001This meeting of the MA Board Bo 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 procedures 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 for this meeting is 827-94938333 and the required password is 788373. Uh call this meeting to order. Uh roll call please. Miss >> Mr. Dilva >> here. >> Mr. Kasmarski >> here. >> Mr. Copelan >> here. >> Mr. Gallo >> here. Miss Daviniro here, >> Mr. Denise >> here, >> Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Ting Jansen, Mrs. Morphy, uh, here. Adequate notice
002of the agenda for this meeting has been provided to the Rididgewood News and the record specifying that the MA Board of Education will meet on November 12th, 2025 in the administrative offices, 60 Ridge Road, MA, New Jersey. A copy was filed with the township clerk. Our salute to the flag uh Mr. Copy. >> 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. [clears throat] >> Okay, we don't need a executive session here in the beginning. So, we will continue on to agenda questions. Please limit your questions at this time to resolutions under new business on this agenda. It's a matter of fairness. You're asked to limit your questions to no more than one
003and your remarks till no longer than 3 minutes. If you are here representing a group, please identify yourself, the group, and your position in the group. If you're here as an individual, please give us your name and address. This section of public participation will be limited to 15 minutes. I need a motion to open the meeting to the public. Mr. Coplin second by Mr. Gallow. We are officially open to the public. All right. Seeing no one come forward at this time. Motion. Oh, sorry. We're just waiting on one more. >> Hi. >> Good evening. My name is Stephanie Leagar, 41 Glasgow Tyrus. This is Melissa Jeffreeze. Um, we're here tonight to raise an issue we're deeply concerned about at our school. We have daughters. I >> I apologize. I have to just stop you. Is
004there a resolution under new business on the agenda for tonight's agenda or I'll ask you to wait till public participation? >> No, that's okay. But if it's related to something on the agenda, >> my mistake. >> Oh, >> not a mistake at all. Just clarification. Thank you so much. We'll look forward to it at public participation which is towards the end. Thank you. Um All right. Motion to close the meeting to the public. Mr. Mr. Kizmarski, second by Mr. Denise. Our MAWA student representative report this evening. >> Hello. Nice to meet all of you. Sorry, I've been here very busy soccer, but I'm going to introduce myself. My name is Nicholas Mule and I'm also a correspondent secretary. Yes. So, what's going on high school? So, five [clears throat] NHS vocalists spent the last three
005days in Atlantic City preparing for the state mix concert with Mrs. Mowick Fold. 11 high school students accepted into the Bergen County chorus. They're finalizing preparations for the play which is called Done to Death and there it's called the senior citizens performance of the 19th at 4:30. The show opens on the 20th and there's also per performances on the 21st and the 22nd. Students from AP Gov and Young Politicians Club worked at the general elections as poll workers in the eight different locations on November 4th. That's pretty busy for them. We had we had the varsity cheer team win first place at the Hackinack High School cheer competition. Three students artist three student artists win the I voted sticker design competition for the women's league voters. And finally, the MHS Thunderbirds earned a score of
00686.4 at the US band NJ State Championship at Robinsville High School and open class too. That's all I've got. >> Great. >> Thank you, Nicholas. I just want to make sure and pronounce your last name for me. >> Mule. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mule. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> And welcome to our board and to the deis. And you may leave if you'd like. I know you want to stay. >> We always we we love, you know, participation. So, if you'd like to stay, feel free. But we appreciate you have a lot going on. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. [clears throat] >> Uh Dr. Dtoro, your report for this evening. >> Yes. the uh the the first um event that I'd like to bring to the board's attention, a
007number of you uh attended. It was the referendum communication committee. We had our first meeting uh this past Monday. There was a great turnout. Um it was held on at the T3 building. During the session, the district's architect presented an overview of the potential projects associated with the upcoming referendum. and in communication consultant outlined strategies for effectively informing and engaging the MA community. So approximately 30 participants attended represented uh they represented the staff, parents and the community members and it was uh great to hear really the history of the community members. Um for those who were in tennis were able to understand that a large number of our parents um were students in the district. So, it really says a lot about the value of this community and how people grew up here, they stayed
008here, and they're they're growing their families here. Uh, the next piece, it took place last week. Um, evening of capstone shareouts for our MA interns and externs, as we've talked about many times, is a point of pride for us. Ma High School's incoming juniors and seniors recently showcased their learning from summer internships and externships during an evening of capstone presentations. The event highlighted the valuable experience students gained through real world professional opportunities. Special thanks to Mr. Greggson and Miss Noel for organizing the program and fostering continued connections between students and their mentors through the capstone initiative. Um, for those in attendance, you were able to see the wide variety of internship, externship experiences that range from something as local as working in district, whether in central office or at Camp Invention, but going as far
009out as working at um law firms and medical facilities. Um, and I believe the Bank of China was also uh one of the organizations uh that our students interned with. so valuable across the board and the pride that our students had in presenting their learning and the way they were able to articulate their experience um that they gained with real world um learning opportunities was just a sight to see. And just to recap, I know I've said this many many times. I believe this is the third year of us doing it. We went from three students, two of which presented here the first year, um, as our pilot program, and then we went to 25 last year, and we we're over 60 this year. So, we're really trying to build that program because we see
010the value in that program. Uh, the next piece is uh, as as always, we're we're always proud of our student athletes and and two of our students were able to experience signing day, Abigail Clark and Cam Robitar. Uh Abigail committed to Fairfield University for our lacrosse team and Cam committed to St. Bon Adventures for the lacrosse team. So congratulations to both and I've said this at previous meetings, I'll say it again. Uh we're truly proud of all of our athletes. Our our sports programs did a great job this year, specifically our boys and girls lacrosse team. Um they they competed at a high level and really showed out for for Ma public school. So congratulations to all of our athletes. Um this is great and listen they're all great but this is something that um
011as we continue to look to build opportunities for our students this is a result of Mr. Corey and his team around Po Ridge um looking to see what type of experience we can have for our middle school students year a couple just a couple years back we didn't have much to have our kids feel connected to the school and Mr. Cory and the team really tried to look at all opportunities to make our kids feel like they're not just coming to school and going home. What opportunities do they have to connect with each other outside of the classroom? As we all know, we brought back um our middle school sports program, which has been fantastic, but he's also looking for club opportunities. If you do remember last year, this was a new club, our um
012our it's not the Lego club. What is it called? I forget. >> Engineering. That's our engineering and part of the curriculum is that they do builds with with Legos. Um, this is something that's not just based on the elementary side. This is something that's more of a competition across the state. So, uh, the Rample Ridge Middle School engineering club will participate in an upcoming Brickfest a Brickfest qualifying tournament later this month. This year, Ramco Ridge is proud to serve as the host site for the Bergen County competition. The event will feature large-scale themed models, interactive building stations, and contests such such as speed building and Lego car derby races, offering students and attendees an engaging hands-on STEM experience. So, this is just one of the many opportunities of really spot being able to highlight the
013facilities we have here at uh Mawa and putting our name on the map while allowing our kids to compete at a high level with their um counterparts across Burton County. Rapco Ridge Middle School marking period 1 check-in. Um, as I shared in the past, Miss Craft has done a wonderful job of expanding our opportunities for parentmies. So, as part of our continued effort to strengthen our communication and partnership with the model families, Ramco Ridge hosted a virtual meeting on Zoom to support parents following the release of marking period one grades. The session focused on strategies for meaningful check-ins with students, conversations about learning and growth, goal setting for upcoming market periods, and ways families can work alongside their children to promote future success at the middle school level. This was run by our guidance department,
014our administrative team, and Miss Craft. So, I just wanted to thank them for their continued um efforts to reach out to the families and bring them into that learning process and continue to really pull that pull back that curtain on what's taking place at the middle school because as we all know when we ask our middle school students what's happening at school, the answer is nothing. Um but as we all know there's a lot that's happening um across our buildings and it's a great way to showcase to our to our parents this is what's happening but more importantly how do we engage our kids in those productive conversations so we can work alongside of them um each and every day. So thank you to the team, thank you to the guidance department uh for making
015this this happen. We had a great turnout. I believe Miss Craft it was around 40 people um who attended but as you all know um Miss Craft is recording all of the parentmies. So we're creating a catalog on our parent academy website for all those who can attend the parentmies that they can go back and access uh those those specific events. That's all I have. >> Thank you Dr. Churra. Uh, and nice to hear we had a a very good turnout for the parent. Excellent. Um, our [clears throat] assistant superintendent, Dr. Farah's report this evening. >> Yes. So, the first piece uh on the agenda um item 19V speaks to a new partnership with Granbook Colleg's teacher education program here in our district. We've recently established this partnership with Granbook College. Uh this collaboration will
016welcome Rampo's clinical interns um or student teachers into our district classrooms, providing them with valuable hands-on teaching experiences. Uh in addition, district administrators will meet monthly with Rample College representatives to share insights and district needs, helping to better prepare future educators entering the profession. So we're really excited about this. I happen to be walking in Len Middle School. Um, all of these happy faces greeted me. I said, "Can I take a picture?" And they were so pumped and um, I share with them that I would be sharing this with all of you this evening. So, Mrs. Pachelli's kindness car has returned uh, for the fall season. Um, Mrs. Pelli's third grade students visited classrooms and offices throughout the building, offering snacks and smiles to staff members as a gesture of ongoing appreciation. This thoughtful initiative
017continues to promote to promote gratitude, connection, and kindness within the school community. So, this was um sparked a few years ago um by Mrs. Pachelli and um it's been uh a great thing ever since. Uh our we have a few students uh two students who have just uh been accepted um and selected to participate in the prestigious Hackinac Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation um and Hackinac Meridian Health Research Institute hands-on workshop series on Wednesday, December 10th. Those students are Devon Stmer and Camille Yup. Both Devon and Camille are part of our biotechnology research and health science pathway and this incredible opportunity will allow both of them to explore cutting edge research and innovation in health science. So congratulations to these outstanding students for representing our school uh and steam community with excellence. >>
018Wow. >> Very cool. Right. Thank you. >> Uh Nick stole some of my thunder, but you can see we have some students here at the polls who uh participated in eight locations across the township. Uh also Nick had made mention of uh the students who participated in the I voted sticker design competition. Um so junior Delina Wong uh in collaboration with the League of Women Voters launched an I voted sticker design competition. Uh congratulations to our talented winners Alina Ganelina Samara Muriel and Bella Giani uh whose designs will be printed and distributed at a League of Women Voters event uh in June. So we are proud of our students for being civically engaged. And last but certainly not least, um we have uh we've recently lost a long standing member of the MOA community who
019uh recently retired a few years ago in 2017. Um Mrs. Ivonne Beatatric. So um I thought it was important to uh honor her legacy and her life because of how much uh she has done for this community. If anyone knew Ivonne, um even in a a a brief exchange with her, um you knew she was uh not only an awesome educator, but a wonderful human being. Uh she's uh retired from our social studies uh department over at Moa High School. Uh and she was a beloved member of our school community. Mrs. Beatric was a dedicated educator whose numerous accolades, including New Jersey History Teacher of the Year, have reflected her passion for teaching and history. She founded MA High School's mock trial team, uh the art in the classroom initiative, and the MA project, inspiring
020generations of students to connect with their community. Her contributions to education and civic life in Mawa will be remembered with deep appreciation. Ivonne's mission and love live on through all of those touched by her brilliance, including the MA social city staff as well as every student who embodied her ideals. So, um, we pray for her family and, um, it's truly a loss this candy, but I thought it, uh, certainly warranted some some additional recognition this evening. >> That's it. Thank you. >> Thank [clears throat] you, Dr. Far. Um, and I will not forget tonight because I did inadvertently forget last meeting uh that we have our new business administrator board secretary and I did not uh I skipped right over you last week last time. So, my apologies, but Mrs. Katherine Hiramoto and your report
021this evening. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. And it's okay last time. Don't worry. So, good evening. Um, I just want to start off by saying, um, our open enrollment for health benefits began November 4th and we'll conclude on December 3rd. The finance and facilities committee met on November 5th where we discussed several important topics, including the 17.5% increase in our health insurance rate, which is still much lower than the 32% increase many districts are seeing under the state health benefits plan. We also reviewed the 2627 budget calendar and are beginning the process of building next year's budget which continues to focus on the curriculum and operations that directly support our students success. Our 2425 audit is still under review and should be wrapping up soon. The business office continues to work hard on
022creating processes and procedures to improve efficiency districtwide. We're also working with our um buildings and ground supervisor on the trees for schools grant. The finance and facilities committee will be meeting again on December 10th where we can review a proposed tree list um and planting plan for our identified areas. Lastly, I'd just like to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving next week. So, I hope it's safe, relaxing, full of food. And that wraps up my report. Very short. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you very much. >> Excellent first report. Thank you very much. [clears throat] >> All right, my report this evening. Um I actually um I just wanted to piggyback a little on uh what Dr. Ferris spoke about. Um I also wanted to just talk a little bit about Miss Beatatrice and um
023on behalf of the board um you know I think several of us were able to go to um her viewing as well and meet her family. Um one of the things uh that her husband said uh which was very touching is he said we knew her uh as Ivonne but the world knew her as Mrs. B. and um and he they were I think very very touched by the community by the you know past students who came out uh current students um but just again uh you know parents, students of representatives of the town um because she really left a really a living legacy uh in the MWA project um and also you know I talked to my children about it. They both had her um I guess she taught US history, AP, constitutional law,
024um several um social studies subjects and actually and and uh my son who's a little you know short for words said mom she was one of the good ones at Ma High School and my daughter said she really inspired and really supported students. people felt like kind of you went into her classroom, they felt uh accepted, they felt supported. Um so again, a true true educator. We thank her for her service uh to Ma Public Schools and um she will be missed and our condolences to her family. Um the other thing that was very sweet um that they had is her keychain collection. I don't I don't know if those of you know she collected keychains and encouraged her students to bring them. I think the Mory family has contributed to the keychain collection. Um
025and she was they had a they had all the keychains uh there that night and they were encouraging people to take one in her memory. So again uh a tremendous asset uh to our district and uh she will be missed. Thank you. Um, second, I think these are not official results, but I just wanted to congratulate um, incumbent Christopher Hughes from the election. I think it's not official official. Correct, Miss Mrs. Hera? >> He's still in the lead. >> I'm not saying anything. I'm not giving numbers. >> Just >> I just was going to congratulate Mr. Hughes and our newcomer, Mr. Houston, on their election victory. I wasn't even going to say anything about myself, but thank you Mr. Kismarski for mentioning that. Do appreciate it. Um, and again for everyone who comes out to
026this day, who volunteers their time uh within all our busy schedules, um, I thank you for always your contributions to this board and, uh, to this district. Um, so the other thing, Ma High School ranked 11th recently in our B in Bergen County by US News and World Report for in the ranking. So thought that was good. Um, I also wanted to talk about our T-Ird pillars um that I sometimes that's one piece that no one has taken. So I'm going to continue with that. Uh, this is something this is something that they recognize a student and a teacher at Mala High School. Thunderbird. >> I'm sorry. >> Soaring Thunderbirds. I've been I have been corrected. I apologize. Thank you, Dr. Dtora. Uh, [snorts] and the pillars are Okay, there we go. Soaring Thunderbirds. And
027the pillars are T for trusted, B for brave, I for inspiring, R for resilient, T for determined, and S for spirited. So in September they had um two uh people who were recognized. one Marila Matviva, I think I'm pronouncing that correctly, who's a 12th grader, for being inspiring. Um, her peers wrote that she's inspiring in all she does. Uh, she speaks fluently in a language that's not native to her. She participates in many clubs while working and takes a strenuous course load and still finds time for her friends. Um, she is in the biotechnology research and health science track. She's in the marching band. Um she works on set construction for the play and she's in the T-Ird vocal ensemble. Um the uh teacher recognized who for September Soaring Thunderbird is Jennifer Mazola who's a
028social studies teacher for being spirited. Uh her colleagues recognized Jen for embodying the very definition of school spirit and leadership. Um I think she uh took on working with the student government and they said she brought energy, positivity and grace to her work with them. Um in October uh we have um two uh individuals, one uh al Alexander Wong who's uh 12th grade for being trusted. Um Alex was nominated uh for being a trusted and respected student who naturally puts others at ease. Um, Alex uh is a member of the business administration pathway uh national honors society science national honors society Spanish national honor society DECA and the swim team. I I I'm exhausted reading the names reading the list. Um and then um Joseph Montana as our mathematics teacher uh also our MEA uh
029president as well uh for being trusted. Uh one of his students wrote, "Mr. Montana is the most trusted teacher I've ever had. What makes him truly special is how consistent and dependable he is. He keeps his word, treats every student with fairness and respect, and never judges anyone. So, congratulations to our soaring Thunderbirds. Um, all right, that's all I have for this evening board committee reports. Mr. Coplin, >> uh, thank you. Community relations met Monday morning. I sent out a a brief u overview to all the board members. Um, wanted to piggyback on what Dr. Turo said about um, Monday night's uh, communications committee meeting. It was really well attended. I wanted to thank everyone who came out. Everyone who was there were volunteers. uh they stepped up, they raised their hands, and they showed
030up. So, thank you for everyone who came out, and I'm looking forward to working with that group uh moving through the process. Um at our meeting Monday morning, we went we were continuing our work with the referendum, uh looking at creative and um our messaging. Uh so that's ongoing work that we're going to be doing, you know, obviously for the next one, two, three months, three months. Uh went over some timelines and then just talked about some community outreach. I I mentioned this in the email to the board members. Uh if you have a community organization that you are aware of that we should be uh speaking to uh starting in January, please um reach out and let us know. Uh we have started a I would say is a pretty comprehensive list. Uh but
031I'm sure we may have missed one or two. So if there's if there's an organization that you know that we should be um knocking on their door and and possibly talking to them in in January and February about the referendum, uh please reach out. So that's all I got. >> Thank you, Mr. Coblin. Any other reports this evening? Mr. Gallow? >> Uh yes. Um uh finance facilities committee has uh resumed our regular course of meetings. Um we as Katherine pointed out that we started looking at some of our operating uh budget issues and the office the VA office is well underway getting the uh process for the budget uh started for next year which is great. Um and we also had obviously some referendum work that we were doing primarily focused on we sort of
032uh I think Dr. Toro has talked uh titled it sort of like palm rack random for dummies sort of getting a sense of like what's it what's this really mean in ter how does it work how do you get the money how do I go to the Cayman Islands with it um but no but essentially the nuts and bolts of the financing process what we're allowed to do with it how we can manage it um how we can present it to the public um and uh we also provided them some updated information from our project list so they had a better sense of they could dial in their numbers a little bit better. So, we're we're still obviously still waiting for the state to tell us um what they are agreeing or confirming uh to
033subsidize our projects with, but um we're well underway uh with that aspect of the referendum and and obviously a lot of the effort will be in the community outreach um effort to inform our our community about these initiatives and what their value is to our students and programs. So, um That's covers us for that, but we're we're good. >> Thank you, Mr. Gallow. >> Sure. >> Who would like to add on? >> If I could just continue. I sent everyone an email today. I just wanted to give you guys some context of the email today. Um, the state is working through the application process. Um, they've been from what Lan is sharing with us, they're really chopping away at the application process. They're very happy with where we're at specific to the timeline of when
034we need to get our information so we can get out to the public as soon as possible and give everybody time. Um, part of the application there, it's down to two questions that they had. One of those two questions was specific to building five. Um, we've talked in in in the very beginning stages with two of our committees, but I want to make sure I'm I'm giving context to all. um Miss Rizzo and her team um have been committed to bringing um our kids back into district as much as possible. Um I talked about it a lot on Monday, but I wanted to talk about it again today. I'm talking specifically to our about our out of district students. Um for the longest time that I've known Mr. Zos, she's talked about building programs within
035our district that supports our kids to the best that we can to make sure that they're getting what they need um no matter what. Now, there's some kids that would qualify for that. Some kids still would need that out of district because of the extensive supports that they need. That being said, the next phase of our program development would be our 18 to 21 year old program. Um, I don't know how many of you know, but even with our special ed student population, even after they graduate, there is a portion of our population that still is entitled to services um after they graduate from here up until they are 21. Those services we don't provide here. So, they have to go out of district. Mr. Ro and her team have looked for opportunities for us
036to create a program here so they can stay home with us. Um, with that being said, building 5 has great potential. Um, and for all of you that are aware of building 5, building 5 is a very interesting space. Um, we have a portion of building 5 that's our um, locker room facility for our football team, but then we also have a files room. And I say files room, it's a massive space. And then we have a storage space as well. We've been working this year on uh clearing that space to the best of our ability, still being in compliance, but removing the the things that aren't needed. And once we opened up that space, Mr. Roso, Mr. Roso looked at it and said, I can do a lot with this space specific to our
03718 to 21 year old program. That being said, we're still in the very beginning stages of that. So, when we were putting our applications together and things like that, it wasn't a thought. But when they wrote wrote back to us um yesterday, I wrote to um Matt from land because he said, "Building 5 does not qualify for reimbursement because it's not an educational space." I said, "Well, I have an idea. Um if by chance we are able to accomplish this vision, does that allow us to call it an educational space?" And as you all know, if it is an educational space, that comes with a 34% um rebate from the state, which is real money. Um I was very cautious about talking to him about how we move forward. I got a chance to speak
038to Mr. Gallow because I didn't want us to really mess up how we're we're tracking along. Um so I asked him just to inquire at the state level. Um, if by chance we did share our vision of where we want to go in the future with the space, would that qualify? Number one. And number two, um, would that stall our timeline of moving forward with that March 10th date? So, he's in the process of asking the state. He asked he sent an email today. I'm waiting to hear back. I know I sent the email, but I just wanted to give you that's how it got to that space. So, it's been the past 24 hours uh that we started to talk about it. um that reimbursement is is significant and that reimbursement that that was
039shared is just for the infrastructure stuff not even to set up the classroom which that also can be eligible for reimbursement too. So I'm hopeful um once we get something back I'll let you know before we go anywhere from that anything that we get from the state so everyone's on the same page along the lines of should we go forward with this process or should we keep the application as is. So that's what that's where that lengthy email was from from this morning. >> So just real quick, thank you for like coming up with that because I mean there there's there's a big ripple effect there. Obviously the the 34% that the state would, you know, basically pick up of that project is real money. The money that we save by not having to send
040students out of out of district is real money. But the most important part is having our kids be able to stay in Mawa and not have to go someplace else. If we can keep them home, the the money savings obviously >> it's super important, >> but like from a from a family perspective and a community perspective, that would be huge. So that's thank you for for you guys for figuring that out and putting that out there. Hopefully we're able to to accomplish that without screwing up our our time frame. Um, but that's fantastic. >> Yeah, even even the program that's just starting to be developed. I'm I'm really excited for uh the board to hear about the potential of that program. Um, you know, we have an awareness of what those programs look like outside
041of here and just the beginning stages of that design that Miss Rizzo and her team are putting together long lines of experience um and opportunity far exceed what they currently have. Um, so not only are we bringing them back, but we're I'm hope I'm confident that we'll be able to even give them a better opportunity. Um, and uh, it it's it it's it's going to be a great way to continue to round out that that vision of how much opportunity we can maintain here in Ma. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Durro. Um, any other board of committee reports this evening, Mr. Denise? Um the policy committee has uh five um policy and regulations on tonight's agenda for first reading. This is just part of our um review of our policy inventory and there were
042only minor language changes. >> Thank you very much. All right. Uh board member remarks. Do we have any board member remarks or additional comments at this time? Okay. Um all right. Let's move on to uh old business 17. We're taking A to C, A, B, and C. Uh just note C is a meeting from August. So just uh look at that when you're um vote when you're yaying or naying. Um all right. And I need a motion on the floor. Mr. Kismarski, second by Mr. Gallow, Mrs. Moto. Uh roll call, please. >> Mr. Mr. Cofflin. >> Uh, yes on A and B. Abstain on C. >> Mr. Dilva. >> Uh, yes on A and B. Abstain on C. >> Mr. Kasmarski >> stayain on A, B, and C. >> Mr. Gallow. >> Yes. On all.
043>> Okay. >> Miss Daviniro. >> Yes. A and C can abstain on B. >> Mr. Denise, >> yes on all. >> Dr. Morty, >> uh, yes on A, B, and C. >> Thank you very much. All right, let's move on to new business. Other we have 18 A through S. I need a motion on the floor. Mr. Coplin second by Mr. Kismki. We are voting on 18 A through S. Mrs. Hirojo >> Mr. Coplin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dilva. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kazarski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gallo. >> Yes. >> Miss Daviniro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Denise. >> Yes. >> Dr. Morphy. >> Yes. Um, [clears throat] all right. We have now new business personnel which is 19A through Z. Um, I need a motion on the floor. Mr. Gallow, second by Mr. Denise.
044We are taking 19 A through Z. Roll call, please. M Simoto. >> Mr. Coplin. >> Yes. And thank you to all the parent volunteers. >> Mr. Dilva. >> Yes. Mr. Kazmarkski, >> yes. >> Mr. Gallo, >> yes. >> Miss Daviniro, >> yes. >> Mr. Denise, >> yes. >> Dr. Morphy, >> yes. >> All right. Uh, we can move on now to public questions or comment. Public participation at board meetings is in accordance with bylaw 0167. At 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 are 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,
045and 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 Mr. Galla. We are officially open to the public. >> Sorry about before. >> Still no worries. No worries. Thank you for coming to app. >> Thank you guys for being here. We appreciate you. Um my name is Stephanie Leagar, 41 Glasgow Terrace. This is Kim Pascella Melissa Dris. Um, we're the parents of second grade girls at Lape and we just want to make sure that the board is aware of some issues that concern us there and it has been ongoing since we've joined the school. Um, I just want to read so I don't mess up. We are here tonight
046because we are deeply concerned about students safety, specifically repeated incidents of physical aggression and violence occurring in the classrooms and especially at recess. There have been multiple situations where children have been physically harmed by other students. In many of these cases, supervision was limited or cameras did not capture the incidents. When situations go unseen, they often go unressed or are handled without clear communication or accountability. Students who are repeatedly physically aggressive and abusive are being returned to the classroom without a consistent or adequate intervention plan. And this puts other children at risk. No child should feel unsafe at school. No parent should worry about their child being hurt during recess. Our children have witnessed and been victims of aggression, abuse, and have words that no 6 to 8year-olds should have. We fully believe in supporting
047all students, including those with behavioral challenges. But safety must come first. This district has a responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for every student, and that is simply not happening. We are asking that the board take the following actions. Increase in adult supervision and coverage during recess and ensure that the staff is alert, appropriately supervising, and trained to notice behavior escalation before a larger issue arises. Ensure cameras are fully monitoring high-risisk areas and that footage is reviewed when incidents are reported. Require consistent documented intervention plans for students who repeatedly engage in violent behavior. Um, students have been given a coloring worksheet on their feelings and that's just not sufficient after repeated occurrences. These are not punitive measures. They are necessary safeguards. We're not here to complain. We're here to advocate for our children. Our
048children deserve to learn without fear. And we will not stand by and ignore all of these red flags. We will not allow a tragedy occur before something changes. We expect a safe supervised learning environment. and we look forward to seeing concrete steps taken to address these concerns. Thank you for your time and your commitment to student safety. >> Thank you very much, Miss >> Leear. >> Letar sorry I didn't get the other two names, but thank you very much and and um you know we appreciate the feedback and and um Dr. Jurro, I'm sure we'll go ahead. >> Did either of you want to speak as well? So, it's a committee. [laughter] >> It's a group. >> It's a committee group of all. Okay. And um we we do we we take that very seriously
049and um I'm sure Dr. Dro will look into it and or if you have some Okay. And Dr. >> First of all, thank you very much for coming and sharing your concerns. And as a parent, um, I'm going to tell you that I agree along the lines of always looking out for your kid and making sure that they're safe in school and that if behaviors are being address, if behaviors are happening, they're being addressed. [clears throat] So, I don't take that lightly and I don't want to u make you feel like this is a um, thank you for your comment and have a seat. I I didn't want that to be. Let me explain to you because I'm aware of the situation that you're referring to. Um, and let me kind of tell you as
050best as possible steps that are taken without breaching any sort of confidentiality. Um, some of the things that you said along the lines of the aggression piece and the the words piece, let me tell you from the get-go, we have zero tolerance for that. Um, we're not okay with kids saying things that are inappropriate. We're not okay with kids being physically uh um aggressive. Um that being said, um unfortunately things make kids make bad decisions and it's our job to address those decisions through consequences, more importantly through remedial measures of teaching through that. I do want you to realize um and I'm sure that administration Meadows was hesitant to talk about any sort of consequence. The behaviors that you're referring to were not addressed by a coloring uh piece of paper. And and again, I'm
051not trying to minimize. I just want you to understand they were more comprehensive than that. So consequences were administered. Um the supervision piece um is a constant focus for us across all elementaryaries of addressing whoever's outside for lunch and recess. You're absolutely right. There's a lot going on and we need to make sure that we're staffing that. What I can tell you is it's not even just the staffing piece. You brought up a very good point. It's who was ever out there. what is their zone that they're they're reviewing and they're committed to staying in that area and they're aware of what is taking place and whatever they see percolating there, they're addressing it before it becomes a bigger issue. So, that's another priority. We also are fortunate enough not only with the consequence piece
052which again is more significant. Um but there's also an opportunity for us to work through with guidance counselors bringing parents in and doing things specific to supervision of the repeated offenders of making awareness of all the adults that come across those students of keeping an eye on that situation and making sure to the best of our ability that behavior does not happen again. What I can tell you is there's no perfect way to address this, but because it's a massive priority for us, it's a continued focus for us and it's not something that just because it happened a week ago and we might have had a good week, then it's over. It's an ongoing focus for us and we we're not going to tolerate physical behavior or the verbal misconduct as well. >> I appreciate
053that. This has been happening since our children were in kindergarten. Mhm. >> What I can tell you is the information was just shared with me last week. >> Um, and >> I'm not just referring to that specific incident, >> right? So, I'm just referring to the way in which we address misconduct specifically this one. I'm talking more about this one as well. >> Um, but I totally understand and I want you to understand I agree along the lines of it's not okay for kids to be physically aggressive. It is not okay for kids to use language that even at the high school level isn't appropriate. So, I don't want to minimize that and I don't want you to walk away thinking that I'm minimizing that at all. Um, but please know that there's an awareness
054and there's going to be an on ongoing monitoring and supervision of that behavior. >> Okay. I have >> Sorry, I have um a question um >> name and address. >> Sorry. Uh Kimberly Pella one Jersey app ma. Um so I I guess it goes along with this when you fill out the hip form. Um it's it states somewhere I read that um if you falsely file it, there are serious consequences, but it doesn't state like what what happens if it's like retaliatory. um because to me it just feels like more intimidation to to the parents who do file it rightfully. So I was hoping that maybe you could explain what some of those consequences are and what like what happens then when it's just clearly the bullying is learned at at home by adults who
055are then just going to try to intimidate and bully another parent. I really pride myself on being able to give you a direct answer, but here's what I can tell you. Um, if by chance that is the case, that's something that we would have because it's it's more of a code and a law in New Jersey, we'd have to work with our our legal council to get what next steps are because what you're referring to is adult behavior as opposed to student behavior. It's very easy. Not easy, but it's it's we're experienced with navigating the student HIV things, but you're talking about reporting back from adult against the student of another. Correct? >> Yeah. >> So, what what I'm hearing you say is if by chance um I say I feel as though my child's
056there's two cases. I feel as though my child is being bullied, I put in a report and then the parent of the child who I'm accusing of bullying puts in a report against my child. >> That's one. >> Or somebody does something wrong or inappropriate to my child. They're held accountable for it and then the child who is doing the wrong thing, their parent puts a case on your child who was the victim of the behavior, if I'm hearing you correctly. >> Yes. >> Okay. So needless to say, I'll go back to my first statement. The bullying law is put into place for student behavior. That being said, the caveat that you're you're referring to, that false accusation piece, that would be something that we would have to work with legal counsel on what those
057next steps would be. Um because we that's something that we don't want to have a misstep on, if that makes sense. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> Just as a final statement, we do appreciate the teachers and their commitment very much. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. I need a motion to close the meeting to the public. Mr. Kismari, second by Mr. Coplin. >> Dr. Mor, I'm sorry. >> Did I miss something? >> No, you didn't. I did. Um, I wanted to remind everyone our we're starting our road show meetings in December >> and um >> and our next meeting December 3rd will be at JK and then December 17th will be at Lape and then we'll have more info when the uh 2026 schedule comes out. So
058those are the first two. So I apologize. >> No, that's okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Compton. Um, [clears throat] all right. I need a motion to recess to executive session. Mr. Kismarski, second by Mr. Dilva. we will uh adjourn from there directly. So, thank you all for coming out. Have a good evening.