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Regular Meeting Minutes, January 27, 2011
WESTWOOD REGIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, NEW JERSEY
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 2011
Present: President Liddy, Vice President Mountain, Trustees Blundo, Gregory, Hanlon, Koch, Mandeville, Superintendent Dr. Geoffrey W. Zoeller, and Board Secretary Keith A. Rosado. Also present Student Representative Samantha Frazza.
Absent: Trustee Schaadt and Student Representative Kevin Restivo
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 P.M. in the Hurley Theatre, Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School, by President Liddy who led the salute to the flag and read the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law statement.
Mrs. Gregory, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that approval be given to the December 16, 2010 Regular Meeting minutes inclusive of the amendment.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 7-0
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Zoeller:
· Dr. Zoeller discussed the process for determining whether to have a delayed opening, early dismissal, or the district closed due to the winter storms this school year. He also acknowledged Mr. D’Agostino and his entire staff for continuing to do a great job in snow removal at all the buildings.
President’s Report
Mr. Liddy:
· None
Business Administrator’s Report
Mr. Rosado:
· Mr. Rosado announced three 3-year terms are open for the Board of Education elections on April 27, 2011. Two positions are in the Township of Washington and one is in the Borough of Westwood. Also, one 1-year unexpired term is open in the Borough of Westwood. Candidate kits are available in the Business Office from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. This information has been sent to The Record and local newspapers, as well as to both Town Halls and libraries.
Student Representative’s Report
Samantha Frazza reported:
· Midterms begin today, January 27th, and continue through next Tuesday. The midterms mark the end of the first half of the year.
· The Basketball team won their home game Tuesday, January 25th, and tonight’s game was rescheduled due to snow.
· The competition cheerleading team has two local competitions this weekend. Friday night’s competition will be held at Emerson High School and Saturday night’s competition will be held at Park Ridge High School
· Mr. Richter and the Westwood and Township of Washington Public Libraries have launched the 2011 Reading Buddy program. The program pairs National Junior Honor Society students from the Junior High with younger students from the towns to read and discuss books together.
OLD BUSINESS
· Mrs. Mandeville asked for an update on her previous questions regarding the Attendance Policy. Dr. Zoeller stated that he has the information in a folder in his office, but was not aware that this was to be discussed this evening. He stated that the policy is being reexamined and feedback from principals is being analyzed. He will report back to the Board before the February 17th meeting.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Gregory, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Adam Cord and Amair Cline-Askew, eleventh grade students, for being selected as the students of the month for December
2010.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Adam Cord and Amair Cline-Askew for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present these students with suitable certificates of recognition.
Comments:
· Mr. Gorman, Jr./Sr. High Principal, stated the two students were being recognized for providing assistance to another student in distress.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 7-0
Mrs. Mandeville, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Rachel Leao, eighth grade student, for being selected as the student of the month for December 2010.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Rachel Leao for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present the student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 7-0
Dr. Zoeller stated that the motion to honor Mrs. Mosolino, former Board of Education member, will be withdrawn and reposted for the February 17th Board meeting.
PUBLIC FORUM:
Started: 7:52 P.M.
Ended: 8:03 P.M.
· Russell Miller, Kennedy Terrace, Westwood, spoke regarding concerns that the Board was not following Policy 0143. Dr. Zoeller stated the Board has traditionally allowed the Board members of the municipality to interview candidates prior to coming to the full Board and that this is an additional step to the policy and has been a long-standing procedure of this Board. Mrs. Mountain stated Board committees, comprised of no more than four Board members, meet as a committee and then report back to the entire Board to report on their findings. Mr. Blundo stated there is no committee called the “Westwood delegation”, he quoted a sentence from Policy 0143, and asked whether the Board should motion to allow this meeting to take place since the Board is disregarding the written policy. Dr. Zoeller stated that the Board also has a policy that says any matter can be referred to a committee for study prior to coming to the Board as a whole and this includes standing committees and ad hoc committees. Dr. Zoeller further stated that the Board leadership was following long-established procedures that pre-date this administration. Mr. Blundo stated the February 17th public session should include an interview of candidates to give the public an opportunity to know who and why the candidates are running. Mrs. Gregory stated that as far back as she can recall the members of the town where there is a vacancy sat on a committee to interview the candidates and this committee would report back for discussion with the entire Board. Mr. Miller asked whether the whole Board would hold a discussion on the candidates prior to the vote. Mrs. Gregory stated an explanation of the entire process is given to the public and then a recommendation is made and a roll call vote is given. Mrs. Mountain stated a closed session allows the candidates to be more candid in their answers and that some candidates are nervous in a public setting. Dr. Zoeller agreed with Mr. Miller’s concern regarding the need for an updated policy and recommended that since the Board has used a specific set of procedures for a long time, the Board should create a much more detailed step-by-step policy that reflects this long-standing procedure.
PERSONNEL/NEGOTIATIONS:
Mrs. Mountain, seconded by Mrs. Gregory, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motions:
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given an extension of a medical leave of absence with pay for Brian Adkins, Grade 5, Brookside School, for the period of February 7, 2011, through February 28, 2011, with full medical benefits, which will include the remainder of the Family Medical Leave Act and State Family Leave Act.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given an extension of a medical leave of absence with pay for Margarita Grande, Secretary, Special Services, for use of vacation days for the period from January 20, 2011 ½ P.M. through January 26, 2011 ½ A.M. and use of personal days for the period of January 26, 2011 ½ P.M. through February 2, 2011 ½ A.M. and a leave of absence without pay for the period of February 2, 2011 ½ P.M. through February 7, 2011, which will include the Family Medical Leave Act.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given a child rearing leave of absence to Renee Balducci, Science, Middle School, for the use of sick leave from April 12, 2011 through June 7, 2011, and a leave of absence without pay from June 8, 2011 through November 14, 2011, with full paid medical benefits, which will include the Family Medical Leave Act and State Family Leave Act.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Chantal Wolf, per diem leave replacement teacher, Grade 5, Brookside School, for an extension of contract from February 7, 2011 through February 28, 2011, per the list dated January 23, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Mariam Freeman. French long term substitute, Jr./Sr. High School, for the 2010-11 school year, per the list dated January 25, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Donavan Willis, Custodian, Berkeley/Ketler, after having successfully completed the sixty-day probationary period from November 22, 2010 through January 22, 2011, for the 2010-11 school year, per the list dated January 25, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Gina Cush, Summer Adventure Program Coordinator – Elementary, for the 2011 installment of the Summer Adventure program, per the list dated January 25, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given for a field experience, George School, per the list dated January 25, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given a student teacher placement, Art, Jr./Sr. High School, Spring semester for the 2010-11 school year, per the list dated January 25, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the resignation of Randi Lee, Aide, Brookside School, effective February 15, 2011.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of substitute teachers for the 2010-2011 school year, per the list dated January 25, 2011.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTIONS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 7-0
FINANCE: Mrs. Mandeville, Ch.
Mrs. Mandeville, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motions:
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, invoices for materials received and services rendered for the 2010-11 school year for December 2010 in the amount of $1,095,813.34 be ratified for payment in accordance with the lists reviewed by the Board.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Report as of December 2010 of the Treasurer of School Moneys be received.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, acknowledgement be made of the Secretary’s certification that as of December 2010, no budgetary line item account has encumbrances and expenditures, which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a).
Keith A. Rosado
Business Administrator
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, pursuant to N.J.A.C.-6A:23-2.11(c)4, we certify that as of December 2010, after review of the Secretary’s monthly financial reports and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials, to the best of our knowledge no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.11(b) and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the Adjusted Transfer Listing dated January 24, 2011 for the month of December 2010.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, invoices for materials received and services rendered for the 2009-2010 school year for January in the amount of $126,845.01 be approved for payment in accordance with the lists reviewed by the Board.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, invoices for materials received and services rendered for the 2010-2011 school year for January in the amount of $1,199,271.78 be approved for payment in accordance with the lists reviewed by the Board.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following resolution:
Whereas N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.3 provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district’s participation in the Special Education Medicaid Initiative(SEMI) Program forthe 2011-12 school year, and
Whereas theWestwood Regional Board of Educationdesires to apply for this waiver due to the fact thatit projects having fewer than 40 Medicaid eligible classified students.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby authorizes the Chief School Administrator to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in the County of Bergen an appropriate waiver of the requirementsof NJAC 6A23A-5.3 for the 2011-12 school year.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following resolution:
WHEREAS N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-3 permits a Board of Education to authorize its purchasing agent to award contracts that do not exceed in a contract year the annual limit as established by the Governor, and
WHEREAS local Boards of Education have been advised by the Local Finance Board through
LFN 2010-13 that the Governor has authorized the following bid and quotation thresholds effective January 1, 2011:
Bid Threshold Quotation Threshold With Qualified Purchasing Agent $36,000 $5,400
WHEREAS Keith A. Rosado possesses the designation of Qualified Purchasing Agent as issued by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq.; and
WHEREAS the Westwood Regional Board of Education desires to increase its bid and quotation thresholds as provided in N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-3;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the governing body hereby appoints Keith A. Rosado as the Qualified Purchasing Agent to exercise the duties of a purchasing agent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2b, with specific relevance to the authority, responsibility, and accountability of the purchasing activity of the Board of Education, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governing body of the Westwood Regional Board of Education, in the County of Bergen, in the State of New Jersey, hereby increases its bid threshold to $36,000 and its quotation threshold to $5,400.
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to authorize the submission of the NCLB Amended Application for Fiscal Year 2010 and accept the grant award of these funds upon the subsequent approval by the New Jersey Department of Education: