BERKELEY HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION COMBINED CONFERENCE & REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 6, 2010

Transcription

1 BERKELEY HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION COMBINED CONFERENCE & REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 6, 2010 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 Clausen Administration Building by the Board President, Mr. Beisser. ROLL CALL A roll call indicated the presence of the following members: Mr. Beisser, Dr. Crisonino, Mr. Reinstein, Mr. Sincaglia, Mr. Smalley, Ms. Walsh and Mrs. Williams (7:00 PM). Also present were Mrs. Rattner and Mrs. Felezzola. Mrs. Kirsch was absent. STATEMENT Mr. Beisser read the following statement: On April 26, 2010, this body by resolution adopted the schedule for this meeting. The time, date and location of this meeting were accurately set forth therein. On April 27, 2010, this notice was provided to all schools, all PTO Presidents, the BHEA President, the railroad station and posted at the Administration Building. On the same date a copy was ed to the Public Library, the Independent Press, and 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 Mr. Reinstein 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, Negotiations, Legal. Page 1 of 8

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. 7:30 p.m. Reception for Teachers of the Year Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Mountain Park School Thomas P. Hughes School William Woodruff School Columbia Middle School Governor Livingston High School Jared Prupis Mara Berkey Kristin Insabella Lauren Ryan Michael Sullivan Sharon Leahy RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Sincaglia that the Board of Education return to Public Session. Motion carried. The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 PM in the Columbia Middle School Music Room. FLAG SALUTE Mr. Beisser led the Board and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Mr. Sincaglia and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting held April 20, 2010, and the revised minutes of the Combined Conference & Regular Meeting and Organization Meeting held April 26, RECOGNITION OF THE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR. Mrs. Rattner welcomed all to the meeting and thanked them for coming. She then introduced Mrs. Gina Holzmann, Vice-Principal of Columbia Middle School. Mrs. Holzmann, as a member of the Teacher of the Year selection committee, briefly explained the process for selecting the Teachers of the Year. Mrs. Holzmann then introduced Dr. Crisonino. Dr. Crisonino spoke briefly about the Teacher of the Year process and the recipients. Page 2 of 8

3 Mrs. Rattner introduced each of the recipients with a brief synopsis of their careers. Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Jared Prupis Mountain Park School Mara Berkey Thomas P. Hughes School Kristin Insabella William Woodruff School Lauren Ryan Columbia Middle School Michael Sullivan Governor Livingston High School Sharon Leahy Each recipient expressed their thanks for the honor and explained why teaching is so important to them. Dr. Crisonino and Mrs. Rattner presented each with a plaque. The Board took a 15 minute recess. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Mrs. Rattner announced that a technology project done by students from William Woodruff Elementary School was showcased at Kid Tech at the Department of Education offices in Trenton. Mrs. Rattner reported that three staff members from the music department worked with students for an honors band. Mrs. Rattner reported that Miss Rebecca Ringwood was chosen NJ Student Teacher of the Year. It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Reinstein to accept the Superintendent s Report. Motion carried. LIAISON REPORTS Mr. Sincaglia reviewed the discussion that took place at the Town Council Meeting regarding the budget. He stated that the Finance Committee met with the Town Council Committee and a decision will be rendered on Tuesday, May 11 at the town meeting. Mr. Sincaglia stated that he expects there will be cuts to the budget. Mr. Sincaglia stated that the Negotiations Committee sent a letter to the Berkeley Heights Education Association to open negotiations and received a response declining the request. The offer of a two month salary freeze remains open. Mr. Smalley stated that the Union County School Boards Association is holding its annual student recognition program on May 12 th. Mr. Smalley will also be attending the Delegate Assembly on May 15, Page 3 of 8

4 Mr. Beisser attended the Area Council PTO meeting where they discussed the budget. Mr. Beisser reported that the ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Mountain Park baseball fields earlier in the evening. Mr. Ciro Scalera spoke at the event. Improvements were also made at the Woodruff School baseball fields and both field improvements were funded by PAL, the town and the Board of Education. FACILITIES REPORT There was no facilities report at this time. PRELIMINARY CITIZENS HEARING There was no one who wished to address the board. ADMINISTRATION Item A: All Board members. A. APPROVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS/TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT It was moved by Mr. Sincaglia and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education approve professional development days and travel reimbursement for district staff members, as listed on Attachment A. EDUCATION Item A: All Board members. Item B: Berkeley Heights only. A. APPROVE STUDENT FIELD TRIPS It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education approve the participation of district students and staff members in educational field trips, as listed on Attachment B. B. APPROVE ENROLLMENT OF OUT-OF-DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Ms. Walsh that the Board of Education approve the enrollment of the out-of-district Special Education student listed below in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools for the remainder of the school year, on a tuition basis, as indicated: Effective Student # Program Resident District Dates 2834 Preschool/ABA New Providence 5/4/2010- Mary Kay McMillin 6/22/2010 Early Childhood Center Page 4 of 8

5 PERSONNEL Items A-B: All Board members. Item C: Berkeley Heights only. A. SUBSTITUTE/SUPPLEMENTAL PERSONNEL It was moved by Mr. Smalley and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the employment of the substitute/supplemental personnel listed below for the school year: Teacher/Teacher Aide McLeod, Kim South Plainfield, NJ Butler, Rosemary Berkeley Heights, NJ (Adjust dates of previously-approved long-term substitute teaching assignment to September 1, 2009, through March 3, 2010; one additional day.) Home/Individual Instructors Fleming, Kimberly Branchburg, NJ Toporek, Staci Union, NJ B. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES It was moved by Mr. Smalley and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve extra-curricular activities, staff members, assignments and stipends for the school year, as indicated: Governor Livingston High School Activity/Position Instructor/Supervisor Stipend Assistant Lacrosse Coach (Boys) Craig Tuma Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach (Girls) Terrence Hanratty Assistant Swimming Coach Sharon Leahy Athletic Honor Society Advisor (1/2) # Clifford Lauterhahn $ Athletic Honor Society Advisor (1/2) # James Flakker $ TREND Advisor (1/2) # Clifford Lauterhahn $ TREND Advisor (1/2) # Jeffrey Jaegel Revised stipend; initially approved by the Board of Education on October 22, Page 5 of 8

6 BUSINESS # Supersedes appointment of Clifford Lauterhahn to both positions (full stipends), approved by the Board of Education on September 10, Mr. Lauterhahn retired from full-time employment in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools effective February 1, 2010; Mr. Flakker and Mr. Jaegel have served as advisors to these organizations since Mr. Lauterhahn s retirement. C. APPROVE REVISED EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT/SALARY It was moved by Mr. Smalley and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the revised employment contract/salary for the following Special Education Teacher Aide, as indicated: Revised Effective Name Contract/Salary Dates Jennifer SanAntonio 2.25 hours per day, 5/1/2010- $14.60 per hour, 6/30/2010 $5, annual salary (prorated 5/1/2010-6/30/2010) Explanatory Note: This revision in employment status (a reduction of ¾ hour per day) has been recommended in order to meet changing student needs. Item A: All Board members. Items B-D: Berkeley Heights only. A. RENEW HVAC PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DDC ANDOVER CONTROLS, LABOR AND MATERIALS It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education renew a contract for HVAC Preventive Maintenance and Repairs for all schools for the school year to Jersey State Controls for preventive maintenance at Governor Livingston, Columbia Middle and Thomas P. Hughes at $2, per year and William Woodruff, Mountain Park and Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center at $1, per year and hourly repair services for air conditioning and HVAC repair at $98.00 per hour and $ per premium hour, and temperature control repair and energy management control repair at $ per hour and $ per premium hour. Explanatory Note: The renewal of this bid represents no increase from last year s cost. Page 6 of 8

7 B. AUTHORIZE COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the resolution as shown on Attachment C for the school year with the Union County Educational Services Commission which allows participation in transportation services. Explanatory Note: Participation allows for coordinated services for special education students. Savings are generated when routes are combined with other districts sending students to the same private schools for the disabled. C. APPROVE CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES It was moved by Ms. Walsh and seconded by Dr. Crisonino that the Board of Education approve the contract with Porzio, Bromberg & Newman for legal services for the school year at a rate of $ per hour for attorney fees and $ per hour for paralegal services. D. AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN LEGAL SERVICES It was moved by Mrs. Walsh and seconded by Mr. Smalley that the Board of Education approve the following resolution: WHEREAS, there exists a need for specialized legal services in connection with special education by The Board of Education of the Township of Berkeley Heights in the County of Union, a body of the corporate of the State of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, such special legal services can be provided the law firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein, Celso & Zitomer, LLC, Morristown, New Jersey; and WHEREAS, funds are available for this purpose; 1. The law firm of Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein, Celso & Zitomer, LLC, Morristown, New Jersey is hereby retained to provide specialized legal services necessary in connection with special education. 2. The Contract is awarded without competitive bidding as a Professional Service in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A- 5(a)(1), because it is for services performed by persons authorized by law to practice a recognized profession. 3. A copy of this resolution as well as the Contract shall be placed on file with the Secretary of the Board. 4. A notice in accordance with Public School Contracts Law of the State of New Jersey shall be published in The Courier-News. Page 7 of 8

8 THEREFORE, be it resolved, that the Berkeley Heights Board of Education approves the contract with Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein, Celso & Zitomer, LLC, for legal services related to special education for the school year at the following rates: Partner $165.00/hr Sr. Associate $155.00/hr Associate $145.00/hr Paralegal/Clerk $ 95.00/hr BUSINESS Item A: All Board members. A. PAYMENT OF BILLS It was moved by Dr. Crisonino and seconded by Mr. Sincaglia that the Board of Education approve for payment the bills as listed on the bill lists as follows: 4/30/2010 Payroll $1,466, /27/2010 Accounts Payable (voids) (6,017.37) 5/6/2010 Accounts Payable 206, $1,667, FINAL CITIZENS HEARING There was no one who wished to address the board at this time. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business to be presented. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Mr. Reinstein and seconded by Mr. Sincaglia that the meeting be adjourned to executive session. The public session of the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 PM. Respectfully submitted, Donna A. Felezzola School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Page 8 of 8