RIDGEFIELD PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS Ridgefield Park, N.J. REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING March 9, 2016 MINUTES PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Education, Village of Ridgefield Park, County of Bergen, was held at 7:30 p.m., at the Jr./Sr. High School, One Ozzie Nelson Drive, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey on the above date. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Board Members: Blue, Merritt Butler, Cuozzo, Fytros, Kraljic, Lingle, Martinez, Miller, Thiemann and President DeSantis OPENING STATEMENT: The New Jersey Public Meetings Law was enacted to insure the right of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Ridgefield Park Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time and place thereof posted in the Bergen Record, Municipal Building and Board of Education offices. MINUTES APPROVAL: Motion by Trustee Kraljic Seconded by Trustee Thiemann RESOLVE that the Board of Education approve the following minutes as submitted: Regular Public Meeting - February 24, 2016 Vote: Voice - Approved EXECUTIVE MINUTES Motion by Trustee Kraljic APPROVAL: Seconded by Trustee Thiemann RESOLVE that the Board of Education approve the following executive session minutes as submitted by the board secretary: Regular Public Meeting - February 24, 2016 Vote: Voice – Approved CORRESPONDENCE: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Thiemann reported the Finance Committee held another meeting to discuss the 2016-2017 budget. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: Mr. Koenig asked that a special order of business be allowed to recognize the athletic achievements of four coaches and two students. Mr. Koenig asked Mr. Michael Raimondi, Athletic Director, to introduce the people involved. Mr. Raimondi first introduced Football Coach Kraljic. Mr. Kraljic built a program that earned back-to-back league titles in his first two years as Head Coach. This achievement dates back to the last time a league title was captured in 1996. Mr. Kraljic has been named Big North American Division Coach of the Year. He works with grace and dignity in all situations involving the game. President DeSantis presented Mr. Kraljic with a Board Certificate recognizing his being named Coach of the Year in 2015. Mr. Raimondi next introduced Coach Murri. Mr. Murri has been coaching cross country since 2002 as Head Coach. During his tenure, the team has won four league championships and was named 2012 Bergen County Team of the Year. Mr. Murri was named Coach of the Year in 2012 as well. Mr. Murri was also recognized as 2015 Big North American Division Coach of the Year. President DeSantis presented Mr. Murri with a Board Certificate recognizing his being named Coach of the Year in 2015. Mr. Koenig stated the next two awards will recognize career milestones. RIDGEFIELD PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS Ridgefield Park, N.J. REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING March 9, 2016 MINUTES Mr. Raimondi called up Coach Van Saders. Coach Van Saders achieved her 100th victory in volleyball. Since she began her career in 2007, her teams have averaged 11 wins each season. Coach Van Saders’ teams won league championships five years in a row. She has reached an outstanding level of achievement in her tenure. President DeSantis presented Coach Van Saders with a Board Certificate recognizing her 100th career victory. Ms. Van Saders thanked the Board, principals and families for their ongoing support of the program. Mr. Koenig stated Coach Gaskin had recently won his 200th game as Head Varsity Basketball Coach. Mr. Raimondi stated since he started coaching 14 years ago, Mr. Gaskin has led the team to three sectional final tournaments. The team was the 2012 sectional champion. The team has been Big North American Division champions four times. Mr. Gaskin was named Coach of the Year in 2013. He has had an amazing career. Mr. DeSantis presented Mr. Gaskin with a Board Certificate recognizing his 200th win. Mr. Gaskin remarked he was very fortunate to be working with great athletes, great people and great assistant coaches who made this all possible. Mr. Koenig stated these milestones speak to the quality and stability in the Ridgefield Park staff. Great students have been nurtured through these athletic programs. If anyone attends events in the main gymnasium, they will see multiple yellow banners recognizing good sportsmanship. This means students conduct themselves with dignity and professionalism at all games and do not violate any codes of conduct. All coaches need to be recognized for this. Mr. Raimondi introduced Samantha Rinaldi, a member of the High School Girls’ Basketball Team, as one of two 1,000 point scorers. Ms. Rinaldi started every game since her freshman year. This is 116 straight starts. The team is 83-33 with Ms. Rinaldi on the floor. She has finished her career with a total of 1,214 points. Of those points, 502 were scored in her senior year. A captain of the team, she led her teammates to First Team All Big North American Division and Third Team All County. Mr. DeSantis presented Ms. Rinaldi with a Board Certificate recognizing his scoring 1,000 points in his career. Coach Kraljic introduced Isaiah Drakeford from his basketball team. Mr. Drakeford has overcome many issues and has improved his performance on the team. He also scored 564 points this year to score exactly 1,000 points. President DeSantis presented Mr. Drakeford with a Board Certificate recognizing his 1,000 points in his career. Mr. Koenig expressed his thanks again to all coaches in the district. They have trained students in ways that represent the school and community with pride. Many people compliment the demeanor of students when they visit different facilities. Mr. Raimondi had mentioned that a former student now attending Fairleigh Dickinson University will be playing in the NCAA basketball tournament. Another graduate is a part of the St. John’s basketball operation. Yet another is a graduate assistant coach there. They will both be participating in the upcoming women’s tournament. Sadly, a graduate of Ridgefield Park and former athlete, Shannon Ford, recently passed away from breast cancer. Ms. Ford was employed by the New York Mets baseball team in their operations department. A moment of silence was observed for Ms. Ford. RIDGEFIELD PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS Ridgefield Park, N.J. REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING March 9, 2016 MINUTES There are no new HIB incidents to report on since the last meeting. The district has received an advance on its current State aid. An advance of future State aid to cover the remaining needs of the district until the end of the year is still pending. Questions were raised at the last meeting on whether permits were taken out for work at Thomas Jefferson School. The answer is yes. All permits were secured from state and local officials. They are in the Board Office for inspection. The Board recently reached a settlement with Mr. Matthew Paladino, former Business Administrator. Mr. Paladino is no longer an employee of the district. Since he was a tenured employee, he will be receiving compensation and health benefits to the end of June. The Board’s attorney and auditor recommended this action as the most fiscally responsible course. Other actions are being investigated which may result in further action. Work on the 2016-2017 school calendar has been revised after discussions with the teachers’ association. January 2nd will now find schools closed as the holiday of January 1st falls on a Sunday. The Tuesday after President’s Day will also be restored as a day school is closed. School will end next June on a Tuesday for students and Wednesday for staff. The policy regarding use of facilities charges is being reviewed. Recommendations will be made shortly. An attorney for Verizon has contacted the Board Office asking what action will be taken regarding a resolution for the installation of an antenna on the Junior-Senior High School roof. The matter has been turned over to the Board’s attorney. HEARING OF CITIZENS ON AGENDA: None HEARING OF CITIZENS OFF AGENDA ITEMS: A resident asked whether administrators will be reduced if cuts are made to the budget. Cuts, when made, will be across the board. All educational programs are being reviewed to determine their place in next year’s budget. Mr. Hidalgo asked if the aftercare program operated by Mr. Robert Kilmurray employs teachers from the district. Yes, the program does. There was a question as to how many children are in the program. Mr. Kilmurray responded 186. There was a question as to whether Mr. Kilmurray devotes any of his time during the day to this program. The reply was no. Mr. DeSantis stated the Board had approved this program several years ago. The resident replied this is a bad deal where a private business and a public school are involved. This must be addressed. The aftercare program is making $40,000 per month and the district only gets $2,000 per month in rental. Residents of the community are struggling to pay their bills while this is going on. Mr. DeSantis advised the Board is reviewing all parts of this program. Mr. Koenig stated if the district raised the rent of the program, more families might be driven out due to cost. The program provides a service to the entire community and the district wants to keep it in place. Mr. Fytros remarked from his review of information that the Ridgefield Park program was similar to Little Ferry’s which the district operates. It was Mr. Fytros’ impression the Ridgefield Park program was much better run.