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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, October 12, 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-46-05 Substitute Approval R-47-05 Short-Term Substitute for Maternity Leave R-48-05 Contract for Physical Therapy Services R-49-05 Hire Speech Pathologist R-50-05 Contract for Child Study Team Services R-51-05 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan R-52-05 Goals and Objectives R-53-05 Quality Assurance Annual Report R-54-05 Violence and Vandalism Report R-55-05 Tuition Contract with Warren County Special Services School District R-56-05 Approve Construction Change Orders R-57-05 Ski Club R-58-05 Request for Use of Facilities R-59-05 Agreement for a Commercial Appraisal R-60-05 Approve Mentoring Statement of Assurances R-61-05 Field Trip Approval R-62-05 Approve Student Teacher R-63-05 Hire Substitute Custodians R-64-05 Hire Custodian R-65-05 Contract for Speech Language Services
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, Jesse Rozycki, and Bill Taggart. Absent: Raisy Stammherr Others Present: Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; Matthew Eagleburger; Assistant Principal; and 12 members of the public. CORRESPONDENCE None MINUTES Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that the minutes of September 14, 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 Gallant, that the bills submitted for the October 12, 2004 meeting be approved for payment. Vote: 8 - Yes. Motion carried. SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORTS Motion by Taggart, second by McGuinness, that the Secretary/Treasurer Reports submitted for the month ending August 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 August 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, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Tomas Gonzales, Gale Hicks, and Renee Jimenez as substitute teachers for the 2004-2005 school year and to be paid at the appropriate substitute rate. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Deborah Highet as a short-term substitute teacher for a maternity leave effective October 16, 2004 through December 23, 2004 and to be paid at Locator OO/BA of the locator salary guide. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Taggart, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with Deborah J. Markle, LPT for physical therapy services for the 2004-2005 school year as per the terms and conditions in the contract and effective September 1, 2004. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The district must provide physical therapy services to students as required by their individual education plan.
Motion by McGann, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Margaret Mullin Normile as a speech pathologist effective September 21, 2004 and to be paid at a rate of $75 per hour. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Glennon, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission for Child Study Team Services as needed for the 2004-2005 school year effective October 5, 2004. Rates for services are as per the attached rate schedule. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The district’s School Psychologist has recently resigned and a qualified candidate has not been found. Therefore, the district is contracting these services as well as Speech Language Services to Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission to meet it’s requirements.
Motion by Rozycki, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the three year Comprehensive Maintenance Plan as presented and attached to these minutes. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The district is required to approve a three year Comprehensive Maintenance Plan annually. The contents of this report show three years of costs for maintaining the building systems of district owned facilities.
Motion by Kennedy, second by Rozycki, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the School Level Goals and Objectives for the 2004-2005 school year as contained in the Quality Assurance Annual Report. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Mr. Gallant and Mr. Glennon posed questions regarding the goals and objectives. Mr. Purdy read the goals to the Board for each building and indicated that the district is concentrating on reading and math for 2004-2005. The administration believes that the goals that were set are reasonable and attainable. Note: The Administration must prepare and submit annual goals and objectives to the County Office. These goals and objectives are reviewed annually to determine attainment.
Motion by Gallant, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the Quality Assurance Annual Report (QAAR), including the School Level Goals and Objectives for the 2004-2005 school year and the three-year Comprehensive Maintenance Plan for submission to the Warren County Office of Education. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: This is and extensive and comprehensive Report that is prepared by the Superintendent and must be filed annually. This report contains information that spans all facets of school operations.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the 2003-2004 Violence and Vandalism Report as submitted to the State of New Jersey and attached to these minutes. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Public Hearing on Violence & Vandalism Report Mr. Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent, conducted a public hearing on the acts of violence and vandalism that took place during the 2003-2004 school year. There were eight reportable incidents of violence.
All incidents were followed by an in-school suspension. The above incidents took place in the following locations: Corridor, Classroom, Cafeteria and Outside the building but on school property. The district has the following In-District Supports as Preventative Measures:
Local Agencies
County Agencies
Student Awareness and Education
Parent & Community Awareness
Mrs. Kowalchuk expanded on the University of Michigan study that our students participated in. This was a two year research project that involved surveying and interviewing eighth grade students on their school attendance, how they feel about school, if they ever feel unsafe or been threatened with a weapon, their drug and alcohol use or pressure to use. The Lopatcong students scored above or at the national average on all questions. October 18th through the 22nd will be Violence Awareness Week. No dialogue transpired and no comments were made regarding the Superintendent’s presentation on violence and vandalism. This concludes the public hearing on Violence & Vandalism.
Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of Lopatcong student in the Autism Class and two Lopatcong students in the Multiple Disabilities Class of Warren County Special Services School District for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve a tuition contract with Warren County Special Services School District for such placements as follows:
Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: Warren County Special Services offers classes for students with special needs that cannot be educated within the district.
Motion by McGann, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following change orders to contract #4 HVAC for Worth and Company, Inc.:
Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Glennon, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the establishment of the Ski Club for the 2004-2005 school year with all costs to be paid by the participants. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Rozycki, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following requests for use of the facilities:
Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Kennedy, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve an agreement with The Otteau Appraisal Group, Inc. for a complete appraisal and report of the Delaware Park School for a total amount of $2,700. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The Board of Education is considering the sale of the Delaware Park School and needs to get an idea of the market value of the building.
Motion by Gallant, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the Statement of Assurances and Intent for the Mentoring Plan for 2004-2005. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Rozycki, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following field trips:
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 Cortney Veres as a student teacher in Grade 3 from January 24, 2005 to May 13, 2005. Vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGann, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Robert Hayes, William Hoffman and Louis Kummer as substitute custodians for the 2004-2005 school year. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. R-64-05 Tabled until after executive session.
Motion by Glennon, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with Alana Fichtelberg for speech language services for the 2004-2005 school year at a rate of $110 per hour. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT The Second Parent/Administrator Community Forum will take place on Wed. October 13, 2004. The group will be selecting a facilitator. Mrs. Kowalchuk will review test results at this meeting. Mr. Kennedy has volunteered to write a letter to the Warren County Vocational Technical School Board and the Warren County Freeholders opposing tuition charges to sending districts. Mr. Kennedy read the letter that he composed and it will be sent out tomorrow from the Board of Education Office. REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM PHILLIPSBURG Mr. Kish spoke briefly about the AVID Program. Students are selected to participate in this program based on their potential to perform academically but are not reaching their potential. The students are then taught study and organization skills. This program is funded by a grant. Twenty to twenty-five students gave testimony at the Phillipsburg Board meeting about the benefits of the program. The students said that before the program they did not want to be in school, didn’t like school and now they are doing well, are organized and the program has outstanding benefits. There is a state log jam with the processing of credentials for new teachers. Regarding the incident on the first day of school when a child was dropped off at the wrong bus-stop, there have been committees developed on how to address this issue and looking for input. Studies have shown that 90 percent of students who participate in an Early Childhood Program show advanced proficiency in Kindergarten. The Governor has announced that the taxpayers and the school districts will have to chip in on School building costs. It seems the well will be drying up within two years. Mr. Kish passed around the Phillipsburg job postings and the personnel changes. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE S1701 is still a major issue for New Jersey School Boards Association. A 30 page report has been released as to the impact of S1701 on school districts. CONSTRUCTION UPDATE A site walk-thru was done to discuss items that are still outstanding on the exterior site. Items such as rocks in the fields, cracked and heaved sidewalks, grading issue, etc. There seemed to be some progress and consensus on most issues. The Board is waiting to hear when the work will start. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Megaro – Why is the Board paying for an appraisal, if they are not sure if they are going to sell the building? The Board does intent to sell the building. Kim Koslowski – Two articles appeared in Friday’s newspaper regarding terrorist having floor plans of two school districts in New Jersey. Has Lopatcong been contacted? Mr. Purdy stated that he has not been contacted. In this day in age of information overload on the internet, schools have to be careful about what they are posting on their web-sites. Mr. Purdy also stated that schools should not be used as polling places for elections. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Taggart, seconded by Gallant, 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 personnel 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 9:15pm 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 9:37pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Robert Marinelli as a custodian for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year effective November 1, 2004. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Mr. Glennon questioned why there seems to be a Child Study Team issue at every meeting? Mr. Purdy and Mrs. Kowalchuk responded that that because we have had two Child Study Team members resign and one retire at the end of lat school year and have not been able to recruit qualified candidates, the Director is doing her best to provide services and piece together a full time schedule using part-time contracted services. Hearing no further business, the Board adjourned at 9:38pm on a motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Teresa E. Barna, RSBO Business Administrator/ Board Secretary
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