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The minutes of the regular meeting of the North Plainfield Board of Education held on January 9, 2008 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 wa 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 Kathleen Mullen
David Branan – absent, notified Drew Elliott Smith
Sandra Dodd Linda Bond-Nelson
Edwin Estevez
A quorum was established
Also present were Marilyn Birnbaum, Superintendent of Schools; Donald Sternberg, Board Secretary/School Business Administrator; and Robert Rich, Assistant Superintendent, as well as, Nora Rivera, Student Representative and approximately 12 members of the staff and public
Introduction of New Staff
There was none.
Minutes Approval
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Mullen and approved by a vote of 5 to 0 with Mr. Smith abstaining to accept the public session minutes of December 19, 2008.
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Mullen and approved by a vote of 5 to 0 with Mr. Smith abstaining to accept the executive session minutes of December 19, 2008.
Student Representative Report
Nora Rivera reported on various student activities some of which included the following:
Interact Club is going to Rutgers College this weekend. The Drama Club has begun rehearsals for the spring musical and is preparing for STANJ at Rutgers in five weeks.
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
Diana Sefchik, World Language and ELL Supervisor, provided an overview of the ELL Program.
Committee Delegate Reports
Mr. Estevez provided a legislative update regarding the School Funding Reform Act of 2008.
Mrs. Bond-Nelson presented the following revised policies for a second reading and recommendation:
9010 – Role of the Member 9114- Resignation/Removal from Office
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote to approve revisions to policies 9010 – Role of the Member and 9114 – Resignation/Removal from Office as amended.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Smith reviewed the minutes of the Communications Committee Meeting of December 9th. The next meeting is scheduled for January 23rd at 6:30 pm.
Superintendent’s Report
Students
North Plainfield’s literary and art magazine, Canuckling (2006-2007), is the recipient of two impressive awards. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association honored the magazine with the Gold Medalist Award scoring 980/1000. The American Scholastic Press Association granted Canuckling with a First Place with Special Merit Award achieving a score of 965/1000.
The literary editor, Ellen Brain (English teacher) and the technical editor, Lori Castiglione (former French teacher) were co-advisors. The Art Department, working closely with Kim Dawson (art teacher), contributed to the depth and breadth of the artistic component of the magazine. The magazine’s theme of Identity is divided into six categories: Who Am I, Questioning, Teen Life, All my Emotions, Where I’ve Been…Where I’m Going, and Far and Away. The ninety-two page magazine features an outstanding array of literary and artistic talent from the students of North Plainfield High School. Two graduating seniors, Arkor Kolubah and Michelle Velasquez led the team of students in creating the magazine and wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Magazine that exemplifies not only their fine literary style, but also the spirit and promise of the magazine. First published in 1955, the magazine has been an example of the literary and artistic talent of the students of North Plainfield High School. The theme for this year’s magazine is Images
The following NPHS juniors were nominated for Governor’s Schools: Rosanna Bertini: Governor’s School for Engineering and Technology; Ramona Ross and Charisse Sobers: Governor’s School of Science; Branny Orak: Governor’s School for International Studies and Kaerielle McKinney: Governor’s School on the Environment.
Latricia Antoine, grade 11, was accepted into the National Youth Leadership Forum where she has the choice of attending a summer program to learn about the field of law in Washington, DC or learn about the field of medicine in either Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, LA, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Francisco or Washington D.C. or learn about American diplomacy, intelligence and defense in Washington, DC. The student could also decide to travel to Australia, China or Europe to explore one of the following career tracks: medicine, business, international relations, environment, engineering and technology, or music and art. The student chooses the field of study as well as the location.
Nuri Abdus-Salaam, grade 12, has been selected to participate in a career enrichment program at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. As part of the program, Nuri will visit the Dental School in Newark on three different dates. Basically this is a program for high school students to learn more about the field of dentistry, to see if this career choice matches their interests.
Congratulations to coaches Dave Hooker, Edison Torres, and Todd Vanderputten and the boys’ basketball team for winning all three levels of the boys’ holiday basketball tournament:
Crusader Classic Boys Basketball Tournament, Bound Brook 12/27, 12/29/07
Freshman Boys Basketball Team – 1st Place Champions
JV Boys Basketball Team –1st Place Champions
Varsity Boys Basketball Team – 1st Place Champions
Congratulations to Charles Jairdullo and the girls’ basketball team for placing second in the holiday tournament:
Milburn Girls Basketball Tournament 12/27, 12/29/07
Varsity Girls Basketball Team – 2nd Place
The wrestling team, under the direction of Jim Miller, competed in the Somerset County Tournament on December 27 and earned the following recognition:
9th Place Team
2nd Place 119 lbs Mario Herrera
2nd Place 125 lbs Yuri Urrita
4th Place 145 lbs Dennis Guerrero
Congratulations to Eric Neira, school champion; Caleb Barnhart, first runner-up; and the following grade 4 semifinalists in East End's Social Studies Bee Final Round held on January 8, 2008: Amelia Baijnath, Rushea Bartley, Jasmine Chavez, Melody Chen, George Garcia, Martyn Megaloudis, Jasmine Okolo, Cameron Reid and Jamie Thomas. Eric received a beautiful medal and dessert certificate to Applebee's Restaurant.
The students listed below earned scholarships and/or were accepted to the following colleges and universities:
• Natalie Szaroleta won an $80,000 Jacob Albright Scholarship and an Albright Scholarship National Honor Society award of $4000 if she attends Albright College.
• Alison Sarafati, who has been accepted to Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill was nominated for the Van Doren scholarship.
• Tracy Mamuric has been accepted to Pace University.
• Daniel Parrott has been accepted to Pennsylvania State University.
• Britannie Peabody has been accepted to Pennsylvania State University.
• Nadine Sylvester has been accepted to Rutgers University.
• Yuri Urrutia has been accepted to Caldwell College.
• Liliana Ventura has been accepted to Lehigh University.
West End School
The Book Fair Blizzard was a great success!! There were many wonderful books to pick from as well as a tasty treat of hot cocoa, powdered donuts, and cookies. Students participated in a scavenger hunt and Guess How Many SnoCaps in a Jar contest, read-alouds, craft projects and snowflake making. The book fair total was $3,800, which means 60% in free books to West End School. It was two nights of fun for West End families as well as an opportunity for getting more books in the homes of children and in the classrooms. Many thanks to the PTA for sponsoring the event; Marie Kushnir and Justine DeMeola who chaired the event for the PTA; Marilyn Pinto who coordinated the teachers’ participation in the event; and the following teachers who helped out by doing read-alouds at the night events and helping with the crafts: Taryn Buffolino, Lisa Cirillo, Katie Dolan, Meghan Drewes, Mindy Durkin, Kim Faszczewski Rosemarie Hansen, Marianne Harris, Carol Irvine, Kourtney Karl, Theresa Knauer, Jason Lilly, Christina Mundy, Marilyn Pinto, Wendy Szymanski, and Michelle Tafuri
The West End Mitten Tree was a great success this year. Although donations were generally from staff members, who really went above and beyond the requirement of one gift per mitten, the PTA and some of the West End School families were very generous as well! Donations were made to over 60 West End children from about 20 different families. Each child received an average of at least three gifts.
The second grade Used Toy Sale to benefit the Smile Train was very successful. Students donated gently used toys to be sold for $.25 each. Enough money was raised for two more smiles! Many thanks to the second grade teachers: Elizabeth Cirillo, Sandra Deller, Kourtney Karl, Jason Lilly, Veronica Quick, and Ruth Siegel.
West End held its annual Holiday Sing on December 21. They were led in song by Jonathan Scott, the general music teacher. A special visitor, retired music teacher Russell Royer, started the program by singing, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Frosty, Rudolph, the Elves, Santa and Mrs. Claus were there. West End’s newest holiday visitors, the Chipmunks, joined the performance, with Alvin, Simon, Theodore and Dave making an appearance. They were practicing the "Chipmunk Christmas Song" in their recording studio. It was a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Many thanks to the following teachers for making this such an enjoyable event: Wendy Alvarez, Taryn Buffolino, Kim Faszczewski, Sue Fordham , Jessica Fuget, Sandy Deller , Pat Harris, Jason Lilly, and Jonathan Scott
West End School should also be commended for establishing a Parent Engagement Committee this year. The committee’s goal is to have parent/child activities sponsored at school in the evenings to bring about more "engaged" parents hence improving the home school connection and academic performance.
DISTRICT OPERATIONS & AUXILIARY SERVICES
SAFETY TRAINING
The Safety topic for January is Slip & Fall Prevention. Related safety training, regarding safe work practices will be conducted with all staff members. The aforementioned training will also include a module on working in extreme cold weather and icy conditions.
HEALTH & SAFETY
MRSA Virus: The Operations Department continues to monitor and implement additional housekeeping procedures as needed to reduce the risk of exposure to this antibiotic resistant virus. (Please see the additional information posted on our website.)
MAINTENANCE
In addition to completing daily work requests and routine maintenance, the following tasks were completed by the Maintenance Department during this past month:
• Two sections of pipe were replaced at Somerset School.
• One section of pipe was replaced in NPMS.
• Several heating units were repaired at NPHS.
WINTER BREAK PROJECTS
The following projects and or repairs were completed over the winter break:
• The fire pump system at Somerset School was evaluated for a start circuit
• Terrazzo floor polishing at the West End School
• Repair of several steam leaks at West End School
• Repairs and maintenance at Harrison House
• Reconfiguration of the serving area at West End School
• Repairs to a water supply line at NPMS
CONTRACTED PROJECTS
The following projects were completed by an outside contractor during December:
• The new retaining wall was completed at West End School
• A tree was removed at Watchung School for safety concerns
• Roof repairs were completed at Stony Brook School
• Additional roof repairs were completed at NPHS
EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION
• A new Ford F-250, complete with a snow plow, was placed into service
RECYCLING PROGRAM
The first phase of the recycling program was scheduled to begin on January 3, 2008 and includes all paper products. The second phase of the program, co-mingled products, will be in place by this summer with full implementation scheduled for the opening of the new school year in September. The start up of this program has been delayed as we await delivery of the recycling dumpsters and containers. We anticipate delivery by month’s end.
OPEN/PENDING PROJECTS
HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Installation of the surveillance system and associated wiring. This project is now scheduled to be completed on or about January 15, 2008. Once the system is complete and the associated signage has been installed, the service provider will begin to train our authorized staff members.
• The repair of several roof leaks is in progress by an outside contractor.
HARRISON BUILDING
• There are currently no open projects at this location.
HARRISON HOUSE
• There are currently no open projects at this location.
ATHLETIC COMPLEX
• Upgrades to the existing heating and ventilation system in the Field House.
EAST END SCHOOL
• The replacement of four exterior light fixtures that are now in stock.
WEST END SCHOOL
• There are currently no open projects at this location.
SOMERSET SCHOOL
• The installation of the glass for the additional railings recently installed.
STONY BROOK
• There are currently no open projects at this location.
Recommendations from Superintendent of Schools
Personnel
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez that the Board of Education accept with regret the resignation of Alexander Roman, principal of East End School, for reasons of retirement, effective April 1, 2008.
Mrs. Mullen moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to table the preceding motion.
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the Board member/and or staff conference and travel expenses as per the attached list.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the following individuals as volunteer assistants to the coach of the wrestling program:
David Phimsipasom Nelson Puentes
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Dawn Schugel, teacher of mathematics at NPHS, effective February 15, 2008, or sooner should an appropriate replacement be employed.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Gerard Friedman as the district athletic trainer, at the BA/Step 1 annual salary rate of $42,630, to be prorated effective December 16, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that the Board of Education rescind the recommendation to employ Nicole Sette as a library media specialist at NPHS.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education extend the unpaid leave of absence granted to Marion Risoli, paraprofessional, from October 1, 2007 through January 1, 2008 to October 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education adjust the previously approved recommendation to employ Dana Smith as a temporary school counselor at Stony Brook School from effective December 10, 2007 through May 21, 2008 to effective December 10, 2007 through March 21. 2008.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Kimberly Hazel as a teacher of family and consumer science at NPHS at the BA/Step 4-5(4) annual salary rate of $42,930, effective January 23, 2008 through June 30, 2008. (Ms. Hazel will replace Phyllis Kovascovsky.)
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of the following individuals to work on the drama club’s spring musical, Camelot, at the stipends indicated after their names:
Technical Director Bruce Bogel** $2050
Asst. Technical Director Kim Dawson $1725
Choreographer Betina Lefanto $2520
Lighting Director Bruce Bogel** $1370
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that the Board of Education accept the resignation of Sertirus Wilkins, substitute paraprofessional, effective January 11, 2008.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education adjust the unpaid leave of absence under the Federal Family Leave Act previously granted to Emily Thompson, special education teacher at Somerset School, as follows:
From: 3/3/08-4/6/08 Unpaid Leave of Absence/Federal Family Leave Act
To: 1/23/08 – 2/21/08 - Unpaid Leave of Absence During Disability Period
2/22/08 – 4/01/08 - Unpaid Leave of Absence/Federal Family Leave Act
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Jessica Alexander as a temporary replacement special education teacher at Somerset School at the special substitute rate of $140 per diem, pending certification review, effective January 22, 2008 through March 31, 2008. (Ms. Alexander will temporarily replace Emily Thompson.)
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that the Board of Education approve the certificated staff indicated below be paid for graduate courses taken between August and December 2007:
Name Course Hrs. Paid Reimb.
Jennifer Riolo Educ. Research: Prac & Theory 3 $765.00 $573.75
(Math/MS) Action Research 3 $765.00 $573.75
Patricia Lukacs Increasing Student Respect & 3 $835.00 $626.25
(Math/HS) Self-Discipline
Marilyn Pinto Independent Study 3 $2051.50 $1538.63
(Elem/WE)
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education adjust the salary and Guide of Patricia Lukacs, teacher of mathematics at NPHS, from the MA Guide at Step 11 to the MA+30 Guide/Step 11 at the annual salary rate of $74,335 plus $375 longevity entitlement for a total of $74,710, effective January 1, 2008, to reflect Ms. Lukacs’ achievement of a Master’s degree plus 30 credits.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved by roll call vote that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve the employment of Susan Feibush as a library media specialist at NPHS at the MA+30/Step 10 (yr 17) annual salary rate of $69,080, effective January 14, 2008. (Ms. Feibush will replace Sandy Gossett.)
Further, that the Board of Education approve Ms. Feibush as a substitute in the district for the 2007-2008 school year.
Tom Allen - Aye Kathleen Mullen - Aye
Sandra Dodd - Aye Drew Elliott Smith - Aye
Edwin Estevez - Aye Linda Bond-Nelson - Aye
Curriculum, Instruction, and Pupil Services
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved that for the 2007-2008 school year, the Board of Education approve Applied Behavior Consultants, LLC to provide analysis services to the following classified students at the rate of $110 per hour for six hours for observation, $60 per hour for two hours for report writing, for a total of $780 each:
ABA-02-07-08 ABA-03-07-08
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez that the Board of Education approve Anne Melia, speech/language pathologist, to provide one session per week of speech therapy to classified student #ST-01-07-08 at the cost of $75 per session, effective the week of January 14, 2008.
Mrs. Dodd moved, seconded by Mr. Allen and unanimously approved to separate the preceding motion from the page. A vote on the separated motion had the motion pass by a vote of 5 to 0 with Mrs. Dodd abstaining.
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved that the Board of Education approve the placement of classified student #DDDDD-07-08 in the Bound Brook School District Preschool Disabled Program at a cost of $20,000 per year, to be prorated effective as soon as arrangements can be made. Transportation will be required.
Finance, Purchasing, Facilities and Agreements
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez 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 January 9, 2008.
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved that the Board of Education approve St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, a private school for the disabled located in Jersey City, NJ, to provide reduced and/or paid meals to North Plainfield students enrolled for the 2007-2008 school year at no charge to the student(s) in accordance with New Jersey Code 6A:23-4.15(a) 20.
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mr. Estevez and unanimously approved that the Board of Education, on advice and consultation with Robert Epstein, Esq. of Greenberg, Taurig, LLP, authorize the execution of a release document in the matter of Peerless Insurance Company, as per attached.
Correspondence
There was none.
Old Business
Mr. Sternberg discussed the new school funding formula.
New Business
Mr. Allen questioned the Community School course offerings. Dr. Birnbaum discussed how the course selection is developed.
Current Events in Education
There was none.
Comments from the Public
There were none.
Future Agenda Items
Negotiations – 1/16/08 – 7:00 pm – Tentative pending NPEA confirmation
- 2/7/08 – 7:30 pm – Tentative pending NPEA confirmation
Mrs. Bond-Nelson will distribute forms regarding the Superintendent’s goals and objectives by January 14 to Board Members, to be returned by January 23, 2008.
Adjournment
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Dodd and unanimously approved to hold and executive session on January 23, 2008 at 7:00 pm for confidential matters relating to students, personnel, negotiations and litigation.
Mr. Allen moved, seconded by Mrs. Dodd and unanimously approved to adjourn at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
APPROVED: Donald Sternberg
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