The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, March 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, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo, Steve
Tierney, and Glenn Williams.
Absent: None
There were 50 members of the
public in attendance.
A letter was read from
Morris Scott Bus Company commending Business Administrator, Mrs. Christina
Sharkey.
James Alercia, Interim Superintendent, gave the following Update:
I am pleased to bring you many items of good news
tonight.
· Warren County Battle of the
Minds Tournament County Champions – Great Meadows Middle School 8th
Grade Team 2nd Place - Great
Meadows Middle School 7th Grade Team.
· Mrs. Lauricella, Central School
art teacher, has teamed up with Artsonia.com to display students’ artwork on
the Artsonia website. Check out http://www.artsonia.com/schools/central27
to view our students’ work. Artwork
from students in over 100 countries is showcased on Artsonia. The project integrates technology into the
art curriculum.
· This past Friday the middle
school hosted the Dare-to Dream Game featuring our middle school students,
district staff, and former professional football players meeting on the court
in a series of basketball games. This
event helps to fund the 8th Grade Washington D.C. trip.
· During the first week of
March we celebrated “Read Across America” week with a variety of activities at
Liberty and Central Schools. This event
does much to promote reading as an enjoyable learning experience for our
students.
· Warren County Consortium
Chess Tournament – The Great Meadows Chess Club Team, consisting of 2 students
from Liberty School and 4 students from Middle School became the Warren County
Champions after they played 6 rounds of 15 minute games while competing against
eight Warren County School districts.
Congratulations to the team members and their coach, Mr. Brian Young.
· Central
School’s Second Grade Science Team wins Regional Exploravision Competition A team of students from Mrs. Spangler’s
second grade Science class has been selected as one of 24 regional winning team
projects in the 2005 Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association Exploravision
Awards competition. Thousands of team
entries were received from across the US and Canada in response to create a
vision of new technology. The entire
class was divided into six teams and was given the challenge to define a
problem that could be corrected.
Research was done by each group to choose a technology that they felt
would help to solve the problem. The
winning team’s project was entitled Peanut Finder 2005. The idea came from the peanut free table in
the classroom. The students asked Mrs. Spangler
about chemicals that change color. The
students learned that cobalt chloride hydrate would change from blue to pink to
indicate contact with water. The
students developed a cloth that would change color when it came in contact with
peanut oil. The cloth is portable and could be used to test surfaces and foods.
The students on the winning team will receive a DVD player, and the school
receives a Toshiba laptop computer. The
24 regional winners will compete for the national title, awarding each student
with a $10,000 bond and a trip to Washington D.C. Good luck to them in the national competition, and
congratulations to Mrs. Spangler and her winning team for excelling in this
innovative science competition!
· Miller-Keystone Blood Center
– Blood Drive at Middle School - Thanks
to the coordination efforts of Mrs. Christine Kohl, middle school nurse, our
district staff members, staff spouses, and community members donated a
considerable amount of blood during this time of year when blood donors are not
plentiful. This was a very successful
school/community event.
· PATHS Seminars of Special
Interest – Mark Francis of the Warren County Prosecutor’s office will provide
an informative program tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. in the middle school on
“Current Drug Trends, Identification, and Recognition”. A second seminar on April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
will be hosted by the FBI Task Force and will provide information on “Internet
Safety”.
· Special Olympics – Barbara
Cinewicz (PSD teacher) has six (6) students planning to attend the Preschool
Special Olympics at Warren Hills Regional HS on Friday, May 20. It is a co-sponsored event (WC Special
Services and NJ Special Olympics).
Students will be participating in such events as bowling, obstacle
course, beanbag toss, and scooter board dash.
We applaud Ms. Cinewicz for all the wonderful things that she does with
her students.
Jason Bing gave Curriculum Update about the following items:
1. NJASK
2. GEPA
3. Materials:
Science Readers grades 2-5
4. Parent
survey: Study Island/Measuring Up
5. Writing
Program: grade level articulation meetings
6. Gifted/Talented
testing on March 28th/Program materials
7. Summer
School initiative for 2005-6
8. Spring
writing prompts administered in April
9. Revisit
new K-5 report card in May
10. Grades 6-8
curriculum mapping
Public Comment on agenda items:
Bill Vondar Haar, Liberty resident, asked if this agenda was complete or are there any other agenda items? Glenn Williams, Board President, stated there was one addendum to the agenda regarding the laptop and the former superintendent’s furniture donation which would be voted on later.
Glenn Sullivan, Independence resident, stated he believed the board made a good decision on the laptop and furniture.
Jen Cassini, Liberty resident, stated that a group of gifted and talented parents had gotten together to help promote more programs for the gifted and talented students.
Mrs. Freidan, Independence resident, stated she believed the board could cut $150,000 from capital projects and gave the board her analysis of the monies budgeted. She was thanked for her comments.
David Schmeltzle, Independence resident, stated he was a local small town business owner and resident and he supports the board’s decision to properly fund the capital projects especially for unexpected repairs.
Mrs. Cassini, Liberty resident, stated she is grateful to the board for trying to keep the buildings in order so our children can learn in a safe environment.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to
approve the submission of a grant application to the Frederick L. Hipp
Foundation which is being submitted by the middle school 6th Grade
Team, coordinated by Kim Miller, with the amount sought of $2,558.50.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to
accept the PPL Project Earth Grant awarded to Mary Redus, 2nd grade
teacher at Liberty School, in the amount of $1500.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Two quotes were received for the installation of a compound water meter with remote read due to D.E.P. requirements at the middle school as follows:
Contractor Quote
Nick Shulaka Plumbing $8,810.00
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Joe Mahal to approve J. A. Snyder Plumbing to install the required meter at a cost of $5,624.00.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to adjust the salary of Ellen Gulini, Central School teacher, from $41,359, Step 7 BS, to $42,139, Step 7 BS + 15, for completion of graduate credits effective February 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve Desiree Cougle’s interim period for Kristy Whittle’s maternity leave from February 28, 2005 through June 30, 2005 at the rate of $13.54 per hour.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the following after-school club stipends at the rate of $30 per hour at no cost to the Board:
Jessica Toussaint $300
(10 hours) Homework Club
Jamie Long $180
(6 hours) Boomwhacker Club
Ann Amundsen $300
(10 hours) Homework Club
Jim Bechtel $270
(9 hours) Sports Club
Bill Nutt $300
(10 hours) “CSI:Great Meadows” Club
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the following stipends at the rate of $30 per hour as per the Great Meadows Regional Education Association/Great Meadows Regional Board of Education contract:
Eric Shuler $1200
(40 hours) Science Curriculum Writing
Elizabeth Hart $1200
(40 hours) Phys. Ed/Wellness Curr. Writing
Lisa Baatz $1200
(40 hours) Phys. Ed/Wellness Curr. Writing
Jim Bechtel $1200
(40 hours) Phys. Ed/Wellness Curr. Writing
Jess Toussaint $ 270 (9 hours) GEPA Prep Program
Bill Nutt $ 90 (3 hours) Supv.
Battle of Minds Comp.
Deb
Lockwood $ 90
(3 hours) Supv. Battle of Minds Comp.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve Jessica Toussaint for providing an additional 24 sessions of the Homework Club at $30 per hour for a total of $720 which will be partially funded through special education IDEA funds.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to accept a donation of four Dell laptop computers from Bank of America valued at $4,707.00.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the following substitutes for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year:
Joan Lewczuk – teacher and secretarial
Katie Smith – teacher
Lindsay Haines – teacher
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Steve Tierney,
to accept the resignations of the following Great Meadows Regional employees:
Kim Carswell – Cafeteria Worker at Central School
effective March 12, 2005
Joann Sullivan – Cafeteria Aide at Middle School
effective March 10, 2005
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following student teachers and their placement:
Angela Skrobak – Health/PE – Lisa Baatz
@ Liberty School – 3/8/05
through 5/5/05
@ Middle School – 3/8/05
through 5/5/05
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve a salary increase of an additional $1,000 for longevity pay for Judy Kenny retroactive to September 1, 2004 for 20 years of service to Great Meadows Regional as per policy.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Steve Tierney, to increase the per diem rate of $80
per day for substitute nurses to $100 per day due to the shortage of substitute
school nurses and also cover the cost of obtaining a substitute nurse
certificate ($75) and the fingerprint process ($78), which the Board would
compensate for with the first day rate of pay as $153.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the following teacher observations:
Kelly Everett – Speech/Language -
with Julie Skolderg 3/17/05
at Central School
Jennifer Forte – 1st
grade –
with Gayle Evans
3/11/05 at Central School
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dietman, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the following Resolution to Recognize the Success of Great Meadows Regional School District Students and the Hard Work and Effectiveness of the School Districts Staff:
Whereas, the recently released 2004 New Jersey
Assessment of Skills and Knowledge Tests in Grades 3 and 4 and the Grade Eight
Proficiency Test administered in Grade 8 are the statewide assessment
instruments used to evaluate the progress of students and the effectiveness of
school programs at the elementary and middle school levels,
And Whereas, these tests form the basis for comparisons
of schools within a geographical area of the State and within a social economic
grouping representative of the school districts with similar economic factors,
And Whereas, a high percentage of students achieving
the proficient and advanced proficient levels is considered a major indicator
of school success, both from the teaching and learning sides of the educational
process,
And Whereas, the students of the Great Meadows
School District received the distinction of scoring significantly above their
reference groups in these assessment tests and that special recognition was
given to the Central and Liberty Schools in the district’s State Monitoring
Report and in the Star-Ledger newspaper as having scored in the top 10 percent
of the New Jersey school districts and/or the top 10 percent of the schools in
their social-economic reference group,
Be It Resolved, that the Great Meadows Board of
Education, in recognition of this success and the pride it brings to the school
district, heartily congratulates both the students and the staff of the school
district, including our past Superintendent, Dr. Tracey Severns; the on-going
efforts of our current administrative team including Mr. Jason Bing, Director
of Elementary Education and Special Services; Mr. Mark Ippolito, Mrs. Kathy
Koop, Mr. Ernest Batha, Principals; Mr. Lee Nittel, Assistant Principal; our
dedicated and hard-working professional staff at all three schools; and our
equally dedicated and hard-working support staff of the district who provide essential
services to make our district operate efficiently,
And Be It Further Resolved, that the Board of Education wishes to promulgate this good news by means of this act.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Bob Jones gave the Hackettstown report.
Public Comment on Unfinished Business:
Cindy Russo stated that she and Susan Cullen have
gone through the inventory lists and with the computers we have now, we should
be in good shape.
David Schmeltzer, Independence resident, stated he
thinks it is a good idea to look at how the technology is being used and
offered to help with the technology plan. He was thanked for his offer.
Anne Young, Liberty resident, asked if the Board has
considered taping the Board Meetings to ensure accuracy. She was told that
Board has considered it.
Bill Vonder Haar, stated he has done an analysis of
the health benefits for the past four years and asked if the Board has gotten
quotes. He was told the health benefits consultant advised the Board of the
tentative rate increase, but until later in the school year a final increase
could not be determined.
Howard Vex, Attorney, arrived 9:00 PM.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving litigation, 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 9:10 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 voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to
re-enter regular session at 10:50 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to
replace the previous resolution of February 14, 2005, regarding the acceptance
of a donation of the office suite of furniture in the Superintendent’s office
and that Board accept the furniture donation of Scott and Tracey Severns valued
at $1,612 in exchange for the release of a laptop computer valued at $500,
which was obtained by the Superintendent as a gift from Gates Foundation to
Superintendents who attended the NJ Elite conference at the cost of
approximately $495.
Motion by Cindy Russo, seconded by Susan Cullen, to
amend the motion to the donation of Superintendents furniture to acknowledge
that the laptop was intended to be used in the district.
(Russo – opposed.)
Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Bob Jones, to
adjourn at 11:00 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Sharkey