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Regular Meeting Minutes, June 26, 2008
WESTWOOD REGIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, NEW JERSEY
MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 26, 2008
Present: President Mosolino, Vice President Liddy, Trustees Firriolo, Gregory, Hanlon, Koch, Mandeville, Mountain, Schaadt, Superintendent Geoffrey W. Zoeller, and Board Secretary Keith A. Rosado. Also present: Student Representatives Ilana Asserson and Jennifer Cush.
Absent: None
The hearing was called to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Hurley Theatre, Jr./Sr. High School, by President Mosolino to discuss the proposed contracts of the Assistant Superintendent and Business Administrator.
PUBLIC FORUM: Started: 7:00 P.M.
Ended: 7:04 P.M.
No one chose to speak.
The Board then went back into Executive Session in the District Conference Room.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Hurley Theatre, Jr./Sr. High School by President Mosolino who led the salute to the flag and read the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law statement.
Mrs. Gregory, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that approval be given the Minutes of the Work Session Minutes of June 12, 2008 and the Private Executive Session Minutes of June 12, 2008.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Zoeller:
· Mr. Zoeller welcomed the students receiving awards tonight and their families.
· Mr. Zoeller thanked Board of Education members for attending the various end-of-year activities/programs held at the district schools.
· Mr. Zoeller stated that the June issue of the Cardinal Connection would list the colleges and universities that our graduating seniors were accepted into. The list is impressive.
· Mr. Zoeller stated that a large number of faculty and staff, including elementary teachers, attended the graduation ceremony on June 19th and saluted the faculty and staff for helping our students achieve success.
President’s Report:
Mrs. Mosolino:
· Mrs. Mosolino reminded everyone that this was the last meeting for the 2007-2008 year. She announced the July 24th and August 21st Board of Education Meeting dates and stated they were also posted on the district website.
Business Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Rosado:
· Mr. Rosado summarized progress with the various referendum projects.
· Mr. Rosado stated that the theatre bid would be rejected tonight due to bids being over budget. This project will be postponed until next year and will be re-bid in September/October 2008.
· Mr. Rosado stated that the site improvements bid is on the agenda tonight.
· Mr. Rosado stated that the athletic supply order and the contract for food services with Pomptonian are on the agenda tonight.
· Mr. Rosado stated that allocation of funds to the Capital Reserve is also on the agenda tonight.
Student Representative’s Report:
Ilana Asserson and Jennifer Cush:
· Ilana Asserson stated that the school year has ended and students are on summer break.
· Ilana Asserson stated that many fall team captain’s practices have already started to get ready for the season.
· Jennifer Cush stated that every Jr./Sr. High student will be participating in a new unified summer reading program, one for grades 7-9 and one for grades 10-12.
Old Business:
· None.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Rachel Canaie, twelfth grade student, for being named Westwood High School May student of the month.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Rachel Canaie for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present this student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Claudia Mena, seventh grade student, on being named as Westwood Junior High School June Student of the Month.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Claudia Mena for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present this student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Gregory, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Ashley Lewis and Joanna Toole, twelfth grade students, for being named Westwood High School students of the month for June 2008.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Ashley Lewis and Joanna Toole for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present each student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Mountain, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Jake DiCuffa, Claire Kramer, Francine Laquidara, Nicole Netzer, Rachel Ocher, Erin Shanley,Maggie Swietkowski, and Kyle Uhlich, Ketler students, for being on the Student Advisory Council for Ketler School. The Student Advisory Council has helped organize Ketler’s Allergy Awareness Day, Recycling, Habitat for Humanity, and Who’s Smarter Than a Fourth Grader.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education, on behalf of itself, hereby congratulates the above students for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present each student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Mountain, seconded by Mrs. Schaadt, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Christopher Geimke, Ketler student, for taking time out of his lunch two times a week to help a first grade ESL student with mathematics.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Christopher Geimke for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present this student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Schaadt, seconded by Mrs. Gregory, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Christopher Murphy, twelfth grade student, for winning an essay contest and receiving a $2500 Heroes and Cool Kids Scholarship.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates Christopher Murphy for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present this student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Mandeville, seconded by Mrs. Mountain, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to recognize Matthew Barrett, Victoria Cavaliere, Arlene Davis, Alexander Gulati, Austin Krebs, Jacob Lashley, Dominic Liu, Matthew Mandeville, Arman Maqsudlu, Matthew O’Donnel, Daniel Yamashiro, seventh grade students, and Carolyn Maskin eighth grade student, for successfully competing in the Jr. High Brain Buster Competitions for the 2007-2008 school year.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates the above students, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present each student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Gregory, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Westwood Regional School District would like to congratulate Jillian Atchue, Emma Blackwell, Erika Briguglio, Nicole Feoranzo, Gabriella Galvan, Jaclyn Hrbek, Nicole Marsiglia, Elena Pietrocco, Shanna Sidoti, and Ashley Walker, Girl Scouts, on attaining the Silver Award, which is the second highest honor a Girl Scout can earn.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby congratulates the above students for this accomplishment, directs the Secretary to include this Resolution in the official minutes of the Board of Education, and directs the Superintendent of Schools to present each student with a suitable certificate of recognition.
Remarks:
· Mrs. Hanlon stated that this is the largest group of Girl Scouts to receive this award within one year. She congratulated them on their achievement and challenged them to continue towards earning their Gold Award.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mr. Koch, seconded by Mrs. Gregory, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, Sister Ellen Cronan has completed her tenure as principal of Immaculate Heart Academy as of June 2008, after having completed 18 years as educational leader of that school, and
WHEREAS, she has influenced the lives of many young women with her deep understanding and has earned their love and respect as well as that of their parents and her colleagues, and
WHEREAS, she has worked collaboratively with the Westwood Regional School District, which served as liaison for the non-public schools within our district’s borders for many state and federal grant programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby recognizes Sister Ellen’s contribution as an educational leader in the community and expresses its appreciation of her dedicated service and directs that this resolution be included in the minutes of this Board and that a copy be presented to Sister Ellen as a token of its esteem.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Hanlon, seconded by Mrs. Gregory, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the following resolution be
adopted:
WHEREAS, Mrs. Michele Meisten has completed her tenure as principal of Zion Lutheran School as of June 2008, after having completed 13 years as educational leader of that school, and
WHEREAS, she has influenced the lives of many children with her deep understanding and has earned their love and respect as well as that of their parents and her colleagues, and
WHEREAS, she has worked collaboratively with the Westwood Regional School District, which served as liaison for the non-public schools within our community’s borders for many state and federal grant programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Westwood Regional Board of Education hereby recognizes Mrs. Meisten’s contribution as an educational leader in the community and expresses its appreciation of her dedicated service and directs that this resolution be included in the minutes of this Board and that a copy be presented to Mrs. Meisten as a token of its esteem.
Remarks:
· Mrs. Meisten accepted her award from President Mosolino and Superintendent Zoeller and provided the audience with some anecdotal remarks regarding her time as Principal of Zion Lutheran School, as a graduate of Westwood Regional High School, and as a long time resident of the community.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mrs. Gregory, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board would like to take the time to honor and recognize Lawrence Romba for twenty-five years of service to the district.
Remarks:
· Mrs. Gregory commended Mr. Romba for his diligent work and congratulated him on his 25 years of service to the district.
· Mrs. Hanlon stated that Mr. Romba is also a performing member of the Westwood Community Band.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
AGENDA FORUM:
Started: 8:06 P.M.
Ended: 8:07 P.M.
No one from the audience chose to speak.
PERSONNEL/NEGOTIATIONS: Mrs. Mosolino, Ch.
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Mountain, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motion:
· the negotiated agreement between the Westwood Regional Board of Education and the Westwood Administrators Association be accepted for the period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Schaadt, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motion:
· approval be given the appointment of Matthew J. Murphy, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, per the contract dated June 26, 2008.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Mountain, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motion:
· approval be given the appointment of Keith A. Rosado, Business Administrator/Board Secretary, per the contract dated June 26, 2008.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motion:
· approval be given the appointment of Patrick J. McGowan, Director of Personnel and Special Projects, per the contract dated June 26, 2008.
BOARD POLLED AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: 9-0
Mr. Liddy, seconded by Mrs. Hanlon, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given to the following motions:
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Keri Ann Crescenzi, Teacher of Science, Jr./Sr. High School, for the 2008-09 school year, per the list dated June 24, 2008. Source of Funds: 11-140-100-101-02
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Nora Abbasi, Teacher of Mathematics, Jr./Sr. High School, for the 2008-09 school year, per the list dated June 24, 2008. Source of Funds: 11-130-100-101-03
· that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approval be given the appointment of Paulette Sommerhalter and Lindsay McAloney, Administrative Assistants – Superintendent’s Office, for the 2008-09 school year, per the list dated June 24, 2008. Source of Funds: 11-21-100-101-40