West New York Board of Education Special Meeting - Public Hearing on 2014/2015 Budget Minutes April 30, 2014, 4:30 p.m. The Special Meeting - Public Hearing on the 2014/2015 Budget of the West New York Board of Education was held in the Auditorium of Albio Sires Elementary School (PS #4), 6300 Palisade Avenue, West New York, New Jersey. The order of business and agenda for the meeting were: I. CALL TO ORDER At 4:36 P.M. the meeting was called to order. II. FLAG SALUTE The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. III. ROLL CALL Vice President Dr. Piscitelli (Arrived late) Also : Mr. John Fauta, Superintendent Ms. Clara Brito Herrera, Assistant Superintendent Educational and Personnel Services Ms. Anastasia Olivero, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Mr. Robert Sanchez, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services Ms. Beverly Lazzara, Director of Special Services Mr. Sixto Cardenas, Principal Assigned to Human Resources Mr. Rick Solares, Supervisor of Facilities Mr. Kevin J. Franchetta, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Mr. John Steffens, Assistant School Business Administrator Mr. Allan Roth, Esq., Administrative Assistant to Special Services IV. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the Public to have advance notice of and to attend the meetings of any public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary has caused notice of this meeting to be sent to the following, announcing time and place thereof, agenda, etc. the Jersey Journal the Administration Bulletin Board the District Website
V. PUBLIC HEARING A. Roll Call to Open Public Hearing Vice President Dr. Piscitelli B. Public Hearing - ation of 2014-2015 District Budget Mr. Franchetta presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the 2014-2015 proposed district budget. Ms. Duval arrived. Postpone vote on budget to the May 12, 2014 Board Meeting Vice President Dr. Piscitelli Motion did not carry. C. Public Comment on Public Hearing In accordance with West New York Board of Education Bylaw #0167 (Public participation in board meetings Adopted April 22, 2009) each participant shall be limited to three minutes duration.
1. Linda Kellerman Ms. Kellerman remarked that Chromebooks could be purchased for as low as $199. She questioned the use of the swimming pool for the high school swim team. 2. Cesar Sabino Mr. Sabino posed questions regarding the proposed school tax rate. He requested that the Board consider using the banked capped. 3 Patrick Cullen Mr. Cullen thanked Mr. Cesar Sabino for mentioning tax abatements that are afforded to the waterfront residents of the community. He asked if amounts of contracts not signed by employees can be altered. Mr. Roth responded no. Mr. Cullen questioned if Jugando Aprendemos is one of the district s preschool providers. He stated that the parking lot of the current 7-Eleven under construction is too close to Jugando Aprendemos. Mr. Cullen requested that the Board make a motion to object to the construction of this new 7-Eleven and forward the motion to the Town of West New York for their consideration. D. Roll Call to Close Public Hearing Vice President Dr. Piscitelli Executive Session Notice: VI. 1. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT/RESOLUTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION The public portion of the meeting is now concluded. The Board will now recess into Executive Session to discuss items which fall within an exception of our open meetings policy and permits board to have private discussion since it deals with specific exceptions contained in N.J.S.A. 10:4-12b: Matters of Litigation Appeal Litigation (Ferreiro vs. Town of West New York) BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education will recess into Executive Session to discuss the aforementioned matters. Any discussion held by the Board which need not remain confidential will be made public as soon as practical. Minutes of the Executive Session will not be disclosed until the need for confidentiality no longer exists. The Board may take action on these items following executive session.
2. Motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 5:58 p.m. Vice President Dr. Piscitelli 3. Adjourn the Executive Session and Reconvene in Public Session at 6:25 p.m. Vice President Dr. Piscitelli VII. RESOLUTION Subject: Approval of 2014-2015 District Budget - MOTION DEFEATED WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Education requires school districts to submit their 2014/2015 District Budgets and all Supporting Documentation to the Hudson County Executive Superintendent of Schools by March 20, 2014, and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Schools has presented the following synopsis of the 2014/2015 Revised District Budget to this Board of Education which includes an increase in the Local Tax Levy in the amount of $291,384 for a total tax levy of $14,860,598 with an overall State Aid increase of $146,840.
REVENUE SOURCES: General Fund Balance $2,000,000.00 Local Tax Levy $14,860,598.00 Other Restricted Miscellaneous Revenue $0 Miscellaneous Revenue $100,000.00 Revenue from State Sources $93,592,984.00 Revenue from Federal Sources (SEMI) $182,618.00 Total Operating Budget $110,736,200.00 Grants and Entitlements: State Sources $17,280,214.00 Federal Sources $4,884,303.00 Transfers from Operating Budget Pre-K $595,080.00 Total Grants and Entitlements $22,759,597.00 Total Revenues/Sources $133,495,797.00 Deduct Transfers from Operating Budget Pre-K Total Revenues/Sources Net of Transfer $595,080.00 $132,900,717.00 APPROPRIATIONS: General Current Expenditures $43,549,276.00 Total Capital Outlay $1,000,000.00 Transfer of Funds to Charter Schools $19,809.00 General Fund Contribution to SBB $66,167,115.00 Total Operating Budget $110,736,200.00 Grants and Entitlements: Preschool Education $17,703,912.00 Other State Projects $171,382.00 Federal Projects $2,788,520.00 Grants & Entitlement Contribution to SBB $2,095,783.00 Total Grants and Entitlements $22,759,597.00 Total Expenditures $133,495,797.00 Deduct Transfers from Operating Budget Pre-K Total Expenditures Net of Transfer $595,080.00 $132,900,717.00
WHEREAS, this Board has approved the initial submission of the 2014/2015 School District Budget as presented at the March 12, 2014 Board Meeting, WHEREAS, notification has been received from the Hudson County Executive Superintendent of Schools approving the 2014/2015 School District Budget on April 15, 2015, WHEREAS, this Board has reviewed the 2014/2015 School District Budget as presented, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board approves the West New York School District Budget for the 2014/2015 School Year and the supporting documentation containing an itemization of certain expenditures as required under Chapter 23A Fiscal Accountability, Efficiency and Budgeting Procedures, and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A: 23A-7.3, the Board establish the maximum travel amount for the 2014-2015 school district budget at $7,000 and the amount spent to date in the 2013-2014 school year for travel has been $7,569. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board authorizes the Superintendent of Schools, or his designees to submit this Budget to the Hudson County Executive Superintendent of Schools, the NJ State DOE Fiscal Monitor Manager, and the Hudson County Board of Taxation. 6A:23A-7.3 Maximum travel budget (a) Annually in the prebudget year, each board shall establish by board resolution, a maximum travel expenditure amount for the budget year, which the school district shall not exceed. The board resolution shall also include the maximum amount established for the prebudget year and the amount spent to date. 1. The maximum school district travel expenditure amount shall include all travel supported by local and State funds. 2. A board may elect to exclude travel expenditures supported by Federal funds from the maximum travel expenditure amount. If Federal funds are excluded from the established maximum amount, the board shall include in the resolution the total amount of travel supported by Federal funds from the prior year, prebudget year, and projected for the budget year. 3. Exclusion of Federal funds from the annual maximum travel budget does not exempt such travel from the requirements applicable to State and local funds. (b) A board may authorize in its travel policy an annual maximum amount per employee for regular business travel only for which board approval is not required. 1. The annual maximum shall not exceed $ 1,500 and shall be subject to the approval requirements in N.J.S.A. 18A:19-1. 2. Regular school district business travel as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-1.2 includes attendance at regularly scheduled in-state county meetings and Department sponsored or association sponsored events provided free of charge. It also includes regularly scheduled in-state professional development activities for which the registration fee does not exceed $ 150.00 per employee or board member. 3. Regular school district business travel as authorized in the board s travel policy requires approval of the superintendent prior to obligating the district to pay related expenses and prior to attendance at the travel event. i. The superintendent shall designate an alternate approval authority to approve travel requests in his or her absence when necessary to obtain timely board approval. ii. The superintendent shall establish in writing the internal levels of approval required prior to his or her approval of the travel event, as applicable.
Vice President Dr. Piscitelli Motion defeated as N.J.S.A. 18A:22-32 requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the full membership of the board when fixing and determining the amount of money to be voted upon by the voters of the district at or after the public hearing on the school budget for Type II districts without a Board of School Estimates. ( Full membership means the number of the board members when all the members seats are filled and a majority of the full membership means a majority of that number.) Mr. Cheng commented that he has questions regarding the proposed budget. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS In accordance with West New York Board of Education Bylaw #0167 (Public participation in board meetings Adopted April 22, 2009) each participant shall be limited to three minutes duration. 1. Patrick Cullen Mr. Cullen asked if he could ask questions since the Board Attorneys are not present. He requested that the Board of Education considering sending legal representation on behalf of the school district to the May 7, 2014 West New York Planning Board Meeting. Mr. Cullen believes there is a conflict in the Town rules regarding the parking lot of the new 7-Eleven adjacent to Jugando Aprendemos. He expressed his concern for the safety of the students with the opening of the new 7-Eleven. 2. Alain Gomez Mr. Gomez volunteered his services for the establishment of a wrestling program within the district. IX. BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENTS A. Board Member Comments 1. Dr. Piscitelli mentioned that Ms. Sara Gastanadui is doing well. B. President s Statement None.
X. ADJOURNMENT President: Asks the Board Secretary to request a motion to adjourn: Secretary: Motion to Adjourn the Meeting Vice President Dr. Piscitelli Meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin J. Franchetta, CPA School Business Administrator/School Board Secretary