|
|
|
Quick Links
Lopatcong Links
United We Stand |
Agenda:LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION 321 Stonehenge Drive Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING: The Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 at 7:30pm at Lopatcong Township Middle School located at 321 Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be held in the Cafetorium. To gain admittance, please use the entrance at Stonehenge Drive. The meeting will be open to the public at 7:30pm. AGENDA
R-205-04 Transfer of Uncommitted Funds R-206-04 Field Trip Approval R-207-04 Tuition Contract with the Midland School R-208-04 Tuition Contract with the Calais School R-209-04 Tuition Contract with the Matheny School and Hospital R-210-04 Tuition Contracts with Stepping Stone School R-211-04 Secretary Transfer R-212-04 Full-Time Contract for Music Teacher R-213-04 Approve Matrix Grant R-214-04 Approve NJ CAP Grant Application R-215-04 Approve County Substitute Waiver R-216-04 Summer Custodian R-217-04 Award Contract For Custodial Supplies R-218-04 Authorization For Competitive Contracting For HVAC Maintenance Services
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.
•
Minutes:MINUTES OF LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION President Kish called the meeting to order at 7:30pm. 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, Frank Kish, Tim McGuinness (arrived at 9:09pm), Raisy Stammherr, and Bill Taggart. Absent: Donna Drake, Greg McGann, and Joe Kennedy Others Present: Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Matthew Eagleburger, Assistant Principal and approximately 50 members of the public. PHILLIPSBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION Mr. Kish gave an introduction to the Phillipsburg Board of Education and the presentation on the new Phillipsburg High School. Mr. Gordon Pethick, Superintendent, gave an overview on the building project process. The district hopes to see ground breaking in the fall. The anticipated completion date is the Summer of 2007. A Bond Referendum will be presented to the voters in December 2004. The Bond referendum will consist of the following spaces that are ineligible for state funding:
Jeff of NJ K-12 Architects gave a detailed description of the building lay-out & floor plan. There will be 500 parking spaces. The building will consist of three academic levels or stories. Grades 9 & 10 on the first floor, Grades 11 & 12 on the third floor and the Second Level will house all of the shared or community spaces such as the Science Labs, Library, etc. There will also be a separate area for lockers. The cost estimate of the building is $80M. The facility is paid for and funded through the State. The cost of the areas included in the referendum is $9M. The impact of the $9M is for community features. Mr. Bill Poch, Business Administrator, indicated that the registered voters of Phillipsburg will be the only people able to vote on the referendum. Sending districts will not be allowed to vote. The referendum, if approved, could have a financial impact on the sending districts in that the interest portion of the debt service can be charged as a portion of the tuition. It will be a 20 year bond and the impact as estimated by the Phillipsburg Board of Education Bond Counsel will be $15 in additional tuition for $100,000 of assessed value. As far as technology, the building will be a state of the art computerized facility. The technology costs will also be funded by the NJ School Construction Corporation (NJSCC). Questions Will there be sidewalks for the walkers? There will be sidewalks on both sides of Belvidere Road as well as along the road to the building. What will happen to the existing high school? The existing high school will be renovated into a middle school. The football stadium will remain there and will always be Maloney Field. There will be a regulation size pool. What is the student capacity? The new high school will house 2000 students. Will the referendum be presented as line items or as a lump sum? The Board and Administration is looking at that now. Trying to develop a strategy and come up with a package to present to the voters. Is there potential for future growth? Yes, six additional classrooms can be added at a later date to support further growth. Is 500 parking spaces enough? Will there be a lottery for students? A study was completed to see how many parking spaces will be needed. It was estimated 200 for students and 200 for staff. How will students get from the new high school to the existing athletic fields? There will be fields at the new facility. However, the students will be transported if necessary. When will the bike path be completed? The bike path and access road, maintenance path around fields are all part of the first package that will out to bid in September. Will the district continue with block scheduling or will it go back to a nine period schedule? At this point, the block scheduling will remain. There will be major renovation to the existing high school. Grades 3rd, 4th and 5th will then be housed in the current middle school. The Barber school and the Freeman School will become non-operating buildings. The Barber School may become District Board Offices. The Phillipsburg website – www.pburg.k12.nj.us The Board meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month and all are welcome to attend. The Board took a ten minute recess. CORRESPONDENCE Linda Kohl – Mrs. Barna read a letter regarding the Superior ratings received by the 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade chorus at “Music in the Parks Festival.” The awards program last Wednesday, June 2nd went off very well. Students were honored and recognized. High School Graduation is scheduled for 6:30pm on Tuesday, June 15th. MINUTES Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that the minutes of May 11, 2004 be approved and filed. Vote: 5 - Yes. Motion carried. BILL LIST Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that the bills submitted for the June 8, 2004 meeting be approved for payment. Vote: 5 - Yes. Motion carried. SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORTS Motion by Gallant, second by Stammherr, that the Secretary/Treasurer Reports submitted for the month ending April 30, 2004, which agree with each other and the bank be approved and filed. Roll call vote: 5 – Yes. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT CERTIFICATION Motion by Taggart, second by Glennon, 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 April 30, 2004, 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: 5 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following transfers within the 2003-2004 school year budget:
Roll call vote: 5 – Yes. Motion carried. Mr. McGuinness arrived at the meeting.
Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following field trips:
Vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at the Midland School for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve a tuition contract with The Midland School for such placement in the amount of $170 per day for 210 days for a total of $35,700. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Glennon, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at The Calais School for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve a tuition contract with The Calais School for such placement in the amount of $162 per day for 200 days for a total of $32,400. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Stammherr, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student at the Matheny School and Hospital for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve a tuition contract with the Matheny School and Hospital for such placement in the amount of $345.00 per day for 221 days for a total of $76,245.00. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, to approve the placement of 3 Lopatcong students at the Stepping Stone School for the 2004-2005 school year and to approve tuition contracts for such placements in the amount of $182.87 per day for 210 days per student for a total of $98,749.98. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Taggart, second by Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the transfer of Terry Lynch from Child Study Team Secretary to Confidential Secretary for the 2004-2005 school year at a salary of $30,500 effective July 1, 2004. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, offer a full-time contract to Rodolfo Crevani for the 2004-2005 school year effective September 1, 2004 and to be paid at Locator LL/BA. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Glennon, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, authorize the Lopatcong Township School District to participate in Matrix Grant, a collaborative grant with White Township School District and to approve the Matrix Grant Application for the 2004-2005 school year in the amount of $81,470. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Stammherr, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the grant application for funding of the NJ Child Assault Prevention Program for the 2004-2005 school year. Application is being made to the CAP state office in the amount of $2,848. District share is $712 and the state share is $2,136. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the County Substitute Waiver Application for submission to the Warren County Department of Education. Vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Kenneth Lutz as a summer custodian at a rate of $10 per hour. Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, award contracts to the following vendors for various custodial supplies and paper products for the 2004-2005 school year as per bids received June 3, 2004: Certified Chemical E.A. Morse ATRA Janitorial Supply Janitor’s Outlet Roll call vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Glennon, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, authorize the Business Administrator to use competitive contracting to solicit proposals for HVAC maintenance and monitoring services for the Lopatcong Township Elementary School. Vote: 6 – Yes. Motion carried. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Crevani’s responsibilities for the 2004-2005 school year will include the Instrumental Music Program and the Band. This will keep the program intact as indicated in a prior meeting. The Parent/Administrative Council kick-off meeting will be September 15, 2004 at 7:00pm. Diane Morris of New Jersey School Boards Association will be at the meeting to give an understanding to the purpose of the dialogue between the administration and the parents and to set the parameters of such groups. New Jersey School Boards will not be involved after this meeting. The Board will not be involved at this point either. The Board was only the catalyst in getting this group started. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The Federal Government is looked into whether No Child Left Behind is an unfunded mandate and concluded it was not because States can opt out of No Child Left Behind. The NJSBA feels it is under-funded by $23M. The Quality Single Accounting Continuum is moving forward. This system will allow the State to take over failing school systems. They are looking for a definition of failing schools and a definition of professionals. The State has also set new guidelines for school district monitoring. ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE Mr. Gallant stated that he was present at the “Music in the Parks” performance. The students from Lopatcong gave an outstanding performance and their attitudes were great. They demonstrated great school spirit. PUBLIC COMMENT Is Kindergarten going to be a full-time program. The Administration has not heard or been informed by the State Department of Education that Kindergarten will be a mandated full-day program. Mrs. Gitto – What is the money used for that is collected to replace student ID badges? The funds are used to offset the cost of reprinting the cards and replacing lanyards. Mr. Rozycki – Is this the first year for the Matrix Grant? Yes, this is the first year for the Matrix Grant. Lopatcong has joined with White Township to receive these funds. 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 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 9:53pm 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: 6 - Yes. Motion carried. Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 10:30pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Hearing no further business, the Board adjourned at 10:30pm on a motion by Gallant, second by Taggart. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Teresa E. Barna, RSBO Business Administrator/ Board Secretary
•
|
|
Send email to: bill@lopatcong.org with questions and comments about, or suggestions for, this website. |
