A special meeting of the Glen Ridge Board of Education was held on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the LGI room at Glen Ridge High School.

 

The meeting was held in accordance with applicable NJ Statutes governing public Board of Education meetings.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence were observed.

Present:

Mr. Agnew              Ms. O’Connor

Mr. Cable                 Ms. Raskin

Ms. Eisen                 Ms. Schoenfeld

Ms. Henry                Ms. Ginsburg

Mr. Kobernick         

 

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

This is a special meeting of the Glen Ridge Board of Education.  Adequate notice of this special meeting has been provided in that this Board notified the Glen Ridge Paper and the Star Ledger on January 23, 2008.  Said notice was published in the Star Ledger on January 28, 2008 and the Glen Ridge Paper on January 31, 2008.  The date, time, and location of this meeting were also emailed to all recipients of the annual schedule of the Board’s meetings.

 

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

Peter R. Caprio, Business Administrator/Board Secretary

 

7:03-7:45 pm Executive Session - Room 108          

                              Moved: Ms. O’Connor                     Seconded:  Ms. Henry

WHEREAS, a matter to be considered by the Board of Education deals with personnel, negotiations and/or possible litigation, and

WHEREAS, public disclosure of this matter may be prejudicial to the public good,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this matter be considered in a meeting closed to the public; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Minutes of this meeting be sealed until the matter is resolved.

 

Adjourn to closed session.

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

PUBLIC SESSION

 

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

TO

BOE

FROM

Anne Malone & Henry Haas

RE

Thank you

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Ms. Ginsburg reported that for Student Government Day, she and Ms. Raskin gave their assigned students the New Board Member Orientation and also held a mock Board of Education meeting.  She informed the Board that both she and Dr. Fishbein will be meeting with members of the Borough Council to present the 2008-2009 school year budget and to discuss the new school funding law.  Ms. Ginsburg also encouraged everyone to participate in the SCRIP program.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Fishbein discussed the recent article in the Star Ledger regarding test score results, the agenda item regarding transition services being provided by Bergen County Special Services, as well as class size and next year’s projected enrollment. He then presented the preliminary 2008-2009 school year budget.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (Agenda Items) - None

COMMITTEE REPORTS (First meeting of the month only)

Curriculum Committee - Ms. Raskin reported that the committee discussed the following:

·         Literacy test at the Forest and Linden Avenue Schools

·         New course offerings at the High School

 

Personnel and Policy Committee - None

 

Negotiations Committee - Ms. Eisen announced that the committee and association will be meeting on Wednesday, February 13th at 7:00 pm.

 

Finance and Facilities Committee - Mr. Agnew reported that the committee discussed the following:

·         Possible shared services with the Borough

·         Reviewed and discussed the 2008-2009 proposed school year budget

·         The insurance reimbursement for replacing the damaged gym floor at Ridgewood Avenue School

 

Ad Hoc Committee for Communication - Mr. Agnew announced that there will be a “Coffee and Conversation” on Friday, February 15th at the Senior Center/Train Station from 8:30 -10:00 am.      

 

Ad Hoc Committee on Alternative Funding - None                         

 

LIAISON REPORTS (First meeting of the month only)

Home & School Associations

Forest Avenue Home & School - Mr. Kobernick reported that the Home & School discussed ways to increase SCRIP sales.

 

High School Home & School - Ms. Raskin reported that the Home & School discussed fundraising activities as well as class size and its impact regarding tuition students.

 

Ridgewood Avenue Home & School - Ms. Ginsburg reported that the Home & School had a presentation on internet safety and also discussed the following:

·         Mayor’s Gala

·         Cafeteria Committee’s survey of the school lunches

·         Book Fair

·         Looking for a chairperson for the Kitchen Tour Committee

·         Class size

 

Linden Avenue Home & School - Ms. Henry reported that the Home & School discussed the Spring Fling fundraising as well as other fundraising activities.  Additionally, the victim of a stolen car parked at the school suggested having an outside security camera installed.

 

Glen Ridge Association for Special Education (GRASE) - Ms. Raskin reported that GRASE is in the process of filing for non-profit status.

 

Glen Ridge Educational Foundation (GREF) - None

Glen Ridge Athletic Association (GRAA) - None

Glen Ridge Arts Patrons Association (GRAPA) - None

Glen Ridge Municipal Alliance Committee (MAC) - None

Gas Lamp Players - None

 

PERSONNEL

 

P-1       Resignation

                              Moved:  Ms. Eisen                          Seconded:  Ms. Henry

            Accept, with regret, the resignation of Kim McWilliams, 5th Grade Teacher at Ridgewood Avenue School, effective June 30, 2008.

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

P-2       Revise             Sixth Period Assignment       

                              Moved:  Ms. Eisen                          Seconded:  Ms. Henry

            Revise the sixth period assignment stipend for Maria DiCondina, Physical Education/Health Teacher at Glen Ridge High School, from .5 in the amount of $2,793* originally approved on November 5, 2007 to a full stipend in the amount of $5,586* for the 2007-2008 school year. (*Stipend adjustment will be made upon completion of negotiations.)

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

P-3       Substitutes

                              Moved:  Ms. Eisen                          Seconded:  Ms. Henry

Approve the addition of Brian Thibault as a substitute custodian, Elizabeth Cavanaugh as a substitute teacher/aide and Joseph Higgins as a substitute technology technician for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year and the application for emergent hiring, if applicable.

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

CURRICULUM

 

C-1      Cooperative Sports Program - Ice Hockey

                              Moved:  Ms. Raskin                        Seconded:  Ms. Eisen

Approve the continuation of the Cooperative Sports Program in ice hockey between the Verona Board of Education and the Glen Ridge Board of Education for the 2008-2009 school year.

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

BUSINESS

B-1      Financial Reports

                              Moved:  Mr. Agnew                        Seconded:  Ms. Eisen

            Approve the following financial reports as recommended by the Finance Committee:

 

a.   Certification of Fund Balance

     Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6:20-2.13(e), we certify that as of November 30, 2007 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. 6:20-2.13(b) and that sufficient funds were available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the fiscal year.  

 

b.   Secretary’s Report through November 30, 2007 as follows:

     

       Beginning Balance             $3,476,022.28                                        

                   Receipts                            $2,116,846.06                                        

                   Disbursements                   $2,414,139.72                                                    

       Cash Balance                    $3,178,728.62                                        

 

c.   Bills list through December 31, 2007 in the amount of $1,993,664.65

 

d.   Treasurer of School Moneys Report for November 2007 as presented.

 

e.   Approve the budget transfer for the month of November 2007 as presented. (Exhibit B-1.e)

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

B-2      Transition Services

                              Moved:  Mr. Agnew                        Seconded:  Ms. Eisen

            Approve transition services to be provided by Bergen County Special Services to four high school students at a cost not to exceed $4,000 for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

B-3      Terminate Out-of-District Placement

                              Moved:  Mr. Agnew                        Seconded:  Ms. Eisen

Terminate the out-of-district placement of student #13041 attending Chapel Hill Academy effective February 22, 2008.

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

Aye

 

B-4      Workshops/Conferences

                              Moved:  Mr. Agnew                        Seconded:  Ms. Eisen

Approve the workshops/conferences and travel expenses for the following staff:

               

a.       Sue Nadel to attend the State University of New York OPINFORM Spring ’08 being held at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY on March 14, 2008 for a total travel cost of $46.01.  

 

b.       Eric Dimeck to attend a workshop entitled “The American Revelation for Social Studies Teachers: Concept, Themes, Collaborations” being held at Montclair State University on February 29, 2008 for a total cost of $74.95 ($70 registration plus $4.95 travel).

 

c.       Elizabeth Seaman to attend a BER workshop entitled “Strengthening your Secondary Art Program: Ideas, Strategies & Projects to Motivate Your Students (Grades 6-12)” being held at the Holiday Inn Newark International Airport in Newark, NJ on March 3, 2008 for a total cost of $207.06 ($195 registration plus $12.06 travel).

 

d.   Cristina McEnery to attend a BER workshop entitled “How to Dramatically Improve Your Students’ Foreign Language Proficiency” being held at the Holiday Inn Newark International Airport in Newark, NJ on March 6, 2008 for a total cost of $200.94 ($195 registration plus $5.94 travel).

 

e.   Kevin Lagos to attend the NJMEA Convention being held at the East Brunswick Hilton in East Brunswick, NJ from February 21-23, 2008 for a total cost of $455.96 ($135 registration plus $30.56 travel plus $212.40 hotel plus $78 meals).

 

f.    Christopher Troyano to attend the NJ State Coaches Association Cross Country/Track & Field Clinic being held at Holmdel High School in Holmdel, NJ on March 1, 2008 for a total cost of $115.43 ($70 registration plus $45.43 travel).

 

g.   Donna Chiaramonte to attend a workshop “100 Great Books to Inspire Every Reader & Writer!” being held at the Best Western Executive Inn in Fairfield, NJ on May 6, 2008 for a total cost of $203.37 ($189 registration plus $14.37 travel).

 

Agnew

 Cable

Eisen

Henry

Kobernick

O’Connor

Raskin

Schoenfeld

Ginsburg

Aye

Aye