Middlesex Public Schools – MHS Library/Media Center BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 10, 2019 7:00 PM DISTRICT GOALS Ensure all students have access to high-quality services and supports enabling them to set and reach high goals for learning to ensure the needs of all student populations are met. Focus will continue on: -STEAM -Technology -Increasing enrollment in AP courses -Expanding electives -Close review of special education student performance Explore all possible options, with input from the community, to provide the space that is needed to ensure students and staff with a safe and secure learning environment. Engage families and communities in support of all students. BOARD GOALS Create a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility that includes the school community, its families, and the Borough. The Middlesex Board of Education and District Administration remind all participants that we are all working together in the best interest of each and every child attending the Middlesex Borough Public Schools. The Mission of our school district is to engage in a partnership with our community to provide the knowledge and skills for all students to achieve academically and to develop confidence in their ability to work through challenges, to be compassionate and respectful of themselves and others, and to be committed to overall excellence in a diverse world. All attendees are reminded that any verbal, written, or physical conduct that is demeaning or inflammatory toward any other while engaged in a school activity will not be tolerated. Each person is requested to take personal responsibility for conducting him/herself respectfully during all school functions. I. CALL TO ORDER TIME: 7:00 PM A. A regular meeting of the Middlesex Board of Education was held on June 10, 2019, 2019, at 7:00 PM in the MHS Library/Media Center at the Middlesex High School, 300 John F. Kennedy Drive, Middlesex NJ. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mrs. DiNizio, President who read the following statement: The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meeting of the public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board Secretary has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time and place thereof posted on the bulletin board located in the hallway outside of the administrative offices, and notice was provided to the Courier News, the Home News Tribune, and the Middlesex Borough Clerk. Roll Call Mr. Coyle Present Mr. Oliver Present Mrs. Giardina Present Mrs. San Phillips Absent (Arrived 7:40 PM) Mr. Giovanni Present Mrs. Schueler Present Mrs. Harrity Present Mrs. DiNizio, President Present Dr. Hrevnack, Vice-President Present Also Present: Dr. Linda A. Madison, Superintendent Mrs. Michele Loree, Business Administrator/Board Secretary 1 Middlesex Public Schools – MHS Library/Media Center BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 10, 2019 7:00 PM B. FLAG SALUTE II. PRESENTATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Presentations Jack Napoli, Eagle Scout Candidate Eagle Scout Project: “Blue Jay Community Memorial Garden” at Middlesex High School, Doorway #6. In an effort to give back to the community, he plans to create a peaceful place for students, staff, and community members to reflect and remember those they have lost, and dedicate a specific place in their memory. 1. Retirements: Earlier this evening a reception was held to honor the following retiring educators retiring June 30, 2019. The Middlesex Board of Education wishes them a long and healthy retirement and best wishes as they begin new adventures! Balog, Angela, Assistant Business Administrator, 21 years of service Donato, Audrey, Secretary, 20 years of service Fulton, Susan, Teacher, 23 years of service Gugliotti, Gianna, Teacher Assistant, 25 years of service LaSacco, Sheryll, Teacher, 22 years of service Madison, Dr. Linda, Superintendent, 6 years of service O’Brien, Linda, Teacher, 28 years of service Spang, Dr. Kathleen, Teacher, 35 years of service 2. Recognition of Nasya McCants, Grade 9, receiving 1st place for her photo titled “My Brother” at the prestigious 12th annual Congressional Arts Competition, hosted by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Nasya’s work will travel down to Washington D.C. where it will hand in the rotunda of the U.S. Capital Building for a full year. Additional young artists who participated in this show are Carly Santucci (Grade 12), Sarah Pundock (Grade 12), Josephine Basch (Grade 12), Han Doan (Grade 11) and Christina Mai (Grade 11), who all deserve credit for their amazing creativity and artistic skill representing the best of what Middlesex has to offer. 3. Recognition of High School students Angie Benitez, Christopher Cuadros, Karla Gomez Matos, Michell Vergara receiving Bi-literacy Certificates. Mrs. San Phillips arrived at 7:40 PM. B. Announcements Board of Education President, Mrs. DiNizio reported on the following: Announced the following Spot Light Nomination: Kristen Ryan, 7th and 8th grade Learning and Language Disabled teacher at Mauger School. Recognized by: Robin C. Johnson, LSW, ACSW, C-SSWS - Social Worker, Child Study Team 2 Middlesex Public Schools – MHS Library/Media Center BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 10, 2019 7:00 PM Ms. Ryan regularly goes above and beyond to address the unique needs of her special education students. She is creative and innovative in looking at the individual needs of each of her students and goes out of her way to identify plans to increase not only academic, but also social, emotional and behavioral goals. Ms. Ryan understands the value in providing inclusion opportunities for her students who are self-contained. She frequently creates reverse inclusion opportunities with general education teachers’ classes and has her students participate in inclusion social skills opportunities as well. Ms. Ryan continually challenges herself to increase her knowledge across a variety of areas to better assist her students. She has taken courses on Orton Gillingham multisensory reading instruction, ELL services and her background as an EMT proves as an invaluable support to our more medically fragile students. Ms. Ryan is an exceptional teacher which is why I believe she deserves the “spotlight.” Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Madison reported on the following: o VEM 8th Grade Formal Dance was held June 7, 2019. Business Administrator, Mrs. Loree reported on the following: o Introduced Mrs. Annette Giordano, the new Assistant Business Administrator who will be replacing Mrs. Angela Balog. Mrs. Giordano is coming to us with 16 years’ experience as an Assistant in another public school and 16 years of auditing experience. Board Student Representative, Mr. Giron reported on the following: o ESL Multicultural Community Night will be June 11, 2019 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM at the Mauger School in the cafeteria. o Final Exams will start on Friday, June 14, 2019. o Senior picnic will be on Monday, June 17, 2019. o MHS Graduation will be on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Liaison Reports: o NJSBA Delegate, Dr. John Hrevnack reported that the Delegate Assembly met on May 18, 2019 and that this is the 10th year that there has not been a dues increase. The resolution that he spoke about on school funding failed by a great margin. o NJSBA Legislative Chairperson, Mrs. Schueler reported that an update was sent regarding the Legislative Committee and the two items that passed in the assembly that NJSBA is opposing. A-3395 would constrain school district’s authority to subcontract various services and A-3664 would establish tenure-like protections for district support staff. Perhaps the committees that meet between this meeting and the next can discuss if we are interested in passing the proposed resolutions as a group to also oppose them. o Middlesex County SBA, Mrs. Schueler reported that the Somerset County meeting will be on Thursday, June 13, 2019 and the topic of discussion will be on school start times. In addition, the NJSBA is doing a Summer Leadership Series: Leading Digit Transformation in your district. The schedule is July 16th – Vision; August 1st – Planning; and August 14 – Structures. o o Borough Mayor/Council Liaison, Mr. Coyle announced that the next Council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, June 11, 2019. 3 Middlesex Public Schools – MHS Library/Media Center BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 10, 2019 7:00 PM o Borough Alliance Committee, Mrs. San Phillips commented that the Alliance meeting was postponed. However, two scholarships were presented at Senior Awards Night. Other: o Mrs. Harrity reported that she and Mr. Giovanni attended the Somerset County School Board meeting and were disappointed as only 1 of the 3 legislators showed up at the meeting. Hunterdon, Salem, and Sussex counties may be piloting a consolidation of schools within each county. C. Motion to Approve Board Meeting Minutes Special Public Meeting May 6, 2019 Executive Session May 6, 2019 Regular Public Meeting May 13, 2019 Executive Session May 13, 2019 Special Public Meeting May 20, 2019 Motion: Dr. Hrevnack Second: Mr. Oliver Motion Carried: Mr. Coyle Yes, Abstain May 13 & 20 Mr. Oliver Yes Executive Sessions Mrs. Giardina Yes Mrs. San Phillips Yes, Abstain Mr. Giovanni Yes Mrs. Schueler Yes, Abstain May 13 & 20 Executive Sessions Mrs. Harrity Yes Mrs. DiNizio, President Yes Dr. Hrevnack, Vice-President Yes III. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC Board President opened the public comment portion of the meeting. Board President, Mrs. DiNizio read: “Comments at this time are limited to agenda items only. Please come to the podium and put your name, address, email address, and subject of comment into the record book and direct your comments/questions to the Board President.