HARDING TOWNSHIP BOARD of EDUCATION, 34 Lee S Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976 s1

HARDING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, 34 Lee’s Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976

The Regular Meeting of the Harding Township Board of Education was held on Monday, October 5, 2015, at 7:30pm, Middle School Building. The meeting was convened by Mr. Gjivoje at 7:30pm

MINUTES

Mission Statement The Harding Township School provides a strong educational foundation which inspires students to achieve academic excellence. Our dedicated faculty stimulates intellectual growth using a challenging curriculum within a supportive learning environment. We encourage students to become self-directed, lifelong learners who are well prepared for the academic and social challenges of the future. 2015-2016 District Goals 1. To gather and analyze data from the school’s performance and use the data to guide the instructional process and practices of the district. A. PARCC B. MAPS C. Data Dashboard

2. To ensure that the district has the technology to meet the needs of the school community A. District’s website B. Secure site for sharing of Board documents such as Google Docs C. Hardware, software, and infrastructure needs D. Professional development support

3. To create/adopt and implement district-wide assessments in Reading, Math Facts, and Writing to measure progress (Math Facts and Writing) and establish a baseline score (Reading) for future assessments. A. To create/adopt and implement a district-wide reading assessment that shall be administered to all K-3 students in the spring. B. Ninety percent (90%) of students in each grade, K-5 shall pass, with 90% accuracy, a timed grade level “Math Facts Assessment.” This “Math Facts Assessment” shall be aligned to the Common Core State Standards and will assess students on the four core mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). C. Ninety percent (90%) of students in grades K-8 shall improve one point (one quintile) on the District Writing Assessment. This assessment shall be administered in the fall and in the spring. Students scoring a 5 in the spring shall be counted as having met the goal. I. Call to Order

II. Presiding Officers Statement/Sunshine Statement

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., adequate notification of this meeting has been provided to the Observer Tribune on January 15, 2015, and posted on the bulletin boards of the New Vernon Post Office, Green Village Post Office, Harding Township Municipal Building, Harding Township Elementary School and Harding Township Middle School.

III. Pledge of Allegiance

of 6 HARDING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, 34 Lee’s Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976

IV. Roll Call

BOARD MEMBER PRESENT ABSENT Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) X Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) X Mr. Singh (Abi) X Mr. Flynn (John) X Dr. Kotkin (Howard) X

Attendance: Mr. Matthew Spelker, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Robert Brown, Interim SBA/Board Secretary

V. Approval of Board Minutes

Mrs. Macaulay motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meetings and Executive Meetings that were held on September 14, 2015 and September 21, 2015 Said motion was seconded by Dr. Kotkin and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the minutes of the Regular Meetings and Executive Sessions, held on September 14 and September 21, 2015.

VI. Discussion/Presentations A. Ms. Teresa LaSala, United Way/College of St Elizabeth: Climate and Culture

A duel presentation on the subject of School Culture and Climate was given by the United Way of Northern New Jersey Youth Empowerment Alliance and the College of Saint Elizabeth Center for Human and Social Development. Jen Baldassari and Barbara Thomas from the HTS Climate and Culture Committee helped coordinate the event.

VII. Hearing of Public Regarding Agenda Items (Policy 0167)

Lou Lanzerotti asked for clarification on what the district’s goals were for the 2015-2016 school year

VIII. Reports A. Superintendent

Mr. Spelker gave a report on the upcoming release of the PAARC data from the 2015 school year. The 2015 results will be a baseline year and the results will be analyzed in several different ways. He also mentioned that on November 10, 2015, there will be an internet safety presentation presented to the Middle School students by Sergeant Tom Rich. There will also be a presentation given to both Harding and Madison parents.

B. Business Administrator

Mr. Brown gave an update on the Bathroom Construction Project at the Elementary School. The punch list items are being completed and final inspections are scheduled for this week. He mentioned that Page 2 of 6 HARDING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, 34 Lee’s Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976 approximately $201,000 in Extraordinary Aid from the 2014-2015 school year had been received by the district and deposited. Mr. Brown gave an update of the NJSBA Conference in Atlantic City. Last, Mr. Brown said that the new night time custodial cleaning company was fully in place and had been doing a good job cleaning.

IX. Resolutions A. Committee of the Whole 10-213-15 Approve 2015-16 Action Plan supporting District Goals 10-214-15 Approve 2015-16 QSAC Statement of Assurances

10-213-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, adopts the following Action Plan in support of the District Goals for the 2015-2016 school year.

10-214-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, approves the Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) Statement of Assurances for the 2015-2016 school year.

Committee of the Whole resolution: 213 thru 214 MOTION: Mrs. Macaulay SECOND: Mr. Flynn YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) X Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) X Mr. Singh (Abi) X Mr. Flynn (John) X Dr. Kotkin (Howard) X

B. Facilities and Finance 10-215-15 Approve School Bus Evacuation Drill Report 10-216-15 Approve Use of Facilities

10-215-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education approves the School Bus Emergency Evacuation Drill Report, dated September 25, 2015.

10-216-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the use of school facilities as follows: 1. Harding Twp Recreation Association, use of gymnasium Wednesday nights commencing October 13th through June 8, 2016, 7:30 pm to 9:45 pm for men’s basketball.

Finance and Facilities resolutions: 215 thru 216 MOTION: Mrs. Macaulay SECOND: Dr. Kotkin YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) X Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) X Mr. Singh (Abi) X Mr. Flynn (John) X Dr. Kotkin (Howard) X

C. Curriculum and Instruction 10-217-15 Approve Field Trips

10-217-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, approves the following field trips: Ms. Hunter & Ms. Alexander, Turtle Back Zoo, W. Orange, Oct. 7, 2015 Ms. Light & Ms. Schutz, Morris Museum, Morristown, May 13, 2016

Curriculum and Instruction resolution: 217 MOTION: Mr. Flynn SECOND: Mr. Singh YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) X Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) X Mr. Singh (Abi) X Mr. Flynn (John) X Dr. Kotkin (Howard) X

D. Personnel and Management 10-218-15 Approve Professional Development

10-218-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the approves the certificated staff to attend professional development workshop: Dr. Michael Gervis, NJTEEA STEM Conference, Drew University, Oct. 17, 2015, registration $145 and mileage at $0.31 Ms. Barbara Thomas, Social Thinking, 2 day workshop, Mt. Laurel, NJ Oct. 26-27, 2015 registration $347.20, mileage $0.31, lodging $135.87 Mrs. Lindsey Smith, Mrs. Lisbeth DeCotiis, Ms. Christine Mulligan, Units of Study Writing Conference, Sept. 29, 2015, Columbia University, NY. Registration $165/participant, and mileage $0.31.

Personnel and Management resolution: 218 MOTION: Mrs. Macaulay SECOND: Mr. Flynn YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) X Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) X Mr. Singh (Abi) X Mr. Flynn (John) X Dr. Kotkin (Howard) X

X. Items for Further Action 1. Topic: Madison High School "Transition Checklist" for Parents and Students; Who: C&I Committee/Howard Kotkin, in close cooperation with and under the guidance of the Administration; What: Draft a checklist of key "milestones" for 8th Graders heading to MHS and/or other High Schools, as an "aide" and "guide" for a smooth transition for parents and students (aka "Bridge on the Fridge"). When: September/October 2015.

2. Item: MHS Freshman Survey, Who: C & I Committee, in close cooperation with and under guidance of the Administration; What: Survey of “ How HTS students are transitioning into MHS” When:

Drafting/Sending Fall 2015.

XI. Old Business/New Business

XII. President’s Comments 1. October 19 – Director of Curriculum Update, writing curriculum, Budget Guidelines, Quarterly Evaluation of Superintendent (Exec. Session) 2. November 2 – CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report)

XIII. Public Comment Regarding Agenda and non-Agenda Items (Policy 0167)

Lou Lanzerotti asked about Extraordinary Aid that was received from the state. He asked if it was for restricted use only or if it could be used for anything.

Mary Saltzman asked about the PAARC testing for the 2016-2017 school year and the upcoming results to be released. She was also very supportive of the internet safety presentation that will be given for the students and parents on November 10, 2015.

Nicole Maselli asked about the implementation of the upcoming PAARC testing and the use of the Chrome Books.

XIV. Board Information District Goals and Action Plan QSAC Statement of Assurance Bus Evacuation Drill Report Use of School Facilities

XV. Board Correspondence

XVI. Executive Session

Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education convenes Executive Session in full compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.; and the minutes of the discussion of any of these items will be available to the public when such minutes have been approved by the Board pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.

M. Flynn made a motion to convene executive session at 9:02 pm. Said motion was seconded by Mrs. Macaulay and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mr. Singh motioned to adjourn executive session at 9:28pm. Said motion was seconded by Mr. Flynn and carried by unanimous vote.

XVII. Adjournment Mr. Singh motioned to adjourn at 9:29 pm. Said motion was seconded by Dr. Kotkin and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Brown Interim Board Secretary