RIDGEFIELD PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS Ridgefield Park, N.J. REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING January 6, 2016 MINUTES

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1 PUBLIC MEETING of the Board of Education, Village of Ridgefield Park, County of Bergen, was held at 6:30 p.m., at the Jr./Sr. High, One Ozzie Nelson Drive, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey on the above date. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Board Members: Blue, Merritt Butler, Cuozzo, Kraljic, Lingle, Martinez, Absent: Trustee: Cardenas OPENING STATEMENT: APPROVAL: The New Jersey Public Meetings Law was enacted to insure the right of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Ridgefield Park Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time and place thereof posted in the Bergen Record Municipal Building and Board of Education offices. Motion by Trustee Blue Seconded by Trustee Thiemann RESOLVE that the Board of Education approve the following minutes as submitted: Regular Public Meeting - December 9, 2015 Special Public Meeting - December 21, 2015 Vote: Voice Approved Abstention: Trustees: Merritt Butler for December 9, 2015 meeting Blue for December 21, 2015 meeting Absent: Trustee: Cardenas CORRESPONDENCE: COMMITTEE REPORTS: SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT: None None Mr. Koenig congratulated Board members on being reelected and elected to the President and Vice President positions. Mr. Koenig also welcomed Mr. Leary as Interim Business Administrator/Board Secretary. Two bus routes for special education students that are currently outsourced are being brought back in house. Work by the Special Services Department and Transportation Coordinator made this possible. The district should realize financial savings from this. There were no HIB reports from the elementary schools. Two incidents were reported at the high school: one was unconfirmed, the second one was suspected but not confirmed. There have been discussions about improving orientation procedures for Little Ferry students. A new program of shadowing of high school students by incoming Little Ferry students will take place this January and February. Students will be able to visit when full schedule days are available. There will be a 1:00 p.m. dismissal on February 4 th for students. Staff will remain for a professional development day. Communications on this calendar change will be sent to the community. The district has received updated figures on its projected deficit for the school year. This number has been fluid due to different activities in the district. Originally the projected number was $1.5 million. It is now projected to be $2.3 million.

2 Mr. Koenig explained this is due to errors made in preparing the budget. Revenue from regular and special education tuition was overestimated by $1.3 million. A change in health benefit deductions resulted in another change in revenue of almost $1 million. The district prepared a corrective action plan and submitted it to the State. The plan has broad areas in the current budget that could be examined for savings. Administration is working on the details in these areas now to effectuate a response. Students programs are at the bottom of the list in terms of actions to be taken. The impact on the next year s budget will also come into discussions. The County Office is working with the district to help it maintain services. Taxes will not be increased to make up this shortfall the district is facing. Mr. Koenig reiterated that that tax increase for school budget purposes is capped 2 percent, and cannot exceed that number. The State will be making recommendations on internal controls so this is not repeated in the future. In the meantime, all areas of the district will be scrutinized from top to bottom to reduce costs. HEARING OF CITIZENS ON AGENDA: None HEARING OF CITIZENS OFF AGENDA ITEMS: Questions were asked whether the plan decided upon by the district would be a public record. Mr. Koenig stated it would. Mr. Cody questioned the reporting structure between the Superintendent and the Business Administrator. Mr. Koenig replied that the Business Administrator is responsible for the budget preparation. Mr. Cody stated a mistake of this nature is quite large and did not understand how this could be made. A resident asked what the timetable to address the deficit would be. Mr. Koenig stated work would continue through the end of this school year. A parent stated when her daughter started school class sizes were over 31 students. The district hired staff to address class size which made her very happy. She does not want to see the district reverse course and see class numbers increased. Mr. Blumenthal asked how the deficit was discovered. Mr. Koenig replied he had concerns in September and asked the auditors to investigate. They found errors were made in the initial budget preparation and no funds were missing. Mr. Blumenthal questioned the role of the Business Administrator in this. Mr. Koenig stated this to be an ongoing personnel matter and could comment no further. Mr. Blumenthal asked about the areas under consideration for changes. Mr. Koenig said the Archdiocese will be contacted on the terms of the lease for Jefferson. Tuition contracts will be renegotiated. Transportation will be looked at to see if more revenue can be generated. The attorney is currently working on restoring a high health benefit deduction for employees. All positions from top to bottom are being examined. Mr. Blumenthal expressed concern over the growth in administrative spending. He expressed the feeling that any staffing changes should not fall on lower paid employees.

3 FACULTY AND PROGRAM Mr. Blumenthal stated the public should have more input on future budgets. He also stated the public should know about all cost saving options and have the opportunity to speak on them. A member of the Little Ferry Board of Education expressed concern over the tuition shortfall. Mr. Koenig assured him that projections at the start of the year were incorrect on Ridgefield Park s part and no further funding was expected from Little Ferry. The Board member stated any tuition adjustments in the future will impact their ability to offer programs in their own district. Little Ferry s Board wants to find ways to work together, share costs and create a good environment for their students. Future cooperation on transportation may be one area to explore. There were questions on the former Business Administrator being on a paid leave of absence. Mr. Koenig stated protocols must be followed according to education law. A resident asked whether there is any insurance available to address the mistakes made. Mr. Koenig stated this is being explored. The resident stated in the long term the taxpayers will ultimately be responsible. There were questions as to administrators receiving bonuses in December. Mr. Koenig stated that did not happen. There was discussion of instituting additional safeguards in the budgeting process. There were many events in the past year with the opening of Thomas Jefferson and additional transportation. The Finance Committee will have to have a more active role. There was a question as to whether the auditors have a role in the budget process. Mr. Koenig clarified they are solely responsible for reviewing district operations on previous years budgets as the auditor just finished the audit of the budget. This is state protocol. There was a question on whether after school programs could be affected. Mr. Koenig stated they are funded through grants and should not. A question was asked as to whether a forensic audit is being considered. Mr. Koenig noted this is an option if needed. Mr. Koenig stated he will provide regular updates to the public as progress is made. R:#39-1/6/16 CONFERENCES/TRAVEL Motion by Trustee Blue Seconded by Trustee Thiemann RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves the conferences and travel reimbursement as per the attached listing. R:#40-1/6/16 FIELD TRIPS RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves the following Field Trips for the school year.

4 Date Place Event 2/3/16 Waldwick High Academic Decathlon Awards Dinner Junior-Senior High (Grandov) Junior-Senior High (Quackenbush) Junior-Senior High (E. Iannacone) Junior-Senior High (Papetti) 2/5/16 Bergen County Courthouse 3/17-3/22/16 3/17-3/22/16 Ripken Training Center, Myrtle Beach Ripken Training Center, Myrtle Beach Consumer Bowl Competition Softball training and bonding as team Baseball training and bonding as team R:#41-1/6/16 TRANSITION PROGRAM/ COORDINATOR R:#42-1/6/16 HIB INCIDENT R:#43-1/6/16 HIB INCIDENT RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves a Transition Program for our special education students (grades 10 through 12) at Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High for an in-house job skills training offered through Pomptonian Food Service. Mr. David Mosley will be the Transition Instructor. RESOLVE that in consideration of the evidence presented to the Board with respect to the Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying Investigation of Incident #HS , the Board affirms the Superintendent s decision. RESOLVE that in consideration of the evidence presented to the Board with respect to the Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying Investigation of Incident #HS , the Board affirms the Superintendent s decision. R:#44-1/6/16 BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CLUB RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves the change in name of The Christian Club to The Bible Fellowship Club to remove any notion that it is only for Christians and to put a focus on the club s core mission. Vote: Ayes: Trustees: Abstention: Trustee: Absent: Trustee: Blue, Merritt Butler, Cuozzo, Kraljic, Lingle, Martinez, Lingle on Resolution No Softball trips Cardenas FINANCE AND INSURANCE R:#64-1/6/16 BOARD SECRETARY S REPORT Motion by Trustee Thiemann Seconded by Trustee Blue RESOLVE that the Board of Education accept the report of the Board Secretary and it is entered into the records for the month of November Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6: (d), the Board Secretary certifies that as of November 2015, no major budgetary line item account has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6: (a).

5 R:#65-1/6/16 TREASURER S REPORT R:#66 1/6/16 TRANSFERS RESOLVE that the Board of Education accept the report of the Treasurer of Monies and it is entered into the records for the month of November The Treasurer s report is in agreement with the Board Secretary s report dated November RESOLVE that the Board of Education approve the following transfer of funds for the school year, previously approved by the Superintendent: Account Description From To AL Librarian Salaries 68, BO Spec Ed Tuition 39, BO-AT Architect 9, BO Bd. Off Telephone GS GS Telephone HS HS Telephone 1, JS JS Telephone LS LS Telephone RS RS Telephone SS SS Telephone BO Bd. Off Lease/Rental 1, GS-LR GS LR 2, HS-LR HSLR 3, JS-LR JSLR 1, LS-LR LSLR 2, RS-LR RSLR 2, SS-LR SSLR HS HS Water 4, HS HS Cust. Supplies JS JS Cust. Supplies HS HS Maintenance 1, LS LS Maintenance JS-0l Oil 1, AL Bus Drivers 10, BO-RV Spec Ed Trans. 10, Vote: Ayes: Trustees: Absent: Trustee: Blue, Merritt Butler, Cuozzo, Kraljic, Lingle, Martinez, Cardenas FACULTY AND PROGRAM R:#115-1/6/16 REVISION TO RESOLUTION Motion by Trustee Blue Seconded by Trustee Thiemann RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves a revision to Resolution #41, on the Personnel Agenda dated August 26, 2015, revising Nora Quinn s start date for maternity leave from December 23, 2015 to December 11, She still plans on returning to her position on September 1, 2016.

6 R:#116-1/6/16 MATERNITY LEAVE RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves a maternity leave for Mrs. Nicole Pucciarelli, an English Teacher at the Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High, beginning on or about May 3, 2016, utilizing her accumulated sick days (subject to doctor s approval) followed by any disability she may be entitled to, and then followed by Family Leave as per New Jersey Family Act. Mrs. Pucciarelli plans on returning to her teaching position on September 1, R:#117-1/6/16 MATERNITY LEAVE RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves a maternity leave for Mrs. Catherine Faulkner, a Special Education Teacher at the Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High, beginning on or about April 18, 2016, utilizing her accumulated sick days (subject to doctor s approval) followed by any disability she may be entitled to, and then followed by Family Leave as per New Jersey Family Act. Mrs. Faulkner plans on returning to her teaching position on September 1, R:#118-1/6/16 RESCIND CONTRACT RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, rescinds the contract/appointment of Ms. Kate Holzlein to the position of English teacher (Maternity Replacement) in the Ridgefield Park District for the school year, effective December 15, R:#119-1/6/16 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves the following Substitute Teachers for the school year. Nermin Boktor Alison Butler Ayman Wasef Jenna Sargenti R:#120-1/6/16 SALARY RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves the salary for Mr. Jacob Cavins, for the position of Supervisor of Math in the Ridgefield Park District for the school year. Mr. Cavins will receive a stipend in the amount of $14,524, prorated, as per the Agreement between the Ridgefield Park Supervisors Association and the Ridgefield Park Board of Education, effective January 1, 2016 through June 30, His new salary will be $90,515. R:#121-1/6/16 EXTRA COMPENSATION RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves a revision to Res.#111 on the Personnel Agenda dated December 9, 2015, to include the addition of the following teachers for after school remedial instruction in Math and in Orton- Gillingham for Title I students. MaryGrace Marcotullio Jenna Marmo Dara Porrino

7 R:#122-1/6/16 PRACTICUM/ INTERNSHIP RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves Ms. Danielle Fokshner, student at Monmouth University, to do her Student Assistance Counselor/Mental Health practicum in the Ridgefield Park District. Ms. Fokshner will be present at mutually agreed upon times and dates for a total of 100 hours from January 19 through May 5, Mrs. Sunni Roberts will be her cooperating teacher. CONSENT AGENDA Vote: Ayes: Trustees: Blue, Merritt Butler, Cuozzo, Kraljic, Lingle, Martinez, Abstention: Trustee: Merritt Butler on Resolution No. 119 Absent: Trustee: Cardenas R:#17 1/6/16 USE OF FACILITIES Motion by Trustee Kraljic Seconded by Trustee Martinez RESOLVE that the Board of Education approve the following use of school facilities: Jr./Sr. High - Use of cafeteria and auditorium on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Roosevelt s Spring Concert, sponsored by Kristin Bungert, Roosevelt. Vote: Voice - Approved Absent: Trustee: Cardenas The following questions and/or topics were discussed: None NEW BUSINESS FACULTY AND PROGRAM R:#123-1/6/16 RESCIND RESOLUTION Motion by Trustee Blue Seconded by Trustee Miller RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, rescinds Resolution #114 on the Personnel Agenda dated December 21, R:#124-1/6/16 APPOINTMENT RESOLVE that the Board of Education, on the recommendation of Mr. Eric W. Koenig, Superintendent of s, approves the appointment of Mr. Michael Leary as an Interim Business Administrator/Board Secretary, on a per diem basis of $400 a day, retroactively to December 22, 2015, pending approval of his contract by the Executive County Superintendent of s. Vote: Ayes: Trustees: Absent: Trustee: Blue, Merritt Butler, Cuozzo, Kraljic, Lingle, Martinez, Cardenas Trustee Blue moved that the meeting be adjourned Seconded by Trustee Thiemann Vote: Voice Approved Absent: Trustee: Cardenas Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted,

8 Michael Leary Interim Business Administrator/Board Secretary