REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 2015

NORTHVALE BOARD OF EDUCATION

NORTHVALE, NJ 07647

Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Monday, March 16, 2015

I.  CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Mr. Joseph McGuire called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

Present: Mr. Robert Bargna

Mrs. Jamie Corday

Mrs. Peg DeGennaro

Mr. Joseph McGuire

Absent: Mrs. Johanna Bargisen

Also present: Mr. Michael Pinajian, Superintendent

Mr. Steve Linzenbold, Principal

Ms. Deborah Trainor, Interim Business Administrator Rockleigh Board member

3 members of the public

II.  FLAG SALUTE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Joseph McGuire led all those present in a salute to the flag.

III.  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR

Adequate notice of this meeting has been emailed to the municipal clerk and the Rockleigh School Business Administrator, and was also published in The Record on January 8, 2015.

IV.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion by Mr. Bargna and seconded by Mrs. DeGennaro, the Northvale Board of Education approved the following Northvale Public School District minutes:

Regular Meeting February 23, 2015 [click]

Executive Session February 23, 2015 [click]

IN FAVOR: Mr. Bargna, Mrs. Corday, Mrs. DeGennaro and Mr. McGuire

OPPOSED: None

V.  COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – AGENDA ITEMS ONLY

None

VI.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Pinajian congratulated PTO on successful casino night fundraiser.

Mr. Bargna motioned and Mrs. DeGennaro seconded the motion that Resolutions 1 through 9 be accepted as presented.

Mrs. Bargna: Yes to all

Mrs. Corday: Yes to all

Mrs. DeGennaro: Yes to all

Mr. McGuire: Yes to all

1.  The School Social Worker Shared Service Agreement with the Norwood Board of Education whereas each District will be responsible for .5 of Social Worker’s salary, Norwood will pay 75% of Social Worker’s health benefit costs and Northvale will pay 25%, and Northvale will pay up to 5 days summer pay.

2.  The Chaperones for the following trips:

Washington DC - (Eighth Grade) Philadelphia, PA – (Seventh Grade)

Sharon Vadovic Sharon Vadovic

Elizabeth Santos Elizabeth Santos

Joan Bohan Joan Bohan

Jennifer Madonna Elena Russell

Carol Hermalyn Geralyn Higgins

Lauren Syre Jaime Capizzi

Steven Linzenbold Rose Ottomanelli

Pat Magnani

3.  Kindergarten trip to Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff, New Jersey. [click]

4.  The New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum visit on Tuesday, March 24 for grades 4 through 8.

5.  Elizabeth Giampaglia, a Long Island University student, as a Student Teacher in a Special Education classroom from September 8, 2015 through December 11, 2015. [click]

6.  The Northvale Education Association to sponsor “Zumba Mania” as a scholarship fundraiser for Thursday, April 16, 2015 for grades K-8. [click]

7.  RESOLUTION – Supporting A-2930/S-1987 (Eliminates Superintendent Salary Cap)

WHEREAS, In February 2011, the Commissioner of Education adopted regulations imposing a cap on the salaries of chief school administrators based on the enrollment of the district in which the administrator serves; and

WHEREAS, The cap on superintendent salaries is unnecessary since the 2 percent property tax levy cap, the statutory limitation on administrative spending growth, regulations adopted pursuant to the School District Accountability Act, and Executive County Superintendent review of employment contracts protect the public’s and taxpayers’ interests by providing sufficient controls on superintendent compensation; and

WHEREAS, One of the most important responsibilities of a board of education is the hiring of a highly-qualified chief school administrator, who is critical in implementing the educational goals, vision and direction of the community; and

WHEREAS, The salary cap has a negative impact on the quality, stability and continuity of public education in school districts due to high turnover rates, increased use of interim superintendents, and a decline in the experience level of candidates for superintendent positions; and

WHEREAS, For many educators, becoming a superintendent represents the pinnacle of a lifelong ascent up the career ladder, yet the salary cap – which applies to no other positions – has created a disincentive for school leaders to strive toward that goal, which will have long-term negative consequences on educational quality in this State; and

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill No. 2930, co-sponsored by Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, and Senate Bill No. 1987, sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, would prohibit the Department of Education from regulating the maximum salary a school district may pay its superintendent.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northvale Board of Education supports and urges the passage of Assembly Bill No. 2930 and Senate Bill No. 1987; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to each member of the 37th legislative district delegation, the Speaker of the General Assembly, the President of the State Senate, the Governor of the State of New Jersey, the Chairs of the Assembly and Senate Education Committees, and the New Jersey School Boards Association.

8.  To accept the resignation of Kristen Broking effective June 30, 2015.

9.  The following Fire and Security Drills:

Fire Drills: 1-22-15

2-23-15

Security Drill: Active Shooter 2-28-15

VII  BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Bargna motioned and Mrs. DeGennaro seconded the motion that Resolutions 1 through 8 be accepted as presented.

Mrs. Bargna: Yes to all

Mrs. Corday: Yes to all

Mrs. DeGennaro: Yes to all

Mr. McGuire: Yes to all

1. 2015-2016 Preliminary School District Budget

RESOLVED, that there should be raised for General Funds $8,508,749 for the ensuing school year 2015-2016; and

WHEREAS, the general fund appropriations include $100,000, which is a designated use for deposit into the Board of Education's approved Capital Reserve Account for future funding projects as prescribed in the district's Long Range Facility Plan (LRFP). This deposit is for capital projects and represents expenditures for construction elements or projects that are in addition to the facilities efficiency standards necessary to achieve the core curriculum content standards.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the total budget for the ensuing school year 2015-2016 is $10,676,183, which includes Special Revenue and Debt Service.

Budget

/ Local Tax Levy
General Expense (Fund 10) / $ / 10,050,573 / $ / 8,508,749
Special Revenue (Fund 20) / $ / 106,000 / N/A
Debt Service (Fund 40) / $ / 519,610 / $ / 469,328
Totals / $ / 10,676,183 / $ / 8,978,077

2. General Fund warrants: March Bill List $637,843.38 [click]

March Payroll $486,500.62

Milk Fund warrant: February Milk $ 713.05 [click]

3. Report of the Board Secretary [click] and Report of the Treasurer [click] for the month ending January 31, 2015; and

Further, that in compliance with NJAC 6A: 23-2.11(c) 4, the Northvale School District Board of Education certifies that no major account or fund has been over-expended and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

4. Transfer of funds between budgetary line items for January 2015 in compliance with NJ S-1701 Regulations (10% cap). [click]

5. One additional placement to Brownstone School from March 2 to June 30, 2015 at an estimated annual tuition of $55,450 to be prorated.

6. Authorize the Business Administrator to advertise bids for the School Security Vestibule Project.

7. Applications for use of school facilities by the following organization/group:

  • Northvale PTO Bingo – 3/6/15
  • Camp Registration, Northvale Summer Rec – 4/6/15

8. Post Travel Reports submitted pursuant to P.L. 2007, c.53 travel requirements N.J.S.A 18A: 12-33. [click]

VIII  NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS

HIB – no investigations

DATE TO REMEMBER

Good Friday – School Closed – April 3, 2015

Spring Recess – School closed Monday, April 6 through Friday April 10, 2015

April 27, 2015 Regular Meeting…………………………………………..6:30 pm

IX  COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

None

X  AJOURNMENT

Motioned by Mr. Bargna and seconded by Mrs. DeGennaro, the meeting was adjourned to executive session at 6:45 p.m. with all in favor.

______

Deborah Trainor

Interim Business Administrator/Board Secretary

4