1 MAY 14, 2014 a Regular Public Meeting of the Board of Education of the Township of Teaneck, County of Bergen, New Jersey
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MAY 14, 2014 A Regular Public Meeting of the Board of Education of the Township of Teaneck, County of Bergen, New Jersey, was held in the 3rd Floor Cheryl Miller-Porter Student Center at Teaneck High School, 100 Elizabeth Avenue, Teaneck, New Jersey, on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 8:00 p.m. Dr. Ardie Walser, President of the Board, presided. PRESIDING OFFICER’S MEETING NOTICE STATEMENT “I hereby call to order the Regular Public Meeting of the Teaneck Board of Education, held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in the 3rd Floor Cheryl Miller-Porter Student Center at Teaneck High School, 100 Elizabeth Avenue, Teaneck, New Jersey. Adequate notice of this meeting has been sent to The Record, The Suburbanite, filed with the Municipal Clerk of the Township of Teaneck and posted inside the Teaneck Board of Education, One Merrison Street, on Friday, May 9, 2014.” ROLL CALL Board Members Present: Dr. David Diuguid Mrs. Sarah Rappoport Mrs. Gervonn Rice Mr. Sebastian Rodriguez Mr. Howard Rose Dr. Ardie Walser Mrs. Clara Williams Ms. Shelley Worrell Absent: Dr. David Gruber Others Present: Ms. Barbara Pinsak, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Robert Finger, Business Administrator/Board Secretary Mr. Vincent McHale, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Curriculum & Instruction 1 Teaneck Public Schools Goals for 2013-2014 GOAL 1: Students attending the Teaneck Public Schools will acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding to be successful in the twenty first century. GOAL 2: Teachers and administrators in the Teaneck Public Schools will acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to support student achievement. GOAL 3: The environment in the Teaneck Public Schools will be safe and respectful, with students and adults appreciative of the unique contributions of members of the community. GOAL 4: The Teaneck Public Schools will communicate effectively with parents and with the community. GOAL 5: The Teaneck Public Schools will provide funding for Goals 1-4 and sustain school facilities while respecting community resources. 2 MAY 14, 2014 May 14th Student Ambassador Report May 7th –May 21st Advanced Placement testing has started for junior and seniors May 10th- Dance Ensemble Directed by Diana Baer. Most dances were choreographed by the dance students. There was a dance group from Hackensack. May 7th –Teaneck Comes Together (TCT) held a Spirit Rally in the Stadium. Honor Roll T-shirts were given to the students based on the level of Honor Roll May 12th –Senior Service started/Students who are attending Bergen Community College started a transition program. Transportation provided by the school district. May 12th –Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Teaneck School District Integration at Teaneck High School May 16th –School Wide Career Day. Over 70 alumni will be presenters. Meet and greet, jazz band for entertainment and networking social at Regina’s from 3-7. May 20th –Honor Roll Celebration –guest speaker Maurice Dubois from CBS news May 21st –Rededication to Teaneck High School alumni who died in WWII May 22nd –Prom at the Westmount Country Club prom tickets are sold from 95-120 June 2nd –Senior Athletic Dinner Glenpointe Marriott June 9th –Honors Convocation Glenpointe Marriott June 24th –Graduation Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent reminded the Board about the WWII rededication at THS on May 20, 2014. 3 MAY 14, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING ON MEETING AGENDA AND OTHER THAN MEETING AGENDA The public hearing commenced at 8:11 p.m. The following members of the public wished to address the Board. Dr. Walser stated he will allow one hour for comments. Maura Tuite, TTEA President – spoke about status of negotiations and currently in Super- Conciliation, not good faith negotiations. Claims that the Board has disrespected the union members. Jean Massaro – spoke about teachers that are non-renewed for next year, revolving door for teachers. Gerald Henry - agrees that Superintendent Salary cap should be eliminated, however, teachers are capped, no raise. Stan Thompson – daughter attends BFMS, she has been suspended until May 21, 2014, feels it was mishandled by the school, wants someone to look into this. Superintendent responded that she will look into the situation tomorrow. Yvonne Comordo – same issues as Mr. Thompson at BFMS, wants action to prevent harassment. No response to HIB complaints, her daughter has been physically assaulted no response from the Principal. Joel Baskin – spoke about desegregation by Board 50 years ago, took a team, the Board, administration and teachers. Disappointed in this Board, not the Board of 50 years ago. Accused Board of bad faith negotiations. Valarie Johnson-Beavers – read the petition sent by TTEA to the Superintendent into the record. Shirelle Hanley – high school seniors are demoralized, arrested for annual prank, charges trumped up, need to hire an attorney. Elana Sepulveda – as a parent very pleased with the high school, only a prank by the students, teachers work hard and need a contract. Ronald Cope – parent of two students. Senior prank not that bad. Need better communication with the Board. Child suffering from potential criminal charges and school suspension and wants the Board to investigate internal procedures. Shamika Cope – son’s case manager not notified as per IEP. Who approved the arrest of her child? Superintendent said the police made the decision to arrest the students. Jennifer Jones – supports Teaneck teachers, asked Superintendent about the meeting with the county prosecutor. Superintendent said we are waiting for the prosecutor to issue his press release. 4 MAY 14, 2014 Michele Bivens - ask the police to please drop the charges against the pranksters. Superintendent said the district has not made any charges. Marta Alez – concerned about outsourcing paras and the affect on children. Doris Rodriguez – principal did not notify her that her child was arrested, required by Memorandum of Agreement. Her child is 18 years old. Susan Lesh – supports Teaneck teachers. Her son part of the prank. Suggested that the Board and police get together and talk. The issue is the reaction of the police not the school district. Albert Diablo – parent of a prankster. Why can’t there be an activity, planned and positive, instead of a prank. Olivia Betances – students did prank due to budget cuts and no class advisors. In the past used to have organized activities and “Spirit Week”. Henry Pruitt – Board manages the schools, town manages the police. Suggests that the Board, town and police should meet, urges everyone to attend the council meeting on May 20, 2014. Christine Robinson – Teaneck High School student, not part of the prank. Pranksters victimized, school did not support the students. Aaron Schlinger – do not cut the paraprofessionals. Rabbi Zierler – Teaneck High School prank has gone around the world. Cannot get a police report. Hopes this is not a conspiracy. Need to speak to the police department. These children were not criminals. His temple was not invited to the 50th anniversary of desegregation of the Teaneck Schools. The evening was diminished and the Board dropped the ball on this by not inviting him. Kristen Valentine – Eighth grader at TJMS, teachers work hard and deserve a contract. Her mom is a Teaneck teacher and needs a raise. Assunta Trishka – wants to know when the Superintendent will respond to the petition that was sent to her. Superintendent said she is working on a response. Patrick Pitolo – substitute teacher in the district, wants the Board members to take a day off and support the high school students caught in the prank and visit the schools. Marlene Sharp - cannot just blame the police, also blames the district, lack of leadership by the Board, Principal and Superintendent. Denise Sanders – wants the Board to support and advocate for the high school pranksters. Would like to see teachers support the students, past 3pm. 5 MAY 14, 2014 Patricia Butler – supports the high school pranksters, they have been criminalized, demand transparency, administrators paid too much, teachers deserve more. Desegregation celebration was a sham. Patricia Gerio – her son’s teacher is being fired, please do not fire him. Recess: 9:58 p.m. Reconvene: 10:15 p.m. Resolution to enter into Executive Session Motion made by Dr. Diuguid seconded by Mr. Rose; BE IT RESOLVED by the Teaneck Board of Education that: 1. It does hereby determine that it is necessary to meet in Executive Session on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, to discuss matters of personnel, involving specific individuals, negotiations, anticipated litigation and/or alleged incidents of Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying. 2. These matters will be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. 3. The time that the Board anticipates to be in Executive Session is 20 minutes. Roll call approved 8-0 Time In: 10:17 PM Time Out: 11:53 PM School Operations & Curriculum #106 On a motion made by Dr. Diuguid seconded by Mr. Rose, the Board, by roll call vote of the members present, approved the following resolution: The Board acknowledges the receipt of the findings and determinations of the Superintendent of Schools regarding Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) incidents reported to the Board in Executive Session during the May 14, 2014 Board meeting. Roll call on School Operations & Curriculum Motion #106. Motion approved 8-0. 6 BOARD OPERATIONS MAY 14, 2014 Motion made by Dr. Diuguid seconded by Mr. Rose; 39. the Board approved the following Minutes for the April 2, 2014 Workshop Meeting and April 9, 2014 Regular