BOARD OF EDUCATION
Newton, NJ
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
Mr. Heckman, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Board
Office at 57 Trinity Street, Newton, NJ, noting in the opening statement that the notice
of this meeting was sent to the New Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, and the Town Clerk
of Newton on May 29, 2009 and appropriately posted. The notice requirements of the
Open Public Meetings Act have been satisfied.
OPENING
Members Present: Mr. Caffrey, Mrs. Carr, Ms. Cooke, Ms. Egner, Mr. Heckman, Mr. Jackson,
Mr. Morris, Mrs. VanAuken and Dr. Greene
ROLL CALL
Ms. Gianni arrived at 7:55 PM.
Members absent: Mr. Kelly and Mr. Mistry
There were no public comments on agenda resolutions.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no committee reports.
COMMITTEE RPTS.
There were no sending district reports.
SENDING DIST. RPT.
Dr. Greene presented a summary enrollment report.
SUPT.’S REPORT
Dr. Greene presented District/School Level Action Plans and stated there is a separate
page for each goal.
The following student will be home schooled for the 2009-2010 school year. The revised state
regulations require that I formally notify the board of education on the status of this student.
Board of Education approval is no longer necessary. The reporting of this in the Superintendent’s
Report will allow for the board minutes to record that you have been notified.
Grade 10 Student (S1374)
Abby Estanez, Student Council, reported the Welcome Freshman Dance was a huge success,
and Spirit Week starts October 21st , including homecoming.
Dr. Greene reported the Tri-District Consortium met last night. Dr. Lamonte, County Superintendent
and Neil Cramer, County Business Administrator were guests.
Dr. Greene reported that on October 23rd a National Guard helicopter will be landing for Red
Ribbon Week.
Dr. Greene reported on back to school nights and stated the programs are going well.
Dr. Greene stated the data for the school report card is being prepared.
Mr. Rivlin, Principal at Merriam Avenue School, reported on MAS scores and explained what
they are doing to help the students. Ms. Perez, Principal at Halsted Middle School, reported the
scores at HMS, and Mr. Tasker, Principal at Newton High School, reported NHS scores.
Ms. Snyder explained that the district would like to build upon the Wellness Program at Newton SBA/BS REPORT
High School last year. She plans to send a letter to all vendors who have fitness centers.
Ms. Snyder stated the centerpiece on the table is for sale as a fundraiser for the FFA.
Ms. Snyder noted that travel requests for the NJ Science Convention were received after the
agenda went out. All should have $95 registration fee. Ms. Snyder also mentioned that all
board members should have $55 per diem. Dr. Greene and Ms. Snyder are not entitled to the
mileage reimbursement.
Motion made by Mrs. Carr, seconded by Mr. Jackson that the 11 member board approve the
following:
A.
Approve the minutes of the following meeting:
Regular Meeting of August 25, 2009
Executive Session of August 25, 2009
Regular Meeting of September 8, 2009
Executive Session of September 8, 2009
B.
Authorize the secretary to pay bills and warrants Nos. 031273 to 031421
as per bill list dated September 22, 2009 in the amount of $1,416,812.99,
as per Attachment A.
BD. BUSINESS
C.
Approve the financial reports from the Board Secretary and the Treasurer
of School Monies for the month of August 2009 as on file in the Business
Office.
D.
Accept the Board Secretary’s certification, as attached, (pursuant to NJAC
6:20-2.12(d)) that as of August 31, 2009 no budgetary line item account has
obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the
amount appropriated by the Board of Education pursuant to NJSA
18A-22-8 & 18A-22-8.1.
E.
Pursuant to NJAC 6:23-2.11, certify that as of August 31, 2009 after review
of the secretary’s financial report (appropriations section) and upon
consultation with the appropriate district officials, to the best of our
knowledge, no major account or fund has been overexpended in
violation of NJAC 6:20-2.12(a) and that sufficient funds are available to
meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.
F.
Approve the line item transfers and 10% report as per Attachment B.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board with the following exceptions:
Mrs. Carr’s attendance was corrected on the Executive Session minutes of August 25, 2009;
Mr. Caffrey abstained on item B;
Ms. Cooke abstained on the minutes of August 25, 2009;
Mr. Heckman abstained on the minutes of August 25, 2009.
Motion made by Ms. Egner, seconded by Mr. Jackson that the 9 member board approve
the following:
A.
Approve the following field trips at Merriam Avenue School:
Class/Club
3rd grade
Kindergarten
PSD Class
B.
PROGRAM
Location
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
Ideal Farms
Liberty Towers
Approve the acceptance of the following homeless students from Illinois to attend
Merriam Avenue School. The State of New Jersey will be billed for their tuition.
Student ID# S2707
Student ID# S2708
Grade 4
Grade 1
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 9 member board.
Motion made by Ms. Cooke, seconded by Mrs. VanAuken that the 11 member board approve
the following:
C.
Approve the following overnight trips at Newton High School:
French students to Quebec City, Canada from 02/10/2010 to 02/15/2010
Touring Choir Club to Disney World, Orlando, FL from 03/09/2010 to 03/14/2010
D.
Approve the following field trips for Newton High School:
Class/Club
French Students
Peer Leaders
Pass-it-Along Youth Leadership Conference
Art/French
MD Class
Spanish
Location
High Point Regional High School
Fairview Lake YMCA
Sussex County Technical School
Montclair Art Museum
Shop Rite
Hispanic Flamenco Ballet
E.
Approve the placement of a grade 10 student (ID# S1504) to attend Day Top
Village Program at $108/day, effective September 14, 2009.
F.
Approve the placement of a grade 10 student (ID#1408310) on medically
driven homebound instruction in accordance with N.J.A.C.6:14, effective
September 15, 2009.
G.
Approve the District Level and School Level Action Plans supporting district goals as per
Attachment C.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.
Motion made by Mrs. Carr, seconded by Mr. Jackson that the 9 member board approve
the following:
Based upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following
personnel resolutions are presented for approval:
A.
Approve a six-week Family Leave for Frank Fasolo, custodian at Halsted Middle
School, effective September 14, 2009.
B.
C.
Approve Dawn Murray as a volunteer in the Merriam Avenue School library.
Approve the following personnel at Merriam Avenue School, $30 per hour:
Kristen Pokrywa
Linda Sullivan
Debra Catanzaro
Donna Socha
Linda Salerno
Mary Mester
D.
A.M. Supervisor
Acting Club
Acting Club
4/5 Chorus
Post Office
Recycling and Computers
Rescind the appointment of Hope Scudder as a member of the Core Team at Merriam
Avenue School for the 2009-2010 school year and add the following Core Team
members:
Chris Boyle
Nikki DeSousa
Jessica Muccilli
Mikaela Kilker
E.
PERSONNEL
Step 6, $838
Step 3, $731
Step 1, $670
Step 1, $670
Approve an additional payment for Donna DeGarmo, not to exceed $1,000 for additional
secretarial work needed for the Even Start Grant for the period 10/01/09 through 6/30/10.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 9 member board.
Motion made by Ms. Cooke, seconded by Ms. Egner that the 11 member board approve the
following:
F.
Approve movement on guide for the following staff effective October 1, 2009:
Appel, Donna - A-6 ($50,220) to B-6 ($51,970)
Boyle, Chris - D-16 ($84,828 + $300 Longevity to E-16 ($86,665
+ $300 = $86,965)
DiBenedetto, Jeanne - B-17 ($82,210 + 900 Longevity to C-17 ($86,760
+ $900 Longevity = $87,660)
DiConstanzo, Gale - B-6 ($51,970) to C-6 ($56,520)
Lasky, Cindy - B-17 ($82,210 + 900 Longevity) to C-17 ($86,760 +
$900 Longevity = $87,660)
St. Genis, Christopher - B-9 ($57,665) to C-9 ($62,215)
Scott, Lisa - B-17 (82,210 + 900 Longevity) to C-17 ($86,760 + $900
Longevity = $87,660)
Sullivan, Linda - A-8 ($53,750) to B-8 ($55,705)
Weaver, Cathy - B-13 ($68,330 + 600 Longevity to C-13 ($72,880 +
$600 Longevity = $73,480)
Whipple, Wendy - C-17 ($86,769) to D-17 ($88,598)
G.
Approve the following athletic appointments:
Al Muccilli, Girls Tennis Volunteer Coach
Michel Beliveau, Ticket Taker and Chains
H.
Approve the following substitutes for the 2009-2010 school year:
Richards, Thomas (substitute custodian, pending criminal history review)
Ashton, Erin
Krol, Patricia
Lerch, Ileana (substitute teacher)
Russell, Mary Ellen (substitute teacher)
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.
Motion made by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Morris that the 11 member board approve
the following:
BUSINESS
A.
Approve the following district purchases:
District
Description
Super Warehouse
Color Printer Supplies
Willowglen Academy
Tuition for (1) Student
Willowglen Academy
Tuition for (1) Student
Willowglen Academy
Tuition for (1) Student
Woods Services
Tuition for (1) Student & Asst.
Lakeland Andover School
Tuition for (1) Student
Lakeland Andover School
Tuition for (1) Student
Lakeland Andover School
Tuition for (1) Student
Lakeland Andover School
Tuition for (1) Student
Calais School
Tuition for (1) Student
Sussex County Charter School Tuition for (3) Students
E.A. Morse
Custodial Supplies
Grainger
Custodial Supplies
Grants
Quality Restaurant Equipment Ag. Refrigeration System
Staff Development Wkshps.
HMS Winter Workshops
Hertz Furniture Systems
PSD Tables/Chairs/Easels
Athletics
Levys, Inc.
Athletic Equipment/Bleachers
Newton High school
CDWG, Inc.
Printing Supplies
Amount
$ 4,082
$56,185
$73,796
$73,796
$89,243
$48,600
$48,600
$48,600
$48,600
$51,345
$30,717
$ 4,173
$ 2,478
$11,500
$ 7,200
$ 7,124
$ 2,180
$ 2,022
B.
Approve district travel expenses as per Attachment D.
C.
Approve the disposal of the following textbooks at Newton High School (books have
been in the bookstore room for over three years):
Magruder’s American Government, Copyright 1991
Physical Science, Copyright 1990
Discovering French Red, Copyright 1994
Discovering French Blue, Copyright 1994
Deutsch Aktuell (1), Copyright 1993
Deutsch Aktuell (2), Copyright 1993
World Cultures, Copyright 1993
40 outdated
20 outdated - not used
30 outdated - damaged
30 outdated - damaged
12 outdated
24 outdated
10 damaged
D.
Approve the following lunch costs for the 2009-2010 school year:
Location
Price
Reduced
Merriam Avenue School
2.65
.40
Halsted Middle School
2.70
.40
Newton High School
3.00
.40
Florence M. Burd School
2.70
.40
Long Pond School
2.75
.40
Milk Carton
.50
Milk Bottle
.60
Ice Cream
.85
Merriam Avenue School Breakfast
1.50
.30
Halsted Middle School Breakfast
1.75
.30
Newton High School Breakfast
2.00
.30
E.
Approve the professional services contract with E-Rate Consulting for the
E-Rate Program for the 2009-2010 school year, which includes the filing of
applications and tracking forms. With the payment amount of eight percent of all
amounts refunded through the program as a result of those applications filed during
the term of that funding year.
Carried unanimously by a roll call vote of the 11 member board.
Regarding the senior class trip, Ms. Gianni asked for a discussion on educational versus
non-educational.
OLD BD. BUSINESS
Mr. Jackson thanked Dr. Greene for putting the District/School Level Action Plans together
and applauded the idea of posting it on the school website.
NEW BD. BUSINESS/
OPEN DISCUSSION
Ms. Egner asked if Halsted Middle School could have a student council representative
at one meeting a month.
President’s Statement
This public session is designed for members of the public to speak on issues for Board
consideration. By law, the Board of Education is under no obligation to respond to
public comment. If the Board of Education chooses to respond, it does not waive
PUBLIC COMMENTS
its right thereafter not to respond. Please identify yourself and spell your last name.
Mr. Flaherty, Co-chair of 4-H Exhibits stated he asked the members of the Robotics Club
to join them at the State Fair. He thanked Mr. Hofmann and Mr. Wooster for their help.
Mrs. Huber thanked the Board for the robes for the NHS Touring Choir and reported they looked
excellent. On October 15, 2009 they will be filmed for public television.
Mrs. Huber also announced the Madrigals will be singing at the hospital in December.
Mrs. Galonski stated she was pleased to hear about the progress of the Robotics Club and expressed
appreciation in revisiting the class trip discussion.
Committee of the Whole
COMMITTEE RPTS.
This public committee meeting is designed for the board of education to discuss issues that may
appear on future board agendas. Please consider that an individual employee’s terms and conditions
of employment cannot be discussed prior to that employee being given proper notice.
Buildings and Grounds
Ms. Snyder reported that there was a problem with bees at Newton High School. A pesticide
was applied in an emergency application. The Honeywell Instant Alert was issued and followed
up with the required legal paperwork.
Personnel
Dr. Greene presented a new Organizational Chart and job descriptions, and the logic behind
his proposal.
Operations
Mrs. Snyder reported we are reaching out to 3 state contract vendors to upgrade our copiers
and save money.
Motion made by Mrs. VanAuken, seconded by Ms. Egner that the meeting adjourn to executive
session at 8:26 PM. to discuss personnel. The board may reconvene to take action. Said discussion
may be disclosed to the public when appropriate.
The board reconvened at 8:50 PM.
Motion made by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Ms. Gianni that the 11 member board approve the
termination of Anson Kintner, custodian at Newton High School, effective 9/23/09.
The board adjourned at 8:51 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Snyder
School Business Administrator/ Board Secretary