RUTHERFORD BOARD OF
EDUCATION
WORKSESSION/PUBLIC
HEARING Ð MARCH 24, 2003
The
Worksession Meeting was called to order at 7:34 P.M. in the High School
Cafeteria by President Willis with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. On roll call the following members were
present: Mrs. Ahmed, Mr.
Casadonte, Mrs. Cevasco, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Novosielski, and Mrs. Willis. Mrs. Monahan arrived at 7:39 P.M. Mr.
Brancato and Mr. Gibney were absent for the entire meeting. Mrs. Conlon and Mr. Brown were also
present for the meeting.
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, we are 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.
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2003-2004 PROPOSED BUDGET Ð
Mr. Brown and Mrs. Conlon
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (Budget Items Only) No
comments made
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Facilities Plan Update
Ð Chapin Architectural Associates, P.A.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT:
REPORT OF THE STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (Action Items Only) 8:19
P.M. No comments made.
NEW BUSINESS (Action to be Taken)
MINUTES APPROVAL 1A. Resolution by Mr. Casadonte, seconded
by Mr. Novosielski.
BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the minutes of the
Regular Meeting and Executive Session of March 10, 2003 be approved as
recorded.
Roll Call Vote:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð absent |
Mr. Ferguson Ð aye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mr. Casadonte Ð aye |
Mr. Gibney Ð absent |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
PERSONNEL:
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:
Daniel Lauterhahn Ð Volunteer Baseball
Coach
Roll Call Vote Personnel Item #1A:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð absent |
Mr. Ferguson Ð aye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mr. Casadonte Ð aye |
Mr. Gibney Ð absent |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
RICHARD FRISSELL 2A.
Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco to accept the resignation of Mr.
Richard Frissell, Supervisor of Fine Arts, effective 6/30/03.
Approved.
ELEM.
CO-CURRICULAR 3A.
Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco to accept the resignation of Mr.
Edward Young as Eighth Grade Class Advisor and Computer Lab Attendant at Union
School effective 3/11/03.
Approved.
Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco
to adopt Personnel Items #4A through #9A.
ELEM. CO-CURRICULAR 4A.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to appoint Mr. Michael
Blanchard as the Computer Monitor at Union School for the remainder of the
2002-2003 school year at the hourly rate of $11.75.
DANIEL LAUTERHAHN 5A.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve Mr. Daniel
Lauterhahn as a volunteer assistant baseball coach effective 3/12/03.
BRIDGET RULLER 6A.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve a disability
leave with pay to Mrs. Bridget Ruller effective 9/3/03 through twenty (20) days
following the birth of her baby, to be followed by a leave of absence under the
Family Leave Act without pay, but with benefits. This is to be followed by an unpaid, no benefits child
rearing leave through 6/30/04.
DANIELLE SORBELLO 7A.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to
utilize the services of Danielle Sorbello to provide speech/language services
to students for up to 2 hours per week at the hourly rate of $65.00 effective
3/25/03.
FAITH BRODSKY 8A.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to
utilize the services of Faith Brodsky to provide speech/language services to
students for up to 2 hours per week at the hourly rate of $70.00 effective
3/25/03.
KAREN ORTEGA 9A.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Karen Ortega
as a substitute teacher effective 3/24/03 at the per diem rate of $70.00.
Roll Call Vote Personnel Items #4A-9A:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð absent |
Mr. Ferguson Ð aye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mr. Casadonte Ð aye |
Mr. Gibney Ð absent |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
FINANCE:
Motion by Mrs. Cevasco, seconded by Mr.
Casadonte to adopt Finance Items #1A-3A.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: 1A. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION that the bills listed below be approved.
Accounts
Payable 3/25/03 $302,580.41
Offline
Checks 3/13/03 $1,500.00
Payroll 3/14/03 $976,728.90
3/17/03 1,244.80
$976,728.90
General
Activities 3/7/03 $150.00
3/10/03 1,210.65
3/12/03 197.80
3/13/03 196.36
3/14/03 10,204.80
3/14/03 224.00
3/18/03 774.47
3/18/03 150.00
$13,108.08
Total $1,293,917.39
APPROVAL OF BUDGET 2A. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION that the final School District Budget be approved for the 2003-04
school year as follows:
Current
Expense and Capital Outlay $27,301,862
Special
Revenue Funds 581,872
Debt
Service 1,997,100
Total $29,880,834
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for funding the School District Budget for the
2003-2004 school year, the following amounts are the amounts necessary to be
raised by local taxation:
Current
Expense and Capital Outlay $24,171,383
Debt
Service 1,997,100
Total $26,168,483
DONATION 3A. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to accept, with deepest thanks, the generous donation of a gas
powered golf cart from the All Sports Booster Club and Mr. & Mrs.
Notte. The cart will be used by
the athletic trainer at Memorial Field.
Roll Call Vote Finance Items #1A-#3A::
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye, abstain
on 1A Bill List Check #019382 |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð absent |
Mr. Ferguson Ð aye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mr. Casadonte Ð aye |
Mr. Gibney Ð absent |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:
Motion by Mrs. Monahan seconded by Mrs. Cevasco
to adopt Buildings and Grounds Items #1A and #2A.
PLANS/SPECS.
SUBMISSION 1A. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to submit plans and specifications for final approval of the
educational adequacy, in accordance with N.J.A.C.6A:26-5.4, to the New Jersey
Department of Education, for the following projects:
High School, Additions and Renovations SP
#2021024, Project #4600-050-02-1024
Lincoln Elementary School, Addition and
Renovations, SP #2021025, Project #4600-070-02-1025
Pierrepont Intermediate School, Renovations, SP
#2021026, Project #4600-080-02-1026
Sylvan School, Renovations, SP #2021027,
Project #4600-090-02-1027
Union Intermediate School, Addition and
Renovations, SP #2021028, Project #4600-100-02-1028
Washington Elementary School, Addition and
Renovations, SP #2021029, Project #4600-110-02-1029
SECTION 15 GRANT 2A. WHEREAS, the Rutherford Board of
Education (hereinafter referred to as the
AGREEMENT ÒBoardÓ),
in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, has undertaken School Facilities
Projects entitled: ÒAdditions and Alterations to the District SchoolsÓ and
identified as:
High School, Additions and Renovations SP
#2021024, Project #4600-050-02-1024
Lincoln Elementary School, Addition and Renovations,
SP #2021025, Project #4600-070-02-1025
Pierrepont Intermediate School, Renovations, SP
#2021026, Project #4600-080-02-1026
Sylvan School, Renovations, SP #2021027,
Project #4600-090-02-1027
Union Intermediate School, Addition and
Renovations, SP #2021028, Project #4600-100-02-1028
Washington Elementary School, Addition and
Renovations, SP #2021029, Project #4600-110-02-1029
(hereinafter referred to as the ÒProject); and
WHEREAS,
the Board sought to obtain funding for the Projects pursuant to Section 15 of
the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act through the New
Jersey Economic Development Authority (hereinafter referred to as ÒAuthorityÓ);
and
WHEREAS,
the Total Costs for the Project has been estimated by the Authority to be as follows:
High
School, SP #2021024, Project #4600-050-02-1024, $6,437,695, of which
$5,076,547 has been deemed by the Authority to Final Eligible Costs as
determined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5 (h) (1);
Lincoln
Elementary School, SP #2021025, Project #4600-070-02-1025, $8,391,804, of
which $5,062,901 has been deemed by the Authority to Final Eligible Costs as
determined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5 (h) (1);
Pierrepont
Intermediate School, SP #2021026, Project #4600-080-02-1026, $473,225, of
which $473,225 has been deemed by the Authority to Final Eligible Costs as
determined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5 (h) (1);
Sylvan
School, SP #2021027, Project #4600-090-02-1027, $335,306, of which $335,306
has been deemed by the Authority to Final Eligible Costs as determined pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5 (h) (1);
Union
Intermediate School, SP #2021028, Project #4600-100-02-1028, $6,421,428, of
which $4,298,074 has been deemed by the Authority to Final Eligible Costs as
determined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5 (h) (1);
Washington
Elementary School, SP #2021029, Project #4600-110-02-1029, $8,562,986, of
which $5,259,261 has been deemed by the Authority to Final Eligible Costs as
determined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5 (h) (1); and;
WHEREAS,
the Board has received indication from the Authority that it is eligible for a
Section 15 Grant for the projects listed below in the following amounts;
High School, SP #2021024, Project
#4600-050-02-1024 $2,030,619
Lincoln Elementary School, SP #2021025, Project
#4600-070-02-1025 $2,025,160
Pierrepont Intermediate School, SP #2021026,
Project #4600-080-02-1026 $189,290
Sylvan School, SP #2021027, Project
#4600-090-02-1027 $134,122
Union Intermediate School, SP #2021028, Project
#4600-100-02-1028 $1,719,230
Washington Elementary School, SP #2021029,
Project #4600-110-02-1029 $2,103,704
WHEREAS,
as a condition precedent to receiving said grant funds, the Board must complete
the attached Form of Application for a Grant Pursuant to Section 15 of the
Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act (hereinafter referred to
as the ÒSection 15 Grant AgreementÓ) as required by N.J.A.C. 19:32-2.3
and must execute and deliver to the Authority the attached Educational
Facilities Construction and Financing Act Section 15 Grant AgreementÓ) as
required by N.J.A.C. 19:32-2.4.
NOW
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rutherford Board of Education does hereby
accept the Section 15 Grant for the Projects and amounts listed below:
High School, SP #2021024, Project #4600-050-02-1024 $2,030,619
Lincoln Elementary School, SP #2021025, Project
#4600-070-02-1025 $2,025,160
Pierrepont Intermediate School, SP #2021026,
Project #4600-080-02-1026 $189,290
Sylvan School, SP #2021027, Project
#4600-090-02-1027 $134,122
Union Intermediate School, SP #2021028, Project
#4600-100-02-1028 $1,719,230
Washington Elementary School, SP #2021029,
Project #4600-110-02-1029 $2,103,704
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Business Administrator is hereby directed to
complete and submit to the Authority the Section 15 Grant Application.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the School Business Administrator is hereby authorized
to execute and deliver to the Authority the Section 15 Grant Agreement, as well
as any and all documents necessary to effectuate same.
Roll Call Vote Buildings and Grounds #1A and #2A:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð absent |
Mr. Ferguson Ð aye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mr. Casadonte Ð aye |
Mr. Gibney Ð absent |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
NEW BUSINESS: (Action will not be taken)
PERSONNEL:
Chairperson Ahmed reported
on Personnel items to be acted upon at the April 14, 2003 meeting.
PERSONNEL: Motion
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.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS 1. BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following as
substitute teacher(s) at the per diem rate of $70.00 and in accordance with
law:
Joshua Isralowitz Ð effective 3/25/03
KAREN ORTEGA 2.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Karen Ortega
as a home instructor effective 3/25/03 at the hourly rate of $25.00.
CURRICULUM AND
INSTRUCTION:
Chairperson Novosielski
reported on Curriculum items to be acted upon at the April 14, 2003 meeting.
OUT-OF-DISTRICT 1.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to
PLACEMENT rescind
the placements of Students (names on file in the office of special services)
#2000112 at Nova Elementary (returned to district) and #2000256 at Shaler Academy (moved out
of district).
FINANCE:
POLICY:
Chairperson Cevasco reported
on Policy items to be acted upon at the April 14, 2003 meeting.
SERIES 5000 Ð PUPILS 1. Board Policy Revisions Ð Series 5000
Pupils to be approved on 2nd Reading
DISCUSSION ITEM: 2. Board
Policy Revisions Ð Series 6000 Instruction
¯
#6147 Standards
of Proficiency
¯
#6147.1 Evaluation
of Individual Student Performance
¯
#R6147.1 Grading
System
¯
#R6147.12 Grade
Point Average/Class Rank
Mrs. Conlon reported on the recommendations of the
grading committee. Discussion
ensued regarding grading policy and class rank.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:
OLD BUSINESS: (No action to be Taken)
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 9:18
P.M.
Mrs. Gonska passed out a handout to all Board members.
Mrs. Kolich spoke about grading.
Mrs. Miceli spoke about honors classes, particularly
at the middle schools.
Mr. Vogel spoke about ranking and awards, and that
ranking should be based upon using a weighted grade point average.
Mrs. Murphy spoke about personal experiences with her
three children, and that she is in favor of weighted academics classes.
Mrs. Schneider gave a summary of all of the previous
issues that were spoken about.
Mr. Merklinghaus suggested that class rank appear on
report cards and that numerical grades should be used on report cards.
Meeting was then closed to the public at 9:57 P.M.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION: Motion by Mr.
Novosielski, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco that an Executive Session be held at
10:03 P.M. for the purpose of discussing negotiations and personnel. Action may or may not be taken. The Board expects to return within 30
minutes.
Approved.
The Board returned at 10:59 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion
by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Ahmed that the meeting be adjourned at 11:00
P.M.
Approved.