Passaic Valley Regional High School. District #1 MINUTES

Passaic Valley Regional High School District #1 MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Order of Business The Board of Education of the Passaic Valley Regional High School in the County of Passaic, New Jersey Regular Meeting of the Board of Education December 13, 2016 The minutes for the regular meeting of the Passaic Valley Regional High School District #1 in the County of Passaic on, held in the Adra Suchorsky Library at the Passaic Valley High School located at East Main Street, Little Falls, New Jersey, 07424. I. Call To Order by Mr. Spinella, Board President at 7:30 p.m. Mr. D Ambrosio - Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba - Yes Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice - Yes Also Present: Dr. JoAnn Cardillo, Superintendent of Schools Colin Monahan, Business Administrator/Board Secretary Raymond Reddin, Esq., Board Attorney Saqlain Sattar, Student Representative Karen Villagomez, Student Representative II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2

III. READING OF ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLIC NOTICE In accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, the Board of Education of the Passaic Valley Regional High School District #1 issued notice of this meeting on January 12, 2016 by having the date, time and location of the meeting posted on the bulletin board of Passaic Valley High School, and sent to The North Jersey Herald News and The Record. Notice was also filed with the Township Clerk of Little Falls, the Borough Clerk of Totowa, and the Business Administrator of Woodland Park and sent to those persons requesting that such notice be mailed to them. IV. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Mr. D Ambrosio made a motion to approve the November 22, 2016 minutes of the Passaic Valley Regional High School District #1, and seconded by Mr. Sgobba. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba Yes Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Abstain Mr. Yodice - Yes VI. PRESENTATION BY 8 TH GRADE ITALIAN STUDENTS Buon Natale BOE Dr. Cardillo spoke about the 8 th Grade Italian Zero Period program and students. Mrs. Napolitano spoke about her students. The students performed in Italian. Dr. Cardillo thanked the students and presented them with Holiday treats. 3

VII. STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Mr. Fowler conducted the Students of the Month program: Rania Attilli Jonathan Olivo Kiera Bradley Razan Allabadi Dan Coughlin Jake Son Mark Huggins VIII. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Plaque Presentation Dr. Cardillo and Mr. D Ambrosio presented and read plaques to the Board Members stepping down, Mr. Spinella, Mrs. Van Winkle and Mr. Sgobba. Dr. Cardillo thanked them for their years of dedicated service. Mr. Sgobba said it was truly an honor to serve on the Board. Mrs. Van Winkle said it has been a pleasure serving on the Board. BA Reports on Audit 2015/2016 Mr. Monahan presented the Audit report and the Corrective Action plan. Mr. Monahan asked if there were any questions. There were no questions asked. IX. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Mr. Sattar spoke about the first varsity basketball game; he thanked the Board of Education members, Mr. Sgobba, Mrs. Van Winkle and Mr. Spinella. X. PRESIDENT S REPORT Mr. Spinella spoke about his experience serving 25 years on the Board and thanked the past and present Board members and Administration. 4

XI. CALL FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD Mr. Sgobba made a motion to open the floor to the public for discussion, seconded by Mr. D Ambrosio. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba Yes Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice - Yes Public Comments: Mr. Ali Aljarrah, 242 Cedar Grove Road, Little Falls, NJ 07424 spoke. Mr. Alajarra thanked Mrs. Van Winkle, Mr. Spinella and Mr. Sgobba for their years of service. Mr. Alajarra commented about the STEAM/STEM program and asked a few questions. Dr. Cardillo responded to the questions about STEAM/STEM. There was discussion. Mr. Greco made a motion to close the floor to the public, seconded by Mr. D Ambrosio Mr. D Ambrosio - Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba Yes Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice Yes 5

XII. Education Committee 1. Report of HIB The Superintendent reported and requested approval of the following HIB investigation(s): Incident # Location Consequences Intervention Other Action Determination 1617-04 Classroom NOT HIB 2. Report of Suspensions November 15, 2016 through December 7, 2016 ID Grade Date Reason Days/Return S46-1617 12 11/16/16 Disrespect to staff 1/Nov 17, 2016 S47-1617 10 11/30/16 Insubordination 1/Dec 1, 2016 S48-1617 10 12/2/16 Other 1/Dec 5, 2016 S49-1617 10 12/5/16 Continued willful disobedience 1/Dec 6, 2016 S50-1617 12 12/5/16 Lates 1/Dec 6, 2016 S51-1617 12 12/7/16 Disrespect to staff 3/Dec 12, 2016 3. Approval / Home Instruction The Superintendent, in consultation with the Administration, recommended approval of the following Home Instruction: Home Instruction ID Grade Location Hi18-1617 10 Woodland Park 4. Approval / Field Trip The Superintendent recommended approval of the following field trip(s): 1 2 Department Teacher Destination Date/Time/Location Purpose Speech Language Marching Band Angelo DeLuccia Various: Main Street, Little Falls NJ Devils Game 2016/17 School Year; any time during periods 4-8/Little Falls, NJ Jan 9, 2017/ 3:30-10pm/ Prudential Center, Newark NJ To engage in real life activities, develop social skills, problem solving and following direction. Cost: none Perform during the pregame. Cost: $840-2 buses 6

1 2 Education Committee 5. Approval/Fundraiser(s) The Superintendent recommended approval of the following fundraiser(s): Department Future Doctors of America Girls Basketball Teacher/ Advisor Event Date/Time/Location Purpose Iobst Salvatore 3 Class of 2018 Ortwine Ornament sale Snack stand sale at showcase Chipotle Dine and Donate Dec 5-16 In School Dec 27-28,30, 2016/ In School Feb 7, 2107/ Wayne NJ 4 Girls Show Kurtishi Donations Jan 9- March 3, 2017 5 NAHS Ingraham Food Drive Jan 9 Feb 3, 2017 6. Report of Student Attendance November 2016 All proceeds to to St. Jude s Children s hospital. Raise funds for end of year dinner and other needs of team. Raise funds for class of 2018 All proceeds go to Lukemia & Lympohima Society Food collection for Horman Needs food pantry. The Superintendent reported the following attendance for November 2016: Possible number of days school has been open 15.00 Possible number of days attendance 15.00 Days present 18,423.00 Days absent 964.30 Percent of attendance 94.8% Average daily attendance 1.163.92 Average daily enrollment 1,228.20 7. Approval / Out of District Placement The Superintendent recommended the approval of the following out of district placement(s) for the 2016-2017 school year as specified Student School 936988 Benway School 620 Valley Road Wayne, NJ 07470 8. Approval / Interpreter for Student The Superintendent recommended the approval of an interpreter for student id#165041 in an out of district school (PCTI) for the 2016/2017 school year in the amount of $47,087.70 7

Education Committee 9. Approval / Contract(s) for Out of District Placement The Superintendent recommended the approval of the following contracts for the 2016-2017 school year dates as specified in the contract. Student School Tuition 14014 New Bridges HS 296 E. Ridgewood Ave Paramus, NJ 07652 $78,660.00 10. Approval / Resignation Michael Reavely, Paraprofessional The Superintendent recommended approval to accept the resignation of Michael Reavely, paraprofessional effective November 28, 2016. 11. Approval / Resignation Raymond Rotella, Jr, Paraprofessional The Superintendent recommended approval to accept the resignation of Raymond Rotella, Jr., paraprofessional effective December 7, 2016. 12. Approval / Agreement between Berkeley College and PVHS The Superintendent recommended approval of the agreement between Passaic Valley Regional High School, Little Falls NJ and Berkeley College, Woodland Park NJ to provide college credit for targeted courses in the PVHS health pathway. 13. Appointment/Substitute Teachers The Superintendent recommended the appointment of the following Substitute Teachers effective November 11, 2016 through June 30, 2017: Name Certificate Rate Suhair Bitar Cty Sub Cert $100 Dana Gurnari Cty Sub Cert $70 Nicholas Andriani Cty Sub Cert $70 Jessica Gianduso Cty Sub Cert $100 14. Approval / Karen McKinnon, Paraprofessional The Superintendent recommended approval of Karen McKinnon as a paraprofessional to supervise a student in the afternoon for sport in order to comply with FAPE. Compensation $16.00/hour, not to exceed 29 hours, no benefits. Start date December 19, 2016. 8

Education Committee 15. Approval / Removal of Existing Greenhouse The Superintendent recommended approval to remove the current greenhouse structure to make way for the proposed new garden and outdoor learning lab. 16. Approval / Off Site Practice Locations The Superintendent recommended approval of the following 2016/2017 Girls Show off site practice locations: PAL Chamberlain Ave. Totowa American Legion 180 Union Blvd. Totowa Totowa Firehouse 93 Lincoln Ave. Totowa Dance Explosion 601 Union Blvd. Totowa 5678 Dance 265 Route 46 West Totowa Washington Park School Crews Street Totowa Local 464 A245 Paterson Avenue Little Falls St John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church 29 Weaver Street, Little Falls Little Falls Rec Center 160 Paterson Ave. Little Falls Little Falls Civic Center 19 Warren St. Little Falls Russion Hall 4 Wood Hull Ave, Little Falls American Legion 410 Mount Pleasant Ave Woodland Park Prestige Academy of Dance 6 Kingsbridge Road, Fairfield USA Twisterz 7 Spielman Road, Fairfield St. Boneventure Parish, Paterson, NJ 17. Approval / Revise Medical Leave of Absence - Donna Kurschner The Superintendent recommended the Board of Education to approve the revised medical leave of absence for Mrs. Donna Kurschner, teacher of Spanish as detailed below; returning February 24, 2017. Dates Coverage Amount of Time 1/3 2/24/17 Federal Medical Leave Act Medical covered under FMLA NJ Family Leave Act 8 Weeks Medical covered under NJFLS 11/14-11/22/16 (7 days) Paid Sick Leave 11/23-12/22/16 (20 days) 27 sick 12/23/16 Personal Days 1 Unpaid 9

Education Committee 18. Approval Substitute Teacher The Superintendent recommended approval of Ashely Thomas (county sub certificate) as substitute teacher from December 14, 2016 June 30, 2017 at a rate of $70.00/per diem. Mrs. Van Winkle made a motion to hold Education agenda items 8 and 16, seconded by Mr. Sgobba. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Greco Yes Mr. Sgobba Yes 8 and No 16 Mr. Spinella Yes Mrs. Van Winkle Yes Mr. Yodice Yes Mrs. Van Winkle made a motion to approve Education agenda items 1 through 7 and 9 through 15 and 17 through 18, seconded by Mr. Sgobba. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Greco Yes Mr. Sgobba Yes Mr. Spinella Yes Mrs. Van Winkle Yes Mr. Yodice Yes 10

XIII. FINANCE COMMITTEE 19. Approval of Monthly Bill List WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 18A:19, Expenditure of Funds; Audit and Payment of Claims, provides Board of Education to make payments on claims for goods received and services rendered payable to the order of the person entitled to receive the amount after approval by the board; or in accordance with payrolls duly certified; or debt service or when provided by resolution approval by a person designated by the Board, and WHERAS, the following bill lists are drawn from the Authorization checking account and is being presented to the Board with the recommendation that it be paid (Attachment F-1): Date Check Numbers Total Amount 11/22/16 17846-17848 $3,959.00 12/13/16 Pending $515,659.56 WHERAS, each claim or demand has been fully itemize, verified and audited as required by law in accordance with, N.J.S.A. 18A:19-2. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Passaic Valley Regional High School Board of Education approves the above bill list from the Authorization checking account, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Passaic Valley Regional High School Board of Education authorizes the School Business Administrator to pay bills between board meetings if it is determined that a need arises prior to the next board meeting in accordance with Policy 6470 Payment of Claims. 11

Finance Committee 20. Discussion of 2016 Fiscal Year End Audit, Acceptance of Said Audit & Approval of the 2016 Fiscal Year End Corrective Action Plan WHEREAS, The Board of Education of the Passaic County Regional High School District #1 (the Board) caused an annual audit of the district s accounts and financial transactions to be conducted by a public school accountant for the 2015-2016 fiscal year pursuant to NJSA 18A:23; and WHEREAS, said Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Auditor s Management Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, were filed in the CAFR Repository December 5, 2016; and WHEREAS, a presentation of the audit with discussion of the district s fiscal status, audit findings and recommendations was made to the Board and public by the School Business Administrator at the Board Meeting of December 13, 2016; and WHEREAS, the presentation allowed for a public discussion of the audit results including the district s overall financial position, reserved, unreserved and excess surplus fund balances, and the nine (9) audit findings and recommendations, at the Regular Board Meeting of December 13, 2016; and WHEREAS, the synopsis of the CAFR was available to the public at the December 13, 2016 board meeting with copies of the synopsis available at the offices of the School Business Administrator upon request; and WHEREAS, a Corrective Action Plan has been drafted and disseminated to the board and appropriate parties by the School Business Administrator addressing each of the nine (9) audit recommendations presented in the Auditor s Management Report in response to their recommendations; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Board of Education of the Passaic County Regional High School District #1 accepts the June 30, 2016 audit and approves the Corrective Action Plan for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby incorporates the Synopsis of the Audit with each specific audit recommendation and the resulting Corrective Action Plan as part of the minutes of this meeting of December 13, 2016, and notes public discussion of same for the minutes; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School Business Administrator be directed to forward to the Executive County Superintendent the minutes together with two copies of the CAFR Synopsis, two copies of the Corrective Action Plan, and certified board minutes adopting the above items; and 12

20. Cont. Finance Committee BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in accordance with the directive from the Department of Education, listed below are the audit findings and the corrective action of each audit recommendation: I. Administrative Practices and Procedure There are none. II. Financial Planning, Accounting and Reporting It is recommended that: 1. The subsidiary ledger by payroll deduction be reconciled to the payroll agency bank account on a monthly basis and excess funds in the payroll agency bank account be transferred to the General Fund. Corrective Action A subsidiary ledger by payroll deduction will be reconciled with any excess funds in the payroll agency account being transferred to the General Fund. 2. All employee benefit and debt service payments be charged to the budget appropriation report. Corrective Action All employee benefit and debt service payments will be reviewed and charged to the budget appropriation report. 3. Travel expenditures be properly charged to object code "580" in the budget appropriation report. Corrective Action Travel expenditures throughout the year will be charged to object code 580. 4. All unemployment withholdings and claim payments be recorded in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Corrective Action All unemployment withholdings and claim payments will be recorded in the Unemployment Trust Fund. 5. Old outstanding checks reflected on the reconciliations of the net payroll and general operating bank accounts be cleared of record. Corrective Action All old outstanding checks from the Net Payroll and Athletic Account will be approved to be cleared by the Board of Education. 13

20. Cont. Finance Committee III. School Purchasing Program There are none. IV. School Food Services There are none. V. Student Body Activities It is recommended that: 1. A transaction ledger be maintained for the student activity and athletic accounts. Furthermore, old outstanding checks on the bank account reconciliations be reviewed and cleared of record. Corrective Action A Transaction ledger will be created to maintain the student activity and athletic accounts. All old outstanding checks from the Student Activity and Athletic Account will be approved to be cleared by the Board of Education. 2. Payments made from the athletic account be monitored to ensure 1099's are issued when individuals are paid in excess of $600.00. Corrective Action A Transaction ledger will be created to maintain the athletic account and the business will monitor the ledger to ensure 1099 s are issued to individuals paid in excess of $600.00 VI. Scholarship Fund There are none VII. Application for State School Aid It is recommended that: 1. Internal controls be enhanced to ensure that documentation to support students reported on the Application for State School Aid is retained for audit. Corrective Action Internal controls will be enhanced to ensure documentation to support students on the Application for State School Aid is retained for audit. VIII. Pupil Transportation There are none. 14

20. Cont. Finance Committee IX. Facilities and Capital Assets It is recommended that: 1. The SDA grant receivable be reviewed and cleared of record. Corrective Action The Business Administrator will review SDA grant receivables and clear of record through discussion with County Manager. 21. Approval for the Removal of Old Outstanding Checks - District s Authorization, Payroll, Payroll Agency, Athletic Officials and Student Activity Checking Accounts June 30, 2016 WHEREAS, the Passaic Valley Regional High School Board of Education has the authority to remove old outstanding checks from the district s bank reconciliation outstanding check list as of June 30, 2016 through a board resolution; and WHEREAS, the auditors have identified several checks greater than one-year-old that continue to be listed outstanding on the bank account reconciliation for the Authorization, Payroll, Payroll Agency, Athletic Officials and Student activity checking account; and WHEREAS, administration has determined that the following checks from the Athletic Officials checking account are aged more than twelve (12) months and recommended to the Board to have said checks removed from the outstanding check list: (See Attachment F-2) 22. Approval of Payment of Cafeteria Invoices The Superintendent, in consultation with the School Business Administrator/ Board Secretary, recommends the Board approve payment of the following cafeteria invoices: Vendor Description Check # Amount Pomptonian Invoice #671-110416 5000 $ 19,280.43 15

Mr. Yodice made a motion to approve Finance agenda items 19 through 22, seconded by Mr. D Ambrosio. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Greco Yes Mr. Sgobba Yes Mr. Spinella Yes Mrs. Van Winkle Yes Mr. Yodice Yes XIV. Athletic Committee 23. Approval / Volunteer Coaches The Superintendent recommended approval of the following Volunteer coaches: Name Nick Pezzano Jack Pohlman Joseph Wassel Sal Sole Erik Getz Jared Fowler Erik Getz Sport Wrestling Wrestling Wrestling Ice Hockey Indoor Track Baseball Track & Field Mr. D Ambrosio made a motion to approve Athletic agenda item 23, seconded by Mr. Greco. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba - Yes Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice - Yes 16

XV. OPERATIONS COMMITTEE 24. Approval / Use of Facilities The Superintendent recommended approval of the following use of facilities: Requesting Group Date / Time Event Custodial Needs Facility 1 Little Falls township Jan. 2, 2017 / 6pm Swearing in of the Little Falls council members Auditorium Mr. D Ambrosio made a motion to approve Athletic agenda item 17, seconded by Mr. Greco. Mr. D Ambrosio Yes Mr. Damiano Abstain Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba - Abstain Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice - Yes Education Committee Operations Committee Finance Committee Athletic Committee 17

Negotiations Committee Community Alliance Committee/Student Welfare Committee Mr. Yodice spoke about the Generation Found event; over 200 people attended. He complimented the presenters, and thanked them for participating in the event and for speaking to the health classes. Public Relations Committee Policy Committee Ad Hoc Committee Attorney s Report Passaic County School Board s Association Report of Delegate New Jersey School Board s Association Report of Delegate Old Business New Business 18

Call for members of the Public to be heard Mr. D Ambrosio made a motion to open the floor to the public for discussion, seconded by Mr. Sgobba. Mr. D Ambrosio - Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba - Yes Mr. Spinella - Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice - Yes Public Comments:. Mr. Greco made a motion to close the floor to the public, seconded by Mr. Sgobba. Mr. D Ambrosio - Yes Mr. Greco - Yes Mr. Sgobba - Yes Mr. Spinella - Absent Dr. Varcadipane- Yes Mrs. Van Winkle - Yes Mr. Yodice - Yes Executive Session Adjournment Mr. Spinella asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Yodice made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Damiano. Next Meeting Organization/Regular Meeting: Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 7:30 p.m. Adra Suchorsky Library Passaic Valley High School East Main Street, Little Falls New Jersey 19