001I pledge allegiance 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. >> Thank you. Good evening and welcome to the South River Board of Education regular meeting of Thursday, January 22nd, 20126. In compliance with the open public meeting act, chapter 231, Laws of 1975 of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting of the South River Board of Education was provided in the following manner. On January 16, 2026, the notice was delivered to the office of the South River Burough Clerk and posted at the Board of Education Administration building. On January 20 on January 16th, 2026, the notice was faxed mailed to the following newspapers: Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger. On January 16,
0022026, the notice was posted at the South River Burough Clerk's office. Mr. Rosa, would you please call the role? >> Mr. Basac, >> here. >> Mr. Budson >> here. >> Mrs. Bush >> here. >> Mrs. Lao >> here. >> Mr. Nielsen >> here. >> Mr. Anoway >> here. >> Mrs. Saddowski >> here. >> Mrs. Yung Yao >> here. >> Mrs. Urbanic >> here. M Shiza Hussein >> here. >> We have a quorum. Thank you. All right. On our agenda tonight, as the first order of business, we have the minutes, Mr. Rosa. So, we have the December 15th regular meeting minutes and January 5th reorg meeting minutes. >> Okay. Um, is there a motion on the minutes? >> Neielson move the reading of the minutes. >> We have a motion by Vice President Nielsen. Is there
003a second? >> Second by Mrs. Saddowski. Are there any questions on the minutes or comments? Seeing none, all in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Motion passes. Our next item on the agenda this evening is our use of facilities. Mr. Rosa. >> Yes. We have number 912. As an addition, we have number 919 and 992. We have a retroactive number 10 09. We also have uh 1,10,1 and 1,14. >> Thank you board members. Uh what is your pleasure on the use of facilities? >> Move the use of facilities in accordance with board policies. >> We have a motion by Vice President Nielson. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a second by Mrs. Lel. Uh is there any discussion on any of these use of facilities questions or abstensions? All in favor? >>
004Thank you. At this time, we are going to ask for the financial report. Mrs. Low. >> Thank you. Be it resolved that the board of education hereby certifies that it is in receipt of the financial report which indicates that no major account has been overexpended and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. The finance committee recommends that the reports of the board secretary and the treasurer of school monies for November 2025 be approved and I so move. >> Thank you. We have a motion by Mrs. Low >> Second by Mr. Bezac. Are there any questions on the financial report? >> All in favor? >> Thank you. At this time, we're now going to turn the meeting over to our superintendent of schools for her
005report. Dr. Zer. >> Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Urbanic. Um, two items on my agenda this uh this month. I'd like to begin um with my report. And the first item on that report is um the recognition of school board appreciation month which is January. Um I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and dedic and and thank our dedicated board members. Um the board continues to demonstrate strong engagement, thoughtful leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the best interests of our students. um you're always detail oriented, fiscally responsible, deeply invested in our success and the success of our entire community. And um just really it's important for the community to know that the work that you do is not easy. Um it requires a lot of time. It requires countless hours of your volunteer time.
006Um and your work is truly invaluable to our district. So, in recognition of this service, um you have a certificate of appreciation um for your pleasure as well as a South River pin. And we've also upgraded your um your stations a little bit during our board meetings so that you have accessible uh documents at your ready and in good school spirit folders. So, enjoy that and thank you for all you do. Um, we've been discussing this for some time, but now it is official. Um, there is a new Senate bill uh that just passed S3695. It establishes statewide guidelines for K12 student cell phone use in schools. Um, it it was signed u into law by Governor Phil Murphy before he left office. Uh, and the law directs the New Jersey Department of Education to
007develop statewide guidelines. Um, and we our role is to then take those guidelines and develop districtwide policies um to implement in the 2627 school year. So, we have the remainder of this year um to collaboratively develop that district specific policy, but we are awaiting some of that guidance from the DOE before we um get too heavily into that work. But we have already met with a committee once to discuss just some initial um feedback on the on the topic and I will continue to um update the board in that regard. Um we are really headed into the budget process. We will be meeting with um our department heads as well as our school leadership to begin to um conduct our needs assessment and then to really begin to um set priorities for each of our
008departments and schools. And then a preliminary budget um a proposed budget will be presented to the finance committee. Um then it will go to the county and then full board for a final approval this spring. Uh we have our second Scholastic showcase at the high school this year. It will take play Oh, it took place January 22nd today. Um, and it was designed uh for current high school students as well as eighth grade students transitioning to ninth grade. And um really what what the point of the Scholastic Showcase was uh was to really highlight everything that the high school has to offer and what students can take advantage of um especially in the area of electives. Uh so it's always a fun event but definitely an informational one for students that they really benefit from.
009Uh residency office is still um doing their work uh to ensure that um the residents of South River are receiving an education or an opportunity for an education in our public schools. Um their next initiative is coming this spring and we will be sending out notifications very soon. um because we will do a grade level residency check for our eighth graders going into ninth grade. Um so we're sending out what the requirements out um what the requirements are for that registration process and how parents have multiple formats to give us their information. They can do so in person, they can do so via email, and they can do so in our online portal. Um, so we're really hoping to get the utmost cooperation in that regard. Um, but students will not be eligible to receive
010their ninth grade schedules, their high school laptops, um, or the other things that they need until we have their proof of residency for 9th grade. So, that is taking place this spring and we are here to help families and make that um, as easy a process as possible. Um, on the other end, preK registration is now open. We've already had um almost 50 families apply for our prek program, our full day prek program. At this time, we are keeping the program um as is um without the need for an expansion. So, we have the uh classrooms at the annex um at the board office annex. We have the ELC and then we do have two classrooms at the primary school. Um and based on those registrations, we will see exactly where um our preK will
011be served, but we are ready to go and looking forward to families registering for our prek program. In special ed, we do have an interesting um an interesting initiative. Um I didn't include it in my uh in this section of my superintendence report. Um but you may have seen some other um memos on the topic, but our special ed program will be using uh VR headsets to help students meditate and to help students um have some calming um approaches with counseling staff and with uh special ed staff. It's a new initiative, something new that we're trying that um we think has been successful in other schools and other um mental health um service providers. And so we're curious to see how this goes for our students. It's another approach to again altering and being proactive
012um in regards to discipline issues. So we'll see how that goes and I'll keep the board updated on that as well. Um also in my superintendence uh report, we have item 3.2 which is a confirmed HIP. And with that concludes my report for tonight. Thank you, Dr. Zer. Do any board members have any questions or comments on the superintendence report? Okay, that report will be moved under our consent resolution. Uh, at this time, we are now going to open up the board meeting for the reception of visitors and this is so the public may address agenda items only. There will be a public portion later on in the meeting for the public to address matters that may be of interest and concern for the board of education. Uh if you care to address the board
013on agenda items, please come to the microphone, state your name and address, and please keep your comments to a 10-minute time limit. And this is on first call. And on second call and on third call. Seeing none, we're going to close this public portion and move on to our committee reports beginning with athletics and extracurricular. Mr. Buden, >> there's nothing on the agenda for this month, but shout out to the girls basketball team, which is having an exciting year. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. our buildings and grounds committee. Vice President Nielsen, >> there's nothing on the agenda tonight, but uh everyone received the email from Dr. Zer and how we're preparing for this upcoming weekend storm. So, uh we'll be out there. So, you know, just give us time and uh you
014know, there's only so much we can do. We have every ducks in a row and we'll be out there and try to get the schools open as soon as possible. That's all we can do. That's all I have tonight. >> Thank you. uh our finance report. Miss Low, >> thank you. So, um the board will be accepting the 2425 comprehensive accounting report uh the audit. Uh so, this evening we have uh Jerry uh Stanowitz from Samuel Klein and Company with us to discuss uh the findings of the audit. And um and then I'll do a brief summary. And that is all for this evening really. Good evening and happy new year to everyone. >> For the record, yes, I'm Jerry Stanwitz, partner in Samuel Klein and Company. We're the appointed auditors and emphasize we're appointed
015by the board to audit the records of the financial transactions and business operation. I think everyone here has heard my deliriously boring uh presentation in the past, but um basically we do an audit of the financial records and the way it works is uh management which is Johnny and Sylvia and the crew uh present us with the records and we then our responsibility is to do the audit of those records and then our our our obligation is to the board to report on those. So in a nutshell, we have an unmodified opinion on the financial records presented by the uh the business office. Okay. How we got there. Okay. So remember an audit is a sample. The root word is audit. It's an audition. It's a sample. And we we sample expenditures. Okay. And again
016it's not um halfhazard or you know willy-nilly. It's statistical based both for expenditures as well as for payroll. Okay. And for with regards to payroll, we we verify that everyone who comes up in the sample was um compensated in accordance with the board authorization andor the collective bargaining agreement. And keep in mind, we we audit the transaction. Okay? So if their January 15th paycheck comes up, that's what we check. We do a little other little things with that to make sure that for the year they weren't over overpaid, but that that's one of the things we do. So we we got good results from the uh from our payroll testing. And what we also do too is we make sure that the superintendent and the business administrator and the payroll person are paid in accordance
017with their authorized uh salaries if we would be remiss if we didn't do that. And I think any auditor would be remiss if they didn't do that. We we don't strictly follow the statistical. You know, a lot of times people they'll only pick what comes up in a sample. I I can't do that. I I know I've been doing this a long while. I I think there's certain things we have to hit just to give the board a comfort level. So expenditures were all good. We uh also checked to see the payroll taxes were withheld and paid over timely. Uh we didn't get any notification of u of any delinquencies in filing with the IRS. Okay. Uh otherwise that would be a different problem. So that all worked out very nicely. Payroll taxes worked out.
018Payroll worked out well. Expenditures on the other hand, we check again. We run a sample. The random number generator gives us we pick how many we're going to check and then we the generator gives us the the selection because every every transaction has a check number assigned to it. Okay. We also pick uh significant items as we call it big dollar items here. You had a lot you had a lot of big ticket items this year because of the expansion. Okay. And um that all worked out very well. The important thing with that is this. All your dispersements expenditures are properly documented. They're charged to the correct line item. And by the way, emphasize, you know, we have you're working on your budget. Um, you have what could be a tough budget year coming. Uh,
019Trenton, Washington, they're all looking closely at at at budgets and you have to make sure your expenditures are in the right place. We check for that and that that you have you have to have them coded properly. That's also a Department of Ed requirement. Okay. Um, charge to the correct fiscal year. Okay. The bills are cut off properly here. If there's a bill paid in July, okay, then it relates to June 30th or prior, it's set up as accounts payable. And I think the business office does a good job in keeping that to a minimum. They try to pay most of the bills before the close of of the of the budget year or the fiscal year. So you have minimal accounts payable. Okay? And that that's a good thing. That makes life a little
020easier. But that also brings another question too is okay, they're minimal, but how do we know there's not more, right? So what we do, we do check paid bills in July, August, and September. Make sure they were cut off properly. Okay? So that that all worked out nicely. And the fourth thing is most important, you're in compliance with the public school contracts law. Now, anymore because of all these buying co-ops and purchasing co-ops that are out there, it's very difficult to violate the bid law unless you just say, "Hey, we're buying that no matter what. We don't care what anyone says." And that hasn't happened in a long time, at least here. I've had it happen somewhere else. That's another story. But um the buying co-ops and then and the the co-ops are a state
021contract. There's a there's also a cooperative with the ES the ED services and I think there's some North Jersey related co-ops that you that um and I say that because they're different county names to these things. So there was no problem with that. Okay. Also too, we we do spend time looking at your food service operation. Okay. We we don't just accept what they you know what they bill you. We we look into their records as well. We look actually look at their they give us their records to look at. So we spend time looking at that with the ASSA which is the state application for school aid. The key thing there has to do with the number of kids. So we do check the kids count. The the kid count. I call it a
022kid count. We check the attendance registers as of uh October 15th making sure that whatever was claimed with the state is supported by the attendance registers. We've never in a long time here uh never had a problem with that. it always worked out very nicely. Um, and then the other thing is too we do look at the free and reduced applications. Okay. And again that works out a little bit better now because there's less and less where someone has to fill out the form. They go to SNAP or to direct. So it works out very nicely and it helps. And also too there's another thing we check you get reimbured from the feds and the state based on a a rate for lunch and breakfast. Okay, those amounts that are claimed, we go back to
023the almost to like the the point of sale that you would call it and trace it through to the the school for that day, for the week, for the month, and then through to this sneer report, which is is the monthly report that you file to get reimbured. So, we have pretty good I think all excellent results. I think we're uh your your payroll person has been here two years, I believe, now or three, right? >> Okay. Yeah. My guys are very they're happy. the guys that work for they're happy with with the results we got as as well from that. Okay. And same thing with the expenditures. Okay. I know. And transition from one accounting system to another is a little difficult, but I think we we got there. Um the first year was
024pretty tough. The second year got a little better. So hopefully it'll get a lot better. We had to spend a little more time because some of the the numbers weren't used to they didn't fall into place like we were used to under the old system which we were quite familiar with. But it's it's a good system and hopefully all the Kingsler worked out. And I think a lot of it was too was a combination of of of the transition to the new system and the construction project you had going on that that that caused us a lot of I don't mind extra work but I think it looked like I can tell from looking at the records that it was a tough year. >> Just look I don't even have to talk to anybody or
025look at the the invoices. I can see from the records. So that all proved out. So in the end what we have is the smaller of the two documents indicates and talks about everything that I just said and that everything is working properly and in place. Okay. The key thing to avoid uh you're going to see a lot of thing in the news a lot of information in the news coming out about other school districts. Okay. And their deficits. Okay. um it if you're properly purchasing and the information is properly flowing from the board from the business office to the board it can happen. Okay. And I was talking to Johnny about that before because I said you know a fair question from a board member is Johnny can this happen here? Okay. And I
026my I think the answer is what as long as we have the procedures in place and people are following them we we can't have that problem. Those situations are are crazy. They're mindboggling to me that you could that you put yourself in those positions. So, um so it it it can't it can't happen here. So, um the thicker of the two documents, okay, is a joint uh effort between us and the business office. They provide us with the runs, the computer runs, the reports, general ledgers, all the subsidiary documents that support the bill paying that support all your revenues. It all flows into a general ledger. Okay. An important thing too to know and if you're not businessoriented at least you should know because if many of you sit on other boards you might want
027to ask their auditor if they give a presentation your bank reconciliations which are prepared by an independent person okay highly qualified I might add okay they agree to the general ledger that's important to know it's technical but you need to know that and and if that's the case what happens is then your general ledger becomes what we call reliable because it it hits the cash okay And it it's consistently it's it's always been okay. We've always had good results with that and important to know, you know, just little things. Some of the stuff is technical. So, inside this document, the only four pages that belong to us are actually the independent auditor's uh opinion, which is an unmodified opinion. Also in here is a lot of statistical information about about South River. Okay. Now, you
028have bonds. Well, you don't have a lot left, but you do have bonds outstanding. Okay. I think it was $855,000, which is relatively nothing. Um, your bonds are still outstanding. People in Wall Street, they're looking at this. If someone wants to buy the bond from someone else, they they bring these documents up. And I know Standard Empors and Moody's, the rating agencies, they're looking at it. I know they are because we send the information to them and sometimes we get a question from them. um statistical information about the ratable base, the tax rates, 10 largest taxpayers, um employers in D in the in the bureau. So that's a lot of other information that's contained in here. But again we what we issue is the thinner the two documents is our representation to the board about
029the the operation of the district which again I indicate we had outstanding audit results and therefore as a result there are no comments that require a recommendation on us and therefore there's no plan of action corrective action required by the board. So, what one thing I do want to point out though, okay, and again, the thicker of the two has information in it. Your food service operation, which is um and I don't know if you have it there. I think you all most of you receive an electronic copy. We did drop some hard copies off and if anyone wants a hard copy, let Johnny know and if you need more, we'll get them to you. But your food service operation is 1.6 million, which is it's growing up. It's pretty substantial. Um it's it's solvent,
030okay? But it's also below the threshold that the state requires you to take action. You're you have to you can keep no more than 30% of your operating expenses in assets. Okay? So we're we're below that threshold. All the districts now that I work on are below. During COVID, they were above and it required a sentence in this little report here that you're above the threshold and you got to do something to bring it below. But usually that's all worked out before we issue the report. We have a comment. If you were, we would have a comment that the board has taken action to, you know, buy refrigerators or do some improvements. So, but just so you know, you have a $ 1.6 million operation and we were satisfied with the records of the food
031service uh company. Okay. So, then the other item that I want to point out, okay, is I got to find it. your fund balance. Okay, it's on page 897. It's off exhibit C1. Now, the total amount seems like a lot, but most of it is spoken for. It's 14.5 million, but a lot of it spoken for. Okay? And I I will tell you what, you have a capital reserve of 2.9 million. Okay? But of that, about 669,000 was appropriated in your 2526 budget. So, it's gone. You have a maintenance reserve of 635,000. Of that about 200,000 was appropriated in 2526. That's gone. Okay. Then you have an unemployment fund which is really employee money in in the event that you get unemployment claims which you know I was in a place last night we were
032talking about it. It it could happen. You know the the the state aid could change the economics is going to change. You may end up tapping into that reserve. So that's kind of spoken for. Then we have excess surplus, okay, for for the 20 as a result of your 2520, I'm sorry, your 2425 operation that's mandatory to be used in your 2627 budget which is being developed right now. Okay, that's 3.6 million. It's spoken for. Okay, we file an electronic version of this report and no one but but my office can change the numbers and when they're developing their budget, that number's going to pop up. you don't have any option but to use it as a revenue source in next year's budget. Okay. And in the 2526 budget from the 2420 from the 2324
033operation was uh was 2.5 million. Now that 2.5 million on July 1st of 20 4 right was gone because you when you adopt your budget it's gone. Okay. Uh and then you have incumbrances at year end of 3.2 million. I think most of them were construction related. Yeah. >> Okay. So, and by now they've been dispersed andor trying to do some cleanup work. So, your what we used to call your free balance is now it's called unassigned. It's your 2% maximum you're allowed to keep. Okay. Is a million70. So, of the 14 million really only a million70 is really free and clear and you need to keep that as a pad. So, although it may seem like a large number, most of it's spoken for. Okay? And as soon as you open the door or
034adopt your budget for that year, it it's gone. Okay? And and what happens too is during the year it can be rebuilt. Okay? And how it gets rebuilt is you collect more money than you thought and you spend less money than you anticipated. And I know in all the places I go though, that's going to change because budgets are getting tighter and revenues are getting tighter. So although again, it seems like a lot of money, but you don't know where you're going. And part of our job is not to tell you that we're it's not a corporation. We're not here to tell you you're in great financial shape because if an auditor is telling the board that any board that's not why that's not the purpose of doing we're here to verify the number. Okay.
035Fortunately, we have excesses. Okay. Other places don't as you'll see in the news coming up in a couple towns, much bigger towns though further north than here. Okay. So, in the end, those are the the information. And again, if it seems like a lot of money, it's not because it's all spoken for. Okay. So, in the end, we have um an unmodified opinion on the financial statements and um no comments and Rex. We do want to acknowledge Johnny Rosa and most importantly his support staff. Um they're the people that that pull information for us, okay, that answer questions and keep seem to keep everything together. So, um, they were most cooperative and I think they deserve the credit. They they get the credit because you get a good audit and it all starts with the
036people. As long as they don't deviate from procedures, we're good and they're good. So, >> if you have any questions, I'm here. Um, I'm around as you know. Um, but thank you, Johnny. Thank you, Dr. Zer. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Jerry. Sure. >> Okay. So really the only thing you have to do is acknowledge acceptance of the audit. >> Um there's no plan of action I believe. >> Right. >> Under consent. You have it under we have it under consent. So >> Yep. >> Perfect. Thank you so much. >> Okay. And by the way, we I think we're a month ahead. I won't be here on my birthday. >> I know. >> February. I remember that. It freaks enough that I remember that. But uh >> All righty. >> We're good. All right. Thank
037you so much. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> Thanks Jerry. I I know that I can speak for um our finance committee with Ry and Nicole and other board members, but we truly appreciate Jerry Cummings, but more so the fact that he has always acknowledged how well uh the business office and the board office works with his team of auditors to get this done in such a precise way because of all of the randomization and everything that's required and how like that's always of his like speaking points is how well he works with us as a district and u and I think that's a tribute to like how how the Smith department and the board office is run uh from the administration that's there. So on behalf of our committee I truly appreciate
038all the work that goes into it and if you can please extend our thanks to everybody that helps them uh I would appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Great job. Does anybody else want to have any add anything before? >> No. Okay. Mr. B, if you want me to continue with my little >> Yes, please. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, um, so the the remaining budget items include uh contracts, agreements for the school year and next year uh for supporting student services, facilities, construction, cooperative purchasing, everything you just mentioned, uh, school programming. Um, and I really loved the school pantry, the school food pantry program donation that came from Stop and Shop. I think I am excited to hear in future reports what that's going to be about. Uh, I am
039all for um community service that way. That's like one of like our standing family principles. So, uh, that that was amazing to see. Um so having said that the finance committee after reviewing all items on this month's agenda and upon recommendation of the superintendent recommends approval of the items 8.1 through 8.8 with additional items 8.9 through 8.13 on the agenda as listed including routine items and that is all I have for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you Mrs. Low. Our instruction committee Mrs. Bush. >> Sure. So I'm just going to give everybody an update from Dr. report. This month, the district introduced a new data um dashboard to help teachers and administrator better understand student progress and identify some trends in learning. The tools to help the staff be uh to make more informed
040instructional decisions um and to be more effective and to help the students of in the classroom and across the schools. We focused on professional development. Again, it always is a priority for Dr. Travisano. Um the teachers are participating in a variety of targeted uh trainings to support diverse learning to strengthen uh classroom practices. Um and then I would like to talk a little bit about the upcoming schedule program that's about to start specifically at the high school. Um annual course recommendation process is going to start shortly. They use multiple measures to determine the best place placement for students um so that they could be the most successful. Um the 2627 program of studies is going to be released shortly. It outlines all the course offerings that we offer here at the high school and every
041year we're here it grows. So if you haven't looked at it, you should. Um and then from there, parental import is um is is extremely important in helping students select courses for postsecary planning, whether it's college or the workforce or what have you. So, please take a look at that when it comes out and then reach out to your school counselor or your child's teachers if you have any questions. Anybody with questions about his report? Okay. Then, seeing none, the instruction committee after reviewing all the items on this month's agenda and upon the recommendation of the superintendent recommends the approval of items 9.1 through 9.4 with additional item 9.5 on the agenda as listed, including routine items. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mrs. Bush. Did you also want to uh go over the
042wall of fame committee that's in Dr. Tisano's >> report and announce those? >> I can. I Lisa used to do that, so I didn't know I was doing it. Okay, hold on. All right, so I'm gonna kill the names. I'm sorry. I'm gonna apologize right now. is pronouncing names. >> Diane Fulbles. >> Yes. Diane Fen Blowski, class of 1985, graduate of South River, was recognized for her outstanding achievements in athletics and professional service. While she was here at South River, she was an outstanding student athlete. Uh she later attended Ryder University on a full scholarship, athletic scholarship as well, so academic and athletic. She was inducted into the Writer University Hall of Fame in 2011. Um, and I should say, let me backtrack. It was a softball scholarship in case anybody was wondering. I didn't
043I misspoke or didn't complete that. Um she's established herself as an she has established herself um in the fields of communication and grant writing and she has successfully raised more than $100 million for nonprofit organizations supporting medical research and individuals with disabilities. So that is our first. All right, Kevin, I got this one. Mr. Robert Langfield, I got this one under control. Uh he graduated in 1967. Um, he was selected for induction again, a student athlete, member of our baseball team, and he earns an all state second team honors. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and has served overseas. >> During his service, Mr. Langfield sustained injuries in the line of duty and was awarded the Purple Heart >> and as well as the cross of gallantry with a Bronze Star
044in recognition for his bravery and his service. Um so on March 26, 2026, we're going to um formally induct them um as part of our National Honor Society as well. >> Thank you. >> You're very welcome and congratulations to our nominees. >> There are no items for negotiation. Uh we are now going to hear from our policy and legislation committee, Mr. on >> the policy and legislation committee after reviewing all items on this month's agenda and upon recommendation of the superintendent recommends approval of the item 11.1 with additional items 11.2 through 11.3 on the agendas listed including the items that is all >> thank you and then our human resources committee Mr. Beijac >> thank you Mr. The the human resources committee after reviewing all items on this month's agenda and upon recommendation of the
045superintendent recommends approval of the items 12.1 through 12.11 with additional item 12.12 on the agenda as listed including routine items. >> Thank you. And our safety and risk management, Miss Saddowski. >> Thank you. The safety and risk management committee after reviewing all items on this month's agenda and upon recommendation of the superintendent recommends approval of item 13.1 with additional item 13.2 on the agenda as listed including routine items. Thank you. >> Thank you. And our residency committee, Miss Yang Yao. >> Thank you. The residency committee after reviewing all items on this month's agenda and upon recommendation of the superintendent recommends approval of the item 14.1 with no additional items on the agenda as listed including routine items. >> Okay. Thank you. At this time, we're going to go back to the consent resolution. Uh with
046regard to any items under any of the committee reports, are there any questions outstanding or comments? Seeing none, Mr. Rosa. >> The South River Board of Education by means of a consent resolution adopt various resolutions of a routine and non-controversial nature at one time. And whereas the below listed resolutions are hereby adopted by the said board of education in whole as if the same were individually acted upon. Those are under superintendent of schools 3.1 through 3.2 2 under finance 8.1 through 8.13 under instruction 9.1 through 9.5 the policy and legislation 11.1 through 11.3 under human resources 12.1- 12.12 under safety and risk management 13.1 through 13.2 to on the residency 14.1. >> Thank you. Board members, what is your pleasure on the consent resolution? >> Move the consent resolution. >> We have a motion by
047Vice President Nielsen. >> Second, and a second by Mrs. Saddowski. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion is carried. At this time, we're going to go to the school board burough council liaison committee report. Vice President Nielsen. >> Thank you, Madam President. There's nothing to report, but I see Mr. Dazian is uh back as liaison to the burrow. Um Hank was very good at keeping um informed on what was going on within the burrow uh with me. So, I know he'll be reaching out to me prior to our meetings if there's anything he would like for us to uh bring out during their meetings. >> Nice to have you back. >> PreK registration would be good. >> Okay. to bring up >> prek. Hank, we'll uh I'll shoot you something about prek registration. >> PreK
048registration is open. >> It's open. All right. Thanks, Hank. >> Okay. Thank you. Our PTA liaison, Mrs. Saddowski. >> Thank you. I do have a couple of updates for the primary ELC PTA, they are hosting a family game night this Friday uh evening. uh elementary school. They are planning a Valentine's Day dance for Friday, February 6th. Uh yearbooks are on sale. Uh you can find the link for purchasing um on the Facebook page on the eam and in the principal emails, the weekly emails that they send out. Um also planning is ongoing for funies. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. Our South River Public Library liaison, that would be Mr. Budsen. The yoga classes continue on Mondays at 4 pm. Wine and sip is January 26 at 6 pm. Story times is on
049Friday at 11 p.m. And starting in in February, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they'll be having a indoor walking at 1 p.m. in the library. Be walking around the meeting room. February 7th is take your child to the library day. And February 12th is the mindful greeting uh class. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. And our student board representative, Miss Husan. >> Um I don't um have a microphone, so I'll just try to speak a little louder. >> It's like in your hands. >> It doesn't look like the phone thing. Um thank you. But I think the one part that I found really interesting was today the uh the Scholastic showcase that happened. It was really really informational because uh we implemented this I think my sophomore year. So this was around 2 years
050ago and I thought that you know even as a sophomore I look forward to seeing what classes are available talking to other high schoolers and seeing what classes could benefit me career-wise. So, I thought it was a great opportunity for especially underassmen, especially the eighth graders coming in, you know, who are so eager to come into high school and see what opportunities are offered for them. So, I think that we should continue to aim to find opportunities like this where we get to have underassmen and our community as a whole come in and get to talk to upper classmen and see what opportunities our school has to offer. So, I really enjoyed that. >> Thank you. >> Good to hear. >> Okay. Thank you. So, you benefited as well. >> Thank you. And is there
051any old or new business to come before the board? >> I have something >> under new business. Everybody received the uh >> East Brunswick High School Dr. Bureau letter. >> Um >> it just goes to show the leadership that we have that Dr. Zer reached out immediately when she found out of the horrific incident that Dr. um I'm sure had to reach out to us for and offered the support of this district and how our staff was right there willing to help. They they know that how a traumatic event affects the student population and and the staff population within it because we've had that problem within our district and I just like to commend Dr. Zer and his staff for reaching out to uh the good doctor over there in East Brunswick and offering our
052support. It speaks volumes to the quality of individuals that we have. And that's all I have tonight. >> Thank you. And is there anything from our attorney? >> Just just to uh echo what Dr. Zurch said earlier, the cell phone bill uh 36.95. It's going to be quite an adjustment, especially for the kids who are affected. As you know, cell phones are very important to model in this case and it's going to be a luxury to a certain extent to districts like you because we're going to get state language and when it comes to your policy clearing house, when it comes through stress estate in other districts, it will be uniform language which means there won't be a great deal of discretion which means that we'll be able to correctly tell the parents who are
053very likely to come and students who are very likely to complain that this is a statewide initiative. Uh there's research supporting it, there's research undermining it. We'll see what it says. >> Do we have any idea when the Department of Ed will be providing those guidelines? >> According to them, soon. But since they don't even have a commissioner right now, >> I have a feeling that was the answer. >> I would say have a guide posted right now. >> Within the month of March, I think we're going to have very meaningful direction from the state. >> Okay. I think it'll be soon because they do have a guide posted already >> so then we can get started on >> they were really waiting for the law to pass to see if they needed to modify
054their existing guide book. >> Um so that's what we're working off of right now the the one that's already um in the NJ DOE resources um website. So I think it'll be soon. >> Okay. Thank you. >> There's new ebike legislation too which we'll talk about next. Yeah. >> All right. Is there anything else for the attorney? >> Uh, we do have one personnel update in executive session. >> Okay. Uh, next item we have is the payment of bills. Miss L. >> Thank you. The finance committee recommends that all bills presented having been certified by the school business administrator board secretary be paid as listed and ISO. >> We have a motion by Mrs. L. >> Second. and a second by Vice President Nielsen. Are there any questions on the bill list? Seeing none, all
055in favor? >> Thank you. We could pay the bills. And at this time, we are now going to once again open up the meeting to the public where you can address any concern or comment that you have for the board. You come up to the microphone. Please state your name and address and please keep your comments to a 10-minute time limit. This is on first call. Second call. Third call is public portion is closed. Uh the board of ed will be going into executive session. And be it resolved that pursuant to sections seven and eight of the open public meetings act, the following subjects be discussed at a session of the board of education closed to the public and that item is personnel. It is presently anticipated that the items to be discussed in close
056session can be disclosed to the public when resolved. Is there a motion? >> Neielson. Motion by Vice President Nielsen and a second >> second >> by Mrs. Sidowski. All in favor? >> Thank you.