The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, November 28, 2005, at Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:35 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 70 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the minutes from October 11, 2005, and October 24, 2005.

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Faulborn & Russo – abstained from October 11, 2005 minutes)

 

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the executive session minutes from October 11, 2005. (Tabled executive session minutes from October 24, 2005.)

Motion carried in a voice vote.

(Faulborn & Russo – abstained from October 11, 2005 minutes)

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending October 31, 2005, as per copies attached and to certify that as of October 31, 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 Peggy Faulborn, to approve the bills from October 24, 2005 to November 28, 2005 in the amount of $1,578,475.10.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the cafeteria bills from October 25, 2005 to November 28, 2005 in the amount of $24,164.29.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

A thank you note was read from Judy Williams thanking the Board for the flowers that were sent while she was going through her recovery from surgery.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent, introduced the awards.

 

Glenn Williams, Board President, congratulated all the award recipients on behalf of the Board of Education.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent, commented on the following:

 

·        The awards, noting the extra effort contributed by so many individuals.

 

Noreen Lishak, Director of Curriculum and Special Services, reported on the following curriculum:

 

·        Progress toward district instructional goals.

·        Development of social studies curriculum.

·        Reallocation of special services resources.

 

Anthony Ardito, Jr. of Ardito and Co. presented the fiscal year 2005 school district audit.

 

William Vonder Haar, Liberty resident, inquired after the location of the audit information on the district day care operation.

 

William Vonder Haar asked about budget transfers.

 

15.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Administration items 15.1.1 and 15.1.2.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

15.1.1                  The Superintendent’s Goals for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

15.1.2                  Affirm the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education Goals for the 2005-2006 school year as adopted at the November 14, 2005 meeting.

 

15.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Business items 15.2.1 through 15.2.18.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Dieteman and Faulborn voting no to item 15.2.3 and Jones abstaining from item 15.2.17.

 

15.2.1                  Marilyn Kosiorek as Yearbook Supervisor at the Liberty School for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

15.2.2                  Stipends for the following certificated personnel at the current negotiated contract’s hourly rate of $30 per hour.

 

Kristine Doty – Report Card Committee – 2 hours = $60

Dana Gruszecki - Report Card Committee – 2 hours = $60

Charlotte Sliver - Report Card Committee – 2 hours = $60

Anne Lisk - Report Card Committee – 1.5 hours = $45

Jenn DeLorenzo - Report Card Committee – 1.5 hours = $45

Joanne Coppola – Family Math Night – 2 hours = $60

Rachel Crane - Family Math Night – 2 hours = $60

Laurie Washburn - Family Math Night – 2 hours = $60

Kara Feulner - Family Math Night – 2 hours = $60

Barbara Wohlgemuth - Family Math Night – 2 hours = $60

 

15.2.3                  The “five-year” sending/receiving agreement with Hackettstown Board of Education and Allamuchy Board of Education.

 

15.2.4                  The Independence Girl Scout Junior Troop #931 to clean up the Physics Trails at Central School during the 2005-2006 school year.

 

15.2.5                  The Long Valley Girls Basketball team the use of the Central School gym on selective Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM beginning November 19, 2005 through February 25, 2006 at the rate of $20 per hour X 22 hours = $440.

 

15.2.6                  The following updated list of aid-in-lieu of transportation students to be paid the rate of $794 per student to parent/guardian for the 2005-2006 school year:

 

American Christian School – 3 students

Blair Academy – 4 students

Delbarton School – 1 student

Friendship Center – 1 student

Good Shepherd Christian Academy – 6 students

Morris Catholic High School – 4 students

Notre Dame Elementary School – 2 students

Parsippany Christian School – 3 students

Pope John XXIII High School – 15 students

Ridge & Valley Charter School - 7 students

St. Joseph Catholic Academy  - 1 student

St. Michael School – 3 students

Sunrise School – 1 student

Tranquility Adventist School – 9 students

 

15.2.7                  Tuition student #78 from Oxford School District to the Liberty Pre-school Disabled class at an annual tuition rate of $12,747 with transportation paid by Oxford School district.

 

15.2.8                  The following transportation contracts:

 

To approve a transportation contract with First Student, Inc., who submitted the lowest quote, to transport students to Celebrate the Children School in Byram, NJ, from July 12, 2005 to August 5, 2005 for a total of 19 days, at a per diem rate of $120.

 

Route Q-BY02, quotes requested from;

 

Contractor              Per Diem    Mileage Adj.      Route Cost 

First Student           $120        $1.45             $2,280.99

A. Morris Scott         $148        $1.89             $4,440.00

Snyder Bus Service      no reply

 

To approve a transportation contract with A. Morris Scott, Jr., Inc., who submitted the lowest quote, to transport students to Spring Run School, in Flemington NJ, from July 1, 2005 to August 12, 2005 for a total of 30 days, at a per diem rate of $174.

 

     Route Q-Spr, quotes requested from;

 

Contractor              Per Diem    Mileage Adj.      Route Cost 

First Student           no reply

A. Morris Scott         $174        $2.49             $5,220.00

Snyder Bus Service      $232        $1.95             $6,960.00

 

To approve a transportation contract with A. Morris Scott, Jr., Inc., who submitted the lowest quote, to transport students to Midland School, in North Branch NJ, from July 5, 2005 to August 15, 2005 for a total of 30 days, at a per diem rate of $158.

 

   Route Q-Mid, quotes requested from;

 

Contractor              Per Diem    Mileage Adj.      Route Cost 

First Student           no reply

A. Morris Scott         $158        $2.49             $4,740.00

Snyder Bus Service      $220        $1.95             $6,600.00

 

To approve an addendum to a contract with Snyder Bus Service, Inc., for route Vo-Tech #1 for a mileage adjustment of 24 miles for 180 days and 11 miles for 161 days, at $1.90 per mile, for a new contract annual total of $27,435.41 for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with Hackettstown School District for the 2005-2006 school year to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $40,295.75:

 

Joiner        Route         Contractor    Total Cost    Host   Joiners  Joiner Cost

Hackettstown  HLC           Scott         $25,587.00    0        3      $25,587.00

Hackettstown  Midland       Scott         $30,407.40    2        1      $10,136.18

Hackettstown  Vo-tech#1     Snyder        $27,435.41    5        1      $ 4,572.57

Total 2005-2006 Routes                                                  $40,295.75

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with Hackettstown School District for the 2005-2006 extended school year to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $3,668.00:

 

Joiner        Route         Contractor    Total Cost    Host   Joiners  Joiner Cost

Hackettstown  Q-Mid         Scott         $4,740.00     2        1      $1,580.00

Hackettstown  Q-Spr         Scott         $5,220.00     3        2      $2,088.00

Total ESY Routes                                                        $3,668.00

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with Oxford School District for the 2005-2006 school year to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $15,342.74:

 

Route       Contractor        Total Cost  Host  Joiners  Joiner Cost

Vo-tech#2   Scott             $17,956.44  3       1     $ 4,489.11

MD#2        First Student     $37,987.70  5       2     $10,853.63

Total                                                    $15,342.74

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with the Warren County Technical School for the 2005-2006 school year to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $4,572.57:

Route       Contractor        Total Cost  Host  Joiners  Joiner Cost

Vo-tech#1   Snyder            $27,435.41    5      1     $4,572.57

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with Washington Township School District for the 2005-2006 school year to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $10,135.80:

 

Route       Contractor        Total Cost  Host  Joiners  Joiner Cost

Midland     Scott             $30,407.40    2      1     $10,135.80

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with Washington Township School District for the 2005-2006 extended school year, to share the cost of the following routes for a total contract cost of $1,580.00

 

Route       Contractor        Total Cost  Host  Joiners  Joiner Cost

Q-Mid       Scott             $4,740.00     2      1     $1,580.00

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with the Warren Hills Regional School District for the 2005-2006 school year to share the cost of the following routes for a total annual contract cost of $18,248.55:

 

Route       Contractor        Total Cost  Host  Joiners  Joiner Cost

Vo-tech#1   Snyder            $27,435.41  2.5    3.5    $16,003.99

Vo-tech#2   Scott             $17,956.44  3.5    0.5    $ 2,244.56

Total                                                    $18,248.55

 

To enter into a transportation jointure contract with Warren Hills Regional School District for the 2005-2006 extended school year, to share the cost of the following routes for a total contract cost of $1,044.00:

 

Route       Contractor        Total Cost  Host  Joiners  Joiner Cost

Q-Spr       Scott             $5,220.00     4      1     $1,044.00

 

15.2.9                  The ‘Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, as presented.

 

15.2.10   The Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for the fiscal year      2004 annual audit, with no recommendations in any             category.

 

15.2.11             To affirm the following budget transfers for October 19, 2005 to November 21, 2005:

 

 

 

 

From Account:                     To Account:                           Amount: 

12-000-400-932 to Capital Proj.   30-000-401-390 Prof. Serv. – floor   $8,742.25

30-000-402-450 Const. - Roof      30-000-401-390 Prof. Serv. – floor   $2,656.00

11-000-310-930 Food Ser. Deficit  11-000-291-250 Unemployment     $9,259.63

11-000-219-104 CST Salary         11-000-221-800 Curriculum Other       $  354.00

 

15.2.12             A tuition contract with the Byram Township Board of Education for placement of identified student #39 in their autistic program for the 2005-2006 school year from November 1, 2005, at an annual tuition rate of $31,825 (pro-rated) with related services and a personal aide to be billed separately.

 

15.2.13             A proposal of 11/10/05 from Thomas Communications and Technologies, LLC to provide e-rate services for funding years 2005, 2006 and 2007 at the following fee schedule:

 

Funding Year       School Year   Annual Fee

      2005                                   2004-2005               $750 (partial funding cycle)

                   2006                                    2005-2006                $2,500

              2007                                    2006-2007                 $2,500

 

15.2.14             The sale of the Great Meadows Regional 1995 Ford truck, no longer needed for school purposes, to Auto & Truck Wreckers, Inc. for $350, as they were the next highest bidder, when Liberty Motors, Inc. relinquished their claim and did not remove the truck by the stipulated deadline of October 31, 2005.

 

15.2.15             A change order with Drill Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $1,974 which increases the original bid of $20,300 to a new contract total of $22,274.00.

 

15.2.16             A transportation jointure contract with Warren County Technical School District to transport one shared time student for the 2005-2006 school year, at an annual cost as follows.

 

Route         Joiner Cost

               S3            $2,965.45

               E                431.81

               Total         $3,397.26

 

15.2.17             To renew a contract with Robert Schubert for snow removal for the 2005-2006 school year at no price increase as follows.

 

School                          Depth of snow              Cost to plow

Central                         first 6”                                      $200

                                                            each additional 2-6”                  $100

                        Liberty                         first 6”                                      $385

                                                            each additional 2-6”                  $275

                        Middle                         first 6”                                      $450

                                                            each additional 2-6”                  $300

 

15.2.18             To adopt the following resolution for participation in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications (ACT):

 

Participation Agreement for

Cooperative Purchasing of Telecommunication Services

 

The Great Meadows Regional Board of Education (Board) agrees to participate in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications with the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) for the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2009.  The Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission shall be the lead Local Educational Agency (LEA) for this program.  All New Jersey School districts are invited to participate in the Alliance for Competitive Telecommunications.

 

The Board hereby agrees to provide the Commission with the telephone line numbers and estimated call usage for each telephone number to be bid and any other appropriate information necessary for the development of bid specifications.

 

The Board agrees not to solicit bids to enter into a contract that would jeopardize the award of a contract for cooperative telecommunications services by the Commission.  The Board agrees to abide by the award of contract made by the Commission.  The Board will not withdraw from ACT prior to June 30, 2009.

 

All fees for the work of the Commission and the expenses of NJASBO will be incorporated into the price for services as provided by the successful bidder.

 

15.3              Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the following Personnel items 15.3.1 through 15.3.6.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

15.3.1                  The resignation of Barbara Mrozinski, Child Care Aide, effective November 2, 2005.

 

15.3.2                  The following substitute teachers for the 2005-2006 school year:

 

Pamela Arteglier – K-5

Valerie Kuehner – K-5 and Spanish

Dawn Gizis – K-8

          Dawn Hull – K-8

          Catherine Trotter – K-5 (initially)

 

15.3.3                  To approve Russell Warne as Buildings and Grounds Supervisor effective January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006 at an annual salary of $65,000 pro-rated to $32,500.02.

 

15.3.4                  To approve Jenna Farina as maternity leave replacement for Suzanne Lauricella, Art teacher at Central School, effective January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006 at an annual salary of $38,959 at Step 2 BS at an annual salary of $38,959 pro-rated to $23,375.40.

 

15.3.5                  To approve Laura Mazzei as a substitute nurse for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

15.3.6                  To authorize the district to submit applications for emergency hiring and applicant’s attestation that 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 employee:

 

Jenna Farina

 

15.4                            Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Policy item 15.4.2:

 

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

15.4.1                  Item tabled.

15.4.2                  The 2nd reading and adoption of the following by-law:

 

By-Law #0145 – Board Member Resignation & Removal

By-Law #0147 – Tabled

 

15.5                            Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to approve the following Curriculum items 15.5.1 through 15.5.3.

 

Motion carried in a roll call vote with Williams abstaining from item 15.5.1 and 15.5.3.

 

15.5.1                  Kelly Barrington, Salisbury University student, to observe Judy Williams, 1st grade teacher at Central School, for a total of two days between December 16, 2005 and January 30, 2006.

 

15.5.2                  Jan Romanczyk, Middle School teacher, to teach a pre-Algebra class to 7th graders effective November 21, 2005.

 

15.5.3                  Katie Martin, College of Saint Elizabeth student, to complete her practicum with Judy Williams, 1st grade teacher at Central School, effective January 18, 2006 through April 28, 2006.

 

Bob Jones reported on the New Jersey School Boards Delegates Assembly held November 19, 2995.

 

Bob Jones reported on items from the Hackettstown newsletter, including the drug testing programs and the demographic study to be undertaken.

 

Glenn Williams recused himself at 8:55 PM and handed the gavel to Amy Dieteman, School Board Vice-President.

 

Public Comment:

 

Jennifer Cassini read a letter on behalf of Liberty Township parents in support of the teachers.

 

Cindy Alexander read a statement on behalf of Independence Township parents in support of the teachers.

 

Dave Schmeltzle noted the board’s fiscal responsibility to the budget and the teachers.

 

Diane Bourland asked if there was a deadline to working under an expired teachers contract.

 

John Skodocek explained that there is no change in the services delivered to the students under the recent job action. The negotiating teams will continue to meet while waiting for a mediator.

 

Glenn Williams resumed his seat and took over the meeting at 9:15 PM.

 

Cindy Russo requested that Great Meadows students be encouraged to attend the Warren County Vocational School and local private high schools.

 

Helene Armstrong noted that the ‘Great News from Great Meadows’ column has to share publication space with the news from other school districts, but will reappear shortly.

 

Motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to adjourn at 9:20 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary