The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, March 27, 2006, at the 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, Amy Dieteman, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Thomas Webster, and Glenn Williams.

 

Absent: Susan Cullen, Peggy Faulborn, and Cynthia Russo.

 

There were 35 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the minutes from February 13, 2006 and February 27, 2006.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Webster – abstained from February 27, 2006 minutes)

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the executive session minutes from February 13, 2006 and February 27, 2006.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Webster – abstained from February 27, 2006 executive session minutes)

(Williams – abstained from February 13, 2006 and February 27, 2006 executive session minutes)

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending February 28, 2006, as per copies attached and to certify that as of February 28, 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 Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the bills from February 28, 2006 to March 27, 2006 in the amount of $1,595,462.13.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the cafeteria bills from February 28, 2006 to March 27, 2006 in the amount of $25,069.50.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Kathleen Koop, Central School Principal, introduced the awards.

 

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

 

  • Testing.
  • Student placement for 2006-2007.
  • Parent workshops.
  • Child study team testing.

 

2006-2007 Budget Presentation:

 

by Jason Bing, Superintendent and Ruth Fanjoy, Business Administrator.

 

Public Comment:

 

  • A discussion was held concerning Hackettstown Tuition and the Vice-Principal position.

 

16.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the following Finance/Facilities/Transportation items 16.1.1 through 16.1.4.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

16.1.1                  Approve a new bus stop at Pequest Road and Essex Lane in Liberty Township.

 

16.1.2                  Affirm the following budget transfers for the period February 23, 2006 to March 21, 2006:

 

From  Account:                      To Account:                         

11-190-100-610 General Supplies     11-000-223-585 Prof. Dev. Exp.    

Amount:  $500.00                    Reason:  Workshop mileage

 

16.1.3                  Approve the first renewal of a transportation contract with A. Morris Scott for route ‘Spring Run’ at the per diem rate of $158.06 for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

16.1.4                  Establish the annual budget maximum amount allotted for expenses covered by district travel reimbursement policies 0147, 3440 and 4440 at $20,000 and all expenditures will receive prior administrative approval per district policy.

 

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to adopt the following resolution for adoption of the 2006-2007 Great Meadows Regional School District budget.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

BE IT RESOLVED to approve a fiscal year 2006-2007 school district budget for submission to the voters as follows:

 

                        Budget            Local Tax Levy

General Fund              $17,309,449 $10,893,399

Special Revenue Fund      $   300,000

Debt Service Fund         $   766,649 $   536,217

Total Base Budget         $18,376,098 $11,404,616

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED to apply for a capital outlay statutory spending growth limitation adjustment in the amount of $76,184 to the fiscal year 2006-2007 school district budget to perform needed repairs to the Liberty School for the health and safety of the students as follows;

 

Description                         Project Number    Dollar Amount

Liberty School well pit controls    1785-06006-1000   $ 86,100

Liberty School roof repairs         1785-06006-2000   $168,053

 

16.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Personnel items 16.2.1 through 16.2.5.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

16.2.1                  Approve Bette Ann Bresee as a substitute custodian for Great Meadows Regional School District for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

16.2.2                  Approve Joan Lewczuk as a substitute secretary for Great Meadows Regional School District for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

16.2.3                  Approve Robert Simmons as evening custodian at Liberty School effective March 16, 2006 through June 30, 2006 at an annual salary of $23,500 pro-rated to $7,050.03.

 

16.2.4                  Approve a stipend for Dean Tshudy for working on the Great Meadows Regional School District Web Page for 5 hours at $30 per hour for a total of $150.

 

16.2.5                  Approve Robert White as substitute Middle School teacher for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year.

 

16.3    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the following Curriculum item 16.3.1.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

16.3.1                  Approve the following Centenary College students to complete their student teaching at Great Meadows Regional School District from September 1, 2006 through December 22, 2006:

 

Nicole Connolly – with Isabel Broadhurst, 1st grade at Central School

 

Amber Werner – with Rosemary Motzenbecker, Resource Center, and Jen DeLorenzo, 3rd grade at Central School

 

Virginia Hanish – with Nancy Cole, 4th grade at Liberty School

 

Hackettstown High School Report:

 

Bob Jones referred to the ‘Hackettstown Board Bits’ newsletter.

 

Public Comments:

 

·        John Cummins explained that the Independence Township committee was exploring shared services as a means to control costs.

·        Diane Bourland commented on the Hackettstown School District web site.

 

Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Tom Webster, to adjourn at 9:10 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary