BOARD OF EDUCATION
ROSELLE PARK, NEW JERSEY
OPEN MINUTES of the
February 24, 2015
Board Meeting
7:00 P.M.
The meeting, held at the Aldene School gymnasium/auditorium, is an open session of the Roselle
Park Board of Education held under the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey.
Notice of this meeting was sent to the Star Ledger, LocalSource, the Home News Tribune, the
borough clerk, school offices and district website. The purpose of this meeting is to take action
on matters for the month of February 2015.
There were present:
President Miller
Vice President Harms
Alexander Balaban
Rodric Bowman
James Damm
Troy Gerten
Scott Nelson
Jeofrey Vita
Scott Bruckenstein was absent from this meeting
Pedro Garrido, Superintendent of Schools
Susan Guercio, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary
Jennifer Osborne, Board Attorney
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Flag Salute
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Public Participation – 7:00 PM – Agenda Items Only
President Miller lists the items from the closed session and adds #3 for security.
Jacob Magiera, resident, questions agenda items #2, #4 and #11a. Board Secretary Guercio and
Superintendent Garrido respond.
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Committee Reports
Mr. Vita stated that the Technology Committee attended the NJSBA Tech Conference and will
give a comprehensive report at a later date.
Mr. Damm reports on the Finance Committee requesting a possible change in board meeting
dates from March 10 to March 17 due to the public budget workshops.
Mr. Balaban stated that the School Board Operations Committee researched several vendors to
update our policy manual.
Vice President Harms and the Facilities Committee had met with Rubino Architectural Group to
discuss possible long range facility plans. Mr. Harms requested that the group give a presentation
on their services next month.
Agenda
February 24, 2015
Open Session
Principal’s Report
Julianne Bello speaks of the four students that are currently being featured at the NJPAC art
show.
Linda Green, music teacher speaks about the Aldene Talent Show and the six students that will
perform their individual acts.
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Student Showcase
Students will be showcasing acts from their recent talent show:
Jacquline Kosakowski
Natalia Osuna-Dworzynska
Cooper Crawford
Jacob Piatkowski
Isabella Grossmueller
Conner Gaffney
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Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Garrido speaks of the numerous activities that took place in honor of Black
History Month.
Mr. Garrido reports that the QSAC monitoring has been postponed by the county office and he
will report to the board when a new date is received. Also, he reports about PARRC letters that
went out to parents and that details are on our website. The NJ Department of Education has
prohibited opting out of PARRC and we are obligated by law to follow their directions.
Mr. Gerten and President Miller congratulate and extend best wishes to Mary Christensen on her
retirement.
2
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
POLICY
A motion was made by Mr. Balaban and seconded by Mr. Damm to approve
agenda items 1 through 2.
1.
District Policy – First Reading
To approve the following ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUAL NEEDS revised district
policy: (first reading)
5120 ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
2.
District Policy – First Reading
To approve the following CAFETERIA – STUDENT ACCOUNTING revised district
policy: (first reading)
3542.2 CAFETERIA – STUDENT ACCOUNTING
On roll call, motion carries
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PERSONNEL
Consent Agenda Motion – Personnel
A motion was made by Mr. Gerten seconded by Vice President Harms to approve the following agenda
items 3 through 9.
3.
District Substitutes
Approval of additional district substitutes. (as recommended by the Superintendent)
NJ Certified Teachers-$100/day, Sub Certified-$95/day, Paraprofessionals-$11.50/hr.,
Secretary-$75/day, Lunch Aides=$9.00/day
TEACHERS
Mary Castle
608 Orchard St., Cranford
Monmouth ‘86/Brooklyn MA ’92
Pre K-12
Raymond Felder 1032 Rivington St., Roselle
Rutgers ’14
Grades 6-12
Erica Hokanson 277 Dukes Rd., Rahway
Kean ’13
Elem. & Soc. St.
Margaret Miciek 46 Alice Lane, Clark
UCC ’79
Nurse & Gr. 2-8
Dana Mohnacs
presently working as BSI at Aldene
Rowan ‘13
Maria Valente
presently working as a paraprofessional at MS Trinity ‘03
Haneen Okal
304 S. Michigan Ave., Kenilworth
Al-Azher ’14
Grades K-12
Stacey Pereira
presently working BSI at Sherman St. Peter’s/Montclair MA ‘13
Rosalia Perez
105 Edgar Ave., Cranford
Tufts/Kean ’79
Elem. & ESL
Samantha Tunnell 217 Sherman Ave., RP
Attending Rider
Grades K-8
PARAPROFESSIONALS
Mary Castle
Erica Hokanson
Haneen Okal
608 Orchard St., Cranford
277 Dukes Rd., Rahway
304 S. Michigan Ave., Kenilworth
SECRETARY
Donna Zolli
605 Locust St., RP
LUNCH AIDE
Jean Coop
1221 Magie Ave. 6C, Union
3
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
4.
Staff Retirement
To approve the following staff retirement (as recommended by the Superintendent):
Mary Christensen, Sherman School, Principal, effective June 30, 2015
5.
Staff Resignation
To accept the following resignations (as recommended by the Superintendent):
a.
Mayrely Arocha, Aldene paraprofessional, effective on March 4, 2015.
b.
Nick Badillo, JV baseball coach, effective immediately
6.
Leave of Absence Request (Alison Robinson, HS English Teacher)
RESOLVED, that the Board, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, hereby
approves the pre-birth disability leave of Alison Robinson commencing on April 13, 2015 and
extending through April 29, 2015. Alison Robinson will use accumulated sick leave days during
this pre-birth temporary disability period to continue to receive salary and health benefits from
April 13, 2015 through April 29, 2015. The employee’s pre-birth disability leave shall run
concurrent to her leave under the Family Medical leave Act (FMLA).
RESOLVED, that the Board, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the
post-birth disability period of Alison Robinson for four weeks, following the birth of her child.
Alison Robinson will use 8 accumulated sick leave days during this post-birth disability period to
continue to receive salary during a portion of this leave period. The employee shall continue to
receive health benefits from April 30, 2015 through May 11, 2015. The employee’s post-birth
disability leave shall run concurrent to her leave under the Family Medical leave Act (FMLA).
RESOLVED, that the Board, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the
child care family leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act and the New Jersey
Family Leave Act for Alison Robinson commencing May 12, 2015 and extending through June
30, 2015. The remainder of the employee’s leave under the Family Medical Leave Act shall run
concurrent to the employee’s leave under the New Jersey Family Leave Act. The employee shall
not receive salary during this period of time, but will continue to receive health benefits. The
employee shall return to the District on September 2, 2015.
4
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
7.
Maternity Leave of Absence Extension (Jocelyn Rios. HS Spanish Teacher)
RESOLVED, that the Board, upon recommendation of the Superintendent,
approves the contractual child care leave of absence of Jocelyn Rios pursuant to the
Collective Bargaining agreement between the Board and Roselle Park Education Association
commencing March 2, 2015 and extending through March 26, 2015. The employee shall return to
the District as of March 27, 2015. The employee shall not receive salary during this contractual
leave period. The employee shall receive health benefits during this contractual leave period
as provided by the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Board and the Roselle
Park Education Association.
8.
2014 Summer Camp Co-Directors
To approve the following as 2015 summer camp co-directors;
(as recommended by the Superintendent)
Nicole Honrath
Stacy Feszchak
9.
$10,500
$10,000
Title 1 After School Program Appointment
To appoint the following Middle School Title 1 After School personnel at $34.83
per session, effective February 2015 – March 2015:
(total of 16 sessions) (as recommended by the Superintendent) (as per RPEA contract)
(paid w/Title 1 funds)
Christopher Dimakos (English/Reading)
Lisa Klemens (Math)
On roll call, motion carries
5
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
EDUCATION
A motion was made by Mr. Nelson seconded by Mr. Gerten to approve the following
agenda items numbered 10 through 12.
10.
Education Programs
To approve the following education program(s) for the 2014-2015 school year:
Visual Efficiency Evaluation
#97
Dr. Joyce Waintraub
Child Study Team Evaluation
#98
NJ Specialized Child Study Team
Tuition & Transportation
#99
Fanwood
Bilingual Child Study Team Speech Evaluation
#100
Martha Gomez-Bryan
Tuition-Incoming
#101
Hillside
11.
$450
$1350
$344 per diem + trans
$450
$42,785 (prorated)
Educational Trip Requests
To approve the following district educational trip requests:
12.
a.
Washington D.C.
April 10-12, 2015
HS Band
Students will get to perform at the Lincoln Memorial & get to visit the Smithsonian,
National History Museum & National Archives
b.
Yearbook Cover Workshop, Eatontown, NJ
April 30, 2015
HS Yearbook
The yearbook staff will work together to develop a theme & cover with other
yearbook staff of NJ.
c.
Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ
March 18, 2015
Grades 9-12
Students will learn more on multiply healthcare careers at the healthcare fair
Harassment/ Intimidation/Bullying Incidents
To affirm the Superintendent’s recommendation on the following harassment/
intimidation/bullying incidents:
#14014, #14015
Motion carries
6
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
BUSINESS
A motion was made by Vice President Harms seconded by Mr. Damm to approve the following
agenda items 13 through 18.
13.
Monthly Certification
A. Board Secretary's Monthly Certification, Budgetary Line Item Status
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6:20-2.l3(d), I certify that as of January 31, 2015 no budgetary line
item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the
amount appropriated by the district board of education pursuant to N.J.S.A. l8A:22-8
and l8:22-8.l
____________________________
Board Secretary
____________________
Date
B. Board of Education's Monthly Certification, Budgetary Major Account/Fund Status
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6:20-2.l3(e), we certify that as of January 31, 2015 after review of
the secretary's monthly financial report (appropriations section) and upon consultation
with the appropriate district officials that to the best of our knowledge no major account
or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6:20- 2.l3(b) and that sufficient
funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the
fiscal year. This certification is solely based on the information provided by the School
Business Administrator/Board Secretary and is assumed by the board to be correct.
14.
Monthly Transfers
JANUARY TRANSFERS
TUITION TO OTHER LEA
OTHER PURCH SERVICE
RELATED SERVICES
PURCHASE PROF SERVICE
MISC EXPENDITURES
PURCHASE TECH SERVICE
TRANSPORTATION MISC
TEXTBOOKS
OTHER PURCH SERVICE
PURCHASE PROF SERVIVE
SUPPORT SUPPLIES
TUITION VOC SCH REG
SALARIES OF TEACHERS
TRANSPORTATION MAINT
HEALTH BENEFITS
GENERAL SUPPLIES
SALARIES OF TEACHERS
IDEA SUPPLIES
OTHER PURCH SERVICE
PURCHASE PROF SERV
11-000-100-561
11-000-211-500
11-000-216-320
11-000-230-340
11-000-240-800
11-000-251-340
11-000-270-890
11-190-100-640
20-231-200-500
20-250-200-300
20-260-200-600
11-000-100-563
11-000-216-101
11-000-270-420
11-000-291-270
11-190-100-610
20-231-100-101
20-250-100-600
20-250-200-500
20-260-200-300
7
$259.00
$4,800.00
$26,171.50
$0.00
$1,677.35
$0.00
$3,098.00
$78,006.56
$1,805.00
$16,266.00
$8,162.00
$554,950.00
$357,829.00
$24,926.38
$6,181,989.14
$245,591.32
$273,963.00
$24,667.00
$6,289.00
$5,955.00
$7,816,405.25
$3,034.00
$780.00
$16,849.00
$95,000.00
$150,000.00
$45,000.00
$150.00
$114.00
$533.00
$900.00
$116.00
-$3,034.00
-$16,849.00
-$150.00
-$290,780.00
-$114.00
-$533.00
-$773.36
-$126.64
-$116.00
$0.00
$3,293.00
$5,580.00
$43,020.50
$95,000.00
$151,677.35
$45,000.00
$3,248.00
$78,120.56
$2,338.00
$17,166.00
$8,278.00
$551,916.00
$340,980.00
$24,776.38
$5,891,209.14
$245,477.32
$273,430.00
$23,893.64
$6,162.36
$5,839.00
$7,816,405.25
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
15.
Secretary/Treasurer Report
To approve the secretary/treasurer reports for the period ending December 2014.
16.
Use of Buildings and Grounds
To approve the following use of buildings and grounds (appropriate fees to be charged
where applicable):
a.
DARE Graduation & Dance
Roselle Park High School – auditorium, students’ cafeteria
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
b.
Recreational Soccer – Training
Roselle Park High School – gymnasium
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, February 23, 25, 25, 27, March 2, 2015
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
c.
Roselle Park Girl Scouts – Earth Day Celebration
Roselle Park High School – students’ cafeteria
Saturday, March 28, 2015
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
17.
Approval of Bills
To approve the following bills for the month of February:
General Current Expense
Special Revenue Funds
Enterprise Fund
Total
$735,427.17
$ 1,976.16
$ 69,670.21
$807,073.54
8
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
18.
NCLB FY15 Amendment Application
To approve the following NCLB amendment to the FY15 NCLB grant for the
carry over funds from NCLB FY14-15 in the amount of $296.00.
Funds are required to be allocated for use to support eligible Title I Roselle Park
students attending non-public schools in Union County.
Mr. Nelson abstains from item #17
Motion carries
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Continuing Business
Students identified as not residing in Roselle Park/removed from school:
October
1 student
November 5
0 students
November 19
1 student
December 2
0 students
December 16
0 students
January 6
0 students
January 20
0 students
February 3
0 students
February 24
1 student
Total
3 students
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New Business
Mr. Balaban thanked the buildings and grounds staff for cleaning up the facilities from the snow.
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Public Participation
Jacob Magiera, resident, questioned closed session. Board attorney responded.
President Miller speaks about the importance of communication and facility improvements.
Vice President Harms responds to Mr. Magiera that the town should be made aware of where to
plow the snow as it created a dangerous situation by the ticket booth at the high school athletic
field.
Eugene Meola, Sherman Avenue, stated he prefers this meeting to town hall. Mr. Meola
questioned if a graduate does not live in Roselle Park if the tuition can be recouped. Board
attorney states that there is a procedure to recoup and it could sometimes be very costly.
Saul Qersdyn, Berwyn Avenue, questioned if Mr. Bruckentein gave notice of not attending
tonight’s meeting. Board Secretary responded yes. Also, he questioned if the procedures for
hiring a principal will be the same as Aldene’s principal. Superintendent Garrido responded.
9
Minutes
February 24, 2015
Open Session
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Vita seconded by Mr. Damm to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM.
Motion carries
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Next scheduled board meeting: March 17, 2015 – Sherman gymnasium/auditorium - 7:00 PM
(entrance through the gymnasium doors)
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Guercio
School Business Administrator
Board Secretary
10