Dumont Board of Education Work Session/Regular Meeting December 14, 2017

Transcription

1 Dumont Board of Education Work Session/Regular Meeting December 14, 2017 A. Open Public Meeting Act: President Karen Valido convened the public meeting at 7:00 p.m. reading the Open Public Meeting Act: Adequate notice of this meeting was contained in the public legal notice, which was sent to the record on November 17, A notice was also posted outside the office of the Dumont Board of Education in a place reserved for such announcement. Flag Salute took place In attendance were: Robert DeWald Sandra Fernandez Richard Healy John Kohlberger Absent: Theresa Kelly Scott Miller Jeffrey Pollack Theresa Riva Karen Valido Kevin Cartotto Emanuele Triggiano Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Dr. Pollack, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education approve the minutes from the November 8, 2017 Work Session and Executive Session 1 and 2 and November 16, 2017 Regular Meeting. B. Finance: Mr. Cartotto reviewed the Finance Agenda items with the board and presented the June 30, 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report noting that the report contains no recommendations and the surplus as of June 30, 2017 contained $1,240, 564 to support the school district budget, a 2% allowable surplus of $848, 233, Excess Extra Ordinary Aid of $225,314, a $1,220,703 reserve to support the school district budget and a Capital Reserve of $2,726,975. It was moved by Dr. Pollack, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education approve Finance Agenda Items B1-B4. 1. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, accept the December 31, 2017 bill list in the amount of $5,161, Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A: , the Dumont Board of Education certifies that as of November 30, 2017, after review of the secretary s monthly financial report 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. 6A: and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. 1

2 AND MOVE that the Dumont Board of Education accept the report of the board secretary for the month of November 2017, which are in agreement as indicated below and are available in the board office of the district: Report of the Secretary For the Month Ending November 30, 2017 Beginning Cash Receipts Cash Payments Ending Cash Balance this month this month Cash Balance General Fund $9,854, $3,869, $3,983, $9,741, Special Revenue -78, , , , Capital Projects -789, , Debt Service 629, , , Total All Funds $9,616, $3,928, $4,048, $9,496, Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Auditor s Management Report of Administrative Findings with no recommendations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017, as prepared by the firm T.M. Vrabel & Associates, LLC, Certified Public Accountants. 4. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, approve the addition of Aspire Financial Services, representative Donna Brower, as a Tax Shelter Annuity (403b Plans) Provider. Vote was as follows: Yes, Pollack, Riva, Kohlberger, Healy, Fernandez, DeWald, Valido Absent: Miller, Kelly C. Policy & Public Relations: 5. Discussion: a. HIB Report to the Board as of December 14, 2017: Mr. Triggiano outlined the number of reported cases, number of HIB policy violations, protected categories the violations was against and the discipline and services provided in relation to the violations. b. Honiss School Active Schools Activity Works Grant : Mr. Triggiano informed the board that Honiss School was one of 100 school districts nationwide that received the grant approval and reviewed the education benefit that this online resource would provide. c. Student Residency: Mr. Triggiano presented a parental request to allow a student to complete their senior year in Dumont. Mr. Triggiano noted that the family moved in May of 2017 and did not notify the district of the move and that the district was informed through another community member. Board discussion followed focusing on the need to adhere to policy, failure of the parents to self report the move, well being of the student, and the board s ability to allow policy exceptions for extenuating circumstances. Due to the sensitive issues regarding the student the board tabled the discussion for executive session. 2

3 d. Graduation Gowns: Mr. Triggiano reviewed the topic of having the graduating class wear the same color gowns due to transgender and gender identity issues and how other school districts have decided to handle the issue. Mr. Triggiano noted his recommendation that the district allow students to wear the gown of their choice and sit in that section during graduation based on their personal choice. The board supported this recommendation. e. Policy and Public Relations Agenda: Mr. Triggiano reviewed the agenda items with the board. It was moved by Dr. Pollack, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education approve Policy and Public Relations Agenda Items C6-C9. 6. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, approve the travel expenditures pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:11-12 by district employees and board members as listed on Schedule A. 7. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, accept and approve the following district policies and regulations (second reading and adoption): Policy 8505 Regulation 5600 Local Wellness Policy/Nutrient Standards for Meals and Other Foods Student Discipline/Code of Conduct 8. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, approve and affirm the previous HIB report as of November 16, Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, accept with gratitude a donation of $ from Dumont Lodge No BPOE, to Grant School to be used for a holiday party and gifts for Grant s two LLD classes. Vote was as follows; Yes, Pollack, Riva, Kohlberger, Healy, Fernandez DeWald, Valido Absent: Miller, Kelly It was moved by Mrs. Fernandez, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education open the meeting to public comment. President Valido opened the meeting to the public at 7:42 p.m. 3

4 Public Comments: New Business: Lynn Vietri: Questioned what Linkit is used for. Mr. Triggiano noted that the program compiles data from different student assessment tools to identify student progress and areas for improvement. There being no further comments from the public it was moved by Mrs. Fernandez, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education close the meeting to the public. President Valido closed the meeting to the public at 7:52 p.m. Semi Annual Delegate Assembly: Mr. DeWald gave an overview of the assembly that he attended noting that two resolutions were approved and one was tabled for further discussion. The assembly passed one resolution requesting that state aid not be revised after the districts had been notified of their aid amount as budgets were developed based on the assumption of the aid and noted the negative educational effect this had on many districts. The assembly also passed a resolution requesting that the state fully fund special education costs and require Private Schools for the Handicapped to maintain a 2% CAP. Mr. DeWald also noted that the assembly discussed a resolution to require local board approval of new charter schools. As charter schools are members of the NJSBA the resolution would not be beneficial to all members and as such was tabled for future discussion. Legislative Update: Dr. Pollack noted that he attended a recent Legislative Committee meeting and the main topic of discussion was the unfunded pension liability and the economic and political issues that the state will be facing in providing future funding for education. Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: Mrs. Valido reviewed the various topics and initiatives discussed at a recent meeting and noted how these programs will benefit the special education student population School Calendar: Mr. Triggiano distributed three draft copies of potential calendars and noted the minor differences and informed the board that Region V member districts are working to establish a uniformed calendar. There being no further Old or New Business it was moved by Mrs. Fernandez, seconded by Dr. Pollack that the Dumont Board of Education go into Executive Session for Personnel and Legal Issues. President Valido adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m. President Valido reconvened the meeting at 8:47 p.m. 4

5 D. Personnel: It was moved by Mrs. Fernandez, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education approve Personnel Agenda Items D1-D11 and Addendum Items. 1. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, accept with regret the resignation for retirement of Joanne Schoener, P/T Lunch Aide (Honiss), whose last day of employment will be December 22, Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, approve a leave of absence (FMLA/NJFLA) for Angela DiPiazza Altaai, Teacher (Grant), from April 9, 2018 through June 30, Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, approve a leave of absence (FMLA/NJFLA) for Danielle Pergola, Teacher (Grant), from April 9, 2018 through June 30, Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, rescind the Assistant (Freshman Boys) Basketball Coach contract for Daniel Alonso, and issue Mr. Alonso an Assistant (JV Boys) Basketball Coach contract (Step 1) for the school year. 5. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, approve a salary guide advancement for the following teachers, effective January 1, 2018: Cheryl Downing (Selzer) from BA to MA Laura Eberhardt (Selzer) from BA to MA Kendal George (Selzer) from BA to MA Jacqueline McCarthy (Selzer) from BA to MA Gina Sidirokastritis (Selzer) from BA to MA 6. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, employ Maria Winslade as a Special Education Instructional Aide (DHS 30 hrs./wk.), for the remainder of school year, effective March 18, 2018 through June 30, 2018 at the hourly rate of $18.00/hr. 7. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, in collaboration with Kean University (School of Psychology), approve a non-paid internship (27.5 hrs./wk.) during the school year for Monica Soryal, effective date to be determined pending completion of the criminal history background check and district paperwork. 8. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, employ the following individuals for the position of substitute teacher for the remainder of the school year, effective December 15, 2017, at the approved rate of pay: Caridad Koch Bonnie Kreielsheimer Camille McEntee Raymond Ackerman Eman Abbassi 5

6 9. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, employ the following individuals as Teachers for The Learning Connection (TLC) After-School Program, effective January 29, 2018 March 29, 2018, at the indicated number of hours and at the approved hourly rate of pay: Mary Beth Brady - 48 hrs. Catherine Sepulveda - 48 hrs. Sara Smith (Substitute for the Program Teachers only in the absence of a program teacher.) 10. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, employ the following individuals as Instructional Assistants for The Learning Connection (TLC) After- School Program, effective January 29, 2018 March 29, 2018, at the indicated number of hours and at the approved hourly rate of pay: Lisa Sansone - 32 hrs. Laura Weinsteiger 32 hrs. 11. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, employ the following staff member for the listed curriculum project at the negotiated rate of pay: Subject Grade Project Staff Hours Transition/ Life Skills High School (LLD Program) Develop new curriculum for implementat ion during the school year. Penny Mascarelli 30 hours Addendum 2. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, accept with regret the resignation of Tara Torres, Guidance Counselor (DHS), whose last day of employment will be February 9, Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, appoint the following individuals to the positions and stipends indicated with regard to the 2018 DHS musical: Kyle Bennett, Vocal Coach ($600) Erika Sulich, Musical Advisor ($800) 4. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, employ Shivani Kundra for the position of P/T Special Education Instructional Aide (Selzer 12.5 hrs./wk.), effective January 2, 2018, at the hourly rate of $15.15/hr. It was moved by Mrs. Fernandez, seconded by Mrs. Riva that the Dumont Board of Education adjourn the meeting. President Valido adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m. 6 Respectfully submitted, Kevin Cartotto Board Secretary