001Of Welcome to the Winslow concert board meeting for tonight, April 9th, 2025, where academics and winning is done on a high level. Public notice of this meeting was given to all board members and associates in a notice stated 19205 adequate and electronic notice of this public meeting was provided specifying the time place and manner in which this meeting is being conducted. It was advertised in the carrier posted in all schools, the administration office, the municipal building, the library, the Bub Dooall center, Edgewood Acres, Amtown, and the Winslow Township Post Office. And our mission statement is the mission of the Winsow Township School District, a large, diverse, and growing community, is to educate all students to become independent lifelong learners. critical thinkers and caring and confident members of their community. The district in partnership with the
002community 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 assist them in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes necessary to contribute positively to a rapid changing world. Roll call. Mr. Clark here. Miss Dreen here. Miss Glo, present. Miss Martin, present. Mr. McManis, good evening. Miss Peterson, present. Miss Pittz, Miss Pittz will be absent today. Thank you. Mr. Thomas present. And Mr. Shaw. Mr. Shaw will be acting today. Thank you. Can we 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. Good. 2024 2025 district goals. Number one, student achievement. Continue to
003implement best practices for delivering instruction to students. This shall include A, conduct weekly administrative walkthroughs to monitor teaching and learning. B consistently review student assessment data to guide and redirect teaching. C. Continue to provide supplemental activities, for example, tutoring enrichment periods to en to address student deficiencies. D, benchmark assessment for 9th grade math and language arts. Number two, create a safe and positive learning environment for students and staff. A, strictly enforce the district's student code of conduct. B, focus on upper elementary school students to modify student behavior in the early grades. C. Reinforce positive behavior in a specific and genuine way. D. Approach discipline with care, respect, and the desire to see the good in all students. Number three, increase parent, caregiver, and community engagement in education. A, provide opportunities for two-way communication with district
004stakeholders. B, continue with communications consortium. C. Focus on refining our communication methods and messages to better market our schools. D. Continue with our public relations with the community. Well read there, Mr. Clark. Will there be any awards and presentations tonight? Uh, Mr. President, we do not have any presentations this evening. However, I do have a u uh item I would like to read. We, as you well know, we are now uh advocating for the renaming of our wonderful uh track and field. At this point in time, we're not voting on or for, we just want to involve the community and the stakeholders to be part of this process in any way. So, what we have done, we have posted on the website for your comments and concerns on this topic. We now have three uh
005individuals that was considerations. We previous got a letter from a Mr. Robert Johnson who was naming a Mr. Dennis Mitchell as a candidate. We also got a letter from Miss Marcy Thomasello who was na naming Russell Bates as a candidate. And I just received a letter on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 from Mr. Harold Smith, Edgewood Grad, uh recommending uh Shenica Brown. I would like the board to to make a motion that now that we have three names that could be considered once, we're not asking for any vote, nay or yay. We're just asking to close nominations so we can begin a conversation to discuss in which capacity and which way we will go. Uh, if that's okay with the board, I'd like to ask for a motion to close the nomination for renaming the athletic
006field. Motion to close the nomination for renaming the athletic field. Mr. Clark, second. I got a motion uh made by Mr. Clark and I got a second by u Miss Dreen. Uh, any questions, comments? Yes. I don't I think that we should close it out because it hasn't really given the community enough time to really even make any nominations for any other names for the field and closing it out limited limits. Um the community and the stakeholders and shareholders were being really truly a part of naming this this field. Um because it came to my attention that some people instead of naming a name they said why couldn't we name it Edgewood um Legacy Sports Complex. So it doesn't single out any single person. It actually includes all of the legacies from the Edgewood era
007and bringing it towards us. So not letting the community come in and give other nominations prior to this coming up from last meeting I think is unfair to the to the community point of order. Um with a nomination second. I think that requires a vote. Uh we can we can say no to it or just table it for another. Would that be correct? You have a motion and a second. Now it's time for comment appropriately. It been tossed to the board by the vice president for for comment which we are now receiving. Okay. After this um we will proceed with a roll call vote on whether we're closing the nominations with the three names that Mr. Thomas has announced earlier. So here here's where my question and I do I do agree with Miss Glaw
008that that I do like that Edgewood aspect to it. But here's my question. So now that we this has been on the table since November of 2024 from the previous uh board of uh president who diligently put a committee together and we're carrying out the policies and the procedures of that of that role. Now all we're doing now is trying to make sure that we fall in line with the process and the procedure. Now you can still come in uh it'll be posted up till June. So you got till June to come in and make every comment for against or whatever suggestion at that point. So what I am just seeking for now is a vote that we can have this conversation with communication and not really make a decision on which way this is
009going just to be able to have a conversation with the community. So can we get any more questions or comments before we go to a roll call vote? Yes, I do. Go ahead. So what you suggested on the mo asking for the motion, it asked to have those three names, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Bates, and um Miss Brown as the nominees. that closes off any nominations for the future. Am I correct? Yes. Yes, it does. And that's what I'm trying to that's what I'm trying not to let happen. So, would you suggest would you be okay if we leave it open for another month? Yes. Okay. So, can we amend that motion asking that we close the nomination and give it a 30-day from today for anyone that wants to uh put in a new nomination
010or any other conversation about this uh uh subject? Can I get a motion? No. A question. You cannot close nominations. You're asking just to extend the deadline date. Extend the Right. And essentially, you are closing them effective one month from today. But that's no further action required, but it would require an amendment to the original motion and a second. But it has to be that it's extension of the date. It's not where it couldn't bring bring in other discussions like what u the board member had indicated. So somebody in the next 30 days can make a nomination for person or idea. Yes. Yes. That's what that was should be the motion. So, are we closing the original motion? No. We would ask whether or not there's Whoever was it you, Mr. Clark. Yes, sir. Are
011you inclined to amend your motion? Sure. And was it you, Miss Dreaden? Are you inclined to second that amendment? Okay. So, we have on us before us on the table a motion to approve the closing of the nominations 30 days from today, which would be somewhere around May 8th, I think. Correct. Roll call. Mr. Clarks, yes. Miss Drean, yes. Miss Gloyd, yes. Miss Martin, yes. Mr. McManis, yes. Miss Peterson, yes. And Mr. Thomas, yes. Motion has carried. What is the next? So to uh clarify the first meeting in May or would you bring that? I mean it probably will be what is what's the date of our first meeting? 14 at that at 14. You want to close it? Well, this one, I mean, you still use your 30 days, but at the 14th, that's
012when you want to take your vote to Okay, that's fine. That's fine. That's fine. All right, we're going to move on to the agenda to number seven. Will there be any correspondents for tonight? Yes. Um, Mr. Vice President, just had it in my hand. Yes. We have one piece of correspondence you'd like to read. Sure. Uh, it reads, "Good evening, Dr. pot, my fellow board members, administration, staff, and all stakeholders in our district. First, I would like to apologize for my absence from tonight's meeting. But while work pulled me away from Winslow this week, my heart needs to address something everyone in Winslow and our entire state should know. We all love sports and all of Winslow Township's countless championships and accolades, but today we need to celebrate our arts, theater, music departments, and the
013many accomplishments they deliver. Recently, many of us have had the pleasure of sitting in the Sarah Gordy Auditorium at the Winslow Township High School and watched or should I say be downright aruck by the performances of a diverse cast of players whose talent just left you constantly catching your breath or giving them a huge ovation. You cannot find this diversity in talent in most school districts and yet Winslow does it year after year. Winslow Township students bring more than athletic talent. They are theatrical allstars, championship marching bands, and all state or all South Jersey chorus members. And they all start in our lower elementary schools. Come check them out. You will never be disappointed. And this is from Mr. John Shaw, president of the board of education. Great letter from our president, Mr. Shaw. We
014should have had him on the screen and did a a virtual thing so he could come in for that. Great letter and I I agree totally with that. So, we're going to move on to our minutes. I am seeking a motion to approve our regular meeting minutes of March 26, 2025 open session. Peterson to move for approval of our March 26, 2025 open session. Open and close. Oh, open and close. Can I get a second? Second McManis to approve the minutes for the regular meeting and the closed session meeting from March 26. Okay. Moved by Miss Peterson, second by uh Mr. McNis. Any questions, comments? Roll call. Mr. Clark. Yes. Miss Dreen? Yes. Miss Gloyd, yes. Miss Martin, yes. Mr. Mcmanis, yes. Miss Peterson, yes. And Mr. Thomas, yes. The motion has carried. Thank you.
015Moving down to our board committee reports. Would there be any reports from our athletic committee? Not at this time. Thank you. Will there be any reports from our citizens advisory committee? Not at this time. Thank you, Miss Martin. Will there be any report from our education committee? Yes, the education committee will be meet on the last Tuesday of this month at 4 pm via WebEx. Thank you very much. Will there be any report from our illustrious marketing committee? Well, yes, Mr. acting chair, President McCain. Um marketing committee convened on March 29th, 2025. In attendance was one uh then um vice president of the school board Joe Mr. Winslow Joe Thomas and one Jared better known as Jerry McManis. We began at 12 uh 1:45 p.m. uh discussion centered around the uh the marketing committee believes
016in an effort to continue to reach out to the entire community and make board the board itself visible, the board should be represented at the upcoming Junth celebration. The fifth annual June 7, I'm sorry, the fifth annual Junth festival in Winslow Township will be held on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at 1300 Winslow Avenue, offering a day of celebration, music, food, and community honoring the end of slavery in the United States. Uh, we should set up our our tent and be staffed by board members. Board members. I I tried to draft Michael Clark. There was this is an editorial to my to my notes here. Uh, Mr. Clark is uh going to be best man in a wedding that particular day, so I couldn't draft him, but myself, I'll be there for the entire day to
017greet the community, and I would invite the rest of the board members as they see fit to come and join me. I'm hoping to uh I'll have the mini waters and maybe some breath mints because I drink a lot of coffee. And uh what else we got? Meeting ended at 12:15 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for the 19th of April, 1:30 uh 1:30 p.m. uh at the McManis House with uh rumor has it a cream cheese pound cake. Sir, any questions for our Mr. Mcmanis chairperson of the marketing committee? Yes, I I have a question. Sure. Um this students festival is who's sponsoring that? In the past we have usually done that and we actually set up our own date. No, no, no. I'm saying is this the Wings Township? Okay. So, let me correct
018the um information on it then. Okay. All right. It's the 4th annual Junth um festival. It's going to be held at New Brooklyn Park um on Saturday the 21st, June 21st from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Really good. The information online was incorrect then. Okay. Saturday the 14th or the 21st. You said it's the 21st. Thank you. Yes. And can we also make sure uh Dr. that we have all the instruments that comes along with the tents. We've been doing it so often. The eagle is Can we get the eagle? Sure. As long as it's not 95 degrees. Okay, good. Good. Thank you then, uh, Mr. McManus for your illustrious report. Will there be any report from our negotiations committee? No report. None tonight, right? Yes. Thank you. How about our operations committee? Any report
019from our operations committee? None at this time. Any report from our policy HR committee? No report. All right. Thank you. Uh we're going to move down over to page three. I'm asking for a motion to approve our superintendent report that starts on page top of page three number 10 and goes all the way to the middle of page seven. Can I get a motion to approve that superintendent report? Peterson move for approval of superintendent report recommends approval of the following items A and B. 1 through 27 found on page 3 through seven. Thank you. Can I get a second? Can I get a question? Sure. Okay. Uh McManus would second that. Pending questions. Okay. Moved by Miss Peterson, second by Mr. McManis. Any questions, sir? Yes. Um, superintendent's report, page five, number 18. Uh there's
020an anti-bullying uh assembly uh scheduled for the 29th of April from I believe 9:30 to 10:30. Is that attendable by school board members? In most cases the building uh the board member that is assigned to that school in most cases yes that person would attend. Uh but usually these uh assemblies are targeted for the students, right? Um and hopefully we'll be able to address whatever kinds of concerns they may have at this time. But the person who's assigned to the building, I don't think that would be a problem to the person who's assigned to the building. Yes. Who's assigned to school six? Miss Brown School. No school. School board member assigned to school six. at our reorg school. Maybe one of our absentee folks. Oh, it could be Miss Could be. No, she's the early
021child. But boy, let me remember who's assigned. But anyway, Mr. McManis, whoever is assigned to to school six. Thank you guys. More than happy to attend. Thank you. Uh second question that I have uh page uh six number 23 of pen relays. Yes. Um is that a networking event or is that just for the for the uh the I know that the pen relays. Uh I didn't know if that's as Miss Lane being the athletic director that that would also be a networking event. Well, not necessarily networking. Um we attend the pen relays every year for as long as I can remember. Uh we usually have girls and boys participating. The athletic director along with the coaches usually assem uh uh go along with them. Uh in this case the athletic director pretty much want
022us uh to know that she will be uh participating but normally just the coaches and athletes would go. Okay. No further questions. Thank you. And I and I want to add to that I can say that we we are a favorite at that relay. So, moving right along. Uh, can we get a a vote on the acceptance of the superintendent's report? Mr. Clark, yes. Miss Dredden, yes. Miss Claude, yes. Miss Martin, yes. Mr. McManis, yes. Miss Peterson, yes. Miss and Mr. Toms. Yes. Motion has carried. Thank you very much. Now, I'm looking for a motion to accept the business administrator report. It starts at the bottom of page seven and goes all the way to the middle of page 13. Peterson moves for approval of the business administrative board secretaries board A and B page
0237 through 13. Can I get a second? McManis. Second that moved by Miss Peterson, second by Mr. McManis. Any questions? Yes sir. Go ahead. Um uh report page eight number eight. Um there is a list of items that were to be disposed of. Is this through ordinary wear and tear or vandalism? Wear and tear. Wear a lot of old materials at this point beyond their useful life to just discard. Okay. And this is a common practice to list. We have to specifically list them under this law before they can be disposed of. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. And then if I could ask one other question. Sure. Okay. On the bill list, uh, page 86, I believe, I'm going to say, I'm not sure if it's either A or B, there's an individual check made out
024for world class vacations to the total of $40,000. I believe that's a student activity check. I'm going to look at it, but it's for the senior class trip. Okay. And um that's the cost. That's a partial cost. full call. Is any is any amount of that being reimbured by any of the students or is that the the school district pay that senior? No. No. And let me pull because I just want to make certain Mr. McManis. I don't want to shoot from the head. What page was that, Mr. McManus? That was on uh it was on the the secretary's report. Okay. It was um I can dig it up for you real quick. Disney. Did you want to give the specifics? Dr. M. McMahon is Dr. Caramo can give you the particulars. Thank you. That's
025an organization that we don't plan trip to Disney World. Okay. So, the trip is paid for by the students. The account is a student activity account. The money is the positive fear and then the check written by the board. Appreciate that. Thank you, doctor. Okay. Thank you very much. Can we get a roll call, Mr. Mr. Vice President? Page 11. Number 14. Go back. Which which one? Page 11. Number 14 of the competitive contract request for proposal for internet service. I just need some clarification. Um, is that to improve the services that we currently have or to replace them? That is to uh well, we put out a bid, a competitive contracting uh bid. This was the loan provider that responded to the bid. Okay. I believe it's the one that we currently have. Uh,
026and I also uh and I think we had discussed this during the operations committee. we only awarded for a year with the option to renew. So that way we have time to do the um the audit and see what comes up. Okay? So if they say that this vendor is an issue, we'll deal with them for a year and then we'll do what we need to do. If they say then we can renew. Okay. Thank you. All clear. Yes. Outstanding. Roll call. Mr. Clark. Yes. Miss Dre. Yes. Miss Glo. Yes. Miss Margin, yes. Mr. McManis, yes. Miss Peterson, yes. And Mr. Thomas, yes. The motion has carried. Thank you so much. We're now at the page of 13 in the middle of number 12. Our personnel report that starts in the middle of page 13
027goes all the way over to the top of page 15. Can I get a motion? Peterson. Move for approval of the superintendent recommendation of the following items that are found under personnel number one through six page 13 through six. Yes. A second McManus moved by Miss Peterson second by Mr. Mcanis. Any questions? Um Mr. President it was brought to my attention that there is an incorrect date on Mr. Davis number two it should say 2526ers it says in the body as a heading it should be 25 2017 so moving forward with that amendment we can proceed with the roll call if there's no other comments Mr. Vice President Mr. long say moving forward with that amendment. We can proceed with the roll call if there's no other comments. Roll call vote, please. Did we get
028the motion? Yes. Okay. Mr. Clark, yes. Miss Dreen, yes. Miss Glory, yes. Miss Martin, yes. Mr. McManis, yes. Miss Peterson, yes. And Mr. Thomas, yes. Motion has carried. Now we're moving over to our addendum. It's a pink slip that we have been placed in our folders. It's a one-page addendum beginning with number one and going all the way through through that through that number one page. Can I get a motion? Peterson move for approval of the business administrative board secretary report that approves the following action items under A1 through 4. Second. Uh second McManis. Moved by Miss Peterson, second by Mr. McManis. Any questions? Roll call. Mr. Clark, yes. Miss Breen, yes. Miss Floyd, yes. Miss Martin, yes. Mr. McManis, yes. Miss Peterson, yes. And Mr. Thomas, yes. Motion has carried. We're moving right along
029now. We down to the open public records act and request. Is there any open public action records and or requests? Uh I believe not. So we had none that we responded to during this time frame. Outstanding. Thank you so much. Dr. Poti, will there be anyformational items tonight? Yes. Yes. Um Mr. Thomas, members of the board and community, I have a few information items for this evening. Uh first of all, as you well know, we have been discussing uh the possibility of providing onetoone Chromebooks for the high school and the middle school. So, I'd like to give you an update. Uh the high school would need uh 92 Chromebooks. And let me explain why. 410 are beyond their useful life. 492 have one more year of life or useful life. So um rather than just
030get just enough and uh for us to accommodate all of the students, we would uh be recommending that 92 Chromebooks be provided for the high school. The middle school only needs 200 Chromebooks. with those totals at each school um we will be able to provide one to one Chromebook to each child and um with a life a useful life uh that would extend uh two to three years. Now at the middle school they have 600 plus uh Chromebooks now but I think a few of them is maybe one year away from their useful life but Mr. Shrapshshire said 200 would be his number at this point. So that brings us up to where we are and of course it will be up to the board to decide in which direction you want to go. Keep
031in mind that in as much as you have enough for one to one uh you always need some additional Chromebooks in the event someone breaks theirs or someone forget to bring to school you want to make sure you have enough Chromebooks so it doesn't interrupt with instruction. All right. Any questions in reference to u that update? I just like to say thanks for getting that information. I know the board has been trying to get that information for a while. Thank you and the administration for providing. Okay. Any more questions or comments orformational items for anyone? Doctor. Yes sir. Um was was there a dollar value attached to that? Um no. Um at this point um if you want to move forward um then you know we can attach a dollar amount to each school. That's
032not anything difficult. It won't take that much time. We can get a dollar value to you. That's not a problem at all. And then the if I if I have my math correct you're looking at like plus or minus 1100 units. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Uh and again keeping in mind that uh you don't want to just purchase to the number. You always want to get some additional ones so you can have additional Chromebooks on just in case. Yes. And is that for them to keep or for them to have that will be their Chromebook based on the recommendation for them to take back and forth home with them. So at the end of the year what happens? they return them so that they can either be repaired, replaced, recharged, you know, cleaned because you
033want to make sure they're usable beyond next year. So, what we would do is assign them the same Chromebook the following year. Um, so if they're in ninth grade, when they come back, 10th grade, they get the same Chromebook. Oh, they get their their I'm sorry if I'm out of turn. Um, they get their that exact same Chromebook that they used before. Okay. Thank you. Yes. It's only fair that they maintain the same one. Yeah. Um because if I'm really taking care of mine, then I want to make sure I get the same one back the following year. All right. Um the next update I would like to give you as you uh have directed me to uh move forward with securing a technology audit. Uh we have a possible vendor uh through our co-op.
034We are waiting for some documents to be completed. Um and at this point uh once that is done uh we ask that uh that uh vendor come before this board and give a presentation on the scope of work uh so that we all on the same page and at that time of course we'll be able to move forward with some uh finalizing everything that needs to be done. So at this point uh once we get all the paperwork that uh we are requesting uh then we'll move forward and we will have the vendor the company for the board to give you an update on what they're doing why they're doing it that sort of thing so everybody would understand uh what's happening from that point of view. Okay. And this is the the vent if
035I may. This vendor is going to define the scope of what needs to be done based on the information we have provided them um what they have come into the district and do their own assessment in addition to what our needs are and then based on that information they will compile an assessment or scope of work to review with the board and hopefully you know they'll give us uh an estimated cost of how much that assessment would uh once it's complete. Thank you. All right. Um earlier in the school year, uh members of the board, you may recall uh that I uh had recommended that we initiate girls volleyball at the middle school. Uh do you remember that conversation? Um, I would like to continue to put that before you. Uh, in order for us
036to get all the equipment and the stands and coaches, pay for referees, we're looking at $8,200. Um, so I just want to keep that in front of you. Um, because I think that is something that is needed that we continue to expand our offerings at the middle school. U, so I just want to remind you of that particular recommendation. Okay. I have a question. Yes. Um, in regard to recommendation for the volleyball, is that something that um was being requested highly from the middle school students so that if we do move forward to make a motion for this that it would be something that we can have a successful program for them? Oh, absolutely. Uh there are a couple things. Yes, we need to put as many athletic programs and clubs in the middle school
037as possible because they don't have enough. Plus, uh, the volleyball program at the high school is doing very, very well, but we don't have a feeder system. Awesome. It's not in place. So, we can start preparing our young ladies early on. They can move into the high school with some skill set to help the program to grow. So, that would be the primary reason for the recommendation. All right. If you don't mind me asking, sure making a statement. I think that would just increase Winslow winning with a absolutely with a well we we would like and and more importantly um the middle school need some additional activities and uh I think that would be uh one that will give the young ladies an opportunity to participate. Cool. All right. Um I also have uh one
038more recommendation and again this is just a recommendation. I would like to reinstate field trips to all of our schools. Uh it's been a long time since we've invested money into our schools for field trips. Um our young people um and with the conversations I've had with the building principles and teachers, uh would like for the school district to invest some monies into the schools so that our children can go on field trips um and basically set it up. For example, the kindergarteners every year will, let's say, go to Philadelphia Institute of Arts or something. Uh, the first grade will go somewhere else, third grade. That way, we don't duplicate the trips. But every year, the young people will have an opportunity knowing that when I get in third grade, we're going to go to
039uh the art museum or Fields Planetarium or whatever it may be. Um, uh, the teachers um have made it very clear that we missed that. the young people uh haven't had. And then and on the other hand, ladies and gentlemen, young people can't afford uh to go to these trips and we hate to just take a handful of young people who families can afford and leave all the other young people behind. So I think we're at the point where we need to invest more into our children as far as field trips concerned. It's been a long time. I think it's time to reinstate. All right. And uh my last information item uh ladies and gentlemen, I would like to personally on behalf of the administration and the board to congratulate Daniel Asa, 11th grade student
040at Winsow Township High School for winning first place in the C-SPAN student documentary competition. Wow. Um, he won the he won the high school Eastern division for his documentary Saving Sedan, US Aiding in the Forgotten Crisis. Um, Mr. Asa, now this is a national award. Um, last year as a 10th grader, he also won a national award. Um, if for those of you who went to the play, uh, Daniel Asa was, uh, portrayed one of the husbands, uh, during Mama Mia, and he was the shorter of the three. Excellent job. Very intelligent, very talented young man. Um, um, he has represented Winsow Township School District, the high school in this community on a national scale for years. And this is a very bright young man. As a matter of fact, uh comes from a very
041bright family. He has a young sister who has also been able to establish herself academically. So, uh we want to again uh thank uh Daniel Asa for representing the school district, this community in the best possible way. Um the high school has his uh documentary uh on their website. I will post his documentary on the district's website and Facebook page tomorrow. Uh but I wanted to let you know um very intelligent, very non-assuming, don't want a lot of fanfare. Uh but I told him that uh we need to celebrate him and his family uh for what he's been able to do. And um I am going to assume at this point that this young man is going to continue to represent the school district, his community in the best possible way. So congratulations Daniel Asa
042for a job well done. That concludes our information items. Uh, Mr. Thomas for the seat. Thank you there, Dr. Py. Moving now. We really appreciate that. Moving now to hold business. Will there be any items on the old business? Mr. Vice President, could I make a comment? Sure. Thank you. Um, hot off the presses from a Las Vegas business trip. Mr. Shaw has school six and is apparently watching us. Okay. Oh, well I I can appreciate that because the silence got me a little puzzled. Mr. Shaw is loud and clear through from Las Vegas. Why is he watching us? And he's in Las Vegas. That's for another time. All right. So, no. So, no business on. So, how about new business? Any information on Mr. President? Sure. I want to place a motion on the
043floor. Um Peters moves that the board demonstrate their endorsement of continuing uh to support our district goal three through providing the educational and emotional support and now the board members individually and collectively uh provide financial support of the Lewis Johnson family of which three of their children are students here at Rowan. excuse me, here at Hinsel Township. The fourth is an infant who these four children lost both parents almost three years three weeks ago. So, if the board pleasure, if they would like to make a financial con contribution to the family, I second that motion. Any questions? Just the amount. The amount could be whatever moves you. Whatever moves whatever moves us individually. I did have one board member, former board member that text me today and she wants to um contribute to and that's
044uh Miss Cindy Moore. Now, Mrs. Peterson, are you asking that we present that money to you? I mean, how how are we if you would like and then I can get a gift card and we can count the money up and get a gift card. If those that do not have cash, they can give me a check and I'll present it to the family. And I would ask that uh board member Wanda Claw go with me to present it. Thank you so much, Miss Claw. Thank you. All in favor of this uh endeavor. I I have it. Now we're moving to um Mr. President, I say something in your business. Um I wanted to say I went to the play Mama Mia. It was excellent. Superb. Um you can ask for no better actresses and
045actors and singers. I enjoy I enjoy them all, but I enjoyed it. It had me laughing. It had me sad. It just was a excellent, excellent play. And you can ask for no better. I mean, everyone should come. They They're like professionals. We have the greatest theater plays that you can present. I really think they should do a play outside of our school district because that's how good they are. So, I just want to commend them uh and all they do. And I want to commend the ones that are teaching, the ones that in the musical part of it all, the ones that are are are teaching them how to dance and how to act. I commend them all. They all deserve really they deserve the greatest praise we can give them. Yeah. Thank you,
046Mr. after. Appreciate that testimony. We're now moving to public comments. Mr. Thank you, madam. Hold on. Yes. Um, Miss would like to revisit informationational items. Number one. Um, yes. I'd like to revisit theformational items that were presented by Dr. Potit. I'd like to make a motion um for the f the first motion I'd like to make is that he he's able to go ahead and move forward to get us the price so that he can present the price for the oneonone technology for the 112 um Chromebooks for the students for so that we can look look at this so we can be prepared for the 202526 school year. That's my first motion. I'll second that motion. And that's all in favor. All in favor? I I my second my second motion I'd like to make
047is that we go ahead and reinstate the field trips for all schools. I can second that one. Yeah, absolutely. Any questions? All in favor? I I may I just interject one statement? Sure. Would not interfere with what has already taken place. Um the amount would be based on size of school. Of course you would high school middle school would get more than school one and two because of numbers. So but we haven't established uh how much that would be. What we would like to do is uh have teacher input like where would you like to take the first graders, third graders, how much that would potentially cost and then I would be able to come back and say school one x number dollars, school two, three up through the high school and I do sincerely
048uh mean the high school. um those young people still also deserve to go on field trips because most of them are educationally uh inclined and they need to get out and get that exposure and a lot of them the only way it's going to happen is through the school district. So whatever we able to come up with an amount that we can attach to each school I'll be able to present it to you. Outstanding. Okay. But I appreciate your support. Thank you. And and my next one, um I'd like to make a motion that um we support um moving forward with the girls volleyball at the U middle school. I can second that motion. All in favor? I have it. Thank you, doctor. If I may. Yes, please. Um just a question regarding the individual
049field trips as far as a per uh per event the cost that is brought before the board for approval. Yes. All right. Thank you. The amounts. Yes. Yes. Any more any more questions? All right. We'll move to public comments. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The Winslow Township Board Bo board of education highly values the input of citizens and making 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 of 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 that the speakers follow the guidelines for making public comments. The board secretary will recognize those individuals in the audience who wish to make
050comment and we'd ask that you kindly respect the following procedures. One, all members uh of the public attending schoolboard meetings must treat each other and the board with respect. Two, please state your full name and town of residence. Three, please limit your comments to four minutes. or submit your questions in the event we're unable to answer them this evening to the board with your name, address, telephone number, and preferably email address where you can be contacted and your questions will be answered within a reasonable time frame. And lastly, individuals offering citizen comment are not permitted to make personal attacks on any district employee, board member, or other testifier or member of the public. Thank you. At this time for a motion to open up public comments. Peterson move for approval to open public comments. Second
051by McManis. Moved by Peterson. Second by Miss Mattis. All in favor? I. Miss Paul. Do we have anyone on the list at this time? Yes, we have Debbie Murphy. Good evening board members. Um I'm Debbie Murphy and I live in Serville. So the marching band competed on Sunday at the wood at um Williamstown. Um the band placed first with a score of 75.5 and the guard placed second with a score of 85.6. And so again, we're winning. So we're still winning. Um um there's only two more vocal competitions before we head off to the championships in Wildwood. So you guys have a couple more chances to come see our show cuz we're really doing good things. Um we compete Saturday at Gateway. The band performs at 12:10 and the guard goes on at 5. And
052then another thing, have you guys looked at a mil a lacrosse team for the middle school? I feel that it would be popular. No, we we have not. And um uh Miss Murphy, I think u you know, we take it one step at a time. Um maybe we can reconsider and look at that for next year. Um, so I think if we do one at a time, make sure it's affordable and do it right the first time, maybe next year we can look at that. Uh, but I think the idea is great because we believe the better programs we provide at the middle school is going to enhance what we do at the high school and uh, most of those sports we do not have a feeder system. uh the young ladies and young men
053are going into the high school and those non-traditional sports uh let's say in ninth grade playing it for the first time and when they're in that situation we're not very successful. So uh it would be my recommendation that we consider it uh the following year so that we can eventually at some point touch all of it. So recommendation will take ahead. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] I believe it's Sha Wal. It's Shima, but my question was answering the agenda. So, thank you. Okay. Patrick Oats. Good evening, board members. Can you guys hear me? Yes. Okay, good. So, I'm a proud graduate of Eduette. Hey, good. I said I think I know you too. Back in 1983. So, uh, in the board in general, I thank you for giving people their flowers. That was the saying
054for mother. Give people their flowers while they're living. So, they just do that. So, let me work backwards. Speaking of that, Miss P, you talked about the for the board members. Uh, what's the possibility because my heart just went out when you said that, maybe setting up a GoFundMe page or someone to do that so local community members can contribute to that. So, you just mentioned that um they are actually the village of Camden County. Yes. They're setting up uh a distribute if you want to contribute a gift card or whatever. And I don't I can't remember the barberh shop. So, we're doing a the village of Kingdom County is doing a gift card fundraiser for every Friday and Saturday drop off at the R Barberhop. Um, if you need more information after the meeting
055is over with, I can give you the contact number of the person that if you want to contact if you want to drop it off prior. But every Friday from 5 to 8, you can drop it off at the R Barber Shop in the Winslow Center or Saturday morning from 8 to 11, you can drop off a gift card. And there's all just gift cards. We're just asking for gift cards. That way, the family can use those gift cards throughout the year for the kids for all their needs. Um I have actually worked with a lot of community um organizations in our community in Winslow and when I tell you we're coming together as a major village for this family. We are um we just um Mario um parte of the pantry of Cichlavville, he's
056working with his his suppliers and we're going to make sure this family is 100% taken care of. And every year the village of Camden County is going to do a major fundraiser for this family because this is not just today. is going to be until th that baby is 18 years old and that baby's only eight months old right now. So, we're going to make sure that we cover the expenses or do do things for this this family as much as we can and we'll do it for any other families if any tragedies tragedies happen like this as well. But there is a gift card fundraiser every Friday and Saturday you can drop it off at the barber shop until the end of April that gives everybody Delta Sigma Theta uh New Jersey Garden City
057alumni is collecting. They gave us a listing of what they needed and uh we have a location in Stone Hollow and that uh Denise uh Crystal uh Johnson will be picking or we will we're going to need a truck move. Okay. Thank you for that. That's a great organization that you're talking about. So that was the one. Uh the second thing about the naming of the field. So I'm a proud Edward graduate. So, has the board thought about maybe a share responsibility for the field? Like for instance, um I used to run track, play basketball for Edgewood. Uh right where the tractor supply is in in Berlin. We used to run from here to there years ago was called the chickenburg. I don't know if remember that or not, but we used to run track.
058And I say that as Mr. Bass was a hard driver, but he taught us a lot of responsibility as young men and women. and from his teaching in leadership uh produced a lot of good athletes and business folks such as myself. And my suggestion is maybe name it Batesfield, name the track Mitchell Way, maybe some type of shared responsibility so they both can get credit. And if you want to throw Edgewood in there, make the Ped make it Edgewood Lane as you go to the track or something. That way we can incorporate all the things. So that's one and then the last thing this is for Dr. Potit as you were talking about the 101 technology. You did answer my questions on the life expectancy. The other questions I have of that is how are
059they uh the laptops or Chromebooks being updated? Are the students responsible for updates? No. U school districts. School districts. So you have your IT staff that best push out. So they would have to how would they get the updates? would they get it because the students are going to have them home and then once they hit the network well they're expected to bring them to school every day. Yeah. And um we would we would do the other things as we do now. We keep them in the school. Let's say they may have to leave them overnight when we want to do some things. We have those uh charger cabinets where they just put them in. Okay. But yes, but it will be the responsibility of the school just take care. Yeah. because I notice sometimes
060when you're doing updates during the day, it's going to slow it's gonna slow down the Right. Yeah. Okay. So, that's good. Uh, and that's beyond Okay. And far as that with the laptops, are are there any type of rules or behaviors that the students have to sign when they have the parents would have to sign for them and be uh responsible for any cause or damage of those Chromebooks. We are as part of the conversation looking at insurance uh for those Chromebooks. But at this point without any of those um things being available um the financial responsibility would be that of the parent. Okay. All right. The last question I have you mentioned a technology audit. Can you share a little more about that? I have a question about it. didn't know if it was
061a physical security audit, meaning that as far as information technology, are you looking at uh securing like server rooms or is it more of an administrative thing as far as standard operating procedures, how you do your business every day? All of the above. Okay. Um we're looking at a in internal infrastructure. We're looking at cable lines that run through the district building to building out to our uh through our service out to um let's say Comcast and whomever provides um why connectivity is not working let's say in a building and then uh right next door in that classroom they don't have connectivity is down and you go right across the hall is working I mean there are litany of things that need to be done across the board and we're trying to find answers to
062why certain things are happening during the course of the day. Uh so what they we've asked them to do is to be very thorough. Uh everything everything I've said to you we put on the table plus they've asked us questions. Do you want us to do this or that? So at this point uh we looking at a toz. Okay. We want to be very thorough. A site survey where they come out at Yes. They they going to come out. We want them to interview teachers uh those people who are in those classrooms who are identified with some of these issues talk to our vendors as to why certain times are just shut down. We can't find the problem internally and then a lot of times we find this externally. Um so there are litany of
063issues that we're dealing with at this point. um based on my conversation and our internal team, we met with them briefly and uh the proposal that I saw thus far is very very thorough. That's why we would like for them to come in do a presentation for the public and the board and we have any questions to ask them. But I think at this point they're going to cover quite a bit. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Anybody else? No. Mr. Oak, is there anybody else uh in the waiting room? No. Yes. Can you just come back and sign for us, please? Okay. Would you like to sign afterwards? Yes. Okay. Hi everybody. Uh my name is Jacqueline Buck. I'm the one who started the petition. I wanted to talk a little bit about why this
064petition was started to begin with and why it's turned into something that's just become super older and aggressive and I don't really think it had to get to that point. And I wanted to ask about the emails that I had sent originally when I was just trying to donate to the schools and if the fire marshall had responded. I had done a little bit of research. Um, I had actually spoken with teachers when I had first went for my son who had started in the preschool early intervention program. See, I have one son in kindergarten and I like the school and I brought Akan in because he has special needs. Well, I had brought him in and I had told talked to them about his health concerns and the teacher informed me that summer is
065rough and if he's going to have issues, he's not the only one and it gets really hot in those classrooms. So, I said, "Hey, I'm gonna donate. Like, let me donate some fans." They told me to talk to Miss McBride. I did. And now I reached out to you guys. I've gotten a lot of backlash. I've gotten a lot of aggressive messages, people threatening my children. I'm trying to do good by the school. I did my research. I saw the HVAC program for the high school. I saw the HVAC back program for school five. I see that it's still not have any responses received. My question is is okay, if the HVAC AC program can't happen right away if the funds aren't there, why can't we address the electrical issues and do the fans instead
066of making them sit there? Because when I had asked Miss McBride and other teachers in the school, they said that they can't cover the windows because the police need to be able to see in. They can't use fans for little fingers. They can't use fans for a for electrical reasons. Um, what other options are there for these kids? I I'm actually very concerned. I don't even think I'll be able to send my son and I know other parents have reached out to me about not wanting to send their children for health reasons. They talked to me about this. I've had a lot of messages about it and the comments were shut off because things were getting out of hand. This was supposed to be something good for the children and that's why I'm coming to
067you. I mean, I'm still waiting to see what the fire marshall has to say about donating the fans. May I intervene at this point? Sure. Did you get my email? I responded to you about the fire department. I had not received a response in regard to the fire marshall. I sent you one. Okay. I did respond. Did he say anything in regards to accepting donations? No. No. I was asking the fire marshall to respond to the inflatable um fixtures or inflatable tents that you were recommending for each of the classrooms. I also stated to you that fans were a concern of mine because particularly around little people and since those inflatables sat on the floor they could easily stick their fingers in. Um, so the fire marshall pretty much said that uh those inflatables and
068fans do not meet codes and they would be very very uncomfortable with those kinds of inflatables in the classroom for a lot of reasons. Um the texture, whether they're flammable, uh any inflatable if they deflate while children are inside. I mean there are a lot of safety concerns with it. Um I also uh spoke to uh the fire department about um you know why and of course they went on to say just based on their review of the information you sent me they do not need code at all and having them in the classrooms would not be safe. So what options are there? There aren't any options and let me give you a couple reasons. Um, we just put out a bid for air conditioning for schools five and six. Not one company bid on
069two $6 million projects. Not one company submitted a bid. Why? Because the tariffs that are now imposed uh would put them in a position whereby they put in a bid, let's say, for the $6 million. They can't get the equipment. And when the equipment comes, it may be much much more expensive than they anticipated. So now they have underbid a project that they would have to eat and pay more just to do the work and be underpaid. So we anticipate that um any air conditioning projects that we have will probably go unbid because of the uncertainty. Um window units is not even an option. Uh you're talking about cost efficient. We either going to do central air in our buildings or none at all. Um we're talking about over a thousand classrooms and to put
070um window units in the thousand um not only will we have to upgrade the electrical and u it's just not cost efficient. It's just not an option. So, at this point, um, we have tried to do as much as we could without going to this community to ask for an increase in taxes or to do a referendum. Uh, we have always been cognizant of taxes being raised, particularly now. The other issue that we have at this point um is that we continue to try to do all of these projects using our operating budget year after year after year. So at this point we do not have any immediate solutions to that situation. We're just going to have to do the best we can. And even with schools five, six in the high school, we have
071no idea when uh these projects will be addressed. Um COVID knocked out the high school. We started at $6 million. That high school project is now $17.5 million. these $6 million projects at schools five and six after these tariffs, we may be looking at $10 million. And each time the price goes up, takes us a little longer to generate those funds without going to the community asking them to raise taxes or going out for a referendum because we are cognizant and sensitive to taxes being raised under these conditions. There are no other options at this point, Miss B. I wish I had a solution, but we have no other solutions at this time. Okay. So, can I ask the permission to continue a GoFundMe to donate specifically to certain schools individually to try and get
072us a little bit more funding for the children? Um, you don't need our permission and the district wouldn't give you permission to establish. I received a protocol from municipality. So I and I had spoke to them. So they told me that I need to follow up with you guys. Somebody called me from the municipality. We we do not get involved in GoFundMe u in terms of on behalf of the school district. No, we don't do that. That's not something we get involved with. All right. Well, thank you for your time. Is there anybody else? Oh, Miss Buck, can you Is there anybody else or that concludes? Hi, I'm Justine Myers. I live um in Cedarbrook. Um, now to piggyback on what what Miss Buck said, um, back in 2020 during COVID, there was a grant
073or something that happened where the school systems were given HVAC or work done to their ventilation systems. Now, that was labeled as HVAC. So, where where did that go? It went to upgrading all of the uh heating uh systems throughout the school. It also gave us an opportunity to bring in um clean air systems uh in each of the classrooms. That's where part of that money went to upgrade air circulation in all of our schools and to up uh to upgrade any of those units in the buildings that are now providing heat to make sure that we had proper air circulation. Uh as a matter of fact, we had every unit ventilator in all of our schools received an upgrade so that we can uh ensure proper air circulation. Okay. And does that go that
074could be ran as kind of like even in your home where you just set on the fan to like ventilate air. So there's some type of air flow that could be happening in the classrooms. Right. Right. And we were able to we were able to do that. Yes. Okay. Because when you're in there, it doesn't feel like anything's moving when it's hot. Okay. Yeah. So, I wonder if maybe we could talk to like have um a heating and air person come out and have them teach them how to control what they do have in their house. Well, we have uh not only our own people on staff, we have outside uh vendors coming in working with us and at this point uh the circulation has met the uh state guidelines. However, uh when you have
075a hot day and it's humid, there's very little that you're going to be able to do with the present system. So, I guess the other question would be um because it wasn't clear. Okay. So, did the fire marshall say you are allowed fans as long as they're up high? No, the fire marshall has been very clear on fans itself. Okay. Um we have allowed um our teachers to bring in fans but they have to make sure that the courts are not in okay the egress etc where people are in and out of those buildings for any purposes and it have to be away from the children u because in most cases you know somebody gets curious and stick their hand in there. So fans are not um encouraged. However, uh on a very hot day
076and you put a fan in there, it's not going to cool the room. It's just going to move that heat around to get the relief. Yeah. Yeah. If that's a solution. Um but I would have to make sure uh that before we just arbitrarily tell all the teachers just bring in your fans, just go. I would have to make sure because safety is our priority and we have to make sure that before we uh entertain any type of uh electrical device in the classroom, it has to meet all safety and fire code uh regulations. Proceed with common sense basically without question. Um okay. So now with the budgeting I know with the um threat of the tariffs right now could be putting things on hold. hopefully doesn't last forever. Um, but when I saw your
077budget for the year roll out, I don't understand why other priorities are sitting present over such as what? Such as the the air conditioning or anything when it comes to education, our teachers, we're losing teachers like because 75% staff. Okay. Well, um I don't want to debate the issue because I think I've made myself clear. Um but I think I also said that we have three schools where the money is already set aside to have those schools added progress, right? And I'm not understanding what you mean about the budget. Well, okay. So, is the the building that's going to be at the high school for athletic is that storage or an athletic storage? Storage. Storage. And how much is that going to be spent? 800. 800,000. Yes. 800. Right. Right. What size building is that?
078I don't know the measurements, but it's pretty big. And one of the one of the reasons uh we have about 20 or more athletic programs and we have equipment all over the place, right? And we have to store that equipment for a lot of reasons. One, so it can be maintained from year to year, right? Um so that we can have a place that's specified for each of those individual sports. And uh we are in a position where uh we can do that now. And again, that was a project um that we had put on our long range plan and now we're in a position to financially do that. Okay, let me let me point out something else to the community because I think it's important. We we are probably one of the few school
079districts, not only in South Jersey, but in the entire state that we're using operating funds to do all the work that we have done. Um, just to think, we set aside $17.5 million to air condition or HVAC uh equipment for the high school, $6 million for school five, $6 million for school six and the barn, and we have not gone out and asked for one additional dime in taxes or referendum, right? We believe that we are looking at our budget and our operating funds and doing the best we possibly can. Um so at this point uh to look at our present budget and say that the district should be doing more. I don't agree with that. I wasn't saying that. I was saying maybe different priorities. Well that's why I'm questioning. Right. Well, we based
080on what I have been able uh to gather from this community as well as my leadership team, we have prioritized um those projects that we thought was most important, particularly those schools that had second floors. Uh if you're in any of the buildings that have two floors, you know, the second floors are usually um the ones that have um the most difficult time when it comes to heat. Yes. and and we are and we have already done the things we felt necessary to address those issues. So, at this point, I'm not sure what else you can ask of of us in terms of budgeting and uh being good stewards of our tax dollars because I think we've done the best anyone could possibly ask of us without asking the community for any additional monies. I
081would say the only thing to be asked of is maybe um the the prices seem I mean a little astronomical or if you look at like silly things like um the busing and the parts if you look at if you go online and look up that part that that bus needed it's only like $100 but then yet you guys pay $5,000 for that one part. So, is there a way that we could get better bidding or better um quotes on things? Maybe save a book here and there. So, then when you do have your, you know, it's just a thought. Yeah. But we're controlled by the uh public school uh contract law. When we go out to bid, um, anything over a total cost of $44,000, um, can be bid. It's a competitive bid. It's
082and and if you meet the criteria and in technical specifications, we are mandated to award to the lowest price. if they've provided a responsive bid that gives us what we seek. Um between uh under anything under $44,000, we get three quotes every time. Yeah. Um I think it goes down to a couple thousand before we don't have to do quotes. But that the sort of that that middle part we get three quotes. Uh in every situation we're required to do that and maintain them. Okay. So, in every situation, they're always looking for to either bid at the lowest price and award to a responsible bidder, right? Or get through three quotes from from on the minor things to still try and save some money right now. Is that public information? Absolutely. The roofing and all
083that. Like, is it all Yeah, it's advertised. The contracts are publicly bid. Okay. Anybody can come in and the qualified bid for them. The other biders ask to see what everybody else bid, including who are in competition with them. We we deal with that all the time. We don't have any this month, but you'll frequently see those types of matters under section Roman numeral 14, open public records act request. We get those requests all the time. Okay. So, the big part would be online and this is just the breakdown. Okay. Well, thank you for your time. You're welcome. Anyone else? All right. Looking for a motion to post public comment. If there's something that ma'am, if you're going to speak, I'm sorry, but you have to get up and give your name and town of
084residence, please. And then come sign when you're done. Um, I actually wasn't really gonna speak about pull want to pull down the mic. Thanks. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, I My name is Shar. I'm from Winsow Township. Um, I I had something I wanted to touch on, but it's kind of personal, so I wanted to know if there was another way that I could touch on it without speaking in public. always the building principal or administration, right? Well, um is it something that is school related? Have you spoken with the building principal? Um then the next thing to do is to um speak with either Dr. Caramo, who is the assistant superintendent. Thank you. and um I would be the next person if that situation is not resolved. But I'm confident that your situation can
085be resolved um through Dr. Caramo and of course we would always include the building principal back into the issue because that's where we will go to find out what the concern is. We do not discuss personal issues in the public meeting. Right. That's why I wasn't even going to stand up because I wasn't even going to bring it up. Okay. But reach out to Dr. caro before you leave and we'll try to assist you. Right. Okay. Thank you so much. Do you still need me to sign? Yes. Anyone else on the public comments? Well, members, I'm looking for a motion to adjourn public comment. Peterson move for approval to adjourn public comments. Can I get a second? McManus. Yes, sir. Second by McManus to end public comments. Motion was moved by Miss Peterson and second
086by Manners. All in favor? I will there be executive session? No sir. No executive session. No. Folks, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out. I'm going for a motion now to adjourn this board meeting. Peterson move for adjournment of this. Second move by Peterson. Second by meeting a journ. Once again, thanks to everyone for coming out tonight.