MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL VOTING MEETING

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2004

 

Time and Place      Pursuant to notices sent to each member of the Board of Education, the special 

of Meeting             voting meeting was held on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 in the High School North Library, 63 Tindall Road, Middletown, New Jersey.

 

1.          CALL TO ORDER

              At 7:00 p.m., Mr. Roberts called the special voting meeting to order.

 

2.         PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

             

3.         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. Miner Administration Building and each elementary, middle, and secondary school in the district.”

 

4.          ROLL CALL

 

Present:                        Mrs. Cavalier, Mr. Inzerillo (arr. 7:20 p.m.), Mrs. Minnuies, Mr. Raynor, Mr. Roberts and

                                      Mrs. Self.

Absent:                        Mr. Conroy, Mr. Paternostro and Mr. Bucco.

Also Present:              David L. Witmer, William J. Doering, Marilyn Cohen, Nancy Whelan and Christopher Halpin.

                           

Mr. Doering summarized the Tentative 2004/05 School Budget.  He noted that changes may be made prior to adoption of the final budget on March 30, 2004.  Mr. Doering stated that this budget, as proposed, would generate an 8.9-cent total tax increase, or a 4-1/2% increase in school taxes over the prior year.   Mr. Doering noted that this budget maintains funding for all existing programs and staff positions.  It also adds 7.6 new positions:  2 guidance counselors (1 Elementary, 1 High School South), 2 Resource Room teachers (1 Elementary, 1 High School North) and 3 district-wide teachers to address class size concerns; location to be determined based on updated class size numbers and/or class schedules.  Mr. Doering stated the last component is a .6 substance abuse counselor for Thompson M.S., which creates a full-time position.  Mr. Doering discussed textbooks, capital projects, Coca-Cola funding, health insurance increases, district pension contribution for PERS staff, Monmouth County Vocational shared-time students, transportation, and district copiers.

 

Peter Cestaro reported to the Board on the findings and concerns of the Budget Ad Hoc Committee (attached) which he chairs.  He then discussed additional comments (attached) made by the Committee after receiving a copy of the Tentative Budget.

       

5.          OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM(S) ONLY

                      Laura Aigen discussed increases in salaries and additional staff.

                      Jodi Cartogeno discussed the Ocean Avenue pod area.

                     

Mr. Doering discussed the rebid of the H.S. South athletic fields, noting the use of Coca-Cola funds and the possibility of using in-house staff to complete the project.  He stated that the triple jump at H.S. North is still part of the basic bid specification and will be done.  The Board discussed partial funding for the hockey program and requested Mr. Doering include $15,000 in the budget for that item.  Mr. Doering discussed staffing and the impact on class size.  Dr. Witmer noted the possibility of adding teachers, not included in the budget, if grant money is available. 

 

Motion to          Mrs. Minnuies made a motion to amend the Tentative Budget to include four additional teaching

Amend               positions, seconded by Mrs. Cavalier.  The total additional staffing figure would now be 11.6.

Tent. Budget     Motion carried on roll call vote:

                            Ayes:  (5) --       Mrs. Cavalier, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Minnuies, Mr. Roberts and Mrs. Self.

                            Noes:  (1) --       Mr. Raynor.

 

 

 

 

                    6.     RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS:

A.            Finance Committee (Enrico Paternostro, Chair)

                                                            Workshop Meeting Agenda  

1.           Adoption of Tentative 2004-2005 School District Budget

 

BE IT RESOLVED to approve the Tentative 2004-2005 School

District Budget and authorize submission to the Monmouth

County Superintendent in the amount of:

 

General Fund                                                        $119,367,023

General Fund Tax Levy                                         $97,674,141

 

Debt Service                                                             $5,532,078

Debt Service Tax Levy                                            $3,798,331

 

 

Motion made by Mr. Raynor, seconded by Mrs. Minnuies, for approval of the amended Tentative 2004-2005 School District Budget to include 4 additional teaching positions.  Motion carried on roll call vote:

                                    Ayes:  (6) --     Mrs. Cavalier, Mr. Inzerillo, Mrs. Minnuies, Mr. Raynor, Mr. Roberts and

                                                              Mrs. Self.

                                    Noes:  (0)

 

7.        MOTION TO ADJOURN

 

At 8:15 p.m., motion made and seconded to adjourn the Special Voting Meeting.  Motion carried on voice vote.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                WILLIAM J. DOERING

                                                                                                School Business Administrator/

                                                                                                Board Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

/jm

3/17/04