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Agenda:NOTICE OF MEETING: The Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 7:30pm at the Lopatcong Township Middle School located at 321 Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be held in the Instrumental Music Room. To gain admittance, please use the front entrance on Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be open to the public at 7:30pm. AGENDA
R-104-08 Substitute Approval R-105-08 School Volunteers for 2007-2008 R-106-08 Employee Travel and Expense Reimbursement R-107-08 K-8 Guidance Curriculum R-108-08 Contract with Bergen County Special Services School District R-109-08 Approve Stipends for 2007-2008 R-110-08 E-Rate Consultant R-111-08 Agreement with Mr. Alan November R-112-08 Award Contract for Maintenance Services of HVAC Mechanical Equipment R-113-08 Amendment to Lease Agreement R-114-08 Technology Consulting Services R-115-08 Transfer of Uncommitted Funds R-116-08 Request for Use of Facilities R-117-08 Field Trip Approvals R-118-08 Accept Ad-Hoc Committee Report Dated November 19, 2007 R-119-08 Agreement with Albert V. Purdy
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Minutes:MINUTES OF THE LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION President Gallant called the meeting to order on December 11, 2007 at 7:31pm. 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, Ernie Gallant, Terry Glennon (arrived at 7:46pm), Kurt Kessler, Judy Liptak, Frank Kish (arrived at 7:35pm), Greg McGann and Bill Taggart. Absent: None Others Present: Dr. Michael Rossi, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; Matt Eagleburger, Assistant Principal; and 15 members of the public. MISSION STATEMENT Dr. Rossi read the Mission Statement. CORRESPONDENCE School Alliance Insurance Fund – Mrs. Barna read a letter from the School Alliance Insurance Fund congratulating the board on receiving an award for meeting the requirements of the School Incentive Safety Program. The district received a plaque and cash discount on their 2008 premiums. MINUTES Motion by Mr. Kessler, second by Mr. Edinger, that the minutes of the November 13, 2007 meeting be approved and filed. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote. BILL LIST Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Edinger, that the bills submitted for the December 13, 2007 meeting, for the operating account and food service account, be approved for payment. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote. SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORTS Motion by Mr. Taggart, seconded by Mr. Edinger, that the Secretary/Treasurer’s Reports submitted for the month ending October 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. Taggart, 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 October 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. YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY – Results of a Youth Risk Behavior Survey was presented to the board by Stacey Connor, Guidance Counselor at the Lopatcong Middle School. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous and required parental approval. Students in grades six through eight were surveyed on many social topics such as alcohol consumption, suicide, body image, tobacco and drug use. Results from the survey can be used to better train our staff to be aware of certain situations and how we can better provide for the needs of our students and the community. A full copy of the survey results can be obtained by contacting the middle school principal or guidance counselor. FACILITIES UPDATE (Energy Efficiency) – Mr. Marinelli, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, presented to the board the results of the districts participation in the North American Power Partners program. This program has allowed the district to track the energy consumption of its buildings on an hour by hour basis and has made our facilities more efficient. We are now able to sell back electricity to the power company by putting our systems in a set back schedule during non-operating times. This both generated revenue and reduces the electric bill. The middle school runs most efficiently at this point since the district has full control over all units and systems individually. The goal is to obtain the same control over the elementary school equipment so that both buildings can be running at optimum efficiency. This program also helps with the longevity of the equipments since units will not be running at full capacity during unoccupied hours. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS Mrs. Flanagan – Will the results of the Ad-hoc Committee Meeting be discussed? Yes, It will be discussed during the Items of Emergent Nature section of the meeting. Mrs. Sacelaris – What is the contract with Bergen County Special Services School District? Mrs. Barna replied that this is a contract with home instruction services for a Lopatcong student. Mrs. Sacelaris asked for how many hours? Mrs. Barna replied that it is for 10 hours per week. Mrs. Sacelaris asked for how long the service was for? Mrs. Barna replied that the service was for as long as the student required it. Mrs. Sacelaris asked more direct questions about the students that Mrs. Barna was not at liberty to disclose. Mrs. Rozycki – Why is the service being provided by Bergen County Special Services School District? Mrs. Barna replied that that is where the student is receiving the services due to another placement. REGULAR BUSINESS Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve substitutes for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year as presented and attached to these minutes. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a list of volunteers for the 2007-2008 school year as presented. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Dr. McGann, second by Mr. Kish, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve travel and expense reimbursement for district employees as presented and attached to these minutes. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Liptak, second by Mr. Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, adopt the K-8 Guidance Curriculum as presented and attached to these minutes. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Kish, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with Bergen County Special Services School District to provide home instruction services for a Lopatcong student for the 2007-2008school year at a rate of $52 per hour. Roll call vote: 9 – 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 following stipends for the 2007-2008 school year:
Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, enter into an agreement with On-Tech Consulting, Inc. for the purpose of completing the Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) application for the 2008-2009 school year. On-Tech Consulting, Inc.’s fee will be equal to 20% of any funding received. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. Edinger, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve an agreement with Mr. Alan November to provide professional speaking services during the May 23, 2007 in-service for a fee of $7,300. Fee to be off-set or absorbed by registration fee from outside participants. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Kish, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, award a three-year contract to Envirocon, LLC of Hackettstown, NJ to perform maintenance services on district HVAC mechanical equipment as per the bid specifications in the amount of $19,000 annually as per bids received and opened on November 27, 2007. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve an amendment to the lease agreement with Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC in the amount of $31.18 per month to add a hard drive and print controller to the Konica Minolta copier model bizhub 420 in the Child Study Team Office. Additional Lease cost to be funded through the IDEA Grant. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Dr. McGann, second by Mr. Kessler, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with R Squared Consultants for technology consulting services for the 2007-2008 school year equal to 10 hours per month for 12 months for a total of $9,000. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Liptak, second by Mr. Kish, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve transfers within the 2007-2008 school year budget in the amount of $20,000 as presented and attached to these minutes. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Kessler, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the following requests for use of facilities:
Vote: 9 – 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 following field trips:
Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Dr. Rossi commented on the K-8 Guidance Curriculum. The district is currently in the process of revising the K-8 Science Curriculum. Curriculum mapping has also started. Dr. Rossi commented on the high school from the last Key Leaders Meeting. The topic of discussion at the meeting was restructuring of governance of the Phillipsburg High School Board and garnering funds for the new high school. Dr. Rossi assured Mr. Glennon that placards are being prepared for placement in both buildings that will contain the district mission statement. Dr. Rossi, Rosemary and Matt Shea met recently with a representative from SPSS to enter all student data assessments. This data will help identify students for the before and after school homework program and the tutoring program that will be starting in January. This data will also help the administration determine if these intervention programs are producing academic achievement results. Lopatcong has partnered with Greenwich Township in a three year American History Grant. Fourth Grade staff, fifth grade and eighth grade history teachers will be participating. REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM THE PHILLIPSBURG There is still discussion about the change in the high school grading system from a 4.0 scale to a 6.0 grading scale. Phillipsburg has been submitting grade point averages on a 6.0 scale to colleges. Mr. Kish recently attended a security committee meeting. The Phillipsburg School District is investing in I-com radio units that will give them better communication between the security personnel and between buildings. It was also discussed that perhaps the sending districts could invest in the same radio unit that would give us better communication with the high school in an emergency situation. Mrs. Barna informed the board that Lopatcong already has these radio units and would only have to invest in the repeater that would give us a larger range of communication. Mrs. Liptak reported that the new finding formula is moving forward in the legislature and that state aid figures should be released shortly. In regards to special education due process, the burden of proof is reverting back to the school district. It will also be a requirement for districts to report to the Division of Youth and Family Services when a student has long-term absences. Mr. Drake reported on the results of the Ad-Hoc Committee regarding the consideration of a before and after school program. The committee report was posted on the district web-site. The recommendation of the committee is not to offer a before and after school program. The committee felt that the survey did not show a need and that the proposals that were received did not meet the requirements that the district had set. Dr. Rossi met with several providers during the summer. He spent greater part of the day with each. Dr. Rossi gave the providers over a month to submit their proposals to September 30th. No proposals were submitted on time. An extension was given to October 31, 2007. Savings to the parents was minimal compared to what they are paying for off-campus programs. Proposals indicated that 25 students would be required to run a before care program, where 26 parents expressed interest. Mrs. Flanagan expressed that she is completely dissatisfied with the results of the committee. After further discussion by the board, there was a resolution presented to accept the Ad-Hoc Committee Report. Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. Edinger, that the Ad-Hoc Committee Report dated November 19, 2007 be accepted as presented. Roll call vote: Drake - No; Edinger - Yes; Glennon - Yes; Kessler - Yes; Kish - No; Liptak - No; McGann - Yes; Taggart - No; Gallant - No. Motion does not carry. At this time, President Gallant directed the Ad-Hoc Committee to review this topic again. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Mrs. Liptak, second by Mr. 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 and personnel 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 10:10pm 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: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Edinger, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 11:15pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Kish left at 11:00pm during the executive session. Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Kessler, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education agree to pay Albert V. Purdy a fee of $500 per day for a maximum of four days for his appearance and participation in court in the case. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Hearing no further business, that board adjourned at 11:17pm on a motion by Mrs. Liptak, second by Mr. Edinger. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Teresa E. Barna, RSBO Business Administrator/Board Secretary
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Last Modified: Monday, January 21, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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