001Hey folks, good evening. I'm going to call the uh meeting to order. The North Hunter and Borhees Regional High School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 is now called to order. In accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meeting Act, uh, NJSH104-6, adequate notice giving the time, date, location, and to the extent known, the agenda of this meeting was sent to the Hunton County Democrat, Star Ledger, and Courier News on January 7th, 2026, and published on January 12th, 2026. In addition, notice of this meeting has been posted at the North Hunter High School and Gorhees High School, provided to the municipal clerks of Bethland Township, California Burrow, Town of Clinton, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Glengardner Burrow, Hampton Burrow, Hybrbridge Burrow, Lebanon Burrow, Lebanon Township, Tukesbury Township, Mean Township, as well
002as other interested parties and posted on the district website. Fire exits are located in the direction indicated. If alerted to fire, um please move in a calm and orderly fashion to the nearest smokefree exit. Restrooms are located through the doors behind this desk and to the right as indicated. At this time, please silence all cell phones. And I do just want to read our um mission statement. The North Hunter Novorhees Regional High School District empowers all students who innovative and personalized learning to achieve their full potential, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute responsibly to a changing world. Roll call. >> Miss here. >> Mr. Chapman >> here. >> Mr. Hanley >> here. >> Miss H >> here. >> Mr. Lordy >> here. >> Mr. Matthews >> here. >> Missappa >> here. Mr. Morgan >> here. >>
003Miss Ryas >> here. >> Mr. Banton >> here, >> Miss Stein >> here, and Mr. Mcciser >> here. >> We now have the flag salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um, can I get a call for a motion and a second to approve agenda items 41 and 42? Can I get a motion and a second? >> So move. >> Motion, Terara. Second, Rich. Thank you. Uh, we have our minutes from January 20th and 27th. Uh, are there any questions or items to discuss? Okay. Hearing none, we'll go to a voice vote. All in favor? >> I. Uh opposed or abstensions? >> Stain 41. >> I abain 41 as well. >>
004All right. Um so we are at the point in our program where we would normally have our recognition of student achievements, but we had a little scheduling uh change that Dr. Burgess will tell us about. So, yes, we were um going to have the North Hunter and Board's hockey team um here to recognize the team and their accomplishments for winning the Skyland Conference and also um being seated number one in the Skyland Cup. Um unfortunately, the game that they were scheduled for yesterday was rescheduled for today and so they couldn't be here and it was a lot to try to get somebody else in for student recognition um all within one day. Um it has since been rescheduled for tomorrow night. So this afternoon we sort of played with the idea of maybe pulling them
005out, but it turned out um it's just better off to hold off. You'll be seeing them in March and we might be doing double duty in March for student recognition. >> Okay, awesome. Thank you. And and congratulations to them. Um we now have our board student representative reports. Um Samantha, did you want to kick us off? >> Sure. Um so as per usual, I'm going to go in order like sports, arts, academics, and then clubs and activities just to try to keep it organized. So, in terms of sports, our winter sports are concluding within the next two weeks. And spring sports begin March 9th. A couple highlights from our winter sports. Girls basketball. Mattie Pek joined the 10,00 point club. So, that was very exciting. Boys fencing, this is one of my personal favorites. On
006February 10th, the team won their rematch against North after a loss earlier in the season. Always love to see that. And they also had Noah Gree join the 100 win club. Fencing hosted a freshman sophomore tournament on Saturday, February 25th 21st. The parking lot was packed, so I'm assuming it went very well. Uh, girls track were sectional champs and Lexi Mazone was um the group champ and then boys track Skyland champs. Villa Divine was a group champ and the 4x4 team is going to the meet of champs which is upcoming. In terms of arts, we have the pops concert this past week. It was very exciting. This is where our orchestra and band groups perform while dancing um and memorizing their music for a 45minute performance. It's a lot of fun. The lights are super
007exciting. It's kind of like being in a real concert. Then we have the coffee house performance which is the choir version of that and that's going to be on March 6th at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Their theme is Broadway and Beyond. Um anyone interested should email our choir director Andrew Frink. And then we have drama club preparing for Into the Woods, which is April 16th to 19th. Anyone interested in tickets should email Mr. Joe Reynolds. In terms of academics, it's been an exciting month. We had many students take the biiteracy test, which certifies students as proficient in another language. So, we had 14 seniors take it, 11 or pass it, 11 in Spanish, one in Portuguese, one in German, and one in Russian. We also had seven juniors pass, four in Spanish, one in
008Portuguese, one in Erdo, and one in Farsy. We also were recognized as an AP honor distinction um as a school due to our uh very high AP scores this past year. So that was very exciting. Then in terms of clubs, activities and accomplishments, we had carnival, which is when Spanish clubs hosts carnival, which is very similar to like a Marty Gro kind of celebration, but carnival is typically seen in Hispanic countries. And the event was full of dancing, good food, and educational fun. National English Honor Society hosted Spa Day um where they made self-care based uh lip scrubs, body butter, and wax candles. We were supposed to have a blood drive today, but due to the delayed opening, it was rescheduled to March 2nd. Uh, speaking of the snow day, Mr. Reynolds uh, yesterday brought
009our custodians fried chicken for lunch. Um, and they very much appreciated that. So, that was very exciting. We also have two tournaments coming up for fun, um, like recreational fun after school. So, we have a volleyball tournament hosted by Students for Change and a pickle ball tournament hosted by student council. The Key Club is hosting their pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 14th at 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Link for tickets has been emailed to parents, staff members, and students. And community members can find the link on the VHS Facebook page and website. That's all you can eat pancakes on a Saturday. Very exciting and very yummy. Um, the freshman and sophomore classes are hosting a night in New York uh spring formal. It's actually organized by the sophomores, but it's for both grades. They're trying
010to raise money for prom, so that's going to be on March 20th at 6 PM. And then finally, Unified is hosting their week of respect next week, and that's March 2nd to March 6th. And they're hosting spirit days that encourage a respectful culture when dealing with anyone with differing abilities. And that's what I have. >> Thank you very much, Samantha. I mean, a lot to congratulate there. Um, just out of curiosity, when they do the coffee house, where do they do that? Do you know? >> It's in the cafeteria. >> Okay. And they do two performances. They set up tables and you have a table assigned to you and then there are like snacks and things you can eat during the performance while you watch. It's actually very fun. They did a really good job.
011>> And then the um the spring formal, is that new or is that >> It is new. So the sophomore class is looking for a new way to raise money for prom because at you organize prom when you're a junior, right? Um, so this is their way of kind of doing a pre-prom sale where they can kind of generate interest for their upcoming prom next year while also fundraising. >> All right. Well, good luck with that. Um, and then, uh, Mora wanted to welcome you. I guess this is your first stepping in as in your alternate role, so welcome. Uh, and we we look forward to your report. >> Thank you. Yes. Hi, I'm Mara for those of you who don't know. Um, starting off we have our musical Shrek, which actually Max is our
012lead as Shrek. And it'll be performed on February 27th, 28th, and March 1st. All Board of Education members will receive complimentary tickets along with a coupon code for their convenience. So, make sure you get to see. I've heard very good things about it, especially from Max. So, show out. Um, then our junior prom is scheduled for March 7th. This year's junior prom has achieved a record-breaking 230 ticket sales, which is very good for student enthusiasm. Usually, it's kind of hard to get those tickets, so getting that many in this short period of time is very encouraging. For March 5th, we have our trivia bowl and it's a new format this year. So, anyone, it's not only spectators, we can all like parents, students, as long as you have a team of five, you can participate.
013and it just makes a more inclusive interactive experience. And the National Honor Society gathered bags and donations to put in these baskets for raffle winners. So, it's going to be very fun for March 5th. Um March 4th is our National Honor Society blood drive. This is a very We have a few of these a year. I believe three. And make sure you donate and volunteer if you can. So then unfortunately our science honor society STEM night was cancelled this year due to um low eighth grade enrollment. So we're looking for more science honor society donations and some more fundraisers in the future to help involvement. The unifi versus staff basketball game was moved from yesterday due to the snow to today and I believe that was at 6 pm and I believe the unified students
014won. And they were also recognizing Dave the Ra's 80th birthday. So if you see him, wish him happy birthday. Spike for a cure volleyball tournament is scheduled for March 11th and this is benefiting the Jason P. Shyel Foundation and it's a very good opportunity for students and staff to support this important cause while also having fun and creating teams. Our in our club fundraiser held a for Joey fundraiser in partnership with Duck Donuts, generating 80 orders in support of this cause while also incorporating our unifi program. Um, as February is Black History Month, we have had recognitions of this through morning announcements. Ro Kappa Honor Society has been delivering these announcements while also creating some bulletin boards around the school. And the school breezeway has been decorated with student created murals. Then on February 19th,
015we had our prism dance. It was the first time this was hosted at North Hernand and it's students from North Hunteran, Warren Hills, Vorhees and Central fostering inclusivity um and community among members of Prism. Prism was formerly known as the Gay Straight Alliance Club. And then athletic achievements. The North Hunter and Boys Winter Track 4 by 800 relay of Eric Bezwick, Benadamo, Cole Clober, and Patrick Palma proudly competed at the prestigious Milro Games. This was the first time North Hunteran has been a part of these games and it's very prestigious among the track community. So, it was very nice to have Northrean represented in this. And then lastly, the Northan dance team competed this past weekend in their state championships and placed third overall in jazz and punk. So, it's pretty good. >> Very nice.
016Again, great congratulations there. Uh, a lot of really good achievements. one uh question and you may not know the answer with the uh eighth grade STEM night. Uh is that something where they reach out to the sending districts to invite eighth grade students to come? >> Yes. So this is um an annual event every year and so the science honor society students I'm a part of this society and we go to STEM night to create enriching activities and it was just we didn't have enough enrollment and I believe it was sent out through the middle schools. I remember when I was in middle school at Clinton Township Middle School, we received like an email informing us that this event was happening, but we just didn't have enough enrollment. >> Okay. Well, I mean, certainly, you
017know, we're always willing to support those efforts and communications as as best we can. >> Thank you. Any other uh questions or comments? >> All right. Thank you both very much. Great report. Uh, and as I said before, um, I I know you have a lot on your plate, so at any point in tonight's meeting when you have to step out, feel free to do so. >> Thank you so much. >> Um, all right, that brings us to our chief school administrator's report, Dr. Burgess. All right, students, you're always hard to follow. I'll do my best. Um, so a couple things I want to report on our student activities. Um, and some of this stuff I might repeat a little bit, but I'll try to add my third to it. Uh but our cheerleaders actually
018at North and Anvorty's uh both participated in the 2026 UCA National High School cheerleading competition which ran from January 30th 30th to February 8th. Um at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Um North did place 12th in the nation. Um Boris did very well and had a very great time as well, but I don't think they were able to place in in that um competition. But it sounds like everybody had a wonderful time and enjoyed their um trip. We had some really exciting news a few weeks ago and and it just happened, but one of our students at North Hunteran, um Gabriella Maldonado, uh she was selected as one of the top three finalists in the healthy school lunch challenge. Um and these were from submissions across all of Pmptonian food service districts. Pton
019is is the um food service provider that we use for our food services for lunches. Gabriella submitted the crisp whole grain palenta cake with corn suage rolled egg white omelette and blackberry gastri. I don't know what a gastri is but it sounds delicious. Um but that was her recipe. Um she was a finalist and so this past Friday they actually met at Driscoll Foods Culinary Kitchen. I believe it was in Randolph and um they um had a competition that >> Wayne Okay. Um they had a competition where they were paired with a um Ponttonian chef and um they went through the competition. Uh Gabriella was one of the grand prize winners and uh will end up receiving a $400 um award as a result of that, but also her recipe is going to be in
020a school menu at some point and there's going to be a banner in a ceremony to celebrate her as well. So it would be a great opportunity for Gabriella. Uh we had several members of the North Hunter Tri Music Honor Society performing uh for their second year at the NAACP of Hunter County Black History Month celebration on this past Saturday afternoon in Flemington. Uh they performed a really special arrangement of Wade of Water and received much praise and appreciation for their performance. Congratulations on more music stuff to Northland Choir students Savannah Wrigley and Sophia Emory Reid for their performance this past weekend in the All State Honors Treble Choir in Atlantic City. Again, it's a huge honor to be selected for this. Um, and it's a prestigious ensemble and they represent North Hunter at state
021level. We also had this past Thursday four North Hunter unified bowlers competed in the Skyland Conference inaugural bowling tournament. So, um the game was great tonight, unified, but we have a lot of unified activities that happened and we had four, you know, inaugural um tournament there. Uh North wrestlers also became sectional champs with a 37 to 34 win over Middletown South to secure the sectional title. So, congratulations on them and we wish them luck moving forward. Um, Boris, I did um see the head coach actually in the hallway the other day and he told me he was all excited because they beat Central the week before which is not a easy feat, you know, with the size of the schools. So, uh, they performed very well and it sounds like they're having a good year.
022Uh, this as an update for our strategic planning, I wanted to go over some of the things that we've been talking about. Um, the committee, our strategic planning advisory committee did meet on February 10th. Uh, we focused on several key areas. Um some of those were wellness initiatives including plans to reschedule January's events. If you remember on January we had a early dismissal planned and then we had to have a delayed opening so we had to cancel those events so that we could get into school and get the day in. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen tomorrow because tomorrow is our February PD um which we also discussed uh events that are supposed to be happening there which is our biometric screenings, yoga and massage therapists. Um all these things are in the middle of you
023know different educational segments that the teachers are a part of but the wellness activities are something that we talk about a lot strategic planning because that is one of our um goals for this year. We also touched on uh rolling out some of these um initiatives simultaneously while also um our commitment to time allocation um for our teachers. So the idea is that, you know, we're trying to do all these great things for our teachers and have these special events. Um if a teacher doesn't have time to participate in them, it's all, you know, well, well intended, but it doesn't have the the outcome that would like. So we're going to try to work more with teacher schedules, make sure these events get scheduled at a time where they can take advantage of this. And
024also, you know, just be careful that we're not putting more initiatives on teachers when they already have initiatives from previous um events as well. Um and to just be cognizant of that. something that I think we we always try to do but it's good to have those reminders and that's what this committee does is give me those reminders which is exactly the purpose of it. So uh we also talked about uh exploring new ideas for staff recognition. Um one of one of those is um in-class visits and also we talked about recognition you know by this board of ed and so some of the ideas that came out of that uh were recognizing a monthly staff um or faculty member from the school. Um then you know that sort of evolved into the idea of
025well we can bring them out and we can celebrate them in a board meeting and you all get to you know and then we started talking saying well that's another night out for a teacher and another obligation. While that sounds great and and you know well-intentioned again um it's just more time for them. So then I was thinking how can we do this as a board without um impinging on the teachers time or the staff members time and I thought we have board reps that are officially board members. So, um, the idea is that, you know, starting in March, uh, we're going to pick, um, a a staff member at each school that is deserving of this award. I don't have coming up with catchy names, but right now it's board of education staff spotlight.
026Anyone has any better ideas, I'm open to anything. Um, but I'm going to have our board reps actually join me um, to congratulate the staff member in their environment. It's worth surprising. Then we'll come and present it to you on, you know, what happened. So there will be members of the board that recognized the staff members without inconveniencing them and then we get to again celebrate them as a board um at our meeting. So that's going to be the plan moving forward from March on. Um hopefully everything works, you know, all well-intentioned and we'll see how it plays out. But I think it um I met with all our student reps and um it was great. They had some great ideas. I'm also asking them to survey the student population to have input into that.
027So, between the strategic planning advisory committee that represents staff members, student board reps that represent our student body, um it's my, you know, goal that we will get some well-deserving people and be recognized. And then we also talked about having a consistent teacher of the year process um across both schools. Both schools do it a little differently and so what we're going to do is make sure that's tidied up for next year and we have a consistent process um for both schools. And then at our next meeting, we're planning um some financial transparency um I guess professional development for them. So Katie, I made sure I let her notice today before I announce it tonight. Um but we're going to ask Katie to come and do, you know, a quick presentation to our strategic planning
028advisory committee because again, teachers, they hear about what we do and what we discuss from a budgetary perspective, but they don't always understand all of it and um how it impacts them. So I want to make sure that, you know, they understand what the budget, the impact of the budget is. And so we're going to do that for now in our strategic planning advisory committee. And so that's all I have on strategic planning. I did want to mention our attendance um report out that we do every month now since we've had our new attendance policy. Um so in January, Northin had 1,267 cumulative absences. And remember this is class absences, right? So that's not how many students were absent, but um but in January of 2025, they had 2,263. So that's 996 less absences this
029January than we had last January. That's good data. Um year to date, North is uh is I'm sorry, year to date, districtwide, um we are at a four uh I'm sorry, north year to date is 4.96. So just under 5% um um absentee rate that is h more than half of what we were at this time last year. So again, we're trending in the right direction. Seems to be working. Um Boris had 845 absences this past this January and the year before was 1,605. So 760 less absences and again their trending um year-to- date percentage absence is 4.07. So just over 4%. So again, the policy um is having the purpose that the intended purposes. We're seeing good data. We're going to continue to follow it all throughout the year and then we'll have a
030full year data to make sure that we make the right decisions and make any changes that we need to. I did want to also mention um we've had a couple board members reach out about u making sure the community particularly our parents are aware of how we're structuring our board meetings. Now um and so we have an email that's going to go out. We're going to try to send it out tomorrow, but I want to give everyone just some highlights of it first. You know, we're going to define what a committee at a whole is, how this works. Um, we're also going to define the difference between a working section and an action meeting. You know, so working session being one where you discuss the topics, but there won't typically be action items and an
031action meeting where there will be a lot of action. Um, we're also going to talk about the fact that there may be action items at the working session because sometimes there are things that have to u be done or some things that make sense and policy is one of those. I'm going to explain that. um if there's critical personnel decisions or critical contracts that have to be um passed because of an emergency situation. Um those are things we would bring to you at a working session for action. But typically most of the agenda um I'm going to talk about the um you know if you see a call for a motion in second on an agenda that means it's an action item right? If you don't see that that means it's not because our working
032session agenda and our action session agenda is basically the same agenda or should be very close. And so the first agenda, you're not going to see a lot of call for a motion in second, but the second agenda, you'll see that on pretty much every item. And so that will be the distinguishing thing and I'm just going to try to explain that. And then we're going to give them resources on where to find our calendar for the year and also where to find our live streams and our minutes, this boarding stuff. So that'll go out tomorrow. Um, and that is all I have on my main report, but we do have our our report on harassment, intimidation, and bullying. And I can gladly say that we have zero incidents to report this month from the
033last time we met. And there is a call for a motion that I'll let Brendan do that there was three unfounded cases um that were reported to you um on the um >> January 27th >> January 27 meeting. Yes. >> Uh before the call for a motion, were there any just questions or clarifications on any of the report items? I was just curious the absence percentages um that are down which is great but is our is any of it possibly or could any of it be contributed to any enrollment uh changes as well uh from year to year has it shifted up or down and would that directly impacted at all or >> not by much. >> Uh our enrollment is pretty flat from last year to this year. Um maybe a slight decrease but
034nothing that would affect those numbers. I mean and to give you some indication. So um the date I don't have the data from last year but the last year that was reported on our school per performance report um I believe North was 12% and 40s was 21%. Right. So we went from 12% and 21% down to about 5%. >> Okay. >> So that's you know we definitely did not drop in enrollment that much. So >> great on that note I think the the year-to- date comparison is really useful. I think the total percentage right now that data is not terribly useful because we all know at the end of the year they're going to go out more absences >> sure >> than we in the beginning of the year right so I suspect that 4%
035and 5% were to creep up a little bit >> as long as they're under 10% >> agre definitely trending in the right direction >> and again the purpose of this was um you know we there's a there's a data point that's reported on our district and it's reported on all districts in the state of New Jersey called the chronic absentis rates um and ours were above that 10% you're above 10% % you know the state flags it and says um you have a problem right you have to do something about it we're not alone in this so this is not you know a problem in our district but it's something that we wanted to make sure we address because we've been talking about it for a couple years and I agree I you know I
036I hope we stay really steady on that five so that if at the end of the year when senioritis kicks in and um some of those other things when spring happens and we have a little more aptism that if we tick up to that six or seven I'll be happy as we're at >> um I guess and I don't know that this is something that you would see as a dividend of greater student attendance but I is there the potential to see an impact in a data point like um student performance um I guess the argument would be that for students who might be chronically absent greater attendance would result in better student performance but I don't know if at some point even at the end of the year that might be something to see
037if it if it impacts tax anything else >> you know that's definitely something you know the correlation I can definitely see there and and we can do analysis and that we're going to need the data though you know annual data probably do that um and then yeah that would be a great data point to compare if we can show that on our um common assessments you know or um you know state tests but state tests are as we've talked about they're fickle because they change right and they're constantly changing without us knowing what's changing um but we do have like like was reported last month the PSAT data >> right you know so that's we can um see if we can see some trends on as well. >> Any other questions or clarifications? All right.
038Um can I get a uh a call for a motion in a second to affirm the determinations on the HIV incidents reported at the January 27th, 2026 board meeting? Can I get a motion? >> Dan, can I get a second? Andrew, thank you. Um questions or clarifications? >> Question. So I guess we kind of discussed changing the verbiage on this a little bit to being in receipt of not affirming. Is that something >> are we are we going to move forward with that now or >> Well, I remember that was brought up I think yeah we did talk about that last week. Um so and I can't remember if the consensus was that >> was an issue or not and Phil I can't remember if you weighed in on because Rich, I think your point
039is that we were in receipt. Um, it was sort of the nuance between being in receipt of or affirming and sort of the board's responsibility to that. I think there was a consensus that in receipt of was um acceptable given the fact that the board may be may be sitting as an appellet tribunal for any party that wishes to appeal a an administration's uh determination of whether or not there is harassment, intimidation, or bullying. So that if the board were to for example modify at the at the first instance knowing that there's no appeal then that's going to change that that that that could that could change the very nature of that reporting without the benefit of the board knowing a lot more about that particular matter. I hope that made sense. I mean you
040Yeah. >> But I think if if I'm hearing correctly, what you're suggesting is the the language change would not be problematic in terms of any not responsibility that we'd have in process. >> Not at all. >> We've used this language because the anti-bullying bill of rights does say that the board needs to affirm, modify, or reject the findings. And so if we want to use different language, I'm okay with that. But I just want to make sure. >> Yeah. the the it if if you examine the the legal requirements, that's exactly what it says. And one can read the anti-bullying bill of rights act to suggest that it is the board's responsibility at the first instance to accept, reject, or modify. But that would mean that for every case that is reported to the board,
041the board would have to go into executive session, spend about two hours or so getting all the details about each case and and pouring over it. I don't think that was the intention of the law. I certainly don't think that's the intention of the board, nor is it most of the boards that that I represent. Some started that way and realized no this is not going to work right this isn't right. So just to assure you uh Dr. Bersjax and the board and the community in receipt of does not um in any way compromise the legal requirements under the law >> and Rich that was your point with simple just a clarity on that. >> Correct. Okay, Brian, >> I recall some discussion that was along the lines of um that we're it would require
042changing the words, but that we're affirming the process was correctly followed, >> right? >> Um that but affirming the determination does seem problematic without knowledge of right >> the details. >> Okay. So maybe we uh we sort of finalize a workshop on it and we look to put it in effect next month if the language all works. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Great. >> Any other clarifications? All right. Um so, uh can I get that motion? Uh and we did. >> Oh, we did. That's right. We're in discussion. Sorry. So, now we're to the voice vote. All in favor? >> Uh abstensions or opposed? Okay. >> Um, all right. School board president's report. >> Monthly reports are there. Just that's one thing I didn't mention. If there's any questions on monthly reports, um, I know
043there was a question about the suspension data at one point. Um, we are still monitoring that. I'm going to try to do that on, you know, at the end of the year so we can look at a bigger sample size instead of doing it monthto month, but um, it's something that we're talking about addressing. >> Sadly, I did note that caught up this month. Well, this month, but again, we've had other months where it like flip-flops the other way, too. And sometimes it's just a matter of how big those rules are. But we are paying attention to that. I just want to make sure that >> um so uh a few items here. One, I addressed briefly last week that the uh the evaluation process um is beginning for the year. Uh Dr. Burgess is
044in possession of uh his self-evaluation instrument which he will complete. Once that gets completed, it gets submitted to school boards and then they send an email out to us for us to individually access our evaluation tool. Um, and then the process follows from there that we submit, we put it all in, it gets compiled, and we bring it together towards the end of the year. I know it has to usually be done by July, before July. Um, where there's sort of a a summary put together for review and any discussion. Um last week also mentioned the uh regionalization grant feasibility study. Um wait is that the correct one? The regionalization grant. Yeah. That we are in the process of applying for with a handful of our sending districts. Um on a similar note uh we
045also did put out a communication to the sending districts to revitalize the president vice president roundt. Um, so some dates have gone out for next month and we're in the process of getting responses back. Um, I will look to uh to you to uh forward to me any thoughts or items to bring to that conversation. Uh, for a number of years that was happening uh a couple of times a year. It was a great opportunity for districts to come together to kind of talk about similar challenges uh problem solve similar um or find solutions um for for everything from staffing to district needs. I know a lot of shared services conversations came out of that. So, um really the first meeting will be starting it again and you know hearing from the sending districts as
046to uh some of their questions, concerns and needs, but we also get to bring to that conversation the things that we would like to discuss. So, um the wheels are in motion. So if you have thoughts or ideas um just send them my way and I will try to compile that so that in advance you have a sense of these are the things that um we'll be talking to and then uh Tara and I can can be there as as the reps. Um along similar lines we have received a communication from one of our senior districts to initiate some shared service conversations. Um, so that's something that um we'll brief you on a little bit more uh in in more detail. Um, but it's sort of um at the will of the board right now
047as an opportunity to have some some conversation with sending districts. Um, the last oh two more one is this week you have sort of a summary overview of um uh discussions norms. Wait, I don't this isn't the right one. Uh this is the this is the AI the school board report. Uh okay that one. Yes, you do have that one. Does everyone have the meeting agenda structure handout? >> I think it might be a different one because that's the one that we're looking for. This one was from the AI um or rather schoolboard report. Okay. So all right. >> Yeah, that would be great. So for new >> Yes. Um, something I wanted to bring to new business was that summary document of uh, norms, meeting procedures. That was the solicitation of all of your
048input. Um, I think it's been shared with you digitally, but I did want to have some conversation on it in new business this evening so that we can kind of firm those up and see if we're comfortable going forward with those practices. And the last thing, I think that is everything except for the dates. We have two upcoming meetings. Our work session is March 10th at 7 PM in the district office and then the adoption of the preliminary budget at March 17th uh 7 p.m. once again here in the district office. Okay, that brings us to our opportunity for public comment. Um during this portion of the meeting, the public is invited to address the board of education with comments. You are requested to sign the register provided and to state your name, municipality of
049residence, group affiliation if applicable, and direct your comments to the school board president. While all comments will be considered by the board of education, and a response may be forthcoming if and when appropriate, individual school board members may not respond to the speakers at the time of their appearance. The public comment period will be a maximum of 30 minutes in length unless there are unusual circumstances. You will be allocated three minutes to speak and no one will be permitted to speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. Please keep your comments respectful and non-defamy and maintain the level of decorum appropriate for a public meeting where students may be present and in the audience. So at this time I would like to
050open up for public comment. Okay. All right. Okay. Didn't didn't want to pressure you. >> Hi Karen. Go. Hi Bridge. Um, everything I'm saying is as a constituent and not as a schoolboard member. Um, see, some of the stuff I wrote doesn't pertain anymore because you are clarifying how the working meeting and the voting meeting is going to work. You really don't vote at the working meeting. Just just talk. Um, and um, but I did want to say, Mr. Lordy, I wanted to commend you on the questions that you asked and the insightful um, dialogue that you brought to the budget presentation last week. I thought that was really great. Um, and how you dug into that and yes, our enrollment is down, but costs for everything have increased. Um, my school where I work
051saw a 35% increase in health insurance costs. Um, so 20, you guys are doing pretty good. You're lucky. Um, teacher salary increases are bargained for. And, um, if you'd like to see them lower, I suggest that you ask to be put on the negotiations committee next time you guys go into collective bargaining. I'm not going to That's all I'm going to say though. >> Any additional public comment? >> Hi there. Good evening. My name is Marlin Baldinger and I'm a parent of a sophomore here at North. We love the school. It's probably the best school. With all due respect to our partner, the voice, we love it. It's terrific. And thank you, Dr. Burjs, for all the great work that you do. Um, I also happen to be a uh the council president of uh
052Lebanon Burough's Council. I've been on council for uh nine years and um prior to that, I was on the school board for four. So, I appreciate and I'm very grateful for all the work that you do. Um, and I think it's really very important that we have a connection between our school and our community. Um, and actually last year my daughter arranged a cookie hour where it was a a vote 16 cookie hour where um originally we were going to have the governor come, but uh since that didn't work out, she reached out to uh all our elected officials from all ascending districts. Um, she did email everybody in the north board. Thank you, Mr. Lordy. we really appreciated your presence and for being there and the kids do notice, you know, the participation and
053the involvement of the board. They care. It's really important that they see that the the board is interested in in their activities and what they do. Um so, um I I know we have four members that represent Lebanon Burough. I haven't met any of you personally, but I would like to invite you to come to our Lebanon Burough Council meeting or our Lebanon Burough school. Um, you know, we have a terrific bunch of kids that have really uh, you know, represented North very well across all avenues from academics to to sports to theater. My daughter's uh, Pinocchio and that's no lie and Shrek uh, tonight. So anyway, I just do want to thank you all. I I I look forward to coming and attending all your meetings and again welcome you to come to uh,
054Lebanon Burough. Thank you. Thank you. >> Any additional public comment? >> Good evening. My name is Marina Bartelli. I'm a resident of Franklin Township and uh the parent of two North grads. Um I just wanted to thank you all on the board for your time and your energy and your commitment to our school community and to our community at large. Um, I want to thank our student reps who um for participating and becoming engaged in the process and involved. Um, and um I just I appreciate a serious tone to a board of education meeting. Um, I feel confident that that can be achieved. um and to institute a way of working together that will move smoothly and evenly with an absence of grandstanding or ego or things like that. Is that my time? >> Oh,
055okay. Okay. Um I don't want to take up uh you know more time than necessary but um I also want to um speak my support for reading as part of education um my support for the right to read law and not looking for loopholes shall we say. Um, I've been a lifelong reader and in my lifetime of reading books, there are always things that a reader may a enjoy and agree with, but we also have to leave latitude that we can pick up a book and read it and go, uh, I don't agree with this or I like some of it, the rest of it, uh, maybe not. So I think that it's important particularly by the time we get to the teen years, high school age, looking at levels of development and things like
056that that there is a freedom and a latitude to pick up a book and read it and sort of decide what to what to absorb and what to discard. And I think that it's very fear-based and ineffective to feel like we need to police what young people are reading. Um once those those reading materials have been vetted by library associations, librarians who they themselves carry degrees in this. they're not just, you know, random people who like books and the Dewey decimal system. Um, so I give respect to the librarians as educators and our teachers as educators and um, you know, again, I would I would like to see a lot more freedom to read for our our young people and our high school population. Um, and I'm a parent and let me tell you, if
057you think that, and as a parent, I reserve the right to audit what comes into my own home, sure. But I'm not ever going to say that someone else's kid shouldn't read something or watch a a movie that their parents are like, "Yeah, we're we're cool with this." Um, but as as a parent of young adults, we have to understand too that there comes a point in time where we can give guidance to our kids, but if we think we're going to control, we're going to be losing that battle and it's just important. So, um, thank you so much and, um, I'm very probook. So, thank you for your time. Any additional comment? >> Okay. Uh, we're going to move on to curriculum, instruction, and technology. I need a call for a motion and second
058to approve agenda item 101 through 102. Can I get a motion and a second? Motion, Tara. A second, Andrea. Thank you. Uh questions and clarifications on the home instruction and professional consultants student services. >> There are no changes from last week. Correct. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um anything else? All right. All in favor? >> I oppose for extension. Right. Now we have our policy and school security. Can I get a call for a motion and a second to approve agenda item 11.1? Can I get a motion, Dan, and a second? Uh, Nicole, thank you. Uh, questions and clarifications. Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> I >> uh uh opposed or abstained. All right. Finance, Facilities, and Transportation. The call. Can I get a call for a motion? Second to approve agenda items 121 through 129.
059Can I get a motion? >> Andrea, thank you. And a second, >> Rich. Thank you. Um, all right. Questions and clarifications. >> I just had one question. I apologize because I wasn't here at the working session, but uh 12.4 for Katie the the change orders does that close out the contract for your way. Okay. Thanks. And I want to say that's a good thing because they those things tend to drag on for a long time. So it's great that they're they were very >> wrapping it up. Yeah. >> I have a question on 12.5 because it's new from the link wasn't there before. Are those um annual costs or onetime costs that will be exceeding that threshold? So those are not to exceed amounts. So we typically do not get near the um top threshold
060of that report. And this is a reapproval. We did have this back in August. Um the only thing that changed on this report from the first time the board saw it to now is the co-op contracts change over time. Um so they were rebid and we did update that column that has the co-op contracts. So we did not change the threshold and we didn't change the vendors. >> And this just gives us the opportunity to use them. Not >> correct. >> Doesn't mean we're definitely using them. It's an opportunity >> and historically Oh, go ahead, Brian. >> Just to continue that line of question, it's it's it's a per contract, I guess, like if we want one of these line items to do something. >> This is really an agg. >> It's really an aggregate
061number. So, if we were to use one of these vendors over five to six purchase orders, we may get closer to that not to exceed number. Um, but it's not one individual purchase order for that company. So, I'm just kind of giving you an aggregate tool >> in a year >> over the school year. >> Over a school, right? >> Other questions or clarifications? Rich. >> Um, on 127 the bills list since I can't get copies of bills prior to voting. um summon management solution 7800. Is is that related to the $1.8 million accounting discrepancy or is that for services of provided that are different unrelated >> because I can see the purchase. You have a check number that you're referencing >> because it's a check number order. >> It looks like it's 04990. >>
062Yeah, it looks like this is related to their services currently for the ABA opening that we have. >> Not sure what that means. >> Assistant business administrator. >> No, work related to the opening. That's correct. >> We have that vacancy. >> So they're so they're doing the work that's not being done because of the vacancy. >> Correct. Correct. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Other questions or clarifications? >> Okay. I don't know. I'm sorry. >> That's all right. >> 126 What is the 2026 NJBO annual conference? >> Is that related to my travel? >> Uh, I don't know. >> NJSBO. >> That's our annual conference for business administrators for professional education. >> Is that something that is optional or is that required? You like to answer that? >> Sure. I mean, all our conferences are
063optional. They're not required. Um, it's good practice for us to stay current with our industries to make sure we're providing services that um the rest of the state is providing that is consistent with best practice. >> Does the $1,255 is that is that just for the conference or does that include overnight? >> That's overnight. >> Overnight. >> Okay. And would there be travel? >> Yeah. >> And above and beyond that, >> all of these include um travel um accommodations and uh registration fees. >> Okay. So So I guess my question would be has it been considered to to commute to the conference relative to how the the wrestling team was offered a solution to commute to Atlantic City as opposed to staying for three nights >> at the conference? We haven't and and actually um
064the commute to Atlantic City from here and back um on the mileage that we that we would incur is um usually more expensive than the actual hotel. >> It's not. So it's about 20 miles uh if you do the government rate. I don't know what rate you're we're using. It's it's not. So I don't know if you want to that's something to revisit. And I did just if anyone's interested, I did go on the website cuz I wanted to read a little bit about this conference. So I won't I won't bore you with the details, but I have the agenda here. So it's 4 days, three nights. 13 hours of it is workshops. 26 hours is divided between yoga, breakfast, lunch, happy hours, dinners, and receptions. So double the time is spent on whatever going
065on there than the actual workshop. So, I would maybe ask if commuting to save money running could be could be looked at since it's I think just sends a really wrong message to the parents and our student athletes that they have to commute to Atlantic City, but we're providing hotel room for administration to go to the same to go to the same place. >> Wrong message. Yeah, I would I would point out that um there are certain allowances that allow for overnight accommodations, conferences that do and conferences that don't. School boards being one of the ones that that does. Um and we usually send one or two members each year as well. >> Um yeah, and we're all entitled to go um along the same lines of exposure to practices um what districts are doing.
066So there there's there's an educational component to that. >> To be to be completely fair, I I think everyone who is entitled to go should go. I just think the best practices should be aligned with what we're telling our students if they need to commute that maybe we should follow the same thing instead of getting rooms for administration, but they're not available for students. >> That's my opinion. Nicole, >> if I remember correctly, the topic of the overnight accommodations were brought up for the wrestling team. And I believe everybody on this board thought it was ridiculous to ask for um you know, I don't seem to speak for the board, but I think everybody made a comment that it was kind of ridiculous to ask our students to commute. I also think that it's kind
067of ridiculous to ask anybody to commute to Atlantic City. I've done that commute multiple times. I went to school right outside Atlantic City. It is not a fun commute at any hour of the day. And I was an adviser down there at that school for about a year and a half and made that hour and 45 minute commute at 11:30 at night and it is not fun. On top of that, I believe we did say that we would be providing overnight accommodations for the wrestling team this year given the situation and the and the and the discrepancy with communications. So, if we would look at giving the wrestling team those overnight accommodations, even though it was something that wasn't normally done for the school district to pay for that, I don't see a problem with
068us paying for our business administrator to stay overnight in Atlantic City and not having put her in danger driving back at all hours of the night for four days. >> And just Andrew, I thought you had Okay. Yeah, >> I just wanted to point out the math. I mean, it it's 240 miles, 220 each way, and at the current federal rate, that's $174. I don't know how much the hotel is, but I can't imagine it's that much more than $174 for travel. So, I think it's silly to to consider that. >> I agree. >> Other questions or clarifications? Brian, >> just to address the issue, I think it's a fantastic idea that we keep our business administrator up to date on training. >> Okay. >> Any other questions or clarifications? >> I just have one
069different question completely, different topic, but on Bill's list just about Brown and Brown, is that do they charge us monthly or is that like quarterly, annually, or anything like that? How how often do we get charged for their services for the um I know they're the broker for the >> monthly, but I'm not sure how much this check is for again if I can tell you how many months this is for. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yep. But I can >> could be multiple >> because I didn't see it on the previous month uh bills list from the prior month. So that's could be aggregate. >> So it could be in aggregate but I can I can follow up tomorrow. >> Just Yeah, it's okay. >> Yep. >> Thank you. So, the one I'm seeing there,
070it looks to be a single entry for 8,000. Um, and, um, >> it does sound like our monthly. >> Okay. >> And I would say, um, Rich, I know you shared, uh, some information regarding the presentation that I believe Brown and Brown was doing down at Flem Raritin. Um >> and uh yeah, it definitely paints paints a very stark picture of the challenges school districts face uh with what's going on with uh healthcare. Um obviously that's something that we probably may want to look into oursel whether it's the opportunity of um getting information. Um I I think it helps uh paint a picture to the public as to why districts are seeing the cost um spikes that we're seeing right now. Um and there was there was a lot of information there. Andrew, >> I
071will say on that video which was was really insightful. Um the one Oh, there's two takeaways. One, they're saying you know other districts are going up 30 35%. Which really means that they probably should have gone up more last year and this is really catchup. So, as much as 20% doesn't seem as big as 30, it might have been that we're paying we're paying more accurately currently. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I think Oh, now you had two. >> And the other point was um that he specifically said, you know, you know, our contract with Brown and Brown is we pay X% of our fees and just because it's going up 20% doesn't mean that we're going to keep that same percentage. We don't need we don't need that extra money, I believe, is where it's
072at. So I think when we do go up 20% we need to keep that in mind and try to negotiate down if we can our percent. >> You talking about the broker fees? >> Yes. The broker. >> So actually when we went up for RFP for Brown and Brown the way I structured the RFP was to get a flat fee from Brown and Brown instead of it being structured off of a percentage of our total health benefits. >> So we're already >> Thank you. Yes. >> And if I can, I I set this out on my update, but um for those of you that might have missed it, the Hunter County Association of School Administrators actually has um has arranged another virtual event with Brown and Brown. So, Jim will be there again on March
0733rd at 6:30. Um if anyone needs the information again, let me know. But I believe it was in my update this past week or the week before, I can't remember which one. But that's again a virtual event at 6:30. Um Jim will be talking a lot about the same things you did at Flemington Riden, but for anybody in the county that's interested, they did ask to limit it to four board members per board, but depending on the size of it, I'm sure it's a virtual event. Brian, >> so uh at an FFT event, uh committee meeting, I'm sorry, last year, maybe you remember the month Katie did arrange for >> this. I think the same gentleman wanted to present >> kind of a picture of our district. Now, that was >> several months ago when
074when the horizon was a little further away and so he wasn't as quite as sure, but that's when we had this warning could be as bad as 30%, guys. We'll see where where it lands. So, the somewhat good news again that we talked about last time 20% is less than 30, you know, so that's good. But if you want to get a little bit of a background about how our district fits into this, like it was specifically to us, the FFT meeting was recorded and and if we just remember the month, we can, you know, can go back and >> look at it. >> That >> he was, you know, it was the first he was first up and so it's the first whatever 20 minutes of that >> of that you that uh presentation
075that committee meeting. >> I know from that um that presentation I think one of the I was struck by the takeaway that I think it was about 6% they were talking about is basically dedicated to reclaiming losses from the prior year. Uh, so that's almost baked into recovering losses from the prior year. And I guess that's something that's in effect potentially in any given year as as part of the total. Um and uh I think you know the other things I'm cognizant of is there was that period of time and certainly Katie check me if I'm wrong where often um you know as schools were looking at different pools to be a part of and programs there was always some sort of savings to be had and it now seems like most of that has
076dried up. Those opportunities are not there in quite the same way. Um, and I remember from a number of years ago, you know, the percentages were single digits and something like a 7% or an 8% uh increase was was considered good uh back then. And obviously that it's just very different right now. Um so I do think this is one of those things where there is an educational component to that and um you know in as much as our work here uh whatever we can do to sort of communicate that to the public or promote resources that make um that a little more understandable to the public um given the challenges of the moment. Uh I anticipate that it's a conversation we'll see emerging from uh districts all around the county as they're each confronting
077their own version of this this particular challenge >> and it was November of last year. >> Andrew, >> I was just going to say it seems like this would be a topic of discussion for the round table, their sending districts. Uh just from what I've heard that I think they are all increasing >> a 20 or more% increase as well. And so that means that, you know, there's a gap for all of our on two levels for our taxpayers. >> Yeah, I think um we might be I don't know if we're going to be at a point where schools might have been sharing some preliminary budget figures in terms of um what is um what they might be facing as far as that goes. I mean, it's certainly a question we can ask to get
078that information so we get a bit a better sense of what exactly is the lay of the land and sort of where where we might stand in that. Sorry, one last thing. Just want to be clear, guys, so we're all on the same page on the professional development. I support it. I want everyone to go. I just think best practices should be the same for students and staff. That's all. >> Can I just clarify something? if it's best practices for students. No other sporting event gets hotel stays. So we're there's other sports that go to tournaments and other things that we don't cover. So if we're going to talk best practices, wrestling has been the outlier on getting something that none of our other athletes have gotten in the past. So >> um can I
079chime in on that as well? I I think inflating employee benefits and and professional development and school trips for students. I I don't think they're equal at all. Nor do I think the going back to last year providing parking for employees and providing parking for students. I think that's just not a equal comparison. >> Okay. I disagree. >> Any other questions or clarifications? Okay. All in favor? >> I abstain or oppose. Oh, >> I'm in favor of all standing from 125. >> I'm uh vote no on 12.2, 12.3, 12.6, 12.7, and 12.9. >> 12.2, 12.3, 12.6. >> Could you repeat? 12.7 12.9 and pardon me 12.8. >> Okay. So now we're 12.2 and 12.3 and 12.6 through 12.9. >> Correct. >> Okay. And you said that was now we're in. >> No. >> So based
080on one's email, you'll follow up. >> You will follow up. Yeah. >> There going to be additional steps have to take, but we'll follow up. Uh, all right. Um, we have community relations and student affairs. Uh, can I get a call for a motion and a second to approve agenda item 13.1? Can I get a motion? Motion. Motion, Dan. Thank you. And a second, Nicole. Thank you. Uh, questions, clarifications, discussion, overnight field trips. Okay. Uh, all in favor? I >> I >> opposed or abstension? >> No. >> All right. Uh we didn't have any delegate reports last week. I don't know if anything has changed. >> No, we don't have any delegates right now except for the unsung hero uh coming up on March 4th, Wednesday. It starts at 6. It's at JP Case from
081Middle School. And I I hope all of you can attend. Uh there is a registration that came in through email, but if you can't find it, let me know and I'll help you get registered to attend. >> What's the date again? >> It's Wednesday, March 4th at 6 o'clock at JP Case. Uh the jazz band's going to be performing. Um and it's a fabulous evening um of recognizing our our students that don't always get recognized. I assume it's in the an auditorium. It's going to be well attended. >> Yeah. >> Not in the library or whatever. >> Nope. Nope. In the auditorium and we'll have signs directing and then afterwards there's cape and refreshments. >> All right. Um can I get a call for a motion second to adopt resolution 022426-2 for an executive session
082to discuss matters reflected in the attached resolution? Board expects to be in executive session for approximately actually I'm going to say closer to 30 minutes. Uh and upon return to public session action will be taken. Can I get a motion? >> Some move. >> Andrea second. Andrew. Thank you. All in favor? >> Abstensions or opposed? No. Need a call for a motion in a second to um reconvene public session. Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Tara, can I get a second? Brian. >> Uh all in favor? >> I >> opposed or abstensions? None. Uh, can I get a call for a motion and second to approve agenda items 17.1 through 17.3 and to include hand carries if provided? Uh, can I get a motion? >> Andrea, thank you, Nicole. Second. Um, this
083is a roll call vote. >> Can I request a move for Cynthia? >> Oh, thank you. Yep. Okay. >> Sorry. >> Okay. So, in the in the interim, um I did, uh to Brian's point, the document, which was the feedback summary and decisions. I did just reshare through the board announce um email and I see a few folks are on to it already. So, you should see the the full two pages there for that. So, give you a minute to sort of access it so that we can discuss it a little bit in your business. >> Mine only has one page. No. Sorry, I know I actually know you well enough now to know that was a joke. Um, Cynthia, we are just um >> We were waiting for >> We're waiting for you. Yeah,
084we're at the um the roll. We're going to do a roll call vote for the personnel agenda and the executive session minutes. >> Okay, >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Chapman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Hley, >> yes. >> Miss Hints, >> yes. >> Mr. Lordy, >> yes. >> Mr. Matthews, >> yes. >> Miss Makappa, >> yes. >> Mr. Morgan, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> yes. >> Mr. Spanton, >> yes. >> Miss Stein, >> yes. >> And Mr. McKisen, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, under new business, uh if you recall, um the transition to a uh board of the whole um was obviously a significant undertaking for this group. Uh so we solicited input, ideas, information to how to best organize ourselves, sort of convert our practice from committee structure to
085a board of the whole. Uh I'm apologizing in advance for the 5-h hour meeting that we had last week and I will do my part to um you know some of the feedback to allocate things that we're doing so that you know some of the presentations and reports um we can find ways to to put them across the two meetings particularly if they're not um tied to action items per se but are just uh information that we are providing to the board. So I will certainly work on that to be respectful of all of our time. Um if you recall the feedback was on uh meeting and agenda structures. Um and that led us to sort of the ad hoc policy work that we have going on now. Uh second was board norms and some
086of the consensus that has come from that. These are this is all information that I think was initially shared about a month or so ago. So folks have had an opportunity to see it. Um this is I guess us just sort of officially bring it bringing it forward. Uh not that it gets codified into law or anything like that, but these are norms that we will do our best to uphold and honor. Uh, I think when it comes to norms, there has to be comfort in in in addressing norms, if um folks feel there's there's a violation of a norm and and having that conversation and again always trying to do our best in in managing that. Um, there was a question on on legal services. Uh, and obviously shifting to a board of the
087whole, especially for a board who traditionally has had legal counsel present at meetings. uh that entails an expense. Um so that was another question as to uh whether we wanted legal representation at all meetings or some meetings. Um and then uh liaison we've begun to establish some of that. Um we already have our delegate assembly. Stephen has agreed to do that. We have our sending district roundt. We had folks suggesting liaison to the PTA or CPAC. Um, you know, I guess that's a a conversation we can have going forward if those opportunities present themselves. And then some of the communication tools, we've already been employing the uh Google um form and doc as a way to sort of pull questions together so that we can all see them. We can see administration's answers to those
088questions. I have already found that to be very valuable and helpful. uh wherever we can put information um that it can bring clarity to our work is good. Um I think one of the questions on that log was even asked you know we have to be mindful of the questions that we're putting there and the answers that are there because that is all opraable also. Um so it is not a place for conversation it's for a question it's for an answer to better inform the work that we do at the meetings. Um so that's just a brief overview. I did not know if there were any particular dimensions of this information uh that folks wanted to discuss. My sense was we had seen it all. We were generally in agreement with what it was suggesting.
089Um I do see a little bit of an open question on legal service presence at meetings. So uh I don't know if that's a conversation we want to start now, we want to consider going forward. Um there seemed to be a suggestion there that it might be a situational um thing. I didn't want to make any move on that until we were comfortably into this work. Um but it's very much an open question for the board to decide. Um so I kind of just want to open the floor to particular questions or comments. Well, >> well, not having seen your prior format, um I I don't know why this new format would take so much more time, um more of the attorney's time than the old format, but I'll I'll take you at face value
090that it is. Um, I'm I'm wondering if anybody asked our attorney um ways that he may recommend um to cut back his time to keep it in line with um what was previously being spent on attorney's fees when you were in the other format. >> Yeah. So, just for the record, previously the attorney was only in was only present at the single monthly meeting. The committee structure was five committees meeting separately without an attorney. So that work is now getting bundled into our working sessions. Uh and previously our default was have to have the attorney present. Um but that's always at our discretion. Um I'll say as a board member over the years, North has traditionally tended to have attorneys at their action meetings. Uh the board I was on previously did not. Uh and
091I've seen different districts do it all different ways. But Maril, if I'm understanding what you're saying, you're saying given the fact that we have an additional meeting each month that could be several hours of work, um, are there suggestions from the attorney that would streamline that other than requiring full presence for both meetings? >> Does the attorney suggest ways that his time can be cut back? If anybody asked him, I don't know. >> Has not come up. This is our first time grappling with it. And Phil, I don't know if you, not to put you on the spot, not if if there are thoughts or ways that you've done this work with other districts. >> One of the philosophies that guide my representation of North Hunter for East Regional High School is that as the
092resources that should be going to this district are resources that benefit teaching and learning, period. And very often money that is allocated for legal fees takes away from those teaching and legal resources. We're living in a time now where there it fiscal um these fiscal times are very very challenging and so my um my feedback on that is as follows. Number one, uh they find that in schools, uh fewer kids get sick when the school nurse isn't there. Um that's one. Number two, um in a given board meeting, in a given public board meeting, uh I may spend as much as 5 minutes, 10 minutes of of feedback. Um so a suggestion that I would make is number one, I am always here when you want me here. Anytime you want me here, I'm here.
093case closed. Um, however, I can also be on call every time the board has a meeting, meaning that I will either be watching the meeting uh via Zoom, whatever, but not billing for the time that I'm watching the meeting. In other words, if something comes up that you need my immediate feedback, you know where I live and you know how to reach me. And so the use of of the board attorney could be limited to those instances where I am needed at that moment. And that's the only billing that you would have similar to when we speak on the phone. um if I'm doing something on a situational basis from day to day uh the the the charge would be the 3.4 4.8, you know, like whatever whatever the billable amount would be. But if
094it is the board's interest to um diminish the legal account as much as possible, save as much money wherever and however possible. I am all in on uh on a variation like that. uh if there's a hot button issue that the board anticipates for a particular meeting that you need the person who is here to be the lightning rod for those kinds of things. That's me and and I'm here at your beck and call. So I I'm totally I'm wide open to those kinds of ideas. >> Dan and Brian >> just a a so on that topic. So, um, what about, um, obviously if we have any kind of legal issue, whatever, that's going to be an executive session. Obviously, you you're going to be here for that. But if you weren't here and we're
095in executive session and something comes up, is it okay for the attorney to be on the phone in executive session? Is that that there's nothing against that, right? Okay. >> Nope. >> Okay. Just curious, >> Brian. My my thought is that because we've doubled the number of public meetings, but the length of the working meeting, I I don't think actually last working meeting is going to become an aberration. I think it's going to become more the norm that we might want to structure things such that we try to not have a three-hour executive session, you know, on the very, you know, add six complicated legal issues. Let's structure our business such that those happen at the action, you know, we try to where possible funnel those towards the the action meeting, okay, >> to try
096to get them out of so far out of whack, right, in terms of how much time we're here. >> So that I think it we it would naturally make sense to have a base case always open to different to changes when needed. base case would be have council for our action meetings and not for what amount to a collection of our committee meetings when we didn't have them the council before. >> Okay. Thoughts on that? The idea of action meeting presence uh and I guess uh as needed or if needed identified otherwise. I think that's what I'm hearing but the default is not for the work >> as much as possible. session rather, you know, if we have a >> when possible. Sometimes the timing won't let you wait another week. >> Right. Okay. >>
097Right. >> Yes. >> Much to Brian's surprise, I agree 100%. >> Thank you for the warning. >> So, I think >> so keep you in suspense there. No, but I think um uh if yeah, if we keep it for the regular meeting and and and the attorney is could be on call, why not? >> Yeah. >> Well said, Brian. >> All right. So, we'll plan on that to go into effect next month and we'll see how it works. And if if I may, if there is a need for inperson for executive session only, I will just come for executive session only. >> Okay. >> On those days, if we do need him for executive session, would we be able to do executive session first? >> I don't know. I think sometimes it's situational or >>
098Yeah. I mean, in the past, this this board actually did function like that for a long time where we would open board meeting, go to executive session, especially whenever we wanted to, then come out and do regular board um business. You know, the only disadvantage to that is our public, >> right? >> So, obviously there um you know, we we could schedule an executive session. I know boards that do it where they schedule an executive session from 6:00 to 7:00 and then start their public board meeting at 7:00. that sort of time limits you in executive session as well. But those are um again we could really structure it any way you wanted. >> But that's another strategy. >> I mean just to cut down on like he wouldn't have to sit through the entire
099regular meeting. >> Weren't you just saying you'd just come for executive session so you wouldn't show up at 7? >> I would not but he doesn't know when that's true when that would be. >> So we're moving faster than we thought. I'm >> 35 minutes away. >> Okay. and really practically speaking, um you could we zoom you in or just call you in and we could get the same advice, right? >> Yeah, of course. >> And and I I also wanted to say thank you for um you know, being on call means you're available. >> Yes. >> Means you're not out doing something else. And I think I heard you say you're not going to be billing at all for your on call time. No, if if you need me during my all I mean,
100believe me, I'll have things I'll be I got stuff to do. So So if you need me, the billing would only be for that, >> right? Pick up the phone. So that could cut down >> significantly the cost of board meetings, >> right? >> Yes. >> One last thing. I mean, I think this is a good like foundation, but I would say also use your discretion. Like, I don't want you to feel like you're boxed in because it's a working meeting. I think if you think that you need Phil there because you know, maybe be privy to things that maybe we're not, >> by all means. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> I don't want you to feel boxed in by us having this conversation, >> right? Okay. Thank you. Good point. >> All right. uh
101other uh other topics or other areas that anybody wanted to surface or clarify um on any of the other whether it's norms agenda structures obviously we've been moving in some of that direction uh the ad hoc folks will continue with that work uh and coordinating with Rich to set up our next set of policies to review and bring forward. So that process will begin. Um, anything else that anyone else wants to highlight or clarify? >> I'm not on this, but general. >> Oh, okay. No. So, we can put this to bed if people are feeling that's good and we'll adjust if needed as we go. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Nico. Cool. Um just to go along with um the board norms the their bullet point of respecting and sharing the floor. Please be mindful of
102tone and um words used and that sort of thing. I would just like to put that out there. Um, you know, this board has had very difficult times in the past with respect and tone of voice and just the an attacking rhetoric and I don't want it to devolve into that. So when we're giving our voices, I would just like us all to be mindful um in meetings and and such that we're all here because we have the same goal and that is to help the students um and just be respectful in the way that you share your opinion um you know with with everybody. And I I would say the reverse of that is the comfort in drawing attention to norms. Um and I'll just use as an example. Um my one daughter always
103thinks I'm yelling at her, but I do not think I'm yelling at her. And when she says, "You're yelling at me." I need her for I need for her to tell me that because I clearly don't see it that way. But the reminder is good. Uh, Andrew. >> Um, oh, did you >> Oh, concern. >> I just want to say an unusually snowy winter. Um, I just wanted to say thanks. I know there's probably a lot of extra work that went into getting our schools open and ready for the past two snowstorms. So, I think uh as parents, we all appreciate that that our students were in school as much as possible. So, >> thank you. We're on >> I'm sure there might be on call, but >> spring cannot come quick enough. >> Exactly.
104I do have uh one question um just for clarity for point of order and maybe the board attorney can help clarify that. Uh when um point of order is used at a meeting, can you define exactly give an example of what that should look like and what that is when somebody says point of order? point of order under Robert's rules has a uh kind of a an exalted uh uh status as is supposed to stop everything that's going on here. What the member has to say is talking about usually some very serious concern about the propriety of a process that's occurring at that point in time. And it no matter what's going on at the time uh it is according to Robert's rules uh designed to kind of stop allow that discussion to take place
105about whatever the point of order is and then based upon that discussion it would resume but it's normally about a serious concern about the process that is occurring in terms of uh how the board is is acting. >> So decorum how it's acting. >> Uh it it can it can Oh. Oh. Can it be can a point of order be aimed at the quorum issues? Sure. >> Sure. >> but not only there's other things that I mean >> so if you're off topic basically then point of order to redirect point of order to get back on topic of the agenda. >> Correct. Understanding that the board president runs the meeting and is responsible for making sure that we stay on task, stay on topic, etc., and giving the president the opportunity to exercise that. But
106if if there's a point at which I mean I I think we've had a couple since I've been here. >> Um, >> well, we had one at the last meeting. I was just a little I wanted clarity. um just to ensure that it was a topic that was on the agenda and perception could be that it was trying to stop or maybe time of essence. I wasn't quite sure and I wanted clarity as to why the point of order. >> Yes. >> But I just wanted clarity just >> what but I Oh, I'm sorry. I was speech attorney. >> No, no. Okay. >> Sorry. I just want to clarify what what was the the topic that I didn't think we had a point of order. >> No, we did. >> We did. >> I wasn't
107I was watching, but I saw >> it was whatever the one was to uh ask if we could have a vote to end to stop the debate. So, we had right to >> to debate. It wasn't I don't think it was important. It was a decorum. It was to say that >> I was call to sort of end debate. >> I didn't question. I didn't believe it was a question. I guess it is a call to question. >> Okay. Sorry, >> right. We voted on that. Correct. It wasn't as though a board member um uttered that and everything came to a halt. So there was a decision made around that motion if you will. >> The calling the question required a twothird vote >> to correct >> which I believe is different. >> I don't
108remember what word you used but I interpret it as calling the question >> which is like okay the debate is we're rehashing >> what we >> one reason to do that would be we're rehashing the same arguments over and over again. Let's and it's, you know, 11:30 or whatever. Let's let's vote. And we had to vote to call the question. >> Correct. >> Which is different. There is a Robert Jules order for point of order, >> which is kind of like, are we talking about the right stuff here? Right, >> which I'm very clear point of order. I just want clarity. >> Yeah. when if if I may uh rule 23 of Robert's rules of order 11th edition point of order when a member thinks that the rules of the assembly are being violated. he
109or she can make a point of order or raise a question of order as it is sometimes expressed thereby calling upon the chair for a ruling and an enforcement of the regular rules. Now um Robert's rules of order are most applicable to large bodies such as senates, houses of representatives, etc. Um there is language in Robert's rules which speaks to um with with some exceptions um to uh a relaxation of the uh literal translation of Robert's rules as it applies to to boards such as yours simply because you are um relatively small and and Robert's rules consid considers 12 and under tend to be a a smaller board. Uh I have also found that um Robert's rules can often be used as a weapon um in contentious times amongst board members u and and while
110I think it's an excellent guide to to quorum issues, order, you know, etc. Um there is a a 1980s commissioner of education decision which says that Robert's rules of order cannot be used to circumvent the education laws. So if the board needs to do something um in accordance with title 18A or 6A and someone is claiming that Robert's rules then the the statute and the regulation always takes precedence over that. But that's Thank you. >> Any last questions or clarifications? >> I just want to bring up this is also old business. Just as a request again to somehow indicate um when we've already hashed through something through from the working session and once it gets to this today's session that it's unchanged or or vice versa that to flag for us things that have changed
111almost like because we have we are starting with a the working session has the same agenda >> right >> with you know that doesn't we aren't saying it has to be identical But we're basically trying to get it to be, you know, the working session and this session had the similar agendas, but some items changed and it would just be um useful in terms of people, you know, going back to the preparing for this meeting to know, oh, there's four things that I need or five or six that I need to look at if I've already looked at them last time. >> Okay. It's it's a more work I understand and otherwise it's going to end up I guess you'll just end up asking the question like Andrea did today. >> I know I'm not
112supposed to >> Okay, but um this is beyond where you if you highlight it shows whether it was changed or not. You mean attachments or no? >> Yeah, I mean if there's an attach there's an attachment and you start click it says this hasn't changed since the last time you looked at it. or at least mine does. >> Mhm. Yeah, they're Yeah, they do. >> I think >> at the bottom it'll say no changes since you last viewed or changes, >> but I mean I feel like >> Brian, your point is still valid in the sense that um when there are changes, you know, draw attention to the changes. >> All right, >> I'm looking somebody even told me about that and I already forgot. Sorry. Um, can I get a call for a motion
113and a second to adjurnn? Can I get a motion? >> Second, Brian. All in favor? >> I opposed abstensions one. Uh, I want to thank our super fans in the back still and have the knitting projects proceeded. Thank you and have a good night.