The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, August 11, 2003, at Great Meadows Mid

The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, June 25, 2007, 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, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Matthew Mowatt, and William Vonder Haar (arrived 7:45 PM).

Absent: Bernie O’Hara.

There were 8 members of the public in attendance.

Motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the minutes from May 14, 2007.

Motion carried in a voice vote with Faulborn abstaining.

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the minutes from May 29, 2007.

Motion carried in a voice vote with Mahal abstaining.

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the executive session minutes from May 29, 2007.

Motion carried in a voice vote with Mahal abstaining.

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the months ending May 31, 2007, as per copies attached and to certify that as of May 31, 2007, 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 Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to table the approval of bills until the July meeting.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the cafeteria bills from May 30, 2007 through June 25, 2007 in the amount of $18,398.29.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Robert Jones, Board President, read the Curriculum Update.

Public Comment: None

Motion by Richard Alexander, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to add Kara Feulner to the list of tenured teachers for employment for the 2007-2008 school year.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

15.1 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the following Personnel & Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 15.1.1 to 15.1.16.

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Cassini abstaining from item 15.1.12 and Vonder Haar voting no to item 15.1.9.

15.1.1 Approve the following are ten-month employees for employment from September 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, salaries attached:

10 Month Full-Time Employees:

Instructional and Special Education Aides

Araki, Patricia Nary, Christine Blaine, Carol Panasis, Dami

Capalbo, Debra Sickels, Theresa

Case, Cynthia Thorry, Michelle Caufield, Eileen Wojcicki, Sharon

Healy, Deborah Woods, Marianne Joseph, Marge

Personal Care Aide

Pilgrim, Maryanne

Pre-School Disability Aide

To be announced

Bus Driver

Kenny, Judy

10-Month Part-Time Employees – Hourly:

Cafeteria Aides

Montgomery, Sarah Stanford, Christina Paterson, Terry Sullivan, Joann Spezza, Charleen

Office Aide

To be announced

15.1.2 Approve the attached salary guides for the Custodial Staff and Maintenance Staff for the 2007-2008 school year.

15.1.3 Approve the following twelve-month employees for employment from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008, salaries attached:

12-Month Employees:

Administrators

To be announced - Central School Principal

Julie Mumaw – Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Russ Warne – Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds

Treasurer of School Monies

Paula Hatch

Clerical Staff:

Administrative Assistant

Ellen Weiss

Business Office

Bernice Billings

Diane Stout

Secretarial

Susan Lanzarone – Liberty School

Vera Walker – Central School

Carole Durna – Middle School

Deb Berger – Child Study Team Office

Computer Technician

Michael Hann

Custodians

Alpizar, Juan Hart, Dale

Alpizar, Sr., Jose Houck, Earl

Clark, Donald Reiter, Leigh

Cullen, Brian Roome, David

Farber, Gene Unangst, Harry

Maintenance

David White

12-Month Part-Time Employees:

Custodian

Marcia Goralczyk

Hourly – as needed:

Glenn Kuhnsman Sub/Custodian

Anton Probst Lawn care

15.1.4 Approve transferring the following personnel for the 2007-2008 school year:

Kristine Doty from Liberty School to Middle School

Casey Ritson from Middle School to Liberty School

15.1.5 Approve a stipend to the following personnel:

Marie Consentino – ¾ hour @ $30 per hour = $22.50

Arrival early for field trip May 31, 2007

Lynnda Herman - ¾ hour @ $30 per hour = $22.50

Arrival early for field trip May 31, 2007

Dean Tshudy – cafeteria aide during 2006-2007

School year = $600.00

Israel Marmolejos – cafeteria aide during 2006-2007

School year = $600.00

Deb Exley – NJ Math League Coordinator

18 hours @ $30 per hour = $540.00

Sandy Vliet – accompanist for chorus rehearsals

7 hours @ $30 per hour = $210.00

Michael Hann – Board Workshop – June 11, 2007

5 hours @ $30 per hour = $150.00

Israel Marmolejos – Home Instruction

11 hours @ $30 = $330.00 - (2/22/07 through 6/11/07)

15.1.6 Approve Claire Washburn as a substitute teacher in all three schools for the 2007-2008 school year.

15.1.7 Approve Charlotte Sliver as a substitute teacher in Liberty School for the 2007-2008 school year.

15.1.8 Approve movement on guide for Dana Jacoski from 6BS+15 to 6MA at an annual salary of $46,805.00 effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.

15.1.9 Approve four days vacation time to Marcia Goralczyk, 12-month, part-time custodian to be taken during the 2007-2008 school year. Marcia is a dual employee for the district.

15.1.10 Approve employment of the following three summer custodians effective June 26, 2007 at an hourly rate of $10.15:

Jim Bechtel – split position

Eric Shuler – split position

Matt Pezzato

Jerry Wohlgemuth

15.1.11 Approve 45 Ryan Road, Independence Township, as a new bus stop.

15.1.12 Approve a Parental Transportation Contract for ESY Services for six weeks at $.485 per mile for a total cost of $148.17 to run from July 1, 2007 through August 30, 2007.

15.1.13 Approve a contract with T & R Alarm Systems, Inc. of Clifton, New Jersey to install Fire Alarm Systems in Central School and Liberty School according to specifications as presented. Base Bid of $113,500.00; Alternate #1 -12 Magnetic Hold Open Devises with Extended Brackets - $4,500.00; Alternate #3 – 1 year On premises and Central Station Service - $480.00; Alternate #4 - $5,950.00 – each additional year of service and Central Station Service.

BIDDERS TOTAL AMOUNTS

T & R Alarm Systems $ 124,430

Wire’s Electric 132,880

Haig Corporation 143,400

Wind Gap Electric 220,030

Power with Prestige 230,840

Allied Fire & Safety Equipment Co. 305,720

CES Corporation 314,350

15.1.14 Approve the third renewal of the First Student, Inc. Transportation Contract for the 2007-2008 regular education transportation routes as listed below at a total contract cost of $ 503,520.80.

L1 $18,946.11 M1 $18,946.11 HS7 $18,946.11

L2 18,946.11 M2 18,946.11 KDGL1 8,804.38

L3 18,946.11 M3 18,946.11 KDGC2 8,804.38

L4 18,946.11 M4 18,946.11

L5 18,946.11 M6 18,946.11

C1 18,946.11 M7 18,946.11

C2 18,946.11 M8 18,946.11

C4 18,946.11 HS1 34,548.81

C5 18,946.11 HS3 34,548.81

C6 18,946.11 HS4 18,946.11

C7 18,946.11 HS5 18,946.11

HS6 18,946.11

15.1.15 Approve the third renewal of the First Student, Inc. Transportation Contract (MD0525) for the 2007-2008 special education routes MD#1 and MD#2 for the following annual amounts:

Route Number: MD#1 $ 35,431.02

Route Number: MD#2 $ 41,099.34

15.1.16 Approve a contract with Sonitrol of CNJ, Hamilton, New Jersey to install Security Systems in the Central School, Liberty School and the Middle School according to specifications as presented. Sonitrol was the only bid received at $74,661.00.

15.2 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Finance/Policy items 15.2.1 to 15.1.13.

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Cassini abstaining from items 15.2.1, 15.2.3 and 15.2.6.

15.2.1 Approve a contract with Linda Maffei, M.S. CCC/SLP for Speech Therapy Services beginning September 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 for three days per week at a rate of $385.00 per day at an estimated cost of $45,045.00.

15.2.2 Approve an Extended School Year Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Stepping Stones School of Bloomsbury for the 2007-2008 School Year for one student beginning July 5, 2007 at $206.42 per diem for a total cost of $ 43,346.10.

15.2.3 Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Hopatcong Borough Schools Special Services for one student beginning May 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007 at $214.03 per diem for an estimated cost of $4,494.63. Related Services are OT and PT – $84.70 per hour, Speech $76.23 per hour and personal aid at a maximum rate of $15.28 per hour for an estimated cost of $5,500.00.

15.2.4 Approve a contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Warren County Technical School District for the 2007-2008 School Year for a tentative tuition charge of $63,075.00 to run from September 1, 2007 through June 1, 2008 with as estimated enrollment of 29 students at a cost of $2,175.00 per student.

15.2.5 Approve a Special Education contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Warren County Technical School District for the 2007-2008 School Year for a tentative tuition charge of $16,250.00 for ten months to run from September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 for an estimated enrollment of 5 students at a cost of $3,250.00 per student.

15.2.6 Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and the Allegro School for Extended School year and for the 2007-2008 School Year for one student beginning July 9, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008 at $354 per diem for a total cost of $74,340.00.

15.2.7 Approve a Board of Education member to attend two New Jersey School Board Association Board Member Academy courses on July 14, 2007, “Engaging the Public” and “Problem Solving/Decision Making” for a total cost of $125.00.

15.2.8 Approve 5 Board of Education members and the Superintendent to attend the 2007 New Jersey School Board Association Annual Workshop in Atlantic City on October 23, 2007 through October 26, 2007 for a total room cost of $ 2,710.00.

15.2.9 Approve a Lease Agreement with Warren County Special Services School District for the 2007-2008 School Year for two classrooms, one at Liberty School and one at Great Meadows Middle School, at an annual rental of $13,260.00, plus Ancillary Services at a cost of $8,240.00, for a total fee of $21,500.00.

15.2.10 Approve a contract with Thomas Communications & Technologies to provide E rate services for the funding Year 2008 and 2009 for a fee of $2,500.00 for each year.

15.2.11 Approve a contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Allison M. Peck, P.T. for Physical Therapy Services for the 2007-2008 School Year with an approximate cost of $9,000.00.

15.2.12 Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and P. G. Chambers for one student for the 2007-2008 school year beginning July 9, 2007 through June 30, 2008 at a rate of $282.58 per diem for a total estimated cost of $59,341.80.

15.2.13 Approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GREAT MEADOWS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY (i) AUTHORIZING THE MAKING OF AN APPLICATION TO THE LOCAL FINANCE BOARD PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61 THROUGH 62 FOR APPROVAL TO ISSUE REFUNDING SCHOOL BONDS TO REFUND ALL OR A PORTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING CALLABLE 1998 SCHOOL BONDS AND (ii) APPROVING A REFUNDING SCHOOL BOND ORDINANCE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Great Meadows Regional School District in the County of Warren, New Jersey (the “Board” when referring to the governing body and the “School District” when referring to the territorial boundaries governed by the Board) issued $8,995,000 aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt school bonds dated October 1, 1998 (the “1998 School Bonds”); and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the current tax-exempt interest rate environment may enable it to realize going-forward debt service savings for the taxpayers of the Township of Independence and the Township of Liberty (collectively, the “Townships”) through the issuance by the Board of Refunding School Bonds, Series 2007 (the “Refunding School Bonds”) to refund all or a portion of its outstanding callable 1998 School Bonds in the amount of $7,945,000 maturing on or after January 15, 2009 (the “Callable Bonds”); and

WHEREAS, in efforts to realize such taxpayer savings, the Board now desires to adopt a refunding school bond ordinance (the “Refunding Bond Ordinance”) authorizing the issuance of the Refunding School Bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $8,500,000, the net proceeds of which shall be used to refund the Callable Bonds in accordance with their terms; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61 through 62, the Board has determined to make application (the “Application”) to the Local Finance Board within the Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (the “LFB”) for approval to adopt the Refunding Bond Ordinance and to issue the Refunding School Bonds (collectively, the “Refinancing”); and

WHEREAS, the Board believes that:

(a) it is in the public interest to accomplish the Refinancing;

(b) the Refinancing is for the health, wealth, convenience or betterment of the inhabitants of the Townships;

(d) the Refinancing is an efficient and feasible means of reducing the costs of providing services for the needs of the inhabitants of the Townships and will not create an undue financial burden to be placed upon such municipalities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GREAT MEADOWS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY as follows:

Section 1. The preparation of the Application and the filing of same with the LFB for its approval are hereby approved, and the school officials and officers, including but not limited to, the Board President and Vice President, the Superintendent, the Business Administrator/Board Secretary and any other Board representative, together with bond counsel, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., Woodbridge, New Jersey (“Bond Counsel”) and the Financial Advisor, Capital Financial Advisors Inc., Mount Laurel, New Jersey (“Financial Advisor”), are each hereby authorized and directed to represent the Board in such matters pertaining thereto.

Section 2. The LFB is hereby respectfully requested to consider the Application and to record its findings, recommendations and/or approvals as provided by N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61 through 62.

Section 3. The Refunding Bond Ordinance attached hereto as Exhibit A is hereby approved. Bond Counsel is hereby authorized and directed to publish the required notice of pending ordinance of the Refunding Bond Ordinance in The Express Times, in the form and at the time required by N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61.4.

Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

The foregoing resolution was adopted on June 25, 2007 by the following roll call vote:

Recorded Vote

AYE: 8

NAY: 0

ABSTAIN: 0

ABSENT: 1

EXHIBIT A

REFUNDING BOND ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GREAT MEADOWS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY PROVIDING FOR THE REFUNDING OF ALL OR A PORTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING CALLABLE SCHOOL BONDS DATED OCTOBER 1, 1998 ISSUED IN THE ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $8,995,000 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $8,500,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF REFUNDING SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2007 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO EFFECT SUCH REFUNDING

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the current tax-exempt interest rate environment may enable it to realize going-forward debt service savings for the taxpayers of the Great Meadows Regional School District through the issuance by the Board of Refunding School Bonds, Series 2007 (the “Refunding School Bonds”) to refund all or a portion of its outstanding callable 1998 School Bonds in the amount of $7,945,000 maturing on or after January 15, 2009 (the “Callable Bonds”); and

WHEREAS, in efforts to realize such taxpayer savings, the Board now desires to adopt a refunding school bond ordinance (the “Refunding Bond Ordinance”) authorizing the issuance of the Refunding School Bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $8,500,000, the net proceeds of which shall be used to refund all or a portion of the Callable Bonds in accordance with their terms.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GREAT MEADOWS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY (not less than two-thirds of all members thereof affirmatively concurring) AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The Board is hereby authorized to refund all or a portion of its outstanding callable 1998 School Bonds in the amount of $7,945,000 maturing on or after January 15, 2009. The 1998 School Bonds maturing on or after January 15, 2009 may be redeemed on or after January 15, 2008, upon no more than 60 days and no less than the 30 days notice from the date the 1998 School Bonds will be called (the “Redemption Date”) at the redemption price set forth therein plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date.

Section 2. In order to finance the cost of the purpose set forth in Section 1 hereof, the Board is hereby authorized to issue not to exceed $8,500,000 aggregate principal amount of Refunding School Bonds, all in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61 through 62.

Section 3. An aggregate amount not exceeding $200,000 may be allocated from the aggregate principal amount of the Refunding School Bonds to pay for the aggregate costs of issuance thereof, including printing, advertising, accounting, financial, legal and other expenses in connection therewith.

Section 4. The purpose of the issuance of the Refunding School Bonds is to realize interest cost savings for the Board.

Section 5. A certified copy of this Refunding Bond Ordinance as adopted on first reading has been filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (the “Director”) prior to final adoption hereof, together with a complete statement in the form prescribed by such Director and signed by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, as chief financial officer of the Board, as to the 1998 School Bonds to be refinanced by the issuance of the Refunding School Bonds authorized herein.

Section 6. The supplemental debt statement required by N.J.S.A. 18A:24-16 and N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61.4 has been duly prepared and filed in the Office of the Clerks of the Township of Independence and the Township of Liberty and in the Office of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary of the Board as of the date of approval of this Refunding Bond Ordinance and a complete executed duplicate thereof has been filed in the Office of the Director and such statement shows that the gross debt of the Great Meadows Regional School District is increased by the authorization of the Refunding School Bonds by $555,000.

Section 7. The Board covenants to maintain the exclusion from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, of the interest on all Refunding School Bonds issued under this Refunding Bond Ordinance.

Section 8. This Refunding Bond Ordinance shall take effect upon final adoption hereof, after the consent of the Local Finance Board has been endorsed upon a certified copy hereof.

The foregoing Refunding Bond Ordinance was introduced by the Board on June 25, 2007 by the following vote:

Recorded Vote

AYE: 8

NAY: 0

ABSTAIN: 0

ABSENT: 1

CERTIFICATION

I, JULIE MUMAW, Business Administrator/Board Secretary to The Board of Education of the Great Meadows Regional School District in the County of Warren, New Jersey, HEREBY CERTIFY that the resolution entitled, “RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GREAT MEADOWS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY (i) AUTHORIZING THE MAKING OF AN APPLICATION TO THE LOCAL FINANCE BOARD PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 18A:24-61 THROUGH 62 FOR APPROVAL TO ISSUE REFUNDING SCHOOL BONDS TO REFUND ALL OR A PORTION OF ITS OUTSTANDING CALLABLE 1998 SCHOOL BONDS AND (ii) APPROVING A REFUNDING SCHOOL BOND ORDINANCE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,” has been duly adopted at a meeting of the governing body of the School District on June 25, 2007 and that the foregoing annexed extract of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board duly called and help on June 25, 2007 has been compared by me with the original minutes as officially recorded in my office in the Minute Book of such Board and is a true, complete and correct copy thereof and of the whole of the original minutes so far as they relate to the subject matters referred to in the extract.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of said Board this ____ day of ____________, 2007.

__________________________________

JULIE MUMAW,

Business Admin./Board Secretary

(SEAL)

15.3 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the following Curriculum/Technology items 15.3.1 and 15.3.2.

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Vonder Haar voting no to item 15.3.1.

15.3.1 Approve participation in the Odyssey Math randomized controlled trial conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Education Lab for the 2007-2008 School Year.

15.3.2 Approve the Three Year Local School District Technology Plan for the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010 for the Great Meadows Regional School District.

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by William Vonder Haar, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving pending 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 8:25 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 Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to re-enter regular session at 8:35 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to adjourn at 8:45 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Mumaw

Board Secretary