BOARD OF EDUCATION
Closter, New Jersey
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
Tenakill Middle School Library
November 20, 2008
7:30 PM
Meeting called to order by President Linn at 7:30 PM.
The following members were present:
Mr. Jakab, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg, Ms. Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
Mr. Goldstein arrived at 7:33 PM and Ms. Kopf arrived at 8:12 PM.
The following members were absent:
Ms. Witko, Ms. Forstmann
Also present:
Ms. Newberry, Mr. Iappelli
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
PRESENTATIONS TO BOARD
Mr. Baffa and Ms. DaGiau presented their respective Instructional Action Plans and
Principal Maps
Mr. Baffa, Tenakill Middle School:
Language arts teachers are emphasizing writing effectively and well at all grade levels.
Teachers are also looking at ways for students to develop improved reading strategies.
Mathematics program at Tenakill is rigorous and it leads to excellent test scores.
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Ms. DaGiau, Hillside Elementary School:
Hillside teachers are not only looking at NJASK scores, but also informal and
performance assessments daily. NJASK not given to K-2 students, however,
foundation must be developed.
Ms. DaGiau reported that teachers are using the program Words Their Way and
assessment is at its crux. The LitLife staff developer is aiding with the delivery of the
program.
Professional learning circles have formed around professional literature to build learning
communities.
Teachers have the ability to access computer software to develop mathematics
curriculum maps. The map will help with the articulation of the program, and from an
operational approach, it identifies who is teaching what concept and when.
Parents are being given a parental guide to literacy and learning.
Students are engaged in multimedia literacy.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Ms. Newberry thanked Ms. Olsen and Ms. Lotwis-Clinton for attending the meeting.
She complimented Mr. Baffa and Ms DaGiau for exceptional presentations.
Ms. Newberry presented the 2007-2008 New Jersey Assessment of Skills and
Knowledge (NJASK) scores for Grades 3-8.
In addition, she shared the results of the Valley-wide Criterion Reference Tests (CRT).
CRT's test the written curriculum developed and delivered in the Northern Valley
Schools.
Ms. Newberry briefly discussed the use of classroom time to prepare for tests. She
noted that the time devoted to “test prep” has increased significantly over the course of
her educational career.
The principals and the teachers take all data from the tests, and the principals use it to
develop their Instructional Action Plans to improve student achievement.
Professional development to improve student achievement continues in both schools
with Litlife and Math Solutions.
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PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS
Mr. Baffa reported Parent-Teacher Conferences were conducted in a new way at
Tenakill. Parents did not meet with just their child’s advisors. This year they had the
opportunity to conference with their child's individual teachers. The overall response to
the new format was positive.
Ms. Kopf interjected and thought it was a much better way to conduct conferences.
Mr. Baffa thanked Ms. Riecken, Ms. Wilcox, Ms. Haarmann, and Ms. Monteleone for the
Veterans' Day program; Ms. Kahn for her informative presentation to the PTO.
The 5th grade donated over $900 for UNICEF.
Mr. Baffa recognized custodian Yudelka Sanchez for going above and beyond at
Tenakill.
Mr. Weaver, Hillside
Thanked the teachers and parents for their flexibility and understanding during ParentTeacher conferences.
Open school day at Hillside was well attended.
Mr. Weaver is working with Ms. Cattani to deliver character education lessons in the
classrooms.
He distributed to the Board articles published in the local newspapers related to
Operation Shoebox.
DISCUSSION OF BOARD COMMITTEE GOALS
Briefly discussed the Committees’ 2008-09 Goals and Objectives
Mr. Linn would like to see two or three administrative objectives that could be measured
for evaluation purposes.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence.
MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Micera, seconded by Mr. Goldstein to approve the following minutes.
Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board:
October 16, 2008 Committee Meeting, Executive Session; October 30, 2008 Regular
Meeting, Executive Session
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PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Moved by Mr. Micera, seconded by Mr. Goldstein to open the meeting to the public
discussion at 9:20 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 Mr. Goldstein to resume the regular order of
business at 9:20 PM. Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Moved by Ms. Kopf, seconded by Mr. Micera to approve A. Motion was affirmed by a
roll call vote of the Board as follows:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg, Ms.
Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
NAYS:
None
A. Motion to approve the following courses for 2008-2009 as recommended to the
Superintendent by the Principal:
Name:
Institution:
Credits:
Kimberly Ramm (Kindergarten); Lori Scalera (Kindergarten);
Lisa Pantaleo (Grade 2)
Learning Differences: Effective Teaching with Learning Styles
& Multiple Intelligences
Mary Grove College/Cantor College
3 Graduate
Name:
Course:
Institution:
Credits:
Jodi Belnick (Grade 3); Jennifer Annese (Resource TMS)
ENY726 Reading Comprehension
Adelphi University
3 Graduate
Name:
Course:
Institution:
Credits:
Jodi Belnick (Grade 3)
ENY804 Infusing the Internet into Instruction
Adelphi University
3 Graduate
Name:
Course:
Institution:
Credits:
Brenda Kahn (TMS Librarian)
17:611:582 The Voice of the Author
Rutgers
3 Graduate
Name:
Course:
Institution:
Credits:
Claire Pidi (Music-K-4)
Music! Just Imagine / 2009 Music Conference
New Jersey Music Educators Association
1 Inservice
Course:
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FINANCE AND PHYSICAL PLANT COMMITTEE
Moved by Mr. Goldstein, seconded by Ms. Ginsberg to approve A-D. Motions were
Approved by a roll call vote of the Board as follows:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, 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 Reports for October 2008 and School Treasurer Financial
Reports for September 2008 (revised) and October 2008.
b.
Board of Education’s Monthly Certification of Budgetary Major Account
/Fund status for October 2008.
c.
Transfer of funds as per Appendix “Finance and Physical Plant
Committee-A” attached
B.
Motion to approve payment of bills for October 2008 in the amount of:
General Fund (12)
Special Revenue (20)
Enterprise (60)
PTO (64)
C.
$935,227.96
$
330.67
$ 2,152.39
$ 4,525.92
Motion to approve the following staff conferences:
Staff Member:
Date:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
Ellen Monaghan
December 10, 2008
Strengthen Your Teaching of Physical Science
Newark, NJ
Substitute
$ 85.00
Registration
199.00
Transportation
21.60
Total
$ 305.60
Staff Member:
Date:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
Amy Kenny
December 10, 2008
Strengthen Your Teaching of Physical Science
Newark, NJ
Substitute
$ 85.00
Registration
199.00
Transportation
14.76
Total
$ 298.76
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Staff Members:
Dates:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
Cheryl Cabourg, Christine Cleary
February 5 & 12, 2009; April 24 2009; May 1, 2009
Teaching Literacy through Art at the Guggenheim
New York, NY
Substitute
$85.00 x 4 = $340.00 each
Registration
$350.00 each
Total
$690.00 each
Staff Members:
Jennifer Annese, Kenneth Arata, Diann Holvig,
Rhonda Starer
January 22, 2009
Defensible Differentiation
Edison, NJ
Registration:
$155.00 each
Total:
$620.00
Date:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
Staff Member:
Date:
Conference:
Location:
Cost to the Board:
D.
Jill Kossoff, Kathleen Olsen
January 16, 2009
No More Meltdowns
Leonia, NJ
-0-
Motion to approve a contract for ERATE and associated telecommunications
Services to ON-Tech consulting Inc. for the 2009-2010 funding year at a
Rate equal to 20% of funding received.
PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Moved by Ms. Ginsberg, seconded by Mr. Goldstein to approve A-F. Motions were
affirmed by a roll call vote of the Board as follows:
YEAS:
Mr. Goldstein, Ms. Kopf, Mr. Jakab, Mr. Micera, Ms. Ginsberg, Ms.
Marinaccio, Mr. Linn
NAYS:
None
A.
Motion to approve the following volunteer for the 2008-2009 school year:
Judith Greene
B.
Motion to approve the continuation of the lease agreement with the Summer
Educational Workshop of Closter, Inc. for the 2008-2009 after school program.
C.
Motion to approve the following substitute teachers for the 2008-2009 school
year:
Name
Debra Alkow
Certification
NJ Substitute Certificate
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Degree
BA
David Ary
Charlotte Fairweather
NJ Substitute Certificate
NJ Substitute Certificate
MS
MA
D.
Motion to approve the disposal of obsolete/broken equipment as listed in
Appendix "Personnel and Management Committee-A" attached.
E.
Motion to approve the Resolution to Submit DPR and Statement of Assurances
New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum as per Appendix "Personnel
and Management Committee-B" attached.
F.
Motion to approve the Closter Board of Education Comprehensive Counseling
Program.
OLD\NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Marinaccio expressed concern about the class sizes in the first grade.
Ms. Newberry met with Ms. DaGiau and no parents or teacher voiced any complaints.
Ms. DaGiau had a meeting with first grade teachers to discuss class sizes.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Moved by Mr. Micera, seconded by Mr. Goldstein to open the meeting to public
discussion at 9:45 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 Mr. Goldstein to close the meeting to public
discussion at 9:45 PM. Motion was affirmed by a unanimous voice vote of the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Ms. Ginsberg, seconded by Mr. Micera to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 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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