysm. So, when I say that our partnership with the American Heart Association is near and dear to my heart, I truly mean it. Thank you for supporting our students, our school, and his philanthropic mission. We look forward to continuing this part partnership for many more years to come. >> Thank you very much. [applause] >> Thank you to all the families who raised funds as well. Thank you. >> Thank you for coming. [applause] Okay, next
018up is students of the month or George J. Mitchell first. She starts Good evening. The character trait for the month of October at the Mitchell School was respect. I'd like to call up our kindergarten student, Colin Lano from Moscato's class. [applause] MCT said Colum has an has had an amazing start to kindergarten. He is always setting a positive example for others, helping others, and always has a smile on. Callum shows respect to his teachers and peers daily and is a true shining star in our classroom. I am so proud of him. Congratulations. [applause] Next in first grade, we have Olivia Chucheroni. >> [applause] >> Mrs. Maloney said, "Olivia is the kind of first grader who always shows respect to her teachers and classmates without being asked. She listens carefully, follows directions, and uses polite words
019in every situation. Olivia treats everyone with kindness, and makes sure others feel included. Her respectful attitude is a wonderful example for her classmates and helps make our classroom a positive and welcoming place to learn. Olivia is a gem and I couldn't imagine our class class without her. Congratulations. [applause] We have another first grader Boley from Mrs. Chamberlain's class. [applause] Mrs. Chamberlain said, "Bo is always respectful and shows respect each and every day. He treats his peers and teachers with respect daily. Bo is super sweet and always looks to help his peers. Bo comes to school each and every day with a simp with a smile on his face, ready to learn and be the best Osprey he can. [applause] Congratulations. And our second grade student of the month is Leila Coverly from Mrs. Gilly's class.
020[applause] Mrs. Gilly said, "Layla Coverly is a shining example of what it means to show respect each and every day. She treats her teachers and classmates with kindness, listens carefully, and always uses her best manners. Leila goes out of her way to help others and make sure everyone feels included. She leads quietly through her actions and her gentle encouragement of others. Our classroom is a better place because of her p because of her positive attitude and the respect she shows to everyone around her. I am so lucky to be her teacher. [applause] Oh, you got a smile. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> got this. >> Good evening everyone. We are ready now for the frog pond October students of the month. We are going to start in third grade from Mrs. Wetzel's room. Piper
021Griffin [applause] also says that biker is a wonderful example of what it means to be the student of the month. She is a friend to everyone and brightens each day with her positive attitude and incredible artistic talent. Her artwork always starts my day with a smile. You draw her pictures. She says yes. Piper is a true role model who consistently strives to do her best and she is an absolute joy to have in class. Congrats. Congratulations. [applause] In fourth grade from Mrs. Van's room, Angel Rivera is Angel here. [applause] Come on down. His teacher says that Angel has been a great addition to our class. He sets an example for the others by following the rules and all directions given. He is a great helper for other students and he has shown how kind and
022compassionate he can be. And as as an example, the teacher brings up that if he sees somebody upset, he is the first person in that class to go over and try to work out the problem and bring peace to whatever is happening. What a great way to be. Congratulations. [applause] from fourth grade as well. Mrs. Palumbo's classroom, Jasmine Patron. [applause] Mrs. Palumbo says that Jasmine is the perfect student. I'm not sure we can get a better compliment than that. She is motivated, always focused, and ready to learn. Jasmine settles for nothing less than her absolute best, and this shows in everything she does. She's an outstanding classmate who was always rated to help her peers better understand something. She's a great helper to me as the teacher. She's mature and wise beyond her years. I
023am so pleased that she was placed in my classroom this year. Congratulations. [applause] Moving on to fifth grade in Mr. Ari's class. Juliana Farus. [applause] We're going to learn about her. Juliana is a model student for every everyone in our class says Mr. Ricardi. She works hard, always follows directions, and is always so pleasant when she comes into the room every day. Juliana always goes that extra mile to ensure she that she gets her work done. She helps around the classroom and is one of the most reliable students I've ever had the opportunity to teach. Mr. Cardi says that he can't wait to watch Juliana grow this year and continue to be a superstar in the classroom. So one more round of applause [applause] and grade six and they do partnerships. So this is from
024Miss Laterio and Mrs. Arnold Teresa Furella [applause] and I have been spending a lot of time together getting ready for our assembly tomorrow. She may be Theesa has been selected as our grade six student of the month for demonstrating outstanding academic effort, leadership and character. She consistently approaches her studies with dedication and curiosity. And I can speak to that because as we've been preparing for our Veterans Day assembly, she's asked some outstanding questions that help us get a little more organized. And I've seen that firsthand. She sets a strong example for her peers. She's has a respectful attitude. She's kind to others. And she's willing to contribute to our classroom community in so many different ways. We are very proud that she's representing grade six for Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Later's classes for the student
025of the month. Congratulations. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you and congratulations to all those students showing respect. Next we're going to call up Mr. Kofer. for the pickup and drop off survey results. All right, let's see. So, the superintendent and I uh went out to both locations at both George Mitchell and Crockpond to hand out uh slips of paper with all the information and a QR code like we did back in 2018 to when the buildings were opened. If we put K second back on one bus 36, I think we will see a bigger uh transportation use for our buses and it would definitely eliminate not all but I think a big portion of the apparent problem we pick up. >> Now is that part of the transportation plan that you um presented? >> Yeah.
026>> Yep. Our ultimate goal is to go back to what worked for the district forever and that's okay. Second one 36 on >> and the timeline for that we're hoping is for next year >> September. Excellent. >> And is there any plan for like parents I guess in the afternoon it would be the best? Um what school would be the earliest just because in case some sixth graders might be >> y >> helping second graders off the bus. So when we when we do this uh when everything goes to plan, frog pond would start first. That way the older kids are then home for the younger siblings. >> I also learned something that's some people just pick up in the afternoon and they utilize the bus in the morning. So it's good to know. Well,
027I think sometimes you can be at the end of the route in the morning, but if you're in the end of the route in the afternoon, you're on the bus the longest. So, if you're the last one to pick up in the morning, you go scoot off right to school. So, it's not as big of a deal. >> And if we do separate, you're going to cut off roughly 20 minutes right off the run because they won't be sitting at another school waiting for the second school to board the buses. So, we'll definitely see an increase in drive time. I'm excited about that. Finally, something's being done. >> Yeah, me too. I I won't be on the board at that time, but I'll be excited as a parent to see that come to fruition. I
028mean, just speaking from my own personal uh situation. My son lives a mile away and is on the bus for 35 minutes because he has to go past Frog Pond to George Shay first and then back to Frog Pond. So, I think it's going to work out really well to have separate fleets for each school. Anybody else want comment or question? >> Sounds good to me. Yeah, sounds like a >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right, moving on to action items. Recommend a motion to approve finance items A through F. And I have a motion. >> Motion. >> I have a second. Second. >> Are there any questions? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Shone, >> yes. >> Mr. Philello, >> yes. >> Miss Lawrence, >> yes.
029>> Dr. Scott, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Mr. Ser, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Facilities. Recommend a motion to approve facilities. Item A. I have a motion. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Thank you. Are there any questions? >> Questions answered on this one? >> Yes. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Yes. >> Mr. Fichello. >> Yes. >> Miss Lawrence? >> Yes. >> Dr. Snider? >> Yes. >> Miss Martin? >> Yes. >> Miss Ber? >> Yes. Motion carries. Okay. Recommend a motion to approve school business administrators non-personnel items A through E. Can I have a motion? >> Second. >> Are there any questions? A through E. >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Som, >> yes. >> Mr. Phichello, >> yes. >> Miss Lawrence, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder. >>
030Yes. >> Miss Martin. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Recommend a motion to approve personnel items A through G. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> A second. Second. >> Are there any questions? Just again with um I did not receive yet an answer about the part-time bus drivers um like the hours like how many hours that will be and how is that going to be handled um cuz they have to start the beginning of the day and the end of the day. I don't understand how they're going to have time in the middle of the day. I'm still trying to figure that out. There will be a schedule made up on a daily basis and any downtime drivers will have different based on the routes that they're driving, different hours in the bus
031driving. So the drivers that have extra downtime will be helping us out in the district with a list of tasks that will will be provided to them. They're district employees. So they will be working for us for the entire day. the entire 29 and a half hours for >> right. But aren't aren't they going to have to have time off during the day in order for this to be because they're going to have to run buses in the morning, buses in the afternoon? >> That's what I'm trying to figure out. They can't work an 8 hour day. So, they have to be off at least 2 hours or something during the day. Is that the plan? The plan is for them to work a full seven hours per day. >> 5.9 5.9 hours per day
032to total 29 and a half hours. So the 5.9 hours will be a combination of drive time and if they're depending on the route again they're driving if there's any downtime they'll be utilized with different tasks in the district. I still can't figure out how it's going to work because right we have our paras at 4 hours or the aids on the buses are going to be 4 hours. So we figure drive time is 4 hours of the day. The 6 and 1/2 that's 2 and 1/2 hours. That's starts at the beginning of the day and the end of the day. There has to be time off in the middle of the day. >> And there will also be schedules that will be rotating. So some drivers might be in in the morning earlier, some
033drivers might be finishing the day later. >> I think the route doesn't take four hours. So >> routes, >> right? The afternoon. >> Do two routes. No, two routes in the morning, two routes in the afternoon. >> Um, yeah, as I said before, I need more >> detailed information before I can vote on that. So just which one? >> Yeah. Okay. Information. Okay, may I have a roll call? >> Mr. Sakone, >> yes. Mr. Phil, >> yes. >> Miss Lawrence, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. With the exceptions of seven and eight, I have seen >> Miss Martin. >> Yes. >> Miss, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Recommend a motion to approve superintendent of schools non-personnel items A through K. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> I have a second. >>
034Second. >> Are there any questions? Personnel H2K. No discussion. >> Mr. Sakone, >> yes. Mr. Fichello, >> yes. >> Miss Lawrence, >> yes. >> Dr. Snider, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Motion pass. >> I recommend a motion to approve the following recommendations from Superintendent of Schools. I have a motion. >> Motion. Have a second. >> Second. Okay. The resolution is u resolved the board of education approved the appointment of Bush Law Firm as board attorney effective on December 9th through December 31st, 2026. Are there any questions? Want to make that statement? [snorts] Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Son, >> yes. >> Mr. Phichello, >> yes. Miss Lawrence, >> I will abstain. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Miss Zer, >> yes. >>
035Motion carries. >> Okay. Recommend a motion to approve the following recommendations from the superintendent of schools. >> Can I have a motion? >> Motion. Second. >> Okay. Resolve that the board of education approve the following resolution. Whereas it has been determined that employee number 6334 has engaged in inappropriate conduct. Whereas it has been determined that employee 6334's inappropriate conduct provide a sufficient basis to withhold their employment and adjustment increment pursuant to NJSA1 18A 29-14. Is your boy resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent that employee 6334 employment and adjustment increment for the 2627 school year shall be withheld. And it is further resolved that the superintendent will provide employee number 6334 with written notice of this action within 10 days pursuant to NJ SA18A29-14. I have a roll call for please. >> Mr. Mr.
036Son, >> yes. >> Mr. Fichello, >> yes. >> Miss Lawrence, >> yes. >> Dr. Snder, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay, now we're going to move on to public comment. I do have a statement um to read to the public just in anticipation of people speaking. We understand that over the past several days, some members of our community may have received communications or seen commentary on social media regarding a specific situation within a classroom environment. We want to assure our parents and school community that the safety, well-being, and educational success of all students and staff are our highest priorities. Please be advised that pursuant to federal and state student privacy laws including the family education rights and privacy f act furpa the district is legally
037prohibited from sharing any personally identifiable information specific student details or specifics of interventions or disciplinary actions in a public forum. Please be assured that both building based and district administration is actively engaged in addressing this matter in accordance with all applicable legal regulatory and district policy. We strongly caution all community members to refrain from speculating about the facts, identifying names of students or staff um especially minors or making assumptions based on incomplete or unverified information. Thank you for your cooperation. Okay, public comment has begun. >> You have it at 3 minutes long. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'll I'll read um the brief statement again. The board shall um the floor is open to members of the public. The board of education recognizes the value of public comment. The board requests that each statement made by a
038participant is three minutes, no longer than three minutes according to policy 0167. There's a sign and sheet at the podium. Thank you. Tiffany Middle 80. I am speaking tonight as a resident and a parent who is deeply concerned about student and staff safety, instructional access, and the district's legal obligations. There is an ongoing situation in a general ed classroom involving se severe aggressive behaviors, throwing chairs, shoving dust, physical verbal aggression towards parents and staff. These incidents have resulted in repeated full class evacuations. This is not an isolated event. My own daughter, who I've since pulled and homeschooled, experienced similar instructions last year in a different classroom with a different student. The reputation across the school in years demonstrates a system level failure and behavioral crisis response. Let me share some legal obligations. So NJAC6A16-5.1 each
039district board of ed shall develop and implement policies and procedures of protecting the health and safety of students. Repeated evacuations clearly violates the standard. NJAC 6A14-3.8 A re-evaluation shall be conducted when the district determines that the educational or related services needs of the students to reeval daily evacuations meets this threshold. Section 504 districts must provide equal access to education for every student. Students repeatedly losing instructional time due to safety evacuations do not have equal access. Timely action is required. So the IEP or 504 meeting should have occurred within 10 school days. A functional behavioral assessment within 20 school days. Immediate implementation of an updated BIP behavior intervention plan should have occurred. Cross train crisis train and behavioral support should have been deployed without delay. A building level safety plan that does not rely on evacuating
040an entire class should have been put in place. Parents need more transparency. A public release of monthly behavior safety data. I like data. a public presentation explaining crisis response procedures, staffing and compliance efforts, clear communication protocols for staff and families regarding repeated safety disruptions. And I just want to add something on a personal level. I am a mother of children with autism and children with serious mental health challenges. I have sat in emergency rooms, psychiatric facilities in countless meetings. I have participated in IOPS and O programs with my own children. I know exactly what it looks like when a child is overwhelmed, disregulated, and mentally unwell. I recognize the signs of a child who needs intensive support, not punishment, not blame. So, when I say that I'm concerned for the welfare of the student who
041is struggling, I mean it. A child who is exhibiting extreme behaviors is a child who needs more support, not less. They need a placement in a plan that is clinically appropriate, emotionally supportive, and legally compliant. They need adults who step in early and with skill, not a system that waits until the situation escalates into a crisis almost every single day. It's certainly about the safety of the entire class, but it's also very much about the safety, dignity, and mental health of the child or children in crisis cuz this just keeps happening. Thank you very much. Anyone [applause] else like to speak? Just please sign in and state your name. Thank you. So I didn't >> clearly So, my name is Linda Dvau. My daughter is Abigail Zoo. She is in a class in school. And
042I didn't write anything. I'm not that great of a speaker. I'm going to do the best I can in under three minutes. My daughter has experienced the trauma and abuse and been assaulted multiple times. And I have normalized this. Every single day she comes home with a story of cuss words of being attacked, hit in her neck, hit in her head, punched. I And this the worst part about this is as a parent, I've gotten to the point every single morning I ask her when after the day, I should say in the afternoon, did it hurt? Was it a fist? Was it a slap? Did you cry? Were you sent to the nurse? Did you tell the teacher? Because there's only so many times I can keep calling you school. I know everybody around here.
043I don't want to be that mom. I have an expectation to keep my daughter safe. And the worst part about this is is on Thursday when she came home and she just said, "I don't think anybody cares that I become his punching bag. I'm a punching cushion to him." They don't have altercations. He just walks by because he's heading to the bathroom and clubs her in the back of the head. How when I tell you she's a sweet little tiny thing and somebody wants to tell me it doesn't qualify as bullying. Well, it does qualify as bullying. She is tiny. She's this tiny little sweet thing because she's short. Heal name is Josephine. He calls her a boy repeatedly. He tells her that she's short. Okay, so that might broaden our I can live with
044that. But the fact that I can't live with is that she's being hit on a normal basis and I have normalized this every single day. This should not be happening at all. I have a tutor for her that she gets tutored now because she was she's not getting the education that she needs because of in the classroom. I [clears throat] was at one time a week. Now we're doing it an hour and a half twice a week because she is not getting an education that she deserves. He has more rights than her. That's not a fair thing to say. How would you feel as a parent if this was your child being coming home every day? Do you know what the parent other parent said to me? And absolutely. I said those words that he's
045saying to her and she said they're just words. They're like hello and goodbye. They're not just words. cuz my daughter had them at church. That's they have an impact. She's 70 years old. She shouldn't be dealing with this and knowing this. Then I filled out a HIP report. I was told I'm not going to have the results until January. I'm sorry, but I read online. It should be in 10 days. Where where's her rights at this point? I have a high expectation. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be here. I don't want to take further steps. I've had the police call me today. I had a lawyer reach out from North Jersey calling me today over my Facebook post. I don't want to be here. I promise you this. I will
046go. I just am here to protect her and I'm expecting everybody to be on the same page. I don't think anybody wants to see her get hit. I truly believe that. But when did it become his rights are more important than hers? And every other kid in that class who's been in choke codes, who the teachers had mugs thrown at her desk, knocked over, I'm asking everybody to please help me so that I don't have to go any further because I like everybody. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. [applause] Is there anyone else that would like to speak? Okay, seeing none, can I have a motion to close public session? Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, it's time for like to go first. >> I'll go first. >> Okay.
047>> Um, thank you to Tiffany and Linda for coming to speak to the podium tonight. As a board, student safety is our number one priority in a public school system. Fortunately or unfortunately, there are laws and guidelines and statutes that we have to work within. Uh and so with that understanding, we work with the administration as a board to make sure that everything is taken serious and everything that we become aware of is dealt with as fast as humanly possible within the confines of the law. Um and we need your help as the public when there's things going on in the school district that aren't being addressed. Um, I think it's fair to say that if you brought something to one of our attentions, we would immediately turn it over to the administration and try
048to follow up the best we can until there's an actual result where everybody in this district has the education that they deserve. Um, so with that being said, you know, we want to make sure that everybody knows we are all responsible for the education of the kids that come through this these buildings. Parent, staff, board member, administration, all of us need to work together because we all have the same goal of a safe, clean environment where our students can get the best education possible. This is our community. I grew up here. I went to this school district. I was in this building 40 years ago. So, I want to make sure that this is the best place possible for our kids to get the best education possible. And I just want to thank you, the
049parents, the people that spoke up, the people that wrote us emails, the people that stopped us on the streets telling us, you know, things that are going on. Thank you for working together with us and thank you for your patience as we push as hard as we can within the confines of the law to make sure that actionable tangible results occur for everybody so that the kids can get the best education possible. Um on a different note, I do want to congratulate uh Tiffany and Christine on and myself for election to the board. Tiffany, you've always been an outspoken critic. So now you get to come inside the tent and see how the sausage is made. Uh you're going to be a very valuable member of the board. You ask great questions. You do your
050research. You're very educated on the issues at hand. So congratulations and we look forward to working with you on the board. And then uh finally, tomorrow night, the Little Ink Harbor Special Education Parent Advisory Group is [snorts] hosting a really fun activity tomorrow night, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. I know it's uh parent teacher conferences, but from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at George Mitchell School. Uh they are partnering with the Pinelands basketball association. More specifically the head coach varsity basketball coach of Pinelands is inviting some of his star players to come play with kids in our district of all abilities, all levels. Um it is sponsored by the special education parent advisory group, but all kids prek through six are invited to come and play basketball for two hours with the varsity basketball players. It's really
051cute to see these really big, tall basketball players uh playing with these little kids and lift them up so they can dunk. Uh it's a free event, so if you can make it out, please do. It's from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow at George Mitchell. Thank you. >> Thanks, Chris. >> John, would you like to say a few words? >> I mean, Chris pretty much covered everything there very well. So, I mean, the one thing that I have to say is, um, you know, I wish everybody uh, you know, happy Thanksgiving. And I think it's great that families that are in need during the holidays, you know, try to be there for certain families if you could help them with food and things like that. Um, I think that's really needed, especially with a tightness
052community like we have. um you know there's kids out there that are very hungry and um you know it's it's good to bring that food to them and bring them into your home and comfort comfort families out there that that are in need. Um and pretty much that's it with everything else. Uh congratulations Tiffany. Look forward to uh seeing you and getting to know you on the board. Christine, congrats again on your uh on your win. And uh that's pretty much it. Have everybody have a safe Thanksgiving. be safe and uh bring families in and try to do what you can. >> Thank you, John. >> Good. Um, first of all, um, it's always fun to watch the kids come up and get their awards um, every time they just to see them stand here
053and watch their their little faces and just to see the pride in their faces and that they're being recognized and to hear all the lovely things that their teachers um, have to say about them. That's just highlight of my uh, time when we have to do these meetings. Additionally, being the phys teacher, I would be remiss not to congratulate my phys peeps over here. Um, every year you guys blow it out of the sky with that fundraiser. I think even my kids who I'm not gonna say how old they are now because that'll give me up because I know I look good but um uh the amount of money you bring in and and just the education that goes with that um for the children and also knowing because I do a lot of fundraising
054over where I'm at and every year it gets harder and harder and when you can get kids to buy into something that is something that they look forward to every year. Um, that's just an amazing feat and I I feel we're talking about Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that we have teachers that are dedicated to promoting that program year in and year out. So, kudos to you guys. Congratulations. And to the rest of you and everybody who's watching, happy Thanksgiving. Thank you, Alison. Um, I'll just piggyback off of what Allison said. I think the students of the month is probably what I'm going to miss most when I am not serving on the school board. It's probably brings me the most joy and um I know this is my second to last meeting. Congratulations Tiffany uh for
055taking this seat. Um I decided not to run again and next month will be my last meeting serving the Lil Harbor School District. So I'll talk about that then and try not to get emotional. Um, but um I also want to just thank Linda and Tiffany for for having the courage to come up here and say what you said. Um, I can assure you that this board's number one priority is the safety of every single child that comes into this district because if our children do not feel safe, they cannot learn and that is our number one priority and objective. So, I can assure you that this board is questioning and doing everything we possibly can, as Chris said, within the law to make sure that our students are safe. So, thank you for your
056courage. Um, board elections, I talked about congratulations. Teacher conferences are this week, so please go meet with your kids teachers, those of you who are listening on YouTube, and thank you teachers for all that you do to support your students and meet with all of the parents that you need to squeeze in in three days. So, thank you for for that. Um, jump rope for heart, as Allison said. Congratulations to our PE staff. Um, I remember doing that when I went to Frog Pond. So, it's been around a very long time. Kudos. My kids love it. Keep it up every year. I mean, it's such a staple here in this district. So, I look forward to hearing years to come of being number nine in the state and number three in the county. I mean,
057that's really something to be proud about. So kudos. And then lastly, I'm just very thankful for everything that I've learned over the last three years and working with all of you and serving this school district. So this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my family and my health and my family's health, but I am very thankful for the last three years of serving the Little Lake Harbor School District. So happy Thanksgiving. Thank you, Abby. >> Okay. Um, I'm going to just tag off with John first with regards to food. I'm a college professor by day and so food insecurity is a really big thing in my book and it's something I hate to see because college students really suffer from it. So this Sunday, November 23rd at the Little Harbor Senior Center, they're between 2 and 5.
058They're offering a free meal. I don't know if you knew about that. Um, and they're also provide transportation. No questions asked, just come and maybe some if any um senior citizens are listening, maybe you just like some company. Um so please take advantage of that. Um I think that's a great service that um our town is off. I think it's actually just Believe Bank is offering it. And with regards to the parents that have emailed us and spoke this evening, I want to thank you, same with Abby, with having the courage, but I also want to commend you on the amount of respect that I felt and feeling that you had in your letters because it none of those letters were self-centered. Everyone thought about all the parties involved when you were writing those and
059it was with such heart and emotion and I think um Mr. about your when you said normalizing that was the trigger word that touched for me and that is something I would hate to see any child believe that it's okay and so maybe us maybe the district can think about you know some type of counseling or groups for the kids involved in this situation to help them through it and realize it's not okay that's not acceptable and so that they're not affected. I mean, they will be affected from this, but moving forward can have a way to deal with it. And maybe that's something that the district can work on in the school to help those students. And for jump rope for heart, I hope you guys are still doing the wonderful incentives where you
060get to slime the gym PE teachers and silly string. I know that was a favorite of my kids and okay it's wonderful. Um and you know promoting heart health young is a very very very good thing to do. Um and happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope everyone has a chance to be with their families um and remember what they're thankful for. And um all of the teachers, I hope you have a relaxing break and there's not too many more days until we get a little bit of break before the winter um break. Um and have a happy Thanksgiving. Thank you. I also want to congratulate the award winners for for the um the word respect this month and uh also the American Heart Association. I know Abby, you mentioned Frog Pond, but I think I
061heard and I wrote name I read in the email, George J. Mitchell, second in New Jersey. Is that right? Second in New Jersey and six in Ocean County. Six in Ocean County. So, that's a big feat. I just our little school really did a lot. I'm so proud of them. And we wish uh wish Miss English some good health in the future. Um, and to the parents tonight, I I do want to say you exemplified that respect when you spoke at the podium and um, I I so appreciate that and you respected the dignity and the privacy of students and I think you should be commended for that and I also uh admire your knowledge of the statutes, the procedures um, even where HIPP is concerned. So I would encourage you to talk with our
062administrators, Dr. Eler, Dr. Antunes, the proper administrators to address these concerns and I assure you things are being put in place to address the situation. Thank you very much everybody for coming out and happy Thanksgiving. Motion to adjourn, please. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> 8:24 and our next meeting is December 9th.