The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, July 24, 2006, at the Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 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: Jennifer Cassini, Maryann Citro, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, and Bernie O’Hara.

 

Absent: Helene Armstrong, Susan Cullen, Joe Mahal, and William Vonder Haar.

 

There were 16 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the minutes from June 12, 2006, June 26, 2006, and June 28, 2006.

Motion carried in a voice vote with Faulborn, and Mahal abstaining from June 28, 2006 minutes.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the executive session minutes from June 12, 2006 and June 26, 2006.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending June 30, 2006, as per copies attached and to certify that as of June 30, 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 Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Bernie O’Hara, to approve the bills from June 27, 2006 through June 30, 2006 in the amount of $77,657.37 and the bills from July 1, 2006 to July 24, 2006 in the amount of $635,353.63.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Bernie O’Hara, to approve the cafeteria bills from July 1, 2006 to July 24, 2006 in the amount of $2,939.13.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent’s Update.

 

Noreen Lishak, Director of Curriculum and Special Services, reported on the following plans for the 2006-2007 school year:

 

  • Parent workshops
  • Testing dates
  • Portfolio and writing prompts development
  • Dibbles date management
  • Hackettstown high school graduates’ continuing education choices

 

Public Comment: 

 

Cindy Russo explained to the board that she felt the school secretaries were only needed for ten months of the year.

 

Cathy Friedan urged the board to be fiscally responsible with its budget transfers.

 

John Fisher asked why the rental fee for Sunny Days Daycare’s use of the building, during the time that school was normally open, was less than the rate charged to township Recreation, when they request that the schools be opened on weekends?

 

Ann Young expressed her concern for the students during administrative staff turnover.

 

Cindy Russo suggested that the board offer a bonus to administrators who stay in the district for more than three years.

 

Diane Bourland asked if administrators get paid extra when they are expected to ‘pick up the slack’ during administrative turnover?

 

Kristy Whittle asked about the process for hiring a building principal?

 

16.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Policy/Finance items 16.1.1 to 16.1.19.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to table item 16.1.18.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote with item 16.1.18 being tabled, Cassini abstaining from item 16.1.14, and all other items voted yes.

 

16.1.1                  Approve a stipend to Tina Ritchie for the 2005-2006 school year for Intervention & Referral Services Team Leader for Central School and Liberty School for one hour per week for thirty-five weeks at each school at a total cost of $2,100.00 as per contract.

 

16.1.2                  Approve Kristy Whittle to provide Home Instruction to a student at the Great Meadows Middle School from May 22, 2006 through June 11, 2006 for ten hours at $30 per hour for a total cost of $300.

 

16.1.3                  Approve the ‘Biosecurity/Security Checklist’ for the Food Service Director as attached.

 

16.1.4                  Approve a ‘2006-2007 Parental Contract’ for student transportation of case number 201 for July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 at $50 per day for the number of days the local board requires transportation to be furnished and the same shall be furnished.

 

16.1.5                  Approve the renewal of the leased 54-passenger bus from First Student, Inc. for September 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 at an annual rental fee of $14,843.27.

 

16.1.6                  Approve the renewal of the Multi Route Contract for the following routes with First Student, Inc. for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

L1        $18,219.17

     L2        $18,219.17

     L3        $18,219.17

     L4        $18,219.17

     L5        $18,219.17

     C1        $18,219.17

     C2        $18,219.17

     C4        $18,219.17

     C5        $18,219.17

     C6        $18,219.17

     C7        $18,219.17

     M1        $18,219.17

     M2        $18,219.17

     M3        $18,219.17

     M4        $18,219.17

     M6        $18,219.17

     M7        $18,219.17

     M8        $18,219.17

     HS1       $33,223.20

     HS3       $33,223.20

     HS4       $18,219.17

     HS5       $18,219.17

     HS6       $18,219.17

     HS7       $18,219.17

     KDGL1     $ 8,466.56

     KDGC2     $ 8,466.56

     MD1       $34,071.57

     MD2       $28,805.24

 

16.1.7                  Award a contract for student transportation to the sole bidder, First Student, Inc. for the 2006-2007 school year for Routes HS2 and C8 at the per diem rate of $109.96 each, with an increase/decrease provision of $1.95.

 

HS2       $19,792.80

C8        $19,792.80

 

16.1.8                  Approve a renewal for the following special education routes with A. Morris Scott Bus Company for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Spring Run    $29,600.21

Midland       $31,635.86

 

16.1.9                  Approve a transportation jointure with Washington Township for the 2006-2007 extended school year, to share the cost of the following route for a total annual contract cost of $1,840.00.

 

Joiner                          Route                Contractor             Total Cost             Host       Joiners     Joiner Cost

Washington Twp.                     Q-Mid               A.M. Scott            $5,520.00                  1                 1              $1,840.00

 

16.1.10             Approve a transportation jointure with Hackettstown for the 2006-2007 extended school year, to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $3,868.00.

Joiner                          Route                Contractor             Total Cost             Host       Joiners     Joiner Cost

Hackettstown           Q-Mid                A.M. Scott            $5,520.00                  1                 1              $1,840.00

Hackettstown           Q-Spr. Snyder                   $5,070.00                  2                 2              $1,014.00

 

16.1.11             Approve a transportation jointure with Warren Hills Regional for the 2006-2007 extended school year, to share the cost of the following route for a total annual contract cost of $1,014.00.

 

Joiner                          Route                Contractor             Total Cost             Host       Joiners     Joiner Cost

Warren Hills Reg.    Q-Spr. Snyder                   $5,070.00                  2                 1              $1,014.00

 

16.1.12             Approve the lunch prices for the 2006-2007 school year as follows:

                                                                                                                Full Price    Reduced

Elementary Student Lunch          $2.25         $0.40

     Middle School Student Lunch  $2.50         $0.40

     Milk                         $0.50         $0.20

     Adult lunch                  $3.30         N/A

 

16.1.13             Approve a service contract with CFP Service Solutions for maintenance of the district photocopiers for an annual fee of $29,300.00 including supplies.

 

16.1.14             Approve Elizabeth Narati-Tentle, to provide speech services to identified students at the rate of $75 per hour and at $260 per student evaluation performed.

 

16.1.15             Approve a tuition contract with the P.G. Chambers School for placement of case number 201 from July 10, 2006 to June 30, 2007 at the per diem rate of $253.57 for 210 days totaling $53,249.70.

 

16.1.16             Approve a tuition contract with the Stepping Stone – ARC of Essex County for placement of case number 122 from July 5, 2006 to June 30, 2007 at the per diem rate of $205.88 for 204 days totaling $42,000.00.

 

16.1.17             Approve a contract with Sussex County Educational Services Commission to provide approved supplemental services rendered to classified Great Meadows Regional resident students attending non-public schools for a fee of $7,434.00.

 

16.1.18             Item tabled.

 

16.1.19             Affirm the following budget transfers for the period June 21, 2006 to June 30, 2006:

 

From Account                           To Account                           Amount     Reason

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

11-000-291-270 Medical                       11-130-100-101 Gr 6-8 Salary    44,708.00           Retro Pay

11-000-270-519 Choice                         11-130-100-101 Gr 6-8 Salary      9,792.00    Retro Pay

11-000-100-562 Spec Ed Tuition         11-000-270-515 Spec Ed Tran    15,000.00         Transportation

 

16.1.20             Affirm the following budget transfer for the period July 1, 2006 to July 24, 2006:

 

From Account                           To Account                                    Amount        Reason

11-000-100-562 Spec Ed Tuition    10-000-100-561 Charter Sch Tuition    5,294.00         06-07 Placements

 

16.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Personnel/Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 16.2.1 to 16.2.9.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

16.2.1                  Approve the employment of Theresa Sickels, Claire Washburn, and Mary Ann Williams, as Instructional Aides at Central School, effective September 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 at the annual salary of $10,500.

 

16.2.2                  Accept, with regret, the resignation of Mark Ippolito, Great Meadows Middle School Principal, effective September 18, 2006.

 

16.2.3                  Accept, with regret, the resignation of Tina Ritchie, Guidance Counselor, effective immediately.

 

16.2.4                  Approve the hiring of Tiffany Lutz, CST Social Worker, effective September 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 at Step 1 MA, at an annual salary of $41,319 (salary subject to change after teacher negotiations are finalized).

 

16.2.5                  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 employee: 

 

Claire Washburn and Tiffany Lutz

 

16.2.6                  Approve the privatization of our Childcare Program to Sunny Days Daycare for the 2006-2007 school year with owners Christine Miller and Lisa Rabuano.

 

16.2.7                  Approve the renting of room space at Liberty School and Great Meadows Middle School to Sunny Days Daycare for $25 per month, per location, for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

16.2.8                  Approve the following workshops and stipends to Linda McClune and Tina Ritchie:

 

“Helping Your Child Improve Homework Skills “

1/12/06 – 2 hours @ $30 per hour for prep and presentation = $60 x 2 = $120

 

“Independent Child”

     2/16/06 – 2 hours @ $30 per hour for prep and presentation = $60 x 2 = $120

 

16.2.9                  Approve the following summer hours for Great Meadows Regional School District personnel effective June 26, 2006:

 

Administration and Office Staff – Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM  (no lunch)

 

     Custodial Staff – Monday through Thursday

6:30 AM to 5:00 PM (includes lunch)

 

16.3    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Curriculum/Technology items 16.3.1 and 16.3.2.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

16.3.1                  Approve Marianne Woods to perform her student teaching with Chris Caufield, Kindergarten teacher at Central School effective September 5, 2006 through December 19, 2006.

 

16.3.2                  Approve a collaborative agreement with NORWESCAP Head Start and the Liberty Elementary School.

 

Hackettstown High School Report – Bob Jones explained that there was only one meeting in July and referred to the Hackettstown ‘Board Bits’ newsletter.

 

Public Comment:

 

Diane Bourland asked if Hackettstown was hiring any more coaches?

 

Beth Beasley was directed to contact the Warren County Office of the New Jersey Department of Education concerning her special education questions.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to adjourn at 8:20 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary