Regular Meeting
April 16, 2007
7:03 P.M.
The Regular Meeting of the Kearny Board of Education was held in the Board Room, 100 Davis Avenue, on the evening of the above date.
President Mc Donald called the meeting to order and announced that in accordance with Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of the meeting was provided to the Observer and the Jersey Journal. Notice of the meeting was posted on the bulletin board in the lobby of the Board Office and filed with the Acting Town Clerk by letter dated April 12, 2007.
ROLL CALL
On roll call, the following members were present: Mr. Campbell, Mr. Castelli, Mr. Doffont, Mrs. Marks, Mrs. Santos, Mrs. Schalago, Mrs. Mc Keown, President Mc Donald.
Mr. Robert P. Mooney, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ingrid Kiss, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Karen A. Yeamans, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and Kenneth J. Lindenfelser, Esq., Board Attorney were also present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mrs. Mc Donald led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
President Mc Donald called for a moment of silence for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings.
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT
Mr. Sgalia was unable to attend the meeting due to work commitments.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mr. Doffont that the minutes of the following meetings be hereby approved:
Regular Meeting, March 19, 2007 at 7:10 P.M.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “absent during roll call”, Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being seven votes in the affirmative and one member “absent during roll call”, the motion was carried.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mrs. Marks that the minutes of the following meeting be hereby approved:
Closed Session, March 19, 2007 at 6:10 P.M.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “not voting”, Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “not voting”, Mrs. Marks, “not voting”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being five votes in the affirmative and three members “not voting”, the motion was carried.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried that the minutes of the following meeting be hereby approved:
Closed Session, March 19, 2007 at 8:12 P.M.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mr. Campbell that the minutes of the following meeting be hereby approved:
Public Hearing on the 2007/2008 Budget, March 27, 2007
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “aye”, Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “not voting”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “not voting”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being six votes in the affirmative and two members “not voting”, the motion was carried.
CORRESPONDENCE – Board Secretary
Mrs. Yeamans read the following items of correspondence which are hereby made an integral part of the minutes:
Letter dated March 16, 2007 from Michael Prawdzik, President of the Senior Citizens Club of Kearny, NJ, Inc.
Letter dated March 19, 2007 from Anthony Carratura, Head Coach of the Kearny High School Wrestling Team
Letter dated March 21, 2007 from Thomas C. Holzschuh, President of the St. Stephen’s Senior’s Club Inc. of Kearny
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT - Mr. Mooney
PART I – PERSONNEL ISSUES
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D-1”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
A. RESIGNATION
Julie Montero, teacher of English at Kearny High School who is currently on Maternity Leave, has resigned and will not return for the 2007/2008 school year.
B. LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Donna Masters, teacher of music at Lincoln School, has been granted a Family Leave of Absence from September 4 to October 16, 2007.
C. REAPPOINTMENT OF TENURED PERSONNEL FOR THE 2007/2008 SCHOOL YEAR
The attached listing of tenured personnel reappointed for the 2007/2008 school year has been approved.
D. APPOINTMENTS
1. Head Teacher – Summer Educational, Occupational and Recreational Program for the Handicapped
Kelly Lindenfelser has been appointed as Head Teacher for the Summer Educational, Occupational and Recreational Program for the Handicapped at the remuneration of $6,353, for the period of June 27 through August 8, 2007 (no school on July 4).
2. School Nurse
This topic was tabled.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items D-3, 4 and 5, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
3. Aides
The following Aide appointments have been approved contingent upon Criminal History Check:
NAME ASSIGNMENT SALARY EFFECTIVE REPLACE/NEW
Marsano, Rosa................................................. Franklin w/student $ 10.00/hour............... 3/16/07........... NEW
Queiruga, Patricia..... Washington w/student....... $10.00/hour.................. *.............. Gonzalez
Vaca, Maria...................... Franklin w/student....... $10.00/hour......... 3/28/07..................... NEW
Velez, Katilia.................... Garfield w/student....... $10.00/hour......... 4/16/07..................... NEW
Weber, Laura............. Washington w/student....... $10.00/hour.................. *..................... NEW
*Pending criminal history review approval
4. Summer Curriculum/Professional Developmenty Activities – Bilingual/ESL Grades K-12
The following have been approved for Bilingual/ESL Grades K-12 curriculum work and professional development activities, commencing June 26, 2007; the number of hours per teacher cannot exceed fifty (50). Remuneration will be $33.00 per hour:
Almeida, Patricia Kryshak-Baptista, Amy
Encarnacao, Flora Liu, Lan
Goncalves, Vera Rebelo, Susan
5. Summer Intern Counselor
The Board has approved Victoria L. Chalk as a Summer Intern Counselor who will work under the supervision of Hank Russo, Director of Guidance, at no cost to the Board of Education.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
E. CLARIFICATION OF UNIT
The title of Senior Computer Technician (Adam Elmquist) has been transferred from the Kearny School Employees Association and placed under the auspices of the Kearny Education Office Professionals Association; the salary (currently STEP 1, $37,541), hours and title will remain the same as negotiated.
F. EQUIVALENCY
The following equivalency has been approved effective September 1, 2007:
NAME EQUIVALENCY AMOUNT
Goffredo, Mary.................................... M.A.+32.................................. $66,249 (2007/08 salary)
G. SUBSTITUTES
1. State Substitute Certificates
Permission has been granted to obtain State Substitute Certification for the following in All Grades / All Subjects:
Biondo, Barbara A. Conti, Jaime L.
Burneyko, Eric Mullaly, Jennifer Lynn
2. Additions to the Annual List of Substitutes
The following have been added to the listing of teachers eligible to work for and be charged to the Title I Program:
Cordo, Salvatore F. Magill, Shannon K.
3. Long-Term Substitutes
The following have been approved as long-term substitutes for teachers on leave. They will receive substitute compensation until the starting date stated:
Name Replacing Daily Rate Rate per Starting Day
Kryzanowski, Barbara..... Bing................ $75/diem first 22 days, then $100 per diem, eff. 5/22/07
Medina, Michael................ Meilands......... $80/diem first 21 days, then $100 per diem eff. 3/28/07
PART II – NON-PERSONNEL ISSUES
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “A”, “B”, and “C”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
A. PROGRAM APPROVALS
The following programs have been approved by the Department of Education:
1. Demonstrably Effective Program Aid (DEPA) for 2007/2008
2. Early Childhood Program Aid One-Year Operational Plan for 2007/2008
B. ESSEX COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION
The Board has approved the agreement with the Essex County Educational Services Commission to provide transportation services for special education and vocational students for the 2007/2008 school year.
C. UNUSED SNOW DAYS
The Board has approved utilizing three (3) unused snow days on April 5, May 29 and 30, 2007.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Marks, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried:
D. BOARD POLICY
The Board has approved the second reading and adoption of the following policy:
Policy No. 6141.2 – “Separation of Church and State”
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “E”, “F”, and “H”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried:
E. COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN FOR 2007-2010
The Board has approved the submission of the Comprehensive Equity Plan for 2007 through 2010.
F. FY ’06 EVENING SCHOOL FOR FOREIGN-BORN RESIDENTS APPLICATION
The Board has approved the application for FY ’06 Evening School for Foreign-Born Residents funding in the amount of $3,500.
G. SCHOOL CALENDAR 2007/2008
This topic was tabled.
H. MATH/SCIENCE GRANT PARTNERSHIP
The Board has approved a Math/Science Grant partnership with Montclair State University and the National Science Foundation entitled “Fellows in the Middle”.
The following resolution was moved by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mrs. Marks and unanimously carried:
AUTHORIZATION OF SETTLEMENT PAYMENT
The Kearny Board of Education hereby authorizes the payment of $8,500 as settlement in the School Nurse grievance matter; said settlement payment will be confirmed at the May 21, 2007 Board meeting.
REPORT OF THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY – Mrs. Yeamans
PART A
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items #1 through #8, were moved by Mr. Castelli, seconded by Mr. Campbell and unanimously carried:
1. Cash Receipts – March, 2007
The Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following Report of Cash Receipts for the month of March, 2007:
BANK OF AMERICA
March 1 State of NJ-Debt Service Type II $ 43,307.00 1 State of NJ – Chapter 192/193 40,605.00
5 State of NJ – Non Public Nursing 10,877.75
7 State of NJ - TV Innov P 1,111.90
7 State of NJ - IDEA-Basic 110,406.10
7 State of NJ - IDEA-Pre-School 2,523.20
7 State of NJ - Title I 53,528.10
7 State of NJ - Title IIA 16,051.50
7 State of NJ – Title IV 1,649.90
7 Interest 7,611.97
8 State of NJ – 21st Century Grant 39,543.00
8 State of NJ – State Aid 1,132,764.00
14 NJCM Return 1,800,000.00
14 State of NJ-School Lunch-February-Federal 58,889.92
14 State of NJ-School Breakfast-February-Federal 3,125.76
14 State of NJ-School Breakfast-February-State 234.20
19 KBOE Athletic Account 2,416.40
21 2006/2007 Budget 4,242,764.00
22 State of NJ-TV Innov P 1,111.90
22 State of NJ-IDEA-Basic 110,406.10
22 State of NJ-IDEA-Pre-School 2,523.20
24 State of NJ-State Aid 1,132,764.00
22 State of NJ-Title I 53,528.10
22 State of NJ-Title IIA 16,051.50
22 State of NJ-Title IV 1,649.90
26 Memo Entry (Unexpended Non-Public Funds) 50,867.00
27 Coca-Cola Bottling Group 323.50
28 NJCM Return 2,000,000.00
30 Miscellaneous Receipts 43,010.42 10,982,442.76
NEW JERSEY CASH MANAGEMENT
30 Interest-NJCM #50555 3,272.11
30 Interest-NJCM #10561 57,550.58
30 Interest-NJCM #128651 13,045.40
30 Interest-NJCM #130001 16,582.01
$ 11,072,892.86
2. Approval of Budget Transfers
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the recommendation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, hereby approves the list of transfers as per the attached for the 2006/2007 school budget.
3. Report of the Secretary (A-148)
The Kearny Board of Education hereby accepts the monthly Report of the Secretary to the Board of Education for the month ending March 31, 2007, based upon the Board Secretary's certification that no 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). And be it further
Resolved: That for the record it be noted that after having reviewed the appropriations section of said report and also having consulted with the appropriate district officials, hereby certifies that 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 2006/2007 School Year.
4. Report of the Treasurer of School Funds (A-149)
The Kearny Board of Education hereby accepts the monthly Report of the Treasurer of School Funds to the Board of Education for the month ending March 31, 2007.
5. Request for Taxes
The Kearny Board of Education, having determined the amount of district taxes needed to meet the obligations of the Board for the next eight weeks to be $4,242,764.00, hereby requests the Town Council to place in the hands of the Treasurer of School Funds that amount within the next thirty days in accordance with the statutes relating thereto.
Requisition Schedule
Amount of District Tax Voted $ 42,427,638.00
Amount Billed to Date $38,184,874.00
Amount of this Request 4,242,764.00 42,427,638.00
Balance to the Credit of Kearny
Board of Education $ 0.00
6. Investments – March, 2007 (New Jersey Cash Management Fund)
The Kearny Board of Education hereby confirms the action of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary in having made investments through the New Jersey Cash Management Fund during the month of March, 2007. And be it further
Resolved: That for the record it be noted that the interest earned on said investments amounted to $87,177.99, bringing the year-to-date interest to $590,333.45.
7. Payment of Bills
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the representation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary that she has examined, audited, and certified in writing that the attached bill list is correct in the total amount of $10,133,269.01, covering the period of 3/15/07 to 4/12/07, hereby orders same to be paid, in accordance with NJSA 18A:19-4.
8. Athletic Officials Account Bills
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the recommendation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, hereby approves the bills paid through the Athletic Officials Account for the months of January, February, and March, 2007, as per the attached listing.
The following resolution was moved by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Castelli and unanimously carried:
9. Team Transportation – Spring, 2006/2007
The Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the action of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary in having issued a purchase order to Cross Country, Inc., SOLE BIDDER, in the combined amount of $64,220 (Motorcoach . . . $52,075 . . . Jitney . . . $12,145) for the transportation of interscholastic participants to scheduled events, commencing March 3, 2007 and continuing through June 6, 2007. And be it further
Resolved: That the bid was received and opened in the Business Office on March 22, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. in response to the advertisement for bids which appeared in the March 12, 2007 edition of the Jersey Journal.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items #10, #11, and #12, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mr. Doffont:
10. School Alliance Insurance Fund – Resolution for Renewal of Membership
Whereas, the Kearny Board of Education, hereafter referred to as “Educational Facility” is a member of the School Alliance Insurance Fund, hereinafter referred to as “Fund”; and
Whereas, said renewal membership terminates as of July 1, 2007 at 12:01 a.m. standard time, unless earlier renewed by agreement between the Educational Facility and the Fund; and
Whereas, the Educational Facility is afforded the following types of coverages:
Workers’ Compensation; Package – Property, Boiler & Machinery, General and Auto Liability, Environmental Impairment Liability; Excess Liability; School Leaders Professional Liability; Excess Liability; Supplemental Indemnity – Workers’ Compensation
Whereas, the Educational Facility desires to renew said membership;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
1. The Educational Facility agrees to renew its membership in the Fund for a period of three years beginning July 1, 2007, and ending July 1, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, and to be subject to the coverages, operating procedures, bylaws, and other organizational and operational documents of the Fund presently existing or as from time to time amended by the Fund and/or the Department of Banking and Insurance.
2. The Educational Facility’s Business Official, Karen Yeamans, is hereby appointed as the Educational Facility’s Fund Commissioner and is authorized to execute the renewal Indemnity and Trust Agreement thereby evidencing annexed hereto and made a part hereof and to deliver same to the Fund the Educational Facility’s renewal of its membership.
11. Resolution - Appointment of Risk Management Consultant
Whereas, the Kearny Board of Education has resolved to join the School Alliance Insurance Fund (“SAIF”) following a detailed analysis; and
Whereas, the Bylaws of SAIF require that each educational facility designate a Risk Management Consultant to perform various professional services as detailed in the Bylaws and Risk Management Plan; and
Whereas, the Bylaws indicate that SAIF shall pay each Risk Management Consultant a fee to be established by SAIF;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Kearny Board of Education does hereby appoint Mintz, Girgan & Brightly, Inc. as its Risk Management Consultant in accordance with the Fund’s Bylaws.
12. Approval of Resolution to Renew Agreement Between Kearny School District and the School Alliance Insurance Fund (SAIF) (“FUND”)
Whereas, the “Fund” seeks to provide its members with insurance coverage;
Whereas, two or more educational facilities have collectively formed a joint insurance fund as is authorized and described in N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1 et. seq. and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; and
Whereas, the Kearny School District is currently a member of said “Fund”; and
Whereas, the Kearny School District has resolved to renew said membership;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
1. The Kearny School District hereby renews its membership in the “Fund” for a three (3) year period, beginning July 1, 2007 and ending July 1, 2010 at 12:01 A.M. eastern standard time.
2. The Kearny School District agrees to participate in the “Fund” with respect to the types of insurance stated in the Renewal of Membership Resolution.
3. The Kearny School District hereby ratifies and reaffirms the bylaws and other organizational and operational documents of the “Fund” and as from time to time amended by the “Fund” and/or Department of banking and Insurance in accordance with the applicable statutes and regulations as if each and every one of said documents were re-executed contemporaneously herewith.
4. The Kearny School District agrees to be a participating member of the “Fund” for the period herein provided for and to comply with all of the rules and regulations and obligations associated with said membership.
5. In consideration of renewal of membership in the “Fund”, the Kearny School District agrees that for those types of insurance in which it participates, the Kearny school District shall jointly and severally assume and discharge the liability of each and every member of the “Fund” all of whom, as a condition of membership in the “Fund”, shall execute a verbatim counterpart to this Agreement. By execution hereof the full faith and credit of the Kearny School District is pledged to the punctual payment of any sums which shall be come due to the “Fund” in accordance with the bylaws thereof, this Agreement or any applicable statute or regulation.
6. If the “Fund”, in the enforcement of any part of this Agreement, shall incur necessary expense or become obligated to pay attorney’s fees and/or court costs, the Kearny School District agrees to reimburse the “Fund” for all such reasonable expenses, fees and costs on demand.
7. The Kearny School District and the “Fund” agree that the “Fund” shall hold all monies paid by the Kearny School District to the “Fund” as fiduciaries for the benefit of “Fund” claimants all in accordance with applicable statutes and/or regulations.
8. The “Fund” shall establish and maintain Trust Accounts in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18B-1 et. seq. and such other statutes and regulations as may be applicable.
9. The Business Official designated in the Resolution to Renew Membership is hereby authorized to execute the Agreement to renew membership.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “not voting”, Mr. Castelli, “not voting”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being six votes in the affirmative and two members “not voting”, the motion was carried.