Good evening and welcome to our meeting. And we will like to start with our roll call. Mrs. Sugars, can you please take the roll call? Mrs. Sheriffane here. This is Gallagher here. Mr. Greenbaum. Here. Mr. Mayor. Dr. Rood, Mrs. Niez. Mrs. This is winters here. Miss Stern. Here, I'm gonna read the public notice public notice of this meeting pursuant to the open public meetings act has been given by the board secretary on March nineteenth, 2,024 in the following manner. Posted notice on the school bulletin board at the administration building transmitted to the courier post. Philadelphia Enquirer and the clerk of Cherry Hill Township. And now we will have our Pledge of Allegiance. I would ask if you could all please join us. Okay, so. Apologize for the microphone. We do not have any board recognition tonight. But hopefully we will have one in the upcoming meetings soon. We do not have any presentations tonight. So now we move on to administrative reports and I'm going to turn that over to Dr. Morton. Thank you very much, Miss Stern. So this evening we will provide administrator reports to provide updates and overview and information regarding the relocation of the alternative high school program to high school east. I'm going to ask Miss Giardo to come up to the microphone and for Miss Mallory as well. To come up. Alright, and I turn it over to you 2 ladies. Alright, good evening. We, as Dr. Morton said, we wanted to take a few minutes to do an administrative report, I asked Mr. Donna to join me. I think we've probably spent the last, I don't know, 72 h together pretty much. Late night text phone calls just to you know in light of this change keeping in full contact was necessary so. You can go ahead, Mr. Plvinsky. So, we just wanted to kind of, this is a general description of what a school within a school means. So as you're aware, there was a letter and a fact sheet sent home to the HS community. And part of the reference in that letter was a school within a school and we've received some questions about what that is. So a general description of a school within a school means that the school has at least 30 pupils, no more than 250, has a separate administrator, a teacher in charge, and it's housed in a specific space within a school building. Yeah, so. Some of the, we tried to use some of the questions that we've received formally and informally, myself, Mr. Dono, Dr. Morton, to kind of give an explanation as to the rationale for relocation. So this is something that has been discussed well before my time in Cherry Hill. I was told for almost the past 10 years and it's been a discussion with several different boards over the past 10 years. And wanting to look at the opportunities for as appropriate and with support, more inclusion because a shared campus would offer that being on the same campus as a comprehensive high school. While there is a cost savings due to shared staff or electives. Student programs will not change. Student IP programs will not change. They will still be receiving self-contained supports as needed. Teachers will come to for those specific classes. Additionally, high school east follows the current trajectory for students in terms of program and established peer relationships. And generally speaking, that's not to say every single student follows that path, but generally speaking, they're east side schools with similar programs. And High School West currently houses the district's functional vocational program, including our 18 to 21 program. Historically, there has not been self-contained or programs at high school east. There's there's students with IEPs and we do offer the same programs as it relates to, and we do offer the same, programs as it relates to pull out replacement and inclusion. But what we refer to as a self-contained program is the majority of the day is spent in one location. And receiving a smaller class services with a special education teacher. Can you guys hear me? We're gonna have to adjust the mic. Are you sure? And between. A little differential there. Miss Mallory just invited me to take a second to explain a little bit about our program and how it currently functions. Because I think there's a lot of ideas around what we do, you know, I just wanted the opportunity to define. Who we are servicing, how we are servicing. This is Gerardo. I'm so sorry. Can you please, I'm really sorry. Could you please speak right into the microphone? That way everybody can hear you in the room and online. Thank you. Absolutely, is that much better? Okay. So just defining if I had to do it the most simplistic way, I would say that we, we are servicing 3 different tracks of students. In 2 of our current grade levels, students are tracked this way. So the first population that we serve is the group of students that may have trauma. And or a transient school history. So perhaps they've moved a bunch, perhaps it hasn't been stable, perhaps there's been pockets of time missing, which has impacted their ability to, you know, just keep up with the normal rigor of math. Reading all the core subjects. So in that track, we really do try to layer on and use systems that are trauma-informed. The teachers have been trained to do as such. The climate in the classroom. And the way that we structure is all around that. The second track of students that we program for would be our students that have emotional regulation. Or behavioral support track. We service students with difficulty regulating emotions. We provide consistent boundaries with the support of a BCBA. We provide patients, restorative practice. Through a community based model that ensures students take multiple perspectives and accountability for impact. There's a lot more structure in those rooms and our goals are a little bit different. The third population that we service would be academic recovery and acceleration. So those are our students that perhaps have had an injury. You know and or school avoidance but are pretty much on track as far as their ability to perform so they will come to us. And they might complete a year's worth of course work in one semester instead of 2. They usually come in for shorter amounts of time and they they are very focused. The classes are very small and individualized. So we're doing 3 things under one roof. The kids that are in the acceleration recovery generally don't fall into the umbrella of the community-based service, the community connection, the restorative discipline structure. They're usually just in and out really trying to catch up and bounce back as quickly as possible. So for our other 2 tracks, there's a lot more that goes into it. They overlap in many ways. They both are part of our whole restorative system that we've been working on for the last 3 years. There's a lot of student voice involved. They participate in our positive behavior incentive program. They're part of our garden, our community, everything like that. So they get the full impact of the program access to therapeutic services access to our physician, a higher level of care. To support them to eventually also if it is their goal to transition back into comprehensive, some want to stay with us and continue some want to bounce back. Or have an inclusive program. So we kind of do 3 different things. If that makes, does that make sense? I'm clear with that. So I just, you know, wanted a second, but no matter what I would say, oh, I see that one word. It's okay. For all kids that we service, our why is to create individualized support that plans that enable each student to heal, grow, redefine self perception and tap into potential and to connect with families and help provide supports. We work on behaviors, habits, self-care, social interaction, relationships, and academic recovery and acceleration. So that happens with all students. So some of the things that were we put as anticipated challenges, and again, this is just a snapshot and how we plan to address them. So. Student anxiety and difficulty would change. Mr. Nano spoke to some of the population that of our students that deal with that. And public perception of the program and we learned very quickly that not everybody has a clear understanding of what the program is and what kind of students we serve. So we're hoping to destigmatize that a little bit as part of this presentation, but also going forward as we prepare for this transition. Continue to address the things that come up with this transition. And then how will the students take ownership of their own space? Many of you have been here and walked through our alternative program. It is amazing what these students have done. I mean there were times where I would walk in in the morning and I'm like when did this happen and was blown away by their creativity, their art, they painted murals, they've designed murals, they created it an entire garden. So we wanted to make sure we knew that in their mind they would be leaving that. So how can we reassure them? So we've been working very closely with facilities to ensure that they can help us establish some of those same opportunities. And then some of the ways we're gonna address some of these concerns, I started to talk about branding and improving spaces. So for example, we are bought, what's it called? So creating almost like a sound production studio is one step that we've already looked into and we want to create that as one of the spaces in in the new area that they're going to be in. And then as I said, publicizing what the program entails. Intentional staff duties in the hallway to ensure that students aren't crossing over and to east. There will be no physical divider that's been brought up a couple times that has never been in the plan. First of all, that's a fire hazard, right, will never get you upset. I don't want to get you upset. I need you. So that just to clarify. And then our current therapeutic supports will be in place throughout the year and we met again today. We'll be meeting frequently today. We discussed increasing behavioral supports just frontloading it as we make this transition to offer more behavioral support staff. And then what will stay the same? So all academic core staff will remain in place. 2 full-time certified mental health clinicians will remain in place. Full-time counselor, secretary, principal. HS has a partnership with Sustainable New Jersey and other community-based opportunities will remain in place. It might look a little bit different, but our intention is to have them there and maintain those. Relationships with our different community supports and that's everything from. Sustainable New Jersey to reward opportunities for students. And then students currently have a split day. So we have students here, they get bust. In the middle of the day to both comprehensive high schools. So this is not new. Some of these students are used to going to high school east and used to going to high school West in the comprehensive high school as part of their program. Again, that's based on their IEP and it fluctuates at times too throughout the year. If a student does well for a quarter of the year, the team may revisit the opportunity to allow them to take courses at the comprehensive high school. But again, that's on an individual basis. And then, school events, special board reports and HS specific communications would remain the same. And then students can continue to attend their comprehensive high school for classes. So we did not want to take that autonomy away from our students because students identify with the high school that they're going to graduate from. So even if they're here in this program and they're a West student, that we know some of them is where their heart is and and they're thinking about graduation and opportunities like prom and other things with their high school. We did not want to take that away, will be bussing students should they choose to or should they have that as part of their IEP to their respective high school, including West. So they won't be required to attend classes at ease, however they will have that opportunity. So potentially they could attend a class at East if it's appropriate and with the right support, but maintain their position as a West student. So some new opportunity. Did you have notes for last slide? There's some new opportunities. So facilities plan to paint HS colors and make any necessary updates to be wing, which is where the program will be located. School logo will be branded throughout the building. Students can take electives and general education classes as appropriate. West students, I already explained this, but West students can take courses at East and it would be applied to their transcript. Expanded opportunities for participation in clubs and sports. So many of you may know that all of the at the high school level are driven by student interest. And they change year to year. This is going to give our HS students an opportunity to possibly create their own clubs. Or participate in clubs again as appropriate and have access to a late bus. And then there'll be new community based funding opportunities and we are going to offer our, students that are currently attending HS, an open enrollment period in the summer if they decide, listen, if we're going to be close to High School East, I'd rather just be an E student. We will allow for that, exception just for a period of time during the summer. To give again to give them that autonomy. So this is a communication and timeline. So. Changes to the program are announced. Administration at High School East, Mr. Dono, offer continued support, regular communication. Mr. Dono, the day that it was announced with her staff started calling individual families, I think she's personally spoken to almost all of the families of the students that currently attend because there was, you know, questions, a lot of questions, a lot of concern. And she has built relationships with those students. The staff at HS has built very positive and close relationship. So there's a level of trust there and she was able to communicate with them. And that'll be ongoing through the end of June, April to May. We will have small groups and meet with students to discuss their concerns. We're also going to have pizza. Good for them. Additionally, in April of 2024, yeah. Oh, well, we can talk then. We're gonna have an evening night with our HS. We're gonna have an evening night with our HS families and the same will be it will be a. S. Families and the same will be it will be a discussion we're gonna have an evening night with our HS families. And the same will be, it will be a discussion, questions and, and talking with our families. We'll make ourselves available because we know there are still a lot of questions and concerns. And things are going to come up as we move forward as well. You know, a 1-time deal where everybody's like, okay, I'm good now. Like we recognize that about our students and our families. So we intend to be as supportive as possible. And then in August, when everything is. Shiny and bright, we will hold like an open house and families and students can come visit the space. Before the school year starts. Actually just wanna go back. You don't have to, Mark. I just need to be able to read the book. Yes, so I intentionally didn't address the last bullet because a lot of the questions and concerns that have been shared. Are why? Why now? Why are we deciding to do this now? What must be because of the budget, right? Well, I have to say, part of the reason in talking with some colleagues who have been here for a long time and have been a part of this discussion even administrators who were in special previously having the discussion around, you know, what were the roadblocks, what prevented this from moving forward. And we kept coming back to the same theme. And the big piece of it is you have to have the right leadership. Staff and group of students to endure a transition like this. And I did ask permission, but I just wanted to read an email. Mr. Donna sent to myself and Dr. Morton on Saturday night because. I would be lying if I stood up here. I think we both would and said, this is going to work, 100%, right? No, we actually do lose sleep over things like this. But. When I got this email Saturday night, Dr. Morton and myself, I was reassured and invigorated. So I just wanted to share it with you because I feel like it captures the spirit of the staff and the students and Mr. Every day my staff and I ask students in our care to change change their behavior, their habits, their self-image, their mindset, the way they speak to themselves and others, and their ideas of what they are capable of. The kids have been doing this for years. You asked us to change, to minimize impact to the whole community. In my mind, it is an opportunity for my staff and me to model perseverance, resilience, and grit. We ask of the kids. Also, a chance for our students to model their strengths to the community. My staff and I can and will do this. The kids can do this too. The system is already established. Location is just to change the system withstands. So in that spirit, questions, we did add a quote. That change brings opportunity short and sweet but we believe that that's not just for ourHS students, but also for the East community as well. Thank you both so much for providing this information. Obviously this is a really important topic and there's been a lot of discussion and some of the best ways to address concerns, questions, uncertainties. To talk about them, right? So thank you. And I just want to let both of you know that, last week when the board voted actually unanimously to support our budget moving forward. You know, this was a piece that we were aware of was part of the budget. And we support it. So I just want you both to know and for your communities to know, especially the HS community. That you know we we want to see success you know we want to support this and you know this is important this is the time to have these questions and discussions and. And sort these things out. So. I have a bunch, which is not a surprise, but I'm going to let kind of wait and have other folks. So I ask my colleagues if they have any questions. Mr. Mayer? So don't take this the wrong way. But. I'm glad that you lose sleep over this. Because you're the experts. And that means that at least I don't have to lose as much sleep over the decision, right? And I, I, am grateful for that. I'm grateful for having. Those, you know. Professionals like yourselves and your staff. That that live this. That can help us and help me understand. Why you are supporting any particular decision. This is a big one. And knowing who you are, what you are all about and, and what your position is in the community not just here but throughout New Jersey, how well respected you are, makes it easier. I have plenty of other reasons to, you know, not sleep. My board member colleagues are aware of that. But, and I don't, you know, I don't wanna make late of it. I mean, this, this is a big change. But as you finish with, it's a physical change primarily. Though. And now just, you know, get into a couple of questions, at least 1 1 reason that gives me great comfort and support why I'm supporting this decision is that it provides so much more opportunity for your students. You know, we are at the end of the day want each of the students in all of all of our schools. You know, focusing now on high schools, whether it's comprehensive or alternative. When they graduate to be in the best position they can be to succeed. Whatever that whatever success is for them and their families. Based upon your expertise based upon all the studies with regard to inclusion. Of, the students that you serve at the, at the coals alternative high school. Are you confident that this move provides that sort of enhanced opportunity. 6 of your graduates either, you know, either or both of you. I would just say I do think that the program and The foundation of it, the experience that we create can be recreated anywhere. It supersedes walls, but. You know, Miss Mallory has been wonderful with listening and helping to plan. I think, you know, with the correct spacing, the correct. Mimicking of what we have here as far as classroom space. And you know the right staffing. I do think it's possible. Yes, I do think it's possibly very successful and I agree with you. Does create. A lot of opportunities and. From the students that I have spoken to, which is almost all of them at this point. And all of them have given me feedback. The majority of them are very excited to return to a comprehensive campus and to broaden what they can experience. And the students that really enjoy the tight knit small classrooms. The feel of, you know, a tiny family oriented community will also be able to have that. So as long as 2 things can be true and they can coexist, I absolutely think that it can work as long as all the students are honored in what they need. So, so it's fair then to say that that your students lose nothing. Right, they have the comfort of. What they are used to in terms of their. Their daily their daily experience in the school. But they also have expanded opportunities. To explore new and different. whether it be a club, or, other opportunity that, unfortunately, they just don't have access to here that, that expands. Their world in ways that they just can't do. In this particular building. I think the number one thing on all of it was better lunch options and more people to play basketball with where 2 of the top ones they couldn't wait for. So those are some of the things that came. You know, through the most, but yes, a lot of kids want to study music. That was another one that came through big. So I think just those opportunities and we were trying to, recreate it through our music production studio here, but now that's something we can take there and they also have access to music and instruction as well. So I'm sure other board members I've questions I just one more. You mentioned briefly. Mrs. Mallory in particular that. This really is not a, this was not a budget. Specific decision. The timing is happens to coincide with. You know, issues and a time that we need to look at our budget that much more carefully. But if you were take money away entirely if money wasn't was not an option. Is this a move that you would still be as supportive of? Again, absent any budgetary consideration. Absolutely, because like I said, the the leadership, the staff and the group of students to participate in a transition like this. It's an ideal time to do it. So I absolutely, I mean, honestly, we discussed that. Like, what if we get money back? And we said, we still want to do this. We still want to move forward with this for our students. You know you mentioned that they're not losing anything And that is correct, but we fully understand that that might not be their perception. So, you know, we have a lot of work to do to make sure we're listening to them. They're gonna know things that we might not even have thought of. You know, so that's a big piece of it too to go into this with the understanding that you know, even with the staff, there's some uneasiness. There may be some uneasiness as we cross hurdles and move forward. So. Thank you. Other board members have come. Questions? This is Gallagher. With you. Can you just on the new opportunity slide. The last bullet point is the special enrollment period for current age as students. Can you just explain that a little bit more? Policy for open enrollment at the high school level. So there are some logistics, but one of the things we requested of Dr. Morton is to consider that opportunity for students. So. We don't anticipate that it'll be a lot of students, but if there's an occasion where a student says You know, I'm a freshman and I'm a West student, but now that we're going to be very close to east. You know, I might feel a closer connection. I'd rather be an E student, you know, we would allow them just because of the move and the physical proximity just for going into next year. So students entering. Going into next year. And then, now that the Speaking of enrollment. Just curious if you maybe see the potential for larger enrollment in the alternative high school now that it is housed at a comprehensive high school and with more the opportunities to in and for inclusion. Sure, so you mean for the program for, yeah, so I will say that is one of the things, you know, Mr. Wisely, our supervisor at the secondary level is sits in a lot more IP meetings than I do. I do participate in some, but when recommendations are made for the program, I think because of the stigma, some parents are reluctant because they're like, oh, they have to go to a completely separate building. So I think we'll see both sides of it. I think we'll see some parents concerned about. That because they're. Essentially, they're being moved out of the comprehensive high school. But I think again, it goes back to our ability to articulate what that's gonna look like. And then I guess like speaking of the stigma. I don't know how to exactly ask this question, but obviously, There's. I don't know frustration to the right word or confusion. I don't know. There's been a lot of chatter. Many different facets of the community about the change and I'm just curious like What? How you guys see about like trying to open up those lines of communication, the stigmas on, you know, whether it's East parents or alternative high school parents or just the community at large. Like how to explain the vision that you see that you know, better like. I don't think I'm asking this well, but like, do you get what I'm saying? We hope that this is the start of that. Another thing that we talked about this week was creating. And like an in house committee so thinking about maybe one of our case managers in our BS program, you know one of our social workers are obviously our case managers at both East and West who currently case manage the HS students. Administration building administration to kind of hear their voices as well as we move through this process to say like what are they hearing? So we're getting kind of all the angles and then do our best to. You know, work with Mrs. Wilson and. Put information out as much as possible to break those stigmas and to, you know, I will say one of the things in the district our size that, you know, I again grateful for for Miss Wilson, communication has to be very intentional. And we went round and round about what that was going to look like for this. From our perspective, our students at HS are some of our most at risk students. So they were our priority. The biggest concern was it leaking to them and then rumors starting. So, but we also wanted to consider their families. And unfortunately, we live in a world where text messages go within seconds. So we are very intentional about sending the letter to families at the same time Mr. Donna was meeting with the students. It didn't work out perfect. But it was best case scenario because we wanted them to have a safe space with their familiar staff, their principal, to know, to answer immediate questions and to kind of like reassure them or talk them through. You know, we were really impressed with their response, their initial response. I mean, I, I wasn't in the building. I was at Thomas Paine that morning for Down syndrome day and World Down syndrome day and I was texting Lauren. I'm like, how's it going? How is everybody? Just getting those updates. And you know the staff rallied I mean the staff the night the day before we're told because we wanted them to have time to process it too They're human and we wanted them to be prepared the next day. Well, they were. I mean, I, I told them in an email, there's a lot of schools that could learn from that staff because they persevered. I was really impressed. That's it. Thank you. Mr. Paine? I just want to say I appreciate you giving this presentation and have to be honest you Debunked probably 20 years of assumptions that I've had about this program being a student within this school district and having absolutely no idea what goes on behind these walls until the last week. I think that it was really important to bring light to, you know, the realistic nature of the students that go here and I again, this don't know a lot about this, but I appreciate the confidence that both of you have in this relocation and I can only be confident with your confidence. I do only have, I actually have 2 questions. One, probably the most important. I know you kind of mentioned this already, but is there any plans to relocate the garden. Yeah, so logistically speaking, we understand that there's maybe a little like outdoor ant situation where we were going to put it. But we also have a couple of backup plans, but like I said, we want to create, maintain our partnership with. Yeah, we have grants that allow us to do that. So we're getting creative. I actually talked to facilities again today and we're getting creative. I actually talked to facilities again today and we have some things that we're planning for. Same but it'll definitely be an opportunity for students. Okay, it sounds like that's a really big thing for them so I appreciate that. My other question is have there been any specific plans in place to help support the current and for I guess a better question would be who exactly staff wise will be on location with the students aside from their principal or their teachers. As of right now, it's all the core content area. Staff. That are currently in place. Some of the elective staff, we haven't finalized details, but if there's a possibility to allow them, you know, to be the same staff members right now in the middle of the open transfer period so that's hard to speak to specifics about that but we have talked about if there's that opportunity to allow the same. To service those students for specific like subjects, elective areas, we would absolutely do that. We've even talked about Maybe if it's not for the subject area, but how do we allow that staff member to have some sort of affiliation with the kids because they truly all of their staff have developed relationships with the students. You know, so I think that yeah, we will try to do that as much as we can, but the core staff will be with the program. Okay, thank you. Other board members have questions, Mrs. Winters. So as all the information came out and people were starting to talk about it. I took the historical perspective of kind of doing a deep dive into the history of the program, which I think my other board members were a little bit amused with. So I dug up some information that had been given to board members back in 2022 when I first came on the board, which is how I first learned all the details about your amazing program. And I shared that and then I was doing some historical research into the Courier Post. And this was discussed as far back as 1,998. At the time it didn't go anywhere at the time it failed. But it was really interesting to look back and read news articles about what board members in the community thought at the time and set up the time of what the roadblocks were. So I just want to congratulate you for finding the right place, time, moment. Staff opportunity to move this forward. I absolutely think that inclusion is always the best choice for our kids. I think we're stronger when we're together. I think that the music program was something that I specifically asked about when we first heard about this because for me and my kids and my family music has always been something that really helped us feel included in belonging in high school. And I'm so excited to have that opportunity to be part of that. At High School East in whatever mode or however they can participate, however they. Individually choose to be aligned with that. So I just That's not really a question, but that, you know, I went back and I did the research because that's what I always do. And I'm confident if this is the right choice and I'm thrilled that the both of you and the rest of your staff are going to help the kids transition through it because change is hard. But sometimes very much part of life, but worth it. So just thank you guys both. I appreciate it. Of you for your support as well. But to your point, I can honestly say this program doesn't even look like it did 3 years ago. So I'll never forget the first summer when I walked in. And Mr. Donna had all the furniture in the classrooms moved to the hallway to be removed. Most of the furniture. Move some of it herself and you know I'm thinking like oh god do not get hurt. But to create flexible classrooms. That was huge. I mean, that was a game changer. But I remember walking. I'm like, I couldn't even get through the hallway. I'm like, what's happening? Maybe I don't want to know. She's like, we're getting rid of this. This is not going to work. And it was, it was student desks. To sit at a student desk. I wish we had that ability for all of our classrooms. But it has not, it looks so much different in just 3 years. So again, it goes back to that piece of confidence in. What our situation is right now. Other board members have questions. So I will go to the students in a second. As you know, we usually go around this group first. You guys next. So I have, Some people say I've thoughts. I had a lot of really strong feelings last week about this. I think part of it is. As a parent of a child who has special needs, never was in the alternative high school. Was in special ed through his entire educational career before he even came to elementary school. And I see the struggles that he's a young adult and he struggles. And he continues to have. And I think about how important it is for him. To have learned and I see this for a lot of other kids. I see so many kids in his age group when they leave high school. You know, some of them are prepared and some not so prepared to be in the experience of moving into a larger general world, right? And how are we preparing our kids for that? In every program, right? Transitions of transitions, usually grade level or I'm sorry. Educational level, you know, preschool to primary primary to secondary are probably universally one of the hardest things for the students and the parents of in this in this you know population of students with special needs, the large group. It's 1 of the scariest things. So transitions are really hard. Because students in that population react differently from the general education population, right? So doing it well is really important, but understandably it's scary, right? Fear is a big thing. But having, you know, been on the board now, this is my fourth year. Right? Want to hear the things that I've heard again and again and again from the community. We want more inclusion. We want least restrictive environment. We want more programs in more buildings. Right? And In my mind, this is absolutely doing that. And what is nice to know is that the communities. Constant voice about that is being heard. And it and it aligns with with our special education experts you guys Right, so that like for me as a board member. That's really important. So. And I think about as a parent of, you know, having had a lot of time, I've spent a lot of time at that high school over the past. 5, 6 years, I guess it is at this point. And I see how many How often it is that a kid gets involved in something because they heard about it in an announcement because they saw a sign or a poster or a table or their friend mentioned it. And the vast majority of activities that I see high school kids getting involved with, they never would have known about it had they not been exposed in some way by their environment. So I think about these kids. You know, having the opportunity for more exposure, gives them opportunity to know what else other things that are out there and see more things and get involved in more things if they so choose. And at the same time, when it's not the right fit for some of the kids in this program. There is absolutely no need for them to do that. They have their safe school within a school environment. With the staff who know them well. Who, by the way, do change year to year. I've seen that in my time in the board. There are changes in staff. You know, which by the way, again, is an opportunity for those students to adjust to new people. Right? I mean, these are all experiential things for the kids. So, you know, I also think, and we haven't talked about this at all, but I think there's huge benefit for our general ed student population at that school. You know, there's a reason why. You know, best practice in in education. Is having opportunities for inclusion. It benefits everybody. Right, it's not just a benefit for. One group of kids. And our job is to make sure in a big way, you know, in a, you know, just to ensure that our students are being, are getting what they need. And all being looked after in, you know, well. So. Yeah, I mean just to your point about that, you know, we've talked about the fact that All of the students, E students, HS students in a short 4 years will be members of the same community. So they all come back. You know, and we talk about that in special ed often when we hear things like this student shouldn't be here this student needs to go Well, where are they going? Because they're all our students who are responsible for all of our students. We want to teach all of our students. We want to empower all of our students because they are all going to be community members. Here in Cherry Hill. So, yeah. Absolutely. You know, and I think the piece that is very important. Is that no one is saying that this is going to be easy. No one is saying that it's that there aren't gonna be challenges. I think the part the part that I hope we can all as a community get behind is this is an opportunity. To take one step closer, we can look back in many years of history and look at how many times People were separated. That's a historical thing in many parts of the world, including this country. People were kept separate. Right? And, and not separating people, but looking at how do we come together and include and be part of a larger community. I mean, To me, these are a and you said it earlier, you know, these are our students who in some ways I use the word vulnerable. I don't know if that's the right, if that's the most sensitive word to use, but I think of these students in some ways as some of our most vulnerable students in terms of the challenges they face, the things they've been through, the things they're going through. And you know If we can't look out for our most marble members of society and think about how do we Do our best to take care of them. I hope our community can see that that's what this is. I hope so. Doesn't negate the fears, the worries, the uncertainties, and the fact that this is change, that doesn't negate that. I hope that we are embracing this as a community because I think this is a really important step. For us. You know, obviously one that's been talked about for, I can't really do the math that quickly, but you know, several decades, not just 10 years, maybe a lot more. So, you know, I, I'm I'm grateful that there's a leadership. In this direction. You know, that there's a will. Because it has been so so long coming so You know, and I, You know, I'm excited to see what'll come. So those were my comments. And we have students on at our table who would like to speak. So I. Maybe start with Colin. Is that okay? Oh my gosh. Alright, maybe it'll come back to you. I mean, you're a lot younger than us to forget what you wanted to say, but maybe not come back to you. Okay. Thank you. It's on the communication and timeline slide. That discusses the collection of feedback from students, families and staff. I'm just wondering, does that mean, student family and staff from specifically the alternative high school or East as well? So, the staff and the code and everything I've been generating that's hung in my hallways is from my student staff and families. I have no doubt that, you know, Cherry Hill East will be collecting feedback and Dr. Perry and I will be. You know, collaborating, sharing with each other and working things out as they come. But yes, that was distinctly for my. My community. I would also just. Add to that because as a parent from East we've there been updates coming through, through the PTA. So I do wanna mention that there is information, at least in terms of, you know, sharing. I don't know that I don't know the level of feedback solicitation I'm sure that's happening too. You've been in communication with Zone and the other PTAs too to try to answer questions, share information. We're going to be meeting with Chisepta after this evening. So yeah, I mean that that's something that we're we recognize that there's a lot of stakeholders in this so You know, Dr. Perry's been involved, so we've gotten questions. He's gotten questions, so I'm sure that there'll be some format for each students and families as well. Thank you. I don't know, Colin, not to put you on the spot, but just wondering if your thought came back. If it comes back a later. Perhaps you'll Let us know. Thank you. Yes, Mrs. Mia. I don't have any questions. I just wanted to say that I think this is a great idea and as someone who was in special ed and who had a hard time with inclusion, I think that this is a step in the right direction. It's not gonna be easy. You're gonna have to, you know, make changes along the way, but I'm really excited and I think you did great with the presentation. It was very detailed. I think that it's very important. To help build a confidence of these students because I know that once I was being included in everything, my confidence went. Really up and it was a whole different person when I got to college So I just want to congratulate you. It's really good. Appreciate you sharing and saying that. Okay, I guess thank you both so much. Bringing all this information and the work you're doing. Okay. We now go on to correspondence. Do any board members have correspondence they'd like to share? This is Mia's. I think you might have a lot. You can go into a lot of activities. I go to all the fun stuff first. And so I had the pleasure of going to the sound of music. Which is the West play. It was great. And again, I could tell the kids really put hard working to it, but I don't expect anything of less of Mrs. Masai's students that's a little biased because I was one of her students. But it was, it was fun. I really enjoyed it. And again, I encourage everybody to go to these events, because they're really fun. We also, went to the state house, for the budget meeting. That was a lot of fun. I had a lot of people calling me and saying I saw you on channel 6. So I was like, oh really? So yeah, and I have to say that our students did amazing with their statements. I was very impressed. I was very impressed, Matt. In and I think that hopefully this will bring something good maybe we won't get all our money back but some of it maybe we won't get all or more money back but some of it maybe hopefully. But yeah, that was it. Thank you. Other board members have correspondence. This is Winters. So I also got to see the sound of music, but I got to go to the senior citizen matinee. Which was an absolute trip and probably one of the most fun things I've done in this past month. The senior citizens, are about 150 of them and they were absolutely thrilled. They were singing along in the audience. Some of them were whisper shouting the plot points to each other, which is very entertaining for me. A lot of cell phones going off at top value and concerns about how to silence them. But honestly, I mean, everybody there had such a good time and one of the best parts of it was listening to some of them say I've been in Cherry Hill for 60 years, 70 years. My kids went here. My grandkids go here. Somebody told me they have 12 grandchildren and they named all the schools that they are at in the district. It was phenomenal. And then after that, after the performance was over at a 10 AM performance, we went to the cafeteria and the West catering kids. Served lunch to the senior citizens. I have never seen so many happy people in one room. The pit orchestra kids for serving lunch to the seniors. Everybody was thrilled. People were taking selfies with the CAF members. The senior citizens were taking selfies. It was really just a phenomenal day. I understand it hadn't been done since before the pandemic. This was the first year it was back. It may be my new favorite event as a board member. And as you all know, that's a high bark because I try to go to everything I can, especially if there's food, especially if the West kids are cooking the food. But it really was an excellent day and an example of community collaboration between our senior citizens and our students. It was a great example of service. To the community. Getting connecting with people. And also just, you know, so many senior citizens supported us with the bond referendum vote and it's nice that they're back in the schools. And they can see the schools, they were watching the students cross during, you know, between the classrooms and they were just so happy to see them. It was just a joyful day. So thank you to Cherry Hill West for inviting me to be part of that. It was great. And then I also went as a parent to the Little Mermaid at Rosa. Multiple performances this weekend. The 130 performance was sold out despite the absolute pouring rain and it was just a great. Great wonderful performance. One of the things I appreciate about theater. For the middle school students is that there were no cuts. Every kid who wanted to be part of that performance was and got to be on the stage and be part of the show. And that is just such a neat thing. To see our middle school students grow and bloom like that, my own daughter. She had never done anything like that before. And it was just really nice to see her and the rest of that community really come together and put on a great show. And then I also did the budget, but I think a lot of us were there, so I'm gonna let another board member talk about our fun day at the State House. Mr. Mayer. Awesome. Since, Mrs. Winters, to talk about the budget hearings, I'll, happily take that baton. So last last week. To, to go up with many of you to, to Trenton. To the Senate Assembly Budget Committee hearing. Initially expect that I would be one of one of the members to testify but because the student voice is so much more important and frankly the the Senate the senators wanted to hear more from the students I was more than happy to yield that opportunity and sitting there and watching. Our 5 students from Jericho West met. Colin Jack, Crystal and Gia as well. It was. It was outstanding. It was everything that that we hope as I think as parents. Not just board members. Everything that we hope our students are now. And, or I know that that what they will be in the future. You know, speaking confidently in an arena, which is intimidating. For most everybody. You know, none of our students were remotely intimidated. Presented extremely well. From their own experiences. And for You know, the time that we were there in the hearing. The members of the committee spent more time paying attention to our students than frankly anyone else. That testified and that's not to take away from Mrs. Stern or Dr. Morton who also testified on behalf of the districts but this this is about students right we were there. You are all there together as a community. In an attempt to rally. And, and change minds. And it was it was great to see and and again I couldn't be more impressed with. With what you did. And thankful for various stakeholders in the community to come together. In support of this effort. That effort was repeated in large measure today. When I had an opportunity along with other board members and members of the administration to testify before the Center Appropriations Committee virtually and you know not not the most optimal way to do it but that's that's how they ran their hearing. And similar to last week it was really more about the students and I was thankful to have an opportunity to testify. As Jack. I will simply, I will simply say this. You know, I think I did okay. But honestly, your voice would have been better. You would have done a better job. But again, it was part of the effort, to, see just how much this community cares. About what has happened in Cherry Hill over the past number of years with with underfunding and to be part of. An effort which We all hope will bear fruit in in the form of a supplemental. I'm billed to return at least some of this money. You know, remains to be seen. But what does what at least my experience with the students. And administration over those 2 days was doesn't remain to be seen is that we are in We are where we need to be. We are in great shape. These these students are. Mature, competent. And that makes, that gives me a great deal of confidence for the future of where Sherry Hill students. Are going thanks to our teachers, our staff and. And leadership. That is that's that so I will pass the baton else to someone else who might have been there. Okay. Okay, I'll go. I have a few. Unless anybody else has anything. Make sure I'm missing. So I kind of winding about the clock a little bit on March, fourteenth. I got a chance to go to something that I have not gone to. For the past 3 years so I wanted to get there. It is the eighth grade dialogue night sponsored by the New Jersey School Board Association took place in Gibbsboro. At their elementary school, which. Was one of the first times I've been in a school that. Really didn't look at any better than ours. Normally they all look better than ours, but that one look very similar. Maybe they're in some similar situation. So at least that at least the building we the room we had it in. But it was really, really neat. We had 3 students from our middle school, one from each middle school. We had Dylan from Kurusi Middle School, Leah from Beck and Nicholas from Rosa. So I won't use their last names, but just their first names. They represented at the eighth prey dialogue night and all the students were on stage being asked questions by adults. About their experience in middle school and also in general in their educational experience. And the kids had a lot of themes. Oh, and the principles of each of those schools were there as was Dr. Morton. The kids brought about a lot of themes. A lot of them talked about diversity in their schools and how much they like that. They talked a lot about inclusion and belonging a conversation that we talk about this part of our goals. They talked a lot about mental health and there were questions about mental health. Study skills on life skills, high school transitions, dealing with social challenges, social media, social awareness. There's a great amount of maturity and insight coming from these kids. The kids from our school, their families were all there. So our schools, that was really cool. So it was a great night. I was really glad I finally got there after all these years. So, Glad I was able to go. I don't think anybody mentioned that we, most of us were at the Harlem Wizards. Right? So maybe I'll let someone else talk about that because I don't need to talk about that. But that was fun. Go to after the budget hearing. Day, when we came back, I got a chance to go to the West. Art reception that evening in Dr. Morton's office. Got a chance you know all the I believe it was all of the our teachers from West were here so they were here, the families, the students, I mean, no surprise. As we all know, very talented students in our schools. Really amazing artwork, got a chance to hear the kids talk about their artwork and show it to their families. There were a lot of siblings who graduated who came back with their siblings who were still in high school. There was one family where my understanding is one of the siblings is now a teacher in our school and she's I think married to or engaged to engage to a teacher. She also went to the 2 of them went to West together and now she teaches in her school and it was her sister who was in the art show I believe or brother there were a lot of kids that knew his brother. I got it wrong, I'm sorry. But it was just really neat. It was really neat to see the kids and their families and their talent, of course. I do want to mention, at the budget hearing, not only were, you know, Obviously the students the stars but The one that the chair of the committee. Made a statement that one of the other committee members messaged her and said, They would rather listen to students all day long than the adults. And I think that really speaks. Back again to, you know, the power of students voice and what it means, you know, how, important it is. For the adults to hear from from the students. And I would be remiss if I didn't think PTA, Zone BTA Fair Funding Committee for Leadership and helping to organize, provide t-shirts, and the bus, and CHA. Thank you. Some of the CHA members and members of staff who are also in this room just to want to thank you all for just coming together. It's just, it was a very, very, it was a great day, great feeling. One more thing too, I just want to put a plug in for a topic that comes up a lot. So. Kind of falls under course. Last week we had our special meeting in which we had our ethics training. So, and we were, you know, we had Marianne Friedman from New Jersey School Board Association came and presented the ethics training. This is a good question. It comes up a lot from our community and we didn't have a lot of people here for that and not a lot of people online and I don't necessarily blame you because it's a little bit dry but I do want to encourage people, you know, if you want to know what guides us, why we do certain things as a board, why we don't do certain things as a board, as board members. You know, it was, it's really informative. You know, I think we get we get a lot of questions about, you know, people who want us to advocate specifically, you know, and I think some of the responses and that Mrs. Friedman went over, really help, you know, clarify what, you know, what our role is in regarding that and, you know, why our authority arrests here rests as a board that we you know we can't make personal promises or private action right we have to work together for the best interest of all the kids. We can't surrender our independent judgment. Some of us have our own experiences. I share that about sometimes my own experience with my own kids. We all have our own experiences, but that can't be the only group that we think about or our own experiences can't be the only people we think about and we have to think about, making sure that that you know we take a higher perspective and a perspective that steps back and thinks about all the needs of all the schools. You know and and we also have to you know really be thoughtful about how we conduct ourselves at the table. I think sometimes community members want to know, you know, doesn't anybody disagree? You know, and we do disagree on a regular basis. Our role is to support our administration. Our role is to support our administration and to hold So, you know, if you're Really interested you're more than welcome to do a deep dive and go on New Jersey School Board Association. They published their ethics code of ethics that we are all. Behold into that we were sworn to and you can also watch the replay on YouTube of our meetings so you know hopefully that answers any concerns or questions that you know are wondering people might have about. Why we do what we do and why we don't do a certain things. So that was really all the correspondence I need to share tonight. So. I don't know if mister, you, if you want to talk about, you, you piped up whenever we talked about her in the wizard. Sure, you can put me on the spot. I'll talk about it. I along with many fellow board members went to the Harlem Wizards event. Sponsored by Cherry Hill Educational Foundation. Some of us brought our kids. I brought my son. He had a really great time watching several of his teachers play and do surprisingly well. Yeah, it was very well attended. The kids seem to have a really good time. I certainly enjoyed it and is an exciting night. And I'll pick you back on the the trip to testify in front of the state assembly. It was incredible being part of more than 60 people coming together for a common cause to advocate for school funding. And as everyone else did, I definitely want to give credit to the students. You know, with. Adults from so many different organizations coming prepared to testify, they wanted to hear what the students had to say. They wanted to hear your perspective and how it impacts you. So thank you again. You guys did an amazing job. I appreciate it. We'll see. We'll see what comes of it. Okay, I think that's everything. Now we move on to hearing from our students again on our student reports. We will start with Matt if you can share the High School East report. Thank you. A lot's happened in the past month. So starting out with some scheduling, notifications. So even early dismissive Friday last week. Another one of those for the year continuing on. And then we're off this Friday and next Monday for the first part of spring break and Easter this weekend. In terms of academics, we had state testing earlier this month and we have the cum laude induction ceremony coming up on April eighteenth. For athletics and competitive organizations. The deck of state competition took place in Atlantic City and I believe we're sending over 50 students to nationals, the ICDC competition, very impressive. Spring, sports are starting up. So I look forward to sharing the announcements that come from the great teams seasons and currently the East baseball team is in Florida. Speech and debate, Chloe Wren and Sydney Herring both did phenomenally well in recent competition and at East robotics. They won states and are currently ranked top 20 in the world. In terms of arts or the one act plays are in the works, the castes and titles of the plays have just been announced. Mean Girls, as we said, a great success. Stay tuned is also had an amazing success recently as well as jazz band which earned a superior rating and the cavalcade advance. Prevents the People's Choice Awards will take place on April 16 There's the faculty verse student basketball game where the faculty won by 1 point. Either to see your frustration or to your delight at depending on who you are. Mr. East, the candidate 7 chosen, and that will take place in early May. 301 seniors went on the senior trip, opportunity to go to Orlando, Florida and visit Disney and Universal Parks. Abc Broadcaster, Lindsay Davis, met with students last week. And they had the opportunity to ask her questions and hear about her experience in the world of journalism. Coffee House will take place on April thirteenth and try out took place yesterday and today I gave students an opportunity to show off whatever talents they have to the broader East community and Sherry Hull community at large. Senior Hall of Fame will be displaying, I believe, somewhere between 40 and 45 seniors who have contributed greatly to the East community over their time at the school. Blood Drive also took place again this year. Got opportunity to kind of give back to the community at large and we had some great turnout. Mcd will be on Thursday, multicultural day where our culture clubs will be able to display different objects and traditions such as dances, food, music, clothing, and there will be a parent night tomorrow on Wednesday at 7 p. M. Which gives community members a chance to see the dances as well. SGA held a row shambo or rock paper scissors event where students had beaten necklaces and if you beat another student you would be able to take their necklace and then at the end of the day students with the most amount of beat and necklaces competed in a final event during a pep rally to see who had the the most at the end, which is very fun. And the junior prom will be held on April twelfth. And that's it. It's a lot of good stuff. Thank you. So is that your inviting us to tomorrow night? Is what you're saying? Excellent. Thank you. Good, good, excited. And you please give us the West report. Thank you. Starting off with academics from Tuesday, March twelfth to Friday, March fifteenth. Junior students took the NJ GPA standardized tests. Freshmen, sophomores and seniors got to enjoy an extra 2 h of sleep for some not much needed recharge as we approach the end of the year. All students who needed to test completed their requirement. Markham period 3 will conclude on April the eleventh marking the beginning of the home stretch for our students. For athletics on, Thursday, March 20 first boys baseball beat Gloucester Catholic in a scrimmage, 11 to 4. Boys volleyball, held a scrimmage on, March. 20 first against mainland on Friday, March 20 s girls softball traveled to Ocean City for a scrimmage. The girls won 3 sets despite only needing to win 2 sets to win. And girls and boys track how to scrimmage today against Highland. Moving on to arts on Thursday, March 20 first West catering supplied big zedy garlic bread sweet tea and more to the senior members of our community for a day showing of West Theatre's Sound of Music. West Theatre has concluded their performances of the sound of music. Congratulations to our cast and crew who dedicated so many hours to create such an amazing reenactment. We received very high amounts of positive community feedback from both our seniors, staff, parents, students. It was I got to go Saturday night. It was truly an amazing performance. West students joined Dr. Morton for a reception and display of their work here in the Lewis admin building. For extracurriculars on Saturday, March 20 third West model UN attended the Hadman conference at Haddonfield Memorial High School. Congratulations to Andy Wynn on being awarded best position paper. On Saturday, March 20 third for Mada played at ICHA and advanced to the semi-finals. Congratulations on being awarded outstanding arrangement. The first year of the West Ceramics Club has been launched and is being run by Mrs. Cream, our newest addition to West Staff. For other notes on Saturday, March, sixteenth, West Junior Quinn Gibson was honored by Mayor Dave Fleischer and awarded a proclamation naming March sixteenth, 2024, Quinn Gibson day. On Wednesday, March twentieth, a group of 20 West students travelled to Trenton for the New Jersey Assembly Budget Committee hearing to show their deep concern for the 6.9 million dollars budget cut to our district. A huge thank you to all the students who took time out of their school days to represent over 10,000 of their fellow peers. Tomorrow March 20 seventh there will be a positive coaching alliance meeting for student athletes to talk about leadership and their respective athletic prowesses. From Tuesday, April second to Saturday, April sixth, 119 senior students will travel to Disney for their senior trip. On Friday, April twelfth, Multicultural Day will take place. To bring cultural awareness to West, our culture clubs will perform dances for the school. Multicultural festivities will continue with the world language cookoff on April, the fourteenth where students will prepare food from their respective cultures. Tickets are now on sale for the junior prom which will be held on Thursday, April eighteenth at the Western Hotel. This year's theme is united by flowers. In an effort to increase student engagement, a student civic engagement West SGO in collaboration with the board representatives and administration will play a crucial role in this year's selection process for the student representatives. This year's candidates will participate in a panel discussion with members of the student government organization. Upon conclusion, upon conclusion, the SGO will vote and issue the selection committee a recommendation for our consideration. And that is all I have. It's a lot. That's great. Thank you. Great to hear all its. Happening. Colin is that that's a is that a different process now? Yeah, that sounds it. I'm, that's exciting. Thank you. Okay, now we are moving on to our first public comment. This there will be 2 opportunities for public comment this evening. The first public comment session is for board action items only items 13 through 16. There will be another public common period section for any topic at the end of the meeting. You are a student in the district, you may comment on any item. During this public common period. So it can be on the agenda or does not have to be on the agenda. That's only for students. If you are a student and you are online, please put an S at the end of your name. So that we know that you are a student. If you would like to speak now, please identify the agenda item that the agenda item you are speaking on. Clearly state your name and your municipality. We will alternate between speakers who are here in the room and those who are online. Each speaker will be given a max of 3 min to speak. The timer on the screen will, the screen will indicate the amount of time you have remaining. Public comment is an opportunity for members of our community to come in on matters relevant to the operations of Terry Hill Public School District or within the authority of the Cherry Hill Board of Education. The board welcomes diverse opinions on relevant manners under established federal law governing reasonable restrictions on speech and public forums, statements which demean individual community members or groups or which are irrelevant to the operations of the school district or our repetitive will not be permitted. Community members who would like to present information not relevant to the school district are always welcome to communicate directly with the acting superintendent, board president, or an all board members via email or other alternative means. And we will start in the room. If you would like to speak. Stern one moment, please. We're having technical difficulties with board docs. Thank you. So I'm sorry, we may have to pause for a moment. Not a problem. Thank you for letting me know. I was very busy reading. The preamble and didn't notice that B Docs wasn't working. I try to put the timer on. Don't know what this is. Yeah, Hmm. Right. You it. No. Thank you for your patience. We. Part of making sure that we run our meeting properly. As we rely on board docs to be functioning properly. So. Part of our obligation. I mean, not building it in at all. It's back. Mr. Greenb says it's back. For you, it's back. Is it back for others? Adam, what's your secret? How did you get it working? Can you help us? Okay. That's the answer. Compausal, they hit refresh. They're all getting the same. We'll do a manual timer and we'll do it the old-fashioned way. We'll take notes in Microsoft Word. Oh, okay. And we will take role. I mean, we'll take a voice voice vote for everything. Well, let's get through public comment. What it looks like. I like your Optimistic approach, Mrs. Okay, some people are in just Alright, you guys keep me posted if you can get in because I'm now gonna be just focused on the Zoom. Okay, so we will start in thank you for your patience. We will start in the room if anyone would like to speak, please approach the podium and. Yeah, you heard my Speech before so Rearranging. Sorry. Go for it. Make sure we can hear you. Thank you. Good evening. I'd like to speak to 2 items on the agenda, 15.8, the approval of 2 new job titles. I'm going to say I am really a little confused about what this is. Last week it was announced in the testimony to the assembly that 26 staff members will be let go due to the budget cuts. However, it looks like we are adding 2. Central Office administrative positions in this budget crisis. I have not heard any organizational changes to allow that is our we removing people are we adding people we're just going to add 2 new central office director positions probably at $100,000 apiece plus benefits. Also I'm just going to comment at last. Board meeting it was a work session where this was on the agenda however the very next day these 2 positions were posted and I believe they closed this tomorrow. So I'm not sure how postings are going up before these jobs have even been approved by the board and they did not say anticipated. The other item I want to talk to is 16.4. The revised calendar and this is really more of a question. For many years, it's been asked why we have 182 calendar days for students and 187 for students. Why can't we use those 2 days for snow days instead of taking away spring break and other certain things? And I've never really understood the answer. I thought I was told that it was part of the contract with the teachers union that they had to have a 182 student content days. Now don't get me wrong, I don't see much value in these 2 extra days or half days. They don't really do anything. But I'm really confused as to how now there's a revised calendar going to 180 student days. I'd just like to understand. Thank you. Okay. And now we will go to the line. Or just give me a second please. Hi, my name is Jeff. And I live in Sherry Hill. And the night. I'm sorry, could you just give me, hold on? I'm sorry, Mr. Sugars too. If you can just give me 1 s. Make sure in the right place. Okay, I apologize. Please go ahead, Caller. Please on mute. The number is. My name is Jeff. My name is Jeff Potter. What's I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 13.5, right? Resolution authorizing acceptance of building capacity for carrier pathways in comprehensive schools. It's $168,000, $750 annually. And I'm saying vote no and that it's the CTE programs. We're talking about CTE programs. Please don't know the grant of $168,000 plus dollars per year for 4 years does not come close to covering to covering the cost of the numerous CTA passways that we will be developing and or have developed already providing and providing and after 4 years we will not receive any extra funds just are decreasing per pupil SFR 8. Our school district fors just are decreasing per pupil SFR aid. Our school district for years has been providing types of vocal SFR aid. Our school district for years has been providing types of vocational education for our students. In fact, in 2,015, our school district for years has been providing types of vocational education for our students. In fact, in 2,01567% of students at Chair at least took a CTE course. That many back in 2,015 there was an article on an NJ spotlight news in 2,018 there were 3 superintendents from 3 comprehensive high schools that spoke to that article we noted that CTA programs and comprehensive high schools receive significantly less resources from the state and the county. The comparable the comparable programs offered by the county vocational schools means that the cost of these expensive programs will be paid for by our general school budget. And these are expensive courses. Our school district is not being transparent. That's you when it comes to what the cost of these programs will be. So, what will the total course of these programs be for a year? And it will go up. What we do know is that the total SSA our state aid for Kansas County vocational school will be 32.8 million dollars for the 2,024 2,025 school year that's more than us they have approximately a fifth of the students that we do all right basically our basically when you do the numbers and you figure out the per per pupil how much, how much per people each school district gets. We they won't be receiving an approximately 12,000 more dollars per pupil from the state. That's what they'll be receiving an aid. That is a big big savings in SFR 8 for the state alone for at $12,000 per pupil. So they're saving money for every student that comes to Cherry Hill versus goes to Kansas County to the tune of $12,000. So 400 students at Sherry Hill West are signed up for our for this program. The state will provide and if the state provides us with an additional 4.8 million dollars which is what Camden County Community College would get just in state 8 alone to defer course for the program that will be more than fair to us. Thank you. Thank you so much. Looks like I think. I'm started. What? What'd you say? Thank you for your call. I'm sorry, doctor. I wasn't directing that you. Thank you for your call. Your time is up and we will go back to the room and we have a student at the podium. So if you would just give us 1 s, if we are back and are we back and board ducks okay or not? I am. I'm not sure if Mr We're good to go, Mr. Excellent. Okay, yeah. Okay, we go back to the room if you know the drill. I'm Matthew Richards, Ellis Cherry Hill, and today we'll be speaking as the Student Board of Education representative for Terry Hill East. Today want to talk a little bit about the alternative high school relocation plan over the past few days when students have come up to me and asked me or spoken to me about the plan I've heard 2 main things the first one's been where did this come from and the second thing has been them giving certain criticisms or worries they have and many of the worries that they share I also happen to share but the important thing is that these are worries that are shared by many, many students as well as staff at East. So first of all, we appreciate the idea of giving students as much opportunity as possible in an academic setting, extracurricular setting, athletic setting, musical setting. But we also worry that it could hinder some of the opportunity already in place at East. For example, from my conversations, there have been concerns about many, many different parts of the East experience. Already east is very congested in between class periods. Moving between classes is sometimes very difficult because you basically like shove your way through if you really want to get from class to class and by shutting down or not shutting down but reallocating a certain portion of the building to the alternative high school it's going to maybe exacerbate those issues of congestion in the East hallways additionally from my conversations with staff it seems that this program could lead to the abolition of what we currently have during lunch periods, which is known as lunch and learn, where students are basically giving an opportunity to have club meetings and and roam about, de-stress decompress. Or hold like important meetings with teachers with their clubs and it gives them really good opportunities to do whatever they please at that time. Taking that opportunity away could heavily decrease the the impact is certain of our clubs organizations as well as the opportunity of students to receive extra help or reassess. I also worry about the reorganization of classes throughout the school currently b 1 is home to the social studies wing. I'm a huge social studies fan, but I worry about how like these classes will be reallocated throughout the school. As well as those teachers, I know a number of those teachers are very attached to their classrooms or have gone to great links to decorate their classrooms and make them as inviting classrooms as possible if we have teachers having to move around a lot in the day-to-day experience, which I foresee as possibility, they will not be able to do so. They will not be able to decorate their classrooms, which is a big thing in terms of student, you know, well being student. Comfort in our in our classrooms and as well as engagement. I also worry about the amount of space looking to the future currently under the the bond provisions, the F wing is. Is planned to be like kind of you know torn down and if we are taking away f-ling as well as we are allocating our usage of viewing I worry about how much space we're going to have in the school for classes. So all these are just different parts of the student experience that are extremely important and I hope you take them into consideration. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, you go back online. And. See one hand and that's Laura Einhorn. If you could. Is that yeah. It's in one. Chario, New Jersey. 13.6. What square footage will be utilized with this minimum minimum square foot resolution? It's my understanding that a minimum space size for classroom is 600 square feet. 15.8 is really disturbing. There's no job description available anywhere on your district website that I could find today. Are these 2 new administrative positions? Or are they replacement positions for current positions? How are they cost neutral in a proposed deficit dollar budget? Has it become the Cherry Hill border that position to post positions before approving them as these positions are posted on March fourteenth, 2024. But most distressing, especially after. Last week's ethics. Presentation is There was really No discussion. About this in public. That's very distressing. Thank you. Okay, we go back on lot. I'm sorry to the room if there's anyone who'd like to speak in the room, please approach the podium Okay, we go back. Nope, we do have some. Please state your name and municipality and the item you're speaking on tonight in the agenda. Rick short Rick short cherry hill speaking on 16.2. And I'm also speaking on. 13 I'll get to that one Moving on to the approval of comprehensive equity plan. I stand here every time at a school board meeting asking the same question. You guys are in love with DI. DI just ends up in death most of the time. Just the way it is separate races and everything else, but you push ahead with your equity plan. Again, I ask everyone in the public. Show me 10 schools that have done DI for. 12 years straight and actually had academic success. It doesn't exist. So you live in this fantasy world of equity. Wanting equity. And you recently worked with Garden State Equality. But what I don't understand is If Garden State Equality, who help rate our sex ed stuff, wants equality. How can we want equity? I don't know. Sounds confusing to me. Let's move on to the Malburg project. Are we here? Talking about 13.6. The question is. How do you know how many square feet? You're voting on something. Is it 600 square feet? Is it 800 square feet? Is it a thousand square feet? You don't even know what you're voting on, but you're approving it. You need 87 classrooms. To do the rest of the 1,300 people. So. How many classrooms is it? That you're doing at Malburg? And you've already caught and picked or found, let's see here. Different places for this as you put together this pre K thing 15 students at, clockwise learning center. 45 at Discovery Center. 30 yet family matters childcare. Just a hot podge of just. Put together and where's this one out of mosaic is out of Oakland. We're sending kids to Oakland for pre-K. You should be, you should be investing in safety and security. What about the vestibule here you need for the students at Enron? Can you stick with the item that you're speaking on, you're speaking on 13.6, if you could just say to that topic please. What I'm saying is you should invest it in safety and security. Things like the vestibule that you're gonna need here because you're putting it's just short the item is about a resolution for a waiver on a facility. So that's not an investment. It's not a budget issue. But it's money, right? You're spending money, right? No, we're not. You're not. Okay, thank you. Okay, we come back to the line. I don't see any hands raised on line. And I come back to the room if there's anyone I'd like to speak, please approach the podium. You wanna hear us? Cherry Hill? Mr. Yaris, I'm sorry, could you speak into the microphone? I apologize for your time. Alright, Yoni Harris, Cherry Hill. Just want to go on the comprehensive equity plan. That is a state requirement. Not in a Cherry Hill requirement is a state requirement. We can't get the wave those even if we wanted to for some of these things. So just to run on the board of that. I did want to talk about the new calendar. I really do appreciate the changes being made to it. One was it was posted as a publisher file. Usually we do PDF files to make it more successful. And the follow with having all. Things like, I don't think it's been crazy. I do want to note that. First job for cost savings could we make January second and third additional student date and staff days off. So that we're not opening the building for 2 days and then closing it for a 3 day weekend. To potentially save on costs and winter things so we can really keep the building shut down and potentially allow for some projects to get done for that lovely bond that keeps coming up. And then we just add them at Stockholm at the end of June to figure out somewhere else to put them just because it's weird to come back for 2 days. And then be off again for a 3 day weekend. And I think that covers it. Thanks. Thank you. Go back to the line. There are no hands raised online and we come back to the room if anyone would like to speak in the room. During this first public comment period, please approach the podium. Please set your full name, your municipality, and the item you're speaking on. Hi, my name is Daniel Painter. I'm here to talk about policy 16.1. I'm here today to talk to you to encourage you to change the HIV policy. By definition. And sorry, Mrs. Painter, those are just approval of decisions on HIV, specific HIV matters. So, where it's not about a policy at this time. If you could please come back during our second public comment period, that's the opportunity. Thank you. Okay, we go back to the line there are currently don't see any hands raised online we come back to the room if anyone would like to speak in this first public comment period please approach the podium. Okay, there's no one at the podium. There's nobody online. I'm going to close first public comment And we now move on to acting superintendents comments. Thank you very much, Miss Stern. So I would be remiss if I didn't reiterate my thank yous to everyone for the efforts around advocating for the district as it relates to the budget cuts that we've sustained this year. There have been several opportunities to speak to our legislators at the state level. We've had representation in voice at the Senate Education Committee hearings. At the Assembly Budget Committee hearings and today at the Senate budget and Senate budget inappropriateations committee hearings as well. There have been social media posts. Telephone calls going out. Thank you so much to everyone within our community who has taken part in this effort and letting the voices of Cherry Hill. Be heard. A special thank you to our zone PTA for their incredible advocacy and involvement. Thank you to our Board of Education for your advocacy and involvement as well. It was awesome to see everyone at Trenton standing united with members of this community. Arm in arm. Thank you to education, Cherry Hill Education Association. Mr. Steve Bradford and the team there are educational administrators of Cherry Hill have been actively involved as well. So to thank you, thank you to the entire community. For standing. As a united community, it's been awesome to see. And I mean, it's been stated so many times today. But I got to tell you, I just admire the and the courage of our children to stand before individuals in some intimidating spaces to stand before individuals in some intimidating spaces and to vocalize and in some intimidating spaces and to vocalize and articulate in some intimidating spaces and to vocalize and articulate themselves beautifully, in some intimidating spaces and to vocalize and articulate themselves beautifully and articulate themselves beautifully their own thoughts and their own understandings of where we are as a district. Their own thoughts and their their own understandings of where we are as a district. So, Extra Spectral, thank to Matt, to Colin. To Jia who isn't here and to Crystal as well. Phenomenal and thank you to all the students who made the trip up there as well. We had more than 2 dozen students join us and go on that trip as we walked into the assembly chamber, it was amazing to see how Cherry Hill flooded the space and filled the area. And, you know, that was a message that was sent loud and clear. So thank you to everyone. Sugars, the administrative team as well who work together to. Find the least impactful way for us to put together a budget that made sense and watching Miss Sugar's work has been outstanding. We did mention that there were positions that were needed to be cut, but we were able to find positions that are currently unfilled. So we are able to minimize the impact on individuals who currently exist and who currently impact our children. So it's just wonderful to be a part of that process and to see the team work. I encourage everyone, please keep up your advocacy to make it a difference. It's important that we, you know, we keep going through to the finish line. I wanted to mention a few things about preschool registration. So we had 526. Families registered over a period of 2 weeks. For preschool registration. We opened up applications for our next round of spots that will open up in September and I would want to say thank you to the team for all of your work in processing. That amount of applications in such a short period of time. That's a lot of families and a lot of kids to work with. Doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of coordinated efforts. Thank you very much to Dr. Mayhan and everyone who's supporting our efforts around preschool. So as we move forward this year, you know, we've had lessons that we've learned from our January implementation, January, 2,024 implementation and we are test them to not repeat mistakes of the past, you know, so we learned from situations and we are able to correct and to do things just a bit better to serve our families better. So we plan to notify all families of acceptances during the week of April, 20 s. I'm in families are notified. They'll be notified of it. That they have obtained a spot, but will also notify them of the location that they will be at as well. This will give families optimum time for planning. And you know, to, to make the best decisions for their children and moving forward. This is a hundred 50 Spots that will be available for this this next iteration or this next round Dr. Mayhan again and the team are meeting with providers. And attempting to identify a suitable spaces for our children. If you know of individuals who are interested in partnering with the Please forward that information. To Dr. Mayhan. And Dr. Mayan wanted to express, we are moving full steam ahead for next year. As another reminder, the district is closed on Friday and Monday. I just want to wish everyone celebrating the holidays happy holidays to you, whether you celebrate Passover, Easter. I wish you a wonderful time with your family. Enjoy. Relax recuperate. And observe as well. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Morton. I'm so sorry. I hope this is the last night we have this. First, I bring you up and it'll be the last night. I just want to thank you for addressing. You know, a good, a very important comment that was made regarding our budget. Because my testimony, if those of you who hopefully were not tuning in all day to listen to the assembly budget hearing, spoke in my testimony about the cuts in positions and they are positions. And they're not personnel. They're not people. They're positions that have been and Mrs. Sugars shared this multiple times in our in our budget presentation so I you know but I think it's not always very clear and I appreciate the clarification you know there are vacancies. That have are very much part of that. And certainly, you know, looking to be. You know, very cost conscientious. And physically responsible to our community to, you know. Look at those positions. Not leave. Ongoing open positions. You know, unfilled and and then put those in the budget instead, you know, recognize that those are positions that are not going to get filled. And and to remove them and nonetheless you know they're we look at those as cuts they are cuts but not to personnel so that's a. You know, they're, we look at those as cuts, they are cuts, but not to personnel. So that's so thank you for all right. We move on to our action agenda. Mrs. Winters, can you please move the scene I agenda? With pleasure. Superintendent recommends and I move the following. 13.1 approval of attendance at conference and workshops for the 2324 school year. 13.2 approval of out of district student placement for 2324 school year. 13.3 approval of professional development proposal new teacher center 13.4 approval of professional development proposal. 13.5 resolution authorizing acceptance of the building capacity for career pathways at comprehensive schools cohort 2, cycle 3, and 13.6 resolution authorizing educational facilities waiver. Do I have a second? Mr. Fain, are there any questions on the CNI agenda? Miss Stern. Yes, I have 2 questions. The first one is I see that we are, you know, week after week meeting after meeting, improving professional development. Can you speak to? You know, why we do that because it's I just want to make sure that it's that we're doing it for the right reasons. Professional development is required. Required professional development for our staff. If you look under each agenda item, you can see how it's funded. And that will help give you a sense of where the budget comes from from that. Let me give an example. So I'm looking at 13.4 and you can see that that's S or grant funds. So those had to do with. Those are federal funds that came through. During COVID. I believe those are expiring coming soon, so I think the thinking and Ms. Sugars, you can correct me if I'm wrong, is that we're using those up before they expire. Yes, we have to expend those funds before September thirtieth. Typically when we're approving professional development on the agenda, it's because we're using federal funds. Excellent. So that is where that comes from. Thank you. Okay. And then the other question is, can you speak about Why are we on 13.6? Why are we? Waving, why are we asking us to prove this waiver? Sure, no problem. So under preschool expansion. The New Jersey Department of Education requires that preschool classrooms be 950 square feet. Well, that's a really big classroom. Most classrooms aren't that big. You look at their guidance for that it says that you can apply for a waiver for classrooms that meet a threshold of 700 square feet of usable space and if Bathrooms are not located within the classroom, they must be within lineup site. So that's the process that we're doing. Now I know and Dr. Mayan, please correct me if I get any of this wrong, but I know that the department came and walked through many of our classrooms and measured very carefully and Dr. Mayhan was an integral part of that process to make sure that our classrooms meet these requirements. The waiver is something that we're doing to say that our classrooms are appropriate for preschool expansionate. Is one further question. So is that or? Is that like, I mean. Miss Dr. Mayhan, Mrs. Winters, you have both. You know, part of the preschool committee I called the preschoolment ECEC committee. Is this very common? I mean, is our other districts having to waive this or is this an exception in Chario? I would say it's fairly common. That building was built in 1,959. So it was not built equipped for that size classroom at the time, not many are. So yes, I would say it's a fairly common procedure to request the waiver. Now when we build the additions. They will meet those requirements. Because they're additions. But for now, it's since we're utilizing those spaces, we have to apply for the waiver. Thank you. It's helpful. Appreciate that. Just wanted to add to that part of the waivers, the bathrooms being in line of site, which they currently are, but once the preschool rod grant construction is over, then we'll be adding classrooms, adding bathrooms to the preschool classrooms that are currently at Malburg, which I think is really going to be a benefit for preschoolers if you've ever tried to take a flock of preschoolers to the bathroom. It's a quite an experience and it also takes a lot of time out of their day, you know, having teachers supervise them to go to the bathroom editor in time. So I think it's really going to be a benefit to those students. And I want to thank Miss Sugars for when she put together the preschool rod brand applications for including that because I really think it's going to be a help to our preschoolers and their teachers. Do any other board members have questions about anything on the CNI agenda? Now is your moment. I try to prepare well for these questions. For as well as I possibly can. Now that the experts in the room will always back me up if I stumble. Alright, seeing no more questions. Ms. Sugars, can you please call the vote on the CNI agenda? Would members you may cast your roads hopefully everybody Has access. And the motion carries. Okay, we move on to business and facilities. Mr. Green Bam, can you please? Move this VNF agenda. Thank you. Superintendent recommends and I move the following. 14.1, approval of minutes, special meeting minutes and executive session. Minutes dated February, fifth, 2024. 14.2, approval of minutes, board work session and special action meeting minutes and executive session minutes dated February thirteenth 2024. 14.3, approval of minutes, regular meeting minutes and executive session manage stated February, 20 seventh, 2,024. 14.4 financial reports, 14.5 resolution for the award of bids, 14.6, resolution authorizing competitive contracting for the procurement of professional development services, 14.7 resolution for the award of transportation and 14.8 acceptance of donations. Do I have a second? Mrs. Winters, any questions? Okay, seeing none. Miss Sugars, please open the vote. Board members, you may cast your roots. Mrs. Sugars, I will be abstaining from 14.1. 14.2 and 14.3. Okay, we have, as you heard, abstentions on 14.1 2 and 3 from Miss, N as the rest of the votes are a unanimous yes vote. Thank you. Okay, we now move on to. The human resources agenda. Which I will move. The acting superintendent recommends and I'm move the following 15.1 termination of employment certificated 15.2 termination of employment non-sertificated 15.3 appointments certificated 15.4 appointments non certificated 15.5 assignment salary change non-sertificated 15.6 leave of absence Leaves of absence, certificated. 15.7 leaves of absence non certificated 15.8 approval of a new job description 15.9 other compensation certificated. Do I have a second? Mr. Greenman, are there any questions? Seeing none, Mrs. Sugars, could you please call the vote? Remember, you may cast your roots. The sugars I will be abstaining due to conflict of interest. From 15.2, 15.5. 15.4 and 15.7. Mr. Sugars, I like to the same from 15.4 and 15.8. I like to abstain from 15.4. This is me as I just want to confirm that was 15.2 15.7 and 15.5. And 15.4 and 15.4. Okay, so we have 3 abstentions on 15.4. We have one abstention on 15.2. One abstention on 15.7 and one abstention on 15.8 other than that we have a unanimous yes vote. And before, we move on to the next item, I just want to, bring to the attention that, Tonight we voted on a person who will be taking over as the Lewis administration administrative assistant to our superintendent. Act currently acting superintendent. Hopefully by that time we will be a superintendent position starting in May. And that is the person who will be taking the position of a retiring Janet Cohen. I'll zoom with the district a long time and I want to congratulate the current zone PTA president, Kristen Viglieta. For. The position. It almost feels like, a repeat of Mrs. Cohen who was, I don't know if exactly if she was zone president, but I know she was heavily involved in PTA. I think a little bit of a similar trajectory to your involvement and I think you know someone who's so committed to our schools. So hard working. I just, I know that I'm very grateful to, The fact that you, you know, want to further engage in direct involvement in our school district. So thank you. And congratulations. Okay, we move on to policy and this legislation, Mr. Mayor, can you please move the PNL agenda? I will gladly. Before moving the full agenda though, I'd like to ask you unanimous consent to table item 16.4. Which would be the approval of the 2425. Calendar. And just for further discussion, no date on that, but we would anticipate bringing it back. 2 weeks from today just to make sure we're on the same page. On the days that are off and we'll take it back to the LMC as well. So do I have, is there a unanimous consent to table? Seeing that there is we will move forward without. Item 16.4. The acting superintendent recommends I move the following, item 16.1, approval of harassment, intimidation, bullying investigation decisions. Item 16.2 approval of comprehensive equity plan. And statement of assurance for the academic years, 2,024 and 2,025. And item 16.3 the first reading of policies I will just list them by policy number for completeness policy 1140 I'll see 1523 policy 1530 Felsey, 1550. Policy 2260. Policy, 2411, policy, 2423, policy, 2431.4. Policy 32 11 policy 55 70. Policy, 58. 41 policy 58 42 Well, see, 76, 10, and finally, policy, 93, 23, again, just for first. Reading. That is the entire. Agenda, do I have a second? Mrs. Are there any questions? Seeing none, Mrs. Sugars, would you please open the voting? Board members, you may cast your boats. Mrs. Sugars, I must abstain from item 16.1. Other than Mr. Mayor's abstention on item 16.1 we have a unanimous yes vote. Thank you. And now we have strategic planning and there are no items to vote on for strategic planning or to move. So we now go to new business. Is there any new business to discuss this evening? Okay, now we go to old business. Is there any old business to discuss this evening? Okay. None of the above. We now move on to our second public comment period. This is our second public comment, which is an opportunity to speak on any school related item. If you would like to speak or topic, if you would like to speak now. Please clearly state your name, your municipality. We will alternate between speakers who are here in the room and those who are online. Each speaker will be given a maximum of 3 min to speak. The timer on the screen will indicate the amount of time you have remaining. If you are a student in the district and you were online or in the room, we encourage you to please put an S after your name if you're online so that we know you are a student because you will be chosen first if you are speaker here in the room and you'd like to speak. I'm sorry, a student here in the room, you'd like to speak, please approach the podium first if you so choose. Again, you will be given. First chance to speak. Public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to comment on matters relevant to the operations of Terry Hill Public School District or within the authority of the Terry Hill Board of Education. The board welcomes diverse opinions on relevant matters. Under a established federal law governing reasonable restrictions on speech and public forms, statements which demean individual community members or groups or which are irrelevant to the operations of the school district or our repetitive will not be permitted. Community members who would like to present information not relevant to the school district are always welcome to communicate directly to the acting superintendent, board president, and all board members via email or other alternative means. We will begin in the room if anyone would like to speak. Please approach the podium. And we ask, we ask you to say your name, your municipality. Sure. Good evening. Candy Cummings. Cherry Hill. Pardon me. On behalf of the Zone PTA, I would like to thank all of the students from high schools East and West who answered our call to action. Showing their support. And magnifying our presence at the state budget committee hearings in Trenton this last Wednesday as we expressed our extreme dissatisfaction with the 6.9 million dollars cut to our district's funding. Cherry Hill showed up in numbers, making a strong impact as we filled the hearing room. Very special thanks to those students who shared their moving eloquent and personal testimony with the Senate Budget Committee. Colin Duckett, Cherry Hill High School West Senior and West Student Board of Ed rep. Crystal Yay, Cherry Hill High School East Senior and Student Body President. Jack Neary, Cherry Hill High School East Junior, representing the 2,500 plus special education students throughout Cherry Hill schools. Matt Rentizale's Cherry Hill High School East Senior and Student Board of Ed rep. Giagupta, Cherry Hill High School, East Senior East Side Student Journalist. Latasha Bailey, Cherry Hill High School West. Senior West Student Board of Ed rep. Our deepest and most sincerest thanks to all of you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we go to the line and the phone number is 7 8 8. If you could please state your name and municipality. I'm sorry, could you hold hold off when we reset the clock? My name is, alright, my name is, My name is Jeff Pottowitz. I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Next year we will be saving 6 million, probably 6 million dollars in state aid specifically for preschool expansion. Now, this is a budget presentation 3 19 2,024 on the special revenue fund in the budget category preschool expansion aid is written at 7,676,285 for 2,024 2,025124.6% increase we did not receive that amount of free school aid. It was a misprint or a mistake. We only received 6.1 million and the other 1.5 and represent a transfer of funds from our regular budget and as a very funding for Emma to preschool expansion. To cover the children with disabilities in preschool. That's what it was for. So can you please make that correction? The state did not provide us with 6.7 point 6 million dollars in preschool expansion they only provided us with 6.1 approximately please make that correction if you can't make that a correction explain why that number 6 7.6 million is valid. And the rest of her funding formula for years the state has not provided us with the proper calculated funding to our school district by that formula to allow all students especially for students with disabilities and students that are at risk that happens to do with the equalization a formula and the fact that two-thirds of our special ed aid is placed. In that wealth equalization form in the calculations were capped this year because of certain changes on our calculated Calculated aid was 29 million a loss of 6.9 million in aid that we received last year and a decrease in the calculators A A from last year, of over 9 million, possibly 9 million. And, and only a 9 million dollar increase in state 8 that's formulate from what we received 33 years ago. Again, 29 million dollars is a 9 million dollar increase in state formula aid that we actually received 33 years ago. By the way, the state Senate is looking at a bill 2 4 3 4 New Jersey state. It is a Trojan horse. All right what it what it does is force us and allow the state to cut us like 6.9 million and we will make up the difference that they are taking away from us. With our property tax dollars. In other words, all right. And It may pass and maybe that's the way they intend to stabilize, stabilize our our aid by punishing us. By cheating us even more. Now. Yeah, we go back to the room. And I think you know what to do. Are you ready? Sorry, thank you. Let's hold on 1 s. As soon as you see, start going. Janardio Cherry Hill. I'm speaking on behalf. Of the Cherry Hill Special Ed PTA. Were kind of sad. We'd like to remind you all the reported. Oops, just 2 weeks ago. That Dr. Morton, Miss Mallory have been meeting with the executive board and our deceptive members. However, we're here tonight to share the news. Of the alternative high school moving has never been discussed. Despite many years of asking that alternative high school. Students are given inclusion at BOE meetings with East and West representatives. We were told the students had so many issues with anxiety and communication that they could not be included. And yet last week, the announcement that these students are going to be moved to receive inclusion over to a school environment. They actually fled to receive Fape, a free, appropriate public education is a direct contradiction of what we've been told. The money you would hope to save by this move could go to your special education lawyers and out of district placements. Most of these students have Ieps that state self-contained. So how will they receive inclusion opportunities? If you the BOE had followed form and function and not hidden this relocation through a budget item only discussed in a closed executive session. It would have been through committee. And public comment would have assisted you in making a more informed decision. Oh, and we the parents of children with IEPs, 500, and 4, s, and I. Have heard the community loud and clear on social media. It's clear that students who need help and who have no decision in this matter. Have the possibility to be teased and harassed in this new opportunity. Is there a very small group in the larger high school in the district? They're acceptance at East is very concerning to our deceptive families. Do we know how many students, excuse me, do we know how the century needs of our students will be addressed like loud sounds, bells, smells in that area. We're sad that special education services were cut first. Tricepta has also learned that the state self-assessment, 2324, and state monitoring during 2425 for the district of Cherry Hill has begun. Which parents were surveyed? What questions were asked? Do we need to Oprah the raw data on these reports to see the answers from the parent and students as we have a direct contact with our families to accept it would like to be involved in this discussion, to quote the autistic self-advocacy network, nothing about us without us And one last thing I have reached out to Miss Mallory. Families are being asked to acquire their own augmented communication devices through their own insurance. Is this a new policy and how is this equitable if insurance doesn't pay for it? Is this another budget cut to special education? Thank you. And have a good night. Okay, thank you. We go, back to the line. And have to make me. And I see a hand and it is Laura, I believe Anne. Laura, I'm in Sherry home, New Jersey. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for tabling the calendar. Inferring back to LMC. It's always good to have a true collaborative discussion. I still would like to have answers about the new administrator positions. I don't know where they're gonna be posted. For the public here response to my question because I think that it's an important one. I would like to know since you're moving the calls program as I know it. From the Lewis building to High School East. What would those classrooms be utilized for in the near future? Or is that something in the long range planning? That I have missed. I am. Proof positive almost. That we have had this program. Within high school West. It was moved for a reason. I agree with, Nadia's comments. These are special kids with super special needs. We talked about positions moving over that's fine. But what about the nursing staff? There aren't enough nurses at high school east and these children or students as I should call them, have special concerns. And needs that other children may not necessarily have. I'm really most disappointed how it was so glossed over in the budget presentation as you know moving a program. Without, notice to the people most directly affected. It's just not fair. It's just not fair. These children need so much more. Than the average student. That's why that program was developed. And I believe it started in the 19 eighties. It went back and forth. But. The homework tells me that we already did. School within a school and it didn't work. These children need special care. It's a very large high school. With overcrowding in classrooms as it is. And they need extra special needs, which I don't know if that school can provide for them. Said that I doubt the staff. It's just the amount of staff that's available. May not help them. Could be quite a hindrance. And then the being successful students and getting out into the real world. Thank you. Okay, let me go back to the room. And when we like to speak, please a question codeian. Kim Freidal Cherry Hill. I'm here to speak on the relocation of Alternative High School. The lack of transparency surrounding the upheaval of what I consider the most, the district's most vulnerable population was disgraceful. A proposed savings of $500,000 at what cost. What is the cost to the wellbeing of the students attending alternative high? Most of these students attending, as you heard, have experienced trauma. Some of it coming directly from the schools. Students who were bullied and harassed so significantly that it impacted their ability to be successful in a comprehensive high school. Sending some of these students back. To the place they fled will have significant impact on their learning. Who is going to protect them? The comments have already started from adults. East Side Facebook page. Posted about the relocation and here are a few comments. Quote, this will only cause problems for the E students that are trying hard and have involved parents that set rules and boundaries. Exclamation mark, sad emoji, unquote. Quote, you need to lawyer up to fight things, unquote. Quote, where did the students with behavior issues go if not the alternative high school program? Unquote. And my personal favorite. After the general population leaves for the day one hopes exclamation mark. The purpose of an alternative school was so this population was removed from the general population. I won't name names, but you can go check it out on the Facebook page. This, this. Spin to promote inclusion. How? The schedules of East an alternative don't match. East is a block schedule. West alternative is a straight 8. They are staggered arrival on departures. Are the students going to come into the East inclusion classrooms 15 min late every day and leave class early because their schedule is on a straight 8. How will you address the IEPs that are for self-contained or settlement agreements? If these students can can be an inclusion part of the day, why aren't they currently? What is changing between March and and September? That they now have these opportunities for inclusion. And by the way, students already have the ability and the opportunity to participate in clubs and after school activities as the program is now. It is not new. What staff are you removing? Will there be a nurse in the school within a school? Or will the students have to walk the halls to get to the nurse? The counselor will the counselor be in the school without going to school or will she be swept into the counseling staff at East? Where were they have PE and lunch? What activities will they have access to? I heard them mention the community. Thank you, Miss Freidale. Thank you. Please feel free to submit all of your comments if you'd like further through email if you did since you didn't get to finish them. Okay, we go back to the line. And I do not see any hands raised online. We come back to the room. I'm sorry. I apologize. There is a hand online. Just went up. So just to be fair, the name is, if you would hold off, just went up. So just to be fair, the name is, if you would hold off, please until we get the clock reset. Okay, Karen Bell. Please proceed. Hi, my name is Karen Bell from Cherry Hill. I've been trying to, I read the letter but I have some questions. I know we all know there's overcrowding at East. It's difficult to. Walk in the hallways a lot of the children my kids included have not had seats for long periods of time at the beginning of the year. Each classroom, it's tough placing the kids. But I just have some questions. So. I just want to know. How many kids are going to East? What our capacity is. How many we should have going there how many bathrooms we should have opened at the time and then I want to know what the answers are for West. Because I thought that we had You know, we were at I don't know half capacity or something. I don't know what we are at West. But I don't understand really what's going on. And this is all confusing to me because I thought East was overcrowded. So if the board could explain that in a letter or something like, and now I'm finding out that you have a program, I don't really understand what's going on. You have a program at West. And it was moved. So I think the community want to know why. So it's basically a lot of questions and just maybe numbers in a letter explaining what's going on and also how many classes are you cutting for the students. And how many teachers are you moving and how is it really affecting you know, everyone really. Inclusive of the children being moved okay thank you Thank you. We go back to the room. And just hold on, please, when we reset the clock. Thank you. Yeah, please make sure to speak into the microphone. You can. That way we can all hear you. Good on. Mrs. Sugars, could you pause the timer and will reset it? And you can lift it up, Colin, or pull, there you go. That's even better. Always the children who figure things out. Colin Duckett Cherry Hill. I'm not going to pretend like I know what the situation is at east. Certainly merging 2 schools is a big issue. As a student at West we definitely have less people than East and our halls. Or crowded as it is. All I really want to leave you with is that there is only really 2 people who ever sit at this table that can offer you the perspective to know if. Merging 2 schools together is a good idea and it's Matt and Gia. And before that happens, I think that you all could benefit from a conversation with those 2. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we go back to the line. I don't see any hands online. Go back to the room. Thank you for being so patient. Please say once we reset the clock state your name, your municipality. And yeah. Hi, my name is Daniel Painter. I'm from Cherry Hill. I'm here to speak on policy 16.1. I'm here today to encourage you to change your HIV policy. Bye definition, harassment is any words or behavior that threatens, intimidates, or demeans a person. By definition, intimidation is to frighten or scare someone in a way that makes them do something you want. By definition, bullying is a form of aggressive behavior. In which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Your policy defines all 3 as quoted. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any gesture, any written verbal or physical act or an electronic communication. As defined in NJ. Essay, 18 a 37 dash 14. Whether it be a single incident or serves. Or series of incidents that is reasonably perceived as being motivated by either an actual or perceived characteristics. Such as. Race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression or a mental physical or sensory disability. Or by any other distinguishing characteristics. Are you aware of how many HIV reports get dismissed in the Cherry Hill school districts? Because it wasn't a specific characteristic from your policy examples. There are plenty of other words that can be demeaning, intimidating, and intention. Intentional that can make someone uncomfortable. If an HIV report meets the other 5 list of requirements in the HIV policy, 55 12, page 3 of 29. And stays verbal or physical forms of any kind of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. It should be taken serious. Every moment at school is a learning opportunity for a child. If a child goes untaught on any situation, especially behavior related. That fails, that falls on the staff schools and district for selling these children. You have to live with knowing you did nothing to be the change for the next generation. I ask you to take the time to truly consider an HIV case based off the true definition of HIV. Thank you. Thank you. We go back to the line and I do not see any hands online. So we come back to the room. If anyone would like to speak, please approach the podium. Rick Short, Cherry Hill. Beautiful speech by Miss Nadio. Beautiful speech by Miss. This is a 3 part speech tonight, folks. It's called critical thinking. Something that this school does not do. Nor does they teach critical thinking. What do I mean by that? Well, safety and security supposed to be the number one thing. I don't see anything in our budget. What are you doing about the Lewis festival here? Do you have one? Are you having 2 or are you having one? What are you doing? Are you gonna are you gonna have a mass alert system that you talked about getting it from? Rod grants did that ever go through Are you gonna have security cameras at the stadium after 7 shots were fired in 2020? And what's your, safety plan for bus auto bike and student pedestrians? You still have none. So you're failing in that. Now you're failing with special ed. So you're doing a wonderful job, ladies and gentlemen. Next stop, so you go to Trenton, huh? Great. Interesting, what did they approve? These are the politicians what they approved at one time they approved plastic straws and paper straws. Was there any critical thinking involved in that law? That makes you think that a plastic straw. Is going to get in a turtle's nose. And gonna kill a turtle. Was there any critical thinking in that? I love it how Dr. Morton has these tours. And influences conversation. Cause when I did fair funding back in the day, We had we didn't really have any students. Now all of a sudden, Under the, Mortons. Speech. We now have Activism. But on the same boat, we have people back here. Saying stop spending money on pre-K. Stop doing this. Stop doing that. It's a constant conflict. Where's the critical thinking? What is what's first? Student safety? Maybe. What's second? Oh, how about special ed? How about third critical thinking, huh? Can we do any critical thinking here? Quite a amazing how. We worked on climate change all summer. First time they get back in English class, the students are required to write an essay. About climate change and then On top of that, they're required to talk about the art of climate change. You look at climate change, 18 different ways, but you don't debate the other side. So unfortunately, our children are being influenced by our superintendent. It's quite amazing that he goes on these tours. And rallies up all the students. To come to Trenton with them. On the opposite side of the room here doesn't think they should be spending all this money. So that's it. Okay, we go back to the line. I do see a hand raised online. It is Stephanie Felix Johnson. If you could please state your full name and your municipality as soon as you see the timeer go up. Hi, my name is Stephanie Felix Johnson. I am from Cherry Hill. I have 3 children. One in each school, high school, middle school elementary school, high school, middle school, one in each school, high school, middle school elementary school. I would like to just bring up something about moving the alternative high school into east. I think that the proposition for losing the opportunity for lunch and learn, will greatly affect the majority of students. Time as an opportunity to seek out extra help to decompress, you know, use that time as a study hall. You know, I think that it will greatly affect them. And as parents, once again, we are kind of left in the dark. With these, decisions that are made. You know, and it is distressing as a parent that decisions are made and there is no feedback from the community and there is no real concrete plan. I think that as I school board, you owe it to our parents to let them know, you know, step by step how this is going to affect. All of the students. And I think that there are so many pieces of the puzzle that have been left out. And, you know, again, it is not fair to your current students. It is not fair to their parents, you know, and just for, for those students to lose that opportunity for extra help, I think is something that really needs to be, over and just we need some kind of plan. You know and As as the parent, it's very distressing and it's very upsetting that time and time again. The Terryhole School Board decides, you know, the administration makes these, you know, massive changes and it's kind of under the night and you know it's it's Something needs to to be needs to change and I feel like as an administration you guys should be more transparent with your community. You would have a better response if you were transparent with your community and our, you know, us as parents and community members would greatly appreciate it. But again, you know going back to the lunch and learn because that was my main concern. We should not get rid of lunch and learn it is very important for so many students and their academic reassessment, learning everything. Thank you. I want to correct the record at this moment as I did in our last meeting. I think it's really important with full transparency, as I did in our last meeting. I think it's really important with full transparency that we make sure that accurate information There is no change to the lunch and learn. Part of the day the students that schedule that is absolutely not true and Dr. Morton can speak further about that so unfortunately it's just incorrect information that that's out there. And we come back to the room if you could please state your full name and your municipality as soon as you see the timer. Jim Neary, Cherry Hill. This, this moving Coles program is, huge. There are many parents, especially us parents, a special need students. We've been advocating for a long time and we're all very, very, very tired. We ask you guys time and time again for transparency and we felt like things were getting so much better. Many of us do feel like it was a slap in the face to wake up the morning after. We were marching on Trenton with you by your side, banging your drum. It felt like a slap in the face of something like this would be announced. And in the way it was announced, maybe that wasn't your intention. But it was announced in a way that it made it sound like it was because of the budget. And again, to hear the presentation, this sounds great. I want to go to the alternate to high school at least. I mean, that sounded wonderful to me the way that you're planning it. So I know on the behalf of every special needs family and Cherry Hill, please. Get it right. Take the time. Talk to the families involved. Fight the battle of public perception. Already, I've stayed up. Mr. Mayor was speaking about sleepless nights. I've had sleepless nights. I'm reading parents comments. About what they think of these students. These students aren't criminals. They're not coming to East to interrupt your child's education. These are child's children like my son. Like my 4 children, they're already in your high school. They're not going to take away your programs. They just want their own education and by the sounds of it, they're going to have it in a separate area. And they deserve what's best for them, whether it's being moved to east, whether it's staying put, please. Do this right. Do it for the kids because that's why we're here. You know, we can talk about budgets, we can cut budgets, we can get more funding. Till the cows come home, but. At the end of the day it needs to be about the kids. And we need to get it right, especially something this important. And if it's been on the table and discussed for 10 years. To just talk about it one day and make it appear out of nowhere. It very much gave the wrong impression to everybody and And we all have a lot of faith in you guys. And we'd like to see you get it right. So we employ you, get ahead of it. Get ahead of it, get the community turned around, because the direction the freight train is coming just from the day you made that announcement, it's not And it's not a good look and these kids aren't going to be welcomed. I've already heard comments tonight. From adults and students. That tell me that even the teachers that Easter leaking fear into the students ears, thank you. Thank you. And we go back to the line. I don't see any hands raised online. So I would come back to the room. If anyone else would like to speak, please approach the podium. So I. Traditionally allow each person a comment during each public comment period, not twice. And did you speak during first? Okay, I apologize. I was trying to, I didn't look back at my notes. So I know I know you spoke map, but it was during first. OK, please. Whenever the timer is ready, go for it. I'm Matt Reichstellas Cherry Hill once again. Just like to thank Colin, Jack, Crystal, Gia, for speaking testifying at Trenton. They did a great job writing their own thoughts testifying to their own experiences. They were not puppets. I think that was a weird conspiracy that's going around. Acting on their own accord speaking to very personal experiences in many cases and I think it's very odd to try to. Kind of portray them as, you know, local actors acting on behalf of, you know, select individuals. In terms of the. Alternate high school program, the new announcements. I would like to clarify if this was unclear in my in my other statement. The students I've spoken to as well as the staff are not like worried about, you know, what some of the people on Facebook may be worried about some like weird conspiracies about students causing issues at the high school. We're just worried about the practical implications of it. This switch which would have be wing now dedicated to the alternative high school. We're not worried about the students like all rational students at our school. Are have not brought any concerns to me about. The students that are coming to East as part of the alternative high school program. They are specifically worried about how viewing and the changes under the program could impact current policy at east. So I just like to clarify that there was no issue with the students it's just about the practical implications of that policy. Thank you. Okay, I look online. I don't see any hands online. I look back in the room. If anyone would like to speak, please approach the podium. Laurie Neary, Cherry Hill. First I'd like to congratulate Christian Biglietta on her appointment. She may not think so when she gets one of my husband's wonderful emails, I'm sure. Also I would like to know that I agree. With, YEAH, UNIRE, as regarding the calendar and those 2 additional days, I can imagine attendance will be very, very low on those 2 days. Specially given. 3 Kings Day on the 6. So thank you for tabling that Mr. Mayor. To take a second look and regarding the alternate high school thank you again Matt for your clarifying comments. I won't go into a lot, but I do think it's really, really important. Everybody as you can see is really upset and really passionate about it because when you stand here for this fight for so long, you are very worried about the children. And I would tell you the most disturbing behavior that I have seen is from the adults. Pre to them as prison inmates is act just absolutely disgusting. So I would implore that the district get into the building, speak with the students, the staff. Ahead of time and I do think it's important to clarify about the capacity issues. It's my understanding and our former superintendent long stated we're nowhere near actual physical capacity at that building. Compared to what we have seen in years past in the 90. When it was much much higher. The capacity constraints and the overcrowding are due to staffing challenges and not having enough teachers to support multiple sections of classrooms. So I think that would be really, really important to clarify because people hear that think overcrowding and they think about is. As Gia eloquently stated. The challenges of, you know, enough classes. We don't have enough staff. I think that's important to clarify. And again, please get in there. Speak with students and staff at East at Alternative. Have those roundtables and with the community. Because that perception. Has to be changed or. Day one scares me. I don't want those kids to feel and see what I've seen. From the adults. So please, please do that. Thank you. Okay, we go back to the room. I'm sorry, the line. I don't see any hands online. We come back to the room if anyone would like to speak, please approach the podium. Okay, I'm going to close public comment. And before I turn it over to Dr. Morton for his comments. I do want to Try to reassure the community. There was a comment made indicating that there was information that came from. Or from somehow from an executive session. I just I hope that was just a sense of conjecture. I want to clarify to reassure the community that the Board of Education, when we meet an executive session to discuss certain very limited matters which we are entitled to discuss. Personnel matters, legal matters, that we are not That information is kept private, so I don't want the community to misconstrue that. And I again hoping that was a conjecture statement. So just want to clarify that so the community understands that we hold our responsibility very high in keeping information private. And with that, I will turn this over to Dr. Morton for your comments. Dr. Martin before you start your comments I apologize I need to make a clarification on the HR agenda due to the presence of only 7 board members the 3 abstentions on item 15.4 means that motion did not carry and therefore it will be placed on the agenda on April ninth. Well, thank you, Miss Sugars and thank you very much for the opportunity to speak, Miss Stern. So thank you to everyone as well for your comments tonight for your feedback, for your perspectives. We definitely appreciate, hearing from everyone. We, so for us, we aren't. Seeking to diminish any of the supports in the program that currently exists for the alternative high school. As you heard from Miss Giardo and her from Miss Mallory as well, that program is successful because of the students and the combination of staff members that are present within that program. For those who had an opportunity to visit the alternative high school within the last several years, you'll know that that is one of the shining stars of all programs that we have within this district. If you've been within this facility, the administrative building during the day, you'd never even know that the children are even in the building here because of the way they conduct themselves because of the systems that have been built because of the supports that have been put in place because of the leadership that Mr. Giardo has displayed and because of the expertise that in the tenderloving care that the teachers provide. We're not going to. Pull the carpet out of pull the rug out from the students. So the expectation is that those supports will go forward with the children to high school east. And one of the things that I, in talking to Mr. And she's, she's. Is one that I totally agree with. They will add value. To the high school East building. Guaranteed they would that that program that staff her leadership will absolutely add value to that building. Without question. So there's a timeline for communication. Is it a timeline for the dissemination of information? You know, we seek to be transparent. You know, we seek to have the information out there. We seek to engage in the discussions, but it's an appropriate time. When those conversations take place. Individuals feel that information was withheld. I'm sorry that you feel that way. That's not our approach. That's not our intention. That's not our approach. That's not our intention. You know, we seek to have conversations. With everyone and we will engage in the conversations with everyone and moving forward. I absolutely agree that it needs to be done right. And it needs to be done well. You know, we want to ensure that our children do not miss a beat. At High School East or at high school at the alternative high school as well. Just also just an understanding, you know, having served as a principal in the district for many years. Children do mainstream back and forth. Within the buildings as well where appropriate. So what that looks like is that the children would be bussed from school here and they'll bus back to their respective schools. And no one is the wiser when the children come back into the building. They don't carry some kind of signature or a mark on them that would that would indicate that they attend school here but you know they're buried needs as to why the children attend school here and the objective is to get into a place where they can interact and be included with their peers at the comprehensive high school. So I think it's a tremendous opportunity for the kids. We definitely believe it's the right thing to do. If someone preface this as a budget saving opportunity that wasn't the correct communication. Communication is that this has been in discussion for a very long time. And at the time is right now and it's the right thing to do. So in terms of lunch and learn, I'm not sure where that's come from either, you know, to think about the elimination of lunch and learn. The district approved. High school schedule around lunch. Includes 2 LB blocks, LB one, LB 2, students. Typically have a lunch period. They're one of those LB blocks and they have a home room period during the other. The way it works. Because of staffing and and for ability for us to be able to maximize. Staffing and supervision we have half of the group. Have lunch at 1 point and have other half in a home room and then there's a flip flopping. So instead of having the full population out. I understand and recognize that East has tried a different. A different approach. To lunch this year and allowing students to make choices about where they might go. And where they would choose to spend their homeland portion. We, you know, we don't have any intentions of removing that student autonomy away from them. But we definitely as we move forward want to ensure that there's adequate supervision and there's, you know, things line up appropriately. And reference to the 2 positions that exist, obviously physical responsibility is something that we all take to heart and it's very important for us. Human resources and personnel. Our confidential matters. It's very difficult to have discussions about specific. Positions because they may attach to people and as we begin to talk about positions that may be sunset and other positions that come forward, it has to be handled with sensitivity. There will be a reorganization of our organizational chart. And any position that that we propose. A budget neutral positions. So in new of having one, we identify another position. For those who reached out to me over the last week, I've said that to you. Your email again, you know, I'm willing to have the conversations. I feel free to reach out and we definitely can talk about it. And I'll share as much as I'm able to. As much as I'm able to share. I think that is it. Thank you. Thank you for the detailed and sharing responding to some of the concerns. It's really helpful. And I'm sure many, many, many more conversations to be had as well as, specifically with student voice. It's always a big focus. So, you know, I want to specifically speak to the student representatives from our both comprehensive high schools to let you both know that, you know, that's a very important piece and will continue to be. And there is a timeline. Different pieces moving forward. And with that, I make a motion to adjourn. Does anybody want to second that? This is Nia's all in favor. I can you say I raise your hand if you're all in favor motion does carry.