MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
MEETING
TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 22,
2005
Time and
Place Pursuant to notices sent to each
member of the Board of Education, the regular meeting
of
Meeting was held on Tuesday
evening, March 22, 2005 in the High School North Library,
Call to Order At 7:30 p.m., the meeting was called to
order.
1.
SUNSHINE NOTICE:
“Adequate notice of this meeting was
provided by sending such notice to the Asbury Park Press, the
Independent, the
Courier, and the Two River
Times and the posting of such notice at the August T.
2.
PLEDGE
OF ALLIGENCE
Presentation High School North students made a
presentation on a laptop project provided by IDEA funds.
3. ROLL CALL
Present: Leonora Caminiti, Marjorie Cavalier, Thomas Conroy, Dawn Diorio, Sherry Gevarter, Leonard Inzerillo,
Joan Minnuies, Carolyn S. Self and Patricia Walsh.
Absent: No absentees.
Also Present: David L. Witmer, William J. Doering,
Jane Austin, Christopher Halpin, Karen Bilbao and Malachi J. Kenney, Esq.
4.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM HIGH SCHOOLS TO SPEAK:
High School North High
School South
5. BOARD COMMENDATIONS
(see following page(s)
6. PUBLIC HEARING –
PROPOSED 2005-2006 SCHOOL BUDGET
a)
Open
to Public
Michael Roberts, Steve Modica, Mark Rosenbloom, Steve Allen, Mike Foley
and George Noble spoke on the budget.
Peter Cestaro reported for the Budget Ad Hoc Committee (attached).
Patty Devine, James Cody, Patrick Houston and Leni Boskey spoke on the
budget.
b)
Resolution
to Approve 2005-2006 School District Budget
BE IT RESOLVED to approve the 2005-2006 School District Budget and authorize
submission to the Monmouth County Superintendent in the amount of:
General Fund $125,217,321.00
General Fund Tax Levy 102,285,049.00
Debt Service 5,526,148.00
Debt
Service Tax Levy 3,775,363.00
c) Approval of Statutory Spending Growth Limitation Adjustments (SGLA), Use of Banked Cap, and Commissioner SGLA
RESOLVED, that the Middletown Township Board of Education requests approval for a spending growth limitation adjustment in the amount of $840,413 for 2005-2006 for special education costs.
The Middletown Township Board of Education also requests approval to utilize banked cap to increase budget year spending authority in the amount of $702,469 for 2005-2006 to support general fund expenditures.
Additionally, the Middletown
Township Board of Education requests Commissioner of Education approval for a
spending growth limitation adjustment in the amount of $464,154 for 2005-6 for
the increase in health insurance costs.
Motion made by Mrs. Gevarter, seconded by Mrs. Walsh, to approve the 2005/06 School District Budget.
Motion carried on roll call vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs. Cavalier, Mr.
Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self, Mrs.
Walsh and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes: (0)
7.
OPEN TO
PUBLIC – COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
No comments.
8. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF:
a. February 16, 2005 – Special Voting Meeting
b. February 22, 2005 – Regular Voting Meeting
c. March 7, 2005 – Special Voting Meeting
Motion made by Mrs. Walsh, seconded by Mrs. Gevarter. Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (8) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs. Cavalier, Mr.
Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mrs. Self, Mrs.
Walsh and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes: (0)
Abstain: (1) – Mr. Inzerillo.
9. REPORTS
A. Report of the President -- Mrs. Minnuies noted that the H.S. North bubble will be closed for the summer due
to completion of construction. The weight room will be moved to the H.S. North cafeteria. Mrs. Minnuies noted that
when the plans for the back fields are finalized, the contractor will address a board meeting. She also stated that use of
the H.S. South football field will be reexamined in June or July.
1) Approval of Resolution Declaring Tuesday, April 19, 2005 as “Take Your Child To Vote Day.”
2) Autism Awareness Month Proclamation
Whereas, autism is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting the social, learning and behavioral
skill of those affected by it, and,
Whereas, autism was once thought to be a relatively rare disorder, affecting only on in 10,000 people,
and,
Whereas, as more and more health professionals become proficient in diagnosing autism, more children are being diagnosed on the autistic spectrum, resulting in rates as low as one in 166 children, and,
Whereas, while there is no cure for autism, it is well-documented that if an individual with autism receives treatment early in their lives, it is often possible for that individual to make significant improvement, and,
Whereas, Improving Middletown’s Program for Autistic Children Together (I.M.P.A.C.T.) is spearheading an awareness effort in order to educate parents, professionals, and our community about autism and its effects,
WHEREAS, Middletown Township schools have pioneered a public school Autistic Program and have excelled with devoted administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and child study teams.
Now, therefore be it resolved that we, Middletown Board of Education do hereby proclaim April, 2005 as Autism Awareness Month in the Middletown Township, and urge all employees
and students to participate in our Autism Awareness Month activities, in order to become better educated
on the subject of autistic spectrum disorders.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we Middletown Board of Education do hereby proclaim APRIL as AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH in Middletown Public Schools, and urge all employees
and students to participate in our Autism Awareness Month activities, in order to become better educated
on the subject of autistic spectrum disorders.
Motion made by Mrs. Caminiti, seconded by Mrs. Walsh, to approve President’s Items 1 & 2.
Motion carried on
voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs. Cavalier, Mr.
Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self, Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes: (0)
B. Business Administrator/Board Secretary
1. Motion
to accept the reports of the Treasurer and Secretary as being in agreement for
the
month of February, 2005. (Attach #1)
Motion made by Mrs. Self, seconded by Mrs. Walsh. Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
2. Motion to accept the Board Secretary’s Certification that no major budget line item has been
over-expended for the month of February, 2005.
Motion made by Mrs. Self, seconded by Mrs. Walsh. Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
3. Approval of Transfers (see following page)
Motion made by Mrs. Self, seconded by Mrs. Walsh. Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
4. Motion to Approve Bill List for Period February 23, 2005 –March 22, 2005 (Attach #2)
Motion made by Mrs. Self, seconded by Mrs. Walsh. Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs. Cavalier, Mr.
Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self, Mrs.
Walsh
(abst. on #26089) and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
B. Report
of the Superintendent
Dr. Witmer stated that the District has received a seven-year certification as a result of monitoring (curriculum and facilities) in the early part of the year.
10. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
A. Curriculum Committee (Marje Cavalier, Chair)
1. Approval of Scholarship Committee for 2005
High School North
Tom Cusick, Chair
Susan Blank
Carol Buckley
Mary Lynn Christopher
George Edward Jones
Board Liaison – Leonora Caminiti
High School South
Alan Resnick, Chair
Victor Bayers
Bob Busler
Shelley Finklestein
Joan Sica
Board
Liaison – Joan Minnuies
2. Suspension Report (Attachment #3)
Motion made by Mrs. Self, seconded by Mr. Inzerillo, for approval of Curriculum Items 1 & 2. Mrs.
Cavalier asked that
the State be contacted regarding a redefinition of the terminology
“terrorist threats” on the suspension report as a reason for disciplinary
action. Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
3. Update on progress of High School Ad Hoc Committee’s Recommendations (Jane Austin)
Mrs. Austin stated that due to the months busy schedule, i.e. student testing, meetings are still being held on the ad hoc committee recommendations. She updated the Board on the following: restructure the day to offer more flexibility and options for students (continue to study options), establish long range strategic planning (more research necessary), produce a more attractive profile (now being worked on and ready for students in the new school year), replace student handbook (obtained a corporate sponsorship from Commerce Bank to pay for new handbooks), requirement of ‘B’ for remaining in honors (still in discussion), weight factor (still in discussion), and implementation of CP/HSPA program (still in discussion). Mrs. Austin noted that these recommendations, when resolved, will go before the Curriculum Committee and then be presented to the full Board. Mrs. Austin thanked Mrs. Cavalier for her inspiration, time and help.
B. Finance Committee (Sue Self, Chair)
1. Approval of Resolution to Purchase Electric Generation Services Through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (“ACES”)- Attach. #4
2. Authorization To Dispose Of Surplus
Equipment
a) The following items are no longer repairable and are of no value to the district:
4 Televisions Serial # 669583, 669804, 79155945, 68360
1 Projector Serial # 9216593
b) Every effort has been made to sell or donate the used band uniforms from both high schools.
The district will retain a small supply for the use of the drama department and dispose of the rest.
Motion made by Mrs. Self, seconded by Mrs. Walsh, for approval of Finance Items 1 & 2.
Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
C. Facilities Committee (Joan Minnuies, Chair)
a) Ocean Avenue School Alterations (4 bids received) $633,500.00
Recommend Awarding Bid to:
Circle-A Construction Co., Inc. Neptune, NJ
$380,100 (District Share)
$253,400 (State Share)
District share to be charged to: 12-000-400-450-31-000 / 30-000-400-450-07-000
2. Approval of the Execution and Delivery of a Section 15 Grant Agreement between the Middletown Township Board
of Education and the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation for the following Department of Education
approved project:
State Plan #3160-080-04-1000 – Ocean Avenue Elementary School
And approve the delegation of authority to William J. Doering, School Business Administrator, to supervise the above listed school facilities project.
Motion made by Mrs. Walsh, seconded by Mrs. Caminiti, for Facilities Items 1 & 2.
Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
Mrs. Minnuies noted that Mr. Doering is the District’s contact person.
D. Pupil Services/Special Education Committee (Joan Minnuies, Chair)
1. Approval of Special Services to Classified Handicapped Students (Attach # 5)
2. Approval of Individual Instruction at Home (Attach #6)
Motion made by Mrs. Walsh, seconded by Mrs. Diorio, for Pupil Services Items 1 & 2.
Motion carried on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self, Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
E. Personnel
Committee (Sherry Gevarter, Chair)
Note: All appointments of the
district staff are contingent upon satisfying the requirements of the Criminal
History Review.
1). Approval of resignation for the purpose of retirement:
a). Carolyn A. Bradley (9/1/80), Thorne, Student Assistance Counselor, effective 7/1/05
2). Approval of resignations:
a). Neal A. Coleman, HS North, Security Guard, for personal reasons, effective
3/18/05
b). Antonella Lello, Middletown Village, Kindergarten, for personal reasons, effective
7/1/05
3). Approval of leaves of absence:
a). James Boyce, District Groundsperson, for medical reasons, effective 3/1/05 through
4/8/05 – Unpaid Leave
b). Judith Cosgrove, Nut Swamp, Paraprofessional, for medical reasons, effective 3/8/05
through 4/1/05 – Unpaid Leave
c). Jacqueline Detwiler, Thompson, Paraprofessional, for medical reasons, effective 3/17/05
through 5/13/05 – Unpaid Leave
d). Joanne DeWolfe, Lincroft, Grade 5, for maternity, effective
4/18/05 through 5/9/05 – Paid – Sick Leave
5/10/05 through 5/20/05 – Unpaid Leave
Acct. #11-120-100-101-20-000
e). Michael Gamache, HS South, Custodian, for personal reasons, effective
3/15/05 through 3/31/05 – Unpaid Leave
f). Janice Noto, Thorne, Paraprofessional, for medical reasons, effective 1/17/05 through
2/21/05 – Unpaid Leave
g). Brian Rasp, HS South, Special Education, for Family Leave, effective 3/16/05 through
4/15/05 – Unpaid Family Leave Act
h). Adjustments:
Kristen Haar, HS South, Social Studies, for maternity, effective
2/2/05 through 2/28/05 – Paid – Sick Leave
3/1/05 through 6/1/05 – Unpaid Family Leave Act
6/2/05 through 6/9/05 – Unpaid Leave
Jennifer Sileo Martins, HS South, Math, for maternity, effective
3/9/05 through 5/12/05 – Paid – Sick Leave
5/13/05 through 6/19/05 – Unpaid Family Leave Act
Dayna Stein, Thompson, Language Arts, for maternity, effective
4/4/05 through 4/14/05 – Paid – Sick Leave
4/15/05 through 6/3/05 – Unpaid Leave
4). Approval of new hires:
a). Daniel Bucko, HS North, Special Education, Monmouth University, BA
Certification – Teacher of the Handicapped
Rate – BA – Step 1 - $42,073 (Pro-rated)
Effective – 3/2/05 through 6/30/05
Acct. #11-213-100-101-00-000
b). Michele A. Clarke, Nut Swamp, Special Education, Thomas Edison College, BA
Certification – Teacher of the
Handicapped (Emergency)
Rate – BA – Step 1 - $42,073 (Pro-rated)
Effective – 2/1/05 through 6/30/05
Acct. #11-214-100-101-00-000
5). Approval of the following 6th period assignment – 1 pd per wk, effective
10/27/04 through 6/30/05:
Maureen Canal South/Science $1045.88
Acct. #11-140-100-101-18-007
6). Approval of promotion of secretary:
Patricia Condon, Pupil Services, Secretary – Category 1 (12 mos), Rate – Step 1 - $30,551
effective 4/4/05 through 6/30/05
Acct. #11-000-219-105-32-016
7). Approval of the following to the approved list of Substitute Teachers per the following page: SUB-1
8). Approval of Special Contracts:
Katherine Raguseo Elem/Music (pp) Step 1 $399.00
Acct.
#11-401-100-100-20-000
9). Approval of substitute personnel:
Paraprofessionals:
Cynthia Coffey Laurie Kupyn
Donna Delaney Lorraine Lister
Gina Garrison Elizabeth Marino
Thomas
Hayden
Custodian:
Edward Pantle
Secretary:
Elizabeth Marino
10). Approval
of the following curriculum committee:
Paraprofessional preparation for general mathematics and language arts
literacy
for 1 hr. each @ pro-rata and 2 hrs.
each at $35.06. ($107.20 –
pro-rata)
($140.24 – curriculum rate)
Anne
Ford $71.86
Abby Tice $35.34
Acct#20-250-100-100-05-000
11). The Superintendent recommends the termination of employment of the following HS South
Security Guards, effective 2/16/05:
Joseph Turanski
John Urbine
Motion made by Mrs. Walsh, seconded by Mrs. Gevarter, for approval of Personnel Items 1 through 11.
Motion carried
on voice vote:
Ayes: (9) – Mrs. Caminiti, Mrs.
Cavalier, Mr. Conroy, Mrs. Diorio, Mrs. Gevarter, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Self,
Mrs.
Walsh
and Mrs. Minnuies.
Noes:
(0)
11. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Cavalier (Curriculum) updated the Board on the
elementary science curriculum committee regarding
piloting
materials that include hands on kits and the District’s affiliation with Policy
Park. She also noted
that
the 12-day summer reading program will be offered for grades 1 and 2. Mrs. Cavalier stated that ad
hoc
committees will be reorganized on April 6th in the H.S. South
library. She also noted that induction
ceremonies
for the National Honor Societies are April 4th for H.S. South and
May 4th for H.S. North. Mrs.
Walsh
(Legislative) distributed an article regarding budget cutbacks in New Jersey
districts. She noted that
the
State Legislature will be acting on the Constitutional Convention mid-April.
Respectfully
submitted,
WILLIAM
J. DOERING
School
Business Administrator/Board Secretary
/jm
4/20/05