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Agenda:LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION 321 Stonehenge Drive Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING: The Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 7:30pm at Lopatcong Township Middle School located at 321 Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be held in the Cafetorium. To gain admittance, please use the entrance at Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be open to the public at 7:30pm. AGENDA
R-32-05 Accept Board Member Resignation R-33-05 Accept Letter of Resignation R-34-05 Tuition Contract with Hunterdon County ESC R-35-05 Tuition Contract with Stepping Stone School R-36-05 Tuition Contract with Warren Hills Regional School District R-37-05 Hire Reading Recovery/BSI Teacher R-38-05 School Psychologist Contract R-39-05 Field Trip Approval R-40-05 Contract with the Phillipsburg Christian Academy to Provide Technology Services R-41-05 Update to the Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement R-42-05 Substitute Approval R-43-05 Hire Speech and Language Therapist R-44-05 Approval of Superintendent's Contract R-45-05 Appoint Board of Education Member
An Executive Session will be called at the end of the regular session Public comments are invited on any educationally pertinent subject. All participants will be given five (5) minutes to state their issue. In addition, the subject matter may be discussed by the Board for an additional five (5) minutes. All audience participants must state their name and address before speaking. Thank you for understanding.
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Minutes:MINUTES OF LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION President Kish called the meeting to order at 7:30pm. Mrs. Barna read the following opening statement, “I would like to announce and have placed in the minutes that adequate notice of this regular meeting of the Lopatcong Township Board of Education has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act by publication of the annual notice in the Express-Times. A copy of this notice has also been filed with the Township Clerk and posted at both school locations.” The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. ROLL CALL Present: Ernie Gallant, Terry Glennon, Joe Kennedy, Frank Kish, Greg McGann, Tim McGuinness, Raisy Stammherr, and Bill Taggart. Absent: None Others Present: Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; and 14 members of the public. CORRESPONDENCE
MINUTES Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that the minutes of August 24, 2004 be approved and filed as amended to include that Mr. Gallant as the Communications Coordinator, must clear all correspondence with either the Superintendent or the Business Administrator prior to it being distributed. Vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. BILL LIST Motion by Taggart, second by Stammherr, that the bills submitted for the July 27, 2004 meeting be approved for payment. Vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Mr. Taggart asked for a clarification on the funds totaling approximately $16,000 that is being sent back to the State of New Jersey. Mrs. Barna answered that these are funds that are designated for the Phillipsburg Christian Academy that is given to the public school to administer and provide services with. If no services are needed or the funds are not spent by the designated school, the funds must be sent back to the State. Only $505 of these funds were designated for the public school and are being sent back according to the guidelines of the IDEA and NCLB grants for budgeting salaries in a federally funded grant. SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORTS Motion by Taggart, second by McGuinness, that the Secretary/Treasurer Reports submitted for the month ending July 31, 2004, which agree with each other and the bank be approved and filed. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT CERTIFICATION Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, as follows: Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)3, the Board Secretary certifies that no line account has encumbrances and expenditures, which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a) and; Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)4, we certify that as of July 31, 2004, after review of the monthly report (appropriation section) and upon consultation with the appropriate officials, to the best of our knowledge no major line account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the entire fiscal year. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept with regrets the resignation of Donna Drake from her position as a Board of Education member effective immediately. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Mr. Gallant stated that he will really miss Donna as a board member. She was never afraid to jump-in and express her opinion. President Kish stated she was a very good and responsible board member with a lot of insight. Mr. McGuinness stated that Donna was a valuable member and will be missed. Mrs. Stammherr stated the Mrs. Drake has also served as the PTA President for four years and has done a fine job in the community. Note: When a Board of Education member resigns, the remaining members must appoint someone to the position within 65 days. A public notice will be published in the local newspaper.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the resignation of Stephen Fleming from the position of custodian effective October 1, 2004. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at the Sandhill Campus of Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission for the 2004-2005 school year and the approve a tuition contract with Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission for such placement in the amount of $32,500. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Note: The Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission is a special school for students that cannot be educated through the programs offered at Lopatcong.
Motion by McGann, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at the Stepping Stone School for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve a tuition contract for such placement in the amount of $32,916.66. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Note: The Stepping Stone School is a New Jersey Private School for the Handicapped and students are placed there through an Individual Education Plan. This student cannot be educated through the programs offered at Lopatcong.
Motion by Glennon, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student in the Multiple Disabilities Program at Warren Hills Regional School District for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve a tuition contract with Warren Hills Regional School District for such placement in the amount of $16,000. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Note: Warren Hills Regional School District offers a program that is best suited for a student who cannot be educated through the programs offered at Lopatcong.
Motion by Stammherr, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Susanne Chew as a Reading Recovery Teacher and Basic Skills Teacher for the 2004-2005 school year beginning September 15, 2004 and to be paid at Locator MM/BA as per the negotiated agreement. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Note: A Reading Recovery and Basic Skills Teacher was included in the original budget presented to the voters and approved by the Board. This position is being hired late due to the late notification of funds to be received through the No Child Left Behind Grant.
Motion by Kennedy, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with Warren County Special Services School District for School Psychologist Services for two days per week for the 2004-2005 school year at a rate of $385.00 per day. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Note: The resignation of the school psychologist was approved at the last Board meeting. The district has not been able to secure a school psychologist as an employee. Therefore, the services must be provided through a contracted service.
Motion by Gallant, second by Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a field trip for Grade 2 to the State Theatre to see the “Junie B. Jones” program on May 11, 2005. Vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with the Phillipsburg Christian Academy to provide technology services for the 2004-2005 school year in an amount not to exceed $2,240 as provided by the State of New Jersey. Vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Note: The public school district receives funds that are designated for the Phillipsburg Christian Academy and must provided such services to the public school. Each year the public school receives funds to provide technology services to the Phillipsburg Christian Academy.
Motion by Taggart, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the Update to the State Memorandum of Agreement between the Lopatcong Township Board of Education and the Lopatcong Township Police Department after an annual meeting held on September 10, 2004. Vote: 7 - Yes. Gallant - No. Motion carried. A short discussion took place regarding the necessity and content of this memorandum.
Motion by Taggart, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve substitute teachers for the 2004-2005 school year as presented and attached to these minutes. Roll call vote: 7 - Yes. McGann - Abstain. Motion carried.
Motion by McGann, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Geraldine Witzke as a part-time Speech and Language Therapist for the 2004-2005 school year effective on or before November 15, 2004 and to be paid at Locator GG/MA at 60% as per the negotiated agreement. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Purdy stated that things are set up for the Parent – Administrator Forum for tomorrow evening. All parents have been notified via flyer. We hope that this will open up communications. Perhaps the public will be more informed. The Warren County Freeholders may vote to impose tuition charges on sending districts to a cost of $1,600 per student. This would add an additional $46,000 to the Lopatcong Township local school budget. This is not good news especially in light on law S-1701 which limits the expenditure side of the budget to a 2.5% growth rate. Eventually these additional expenses are going to have an effect on the education of our students. REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM PHILLIPSBURG The opening of the 2004-2005 school year went smoothly and very positive. All the new teachers were welcomed at the last Phillipsburg Board Meeting. There seems to be a lot of new dynamic teachers. The President of the Education Association indicated that it seems like the Abbott funding is finally paying off. Enrollment of the Phillipsburg School District is as follows: 340 – Early Childhood Center 239 – Andover Morris School 202 – Barber School 170 – Freeman School 300 – Green Street School 646 – Middle School 1,763 – High School 3,660 – Total Phillipsburg will be celebrating “100 Years of Football”. Athletes from the past will be present at each game throughout the season. Liner Boulevard is closed off due to the installation of the new trailers. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Mr. Taggart stated that Assemblyman Bill Baroni has filed a bill to vacate S-1701. Mr. Baroni has stated that it is school funding and not school spending that is a problem. A ruling has been made that it is acceptable to have a non-certified person perform some nursing duties in the absence of a certified nurse. OTHER ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE Mr. Kennedy suggested that a letter be composed and sent to the Warren County Technical School and the Warren County Freeholders indicating that tuition charges would have a devastating impact on the elementary school programs especially in light of S-1701. Mr. Purdy indicated that our Kindergarten students wear tags that have their name, address and bus stop location on it to that the driver knows where the child should be getting off the bus. This is a safety measure so that an incident such as what took place on the first day of school at Phillipsburg with a Kindergarten student getting off at the wrong stop can be avoided. Mr. Kish suggested that perhaps homework assignments be posted on the school web-site. Mr. Glennon indicated that the playground at the elementary school has a lot of weeds that are overgrowing. Mrs. Barna indicated that an additional 12 yards of mulch is needed to finish filling in the playground area. Mr. Gallant indicated that the perhaps we could get volunteers to spread the mulch. Mr. Glennon inquired about a survey that was distributed to parents asking for suggestions on how areas can be improved. Mr. Glennon was unsure of what the purpose of the survey was and what exactly it was asking for. Mr. Purdy clarified that the survey was geared towards School Level Planning and Professional Development for the staff. The district is required to survey the staff and the community. PUBLIC COMMENT Lee Rozycki announced that there is a petition that the board and the audience can add their name to Repeal S-1701. This petition urges the legislature to repeal S-1701. The petition is online at www.PetitionOnline.com. Lee Rozycki is in support of Mr. Kish’s suggestion of posting the homework on-line. This may bridge the gap between what the kids know and what they should know. Mr. Kish referred this topic for discussion by the ad-hoc committee to see if it can be implemented. Lee Rozycki also stated that perhaps the board can utilize the parents to help gather information and present the information to the Board. This would reduce the burden on the administration to do a lot of research. Mr. Kish stated that the board has always welcomed and accepted parent input on any topic. Judy Liptak applauds the idea of getting volunteers to help at the school. Mrs. Liptak also stated that our children have to learn some responsibility in writing their homework down when it is provided by the teacher. There is a website that can be utilized to post homework. That website is www.OurClassPage.com. Mrs. Liptak agreed that the survey was not clear. Mrs. Liptak inquired about the school’s Safety Committee. Is there a committee of parents, staff, etc. Yes, the district does have a Safety Committee. This committee meets four times per year. Mrs. Liptak also inquired about the custodial staff and if the district was short staffed. Yes, the district is short staffed as far as custodial/maintenance personnel. One custodian recently resigned and one position was cut from the budget in April. There are eight custodial staff members for the two buildings and two shifts. The middle school is twice the size of the elementary school with only an additional ½ shift to complete the daily cleaning. The size of the grounds at each building also puts a strain on the staff. Steve Bartulovich inquired about a application for use of the facilities that was submitted to the board for consideration. The request came from the Westbridge Community Church as a request to rent the facility. Mr. Purdy stated that this request must be reviewed by the Policy Committee to determine a fee schedule for outside groups to use the facilities. Currently there is no fee structure or guidelines. Mr. Bartulovich also stated that renting the facilities would be a good source of revenues for the school district. 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, 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 8:57pm 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: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 9:42pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve a contract between the Board of Education and Albert V. Purdy as Superintendent and Building Principal for the 2004-2005 school year as per the terms and conditions as listed in the contract dated September 14, 2004 and attached to these minutes. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoint Jesse Rozycki as a Board of Education Member to fill the vacancy until the April 2005 election effective immediately. Roll call vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. Hearing no further business, the board adjourned at 9:50pm on a motion by Gallant, second by Taggart. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Teresa E. Barna, RSBO Business Administrator/ Board Secretary
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