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Agenda:LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION 321 Stonehenge Drive Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 NOTICE OF MEETING: The Board of Education will hold its Annual Reorganization Meeting on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 7:30pm at the Lopatcong Middle School, 321 Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be held in the Cafetorium. To gain admittance, please use the front door. AGENDA Reorganization Meeting
R-154-04 Adoption of Policies R-155-04 Adoption of Curriculum for 2004-2005 R-156-04 Appointments for 2004-2005 R-157-04 Designation of Bank Depositories R-158-04 Temporary Investments R-159-04 Official Newspapers R-160-04 Meeting Schedule R-161-04 Establish Administrative Fund R-162-04 School Choice Program R-163-04 Implementation of the 2004-2005 Budget R-164-04 Budget Transfer Authorization R-165-04 Designate Purchasing Agent R-166-04 Designate Bid Threshold R-167-04 Appoint Legislative Delegates R-168-04 Board Committee Appointments Regular Meeting
R-169-04 Re-employment of Superintendent R-170-04 Re-employment of Business Administrator/Board Secretary R-171-04 Re-employment of Principal R-172-04 Re-employment of Child Study Team Director R-173-04 Re-employment of Confidential Secretary R-174-04 Re-employment of the Assistant Business Administrator R-175-04 Re-employment of Tenured Staff for the 2004-2005 School Year R-176-04 School Supply Vendor for 2004-2005 R-177-04 Request for Use of Facilities R-178-04 Tuition Contract with Hunterdon County ESC R-179-04 Tuition Contract with Phillipsburg Board of Education R-180-04 Set Date for Eighth Grade Graduation
An Executive Session may be called at the end of the regular session Public comments are invited on any educationally pertinent subject. All participants will be given five (5) minutes to state their issue. In addition, the subject matter may be discussed by the Board for an additional five (5) minutes. All audience participants must state their name and address before speaking. Thank you for understanding.
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Minutes:MINUTES OF THE LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING The Board Secretary called the meeting to order at 7:38pm and read the following statement, “I would like to announce and have placed in the minutes that adequate notice of this re-organization meeting of the Lopatcong Township Board of Education has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act by publication in the Express-Times. A copy of the agenda has been filed with the Township Clerk and posted in both school locations.” The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. Mrs. Barna read the results of the Annual School Election held on April 20, 2004 as follows and attached to these minutes:
Dr. McGann, Mrs. Drake and Mr. Glennon read the Oath of Office. ROLL CALL Present: Donna Drake, Ernest Gallant, Terry Glennon, Joseph Kennedy, Frank Kish, Greg McGann, Timothy McGuinness, Raisy Stammherr and Bill Taggart Absent: None A joint meeting with the municipal government has been scheduled for Wednesday May 5, 2004 at 7:30pm for the purpose of discussing the school budget. The meeting will be held at the municipal building. Election of Board President The Board Secretary, Mrs. Barna opened nominations for the office of President of the Board of Education. Motion by Gallant, second by Stammherr a nomination for Frank Kish for President. Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant that nominations for President be closed. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. The Board Secretary called for those in favor of Frank Kish for Office of President. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried The Board Secretary turned the meeting over to President Kish. Election of Vice-President President Kish opened nominations for Vice-President. Motion by Stammherr, second by Drake a nomination for Ernie Gallant for Vice-President. Motion by McGuinness, second by McGann that nominations for Vice-President be closed. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. President Kish called for those in favor of Ernie Gallant for Office of Vice-President. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Congratulations were given to the President and the Vice-President. Mr. Kish thanked Mr. Kennedy for his previous service as Vice-President. Mr. Kennedy had submitted a letter to the Board asking not to be considered for the Office of Vice-President for the upcoming year due to personal reasons.
Motion moved by Gallant, seconded by Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopt all school policies as written and contained in the Board Policy Manual for the 2004-2005 school year. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by McGuinness, seconded by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopt the present curriculum, curriculum guides, textbooks and instruction material for grades K-8 for the 2004-2005 school year as follows:
Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Taggart, seconded by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education make the following appointments for the 2004-2005 school year:
Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by McGann, seconded by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education name the follow as official depositories for savings accounts, checking accounts and investments for the 2004-2005 school year: PNC, Phillipsburg, NJ Fleet Bank, Phillipsburg, NJ Wachovia, Phillipsburg, NJ Signatures required for accounts will be as follows: General Account – Three of the following: President or Vice-President, Board Secretary and Treasurer. Payroll and Payroll Agency Accounts – Treasurer or Board Secretary. Student Activity Account – Board Secretary and Superintendent. Administrative Account – Board Secretary and Superintendent. Food Service Account – Three of the following: President or Vice-President, Board Secretary and Treasurer. Construction Account – Two of the following: President or Vice-President, Superintendent or Board Secretary. Unemployment Trust Fund – Board Secretary or Treasurer. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Glennon, seconded by Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Treasurer and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to invest any surplus funds up to six (6) months in any bank as listed in R-157-04. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Drake, seconded by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education designate the following newspapers for official, legal and news ads for the 2004-2005 school year: Star Gazette, Phillipsburg, NJ (weekly) Express-Times, Easton, PA (daily) Star Ledger, NJ (daily) {when necessary} Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Stammherr, seconded by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education will hold it’s regular business meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm and the fourth Tuesday of each month when necessary for the 2004-2005 school year as per the attached schedule. Meetings will be held in the Cafetorium of the Lopatcong Middle School located at 321 Stonehenge Drive. All regular business meetings will be open to the public at 7:30pm Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Kennedy, seconded by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education establish an Administrative Fund for the purpose of petty cash in the amount of $600.00 for the 2004-2005 school year. The Assistant to the Business Administrator, Patricia Seymore under the supervision of Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator will be the individual responsible for the disposition of this account. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, limit the number of students participating in the Inter-district Public School Choice Program for the 2004-2005 school year to two percent per grade per year subject to a total limitation of seven percent of the total number of students enrolled in the district as of October 15th of the prior year pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:12-3.3. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by McGuinness, seconded by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Superintendent and the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary to implement the 2004-2005 school district budget pursuant to Local and State policies and regulations. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Taggart, seconded by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Superintendent and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to make budget transfers between board meetings pending formal approval by the Board. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by McGann, seconded by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, appoint the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Teresa E. Barna as the district purchasing agent for the 2004-2005 school year to implement policy and procedure in accordance with Chapter 440, Laws of 1999, “Public Procurement Law ” Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Glennon, seconded by Drake, that be it WHEREAS, the district’s purchasing agent, Teresa E. Barna, holds a Certificate as a “Qualified Purchasing Agent” issued by the Division of Local Government Services pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-9(b), and WHEREAS, if the purchasing agent is qualified, the board of education may establish a bid threshold up to $25,000, now therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education designate a bid threshold of $25,000 for the 2004-2005 school year. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Drake, seconded by Gallant, that be RESOLVED, that the Board of Education make the following appoints for legislative delegates for the 2004-2005 school year: NJSBA Legislative Delegate – Bill Taggart Alternate Delegate – Terry Glennon Warren County Legislative Delegate – Raisy Stammherr Alternate Delegate – Bill Taggart Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Stammherr, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the following Board Committees be established with the following members appointed to each committee for the 2004-2005 school year:
Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. REGULAR MEETING CORRESPONDENCE
MINUTES Motion by Drake, second by Gallant, that the minutes of April 13, 2004 be approved and filed. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Kennedy, seconded by Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education offer re-employment to the Superintendent, Albert V. Purdy, a tenured employee, for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary to be determined. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Gallant, seconded by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer re-employment to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Teresa E. Barna, a tenured employee, for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary to be determined. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by McGuinness, seconded by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer re-employment to the Principal, Rosemary Kowalchuk, a tenured employee, for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary to be determined. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer re-employment to the Child Study Team Director/LDTC, JoAnn Houseman, a tenured employee, for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary to be determined. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Drake, Taggart, Stammherr – No. Motion carried.
Motion moved by McGann, seconded by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer re-employment to the confidential secretary, Teresa Fogt, a tenured employee, for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary to be determined. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Glennon, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer re-employment to the Assistant to the Business Administrator, Patricia Seymore, a tenured employee, for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary to be determined. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion moved by Drake, seconded by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent and the Education Committee, offer re-employment to the following tenured professional staff for the 2004-2005 school year at the appropriate locator on the salary guide:
Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried. Taggart – abstain. Motion carried.
Motion by Stammherr, seconded by Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve School Specialty (State Contract No. A86118) and Jiorle’s Office Supplies (State Contract No. A49016) as the vendors to provide school and office supplies for the 2004-2005 school year at State Contract pricing. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Kennedy, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the use of the use of facilities as follows as per the amended application:
Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Stammherr – abstain. Motion carried. A discussion took place regarding the board’s liability for injuries that take place during events in district owned facilities. Mr. Comegno recommended that the Facility Use Application be revised.
Motion by Gallant, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at the Hunterdon County Education Services Commission effective April 2, 2004 and to approve a tuition contract with Hunterdon County Education Services Commission in the amount of $9,597.00 for the remainder of the 2003-2004 school year. Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Glennon – abstain. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve a tuition contract with the Phillipsburg Board of Education for the 2004-2005 school year for 318 Lopatcong students attending Phillipsburg High School in the amount of $3,207,348. Roll call vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, set the date fro eighth grade graduation as June 18, 2004. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGann, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, authorizes the submission of the Comprehensive Equity Plan for approval by the New Jersey State Department of Education and the implementation of the plan on July 1, 2004. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Purdy distributed copies of the fliers advertising the Drama Club performance of “Into the Woods” which will be held on May 13, 14 and 15, 2004. Mr. Purdy also distributed a flier announcing the “First Annual Arts Festival” at the Elementary School on May 5, 2004 from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Mr. Purdy informed the Board that the district will be monitored by the County Superintendent sometime during the 2004 – 2005 school year. This is done every seven years. Mr. Purdy made mention of the School Calendar changes for next year. The spring recess will be shortened next year in order to start after Labor Day. The Parent Forum meeting should be starting in May. Property Signs have been ordered for the middle school. The Police Department has been notified so that the signs can be enforced. Shortly we should be receiving notification of enforceability of traffic signs on school property. “Take your Child to Work Day” does impact the continuity of education. There were over 70 students absent that day. Policy File Code: 1251 entitled “Loitering and Disturbances” speaks to the issues at hand regarding the placement and enforcement of signage on school property. The Board may need to revise this policy to include a reference to the Township Dog Ordinance. A discussion took place regarding the use of school fields for recreational purposes. This issue was referred to the Policy Committee for further discussion and recommendation. REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM PHILLIPSBURG The Phillipsburg Board of Education reorganized on April 26, 2004. Mr. Rod Pianelli was re-elected as the Board President. Mr. Stan Hughes was elected as the Vice-President. Meetings with the Architects regarding the new high school have officially started. Mr. Kish had a copy of the Educational Specifications that he offered for anyone to review. Construction is planned to begin in September. The access road and the athletic fields will be completed first. Mr. Kish received a letter from a resident regarding the type of technology that would be included in the new high school. Technology decisions will be made at a later date, however, Mr. Kish believes that it will be the latest technology available. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Mr. Taggart reported that the State Board of Education has adopted and revised the Core Curriculum Content Standards. OTHER ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE Mrs. Drake referred to Mrs. Kowalchuk’s written report to the Board and asked if the parents would be notified about the evacuation procedures for a bomb scare. Mr. Purdy indicated that the parents would be notified. Mr. Kish stated that on the bomb scares at the high school, the first occurrence resulted in the arrest of two individuals. Mrs. Barna brought some concerns to the Board’s attention regarding the status of the gymnasium floor at the middle school. There are many cracked throughout the floor. The installer and the general contractor are indicating that the cracking is normal. It is possible that cracking is normal, but to what extent. Mrs. Barna requested permission to enter into a contract with the Maple Flooring Manufacturer’s Association to provide an independent analysis of the gymnasium floor. Mrs. Barna was also instructed to contact the construction attorney, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer to get their recommendation.
Motion by Gallant, second by Drake, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to enter into a contract with Maple Flooring Manufacture’s Association for an independent analysis on the middle school gymnasium floor contingent upon the recommendation of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Mr. Kish directed the Board Secretary to write a simple description of each resolution that will be distributed to the public for their information. Mrs. Barna recommended that a copy of the suggested resolutions be available for the public except for those that may contain confidential information. The Board agreed. Mr. Kish also stated that he would like to see the school facility being used more in a community way. Mr. Kish directed the Special Ad-Hoc Committee to explore the possibility of holding a computer class for adults in the community. Mr. Taggart will replace Mrs. Stammherr on the committee for this topic. Mrs. Barna announced that the Board of Education will be meeting with the Municipal Government on May 5, 2004 to discuss the school budget for next year. PUBLIC COMMENT Mrs. Buckley – Is the joint meeting open to the public and what time? Yes, the meeting is open to the public and the meeting begins at 7:30pm at the municipal building. A suggestion was made that perhaps any agenda items that may not be disclosed to the public for confidential reasons include a small comment to that effect. A resident asked for a clarification on the use of fields by the public. No definite answer was given. Just that this was going to be reviewed by the Policy Committee. Mr. Camporine announced that the Recycling Program is now a mandatory law and the Department of Health will be doing audits. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by McGuinness, seconded by Taggart, WHEREAS, Section 7 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 (R.S. 10:4-13), permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting or portion of a meeting of this public body in certain circumstances; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education must consider matters involving legal issues and personnel, the disclosure of which could constitute and unwarranted invasion of privacy; now THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session at 9:05pm to discuss the above mentioned matter to the exclusion of all others. Matters discussed may or may not be made public this evening. Any resulting action will be taken after re-entry into regular session. Vote: 9 – Yes. Motion carried. Motion by Drake, second by McGann, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 10:58pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. A Finance Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, May 3, 2004 at 7:00pm. Hearing no further business, the board adjourned at 10:59pm on a motion by McGann, second by Taggart. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote: Respectfully submitted, Teresa E. Barna, RSBO Business Administrator/ Board Secretary
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