The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, October 22, 2007, 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: Maryann Citro (arrived 7:35 PM), Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Matthew Mowatt, Bernie O’Hara.

 

Absent: Richard Alexander, Jennifer Cassini, and William Vonder Haar.

 

There were 10 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to approve the minutes from September 10, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote with Mahal abstaining.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to approve the minutes from September 24, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to approve the executive session minutes from September 24, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the months ending September 30, 2007, as per copies attached and to certify that as of September 30, 2007, 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 over expended 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 Matthew Mowatt, to approve the bills from September 25, 2007 through October 22, 2007 in the amount of $1,291,827.98.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the cafeteria bills from September 25, 2007 through October 22, 2007 in the amount of $30,639.90.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendents Update.

 

Noreen Lishak, Curriculum Update.

 

Public Comment:  None

 

14.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the Quality Assurance Annual Report (QAAR) for the 2006-2007 school year.

Motion carried in unanimous roll call vote.

 

15.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Personnel, Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 15.1.1 to 15.1.20.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

15.1.1                  Approve a maternity leave for Jessica Toussaint, 7th grade teacher at Great Meadows Middle School, effective April 18, 2008 through June 30, 2008 returning September 1, 2008.

 

15.1.2                  Rescind the stipend position of Intervention & Referral Services Coordinator at Liberty School for a total of 35 hours x $32.00 per hour = $1,120.00.

 

15.1.3                  Approve the stipend position of Intervention & Referral Services Coordinator at Central School for a total of 35 hours x $32.00 per hour = $1,120.00.

 

15.1.4                  Approve the stipend of $100 to Lisa Baatz for teacher participation on the Standards Clarification Project, which was paid by a Professional Standards Grant.

 

15.1.5                  Approve a stipend of $3,000 to Israel Marmolejos as Dean of Students at Great Meadows Middle School for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

15.1.6                  Approve Kristina Neubert, Centenary College student, to perform her student teaching with John Skodocek, 8th grade teacher at Great Meadows Middle School, effective January 22, 2007 through May 9, 2008.

 

15.1.7                  Approve Kevin Piazza and John Seman, East Stroudsburg University students, to be mentored by Jim Bechtel and Lisa Baatz, Wellness teachers, 2 days per week effective October 3, 2007 through December 6, 2007.

 

15.1.8                  Approve Jacqueline Schwier, Centenary College graduate student, to perform a thirty-hour supervised practicum with Stephanie Conway, Great Meadows Regional School District school psychologist. 

 

15.1.9                  Approve Elizabeth DiMarzo, College of Saint Elizabeth student, to observe multiple classrooms to fulfill her course assignment to be done during the fall semester.

 

15.1.10             Approve Scott Ward, County College of Morris student, to observe 20 hours with Betsy Hart, Wellness teacher at Central School, in order to fulfill his course assignment in physical education during the fall semester.

 

15.1.11             Approve Shannon Crane, County College of Morris student, to observe 5 hours with Betsy Hart, Wellness teacher at Central School, in order to fulfill her course assignment in physical education during the fall semester.

 

15.1.12             Approve Nicholas Cerami, County College of Morris student, to observe 5 hours with Deb Exley, Great Meadows Middle School math teacher, in order to fulfill his course assignment during the fall semester.

 

15.1.13             Approve Kathryn Schellhus, Fairleigh Dickerson University student, to observe Nancy Cole, Kindergarten teacher at Central School, for 10 days beginning January 7, 2008 through January 18, 2008.

 

15.1.14             Approve a stipend to Linda O’Connor, Media Center Specialist at Great Meadows Middle School, for a 3 hour workshop + 1 hour prep = 4 hours x $32.00 per hour = $128.00.

 

15.1.15             Approve a stipend to Dana DeKleine, Great Meadows Middle School guidance counselor, for conducting a parental workshop ‘Female Relational Aggression’ for 2 hours x $32.00 per hour = $64.00.

 

15.1.16             Approve movement on the guide for Juliette Skoldberg, speech correctionist, from Step 16 BS+30 to Step 16 M+15 effective September 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 at an annual salary of $60,830 x .8x = $48,664.

 

15.1.17             Approve transportation with Sussex County Co-Op for five district students going to Northwest Christian School for the 2007-2008 school year at a total cost of $3,975.60.

 

15.1.18             Approve aid-in-lieu of transportation to a parent/guardian of a district student attending Picatinny Arsenal Kindergarten, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ for the 2007-2008 school year in the amount of $859.00.

 

15.1.19             Approve aid-in-lieu of transportation to a parent/guardian of a district student attending St. Mary’s School, Wharton, NJ for the 2007-2008 school year in the amount of $859.00.

 

15.1.20             Approve the 2007-2008 bus stops for the Great Meadows Regional School District.

 

15.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Finance/Policy items 15.2.1 to 15.2.8.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

15.2.1                  Accept the donation of 3 used rolling carts from Kim Reitmeyer, Central School parent, and Key Bank, to the Central School Library at an approximate value of $150.

 

15.2.2                  Approve Preschool Disability Services (aide, OT, PT) between Great Meadows Regional School District and Hopatcong Borough Schools for student #169 for the 2007-2008 school year at an estimated total cost of $12,306.50.

 

15.2.3                  Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and ECLC of New Jersey, Morris County, for student #216 for the 2007-2008 school year at a total cost of $32,720.40.

 

15.2.4                  Approve the disposal of 5 monitors, 7 DeskJet printers, 6 computers, and 1 firewall, obsolete/defective technical equipment, to the annual fall computer Recycling Clean–up Program held in Warren County.

 

15.2.5                  Approve the submission of the Great Meadows Regional School District 2006-2007 Violence and Vandalism Report to the New Jersey Department of Education.

 

15.2.6                  Approve the following budget transfers:

 

From: 12-000-400-450-000-000 - Renovations

To: 12-000-400-390-000-000 - Professional Engineer  Amount: $16,940.00 – Gianforcaro Architects

 

From:  12-1200-100-730-000-000 - Grade 1-5 Video Fl

To:  12-000-260-730-000-000 - Plant Equipment

Amount: $6,715.18 - Bio Shine Floor Scrubber

 

15.2.7                  Approve the following personnel to attend workshops and/or conferences for the dates and costs listed below:

 

PERSONNEL                         WORKSHOP                                        COST                      DATES

Danielle Hamblin                  Safe Schools Symposium                   $160.00                   11/05/07

Earnest Batha                       Safe Schools Symposium                   $160.00                   11/05/07

Tim Nicinski                          Safe Schools Symposium                   $160.00                   11/05/07

Noreen Lishak                      Character Ed Workshop                     $  50.00                   10/10/07*

                                                                IDEIA Wksp – Morris Plains             $  32.95                   10/23/07

Jason Bing                            Character Ed Workshop                     $  50.00                   10/10/07*

Tim Nicinski                          Character Ed Workshops                 $  60.00                     10/04/07*

                                                                                                                                                                10/11/07*

                                                                                                                                                                10/30/07*

                Joanne Coppola/Laurie Washburn Monarch Workshop – Cape May $ 189.15         9/22/07

Dana DeKleine

Linda McClune/Dana DeKleine Character Ed Workshop             $120.00                   10/04/07* 

                                                                                                                                                10/30/07*

                Mary Ann Williams             Communications Wkshp – Edison    $120.00                   10/25/07

Marianne Woods                 Communications Wkshp – Edison   $120.00                    10/25/07

Katie Gelok           Novice Teacher Seminar – Edison    $120.00                   10/25/07

Melissa Kowtko                   Novice Teacher Seminar – Edison   $120.00                    10/25/07

Helene Palestri                   Storytelling Festival CCM               $  40.00                         11/04/07

Lois Davis                             Teaching Science CCM                      $  92.00                   11/29/07

Anne Marie Latimer             Health Wksp. – Clinton, NJ             $  95.00                      11/15/07 

James Bechtel                       Family Life Wksp – Rutgers            $    5.00                      12/12/07

Linda Nicholls                      Libraries Unlimited – Edison              $277.50                   10/05/07

Jason Bing                            NJPSA Legislative Conference          $  25.00                   10/05/07

Noreen Lishak                      NJPSA Legislative Conference        $  25.00                     10/05/07

Julie Mumaw                         NJPSA Legislative Conference        $  25.00                     10/05/07

IDEIA Wksp – Morris Plains             $  37.00                   10/23/07 Stephanie Conway               Battelle Training                                 $  32.98                   10/18/07

Julie Skoldberg                     Battelle Training                                   $  32.98                   10/18/07

Steve Thorpe                        Build 17 Training                                  $  51.45                   11/13/07

 

*Total Refundable fee of $ 160.00.

 

15.2.8                  Approve the 1st reading of the following policies:

 

Policy #1250 – Visitors

Policy #3572 – Integrated Pest Management Plan

Policy #5131.1 – Electronic Portable Communication Devices

Policy #5131.2 – Plagiarism/Cheating

Policy #5131.8 – Terroristic Threats

Policy #5141 – Pupil Safety

Policy #5201 – Home Schooling

Policy #5512 – Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, and Hazing

Policy #6141 – Curriculum Design/Development

Policy #6142.5 – Travel & Exchange Students

Policy #6142.6 – Basic Skills

Policy #6161.3 – Instructional Materials – Utilization of

Copyrighted Works

Policy #6162.4 – Community Resources

Policy #8600 – Transportation

Regulation #8600 – Emergency School Bus Procedure

Policy #8601 – Pupil Supervision After School Dismissal

Policy #8602 – Parental/Guardian Requests for Bus Stops

Policy #8603 – Transportation Safety

Policy #8610 – District Owned Vehicles

Policy #8660 – Transportation by Private Vehicle

Policy #8670 – Transportation of Disabled Pupils

 

Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to adjourn at 8:05 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Julie Mumaw

Board Secretary