Minutes of the Regular Public Meeting August 29, 2012

Transcription

1 RIVER EDGE BOARD OF EDUCATION RIVER EDGE, NEW JERSEY Building Bright Futures Together Minutes of the Regular Public Meeting August 29, :00 PM Public Meeting The Board of Education, Borough of River Edge, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey met in the Media Center, Roosevelt School, 711 Summit Avenue, River Edge, NJ CALL TO ORDER AND FLAG SALUTE Ms. Di Maulo called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. MISSION STATEMENT ROLL CALL Ms. Dansky read the Mission Statement. Present on roll call were Mrs. Buckley; Mr. Busteed; Ms. Dansky; Ms. Di Maulo; Mrs. Myers; Mr. Sim, also present were Dr. Ben-Dov, Ms. Trainor, Mr. Vouvalides, Mr. Higgins and approximately two members of the public. Ms. Walker was absent OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS NOTICE SPECIAL ITEM Ms. Trainor read the Open Public Meeting Act Notice. Mr. Gyuchang Sim was sworn in as a River Edge Board of Education member. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Mr. Busteed Seconded by Mrs. Buckley that the Board of Education convened into closed session at 7:15 PM for Assistant Principal Interviews.. Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim 1

2 RECONVENE Motion by Mrs. Myers Seconded by Ms. Dansky that the Board of Education reconvenes the regular public meeting at 8:45 PM. Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim SPECIAL/DISCUSSION ITEMS REPORTS Public Comment on Agenda Items-None Public Hearing on Refunding Bonds-Gary Higgins, Auditor Gary Higgins reviewed the process of the bond refunding and discussed the potential interest savings on the refinanced bonds. SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Ben-Dov reported on the following: Summer is coming to a close and we are finalizing on all preparations for the School Year. Meet and Greets for kindergarten concluded and they went very well. PALS assessments will be administered by the Kindergarten teachers with their students, training took place on Tuesday, August 28, New Teacher Orientation started today and will also be on Thursday, August 30 th. Dr. Ben-Dov said we have a wonderful new crew. The first day of school for teachers is September 4, 2012 and it will be a Professional Day. Suicide prevention training and Language Arts Professional Development will be held that day. Bill Feldman, the new Tri-District Supervisor of Curriculum, will come and join us on Tuesday, September. 4th at teacher orientation. Dr. Ben-Dov, Mr. Vouvalides and Mrs. Heitman went to a Bergen County Conference where they spoke about state assessments. NJ ASK results came in but the results are very general. We only have the students individual test scores. It is not enough information to analyze it yet. Once we can analyze it, we will analyze in three different ways: 1. Incoming teachers will get the scores 2. Last year s teachers will get the scores for his/her last year s students 3. Longitudinal scores for students will be compiled. 2

3 The verdict for the Learnia assessment is a mixed one from the teachers. They didn t think it was enough intervention material. Renaissance is a program that is computer based. It assesses students from grades 2-6 in literacy. It collects and analyzes data for strengths and needs of improvement. It offers a longitudinal record and it is designed in a more subjective manner. Dr. Ben-Dov believes this program offers an individual knowledge of every student. Building and Grounds have been very busy over the summer. The paving in the driveway at Cherry Hill is complete. The gym at Roosevelt School has been painted. The movements of the rooms at both schools are complete. The energy audit from last year is in process. The Block grant was officially awarded to River Edge. We will get $65,000 and with that money we would like to renovate the upstairs bathroom in Roosevelt School and make it into a boys room and make the downstairs bathroom for adults only. This school year will be our QSAC year. The last time it was a QSAC year was 3 years ago. Dr. Ben-Dov is putting together a QSAC committee. The meeting for this committee should be in September. The administrative team has met and discussed the additional funds left from the school year. They decided it was best to use these funds on the purchase of two laptop carts. Dr. Ben-Dov recommends that we allocate the funds to this purpose. Race to the Top has allowed us to apply for a grant that can be 5-10 million dollars as a Tri-District consortium. The deadline to apply is Thursday August 30, We put in a letter of intent and we we ll review the application when available. PRINCIPAL Mr. Vouvalides reported on the following: Mr. Vouvalides complimented the custodians on how good the schools look for this school year. Scheduling for the school year was very difficult this time. He is very pleased with the outcome. Mr. Vouvalides attended a Bergen County Conference at Bergen Community College on Wednesday. August 22, The hiring for this school year was very successful and he is pleased with the outcome. BOARD SECRETARY Ms. Trainor reported on the following: Ms. Trainor received a letter from the Bergen County Clerk s office regarding the order for the ballots for the candidates. The order on the ballots will be Wendy Walker, Colin Busteed and Gyuchang Sim. 3

4 The district received formal notification of the award of a Community Development Grant for the school year in the amount of $65,296. PRESIDENT Ms. Di Maulo reported on the following: Ms. Di Maulo would like to invite the new field service Representative from New Jersey School Boards Association to a board meeting to introduce himself. The Bergen and Passaic Counties workshop has changed its location. It will now be held at the Bergen County Technical School in Paramus. Ms. Di Maulo has completed the School Board Committees. COMMITTEES Mrs. Myers spoke about the finance committee MOTIONS TO BE ACTED UPON ADMINISTRATION/POLICY Motion by Mr. Busteed Seconded by Mr. Sim that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of August 1, Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers Abstained: Mr. Sim Motion by Mr. Sim Seconded by Mrs. Buckley that the Board of Education approve the Special Milk Pricing at rate of.31 per day for the school year. that the Board of Education approve the list on file in the district office of pupil records maintained in the district for the school year. (Addendum) Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim 4

5 CURRICULUM/EDUCATION Motion by Mrs. Buckley Seconded by Ms. Dansky that the Board of Education approve the school year attendance of specific students at Cherry Hill or Roosevelt School which is other than their customary neighborhood school.(addendum) Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim BUILDING & GROUNDS - None FINANCE/GRANTS/GIFTS Motion by Ms. Dansky Seconded by Mrs. Myers that the Board of Education approve the bills & claims dated August 2012 totaling $356, including checks #34156 through # (Addendum) that the Board of Education approve the license agreement with the Extended School Program for the school year. Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim Motion by Mrs. Myers Seconded by Mr. Busteed WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Borough of River Edge in the County of Bergen, New Jersey (the Board when referring to the governing body and the School District when referring to the territorial boundaries governed by the Board) issued $9,020,000 aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt school bonds dated December 1, 2005 (the 2005 School Bonds ); and WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the current tax-exempt interest rate environment may enable it to realize going-forward debt service savings for the School District property taxpayers through the issuance by the Board of not exceeding $9,020,000 in Refunding Bonds (the Refunding Bonds ) to refund all or a portion of its outstanding 2005 School Bonds in the amount of $8,085,000 maturing on February 1 in the years 2016 through 2031 (the Refunded Bonds ); and 5

6 WHEREAS, the Board, pursuant to a refunding school bond ordinance (the Refunding Bond Ordinance ) introduced on first reading by resolution of the Board on August 8, 2012, authorized the issuance of the Refunding Bonds for the purpose of refunding the Refunded Bonds; and WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Board has held a public hearing on the Refunding Bond Ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined to issue and sell such Refunding Bonds; and WHEREAS, the Board now desires to finally adopt the Refunding Bond Ordinance and to authorize certain actions in connection with the sale and issuance of the Refunding Bonds. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVER EDGE IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Refunding Bond Ordinance is hereby adopted and shall take effect immediately. SECTION 2. The Refunding Bonds are hereby authorized to be sold to, and the Board hereby appoints NW Capital Markets, to serve as the Underwriter (the Underwriter ), upon the terms set forth herein and set forth in its proposal to the Board. SECTION 3. There is hereby delegated to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, subject to the limitations contained herein and in consultation with Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., Woodbridge, New Jersey, Bond Counsel to the Board ( Bond Counsel ) and Lerch, Vinci & Higgins, LLP, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, ( the Auditor ), the power with respect to the Refunding Bonds to determine and carry out the following: a) the sale of the Refunding Bonds at private sale, provided that the purchase price paid by the purchaser thereof shall not be less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the principal amount of the Refunding Bonds so sold; b) the principal amount of Refunding Bonds to be issued, provided that (i) such amount shall not exceed $9,020,000, and (ii) such amount shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay the costs of issuance associated with the Refunding Bonds and to fund the deposit to the escrow fund as set forth in the Escrow Deposit Agreement (as defined herein) in an amount that, when invested, will be sufficient to provide for the timely payments required for the Refunded Bonds; c) the maturity dates and the principal amount of each maturity of the Refunding Bonds, provided that no Refunding Bonds refunding the Refunded Bonds shall mature later than February 1,

7 d) the interest payment dates and the interest rates on the Refunding Bonds, provided that the true interest cost on the Refunding Bonds shall produce a present value debt service savings of at least three percent (3%) of the principal amount of the Refunded Bonds; e) the denomination or denominations of and the manner of numbering and lettering the Refunding Bonds, provided that all Refunding Bonds of like maturity shall be identical in all respects, except as to denominations, amounts, numbers and letters; f) provisions for the sale or exchange of the Refunding Bonds and for the delivery thereof; g) the form of the Refunding Bonds shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, with such additions, deletions and omissions as may be necessary for the Board to market the Refunding Bonds in accordance with the requirements of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, ( DTC ) and the Purchase Contract (as defined herein); h) the direction for the application and investment of the proceeds of the Refunding Bonds; and i) any other provisions deemed advisable by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary not in conflict with the provisions hereof. In addition, the issuance of the Refunding Bonds shall comply with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:30-2.5, including that within 10 days of the date of the closing on the Refunding Bonds, the Business Administrator/Board Secretary shall file a report with the Local Finance Board within the Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs setting forth (a) a comparison of the Refunding Bonds debt service and the Refunded Bonds debt service which comparison shall set forth the present value savings achieved by the issuance of the Refunding Bonds; (b) a summary of the issuance of the Refunding Bonds; (c) an itemized accounting of all costs of issuance in connection with the issuance of the Refunding Bond and (d) a certification of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary that (i) all of the conditions of section (b) of N.J.A.C. 5: have been met and (ii) this resolution authorizing the issuance of the Refunding Bonds, adopted pursuant 18A: (b), was approved by a two-thirds vote of the full membership of the Board. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary shall execute a certificate evidencing the determinations or other actions taken pursuant to the authority granted hereunder, and any such certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the actions or determinations of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary as to the matters stated therein. SECTION 4. The President and Vice-President of the Board are hereby authorized and directed to execute by manual or facsimile signature the Refunding Bonds in the name of the Board and the corporate seal (or facsimile thereof) shall be thereunto affixed, imprinted, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and 7

8 directed to attest to such signature and to the affixing of said seal to the Refunding Bonds. SECTION 5. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary, in consultation with Bond Counsel and the Auditor, is hereby authorized and directed to approve the Bond Purchase Contract (the Purchase Contract ) for the Refunding Bonds, to be dated the date of sale of such Refunding Bonds and to be executed by the Underwriter. The President, Vice-President and Business Administrator/Board Secretary are hereby authorized and directed on behalf of the Board to execute and deliver said Purchase Contract. SECTION 6. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary, in consultation with Bond Counsel and the Auditor, is hereby authorized and directed to apply and qualify for the issuance of any policy of municipal bond insurance and to approve a Commitment for Municipal Bond Insurance (the Commitment ) setting forth the terms and conditions (including premium charges) upon which a bond insurer proposes to issue its bond insurance policy covering the Refunding Bonds. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and directed on behalf of the Board to execute and deliver said Commitment. SECTION 7. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary, in consultation with Bond Counsel, is hereby authorized and directed to approve the Escrow Deposit Agreement (the Escrow Deposit Agreement ) with an escrow agent (the Escrow Agent ) to be selected by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, in consultation with Bond Counsel, with respect to the Refunded Bonds, to be dated the date of the closing on the Refunding Bonds. The President and Vice- President of the Board are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Escrow Deposit Agreement in the name of the Board and the corporate seal (or facsimile thereof) shall be thereunto affixed, imprinted, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to attest to such signature and to the affixing of said seal to the Escrow Deposit Agreement. The Underwriter is hereby authorized to act as the agent and representative of the Board for the purpose of subscribing for the purchase of United States Treasury Securities State and Local Government Series to be held by the Escrow Agent. SECTION 8. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to select a verification agent (the Verification Agent ), if required, in consultation with Bond Counsel and the Auditor, with respect to the Refunded Bonds. The Verification Agent shall prepare the verification report required to verify the sufficiency of the escrowed monies to refund the Refunded Bonds. SECTION 9. It is hereby delegated to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary the authority to deem final (as defined under the Rule (as hereinafter defined)) a Preliminary Official Statement (the Preliminary Official Statement ) and such official is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver a certificate to the Underwriter evidencing the same. The preparation and distribution by the Board, in consultation with Bond Counsel and counsel to the Underwriter, of a Preliminary Official Statement for the Refunding Bonds to be 8

9 used in connection with the marketing of such Refunding Bonds, is hereby approved and any previous actions undertaken by various representatives and officers of the Board with respect thereto are hereby ratified and confirmed. Upon the sale of the Refunding Bonds to the Underwriter, the Preliminary Official Statement shall be so modified by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, in consultation with Bond Counsel, to reflect the effect of the pricing of the Refunding Bonds and the Purchase Contract and any other revision not inconsistent with the substance thereof deemed necessary or advisable by Bond Counsel, and said Preliminary Official Statement as so modified shall constitute the final Official Statement (the Official Statement ). The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is authorized and directed on behalf of the Board to execute and deliver said Official Statement. SECTION 10. The Board hereby covenants and agrees that it will comply with and carry out all of the provisions of a Continuing Disclosure Certificate (the Certificate ) which will set forth the obligation of the Board to file budgetary, financial and operating data on an annual basis and notices of certain enumerated events deemed material in accordance with the provision of the Rule. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver this Certificate evidencing the Board s undertaking with respect to the Rule. Notwithstanding the foregoing, failure of the Board to comply with the Certificate shall not be considered a default on the Refunding Bonds; however, any Bondholder may take such actions as may be necessary and appropriate, including seeking mandamus or specific performance to cause the Board to comply with its obligations hereunder. SECTION 11. The President, Vice-President and Business Administrator/Board Secretary or any other appropriate officer or representative of the Board, are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents and to do and cause to be done any and all acts and things necessary or proper for carrying out the transactions contemplated by this resolution, the Purchase Contract, the Certificate, the Escrow Deposit Agreement and the Commitment, and for the authorization, sale and issuance of the Refunding Bonds. The execution by such officials and officers of any such documents, with changes, insertions or omissions approved by the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, in consultation with Bond Counsel, as hereinabove provided, shall be conclusive and no further ratification or other action by the Board shall be required with respect thereto. SECTION 12. The Board hereby covenants to maintain the exclusion from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ) of the interest on the Refunding Bonds. The Refunding Bonds will be designated as qualified tax-exempt obligations for purposes of section 265(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the Code SECTION 13 All other resolutions adopted in connection with the Refunding Bonds and inconsistent herewith are hereby rescinded to the extent of such inconsistency. SECTION 14. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 9

10 Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim PERSONNEL Motion by Mr. Busteed Seconded by Mr. Sim that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve, Gianna Apicella, Teacher in Charge, for Cherry Hill School for the school year. that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve Frank Perrone, Teacher in Charge, for Roosevelt School for the school year. that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve, Stan Stevens, Cherry Hill and Mark Jentz, Roosevelt as Lead Custodians for the school year. that the Board of Education accept, with regret, the resignation of Maria Pico, part-time Spanish Teacher, effective August 10, that the Board of Education approve the following individuals to be approved for Morning Supervision Duty as per Article XIII Section 13.3 of the River Edge Education Association Contract Agreement for the School Year. Lisa Patrocinio Nevin Werner Deborah Maher Katie O Brien Kate Langan Casey Burdette that the Board of Education accept, with regret, the resignation of Theresa Bevilacqua, Part-Time Aide, effective August 17, that the Board of Education accept, with regret, the resignation of Marie Boyan, Clerical Aide, effective August 31, that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent approve Maureen Martin as a maternity leave replacement for Nicole Campbell, effective September 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012, Step 4,MA that the Board of Education accept, with regret, the resignation of Emily Chiciak, Part-Time Aide, effective August 22,

11 that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent approve Laura Ruggiero as a maternity leave replacement for Jodi Stebbins, effective October 22, 2012 to February 1, 2013, Step 4,MA that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve Christine Jennings, Part-Time Spanish Teacher, effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, Step 12, BA. that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve Alanna Morgan, ABA Aide, effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve Luciana Lo Schiavo, Part-Time Aide, effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, that the Board of Education accept, with regret, the resignation of Kim Schmitt Thomas, Part-Time Aide, effective August 13, that the Board of Education, with the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve Gianna Apicella and Jessica McSherry to present staff development for the Building Bridges staff for a maximum of 18 hours each. Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim RIVER EDGE SPECIAL EDUCATION -None REGION V ADMINISTRATION & TRANSPORTATION Motion by Mr. Sim Seconded by Mrs. Buckley that the Board of Education approve the following Quote Contract for Radiant Transportation. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem 1944 Stepping Stones $

12 that the Board of Education approve the following Summer Quote Contract for Ace Transportation. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem Q138 Gramon School $ that the Board of Education approve the Summer Quote Contract for N&Y Transportation. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem Q136 Northern Valley Demarest $ that the Board of Education approve the following Summer Quote for D&M Tours. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem Q137 Learning Center for Exceptional Children $ that the Board of Education approve the Transportation Services Agreement between Passaic County Ed. Services Commission (Host) and Region V(Joiner). (Addendum) that the Board of Education approve the following Bid Contract for S & D Transportation. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem 1975 Washington South Ridgewood $ that the Board of Education approve the following Quote Contract for S & D Transportation. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem 1934 Midland Park HS $

13 that the Board of Education approve the following Bid Contract for Destiny 23 Transportation. (Addendum) Route # Transporter Per Diem 1970 Stepping Stones/ Westbridge Academy $ Reyerson School $ BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE REGION V COUNCIL FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION WILL PROVIDE SHARED SERVICES FOR ITS MEMBER DISTRICTS AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE RIVER EDGE BOARD OF EDUCATION, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the following Region V Shared Services Consultants, Psychologists, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultants, Social Workers, Speech Language Specialists, Occupational and Physical Therapists provide evaluations, direct services and consultation, to non-public and public schools for member districts upon request for the school year. Christine Moran VGC Advisors LLC Rachel Erlich Aviva Goldwasser D.W. Putt Educational Services, LLC * Leslie Weinberg JSara Taragin. Joan Worsmer Teaneck Speech and Language Center M Michelle Goodman Johanna Bargisen o Kiran Gulati t Rocco Recchione i Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant Speech and Language Specialist Speech and Language Specialist Speech and Language Specialist Speech and Language Specialist Region V Consultant Region V Consultant Region V Consultant Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant that the Board of Education approve the bills & claims dated August 29, 2012 totaling $53, including checks #60111 through # Ayes: Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim PUBLIC DISCUSSION -None 13

14 CLOSED SESSION Motion by Ms. Dansky Seconded by Mrs. Buckley that the Board of Education convened into closed session at 10:20 PM to discuss Assistant Principal Interviews.. Ayes: Mrs. Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim RECONVENE Motion by Mrs. Buckley Seconded by Ms. Dansky that the Board of Education reconvenes the regular public meeting at 10:55 PM. Ayes: Mrs. Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mrs. Buckley Seconded by Ms. Dansky that the Board of Education adjourns the regular public meeting at 11:00 PM. Ayes: Mrs. Mrs. Buckley, Mr. Busteed, Ms. Dansky, Ms. Di Maulo, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Sim Deborah Trainor Board Secretary/Business Administrator 14