001The New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies of which any business affecting their interest is discussed or agreed upon. In accordance with the provision of this act, Madawan Avenue School District Board of Education advertised this meeting on April 24th, 2025 in the Aspbury Park Press. These notices were sent to the municipal clerks of Burrow of Malan, the township of Aberdine, and the Madawan Avenue Public Library. These notices were also placed on the district's website. Please stand to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all Mrs. Bley here. Miss Bus here. Mr. McGover here. Mr. Mont here.
002Miss Pal here. Miss Scott here. Miss here. Miss Martinez here. Miss Warren here. We have resolved that a closed session be convened for the purpose of discussing privacy, personnel, and legal services. The subject matter of these discussions will be disclosed to the public when the reason for confidentiality subsides. Although the board cannot guarantee it to the length of executive sessions estimated to be 30 to 40 minutes, after which the public meeting of the board shall reconvene and proceed with business, action will take place. And I have a motion and a second for executive session. I'll second. I think we're ready to get started. Um, welcome to the April April 24th meeting of the N1 board. Um, can I have a motion and a second to accept correspondence? How much motion? Thank you. superintendent. Good evening
003everyone. I know everyone enjoyed their um math countdown I believe was it's posted around school days. Um but it is a countdown to a lot of celebrations as we close out the year. Yesterday we kicked off um the celebrations with NHS um 2025 induction and today and Jack's um catering to see videos having fun time. Um I would like to share you know some important information in regards to safety to and to and from school. Unfortunately we had a recent incident where the student was hit by a um thankfully the student is okay and he was wearing this helmet. um we've been collaborating with PD and we do not have all the details of the situation since it is still under the investigation police as soon as I receive additional information. um in terms [Music]
004of in terms of safety or visibility or anything like that. um obviously share that with the board. Um but again we don't have any additional details reach out to we do feel it's important um to remind us to make sure that is not [Music] um and making sure that students are walking that they are adherent to traffic signs. across the board. So as well as that we do the lastation chief works in terms of assessing those areas. And um we also plan to have something on safety. Um we didn't realize that there was a lot of chats in regards to um this information. So as much as possible and also obviously [Music] Our budget was by the county. So we will be hosting our public hearing on May and we [Music] will [Music] take I'm
005going to do the many updates on I've been a meeting of a delegate state organization the uh delegate this board is delegate to the Jersey school association delegate assembly but then we've also test so I know that you spoke in the past about concerns about transportation So just reiterate what we've already presented information. Okay. So um in January um I went there was an opportunity there's a public hearing and from the department of education on the revisions to school funding formula that's the part of the as the state's calculation for how much the state is going to give districts based on districts need um I went there with basically one focus which was transportation currently uh the state does not in that formula does enough to consider the hazardous routes in your town when they
006determine how much money you're giving the transportation funding. And so um and when they represented us because in our tiny district we have route 34, route 35, New Jersey Transit, Jersey coastline, and the Garden State Parkway running right through the middle of them. And so I I uh spoke on behalf of the board about the um and we really host the roots of economic development in central New Jersey right through us and we owe a dime for helping our students cross those very very busy roots. Um that didn't really play out as extra money this year. But um to the uh this is a long time coming conversation and so um just as one board member speaking on behalf of this but I encourage you all um in addition to everything you do and I'm
007glad you all are here tonight. Um please speak to um your legislator. We have multiple covering the district, but Senator Dean, assembly woman, uh, Senator Robert, um, just and if you need any help, I mean, people, some of these folks know me, so just like reach out and we can figure out who it is. But, um, as well as, um, Senator Gal chairs the Senate's education committee. They're closely involved with the budget, the fiscal funding formula to to say that hey maybe maybe at this point at this juncture the state should start considering that all those state group 35 state route 34 etc really does impact the community um because it is very we all know it's very difficult I still live it's very difficult and that's not the only area of town where you
008take a breath and you're like this go out Um, so I missed some of my fellow board members there. Acknowledge. Um, so I guess that that's really at this point. Yes. So the call to action is to please help us and um advocate on behalf of our district and the state to reconsider the way that they could draft funding something as fundamental as getting school. Thank you [Music] so much. I remember remember we talked about last [Music] year. At what point is it for us to bring that past? Oh, sorry. Oh, sorry. I was just saying Um I was just saying that remember last year we wanted to add uh add crossing bar 34 but the budgets were in May. So now that the budgets were for a new year maybe we can talk ISO
009probably next year. I mean we can have the discussion definitely. Um we're just trying to plan a meeting as um So, we can definitely bring that up. Um, I'd appreciate it because we did we talked it last year. I don't know, maybe they already included it because they know it's a concern. Um, but maybe uh Mr. You can also bring that out to your leazison for [Music] Thanksgate. Um but I apologize. I had no idea that the county had their budget. So I told her it was not um here this morning. Okay. took me by surprise. Um so the you know I told you we were still working on that that the budget meeting for us the public hearing of the budget had moved to um May 5th. Um and their budget she did tell
010me their budget was approved. The presentation is actually on the bureau website. Um so if you want to take a look at that it is there. Um and then we talk about having a meeting in the near future. um you know between the liaison, the liaison, the towns um and uh leadership similar similar to what business school said uh covered the same topics also updated on how the last community meeting went spoke about feedback from the media was regards to being a consideration u pilot money um and also advising about the intent of the upcoming meeting. Hope we want to discuss, share information on um very receptive, very open to it. So take it back to the town council, let you know. We're trying to set up a meeting and then also just, you know,
011ask that we keep in touch with how our budget is. Thank you. Moving on, personal agenda, Mr. Thank you. Good evening. We are recommending to the board to approve item A resignation as listed. Item D number one and report from previous meeting showing zero and item two administrative pay both as listed. That concludes personnel. Can I have a motion on a second to accept? Any questions? [Music] The board of education recognizes the value of public comment on matters of interest to the school community. Individuals wishing to speak must state their name and municipality of residents. Comments are limited to a threeminut duration, but an individual may speak a second time after all others who wish to speak on the topic have been heard. All statements should be directed to the board president and no participant
012may address or question board members individually. While speakers are requested to express themselves in a civil manner with due respect for the dignity and privacy of others whose legal rights may be affected, please note while it is not the court's intention to stifle comment on matters of legitimate concern, the public should be aware that if their statements violate the rights of others under the law of defamation or invasion of privacy, they may face personal liability to the injured party. If speakers are uncertain of the legal ramifications of their comments, the board urges them to seek guidance beforehand from their legal passers. We're also questions [Music] over your executive session. Thank you so much Mr. [Music] Um I will be updating on behalf of my son with elementary and the actual fire class. I have three
013major issues or concerns. Original teachers leave placement the pirate project communication by administration administration accountability school lunch. My son is third teacher this year as a home teacher and traditional three teachers that came uh to the room as supportive instructional no um and total any more six this year so far by some traditional teachers on November 14th but not appropriation member was hired since then and no communication was provided by the original teacher for leadership the long-term substitute was hired on December 17th and left on April 11th uh sent home notifying parents that the substance will return. The third teacher started proceed April 22nd without parents are not given much information about it. Thus the question why was the information about the teachers being sent 19 days after the board is ruled to the was
014transfer administration for the teachers herself itself. Why was the job was published in page 9 to date? I really would like to know that if possible, how many people were interviewing for you for the position? And if there were no qualified candidates, why was the hiring process stopped? Why the second teacher in place short notice but not weeks in advance? How normal is it to have six substantive teachers in one day in third grade? What district is doing about doing proper studying without compromising student on any grade level? In other words, my child and his peers experienced frequent changes in movements in his classroom. There were a lot of inconsistencies, changes over teeth and other situations, a significant amount of partial miscommunication and lack of transparency. Lastly, also the teacher was actually secure. My second
015concern is reference to shop administration communication and their laptop. As mentioned before, the letters home stand and it appears that there is a trend or strategy to keep the parents in the dark and not allowing them any time for follow up with any questions or concerns in specific and critical situations. Why was there not communication between each child and the parent building connection? Why are the important letters like your teacher your child teacher will not be coming back or I'm leaving on a leave uh sent for 15 minutes prior to this little time and the starting to raise? Why aren't emails responding to in a timely manner or if at all? Who and how will the leadership of be held accountable in times of change and replacement? Can there be an action plan developed to
016monitor practices in situations like the districtwide? How do we prevent their responsibility and organizations for leadership from affecting young scholars and patients? The majority of class parents were specifically concerned about the issue and time of home on 1 p.m. This is about lunch. my third grade class. Um, my content sorry to interrupt the three minute mark. I'm pretty much could you come back after you anybody else who wants to speak so we can hear the rest of your concerns. [Music] Hi, I'm fresh. Um, just concerned over [Music] the um, you were just a little concerned about the garden. You were part of the group that brought it to counselor's intention to get it there in the first place and unfortunately brought in sixth grade or in around April. Um there were issues with like planning
017and things like that. So we didn't actually get it finished until around April. So it was a long process and there was a lot of planning that went into it. So it was just upsetting when on Easter another run and pass the garden. There was just like a lot of glitter all over the place pretty much. So, she picked it up and just let us know that it was upsetting her and we just wanted to see if there could be a specific group that would be able to tend to it. We know there's environmental and things like that, but if there was a select amount of volunteers that would want to, you know, just put implant into it over time. Right now, that's pretty much it. So there was like other things just to make
018it bring more life to the space that we were just wondering if that would be an idea. Um James Collins his mom she was very involved in the process like very excited to visit. So she said it was very exciting for her and see that it was not really being taken care of and that she would volunteer to help out with it and everybody else could. So and then this this topic most people and supposed to be a comfort place for a lot of people, too. We will go and just just find comfort in a place at school where most people don't. And we made this like it took a lot of work to do this project and we got it done. And it just like we go back and we just realize it should
019be upkept and it should stay like someone should take after it. It was just exciting to see that we assumed that even after we left the school, it would still be able to look the same as what we had left in. We understand that like weather will have to do with like plants and everything, so that's fine. It was just more like the trash and things like that. One other thing we were wondering if could happen is how the garbage cans are like actually on it. I know they pretty much always been there, but maybe something that like prevent any of the trash from getting there in the future. They just moved off of the actual burden. I think they were at home, but they're back over there. So, just I know like the kids
020that stand there in the mornings waiting to go in, that's definitely probably a reason that that happens anyway. So, we understand things happen just wanting to bring it to your attention. Thank you so much. I I really appreciate you letting us know about that. So, we have some of the pictures from the That's I'm kind of sad to hear that and I don't live over there anymore, so I don't always pass by it. So, I really appreciate coming and bringing it to the attention of the board as well as some of the administration. So, public. Thank you for sharing that. You know, I want to apologize that we know if you could do something to in memory of someone that it is a safer place um that it should be up. So, I'm sorry that
021that you as you guys right so appreciate what you what you created there and be sure so um come back to you so after the if you're are you going to stay for a little email. Um I would can I show you on your phone where I would like you to send an email. There's a submission form or I can tell you that it's you go to masd.org and then go to across the top board of education and then um there should be a link there and email link. If you could send an email through that link, we all get it and that way um we can be sure to keep it on everybody's radar and we'll have your information, your name, your phone numbers, your emails. stuff. We probably might do it separately and
022that way we can follow up appropriately and figure out if you know if it's an existing club or if you want to start something. Um, a friend of ours or anything like that. I'm glad she did, but we don't have any actual pictures of that. you trust me. So, I just wanted to say I'm totally sorry. My son is in sixth grade. Um, but we lost the two students. So, to me, it's it's really sad that this happened. So, we will take it. Thank you. Oh, I would just like to add that, you know, um, thank you. Thank you girls for coming tonight. Okay. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but um thank you for coming cuz it is important. Your voices are important, okay? So, if there's ever any issues, you should feel comfortable coming
023and talking to all of us. And if it's not addressed, please do circle back. Okay? Thank you. [Music] If there's no one else here, thank you for my timer started. So, I apologize for not well. The third issue was updated the lunch schedule for some of the great classes. Um, the classes included my son in first grade. They are sending lunch. From my understanding, many high school students from um county area do not have lunch break. Once I put that question to the principal back in December to address that work just to feel the field um it wasn't for us. So I have a question to that question after lunch so late in the day. Is there a rotation possible to be done among all the fourth grade classes or next year? what can be
024done in housing instruction and that will be all of my issues and concerns. They can tell me they need money time and if I spoke too fast that's why I'm here. Thank you for all the um coming from good intentions because they truly as a parent and a teacher myself in education. So I'm right there with you on the front line as well. Um for me it's highly important that this is for my son and I expressed this to also to yesterday to his parents and um Dr. apologize. Um so I just also would like to take this opportunity to speak up on behalf of the entire class whatever the understanding levels of parents are. Um but I truly understand the impact on my son and um you know he does have to household them
025as a good parent. So for me tackle this in making this happen tonight is extremely important. So I really would like your support and look into the things as to what happens when the administration changes to whatever circumstances each and of people that we employ actually have. Um and so so the children's education is not interrupted and they deserve the quality education that you stand by your promise and mission statement as a district. And that is it for today. I don't know how you're going to go back to the result of my questions and they are specific and I don't know if it's possible to receive information specific information about that because it is easier to find a teacher as a substitute for 7 months for this grade for instance and I would like to
026share that I use substitute myself for your district and I work in um high school the same building north so I'm very much familiar with some of the teachers and how district runs as well. So, um would like to seek your help and support and support of the new inquired student teacher in position to go over this recent Tuesday. So, she is supported, helped and in any ways possible to check on possible and um please administration. Thank you. Thank you. Hello group sexuality and uh be part of me too. Um, there's things we can do and things we can't do. And I want this person to thank you guys for doing the things you can. And I also want to know that there's a level of frustration as as parents and community for the things
027we're finding out. how and um I start talking a bit. Um, my kid is on the side and she just and uh we had all these churches up until um I grew up out in the country upstate New York and I like but I like I don't drive my car in New York City. I really felt uncomfortable when my husband and I took the effort to ride with our child multiple times before school started to get comfortable and the times that we're driving was not during rush hour. Um I did the best to teach my child make eye contact with drivers. Um, I got to say I'm not against sometimes the toughest lessons and we make it through it. I think about our own childhoods, you know, whatever. They weren't necessarily healthy for us, but
028I worry about I guess he got hit by a car that um but my child does not have my child does not have an electric scooter. So the oh it's that you know so often when there's something that touches us it's your fault as long as you can say oh it's okay that a way to make it their fault so it doesn't touch us and um my child is wearing helmet right anyway so I did not run screaming to the police I did not run screaming to the school board I just my child uh did as much as she could she did wrong because she was um the sidewalk because I'm sorry if you're on that section there by foot. You got a Starbucks, you got LA Fitness, you got a liquor store, you got
029the the bagel breakfast, you got the big shop. Oh, I wonder how those people are feeling in the morning. Okay, my child did the best she could. She made eye contact with the driver that was stopped. The driver looked at her, went like this, and the driver saw, "Holy cow, in this wilds of wild traffic, which you guys, you know, for better, no, saw him opening." God gave this driver, she took it and my child pulled back and the car, the device right behind her didn't and slam back into my child. I did have to remember my child's vehicle. She had a little bit of bruising. She's okay. The other thing got shaken, which is okay. That wasn't the best I could. What about the parents that don't ride bikes at all? What about the
030parents that work multiple jobs? What about the parents that just work any job and didn't have that? So, I get it. don't always do the right thing with things that you just like at first I was angry at Mr. about um you know the first thing was oh um but then I understand it's like you really can't do anything. So I'm brainstorming. I'm wondering if maybe just a general education, you know, make it optional. So that way the school's not responsible for with somebody that's a professional bicyclist or professional driver like a car driver and how that can translate to bicyclist. So that you know as parents we're aware that we can opt to put our child in to get better education. that might not cost so much, you know, the parents, but you know,
031the parents they care fund raise for parents that can't afford it. Um, so I'm sorry to hear. That's good. Thank you. Thank you so much. So we have some information. So we were having discussions with the police department. We were specifically requested um safety and prevention in terms of okay now not just about bicycles but any way there any move that students are meeting them. So it's walking, it's the bicycles, it's the ebikes, it's the scooters. So trying to get more information. There's not a lot of information about those like the ebikes and the scooters. on the election. Um, so I did request that they share a client someone to come in and kind of educate the community about that, but not only the kids that are riding, but also the drivers because the drivers,
032you know, discuss, we'll talk about this, but it's also how are the drivers being aware of the who has the brighter traffic? like there's just a lot of things that we need to raise awareness and you I truly believe it's too educational. So they are working on that. Um and it they're even looking at you know I asked them like well which ebike should they would you recommend for a child that's 12 years old what's the age appropriate? So 40 mile a bike that can go 40 m hour too. I would and that's a little scary like that's going faster than school. um and they can be doing 40 mph in a 25 mph zone that's still so those are the types of conversations that I did have happen this week and um I'm hopeful
033that they take it serious and I hope that the liaison will go back and speak to their um their liaison in each town and share that because there is they were doing a lot of um awareness on bike safety we're beyond bike safety we're beyond um because you know how are we going to control it? So I mean we try to put out information at the beginning of every school year about you know the buses are are back on the roads, kids are back on the roads this year. Um it it's it's an awareness piece for everybody to know that everybody's in a rush in the morning to get to work but is it really worth the rush um to put the safety at risk? So it's a driver education piece as well. Can I
034please share about the information? So, regarding the newsletter that was sent out by the principal, the reason why it came out the morning of this unfortunate and thankfully um it's okay. the incident is because there were ebikes in the bike rack that were observed by that principal the day before and there was already a planned newsletter. It's a weekly newsletter. Nobody gets it every week that was planned to go out and it was updated with this because of the noticing that these lights are not allowed to be used. So it was a very illtimed communication. It was not in response. It just happened to be so it seemed to be that that was the response. That was not in response to what happened that morning. It was just usually that morning. So it appeared that
035that was a um feeling response and that's not the case. So, I just wanted to I just want to comment I appreciate um you guys, you know, talking about that, but I live right off Sweet Bri right there. So, um you know, I I just get frustrated because we can talk about the kids and safety and but it's in all honesty, kids, yeah, they do silly stuff, but it's really not. It's the drivers. It is so congested. It's insane over there. I can't make a left out of my street on any given time. Um, yes, the kids are not great with riding on the sidewalk that you always think to myself on the sidewalk and on the sidewalk. What I will say is that that's at the at the light. I'm happy to see that
036I'm out there a lot around middle school time or if I have an appointment, the crossing bars are a lot better this year. I know a lot of times they were in the car or or not paying attention or whatever. So, I've been paying attention to drivebys um and they've been out there and I also appreciate our security company. I've seen their cars there. So, they're on the corner as well. But unfortunately, this child didn't get to so you know it's just it's frustrating and it's everywhere bumper to bumper, light to light on the highway. It doesn't matter the time of the day. I think to myself, does anybody work? Like, does anybody in regular job anymore? Like, and I know there's a lot of hybrid jobs, but literally all day long, bump up to
037bump up or down the line. And so, I don't even know where we can even begin. And these are the adult driving that we have to teach. Not even the kids, it's the adults. So, um, we appreciate everybody getting involved. We're constantly talking on all Facebook pages about safety and please watch process kids and it's exhausting. So, um any thoughts or anything you guys can come up with? appreciated. Washington is something that we know, but something called state. draw your attention to the area. I go I love everything and I use that I mean I think I don't know but that's what I was going to say as part of the discussion is um not when I was in college and um seeing the 273 campus and so eventually after as um the the department
038of transportation program. So there was a time there was beds on all sides and then so that was pedestrian crossing and then the there was a crossing road there all the time for college students but because of where we were and um that guard kept us the rest of the time anything was green no pedestrians like there was it was always red and there was green in that direction and there was always little guys would spread in all directions and that's how they figured it out. And I'm not saying I'm not telling New Jersey how to do jobs, but I'm just saying that you have to be creative and I'm sure the university I'm trying [Music] to I'm going to let this contact and [Music] everything [Music] Yeah. Any other public comments? Sorry. We love
039that something [Music] obviously but once you figure that part out everyone get signific [Music] So when I'm sharing [Music] that I see that there's large community process there's definitely a shrinking numbers I feel zero complaint all the time long but I feel like we speak to the community spoke as well as us that would be awesome and see my area but I mean people do [Music] department and I go to something and most of the time I see three or four people there. So, but that was there to have that that conversation council member manager is there. So that's like you said I don't think that he mentioned so not only putting it in front of them that's really [Music] important it's just the amount of people that were on that too. Thank you very
040much. We will go on the agenda. Yes. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Yes. Miss Brown. Yes. Martinez. Yes. Yes. Do we have any new or unfil? Okay. So, you finally for the the audience's benefit in January, I was named as the this delegate of the value assembly. Something that we haven't had before. So, um, the New Jersey Schoolboard Association delegate assembly is happening May 10th and I told everybody that come with the resolutions that are on the table. There's only three, so this won't take long. Um but I would love to hear from the board on how they think how you all think that I will vote on these um present. So the first one is um the resolution from the board of education and what they're proposing is that that all this would achieve additions
041to the school association policy. So this is like 10 bucks. This is this doesn't enforce the law. It's us representing as sports association what it is that we value what we believe in. So in this book makes sense in that way um that we value esports as a valuable scholastic competition and to the extent that they participants are letters of athletics whatever so that esports treat. I think we already education. We um want to make a decision about NJSBA that um the state take necessary appropriate steps to address the school nursing shortage. um increase the number of candidates who are eligible for school or certain non-structional um endorsements by they had suggestions of specific ways to lower the um the additional credit hours in addition to nurse. Um and so that that's really what the
042proposal is trying to to essentially remove some of the requirements personally eligible you still have to be a nurse but there's I should in addition to being a nurse there's available 15 semester hour specifically for me um I have are medical professional. I just I guess I just changing this plus or minus and see what different Yes. So what they are is I will send this to you. This is a breakdown of exactly what was proposing. So that one. Okay. And then the third one um is uh Kenny Board of Education uh proposing language to um this would be a request to the state because it would be adding to state absences for students who miss class to complete steps necessary to enter skill trades for the union. Um so right now There's excusees for
043um immediate family funeral and college visits and take your birthday and this would additional money for skill trades [Music] better. But um so this would add um not not that they would be school to go but they would take specific test. So just recap these are what's up for suggestion recommendation to the school association on behalf of the delegates that represent all districts that appear there. So really just trying to kind of get our temperature. I think you should give us more information about the nurse and then in general maybe just let me know because [Music] maybe I don't know um or anything like that you don't I mean again it's kind of like this recommendation also is not necessarily finding [Music] things. I appreciate the feedback for sure. So that's part part of my
044motivation to ask. I know we have a nurse on the board and we have a teacher on the board and both of you are experiencing that different aspects. Nurse practitioner nurse practitioner. Yes. Excuse me. I'm sorry that is very excuse me. Okay. Um, any new business? May first, correct? Um, Mrs. You want to recap the National Honor Society? Um, last night was the um seems like you go. Um, last night was the National Honor Honor Society induction at the high school. They inducted um 75 new members um which was fantastic. Um the students were wonderful. They got up there and they gave the speeches, the officers from um the honor society. Uh and it was just it was really nice attendance. Um, and it was great to see so many kids be honored because it's
045not just about academics, it's also about service to community, um, um, teacher recommendations, that sort of thing as well. So, um, they put in a lot of time and then once they're in, they also still continue, um, to have to keep their grades up as well as provide service um, and volunteer hours. So, it was really nice. It's it's a big it's 200 service hours from what I remember. So, a huge achievement for so many students. very help. [Music] Um I think Okay. Um we will be discuss it resolved that close session be convened for the purpose of discussing privacy personal matter services. The subject matter of these discussions will be disclosed to the public where the reason for confidentiality subsides. Although the board cannot guarantee it, the length of the executive session is estimated
046to be 1 hour after which public meeting of the board shall be convened and proceed of business. No action will take place. And I have a motion and a second to enter executive session. Motion second.