FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES FOR THE PUBLIC BOARD ACTION MEETING
HELD MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 AT 7:00 PM IN PAC GYMNASIUM
280 PARK AVENUE, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728
A. OPENING STATEMENTS
1. Call to Order
The Public Board Meeting was called to order by Mrs. Greitz, in the Gymnasium of the Park Avenue Complex, 280 Park Avenue, Freehold, New Jersey, 07728 at 7:05 PM. She read the Open Public Meeting Act, C 231, P.L. 1975.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mrs. Greitz led all in the pledge of allegiance.
3. Roll Call
Mrs. Greitz asked Mr. Howe to call the roll. A quorum of the board was present.
Present:
Susan Greitz – Vice President
Paul Ceppi Annette Jordan
Bruce Patrick Michele Tennant
Absent:
Dr. Michael Lichardi – President James Keelan
Maureen MacCutcheon Margaret Rogers
Other Attendees:
Dr. Rocco Tomazic - Superintendent Joseph Howe – Business Administrator
B. BOARD PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT COMMENTS
None
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Patrick offered the following motion, seconded by Mrs. Tennant.
A roll call vote was taken and the minutes were approved unanimously.
1. Recommend the Board approve the release to the public of the minutes of the Board Action Meeting held on May 26, 2015.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
None
E. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Dr. Rocco Tomazic
1. Awards Assembly
The Annual Board Assembly began at 6:04 pm by Mrs. Greitz and the ceremony was turned over to Dr. Tomazic to present the awards and to invite the Freehold Borough Education Foundation representatives to present their awards.
2. Calendar/Announcements
Ø Dr. Tomazic said we have two weeks of school left, with Monday 6/22 being the last day for students and that beginning Thursday 6/18 the students will be attending on a half day schedule.
Ø The Freehold Intermediate School will hold graduation on June 19th beginning at 5:30 with doors opening at 5:00 pm
Ø School will re-open for students on Tuesday September 8th for the 2015 -2016 year.
Ø Dr. Tomazic informed the Board that at the next meeting he will present a briefing on the summer projects scheduled for summer recess.
Ø Dr. Tomazic spoke of the recent “swatting” incident that occurred in District and the procedures taken to inform the parents. A robo call went out to all emergency contacts within the hour of the event and that he was able to post information on his Twitter account as the event was taking place. He mentioned that we are not able to put out a robo call during the event but that parents can keep in touch through his Twitter postings.
Ø Dr. Tomazic then presented his updates on the Over Crowding / Under Funding issues:
Over Crowding update: At this time the District is in receipt of 397 comments regarding the verified petition and that more could be expected. The next step would be to verify our list of responses with those received by the Commissioner’s office. We will wait to see if an Administrative Law Judge will be appointed, who will then make a recommendation to the Commissioner at which time the Commissioner would have to make a decision.
The press has been publishing our situation – the Asbury Park Press had printed articles and we anticipate further articles from the Star Ledger who will have a reporter in District tomorrow.
Under Funding update: there have been joint e-mails to other Districts like our own who are severely underfunded to share the information we have heard so they can also go to their legislators to seek additional aid.
Ø The student count for the incoming classes for next year exceeds the number of students exiting the District. The Intermediate school will have an additional fifty two students while the elementary school will have approximately eight additional students. Starting in 2016/2017 the amount of additional students will cause the District to fall short of the required physical education minutes per student and likely force the need for a modified split schedule to meet State requirements.
Ø Dr. Tomazic gave an update on the Pre-K grant; he informed the Board that the State did not give Headstart the waivers it needed to be eligible to participate in the program as our partner. The District will have to make a plan to move forward on our own. We currently have five Pre-K classes; three special education and two regular education classes. Moving forward the self contained classes would be reduced to two and the other students would be integrated into the regular education classes. The District is actively seeking additional affordable space to house the Pre-K expansion grant program. Dr. Tomazic noted we currently have more applicants than available spots. We are currently in discussion with Freehold Township to see if they have an additional three classrooms for our District to accommodate the preschool program. It is possible that we may be able to rent an additional room at Erickson and two at Catena.
The Superintendent recommends the following motion to the Freehold Borough Board of Education for approval:
Mrs. Jordan offered the following motion, seconded by Mr. Patrick that items F-1 through J-8 and the Addendum be approved. A roll call vote was taken and all items were passed unanimously.
F. INSTRUCTION
1. Purchase of Latino Family Literacy Project
Approve the purchase of the Latino Family Literacy Project, a parent involvement program inclusive of lending library books and materials for preschool, elementary, and middle school, and web-based training for seven (7) teachersat atotal of $6,950to be appropriated from Title III account number: 20-241-200-300-00-00-81.
G. PUPILS
1. RESOLVED, the Board accepts the Superintendent’s report of all cases of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying reported since the last Board meeting on May 11, 2015.
Case / School / HIB? / Description / ActionFIS 15-14/15 / FIS / No / Victim alleges offender making inappropriate remarks of a disparaging nature. / Investigation reveals an ongoing conflict of mutual inappropriate comments. Both students counseled.
FLC 8-14/15 / FLC / No / Offender and victim were playing a game of war using pine needles and when victim sat down, offender dragged him over the grass. / Offender received office detention, victim counseled.
PAE 9-14/15 / PAE / Yes / Offender repeatedly name calling and teasing the victim using vulgar language. / Offended received one day detention. Victim counseled.
2. RESOLVED, the Board approves the Superintendent’s report of all cases of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying reported on May 11, 2015.
Case / School / HIB? / Description / ActionFIS 14-14/15 / FIS / No / Victim claimed offenders were talking about her, but could offer no substantiation to back up claim. / Offenders and victim counseled.
PAE 8-14/15 / PAE / No / Offender allegedly makes demeaning remarks but no other witnesses could confirm. Offender did not remember any specific remarks but apologized. / Offender and victim counseled.
3. Transportation Services
Approve M-OESC to contract with Hartnett Transit Services (Route 4353) to provide transportation services to SID # 11518517 who was placed in a resource home placement, effective 5/18/15 at the rate of $37.65 per diem payable from GAAP Account 11-000-270-517-00-00-09.
4. Field Trip List
Approve field trips in accordance with attached field trip list.
H. ADMINISTRATION
I. BUSINESS
1. Line Item Transfers
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Superintendent be authorized to approve line item budget transfers between regular board meetings subject to board ratification for the 2015-2016 school year.
2. Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board adopt the Uniform Minimum Chart of Accounts for New Jersey Public Schools for the 2015-2016 school Year.
3. Tax Shelter Annuity Companies
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board approve the following companies to provide Tax Shelter Annuity salary reduction agreements for the 2015-2016 school year. (Information sharing agreements are on file in the Business Office.)
AXA Equitable / AIG/Variable Annuity Life Insurance Co.Ameriprise/IDS Financial Services / Security Benefit Life Insurance Co.
Lincoln National Life / Legend Employee Benefit Account
Siracusa Benefits Program / NY Life Insurance & Annuity Corp.
4. Petty Cash Accounts
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board approve the following petty cash accounts for the 2015-2016 School Year:
School/Department / Responsible Party / AmountBusiness Office / School Business Administrator / $300
Freehold Intermediate School / Ronnie Dougherty / $100
Freehold Learning Center / William Smith / $100
Park Avenue Elementary / Patrick Mulhern / $100
5. Professional Services – General Counsel, Board Attorney
Approve the following professional services resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR
GENERAL COUNSEL, BOARD ATTORNEY SERVICES
ADOPTED BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION
IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH
WHEREAS, there exists a need for general counsel services, for the 2015-2016 school year; and
WHEREAS, such general counsel services can be provided only by a legal firm, and the firm of CLEARY, GIACOBBE, ALFIERI, JACOBS, LLC of 7 James Street, Florham Park, NJ is so recognized; and
WHEREAS, funds are or will be available for this purpose and appropriated from GAAP Accounts 11-000-230-331-00-00-09 and 11-000-230-339-00-00-09; and
WHEREAS, this action is the award of a non-fair and open contract in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH, AS FOLLOWS:
1. The firm of CLEARY, GIACOBBE, ALFIERI, JACOBS, LLC of 7 James Street, Florham Park, NJ is hereby retained to provide general counsel services.
2. The contract is awarded without competitive bidding as a “Professional Service” in accordance with the Public School Contract Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:18(A)(a)(1), because it is for services performed by persons authorized by law to practice as recognized profession.
3. The Board authorizes Matthew J. Giacobbe, Esq., of the firm CLEARY, GIACOBBE, ALFIERI, JACOBS, LLC of 7 James Street, Florham Park, NJ to provide general counsel services at a rate of $145 per hour for partners and $135 per hour for associates.
4. A copy of this resolution along with the engagement letter and contract shall be placed on file with the Secretary of the Board.
6. Professional Services - Special Education Counsel
Approve the following professional services resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR
SPECIAL EDUCATION SPECIAL COUNSEL SERVICES
ADOPTED BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION
IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH
WHEREAS, there exists a need for special education special counsel services, for the 2015-2016 school year; and
WHEREAS, such special education special counsel services can be provided only by a legal firm, and the firm of WILENTZ, GOLDMAN & SPITZER, P.A. of 90 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ is so recognized; and
WHEREAS, funds are or will be available for this purpose and appropriated from GAAP Account 11-000-230-331-00-00-09; and
WHEREAS, this action is the award of a non-fair and open contract in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH, AS FOLLOWS:
1. The firm of WILENTZ, GOLDMAN & SPITZER, P.A. of 90 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ is hereby retained to provide special education special counsel services.
2. The contract is awarded without competitive bidding as a “Professional Service” in accordance with the Public School Contract Law, N.J.S.A. 18A:18(A)(a)(1), because it is for services performed by persons authorized by law to practice a recognized profession.
3. The Board authorizes Viola S. Lordi, Esq., of the firm WILENTZ, GOLDMAN & SPITZER, P.A. OF 90 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ to provide special education counsel services at a rate of $175 for Shareholders, an hourly rate of $150 for Associates, plus reimbursable costs.
4. A copy of this resolution along with the engagement letter and contract shall be placed on file with the Secretary of the Board.
7. Professional Services - Auditing
Approve the following professional services resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR
AUDITING SERVICES
ADOPTED BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION
IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH
WHEREAS, there exists a need for auditing services and to hire an auditor, for the 2015- 2016 school year; and
WHEREAS, such auditing services can be provided only by a licensed auditor and that Gerard Stankiewicz, CPA, PSA of SAMUEL KLEIN and COMPANY, 36 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 is so recognized; and
WHEREAS, funds in the amount of $36,050 are or will be available for this purpose and appropriated from GAAP Account 11-000-230-332-00-00-09; and
WHEREAS, this action is the award of a non-fair and open contract in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH, AS FOLLOWS:
1. The auditing firm of SAMUEL KLEIN AND COMPANY, 36 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 is hereby retained to provide auditing services necessary in conjunction with the engagement letter submitted on June 1, 2015.
2. The Board of Education appoints Gerard Stankiewicz, CPA PSA, partner of SAMUEL KLEIN AND COMPANY to serve in the capacity of auditor.
3. The contract is awarded without competitive bidding as a “Professional Service” in accordance with the Public School Contracts Law, NJSA 18A:18A(a)(1), because it is for services performed by persons authorized by law to practice a recognized profession.
4. The Board of Education is required to review the most recent peer review report prior to the engagement of the annual audit, and to acknowledge its review of the peer review report in the minutes that authorizes the engagement of the public school accountant.
5. The anticipated term of the contract is one (1) year.
6. Gerard Stankiewicz has completed and submitted a Business Entity Disclosure Certification.
7. A copy of the resolution as well as the contract shall be placed on file with the Secretary to the Board.
8. Professional Services – Architect of Record
Approve the following professional services resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR
ARCHITECT OF RECORD SERVICES
ADOPTED BY THE FREEHOLD BOROUGH BOARD OF EDUCATION
IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH
WHEREAS, there exists a need for an Architect of Record for the 2015-2016 school year; and