1 Completed September 9, 2019 Convened at 5:00 P.M. Call To
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TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday – August 26, 2019 – 5:00 P.M. Completed September 9, 2019 Convened at 5:00 P.M. Call to Order Board President Addie Daniels-Lane called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance President Daniels-Lane led the salute to the flag. Roll Call Present: Gene Bouie Addie Daniels-Lane Emily Hernandez Fiah Kwesseu Yolanda Marrero-Lopez Taraun McKnight Gerald Truehart II Jeannie Weakliem Sadé Williams Superintendent of Schools – Dr. Fredrick H. McDowell Jr. - Absent Business Administrator/Board Secretary – Jayne Howard - Present New Jersey Sunshine Law - Read by Board President Daniels-Lane The New Jersey Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right to the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted on. On the rules of this act, the Trenton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting by publicizing the date, time and place, therefore posted in the Central Services Building, 108 North Clinton Avenue, City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, the Times and the Star Ledger. Anyone whose name is on the mailing list should receive a notice. Formal action will take place at this meeting. Mission Statement - Read by Board President Daniels-Lane All students will graduate with a vision for their future, motivated to learn continually and prepared to succeed in their choice of college or career. 1 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday – August 26, 2019 – 5:00 P.M. Adoption Of Agenda President Daniels-Lane advised of two addendums to tonight’s agenda. Motion was made by Mr. Bouie and seconded by Ms. Kwesseu to adopt the agenda with addendums. Agenda was adopted by all Board Members present. ROLL CALL YES NO ABSTAIN Gene Bouie X Emily Hernandez X Fiah Kwesseu X Yolanda Marrero-Lopez X Taraun McKnight X Gerald Truehart II X Jeannie Weakliem X Sadé Williams X Addie Daniels-Lane X ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION President Daniels-Lane read the Executive Session Resolution: EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION August 26, 2019 WHEREAS, The Open Public Meetings Act, codified as N.J.S.A. § 10:4-6, et seq., permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting under certain circumstances; and, WHEREAS, the Trenton Board of Education is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist, indicated as follows: Any material which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy if disclosed; MATTERS/CAPTION: 1. Memorandum of Understanding 2. TBOE v. J.W. 3. PRCC v. TBOE 4. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with The City of Trenton 5. Trenton School District Board of Education 6. Revised Memorandum of Agreement - Custodians Any pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiations to which the Board is or may become a party, and any matter falling within the Attorney-Client Privilege, to the extent that confidentiality is required to preserve the Attorney-Client relationship and allow the Attorney to exercise his/her ethical duties as a lawyer; 2 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday – August 26, 2019 – 5:00 P.M. Personnel matters related to the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of, promotion, or disciplining of any specific prospective public officer or employee or current public officer or employee employed or appointed by the public body, unless all individuals who could be adversely affected request, in writing, that the matter be discussed at a public meeting; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Trenton Board of Education, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, that an Executive Session will be held on August 26, 2019 for the statutorily permissible purposes indicated in this resolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that action may be taken by the Board when it reconvenes in Open Session. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive Session with regard to the above subject matter shall be disclosed to the public at a later date and to the extent that the same is not prejudicial to the interests of the parties involved, no longer adverse to the public interest, or does not endanger any individual’s right to privacy. Motion was made and properly seconded to adjourn the meeting into Executive Session. All were in favor, 0 opposed 0 abstentions. ADJOURN 5:09 p.m. REOPEN PUBLIC MEETING Open Public Meeting reconvened at 10:29 p.m. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Ms. Naomi Johnson-Lafleur, Trenton Education Association (TEA), expressed concern about the Trenton Global Academy and the interview process for the position of Interim Superintendent. TEA President Ms. Twanda Taylor asked the Board to consider carefully their choice for Interim Superintendent. Ms. Ann Sciarrotta, Vice President of the Trenton Educational Secretaries Association (TESA), discussed difficulties encountered in implementing the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2012-2016 TESA contract. She also expressed concern with Item G on the Human Resources Recommendations, stating that the HR department did not adhere to the recall list and the TESA contract. Lastly, she called the Board’s attention to HR Item K. She said the payout listed for K.W. is incorrect, and she asked that the appropriate department look into this matter. COMMENTS BY BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS Mr. Bouie said the Operations Committee met, and some adjustments were noted on Finance Items I and J based on the final amounts submitted after the last Board Meeting. 3 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday – August 26, 2019 – 5:00 P.M. Items M and N are for maintenance and abatement projects at Dunn Middle School. In reviewing items relative to Transportation, the Committee noted that Trenton has the best efficiency rating in Mercer County. Additional discussion was held regarding evaluative reports for providers of services for which the District pays over a certain amount; i.e. $5,000.00. President Daniels-Lane said the Curriculum Committee met on August 22 to review the wide range of proposals for programs at numerous schools. Many schools are forming and reaffirming relationships with community agencies and organizations. Many of these are donating their services to students. Robbins Elementary School is forming an attendance team, and the Committee wondered if teams are being implemented at other schools. Providers of services to students must supply background checks and insurance riders. The Committee strongly suggested that all programs provide at least a quarterly or semi- annual review of activities and services, and they also inquired if there are any plans to address trauma-informed instructional strategies or social-emotional learning through Districtwide professional development. It was also noted that many schools are getting a head start on extending student learning opportunities through field trips. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Ms. Daniels-Lane discussed various upcoming events to celebrate the opening of Trenton Central High School. All information is on the District’s home page. The Board President expressed pride in the new high school and was glad to see that artifacts from the former building have been incorporated in the design. President Daniels-Lane also congratulated Ms. Christine Clark, who has been elected to serve as one of six members of the Executive Committee of the National Education Association. Ms. Williams recalled Ms. Sciarrotta’s earlier public comments regarding TESA, and she asked if the District is aware of the issues involved. General Counsel Mr. James Rolle advised that this matter cannot be discussed in open public session due to Attorney/Client privilege. BOARD DISCUSSION & ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA Meeting Minutes: June 17, 2019 Regular Meeting and Executive Session June 28, 2019 Regular Meeting and Executive Session July 8, 2019 Regular Meeting and Executive Session July 16, 2019 Special Meeting and Executive Session There were no comments or questions on the Meeting Minutes. Superintendent’s Recommendations: Curriculum, Instruction, Professional Development, Assessment & Accountability/ Special Services Human Resources Finance & Facilities 4 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday – August 26, 2019 – 5:00 P.M. There were no comments or questions on the Superintendent’s Recommendations. Motion was made by Mr. Bouie and seconded by Ms. Kwesseu to approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda was approved unanimously by the full Board. ROLL CALL YES NO ABSTAIN Gene Bouie X Emily Hernandez X Fiah Kwesseu X Yolanda Marrero-Lopez X Taraun McKnight X Gerald Truehart II X Jeannie Weakliem X Sadé Williams X Addie Daniels-Lane X ADDENDUMS: HUMAN RESOURCES a. ABOLISHMENT OF POSITIONS - EFFECTIVE 07/01/2019 – 06/30/2020 TITLE NUMBER OF POSITIONS LOCATION Music Teacher 1 Dunn b. CREATION OF POSITIONS - EFFECTIVE 07/01/2019 – 06/30/2020 TITLE NUMBER OF POSITIONS LOCATION Dance Teacher 1 Dunn c. EMERGENT HIRES LAST FIRST POSITION LOCATION SALARY/STEP EFFECTIVE NOTE NAME NAME Funicello Emily Dance Teacher Dunn $57,490-BA, Step 1-TEA 9/1/19-6/30/20 Filling a vacancy/ Newly created position DeLeon Anthony Dance Teacher Hedgpeth/ $57,490-BA, Step 1-TEA 9/1/19-6/30/20 Filling a vacancy Williams Batista Ramon Bilingual Elementary Wilson $57,490-BA, Step 1-TEA 9/1/19-6/30/20 Filling a vacancy Teacher Gr 4 Lynch Philip Music Teacher Robbins $57,490-BA, Step 1-TEA 9/1/19-6/30/20 Filling a vacancy Seabert Andrew Visual & Performing TCHS-Chambers $96,156($84,515-BA+60, 8/27/19-6/30/20 Filling a vacancy Arts Teacher Leader Step 15+12% - TEA + $1,500 Duel Certification) 5 TRENTON BOARD OF EDUCATION 108 North Clinton Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08609 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday – August 26, 2019 – 5:00 P.M.