Westwood Regional Board of Education s1

WESTWOOD REGIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, NEW JERSEY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Present: President Mountain, Vice President Liddy, Trustees Blundo, Hanlon, Koch, Mandeville, Schaadt, Swietkowski, Superintendent Geoffrey W. Zoeller, and Board Secretary Keith A. Rosado. Also present student representatives Janelle Commerford and Nicole Gioe

Absent: Trustee Gregory.

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 P.M. in the Hurley Theatre, Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School, by President Mountain who led the salute to the flag and read the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law statement.

Superintendent’s Report Dr. Zoeller:  None

President’s Report Mrs. Mountain:  None

Business Administrator’s Report Mr. Rosado:  None

Student Representative’s Report Janelle Commerford reported:  Teachers have been utilizing the abundance of technology available to them in order to enrich their students’ educations.  The High School participated in the first ever national Digital Learning Day sponsored by the Alliance for Excellent Education. The day highlighted how teachers teach and students learn using technology. Twenty-four staff members’ use of technology was posted under “Awesome Ideas” and “Digital Day” activities. Throughout the day students gave teachers and their peers a badge for using technology efficiently and learning from it.  The World Language classes started the third marking period by having semester reviews on the Rosetta Stone language learning program. The students used the program to review previous tests, quizzes, and assignments. Students also have been using the Audacity program to record and playback speaking activities.  The girls winter track team raised the bar at the Armory Varsity Classic, an intrastate competition. The girls placed in the top ten in the 3200m relay and the 800m race. At the State Sectional Meet, the boys finished 7th overall and qualified six athletes for the State Championship Meet. The girls finished 2nd overall and qualified eight athletes to move on, setting a new sectional record in the 4x400 relay.

Nicole Gioe reported:  Practice, practice, and more practice has been the philosophy of the Music Department in the past weeks in order to prepare for their winter show.  Last night Westwood’s talented student musicians came together to perform in the first ever Pops Concert. High School and 8th grade Concert Band and Choir, along with the High School Band and Choir Ensembles, played a variety of pieces from Broadway plays to pop culture icons including Wicked, The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods, Adele, and Jason Mraz.  The Academic Decathlon team participated in the regional competition on February 4th at Ramapo College. Their hard work and dedication paid off bringing home 26 individual awards and two team awards. They finished second overall in the SuperQuiz and fourth overall in the region. The Westwood squad will compete against 15 other schools in the state tournament in March. This is the first time Westwood has qualified in school history.

OLD BUSINESS

 None

PUBLIC FORUM: Started: 7:39 P.M. Ended: 8:39 P.M.

The following members of the public spoke regarding a coach:  Anthony Conti, Ridgewood Boulevard North, Twp. of Washington  Jeremy Taylor, Euclid Avenue, Westwood  Matt Borgersen, Lexington Avenue, Westwood  Joseph Marino, East Glen Avenue, Twp. of Washington  Tommy Vorvolakos, Benson Avenue, Westwood  Mary Ellen Lavin, Sixth Avenue, Westwood  Jesse Berger, Koch Peak, Twp. of Washington  Richard Marinello, Morgan Court, Twp. of Washington  James Mahalish, Lincoln Avenue, Twp. of Washington  Joseph Yurko, Canterbury Circle, Washingtonville, NY  Donna Mahalish, Lincoln Avenue, Twp. of Washington  Evan Hull, Passmore Street, Westwood  George May, Lexington Avenue, Westwood Regular Meeting Minutes, February 16, 2012 - 2-

 Alison May, Lexington Avenue, Westwood  Chris Psihoulis, Elf Hill Court, Twp. of Washington  Carolyn Lomolino, Benson Avenue, Westwood PERSONNEL/NEGOTIATIONS: Mrs. Mountain, Ch.

Mrs. Mountain, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the following motions:

 that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the resignation of Stacey Pezza, Art, Jr./Sr. High School, effective April 7, 2012.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Eileen Fitzgerald, leave replacement teacher, Remedial, Brookside School, for the period of March 19, 2012 through May 31, 2012, per the list dated February 14, 2012.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of instructors and program aide for GED Program for the 2011-12 school year, per the list dated February 14, 2012.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given a medical leave of absence with pay and full medical benefits for Jenny Sparno, School Psychologist/Elementary Guidance Counselor, Middle School, for the period of February 8, 2012 through February 17, 2012 which will include the Family Medical Leave Act.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given a medical leave of absence with pay and full medical benefits for Stacey Becan, K-5 Art Teacher, for the period of February 6, 2012 through February 24, 2012, which will include the Family Medical Leave Act.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given a medical leave of absence with pay and full medical benefits for Arline Rosenberg, Grade 2, Washington School, for the period of January 4, 2012 through January 25, 2012, which will include the Family Medical Leave Act.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given a medical leave of absence with pay and full medical benefits for Maria Giombarrese, Kindergarten, George School, for the period of January 17, 2012 for an indefinite period of time, which will include the Family Medical Leave Act.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given for Susan Gallo to return to work from a leave of absence as a substitute aide beginning February 17, 2012, for an indefinite period of time.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Michael D’Amico, Volunteer Boys LaCrosse Coach, 2011-12 Spring sports, per the list dated February 14, 2012.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of substitute teachers and substitute aides for the 2011-2012 school year, per the list dated February 14, 2012.

BOARD POLLED AND MOTIONS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 8-0

Mrs. Schaadt, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that approval be given the following resolution:

WHEREAS, after a discussion with the Westwood Regional Board of Education (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) on January 25, 2012, the Superintendent of Schools informed Joseph Yurko (hereinafter referred to as “Yurko”) that he was not reappointed to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season;

WHEREAS, Yurko requested and was provided with a statement of reasons for the nonreappointment decision;

WHEREAS, Yurko requested and was provided an informal appearance before the Board on his nonreappointment to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season; and

WHEREAS, the Board has considered the presentation by Yurko, including the testimony of witnesses, at the informal appearance and the statement of reasons for the nonreappointment of Yurko to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby appoints Yurko to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season.

BOARD POLLED AND MOTION NOT CARRIED: 0-8

Mr. Koch, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that approval be given the following resolution:

WHEREAS, after a discussion with the Westwood Regional Board of Education (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) on January 25, 2012, the Superintendent of Schools informed Joseph Yurko (hereinafter referred to as “Yurko”) that he was not reappointed to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season;

WHEREAS, Yurko requested and was provided with a statement of reasons for the nonreappointment decision;

WHEREAS, Yurko requested and was provided an informal appearance before the Board on his nonreappointment to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season;

WHEREAS, the Board has considered the presentation by Yurko, including the testimony of witnesses, at the informal appearance and the statement of reasons for the nonreappointment of Yurko to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season; and

WHEREAS, the Board rejected a motion to reemploy Yurko to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board affirms the decision of the Superintendent of Schools to nonreappoint Yurko to the position of head baseball coach for the Spring 2012 season for the reasons set forth in the statement of reasons. Regular Meeting Minutes, February 16, 2012 - 3-

BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 8-0

FINANCE: Mrs. Mandeville, Ch.

Mrs. Mandeville, seconded by Mrs. Swietkowski, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motions:

 that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, invoices for materials received and services rendered for the 2011-2012 school year for February 2012 in the amount of $1,525,625.16 be approved for payment in accordance with the lists reviewed by the Board.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to out-of-district school year revised tuition contracts for the 2011-2012 school year, as per the attached list dated February 16, 2012.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to approve the revised Foodservice Biosecurity Management Plan, as per the attached.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the revised 2012-2013 Budget Timetable, as per the attached.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to Special Education vendors, as per the attached list dated February 16, 2012.  that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to staff to attend out-of-district conferences per the attached list dated February 14, 2012.

BOARD POLLED AND MOTIONS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 8-0

LEGISLATION/POLICY: Mrs. Hanlon, Ch.

Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Schaadt, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to approve as a 1st reading the following revised Policy:

Number Title 5860. Safety Patrol

Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Schaadt, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to approve as a 2nd reading the following revised Regulation:

Number Title 7510. Use of School Facilities

Comments:  Mrs. Mandeville asked what will be done with the fees collected. Dr. Zoeller stated the funds received for use of the turf field will be earmarked to offset the refurbishment of the field 10 years from now. Mr. Rosado stated the fees for lights will be used to offset the regular operating expenses for the lights.  Mrs. Mandeville asked whether there were occasions when the fees would be waived. Mr. Rosado stated the regulation does allow the Board to waive fees, but this would have to be approved at a Board meeting.  Mr. Blundo asked about the establishment of a separate revenue fund for fees in the resolution. Dr. Zoeller explained that the revenue fund would not be governed in the Property section of Regulations but rather in the Finance section. The auditor would best guide us how to accrue the revenue collected for the use of the facilities.  Mr. Blundo asked to add on the Use of Facilities application that organizations had the ability to appeal the charges to the Board. Mr. Rosado stated the new Use of Facility application will reference the revised regulation.

Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Schaadt, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board review and adopt the 2011-2012 Revised Annual Notice of Meetings, per the list dated February 16, 2012.

Comments:  Dr. Zoeller clarified that the Board is cancelling the March 1st meeting and moving the date one week earlier to February 23rd. The Budget Work Session was moved up to tonight’s meeting, the preliminary budget will be approved at the February 23rd meeting and then submitted to the County for approval, and the Annual Budget Hearing will still be presented at the March 22nd meeting.

Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Schaadt, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following resolution:

WHEREAS Public Law 2011, c. 202, Laws of 2012 provides that a local school district may adopt a resolution to eliminate the vote on its annual school budget that is within the statutory cap imposed by the State of New Jersey, and

WHEREAS the above legislation provides that the above action would require districts to hold their annual election for school board members in November during the regular general election, and Regular Meeting Minutes, February 16, 2012 - 4-

WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional Board of Education has determined that the statutory restrictions on the local levy tax increase for annual school appropriations is appropriate and sufficient to control and maintain a thorough and efficient education for the children of the Borough of Westwood and Township of Washington, and

WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional Board of Education, consistent with the budgetary restrictions expressed above, believes that dispensing with annual school budget votes will save taxpayer dollars, and

WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional Board of Education believes that school board member elections in November will attract a far greater number of voters than typically vote in April elections, and

WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional Board of Education believes that the elimination of the vote on the school budget and the movement of the board member election to November is in the best interest of the Borough of Westwood and Township of Washington communities, and

WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional Board of Education understands that this decision shall remain in effect for a minimum of four years,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education does hereby determine that it will eliminate the vote on its annual school budget which shall be within the statutory cap and become effective for the 2012-13 budget, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education does hereby determine that the election of school board members will occur at the annual general election in November 2012.

Comments:  Dr. Zoeller again stated he strongly endorses the Board approve this resolution. The response throughout the State has been overwhelmingly in favor of moving the election to November. Every school district in Monmouth County has approved it, all but one school district in Passaic County has approved it, all but one of the Pascack Valley school districts has approved it, and over two thirds of Bergen County school districts have approved it. The State Attorney General has given us guarantees that the Board portion of the ballot will be moved to a separate section from the partisan portion of the ballot.  Mr. Blundo stated he would like to hold off on this decision for one year. He is hesitant to remove from the public the ability to have a say on the school budget. He is in favor to move the vote to November to increase participation of the public but would like to wait a year to see how it works for other districts. Mr. Blundo further stated the 2% cap is misleading and translates to a larger tax increase to Westwood residents and a tax reduction to Township residents. Mr. Blundo is not in favor of removing the vote from the public due to the dramatic effect on the tax bills of residents.  Dr. Zoeller stated the balancing of taxation swings back and forth between the two towns cyclically and for the past two years the County has apportioned more of the allotment to the Borough than the Township because the Township has recently gone through a reassessment.  Mr. Blundo stated moving the vote to November for a 4-year period could have a very large tax impact to the public in an unintended consequence and that we are removing the only democratic vote the public has.  Mrs. Mountain stated that if the budget failed in a public vote, the municipalities can decide on the budget.  Dr. Zoeller stated that the public still has a voice through the board members and they can vote no on the resolution to approve the budget.  Mrs. Hanlon stated that if the Board votes against moving the election to November, the municipalities can approve a resolution to move the election to November.

BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED: 6-2 (Nays: Trustees Blundo and Mandeville)

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Mr. Liddy, Ch.

Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to receive and file the Board communications:

1. Letter from MMcL dated January 27, 2012 re: coach 2. E-mail from M&AN dated February 1, 2012 re: coach 3. E-mail from CST dated February 2, 2012 re: coach 4. Letter from TAM dated February 2, 2012 re: coach 5. E-mail from RP dated February 2, 2012 re: coach 6. E-mail from J&DM dated February 2, 2012 re: coach 7. Letter from C&AV dated February 3, 2012 re: coach 8. E-mail from MF dated February 4, 2012 re: coach 9. Letter from L&RZ dated February 5, 2012 re: coach 10. E-mail from BH dated February 7, 2012 re: coach 11. E-mail from MC dated February 7, 2012 re: coach 12. Letter from WCS dated February 7, 2012 re: coach 13. Letter from MEL dated February 8, 2012 re: coach 14. Signed petition from various community members dated February 10, 2012 re: coach 15. Letter from GB dated February 6, 2012 re: coach 16. E-mail from JAM dated February 16, 2012 re: coach

BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 8-0 Regular Meeting Minutes, February 16, 2012 - 5-

BUDGET WORK SESSION:

The Business Administrator and Board members discussed the 2012-2013 preliminary budget. Regular Meeting Minutes, February 16, 2012 - 6-

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Swietkowski, that this meeting be adjourned.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 8-0

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.

The preceding is a concise statement interpreted by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary and may not indicate the precise intent of the Board Members. The minutes of the meeting are taped and are available at the office of the Board Secretary for a period of thirty (30) days.

Respectfully submitted,

KEITH A. ROSADO BOARD SECRETARY