MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION
MARCH 20, 2000
A special meeting of the Board of Education was held on Monday, evening, March 20, 2000 at the High School Cafeteria. Meeting was called to order by President Willis at 7:32 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
On roll call the following members were present: Mr. Derner, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Ferrara, Mrs. Miceli, Mr. Novosielski, and Mrs. Willis. Mr. Galloway, Mrs. Johnson, and Mr. McGehrin were absent for the entire meeting. Also present were Dr. Sarsfield and Dr. Verbist.
N.J. OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS LAW
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to insure the right of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Rutherford Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time and place thereof posted on the bulletin board outside the Borough Clerk’s Office, mailed to the News Leader, Herald, South Bergenite, and the Record newspapers, and filed with the Borough Clerk.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 7:32 P.M.
Mrs. Schak asked if the Board would have final figures for the budget this evening. Pres. Willis indicated that it is one of the Board's goals for the evening to finalize the 2000-01 school year budget for the budget presentation to be held on Monday, March 27, 2000.
Meeting was then closed to the public at 7:33 P.M.
PERSONNEL:
TRICIA METTS 1. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that approval be granted to employ Miss Tricia Metts as a home instructor effective 3/21/00 at the hourly rate of $25.00 and in accordance with law.
On roll call all members present voted "aye, three absent.
KATHLEEN BARRACATO 2. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that approval be granted to employ Mrs. Kathleen Barracato as a substitute custodian effective 3/21/00 at the hourly rate of $9.75 and in accordance with law.
On roll call all members present voted "aye", three absent.
Regarding Personnel #3, discussion took place regarding the proposed additional bus driver, how would the bus driver salary be funded. Dr. Verbist responded that the additional driver would reduce overtime and the funds for this salary would come from overtime funds which would not have to be expended.
BUS DRIVER 3. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that approval be granted to employ an additional bus driver for five hours per day, 5 days per week due to increased transportation needs.
On roll call all members present voted "aye", three absent.
Regarding Personnel #4, a question was raised regarding the candidate for pool instructor. Dr. Sarsfield and Dr. Verbist responded that the candidate was being brought to the Board with their approval.
KERVIN QUINONES 4. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that approval be granted for the pool to employ Mr. Kervin Quinones as an instructor effective 3/21/00 at the hourly rate of $11.00 and in accordance with law.
On roll call all members present voted "aye", with the exception of Mr. Novosielski who voted "no", three absent.
ANGELA NATALE 5. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that approval be granted to employ Mrs. Angela Natale as a learning consultant for the child study team effective 3/21/00, for 5 testing days, at the per diem rate of $300 and in accordance with law. This is a replacement for a child study team member who will be out on sick leave for two weeks.
On roll call all members present voted "aye", three absent.
HASP PERSONNEL 6. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the HASP Program to employ the following teacher assistants effective 3/28/00 for 15 hours per week, at the hourly rate of $7.25 and in accordance with law:
Marissa Viola
Linda Waldron
On roll call all members present voted "aye", three absent.
Regarding Personnel #7, Pres. Willis addressed the proposed appointment of Mr. Occhipinti. Pres. Willis outlined for the Board and public in attendance the responsibilities and expectations for Mr. Occhipinti.
THOMAS OCCHIPINTI 7. Resolution by Mrs. Miceli, seconded by Mr. Derner.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that approval be granted to employ Mr. Thomas Occhipinti as an interim Coordinator of Special Services 4 days per week, effective 3/22/00 at the per diem rate of $500. In addition to his duties as interim coordinator, he will also evaluate the special services program.
On roll call all members present voted "aye", three absent.
CURRICULUM:
OUT-OF-DISTRICT 1. Resolution by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Ferrara.
PLACEMENT BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the placement of Student "P-2" (name on file in the office of the superintendent of schools) at the South Bergen Jointure Commission Maywood campus effective 3/21/00 at the annual tuition of $32,000 (pro-rated).
On roll call all members present voted "aye", three absent.
MOTION TO RECESS Motion by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mr. Ferrara, that the Board take a four-minute recess at 7:42 P.M.
Approved.
The Board returned at 7:49 P.M.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 7:49 P.M.
Mrs. Schak raised questions regarding the budget and local taxation. Pres. Willis addressed questions and concerns Mrs. Schak had.
Mr. Merklinghaus asked a question in regards to the funding of the interim Special Services Coordinator. Pres. Willis responded that the majority of funds would come from the exiting Special Services Coordinator's unused salary. Pres. Willis also indicated that if necessary funds could be appropriated from fund balance.
Mrs. Dyson asked about the qualifications of the Special Services Coordinator. Pres. Willis and Dr. Sarsfield responded with information found on Mr. Occhipinti's resume.
Meeting was then closed to the public at 7:53 P.M.
DISCUSSION OF 2000-01 SCHOOL YEAR BUDGET
Specific items discussed were a psychologist and student assistance person, second proposal and the merits of splitting the second proposal into smaller sections, discussion of the computer lab assistant position, establishment of the second proposal which would be for $16,000 auditorium lighting, $114,000 for WASAL computer labs, and $27,570 for computer equipment/supplies
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 8:59 P.M.
Mrs. Schak addressed some generic questions regarding the 2000-01 budget. Mrs. Schak also indicated that she would need enough time to adequately review the budget and make recommendations to her committee.
Meeting was then closed to the public at 9:06 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Mr. Ferrara, seconded by Mr. Novosielski that the meeting be adjourned at 9:08 P.M.
Approved.
Respectfully submitted
Dr. James P. Verbist
School Business Administrator/Board Secretary