BOARD OF EDUCATION
Closter, New Jersey
MINUTES
COMMITTEE/REGULAR MEETING
Tenakill Middle School Library
December 17, 2009
7:30 PM
Meeting called to order by President Linn at 7:30 PM.
The following members were present:
Mr. Goldstein, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg, Ms. Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
The following member was absent:
Ms. Forstmann
Also present:
Ms. Newberry, Mr. Iappelli
Ms. Park arrived at 7:33 PM; Ms. Kopf arrived at 7:34 PM; Mr. Jakab arrived at
7:35 PM
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT:
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have
advance notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting
their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the
Secretary to the Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting by having the date, time,
and place thereof, posted at each school building within the district, the Board of Education
office, the Office of the Borough Clerk, and transmitted to The Record, Press Journal, and
Suburbanite newspapers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Linn.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Ms. Newberry thanked Ms. Caruso for attending the meeting. She thanked Ms. Wilcox
and Ms. Riecken for the extraordinary winter concert performed at Tenakill.
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Special Meeting Region III: December 9, 2009
Mr. Iappelli and I attended a meeting to discuss the costs associated with the
Region’s programs. Currently, it has become cost prohibitive to send our preschool
disabled students to the Region’s program. We have conducted a thorough review
of the program, and concluded it is in the best interest of the Closter students to
start our own in-district preschool disabled program. It will start next school year.
Because we are starting our own program, the district will have reduced tuition
expenditures and there is a possibility of bring in tuition revenue from outside
districts. A letter is going out to the parents.
Ms. Newberry and staff will visit Cresskill and Oradell to see their preschool
disabled programs. An official from the State is coming to Closter to discuss and
review appropriate curricula.
New Jersey School Board Meeting: November 30, 2009
Ms. Newberry attended the meeting with Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Micera.
Topics presented and discussed:
Negotiations in Difficult Times
Writing Resolutions for Delegate Assembly
Legal and Practical Perspectives of Effective Boardsmanship
School Finance
Administrative Team Meetings
The following items were discussed at our weekly Administrative Team Meetings
held since the previous Board Report:
Audio Conference “Preventing & Responding to Cyber Bullying” December 1, 2009
iEarn Project: global education initiative with other countries and states. Students
are doing a holiday card switch
Vincent Varrassi, Special Education Consultant, is providing professional
development to collaborative classroom teachers.
Smart Board demonstration is scheduled for February 25th board meeting.
Book Discussion of Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin: story is told
through the eyes of an autistic boy.
Reviewed the state’s new diabetes law for schools
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Northern Valley Administrators Association/Special Education Region III
The following items were discussed at Northern Valley Administrators meetings
held since the previous Board Report:
Joint Valley Board of Education Meeting is scheduled for February 3rd
Northern Valley Education Foundation (NVEF): Ms. Tina Stratton has volunteered
to represent Closter.
Consolidation Meeting/ Bergen County Superintendent Meeting: December 11,
2009
The new governor and legislature may move the School Board elections from April
to November. Furthermore, there will be no vote on the school budget if it is at or
below cap. There is talk in Trenton of a zero cap on spending for the 2010-2011
school budget. Also, new governor may try to freeze wages for all state employees
because of the state’s fiscal problems.
Schedule of Presentations at Board Meetings
21 January
25 February
25 March
March (TBD)
PE Teachers
Smart Boards
Guidance Program
Public Hearing on 2010-11 School Budget
PRINCIPALS' REPORTS
Mr. Baffa reported on:
 Grades 3 and 4 NWEA testing is finished.
 Teachers are transitioning their web sites from First Class to Schoolwires.
 H1N1 Flu homework folders will be posted on the school website.
 Students and teachers are using Visual Thesaurus and Net Trekker this
school year.
 Vincent Verassi, special education consultant, is working with teachers to
improve the collaborative model.
 Gym floor at Hillside School is being refinished over the holiday break.
 Thanked Ms. Pidi and Ms. Cattani.
 Congratulated the student council winners and thanked Ms. Vallario and
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

Ms. McConnell.
Reviewed concerts and programs performed and upcoming at Hillside.
Smile Safe, an ID program, is going home to parents.
Mr. Weaver reported on:
 Starting a book club. The first book is The Game of My Life. He chose
the book about an autistic student because it discusses inclusion and
differentiation of instruction.
Ms. DaGiau reported on:
 Discussed the Principal's Advisory Council meeting
 Thanked Ms. Cummings, Ms. Lockhart and all of the staff involved with
the Dance Fusion Show
 Commended Ms. Wilcox and Ms. Riecken for a sophisticated and fantastic
winter concert
 Reviewing NWEA data with the teachers
 Vincent Verassi, special education consultant, has been well received
by the staff. He is discussing collaborative partnership and inclusive
education with the staff.
 Fort Lee school administrators visited Tenakill because it wants to change
its program from a Jr. High School to a Middle School.
Mr. Grammerstorf reported on:
 Shared a recent newspaper article about the 8th grade's community
service program. Program is in its 14th year and it is still worthwhile for its
focus on volunteerism.
 5th and 6th grade G&T students participated in an engineering expo. Ms.
Sunshine did a wonderful job with the students.
 Heroes and Cool Kids came to speak to the students about respect and
bullying.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Course Approval
2) Closter Study Group
3) Closter Study Group Facilitators
EXPENDITURES
1) Conferences
2) Remuneration
CORRESPONDENCE
Home for Our Troops
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MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Jakab, seconded by Ms. Marinaccio to approve the following minutes.
Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board:
October 22, 2009, Executive Session; November 12, 2009, Committee Meeting,
Executive Session; November 19, 2009, Regular Meeting, Executive Session
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Moved by Mr. Jakab, seconded by Mr. Micera to open the meeting to the public
discussion at 9:03 PM. Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
No member of the public wished to speak at this time.
Moved by Ms. Marinaccio, seconded by Ms. Park to resume the regular order of
business at 9:04 PM. Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Moved by Ms. Kopf, seconded by Ms. Ginsberg to approve A-C. Motions were affirmed
by a roll call vote of the Board as follows:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, Ms. Park, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg,
Ms. Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
NAYS:
None
A.
Motion to approve the following courses for 2009-2010 as recommended by the
principal:
Name:
Course No. /Title:
Institution:
Credits:
Name:
Paula Cummings (PE TMS)
Lauren Engle (Gr. 1)
Tanya Cofone (Gr. 3)
EDPD556 Motivation The Art & Science of Inspiring
Classroom Success
College of NJ
3 Graduate
Course No. /Title:
Institution:
Credits:
Judith Lagomarsino (Gr. 5); Karen Caruso (TMS Special
Ed.); Kate Finnegan (TMS Special Ed.)
EDC691D Study Strategies for School Success
The College of St. Rose
3 Graduate
Name:
Staci Levine (Kindergarten)
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Course No. /Title:
Institution:
Credits:
EDPD547 Integrating Essential Skills Study into the Curr.
College of NJ
3 Graduate
B.
Motion to approve the Closter Study Group In-Service Course for 2009-2010,
One In-Service credit, January 14, February 11, March 4, April 8, May 13, and
June 10, 2010.
C.
Motion to approve Jim Klika and Arlene Shindler as Closter Study Group
facilitators at a stipend of $385 each.
FINANCE AND PHYSICAL PLANT COMMITTEE
Moved by Mr. Goldstein, seconded by Ms. Ginsberg to approve A-F. Motions were
affirmed by a roll call vote of the Board as follows:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, Ms. Park, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg,
Ms. Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
NAYS:
None
A.
Motion to approve the following items as required, pursuant to NJSA 18A:17-9
and NJAC 6:20-2.13:
a. Board Secretary and School Treasurer Financial Reports for November 2009
b. Board of Education’s Monthly Certification of Budgetary Major Account /Fund
status for November 2009
c. Transfer of funds as per Appendix “Finance and Physical Plant Committee -A”
attached.
B.
Motion to approve second half of payroll for November 2009 in the amount of:
General Fund
C.
$532,938.56
Motion to approve payment of bills for December 2009 in the amount of:
General Fund (11 & 12)
Special Revenue (20)
Enterprise (60)
D.
$896,155.29
$ 13,288.99
$ 1,502.29
Motion to approve remuneration to the following staff members:
Staff Member:
Course:
Remuneration:
Lisa Pantaleo
EDPD 539 Wellness Health & Balance
$1,000
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E.
Motion to approve the following staff conferences:
Staff Member:
Date:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
Lisa Licameli & Amy Kenny-Whritenour (TMS Science)
January 12, 2010
Science Olympiad Regional Tournament
Cranford, NJ
Substitute: 2 @ $85 = $170
Staff Member:
Date:
Conference:
Lydia Mangini &Joanne Newberry
December 16, 2009
Using the New NJ Quality Indicators for Inclusion to Plan for
Change
Location:
East Orange, NJ
Cost to the Board: Registration: 2 @ $50 = $100
Staff Member:
Date:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
Dara Cattani (HES Guidance) & Lisa Pantaleo (Gr.2)
January 8, 2010
Classroom Management for Students
Piscataway, NJ
Registration:
2 @ $120 = $240
Substitute
1 @ $ 85 = 85
Total
$325
Staff Member:
Dates:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
C. Joseph Camillieri (Instructor)
January 13, 2010 and February 25, 2010
Inquiry Based Math Strategies
Demarest, NJ
Substitute:
2 @ $85 = $170
Staff Members:
Diann Holvig & Laura Rochlin (TMS&HES Spec.Ed.)
Lydia Mangini (CST Supervisor) Silvia Jost (4th Gr.)
Jeff Roem (Gr. 5)
Date:
February 4, 2010
Conference:
Differentiated Instruction - Math 4-5
Location:
East Orange, NJ
Cost to the Board: Registration:
5 @ $11 = $ 55
4 @ $85 = 340
Total
$ 395
F.
Motion to approve the Resolution to purchase Natural Gas Services as per
appendix "Finance and Physical Plant - B: attached.
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PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Moved by Mr. Goldstein, seconded by Mr. Micera to approve A-D. Motions were
affirmed by a roll call vote of the Board as follows:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, Ms. Park, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg,
Ms. Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
NAYS:
None
A.
Motion to approve the following substitute teachers for the 2009-2010 school
year:
Name
Karen Finan
Sarah Strauss
Certification
NJ Substitute Certificate
NJ Certification
Degree
BA
MA
B.
Motion to approve a daily rate of $218.00 (1/200th of Step 0) for Ms. Renee
Cerrati, substitute teacher for Ms. Kerra Corio at Hillside Elementary School, who
completed her 20th consecutive day on November 30, 2009.
C.
Motion to approve the Food Biosecurity Management Plan.
D.
Motion to approve the employment of Gildardo A. Castrillo, Substitute Custodian,
at an hourly rate of $15.00. He is starting January 4, 2010.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Moved by Ms. Marinaccio, seconded by Ms. Park to open the meeting to public
discussion at 9:13 PM. Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
No member of the public wished to speak at this time.
Moved by Mr. Micera, seconded by Ms. Marinaccio to close the meeting to public
discussion at 9:14 PM. Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
CLOSED SESSION MOTION
Moved by Mr. Micera, seconded by Mr. Marinaccio to approve the following Closed
Session Motion. Motion was affirmed by the following roll call vote of the Board:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, Ms. Park, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg,
Ms. Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
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NAYS:
None
BE IT RESOLVED that the Closter Board of Education will adjourn to a Closed
Session to discuss the following:
Personnel
The matters so discussed will be disclosed to the public as soon as and to the
extent that such disclosure can be made without adversely affecting the public.
The Board went into Closed Session at 9:15 PM.
The Board reconvened from Closed Session at 9:22PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Mr. Jakab, seconded by Ms. Kopf to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 PM. Motion
was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter C. Iappelli
Business Administrator/Board Secretary
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