RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION

WORKSESSION Ð NOVEMBER 4, 2002

 

The Worksession Meeting was called to order at 7:31 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. Brancato, Mrs. Cevasco, Mr. Gibney, Mrs. Monahan, Mr. Novosielski, and Mrs. Willis.  Mr. Ferguson was absent for the entire meeting.  Mrs. Conlon and Mr. Brown were also present for the meeting.

 

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, 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.

 

TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT       Resolution by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Brancato.

                                                BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to appoint Mr. Thom Casadonte to the unexpired 2002-03 term of Mr. Salvatore Ferrara, effective immediately.

 

Roll call vote:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

 

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferguson Ðabsent

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mr. Gibney Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

¯     Report on Bond Financing Ð Lisa Gorab - Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer

¯     Quality Assurance Annual Report Ð Leslie Conlon

 

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT:

 

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC  (Action Items Only)  8:12 P.M.  No comments made.

 

NEW BUSINESS  (Action to be Taken)

MINUTES APPROVAL             1A.  Resolution by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mr. Brancato.

                                                BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Worksession/Executive Session minutes of October 21, 2002 be approved as recorded.

 

Roll call vote Minutes Approval:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferguson Ð absent

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mr. Casadonte Ð abstain

Mr. Gibney Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

PERSONNEL:

RICHARD WILKE                     1A. Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco to accept, with regret, the retirement of Mr. Richard Wilke, utility man in maintenance, effective 1/1/03.

 

                                                Approved.

 

Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco to adopt Personnel Items #2A and 3A.

EMERGENT HIRES                  2A. 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:

 

Eleanor Kinyo Ð Lunch Monitor

Maureen Kennihan Haig Ð Substitute Teacher

Madelyn Staub Ð Substitute Teacher, Sub Teacher Asst., Home Instructor

Tracey Stadinski Ð Substitute Teacher

Kevin Spellman Ð Substitute Teacher

 

KATHLEEN GONZALES          3A. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Mrs. Kathleen K. Gonzales as an LDT-C on the Child Study Team effective 1/2/03 (or before) through 6/30/03 at the annual salary of $67,521 (step 15,

                                                level 4 pro-rated).  This is a replacement for Dr. Pizzuro.

 

Roll call vote Personnel Items #2A and 3A:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferguson Ð absent

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mr. Casadonte Ð aye

Mr. Gibney Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

DONNA GIANNISIS                  4A.  Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Brancato to accept, with regret, the retirement of Mrs. Donna Giannisis, elementary teacher at Pierrepont School, effective 3/1/03.

 

                                                Approved.

 

FINANCE:

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

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

 

                                                Accounts Payable               Check #017692

                                                                                           voided 9/30/02                  -$4,977.17

                                                                                           10/22/02                              4,450.00

                                                                                           Check #107647

                                                                                           Voided 9/10/02                        -20.00

                                                                                           10/30/02                        $229,335.20

                                                                                                                                 $228,788.03

 

                                                Payroll                                10/30/02                         $897,198.94

 

                                                General Activities                10/17/02                                 $29.95

                                                                                           10/21/02                              3,158.31

                                                                                           10/23/02                            $2,184.05

                                                                                           10/25/02                            $1,250.00

                                                                                           10/30/02                               $340.00

                                                                                                                                     $6,962.31

 

                                                Total                                                                       $1,132,949.28

 

Roll call vote Finance Item #1A:

Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye

Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye

Mrs. Monahan Ð aye

Mr. Brancato Ð aye

Mr. Ferguson Ð absent

Mr. Novosielski Ð aye

Mr. Casadonte Ð aye

Mr. Gibney Ð aye

Mrs. Willis Ð aye

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:  (Action will not be taken)

PERSONNEL:

Chairperson Ahmed reported on items to be acted upon at the November 11, 2002 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.

 

H.S. CO-CURRICULAR             1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to make the following co-curricular changes:

 

Rescind:

Lori Dernelle - Yearbook Ð Art & Literary Advisor

Approve:

Lori Dernelle Ð Yearbook Ð Art & Literary Co-Advisor $1,485

Amy Butler    Ð Yearbook Ð Art & Literary Co-Advisor $1,485

 

MIKKI HARKIN                         2. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to utilize the services of Mikki Harkin, Occupational Therapist, for the 2002-2003 school year at the rate of $250 per evaluation.

 

DR. DAVID DA SILVA              3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to utilize the services of Dr. David DaSilva, Neuropsychologist, for the 2002-2003 school year at the rate of $1,400 per evaluation.

 

DARLENE HAUPTMAN            4. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to utilize the services of Darlene Hauptman, School Psychologist, for the 2002-2003 school year at the rate of $250 per day.

 

ELEANOR KINYO                    5. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Eleanor Kinyo as a lunch monitor at Pierrepont School effective 11/11/02 at the hourly rate of $8.25.

 

CHERYLE CAVALIERE           6. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Cheryle Cavaliere as a substitute secretary effective 11/5/02 at the hourly rate of $8.50.

 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS       7. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following as substitute teacher(s) effective 11/5/02 at the per diem rate of $70.00 and in accordance with law:

 

Maureen Kennihan Haig                      Kevin Pryblick

Madelyn Staub                                     Kristen Conroy

Tracy Stadinski                                     Kevin Spellman

Salvatore Macri                        Marisa Viola

 

SUB TEACHER ASSTS.          8. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ the following as substitute teacher assistants effective 11/5/02 at the hourly rate of $8.50:

 

Kristen Conroy                                     Maureen Kennihan Haig

Tracey Stadinski                                   Cheryle Cavaliere

Madelyn Staub                                     Marisa Viola

 

MADELYN STAUB                   9. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Madelyn Staub as a home instructor effective 11/5/02 at the hourly rate of $25.00.

 

HASP EMPLOYEE                   10. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Lisa Ramos as a HASP purchasing assistant effective immediately at the hourly rate of $13.00.

 

COACHING ASSIGNMENT      11. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following coaching changes for the 2002-2003 school year:

 

Rescind:

Ed Bosland as the Boys Assistant Indoor Track Coach

 

Appoint:

Ed Bosland as the Girls Head Indoor Track Coach - $4,253 (1-4)

 

LONGEVITY ADJUSTMENTS  12. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following longevity adjustments:

 

                                                Christy Yuhasz        -     Retro of $2,200 for 2000-01 & 2001-02

                                                Elizabeth Ersalesi    -     Retro of $1,800 for 2000-01 & 2001-02

                                                Joan Moss                -     Retro of $   800 for 2000-01 & 2001-02

 

                                                Adjust Salaries for 2002-2003 effective 9/1/02 as follows:

                                                Christy Yuhasz        To:    $34,830 (Incl. $1,100 Long. 2)

                                                Summer (2002)        From:   $166 per diem     To:   $174 per diem

 

                                                Elizabeth Ersalesi    To:    $62,381 (Incl. $900 Long. 1)

                                                Joan Moss                To:    $16,560 (Incl. $400 Long.)

 

LIFEGUARDS                          13. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following as hourly lifeguards to work as needed in the afternoon at the pool effective October 15, 2002.

 

Ms. Theresa Molan                   $10.50 per hour

Mr. Joshua Burke                     $  8.50 per hour

 

NICHOLAS DE BARI                14. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to adjust the salary of Mr. Nicholas DeBari effective 9/1/02 due to the attainment of his Masters Degree:

 

From:      $43,794   Step 9, Level 2

To:          $46,545   Step 9, Level 3

 

PARENT EDUCATION              15. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve COORDINATOR         the following job description for Parent Education Coordinator:

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

Position:                                   Parent Education Coordinator

 

Responsible to:                        Superintendent/Director of Special Services

 

Qualifications:              1.         Valid New Jersey Instructional Certificate or eligibility preferred

2.         Demonstrated knowledge of adult education and related experience as determined by the board

3.         Ability to foster and sustain parentsÕ interest in the activity

4.         Strong interpersonal and communication skills

5.         Required criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.

 

Terms of Employment:  Stipend as per negotiated contract.

 

Goal:                                        To provide parents with an opportunity to learn skills, information and techniques to assist in the education of their children.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

1.         Organizes and supervises a series of regularly-scheduled activities for parents during and after school hours.

 

2.         Actively promotes the program and seeks parent participation.

 

3.         Attends all activity meetings and in-school events.

 

4.         Chairs and schedules meetings of the parent education advisory board.

 

5.         Prepares the activity budget, orders necessary supplies and equipment and maintains appropriate records related to activity expenses and revenues.

 

6.         Is responsible for the collection, depositing of funds, payment of bills and financial reporting according to board policies and regulations.

 

7.         Oversees the development, production, distribution and advertising of programs.

 

8.         Arranges for necessary scheduling of facilities and equipment related to the activity.

 

9.         Evaluates the program annually and makes recommendations for improvements as necessary.

 

10.       Performs other duties related to the activity as assigned.

 

Evaluation:       Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the boardÕs policy on evaluation of extracurricular staff.

Adopted:

 

ROY CORSO                           16. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve an extension of the consultant contract with Mr. Roy Corso, Interim Principal at Union School, through June 30, 2003, and to increase the per diem rate from $400 to $450 effective October 15, 2002.

 

TERMINATION                         17. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to terminate the services of Employee ÒHÓ (name on file in the Office of the Superintendent) effective 10/17/02.

 

ADULT SCHOOL                      18. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following Adult School Payroll for Fall 2002:

 

Ismael Falcon                           ESL Ð 3 classes                                                            $2,250.00

Edmund Feger                         Cake Decorating                                                                400.00

Bernadette DePasquale           Sewing & Garment                                                             300.00

Russel Holck                            Woodworking                                                                     400.00

Abdallah Khetir                        French                                                                               320.00

Maria Kobylarz                         Crafts                                                                                 400.00

Catherine Hutzel                      Piano Ð 2 classes                                                               500.00

Terry Cvelich                            Computers Ð 2 classes                                                       500.00

Andrea McCoy                         Aerobics Ð 2 classes                                                          500.00

Steven McPeters                      Drawing/Watercolor                                                            480.00

Clarice Nelson                          Ballroom & Line Ð 2 classes                                               700.00

Thomas Huelbig                       Basketball & Volleyball                                                       800.00

Giles Houghton                        Tennis Ð 2 classes                                                             480.00

Joseph Rudloff                         Computers Ð 3 classes                                                       960.00

Andrea Sollitto                         Body Works                                                                        350.00

Fred Stettner                            Photography Ð 2 classes                                                    900.00

Stephen Strumolo                    Basketball                                                                          400.00

Evelyn Teichman                      Antiques                                                                            440.00

                                                                                                                                   $11,080.00

 

MARISA VIOLA                       19.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Marisa Viola as a long-term substitute at the high school effective 11/1/02 at the rate of $100.00 per day.

 

CYNTHIA ALAI                         20. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Cynthia Alai as a leave replacement teacher at Union School effective 10/1/02 through 6/30/03 at the rate of $187.00 per day.

 

BROOKE KESSLER                21. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to adjust the hours of Miss Brooke Kessler, physical education teacher at the WASAL schools, from 21 to 19.5 hours per week and adjust her salary as follows, effective 11/1/02:

 

                                                From:   $21,413 (step 1, level 1 .60)     To:   $19,986 (step 1, level 1 .56)

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:

Chairperson Novosielski reported on Curriculum items to be acted upon at the November 11, 2002 meeting

 

OUT-OF-DISTRICT                   1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve PLACEMENT the placement of Student #2000400 (name on file in the office of special services) in            the Essex Valley School effective 10/15/02 at the annual tuition rate of $31,373 (pro-      rated).

 

HOME INSTRUCTION              2.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve home instruction for the following students (named on file in the office of the superintendent):

 

Student ÒFÓ Ð effective 10/3/02

Student ÒGÓ Ð effective 10/8/02

 

QAAR                                      3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to accept the Quality Assurance Annual Report for 2001-2002, including the individual school objectives.

 

OVERNIGHT CLASS TRIP       4. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the annual overnight class trip of 18 members of the Ski Club to Okemo Ski Resort in Ludlow, VT from 2/20-2/22/03.  The students will be accompanied by Jason Narozny and 3 additional adults.  This trip is at no cost to the Board.

 

FINANCE:

Chairperson Brancato reported on Finance items to be acted upon at the November 11, 2002 meeting.

 

2001-2002 AUDIT                               1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION that it acknowledges receipt of the 2001-2002 school year audit.

                                                                        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education acknowledges the audit recommendations (1) to have all bill lists approved by the Board of Education and available for examination; (2) to take care in recording all revenues and expenditures and in analyzing balance sheet accounts; (3) to have supporting documentation maintained for all expenditures and payment made on a timely basis; (4) to prepare final close-out reports and return the excess funds to the State Department of Education on a timely basis; (5) to review the operations and procedures of the food service fund to eliminate the deficit balance; (6) to make all deposits within 48 hours of receipt and all deposit slips and supporting documentation available for examination.

                                                                        BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the attached Corrective Action Plan for the aforementioned recommendation.

 

DONATION                              2.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to accept, with deepest thanks, the cash donation of $1,000 from the Gardner Foundation to Pierrepont School.

 

TELECOST AUDITING SERVICES 3.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve a Professional Services Agreement with Telecost Auditing Services to audit all district telephone billing charges to generate a possible rebate to the district.  There will be no out-of-pocket cost to the district.  The fee will be paid by allowing Telecost to receive 50% of any savings generated over the next 36 months.

 

FACILITIES BONDS               4.  Discuss Bond Sale to Finance Facilities Improvement Program

 

POLICY:

Chairperson Cevasco reported on the meeting of the Policy Committee, and items to be acted upon at the November 11, 2002 meeting

 

POLICY Ð 1ST READING

BY-LAW #9140                        1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following new By-Law #9140 Board Representatives on first reading:

 

BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

 

Student Representative to the Board of Education

The board of education invites a representative of the student body and an alternate to that representative, who will speak in the absence of the representative to attend regular worksession meetings of the board and to contribute to discussions as nonvoting representatives. In extending this invitation, it is the desire of the board to provide student representatives with a unique experience in functioning democracy, to foster a sense of responsibility to the system, to help students understand the process of decision-making in public bodies, and to provide a direct liaison between the board of education and the student body.

 

The student representative to the board of education:

 

¥           Must be at least a junior in the high school at the time of his/her election and

¥           Must be elected at the time of the annual student council election.

 

The alternate must be at least a sophomore at the time of election and shall be elected by the student council at its organization meeting.  At any time that a vacancy exists for either the regular representative or alternate, the student council shall elect a new member or alternate.  The student representative and the alternate will be notified in advance of each regular board meeting, will receive the agenda and necessary back-up materials that would ordinarily be available to the public.

 

Neither the student representative nor the alternate will participate in closed sessions of the board.

 

Time shall be allotted at each regular worksession board meeting for presentation of student body issues and/or problems.

 

Legal Reference: N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties

 

Adopted:

 

¯     Discussion:  Review of Series 5000 (Pupils) and other miscellaneous policies

 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:

Chairperson Monahan reported on Buildings and Grounds items to be acted upon at the November 11, 2002 meeting.

 

COMPREHENSIVE                  1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MAINTENANCE PLAN

                                                WHEREAS, the Department of Education requires New Jersey School Districts to submit three-year maintenance plans documenting ÒrequiredÓ maintenance activities for each of its public school facilities, and

 

                                                WHEREAS, the required maintenance activities as listed in the attached document for the various school facilities of the Rutherford School District are consistent with these requirements, and

 

                                                WHEREAS, all past and planned activities are reasonable to keep school facilities open and safe for use or in their original condition and to keep their system warranties valid,

 

                                                NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rutherford School District hereby authorizes the School Business Administrator to submit the attached Comprehensive Maintenance Plan for the Rutherford School District in compliance with Department of Education requirements.

 

D.A.B. SURVEYING, INC.        2.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve a Professional Services Contract with D.A.B. Surveying, Inc., 275 Hamburg Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ in the amount of $12,600.00 for Deed Researches, Property Surveys, and Topographic Surveys for all district schools.

 

CHAPIN ARCH. SVCS. P.A.    3.  BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve a Professional Services Contract with Chapin Architectural Services, P.A. in the amount of $_________for Architectural and Engineering Services in the Programming and Schematic Phases of the General District improvement Project.

 

OLD BUSINESS: (No action to be Taken)

 

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  9:46 P.M.  No comments made.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:          Motion by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco that an Executive Session be held at 9:46 P.M. for the purpose of discussing Personnel and Negotiations.  Action may or may not be taken.  The Board expects to return within 55 minutes.

 

                                               Approved.

 

The Board returned at 11:10 P.M.

 

ADJOURNMENT:                    Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco that the meeting be adjourned at 11:10 P.M.

 

                                               Approved.