MINE HILL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION
AGENDA
CONFERENCE/REGULAR MEETING
December 21, 2009

1. Opening Statement:

The Conference/Regular Meeting of the Mine Hill Township Board of Education will be called to order at 7:00 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.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call:

4. Consider accepting the Closed Session Minutes of the Regular monthly meeting held on November 23, 2009.

Motion________Seconded_______ R.C.  Battaglia__Hernandez__Hoh__Maher_
Mauro__Novelli__Walilko__

5. Consider accepting the Minutes of the Regular monthly meeting held on November 23, 2009.

Motion________Seconded_______ R.C.  Battaglia__Hernandez__Hoh__Maher_
Mauro__Novelli__Walilko__

6. Correspondence

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

7. Superintendent’s Report

• Discipline Summary for December
• Census as of December 15, 2009
• Achieve 3000 Grant
• Health Benefits
• Food Service Options

8. Board Discussion/Reports

9. Presentations

10. Business Administrator’s Report

• 2010-2011 Budget Goals

11. Public Discussion

12. FINANCE                   Steve Hoh, Patricia Hernandez

1. Consider approving 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)

b.   Consider approving 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)

c.   Consider approving 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)

• Consider approving 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.

e.   Consider approving the payment of bills as per the attached bills list in the amount of $405,050.36.  (Attachment 5)

f.    Consider approving the requested budget transferred as per attached list in the total amount of $2,430.00.  (Attachment 6)

• Consider approving 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

• Consider approving 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 8 that improves literacy skills through differentiated instruction.

• Consider approving 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.

j.          Consider accepting 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________Seconded_______ R.C.  Battaglia__Hernandez__Hoh__Maher_
Mauro__Novelli__Walilko__

13. CURRICULUM AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES        Anthony Novelli, Margo Maher

1. Consider approving 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 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)

Motion________Seconded_______ R.C.  Battaglia__Hernandez__Hoh__Maher_
Mauro__Novelli__Walilko__

14. OPERATIONS            Margo Maher, Mary Jo Walilko

1. Consider approving the First Reading of Regulation 2624 Grading System.  (Attachment 8)

2. Consider approving the Second Reading of Policy 4434 Holidays.  (Attachment 9)

3. Consider approving the election of Bridget Mauro as a Member of the Dover Board of Education.

Motion________Seconded_______ R.C.  Battaglia__Hernandez__Hoh__Maher_
Mauro__Novelli__Walilko__

15. 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.

1. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider adopting the job description for the Educational Facilities Manager.  (Attachment 10)

2. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider approving 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.

3. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider approving

the following appointment of Substitute Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:

4. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider approving placing Theresa Schantz, long term substitute for Karen Granger, on the guide, B/A step 1, no benefits, effective December 16, 2009, prorated.

5. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider accepting, with regret, the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Merri Millman, Speech-Language Specialist, effective June 30, 2010.  (Attachment 11)

6. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider approving the attached Side Bar Agreement between the Mine Hill Township Board of Education and the Mine Hill Teachers Association. (Attachment 12)

7. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider approving 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)

8. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, consider accepting the resignation of Karen Granger, first grade teacher, effective December 21, 2009. (Attachment 14)

Motion________Seconded_______ R.C.  Battaglia__Hernandez__Hoh__Maher_
Mauro__Novelli__Walilko__

16. COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Caryn Battaglia, Bridget Mauro

17. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS                      Bridget Mauro, Caryn Battaglia

18. Dover Report               Anthony Novelli

19. MHEF Report              Margo Maher

20. Old Business

21. New Business

22. CLOSED SESSION

On the motion of ____________ seconded by _________ at ________ PM, the Board approves the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A.10:4-11, permits the Board of Education to meet in closed session to discuss certain matters, now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education adjourns to closed session to discuss: (select one or more)

1)   a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law
2)   a matter in which release of information would impair the right to receive government funds
3)   material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy
4)   a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it
5)   a matter involving the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property with public funds
6)   protection of public safety and property and/or investigations of possible violations or violations of      law
7)    pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege
8)   specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session
9)   deliberation after a public hearing that could result in a civil penalty or other loss;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the minutes of this closed session be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

Note: This closed session will include items in categories 7. It may be adjourned while business is conducted in public then reconvened after public business has been completed.

23. RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

On the motion of _____________ seconded by _________ at ______PM, the Board returns to the regular session meeting.

24. Public Discussion

• ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of ____________ seconded by ___________, the Board adjourns   the meeting at _____PM.