001Good evening. I'd like to call to order the January 22nd regular public meeting. Mr. Jones, please call the role. >> Mr. >> Here. >> Mr. Bandic >> here. Bro >> here >> Williams >> here president please rise for the pledge of allegiance flagg 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 Couple of additions to the agenda. Superintendent report. Dr. M. >> Thank you. I just would like to highlight a couple of things that are in the agenda tonight. One being the the school calendar for 2627. Um just some some things to note on the creation of that calendar. Both staff and students are returning before Labor Day. So that's that's a new addition. Um the first week
002of November, schools will be closed for fall recess. Um we voting occurs in four of our schools that week creating security concerns and it's also the teacher convention weekend. And during that week classically the attendance is very poor. We have from 500 to 900 students who don't attend on that Wednesday. So it's just a very disrup disruptive it's a very disruptive week. Um winter break falls in such a way that there are seven vacation days again as it was this year. So um that that gives us you know days off at that time and that's often a driver of a later ending. Um, we continue to value the sacred days of our community with a day off for Eid, a five-day March spring break that includes Good Friday, and two days for Passover in April.
003All of this brings the last day of school for students and graduation to June 24th and a flex PD day for the staff on the 25th. So we will be sending the the district arrow with the that we'll be sending the the calendar out with bright arrow to the community with you know an explanation of the calendar. So um creating the calendar is probably the least favorite thing that superintendents do. We don't do it in isolation. We do look at what other districts are doing. Um you we were aligned with Westfield and that gave me great joy because we were both ending in the same week. But then Westfield had to modify it because they have to close because they have all of this construction happening. So they're starting even earlier than us. But the
004good news for us by starting the trend of starting before Labor Day and having you know the SPF SPFA agreed with that that sets us up for the future as well. So, I think there's there's much to celebrate in this calendar except for the late ending. Sorry. So, we're uh ramping up our budget process now for committee report, but I think it's just worth noting the majority of our costs are through payroll, of course, and you know, we with the enrollment increases, we we've had to um make difficult decisions with staffing um that we continue to look at uh as we as we bring on staff. look at potential ways and what we can do on on the back end of that. Um healthcare I think you know the state health benefits plan came out
005this year and this is for municipal district municipalities and the increase is 30%. So it's pretty crazy to see that he of an increase in health benefits um 30%. Um, luckily for us, we did switch our um, health insurance last year to Sigma and we were negotiate a uh, a cap this year and a second year because we're worried that, you know, last year they sort of they want to bring you in at a lower rate and they raise it the next year. So, we have a the highest it will go will be uh, 15%. Our broker said that that's one of the lowest that we've seen. So, we're sort of lucky that way, but it's still 15%. Massive. Um, you know, of course, the transportation, you know, um, is is a big one for
006us. And although, uh, the increases have stopped, we're still, um, 150 160% higher than we were 5 years ago, um, in transportation and we'll most likely have to um, add a route for next year. And those routes are uh, they're actually for 100,000 per route. So, uh, and they hold max 52 students, you can. It's a very, you know, the district, you know, it's about 16 or 17,000 per student. Uh, 2,000 of that fee for busing. So, uh, it's a fairly significant cost. So, um, we're ramping up on the budget and, uh, you know, it's a lot of work and a lot of hard decisions, but, uh, um, I think we'll come out in a good spot. Anyway, and then my grand is uh, moving along. We have updates on our website. So, um, the
007second phase of construction has started. Um there's a lot of uh working on the floors and the walls and ceilings. Those are there today. So things are going uh well and feel good. That'll be we'll be ready to go ready to go next year. [clears throat] Board President New Jersey public meeting law enacted to ensure the right of public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which this is affecting their interest to discuss or actively according to provisions of the sacred by having a date time posted education offices located at 313 South Avenue New Jersey notice forward leader formerly county hall historic discuss notice meetings as adopted April 24 Hi so we are basically halfway through the school year So, it's very exciting. Um, congrats to the recipients
008of the Governor's Education Educator of the Year award. We truly appreciate everything that you do and your hard work does not go unnoticed. And on that note, we'd like to share a little bit of appreciation towards some of the teachers that we had this year and who we truly admire and value as well. So, I'd like to start off with um my AP hero teacher, Mr. Sack. Um, he really just makes um the content so entertaining with his lectures and M who was um a governor's educator of the year um this year and I'll never forget how fun she made learning Spanish in a special shout out to my life teacher Mr. ner and my gov and law teacher Miss Ol for being such dedicated teachers who make what could be really stressful classes actually
009enjoyable and engage for everyone. Um and my report um we are officially back for winter break and we're about a month into the new year and a couple weeks ago our school's delegation went to the model conference in Christian Pennsylvania um over 80 students were delegates at this year's conference to debate global issues in different ities and our school won premier delegation and a few of our delegates were honored with awards including Dugall who was premier delegate in her committee and was selected as one of 25 delegates to go to the conference on national affairs this summer along with Gabrielle Serriani who is a senior at her school and served as the chair of the world health organization this year also Grace and Sabrina won outstanding country for representing Japan Alia Abadra won outstanding country
010for representing Columbia Fisher won their country for representing Egypt and Noah Lieberman won outstanding first year delegate in the historical security council as well. So congratulations to all of them conference and I know I have. Um on January 15th our school hosted college planning night to help juniors with the college application process. And in terms of clubs and activities, our school is starting a math honor society chapter for those who really excel in math. And applications for that are due in February. And currently, juniors are in the process of kicking out their classes for senior year and securing all of their course recommendations. Um, all right. And so, as for sports stuff, recently our SPF boys swimming team secures their first victory over Westfield in 14 years. That's pretty crazy, guys. Wow. And the boys
011and girls wrestling teams have won all of their matches so far. Um, our boys team tonight just won their Union County tournament earning first place in the conference. So, also pretty huge. And our ice hockey just won against Hanford. And our boys basketball team won against Westfield in a nailbiting tiger 44 to 43. So, pretty crazy for sports. Um, our school participated in DECA's district conference. A lot of participants got honorable mentions um in their events with some even placing in the top three like Chery, Jane Fischer, Alex Chung, Izzy Hoffman, Ula Don Maja, Danny Burke, and Garrett Su. So, congratulations to them. Um we also hosted our super sports Saturday. So, thank you to the PTA. We had a great community event with local vendors and it exposed kids to a variety of different
012sports they wouldn't necessarily get a chance to try and the money that was made went towards scholarship. So, thank you to you guys on the PTA. Um, and we have breakfast with the bands this weekend taking place 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the cafeteria where five school bands will be performing and the tickets are now out for sale for $10. Um, proceeds go to Rotary Club and SPF music concerts and lapses. Just reminder to buy your tickets for guys and dolls because they are limited and they will sell out. And yeah, that's basically our report so far. >> Thank you. >> Instructional updates have the PTA as >> well. First, I'd like to welcome Jason and welcome John to the board. Congratulations to both of you. It's an honor to be working with obviously
013everybody else but good evening everybody my name is Susanna Yorkland I serve as the president of the PTA council and I serve as primary liazison between our schools PTAs and the administration office if you didn't know but January is the annual school board recognition month in New Jersey it's a time to raise public awareness of the roles and responsibility of local boards of education New Jerseys local boards of education play an essential role in students lives Board members oversee 580 school districts which in turn operate 2500 public schools and provide educational services to nearly 1.4 million children. They set the policies for schools and make important decisions affecting curriculum financing and staffing. Back in 2010, the council initiated a tradition of honoring our board of education for their countless hours of dedication to serving our
014community and contributing significantly to our children's education. Here in SPF, we're fortunate to have a board that acts as advocates for our students, collaborating with parents, teachers, and school administrators for the betterment of public education. Furthermore, from a personal experience for me, over the past six years serving on the council, I've had the priv Getting to know the board members, not just professionally, but also personally, I've come to truly appreciate their dedication and hard work, especially as a fellow volunteer. Like them, I understand the commitment it takes to give time to the community. Their efforts aren't always easy, but their willingness to contribute is commendable. On behalf of the PTA Council and the Scots Fair PTAs, we extend our thanks and would like to present you which are being made. So, one of our vendors
015that came to Super Sport Saturday, um, she makes shells that have Raider symbols on them under um, so they're in the process of being made. Um, we just didn't have tonight at first, but um, that you all can see, but I'll drop them off at the board of uh, board office, but that's just a token of our appreciation uh, everything that you all will do, not just for the community, but even to support the PTA. You know, the last super sports I had, the vendor reached out to me. They were really impressed with just the school, the community, and the PTAs and all that. And it comes from a lot from this room here. So again, thank you and congratulations to all. >> All right, moving forward to our first public comment. In accordance with
016Scott and public school bylaw 01640165, the meeting will be open for 15 minutes for public comments. Maximum three minutes remains for speakers. Speakers addressing superintendent at this business function are the board business will be here first. If I remain, speaker may address on the matter. Speakers statement only in the town which you reside. Please note boards will use the public is an opportunity to listen to citizen concerns about the committee issues and enter question and answer session or crossexamination between the public and individual members. Be aware that while issues brought before the board will be resolved that evening board may respond to public comment by seeking additional information but by delegating the authority to investigate the issue to the superintendent board. So with that I will be first public comment. You want to come to
017the podium and please state your name and the time which Seeing no one, I will move on to letters to the board. We received 13 emails from the public and they were sent to me administrator. We'll now move over to committee reports. finance committee report a few things as some of it said but um regarding the school kindergarten there will be some configuration changes in the school which will enable the fifth grade to remain in school one starting there's a proposal um on the the agenda to get price pricing to increasing uh egress as many handable schools due to school capacity. Um we did go over the budget um as Mr. Jones had said the health benefits it was um less increase from previous years but you have do have good experience but it's still
018higher than this year. the special ed in increase in previous years, but there is an increase. Building grounds, we won't have as large of an increase, but an unknown is our garbage and recycling bins. The last three the last increase was two years ago and it was at 20%. Um, in transportation, it also is in line with past increases and we may need an additional bus runner and right now we're reviewing all transportation routes to most effective that way. Um technology we have an increase in that due to enrollment. Energy costs are expected to increase by 30%. Um with these increases and cost we have some revenue issues. Um extraordinary age or special education is estimated as being flat which actually causes a $500,000 shortfall due to the rising cost. Um interest income is expected
019to be 300,000 less less than previous year. interest rates. Um there may be an allowable tax increase above the 2% for enrollment but it will will most likely be very small and the state will most likely have so I I would like just to emphasize one of the points of that report because we we know that for next year the fifth grade will be remaining ing at runner. So that's for 26 and 27. And the following year, our goal is to have enough room in both evergreen and school one to keep the ever to keep the fifth grade in those schools. So that's that's the reason for the for the configuration, etc. So you know, as we did with Brunner, we're going to have parent meetings, etc. to um you know, to talk about what
020that means. But we know that the um biggest concern of the Brunner parents was that they were the first at le. So I I think as the roll out continues bring the fifth grade back to the elementary that it it will become um more of a a very positive feeling because I do think a lot of parents are are delighted for their kids to stay in elementary school. Thank you. I have the curriculum committee report. The curriculum committee met on January 13th. Um I just want to welcome both Jason and John to our committee. So um we welcome them as part of the phone call meeting. And um the next agenda item um we had the the fortune to discuss yet another kind of research partnership that um I feel like I' I've spent the
021last few meetings discussing initiatives that our teachers are involved in um with outside collaborations um in order to enhance their instruction and benefit our students. So again, this month we heard from um a STEM supervisor, Miss Lockwood, and Miss Belu, who is a science teacher at the high school, who were discussing a partnership that that they are engaged in um with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and and Ruckers University. Um and they described to the committee their participation in a program called detect which is developing teachers epistemic cognition and teaching practices for supporting students epistemic practices with scientific systems by saying that um and we've been part of this program since 2019 and the goal of the program is to develop students epistemic cognition and increase their interest and skills in evaluating
022scientific phenomena. not through improved epistemic performance. Um so what the project entails it is uh teachers receive professional development. Um the they are provided with curricula that guide small student groups through lessons about biologic phenomena where they can test hypotheses and engage in scientific argumentation with with peers and then the teachers receive observation and feedback. Um and in this way the idea is that students develop understanding of evaluating scientific information and transferring the information in the public sphere. So one of the curricula actually that they talked about was um like evaluating the uh energy evaluating energy. So they try to make the phenomena relatable to students um and like um the advantages the the disadvantages of energy drinks and evaluating them from a scientific perspective. So um that was an interesting collaboration to hear about.
023The next agenda item was um Dr. McGarry talked to us about upcoming professional development which he often does. So there is February professional development day uh when the students are not in school and staff is in school and he talked about that in the morning. Um all staff will be looking at AI and AI literacy. There will be a keynote presenter that everyone will hear and then there will be like 26 six different breakout sessions that are all related to various um topics on AI. Um and then the afternoon we'll switch gears and focus on the transition to the Danielson framework uh the 2022 framework. Um, and just for th for those that don't know, um, the Danielson framework is a researchbased structured model for understanding, analyzing, and improving teacher practice. It gives the teachers
024a common language and set of expectations about effective teaching. And so the the 2000 2022 update continues um the focus on instructional improvement while emphasizing equity, social emotional learning, and whole child considerations in teaching. So that should be um a really beneficial professional development day for our staff. Um Dr. McGarry also updated us that he has volunteered his free time to uh evaluating state assessments for bias and sensitivity. And um this will have an added benefit for the district because it will give him a sense of what what um our students can expect on upcoming state assessments. So, uh we want to thank him for taking his own time um in in providing that service um for the state assessments. [clears throat] Thank you. Um and the last agenda item we talked about um the
025price of silence which um was a documentary that was screened um by it was screened uh in 2023 and it was offered to the community. Um, and the documentary, it's the search for freedom in New Jersey, and it it looks at the history of New Jerseyy's kind of hidden history with slavery. Um, and I know I attended in 2023. It was very very interesting and engaging. And as part of the screening, there's als there's a panel um and we had a Q&A with the filmmaker and those involved in researching and creating and appearing in the film. And so we're the film is going to be screened again and I think there's an additional part to the film and there will be again that Q&A with the panel. So that will be February 12th and more
026information will be sent out about that. Um and do we know where that's taking place? >> Terrell Middle School. >> At Terrell. Okay, that will be screened at Terrell. So, look out for information about that. And our next curriculum committee meeting is on February 10th. >> Thank you, Mr. Arian. Any other questions? >> All right. Any other committee reports? None. Okay. Uh enrollment [clears throat] report was provided. Uh superintendent items, Dr. Mass. >> Okay. One is the out of district placements. Two are the HIV reports that we've reviewed on December 18th. Three [snorts] are our field trip requests. Four is the memorandum of agreement with our law enforcement officials. Five is the revision of the 2526 calendar. Um, there was a typo on that calendar saying that we had three emergency days and we actually
027only have two, which we might be using one of them on >> Monday. Um, on the on the next is the um the 2627 calendar that I talked about in my opening remarks and the 2627 employee calendar. Eight is the personnel report that we discussed in exec and those are my items. >> Do we have a motion? >> So I'll move. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Do we have comments or questions? >> Yes. >> I have questions. So some of the feedback I heard and of course we recognize the the desire for school to end a little earlier, right? We saw what happened last year uh with the heat and I know that we're trying to address that again this year. um knowing of course that we can't make everybody happy
028cuz when u the other towns around us started publishing their dates of course we all got phone calls I'm sure asking us when our calendar will be published um some people excited to know it's starting earlier some people not excited to know that it's starting earlier but they asked the question and it just it's something that that was brought to my attention so is there a reason or can we publish the calendars many years in advance two or more so that we give folks an opportunity to plan uh for vacation time, camp, various things so that they're not surprised kind of within the calendar year that this comes out. >> So I I love that comment. >> I can actually take that. Okay, >> Mr. President. Uh so yeah, one of the issues is that
029boards of education can't bind future boards. So this board can't take an action that doesn't start or have effect when this board won't be the board of ed. So the reason why you're doing the 2627 calendar is because the people who sit here will still be in the board come the 2627 school year, at least the first half of it, right? But you will not be the board of education. You might be the same people. Every time you organize in January, you're a new board. Uh you can't take something that doesn't you can't enact something now that does not take effect until calendar year 27 or 28 or 29 because that'll be a different board of education even if it's the same nine people um because you organized in January. So that was my but
030that was my answer. My my glib trivial answer to the folks who have talked to me is I don't know. I said that's a good question we'll ask and let's find out. I said there may be a reason why we can't do it and there. >> So I do think though we could we could certainly um look at a draft calendar that has potential for approval and we did start doing that work because because of the reason that you're saying like I've heard that feedback too. Um it would just have to have a a caveat that you know things could change. That's actually what happened in Westfield this this year. They they had approved two two consecutive calendars and then they had to make a revision. >> Y >> that's [snorts] good. Thank you. >>
031And just a question on the calendar will be put on the website >> Tomorrow we'll send out a a bright [clears throat] arrow. Got >> it. And then school just correct. I did read it of course, but when is school starting for this coming semester? Uh, September. >> September 2nd for for students. >> Great. Got it. Thank you. >> Mr. Jones, can you Oh, any other comments? Sorry. >> Mr. Jones, can you call the RO? >> Yep. >> Miss Barb, >> yes. >> Mr. Benedict, >> yes. >> Miss Brody, >> yes. >> Mr. Greenblat, >> yes. >> Dr. Kolcowski, >> yes. >> Mission, >> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Murray. >> Yes, we have quum. Motion passes. >> All right, we're going to move over to the business functions. Mr. Jones. >>
032Okay, so number one, staff training. Uh number two, related services, special education student. Three, we'll come back to uh number four is the grand new parking lot lights. Number five, it is architect approval to start to design the third floor of Lrand for classrooms. Number six is a creating a communication link from Lrand to the Fanwood Police Station, similar to what we have with Scotch Plains. Number seven, as we mentioned, it's a an egress capacity study at Nettingham. Number eight is a district-wide capacity planning for our architects. And they'll, this one's interesting because they'll provide um three options for us. Uh one option being uh a base case of using our ex existing space. Another one where we would do minor uh additions and another one where we would um go all the way to
033meet the DOE uh official definition of uh uh that we're at. We have uh capacity available. Uh number nine is we discussed that's the uh proposal for um for school one alterations uh to be able to keep uh fifth grade uh at school one. Uh number 10 is a generator replacement at Terrell. Number 11 is just uh standard uh every year if uh certain funds aren't spent, we're allowed to carry them over to the next year for federal funds. That's what this is. 12 is for uh non-public. Uh so for non-public [snorts] schools, we have to um we have to uh we're responsible for the budget for those schools and we work with the um Union County Ed to uh to do that work for us which we pay a fee and this but we
034have to approve their spending plans that's attached. Uh 13 fire drills, 14 financial reports, 15 dispersement listings. Uh 16 is our bills. 17 is authority for me to approve change orders. Um and that's just um in order because of the to not we need to move projects forward to not wait. Um for example, we have one that's upcoming to remove some additional wire that wasn't in a scope. It's you know uh it's like $10,000, but we have a contingency in most of our projects for you know 700,000 for changes. So, it's things that are minor uh in order to not uh hold up the project. And this is a standard uh resolution that we just haven't had it because we haven't had as many major projects as we have going on right now. Uh and
035number 18 uh was an ad uh that was this is for package number two. So, just a quick reminder on the referendum the way we did it the way it was seen different items for the referendum. First one was buying Lrand. Uh then we already put out the bid our package number one. Package number one was for uh so we know we're replacing electrical in all the schools. Some are more difficult than the others and so we already did package one which is the easier electrical upgrades and they're not as uh big. Um so we put those out and so we already did approve this for package one. Um and then package this this service here is to do asbesus testing for the package two which is a bigger package which is like Carol Nettingham
036the high school. Um, and so we're required to go in and do uh an asbestous survey before we put together the bid package. And so this is part of that and of course was in our budget for the referendum. So but in order to move keep things moving uh we added >> and now >> so you're going to go back to so three is the I want to I want to approve the motions and Dr. McGary is going to give us a >> brief QAC overview. >> Sure. Briefly I want to approve the >> We'll do approvals first. Okay. Yeah. Got it. >> So, just three is CQAC. So, do we have a motion to approve the business functions? >> So, moved. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Any comments on any
037of the business functions that Mr. Jones went through before I pass the mic over to Dr. McGary to talk about QAC? >> Sure. So after spending 10 months on pins and needles, um we recently learned that our district has again been officially designated as a high performing district. Following our 2025 NJAC review, we exceeded um the threshold um the the state has like an 80% threshold for compliance in in five different categories and we exceeded them in all five categories. Um they are governance um and congratulations to this board of education for scoring a perfect 100% in all of those indicators. Operations 97% fiscal management 94% personnel 93% and instruction and program 86%. So I'll talk a little bit about the IMP re review. The instruction program review it's really divided into two distinct categories.
038One is student achievement which is indicators 1 through 7 and curriculum and policy which is are which are indicators 8 to 19. Um and the points that we earn in those are in in six of those points are earned based upon outcomes on student um assessments. So the district earned all available points for the indicators under direct under our direct control specifically the curriculum and the policy sections. These indicators, I think, verify that our curriculum is aligned with the New Jersey student learning standards, that we maintain compliant tiered systems of support, and that we meet all statemandated uh reporting requirements. As I said, the points that were deducted were derived exclus exclusively from the quantitative student achievement indicators that we reviewed back in um in the fall. Those are calculated directly by the state using
039specific data inputs. They include student proficiency and growth on the state assessments, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism rates. The good news is we earned almost all of our points in growth in ELA and math. Um, and really that this outcome confirms that our district's ed foundation and compliance infrastructure are sound and as reported in November, we're working to improve student achievement outcomes. >> Thank you, Dr. McGary. >> Yeah. Any other com comments or questions on the business functions or congratulations on CUAC to the district? Okay. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. Move approval of the minutes. Do we have a motion to approve the December 18th and January 6th reorg minutes? >> So move. M >> Brody, do we have a second? >> Second. Mr. >> Benedict, any comments or questions?
040All those in favor opposed abstensions forward. New board business. Anyone leazison reports? >> Um I have I have a garden state committee um report. We had a meeting yesterday um in the morning. We um talked about we had two um guests Tony Trongon who's the director of greater greater schools NJ and Danielle Ferry who is the director of education of uh of the education law center um and they were there to talk about budgeting and funding and um with the changes in Trenton what's coming down and what we can expect and um it was it was not the most cheery of meetings I would today. I know Mr. Jones and Dr. Mass were both on on the call as well. Um, but we talked about just, you know, what where where we we should be
041what we should plan for where, you know, where are pitfalls that are coming up and and I I know that that as a board and I know that our admin team has been working on really trying to get ahead of some of those things. Um, but just federally, are we going to get the money that we, you know, we usually get, Medicaid and SNAP benefits and eligibility changes and and you know, just the state budget and it was just a lot of, you know, where what's coming down and what we can expect and what we can't predict and what we can predict um with the new commissioner that has been announced by um the the new governor and you know what their thought process will be and you how to to talk about funding versus,
042you know, the state what the state what's what the state's giving us versus the local fair share. There was a lot of terminology, but it was about budgeting and really trying to prepare for the future. Um, other than that, we had some legislative updates. Um, we had two bills were passed in the lame duck session. Uh, one was a a charter bill, a charter school accountability bill that they'll be held to to, you know, more rigorous um measures like the public schools are. Um, cursive handwriting is going to be required in the state of New Jersey. So, that's something that, you know, if we don't have anymore, we need to put back on, I guess. Um, we have the distraction-free school rule, the bell-to-bell no phones and and you know, just the implementation of that
043and what that's going to look like for the next school year. Um, a regulation on ebikes and and then you know they the they were saying that the new commissioner coming in definitely has a philosophy of you know just closing the achievement gap and and just a focus on tutoring and I loved hearing that knowing that Dr. McGary has worked hard on that the last couple of years and so we're kind of already have a have a foot forward in that direction. So I I really thought that we're set up well for the future even though it seemed a little scary at times. But um our next meeting is uh February 20th I believe but I don't quote me on that. >> Thank you Miss Barb. Miss Bar would be very impressed. >> Oh thank
044you big shoes to fell. >> Any comments or questions for Miss Barb? No. >> Okay. Any other lesson on reports? >> Seeing none, workshop reports? None. Okay. Do we have somebody that would like to make a motion to adopt the Black History Month resolution? >> Miss Williams. Do we have a second? >> Miss Brody, comments, questions? All those in favor? I >> opposed extension. Motion carries. We have the school board recognition month uh resolution. Is there someone that would like to u make a motion? >> Make a motion. >> M Williams. >> Second. Any other comments, questions? >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Extension. Motion carries. We are now in the second and final public comment section in accordance with Scotch fans Fanwood public school bylaw 0164 and 0165. The meeting will be open
045for 15 minutes for public comment. Maximum three minutes per speaker. Speakers addressing superintendent items, business functions, and other board business will be heard first. If time remains, speakers may address other matters. Speakers, please state your name and the town in which you reside. boards use public comment period as an opportunity to listen to citizen concerns but not to debate issues or get into a question and answer session or cross-examination between the public and individual members. Be aware that not all issues brought before the board will be resolved that evening. Boards may respond to public comment [snorts] by seeking additional information or by delegating the authority to investigate the issue to the superintendent or his her his or her designate. So, I will now open part two for 15 minutes. Please state your full name and
046the town in which you reside. Rod, Herman, Scotch Plains. So, my first comment is in regards to district grounds after snow or ice storms. Kind of timely. We're about to have one. So, the aprons of the sidewalk leading into and out of the teacher's parking lot at Evergreen Elementary School have been left full of ice or snow on numerous occasions since the beginning of December. On January 6th, I actually saw a kindergarten parent taking her own ice chopper and breaking up the ice on the aprons. To me, that's a little much. I mean, I'm glad we have a caring community. The parents are willing to chip in like this. Uh, but this is something that the district should be on top of before somebody gets seriously hurt. And then my second comment pertains more to
047priorities. Um, as many of you know, my son was injured late in the third quarter of the varsity football homecoming game. He's got a long recovery ahead, but a little before Thanksgiving, one of the two elevators in the high school broke. Unfortunately, it was the elevator closest to his first period class. So, this elevator was down for roughly 4 weeks. And I'm being a little generous because it was, you know, they I'm excluding winter break. So, to me, that's a bit unacceptable. obviously giving it his new uh reconstructed ACL. He doesn't walk super fast and was late multiple times and as a result um he got we got tardy letters even though there's documented evidence of his injury. He's got accommodations. Um I think first of all, you know, in a district that's supposed to
048be inclusive, you know, we shouldn't have uh an elevator down that long. And also from an optics standpoint and if an elevator can't get repaired in a timely manner, how can the public trust that an old building like Lrand could be successfully remodeled and rehabilitated in time to hold classes in it? And second, district should continue. I think it's on the good path as pointed out by Dr. McGary, but continue to focus more on math, English, science, SAT, AP exam scores. I worry less about sending letters about arriving 30 seconds to a minute past the bell uh in a student with a documented injury. So, I hope uh some of our priorities can be shifted. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Any other public comment? Eric Fillen, Scotch Plains. So, uh, first thing I want
049to mention is, um, we've all seen on the news over the past couple months some, uh, economic fallout. Some towns like Montlair and now Hackinack. Montlair, I think, has a short fall of about 17 million uh, or or actually 19 and then uh, Hackinack is 17, I think, expected to be 24 million next year. Um and they're facing layoffs of teachers. Uh Montlair is running a vote next month or March I believe I forget when. Uh which if it's not passed 100 teachers will be laid off. So my question uh to the board to the school is how are we burning through cash reserves? Are we are we backfilling them? Um, I understand our uh referendum that was passed for Lrand um excluded roofs uh repairs and now we're I think we're using the cash
050reserve to fix that. I don't know that's something that I heard so I don't know if it's accurate. So I wanted to know where do we stand in the future? How are we planning to tighten the belt because there's a lot of unknowns with the economic landscape, a lot of changes. Um whether the state gives us money or not, we don't know. So, uh, what are we doing to make sure that the future of what we need for the next few years is available without burning through our money and falling into one of these scenarios. And then my last comment I want to make is uh, and maybe Evan, you might be able to answer this or or Dr. Mass. Uh, do we have yet a replacement volleyball coach? So, love to know that the
051spring volleyball's coming up. My son plays volleyball and he's looking forward to it. So, uh would love to know if that's on the agenda. >> So, so on the on the um personnel agenda, there is a new volleyball coach um that was approved this evening and an announcement will be going out. So, that's that's very good exciting news. Um and you know regarding the tightening of the belt because we are using our capital reserves to you know refurbish Lrand and and some of the other items. You know, last year we made some very difficult decisions in reducing our, you know, our supervisory team and um we we had some supervisors leave and we we replace those roles internally as as just a step in recognizing that um you know the financial future is is one
052that's uncertain with federal money and with state money. So, we are um really focused on being as as prudent as as possible to to prepare for, you know, any type of um challenges that come ahead, knowing that we're we're we're paying for much of it out of our our cash reserve. And we want to keep that, you know, as as a healthy emergency fund should we need it. >> Any other public comment? Okay, seeing none. Upcoming scheduled meetings, [clears throat] Thursday, February 19th, 8:00 in this room, and Thursday, March 12th, 8:00 in this room. We'll now move to the good of the order. Last night, I went to the Pops concert and the kids performance performances were just wonderful. And we also have a new star who's currently at the camera in the back of
053the room. he can sing tunes from the Lion King and we have recordings of that. But it was it was a really fun evening for all who who were there and always so proud of our student performers. >> Anyone? >> Um I saw the meeting. The meeting is February 18th for Garden State if anyone else wants to attend. And also be careful at drop off. It's crazy out. Yeah, I was at um as I know some others were at um the SPF MLK Day of Service on Monday. And I just want to thank the Nettingham um uh Red Red Crimson Choir for coming and performing two songs. Uh they sang beautifully. And I want to thank Miss Jenkins for um agreeing that on on a day off for the students and for her to come
054and um represent our district um with their beautiful singing. So, thank you. >> Did we also have students doing skits from >> We did. Thank you. Yes. Every year the Black Student Union um under the direction of of April Chestang um comes and does some wonderful interpretation or uh performance and they did an interpretation of um Dr. King's um speeches um and uh they did a wonderful job as well. So yes, thank you. I I helped to reach out to Miss Jenkins, which is why I remember that one didn't organize the the BSU, but um yes, we had a lot of students um who who gave up their day off to come and um give service. So, thank you so much. >> Just just a cute addition to the Crimson Choir. They were um somewhat
055surprised by the coincidence that um Mr. Nettingham had received an MLK report. They're like, "He did? That's the name of our school. [snorts] So, it was it was it was fun. >> Anyone else further go to the order? >> I think Mrs. Heriani might want to brag a little bit about a swimmer. >> Oh, my daughter. >> Oh, well, the whole the whole Yeah, the whole SPF swim team deserves kudos and uh coach Jess as well. Um and espe and yeah um thank you for saying that. >> yeah I know they had senior day and um all of their banners are hanging at the Y which was which is really cool to see. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay, seeing none. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >>
056All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. We're journ