SOUTH BOUND BROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 20, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by board president Nancy Santora in room 140 of Robert Morris School with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by this opening statement:

This meeting has been advertised in two newspapers at least 48 hours prior to the meeting and has been posted in conspicuous locations including the borough hall and school buildings, which complies with state law governing meetings of school boards and other organizations.

PRESENT: Mr. Allen, Mrs. Bolmer, Mrs. Esposito, Mrs. Santora and Mrs. Sarboukh.

ABSENT: Mr. Ambrose and Mr. Stys

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND ADDENDUM

Motion to approve the agenda and addendum as distributed to board members.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES --December 16, 2004

Motion to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2004 Regular Meeting.

MOTION: Mrs. Sarboukh SECOND: Mrs. Santora VOTE: 5-0

• Dr. Rosevear reported that the quilt project is moving along. The total cost for framing will be $2,600, and donations include $500 from Sodexho, $250 from Pomptonian and $500 from PTA. Bank of America will make a donation; they are awaiting a written request. A discussion was held regarding other avenues for funding this project.
• A letter was received from Smalley School thanking our staff, students and parents for bringing the presentation of "Super Claus" to their school.
• Local senior citizens appreciated being entertained by our band and are excited about the Technology Buddy Program.
• Regarding Board of Education Recognition Month -- students presented written thank you's to board members.

RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC

No comments at this time.

a. APPROVAL OF PAYROLLS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion to approve payment of bills per warrant listing dated January 20, 2005 in the amount of $328,646.80, as well as payrolls for the month of December 2004 in the amount of $342,710.97.

ROLL CALL

MOTION: Mrs. Bolmer SECOND: Mr. Allen VOTE: 5-0

CORRESPONDENCE

a. Thank you note from Carole Larsen for flowers.

b. Letter from Lynne Guss indicating her intention to retire on February 28, 2005.

c. Letter from Mr. Donahue (in English and Spanish) to parents regarding NAEP.

a. SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the New Jersey School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association have declared January 2005 to be School Board Recognition Month, a time that all residents might acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members; and

WHEREAS, the South Bound Brook Board of Education embraces the goal of high-quality education for all New Jersey public school students; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey's local school boards help determine community goals for the education of more than 1.4 million children in Pre-Kindergarten through 12^th grade; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey's 4,800 local school board members, who receive no remuneration for their services, act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers and parents for the betterment of public education; and

WHEREAS, School boards strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs; and

WHEREAS, Boards of education provide accountability to the public; they communicate the needs of the school district to the public; and they convey to school administrators the public's expectations for the schools; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey can take pride in its schools, which rank among the nation's best in indicators such as high school graduation rates, class size, college entrance exam participation, and Advanced Placement offerings and test scores. Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the South Bound Brook Board of Education does hereby recognize the services of local school board members throughout New Jersey as we join communities statewide in observing January 2005 as SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the South Bound Brook Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to work with their local boards of education and public school staffs toward the improvement of our children's education.

b. RESOLUTION FOR GRANT APPLICATION (NJEDA/NJSCC)

Motion to approve final eligible cost determination and finalize all arrangements for grant application.

WHEREAS, the Board intends to finance a portion of the cost of the Project, through a grant from the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority ("NJEDA/NJSCC"); and

WHEREAS, the Board has obtained a determination of the preliminary eligible costs and final eligible costs from the NJEDA/NJSCC for certain financing of the Project through a grant from the NJEDA/NJSCC pursuant to the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-1, et seq., and the regulations promulgated thereunder N.J.A.C. 6:23-1.1, et seq.; and

WHEREAS, it is now necessary for the Board to prepare and submit an application to the NJEDA/NJSCC for this grant.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Patricia Leonhardt, is hereby authorized to prepare and submit the necessary application required by the NJEDA/NJSCC for a grant pursuant to the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Patricia Leonhardt, is hereby authorized to take all actions necessary for obtaining the grant from the NJEDA/NJSCC, including without limitation entering into an agreement with the NJEDA/NJSCC for grant monies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall be effective immediately.

c. EMPLOYMENT OF JANINE GREGORY FOR 2004-2005

Motion, per recommendation of the superintendent, to approve the appointment of Janine Gregory as Literacy Lead Teacher for the 2004-2005 school year (April 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005). Ms. Gregory will be placed on the 6^th step of the MA salary guide at $44,355 (prorated from April 1 through June 30).

Motion to accept the retirement of Lynne Guss, Social Worker for the South Bound Brook Board of Education since 1981. Mrs. Guss intends to retire on February 28, 2005.

In accordance with Statute (18A:14-6, amended), the Election Budget Notice must be posted on school houses located in the district. The board of education must also designate the public place(s) to post such notices. It is recommended that such notices be posted at the following locations:

1. Borough Hall

2. Krauszer's

3. Rite Aid Pharmacy

4. Jimmy's Deli

5. Joe's Meat Market

6. Main Street Liquors

It is recommended that the Somerset County Educational Services Commission be authorized to advertise for absentee ballots in the Courier-News. The cost is to be divided among participating districts.

g. DAY/TIME FOR DRAWING OF NAMES FOR POSITIONS ON THE BALLOT

The drawing of the names for ballot position shall be performed by the Secretary of the Board of Education. The Secretary of the Board of Education shall make public announcement at the drawing of each name, the order in which the name is drawn and the term for which the drawing is made. The drawing of names for ballot position will be held in the Board of Education Office at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2005.

h. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2005-2006 PROPOSED SCHOOL BUDGET

It is recommended that Monday, March 28, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert Morris School room 140 be designated as the day/time of the public hearing on the 2005-2006 proposed school budget.

Motion to approve the following substitute teacher for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year:

j. APPROVAL OF TRANSFERS WITHIN THE 2004-2005 SCHOOL BUDGET

Motion to approve the following transfers within the 2004-2005 school budget, made to avoid over expenditure of accounts:

From 11-000-262-620 (Heat/Electric) to 11-000-262-520 (Insurance) $2,000.00

From 11-000-100-566 (Tuition Spec. Private) To 11-000-100-562 (Tuition Spec. Other LEA) $23,000.00

k. RESOLUTION

South Bound Brook Borough Board of Education

WHEREAS, the South Bound Brook Borough Board of Education ("Board") is engaged in School Facilities Project involving lighting fixture replacement at the Robert Morris Elementary School, located at 122 Elizabeth Street, South Bound Brook, New Jersey, together with all work incidental thereto ("Project"); and

WHEREAS, the architectural and design firm of Gilbert Architects, Inc. ("Gilbert"), has completed architectural Plans and Specifications for the construction phase of the Project ("Plans") and is ready to submit the Plans to the various New Jersey State agencies for review and approval; and

WHEREAS, the Board has obtained approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority/New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation ("NJEDA/NJSCC") for certain financing of the Project pursuant to the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, ("Act"), N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-1, et seq. and the regulations promulgated thereunder N.J.A.C. 6:23-1.1, et seq. ("Regulations"), and the NJEDA/NJSCC has granted the Board's application for the Project pursuant to the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act Section 15 Grant Agreement ("Grant Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed the Plans submitted by Architect for the Project and finds same to comport with the goals and objectives of the South Bound Brook Borough School District as set forth in its Annual Budget, passed on May 6, 2004, which budget authorized the use of public funds from the Board's Capital Outlay for the purposes of funding the local share of the lighting fixture replacement at the Robert Morris Elementary School.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board, that the Board does hereby approve the Plans for the Project, dated January 14, 2005 and prepared by Architect; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board President, the South Bound Brook Borough Board of Education Superintendent or the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and such other appropriate representatives of the Board as may be requested by the aforesaid officer or officers, are hereby authorized to take all actions necessary to cause the Plans, and related application, to be submitted to Department of Community Affairs and New Jersey Department of Education for review, comment and approval in accordance with all State requirements; and

RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution shall be placed in the permanent Project file together with one copy of the Plans.

Motion to approve above action items, a through k:

ROLL CALL

MOTION: Mrs. Sarboukh SECOND: Mrs. Santora VOTE: 5-0

BOUND BROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION: Mrs. Esposito reported that a recent meeting was canceled for lack of a quorum.

• Mrs. Sarboukh asked about Pomptonian quarterly reports for each student; Mrs. Leonhardt will check with Mr. Ward. She also asked about the availability of ketchup; Dr. Rosevear will follow up.
• Dr. Rosevear reported that the basketball team won again with some help from the cheerleaders. The board requested that each student be sent home with a full schedule of basketball games.

Mrs. Bolmer noted that loose tables have been fixed.

Outside lights are not all working. The borough is working on those they own, and we will check on the others.

Members of the public expressed their appreciation to the board for the work they do.

Motion presented to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss a student matter.

MOTION: Mr. Allen SECOND: Mrs. Sarboukh VOTE: 5-0

Motion presented to return to Open Session.

ADJOURNMENT

Business concluded, motion presented to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m.

MOTION: Mrs. Bolmer SECOND: Mrs. Santora VOTE: 5-0

Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Leonhardt
Business Administrator/Board Secretary