WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION Long Valley, NJ March 1, 2011

Transcription

1 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION Long Valley, NJ March 1, 2011 Board of Education Web Meeting Summary 6:30 p.m. Old Farmers Road School Auxiliary Gym The regular meeting of the Washington Township Board of Education was held on March 1, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym at the Old Farmers Road School. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Rec, Board President, called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Mrs. Cathleen Compoli (7:52 p.m.), Mr. Walter Cullen, Mr. Kevin Daly (7:10 p.m.), Mr. Pete Graziano (7:20 p.m.), Mr. Chance Healy, Mrs. Kathy Koop, Mr. Perry Kwok, Mrs. Michelle Munley (6:42 p.m.), Mr. Mike Rec Mr. Jeffrey S. Mohre, Superintendent; Mr. Richard C. Papera, Assistant Superintendent; and Ms. Liz George, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, were also present. STATEMENT OF MEETING NOTICE Mr. Rec announced that adequate notice of this meeting was given to the public 48 hours in advance of the date setting forth the date, time, location and type of meeting. Notice was published on February 25, 2011 in the Daily Record, one of the Board's official newspapers. The notice was also sent to the Observer Tribune, the Washington Township Clerk, and was posted on the district website at All please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mrs. Koop made a motion, seconded by Mr. Healy, to enter into an executive session. The motion was carried and an executive session was held for discussion of negotiations. The regular meeting reconvened. Mr. Cullen left the meeting (7:50 p.m.) SUPERINTENDENT S COMMENTS Mr. Mohre welcomed the audience, shared the Board's and administration's excitement for bringing the Board of Education meetings to each of the district's schools over the next two months, and thanked Mr. Ciulla and the Old Farmers Road School faculty for serving as host school this evening. He highlighted the date of this year's School Budget Election scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, He shared that information on voter registration and absentee balloting is featured on the WT Schools home page at Web Meeting Summary March 1, 2011 Page 1 of 6

2 Mr. Mohre then introduced Mr. Joseph Ciulla, Principal, as the evening's guest presenter. PRESENTATION Celebrating Old Farmers Road School: Events and Vision Joseph Ciulla, Principal Mr. Ciulla demonstrated how Caring is Cool at Old Farmers Road School by highlighting the many Community Service projects the students and staff have been involved with so far this year such as Road to Respect, Breast Cancer Awareness, Green Teams, Candy For Troops, Grandparent Power, Painting of Teachers Room, Presents for Pets, Letter to Tim Fallen, Peer Leadership-Pathways for Exceptional Children, Presentation by Fred Heyman-Holocaust Survivor, Bridges Outreach, Jump Rope for Heath Health, and the Valentine s Food Drive Event. SUPERINTENDENT S COMMENTS (CONTINUED) Mr. Mohre commented on the Race To Nowhere documentary and due to the fact that tickets for this week s viewing went very fast he would like anyone still interested in viewing the film to please contact him. The possibility of an additional screening date is being investigated. As of the time of the Board meeting, 91 school faculty and community members had expressed interest. Mr. Mohre proudly announced that the educational team of Miss Scairpon, Mrs. Scairpon, and Dr. DiPaolo have been awarded a grant from the Jersey Association of Educational Technology. The grant seeks to secure contemporary technologies to facilitate video self-monitoring to promote positive behavioral and social development of children with autism. CORRESPONDENCE from Greg Antonelle (2) COMMITTEE REPORTS Education Committee February 24, 2011 reviewed by Mrs. Koop Committee discussed ease of transition to the high school with regard to 8 th grade mathematics; and a status update of the Academically Talented Program Finance & Facilities Committee February 8, 2011, February 16, 2011 and February 24, 2011 reviewed by Mr. Healy - Committee discussed the proposed budget which is under cap, proposed revenues, proposed appropriations, and the increased state aid for fiscal Personnel/Negotiations Committee Communications Committee February 8, 2011 and February 16, 2011 reviewed by Mr. Kwok - Committee discussed how to reach more people with our electronic media, strategies for promoting the budget, and making the Friday Folder more effective. Mr. Kwok also advised that Honor Rolls will be published in the Long Valley Patch and the Observer Tribune. Alternative Funding/Shared Services Committee Mr. Rec commented the committee met February 28 th and dialog continued on shared services. Strategic Planning Committee Legislative Report Web Meeting Summary March 1, 2011 Page 2 of 6

3 PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS The meeting was opened to the public at 8:26 p.m. Members of the public commented on the following: Will changes to policies on the agenda be discussed? Mr. Mohre advised they would be discussed when the item is presented for discussion. When will budget numbers be released to the public? Mr. Mohre advised the Finance Committee was discussing where our state aid would fall in the budget and the district has worked hard to be open about the budget process. Proposed school calendar. DISCUSSION ON BUDGET There was discussion on the budget with regard to state aid. Ms. George presented two scenarios for state aid which included using half of the state aid for tax relief and using half for capital projects or using the full amount of state aid for tax relief. After discussion among the Board, consensus was to use all of the state aid for tax relief. Mrs. Compoli reviewed the budget timeline to date and going forward to the school election. Mr. Cullen joined the meeting during the budget discussion (8:55 p.m.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 8, 2011 regular meeting minutes February 8, 2011 executive session meeting minutes The following items listed under Education, Finance and Personnel were approved: Education Addendum item # Motion to approve Heather Schaffer, Eastern University student, to complete 20 hours of Field Experience for the Spring 2011 semester, 10 hours at the Flocktown-Kossmann School with Ms. Jill Tynan as her cooperating teacher and 10 hours at the Long Valley Middle School with Ms. Linda Gebbia as her cooperating teacher with R. Christman and B. Launi as her college advisors. 1. Motion to approve homebound instruction for Old Farmers Road School fifth grade student # , up to 10 hours per week, commencing on or about February 14, 2011, with Miss Voss and Mrs. Ligos responsible for instruction. 2. Motion to approve field trips for the school year as presented. Web Meeting Summary March 1, 2011 Page 3 of 6

4 Finance 3. Motion to accept, with gratitude, the following contribution: a. $3, from the Cucinella PTO to be used at the Cucinella School for homeroom grants as presented. 4. Motion to accept the March 1, 2011 check journal. Addendum Item #5 5. Motion to submit budget and all required documentation to the county office for review as follows: BE IT RESOLVED to approve a school district budget for the school year for submission to the voters as follows: Budget Local Tax Levy Total General Fund $39,418,849 $30,705,982 Total Special Revenue Fund 518,563 - Total Debt Service Fund 1,473,073 1,424,176 Totals $41,410,485 $32,130, Motion to approve the following consultant for the as follows: Personnel Consultant Conquer Mathematics, Nancy Schultz Everyday and Connected Math Workshops Grades 1-4 and 6-8 teachers (92 slots) $7, Motion to fill the following posted positions: a. Lynn Henwood, replacement teacher, Grade 3, Cucinella School, BA Step 1, $49,080, prorated, effective March 9, 2011 through June 16, Position #TCHR1534. b. Laura Burrows, part-time Special Education Aide, Cucinella School, $7,528.50, prorated, effective March 2, Position #AIDSE029. Addendum Item #7c c. Nadine Sciancalepore, leave replacement teacher, Flocktown-Kossmann School, BA Step 1, $49,080, prorated effective March 7, 2011 through March 18, Position #TCHR Motion to fill the following mentor position: School Name Mentor Comments Cucinella Dina Carmelengo Beth Perry $550 prorated, Teacher of Students with Disabilities-Traditional Route. Part-time Web Meeting Summary March 1, 2011 Page 4 of 6

5 9. Motion to appoint Kristin Savasta, substitute Teacher, in position #TCHR1504, from March 9, 2011 through the end of the school year. 10. Motion to set date of hire as follows: a. Lauren Radick, Speech Therapist leave replacement, Old Farmers Road School, to March 9, Position #RELSVC Motion to approve the following leave: a. Nadine Noonan, Resource Room Teacher, Flocktown-Kossmann Scnool, FMLA from March 14, 2011 through the end of the school year, using accumulated time through half day on May 4, 2011 and unpaid FMLA continuing through the school year. Position #TCHRRR24. Addendum Item #11b b. Jessica Weber, Grade 2 Teacher, Flocktown-Kossmann School, unpaid FMLA from February 17, 2011 through March 16, 2011, extending with an unpaid personal leave with benefits through March 18, Position #TCHR1524 Addendum Item # Motion to amend the following leave: a. Stefanie Fracasso, Speech Therapist, Old Farmers Road School, amend pregnancy related disability leave of absence from January 5, 2011 through the second marking period of the school year, using accrued time through February 16, 2011 and thereafter, an unpaid NJ Family Leave through May 18, 2011 and then extending with an unpaid Maternity Leave through the second marking period of the school year. Position #RELSVC Motion to set the date of return from leave for Patricia Wustefeld, Special Education Teacher, Long Valley Middle School, to February 24, Position #TCHRLD Motion to approve substitutes for the school year as follows: Teacher Ajurah Arbolino Deborah Turrisi Lena Dickman* Aide Ajurah Arbolino Deborah Turrisi Policy *approve submission to the County Superintendent of applications for emergency hiring and the applicant's attestation that he/she has not been convicted of any disqualifying crime pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1 et. seq., N.J.S.A. 18A:39-17 et. seq., of N.J.S.A. 18A: as applicable. 14. Motion to read for the first time the following policies: Policy # Policy Title 1140 Affirmative Action Program New 1523 Comprehensive Equity Plan Revised Web Meeting Summary March 1, 2011 Page 5 of 6

6 Policy # Policy Title 1530 Equal Employment Opportunities Revised 1550 Affirmative Action Program for Employment and Contract Practices Revised 2260 Affirmative Action Program for School and Classroom Practices Revised Academic Standards, Academic Assessments, and Accountability Revised 2423 Bilingual and ESL Education Revised 6360 Political Contributions Revised 6362 Contributions to Board Members and Contract Awards Revised 8420 Emergency and Crisis Situations Revised 8740 Bonding Revised Policy drafts are available for review at the Washington Township Board of Education Office UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Mohre thanked Mr. Ciulla for his presentation this evening. A Board member complimented Mr. Ciulla on the seamless transition from elementary to middle school experienced by her children. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of school calendar Mr. Mohre ran through the proposed school calendar. There was discussion among the Board. Mr. Mohre commented he would bring the calendar to the Board for approval after he talks with the High School regarding their calendar. Board Self Evaluation Ms. George advised the Board that the New Jersey School Boards Association has provided an on-line self evaluation this year and she will send the link to all Board members for their completion. PUBLIC COMMENT The meeting was opened to the public at 9:52 p.m. Members of the public commented on the following: The High School is also holding their public hearing on March 22 nd. Can something be done about this? Mr. Rec advised he would speak with Mrs. Forrester about this to see what can be done. Will the Board be presenting the budget to the Township Committee? Mr. Mohre advised the Township s liaison, Mr. LiaBraaten, was unable to attend the meeting tonight but he has been provided with dates of future budget meetings. Comment on the Board s decision to use the state aid for tax relief. EXECUTIVE SESSION Legal, Personnel, Negotiation matters ADJOURNMENT Web Meeting Summary March 1, 2011 Page 6 of 6