The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, June 26, 2006, 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: Helene Armstrong, Jennifer Cassini, Maryann Citro, Susan Cullen, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal (arrived 8:45 PM), Bernie O’Hara, and William Vonder Haar.

 

Absent: None.

 

There were 30 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the minutes from May 8, 2006 (as corrected), May 11, 2006, and May 22, 2006.

Motion carried in a voice vote with Citro, Faulborn, and Vonder Haar abstaining from May 11, 2006 minutes.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the executive session minutes from May 8, 2006 and May 22, 2006.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending May 31, 2006, as per copies attached and to certify that as of May 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 Susan Cullen, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the bills from May 23, 2006 to June 26, 2006 in the amount of $2,639,077.53.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Joe Mahal arrived at 8:45 PM.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the cafeteria bills from May 23, 2006 to June 26, 2006 in the amount of $12,362.98.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent’s Update.

 

Noreen Lishak, Director of Curriculum and Special Services, Curriculum Update:

 

  • Replacement Orders
  • District Assessment Calendar for 2006-2007 School Year
  • Social Norms Training
  • Guidance Curriculum
  • Parent Workshops for 2006-2007 School Year
  • Special Services
  • Student Referrals
  • Testing
  • Personnel Placement

 

Public Comment:  None

 

14.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the following Policy/Finance items 14.1.1 to 14.1.16.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Jennifer Cassini abstaining on item 14.1.5 and 14.1.6.

 

14.1.1                  A donation of 70 new cabinets measuring 24”w x 24”d x 52”h from Mr. Mat Mayberry to be used in Liberty School, Central School, and the Great Meadows Middle School.

 

14.1.2                  Payment to Kristy Whittle for Home Instruction of a Great Meadows Middle School student beginning May 22, 2006 for 5 hours per week, for 3 weeks, at the rate of $30 per hour, for a total of $450.00.

 

14.1.3                  Approve Allison M. Peck, P.T. to provide physical therapy services to identified students as needed at a rate of $75 per hour for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

14.1.4                  Approve the first renewal of an agreement with Maschio’s Food Services, Inc. to provide a food service program for the period September 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 for a management fee of $9,450 and a maximum subsidy of $0.

 

14.1.5                  Approve a tuition contract with the Allegro School for placement of case number 113 from May 15, 2006 to June 30, 2006 at the rate of $330 per diem for approximately 27 days totaling $8,910.

 

14.1.6                  Approve a tuition contract with the Allegro School for placement of case number 113 from July 10, 2006 to June 30, 2007 at the rate of $350 per diem for 210 days totaling $73,500.

 

14.1.7                  Approve summer camp costs payable to SCARC, Inc. for case numbers 261 and 384 in the amount of $1,605 each for a total of $3,210.

 

14.1.8                  Approve a tuition contract with CTC Center, LLC for placement of case number 22 from July 10, 2006 to August 4, 2006 for a tuition cost of $3,015 including related services and a personal care aide.

 

14.1.9                  Approve an itinerant services agreement with the Cape May County Schools for Special Services to provide occupational therapy services to case number 64 at their rate of $80 per hour.

 

14.1.10             Approve the purchase of instructional supplies from School Specialties, Inc. under state contract A65606 as needed for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

14.1.11             Award a contract to Village Office Supply for the purchase of copy paper for the 2006-07 school year.

 

Quotations Requested from:                 Price Per Case

Central Lewmar,  State Contract #A61057            $25.73

Hunterdon County ESC Cooperative Bid          $24.89

Village Office Supply                         $21.99

 

14.1.12             Affirm the following budget transfers for the period May 18, 2006 to June 20, 2006:

 

From Account                                      To Account                                               Amount            Reason

11-240-100-101 Bilingual Salary         11-230-100-101 BSI Salary                       30,029.70            student needs

11-212-100-101 MD Salary  11-213-100-101 RR Salary          1,251.95            student needs

12-000-260-730 Plant Equipment        12-000-100-730 Instr. Equip.                   11,661.95            Library  Software

11-000-100-562 Spec Ed Tuition         11-000-270-515 Spec Ed Transp         30,000.00    Transportation

11-000-291-270 Health Benefits          11-130-100-101 Tchr Salaries              54,500.00    Retro-pay

 

14.1.13             Accept fiscal year 2006 No Child Left Behind (NCLB178506) grant funds as listed

 

Title I       $36,848

                   Title IIA     $26,138

                   Title IID     $   672

                   Title IV      $ 2,876

                   Title V       $ 2,167

                   Total         $68,701

 

14.1.14             Approve the stipends for the following Great Meadows Regional School District staff:

 

Jamie Long – Liberty School Student Council Advisor - $500.00

Karen Lund – Homebound Instruction

30 hours x $30 per hour = $900.00

William Nutt – Chaperone grades 3&4, 5&6, 7&8, - Battle of Books

      8 hours x $30 per hour = $240.00        

Sandy Vliet – Accompanied chorus during chorus rehearsals

(12/2/05 and 12/16/05)

Attended and accompanied chorus during concerts

(5/31/06 and 6/01/06)

      4.25 hours x $30 per hour = $127.50

 

14.1.15             Approve the 1st reading of the Wellness Policy (Nutrition and Physical Fitness).

 

14.1.16             Affirm the following budget transfers for the period June 21, 2006 to June 26, 2006:

 

From Account                                      To Account                                   Amount     Reason

11-000-100-562 Spec Ed Tuition         11-000-270-515 Spec Ed Trans  $10,000     Student Needs

 

14.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the following Personnel/Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 14.2.1 to 14.2.18.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote with O’Hara abstaining on item 14.2.5 and Vonder Haar voting no on item 14.2.7.

 

14.2.1                  Accept, with regret, the resignation of the following:

John Baarda – Custodian – effective June 20, 2006

Margaret Dimitriadis – Instructional Aide – effective June 14, 2006

Renee Mandicz – Instructional Aide – effective June 14, 2006

Pamela Ruocco – Instructional Aide - effective June 14, 2006

Rose Prasse – Director of the ChildCare Program – eff. June 30, 2006

Melissa Van Lenten – Teacher – effective June 14, 2006

 

14.2.2                  Approve the extension of a maternity leave for Jennifer Koster, Special Education teacher at Central School, for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

14.2.3                  Approve Jennifer Hypes as a 3rd grade teacher in Central School effective September 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, at an annual salary to be determined.

 

14.2.4                  Approve a maternity leave for Kara Feulner, 4th grade teacher at Central School, effective September 18, 2006 through February 4, 2007.

 

14.2.5                  Approve a family leave for Steve O’Hara, 7th grade social studies teacher at Great Meadows Middle School, effective September 1, 2006 through January 1, 2007.

 

14.2.6                  Approve Julie Mumaw as Business Administrator/Board Secretary effective July 17, 2006 through June 30, 2007 at an annual salary of $86,500 prorated to $82,895.80.

 

14.2.7                  Approve Dean Tshudy as Dean of Students for the 2006-2007 school year at an annual stipend of $3,000.

 

14.2.8                  Approve personnel teaching assignments for the 2006-2007 school year as per the attached list.

 

14.2.9                  Approve Christopher Spendley as a substitute teacher for the 2006-2007 school.

 

14.2.10             Approve Steven Sylvester as a full time custodian effective June 27, 2006 through June 30, 2006 for $375.00 and July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 at an annual salary of $22,500.

 

14.2.11             Authorize the district to submit applications for emergency   hiring and applicant’s attestation that he/she has not been convicted of any disqualifying crime pursuant to the provisions of NJSA 18:6-7.1 et. seq. for the following new employees:

 

Julie Mumaw and Steven Sylvester

 

14.2.12             Approve the use of the parking facilities at Great Meadows Middle School and Central School for Independence Township to use during their Community Day on August 19, 2006.

 

14.2.13             Authorization to go out to bid on route HS2 and C8 for the 2006-07 school year.

 

14.2.14             Approve a contract with EarthSpec LLC for transportation coordination and consulting services for the 2006-2007 school year for an annual fee of $15,420.

 

14.2.15             Approve a transportation contract to low bidder A. Morris Scott Jr., Inc. to transport students to Midland School in North Branch, NJ, from July 5, 2006 to August 15, 2006 for 30 days, at a rate of $184 per diem.

 

Route Q-Mid, quotes requested from:

 

Contractor         Per diem Mileage Adjustment Route Cost

A. Morris Scott    $184.00         $2.48        $5,520.00

First Student      $199.75         $2.95                   $5,992.50

Snyder Bus Service $206.40         $2.45        $6,192.00

 

14.2.16             Approve a transportation contract to low bidder Snyder Bus Service, Inc. to transport students to Spring Run School in Flemington, NJ, from July 3, 2006 to August 11, 2006 for 30 days, at a rate of $169.00 per diem.

 

Route Q-Spring, quotes requested from:

 

Contractor         Per diem Mileage Adjustment Route Cost

Snyder Bus Service $169.00         $2.45        $5,070.00

A. Morris Scott    $178.00         $2.48        $5,340.00

First Student      $243.90         $1.95        $7,317.00

 

14.2.17             Approve the hiring of two elementary teachers – one at Central School and one at Liberty School.

 

14.2.18             Approve Steve Bodei as summer custodial help effective June 27, 2006 to August 31, 2006 at the rate of $10.15 per hour.

 

14.3    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Curriculum/Technology items 14.3.1 to 14.3.2.

 

14.3.1                  Approve the following textbooks:

 

Integrated Mathematics

Conscience and Courage

 

14.3.2                  Approve the Nursing Services Plan for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Motion by William Vonder Haar, seconded by Susan Cullen, to refund Liberty Township building use charges for the use of the Liberty school gymnasium May 12, 2006.

Motion denied in a voice vote with Vonder Haar voting yes and all others voting no.

 

Bob Jones gave the Hackettstown High School report.

 

Maryann Citro gave the Independence Township report.

 

William Vonder Haar gave the Liberty Township report.

 

Public Comment:

 

Cheryl Crisp asked if one of the new elementary teachers will be assigned to teach grade 1 at Liberty School? She also asked about the scheduling of the release of the district test results.

 

Unfinished Business:

 

William Vonder Haar noted that the Chief Counsel of New Jersey School Boards Association will provide advice on the proper wording for the minutes of the April 24, 2006 school board meeting.  William Vonder Haar discussed board Policy 4250.

 

The board took a 5-minute break.

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving personnel and negotiations, 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 8:50 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 Helene Armstrong, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to re-enter regular session at 10:05 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

10:05 PM Bernie O’Hara returned to the meeting.

 

Peggy Faulborn introduced a new form that will be used to tract the progress of board discussions through committee, workshop and regular action meetings.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to hire James Plosia of Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro and Murphy as the school board labor negotiator at a rate of $150 per hour.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

A discussion was held concerning the school board retreat scheduled for June 28, 2006.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to adjourn at 10:10 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary