The regular meeting of the Great Meadows Regional Board of Education was held on Monday, September 24, 2007, at the Great Meadows Middle School, Independence Township.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 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 (arrived 7:40 PM), Maryann Citro, Peggy Faulborn, Robert Jones, Joe Mahal, Matthew Mowatt (arrived 7:50 PM), Bernie O’Hara (arrived 7:40 PM), and William Vonder Haar.

 

Absent: None.

 

There were 10 members of the public in attendance.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the minutes from August 13, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the minutes from August 27, 2007.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Peggy Faulborn, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to accept the Financial Report of the Secretary and Treasurer for the months ending August 31, 2007, as per copies attached and to certify that as of August 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 approve the bills from August 28, 2007 through September 24, 2007 in the amount of $1,746,610.97.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to approve the cafeteria bills from August 28, 2007 through September 24, 2007 in the amount of $10,422.71.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Jason Bing, Superintendents Update.

 

Jason Bing gave the Curriculum Update.

 

Public Comment: 

 

Susan Cullen, Independence Resident, asked if the fee for the yearbook would cover the cost of the yearbook advisors stipend?  Mr. Bing answered it would.

 

12.1    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Joe Mahal, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the following Personnel & Buildings/Grounds/Transportation items 12.1.1 to 12.1.16.

 

Motion by William Vonder Haar, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to change the stipend of Team Leader of CST in item 12.1.1 to 78 hours x $32.00 = $2,496.00.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote approving items 12.1.1 to 12.1.16 as listed.

 

12.1.1                  Approve the following stipend positions and hours for the 2007-2008 school year:

 

Safety Patrol Coordinator at Central School for a total of 16 hours x $32.00 per hour = $512.00

 

Safety Patrol Coordinator at Liberty School for a total of 16 hours x $32.00 per hour = $512.00

 

Student Leadership Corps at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 30 hours x $32.00 per hour = $960.00

 

Yearbook Advisor at Central School for a total of 16 hours x $32.00 per hour = $512.00

 

Yearbook Advisor at Liberty School for a total of 16 hours x $32.00 per hour = $512.00

 

Yearbook Advisor at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 16 hours x $32.00 per hour = $512.00

 

REBEL 2 Advisors at Great Meadows Middle School to be paid by grant money

 

Student Council Advisor at Central School for a total of 31 hours x $32.00 = $992.00

 

Student Council Advisor at Liberty School for a total of 31 hours x $32.00 = $992.00

 

Student Council Advisor at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 31 hours x $32.00 = $992.00

 

Detention Supervisor at Central School at $32.00 per hour

 

Detention Supervisor at Liberty School at $32.00 per hour

 

Detention Supervisor at Great Meadows Middle School at $32.00 per hour

 

Math League Advisor at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 31 hours x $32.00 per hour = $992.00

 

6th grade Team Leader at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 33 hours x $32.00 per hour = $1,056.00

 

7th grade Team Leader at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 33 hours x $32.00 per hour = $1,056.00

 

8th grade Team Leader at Great Meadows Middle School for a total of 33 hours x $32.00 per hour = $1,056.00

 

CST Team Leader for a total of 78 hours x $32.00 per hour = $2,496.00

 

12.1.2                  Approve John Yosh, Warren County Community College student, to observe the 6th and 7th grade science and math classes of Eric Shuler, Jan Romanczyk, Tracy Hornyak, Kim Miller and Jacquie Lunden on Tuesdays beginning September 25, 2007 through October 23, 2007.

 

12.1.3                  Approve Valerie Holland, Warren County Community College student, to complete three class periods of observation in Kara Fuelner’s 4th grade class at Central School during the fall of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

12.1.4                  Approve Jeffrey T. Spychalski, Centenary College student, to complete ten hours of observation in grades 3-5 at Liberty School during the fall of the 2007-2008 school year.

 

12.1.5                  Approve Linda Mahler as a substitute teacher for the 2007-2008 school year for grades K-5 at Liberty School.

 

12.1.6                  Approve Maria Endacott as a substitute teacher for the 2007-2008 school year for grades K-8.

 

12.1.7                  Approve Deborah Chiara, Allison Sullivan, and Dana Keeler-Irons,  as substitute teachers for the 2007-2008 school year for grades K-5.

 

12.1.8                  Authorize the district to submit applications for emergency hiring and applicant’s attestation that he/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 employees:

 

Allison Sullivan

 

12.1.9                  Approve movement on guide for Jody Schantzenbach, Special Education teacher at Liberty School, from Step 13 BS+15 to Step 13 MA at an annual salary of $53,620.00 effective September 1, 2007.

 

12.1.10             Accept the resignation of Dami Panasis, Instructional Aide at Liberty School, for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

12.1.11             Accept the resignation of Terri Paterson, Cafeteria Aide at Liberty School, for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

12.1.12             Approve Gene Farber, Custodian, an annual salary of $23,650.00 effective July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

 

12.1.13             Approve Brian Cullen, Custodian, an annual salary of $23,650.00 effective July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

 

12.1.14             Approve the following stipends as listed:

 

Jose Alpizar, Custodian at Great Meadows Middle School

Worked as a Bus Aide on July 6, 2007, July 13, 2007 and July 27, 2007 at the rate of $58.01 per day = $174.00

 

Sue Buechle, Special Education teacher at Central School

     CST Meetings August 28, 2007 and August 30, 2007

                9.5 hours x $32.00 per hour = $304.00

Barbara Ciniewicz, Pre-school Disabilities teacher at

Liberty School, IEP Meetings on July 10, 2007 and July 11, 2007 for a total of 2 hours x $32.00 per hour = $64.00

 

Stephanie Conway, School Psychologist for Great Meadows Regional School District, CST Summer Work August 27, 2007 and August 30, 2007 at $332.23 per day = $664.46

 

Jody Schantzenbach, Special Education teacher at Liberty School, IEP Meeting August 29, 2007 for 3.75 hours x $32.00 per hour = $120.00

 

Barbara Wohlgemuth, 4th grade teacher at Liberty School, CST Meetings August 28, 2007 and August 30, 2007 for 9.5 hours x $32.00 per hour = $304.00

 

12.1.15             Approve transportation of students to St. Mary’s School in Hackettstown:

 

Total students: 62

(Independence:  42  Liberty:  20)

 

12.1.16             Approve aid-in-lieu of transportation to parent/guardian of district students attending the following schools in the amount of $859.00 per student for the 2007-2008 school year:

 

Deer Path Montessori, Hackettstown – 1

Good Shepherd Christian Academy, Washington – 6

Hilltop Country Day School, Sparta – 1

Morris Catholic High School, Denville – 2

Parsippany Christian School, Parsippany – 2

Pope John XXIII High School, Sparta – 25

Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School, Sparta – 3

Ridge & Valley Charter School, Blairstown – 10

St. Michael’s School, Netcong – 1

Tranquility Adventist School, Andover – 5

Westmont Montessori School, Mendham – 1

 

12.2    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to approve the following Policy/Finance items 12.2.1 to 12.2.12.

 

Motion by Williams Vonder Haar, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to table item 12.2.1.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Maryann Citro, to change item 12.2.7 to reflect 3 members attending the Warren County School Boards Association Fall Conference October 10, 2007 at a total cost of $48.00.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous roll call vote tabling item 12.2.1 and approving items 12.2.2 to 12.2.12 with addition to item 12.2.7.

 

12.2.1                  Tabled.

 

12.2.2                  Accept the donation of three window air conditioning units from Matt Mowatt at the approximate value of $100.00.

 

12.2.3                  Approve a Contract between Sunny Days Day Care and Great Meadows Regional School District for the use of one classroom in the Great Meadows Middle School during the 2007-2008 school year at a rental fee of $500.00 per month for a total fee of $5,000.00.

 

12.2.4                  Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Hopatcong Borough Schools for the 2007-2008 School Year for one student for the period September 6, 2007 through June 30, 2008 at a cost of $42,379.00.

 

12.2.5                  Approve a Special Education Contract between Great Meadows Regional School District and Warren County Special Services School District for two students at an estimated per pupil cost of $35,300.00 for a total of $69,600.00.

 

12.2.6                  Accept the 2007-2008 IDEIA Consolidated Grant Award as listed below:

 

IDEA Basic        $282,914

Preschool            6,647

Total Award       $289,561

 

12.2.7                  Adopt the travel resolution for New Jersey School Board Association workshops, etc. as attached.

 

12.2.8                  Approve four Board of Education members and Superintendent to attend the New Jersey School Board Association Workshop Seminars held at the New Jersey School Board Association Convention in October 2007 at a cost of $1,100.00.

 

12.2.9                  Approve the Business Administrator and Human Resource Secretary to attend an NJASBO workshop on PERS/TPAF Retirement Plans Update on October 18, 2007 at Mt. Olive at a cost of $230.00.

 

12.2.10             Approve the Business Administrator to attend an NJASBO workshop on Legal Issues on September 27, 2007 at Mt. Olive at a cost of $100.00.

 

12.2.11             Approve Board of Education members to attend the Warren County School Boards Association Fall Conference to be held October 10, 2007 at Warren Tech in Washington, NJ at a cost of $16.00 per person for a total cost of $48.00.

 

12.2.12             Approve one Board of Education member to attend New Board Members Orientation in Atlantic City on September 23, 2007 at an estimated cost of $300.00.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, to add and approve item 12.2.13.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

12.2.13             Approve a budget transfer in the amount of $65,000 From account: 11-000-291-270-111-000 Medical Benefits

To account: 11-000-230-820-000-000 General Administration

 

12.3    Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, motion by Maryann Citro, seconded by Jennifer Cassini, to approve the following Curriculum & Technology item 12.3.1.

 

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

12.3.1                  Approve the Nursing Services Plan for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

Motion by Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Peggy Faulborn, whereas, the Board must consider matters involving potential litigation and 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 8:40 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 Jennifer Cassini, seconded by Richard Alexander, to re-enter regular session at 9:30 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Motion by Bob Jones, seconded by Joe Mahal, to adjourn at 9:32 PM.

Motion carried in a unanimous voice vote.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Julie Mumaw

Board Secretary