|
|
|
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, November 9, 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
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 THE 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, Joe Kennedy, Frank Kish, Tim McGuinness, Raisy Stammherr and Bill Taggart. Absent: Greg McGann and Jesse Rozycki Others Present: Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; Matthew Eagleburger, Assistant Principal; and 17 members of the public. STUDENT RECOGNITION
CORRESPONDENCE
MINUTES Motion by Gallant, second by McGuinness, that the minutes of October 14, 2004 be approved and filed. Vote: 7 - Yes. Motion carried. BILL LIST Motion by Taggart, second by Gallant, that the bills submitted for the November 9, 2004 meeting be approved for payment. Vote: 7 - Yes. Motion carried. SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORTS Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that the Secretary/Treasurer Reports submitted for the month ending September 30, 2004, which agree with each other and the bank be approved and filed. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT CERTIFICATION Motion by Taggart, 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 September 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: 7– Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Gallant, second by Glennon, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept with regrets the retirement of Albert V. Purdy from his position as Superintendent effective July 1, 2005. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Mr. Kennedy stated that he is glad to have known Mr. Purdy. He has earned his retirement with 32 years at Lopatcong. Mr. Kennedy thanked Mr. Purdy publicly for his service. Mr. McGuinness stated that the school system was the major reason why his family moved to this township and Al Purdy had a lot to do with the school’s performance. Mr. Kish stated that he has been on the Board for many years and there have been many changes in education, in the State and in Lopatcong, but the one thing that stayed the same was the quality of education at Lopatcong. Mr. Kish thanked Mr. Purdy for being a steady figure in the school system throughout those years. Mrs. Stammherr stated that she is deeply saddened that Al Purdy will be
Motion by McGuinness, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Kathy Reading as a substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: Substitute teachers are always in high demand. The district will hire substitute teachers throughout the school year as they become available.
Motion by Taggart, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education ,upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the submission of the fiscal year 2005 Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Basic and Preschool Grants as follows:
Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The IDEA Grant is a federal entitlement that helps support the special education budget. Items budgeted in the IDEA grants are the After-School Homework Program, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy services, Classroom Aide and Child Study Team Secretary Salaries as well as some professional development and classroom supplies.
Motion by Glennon, second by Gallant, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent approve a contract with Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education for Technical Support for Trained Reading Recovery Teachers in the amount of $650 per teacher for a total of $1,300. This contract is paid for through the No Child Left Behind Grant – Title I. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The district has committed to supporting a Reading Recovery Program which is geared toward the first grade reading program. That program has been expanded this year with the addition of a new staff member. These Reading Recovery teachers must be continually trained and supported through formal training in order to be part of the program.
Motion by Stammherr, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a three-year contract with TRANE of Northeastern Pennsylvania for preventative maintenance services on the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Equipment at the Lopatcong Township Middle School at a cost of $14,939 per year. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: In order to properly maintain the HVAC equipment, the district has contracted with professionals that are trained on the specific equipment to do 3 inspections per year on our equipment as well as perform boiler cleanings. The Lopatcong Township Middle School custodians change filters and grease belts on a quarterly basis.
Motion by Kennedy, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Change Order #4-04 to contract #4 for Worth & Company to provide a condensate cooler for the humidifier in Greenhouse B149 at a cost of $1,186.09. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: Currently the humidifier in the greenhouse is not properly drained. This will cool any exit water and drain it to a proper location.
Motion by Gallant, second by McGuinness, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a tuition contract with Phillipsburg Board of Education for 8 Lopatcong students receiving Resource Room Services at a rate of $24.28 per hour during the 2004-2005 school year for an estimated annual cost of $50,000. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: In addition to regular tuition, the Lopatcong School District is responsible for paying any additional services that students require to support their educational program.
Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a tuition contract with Phillipsburg Board of Education for 1 Lopatcong student placed in a Learning and Language Disabilities Class for the 2004-2005 school year at a cost of $11,654. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: This is not in addition to regular tuition but is in place of regular tuition for a special placement.
Motion by Taggart, second by Kennedy, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with Sam’s Kids formally, Deborah J. Markle, for physical therapy services for the 2004-2005 school year as per the terms and conditions in the contract. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: The district has already contracted with Deborah Markle for physical therapy services for the 2004-2005 school year. Ms. Markle has had her agency approved by the state and the district must approve the agency as the service provider for the remainder of the school year.
Motion by Glennon, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with O.T., Inc. for occupational therapy services for the 2004-2005 school year effective October 26, 2004 at a rate of $67 per hour. Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. Note: O.T., Inc. will be used to provide occupational therapy services to a student with an out-of-district placement.
Motion by Stammherr, second by Taggart, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following field trips:
Vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried.
Motion by Kennedy, second by Stammherr, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a Junior Practicum through Centenary College for Aimee Gara in Grade 3. Vote: 7 – 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 transfer of uncommitted funds within the 2004-2005 school year budget as follows:
Roll call vote: 7 – Yes. Motion carried. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Purdy indicated that the district received a grant in the amount of $250 from Capital Financial Advisors, Inc. via a drawing at the New Jersey School Boards Convention. The winning student who has demonstrated a commitment to his or her community through voluntary service. Once a student has been selected, the grant funds will go towards supporting grade level or classroom activities. REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM PHILLIPSBURG Mr. Kish distributed the personnel changes for the Board’s review. The high school is in the process of sending out a Guidance Counseling Services Questionnaire, please look for that. The district is hoping to improve guidance services to the students. In regards to the building project, a referendum would be presented to the taxpayers of Phillipsburg for any extras that are not funded by the State. Currently the cost of new construction is $220 per square foot. It will currently cost $100M to construct the new high school. The original estimate was between $40 - $50M. The new facility is 2 ˝ times larger than the existing high school at 397,000 square feet. The current start date for site work to begin is February 2005. It will take 30 months to construct. The completion date is April 2008, with anticipated occupancy in September 2008. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Mr. Taggart reported that it seems that S1701 is not going away anytime soon, however there is possibility that there could be some amendments to the existing law. The National School Boards Association would like district to focus on national issue. For example, encouraging congress to increase IDEA funding by $1.2B and Title I for a total increase in funding of $4.7B. ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE There will be a mulch spreading session at the elementary school playground this Saturday, November 13, 2004 between 12:00 and 3:00pm. Twelve yards of mulch is being delivered. Mrs. Barna gave an update on the status of construction issues. Many outstanding items have been taken care of by the HVAC contractor. However, there is one major issue that still needs to be addresses with the General Contractor. This is the problem of several and significant roof leaks in the building. Most of these leaks are in the C and D section of the building and not in the academic wings. The general contractor still needs to address this issue. The general contractor has recently requested a meeting with the Board of Education to discuss the release of any payments and the results of a report that he submitted from a wall scan and analysis. PUBLIC COMMENT Mrs. Gitto – Commented that the trailers at the high school have made a big difference this year with the amount of congestion inside the building. Mr. Richie – Asked if there could be some equity with the Country Hills Section of the township having morning kindergarten next year. It has been three years that the Country Hills section has had afternoon kindergarten. The administration explained that the designation of what section of the township goes to morning or afternoon kindergarten has to do with the number of students going to school from the different areas and how to maximize the use of our bus routes with the number of students in each kindergarten session without exceeding the class size maximums. Mr. Bailey – Asked if the Board has considered changes in the health benefits package for the staff and administrators in order to reduce the premium costs to the Board? Yes, the Board reviews and negotiates health benefit changes with the teachers union at each round of negotiations. The next round of negotiations will begin sometime during next school year. The current contract expires June 30, 2006. The staff currently contributes towards dependent care for dental benefits only. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by McGuinness, seconded by Taggart, 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, 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 9:30pm 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: 7 - Yes. Motion carried. Motion by McGuinness, second by Taggart, that the Board of Education return to regular session at 9:58pm. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Hearing no further business, the Board adjourned at 9:58pm on a motion by McGuinness, 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. |
