A regular meeting of the Glen Ridge Board of Education was held on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:06 pm in the auditorium of the Ridgewood Avenue 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. Raskin

Mr. Cable Ms. Schoenfeld

Mr. Kobernick Ms. Ginsburg

Ms. O’Connor

Not Present:

Ms. Eisen

Ms. Henry

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

This is a scheduled meeting of the Glen Ridge Board of Education. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in that this Board notified the Glen Ridge Paper and the Star Ledger on May 2, 2007. Said notice was published in the Glen Ridge Paper on May 10, 2007 and the Star Ledger on May 7, 2007. 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

7:10-7:30 pm Executive Session - Room 23 in Ridgewood Avenue School

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

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	Not Present	Not Present	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye

PUBLIC SESSION

During the building tour of the Ridgewood Avenue School, the Board was shown the proposed 2008-2009 major maintenance projects.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

TO	BOE	FROM	Laura Zepp	RE	Thank you
			Robert Marsh		Thank you
			Ninfa Edelman		Thank you
			Yun Abernathy		Class size
			Concerned Forest Avenue 1^st Grade Parents		Class size

Dr. Fishbein discussed the class size issue in regards to the written communications received.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Ms. Ginsburg encouraged everyone to vote in the general election being held on Tuesday. She also informed the Board that at the recent NJSBA Convention she attended, there was a presentation on the Maryland School System by the former Lt. Governor and, additionally, the Garden State Coalition of Schools issued a comprehensive funding formula proposal.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

During the Showcase of Success, Ms. Lauren Dutton did a presentation on the elementary guidance program; Karen Bauer reported on the 3^rd and 4^th grade looping, and Joan DeJong spoke about Red Ribbon Week.

Dr. Fishbein presented the 2006-2007 Quality Assurance Annual Report (QAAR) and gave an overview of the QSAC, the new report that will be replacing the QAAR next year.

Ms. Barbara Gemza, Director of Student Services, presented the district’s 2006-2007 testing results.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (Agenda Items)

Ms. Smith asked what the district has been doing in regards to the class size issue. She also indicated that there is a need for better direct communication by the district regarding this issue.

Ms. Cusumano suggested reviewing class sizes prior to the new school year and asked the district to consider hiring a 1^st grade teacher for the remainder of the current school year.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (First meeting of the month only)

Curriculum Committee - Ms. Raskin reported that the committee has been discussing the following:

· Peer Leadership Program

· AP curriculum

· Professional Development

· Physics First Program

· Online course registrations

Personnel and Policy Committee - None

Negotiations Committee - Ms. Ginsburg informed the Board that a mediation session has been scheduled for November 20^th.

Finance and Facilities Committee - Mr. Agnew informed the Board that the committee was given a presentation on the district’s health benefits by Grinspec, the Board’s insurance broker.

Ad Hoc Committee for Communication - Mr. Agnew reported that the committee is focusing on the improvement of the district’s website relating to communications. He also announced that the next “Coffee and Conversation” will be held on November 16^th from 8:30 to 10:00 am at the Senior Center/Train Station.

Ad Hoc Committee on Alternative Funding - None

Ad Hoc Committee for Property Tax Community Action Plan - None

LIAISON REPORTS (First meeting of the month only)

Home & School Associations

Ridgewood Avenue Home & School - Mr. Cable reported that the meeting’s main focus was the school lunch program.

Forest Avenue Home & School - Ms. Ginsburg reported that the meeting’s discussion was primarily about class size and the marketing of the SCRIP program.

High School Home & School - Ms. Raskin reported that the Home & School discussed the 8^th grade field trip and fundraising events.

Glen Ridge Association for Special Education (GRASE) - Ms. Raskin informed the Board that GRASE will be offering the following workshops:

· The Writing Process

· Assistive Technology

· The Reading Process

· Pull-Outs and In-Class Support

Glen Ridge Educational Foundation (GREF) - Ms. Schoenfeld reported that all the proceeds from the Ashenfelter 8K Race will go to the GREF.

Glen Ridge Athletic Association (GRAA) - None

Glen Ridge Arts Patrons Association (GRAPA) - Ms. O’Connor announced that the Arts Festival will be held on May 10^th.

Glen Ridge Municipal Alliance Committee (MAC) - Ms. O’Connor reported that the committee discussed the following:

· Library closing

· Parent handbook

· Funding for parent workshops

ADMINISTRATION

A-1 Second Reading and Adoption of New and/or Revised Policies and Regulations

Moved: Ms. Raskin Seconded: Ms. Schoenfeld

Approve the second reading and adoption of the following new and/or revised policies and regulations of the Glen Ridge Board of Education: (Exhibit A-1)

Policy #5330 - Administration of Medication

Regulation #R5330 - Administration of Medication

Policy #5512.01 - Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Policy #5530 - Substance Abuse

Regulation #R5530 - Substance Abuse

Policy #8461 - Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Alcohol, and Other Drug Abuse

Regulation #R8461 - Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Alcohol, and Other Drug Abuse

Policy #8601 - Pupil Supervision After School Dismissal

Agnew	Cable	Eisen	Henry	Kobernick	O’Connor	Raskin	Schoenfeld	Ginsburg
Aye	Aye	Not Present	Not Present	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye

A-2 Quality Assurance Annual Report (QAAR) for the 2006-2007 school year

Moved: Ms. Raskin Seconded: Ms. Schoenfeld

As recommended by the Superintendent of Schools, accept the 2006-2007 Quality Assurance Annual Report (QAAR) which includes the 2006-2007 District Testing Report, as well as the updated Five Year Curriculum Review Cycle as presented. (Exhibit A-2)

Agnew	Cable	Eisen	Henry	Kobernick	O’Connor	Raskin	Schoenfeld	Ginsburg
Aye	Aye	Not Present	Not Present	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye

PERSONNEL

P-1 Retirement Resignation

Moved: Mr. Cable Seconded: Ms. Raskin

Accept, with regret, the retirement resignation of Adrienne Thomas, 6^th Grade teacher at Ridgewood Avenue School, effective June 30, 2008.

Agnew	Cable	Eisen	Henry	Kobernick	O’Connor	Raskin	Schoenfeld	Ginsburg
Aye	Aye	Not Present	Not Present	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye

P-2 Appointments

Moved: Mr. Cable Seconded: Ms. Raskin

Approve the appointment of the following new staff for the 2007-2008 school year and the application for emergent hiring, if applicable:

Staff Assignment/Location Effective Date/Salary*

Charles Poris

Part-time Special Education Aide

High School

10/30/07 through 6/30/08

Aide Step 1

$13.63 per hour

Jessica Davidson (maternity leave replacement for Caitlin Price)

Spanish Teacher

High School

1/15/08 through 6/30/08

MA Step 1

$49,468 (pro-rated) upon completion of 20 consecutive days at substitute rate and receipt of certification

Tara Sclafani (maternity leave replacement for Anne Malone)

Art Teacher

High School

12/15/07 through 6/30/08

BA Step 1

$44,477 (pro-rated) upon completion of 20 consecutive days at substitute rate

(*Salary adjustment will be made upon completion of negotiations.)

Agnew	Cable	Eisen	Henry	Kobernick	O’Connor	Raskin	Schoenfeld	Ginsburg
Aye	Aye	Not Present	Not Present	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye

P-3 Leaves of Absence

Moved: Mr. Cable Seconded: Ms. Raskin

Approve a maternity leave of absence to the following staff:

a. Jody Hackmeyer, English teacher at Glen Ridge High School, effective on or about February 17, 2008 with her anticipated return three months after giving birth (approximately mid-May 2008). Ms. Hackmeyer will utilize 20 of her unused sick days as per the Master Agreement and take the remainder of the three months unpaid.

b. Vivian Petrosino, Guidance Counselor at Glen Ridge High School, effective on or about March 10, 2008 with her anticipated return on or about May 21, 2008. Ms. Petrosino will utilize unused sick days as per the Master Agreement and take the remainder of the time unpaid.

Agnew	Cable	Eisen	Henry	Kobernick	O’Connor	Raskin	Schoenfeld	Ginsburg
Aye	Aye	Not Present	Not Present	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye

P-4 Substitutes

Moved: Mr. Cable Seconded: Ms. Raskin

a. Approve Molly Eisen as a student worker in the Childcare Program as a substitute childcare aide at a rate of $7.15 per hour.

b. Approve the addition of Nicholas Poliseno, Courtney Cricco, Karen Stefano, Walter Wright and Ari Sofer to the substitute list for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year.