MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION
JULY 8, 2002
A regular meeting of the
Board of Education was held on Monday evening, July 8, 2002 in the High School
Library. Meeting was called to
order by President Willis at 7:34 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.
Ferguson, Mr. Ferrara, Mrs. Monahan, Mr. Novosielski, and Mrs. Willis. Also present were Mrs. Conlon and Mr.
Brown.
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:
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/Regular Meeting and Executive Session of June 24, 2002 be approved
as recorded.
Roll call vote:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð abstain |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð abstain |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT:
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: (Agenda Items Only) 8:20 P.M.
Mrs. Dyson asked about special education programs.
Mrs. Louise Hetzel asked about the math teacher at
Union School.
Meeting was then closed to the public at 8:26 P.M.
NEW BUSINESS (Action to be Taken)
PERSONNEL: Motion
by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Novosielski 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. Brancato to approve Motions #1-6.
ROSE MC CAULEY 1.
Motion to accept the resignation of Ms. Rose McCauley, English Department
Supervisor, effective 9/1/02.
Approved.
PENNI RUSSO 2.
Motion to accept the resignation of Miss Penni Russo, music teacher, effective
6/30/02.
Approved.
MAUREEN WILLIS 3.
Motion to accept the resignation of Miss Maureen Willis, Principal of Union
School, effective 9/1/02.
Approved.
JUNE HYNES 4.
Motion to accept, with regret, the retirement of Mrs. June Hynes, secretary to
the high school principal, effective 9/30/02.
Approved.
HOWIE WEIN 5.
Motion to accept the resignation of Mr. Howie Wein, part-time physical
education teacher, effective 6/30/02.
Approved.
KRISTEN KARLICEK 6.
Motion to accept the resignation of Ms. Kristen Karlicek, English teacher at
the high school, effective 6/30/02.
Approved.
Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to
adopt Personnel Items #7-18.
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:
Laurie
Arslanyan Ð music teacher
Barbara
Caputo Ð LPN
Joanne
Russo Ð Teacher Assistant/Instructional Aide
JOSEPH R. LOFFREDO 8.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to adjust the payback of
sick days to Mr. Joseph R. Loffredo to include 1 more sick day at the rate of
$35.00.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT 9. BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to
utilize the services of the following for 2-5 hours per week at $25.00 per hour
during IEP meetings that are required during July and August:
Sara
Behnke
Darlene
Gilabert
Danielle
Rosetti
STACY NICHOLS-BARTHEL 10. BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Mrs. Stacy
Nichols-Barthel as a lunch monitor at Sylvan School for the 2002-2003 school
year at the hourly rate of $9.50.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER(S) 11. 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:
Veronica
Konieczny
Joanne
Russo
JOANNE RUSSO 12.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Joanne Russo
as a teacher assistant in the resource center at Pierrepont School for the
2002-2003 school year, up to 6.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, at the hourly
rate of $13.75 (step 3). This is a
replacement for Mrs. Ahearn.
EDWARD BOSLAND 13.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to re-appoint Mr. Edward
Bosland as a social studies teacher at the high school effective 9/1/02 through
6/30/03 at the annual salary of $43,265 (step 7, level 3).
DR. LESLIE NAGY 14.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve an increase in
the rate of Dr. Leslie Nagy, psychiatrist, from $350 to $400 per consultation.
MICHAEL MAYERCZAK 15. BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Mr. Michael Mayerczak
as a math teacher at the High School and Union School effective 9/1/02 through
6/30/03 at the annual salary of $37,101 (step 4, level 1). This is a new position.
LAURIE ARSLANYAN 16.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Laurie
Arslanyan as a music teacher at the WASAL schools effective 9/1/02 through
6/30/03 at the annual salary of $35,689 (step 1, level 1). This is a replacement position for Miss
Schmidt.
CLARE AHEARN 17.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to transfer Mrs. Clare
Ahearn, teacher assistant, from Pierrepont School to the high school for the
2002-2003 school year. (This is a
new position for the new LDL Class)
PAUL DONOHUE 18.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to employ Mr. Paul Donohue
as a teacher assistant in the resource center at Pierrepont School for the
2002-2003 school year, up to 6.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, at the hourly
rate of $13.75 (step 3). This is a
replacement for Mrs.Delsandro.
Roll call vote Personnel
Items #7-18:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð aye |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
JOSEPH GIUDICE 19.
Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to accept the resignation
of Mr. Joseph Giudice, school psychologist, effective 6/30/02.
Approved.
Motion by Mrs. Ahmed, seconded by Mrs. Cevasco
to adopt Personnel Items #20 and 21.
DANIELLE
WEBER 20. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to employ Ms. Danielle Weber as a school psychologist, effective
9/1/02 through 6/30/03 at the annual salary of $53,691 (step 10, level 5). This is a replacement for Mr. Giudice.
DANIELLE WEBER 21. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to
SUMMER CST WORK employ
Ms. Danielle Weber for summer work for the Child Study Team at a rate of $250
per day as needed up to the maximum of 20 days.. This is a replacement position for Mr. Giudice.
Roll call vote Personnel
Items #20 and 21:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð aye |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
CURRICULUM
AND INSTRUCTION:
Motion
by Mr. Novosielski, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to adopt Curriculum and Instruction
Items #1-9.
CURRICULUM REVISIONS 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to
approve the following curriculum revisions.
¤
Gifted and Talented Ð
Grades K-1 and 2-3
¤
Transition Program Ð
High School
¤
Health Ð Grades K-3
SBJC 2.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve a contract with
the South Bergen Jointure Commission to provide transportation to St. JosephÕs
Hospital for Student #2000320 (name on file in the office of special services)
to attend a specialized program as per the IEP at a cost of $160.00 per diem
effective 7/8/02 through 8/1/02.
ST. JOSEPHÕS HOSPITAL 3. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to provide Student #2000320 (name on file in the
office of special services) with a specialized program as per the IEP to be
provided by St. JosephÕs Hospital effective 7/8/02 through 8/1/02 at a cost per
week of $2,100 - $4,130.
BAYADA NURSING SERVS 4. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF
EDUCATION to approve the contract for nurse services (Barbara Caputo, LPN) with
Bayada Nursing Services for Student #2000320 (name on file in the office of
special services) for 8.5 hours per day effective 7/8/02 through 8/1/02, and
7.5 hours per day effective 9/3/02 through 6/30/03, at the hourly rate of
$36.00.
SBJC 5.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the South Bergen
Jointure Commission to provide speech/language services to Student #2000320 as
per the IEP for 3 weeks in August, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session at
the rate of $72.00 per 45 minute session.
DR. MEYERHOFF 6.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for the Child Study Team to
utilize the services of Dr. Meyerhoff for the 2002-2003 school year to provide
psychiatric evaluations at the rate of $400.00 per evaluation.
MATHENY SCHOOL 7.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION for Student #2000132 to
attend the Matheny School and Hospital for the 2002-2003 school year based on a
tuition rate of $325.00 per day:
Extended
School Year (41 days) $13,325.00
10
Month School Year (180 days) 58,500.00
$71,825.00
ESL 3-YEAR PROGRAM 8. BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the submission of the ESL
Three-Year Program Plan for 2002-2005.
EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR 9. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to provide extended school year services to Student #2000244 as
per the IEP effective 7/1-26/02 at the Phoenix Center, Nutley, at a cost of
$3,780.
Roll call vote Curriculum and
Instruction Items #1-9:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð aye |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
FINANCE:
Motion by Mr. Derner, seconded by Mr. Ferrara to
adopt Finance Items #1-5.
APPROVAL
OF BILLS: 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION that the bills listed below be approved.
Accounts
Payable 6-28-02 $116,610.85
7-2-02 172,180.04
7-2-02 17,950.78
Total: 306,741.67
Offline
Checks 6-28-02 135.00
General
Activities 6-7-02 1,357.82
6-10-02 2,011.39
6-13-02 1,753.14
Total: 5,122.35
Payroll: 6-14-02 1,018,799.60
6-26-02 887,040.11
6-28-02 53,214.31
Total: 1,959,054.02
Total 2,271,053.35
FOOD SERVICES 2. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to
AGREEMENT approve
an agreement between the Rutherford Board of Education and Carlstadt-East
Rutherford Regional High School District for food services for the 2002-03
school year at a cost of $2.50 per meal (no increase over 2001-02 price).
BID ACKNOWLEDGEMENT- 3. Motion that the Board of Education acknowledge
receipt of the following bids for
LANDSCAPING SERVICES Contracted
Landscaping Services:
Bidder
Name/Address Bid Amount
Countryside
Gardens Landscaping, Inc. $38,400.00
180
North Franklin Tpke.
Ramsey,
NJ 07446
M.G.
Property Management, Inc. $37,882.60
2
Sylvan Street
Rutherford,
NJ 07070
AWARD OF BID 4. WHEREAS, the Rutherford Board of
Education received bid proposals for Contracted Landscaping Services on June
20, 2002 at 10:00 A.M. in the office of the 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:
Bidder
Name/Address Bid Amount
M.G.
Property Management, Inc. $37,882.60
2
Sylvan Street
Rutherford,
NJ 07070
GIFT ACCEPTANCE 5. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD
OF EDUCATION to accept, with deepest thanks, the gift of an outdoor
informational bulletin board from Pierrepont School PTA, valued at $2,250.
Roll call vote Finance Items
#1-5:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð aye |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
POLICY:
Motion by Mrs. Cevasco, seconded by Mr. Ferrara
to adopt Policy Items #1-3.
LUNCH PROGRAM POLICY 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF
EDUCATION to approve the following revisions to Policy #8500 Lunch program on
first reading:
The Board of Education shall
offer a supervised lunch program. for pupils in grades 1-8.
All high school pupils shall have an open lunch period
and will not be allowed to eat in school except for the following:
1. Those students
living more than 7/10ths of a mile from the high school.
2. Those
students who will be attending the afternoon session of the Satellite School.
3. Those
students presenting a valid medical reason signed by a physician.
All high school
pupils shall have an open lunch period but will be allowed to remain in school
to eat their lunch.
Adopted: October
11, 1976
Revised: September
10, 1990
Revised: July
12, 1993
Revised: August
5, 2002
POLICY CONCERNING 2.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to STUDENT ATTENDANCE approve
the following revisions to Policy #2350 Policy Concerning Student
AT THE RHS Attendance
at the Rutherford High School on first reading:
POLICY
CONCERNING STUDENT ATTENDANCE
AT
THE RUTHERFORD HIGH SCHOOL
Absence from school restricts and inhibits the ability of the student
to successfully complete the prescribed curriculum requirements. It also violates New Jersey State Law
(N.J.S.A. 18A‑38:25‑26) requiring students to regularly attend
school.
Every parent, guardian or other persons having custody and control of a child between the ages of six (6) and sixteen (16) years shall cause such child regularly to attend the public schools of the district or a day school in which there is given instruction equivalent to that provided in the public schools for children of similar grades and attainments or to receive instruction elsewhere than at school.
Such regular attendance shall be during all the days and
hours that the public schools are in session in the school district, unless it
is shown to the satisfaction of the Board of Education that the mental
condition of the child is such that he/she cannot benefit from instruction in
the school or that the bodily condition of the child is such as to prevent
his/her attendance at school, but nothing herein shall be construed as
permitting the temporary or permanent exclusion from school by the Board of Education
of any district of any child between the ages of five and twenty, except as
explicitly otherwise provided by the law.
In keeping with the prevailing laws of the state, the Rutherford Board
of Education recognizes and accepts its responsibility to provide a thorough
and efficient education for all students within the district. Since diplomas awarded by the
Rutherford Board of Education are based upon verification of student growth and
development by course and by competency, it is the paramount obligation of
parents and students to accept student responsibility to attend school as
scheduled.
The Rutherford Board of Education will neither condone nor permit
student absences from school for any reason not specified in the law, nor will
the Board issue credit if maximum attendance for each student is not achieved.
Only those students who have successfully completed the requirements for graduation as approved by the Rutherford Board of Education and have met the attendance requirements shall be eligible for the Diploma and be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.
I. ABSENTEEISM
Statistical
evidence indicates that normal absenteeism for legitimate illness ranges
between five and eight percent of the student body on a daily basis. The school curriculum is designed to
adequately compensate for this level of absenteeism by providing all students
the opportunity to make up the missed instruction.
All
students and parents will be notified upon the student's entrance to Rutherford
High School of the attendance policy and will be urged to guardedly conserve
the allowable number of absences for such unforeseen necessities as accidents
or sudden illnesses. Special
provisions are made for certified hospital stays and other illnesses requiring
long recuperations. Written
medical verification will be required and must be submitted immediately upon
the student's return to school.
Homebound instruction is also available and periods of time under
homebound instruction are not considered absences for the purposes of this
policy.
A. Loss
of Course Credit Due to Excessive Absenteeism
Students
missing over eighteen (18) school days will not qualify for receipt of assigned
credit.
It
is the intention of this policy that eighteen (18) absences per year will
provide for normal illnesses.
Those students who use their quota for other reasons will not be able to
claim relief on the basis that they did
not expect to become ill after using the absences for other purposes.
B. Absence
Verification
School
attendance is a basic responsibility of students and their parents. Students who shirk responsibility for
learning by absenting themselves from school/class are clearly impeding and
complicating the learning process.
When
students are absent for any time whatever, they must, upon return to school,
present a written explanation signed by one parent to the homeroom
teacher. At times some illnesses
are treated by a doctor and it may become necessary to substantiate these
absences during an appeals hearing if it is invoked against a student. Therefore medical excuses must be
submitted immediately upon return to school, where they will become a part of
the student's permanent attendance record. The school will not honor retroactive medical excuses from
doctors. According to the Age of Majority Law
effective January 1, 1973, students 18 years of age or older may sign their own
absence excuses. This excuse
should state the reason for and date(s) of absence. If there is any question regarding the written explanation,
the teacher may refer the matter to the Assistant Principal. Students may be
sent home for written verification when failing to present a written excuse
when due, or be required to sign an Absence Verification Form in the
Attendance Office.
C. Incomplete
School Day
1. Students
must complete one (1) hour per session to be counted present for that session. Students
must complete 7 periods to be counted present for a full day of school and
three periods to be counted present for a half day of school.
2. Students
leaving school prior to completion of their regularly scheduled day, except as
provided under Section II, will have their excuses reviewed by the
Administration.
D. Removal
from School Roll
1. Students
missing five (5) consecutive school days, who do not appear on home
instruction, are not medically certified as incapacitated, and/or whose parents
or guardians have not been accessible to contact from the school will be issued
written notification to report back to school within five school days. Failure to do so could result in the
removal of erring students from school rolls.
a. Parents
of students under the compulsory school age shall be served a formal written
notice to cause their children to attend school. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may cause a
parent to be deemed a disorderly person and be subjected to a fine. (N.J.S.A.
18:38‑31)
b. Students
above the compulsory age, having been dropped from the rolls for not complying
with the notice to return to school, may present a written petition to the
Attendance Committee for re-admittance.
Each case will be reviewed separately and each decision will be based
upon the merits of the petition.
2. Students
over 16 years of age who miss more than thirty (30) days of school, even though
these days are non‑consecutive, will be notified and dropped from the
rolls. Notification will take the
form of a personal conference with
the parents(s), student, and Assistant Principal. Parents of those students under 16 years of age shall be
notified by the Attendance Office that credit for the course has been
denied
and the course must be audited for the remainder of the school year. Due process will be exercised to the
fullest.
E. Truancy
Students
who absent themselves from school without the knowledge of parents or guardians
will be considered "truant" and may be suspended from school until a
conference is held with the student, a parent, and the Assistant Principal.
II. EARLY
RELEASE
The
school recognizes the following emergencies which create legitimate needs for
students being released from school:
A. Illnesses
which manifested themselves after the student reported to school
B. Verified
appointments with physicians/dentists
C. Driver's
tests with verification of appointments
D. Emergencies
sanctioned at the Principal's discretion
III. HOME
INSTRUCTION
Home
instruction is a local option and may be initiated upon request by parents who
have notified the school within three (3) days of the inception of the
student's illness. A statement by
a medical examiner giving a prognosis for the length of time a student will be
absent and the nature of the illness must be filed soon afterwards in the
Superintendent's office. Students
approved for home instruction will be placed in a separate attendance register,
whereupon they will be legally registered as absent from school.
IV. MAKE‑UP
WORK
Although
students are provided an opportunity to complete assignments missed due to
absences, it would be unwise to suppose that they could compensate for the
group interaction they missed in the learning activity of a total class
meeting.
A. The
rule of thumb for time allowed to make up work missed due to absence is equal
to the total absences, except that the make‑up period is not to exceed
five days without the permission of the Principal or his delegate. Students have a responsibility to make
up work missed.
B. Students
choosing to be absent from classes without excuse (cut) or otherwise found to
be truant may not make up work missed during these infractions and may be
subject to suspension.
C. Students
may complete assignments for time missed from school due to actions initiated
by the authorities of the school (suspension, exclusion, etc.)
V. COURSE
CREDIT
Students
who have accrued more than eighteen (18) absences but less than thirty (30)
absences are considered to be in a NON-CREDIT STATUS. The school maintains a consistent obligation requiring all
students to be present in school in order that they may be taught. The Non‑Credit
Status is a condition predicated upon attendance and performance. Students in this category may
participate in all school related activities.
A. Requirements
for Completion of Courses
Students
in NON‑CREDIT STATUS who remain in class throughout the regular school
year may complete a course's requirements in a summer school if they do not
exceed the maximum number of allowable absences thirty (30), and if said course
is offered. (Summer school class
sessions total sixty (60) hours of instruction, thereby properly
permitting the make‑up of
the lost time.) A student may take
only two (2) courses during any one summer session.
B.
Withdrawal
from Course
Students
in a NON‑CREDIT STATUS who subsequently withdraw from school will have a
Withdrawal Passing (WP) or Withdrawal Failure (WF) on their permanent
records. Subjects from which
students have withdrawn cannot be made up in a remedial summer school program.
VI. ATTENDANCE
POLICY FOR SATELLITE SCHOOL
Due
to unique circumstances which are relative to students who attend the shared‑time
vocational school known as Satellite School, a special attendance policy will
apply to the time spent at Satellite School.
Any
student who attends the Satellite School in the A.M. or P.M. session and who
accrues more than eighteen (18) absences from the said program will be
withdrawn from that program and thereby receive no credit for Satellite
School. When a student accrues the
nineteen (19) absences and is withdrawn from the program, said student will be
permitted to attend his or her remaining classes at Rutherford High
School. Said student may not
return to the vocational school during that school year.
Those
students who are dropped from Satellite School prior to the completion of the
first semester at Rutherford High School, may have their second semester
schedules adjusted in order to begin second semester courses at Rutherford High
School thereby ensuring a full day of classes.
Those
students who are dropped from Satellite School after the beginning of the
second semester at Rutherford High School will attend Rutherford High School on
a part‑time basis and will not be able to avail themselves of courses or
credits for the other half of the school day.
VII. APPEALS
The
Board is cognizant of possible unforeseen factors which may create hardships
relating to the operation of the attendance policy.
A. Appeals
may be made for relief from any measure related to this policy.
B. Petition
for a hearing must be presented to the principal by a parent or guardian within
five (5) days of the receipt of any notice regarding student attendance and/or
any action being taken thereon.
C. Petition
will be heard by the Attendance Committee, which may excuse one or more
absences for reasons of illness, hardship, or other extenuating
circumstances. Academic standing,
general behavior, and course standings will be weighed by the Committee.
D. All
Attendance Committee decisions will be based on a simple majority vote.
1. The
Committee will be appointed by the Superintendent of Schools.
2. The
Committee shall consist of the school principal, assistant principal, one
department chairperson, one guidance counselor, and one teacher.
E. Decisions
of the Attendance Committee may be appealed to the Superintendent of
Schools. Such appeals must be made
in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of the decision of the Attendance
Committee.
F. Decisions
of the Superintendent may be appealed to the Board of Education. Such appeals must be made in writing
within ten (10) days of receipt of the decision of the Superintendent.
G. Decisions
of the Board of Education may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education.
VIII. RECORD
KEEPING
A. Reporting
student absences is a primary responsibility of the school and shall be
accomplished in the following manner:
1. Absences
from school will be recorded in an appropriate manner on report cards issued
every marking period. Attendance
recorded on report cards is an unofficial record of student absences.
2. The
Attendance Office will mail a letter of notification to parents or guardians
alerting them of the danger of the student's noncompliance with the attendance
requirements. Letters will be mailed on the tenth (10th) and fifteenth (15th) absence. These letters are in addition to normal
office procedures of random telephone calls checking on absences, reporting
absences on report cards, and the use of progress reports.
3. Notification
will be mailed to parents or guardians informing them of a student's Non‑Credit
Status. Copies will be forwarded
to the student's guidance counselor and subject teachers.
4. Homeroom
teachers will record the daily attendance for each session as directed by the
Attendance Office.
5. Every
teacher will record the daily class attendance for each pupil in his or her grade
book.
B. Other
Procedures
1. Transfers
from Rutherford High School to other districts during the school year will
include notification of grades earned, credit status, and an explanation of the
policy regarding absences and grades.
2. Students
who enter Rutherford High School after the opening of school shall have the
number of absences prorated.
Legal References:
N.J.S.A. 18A‑38:25‑26, 31
Adopted:
November 11, 1985
Revised: March
13, 1989
Revised:
May 11, 1992
Revised
August 5, 2002
STUDENT DRESS CODE 3.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to approve the following
revisions to Policy #5511 Student Dress Code on first reading:
STUDENT
DRESS CODE
The Rutherford Board of Education believes that the
clothes students wear ought to be appropriate within reasonable limits and
ought not to be in any significant way distracting from educational
activities.
Appropriate
dress is a mark of good taste.
Students are expected to attend classes in clothing that is neat and
clean. The school authorities have
no intention of dictating the specific types of hair styles and grooming to be
worn by the students. However,
certain commonsense rules should govern the matter in which students are
groomed for class and for school social affairs. and for off-campus school activities.
The
following types of clothing will be deemed inappropriate by the Principal or
his/her designee:
1) thermal
underwear as outer clothing;
2) sleeveless
shirts for boys; clothing that exposes midriff;
3) clothing
that is excessively tight fitting;
4)3) dresses,
skirts or shorts that are shorter than fingertip length are prohibited;
5) shorts
Ð K-12
fingertip
shorts, may be worn between April 15 Ð September 30. Gym spandex shorts
or biker running shorts are not
acceptable except in gym class.
6) sweatwear,
jogging wear (grades 9-12 only);
7)4) midriffs,
halters, transparent blouses or shirts;
8)5) fishnet,
perforated or tank tops low cut tops;
tops with no backs or low sides that reveal undergarment.
9)6) clothing
that has any symbol that holds the American Flag up to ridicule;
10)7) torn or ripped
clothing;
11)8) footwear
that is considered unsafe or dangerous, for
example clogs, thongs, etc.;
12) 9) any apparel or signs, patches or symbols
that are vulgar, lewd, obscene or plainly offensive or which are substantially
likely to disrupt or materially interfere with school activities or discipline;
or
13) any apparel,
signs, patches or symbols which can reasonably be viewed to bear the Board's
imprimatur and which contains a message that is ungrammatical, poorly written,
inadequately researched, biased, prejudiced, vulgar, profane or unsuitable for
immature audiences. or
14) any apparel that displays symbols or
advertisements of illegal substances, alcohol, or tobacco.
10) hats
or other headwear unless for medical or religious reasons.
Implementation of Policy:
1) When
a pupil is not in compliance with the Student Dress Code, the teacher or other
staff member shall send the pupil to the Principal or his/her designee with a
written report.
2) The
Principal or his/her designee, after discussion with the pupil, shall contact
the parent. The parent shall be
requested to bring a change of clothing to school to enable the pupil to return
to class.
3) If
the parent is unable to bring a change of clothing, the pupil shall be sent to
another area where he or she will be given the assignments for the day.
4) Repeated
offenses shall be cause for suspension and/or any other disciplinary action
deemed necessary by the Principal or his/her designee.
Adopted: November
9, 1987
Revised: October
10, 1994
Revised: July
13, 1998
Revised: August
5, 2002
Roll call vote Policy Items
#1-3:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye #1-2, no
#3 |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð aye |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS:
OLD BUSINESS:
TELEVISED
MEETINGS 1. Resolution by Mr. Ferrara, seconded by
Mr. Novosielski.
BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE RUTHERFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION to continue televising regular
Board meetings until the next organization of the Board.
Roll call vote Old Business
#1:
|
Mrs. Ahmed Ð aye |
Mr. Derner Ð aye |
Mrs. Monahan Ð aye |
|
Mr. Brancato Ð aye |
Mr. Ferguson Ðaye |
Mr. Novosielski Ð aye |
|
Mrs. Cevasco Ð aye |
Mr. Ferrara Ð aye |
Mrs. Willis Ð aye |
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: (Any Topic)
8:56 P.M. No Comments Made
The Board took a recess until 9:25 P.M.
Representatives of the REA discussed the districtÕs
crisis response and intervention policy.
Mrs. Conlon gave the Board and the public an update on
the two administrative vacancies at Union School.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION: Motion by Mr.
Ferrara, seconded by Mr. Novosielski that an Executive Session be held at 9:42
P.M. for the purpose of discussing negotiations. Action may or may not be taken. The Board expects to return within 20 minutes.
Approved.
The Board returned at 10:06 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion
by Mr. Ferrara, seconded by Mr. Novosielski that the meeting be adjourned at
10:07 P.M.
Approved.
Respectfully
submitted,
Robert
Brown
School
Business Administrator/Board Secretary