A Special Meeting of the Great Meadows Regional
Board of Education was held on Wednesday, August 4, 2004, at Great Meadows
Middle School, Independence Township.
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 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, Peggy
Faulborn, Joe Mahal, and Glenn Williams.
Absent: Susan Cullen,
Robert Jones, Cynthia Russo, and Steve Tierney.
There were 20 members of
the public in attendance.
Dr. Tracey Severns,
Superintendent’s Update:
We have called this
special meeting for a single purpose: to address the employment of District
administrators. First, we will accept the resignations, with sincere regret, of
Alice D’Ambola, principal of Liberty School, and Tim Purnell, principal of
Great Meadows Middle School. Both principals have met with me and shared their
reasons for leaving. In order to capture this information in written form, I
have asked them to complete an Employee Exit Interview Form that was created in
order to gather data from staff members who have recently resigned or retired
from the District regarding why they initially came to this District, why they
stayed as long as they did, and why they have decided to leave. Once returned,
this information will be gathered, analyzed and presented to the Board of
Education.
Next, we will provide the
Board of Education and members of the public with an opportunity to meet the
candidate who earned the unanimous recommendation of an eight-person interview
committee. I would like to thank Kathleen Koop for making herself available to
join us here this evening. We have also invited members of the interview committee
who can answer any questions about the search process and the reasons why they
are recommending Mrs. Koop for the position. I would like to thank Phyllis
Pezzato, Jennifer DeLorenzo, Lisa Moran, Michele Bohm, Vera Walker, Jason Bing,
and Helene Armstrong for the many hours that they dedicated to this process.
Finally, the Board of
Education and I will go into Executive Session so that we can finalize our
financial offer. We will then return to public session so that the Board of
Education can vote on the recommendation.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Helene Armstrong, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to accept, with sincere regret,
the resignation of Alice D’Ambola, Liberty School Principal, and Timothy
Purnell, Great Meadows Middle School Principal effective October 1, 2004.
Motion carried in a voice
vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Joe Mahal,
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 9:10 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.
Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to
re-enter regular session at 9:20 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the
Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to
offer a contract to Kathleen Koop as Central School Principal effective August
16, 2004 through June 30, 2005 at the annual salary of $76,000 pro-rated to
$66,499.97 with medical, dental, and prescription benefits effective September
1, 2004.
Roll call vote - Yes:
Armstrong, Dieteman, Faulborn, Mahal, Williams.
No: None
Motion by Joe Mahal,
seconded by Amy Dieteman, to adjourn at 9:24 PM.
Motion carried in a voice
vote – unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Sharkey
Board Secretary