BOARD OF EDUCATION WEST ESSEX REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING September 26, 2016 Board Secretary’s Memorandum DATE PLACE Monday, September 26, 2016 West Essex Middle School North Caldwell, New Jersey EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNED 7:16 P.M. 7:31 P.M. CALLED TO ORDER ADJOURNED 7:36 P.M. 7:51 P.M. OPEN MEETING: Mrs. Dawn Smith, Board President, presided and voiced the call to order at 7:16 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Mrs. Smith Seconded by Mrs. Wojtowicz to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss the following: WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-11, permits boards of education to meet in closed session to discuss certain matters; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the West Essex Regional Board of Education adjourns to Executive Session to discuss Personnel, Student, Negotiations and/or Litigation matters; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that public release of these discussions will occur when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. OPEN MEETING: The Board reconvened from Executive Session and Mrs. Dawn Smith, Board President, presided and voiced the call to order at 7:36 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL: Ms. K. Bachmann – Vice-President Mrs. J. Amorim Dias Mrs. C. Egan Mrs. A. Fahey Mrs. M. Rosenberg Mr. A. Rubinich Mrs. D. Sacco-Calderone Mrs. D. Smith – President Mrs. M. Wojtowicz Administration: Mrs. Barbara Longo, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Michael J. Falkowski, Interim Board Secretary/Business Administrator 1 West Essex Regional Board of Education MINUTES – September 26, 2016 PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING: Notice of the September 26, 2016 meeting of the Board of Education was e-mailed to the Clerks of the Boroughs of Essex Fells, North Caldwell and Roseland and to the Township of Fairfield, and to the editor of The Progress on January 8, 2016 and The Star Ledger on the same day. BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT: NONE SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: NONE PRINCIPAL’S REPORTS: Mr. Caesar Diliberto, High School Principal, commented that TapInto West Essex has, in conjunction with Mr. Anthony Minnella, WE Athletic Director, launched “Athlete of the Week,” featuring a different athlete each week. He commented on the following: Success of the WE Marching Band in early competitions Upcoming “lift-up,” a reality musical docudrama highlighting the district’s various clubs and extra-curricular activities Senior Parent Night College Fair Back-to-School Night West Essex vs. James Caldwell football game Upcoming PSAT’s Mr. Vee Popat, Middle School Principal, commented on the following: Success of the Fairview Lakes 7th grade field trip Back-to-School Night MAP Assessments American Heart Association “Jump Rope for Heart” fundraising initiative Upcoming “Week of Respect” Anti-Bullying survey/program Fall Spirit Week Connected Math Night/MS Dance DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM’S REPORT: Mr. Gupta commented on the upcoming October 10th full-day Professional Development program for teaching staff members. Mr. Gupta stated that he will present his Assessment Report at the October 17th Board meeting. He stated that the Curriculum Committee will meet prior to the Board meeting to discuss course proposals for the 2017/2018 school year. 2 West Essex Regional Board of Education MINUTES – September 26, 2016 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS: NONE BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMENTS: Finance & Physical Plant Management Committee - Mrs. Egan stated that the Committee met on September 14th and discussed closing out the 2015/2016 school year and expected completion of the audit and facilities audit reports. Mrs. Dias commented that on Saturday, October 1st, she will be installed in Trenton as the new Essex County Delegate. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mrs. Smith opened the floor to the public for comments on agenda items by reading the following prepared statement: In accordance with Bylaw #0167, a copy of which is available on the District’s website, the Board is now opening the meeting for a period of public comment. Please remember to announce your name, place of residence, and group affiliation, if appropriate. Your statements will be limited to three (3) minutes in duration. While the Board respects the public’s right to voice any questions, concerns, or criticisms it may have regarding the conduct of the Board and/or its Administration, I want to remind you that this is a right, not an absolute and that statements that are abusive, obscene, irrelevant, overly lengthy, or interfere with the orderly progress of the meeting will not be permitted. Please remember that while you are certainly free to exercise your right to comment on issues before the Board, such comments are considered public statements and you should consider the rights of any individuals affected by those comments. The Board will, of course, consider your comments as they relate to its obligations to effectively govern the West Essex School District. Hearing none, she closed the floor and resumed the meeting. West Essex Regional Board of Education FINANCE– September 26, 2016 The following finance motions are made at the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools: CONSENT AGENDA Anything placed on this agenda, Items 1- 6, will be voted upon in one motion. Motion by Mrs. Egan Seconded by Ms. Bachmann to approve the following motions: 1. To approve the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for August, 2016, as per the attached, in the amount of $7,122,223.40 Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), the West Essex Regional School District Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the secretary’s certification, and after review of the monthly financial report (appropriations section) certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, as of August, 2016, no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. Enclosures 1F - 30F 3 West Essex Regional Board of Education FINANCE– September 26, 2016 2. To approve the attached transfer report from August 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016. Enclosure 31F 3. To approve the bills and claims check number 032342 through check number 032351 and check number 032353 through check number 032362 and check number 032364 and check number 032377 and check number 032379 through check number 032389 and check number 032391 through check number 032432 and check number 032434 through check number 032487 and check number 510384 through check number 510386. Payroll Check Number 500634 through check number 500635. Void Check numbers 031976, 032352, 032363, 032378, 032490, and 032433. Totaling: $1,924,023.14. Enclosures 32F – 37F 4. To approve the Student Activity Check Register from September 10, 2016 through September 23, 2016, check number 7058 through check number 7125. Totaling: $94,957.16. Enclosures 38F - 44F 5. To approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 12, 2016. Enclosures 45F – 57F 6. To approve the Executive Session Minutes of September12, 2016. Enclosure 58F ROLL CALL: Yes: Ms. Bachmann, Mrs. Dias, Mrs. Egan, Mrs. Fahey, Mrs. Rosenberg, Mr. Rubinich, Mrs. Sacco-Calderone, Mrs. Wojtowicz, and President Smith No: None Abstain: None Absent: None West Essex Regional Board of Education PERSONNEL – September 26, 2016 The following personnel motions are made at the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools: CONSENT AGENDA Anything placed on this agenda, Items 1- 16, will be voted upon in one motion. Motion by Mrs. Rosenberg Seconded by Mrs. Wojtowicz to approve the following motions: 4 West Essex Regional Board of Education PERSONNEL – September 26, 2016 1. To appoint Melissa Coco as School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, effective January 1, 2017 or sooner, if released from current contract, through June 30, 2017, with a salary of $130,000, pro-rated for lesser service, contract to be approved by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools. 2. To approve the appointment of Laura Mirsik as a special education teacher’s aide assigned to West Essex Regional Middle School, for the 2016/2017 school year, at a rate of $16.50 per hour. 3. To approve the appointment of Alisa Stafford as a special education teacher’s aide assigned to West Essex Regional Middle School, effective October 4, 2016, for the 2016/2017 school year, at a rate of $16.50 per hour, pending receipt of mandatory paperwork. 4. To approve a maternity/disability leave of absence for Crystal Zagleski, a Mathematics teacher assigned to West Essex Regional High School, beginning on or about January 2, 2017 through May 4, 2017, with a return date of May 5, 2017. 5. To approve a maternity/disability leave of absence for Lisa Swanick, Supervisor of Fine Performing and Practical Arts assigned to the West Essex Regional School District, beginning on or about December 19, 2016 through April 28, 2017, with a return date of May 1, 2017. 6. To approve intermittent days of leave, without pay, for employee #2001, for the 2016/2017 school year, and effective January 1, 2017, these intermittent leave days will run concurrently and in accordance with the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, as needed, through June 30, 2017. 7. To rescind the appointment of Catherine Spinella as a Schedule B High School Library After-School Advisor for the 2016/2017 school year. 8. To approve the following high school Math Lab tutors, Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch block, at a rate of $54 per session, for the 2016/2017 school year: Lorna Danckwerth Jeanette Mackesy 9. To approve the following staff member to work as a Site Manager to oversee facility usage by outside organizations for the 2016/2017 school year, at the rate of $35 per hour (Priority 1 thru 3) and $50 per hour (Priority 4 and 5), with payment to be made by outside organizations: Erica Lescota 10.