Rutherford Public Schools
Quality Assurance Annual Report

 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES [N.J.A.C.6:11]

 

Based on a survey taken by the Professional Development Committee, the district offered a number of professional development courses and activities for teachers and administrators.  The major ones are listed below.   The yearÕs theme was Meeting the Needs of All Students:  Differentiated Instruction.

            Essential Elements of Instruction

            Strategies for Diverse Learners

            Wilson Language System

            AFG technology training

            Learning Styles

            Cooperative Discipline

            Behavior Management in an Inclusive Setting

            Inclusion practices

            Subject specific training at school and departmental levels

 

A.  The format for training was different this year.  While teachers were still encouraged to attend out-of-district workshops offered by their professional associations, random attendance at single workshops was discouraged.   Rather, teachers participated in in-district seminars in conjunction with the New Milford school district.  By pairing with another district and offering multiple sessions, the need for substitutes was more manageable and more teachers could be accommodated in the training sessions.  Sessions were designed to help teachers meet their Professional Improvement Plans, and teachers were invited to enroll in those courses most relevant to their needs.   Teachers also served on curriculum development committees as the district continues its progress toward refining and finalizing all curricula to meet the demands of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  In addition, training was provided in the mandated areas of equity issues, drug/alcohol prevention, school safety, and Bloodborne Pathogens.

 

Teacher evaluations of this yearÕs program indicated a high level of satisfaction.  Approximately 150 teachers completed an evaluation for almost 175 sessions.  Detailed results of these surveys are on file in the district.  Teachers who attended out-of-district sessions were required to report to their respective staffs at a faculty or department meeting.  When student performance dictated specific training, it was provided to teachers.  In one school, for instance, training in several areas of mathematics was provided because of results on the GEPA.  An objective in this area was achieved.

 

B.  The funds for professional development came from several sources:  grants for the current year and carryover funds totaled about $15,000;  the district provided $13,000 in local funds plus extensive funding for substitute coverage;  and technology funds  of $9,200 supported computer training across the curriculum.   In addition, $22,000 was refunded to teachers for tuition reimbursement.  In-house presenters are not compensated during the school year.

 

C.  The district-wide professional development plan was approved by the County Professional Development Board on March 7, 2002.

 CONDITION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES [N.J.A.C. 6A:26]

 

A.  Substandard Approval  [N.J.A.C. 6A:26-8.1(b)]:

            None

 

 

B.  Cost of Major Building Projects/Renovations:

            ADA upgrades and site improvements:  Union School         $96,000

            ADA upgrades and site improvements:  Pierrepont School   $64,000

            (Both of these projects were completed during the 2001-2002 school year.)

 

            A section of roof at the Rutherford High School is presently in the approval stages with the NJDOE and will be repaired during the 2002-2003 school year at a cost of $56,000.   This and the two projects mentioned above are shown in Addendum A.

 

 

C.  Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP):

            Required maintenance activities are outlined, discussed, and approved as part of the annual budget process.  A listing of the completed required maintenance activities, planned and/or already completed, for each school facility that is deemed necessary to reasonably maintain each school facility in the district will be submitted.  The listing covers expenditures from the prior fiscal year 2001-2002, the current 2002-2003 year, and the upcoming 2003-2004 budget year.  The plan corresponds to the appropriation amounts in function 261.  Because of the new format, the district will be submitting this under the November 30, 2002, extension that is currently allowed.

 

            The budget for regular maintenance projects was $883,487.  This included funds for custodial supplies, contracted services for buildings and grounds, new equipment and repair of current equipment, repair of buildings, purchase of uniforms, and repair to maintenance vehicles.  A list of completed projects and personnel assigned to them is provided monthly to the Board of Education.  Form M-1 is in the appendix along with Exhibit J-1A for the year ending June 30, 2002.

 

 

D.  Status of Long-range Facility Plan [N.J.A.C. 6A:26-2.1]:

            Board of Education approval date:  December 11, 2000

            Office of School Facilities approval date:  February 6, 2002

 

 

E.  Annual Maintenance Reserve Deposit Worksheet [N.J.A.C. 6:24-5.1]:

            See Appendix

 

 

F.  Maximum Capital Reserve Amount [N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-31,  N.J.A.C. 6A:26-9.1, and 6:8-2.1(1)]:

            See Appendix

 

 

G.  Status of Required Annual Health and Safety Review:

            All required health and boiler certificates are on file in each building custodianÕs office and in the school office.  Certain items were not applicable.  Checklists for all buildings are attached.  One of the 80% items at Union School need attention, four of the 80% items at Rutherford High School need attention, and one of the 80% items at Washington School needs attention.  All of these items will be addressed during the coming year.  Most of the schools mentioned above are deficient in the area of student enrollment exceeding the functional capacity of the building.  This deficiency will be corrected in the future because of the successful passage on September 24, 2002, of a bond referendum that addresses overcrowding in all of the Rutherford schools.

 

Facilities Checklists for each school building are attached in the appendix

 STATUS OF MANDATED PROGRAM REVIEWS [N.J.A.C. 6:8-4]

A.  Multi-Year Equity Plan (MYEP) [N.J.A.C. 6:4-1.8]

            Statement of Assurances is enclosed.

            Board of Education resolution is dated April 29, 2002.

 

B.  Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, English Language Services [N.J.A.C. 6A:15]

            Board of Education resolution is dated July 8, 2002.

            County approval is dated

 

 

C.  Early Childhood Program Aid Plans [N.J.A.C. 6A:23-5.4]      NA

 

 

D.  Demonstrably Effective Program Aid Plans [N.J.A.C. 6A:23-5.5]  NA

 

 

E.  Special Education [N.J.A.C. 6A:14]

            There was no County special education review during the 2001-2002 school year.  The district was selected for a statewide monitoring initiative, and the Self-Assessment document was approved by the state on August 13, 2001, with a monitoring visit scheduled for September 2002.

 

 

F.  District Technology Plan [N.J.S.A. 18A-7F-22]

            During the 2001-2002 school year the district continued with the implementation of its Long Range Plan.   New computers were purchased for both the Pierrepont and Union school labs, older administrative computers were replaced, and half the computers in the Multimedia lab were replaced.  New switches were added to the network, and additional wireless hubs and wireless computers were added in the WASAL schools.

 

            Workshops on various technology topics related to curriculum were held in the fall, and a newly designed media institute was held in June.  In addition, special workshops were conducted for two departments as part of the Accreditation for Growth initiative.  All fifth grade teachers participated in a series of workshops for the newly established objective of having every fifth grade student create a Hyper Studio project.

 

 

G.  Discretionary and Entitlement Grant Programs

            The district did not receive any discretionary grants this year.  Title II funds were used for teacher training in the areas of mathematics, science, reading,  cross-curricular use of technology,  and orientation of new teachers.  Title IV funds supported a Violence Prevention/Conflict Resolution program for all 4th graders and their teachers and parents.  Some funds were also used to support training in ATOD issues.   Title VI funds were used to purchase enrichment materials for the elementary world languages program.  These funds were also the foundation for the funding of the district professional development series.

 

The district did not receive Title I funding for the 2001-2002 school year.  Class Size Reduction funds enabled the continuation of an additional section of grade one, allowing the class size to be 20-21 instead of 24 across the district.  Emergency Immigrant Education Initiative funds supported the partial salary of a teacher, activities designed to move students into the cultural life of the United States, and the purchase of instructional and assessment materials for ESL students.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT  [N.J.A.C. 6:8-2.1 (e)]

A.  Demographic Data:

            The last demographic study was completed by a qualified demographer in

            October 2001.  It is part of the plan for expansion of district facilities.

 

B.  Community Survey:

            The last community survey was done in the fall of 1997.

 

C.  Resources and Links to Social Services Agencies:

            A report can be found in the 1997-1998 QAAR.

 

D.  Community Environmental Conditions:

            NA

 

E.  Barriers to Community Participation:

            There are no barriers to community participation in school events.  Every effort is made to accommodate people with disabilities and people who speak a language other than English.   Special efforts are made to include ESL families in the school community.  Both Union and Pierrepont schools were sites for ramp construction to allow easier access for the disabled.

 

F.  Community Involvement:

            The district website is available to the entire community and is a good source of information for those people who inquire about the district schools.  Each faculty member has an e-mail address for direct communication with parents and the public.

 

            The Board of Education publishes a quarterly newsletter for all residents.  In addition, Board of Education meetings are broadcast on the local cable channel.

 

Rutherford High School:

Grading committee

Strategic planning and action committees for Accreditation for Growth process

Long-range technology committee

Distinguished Graduate program

Community sponsorship of scholarships

Alumni Day and Homecoming events

Co-sponsorship of Municipal Alliance activities

Partnerships with 55 Kip Senior Center

Rotary and Kiwanis sponsorship of clubs and activities

Senior Citizen luncheons prepared by students

Pre-school class in conjunction with Child Development Class

Mentor program with community professionals

Mock Trial advisors from local legal community

Community outreach through blood drive, food drives, AIDS awareness

Community Baccalaureate service with parochial schools

Community speakers for lecture series, classes, Artist-in-Residence program

Elementary Schools:

Long-range technology committee

Lunch Tales at the Rutherford Public Library

Learn Not to Burn with local fire department officials

Fund raisers for community causes

Displays at public library

Co-sponsorship of Municipal Alliance activities

Marching bands in town parades

Volunteer translators

Adopt-a-Cop

Active partnerships with seniors at 55 Kip

Variety of speakers for career days and multi-cultural events

 

 

C.  Parental Involvement:

All schools hold Open Houses in the fall, and these events are very well-attended.  In addition, individual conferences are scheduled for all K-5 parents and others as needed or requested.  Each school has an active PTA that involves many parents and sponsors many activities, including social and cultural events.  Parents are welcome to visit the schools and to meet with teachers and administrators, to serve on parent committees to develop school objectives, and to serve as computer and reading volunteers in the elementary grades.  A partial list of other activities in included here.  Others are on file in the school offices.

 

Rutherford High School:

Strategic planning and action committees for AFG

Project Graduation

Parent chaperons

Music parents

 Sports boosters

Inductions for honor societies

ESL Open House

PrincipalÕs evening coffee hour

Expanded orientation for 8th graders and parents

Conferences for junior class parents

Financial Aid workshop for college planning

Evening Guidance Department hours

PTA fund-raisers

 

Elementary schools:

PrincipalÕs liaison committees

Book fairs, family days, holiday celebrations

Volunteers for cultural presentations

Office volunteers

Books and Beyond volunteers

Parent resource collection in school library

Emergency callers, class mothers, help at special events

School planning and advisory committees

PTA fund-raising for school events and assemblies

Library volunteers

PTA Reflection program

Facilitators for reading incentive programs

Graduation and dance committees