At the Board of Education meeting last evening, Dr. Nagy thanked the Alternative School at Mt. Laurel Principal Joan Barbagiovanni, her staff and student and the student’s parents for the great presentation this evening on their program and the dedication of the staff to support a student in recovery and who found hope through the staff. It was a powerful and inspiring presentation.

Dr. Nagy recognized our retirees on the agenda and wished them good health and best wishes in their next endeavors.

The Board approved Dr. Nagy’s addition to the superintendent agenda of AL for a degree status change and agreed upon the financial difference.

Dr. Nagy noted that the Board of Education meeting for December will be on December 14^th in the Rutgers Room across the street in the Board Office building and, due to the BCSSSD concert and Holiday Craft Fair, the Board meeting will begin at 4pm.

The Board approved the revised job descriptions for Network Technician/Administrator, Computer Technician, Coordinator of Cooperative Education and Job Placement Non-Hazardous and Teacher of Criminal Justice.

The Board approved the revised policy pertaining to School Organizations and approval of the revised Staff handbook for both BCIT and BCSSSD.

The Board approved a very small revision to the 2023-2024 school calendar for BCSSSD to now include a Parent Teacher Evening Conference on February 13, 2024.

In addition to items presented by our student representative to the Board, Liam Redford, Dr. Nagy highlighted the following:

We are looking forward to our Advisory Dinner at the end of the month where we will honor two Successful Graduates of the Year, Kennedy Chukwuocka and Lendrell Martin and our Business Partner of the Year, Shamrock Heating and Cooling, as well as provide time with our Burlington County Business Partners and our BCIT staff to discuss our program and forge new directions and look to update the curriculum to reflect the emergent needs of the respective fields.

The BCIT Education Foundation will be bringing in the holidays on December 6, 2023 from 8-10am to create holiday baskets to be chanced off as part of a fundraiser for scholarships. The Ed Foundation is looking for donations.  Please see the BCIT website for additional information.

BCIT has recently been contacted by Gold Bond Building Products in Burlington as a recipient of a $30k donation as part of their Giving Tuesday 2023 Campaign to support our Robotics and Pre-Engineering programs. We are excited about this National Gypsum Company to provide such a generous gift to BCIT.

Dr. Nagy noted at the end of his remarks that as we look toward next week, on behalf of the Board and administration, I wish all of you the very best for a Happy Thanksgiving and quality time with family and friends. We also remember those in our military services and those who we have lost during the past year and who we hold dear in our hearts.

At the Board of Education meeting last night, Dr. Nagy shared the following message which will also be shared with our parents and staff via separate communications at the end of this week which highlights mental health resources:

Dear Staff, Parents and Guardians of BCIT/BCSSSD Students,

 This past week, as part of the campaign for National Mental Awareness Day, the district shared mental health resources over our social media channels directing parents and guardians and staff to our websites for resources provided by the district (BCIT and BCSSSD). We understand that in addition to health-related concerns, tragic and disturbing global events may add more anxiety and concern to students and families. In some cases, across the state as reported by our Acting New Jersey Commissioner of Education, “there are reports indicating students are facing harassment at schools based on cultural or religious affiliation, including incidents involving racist and derogatory remarks, online bullying, and other harmful or threatening behaviors.”

This week marks our focus in all of our buildings and across the State and nation on the importance of a week dedicated to Respect, Tolerance and Anti-bullying practices and zero tolerance for anything but a safe, supportive and inclusive environment in our schools.

We are reminded that we, as educators, parents and the community, must work closely together to support and advocate for a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students. Together, it is our responsibility to ensure that every student, regardless of background or belief, may feel safe, secure and free from discrimination while pursuing their education in our district.  We all have a role to play to reduce the anxieties of our young people and where needed, to take advantage of the resources offered by the school district as well as those highlighted by the New Jersey Department of Education to prevent harassment, intimidation and bullying and while supporting Trauma-Informed & Healing-Centered Practices. 

The Board of Education, administration and educational staff are committed to supporting our educational community to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. We are also prepared to provide any assistance to those families who may have mental health and wellbeing concerns.  We thank you for being a valued partner in the education and support of the overall wellbeing of your child entrusted to the District.

Referring to the agenda, Dr. Nagy acknowledged all those who have announced their retirements. He wished them good health and happiness in their retirement and next endeavors. He also thanked them for your dedicated service to our students and colleagues.

The Board approved the replacement of the Superintendent’s executive administrative assistant. Dr. Nagy welcomed Sujata Ray who has an extensive background in administrative and educational support roles in districts at the building and district central office levels. Sujata has a Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology and a Masters in Psychology and minors in education and statistics. She has a penchant for data and analytics.  Dr. Nagy also acknowledged the intensive processes his administrative team went through over the past three weeks to interview numerous candidates and to fill key positions.

The Board approved Policy #3212.1 for attendance which was updated to include selections where a selection had to be made among two or more options for applications of practice in the district which were not checked last month. 

Dr. Nagy acknowledged Liam Redford, the student representative to the Board and asked him to present his report on campus happenings.

Following the report, Dr. Nagy noted how proud the Board, administration and he is pertaining to the efforts made to provide awareness during this Week of Respect and Anti-bullying. It is so important and so timely.

Dr. Nagy also thanked personally and professionally all the BCIT staff who are helping the BCIT students in their college pursuit process by writing letters of recommendation. Dr. Nagy noted that he and his administrative colleagues have also joined the efforts. The extra effort is appreciated and speaks to the level of staff professionalism.

Dr. Nagy noted that on the agenda was a slight change in the Homebound instruction numbers for BCIT West. There are now 3 students who are now placed on homebound instruction of which the Board approved.

Discovery Night on both campuses will take place next Thursday, October 26th as we look to showcase our students, programs and campuses for potential new students.

Dr. Nagy noted that the administration and staff are preparing now for the Fall Advisory Dinner on November 30^th at the West Campus which will honor our Business Partner of the Year and Former Graduate of the Year.  Meeting with industry leaders and our CTE instructors will address current and future issues and trends and how BCIT can be positioned to respond.

The SAMSA Grant is being utilized on both campuses and various agencies are providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff.

The Board approved a replacement for the Director of Pupil Personnel Services who will be leaving the district the end of November.  Jill Trainor will be the new Director of Pupil Personnel Services at BCIT.  Jill has her LDTC, Masters in School Leadership, Masters in Reading and her Bachelors in Special Education.  She has extensive experience in the field and most recently has been the NJDOE Education Program Development Specialist.

The Board approved an additional Coach for Wrestling to address a need to have a Girl’s wrestling coach given the popularity and compliance with Title IX.

The Board also approved the BCIT Promotional videos, curriculum approvals and the acceptance of our self-assessment on the QSAC Performance Review.

Chris

Dr. Christopher Nagy

There were three presentations made last night at the monthly Board of Education meeting last night pertaining to requirements by the NJDOE, one for a presentation on graduation rates (BCIT only) and the other for Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Semi-annual report (SSDS) for both districts. Assistant Superintendents Eder Joseph and Dr. Ashanti Holley made the presentations respectfully for BCIT and BCSSSD districts.

Dr. Nagy congratulated in his absence, Mr. Andrew Willmott, business administrator and his wife Missi on the birth of their new daughter Jacey Gray this past weekend.

Dr. Nagy congratulated all of the retirees on the agenda. He wished them well and extended to them the gratitude of the Board and Districts for their many contributions.

Dr. Nagy took a minute to personally and professionally recognize his executive administrative assistant, Rosemarie Loughlin who has been nothing but exceptional. She received a wonderful opportunity and will be leaving us the end of next week. Thank you, Rosemarie Loughlin, for all that you did for both school districts. She received a round of applause. Dr. Nagy also noted that BCIT will also be losing the Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Dr. Nagy wished Laura all the best and thanked her for all of her contributions to the counselling and CST departments.

The Board approved a number of roles held by various staff in the district for required NJDOE positions, namely, the testing coordinator for BCSSSD, McKinney Vento Homeless Education Liaison, District 504 Coordinator and Anti-Bullying Specialist for BCSSSD while also approving the Student Safety Data System Presentations and submission as well as the appointment of the

The Board also approved a number of policy second readings as well as abolishment of other policies.

The Board approved the Statement of Assurance for the Paraprofessional Staff for the 2023-2024 school year and the acceptance and submission of the Uniform Statement and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Education and Law Enforcement Officials together with livestreaming Memorandum of Understanding.

Dr. Nagy noted last night at the meeting that the Board and District are proud to have with us for the year, our BCIT Board of Education Student Representative: Liam Redford.

·Liam William Redford is a senior dance major in the Academy of Performing Arts at the Medford Campus. He has been involved in many clubs, serving leadership roles such as Class President, the President of both the Gay-Straight Alliance and the International Thespian Society and leads the Yearbook club.

·Liam has been vice president of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Community Service Head Chair of Interact, and founding vice president of the National Art Honor Society. Over his 4 years, he has been involved with Student Equity Champs, Building Men, SkillsUSA, Student Council, among other clubs.

·He has represented BCIT at Boys State, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference, and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership conference.

·Liam was awarded the Burlington County Principals and Supervisors Association Award last year for 11th grade.

·Outside of school he coaches gymnastics in Eastampton, works professionally in dance and theater, and volunteers for people with disabilities for Camp Fatima of NJ.

·Liam hopes to be working in Special Education and is the son of a teacher. Congratulations.

Dr. Nagy then asked Liam to provide his report on the events on both campuses for the past month.

After Liam’s report, Dr. Nagy noted that we are happy to report that we had a great start to the school year. We had a very large group of new staff who joined us this year. We kicked the year off with an Opening Day presentation from the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Eder Joseph to inspire and motivate the staff for the new school year.  We also had a well-attended Back to School Night last week on both campuses. We started our focus on celebrations across the campus to address the Week of School Respect and Focus Against School Violence as well as Hispanic Heritage month. We are also looking forward to the groundbreaking of the new additions on both campuses sometime before the end of this school year.

The Board of Education reorganization meeting took place this morning at which Mr Tyler Burrell was re-elected as President for the 2023-2024 school year and Mr. Robert Brittain re-elected as Vice President.  Prior to the meeting during the past two weeks, Board member Michelle Parker was sworn in for a new term and two new Board members were sworn in:  Dr. Charles McCabe and Ms. Tiffany Cohen.  The agenda included the appointments of support services for general operations for the running of the school district during the 2023-2024 school year, policies and regulations, approval of grants, mental health providers, professional services agreements, board meeting dates, approval of the reorganization chart for both districts and approvals for any additional staffing for the BCSSSD ESY (Extended School Year) which started this week. Prior to approving the Superintendent's agenda, Dr. Nagy noted two changes for Board Meetings: The August Board Meeting will be at 6pm instead of at 9am and the October date will be changed from Thursday October 19, 2023 to Wednesday October 18, 2023 at 6pm. Congratulations to our re-elected President, Vice President  and Board member and to our two new Board members. We look forward to another productive year.

At the last Board of Education meeting  for the 2022-2023 school year last night, there were a few presentations made.  A presentation was made by Assistant Superintendent Eder Joseph and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Danielle Hartman regarding the academic achievement of both our BCIT Campuses placing both campuses among the top three performers among all high schools in Burlington County. This is a true testament to planning, our staff and the response on the part of the students to the academic support and ability for us to shift from in-person to remote learning and back.

A second presentation was made to honor the great work of Vincent’s Ice Cream for their donation to our Special Services Students for three days in a row, ice cream in honor of Autism Awareness Month. The last presentation was made to honor the work of our Board of Education. A certificate of appreciation for the dedication and commitment of Lorene Moore was made who announced her retirement from the Board at the last meeting.  Subsequent to this presentation and at the end of the Board meeting, Board member Leon Jones Jr. announced his retirement for the Board effective at the end of the Board meeting. To both we thank them for their years of service and dedication to our students, staff and districts.

The Board approved a number of retirements on the agenda. Dr. Nagy on behalf of the Board, thanked them for their tireless efforts to make a difference in the lives of our students. He wished them good health and enjoyment in the next leg of their lives.

Dr. Nagy noted that as of this week and Board meeting, all of the commencement ceremonies have taken place. Dr. Nagy thanked the Board members who attended various ceremonies, our administrators, staff and to our graduates, a resounding well done on the promotion to the next grade or on their high school graduation. He also recognized those on the Lumberton Campus both staff, administration and students for a very beautiful tribute for the very last commencement for that campus due to the closure.

The Board approved the Mentor Plan and Chapter 27 Emergency Virtual District Plans which have been recently updated for both school districts for the 2022-2023 school year.

Dr. Nagy congratulated the BCIT Child Study Team for their resolution and memorandum of agreement on the settlement of their contract.

Dr. Nagy made a special note about the hires on the agenda. Among those on the that was approved as a Teacher Assistant was our own Jaxon Keefer, graduate of the Transition Campus this year, representative to the Board of Education and Mr. BCSSSD.  Congratulations.

To the addendum last night, Dr. Nagy asked the Board to include on the addendum the addition of the acceptance of the BCIT CTE Bond Act grant which provides the funds to expand the footprint of both BCIT campuses. Dr. Nagy also asked that a change be made to B7 Employee #101452 be changed to a half year from a full year.

The next Board of Education meeting will be on July 6^th at 9am for the reorg meeting. This will be a virtual meeting.

Dr. Nagy wished all a good summer.

Formerly Early Childhood Education on the BCIT West Campus and now called the Future Educator Program, due to an expanded focus on providing experiences for students who may be interested in teaching while serving as a conduit to local teacher education programs to groom future teachers, which are in high demand. BCIT students are given hands-on opportunities to plan, design and present lessons. The program is hosted in the BCIT Childcare Center and the instructor is Erika Fine.  Please see the article posted in ROI-NJ. 

At the Board of Education meeting last Night, there were multiple presentations made during the Board meeting. The Burlington County Student Spotlight recipients were recognized by Senator Jean Stanfield who presented a Proclamation from the NJ Senate to BCSSSD student Jaxon Keefer and another on behalf of Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr., a Proclamation from the NJ Legislature to BCIT student Audrey Lehman.  Congratulations.

The second presentation was from BCIT West Principal Joseph Venuto who presented a certificate of appreciation to the Board which was awarded to Dr. Nagy, Mr. Venuto and the BCIT West Staff and Culinary Students from the Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and State Board of Education President Kathy Goldenberg on May 17, 2023 at an NJDOE awards ceremony hosted at BCIT West. THE NJDOE and all in attendance were so impressed with BCIT, the students, staff and particularly what the culinary students were able to prepare and present.

The third presentation was made by Security Director Veldon Harris to honor the Security Leads of the Year, namely, William Dutch Braun at BCIT West and Quincy Hendryx at BCSSSD West and Officer of the Year Award to Darlene Colquitt at BCIT Medford. The awards recognize the important work of our security team in both districts. Pictured in all three pictures are

Director of Security, Veldon Harris and Assistant Director of Security, Domenick DiLeo presented:

Security Officer of the Year to Darlene Colquitt, BCIT Medford

Co-Security LEAD of the Year William “Dutch” Braun, Security Command Center at BCIT West

Co-Security LEAD of the Year Quincy Hendryx, BCSSSD Westampton

BCIT’s Fashion Design program led by teacher Kyra Baider has been engaged in a project to make Angel Gown pockets at the request of Angel Gown representative Jean Lee to honor the deceased babies at birth or shortly thereafter in the delivery rooms. These pockets the BCIT made will be distributed among the hospitals in New Jersey. It was an incredible presentation.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate and thank our student BoE representatives whose last meeting is tonight and we will have others serve for the next school year. In this the inaugural year of having students on the Board we could have been prouder to have you represent your fellow classmates and to be a voice for them. Our perspectives have been enriched as a result. We wish you Favour Oyelade and Jaxon Keefer the very best. 

On behalf of the Board, Dr. Nagy acknowledged all those on the agenda who announced their retirements. We thank each and every one of you and wish you good health and happiness in your next endeavors.

Dr. Nagy referred to the calendar for the next school year. Though approved back in January 2023, a clarification to the calendar was provided regarding the early start for all staff which will take place the last week of August. That Friday, September 1, 2023 will be a day where only 12 month employees on respective campuses report to get ready for the first day of students who arrive the following week.

This year, the reorganization meeting will take place on July 6, 2023 at 9am.

The Board approved the Board and District goals for both Districts. Dr. Nagy thanked the the Board, administration and the staff who provided input.

The Board approved a number of Statements of Assurances as per requirements.

The Board approved the Assistant Superintendent contracts and Business Administrator as well as the Board Self-evaluation and completion of superintendent evaluation.

Among other approvals, the Board approved a job description update for the BCSSSD Assistant Principal position, a shared service agreement between BCIT and BCSSSD as well as resolutions for generation services.

A school-based behavioral threat assessment and management training program has been signed into legislation by Governor Murphy.  The purpose of a threat assessment team is to provide school teachers, administrators, and other staff with assistance in identifying students with behaviors of concerns, assessing those students’ risk for engaging in violence or other harmful activities, and delivering intervention strategies to manage the risk of harm for students who pose a potential safety risk. Veldon Harris, Director of Safety has put together a Threat Assessment Team on each campus and these individuals will be invited to attend a training course within the next few months.  The Board approved the Threat Assessment Team participants and their trainings.

Dr. Nagy thanked all those administrators and staff who made it possible to honor our staff during Teacher Appreciation Week. The various acts of kindness and words of appreciation went a long way to say “Thank you for a job well done.”

This past week, the County Governor’s Educator of the Year Awards program took place at the Westin in Mt. Laurel. Many of our campus staff honorees were present to receive their award at the catered breakfast. This was the first time in three years since the pandemic that this event returned to in-person. Congratulations to all awardees.

As we look to the end of the school year, please find a schedule of the Graduations for BCSSSD and BCIT:

·      BCSSSD 8^th Grade Graduation Ceremony: Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 10:30 am Burlington County Amphitheater

·      BCSSSD Daycare Ceremony: Monday, June 12, 2023 at 10:00 am BCSSSD Media Center

·      BCSSSD Preschool Ceremony: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:00 am BCSSSD Media Center

·      BCSSSD Westampton and Lumberton Graduation: Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 10:00 am at BCIT Westampton campus.

·      BCAS Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 4:00 pm at BCIT Westampton.  

·      BCIT Westampton Graduation: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 5:00 pm

·      BCIT Medford Graduation: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm

In addition to the report by our student representative Favour Oyelade, please find a few additional highlighted items for the past month.

Dr. Nagy thanked once again BCIT West Principal Joe Venuto and the culinary instructors and students for doing a phenomenal job to provide breakfast for the awardees recognized by the NJDOE. This was a great experience and the food and service were exceptional.

We are looking forward to the building expansions of both BCIT campuses which we anticipate will begin in the fall. This represents an exciting opportunity for BCIT and expansion of programming.

This week, Dr. Nagy has the opportunity to visit the welding, HVAC, Electrical Adult Ed classes this week on BCIT Medford campus and had an opportunity to speak with the students and will make some connections with employers to consider hiring those students who do not yet have a job waiting for them. The students presented their recent projects and talked about how BCIT’s programs have been a great turning point for them.  He encouraged them to share their resumes with him of those who do not yet have jobs.

Dr. Nagy congratulated the BCIT Theater Arts Department, many of whom were in attendance at the Montclair State University annual Theatre Night awards.  BCIT’s production of “The Outsiders” was nominated for four awards this year, winning Outstanding Achievement in Stage Combat.  Mr. Scott Cooney was honored with the prestigious JoAnne Fox award which is given each year to “a theatre teacher who is an inspiration to his/her students, whose passion for theatre is infectious, and who creates a community, a loving extended family in his/her school in the process of producing high-quality productions”.  BCIT was also nominated for:

Outstanding Achievement in Live or Original Music in a Play – Alauna Clinton

Outstanding Achievement by an Acting Ensemble of a Dramatic Play – The Cast of “The Outsiders”

The Ingenuity in Direction Award – Scott F. Cooney

As we prepare for the approach of the Memorial Day weekend and the last leg of the school year, I am reminded of the words written by author and journalist, Tamra Bolton, "This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home.  This is not Veterans Day, it’s not a celebration, it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom". 

I would like to take a moment of our time to reflect on Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, which honors the men and women who have died while serving in the military. We thank those on our staff who served or who are serving in the armed forces in the reserve and we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. 

When looking back to the start of the school year, we have much to be grateful for and for how much we have accomplished and grown throughout the year.  On behalf of the Board and Administration, I thank our parents, guardians and students for their dedication, support and confidence in us to bring our very best each and every day to lead, guide, nurture and inspire.

As we anticipate the end of the school year, I leave you with a 30 Day Gratitude Challenge to complete one phrase each day.  If you have time during the summer, I recommend Shawn Achor’s book, “The Orange Frog”, because an attitude of gratitude creates blessings.

I was proud to visit our welding class on the Medford Campus, many of whom are preparing for the next level tests as they move through their two year program while others have completed their course work and tests and are looking to be hired or have jobs waiting for them. Pictured are proud students who have demonstrated their welding skills based on the beads welded which acted as their trophy of level of competence. Congratulations to the welding instructors and postsecondary education adult students.  You are in demand as you earn stackable industry credentials. BCIT has a great tradition of graduating welders, most of whom have jobs before finishing their program.