MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION

MARCH 11, 2002

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on Monday evening, March 11, 2001 at the High School Cafeteria.  Meeting was called to order by President Willis at 7:36 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

On roll call the following members were present:  Mrs. Ahmed, Mrs. Cevasco, Mr. Derner, Mr. Ferrara, Mrs. Miceli, Mrs. Monahan, and Mrs. Willis.  Mr. Novosielski arrived at 7:38 P.M.  Mr. Brancato was absent for the entire meeting.  Also present were Mrs. Conlon and Ms. Davis.

 

N.J. OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS LAW

The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure 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.

 

TAPING AND BROADCASTING OF MEETINGS

As approved by the Rutherford Board of Education at the March meeting, we are in a trial period of taping and broadcasting our worksessions and regular meetings.  We are continuing our trial period broadcast, pending receipt of the evaluation of trial period.  These meetings will be broadcast without editing during a two-hour time segment on Tuesday evenings on the Comcast public access channel.  At the conclusion of the two-hour segment, the broadcast will end regardless of what part of the meeting is currently being viewed due to the Comcast time constraint.  Any member of the public who wishes to view the two-hour tape should make a written request to the Board Secretary who will have a copy of the tape made available within two weeks of the request.  There will be a nominal fee charged for this tape reproduction.

TAPING AND BROADCASTING OF MEETINGS

As approved by the Rutherford Board of Education at the November, 2001 meeting, we are continuing a trial period of taping and broadcasting our worksessions and regular meetings.  These meetings will be broadcast without editing during a two-hour time segment on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 PM on the Comcast public access channel.  At the conclusion of the two-hour segment, the broadcast will end regardless of what part of the meeting is currently being viewed due to the Comcast time constraint.  Any member of the public who wishes to view the two-hour tape should make a written request to the Board Secretary who will have a copy of the tape made available within two weeks of the request.  There will be a nominal fee charged for this tape reproduction.  We welcome comments from residents viewing the broadcast.

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:  Video on Business Education, Family and Consumer Science, and Technology Education Ð Mrs. Barbara OÕDonnell

 

MINUTES APPROVAL           1.  Resolution by Mr. Ferrara, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the minutes of the Worksession Meeting and Executive Session of March 4, 2002 be approved as recorded.

Roll call vote:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð absent

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð abstain

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT:

 

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  (Agenda Items Only)  7:57 P.M.  No comments made.

 

NEW BUSINESS  (Action to be Taken)

PERSONNEL:                          Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to move the following resignations, retirements, salary adjustments, reassignments, appointments, etc., pending approval from the State Department of Education, subject to the New Jersey Criminal Background Check and other legal requirements.

 

                                                Approved.

 

Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Derner to adopt Personnel Items #1-7.

 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS        1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following as substitute teacher(s) effective 3/5/02 at the per diem rate of $70.00 and in accordance with law:

 

Barbara Quigley Ð eff. 3/5/02

Peter Ciemins Ð eff. 3/5/02

Erin Irving Ð eff. 3/5/02

Helen Kim Ð eff. 3/5/02

                                                Liam Fitzsimons Ð eff. 3/12/02

Jacqueline Schalk Ð eff. 3/12/02

Thomas Rogasis Ð eff. 3/12/02

Laura Kelly Ð eff. 3/12/02

 

LUNCH MONITOR                    2. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Mrs. Zohra Benhamou-Imessaoudene as a Lunch Monitor at Union School effective 3/5/02 at the hourly rate of $8.25.

 

POOL PERSONNEL                  3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following pool personnel changes effective 2/15/02:

 

Marivel Quinones Ð Assistant Pool Director           - $15.00 per hour

Allyson Moran      - Head Lifeguard/Asst. Director - $12.00 per hour

 

COACHING ASSIGNMENTS    4. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following change in coaching assignments:

 

Rescind:

Joseph Sutera as the Asst. Baseball Coach

 

Appoint:

Robert Urbanovich as the Asst. Baseball Coach for the 2001-2002 school year at the annual stipend of $3,125 (1-4 years)

 

Appoint:

Edward Bosland as an Assistant Winter Track Coach for the 2001-2002 school year at the annual stipend of $3,125 (1-4 years) (pro-rated effective 1/3/02)

 

Rescind:

Ed Rendzio as the BoysÕ Assistant Spring Track Coach

 

Appoint:

John Herninko as the BoysÕ Assistant Spring Track Coach for the 2001-02 school year at the annual stipend of $3,125 (1-4 years)

 

ROSE MC CAULEY                  5. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to grant a disability leave, with pay, to Mrs. Rose McCauley from 5/1/02 through twenty (20) days following the birth of her child or until sick leave is exhausted (not to exceed 40 days, 20 before and 20 after), to be followed by a child rearing leave, without pay, through 6/30/02.

 

ROSE MC CAULEY                  6. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to grant a leave under the provisions of the Family Leave Act to Mrs. Rose McCauley from 9/1/02 to 11/30/02 and a leave of absence from 12/1/02 to 12/31/02, both with no pay and with benefits.

 

EMERGENT HIRES                   7.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following applicant(s) under the emergent hiring law as per the State Department of Education:

 

Liam Fitzsimons Ð Substitute Teacher

Laura Kelly Ð Substitute Teacher

 

Roll call vote Personnel Items #1-7:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð absent

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

VIRGINIA MITCHELL                8.  Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to accept, with regret, the retirement of Mrs. Virginia Mitchell, WASAL school librarian, effective 7/1/02.

 

                                                Approved.

 

Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Novosielski to adopt Personnel Items #9-12.

 

H.S. CO-CURRICULAR            9.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following changes in high school co-curricular assignments:

 

Student Council Advisor

Rose McCauley  - through 4/14/02   -   $1,846.50

Danesa Wojtowicz Ð from 4/15/02    -        615.50

 

DARLENE CAPOBIANCO         10.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to grant, under the Family Leave Act, a disability leave, with pay, to Mrs. Darlene Capobianco from 5/22/02 through twenty (20) days following the birth of her child or until sick leave is exhausted (not to exceed 40 days, 20 before and 20 after), to be followed by a child rearing leave, without pay, through 9/13/02.

 

SUB TEACHER ASST.             11.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve Laura Kelly as a Substitute Teacher Assistant, effective 3/12/02, at the hourly rate of $8.50 and in accordance with law.

 

WASAL ACTING PRINCIPALS 12. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to appoint the following as acting Principal from 3/4/02 through 6/30/02.

 

                                                Mr. Alan Goodman                               Sylvan School

                                                Mr. Ken Polakowski                             Washington School

                                                Mrs. Eileen Corbran                             Lincoln School

 

Roll call vote Personnel Items #9-12:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð absent

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

BARBARA SORINI                   13. Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to accept, with regret, the retirement of Mrs. Barbara Sorini, high school English and reading teacher, effective 6/30/02.

 

                                                Approved.

 

Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco to adopt Personnel Item #14.

 

COACHING ASSIGNMENT       14. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to rescind the appointment of Ms. Cheryl Bott as the Assistant Softball Coach for the 2001-2002 school year.

 

 

Roll call vote Personnel Item #14:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð absent

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:

Motion by Mr. Novosielski seconded by Mrs. Cevasco to adopt Curriculum and Instruction Items #1-9.

 

OUT-OF-DISTRICT                   1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to

PLACEMENT                            approve the placement of Student 2000400 (name on file in the office of special services) at the Holmstead School effective 2/25/02 at the per diem rate of $163.04 ($29,347.00 annually pro-rated).

 

HOME INSTRUCTION               2. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to provide home instruction for Student 2000320 (name on file in the office of special services) effective 1/7/02.

 

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION 3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve The Eden Institute to provide an independent learning and speech evaluation for Student 2000183 (name on file in the office of special services) at the approximate cost of $550.00.

 

HOME INSTRUCTION               4.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve home instruction for student ÒJ-1Ó (name on file in the office of the superintendent) effective 2/28/02.

 

ORAL MOTOR THERAPIST     5.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to enter into a contract with the South Bergen Jointure Commission for an oral motor therapist for Student #2000320 (name on file in the office of special services) 1 time per week, 20 minutes per session, effective 2/12/02 at the hourly rate of $48.00.

 

H.S. LLD 1 CLASS                  6.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve a new LLD 1 class at the high school effective with the 2002-2003 school year.

 

SPEECH/LANGUAGE              7.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve Abby Schwartz as a consultant to provide speech/language services to Student #2000180 (name on file in the office of special services) effective 3/12/02 for three one-hour sessions per week at the hourly rate of $66.00.

 

PHYSICAL THERAPY  8.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to

HOME SERVICES                    approve Erica Levine as a consultant to provide Physical Therapy Home Services for the 2001-2002 school year at the hourly rate of $65.00.

 

QAAR ADDENDUM A            9.  WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Education requires school districts to include in the 2001 QAAR as ÒAddendum AÓ a statement certifying the maximum capital reserve amount for 2002-2003;

                                               NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rutherford Board of Education does hereby certify that all of the capital projects listed in the districtÕs long range facility plan (submitted to the State Department of Education) have not yet been initiated, and;

                                               BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Rutherford Board of Education does hereby certify that the total estimated cost for these projects is $15,754,386.00 and the State support (40%) is $6,301,754.40, and;

                                               BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Rutherford Board of Education does hereby certify that the estimated total monies (60%) needed to implement the capital projects not yet initiated is $9,452,631.60 which will equal the districtÕs maximum capital reserve amount.

                                               Pursuant to the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, districts must include Addendum A in the districtÕs QAAR and certify the maximum capital reserve amount annually.  This is a revision of the November 12, 2001 QAAR Long Range Facility Plan Addendum resolution.

 

Roll call vote Curriculum and Instruction Items #1-9:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð absent

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

FINANCE:

 

BID ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-    1.  Motion by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco that the Board of Education PAINTING SERVICES acknowledge receipt of bids for Contracted Painting Services.

 

                                                Approved.

 

Motion by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to adopt  Finance Items #2-4.

 

AWARD OF BID                      2.  WHEREAS, the Rutherford Board of Education received bid proposals for Contracted Painting Services on February 21, 2002 at 10:00 A.M. in the office of the Interim School Business Administrator, and WHEREAS said proposals have been tabulated and the lowest responsible bidder determined,;

                                                NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that award be made as follows:

 

                                                JJ Quality Painting, Inc., 80 Dukes Street, Kearny, NJ 07032

                                                Part I Ð Pierrepont                                $12,475

                                                Part II Ð High School                             $10,126

                                                Total:                                                   $22,601

                                               

 

 

APPROVAL OF BILLS:          3.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the bills listed below be approved.

 

                                                Accounts Payable                            3-01-02             425,511.83

                                                                                                         3-05-02                      91.90

                                                                                                         Total                  425,603.73

 

                                                Offline Checks                                  2-28-02                     (91.90)

 

                                                Payroll:                                              2-15-02             917,430.01

                                                                                                         2-28-02             872,353.73

                                                                                                         Total               1,789,783.74

 

                                                General Activities                             2-26-02                 4,788.90

                                                                                                         2-27-02                    150.00

                                                                                                         3-04-02                    495.00

                                                                                                         3-05-02                    250.00

                                                                                                         Total                      5,683.90

 

                                                Total Bills:                                                                2,220,979.47

 

TRANSFER                              4.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following transfers for the 2001-2002 school year:

 

From:

11-000-100-566-09                Tuition Priv. W/State Spec. Ed. (Tarkio)                        $8,100.00

To:

11-000-100-565-09                Tuition Other Co. Spec. Svcs.                                      $8,100.00

Rationale:  Correction of March 4, 2002 Transfer Ð Typographical Error

 

From:

11-000-221-580-09                Travel Expense Spec. Svcs.                                        $1,400.00

To:

11-000-240-610-09                CST Supplies                                                                $1,400.00

 

Rationale:  Purchase Necessary Supplies

 

From:

Fund Balance                          10-303                                                                      $175,000.00

11-000-100-565-09                Tuition Cty. Sp. Svcs.                                                 200,000.00

                                                                                                                                   375,000.00

To:

11-000-100-562-09                Tuition LEA w/State Spec. Ed.                                     85,000.00

11-000-100-564-09                Tuition Co. Voc. Sp. Ed.                                                50,000.00

11-000-100-566-09                Tuition Priv w/State Sp. Ed.                                        240,000.00

                                                                                                                                   375,000.00

Rationale:  Budget Shortfall for Tuition

 

From:

11-000-270-108-08                Transp. Spec. Ed. G&T                                                   8,254.00

To:

11-000-270-109-02                Transp. Salaries Ð Other                                                8,254.00

Rationale:  Account Code Correction

 

From:

11-000-270-600-13                Trans. Supplies & Materials                                               200.00

To:

11-000-270-420-13                Trans. Clean & Repair                                                       200.00

Rationale:  Account Code Correction

 

Roll call vote Finance Items #2-4:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð absent

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

POLICY:

 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:

 

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  (Any Topic)  7:57 P.M.  No comments made.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:          Motion by Mr. Ferrara, seconded by Mrs. Ahmed that an Executive Session be held at 8:12 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel.  Action may or may not be taken.  The Board expects to return within 30 minutes.

 

                                               Approved.

 

The Board returned at 9:13 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:                   Motion by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mr. Ferrara that the meeting be adjourned at 9:35 P.M.

 

                                                Approved.

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Louise B. Davis

                                                                        Interim School Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Following is an extract of binding action taken at the March 4, 2002 Worksession

 

NEW BUSINESS  (Action to be Taken)

MINUTES APPROVAL           1A.  Resolution by Mrs. Cevasco, seconded by Mr. Derner.

                                                BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the minutes of the Regular Meeting and Executive Session of February 11, 2002 and Special Meeting of February 26, 2002 be approved as recorded.

Roll call vote:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye, abstain 2/26

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye, abstain 2/26

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye, abstain 2/11

Mr. Novosielski Ð absent

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye, abstain 2/11

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

EMERGENT HIRING:

EMERGENT HIRES                   1A. Resolution by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION  to employ the following applicant(s) under the emergent hiring law as per the State Department of Education:

 

Zohra Benhamou-Imessaoudene Ð Lunch Monitor

Peter Ciemins Ð Substitute Teacher

Erin Irving Ð Substitute Teacher

Helen Kim Ð Substitute Teacher

Roll call vote:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð absent

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

FINANCE:

APPROVAL OF BILLS:          1A.  Resolution by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco.

                                                BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the bills listed below be approved.

 

                                                Accounts Payable                 2-22-02                         307,907.59

 

                                                Offline Checks                      2-13-02                         175,787.86

                                                                                              2-21-02                              -250.00

                                                                                                                                   175,537.86

 

                                                General Activities                  2-5-02                               9,898.00

                                                                                              2-8-02                               9,033.55

                                                                                              2-11-02                                554.00

                                                                                              2-12-02                                  29.94

                                                                                              2-15-02                                579.74

                                                                                              2-22-02                                764.88

                                                                                              2-25-02                                544.55

                                                                                                                                     21,404.66

 

                                                Grand Total                                                                 504,850.11

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS            2A.  Resolution by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco.

                                                BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following transfer of funds:

From:

11-000-100-565-09                Tuition Ð Other County Sp.Svcs.                                  $8,100.00

To:

11-000-100-567-09                Tuition Ð Other LEAs Out of State                                $8,100.00

 

Rationale:  Create Correct Account Code (Tarkio)

 

From:

11-000-270-600-13                Student Transp. Ð Supplies                                             $500.00

To:

11-000-270-420-13                Student Transp. Ð Cleaning/Maint.                                   $500.00

 

Rationale:  Budget Shortfall

 

From:

11-000-262-890-12                Misc. Maint.                                                                      $290.00

To:

11-000-262-520-01                Insurance Ð Admin.                                                         $290.00

 

Rationale:  Budget Shortfall

 

From:

11-000-291-290-02                Emp. Benefits Ð Other                                                  $1,500.00

To:

11-000-291-290-00                Other Emp. Benefits                                                     $1,500.00

 

Rationale:  Incorrect Account Code

 

From:

11-000-291-290-02                Employee Benefits Other                                          $126,500.00

To:

11-000-291-290-01                Employee Benefits Admin.                                        $126,500.00

Rationale:  Incorrect Account Code

 

From:

11-204-100-640-09                Spec. Ed. Text                                                                 $200.00

To:

11-204-100-610-09                Spec. Ed. NI Supplies                                                      $200.00

Rationale:  Budget Shortfall

 

From:

20-223-200-890-14                Distance Learning Misc.                                               $2,276.00

To:

20-223-200-600-14                Distance Learning Supplies and Materials                   $2,276.00

Rationale:  Budget Shortfall

 

Roll call vote Finance Items #1A and #2A:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð absent

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

SCHOOL ELECTION                3A.  Resolution by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mr. Brancato.

                                                BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Annual School Election shall be held on April 16, 2002 at 7:00 AM until 9:00 PM n the School District, at Union, Pierrepont, Sylvan, Lincoln, High School, and Congregational Church.

 

Roll call vote Finance Item #3A:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mr. Derner Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferrara Ðaye

Mr. Novosielski Ð absent

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Miceli Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye