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Agenda:

1. Call Meeting to Order, Flag Salute, Opening Statement, Roll Call

2. Correspondence

3. Minutes, Bill Lists, Secretary/Treasurer Reports, Certify Financials

4. Public Comment on Agenda Items

5. New Business - Action Items

R-120-05         Substitute Approval

R-121-05         Accept Letter of Resignation

R-122-05         Tuition Contract with Phillipsburg Board of Education

R-123-05         Tuition Contract with KidsPeace

R-124-05         Appropriate Above Average Enrollment Growth Aid

R-125-05         Transfer of Uncommitted Funds

R-126-05         Field Trip Approval

R-127-05         Approve Preliminary 2005-2005 Budget for Submission to the County Office

6. Administrator's Report

7. Representative Information from Phillipsburg Board of Education

8. Legislative Update

9. Other Items of an Emergent Nature

10. Other Public Comments

11. Adjournment

An Executive Session will 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.

President Kish called the meeting to order at 7:31pm. Mrs. Barna read the following opening statement, “I would like to announce and have placed in the minutes that adequate notice of this regular meeting of the Lopatcong Township Board of Education has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act by publication of the annual notice in the Express-Times. A copy of this notice has also been filed with the Township Clerk and posted at both school locations.” 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

ROLL CALL

Present:  Ernie Gallant, Terry Glennon, Joe Kennedy, Frank Kish, Greg McGann, Tim McGuinness, Jesse Rozycki, and Bill Taggart.

Absent:   Raisy Stammherr

Others Present:  Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; and ten members of the public.

CORRESPONDENCE

1. Thank you note from Mr. Purdy to the Board for the fruit basket the was delivered to his house in honor of the passing of his mother.

2. Frances Tolley – Resume of the interim Business Administrator for the board’s review.

3. Geraldine Witzke – Letter of resignation.

MINUTES

Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that the minutes of February 8, 2005, February 22, 2005  and February 23, 2005 be approved and filed.

Vote:  8 - Yes.  Motion carried.

BILL LIST

Motion by Rozycki, second by Taggart, that the bills submitted for the March 8, 2005 meeting, including Food Service, be approved for payment.

Vote:  8 - Yes.  Motion carried.

SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORTS

Motion by Gallant, second by Rozycki, that the Secretary/Treasurer Reports submitted for the month ending January 31, 2005 which agree with each other and the bank be approved and filed.

Roll call vote: 8 – Yes. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT CERTIFICATION

Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, as follows:

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)3, the Board Secretary certifies that no line account has encumbrances and expenditures, which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a) and;

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)4, we certify that as of January 31, 2005, after review of the monthly report (appropriation section) and upon consultation with the appropriate officials, to the best of our knowledge no major line account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the entire fiscal year.

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Gallant, second by McGuinness, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the hiring of Lori Geisinger as a substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year.

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, accept the resignation of Geraldine Witzke from the position of Speech Language Pathologist effective April 30, 2005.

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Taggart, second by Kennedy, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student in the Behavioral Disabilities Class at Phillipsburg High School effective January 1, 2005 and to approve a tuition contract for such placement in the amount not to exceed $11,761.

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by McGann, second by Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at KidsPeace National Centers effective January 12, 2005 and to approve a tuition contract for such placement in an amount not to exceed $17,115.

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Glennon, second by Kennedy, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, appropriate Above Average Enrollment Growth Aid into the following line item accounts effective January 31, 2005:

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Rozycki, second by McGuinness, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the transfer of funds within the 2004-2005 school year budget effective January 31, 2005 as follows:

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Kennedy, second by Glennon, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following field trips:

Vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent and the Finance Committee approve the preliminary 2005-2006 school district budget for submission to the Warren County Office of Education for approval as follows:

Be it further resolved to apply for the following Statutory Spending Growth Limitation Adjustments to the 2005-2006 school budget:

Be it further resolved, to seek approval for a Commissioner spending growth limitation adjustment for Increase in Tuition to the 2005-2006 school budget:  Due to a large increase in enrollment to $18,795 Phillipsburg High School and a three percent increase in tuition rates:

Be it further resolved, to seek approval for a temporary cap adjustment to the 2005-2006 school budget for certain insurance and domestic security preparedness costs as defined under N.J.A.C. 6A:23-8.8(h) in the amount of $281,600.

Roll call vote:  8 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Mr. Gallant spoke briefly about the budget. He indicated that the tax impact is 4.5 cents on the tax rate. The budget includes the following additions: Full-time BSI Teacher, Technology Coordinator, ½ time Music Teacher, Upgrades to the Math and Science Curriculum materials, a full-time LDTC and the establishment of a Multiple Disabilities Class.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

None

REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM PHILLIPSBURG

The high school tuition rate for the 2005-2006 school year is $10,389 per student.

There is flat funding for Abbott Districts as well for next school year. Phillipsburg has used their last snow day.

The site work estimate for the new high school has come in lower than anticipated.

Ms. Deutsch, the acting high school principal is being considered for the permanent high school principal.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Assembly Bill 3680 which amends certain parts of S-1701 is being stalled at this point.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Megaro – What is Above Average Enrollment Growth Aid (AAEG)?  AAEG is aid given to school districts that have recently had a large increase in enrollment. This aid can be used for any purpose and is a one time gift.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by McGuinness, seconded by Gallant,

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 personnel issues related to the Superintendent Search and legal issues, 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 8:12pm 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: 8 - Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 9:10pm.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Hearing no further business, the Board adjourned at 9:11pm on a motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa E. Barna, RSBO

Business Administrator/

Board Secretary

Last Modified:  Saturday, May 06, 2006

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