001Good evening everyone. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending such notice to the Ebury Park Press, the Middletown patch, and the Middletown Township Public [music] School District website and the posting of such notice at the August T minor administrative offices in each elementary, middle, and secondary school in the district. Roll call. Here I got it. Second minute present. Miss Kiski >> present. >> Mr. Saroski >> present. >> Mr. To miss right >> present. We do have a quer. >> I now need a motion for exec session to speak about team sir contract negotiations hip update and personal matters. >> All in favor? >> I oppose absentions. See you in a little bit. Please stand for the pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
002stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we're going to start this evening with our high school south speaker, Jessica Serilla. >> Hi, thank you so much for having me here tonight. I'm Jessica Cerillo. I'm a senior at Middletown High School South and I'm here to give some updates about what's going on at our school. The New Jersey Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America program had their fall state leadership competition. South brought 30 students with 20 of them competing with 20 of them participating as competitors. I'm very proud to share that every single one of our competitors earned a medal. As several of the events were team- based, no student competed left without placing. As a chapter, we earned 12 total medals, two gold, five silver, and five bronze. We also
003had several student standout placements. Amari Ketley earned a gold medal and placed second overall in the state for their chapter banner. Ella Cochran, Annabelle Warner, and Lucy Warner earned a gold medal in second place in the Go Green competition where they designed a a sustainable coin bank. Leah Fleger, Emily Omarborn, and Maline de Hannes earned a silver medal in third place in the illustrated talk event, presenting their research on food banks and nutritional quality on of donated items. Madison Madison Basil earned a silver medal and placed second in her virtual readaloud event where she developed two activities and recorded a lesson around the rainbow fish book. Middletown South FCCLA students who participated in the National FCCLA Challenge tests at the New Jersey State Leadership Competition just received the official results and of and our students
004performed exceptionally well against competitors from across the country. Aiden Denberg, a senior, placed third nationally in the apparel and fashion challenge. Ella Cochran, who's a sophomore, placed third in the counseling and mental health services challenge test and are first place in the country in principles of human services challenge test. These challenges are taken n national nation across the nation and earned national placements especially multiple top three rankings. It's a tremendous achievement. Both students demonstrate demonstrated outstanding knowledge, professionalism, leadership throughout the competition. Let's celebrate the continued success of our FCCLA program and students. The boys soccer team won its first ever sectional championship this year. We also South had its fall play which was a huge success thanks to Mr. Kak and our entire talented crew and cast. South held its annual open house on November
00518th and it was well attended. Over 200 parents participated. South held its first combination pep rally and bonfire a little late due to the inclement weather we had on November 25th. Many community members participated as well as staff and students. A great time was had by all. South held its annual NCAA commitment ceremony on December 2nd. Family members were invited to attend. The following students were recognized. Peter D. Cola, a senior, signed a letter of intent to compete for the Stockton University baseball team. Jack Dy, a senior, signed a letter of intent to compete for the Drew University baseball team. Michael G, a senior, signed a letter of intent to compete for the Wilson College baseball team. Lucas Grios, a senior who signed a letter of intent to compete this for the Stockton University baseball
006team. Ryan Hans, a senior signed a letter of intent to compete for the and Cordia University lacrosse team. Leonardo Justinto, a senior who signed a letter of intent to compete for the center college lacrosse team. Leah Pzled, a senior, she signed a letter of intent to compete for the Washington College soccer team. Xander Stingo, a senior who signed a letter of intent to compete for the Felician University lacrosse team. Anna Sberger signed a letter of intent to compete for the St. Leo University lacrosse team. Via Tanogo, a senior, signed a letter of intent to compete for the Ruckers University soccer team. And Ryan Willie, a senior, signed a letter of intent to compete for the Virginia Military Institute wrestling team. Congratulations to all of these South students. The Middletown South esports team had a fantastic
007fall season. The Super Smash team finished the regular season with a perfect 14-0 record. Unfortunately, the team lost in the semifinals of the playoffs on Saturday, ending the season in third place in group four. With executive boards and advisers from each grade and student council working together, South has successfully launched Battle of the Classes, and grades will be competing against each other until the spring finale. The winning class will receive a field trip and picnic. The seniors are currently leaving. The academic team is currently scheduled to compete in the Mammoth County, New Jersey Consumer in February against other schools from across all of Mammoth County. Senior Olivia Urkus has won the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Essay Contest at the chapter level. She now proceeds to the state level competition. Good luck, Olivia.
008The Middletown South academic team placed first at the biotech bio academic tournament, beating out 30 other teams. Eight Middletown High School South film students were selected to have an encore screening of their work at the Bassy Cinemas in Redbank on Saturday, November 15th. Four students receive received recognition and positive responses from filmmakers and they were able to network with students from other film programs as well while attending this event. The Middletown High School South Advanced Film T film TV class took a field trip to the high school high school of art and design in New York City. Their experience consisted of a tour of the school, a dialogue with faculty, an observation of their film classes, and dialogue with students in their film program best practices. Some notable alumni from the school include Tony Bennett,
009Calvin Klene, Amy Heckerling, and Devin Rodriguez. The Latin Honor Society and Junior Classical League students from high schools south and north attended the annual classic day event presented by the Department of Humanities at Montlair State University. Students from the combined schools competed with other schools around the state in a competition measuring knowledge in mythology, Roman culture, Latin, grammar. And though Middletown did not achieve a top three status like they did last year, they did uh they were one of the top schools in the Southern Division there. Gratitude is a bridge to inclusion. To honor those who walk the path of allyship, the South Spectrum organized a letterw writing initiative dedicated to the staff and peers who champion their cause. These notes serve as more than just a thanks. They are a testament to the powerful
010power of solidarity and the lifechanging impact of having community that truly sees and supports you. >> Thank you very much. Those are all the updates we have. >> Thank you, JESSICA. [applause] >> And moving on to public comment on agenda items only. If anybody has a comment to make on agenda item, please step forward and state your name and address of the record. Seeing no one stepping forward, I wish to move this. Oh, got one person. >> Hi, my name is Sue Griffin. Um, Middletown. I just wanted to um remark on the uh the three outgoing board members this evening. Um it's very difficult to be a board member especially in Middletown. Um I want to thank you all for your service and for [clears throat] your uh dedication to the students of Middletown. Um
011at this moment I really want to thank one board member in particular and that is Leonora Cavana. Um you have served this community beautifully for 18 years. Um, I did a little bag in the envelope math [snorts] earlier today and what I came up with in just meetings, um, workshop meetings, voting meetings, and back to school nights, that was over a thousand nights away from your family. Now, that didn't count. That doesn't count the times that we spend down at school boards. That doesn't count sporting events and plays that I know that you will miss. Uh that's over three years of meals that you've missed with your families to serve the kids of Middletown. That is a remarkable record. Uh thank you for your service to Middletown. Thank you for the service to Middletown's children.
012You are an inspiration to our town and I appreciate it and I know that the children of our town are better for it. So, thank you very much. Okay. Um, moving on to the presentation of awards of gratitude to outgoing board members. Mrs. Dhy. >> So, segueing off of Mrs. Griffin's comments. Uh, tonight we do have three board members who are uh, concluding their service for the board. Uh, one of them is Joe Fitzgerald who is not here tonight. And so, we extend our thanks for his service. Uh we also have Gary Tul who has completed his term on the board, his one-year term, but uh while maybe not a thousand nights away, spent many countless nights away uh and days and other times working on board business and reviewing things. So we thank you,
013Gary. Uh we have a plaque to recognize your service. >> [applause] >> and Leonora Camidi will be leaving the board this evening as well. Uh Leonora has been on and off the board since 2004 with very little breaks. Although when I was looking at your dates, Leonora, you were not here when I got hired, so you missed that. But you know, but Joan is here. So, um, but I, you know, I've worked with Leonor for pretty much my whole tenure here, over 15 years with the little break in between. And, you know, I'd like to thank you for your contributions on behalf of the board. You know, we appreciate it. It's not easy work. And I know that you'll be missed. And I don't know if any of the other board members would like to
014say anything. I don't want to be the only one. I'm sure Joan does. First of all, I'd like to thank Gary and Joe because anybody that volunteers their time to sit in this position, it's it's a lot and no matter what you do, you're not making some people happy and, you know, it's a hard, you know, decisions are hard, but um it's really special that you've got to serve this town and our children. So, thank you. Leonora, on the other hand, I can still remember the first year she ran, sitting in the auditorium, that's where we used to sit together as a community and watch her votes come in, sitting there with her red high heel shoes and her red purse and all decked out. >> Wondering if she was gonna make it. That's the
015first time I I met Leonora. And um it's incredible the um amount of years that we've spent together and we could write a book about Middletown. I can tell you that right now. Um she has done so many amazing things. She has served her position with integrity, class, and style and good faith. She has always put our children first no matter what. We have learned as friendship to agree to disagree, which a lot of people should really pick up on because you don't always have to agree with people, but that's what causes a conversation. And her and I have had some really long late night conversations on what we disagree on. But we've always come to a compromise. And I think that this community has um lost a good person, but I know you're going
016to stay involved and you'll do right for our students and um you you've got a lot to be proud of. You made a lot of accomplishments. I remember fight you fighting like heck to get sign language in here and never giving up. She's also known as Miss Co-curricular because her whole 18 years on the board, she's been the chair of co-curricular committee and she's done a great job. I remember the first year we went to a hockey game, she was first on the board. She walks in with her high heel shoes and her fur coat in Middletown in the in the in the ice rink in uh Eaten Town. >> We're sitting in the front row and the kids are banging up against the glass and she's getting upset. What are you doing? You can't
017do that. I was like, Lee Lee Leonor, that's checking and that's part of hockey. It took her a while. And as they had to escort her across the ice on um hockey in Middletown day for the mayor's cup, she still had her high heels on. They had to put rugs down to get her across the ice. So, we've had a lot of fun times and a lot of hard times and many meetings till 1 2 o'clock in the morning, which a lot of you people have not um been witness to yet. Anyway, um and she stuck it out. So, Leonora, thank you. And we have a friendship that will last forever. >> Thank you, [applause] >> Nora. We have a plaque for you also. >> [clears throat] >> couldn't be the only one. >> Okay,
018moving on to a superintendent report. Dr. Alfoon, >> thank you. Um, I also want to take the opportunity to thank our three outgoing board members, uh, Leonora, Gary, and Joe for their service to the district. Um, as everyone has said already, they volunteered so many hours, um, to make the difference in thousands of children's lives across the district. Um, so that doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated by us or the community. Um, and I know the community is grateful for the countless hours and time you have given. I have enjoyed working with each of you um and hopefully um you guys will stay involved um and not be strangers. So, thank you. Um couple of other updates, our strategic planning subcommittees. Um we are go I'm going to be sending information out this week so individuals
019know what committees they will be working on because we're going to get uh re-engage with strategic planning once we come back in January. Um we'll have the data from the habber study we believe at this point and then we can begin to move forward with our strategic plan and those subcommittees that you had um signed up for uh a couple of months ago. So I want to get that information out so people have an idea of um the work that they'll be engaged with in the new year. I want to also thank everyone for their cooperation on yesterday's delayed opening. Um just so everyone is aware and the community this these decisions certainly come with a lot of input. We had a meeting with the mayor and the um the office of emergency management in
020town um on Sunday afternoon to kind of take stock of the roads, the potential for referees, the sidewalk clearing our properties. Um and at that point the decision was made to delay the opening for student safety. Um there was just too many sidewalks uncleared with kids potentially waiting at bus stops. There were temperatures that were going to be below well below freezing um with the temp with the potential for refreeze and side streets not being completely clear. Not to mention that we have staff coming from you know counties away. So it never and I know it's an inconvenience and I appreciate it as a parent as well. Um especially when you have little ones who need care. It is difficult, but we will always make the decision in this district and error on the side
021of safety with our students and our staff. So, thank you for your cooperation. Um, you know, it was a 2-hour delay. It gives us a little more time to get things clear. And I know elementary doesn't get in until close to 11. However, um we have to think on the other end of that if our high schoolers if they were to come in at regular time, our staff and our students are on the road 6:00, 6:30 um when it's dark and freezing and you know sight is difficult with with the dark and you know our roads aren't some of them you know extremely well lit especially some of the side roads. So, um, but thank you. Um, and I thank our facilities and maintenance team for getting our properties cleared and ready to go because
022that's a heavy lift as well with our 16 campuses. So, um, the final thing is just I want to take this opportunity to wish the entire school community a happy holiday season, a happy new year, and a wonderful winter break. Um, thank you for all that you do to make Middletown a special school district. Um, you know, I have no doubt that we're going to do great things in the new year. Um, and certainly, uh, you know, the sky's is the limit and I think with the input of the community and the input of our staff and our students and our board and our administrative team, um, there there are bright things on the horizon for us. So, thank you and happy holidays. >> Thank you, Dr. Alone. >> Right. Moving on to the approval
023of meeting minutes. I need a motion to approve 7 A and B. Second >> discussion. All in favor? >> I oppose. Abstensions. Motion to approve 8 business office consent agenda 8 through D. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> I oppose. Abstensions. >> I am voting no. I'm voting no on the bill list on the wina bills and bills. >> I'm sorry, what was the second one? >> I'm also voting no on the wiener bills and the padulla bills and I'm hoping that in the future um we have the wiener group come and explain his uh stance on what's going on. >> I'm also a no on the Weinervilles and I second what Joan just said like a explanation from them >> and I'm a no on the padulla bill please. >> Thank you.
024>> Great. Need a motion to approve number nine. Recommendation of superintendent of schools consent agenda 9A through H. >> So >> discussion. All in favor? >> I oppose. I am voting no on the yes hips and yes on the no hips. >> Anyone else? >> Amy, I'm abstaining on the hips. >> Good Amy. >> I got it. Okay. Thank you. >> Moving on to old business. Does anyone have old business? >> I have old business, please. Uh so at last week's meeting when we talked about the um chronic absenteeism report uh thank you so much for giving us this link. Um I had a chance to look at it. And have we sent out those surveys yet or not yet? >> Uh I do not believe that they have been sent out yet. >> Okay.
025Um I'm assuming we're probably going to do that after the holidays, right? Okay. >> Um are we going to get a chance to look at the results of the surveys? >> Okay. I would. Yeah, I'm actually interested in looking at it because I know that from the seven schools um that were cited, there's going to still be a lot of students who are still within the district. I understand that at the high school, maybe some of them have graduated, but we had three elementary schools and two middle schools. So, those students are still with us. And I know everybody's really busy, so this may not have happened yet. But I'm also curious if almost four months into the new school year, have we just compared the overall absenteeism rates for those schools from last year
026as [clears throat] to the four months so far this year? >> They are constantly monitoring attendance. Okay. >> Um they get attendance report regularly and monthly. We pull like combined data. Okay. To see because we're always tracking chronic absenteeism, right? >> Because we try we do put in an action plan for students individually, right? >> Um it snowballs into something that the state deems to be critically accent. >> Yeah, I mean that's why I'm asking because I'm hoping actually that we're maybe seeing a little bit maybe improvement already this year in the four months. That's what I'm hoping >> to see out of that but okay just yeah I am actually very curious and to see the responses to the survey. So I just wanted to raise that. Absolutely. We can definitely have that data.
027Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else for old business? >> Yeah, I just have a question for Amy. Was there getting any update on that video company for the board meetings? They were going to come in and do a demo. [clears throat] >> We did uh our IT director did have a meeting with them, went over the planned items that we were going to purchase, these soundboard and the um the additional mics and he agreed with that. So after we were able to implement those and we've also taken it off the Zoom component of the video and he was going to take another look and see if there's any other tweaks that we could make. So we haven't we haven't been able to implement all the sound measures yet. But >> that company >> I'm
028sorry >> you didn't meet with that company. >> Uh I did not personally but our director of IT did. Yes. >> And I just want to wish everybody a happy holiday season and enjoy it with your kids. do as much things as you can with them. >> Why they still want to? >> Right. Moving on to new business. Does anyone have any new business? >> I just have one piece of new business. Um, as we move into the new year and the reorg meeting, one of the things that I've always really enjoyed to coming to every meeting is listening to the updates from the two high schools and all the fantastic things that our students are involved in. I'm wondering if we as a board could consider hearing from the other schools. And the way
029that I sort of see this is you would just only have one school come each month. Not that they have to come multiple times and you may have to double up obviously for two of those months, but we have so many things that are happening at the middle school level. We have so many things happening at the elementary school level that I really would like to hear more about. And I know timewise at least for our youngest students in the elementary school, we would need to make sure that they go first, right? Because we don't want them here late. But I would just love to hear updates, you know, from them. So I'm just asking if that's something we can consider for the new year. >> Deb, if you remember years back, we used to
030have them come Yes. and give presentations either on new curriculum or new programs that they're we're doing, especially elementary do little performances. And you get to see, you know, and see what every school is doing. Correct. >> Okay. Very good. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I like that. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. Awesome. >> Amazing. >> Okay. Moving on to public comment. If you wish to make a public comment, please step forward. Before you do that, I just want to say thank you to everybody that spoke those wonderful words about me and it really has been an honor to sit up here. I love it. I enjoy every minute of it with the kids that makes it all worthwhile. Whether we're fighting, not fighting, whatever goes on, the parents yelling at us, I don't care what
031happens. But when you see the children and you see what we do, we have so much to be proud of. So, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I can't thank everybody enough. >> Thank you. Uh, >> Ashar Drive, Middletown. Um, I just wanted to make a point to thank the board members. Leonora dedicated so much of your time. Everybody said it already. Truly care about your kids. I was going back through my memory banks of um sitting in the old admin building um month after month going through a budget ad hoc and and then when it was decided to tear down we all kind of turned around and everybody said, "Oh, there's asbestos." So I I sometimes wonder how much we inhaled while we were in there. So but anyways, thank
032you so much. Um Joe, who's not here just um always listen to concerns of special ed families. um the executive summary you put together at the board meetings um I know a lot of people have said they're very useful because the acoustics are not always very good for the people that you know are listening um virtually um and then last but not least Gary um I have to say when you started running and you were coming to the meetings we sat together and then you took on the unenviable position of lessison to MTODL the special educ education parent advisory group and you did that with zero experience and background in the area of special ed. Um I just want to say you embraced it, you learned, you made great recommendations and you showed up to
033events with kids in tow. Um so I truly truly appreciate all your efforts and um and you will all be missed. So thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. I know, you know, we don't always respond up here, but I I can't can't let that go without responding because I will say, and to echo everything Leonor said, thank you to everybody for um you know, my colleagues up here for your partnership, our administrators, everything you do, our our our teachers, staff, mostly our students. But I will say and and Vera's comments about before I ran, you know, I've been on here for three years, but I had come to every meeting for a couple few years before that. And I can say I think I've I've learned so much from everybody involved here, but I
034don't think I learned more from anybody than from Vera Pekki. Um she is a incredible resource to anybody who's getting involved in our school system. For our new board members, some of you know you guys are here. Ver is the is a great resource. She's a great example. She's almost done with her her children making their way through the district. But I hope um she'll still be around because, you know, more than on top of everything she's done for her own kids, she is a huge resource for other families who have no idea where to start. And she's the person I would go to. That's she's the person a lot of other people go to. But I've learned a lot from you, Vera. I thank you for your, you know, experience and and things you
035shared with me before I ran, while I've been up here. Um, you know, when I ran, I remember my main thing, it's kind of the way I I am with my kids. You only get one chance to do it with your kids, right? And so, um, you know, you got to put, you know, I didn't know anything about board of ed stuff until I started coming, but that's how you learn, right? You dive in, you do what you can. I hope, uh, you know, I gave it my all while I was up here and and, uh, couldn't make it work to go forward and take another crack at it, but um, you know, look forward to seeing what the district has in store in the future. I wish Erin, Chris, and Sarah all the luck
036in the world and uh thank you all for the last three years. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Having said that, anyone else wish to make a public comment? >> Hi, uh Kristen Bulan, Middletown. Um, last time we spoke here at the meeting, I thought the agendas were going to have the questions listed and possible answers from the previous meeting on the agenda. That didn't happen this time so that we didn't have to kind of repeat and email and all that stuff. >> Yeah, we had discussed it, but there's like it doesn't really belong in new business or old business. So, we really still have to hammer out like where that would go um and how we're going to publish it out. But again, we transcribe the meetings now. So question and answers that
037have been discussed during the meeting. >> Can we put that? That wasn't that's not on the executive summary though. If we >> It is. It's embedded within the all the discussion points are within the executive summary. >> Again, though, when the public comment has questions, >> it records the entire meeting and summarizes. >> I didn't see the questions. I can go back, but I didn't see any of the questions. >> Well, we didn't put them on as pointed questions. We put the summary of what those responses were. because we responded to questions. >> If we could like do a committee or something about that so we don't have to hash it out and then the public can also have that that would be great. >> And as we had expressed at the last meeting, we
038would hope that people, you know, really we would like for people to follow up with emails so that we can put responses in writing and have the ability to give accurate and extensive information to some of these questions that are being given to us in public. >> Yeah. I'm just trying to figure out how to get it to the public. Like how do the public that it's one-on-one email? It's like hard. It's easier because I think part of the frustration is just the answers and the communication out to the public. But >> yeah, and that's why we're transcribing the responses that we're giving in public. Um, if someone sends us an email and we respond to it, I mean, we could certainly look for a venue to try to post those things, but in old
039business and new business is not the appropriate place. [snorts] >> Okay. Um, and I just want to ask a question, too. I think this goes to Amy. The LI grant, is that being submitted? Has it been submitted specifically for new mom? It's being It's being submitted. It's due at the end of February. >> End of February. We'll go. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to make a public comment? Seeing no one stepping forward. I wish everybody. >> Apologies there, Frank. >> No worries. All right. So, um Bernie Doss, uh Middletown resident, um there was a recent um patch article which was very illuminating. And I would direct citizens of Miltown to check it out. It was uh New Jersey school district. This was the title. New Jersey school district spends 47K
040per student. See how yours compares. Right. So, it's a really user-friendly article and you click on it and you see, you know, you could populate Middletown and see how we rank compared to similar size and similarly organized districts K through 12 and over 3,500 students. So, for 2024, we're in a bottom quarter. So, you know, in the spring, I think, you know, Dr. phone you were outlining like 15,000 is sort of satisfactory according the state 21,000 roughly is what you know we were spending per pupil roughly and there was this $6,000 disparity like an overspend so to speak was the implication and I'm paraphrasing um when you look at us compared to similar districts that's really not the case I mean now with the 10% that was approved this spring so for Middletown Lands next
041year. But um you know our ranking compared to similar districts really wasn't like we weren't overspending on kids. We were in the bottom quarter almost the bottom. >> Sorry, one second. Are you saying the cost or the spend? Two different things you're talking about here. Remember >> you said cost per pupil. >> The cost per pupil was what we spoke about. You said the spend. The spend is different. That's based upon how much money you have in the district. >> The total spend. Correct. Correct. >> Yeah. So there's another statistic. That's a good segue, Frank. Thank you. So there there's a total spend. This is all data from what's called the TGES, which is probably very familiar to the administrators. It might be unfamiliar to the board members. It used to be called the comparative
042spending guide, right? It's it's chalk full of very interesting information and it's applesto apples data comparisons, right? And I encourage the board members to look very closely at this because it's a good benchmark because our legal fees per pupil are probably not that great, right? They were awful two years ago. They've improved slightly in 2024. So 2023 we're among the worst. Spending a lot of legal fees per pupil, right? And you can look at it for extracurriculars. You could look at it for food service. You can look at it for plant maintenance. It's all very very interesting. But I looked at it on total spend too, which is a diff different statistic, right? Might include debt service, other things, right? We're still in the bottom third of K through over 3,500 students, right? That's 96
043schools in New Jersey, right? And if I look at just largeish Mammoth County school districts over 1,800 students, there's about like nine or 10 districts like that. We're we're second to last and on on per pupil spending. I think it's free burrow only spends less. The others spend less, right? So, I just want to be careful about the narrative that comes from the administration and how they're contextualizing the data because I think if any rational person has access to this, you could click on it through the patch article and I think you'll get a different impression than what we got from Dr. Alone this spring. Thank you. Would anyone else wish to make a public comment? Emily Donahue, Middletown. Um, I'll be quick. Um, I want to thank you all for serving who are outgoing.
044Um, our next meeting is going to be the reorg, right? Um, and I think it's a really important meeting for this district. So I'm just going to encourage and especially the new people that are coming in. Um very much so looking forward to it. So thank you guys for joining. Um I just want to say um everyone ran on transparency for our kids. So I just hope as you pick leadership um coming forward that you put our kids first um and that we have a really successful 2026. So thank you. That's it. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Would anyone else wish to make a public comment? Seeing no further comments, I wish everybody a happy holidays, happy new year, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026. Have I now make a motion for
045adjournment? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Absentions. Have a great new year, everyone.