EGG HARBOR CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING / BUDGET HEARING   

April 1, 2009

 

The regular meeting / budget hearing of the Egg Harbor City Board of Education was held on the above date at 7:00 p.m. at the Charles L. Spragg School, 601 Buffalo Avenue, Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, with President Stephen Bouchard opening the meeting, and board members Richard Dovey, Joseph Farnan, Donna Heist, E. Daniel McGinnis and Jeanne Williams present.  Also present were: Superintendent, John Gilly III; Business Administrator, Joseph Smurlo; Board Secretary, Marie Setterman; Spragg Principal, Adrienne Shulby; Rittenberg Principal, Jack Griffith, Gina Forester, Supervisor of Special Projects and Board Solicitor Ronald Sahli.

 

Mr. Bouchard called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following statement:  In compliance with the N.J.A.C. 5:18-3.15, in case of fire or other emergency, which should cause this facility to be evacuated, I direct your attention to the location of the exits in this facility.  Also, there will be no smoking in this facility.

This is to advise those present at this meeting of the Board of Education of the Egg Harbor City School District, in the County of Atlantic, that adequate notice has been given of this meeting as required by the provisions of Chapter 231 of the Laws of 1975; that notice thereof has been forwarded for publication in the District official newspapers, posted in the Spragg and Rittenberg Schools, and forwarded to the Egg Harbor City Clerk within the time required by said Act.

 

Mr. Bouchard directed the secretary to enter this public announcement into the minutes of this meeting.

 

Mr. Bouchard called for the flag salute and roll call, which is reflected in the opening paragraph.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Heist, and carried, the Board resolved to enter into executive session as follows:

Resolution of the Board of Education of the Egg Harbor City School District to permit discussion of subjects in closed sessions.

RESOLVED: At a public meeting of the Board of Education held on April 1, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. that pursuant to sections 7 and 8 of the “Open Public Meetings Act”, the following subjects be discussed in a session of the Board of Education closed to the public:

(1)   Litigation

(2)    

It is presently anticipated that the items mentioned in the Resolution can be

disclosed to the public when a decision is made upon the same, and in personnel matters, with the consent of the employee.

 

The Board returned from executive session at 7:55 p.m.

 

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

 

Mr. Smurlo presented the 2009-2010 School Budget.  He noted that there was no tax increase to the total tax levy for 2009-2010.  The tax levy is $1,978,253.00, which is $53,265.00 lower than the amount proposed by the NJ Department of Education.  He also noted the following economic conditions: State funding remains flat for the 2009-2010 school year; use of prior year’s surplus of $544,832.00 and $352,155.00 in tax relief on Debt Service payments.

 

Mr. Gilly added that the district will hire a new K-8 World Language teacher to enhance the academic program, hire a new custodian during the second half of the school year to prepare for the expansion of the district square footage as a result of the new middle school.

 

Mr. Smurlo added that other than the hiring of these two positions, expenditure categories will remain level as a result of reallocation of funds, cost savings, and reductions to discretionary spending.

 

Mr. Gilly asked everyone to please exercise their right to vote at the Annual School Election on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

 

No comments.

 

 

COMMENTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE BOARD

 

No comments.

 

 

MONTHLY REPORTS

 

Mr. Gilly distributed to the Board the draft calendar for the 2009-2010 school year saying that the calendar will be approved at the April 29, 2009 meeting.

 

Mr. Gilly brought the Board up to date on the facilities projects, saying the Spragg windows were delivered today.  He added that the inside of the building will begin in June.

 

Mr. Gilly said that the team is working on the groundbreaking ceremony to be held on Saturday, April 4th and distributed the program to all.

 

Mr. Smurlo explained his finance items that are on the agenda for approval tonight.

 

 

BOARD MINUTES

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Dovey, seconded by Mr. Farnan, the Board approved the following sets of minutes:

1.                  March 11, 2009            Regular           

2.                  March 11, 2009            Executive       

(Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

FINANCIAL ITEMS

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the Board Secretary’s Report and the Treasurer’s Report for February 2009.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the Board Certification pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11. The Egg Harbor City Board of Education certifies that as of 2/28/09 after review of the Board Secretary’s monthly financial report (Revenue and Appropriation sections) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials that to the best of our knowledge no major account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a)2-3 and there have been no changes in anticipated revenue sources and/or amounts so that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Farnan, seconded by Mr. Dovey, the Board approved the approved the submission of the 2009-2010 school district budget to the voters of Egg Harbor City as approved by the County Office of Education and after public hearing with the following resolution:

 

    BE IT RESOLVED to approve the 2009-2010 school district budget for submission to the voters of Egg Harbor City as follows:

 

                                                                          Budget

  General Fund                                                  $7,804,809.00

  Special Revenue Fund                                                $1,525,735.00

  Debt Service Fund                                          $1,058,124.00

                                                                       $10,388,668.00

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED to acknowledge that the 2009-2010 budget as described above will result in the following:

 

  General Tax Fund Levy                                  $1,978,253.00

  Debt Service Tax Levy                                   $   277,127.00

                                                                          $2,255,380.00

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no tax levy cap adjustments will be applied to the 2009-2010 school budget.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Egg Harbor City Board of Education establish a maximum of $20,000.00 in the general fund 2009-2010 budget to be allotted for travel and travel related expenditures.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Egg Harbor City Board of Education establish a maximum of $50,000.00 in the general fund 2009-2010 budget to be allotted for legal service expenditures.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Egg Harbor City Board of Education establish a maximum of $10,000.00 in the general fund 2009-2010 budget to be allotted for public relations expenditures.

(Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the Permission for the Business Administrator to pay the March bills and make the necessary March transfers prior to ratification and affirmation at the April 29, 2009 Board meeting.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

INSURANCE

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mr. McGinnis, the Board approved Resolution #09-10 adopting a form to be used for the filing of notices of tort claim against the Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A 59:8-6.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

FACILITIES

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mr. McGinnis, the Board approved the use of facilities by Key Recreation Inc. for the 2008-09 school year to conduct a Spring Fling Show.   Appropriate Certificate of Insurance has been filed with the district.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mr. McGinnis, the Board approved the renewal of the annual contract with Breaker Group, Inc. from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010 for maintenance and technical support for the district’s phone system. (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mr. McGinnis, the Board approved the contract with the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services to purchase electric generation service from South Jersey Energy through the Alliance as a result of their recent RFB award, commencing from the first meter reading on or after April 30, 2009 until the meter reading in May 2011.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

PERSONNEL

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Heist, the Board accepted the resignation of Erin Ritson as Professional Development Committee member for the 2008-2009 school year. (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Heist, the Board accepted, with regret, the letter of resignation from Erin Ritson, CLS Art teacher, dated March 23, 2009 and effective June 30, 2009.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Heist, the Board approved the appointment of substitutes for the 2008-2009 school year

1.         Teacher Substitutes

Daily rate:   1) Atl. Co. Sub. Cert. w/60 credits + - $65.00;  2) Atl. Co. Sub w/BA - $70.00;  3) NJ Teach. Cert - $75.00

1) Lauren Erbacher     NJ Sub. Cert +BA

(Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

Upon a motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Heist, the Board approved the posting for Professional Development Committee member for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Heist, the Board approved the posting for a .6 FTE CLS Art teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

STUDENT  ITEMS

 

Upon a motion by Mr. McGinnis, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the field trip for the 2008-2009 school year as follows: 

CLS 1st grade students to Adventure Aquarium on 6/1/09. Admission co-funded by PTO and students. Transportation funded by PTO.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mr. McGinnis, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the field trip for the 2008-2009 school year as follows: 

FDR New Horizons students to the Tuckerton Seaport, Tuckerton, NJ on 4/16/09. Admission and transportation funded by the Municipal Alliance.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mr. McGinnis, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the field trip for the 2008-2009 school year as follows: 

FDR New Horizons students to Corson’s Inlet, Tuckerton, NJ on 5/6/09. Admission and transportation funded by the Municipal Alliance.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mr. McGinnis, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the field trip for the 2008-2009 school year as follows: 

CLS 4th grade Safety Patrol to Great Adventure on 5/15/09.  Admission co-funded by Safety Patrol members and 21st CCLC grant.  Transportation co-funded by PTO, Safety Patrol members and 21st CCLC grant. (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mr. McGinnis, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the field trip for the 2008-2009 school year as follows: 

FDR grades 5 through 8 to Somers Point on 5/27/09 for an environmental fishing trip on the Duke of Fluke. Trip and transportation funded by the Municipal Alliance.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

Upon a motion by Mr. McGinnis, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the recommendation of the superintendent as provided in executive session regarding student # 9246.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

PROGRAMS

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mrs. Williams, the Board approved the submission of the FY 2010 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant application for a total allocation of $425,000.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)
                                               

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Professional development activities have been recommended by building Principals, approved by the Supervisor of Special Projects and the Superintendent as directly related to the fulfillment of individual professional improvement plans and/or required by the New Jersey Department of Education, No Child Left Behind legislation (NCLB), local student Individual Education Plans, or entitlement/discretionary grants.  Adequate funds have been appropriated.

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Farnan, seconded by Mrs. Heist, the Board approved Professional Development Workshops (April and May) for the 2008-2009 school year.  (Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-recuse; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes) 

 

 

POLICIES/REGULATIONS

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mr. Farnan, the Board approved the Second Reading of revised Policies/Regulations as follows:

1.      Policy 1000              Public Relations      

2.      Policy 5090              Administration of Medication                       

3.      Regulation 5090       Administration of Medication                       

4.      Policy 6260              Special Education

5.      Bylaw 9140              Expenses and Reimbursements          

(Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

Upon a motion by Mrs. Heist, seconded by Mr. Dovey, the Board approved the removal of Policies/Regulations (second reading) as follows:

1.      Policy 6260                 Special Education (This Policy will be

                                                included in the revised Policy 6260.)

(Roll call:  Mr. Dovey-yes; Mr. Farnan, Mrs. Heist, Mr. McGinnis-yes; Mrs. Williams-yes; Mr. Bouchard-yes)

 

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

 

The Board received the following informational items:

 

·         Letter from Pastors’ United for Community Service dated 3/12/09

·         Superintendent’s letter to the Office for Civil Rights dated 3/27/09

·         Superintendent’s letter to LTC Craig McCuin, USAF dated 3/12/09

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

 

Mrs. Shulby announced that the Playground Committee raised $3500 at the March 20th event at McKees.

 

 

CALENDAR DATES

 

District dates of interest for the upcoming month:

April          10 & 13  Spring Recess (bldgs. closed)

April          21           School Budget Election

April          29           Reorganization/Regular Board Meeting

 

Mr. Gilly announced that Board of Education pictures will be taken at the reorganization meeting on April 29, 2009.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, upon a motion by Mr. Farnan, seconded by Mrs. Heist, and carried unanimously, the Board adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

E. Marie Setterman

Board Secretary