The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, September 13, 2004, at Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 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, Susan Cullen, Amy
Dieteman, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo, Steve
Tierney, and Glenn Williams.
Absent: None
There were 50 members of the
public in attendance.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Steve Tierney,
to approve the minutes for July 26, 2004 (as corrected), August 4, 2004 (as
corrected) and August 23, 2004 (as corrected).
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Mahal abstained July 26, 2004 minutes)
(Cullen, Jones, Russo, and Tierney abstained August
4, 2004 minutes)
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman,
to approve the executive session minutes for August 4, 2004 and August 23,
2004.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Cullen, Jones, Russo, and Tierney abstained August
4, 2004 minutes)
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn,
to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the months
ending August 31, 2004, as per copies attached and to certify that as of August
31, 2004, after review of the Secretary’s monthly financial report (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, Cullen, Dieteman,
Faulborn, Jones, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn,
to approve the bills from August 19, 2004 through September 8, 2004 in the
amount of $298,185.01.
Motion carried in a voice vote – unanimous.
Two letters were read, one from the 6th grade team at the middle school, thanking the Board for providing the staff with a luncheon on the first day of school and stating it was a great way to start the year and how very much it was appreciated. The other letter was from Jamie Long, Music teacher, thanking the Board for providing the instruments to begin an instrumental music program with the elementary schools saying how wonderful it is to see how excited the children were!
Dr. Tracey Severns, Superintendent’s Update:
I am proud to report that
the opening of the new school year went extremely well. My goal for the first day of school was to
visit every class in the District and I am pleased to say that I was able to do
so. Judging from the beautiful faces
that I saw, the kids enjoyed their first day as much as the teachers, parents,
administrators and support staff did.
Mr. Batha, the newly appointed principal of Liberty School took a
personal day from his district to spend the day with Ms. D’Ambola, greeting the
children and meeting parents. I applaud
his initiative to be here on such an important day. Mrs. Koop also did a stellar job on her first day with a school
full of students. She has a great
energy and enthusiasm for her work. We
are very fortunate to have found such dedicated principals.
The middle school enjoyed
an especially smooth opening as all of the students were familiar with the
building and knew how to open their lockers.
Both Mr. Purnell and Mr. Nittel arrived at school early and stayed late
to make sure that everything was running beautifully. Mr. Bing was also working to check in and distribute the new
student materials and teacher resources that are still coming in. I just LOVE to see all of these new
resources going into our classrooms.
I would also like to
extend a sincere word of thanks to our outstanding custodial staff who did a
marvelous job of preparing our schools for opening day. All of the schools look fantastic and the floors
actually shine. Please be sure to thank them for a job well done.
Over the last two days, we
have received a number of calls from parents who do not like some aspect of
their child's bus stop or route. We
have addressed all immediate issues and told everyone else to put their
concerns in writing. Once collected,
all issues will be examined by the Buildings and Grounds Committee, which is
the Board of Education committee that deals with transportation. Responses to all concerns will be provided within
the next two weeks.
On Thursday,
August 26th, the middle school principal search committee reconvened to conduct
second round interviews of principal candidates. The second round interview process involved a series of questions
that included difficult “real life” scenarios as well as a writing task. After careful consideration of all
candidates and evaluation of the writing samples, it was the consensus of the
committee to recommend Mark Ippolito as the new principal for the middle
school. A thorough check of his
references confirmed what the committee observed in the interviews. Mr. Ippolito was described as extremely
bright, reflective, articulate, and personable. His references noted that he did exemplary work in his
administrative internship, cares deeply about kids, gets along with parents,
and presents well-researched opinions.
It is my great pleasure to introduce Mr. Ippolito to the Great Meadows
Regional Board of Education and members of the public. Later in this meeting, Mr. Ippolito will
come forward to address the group and answer questions.
On Tuesday, September 1st,
all of the teachers who are new to our district participated in a full day,
teacher induction and orientation session that was planned and facilitated by
Dr. Severns. The day included
opportunities to read, write, view, reflect and consider the kinds of skills
demonstrated by effective teachers. The
program used two videos from the classic series entitled, The Effective
Teacher, and the book, The First Days of School, to address the
three research-based characteristics of effective teachers: using classroom management skills, teaching
for lesson mastery, and practicing positive expectations. In addition, the program provided an
overview of day-to-day operations and performance expectations. Feedback from the program was extremely
positive. We are currently in the
process of creating a schedule of additional training sessions so that we can
provide new teachers with the support and direction that they need to be
successful.
On Wednesday, September 2nd,
we welcomed the entire faculty back “home.”
Following a school-based program that was run by each principal,
everyone convened in the middle school dining room to be greeted by a welcome
address. Following the convocation,
the faculty enjoyed a luncheon that was funded by Title IIA of the NCLB
grant. This fund, which is entitled,
"Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting," is intended to
provide financial support for activities that “attract and retain high quality
personnel.” The purpose of the luncheon
was to establish a positive climate of emotional and professional support. As described by Charles E. Bryan in the
book, If You Don’t Feed the Teachers, They Eat the Students, “The
quality of employees will be directly proportional to the quality of life you
maintain for them.” The total cost of
the luncheon was $1463.00. This
represents 5% of the total Title IIA allocation of $26,450. This is $954.00 less than we spent last
year. It should be noted that the
balance of the Title IIA funds will be spent on professional development
training and materials. In closing, I
would like to thank board members Helene Armstrong, Susan Cullen, Bob Jones and
Cindy Russo for attending the luncheon as it was a wonderful show of support
for our outstanding staff.
Finally, I would like to
congratulate our staff and students on our performance on the 2004
administration of the Grade Eight Proficiency Test (GEPA) and New Jersey
Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK).
As I mentioned at a previous Board of Education meeting, we improved our
test scores for both grades, in every subject area, and for each subgroup of
students (special education and regular education). The most significant improvements were achieved in the
performance of special education students and the percentage of students who
scored in the Advanced Proficiency range.
In addition, I recently received notification from the State Department
of Education that Liberty School, Central School and the Great Meadows Middle
School all achieved the NCLB AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) benchmarks by
meeting all 41 of the 41 required indicators.
Congratulations to all!
A
presentation was made by Christinna Elrod, Branch Manager of Bank of America,
formerly Fleet Bank, Hackettstown, NJ, of a check in the amount of $1,000 made
out to the Great Meadows Regional Education Foundation.
A presentation was made by Jason Bing, Supervisor of
Elementary Education, on FANS (Families Achieving the New Standards) workshop
and updated materials.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to adopt the following Bylaw, Policies and Regulations:
ByLaw #0157 – Board of Education Website
Policy #1530 – Equal Employment Opportunity
Policy #3142 – Non-Renewal of a Non-Tenured
Teaching Staff
Member
Policy #3281 – Inappropriate Staff Conduct
Policy #4146 – Non-renewal of Non-Tenured
Support Staff Member
Policy #4281 – Inappropriate Support Staff
Conduct
Policy
#4352 – Sexual Harassment
Policy
#4434 – Holidays
Policy
#4438 – Jury Duty
Policy #5330 –
Administration of Medicine
Policy
#5331 – Anaphylaxis to Food
Policy
#7422 – School Integrated Pest Management Plan
Policy
#8140 – Pupil Enrollment
Policy
#8431 – Preparedness for Toxic Hazard
Policy
#8451 – Control of Communicable Disease
Policy
#8453 – HIV/AIDS
Policy
#8462 – Child Abuse and/or Neglect
Policy
#8465 – Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Acts
Regulation #1530 – Equal
Employment Opportunity Complaint Procedure
Regulation #3142 –
Non-Renewal of Non-Tenured Teaching Staff Members
Regulation
#3281 – Inappropriate Conduct – Teaching Staff Members
Regulation
#3362 – Sexual Harassment of Teaching Staff Members Complain Procedure
Regulation #4281 –
Inappropriate Staff Conduct
Regulation
#4352 – Sexual Harassment of Support Staff Members Complain Procedure
Regulation
#5330 – Administration of Medicine
Regulation
#5620 – Expulsion Procedures
Regulation #7422 – School
Integrated Pest Management Plan
Regulation
#8140 – Enrollment Accounting
Regulation
#8462 – Child Abuse and/or Neglect
Regulation
#8465 – Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Acts
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Cullen opposed Policy #8140, #8431, #8451, #8453,
& #8462)
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene
Armstrong, to approve the 1st Reading of the following Policies and
Regulations:
Policy #1120 – Management Team
Policy #1240 – Evaluation of Superintendent
Policy #1522 – School Level Planning
Policy #1540 – Admin Code of Ethics
Policy and Regulation - #1550 – Affirmation Action
for Employment Contract Practices/Employment Practices Plan
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the 1st Reading of the removal of Policy #5330.1 – Emergency Administration of Epinephrine via Pre-Filled, Single Dose Auto-Injector Mechanism for Anaphylaxis because issues are addressed by Policy #5330 and no longer necessary.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the following stipends for the following teachers during
the 2004-2005 school year as per the Great Meadows Regional Education
Association/Great Meadows Regional Board of Education negotiated contract.
Jim Bechtel Student Council - $950 per year
Joan Magliaro Student Council - $950
per year
Linda McClune Student Leadership Corps )
Linda O’Connor Student
Leadership Corps )
Amy Fancher Student Leadership Corps )
($2800 to be divided equally)
Gina Pagliaro Detention Supervisor -
$30 per hour
Kim Miller Team Lead – Grade 6 - $1,000
Ro Kumma Team
Lead – Grade 7 - $1,000
Deb Exley Team
Lead – Grade 8 - $1,000
Joan Magliaro Team Lead – Encore - $1,000
Linda McClune Team Lead – Guidance -
$1,000
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve payment of aid in lieu of transportation to the parents of KK and EP attending Ridge and Valley Charter School and KG attending Pope John in the amount of $771 each for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to
approve a transportation contract be issued to Scott Bus Company, who submitted
the lowest quote, to transport three students to Spring Run School, Flemington,
NJ from September 8, 2004 through December 8, 2004 at a rate of $155 per diem for
90 days at a total cost of $13,950.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following transportation jointures:
Transportation
jointure with Hackettstown School District, with Great Meadows Regional serving
as the lead local education authority, to transport three students to Spring
Run School in Flemington, NJ, with one student from Hackettstown School
District for their cost of $4,650 and two students from Great Meadows Regional,
for a cost of $9,300 ($4,650 each) at a combined total of $13,950.
Transportation
jointure with Hackettstown School District, with Great Meadows serving as the
lead local education authority, to transport four students to Hunterdon
Learning Center in Califon, NJ, with one student from Great Meadows Regional at
the cost of $6,210, and three students from Hackettstown School District for a
per student cost of $6,210 for their total cost of $18,630 at a combined total
of $24,840.
Transportation
jointure with Hackettstown School District, Washington Township School District
and Warren Hills School District, with Great Meadows Regional serving as the
lead local education authority, to transport four students to Midland School in
North Branch, NJ, with one student from Hackettstown for their cost of $7,380,
one student from Great Meadows Regional for a cost of $7,380, one student from
Washington Township School District for their cost of $7,380, and one student
from Warren Hills School District for their cost of $7,380 at a combined total
cost of $29,520.
Transportation
jointure with Hackettstown School District, Warren Hills School District and
Oxford School District, with Great Meadows serving as the lead local education
authority to transport seven students to Warren County Technical School and
Warren County Special Services School Program at the ARC Building in
Washington, NJ with two students from Hackettstown School District, two
students from Great Meadows Regional School District, two students from Oxford School
District, and one student from Warren Hills School District with costs as
follows:
Hackettstown School District $10,260
Great
Meadows School District $ 7,560
Oxford
School District $10,260
Warren Hills School District $ 2,160
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Susan
Cullen, to approve Dr. Sanjay Jain as the Great Meadows Regional School
Physician for the 2004-2005 school year for an annual fee of $3,500.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Tierney – abstained)
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to
approve the “Annual Nursing Services Plan” for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the Annual Update of Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement between Great Meadows Regional School District and the New Jersey State Police, Washington, NJ and the Independence Police Department.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, 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 9:15 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 Cindy Russo, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to
re-enter regular session at 9:30 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to accept the resignation of Alesha
Steager, Pre-school Disabilities Aide, for the 2004-2005 school year effective
immediately.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to accept, with regret, the resignation of Erin Townley, School Psychologist, effective October 21, 2004, or sooner if a replacement can be found.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to accept the resignation of Nancy Dineen, Child Care Aide, effective September 3, 2004.
Motion carried in a voice vote – Motion carried.
(Dieteman – abstained)
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the employment of the following
teachers effective September 1, 2004, through June 30, 2004 including medical,
dental and prescription coverage:
Anne
Amundsen – Special Education, Grade 6
Step 4 Masters - $41,919
Jessica
Toussaint – Special Education, Grade 8
Step 1 BA - $38,959 – to
receive $80 per day until receipt of certificate of eligibility
and effective September 16,
2004, through June 30, 2004 including medical, dental and prescription coverage
effective November 16, 2004:
Madelyn
Wisby – Special Education (MD) Liberty School
Step 5 Masters - $42,519
and to
suspend Policy #3420 entitled Employee Benefits for the purpose of providing
benefits for Jessica Toussaint who is employed as a long-term substitute until
receipt of her certificate of eligibility.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Amy Dieteman, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve Mark Ippolito as Great Meadows
Middle School Principal effective November 15, 2004 through June 30, 2004, or
sooner if a replacement is found, at the annual salary of $74,000 pro-rated to
$46,866.65 plus 2.5% Tax Sheltered Annuity of $1,171.67 providing employee
matches contribution, plus medical, prescription and dental benefits.
Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman,
Faulborn, Jones, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve Jim Alercia as Interim Principal of Great Meadows Middle School for approximately three days a week, and/or upon the request of the Superintendent, until the commencement of Mark Ippolito’s employment at the rate of $385 per diem without benefits.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Bob Jones, seconded by Cindy Russo, to approve the horizontal movement on the
salary guide for the following teachers:
Karen Lund - Step 20 Masters
+ 30
$66,423 plus longevity
$4,250 = $70,673
Tina
Ritchie - Step 6 BS + 30 = $42,309
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Helene Armstrong, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve Donna Chuddley as a
substitute teacher for Great Meadows Regional School District for the 2004-2005
school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
(Faulborn – abstained)
Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded Bob Jones, to
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:
Donna Chuddley, Mark
Ippolito, and Jessica Toussaint.
Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman,
Faulborn, Jones, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
(Faulborn – abstained from Chuddley)
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Steve Tierney,
to adopt the Board of Education goals for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Bob Jones gave the Hackettstown Report.
Unfinished Business:
Cindy Russo asked if the workshop meetings could be
kept to a true workshop meeting.
Bob Jones would like to see if Board Members could
attend workshop in Atlantic City in October.
Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to
adjourn at 10:15 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Sharkey