Board of Education s21

BOARD OF EDUCATION Newton, NJ REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2009

Mr. Heckman, Board President, called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Board OPENING Office at 57 Trinity Street, Newton, NJ, noting in the opening statement that the notice of this meeting was sent to the New Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, and the Town Clerk of Newton on April 6, 2009 and appropriately posted. The notice requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act have been satisfied. Members Present: Mrs. Brown, Mr. Caffrey, Mrs. Carr, Ms. Cooke, Ms. Gianni, Mr. Heckman, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Mistry, Mrs. VanAuken, and Mr. King Members absent: Vacant seat

Motion made by Mrs. VanAuken, seconded by Mrs. Carr that the 11 member board adjourn to executive session at 6:30 PM to discuss personnel, to reconvene.

The board reconvened in regular session at 7:00 PM.

Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.

Mr. Fleming stated that the donation of a sound system for Halsted Middle School PUBLIC COMMENTS was made by the Halsted Players.

Mrs. Thomas asked about the school store motion, Program Item L. Mr. King referred the questions to Mr. Tasker. He explained that the Business and Life Skills students will be running the program. Items will also be available online.

Mrs. Thomas also asked about Business Item M, asbestos.

Mr. Caffrey reported the conversation and mutual respect that existed among the administrators COMMITTEE RPTS. and board Negotiations Committee at the Negotiations meeting.

Ms. Cooke reported the Green budget failed, but the roof project passed. SENDING DISTRICT REPORTS Ms. Gianni reported that Andover’s budget passed and the reorganization meeting is next Tuesday.

Mr. King reported the resolution to hire Dr. Ken Greene is on this agenda. SUPT. SEARCH REPORT Mr. King showed the board the newspaper articles about Worth Christian, and the Merriam SUPT. REPORT/ Avenue School art student. ED. HIGHLIGHTS

Mr. King stated the Tri-District meetings are going very well. The group would like to advertise for a part-time curriculum coordinator and a behaviorist. Professional development is also a desire.

Mr. King reported Kim Fiola, Jim Hofmann, and Janice Sund were honored at the county wide location as Teacher of the Year at Merriam Avenue School, Halsted Middle School and Newton High School, respectively.

Mr. King reported the Class of 2007 plaque arrived and will be displayed at Halsted Middle School.

Mrs. Snyder thanked everyone for passing the budget. SBA/BS REPORT

Mrs. Snyder reported on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The district received notification that it will receive about $300,000 in IDEA funds and $82,000 in Title I funds. She explained that although the state says it is okay to start spending the funds now, which would be wonderful in light of the current year state aid reduction, the definition of allowable expenses is vague and the application won’t be ready until mid-summer. The only thing that is clear is that there will be a lot of regulations and paperwork attached to the funds.

Mrs. Snyder announced the NJSBA Delegates Assembly will be held on May 16, 2009.

Mrs. Snyder stated the following corrections would be made to Board Business Item A, minutes, on the agenda: Regular Meeting March 31, 2009 Mrs. Carr was not present Spelling of Ms. Galonski’s name Executive Session March 31, 2009 Mrs. Carr, Ms. Gianni, Mr. Heckman

The board discussed Tuesday, May 12, 2009 to interview candidates at 7:00 PM, with meeting to follow. The four candidates who sent letters of interest are Ms. Berkowicz, Mr. Brenniser, Mr. Morris and Ms. Thomas.

Mrs. Snyder stated our 16 passenger bus (#3) is having maintenance difficulties that can’t be duplicated by the mechanic.

Motion made by Mrs. Carr, seconded by Ms. Gianni that the 11 member board approve the BOARD BUSINESS following: A. Approve the minutes of the following meeting: Regular Meeting of March 18, 2009 Execution Session of March 18, 2009 Regular Meeting of March 31, 2009 Executive Session of March 31, 2009 Special Meeting of April 3, 2009 Executive Session of April 3, 2009

B. Authorize the secretary to pay bills and warrants Nos. 030431 to 030596 as per bill list dated April 27, 2009 in the amount of $2,252,026.87, as per Attachment A.

C. Approve the financial reports from the Board Secretary and the Treasurer of School Monies for the month of March 2009 as on file in the Business Office.

D. Accept the Board Secretary’s certification, as attached, (pursuant to NJAC 6:20-2.12(d)) that as of March 31, 2009 no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the Board of Education pursuant to NJSA 18A-22-8 & 18A-22-8.1. E. Pursuant to NJAC 6:23-2.11, certify that as of March 31, 2009 after review of the secretary’s financial report (appropriations section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials, to the best of our knowledge, no major account or fund has been overexpended in violation of NJAC 6:20-2.12(a) and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

F. Approve the line item transfers and 10% report as per Attachment B.

G. Approve the agreement between the Newton Board of Education of the Town of Newton and the Newton Education Secretaries Association as per the signed memorandum of agreement for the period of July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2011.

H. Approve the agreement between the Newton Board of Education of the Town of Newton and the Newton Administrators and Supervisors Association as per the signed memorandum of agreement for the Period of July 1, 2009 –June 30, 2011.

Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board with the following exceptions: Mr. Caffrey abstained on the Regular Minutes of March 18, 2009; Mrs. Carr abstained on the Regular and Executive Session Minutes of March 31, 2009; Ms. Gianni abstained on the Executive Session Minutes of March 31, 2009; Mr. Kelly abstained on the Regular and Executive Session Minutes of March 31, 2009; Mrs. VanAuken abstained on the Executive Session Minutes of March 31, 2009; Mr. Heckman abstained on the Executive Session Minutes of March 18, 2009, the Executive Session Minutes of March 31, 2009, the Special Meeting and Executive Session Minutes of April 3, 2009. Mr. Heckman also abstained on Board Business Item H.

Motion made by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Kelly that the 9 member board approve the PROGRAM following: A. Approve the following field trips for Even Start: Teacher(s) Location Ms. Roberts Shrine Circus, Morristown, NJ Ms. Roberts Sussex County Library, Frankford, NJ

B. Approve the following field trip for Merriam Avenue School: Teacher(s) Location Second Grade Teachers Environmental Ed. Center, Basking Ridge, NJ

C. Approve the following field trips for Halsted Middle School: Teacher(s) Location Sixth Grade Teachers CCM Planetarium Ms. Nieman/Ms. Adams Skyland/Sussex Skyhawks

D. Approve an overnight trip to Fairview Lakes Environmental Center in May 2009 (cost to district - small bus).

E. Approve the receipt of a student from the Kittatinny Regional School District to attend Halsted Middle School BD program for the remainder of the school year, effective 4/22/09 at a tuition of $13,529, prorated.

Mrs. Gianni asked that the trip request form state which class/club is going on the trip.

Motion made by Ms. Brown, seconded by Mrs. VanAuken that the 11 member board approve the following:

F. Approve the following field trips for Newton High School: Teacher(s) Location Ms. Festa Sussex County Administrators Building Mr. O’Toole Merriam Avenue School Mr. DiMinico Madrigals to Grand Hyatt, NYC Mr. DiMinico Madrigals to Carnegie Hall, NYC Ms. Johnson, Ms. Retz, Mr. Rueda Hackettstown Dance Studio Ms. Elvidge NYC French Film & Restaurant Mr. Iliff Camp Iliff-Consumer Math class working on business related activities.

G. Approve an overnight trip for the Newton High School track team members who qualify to compete in the New Jersey State Group Track and Field meet in Egg Harbor from May 29, 2009 to May 30, 2009.

H. Approve the following policies for second reading: Policy 2460 Special Education Regulation 2460 Special Education Regulation 2460.1 Special Education-Location, Identification & Referral Regulation 2460.8 Special Education-Free & Appropriate Public Education Regulation 2460.9 Special Education-Transition From Early Intervention Programs to Preschool Programs Regulation 2460.16 Instructional Material to Blind or Print Disabled Pupils Policy 2467 Surrogate Parents and Foster Parents

I. Approve the 12-Month Staff calendar for the 2009-2010 school year, as per Attachment C.

J. Approve the out of district placement of a grade 12 student (#0901900) to attend Lakeland- Andover School, Lafayette, for the remainder of the school year at a tuition of $44,100, prorated, effective 4/20/09.

K. Approve the placement of the following students on homebound instruction in accordance with N.J.A.C.6:14: Student ID#9128700 Grade 11 IEP Driven 03/16/2009 Student ID#1101900 Grade 10 Medical 03/13/09

L. Approve the proposal to establish a school store at Newton High School.

M. Approve an expansion of the Cooperative Program with Sussex County Community College to include course offerings of AP Biology, Calculus and Pre-Calculus.

Motion made by Ms. Carr, seconded by Mr. Mistry that the 9 member board approve the PERSONNEL following:

Based upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following personnel resolutions are presented for approval:

A. Approve a child care leave of absence for Meredith Hamilton, music teacher at Halsted Middle School for the 2009-2010 school year.

B. Approve an additional 9 hours for Lori Ingram, teacher assistant at Merriam Avenue School for a special needs student as per IEP, $15 per hour.

Motion made by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mrs. VanAuken that the 11 member board approve the following:

C. Approve Michael Muller as a guidance counselor at Newton High School for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year.

D. Approve the following substitutes for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year: Mueller, Christopher - substitute custodian, pending criminal history review Swart, Margaret - substitute teacher Wojtusiak, Amelia - substitute teacher, pending criminal history review

E. Approve Deborah Phillips as a volunteer nurse for the choral trip to Sandusky, Ohio from May 13, 2009 to May 17, 2009.

F. WHEREAS, the Newton Board of Education initiated the Superintendent selection process in August 2008, and WHEREAS, the Newton Board of Education has solicited public and staff input at various stages of the process and spent numerous hours setting criteria, reviewing resumes, interviewing candidates, checking references and then selecting the final candidate; and WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey has approved the proposed contract between the Newton Board of Education and Dr. G. Kennedy Greene; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Dr. G. Kennedy Greene be approved by the Newton Board of Education to serve as Superintendent of Newton Public Schools at a salary of $158,000 for the 2009-2010 school year as per the terms and conditions of the contract approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Mr. Jackson thanked everyone on the board for their work on the superintendent search.

Dr. Greene thanked the board and said he will work hard to earn their trust and respect.

Motion made by Ms. Brown, seconded by Ms. Gianni that the 11 member board approve the BUSINESS following: A. Approve the following district purchases: District Description Amount NJ FFA Association Convention Registration Fees $ 2,025 Willowglen Academy Tuition/Aide for (1) Student $30,480 Willowglen Academy Tuition/Aide for (1) Student $30,480 Special Services Applied Behavioral Consult. Behavior Analyst/ABA Assoc. $ 4,350 McCloskey, George Neuro-psych. Assessment $ 2,500

B. Approve district travel expenses as per Attachment D.

C. Approve a joint resolution for participation of transportation services for the 2009-2010 school year with the Sussex County Regional Cooperative.

D. Accept the donation of a new sound system for Halsted Middle School auditorium from the Halsted Players.

Mr. Jackson thanked the Halsted Players for their donation. E. Approve the following resolution to develop a request for qualifications and to procure a competitive contract for implementation of an energy conservation project: WHEREAS, the Newton Board of Education is seeking specific qualifications from interested Energy Service companies (ESCOs) that are capable of providing comprehensive energy management and energy related capital improvement services; and WHEREAS, the competitive contracting, 18A:18A-4.1 provision of NJSA 1537/1185 requires the Board to advertise for qualified energy service companies interested in providing energy services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education, Town of Newton, County of Sussex, NJ as follows: a. That the Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized to develop a request for qualifications and advertisement for qualified energy service companies interested and capable of implementing an energy conservation project.

F. Approve the application of the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project grant for the 2009/2010 school year.

G. Approve the carry-over of funds from the 2007-2008 NCLB Grant in the amount of $20,801.

H. Approve the acceptance of $19,996 in Municipal Alliance funding for the provision of Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, effective 1/1/09 through 12/31/09 as follows: Alliance Grant Total $19,996 Cash Match Total $ 4,999 In-Kind Match $14,997 Total Program Budget $39,992

I. Rescind the motion approved on 8/26/08, and approve the following shared transportation routes for the 2008-2009 school year with Andover Regional BOE: FT-AM Breccia Court/Sussex Tech $575 Per Student ST2-AM NHS/Sussex Tech (AM Shared Time) $575 Per Student ST2-PM Sussex Tech/NHS (PM Shared Time) $575 Per Student AL-1 NHS/Long Pond School (Algebra) $839 Per Student

J. Rescind the motion approved on 8/26/08, and approve the following shared transportation routes for the 2008-2009 school year with Green Township BOE: ST2-AM Sussex Tech/NHS (AM Shared Time) $575 Per Student AL-2 NHS/Green Hills School (Algebra) $839 Per Student

K. Approve the application of the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant in the amount of $100,000.

L. Approve the application of the discretionary grant program entitled Newton Even Start Family Literacy Program-Continuation year 12, for the purposes described in the application, in the amount of $103.250 starting on October 1, 2009 and ending on September 30, 2010.

M. Authorize the School Business Administrator to solicit Request for Proposals for professional services to design and supervise an asbestos abatement project.

Regulation 2 of 2460, Special Education-Location, Identification and Referral, has a typographical OLD BD. BUSINESS error on it.

Mr. Heckman presented Mrs. Brown with a certificate acknowledging her 10 years of service as a board member.

Mr. Mistry also thanked Mr. Clark for his years of service to the board of education. NEW BD. BUSINESS

President’s Statement PUBLIC COMMENTS This public session is designed for members of the public to speak on issues for Board consideration. By law, the Board of Education is under no obligation to respond to public comment. If the Board of Education chooses to respond, it does not waive it’s right thereafter not to respond. Please identify yourself and spell your last name.

Mr. Tasker stated Mr. Christian has won the Inspiring Teacher Award a few times. Mrs. Thomas was very happy to hear Tri-District curriculum, articulation and planning is going well. She is very concerned about losing Spanish at the middle school and would like to see Foreign Language addressed next.

Motion made by Ms. Brown, seconded by Ms. VanAuken that the meeting adjourn at 8:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Snyder School Business Administrator/ Board Secretary