001Are we good? >> All right. This meeting of the MA Board of Education is open to members of the public to be physically present. Members of the public that attend will be asked to follow the same rules as all other visitors to our schools. Those procedures can be found on the agenda page of our website. Additionally, the board meeting will be livereamed for viewing purposes only. Anyone wishing to view the meeting may do so via Zoom. Webinar ID is 810-67973043 and the required password is 410305. I call this meeting to order. Roll call please. Miss Hiramoto. >> Mr. D Silva >> here. >> Mr. Kasmarski >> here. >> Mr. Coplin >> here. >> Mr. Gallo >> here. >> Miss Daviniro. Mr. Houston >> here. >> Mr. Hughes >> here. >> Mrs. Ting Jansen >> here.
002>> Dr. Morphy >> here. Adequate notice that the agenda for this meeting has been provided to the Rididgewood News in the record specifying that the MA board of education will meet on March 4th, 2026 in the media center at MA High School, 50 Ridge Road, MA, New Jersey. A copy was filed with the township clerk. All right. Our salute to the flag this evening. Miss Ting Jansen, would you lead us, please? >> This one back here. >> I pledge algiance 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. Okay. Uh we do require a brief executive session in the beginning. So motion to recess to executive session. Mr. Dilva, second by Mr. Coblin. >> 10 minutes
003tops. >> I don't have it. Is there >> one is no history with the food Too close. Oh yeah, that's her space. >> It's like a sauna. I got the same. >> Yeah. >> All right. Motion to reconvene to public action meeting Mr. Hughes, second by Mr. Gallow. Agenda questions. Please limit your questions at this time to resolutions under new business on this agenda. As a matter of fairness, you're asked to limit your questions to no more than one and your remarks to no longer than three minutes. If you're here representing a group, please identify the group, yourself, the group, and your position in the group. If you're here as an individual, please give us your name and address. Uh, please specify the resolution you're referring to in your question. All right. Motion to open
004the meeting to the public. Uh, Mr. Kasmarski, second by Miss Ting Jansen. Right. We are officially open to the public. Seeing no one coming forth at this time. Motion to close the meeting to the public. Mr. Coplin, second by Mr. Hughes. A student representative report this evening. >> Hello everyone. Thank you so much for having me. Excuse my raspy voice. have a little sip, but not that. >> All right. So, this weekend is the opening weekend for something rotten. As you guys can all see in auditorium, it's pretty it's packed. March is a social emotional learning month. >> We have we have we're helping the ridge with the food drive which consists of the slogan two cans, two questions. We can make a difference. Also, my friend >> the winter guard took fourth place out
005of 22 guards at South Brunswick High School on Saturday. Indoor percussion took fourth place at JFK High School in Woodbridge on Saturday as well. Individual wrestling is still going on for a couple of the guys who moved on to the regionals. Robotics is also this weekend competing Saturday and Sunday at the Warren Hills High School. You can follow the competition via live stream. And finally, DECA is competing in Atlantic City for their states. That's all I have. >> Thank you so much. >> Good night. >> You too. >> All right. Our superintendent report this evening. Dr. Okay. >> Um I don't have much there. I just wanted to say thank you so much to the community for coming out to our different um meetings that we had specific to our referendum. Um, I feel like
006we were able to share the information uh throughout the community in a number of different venues. Um, something I definitely want to go on the record today, we try to gather the common questions that we've received throughout our uh our our road show and uh something that has been coming up especially recently is the reassessment um that everyone in town has received and how that connects with the referendum. So, I think it's worth repeating um that the reassessment that's taking place is separate and apart from this referendum. The referendum, the financials that were uh created by our financial advisor and bond council are specific to your current assessed value. I want to keep saying that. So, if by chance your home value changes after the reassessment, that does not change the obligation of the homeowner.
007that has been shared through our formula that we've shared. Meaning, whatever your current assessed value is, that is the tax obligation for this referendum. And even if it ch your value changes after the reassessment, that will not change your obligation. That's number one. Number two is um as we've been talking to community members over the past week, um I know that we received this information probably halfway through the presentations. A question that was posed is what's going on with the construction schedule. In our first couple meetings, we didn't have specifics on that. And thankfully through land, they were able to provide us with a schedule. We did share that at town hall and all the meetings following town hall. But I think it's worth repeating now. The way that the architects created the schedule, it
008was it's extremely aggressive. And what that means, which I'm happy about, is if March 10th is a positive vote, we will begin immediately with finalizing the plans and doing all the things that we need to have shovels in the ground in 20 spring of 2027. So, new construction that's that's listed in the referendum, that will begin spring of 2027. That's because of all the different steps that we have to take to get there. That's not because of a delay on our end. So that's a question that's been asked and the the term of all of the projects we've been told is between four and 5 years, which means because there are a number of projects listed in the referendum. There will be a number of projects going on at the same time. And last but
009not least, what's the impact of instruction? I'm happy to report that a large majority of our projects can take place while the students are in session. If there are any that's going to uh be a distraction, we will we are going to make sure that we work with building administration and work around that instructional time. The only project that would be an impact to instruction would be the auditorium renovation which we've already talked to Mr. Nam and we were starting to develop plans on how we can create that timeline that's going to be least amount of impact for our students instructionally and performance-wise. That's all I report. Thank you very much, Dr. Doro. Um, Dr. Farah, do you have a report this evening? >> Yes, it will be brief. Uh, the first is I'll just
010add on to what Dr. Toro shared. Um, an email communication will be going out by our building principles tomorrow to their respective school communities. Um, part of that uh key points to our community will be uh a Zoom opportunity for anyone who has uh any clarifying questions. uh the afternoon before the vote on March 9th, we will be making ourselves available from 4:00 to 5:30 to answer any of those questions so everyone can approach the polls uh fully informed. So that's the first piece. The second, we have a retirement announcement for uh Mrs. Kathy Doland, who is also a MA resident. She's been here for 29 years of dedicated service at Joyce Kilmer School. uh in that time she has inspired generations of students to find their voices, think critically and develop a love of
011reading and writing. Her classroom has always been a place where students feel supported, challenged and genuinely cared for. And through her kindness, patience and commitment, she has helped shape not only strong learners but confident young people. So beyond her work in the classroom, she's a valued colleague and a respected member of our community uh that she calls home right here in Mawa. uh while she will be greatly missed, uh the legacy she leaves through her students, colleagues, and community will continue for years to come. So, wish Kathy the best as she enjoys time with her family uh in this next chapter for her. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Miss Hiramoto, your report this evening. >> Um okay, mine is also brief. Um the finance and facilities committee met today to review
012the revised preliminary 2627 budget. the business office administration. We're continuing to make strong progress and budgets nearing completion. The formal budget presentations to the board will begin on the following dates. So on the next board meeting, March 25th, um we will go over the revenue sources, tax impact, and special revenue. On April 8, 2026 board meeting, we'll go over the special education, benefits, operations, enrollment, personnel, and capital outlay projects. And then on April 29th boarding, we will have the budget recap and public hearing of the final 2627 budget with board action to approve um the completed budget. >> Okay, thank you very much. Um my it's a gas less. >> Yeah, disabled disabled vehicle road and a gas go through. >> Thank you for the update. As far as rescue, we were all kind of
013wondering as we see >> from the police >> our first responders uh going by the window. >> I thought Mr. Hughes might uh have to go and jump into his gear real quick. >> Um all right, thank you very much. Um my report this evening, um so I just wanted to say again, we've been talking about it and talking about it. Um but we just want to you know I think everyone to understand um that as a board um we are a board but we're also you know members who've had students in our schools um who currently have students who've had students um and we're community members. Many of us um live here for our lifetime. So, um, we understand what we're asking and we understand that this is important. Um, and we appreciate that
014everyone has hopefully taken the time to really understand what this referendum is, why we're posing this, uh, to our community for voter approval. Um, and most importantly, we understand the importance of voting. on Tuesday, March 10th, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Uh you can still postmark your uh mail-in ballot as well by March 10th. Um and we don't take any of this lightly. So, we really do appreciate um the time that people have taken uh to really understand uh what we're um asking and why we're asking and the importance of all the different pieces of it. Um, and we also just, you know, want to say that, um, this is not just it's it's for the community, right? There's multiple projects here that support our students, support our district, uh, support uh, community resources, support
015our um, NYSB program, etc., etc. So, we've been talking about it. If somehow you still have some questions, which is great, then there's a Zoom as Dr. fair said there's still the email that's on the website if you have a question somebody will get back to you um and I I just want to thank everybody on our team here today our administrative team but board members too who have gone out who have been part of this process who have taken the time out of their schedules um and all the presentations and and and gone into the community. So let's keep talking about it. We have just a few more days uh and hopefully um you'll get out to vote and we do appreciate your vote uh on March 10th. So, thank you very much. Um
016the uh board committee reports. Does anyone have a report this evening? >> Mr. Gall, >> just briefly to echo Katherine's report. Um many people might have heard see in the newspapers some of the school districts that are in uh you know not so good financial shape in Bergen County and it's it's quite an achievement of our team from the business office and the leadership team that we're able to go into our preliminary budget basically in very very good condition uh all within our cap um and we've done that for since the cap came into being in 2010. Um, yes, it continues to be a challenge to do so, but our team is very thoughtful, futures looking and focused on the resources that we have, and they're very responsible. We've been, uh, very respectful of the
017resources that are dedicated to our students education. So, um, we're in good shape. We have still one hurdle to get over, which is essentially learning about our state aid numbers on March 10th or so. So, um, >> it's an important day. Uh I just want to recognize the work that's been done for and not just this year but over a long period of time. This doesn't happen by accident. This happens through thoughtful, consistent uh everyday type of effort and um and our community is in good hands in terms of its financial um school finances. So it's um and and and if people uh can look at the referendum and say, "Oh, I have some concerns about the money." Um I think we have a track record that is envious um in the county if not
018the state in terms of our financial management and we will be efficient and effective in the use of those resources if the vote comes um is positive on Tuesday. So I just want to thank everybody who's contributed to the effort so far. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Galla. Any other board committee reports? Okay. Uh board member remarks, Mr. Cumlin, >> just really quick. wanted to I don't think it's on but uh wanted to congratulate um a recent graduate of MA High School, Ryan Kazra. Um Ryan is currently attending Springfield College and is a wrestler. He came up through the youth wrestling program and through Ma High School and he recently won his regional sectional, whatever they call it, and is on his way to nationals in Iowa. It's a huge accomplishment in the wrestling
019world and to see a MAGA grad get there is just really proudful. So, uh, congratulations to Ryan and his parents. >> Thank you, Mr. Dilva. >> Yeah. Um, I just want to, uh, talk real quick. I don't want to get in the weeds, um, about the reassessment because I keep seeing, you know, especially on on social media, there's still a confusion between assessed value and market value. And a lot of people out there, I shouldn't say a lot, but when I see comments about what it's going to cost, a lot of people that are are commenting on it are saying, well, you know, they're saying the the average uh home value in MA is 437, whatever it is. It's at least double that. Market value probably is at least double that, but that's not what
020this is that's not what this is is uh is based on. So, I think that's, you know, that's something that's that's important for people to understand. The other thing to really dig into, and again, I don't want to get into the weeds here, but just because there's a reassessment doesn't necessarily mean that your taxes are going up. >> Amen. >> It's it's, you know, it's we haven't we haven't had a reassessment in 20 years. >> Um, no, I think less than that. 20 2011. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay, man. >> So, yeah. So, so we're getting there. So, I can guarantee 100%. Everybody's assessed value is going up because that's what happens over the course of that much time. If everybody's goes up equally, taxes stay the same because it doesn't cost any more to run
021the town just because the assessed value goes up. If you did something over the p, you know, since 2011 without a permit that added significant value to your house and your house, your value goes up more than everybody else's, then yeah, your your tax you're going to see your tax increase. Um, to the extent that there are people that did that, there will be some people who actually see their taxes go down. So the fact that you know if if if we're successful on Tuesday um you know the additional tax burden is not necessarily on top of the increase in taxes from the reassessment because increase in taxes from the reassessment is not a foregone conclusion. Um I know it it it's confusing especially since it's something that you know thankfully we don't do often.
022So, it's not really something that people are going to be super uh uh comfortable with or or really understand because we do it so seldom. Um, but that's something that's really important to to understand if you know if there's some confusion, if people have questions, um, there are lots of of resources to reach out to to really help understand it, >> but it's not necessarily one thing on top of another. This this will cause, you know, uh, an increase in taxes. the reassessment is not necessarily the case. >> Awesome. >> Thank you, Mr. Dilva. And again, if you have any questions about any of what Mr. Dilva said, a lot I mean, the information about the assessed value that he's referring to, the 481,000 approximately, it's on the website. I mean, again, there's a tab
023under referendum. It breaks it down. You can even put in your um address to get your particular assessed value. Um and as Mr. Dilva says, just get the information, right? Make sure and if you're unclear on anything, ask the question before Tuesday and make sure you're clear. Thank you, Miss Ting Jans. And just to add on this topic because my house was reassessed because I did work with permits and and so mine nicely updated came to you. >> Yeah. >> I did in the past few years, right? So mine did go up but it was very minimal and I would say it was expected on my on behalf of my household. Um but it was very I I think it was a bargain. I mean look I wouldn't turn back doing the work on my
024house. So, if you did work, significant work, you should have an idea already. If if that's the case. Um, so if you did, if >> you did it with a permit, then >> then you already know, then you're done. Then mine should be the same. So, um, because it's been very recent. So, um, I like what Rick said mentioning how, right? It's if we all go up, we're all going it's it's not necessarily the taxes, but it is spread across, right? Just like peanut butter on bread, right? >> It's the same number spread across the same number of households, >> right? and just reiterate that the tables that have been provided, also the snapshot of what the bond referendum is, that number is not changing. So, appreciate that. And I just want to give out
025shout out to Miss Dolan for her service. Wonderful teacher. Um my my kids enjoyed her stories over the years. So, really um thank her for her service. Thank you. >> Please vote. >> Yes. Vote. Vote. Vote. All right, let's take old business 17 A and B and C. Um, so we have February 11th, February 11th and February 11th. Exact. So, all right. Um, I need a motion for old business 17A. Mr. Gallow, second by Mr. Coplin. Roll call, please. Miss Hiramojo. >> Mr. Dilva. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kazmarkski? >> Yes. Mr. Gallow. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Abstain. >> Mrs. King Jansen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cop. >> Yes. >> Dr. Morphy. >> Yes. All right. Um I think we have 18. >> Um one second clarification. >> Um it's just
026the we will add it here. Okay. So, just include the obvious one. Okay. So, uh for 18 under 18 new business other we're going to do we're going to do A through I and then we have an addendum as well. Addendum one. Okay. So, can I get a motion on the floor? U Mr. Kzmarkski. Second by Miss Ting Jansen. All right. Roll call, please. Miss Hiramo. >> Mr. D Silva. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kasmarski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gallow. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ting Jansen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Copen. >> Yes. >> Dr. Morphy. >> Yes. Okay. And just to clarify that our the addendum number one that board members received is related to a conference workshop for teachers at Ramano Ridge Middle School um
027for a uh I ready classroom school visit in math. Okay. Thank you. Um all right. Now let's take um personnel. Let's take um 19A separately given that we normally take our retirements and particularly um I mean 29 years of service and I do have to say actually both my children had Mrs. Dolan. So, um, and she was truly kind of like a grandmother, even I know she is a grandmother, but she was like that warm, uh, cozy teacher that kids could go to. Um, and always such a positive energy and and both my children enjoyed her very much. We wish her all the best in retirement and we do really thank her for her service to Mala schools. Um, all right. So, 19A, I need a motion on the floor. Mr. Hughes, second by Mr.
028Coplin. And roll call, please. Miss Yramoto. >> Mr. D Silva. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kazmarsski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gallum. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ting Jansen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Copan? >> Yes. >> Dr. Mory? >> Yes. All right. Now let's take 19 new business B2. I need a motion on the floor. Mr. Kasmarski, second by Miss King Jansen. >> All right. Uh, roll call, please. Miss Yrammojo. >> Mr. D. Silva. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kazmarski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gallo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hughes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ting Jansen. Yes, >> Mr. Copan. >> Yes, >> Dr. Mory. >> Yes. >> All right. Public questions or comment. Public participation at board meetings is in accordance with bylaw 0167.
029At this time, members of the public may ask questions or make a comment on educational issues or school matters of community interest. As a matter of fairness, you're asked to limit your questions to no more than one and your remarks to no longer than three minutes. If you are here representing a group, please identify yourself, the group, and your position in the group. If you are here as an individual, please provide your name and address. All right, I need a motion to open the meeting to the public. Mr. Dilva, second by Miss Ting Jansen. We are officially open to the public. Seeing no one come forth at this time, motion to close the meeting to the public, Mr. Gallo, second by Mr. Coblin. All right, we do not require an executive session, but Dr. D
030Toro tells me he'd like to uh say something, share something with us before we adjourn. >> Yeah, I just wanted to circle back. Um we had a resident come up to last meeting and was able to ask a question specific to one of our curricular programs, which is I Ready. Um I'm happy to report that Miss Craft uh worked with Mr. Corey uh to run reports on the usage for I Ready at at the middle school because obviously what he shared was concerning along the lines of the students being on the computer all week long for an extended period of time that really replaced that instruction. Um obviously that's concerning when you hear it and know we wanted to make sure we did our due diligence to run their usage reports. I'm happy to report
031back to the board that at at we were able to run all of the math classes usage report reports and at this point they're meeting the criteria of I already which means that the kids complete two lessons now not a lesson's not the 45 minutes to complete two lessons you're averaging about 30 minutes for the week. So the I Ready is being used at the middle school to fit the criteria of the program which means you're between 30 and 35 minutes total for the week on that program. So, I did want to report back to you because obviously when a resident shares a concern, we want to look into it and make sure that the programs are being run with fidelity. That being said, uh the process of running usage reports is is going to
032be a continuous process to ensure that that program is done the way that it's supposed to be done and it's not overused. >> Just to follow up, Mike, so are you saying in an entire week, 30 to 35 minutes of I ready? Correct. So it might be 10 minutes on a Monday, 10 minutes on a Wednesday, 10 minutes on a Friday. >> And that's instruction. >> No, I ready. >> I ready. So the the computer program, you're absolutely right. So some teachers do it in different ways. Some can do it in small pieces throughout the week. Some some teachers do it as a station for them to work on for 15 minutes or 20 minutes on this specific day to do a a lesson. Um, so that's really up to the teachers discretion on how
033they're going to break that up during the week. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much for the clarification. Uh, Dr. Dtora, uh, and looking into the matter. >> Um, all right. Motion to adjurnn. Uh, Mr. Kmarski, second by Miss Ting Jansen. Uh, thank you all for coming this evening and vote vote vote on March 10th. Thank you.