Regular Public Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016 Page 1 of 74 President Vice President Board Member Salim Patel Peter T. Rosario Maryann Capursi Board Member Board Member Board Member Horacio Ray Carrera Richard Diaz Kenia Flores Board Member Board Member Board Member Craig Miller L. Daniel Rodriguez Ronald Van Rensalier Regular Public Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016 Page 2 of 74 REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING - December 19, 2016 1. Call to Order …………………………………………………………………………………….……….. 1 2. Invocation ….……………………………………………………………………..………………………. 1 3. Pledge of Allegiance….……………………………………………………………………..……………. 1 4. Roll Call ….……………………………………………………………………..…………………………. 1 5. Passaic High School Marching Band 6. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) at June 30, 2016 by Lerch, Vinci & Higgins 7. Public Participation …………………………………………………………………………………..…. 1 8. Executive Session ….……………………………………………………………………..……………… 1 9. Report of the Board President ........................................................................................ 1 10. Report of the Superintendent ........................................................................................ 1 11. Committee Reports …………………………………………………………………………………….… 1 12. Agenda Items A. Approval of Minutes ................................................................................................... A-1 B. Personnel……………… ................................................................................................ B-1 – B-24 C. Tuitions ..................................................................................................................... C-1 – C-2 D. Authorizations ........................................................................................................... D-1 – D-17 E. Board Secretary/Treasurer of Moneys Reports........................................................... E-1 F. Payment of Bills ........................................................................................................ F-1 G. Finance and Accounting Reports ............................................................................... G-1 – G-3 H. Award of Contracts .................................................................................................... H-1 – H-12 13. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS ................................................................................ I-1 14. ADJOURNMENT ............................................................................................................... I-1 Regular Public Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016 Page 3 of 74 Regular Public Meeting Minutes Passaic Board of Education Passaic, New Jersey 07055 December 19, 2016 6:14 p.m. Board Rooms AGENDA: A. Calling the Meeting to Order President Salim Patel called the meeting to order at 6:14 p.m. He said that the meeting is being held in accordance with the “Open Public Meetings Act”. The meeting notice was mailed to The Herald News and The Record and the Presidents of the five employee groups. B. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance C. Roll Call Members Present: Vice President Peter T. Rosario, Mr. Horacio “Ray” Carrera, Mr. Craig Miller, Mr. L. Daniel Rodriguez, Mr. Ronald VanRensalier and President Salim Patel Absent: Ms. Maryann Capursi, Mr. Richard Diaz, and Ms. Kenia Flores Also Present: Mr. Pablo Muñoz, Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Jeffrey Truppo, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Rachel Goldberg, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Aida Garcia, Chief of Operations, Ms. Michelle Calas, Assistant School Business Administrator, and Ms. Erlinda R. Arellano, School Business Administrator Board Attorney: Yaacov Brisman President Patel recognized the Passaic High School Marching Band and invited them up to perform several pieces for the audience. Mr. Patel stated that the Passaic High School Band received 1st Place in the US Band State Championships and received 3rd Place nationally. The Board Members presented Certificates of Recognition (New Jersey State Champions and Third Place at the United States Band Championship) to the “Senior” members of the band who were present. President Patel thanked Mr. Muñoz, the board and Mr. Rusca for their support to the band and thanked everyone else involved in helping the band to reach this incredible accomplishment. Mr. Rusca thanked everyone for the acknowledgment and all the support provided to the band. Regular Public Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016 Page 4 of 74 Mr. Patel stated that Ms. Elizabeth Shick of Lerch, Vinci & Higgins, LLP would provide a presentation on the yearly Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Ms. Shick reported that the audit opinion given to the district was “unmodified”, which is the best audit opinion an entity can receive. There were three minor audit recommendations which have been addressed in the Corrective Action Plan. Mr. Miller expressed that the CAFR demonstrates that the district is a good steward of the public funds it receives and congratulated Ms. Arellano and the business office staff for managing the thousands of transactions which take place during the year. D. Public Participation: Jeffrey Dye, 443 Howe Avenue Mr. Dye informed the Board that he is the newly elected President of the NAACP and as such will try to be more respectful at all meetings. Mr. Dye thanked the Board and Mr. Muñoz for allowing the African Black History Program to take place each year. Mr. Dye extended an invitation to the program which is scheduled for Friday, February 24, 2017 at Martin Luther King, Jr. School No. 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mr. Dye stated he is still concerned about the on-going nepotism in the district and will continue to criticize when needed. Mr. Dye asked what members of the board were up for re-election. Mr. Dye stated that the “Public Participation” speech which is read at the beginning of the meeting appears to be tailored to Mr. Dye or other members of the audience who come to the meetings to speak. Mr. Dye wished everyone a restful holiday and happy new year and expressed that he wants the board to work together and fairly with the community and stop the discriminatory actions which take place at the board. Mr. Patel responded that the public participation preface to the meetings has been on the agenda for many years. Mr. Patel stated that he welcomes construction criticism as it assists the board and helps to improve the district.. Mr. Muñoz responded that the policy on Nepotism, which is a state requirement in order for the district to receive State aid, has been updated and is more rigorous than the State requires. The district has gone one step further in not allowing the hiring of any family members of the board and all administrators, whether certificated or not. Mr. Muñoz explained that prior to the presentation of the personnel section of the agenda to the board or the public, the Human Resources Division reviews with Mr. Muñoz a nepotism document which declares that the potential new hire has read the district’s Nepotism Policy and answered if they are related to any administrator or board member. If yes, they are disqualified and will not be processed. The rules that the State has in place does not prevent a current employee from continuing to work for the board if a family member becomes a board member or an administrator. Mr. Dye stated he would make an appointment with Mr. Muñoz to discuss the Nepotism Policy. Regular Public Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016 Page 5 of 74 Henry Rhodes, 103 Blaine Street – Mr. Rhodes stated that he is the President of Coaches Association of Passaic (CAP) and thanked the Board of Education and Ms. Arellano for their assistance in providing gymnasiums for the teams to play and practice within the district. Mr. Rhodes stated some of the accomplishments of the CAP football and basketball teams. Mr. Patel thanked and congratulated Mr. Rhodes on the accomplishments he has helped the students achieve. Mr. Patel explained that the board tries to assist all the requests but the facilities are limited at times. Ms. Arellano explained that all fees would be waived for CAP as it benefits district students. Mr. Rosario stated that he would like the 8th grade members of the teams to attend the January or February meeting to be recognized by the board. Mr. Rodriguez thanked Mr. Rhodes and all the coaches for their dedication and the hard work they put into the program and the kids. Motion to close Public Session: Mr. Rosario Seconded: Mr. Carrera Voice Vote: 6 Yes Public Session closed at 6:54 p.m. A Motion was presented by President Patel for the Board to go to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, legal updates and HIB report. Moved: Mr. Rosario Voice Vote: 6 Yes Seconded: Mr. Miller E. Executive Session: 6:55 p.m. Roll Call to Reconvene at 7:19 p.m. Roll Call: 6 Present F. Report from the President of the Board - None President Patel thanked members of the board for their work on the audit and the Superintendent’s evaluation. President Patel also thanked all members of various committees and stated that reports will follow shortly. Regular Public Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016 Page 6 of 74 G. Report from the Superintendent of Schools Mr. Muñoz shared the following highlights from various schools: School #1, on Saturday, December 17th, hosted the Passaic Public Schools Saturday Academy Band Concert. School #2 - Provided the mathematical art displays currently in the Board Rooms. School #6 – On December 15th the ACCESS Program took center stage to showcase their many talents. The performances