001Sorry, we had a few things we had to address. So, we're a few minutes behind the 7:30. Uh, we're going to jump around a little bit, but I promise we're going to get to everything because I know everyone wants to hear about everything. Um, we're going to jump to 4D. Uh, we have a retiring staff member. Uh, that was approved, I guess, somehow. >> Was I here that night? Um, I didn't see that. Uh, Dr. Joy, would you like to address that? >> Thank you. I would love to. Um, I feel like we've been celebrating Tim for the past two months. And I did tell him his birthday happens to be tomorrow. I said, I'm not even wishing you happy birthday. Like, I'm done after tonight celebrating you. But his birthday present is no more
002board meetings. So, this is it. Um, you know, I've had a lot of people retire here over the years, and this is probably one of the toughest, uh, goodbyes. Tim has literally been my righthand guy for the past 12 years. Um, and I have grown into this position because of him. Um, he has been the most loyal. People will talk about him as a business administrator. We all know that he's magical with the budget. Um, and one of the things that I said when I was talking to staff last week. That's not the only thing that makes him a good business administrator, an outstanding business administrator, one of the best in the state. Um, it's that he's a good human and he gets it. He gets kids. He gets his family. I'm a better mom
003because of my association with Tim and all that I've learned from him. Um, you know, we often talk about our moms and how aliens abducted them and brought them back as these grandparents who their grandkids can do no wrong regardless of how strict and cheap they were when when we were kids. But I I really do owe such a tremendous amount to Tim for the guidance he's given me. Um two things. So before I actually read his resolution, um I have a little video that I want to show. Um no, it's not like from Tim as a baby till now. Um but the so and and it's really nice that so thank you so much to all of you who came for this tonight. I reached out to as many prior board members as I
004could get my hands on email addresses for and it's such a credit to Tim that you're back um for this. We recently um did a video with our architects uh to showcase how this building has transformed and it's a direct result of all of you past and present board members and Tim and how he's allowed us to build this amazing learning environment for our students. So I thought what better way talk about Tim's career and the impact he's had on this district than to give a little overview of what the building looks like. And for those of you who haven't been in here in a while, I think you'll you'll be excited to see what's on here that you started a number of years ago. Hello everyone. I'm Elizabeth Jwitt, superintendent of the Wong Hills
005Regional High School District. I'm thrilled to share some exciting news about the recent renovations at Wong Hills Regional High School. We've spent the last several years focused on renovating spaces throughout the school to ensure that Wong Hills offers state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster innovation, creativity, and collaboration among our students. These renovations are not just about new paint and furniture. They're about transforming education to empower our future leaders. We've enhanced our athletic facilities, upgraded our academic spaces, and enhanced our spaces for the arts. Our most recently completed project is our new design lab. A multi-purpose space for our robotics team, engineering courses, and our new design program. Here, students get hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and design thinking. Our new learning commons was completed in 2021 and includes flexible spaces for instruction, quiet study,
006or collaboration. It features a podcast room, TV studio, VR lab, and makers technologies. The cafe is even integrated into our school's culinary arts program. Since then, we've upgraded many other spaces. Now, we have students sculpting masterpieces in our renovated ceramics lab and capturing stunning images in our photography lab. athletes gearing up in the new locker rooms and students getting the care they need in our top-notch nurses office and athletic trainer suite. These upgrades enhance the learning environment, promoting student well-being and providing access to cuttingedge resources. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our community. Thanks to responsible financial planning and the overwhelming support of our community, we have secured nearly $5 million in state aid through our past three referendums, which meant these renovations did not impact local taxes. And
007this is just the beginning. We're committed to continuous improvement with future projects already in the pipeline. We would like to thank the Watchon Hills community for investing in our students future. Your support is paving the way for a brighter tomorrow. Stay tuned for more exciting developments and let's continue working together toward becoming better tomorrow than we are today. Go Warriors. So, the reason uh we created that it wasn't just for Tim's retirement um but we actually have and we've talked about this before as a board. We have a number of bonds coming off the books in a couple of years and we'll be looking to go out for more referendums. So, we wanted to make sure we showed the community, number one, we thanked the community, but showed them what their support of the our
008past three referendums has accomplished. We've gotten five million dollars back from the state towards these projects. Um, so I know there's a little sound bite for that to come. Um, but also those of you, you know, many of our community members, a lot of them graduated from here, but have not been back in the building since they graduated from here or or shortly thereafter. So to really try and show them what their support has done to our facility um and allowed our students to to accomplish. But there's it's not by accident that that happened. It's by Tim's financial leadership um that we've been able to get here. So that's just a little snippet of of what he has helped us to accomplish. And I know there's a number of people who want to speak on
009Tim's behalf. So I am going to Should I read the resolution first and then let speak? Okay. So Tim, you finally now get your own resolution. And no, you cannot take that. That was paid for with district funds. So we are not allowed to take your name plate. This proclamation regarding Timothy Sty shall be read at the public meeting of the Wong Hills Regional High School Board of Education on August 19th, 2025. Whereas Timothy Sty was first employed by Wong Hills Regional High School in July 2007 with 18 years of experience. And whereas he has been noted for his ability to coordinate a vast array of responsibilities from gap accounting, budgeting, cash management, construction, capital improvement projects, facilities, food service negotiations, policy update, purchasing, risk management, school law to transportation, doing so with innovation and
010skill. His expertise as an administrator made him invaluable to our school and whereas he is highly respected not only at Wong Hills but also with his peers at the Somerset County Association of Business Administrators. He has served the district for 18 years and has successfully initiated and completed five referendums. He has been a part of many developments at Wong Hills including our music tech lab, culinary arts lab, learning commons, photography and ceramic studios, and design lab. They're but a few of the parts of our facilities of which Mr. SC has overseen the redesign and renovation. Whereas he has also served as the board secretary for the board of education during his tenure at Wong Hills. He is respected and valued not only by the board members but also by the public. His foremost goal is
011to make the school the best it can be and financially sound for our students, faculty and staff, always with consideration for the taxpayers of our district. And whereas after an outstanding career as a school business administrator and board secretary who put people first and dedicated his life to helping others, he has decided to retire. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Wong Hills Regional Board of Education extends its heartfelt gratitude for Timothy Sty's 18 years of service and devotion to our school and wishes him a healthy and happy retirement to pursue his passions, travel, golf, and whatever adventures lie ahead. All [Applause] right. I'm going to give uh everyone an opportunity to make comments if they want to and then I'll let uh Tim if you would like uh say thank you and give finishing
012comments. So u I'm gonna let Dan Gall go first because he Yeah, sorry I double booked this evening, but uh Tim, I just before I left, I just want to make sure that you knew that how grateful I was, that you're such a good friend of the board, that you're professionalism is unparalleled in every aspect. Um I can't extend the knowledge to the community enough to say um how much Tim's influence on the budget and the financial matters of this school have been affected. great and positive way. Um so on a professional level 10 out of 10 really amazing amazing job and then on a personal level you have always been there to answer our questions. There's a lot of complicated questions in these budgets and uh I know for myself I'm incredibly grateful for
013your uh knowledge and direction getting those budgets down. I don't know uh how we're going to survive without you. Uh, Bill, you got your shoes, big shoes to fill. Uh, but um I mean we will, I suppose, but not as well. And we will miss you. >> Yeah. You know, >> it's his eulogy, not the >> But thank you very much and and and I'm I'm really grateful for your service. Thank you. >> Okay. So, um, we're going to let the people out there speak first, then the board, and then we'll, uh, the currently constitutive board, and then we're going to take a few minutes for cake, we always have cake, and then we'll come back to the business at hand. So, uh, who would like to, uh, speak first? Just tell us who you
014are. We, as Dr. you had mentioned we have several I think you mentioned we have several prior uh members of the board who I don't know if they just came for support or they came to say something nice or they just came for cake but if somebody would like to say something they're more than welcome if not there someone's got to be first thank you Greg of course so I I never thought I'd say this about a >> name and town you always um somebody who probably remain nameless from Warren somewhere on Quail Run. No, Greg Greg Chabilski, former board member. Uh I never thought I'd say this about a uh CPA that they're hip. Uh but but Tim, you are hip and hip honesty. I have never met someone so honest in the position
015that you're in. I think when I reflect back on nine years on the board, I never had to double check you. I always knew that what I was seeing was accurate and beyond reproach and and for that uh I I value all the work that you did. I for integrity there is no person that I've seen on the Watch Hills board uh and administration that has the integrity level that you have. Again, so trustworthy uh beyond reproach. it. I think the school has benefited and the community has benefited so much for the 18 years that you have dedicated uh to this. And then finally, P Dan Galla mentioned it. Professionalism, always very very polite, very respectful. There's nothing more that we could have asked uh from a a business administrator than you. I think the
016school is going to have quite a challenge in uh going forward and whoever is your replacement. I don't know if that's been identified or not. You have some uh I I wear size 15 shoes. You've got bigger shoes to fill for for for Tim. Uh I wish you all the success in in taking over that role. Uh at Tim, I'm not a good golfer, but I've played ballistrol a couple of times. I still potentially have some access, so I guess I could figure out a way to dust off clubs and join you if you wish. So, thank you very much for all that you've done and congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. >> Thanks, Greg. Uh, who would like to speak next? And please, let's not scare Billy off. >> Someone else out out there, please.
017when you and I were together previously gross from um there's so many tonight describe the things that I think you to contribute individual members not just in your duties or in support of the board but committees I served on a number of committees was to labor relations negotiations contracts involved. That's another area. I wear size 15 shoes, too. So, I had to go after him. I didn't want to wrap up the end of that process. Tim has very diff played when I served here a few times and I intend to steal him away from that. So good luck all that I can't quite offer that but nonetheless. So Tim, I really wish you well. I know you're find. Don't be shy out there. You came to say something nice. My shoes are a little smaller.
018So, um I'm delighted to be here to wish Tim well and um celebrate 18 wonderful years at Watching Hills. When you first started here, I was I was on the board at that time. I think I mentioned Laura Mandel. um and the um impact you've had. Obviously, that's been clearly defined um by all the things that you've done here, but things were not always so wonderful when you came and um you are leaving your successor in a great place. So, I want to put a positive spin on that and um I'm sure that you know the the wisdom that you put forth will continue um finding the best funing and ways to use resources well to benefit the students and the community. That's that's a real gift that you gave to the community and I'm
019grateful and um just happy to wish you well and have a wonderful wonderful retirement. I know everyone's in a rush to get the cake, but Never. >> You've touched my heart in so many ways. So, I'll get the professional part out of out of the way. I never knew. By the way, I should introduce myself. I'm Sandy Fecker. I've been on the board. wonderful results. They're good boys, but they were also academic stars here. But you took a job that I got on board. I had no idea of the hats that BA has to wear. You just you have to know everything about how school functions kitchen food service lever throw it at the DA. So I can see why you get gray early. early but left your job. But with all of that tin
020as a human being, you're such a favorite and you the other day I heard you talk about remember when your mother doesn't a mother love to hear a son telling his mother that he hit the jackpot when he got that mother and then he talked with such affection pride his daughter and his son. I thought I better go quick and tell my boys and my grand kids wonderful they are that I learn such a special man I could never come up to the school without walking down the hall saying I hope I don't lose you Tim as you go into retirement I live at 72 Cardinal anybody else who wants to come I make a cup of cappuccino um but I miss a lot of you and certainly as one of you goes retires. Oh
021boy, I was marching on the very part of it. I usually you all know it's actually kisses to you. >> Thank you. [Applause] Anyone else? Okay. Thanks, Bill. >> We'll make an exception this one time. >> Thank you, Bill, principal at the high school. Um, I still vividly remember um about the possibility about uh this position. I remember reaching out to my father to talk about the district and he just I think this first amazed me was the BA there is very he knew intrinsically as he was very involved the importance of BA to the everything that the district has to accomplish and also so but as I learned throughout the years it was it was an understatement um I'm proud of what we've done as a district since I've been here from the faculty
022and the students and it wouldn't be without the financial footing and support that Tim was able Um, I'm not saying we haven't had disagreements or differences of viewpoints. I still stand by some of mine, but I can stay here and stand here and say that was probably right on most of them. But one of my favorite memories of Tim was actually happened in 2020. We had the pandmic. We had to have a graduation without parents and we decided to have a jumbo outside and I remember Liz and I were in the first line and Beth and Tim were behind and as soon as we entered the football field and Tim saw the jumbotron he groaned and it epitomized what his role was. He knew that Jumbotron was not going anywhere anytime soon because it served
023a great purpose, but at the same time, and we all know his loyalty to taxpayer money caused a problem for him right there on the field. Um, I am definitely going to miss our meetings. I'm gonna miss and Bob probably will miss this too when you refer to everybody from Trenton as turds. Um, I'm miss I'm gonna miss your raspberries with your thumbs downs. Um, but I do hope that our Thank you for everything that you're doing. >> Thank you, Bill. Anyone else? Going once. All right. Uh board members, you want to just go in order? You want to start lazy? Carol, you want Tim, I know from experience how much more difficult our job is with a less efficient business office. Your office has been exceedingly efficient, exemplary, and helpful. Um, I have to
024thank you. Also, good luck in your future. >> Lori, you've only been here a month or so. >> Okay. >> Just briefly, I'm sorry that I came on now. You're leaving. because I would have enjoyed working with you. I've heard all good things never highly respected and I wish you all the best. I wish you a long retirement and have fun. >> Well, uh, three years now I'm I'm on and you were fixture for me and you helped me so many times when I was screwing up filling out some forms and I'm sure you were pulling your hair out, but you were very nice to me. So, I appreciate that. Um, and I'll never get over your passion for trying to save money and literally anger you get sometimes when there's like unrealistic charges that
025are coming through. Um, and I really did appreciate that as a new board member. Um, coming in here, you know, seeing that you are actually fighting for it. you know, I didn't have to be watchdog as much as uh as you. Um, but I also want to say to Bill coming on, be sure to come on. You were highly recommended by him and uh you're going to be fine. My name is Bill, too, by the way. >> Well, I'm listening to how long you've been here and I'm realizing I think that I started as a parent at the high school not too long after you were there. and I can reflect back on watching you implement some of the changes. As a parent, sometimes it was frustrating and we buted heads a few times as
026as a parent and a BA, but as I've gotten to know you and have been on the board and seeing how much more and how everything you do and how well we operate and everything we have been able to accomplish at the school in these 18 years, I know is is your hard work and all of those changes and how much I appreciate um the school and how well it's run and because of you. Good luck and we will I definitely miss you, >> Tim. I wish you well and and good health and have fun. Um, don't do any like sub jobs. Don't get out of the schools. Maybe get out of Jersey. I'm thinking get out of Jersey. Yeah. Um, thank you for always um, so I'm bilingual, but I don't speak numbers. So,
027thank you very much for always uh making it so I could understand it and make sense of it. Um, I really appreciate that and reading all the things and I'd come with the binder highlighted. Um, I I really appreciate you uh taking the time to break it down into layman's terms for a nonmath speaker. And uh it's always I don't know if everybody knows this, but so the Barry Hill Chinese School like Tim even comes to that that Saturday. He spends like hours here in the front row with me and like other board members and Liz and Quinn and he like even watches that like Tim's invested very much so. Yeah. Good human. You deserve the best. God bless you and your family. >> Tim, thank you for all you you have been there to
028answer questions. You've been there to my text messages. had the issues with watch with the buses and a couple years ago and everything. You were just you kept answering and you just kept going out of your way and you never got upset. You were never stressed with these questions. Why you but you just you're always you've been open. You answer questions. You you just have been very helpful and I wish you all the best of luck in your retirement and have fun going upate New York and enjoying life. >> Tim, um, everybody knows, you know, your professionalism is above board and the fact that you, you know, that you stayed, you delayed your retirement to help, you know, mentor Bill coming in is just as testament to, you know, you know, how great you are.
029Um, but and I have no doubt you will be able to fill his shoes eventually. Um, but just on a personal note, you've always made me feel like welcome and went out of your way to always talk to me and I just always appreciated that about you. So, good luck and all the best. >> So, I don't know who I'm gonna go to to complain about Trenton anymore. Um, oh, happy to do that. U I I I judge the success of an individual based on did they leave the place better than they found the role they've played and clearly you have we all know the you know certainly when you came on was difficult time for the district and uh some of the issues that existed there. Uh but fast forward 18 years and we're
030in a much better position financially. The facilities are significantly better. Um and we're a high functioning school district and a lot of that has to do uh with what you do and what you've you've contributed. Uh but the other way that you that I like to measure success is how have they left the organization and you're leaving this organization in very strong u financial circumstances. Uh as a BA Tim has Tim spends money like it's his own money. This is it's like if I'm asking him for a pencil or anyone else, you would have think that, you know, they were you were going into his wallet for something. Um he was so careful with the taxpayers money. It's one of the reasons why we have been so successful, but also you've set the foundation for
031the district to continue to grow and succeed. And you've done that by helping find Billy for us and and having knowing that you have worked with him in the past and the recommendation that you had for him. I think it gives all of us confidence in knowing that we're set up for success moving forward. Certainly, we were all very concerned uh when you did announce your retirement. So, the fact that you set him up for success is a real testament to uh to your integrity, the type of person that you are. Uh and I can can only close by saying I'm I'm really going to miss you after all the years working together. Uh you're one of the the best professionals that I've ever encountered uh in any walk of life. So, thank you for
032your service. So, um, I've had the pleasure of working with Tim for the last 15 or so years in my capacity as attorney for the board of education. And, uh, I've probably worked with hundreds of BAS over the course of my career. And I I say this to everybody. I'm not just saying it tonight. Probably hands down one of the best business administrators and and people professionals that I've ever worked with. Um, somebody mentioned, you know, the the full range of responsibilities of a business administrator in school law came up and and Tim knows school law and so, you know, whenever Tim would call my office and my secretary would say, "It's Mr. Sty on the phone for you." I knew whatever question he was going to ask me was going to be a difficult
033one. Tim Tim never calls with softballs. And uh as a result, he he kept me humble over the years because just when I thought I pretty much knew everything about 18A, he would call me with a question. I'd have to scratch my head and say, "You know something, Tim? That's a great question. I got to get back to you. Nobody's ever asked me that before." And so I appreciated the the discussions we've had, the dialogue, and the fact that he's I think made me a better attorney as a result. And you're going to be sorely missed and and hope we hope we'll keep in touch over the years. My dad plays Spooky Brook, too, so I might show up at that golf course one of these days. Tim, I just want to share a story
034of um when I was supervisor of science, I had some work for my doctorate where you had to interview the business administrator. And I'm in a cohort of about 20 administrators and everyone in my cohort is saying, "How am I going to get access to the business administrator? How am I going to see them at school?" And I'm sitting there thinking, "What are they talking about?" And I'm talking about our business administrator who is part of our district leadership team. He's sitting at the table. Every conversation whether it's discipline, curriculum, state mandates, HR, academics, Tim's aware of everything that's going on in the district. And I think that's allowed him to always put our students first when it comes to budgeting. And I think that's rare for business administrators, at least I found that out
035in speaking to people from other districts. And one of the things I learned in that interview, which was so surprising to me, was when Tim was early on in his career, um, his, you know, I don't know if it was a BA or superintendent at the time, said, you know, Tim, you really understand the accounting piece, but you should go further with education. And you know, Tim is a CPA by trade, but I don't know if everyone knows this, he has a master's degree in educational administration, which is the same master's degree that Dr. Labraa or myself, you know, has to become a principal. So Tim takes the job to heart. Um, and I think it's because he always wanted to do the best for the students, for the district, for the faculty, for the
036taxpayers, for the board. Um, and that's just apparent in everything. Um, so that that taught me a lot a few years ago about Tim. And when I transitioned into uh this position, Tim was always there for me. Any question I had, I've learned so much from you. Um, and I just feel very lucky to have you as a colleague um, and as a friend and a mentor. And I'm going to miss you so much. >> Well, I went from being a little nervous taking this job now to downright terrified. Um, when I started when I decided to come down here, I worked in a district that I lived in four minutes from my house. When Tim told me he was retiring, I was previously the treasurer. It's like, uh, well, that kind of stinks. Maybe
037I'm not going to be the treasurer down there without Tim. But then he like, you should apply for the job. And I didn't think about it at first. And then this is the only district I probably would have left my hometown district for because Tim has in such good shape. Spoke so highly of everyone on the board, everyone in the community. He referred to the school as more of a family than faculty. So, it really spoke to how he feels about this whole community. Um, when I was down at the Asmo conference, I was telling people that I was coming here and they said, "You never want to be the guy to follow the guy." And Tim Sty is the guy. So, thank you for everything. Just seeing it in working with Tim over the
038last two weeks, shadowing him in the district, seeing how highly everyone speaks of him, and just seeing the facility here and what he's done. It's it's incredible. So, best of luck in retirement. Give me your personal cell phone before you go because I'm definitely going to be calling you and hopefully we can catch a Ranger game or a Yankee game at some point after retirement. Best of luck. Um, I'm just going to double down on what everyone has already said. to we basically seen eye to eye on almost everything except for the jumbotron. And uh that will not die today. Um again, you've been great. You've been great to work with, benefit to the board, benefit to the community, everything that everyone's really said. So there's not really much else to say. But Tim Sty,
039best BA ever. [Applause] Okay. Uh, we'll take a few m Sorry. Oh, Tim, you get to speak. I apologize. >> Whatever works for you guys. >> All right. It's easier for me. I'll be facing you and I can >> All right. All right. So, I I wrote a speech. which I I generally don't, but I wanted to make sure I got this right because uh I got a lot of board members in this room. So, it's like a lot of pressure. So, anyway, um first of all, members of the boards of ed education, past and present, members of the public, uh Dr. Jwitt, thank you very much for the kind words. It has been a pleasure and an honor working for this great community for 18 years. I will never forget my interview, my initial
040interview in 2007 when then board president Paul Celig and superintendent Dr. Strmsland uh they asked me why I wanted to work at Wong Hills and I this is the funny part. I proceeded to tell them and this is an honest story that I had several friends and colleagues call me and tell me I would be nuts to take this job. There was a messy referendum project that was off the rails. Many fiscal problems, including a referendum budget shortfall. The board was at each other's throats. Board meetings were long and stressful. And there was a public feud with the township about the construction project. I think they were stunned at my response. Um, but I told them that that I I think I can help because I believe I can do what they need. Took a
041couple years, but we got through the immediate crisis and wanted to face other things. The 2010 education cuts, the supertorm Sandy, where our roof blew off our gym, a crazy surge of cicas at a graduation, uh, and the lockdowns which were very difficult. And with all of that, we were able to improve our financial position and actually went on to pass four separate referendums after that, which was a challenge because after those issues in 2004, the word referendum was like a four-letter word here. But of all the things we accomplished during my time here, I am most proud of helping mend the board's relationship with each other at the time and our townships that suffered during that 2004 referendum project. And it was kind of simple really. I only needed to show all of them
042what good people they all were and the common mission they all had. They loved their community, all four towns, and above all understood the value of education for their students. Every board member, every town council member, this entire community value education because they love their kids and at the same time they recognize the tax burden to the NJ residents and they try very very hard to minimize the impact on them. We may all disagree on issues at times, but everyone in this community understands that mission, which is why watching Hills is a great place. I would like to personally thank all of the educators. There are so many support staff, board members, past and present, for all you do to make this place work. I have always said, and I think Billy mentioned it, watching
043Hills is like a family. We share the good experiences and the dark days together. Here's an interesting story. Back in 2019, I was given a Fitbit as a gift. I needed to do my steps during the day, so I began to walk around school a couple times a day. Staff members were worried and asked Liz why I'm coming around so much. They probably thought I was auditing them. Uh she just laughed and let them know about my need to get my steps in and they laughed and were probably relieved. Uh the best part about it was I was able to see things that I hadn't seen before. But I also got to know many of the staff members and understand what they do every day a little better. It really was an eyeopening positive experience
044and I'm so glad that it happened. Uh so thanks to all of you for being who you are every day. I will miss all of you. And one other story that I I want to share. When I first talked to the full board, I I told them that one of my goals was to have the best business office in the state. I'm not sure if we achieved that, but I can honestly say that the group that works for me, my business office, they should be considered in that conversation. They're hardworking, talented, and I so very much appreciate what they have done for me in this school. I wouldn't you wouldn't be honoring me without them. I can tell you honestly they're very very good. Um to the superintendents Dr. Stsland um I thank her and
045I saw her recently um for having faith in hiring me back in ' 07. I'm very proud of the work we did together to get through those difficult moments. Um and to Dr. it. I have told you in confidence more than once that when I retire and now it's getting closer. I will look back on my career and I will say I worked with Liz J with so much pride and I mean that you're an incredible leader, supportive, kind-hearted, great sense of humor, which is very necessary when dealing with me. I'm guessing that Beth and Nicole have a very thick file about me somewhere in HR. talking about my goofy behavior and honestly they should um my family, my wife Patty, my kids, parents, siblings, in-laws, thanks for supporting me for through so many good
046times and bad times, for listening to my complaints, offering guidance, for tolerating my absence during the key milestones, many key milestones because of my job. I think at first you'll be happy to see me more, but I'm guessing within a month you'll be suggesting that I play more golf or perhaps find an interim job or call Liz and Billy and see if they need anything. I'll try not to be a pain. I promise. And finally, thanks to Billy Schultz for taking this position and working at Watching Hills. I know how talented you are and in time the board, the administrators and this community will know that what I know how lucky they are to have you as their business administrator going forward. Thanks to all of you, all my my good friends out there, my
047teachers, everybody for all the memories and I will miss you all. [Applause] If we could get all the former board members and current board members up here for a picture be really nice since everyone's here and then we'll cut the cake. Someone make a motion. >> Is there a second? All those in favor? >> Okay, great. We're going to be in recess for about 10 minutes taking pictures and eating cake. I'll give a Okay, motion to return. Do we have a second? All those in favor? Great. Okay, great. So, we're now uh back in session. Uh thank you for everyone your indulgences. And again, thank you uh Tim. Uh back to business. Board correspondence. Do we have any this evening? We do not. Okay. Superintendent comments. Dr. I will keep these brief. Uh, one of
048the requirements is the bianual uh, student safety data uh, summary report. So that is what I'm going to give right now. Um, it is only about a 50page report. So it won't take that long. I'm just kidding. It's it's four numbers. Uh, this is for the reporting period from January 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2025. We had zero incidents of violence, three incidents of vandalism, zero incidents involving weapons, and nine incences of substance abuse. Um just so everyone's aware, that number doesn't necessarily mean separate incidents. It just means um students. So it could be if three students were involved in one one incident, that counts as three. Um then the HIV incident status summary, we had three alleged HIV incidents and three confirmed HIV incidents which of course were all reported and shared with the
049board. And uh then for other incidents leading to some kind of inschool or out of school suspension, there were 55 of those. So that is the report for that half of the year. Um in other news, today was the first day of our new educator orientation. Uh and that started off really really well. We have a really nice uh program for the week and board members are invited to the lunchon on Thursday which is the last day of their new educator orientation. And of course we have teachers back on Monday. Some of them have been in the building either tonight for the board meeting or they um have been in getting their starting to get their classrooms ready. The campus looks amazing. Uh hopefully you noticed it as you came in tonight. the grounds outside,
050the building inside, our buildings and grounds crew pays such meticulous attention and has such care for this building um that it it it's all part of helping this be such a tremendous school environment for the staff and the students because everyone takes a lot of pride in the building. Um so please notice that as you're coming and going from the building. It really is a nice place to welcome everyone back to. Uh and our fall sports uh and activities are underway. So, we it's almost like we've already started the year. Um, but we're excited for for the coming school year. Um, we do have a couple important dates coming up. On Tuesday of next week, we do have a regionalization shared services feasibility study committee meeting. Um, that will be happening here in person on
051Tuesday night at six o'clock on August 26th. And the following Thursday, um that's September 3, we will be having uh the uh feed the I will be sending this out. I sent it out in the spring, but that will be the meeting with our strategic plan consultants um for it's the community input session. So I did share that with the staff. I will be sending that out to the community. It's for any interested stakeholders to come and learn about the strategic planning process and to give any input or feedback feedback at that point. There will obviously be more opportunities for input and feedback, but that's an initial session. It is in your board packets in your blue notes. Um, I can also send out a calendar invite to everyone about that. And that's all I
052have. Thank you. >> Yeah, I absolutely will. >> Great. Thank you. Um, I just uh want to welcome back all the teachers and wish the best of luck to all the new teachers. looking forward to meeting uh the educators on Thursday at the lunchon and uh be nice to have the children back kids back in school next Thursday and we're starting before Labor Day. I don't know if they're so happy but um by starting a little earlier we get to end a little earlier. People might notice that we end typically a week before all of the schools which is really a great thing. Um, and uh, I think most of the projects are finished with regard to all the infrastructure, all the capital stuff we're doing. So, it'll be nice that we're on schedule and
053just moving forward and the building and everybody is ready to get started. So, that's exciting. All right, Mr. Sty, >> just one correction. The strategic plan stakeholder feedback session, it's Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:30. I just sent an invitation to the board members. Just wanted to clarify that. It's I known Tuesday, August 26th is for the shared services regionalization committee. I had said I said Thursday, September 3rd instead of Wednesday. It's Wednesday, September 3rd is the Yeah. is the um strategic plan session. We have a couple events in the coming weeks. >> I stand corrected. I apologize. >> Mr. Sty, do you have any additional comments? Your last opportunity. >> No, Mr. President, I do not have any other comments. I think I've spoken enough and I think during the operations and finance committee meeting
054minutes you'll know more about the construction updates and also some finances but thank you. >> I apologize. Let's move right into the committee reports operations. >> Good evening. We met on August 13th at 9:15 in attendance was Mr. Nber Mr. Mayor Czech, Miss Proa, myself, Dr. JW, Mr. Snowden, Mr. Schultz, and Mr. Sty. So, construction update. Uh, Mr. Snowden provided an update on the following projects. So, the SA sack offices, the former nurses suite, uh, the permits have been obtained and the contractor is working on the ceiling, floors, and walls. The expected completion date is September 15th, and we are waiting for doors and furniture at this point. The main walldesign lab. That's the wall that's right outside the design lab. It has been removed. The contractor Northeastern was here and they were prepping the
055wall for the new panels and those new panels should arrive in 8 to 10 weeks. Condensate tank. Um the old tank has been dismantled and removed. The new tank uh was in place and the welding was completed. the rooftop unit installation. The two new units that service the administrative offices are scheduled for delivery during the week of August 21st and the contractor is expected to begin the installation of August week of August 25th. Um for the part of the chiller, a change order was done for a new secondary pump and the repair should take approximately two weeks. However, the current the chiller is currently working off of the primary pump fume hood replacement. The fume hoods in the science labs are scheduled for replacement and that work will begin shortly. Outdoor classroom. Um, this is
056located near the tennis courts. It is complete and looks professionally done. Again, the ground staff did an amazing job creating and installing the space. And the only thing that's going to be added is some addition of the concrete curving for safety purposes. Also, the floors in gym 78 have been resurfaced and the sidewalk outside the bandfield has been replaced. Um, and he also mentioned that the building and ground, this is Mr. Snow mentioned the building and ground staff was currently working on cleaning out all the storage closets as well. Wait over the the Gansy Memorial Wall update. So, Dr. Jwitt provided an update on the status of the Dr. Dansancy memorial wall. The family is working on selecting a quote to be added and a suggestion was made to hang a portrait of Dr. Dansancy
057that would be created by one of our art students. That's it. >> Great. Thank you. Anyone have any questions, comments? >> I would just add for the board to um if you do get a chance to see that outside, it's like pavers side classroom. Um, it's over by the tennis courts and our our Browns guys did it. Um, they really did a good job. That was very impressive. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> Just a point of clarification. Is it a memorial wall or a memorial atrium? >> We the the wording is going to say uh I actually asked the family for kind of final approval on the title whether it's going to be the Thomas F. Dancey atrium or Thomas F. the Gampy Memorial Atrium, but but it's I think the board's intent was to
058name the atrium. And then the wall has the um piece of you probably saw when you came in has the maple in it that will go a quote and as um Heather had said and and a write up about his career. >> Great. Uh Mr. Morrison, finance committee, please. >> Finance committee met on August the 13th. Uh in attendance were Mr. Bernberg, Miss Lee, uh myself, Miss Praza, Dr. Mr. Schultz and Mr. Sty. Uh we got an update on the 2425 audit. Uh Mr. St shared that the auditors are currently here and working on the 2425 audit. Uh he said that they should be finishing the audit up maybe by now done yet? >> I think a lot of their field work is done. I think they have some we have to throw send some
059stuff to them via email >> and the request was then for them to come in early so that Tim would be able to facilitate the process of closing out the audit uh for our year-end reserve estimates uh for the 2425 fiscal year. Uh we have four reserve accounts uh and we fund three of them as the fourth one is an emergency reserve fund and it's restrictive and difficult to use and it's not really able for us. So, we have uh allocated or Mr. Stout has allocated $2.1 million across three of our reserve accounts. Uh the first one is the tuition reserve that had we put $600,000 into it for next year. Um pointed out that Greenbrook's enrollment is continuing to decline and this is needed to reimburse them once the actual tuition is finalized. Um
060and Mr. Sty also highlighted the fact that the $600,000 must used in next year's budget. Uh we then um put in $1.3 million into the capital reserve uh account uh for projects that are included in our long range facilities plan. And then the maintenance reserve uh which is used for day-to-day projects that are needed to maintain the building. Uh that $200,000 is allocated to that account and basically covers uh what was allocated in our uh current budget. Uh he also spoke about the reserve balance and building surplus to be used for smaller referendum projects. Uh using reserves along with state debt aid uh monies has allowed the district to pass several smaller referendums uh with no tax increase to the community. Uh lastly, Mr. talked about agenda items that were uh on uh tonight's agenda
061that were over $2,000. And we did have a slight or a small discussion about future budgeting uh and the impact that state changes in federal uh funding may have on our budget future. Uh and that concludes the report. Any committee members have any additional comments? Any comments from other board members? the new budget start, Billy, when we have that schedule in place. >> I don't have the schedule yet, but it's gonna be starting very soon. >> Okay, great. >> Uh, and while I have the microphone, just real quick on the just for the the public so they're aware. uh at the shared services regionalization committee meeting next week, we will receive the feasibility study report from the the Rowan uh research team that has been uh contracted to do the report. So we will be
062reviewing the details of that report uh talking about it within the committee, providing our feedback and then scheduling the public presentation of the report uh which will be sometime probably October, but we'll probably know more after our meeting next week. >> Thank you, Bob. Um, anyone else have any questions for Bob? All right. Uh, negotiations. Dan, apologize. He had to leave early. Uh, he let me know that he finalized the discussion, the negotiations with the PSA, and we'll be signing off on that shortly. Okay, we have come to the first opportunity for public comment. The first public comment period will be limited to agenda items for this meeting only. The second public comment period will be open to any topic. All comments are limited to five minutes. Do we have any comments? Okay, seeing none
063for discussion. Um, we have an issue with the >> September board of education meeting date which is originally scheduled which date >> September 23rd which happens to be Russ >> and it's also a day that we don't have school >> correct >> no closed >> we've done that before but these offices are open so it's not that really issue it's the fact that that evening is Russ um so we have a couple of options we can either not have that meeting or we can a week till September 30th. Our October meeting is not until October 14th, our first October meeting. So that still leaves two weeks. Um so >> what's the next meeting? >> Uh October 14th. >> No. What's the next meeting after today? >> Uh September uh 9th. Yes, September 9th. That's the
064first September. >> I suggest we do it the 30th. >> Just move it away. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Done. notices and all. >> Mr. President, I'd like to move items A1 through A6. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Masio. Miss Ferrano Razmoski. >> Yes. >> Miss Lee. Mr. Mayek. Yes. Mr. Morrison. >> Yes. >> M. Potter. >> Yes. >> M. Proa. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barber. >> Yes. >> Carry. I'd like to move items A7 through A1. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Majiovano Resarski, >> yes. >> Sleep man. >> Yes. >> Morrison. >> Yes. >> And Mr. >> Yes. Mr. President, I'd like to move item A12 and and items C1 through C26. >> Second. >> Any discussion with regard to those items? >> What was
065the first >> A12? >> Okay. Because it wasn't start. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Okay. Majio. Yes. >> Mayor checkek. >> Yes. Morrison. >> Yes. Potter. >> Yes. >> Rasha. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Ber. >> Yes. >> Carry. Mr. President, I'd like to move items D1 through D 26. Any discussion with respect to those items? See none. Roll call, please. Mio, Miss Ferano, >> sorry about that. Miss Lee, >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. >> Marrison, >> yes. >> Raza, >> yes. >> And Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. President, I'd like to move items D27 through D30. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. Mr. Mia, >> Miss Lee, >> Mr. Mayek, >> yes. >> Morrison, >> yes. >> Mr. Proa, >> yes. >> Mr. Ber, >> thank you. All right, we've
066come to the second opportunity for public comment. And as noted before, that comment can be not does not need to be limited to agenda items. So it's open to any comments. Do we have any comments for the second? Yes, please come on up. State your name. Where are you from, please? >> Good evening. I'm Marissa Walsh. I'm from Atlantic Highlands. I'm the Wong Hills Regional Education Association President. Um first Tim, congratulations on your retirement. Many memories to be made now and uh we'll miss you. Um what I'm here for tonight though is to shine some light on some of the incredible work being done by our uh union's public education partnership committee which is run by Kplatt who's here um Moren Kelly and it's supported by Lee Broaddsky, Lori Piaza who's also here and Andrew
067Tranzano. Um, this committee works to secure grants from the NJA that directly benefit our students and the wider community. Uh, over the past few years, some of the grant money we've, uh, obtained has helped us give donations to local food banks. Uh, we've installed a little free lending library in one of the sending districts and given donations to some of the school events like Rise Against Hunger. This year we're really excited to announce a new project, our WHREA giving closet. So, this is going to be situated in the guidance department. This initiative is a labor of love. It's taken several years to um to come to fruition and it's designed to provide essential resources like clothing, school supplies, toiletries, and food to students and families who need it most. Um, it's really about removing barriers
068so that all our students can thrive. And Kay and Moren are going to be sharing some of the way this is going to work at our upcoming PD uh, next week with teachers so they'll know what the process is and how to implement it so that students um, can thrive in our community and do well at school without those barriers. Uh, we just wanted to share this because we feel like projects like this show how deeply that our WH's invested in the community. um how we'd like to help in you know any way and if anyone's interested in working with us on these initiatives you know you can reach out find out more and uh we'll get you involved right thank you >> thank you Merc good luck there any other public comments okay seeing
069none we'll close that session any other business yes >> so just a couple items Uh the the first item is just something I'd like to get on for discussion at a future meeting. Um I'd like to bring back the the we touched on this, you know, briefly at the beginning of the year. Um but I'd like to at least bring it back so we can have a more robust discussion about the potential for moving the elections for board from November back to April. Um so again I don't not going to have that discussion now but I want to bring it back where we can actually look at what the options are and explore both the the upside and the downside of of doing such a thing. Second item I just want to uh remind our
070administration in particular that uh the educator evaluation training session uh there's an online virtual session that will be happening on August the 21st from 9 to 12. Uh it'll be webinar uh and I can forward you the link to it. >> I attended last week's but I know Nicole's trying to get into one. >> Okay, perfect. Um great. Uh and then the last item, and this is for the public to be aware of, uh that we learned last week in what is being referred to in education circles as the August surprise, uh when the Department of Education in New Jersey announced that they were replacing the New Jersey student learning assessment uh for the upcoming school year. uh why this was an August surprise is because nobody in the educational community knew that this was
071coming. Not only that, but this assessment that they are putting in place has yet to be tested. It has not been field trial. It has not been analyzed. It's not been shared with anyone. It's not been provided uh to districts to begin training their personnel. Uh the new assessment went from this past year's assessment cost $38 million for the state to implement. Next year's assessment will be $ 58 million. In addition, districts will be responsible for paying their own costs of upgrading technology necessary to do the new assessment as well as the time that it will take to train our personnel to be able to do this. Uh not only that, but the field trial that they are planning to do is going to be in October and November. And they're going to then push
072this on to our students in mass in April. So less than four months from the time that they finish the test to analyze it, make corrections, train faculty members, and then subject 1.4 million students to this assessment. This is nothing short than educational malpractice. And I have talked about it with the administration and asked our attorney earlier to take a look at whatever recourse we have to push back against this unfunded mandate that's being hoisted upon us by by the current administration. Uh, additionally, I have reached out to all of the other education associations, including schoolboards association, the Garden State Coalition of Schools, and their related Lee organizations, uh, including the New Jersey Supervisors and Principles Association. And none of those organizations were aware of or engaged in this process. It is ridiculous that we
073are subjecting our students to to to this particular issue for two reasons. First, by changing the test, it will no longer be comparable. And we've hearing people talking about the need to understand how our students are recovering from uh what occurred as a result of the pandemic. Well, guess what? By changing the test, we're not going to know because the data is not going to be comparable. Uh and in addition to that, why on earth would they make the change right now on top of all of the other changes that are going on in the state and all of the other uncertainty that exists, particularly as it relates to the funding given the fact that our state is going through and eliminating or just about to completely eliminate the remaining fiscal reserves that we have
074in the state and making it more difficult on districts as it stands right now. But they're not taking any of that into account. Again, they are just dropping this like an anvil on top of districts heads and it is unconscionable that we are being forced to address this and being told about it a week before we open schools. It is absolutely ridiculous and something has got to change. And you know to to quote the the the famous line from that old movie uh I'm mad as hell and I can't take it anymore. Right. This this is enough. This is enough of this nonsense. Something has got to change and we can't stand and allow our students to be turned into guinea pigs for whatever rationale they're trying to push forward on why they're doing this.
075I yield my time. Thank you, Mr. Mars. Any other comments, business? Okay, great. Um, as we mentioned earlier, we had an executive session. U part of what we were discussing in that executive Exive session was the CA evaluation. We have not completed that. So, I'm going to entertain a motion to go into executive session again in a moment uh to finish that. Um we'll spend the time necessary to do that. There's not going to be any action taken after that. So, we're going we'll come out of executive session, then we'll adjourn. So, we'll turn off the uh the streaming because there won't be anything. So everyone can leave and at that point I'm also going to ask Tim and Nicole and Billy that for them to leave and uh we'll note when we're finished and
076let you know and that's the plan for the rest of the evening as far as the school is concerned. >> Can I have a motion to go back into executive? >> All those in favor? >> Great. All right. So we're back in executive session. Thank you everyone. Have a great night and uh enjoy the start of school.