The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, October 24, 2005, 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, Thomas Webster, and Glenn Williams.

 

Absent: None.

 

There were 25 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the minutes from September 12, 2005, and September 26, 2005.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Mahal – abstained from September 12, 2005 minutes)

(Russo & Williams – abstained from September 26, 2005 minutes)

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the executive session minutes from September 12, 2005, and September 26, 2005.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Mahal – abstained from September 12, 2005 minutes)

(Russo & Williams – abstained from September 26, 2005 minutes)

 

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

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the bills from September 27, 2005 to October 24, 2005 in the amount of $1,652,897.53.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Tom Webster, to approve the cafeteria bills from September 27, 2005 to October 24, 2005 in the amount of $30,170.44.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent, reported on the following:

 

·        The upcoming Halloween Family Math Night for grades k-5.

·        The successful kick-off to Red Ribbon Week.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent, reported on the following curriculum:

 

·        The school team is actively implementing the new curriculum.

·        The district has received a New Jersey Character Education Program (NJCEP) grant again this year.

 

A video presentation on the Liberty school butterfly garden was enjoyed by all. The butterfly garden is a National Wildlife Federation recognized habitat.

 

Mr. Bing introduced the new Assistant Principal, Dana Corcoran, and the new Supervisor for Curriculum and Special Services, Noreen Lishak.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving litigation, 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 7:55 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 Amy Dieteman, seconded by Cindy Russo, to re-enter regular session at 8:35 PM.

Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.

 

William Vonder Haar, Liberty resident, requested information on the budget transfer and the price of the truck.

 

14.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the following Administrative items 14.1.1 through 14.1.4.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

14.1.1                  Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Great Meadows Regional School District and the Independence Police and the New Jersey State Police for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.1.2                  Approve the Quality Annual Assurance Report (QAAR) as presented by Jason Bing, Superintendent.

 

14.1.3                  Approve the Emergency Management Plans for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.1.4                  Approve the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan, included in the Quality Assurance Annual Report for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Business items 14.2.1 through 14.2.10

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

14.2.1                  Approve the Integrated Pest Management Plan.

 

14.2.2                  Approve St Mary’s Elementary School use of the Liberty School gymnasium for basketball on Saturdays beginning November 5, 2005 through March 4, 2006 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at a cost of $20 per hour for a total cost of $1,400.

 

14.2.3                  Approve Musconetcong Valley Civic Association (MVCA) the use of a classroom at the Great Meadows Middle School to teach babysitting techniques to teenagers one day per week, for a two-hour session, for a three-week period.

 

14.2.4                  Accept a donation of $100 from the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce to be used for the instructional program at the Liberty School.

 

14.2.5                  Approve home instruction services for student #102893 to be provided by Saint Clair’s Hospital at the rate of $44 per hour.

 

14.2.6                  Approve a tuition contract with Warren County Special Services School District for placement of identified student #34 in their Behavioral Disabilities program at an annual tuition rate of $32,424 for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.2.7                  Approve a tuition contract with Warren County Special Services School District for placement of identified students #032090, #021588 and #041686 in their Multiple Disabilities program at an annual tuition rate of $33,753 for each student, for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.2.8                  Approve a change order with Canella Roofing, Inc. in the amount of -$24,750, which reduces the original bid, plus alternates, of $104,030 to the new contract sum of $79,280.

 

14.2.9                  Affirm the following budget transfer for August 17,2005 to October 18, 2005:

 

From Account:                             To Account:

11-000-291-260 Workers Comp.              11-000-262-511 Plant Insurance Amount:    $2,144.00

 

14.2.10             Approve the sale of the Great Meadows Regional 1995 Ford Truck, no longer needed for school purposes, as part of specifications to offset the price of a new truck, to Liberty Motors Inc. for their bid price of $555.55.

 

14.3    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Curriculum items 14.3.1 through 14.3.9.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

14.3.1                  Approve the following stipend positions for the 2005-2006 school year at the negotiated rate yet to be determined:

 

Linda McClune and Linda O’Connor – Student Leadership Corp.

     Joan Magliaro and Jim Bechtel – Student Council

      Gina Pagliaro and Jim Bechtel – Detention Supervisors

      Jan Romanczyk and Paula Barden – Rebel II

      Jessica Toussaint – Homework Club

      Deb Exley – NJ Math League

      Deb Exley – GEPA Prep Program: Math Component

     Jessica Toussaint – GEPA Prep Program: Language Arts Component

      Maggie Horsey – Yearbook

 

14.3.2                  Approve Patrick Winters, Warren County Community College student, to observe a class for five hours, October 28,2005, at the Great Meadows Middle School.

 

14.3.3                  Approve Stephen Hare, Centenary College student, to observe the classes of Ro Kumma and Steve O’Hara at the Great Meadows Middle School for a total of five two-hour sessions.

 

14.3.4                  Approve Erica Hineline, Centenary College student, to observe a class at Central School for a total of five two-hour sessions.

 

14.3.5                  Approve Charles Tillou, County College of Morris student to observe the Physical Education classes at Great Meadows Middle School for two, three days.

 

14.3.6                  Approve the 2005-2008 Bilingual/English as a Second Language/English Language Services Three-Year Program Plan.

 

14.3.7                  Approve the Great Meadows Regional Mentoring Plan for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.3.8                  Approve the New Jersey Character Education Partnership funds in order to create a Student Council and a Safety Patrol Program in Liberty and Central Schools.

 

14.3.9                  Approve Susan Noll, Centenary College student, to perform her student teaching at Liberty School effective January 24, 2006 through May 16, 2006.

 

14.4    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the following Personnel items 14.4.1 through 14.4.4.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

14.4.1                  Accept the resignation of Lucille McCormick, Cafeteria Aide at Liberty School, effective October 7, 2005.

 

14.4.2                  Approve the following substitutes for the 2005-2006 school year:

 

Nina DiGregorio – Admin. Assistant

Brian Grant – Teacher

Nicole Guzzy – K-5 Teacher

Irene Sisco – K-5 Teacher

Jill Hoch – K-8 Teacher

 

14.4.3                  Approve Terri Paterson as Cafeteria Aide at Liberty School at the rate of $8.75 per hour, pending security clearance.

 

14.4.4                  Authorize the district to submit applications for emergency hiring and applicant’s attestation that he/she has not been convicted of any disqualifying crimes pursuant to the provisions of NJSA 18:6-7.1 et. seq. for the following new employee:

 

Terri Paterson

 

Bob Jones, Hackettstown Representative, reported that the high school girls’ field hockey team won their championship yesterday and that the Hackettstown School District received an Elementary World Language grant.

 

Rachel Geueke listed her issues with the district Kindercare program.

 

William Vonder Haar shared his opinion that teachers contract negotiations should be held in public.

 

Jennifer Cassini praised the district gifted and talented program.

 

Jason Bing presented the following items of interest:

 

19.1    Congratulations to Kathleen Koop, Central School Principal, who has been selected as a member of the NJPSA Elementary Level Education Committee.

 

19.2    Congratulations to Great Meadows Regional Middle School teachers receiving a grant from the New Jersey Education Association Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education:

 

Kimbra Miller, Anita Holochwost, Tracy Hornyak, Jacquie Lunden, and John Skodocek.

 

19.3    Congratulations to Linda McClune, Guidance Counselor at Great Meadows Middle School, Gayle Evans, 1st grade teacher at Central School, and Deb Lockwood, 8th grade teacher at Great Meadows Middle School, who have been nominated and chosen to receive the AIM (Always Implementing Mission) Award.

 

19.4    Congratulations and thanks to approximately 15 staff members of Great Meadows Regional School District for participating in the Joan Knechel Walk around Mountain Lake on October 16, 2005.

 

19.5    Physical Education teachers, Betsy Hart and Lisa Baatz, have been chosen to present the program “Shape It Up” to the students in Central and Liberty Schools.

 

19.6    Many thanks to the Great Meadows Regional Education Foundation for grants awarded to Kathy Koop, Jan Romanczyk, Linda O’Connor, and Heather Clowers.

 

Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Cindy Russo, to appoint Cindy Russo as Warren County School Board Association Legislative Chair Person, with Susan Cullen as alternate, and to appoint Bob Jones as New Jersey School Boards Association Legislative Chair Person, with Peggy Faulborn as alternate.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Joe Mahal, to adjourn at 9:30 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary