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Agenda:

 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 your understanding.

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Vice-President Taggart called the meeting to order on May 8, 2007 at 7:37pm. 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 in the Express-Times.  A copy of the agenda has been filed with the Township Clerk and posted at both school locations.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

ROLL CALL

Present:  Dennis Drake, Robert Edinger, Terry Glennon, Kurt Kessler, Frank Kish (arrived at 9:05 pm), Judy Liptak and Bill Taggart.

Absent:  Ernie Gallant and Greg McGann

Others Present:  Dr. Michael Rossi, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; Matthew Eagleburger, Asst. Principal; JoAnn Murray, CST Director and 15 members of the public and staff.

Dr. Rossi read the District Mission Statement

MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Drake, that the minutes of the April 24, 2007 meeting be approved and filed. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

BILL LIST

Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. Edinger, that the bills submitted for the May 8, 2007 meeting, to include operating account and food service account, be approved for payment. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORTS

Motion by Mr. Drake, seconded by Mr. Edinger, that the Secretary/Treasurer’s Reports submitted for the month ending March 31, 2007, which agree with each other and the bank, be approved and filed. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

FINANCIAL REPORTS CERTIFICATION

Motion by Mr. Drake, seconded by Mr. Edinger, 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 March 31, 2007, 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. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Mrs. Liptak, second by Mr. Edinger, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the hiring of substitute teachers for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year as presented and attached to these minutes.

Roll call vote: 6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Edinger, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, accept the resignation of Christina Ivanoff from her position of classroom aide, effective April 25, 2007.

Roll call vote:  6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Kessler, second by Mr. Edinger, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, accept the resignation of Barbara Franklin from her position of classroom aide effective June 30, 2007.

Roll call vote: 6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the 2007-2010 Technology Plan as presented and submitted to the Warren County Office of Education.

Vote:  6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

TABLED

Motion by , second by , that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the 2007-2008 School Calendar as discussed and attached to these minutes.

Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. Edinger, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a field trip as follows:

Vote:  6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Mrs. Liptak, second by Mr. Kessler, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, set the graduation date for June 20, 2007.

Vote:  6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by , second by , that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the summer programs as follows:

Basic Skills Program – July 9th-August 2nd – M, T, W, Th – 8:30am-11:30pm – Special Education

Extended Year Program – July 9th-August 3rd – M-F – 8:30am-1:30pm – LLD and MD

Preschool – July 9th-August 3rd – M-F – 8:30-11:30am

Vote:  6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Kessler, second by Mr. Edinger, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the hiring of Michael Graziosi as a substitute custodian.

Roll call vote:  6 – Yes.  Motion carried.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Dr. Rossi reported that the April in-service with Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson was a huge success. There was overwhelming positive comments from the day.  Dr. Rossi thanked the administrative staff, secretaries and custodians for making it happen.  He thanked Flynn’s catering for the wonderful lunch and the teachers for participating.

The Superintendent's goals were submitted to the Board.

The guided reading and differentiated program will be fully implemented for September 2007.

The three-ear Technology Plan was approved. We will be formally assessing the knowledge levels in technology.

The Teachers of the Year for 2007 are Mrs. Steele at the elementary school and Mrs. Duffy at the middle school.  The Recognition Ceremony will be at Centenary College.  The district’s jazz band has been asked to perform at this ceremony.

Dr. Rossi formally introduced the new Technology Director – Mr. Matt Shea.  Mr. Shea said a few words about himself and thanked the board for the opportunity.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the school calendar for 2007-2008.  Easter is early in 2008 on March 23rd. A discussion took place about when spring break would take place.  The discussion continued as the board considered the public hearing on the budget, spring break and testing schedules for the 2007-2008 school year.  Dr. Rossi had received input from the staff as well.  Vice-President Taggart referred this topic to committee.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Lucille Davy, Commissioner of Education spoke recently about her proposal to the state budget committee. Her recommendation was increased state aid to schools of three percent and increased Early Childhood Aide.

ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE

Mr. Glennon inquired as to whether the Mission Statement was disseminated?  And were there any comments?  Dr. Rossi responded that the Mission Statement was distributed and there was one comment back that it was written well.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tara Hoey, Haze Way – Wrote a letter and wanted an update on the latchkey program.  Mr. Drake answered that the committee met this evening and several topics were discussed and considered. Such things as board policy, space, advantages, disadvantages, admin supervision. The committee is looking at different options.

What is your timeframe for making a decision?  Mr. Drake responded that it varies between the different members of the committee.

Mrs. Flanagan stated that she was expecting more than what the board is providing tonight.  She indicated that the time frame is unacceptable.  Dr. Rossi indicated that the Board will address this on their own timeframe.

Mr. Drake stated that the committee was presented with information supporting both sides of the issue.  The topic is at the committee level.  The committee makes a recommendation to the full board.

Lori Piel, Strykers Road – Stated that the schools job is to educate, not babysit.  There was a program in the school in the past and there was not enough participation.

Mr. Kessler stated that the board has a tough decision to make on this issue.  Everyone will not be happy.  There are definitely different sides to the issue.  There seems to be a faction of the community that is for the program and a faction that is against it.

Mrs. Rozycki – Shouldn’t the board be receiving information to meet parameters set by the committee?  Mr. Drake responded that is assuming that the committee is in favor of the program.

Karen Kozar commented that the survey that was distributed to the parents did have a place to indicate opposition to the program.

Mr. Drake made a final statement that the committee is in the fact-finding stage and is looking at several issues in relation to the program such as cost, authority, local businesses, space, policy, facility maintenance, etc.

Karen Kozar stated that she is disappointed that this much time has been spent on something that is not educationally beneficial.

Russa Nolstadt – Regarding the SOS meetings, When are they and can the public attend?  Dr. Rossi believes that the meetings are open to the public.  The SOS Committee is currently planning a trip to Trenton in June. The next SOS meeting is May 21st at 7:00pm.

Susan Flanagan – Requested an update from the ad-hoc committee discussing the high school status.  The committee did meet and they directed Dr. Rossi to come up with a plan in case of the high school not getting built.

Signed letters have been sent to the legislators.  Phillipsburg has been designated as the most unique of the Abbott Districts in security because of the number of classroom trailers on the property and the loudest group.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Glennon,

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 an unwarranted invasion of privacy; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session at 8:53pm to discuss the above mentioned matters 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:  6 - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Drake, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 10:08pm.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mr. Kish arrived at 9:05pm in executive session.

Hearing no further business, the board adjourned at 10:08pm on a motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Drake.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa E. Barna, RSBO

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

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Last Modified:  Monday, July 23, 2007

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