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United We Stand

Vice-President Gallant called the meeting to order at 7:45pm.  Mrs. Barna read the following opening statement, “I would like to announce and have placed in the minutes that adequate notice of this special meeting of the Lopatcong Township Board of Education has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act by publication in the Express Times.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

ROLL CALL

Present: Donna Drake, Ernie Gallant, Terry Glennon, Joe Kennedy, Greg McGann, Tim McGuinness, and Bill Taggart.

Absent: Frank Kish and Raisy Stammherr.

Others Present: Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Mayor Steinhardt and four members of Town Council and approximately 20 members of the public.

Mayor Steinhardt made opening statements and turned the meeting over to the Board of Education.

Mr. Gallant gave a brief introduction and turned the meeting over to Mrs. Barna.

Mrs. Barna explained the major increases to the budget that the Board is facing next year.

Mr. Taggart mentioned all of the items and areas that the Board had already made cuts to the budget prior to it being presented to the voters in April. These reductions total $1,041,469.

Mr. Gallant stated some statistics that indicate that Lopatcong School District provides a great education for a cost less than the state average and 18^th among 95 schools in the State with the lowest spending.

Mayor Steinhardt and Council asked a few questions and made some public statements. They recommended and voted in favor of a one cent reduction in the proposed tax rate.  This is equal to $51,808.

The Board respectfully asked the Mayor and Council if the Board could meet in Executive Session to discuss the proposal from the municipal government.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by McGuinness, seconded by Taggart,

WHEREAS, Section 7 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 (R.S. 10:4-13), permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting or portion of a meeting of this public body in certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education must consider matters involving legal issues and personnel, the disclosure of which could constitute and unwarranted invasion of privacy; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session at 8:20pm to discuss the above mentioned matter to the exclusion of all others. Matters discussed may or may not be made public this evening. Any resulting action will be taken after re-entry into regular session.

Vote: 7 - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by McGuinness, second by McGann, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 8:29pm.

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

The Board unanimously accepted the council’s proposal.

Motion by Taggart, second by McGann,

WHEREAS, the Board of Education on April 20, 2004 proposed a budget that will provide a through and efficient education to the children of Lopatcong Township for the 2004-2005 school year for an original tax levy of $9,047,065, and

WHEREAS, the registered voters of Lopatcong Township defeated the Board’s proposal by 8 votes, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has met in public session with the municipal government to discuss the 2004-2005 school year budget, and

WHEREAS, the Lopatcong Township Municipal Government has recommended reductions to the tax levy for base budget in the amount of $51,808, now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept the municipal governments proposal for reductions to the base budget in the amount of $51,808, and

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education certify the tax levy for 2004 in the amount of $8,995,257.

Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried.

Hearing no further business, the Board adjourned at 8:35pm on a motion by McGuinness, seconded by Taggart.

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa E. Barna, RSBO

Business Administrator/

Board Secretary

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