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Agenda:

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

2. Correspondence

3. Public Comment on Agenda Items

4. Public Hearing on the 2005-2006 School Year Budget

5. New Business - Action Items

R-128-05         Adoption of the 2005-2006 School Year Budget

R-129-05         Reorganization Meeting

6. Other Public Comments

7. Adjournment

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.

President Kish called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM. Mrs. Barna read the following opening statement, “I would like to announce and have placed in the minutes that adequate notice of this special 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, Greg McGann, Tim McGuinness, Jesse Rozycki, Raisy Stammherr and Bill Taggart.

Absent:   None

Others Present:  Albert V. Purdy, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal and approximately 50 members of the public.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mrs. Barna read a letter from Acting Governor Richard Codey regarding the proposed 2005 State budget.

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2005-2006 BUDGET

Click Here For PowerPoint Presentation

The Board of Education conducted a public hearing on the 2005-2006 school year budget.

Mrs. Barna and the Finance Committee conducted a PowerPoint presentation and explained to the public that there are proposed program increases as follows:

Establishment of a Multiple Disabilities Class

Technology Coordinator

Full-time Basic Skills Teacher

Half-time Music Teacher

Full-time Learning Consultant for the Child Study Team

Replacement of Textbooks and Materials for Math Curriculum

Partial Replacement of Textbooks for Science Curriculum

There is a small tax rate increase of 2.8 cents.

The Board fielded the following questions from the public.

Judy Liptak – There was mention that you expect the class size to increase next year. The average class size in 2003-2004 was 22 students per class. We experienced an enrollment decrease in 2004-2005. We are projecting that the enrollment will increase again in 2005-2006 with no additional regular classroom teachers which should put us about equal with the 2003-2004 school year at 22 students per class.

Mrs. Gitto – At which building do you expect Multiple Disabilities Class to be housed? Mr. Purdy answered that the district envisions this class to be housed in the elementary school with a K-4 attendance.

Lee Rozycki – Do you project any savings in transportation due to the establishment of an in-house multiple disabilities class? The Board is very hopeful that there will be a realized savings in transportation costs however, the budget does not directly reflect these potential savings since we are unsure as to exactly which students would be enrolled what savings we could realize.

Mr. Megaro – If there is a one-time decrease in the tax-rate are we looking at a 15 cent increase next year?  The Board of Education is concerned with the tax impact for 2006-2007; however, there are scenarios that are in our favor.  For example, the district expects to continue to have a tuition credit from Phillipsburg next year we just can’t predict how much and the property reassessment should be reflected in the 2006 Assessed Valuations, which will help with the tax impact.

Motion by Gallant, second by Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, having duly advertised and conducted a Public Hearing on the proposed 2005-2006 School Year Budget, hereby adopts said budget for presentation to the voters of Lopatcong Township on Tuesday, April 19, 2005.  Budget is approved as follows:

Roll call vote:  9 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Taggart, second by Glennon, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education set the date for the Annual Reorganization Meeting for Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 7:30pm.

Vote:  9 – Yes.  Motion carried.

Mr. McGuinness reminded the audience that there is meeting scheduled for March 23rd for the Community to “Meet the Superintendent Candidates.”  Please plan to attend.

Maureen Maher kindly asked the audience to encourage their neighbors to vote at the school election. Absentee Ballots are available in the lobby.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Taggart, seconded by Rozycki,

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 related to the Superintendent Search, 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 8:26pm 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:  9 - Yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by Gallant, 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 9:59pm on a motion by Gallant, second by McGann. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa E. Barna, RSBO

Business Administrator/

Board Secretary

Last Modified:  Saturday, May 06, 2006

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