Winslow Township Board of Education 9/10/2025

001Is that put my name on [Music] So my deal is you >> 35. Give me 35 points and win. I don't know. >> Miss Sherman, where's the g? >> Public notice of this meeting was given to all board members and associates in a notice dated August 14th, 2025. Adequate electronic notice of this public meeting has been provided specifying the time, place, and manner in which this meeting is being conducted. It was advertised in the courier posted in all schools, the administration office, municipal building, library, budal center, edgewood acres, Eltown, and the Winsslow Township Post offices. Mission statement. The mission of the Winsow Township School District, a large, diverse, growing community, is to educate all students to become independent, lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and caring and competent members of their community. The district in partnership with

002the community and in a climate of cooperation and mutual respect will provide an academic environment which values excellence and diversity, encourages students to strive for personal excellence, and assists them in acquiring knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to contribute positively to a rapidly changing world. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Clark, >> here. >> Miss Dre, >> here. >> Miss Glo, >> present. >> Miss Martin, present. Mr. McManis >> present. >> Miss Peterson >> present. Miss Pit >> present. >> Mr. Thomas >> present. >> And Mr. Shelley >> present. >> We have a quorum. Can >> we please stand for the pledge of allegiance? >> 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. Before

003everybody sits, can we please take a moment of silence for because we've just recently lost a teacher at school one and not only that, tomorrow is 911 and like take a few a moment for that as well. Right. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um, our 25 26 district school goals. Our 25 26 district goals. One, student achievement. Continue to implement researchbased best practices for delivering instruction and accelerated learning for all students including all subgroups. This shall include one conduct weekly administrative walkthroughs to monitor teaching and learning. Two, utilize the district diagnostic assessment platform. A analyze student data to inform and guide instruction. B to monitor and track measurable growth in the ELA and mathematics in grades one through nine. C to implement creative ways to accelerate student learning by providing additional support throughout

004and beyond the school day. Number two, promote a positive environment for students and staff. One, enforce the code of conduct to ensure safety for students and staff and in compliance with district policy. Two, incorporate social emotional learning opportunities for students to celebrate positive behaviors. Three, develop strategies for students with significant behaviors to reduce the inter interruption of instructional time, decrease negative actions, and improve student attendance. Three, and our final one, increase stakeholder engagement. One, improve a improve and expand innovative opportunities to increase parent communication. B, create parent learning opportunities with a focus on how to support their students learning. And the final one, continue to share the accomplishment of Winsville students in all student activities. >> Thank you, Mr. Peterson. Moving on to awards and presentations. Mr. Davis. >> Good evening. Pursuant to New Jersey

005statute 18A 37-13 and New Jersey Administrative Code 6A 16-5.3, I am here to report and seek approval for Winsler Township School District school safety data which includes information on the district's weapons, violence, vandalism, substance abuse, and harassment, intimidation, and bullying incidents for the period of January 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2025. Board members, in your packets, you should have a copy of the chart. Our incidents for this second reporting period are as follows. School number one. For HIV, there were four alleged, one confirmed incident for a total of five HIV incidents. There were zero weapons, violence, vandalism, or substance abuse. So, school number one had a total of five incidents for that reporting period. Rule number two for HIV there was one confirmed incident and then there was zero weapons, violence, vandalism or substance. So

006there's a total of one incident for that reporting period. School number three, there were three confirmed HIV incidents and then zero weapons, violence and substance abuse for a total of three incidents at school number three. School number four, there was one alleged HIV incident, one weapon, which was an air gun for a total of two incidents. At school number four, there were zero violence, vandalism, or substance abuse. School number five, there were nine alleged HIV incidents, three confirmed for a total of 12 incidents. There was two incidents with a weapon. One was a handgun. One was a knife. And then there was zero violence, vandalism, and substance abuse for a total of 14 incidents. School number six, there was one alleged HIV incident, six confirmed for a total of seven HIV incidents, zero weapons, there

007was one fight, zero vandalism, and zero substance for a total of eight incidents. at school number six middle school. There was three alleged HIV, nine confirmed for a total of 12 HIV incidents, zero weapons. There were 27 instances of violence that were characterized as 10 fights, 15 assaults, one threat, and one sexual contact. zero vandalism and seven instances of substance abuse which are characterized as three undetermined substance. One drug paraphernalia, one marijuana, one alcohol, and one unauthorized prescription drug for a total of 46 incidents at the middle school. And then our high school, there were 13 alleged HIV incidents, two confirmed for a total of 15 HIV incidents, zero weapons. There were four instances of violence, which are characterized as three fights, seven assaults, two theft, and two threats, zero vandalism, and six instances of

008substance abuse, which were five with marijuana, and one with alcohol. They had a total of 35 incidents at the high school. So looking at our totals for this period, for HIV there was a total of 56. For weapons a total of three, violence a total of 42. Vandalism zero. Substance abuse 13. For a grand total of 114 for this reporting period. >> Any questions from the board? >> I do have a question. It's not really the tendency. It's just what is the policy like? So let's say for example the high school we had 13 HIV three fights who's ultimately how who do we hold accountable for that? >> Well with HIV and I talked to that um again letters go out at the beginning for anyone who doesn't know with the HIV incident that has

009some investigation has to take place within a couple of days of it being reported and there's a 10day window in which they have to conduct the investigation etc. So letters go out in the beginning letting parties of you know the victim as well as the aggressor know that something has been reported and it's being investigated and then at the end of it letters go out to both sides letting them know the findings. So the counselors at the respective schools are the anti-bullying specialists. So they're the ones for doing the investigation but the administrators are the one that do the um consequences and the um discipline for so it is tracked. We use a system called my K12. We've been using it probably about 10 years. So that I can go in and we can look

010at let's say repeat offenders and that type of stuff and also track the behavior. >> I guess what I meant is there any policy to try to um alleviate or decrease these numbers from the uh building uh administration. Uh >> well to be honest with going down so you look back last year our numbers are identical for this reporting period. However, when I went back to 23 looking at the super, they were 156. So, we were 156 two years ago. Last year for this period, we were 114 and this year we're at 114. >> Great report. >> Usually, you'll see the numbers will tick out the second half of the year when we come back after winter break. So, in the beginning, the first reporting period, they're low. You just got back. The second half,

011they've been here for a while. After the holidays, numbers are usually higher, but we've been right on these last two years. We've been at 114. >> Good job. The only thing I saw a difference in the three years is the number of um weapons >> and I just wanted to look at that substance abuse is broadly defined. However, the weapons is my more uh my concern. So, thank you for that uh comment about where we were last year this time and in the previous year. Just to reiterate, you had said that you're able to track like the individual students to see who were repeat offenders, >> correct? >> Thank you. >> Y it's um it appears that um if I'm hearing you correctly that there's been an uptick with regards to the incidents with weapons.

012>> Well, I didn't necessarily say I think Miss Peterson >> No, I just said that increase. I think there was one last year of a possible weapon and I think that's >> I can tell you I have it here. No, so last year when we did the same um >> that was the first >> No, we were three. So from January 1 to 24 to June 30 to 24 there were three and there's three. >> Okay. >> So we were the same this time last year and then when I look at this reporting period for the 23 school year it was zero. >> Right. But again, >> and so the weapons and questions were were >> here we had an air gun, a handgun, and a knife. >> Maybe we perhaps you may want to

013take a look at our policy with regards to um the instance of weapons. >> Okay. If it's according to state statute, if there's an act committed or someone brings a handgun into the school, um it's there's a an ability and I know that we've done this because the board's had zero tolerance for that kind of thing and has been very vocal about it for a number of years. Um it's an automatic expulsion. Mhm. [Music] >> Is there any way at at each individual school we can require the board the school principal to give us like a quarterly evaluation on updates on how maybe we could better monitor this type of situation or try to alleviate it alleviate it alto together. What's this? I'm sorry. What situation you >> I mean just the whole you know

014east what are we doing as as administrator as a building principal to make to to to monitor this situation any closer? What what policies do they have in policy intern or regulations or internally do they have in place for this type of thing? Miss Clement, >> if you're talking about for HIV, for harassment, intimidation, and bullying, there are counselors in every building that do different events throughout the month for for children and trying to make them upstanders, not bystanders, trying to make sure that they are um educated as to what is an appropriate act in school, what is not an appropriate acting school. the counselors do lessons throughout the building. So, they're there to support them should they need that, but they're also there to also help uh any student and to provide educational pieces

015throughout throughout the year depending on the month. It could be a monthly uh thing with regard to kindness month or something like that. You'll see those reports and bulletin boards and different things. So, the counselors across the district try to do programming that addresses that. >> Thank you. and I meet with them like once a month, every other month when we address that because as you'll notice a lot of times when reports that's when we're approving the HIV report. So I oversee all the HIV stuff versus the weapons violence that kind of you know unfortunately comes as it you know comes up. Um that's more the building. But I do oversee and meet with the counselors frequently to address HIV and our numbers have dropped dramatically. those that have been on the board for a

016while, you see these reports, the numbers have gone down dramatically in reference to um what's going on in schools. >> I have a question. >> Um I'mma piggyback kind of off of um Mr. Thomas um in regards to the question of who is the overall accountability or who is overall being held accountability in each facility in the school to make sure that these numbers do decrease and when the fights happen or the guns happen who's the custodian and are we holding that custodian accountable for the things that's happening inside their buildings >> well I don't well the principles are there you know they're in charge of the buildings per se so as the things come up, it's our responsibility to investigate and um etc. and report out, but unfortunately things, you know, happen. I don't

017know how you can >> So, so it's fair to say that if a fight breaks out in a school, right, we can't hold the principal accountable for that fight, but what we can do is ensure that we follow the the right protocols for HIV to make sure that we don't happen in the future. So, no one individual should be held accountable for when two students get into a fight. Am I correct? >> You are correct, Miss Lord. So in fact we try to reach out to parents. There are multiple movements throughout the schools for social emotional learning for students. But unfortunately we can't control things that happen in the neighborhood sometimes spill into our schools. It's not no principal would tell you that they want to have any fight or incident in their buildings. Um,

018our job is to make sure that our students are following the policies and procedures when they're in school. And we're hopeful that in partnership that the parents would do the same when they're at home teaching their children the same responsibilities that they should have at home as a good citizen as they would when they come to school. >> I concur on that. So, so it's fair to say that even on the athletic world or the band world or the theater world, after school activities, if there's a fight between the kids, would we hold the coaches accountable for that fight? >> Well, Miss B, it depends on the situation. So if if there is um a situation where there is supposed to be supervision um and something was um not done following the policies as you

019said then it depends on what a situation could be. I don't think I can give you a global answer or or or really answer what you're looking for is holding someone responsible for something. uh an individual act is the responsibility of that child or that person how we respond to that. We follow the board's policies on how we handle that. So I can't say because Teresa Clement had a fight on the field that it's Mr. Davis's fault that I did that because he's the administrator. >> Now if I ignore it and look away and allow it to happen, that's different. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Can we have a motion to approve Mr. Davis's HIV um presentation? >> I move, Mr. President, that we approve Mr. Davis's HIV report presentation.

020>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I moving on to correspondence. >> We have none this evening. Um, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Miss Bor. Moving on to our board minutes. And I have a motion to approve our meeting minutes from our special meeting open and close session for August 21st, 2025. >> Mr. President, I move that we approve our um board meetings um minutes um for the board of education special meeting of August 21st, 2025. Did you say open and close session? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Second. >> We're doing it individually. [Music] All right. Roll call, please. Mr. Clark >> abstain. >> Miss um >> um I would have to say the date is not correct. >> It's the 21st, not the 23rd. >> Did you say the 21st or 23rd? >> 21st. >>

021Okay. Yes. Thank you, Miss Glo. >> Yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Mr. McManis, >> yes. >> Miss Peterson, >> yes. >> Miss Pittz, >> yes. >> Mr. Thomas, >> abstain. >> And Mr. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Motion has carried. >> Can I have a motion to approve our meeting minutes from the board of board of education regular meeting from August 27th, 2025, open and close session? >> Mr. President, I move that we approve the following board minutes of the board of education our regular meeting which was held August 27, 2025 both open and close session second. >> Uh roll call please. >> Mr. Claw. >> Yes. >> Miss Dreen. >> Yes. >> Miss Glo. >> I have a question. This the time to ask it. >> Yes. I have a correction in regards

022to um the page um five on August 27th minute meeting notes um item number 15. Um according to this email that we all received in our email and I made a copy for everyone if they would like to see it. It was actually the um the strike off um >> the New Jersey New Jersey Garden City Alumni Chapter of South Jersey alumni and the chap um the the chapter of Delta Sigma um the South Jersey. They're the ones who actually are doing this. >> So you're on um Mr. You're on page five >> five >> August 27th. >> Yes. >> Okay. What number? Item 157. >> 15 is on page six. Is it in what section is on? >> Page five. Is it under um page six? >> Are you Did you do you have

023the pages from me? >> I just I made a copy of the page from home. It's the actual minutes. >> It's the minutes. >> Not off of your your type of not minutes. So, I need to look back on yours. >> Is it in my section? >> No. No. I'm just saying do you What minutes do you need me to give it to you from? >> I'm asking you where you found the correct >> off the original minutes that was from the board. >> Okay. So, is that on the agenda? >> Yes, that's on the agenda. >> Okay. So, the agenda and the minutes don't come up the same. >> Yes, it's on the agenda from August the 27th. I apologize. on page five, item number 15. >> So, what's the what's the title? >>

024It should just it's it should say it says high school voter registration information session. >> It's actually page six. >> Mine's page five. >> What she's asking is to remove um New Jersey Garden City Alumni Chapter of Delta and it's only with South Jersey Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Data Sority. >> What item number? Um >> 15. And it's the same one. the minutes. This is >> so it's the high school voter registration information session. Okay. >> Say South Jersey. >> South Jersey. >> Oh, so we're going to take off the New Jersey Garden City Alumni Chapter. >> And you want it just to be the South Jersey? >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. And now, yes, my um response to all Is everybody else in agreement with >> I was going to ask

025Mrs. Pitz, do you agree to amend your motion? >> Yes, I do. >> Mr. D, you agree to second that? >> Yes. >> Roll call for that. >> I'm just writing. I'm sorry. >> So, it's correction number. >> Okay. So, Mr. Clark, >> yes. >> Miss Drake, >> yes. >> Miss Gloyd, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Mr. McManis, >> yes. >> Miss Peterson, >> yes. >> Miss Piss, >> yes. >> Mr. Thomas, [Music] >> abstain. >> And Mr. Shaw, >> yes. >> Motion has carried. Nope. Just approve the minutes as amended. Moving on to four committee reports. Mr. Thomas, you I know you can't wait for this one because >> No, no, it's it's just an update. Just an update. >> I know we got the big football game coming up on

026Friday. >> We do, but just an update. We got other teams are playing. Our boys soccer is 0 and2, but they are playing hard. Our girls soccer is making a little noise. They're two and one and looking for more wins. Girls volleyball gaining a lot of achievement, but they are 0 and4. Uh, as you well know, we played IMG. We fought a good fight. We fell, but we we we won in pride and we won in achievement against IMG in Ocean City and the place was packed packed. And we visited Highland and uh we beat them 47 nothing. And coming Friday night, we got Bergen Catholic. Bergen Catholic is considered the number one school in New Jersey and they're coming to Winslow High to get a table. That's my little updated for our athletic. >>

027I'm sorry, Mr. Thomas. What was the tail end of what you had just said? I got the whole your Bergen High is coming to >> Bergen Catholic is number one in the state of New Jersey. They coming to Winslow High to get a little taste of Winslow. >> Oh, I I get that. Thank you, sir. >> Fine food. >> Fine. Very excit. >> Mr. President, may I say something also? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, just so you all know, because I'm a big football person, um, IMG is rated number seven in the nation. Winsow Township is rated number 231 out of 16,000 high school football teams in New Jersey. I mean in the nation. So and well yeah. So when we look at the accomplishments that our football team did and the coaching staff and

028how they handle our players on the field, not just academically but athletically. We need to make sure that we support our our football team, our basketball team, our baseball teams, our band, our theater, everyone that's participating in all these extracurricular activities because Window Township, we are doing some great things and it's not just the athletic department and so many people think that we're only engaging on just the athletic department, but many of the scholarships that left out of our school last year, many of those students were athletes. They were student athletes. So we want to make sure that as we continue to support our students in our school district, we support any endeavor and extracurricular activities that they do, we give them the utmost support to the parents and to the coaches and make sure

029that we keep it in a positive environment because Winslow Township has now been placed on the map more so than ever. And if you listen to any of the commentation that came across after the IMG, they said, "Yeah, Winslow Township may have lost, but they were winners." >> Okay? because they came out and they fought at that game. So, we really have a great a great school district, great set of uh students, a great staff here at Winsow Township and I want us to keep things moving positively so that we can keep moving forward and the innovative world that we live in right now. So, thank you. >> Mr. President, >> I believe the statement was the rest of the Garden State should look out. >> Oh, yeah. The nation should look out. >> Um

030>> the nation because we're 231 right now out of 16,000 The range I looked at of rival had us in the top uh in the top 100 90 something down in the top 20 something. But uh >> Mr. President, >> yes, >> I want to mention I was at both games and they were fantastic, but I have to applaud our cheerleaders in our band. >> They did an outstanding job. >> So, uh in both arenas, I was very proud. But also, Highland, if you were a board member, you went in free. They never asked for anything. And if you were a senior citizen, it was only $1. But it was fabulous on both sides. Highland was packed and so was the other game. But our cheerleaders and our band were amazing. Um, before we move

031on from the athletic stuff, um, I know not many people in here probably watch the VMAs. >> Yes. No. Maybe. >> Okay. Anybody notice, uh, one of our Winslow uh, >> sir, >> graduates uh, with Lady Gaga? >> Yes. >> One of our Winslow graduates was a dancer with Lady Gaga. >> Yes. >> He was part of a dance. They were part of the dance court on the DNA story Sunday. >> Yep. >> And when did this take place? >> Sunday night >> on CBS. >> Yep. >> So just just saying that you know >> it's on Instagram. >> Winsel was on TV on Sunday showcase. >> So >> um moving on to our citizens advisory committee. Miss Martin, >> Miss >> Thank you. >> Good evening, members of the board. Um, I already caught

032the back to school crush as we can see. So, I came in to read my report and then I'll take my credit with me. My daughter is thankfully not affected as of yet. Um, and just to kind of piggy back off of what was saying too, last night I was able to attend the high school back to school night. Great job by all the staff. And one of the staff members actually mentioned that she had a student graduate with enough college credits that she almost had an associates degree. So academically we are >> doing amazing things and I was astounded by the number of programs that are available for our students. I know my daughter's excited about some. My other daughter can't wait to get up there for the STEM. So bless you. >> Thank

033you. >> So we are very happy. Bless you again. Thank you. >> So, before I get on to I know we're a little behind with our CAC meeting notes, um but before I hit August and September, I wanted to go back to our July recommendations to kind of get an update on where the board was with that. Uh the first one being about revisiting the policy um about volunteering and and using that to address the uh the gaps and the shortages. I also heard from the HSAs as well that they were utilizing community volunteers and there's been some change in that and community members are no longer allowed to come in and help with the HSAs if they don't have a student in that school. So if there was any update from the policy committee

034on that, >> no update at this time, but that it it's coming because this is something that the CAC has talked about previously, but um it is an issue and it can be fully resolved to everybody's satisfaction, but no, we have not forgotten it. >> That's okay. I'll come up and remind you. >> Good. >> Um let's see. Our other recommendation was on the status report on tutoring program effectiveness and participation by our students last year. >> Effectiveness last year. Um that one. >> Now Mr. Shaw gave you two weeks. Yeah. More than 48 hours. >> That one I'm I I will have to get back to you on that one. I promise you I that one fell through the cracks on me. I'm sorry about that one. I will get back to you on

035that. >> So >> I'll forgive you this one time. >> Were you asking May I ask a question? Were you asking about the number of participants that were in uh our after school programs? >> Yeah. the number of participants and whether or not there was any like progress or the teacher staff or noticed any you know increasing >> I know in the education committee report there was mention of that and I can't remember which month uh but I can try to pull that out with Mrs. Martin. >> Thank you Miss Peterson. Um the other one was following up on the policy committee exploring the academic and arts hall of fame. >> We did um we did hear what you said. We have not moved to discuss that at this point, but we will going forward.

036>> We'll circle back to that one again. >> Um, and an update on the technology audit and when you expect that to be completed and the results shared with the community. >> So, that one um I did talk to Miss Clement tonight about that. Um, you you were saying that for Monday. Yes. So that is an ongoing process with as you said a meeting is scheduled for Monday. So there the district is working on it to get that moving >> Mr. President. Yes. Um is that meeting that's scheduled for Monday is that with the vendor? >> It is. >> Thank you. So I will go into our August meeting. We met August 7th at from 6:47 to 8:15. In attendance were Miss Glaw, Miss Thomas, Miss Renzolei, myself, Miss Vega, um >> Mr. Lamola. >>

037Lamola, thank you. And Miss Hoffman. Um, we really didn't have any recommendations coming out of that meeting other than we continue talking about the volunteer policy, how there are outside community members who are being approved as volunteer members for certain things, namely sports. Um, we discussed the uh search for the interim superintendent. Um, we also discussed uh flyer distribution issues with regards to other um outside entities being able to advertise in our district. We discussed the uh Chromebook distribution and that the devices were available but delayed pending a policy committee action. We also discussed the uh unpaid lunches and the significant unpaid balance. Um and maybe some clerical solutions to that. Um transparency was also discussed and urging the BOE to communicate decisions clearly to the public. uh language accessibility suggested use of translators at

038back to school nights. Um so again, you know, we continue talking about the volunteer uh the interim superintendent um alternatives to flyer distribution being email rub calls on the website because we know these flyers are not going home with our children anyways or they end up with scratch paper. I know my children do that. Um so yeah, and everybody answers their text messages. I know we've talked about text messaging before. I think that would be very useful. Um, so that was for August. There was no recommendations coming out of there. Now September, we met uh September 4th, 2025 from 6:30 to 7:35. Those members in attendance um old business, we reviewed the volunteer policy again. Obviously, we've been working on this one for some time. Um, status update on technology audit still there. We discussed

039our August notes. Oh, the other thing that I forgot about July, we were checking the procedure on the policy for CAC members. So, that'll come up in my recommendations. Um, we talked about again the discharging of the over $500,000 of lunch debt. Uh, there was some discussion where it used to be that the district would notify parents when they had a balance. I know that went away last year because I stopped getting notifications. Um, let's see. We talked about the CAC meeting that is to be uh put in 48 hours in advance. Uh we discussed briefly the board of education meet the candidates night and whether that was going to be held at the school. Uh there was a concern brought by a CDC member that already the internet was out the first day of

040school at the high school and they were seeking attendance via paper and pencil. Um and then there was some discussion about the uh the after school tutoring and whether or not it was available. Uh, another big thing that came up in Oakcoming under recommendations was the before and after care for four-year-olds. So, apparently we have it at our early childh education center for the three-year-olds. They get to their home school, they don't have it again until they move up to kindergarten. So, a lot of parents were expressing some serious concerns about that that lack there and having to scramble to find alternate means. Um, and then the other recommendation is looking at the uh the lunch debt situation and how we're dealing with that so we don't find ourselves in that situation again and the

041CAC procedure for for this coming year. So that was a lot open to questions. Mix question on your new business. Uh, one, two, three. The third one down where it says DOE candidates process of getting the word out on prospective candidates. I believe last year that there was an extensive conversation about that and it and it was the result was that the district would not in any way participate that in that whatsoever. >> Yes, we also discussed that during the meeting as well. >> Okay. Yeah. Um, as far as the before and after care for the four-year-olds, um, I know talking to Miss Clement tonight, they're starting to put out now about the four year olds not have with the three-year-old program not having it next year. So that way the the three-year-olds are prepared

042next year for not having the the after school before and after uh school program for the four-year-olds because it's no it's not offered anywhere um in the school district. >> So is it the same company that provides it as the early childhood education center? So, Miss Neves, the early childhood education center is a unique situation in that it's a self sustained standalone building. The state regulates what can be done in that program. As far as preschool, we have the capacity to service students with nap time, rooms, changing stations, etc. in the early childhood education center which is why we were granted approval. We do not have that in schools one through four where the preschool students have been and quite frankly we haven't had preschool in our before and after school program for a long

043time. It's been kindergarten on and Miss Murphy you can attest that has not been a thing. We can't get the approval because we don't have the facilities. Now, what we will do is to try to make sure, and I actually had a conversation um recently with Miss Harrison, is that the folks who are coming out of the three-year-old program are aware that it's a luxury for them because of the situation of the building. However, with the four-year-old program, they will have to wait a year until kindergarten, as we have had to do for over 10 years, I think, for that to happen. So, it it may be inconvenient. We apologize for that, but it just is we we don't have the approval to do that from the state. >> Okay. Okay. And >> um so

044um I do want to say something on a different note. Um I would like to thank every single um member of the CAC. [Music] >> Sorry about that. I would like to thank every single member that's on the CAC that um diligently give their time on those one night every month Thursday to come out and share with the community has to offer and bring it to the board because the things that you all are bringing to the board is making momentum in our school district. It was the CAC who brought brought brought to light on the the technology audit. It was the CAC who's who's consistently um consistently adamant about how can we get more community members involved in our school district by through a volunteer program and making sure anyone that's eligible and that

045get vetted can come and actually volunteer in our school district to kind of help relieve some of the situations that's going on in our school district. I thank you for everything that you're doing and um it's it's very commendable commendable for all of you citizens to to be a part of this this group and I hope that we continue to have the same people that were on the board last year and the year before last and we g gain more comm more more community members to come out and be a part and participate in it as well because it is essential that we do get to hear what the community has to say to us and they actually go through you to bring it to us because not all of us can actually talk to

046everyone in the community. So, thank you so very much for everything that you all do. I appreciate you. We here very much. >> Well, thank you, Miss. I definitely appreciate that. So, in a nice little segue from that, do we have a policy for next year's CAC? >> We policy for next year's CAC. >> Well, the rubric for who gets on the CAC tends to change every year. So, we were just wondering what we should tell the community for this year. >> At this point, what you can tell the community is is this that the CAC policy actually uh has had very little change. The changes that did take place last year had to do with the fact that uh as was reported there was not a lot of participation with regards to the members

047coming out. Yes, that is correct. And so the policy basically is an open door policy as you well know Miss and that is that if you're interested if you're interested then fine you can um contact the board let the board know that you're interested there was a time when uh the board would at least want to you to come in and speak with you. Um, but there's no quote unquote requirements or expectations. And if we're looking at it from that perspective, the only requirement would be is that you you are a concerned and um involved resident of this community. >> Do we have specific dates for >> October is when we start taking our seats? >> October through December 31st, 2025. >> And will there be an interview process this year? Because I know last

048year we did not have an interview. It all depends on how many uh applicants we get. >> Exactly. >> Okay. And that'll be advertised on the website and all the good things. Right. >> As it has been in the past. >> I was going to make the announcement after you were done. >> Thank you. All right. Well, I will now take my germs and my child home. Thank you all so much. >> Thank you, young Miss Navez for coming tonight. And Miss >> Nice. Moving on to our education committee. M Miss Martin. >> Yes. We have a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd at 4:00 via web. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Mr. McManis, marketing committee. >> Uh nothing at this time, sir. >> Um Miss Dreen, um operations

049committee. It's strong, Mr. President. >> Miss Pittz, policy committee, >> policy committee will will meet on um September 24th, which is our regularly scheduled board meeting. We meet at 6:00 prior to our regularly scheduled board meeting. So that is uh our next meeting will take place September 24th, 6:00. >> Thank you very much. >> Um Mr. Thomas the uh >> yes I do have something I'd like to report out the economic development uh >> okay >> uh they didn't have a meeting but I did go to the township meeting last night so did several other board members and at the e end of the meeting there was an hourong discussion involving the school district and Dr. and the ability to be able to house uh incoming students from all over the development. Um it was

050it was an illustrious con uh uh conversation because even uh Mr. Joe Gallagher cited you know some some findings that he had got directly from Dr. that I think we need to update and upgrade. Uh we need to have a more urgent collaboration with the township and if we can't do the township but have a statement of how many students are in in our school and what grade limits can support additional uh families and additional kids and what grade limits can't because per that conversation. And it would it seem that seems like that we can support 500 more kids however they come and we need to be in lock stop with what's going on with the township because they are definitely putting out housing units and and and bringing kids in even with the Anor

051State Hospital that's proposing the new jail. It will have an impact on what we doing here in the school. And if we can't get a collaboration with it, we need need to at least have what our ask would be or what we would need in place for our own edification so we can present it to whoever comes knocking on the door for from our own standpoint. >> Mr. Thomas. >> Yes. >> If you please, if you recall again at the township committee meeting, you're correct. You were there, Miss Peterson was there, and I was there. Unfortunately, Miss Peterson and I left prior to um the discussion that you're mentioning right now. And I think it's important that the board should know that Dr. Patit before he left um had given us and I hope that

052we all have it. He he gave us a um an idea, excuse me, of um how many um are enrolled currently in the school and the maximum capacity. And I think we should all remember that as far as enrollment and M. Clemens, Mr. um long you correct me if I'm wrong. I do believe that um the second week in October is when the Department of Education requires districts to send to them what the enrollment is and that's on an annual basis. And so that that information, Mr. Tom, is is ongoing and it's it's it's um we're going in to October. So by the second week of October, we as a district should know our current enrollment and our maximum capacity because just to remind us when Dr. Poti gave us this report last year, the

053high school's current enrollment was 1,249. The maximum capacity was 1593. The middle school, the current enrollment was 783. The middle school can hold maximum capacity 1,313. School number six, current enrollment 526, maximum capacity A10. And so that I won't take up too much time, but my the point that I'm making is this with the new developments that are coming and if we get students who are coming here, we can handle it. If I may add on to that, um I know that we can handle the per se bodies of students from here, but we need to make sure that we're properly staffed to handle all the students that >> one goes hand in hand. >> No, don't. No, it don't. Because right now we have teachers that are actually stipens. >> I'm not trying to

054argue with you. >> Um we right now currently um on the agenda, we're having people teachers taking extra periods, right? So, does that coincide with saying that we have enough teachers for every student >> now? At this point, no. >> Okay. So, I just want to make sure that in the future as we continue to develop in our community and as you know, they are they they got projects that they haven't even listed to us yet that they're trying to build in our community. So, and we still got projects that already been approved that they haven't even broke ground on yet. So we have lots of lots and I know kids leave out of the school district but we still have from prek now all the way up to 12th grade. So you gota we

055got to make sure that from the which I know they're going to do an effective and accurate report when they give it to us in October. But um having the the seats is not the same as having the instructions in front of them for the seats. And as we all have been saying for years now since I've been coming to the CAC board for the last four I'm coming to the board meetings for the last four years. There's a teacher shortage. So we all know that that's that's that's nationwide. So I just want to make sure that as we are saying that we can handle the students that come in. We can handle them but not just handle them. We have the right amount of staff to be able to to to educate our students

056at the same time. >> Mr. President, Mr. President. >> Yes ma'am. I would like to say um on to that a lot of the developments are 55 and older. >> So a lot of them are not >> being on the planning board not all of them are 55 and over. >> I said a lot of them are >> not not a lot of them. >> No >> Mr. president. Um, for some of us, this conversation came up two years ago >> with the, um, development and opening of the town houses in war three. It was then that there was people from the township that we asked the same questions >> of them. They township has a committee now, the education committee. >> Yes. I'm not aware of who's on it because it used to be

057this citizens it used to be um the citizens advisory where we work collectively together the layers out but now it's education committee however our classroom and Miss Clement you can uh confirm our classroom sizes are small relatively small some districts and those that teach some districts have a little bit large and I'm not advocating for that because I believe in the best educational experience that our students can get received, but we could go up in some of those classes by three to five students. And then you're nodding to I think three to five students. That's how you look at it. So, it has to be a strategic plan for growth. This was brought up two years ago. I think we need to work with the township and get uh economic development planning to find out

058where are the actual um people and where are they going to school because they may be coming from another district going private or whatever. We need to have that kind of information and that takes a strategic committee to actually get that information >> and I concur >> and project out for three years. I concur, Miss Peterson, because we do recall that at our retreat, we did have two board goals. And one of our board goals was that our board would begin to be um to to have a better interaction with that township council. at as you guys all are mentioning about our township, one of my main plans is to speak with our mayor um as we move into October and we will be setting up a meeting um so that that's because as we

059all stated in August with our board goals so that and the education committee you know we we don't see any of them here tonight, but they we do always see members from the township here from their education committee to make sure that like I you know we have members of the board at township meetings to make sure that we have you know as we see the members from the township here so that way we can collaborate and make sure that we accomplish that one board goal that way we can make sure that as Mr. Thomas, you know, brought up the um the numbers align with what the grow township growth so that way we if it does expand and explode, we're not sitting with our, you know, fingers twiddling, you know, in our seats. Um

060that way we can leave our administration with enough time to be able to plan for that growth. So, you know, that was one of the things that, you know, I want to be able to make sure that we, you know, I talked to the mayor about because I, you know, sitting on the planning board when developments like the Dr. Horton development that's coming to Choose Landing and Sickerville Road that they're getting ready to start because right now they're sitting there taking apart uh some of the vacant houses and doing sewage upgrades over there right now. >> How many units, Mr. >> 544? So, which is a downgrade from the almost 800 that they were going to put over there because they're leaving the open lot over behind school six >> for um for whatever Winslow

061Township wants to do with it. >> Okay. >> So, that's one of the, you know, that's coming and it's going to come when soon as they start building it, you're going to see a lot of chaos and traffic, unfortunately, which is one of the things committee menia and I very, you know, we're outspoken about with. Were you there at the meeting when when we complained to the tra uh the traffic engineer about it? Because I know you show up to all our meetings. >> Yep. Miss Tully, you're you're a participant in everything. >> Could you speak up, John? >> You need me to speak up louder? >> Yes. Thank you. I >> I asked you were you were at the planning board meeting when uh Mr. I was committing Flemenia and I spoke up to

062the traffic study uh a traffic engineer for the Dr. Horton development. >> That traffic study was amazing. I said to the police chief, get ready for accidents on Cali and >> Siglerville Road make two left-hand turns to go toward Williamstown >> because it's going to be an absolute mess. And they came out and did another one. They sat over by my development coming off the Atlantic City Expressway and then tried to tell us that there are not enough cars to warrant more stop signs, more traffic lights. >> We're even talking about a traffic light there. >> Yeah. So, >> can you imagine that with all those traffic lights? >> We asked about the buses. We asked about everything else. >> Okay. So, we have to we have to be prepared for all this stuff when

063those houses come. >> Can I point out something that the mayor said last night and correct me if I'm wrong, Marca, because you were there and so were you, Mr. Thomas. Um, she said when all this chaos happened basically when they were opening up right more in my place, >> she said now she sees when she goes by every morning three children standing on the corner. Mhm. >> So that doesn't mean because you're going to have these places, you're going to have children, >> right? Exactly. >> That's what she said. >> Exactly. >> Mr. President, because some of the parents, even though they might be moving in and all, but they put their children in other schools also. They don't >> That's the other thing we have to look at, too. >> I actually talked

064to CCTS, one of their board members. We have 302 Winslow students going to CCTS. See what I'm that's what I'm saying. >> So, I made sure I not not realizing that this was going to come up tonight, but that's one of the things I asked the CCTS board member to look out for. >> And and Mr. President, I think we're we're all right. Nobody's wrong. All our concerns are right there. But there's more mechanism than than just looking at a bus stop or just seeing something build over there. I mean, I'm and and it comes down to the dollars and cents for for instance and I'm think Jerry Gary you could tell me I'm wrong but we know you're a number one realtor in South Jersey. Right now our home values are up. >> Thank

065you for the shameless plug I mean our home values is up and have been up since the last five years. So let's hypothetical and I know we don't deal in hypotheticals but to say if we do go to prison a prison which could bring our home values down but increase our population that means if our home values comes down our sex taxes won't be the same but we'll be have to catering to more people. So it's a lot of things that go in that equation just to pick out one or two and say it's that it's not accurate. That's why we need to get in the room with all the equations, all the naysayers, everybody and figure out how we go together unity in the room. And we haven't had that meeting with the challenge

066for anybody that I know of. >> So when does that's what I'm pressing for that we get in the room, put all the facts on the table and come up with a conclusive decision. >> Well taken and we will try to make that happen sooner than later. And when I say sooner, I'm talking October. right there. >> So, thank you very much, Mr. Thomas, and we will move on that as fast as possible. Um, as far as the planning board, I will have a report on at the next board meeting um because we have a planning board meeting next week on Thursday. So, I will have something at our at our September 24th board meeting. Um, moving on to our superintendence report. Can I have a motion on our superintendence report as is recommended uh

067for approval by the superintendent starting on the middle of page three moving all the way to the middle of page five. Um Mr. President, I move that we approve the superintendent report as it appears beginning at the middle of page three continuing to through to the middle of page five. >> Dread second. Any questions? Right. No questions. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Clark, >> yes. >> Miss Dreaden? >> Yes. >> Miss Gloyd? >> Yes. >> Miss Martin? >> Yes. >> Mr. McManis? >> Yes. >> Miss Peterson? >> Yes. >> Miss Pittz? >> Yes. >> Mr. Thomas? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Shaw? >> Yes. >> The motion has carried. >> Moving on to our business administrator board secretaries report. Can I have a motion to approve our business administration business administrator board secretaries report as

068is recommended for approval by our business administrator board secretary >> starting on the middle of page five to all the way to our middle of page 11. >> Mr. President, I move that um we approve the business administrator board secretaries report as it appears beginning on the middle of page five and continuing through to the top of page 11. >> Do I have a second >> any questions? >> I do. >> All right, Mr. McMahon. Okay, if we can go to uh page 10 um would be number 24 uh says student activity account high school boys lacrosse. Approve the request for a new student activity account for the high school boys lacrosse in the student activity fund. Um how will this be funded? Funds will be used for recognitions accomplishment sacrifices as well as team

069bonding. But how will this be funded? >> Fundraisers and donations. Okay. And then on page 10 also, and we'll skip all the way down to the next one in line. Uh, wait a minute. I might have the wrong one. Oh, um, yes. Number 25. Uh, authorize the execution of an agreement with the township of Winslow for the provision of police officers. Is there a cost to the district directly? >> Yes. Um, it is $110,000. We're paying 41% of the two officers salary and benefits. >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that figure, please? >> $110,000. [Music] We're contributing 41% of the two officers salaries and benefits. >> Okay. And then what their responsibilities would be to the high school and the middle school? >> Yes. There's a resource officer in each of the fields >> and

070they would be available at any time during school hours. >> Yes, they're here. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And Mr. McManis, the exhibit though the cost. So we we put the whole contract in there. >> Yes. All that. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> And uh uh one more if I could. Um the the uh renewal of the health insurance broker services. >> Yes. >> Uh we got one bid on that. >> It's a renewal. So we had gone out for bid um and we received the responses from the broker. We're allowed to renew one two additional years, but this is the first of that. >> The the uh rates for both stayed the same. And you'll notice one we just we paid which was 50,000. >> Correct. >> Uh the other one is

071it's paid through the premiums and the percentage of the premium has remained the same but if the premium goes up what they get goes up but it it it flows through um our premium. >> Thank you. >> No further questions. >> Any other questions? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Clark, >> yes. >> Miss Dredded, >> yes. >> Miss Gloyd, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, yes. >> Mr. McManis, >> yes. >> Miss Peterson, >> yes. >> Miss Pit, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas. Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas. >> Forgive me, Mr. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Thank you. And Mr. show. >> Um, yes, except for I'm going to recuse myself on the vendor list for J 727, preferred home healthcare. Moving on to the personnel report. I need a motion to approve the personnel report as it's

072recommended for approval. Recommend as recommended for approval by the superintendent, excuse me. um from the middle of page 11 to the bottom of page 16. >> Mr. President, I move that we approve the personnel report >> as it appears uh at the bottom of page 11 and continues through to the bottom of page 16. Second, >> any questions? >> Yes. On page 11, um item A, job description, approve the following job description as listed below in the tax exhibit. I don't see the exhibit number for it. Um district mail run driver. Is this an essential position that needs to be hired right now or can it wait till after January when we find out where our money is? >> After January. >> Yes, I know why she's saying that. >> Yes, you know why I'm

073saying it. >> Yeah, the health benefit increase in January. I was, if I may, I would suggest that could we uh table that particular position until the uh the new year. >> Ma'am, >> may I respond? That position um we need that because the driver carries the mail throughout the district to run. So we it used to be in transportation, but we needed the driver, the bus driver. So, we pulled that off and we needed to create this position as a part-time position. >> Would that only exacerbate our affformentioned uh >> We will we will we we will have to cover it because there's no way to get um the mail within the district circulated. So, I believe day one um it didn't move and everybody's going, "No one picked up our mail." So, we

074had to get we have somebody doing it temporarily. Uh, but we need this position. >> So, the current person that delivers the mail, is it the same person who delivers our mail to our house for the agendas on Fridays >> that you're speaking of? >> It would be her. Yes, >> that was a temporary person. >> That's a temporary. >> Oh, that's a temporary. So, this is that person. So, we won't have two. We'll just have one. >> Just the one. >> All right. So this one is just replacing the temporary. So that temporary will no longer be on our payroll. Correct. >> No, no, the temporary will be the temporary was doing it previously, but it was um a position that was placed in that department on a temporary basis and never left. So

075it's been there um and it causes a lot of overtime blah blah blah. She needs Miss Wall needs the driver to be a driver and not pulled. >> So we're going, okay, we'll pull it out. >> But we needed to create that position because they pick the mail up here, they take it, there's a r a a run. They take the mail, they'll pick it up here, deliver, pick up and deliver, pick up, sort, pick up, deliver, and then they do a second run. because I was going, hey, I'll try it the one day, but then I'm going, okay, so at the end of the day, what happens to the mail if I'm picking it up? It's not going to be in my car. So, you know, I was going to do it, but I,

076you know, for the for when Yeah. It's not my job description. And you don't want my salary rate riding around picking up mail, >> right? >> You know, yeah. So, we needed to create a position. So, in the interim, uh, the department is helping us out, but we need to free up that driver so that we can, uh, >> and go back to where they are. >> Okay. All right. Now, I'm just >> It is It would be a part-time position. there there are no benefits. >> Thank you for >> if you don't mind spoil one more question regarding that and how would the person be compensated like is there an hourly rate a stipen? >> We're going to um we're going to come up with the salary like and it's going to be a

07712-month position. >> Okay. And then that'll be presented to the board for confirmation. Oh yes. >> Thank you. >> Any more questions? >> One. Um on uh page 13 of of the report number A, I mean I'm sorry, page 13 uh number eight. Um uh where title one ESCA grant for fiscal year. Um in here we have u the first name on the list looks familiar uh because of our re um our board here. Um the percent of the salary is that going to be in addition to Miss Clint's current new position. >> Yeah. dream on Miss >> Vote for that. >> No, I'm sorry, Miss Clement, but in light of previous conversations that this board has had, I'm not sure that that's going to happen. >> So, uh, but if you don't mind, like

078like how does that figure out this whole thing? >> I believe this is basically for Miss Clement. It's going to cover July and all of this >> pass. Okay. Yes. Thank you. >> Nice try though. I >> got a lot. >> Any other questions? >> No, just a comment. Okay. 12 number seven. Uh which would help with our assessment. Uh I'd like to apologize for the uh English enrichment at the high school level that's coming out of that grant. So hopefully our test will be increased by that and bomb and we'll be at the end of we'll see in September when we get the results >> a year from now. >> Any other questions, comments? Yes, sir. >> Yes, Mr. President 16 number 11 2025 2026 graduation cohort tracking team. What exactly are they tracking

079the seniors? [Music] >> So they they are tracking the graduation rate of the students as they enter from 9th graders through 12th grade. >> Okay. >> Yes. And um through the title one funds that are assigned to the high school that team was funded through there to address some of the concerns that have been identified. >> Okay. Thank you. I have one more question. Okay. Um, in regards, this is, you know, there's no stupid questions except the ones you don't ask. So, I'm going to ask this question anyway. So, I see like even under the ELA training academy on page and then even the one Miss um Martin just mentioned on page 161 on that underlying it says underline on an as needed basis. Is there a threshold, a budget threshold that we have set

080to make sure that we don't cut, we don't go over the budget threshold just in case we need more than what we thought we need? And once at the end of the school year, do you all have a line item report to show us how much you spent and how many teacher how many teachers were actually utilized that we paid throughout the year for this as needed basis? Yeah, >> you'll see. Go ahead. So, uh, Miss Claw, you see that this account number starts with the 20. And you, we were supposed to have a little discussion, but I haven't had the time. >> You had that discussion with me, you won't be getting all these questions at, if I sit here silent, it cost the reason. >> I'm gonna answer you. >> But go ahead.

081>> 20 is a grant. It's so in the grant, they write out what what their expectation is. So they have a budget amount. If we want to go back and look at it, we can always run the line and see how much was expended. Uh and it depends on how much when they write the grant, how much they think that they're going to need. So the grant administrator actually sets up the budget. Uh we can track. >> We do. There's a finite amount of money on those lines and we do track. It's on an as needed basis so that we don't go over those budget lines. And as the vouchers come in, we track those and we say, "Okay, we had $10. We're at $7.50. We need to wrap up what we're doing or we

082can keep going for a little while longer." So, we track that very very closely to make sure that we're not overextending um the federal funds that are allotted to us. >> Okay. And then to say the grant money that we do have, it so is it use and lose? >> So, we don't So, we'll lose the money. So, we are making sure that we are using it. >> Yes, ma'am. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Roll call, please. >> I'm sorry. >> You're fine. >> Okay. Mr. Clark, >> yes. >> Miss Dredded. >> Yes. >> Miss Gloyd? >> Yes. >> Miss Martin? >> Yes. >> Mr. McManis? >> Yes. >> Miss Peterson? Yes, >> Miss Pittz. >> Yes, >> Mr. Thomas. >> Yes, >> and Mr. Shaw. >> Yes. >> The

083motion has carried. >> Moving on to the addendum. >> Everybody, if you haven't had a chance to look at your addendum, please take a couple of uh about a minute to look at your addendum and uh then we'll start the addendum. Can I have a motion to approve the board secretaries report as is recommended for approval by the business administrator board secretary from the beginning of page one to the middle of page four. >> Mr. President, I move that we approve the motion to accept the board secretaries report as it begins on page one and continues through to the top of page four. >> Second. >> Any questions? just the one um where it says vendor uh I'm sorry page one a2a the chart that we see there on the front of the page that's

084a v variable cost depending upon the number of licenses that are being used at the time so those figures can actually be reduced more of a statement I guess is that true >> I see where you're saying up to 1300 up to34 dollar each um I think the cap is the >> right >> on on each. So >> So say if we have a,000 it would be 4,000 instead of 5200. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Clark, >> yes. >> Miss Dre, >> yes. >> Miss Glo, >> yes. Miss Martin, yes. Mr. McManis, >> yes. >> Miss Dre, Peterson, Miss Peterson, >> yes. >> Miss Pitts, >> yes. >> Mr. Thomas, >> yes. >> And Mr. Shaw, >> yes. >> Motion has carried. >>

085Moving on to the personnel report. May I have a motion to approve the personnel report as it's recommended for approval by the superintendent on page five? >> Mr. President, I move that we approve the personnel report as it appears on the addendum beginning and ending on page five. >> Second. >> Any questions? >> Yes, I do. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh, Mr. President, I will be abstaining from report item A1, but I do have a question on central office administrators uh pertaining to the contract. Can I ask that question publicly or no? >> Um, Mr. Holmes, >> I don't know what the question is, Mr. Thomas. >> Well, I'm going with >> You ask it. I'll I can >> under under number nine termination of employee number C early termination. Can I get some explanation

086on how that what is that and how how's that? >> He's he's looking at the actual exhibit. >> Oh, do we vote on it? Then we can he can ask so that way we have the contract approved or do we can he ask? >> Well, this is the assistant superintendent which doesn't conflict. >> Oh, okay. [Music] >> So, >> you can ask that question. >> Termination of employment number nine, section C, uh where it says I believe 60-day mutual mutual contract. um either party. How how does that work [Music] for section B? It's a un a unilateral ter termination by the assistant superintendent. >> The unilateral means she's she quits. Mhm. I quit. And she has to give us a number of days, you know. >> I I I understand that. So, how so it's

087unilateral and so can we give a 60-day notice? >> You're saying, can we turn around and and say you're out of here? >> Correct. >> Mr. Long, that'll be the next section. See, I went for the first five pages. >> Page 11. So, the the assistant superintendent may terminate this existing contract by giving as much advanced notice as possible. But she must give at least 60 days written notice to the board in the event she decided to invoke the unilateral termination set forth in 9b. >> So the question is can the board do the same? >> Yes. >> I'm just asking a question >> not without not without cause. >> So what would those causes be? There are multiple causes. Usually in order to terminate someone, you would need just cause. That's typically defined as

088misfeasants or malfeasants in office. Um making mistakes, um being absent for an extensive period of time without having the ability to take that time. Um so any form of insubordination. >> Correct. I would have preferred to have that in there so it wouldn't leave us was in a position where uh say we paying for two two two assistants. The reason it may not be in there Mr. Thomas and I have not reviewed um Miss Clement's contract and I'm seeing it for the first time tonight. >> We all are. And um with respect to her her her particular contract there there's a the reason it may not be in there is because there's a body of law. We can always terminate Miss Clement for just cause >> what salaries jumped on it. >> I mean I'm

089I'm just saying usually in a contract if it's not in there there's a gray area. I mean, I'm just I just would just I know, you know, I'm trying to see how we got to this position and and this this a standard contract across the board. >> It is the standard cont. >> So, there's no there's no way to put that in there. There's nowhere to That's why for we're just seeing it too. >> So, if if it was a business, I I would want to see it at least 48 hours before we signed. But, I'm I just had a question there. I mean, once again, I'm staining, but that is a question of of seems like uh it looks like it's one-sided where they they can quit us, but we can't quit them. That's

090all I'm saying. >> We can quit them with with just cause under the law. We're permitted >> and we don't know what and the causes are not in there because then that's going to be another debate whether it's a just cause or not a just cause. >> So, the New Jersey state law takes and Trump's takes priority over any contract. >> Excuse me, Mr. Um, this contract was it was approved by the executive county suit. >> It was let us see. It does say on uh page two, number two, two two-way that she must hold the valid or the position must hold the valid and appropriate certificate to access the assistant superintendent school. In the event the certificate is revoked or in any way deemed invalid, the terms of the agreement are null in and

091that's fine. Once again, I'm just trying to protect the students and the leadership. So the the law would govern her termination, not not a contract. >> I don't I don't why I have a contract for all the other uh provisions in there. Some of those provisions are not provided for by law. Councelor, if I could pose a question. >> Sure. Um, under the early termination section, uh, there's statutes listed NJ SLA 18A, 17 to 22A, and then NJAC 6A, 23A, 3.2. Would they would that be the list to your knowledge of what the uh, offenses might be for early termination? I' I'd have to I'd have to look it I'd have to look at it. Um I can't give you that answer, but I can certainly look it up. I think All right. >> It

092has to do with I believe that's a section where if someone if there was a termination position where there was a mutual termination position, you can only pay on that contract if you if you agree if you're in an agreeable situation. that I think that guides how much you could pay at the end um of someone's contract. For example, for each year that they have left, I think it's like one month pay depending upon the nature of the contract, right? >> So, I think it's more related to that as opposed to the issue of termination for just cause. I don't think that's that's not referenced in here, but it clearly exists and we've terminated people from here without it being in the contract for just cause. >> All right. Thank you. And I apologize. I

093only had the first five pages of um Miss Clemen's Miss Clint's contract. But thank you, Mr. Sure, for sharing that. I think you should back a little bit. >> Any other questions? I don't know if this is the time to say it or ask it, but in the event that we have any other positions that require contracts that have to be signed by the board of education to approve on the agenda, I request that it be given to us prior to the meet the date of the meeting so that we have time to read through it and get all the questions that we need to ask ask prior to coming to the meeting. I found this to be um unfair for even me because I like to read things before I approve them on the

094agenda and not having the time to read it. You know, we have questions like that and I don't want Miss Clemens to feel like she's under personal attack from anybody on the board from the questions that we have to ask. We're just asking for legality purposes and for understanding purposes of why we're we're when we approve this contract as if we same way we did it with the interim superintendent. We went through his contract prior to bringing it to a board meeting and were able to agree on that contract and then we sent it up to the assist the um county superintendent for approval and now it came back and it's on the same agenda. So I would ask for any contract with any high administrators that we be granted the same because it's in

095the policy that we have in our book too. The superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, and the business administration. Those three positions, we have a right as the board to review those contracts. So I would I would ask that we see those contracts prior to the meeting so that before we have to vote on them. >> I I I I would say I don't do that. I don't put the agenda together, but you you make a fair point. The only thing that I would add is with Mr. Peas specifically on that contract, we were directed no matter what to get that through as quickly as possible. >> Yes. So, on his on his particular contract, the reason I know that's that's on tonight's ag uh addendum is because we couldn't put it on until we got

096approval from the county superintendent, which didn't occur until two days ago. >> And that's perfectly fine. We were we were anticipating that to come on this agenda because we weren't sure. >> We but we were anticipating it to come on an agenda at any time because we already reviewed the contract as a board. >> Right. I'm just asking that before we for those positions we see the contracts prior to coming to a board meeting so that we can review it and get all questions out and answer prior to being in front of the person who the contract. >> You are absolutely entitled. >> So Miss Floyd, >> yes, >> you do understand that we were in a very tight position getting somebody in place so that we could open school. We have been having special

097meetings and you know many I think two or three special meetings to get this effectuated and so I received both approvals on the same day Monday. If I had gotten them earlier I would have put them out earlier. So I called Mr. Shaw to say we have them. Do you want us to put him on the addendum or is the board going to think and I I'll just say they're going to think we're trying to pull something over on >> the suggestion was put them on. So, we put them on um just so that and if you recall we were discussing getting it approved, approving him and having him start the next day. You know, the contract says the 16th because we were waiting and it's so these are unusual circumstances. I cannot show you

098the with my understanding you don't get to see the contract until after the county approves it then we can go here it is and we had discussed this at the last meeting if the a county approves it and then you go nah I'm not going to do it doesn't mean anything not until you guys take action um and like I said we got them um I got the approval letters on Monday in the late afternoon. I we sent it up. Remember our meeting was Thursday. I turned around Friday, scanned everything up to the executive county superintendent, the executive county business administrator, the contract. There's a website uh where we send contracts up. I sent it to everybody and their grandmothers, their secretaries, everything and requested um a turnaround time. They turned it around Monday night.

099I was shocked when I saw it. >> You're speaking of Mr. Peie's contract or you speaking of both their contracts? >> I sent up Mr. Pe's. >> Right. So, we saw that contract before you set that up. >> I'm not I was not aware that you saw that contract. Yes, we did. Yeah, that's that's what I'm speaking of. Like, so Right. >> I understand I understand that we had we were under crunch time, >> right? Um but I was just asking for the same courtesy. So that like I said, Miss Clemens just was sitting there and she said, "First I was getting ready to get a raise and now I'm talking about termination." That right there, joking or not joking is still putting her in a position and it's putting all of all of it's

100putting me I'm going speak for myself. It's putting me in a position, right? Because I don't want that to be um any kind of communication and she thinks that we're questioning her position as the assistant superintendent. It's just that we should have the right to be able to look through something before we agree on it or vote on it. And I don't like signing things or agreeing to things on any part of this agenda without being able to ask questions and and being this contract is not one page long. So I had to skim through it. So just like last week with the agenda, I missed something because I looked for a particular thing, but it was there and I voted for it. We talked about this already. It's not it's no big deal because

101I would have said yes anyway. However, it was a question that I asked and I didn't see it on the agenda. Do you understand? >> Are you talking about his contract? No, not his contract. I'm talking about something valuable. Hold on. Hold on, Miss Miss Pearson. You gonna get your you gonna get your flowers in one second. All right. >> I appreciate you. >> Yes. So, um, but yeah, I'm not I'm not and and this is in no way and shape form an attack on anybody's position of their job, okay, at best. It's just a it's just a simple courtesy to me as a board member and to the rest of my fellow board members that we get an opportunity to be able to um read on things that especially that's this detail and it's

102important. is very important. >> And Miss Miss Glow, I got it to you as soon as I could. Yes. Which would be tonight. And I this morning, we sent the addendum out, I think, or the addendum came out earlier than usual, so you could see it. >> And in case you hadn't, we have them in here. So, if you need time, if you want to look through it, I understand entirely. We have a payroll that's getting ready to be run. We'd like to have the approval so that >> you can start paying her the right right amount >> the right amount. Yes, I understand that. Yes, that's it. And understand this was quite unusual these circumstances. We all have been making accommodations, arranging our schedules so that we can be at these meetings. I have

103given up personal meetings that I have that are set so that I could be in attendance here. The goal was to get them approved and again uh at Mr. Davis's behest. He said, "Call. You need to call to make sure they want them on tonight." So, I called Mr. Shaw. >> Right. >> So, there was no uh offense to be taken. Um, and you know, we did what I thought we were trying to do. >> And I commend you on it, just so you know that because we needed this done. But like I said, it's just I would like to be able to read. Miss Miss um Peterson, you have the floor. Well, I I want to make this a teachable moment because three of my colleagues here did not receive the interim superintendent contract.

104So, I kind of speculated that when I heard the vote, you know, abstain that they didn't get it. So, this is a teachable moment. I know it was a difficult time. We're doing a lot of things and I commend everyone. So the teachable moment tells us that we need to make sure that we all lot enough time to when we're processing which we couldn't process that half everything that happened that we process and allow the time the same way we use when we negotiate with our unions >> we see the contract and go over it before we sign off. So I say a teachable moment. If three of them here did not get the interim, it's a teachable moment that we need to now put a chart as we go forward in doing any other

105personnel. Mi >> Miss Peterson and I had this conversation with Miss Dreaden. >> If they didn't get the interim contract, they should have called me because I I made sure everybody was sent the interim contract and I asked I said the same thing to Mr. Dread. Right, Mr. during our conversation. But I also >> if they did not get it when I said I was sending it out to them, they should have called me immediately. And I don't care if it took two days to to make sure they got it to call me repeatedly and I would have I would have handd delivered a carrier pigeon, whatever it took to make sure it was delivered to them because I want every board member to have that contract because it was my my personal preference to

106make sure that everybody had it in hand so that way they could see it. But you remember you remember remember also that I didn't know we were supposed to try I came into the meeting so I didn't know everyone got the contract. >> Yeah. Well that that's one of the things that I wanted to make sure everybody had. So I don't want anybody voting on something that they didn't see. And even if you didn't come here physically I would have drove it to your house before I came here to make sure that you had it firstand >> for me to know that so I could call you. Well, you could. >> No, no, no. I didn't know we got here that we were receiving it. I on my phone. I looked in my email. I

107didn't see it. I came here searching my junk mail. I did it all, but I did not find it. >> I'll go back and check and double check my phone to make sure that whoever didn't get it. I'll go back and check my phone to make sure that it was emailed to everybody because I made sure I emailed every single board member. >> I think it's the timing. So, I thank everyone because this is a a teachable moment. things happened and we were busy. So, I thank everyone for doing their due diligence or trying to do it and going forward we'll make sure we do better. >> Miss, you didn't get an email from Miss McCra with the addendum today. >> No, no, no. That wasn't that. >> No, she's talking about before our special

108meeting. >> I got that before the special meeting. Special meeting. And if I could ask a question, uh, counselor, um, if >> we have a problem with this in the future, >> it is possible to have an emergency meeting on a different day to expedite the matter. >> Yeah. Always. But if if it fits the definition of a legal emergency, >> okay, >> um, it can't be you can't do it repeatedly because then it's really not an emergency. It's just not working into your schedule. You might have to change your schedule, add a meeting, do whatever you have to do. Sure. >> But you can if there's an emergency situation, typically what we try and do is you can have a meeting upon 48 hours advanced notice to the paper, not publication. You fax it

109to them or you email them to them at a certain time. 48 hours from that moment, you may have a meeting. Otherwise, if it's a true emergency, which is defined by the law, we can meet and we can make a decision and advertise after the fact that we did call an emergency meeting, but we do have to advertise it after we meet. >> Got it. >> In that circumstance, >> thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Long long answer was that. Short answer is yes. Well, Councilman, I'm going to go on record this evening as appreciating you and your thoroughess to be able to clear away any fog that may be existing in the McMast. There's a lot of thought there, too. So, more >> we have a vote. >> Any more questions, comments? Okay. Um,

110roll call, please. >> Mr. Clark, >> yes. >> Miss Dreen, >> yes. >> Miss Lloyd, >> yes. >> Miss Martin, >> yes. >> Mr. McManis, >> yes. >> Miss Peterson, >> yes. >> Miss Pit, >> yes. >> Mr. Thomas, >> uh, and Mr. Shaw, >> yes. >> The motion has carried. >> I just want to thank everybody, if I may, Mr. President. Um, we had meeting after meeting after meeting and special meeting and committee meetings and Peterson came in on on television and Zoom to participate. Um, we between the date of u June 27th and August 27th um we had a lot of work to do >> and we were in a scary situation. with Dr. Patit being out on the leave and now it's been extended which we discussed at two prior meetings and

111um we had we were losing Dr. Caramo as well with a note well-known end of a retirement date >> and to be able to pull all this off in the time that we did and the meetings that we have I mean we met on July 3rd July 7th July 9th July 15th July 17th August 13th August 19th August 21st August 27th now that's either the committee me and you uh in my office, Dr. Poti in my office, Dr. Corkamo in her office, there all those meetings that took place to put all this together and I appreciate the board's patience in letting us get the work done so that we are now very very fortunate to have Miss Clement here and be able to fill in like Dr. Clarkamo did. And I got to tell you

112from conversations that we've been having, hasn't missed a beat. She has not missed a beat. She knows what she's doing and she's not playing. I gotta be honest with you. She's not playing. Um, and now it looks like we have an interim superintendent who I never thought we would be starting on Monday. I mean, I never thought we would get to that point, but I am very happy that we are that this district is covered. >> What is it? Tuesday. Yeah. Tuesday. Um, very happy to don't hold me on Monday and Tuesday. um that we were able to to get through this situation in the way they did we did. It was a lot of sacrifice from a lot of people and I appreciate it. >> And the negotiations went so well that um even

113I think ultimately um Mrs. Pittz would even agree with the compensation package um along with some others who had some concerns. Well, I just want to throw in there that thank God we don't have a minutes plan anymore on cell phones because my cell phone bill would have been through the roof. Um because I think the board members are probably tired of hearing my voice on the phone at least four or five times a week. We did a lot of communication in the last two and a half months. [Music] We did a lot of work to get where we are right now. To have Miss Clemens sitting next to me, to have Mr. Peas starting on Tuesday, each and every board member participated actively. Mr. Thomas, I know your patience sitting there and it it

114I can't thank you enough for doing the incredible job of being patient and I appreciate you for doing that. I know how hard it was, >> but I can't thank you enough for doing that hard work, but you know, now we are where we are, and you can take that Winslow winning and show Mr. Peas how how Winslow proud we are. Um, but every board member here did an amazing job getting us to this point. I can't say thank you enough. And with the team of Mr. Peas and Miss Clement, I'm sure that this school year is going to be absolutely fabulous. And I can't wait for everybody in this district to meet Mr. Peas because he's going to be phenomenal for everybody here. >> And our and our biggest, if I may, task is

115yet to come, which is long term. What are we looking at? Mhm. >> What are we looking at? Long-term superintendent. And I know Mr. Shaw, you and I have discussed that. You got a packet of information. >> I know I gave it out to the committee. I think it was it may have been in that package we did at the interviews as well, >> but again, it it it gives us some insight as to what's coming next. um you know when you start that you know we want to make sure that that's in place come the end of our book year which is June 30th 2026 July one we want to be able to hit the ground and have someone in place >> also um probably by the first meeting of October I will have

116dates that NJSBA and I have set up for us to get together and if for November and December for um you know for our our field service rep to sit down with us. >> And you said Mr. um Mr. Shaw that you have those dates already so you will share those dates with us. >> I have them. I figured I would give everybody a breath of fresh air for the next couple of weeks and then I will put those dates out um the first meeting in October. >> Okay. >> Great. Because we always say what do we get to do as board members? What do we get to do? What do we get to do? It doesn't seem like we get to do a lot. This is your time. This is the thing that you

117do, which is pick that superintendent for the benefit of everybody in this town. >> Morton has a question. >> Yes, Miss Martin. um from the state of New Jersey. >> Her letter states um therefore if I approve the contract for a period commencing September 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. If there are any changes to the terms of this contract, you will need to submit it to my office for review and approval. Start date. I heard you say Tuesday. That would be September 16th. >> This that doesn't apply to this. Whose letter is that? >> Um this is from um No, it's in reference to >> Mr. Mrs. Peace. Mr. Peace. Yes. When we sent the contract up, there were no dates because we did not know when he was going to start. In my

118email, >> right, when I sent it, I said we are tentatively starting in um 9:16 started with Okay. So, we don't have to we don't have to send. Okay. >> And you remember we were going to go we were trying to go September one and we couldn't get that. As hard as we tried, we couldn't and through August 31st, but the county it's some early intel that we got as I was negotiating with Mr. Peas, right? We found out that they would not approve anything past June. So, his salary would be prrated. It would not be a 12 month, it would be a 10-month. So he would his there would be some shrinkage there in terms of his salary um to fit the the 10-month which I know made everybody came in even under the

119number that we wanted to come in at and uh very comfortable moving forward with that. >> Thank you >> recommendation. [Music] Moving on to the public records act. >> We had noneformational items. >> All right. Old business. >> Oh, I have anformational item. >> Okay. >> So, um I started going to the back to school nights >> um because I just feel obligated as a board member. And I just want to say that the turnout at these back to school nights is astronomical. >> And so while we have our parents hot and involved and engaged with our children, we need to keep that momentum going from our administration on down to make sure that our parents stay engaged. >> Which one did you go to? >> I went to school one and um Mr. Thomas

120went to the high school and the middle school. I was in another meeting last the high schools last night. I was in another meeting last night, so I couldn't attend. But I plan to attend every one that I'm available to attend if they're not back to back on the same days. So I just want us to make sure that um I enjoyed walking around. I just walked around and I listened to the teachers talk to the parents. The teachers were upbeat. No, I went to school three. I apologize. It was school three. I went to school three and the teachers and the whole staff there was just so welcoming in that school and parents were smiling, teachers were smiling and they were giving parents umformational tools to help their kids at home to help them

121do the homework with the new math. So that is it's not just elementary but when I heard that the turnout the high school was great last night and we were talking about how once the kids get out of elementary school they hit middle school starts dwindling off. Well, parents are now starting to get back engaged again. We need to keep that momentum going because if we do, we'll have less work for Mr. Davis with the HIV reports. Okay? We'll have less work dealing with putting out fires, but we'll have more time to give more accolades and more praises to our students and our staff. And that's myformational item on that. >> Thank you, Miss Glo. Old business. New business. [Music] >> Oh, I do have old business. I'm sorry, >> Miss Clemens. I heard that

122you said you have a meeting on on Monday with the auditors. >> Am I correct? For the technology audit. >> The meeting is Monday. Is there a way that you can set that meeting where um the interim superintendent could be present with you so that he hears everything that's going on being as though that that's going to be something that affects the whole school at that time? Is that possible or no? >> I thought he didn't come on to Tuesday. >> Whatever the date he comes on, she the meeting is on Monday. He's not going to be here, >> right? >> No, he won't be here till Tuesday. >> He started on Tuesday. She was asked that if he could keep >> if she can kind of if she can reschedu that meeting while he's

123here so that he could be a part of the conversation that's going on with the technology audit. >> That would be the first meeting, Miss Cole. >> Okay. >> Um, from all that I've heard, I I didn't know if you would want me to push that meeting back when we finally secured it, but if that's the pleasure of the board, then we'll we'll try to try to do that. >> Well, >> I'm an excellent noteaker. Since you since you since you put it that way, I don't want anything to push it back any further because we're three months behind on it. >> So, I rather you go ahead and take good notes like you said you was just going to do >> and let's move it forward. But the next meeting because I I want

124that to be a collaborative thing with you all to make sure that we get this technology audit done because state testing is going to come up again and I want to get whatever nooks and crannies we have out the way so that our kids are not suffering like we did last year. We had to postpone it a little bit whether it was last year or the last the year before last whatever it was we had to postpone the state test because we had internet issues and it wasn't the fall. Okay. So yeah so I just want to make sure that that's in place. Thank you. Is it possible to have that meeting recorded so that um you won't lose the gist of what's going on? So it's recorded so that both um >> they might

125have some proprietary issues in terms of how they operate their business. I'm not sure that they would not necessarily agree to that, >> but you can check into it. You can look into it. >> Be willing to look into >> Miss Peterson. >> Yeah, >> I will. >> And you know I know that you it'll probably be with our technology people. >> So I'm smiling. So it'll be your right hand. Yes. Thank you. >> Any other old business? new business. >> No, sometimes not. >> Good guess. >> Public comments anymore. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The Winslow Township Board of Education highly values the input of citizens and making the important decisions that affect the children of our community. We also believe in the rights of citizens to observe board meetings to ensure that all

126of our citizens have the opportunity to attend schoolboard meetings and offer comment and to ensure that the board can conduct the important business of the district. We'd ask speakers follow the following guidelines for making public comment. The board secretary will recognize those individuals in the audience who wish to make public comment. We ask that you respect the following procedures. One, all members of the public attending schoolboard meetings must treat each other and the board with respect. Two, please state your name and town of residence. Three, please limit your comments to four minutes, and I'll be timing. Number four, submit your questions to the board in the event we're unable to answer them tonight with your along with your name, address, telephone number, and hopefully email address where you can be contacted and your questions will

127indeed be answered within a reasonable time frame. And lastly, individuals offering citizen comment are not permitted to make personal attacks on any district employee or member, other testifier or member of the public. Thank you, sir. >> May I have a motion to approve public comments? >> I move that the board approve um us moving into public comment. >> Second. >> All in favor? I Mr. Patrick Oats. Yes. >> Good evening. How's everybody late? So, the preacher said I won't for you long. But that's uh one of the segways I had about the technology survey. I think it was around May, I think it was, the the gentleman's came in, they talked about the technology service. So, I wanted to get an update because I haven't heard about it. Um, how we're doing with it, and

128sounds like it hasn't started yet. So, here's a couple questions. Did it start yet? Um, when is it going to start? How is it going to happen? Um then the other thing is which not understanding we have x amount of monies that we spent on this technology survey but there's going to be no remediation. So they're going to tell us what's wrong >> and then we're going to have to go out and either hire the same folks or someone else to come in and remediate or or what their findings. Um, and as far as videotaping it, some of the things that they're looking at your system and looking at network things, yeah, that wouldn't be recorded because you don't want to give away some of your IP addresses and some of your network infrastructure. So,

129I don't think they're going to record that. So, that's I had three questions, but that's one if you can address. I don't know if you want to go to the next thing or should I pause for the question? Well, the first meeting will be Monday. Um, there has not been anything that has occurred prior to that and we will take the next steps after that meeting. >> Okay. So, they're going to be also they're going to have their laptops. They're going to do a heat sink or heat maps of the area in the classrooms and hopefully they won't disturb the students too much as they're going around taking checking the signals and stuff like that for inside the classrooms and stuff like that. I mean that's one of the questions that I would ask them

130to see how intrusive it is as far as that. Uh the second thing is well not the second thing but listening to you guys you guys ought to be commended as a resident here at Wo Township and the son that goes to school number four for you guys to do what you did as far as the superintendent and the assistant. You guys ought to be commended. So I commend you for the work that you're doing and it's noticed throughout the community. So I want to say thank you for that. Second thing was there was a meeting when the athletic director came in and I want to know the status about the conference. Uh they were talking about for soccer and baseball going to the Olympic I think north or something like that kind of gentle.

131um not sure I agree with that, but um I mean if we can do well in football, we should be either do well in soccer or baseball. And one of the things that disturbs me is that she's mentioned that some of the coaches were feeling like they had um I don't know the right word, but I want I don't want to say emotional issues, but they felt they just didn't you guys remember the conversation, but they just did not um I won't say seem happy or like they I don't know what it was, but it it was kind of sad to hear what she had to say. I'd like to know the status if if we did go to a new conference or where we're at with that. >> I don't know where >> if

132we if we want to get the information, get back to them, we can certainly do that if we're unaware. I know this is like your second day. >> It is. So, Mr. Oats, I don't have all the answers today. I can get back to you. Uh, I'll have a conversation with Miss Lane and then perhaps at our our next meeting I can have an answer for you, sir. >> Thank you. This helps you with your salary, right? No, >> they already took back up. >> And so the last thing with your HIV reports and this is for the HR and yourself. Um, what type of measures do you have for your classroom environments? Do you guys have school security officers? That's number one. Number two, do you have a program like Safe to Stay where

133uh kids can anonymously drop notes if they see something, say something uh for the environment? Um and do you also have any kind of positive behaviors or interactive supports, you know, where it creates this safe learning environment? >> So, we do have security officers and there are, as I mentioned early, social emotional movements in each of our schools. In fact, for all of our schoolwide plans, it's usually one of our um four tenants or four objectives that we work on. Um there are spaces in some of the classrooms, especially at the lower elementary school. You'll see safe places or spaces inside of the classrooms for children to um release or reduce or to just take some time to themselves. Our preschool program, there's a whole social emotional uh component called conscious discipline. Um I have

134not heard of the the component that you just mentioned. However, there are provisions with the school counselors as I mentioned earlier for them the students within the schools to be able to safely and sometimes anonymously say what they need to say. >> Yes, I can definitely uh provide some information on the safe to stay but it's a pretty good program. I know they use it somewhere in Philadelphia and some of the schools and uh it gives the kids an opportunity or anybody opportunity to drop a note or something that if they don't want to say something public, you know, there's something announcement behind the scenes and then you may get a little more participation >> but that is finish it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. It's okay. >> Joe Thomas, >> he's using the

135restroom. >> Now, is this Joe Thomas? Why would >> Is there another Mr. Joe Thomas? >> Maybe he's coming in. >> Thomas floating around out there, is there? Excuse me. >> Yeah, there actually is. There actually is. I I ran into him. He He super or a project manager for a construction company. >> Should we wait for Mr. Thomas to come back? >> He is coming back, but I don't know how long. >> You better be quick. >> Four minutes. I was going to say start >> here. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. I stand before you and not as a board member engaged in confidential deliberation but as a community stakeholder a 55-y year resident a local business owner a multi-propy taxpayer a proud 1983 Edgewood grad year >> 1983 and the founder of

136of the Winslow fan club. In those roles, I stand equal to every parent, teacher, and resident in Winslow Township who has a right to know where our district leadership stands. Under state law, I have recused myself from matters concerning the superintendent. That recusal means I am no more entitled to confidential details than the public. But it also means I have every right just like the public to ask clear questions about the leadership of our schools and to expect transparent answers. First, I must ask about the status of our existing superintendent. Parents, staff, and the broader community deserve clarity and whether the current superintendent remains in place, has stepped aside, or is in some other status that directly directly affects leadership. This is not a private matter. It's a fundamental question of accountability and stability at

137the top of our district. Second, the board recently moved forward the hiring of assistant superintendent. That was the major decision that the process by which the hire was completed has not been made fully clear to the public. Will the proper procedures followed? What criteria guided the selection? And how was the decision communicated to the stakeholders who depend on that leadership? Third, this board has also developed and approved a job description for our interim superintendent. The public deserves to know how was this description formed? What input shaped it? Has the interim superintendent actually been appointed? If so, who is? Why it has not been clearly shared? If not, what is the timeline of the process moving forward? And yes, I do see as of today, September 10, 2025, superintendent contract has been submitted to us for

138review. Yet 3 hours later, there is still no clarity on how or why we got there. The public deserves to understand the process, the reasoning, and the path forward, not simply be presented the documents absent explanation. These questions are not about sitting in an executive session. They are about the right of the public and by the extension conflicted members of the board now speaking as stakeholders to know the status of outcomes, directions of decisions that shape our children's education and district stability. Winslow Township has always prided itself in being second to none whether in academics, athletics or now community spirit. But their strength relies on leadership, clear and accountable and transparent and being transparent including the community may be difficult at times but it is not only needed, it is required. Tonight I call for

139the board to provide to the public what they can and should be shared. This is not only about compliance in the law. This is about restoring and maintaining trust and governance of our school for the sake of every student, every staff member and every taxpayer in West Township. Thank you. >> So Mr. Thomas to answer your questions from the very beginning when we approved the superintendent's medical leave. He's still our superintendent until the day that we approve that he isn't. Um we've approved his medical leave twice all the way through the end of March. We're still in the process of working with him and that's as far as we legally can allow ourselves to talk about it by the advice of our solicitor every step of the way. We've had meetings in public with those

140um approvals. as far as going forward with the meeting uh the assistant superintendent. We had um we had a as a board we Oh, go ahead, Mrs. P. If you if you're trying to if you need to interrupt me, go ahead. >> No, I don't want to interrupt. I I actually wanted to say something prior to your beginning. I'm asking um our solicitor because I'm kind of confused what Mr. Thomas just did. It appears to me that he weaved in and out from that is from being a board member then being a resident. Now, we're all residents, of course, >> and we're elected board members, but but some of the statements that he made are statements that would h that has something to do with the um superintendent's search, the interim superintendent, which of course

141because he is on the board member side, he is conflicted with as any of us would be because he has a relative here that would be supervised by the new superintendent. I'm just asking forth whether or not protocol has been followed and I'm and I'm asking this question of our attorney with regards to what we just witnessed Mr. Thomas did. I need to know going forward whether or not that action was in line with with with procedures of a board member because I'm not clear. >> Mr. Pence, I'm not going to answer that question. I've I I've written to Mr. Thomas and informed him of his obligations. >> Thank you. >> Every step of the way, we've communicated with the board. I've made sure I've attempted to communicate with you with everything I possibly can

142legally to let you know where we are. I've made sure that during the board meetings the everything that needs to be on the agenda that the the public can see. We we've made sure that the p we're as transparent as possible because that's the one thing that I make sure that we that our board is I make sure every time a board member needs a uh wants to ask a question on every section of the agenda that it's there all the way through. So, when it comes to every step to finding the assistant superintendent or however it it is, as as we've gotten to, we've had meetings for every step every step of the way for the interim superintendent to where we've gotten to this point so far. I've and I've made sure I've checked

143myself not only with the solicitor, but also with our New Jersey field uh school board's field service rep and their legal team. So, we've gotten to this point not by me just following what our board solicitor has said, but by me making sure that I've gotten outside counsel at New Jersey school boards to make sure that every stakeholder would have transparency, every board member would have transparency because I want to make sure that we end up with a board and a community that has all the answers that they possibly need to put us in the best possible position to have our district move forward and have all the answers that they are required to have by law and to satisfy every single need that they have because I want every single student, every single teacher,

144every single staff member, every single administrator in this school district and every single board member that's making these decisions for our superintendent and assistant superintendent uh hires to have every tool that they have necessary to make the best possible decision to have our student achievement achievement levels move forward to make Winslow Township the most winningest district in the state of New Jersey and the United States of America. So, I'm hoping that answers your question because you as my as the vice president of this board, we don't succeed if you and I aren't in lock step. >> Thanks for the clarity, sir. >> And if anybody else in in the public or if they're watching online has any questions of me and how we got here, please feel free to ask. >> May I say something?

145>> Yes, ma'am. In lie of the process of hiring assistant superintendent and a interim superintendent, the board did everything by policy and protocol once we were notified that we had to start the process. And once we started the process, we did everything due we did our due diligence to make sure that we um did the process the way we were supposed to through interview process, through vetting process. And so this is the results that we received. This is what we voted on. And now this is what we have. So, we have Miss Clemens as our assistant superintendent and we have Mr. Mark Peas who's going to be our interim superintendent for the duration of the contract. And as of the 16th of September, you can meet Mr. Peas or the next board meeting that we

146have, you'll be able to meet Mr. Peace in the body flesh so that if you can introduce yourself or get to know him. Um, but the district, the board, we made the best possible selections that we could to make sure that our district is going to run forward and run fast and be on time and be competitive to the rest of the districts around us. So, we trusted the process and hopefully that you trust our our decisions on making who we made and our administrative um positions that we made. Very well, very well. Thank you. You're welcome. I know going forward I know that our Winslow winning member over here to my my left is going to be working really really hard with our our new administration and it's going to make Winslow very very

147proud and very successful because we have it's going to it's going to be a top-notch team at the top and a lot of People are going to be very proud with Miss Clemens and Mr. Peas. So, Mr. Thomas is going to be he going to be overjoyed along with the rest of this board. So, I look forward to what the future is about to bring us and I can't wait. I'm fully excited for both of the both of our new leaders at the top. So, If is there anybody else that we have signed up for public comments? >> Anybody? Nobody signed up? Anybody in the waiting room? >> Okay. Can I have a motion to adjourn public comments? >> I move that we adjourn public comments, Mr. President. >> Second. >> Uh any uh all

148in favor? >> I >> um executive session. Yes, sir. In accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, we'll be entering into executive session on September 10th, 2025 at 9:15 p.m. Of the nine exceptions, we'll be utilizing two. One having to do with matters involving confidentiality, which are uh student matter that Boil has brought to my attention um before the meeting, and matters of conditions of employment. Number eight, I would anticipate that we will be in executive session for 30 to 45 minutes. There may or may not be action coming out of the airport session. >> Can I have a motion to approve us moving into executive session? >> I move that we um move into executive session. >> Second. >> All in favor? I mean, I'm sorry. Roll call. >> Mr. Clark.

149>> Yes. Miss >> M. >> Yes. M. >> Yes. >> Mr. McManis. >> Yes. >> Miss Peterson. >> Yes. >> Miss Kit. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thomas. >> Yes. >> M. Yes. [Music]