The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, November 26, 2007, at the Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:35 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: Richard Alexander, Jennifer Cassini, Maryann Citro, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Matthew Mowatt, Bernie O’Hara, and William Vonder Haar.

 

Absent: Peggy Faulborn.

 

Anthony Ardito, Jr., of Ardito & Co., LLP, was also in attendance.

 

There were 10 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the minutes from October 9, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote with Alexander abstaining.

 

Motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the minutes from October 16, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to approve the minutes from October 22, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote with Alexander, Cassini, and Vonder Haar abstaining.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the months ending October 31, 2007, as per copies attached and to certify that as of October 31, 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 Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to table approval of the bills until the next meeting.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the cafeteria bills from October 23, 2007 through November 26, 2007 in the amount of $24,909.14.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendents Update.

 

Jason Bing gave the Curriculum Update.

 

Public Comment:  None

 

A presentation was held by Anthony Ardito, Jr., of Ardito and Co., LLP, of the 2006-2007 Great Meadows Regional School District Audit.

 

14.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Personnel, Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 14.1.1 to 14.1.17.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

14.1.1                  Approve Jennifer Ann Copen as a substitute teacher in the Great Meadows Regional School District for the 2007-2008 school year for grades K-5.

 

14.1.2                  Approve Lucille Rhock as a substitute teacher in the Great Meadows Regional School District for the 2007-2008 school year for all grade levels.

 

14.1.3                  Approve Lindsay Massaro, Centenary College student, to perform her practicum with Anita Holochwost, 6th grade Great Meadows Middle School teacher, effective January 21, 2008 through May 18, 2008 on Fridays only.

 

14.1.4                  Approve Monica Leitner, Warren County Community College student, for classroom observation with Myra Cole, Kindergarten teacher at Liberty School, for a total of 7.5 hours during the months of October and November.

 

14.1.5                  Approve Kathryn Schellhase, Fairleigh Dickinson University student, to perform her student teaching with Nancy Cole, Kindergarten teacher at Central School, from January 28, 2008 through May 9, 2008.

 

14.1.6                  Approve Brian Rennalls, Bloomsburg University student, to perform a 10 hour practicum with our special education teachers at the Great Meadows Middle School, Anne Amundsen, Marcheta Scott, and Lynnda Herman, beginning January 7, 2008 through January 9, 2008.

 

14.1.7                  Approve Casey Caufield, Rowan University student, for classroom observation of Amy Fancher,  Deb Exley, and Jessica Toussaint, Great Meadows Middle School teachers, for the period November 26, 2007 through December 9, 2007 for a total of 3 hours.

 

14.1.8                  Approve Ayana Way, Centenary College student, to perform her student teaching with Jan Romanczyk, Great Meadows Middle School teacher, effective January 21, 2008 through May 18, 2008.

 

14.1.9                  Approve a stipend for Dana DeKleine, Great Meadows Middle School guidance counselor, for 2 hours x $32.00 per hour = $64.00 for conducting a workshop for parents regarding conflict resolution.

 

14.1.10             Approve a stipend for Dana DeKleine, Great Meadows Middle School guidance counselor, for 2 hours x $32.00 per hour = $64.00 for conducting a workshop for parents regarding I&RS.

 

14.1.11             Approve a stipend for Jeffrey Rosequist, 7th grade Great Meadows Middle School teacher, for tutoring a student during the month of October for 20 hours x $32.00 per hour = $640.00.

 

14.1.12             Approve a stipend for Israel Marmolejos, 8th grade Great Meadows Middle School teacher, for completing teaching plans for Martha Teixeira’s substitute for 7.5 hours x $32.00 per hour = $240.00.

 

14.1.13             Accept the resignation of Brian Cullen, evening custodian at Great Meadows Middle School, effective November 16, 2007.

 

14.1.14             Approve a maternity leave for Suzanne Lauricella, art teacher at Liberty and Central Schools, effective February 25, 2008 and returning September 1, 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year.

14.1.15             Approve a maternity leave for Dana Jacoski, special education teacher at Liberty School, effective April 21, 2008 and returning September 1, 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year.

 

14.1.16             Approve Mary Riccio as personal care aide for a Liberty School student attending Liberty Learning Center effective November 27, 2007 through June 30, 2008 at an annual salary of $12,300.46 pro-rated to $8,223.16.

 

14.1.17             Approve stipends for the following personnel:

 

Kristine Doty:  1.5 hrs. x $32.00 hour = $48.00

(ESL testing)

 

James Bechtel:  Cross Country Coach = $700.00

(After-School Program – no cost to BOE)

 

14.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Policy/Finance items 14.2.1 to 14.2.7.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Richard Alexander, to table some of the policies in item 14.2.1.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote approving the following items 14.2.1 to 14.2.7 with some policies tabled in item 14.2.1. and Vonder Haar voting no.

 

14.2.1                  Approve the 2nd reading and adoption of the following policies:

 

Policy #1250      Tabled

Policy #3572      Integrated Pest Management Plan

Policy #5131.1    Electronic Portable Communication Devices

Policy #5121.2    Tabled

Policy #5131.8    Terroristic Threats

Policy #5142      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      Tabled

                Regulation #8600  Emergency School Bus Procedure

      Policy #8601      Tabled

      Policy #8602      Tabled

      Policy #8603      Tabled

      Policy #8610      District Owned Vehicles

      Policy #8660      Transportation by Private Vehicle

Policy #8670      Transportation of Disabled Pupils

 

14.2.2                  Accept the 2006-2007 Great Meadows Regional School District Financial Audit with the following recommendations:

 

Professional Services Contracts in excess of $17,500.00 file the appropriate Political Contribution Disclosure Forms.

 

Profession Stipends for Administrative personnel complies with current requirements of federal and state law regarding compensation.

 

14.2.3                  Accept the Correction Action Plan as described below:

 

All Professional Services contracts awarded without the bid process and in excess of $17,500.00 will file the appropriate “Pay to Play” Political Contribution Disclosure forms with the District.

 

All professional development reimbursement/stipends awarded to administrative personnel will comply with federal and state income tax regulations.

 

14.2.4                  Approve the following personnel to attend           workshops/conferences on the dates and costs listed below:

 

Joan Magliaro and Gina Pagliaro       Puberty Conference                             $100.00       01/23/08

                                                                Panther Valley

                Thomas Schepis                                   Music and Teaching                           $ 34.00        11/28/07

                                                                Tenafly

                James Bechtel                                       Grant Workshop                                  $ 50.00        12/12/07

                                                                                Piscataway

                Barb Wohlgemuth, Amy Broxton, Karen Ryan             NJASK Workshop

Katie Gelok, Noreen Lishak, Phyllis Pezzato   Rutgers University               $ 810.00     12/04/07

Carol Gibson, Eileen Romagnoli      Science/Literature Conference            

Lois Davis & Meredith Head           Rutgers University                                $ 400.00       1/29/08

Jan Romanczyk, Deb Exley,            GEPA Workshop

Ann Amundsen , Lynda Hermann    Rutgers University                              $ 930.00     

& Marcheta Scott                                                                                            12/14/07  &  1/22/08

 Julie Mumaw                                        OPRA Seminar                                      $100.00         1/10/08

John Skodecek, Deb Lockwood,      NJASK Workshop                                 $465.00      11/29/07

Amy Fancher                              

Betsy Hart                          NJAHPERD Annual Convention                         $141.41         2/25/08

                                                                                                                                                       2/26/08

                Joan Magliaro                      Childhood Obesity Conference                          $ 56.00        11/29/07

Lisa Baatz                         NJAHPERD Annual Convention                           $110.00        2/25/08

                                                                                                                                                      2/26/08

Gina Pagliaro                   Childhood Obesity –Monroe Twp                         $ 55.29        11/29/07

Jan Romanczyk                    Reasoning w/Data Probability -

                                                Web Seminar                                       $ 95.00          1/08/08

                Julie Mumaw                       Budget 08/09 – Mt Olive                                      $120.00        12/06/07

Eric Schuler                     NJASK Workshop – Jamesburg                             $  50.00 11/27&29/07

Donna Roth                     Technology Wksp – Rutgers                                  $160.00          2/02/08

Jason Bing, Noreen Lishak  Winter Training Institute – AC                        $240.00        12/07/07

Tim Nicinski, Israel Marmolejos           Student Code of Conduct                $  60.00        11/29/07    

Jim Bechtel                                            2007 Summit                          $  60.00        11/29/07     

Jan Romanczyk                                      GEPA I                                 $155.00        12/05/07      

Linda McClune                                      Character Ed                                        $  50.00        12/07/07      

Amy Broxton, Phyllis Pezzato               NJASK3                                              $310.00          1/11/08      

Deb Exley                                               GEPA                                    $155.00          1/22/08      

Lois Davis, J. Schantzenbach                Technology                                       $100.00   2/06&07/08    

Juliette Skoldberg                                 Introduction to Prompt                      $450.00     3/10, 11, 12/08

Eric Shuler                                            Update for HSPA                                 $00.00              11/30/07

 

14.2.5    Rescind approved motion on September 24, 2007 accepting    transfer from 11-000-291-270-111-000 Medical Benefits to 11-000-230-820-000-000 General Administration in the amount of $65,000.00

 

Revised motion to approve the transfer from 11-000-291-270-111-000 Medical Benefits to 11-000-230-820-000-000 Judgments against the school district in the amount of $65,000.00.

 

14.2.6                      Approve the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan that is included in the 2006-2007 Quality Annual Assurance Report (QAAR).

 

14.2.7                      Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Celebrate the Children/Byram for one student #220 for the 2007-2008 School Year at a cost of $47,967.00 ($266.48 per diem) plus $25,879.80 for an Aide for a total cost of $73,843.80.

 

Motion by Robert Jones, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, 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 9:04 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 unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Richard Alexander, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to re-enter regular session at 9:32 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Matthew Mowatt, to adjourn at 9:40 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

&nb