Organization Meeting
April 30, 2007
7:34 P.M.
As required by law, the Organization Meeting of the Board of Education, of the Town of Kearny, in the County of Hudson and State of New Jersey, was called to order by the Secretary.
The Secretary announced that in accordance with Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this 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 25, 2007.
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE - Board Secretary
Mrs. Yeamans administered the Oath of Office to Alan Doffont, Bernadette Mc Donald, and Joseph Weber.
ROLL CALL
On roll call, the following members were present: Mr. Castelli, Mr. Doffont, Mrs. Marks, Mrs. Mc Donald, Mrs. Mc Keown, Mrs. Santos, Mrs. Schalago, Mr. Sgalia, Mr. Weber.
Mr. Robert P. Mooney, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ingrid L. Kiss, Assistant Superintendent of School, Mrs. Karen A. Yeamans, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and Mr. Kenneth J. Lindenfelser, Esq., Board Attorney, were also present.
MOTION RE: NOMINATION OF TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown and unanimously carried that Karen A. Yeamans, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, act as Temporary Chairperson.
TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON TAKES THE CHAIR
Mrs. Yeamans assumed the role of Temporary Chairperson.
MOTION RE: NOMINATION OF PRESIDENT
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mr. Sgalia to nominate Bernadette Mc Donald as President of the Kearny Board of Education.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Donald, “not voting”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “aye”, Mr. Sgalia, “aye”, Mr. Weber, “aye”.
There being eight votes in the affirmative and one abstention, the motion was carried.
PRESIDENT TAKES THE CHAIR
Mrs. Mc Donald assumed the role of President of the Kearny Board of Education.
MOTION RE: NOMINATION OF VICE PRESIDENT
It was moved by Mrs. Santos and seconded by Mr. Weber to nominate Joseph P. Sgalia as Vice President of the Kearny Board of Education.
AMENDED MOTION RE: NOMINATION OF VICE PRESIDENT
It was moved by Mr. Doffont and seconded by Mrs. Mc Donald to nominate Jean C. Mc Keown as Vice President of the Kearny Board of Education.
VOTE TO AMEND MOTION
On roll call, the following vote was recorded regarding authorization to amend the motion to nominate Vice President: Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “no”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “no”, Mrs. Schalago, “no”, Mr. Sgalia, “aye”, Mr. Weber, “no”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being eight votes in the affirmative, and one member “not voting”, the motion was carried.
VOTE ON AMENDED MOTION RE: NOMINATION OF VICE PRESIDENT
On roll call, the following vote was recorded to nominate Jean C. Mc Keown as Vice President of the Kearny Board of Education:
Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “no”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “no”, Mrs. Schalago, “no”, Mr. Sgalia, “aye”, Mr. Weber, “no”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being five votes in the affirmative and four votes in the negative, the motion was carried.
VICE PRESIDENT TAKES THE CHAIR
Mrs. Mc Keown assumed the role of Vice President of the Kearny Board of Education.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items #1 through #11, were moved by Mr. Sgalia, seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown and unanimously carried:
1. MEETING NIGHT & TIME
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education holds its regular monthly business meeting on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. sharp in the Board Room at Franklin School.
2. MEETING DATES FOR THE 2007/2008 SCHOOL YEAR
WHEREAS: Pursuant to Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of all public bodies wherein formal action, decision, or discussions relating to the public business may take place, are required to be publicly announced and scheduled, with adequate posting and advance notice of the time, date, location, and to the extent known, the purpose or agenda of each such meeting:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Town of Kearny, as follows:
The following are designated as regular meetings of the Board of Education of the Town of Kearny, at which public business may be formally discussed, decided or acted upon.
All meetings will be held at the following location at 7:00 P.M.:
BOARD ROOM - FRANKLIN SCHOOL
100 DAVIS AVENUE
KEARNY, NEW JERSEY 07032
May 21, 2007
June 18, 2007
July 16, 2007
August 20, 2007
September 17, 2007
October 15, 2007
November 19, 2007
December 17, 2007
January 22, 2008 (TUESDAY)
February 19, 2008 (TUESDAY)
March 17, 2008
April 21, 2008
In addition, such other meetings as the Board of Education business may require, shall be scheduled and held, but pursuant to and with such additional notice as is required by law.
* An Executive Session will precede the Regular Meeting at 6:00 P.M., and the Board will enter into Closed Session to discuss District personnel matters, negotiations, and/or ongoing litigation.
3. BOARD POLICIES
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby adopts all policies previously adopted at board meetings held prior to this organization meeting.
4. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
RESOLVED: That the Jersey Journal is hereby designated as the official newspaper for the School District.
5. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER
WHEREAS: there exists a need to have a recognized authority for the conduct of all board of education meetings;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Kearny Board of Education adopts ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER for the authority in the conduct of all of its meetings.
6. SIGNATURES
RESOLVED: That BANK OF AMERICA, which is an official depository of the Board of Education, be notified to honor the following signatures on all checks or warrants drawn against the following accounts for the period July 1, 2007 through and including June 30, 2008:
Cafeteria Account ................. Board President, Superintendent, Business Administrator
Net Payroll Account
General Operating Account
Payroll Agency Account......................................................... Custodian of School Monies...........
S.U.I. Account
Athletic Officials Account................ High School Principal & Vice Principal of Athletics...........
7. SIGNATURES - WARRANTS
RESOLVED: That BANK OF AMERICA, which is an official depository of the Kearny Board of Education, be notified to honor the signatures of Bernadette Mc Donald, President, and Jean Mc Keown, Vice President, on all checks or warrants of the Board of Education, from April 30, 2007, to and including the date of the next Organization Meeting.
8. CURRICULUMS
RESOLVED: That all curriculums used in the elementary schools and the high school, previously adopted by the Kearny Board of Education, be re-adopted for the 2007/2008 school year.
9. TEXTBOOKS
RESOLVED: That all textbooks used in the elementary schools and the high school, previously adopted by the Kearny Board of Education, be re-adopted for the 2007/2008 school year.
10. TAX REQUISITION SCHEDULE
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following 2007/2008 tax requisition schedule to be forwarded to the Kearny Town Council:
Amount of Request Payment Date
$ 8,803,836 July 17, 2007
3,301,438 September 18, 2007
3,301,438 October 16, 2007
3,301,438 November 20, 2007
3,301,438 December 18, 2007
4,401,918 January 23, 2008
4,401,918 February 20, 2008
4,401,918 March 18, 2008
4,401,918 April 22, 2008
4,401,918 May 14, 2008
11. PETTY CASH ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following Petty Cash Fund imprest cash accounts for the 2007/2008 school year:
Business Office.................................................................................................... $ 1,000.00
High School................................................................................................................ 500.00
Franklin, Lincoln, Schuyler, Washington Schools.................................................... 300.00
Garfield and Roosevelt Schools, Special Services, School-Based............................ 200.00
Superintendent’s Office............................................................................................. 100.00
12. PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
13. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD ATTORNEY
The preceding topics were tabled.
The following resolution was moved by Mr. Sgalia, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
14. APPROVAL OF DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC AGENCY COMPLIANCE OFFICER
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education, based upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunity in Public Contracts, hereby designates Karen A. Yeamans as the designated Public Agency Compliance Officer (P.A.C.O.) for the Kearny School District.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT – Mr. Mooney
A. PARTIAL LIST OF REAPPOINTMENT OF NON-TENURED
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the partial list of 2007/2008 school year appointments of non-tenured professional personnel.
REPORT OF THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY – Mrs. Yeamans
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items # 1 through #3, were moved by Mr. Sgalia and seconded by Mr. Doffont:
1. Authorization to Amend Kearny School Administrators Association Agreement
2. Approval of Post-Termination Resolution – Kearny School Administrators Association
3. Approval of Post-Termination Resolution
Following discussion, it was determined that these items would be tabled pending further discussion.
MOTION AND SECOND WITHDRAWN
Mr. Sgalia withdrew the motion and Mr. Doffont withdrew his second.
MOTION RE: CLOSED SESSION
The following resolution was offered by Mrs. Mc Keown, who moved its adoption:
Resolved: by the Board of Education of the Town of Kearny, in the County of Hudson, that in accordance with Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, Open Public Meetings Act, the Board will enter into Closed Session at this time to discuss District personnel matters.
When the matters under consideration and discussion have been completed, any action will be disclosed to the public.
Seconded by Mr. Doffont.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “aye”, Mr. Sgalia, "aye", Mr. Weber, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being nine votes in the affirmative, the motion was carried.
BOARD ENTERS CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered into Closed Session at 7:52 P.M.
BOARD RETURNS TO OPEN SESSION
The Board returned to Open Session at 9:01 P.M.
BOARD PRESIDENT SPEAKS
President Mc Donald informed those present that the items contained in the Report of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary would be held pending further information.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Sgalia and unanimously carried:
12. PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following 2007/2008 school year professional appointments for the term commencing May 1, 2007 to and including June 30, 2008:
Annual
Position Name Stipend Hrly Rate
Dentist........................................ Leonard A. Diamond, D.D.S...... $ 7,680
Team Physician(s)...................... Stephen A. Ducey, M.D. and
Frank Femino, M.D........................... 3,500
Custodian of School Monies....... Michael J. Lamprecht....................... 7,000
Consultant.................................. David M. Mortimer........................ 12,000
(plus $100/hour for every hour exceeding 10 hours/month)
Auditing Firm............................. Lerch Vinci & Higgins ... Audit fee-31,800
Joseph Kelly ...................................................... 100-120
Architects-of-Record................. John Fallon................................................................... 80
David F. Gibson......................................................... 200
Union Contract Negotiator....... Genova, Burns & Vernoia
Joseph M. Hannon, Esq............................................. 150
Bond Counsel.............................. Mc Manimon & Scotland
Leah Sandbank, Esq.................................................. 175...........
Construction Attorney............... James Landgraf, Esq.................................................. 160
The following resolution was moved by Mr. Sgalia, seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown and unanimously carried:
APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following 2007/2008 school year professional appointment for the term commencing May 1, 2007 to and including June 30, 2008:
School Physician(s)......... Jay Ganapathy, M.D.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mr. Doffont:
APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following 2007/2008 school year professional appointment for the term commencing May 1, 2007 to and including June 30, 2008:
School Physician(s)......... Aldona Skripkus, M.D
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “not voting”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “no”, Mr. Sgalia, “not voting”, Mr. Weber, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being six votes in the affirmative, one vote in the negative, and two members “not voting”, the motion was carried.
BOARD ATTORNEY SPEAKS
Mr. Lindenfelser requested the record to reflect that in Item #12, Mr. Doffont has voted in the affirmative for each appointment excepting that of the Dentist, which should be recorded as “no”.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
13. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD ATTORNEY
RESOLVED: That the Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following 2007/2008 professional appointment for the term commencing May 1, 2007 to and including April 30, 2008.
Annual
Position Name Stipend Hrly Rate
Board Attorney.......................... Kenneth J. Lindenfelser, Esq.......... $ 6,000............ $ 110
OBSERVERS
The following addressed the Board regarding health benefits:
Joanne Gouveia, 100 Stewart Avenue; Staci Snider, 5 Webster Avenue; Fran Davis, 25 Lafayette Place; Donna Dyl, 114 Linden Avenue; Mia Schoeberle, 193 Magnolia Avenue; Kathleen Tutak, 81 Rutherford Place; Marcy Fisher, 116 Argyle Place.
MOTION RE: CLOSED SESSION
The following resolution was offered by Mrs. Marks who moved its adoption:
Resolved: by the Board of Education of the Town of Kearny, in the County of Hudson, that in accordance with Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, Open Public Meetings Act, the Board will enter into Closed Session at this time to discuss District contractual matters.
When the matters under consideration and discussion have been completed, any action will be disclosed to the public.
Seconded by Mr. Weber.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “aye”, Mr. Sgalia, "aye", Mr. Weber, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being nine votes in the affirmative, the motion was carried.
BOARD RE-ENTERS CLOSED SESSION
The Board re-entered Closed Session at 9:44 P.M.
BOARD RETURNS TO OPEN SESSION
The Board returned to Open Session at 9:55 P.M.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Schalago:
MOTION RE: RECONSIDER / RESCIND RESOLUTION RE: HEALTH BENEFITS
It was moved by Mrs. Schalago that the Kearny Board of Education hereby reconsiders and/or rescinds the resolution approving the District’s withdrawal from the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program.
MOTION EXPIRES
There being no second to the motion, the motion expired.
MOTION RE: ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Castelli and unanimously carried by acclamation to adjourn the meeting.
MEETING ADJOURNED
The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Business Administrator/
Board Secretary