Berkeley Heights BOE BOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries

Laura’s Notes on the 08/15/2024 BOE Meeting

Aug 18, 2024

Following a near 2-hour executive session the meeting opened up with a senior class representative making a formal request to the Board for Open Campus for seniors at Governor Livingston High School.

Mr. Nixon then conducted his Superintendents report with an update on the 2024 NJ GPA (Graduation Proficiency Assessment) scores. The majority of our students are “graduation ready” with about 11.5% of students not being prepared in English Language Arts and 26.6% are not graduation ready in mathematics. While some state measures show improvements others are showing the opposite.

Students who did not score well will be receiving intervention in order to help them meet their graduation requirement. (46 students in ELA and 76 students in mathematics have been identified to recieve help during this upcoming school year).

From there we moved onto some policy discussion. Conversation in regard to the cell phone “policy” from the CMS Principal was discussed. While the Board was in agreement that they support the Administration helping students stay focused during the school day, many had concerns in regard to the seizure and searching of personal devices. The Board determined that the “policy” was a school regulation but that the Policy Committee would meet to ensure any regulations are in compliance with our own policies and state regulations.

Business Administrators report included Board Communication which now (once again) appears on the agenda. Several LED lights have been installed in all 6 schools! Get ready for a bright 2024-25!

Citizens Hearing on Agenda Items Only:

The majority of speakers demonstrated their support of the PRISM club at CMS.

Two residents brought up concerns with defunding the Ethics Case from Mrs. Stanley/The BOE against Mrs. Akiri.

One resident brought up BHCW and ties to Board members, as if there is some secret society making decisions to harm the District. I am unclear why this resident feels it necessary to constantly disparage, belittle and attack neighbors and community groups.

Back to business…

Meeting minutes passed while a few Board members still had issues with the way in which minutes were transcribed.

Previously voted down HIB cases were passed.

The Board appointed an Interim Assistant Superintendent, Dirk Phillips at $700 per day starting August 19, 2024 through November 19, 2024.

The Board appointed an Interim Assistant Principal at Governor Livingston, Joseph Walsh at $500 per day effective August 26, 2024 through November 13, 2024.

The Board appointed an Interim Athletic Director at Governor Livingston, James Shriner at $550 per day effective August 26, 2024 through November 13, 2024.

The Board approved the appointment of Transportation Supervisor/Asst to Buildings and Grounds, Anne Prevonost with an annual salary of $90,000.

The Board approved the resignation of Courtney Dobkin, Danielel Gonnelli, Samantha Oates Kelly Sheehan, Monica Maroto Alvarez, Helen Bartolick, Carly Bergstron-Rosellini, Cecilia Candeloro, Carvieon Hamilton Lewis, Jennifer Serretti and the retirement of Ann Clifton.

Revisiting The Plan on Mathematics

Mrs. Joly questioned Dr. Curtiss in regard to metrics with the regard to the districts math plan for BHPS students. I have personally attended a meeting with Dr. Curtiss in regard to how we “fix math” (my words) and she completely acknowledged that kids are struggling and we do have a problem. I am in full support of everything we can do, as a District and Community, to help our students learn and to support our educators! Dr. Curtiss commented that the goal is a cohesive effort in how instruction is approached. I will further add that Dr. Curtiss listens and provides thoughtful and thorough answers, and if you or your child are struggling, reach out and have a conversation.

Mrs. Joly raised a question in regard to the funds in the bank and why we had over one million dollars not spent from May to June. The Business Administrator did not have an answer, but will look into providing information at a later time.

The library liaison was also discussed and I’m still unclear why we “need” to appoint and pay a member of the District staff on the library Board. The Superintendent of schools is automatically a voting member of the Library Board. Mrs. Bradford commented that the relationships with the community and the Board are important, but I have yet to see the benefit to our schools to being on this board. Having said that, I adore Mary Neidenfuhr and would be confident with her representation of BHPS on the Library board. At the end of the day, I don’t think this is a big issue or one we really need to discuss further.

Board members spoke, personally, about PRISM club. I don’t need to belabor this topic, but I will say we are all human and I don’t think anyone voted out of “fear”. I am confident that each and every Board member (even the ones I NEVER agree with) cares deeply for ALL of our students and I think, unfortunately, this club got (unnecessarily) tied up in banter regarding “process.” I support PRISM and any other club, group or meeting in which the goal is to empower, support and help our children feel safe and have an environment to personally and academically thrive.

More bathrooms!!! We are starting to see effects of all the housing development, more student have enrolled in our schools and, as you may recall from all the fun we had during the reconfiguration, Kindergarten classrooms are required to have a bathroom.

Now onto “The Ethics Case (from hell).”

I will be brief, but to the point. Any INDIVIDUAL can file an ethics complaints against elected officials FOR FREE. If the case is found to be valid it can be moved to the Office of Administrative law for review. Again, ethics cases do not cost money. HOWEVER, if a member of the public submitted an ethics claim against a Board member or school employee, the District attorney would serves as their representative (and this is where $$ comes into play).

In this particular case: Pamela Stanley and the BH BOE versus Sai Akiri, DEFUNDING MRS. STANLEY’S PURSUIT OF THIS CASE DOES NOT INHIBIT THE INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER BY THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW.

But, it will leave Mrs. Stanley, on her own, to continue the matter if she chooses.

The walk-on resolution to defund Mrs. Stanley’s case against Mrs. Akiri was approved.

Board members had a lengthy discussion about remote access for the Superintendent search process. The motion to allow remote access was not approved, but the Board agreed to work in a collaborative fashion moving forward to ensure a fair process.

$55,000+ in unpaid bills was discussed and Mrs. Stanley and Mrs. Khanna shared very different points of view regarding the reasons. I am confused why these bills haven’t been paid, but those who had concerns seem to have legitimate arguments for their positions. It is not so much the amounts involved but the process. The process connected to the Transportation Consultants were a mess and to approve any more money connected to that body of work – especially when it was not approved by the full Board -sets a bad precedent as does paying out funds not outlined specifically in District contracts for services.

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