Belleville Board Of Education, Belleville, New Jersey

BELLEVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION, BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING – October 20, 2014 7:00 PM LOCATION: Belleville High School 100 Passaic Avenue Belleville, New Jersey 07109 MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Rivera, Jeanne Lombardi, Peter J. Zangari Jr, William Freda, Lillian Torres Raymond Kuebler and Daniel Grasso.

MEMBERS EXCUSED:

ALSO PRESENT: Thomas Egan, State Monitor Raymond Jacobus, Acting Interim Board Secretary/Business Administrator Stephen Edelstein, Board Counsel John Croot, Board Counsel

The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. by the president of the Board of Education, Mr. Rivera. Mr. Rivera called for the flag salute and for a moment of silent thought and reflection after which he stated that the meeting had been posted and announced in accordance with Chapter 231, P.L. 1975.

Roll Call by Board Secretary: All Present

Approval of Minutes: August 25, 2014, August 28, 2014 & September 15, 2014

Student Government Organization Representative: N/A

Items presented by Administration:  Superintendent’s Report Mr. Acosta acknowledged the QSAC and NJASK team: Marilyn Hawthorne, George Droste, Carmine Guinta, and Diana Kelleher. o Recognize Red Ribbon Week - October 23-31, 2014 o EVVRS – Electronic Violence & Vandalism Reporting System, as per N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.3, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7 o Report of Performance of Students on New Jersey Standardized Testing, as per N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1: Presented by George Droste o QSAC – Quality Single Accountability Continuum: Presented by Diana Kelleher. o Monitor’s Report – Mr. Egan commended Diana Kelleher and George Droste on their reports. Have to provide conditions where teachers can teach and students can learn. Teachers must not feel threatened, students must have textbooks and up to date technology. Phone system being shut off – Clarity has complete control of phones and technology. Working on changing that. Labor day crash: District’s equipment is at end of life. Second company called in as a technology upgrade has to be done. Quoted at 1.5 million dollars.

Items, Remarks and Committee Reports presented by Board Members Mr. Kuebler: Thank you for presentation. District needs a strong foundation. Had finance committee meeting today. Hopefully moving forward. Battles to be overcome. Spoke to teachers at School #4 about problems at school. Hopefully most have been addressed. Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014 Mrs. Torres: Thanks Diana for report. Confident that district will move forward. Held grant meeting.

Mr. Freda: Survey on website for Superintendent search. Will be meeting tomorrow night. Technology trying to move forward: purchased 330 laptops purchased last year and network upgrades were done.

Mrs. Lombardi: Thank you to George Droste and Diana Kelleher for reports. Thank you to teachers, nurses and staff for your cooperation during this difficult time.

Mr. Rivera: Thank you to Diana Kelleher for her informative report.

Moved by Mrs. Torres, seconded by Mr. Freda, to open Public Participation. Remarks by Citizens (Public Participation): Joseph Della Ferra: Former teacher, at “Just a Party” was told he paid for his job. He worked hard to get his job, never paid anyone. Fishy things going on.

Tom McCrohan: Where was QSAC put on the website? Have supplies been coming in? Why are thumb drives still in the closet? Can’t they be sent back? Flea market – would money be better spent on technology? Attachments were not attached to minutes. (Mr. Rivera: Please make sure the attachments are posted)

Vincent Frantantoni: Very good presentation. Self-assessment was done by who? How did they come up with 100% in fiscal management – very embarrassing. Have to get back to basics and let the teachers teach. Why are lights out at School #8 (Clearman field)? Board should publicly apologize for what they have done to town.

Lori Whittom: (8th grade math teacher) We are a team at the Middle School. Knowledgeable faculty. We use our own phones to reach parents. Teachers have purchased their own supplies. Middle School is overcrowded. Teachers have set up their own emails. The Middle School has quality dedicated teachers, at the middle school we are all it.

Joseph deFlorio: (HS teacher) Student at high school ran out of braille paper – bought her own paper. Can she be reimbursed the $60 she spent?

Mike Mignone: Doesn’t feel presentation was an accurate presentation. Who was on committee? Which board member? Which teacher? Gave instruction and program 60%? Didn’t they get 100% self assessment? How did 71% go to 29%? Did teachers decide not to teach?

GeorgeAnn Polite: Mr. Droste and Ms. Kelleher did an excellent job. QSAC is very disturbing. Were any employees rehired related to any board members either by blood or marriage? (Lawyer: All employees must be recommended by the Superintendent). Are information of students and parents secure? What is the policy of a security breach? (Mr. Jacobus: Have not had a breach. Conversation needs to take place on what to do) Outrageous to absorb legal fees for an employee, taxpayers should not be asked to subsidize legal fees. (Lawyer: Statute which protects BOE employees for lawsuits which arise from their jobs.)

Michael Sheldon: Belleville Coalition will host forum for candidates running for BOE. Sitting board members are invited to attend. QSAC how much of the drop in instruction had to do with involuntary transfers? Clarity stated that they had 5 years of IT experience. They didn’t incorporate until January 2013 – fraudulent statement!

Bill Muldon: How much money has been raised from attending the Trisha Goddard show?

Sean Holland: Wanted to discuss data breach (Lawyer: Not going to discuss – part of an investigation). Apologies are in order. Tough cross to bear as Tech Coordinator. Clarity was responsible for all data back up.

2 Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014

Moved by Mr. Zangari, seconded by Mr. Freda, to close Public Participation.

The board then moved into the following resolutions:

A. PERSONNEL: Moved by Mr. Zangari, seconded by Mr. Freda, the Board passed the following resolutions A1-A7, A9-A27 by a roll call vote of 7-0.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools:

1. Approve salary for personnel listed below to include adjusted longevity: LONGEVITY Staff Member Date Salary Longevity/Stipend Adjusted Total Di Napoli, Elizabeth (15 years) 11/10/2014 $42,939 $2,655 $45,594 Dovoric, Kathleen (10 years) 11/22/2014 $17.82 per hour .60¢ $18.42 per hour Drozdz, Kathleen (20 years) 12/6//2014 $19.66 per hour .80¢ $20.46 per hour Mc Laughlin, Kathleen (15 years) 11/9/2014 $19.66 per hour .70¢ $20.36 per hour O’Farrell, Sarah (25 years) 11/1/2014 $91,556 $4,413 $95,969 Renna, Christine (25 years) 10/24/2014 $89,931 $4,413 $94,344 2. Approve employment of the following substitutes for inclusion on the district substitute list dated October 20, 2014 subject to emergency hiring of Board of Education employees as per the New Jersey State Criminal History Review procedures:

Substitute Custodial/Maintenance: Substitute School Bus Driver: Cardillo, Robert Linfante, David Faronea, Santo Rivera, Jeremias Fried, Eric Gambino, Jack Harding, Mark Johns, William Mc Cann, Jonathan O’Connor, Shawn Palmieri, Anthony Perri, Michael Puccio, James Rivera, Jeremias Sagrista, Alexander

3. Approve employment of Substitute Teachers/Substitute Paraprofessionals for the month of October 2014 from Source4Teachers. (List attached)

4. Approve the Reappointment of the following Non-Tenured Custodial Staff, as per the 2011-2014 Custodial/ Maintenance Association Guide, effective 10/21/2014:  De Angelo, Louis – Full-Time  Cromley, Michael – Part-Time  Spera, James – Part-Time  Henry, Richard – Part-Time  Galioto, Robert– Part-Time

3 Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014

5. Approve an extended contract between the Board of Education and Marilyn Hawthorne, Interim Curriculum and Special Education Advisor for a period effective October 1, 2014 through December 30, 2014 not to exceed 24 days at $500 per day.

6. Grant to Maryanne Harnett, School Social Worker, Special Services, five (5) Family Sick Days commencing October 6, 2014 through October 10, 2014, three (3) Personal business Days, commencing October 14, 2014 through October 16, 2014, and a Family Medical Leave of Absence, commencing October 17, 2014 through October 24, 2014. (Position Control #40-14-18/acd, Job Code 3117G)

7. Grant to Jennifer Cairns, Part-Time Paraprofessional, Middle School, a Leave of Absence without pay, commencing November 5, 2014 through January 2, 2015.

Moved by Mr. Zangari, seconded by Mr. Freda, the Board passed the following resolution A6 by a roll call vote of 6-0-1 with Mrs. Torres abstaining.

8. Approve the salary increase for Sigfredo Acevedo, Assistant Custodian, for obtaining his Boiler License within one year of employment, Step 2, Group 5, at a salary of $42,100, effective September 16, 2014, as per the 2011-2014 Custodial/Maintenance Association Guide. (Position Control #50-12-28/asv, Job Code 9600)

9. Approve the appointment of Michelle Anders to the position of Teacher of Mathematics/TOSD, Middle School, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 14, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

10. Approve the appointment of Patrick Brown to the position of Teacher of English, Middle School, at a pro-rated salary of $46,923, MA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 2, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

11. Approve the appointment of Michael O’Donnell to the position of Teacher of Mathematics/TOSD, Middle School, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 6, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

12. Approve the appointment of Elizabeth Marcinek to the position of Teacher of Science/TOSD, Middle School, at a pro-rated salary of $49,968, MA+32, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 2, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

13. Approve the appointment of Emily Mastrobuono to the position of Elementary School Teacher, School Eight, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 2, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

14. Approve the appointment of Katherine Juskin to the position of Elementary School Teacher, School Seven, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 14, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

15. Approve the appointment of Judith Wood to the position of Teacher of Science/TOSD, Middle School, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 6, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

16. Approve the appointment of Nicole Behman to the position of Teacher of English as a Second Language, School Three, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education 4 Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014 Association Guide, commencing October 21, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

17. Approve the appointment of Hyson Howe-Richards to the position of Teacher of Students with Disabilities, School Seven, at a pro-rated salary of $44,335, BA, Step 1, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, commencing October 21, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

18. Approve the appointment of Susan Svehla to the position of School Secretary, at a pro-rated salary of $35,451, Step 4, of the 2012-2015 Belleville Education Association Guide, for a period of 60 days commencing October 23, 2014 through December 23, 2014.

19. Accept the retirement of Joseph Nisivoccia, Teacher of Physical Education, Middle School, effective December 1, 2014.

20. Accept the resignation of Lauren Finizio, Teacher of Students with Disabilities, School Seven, effective October 17, 2014.

21. Approve the following teaching staff member for the Belleville Universal Campus (BUCS) program for the 2014-2015 school year, to be paid on a voucher:  Alicea, Roberto – Social Studies

22. Approve the voluntary transfer of Sandra Yasneski from Teacher of English to Teacher of English/TOSD, Middle School, effective October 2, 2014.

23. Approve the following Provisional Teacher Program 2014-2015 Novice Teachers and their Mentors:

Novice Teacher Mentor School Alicea, Roberto Fischer, Joseph HS Brown, Patrick Fazio, Lauren MS Campana, Jenna Steinwandtner, Cara Seven Chapman, Morgan Grasso, Chrissy Four Corino, Michele Nacht, Kimberly Four Daddis, Bruce Ferrara, Anthony MS Facchinei, Nicole Correnti, Barbara HS Foster, Ford Taglairino, Amanda Elementary Grillo, Vincent Puglia, Stephen Seven Juskin, Katherine Weyland, Deborah Seven Kondel, John Benkert, Laura MS Marcinek, Elizabeth O’Farrell, Sarah MS Mastrobuono, Emily Mendez, Elaine Eight Reis, Jenny Auriemma, Nicole Four Witel, Nina Mac Intyre, Heather Four

24. Approve the following candidates as Winter Coaches/Advisors for 2014-2015. All coaching positions and stipends are as per the current BEA Contract.

Head Coach Sport Step Stipend Isis Ramirez Girls Basketball Step 4 $ 8,850.97 James Stoeckle III Boys Basketball Step 4 $ 8,850.97 John Lenczuk Winter Track Step 4 $ 8,850.97 Emilio Nardone Jr. Wrestling Step 3 $ 8,406.21 Michael Early Bowling Step 4- W/Long $6,128.59+$210= $ 6,338.59 5 Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014 Assistant Coach Sport Step Stipend Meghan Leonard Girls Basketball Step 4 $6,128.59 Anthony Kozak Boys Basketball Step 2 $5,505.07 Joanne Campione Winter Track Step 3 $5,813.05 John Dubuque Wrestling Step 3 $5,813.05

25. Approve the following staff members for the Title 1/Title3 program. (Prorated salaries to be determined by the Title 1/Title 3 Grant): PROGRAM SCHOOL LAST FIRST SALARY % TOTAL Title 1 3 Troise Melinda $93,056.00 100% $93,056.00 Title 1 4 Cubellis Gianna $91,556.00 100% $91,556.00 Title 1 4 Morella Anna $93,056.00 100% $93,056.00 Title 1 8 Castro Loraine $95,969.00 100% $95,969.00 Title 1 8 Gabriele Lisa $67,157.00 100% $67,157.00 Title 1 9 Monahan Ann $74,603.00 50% $37,301.50 Title 1 SIP Facilitator MS Taylor Kimberly $85,720.00 100% $85,720.00 Title 1 Secretary MS Luna Yolanda $33,444.00 100% $33,444.00 TOTAL $634,561.00 $597,259.50

Title 3 3 Morales Carlos $63,097.00 100% $63,097.00 Title 3 4 Caicedo Admirith $63,097.00 90% $56,787.30 Title 3 4 Takhim Ayse $60,661.00 100% $60,661.00 Title 3 5 Blasco Lorna $95,969.00 100% $95,969.00 Title 3 7 Nieradka Diana $94,801.00 100% $94,801.00 Title 3 8 Guinta Melissa $93,056.00 100% $93,056.00 Title 3 8 Palmieri Josephine $93,056.00 100% $93,056.00 Title 3 MS Sestilio Jane $91,556.00 100% $91,556.00 Title 3 HS Gelso Camille $77,736.00 100% $77,736.00 Title 3 HS Goncalves Carlos $71,875.00 100% $71,875.00 Title 3 HS Piano Sophia $77,736.00 100% $77,736.00 Title 3 HS Wodecki Szymon $77,736.00 100% $77,736.00 TOTAL $960,376.00 $954,066.30 GRAND TOTAL $1,594,937.00 $1,551,325.80

26. Approve the following reclassification with salary adjustment effective September 1, 2014 for the personnel who have submitted proof of advanced education in accordance with the contractual agreement between the Belleville Board of Education and the Belleville Education Association:

Salary Reclassification – effective September 1, 2014 Staff Member From To Salary

Orrei, Vincent BA+15, Step 9 MA+32, Step 9 $71,217

27. Approve transfer of employee#1278 from the Middle School to School #8, effective October 27, 2014.

B. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION: Moved by Mrs. Lombardi, seconded by Mrs. Torres, the Board passed the following resolution B1 by a roll call vote of 7-0.

6 Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014 RESOLVED, that the Board of Education upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools:

1. Approve the following Revised Curriculum Guides for the 2014-2015 school year:  College Keyboarding Grades 9-12  Word Processing Grades 9-11

C. BOARD ACTION/BOARD POLICY: Moved by Mr. Freda, seconded by Mr. Zangari, the Board passed the following resolutions C1-C8 by a roll call vote of 7-0.

1. Approve the September 2014 Fire/Security Drill reports.

2. Approve the 2014-2015 QSAC – Quality Single Accountability Continuum Statement of Assurance.

3. Approve the 2013-2014 District Report of Violence and Vandalism (EVVRS).

4. Approve the 2014-2015 Nursing Services Plan.

5. Approve the agreement between New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Belleville Board of Education for Advanced Academic Achievement NJIT’s Secondary Partnership Program for college credits.

6. Indemnifies, Thomas D’Elia, and holds Mr. D’Elia harmless from any compensatory damages, consequential damages, exemplary damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and any other damages possibly resulting from the civil action filed by Ms. DeMartino. This resolution of indemnification includes any damages, losses, and costs incurred as a result of the civil proceeding that have been brought against Mr. D’Elia for alleged acts of omissions arising out of and in the course of his employment in the Belleville Public School District. The Belleville Public School District will defend Mr. D’Elia and pay all of his legal fees arising from this civil proceeding.

7. Approve the field trip for BHS students to attend the Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY, to enrich the zoology curriculum by witnessing animals in their habitats, on October 28, 2014. (Buses provided by Bel Aire Bus Company)

8. Approve the 2014 Long Range Facilities Plan. (Attachment on Web-Site)

D. PURCHASING & BUSINESS SERVICES: Moved by Mr. Freda, seconded by Mrs. Lombardi, the Board passed the following resolutions D1-D4 by a roll call vote of 7-0.

1. Approve travel and related expenditures in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A: 11-12 (Attachment).

2. Approve Delta-T Group, Woodbridge NJ to provide the district with registered substitute nurses at the rate of $41.75 per hour.

3. Approve Promedia’s emergency contract from September 24, 2014 to January 30, 2015 for technology services as per attached agreements. 7 Regular Public Meeting October 20, 2014

4. Approve DiCara & Rubino, the districts architect of record, to provide a current utilization analysis of all of the districts buildings and an updated enrollment projection of the next five years based on a professional service fee not to exceed $19,500.

E. FINANCE: Moved by Mr. Freda, seconded by Mrs. Torres, the Board passed the following resolutions E1-E2 by a roll call vote of 7-0 with exceptions by Mrs. Torres and Mrs. Lombardi and Mr. Kuebler voting no to exception checks.

1. Approve payment of the following bills after the List of Bills dated October 20, 2014 has been approved by a majority of the members of the Board.

2. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11©4, the Board of Education Secretary certifies that as of September 2014, after review of the District’s monthly financial reports major accounts have been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(b)

Moved by Mr. Zangari, seconded by Mrs. Torres, the Board passed the following resolution by a vote of 7-0

ADJOURNMENT at 9:15 p.m. RESOLVED, That the Board of Education adjourn its meeting to meet in closed session now, and at 6:00 PM, on Monday, November 17, 2014, at Belleville High School, 100 Passaic Avenue, to discuss matters that may be discussed in private in accordance with Chapter 231, Laws of 1975; more specifically, the discussion of personnel, staff evaluations, pending litigation, and negotiations. The results of these discussions will be acted upon at the next regularly scheduled business meeting of the Board, or as soon as feasible and/or practicable thereafter.

______Raymond Jacobus Acting Interim Board Secretary/ Business Administrator