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Agenda:

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

2. Election Results, Oaths of Office

3. Nomination and Election of Officers

4. Re-Organization

5. Correspondence

6. Public Comment on Agenda Items

7. New Business - Action Items

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.

Minutes:

     MINUTES OF THE LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF EDUCATION

ANNUAL REORGANIZATION MEETING

The Board Secretary called the meeting to order at 7:40pm 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 at 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 18, 2006 as follows and attached to these minutes:

William Taggart, Robert Edinger and Kurt Kessler read the Oath of Office.

ROLL CALL

Present:  Dennis Drake, Robert Edinger, Ernie Gallant, Terry Glennon, Kurt Kessler, Frank Kish, Greg McGann, Jesse Rozycki and Bill Taggart.

Absent:  None

Others Present:  Dr. Michael Rossi, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Matthew Eagleburger, Assistant Principal; Stephen Geisel, Assistant Principal; JoAnn Murray, CST Director, John Comegno, Board Attorney; and approximately 5 staff and public.

Election of Board President

The Board Secretary, Teresa E. Barna, opened nominations for the office of President of the Board of Education.

Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Rozycki, a nomination for Mr. Gallant for President.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Taggart that nominations for president be closed. Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

The Board Secretary called for those in favor of Mr. Gallant for the Office of President.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

The Board Secretary turned the meeting over to President Gallant.

Election of Vice-President

President Gallant opened nominations for Vice-President.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Gallant, a nomination for Bill Taggart for Vice-President.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Drake that nomination for Vice-President be closed.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

President Gallant called for those in favor of Bill Taggart for Office of Vice-President.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Congratulations were given to the President and Vice-President.

Motion moved by Mr. Taggart, seconded by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopt all school policies as written and contained in the Board Policy Manual for the 2006-2007 school year.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Kish, seconded by Mr. Taggart, 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 2006-2007 school year as follows:

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Edinger, seconded by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education make the following appointments for the 2006-2007 school year:

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Dr. McGann, seconded by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education name the following as official depositories for savings accounts, checking accounts and investments for the 2006-2007 school year:

PNC, Phillipsburg, NJ

Bank of America, Phillipsburg, NJ

Skylands Community Bank, Phillipsburg, NJ

Signatures required for accounts will be as follows:

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Glennon, seconded by Mr. Taggart, 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-141-06.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education designate the following newspapers for official, legal and news ads for the 2006-2007 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 Mr. Drake, seconded by Mr. Rozycki, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education will hold it’s regular business meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday of each month when necessary for the 2006-2007 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 7:30 p.m.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Rozycki, seconded by Mr. Drake, 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 2006-2007 school year.  The Asst. 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 Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Drake, 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 2006-2007 school year to two percent (2%) per grade per year subject to a total limitation of seven percent (7%) 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 Mr. Kish, seconded by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize the Superintendent and the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary to implement the 2006-2007 school district budget pursuant to Local and State policies and regulations.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Edinger, seconded by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes 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 Dr. McGann, seconded by Mr. Taggart, 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 2006-2007 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 Mr. Glennon, seconded by Mr. Taggart, 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 $29,000, now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education designate a bid threshold of $29,000 for the 2006-2007 school year.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Rozycki, that be

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education make the following appoints for legislative delegates for the 2006-2007 school year:

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the following Board Committees be established with the following members appointed to each committee for the 2006-2007 school year:

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Rozycki, seconded by Mr. Kish, 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 2006-2007 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Taggart, seconded by Mr. Drake, 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 2006-2007 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer re-employment to the Assistant Principal, Matthew Eagleburger, a tenured employee, for the 2006-2007 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Kish, 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 Murray, a tenured employee, for the 2006-2007 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Dr. McGann, seconded by Mr. Edinger, 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 2006-2007 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Kish, 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 2006-2007 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion moved by Mr. Kessler, seconded by Mr. Drake, 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 2006-2007 school year at the appropriate locator on the salary guide:

Roll Call vote:  8 – Yes.  Mr. Taggart – abstain.  Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Drake, seconded by Mr. Kessler, 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 2006-2007 school year at State Contract pricing.

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Rozycki, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve a tuition contract with the Phillipsburg Board of Education for the 2006-2007 school year for 360 Lopatcong students attending Phillipsburg High School in the amount of $3,814,920.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the application to the Warren County Department of Education for a Summer Enrichment Program at the Lopatcong Township Schools for Special Education students beginning July 5, 2006 through August 4, 2006 as follows:

Two classes:

Preschool Handicapped - 8:30am to 11:30am

Multiple Handicapped - 8:30am to 2:30pm

Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, enter into an agreement with Warren County Special Services School District for coordinated transportation services for the 2006-2007 school year special education, regular education and non-public transportation services for an administrative fee of four percent (4%) of the contract cost.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Dr. McGann, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Doreen Quinn as a Behavior Specialist for two hours per day at a rate of $50 per hour effective May 5, 2006.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Edinger, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Richard Bonney as a short-term substitute for a maternity leave in Grade One effective on or about May 1, 2006 and to be paid at the first step of the salary guide.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Kessler, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Shari Layson as a short-term substitute for a maternity leave in Basic Skills Instruction effective March 27, 2006 and to be paid at the first step of the salary guide.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion by Mr. Kessler, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, accept with regrets the retirement of John D. Evans from his position as Language Arts Teacher, effective July 1, 2006.

Roll Call Vote:  9 – Yes. Motion carried.

Mr. Gallant stated that he is sad to see Mr. Evans leave our educational system but wishes him all the best. Mr. Kish stated that it’s a shame to lose a real quality teacher. He had the ability to bring the creative part out of the students.

CORRESPONDENCE

1. John Evans – Mrs. Barna read a letter of retirement from Mr. Evans.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Dr. Rossi reported that Kid’s Vote was a success.  The school mascot has been named. The official name of the Lopatcong Panther is “Paws.”  529 students voted.  Perhaps next year we can present 2 questions, one for each school, in order to generate more participation by the middle school students.

The 2006-2007 school calendar will be presented to the board for their consideration at the May meeting.  The calendar is developed from a county wide template that is distributed to all Superintendents.  The dates are then adjusted by each district to meet their needs and specific circumstances.

Dr. Rossi thanked Mr. McGuinness and Mrs. Stammherr for their years of service on the Board.

The administration is currently gathering information from the faculty regarding students being recommended for a summer program for students at risk in Math and Reading. This is the pilot year for this program.  It is being offered three days a week for four weeks for 2.5 hours per day.  The administration is also in the process of determining how this program is going to be presented and what the measure of success will be.

There has currently been one web-site training session.  A second training session will be held this Thursday.

On April 9th, a mini-workshop was held for township senior citizens to attend. Nine local  seniors from Clymer Village and the Brakeley Care Center attended.  Mr. Tomlinson and Mr. Taggart assisted with this workshop.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

There is a bill that is proposing the following additions to the Core Curriculum Content Standards:

There is a proposal to change the way the county governments in New Jersey collect their taxes.  The proposal is to change from a property tax to an income tax.

There is also a bill that would require school board members to have criminal background checks completed.

OTHER ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE

Mr. Kish commended Dr. Rossi, Bill Taggart, and Troy Tomlinson for reaching out to the seniors in our community.

Dr. McGann requested that all Superintendent Evaluations be submitted promptly.

Mr. Gallant thanked the board for their confidence in him as the President.  Mr. Gallant also welcomed Mr. Edinger and Mr. Kessler to the Board.

When is the last day of school?  The last day of school is June 19th and graduation is the same night.  The school will notify the parents.

Mr. Gallant also read an invitation that he received to attend the NJ All State Honors Choir on Sat. May 6, 2006.  Kaitlynn Diesch, Katherine Grimm, and Courtney Megaro will be performing.  If anyone is interested in attending, please contact Mrs. Kohl for ticket information.

Mr. Gallant inquired as to the date for DARE Graduation.  Dr. Rossi responded that DARE Graduation is scheduled for May 31st.

The Eighth Grade awards night is scheduled for June 14th.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mrs. Buckley – When is graduation? Dr. Rossi stated that Graduation will be held on June 19, 2006.

Mrs. Buckley – Is this a half day?  Yes.

Mrs. Buckley – Does the tuition contract approved with Phillipsburg high school include the Vo-Tech students?  No, the tuition contract with Phillipsburg only includes students attending Phillipsburg High School.  There will be a separate contract with the Vo-Tech School for about 47 students attending there in September.  Lopatcong Township nor Phillipsburg has had to pay for these students in the past.  The county portion of the tax has supported the Vo-Tech school in the past.  The County Freeholders have voted to charge the sending districts tuition rather than support the cost through the county tax rate.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. Taggart, seconded by Mr. Drake

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 related to personnel and legal issues, the disclosure of which could constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session at 8:45pm 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.

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Board returned to regular session at 9:50pm on a motion by Mr. Rozycki, second by Mr. Taggart.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Hearing no further business, the board adjourned at 9:53pm on a motion by Mr. Rozycki, second by Mr. Drake.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa E. Barna, RSBO

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Last Modified:  Friday, June 23, 2006

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