The workshop meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, December 12, 2005, at Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:33 PM by Amy Dieteman, Vice-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, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Cynthia Russo, Thomas Webster, and Glenn Williams (arrived at 7:48 PM).

 

Absent: Peggy Faulborn.

 

There were 6 members of the public in attendance.

 

A thank you card was read from the family of Mary Ann Arch, former Business Administrator for Great Meadows Regional.

 

Bill Fancher, retired Buildings & Grounds Supervisor, was thanked for his dedicated years of service to Great Meadow Regional School District and a plaque was presented.

 

The new Buildings & Grounds Supervisor, Russell Warne, was introduced.

 

Public comment on agenda items:

 

William Vonder Haar asked for clarification of the teacher job expense reimbursement policy.

 

5.1         Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the following Finance/Policy items 5.1.1 and 5.1.2.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

5.1.1                       Approve the following personnel stipends for the 2005-2006 school year:

 

Judy Arnold – Student Council - $500

Vera Walker – Yearbook - $300

 

5.1.2Approve and adopt 2nd reading of the following policies &      by-law.

 

          Policy #3440 – Job Expenses

          Policy #4440 – Job Expenses

          By-Law #0147 – Board Member Compensation & Expenses

 

5.2         Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to approve the following Curriculum items 5.2.1 through 5.2.5.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

5.2.1                       Accept a grant of $1,000 from Project Learning Tree in Washington D.C., authored by Karen Lund, Great Meadows Middle School teacher, to develop a “Schoolyard Mosaic-Thematic Garden”.

 

5.2.2                       Approve Shannon Patterson, Kutztown University student, to observe the following teachers:

 

Jacquie Lunden, 6th grade at Middle School – 5 hours – January 9, 2006

 

Mary Redus, 2nd grade at Liberty School - 5 hours – January 10, 2006

 

Amy Broxton, 3rd grade at Liberty School - 5 hours – January 11, 2006

 

5.2.3                       Approve the following East Stroudsburg University students to perform their student teaching with the following teachers:

 

Nicholas Fialcowitz – Health/PE – with Jim Bechtel –

March 28, 2006 through May 11, 2006

 

Ashley Westra – Health/PE – with Lisa Baatz-

March 28, 2006 through May 11, 2006

 

5.2.4                       Approve Melissa Kowtko, College of Saint Elizabeth student, to observe three five-hour sessions with Phyllis Pezzato, 2nd grade teacher at Central School, during the week of March 20, 2006 through March 24, 2006.

 

5.2.5                       Approve Melissa Kowtko, College of Saint Elizabeth student, to perform her student teaching with Phyllis Pezzato beginning September 5, 2006 through December 19, 2006.

 

5.3         Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Cindy Russo, to approve the following Personnel items 5.3.1 through 5.3.4.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote.

 

5.3.1                       Approve an extended maternity leave for Jennifer Koster, Resource teacher at Central School, through June 30, 2006 with a return date of September 1, 2006.

 

5.3.2                       Approve Jennifer Hypes, maternity leave replacement for Jen Koster, to continue through June 30, 2006.

 

5.3.3                       Accept the resignation of Lacey Leverberg, Personal Care Aide at the Middle School, effective December 23, 2005.

 

5.3.4                       Approve the following substitute teachers for the 2005-2006 school year:

 

Joseph Petty – K-8

Kathleen Mowatt – K-5

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent, reported on the following:

 

·        Great Meadows Regional staff has generously donated gift cards, wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, and tape to Home Instead Senior Care for the upcoming holiday season.

 

·        Approval from the Warren County Office of Education regarding Great Meadows Regional School-level Objectives (2005-2006) attainments (2004-2005), QAAR and Statements of Assurance.

 

Glenn Williams arrived 7:48 PM.

 

Committee Reports were discussed.

 

Meeting adjourned for fire drill 8:05 PM to 8:20 PM.

 

A discussion was held concerning the new direction taken by the Warren County Technical School.

 

 

Public Comment:

 

Mike Kelly asked if the district will continue to send students to Warren County Technical School?

 

Bill Vonder Haar asked when the Warren County Technical School tuition increase will impact the district budget?

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving personnel, 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 8:45 PM to discuss the above mentioned matter, to the exclusion of all others.  No action will be taken.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Glenn Williams recused himself and left the meeting at 9:05 PM.

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Amy Dieteman, to re-enter regular session at 9:25 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Helene Armstrong, seconded by Joe Mahal, to adjourn at 9:25 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary