The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, February 27, 2006, at Central Elementary School, Independence Township. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 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, and Glenn Williams.

Absent: Peggy Faulborn, Cynthia Russo, and Thomas Webster.

There were 40 members of the public in attendance.

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the minutes from January 9, 2006 and January 23, 2006.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Mahal – abstained from January 9, 2006 and January 23, 2006 minutes)

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the executive session minutes from January 9, 2006 and January 23, 2006.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Mahal – abstained from January 9, 2006 and January 23, 2006 executive session minutes)

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending January 31, 2006, as per copies attached and to certify that as of January 31, 2006, 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 overexpended 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 Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the bills from January 25, 2006 to February 27, 2006 in the amount of $1,557,820.34.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the cafeteria bills from January 24, 2006 to February 27, 2006 in the amount of $26,301.31.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Jason Bing, Superintendent, introduced the awards.

Jason Bing, Superintendent, introduced the curriculum update.

Noreen Lishak, Director of Curriculum and Special Services, reported on the following:

· Mapping the math and science curriculum.

· Scheduling curriculum writing.

· Parent workshops.

· District vision plan.

· Testing for high school scheduling.

· Child study team services.

Public comment:

William Vonder Haar, Liberty resident, asked about the date for drawing for position of names on the ballot for the school election.

14.1 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Finance/Facilities/Transportation items 14.1.1 through 14.1.8.

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Mahal abstaining from item 14.1.5.

14.1.1 Approve a bus stop at 242 Route 46, Independence Township.

14.1.2 Accept a grant in the amount of $250, received by Karen Lund, Great Meadows Middle School teacher, from National Gardening Association and The Home Depot for a Youth Garden at Great Meadows Middle School.

14.1.3 Approve the hours for the Annual School Election, April 18, 2006, as 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM as per N.J.S.A. 19:15-2.

14.1.4 Approve the rate of pay for school election workers for the Annual School Election, April 18, 2006, per N.J.S.A. 19:45-6, at the rate of $14.29 per hour.

14.1.5 Approve a ‘Contract for Student Transportation’ at a rate of $60 per diem, for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year.

14.1.6 Approve a contract with Warren Net Consortium for Internet access services for the period of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009, at a rate of $525 per month.

14.1.7 Approve a ‘Service and Equipment Agreement’ with Sprint United Telephone Company of New Jersey for frame relay services for the period of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2011, at a rate of $1,042 per month.

14.1.8 Affirm the following budget transfers for the period December 8, 2005 to February 22, 2006:

From Account: To Account: Amount: Reason:

11-190-100-610 General Supplies 11-215-100-610 PSD Supplies $ 28.41 Presch. supplies

11-000-100-562 Spec. Ed. Tuition 11-000-216-320 Related Services $50,000.00 Nurse Services

11-000-100-562 Spec. Ed. Tuition 11-000-217-320 Extra. Services $18,000.00 Personal Aides

11-000-100-562 Spec. Ed. Tuition 11-000-217-320 Extra. Services $ 4,540.42 Personal Aides

11-000-216-320 Related Services 11-000-217-320 Extra. Services $10,000.00 Personal Aides

11-000-270-511 Transportation 11-000-291-250 Unemployment $ 5,385.15 Employer Portion

14.2 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Personnel items 14.2.1 through 14.2.7.

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

14.2.1 Approve the following teacher stipend at the rate of $30 per hour as per the current negotiated teachers contract:

Laurie Washburn – 4 hours x $30 per hour = $120

Helped fellow teachers with Dibles and computers

14.2.2 Approve the following teaching staff for movement on the guide effective February 1, 2006 as per the current negotiated teachers contract:

Lynnda Herman – Step 4 MA

Jan Romanczyk – Step 20 MA + 15

Julie Skoldberg – Step 14 BS + 30

Tina Ritchie - Step 7 MA

Kristine Doty – Step 3 BS + 15

14.2.3 Approve Sara Adamaitis and Nicole Smith as substitute teachers for all grade levels for Great Meadows School District for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year.

14.2.4 Accept, with regret, the resignation of Leigh Reiter, Jr., evening custodian at Liberty School, effective February 28, 2006.

14.2.5 Approve a stipend for Jan Romanczyk for homebound instruction of a Great Meadows Middle School student for one hour per day, at a rate of $30 per hour beginning January 25, 2006 and ending when the student is deemed medically able to return to school.

14.2.6 Approve Ernest Batha, Jr. as mentor for Martha Teixeira, alternate route Spanish teacher, for a fee of $1,000 to be paid by the employee through payroll deduction.

14.2.7 Approve Richard Mason as evening custodian in the Great Meadows Middle School, effective February 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, at an annual salary of $22,500 pro-rated to $7,593.75.

Bob Jones reported on high school wrestling and referred to the ‘Hackettstown Board Bits’ newsletter.

John Cummins, Independence Township Committee, reported on the township budget.

John Fisher, Liberty Township Committee, reported on the township budget and noted that a joint meeting will be held to receive the pending regionalization study.

Glenn Williams recused himself at 8:20 PM and handed the gavel to Amy Dieteman.

Public Comment:

• John Snyder, Independence resident, asked if the district daycare would continue in the 2006-2007 school year.
• Diane Bourland, Independence resident, asked about the status of the Regionalization study currently being undertaken by Liberty Township.
• Lynn Rutkoski, Liberty resident, thanked Liberty cub pack #138 for their work with telephone book recycling.
• Jennifer Cassini, Liberty resident, thanked the teachers for ceasing their job actions.
• John Skodocek, Great Meadows Middle School teacher, reviewed negotiations progress during mediation.
• John Snyder, Independence resident, asked about the cost of fact finding.
• Kim Reitmeyer, Independence resident, asked if the board has looked at other types of health insurance as a cost savings.
• Lynn Rutkoski, Liberty resident, asked if the district must abide by the fact finder’s report.
• Kate Tibek, Liberty resident, expressed her opinion that prolonged negotiations is starting to affect the children.
• John Snyder, Independence resident, asked if the teachers are back to teaching normally.
• William Vonder Haar, Liberty resident, asked if the board supported a recent Warren Reporter article.
• Diane Bourland, Independence resident, asked what programs are being considered for elimination in the 2006-2007 school budget.
• David Schmeltzle, Independence resident, asked for volunteers to help bring out the school budget voters.
• Mark Ippolito, Great Meadows Middle School principal, noted that everyone at Great Meadows Regional supports education.

Glenn Williams resumed his seat and took over the meeting at 8:45 PM.

Glenn Williams noted that the time frame for fact-finding should be weeks, not months. Everyone is looking forward to the public report that will result from the fact-finding process.

Glenn Williams noted the information items listed in the unfinished business section of the agenda.

Members of the audience were invited to accompany Kathleen Koop, Central School principal, on a tour of the Central School.

Glenn Williams recused himself at 8:46 PM and left the meeting.

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving personnel, 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 8:46 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 Joe Mahal, seconded by Bob Jones, to re-enter regular session at 9:20 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Joe Mahal, to adjourn at 9:22 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary