The minutes of the regular meeting of the North Plainfield Board of Education held on April 11, 2007 at Watchung School, 33 Mountain Avenue, North Plainfield, NJ. Mrs. Bond-Nelson called the meeting to order and made the following announcement: In accordance with NJSA 10:4-10, required advance notice of this meeting was filed with the Borough Clerk; submitted to the COURIER NEWS, STAR LEDGER, and Comcast; posted at Watchung School, Borough Hall and the North Plainfield Public Library. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mrs. Bond-Nelson requested the call of the roll:
Thomas Allen
David Branan Kathleen Mullen
Sandra Dodd Nancy Szaroleta
Edwin Estevez – absent, notified Linda Bond-Nelson
A quorum was established.
Also present were Donald Sternberg, Board Secretary /School Business Administrator; and Robert Rich, Assistant Superintendent.
The meeting convened to public session at 7:30 pm with the same members present, Michele Velasquez , Student Representative and approximately 5 members of the staff and public.
Introduction of New Staff
There was none.
Minutes Approval
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to accept the Public Meeting Minutes of March 21 and 26 , 2007 as amended to read that Mrs. Szaroleta arrived at the meeting on March 21st at 7:30 pm.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to accept the Executive Session Minutes of March 21, 2007.
Student Representative Report
Michelle Velasquez reported on student activities some of which included the following:
The Foreign Language Honor Societies returned from their European trip taken over Spring recess. Honor Society induction ceremonies will be held May 8th. ROTC will be playing basketball against the North Plainfield Police Department on April 13th at 7:00 pm. The Junior Prom will be held on April 27th at the Berkeley Plaza from 7:00 to 11:00 pm.
Comments from the Public
Upon request of the chair for topics from the public, there were none.
Additional Board Matters
Upon request of the chair for additional emergency matters to be discussed by the Board, there were none.
Presentation
Mrs. Cathy Kobylarz, Stony Brook Principal and a representative of the Stony Brook PTA presented a school sign for placement in front of Stony Brook School.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to accept the donation of a sign for Stony Brook School from the Stony Brook School PTA.
Committee Delegate Reports
Mrs. Mullen indicated upcoming legislative changes and issues were discussed at the Somerset County Educational Services Commission meeting.
A Finance and Facilities Committee meeting will be held on April 18th at 7:15 pm.
Superintendent's Report
Recognition
MentorPlace, under the direction of Deanne D’Armiento, eighth grade science teacher, and Sue Pellegrino, special education teacher, along with Martin Laird, IBM, has been selected as one of five winners to receive the Exemplary Partnership Program Award sponsored by the NJ Association of School Administrators and the NJ Association of Partners in Education. MentorPlace is an employee-student on-line mentoring program that matches students with adult mentors. Technology for the program is donated by IBM. IBM employees devote their time and energy to mentor students and to give them a glimpse of the working world. North Plainfield is the first school district in New Jersey to participate in the MentorPlace program.
Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, superintendent, will be presenting “Student Perspectives on Classroom Assessment” with Drs. Jeff and Lisa Smith, University of Otago, New Zealand on April 12, 2007 at the American Education Research Association Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Danielle Stewart, eighth grade student at NPMS and Patrice Browne, NPHS student, each received the Paul Robeson Youth Achievement Award from Raritan Valley Community College’s (RVCC) Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership, and Social Justice. The students were recognized for their efforts at a special program at RVCC on March 29, 2007.
Nicole Adams, NPMS student, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Nicole earned her award by volunteering over 100 hours this year organizing silent auctions at horse shows. The proceeds of the auctions benefit the Valerie Fund, an organization that provides assistance to children who have blood disorders or cancer.
Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 200,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.
Six members of the North Plainfield Middle School Robotics Club attended the Middle School Design Challenge held at Somerset County Vo-Tech on Saturday, March 24, 2007. Seventh grader Camilo Marulanda and eighth graders Nick Forrester, John Huynh, Eric Orellana, Ajay Shekar and Richard Simbana performed admirably in two challenges of their choosing: the Figure 8 and the Free Form. The students programmed their LEGO Mindstorm robot to maneuver around the figure 8 form and to follow the program of their own design. Dawn Kleinfield, NPMS mathematics and robotics teacher, attended the event as Robotics Club advisor. Patty Marseglia, supervisor of mathematics and science, and Courtney Kopf, NPMS science teacher served as judges. Tamika Bauknight, NPMS vice-principal, was also in attendance.
The event included a Secret Challenge. Team members chose John Huynh and Nick Forrester to represent North Plainfield on teams consisting of students from different districts. These teams had two hours to evaluate a challenge and program their robot to complete the challenge before a large crowd. Camilo Marulanda was chosen as a student judge for this event and announced the team’s scores to the cheering crowd.
John Huynh was chosen to draw team numbers for prizes, and luckily, he pulled North Plainfield’s number. The district won an additional Mindstorm Lego Kit which can be added to those already used in the district’s Robotics classes.
“The students thoroughly enjoyed the day. They were treated to lunch, took a math quiz to enter the contests, and saw a presentation by Dan Weissman, ‘The Science Man.’ The district was well-represented by these six students who worked together to plan and test solutions, make last-minute adjustments and collaborate with students they’d only just met. They even have suggestions for the event organizers!” expressed Ms. Marseglia.
District
Kid Vote, Tuesday, April 17, 2007
In an effort to encourage community members to vote on the School Budget, April 17, 2007, the district is again sponsoring Kid Vote. Prior to April 17, students will be given lessons in voting and campaigning in order to provide background knowledge on the process and the importance of voting in a democratic society.
Voting will take place from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. in a separate area of each of the polling places where adults in the district will have the opportunity to vote on the school budget. Students will also be given the opportunity to vote and ballots will be provided for them. School ballots will have the name of the school the child attends and questions for the child to consider. All student ballots will be collected the following day and the results will be announced to the students as well as be posted on the district’s website at www.nplainfield.org.
District Arts Festival
The twelfth annual District Arts Festival, held on March 29 at NPHS, 7:00-9:00 p.m. was a great success. Featuring numerous classroom and performance events, K-12, the festival included an art exhibit showcasing student work from all grade levels complimented by performances in music, theatre, and dance. Staff in the family and consumer science and the applied technology areas featured projects developed and created by NPHS students. In addition, the festival included demonstrations in face painting, computer animation, and food preparation.
Having the opportunity to see such wonderful student talent at all grade levels, in one setting, and on one evening was quite an experience! Congratulations and many thanks to Robert Pispecky, supervisor of fine, practical and performing arts, the talented students in K-12, and the following staff members for orchestrating a fabulous evening of creativity in the arts: (Fine and Performing Arts) Pete Austin, Ivan Izeppi, Dorian Parreott, Sandra Reedy, Jonathan Scott, Kyle Skrivanek, Amy Six, Diana VanHise, Lisa Cerulo, Kim Dawson, Kathleen Fry, Tammy Mackiewicz, Sonya Russomanno, Joanne Wendt, and Leeanne Chiaramonte; (Practical Arts) Sharon Betz, Sharon Gianneschi, Phyllis Kovacsofsky, Adrian Escriba, Robert Ferraro, Tom Kavanagh, and Theodore Sielewicki; and (Others) Maria Orejuela and ROTC members.
West End School
West End School's Annual Smile Train Show is on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. in the NPHS Auditorium. Get your tickets now!
DISTRICT OPERATIONS
DISTRICT OPERATIONS
SPRING BREAK PROJECTS
(APPROVED)
The following projects were scheduled to be completed over the Spring Break. Time is a critical factor. Therefore, health and safety issues will be a priority.
|
LOCATION |
AREA/SITE |
PROJECT |
CONTRACTOR |
|
High/Middle Sch. |
Misc. |
Intrusion Alarm |
P.Q. Energy |
|
Somerset School |
Main Ent. |
Alarm Repairs |
Fire & Sec.Tech. |
|
West End School |
Stairwells |
Painting |
In-House |
|
West End School |
Field |
Retaining Wall |
In-House |
|
East End School |
Room # 5 |
Floor Repairs |
In-House |
|
East End School |
Room # 5 |
New Floor Tile |
Resource NJ |
|
District Wide |
All |
Electrical Repairs |
In-House |
|
District Wide |
All |
Plumbing Repairs |
In-House |
|
District Wide |
Main Entrances |
Floor Waxing |
In-House |
|
District Wide |
Ext. Property |
Site Clean up |
In-House |
SPRING BREAK TRAINING
CUSTODIAL STAFF
(SCHEDULED)
In addition to the projects and maintenance work listed above, the following comprehensive training sessions will be held at the North Plainfield High School.
|
LOCATION |
AREA/SITE |
PROGRAM |
FACILITATOR |
|
North Plainfield High School |
Old Section Restrooms |
Proper Cleaning Techniques |
Indco Inc. |
|
North Plainfield High School |
Old Section/ Main Entrance |
Diamond Cutting of Terrazzo Floors |
Indco Inc. |
Recommendations from Superintendent of Schools
Personnel
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve Board member and/or staff conference and travel expenses as per the attached list.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education approve the certified staff indicated below be paid for graduate courses taken between September and December 2006:
Name Course Hrs. Paid Reimb.__
Kathy Senna Appl. of Quantitative Methods 3 $1388.55 $1041.41
(Health&PhysEd/EE) & Comp. in Exercise Science
Parreott II, Dorian Instruc. Prog. Mgmt. & Eval. 3 $1455.00 $1091.25
(Inst. Music/HS) Human Res. Mgmt. In Educ. 3 $1455.00 $1091.25
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education adjust the guide and salary of Kathy Senna, health and physical education teacher at East End School, from MA/Step 12 to 6YR/Step 12 at the annual salary rate of $79,890 plus $750 longevity entitlement, plus 40% of 6th class ($13,315), to reflect her attainment of a Master’s degree, effective February 1, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education adjust the dates of the unpaid leave of absence under the Federal Family Leave Act granted to Amy Leafblad, teacher of Spanish at NPHS, from May 10 through May 31, 2007 to effective May 10 through June 30, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Ruben Cesora, ROTC instructor in the district, effective June 21, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Agata Gawlik as a substitute custodian, at the Custodian/Step 1 hourly rate of $15.31, effective April 16, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Christopher Brunner as a probationary maintenance worker at the Step 11/Head Custodial and Maintenance Guide annual salary rate of $50,642 to be prorated effective April 16, 2007 through June 30, 2007. (Mr. Brunner will replace A. Chiappa.)
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Cynthia Linsen, special education teacher at West End School, effective June 30, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Yajaira Sota as a temporary replacement paraprofessional at West End School for 2.5 hours per day at the rate of $17.37 per hour, effective April 16, 2007 through May 31, 2007. (Ms. Soto is temporarily replacing Delia Perez.)
Further, that the Board of Education approve Ms. Soto as a district substitute paraprofessional for the 2006-2007 school year.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve Jill Dudra as a volunteer assistant to the softball coach.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education grant Shaista Qazi, paraprofessional at East End School, an unpaid leave of absence effective March 12, 2007 through April 20, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education adjust the previously approved unpaid leave of absence under the Federal Family Leave Act granted to Dorothy Kahaner from March 23 through March 30, 2007 to March 23, 26, 27, 29 and one half day on March 30.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education accept with regret, the resignation of Rafael Martinez, instructor in the adult high school, for reasons of retirement effective July 1, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Monica Villafuerte as a temporary elementary Spanish teacher at East End and Stony Brook Schools, at the MA/Step 4 (5-7/7) annual salary rate of $45,600, effective April 12, 2007 through June 30, 2007. (Ms. Villafuerte will temporarily replace Amy Leafblad.)
Thomas Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
David Branan - Aye Nancy Szaroleta - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Services
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve funds to provide training for classified student, TA-01-06-07, to be provided through the Cerebral Palsy Center of New Jersey, at the rate of $85.00 per hour for up to 12 hours, plus round trip mileage at 44.5 cents per mile, effective date to be determined.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education approve home instruction for classified student HI-31-06-07, to be provided by district staff and/or Educational Commission staff for up to ten hours per week, effective April 10, 2007.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that for the 2006-2007 school year, the Board of Education pay the tuition for the out-of-district placement of the following classified students in the schools and at the tuition rates (to be prorated) noted. Transportation is required.
ID# School/Location Tuition Effective
VVVVV-06-07 Children’s Center of Monmouth County $232.84/day March 5, 2007
UUUUUU-06-07 Somerset Academy/Raritan $3,589.50 March 7, 2007
Finance, Purchasing, Facilities and Agreements
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education extend their appreciation to Target for their donation of $261.03 to NPHS.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education extend their appreciation to the North Plainfield Fire Department for their donation of $100 to the Navy Junior ROTC program.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved that the Board of Education approve payments from the Cafeteria Account and the Adult School Account in accordance with the attached list dated April 11, 2007.
Correspondence
Letters were received as follows:
Department of Community Affairs SHARE Grant notification
Notification of Residential Repairs at 16 Rockview Avenue
Old Business
In regard to the 2007-2008 Budget, the school election will be held on April 17th with the polls open for voting from 3:00 to 9:00 pm.
The Superintendent’s Evaluation is in progress with completed materials returned to Mrs. Bond-Nelson.
New Business
Current Events in Education
There were none.
Comments from the Public
Upon request of the chair for comments from the public, there were none.
Future Agenda Items
G& T Presentation – May 16, 2007
Draft Annual Board Planning Calendar
Review of Personnel Evaluations/Personnel Appointments – April 25, 2007
Adjournment
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to hold an executive session on April 25, 2007 at 7:00 pm, for confidential matters relating to personnel, students, negotiations, and litigation.
Mr. Branan moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to adjourn at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
APPROVED: Donald Sternberg
