The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, February 25, 2008, at the Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by Robert Jones, 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: Richard Alexander, Jennifer Cassini, Maryann Citro, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Matthew Mowatt, Bernie O’Hara, and William Vonder Haar.

Absent: Peggy Faulborn.

Jason Bing, Superintendent, and Julie Mumaw, Business Administrator were also in attendance.

There were 2 members of the public in attendance.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt, to table all minutes until March 10, 2008 workshop meeting.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending January 31, 2008, as per copies attached, and to certify that as of January 31, 2008, after review of the Secretary’s monthly financial reports (appropriations section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials, that to the best of my knowledge, no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of NJAC 6:20-2.12(e) and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the bills from October 23, 2007 through November 26, 2007 in the amount of $1,621,482.46.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the bills from January 29, 2008 through February 25, 2008 in the amount of $9,420,688.07.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Matt Mowatt, seconded by William Vonder Haar, to approve the cafeteria bills from January 29, 2008 through February 25, 2008 in the amount of $24,379.81.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Jason Bing, Superintendents Update.

Noreen Lishak, Director of Elementary Education and Special Services, gave the Curriculum Update.

Public Comment: None

14.1 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Richard Alexander, to approve the following Personnel, Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 14.1.1 to 14.1.5.

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

14.1.1 Approve the following employee stipends:

Dana Jacoski – Liberty School teacher

1/15/08 and 1/16/08 - Prep for January Wilson Workshop

6 hours x $32.00 per hour = $192.00

Jody Schantzenbach – Liberty School teacher

1/15/08 and 1/16/08 - Prep for January Wilson Workshop

6 hours x $32.00 per hour = $192.00

Jody Schantzenbach – Liberty School teacher

12/08/07 - Prep for December Wilson Workshop

4 hours x $32.00 per hour = $128.00

Julie Skoldberg – Speech Correctionist

1/16/08 and 1/25/08 - Liberty case management, testing, reporting

11 hours x $41.95 = $461.45

14.1.2 Approve Natalie Aleman, Kara Bozzuffi, and Barbara Salas as substitute teachers in K-8 for the 2007-2008 school year.

14.1.3 Approve Lucille Rhock as Instructional Aide in Liberty School effective February 26, 2008 through June 30, 2008 at an annual salary of $10,500 pro-rated to $4,350.75.

14.1.4 Approve Linda Dill, Centenary College student, to perform six classroom observations at Liberty School as part of her Special Education Certification program effective February 26, 2008 with Barbara Wohlgemuth, 4^th grade teacher, and Dana Jacoski, Special Education teacher.

14.1.5 Approve the termination of Kerri Vos, Instructional Aide @ Central School, effective March 5, 2008.

14.2 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt, to approve the following Finance/Policy items 14.2.1 to 14.2.6.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt to amend item 14.2.1 by excluding policy #8602 Parental/Guardian Requests for Bus Stops and add Policy #3515.1 Electronic Portable Devices to item 14.2.2.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt, to make a separate motion for item 14.2.3 (2008-2009 Preliminary Budget).

Motion carried in a roll call vote amending item 14.2.1 by excluding policy #8602 Parental/Guardian Requests for Bus Stops, adding Policy #3515.1 Electronic Portable Devices to item 14.2.2, by making item 14.2.3 (2008-2009 Preliminary Budget) a separate motion, and Vonder Haar voting no to item 14.2.4.

14.2.1 Approve the 2^nd reading for the following policies:

Policy #1250 – Visitors

Policy #8601 – Pupil Supervision After School

Dismissal

Policy #8603 – Transportation Safety

14.2.2 Approve the 1^st reading for the following policies:

Policy #3515.1 – Electronic Portable Devices

Policy #5121.2 – Plagiarism/Cheating

Policy #8600 – Transportation

14.2.3 Separate motion to follow - 2008-2009 Preliminary Budget.

14.2.4 Approve a separate proposal for additional funds in the amount of $313,939.00 for Full Day Kindergarten for the 2008-2009 School Year. The additional levy will provide for funds for three new teachers, one Special Education Teacher, two aides, supplies, textbooks, and the employee benefits related to the new positions. The taxes, if raised, will be used exclusively for this purpose. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the district tax levy. These proposed additional expenditures are in addition to those necessary to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

14.2.5 Approve the following personnel/Board of Education Members to attend workshops/conferences on the dates and for the costs listed below:

Dana DeKleine Mean Girls II Atlantic City, NJ $ 386.00 3/10/08

Julie Mumaw NJ Law & Ethics- NJSCPA- Mt Olive $ 116.00 5/02/08

Russ Warne NJ Bldg & Grounds Assoc. Conference $ 195.00 4/1&2/08

Thomas Schepis Elementary Music Program – Cherry Hill $ 250.00 3/03/08

14.2.6 Approve the following budget transfers:

FROM: 11-000-261-610-000-002 Central Maintenance Supplies

TO: 11-000-230-590-000-000 Other Purchased Services – Administrative $8,194.54 for the December 11^th Special Election costs.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt, to approve the 2008-2009 preliminary school budget for submission to the Warren County Office of Education:

Be it resolved to approve the 2008-2009 General Fund School Budget in the amount of $18,567,183.00 with a tax levy of $11,664,907.00 for the Great Meadows Regional School District.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Yes: Alexander, Cassini, Citro, Jones, Mahal, Mowatt, O’Hara, Vonder Haar.

No: None – Motion carried.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving legal matters, the deliberation of such matters may be held in private under the Open Public Meeting Act NJSA 10:4-6, the Board will adjourn to Executive Session at 8:20 PM to discuss the above mentioned matter, to the exclusion of all others. If any action results, it will be taken following the re-entry into regular session.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Richard Alexander, to re-enter regular session at 8:26 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Richard Alexander, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving legal matters, the deliberation of such matters may be held in private under the Open Public Meeting Act NJSA 10:4-6, the Board will adjourn to Executive Session at 8:29 PM to discuss the above mentioned matter, to the exclusion of all others. If any action results, it will be taken following the re-entry into regular session.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Matt Mowatt, to re-enter regular session at 8:50 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Richard Alexander, seconded by Matt Mowatt, to adjourn at 8:50 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Mumaw

Board Secretary