JUNE 13, 2012 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, June 13, 2012, at 8:02 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, June 13, 2012, 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, June 8, 2012.” ROLL CALL Board Members Present: Mr. Herbert Burack arrived @ 8:47 PM, left @ 10:29 PM Dr. David Diuguid Mrs. Margot Fisher Dr. Henry Pruitt Mr. Sebastian Rodriguez Mrs. Clara Williams Mrs. Gervonn Rice Dr. Ardie Walser Absent: Mr. Howard Rose Others Present: Ms. Barbara Pinsak, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Robert Finger, Business Administrator/Board Secretary Mr. Vincent McHale, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction JUNE 13, 2012 PRESENTATION – Barbara Pinsak presented Recognition Certificates and Pins to Math Adventures/Wordplay. Mr. Heck presented an award to Daniel Tjie. Olivia Betances made a presentation about the Freshman Orientation Program. Report on Middle States Evaluation by John Dean, Robert Rosales and THS teachers who spoke about the results and the meaning of accreditation and the self assessment process and announced that THS was re-accredited for another seven years. Retirement presentations for Warner King, Rita Constantine and Diane McNeil. PUBLIC HEARING ON MEETING AGENDA The public hearing on matters appearing on this meeting’s business agenda commenced at 9:32 p.m. No one wished to address the Board on any agenda matters and the hearing was then closed. FORMAL BUSINESS AGENDA The Board of Education took the following indicated actions on the business agenda items for this meeting. 2 PERSONNEL JUNE 13, 2012 194. MOTION made by Mrs. Rice seconded by Mrs. Fisher that the Board adopt the following Resolution in recognition of the retirement of Mr. Warner King, effective July 1, 2012: WHEREAS, Mr. Warner King has announced his intention to retire from his position as Assistant Principal of Benjamin Franklin Middle School, having joined the staff of the Teaneck Public Schools in 1998, following a twenty-three year career in teaching and administration within New Jersey Public Schools, and WHEREAS, he has earned a well-deserved reputation as an effective, knowledgeable, life- long learner who recognized challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding, helping to establish school priorities and procedures to move in a positive direction, with his energies consistently directed toward improving the instructional program for each student, and WHEREAS, during his tenure, he emphasized the home/school partnership, strengthening channels of communication with parents regarding expectations and student performance, committing himself to developing a behavior management system that sought to change conduct, address negative patterns, and assist students in making better choices, and WHEREAS, Mr. King viewed each child and situation as unique, requiring creativity and a sensitivity to personal circumstances, sharing his wisdom and insights with his staff to ensure that the middle school experience enhanced the cognitive, social and personal growth of each student, and WHEREAS, his solid understanding of student centered teaching methodologies and practices and knowledge of how children learn and develop, all of which he translated for staff to affect student achievement, has enhanced the repertoire of both provisional and seasoned teachers and administrators alike, and WHEREAS, his great sense of humor and fun, that at various times could have him reference Laurel and Hardy lines (“another fine mess you’ve gotten us into, Ollie”), thrill students at an awards ceremony with his FBI/Men in Black security stunt or generate audience glee by showing off his ability in concert performing on a non-instrument instrument, along with his patience, kindness and empathy will be sorely missed by those he has served as colleague, mentor, role model, and friend, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education express to Warner King its gratitude and appreciation for his dedication and commitment to the students, staff, and community of Teaneck, and be it further RESOLVED, that we extend our warmest wishes to him for a happy and healthy retirement, with leisure time to read and write, watch reruns of classic TV shows, and enjoy the outdoors as he cycles over new paths, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to Mr. Warner King as a citation of honor and distinction. Roll call on Personnel Motion #194; Motion approved 8-0. 3 PERSONNEL JUNE 13, 2012 195. MOTION made by Dr. Walser seconded by Dr. Diuguid that the Board adopt the following Resolution in recognition of the retirement of Ms. Rita Constantine, effective July 1, 2012: WHEREAS, Ms. Rita Constantine has indicated her desire to retire after twenty-nine years of dedicated service in the Teaneck Public Schools, where she has worked as a teacher of English at Benjamin Franklin Junior High, Thomas Jefferson Middle School and, since 1987, at Teaneck High school, and WHEREAS, Ms. Constantine has enthusiastically devoted her career to enhancing the educational experiences of her students, creating a supportive classroom environment where curiosity was rewarded, and her genuine interest in each student as an independent learner and thinker instilled a desire to discover and a willingness to explore, and WHEREAS, she was adept at engaging students as active participants, recognizing the importance of varying activities and strategies to keep her classroom active and interesting, encouraging discussions about epic poetry, literature and imagery, including live theater as an integral part of the learning process to increase critical thinking, analysis and creativity, and WHEREAS, Ms. Constantine has remained a conscientious and committed professional, participating in numerous staff development and in-service programs, serving on a variety of committees, and sponsoring the high school’s Highway Herald; always cognizant of the importance of serving as a role model and mentor for student and novice teachers in an effort to contribute to the education of future generations, and WHEREAS, in her role as Instructional Leader she was instrumental in guiding her department and promoting a culture of professional inquiry, serving as an enthusiastic proponent of high quality, student focused instruction while organizing articulation meetings and classroom visitations to enhance professional growth, and RESOLVED, that the Board of Education express to Rita Constantine its gratitude and appreciation for her years of dedication and commitment to the students and staff of Teaneck, and be it further RESOLVED, that we extend our warmest wishes to her for a happy and healthy retirement enjoying literary discussions at a more leisurely pace, retreating to tropical places with her sisters, and spending time with family, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to Rita Constantine as a citation of honor and distinction. Roll call on Personnel Motion #195; Motion approved 8-0. 4 PERSONNEL JUNE 13, 2012 196. MOTION made by Mrs. Fisher seconded by Dr. Diuguid that the Board adopt the following Resolution in recognition of the retirement of Ms. Diane McNeil, effective July 1, 2012: WHEREAS, Ms. Diane McNeil has indicated her intention to retire after twenty-six years of dedicated service, having begun her career in Teaneck at Bryant School as a second grade teacher in 1987, transferring to Hawthorne School in 1991, and returning “home” to Bryant School where she has remained since 1996, and WHEREAS, during her tenure at Hawthorne and Bryant Schools she has made her classroom a home away from home for her children and their families, where through her enthusiasm and affection she has established an environment where children flourish and parents share in the joy of learning and development, and WHEREAS, she has exemplified the role of early childhood educator, providing a stimulating, nurturing and challenging program for each student, establishing a spirit of shared enthusiasm in a classroom environment that reflected her attitude of positive reinforcement, and WHEREAS, through her “open door” policy, which enhanced the home/school partnership and ensured that the family was an integral part of each child’s educational experience, Ms. McNeil built long-lasting relationships with countless members of the Teaneck community who have returned to her classroom seeking her guidance and words of wisdom, and WHEREAS, she has played an active role in the school community, serving on, and participating in, countless programs and committees such as the Global Multicultural Management Team, EveryDay Math Pilot Program, Family Math Night, African American Cultural Program, and, remaining true to her commitment to family involvement in the educational process, pioneering Bryant’s Grandparents’ Breakfast, for relatives and senior community members, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education express to Diane McNeil its gratitude and appreciation for her years of dedication and commitment to the students and staff of Teaneck, and be it further RESOLVED, that we extend our warmest wishes to her for a happy and healthy retirement, with an opportunity to visit family, travel and simply enjoy her newfound relaxation time, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to Ms. Diane McNeil as a citation of honor and distinction. Roll call on Personnel Motion #196; Motion approved 8-0. 5 BOARD POLICY JUNE 13, 2012 Motion made by Dr.