The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, July 25, 2005, at Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:40 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 (arrived 7:50 PM), Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo, and Glenn Williams.

 

Absent: Susan Cullen and Steve Tierney.

 

There were 15 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the minutes from May 23, 2005 as amended.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Mahal – abstained)

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the executive session minutes from May 23, 2005 as amended.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Mahal – abstained)

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending June 30, 2005, as per copies attached and to certify that as of June 30, 2005, 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.

 

Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Dieteman, Faulborn, Jones, Mahal, Russo, Williams.

No: None

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the bills from June 19, 2005 to June 30, 2005 in the amount of $362,803.06 and from July 1, 2005 to July 20, 2005 in the amount of $705,138.17.

Motion carried in a voice vote – unanimous.

 

A thank you note was read to the Board of Trustees from Jan Romanczyk and Linda O’Conner thanking them for awarding them with a grant.

 

A thank you note was read from Juliet Priber, Montclair State University student, thanking the school district for allowing her to participate in her student practicum.

 

Anthony Piperata, Interim Superintendent, discussed the following:

 

·       Agenda changes

·       Bus stop efficiency

 

Amy Dieteman arrived 7:50 PM.

 

·       Continental breakfast in recognition of James Alercia

·       Great Meadows School District to be a guest on WRNJ “Newsline”

·       School board self-assessments and instructional goals

·       First Student will use the school parking area while their lot is being paved

·       School lunch prices for the 2005-2006 school year

·       Sewerage capacity

 

Jason Bing reported the following Curriculum update:

 

·       Teachers Jan Romanczyk and Karen Lund’s participation in the Alaska Earthwatch program

·       Federal grant applications are almost complete

·       New reading materials presentations will be held

·       Leadership workshop given by our principals received complements

·       A new study skills program for grade 6

·       Two middle school special education positions are filled

·       Study Island was a success and will be renewed

·       Everyday math will have a Halloween theme next year

·       A Science Fair is planned for March 2006

·       The butterfly garden is a beautiful learning tool

 

Phil Friden, Independence resident, asked about the topic of the executive session. Glenn Williams stated that the topic will be personnel.

 

Bill Vonder Haar, Liberty resident, requested a list of the budget transfers.

 

12.1                        Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Business items 12.1.1 through 12.1.3.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

12.1.1                Affirm the following budget transfers effective June 1, 2005:

 

From Account:                           To Account:

11-000-262-620-000-000 Heat/Electric    11-000-262-420-000-000 Contracted Services

Amount:      $  3,400.00                Reason:      Truck & rapairs

11-000-262-620-000-000 Heat/Electric    11-000-262-610-000-000 Plnt. Gen. Sup.

Amount:      $ 15,000.00                Reason:      Truck & rapairs

11-000-291-270-111-000 Medical          11-000-291-290-000-000 Oth. Emp. Benefits

Amount:      $ 24,000.00                Reason:      Payment of sick days

11-000-291-241-000-000 Retirement/pens  11-000-291-290-000-000 Oth. Emp. Benefits

Amount:      $  2,500.00                Reason:      Payment of sick days

11-000-230-339-000-000 Adm Prof Svr     11-000-230-590-000-000 Other purch svr

Amount:      $  1,500.00                Reason:      Election expenses

11-120-100-101-000-000 Grade 1-5 sal    11-190-100-106-000-000 Aides sal

Amount:      $  3,700.00                Reason:      Computers/repairs/etc

11-120-100-101-000-000 Grade 1-5 sal    11-190-100-500-000-000 repairs/maint

Amount:      $  2,700.00                Reason:      Computers/repairs/etc

11-120-100-101-000-000 Grade 1-5 sal    11-190-100-610-000-000 Gen suppl-tech

Amount:      $  8,700.00                Reason:      Computers/repairs/etc

11-000-217-320-000-000 PC Aide-contr    11-000-216-320-000-000 OT/PT/Blind com

Amount:      $    700.00                Reason:      Occupational Therapy

11-000-262-620-000-000 Heat/Electric    11-000-262-100-000-000 Custodian sal

Amount:      $  7,378.00                Reason:      Custodial overtime/lawn care

11-130-100-101-000-000 Grade 6-8 sal    11-190-100-640-000-000 Textbooks-misc

Amount:      $ 15,694.00                Reason:      Textbooks

11-120-100-101-000-000 Grade 1-5 sal    11-190-100-640-000-000 Textbooks-misc

Amount:      $  5,806.00                Reason:      Textbooks

11-215-100-106-000-000 PSD Aide sal     11-000-310-930-000-000 Food deficit

Amount:      $  3,076.00                Reason:      Cafeteria deficit

11-000-100-566-000-000 Tuition-priv sh  11-000-310-930-000-000 Food deficit

Amount:      $ 29,416.00                Reason:      Cafeteria deficit

11-000-217-106-000-000 PC Aide GMR      11-000-230-100-000-000 Adm salaries

Amount:      $  9,800.00                Reason:      Interim Superintendent

11-000-262-300-000-000 Purch tech serv  11-000-262-420-000-000 Contracted serv

Amount:      $  5,400.00                Reason:      Hot water heater

11-120-100-101-000-000 Grade 1-5 sal    11-000-291-290-000-000 Oth. Emp. Benefits

Amount:      $ 13,000.00                Reason:      Cafeteria sick days

11-215-100-106-000-000 PSD Aide sal     11-000-291-290-000-000 Oth. Emp. Benefits

Amount:      $  3,200.00                Reason:      Cafeteria sick days

11-000-217-106-000-000 PC Aide GMR      11-000-291-290-000-000 Oth. Emp. Benefits

Amount:      $  2,800.00                Reason:      Cafeteria sick days

11-000-213-100-000-000 Nurse sal        11-000-291-290-000-000 Oth. Emp. Benefits

Amount:      $    911.00                Reason:      Cafeteria sick days

11-000-291-241-000-000 Retirement/pens  11-000-291-220-000-000 FICA-other

Amount:      $  3,039.00                Reason:      Board share FICA

11-000-270-515-000-000 Spec ed transp   11-000-291-220-000-000 FICA-other

Amount:      $  6,118.00                Reason:      Board share FICA

11-000-100-562-000-000 Tuition-sp ed    11-000-100-565-000-000 Tuition WCSSSD

Amount:      $  4,220.00                Reason:      Final tuition

11-000-100-562-000-000 Tuition-sp ed    11-000-217-320-000-000 PC Aide-contracted

Amount:      $ 11,087.00                Reason:      Personal care aide HHS

11-000-219-104-000-000 CST sal          11-000-217-320-000-000 PC Aide-contracted

Amount:      $  2,818.00                Reason:      Personal care aide HHS

11-000-219-105-000-000 CST sec          11-000-217-320-000-000 PC Aide-contracted Amount:    $  1,269.00               Reason:      Personal care aide HHS

11-000-219-592-000-000 CST travel       11-000-217-320-000-000 PC Aide-contracted Amount:    $     76.00               Reason:      Personal care aide HHS

11-000-270-515-000-000 Spec ed transp   11-000-261-420-000-000 Maint contract

Amount:      $  8,000.00                Reason:      Wastewater plant assessment

Total        $195,308.00

 

12.1.2                Approve Paragon Industries to repair the hot water system at the Central School at a cost not to exceed $10,000.

 

12.1.3                Approve change order to Drill Construction, West Orange, NJ, for Central School drainage work at a cost of $5,514.00.

 

12.2                        Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Administration item 12.2.1.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

12.2.1                Approve submission of the Great Meadows Regional School District 2004-2005 report on Violence and Vandalism to the New Jersey Department of Education.

 

12.3                        Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Personnel items 12.3.1 through 12.3.8 and 12.3.10 through 12.3.12.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Armstrong abstaining on item 12.3.4.

 

12.3.1                Approve Casey Ritson as Special Education teacher at the Great Meadows Middle School effective September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at Step 4 BS at the annual salary of $39,559. (Salary subject to change after teacher negotiations are finalized.)

 

12.3.2                Approve a salary increase of $1,000 effective July 1, 2005 to Leigh Reiter, Jr. for receiving his Black Seal Boiler Operator License, which amends his 2005-2006 annual salary to $24,004.80 and to reimburse the cost of textbook and tuition for the Boiler Operator class.

 

12.3.3                Approve a salary increase of $1,000 effective July 1, 2005 to John Baarda for receiving his Black Seal Boiler Operator License, which amends his 2005-2006 annual salary to $24,844.48 and to reimburse the cost of textbook and tuition for the Boiler Operator class.

 

12.3.4                Approve Patricia Araki as Instructional Aide at Central School effective September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at the annual salary of $10,500.

 

12.3.5                Approve Robin Morris-Marano as Instructional Aide at Liberty School effective September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at the annual salary of $10,500.

 

12.3.6                Approve Linda DeJesus as World Language teacher at the Great Meadows Middle School effective September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at Step 1 BS at an annual salary of $38,959. (Salary subject to change after teacher negotiations are finalized.)

 

12.3.7                Approve Deborah Berger as Middle School Principal Secretary and Guidance Secretary effective August 8, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at an annual salary of $28,500 pro-rated to 25,531.25 with full medical, dental and prescription benefits after 60 days employment.

 

12.3.8                Approve the following Child Care Aides effective September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at the rate of $10.22 per hour.

 

Joan Cornine       

Erika Everett      

Anna Letsak        

Barb Mrozinski     

 

12.3.9                Item tabled.

12.3.10            Adopt the Resolution “Notice of Domestic Partner Health Benefits Provided by a Non-SHBP Employer” as attached.

 

12.3.11            Approve Betsy Hart, Central School PE teacher, as Summer Supply Order Coordinator at the rate of  $9.00 per hour effective July 11, 2005.

 

12.3.12            Approve Deb Healy as Instructional Aide at Central School effective September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 at the annual salary of $11,025. 

 

12.4                        Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong to approve the Curriculum & Technology  items 12.4.1 and 12.4.2.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

12.4.1                Approve submission of the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program to the New Jersey Department of Education for the 2005-2006 school year in the amounts of $877.10 for the Great Meadows Middle School and $1,887.90 Central and Liberty Elementary Schools.

 

12.4.2                Approve the District’s Nursing Services Plan for the 2004-2005 school year.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Cindy Russo, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving personnel, 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 voice vote - unanimous.

 

Peggy Faulborn left the meeting at 8:40 PM.

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Cindy Russo, to re-enter regular session at 9:15 PM.

Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.

 

Bob Jones gave the Hackettstown Report.

 

William Vonder Haar expressed disappointment that the kindergarten program will return to its original schedule next fall.

 

John Zirkel, Independence resident, questioned the school board’s application of its board member meeting attendance policy.

 

Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to adjourn at 10:10 PM.

Motion carried in a voice vote – unanimous.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary