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Agenda:

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:

President Gallant called the meeting to order on December 13 , 2005 at 7:35pm.  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 been filed with the Township Clerk and posted at both school locations.”

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

ROLL CALL

Present:  Dennis Drake, Ernie Gallant, Terry Glennon, Frank Kish, Greg McGann, Tim McGuinness, Jesse Rozycki, Raisy Stammherr and Bill Taggart.

Absent:  None

Others Present:  Dr. Michael Rossi, Superintendent; Teresa E. Barna, Business Administrator/Board Secretary; Rosemary Kowalchuk, Principal; Matthew Eagleburger, Assistant Principal; JoAnn Murray, CST Director; and approximately 7 staff and public.

CORRESPONDENCE

Carl Johnson – Letter of Resignation.

MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Glennon that the minutes of the November 8, 2005 meeting be approved and filed. Motion carried on 8 yes votes and one abstention by Mr. Kish.

BILL LIST

Motion by Mr. McGuinness, seconded by Mr. Glennon, that the bills submitted for December 13, 2005 meeting, to include operating account and food service be approved for payment; motion unanimous on voice vote.

SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORTS

Motion by Mr. Taggart, seconded by Mr. Glennon, that the Secretary/Treasurer’s Report submitted for the month ending October 31, 2005 which agree with each other and the bank be approved and filed; motion unanimous on voice vote.

FINANCIAL REPORTS CERTIFICATION

Motion by Mr. McGuinness, seconded by Mr. Drake, 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 October 31, 2005, 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.

Motion unanimous on voice vote.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW TEACHERS

Tracey Silvestri is a graduate of Caldwell College and has taught the first grade at the Franklin School in Succasunna, NJ. Tracey will be filling the second grade maternity leave position.

Cortney Veres has obtained her masters and bachelors degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Cortney has substituted and student taught in the district. Cortney will be filling the Basic Skills and G&T maternity leave position.

Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mrs. Stammherr, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a contract with ADS Environmental, Inc. for the removal of an underground storage tank at the Delaware Park School for a cost of $5,050.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mrs. Stammherr, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent and the policy committee, adopt by second reading of Policy File Code:9250.1 entitled “Reimbursement for Attendance at Annual NJSBA Convention” as read, attached to these minutes and filed in the district policy manual.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. McGuinness, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent and the Policy Committee, adopt by second reading of Policy File Code: 9250 entitled “Expenses and Reimbursement” as read, attached to these minutes and filed in the district policy manual.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. McGann, second by Mr. McGuinness, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent and the Policy Committee, approve the first reading of Policy File Code: 5141.8 entitled “Use of Automated External Defibrillators”.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent and the Policy Committee, adopt the following revised policies as read, attached to these minutes and filed in the district policy manual:

File Code: 9311      “Formulation, Adoption and Amendment of Policies”

File Code: 9312      “Formulation, Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws”

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. McGuinness, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the placement of one Lopatcong student in the Private School Program at the KidsPeace National Centers, Inc. for the 2005-2006 school year and to approve a tuition contract with KidsPeace National Centers, Inc. for such placement in the amount of $138 per day for a total not to exceed $24,840.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Rozycki, second by Mrs. Stammherr, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the Spanish Curriculum as presented and attached to these minutes.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mrs. Stammherr, second by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Linda Maffei and Margaret Normile to provide speech therapy services one day per week for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Petra Ford of Pediatric Dynamics to provide physical therapy services for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mrs. Stammherr, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Tracey M. Silvestri as a long-term substitute in Grade 2 effective January 2, 2006 through June 30, 2006 and to be paid at Locator LL/BA.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. McGuinness, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the emergent hiring of Cortney Veres as a long-term substitute for BSI/G&T effective January 2, 2006 through June 30, 2006 and to be paid at Locator PP/MA.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. McGann, second by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, accept the resignation of Carl Johnson effective December 13, 2005.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Drake, second by Mr. McGuinness, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve Michael Ferry and Jeremy LaValva as substitute teachers for the remainder of the 2005-2006 school year.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Glennon, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the Fiscal Year 2005 No Child Left Behind Carry-over Application as follows:

Title IIA          $1,503

Title IV              $499

Total              $2,002

Motion carried on unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Mr. Rozycki, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent accept fiscal year Above Average Enrollment Growth Aid in the amount of $61,600 and to appropriate this additional aid into the 2005-2006 school year budget into the following line item accounts:

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mrs. Stammherr, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following transfer of funds within the 2005-2006 school year budget:

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. Taggart, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following field trips:

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Motion by               , second by             , that be it

Motion by Mr. Kish, second by Mr. Drake, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve the following requests for use of the facilities:

Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Motion by Mr. McGuinness, second by Mr. Taggart, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, authorize the Business Administrator to enter into a 48 month lease agreement with Konica Minolta for two 7272 Copiers with an FS-110 Finisher for a cost of $592.74 per month as per New Jersey State Contract #A52046.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Motion by Mr. McGann, second by Mr. Kish, that be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon recommendation by the Superintendent, approve a annual maintenance agreement with Konica Minolta for 850,000 copies per year at $.0060 cents per copy for a total of $5,100 and with overages to be paid at the same cost per copy rate.

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

Dr. Rossi commented that the Honeywell Instant Alert System was up and running just in the nick of time. A letter was sent to parents on how to register and update their information.

American Education Week was a success. Dr. Rossi stated that he has never seen such a great American Education Week than at Lopatcong.

Regarding curriculum, the district is hosting publishers to demonstrate their materials on a new K-4 Math series.

The guided reading program is moving through the grades. Grade 2 will be implementing this program shortly.

The district is very close to having Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) in both buildings. Our goal is to have 2 in each building.

The policy committee met and is moving forward with looking at all the policies.

Reminder to the Board that there is a Board retreat scheduled for January 14, 2006.

In the area of testing, the state has determined that grades 3 through 8 will be tested via a standardized test.

Dr. Rossi mentioned that he attended an articulation meeting which included Superintendents from the cluster districts. The focus was on mathematics and preparing the students for high school math.

REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION FROM PHILLIPSBURG

Mr. Kish stated that the Math curriculum was discussed at the Phillipsburg Board meeting. It was stated that Phillipsburg would like to get all the sending districts on the same curriculum.

The Abbott student councils will be meeting at Phillipsburg. The politicians will be invited. The intent of this meeting is to urge the legislators to support funding for much needed Abbott facilities. The tentative date for this meeting is January 12th.

The “Save Our School Committee” will be initiating a Write a Letter Campaign.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mr. Taggart stated that he attended the Semi-Annual Delegate Assembly. They elected a new president to fill in. It was mentioned that the federal government is not funding students that live at military bases.

In the area of Special Education it has been determined that the burden of persuasion lies with the person challenging the IEP and that the IEP in place, stays in place during litigation.

Bill S2618 says that if there is any ambiguity as to whether there is binding arbitration, then binding arbitration takes place.

A4599 – One-time relief for high fuel costs compared to last year. This adjustment would not become part of the base budget.

Acting Gov. Cody ordered a task force for public employees. The recommendation that came from this task force was that for medical, dental and prescription, more of the cost burden should be pushed on to the employees. Public employees need to contribute more.

ITEMS OF EMERGENT NATURE

There is unrest in the community about the Gentlemen’s Club advertisement across from the elementary school. Dr. Rossi will speak to Mayor about discussing this.

Mrs. Kowalchuk read a letter from De LaSalle High School to the Lopatcong Student Council for their generous donation of $2,500. De LaSalle High School is located in New Orleans and was severely affected by the Hurricane Katrina.

Mrs. Kowalchuk mentioned that three 8th grade students that are a part of the high school band have been invited to participate in an overnight Band Trip. Mrs. Kowalchuk reminded the Board that when this program was approved, the Board and Administration agreed that the 8th grade students would not be permitted by the school district to attend overnight trips with high school students. The Board agreed, but also clarified that the parent has the prerogative to allow their child to participate.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. Taggart, seconded by Dr. McGann

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 related to the personnel and legal issues, the disclosure of which could constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session at 8:40pm 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.

Board returned to regular session at 10:30pm on a motion by Mr. McGuinness, second by Mr. Taggart.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Hearing no further business, the Board adjourned at 10:30pm on a motion by Mr. McGuinness, second by Mr. Taggart.  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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