6-19-25 Watchung Borough BOE Meeting

001Hello everyone. We're going to get started. Like to call to order a regular meeting of the Wong Burough School District Board of Education for June 19th, 2025. is 7:10 p.m. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. [Music] I 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. [Laughter] Welcome to a meeting of the board of education of the bureau of watch. Please be advised that this and all meetings of the board are open to the public and media consistent with the open public's meeting act chapter 231 laws of 1975 and that the advanced notice required therein has been provided. This is a regular meeting of the board of education of the bureau of Wong

002at which formal action may be taken. This meeting is being livereamed on the district website where a recording of the meeting will also be posted. The public will have an opportunity to be heard as shown on the agenda at points in the meeting provided for the public to address the board. Recording or photographing other than for private personal use requires the consent of parents or guardians whose children may be included in the image. I have a roll call, please. Miss Bishop Johnson. Yes. Mrs. Amado here. Mr. Fridge here. Mrs. Duet here, Mrs. Maddox here, Mrs. Santos here, Mrs. Aglaro here, and Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Harvey, and Mr. Craft are absent. We'll start with some presentations. Um, I'm going to be moving the order of the meeting around a little bit. Both Dr. Glazer and our

003first presenter, uh, Connor O'Brien are currently stuck on the roads. I guess there's there's been a lot of rain. Um, so can we go straight to Patty Reese? Are you ready to do the board certification presentation? So, so, um, this is the presentation of your board certification. Okay. Um I think I'd like to not I think I know to commend you for all your hard work. Um the board has uh achieved certification which uh for New Jersey schools and boards association. What that means is that you have the the majority of the board have conducted been participating in 16 hours of professional development to help you um better govern and better manage your board. uh and that's done over a four-year period. And and that's tremendous. Not a lot of boards uh make that commitment

004to uh for professional development to uh enhance their skills to better represent their community and better serve their their students. Uh and so um in I think about a month ago, you finally not finally you you got your certification. Um, and I just want to um go over some of the different kinds of professional development that you that this board has done. You do annual ethics training. You've had your uh policy manual, had a wellness check. Um, you do goal setting. Um, and these are all different kinds of things that are required to help you do what you do better. Um and um the the there is a plaque which I believe Dr. Glazer already has. So I apologize for not having that but I do think that um as I said there aren't many

005boards that have achieved certification because it is it is um extra work on your part. And so what has to happen is you have to have a majority of board members at the professional development training session as well as your superintendent and that as you know um because your lives are so busy besides the board you you know you have other lives um that takes a lot of effort. So again I commend you for that. Um and your certification will um hold for um for four years. Uh there's also another level should you choose. Um there's a masterboard certification that you could do an additional 10 hours of training uh in two years and then you would be one of a very elite few that will achieve uh what we call the Carol E. Lararsson

006master board certification. Uh and that is a is another commitment and as I said there are very few boards that have achieved that. Um, and then that you'll get a plaque with that as well. The plaque that you were presented um that that Dr. Glazer already has can be posted hung in your um in your board office for everybody to see. But again, I'd like to um commend you for all your hard work uh for your community and your students uh and in what it took to achieve um board certification. Thank you, Mrs. Ree. And I look forward to our board retreat next week where maybe we can talk more about making a goal for the master certification. You you do that that'll that will and actually um you have two and a half hours

007added, right? You you you had your your time. Um then you have two more time and then next week when we do your uh board retreat to talk about board goals that will also be added to your transcript. Okay. So so if you continue doing things like that periodically having training you should probably um easily reach your master board certification another 10 hours in two years. Thank you very much. Hopefully we'll get the plaque later and we can take a photo. Hopefully when when Dr. laser arrives. Um we can at least show your community um the plaque. Thank you very much. Okay, so I'm going to move to committee reports. We wait for the other presenter to arrive. Um this is Maddox. Could you give us the curriculum committee report? Sure. Okay. So, we met

008on Wednesday, June 12th at 4:00 and it was until 5:41. It was a virtual meeting. In attendance was Dr. Julie Julie Glazier, um, Jennifer, Dory, Fatima, myself, and Miss Fickner, Miss Kidd, and Nicole DTO was absent. Uh, so new business. So, The committee was asked to reset or I'm not going to read that part. The committee is in favor. Okay, sorry guys. The committee was asked to reschedule the board of education meeting for August 28th and the committee meeting for August 21st. The committee is in favor of this move. The committee was also asked to change the meeting time for July and August to earlier times. The committee is in favor. Dr. Glazier will provide the committee with options after speaking with principal principles and the director of special services. We also reviewed the 12-month

009calendar and that is on the agenda tonight for approval. Uh there's also the curriculum writing that uh there's no new update follow-ups for that was parent meeting the HIV and just joking which was on May 29th following the fifth grade parade or excuse me not parade parent meeting was 7 at 7:00 uh it was not uh well attended just because of the change in the date the district science fair with Valley View was June June 2nd at 6:00 and that was not okay sorry that was the wrong one. So that was not well attended due to the date change. The referendum filled an outdoor learning commons will be reported on by the administration and finance committee. Autism program two out of the district students and their parents toured the facility on the program. They will

010decide whether to attend the school or not. So that is to be determined. Pursuit of Excellence Enrollment for Valley View fifth grade for 42 were invited and 22 attended. 12 did not respond to the invite. Sixth grade 25 were invited, 10 attending, 15 did not respond. Seventh grade, 28 were invited, 14 attended, five did not respond to the invite. Bayberry first grade three attended, second grade five uh attended, third grade nine attend attended and fourth grade five attended. Uh an extended school year program enrollment was 22. [Music] potential board agenda items and donations or Bayberry prek uh transition to K cards cards are given to the students from the Marco Polo company to use to help the transition from PE preK to kindergarten and then again um the 12-month calendar and that was it for

011curriculum. Great. Thank you very much, Mrs. Maddox. I realize it's hard to read somebody else's minutes on the fly. So, thank you for doing that. Uh, moving on to administration finance. Mr. Fra, can you give the report? Uh, the committee met on June 10th, 2025. In attendance were myself, Dory Manuel, and Jen. Um, as well as Dr. Glazer, Miss Karen, Bishop Bishop Johnson, Ricky Boyd, and Connor O'Brien. Uh, we met from 4 until roughly 5:30 p.m. Um, so we would have started with a referendum update from Connor, but unfortunately isn't here yet. So, I'm going to give basic rundown and hopefully when he comes, he'll finish the rest of it. Um, so last we spoke about, we were working on uh the outdoor learning comments for the package being created. Um, a bidder came in

012over the budget, but then we went back and obtained co-op pricing. pricing was a bit better, but some of the details weren't included, so the administration and Connor have been working on getting some of these items. Um, the project should be finished by the end of the summer. Um, some minor items may remain, but completing them in the fall will not infect affect instruction at all. Uh, all the costs are part of the referendum and there should not be any expense to the school district budget. And the district summer projects include the installation of permanent locks on Valley View lockers, replacing ceiling tiles, replacing door locks, refinishing the Valley View gym floor, removing the carpet from the board offices, repairing the Bayberry large playground, and painting select hallways in both buildings. A contractor will be

013painting the classrooms, and the Bayberry gym floor will be stripped down to Barewood and refinished. Uh we also did discuss the uh the timeline for board meetings as well similar to uh the curriculum committee and we will all on this agenda we will um have the reacceptance of administrative contracts. As for the action items that we have um we redisuss the school district litigation against social media companies. Uh we had a lunch discussion regarding a parent inquiry um about document that could be created to explain the 5% threshold. Um there is also resolution on the agenda to fund the maintenance reserve with available funds until the end or at the end of the school year. The municipal tax levy schedule has been approved by the town. Property and casualty renewals have been added to this

014agenda. And last but not least, the students who won the definitely not least, the students who won the Fiser of competition have been granted $1,000 awards towards the Steam program. Thank you. I just want to clarify too that with the lunch discussion, we had a community member write uh a letter to the board asking us to look into the national lunch program. Um and we did. We we pulled uh districts near us and what they were doing. And once we went over the costs and and how it was being delivered in the other districts, we decided that we weren't ready to do that. Um, but we are hoping to create um a document that can explain the decision there. And because this comes up almost every summer, um discussions as to whether or not we

015need a cafeteria, discussions, um whether or not we want the PTO to continue providing lunch or if we want to move to the national program. So hopefully that information um will be um available shortly. U moving on to the policy committee. Mrs. Amado, could you read the report? policy committee met Wednesday, June 5th, uh from 5:31 to 6:35 p.m. It was virtual. Present uh myself, Phyllis Chuette, Adam Craft, uh Jennierro, and Dr. Glazer, Miss Pinky Nelson. Um first reading, bylaw 0173. Um, this bylaw has no changes to it, but we would like to read it um uh in advance of in advance of future contract ratification. Um, second reading, there were no feedbacks on no feedback on items P8600, student transportation, and P8601, student supervision after dismissal. Um, so these are all up uh for

016second reading. Um follow-up items. Uh policy 2365 acceptable use of generative AI. Um staff has been attending boot camps on AI use. Um have been asked to present on their AI trainings um and how they feel they can benefit from it, use it in the classroom at some point in the future. Um principles and technology team will need to develop an AI plan in conjunction with this policy. Um and aligned with policy 5701. Um it'll be updated in the handbooks and code of conduct including details to determine who may access AI when and how. So all of that is forthcoming. Um policy 5701 which is academic integrity. Um this language has been set for several months with an addition about AI and will move to a first reading when the prior policy 2365 is ready

017likely in September. Um Dr. Dr. Glazer confirmed um also that the county has recently approved our summer program um and that related policy completed its first and second readings recently. Um new business, a committee member requested that um we review all non-mandated policies adopted in 2016 or earlier. Um the committee um talked about how this was a very large undertaking and agreed to continue our goal of reviewing all mandated and missing missing policies first and then waiting until fiscal year 2025 which is coming soon uh 202526 to consider this request further at which time we will have the legal and organizational support from Strauss SMA to assess our adoption history. Um a committee member uh also requested that we review policy 5756 on transgender students. Dr. Blazer reminded the committee that our board must follow

018state law and that districts are awaiting a judge's ruling before reviewing this policy. Um, bylaw 0143 was also brought up um, regarding the appointment of new board members. Given our recent ruling from the commissioner of education, the committee has agreed to review this bylaw and make updates for potential first reading in July. Thank you very much. Okay. Um, as Mr. Gonzalez is absent. I will read the report for the negotiations committee. First and foremost, I want to express our deep respect and appreciation for our teachers. We value the roots. We value the work you do every single day to support and educate our students. That has never been in question. Unfortunately, we have reached an impass on one specific article in our negotiations. Calling an impass was not a decision we took lightly. In fact,

019I want to be clear. This is not where we hope to be. However, calling an impass is simply a step in the process to resolve this one issue and it does not close the door to further conversation. Our goal is still an agreement that is mutually beneficial. We continue to support our educators and believe that through continued dialogue, patience, and good faith, we can find a path forward together. Okay, I think I'll move on to board liaison reports because we're still missing people. Um, tester, do you want to do personnel committee personnel? Oh, sorry. Moving on to personnel committee. I apologize. We reinstated the personnel committee this this month. Um our chair is Jessica Maddox and the uh board members will be Dory Harvey and Danielle Amado and our alternate is Mrs. Juet. So thank

020you everyone to for volunteering and pulling this together really quickly um to get the work done that needed to be done. So Mrs. Maddox, if you could go ahead and give the personnel committee report. Thank you. We met on Friday the uh June 13th at 4:00. This was a virtual meeting was myself, Dory Harvey, Danielle, Jennifer, and Dr. Glazier. We met um and discussed first thing we met with or discussing was merit language. discussed the boilerplate uh language typical in New Jersey for New Jersey superintendent uh business administrators in regards to contracts miss which is missing in in in the contracts currently and uh so we're having some uh discussion in regards to adding that back in um having the language that is not uh in regards to merit goals uh that is uh which

021is legislative process The process for setting and approving merit goals explained in detail merit pay. This is as I mentioned a discussion at this point. Merit pay language and typically included is a boilerplate in contracts again superintendent uh BAS and um it is not currently currently in district contracts. The merit goals up to three quantitative 3.3% and two qualitative 2.5% of annual salary. Total merit pay cannot exceed 14.99 of salary not u pensionable process board and employees set goals submit to executive county superintendent for approval approval by September 30th. Evidence submitted and certified by the board county payment only after county approval. Evidence due by August 31st of the following year. The other thing that we had discussed was job descriptions for supervisor of instruction technology and assistant assistant and specific uh secretarial roles which

022will be reviewed at the next committee meeting. [Music] We had discussed in that meeting uh what that meant as far as job descriptions which must be meaningful and the positions doable focused on curriculum and instructional roles. The potential board agenda, this was broken up into two different meetings. Uh potential board agenda items, personnel changes and contract renewals reviewed, including new hires and internal transfers, administrator contract renewals, staff appointments, stipens, and assignment changes were discussed. Additional staffing for ESY based on enrollment, which is currently 22 students, expanded pursuant of excellence program. A nurse still needs to be hired for Bayberry. We also reviewed, I think I mentioned before, the 12-month uh employee calendar approval and uh curriculum writing, the alignment of new math, language, arts resources and scope and sequence, science of reading and writing skills

023detailed and differentiated and report card adjustments to reflect both. Second meeting that we had to finalize was on Tuesday June se 17th and uh in attendance was myself Dory Harvey Jennifer Danielle and Dr. Glazier meeting discussed discussion included explanation of the progressive discipline process, evaluation process for teachers, non-affiliated staff and leadership positions and an explanation of corrective action plan process and timeline. Administrative contracts for the BA supervisor of building and grounds IT manager principles and director of special services were also reviewed and our next meeting will be July 9th at 9:30. Thank you very much. Moving on to board liaison reports. Uh is there an update on the legislative liaison? Uh sure. Pretty quick one. Um there is an update with the epilepsy and seizure disorder training um which is amending Paul's law. Uh the

024law requires that each board of education uh coordinate the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Specifically, the law requires that all staff employed by a board of education be trained in the care of such students, but does not require that the training be completed at regular intervals. Uh this bill is amending that law to require this require that this training take place every 5 years. Um there is also the creation of an out of school time advisory commission uh which establishes sorry the duty of the commission would be to assess the state's out of school time programs by reviewing state policy governing these programs alongside existing research and best practices and to make recommendations to increase the accountability and quality of before school after school and summer programs. Um the commission would be

025comprised of 22 members including one representative of the SJA NJSBA. Um and then there's the expanding early ch uh child education which makes various updates to preschool funding and sets new kindergarten requirements. The bill effectively codifies into statute the state's existing preschool expansion aid program while also ensuring all elementary school districts offer free full day kindergarten to all 5-year-old students. That's all. Thank you. Mrs. Maddox, do you have any update from the Somerset County Educational Services Commission? Yeah. And this is my last one, too. Okay. So, we met on June 4th. Uh, this was a um this was at the school, the Somerset County Educational Services Commission School. Uh, we we did um swear in uh for the new coming year. Uh the school does represent 19 different towns. Um so, all of the um

026the board of directors did swear in that day. We did review and select a vice or president vice president. Um and I will provide that those names and updates in the next meeting. Um [Music] on June 18th they had the eighth grade celebration uh of students moving on. Uh there was a total of 35 eighth grade students there. Uh this was at uh 10:00 on the 18th. seniors, they had their um celebration as well and that was on June or Tuesday the 17th at 10 and that's a total of 28 uh students that uh were recognized. Have the school indicated that they do have a total of 165 students. [Music] One of the updates that they did share with us, the superintendent did share was that um and I thought I wanted to read this

027because I thought this was interesting and I thought this was really um amazing that some of these students uh that go to the school uh you know they're they're training them and they're teaching them how to become successful adults and these are some of the accomplishments that they had done in the school and I thought were absolutely amazing I wanted to share this and these are the comments from the superintendent as we are wrapping up 2425 school year there are Many exciting things happening across our program. The combined building trade lab students successfully constructed a new room that just completed its demolition. The class is now focusing on smaller projects for the rest of the year, including building school furniture. They also recently hosted an electrician guest speaker from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

028Union. In the automotive technology lab, students had guest speakers from Lincoln Tech and the automotive training center to learn about postsecondary opportunities. They've also been hands-on working on everything from diagnosing and repairing to vehicles to completing brake jobs and oil changes. Their skills and progra progress have been amazing. Lastly, but certainly not least, throughout the final week of May 2025, all students have had the opportunity to partake in an annual Sandy Hook field trips. These beach trips expose students to a variety of science curriculum areas such as habitats, animal life forms, geographical formations. In addition, they were used they use this experience to exercise mediation relaxation techniques using sounds by the ocean. I share this because um you know a lot of these students the princ or the superintendent had indicated that you know after

029that they had gone to lunch and you know a lot of them are learning how to order for themselves um you know just speak up for themselves and uh when they went to Sandy Hook this was going out and touching the water and these new experiences that they had never done before. So you know these are all just amazing accomplishments and amazing things that the school is teaching these children. um how to become successful adults and learn particular trades. Thank you. Uh Mrs. Amadeo, do you have an update from County School Boards Association? Just that registration opens up in August for trainings and events in the upcoming year. There's a couple things on there. Check the website and mark your calendar. And for school boards, my only update is that um we have our board

030retreat next week and I did send out a link with a webinar for anyone who's interested on goal setting. Um and if anyone hasn't yet completed um the board self-evaluation, there's still some time to do that. Um I'm also on the regionalization committee, but we have not met so I have no update for that. And then I guess point of order. Oh yeah, we could do the BA report. I was going to say once all the reports are done, I know we normally wait for all of the reports including the superintendent report for public comments so they can be as thoughtful as possible onto everything that's happened. But considering I think comments might be on a specific topic tonight, maybe we should push that forward. Thought. Yeah. I know. I agree. Maybe we'll just do

031the BA report. I don't know if we have principles here. Principles here. Okay. So, we'll do the BA report and then we'll move on to community engagement and comments from the public. Do the report? Yeah. Um the business office is basically right now closing trying to close a year. It'll take us till August about to close 2025 school year. But simultaneously, we have 2026 open. So, we're processing purchase orders in both uh school years. Right now, we'll be closing. We have journal entries. We spent yesterday at our off-site audit meeting where we received a nice thick packet of what we have to have done by July and August. So, we will be there every day if you guys need us. So, that's it for the business office. Great. Thank you. Um, anyone here for principal

032report? I don't think so. Anyone here for uh PTO? Anyone here from left CPAG? Move on to comments from the public on agenda items. We welcome input from the public. There are two times during the meeting when the public is invited to speak. The first opportunity to comment on agenda items only is now. The second opportunity for public comment is towards the end of the meeting. All comments are limited to 5 minutes. The total time allotted for public comment is 30 minutes. Before you make your comment, please state your name and municipality of residents. In the event that it appears the public comment portion of the meeting may exceed 30 minutes, the presiding officer may limit each statement made by a participant to 3 minutes duration. Our public forums are not structured as a question

033and answer session, but rather are offered as opportunities to share input with the board. In instances where the board feels a response is needed, the presiding officer or superintendent will address the comment. New Jersey statutes do not permit the board to discuss personnel or hiring in public session. Names of students should not be used. Members of the public should consider their comments in light of legal rights of those affected and identified in their comments and be aware that they are personally legally responsible with potential liability for comments that they make to the board. The board shall not be held liable for comments made by members of the public. I'm going to time. [Music] So, I there's a lot of people here, so I'm going to limit to three minutes. So, we'll set the Mrs. Bishop

034Johnson will set the timer and you'll hear it beep and just wrap up when you hear. Good evening, board of education members, Dr. Glazer, wherever you are driving and community members. My name is Chrissy Miller and tonight I address you as the president of the Wong Burough Education Association. This association consists of the dedicated teachers behind me that serve the students, families, and the board with integrity, heart, and unwavering commitment to watch. We are your partners working for the success of all of our kids. Earlier this year, we began the negotiation process. After months of open dialogue, collaboration, and careful attention to both district and educator priorities, on May 28th, our teams reached an agreement together. It wasn't perfect. It was the result of compromise and a careful seessaw ride of give and take. Neither

035side got everything, but we found balance. The memorandum of agreement was signed by both parties in good faith and we took a collective sigh of relief. However, just over a week later, we were informed that the memorandum of agreement would not be sent to a vote by the full board. This sudden shift shook the ground beneath our feet. It tipped the seessaw dramatically to one side. We were left dangling in the air, confused and questioning the value of the process that we had just gone through. As we head into summer, there is no deep sigh of relief. Rather, we the teachers are holding our breath once more to see if our partners will support our work. Despite our deep disappointment, many of us are still working this summer for our students. Whether it be report

036card alignment, curriculum writing, ESY, pursuit of excellence, we are still working for our kids. In our classrooms each and every day from day one in preschool, we teach our children to keep their promises, to follow through on their word, even when it's difficult. Doing the right thing is not always easy, but it is what is necessary. This is what builds trust. This is what builds character. And ultimately, this is what is important. What we ask tonight is no different. Please model for our students and our community that words matter and send the agreement to ratification. Thank you. Good evening. It's been a while since I was in the say your I'm sorry. Pete Martino Sunbright Road. Thank you. I've only been in town since 79. So I know who you are, but I'm not sure

037everybody else. Oh, everybody knows who I am. Uh I've sort of been out of the public eye because, as you know, I did my time as a volunteer. I did my time as a public official. And I felt that I wanted the burrow government to prove me wrong. Really do. But I sat back for two years and I've watched. I'm embarrassed. Okay? This is not the town that I volunteered for, the town that I worked for, town that I sweat, okay, and bled for. So, uh, I'm going to reach out to you right now because, you know, made me open up your guy's web page. You made me look at it because of what's going on with this. I I call it an embarrassment. Read your vision statement. I'm not a rainbow and unicorn guy.

038I'm not a fuzzy feeling guy, okay? I tell it straight up the way it is. A lot of stuff was missing out of that. Okay. All right. What about a positive learning environment? Shouldn't that be in your vision statement? Safe learning environment? I didn't see that in there. Quality education. Those words were missing from your vision statement. That is a problem for me. Put four kids through this system. I think we figured it out. 12 or 13 years straight. I had a dealberry in Valley View and they had a deal with me. I apologize. All right. But that's all for our students. Who provides that environment? Who does? People standing behind me. Okay. [Music] Of course. Collaboration with the community. Not enough of it. You need more supportive administration. Absolutely. Okay. You can't do it

039alone. But ultimately, it's the teachers, okay? They're the ones, okay? But where to be found in the vision statement, okay? Nowhere to be found in the vision statement. And it should be they should be in there. You guys should be providing them the tools, the environment, the ability to teach. They not deserve a positive learning environment. They not deserve a safe. We'll be talking about this in the future. a safe learning environment because there are some holes in the system here, but it's way too much for one night for me. Stuff's been stewing in my mind and I'm getting old so my mind wanders. They But do they not deserve a way to make a fair living in this state? It's not easy. Many times our teachers who are the boots on the ground, we

040hear that a lot. Boots on the ground for our educational community, why are they portrayed as the enemy? [Music] You got your three minutes. Well, you know what? I'm going to be 100% honest with you. Can you give me a little bit of time for my 45 years of service to this community? A lot of people trying to be respectful. If somebody wants to knock me over, they can. They can have it. All right. So they're basically just like our police officers. They're like our public works workers. They're like our volunteer firefighters. Those are the people that make the community, okay? Not the administrative staff, okay? Who get the big salaries, okay? Our teachers spend a third of their day educating and mentoring and dealing with our children. And our teacher salaries are the lowest

041in the area. Now, I got my information from governments.com. Okay. So basically average salaries or median I apologize. Uh WHung is 66,2 [Music] Planefield 71442. Bridgewater 78727. Westfield 7644. Longill 77805. Okay. From what I could see, Warren teachers max out at 107 while ours are maxing out at 89. I am far from a keep up with the Joneses person. And you all know me. I'm the cheapest person in Wong. And my kids will will attest to that. Okay. But I am embarrassed for this. I am embarrassed for people that we trust our children with. See, our burough administrator received a 25% raise. DPW supervisor 120% raise. And even our own burough council doubled their salary last year. I bet none of you even know that. Okay. because they snuck it in without nobody knowing. And

042how does that look to our teachers? Okay. It really doesn't look good to me. All right. Even when I was on the council, you can ask Phil is here. All my money went back into the town between flags and plants and all kinds of good stuff. We'll talk later. Okay. So when a council woman threatens anybody on this committee and says, "Keep the salaries low. Keep the budget low. You won't be able to show your face in town." Shame on them. Shame on them. It's disgusting to hear that when I sat on that council. Okay. Ask her why her salary doubled and theirs can't. You're not doubling your salary. No. No. No. That's not happening. All right. During my time again, the donations. Donations is key. Volunteering is key. Okay? And it's very important. Me,

043give back. Council sits in judgment on you. Shame on them. They got a $21 million budget. Does anybody even know that? It's gone up $7 million since I was on the council. Shame, shame, shame on them. Where's the respect for our teachers? Not a thank you. They need to get a thank They get a thank you every two weeks. I'll admit that. Every two weeks, you guys get a thank you. I understand that. But where's the respect? Respect comes once every three to five years when we sit in this room and negotiate their contract. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. Martino, you you take and I let me let me give me give me there's a there's a second public comment section at the end. I understand that. And you know what? I don't

044want to disrespect you, but I just want to mention one thing. Yes, I do have a conflict here. All right. And I will admit that before people start painting me as a bad person. I I have a conflict here. And I do have a special interest here. But that does not negate my opinion as a taxpayer, 45 year volunteer, a good neighbor to everybody in this room I have served personally. All right. Show some respect to these teachers here. All right? And really backing out of an MOA does not look good for contract negotiations if you went through the mediator. And I'll tell you what, I will tell you what. They showed you a lot of respect by standing. You guys are going to like this one. They showed you a lot of respect by

045standing up when you spoke. You know what? The union that I was in, I hate to tell you, we would have turned our backs while you spoke. So, these are good people here. Got a lot of respect for you. Let's show them respect back. I apologize. I believe there's still some time left for public comment if anyone else wants to speak. There you go, Miss Martino. I didn't need to cut you off. Okay. So, there's no one else. Move it in. Oh, no. We can move into superintendent comments. Hello everybody. Oh, so loud tonight. And I apologize. It's been a a journey getting here, but I'm thrilled to join you. I'm thrilled to see so many of you here. um you are loved and respected regardless of this um situation. I hope that you do

046feel that more often um than twice a month or once a year. you you are valued if you are able to stay to hear um at least the strategic plan presentation and the school board's presentation. I think um your voices have also been heard and valued as part of developing that plan. So, um, again, I know it's a a late night already, but I, as always, do value your input and hope you will stay. We have, um, the principal's report first, um, because I don't have that up. Did you give the principal report? See, they aren't going to stay. So, um, the principal's report starts from Mrs. Fickner. I I'll wait. I guess a minute. That's a shame. Disappointed, but I don't understand. Okay. Maybe I have it here. Sorry. Usually print everything out. And

047I can't see. Here you go. She said I you might really like the um strategic plan report the presentation. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. So um this is actually the principal's report for Valley View and Bay from uh Miss Vickner and um Miss Kidd. It's been an exciting time for students with many performances and celebrations of work. Preschool Moveup Day was held May 28th. The district science fair was on June 2nd. The Bayberry art aptitude show was June 3rd. Fifth grade dare graduation June 4th. The fourth grade concert and farewell celebration was on June 9th and the kindergarten move up celebration on June 11th. Very busy. Our fourth graders visited Valley View on May 29th for their transition and orientation. It was a great time and they enjoyed the sneak peek at middle school. That evening,

048incoming fifth grade parents attended orientation with Mrs. Kidd to learn what to expect here at Valley View in their fifth grade year. Bay held field day on the week of June 2nd. Thank you as always to the PTO for purchasing new equipment for the games and for supplying the ice pops. You made it a great day. Valley View had their field day for fifth and sixth graders on June 5th. A good time was had by all and the Valley View Band and Chorus earned the highest rating at the Dorney Park band concert trip on June 5th. Same day, our PTO luau lunch at Bayberry was June 6th and on June 13th at Valley View. Valley View students also participated in their service project, Miles for Smiles, on June 13th. All the students and staff were

049treated to pizza, ice cream, sunshine, and fun. Thank you to the PTO for this wonderful end of the year celebration. The eighth grade Miles for Smiles fundraiser this year um was a donation to the Somerset Food Pantry. Valley View eighth graders enjoyed trips and tr and traditions this month. The eighth grade Kalahari trip was June 2nd. The eighth grade trip to the Holocaust memorial was on June 9th. Um, and again, I am sorry that u Miss Santos isn't still here. They um sent a letter in correspondence to the board. Found it on my chair when I walked in today. um thanking the board and Miss Santos for organizing the trip to the Holocaust Museum and the donation for teaching um the students. This was a trip in um working with their reading of the book

050Night by Elie Wisel. Um also, uh the eighth grade barbecue on June 10th, fun despite the rain. eighth grade breakfast and commencement ceremony on June 11th. In addition, the fifth grade trip to the Liberty Science Center and the seventh grade trip to the Duke Farms was on June 12th. We do have a video of the students for June 12th. I will save that for another day. Um, and to finish up the year, students at Valley View participated in their Mountaineer Monday pep rally and volleyball tournament on the 16th of June. Again, more pictures. We'll share those another evening. It's been a busy and exciting month filled with meaningful experiences. We have sincere thank you to our dedicated staff who work hard every day. Their commitment in making these moments truly memorable for our students does

051not go unnoticed and is recognized. Finally, we would like to wish Mrs. Riley a happy and healthy retirement. She's instilled a lasting love of music and theater in so many of our students over the years. We thank her for her service to Bayberry and to the district. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. We are here Monday through Thursday with our ESY and pursuit of excellent program. Stop by. Um it's been a wonderful year and we're already looking forward to working with everyone next year. So that like I said is um Miss Fickner and Miss Kid. I um my reports um at this point in the evening, as much as I want to do the year in review um tonight with so many exciting things to recap, um it is lengthy. It is uh

052starts with um our bus buckling and unbuckling all the way back in August and brings us up to our 8th grade um promotion ceremony. Um and this evening I will like I said maybe I'll make that available on the website or with the community. I do um uh know that Patty Reese, our field representative from New Jersey School Boards is here. We are going to um still do our presentation on the proposed goals and objectives for the strategic plan as well as um some other New Jersey school board's business. And I'll talk about that part of my report then. How's that? Is there more? We did the uh under the strategic plan that Conor is not going tonight. He's not going to. Okay. All right. So, we are not going to be having a referendum

053update tonight. Um I can tell you that we're No, we did. Oh, perfect. Um so, we'll move to the strategic plan goals and objectives with Dr. Glazer and Mrs. Reese. Yep. All right, Aaron. Oh, he's already got it. Come on. I'll come up with Patty and we'll do it together. What's this? Microphone. Your microphone is off. Yeah. Hold on, Aaron. Oh, there we go. Yay. Thank you. And then when you are back in there, if you could just go to the next slide, that would be great. Um, I think you all already know that over the past several months, um, we've had the incredible opportunity to come together as a community um, listening, learning, envisioning um, truly the future of our schools. We um had three Thank you. We had three public strategic planning meetings

054in the winter and the spring. Um and during those meetings, we were able to explore where we are, where we want to go, and how we're going to get there working together. Um Patty Reese, who is our field rep from the New Jersey School Boards Association, um facilitated those three public meetings as well as um the outcomes um that you see on the district website. There is that tab on the website that lists um each each of the meetings with the school board's PowerPoint and the outcomes as well as the state of the district. um presentation that kicked it off. And as I said um during my comments, we'll be adding um tonight's presentation um and the additional information after tonight's meeting. So, I'm going to um ask Patty to go through some of the

055slides from those three meetings that she facilitated just talking about the process and how we got to this evening. Erin, if you could um move to Patty's next slide. Thank you. Um I I'd like to start with um saying that uh for a community of your size um and I've done se you know many strategic plans. Your public input whether from your staff from your community I think you even had an elected official and you had a lot of students that was unheard of. I've not seen that much of an involvement uh for this process from your community. And that really speaks to what this is. This is your community coming together to um create a vision for your schools. Um where where you as Dr. Glazer said, you started with discussing where you are,

056where you want to be, and then you ended with how are we going to get there? and the involvement that you had from your community is wonderful. Um, and that's really part of what um your charge as a as board members. You are part of your role is to um be facilitators um of the community to the district, but listen to your community and and um help them, you know, help the district bring their aspirations and dreams for your students together. And that's really what this this process did. It it created a vision. Um it's going to when it's done um create the vision on where you want your district to be and how you want your students to achieve in the next five years. There we go. Went the wrong one. You go So

057what are the advantages of strategic planning besides empowering your um community your stakeholders bringing them in? Um it's a it's a it's a creative process. It's a flexible process. It um allows you the you know the last bullet point about an ongoing cycle of planning. It allows you to plan for change as opposed to reacting to change. Um and it supports your um you know strategic resource management. Take it lets you plan for um and account for the resources that are available to you whether they be within the district um or what your community can provide for. No, I'm used to Oh, you're clicker. There we go. Yeah, I have that problem. So the when you have your strategic planning goals, all the goals in the district should flow from the strategic plan uh the

058strategic plan goals. That's that's why you see the the graphic the picture of the waterfall. So when you have your when when you decide on your strategic planning goals, then the district and the board goal should all align to that. Uh and then they go all the way down to your administrator goals, your building goals, um all the way down to your staff, and and finally uh that should help your uh increase your student achievement. And so all the goals should be aligned and flow one from the other. Before you go to the next one, we do have our um retreat, correct? Yes. Yes. Well, well, we right we have your retreat next week to work on on on those goals. Uh and so this kind of shows um how the the you know the

059pyramid structure. It's a reverse pyramid, right? You start at the bottom um that that well I say reverse. So the action plans are the final step. Um um but you know you have the the board's commitment. We talked about in your first meeting the strengths and challenges of the district identifying where you are uh today. Uh and then in the second meeting um you talked about the vision. Okay, we know where we are. Where do we want to be? What do we the pie in the sky? What do we want for our students in three to five years? And then finally, how will we get there? That's where the the groups um came up with some broad goal areas for um you know the goals to move forward. Uh and then from there the next

060level is your administrators are going to take a little bit over the summer and they will develop the action plans. Okay, this is where we want to go. This is how we'll get there. And then the action plans or specifically how will we get there? Um, and the action plans will likely change as as you go as you go from year to year. Is that right? Thank you. So, um, with that, we we've had that community input and you're you'll hear me talk tonight. Um, as Patty said, it was tremendous. We had some people that came to all three meetings, including our teachers and students. We did have um students scheduled for this evening. Um I understand um now a little bit better um why they are not joining us but they took the time

061after their meeting to have um Mrs. Kidd, myself, their advisor, middle school leadership come together for a lunch and learn where they also presented um their own idea of goals and objectives. some of those um have already been incorporated into what we're doing in the district. There was a feeling, especially for the eighth graders, that those things that we could do quickly, we would so that they would have an opportunity to experience that before they moved up to the high school. And we'll share again, that was some of our um year in review. And again, I will make sure that that goes out to the whole community. Our process of strategic planning um does start with mission and vision. And um what you have up is the mission of Bayberry School introducing the young child

062to formal learning. Talking about that nurturing environment that promotes self-confidence, encourages a love of learning, celebrates the uniqueness of each child. And that is as you can see um if you're um at home watching maybe or here um it is dependent on the staff right it does depend on that and as we work through our goals and objectives I think that that will become even more clear the mission of Valley View School extends that um to further further develop the academic and social competencies of each student but also providing varied experiences promoting self-reliance, self-motivation, community awareness. I think that this mission was well represented in all of the conversations and I think um as we talk about the objectives and ways to expand on on many of the things that we're doing this mission is

063um clear in the proposed goals and objectives. the um vision statement for the district is the overarching piece. Um in January when I gave the state of the district presentation um at that time we brought back um excellence on the hill and I want to be very clear I said this then I will continue to say it is not just a motto or words on a page for Wong Burough um it's become um meaningful aspiration ational goal in and of its own that um I think brings up the very high standard that we all strive for. I will say that all of the people who participated in the process so far, the strategic planning groups um during the public meetings really embraced this idea. Um, and I know Jen um, a few times in various

064comments has um, also brought it back, but it is important um, not necessarily because it's motivating and I think everybody found it to be motivating. I think it's because it's actionoriented. It gives us a a direction, right? It gives us another focus to look for. So as the um proposed goals got developed and the objectives got developed, I do think that this excellence on the hill as as part of the overall vision for the next 3 to 5 years really really has um earned its earned its spot. Erin, thank you. So um out of this process and Um, as you saw, there were three meetings. So at the end of each meeting, whether it was identifying strengths and places we needed to grow or a future for education in the district or at the third

065meeting, um kind of taking all of that information, putting it under broad focus areas, which are these proposed goals, um and bucketing, and I say bucketing, um as a verb, meaning we took all of the input and tried tried to fit it under these four focus areas. You'll see when we um go through some of those objectives that they actually fall in a couple of different categories. Um and we'll talk about that momentarily. But um goal one, student learning and achievement. I think that there was unanimous agreement that a goal around student learning and achievement, a focus area, a priority, um was the imperative. I don't think um there was anybody that did not um come in line around that and any of the groups that we had. And we had, by the way, 18

066groups over the course of the the meetings. Goal number two, professional learning development and capacity building um became those three things together representing staff, students and community members which I think is a testament to this community because I am not always sure that the community as a whole is included when we're talking about what we're looking for in a vision for a community or a school district. The third goal, communication and community engagement. Again, um combined um as one focus area mostly because the um objectives that we could add together, we did. And um again, as the proposed goal, it made the most sense. And finally, goal four, school culture and climate. This was another one that I think was an imperative not um not because it's not a good culture and climate but because

067there is so much opportunity under that heading for bringing in some of the things that the WHung community has expressed that they value that they believe in and would want included throughout the district whether that's in curriculum instruction and assessment or student engagement or family engagement. So, um again, our four proposed goal areas, focus areas if you will, parent um goal number one with student learning and achievement. Um we again have a number of bullets and objectives. this um summarizes those and again all of this information is also on the district website under the uh meeting outcomes and goals and objectives. Um, for goal number one, the conversations again were pretty clear, pretty unanimous. Maybe not unanimous in how it's implemented, but very clear that there's a holistic look at every student, their interests, their

068personalized individual learning, making sure that students are challenged at their appropriate level. Um and for um many of the people in those 18 groups over those months, integrating problem-based learning, adding I'm going to skip down to the last bullet, but adding those experiential learning opportunities, opportunities for authentic hands-on, right, experiences within the curriculum, within instruction, um where were very much um prioritized. We do a number of things of course already, but as you'll see from these objectives, always room to grow and enhance. So um steam opportunities, co-curricular opportunities, activities that um would enhance our science labs would um increase our arts. And our arts is fairly robust. and there were still great ideas, right? Um, we participate in a very large number of competitions. I'll add that to the year in review. We're very successful.

069But again, through this process, people brought forward even others, right? Even additional places um where our students might participate and where our students might be successful. Um adding staffing to improve curriculum and instruction um was a a big conversation mostly because you you currently have your principles overseeing so many aspects, right? The staffing and evaluation. Um they oversee the curriculum development. They led the teams that reviewed um the resources and materials for the textbook adoption. They oversee the gifted and talented program. They oversee Right. I could keep going with that list. So, um adding that staffing and you'll see it again in a different um context. building that capacity was um definitely a shared and collective um goal. And of course, world language here it says world language immersion. The language of it was too

070long to summarize, but it's really about looking at the program, right? Looking at a scope and sequence. So, we're making sure that our students, whether it's a cultural program at elementary school and growing to a world language program that prepares them for high school appropriately, it prepares them for high school. That's what we're talking about. Somebody asked me already when this came up on the website, are we doing dual language schools? We only have the two schools, one elementary, one middle. It would be awesome. It's that's not currently a possibility. And that is not what the objective is trying to share. Um Aaron, if you could go to the next one. Goal two, the um professional learning development and capacity building. You can see we spent a lot of time on the language of these

071goals also. Um and I and I promise that we will not for a moment discount all of that work. Um word smithing. We we're keeping all that stuff in there, but this is the second place you're going to see this um the specialized training for teachers and staff to help implement those instructional strategies to support and advance curriculum to have the capacity to improve curriculum development and the instruction delivery. kind of what I just spoke about again shows up under both um categories in slightly different ways. Ongoing professional development in leadership and this one's interesting because yes it's student engagement strategies um emerging educational practices but in almost every group they there was a a felt need to also include this for the students. How can we be providing students leadership? More leadership opportunities, more

072opportunities for voice, more um opportunities to um be involved in the ways that they learn. The reliable technology access training to support equitable teaching and learning. um a really big conversation that was one of the ones where I think our students um if I'm right Patty that was one of the ones where the students really embraced this they you know we do have our onetoone Chromebook initiative we have access to an awful lot of software um I'm assuming in the um minutes to the board reports we talked about our conversations around AI generative AI I and looking at um academic integrity that also came up in these meetings came up with our students and our families um so that reliable access technology access is its own umbrella um training to support that we've started already

073a lot of professional learning um we've sent our staff to some AI boot camps this year some other opportunities to learn how they staff can use AI um to to support their teaching and learning. Um I'm hopeful that they're inputting into our policy. We're going to have an AI plan and I am hopeful that those teachers that participated will be um making a presentation um in the fall on on their experiences so far exploring peer-to-peer learning um and onetoone coaching. Again, this is yes for staff um working in mentoring, working to grow their efficacy and capacity, working to grow um their own skills as teachers, but it also came up again amongst students. They felt that they really could learn from their fellow students in a different way. They felt that um there were a

074lot of opportunities even it's mentoring here one-to-one coaching tutoring um again a whole um list of things that come under this summarized objective um and finally and this was a big one um lots of conversation here and I think we spent a lot of time noticing this in the last month the transitions the transitions between um buildings, right? Between elementary um and here middle school at Valley View, what what it is that we do. I know in the principal's report it mentioned that we had the students come um during the day. We had the families come at night. You know what other opportunities? We have our um clubs who do a lot of work, middle school clubs. We support going to Bayberry and they do a lot of interaction trying to make students feel comfortable.

075Um this year um the PTO had the um Bayberry talent show here at Valley View which gave students who have never been here which surprised me an opportunity to to see the building. All of those kinds of things are captured again in this summary. many many more components, but also the transition from middle school to high school. We again um spent some time noticing what that looked like. During the musical, I know we had students who were in the high school musical come and share their experiences with our students. We had an opportunity for our coral students to perform with the high school students. really trying to to again make that transition um not just comfortable but um more robust and I will also say that the conversation extended um in some of the groups

076more um deeply but the transition into and out of special education. Special education is not a destination. You don't end up in special education and that's where you are for it's a journey right it it people come in come out receive services um progress don't need that kind of support and it has been brought up um very um definitively that those transitions are also transitions we need to be looking at while we're looking at transitions Goal three. Thanks, Aaron. Um, for goal three, that's the communications and community engagement bucket. Um, this was interesting, I think, to Patty's point because we did have the mayor at all three sessions. We had council members at all three sessions. We had a number of community members. We had um um from the library, from the garden club, from

077the textier house, lots of conversation. And this first the first few um areas celebrating and communicating student and school achievements. Um I do know that the bureau is trying very hard as our students are acknowledged to also acknowledge them at a council meeting. We um send to the echo and tap into information to help communicate that. But the first word that celebrate that's what resonated. you know, every single meeting we talk about, you know, all of these wonderful things, recognitions for our students or our staff or even the board. Are we celebrating them? And I that really also resonated with me um and bringing the communications from the schools to the entire public. We um you know, very often share, right, our our events and flyers. I know if you're with the NIXLE, you you'll

078get communications from the bureau about all of the different opportunities, the library. How how can we bring that together? Um so the entire public is able to um have that information and be able to participate. Part of what we were hearing is this is amazing. I didn't know there was a senior lunchon. I had no idea that the garden club does a program at Bay Area. I want to do that, too. So, finding ways um jointly to communicate that as well as joint community events, opportunities for us to do things together. And like this weekend, we have the mayor's riata. I'll be canoeing. We have the block party after that, right? what are the opportunities for things we can do um jointly the um felt need for engaging community members, senior citizens um mentioned most

079of all our high school students, experts from our own community, um businesses, all to be able to contribute to the educational experience by volunteering. This is another one that's a summary. such a a wonderful truly thoughtful list of ways this could happen. Mentoring opportunities for students, for staff, opportunities for projects and and virtual field trips. I mean, it it is a a long list of things that we would be able to do. again for tonight. That's a summary in the fleshed out published plan that we'll receive from New Jersey school boards. And in the action plan, it'll be more um specific and detailed. Um a parent university. This was brought up in multiple sessions. I think that we've tried in small ways to institute um parent series, right? How can we have um opportunities for

080parents um to be able to learn, right? To be able to empower their families, whether it's about bullying, which is what we did at the end of May, or um social media, whether maybe it's mental health. a whole list again of topics came up that people felt would be of interest to them as family members, as community members. Um, and so it will be our task to see how we can expand that um to be responsive. Then Aaron, goal four is the school culture and climate. And of course it is what you think, right? promoting a climate of kindness, empathy, um encouraging that culture of collaboration, a culture of recognition and respect. Again, in the um fleshed out objectives that does specifically name students, teachers, right, community members? What does respect really mean and look

081like? fostering um critical thinkers um and again many many many um things that fall under that that are potential action items. Community outreach ideas for people to give back within the community follows along the same um lines as our last with uh volunteers, mentors, those things. um addressing the needs of the community both inside and outside of the school. We do have service projects. We do um expect that from our students honestly at Bayberry and Valley View. This was to even flesh that out further beyond um a walk, beyond a senior lunchon, beyond um opportunities to participate. and then new clubs outside of traditional options. There was a feeling, again, we listed so many different opportunities um that those opportunities have been the same opportunities as some of the people who participated did when they

082were in middle school. That doesn't make it bad. They were excited that they were that kids were having that opportunity, right? They wanted to know what else. And and that's a great question. What else? um kind of an overarching guiding question. Erin, could you move on to the next? Oops. Here we go. So, sorry, I didn't realize that was the last one. So, um we were, as Patty said, very, very fortunate to get a broad base of community members, a broad base of participation, but not huge numbers. And we were again so fortunate that people stuck with us for more than one session. But we did commit to um after the proposed goals and objectives were developed to um taking that opportunity for feedback yet another time to allow people maybe who didn't come out

083maybe um for whatever reason to to be able to still say yes. I think that this goal is valuable. Yes. I think you know to literally rate these objectives, the um fleshed out objectives to be able to say, "Hey, maybe you didn't think of this in your groups. What about this? This would be something to think about." The survey link um has gone out to um our families and staff so far. I believe it goes to the rest of the community and through NIXL tomorrow. The survey is open until July 3rd. Um, and with our other thought exchange surveys, it um allows you to yes, answer the questions and and rate whether you agree or disagree to be able to add your um your own comments and input, but it also allows you to rate

084um other comments. it it allows us to see what it is that truly is resonating with the community. Um, and it will allow us to come to the final version um and year one action plans so that we're ready. Um August 28th is um the first day of school and we are hoping that that will be the the kickoff for the published um strategic plan and celebration um so that we are moving forward as we said the board's retreat next week. we will add those first year um action goals but also our umbrella right of our board and district goals and um we will have our action plan ready for them and maybe if the board does we'll we'll add that as published in that first year document as well. Um question questions for sorry

085it keeps going in questions for um any of the board on any of what we've discussed so far. Do you do you think you will be um revisiting the vision statement to incorporate the idea of excellence on the hill and explain it and connect with it somehow? So we could do that. You know, when we had the conversations, that was one of the um the first meeting, right? When we brought that up was one of the things, do we rewrite the vision statement? Do we take the time, you know, during this process to do it, which is the appropriate time honestly? and um amongst the people and again not the full um community that was not um other than adding it at the top like we did rewriting the vision statement was not something where

086we spent time. We absolutely can do that. I think that when um Erin, could you put up the vision statement slide, please? It's uh number nine. I think uh actual vision statement um people felt reflected excellence on the hill. If there is a feeling that it doesn't, I would absolutely say let's take the time, right, to invite people in, to invite comments, whatever it is. I don't know that we can do a a full word smithing like we did with the goals, but we can certainly take that kind of um input. do my thought was if if that is a question uh perhaps you could add it into the survey if people feel that that accurately represents excellence on the hill today. So the survey is released but we can um I'll see let's see

087if how many people have started it. If they haven't I will add to it. I think that um that's a great place for it. And again, this this would be the correct time. So, thank you. Just to kind of piggy back off of Danielle, um you know, I think we've had a good comment earlier in regards to adding certain things to the vision. Um and then also, you know, in the past, I think there's been community members who had said they wanted additional pieces in the vision. So it would be nice to have um you know the community members incorporate some of their words and what they feel because this is after all this the community schools. So I think you know as I mentioned off based off of what Danielle had said earlier somehow

088if we can figure out a way to get community words language suggestions and then incorporate that with what we you know may what no I agree I think part of the that first night I don't remember how many people were there but honestly the feeling was that it wasn't the will of the community right that it was the people in the room and that it it really is the right like like you're both saying it is um that input. So when we're done, right, I'll take the I'll jump on and see if we can add it in quickly. Um it should just be uh and one question with the same. So it shouldn't be too difficult to to do that. I don't think other questions comments. No. Right. So, when would we do this? During

089the strategic plan, when would we do which? Phyllis, wanted to add something to the vision. So, what we're saying is we we have this thought exchange survey that's out now to the community for input. And what Danielle um is suggesting is that I try and add this in right now before, right? A lot of people have already started to see it or maybe I can still do it and draw attention to it so that we can gather right those comments those um words those thoughts and incorporate that while we're doing right the the rest of the finalizing of the plan perhap we can talk about oh no refine the question all yes all ideas welcome truly all ideas welcome Welcome. Um I know if there's not strategic plan, we also had Patty with us tonight

090to present um an award to the board. She she whispered that she did it earlier without the plaque, but there is more to this. She does have the plaque now, but um and again, I won't go into um full detail. I'll save it maybe for you guys individually. I have something um to acknowledge this as a board um beyond just coming together to um work on your goals, right? To really accomplish and achieve your goals, to collaborate together, to change the tone overall of um our meetings and our work together and including the community. It's been remarkable, honestly, and you've accomplished such a tremendous amount in in what I would consider a short amount of time. Um, I'm going to let um Patty um talk about this part. I um took the time to u

091make a nomination to school boards. It recognizes all of you, but unfortunately the way it works is same with everything through the board president. Um, I'll let Patty tell you why she's whoop why she's reading it and just you want me to read it first or explain that's up to you. Okay. All right. Um, so uh Dr. Glazer um told me that she had uh nominated um board president Jen for board member of the year. This is an award that um New Jersey School Board Association has uh that is uh available to anybody throughout the state. Uh however, you have to have been on the board for five years to qualify. So um but but the the the thought and the good intention um were there. And just a little bit about the process. Uh

092when it comes in after when the nominations come in to school boards, uh somebody looks at it to make sure that the that who's being nominated qualifies under the the role the um the rules. Then that information, we don't make the decision in New Jersey school boards. We take all of the uh applications and we send it to another state school boards association. that kind of takes us out of the mix and they are the ones that select who the um board member of the year is. That person um is notified but formally presented at the October workshop. Uh so you know it's it's a very um intense process. Uh and that um just to be nominated I think is an honor. Um and uh and so I'm just going to go into a little

093bit about um the the letter that was submitted. Uh and it if you don't mind me reading uh it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I nominate Jennifer Glar sorry. Um I should be better at this. president of the Wong Burough Board of Education for the New Jersey School Boards Association board. Well, it's board member of the year. Um, but yeah, board president of the year, a deeply committed me leader and a thoughtful steward of public education. Uh, Mrs. atarrow exemplifies the spirit of collaborative governance, community engagement, and student centered advocacy that define excellence in board leadership. Since assuming the role of board president in uh January of 2025, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, especially in times of challenge and change. Under her guidance, our district has navigated complex budgetary and operational decisions

094with transparency and stakeholder involvement. Continued a multi-phase facilities referendum focused on safety, innovation, and long-term community benefit. engaged in an exclusive and future focused strategic planning process that brought together students, families, staff, and community voices, strengthen board superintendent relations, and built a culture of trust, respect, and shared accountability. Mrs. Mrs. Augliariro, I apologize. Usually I'm better at this. Leads with both humility and strength. She values diverse perspectives, seeks out common ground, and ensures that the work of the board always comes back to one or question. What is best for our students? This characterizes the current full board of education. Whether leading a committee, public meeting, mentoring new board members, or working behind the scenes to support district leadership, the board under Mrs. Augliaro's leadership has also collaborated to become an NJSBA certified board. The positive

095impact of her leadership extends far beyond board business. It is felt in every classroom, every school, and throughout our community. I can think of no better representative of what it means to be a servant leader in public education. She is a steadied, principled, and inspiring force. And so that is a wonderful letter. Um that that um well written. I was going to say that it it's the leadership of um Mrs. Gouro. Um yeah, I finally fourth times a charm. um that that really um but it's also a board that that wants to to be part of all that process and I know you want to say something. Thank you so much. I'm truly honored and it's it's been an amazing experience to be with this group of people, but it is a team effort and

096I feel like I have a team here of people who are here truly just because they want the district to be the best that it can be. It's a group of people who are willing to collaborate. A group of people who are willing to put in the hard work and a group of people who are willing to have the hard conversations and discussions and do the work and the research and put in those hours. And it's together that we've brought the board together to this team that is successful and high functioning. And I'm super proud of everyone because this was a group effort to get the board from where it was to where it is today. And I do consider this board high functioning. We have bumps in the road, but we navigate them together.

097So, thank you. Unfortunately, there's not even Thank you very much. I was trying not to cry while you were reading that. But I um I I I would agree with you. You you do have a high functioning board. the fact that you all work together to um get to board certification. It takes everybody to do that and everybody committed coming together committed to providing the best education for your students. Um you know and I think that that really speaks well um to the full board as well under the you know the leadership of Mrs. Augliro. Um, I will say I want to correct one thing when I said that you um got your board certification and you had two and a half extra credit hours. Actually, I miscalculated. It's four and a half. So, you're

098almost halfway to getting your master board. And what we do next week, we'll add to it. So, you need uh total it's 16 to get to uh board certification, an additional 10. Um, you know, you're at four and a half. You're almost there. And and again that's the dedication that's everybody because there there are parameters um uh you know there needs to be a majority of the board members present at the training. Uh and so uh with that um and under your leadership the the board really does um function really well together. Um and yes there are always bumps in the road. It's public education. It's it's communities. It's there's all there will always be bumps in the road, but it's how you come together to navigate those bumps that really speaks well um of

099what it is that that you all do. Thank you. Thank you. So, congratulations. I I you know, I wish it could be more, but I think the the letters is really wonderful. um and does speak to um the leadership and the collaboration of the for so she Dr. Glazer did bring the plaque um and I'll just read it for your members of the public. So it's uh New Jersey school boards assoc New Jersey school boards association board member academy um Wong Burough school district has successfully completed the requirements prescribed by the NJSBA board member academy is hereby recognized for achieving board certification in the fall of 2024. It um is signed by um the president Dr. Karen Cordelane president at the time Dr. Dr. Karen Cordelino and um the NJSBA executive director, Dr. Timothy Pernell.

100So, this is a plaque that can be po, you know, hung in your board office or wherever you want to hang it to recognize the achievement of of the board. Just put it in Dr. It could be. Thank you so much, Patty, for being here tonight, for working with us on the strategic plan, and I know you'll be here um August 28th, but you'll also be here next week to to work with us on the um retreat. So, thank you. A lot a lot of Wong Burrow for you. Appreciate it. Thank you, Patty. Thank you, Patty. Wow. Okay. So, we have a really long executive session tonight. So, I move that we go into executive session whereas the Open Public Meetings Act NJSA104-11 permits the board of education to meet in close session to discuss

101certain matters. Now therefore be it resolved the board of education adjourns to close session to discuss a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law student matters a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it and specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected affected request an open session. Further resolved, the minutes of this closed session be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists and action may be taken. [Music] Second moved. All right. Any discussion? Journ for executive session. All right, we're back from executive session. So, moving on to action items. Uh, Mr. Frasier, could you move administrative items? Sure. I make a motion to move administrative items. One, approve minutes of previous meeting. Two, affirm the superintendent's HIB report. Three, authorize the affirmative action team to conduct

102the needs assessment and develop a comprehensive equity plan for 2025 through 2028. Four, approve the 2025 2026 chapter 27 emergency virtual or remote instruction program. Five, approve special education placement. Six, approve the submission of the comprehensive equity plan for 2025 through 2027-28 school years and the statement of assurance for 2025-2026. Seven, approve the 12-month employee calendar. And eight, accept Bay and Valley View School drill reports. Second. Any discussion? Roll call when you're ready, Mr. Mr. Fra. Yes. Mrs. Duet. Yes. Mrs. Maddox. Yes. Mrs. Santos. Yes. Mrs. Amado. Yes. Mrs. Aglaro. Yes. Okay. Got everything. M. Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Harvey, and Mr. Craft are absent. Motion passes. Mrs. Amado, could you move the items under personnel, please? Yes. I move item one, authorization to hire staff. Item two, approve renewal and contract of school business administrator/board

103secretary. Item three, approve renewals of administrators. Item four, approve renewal of manager of information technology. Item five, approve appointment of certified certificated staff. Item six, approve stipened positions. Item seven, approve change in assignment. Item eight, approve appointment of leave replacement teacher. Item nine, approve transfer of certificated staff. Item 10, appoint preschool lunch aid for 25-26 school year. Item 11, approve Nicole Dota to serve as learning disabilities teacher consultant. Item 12, appoint staff to prepare the 2526 multi- language learners MLL program. Item 13, appoint summer 2025 curriculum writers. Item 14, approve special services summer office staff. Item 15, approve leave of absence. Item item 16, approve revised leaves of absence. Item 17, approve unpaid absences. Item 18, appoint 2025 extended school year ESY instructional staff. Item 19, appoint extended schoolyear ESY nursing staff. Item 20, appoint

104extended school year ESY paraprofessional staff. Item 21, appoint summer pursuit of excellence program staff. 22, appoint district summer 2025 before and afterare program staff. And that is it. Second. Any discussion? 22 items. All right. Roll call, please. Yes. Mrs. Santos. Yes. Mrs. Maddox. Yes. Mrs. Duet. Yes. Mrs. Amado. Yes. Mr. Fridge. Yes. Mrs. Agliero. Yes. Okay. Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Harvey, and Mr. Craft are absent. The motion passes. Thank you. Mrs. Santos, could you move the uh items under operations finance, please? Sure. Number one, approve payment to bills. Number two, approve transfer of funds 2024 2025. Three, accept financial reports. Number four, approve payment application for Bay and Valley View HVAC upgrades. Number five, authorize transfer of current year surplus to reserve. Number six, approve the cancellation of outstanding checks. Seven, join the school district litigation

105against social media companies. Eight, approve amendment to extend agreements with ESS Northeast LLC. Nine, approve annual maintenance service agreement. 10, authorize municipal tax levy payments. 11, approve property and casualty insurance renewals. Number 12, approve shared service agreement between Wong Burough Board of Education and Morris Union Jointer Commission for Vehicle Maintenance for the 2025 2026 school year. [Applause] 14. Approve transportation coordinator shared services agreement. 15. Approve transportation jointer with Wong Hills Regional High School. 16. Accept donation of transition to kindergarten and beyond cards from Marco Polo. 17. Accept donation of 2000 from Fizer. Did we do 13? Yeah, just get to just read 13 as well. Oh, did I do 13? That's okay. Yeah. Approve number 13. Approve share services agreement with Wong Hills Regional High School. Second. Any discussion? Call when you're ready. Yep. Mrs.

106Duet. Yes. Mrs. Maddox. Yes. Mr. Fra? Yes. Mrs. Santos? Yes. Mrs. Amado? Yes. Mrs. Agliero? Yes. Okay. Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Harvey, and Mr. Craft are absent. Motion passes. Thank you. We have no items under curriculum. So, Mrs. Duet, could you move the items under policy? Yes. Uh, for first reading, policy regulation B 0176, collective bargaining and contract approval ratification. For a second reading, we have policy 8601, student supervision after school dismissal, and policy 86000, student transportation. Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Okay. Oh gosh. Okay. Uh, Mrs. Amado, yes. Mr. Fra, yes. Mrs. Duet, yes. Mrs. Santos, yes. Mrs. Maddox, yes. Mrs. Aglaro, yes. Okay. Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Harvey, and Mr. Craft are absent. The motion passes. Thank you. Uh, moving on to board business. Anyone have anything? Okay. Comments from the public. We don't

107have any public. Uh, I make a motion to adjourn. Hold on a second. Slow down for Yeah, give me a second. 11:20. Move. Do we have a second? Move. Second. Thank you. Okay. All in favor say I. I. Meeting adjourned.