1 Completed July 6, 2017 Convened at 5:38

TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday – June 27, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. Completed July 6, 2017 Convened at 5:38 P.M. Call to Order Board President Gene Bouie called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance President Bouie led the salute to the flag. Roll Call Present: Gene Bouie Addie Daniels-Lane D. A. Graham Fiah Gussin – arrived approximately 5:45 p.m. Jane Rosenbaum Gerald Truehart II Khietharelys Medina (Student) Absent: Yolanda Marrero-Lopez Lucy Vandenberg Heather Watson Acting Superintendent of Schools – Nelson Ribon - Present Business Administrator/Board Secretary – Jayne Howard - Present New Jersey Sunshine Law - Read by Board President Bouie The New Jersey Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right to the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted on. On the rules of this act, the Trenton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting by publicizing the date, time and place, therefore posted in the Central Services Building, 108 North Clinton Avenue, City Clerk’s Office, City Hall and the Times. Anyone whose name is on the mailing list should receive a notice. Formal action will take place at this meeting. Mission Statement - Read by Board President Bouie All students will graduate with a vision for their future, motivated to learn continually and prepared to succeed in their choice of college of career. 1 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday – June 27, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. Adoption Of Agenda President Bouie advised of the following changes to tonight’s agenda: There is an addendum to the public agenda There is a second addendum to Executive Session PULL the presentation on the State Health Benefits Plan PULL Finance Item NNN – Resolution to Authorize Participation in the State Health Benefits Plan and/or School Employees’ Health Benefits Program of the State of New Jersey Motion was made by Dr. Graham and seconded by Mr. Bouie to adopt the agenda with the above changes. Agenda was adopted by all Board Members present. ROLL CALL YES NO ABSTAIN Addie Daniels-Lane X D. A. Graham X Fiah Gussin X Yolanda Marrero-Lopez absent Jane Rosenbaum X Gerald Truehart X Lucy Vandenberg absent Heather Watson absent Gene Bouie X PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD Mr. Charles McKenna from the SDA gave the Board an update on the construction of the new TCHS Main. Board questions and comments were as follows: Name of artist creating the tornado sculpture PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Ron Sanasac, Trenton Education Association (TEA), expressed the unit’s concerns regarding the proposed revisions to Bylaw 0167 – Public Participation in Board Meetings. He stated that TEA leadership needs more time to air the concerns of their members and provide them with proper representation. He also expressed concern about the requirement to sign up online to address the Board, stating that not everyone has access to the internet. He asked that the policy be pulled this evening. Mr. Billie Hayes, Community Member, agreed with Mr. Sanasac’s comments. He felt that Bylaw 0167 is discriminatory and retaliatory towards the community. He also expressed concern about school start times. He stated that the incoming Superintendent is not qualified for the job and does not have the proper certification, and he asked the Board to rescind his appointment no later than July 1. 2 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday – June 27, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. Ms. Vondalyn Fannin, TEA member, stated there is a liability regarding safety of the students if the earlier start times are approved. She also felt that the cost savings do not justify making the change. Ms. Karen Isky, American Lung Association (ALA) of New Jersey, congratulated the District for recently completing the ALA Asthma Friendly Schools Program in all 24 schools. Ms. Marlena Ventura, TEA member, expressed concern about the proposed earlier start times. She said the schools will have to open their doors earlier to accommodate students, which will increase costs to the District. Mr. Darren Freedom Green, Community Member, spoke about the recent graduation ceremonies and congratulated everyone for the part they placed in the successes of the students. He said there should have been media attention focused on how well the ceremonies went, and the achievements of our students must be celebrated in the press. Ms. Jocelyn Johnson, Paraprofessional at Jefferson School and the Grievance Chair for the Trenton Paraprofessionals Association (TPA), advocated for the students at Jefferson. She asked for a summer program to bring the students up to speed after a full year of having substitute teachers. Ms. Betty Glenn, TPA President, agreed with Ms. Johnson’s comments. She said many parents are concerned about this situation. Ms. Princess Hoagland, representing the Trenton Civic Trust and the Citizens Campaign, stated that the students need to learn about civic engagement and leadership. She asked for the inclusion of Solutions Civics in the high school level Social Studies Curriculum. Ms. Terry Harper, Teacher at TCHS Main, expressed concern about the proposed earlier start times. She also felt that the Teachers and Principals, not the Board Members and Administration, directly represent the students’ success. SUPERINTENDENT’S REMARKS Superintendent Ribon said the recent promotion and graduation ceremonies have been a phenomenal experience for himself, the parents and the community to celebrate the students’ success. He also addressed Ms. Harper’s comments and said that the order of the procession at graduation was not intended to show disrespect towards anyone. He lauded the efforts of the Teachers and School Principals in preparing their students for graduation. He also thanked all staff members for their hard work during the past school year. Superintendent Ribon addressed the comments of Ms. Johnson and Ms. Glenn. He acknowledged the challenges that exist and apologized for any confusion that may have occurred regarding a letter going home to parents. He stated that he is committed to working with Dr. McDowell to ensure the affected students have summer opportunities to 3 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday – June 27, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. catch up on missed learning. He said the situation is unacceptable, and the main goal is instruction and improving opportunities for the students. Mr. Ribon spoke about the proposed bell schedule, discussing both concerns and positive feedback. He said a plan has been put in place through working at the school level with the Principals and gathering data. He said the recommendation is not being brought with the primary goal of cost savings; rather, the needs of the students are foremost. The Superintendent said approximately $110,000 will be reinvested in the elementary schools for early morning enrichment programs. A meeting will also be held with NJ Transit to ensure that adequate bus service is available for students who use it, and additional buses will be purchased by the District to accommodate the new schedule. The Superintendent, incoming Superintendent McDowell, Board President Bouie, Mayor Jackson and Police Director Parrey all met to discuss safe corridors and having a police presence to support transitioning to the new schedule. Additionally, four town halls/parent forums were held in the community to discuss the plan. These meetings were advertised through robocalls, social media, the District website and flyers. Mr. Ribon said additional steps are in place to handle the transition to the new schedule. The attendance policy for students and the master schedules will be reviewed closely to address the needs of students who are chronically absent. An ongoing evaluation committee will be created consisting of Leadership, Students, Principals, Parents, Board of Ed Members and Community Members. This will enable all stakeholder groups to have a voice in how the new plan will be rolled out and any changes that may be needed during the course of the year. Lastly, the Board will be kept informed by Administration. Superintendent Ribon said that, based on the plan in place, he is recommending that the Board reconsider the proposal for the new bell schedule. The Superintendent thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as the Acting Superintendent, stating that he has learned a lot from the community, staff and students. He also thanked Interim Assistant Superintendent Wilfredo Ortiz for the work he has done in the District. Mr. Ortiz will be retiring at the end of the month. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Dr. Graham echoed the sentiments of Mr. Green in his earlier public comments, and he said he had the privilege of attending several of the moving up ceremonies and also the graduation ceremonies. He challenged the media to stop perpetuating a negative stereotype in their coverage of the District. Dr. Graham said he looks forward to getting a tour of the new high school, and he thanked Acting Superintendent Ribon for doing a really good job in trying to continue moving the District forward. He said he appreciates Mr. Ribon’s commitment to the City and its children. Vice President Truehart wished everyone an enjoyable and safe summer. He said the hard work continues on moving the District forward. He also thanked Superintendent Ribon and wished him and his family well. He acknowledged there are challenges to be addressed, 4 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Tuesday – June 27, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.

Load more