Board of Education s22
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Newton, NJ
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Mr. Caffrey, Board President, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Library at Merriam OPENING
Avenue School, 81 Merriam Ave., Newton, NJ, noting in the opening statement that the notice of
this meeting was sent to the New Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, and the Town Clerk of Newton
on October 3, 2011 and appropriately posted. The notice requirements of the Open Public Meetings
Act have been satisfied.
Members Present: Mr. Caffrey, Ms. Cooke, Ms. Dunn, Ms. Egner, Ms. Gianni, ROLL CALL
Mr. Goldschmidt, Mr. Heckman, Ms. Larsen, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. VanAuken
and Dr. Greene.
Members Absent: None
The board recessed for a tour of Merriam Avenue School.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
There were no comments on agenda resolutions. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no committee reports. COMMITTEE RPTS.
Ms. Gianni stated Andover did not have school on Monday and Tuesday because of the snow SENDING DISTRICT
storm. The Community Expo was also cancelled. REPORTS
Ms. Cooke stated Green was closed Monday due to the storm. They are continuing to negotiate
with the teachers.
Dr. Greene thanked Ms. Perez and Ms. Bennett for leading the tour of Merriam Avenue SUPT.’S REPORT/
School. ED. HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Greene stated the Senior Citizen Luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011
at 12:30 PM in the Newton High School cafeteria.
Dr. Greene explained that every district addresses the Gifted and Talented program differently. Part
of the role of the math and literacy coaches is to provide services to the students in the Gifted and
Talented program. Students have been selected into the program. Testing has been performed and evaluated.
Dr. Greene reported on the preschool disability program and the fact that the student numbers
are increasing to the point that we need to open another ½ day session.
Dr. Greene complimented the website committee and explained the process designed to keep
the website current.
Dr. Greene reported the parent portal was opened Friday, but parents were not able to
access from outside the school. That problem was resolved today.
The QSAC submission date is January 9, 2012. The Sussex County School Business Administrator
will do a facility review in December.
The NJ School Boards Association representative, Paul Breda, has resigned. We will let you know
when a new representative is assigned to our county.
Dr. Greene stated the NJEA Conference is November 10 & 11 and buildings will be closed those days.
Dr. Greene thanked board members for their attendance at the convention.
Ms. Snyder stated there is an addendum to this agenda. Program Item H is a motion for SBA/BS REPORT
International Student Assessment. Business Item F needs additional wording as follows: subject
to finalizing insurance and indemnification language set forth in Article VIII. (PISH).Personnel Item
G will be changed to reflect Mr. Heckman’s request to have his name removed from the motion.
Ms. Snyder stated the convention had a diverse selection of topic areas and that feedback
forms from all board members will be collected and shared.
Ms. Snyder said a meeting was held this morning with the architect and building officials
to work on improving egress related to the installation of the chair lift.
Ms. Snyder reported on the solar project, stating our attorneys reviewed both the license agreement
and the PPA. The insurance agent reviewed Section VIII, Indemnification and Insurance. There are
still some concerns about the wording in the insurance sections, so the bond counsel, county counsel,
and insurance broker have agreed to the adoption language being used in the addendum. Although the
parties fully expect to work this out, there is a minor chance we could rescind this approval at the next
meeting. In any event, we have advised the county administrator that we will not be signing the existing
documents, and that we will wait and sign only the finalized documents.
Ms. Snyder reported the wiring at the board office is being upgraded this Thursday and Friday.
Motion made by Ms. Cooke, seconded by Ms. Egner that the 11 member board approve the BOARD BUSINESS
following:
A. Approve the minutes of the following meeting:
Regular Meeting of October 18, 2011
Executive Session of October 18, 2011
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board with the following exception:
Ms. VanAuken abstained on the Executive Session minutes
Ms. Larsen abstained on the Executive Session minutes
Ms. Gianni abstained on the Executive Session minutes
Motion made by Ms. Egner, seconded by Ms. Dunn that the 9 member board approve the PROGRAM
following:
A. Approve the following trips for Merriam Avenue School:
Class/Club Purpose Location
1st Grade Field Trip Sussex County Community College
2nd Grade Field Trip Sussex County Community College
3rd Grade Field Trip Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
4th Grade Field Trip Hardyston YMCA
B. Approve the following trips for Halsted Middle School:
Class/Club Purpose Location
Robotics Team Class Trip Lafayette Middle School
8th Grade Class Trip Tour of Newton High School
Chorale Class Trip Newton Shop Rite
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 9 member board.
Motion made by Ms. Gianni, seconded by Ms. Larsen that the 11 member board approve
the following:
C. Approve Kelly Monk, Centenary College English major, to complete her practicum
assignment at Newton High School, one day a week from January 16, 2012 to May 7, 2012.
D. Approve the following trips for Newton High School:
Class/Club Purpose Location
Choir/Band Class Trip Sparta High School
MD Class Field Trip Rockaway Mall & Friendly’s
MD Class Field Trip Madison Square Garden
MD Class Field Trip Mountain Creek
MD Class Field Trip Yellow Iris Farms
MD Class Field Trip Liberty Science Center
MD Class Field Trip Swartswood State Park
Robotics Team Class Trip Montgomery Twp. High School
D. Approve an overnight class trip for Newton High School World Language students
to Spain/France in July 2012.
E. Approve a pay to play winter track program at Newton High School beginning
November 15, 2011.
G. Approve the following students for homebound instruction in accordance
with N.J.A.C.6:14:
Student ID # S3567 Grade 11 Effective 10/26/2011
Student ID # S2816 Grade 11 Effective 10/31/2011
Student ID # S1513 Grade 11 Effective 11/04/2011
H. Approve the Fall 2012 participation of 50 selected Newton High School students in the
Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the largest international education
study in the world, as sponsored by the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM MOTION I AT END OF AGENDA – POLICY COMMITTEE
Mr. Heckman stated that he and Mr. Morris met with Mr. Weaver and although the winter track
program is being proposed as pay to play, he asked the board to consider funding the program.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.
Motion made by Mrs. Thomas, seconded by Ms. Egner that the 9 member board approve PERSONNEL
the following:
Based upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following
personnel resolutions are presented for approval:
A. Approve a maternity leave extension for Lauren Geaney from January 2, 2012 to
the end of the school year.
B. Approve Susan Warburton-Pitt to continue as a long term substitute science teacher
at Halsted Middle School, Step A-1 ($48,915) $245 per diem, effective January 2, 2012
to the end of the school year.
C. Approve Shannon Gill as the Halsted Middle School field hockey coach, Step 1.
D. Approve Alison Stiehl for a combination of paid and unpaid maternity leave as per all
applicable federal and state laws from approximately January 2, 2012 to May 7, 2012.
E. Approve the involuntary transfer of Jessica Vandermark, custodian at Halsted Middle
School to Newton High School, effective October 31, 2011.
F. Accept the resignation of Sharon Tolvay, part-time teacher assistant at Merriam Avenue
School, effective October 31, 2011.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 9 member board.
Motion made by Ms. Larsen, seconded by Ms. Dunn that the 11 member board approve the
following:
G. Approve the following winter track coaches for Newton High School:
Michael Bussow, Volunteer Coach
Ray Morris, Volunteer Assistant Coach
H. Approve the involuntary transfer of Peter Kazmierski, custodian at Newton High
School to Halsted Middle School, effective October 31, 2011.
I. Approve the following substitutes and homebound instructor for the remainder of the
2011-12 school year:
Christine Lami, substitute teacher
Jean McGowan, substitute teacher
Lori Lee-Snead, substitute teacher assistant
Darlene Milkowski, substitute custodian
Robin Moro, homebound instructor
Marlene Tedeschi, homebound instructor and substitute teacher
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board with the following exception:
Mr. Morris abstained on item G.
Motion made by Ms. Egner, seconded by Ms. Gianni that the 11 member board approve the BUSINESS
following:
A. Approve the following district purchases:
District Description Amount
Sussex Cty. Ed. Svcs. Annual Assessment Charges $ 2,669
Telecom New & Replacement Cameras $ 3,963
CDWG, Inc. Projector, Lamp, Headsets $ 2,676
Donna Snyder Long Term Disab. Per Contract $ 2,050
Newton High School
Music Theatre International Musical Rights $ 3,470
Dillon Floral Corp Floral Supplies for Labs $ 2,185
C&H Distributors Parts Cabinet/Supplies $ 2,602
Global Industrial Equipment Mobile Cabinet $ 2,576
Levys Winter Sports Supplies $ 4,578
GM Fence 6’ High 80’ Fence $ 4,650
Staff Development Wkshps. Math Workshop at NHS $ 4,500
Special Services
Applied Behavioral Consult. ABA Consulting/Therapy $22,000
Susan Bloodgood Occupational Svcs. 11/12 SY $58,305
B. Approve district travel expenses as per Attachment A.
C. Accept an anonymous donation for $500 to the Wrestling Club, monies to be deposited
in the Student Activities Account.
D. Approve a Nonpublic Services Agreement for contracted Services (IDEIA) with Sussex
County Educational Services Commission to provide IDEIA funding for additional speech/
language and/or supplemental instruction, OT/PT, and/or in-class assistance services for
students who are classified and who attend the various nonpublic schools in the Newton district.
E. Approve professional services agreements with the following agencies to provide homebound
instruction for out of district students:
Bergen County Special Services School District $60.00/hr.
Professional Education Services, Inc. $40.00/hr.
Saint Clare’s Hospital $54.00/hr.
Vision Quest-Pathfinder High
F. Authorize the School Business Administrator to sign the Solar Project Local
Unit Facility Acceptance Certificate as per Attachment B, and Power Purchase and
License Agreements as per Resolution Attachment C.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.
There was no old board business discussed.
Mr. Caffrey said he was asked to present the awards at the FFA Awards banquet. He was very NEW BD. BUSINESS
impressed with the meeting and the number of awards the students received at the national
meeting.
Ms. Thomas said the Farmers Market was held at Newton High School; however they have some
issues to resolve.
There were no public comments. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Committee of the Whole
This public committee meeting is designed for the board of education to discuss issues that
may appear on future board agendas. Please consider that an individual employee’s terms and
conditions of employment cannot be discussed prior to that employee being given proper notice.
Facilities
A detailed discussion took place on Facilities Assessment Report. The board reviewed and
prioritized projects for each school.
The Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) was discussed.
Policy
Program (2000 Series) and Policy 0142 were discussed.
PROGRAM
Motion made by Ms. Cooke, seconded by Ms. Egner that the 11 member board approve
the following:
I. Approve Policy Section 2000-Program for re-adoption, and the following new
Policy for 1st reading:
Policy 0142 Board Member Qualifications, Prohibited Acts, and Code of Ethics
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.
Board Goals
The Mission Statement and community engagement were discussed.
Board President, Mr. Caffrey, stated that the meeting would adjourn to executive session at ADJOURN
10:08 PM to discuss negotiations, not to reconvene.
There was no opposition.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Snyder, School Business Administrator/
Board Secretary