##VIDEO ID:fe3jqlaZuLk## e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e this is to advised the general public that in compliance with the open Public's meeting act the little L har Board of Education meeting was advertising the as press Atlantic City Press and posted at the office of the Board of Education located at 307 frog Hon Road little L Harbor New Jersey and posted at the office of the municipal clerk of little Lake Harbor can I have a roll call vote Please Mr filella here miss m Mr bar here miss zes here M Berber here M Lawrence here Dr Snider here we have quarum can we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Al United States of America indice I have a motion to approve the agenda can I have a second second are there any questions all in favor I any exensions or objections okay motion carries thank you recommend a motion to accept the following minutes can I have a motion can I have a second second are there any questions Mr Barry's trying to get in his last few motions before ends um all in favor uh any exensions or objections okay the motion passes thank you moving on to our first public comment for agenda items only the Board of Education now welcomes the public to comment on the items which are on our agenda tonight community members should first try to resolve their concerns by speaking directly to school administrators before bringing those concerns to the board it may not always be possible or appropriate for the board to directly answer questions during the public comment period each speaker is allotted a maximum of three minutes to make their statement No one may speak more than once on the same topic you're required to give your name and address before speaking please keep your comments respectful and non- defamatory and maintain the level of decorum appropriate for a public meeting where minors are in the audience would anyone like to speak sure okay moving on uh we have the following uh correspondents for informational items anyone have any comments on any of those and then um not moving on to um committee reports and our board work session um are there any sorry Laur I don't mean to put on for the policy committee but I know that you something so I all right okay the policy committee met um on the 12th just two days ago and but we've been working quite a while a couple of months on this so Dr an junz and Alison Lawrence and Howard Barry thank for their diligent work um we revised we added language to an older policy 5516 that was already on the books called electronic communication and Reporting devices so we've revised that at first read is on the agenda for you guys you should have gotten that on the email um tonight or yesterday and I hope that we can adopt it um next month this will be first read tonight um because while we realize this is not a super big problem in our district as yet we wanted to get ahead of it before it is and be proactive about the mental health of students and we are showing we're standing with them to help them achieve their highest potential so thank you all on the committee for for the work and I hope you and hopefully the implementation will be consistent and thank you um and everyone should have received um a potential schedule for 2025 Board of Education meing draft dates um I had suggested to Dr antuna you'll be receiving an email or a phone call of what days of the week are not a good day for you okay and I figur that's a good way to start with everyone and then we can work from there as to a day in time and so forth um personally I think that the six o' six six o'clock time slot is a good one um but that's just for me personally just was you know kids and after school and and all of those different activities I don't know if anyone had any other thought and then also to on um um see ab's not here um the reorg meeting I guess is proposed for January 2nd um I was thinking of pushing it to the seventh or the eth I think eth is the last St by Statute that were allowed to have I did look at so I didn't know what inter slots were AUST a January 2 in regards to the time for the first part of your statement you said 6 o' is that the public time or the executive session time executive and that would back up the public time till what 7 or 6:30 I I would personally say 7 just because tonight we were hustling to get out here I don't think traditionally there is an executive session I I think oh I'm sorry I think we moved it later to provide for families who are having dinner they it's easier for them to get here and I think some people are having trouble at 5:30 getting here so and of course um we'll discuss it with our you know new board members as well um but um think about that when you get your phone call we'll give a poll and then decide by the next board meeting what are the thoughts on the second versus the 7th that's thday Tuesday isn't it 48th Wednesday the seventh Tuesday Oh I thought the seventh was Monday so I like the seven even better yeah so that'll work sorry I just in case anyone who does not have children in the school district is potentially traveling or the rest of that week the second is a Thursday um but it just seems we're asking everyone to jump right back into school and a meeting so I would say the seventh so are we amending this or well tentative these are tentative dat we can we can approve it next time but the four of us or approve the 7th as an option I can do 738 okay for the S okay s so yeah think s and I mean I guess is there a concern with doing it later without having a board president you still have you'll have a board president within within minutes no I meant like from since school will be open oh is that a concern well we we'll just we're just going to continue to call you you'll still be the person okay we have one okay I thought I expired when the clock strikes 12 I guess not okay is there anything else anyone else like to discuss so is this item on the agenda to be v no that's it's just a discussion those potential dates are you T are you tabling this it's not a vote this is just our work session so just disc it's just discussion okay oh I see okay so we're GNA advertise for the meeting on January 7th at 7:30 we have to vote on that next week next month right okay but but that's we're definitely January 7th I guess the time is um I do know that Abby Works Central Standard time I do not know how they're affected through the time change like my son is in Arizona and now with the time change is only two hours different but I think still be now we should also check with the new members yes yes okay all right okay nothing else um we're going to move on to the superintendent's thank you so yesterday fraud Pond hosted a dynamic and moving veteran say assembly all armed all armed forces were representing and it was one of the best Veterans Day Ceremonies for which I have had the pleasure of attending our students were poised proud and did a wonderful job representing themselves their loved ones and frog pond additionally our sixth grade chus sang the national anthem beautifully it really was a a phenomenal event it's important I I said this the last meeting I'm saying it again because we We are continuing to get reports from community members that the sentiment to Please be aware of homeowners whose houses are within the school area especially during arrival and dismissal there are cars that are lined up along the road and and what's happening is that the traffic is driving on private property the personal property has been damaged and destroyed and we ask that everyone remains respectful at others uh respectful of others property and remember that we are one Community supporting each other additionally please keep all the traffic laws in mind when waiting for your children at bus stops and things like that because they're getting very up close to the stop signs and then people can't see coming around the corner we don't want anybody to get hurt we have been meeting with representatives from right at school to work collaboratively to eliminate any frustrations and concerns that some are realizing and that are coming our way so another meeting is scheduled for next week and we'll keep people posted on that uh another friendly reminder that there is a chain of command when working through an issue or a concern so please be sure to to follow that chain so that any concern or suggestion is dealt with at the level closest to your child or children so that those those are the people that can that can assist you in the swiftest manner before going up the chain if if you're going to come to me I've got to go I've got to talk to the people who are with your children so you want to go to the people that are with your children first before it gets to to my level or the board level uh we are on well on our way with two Factor auth medication thanks to our technology department I would like to thank the staff members who have already completed the process even though it's not mandatory to December we have had staff members do that already it is definitely appreciated a gentle reminder to our board members that you guys have to complete it too so you want to get on top of that and if you need help let us know and we'll help you with that in an effort to remind our staff to take care of themselves so that they can be the best that they can for our students be on the lookout for information regarding another Wellness challenge Beginning Upon Our return from the winter holidays in January as I previously expressed We Are One School District I keep saying it we have three schools but we are one District the students are our students the staff is our staff so voting has begun for our updated School logos in District barand everybody should have received that everyone ought to have receive a Google form to choose his or her favorite logo we will roll out the new logos in January but they're still still one more day to cast your vote so be sure to do it ASAP because voting closes tomorrow and up here we've got the district uh logos and you can use you can vote tonight you can use the the QR code and vote it closes tomorrow and uh we should be ready to go we're going to roll it out in January we're very excited about this we're getting a lot of votes the district one we put out to everybody community community at large school community and the community at large fr ECC and Mitchell we put out to that Community students and staffs alike so please go ahead and cast your vote tonight Dr so is the one on the right ours now right yes yes so it's really the one the other two congratulations to Laura Herber who has been reappointed to the board to a to a new three-year term and welcome to and I'm going to apologize if I say the name correctly Mr John Sone and Mr Greg zga JGA okay we uh we Laura we looking forward to our continued work together and in welcoming the gentleman to our and of course we will miss Mr MN Mr Barry but we still have another left so I'll miss the chicken salad now while I'm sure you've already received notification this is a reminder that parent teacher conferences are taking place next week so please be cognizant of the time frame as the teachers are often on a very tight schedule when it comes to parent teacher conferences so I know they're looking forward to seeing all of you and a reminder that the district is on an early dismissal schedule for Wednesday November 27th in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday as we enter the holiday season let's take the time to reflect upon the important people and situations in our lives I know that as we were talking about this I'm personally thankful for joining this as a superintendent and I look forward to continuing my journey here so that is it for superintend report okay moving on we have U presentations we have student of the month for George Mitchell the character tra for October at the M school was respect so all of the students were chosen based on that character tra in kindergarten Gavin in this place is a respectful student and friend he respects the school his teacher and his classmates he takes care to follow the rules of the class and always raises his hand Gavin is a great team player and makes sure his classmates are showing Respect by working together congratulations G first grade ARA seur and Mrs Gilly is Mrs Gilly said Arian is a respectful first reader who listens carefully and follows directions with a positive attitude she's kind to her classmates and always looks her ways to be helpful ARA's respectful behavior and kindness make her a great role model in our class congratulations we have another first reader Mas Lindsay and Mrs Farley Mrs firley said Mason is a respectful first grader who always follows the rules he is quick to remind his classmates to raise their hands and to be respectful to each other and their teachers Mason is always willing to help his classmates he's a great example of what teachers look for and not just a respectful student but an allaround good student congratulations and our second grade student in the month is Amaya sandel Gillard from Miss's class she's not here this evening but I'll read what Mrs stino had to say Amaya is always kind and respectful to her classmates teachers and school she reminds others how to be respectful in a sweet caring way she's a role model for her classmates perfect one more he's the he doesn't smile okay we have FR good evening everyone Brock Pond's first student of the month that I'm going to announce is from Miss W's class Mr Brian Rosario come on up Brian here's what M had to say about Brian congratulations to Brian the student of the month for third grade Brian exemplifies kindness and respect every day always ready to lend a helping hand to his classmates whether he's offering support with schoolwork or simply brightening someone's day with his friendly smile Brian's positive attitude makes our class a warmer place we are so proud of you Brian for being a wonderful role model and friend keep shining from Miss Barrett class we have Jacob barello come on up buddy here's what Miss Barrett had to say Jacob is always kind and respectful to his peers and adults in our class Jacob is an excellent role model he enjoys helping by cleaning up the classroom assisting friends that need help and Jacob is a hard worker and is eager to learn new things during recess Jacob BS also plays football with many of his friends and he always eager to share and help others learn the game way to go Jacob from Miss Columbo's class we have sh come on up Jay Miss Palumbo says I chose Shay for student of the month because Shay is an allaround wonderful student as a student she is responsible curious hardworking motivated and conscientious all important ingredients to success as a member of our classroom she is kind and helpful and there for anyone that needs assistance including me I can trust Shay to always do the right thing inside that outside our classroom I know I can always count on Shay congratulations H I would like one more sorry I saw you and I was like I know he wants it um inth grade for Miss L class we have Ava Darren come on up Ava here's what M ter had to say Ava is a joy to have in class she is a bright student who always comes to class with a smile on her face every day AA is a friend to all and loves to help out around the classroom whenever she can a works hard every day and strives to be a role model for the other students congratulations and keep up the great work and from sixth grade for Mr sailor's class we have Landon dasas come on up Landon Landon is the student who brings them fun spark to the classroom his rise sense of humor and fine appreciation of the Absurd en lightens our Ela classroom and contributes Crea yes he is responsible respectful Dependable helpful to others and conscientious towards his work what is it that really makes him stand above the foundational merits of this award it's his character Landon's resilient and honest qualities enable him to productively work with others and bring out their strengths these social skills are much needed today Landon your easygoing Manner and Savvy sense of humor will take you far so always be true to yourself we are fortunate to have you in our classroom school and community all right this is a nice group one more Gra okay congratulations to all the students of the month and thank you to Mr sailor I always love hearing what you have to write um we're moving on to the um audit presentation if at this time any of the parents and students would like to leave um this is your chance otherwise if you're you're welcome to stay please grab a cookie on your way out congratulations on you're welcome oh okay I just okay Mr Garcia we're ready when you are thank you nothing clears out of room like my name is Mike Garcia from Ford Scott Associates for CPA firm in Ocean City I'm here to present the results of the school district's audit for the year that ended June 30th of 24 so the 2324 school year and um um Mr Green has passed out um a couple of one document it also has an insert in it and so before we get into it um I just want to give everyone a brief overview remind of what we do with the annual AUD of course we're going to be looking at the numbers but in addition to looking at the numbers um we also on a sample basis test to make sure that the business office is following all of the rules and regulations that the state and the federal government impose on school districts um that encompasses things like um we read through the minutes of the meetings to see if there are any items that are discussed in the board meetings that might have a financial impact we um make sure that the cash balances that are reported monthly on your Tre on the treasures report to the board are in agreement with the accounting records and actually more importantly the bank statements making sure that the cash is actually in the bank where it's supposed to be we um confirm that your revenues are properly deposited and recorded into the into your um into the accounting records and obviously specifically your most significant revenues would be your state aid as well as the tax levy from um from the township and of course other misscellaneous items also um expenditure wise um well first we look at your payroll we test to make sure that employees are paid in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements make sure that their withholdings are properly calculated and properly remitted to the um appropriate Authority whether that be the federal state government or um insurance withold um pension withholdings those types of things um also your employees are required to contribute towards a portion of the cost of their health insurance and so we recalculate to make sure that those um contributions are being properly um deducted and um reimbursed to your health insurance line um expenditures um you know every time the board pays a bill there's a process that needs to to to to to go through to make sure the bills are properly paid so we do sample to make sure that expenditures are properly supported by um an actual proper invoice from that vendor that the good or the service was actually received that it was properly approved um and then approved for payment by the board at a board meeting on the bill list um certain items are required to have bids if they're above the threshold so we test to make sure that you're following that bid law that if you're making expenditures that require bids that that's done um we also review your annual report of enrollments the October 15th um Assa report the application for state school aid um that and remember those numbers are important because your state aid is actually calculated based on those enrollment numbers um so we look at that um your fixed assets property plant equipment that the district has we review those records to make sure that those things um you know um are are actually here into building the equipment and being used for school purposes um just a quick overview maybe it wasn't that quick but an overview of the things we look at um when we find errors or exception we're required to write a finding and recommendation to the board for corrective action I am happy to report that there are no findings and recommendations there so it's a clean audit now I do want to draw your attention now in this um the the balance document which is the auditor's management report and if you would turn to page seven um there are no findings and recommendations but I do have two recommen uh two suggestions management so these are not items that require a corrective action plan but on page seven there are two suggestions and the first is under the Food Service fund that long paragraph I'm not going to read it for you but um in a nutshell what it means is um as a recipient of federal subsidy money for your food service program there are certain rules and regulations that you have to follow um the federal government requires that food service surplus funds be kept at well what they consider a minimum currently the district is above that minimum amount and it's because after the pandemic the federal funding increased significantly for school lunches so it's difficult to spend that money down all at once and what this suggestion says is that you come up with a plan to spend down that money I've talked um with Mr Green I know there's a plan in progress to spend that down because what I don't want to see is at some point the federal government can come in and say okay you've had a couple of years to spend this money you haven't now we want it back so I want to make sure that that we we have a plan to spend that on allowable and this that's the difficult thing an allowable expenditure can't be spent on General School District expenses it has to be specific um expenditures toward the Child Nutrition program um and when we talk about the numbers I have a schedule that will put that um comment in in Clarity for you but right below that we have the community school fund um that fund has operated at a at a deficit now I know you've you've um subcontracted it out to a contractor but there is a remaining deficit in that fund of $134,000 so something will have to be done in the future to fund that deficit most likely it will require a transfer from the general funds to cover that deficit um that's accumulated over the years um and then once again and I did speak about that I know there's some irons in the fire that um will hopefully help you know close that Gap up but at some point probably the general fund may have to kick in some amount to basically close that fun out and zero out all right so um the next thing there I have a separate handout that's got some um just a couple of things that I want to draw your attention to and if you would open it up um which okay the cover is is page is number page one but actually the first page of data is number two and this is specifically what I was talking about I've given you here this is the balance sheet for the Food Service fund and the community school and I highlighted in green hopefully you can see it it didn't copy too great but um in the Food Service fund I've highlighted the ending unrestricted net position in the amount of 1,1 187,00 um $26.78 the calculation that I was telling you about this the federal government says that number shouldn't be more than about $756,000 which means they're going to want you to spend down $432,000 by either purchasing equipment for your cafeterias um possibly um other expenses to maintaining the facilities of the cafeteria also you may have employees who are contributing to lunchtime that aren't necessarily being paid by the cafeteria that maybe Robert couldn't look into to help um you have a question I can see no okay but but it's it's about $432,000 that we need to spend on allowable um cafeteria expenditures and just to throw it out there um you know an allowable expenditure is also reducing the price of lunch for those that pay if that was something that you would want to consider obviously by doing that it become it's not something you can do forever but for a couple of years to get this down it might be one something that you want to consider um then right next to it in the community school column I have highlighted once again that's the $134,000 deficit in Brackets there um that we need to fund eventually um a question there yeah sure um So eventually is how long well sooner rather than later I know I mean I'd I'd love to be here next year and see that the $134,000 has been out but in reality this has creeped up over 20 years so I don't necessarily expect that you're going to be able to to to zero it out in one year and now we almost almost halfway through this year but um you know look at it as a you know a couple years to you know a project to in the next couple of years depending on annual budget situation what you can do on the the general fund um you know just so it should be included as a line item in our budget towards paying came down if you could do it this year and knock it out one year that'd be great but you know once again I know you have other other things that that you need to consider also but I guess when when will it become an issue like what what happens if you don't say five years from now and it's still at that amount like does this gain interest like no no no no it's as long as well actually the account does have a bank account that actually earns a little bit of interest that will if nothing else happens in that account this year because of the interest that's earning it'll reduce that number a little bit but you know there's only well there's only about $23,000 in cash in there so the interest that it earns is insignificant but it won't increase um you know but you know it's uh just back on the food service with the Surplus just so the public understands uh what are some things that it can be used for and what it can't be used for okay things like other dishwashers um certain cleaning equipment Mr Green has has a list the of commonly allowable expenditures but those those are you know generally the things specific to um you know to the cafeteria tables um I know Roberts told me that um just recently the district has purchased or is in the process of purchasing um water bottle filing stations those types of things it's it's difficult because they've given you this money and it has to be spent on allowable things but they're very restrictive on what's allowable and um it's not something I mean I wish I could just say here go do this and you know there's there's those are the things other Watchers equipment that is used in the kitchen or in the serving more physical assets than like salaries or anything like that well once again salaries yes if it is someone if it's an individual who is who is working in the cafeteria during the Lunch Period times um and is contributing in some way to the Food Service function also um um um utilities related to you knower is actually doing that now charging some utility costs to that fund um to get down but it's the it's it's a good problem to have but it's hard to spend this $432,000 the utilities aren't AR in itself going to do it but you know I guess the thing and um probably 90% of the school districts in New Jersey are in a similar situation um and so so I guess you know um the thing to do is you know evaluate your cafeterias and kitchens and you know and now is the time because normally before Co it was the other way around Food Service funds were requiring money from the general fund because they had that so won't be you know so anything you know this is the wish list year and next year I guess if there's anything that the cafeteria need now is the time to do it when when you've got these funds that are available and can only be used for sh nutrition program yeah I just have a question about consumables actually Edibles regular food could you enhance or Sur have Surplus yes for extra healthy foods perhaps once a month and that's that's a good that's a good suggestion as a matter of fact um but yes and once again you know I'm not nutritionist but as long as it needs all those nutritional standards that are required for the cafeteria um you know that would be a great idea might be inter be able to help local people to some um I don't even know do you guys have salad boards now and with the younger kids that lives with the a lot of like the high school district will have salad bars um you know and that's a big expens put something like in that but with younger kids does work in expense but it's it's well received in my district my old District yeah and just more thing is there I thought we were we were at the lowest price that we could charge for lunch I didn't think we could go you're already as low as thought just everybody um all right now the rest of this document um that I've got for for you I did I did want to just point out a couple of things if you would turn to page four so we've talked about the food service and um um but now you know the real nuts and bolts here is the general fund and so on page four here we've got the budgetary um comparison schedule for the general fund the first top half of the page um here that we're looking at are the revenues and I just want to draw your attention to some of the significant ones that um have a um a sign ific change from last year and the first line that I've highlighted there is the local tax levy the local tax levy of course did increased by the required well the maximum 2% um so that 13,752 244 was an increase of 269,000 which is the 2% the maximum that you're allowed to do um the other number that I really want to draw your attention a good indicator here is your interest on investments and that's um2 2,000 um that's a significant increase about $100,000 increase from last year that your back interest that you've earned went up of course the reason for that is interest rates in general have gone up um you'll probably see strong interest earnings for um for this year we're halfway through is it going down for you already I just received the call today they're dropping the r and that's only till February in February they're probably going to drop the rates again yeah you see the Fed Reserve cut rates in September and now you're seeing that triple down of following so um but so at least you did you made the money while the rates were good you know um for the 23 24 year and an additional $100,000 which you know um um the district you know really really needed obviously um the other items that I've highlighted here on the revenue side and there's just um it's your state aid um I know you're all aware of this but I've highlighted Equalization Aid in the amount of 6,336 93 and then right below it or well a couple lines below it is he adjustin a in the amount of 80 883794 those state aid numbers increased by decreased decreased I'm Sorry by almost a million dollar last year and as you're aware your state a Aid has been decreasing every year I know you've got a decrease in the 24 25 budget also but the the the main contributor to that decrease was um you know the fact that the equalization aid went down and the um adjustment aid went down so um and that's obviously um tough to build a budget when you've got state aid decreasing each and every year um then I finally want to draw your attention to on this document which is the last well it's it's page um nine page nine is the bottom line for for the general fund this is how you ended the year and um the first thing I well first the total expenditures were that $ 34,5 194,50 72 um but really I want to draw your attention a little further down to where I've highlighted 4,194 5777 that's your fund balance of June 30th um and you'll see that decreased by about oh well 354,000 from the previous year so we we reduced our fund balance by um $25 million and that's because we utilized a lot of our Surplus to balance the budget the last two years um so we have the 4 million in our Reserve account um below it I've well squared off that green box because as you remember the Surplus that total $4 million number is broken up into several components so I'm just going to quickly go through those components the first one is the $6,599 this is the excess Surplus from the 2223 year quick reminder um just as the state imposes a cap on your tax levy at 2% they also have a cap on your Surplus at 2% when you have more than 2% that money gets set aside and has to be used to fund the subsequent year school budget so in this case the 16 is being used to fund this year's budget it's part of the 2425 school year so that 116 has been spent right below it we have a capital reserve in the amount of 1, 297,000 105 those funds can only be used for repairs and maintenances we have an unemployment Reserve amount of 2779 as its name indicates that money is set aside for future unemployment claims moving on down we have um the reserve for incumbrances in the amount of 22461 96 encumbrances are open bills from the 23 24 year that are subsequently paid in July and August so the money is set set aside because frequently the vendors won't have all their paperwork in by June 30th to get paid so that money is set aside but now that money has been spent for those bills that were related to that um to the last fiscal year um then we have a piece here that's called designated for subsequent years's expenditures in the amount of 1,664 n.7 those are additional funds that the board put towards the 2425 school budget so you use the 116 that you had to because it was excess from the previous year plus an additional $1.6 million so that's going to make the 2526 budget you're it's going to be tough to make that 1.6 again um you know budget and when you look at your budget the last couple of years it gets Tighter and Tighter each year the way you're going to recoup some of that 1.6 so you have it for next budget is to have unexpended budget line items which um you know it gets harder to do as the budget gets tighter so I I do feel that that's going to be a tough number when you're creating and I know Robert's probably already working on it but your 2526 budget is going to be tough to put together because it's going to be tough to fill that $1.6 million poll that's being used in the 24 25 year and then finally we have the unassigned fund balance of 43,000 $623 181 that's actually less than 2% so you're about $100,000 below the 2% number so your your your Surplus in the general funds is very very tight and um like I said it's going to be um it's going to be a tough budget and those are the items that I wanted to point out to you um like I said we did go through no findings and recommendations um we talked about the two suggestions related to the Food Service fund and the um the after school fund um funding that deficit at some point talk about the Surplus numbers those are the um the numbers that I I'd like to um to to um explain to you um um there's when you get the full report it's going to be over 100 pages long but this is the information that I think is most important to to be aware of especially when we have a a small period of time to talk about it whats all over these numers of course but for the board and for the public tried to cover the things I think are most important for everyone to be aware of of course if there are any comments or questions for something they didn't cover that they' like to discuss I'm here for it can I ask a question so I don't even want to know the answer to this that I'm interpreting correctly so basically you're telling me that if we get the same exact Flat state aid we're at a deficit of a million 1.6 million well based on this that's what you're saying that yeah with the one cabul Robert's got a 2425 budget that hopefully will have some unexpended funds in it and I don't know what that number will be it will be some number um you know one of the areas too and we talked about not that it's significant but $100,000 is significant but when you look at 1.6 it's it's a small piece of it you'll generate some interest on on Revenue that will increase that Surplus account but but you're looking at it in the right way that without some other things happening to help you out it's a big hole that was hard to hear that thank you can't help but ask the last three years of surplus and the theer funds have probably that's a good point too kind of problem no it's a real good point in that in addition we talked about the extra federal aid because of food service but also you received the exra funds you know for for the co relief that um you know are has to all spent now and so you it's helped pop up your budgets for the last four years and so and you know and once again not that it's any consolations you but you're not the only District that's going to be in this situation with dwindling Surplus and windling actually eliminated um Co relief funds so so yeah that's one more thing that makes it even more difficult thank you thank you you're welcome all right good night everyone thanks thank you take a cookie on your way out you sound like me I jump my stud I need coffee money anyt will have to invo okay moving on to action items recommend a motion to approve Finance items a through F can I have a motion motion can I have a second are there any questions it's on page three for me so no questions give everybody a chance to get there okay can I have a real call vote Mr filella yes Mr Barry yes M zeso yes M urn yes M Lawrence yes Dr Snider yes motion carries recommend motion to approve facility items A and B can I have a motion question can I have a second second are there any questions if not have a roll call vote Mr phello yes Mr Barry yes M zeso yes M Herber yes M Lawrence yes Dr Snider yes motion carries recommend a motion to approve School business administrators nonpersonal items a through H can I I have a motion motion I have a second are there any questions I'm going to say that I read the preschool program plan and I learned a lot I did not know that Corey had a brother Cory wer had a brother named Carrie so you do learn when you read things and I thought it it was very very interesting and very informative so um get a chance take a look at it if you haven't had a chance I have a question on the um contract that we're approving for f now that's not we're just approving the contract so the school is a longer funding that Tri is that how I understand yeah um they those funds were cut in last year's budget um AC they're going to be paid for by the stud and also student did we ever fund it though like when my kids went here we like I remember paying for it right uh it was normally a portion of it or most of it was funded through the budget and those those funds were cut last year with all the cuts um if there's when the trip when it finally comes around if we do have some funds in the budget I I I'll ask the board if they want to support a line on of transfer to support the trip but as of now there was no Mone G I'm sorry P has been a big help thank you any other questions okay if not can I have a roll call vote Mr phello yes Mr Barry yes M zeso yes Miss Berber yes Miss Lawrence yes Dr Snider yes motion carries recommend a motion to approve personal items a through H can I have a motion motion can I have a second are there any questions under a is the Lead Teacher of assessment and technology is that being replaced or just eliminated see me please we're posting tomorrow okay thank you in please I just still have a question about the mtss coordinator I I should have re asked that after you sent your email then I got distracted um I know that we uh Harper used to be the I let get the acronym wrong IR n s i n is r n um and that was her title as supervisor and when we didn't have a coordinator for that then I guess I'm questioning why we need it now please correct me found the wrong way to believe it was a teacher who was paid out of that sing is that correct yeah when I held that position it was prior to my supervisor role um and then last year it was one of our ASI or two of our ASI teachers that completed that position as the S it was just me differently it was Title One coordinator we and those are basically I've met with you in that role before so that's what this persons going to in addition to helping classroom teachers Implement SE one interventions for their students yes thank you anyone else if not um have a roll call vote Mr phell yes Mr Barry yes meso M yes Miss Lawrence yes this yes motion carries uh recommend a motion to approve super superintendent of school's nonpersonal items a through L can I have a motion motion can I have a second are there any questions so it's interesting that we have to appr the minimum increase even though sorry it makes me Chu I have a budget um just to we're not we're not aware of the minimum wage and what it will be until about November it's come a long way I made 365 an hour I thought the last one was the last step this is the new yes but it'll still continue to increase yeah but that for initial plan yeah correct any other questions yes that's the um the electronic communication you don't have any questions on that the right yeah was very that's okay uh and then under the um sorry the let me see District goals one of the district goals is to increase Community engagement opportunities so if there's any ideas from the public to increase you know relationships and interaction between our community and the school districts please let us know definitely want to increase we do have a lot of participation in events and back to school night but we just you know we could always be better so if the public has any ideas for Community engagement I think we would definitely be interested in trying that if you've seen something in another school that works where you heard of something that would help us increase our community awareness I just had a question about that too um is it 20 opportunities that first bullet and it just dot dot dot or do I don't have the final copy yeah I see that's sorry was it supposed to end that way opportunities for is that the measurable part of the goal 20 events or 20 perhaps 20 stakers I forgot to ask I'm sorry PK I just didn't finish the sentence it's to increase the community engagement so we we have a core things that you were just saying and we want to we want to increase it so I'll I'll oh the opportunities okay and so if the community wanted to to let us know IDE heas are we welcoming input and if so how can they do that best absolutely I always welcome input and they can send send me an email or they can go to their uh building administrator through through that route as well okay and your emails on the website all right you have questions roll call vote Mr Phil Jo yes Mr bar yes to everything except a m alesda yes M Herber I have to say Yes except for a please M Lawrence uh yes everything but I have to thank you m Lawrence Dr Snider yes okay all motions pass except for um it still should president voted all it all motions pass all uh resolutions pass all right AR is there any new business okay um this is no new business moving on to public comment the floor is now open to members of the public the Board of Education recognize the value of public comment on educational issues the board request that each statement made by a participant is limited to 3 minutes as cited in policy number 0167 there's a sign and Sheet located on the podium keep sign in before you speak would anyone like to speak giving a gentle pause like in my class and then tell me to go back the slid sure okay um moving on to board Forum do anyone like to start um I went to the New Jersey Board Workshop I know some of us did uh as always very informative the two topics that I um that I went to included cyber security which it's Muny a few years ago you couldn't find one workshop on cyber security and there was about 10 of them this time uh so I'm glad that we're moving forward with the second factor and the other things that we're doing to protect our district it's definitely becoming a problem for all school districts connected to the internet so that's good and then the other one was Robert's Rules uh can never get enough of that cuz it's you know it could be very difficult but they made it fun actually we uh did a Jeopardy game with Robert's Rules uh none of us knew you know each other and we all work together to figure out some of the answers after they gave a presentation so that was one fun way to learn about Robert's Rules so it was a beneficial Workshop I also want to congratulate Laura John and Greg for the election to the school board I know John is here if you wouldn't mind standing up so everyone would see you and I know Greg's watching at home right Greg so congratulations can't wait to get you guys on board and uh you know we'll say very nice things about you and uh you p and Mr Barry next month um regarding the Surplus for the food another idea I had while I was here is maybe you can reach out to the special ed department and see if there's any you know special education um needs or there students that need certain things that uh you know we didn't think about I I go back to when we had playground equipment and uh certain kids needed certain things for accessibility and things like that so maybe there's something in that realm that we can spend some of the Surplus money on maybe Kell has some good ideas and speaking of special education um last night the little Lake Harbor School District CAG special education parent advisory group held a social event uh at the school at George Mitchell we partnered with the Pinelands Basketball Association and basically it was all the kids um with an IEP 504 special education speech PT OT anyone that's u under that umbrella we play basketball it was basically an open gym and um uh the president or the the director of The League Freddy uh he brought some of the pin lands high school kids that play varsity basketball and they were playing with our kids so if you want to check out the pictures or the videos from it it's online it was an awesome time it was our second one we did it last year and uh it was just a really fantastic event I just want to thank the board for allowing that to happen uh by giving pins access to cour okay I wanted to talk about the workshop too um that I attended um I have a little bit more time than Chris I went Monday Tuesday and Thursday s such a wealth of information the only complaint I would have is that there's so many offerings and they duplicate The Times They they kind of you know you can't get to everything you want to get to but I I took uh sessions on cell phone policy public speaking uh absenteeism school funding the new Oprah law really a wealth of information I would encourage any board member to try to get there at least one day next year um and finally I'm so happy that we pass the reading at 5516 I thank you so much for caring about the kids and and working especially and Howard on this diligently thank you and state Thanksgiving especially if you're traveling for the holidays I know I am and it's just a nice little regroup to have some time and just have a little break so I think everybody deserves it and needs it and think than that we just need to I I just want to uh well we're between we just passed Veterans Day and we uh coming up to Thanksgiving so for Veterans Day I was happy to hear that you did that that's that's awesome and uh uh I'm sure that our excellent teachers here uh will you know keep focused on that stuff throughout the year um you know we go about our our uh daily functions and whatever our Duties are uh we're on a mission and teachers teach and AIDS help and the cafeteria cafeteria people do their things and everybody has a mission and sometimes you know you you you uh you don't make it through and and you fail these veterans that uh that have reserved our rights and our freedoms um they don't have that opportunity to fail so they are on a mission and that mission they are willing to give their lives to complete it um that is the seriousness that um I know that we're dealing with elementary kids but keep that inculcated into their minds uh this is where we are at now as a nation you know Freedom isn't free and uh I know that's cliche but uh I'm glad to hear that we do our part here to uh to try and focus on those sacrifices because uh I can't imagine uh uh you know that what what it must be like to uh I know that Mr Denning you know he gave up the part of his life for that stuff and his family and and he put his life on the line and some of you in here might have also and uh I could say it you know I I don't know what that's like but I don't and but I do appreciate it and I want our students to appreciate that so as they learn they go on in their life they realize where they're at and what they're given you know don't be flipping about it you know there was a cost to be where they're at and for Thanksgiving I U am terribly thankful for the our country and where we are um I do remember one of the reasons why actually I wanted to be on the board was because my uh one granddaughter who was in class one year and had an excellent teacher really a good teacher um but they were assigned to say what they were thankful for and it always bothered me because she come came home and said that she was thankful for Jesus and her teacher told her well you can't write that and I know that that was a good teacher but but I know that that is stuff that uh that's a foundational part of our society to have the freedom of religion um we are not here to build foundations for for religion but we certainly shouldn't be taking away foundations and I know the teachers are worried about repercussions might happen but there is no reason why you know student could write something like that and I think that we need to do a better job as a board and as administrators and as a legal team to explain that that is not what is meant by uh um you know non-discrimination yeah this separation so but I truly am am thankful for all of you this district and all you do and you are really a great people and I I thank you you're here very if I just add to uh the military event yesterday I went to help my uh dad and my nephew and Mr nazak and Mr Denny did a phenomenal job in his staff Mr Martinas I think his name was um those three did a phenomenal job and then there's pictures online if you go to Facebook fron Elementary you'll see the videos of them singing You'll see uh the family members with their students it was a phenomenal event and I know my dad who was a marine back in the 60s truly appreciate it so thank you guys okay uh just to piggy back up on that um Veterans Day was this week and when I actually encounter a lot of veterans in college and I also encounter a lot of active New Jersey National Guard and students do it because they'll it's a way to finance their education and it terrifies me because when you think New Jersey National Guard do think will be protecting New Jersey and I have to send these kids off to Iraq Afghanistan and you know um I'm waiting for them to come back and let me know that they're okay and I do have one that was in the Air Force our um National Guard still is and is currently in medical school so um that's some of the good things and I'm always very very grateful for them um so it is still a a tradition that continues on I think Chris your nephew's in the military you just signed up for the international so um we are TR truly truly grateful and I do wish every want a very Happy Thanksgiving um very safe and um enjoy the time with your family and then before you know it it's going to be a quick turn around and um it'll be another holiday break okay and um also congratulations to uh Laura and our newly elected board members so look forward to um I'll probably be turning over the rains after December but um I look forward to working with you as a board member we we're here and I know we'll get to that but I mean I'm so thankful also to for Howard and pam pam and I spent a lot of time together on negotiations and we've all spent a lot of time together on a lot of added I me there's so many Saturdays and Friday nights that we've spent together that um um makes this uh term very memorable I would say um and also two our next meeting is going to be December 12th at 6 p.m. and a public session will be at um session will be at 7.m um can I have a motion to adjourn motion can I have a second all in favor I motion carries see you next time on December the 12th