The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, January 10, 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, Steve Tierney, and Glenn Williams.

Absent: None

There were 20 members of the public in attendance.

Approval of the minutes for December 13, 2004 will be tabled until February.

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Helene Armstrong, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending December 31, 2004, as per copies attached and to certify that as of December 31, 2004, after review of the Secretary=s monthly financial report (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 6A:23-2.11(e)4 and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district=s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Roll call vote - Yes: Armstrong, Cullen, Dieteman, Faulborn, Jones, Mahal, Russo, Tierney, Williams.

No: None

Motion by Amy Dieteman, seconded by Steve Tierney, to approve the bills from December 10, 2004 through January 5, 2005 in the amount of $1,449,638.02.

Motion carried in a voice vote – unanimous.

James Alercia, Interim Superintendent provided the following update:

With only a couple of days on the job I don’t have too much information to share with you at this time. I will in the future use this opportunity to give you some highlights of school events and programs as Dr. Severns did. Perhaps it is appropriate for me to introduce myself for those who may not know me and give you a little background of my experience with the Great Meadows Regional School District.

I have been associated with the district since 1971 when I returned to teaching after my military experience. I began in the district as a teacher of 4^th grade, moved to 5^th grade, and then to 7^th and 8^th grade science. It is interesting to note that when I began teaching at Central School 34 years ago, both Liberty Township and Independence Township attended the school and today we are united as a single district. I spent 13 years as a chief school administrator in two other districts in addition to holding administrative positions in each of the three schools in this school district. After retiring as the middle school principal, I have returned as an interim administrator, briefly as interim principal for the middle school and Central School, as well as interim superintendent for a seven-month period beginning in December of ’02.

I have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Severns during her mentorship and I am well aware of the direction she was moving the district. She was doing an outstanding job and I feel very sad and disappointed that she has left the district. I will do my best to carry on her good work and to help contribute to a smooth transition for a new superintendent. My goals are to; 1) follow through with the programs that Dr. Severns has initiated, 2) provide continuity and support for the staff and the community as we continue to strive for progress and success in our school district, 3) fill existing and anticipated staff vacancies with the best qualified candidates available, 4) assist the Board and the staff in the budget development process, 5) assist the Board in reaching a negotiated contract with the district’s teacher association, and 6) provide guidance and information that will support an understanding of the strategies required for both the short and long term financial stability for the district.

This district has always been held in high regard throughout the educational community of Warren County as one that had achieved the successful balance of cost efficiency and effectiveness. This is due in large part to the dedicated staff of this district and to the parents of our students who instill an understanding and appreciation of the value of education in their children, and work with and support the efforts of their schools. Our recent monitoring by the State Department of Education, completed in December, our financial audit report recently presented at a public meeting, exit interviews of parents of students leaving our school district, and the New Jersey comparative cost of education index all provide clear evidence of an efficient, well managed, and successful school district. It is crucial that we not only maintain this level of success, but also build upon it. The district is moving in the right direction and I will do my best to help sustain the progress.

A presentation was made by Neil Cramer, Warren County Business Administrator, regarding S-1701.

There was a question and answer period including members of the public and Board.

Jason Bing gave a Curriculum Update.

Public Comment:

Kathy Freidan, Independence resident, asked why the November minutes haven’t been posted and when will they be up? She also asked if draft copies could be posted? She was told the approved minutes would be posted promptly.

Jennifer Cassini, Liberty resident, thanked the Board for the information received from the presentation by Neil Cramer.

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Bob Jones, to approve the continuance of the Bully Awareness Program for our 5^th grade students at both Central and Liberty Schools and approve Cindy Case, Instructional Aide at the Middle School, to present the program for eight sessions with each of the five 5^th grade classes for a total of 40 hours at $30 per hour for a total cost of $1200.