Regular Meeting
February 21, 2006
7:50 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 Torres 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 Town Clerk by letter dated February 16, 2006.
ROLL CALL
On roll call, the following members were present: Mr. Campbell, Mr. Castelli, Mr. Doffont, Mrs. Mc Keown, Mrs. Santos, Mrs. Mc Donald, President Torres.
Mr. Robert P. Mooney, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ingrid Kiss, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Leslie J. Gaulton, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and Kenneth J. Lindenfelser, Esq., Board Attorney were also present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mrs. Torres led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT
Mr. Martello was unable to attend the meeting.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown and unanimously carried that the minutes of the following meeting be hereby approved:
Regular Meeting, January 17, 2006 at 7:55 P.M.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald and seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown that the minutes of the following meeting be hereby approved:
Closed Session, January 17, 2006 at 6:33 P.M.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “aye”, Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “not voting”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Donald, “aye”, President Torres, “aye”.
There being six votes in the affirmative and one member “not voting”, the motion was carried.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown and unanimously carried that the minutes of the following meeting be hereby approved:
Closed Session, January 17, 2006 at 9:45 P.M.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald and seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown that the minutes of the following meetings be hereby approved:
Special Meeting, February 7, 2006 at 6:11 P.M.
Closed Session, February 7, 2006 at 6:45 P.M.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “aye”, Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “not voting”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Donald, “aye”, President Torres, “aye”.
There being seven votes in the affirmative and one member “not voting”, the motion was carried.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT - Mr. Mooney
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mrs. Mc Donald, with regrets:
A. RETIREMENTS
Patricia Faugno, Elementary Teacher at Garfield School, will retire effective July 1, 2006 after thirty-three years of service to the Kearny School District.
Deborah G. Sheedy, Elementary Teacher at Garfield, will retire effective July 1, 2006 after twenty-one years of service to the Kearny School District.
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Campbell, “aye”, Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “not voting”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Donald, “aye”, President Torres, “aye”.
There being six votes in the affirmative and one member “not voting”, the motion was carried.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Mc Donald and unanimously carried:
B. LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Celeste Adamski will return from her Family Leave of Absence on March 1, 2006 (instead of the original request date of March 9, 2006).
Dina Whitehead, Elementary Teacher at Roosevelt School, has been granted a Family Leave of Absence from May 8 to June 23, 2006.
Danielle Wilkinson, Elementary Teacher at Franklin School, has been granted a Family Leave of Absence from June 3 to June 23, 2006.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “C” and “D”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Mc Donald and unanimously carried:
C. CHANGE IN RESIGNATION DATE
Jessica Clauss, Teacher of the Handicapped, will resign effective February 7 instead of the original date of February 16, 2006.
D. DOUBLE SICK DAYS
Approval has been granted to double the fifty-eight (58) sick days for Mary Nuttall, elementary teacher at Schuyler School.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
E. APPOINTMENTS
1. Teacher
The following appointments have been approved:
Name Certification Step/Salary Effective Replace
Cassidy, Patrick......................... English...... STEP 1, B.A., $36,675........... 2/6/06............. Clauss
Coffaro, Salvatore............ Social Studies...... STEP 1, B.A., $36,675........... 2/6/06 ... *.... Laubach
* Contingent upon receipt of certification
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
2. Aides
The following Aides appointments have been approved:
Name Assignment Hrly Rate Eff. Replace/New
Bradley, Susanna.................................................. KHS.......... $10.00................................. Furtado
Gonzalez, Isabel................... Roosevelt-Kindergarten.......... $10.00..................................... Stahl
Kay, Pamela................................. Schuyler w/student.......... $10.00........... 2/7/06............... NEW
Lourenco, Ivette......................... Roosevelt w/student.......... $10.00..................................... NEW
Marrero, Sarabeth.................. Washington w/student.......... $10.00......... 2/13/06............... NEW
Rodriguez, Elizabeth.................... Schuyler w/student.......... $10.00..................................... NEW
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items E-#3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried:
3. Lunchroom Supervisors
The following have been appointed as Lunchroom Supervisors for the remainder of the 2005/2006 school year:
Sarch, Robert............................... Washington School (Alternate)
Severino, Keith........................................................ Lincoln School
4. Coordinators of Public Information
The following have been appointed as Coordinator of Public Information at the remuneration of $30.00 per hour, for an average of, and not to exceed, the number of hours specified:
Gadallah, David (Website)............................... 12 hours per week
Perone, Jessica (Newsletter).............................. 8 hours per week
5. Home Tutors
The following have been appointed as Home Tutors at the remuneration of $30.00 per hour:
Gilker, Jacqueline
Krieff, Robin
Wendaur, Nicole
6. Parent Involvement Facilitator for 2005/2006
The following has been appointed as a Teacher Facilitator at the remuneration of $30.00 per hour and the number of hours per teacher will be determined by the number of applicants. The program is funded by Title monies and cannot exceed $10,000 for all appointments:
Rodier, Maria
7. After-School Basic Skills Instructor – DEPA Schools
The following has been appointed as an After-School basic Skills Instruction in Schuyler school for the 2005/2006 school year at the remuneration of $30.00 per hour. The number of hours per teacher cannot exceed 100 and will be determined by the number of applicants and program implementation staffing needs:
Sneddon, Pauline
8. SRA Committee
The following has been appointed as a SRA Committee member. Remuneration is $30.00 per hour and the total number of hours for the Committee will not exceed 795:
Nunes, Maria L. – ESL Evaluator
9. Piano Accompanist
The following has been appointed as a Piano Accompanist at Kearny High School at the remuneration of $30.00 per hour:
Johnstone, Eric
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “F”, “G”, “H”, and “I”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried:
F. EQUIVALENCY
The following equivalencies have been granted:
Name Equivalency Amount Effective
Carey, Elaine ............................................ M.A.+32.................................. $ 8,690............. 2/1/06
Gadallah, David........................................... B.A.+16..................................... 1,303............. 2/1/06
Lavelle, Mandy............................................. B.A.+32..................................... 1,860............. 9/1/05
Marques, Miguel............................................... M.A...................................... 3,734............. 2/1/06
Mitchell, Tracy.................................................. M.A...................................... 3,736............. 9/1/05
G. STATE SUBSTITUTE CERTIFICATES
Approval has been granted to obtain State Substitute Certification for the following:
Alarcon, Eileen...................................................... All Grades/All Subjects
Seigle, Karen.......................................................... All Grades/All Subjects
Zurak, Alan........................................................... All Grades/All Subjects
H. ADDITIONS TO ANNUAL LISTING OF SUBSTITUTES
The following have been added to the listing of teachers eligible to work for and be charged to the Title I Program:
Raybeck, Michelle R.
Shaw, Joanna L.
Weber, Toni Ann
I. COACHES
1. Paraprofessional Volunteers
The following individuals have been granted permission to volunteer services at Kearny High School during the 2005/2006 school year:
Bifulco, Frank.................................................................... Baseball
Chew, Joseph.................................................................. Wrestling
Gogal, Douglas................................................................. Baseball
Mc Kenna, John............................................................. Boys Crew
2. Resignation
Lynn Sweeney has resigned her position of Assistant Varsity Softball Coach for the 2005/2006 school year.
PART II – NON-PERSONNEL ISSUES
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Mc Donald and unanimously carried:
A. SUMMER SCHOOL
The Board has granted permission for the Passaic County Education Services Commission to conduct summer school courses for grades 5 – 12 at Kearny High School.
B. EVENING SCHOOL FOR FOREIGN-BORN RESIDENTS
The Board has accepted funding in the amount of $2,685 for Evening School for Foreign-Born Residents for the period September 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.
The following resolutions was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
C. 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM – 2006/2007
The Board has approved the application in the amount of $517,000 for the 2006/2007 21ST Century Community Learning Center Program.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “D”, “E”, and “F”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
D. OUTSIDE PLACEMENTS
The following outside placements have been approved:
Student No. 10-05-45 to be placed at the Sawtelle Annex in Franklin School, at the (prorated) annual tuition of $51,529.06, effective January 10, 2006.
Student No. 7-03-201 to be placed at the High Point School at the (prorated) annual tuition of $31,342, effective February 15, 2006.
E. MENTORING PLAN
The Board has approved the Kearny Public Schools Mentoring Plan.
F. PROFESSIONAL DAYS
The Board has approved the monthly list of professional days and/or travel-related expenses, which is hereby made an integral part of the minutes.
PART III – INFORMATION ITEMS
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
F. GIRLS BASKETBALL TRIP
The Board has approved the Girls Varsity Basketball team’s trip to Gann Academy, Boston, Massachusetts, which occurred on the weekend of February 17 - 19, at no cost to the Board of Education.
REPORT OF THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY - Mr. Gaulton
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items #1 through #8, were moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
1. Cash Receipts – January, 2006
The Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following Report of Cash Receipts for the month of January, 2006:
BANK OF A MERICA
Jan 3 State of NJ-FICA $ 95,041.05
3 State of NJ-Debt Service Type II 2,536.00
4 State of NJ-Perkins Second 220.00
4 State of NJ-IDEA Basic 109,546.80
4 State of NJ-IDEA Pre-School 3,105.00
5 State of NJ-Chapter 192/193 27,671.00
9 State of NJ-FICA 124,946.01
9 State of NJ-State Aid 1,017,851.00
9 Interest-Checking Account 8,657.64
10 State of NJ-21st Century Grant 39,474.00
11 State of NJ-School-Based Youth Services Grant 66,708.34
12 NJCM Return 1,200,000.00
17 State of NJ-Debt Service Type II 148.00
18 NJCM Return-Fund 30 467,787.60
18 2005/2006 Budget 4,151,465.50
19 State of NJ-School Lunch-Federal-December 44,225.40
19 State of NJ-School Breakfast-Federal-December 2,816.47
19 State of NJ-School Lunch-State-December 2,161.00
19 State of NJ-School Breakfast-State-December 206.70
20 State of NJ-Ace+ Grant (FY ’05) 4,866.00
23 State of NJ-State Aid 1,017,851.00
27 NJCM Return 500,000.00
31 Miscellaneous Receipts 532,615.68
9,419,900.19
NEW JERSEY CASH MANAGEMENT
31 Interest-NJCM #50555 2,566.78
31 Interest-NJCM #10561 26,901.84
31 Interest-NJCM #128651 13,016.78
31 Interest-NJCM #130001 12,176.76
$ 9,474,562.35
2. 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 January 31, 2006, 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 2005/2006 School Year.
3. 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 January 31, 2006.
4. 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 $4,151,463.00, 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 $ 41,514,635.00
Amount Billed to Date $29,060,246.00
Amount of this Request 4,151,463.00 33,211,709.00
Balance to the Credit of Kearny
Board of Education $ 8,302,926.00
5. Investments – February, 2006 (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 February, 2006. And be it further
Resolved: That for the record it be noted that the interest earned on said investments amounted to $52,095.38, bringing the year-to-date interest to $350,703.37.
6. Payment of Bills
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the representation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary that he has examined, audited, and certified in writing that the attached bill list is correct in the total amount of $11,271,675.63, covering the period of 1/13/06 to 2/16/06, hereby orders same to be paid, in accordance with NJSA 18A:19-4.
7. Athletic Bills
The Kearny Board of Education hereby authorizes the release of warrants in payment of the following bills:
VENDOR P.O.# AMOUNT
Varsity Spirit Fashions A260013 $ 485.70
Henry Schein, Inc. A260149 419.39
R&R Trophy & Sporting Goods A260183 1,501.58
DC Sports A260185 3,039.20
Sports Time A260193 805.00
Neff Company A260196 2,535.83
R&R Trophy & Sporting Goods A260200 589.75
Stan’s Sport Center, Inc. A270211 1,020.00
Lifelong Products.Com A260215 319.66
8. Athletic Warrants
The Kearny Board of Education hereby confirms the action of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary in having issued warrants drawn on the Athletic Account, as per the attached listing which is to be made an integral part of the minutes.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
9. Payment to Architect – RE: “KEARNY HIGH SCHOOL AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT PROJECT”
The Kearny Board of Education hereby authorizes the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to issue a warrant payable to DF GIBSON ARCHITECTS, P.C., Newark, NJ, in the amount of $94,965.00 (a) in payment of Application Number 16 for professional services rendered through January 31, 2006 in connection with the “KEARNY HIGH SCHOOL AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT PROJECT” (Phase II - Design & Contract Documents).
For Informational Purposes
Original Contract Sum $ 949,650.00
Net Change by Change Orders 0.00
Contract Sum to Date $ 949,650.00
Less: Previous Payments Approved 712,237.50
Current Payment Due 94,965.00 (a)
Balance Due $ 142,447.50
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
10. Payment to Architect – RE: “KEARNY HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION/ RENOVATIONS PROJECT”
The Kearny Board of Education hereby authorizes the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to issue a warrant payable to DF GIBSON ARCHITECTS, P.C., Newark, NJ, in the amount of $118,815.70 (a) in payment of Application Number 12 for professional services rendered through January 31, 2006 in connection with the “KEARNY HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION/RENOVATIONS PROJECT” (Construction Documents).
For Informational Purposes
Original Contract Sum $ 1,188,157.00
Net Change by Change Orders 0.00
Contract Sum to Date $ 1,188,157.00
Less: Previous Payments Approved 891,117.75
Current Payment Due 118,815.70 (a)
Balance Due $ 178,223.55
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Donald, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried: