The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, November 8, 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: Susan Cullen, Amy Dieteman, Peggy Faulborn,
Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo (arrived 7:40 PM), Steve Tierney (arrived 7:40 PM),
and Glenn Williams.
Absent: Helene Armstrong and
Robert Jones.
There were 25 members of the
public in attendance.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman,
to approve the minutes for October 11, 2004 and October 25, 2004.
Motion carried in a voice vote – motion carried.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman,
to approve the bills from October 8, 2004 through October 25, 2004 in the
amount of $2,543,743.50.
Motion carried in a voice vote – unanimous.
Cindy Russo and Steve Tierney arrived 7:40 PM.
Dr. Tracey Severns, Superintendent’s Update:
I am pleased to announce that the first fundraiser
of the Great Meadows Regional Education Foundation was a tremendous
success. On behalf of the Foundation’s
trustees, I would like to thank all of the families who participated in the ice
skating/dance party that was held on October 15, 2004 at Chill Out, the ice
rink in Hackettstown. We would also
like to thank the owners of Chill Out who donated the services of a DJ who made
the event even more special by playing the students’ favorite songs. Not only was the evening a wonderful night
out for the families of our community, but we raised $892.00 to support grants
that will be used to fund innovative programs for our students.
I am also pleased to announce that Mark Ippolito
began his role as principal of the middle school on October 18, 2004. On behalf of the Board of Education, I would
like to welcome Mr. Ippolito and wish him many successful years in Great
Meadows. I would also like to thank Jim
Alerica, again, for stepping forward to assist the District by serving as a
highly capable interim administrator in our time of need.
On October 20th, 2004, a representative
from Assemblywoman Myers’ office visited Central School and met with fourth and
fifth graders to discuss the history of American democracy and the role of the
state and federal government in protecting the rights of the people. Although she was scheduled to make a
personal appearance, Mrs. Myers was not able to attend due to illness.
On October 28, 2004 students in Mrs. Coppola’s and
Mrs. Washburn’s classes were treated to a special “evening of learning” about
bats and owls. The program, which ran
from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, was attended by approximately thirty-eight second graders
who enthusiastically participated in activities like examining the contents of
owl pellets and counting the bats in a simulated bat cave. All while wearing their pj’s and slippers. It was a very informative and exciting
evening for all. Thank you to Mrs.
Coppola and Mrs. Washburn for going above and beyond the call of duty to plan
and present this outstanding program.
On October 29th, parents at Liberty
School and Central School gathered to gaze upon the array of characters and
creatures who participated in the Halloween parades that were conducted at both
schools. Parents, teachers, students
and administrators participated in the fun by dressing up and joining in the
festivities. A special thanks goes out
to Officer Riley who presented Halloween Safety assemblies at both elementary
schools.
Looking ahead, students at Liberty School are
preparing for a special visit by Janaye Ingram, Miss New Jersey USA 2004. Ms. Ingram has worked with organizations in
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia to generate literacy awareness and has
received numerous awards and recognition for her efforts. Ms. Ingram’s other
interests include dyslexia and community outreach. She is scheduled to read to several classes of students on
November 10, 2004, from 1:30-3:00pm.
A letter was read from the Middle School Education
Association about class size at the Middle School.
Public Comment: None
Jason Bing, gave the Curriculum Update.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn,
to approve the 2nd reading and adoption of the following Policies,
Regulations, and By-Laws:
Policies:
#1120 Management Team
#1240 Evaluation of Superintendent
#1522 School Level Planning
#1540 Admin Code of Ethics
#1550 Affirmation Action for Employment and Contract
Practices/Employment Practices Plan
#2200 Curriculum Content
#2230 Course Guides
#2270 Religion in the Schools
#2312 Class Size
#2360 Use of Technology
#2417 Pupil Intervention and Referral Services
#2466 Public Labeling of Educationally Handicapped Pupils
#2467 Surrogate Parents and Foster Parents
#2481 Home or Out-of-School Instruction for General Education Pupils
#2622 Pupil Assessment
#3431.1 Family Leave
#3439 Jury Duty
#4431.1 Family Leave
#5533 Smoking
#5620 Expulsion
#5701 Academic Dishonesty
#9110 Quality Assurance Annual Report
#9560 Administration of School Surveys
#1550 Affirmation Action for Employment and Contract
Practices/Employment Practices Plan
#2200 Curriculum Content
#2312 Class Size
#2417 Pupil Intervention and Referral Services
#2460 Special Education/Sending District
#2460.5 Special Education – Participation in
State-wide Testing
#5620 Expulsion Procedures
By-Laws:
#0168 Recording Board Meetings
#0169 Board Member Use of Electronic
Mail/Internet
A motion to amend the motion was placed on the
table.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Cindy Russo, to
amend the class size policy by removing the number of students from the policy,
but leaving it in the regulations.
Motion denied in a voice vote – 2 yes, 6 no.
(Armstrong, Dieteman, Faulborn, Mahal, Tierney,
Williams – opposed)
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn,
to approve the 2nd reading and adoption of the original motion of
Policies, Regulations, and By-Laws
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman,
to approve the 1st reading of the following Polices and Regulations:
Policies:
#2310 Pupil Grouping
#2452 Community Education
#5512 Hate Crimes and Bias Related Acts
#5721 Independent Publications
#5750 Equal Educational Opportunity
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve a contract addendum for mileage adjustment for MD Routes #1 and #2 to Village Bus Company of 41.28 miles at $1.95 per mile for an additional $14,489.28 with a new total contract price of $68,669.28.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve a contract addendum for mileage adjustment to VoTech Route #2 to A. Morris Scott of 14.00 miles at $1.89 per mile for an additional $4,471.74 with a new total contract price of $17,431.74.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the annual costs for the transportation jointure with Warren County Technical School District for three shared-time Vo-Tech students for the 2004-2005 school year being transported from Hackettstown High School to the Warren County Technical School and home as follows:
Route E $ 886.54
Route S3 $4,654.06
Route
S4 $4,329.36
$9,869.96
Total Annual Cost
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve tuition student #08312000 from Oxford School District to Liberty Preschool Disabled Class at an annual tuition of $12,737 for the 2004-2005 school year with transportation being paid by Oxford School.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Cindy Russo, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the annual out-of-district special education tuition for student #121687 to Hopatcong Middle School, Hopatcong, in the amount of $22,176 for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the attached resolution binding the Great Meadows Regional School District to purchase electric generation services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (ACES) Bid Cooperative Pricing System ID #E8801-ACESCPS.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve acceptance of the attached resolution to repeal Ch. 73, P.L. 2004 (S-1701).
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to affirm the following budget transfers effective 10/1/04:
From Account: To Account:
11-000-270-511 - Reg.
Transportation Rts. 11-000-270-390 – Transp. Consult. $13,000 for
Fees for EarthSpec
11-000-270-511 – Reg. Transportation Rts. 11-000-291-260 – Workers Comp. $9,582 for Add’l. Work.Comp.Ins.
11-000-270-511 – Reg. Transportation Rts, 11-000-2291-290 – Other Emp.Ben. $6,559 for Sick Days-Jefcoat/Meglic & Mantoux Tests
Motion carried in a voice vote -
unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Susan Cullen, to offer a contract to Sandra Maggie
Smiley as School Psychologist effective November 15, 2004, through June 30,
2005 at Step 11 MS+30 at an annual salary of $48,379 pro-rated to $36,284.25
with full medical, dental and prescription benefits after 60 days employment.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following substitute teachers for the 2004-2005 school year:
Pamela McCarthy, Janet Quodomine, Kim Reitmeyer
Motion
carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Cindy Russo, to approve William Kanski as a substitute child care aide in our child care program for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by
Susan Cullen, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following cafeteria
aides at the rate of $8.50 per hour for 2 hours per day for the remainder of
the 2004-2005 school year:
Deborah Healy - Middle School – effective October
14, 2004 through June 30, 2005 ($8.50 per hour x 2 hours per day x 142 days =
$2,414.00)
Lucille McCormack - Liberty School – effective
November 9, 2004 through June 30, 2005
($8.50 per hour x 2 hours per day x 120 days = $2,040.00)
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded Amy Dieteman, 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:
Lucille McCormack, Kim Reitmeyer,
Maggie Smiley
Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman,
Faulborn, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
Upon recommendation of the
Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve
Anne Amundson to provide homebound instruction for a Middle School student for
a minimum of ten hours per week at the rate of $30 per hour beginning
immediately and lasting until services are no longer medically necessary during
the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Upon recommendation of the
Superintendent, motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve
Amy Forte as a K-5 substitute teacher for the 2004-2005 school year.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Cindy Russo, seconded
by Peggy Faulborn, to approve a field trip for the fourth grade students of
Central School to attend a Wednesday matinee performance of the Lion King in
New York City on a date to be determined in February of 2005.
Motion carried in a voice vote
– 7 yes, 1 no – motion carried.
(Tierney – opposed)
Public Comment:
Lisa Thomas stated that Liberty Township Committee is going out for bids for the de-regionalization study for the town, but it was not budgeted.
Diane Bourland, Independence resident, spoke about policy and class size and guidelines that the district will try to go by.
Anne Young, Liberty resident, also on the Middle
School Parent Advisory Committee, asked about committee meetings being open to
the public? She stated she did not hear anything mentioned at the middle school
advisory meeting about committee meetings being open to the public.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving pending 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 9:50 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 Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman,
to re-enter regular session at 9:55 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Cindy Russo,
to approve the special education student settlement as attached.
Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman,
Faulborn, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.
No: None
Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to
adjourn at 10:00 PM.
Motion carried in a voice vote - unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Sharkey