Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education
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77 PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education held its Regular Meeting on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at the Administration Building, 292 Parsippany Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. CALL TO ORDER CALL TO ORDER President Calabria opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. President Calabria stated that in compliance with Chapter 231, Public MEETING NOTICE Law 1975 entitled Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as specified in the Act. A meeting notice was published in the Daily Record on April 23, 2012. Additionally the Notice of Meeting was posted at the Municipal building and copy of Notice filed with the Township Clerk on August 22, 2012. This notice was also transmitted on August 22, 2012 to the Daily Record, The Citizen, Neighbor News, The Star Ledger, The Herald News and radio station WMTR. This is an official meeting. FIRE NOTICE FIRE NOTICE The Fire Notice was read by President Calabria. ROLL CALL ROLL CALL Present: Mrs. Susy Golderer Mr. Anthony Mancuso Mr. Gary R. Martin Mrs. Debbie Orme Mrs. Fran Orthwein Mr. Sharif Shamsudin (arrived 7:15 p.m.) Mr. Michael Strumolo Mr. Frank Neglia Dr. Frank Calabria Also Present: Dr. Lee Seitz, Superintendent Mr. Mark Resnick, Interim Business Administrator/Board Secretary Mr. Paul Saxton, Interim Director of Personnel Dr. Nancy Gigante, Director, Curriculum & Instruction Mrs. Suzanne Olimpio, Director, Special Services Mrs. Robin Tedesco, Assistant Business Administrator Mrs. Susan Tindal, Assistant Board Secretary Mrs. Katherine A. Gilfillan, Esq., Board Attorney Mr. Gregory Somjen, Parette Somjen Architects Mr. John Carton, Parette Somjen Architects Mr. Bill Edwards, Parette Somjen Architects Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education 78 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, August 23, 2012 SALUTE TO THE FLAG SALUTE TO THE FLAG President Calabria led the assembly in a salute to the flag. FIRE NOTICE FIRE NOTICE The Fire Notice was read by President Calabria. APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF MINUTES BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the Regular and Confidential Sessions #1 and #2 of July 19, 2012 and the Special Meeting and Confidential Sessions #1 and #2 of August 1, 2012. Mrs. Orthwein motioned, Mrs. Orme seconded and the minutes were approved by roll call vote with 7 Ayes, 1 Abstain by Mr. Strumolo and 1 Absence. CORRESPONDENCE CORRESPONDENCE None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Mancuso asked for clarification regarding the storm drainage requirements on the multi- turf fields. Mr. Greg Somjen of Parette Somjen Architects explained the state regulations affecting the projects. Mr. Mancuso made the following motion: BE IT RESOLVED that on recommendation of the Superintendent that the Board of Education approve the plans for the installation at the Parsippany High and Parsippany Hills High Schools of new artificial turf fields, new 6 lane tracks, new field lighting systems, storm drainage as required, new fencing around the fields, as designed by Parette Somjen Architects and authorizes them to submit said plans to the Department of Education for review and approval. Mrs. Orthwein seconded the motion and Mr. Mancuso requested that no vote be taken until after the public portion. Mr. Somjen addressed questions about making the bleachers ADA compliant. Attorney Gilfillan explained that if you are repairing existing bleachers, they do not need to be made compliant, but if you are renovating the area, they need to be done. A very lengthy discussion ensued with respect to splitting the referendum into multiple questions, removing pieces of the projects and cost projections. Superintendent Seitz explained that the Board’s only required mission tonight is to approve what should be sent to Trenton for review. Mr. Mancuso then added the barrier free accessibility to his motion which was seconded by Mrs. Orthwein. Further discussion ensued. Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education 79 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, August 23, 2012 Mr. Martin made a motion to send all eleven (11) items proposed to the Department of Education for approval. Mr. Shamsudin seconded and more discussion ensued. The resolution was rejected by voice vote with 3 Ayes and 6 Noes. PUBLIC PORTION REGARDING FIELDS ONLY PUBLIC PORTION FIELDS ONLY Jonathan Nels – misunderstood what the vote would be on; requested clarification on ballot question. Beth Bluj – liked reduced amount to be sent to the DOE; pay for ADA compliance from capital improvement budget; no more delays. Bob Venezia – track company can replace field and install drainage without tearing up the track; previous budget funds could have been used for repair of fields; no extras should be included. Mary Purzycki – agrees with Beth Bluj; keep ADA compliance in the project. Hank Heller – bids from other architectural firms would be helpful; eliminate bathrooms. Richard Suarez – perhaps remove tracks from project and add water cannons; schedule work in different years rather than simultaneously. Tom Bluj – thanked the Board for their efforts; don’t delay the projects. Steve Roman – referendum circumventing regular budget; fields are a disgrace; maintenance budget. Alison Cogan – Board listening to the public; ADA compliance should be included; grandstands repaired; wording on the ballot; DOE approval. Aida Visakay – critical to pass referendum, but make cost reasonable; track at Parsippany Hills High School needs to be fixed; field cannot be played on due to holes and ruts; take funds out of operating budget to help lower cost; plan B if it doesn’t pass. Peter Bradley - $11 million plan will be perceived that Board supports; added utility costs. Mike Espejo – lighting at Parsippany Hills High School ordinance. John Bucciarelli – water cannon not a major issue; statute of limitations on the application. Judy Mayer – only voting on what will be sent to Trenton. Sandy Giercyk - $11 million plan presented to State being resubmitted could affect approval; opposed to separate questions due to ballot confusion. Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education 80 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, August 23, 2012 Irene Hummel – parking issues; lights. Roman Hoshowsky – non-binding referendum; timeline for project completion; environmentally friendly restrooms; turf recycling. The questions posed by the public were answered by Superintendent Seitz, Attorney Gilfillan and Mr. Somjen. Mrs. Golderer expressed disappointment that the Board finds itself at the opposite of what the public wants. She questioned the background of the special counsel approved and wants professionals present at the closed sessions. Mr. Strumolo brought up receiving the Board package on Monday night, not a week in advance and that he has a serious problem with addendums being presented on meeting night. COMMITTEE REPORTS COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Martin – Buildings & Grounds/Safety: nothing further. Mrs. Orthwein – Policy: 4 policies on the Bulletin for 2nd and final reading; facilities use policy will be amended if the fields are passed. Mrs. Orthwein – Personnel: met yesterday; addendum needed due to one Bulletin per month in summer; job description for Coordinator of Science Instruction. Mr. Shamsudin – Sports/Extra-Curricular: met on July 26th with architect to discuss the fields plans; met with ADs and coaches on August 16th. Mr. Neglia – Finance: no report. Mrs. Golderer – Communications: facilitator contacted to do Board retreat is not interested; still wants to pursue workshop, but would like commitment from Board members to attend; took straw poll to determine if Board members would participate and they agreed; ways to disseminate referendum information to the community. Mrs. Orme – Teaching & Learning: met on August 8th; courses of study presented; textbook adoptions; teacher evaluation system; Personal Finance Course; preparation for NJQSAC will require updating some curricula; middle school principals will give status report on evaluation program in September. Mr. Mancuso – Critical Issues: Pomptonian presentation will be on the district website. Superintendent Seitz discussed the ranking of schools in New Jersey Magazine and recognized Dr. Gigante who took Parsippany Hills High School from #50 ranking to #23 and to #2 in DFG. He also noted that Parsippany was ranked at #15 as a good place to live. Superintendent Seitz presented his Bulletin #3 with an addendum and read-ins. Pull #9, Overnight Field Trips. He then answered questions from the Board. Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education 81 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Thursday, August 23, 2012 Number 3 August 23, 2012 “The achievements of an organization are the result of the combined effort of each individual.” -Vince Lombardi The following motions are non-controversial, a matter of routine business and will be voted on by one motion: I. The Superintendent Reports. A. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION B. ITEMS FOR ACTION/EDUCATION 1. Board Policies BOARD POLICIES BE IT RESOLVED that the Board approve the following new and revised Board Policies/Guidelines and Procedures at this second and final reading. Policy 2431 – Athletic Competition Revised A Policy 2431.3 – Practice and Pre-Season Heat Acclimation for Inter Athletics B Policy 9270 – Home School and Equivalent Education Outside the Schools C Policy 7510 – Use of School Facilities D 2. Appointment – Affirmative Action Officers APPOINT AFF ACTION BE IT RESOLVED that the Board approve in accordance with State and Federal