MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING

OF THE

RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION

JULY 2, 2001

A special meeting of the Board of Education was held on Monday evening, July 2, 2001 in the High School Library. Meeting was called to order by President Willis at 7:39 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

On roll call the following members were present: Mrs. Ahmed, Mr. Brancato, Mrs. Cevasco, Mr. Derner, Mr. Ferrara, Mrs. Miceli, Mrs. Monahan, Mr. Novosielski, and Mrs. Willis. Also present were Mrs. Conlon, Dr. Verbist, and Mr. Hara.

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.

Pres. Willis announced to the public in attendance that the next regular meeting will be held on Monday, July 9, 2001 at 7:00 PM in the High School Library.

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: 7:40 P.M.

Mildred Dyson expressed her concern regarding the process being used regarding a personnel item.

Courtney Capoano addressed the decision-making process regarding Mr. Mills' contract.

Daniel Rigoglioso addressed the Board on Mr. Mills' assets to the district.

Margaret Mauer addressed Mr. Mills' contributions to the community.

Barbara Mullin addressed the Board on Mr. Mills' math teaching skills.

Margaret Kustanovich addressed the Board on Mr. Mills' coaching skills.

Mildred Dyson raised concerns regarding a teaching staff member who is having classroom control difficulties.

Daniel Lyons addressed how Mr. Mills helped him athletically and academically.

Mary Grace Cahill addressed how Mr. Mills helped her brother in math and assisted in building his confidence.

Meeting was then closed to the public at 7:55 P.M.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Mrs. Cevasco, seconded by Mr. Ferrara that an Executive Session be held at 7:56 PM for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.

Approved.

The Executive Session was held in public at the request of the employee.

PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD BY STAFF MEMBER

Mr. Hara, Board Attorney, made a presentation on the procedures to be followed during the meeting

Speakers on Behalf of Mr. Mills:

Stephanie Bernaducci, Mr. and Mrs. Mills, Ronnie Cahill, Audrey Blinstrub, Ken Kolich, Donna Flood, Karen Kalbfell, Mrs. Stefanko, Mr. Freed, Lou Cirilla, Tom Tulp, Jarrett Gaeta, Rev. Diana Bell, Steve Kopelman, Ron Volpone, Patrick Tully, Jim Reilly.

Various members of the community spoke on behalf of Mr. Mills, addressing his athletic and academic contributions to the community. Various members of the community urged the Board to re-evaluate the non-renewal decision and to offer a contract to Mr. Mills.

Mr. Hara addressed the non-renewal process and the process the Board will follow. Various Board members addressed Mr. Mills' performance. It was indicated that each Board member reviewed Mr. Mills' personnel file in preparation for the meeting. In addition, Board members reviewed the documents furnished by Mr. Mills at the informal meeting. It was indicated by the Board as a whole that they appreciated the supplemental information supplied by Mr. Mills.

RETURN TO PUBLIC Motion by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mr. Ferrara, the Executive Session was adjourned at 9:26 P.M.

Approved.

Pres. Willis addressed the public with what the Board has reviewed. Pres. Willis expressed her appreciation to the staff and community members for their comments and thanked them for expressing their opinion.

Pres. Willis asked if there was a motion and a second to place on the agenda a resolution to reappoint Mr. Mills. No such motion was made.

PERSONNEL:

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

PATRICIA OLIVO 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Patricia Olivo as a vocal music teacher at Union School effective 9/1/01 through 6/30/02 at the annual salary of $35,347 (step 2, level 1).

DANIELLE ROSSETTI 2. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Danielle Rossetti as a resource center teacher at Pierrepont School effective 9/1/01 through 6/30/02 at the annual salary of $35,347 (step 2, level 1).

POOL PERSONNEL 3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following pool personnel and their hourly salaries for the Summer 2001 session:

Assistant Director:

Alan Goodman $14.00

Dana Pryblick 14.00

Swim Coach:

Angela Ahmuty $16.00

Vincent Cantanese 10.00

Michael Garrigan 10.00

Jackie Huelbig 10.00

Danielle Florio 10.00

EMERGENT HIRING 4. 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:

Betsy Bugenhagen – Swim Coach

Michael Holt - Lifeguard

Nicole Italiano - Clerical

POOL PERSONNEL 5. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following pool personnel and their hourly salaries effective 7/3/01:

Swim Coach:

Betsy Bugenhagen $12.00

Lifeguard:

Michael Holt 8.00

Clerical:

Nicole Italiano 8.00

SARA BEHNKE 6. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Sara Behnke as a resource center teacher at Pierrepont School, effective 9/01/01 through 6/30/02 at the annual salary of $35,347 (step 2, level 1). This is a replacement for Mrs. McCloskey.

LINDA SCHILLARI 7. Motion to accept, with regret, the disability retirement of Mrs. Linda Schillari, G&T secretary, effective 7/1/01.

Roll call vote Personnel Items #1-7:

Mrs. Ahmed – aye	Mr. Derner – aye	Mrs. Monahan – aye
Mr. Brancato – aye	Mr. Ferrara –aye	Mr. Novosielski – aye
Mrs. Cevasco – aye	Mrs. Miceli – aye	Mrs. Willis – aye

FINANCE:

APPROVAL OF BILLS 1. Resolution by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mr. Ferrara.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following bills dated 6/21/01 through 6/29/01:

Accounts Payable 6/29/01 34,201.05

6/25/01 (4,346.15)

Total 29,854.90

Offline Checks 6/29/01 1,669.38 1,669.38

Payroll 6/22/01 769,680.94 769,680.94

General Activities 6/21/01 12,316.73

6/28/01 9,169.09

Total 21,485.82

Total 822,691.04

Roll call vote Finance Item #1:

Mrs. Ahmed – aye	Mr. Derner – aye	Mrs. Monahan – aye
Mr. Brancato – aye	Mr. Ferrara –aye	Mr. Novosielski – aye
Mrs. Cevasco – aye	Mrs. Miceli – aye	Mrs. Willis – aye

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mr. Ferrara, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:29 P.M.

Approved.

Respectfully submitted

Dr. James P. Verbist

School Business Administrator/Board Secretary