SOMERVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
51 West Cliff Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
AGENDA
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
District Conference Room
7:00 p.m.
Mission Statement
Our mission as a school community is to provide quality education through an environment which promotes individual excellence and that all pupils achieve the Common Core State Standards and the
New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards at all grade levels.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
IV. PUBLIC NOTICE
Adequate Notice of this meeting in compliance with Chapter 231 of the Public Laws of 1975, entitled the "Open Public Meetings Act," has been provided by action of the Board of Education’s Workshop/Regular Meeting of February 11, 2014. Notice has been provided to the two newspapers circulated in the school district and a posted notice to this effect on the Board of Education building bulletin board, Administrative Headquarters, 51 West Cliff Street, Somerville, New Jersey.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, comment is invited on any matter related to agenda items.
When permitted, public participation shall be governed by the following rules under Bylaw 0167:
1. A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by
an announcement of his/her name, place of residence, and any other group affiliation, if appropriate;
2. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes duration
3. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to
speak on that topic have been heard;
4. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no participant may address or
question board members individually.
5. The presiding officer may:
a. Interrupt, warn, or terminate a participant’s statement when the statement is too
lengthy, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant;
b. Request any individual to leave the meeting when that person does not observe
reasonable decorum;
c. Request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly
person when that person’s conduct interferes with the orderly progress of the
meeting;
d. Call for a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public
decorum so interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant such action; and
e. Waive these rules when necessary for the protection of privacy or the efficient
administration of the Board’s business.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings as follows:
*February 25, 2014 Regular Meeting
*February 25, 2014 Executive Session
VII. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
HIB Grades
Mrs. Melissa McCooley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Common Core: What’s It all About?
Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Melissa McCooley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Public Hearing: Consolidated Monitoring Report
Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, Superintendent of Schools
*Certification of Consolidated Monitoring Report
RESOLVED that the Board of Education certifies that the findings contained in the Consolidated
Monitoring Report March 2014 were discussed in a public board meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the Correction Action Plan
for undisputed findings, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the appeal of Finding #20.
Review/Approval of 2014-2015 Tentative Budget
Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Bryan P. Boyce, Business Administrator/Board Secretary
*Approval of Tentative School District Budget For 2014-2015
RESOLVED that the Somerville Board of Education requests the approval a capital reserve withdrawal in the amount of $418,104. The district intends to utilize these funds for HVAC Upgrades at Somerville High School; and
RESOLVED that the Somerville Board of Education requests the approval a capital reserve deposit in the amount of $125,000. The district intends to utilize these funds for the replacement of synthetic turf at Somerville High School, and
WHEREAS, the Somerville Board of Education recognizes school staff and Board members will incur travel expenses related to and within the scope of their current responsibilities and for travel that promotes the delivery of instruction or furthers the efficient operation of the school district; and
WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-7.4 et seq. requires Board members to receive approval of these expenses by a majority of the full voting membership of the Board and staff members to receive prior approval of these expenses by the Superintendent of Schools and a majority of the full voting membership of the Board; and
WHEREAS, the amount spent for travel and conferences in 2013-2014 to date is $23,056; and
WHEREAS, the maximum travel expenditure amount established for 2013-2014 is $89,650; and
WHEREAS, included in the 2014-2015 proposed budget is a maximum regular business travel amount of $1,500 per employee; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, per N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-7.3, the proposed 2014-2015 budget establishes $59,350 as a maximum travel expenditure amount for all staff and board members; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the tentative budget be approved for the 2014-2015 School Year using the 2014-2015 state aid figures and the Secretary to the Board of Education be authorized to submit the following tentative budget to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for approval in accordance with the statutory deadline:
GENERAL / SPECIAL / DEBTFUND / REVENUES / SERVICE / TOTAL
2014-15 Total Expenditures / 40,071,964 / 1,871,293 / 2,328,572 / 44,271,829
Less: Anticipated Revenues / 19,496,666 / 1,871,293 / 576,304 / 21,944,263
Taxes to be Raised / 20,575,298 / 0 / 1,752,268 / 22,327,566
And to advertise said tentative budget in the Courier News in accordance with the form suggested by the State Department of Education and according to law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held in the District Offices located at 51 West Cliff Street, Somerville, New Jersey on April 29, 2014 at 7:00 pm for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the budget for the 2014-2015 School Year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proposed budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction that will enable all students to achieve the Common Core State Standards and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C. Title 6 and 6A.
District Highlights
Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, Superintendent of Schools
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
IX. NEW BUSINESS
It is recommended that Items 1 through 4 be moved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
1. Somerville Preschool Education Aid - ECPA Plan for 2014-2015
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the revised enclosed Somerville Preschool Education Aid - ECPA Plan for 2014-2015. (Attachment NB-1)
2. Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Report
RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the monthly Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying unconfirmed report case #2013-2014:8VDV-NC presented by the Superintendent of Schools.
3. Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Cooperative Bid Purchase
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the purchase of the following Lenovo Thinkpad Laptops in conjunction with the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Cooperative Bid:
Bid# MRESC Cooperative CO-OP #65MCESCCPS (13/14-04) – Vendor: CDW-G:
60 Lenovo Thinkpad Laptops at a cost of $40,518.00
4. WSCA State Contract
WHEREAS, the Somerville Board of Education (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) has determined that it is necessary and advisable to acquire laptop and desktop computers, related equipment and a protection plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Equipment”); and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to purchase the Equipment from Apple, Inc. pursuant to its contract with the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) and the State of New Jersey bearing State Contract No. 70259; and
WHEREAS, Apple, Inc. is the only vendor that can provide the equipment and submitted a quote in a total contract sum of $72,230.40; and
WHEREAS, the School Business Administrator has documented that the Equipment best meets the needs of the Somerville School District and the price of the equipment is advantageous, price and other factors considered.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby approves the purchase of the Equipment in the amount of $72,230.40 pursuant to State Contract No. 70259, in accordance with the quotation submitted by Apple, Inc., which is attached hereto.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the School Business Administrator is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the purchase consistent with this resolution.
(Attachment NB-2)
It is recommended that Items 5* through 10* be moved upon the recommendation of the
Superintendent of Schools.
5* Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Report
RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the monthly Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying unconfirmed report cases # 2013-2014:22SHS-NC; 2013-2014:23SHS-NC; 2013-2014:24SHS-NC presented by the Superintendent of Schools.
6* Approval of Point of Service Contract
WHEREAS, the Somerville Board of Education (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) solicited quotations in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-37(a) to operate a point of service system for the school district’s food service program (hereinafter referred to as “POS”); and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2014, the Board received two (2) quotations for the POS; and
WHEREAS, the lowest quotation was submitted by Heartland School Solutions (hereinafter referred to as “Heartland”) as per the enclosed proposal; and
WHEREAS, the quote submitted by Heartland is most advantageous, price and other factors considered and it is the Board’s desire to award the contract for the POS to Heartland.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
The Board hereby awards the contract to operate a point of service system for the school district’s food service program to Heartland School Solutions per the enclosed proposal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board President and the Board Secretary are hereby authorized to execute any other documents necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. Attachment NB-3)
7* Authorization of Execution Somerville High School
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the authorizing execution and delivery of the Grant Agreement for the School Facilities Project - School Facilities Project - Somerville High School Project – Toilet Rooms - DOE Project #4820050-14-1001.
8* Delegation of Authority Somerville High School
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the Delegation of Authority to the School Business Administrator for the supervision of the School Facilities Project - Somerville High School Project – Toilet Rooms - DOE Project #482005014-1001.
9* Field Trips
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the enclosed request for field trips. (Attachment NB-4)
10* Travel Expenditure Resolution
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has determined that the school district travel expenditures for the attached programs are in compliance with State travel guidelines as established by the Department of the Treasury and within the guidelines established by the Federal Office of Management and Budget; except as superseded by conflicting provision of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes and in compliance with the district policy on travel; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the attendance of the listed number of school board members and district employees at the attached training and informational programs, and the costs of attendance including all registration fees, and statutorily authorized travel expenditures, provided that such expenditures are within the annual maximum travel expenditure amount. (Attachment NB-5)
X. REPORT OF BOARD ITEMS
A. Student Board Members Report
Alex Rohmann, Somerville High School
Tayauna Moore-Baytops, Somerville High School
B. Finance Committee:
Dennis Garot, Chairperson
Kenneth Cornell, Member
Al Kerestes, Member
It is recommended that Items 1 through 3 be moved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
1. Acceptance of Monthly Reports
RESOLVED that the Board of Education accept the monthly reports as listed below: (Attachment B-1)
A. Middle School Fund (February)
B. Van Derveer School Fund (February)
2. Bills Lists
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the payment of the following obligations of the School District: (Attachment B-2)
Van Derveer and Middle Schools
Bills List Dated February 25, 2014
10 General Fund $ 70,236.16
20 Special Revenue Fund 3,544.58
TOTAL $ 73,780.74
3. Payroll
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the payroll payments for the following dates:
DATE PAYROLL
February 28, 2014 $496,903.48 (MS & VDV)
March 15, 2014 $549,521.88 (MS & VDV)
It is recommended that Items 4* through 8* be moved upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
4* Board Secretary's Financial Reports
RESOLVED that the Board of Education accept the Board Secretary's Reports listed below:
A. Treasurer’s Report (February) (Attachment B-3)
B. Secretary’s Report (February) (Attachment B-4)
C. Investments(February) (Attachment B-5)
D. Food Services (Not Available)
5* Acceptance of Monthly Reports
RESOLVED that the Board of Education accept the monthly reports as listed below: (Attachment B-6)
A. High School Fund (February)
B. Athletic/Extracurricular Fund (February)
6* Bills Lists
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the payment of the following obligations of the School District: (Attachment B-7)
District Wide and High School
Bill List Dated February 27, 2014
10 General Fund $ 11,592.64
TOTAL $ 11,592.64
District Wide and High School
Bill List Dated March 18, 2014
10 General Fund $ 880,051.82
20 Special Revenue Fund 2,264.46
60 Cafeteria Fund 2,602.46
TOTAL $ 884,918.74
7* Payroll
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the payroll payments for the following dates:
DATE PAYROLL
February 28, 2014 $535,169.72 (ADMIN & HS)
February 28, 2014 $ 13,612.04 (FICA)
March 15, 2014 $604,590.49 (ADMIN & HS)
March 15, 2014 $ 23,447.43 (FICA)
8* Line Item Transfers
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the enclosed February line item transfers. (Attachment B-8)
Certification of Major Account Status
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-16.10(c)(4), the Somerville Board of Education certifies that as of February 28, 2014 after review of the Board Secretary's and Treasurer's monthly financial reports and upon consultation with the appropriate officials, to the best of its knowledge, no major account or fund has been overexpended in violation of N.J.A.C 6A:23A-16.10(c)(4) and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year (Major accounts are Current Expense, Capital Projects and Debt Service)