MINUTES OF THE PATERSON BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
August 10, 2005 – 7:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy High School
Presiding: Comm. Chauncey I. Brown, III, MBM, President
Present: Dr. Michael Glascoe, State District Superintendent Mr. Agostino Rottino, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Operations Ms. Monica Peck, General Counsel
Comm. Joseph Atallo Comm. Andre Sayegh Comm. Jonathan Hodges Comm. Lawrence Spagnola Comm. Alonzo Moody Comm. Willa Mae Taylor Comm. Juan Santiago Comm. Daniel Vergara
The Salute to the Flag was led by Comm. Brown.
Comm. Vergara read the Open Public Meetings Act:
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was enacted to insure the right of the public to have advance notice of, and to attend the meetings of the Paterson Public School District, as well as other public bodies at which any business affecting the interest of the public is discussed or acted upon.
In accordance with the provisions of this law, the Paterson Public School District has caused notice of this meeting:
Regular Meeting August 10, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy High School 61-127 Preakness Avenue Paterson, New Jersey
to be published by having the date, time and place posted in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Paterson, at the entrance of the Paterson Public School offices, and by sending notice of the meeting to Al-Zaman, El Diario, the Italian Voice, the New Jersey Forum, the North Jersey Herald & News, and The Record.
Comm. Brown: Before we continue, I would like to have everyone please turn off their cell phones or put them on vibrate. In addition, I would like to have a moment of silence for some family members of individuals that have passed away in our community - the Quince family, the Rafferty family, the Malzone family, and the Chinchay family. I would like to welcome our new Superintendent, Dr. Michael Glascoe, to his first Regular Board Meeting and I am going to turn the floor over to him.
Page 1 8/10/05 REPORT OF STATE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Glascoe: Thank you, Comm. Brown. It pleases me to provide an update of some issues that I have been involved with since starting on July 18th and the first one certainly is dealing with facilities. As most of you know, the SCC has recommended six projects to get underway as early as September. Those projects include two new schools, Marshall Street and the International High School. We have two major renovations at Schools 24 and 25. This certainly is far, far below what we expected and what is certainly needed construction in our school district. Our greater community is certainly working hard behind the scenes and even in front of the scenes to confront these issues under the law to make sure that we get the numbers of projects that we deserve in our school district. Our facilities are woefully inadequate, as all of you know, and we will continue to do all we can to improve them. It does not, by the way, stop us inside our schools and outside our schools to do the very best we can in providing a great education for our students and we will continue to do that. I do want to share with you my early plans to have a School Board retreat. I had intended to do this in June, even before I officially had taken over, because it is important that the Superintendent and the School Board come together as a team to make some decisions and develop guidelines on how we conduct business, how we interact, our expectations, and even a vision of what we would want to see for the school district. I attempted to schedule a School Board retreat last week, but we had a number of our School Board members who had obligations and certainly could not get out of those obligations. At one point, and I do want to be up front with the community, Comm. Brown and I were anxious, so to speak, to get this process underway because in the next two and a half weeks or so school will start and we want to be a fully functioning team when that happens. So initially we were going to try to go with not all of the School Board members there. But in discussions with Comm. Brown, we decided to postpone that until a later date and we certainly want to make sure that we have all of our School Board members involved so that we can develop a high functioning team to serve the community and the students of Paterson. I want to let everyone know that we have a major leadership conference that is going to take place in Princeton on August 25th and 26th. Comm. Brown is going to join us to bring introductions to all of our principals, assistant principals and central office staff members. This will be an opportunity and a time for me to present what my staff has called the State of the School District address. I will cover items such as leadership, school improvement planning, taking a hard look at where we are as far as achievement is concerned, and looking at what we need to do to be more accountable to our stakeholders, and then to talk about how we should be restructuring our school district to get all of this done. We also have the new teacher orientation session on August 29th and 30th. This is for me a very exciting function and activity because we will have what I hope will be the best and the brightest of young people who have decided to take on the most glorious profession of all – teaching. I will glorify that with these young adults. Maybe some of them may be a little more mature than young, so I apologize if that is the case. But we really want to try to kick off the school year in grand fashion and welcome teachers and provide them with a great beginning to their careers in Paterson. It goes without saying that if there is a great beginning for teachers, they tend to stay. They don’t burn out within a year or two and try some other vocation. Again, that new teacher orientation is going to be August 29th and 30th, and I believe it’s at School No. 1. We also have an opportunity for me to address all of our staff members in the school district and we are trying to make plans for that, either via video or we may even have a face-to-face meeting. So we are still working on that and we are looking at September 1st. I have three issues regarding the opening of school. Bear with me and I will try not to ramble through this. I have a vision for Paterson Public Schools for the first day of school. I want you, our students, and anyone else who will have the opportunity to visit our schools that first day and first week to see teaching and
Page 2 8/10/05 learning to begin immediately. What are the challenges to do that? The first challenge is staffing – to staff our buildings. At this late date in the year, and I will take that responsibility because I am starting late, we still have some principals vacancies to fill and we still have a number of teacher vacancies to fill. But we want all of those things done by the first day of school. So human resources and all of our staff members are working very hard to make sure that that happens. I understand that student registrations and scheduling can be a challenge for our school district. I really and truly don’t want to see groups of students and parents lining our hallways to register on the first day of school. We are working on a project of activities to do early registrations and to get the word out to families that they need to register now and not the first day of school. Within the next seven to ten days there will be some major communications going to each and every household in our school district imploring parents to make sure that their children are properly registered and scheduled for their classes, and also to talk to their neighbors, friends and relatives who may be having some difficulty in registering their children in school. So we don’t want to see that happen the first day of school. It will be a tremendous message to our students and to you, our community, if teaching and learning started the very first day of school without interruption. The other major challenge, of course, is facilities. Our facilities staff is very busy in trying to get our schools up and running for the first day of school. Broken windows, misplaced furniture, and the like we are scrambling to try to make sure that those things are taken care of. A few mishaps along the way, such as school flooding at one of our schools when the water fountain malfunctions, we are working very hard to take care of that. So it is those three challenges that keep me awake at night as far as the first day of school is concerned, but we will do all we can to make that happen. I have been extremely busy and involved in trying to reach out to as many organizations and communities as possible. Many of you have heard me talk about a 90-day plan, so to speak, or what my initiatives are early on. One of the major parts of that is communications and collaboration. When I say collaboration, I have to do a fair amount of listening as to what is going on. If any of you were in the neighborhood of Broadway and Main Street last night, you did not see three gentlemen trying to solicit on the corner. Instead, it was Comm. Sayegh, Comm. Hodges and Yours Truly walking the streets just trying to greet our citizens of Paterson and to introduce myself. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to get out and just be a part of the city. We also went to the City Council meeting and I believe we somewhat interrupted their workshop meeting, but they did allow me an opportunity to speak and I will be going back on a more formalized basis. I will be doing much more of that. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you might be Dr. Glascoe just walking the streets and talking to parents and children. Lastly, our school district, in order to uphold our responsibility to be accountable for high student achievement, will have to go through yet another reorganization and I apologize for that because I know that happened midyear. But the current organization is not designed to do what I know is best and that is to align all of our activities, goods and services directly to our schools - direct service and support and accountability to our schools. I am working on that reorganization and shortly I will be meeting with the School Board. Hopefully I need to do that before the leadership conference in Princeton on August 25th and 26th because I want the School Board to have an opportunity to listen to me talk about the reorganization, and to share it with them in graphic form so that everyone has a clear understanding of where we are headed. From that point, that reorganization will then again be unveiled at the leadership conference because after all our principals, supervisors and central office staff need to know that information as well. You need to know that that restructure or reorganization of our school district will ensure accountability. It will have a clear chain of command and direct lines of communication, and those things will provide the support and services to schools, as I mentioned. All of this is in an effort to improve student achievement across the board. That, more or less, is my report and again I want to say that I am looking forward to the first of many
Page 3 8/10/05 retreats with the School Board where we can sit together and begin to develop our team. With that, I would like to leave this message with our citizens and our School Board. It is a quote from Henry Ford and it is very simple. Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success. Thank you.
REPORT OF PRESIDENT
Comm. Brown: I first want to thank my colleagues on the Board in the beginning of my report for the support that you have given me in us working together on several issues. The first I would like to talk about briefly is the letter that I drafted relevant to the Commissioner appointing liaison Board members. The Commissioner has failed to still respond to us in answering to the Board on why he thought those individuals from our community, who we all respect, would be needed on this Board. I also received correspondence that I passed out to my colleagues at the last workshop meeting for Senator Ron Rice, who is the Committee Chair of the Senate Committee. He wrote to Commissioner Librera requesting him to respond to the issues that we raised and Commissioner Librera has failed to do that to this date. I am very, very happy to be able to lead this Board this year. We have a lot of talented individuals on this Board and we have all agreed to work together to move this district forward. I am humbly honored and challenged by all of us embracing that we want to do what is right for children. I also want to thank my colleagues for their support on helping me to draft a letter that we submitted to the SCC on behalf of our school district. However, as the Superintendent just reported, we did not get the list of schools that we could have received. Last week we had to submit in a very time sensitive period a list of priority schools. We came together as a Board and we were not happy with the demand that the SCC has placed upon us. So this Board has agreed to revisit our five-year facilities plan and we plan on submitting our five-year facilities plan to the amendment of the priority list to the SCC. If need be we will dialogue and look forward to hopefully, in the interest of children, seeking litigation to acquire what is needed in this district that the Supreme Court has mandated by law. Also, the Superintendent briefly spoke about a Board retreat and we know that the summertime has been very challenging for all of us with our schedules. But I would like to let everyone know that we have a tentative date for September 24th and I am very excited about this Board retreat so that we can all get together and roll up our sleeves and work together and do the types of things that we have been talking about doing in curriculum and in policy. I know that our fiscal chair wants to move heavily on establishing a lot of policies in the fiscal area. So we are very excited about working together with our new Superintendent. That concludes my report and I would like to have a motion for public comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
It was moved by Comm. Vergara, seconded by Comm. Santiago that the Public Comments on Agenda Items Only portion of the meeting be opened. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
Comm. Brown: At this time, we would like to have public comments. Anyone who would like to speak on agenda items may do so at this time. Three minutes for individuals and five minutes for organizations. Please state your name and address for the record.
Mr. Frederick Mutooni: Good evening. My name is Frederick Mutooni from 197 North 7th Street. I think I will start by saying to Dr. Glascoe that we welcome you here in Paterson. I am sure you must have had that many times, but we are not going to be tired of that. Since you came here, I heard other people say that you are going to be
Page 4 8/10/05 emphasizing accountability and you talked about accountability. I think accountability is something that you have to be very careful about because Paterson Public Schools are full of politics. I would like for you to make a decision that is based purely on the kids’ needs.
Comm. Brown: Excuse me, Mr. Mutooni, which agenda item are you speaking to?
Mr. Mutooni: It’s the same thing, sir. Accountability is the same thing. I am responding to what Dr. Glascoe said. Mr. Brown, can I continue?
Comm. Brown: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mutooni: I thought you were going to prevent me from talking. I thought so. I hope you are not going to make that mistake.
Comm. Brown: I just wanted to make it clear that you are speaking to agenda items, sir.
Mr. Mutooni: That is my First Amendment right. You are not going to violate my First Amendment rights.
Comm. Brown: Sir, I am not going to stand here and debate with you. I just wanted to make it clear which item agenda you were speaking to and Ms. Irene Sterling in the audience stated that you were speaking to the Superintendent’s report. I just wanted to make that clear. You may continue, sir.
Mr. Mutooni: Mr. Brown, can I ask you a question before I continue? What does the law say you will do if I come here to speak on agenda items and I speak on something else? What does the law say you will do as Board President?
Comm. Brown: First of all, if you have a copy of the agenda the agenda is clear.
Mr. Mutooni: Sir, I am asking you a question.
Comm. Brown: If you ask a question, then let me respond to you. Thank you. The agenda is clear. The first part of the public comments is on agenda items. If you want to talk about all other items you do that at public comments after we conduct the business of the Board. Since you asked me about the law, the law states that the Board of Education has the right not to allow the public to speak at any Board meetings. So we are giving you a pleasure to speak and that is the law. We are one of the only governmental bodies that do not have to allow the public to speak.
Mr. Mutooni: Why are you worried so much on what I am going to speak? I have not even spoken yet.
Comm. Brown: Well, you asked me a question and I believe I answered it.
Mr. Mutooni: Is there anything wrong with me commending and congratulating the new Superintendent?
Comm. Brown: No, not at all.
Mr. Mutooni: Okay, can you keep quiet?
Comm. Brown: You asked me a question.
Page 5 8/10/05
Mr. Mutooni: Can you close your mouth, sir? Dr. Glascoe, you ought to be careful on whom you choose because we have children and accountability goes beyond the what itself. We want to see the new changes that you say you are going to implement. We want to see those changes affecting our children and we want to see the politics left out of it. I have to say again – we do not want to see politics playing a role there because children’s lives are more important than the mere nonsense of politics that has penetrated the Paterson Public School Board. Thank you.
Dr. Hani Awadallah: Good evening, my name is Hani Awadallah, 964 Main Street from the Arab-American Civic Organization. Dr. Glascoe, I just want to welcome you also to Paterson and I really hope that the vision you have for Paterson will reach its fruition and also for everybody on the Board, whether they really were with you – voted for you or against you. They should give you a honeymoon period at least so that you will at least have the opportunity to fulfill some of the things or to show Paterson what you are capable of. I am not really preaching here, but I hope all of us who are actually the educational leadership will be all together for the main purpose for all of us, which are the children of Paterson. So I welcome you here and I thank you also for showing up for the national night out when you came to our function in South Paterson. Thank you. You spoke, Dr. Glascoe, of several appointments that are going to be taking place in Paterson and that is actually overdue. I just really hope that you are aware of the lots of shenanigans that are taking place in appointments in Paterson. I don’t get tired actually of speaking about this because there are shenanigans. It is not really how much you know. It is who you know in Paterson. That is unacceptable and I am sure it is unacceptable to you, too. We have been talking about it. I actually practically at every meeting, if not every other meeting, discuss it all the time but to no avail. What is really happening? If you know the principal or the assistant principal you are in. That should stop once and for all. The mechanics of appointments should definitely be changed. It is not really the principal or the assistant principal who has sweetheart deals taking place. I want you to be aware of that. People with good credentials, excellent credentials, are turned aside and people who really hardly actually just came out of high school are appointed into positions where they are not really even eligible to be in these positions. So I really hope you are going to keep your eye on the ball with these appointments and that is also for you ladies and gentlemen on the Board. Please be aware of what is really happening in these appointments. Thank you so very much.
Ms. Anna Taliaferro: Sometimes age really shows. Good evening. I just have one question and one reminder. One of the things that we continue to surface is the awarding of contracts to vendors of minority firms. I see that you have an awful lot of vendors on this agenda and I want to make sure that we keep it equal. I see some of the same vendors. Mr. Brown, I am asking you to please keep an eye on this as the Board President to make sure that this becomes an equal opportunity and that we give the minority vendors a chance to receive bids with the Paterson Public School System. We have had quite a few problems with some of our vendors, as all of you well know, so I don’t want to see that continue. I am not going to belabor the point, but I will be watching that because I worked very closely with Senator Rice in terms of getting the list of minority vendors. Mr. Rottino should have that list, Mike Azzara should have left it for him, so that we don’t keep doing what we have always done, that is to ignore the minority vendors, especially those vendors that reside here in the city and who need a fair chance at getting some of these contracts. I just wanted to bring that to your attention. I will reserve the rest of my comments for the public portion. Thank you.
Ms. Brenda Ferrer: Good evening, my name is Brenda Ferrer, 421 East 33rd Street, Paterson. The agenda items that I would like to address are A-52 and C-35, C-36 and
Page 6 8/10/05 C-37, in keeping with the rules of the Board. You are talking about the authorization of the membership of Eastside High School in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. With all of the negative publicity that this organization has received, I hope that you are watching out for the funds that the Board is paying. I would like to know what is being done so that the students are going to get more benefit from the funds that are being paid to this association. What I have been reading is just criminal. On C-35, C-36 and C-37, the awarding of transportation contracts, it is talking about out-of-district and in-district and there are three different awards. Can someone clarify that for me, please?
Mr. Rottino: The contracts for special education students for transportation were bid contracts, so each vendor had to be certified by the State and follow all the items which are required in New Jersey to bid on a contract. They were the lowest responsible bidder.
Ms. Ferrer: I see that they are all for special education students. That is very clear here. But why are there three different ones and three different amounts? Why is it broken down?
Mr. Rottino: Because each route is broken down separately.
Ms. Ferrer: So you have three routes, one for Norman S. Weir and the rest of the city has the other two routes?
Mr. Rottino: It follows the students’ IEP and the private or public school that they attend outside the district. So during the course of the school year we can go out for additional bids if it is required to satisfy the students’ needs.
Ms. Ferrer: How is it broken down for in-district and out-of-district?
Mr. Rottino: It’s all part of the bid process.
Ms. Ferrer: But my question still isn’t answered. How is it broken down for in-district and out-of-district? Of these three that you have listed here, and I heard the buzzer go off but he was answering my question so I hope my time isn’t running out, you have three different bids.
Mr. Rottino: C-36 deals with an extended school year program.
Ms. Ferrer: Yes, and so does C-37.
Mr. Rottino: Correct.
Ms. Ferrer: I understand that.
Mr. Rottino: But these are the responsible bidders. That is why they were awarded the contract. They are two different companies – the low bidders.
Ms. Ferrer: Two different companies and one is getting in-district while the other is getting out-of-district. Or are they both getting in-district and out-of-district? That is what I am asking.
Page 7 8/10/05 Mr. Rottino: It is according to the bid specifications. It could be either or. In this case, C-36 and C-37 are out-of-district. We identify a location. C-36 is for in-district and out- of-district.
Ms. Ferrer: And what is the difference for C-37? It says the same thing.
Mr. Rottino: The bus goes to different locations.
Ms. Ferrer: Well, that’s understood. I am still trying to see. There is a big difference in amounts - $306,000 and then $79,000.
Mr. Rottino: It’s for a different number of students. It could be a shorter route or a different number of students.
Ms. Ferrer: It’s still not very clear and I think it should be made clear what is being spent for in-district and what is being spent for students that are being taken out-of- district.
Comm. Brown: Well, we can provide that information to you in writing if you would like that.
Ms. Ferrer: I would like that. Thank you.
It was moved by Comm. Sayegh, seconded by Comm. Vergara that the Public Comments on Agenda Items Only portion of the meeting be closed. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Items Requiring a Vote
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES
Comm. Brown presented the minutes of the July 6, 2005 Workshop Meeting and the July 13, 2005 Regular Meeting, and asked if there were any questions or comments on the minutes.
It was moved by Comm. Sayegh, seconded by Comm. Santiago that the minutes be accepted with any necessary corrections. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Comm. Sayegh reported that the Curriculum and Instruction Committee met, reviewed and recommends approval for Resolution Nos. A-1 through A-52:
Resolution No. A-1
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public Schools, Adult Division has applied for the project entitled Consolidated Adult Basic Skills for the purpose described in the application in the amount of $550,000, for the period starting July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006; and
Page 8 8/10/05 WHEREAS, the Consolidated Adult Basic Skills Program is a competitive grant made possible under the Adult Education and Literacy, Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Grant Opportunity requires the establishment of a consortium of adult education partners from Passaic County to share proportionally the total funding amount of $1,100,000; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public Schools, Adult Division requests the approval to participate in a Consortium of 6 partner agencies headed by the Passaic County Technical Institute and receive the total amount of funds requested.
Resolution No. A-2
WHEREAS, the grant allocated by NGO No. 04-EE02-H04, New Jersey Refugee Students Impact Grant Program, for $145,301.00 has been accepted by the Board of Education on its meeting on the 18th day of August 2004; and
WHEREAS, the said grant shall be used for the purpose described in the application filed with the New Jersey State Department of Education at School No. 18; and
WHEREAS, the said grant shall be used for the purpose described in the application; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the continuum grant from the New Jersey Department of Education for the New Jersey Refugee Students Impact Grant Program for School No. 18 in the amount of $91,676.00 beginning July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 be accepted.
Resolution No. A-3
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District services approximately 4,000 LEP students from Grades k-13; and
WHEREAS, LEP students require Bilingual/ESL services in Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Turkish, Albanian, and other languages by certified teachers and instructional assistants; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the submission of the Bilingual/ESL Three-Year Program Plan on August 10, 2005, in compliance with New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 6A:15).
Resolution No. A-4
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District wishes to provide after-school programs that encompass an array of inclusive and supervised services that will assist students to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, as well as provide recreational, health and technology activities; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has planned collaboratively with a wide array of community based partners with proven records in providing services to youth in our community; and
Page 9 8/10/05 WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has proposed a comprehensive program to serve our community by providing safe, drug-free, supervised, after-school and Saturday programs for children, youth and their families; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the contract with “Paterson Catholic Regional High School” as a partner to assist with the implementation of the PCLC After-School Program for students in grades 9-12 for an amount not to exceed $74,645 from the grant period beginning July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
Resolution No. A-5
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District wishes to provide after-school programs that encompass an array of inclusive and supervised services that will assist students to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, as well as provide recreational, health and technology activities; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has planned collaboratively with a wide array of community based partners with proven records in providing services to youth in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has proposed a comprehensive program to serve our community by providing safe, drug-free, supervised, after-school and Saturday programs for children, youth and their families; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education, Office of Program Support Services, in collaboration with the Office of Grant Management, has reviewed and granted approval for the changes proposed; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the start and end date for the Paterson 21st Century Community Learning Centers After-School Program at Schools #6, #10, and Paterson Catholic effective October 3, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
Resolution No. A-6
WHEREAS, Pilgrimage Outreach, Inc. has been contracted with the Paterson Public School District since 1998 to operate the Zone Alternative Program (ZAP), an alternative suspension/intervention program; and
WHEREAS, the PPS District is committed to collaboration with community outreach services for its students and recognizes the need for alternatives to out-of-school suspensions; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the ZAP is to reduce the dropout rate among students that have received an out-of-school suspension by providing behavioral counseling in a supervised, structured environment for each student referred to the program; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves entering into an agreement with Pilgrimage Outreach, Inc. in collaboration with the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine in New Jersey and the AWARE Program in Bakersfield, CA to operate the Zone Alternative Program located at 449 Union Avenue, Paterson, NJ for the 05-06 school year in the amount of $100,000.00.
Page 10 8/10/05 Resolution No. A-7
WHEREAS, the Paterson School District is desirous of educating as many classified special education students within its own schools and thereby reducing the number of these students who may require Out-of-District placements; and
WHEREAS, as additional classroom space becomes available for instruction of classified special education students, the administration accepts the opportunity to establish additional classrooms for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Special Services has identified additional classroom space for instruction in the 2005-2006 school year; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following new classes or changes in existing classes be approved by the State Appointed Superintendent of Schools and the Paterson Board of Education for the 2005-2006 school year:
1. Establishing a new class for students ages 10-14 year, with Learning/Language Disabilities at School No. 12; 2. Establishing a new secondary level class for students with Autism, who graduated from the elementary program at School No. 2, to be located at the STARS Academy; 3. Changing a classroom at School No. 6 that was designated to provide instruction for students with Behavioral Disabilities to one now designated for students, ages 10-14 year, classified as Multiply Disabled. Hence, we are establishing a new class for the Multiply Disabled at School No. 6.
Resolution No. A-8
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves contracts with All Can Excel (A.C.E.) Academy as well as payment for providing educational services during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition C.R., D.C., F.E., G.D., H.H., J.J., L.C., L.J., M.A., R.R. $339,348.00
Resolution No. A-9
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Banyan School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition J.S. $30,824.00
Resolution No. A-10
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Benway School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition A.R. $38,160.00
Resolution No. A-11
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Bergen Center for Child Development, Inc. for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition A.G., C.M., M.N., M.Y., Z.O. $215,474.00
Resolution No. A-12
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves a contract with Bergen County Special Services for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 extended school year:
Page 12 8/10/05 Student Initials D.W.
Resolution No. A-13
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Calais School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition R.F., G.G., A.M., M.N., A.P. $216,000.00
Resolution No. A-14
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Catholic Community Services/Mt. Carmel Guild High School and Middle School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Student Initials Tuition J.C., T.C., E.C., V.D., L.D., J.E., C.R., K.T., Q.J., J.R., T.H., J.B. $553,328.00
Resolution No. A-15
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Child Development Center for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Page 13 8/10/05 Student Initials Tuition T.A., D.C., Y.J. $109,615.00
Resolution No. A-16
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Clearview School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition W.G., D.L., J.L., D.S., S.S., C.W., T.W. $271,064.00
Resolution No. A-17
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Community School of Family Connections, Inc. for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition T.A., M.C., K.F., K.G., C.H., C.H., C.K., C.S., J.S., J.V-Z., M.R. $402,116.00
Resolution No. A-18
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Craig School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Page 14 8/10/05 Student Initials Tuition A.C. $30,500.00
Resolution No. A-19
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves contracts with the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Regional School for providing educational services to the following students during the 2004-2005 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials S.B., J.H.
Resolution No. A-20
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Department of Human Services Regional School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition R.C., S.C., J.C., R.C., M.D., O.D., C.F., V.G., E.G., P.H., N.J., R.J., A.L., O.L., S.L., R.O., A.R., C.S., A.S., G.S., L.S., Q.S., D.T., O.T., T.W., J.Z. $947,394.00
Resolution No. A-21
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
Page 15 8/10/05 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Deron School of New Jersey, Inc. for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition T.A., Q.F., E.O., R.P., Z.T. $189,811.00
Resolution No. A-22
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Devereux (Kanner Center in Pennsylvania) for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition E.P. $36,630.00
Resolution No. A-23
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with East Mountain Youth Services for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition V.V. $48,701.00
Resolution No. A-24
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with ECLC of New Jersey for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Page 16 8/10/05 Student Initials Tuition J.J., N.V., T.T. $91,919.00
Resolution No. A-25
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Felician School for Exceptional Children, Inc. for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Student Initials Tuition N.B., T.C., B.L., D.M., D.McL., C.M., V.S., J.Y. $217,344.00
Resolution No. A-26
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Forum School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition N.P. $38,335.00
Resolution No. A-27
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Glenview Academy for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition T.H., M.R., S.M., I.P., S.W., L.T. $368,583.00
Page 17 8/10/05 Resolution No. A-28
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Gramon School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Student Initials Tuition K.A., L.F., H.B., C.D., S.G., J.R., J.S., E.T. $378,018.00
Resolution No. A-29
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The High Point School of Bergen County for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Student Initials Tuition G.P., M.H. $119,599.00
Resolution No. A-30
WHEREAS, the approval for student(s) as per IEP/health is recommended; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment for Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy for student(s) with payment to Innovative Interventions, Inc.:
Student Initials Tuition A.P. $1,040.00
Resolution No. A-31
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
Page 18 8/10/05
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with JCC on the Palisades for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition C.M., T.C. $8,500.00
Resolution No. A-32
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Kidspeace National Centers for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition Q.S., J.C., S.W. $159,280.00
Resolution No. A-33
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Lakeside School for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition J.F. $48,455.00
Resolution No. A-34
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Lakeview Learning Center for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Page 19 8/10/05 Student Initials Tuition C.A., J.G., Q.J., S.P., A.U., I.V., J.W. $294,384.00
Resolution No. A-35
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Learning Center for Exceptional Children for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition C.G., J.G., I.L., C.M., T.S., P.S., E.V., C.W. $495,243.00
Resolution No. A-36
WHEREAS, the approval for student(s) as per IEP/health is recommended; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment for Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy for student(s) with payment to Morris-Union Jointure Commission:
Student Initials Tuition A.P. $15,200.00
Resolution No. A-37
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Mountain Lakes Board of Education for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition E.A., I.A., R.E., T.J., I.L., M.M., K.N., J.P., E.S. $381,300.00
Page 20 8/10/05 Resolution No. A-38
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with North Hudson Academy for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular school year:
Student Initials Tuition L.L. $29,169.00
Resolution No. A-39
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Northwest Essex Community Healthcare Network (also known as Community Therapeutic School) for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition L.L. $4,613.00
Resolution No. A-40
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Passaic County Educational Services Commission for providing educational services to students attending Academy High School/Memorial Hall/Skyland and Hilltop during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition A.C., A.M., C.S., C.M., J.M., M.W., N.T., S.P., T.B., W.R., E.O., J.J., L.H., S.R., K.S., N.B., Q.J., C.P.,
Page 21 8/10/05 M.O., A.T., W.H. $538,330.00
Resolution No. A-41
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Passaic County Educational Services Commission for providing educational services to students attending Passaic Prep during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition M.A., J.B., A.B., B.D., L.D., J.G., Jz.G., T.G., N.G., J.H., K.I., D.J., T.J., S.K., J.L., J.M., B.M., N.N., B.P., E.P., J.R., Jos.R., S.S., M.V., L.W., I.W. $676,368.00
Resolution No. A-42
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with The Phoenix Center for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition J.B., J.G., M.J., A.J., H.O., M.R., O.R., O.R., S.S., H.V. $562,872.00
Resolution No. A-43
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
Page 22 8/10/05
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Ridgefield Board of Education for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition D.S., K.I., M.L., M.J. $201,460.00
Resolution No. A-44
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with St. Joseph’s School for the Blind for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition A.K., S.R. $134,000.00
Resolution No. A-45
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Somerset Hills School, Inc. for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition J.P. $76,970.00
Resolution No. A-46
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Willowglen Academy for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Page 23 8/10/05 Student Initials Tuition T.O., E.T., O.Z. $137,133.00
Resolution No. A-47
WHEREAS, according to New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14 the Paterson Public School District is required to place District students in an appropriate educational facility as per their I.E.P.; and
WHEREAS, the District wishes to remain compliant with State & Federal requirements; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves payment and contracts with Woods Services for providing educational services to students during the 2005-2006 regular and extended school year:
Student Initials Tuition M.C., J.W., S.Mc., K.M. $273,079.00
Resolution No. A-48
WHEREAS, each year Operation Link-Up sponsors an overnight trip to Syracuse University. This trip is scheduled for September 29 and September 30, is organized and will be supervised by Carey Jenkins, a JFK Teacher and Operation Link-Up Director, Staff and Counselors from the District. The trip will be paid for as follows: The Paterson School District will pay for the bus ($1750) and Operation Link-Up will pay for hotel rooms and other expenses connected with the trip; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Operation Link-Up (Carey Jenkins) along with staff Kevin C. Jenkins, Tancy Nunez and School Counselors have planned a two-day trip to Syracuse University; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves this educational experience for students and staff. All expenses with this trip will be paid for by Operation Link-Up and the Paterson Public School District.
Resolution No. A-49
WHEREAS, each year Operation Link-Up sponsors an overnight trip to Penn State University to visit the Altoona and University Park campuses. This visit will include approximately 40 students from JFK, EHS, RP and the innovative academies. This trip ($1750) will be paid for by Operation Link-Up and is scheduled for October 20 and 21. It is organized and will be supervised by Carey Jenkins, a JFK Teacher and Operation Link-Up Director, Staff and Counselors from the District. The students will be exposed to a campus with a 3,000 student population and a campus of 42,000 students; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Operation Link-Up (Carey Jenkins) along with staff Kevin C. Jenkins, Tancy Nunez and School Counselors have planned a two-day trip to visit Penn State University Altoona and University Park; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves this educational experience for students and staff. Operation Link-Up will pay for all expenses in connection with this trip.
Page 24 8/10/05
Resolution No. A-50
WHEREAS, the Paterson Board of Education grants permission for the incoming 9th grade HARP Academy students to attend Frost Valley YMCA Environmental Education Center, 200 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725-9600, for three (3) days and two (2) nights from November 7, 2005 through November 9, 2005. Students will receive team building/leadership skills, science related activities, historical/cultural information, language arts activities and some recreation.
Cost per individual $147.00 for a total cost of $9,760.00 Transportation $1,200.00 Lodging/Linens $6,885.00 Teacher Stipend $1,000.00 Evening Speaker $235.00 Damage Deposit $200.00 Nursing Services $240.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the HARP Academy students’ field trip be approved by the Board of Education.
Resolution No. A-51
WHEREAS, the Eastside High School football program’s student-athletes are allowed to attend an overnight football camp conducted by the Eastside football coaching staff. The camp will focus on several key areas of the student-athlete with emphasis on personal, athletic and social development. Athletes will be given instruction, introduction and reinforcement of basic football fundamentals and techniques. Instruction will include, but not be limited to, safety precautions, team building and cohesion, with special consideration given to leadership and interpersonal skill development; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the Football Team Camp for the student-athletes of Eastside High School.
Date of Trip: August 21, 2005 through August 24, 2005 Cost of Camp: $6,300.00 Camp Site: Camp Weequahic, Lakewood, PA
Resolution No. A-52
WHEREAS, participation in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL) must be supported by a District resolution agreeing to be governed by the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations, including all rules governing student eligibility; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District affirms its willingness to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the NJSIAA and the NNJIL for the 2005-2006 school year and approves the membership of Eastside High School.
It was moved by Comm. Sayegh, seconded by Comm. Santiago that Resolution Nos. A-1 through A-52 be adopted.
Page 25 8/10/05
Comm. Sayegh: Mr. President, I just have comments.
Comm. Vergara: On Item A-4, I just have a question. Did the program start already?
Comm. Sayegh: Yes. Commissioner, that was actually addressed at our workshop meeting.
Comm. Vergara: Okay, I see the note. Thank you.
Comm. Hodges: Perhaps we received some additional material I guess last night regarding the demographics.
Comm. Sayegh: Regarding which item?
Comm. Hodges: There are actually several items. Let’s see, it was A-1 and A-2 in particular.
Comm. Sayegh: Comm. Hodges, are you addressing that to the administration?
Comm. Hodges: Yes.
Dr. Glascoe: Comm. Hodges, A-2 is going to take a little while to try to pull this information together. That is in the process and I believe you were looking at A-1 also. We are pulling that information together to get back to you. I apologize that you haven’t received it so far.
Comm. Hodges: Thank you. There was also a discussion that was only partially completed regarding A-3 and the disparity between the various English as a Second Language programs in the district depending on which language you spoke. I still need some clarification in the future as to why that exists.
Comm. Taylor: Which one was that?
Comm. Hodges: That’s A-3. I had raised the question about why certain languages didn’t have bilingual programs in the district and were they effective despite the lack of those bilingual programs. If they were in fact effective without them, then why did we need bilingual programs in the other areas or vice versa?
Dr. Glascoe: Dr. Hodges, again we are still trying to put this information together. This will take some time because we have to look at past practices of the program and we have to gather the data. This particular week and certainly next week we are going to be short on staff because of vacations, just to be forewarned, but we will get it back to you.
Comm. Hodges: Thank you.
Comm. Sayegh: I would like to comment on Items A-48 and A-49. These specific agenda items deal with Operation Link-Up and for those who are not aware of this particular program they sponsor our students’ endeavors to expose them to schools such as Syracuse University, Penn State, and also Ramapo. Last year I had the pleasure, along with Comm. Moody, to visit Syracuse University along with a number of our students and I must tell you that I believe it was a rewarding experience for each student. We saw the many success stories that Operation Link-Up has brought about.
Page 26 8/10/05 In fact, it gives our young Paterson students exposure and experience to something that perhaps they would never see and it shows them the world outside our city, which I think is very important. I love Paterson and they love Paterson, but there is more to this world than our city. These particular items deal with two trips – one to Syracuse in late September and one to Penn State in late October. I would encourage anyone, including the Superintendent if his schedule permits, to visit these schools because you will hear from people who have actually graduated from Syracuse University who came from Paterson and now have gone on to get their Master’s from Syracuse University. That is a very esteemed institution of higher learning. Regarding Item A-52, Ms. Brenda Ferrer, during the public portion, raised the issue of what has been in the news as of late, which I am sure everyone has been following, regarding New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. I had seen Commissioner Librera in Trenton at an event and I had spoken to him about this and it has been published that he is demanding that they come up with an improvement plan that also demonstrates fairness. One of the things that we were complaining against was ticket prices. During the playoffs they were raising ticket prices and we were hearing about administrators with pensions that were excessive and a whole host of other financial misdeeds. So that issue is being addressed and we will continue to apply pressure.
Comm. Taylor: I believe Ms. Ferrer’s question was how is that trouble that the organization is having affecting our students and in what way. That was my question as well at our last meeting and you informed me that, and I think Dr. Clancy did also, it is the trouble of the organization. But just belonging to it creates a way for the students to be involved in the testing and going to college and some other things that they have to do. While the courts take care of the organization, the other part stays clear of that for students.
Comm. Sayegh: As was stated earlier, excessive ticket prices affect our students and parents, as well as some of the other things that were being done by the administration at the Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Comm. Taylor: I needed to get more information on Resolution A-6. I didn’t get the report.
Comm. Sayegh: Are you requesting a report?
Comm. Taylor: Reports from them.
Comm. Sayegh: This is regarding the ZONE Program I believe.
Comm. Taylor: Yes.
Dr. Glascoe: We have that information ready to be sent to you.
Comm. Taylor: Thank you.
Comm. Santiago: I forgot to mention something about A-6. I have been at their program. I paid them a visit and I urge some of the Board members to pay them a visit to see what they are doing. They are doing a fantastic job with our youth and I commend them 110%. They have my support. I would like them to expand someday in the future because our children need a lot of help. Perhaps someday more funding could be available for them, as well as for A-2 and A-3. Thank you.
Page 27 8/10/05 Comm. Brown: I also want to say that I have had the honor and pleasure of visiting the ZONE Program and Reverend Robinson runs an excellent program for children there. I urge all of my colleagues to support it and I hope that we can expand his program to a higher level in the future. I urge everyone when they get a chance to stop by and see the great things that he is doing there. Thank you.
Comm. Taylor: I did receive it but it wasn’t what I really wanted. I need to talk to Dr. Merachnik.
Comm. Sayegh: Please address that to the administration.
Comm. Taylor: I will.
On roll call all members voted in the affirmative, except Comm. Vergara who voted no on A-1. The motion carried.
LEGAL COMMITTEE
Comm. Spagnola reported that the Legal Committee met, reviewed and recommends approval for Resolution Nos. B-1 through B-4:
Resolution No. B-1
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public Schools (“PPS”) currently leases from Temple Emanuel of North Jersey (“Landlord”) certain rental space at premises known as 151 East 33rd Street, Paterson, New Jersey (the “Premises”); and
WHEREAS, the current Lease Agreement expires August 31, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the PPS has determined that the continued use of the Premises is required for public education and related administrative services; and
WHEREAS, PPS and the Landlord have agreed to the execution of a Lease Extension Agreement for an additional two-year term commencing September 1, 2005 and ending on August 31, 2007 at an annual rental of $111,028.88 ($9,252.41 per month) for the lease year September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 and $113,249.45 ($9,437.45 per month) for the lease year September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007, said rent to be payable in monthly installments on the first day of each month of the term; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to execute the Lease Extension Agreement and any and all documents that may be necessary to effect the leasing of the aforementioned rental space.
Resolution No. B-2
WHEREAS, the HARP Academy is provided the use of the swimming pool, fitness room, and athletic sports facilities by the Paterson YMCA, including lifeguard supervision, trainers, sports instructors and the use of the locker rooms; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District is obligated to pay the YMCA for these services and facilities; and now therefore
Page 28 8/10/05 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves the Contract Agreement for the YMCA facilities in the form of contract agreement annexed hereto, from September 12, 2005 until June 16, 2006, at the cost of $26,865.00.
Resolution No. B-3
WHEREAS, the MPACT Academy is provided the use of the swimming pool, fitness room, and athletic sports facilities by the Paterson YMCA, including lifeguard supervision, trainers, sports instructors and the use of the locker rooms; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District is obligated to pay the YMCA for these services and facilities; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves the Contract Agreement for the YMCA facilities in the form of contract agreement annexed hereto, from September, 2005 until June, 2006, at the cost of $26,865.00.
Resolution No. B-4
WHEREAS, the S.T.A.R.S. Academy is provided the use of the swimming pool, fitness room, and athletic sports facilities by the Paterson YMCA, including lifeguard supervision, trainers, sports instructors and the use of the locker rooms; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District is obligated to pay the YMCA for these services and facilities; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District approves the Contract Agreement for the YMCA facilities in the form of contract agreement annexed hereto, for the 2005-2006 school year, not to exceed $17,097.00.
It was moved by Comm. Spagnola, seconded by Comm. Santiago that Resolution Nos. B-1 through B-4 be adopted.
Comm. Atallo: On B-1, as I raised at the workshop, I have serious concerns about all these leases and the cost factor to our school district. Now that we have the new Superintendent on Board, I think we should be moving forward in putting together a long-term facility plan that includes purchasing properties, as opposed to leasing facilities in a hodgepodge fashion and putting students in these buildings. My concern about this building is that we have invested a lot of money into improving the facility, in addition to the very high rent we have paid, and it is my understanding that the Highway to Heaven Church from 10th Avenue is looking to purchase this. What is our long-term plan with this building? Are we going to lease it for two more years? Are we going to put more money into it and then at the end of the two years it is no longer ours? Is that basically what is going to happen?
Comm. Spagnola: I believe the lease is open-ended. It is 3% over the year before. That was my concern also with regards to the lease and the amount of the lease. But it was explained that because of the facilities problem that we ran into and we just got done speaking about it with the SCC, we are in a holding pattern. We don’t have a place for our children. We have a place right now. It is very expensive but they have to be educated and we have to have a facility for them. The best we can do is to keep it down to a 3% rise. We are in it for another year. Hopefully, this will be a priority for a movement for next year. I agree but we have other leases out there that we are trying to put together and we are trying to relocate other departments and other offices.
Page 29 8/10/05
Comm. Atallo: On B-2, B-3 and B-4, I will be abstaining on those three because they deal with contractual agreements with the YMCA and as I stated at the workshop, and I will state it for the record tonight, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA. So I will recuse myself from those three. But I just can’t emphasize strongly enough, through the Chairman to the new Superintendent, our need to work together to develop a comprehensive facility plan of where we are going to house our students. I know that the new Superintendent is inheriting this mess. The credibility of the SCC and the credibility of the previous administration leaves a lot to be desired, and the SCC needs to win back the credibility of the public because right now they don’t have it. So we pledge our support to the new Superintendent to work with you to move facilities forward. We need to do better than what we have been doing. The students of Paterson deserve much better.
Comm. Hodges: I agree with much of what Dr. Atallo has stated and I am going to go a little bit further. We are not just facing the problem here. We have a number of other school projects that are in limbo and we can’t wait for people to get around to addressing these needs. We are going to have to look at perhaps turning up the heat on the State of New Jersey. The Supreme Court was clear. That ruling hasn’t changed. So we are going to have to look at all possible measures to get our projects completed. I mean all possible measures. I don’t think I want to discuss what that may include or entail, but we need to pursue those and make it very clear to the agencies that the needs of our children as delineated by the Supreme Court have to be met.
Comm. Spagnola: I think the Supreme Court is putting the heat up as we speak. There was a nice article in the paper today in regards to the Abbott districts and their fulfillment of a court order mandate specifically that has gone by the wayside. They were rather clear and precise that they have to do it. It’s not perhaps or maybe or they should. They have to.
Comm. Hodges: But I think we need to be a little bit aggressive in making it very clear that Paterson’s needs will be attended to in short order because the longer we go obviously the more expensive these projects are and the more problematic the process of moving our students around becomes. That is basically what I want to say.
Comm. Spagnola: That is quite uncharacteristic of Paterson – to be aggressive.
Comm. Hodges: They have been in the last two or three years. Trust me on that one.
Comm. Spagnola: It seems that you are carrying that rather well.
Comm. Vergara: I also agree with Comm. Atallo on B-1. On B-2, B-3 and B-4, I just hope that someone from our facilities department has checked out the facilities there to see that they are up-to-par for our students who are going to be using these facilities. I understand that they did some upgrades but I don’t know if anyone actually checked it out to see if the facilities are up-to-date. Has Mr. Greuter been there or anybody from the facilities department?
Dr. Glascoe: Yes, we have. The facilities are adequate and we will continue to monitor it.
Comm. Hodges: I am on the Board of Directors, as is Dr. Atallo, and we both went through those facilities and got a tour to look at the facilities our students are going to be
Page 30 8/10/05 using. I won’t speak for Dr. Atallo but there has been a substantial upgrade in that program over there and the facilities throughout the building, and there is more to come.
Comm. Atallo: Just to piggyback on that, about two weeks ago Dr. Hodges and I and the rest of the Board of Directors did a comprehensive tour of the building from the basement to the top floor. The new equipment, lockers and everything is state-of-the- art. They put over $1.5 million into that building. As you know, I hold a high standard for our students. I wouldn’t want to put our students into any facility that I didn’t think would be to their satisfaction and meet their educational needs. You would be impressed with the facility and we invite any member of the Board, the administration and the general public who would like to look and see the facilities there. I think you would be very pleased that the YMCA has really moved forward dramatically. It’s not what it looked like a number of years ago. It looks very, very different.
Comm. Vergara: If we have two outstanding School Board members who actually witnessed it then I guess the grounds have been inspected and our Superintendent confirmed that.
Comm. Spagnola: Well, you can stop in too if you have any concerns.
Comm. Vergara: Comm. Atallo, are you going to give me a grand tour?
Comm. Atallo: I went over to work out and Dr. Hodges went over to eat the donuts.
Comm. Spagnola: Can we put this to sleep now?
On roll call all members voted as follows:
Comm. Atallo: I abstain on B-1 and I recuse myself from B-2, B-3 and B-4.
Comm. Hodges: Yes on B-1 and I abstain on B-2, B-3 and B-4 because of my association with the organization.
Comm. Moody: Yes.
Comm. Santiago: I am backing up what the Vice President said. My vote is yes.
Comm. Sayegh: Yes.
Comm. Spagnola: Yes.
Comm. Taylor: Yes.
Comm. Vergara: Yes.
Comm. Brown: Yes.
The motion carried.
FISCAL COMMITTEE
Comm. Atallo: First of all, I know that in the summertime it is tough to get people together and once again I would like to thank Mr. Rottino for taking the time to meet and
Page 31 8/10/05 walk us through a number of the questions that we had. Due to the fact that we did meet with Mr. Rottino, we can move along very quickly tonight.
Comm. Atallo reported that the Finance Committee met, reviewed and recommends approval for Resolution Nos. C-1 through C-9:
Resolution No. C-1
WHEREAS, it is necessary to pay vendors’ bills and claims against the Paterson Public School District; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves payment of August 2005 bills and claims, checks 124963 through 124964, 124965 through 124967, 124968 through 124981, 124982 through 125402, 125417 through 125425, and wires in the amount of $9,841,612.15 as attached hereto and made a part of the minutes; and be it further
RESOLVED, that voided checks 124239, 124124, and 124206 in the amount of $4,376.34 as attached hereto and made a part of the minutes; and be it finally
RESOLVED, that cafeteria checks 125403 through 125416 in the amount of $71,075.64 as attached hereto and made a part of the minutes.
Resolution No. C-2
WHEREAS, there is a need to request district taxes, exclusive of debt service requirements, to meet the needs of the School District for the month of August 2005; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the request of District taxes, exclusive of debt service requirements, needed to meet the obligations of the School District, for the month of August 2005, in the amount of $3,032,414.75, and that the City of Paterson is hereby requested to place in the hands of the Custodian of School Moneys that amount within the next thirty (30) days, in accordance with the statutes relating thereto; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the monthly certification of the State District Superintendent/Board of Education for the month of August 2005, attached hereto and made a part of the minutes.
Resolution No. C-3
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Administrative Code 6:20-2.13 (a) – (c) requires the Board Secretary and the Board of Education to certify that no budgetary line item account has been over-expended and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves transfer of funds within the 2004-2005 school year budget, for the months of May and June 2005, so that no budgetary line item account has been over-expended and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations, as requested by various budget managers, and as identified in the list of transfers attached hereto and made a part of the minutes.
Page 32 8/10/05 Resolution No. C-4
WHEREAS, Paterson Public Schools are required by New Jersey Administrative Code 6:23-2.2(a) to prepare monthly Financial Statements; and
WHEREAS, the School Business Administrator has prepared and presented the Board Secretary Report A148 and the Report of the Treasurer A149 including the cash reconciliation for the months of May and June 2005; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public Schools acknowledge receipt of and accept the Monthly Financial Reports for May and June 2005; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public Schools hereby incorporates the Monthly Financial Reports for the fiscal period ending May and June 2005, as part of the minutes of this meeting and note the public discussion of same for the minutes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School Business Administrator be directed to forward to the County Superintendent the minutes together with the Monthly Financial Reports; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
Resolution No. C-5
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District wishes to provide after-school programs that encompass an array of inclusive and supervised services that will assist students to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, as well as provide recreational, health and technology activities; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has planned collaboratively with a wide array of community based partners with proven records in providing services to youth in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has proposed a comprehensive program to serve our community by providing safe, drug-free, supervised, after-school and Saturday programs for children, youth and their families; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education, Office of Program Support Services, in collaboration with the Office of Grant Management, has reviewed and granted approval for the changes proposed; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves acceptance of the grant award in the amount of $534,567 for the Paterson 21st Century Community Learning Centers for the period beginning July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
Resolution No. C-6
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District’s Adult and Continuing Education Program has responded to the County of Passaic’s request for proposals for employment and training workforce services for youth under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; and
Page 33 8/10/05 WHEREAS, the Workforce Investment Board of Passaic County has reviewed and evaluated the 2006 Request for Proposal submitted by the District’s Adult and Continuing Education Program and approved funding for the 2005-2006 fiscal year; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves acceptance of the freeholder resolution to operate the proposed New Jersey Youth Corps services in the amount not to exceed $308,927 for the project period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
Resolution No. C-7
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Labor has approved the Paterson Public School District’s Application for Continuation Funding in order to operate a New Jersey Youth Corps; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District wishes to operate a New Jersey Youth Corps in order to assist young adults (ages 16-21) who have dropped out of high school in successfully transitioning to employment, college, or additional training by obtaining a state-issued high school diploma, by receiving career counseling and employability skills instruction, and by engaging in meaningful community service activities for the 2005/2006 school year; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District accepts a contract for Continuation Funding from the Department of Labor to operate a New Jersey Youth Corps, for the project period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, in the amount of $253,000.
Resolution No. C-8
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Labor has approved the Paterson Board of Education’s Application for Integrated English Literacy & Civics Education Grant; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts a contract for funding from the Department of Labor, to operate an Integrated English Literacy & Civics Education Grant, for the project period July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, in the amount of $200,000.
Resolution No. C-9
WHEREAS, the Paterson School District desires to increase Language and Literacy Instruction in order to provide its students with a higher degree of literacy skill development; and
WHEREAS, the school district has determined that a new initiative will commence for students in kindergarten through 8th grade in 2005/2006 to make literacy instruction a major priority; and
WHEREAS, all students, including those classified for special education, will be involved in the new literacy program emphasis; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education of the State of New Jersey has approved of a grant to the Paterson School District which will provide funds for the district to employ
Page 34 8/10/05 three special education literacy coaches to train and work with teachers of the handicapped within the literacy program; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District accepts the state grant for payment of three coaches for this program in the amount of $178,383.00.
It was moved by Comm. Atallo, seconded by Comm. Santiago that Resolution Nos. C-1 through C-9 be adopted.
Comm. Atallo: On C-1, once again I have serious concerns on several areas. At this time I am asking that the legal bills for general counsel be pulled for review. I pulled the backup sheets. I don’t know if anyone else had a chance to read them, although I don’t think they did, but I reviewed them. Since last month we received bills for over $250,000 in legal bills. I understand that covers two months, but still in my view it is very high and the breakdown of the bills is very vague. I need to get a better breakdown before I vote to spend taxpayer’s money on a quarter of a million dollars in legal bills. So I am asking that a motion be made to pull that. I also have concerns on the food bills. I still think they are very high and now that we have a new Superintendent we need to sit down and tighten up the policy on who orders food, how much, and what events are appropriate to order food for. Our budget has been cut and we have students who don’t have books. We need teachers and classrooms. I think we have to reset our priorities and I think it is also a perception to the public, which has been made not only to myself but also to others from the public. There is a public perception and we need to address that as well. The third issue of concern for me is the large number of leases that are included for payment. I cannot validate these leases. I never voted for them before. In fact, the majority of the Board members did not vote for them and they were put through anyway. There are triple net leases. For those who don’t understand what a triple net lease is, you are paying the rent, you are paying the taxes, and you are paying for the maintenance and upgrades on the building. I think these are sweetheart deals. I think the landlords are becoming very rich very quickly off the Paterson School District. I question the educational soundness and use of some of these facilities. This is a serious problem that the new Superintendent has inherited and he needs to work on it with us in terms of moving forward, but I cannot in true conscience vote on those leases. I think the Board should vote no. If the Superintendent wants to veto it, let the Commissioner of Education approve them since they signed off on these. As you know, we voted no on the Boris Kroll site. This Board voted not to approve those. The Superintendent signed the lease before he even brought it to the Board’s attention. We voted it down and the Commissioner chose to sign off on it. So I in true conscience cannot vote on that. Mr. President, at this time I am making a motion to approve C-1 through C-9, and on C-1 to exempt legal bills for review, food bills for review, and the leases.
Comm. Hodges: Are you putting a motion on the floor?
Comm. Atallo: I am putting a motion on the floor that legal bills for general counsel, the food bills, and the leases be pulled for review. Let me make my point clear. I am not saying to never, ever pay them. I am saying let’s pull them this month and let’s have a comprehensive review. I think that is fair. We owe that to the taxpaying public and to the students of our school system.
Comm. Hodges: My question is, are you issuing an amendment to your original motion?
Comm. Atallo: Yes, I am.
Page 35 8/10/05
It was moved by Comm. Atallo, seconded by Comm. Vergara that Resolution Nos. C-1 through C-9 be adopted, with the exception of legal bills for general counsel, food bills, and the leases, which are to be pulled for review.
Comm. Hodges: On Dr. Atallo’s amendment, Dr. Atallo has been vigilant in pointing out these areas of concern. However, in the spirit of being a better Board, what we really need to focus on is putting in place a policy that will determine the shape of the bills, or at least the structure of the bills, so that they will be more in line with Dr. Atallo’s concerns, or address Dr. Atallo’s concerns. So if we had a format that he could say the bills adhere and they meet this standard, whatever that standard may be, then we wouldn’t be back here every month challenging the same bills, except for maybe the amount of the bills. Obviously there are two things there. One is there is a policy which states the bills will be in a reasonable format that conveys appropriate information, and then there is a regulation which the administration will develop which dictates what that format would look like. So I would request of Dr. Atallo that he author that policy initiative so that we can then move to the regulations that would comport with his needs.
Comm. Atallo: Clearly we can put a policy together, but I think common sense should prevail. I asked the administration and they were kind enough to provide me with the backup documentation. I went through the legal bills page-by-page, line-by-line, and I find the breakdown overly vague, quite frankly. It will say telephone conference for two hours, or one hour, or 25 minutes, but it doesn’t explain what they are talking about or who they are talking with. We are here to protect the taxpayers and make sure dollars are well spent. We are here to protect our students to make sure that the money and resources we have in this district goes to education and not ancillary services. Third, this district has been rocked with criminal scandal and we have been saying look at these guys. I am not accusing any particular contractor this month or anybody here. What I am saying is that we have been rocked with problems and I have been pointing them out month after month for five years. All I say is this. We need to look at everything with a fine toothcomb. We owe that to the public that elects us, we owe that to the children for which we are responsible for their education. So I look at these bills and I find them very vague. I am not saying they are not valid and I am not saying we shouldn’t pay them. All I am saying, and I think this is a very reasonable request, is that we pull them this month and review them collectively. We will then have a greater comfort level in terms of what we are spending money on. A quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money. It’s a lot of money in anybody’s book and that is the legal bill from last month to this month, two months of legal services. Prior to that the bills were much lower and we were complaining about those bills. I am concerned. I have made my position known. I think we should be responsible. I am not saying that we should never, ever pay them. I am not saying that. I am saying we should pull them this month and review them. I think that is reasonable and that is what I am respectfully requesting from my colleagues.
Comm. Sayegh: I would like to address my question to Mr. Rottino. If indeed we vote to pull these bills, what will the ramifications be?
Mr. Rottino: At the present time, the two months of legal bills are approximately $312,000. We did receive the services. We have an obligation. We have over 200 cases pending. We have all the documentation. It is a definite issue that has to be addressed by the Board. If they are not satisfied with the procedure in which the attorneys present the documentation of the billing, they should request a committee meeting of the legal committee to sit down with the Superintendent, the assistant superintendent and the attorneys to develop a format which everyone agrees to.
Page 36 8/10/05 Concerning the food vendor, we did receive the services and we owe them approximately $12,000 to $14,000. We consumed the food – we owe them the money. We have an obligation, legally and morally, to pay them. That’s all I have to say.
Comm. Atallo: I have a quick point. It’s true that we may have consumed the food district wide, but we should have a policy in place as to when it is appropriate to order food. I think it is done to the point of excess. Also, I would like a statement of disclosure if any Board members have received campaign contributions or solicited campaign contributions for themselves or any of their employers from this firm or any other law firm that does business with the school district. I would like disclosure on that because I think that impacts whether people support this firm or any other law firm who does business with this district. When I ran for office, and my records are a public record, I did not accept any campaign contributions from any law firms that did business with the Paterson School District.
Comm. Brown: Your comments are duly noted.
Comm. Hodges: Again, nothing that I suggested in any way interferes with this amendment to the motion. I am just simply saying that we are here every month doing the exact same thing and as a Board we need to get about our business in a more routine fashion.
Comm. Brown: I agree.
Comm. Hodges: Rather than pulling the bills every month because they are considered vague or what have you, we should fit them in a better format to make them less vague and make sure that they comport with the standards that this Board decides upon. I think that would be a reasonable thing to do as an appropriate step. That may not be the only step that we take, but we at least should do that so that we can then remove that as being one of the items of concern. Then we can focus on what may be another issue, which is the amount of the bills, but we can at least say that they are not vague. Regarding the legal bills or any other bills that we have come before us, we should determine an appropriate format that will get at this issue. I think that should be one of the main orders of business so that we don’t have to be here again next month doing the exact same thing.
Comm. Atallo: I have one final point. I bring it up every month because it is not addressed – the vagueness of this issue – and this needs to be addressed. Number two, I don’t say this to Dr. Hodges to put him on the spot, but I say this to all the Board members. I don’t believe most Board members had the opportunity to review the detailed breakdown of the bills, so I don’t see how any Board member could responsibly vote to pay it if you haven’t reviewed it. You don’t know what you are paying a quarter of a million dollars for. You are just shooting in the blind and I don’t think it is appropriate to literally write blank checks. I think we have a responsibility to the public and to the children of the city who we are responsible to educate to go through these items. If the finance committee is saying they are vague, I would hope the Board would respect that and that we pull them to review them. But for any Board member to vote yes to pay the bills without having reviewed them, I don’t believe that is very responsible and you are shortchanging our students.
Comm. Brown: Your comments are duly noted. Do we have any other discussion on the amendment to the main motion?
Page 37 8/10/05 Comm. Taylor: I have forgotten the amendment. I will just say to you that I agree that there should be a policy for us to have so that you will know ahead of time about the bills. I get the bills every month and I read over them. I go over the bills, so I do know what Dr. Atallo is talking about. But then we should all of us say that we have read them or not read them. We do need a policy. We need to get together with the legal committee and find out how they will report back to us because these things are very, very important. For us to squabble over what law firm we should have, we don’t know why we are squabbling with a law firm and we know that we have 200 cases. Somebody has to pay somewhere. That’s all I have to say at this point.
Comm. Vergara: I agree with Comm. Atallo and I also agree that the policy should be set in place. But in due fairness to our new Superintendent, this is another issue that he is going to battle and I know that if we work collectively and set a policy, then we will be able to address this. Comm. Atallo has been bringing this up not only month after month but year after year on the same issue. In all due fairness, the Board ought to give the Superintendent the opportunity to also look into this. Thank you.
Comm. Brown: Before I call roll call, I do want to make one comment to the public. Dr. Glascoe and I have had many conversations on how we are going to address policy issues here in the district. I think as a result of our tentative Board retreat on September 24th we are going to be able to move ahead a little bit more effectively.
Comm. Taylor: Please state the amendment.
Comm. Brown: Fiscal chair, do you want to state the amendment for the record?
Comm. Atallo: You do it so much better than I, Mr. President.
Comm. Brown: It’s your amendment.
It was moved by Comm. Atallo, seconded by Comm. Vergara that Resolution Nos. C-1 through C-9 be adopted, with the amendment of C-1 that legal bills for general counsel, food bills, and the leases be pulled for review.
Ms. Cheryl Williams: We should just be voting on the amendment to C-1.
Comm. Brown: We are just voting on the amendment and then we are going to go back to the main motion. Actually, Joe, you included all of them together.
Comm. Hodges: Are we voting to pull those three out now, or are we voting on all nine?
Comm. Taylor: We are voting on the amendment.
Comm. Brown: For clarification, the amendment is just the parts that we are pulling. Then we will go back to the main motion, which would cover the balance of C-1 through C-9. So we are not voting on C-1 through C-9. We are voting on the pulling of what the fiscal chair described as in the amendment. We are not voting on C-1 through C-9, just the pulling of the things that he mentioned.
Comm. Hodges: The legal bills, the food bills, and what else?
Comm. Atallo: The leases. We need to send a message to Trenton that this is ridiculous.
Page 38 8/10/05 Comm. Hodges: But I don’t know that that is the right message.
Comm. Atallo: Yes, it is. Let them sign off on these sweetheart deals. I am not going to validate it.
Comm. Taylor: Let’s vote.
Comm. Santiago: We are in roll call. Let’s go.
On roll call all members voted as follows on the amendment to C-1:
Comm. Atallo: Yes.
Comm. Hodges: No on the amendment.
Comm. Moody: No.
Comm. Santiago: Yes.
Comm. Sayegh: I support the proposed policy initiative. I vote no.
Comm. Spagnola: Yes.
Comm. Taylor: No.
Comm. Vergara: Yes.
Comm. Brown: Yes.
The motion carried.
Comm. Brown: Now we are going back to the main motion.
It was moved by Comm. Atallo, seconded by Comm. Vergara that Resolution Nos. C-1 through C-9 be adopted with the amendment to C-1. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
Resolution No. C-10
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District seeks to procure goods and services through the use of state contract vendors (18A:18A-10-a) during the 2005-2006 school year; and
WHEREAS, the board of education may, by resolution and without advertising for bids, purchase any goods or services under the State of New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Program for any state contracts entered into on behalf of the State by the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has the need, on a timely basis, to purchase goods and services utilizing state contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District intends to enter into contracts with the attached referenced state contract vendors through this resolution and properly
Page 39 8/10/05 executed contracts, which shall be subject to all the conditions applicable to the current state contracts; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District authorizes the Purchasing Department to purchase certain goods and services from the additional approved New Jersey state contract vendors on the attached list pursuant to all conditions of the individual state contracts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the duration of the contracts between the Paterson Public School District and the attached list of state contract vendors shall be from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 pursuant to the vendor’s state contract award date.
Resolution No. C-11
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Physical & Occupational Therapy Services, RFP-003-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the lowest bidder, Invo HealthCare Associates, Inc., did not submit a copy of their NJ Business Registration Certificate; and
WHEREAS, the bidding laws permit the Board to reject a materially non-responsive bid; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes the Purchasing Agent to:
1. Reject the proposal received by Invo HealthCare Associates, Inc., 2. Re-advertise the request for proposals for Physical & Occupational Therapy Services.
Resolution No. C-12
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Asbestos Management, Inspection and Training, PPS-207-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District rejects all bids, as per the attached bid summary, for Asbestos Management, Inspection and Training, PPS-207- 06, pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:18A-22d, the board of education wants to substantially revise the specifications for the goods or services.
Page 40 8/10/05 Resolution No. C-13
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for HVAC System Installation & Disposal, PPS-258-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District rejects all bids, as per the attached bid summary, for HVAC System Installation & Disposal, PPS-258-06, pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:18A-22d, the board of education wants to substantially revise the specifications for the goods or services.
Resolution No. C-14
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited open public bids for At-Risk Adolescent Substance Abuse Outpatient Treatment Services on two occasions, RFP- 003-06 and RFQ-004-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 18A:18A-5(c) the District is permitted to negotiate this category without advertising, not to exceed $21,000.00; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to 18A:18A-5(c), the Department of Purchasing is authorized to negotiate this category without advertising, thereby obtaining competitive quotations for the procurement of At-Risk Adolescent Substance Abuse Outpatient Treatment Services District Wide.
Resolution No. C-15
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited open public bids for Elevator Repairs at PS #13 for Vertical Transportation Hydraulic Cylinder Replacement; and
WHEREAS, bids were advertised pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-4 on two occasions, PPS-258-05 and PPS-260-05; and
WHEREAS, no bids were received on both occasions; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to 18A:18A-5(c), the Paterson Public School District authorizes the Department of Purchasing to negotiate this category without advertising,
Page 41 8/10/05 thereby obtaining competitive quotations for the procurement of Elevator Repairs at PS #13 for Vertical Transportation Hydraulic Cylinder Replacement.
Resolution No. C-16
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited open public bids for Privatization of Security Services, PPS-013-04; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:18A-42, the Paterson Public School District may renew contracts; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:18A-42 and the bid specifications, the vendor agrees to renew the contract for the 2005-2006 school year with an increase of 3.25%; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District renews the contract for Privatization of Security Services, as per bid specifications in PPS-013-04 and including a 3.25% increase for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendor:
Absolute Security Network, Inc. 333 Meadowlands Parkway Secaucus, NJ 07094
Resolution No. C-17
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Temporary Classroom Units (Re-Bid), PPS-058-04; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District is allowed to renew contracts according to N.J.S.A.18A:18A-42; and
WHEREAS, the vendor agrees to renew the contract, at no price increase, which guarantees a price substantially lower by processing a renewal immediately; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District renews the contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Temporary Classroom Units (Re-Bid), PPS-058-04, for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years, purchase orders to be issued upon determination of specific need at specific site, to the following vendor:
Williams Scottsman 170 Central Avenue
Page 42 8/10/05 South Kearny, NJ 07032
Resolution No. C-18
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited open public bids for Closure of Underground Oil Tanks, PPS-251-05; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District is allowed to renew contracts according to N.J.S.A.18A:18A-42; and
WHEREAS, the vendor agrees to renew the contract, at no price increase; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District renews the contract, for Closure of Underground Oil Tanks, as per bid specification PPS-251-05, for the 2005- 2006 school year, to the following vendor, not to exceed $47,450.00:
Aurora Environmental, Inc. 1120 Union Avenue Union Branch, NJ 07735
Resolution No. C-19
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited Request for Proposals for Telephone Services District Wide; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, two (2) proposals were submitted and analyzed by the Department of Technology; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Telephone Services District Wide, to the following vendors, not to exceed $500,000:
Verizon MCI 175 Park Avenue PO Box 96022 Madison, NJ 07940 Charlotte, NC 28296 Section 1 Sections 2 & 3
Resolution No. C-20
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Public Sale – Used Textbooks, PPS-001-06; and
Page 43 8/10/05
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Public Sale – Used Textbooks, PPS-001-06, at a total price of $5,200.00, for the 2005-2006 school year, to the highest bidder as follows:
Follet Educational Services 1433 Internationale Parkway Woodridge, IL 60517
Resolution No. C-21
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Fine Arts Supplies, PPS-106-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Fine Arts Supplies, PPS-106-06, for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendor:
Dick Blick Company 695 US Highway 150 East Galesburg, IL 61402-1267
Resolution No. C-22
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Home Economics Supplies and Related, PPS-108-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Home Economics Supplies and Related, PPS-108-06, for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years, to the following vendor, not to exceed $50,000:
S.A.N.E. 2275 Millville Road – Suite 1 Hamilton, OH 45013
Page 44 8/10/05 Resolution No. C-23
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Music Supplies and Related, PPS-110-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Music Supplies and Related, PPS-110-06, for the 2005- 2006 and 2006-2007 school years, to the following vendor, not to exceed $100,000.00:
Victor’s House of Music 762 Route 17 North Paramus, NJ 07652
Resolution No. C-24
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Physical Education Supplies and Related, PPS-111-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Physical Education Supplies and Related, PPS-111-06, for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years, to the following vendors, not to exceed $250,000.00:
Efinger Sporting Goods Passon’s Sports Pyramid School Products 513 W. Inion Avenue P.O. Box 49 6510 North 54th Street Bound Brook, NJ 08805 Jenkintown, PA 19046 Tampa, FL 33610-1908
Resolution No. C-25
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Athletic Supplies and Related, PPS-112-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Athletic Supplies and Related, PPS-112-06, for the 2005- 2006 school year, to the following vendors:
Page 45 8/10/05 East Orange Sporting R&R Trophy & Sporting Goods Co. 459 Pleasant Valley Way 104 Ridge Road West Orange, NJ 07052 No. Arlington, NJ 07031 303 Items Awarded 218 Items Awarded
School Health Corp. Sport Supply Group 865 Muirfield Drive P.O. Box 49 Hanover Park, IL 60133 Jenkintown, PA 19046 172 Items Awarded 114 Items Awarded
Levi’s Inc. 6116 Bergenline Avenue West New York, NJ 07093 72 Items Awarded
Resolution No. C-26
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for ITV Equipment & Service, PPS-137-05; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District is now exercising year two (2) of the above mentioned contract; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards the contract for the second year, as per the attached bid summary, for ITV Equipment & Service, PPS-137- 05, for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendor, not to exceed $200,000.00:
Impact Technology Solutions, LLC 507 S. Narberth Avenue Merion Station, PA 19066
Resolution No. C-27
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Copy Paper District Wide, PPS-139-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Copy Paper District Wide, PPS-139-06, for the 2005- 2006 school year, to the following vendor, not to exceed $250,000.00:
Central Lewmar 60 McClellan Street
Page 46 8/10/05 Newark, NJ 07114
Resolution No. C-28
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Physical and Occupational Therapy Services, PPS-140-06 (Re-Bid); and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Physical and Occupational Therapy Services, PPS-140- 06 (Re-Bid), for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendor, not to exceed $350,000.00:
UMDNJ 65 Bergen Street Newark, NJ 07101
Resolution No. C-29
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Electrical Supplies and Related, PPS-212-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Electrical Supplies and Related, PPS-212-06, for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendors, not to exceed $50,000.00:
Interline Brands, Inc. Jewel Supply Co. DBA: Sexauer 455 3rd Street 200 East Park Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07302 Mt. Laurel, NJ 07054
Resolution No. C-30
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Public Address & Intercom System at Norman S. Weir, PPS-259-05; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
Page 47 8/10/05 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Public Address & Intercom System at Norman S. Weir, PPS-259-05, for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendor, not to exceed $29,467.00:
Bingham Communications 819 Pompton Avenue Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Resolution No. C-31
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Food Service Equipment (Small), PPS-305-06; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Food Service Equipment (Small), PPS-305-06, for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendors, not to exceed $17,500.00:
Calico Industries All Clean Building Services, Inc. 9045 Junction Drive 1202 South Olden Avenue Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 Hamilton, NJ 08610 29 Items Awarded 37 Items Awarded
Resolution No. C-32
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District solicited proposals for Milk and Dairy Products, PPS-321-06 (Re-Bid); and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the lowest responsible bid for goods and services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District awards a contract, as per the attached bid summary, for Milk and Dairy Products, PPS-321-06 (Re-Bid), for the 2005-2006 school year, to the following vendor, not to exceed $800,000.00:
Cream-O-Land Dairies, Inc. 529 Cedar Lane PO Box 146 Florence, NJ 08518
Resolution No. C-33
WHEREAS, Eastside High School provides Driver Simulator Lab, allowing students to practice driving skills in a safe, supportive environment; and now therefore
Page 48 8/10/05 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the maintenance contract with Doron Precision Systems, Inc. at the cost of $2,026.00.
Resolution No. C-34
WHEREAS, Eastside High School provides the Project Adventure Program, allowing students the opportunity to work cooperatively and challenge themselves in a supportive environment; and
WHEREAS, Eastside High School is responsible to provide a safe learning environment; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Board of Education approves the safety inspection provided by Project Adventure, Inc. at the cost of $1,860.00.
Resolution No. C-35
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has identified a need to provide transportation for Paterson pupils to the in-district Norman S. Weir School, for the 2005- 2006 extended school year; and
WHEREAS, informal telephone quotes were received by the Transportation Department; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District ratifies the action of the State Business Administrator in awarding the following contract for the 2005-2006 extended school year with the following contractor as follows:
Route Destination Contractor Total Per Diem ENW1 Norman S. Weir Laidlaw Transit $210.00 ENW2 Norman S. Weir Laidlaw Transit $210.00
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the State District Superintendent authorizes this action and the Paterson Board of Education affirms the action.
Resolution No. C-36
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has identified a need to provide transportation for Paterson out-of-district and in-district schools for special education pupils for the 2005-2006 extended school year; and
WHEREAS, at a bid opening held on June 23, 2005 sealed bids were received by the Transportation Department; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of Education ratifies the action of the State Business Administrator in awarding the bid contracts to:
Route Destination Contractor Total Per Diem SGB1 Gina’s Panifico Bakery Rudco $84.50 SWF3 Wayne Foundation Station Wagon $75.00 SDL1 Dale Avenue Station Wagon $203.00 SDL2 Dale Avenue Station Wagon $203.00 S274 School #2 Wagner Tours $179.00 S275 School #2 Wagner Tours $182.00
Page 49 8/10/05 S276 School #2 Wagner Tours $191.00 SPK1 Park School Station Wagon $193.00 SPK2 Park School Station Wagon $198.00 SC62 Elks CP Center Scholastic $249.00 SC63 Elks CP Center Scholastic $179.00 SGW1 George Washington Rudco $119.50 SBC1 Bergen Center Excep. Child Scholastic $90.00 SAC1 All Can Excel Rudco $204.50 SGV1 Glenview Academy Scholastic $211.00 SCL1 Calais School Scholastic $189.00 SGS1 Gateway School Scholastic $163.00 SHS1 Hilltop & Skylands Station Wagon $209.00 SN93 Norman Bleshman & Scholastic $282.00 Washington South S129 New Bridges & Station Wagon $222.00 Washington North SWS1 Windsor School Scholastic $231.00 SLK5 Lake Drive School Station Wagon $219.00
The following routes have been pulled due to a change in destination: S274 – School No. 2 S275 – School No. 2 S276 – School No. 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this action is authorized by the State District Superintendent of Schools and is ratified by the Paterson Board of Education.
Resolution No. C-37
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District has identified a need to provide transportation for Paterson out-of-district and in-district special education pupils for the 2005-2006 extended school year; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Paterson Public School District ratifies the action of the State Business Administrator in renewing the following contracts at a 3.01% increase (C.P.I.) for the 2005-2006 extended school year with the following contractors as follows:
Route Destination Contractor 05/06 Per Diem Cost SN91 Norman Bleshman D & M $209.11 SN98 Norman S. Weir D & M $182.33 SC57 C.P. Center Laidlaw $269.61 SC59 C.P. Center Laidlaw $269.61 ST51 STARS Laidlaw $241.05 ST52 STARS Laidlaw $241.05 ST53 STARS Laidlaw $241.05 S268 School #2 Laidlaw $234.72 S269 School #2 Laidlaw $234.72 S271 School #2 Laidlaw $234.72 S272 School #2 Laidlaw $234.72 S273 School #2 Laidlaw $234.72 SN85 Norman S. Weir Laidlaw $264.32 SC56 C.P. Center High School Rudco $238.67 SC58 C.P. Center High School Rudco $217.54
Page 50 8/10/05 SC61 C.P. Center Rudco $217.54 SF55 Forum School Rudco $157.01 SS90 Sawtelle School Rudco $148.85 SN92 Norman Bleshman Rudco $231.24 SEK1 C.P. Center High School Scholastic $238.12 SEK3 C.P. Center High School Scholastic $247.13 SEK6 C.P. Center High School Scholastic $238.12 SEK7 C.P. Center Scholastic $243.68 SEK9 C.P. Center Scholastic $243.68 SK11 C.P. Center Scholastic $245.91 SK12 C.P. Center Scholastic $255.90 SC93 Community School Scholastic $123.61 SL94 LCEC Scholastic $119.49 S100 Norman S. Weir Scholastic $176.15 S101 Norman S. Weir Scholastic $186.45 S102 Norman S. Weir Scholastic $176.15 S104 STARS Scholastic $134.94 S107 School #1 Scholastic $181.30 S108 School #1 Scholastic $176.15 S113 Alexander Hamilton Scholastic $196.75 S114 Alexander Hamilton Scholastic $196.75 S115 Alexander Hamilton Scholastic $201.90 S116 Alexander Hamilton Scholastic $206.02 SP45 Phoenix School Station Wagon $214.62 SP46 Phoenix School Station Wagon $214.62 S103 Norman S. Weir Station Wagon $214.00 S118 Alexander Hamilton Station Wagon $227.65 S119 Alexander Hamilton Station Wagon $227.65 SL54 Learning Center Trans Ed $223.09 SC60 C.P. Center Trans Ed $243.18 S270 School #2 Trans Ed $223.09 SA89 Alexander Hamilton Trans Ed $243.18 SA86 Alexander Hamilton Trans Ed $223.09 SN84 Norman S. Weir Trans Ed $243.18 SN96 Norman S. Weir Trans Ed $208.08 SN97 Norman S. Weir Trans Ed $208.08 SN99 Norman S. Weir Trans Ed $208.08 S112 Shop & Stop Trans Ed $91.68 S117 Alexander Hamilton Trans Ed $220.44 S105 School #1 Wagner Tours $180.27 S106 School #1 Wagner Tours $173.06
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the State District Superintendent authorizes this action and the Paterson Board of Education affirms the action.
Resolution No. C-38
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation, as per attached letter, has determined that the vehicles listed below are property no longer needed for public use; and
WHEREAS, Public School Laws of the State of New Jersey permit the sale of surplus property no longer needed for public use through public sale (18A:18A-45); and
Page 51 8/10/05 WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District encourages open public bidding for goods and services; and
WHEREAS, the Paterson Public School District recognizes the need for obtaining the most competitive and responsive bid for goods and/or services; and now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, by the State Operated School District of the City of Paterson, County of Passaic, State of New Jersey, that the Department of Purchasing is hereby authorized to post an offer to sell the items listed below, pursuant to 18A:18A-45:
Ford Aerostar XL, 1994 Ford Aerostar XL, 1994 GMC 3500 Pickup, 1997
It was moved by Comm. Atallo, seconded by Comm. Santiago that Resolution Nos. C-10 through C-38 be adopted.
Comm. Atallo: I have serious concerns on two of the resolutions. We discussed C-15 extensively at workshop, so I don’t want to belabor it, but I have serious concerns about the initial company that came in to do the work. The warranty ran out. There was only a one-year warranty and then we needed to do further work. I think everybody knows the history of this. I have serious concerns about C-15, having that initial company coming back and doing work for the district. I don’t think they honored the spirit of the warranty and I think a good businessperson backs up their work. In this case, I have questions about that. I also have questions about C-16. I asked for backup material, but I didn’t get a clarification. I got some material, but who negotiated this contract renewal and who agreed to this contract renewal prior to it coming before the Board? I asked those questions at the workshop and I would like to get some answers this evening. The Superintendent told me he would be addressing that tonight.
Dr. Glascoe: No, I am not prepared to address C-16 completely. You did ask me to go back and investigate, and so I am still trying to do that.
Comm. Atallo: Well, in light of the fact that the Superintendent said the administration is still investigating, then I would assume we will be pulling C-16 off the agenda until we get further clarification as to who authorized this contract and whether their actions were authorized or unauthorized. So until we get further clarification I think the logical move would be to pull C-16. I make a motion that we move C-10…
Comm. Moody: I have a question on C-16. I would like to know what it would mean if you were to pull that.
Comm. Atallo: It means we are not going to vote on it tonight.
Comm. Moody: What does that mean as far as getting staff into place for September?
Mr. Rottino: Quite honestly, the contract went into effect July 1st.
Comm. Atallo: Point of order. Mr. President, this contract was expiring June 30th. The interim superintendent, remember that guy? The interim superintendent knew this contract was coming up as of June 30th and he kept saying he is in charge. Well, he is in charge and he is responsible. You don’t wait until the last minute to renew a $5.4 million contract. That is a lot of money - $5.4 million. You don’t just do that and wait until the last minute. I don’t think this was done in a very responsible way. The fact that
Page 52 8/10/05 the contract was put into place July 1st and brought to the Board to validate and renew by resolution tonight, August 10th, is wrong. The Interim Superintendent, Dr. Clancy, knew the contract was expiring June 30th. He didn’t bring it to us in January, February, March, April, May or even June.
Comm. Moody: That’s not correct. He did advise us back in May that this contract was coming up and what his intentions were.
Comm. Atallo: Now it comes to us in August? This is wrong.
Comm. Brown: To clarify Dr. Atallo’s point, the prior superintendent already signed off on this contract prior to us voting on it and that is why we are having this discussion. I cannot support voting on something that was already signed in a contract prior to and that is the comment that Dr. Atallo is alluding to.
Comm. Atallo: As I said at the workshop and I want to state it tonight, I want a full legal investigation as to what the civil liabilities and potential criminal liabilities are of previous administrators who signed agreements without bringing them to the Board for approval.
Comm. Brown: Dr. Atallo, your comments are duly noted and if you would so kindly put that request in writing to the district administration.
Comm. Atallo: You will have that tomorrow. Since the interim superintendent and other people like to do investigations, I think he should be investigated as well for his actions. You will have a letter tomorrow morning.
Comm. Sayegh: Just as a point of clarification, Mr. Moody asked Mr. Rottino what the consequences would be this fall. Can you elaborate on that, Mr. Rottino?
Mr. Rottino: We have signed a contract effective July 1st. The contract is in process at the present time. The contract was reviewed by the attorney and Dr. Clancy, and then was signed at the 11th hour. It was discussed in May, June and July at workshop sessions. We need the security force in our buildings. We have millions of dollars worth of equipment and facilities. We will be in default also with our insurance policies if we do not have a security force. Even though our in-house security force does an excellent job, we have a tremendous amount of buildings and space to cover.
Comm. Brown: Even as a result of what Mr. Rottino said, we had concerns about the work and the types of things that were being done by the security company and Dr. Clancy knew that. We had issues relevant to the security company.
Comm. Taylor: Not the workers – the company.
Comm. Brown: Those issues were never addressed. This security company never came before us to have dialogue, or Dr. Clancy didn’t bring them before us so we could have dialogue. Now for him to sign off on it two months ago, whether we vote up or down the issue is that we are not going to lose safety because he already signed the contract. We are going to vote it down because I think it is prudent on our behalf not to vote on something that was already signed two months ago. We should vote on it first and then it should be signed. At least that is how I think the process should be.
Comm. Hodges: This was on the agenda back in May and it was pulled then because we had some concerns about it. It was pulled again in June for the same reason. So it’s not like this was done underneath the table. We pulled it twice. However, I am also
Page 53 8/10/05 seeing that we are then left July 1st without a contract, without security in place, and the possible default of our insurance. You are then left with a decision. You brought the items to the Board twice. The Board pulled it because of reasonable issues and I am one of the people who raised the issue about the training and the professionalism of these individuals, so I know that it was pulled. I don’t know what took place along those lines, but my concern is if you are looking at the loss of your insurance and you are looking at the absolute loss of any security in the district, other than what we have on staff, those might be reasons for that signature. Not to pardon what took place, but to explain those concerns and put those concerns on the table.
Comm. Atallo: Those concerns were never publicly expressed to this Board by the interim superintendent at that time. He never expressed that to us. I think it is an outrage and insult to each and every Board member that this contract would be signed before being presented to this Board. Month after month they tell us they want the Board to move towards local control, but month after month they take more and more rights away from this Board. We are not sitting here as rubber stamps and puppets. I think we have to make a very public statement. If that administrator signed that without publicly expressing to the Board, and he did not, I think we need to take action and vote this down and hold that administrator accountable for taking action unilaterally.
Comm. Hodges: I, too, am concerned that there was no clear enunciation of those issues. I would have liked to have had that discussion. I would have liked to have been presented with that picture, which we could have acted on. That did not take place and I am equally concerned about that. I am particularly concerned since my original issue apparently didn’t get addressed either, which was the training and the professionalism that I would have liked to put in the revised specs. So I am deeply concerned about that, but we do need security.
Comm. Brown: We can just vote that item up or down.
Comm. Spagnola: If I understand this correctly, we are already in contract since July 1st. So no matter what we do, it is immaterial because the contract is signed. The only thing we will do right now is legitimize it if we approve it. If we don’t approve it, the contract is still in place, we still get our security, but we do not legitimize what happened. So in the future it won’t happen again. Am I correct?
Comm. Taylor: That is correct.
Comm. Brown: That is correct.
Comm. Vergara: On C-13, I just have a point of clarification. This is being rejected for re-bid?
Mr. Rottino: Yes, it is.
Comm. Vergara: So we are voting on it tonight to go out for re-bid?
Mr. Rottino: The specs should be changed to satisfy the needs of the district in a more positive manner.
Comm. Vergara: What about C-30?
Page 54 8/10/05 Mr. Rottino: I submitted the documentation. It was never on the spreadsheet. They were the lowest qualified bidder and they didn’t meet all the requirements for the bid by state code.
Comm. Vergara: You lost me on that. What was that again?
Mr. Rottino: You questioned the spreadsheet on the lowest responsible bidder on C- 30?
Comm. Vergara: Yes.
Mr. Rottino: I reviewed the documentation and there was an error on the spreadsheet. They did have all their documentation in.
Comm. Vergara: When we looked at it the documentation was not in.
Mr. Rottino: It was in but they put a check in the wrong box. Sorry.
Comm. Santiago: Before we do the roll call, I forgot to ask this question during the workshop. On item C-20, I know we need books for the children in the Paterson School District, but it says to approve the award of contract for used textbooks. I understand we need books and I don’t have a problem with that, but did anybody examine these books before we even think about purchasing these books since they are used?
Mr. Rottino: We are selling them.
Comm. Santiago: These are for sale?
Comm. Atallo: These are for sale. Point of order, Mr. President, this issue arose about five years ago and I know Comm. Santiago was very vocal, along with myself and Dr. Hodges, about the district buying used books. We took a very strong stand. We don’t buy secondhand books because we don’t have second-rate students. We have first- rate students and they get first-rate books. That is something we insist upon and that we always insisted upon. These are books the district is selling. We don’t give our students used books. They get new books. That is one thing I think the nine of us all agree on – our students get new books.
Comm. Moody: Excuse me, what about C-16?
Comm. Brown: We are going to vote it up or down.
Comm. Taylor: When it comes you say no to that one.
Comm. Brown: No or yes, either or.
Comm. Hodges: What is the practical impact of voting no on this?
Comm. Brown: I think it is more of the principle.
Comm. Hodges: But I would like to have some clarification to be sure, Mr. President. What is the impact? Are there any legal ramifications?
Comm. Atallo: I think we need to get a legal review on whether the superintendent acting improperly or not.
Page 55 8/10/05
Comm. Hodges: Can I finish my sentence? We are on the same side here.
Comm. Atallo: That’s a novelty.
Comm. Hodges: This year – yes. Are there any consequences here for the district?
Mr. Rottino: First of all, on C-16 I think you have to look at the second word of the motion. It’s renewing the contract of last year. Since it was the 11th hour, the previous superintendent, along with the legal department, negotiated to extend the contract for one year with a review after six months. So we could review the contract if we approve it this evening within the six-month timeframe. That’s number one. Number two, if this company sees fit to pull their security guards in the next day or two because we are rejecting the bid, I think we are going to have some negative issues to address.
Comm. Atallo: I don’t see that happening.
Comm. Hodges: If they have a signed contract, under what basis would they pull it?
Mr. Rottino: The Board still has to approve the contract.
Comm. Spagnola: Why?
Comm. Atallo: They have been working without a contract for the last six weeks. I don’t think they are going anywhere.
Comm. Spagnola: They have a signed contract. That’s it.
Comm. Atallo: The question is whether it has validity.
Comm. Hodges: Can legal explain for us what this means?
Comm. Atallo: I think they are conflicted, quite frankly. I think they have a conflict. They are going to give legal advice on their own opinion?
Dr. Glascoe: Let me just try to address this. As I understand it, the contract has been signed. It was signed July 1st. I don’t want to rehash how it got to that point. It was signed. What I am hearing here is the School Board saying that they are going to vote up or down to at least put in the public domain to raise that issue. This is a grave concern to the school district. I am also understanding that this is a contract underway and there is a six-month evaluation period. So we have six months with which to do a number of things with this organization. Allow us to address the School Board’s concerns and we will. But voting up or down, I don’t think is going to make too much difference. I think we are still going to have the same security force. I don’t see any insurance issues because they will still be there, not unless the head of this security force feels that they are in jeopardy and they walk. But if they walk I think they are in violation of the contract. I would say that you want to make this known for the public domain, but you need to decide whether you are voting up or down.
Comm. Vergara: On C-15, is this vendor that is doing the repairs on the elevator at School #13 the one who put in the elevator?
Comm. Atallo: We just said that.
Page 56 8/10/05 Mr. Rottino: We have a recommendation handed down by the legal department and the Superintendent has a copy of it. At the present time we still do not have an agreed upon agreement with the company. We don’t know if they will agree to it. Most likely we will have to re-bid and look out of state for another vendor and revise the original bid substantially.
Comm. Vergara: So this is the same company that did the work already and they are asking for money now to fix the problem?
Mr. Rottino: Yes, but they did not agree to the terms of the original bid or the public contract, as of today at 3:00.
Comm. Taylor: They didn’t agree?
Mr. Rottino: Correct.
Comm. Taylor: Mr. President, this was the one that put the elevator in and it has never been used. We couldn’t use it because it couldn’t come from the first floor to the second. Then they told us that they were going to fix it and they never fixed it. This does not make sense to me.
Comm. Brown: If we are talking about School #13, I believe we have had this conversation and not to belabor the point but the fault was in the district not documenting the paperwork within the warranty period. So that is our fault. We can’t hold that company responsible when we didn’t do our job as a district to provide them with the proper paperwork when it was not working.
Comm. Taylor: For a company like that, other elevator companies do not like to touch work that someone else began. So they would have to take all of that out of there and start fresh again if a new company came?
Comm. Hodges: Going through the roof.
Comm. Brown: I am not aware.
Mr. Rottino: Most likely we will have to re-bid it with different specifications. The cylinder that is in this repair was manufactured by that company, so it will become an issue.
Comm. Moody: That elevator never worked.
Comm. Taylor: But we don’t have papers to show it.
Comm. Moody: For the first three years at least it didn’t work. The principal that was there, Dr. Monroe, it didn’t work through her whole time there. Only later did they talk about documentation. But from the first day that elevator didn’t work and there were problems. I just can’t, in good conscience, see how we are going to stick with this company who refused to honor. It had to be a lemon from the beginning. Regardless of some documentation or fault on our part that they claim, that elevator was faulty as sin and it didn’t work. For them to not honor and not even be concerned about trying to repair that elevator, I just can’t see how we can go back to them for anything.
Page 57 8/10/05 Comm. Hodges: I don’t disagree with Mr. Moody. We were screaming about this. I think Bill Kline went and reached out to Principal Monroe. She said there was a period of time when it did work and there was a period of time when they didn’t use it.
Comm. Moody: After she left.
Comm. Hodges: After she left. The problem was that we didn’t submit any paperwork for it. So then the warranty expired and as far as they are concerned you have a working elevator. We didn’t forward the information. We didn’t follow up. We didn’t press them. Lord knows, if I could I would love to put them on a blacklist for the State, but I don’t think we can get away with that. We are not going to be able to get this done cheaper from anybody else. I would love to cut their fee in half and talk to them about that some more, but I don’t think that is going to happen either.
Comm. Moody: Maybe we ought to close that elevator down and don’t use it.
Comm. Hodges: But we still need one, unless you want to carry those kids by yourself.
Comm. Brown: I would like to read something into the record that I believe was discussed on this issue. It is the recommendation from the district.
“We recommend that a contract be offered to Schindler only if the contract includes substantially all of the specifications included in the original bid documents. Should Schindler fail to accept the contract on these terms, we recommend that the facilities department contract other elevator repair contractors in an effect to reach an agreement with a contractor on a contract in accordance with the specifications. Should this approach fail, we recommend that the contract be re-bid with modifications to the specifications, which may allow for a broader universe of possible bidders. This may include the elimination of some of the requirements not normally found in elevator repair contracts as an industry standard.”
Would you like to make any comments, Mr. Superintendent?
Dr. Glascoe: One of the reasons why we have taken this approach is because of the specialization of the work being done on this particular elevator. Also, we are running out of time. If we don’t get a bid in soon and get the work underway, the elevator will not be in operation when school resumes. When that happens we may be facing some ADA issues when we have students who need to access that elevator because of their physical handicaps.
On roll call all members voted as follows:
Comm. Atallo: I vote yes on C-10 through C-38, with the exception of C-15. With all due respect to the last minute amendments, and I need time to digest these things, they not only gave us the elevator – they gave us the shaft. I am not going to support this. On C-16, this is not a good way to do business. This is not the first time administrators have… Dr. Glascoe is new and I know that he is going to approach this with a professional attitude and work with us professionally and collegially. But in the past, and I have been on this Board going on six years, this has happened too many times. So I vote no on C-15, no on C-16, and yes on the remainder.
Comm. Hodges: I vote no on C-16 and yes on the rest of them.
Comm. Moody: I vote no on C-15 and yes on the rest of them.
Page 58 8/10/05
Comm. Santiago: I vote no on C-15 and C-16, and yes on everything else.
Comm. Sayegh: I vote no on C-16 and yes on the rest.
Comm. Spagnola: No on C-16. Doctor, I can sympathize with getting the shaft. No on C-15 and yes on the rest.
Comm. Taylor: I vote yes for all of them, expect C-15 and C-16 because I know that we have no choice but to go to another company and I know that is what we are going to do.
Comm. Vergara: I vote no on C-15 because I don’t like to be shafted. I vote no on C-16 and yes on all the rest, especially C-30. We have handicapped students there that need that intercom system. We should also ask facilities to look into their pool at Norman S. Weir.
Comm. Brown: I vote no on C-16 and yes on the rest.
The motion carried, except C-15 and C-16, which did not carry.
Dr. Glascoe: In regards to C-1, let me say this about the legal fees. They are exorbitant. I have been constantly reviewing them in constant consultation with staff. I have talked directly with the firm that we are contracted to work with. One of the things that we are facing is our own accountability and our own record keeping. Many of the situations that we find ourselves in, whether it is a phone call from the attorneys or a memo here or there, comes from our inability to be accountable for the things that we need to. Poor guidelines and policy have led us to a number of these bills. We are indeed caught between a rock and a hard place with our leases. I think many of the landlords in this city know that we have nowhere to go because we don’t have school buildings under construction. Given that scenario, we are really in a dogfight with the leases. If I were to chart the amount of time that I have spent on these issues since taking over on July 18th, you would be surprised. But to not pay the leases at this point is putting our children in jeopardy and putting our classrooms in jeopardy. Therefore, on the basis of what I am trying to describe to you as far as the legal situation is concerned and the leases, I must respectfully veto this vote and allow the School Board the allotted five days to appeal my veto to the Commissioner. I believe that to do anything less is putting us further behind the 8-ball with all of the things that we need to do. As I have said all along, any decision I make you can connect it to the main thing – that will be the students. Thank you.
Items Not Requiring a Vote
PERSONNEL
05-C160. Approved creating a position control number for a full time nurse at Alexander Hamilton Academy.
05-C161. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date MaryJo Bonadonna Nurse/Nursing Dept. $40,100 9/1/05
Page 59 8/10/05 05-C162. Approved compensation for staff of John F. Kennedy High School working for the Westside Café Summer Program, from July 5-29, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,016.00:
Debra Slota Joseph Feoli
05-C163. Approved compensation for Raul Carrasquillo as instructional assistant for the Westside Café Summer Program at John F. Kennedy High School, from July 5-29, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,748.00.
05-C164. Approved compensation for staff of Great Falls Academy working in the summer program for 25 days during July and August 2005, at an amount not to exceed $8,250.00:
Latonya Stafford Patricia Carr
05-C165. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Barbara Rubolino Specialist/Bus. Office. $34,621 6/1/05
05-C166. Approved internal transfer for Udetta Garache, from language arts teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr. School to ISS teacher, effective September 1, 2005.
05-C167. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Gloria Ramos 10
05-C169. Approved internal transfers for staff of HARP Academy:
Name From To Elaine Rowin Teacher Facilitator Lecia Minor Facilitator Teacher
05-C170. Approved assigning Vernon Kline as personal aide to student as per IEP.
05-C171. Approved compensation for staff participating in the STAR-W grant project at School No. 10, beginning July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, at an amount not to exceed $23,232.00:
Kenneth Eatman Stacy Gersten Marie Giegerich Claudia Lee Latoria Scott Yesmid Triana Kelly Tiernan Audrey Wilson Krista Yasin Larry Hurtado
05-C172. Approved compensation for Santina Susino to prepare budget, timesheets and quarterly reports for the STAR-W grant at School No. 10, from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, at an amount not to exceed $3,047.00.
Page 60 8/10/05 05-C173. Approved compensation for Mary Fierro to work as scheduler at Rosa Parks High School, from June 27 through August 31, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $10,920.00.
05-C174. Approved compensation for staff of Rosa Parks High School serving as guidance counselors during June and August 2005, at an amount not to exceed $3,300.00:
Amelia Bria Vincent Smith
05-C175. Approved compensation for clerical assistants to assist the Department of Community Services, from July 1 through August 30, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $4,680.00
Charae’ Hines Shamikwa Jones Brandon Williams
05-C176. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Gemar Mills Tchr./No. 24 $43,171 9/1/05
05-C177. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Lamar Williams Tchr./No. 24 $43,171 9/1/05
05-C178. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Annette Ward 10
05-C179. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Kashon Burden Tchr./No. 6 Tchr./No. 13 9/1/05
05-C180. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Pamela Felts Tchr./No. 6 Tchr./No. 9 9/1/05
05-C181. Approved compensation for instructional assistants to work in the Great Falls Academy Summer Program, for 25 days during July and August 2005, at an amount not to exceed $11,500.00:
Ron Austin Trecia Deyo Alan Smith Leroy Tindal
05-C182. Approved changing position control number for Carmelo Vega, from bilingual science teacher to science teacher, effective July 1, 2005.
Page 61 8/10/05 05-C183. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Marisol Hernandez Cafe. Monitor/No. 14 $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
05-C184. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Noelia Roman Cafe. Monitor/No. 14 $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
05-C185. Approved consultant contract with Binwahad Dhoruba as guest speaker on June 18, 2005 at the Men of Honor Empowerment Conference, at an amount not to exceed $500.00.
05-C186. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Yoany Mercado 5
05-C187. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 13 attending CES Summer Trek, from July 25-27, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,000.00:
Mary Forsatz Nakia Wood Nancy Gavel Gerald Glisson Ruth De La Paz Wanda Cleaves Alfreda Williams
05-C188. Approved compensation for staff of Garrett Morgan Academy attending CES Summer Trek, from August 8-10, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $2,772.00:
Marilena Badea Steve DiSebastian Victor Alegria Monique Barrise
05-C189. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Kerah Alexander Tchr./No. 5 Tchr./No. 13 7/1/05
Patricia Haliskoe Tchr./No. 5 Tchr./No. 13 7/1/05
05-C190. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 21 attending CES Summer Trek, from July 25-27, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,000.00:
Janet Ludwig Diane Pride Sylvia Jones Karen Liguori Maria Ross Sue Gerding Kolleen Myers
05-C191. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 10 attending CES Summer Trek, from August 1-3, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,000.00:
John Rizzo Antoinette Young
Page 62 8/10/05 Sharon Reibel Pamela Gary JoAnn Compesi Yesmid Triana Maryke Alburg William Conlee
05-C192. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Orville Rose Tchr./No. 4 Tchr./No. 15 9/1/05
05-C193. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 26 attending CES Summer Trek, from July 25-27, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,000.00:
Lorraine Madsen Barbara Tanis Lisa Mayer Patrice Speroni Fatima Muhammad Lori Kress Tina Nucci
05-C194. Approved compensation for staff of PANTHER Academy as overnight chaperones for the senior class trip to Baltimore, MD, from May 2-5, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,200.00:
Darlene Osofsky Lori Marchese Burnice Bristow Horngyu Wu
05-C195. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Santiago Gamarra Tchr./No. 3 $50,171 9/1/05
05-C196. Approved compensation for staff of John F. Kennedy High School as overnight chaperones for the National History Day trip to Washington, DC, from June 12-15, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,200.00:
Jessie Rack Florita Cotto Kristian Perez Barbara Bourque Robin O’Brien
05-C197. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Stadjana Babec Cafe. Monitor/No. 27 $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
05-C198. Approved rescinding the non-renewal emergency certification letter for Anthony Menzel and change his position control number from bilingual science teacher to regular science teacher, effective July 1, 2005.
05-C199. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Jorge Vargas Pers. Aide/No. 27 Pers. Aide/No. 5 9/1/05
05-C200. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date
Page 63 8/10/05 Martin Rosenberg Tchr./MLK $42,671 9/1/05
05-C201. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 5 attending CES Summer Trek, from August 1-3, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,000.00:
Stephanie Hecht Annemarie Ehler Annette Romaniello Marie Cioletti Derwin Smith Yudelis Nunez Surabhi Garg
05-C202. Approved submission of appropriate forms for emergent hiring:
Aidy Alonso Amaurys Arias Michayne Campbell Arifa Chowdhury Sarah Fearns Manuel Gonzalez Chirag Modi Mark Muir Felicia Pettiford Ivan Popijac Jo-Ann Quiles Yasette Quiles Olagny Rosario Angel Torres
05-C203. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Nalan Kiper Tchr./DFN $46,371 9/1/05
05-C204. Approved creating a position control number for a personal aide for a student at School No. 5, as per the IEP.
05-C205. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Elvin Wong Tchr./EHS $47,871 9/1/05
05-C206. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Maria Barrera Tchr./EHS $46,871 9/1/05
05-C207. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Mark Maloney Tchr./EHS $42,671 9/1/05
05-C208. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Kristin Clark Tchr./ELC $43,671 9/1/05
05-C209. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Shanna Banks Tchr./No. 2 $42,671 9/1/05
Page 64 8/10/05 05-C210. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Angela Belnome Tchr./No. 2 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C211. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Shakira Catoe Tchr./No. 12 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C212. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Thomas Dahab Tchr./No. 24 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C213. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Crystal Gallo Tchr./AHA $42,671 9/1/05
05-C214. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Raquel Gauthier Tchr./No. 15 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C215. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Judith McLead Tchr./Nos. 11, 13 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C216. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Randi Pointer Tchr./No. 6 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C217. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Keith Seminerio Tchr./Nos. 8, 12 $42,671 9/1/05
05-C218. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Michelle Zube Tchr./No. 15 $46,371 9/1/05
05-C219. Approved compensation for staff of John F. Kennedy High School attending CES Summer Trek, from July 6-8, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $4,896.00:
Marianne Blasi Edgar Nieves Sarah Williams Barbara Bourque Mary DeMoore Carol Stryker Harry Stryker Ryan Higgins
Page 65 8/10/05 05-C220. Approved compensation for Christine Pini as nurse at John F. Kennedy High School, from August 17-31, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,496.00.
05-C221. Approved compensation for instructional assistants as bus and breakfast support staff for the Shuttle Bus Program, for the 2005-2006 school year:
Ruben Alonso Carmen Correa Maria Osorio Eva Razzak Bernard Moore Rosa Hernandez Vincent Hunter Alcira Tambini Catherine McGinnis Rosalyn Walton Annamarie Barlikas Carmen Santos Michelle Coleman Bevelyn Bowman Stephanie Gagliardi Angela Washington Jose DeJesus Michele Moya Berta Alvarez Anna Caraballo Sara Ducos Karen Virgo Cheryl Williams AnaMaria Colichon Emigda Hernandez Elizabeth Gonzalez Nikki Baker Belgrave Yris Borges Sonia Flagg Jessica Jimenez Jacqueline Asmak Aida Hernandez Julia Kalvoussef Hida Sebahat Jose Lopez Digna Rivera Frank Pajuelo Paul Brophy Rosa Sayas Mercedez Diaz Diane Sheppard Daisy Flood Carmen Moran
05-C222. Approved compensation for support staff according to the guidelines of Adult Education funds, for the 2005-2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $8,822.00:
David Maldonado Donald West Catarina Cefalo Lucia Cefalo Vivian Valentin Maria Cefalo
05-C223. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Guadalupe Carrasquillo Inst. Asst./No. 2 Inst. Asst./STARS 9/1/05
05-C224. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Rosemary Hargrove Inst. Asst./No. 2 Inst. Asst./STARS 9/1/05
05-C225. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Reina Mercado Inst. Asst./No. 2 Inst. Asst./STARS 9/1/05
Page 66 8/10/05 05-C226. Approved retaining Robert E. Murray, Esq. to arbitrate and/or litigate Grievance 04-19, to defend the district’s decision to dock days from employees who failed to sign-in/sign-out, at an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
05-C227. Approved compensation for part time examiners and proctors according to the procedures and guidelines of GED Testing WIB funds, for the 2005- 2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $6,231.00:
Maria Lorenzo Jennifer Valentin
05-C228. Approved compensation for part time instructional staff according to the procedures and guidelines of Adult Education funds, for the 2005-2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $2,508.00: (Gloria Nazario)
05-C229. Approved compensation for part time examiner and proctor, Ivonne Maldonado, according to the procedures and guidelines of GED Testing WIB funds, for the 2005-2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $1,039.50.
05-C230. Approved incentive stipends for students involved in community service learning activities according to the guidelines of New Jersey Youth Corps Program funds, for the 2005-2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $28,800.00:
Shamim Ali Ramon Colon Rickell Cox Jervis Davis Shamia Earl Katrina Ferman Latisha Gatlinig Nicole Hall Joseph Happle Stephon Harris Fateemah Johnson Jason King Raheem Lee Tameka Lee Eric Lewis Latoya Lesane Stevaun Manley Monay Marshall Jessica Mateo Aziz McQueen Edwin Medina Henry Nieves Sonia Oliveros Victor Osorio Alexis Pagan Germes Palma Joshua Perez Lacey Ragland Jennifer Reyes Jahira Rivera Michael Robinson Carmen Rodriguez Norma Rodriguez Pablo Rodriguez Kevin Rosa Nexaliz Rosales Shamarr Russell Jorge Serrano Felecia Sinclair Tyshon Smith Jaronn Stokes Phillip Taylor Whitney Thomas Jeimy Ulloa Quashawn Ward Autreece Williams Javar Williams Shade Williams
05-C231. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Ida Richardson Tchr./No. 15 Tchr./No. 10 9/1/05
Page 67 8/10/05
Melvin Joyner Tchr./No. 15 Tchr./No. 10 9/1/05
05-C232. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Denis Kilian Psychologist/AHA, No. 20 $54,671 9/1/05
05-C233. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Keisha Hill Psychologist/Nos. 3, 11 $46,871 9/1/05
05-C234. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Peter Priolo Tchr./MPACT $42,671 9/1/05
05-C235. Approved the reappointment of Juan Serrano as a Truant Pick-up Officer for the Department of Student Support Services, from September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, at an amount not to exceed $19,500.00.
05-C236. Approved the reappointment of Pablo Olaya as Van Driver for the Department of Student Support Services, from September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, at an amount not to exceed $13,260.00.
05-C237. Approved the reappointment of Patricia Washington as Truant Pick-up Assistant for the Department of Student Support Services, from September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, at an amount not to exceed $13,260.00.
05-C238. Approved compensation for supervisors to assist with NCLB Application, Needs Assessment, School Level Plans, and Reports for Supplemental Educational Services, at an amount not to exceed $21,060.00:
Judi Cohen Maria Santa Graciella Ayala
05-C239. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 2 participating in the Summer Science Program in cooperation with William Paterson University, at an amount not to exceed $20,000,00.
Barbara Oslizly Belinda McBride Beth Farina Sunjoo Kim Jull Precel Greta Mills Geralyne Dickinson Rosemarie Kaplan Anel Hernandez Gada Korayim Javier Acevedo Stella Pasquariello
05-C240. Approved compensation for Carmen Clinton for attendance at CES Summer Trek, from July 25-27, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $5,000.00.
05-C241. Approved substitute teacher applicants:
Page 68 8/10/05
Aidy Alonso Nina Apaeva Amaurys Arias Michayne Campbell La’Donna Delane Nurcan Ekici Elsa Espejo Arlenny Garcia Rosario Gonzalez Kenya Hewitt Milene Loyola Chirag Modi Mark Muir Ivan Popijac Yasette Quiles Josefa Baez Olagny Rosario John Rouse Nihad Sherifi Federico Taborda Angel Torres Kaity Washington
05-C242. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Ilia Delgado 10
05-C243. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Sheryl Pilgrim 10
05-C244. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Doris Santa Maria Pers. Aide/No. 19 Pers. Aide/AHA 6/24/05
05-C245. Approved transfers:
Name From To Eff. Date Ana Miranda SCL/No. 2 SCL/No. 9 9/1/05
Socorro Martinez SCL/No. 9 SCL/HARP 9/1/05
Kenneth Perkins SCL/HARP SCL/No. 28 9/1/05
Angie Cooper SCL/No. 28 SCL/No. 4 9/1/05
05-C246. Approved rescinding the resignation of Lola Issa as Lead Cafeteria Monitor at CJR/School No. 9, effective September 1, 2005.
05-C247. Approved processing resignations of pat time employees:
Nancy Neris Donna Boone Jehon Harrison Bridgette Freeman
05-C248. Approved compensation for instructional assistants working in the summer programs at Schools 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 28, 29, MLK, EWK, RC, AHA, APA, and ULA, at an amount not to exceed $18,216.00:
Page 69 8/10/05 Carmen Moran Gail Marrone Petronila Colon Rosalyn Walton Marisol Rojas Aida Mella Anita Fulmore Yvonne Gonzalez Yahaira Peguero Karen Virgo Keith Kelley Ruth Velazquez Sandra Navedo Nasima Choudhury Jocelyn Cruz Sheree Williams Gladys Crespo Nadime Martinez Margo Wynn Gloria Wheeler Aderonke Otubanjo James Hargrove Edward Clarke Denise Brown Rohel Ahmed
05-C249. Approved compensation for instructional assistants working in the Summer Immigrant Program at Schools 2, 9 and 15, from July 5-29, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $2,622.00:
Norah Stanojevic George Talliseh
05-C250. Approved payment to staff serving as mentors in the Provisional Route Program:
Georganna Bradley Javier Fresse Grisel Panchery Sandra Pine
05-C251. Approved submission of appropriate forms for emergent hiring:
Sladjana Babec Russell Bonadonna Anitheia Buffaloe Reyhan Kalender Marisol Mantilla Marta Nunez Zeyneb Ozrek Maritza Rivera Glory Tavarez Nitza Torres Janet McDaniel
05-C252. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Emir Liguori 10
05-C253. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Lenny Moore 10
05-C254. Approved transfers:
Name From To Eff. Date Lorraine Polding Res. Tchr./Pupil Serv. LDTC/Nos. 6, 11 9/1/05
Jane Buccolo Res. Tchr./Pupil Serv. Guid. Cnslr./No. 5 9/1/05
Page 70 8/10/05 Susan Nabas Res. Tchr./Pupil Serv. Tchr./No. 25 9/1/05
Pamela Davis Res. Tchr./Stud Suppt. Guid. Cnslr./EHS 9/1/05
05-C255. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Munifea Abdelaziz Cafe. Monitor/CJR#9 $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
05-C256. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Gloria Cespedes Cafe. Monitor/CJR#9 $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
05-C257. Approved compensation for staff providing home instruction services for students as per their IEP, during the Extended School Year from July 1 through August 12, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $14,850.00:
Paris Moore Eddie Hill Todd Harris Kelly Charles Sergio Spina Angela Fraser Nicolette Thompson Shelton Prescott Gerald Glisson Tyrone Pough Carolyn Ruffin Elsa Skinner Deborah Huffin Antoinette Price Olive Martin Adrian Aleman Cheryl Coy Doreen Hammond Estelle Howard Shakia McKinney
05-C258. Approved compensation for student workers from STARS Academy as interns for the Extended School Year Work Program, at an amount not to exceed $4,896.00:
Siomara Heredia Katherine Farfan Marquis Croom Jesus Ortiz Simon Robb Marcus Saunders Eugene Melton Rashae White Javon Jackson Melissa Aquino Macolm Donastrog Julian Cabrera
05-C259. Approved change in status for Carolyn McCauley to full time speech teacher, effective September 1, 2005.
05-C260. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days James Smith 10
05-C261. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Jose Mantilla 10
Page 71 8/10/05 05-C262. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Lydia Sanchez 10
05-C263. Approved withholding increments of staff for the 2005-2006 school year due to not fulfilling the required amount of days as listed in the PEA contract:
Katherine Benevento Nilza Farraye Shawn Ankrah Sandra Botti Reyne Brady Betiana Caprioli Crystal Cooper Phyllis Dorino Monica Douyon Felicia Eason Neyda Evans Lisa Faris Kim Festa Leslie Fodi Blanca Godinez Rebecca Goglia Shirletta Judkins Rosemarie Kaplan Elizabeth LaValle Natasha Laderach Carmen Machetti Joanne Marotta Angela McCallum Tasha McKinney Regina Moore Susan Mroz Michelle Pappolla Beatrice Parga Amy Perry Raul Quispe Jennifer Romano Ellen Rosenfeld Michael Santoli Paula Scalera Christina Hernandez Anthony Shaw Ani Silvani Yolandra Soto Kymberley Staples Sherry Tanski Jodi Thorp Doris Torres Lauren Wingate Wayne Witherspoon Taffalyn Drakeford
05-C264. Approved rescinding non-renewals for emergency certificated staff for the 2005-2006 school year:
Darina Alarcon Valerie Kelley Misty McKethan Luz Vargas
05-C265. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Angel Torres Tchr./JFKHS $42,671 9/1/05
05-C266. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Jenell Best Inst. Asst./No. 26 $26,249 9/1/05
05-C267. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Shella Rene-Marc Inst. Asst./No. 26 $26,249 3/05
Page 72 8/10/05
05-C268. Approved appointment of Maria Moretti as Food Service Substitute, at a salary of $6.75 per hour, effective September 1, 2005.
05-C269. Approved compensation for staff of MPACT Academy attending CES Summer Trek, from August 8-10, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $4,284.00:
Julia Blechschmidt Arthur Carpenter Johan Palacio Timothy Raimondo Kenneth Stamler Gopi Tadakamalla Linda Veleber
05-C270. Approved compensation for Rohel Ahmed as instructional assistant in the PCWDC Career and Technical Education Summer Program, from July 7 through August 8, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $2,875.00.
05-C271. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Janelle Giblin Tchr./No. 8 Tchr./DAS 9/1/05
Alva Fogle Tchr./Nos. 8, 12 Tchr./No. 8 9/1/05
05-C272. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Sam Wakim Dentist/Dental Clinic $53,000 7/1/05
05-C273. Approved compensation for Carla Garcia as personal assistant in the summer program at the New Roberto Clemente School, for student as per IEP, from July 5-20, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,104.00.
05-C274. Approved compensation for Rachelle Neal as personal assistant in the summer program at the New Roberto Clemente School, for student as per IEP, from July 5-20, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,104.00.
05-C275. Approved the reappointment of School/Community Liaisons, not to exceed 19 1/2 hours per week at $10.50 per hour, and a $25.00 per month travel stipend, from September 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006:
Melissa Aguayo Isaias Andino Mayra Arnau Quasheema Arrick Daniel Blathers Marisol Bosquez Mariel Cabrera Milagros Chavarria Maria Chavez Angie Cooper Alvaro Covarrubias Orlando Cruz Elizabeth Daley Marcella Davis Magali Galdos Natasha Harley Jorge Mantilla Socorro Martinez Zialetta McCall Glenn McClide Ana Miranda Toni Morales Francisco Munera Melba Murray Jacqueline Otero Kenneth Perkins
Page 73 8/10/05 Magdalena Reyes Artemio Rodriguez Milagros Sanz Erica Shayland Lavinia Smith Yolanda Sosa Carmen Tollens Ramona Toribio Angel Torres Milagros Torres Leroy Walker Angelique Willis Nicole Willis Claudia Zapata
06-A1. Approved processing payment of accumulated days for retired and resigned employees:
Name No. of Days Cynthia Brazer 39 Paul Brophy 11.25 Annie Carter 58.50 Barbara Catizone 47.50 Ada Downing 58.75 Patricia Dugger 60.50 Mary Gordon 31 Margaret Greenwald 55.50 Martin Greenwald 56 Agnes Hayek 63.75 Essie Johnson 90 Lillie Mae Jones 30.50 Sharon Jones 2.50 Carolyn Martin 12 Ruth McNelis 21 Frank Mullen 49.50 Mary Papageorgis 74.50 Alice Price 45.50 Edward Romary 34.25 Barbara Scarfo 50 Samuel Sorce 89.25 Antoinette Shadiack 90 Gerald Stefanacci 89.50 Emmajean Stepherson 93 Moses Sturdivant 90 Lisa Weeks 10.50 Denisa Wilson-Avery 11
06-A2. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Paulo Pinto Tchr./EHS $47,871 9/1/05
06-A3. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Eric Lindstrom Tchr./JFKHS $44,171 9/1/05
06-A4. Approved stipends for staff serving as coaches in the John F. Kennedy High School Fall Sports Program, beginning August 15 through December 15, 2005:
Page 74 8/10/05 Name Position Ronald Jackson Head Football Ronald Thomas 1st Assistant Football Mark Fischer Assistant Football Claude Wilson Assistant Football Joseph Andruilli Assistant Football David DuPiche Assistant Football John Prescott Assistant Football Kevin Carty Assistant Football Donovan Jonah Assistant Football Ken Samra Head Cross Country Gary Moore 1st Asst. Cross Country Ivan Madjar Head Soccer Jason Reider Assistant Soccer David Guy Assistant Soccer Sarah Williams Head Cheerleaders Ines Guzman Asst. Cheerleaders John Kearney Head Girls Tennis Charles Bell Head Volleyball Ryan Kelly Asst. Volleyball Richard McGinnis Head Girls Soccer Shannon Malone Asst. Girls Soccer Joseph Pardine Treasurer Athletics Berta Tobass Treasurer Faculty Mary DeMoor Academic Advisor Vanessa McClure Head Cross Country Juan Leonardo Head Band Director John Kearney Van Driver Michelle VanHoven Music Director Nancy Wymer Drama Coach Nick Semeniuk Athletic Trainer Steve Frith Van Driver
06-A5. Approved hiring John Brophy as a consultant to conduct CPR re- certification classes for all school nurses, on September 2, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,520.00.
06-A6. Approved agreement with Storytelling Arts, Inc. to provide a yearlong, including storytelling services, pre-planning meetings and assembly program at School No. 1, from October 2005 through June 2006, at an amount not to exceed $6,000.00.
06-A7. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Jane Affinito 10
06-A8. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Marta Ceballos Cafe. Monitor/No. 27 $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
Page 75 8/10/05 06-A9. Approved compensation for Rosemary Gerry as a replacement to work in the Summer School Program at School No. 14.
06-A10. Approved hiring student workers for the Department of Secondary Education, from July 2005 through June 2006, at a rate of $7.50 per hour:
De’on Mallory Shaquieshia Champagne
06-A11. Approved continued employment of Raymond Pender, according to the procedures and guidelines of New Jersey Youth Corps WIB, for the 2005- 2006 school year.
06-A12. Approved substitute teacher applicants:
Barbara Campbell Sara Ducos Sarah Fearns Mirvat Katib Leticia Nicho Melissa Polkowski Hugo Rojas Ami Shah Mark Tait Maria Taveras Barbara Toth Yulanda Williams
06-A13. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Michael Schottinger 10
06-A14. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Marie Easton Tchr./JFKHS $46,871 9/1/05
06-A15. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Lawrence Johnson Inst. Asst./JFKHS $28,370 9/1/05
06-A16. Approved compensation for Joseph Tierney as social worker in the Extended School Year Program at STARS Academy, from July 1 through August 12, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $7,000.00.
06-A17. Approved compensation for teachers working in the Extended School Year Program at STARS Academy, from July 1 through August 12, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $29,700.00:
Esther Ferraro Michael Hunt Martine LaSassa Jennifer Varano
06-A18. Approved compensation for instructional assistants working in the Extended School Year Program at STARS Academy, from July 1 through August 12, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $34,500.00:
Vilma Carranza Joseph Deodato Keith Kelley Renan Marquez
Page 76 8/10/05 Sarah Padden Robin Tanguay Aristides Guzman Alvaro Merino
06-A19. Approved compensation for Debra Emolo as speech language specialist in the Extended School Year Program at STARS Academy, from July 1 through August 12, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $4,900.00.
06-A20. Approved compensation for Yasmin Viruet as ESL teacher in the Summer Session I Program at Eastside High School, at an amount not to exceed $3,415.50.
06-A21. Approved compensation for replacemnet staff working in the Summer Session I Program, from July through August 2005:
Joseph Pardine Gary Moore Joseph Kolinsky
06-A22. Approved compensation for staff of School No. 19 for cafeteria supervision, at an amount not to exceed $2,000.00:
Dolores Varano Matha Mazzone
06-A23. Approved compensation for students and staff working in the Communications Academy to produce television programming after school at the John F. Kennedy High School television studio, including district news shows, Board of Education meetings and other events during the 2005-2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $10,000.00:
Robert MacNeal Marileidy Morel Khadijah Ogletree Sendy Sanchez
06-A24. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Rosa Dipini 10
06-A25. Approved implementation of settlement agreement with the Paterson Custodial and Maintenance Association in accordance with PERC Arbitration Docket No. AR-2005-2008.
06-A26. Approved rescinding non-renewals for emergency certificated staff for the 2005-2006 school year: (Anne Irving)
06-A27. Approved internal transfers for staff in Schools 1, 16, 17, 19, 28, 29, Dale Avenue and 14th Avenue ELC, for the 2005-2006 school year.
06-A28. Approved transfers:
Name From To Eff. Date Kathy Bruno Tchr./RCS Tchr./No. 24 9/1/05
Clara Clarke Tchr./No. 28 Tchr./No. 16 9/1/05
Page 77 8/10/05 Lonnie Mickens Tchr./No. 28 Tchr./PSA 9/1/05
06-A29. Approved internal transfers for staff in Schools 6, 7, 9, 18, 27, Academy of Performing Arts, BUILD Academy, Norman S. Weir, Silk City Academy and Urban Leadership Academy, for the 2005-2006 school year.
06-A30. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Carolyn Moat Nurse/No. 16 Nurse/No. 25 9/1/05
06-A31. Approved agreement with Wilson Language Training to provide training for teachers of the handicapped on July 26 and 27, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $2,400.00.
06-A32. Approved salary adjustment for Carol Gayden, Department Chairperson at Eastside High School, in the amount of $95,274.00.
06-A33. Approved legal settlement for Richard Tolerico for payment of $79,947.00 retroactive to July 1, 2004 with a 4.74% increase, and pay 2005-2006 salary with a 5.0% increase on the 2004-2005 adjusted salary, with no payment for longevity.
06-A34. Approved salary adjustment for Gloria Ramos at a $746.00 increase for the 2005-2006 school year to reflect the difference between the non- bargaining and PEA contract settlement, effective July 1, 2005.
06-A35. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Jack Perna 10
06-A36. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Yomara Sanchez Conf. Sec./Cen. Off. Sec./EWK 8/22/05
06-A37. Approved internal transfers for staff of Edward W. Kilpatrick School for the 2005-2006 school year:
Name From To Patricia Matthews Grade 3 Grade 5 Carol DeRyder Grade 3 Grade 5
06-A38. Approved change in job titles for staff of Eastside High School:
Name From To Claire Bussanick Coach Tchr. of Math John McKeon Coach Tchr. of English
Page 78 8/10/05 06-A39. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Zineta Kupi Tchr./EHS $46,371 9/1/05
06-A40. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Sandra Drozdowski Tchr./No. 6 $42,671 9/1/05
06-A41. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Zuleima Perez Tchr./No. 6 $46,871 9/1/05
06-A42. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Angela Steele Tchr./No. 6 $46,371 9/1/05
06-A43. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Noreen Veloz Tchr./No. 6 $46,171 9/1/05
06-A44. Approved compensation for staff attending the Secondary Math Initiative sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Education, from July 25-29, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $6,131.25:
David Rust Raed Dandan Jose LaChapel Jazmin Rotger de Parra Ferida Itez
06-A45. Approved payment to staff serving as mentor in the Provisional Route Program: (Salvatore Scarpinato)
06-A46. Approved compensation for Beatriz Zapata to assist student in the NJASK-4 Summer Program at School No. 27, from July 5-20, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,311.00.
06-A47. Approved transfers:
Name From To Eff. Date Virginia Fulmore Res. Tchr./Bil. Dept. Tchr./ULA 9/1/05
Miriam Lopez Res. Tchr./Bil. Dept. Tchr./ECE 9/1/05
Roselyn Rauch Res. Tchr./Bil. Dept. Tchr./JFKHS 9/1/05
06-A48. Approved transfers:
Name From To Eff. Date Raul Quispe Inst. Asst./No. 15 Inst. Asst./EHS 9/1/05
Page 79 8/10/05 Howard Kline Tchr./No. 28 Tchr./No. 12 9/1/05
Peter Rebovich Tchr./ULA Tchr./No. 28 9/1/05
Christine Sarno Tchr./ULA Tchr./No. 28 9/1/05
Tawanna Workman Tchr./ULA Tchr./No. 2 9/1/05
Helen Dennis Tchr./ULA Tchr./No. 16 9/1/05
06-A49. Approved termination:
Name Location Eff. Date Horngyu Wu Tchr./PANTHER Acad. 10/30/05
06-A50. Approved stipends for staff serving as coaches in the Eastside High School Fall Sports Program, beginning August 1 through November 24, 2005:
Name Position Donald Davis Head Football Cassius Crandol 1st Assistant Football Thomas Whiteley Assistant Football David Eugene Assistant Football Lee Jason Cornish Assistant Football Frank Colvin Head Cross/Country (Boys) Sharon Allen Head Cross/Country (Girls) Giovanni Ormaeche Head Soccer (Boys) Craig Lombardi Head Soccer (Girls) Segun Ogunbameru Assistant Soccer Jose Avendano Assistant Soccer Simon Marcus Assistant Soccer Carlton Barnswell Head Tennis Yudelki Nunez Assistant Tennis MariaElena Colon Head Volleyball Linda Hicks Assistant Volleyball Kenneth Davis Band Director Reginald English Majorette/Marching Unit Adv. Michael Smith Equipment Manager Travelle Pinkett Head Cheer. Adv. Christopher Hiel Head Strength & Conditioning Elsie Pritchett Athletic Treasurer William Ford Team Trainer
06-A51. Approved compensation for staff of Pre-Collegiate Teaching Academy attending CES Summer Trek, from August 8-10, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $4,158.00:
Rosanne Buttacavoli Milt Horowitz Donna Lisanti Kenia Nunez Judy Rich Rachael Twigg
Page 80 8/10/05 06-A52. Approved employment of Shanyra Belfield as clerical assistant in the Office of the State District Superintendent, beginning July 11, 2005, at a salary of $7.50 per hour.
06-A53. Approved compensation for Gary Joseph as clerical assistants in the Department of Community Services, from July 1 through August 30, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $1,146.00.
06-A54. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days John West 10
06-A55. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Barby Lovely 10
06-A56. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days George Lisboa 10
06-A57. Approved submission of appropriate forms for emergent hiring:
Elizabeth Charles Maria Choy Roberto Howell Keith McElroy Maria Moretti Rhonda Stephens
06-A58. Approved internal transfer for Therese Druitt, from instructional coach at Urban Leadership Academy to math instructional coach, effective September 1, 2005.
06-A59. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Linda Munro Tchr./No. 6 Tchr./ULA 9/1/05
06-A60. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Lois Penny Tchr./No. 6 Facilitator/ULA 9/1/05
06-A61. Approved rescinding non-renewals for emergency certificated staff for the 2005-2006 school year:
Maximiliano Alvarez Sandra Conte Reginald English Nylka Jeffries Anthony Menzel
Page 81 8/10/05 06-A62. Approved compensation for staff of Urban Leadership Academy for cafeteria supervision during the 2004-2005 school year, at an amount not to exceed $3,558.00:
Tonya Jacobs Nicholas Johnson Lujuana Credle Darryl Rogers Lamarr Oliver
06-A63. Approved employment of Giselle Robles as a part time college student worker to assist in the Department of Early Childhood Education during the 2005-2006 school year, at an amount not to exceed $9,800.00.
06-A64. Approved payment to staff serving as mentor in the Provisional Route Program: (Pamela DiPrima)
06-A65. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Lyndon Smith 10
06-A66. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Rhonda Williams 10
06-A67. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Evelyn McLeod 10
06-A68. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Michelle James Principal/No. 14 $93,240 7/15/05
06-A69. Approved compensation for staff to write the K-8 Curriculum Spanish Framework, from July 11 through August 5, 2005, at an amount not to exceed $15,840.00:
Maria Fonseca Olga Lara Yudelnia Paula Ricardo Llanos
06-A70. Approved the 2006-2006 Instructional Literacy Coaches:
Carmela Harris Christopher Graber Louise Albert Samuel Zuidema Lois Penny Valerie Dade Lenora Stansfield Robin Gaskin Roberta Silitsky Sylvia Jones Tina Nucci Joann Taliercio Karen Barbieri Ruth Bray
Page 82 8/10/05 Geraldine Russo Maria Leonessa Pedro Valdes Lauretta Cole Ada Messano Gloria Naparano Lorraine Krieger Mary Smizer Linda Dale Lorraine Madsen Nicholas Fierro Michelle Ballan Charla Holder Marc Medley Antoinette Young Gloria Pereira Cathy Blank Fern Abo Jane Bradley Deborah Robinson Judith Taylor Celeste Ferrera Lolita Vaughan Janice Lopez Joan Donnelly
06-A71. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Michael Krause 10
06-A72. Approved payment of unused accumulated vacation days, as per policy, to the following employee:
Name Days Hany Elias 10
06-A73. Approved internal transfers for staff in Schools 5, 10, 13, 15, 21 and 26, for the 2005-2006 school year.
06-A74. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Lediana Guzman Supv./Bil. Dept. Supv./JFKHS 7/15/05
06-A75. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Julie Torres Supv./Bil. Dept. Supv./EHS 7/15/05
06-A76. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Maria Santa Supv./Dept. of Supv./Dept. of 7/15/05 Literacy Assessment
06-A77. Approved transfers:
Name From To Eff. Date Eva Razzaria Inst. Asst./MLK Inst. Asst./AHA 9/1/05
Michele Coleman Inst. Asst./MLK Inst. Asst./No. 25 9/1/05
Angela Washington Inst. Asst./MLK Inst. Asst./No. 25 9/1/05
Page 83 8/10/05 Iris Perez Tchr./NRCS Tchr./No. 20 9/1/05
06-A78. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Candace Vitelli Tchr./No. 1 Tchr./EHS 9/1/05
06-A79. Approved internal transfers for staff in Schools 4, 8, 12, 20, 24, 25, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Alexander Hamilton Academy, for the 2005-2006 school year.
06-A80. Approved internal transfers for staff in Schools 2, 3, 11, 14, Edward W. Kilpatrick and Roberto Clemente School, for the 2005-2006 school year.
06-A81. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Nitza Torres Cafe. Monitor/DAS $7.50/hr. 9/1/05
06-A82. Approved payment to staff serving as mentor in the Provisional Route Program: (Maria Murray)
06-A83. Approved rescinding non-renewals for emergency certificated staff for the 2005-2006 school year:
James Jackson William Kline Jeanette Morales Darrell Smith Marisa Vanderclock Stephen Womack
06-A84. Approved appointment:
Name Assignment/Location Salary Eff. Date Michael Glascoe State District Superintendent $200,000 7/18/05
06-A85. Approved compensation for Mark Cannon for cafeteria supervision at Rosa Parks High School during the 2004-2005 school year, at an amount not to exceed $2,000.00.
06-A86. Approved compensation for Rafael Garcia for cafeteria supervision at Rosa Parks High School during the 2004-2005 school year, at an amount not to exceed $2,000.00.
06-A87. Approved transfer:
Name From To Eff. Date Thomas Tursick Res. Tchr./Cen. Off. Tchr./IHS 9/1/05
06-A88. Approved amending the employment agreement with Agostino Rottino, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Operations, to reflect a per diem rate of $650.00, to be paid bi-monthly, effective July 20, 2005.
Page 84 8/10/05 OTHER
05-C168. Approved increasing the cap for the J.H. Cohn, LLP to provide forensic accounting services related to operations in the district and various contractors who performed work or provided materials at district facilities or property on prior occasions, at an increase of $150,000.00.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
It was moved by Comm. Vergara, seconded by Comm. Santiago that the Public Comments portion of the meeting be opened. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
Comm. Brown: Please state your name and address for the record.
Ms. Irene Sterling: Good evening, my name is Irene Sterling, I am Executive Director of the Paterson Education Fund, and I live here in Paterson at 41 Burlington Avenue. Good evening Dr. Glascoe and welcome to Paterson. Tonight I wanted to share with the Board and with the public some rather extraordinary opportunities. I have passed out to the Board and PEF will be passing out our annual date book, which has the dates of not only the school events in it, but it also contains our Second Annual Graduating Every Paterson Child Community Conversation, which will be held this year on Saturday, October 1st. I invite you to come and join us. I have also given the School Board copies but brought for the rest of the audience a flyer here about a wonderful new book. Kathleen Cushman, the author, was here at our conference last year and brought with her Fires in the Bathroom, in which high school students in particular talk to their teachers about what makes a compelling classroom where students want to be there, rather than setting fires in the bathroom. This time Ms. Cushman’s book is about the first children in their families to go to college. I know that a number of you on that stage are the first in your families to go to college and I am also. Today, in particular, those young people who are striving for that and who are attaining that are undergoing some very special experiences. This book talks about them in a way that students across the country can understand and we are particularly proud that this book features a Paterson student. Aileen Rosario, who graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, has gotten her AA from Passaic County Community College and is about to start class at Montclair State. She is one of the students who talk about her experiences. I invite you to read the book and share it. The book can be ordered for free by going on the website and that is why I brought copies for the community. We will have some for further distribution as we do the Graduating Every Paterson Child Conference, and we also have as a part of that release a guide to going to college, which has been personalized for Paterson students by Paterson students. PEF contracted with the Communications Academy at John F. Kennedy High School to write a guide, which is tabloid size, and I don’t have it here for you yet because it is still at the printers, where we hear about getting ready for college through the voices of Paterson students. I am very excited to be bringing this to you. I hope that you will share it and I hope that you will work with us to get this in front of all of the children and all of the parents in Paterson because there is no reason that all of our children cannot aspire and succeed to being a part of this experience. Thank you very much and I hope to see you October 1st.
Ms. Brenda Ferrer: Brenda Ferrer, 421 East 33rd Street, Paterson. I almost fell off my seat when I heard Dr. Atallo say that you are paying $12,000 for food. I think the taxpayers are paying money to provide education, materials and teachers for our students. I’m sorry. I worked in a school district and no money was spent for food for School Board. I would like to congratulate Dr. Glascoe in his endeavor to have early
Page 85 8/10/05 registration. Might I make the suggestion that perhaps you might want to do pre- registration at the close of the school year so that you will have an idea? That is what we did in my previous school district. You would have an idea of where your students are going to be for the upcoming school and would not be doing that the first day of school. So I think you need to revise that about the food. Pack a lunch and bring your water.
Mr. John Sargis: John Sargis, Paterson, Inclusive Democracy. In June I gave to the Board a packet that allows our students to keep their privacy concerning the Pentagon and the recruiters’ request for their names, addresses and phone numbers. Several of you expressed interest in that but no one has contacted us. We were wondering where that stands right now.
Comm. Hodges: This is the?
Mr. Sargis: The packet for the Opt Out forms for students.
Comm. Sayegh: No Child Left Behind.
Comm. Hodges: Actually, there is an editorial on my computer that is going to be sent out. We have additionally asked members of the administration to look into that policy or that problem. I am actually going to work on drafting a policy for the district along those lines. I certainly have every respect for the military and people in the military. I think it is a fine institution and something that is worthwhile. Our nation needs to be protected when there is a real threat. However, I do want our children to be given better opportunities to go to college as opposed to supplying that military, and I think I share that concern with Ridgewood, Fairlawn and a few of the other districts surrounding this city.
Mr. Sargis: Okay, I hope you contact me soon.
Comm. Hodges: Not a problem.
Mr. Sargis: Through the Chair to Comm. Sayegh, I read your letter to the editor of the Herald News of June 16th entitled Teach Kids – Character Counts. In that letter you write that you would like not only intelligent learning to take place in our schools, but also character education incorporated into the curriculum. Our society, as you say, benefits when we produce not only exemplary students but also model citizens. I concur, I think the people here would, and Board members would also. I am sure you agree that you and your distinguished fellow Board members, as leaders and role models of our school system, are exemplary citizens and examples of the character education you are promoting – respect, responsibility and liability. On Monday, August 8th there was a community forum to meet the new superintendent, Dr. Glascoe, at Passaic County Community College. Among others who were there was Board member Mr. Atallo. I am requesting five minutes from Inclusive Democracy. Also attending was Tommy Silva and his son Trevor, who is nine years old. Mr. Atallo asked Trevor a question. Do you know why the Indians are called the First Americans? Trevor didn’t answer, but Mr. Atallo provided the following answer. It is because they were first to get reservations. This racist joke is not what I would dare call an exemplary value from a role model. Actually, it’s a racist and bigot value justifying and mocking genocide of Native Americans and has no place in education. It shows a lack of character and value. Is this what you want to be included in character education - one size fits all? Why did Trevor have to be exposed to such an obscenity? People who espouse such despicable and derogatory values do not belong on this Board. We are
Page 86 8/10/05 demanding that Mr. Atallo be removed from the Board, either voluntarily or by Commissioner Librera. We do not need Atallo’s kind of values for education in Paterson. Mr. Sayegh, it seems that you do not know what you are talking about when it comes to character education. It is not as simple as you claim. At this time I am challenging you to a public debate on this matter. I am sure we can have it here at Kennedy High School whenever you see necessary. Thank you.
Comm. Sayegh: Mr. Sargis, I gladly accept your challenge to a debate in public regarding the matter of character education. I will provide you with my contact information and we will schedule a debate. Thank you.
Mr. Frederick Mutooni: Frederick Mutooni, 197 North 7th Street. I would ask the Board, especially Dr. Glascoe, that when you are mentioning people’s names who are not here, it is better to discuss that issue in executive meeting. Dr. Clancy left. That gentleman deserves the best respect. Any issue concerning Dr. Clancy you need to discuss in either executive meeting or give him notice to appear at this meeting. It is very unprofessional for some of you to keep mentioning Dr. Clancy’s name. He is not here. Respect him. This is another example to show how some of you are not even supposed to be here. I think Mr. Spagnola can answer this. I did ask Comm. Brown what the law says and he told me something I am not sure about. I would like a copy of the law that he read to me. I asked him if I come here to speak on agenda items and I decide to speak on something else, what does the law say. He told me what the law says, but I would like to get an official copy of exactly the words he used. I believe he may not be right. Maybe I am wrong, but I would like a copy of exactly what the law says about if a community member comes here to speak on agenda items and they decide to speak on something else. That is all I need to say. Can you give me a copy of what it says, sir?
Comm. Spagnola: Basically it would be a position that an individual would be out of order at that point. Robert’s Rules would address that – if an individual in a public session is out of order.
Mr. Mutooni: Please don’t change my words. I just need a copy. I don’t want you to explain to me. I need a copy of what he read. Do you know the meaning of copy?
Comm. Spagnola: Thank you.
Mr. Mutooni: Thank you means what? Can I get a copy?
Comm. Spagnola: Sure.
Mr. Mutooni: Okay, when can I have it?
Comm. Spagnola: As soon as I get it.
Mr. Mutooni: Today or when?
Comm. Spagnola: I am going to look into it and I will get back to you.
Mr. Mutooni: Don’t get back to me. Can you leave a copy in the Superintendent’s office by Tuesday?
Comm. Atallo: You don’t make demands.
Page 87 8/10/05 Comm. Spagnola: No, please.
Mr. Mutooni: Can I pick it up there, please?
Comm. Spagnola: Why don’t you call first?
Mr. Mutooni: I will call.
Comm. Spagnola: Give them a call and see if they have it in place. Thank you.
Mr. Mutooni: Thank you.
Ms. Gwendolyn Grover: Good evening, my name is Gwendolyn Grover and I reside at 82 Wayne Avenue. I am a concerned parent. Welcome Dr. Glascoe. You have your hands full. I was going to address a lot of issues but you put it all in a nutshell in your last address. My reason for being here tonight is because I was speaking with Comm. Sayegh with reference to the teachers and the classrooms with the students. There are supposed to be additional teachers in the classroom with the students. I sit in with my child on a weekly basis, at least two to three times a week, and there are two teachers and an aide. Their classroom consists of at least 22-25 children and there is so much going on. To add more teachers into this curriculum I think would be too much. My child has been diagnosed as having ADD, which the school has put him through all these different kinds of tests, and I have also addressed that. I am still addressing that and I have even gone on my own with my own doctors who tell me the teachers don’t have the resources in the classrooms to give him the help that he needs. I also asked for him to go out-of-district since the school couldn’t give him what he needed and they told me they couldn’t do that. I am speaking and I have so much to say. Money is there and I don’t understand why my child couldn’t get the help. I spoke about out-of-district placement and they said they didn’t have money for that for him. The field trips that they have for the high school children, they don’t have any listed here for the grade school children. They have a lot of historical landmarks here in Jersey, such as right here in West Milford where George Washington was. They read about it in a book and then should be able to see it and experience it, even where they made the iron for the cannonballs and all that. I think that would make the curriculum more exciting for them to read about it and then see it. This is my first time at a meeting, I will be here at all the other meetings, I learned a lot tonight, and I thank you for letting me speak. Goodnight.
Comm. Spagnola: You are doing just fine.
Ms. Shalimar Williams: Good evening everyone. Welcome Dr. Glascoe. My name is Shalimar Williams and I am a concerned parent. My question is about C-17. I see it says to approve renewing the contract of temporary classroom units. Did that consist of the units out here by Kennedy and Eastside High Schools, the trailers?
Comm. Taylor: The ones that are in here are for Schools 3 and 15.
Ms. Williams: C-17.
Comm. Brown: It’s a different site.
Dr. Glascoe: I believe it is a different assignment.
Ms. Williams: Oh, that is a different assignment.
Page 88 8/10/05 Comm. Taylor: School 3 and School 15.
Ms. Williams: Well, my concern is still about the trailers because I see they are up at Eastside High School and here at Kennedy. There is one way in and one way out. God forbid if we have a fire. How do we rescue our children? On C-9, I need a little bit of clarification because to my knowledge what I am reading on this paper here is payment to three special education literacy coaches to train and work with teachers of the handicapped within the literacy program in the amount of $178,000. How many teachers are selected to attend the workshop? Is it for a year or six months?
Comm. Brown: If you have any additional questions, ask all your questions and I will make sure that the administration submits it to you in writing.
Ms. Williams: Okay.
Comm. Brown: Do you have any other questions?
Ms. Williams: No, that is all.
Mr. Thomas Silva: Thomas Silva, 243 Union Avenue, Apartment 4A, Paterson, New Jersey. If you want to come visit, come over any time you want and then we will talk. On September 3rd at 12:00 noon at Buckley Field we are going to have Books Not Bombs and we will be giving away books and school supplies to children who need them. This is our antiwar message to the military recruiters who come out to our campuses and provide our children with lies and false information. When the military provides protection for corporate interests we are in a fascist state and therefore we do not want this fascist organization on our school campuses. Thank you.
Comm. Brown: Mr. Silva, do you have copies of that?
Mr. Silva: Yes, I do. There are some on the table. If anyone wants to hang out, donate, come up and speak, there is open space speaking for people to come up and speak to share their views on education and labor. Since it is Labor Day Weekend, let’s bring out the true nature of what Labor Day Weekend is all about. As an individual in the Paterson School District, I do not stand for any racism or fascism placed upon me or my child. I view the Native Indians’ genocide very seriously and so does my child. We do not feel that anything should be joked about when it comes to genocide, especially a genocide that has been blinded to the American public by history books. Therefore, any kind of jokes that are going to be towards any kind of race, gender or whatever you want to have your jokes about will not be tolerated around me or my child. I am known for my antiracist actions. I believe in direct action against it. I am a very nonviolent person but when my son is going to be attacked verbally on issues that we stand strong on as a family and we try to preach in my household about love and peace and antiwar, we feel that any attacks upon indigenous people, whether here in American or globally, is inappropriate. People should not be held in high places if they are going to be talking like that in front of children. Thank you very much.
Mr. Bilal Hakeem: Bilal Hakeem, representing the organization Five Pillars. I was sitting in the back and I was thinking whether or not I should leave or stay because I just got a call that a dear friend of mine just passed away. He just passed. But I thought it was worthy for me to stay and say that we are thankful that the new Superintendent, Dr. Michael Glascoe, accepted our invitation on Monday to participate in a very warm dialogue for about two hours at Passaic County Community College. We look forward to continuing to work with you to improve this district and get it back into local control.
Page 89 8/10/05 So I want to publicly say that we thank you, Dr. Michael Glascoe, for your attendance. I didn’t get the opportunity but I wanted to take the opportunity now to extend another invitation to you and I will send it to you in writing as well. Five Pillars is scheduling a Town Hall Meeting on the 3rd of September. We intend to have our Town Hall Meeting outside in one of the parks if the weather permits. If not, it will be inside. I will have the finalization on that by the end of this week. We definitely would like to have you come there and address the citizens at the Town Hall Meeting dealing with several issues. The other thing I wanted to mention is that on C-16 I wanted to thank all of the Commissioners who voted that down. As you do know, there have been areas of concern with Absolute Security Network since they came into the district. I will reiterate tonight that there needs to be a study in this area on the effectiveness of privatization. It works in some areas, but in some areas it does not work. I, too, have a serious question regarding professionalism and training. I am in a Catch 22 situation because I represent them from a union standpoint. But at the same time, I must speak the truth. We are not pleased with the level of professionalism. There needs to be some serious training inside the schools. The guards from Absolute Security Network have to know that they are adults and that they are representing the school district as well as that company. You cannot be playing and wrestling with students in the hallway. This is something that I see because my schedule allows me to visit in the areas quite a bit. So this is something that is very, very serious. Again, we need to look into privatization and the cost effect. I am in favor of us going back to having one system. I think it works better. Last, but not least, I wanted to just say regarding the Marilyn Morheuser Parent Resource Center that we stand in full support of it. We hope that this body, as well as the State Superintendent, will continue to move forward to do things to empower that center. I intend, in my personal and public life, to perform in such a way that does not bring any shame or embarrassment on that institution or its leadership. I intend to do that in my public and in my private life. Last, but not least, as Tommy and Dr. Sargis mentioned, I do think we need to be very careful to guard our tongue. Often the tongue can do great damage and cause serious wars. Although it is not our intentions, we have to just guard our tongue and think about things before we say them. So I thank you and we send condolences to the family of Wanda Mendez, one of the Absolute security guards who passed away. She was a dear, sweet person. We are going to miss her and we send condolences to her family, as well as the Quince family. Have a good night.
Comm. Brown: On behalf of the Board, we apologize for the loss as well of that security officer.
Mr. Quincy Battis: Good evening, Quincy Battis, East 41st Street resident. I normally don’t do this but I need to bring some clarity, so I will be speaking on behalf of an organization pertaining to B-1. I know that it has been stated into the record, so for clarity with reference to B-1 your contractual agreement is not with Highway Church of Christ at this time. According to B-1, your contractual agreement is with Temple Emanuel. So I don’t want anyone to think that the contractual agreement at this time is with Highway Church of Christ. There was an article before you got here, Dr. Glascoe, that we were utilizing the building on Sunday mornings. But there is no binding contract at this time that Highway Church of Christ has purchased the building. For the record, we are in negotiations. In reference to C-16 pertaining to security, so that you know, the Abbott vs. Burke law says, and I was sitting there thinking when everybody was trying to think, and hopefully we will have a second plan of action, that every school in the urban districts and Abbott districts must have security. We want to read that into the record as well. The law also says, for those who want to call for the immediate removal of Dr. Atallo, in dealing with the Ethics Commission and Peter Harvey’s office, and I will share this for the record, that you just cannot request an immediate removal of any elected
Page 90 8/10/05 official from his or her seat. The law says that if it is not for ethics reasons, because some things have been removed from the Faulkner Act, we have to be very careful demanding the removal of any elected official, whether it is from the School Board all the way up to Federal. What you can do, for the record, is do a recall but we don’t have time for that. We just say things and it sounds so good, but you cannot demand the immediate removal. Once again, I want to just read that into the record. You cannot demand the removal of any elected official because of what he or she may have said. Also, as of yet, Highway Church of Christ is only utilizing the building at 33rd and Broadway. We are in negotiations to purchase the building. I wanted to read that into the record.
Ms. Anna Taliaferro: Anna Taliaferro, Paterson, New Jersey. If you want to know my address, I would be happy to give it to you after the meeting. First, I want to take this opportunity as a member of the Board of Directors of the Education Law Center to say that I think we want a coup this week. Hopefully, the last order from the Supreme Court has ordered the State to do what they need to do to get the monitoring of the districts, the assessments of the programs, and some programs in order that are meaningful from your office. I recognize that Dr. Librera is leaving but his leadership did not do that. For the 2% that he took off the top of all the Abbott budgets to provide the monitoring of all of the Abbott monies and to give us a plan as to what he was going to do with that money, he never did. I am so sick of us going back to court, back to court, and back to court to force the State to do what they need to do under the original Supreme Court order. Hopefully, one of these days soon maybe before I die they will get it right. But I know that David Sciarra is going to remain on the case, as is his staff. It’s just a shame that we have to keep doing this time and time again. The second thing is that Senator Craig Stanley contacted me in terms of testifying tomorrow afternoon between the hours of 3:00 and 7:00 down at Essex County Community College to talk about the impact of what is happening in our districts with the failure of the SCC. When the Governor put this institution together it was on the basis that we ourselves couldn’t police our own money to the point that we would be effective enough to do something about the facilities in our community. Most of our schools are over 100 years old and we ourselves couldn’t do it, but the SCC managed to do a very good job by misspending or at least losing $8.6 billion. So that should tell us something about the SCC. I am going to testify tomorrow afternoon in front of the Joint Committee on Education so that they have a clear understanding of how this really has impacted on us. Some of us testified when the SCC held their hearing. All I see is a bunch of verbal rhetoric around the table. I really don’t see any action that is going to provide us with some meaningful leadership in terms of what needs to happen with our facilities. I don’t like the idea of you now saying to us that we are so strapped for money that we are going to come in and take a look at your plans and maybe tell you what you can extrapolate out of those plans because you don’t have the money for them. So we need to be very clear. I hope that you will come tomorrow afternoon and give your statements to the subcommittee because they really have to do something about it. I spoke with David Sciarra a while ago and I am so sick of this going back to court and going back to court. I think we ought to ask the court to take over the State. I have had enough. I really have. If you are not going to do the job that you are supposed to do on behalf of children of color, those children who have been neglected so long, you can’t tell me that I can go into Ridgewood, New Jersey and see re-locatable sitting on school property. Come on! Enough is enough. If the SCC is supposed to be a watchdog for us, then I want to know where my $8.6 billion went and I want it back. Let me say for the record that I have nothing against the latest appointment of Reverend LaGarde to the State Board. This is what I don’t agree with. Not once did Senator Girgenti or even you, Comm. Andre, as his representative, come to this community and say we have the opportunity to appoint a member to the State Board. I have dealt with the State Board
Page 91 8/10/05 in the last 40+ years and it is so critical that we get the right person on the State Board. That Board, even with five African Americans, has been relatively silent. If I were to ask each one of you who was the President of that State Board, I would assume that you couldn’t tell me. So that shows you the kind of job they are doing. Not once have they spoken up against what the State has done in the Abbott districts and the failure to carry out the Supreme Court order, but we now have a man who has been appointed to the Board who has not fought for public education in this city. He has not come to talk about all of the miscalculation and the misspent money in terms of what happened under State control. As of August 7, 2005, we are now going into our 15th year. So if you are going to appoint someone to the State Board, as I said to you this afternoon Comm. Sayegh, we can’t just look for someone with a business background. It takes more than that to be an educator or to represent education. I am saying it again so that you don’t misconstrue what I am saying. I am not talking about the person. I am talking about how you went about doing it. You ignored this community by not asking us who have been out here on the forefront to fight for quality education whom we would recommend. That to me is dangerous because the person that you recommended supports private education. I am a proponent and advocate for public education across this country, not only in Paterson, New Jersey. With the multitude of talent that we do have and that we could have had, it is a bone of contention with me because the State Board of Education has not been vocal or visible to talk about what it is our children need. None of them joined us in supporting the Abbott remedy, but everybody wants to take a piece of the money to their district. We know what we need in Paterson, New Jersey. We need strong leadership and I commend even you Dr. Glascoe for wanting to come to this community to provide that leadership. We need some solid leadership, but leadership that is not only going to stand for education. We need one who is not going to be afraid to take risks and certainly your theme of Children First really enlightens me to the point that I know when you make a decision, even though it might not be popular for all of us it will be in favor of those children. If I have nothing further to say ever in my life, I mean to use my energies to help the kids who are out there on the streets. There is one quick story that you need to know. I had a parent walk into my office this afternoon. Ten years ago when I saw that parent she was on the corner of Governor Street. I knew her from a child. Needless to say, she was riddled with drugs. She could hardly stand up. I pulled my car up to her and I said I know that is not you standing out here on this street corner, not with all of the challenges that we have been through. About three years later she walked into my office with tears in her eyes and said she has been clean for nine months. A couple of years later she came back to my office and she said she keeps hearing my voice in her ear. She was then a student at Passaic County Community College and criminal justice was her major. Today she walked in my office and said here’s my degree. She is now a graduate of criminal justice. Please understand that when we fight for what we fight for, we are fighting for stories like that. I am so proud of her I could burst. My goddaughter came here from Atlanta and she is just two statistical courses away from picking up her PhD next year. We have things to celebrate and we need to talk about it, but we can’t do that if you, the Board, won’t have faith in us. I see some new leadership, which I am also very proud of. We didn’t always agree and a lot of times we fought and it got ugly, but we are still standing here. As long as we can stay connected on behalf of putting children first, I will support every effort that you make out here for our children. I have a vested interest because I have grandchildren in this system. I want to thank you. Keep going even if you disagree. Just keep going and do what you need to do. But you need to let Senator Girgenti know that he is on my list for November.
Comm. Sayegh: Through the Chair…
Comm. Brown: Please hold your comment for Other Business. I would appreciate it.
Page 92 8/10/05
Comm. Sayegh: May I please because it was directed towards me.
Comm. Brown: I would rather you wait until Other Business, with all due respect. This is Public Comments.
Mr. Mark Fisher: Do you want to take my time, Mr. Sayegh?
Comm. Sayegh: If you will relinquish it.
Mr. Fisher: Go ahead.
Comm. Brown: Please go ahead.
Mr. Fisher: Mark Fisher, parent. I have two things. One is that I need to get information on when we are going to meet again, Dr. Glascoe, with the Parent Leadership Alliance. Number two, recently I was on the SLC team to interview the principal for Eastside High School and I just want to let everyone know that I got calls from parents because we didn’t have one parent sit on the interview process and they were upset about it. I do know that because of the summer schedule it was not a good time to interview a principal for a machine like Eastside High School because whomever you are going to pick tomorrow or whenever, the clock is ticking. Like I said, Dr. Glascoe I don’t know if you have been to Eastside High School but it is a machine. It has to be run like one, which means it needs to be well oiled and well seasoned. Like Ms. Taliaferro said, we need strong leadership in that position at Eastside High School. The timing I think is wrong the way we did it because we have to get somebody in here and we have to work. I spoke to Mr. Roberto from Kennedy and they already have their plan ready for the year. We are behind the 8-ball so I hope that you make a decision not because you have to make a decision but think about the kids first. Like you said, Children First. Let’s get somebody in there who is really going to put the kids first and not just somebody to fill the slot. Can you answer the first question about the meeting with the Alliance?
Dr. Glascoe: I don’t have a full schedule yet. I am going to have a number of advisory groups and the Parent Leadership Alliance is one. So just give me a little while longer to try to put a full schedule of those meetings together.
Mr. Fisher: 90-day plan, right? Seriously, think about Eastside High School, people.
Mr. K.C. Melvin: K.C. Melvin, 563 East 26th Street, Paterson. I just have a real brief announcement to make. But before I make my announcement I would like to say greetings to all the Commissioners and President Brown. I would like to welcome Dr. Glascoe to our district. It’s good to have you. I have a real brief announcement from the Paterson Housing Authority. Our organization, the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. Organization, which is a community organization, has collaborated with the Paterson Housing Authority and the School of Higher Learning for Effective Living on a basic general initiative to get residents of all the housing developments to achieve either a GED or college training. This is at a deferred cost. They are going to be working on financial assistance and introducing them to different types of grants and things like that, just to help the academically disadvantaged residents to achieve higher learning. Our organization has taken on the challenge to help promote this event. On August 30th at 6:30 p.m. at 60 Temple Street, they are going to have an all men’s rally to try to rally up as many men as possible. So if any of you Commissioners or people in the listening audience and viewing audience know anyone who is interested in receiving real college
Page 93 8/10/05 courses or obtaining a GED, the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. Organization and the Paterson Housing Authority, along with Co-Chairman Michael McDuffy, is sponsoring this initiative to get all of them training. They are going to work on alternative methods for funding. No one will be turned down. If you are failing, if you dropped out of high school, or if you have an inferior education, they will provide any assistance necessary and they will provide a flexible schedule if we can get enough people.
Comm. Hodges: What is the date and time again?
Mr. Melvin: The place is 60 Temple Street, August 30th at 6:30 p.m. It’s primarily for all housing residents, but no one will be turned away. They will be given alternatives. It is primarily for all housing residents. I don’t want to say the name wrong. It’s for the Christopher Hope Development, the Alexander Hamilton Development, and I don’t know the technical name for 5th Avenue Development.
Comm. Brown: 5th Ave. Projects.
Mr. Melvin: Okay, Riverside. So we are aiming towards all the residents of those housing developments. The B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. are in support of that and I would like you Commissioners, if you can, to support it. We hope to see all the men out there on August 30th. We are trying to get as many men as possible. There is also another initiative going on for the women, so it’s an all-inclusive process and no one will be left out. Thank you everybody.
Comm. Taylor: Are the women meeting that day, also?
Comm. Brown: K.C., can you come back to the microphone for a second, please? Is this just for men, or men and women?
Mr. Melvin: There is going to be another initiative for women, but the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. Organization is working with the men. From what I understand, Officer Sharon Easton and a group of other women from housing are going to try to rally up the women for the same initiative.
Reverend Frederick H. LaGarde, Jr.: Good evening, Revered Frederick H. LaGarde, Jr., 535 Broadway, here in the City of Paterson, New Jersey. First of all, I want to say good evening to all of the members of the Board of Education. I certainly want to say good evening to our new State Appointed Superintendent. I had a brief opportunity to meet you a few weeks ago. I just want to clear up a few things that have been said about me. Certainly I did not intend really to say anything, but really to sit back and to listen today. But there are a few things that I do want to clear up. Number one, I first of all want to say that I have a great deal of respect for Ms. Anna Taliaferro. I have always respected her because she speaks her mind and says what she has to say, whether you agree with it or not. Number two, it is a fact that you have never seen me at a Board of Education meeting, but that does not mean that I am not informed as to what is going on in the City of Paterson. Certainly, we also have an opportunity when we cannot be present to view on our public access channels and I watch these meetings every time they come on the television. I just want to clear up a few things. Number one, I do want to clear up that my appointment to the State Board of Education was not something that I sought, not something that I went after. I do not have any personal relationships with Senator Girgenti where we pal around or go out to eat, neither with Mr. Sayegh. This is something that was presented to me and I accepted the challenge. I am glad that I did accept the challenge and I feel that I can do a good job there at the State Board of Education. Number two, it was said that I am for private education. First
Page 94 8/10/05 of all, I am not just for private education. Yes, I am a Superintendent of a private school here in the City of Paterson and proud to be such. But I am also for public education. I am fully aware that all of the children in the City of Paterson will not be able to go to a private institution and therefore will have to come through the way of the Paterson Public School System. Therefore meaning that the public school system has to be up- to-par to train them properly so that they may achieve in their next phases of life and whatever they want to do. When you talk about me never speaking up vocally, certainly I don’t think that I have to be the loudest speaker to speak my mind. When you talk about having an interest in the City of Paterson, my mother gave 40 years of her life to the public school system. My wife is sitting over there now and has given the last four years of her life to the public school system having been in Public School No. 6 and now in Public School No. 9. In closing, I will say to Ms. Taliaferro and anybody that I welcome the opportunity to work with you. This is the first time that Passaic County has had someone on the State Board of Education for some time. I am there to speak for Paterson. I am there for the State of New Jersey, but primarily for Paterson. So I welcome the opportunity to work with anyone who wants to work with me. I am accessible. You can reach me through the church, through my business, and my home number is listed. Just ask for Reverend LaGarde on East 35th Street here in the City of Paterson. Rather than to judge me before I can really get started, why don’t you pray for me and let’s work together. Thank you very much and have a good night.
Mr. Chris Coke: Good evening. I want to say hello to all the Commissioners, the administration, and the City of Paterson on a whole. My name is Chris Coke and I am a longtime Paterson resident and Paterson Public School student for my entire public school career from kindergarten to 12th grade. I went on from JFK to graduate from NJIT in Newark with a degree in engineering and I am now back in the City of Paterson to give my part in helping support the public school system. One of the things that I have taken on, as some of you may know, is an initiative for the restoration of the Hinchliffe Stadium project. In addition to that and in pursuing that project, a request for members of a long-range facility plan committee was made and I replied to that call and was accepted to that committee. I heard that there were some Commissioners who were unaware that this committee existed, or unclear about the purpose of this committee. Hopefully, I can offer some clarity in my few minutes. The long-range facility plan is mandated by the Abbott decision. It is required that all Abbott districts have a long-range facility plan. Being that facilities are a big problem in Paterson, I took upon the challenge to become co-chair of the land acquisition subcommittee. I doing that, I want to inform you that we will be having a subcommittee meeting, not a full committee meeting because there are other portions of this long-range facility plan committee. We will be having a subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, August 16th. I’m not sure if the location is nailed down, but I requested that it be held at the Board of Education offices in one of the conference rooms, if possible. So that is to be confirmed. Again, I want to thank Dr. Glascoe. First of all, I welcome you. Thank you for responding quickly to emails. I am very impressed that you are abreast of technology in a way that I can get a reply in less than half an hour. That alone is a plus and a good way to start things here in the city.
Dr. Glascoe: You just happened to catch me at a good time. You were the lucky one.
Mr. Coke: That’s good to know. I did want to give the Commissioners more information on the September 7th workshop but unfortunately I believe I will have prior commitments and may not be able to make that meeting. However, the co-chair of my committee will be in attendance on September 7th to address any questions you may have. Other than that, I just want to thank you. This is on a purely voluntary basis and everyone who has come to this committee has been just adamant about improving the school district.
Page 95 8/10/05 People like Ms. Irene Sterling, Mr. Creighton Drury and some of the other co-chairs have put their heart and their sweat into this project to improve our school district. I want you to know that although things may look bleak at times, there are citizens in the city who do care and are willing to do things without receiving kickbacks, handouts, or being involved in under the table dealings. There are true people out there who are sincere. I want to commend the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. that have been definitely fighting for what is right in this community, as well as all the other community groups that have put their best foot forward in showing people that Paterson is more than what you read in the papers. A lot of things that you don’t read in the papers are being done and there is a lot of positive movement within the city. I will leave my business cards for those Commissioners who do have questions and I guess we can go forward from there. Again, thanks Dr. Glascoe for the speedy reply and I look forward to working with you all on the long-range facility plan. Thank you.
It was moved by Comm. Sayegh, seconded by Comm. Santiago that the Public Comments portion of the meeting be closed. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Board Member Comments
Comm. Vergara: First of all, I would like to say welcome to the Superintendent on his first School Board meeting. I know that working together our district is going to go forward. Our children are in good hands. Secondly, to all the students who attended summer school, summer school is now over and I just want to say congratulations to all the ones that did show up and did what they had to do. Hopefully next year they will achieve their goals and will not have to return back to summer school. I would like to state to the family members who lost their homes on Highland Avenue that I wish you the best. I know the Red Cross is involved and I hope that you find new locations in Paterson and that your children will continue to stay within our school district. With reference to the Parent Resource Center, and I am glad Ms. Taliaferro is still here, I was talking to a parent the other day who told me you are not a Spanish-speaking person but you have an outstanding staff. She told me many very good things about the Parent Resource Center. I applaud you and your staff. I see you have three of your staff here and I am very humbled to say that this one parent said you don’t know Spanish but you sure communicated with her. So keep up the good work. In conclusion, I would just like to wish a quick recovery to Ms. Taylor’s sister, who I know was not doing too well. I wish her the best. Thank you, Mr. President.
Comm. Taylor: There were quite a few communications sent to us and they are quite comprehensive. I do agree with Ms. Taliaferro about this evaluation. We haven’t had one since 1999 and I don’t know if the others that we had prior to that had any substance or value because I didn’t see some of those myself. This notice that came from David Sciarra was very informative to me today. But I think we need to look at that and I think the public needs to see. I did see something in the paper for this other one that we got for Tuesday when NJDOE was ordered to prepare an Abbott Management Plan because they have been going from district to district with state takeover with no plan. If there was a plan, we never saw a real plan and the judge in his ruling has said that they need to get a plan so we can see it and so we can operate it, and not to penalize districts that have been trying to work out a plan and they had none. So I like the comment at the end of that. I am not sure where we got this one. Irene Sterling. At the end there is a comment that says the job of a citizen is to keep her mouth open. I love that quote. Thank you. It’s quoted at the American Museum of Natural History, a
Page 96 8/10/05 place where I go to walk. We need to follow this up. Keep following the other one up, Anna, that does us very good. This book with dates that we have – please everyone try to get one from the Paterson Education Fund. This book, First in the Family, please try to get this book and do read it. Mr. Sayegh was talking about our students who go to Syracuse. We want to get other universities to welcome our students in to stay and really send in a team. We need to have more programs like the Operation Link-Up program that we have. I would like our parents to prepare your children to come back to school to learn. We have a Superintendent and I welcome him.
Comm. Brown: Please wrap it up.
Comm. Taylor: I will, Mr. Brown. His main priority will be our children – the same as mine is. So please work with him. Let’s stay together so that the children can get their lessons. Thank you.
Comm. Sayegh: I am optimistic. I am optimistic about the upcoming school year, I am optimistic about the School Board, and I am optimistic about our new Schools Chief. It was mentioned earlier that Dr. Hodges and myself were on the corner of Broadway and Main greeting Patersonians – adults, students and some teachers – and we certainly don’t want to limit it. All Board members should know that our new Superintendent is accessible to anyone and accountable to everyone. This is an individual who I believe will empower parents, encourage educators, and most importantly uplift children. He has the best interest of children and in fact it is clearly stated in our new slogan, which I feel is apropos, Children First. I believe he also is intent on collaborating more and communicating more with our community. I am also optimistic about the Parent Resource Center, which I am a supporter of. I do respect Ms. Anna Taliaferro and the work that her staff is doing. On that note, I am very optimistic about Reverend Frederick LaGarde, Jr. We all agree that this man possesses intelligence and integrity, and we saw that earlier. I am confident that he will serve us well in Trenton. In fact, he is here tonight, he has attended every meeting, and he will be a strong advocate for all children in Paterson. I am also optimistic that this School Board will sit down at a retreat and iron out all our differences and put our common agenda forward, which is of course the children. What is in the best interest of students is in the best interest of the School Board and in the best interest of Paterson. Last week I had the opportunity, along with Dr. Hodges, to walk through various communities during National Night Out and we saw children upon children and asked them the same question. What are your plans for the future? Some had plans and some did not have plans. That is unacceptable, ladies and gentlemen. Every child that goes to our public schools must have a plan for his or her future and that is what we intend to do on this School Board. We can’t afford to lose one because if we lose one, we lose almost everyone. Our job is not complete until we put all children first and push all children forward. Thank you very much.
Comm. Spagnola: We had a very good summer and we are looking forward to the opening of school. Welcome, Dr. Glascoe. This is your first night, but it will get better. We are basically on a roll and we will go from there. Okay, Mitch?
Comm. Santiago: Dr. Glascoe, congratulations and welcome to Madison Square Garden, City of Paterson. You haven’t seen anything yet. Nevertheless, I am here to work with you. I see where you are coming from and that you are different. But I also want to say to Comm. Vergara congratulations on your swearing in at the City of Paterson Rent and Levying Board. Good luck with that. Make sure everybody pays their rent and that the department is up-to-par. But I must say that summer is almost over, school starts next month, and I am anxious not only for school but I am a New York Giants fan so the season is going to start soon. I am in the Sheriff’s Department
Page 97 8/10/05 and I got moved up to narcotics. My biggest problem in this city and to all parents and residents, we have a serious problem and everybody knows what it is. I have just been stunned. I am out there and I see a lot of things. These drugs are killing our kids. They are killing our families. They are destroying our lives. They are destroying homes. We need to reach out to our young ones and to our little loved ones. We need to let them know that we truly love them. We must be aware of what they are wearing, what they are doing at home, the signs they make with their hands, who they talk to on the phone, and who they are hanging with. Please reach out to your children. We have serious, serious problems here. Thank you.
Comm. Sayegh: Three minutes.
Comm. Brown: Two and a half minutes.
Comm. Hodges: I will certainly try to comply with the three minutes, but I am not going to make any guarantees, Mr. President. There were a lot of interesting discussions tonight but I really must remind people that we don’t do very well on test scores. We have, at some point, got to get to that point where we actually spend some time dissecting those issues and trying to find solutions to those issues, because that is what the Board is about. We are supposed to be creating a different way and a higher standard of performance not only for the district but also for ourselves. I don’t think we did a lot of that tonight. We have six failing schools, or six schools that did not reach AYP. We have six and we need to address some of those issues. We have other schools that are still in a substandard condition and we need to talk about some of those things, too. That has to be some of our real focus. That is the real purpose for our being here. We are in state takeover and there are areas that we have to address. We need to find strategies and attack those areas one by one, and that is the real function of this Board. It is not our job to micromanage, though God knows over the last few years nobody else was doing it and it had to be done by somebody. But I am hoping that we can get in the position where we don’t do that anymore. That is number one, Mr. President. Number two, I am spending a lot of time walking through the streets of Paterson, primarily because of a need to lose weight. But also I have found that you begin to see who you are working for and it reminds you of what your purpose is. Unfortunately I am also seeing some of the problems out there. I have walked behind parents who were screaming curses and just raining curses down on their children. When you look at the child, the child is two and three years of age. I know people who are listening to this program tonight are not going to be responsible for those kinds of acts.
Comm. Brown: Please wrap it up.
Comm. Hodges: I’m sorry, Mr. President. I need to go a little over the bell. They are not responsible for those acts, but somebody is and you know who they are. When those children grow up and go to those classrooms, they are going to reproduce that language and that attitude and that behavior with each other and with the people they confront – their teachers and so forth. We, as a community, have got to address this kind of behavior. Mr. Sayegh and I were out late at night going through… What is that night called again?
Comm. Sayegh: National Night Out On Crime.
Comm. Hodges: There were a lot of children out late that night and every night running through the streets of Paterson. Then these parents can’t understand why they are so bad when they get into school. It’s because these kids are out in the street. We have to
Page 98 8/10/05 attack those problems and those very issues. That is part of our responsibility as a Board and as members of this community. Lastly, I want to say we have not had a member of the State Board from Paterson in quite some time. I am not aware of the last time we had one. I think it would be highly productive for all of us to appreciate what we have and do the best that we can to make it as good as it can be. There may be a lot of questions as to how that occurred and maybe those questions are justified. But I want to say that we need to take the best possible advantage of this situation to make the people down throughout this state understand the needs of Paterson and our intent on being one day, and one day soon, one of the best educational systems in the State of New Jersey or on the Eastern Seaboard. But that means that we all have to come together and bring all our collective talents to bear on these problems. We may not like each other, we may not understand or agree on how we all got here, but there is a major task that has to be addressed and we have to stop harping at each other and roll up our sleeves and learn to work to get at the very problems that we all say we want to tackle. Mr. President, I am sorry that I may have gone over. I didn’t want to do that. But I do want to say something before I leave. I hope one day soon that mine will not be the only laptop on these tables. I hope that one day soon we will have information in a system that we can all share and that we will all be hiding behind screens up here looking at our different bits of material. Thank you.
Comm. Brown: You are welcome, Dr. Hodges, and I will make sure that I deduct the extra time that you took the next time you speak.
Comm. Hodges: Good luck.
Comm. Atallo: I hope that time is not deducted from my time. I have my laptop here but I like to pay attention to the content of the meeting and give attention to the meeting. I agree with Dr. Hodges. We welcome Reverend LaGarde as a member of the State Board. He is certainly no stranger to us. I have had the opportunity to be a guest at his church on numerous occasions and he has always been very warm and gracious. We look forward to partnering with him. I think it is very positive that we have an advocate from Paterson who can express Paterson’s needs and concerns. We are one of three state operated districts and to have a State Board member who is from our community who can articulate our issues down there when we do present our viewpoints when we speak, I welcome that appointment and look forward to working with Reverend LaGarde. I think he will be a great asset to the State Board and to education as a whole. I would like to welcome Dr. Glascoe as well. We have had a number of opportunities to meet one-on-one to exchange ideas. Dr. Glascoe, I think we have very similar personalities. We have very strong passionate views. He has strong views, I have strong views, and I think that is good because we want to move the district forward. A lot of things have happened here in the past few years and we need to get this school district back on track. We have had to do things as Board members, as Dr. Hodges said, because in the past quite frankly the administration wasn’t doing it. We need to have accountability. People have gone to jail and it is no secret that more people will be going to jail very shortly. In working with the Board, it’s a disappointment to me when I say we want accountability and all the Board members say they want accountability, but when I ask to look at bills the Board votes 5-4. Board members are saying they are going to vote for something they haven’t even looked at and haven’t even reviewed the backup for. That is disappointing to me because we owe that to the city, the taxpayers, and the children. Our budget has been cut. We don’t have all the dollars and resources that we need and that we would like to have, and I think we need to let Dr. Glascoe know from our standpoint that we want this district not just to be student-driven but also parent-driven. I think the center of that is the Parent Resource Center under the leadership of Anna Taliaferro and her professional staff. They have
Page 99 8/10/05 done outstanding work with the limited resources they have had. I think we need to move more money into that line item budget. The money that was cut needs to be restored. We need to expand that program and make this district parent-driven, not consultant-driven. Thank you very much.
Comm. Brown: My comments will be brief. I first want to not only welcome Dr. Glascoe, as I did earlier, but also thank Dr. Glascoe for being here. Dr. Glascoe is making a tremendous amount of effort to engage everyone in the things that he believes we need to be doing here in Paterson. I am very proud to be sitting close with him and working with him and communicating on a daily basis because I am starting to see it firsthand. So I want to say thank you for that. Also, I want to say congratulations to Reverend LaGarde on his appointment to the State Board. I look forward to having many dialogues with you relevant to Paterson. Hopefully you will be able to facilitate and assist Paterson a lot more effectively. I want to dovetail on Dr. Atallo’s comment with reference to the Parent Resource Center. I want to make it clear that this is not about Ms. Taliaferro, with all due respect. If we are going to increase student achievement, and Dr. Hodges even touched on it, we have to engage parents. We have to look at that Parent Resource Center as the key to doing some types of things that can bridge that gap. If we are going to talk about it, we have to put our money where our mouth is and look at how we are going to expand that center, the resources and the capacity. We can really help these children. I look forward to working with everyone. I want to thank all of my colleagues for their comments tonight and have a great evening.
Comm. Hodges: Mr. President, I think Dr. Glascoe had a comment.
Dr. Glascoe: Thank you, Comm. Brown. I do want to also congratulate our new State School Board member. We know that Paterson is in good hands and we will work closely together. I do want to respond to what Dr. Hodges said. We sort of joke about it but in actuality he is right on point. Probably three-fourths of School Boards around this country use the technology. As you can see, this is for one School Board meeting. If it were done electronically we might save some trees and increase our staff’s time to be efficient on the main thing. I am proposing that this School Board move in all due haste into the world of technology – email, laptops, access at home, etc. I will make our lives easier. Just a mere notice from me to School Board members about something that occurs 10:00 in the morning can be sent to them in a matter of minutes. Whereas, now we use snail mail or staff will have to stop what they are doing to deliver this information to our School Board members. So I am pushing and we will begin to deliberate on this in our retreat. We will come up with a plan and you will hear about it soon. Thank you very much.
It was moved by Comm. Sayegh, seconded by Comm. Vergara that the meeting be adjourned. On roll call all members voted in the affirmative. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
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