BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY OF UNION 1776 RARITAN ROAD, SCOTCH PLAINS, NEW JERSEY MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF A meeting of the Board of Education of the Vocational Schools in the County of Union was called to order by Charles Mancuso, President, at 8:00 a.m. in the Administration Building, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, New Jersey. I. GENERAL BUSINESS A. Welcome and Statement of Compliance Ms. Devanney read the following statement: Welcome to a meeting of the Board of Education of the Vocational Schools in the County of Union. Members hope you will find the meeting interesting and informative. We thank you for taking the time to attend. Please be advised that this and all meetings of the Board are open to the media and public, consistent with the Open Public Meetings Act (Ch. 231, Laws of 1975) and the advance notice required therein has been provided. B. Roll Call Present Ms. Marge Devanney Dr. Carmen M. Centuolo Ms. Jane Lorber Absent (Excused) Mr. Charles S. Mancuso Mr. David Cohen Also Present Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi Mr. Peter A. Capodice Edward J. Kologi, Esq. C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Ms. Devanney led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. D. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting On motion by Ms. Lorber seconded by Dr. Centuolo, Dr. Centuolo, Ms. Devanney, and Ms. Lorber voting in favor of the minutes of the meeting of July 28, 2008, as printed and distributed and recommend them for approval and adoption.
Board of Education Minutes Page 2 I. GENERAL BUSINESS (continued) E. Board Correspondence On motion by Ms. Lorber, seconded by Dr. Centuolo, Dr. Centuolo, Ms. Devanney, and Ms. Lorber, all voting in favor, the following correspondence was accepted: Letter received August 16, 2008 from Jia Fang, Physics teacher; See Attachment A. Letter received August 6, 2008 from Union County Dept. of Education; See Attachment B.
Board of Education Minutes Page 3 II. FINANCE REPORT Moved by Dr. Centuolo, seconded by Ms. Lorber, and on roll call, Dr. Centuolo, Ms. Devanney, and Ms. Lorber approved resolutions A, B, C1, C2, C3, and C4. A. Transfer of Funds RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the following transfer of funds within the 2007-2008 school budget: Amount From To Reason B. Payment of Bills NONE WHEREAS, the Secretary has presented bills for August, 2008 to the Board of Education with a recommendation they be paid; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education has determined the bills presented for payment be in order; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, the following checks be approved for payment and itemized lists be filed with the minutes: Check Numbers 311151 311303 Current Expense $ 983,952.21 Capital Outlay 5,709.30 Special Schools 38,257.81 Special Revenue Funds 134,859.85 Capital Projects Funds 16,781.33 Enterprise Fund 8,674.44 Trust and Agency Fund 00.00 TOTAL $ 1,188,234.94
Board of Education Minutes Page 4 II. FINANCE REPORT (continued) C. Other Action 1. Approval of Contract Pooled Insurance Program of New Jersey RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the attached contract between the District and Polaris Galaxy Insurance, LLC of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, for the period, 07/01/08 06/30/11, as recommended by the Superintendent. (See Attachment C.) 2. Submission to New Jersey Department of Education Boiler Room Project RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the submission of the boiler room upgrade project, without state funding, to the New Jersey Department of Education, as recommended by the Superintendent. 3. Submission to New Jersey Department of Education Washroom Project RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the submission of the washroom renovation project, without state funding, in West Hall to the New Jersey Department of Education, as recommended by the Superintendent. 4. Resolution to Amend Long Range Facilities Plan RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve amendments to the Long Range Facilities Plan for the boiler upgrade project and the washroom renovation project in West Hall, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board of Education Minutes Page 5 III. PERSONNEL REPORT Moved by Ms. Lorber, seconded by Dr. Centuolo, and on roll call, Dr. Centuolo, Ms. Devanney, and Ms. Lorber approved resolutions A, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, C, D, E, and F. A. Full-Time Appointment 2008-2009 School Year RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the following full-time appointment, with terms as stated, as recommended by the Superintendent. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7 et.seq., employment is conditional subject to completion of a required criminal history background check and acquisition of appropriate certification documents, if applicable: Name: Alba Nery Simon Position: Teacher of Computer Aided Drafting and Design Salary: $48,427; Col. I, Step 6 Status: 10-month Position Certificate: Certificate of Eligibility: Teacher of Drafting and Design Technology Name: Michael Freisenhahn Position: Teacher of English Salary: $49,722; Col. II, Step 4 Status: 10-Month Position Certificate: Certificate of Eligibility: Teacher of English Name: Jacob Reichman Position: Teacher of Chemistry Salary: $50,839; Col. III, Step 1 Status: 10-Month Position Certificate: Certificate of Eligibility: Teacher of Chemistry Name: Carlton Barnes Position: Teacher of Carpentry/Construction/Post Secondary Salary: $54,662; Col. I, Step 9 Status: 10-Month Position Certificate: Teacher of Skilled Trades: Carpentry Name: Clifford Pristas Position: Teacher of Science Salary: $49,071; Col. II, Step 1 Status: 10-Month Position Certificate: Certificate of Eligibility: Teacher of Biological Science
Board of Education Minutes Page 6 III. PERSONNEL REPORT (continued) A. Full-Time Appointments 2008-2009 School Year (continued) Recommended: Name: Roy Vella Position: Teacher of Mathematics Salary: $55,313; Col. III, Step 8 Status: 10-Month Position Certificate: Teacher of Mathematics Name: Sheila Murphy Position: Teacher of English Salary: $49,958; Col. II, Step 5 Status: 10-Month Position Certificate: Teacher of English Name: Geraldo Perez Position: Custodian (Day) Salary: $21,170.83; Step 1; prorated from Step 1, $25,405 Status: 12-Month Position Certificate: N/A Name: Position: Salary: John Riccardi Custodian (Evening) $21,170.83: Step 1+$879.17 (shift differential); prorated from Step 1, $25,405 12-Month Position Status: Certificate: N/A Name: Position: Salary: Giuseppe Insinga Custodian (Evening) $21,170.83; Step 1+$879.17 (shift differential); prorated from Step 1, $25,405 12-Month Position Status: Certificate: N/A
Board of Education Minutes Page 7 III. PERSONNEL REPORT (continued) B. Part-Time Appointments 2008-2009 School Year 1. Adult High School/Adult Education RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the following individuals as parttime adult high school and/or adult evening school instructors, at the hourly rate of $33 per hour, on an as needed basis, for the period, 09/01/08 06/30/09, as recommended by the Superintendent: Winfred Dziphor Paul Milea 2. Provisional Teacher/Alternate Route Program RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the following staff members and fees for the provisional teacher/alternate route program as listed, as recommended by the Superintendent: Name Mentor Fee Michael Freisenhahn Bernice Lamey $1,000 Clifford Pristas Nina Arakelian $1,000 Jacob Reichman Edward Paschik $1,000 Alba Nery Simon Trish Drevelus $1,000 3. Substitute Teachers RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the following individuals as substitute teachers, on an as needed basis, at the rate of $100 per diem or $50 per half day, as recommended by the Superintendent: William Castel Gillian Green Keysha Knight
Board of Education Minutes Page 8 III. PERSONNEL REPORT (continued) B. Part-Time Appointments 2008-2009 School Year (continued) 4. Per Diem Substitute RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve David Clair as a per diem substitute, effective September 1, 2008, at the per diem rate of $247.49, as recommended by the Superintendent. 5. Custodian Summer 2008-09 RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve Francis Heo, part-time custodian, at the rate of $13.50 per hour, on an as needed basis, for the period 07/01/08 08/29/08, as recommended by the Superintendent. 6. Per Diem Appointments RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve per diem appointments for the following custodians, on an as needed basis, beginning 08/27/08, as recommended by the Superintendent: Name Per Diem Rate Geraldo Perez $105.85 John Riccardi $110.25 Giuseppe Insinga $110.25 C. Resignation RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the resignation of the following individual, as recommended by the Superintendent: Name Position Effective Date Crystal Cannella Teacher of English, AAHS August 4, 2008
Board of Education Minutes Page 9 III. PERSONNEL REPORT (continued) D. Contract Adjustment Teaching Staff RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve a contract adjustment of an additional onesixth (1/6) of salary for the following staff member, for teaching of an additional class period, as per the negotiated agreement, as recommended by the Superintendent: E. Military Leave of Absence Samantha Green RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve a military leave of absence for Rong Liu, Mathematics teacher at the Magnet High School, for the period 09/01/08 06/30/09, as recommended by the Superintendent. F. Transfer RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the transfer of Danuta Dolchon, evening custodian, to day custodian, effective September 1, 2008, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board of Education Minutes Page 10 IV. INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT Moved by Dr. Centuolo, seconded by Ms. Lorber, and on roll call, Dr. Centuolo, Ms. Devanney, and Ms. Lorber approved resolutions C and E. Ms. Devanney and Ms. Lorber approved resolutions A, B, and D. Dr. Centuolo abstained from resolutions A, B, and D. A. Attainment of District Objectives for the 2007-08 School Year UC Tech High School RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the final revised report on Attainment of Goals and Objectives UC Tech High School for the 2007-08 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent. (See Attachment D.) B. District Goals and Objectives for the 2008-09 School Year AAHS Revised RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the revised District Goals and Objectives Academy for Allied Health Sciences for the 2008-09 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent. (See Attachment E.) C. Field Trips RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the following field trips, as recommended by the Superintendent: Date School Program Destination Cost 09/24/08 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math Hillsborough, NJ $260 League Hillsborough HS 10/15/08 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math Franklin, NJ $260 League Franklin HS 10/22/08 UC Tech Cosmetology Somerset, NJ $1,000 11/12/08 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math League 12/10/08 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math League 02/18/09 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math League 03/18/09 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math League 04/22/09 MHS/AIT/AAHS NJ Math League North Brunswick, NJ North Brunswick HS East Brunswick, NJ East Brunswick HS Edison, NJ J. P. Stevens HS Metuchen, NJ Metuchen HS Montgomery, NJ Montgomery HS $260 $260 $260 $260 $260
Board of Education Minutes Page 11 IV. INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT (continued) D. Waiver of Requirements Special Education Medicare Initiative Program WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.3 provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district s participation in the Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) Program for the 2008-09 school year, and WHEREAS, the Union County Vocational-Technical School District s Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that it projects having fewer than 30 full-time Medicaid eligible classified students, Now Therefore Be It RESOLVED, that the Union County Vocational-Technical School District s Board of Education hereby authorizes the Chief School Administrator to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in the County of Union an appropriate waiver of the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.3 for the 2008-09 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent. E. Travel and Related Expenses RESOLVED, the Board of Education approve the travel and related expense request for staff development and training activities, as required by statute and District policy, for the District employees and board members listed, and for the dates and costs indicated on the attached Travel and Related Expense Reimbursement Form, as recommended by the Superintendent. (See Attachment F.)
Board of Education Minutes Page 12 V. BOARD POLICIES Moved by Ms. Lober, seconded by Dr. Centuolo, and on roll call, Ms. Devanney, Dr. Centuolo, and Ms. Lorber approved resolutions A, B, and C. A. New Policies, Regulations, Bylaws: First Reading Nepotism Bylaw #0142.1 Legal Services Bylaw #0174 Professional Services Bylaw #0177 Internal Controls Policy #1570 Internal Controls Regulation #1570 Administrative Employment Contracts Policy #1620 Special Education Medicaid Initiative Policy #6111 Special Education Medicaid Initiative Regulations #6111 Contributions to Board Members and Contract Awards Policy #6362 Expenditures for Non-Employee Activities, Meals & Refreshments Policy #6423 Withholding of State Aid Policy #6831 Facilities Maintenance, Repair Scheduling and Accounting Regulation #7410.01 School Vehicle Assignment, Use, Tracking, Maintenance, Policy #7650 and Accounting School Vehicle Assignment, Use, Tracking, Maintenance, Regulation #7650 and Accounting Public Relations Program Policy #9120 WHERES, the Board of Education has recognized the need to initiate, to revise and update all policies; and WHEREAS, copies of above listed policies and regulations have been distributed to all Board members for review, Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept on first reading the above listed policies, regulations and bylaws, as recommended by the Superintendent. (See Attachment G.)
Board of Education Minutes Page 13 V. BOARD POLICIES (continued) B. Revised Policies, Regulations: First Reading Admissions Policy #5111 Admissions Administrative Procedures Regulation #5111 Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policy #5512.01 Purchases Subject to Bid Policy #6320 Political Contributions Policy #6360 Payments of Claims Policy #6470 Payments of Claims Regulation #6470 Payroll Authorization Policy #6510 Maintenance and Repair Policy #7410 Maintenance and Repair Regulation #7410 Student Teachers/Interns Policy #9541 WHERES, the Board of Education has recognized the need to initiate, to revise and update all policies; and WHEREAS, copies of above listed policies and regulations have been distributed to all Board members for review, Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept on first reading the above listed policies and regulations, as recommended by the Superintendent. (See Attachment H.)
Board of Education Minutes Page 14 V. BOARD POLICIES (continued) C. Revisions: Second Reading Philosophy of Education/District Mission Statement Policy #2110 Independent Study Program Policy #2320 Needless Public Labeling of Pupils with Disabilities Policy #2466 New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuim (NJQSAC) Policy #2631 Evaluation of Non-tenured Teaching Staff Members Policy #3221 Evaluation of Non-tenured Teaching Staff Members Regulation #3221 Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policy #5512.01 Emergency Contracts Policy #6424 Emergency Contracts Regulation #6424 Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Policy #8461 Reporting Violence, Vandalism, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Regulation #8461 Reporting Potentially Missing or Abused Children Policy #8462 (replaces #8464) Reporting Potentially Missing or Abused Children Regulation #8462 (replaces #8464) WHERES, the Board of Education has recognized the need to initiate, to revise and update all policies; and WHEREAS, copies of above listed policies and regulations have been distributed to all Board members for review, Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept and adopt on second reading the above listed policies and regulations, as recommended by the Superintendent. VI. OTHER ACTION None VII. SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT Dr. Bistocchi mentioned that we are fully staffed except for a Union County College instructor in Economics which is paid for by the college. Enrollment is exactly where we wanted to be with respect to the incoming full-time freshman class. Self- Contained Special Education enrollment is over 220 and we will be examining new programs for Special Education. Regular Vocational programs include approximately 400 students.
Board of Education Minutes Page 15 VIII. BOARD MEMBERS' REPORT None IX. ATTORNEY'S REPORT None X. SUPPLEMENTARY MATTERS AND OTHER BUSINESS None XI. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Devanney asked for a motion to open the meeting to the public. Ms. Lorber moved at 8:18 a.m. to open the public session, seconded by Dr. Centuolo, and unanimously approved. Since no one wished to comment, Ms. Devanney asked for a motion to close the public session of the meeting. Dr. Centuolo moved at 8:19 a.m. to close the public session, seconded by Ms. Lorber, and unanimously approved. XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION None XIII. OTHER ACTION None XIV. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Devanney asked if there were any further matters or business to come before the Board. There being none, Ms. Devanney requested a motion to adjourn. Ms. Lorber moved to adjourn, seconded by Dr. Centuolo, and unanimously approved. The Board adjourned at 8:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Peter A. Capodice
Board of Education Minutes Page 16 Board Secretary dsc