MINE HILL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

MINUTES

CONFERENCE/REGULAR MEETING

December 21, 2009

Opening Statement:

The Conference/Regular Meeting of the Mine Hill Township Board of Education was called to order at 7:03 PM on December 21, 2009, by Board President, Mary Jo Walilko.  Adequate notice of the date and time for this meeting was advertised in the Daily Record on April 28, 2009, in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

Mrs. Walilko led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present:

Caryn Battaglia, Steve Hoh, Margo Maher, Bridget Mauro and Mary Jo Walilko.  Patricia Hernandez arrived at 7:40 PM.

Absent:

Anthony Novelli

Also Present:

Julia Coyne, Nancy Gulley, Sam Morris and Martin Rosenberg. Since this was a combined meeting with the Wharton Borough Board of Education the following members were also present:  Amy Rhead, Marc Towne, Anthony Astrologo, Robert Dollberg and William Rogers.

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board accepted the Closed Session Minutes of the Regular monthly meeting held on November 23, 2009.

Roll Call Vote-All Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board accepted the Minutes of the Regular monthly meeting held on November 23, 2009.

Roll Call Vote-All Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried

Correspondence

• Letter From the Naomi Nursery School Foundation thanking the Student Council
• Letter of retirement from Merri Millman
• Letter of resignation from Karen Granger

Superintendent’s Report

• Dr. Palestis welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He commended both the Mine Hill Township Board of Education and the Wharton Borough Board of Education for their cooperation in organizing the joint meeting.  He expressed his interest in making this an annual event. He stated that both Boards serve as a model in New Jersey for a positive shared services relationship.
• Dr. Palestis discussed the Achieve 3000 grant that was awarded to Canfield Avenue School (see attached.)
• Dr. Palestis indicated that both the Mine Hill Township Board of Education and the Wharton Borough Board of Education are interested in health benefits changes.  It was decided that a HIF broker would be best for both districts as the increase to both districts would be significantly less. Dr. Palestis will follow up with Katine Slunt and Pam Hinman.
• Dr. Palestis indicated that new food service vendor options are being explored.
• Wharton and Mine Hill school districts will share workshop opportunities during the Professional Development in service day on January 18, 2010.  Both staff’s members will have the chance to choose either location for workshops of interest.

Board Discussion/Reports

Presentations

Business Administrator’s Report

• Katine Slunt distributed a Budget Goals packet to each Board member (see attached.) 
• Mrs. Slunt indicated that at the January 25^th Board of Education meeting the district’s goals and objectives will be discussed.

Public Discussion

• Nancy Gulley shared with the Board programs from the Dover Middle School and Dover High School winter concerts with the names of the Mine Hill residents highlighted.
• Sam Morris inquired about the status of the AR program.  Mary Jo Walilko stated that the program will be discussed at the January 11^th Board of Education meeting.  Dr. Palestis requested any additional information that may be useful in future discussions.
• Dr. Palestis asked Mr. Morris to thank the municipality on the Board’s behalf for their snow removal.

FINANCE             Steve Hoh, Patricia Hernandez

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the workshop travel request for Merri Millman on

February 10, 2010, to attend, at a cost of $215.00, the Practical Therapy Techniques for Persistent Articulation , Errors, Frontal Lisp, Lateral Lisp and Distorted “r’s”, with mileage reimbursement totaling $14.26, for a total cost to the District of $229.26. (Attachment 1)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the workshop travel request for Diane Lansdell on February 2, 3 and 4, 2010, to attend, at a cost of $715.00, the Introduction to the Creative Curriculum Workshop for Preschool Teachers, plus hotel and meal allowance totaling $768.00, for a total cost to the District of $1,483.00. (Attachment 2)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the workshop travel request for Gina Naclerio on January 29, 2010, to attend, at no cost, the County Elementary Counselor’s Network Meeting, with mileage reimbursement totaling $7.50.  (Attachment 3)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the Business Administrator and Treasurer Report for the months of September and October, 2009. (Attachment 4)

Note:  The Treasurer Report is to be distributed at the time of the     meeting.

And be it further resolved;

The Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the certification from the Board Secretary that no line item account has encumbrances and expenditures which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.A.C.:6A23-2.11(a), further that district board of education, after review of the Board Secretary’s  monthly financial reports upon consultation with the appropriate district, certifies that no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C.:6A23-2.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district board of education’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year, therefore it is recommended that the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for the month(s) ending September and October.

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the payment of bills as per the attached bills list in the amount of $405,050.36.  (Attachment 5)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the requested budget transferred as per attached list in the total amount of $2,430.00.  (Attachment 6)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the authorization for the Superintendent of Schools to purchase the experience rating of the Mine Hill Township School District from the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program at a cost of $2,000.00

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the acceptance of the Achieve 3000 Grant sponsored by New Jersey Natural Gas Energy to Achieve School Sponsorship Program for a web-based reading program for grade 2 through 6 that improves literacy skills through differentiated instruction.

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the following resolution binding The Mine Hill Board of Education to purchase electric generation services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services, (“ACES”) Bid Cooperative Pricing System ID #E8801-ACESCPS:

WHEREAS, the Alliance For Competitive Energy Services (hereinafter referred to as “ACES”), an alliance composed of the New Jersey School Boards Association (hereinafter referred to as “NJSBA”), the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, will from time to time during the Effective Period as defined below solicit bids from electric power suppliers for electric generation services through an energy aggregation program in which NJSBA will act as Lead Agency of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS in accordance with the “Public School Contracts Law”, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1 et seq., and  the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act, N.J.S.A. 48:3-49 et seq. (“EDECA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and

WHEREAS, the MINE HILL BOARD OF EDUCATION is a Participating member of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System and is eligible thereby to obtain electric generation services for its own use through one or more contracts to be awarded to electric power suppliers following said bids for electric generation services pursuant to the aggregation program; and

WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will from time to time during the Effective Period from date of adoption through May, 2014 hereinafter referred to as “Effective Period”) issue one or more Requests for Bids for electric generation services on behalf of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System pursuant to the Public School Contracts Law and EDECA; and

WHEREAS, due to significant volatility and the potential for price increases in the wholesale electric market, Participating Members will preauthorize the Lead Agency to award contracts for Electric Generation Service in each service territory to one or more electric power suppliers that submit bids which are reasonably forecasted to provide estimated savings to the Participating Member based upon its previous electric usage and utility provided Basic Generation Service rates; and  

WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will only award contracts for said electric generation services to electric power suppliers that submit bids with pricing reasonably estimated to be lower than the utility-provided basic generation service; and

WHEREAS, the District agrees to purchase all electric power needed for its own use (exclusive of on-site electric generation sources) during the Effective Period through any electric power supplier(s) awarded a contract, it being understood that the term of any one contract shall be subject to the provisions of Public School Contracts Law;

WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will notify the Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Local Government Services by mail prior to the issuance a Request for Bids for electric generation services, with the understanding that if the Division of Local Government Services does not respond within 10 business days, it will be deemed to have approved the issuance of the Request for Bids or the Request for Rebids.

NOW, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the District binds itself to the ACES Cooperative Pricing System ##E8801-ACESCPS to purchase all electric power needed for its own use (exclusive of on-site electric generation sources) during the Effective Period from the electric power supplier or suppliers awarded a contract for electric generation services by the Lead Agency; and, be it     

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lead Agency of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System is hereby authorized to execute a master performance agreement that obligates the district to purchase electricity at the terms and conditions stated therein with a third-party supplier or suppliers who have been awarded the contract or contracts by the Lead Agency on behalf of the participating members of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS (or any CPS number to be assigned in the future), and provided further that all such contracts shall be at prices reasonably forecast and estimated by the Lead Agency to provide savings to the Districts relative to the price charged for basic generation service by the electric public utility that would otherwise provide such service; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that ACES is authorized to continue to bid to obtain electric generation services at any time during the Effective Period on behalf of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System including, for example, a rebid if energy market conditions do not initially lead to a successful bid, on additional dates to be determined by the Lead Agency; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.  The authorization provided to the NJSBA pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Laws (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5)), and the Local Public and Public School Contracts Laws Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 5:34-7.1 et seq.) shall be valid until May, 2014 (the Effective Period) at which time the Cooperative Pricing System will be subject to renewal.  Any rescission or expiration of this resolution shall not affect any Agreements entered into prior to such rescission or expiration.

            Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board accepted the following resolution binding the Mine Hill Township Board of Education to purchase natural gas services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (“ACES), Bid Cooperative Pricing System ID#E8801-ACESCPS:

WHEREAS, the Alliance For Competitive Energy Services (hereinafter referred to as “ACES”), an alliance composed of the New Jersey School Boards Association (hereinafter referred to as “NJSBA”), the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, will from time to time during the Effective Period as defined below solicit bids from natural gas suppliers for retail natural gas supply services including interstate transportation to the local natural gas distribution utility company (Natural Gas Supply Services) through an energy aggregation program in which NJSBA will act as Lead Agency of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS in accordance with the “Public School Contracts Law”, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1 et seq., and  the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act, N.J.S.A. 48:3-49 et seq. (“EDECA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and

WHEREAS, the MINE HILL BOARD OF EDUCATION  is a Participating member of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System and is eligible thereby to obtain natural gas services for its own use through one or more contracts to be awarded to natural gas suppliers following said bids for natural gas services pursuant to the aggregation program; and

WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will from time to time during the Effective Period (from date of adoption through May, 2014, hereinafter referred to as “Effective Period”) issue one or more Requests for Bids for natural gas services on behalf of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System pursuant to the Public School Contracts Law and EDECA; and

WHEREAS, due to significant volatility and the potential for price increases in the wholesale natural gas market, Participating Members will preauthorize the Lead Agency to award contracts for Natural Gas Supply Service in each service territory to one or more natural gas suppliers that submits bids which are reasonably forecasted to provide estimated savings to the Participating Member based upon its previous natural gas usage and utility provided Basic Gas Supply Service rates; and  

WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will only award contracts for said Natural Gas Supply Services to natural gas suppliers that submit bids with pricing reasonably estimated to be lower than the utility-provided basic gas supply service; and

WHEREAS, the District agrees to purchase all Natural Gas Supply Services for its own use during the Effective Period through any natural gas supplier(s) awarded a contract, it being understood that the term of any one contract shall be subject to the provisions of Public School Contracts Law; and

WHEREAS, the Lead Agency will notify the Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Local Government Services by mail prior to the issuance a Request for Bids for natural gas supply services, with the understanding that if the Division of Local Government Services does not respond within 10 business days, it will be deemed to have approved the issuance of the Request for Bids or the Request for Rebids.

NOW, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the District binds itself to the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS to purchase all natural gas supply services needed for its own use during the Effective Period from the natural gas supplier or suppliers awarded a contract for natural Gas supply services by the Lead Agency; and, be it     

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lead Agency of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System is hereby authorized to execute a master performance agreement that obligates the district to purchase natural gas at the terms and conditions stated therein with a third-party supplier or suppliers who have been awarded the contract or contracts by the Lead Agency on behalf of the participating members of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System #E8801-ACESCPS (or any CPS number to be assigned in the future), and provided further that all such contracts shall be at prices reasonably forecast and estimated by the Lead Agency to provide savings to the districts relative to the price charged for basic gas supply service by the natural gas public utility that would otherwise provide such service; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that ACES is authorized to continue to bid to obtain natural gas services at any time during the Effective Period on behalf of the ACES Cooperative Pricing System including, for example, a rebid if energy market conditions do not initially lead to a successful bid, on additional dates to be determined by the Lead Agency; and

FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.  The authorization provided to the NJSBA pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Laws (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5)), and the Local Public and Public School Contracts Laws Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 5:34-7.1 et seq.) shall be valid until May, 2014 (the Effective Period) at which time the Cooperative Pricing System will be subject to renewal.  Any rescission of this resolution shall not affect any Agreements entered into prior to such rescission or expiration. 

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board approved the following resolution for cafeteria contract approval:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mine Hill Board of Education approves Dowling Food Service Management, Inc. for the 2009-2010 school year to provide food services to the district’s students, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the Board shall pay a management fee to Dowling Food Service Management, Inc of $808.00 per month, totaling $8,080.00 for 2009-2010, and

BE IT FURTHER RESLOVED, that Dowling Food Service Management, Inc. shall provide a minimum profit to the Board of $3,500.00 for 2009-2010.

Roll Call Vote-All Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried

CURRICULUM AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES  Anthony Novelli, Margo Maher

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Margo Maher, the Board approved the following out of district placement for Mine Hill student #392:

Wharton Board of Education’s PRIDE Program for the 2009-2010 school year, at a tuition rate of $36,642.00, plus $ 5,335.00 for transportation and any related services, effective December 14, 2009 to June 30, 2010, prorated, and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board authorizes the Board Secretary to execute the associated tuition contracts.

           (Attachment 7)

Roll Call Vote-All Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried

OPERATIONS      Margo Maher, Mary Jo Walilko

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Margo Maher, the Board approved the First Reading of Regulation 2624 Grading System.  (Attachment 8)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Margo Maher, the Board approved the Second Reading of Policy 4434 Holidays.  (Attachment 9)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Margo Maher, the Board approved the election of Bridget Mauro as a Member of the Dover Board of Education.

Roll Call Vote-Bridget Mauro abstained from last item

All Others Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried

PERSONNEL                   Patricia Hernandez, Steve Hoh

New personnel employment appointments are contingent upon the required state and federal criminal history background checks in accordance with N.J.S.A. 116, P.L. 1986.

And be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board submit to the County Superintendent, as required, applications for emergency hiring and the applicant’s attestations that

they have not been convicted of any disqualifying crime pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A.18A:6-7.1 et.seq.,N.J.S.A. 18A:39-17 et. seq. or N.J.S.A. 18A:6-4.13 et.seq, on the recommendation of the Superintendent.

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board adopted the job description for the Educational Facilities Manager.  (Attachment 10)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approved the appointment of Steve Toth as Mine Hill School District’s Educational Facilities Manager, 3/5 time with benefits, at a salary of $50,400.00, effective January 11, prorated.

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approved the following appointment of Substitute Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approved placing Theresa Schantz, long term substitute for Karen Granger, on the guide, B/A step 1, no benefits, effective December 16, 2009, prorated.

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepted, with regret, the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Merri Millman, Speech-Language Specialist, effective June 30, 2010.  (Attachment 11)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approved the attached Side Bar Agreement between the Mine Hill Township Board of Education and the Mine Hill Teachers Association. (Attachment 12)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approved the appointment of Devra Rafeld as a part time Special Education teacher for the 2009-2010 school year, B/A step 5 + 30, no benefits, effective December 22, 2009, prorated. (Attachment 13)

Motion by Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Patricia Hernandez, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepted the resignation of Karen Granger, first grade teacher, effective December 21, 2009. (Attachment 14)

Roll Call Vote-All Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried

COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS       Caryn Battaglia, Bridget Mauro

• Caryn Battaglia indicated that the Senior Citizens thoroughly enjoyed the Soup Sampler and were looking forward to being involved in further community and school activities.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS                Bridget Mauro, Caryn Battaglia

• Caryn Battaglia inquired about the pole in the parking lot and the damage it received during the last snow storm.  Mary Jo Walilko indicated that the issue was being addressed.

Dover Report                     Anthony Novelli

None

MHEF Report                    Margo Maher

None

Old Business

None

New Business

• Bridget Mauro handed in her letter from the New Board Member Orientation Conference she attended on November 14, 2009.
• Steve Hoh submitted the report he received while attending the Educational Services Commission of Morris County meeting.

CLOSED SESSION

None

Public Discussion

None

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mary Jo Walilko and seconded by Caryn Battaglia, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:57PM.

Roll Call Vote-All Present Voting Yes-Motion Carried