BERKELEY HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION COMBINED CONFERENCE & REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

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1 BERKELEY HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION COMBINED CONFERENCE & REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The Combined Conference & Regular Meeting of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education was called to order on Thursday, at 6:45 PM in the Columbia Middle School Vocal Music Room by the Board President, Mr. Sincaglia. ROLL CALL A roll call indicated the presence of the following members: Mr. Beisser, Dr. Crisonino, Mrs. Kirsch, Mr. Reinstein, Mr. Sincaglia, Mr. Smalley and Ms. Walsh. Also present were Mrs. Rattner, Mrs. Qualshie and Mrs. Felezzola. STATEMENT Mr. Sincaglia read the following statement: On May 5, 2011, this body by resolution adopted the schedule for this meeting. The time, date and location of this meeting were accurately set forth therein. On May 6, 2011, this notice was provided to all schools, all PTO Presidents, the BHEA President and posted at the Administration Building. On the same date a copy was ed to the Public Library, the Independent Press, the Courier News and filed with the Municipal Clerk to file and post at Town Hall. The meeting was also announced on the District Sign at Columbia School. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session, WHEREAS, the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A.10:4-1 et seq.) expressly provide that a public body may move into Executive Session and exclude the public from that portion of a meeting at which the public body discusses any of the nine areas set forth in N.J.S.A.10:4-12b; and WHEREAS, the Berkeley Heights Board of Education has determined it necessary to move into Executive Session to discuss the following subjects, all of which are included in the aforesaid exceptions: Personnel: Appointments, Re-Employment of Staff, Salary Adjustments, Evaluations; Legal Contracts: Solar Contract, Strategic Planning Contract; Negotiations. Page 1 of 11

2 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Berkeley Heights Board of Education that it does hereby move into Executive Session pursuant to N.J.S.A.10:4-12b to discuss the aforesaid matters; and IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the aforesaid discussions shall be made public either at the Public Meeting following said Executive Session or at such time as any litigated or personnel matters are concluded; or upon conclusion of any negotiations or related discussions; or as otherwise specified; and IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect pursuant to law. Motion carried. RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education return to Public Session. Motion carried. The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 PM in the Columbia Middle School Gymnasium. FLAG SALUTE Mr. Sincaglia led the Board and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance CORRESPONDENCE Mrs. Felezzola indicated the correspondence as listed had been provided to the Board for their review and information. Letter from CAST; Re: Donation REPORT OF THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. Rattner introduced the Student Representatives for the School Year: Megan Kingsley and Kevin Spellman. Megan Kingsley reported on the following: Sports Update First meetings of clubs Berkeley Heights Clean-Up Day TREND Club trip to Lindsey Meyer Institute Kevin Spellman reported on the following: Student Council Breast Cancer awareness Freshman Elections PSAT registration Senior college applications Page 2 of 11

3 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Mrs. Rattner reported that the Transportation Department is working through some bussing issues. Mrs. Rattner stated that evacuation and fire drills have been performed. Mrs. Rattner stated that she met with the senior class officers to discuss open campus. Carolyn Lanza, Senior Class President, speaking on behalf of the senior class requested Open Campus. Mrs. Rattner explained the parameters of Open Campus and stressed that it is privilege. It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Mr. Reinstein to accept the Superintendent s Report. Motion carried. LIAISON REPORTS Dr. Crisonino reported that the Strategic Planning Committee met and a recommendation is forthcoming. Mrs. Kirsch reported that Union County Educational Services has experienced an increase in enrollment. Mr. Smalley reported that Union County School Board Association is sponsoring a workshop on September 28 th in Kenilworth. Mr. Sincaglia reported that he corresponded with the Mountainside Board President who stated that a new Superintendent had been selected and that a new representative to the Berkeley Heights Board will be appointed by the next meeting. Mr. Smalley reported that the Solar Panel Committee, consisting of the Facilities Committee, citizens from the town and two students, met to discuss installing solar panels. They began by preparing requests for proposals for a feasibility study. Five vendors responded and were interviewed. A recommendation will be made tonight to hire USA Architects with Birdsall Engineering as consultants. Mr. Smalley thanked Mrs. Felezzola, the Board and members of the community for their efforts. Dr. Crisonino applauded Mr. Smalley for organizing the efforts. Mr. Sincaglia stated that the recent roofing projects done under the guidance of USA Architects were done with the expectation that the district may want to install solar panels. Mr. Sincaglia continued that initial costs for installation are reimbursable and thanked Mr. Smalley for spearheading the initiative. Mrs. Kirsch stated that the Environmental Commission is working on a project to measure electrical usage. Page 3 of 11

4 FACILITIES REPORT Mrs. Felezzola reviewed the changes to the facilities scheduling system. PRELIMINARY CITIZENS HEARING There was no one who wished to be heard at this time. ADMINISTRATION Item A-B: All Board members. A. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS/TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education approve professional development days and travel reimbursement for district staff members, as indicated on Attachment A. B. APPROVE SALARY GUIDES It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education approve the salary guides for the Agreement between the Berkeley Heights Board of Education and the Berkeley Heights Education Association (Custodians, Maintenance and Transportation Unit) for the period of July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2013, as shown on Attachment B. EDUCATION Item A-C: All Board members. A. APPROVE STUDENT FIELD TRIPS It was moved by Mrs. Kirsch and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve participation of district students and staff members in educational field trips as listed on Attachment C. B. APPROVE BILINGUAL/ESL THREE-YEAR PROGRAM PLAN It was moved by Mrs. Kirsch and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the Bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Plan for School Years for the Berkeley Heights School District and to submit this plan to the New Jersey Department of Education (Attachment D). C. APPROVE NEW AND REVISED SPECIAL EDUCATION PLACEMENTS It was moved by Mrs. Kirsch and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the new, revised, and discontinued Special Education out-ofdistrict placements and services for the school year listed on Attachment E, plus transportation where applicable, as recommended by Dr. Patricia Martino, Director of Special Services, and the district s Child Study Team. Page 4 of 11

5 PERSONNEL Items A-C: All Board members. Items D-J: Berkeley Heights only. A. SUBSTITUTE/SUPPLEMENTAL PERSONNEL It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the employment of the substitute/supplemental personnel listed below for the school year: Teachers Hodge, Margaret Bridgewater, NJ Reinholtz, Amy Berkeley Heights, NJ Teacher Aides Belf, Judith Chatham, NJ Schendt, Tina New Providence, NJ Custodians $17.08 per hour) Eubanks, Richard Westfield, NJ Foti, Adam Mountainside, NJ Foti, Joseph Mountainside, NJ Galuppo, Joseph Cranford, NJ HELP Teacher Lynch, George $23.00 per hour) Bayonne, NJ Tinkham, Samantha Berkeley Heights, NJ (plus $11.35 per hour as Lunchroom Supervisor) B. APPROVE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the salary adjustments listed below for the school year based on the professional growth of the employee, effective September 1, 2011: Theresa Chrobok: For completion of 30 credits beyond the Master s Degree, she will go from step 13d, $75,990, to step 13e, $78,962. Kathryn Connolly: For completion of the Master s Degree, she will go from 80% of step 7a, $44,504, to 64% of step 7c, $39, Neal Korn: For completion of 30 credits beyond the Master s Degree, he will from step 14c, $72,892, to step 14e, $80,947. Page 5 of 11

6 C. APPROVE TRANSPORTATION STAFF SALARIES It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the hours of employment and annual salaries for District Transportation Staff members, as listed on Attachment F. (Hourly rates and annualized salary figures listed are for ; actual rates and salaries for will be recommended for approval once they have been set.) D. HIRING DANA MIRABELLA It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the employment of Dana Mirabella of Berkeley Heights as a part-time Teacher in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools for the school year, effective September 23, 2011, through June 30, Ms. Mirabella earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education/Elementary Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She served in two Substitute/Replacement Teacher assignments in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools during the and school years, in addition to having been employed as a Special Education Teacher Aide in the district from 2007 to the present. Her salary will be $22,440.00, 44% of step 2a on the teachers salary schedule, prorated from September 23, 2011, to June 30, Assignment: Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Part-Time Teacher of Special Education. Certification: Standard Certificate Teacher of the Handicapped. Explanatory Note: Ms. Mirabella is being recommended for employment due to the re-assignment of a Teacher to a Grade 2 position. E. APPROVE EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AIDES It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the employment of the following Special Education Teacher Aides for the school year, as indicated: Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Tina Schendt (effective September 16, 2011): $14.60 per hour, 3.2 hours per day, $8, yearly (prorated from September 16, 2011, to June 30, 2012). Thomas P. Hughes School Amy Dantus (effective September 22, 2011): $14.89 per hour, 6.75 hours per day, $18, yearly (prorated from September 22, 2011, to June 30, 2012). Page 6 of 11

7 F. APPROVE EMPLOYMENT OF HELP/INSTRUCTIONAL REVIEW PERSONNEL It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the employment of the following individuals in the Help Every Learner Program (HELP) and Instructional Review program during the school year: Instructional Review $31.40 per hour Donna DeLuca-Whitsitt (Mountain Park) 25.0 hours per week. Judith Kane (Woodruff) hours per week. Andrea Masri (Columbia) hours per week. Karen Porzio (Hughes) 28.0 hours per week. HELP $23.00 per hour Doreen Bowden (McMillin ECC) 27.5 hours per week. Denise Busby (McMillin ECC) 22.5 hours per week. Denise Busby (Hughes) 5.0 hours per week. Rosemary Dean (McMillin ECC) 10.0 hours per week. Marie Pellegrini (Mountain Park) 12 hours per week (plus 10.0 hours per week as Lunchroom $12.19 per hour). Samantha Sileo (McMillin ECC) 27.5 hours per week. Sara Wagenbach (Woodruff) 12 hours per week. Fern Wolkin (McMillin ECC) 22.5 hours per week. Fern Wolkin (Hughes) 2.5 hours per week. G. APPROVE REVISIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS/ SALARIES It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the following revised employment contracts/salaries for the school year: Revised Name Position Contract Status/Salary Anna Hickman Special Education $16.35 per hour, 7.0 hours per day, Teacher Aide $20, yearly (prorated (Effective 9/8/2011) 9/8/2011-6/30/2012) Dana Mirabella Special Education $16.35 per hour, 1.5 hours per day, Teacher Aide $4, yearly (prorated (Effective 9/23/2011) 9/23/2011-6/30/2012) Page 7 of 11

8 H. APPROVE REVISED EXTRA TEACHING PERIOD ASSIGNMENT It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the following revised extra teaching period assignment for the school year, as listed below: Columbia Middle School Payment in Addition to Name Subject Assignment Regular Salary Christopher Colaneri Music 50% $4, Explanatory Note: Mr. Colaneri is being recommended to replace Holly Settineri in this assignment. Ms. Settineri had been approved by the Board on September 1, I. APPROVE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve extra-curricular activities, staff members, assignments and stipends for the school year, as listed below: Columbia Middle School Activity/Position Instructor/Supervisor Stipend Yearbook Advisor (1/3) Gianna Czerniak $ Yearbook Advisor (1/3) Jeanmarie Ringwood $ Yearbook Advisor (1/3) Kristine Weber $ Thomas P. Hughes School Activity/Position Instructor/Supervisor Stipend Circle of Friends Advisor Aida Swon $1, Computer Club Advisor (1/2) Ellen Massa $ Computer Club Advisor (1/2) Mary Niedenfuhr $ Drama Club Advisor (1/2) Justin Derman $1, Drama Club Advisor (1/2) Mary Niedenfuhr $1, Safety Patrol Advisor (1/2) Erika Naftalis $ Safety Patrol Advisor (1/2) Joseph Sinko $ Student Council Advisor (1/2) Lindsey Guyton $ Student Council Advisor (1/2) Joanne Jocus $ Writing Club Advisor Erika Naftalis $1, Yearbook Advisor (1/2) Gale Bradford $ Yearbook Advisor (1/2) Cristina Cerulo $ J. APPROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL LUNCHROOM SUPERVISORS It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the employment of the following Columbia Middle School staff members as Lunchroom Supervisors during the first semester of the school year at a stipend of $1, each: Christopher Colaneri, Peter Festante, Jason Karl, Joseph Lanni, Michael Roof, Michael Sullivan. Page 8 of 11

9 BUSINESS Items A-B: All Board Members. Item C: Berkeley Heights only. A. APPROVE BUDGET INCREASES It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the following increases to the 2011/12 school year budget: Kindergarten Salary of Teachers $46, Grades 1-5 Salary of Teachers 19, Grades 6-8 Salary of Teachers 19, Athletics Salaries (Middle School Sports) 27, Athletics Salaries 11, Technology Purchased Technical Services 29, Transportation Salaries 23,227 $176,174 Explanatory Note: Funding for these increases was provided by unanticipated Extraordinary Aid from the State of New Jersey in the amount of $148, and a donation from Parents for Middle School Sports in the amount of $27, B. ACCEPT DONATION It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education accept the donation of a Sharp 40 Flat Screen LCD TV for the Governor Livingston High School Television Studio from the Creative Arts Support Team (CAST) valued at approximately $ C. AWARD CONTRACT FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education authorize the award of a contract to Independent Literacy Consultant, to provide a one day workshop on March 14, 2012 at a cost of $1, Explanatory Note: Funding for this workshop is provided by the NCLB grant. D. AUTHORIZE FEASIBILITY STUDY It was moved by Mr. Smalley and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education authorize USA Architects to begin Phase I of the Solar Panel Feasibility Study at a rate not to exceed $14, Page 9 of 11

10 FINANCE Items A: All Board Members. A. PAYMENT OF BILLS It was moved by Mr. Smalley and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education approve for payment the bills as listed on the bill lists as follows: Payroll 7/28/2011 $325, /11/ , /30/ , Accounts Payable 7/25/ , /25/ , /29/ , /9/ , /15/ , $3,250, A roll call indicated unanimous the following: YEA P. Beisser, G. Crisonino, H. Kirsch, D. Smalley and M. Walsh ABSTAIN D. Reinstein and J. Sincaglia FINAL CITIZENS HEARING Mrs. Mouchtaris of Wentworth Drive asked about security cameras. Mrs. Felezzola responded that the installation of the cameras was just completed. Mr. Belfer of Lorraine Drive asked about sixth grade participation for middle school sports. Mr. Beisser stated that the Athletics Committee discussed this and it is not being recommended. The Board discussed concerns with sixth grade participation. Mr. Reinstein stated that a list was provided by Mr. Geiger of clubs and when sixth graders can participate. Mr. Belfer asked what he should do next because he disagrees with the decision. Mrs. Rattner stated that she will not make the recommendation due to budget cuts that have already been made. Mrs. Johnson of Chestnut Hill Drive stated that with three children through Columbia she has had various experiences and she agrees that sixth grade should not be eligible to participate in middle school sports. Page 10 of 11

11 Mr. Beisser stated that sixth graders do not belong with seventh and eighth grades because they are not emotionally, physically or cognitively ready and the middle school is designed to ease the transition for sixth graders. He continued that there is plenty of opportunity for sixth graders with PAL and the Recreation Department. OTHER BUSINESS Mrs. Rattner announced that the Assessment Report for Grades 2-5 will be presented at the October 6, 2011 Board Meeting and Violence, Vandalism, & Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Reports will be presented at the October 20, 2011 Board Meeting. Mrs. Rattner reported that she will serve on the oversight committee for the Teacher Evaluation Pilot Program. Mrs. Kirsch congratulated Mrs. Qualshie on becoming a grandmother. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Mr. Beisser that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM. Respectfully submitted, Donna A. Felezzola School Business Administrator/ Board Secretary Page 11 of 11