HARDING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION 34 Lee s Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976 Monday,, Regular Session Mission Statement The Harding Township School provides a strong educational foundation which inspires students to achieve academic excellence. Our dedicated faculty stimulates intellectual growth using a challenging curriculum within a supportive learning environment. We encourage students to become self-directed, lifelong learners who are well prepared for the academic and social challenges of the future. District Goal 1: To measure the academic progress of our students through the administration of districtwide assessments in Reading, Math Facts and Writing. a) To administer a district-wide reading assessment to all K-3 students in the spring. Ninety percent (90%) of all students will be reading at grade level or will move up one reading level. b) Ninety percent (90%) of students in each grade K-5 shall pass with 90% accuracy a timed grade level Math Facts Assessment that will be aligned to the Common Core State Standards and will assess students on the four core mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). c) Ninety percent (90%) of students in grades K-8 shall improve one point (one quintile) on the District Writing Assessment. This assessment shall be administered in the fall and in the spring. Students scoring a 5 in the spring shall be counted as having met the goal. District Goal 2: Implement the iready assessment program in grades 2-5 in ELA and grades 2-8 in Math. a) Provide necessary Professional Development for teachers. b) Gather and analyze data to be shared with parents and to differentiate instruction. c) Add results to the Data Dashboard. District Goal 3: Improve communication with the school and township community a) The school administrative team will hold informational meetings with the school s parent communities on a rolling monthly basis. b) The district will use technology and other forms of outreach to improve its communication with the Township community-at-large. I. Call to Order The regular session of the Harding Board of Education is called to order by Mr. Gjivoje at 7:33 p.m. in the Library of the Harding Township Middle School, 34 Lee s Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976. II. III. IV. Presiding Officers Statement/Sunshine Statement: In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., adequate notification of this meeting has been provided to the Daily Record and the Observer Tribune on January 28, 2016 and posted on the bulletin boards of the New Vernon Post Office, Green Village Post Office, Harding Township Municipal Building, Harding Township Elementary School and Harding Township Middle School on January 28, 2016. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Present: Mr. Davor Gjivoje, Mr. John Flynn, Mrs. Kim Macaulay, Mr. Abi Singh, Dr. Howard Kotkin Also present: Superintendent, Mr. Matthew Spelker, Business Administrator, Ms. Marilyn Cuykendall
V. PRESENTATION Mrs. Mary Donohue presented the 2016 District Mentoring Plan. Objective is to provide optimum communication of the standards and procedures of the District to new hires. It also provides an immediate connection between new staff members and existing staff members for continuous support throughout the year. The interaction of new personnel with their mentors is not meant to be a formal evaluation. The purpose is more to connect the new hires with the support they need to become productive members of the team. School alumni, Mr. Andrew Novotny presented his Eagle Scout Project to the Board for their approval. His plan is to build a Sustainable garden on school grounds by the Science room. Andrew liked the idea of giving back to the school and enabling more outdoor time for the students. His deadline for the project is January 2017. The approval was granted. VI. VII. VIII. HEARING OF PUBLIC REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS (Policy 0167) - none REPORTS/DISCUSSIONS Mr. Spelker discussed topics from his written report which included praise for the elementary school play; recognition of Ms. Jennifer Baldassari for receiving the highest Exemplary Elementary Education of the Year award; PARCC rankings; November meetings to attend. CORRESPONDENCE a. Nurse s Report for October 2016 b. Fire Drills: October 14, 2016; October 25, 2016 c. Scheck Price Smith & King, LLP Alert dated October 11, 2016. Client Alert: protected speech. d. Notice of Public Hearing that 30 Lee s Hill Road plans to subdivide property. e. HTS District Curriculum Council Schedule, 2016-17 SY Mr. Gjivoje initiated discussion on the Notice of Public Hearing regarding plans for the property adjacent to the school. He felt the board should know more regarding the plan. Mr. Gjivoje and Mr. Spelker will visit the Planning Board office and review the plans. IX. BOARD BUSINESS/POLICY BB-11 Approve October Board Minutes MOTION presented by Dr. Kotkin and seconded by Mr. Flynn to approve: BB-11 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education approves the following minutes: - Regular Session, October 17, 2016 - Executive Session, October 17, 2016 Roll Call FACILITIES/FINANCE FF-50 Approve October Bills List FF-51 Approve Oxford Consulting Services for occupational therapy to cover medical leave FF-52 Approve Ms. Julie Hersh, Brookwood Consulting LLC, speech language pathologist for summer speech services FF-53 Approve Third Quarter 2016 Transactions Reports for Cafeteria and Student Activities accounts FF-54 Approve water and septic school year contracts with Agra Environmental & Laboratory Services Page 2 of 6
FF-55 Approve clarification of approved Use of Facilities for the 2016/17 school year FF-56 Approve Use of Facilities request from Cub Scout Pack 43 FF-57 Approve tuition for one student to attend Unity Charter School MOTION presented by Ms. Macaulay and seconded by Dr. Kotkin to approve: Regular Session FF-50 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the October 2016 monthly bills list, for checks #34659 through #34746 for a total of $856,493.54. FF-51 FF-52 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves Oxford Consulting Services, Inc. to provide occupational therapy to cover current provider s medical leave which includes two (2) days per week, up to six (6) hours per day, at $80.00 per hour, from on or about December 5, 2016 to June 30, 2017. RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves Brookwood Consulting Staff member, Ms. Julie Hersh, for providing speech therapy session during the summer 2016 for a total of $150.00. FF-53 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the Third Quarter 2016 Transactions Reports for the following accounts: Cafeteria Account $10,023.81 balance Student Activities $30,184.44 balance FF-54 FF-55 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, awards Agra Environmental and Laboratory Services the contracts to provide consulting and laboratory services for the 2016/17 school year required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the management, testing and compliance requirements of the following School District environmental systems: - Very Small Water System (VSWS) at the annual cost of $6,501.00; - Waste Water Operation Systems (S-1) at the annual cost of $11,880.00. RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, amends the approved Use of Facilities for the 2016/17 school year to provide additional clarification as follows: - HTRA Recreational Basketball requests the HTS Gymnasium on Saturdays in December 2016, January, February and March 2017; with availability approved by the school calendar and custodial fees applicable. - HTRA Winter Field Hockey League requests the HTS Gymnasium on Sundays in November, December 2016, January, February and March 2017; with availability approved by the school calendar and custodial fees applicable. - Harding Hawks Field Hockey Club, a category II sponsor, is charged an annual Use of Facilities charge of $1,000.00 for approved usage of school property for the full school year plus custodial charges when applicable. - Harding Hawks Field Hockey Club requests the HTS Gymnasium on Saturdays of December 2016, January, February, March 2017; with availability approved by the school calendar and custodial fees and facilities use charges applicable. Page 3 of 6
- Harding Hawks Field Hockey Club requests the Gymnasium for clinics on December 27 th (holiday), 28 th and 29 th, 2016; with availability approved by school calendar and custodial fees and facilities use charges applicable. FF-56 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the application from Cub Scout Pack 43 for use of a classroom for meetings after dismissal on school days for the 2016/17 school year with availability approved by the school calendar. FF-57 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the tuition for one student to attend Unity Charter School for the 2016/17 School Year at the annual rate of $24,338.00. Roll call: CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION C/I-10 Approve Grade 6 Next Generation Science Curriculum C/I-11 Approve field trips MOTION presented by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Dr. Kotkin to approve: C/I-10 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the Grade 6 Next Generation Science Curriculum for the 2016/17 school year. C/I-11 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the following field trips: Mr. Alworth, Mrs. Gareau, Gr. 6-8, Jazz at Lincoln Center, NY, Dec. 15, 2016 Ms. Alexander and Ms. Hunter, Gr. 1, Crayola Factory, PA, May, 31, 2017 Ms. Latzman and Mr. Harris, Grade 6-8 Student Council, FunPlex, Dec. 9, 2016 Mrs. Bailey and Mr. Hoffman, Gr. 7-8, Junior Model United Nations, Feb.10, 2017 Mrs. Bailey and Dr. Gervis, Gr. 6-7, Junior Solar Sprints, May 18, 2017 Roll call: PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT P/M-30 Approve teacher appointment P/M-31 Approve longevity payments P/M-32 Approve extracurricular staff assignments P/M-33 Approve administrative professional development P/M-34 Approve 2016 District Mentoring Plan MOTION presented by Ms. Macaulay and seconded by Dr. Kotkin to approve: P/M-30 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, approves the appointments of Ms. Laurel Hartmann, Grade 2 Elementary Teacher, at an annual salary of $58,510 MA/Step 6, prorated to $44,175 effective November 15, 2016 for the 2016-17 school year. Page 4 of 6
P/M-31 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, approves longevity payments to the following certificated staff members: - Mrs. Amy Norris, $1,554 retroactive from 2015-16 SY. - Mrs. Rita McArdle $1,575 retroactive from 2015-16 SY. P/M-32 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the following extracurricular staff assignments: - Ms. Lauren Oles/Mr. David Harris, Assistants for Elementary School Play, stipend $40/hour, 3 sessions only; Oct 27, Nov.1-2, 2016. - Ms. Oles and Ms. Hunter, (2) Winter Season Home Game Chaperones, one/game at $60/game, per negotiated contract. - Mr. Kevin McPeek, Asst. Girls Lacrosse Coach, stipend $3,390 per negotiated contract. P/M-33 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the following professional development for Ms. Mary Donohue, to attend the two day Leaders to Learn Conference in Washington, DC, on March 30-31, 2017, with registration and lodging at $1,273.00, with meals and transportation to be determined. P/M-34 RESOLVED, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approves the 2016 District Mentoring Plan. Roll Call: X. HEARING OF PUBLIC REGARDING (Agenda and non-agenda Items- Policy 0167) Board members, administration, staff and the public contributed to a discussion regarding the District s rising PARCC scores relative to other districts in the area; Harding s loss of private school students; etc. XI. XII. PRESIDENT S COMMENTS 1. PARCC Results 2. 2016 Exemplary Educator Recognition Award Mrs. Jennifer Baldassari EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTION presented by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Dr. Kotkin to enter Executive Session at 8:42 pm. Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education convenes Executive Session in full compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.; and the minutes of the discussion of any of these items will be available to the public when such minutes have been approved by the Board pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1. No action may be taken. Topics include: Madison Personnel XIII. RETURN to PUBLIC SESSION MOTION presented by Mr. Singh and seconded by Dr. Kotkin to return to Public Session at 10:15 pm. Page 5 of 6
XIV. XV. OTHER BOARD BUSINESS ADJOURN MOTION presented by Mr. Singh and seconded by Dr. Kotkin to adjourn at 10:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Cuykendall Business Administrator/Board Secretary Page 6 of 6