HARDING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, 34 Lee’s Hill Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976
The Regular Meeting of the Harding Township Board of Education was held on Monday, December 21, 2015, at 7:30pm, Middle School Building. The meeting was convened by Mr. Gjivoje at 7:34pm
MINUTES
Mission Statement
The Harding Township School provides a strong educational foundation which inspires students to achieve academic excellence. Our dedicated faculty stimulates intellectual growth using a challenging curriculum within a supportive learning environment. We encourage students to become self-directed, lifelong learners who are well prepared for the academic and social challenges of the future.
2015-2016 District Goals
1. To gather and analyze data from the school’s performance and use the data to guide the instructional process and practices of the district.
A. PARCC
B. MAPS
C. Data Dashboard
2. To ensure that the district has the technology to meet the needs of the school community
A. District’s website
B. Secure site for sharing of Board documents such as Google Docs
C. Hardware, software, and infrastructure needs
D. Professional development support
3. To create/adopt and implement district-wide assessments in Reading, Math Facts, and Writing to measure progress (Math Facts and Writing) and establish a baseline score (Reading) for future assessments.
A. To create/adopt and implement a district-wide reading assessment that shall be administered to all K-3 students in the spring.
B. Ninety percent (90%) of students in each grade, K-5 shall pass, with 90% accuracy, a timed grade level “Math Facts Assessment.” This “Math Facts Assessment” shall be aligned to the Common Core State Standards and will assess students on the four core mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
C. Ninety percent (90%) of students in grades K-8 shall improve one point (one quintile) on the District Writing Assessment. This assessment shall be administered in the fall and in the spring. Students scoring a 5 in the spring shall be counted as having met the goal.
I. Call to Order
II. Presiding Officers Statement/Sunshine Statement
In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., adequate notification of this meeting has been provided to the Observer Tribune on January 15, 2015, and posted on the bulletin boards of the New Vernon Post Office, Green Village Post Office, Harding Township Municipal Building, Harding Township Elementary School and Harding Township Middle School.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Roll Call
BOARD MEMBER / PRESENT / ABSENTMr. Gjivoje (Davor) / X
Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) / X
Mr. Singh (Abi) / X
Mr. Flynn (John) / X
Dr. Kotkin (Howard) / X
Attendance:
Mr. Matthew Spelker, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Robert Brown, Interim SBA/Board Secretary
V. Approval of Board Minutes
Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the minutes of the Regular Meetings and Executive Sessions, held on December 7, 2015.
Mr. Singh motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting and Executive Session that was held on December 7, 2015. Said motion was seconded by Mr. Flynn and carried by voice vote. Mrs. Macaulay abstained.
VI. Discussion/Presentations
A. 2015 PARCC Presentation, M. Spelker
B. CAFR Presentation, T. Vrabel
VII. Hearing of Public Regarding Agenda Items (Policy 0167)
Several members of the public asked questions during the PARCC presentation.
Lou Lanzerotti asked Mr. Vrabel, the school district auditor, to clarify the long term pension liability to HTS that Mr. Vrabel mentioned in his report. He also asked about the existing debt service that remained on the district’s books.
VIII. Reports
A. Business Administrator-No Report
B. Curriculum and Instruction-Mr. Flynn reported on the most recent Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting. PARCC initial results were discussed. There will be a January 2016 presentation to parents. The committee talked about the relevance of MAPS testing, specifically how each grade level performed as compared to their expected growth. Also, what was the range of scores by grade level and subject matter.
C. Personnel and Management-Mrs. Macaulay reported on the most recent Personnel Committee meeting that was held on December 17, 2015. The committee discussed the hiring of an ABA Teacher Assistant for a third grade special needs student. The addition of two substitute positions is being considered. Last, the district is interviewing for a long term substitute for a Special Education Middle School position until the end of the school year.
D. Facilities and Finance-Dr. Kotkin gave an update on the most recent Facilities and Finance Committee meeting that was held on December 2, 2015. He mentioned capital projects that the committee is looking at, including repaving the parking lot. A cost estimate will hopefully be obtained sometime in December. The district presently has a healthy capital reserve balance. He also talked about 3 possible ways of air conditioning the gymnasium and other areas in both schools. Presently, the only school area that is air conditioned is the third floor of the Middle School. A Long Range Facilities Plan is being developed and the projects will be prioritized in order of urgency and importance.
E. Madison Board of Education-Mr. Flynn reported that the sale of a vacant school in the district has been completed and the money has been received. The district auditor presented the CAFR Report. There is a search to fill a vacancy for Director of Special Education. Over 100 candidates have applied for Junior School Principal vacancy with a start date of July 1.The website is ready to be updated. Chromebooks have been delivered and are ready to be distributed by January 16th in the Junior School and by the end of January in the High School. Last, a PARCC presentation has been posted on the district’s website.
F. Culture and Climate Report- Mrs. Macaulay reported on the most recent Culture and Climate Committee meeting that was held on November 18, 2015. The committee discussed review of progress that has been made since the last meeting. Family Fun Night and the Parent Academy activities were discussed. Last, the response from the community who attended the presentation given by Sgt. Tom Rich on internet safety was evaluated.
IX. Resolutions
A. Committee of the Whole
12-250-15 Approve QSAC Equivalency Application 3 Year Extension
12-250-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the
Superintendent of Schools, approves the application to the NJDOE for a three year extension of HTS’s QSAC
certification as a high performing district.
Committee of the Whole resolution: 250MOTION: Mrs. Macaulay / SECOND: Mr. Flynn
YES / NO / ABSTAIN / ABSENT
Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) / X
Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) / X
Mr. Singh (Abi) / X
Mr. Flynn (John) / X
Dr. Kotkin (Howard) / X
B. Facilities and Finance
12-251-15 Accept Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
12-252-15 Approve November 2015 Budget Transfers (Policy 6422)
12-253-15 Approve payment of Bills and Claims (Policy 6470)
12-254-15 Approve 2015 November Financial Reports (Policy 6820)
12-255-15 Approve Certification of Funds (Policy 6820)
12-251-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education after review of
the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Auditors Management Report (AMA) with Timothy Vrabel, the Boards auditor, accept the audit with no recommendations in CAFR and the AMA for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.
12-252-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, approves the following Budget Transfers for the month of November 2015, in the amount of $ 1,410.08.
Supplies-Resource Room11-213-100-610-000-000 / Supplies-Instruction
11-190-100-610-000-000 / $975.00
Misc. Expenses-Business Office
11-000-251-890-000-000 / Interest Expense-Lease Purchase
11-000-251-832-000-000 / $435.08
12-253-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education approves the payment of
Bills and claims dated December 21, 2015 in the amount of $1,144,423.22.
12-254-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education approves the Board Secretary’s (A148) Report and Treasurer’s Report (A149) for the month ending November 30, 2015.
12-255-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, in accordance with N.J.A.C.
6A: 22.11(c) certifies that no major account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-
2.11(b) and sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of
fiscal year 2015-2016
Finance and Facilities resolutions: 251 thru 255MOTION: Mr. Singh / SECOND: Dr. Kotkin
YES / NO / ABSTAIN / ABSENT
Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) / X
Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) / X
Mr. Singh (Abi) / X
Mr. Flynn (John) / X
Dr. Kotkin (Howard) / X
C. Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and Instruction resolution: No ResolutionsMOTION: / SECOND:
YES / NO / ABSTAIN / ABSENT
Mr. Gjivoje (Davor)
Mrs. Macaulay (Kim)
Mr. Singh (Abi)
Mr. Flynn (John)
Dr. Kotkin (Howard)
D. Personnel and Management
12-256-15 Approve substitute teachers
12-256-15 Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, approves the appointment of the following substitute teachers, $95 per day as needed, for the 2015-16 school year:
Ms. Patty Shea
Mrs. Barbara Kuppersmit
Personnel and Management resolution: 256MOTION: Mrs. Macaulay / SECOND: Mr. Flynn
YES / NO / ABSTAIN / ABSENT
Mr. Gjivoje (Davor) / X
Mrs. Macaulay (Kim) / X
Mr. Singh (Abi) / X
Mr. Flynn (John) / X
Dr. Kotkin (Howard) / X
X. Items for Further Action
1. Item: MHS Freshman Survey, Who: C & I Committee, in close cooperation with and under
guidance of the Administration; What: Survey of “ How HTS students are transitioning into MHS” When: Drafting/Sending Fall 2015. {Initial version drafted}
XI. Old Business/New Business
XII. President’s Comments
1. Jan 4. 2016 - Preliminary Budget Report
2. Jan 4. 2016 - Google Docs Presentation, L. Werner
XIII. Public Comment Regarding Agenda and non-Agenda Items (Policy 0167)
Lou Lanzerotti asked the board what the latest status was on the Madison tuition contract.
Mary Saltzman expressed admiration for the way Mr. Nicholas Santangelo goes about his duties and interacts with the students. She also said that the pictures of the students on the district’s website pertaining to academic excellence needs improvement.
XIV. Board Information
None
XV. Board Correspondence
XVI. Executive Session
Be It Resolved, that the Harding Township Board of Education convenes Executive Session to discuss a legal issue in full compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.; and the minutes of the discussion of any of these items will be available to the public when such minutes have been approved by the Board pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.
Mrs. Macaulay motioned to convene Executive Session at 9:21pm. Said motion was seconded by Mr. Singh and carried by unanimous vote.
Mrs. Macaulay motioned to leave Executive Session at 9:54pm. Said motion was seconded by Dr. Kotkin and carried by unanimous vote.
XVII. Adjournment
Mr. Flynn motioned to adjourn at 9:54pm. Said motion was seconded by Mr. Singh and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Brown
Interim Board Secretary
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