The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, February 14, 2005, at Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Glenn Williams, President. A statement was read that adequate notice of the meeting had been given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Flag salute.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Helene Armstrong, Susan Cullen, Amy
Dieteman, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo, Steve Tierney, and Glenn
Williams.
Absent: Peggy Faulborn.
There were 30 members of the
public in attendance.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong,
to approve the minutes from December 13, 2004 and January 10, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Cullen – opposed December 13, 2004 minutes)
Motion by Cindy Russo, seconded by Helene Armstrong,
to approve the executive session minutes from November 22, 2004, January 10,
2005, and January 31, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Russo – abstained from November 22, 2004 minutes)
(Williams – abstained from January 10, 2005 & 2nd
half of January 31, 2005 minutes when he recused himself)
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Steve Tierney,
to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month
ending January 31, 2005, as per copies attached and to certify that as of
January 31, 2005, after review of the Secretary=s monthly financial report (appropriations
section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials, that to
the best of my knowledge, no major account or fund has been overexpended in
violation of NJAC 6A:23-2.11(e)4 and that sufficient funds are available to
meet the district=s financial obligations for
the remainder of the fiscal year.
Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman,
Jones, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to
approve the bills from January 6, 2005 through February 8, 2005 in the amount
of $2,668,674.49.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Williams – abstained from check #17462 to Judy Williams)
James Alercia, Interim Superintendent Update:
Mr. Alercia reported the
results of the district’s monitoring process conducted by the Warren County
Department of Education. Great Meadows Regional has been approved and is
certified for seven more years.
Mr. Alercia reported the
results of the mold testing and said the project has been approved to remediate
the problem.
Jason Bing gave Curriculum Update about the following:
1. Gifted/Talented program description is posted on school website.
2. Gifted/Talented parent/teacher referral forms are available in schools February 18, 2005.
3. Materials update.
4. Revisit curriculum schedule: update progress report.
5. Science consumables: Posted on school web sites and are usually purchased by teachers out of pocket expense. Perhaps some parents could donate some of the items needed.
6. New materials showcase: GMMS
Public Comment on agenda items:
Bill Vondar Haar, Liberty resident, said there were no audit recommendations, but he remembers the auditor recommended employer unemployment trust fund be changed to become a contributory unemployment fund. He was told that was a suggestion by the auditor not a “recommendation.” He also stated he knows of correspondence sent to the Board, but it hasn’t been read at the Board meeting. Mr. Alercia said he has not received any correspondence.
Kara S., Middle School student, said she and other students signed a petition and gave it to Mr. Purnell about cafeteria concerns. She was told that Dr. Severns and Mr. Alercia were aware of the petition, but had not yet been able to do anything about it, but that the board was looking into improving the cafeteria program.
Geoff Cullen, Independence resident, spoke about email being sent to the Board of Education. He doesn’t see why it can’t be sent to all board members. He was told there is concern that it goes to the proper level. Mr. Alercia said there are many emails that come in and some contain sensitive information that should not go to board members and that the principal or superintendent address the issues. If they are not addressed to the satisfaction of the party, then it is proper for the information to go to the board.
Susan Cullen, Board Member, stated that maybe the person writing the email wants the board to know what they’ve written.
Glenn Williams, Board President, said he would like to see anyone who wants to communicate with the Board of Education, come to the meeting and have a dialogue so their questions could be addressed in person instead of sending an email.
Jim Alercia, Interim Superintendent, stated he received a half dozen letters regarding the mold problem. Kathy Koop, Central School Principal, also received additional letters. They were all responded to and the parents concerns were satisfied.
Mrs. Freidan, Independence resident, stated she did not have children in the district, but has a right to address the board. She was told everyone has a right to bring issues to the board at a public meeting.
Glenn Williams stated no one should walk away and not feel they are listened to. His preference is to have people come to the meeting so that everyone can benefit from the exchange of information resulting from the questions raised.
Jim Alercia addressed the delayed opening January 24, 2005. It was decided that due to road conditions, Great Meadows Regional had a delayed opening that morning. Usually what happens with a delayed opening is Jim Alercia calls the Allamuchy Superintendent, the Allamuchy Superintendent calls the Hackettstown Superintendent. There was a breakdown in communication and Hackettstown was not notified. Mr. Alercia and Allamuchy Superintendent both sent a letter to Hackettstown stating what happened.
It was asked if Mr. Alercia could please make the phone call to both Allamuchy and Hackettstown so there is no confusion in the future. He stated he would do that.
Jen Cassini, Liberty resident, stated information came home regarding the gifted and talented program and she stated she is thrilled with all the information. Her child is one of the three students at Liberty accepted to the program.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve a contract addendum for mileage adjustment of $1.95 per mile to Village Bus-First Student as follows:
Original Route
Cost New Miles Addendum Total New Cost
MD #1 $27,720.00 11.60 miles $ 4,071.60 $31,791.60
MD #2 $26,460.00 29.68
miles $10,417.68 $36,877.68
Total Route Costs $68,669.28
and to approve the costs for the transportation jointure with Warren Hills Regional School District for three special education students for the 2004-2005 school year being transported as follows:
Midland
Regular $ 7,380.00
VoTech
# 1 $ 2,160.00
VoTech
# 2 $ 7,387.74
$18,331.59 Total Annual Cost to Warren
Hills
and to approve the costs for the transportation jointure with Washington Township School District for one special education student for the 2004-2005 school year being transported as follows:
Midland
Summer $ 1,403.85
Midland Regular $ 7,380.00
$ 8,783.50 Total Annual Cost to Washington Twp.
and to approve the costs for the transportation jointure with Oxford Township School District for four special education students for the 2004-2005 school year being transported as follows:
MD
#2 $ 8,061.76
VoTech # 1 $ 480.00
VoTech # 2 $
3,636.00
$12,177.76 Total Annual Cost to Oxford
and to approve the costs for the transportation jointure with Hackettstown School District for seven special education students for the 2004-2005 school year being transported as follows:
Midland
Summer $ 1,403.85
Midland Regular $ 7,380.00
Hunterdon Lrn Ctr $18,630.00
Spring Run $
4,650.00
VoTech # 1 $
8,640.00
VoTech # 2 $
1,296.00
$41,999.85 Total Annual Cost to Hackettstown
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Steve Tierney, seconded by Helene
Armstrong, to accept the findings of the monitoring report from the State of
New Jersey Department of Education as attached.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to accept the donation of existing furniture in the Superintendent's office donated by Scott and Tracey Severns, which consists of one bookshelf, two wall shelves, one table, seven upholstered chairs, one large desk with computer corner and credenza for an estimated value of $2,500.
Motion by Cindy Russo, seconded by Susan Cullen, to amend the motion that acceptance of the donation is conditional upon a letter being drafted and sent to Dr. Severns requesting the return of the laptop.
Motion carried in a voice vote – 2 yes, 6 no - motion denied.
Vote on original motion.
Motion carried in a voice vote – 5 yes, 3 no - motion carried.
(Cullen, Jones, Russo – opposed)
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Steve Tierney, to approve a stipend for Tina Ritchie, Performing Arts Teacher at Great Meadows Middle School, for the following in-service presentations as per Great Meadows Regional Board of Education/Great Meadows Regional Education Association contract:
10/11/04 2-hour presentation, 1-hour prep
@ $30 per hour = 3 hours x $30 = $90.00
Eye of the Storm
01/17/05 3-hour presentation, 1-hour prep
@ $30 per hour = 4 hours x $30 = $120.00
Total $210.00
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve a stipend for Jessica Toussaint for homebound instruction of a Great Meadows Regional student for the following hours:
1/12/05 through 1/27/05 12 hours @ $30 per hour = $360.00
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the special education out-of-district placement for student #041090, at KidsPeace at a daily rate of $176.00, pending completion of admission requirements through the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to affirm the following budget transfer effective January 1, 2005:
From Account: To
Account: Amount
11-000-291-270
Medical 11-000-100-566 Spec Ed Tuition $30,000
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve an extended unpaid maternity leave for Kristy Whittle, Great Meadows Middle School principal and guidance secretary, through June 30, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Steve Tierney, to approve Juliette Priber, Montclair State University student, to complete her 16 week/1 day per week practicum with Great Meadows Regional Child Study Team beginning February 1, 2005 through the end of May 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the retirement of Beverly LaBarre, Cafeteria Director of Great Meadows Regional School District, with regret, effective June 30, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve Lee Nittel, Assistant Principal at Great Meadows Middle School, as Affirmative Action Officer for Great Meadows Regional for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve Patricia DePalma and Anne Young as substitute teachers for grades K-8 for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the termination of Richard Holland, Childcare Aide, effective February 3, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Dieteman – abstained)
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Steve Tierney, to employ Joyce Jansen as Childcare Aide at Liberty School at $9.25 per hour effective February 22, 2005 through June 30, 2005 without benefits, for the following hours:
6:45 AM – 9:00 AM – BeforeCare
12:00
PM – 3:30 PM – KinderCare
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM – AfterCare
Motion carried in a voice vote - motion carried.
(Dieteman – abstained)
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Bob Jones, to employ Michael J. Hann as Computer Technician effective February 22, 2005 through June 30, 2005 at the annual salary of $43,900 pro-rated to $15,547.92 including medical, prescription and dental coverage after 60 days of employment.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Steve Tierney, to employ Linda DeJesus as Substitute teacher for the Spanish teacher position at the Middle School effective February 15, 2005 through June 30, 2005 at the daily rate of $80.00.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to employ Paula Barden as 7th grade Science teacher effective February 28, 2005 through June 30, 2005, Step 6 MA at the annual salary of $43,119 pro-rated to $17,247.60 including medical, prescription and dental coverage after 60 days of employment.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to authorize the district to submit applications for emergency hiring and applicant’s attestation that he/she has not been convicted of any disqualifying crime pursuant to the provisions of NJSA 18:6-7.1 et. seq. for the following new employees:
Paula Barden, Linda DeJesus,
Michael J. Hann,
Joyce Jansen & Anne
Young.
Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman,
Jones, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve Kyle Hyziak, Oswego State University of New York student, to complete a 35 hour practicum assignment with Dean Tshudy, teacher at the Middle School, beginning May 16, 2005 through June 3, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Bob Jones gave the Hackettstown report.
Cindy Russo left the meeting at 9:15 PM.
9:15 PM through 10:15 PM a budget discussion was held.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to form an Ad Hoc Media Relations committee.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded
by Amy Dieteman, to adjourn at 10:45 PM.
Motion carried in a voice
vote - unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Sharkey