Regular Meeting
January 16, 2007
7:07 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 January 11, 2007.
ROLL CALL
On roll call, the following members were present: Mr. Castelli, Mrs. Marks, Mrs. Santos, Mrs. Schalago, Mr. Sgalia, 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.
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT
Mr. Campbell was absent from the meeting.
MOTION RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Schalago and unanimously carried that the minutes of the following meetings be hereby approved:
Regular Meeting, December 18, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.
Closed Session, December 18, 2006 at 6:03 P.M.
Closed Session, December 18, 2006 at 8:39 P.M.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mrs. Yeamans read into the record a letter addressed to President Mc Donald from Mayor Santos regarding the La Clair/Paszewski matter, which is hereby made an integral part of the minutes.
Mrs. Mc Keown read into the record President Mc Donald’s written response to Mayor Santos, which is hereby made an integral part of the minutes.
BOARD TEMPORARILY ADJOURNS MEETING
Due to the overflow crowd and at the order of the Fire Department, the Board temporarily adjourned the meeting at 7:17 P.M. to move its location to the Franklin School Auditorium.
BOARD MEMBER ARRIVES
Mr. Doffont arrived at 7:25 P.M.
BOARD RECONVENES MEETING
The Board reconvened in the Franklin School Auditorium at 7:30 P.M.
BOARD ATTORNEY SPEAKS
Mr. Lindenfelser read into the record the text of a press release stating the Board of Education’s position and action regarding the aforementioned matter, which is hereby made an integral part of the minutes.
OBSERVERS
The following observers addressed the Board regarding the matter:
Kathleen Kelly Mouhanna; Gisela Penhar; Emy Souza; Matt Switakowski; Ricardo La Motta; Claudia Audrade Forster; Marian Paznek; Demetrios Stratis; John Pinho; Raymond Stark.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT - Mr. Mooney
PART I – PERSONNEL ISSUES
A. RETIREMENTS
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Sgalia and unanimously carried:
1. Joseph D. Di Benedetto, teacher of physical education at Kearny High School, will retire effective July 1, 2007 after thirty-five years of service to the Kearny Public Schools.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried:
2. Bonnie Levy, Director of Curriculum/Testing Pre-K to 8, will retire effective July 1, 2007 after thirty-five years of service to the Kearny Public Schools.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mrs. Santos and unanimously carried:
3. Camille M. Burns, elementary teacher at Roosevelt School, will retire effective July 1, 2007 after thirty-two years of service to the Kearny Public Schools.
MEETING RELOCATES TO BOARD ROOM
The Board returned to the Board Room and reconvened the meeting at 8:40 P.M.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “B”, “C”, and “D-1, 2 and 3”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Sgalia and unanimously carried:
B. RESIGNATIONS
The following resignations have been accepted:
George Bullis has resigned effective December 15, 2006 as Security Officer;
Nicholas Georgetti has resigned effective January 6, 2007 as Athletic Trainer;
Paul Rao has resigned his position of Teacher of Science at Kearny High School, effective January 10, 2007;
Catherine Padinha will resign as Chairperson of the Equivalency Committee effective June 22, 2007.
C. LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Rosanna Markarian has been granted a Maternity Leave of Absence from January 10 to March 14, 2007.
Sharon Mc Kenna has been granted a Family Leave of Absence from May 16 to June 22, 2007, and from September 5 to October 24, 2007.
Alison Ricca, elementary teacher at Schuyler School, has been granted a Family Leave of Absence from June 6 to June 22, 2007; this is a correction to a previous resolution.
D. APPOINTMENTS
1. Parent Involvement Facilitator for DEPA Schools
The following has been appointed as a Parent Involvement Facilitator for Franklin, Garfield, Schuyler and Washington Schools for the 2006/2007 school year; remuneration is $32.00 per hour, not to exceed 15 hours:
Digesere, Kathleen
2. Educational Workshop
The following have been approved to conduct the “Dollar Store Science” workshop for three (3) sessions on March 27, April 17 and April 24, 2007, 3:30 to 5:00 P.M.; remuneration for each teacher is $32.00 per hour for 7-1/2 hours (total of 15 hours):
Mc Carthy, Elaine
Mc Masters, Jessica
3. Piano Accompanist
John Bender has been appointed as piano accompanist (replacing Erika Johnstone) at the remuneration of $32.00 per hour, approximately two (2) hours per day.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “D-4 and 5”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown and seconded by Mr. Sgalia:
4. Aides
The following Aide appointments have been approved:
NAME ASSIGNMENT SALARY EFFECTIVE REPLACE/NEW
Schalago, Cheryl................ KHS Hall Monitor......... $9.00/hour............. *..................... Schneider
Vogel, Priscilla Bus Aide....... $10.00/hour............. *........................... NEW
Zhang, Queli........................... KHS w/student....... $10.00/hour............. *................. LaBrode,G. ................................................................................. (transferred)
5. Student Review Assessment Committee
The following have been appointed as SRA (Student Review Assessment) Committee members for the 2006/2007 school year at the remuneration of $32.00 per hour. The total number of hours for the Committee will not exceed 770 and 150 hours for the Team Coordinator:
COORDINATOR............................ Schirm, Cynthia
MATHEMATICS READING ESL
Contreras, Michael Goodlad, Kerry Kryshak-Baptista, Amy Beth
Klahre, Teresa
Legowski, Erika
Metrione, Elba
Ronan, Linda
On roll call, the following vote was recorded: Mr. Castelli, “aye”, Mr. Doffont, “aye”, Mrs. Marks, “aye”, Mrs. Santos, “aye”, Mrs. Schalago, “abstain”, Mr. Sgalia, “aye”, Mrs. Mc Keown, “aye”, President Mc Donald, “aye”.
There being seven votes in the affirmative and one member abstaining, the motion was carried.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “E”, “F”, “H”, and “I”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown seconded by Mr. Sgalia and unanimously carried:
E. CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Maria Nunes, part-time ESL teacher at Kearny High School, will become full-time effective February 1, 2007; she will remain on STEP 14, ½ EQ., at the annual salary of $57,402 (prorated).
F. SUBSTITUTES
1. State Substitute Certificates
Approval has been granted to obtain State Substitute Certification for the following in All Grades/All Subjects:
Bailey, Todd Mc Shane, Christopher
Cogan, Scott P. Mc Shane, Daniel
Cruz, Fanny L. Mc Shane, Jacqueline
Distano, Nicole Tavares, Angela M.
Ip, Joanna
2. Additions to Annual List of Substitutes
The following have been added to the listing of substitute teachers eligible to work for and be charged to the Title I Program:
De Cicco, David
Mc Mullen, Ryan M.
Rahner, Karla
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
Holmes, Kristen L.............................. Nahass........... $75/diem first 22 days................. then $100 per diem, eff. 2/1/06
Nolan, Colleen M. **........................ Trovato........... $80/diem first 21 days ..... then $37,776 (prorated), eff. 1/31/07
Sickinger, Catherine A. *................ De Witt........... $75/diem first 22 days ..... then $37,776 (prorated), eff. 2/14/07
Wagner, Amanda A.................................. Rao........... $75/diem first 22 days ................ then $100 per diem, eff. 2/9/07
* Certification in process ** Certified
G. This item intentionally left blank.
H. EQUIVALENCY
The following equivalencies have been granted as stated:
NAME EQUIVALENCY AMOUNT EFFECTIVE
Bellardita, Francesca.............. M.A.+32........... $ 55,483 (2007/08 Salary)... 9/1/07
Caulfield, Dorothy................... M.A.+32.............. 88,388 (2007/08 Salary)... 9/1/07
Correnti, Alan......................... B.A.+32................. 1,917. (prorated) 2/1/07
Di Nuzzo, Brenda................... B.A.+32................. 1,913. (prorated) 2/1/07
Kryshak-Baptista, Amy......... B.A.+32................. 1,916. (prorated) 2/1/07
Padinha, Catherine................. B.A.+64................. 4,004. (prorated) 9/1/06
Sofield, Melissa....................... B.A.+16................. 1,613. (prorated) 9/1/06
I. COUNSELING INTERN
The Board has approved Sima Afayee to work with Joan Fealey at Washington School as an Intern Counselor from January 2007 to January 2008.
PART II – NON-PERSONNEL ISSUES
A. SCHOOL BOARD PROCLAMATION
This topic is for informational purposes only.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, and “G”, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
B. ROOSEVELT SCHOOL CAMPING TRIP
The Board has approved an overnight camping trip to Fairview Lake YMCA in Newton, New Jersey for 5th and 6th grade students at Roosevelt School, March 7 – 9, 2007, at no cost to the Board and contingent upon all Board policies being met.
C. OUTSIDE PLACEMENTS
The following outside placements have been approved:
Student No. 5-06-188 has been placed at the Kearny Sawtelle Program, Franklin School, at the annual tuition cost of $47,825.67 (prorated), effective December 18, 2006;
Student No. 9-03-17 has been placed at The Phoenix Center, Nutley at the annual tuition of $44,168.40 (prorated), effective January 8, 2007;
Student No. 9-06-20 has been placed at the Child Development Center at the annual tuition of $40,989.60 (prorated), effective January 2, 2007.
D. PERKINS GRANT
The Board has accepted funding in the amount of $39,358 from the Perkins Secondary Grant No. PERK241007 for the program duration of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.
E. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT CONSOLIDATED FORMULA SUBGRANT (REVISED)
The Board has accepted the following revised funding from the 2006-2007 “No Child Left Behind Act” Consolidated Formula Subgrant:
Title I Part A Basic, Concentration, Targeted & EFIG.............. $ 586,146
Title II Part A................................................................................. 161,869
Title II Part D................................................................................ 2,617
Title III........................................................................................... 118,959
Title IV............................................................................................ 20,055
Title V............................................................................................. 13,364
TOTAL.......................................................................................... $ 903,010
F. BOARD POLICY – “RECORDING DEVICES”
The Board has adopted, upon second reading, the Board Policy regarding “Recording Devices”.
G. 2007/08 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Board has approved the 2007/2008 Professional Development Plan.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Sgalia and unanimously carried:
H. WIN PROGRAM
The Board has approved the recommendation of the High School Child Study Team to have six students participate in the “WIN” (Working for Independence Now) Program as part of their IEP; the cost of the five-month program is approximately $15,000, which will be funded by IDEA grant monies.
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items “I”, “K”, “L”, and “M” were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
I. BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM
The Board has authorized a sub-varsity Boys Volleyball Team for Spring, 2007 at the cost of $10,500 for transportation, officials, uniform, and coaching expenses; the coaching salary to be negotiated with the Kearny Education Association.
K. COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY PLAN
The Board has approved the following Affirmative Action Team to develop needs assessment of a Comprehensive Equity Plan to be implemented over a three-year period:
Addie Boyd, Affirmative Action Officer; Steve Dyl, Community Member; Robert Mc Guire, teacher; Patricia Maddalone, Secretary.
L. ANNUAL PATROL OUTING
The Board has approved the annual school patrol outing to Great Adventure on Friday, May 11, 2007. All costs are assumed by the Town and all Board policies will be met.
M. PROFESSIONAL DAYS
The listing of professional days has been approved and is hereby made an integral part of the minutes.
The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Sgalia and unanimously carried:
J. MONITORING
The Board hereby acknowledges formal notification that the Hudson County Monitoring Team is recommending to the Commissioner of Education that the Kearny Public Schools be certified for a period of seven years.
SUPERINTENDENT SPEAKS
Mr. Mooney took the opportunity to publicly thank District staff members for their assistance and cooperation throughout the monitoring process, particularly Dr. Ingrid Kiss who coordinated and administered each aspect of the project.
REPORT OF THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY - Mrs. Yeamans
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items #1 through #8, were moved by Mrs. Mc Keown, seconded by Mr. Doffont and unanimously carried:
PART A
1. Cash Receipts – December, 2006
The Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following Report of Cash Receipts for the month of December, 2006:
BANK OF AMERICA
Dec 4 State of NJ-Non-Public Nursing $ 10,877.75
5 State of NJ – Chapter 192/193 38,053.00
8 Bank of America Interest-Checking Account 6,853.07
8 State of NJ-State Aid 1,132,764.00
13 State of NJ-School Lunch-October-Federal 69,734.99
13 State of NJ-School Breakfast-October-Federal 3,931.50
13 State of NJ-School Lunch-October-State 3,321.40
13 State of NJ-School Breakfast-October-State 297.90
14 NJCM Return 1,400,000.00
15 State of NJ-IDEA-Basic 361,218.30
15 State of NJ-IDEA-Pre-School 10,723.60
19 2006/2007 Budget 3,182,072.00
20 Miscellaneous Receipts 3,723.83
20 State of NJ-Title I 211,449.30
20 State of NJ-Title IIA 49,508.50
21 State of NJ-21st Century Grant 214,318.00
22 State of NJ-State Aid 1,132,764.00
28 State of NJ-School Lunch-November-Federal 52,363.88
28 State of NJ-School Breakfast-November-Federal 3,255.84
28 State of NJ-School Lunch-November-State 2,478.22
28 State of NJ-School Breakfast-November-State 243.00
7,889,952.08
NEW JERSEY CASH MANAGEMENT
31 Interest-NJCM #50555 3,224.12
31 Interest-NJCM #10561 42,139.29
31 Interest-NJCM #128651 12,854.07
31 Interest-NJCM #130001 16,553.14
$ 7,964,722.70
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 December 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 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 December 31, 2006.
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 $25,456,582.00
Amount of this Request 4,242,763.00 29,699,345.00
Balance to the Credit of Kearny
Board of Education $ 12,728,293.00
6. Investments – December, 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 August, 2006. And be it further
Resolved: That for the record it be noted that the interest earned on said investments amounted to $71,546.50, bringing the year-to-date interest to $301,202.55.
7. 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 $7,711,924.00, covering the period of 12/14/06 to 1/11/07, hereby orders same to be paid, in accordance with NJSA 18A:19-4.
8. Permission to Accept Donation
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the request of Martin Hoff, Music/Art/Media Department Chairperson, hereby accepts the donation of one (1) piano from Mrs. Ellen Goodlad, High School Secretary, for placement at the Franklin School auditorium.
PART B
The following resolutions, inclusive of Items #1 through #4, were moved by Mr. Doffont, seconded by Mrs. Mc Keown and unanimously carried:
1. Appointment of Day Shift Custodian – Kearny High School – TUESDAY to SATURDAY Shift
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the joint recommendation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary and Director of Plant Operations, hereby approves the appointment of Patrick Aiello to the position of Custodian (Day Shift – Tuesday to Saturday) assigned to Kearny High School, effective January 18, 2007. He will remain on STEP 1 of the 2006/2007 K.S.E.A. Salary Guide at the annual base salary of $37,541 and a stipend of $500 for the Tuesday to Saturday Shift will be added, for a total (prorated) annual salary of $38,041.
2. Appointment of Maintenance Person – Night Shift
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the joint recommendation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary and Director of Plant Operations, hereby approves the appointment of Brian Doran to the position of Maintenance Person (Night Shift), effective January 18, 2007. He will be placed on STEP 3 of the 2006/2007 K.S.E.A. Salary Guide at the annual base salary of $49,379, plus $1,500 Maintenance stipend, $300 for his Fireman’s License, and $400 Night Differential for a total (prorated) annual salary of $51,579.
3. Approval/Acknowledgement – 90-Day Probationary Period
The Kearny Board of Education, based upon the joint recommendation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Superintendent of Schools, and Director of Plant Operations, hereby acknowledges for the record the successful completion of the 90-day probationary period for the following:
Munro, Tammy....................................................... Part-Time Secretary at Lincoln School
Rowland, Thomas........................................... Custodian (Nights) at Kearny High School
Sroczynski, Frank........... Lead Custodian (Nights – Second Shift) at Kearny High School
Tchalabi, David.............. Assistant Head Custodian (Night Shift) at Kearny High School
4. 2007 Annual School Election Resolutions
The Kearny Board of Education hereby approves the following resolutions, as needed, in connection with the 2007 Annual School Election, which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007:
1. ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION DATE AND TIME
2. FILING NOMINATING PETITIONS AND DRAWING FOR POSITIONS
REPORT OF THE BOARD ATTORNEY - Mr. Lindenfelser
Mr. Lindenfelser reported that Delric Construction, the contractor being sued by the District for the faulty gymnasium floor at Schuyler School, has in turn sued Vitetta, the construction management team during the Schuyler School construction project. Also named in Delric’s lawsuit are the flooring manufacturer and suppliers.
A disciplinary hearing will be held on February 6th at 6 p.m. to address two student matters.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PLANT OPERATIONS - Mr. Bruscino
In Mr. Bruscino’s absence, Mr. Ferguson reported the following:
New urinals have been installed at Roosevelt School; construction in Franklin School’s group assembly room is ongoing; the installation of the new gymnasium floor at Schuyler School will require ten consecutive days to complete; and, three quotes are being obtained for the purchase of a new parking gate at the High School.
A request from the Kearny Crew Parents to install a sponsor sign on the boathouse property resulted i