001Then when I I like you want us to like highlight our education words. >> I was reading the Mysane but yeah. >> Well that's funny cuz you know we lost track on five times but we >> Yeah. like you know what I was like what about you? >> Yeah, pretty much. Yeah, basically >> that's >> Thank you for being here. Good evening. Thank you all for joining the regular public meeting um for today, December 18th. Miss Burns, will you please call the role >> or Mr. You do it? >> Uh Miss Barbeck >> here. >> Miss Bower. >> Mr. Benedict >> here. >> Mrs. Boroff >> here. Miss Brody >> here. >> Dr. Colcowski >> here. >> Miss Aryani >> here. >> Miss Williams >> here. >> Mr. Murray. >> And we will now stand
002for the pledge of allegiance. >> Ready, begin. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Executive session. >> Executive session. We just met at 7:30. Um, it's therefore resolved that the up subject shall be discussed in private recess by this board and administrative staff and information pertaining there too will be made available to the public as soon thereafter as possible once the reasons for non-disclosure no longer exist. >> Addition to the agenda. >> Additions to the agenda, please. I got it. We added um four items uh program and studies F6 F7 revised C employee calendar and uh we had a uh special education settlement agreement added to the business section >>
003superintendent report. So, we have a few um very positive topics that I'm looking forward to tonight. One, um Mrs. Brody will have some good news for our staff. Um two, there um our new teacher leadership positions that will be approved this evening and we're going to learn a little bit more about them before the board votes on that. And additionally, we we have a an alumni, a distinguished alumni who is back to give us an update on her her college experience, her her level of preparation from SPF and any recommendations she might have for us uh moving forward. So um other than that, I think it's going to be a great meeting. >> Thank you, Dr. Mast. Business Administrators report. >> Yep. First also I want to introduce person sitting next to me Melissa Burnsby.
004She's a acting board secretary for tonight. Um just a quick introduction. She's been with the district for over 13 years and with increasing levels of responsibility currently our benefits and payroll manager. Um and uh she's been an invaluable part of our uh business office team and uh has been a huge help to me uh in processing payroll. Any retro uh payments we have and things like that. I I counter her um and trust her uh immensely. So, um happy to report though tonight we we we had a kickoff meeting for the grand renovation. So, went over all the different thing different moving parts and we feel really good that we'll be get it get it to uh open on time. Uh we also are moving uh moving along on our fire alarm projects at all
005the schools. We expect um you know Brunner to be done in the spring and then uh the rest of the schools to be finished up over the summer. So uh feel really good and confident that we'll be able to uh open in the fall. So that's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Jones. The New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Scotch Plains Family Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted at the board of education offices located at 313 South Avenue, Famwood,
006New Jersey. Such notices were was also provided in written notice forwarded to the leader, formerly the Union County Hawk, the Star Ledger, the Township Clerk of Scotch Plains, and the Burough Clerk of Fam in the annual notice of regularly scheduled meetings as adopted a April 24th, 2025. And we have um recognition and instructional student. >> Oh, how did I skip that? I'm just skipping things. Thank you for the reminder. Uh student representative report. >> Hi everyone. So now we're going to go into our student rep report. So, we recently had our world language honor society inductions where we had students who go above and beyond learning the culture and language of u whatever language that they're taking including Mandarin, Italian, French, and the Spanish honor societies. Um, we also had Deca who hosted Mr. Spiffy
007High. We raised over $7,000 for the charity Mallerie's Army where Marco Vidon was crowned Mr. Spiffy High. And as for sports, we had our bowling team and ice hockey team have won every game so far this month. And our swim teams had a meet again summit. And yeah, and so yeah, Leah. >> Okay, so next week at the high school, um we have the winter choir concert where >> where the school choirs are going to perform winter themed pieces that they've been working on. And then tomorrow at the high school, we have the SPF hackathon where um students will be introduced to computer science enrichment through different programming workshops, which should be really cool. And then of course, everyone's really excited for winter break. Um everyone's ready to rest and come back in the new
008year. >> Thank you, Leah. Grace, um do we have any acceptance, college acceptances? >> Oh, yeah. Um I recently committed to Boston College. Congratulations. >> Anyone >> friend for our student board? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Oh, now it's time for our recognition and instructional updates. >> Yes. And first on the list is our alumni voice. If I could have Cyra come up, introduce herself and share her wisdom. Okay. Okay. I think this is good. So, hi everyone. Good evening. Uh, thank you for giving me the chance to talk. It's like I'm back. >> Um, so for those that don't know me, I'm Sariano. I'm currently in the middle of my sophomore year at TCJ, which is the College of New Jersey. I'm studying mechanical engineering and I'm also a member of
009the TCJ softball team. I got to pitch against some really competitive lineups in D3 softball over the last season. Um, competing at this level has been challenging, but I'm proud to say that I'm able to hold my own. Um, I'm also I was also honored to be recognized as an NFCA scholar athlete, which reflects the balance between academics and athletics that I work hard to maintain. I attended Scotch Plains Fanwood High Schools from kindergarten through high school, so being here tonight is really meaningful meaningful to me. Um, especially since I was once a student rep. So, it's fun to be back and everything I'm doing now academically, athletically, and as a leader, I started with the foundation that this district provided. Engineering has challenged me in the best ways, balancing rigorous engineering curriculum with collegiate
010athletics requires persistent persistence and focus. I'm proud to share that I've so far earned all A's from last semester. Not all the grades I've been in yet, waiting on statics and manufacturing, which is two of the big ones. And I've also received two internship offers, so for next summer. So, it's been super exciting. Uh, more than anything, these opportunities have showed me how prepared I was as I entered college. There are so many aspects of SPF that helped me get to where I am today. I was able to somewhat breeze through physics, calc A, B, and most recently C, which is multivariable with and a lot of the thanks goes to the teachers that I had here, especially Mr. Kaggel, who I had for both for calc and calc BC, and Miss Abdullah, who I
011had for physics and AP physics. And both of them and so many of the other teachers that I've had here helped me develop the problem solving mindset and confidence that I use every day. Beyond the classroom, I'm also involved in leadership and engineering focused orgs. I was recently elected as vice region of Theta Tall, which is a professional engineering fraternity. Theta I joined Theta Tall last spring and served as fundraising chair the past semester. Vice Region is basically vice president, but they have a fancy name for it because it's it's different. Um I'm also a member of the solar district cup which is a team of students work towards strategically designing um college campus where solar panels should be placed on college campuses to help improve like green energy. So this year is Clemson. So
012we're all working towards where you should place them on campus, different buildings, which ones use the most energy. So it's a lot of work but it's it's fun. Um, having served as a former board former student rep on the board of ed, I understand that the time, thought, and effort that goes into the work both during meetings and behind the scenes. I know the work that I know that you have work important work ahead and I want to thank you for your continued investment to well continued investment in students for your commitment to education in Scotch Plains Fanwood. I'm proud to represent my town and proud to say that I grew up in Scotch Plains, Fanwood and excited to continue building on the foundation that started here. So, thank you and I wish everyone a
013happy holidays and a happy new year. >> That was an incredible update. Thank you so much. >> Stay right there for a minute. S >> you guys are going to have to not be alcohol. >> She's a baby. >> We are so proud of you. you. Thank you so much for making us proud and enjoying your year at TC TCJ. It looks like you're really making an impact. So, thank you. And from one alumni to another, proud of you, >> Cyra. I'm I'm so excited for you with your upcoming internship opportunities and I'm I'm just really proud for I'm sure your parents are very proud um of of what you've achieved so far. It sounds amazing. You're very busy. It sounds like Thank you so much for coming back and giving us the update. >>
014I love coming back. I think it's >> I loved hearing it. Thank you. >> Thank you. We're very proud and happy to see you here tonight and it makes us feel good to know you're happy and successful with what you're chosen to do. Thank you for coming back. >> Thank you. >> Enjoy your winter break. >> Next is our um lead teacher initiative. >> Yes. And I'd like to invite Mrs. Lisa Howard, our world language supervisor, who has been really at the charge of organizing this work and helping us find our our most interested and qualified fleet teachers. >> Yes. Thank you. You guys want to come on? >> Okay. Thank you. Um, good evening everyone. And before I forget to say, I hope everyone has a great end of the year and whatever you
015celebrate, I know it's a great time to be with friends and family. So enjoy. Um so tonight I will talk about the the uh the new initiative in the district which is our content lead teachers. So the role of content lead teacher will act as a liaison between department faculty and administration. Our content lead teachers will lead curriculum development, informal improvements through data analysis and peer collaboration, provide instructional coaching and support uh to new staff. Content lead teachers will use their professional experiences and content knowledge to support administrators in making decisions about professional development, budgeting, scheduling, and and overall school improvements. Um, this year, this tonight, you will be approving six content lead teachers that will be working at different levels and in different areas throughout the district. We have Mr. Luke Pey working for
016secondary being the content lead teacher for secondary math, Mrs. Marjgerie Fitzgibbon for high school business, Mr. Zachary Hebner for secondary special education, Miss uh Courtney Keller for fifth grade science and social studies, Miss Tracy Butler uh for elementary social studies, and Miss uh Charlene Hall for elementary science. Before I introduce two of our lead teachers tonight, I just wanted to extend a warm message of gratitude for the teachers who could not be here tonight. They're very excited uh for their new professional growth opportunity and look forward to supporting all aspects of instruction at SPF. um our members unfortunately some are dealing with family illnesses to the season so last minute couldn't make it but tonight we have with us uh Mr. Luke Pey uh for math again and Mrs. uh Marjgerie Fitzgibbons. So I'll I'll
017pass the mic to them. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Um yes, my name is Luke Pey. I've been in the district here. This is my 22nd year and um we have some work to do in the math department and I'm looking forward to being part of that solution. Um, I've talked a lot about the idea that math starts with having good problems and that's what I want to be able to work with the other teachers on that it starts with a good problem and then the discussion works from there and that's what really builds the skills, not just learning a skill at a time. So, um, that's what I'm most looking forward to. I've done a lot of professional development workshops in the school and I kind of look forward to doing some more hopefully
018some with technology but then also with uh developing curriculum that's going to help meet the student meet the students needs. >> Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Marjgerie Fitzgibbon. I'm a business teacher and I've been in the district for 21 years, but I'm a Scotch Plains resident, so you'll see me around. Um I want to thank Dr. Mass, Dr. Dr. McGary and the board for this opportunity. I am very excited about this. Um the business department has going to be going through a lot of changes in the next year. We're adding dual enrollment for almost all of our courses and we'll be introducing the first AP Kickstarter called AP Business. That'll be coming in the fall. I got the opportunity this summer to attend the College Board workshop for that and we'll be going again for
019more training on that as well. Um our district's very excited about business. Obviously, we know something about it because we raised over $7,000 for charity at Mr. Spiffy High this past couple of weeks. So, I want to thank you again and I'm really looking forward to working with all of you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone have any questions or >> No, thank you. Thank you. I was just I was just going to say, you know, I appreciate you um coming and taking the time to um share with us the vast experience that you have, but um to explain a little bit to all of us just about this change. So that's really exciting. Thank you. >> Thank you again. >> Sure. I also think it's so valuable because you have recently been on
020you know your teachers your current teachers so you understand like the needs of the students the needs of your peers so thank you for taking on this additional responsibility I think it's so valuable to have you in particular to developing curriculum and solving those problems >> thank you will now have our first public comment in accordance with Scotch Plains with public schools bylaws 0164 and 0165. The meeting will be open for 15 minutes for public comments in maximum 3 minutes per speaker. Speakers addressing super superintendent items, business function and other board business will be heard first. If time remains, speakers may address other matters. Speakers, please state your full name and the town in which you reside. Please note, boards use the public comment period as an opportunity to listen to citizen concerns, but not
021to debate issues or enter into a question answer session or course examination between the public and the individual members. Be aware that not all issues brought before a board meeting will be resolved that evening. Boards may respond to public comment by seeking additional information or by delegating the authority to investigate the issue to the superintendent or his or her design. to the name of the town. >> I always say it again. >> Gary Morris. >> Okay. >> Uh do I have to give my address or no? >> I don't want people visiting. >> Fanwood. Um >> I had the opportunity to go to uh the robotics thing. That was really cool. I got to tell you that was really neat to see the the kids doing that. One of the things that I really love
022about that program is they as opposed to any other sport I've ever seen, they they combine with another school to compete against two other schools and they continually do that throughout. So they're they're always being exposed to playing possibly with a weaker team to try to work together. Thought that was a really cool uh cool aspect. Um the other thing I went to I went to the meeting and thank you to the the board members and everybody that was at the meeting on Tuesday and I was real fascinating because the very next night happened to be a planning board meeting and I'm like can that make a difference? And sure enough, there was one person that spoke at that meeting on Tuesday who showed up at a planning board meeting. And I just want to
023share this this experience. The person was very concerned about the pilots in town and made that very clear to the planning board. And literally, we're talking about the attorney for our town in Fanwood uh for the planning board and the planning board members were like, "Do we even have any pilots in Fanwood?" And I gotta tell you that is shocking that they don't know. Of course I know because I'm just I'm a math person and I like to keep track of things and and I knew and so I'm like yeah there there are they're saying they don't think there are and I'm like there are and so so again I'm just reiterate reiterating the need to have some type of liaison thing there to keep that that uh uh keep some invol cross involvement there
024is going to be really really important going forward. um these things can't operate in a vacuum. Uh and and you get the feeling their attitude is like, well, oh that's the council's fault or that's the board of ed fault for overcrowded school. You know, everybody's pointing everybody's got to work together in this and we have to find a way as a community to figure this out. And uh again, I can't reiterate it enough. We got to have some connection, some liaison going to those meetings. I mean, I'm kind of doing it as a a side gig. It's not my thing. I'm just volunteering to to go to these things. But I I I strongly encourage whenever you get a chance, get to one of these meetings because I it's astounding, you know, sometimes the things
025that they don't even realize the damage they could be doing to our school district by some of the rules or the things that they're allowing to be built. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment, Mr. Morris. Anyone else please step to the podium and state your name and the town in which you reside. There will be another opportunity. Okay, seeing none, we'll move right along. 11 emails were received from the public by the board and was sent to the appropriate administrator. Committee reports. I know we have a few. Can I go one after the other? >> Absolutely. >> Um the finance committee meeting was held on December 8th and we did a a high level budget review because all the software for submission is not available till the spring but he's uh Mr. Jones
026is constantly working on the budget. But some highlights of this is the state aid ex is expected to stay flat and the state allocation of extraordinary aid will also stay flat. With extraordinary aid staying flat, this creates a shortfall of approximately $500,000 due to rate increases in out of district tuition. Um interest income is expected to be down 300,000. Health care is expected to come in under budget, offsetting some of the revenue losses. Uh the change in the sick leave law allowing sick days to be used as vacation days has caused an increase in of substitutes and an estimated additional cost of $100,000. PERS is flat and busing cost increase busing cost increases have normalized. They're not like going crazy anymore and there but there's still a large unknown uh cost in utilities. Um, regarding
027middle school enrollment, we're ha they're having the architects use the past data with additional analysis of the space capacity at every school. So, they've done a study previously. They're going to use that and then build on it to move forward. And this includes changes to internal school schedules as to handle shared capacity and other details. And so, that's the finance committee report. Any questions? Uh the community relations committee meeting was held last evening. Um and this this meeting was really basically a followup from the last meeting and observations from the Brunner fifth grade open form meeting that we had on Tuesday. We debriefed as a group on that community information session and some observations were that parents are very concerned about the social aspects of this change. Um Dr. Bortnik, Dr. Dmerisk and Dr. Holloway
028have been extremely proactive and have some very solid plans on how to manage these issues moving forward and they're very also very open to parent input and also the children. Um they are interested in what the kids have to say as well which is which is wonderful. Um the next step steps for making more space at Ningham include a plan for the Evergreen fifth grade students to remain on that on Evergreen campus as well and this we discussed this during the community meeting. Um Dr. Mass shared some good news from the 1216 superintendent leazison meeting and some highlights are um Brunner uh the fourth grade led a schoolwide assembly about gratitude and um they will lead the next one the week next week too. Um one cool thing the kids do in in the elementary
029schools they do buddy readading. So Kohl's is uh doing buddy buddy buddy reading um which benefits both the older and the younger students. There are many bon benefits to this program, but one that is really important is creating a sense of community within the school. And typically students only interact with their same aged peers, but reading buddies interact provide opportunities for them to know each other and they pass each other in the hall and and they just feel more connected with each other, not just with their own grade. And um and it's it's just a great like good feeling. And it's and it's practice for the older children to read appropriately to the younger children and for the younger children to um learn how how you know that to learn how to read appropriately as
030well. Um Evergreen also had their buddy reading program. The second graders are going to read to the kindergarteners this week and share the gift of reading. Um, they've been practicing to make it more fluent by reading at just the right pace, talking like characters, and having their voice match their mood, which is very difficult to do. And again, they're having an author visit of Tracy Batist. School one um held a flurries of kindness drive. Nettingham had their eighth grade math lab um second year for seventh and eighth graders as an elective and the teachers are finding this intervention successful and are noticing good returns from it. Terrell, the student council, collected toys for tots and the heroes club conducted a food drive for the community food bank. And at the high school, there was a
031fantastic rep theater production of Metamorphoses. And it was so popular that an extra date was added due to popular demand. And on a on a personal note, I was able to attend that. And it was fantastic. I'm not a play person. This the whole the whole hour and 45 minutes went by like that. It was It was so well done. It was so cool the way the whole thing was set up. So, um you know, hopefully they do something cool like that again next year. But anyway, that's my report. >> No, I'm still thinking about it. >> Yeah, it was amazing. >> Thank you, Mrs. Bro. >> Can I comment on that for a second? >> Yeah, >> because I am um Dr. Mass probably knows what I'm going to say because, you know, I'm
032very passionate about this. Um I just want to point out in case you know just to board members that might not know or the public that doesn't know this how far we have come in our studentto student peer mentorship programs at all the age levels. And when we talk about there being a shortage of teachers or how important it is to identify yourself in role models that are in front of you and when we're, you know, we're not just talking, we're talking about in every aspect. And one of the best ways to do that is to put peer role models in front of other students. And to see that we have broughten this from everything from our seniors in high school that do high school heroes and go to our elementary schools and to um
033work with all our special um our students who have IEPs. But to also see that this is happening within the elementary school from fifth to second grade that impact or second to kindergarten is so huge. I think it's so worthy of actually putting together a presentation on all of our pure mentorship opportunities because it's such a wonderful experience with um so many different things. So, I really wanted to share that with the public. Deb, thank you so much for sharing that with us because I just I think it's such an important aspect of something that we've really developed really well t >> Thank you. I have a curriculum report. Okay. So, the curriculum committee met um on Tuesday evening and we discussed four items. The first is uh Miss Camarano who is a seventh grade
034teacher at Terrell came to uh report to the committee that she and two other seventh grade teachers collaborated to apply for and were awarded a grant through the Mark Shone Weter Holocaust Education Foundation. they were awarded almost $1,000 that they could use to purchase different titles um as part of the Holocaust unit. So, the students will have an opportunity to read these these books and there they will be utilized in cross instruction. It's a collaboration between social studies and English English language arts classes. And the goal of our Holocaust unit is to develop historical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and empathy. Uh she also discussed that there will be a speaker uh in the spring. I had asked whether they could follow up on whether um the speaker could be recorded so that it could be
035shared with other grades in the community. >> The speaker is a Holocaust survivor. Yes. Um and how significant and impactful that is. So whether they would mind if if that was recorded so others could hear it, so she was going to follow up on that. Thank you. Um the second agenda item is a course name change. We all have to vote on course name changes. So that is on the agenda tonight for board approval. The course is uh advanced weight training at the high school uh which nobody understood why it was ever called advanced weight training because there was no basic weight training. So and the weight training course is whatever the students want from the weight training advanced or basic. So the course is now going to be what it is just weight training.
036So we're asking for board approval on that tonight. Uh the next item is also an item for board approval which is the the high school program of studies which um is revised every year. Um and the program of studies uh everyone should should have gotten a copy highlights the the course tracks including our required courses all electives and our dual enrollment courses are highlighted this year which is uh really exciting. Miss Fitz Gibbon mentioned earlier the Raider Business Academy. So you can see the whole kind of business academy track which is really fabulous and I reported out on it uh last month as well. Um so and for the first time it's usually available um as a PDF but this time uh it will also be available as an interactive Google doc on the website
037so you could view it in a different way. So I really encourage all um you know especially high school parents to really who want to understand the coursework uh to look for the program of studies but the board will be asked to approve that this evening. And the last item um is um something that's an initiative that's starting at McInn but going to be uh moved throughout the district and uh Dr. Sloum came along with two teachers from McGin uh Miss Marica and Miss Donnelly to talk about instructional rounds um and the week that they spent at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education um to um professional development about using instructional rounds to cultivate highquality learning in schools. So they described to us um what instructional rounds were which is a learning practice used
038to improve teaching and learning through focused classroom observations and collaborative analysis. Um and they spoke about that it engages staff around a common why elevates student learning and um the model is focused on the instructional core which is the student teacher and the learning content. Um and they talked about um just everything that that we have now in our district that supports th this core such as our our professional development that exists, our admin council, our pacing guide committees, co-eing um and other types of observations. um but that they are going to begin instructional rounds and um they're going to be teaching all McInn staff at professional learning communities and also providing these opportunities ongoing for staff and then spreading it teaching others throughout the district how to incorporate instructional rounds and we meet again
039on January 13th. Um >> I'd just like to add that I that Dr. Dr. Sulkcom invited the the curriculum committee to come to the first like faculty meeting where they kind of talked to all the teachers about it and it was just so well presented and there you know I think they're focusing on questioning at McGin and they gave so many resources to the teachers to like you know how to self assessment and and you know what it can look like and where where you know what the different kinds of questions and what what you know are they asking students to just recall things or really deep thinking about things and it was just really it the teachers seemed really receptive and the resources were were so fun. Like I think you know a lot
040of the teachers found that you know they they know where to go if they need help with something. So it was just a really nice feeling. I I hope we're invited back for the next meeting. So >> thank you. >> Any other comments or questions for curriculum? Any other reports? Um, I have student activities. Um, and so student activities, just as an FYI, because uh we don't meet monthly, so some of this goes back to the beginning of the school year. Um but we we got a a a good assessment of the year and um we met on December 1st and for the first time um our student um board member representative joined um our committee meeting and we got an update from Leia which was awesome. Um and so some of this was already
041re you know I'm going to try and weed out what um Leah's already covered but was it Leah or Leia? >> It's Leah. >> Leah. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. Um, so we had a wonderful freshman orientation um with a wonderful club fair for upcoming new students. Um, eighth grade uh student visits and parent night went wonderful. I think that we've all heard some feedback on how awesome as Gary mentioned about the robotics club, how intense that was at um the the when parents came up from the eighth grade because um we as the board have actually heard parent people tell us that they were sold on not going to um Union County but um based on a robotics club. Anyway, um our the SPF website is updated with accurate club information and this is an
042ongoing task. Um as you can imagine, there are approximately 75 clubs and um a great deal of work and effort was put into updating all of the information on the clubs, how often they meet, the descriptions and contacts. I believe it um it it's so easy now that you can click on the club and be able to email instantly um the the club of the head the head of the club. Um but it is a really good tool and I think what is amazing is when you really look up look at the extensive number of clubs that we and opportunities that we have. Um, so we had two new clubs this year. One is the literature club and the second one that I am personally um obsessed with and really wish that they had it
043when Alex was here is the sports debate club. Um, and then just some ongoing things that have been updated this year. Um, the club proposal form um has been completely updated and streamlined as well. Um all the high school Bolton boards um have are regularly updated via the media specialist and they do highlight as well as ongoing activities at the school but also the school clubs um as well as the school activities. There's now a gratitude wall at the high school. Junior class is planning they probably already had a winter social during lunch hour >> tomorrow. I hope it's a ton of fun. Um, junior prom is June 5th for those planning ahead. And, um, I think that we've seen an uptake in really creative events for students, parents, and community members. And then I
044think this was referenced to already, but um, as far as our athletic update, our gymnastics continue to flourish. We received our se seventh consecutive county title and scored high enough to advance to the team finals. Field hockey and girls soccer, very competitive and good for us, very young, very freshman and sophomore um heavy girls cross country qualified as a team. Boys, Jonah tomato accelerated to the finals. Football, those Friday night lights are getting really exciting. We're having um our team is growing. We have over a 100 um total participants, but our Friday night lights are lights are truly becoming um the place to be. Girls tennis is undefeated in our division, came in fourth in the county. Uh boys soccer won county in sectionals for the second time in a row. Girls volleyball had an
045opportunity to compete for a sectional title. Very strong team. Really seeing the teams come together and work together. And as we mentioned, swimming and bowling are um doing fabulously. So um just as an FYI, we did get an update. We often do um rotate our field upgrades. And so Nettingham was this year's field that saw the biggest relief. Um and um I think that is there. Oh, very exciting. Actually, there's a new student space in the high school. I don't know if you guys are familiar with that. if you want to talk about it for a second. I don't want to put you on the spot. >> You might not know about it. >> Oh, so I' I've been there for the student advisory board. That's where we meet actually. And so we kind of
046just all meet up. It's a great space to just have that kind of like Socratic seminar kind of just like circle and so everyone can kind of share their ideas and be a part of the club and organization. But besides that, I haven't really been in a club where that's more so a thing. hopefully beginning like the end of this year or in the spring or fall as well as people begin to know more about it, they can use it as a collaborative space to talk and discuss about their ideas. But yeah, it's a great new space that we have just besides from using the cafeteria or a classroom makes it kind of more >> and where is it? >> It's in the Dr. Miller's office. He has this space in front and so when
047you walk by it's like glass doors and everything so people can kind of see kind of get a feel of what's going on. And so I feel like that's also another way that it kind of gets students um engaged in being involved outside of school. >> Love it. Thank you. >> Yeah. Another way to describe it is it is the old main office. >> We are repurposing that space. >> Thank you. Any other comments or questions for um student activities? >> Thank you. And last but not least, facilities. >> All right, so facilities committee met on December 9th. Uh the meeting focused on progress and the ongoing construction and renovation projects across the entire district. All of which are currently tracking ahead of schedule uh despite some challenges in um procuring electrical and HVAC. A
048lot of that has to do with the the tariffs and some of the locations that some of that equipment is coming from. Uh key updates uh we're talking about the completion of the interior demolitions at the Lrand building, ongoing fire alarm installations and ground improvements at Brunner. A significant portion of the discussion centered on uh a new proposal for a new digital sign at Ningham which uh the PTA will be funding to to bring them up to snuff with all the other digital signs for our community uh for our district rather. Uh let's see. We also had a very big discussion about the the long-term uh enrollment challenges that will be coming with the uh demographic shift in our community which you see manifesting in the conversation about Brunner and um replace bringing back fifth
049grade into the elementary schools. Uh, we talked about construction of project statuses, which I think is terribly boring for everybody here, but we did talk about Lrand again. Selective interior demolition is complete. The contractor is demobilizing and closing out the permits. So, great news. Fire alarm work at Brunner is progressing well. School one scheduled to start soon after. And Kohl's and Evergreen are on track for completion uh by the July, August, summer time frame. uh HVAC and electrical contracts were signed and awarded and the contract is in place for windows. Lots of work going on in the fields. Um 98% complete of the field repair work. Uh they were moving a little bit slow because of the weather that we've had. The clay installation on the baseball fields were a little delayed because we were
050waiting for the freeze thaw conditions to stop. Uh, but there will be online I I learned that there's going to be some uh ongoing pictures and updates for our community so that you'll always be able to log on and see exactly what's going on in our facilities, exactly what's happening uh as we develop all the buildings on on in our district. Let's see. We talked about the sign and we talked about enrollment and uh that's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Benedict. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions for facilities? Seeing none, moving right along. Next up on the agenda is the enrollment report. >> Yes. So, we're basically in the same spot as LA as uh last month, but I think um there's a new website uh this year for counting enrollment. So, it's been
051a little it's been difficult to usually the the the problem with enrollment there is where we have uh students going to out of district placements back and forth. So, it's a little late this year. So, it's been sort of up and down finalizing the council. We just finalized our state application yesterday. So, we're going to be up up from October of that report, we should be up over 70 students. So, >> 79. >> Thank you. Uh, superintendent curriculum. Okay. So, first if the board could approve that out of district placements and one of those is pending state approval. Um, two is the HIP reports that we discussed on November 20th. Um, three, the gifts to the school. We always appreciate that and we report them by annually. Four, our field trip requests. Five, the program
052of studies that we heard in the curriculum report. Six, the course title change that we also heard in the curriculum report. And number seven, um I'm going to ask Miss Brody if she would u make a board statement regarding number seven for the the revision there. Absolutely. I'm it's my pleasure and and the board is is extremely pleased to share the good news with our staff that in recognition of your dedication and hard work throughout the year, we have approved two additional days off for the 12-month employees during the upcoming winter recess. The district will be closed for all staff on Friday, December 26 and Friday, January 2nd. We hope you will take these days as an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones and restore and renew as you prepare for the new
053year ahead. The board values the commitment you bring to our students, schools, and community each day. And we hope this added time provides meaningful rest and balance, more time to cook, more time to shop, and all that all that great stuff. And thank you for your continued efforts and for all the work you do in service of our district. And happy holidays to the staff. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that clarification. So, seven is the revised 2025 2026 12 month employee calendar and eight is the personnel report that we discussed in exec. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> First and a second. >> Oh, yes. >> Second. >> Oh, good. >> Miss Barve. >> Yes. >> Mr. Benedict. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Boroff. Yes, >> Miss Brody. >> Yes, >> Dr. Kokowski. >>
054Yes, >> Miss Seriani. >> Yes, >> Miss Williams. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you for the two extra days. Appreciate that. >> Well, we appreciate how hard how I was very glad to actually um and to hear you announce it was super fun. Um but I think on behalf of although I'm not allowed to speak for anybody else sitting here, so on behalf of myself, thank you very much. two hours staff for your very hard work. >> My bad. >> All right. This is the business. >> Oh, okay. >> Business. Okay. So, number one is our uh annual audit. The auditors they presented last week or last month. Number two, staff training. Number three, related services. Number four is equipment disposal of um a few pianos have been sort of here for a
055long time. and we had somebody uh look at that to see if they had any value and they do not professionally appraised. Um number five is typical we do every year we um our older iPads and and MacBooks we put out the bid and the highest bidder wins. Number six is a proposal from related to the grant proposal from our architects uh for emergency generator. Number seven, this was approved in the uh last year's budget. This just the execution of it um to approve um preventative maintenance plan for uh our roofing. Uh and the reason it's on the agenda is once you're over a certain dollar amount uh has to be uh board approved um approving the the contract. So, it's a um part of the ESCJ, which is uh they actually put the the
056hourly rate of the roofing out to bid and they the lowest bidder wins and this group is part of that. So that's why we don't call the bid. Uh number eight is additional asbestous remediation. Um number nine, so 9, 10, and 11 are uh related to if I can't make it. So if I if I'm out for uh to the board meeting, if I'm out for extended period for any type of reason, um um Miss Fern's next to me, she can uh sign contracts during my ab absence is number nine. Uh number 10, she can uh come and and do the do the meeting minutes and run the meeting for me from that here. Uh and number 11 is for her and also uh Mr. Krooppy is our director of buildings of grounds um for
057bid openings. So most people don't know a bid opening. There's a legal process to opening bids for projects and it really just requires uh opening the bid, saying who made the bid and then literally saying out loud the amount. So, it's actually part of a law to sexually say that. So, um but you have to if I can't make it for any reason, mount sick or something like that. Um so, authorizes uh her and Nick to come do that. >> Okay. 12 is our our uh bus drills, fire fire reports, uh fire drills. Uh 13, payment of bills, and 14 is the special education um settlement agreement we discussed in executive session. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion carries. >> Roll call. >> No.
058Uh no roll call needed. >> Okay. >> No, no call needed for this. All those in >> favor. >> Board minutes. >> Can I get a a motion to approve the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. New board business. Other board business. Any leazison reports? I have a leazison report too. >> How do you do? >> I'm last. It's down the line. Down the line. Um Nancy asked if I would do the Garden State Coalition of Schools um minutes or updates, I guess. Um we had our meeting for the Garden State Coalition of Schools yesterday. Um it was very interesting. We It's um for the for the community, the Garden State Coalition of Schools is um just it's a a membership that we we are part
059of where it's a bunch. a lot of superintendents and board members and um you know we hear about what's going on in Trenton and and what we need to be preparing for. We also get to learn from each other and what what you know just it's a it's a great meeting every month. um we actually had two journalists come and speak to us yesterday. Um kind of asking us and kind of getting a temperature I think for what we think going into the new year and um you know it was like the meet the press style and she prom they they both promised not to quote anyone or or do any of that but it was it was kind of nice to hear where all the other districts you know what they were thinking. Um
060so a lot of it was based on you know the big the big terms that we hear like you know um like charter schools, schools of choice and and you know all the superintendents were were public school superintendent. So, um, you know, there are bills in the in in our legislature about, um, just bringing more accountability to charter schools and kind of, you know, making them do a lot of jump through a lot of the hoops that the public schools have to, which I think a lot of the public school superintendents were very happy about. Um we talked about um you know just there there's been reporting about about students in other states having a lot more success and we we quickly ask the questions you know is it because we're already doing so well
061as a state that it's hard to see a big jump because we're already literacy wise doing well whereas a state where the numbers are lower it's easier to say oh there's a lot more growth. So, we we talked about some of those, you know, the the media the the way the media looks at New Jersey as a as an education state and and the way you can kind of report on it on either side. Um talking about facilities and infrastructure um there was a lot of talk that I mean we hear a lot the pilots and and you know just overdevelopment and schools are are really hoping that there will be another round of rod grants for for for people to apply you know districts to apply to get things updated. Um there was talk
062about if Medicaid cuts come down, how will that impact school-based interventions? Um subsidies that we we will lose due to um a lot of the Affordable Care Act stuff being repealed. Um there's there's talk that there'll be a 20% hike in healthcare. That 20% made my made my heart stop. um you know just budgets will be severely impacted and we'll have to make decisions as to where cuts are going to be made. Um also just a hope that there will be some continuity with the new commissioner or or will there be a new commissioner and a lot of that talk. Um enrollment cell phone ban was something that we talked about that there's um a bill in the legislature right now. Um, anything else? And just that in the lame duck session in the legislature,
063there there are a lot of bills too for charter schools. Um, there's some several like uh funding bills about the the school funding formula and um a consolidation and re regionalization bill for for districts that are under 500 students. Um there's a bill about the pilot money and how that would be divided and you know and and a one victory. We were told there is a sustainable cutlery bill that um mostly the schools will not have to do anything about because our kids are would throw those stuff things in the garbage. So I think we we did get a waiver as a as a as a um public school entity for that. So that was good. >> Yeah. Um our next meeting is I actually don't know when but in January at sometime I will
064report. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Until it's December. >> Yep. Oh, you don't. Oh, you're good. >> Yeah, >> thank you. And hi. Hi, Mac. Snuck in there. >> Um, so, um, I had I thankfully I'm not going to take credit for this great report. Um, CPAC actually wrote it for me. Um, but it is a great it's a great overall of where we're at in in our successes this year. So um starting off in July we um there was a great leadership engagement CPA leadership met and CPAC is the special education par parent advisory group met with um our new head of special services Marica Stefani and they established shared priorities for the year including communication, family awareness of programs, transition planning, mental health and school avoidance, extracurricular inclusion and outreach. Um I
065know that uh it was a really successful meeting that really brought um everyone together um and getting to know each other actually. Um in the September meeting was the first meeting of the year included strong participation from district leadership and staff. We introduced a new level-based liaison structure elementary, middle and high school whereas previously they had a leazison for each school. um and it has led to improved consistency, representation and communication across all the schools. In October, CPAC hosted a presentation on cyber security awareness and transition to adult services for 18 plus providing family with practical guidance on digital safety, student data privacy and planning for post-secary life and adult services. These presentations, I just want to say, not only are they hu hugely valuable, but they're posted on the CPAC website and completely accessible.
066Um, so feel free to go look at them. November's meeting. Um Amy uh Miss Amy Rlowski joined us for a presentation on executive functioning covering how executive functioning skills impact learning and behavior instructional strategy strategies across grade levels IEP considerations and ways families can support executive functioning skill development at home. The sess session included a robust parent question and answer. In December was the parents and caregivers meeting. CPAG hosted parents and caregivers only, meaning no admin or myself were there. Um, where they provide a dedicated space for families to share experiences, concerns, and ideas. Most importantly, when that data is synthesized and collected, the leadership of CPAD brings that um to Dr. Mast and to um Dr. to to M Stefani and they give actual feedback on what is impacting, what trends they're seeing, what
067they're hearing, and that's where we then approach our goals going forward. Um, so that's a really huge thing. Um, districtwide outreach for the first time, CPAG representatives were present at all back to school nights across the district. Um, the lay zones have also begun engaging began engaging with principles at the elementary, middle, and high school le levels. And this is so important because um parents who don't know about CPAC have no way of finding them. Um and there's ongoing communication that CPAC has had throughout newsletters, our website, social channels um and part participate in district um level um family engagement activities. Uh looking ahead, they will continue continue to focus on executive functioning, reading and dyslexia supports, 504 accommodations, transition planning, and autism autism expect acceptance and inclusion efforts. Um I would like to pass
068along to the board of education and any parents out there um an open invitation to join the next CPAG meeting um which is Monday, January 12th. It's at 700 p.m. It is hybrid. So, as always, it's at the Ter Terrell Media Center and available during Google Meets. Um, that is that. I have to um apologize for rushing through that and um congratulations to Cabbag for what's been a really wonderful year. >> Thank you, Mrs. Boro. >> I have a quick report. Uh last week I attended the Union County School Board Association. There's actually some overlap with Garden State Coalition. some topics that were discussed. So, I'll just give some highlights. Some of the similar advocacy, some of the legislative action um was also discussed at this meeting. Um but just wanted to mention that um
069in terms of New Jersey Schoolboard Association updates that um NJSBA is updating, revamping governance one training uh which is is for new schoolboard members. They talked about having positive feedback from uh the workshop that we all went to um most of us went to, I'm sorry, back in in October um and talked about some changes to to board member certifications. Uh so people can check that out on the New Jersey School Board Association website. Um there was the legislative update. One additional thing uh included in the legislative update though was they were excited to share that as part of um the incoming governor's transition um the New Jersey school board association advocacy director is actually on the education transition team. So uh that's exciting because someone who represents New Jersey school boards has a a
070seat at the table with uh the incoming governor. Um and okay, there were a couple of awards and recognitions given out and um and then actually the meeting ended. There was a a time that was dedicated to doing some role plays where we got into small groups with with other schoolboard members and um in order to underscore the principles of governance and understand ethical decision-making did some some scenarios. Uh, so that was interesting like how board members can't just show up at a school and demand a tour which I think we all know and uh things like that. So I think we went through like five or six uh ethical ethical scenarios. So that was fun little activity and that and that was it. >> Thank you. Thank you Mrs. Serani. Any other leazison reports?
071Seeing none workshops resolutions. Okay, we're move we're moving on to our second public comment in accordance with Scotch Plains Fanwood Public Schools bylaws 0164 and 0165. The meeting will be open for 15 minutes for public comments, 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, state your full name and the town in which you reside. Please note, boards use the public comment period as opportunity to listen to citizen concerns, but not to debate issues or enter into question and answer session or cross-examination between the public and the individual members. Be aware that not all issues brought before a board meeting will be resolved that evening. Boards may respond to public comment by seeking additional information or
072by delegating the authority to investigate the issue to the superintendent or his or her designate. Speakers, please come to the podium and state your full name and your town in which you reside. Thank you. >> Gary Mars, still Fanwood. I'm hanging in there. Um, I'm going to try to keep this as positive as possible. Um uh my son my son had the opportunity uh as a senior and he tried out for the boys volleyball team. Um his friends were on it. He hadn't been playing it that long and he tried out for the team. Um and it was more than a privilege that he happened to make the team. Um I faithfully went to as many games as possible. Some people streamed it online. and I'd be watching it, hiding it from my boss at
073work, watching the games and everything. Um, he didn't play much, but it was a privilege to be on the team. He was there with his friends. He enjoyed practice. He did what he could to contribute. It was a really positive experience. He learned discipline. And I got to tell you, this kid now is the most disciplined person I've ever seen in my life. He's going to be running his first half marathon in a month and if you ever want to get torched in pickle ball, I highly recommend uh you try playing him. Um so again, um I can't say enough good things about the experience we had with Coach Brock. Um, and I think we all witnessed, if you, if you weren't here, watch the last meeting. The discipline of those young men in that
074meeting blew me away. And I was also impressed, very impressed by the robotics club kids who stayed the entire time. That's why I went to the robotics thing because they supported those classmates of theirs. What was really disappointing for me is how the rules of the meeting were changed accordingly throughout the meeting. We went through this in in January and it happened again. Um, if you're going to stretch it, just let everybody speak. There was only two or three people who hadn't spoken. They wanted to speak. It's not that big a deal. In in Westfield, I've been to I've actually spoken in Westfield, believe it or not. Um, I'm sure you'll want me to go there more often, but uh, so they will let everybody speak no matter how long it takes. Okay, it's just
075it it's just kind of the American way to allow that opportunity for people to speak. Um, the reason there's a lot of people there was it was an emotional topic. And you just brought up ethics. I gotta say the ethics involved in that were troubling to me. Um, you had somebody leading the meeting who had a direct relationship with the situation. That p person should have been recused and not given a gavvel or a vote. That's how it works. And I'm not doing this to say, "Oh, we have to bring coach Brock back or anything like that." I'm saying it wasn't it wasn't due process. It wasn't the way it should have been done. And I'm not here to overinvestigate everything, but you literally allowed some parents to bully young men in this audience. They
076were directing their comments at them. Notice I'm not turning towards them. I'm looking at you. I know the rules, right? And I know I'm over time. >> And I'm about to remind you of one of them. Yes, Morris. Thank you. >> But there's not that many people here, so I just I just want to reiterate, >> but we still want to be fair. >> Yep. Yep. So just wrap up your comment. Thank you. >> I use my usual line which is if you could reach your conclusion in your comments. Thank you. >> Yep. >> So trust me when I tell you rewatch that and see how some of those people were looking at that those young men and how those young men held the discipline just like they did when they lost the championship on
077a bad call. They held their composure and they should be commended. Thank you for your comment, Mr. Mars. Uh, John Greenblat, Scotch Plains. Um, so I happened to just complete my uh NJSBA 3Rish training and uh a lot of what Miss Serani said about the roles and responsibilities and role playing I had to participate in as well. um including trying to grab someone's finger while they tried to grab my finger, which didn't get that one. But um uh I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you've put in in uh this year and I look forward to joining you in the next in the year coming and happy holidays. >> Thank you for your comment. Happy holidays. >> Anyone else want to come up? Okay, seeing none, upcoming scheduled meetings. Uh, our
078next our annual organization meeting 7:30 right here in the on January 6 in the media center and our regular public meeting is on January 26, 22nd here as well on Thursday. And anything for the good of the order? >> I do. I was proud to be part of the team that went from school to school on December 5th announcing the Governor Educator Awards. Uh Dr. Mass, Dr. McGarry, Adena Williams, um, Sali Barve, uh, Amy Boroff, myself, and Candace Tester was with us, and we went from every school to announce the surprise of who got the governor's educator award. And it was the people that got it were shocked and amazed and happy. And their students celebrated them as did other faculty and administrators in each building. And it was such a a wonderful event to
079go from schools to school to school in a few minutes to to make it and announce it. And it was such joy and we have such wonderful educators to receive this Governor Educator Award. So I'm just thankful that I was able to be part of that. >> Thank you, Miss Kolkowski. >> Dr. Kolkowski, welcome. Um, I just wanted to say I was really, um, I was excited to be invited to to be part of the strategic planning committee. Um, it was, you know, three board members, a lot of teachers and ad administrators, but most importantly, Leah, Logan, and we had two other students with us. And just hearing student voices saying, you know, strongly that this is what they believe the school district should work towards. It was just so uplifting. And like I I
080left after those two days with like a huge smile on my face and I was just really excited to do this work and you know I grew up in the district. I feel really proud of being from Scotch Plains family like Sarah said and I just feel like you know that those two days really reminded me of like how lucky we are to have the educators that we have in our schools and and it was just really wonderful. And Judith Wilson who ran it, she was incredible. So it was just it was really uplifting and I'm really excited to see what comes of that work. So thank you so much Dr. Mast for for including us. >> Yes. >> No one else. >> Yeah, I'm going to say >> okay. >> Um usually don't say
081something here, but I want to say I just wanted to recognize somebody in the audience. We have tonight Keith Foris is here. He is uh in charge of before afterare program here at this school district. And um you know, we had a tough first year obviously transitioning uh but I would say I've been working with Keith now for a year and a half and he takes uh so much ownership over uh the program. He's uh increased enrollment um year-over-year. You know, the past two years over 25% increase of the past two years. So uh we're almost we're up like 70% compared to what we used to have. Uh and I think that speaks to the satisfaction that all the parents have with the program. And uh that's because, you know, because Keith, mainly because Keith,
082he he goes above and beyond for us, puts together amazing plans to start up the school year. Uh and he um takes ownership just over every uh at every school. Um and gets in and rolls up the sleeves when he has to. And uh it's just been a he's been a pleasure to work with. So I'm glad he came tonight and wanted to recognize uh recognize >> Well, I was going to say, you know, um I like >> I can talk. I don't live in Scott. >> I was going to echo um what Christopher says. It is nothing but fabulous to receive positive feedback. Um and so getting um the feedback that we I've received personally um on how right at school is doing um I can say that my the feedback I've received has
083been fabulous. So thank you. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> We wouldn't be here without you guys. >> Dr. McGary, >> I just wanted to built upon um what Mrs. Barvey said about the strategic planning. Um and my addition is to thank everybody who took the surveys um parents, community members, teachers, um students um they made the work really really hard those two days because we had a lot of data to to take a look at but really good things um to work with going forward. >> Absolutely. Oh, and it's crazy at at drop off. Be careful out there that >> especially tomorrow morning in the rain. >> Oh my god. Yeah. At least it's not snow though, so we'll take that. >> Everyone enjoy their holiday break. Please take a
084moment to unplug and rest and have a happy new year. We'll see you next year >> and enjoy the last three days of school. >> Happy holidays everyone. >> Happy holiday. >> Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? Any any knows? >> She carries. Thank you. Thank you. >> Get a picture of all our students. >> Yeah. >> Together. >> You should get a picture of them. >> Student student board reps. We need board reps. >> And alumni student board reps. >> Yeah. So cute. >> Really good. >> Where's Jada? We need Jada. That's