The Organization meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, April 24, 2006, at the Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by Ruth Fanjoy, Board Secretary.  A statement was read that adequate notice of the meeting had been given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

 

Board Secretary read the results of the election and administered the Oath to new board members, Jennifer Cassini, Maryann Citro, Bernie O’Hara, and William Vonder Haar.

 

Flag Salute.

 

ROLL CALL:

 

Present: Jennifer Cassini, Maryann Citro, Susan Cullen, Peggy Faulborn, Joe Mahal, Bernie O’Hara, and William Vonder Haar.

 

Absent: Helene Armstrong and Robert Jones.

 

There were 35 members of the public in attendance.

 

Board Secretary called for nominations for President.  Robert Jones was nominated by Peggy Faulborn.

 

Vote for Robert Jones as President was by show of hands.  Robert Jones was elected President. 7 yes, 0 no.

 

Board Secretary called for nominations for Vice-President.  Peggy Faulborn was nominated by Jennifer Cassini.

 

Vote for Peggy Faulborn as Vice-President was by show of hands.  Peggy Faulborn was elected Vice-President. 7 yes, 0 no.

 

Meeting was turned over to Peggy Faulborn, Vice-President.

 

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Maryann Citro, to adopt the following 2006-2007 School Year Organization items 1 through 13.

 

Motion by William Vonder Haar seconded by Susan Cullen, to amend organizational item 9

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Amended Organizational items 1 through 13 carried in a roll call vote with William Vonder Haar and Susan Cullen voting no on number 11J.

 

1.              Adopt all existing policies of the Board of Education and approve the regulations contained in the Board Policy Manual with the stipulation that the Board may further amend and supplement Board policies establishing its’ own bylaws and operational procedures and to adopt Roberts Rules of order in all cases where it is not inconsistent with the statute or administrative code.

 

2.              Establish the annual meeting calendar as presented, with committee meetings held, as needed, on the first Monday of the month, workshop meetings on the second Monday of the month and regular meetings on the fourth Monday of the month.

 

3.              Adopt and ratify as our own, the actions taken by the outgoing Board of Education on this date of April 24, 2006.

 

4.              Form the following standing committees:

A.              Personnel, Buildings & Grounds, Transportation

B.              Curriculum and Technology

C.              Finance and Policy

 

5.              Approve and accept of all the existing Great Meadows Regional School District curriculum and services.

 

6.              Designate the “Express Times” as the official newspaper for all Legal advertisements and meeting notices.

 

7.              Continue all current School Board contractual commitments.

 

8.              Adopt all existing curriculum and textbooks currently in use for the ensuing year.

 

9.              Charge for individual copies of public documents as set per Title 18A-NJ Statute N.J.S.A.: 47:1A-2 at $.50 for first 10 pages; $.25 each for 11-20 pages; $.10 per copy over 20 pages.

 

10.         Designate the Bank of America as principal depository for district funds in the General Account, the Agency Account and the Salary Account with authorizing signatures as follows:

A.              General Account – the Board President, or Vice-President, the Treasurer, and Board Secretary.

B.              Agency Account – Treasurer

C.              Salary Account – Treasurer

 

11.         Designate the First Hope Bank, Great Meadows Branch, as depository for district checking accounts with signatories as follows:

D.               Bond Interest Account – Business Administrator or Treasurer

E.               Board of Education Office Account – Business Administrator or Superintendent or Human Resources Secretary

F.               Cafeteria Account – Business Administrator or Human Resources Secretary

G.               Three Principal’s Checking Accounts – Business Administrator or Building Principal and School Secretary

H.               Three School Building Class Funds Accounts - Business Administrator or Building Principal and School Secretary

I.               Child Study Team Checking Account – Business Administrator or Human Resources Secretary or CST Supervisor

J.               Child Care Account - Business Administrator or Human Resources Secretary or Childcare Supervisor

K.               After School Activities Account – Business Administrator or Human Resources Secretary or Building Principal and School Secretary

 

12.         Designate the Business Administrator/Board Secretary as the Investment Officer and Municipal Investors Service Corporation (MBIA) and Bank of America, as depositories for investment purposes.

 

13.         Designate the three School Secretaries, the Child Study Team Secretary and the Human Resources Secretary as responsible for maintaining petty cash in the amount of $75 for disbursements not to exceed $50 each.

 

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to make the following 2006-2007 School Year Appointments for items 1 through 14.

 

Motion by William Vonder Haar, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to amend items 1 through 14 by adding item 15, Appointment of Attorney.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote to approve items 1 through 15.

 

  1.   Ruth Fanjoy as Board Secretary

2.              Paula Hatch as Treasurer of School Monies at an annual salary of $5,408

3.              Ardito and Company as School District Auditors

4.              Dr. Sanjay Jain as School Physician at an annual stipend of $3,500

5.              Gianforcaro Architects and Engineers as the District Architect of Record

6.              Brown and Brown as Insurance Broker of Record for Property/Casualty

7.              LDP Consulting as Employee Benefits Broker of Record

8.              Principals of each building as Attendance Officers

9.              Noreen Lishak as Affirmative Action Officer and Title IX Coordinator

10.         Noreen Lishak as Section 504 Compliance Officer

11.         Noreen Lishak as ADA Coordinator

12.         Ruth Fanjoy as Public Agency Compliance Officer

13.         Ruth Fanjoy as Administrator of Cafeteria

14.         Ruth Fanjoy as District Purchasing Agent

15.         Mike Selvaggi as School Board Attorney

 

School Board member Appointments will be made at a later date by School Board President, Robert Jones.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Susan Cullen, to appoint the following delegates:

D.                   New Jersey School Boards Association & Legislative Chair – Bob Jones

E.                   Warren County School Boards Association – Helene Armstrong

F.                   Hackettstown Board of Education – Peggy Faulborn if Robert Jones is no longer available to attend the meetings

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Williams Vonder Haar, to table the minutes for March 13, 2006 and March 27, 2006 until the next regular meeting.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the month ending March 31, 2006, as per copies attached and to certify that as of March 31, 2006, 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 William Vonder Haar, seconded by Susan Cullen, to table the approval of the bills from March 28, 2006 to April 24, 2006 in the amount of $1,634,123.15.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the cafeteria bills from March 28, 2006 to April 24, 2006 in the amount of $19,231.19.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent, Kathleen Koop, Central School Principal, and Ernest Batha, Liberty School Principal, introduced the awards.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendent’s Update:

 

  • Assistant Principal Plan.
  • Dance Dance Revolution presentation (Wal-Mart Grant).

 

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

 

  • Dibels testing.
  • End of year Benchmarks in math.
  • End of year Writing Prompts.
  • Review of additional advanced algebra program in GMMS.
  • School Year 2006-2007 Reading Groups.
  • Understanding Everyday Math and the Home Connection.
  • Continued testing for transitional students to HHS.
  • Testing of newly referred students for year-end.
  • Development of curriculum for ESY Pre-School Program.
  • Special Education Workshop on Transition to HHS.

 

Public Comment:

Ann Young asked about the re-assignment of the Assistant Principal’s duties. Mrs. Young also asked for clarification of the student reading groups.

 

Susan Cullen complemented the Middle School garden that was installed by an Eagle Scout.

 

14.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Susan Cullen, to approve the following Policy items 14.1.1 through 14.1.5.

 

Motion by William Vonder Haar, seconded by Susan Cullen, to table Policy items 14.1.1 through 14.1.5.

 

Motion to table items 14.1.1 through 14.1.5 denied on a voice vote with Vonder Haar and Cullen voting yes and all others present voting no.

 

Motion to entertain first reading of policy items 14.1.1 through 14.1.5 carried on a roll call vote with Vonder Haar voting no and all others present voting yes.

 

14.1.1                  Approve the 1st reading of Recycling Policy.

 

14.1.2                  Approve the 1st reading of Environmental Policy

 

14.1.3                  Approve the 1st reading of Policy #8505 School Nutrition

 

14.1.4                  Adopt the Vision/Mission Statement.

 

14.1.5                  Approve the 1st reading of Policy #5300 Use of Defibrillators

 

14.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Joe Mahal, to approve the following Personnel items 14.2.1 through 14.2.7.

 

Motion by William Vonder Haar, seconded by Susan Cullen, to amend item 14.2.1.

 

Motion to amend item 14.2.1 denied on a voice vote with Vonder Haar and Cullen voting yes and all others present voting no.

 

Motion to approve items 14.2.1 through 14.2.7 carried on a roll call vote with Vonder Haar and Cullen voting no on item 14.2.1 and all others present voting yes.

 

14.2.1                  Approve the Child Care Program for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

14.2.2                  Approve Patricia Agudelo as evening custodian at Great Meadows Middle School effective April 25, 2006 through June 30, 2006 at an annual salary of $22,500 pro-rated to $4,125.

 

14.2.3                  Approve Jim Bechtel as a substitute evening custodian for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.2.4                  Approve Robert Chennette as a substitute custodian for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.2.5                  Approve Christina Waldele and Cornelia Anne Gaugler as substitute teachers for the 2005-2006 school year.

 

14.2.6                  Approve the following student teachers to complete their student teaching in Fall 2006 at Great Meadows Regional School District:

 

Jonathon Fenner   H/PE  Jim Bechtel    GMMS     10/24-12/14/06

Beth Tingley      H/PE  Lisa Baatz     Liberty 10/24-12/14/06

 

14.2.7                  Accept, with regret, the resignation of Paula Barden, Science/Math teacher at Great Meadows Middle School, effective June 30, 2006.

 

14.3    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the following Curriculum items 14.3.1 and 14.3.2.

 

Motion carried on a roll call vote with Cassini abstaining on item 14.3.2.

 

14.3.1                  Approve the 2006-2007 school calendar for the Great Meadows Regional School District.

 

14.3.2                  Approve the Pre-school Disabilities ‘Extended School Year’ Program to be held half days from July 5, 2006 through August 17, 2006 requiring staff as follows:

 

1 Teacher          hourly rate to be negotiated

1 School Nurse     hourly rate to be negotiated

1 Classroom Aide   $30 per day

 

14.4    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Susan Cullen, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Finance items 14.4.1 through 14.4.9.

 

Motion by Vonder Haar, seconded by Cullen, to amend item 14.4.3.

 

Motion to amend item 14.4.3 denied on a voice vote with Vonder Haar and Cullen voting yes and all others present voting no.

 

Motion to approve Finance items 14.4.1 through 14.4.9 carried in a roll call vote with Vonder Haar and Cullen voting no on item 14.4.3 and all others present voting yes.

 

14.4.1                  Empower the Superintendent and Business Administrator to implement the 2006-2007 school district budget pursuant to policies and regulations of the State Board and Local Board.

 

14.4.2                  File the appropriate A4F form with Liberty Township and Independence Township for the purpose of collecting the Tax Levy required for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

14.4.3                  Authorize the Superintendent to make line item transfers between board meetings which will be presented for affirmation at the following board meeting.

 

14.4.4                  Approve, on the recommendation of the Chief School Administrator, the acceptance of the monthly financial reports of the Board Secretary and the Treasurer for the month of March 2006 and further that, in compliance with NJAC 6A:23-2.11 (c) 4, the Board of Education certifies that as of March 31, 2006, after review of the secretary’s monthly financial report and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials, to the best of our knowledge, no major account has been over expended in violation of NJAC 6A:23-2.11 (b) and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

14.4.5                  Award a contract to Haig’s Service Corporation to upgrade the fire alarm system in 200 and 300 section of the Liberty School for a total of $4,945

Quotes Received

Haig’s Service Corp.               $ 4,945

ADT Security Services              $10,989

Institutional Systems Service Corp. $12,350

Integrated Systems Technology     $ 6,950

 

14.4.6                  Award a contract to Allstate Septic Systems to replace a pump and make modifications to the Central School septic system on an emergency basis as needed for the health and safety of the students.  The cost of the project is not to exceed $23,000.

 

14.4.7                  Adopt the ‘Resolution for Participation in Coordinated Transportation for the 2006-2007 School Year’ with the Warren County Special Services School District for routes as needed plus an administration fee of 4%.

 

14.4.8                  Approve the donation of two steel periodical books shelving with an approximate value of $600 from the Periodical Department of the Morristown and Morris Township Library.

 

14.4.9                  Approve the following as ‘other capital projects’ not eligible for state funding.

 

Project Number          Description

1785-060-06-2000        Liberty School re-roof

1785-060-06-1000        Liberty School well pit repairs

 

Peggy Faulborn, Vice-President, appointed the following school board representatives:

 

Hackettstown High School – Robert Jones with Peggy Faulborn as alternate.

Independence Township – Maryann Citro

Liberty Township – William Vonder Haar

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Joe Mahal, to adjourn at 8:55 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Ruth Fanjoy

Board Secretary