54.
Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
The regular meeting of the Wallkill Valley Regional High School Board of Education was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at the high school, Grumm Road, Hardyston Township, NJ.
PRESENT: Mr. Castiglione, Mr. Carlson, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Kabatra, Mr. Wright,
Mrs. Apolito, Mr. Hilbert, Mr. Kabatra, Mr. Sanfilippo
Mr. Bolcar, Superintendent
Mr. Choldnicki, Physical Education Department Chairperson
Ms. Busardo, WVEA Representative
Approximately 10 members of the public
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. Castiglione, who made the following statement.
Pursuant to the Open Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1985, adequate notice as defined by Section 3D of Chapter 231, P.L. 1985, has been made by regular mail, such notice on the 22nd day of May 2011 from the Board of Education offices maintained at the high school, Grumm Road, Hamburg, NJ to the following:
The New Jersey Herald
The New Jersey Sunday Herald
Clerks of the four municipalities of Franklin, Hamburg, Hardyston and Ogdensburg and also was posted on the bulletin board maintained by the Board of Education at the high school.
A presentation was made by Mr. Chlodnicki on the accomplishments of the Physical Education Dept. and plans for the future. He gave a very information presentation stating that Wallkill Valley is the only Sussex County school on “Teen Driving Championship Project.” Mr. Chlodnicki was thanked for his presentation and he left at 7:15 p.m.
Old Business
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of December 20, 2011 and executive session minutes thereto. All in favor except Mr. Neal and Mr. Sanfilippo who abstained because they were absent from that meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to accept the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports showing a cash balance of $4,106,950.99 as of
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Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
December 31, 2011 and that the Secretary’s Financial Status Certification for the month ending December 31, 2011, a copy of which is attached hereto, be accepted. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to certify that all major account expenditures for the month of December 2011 have been made within the constraints of the adopted budget and that sufficient funds are available to meet our financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:32-2.1(c)4. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
New Business
The following correspondence was reviewed by the board:
a. Legal opinion letter from Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., regarding use of bond proceeds from Solar Panels Project.
b. Letter from Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., regarding bid review for HVAC Chiller Replacement Project.
c. Letter from Sussex County Technical School’s Interim Superintendent regarding increase of tuition charge.
d. Letter from Sussex County Technical School’s Business Administrator forwarding their resolution approving an increase in tuition charge.
A discussion took place regarding the letters from Vo-Tech on their tuition rate increase. Mr. Wright spoke regarding Vo-Tech stating that they have turned this into a political issue and that this should be challenged at some point.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to approve budget transfers for January 2012 per the attached list in the total amount of $89,232. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to approve payment of the bills as audited and submitted by the Finance Committee. All responded yes in a roll call vote except Mr. McHugh who abstained.
The meeting was opened to the public for comment and questions at this time. Mr. Lipscomb asked where the money is coming from to do the chiller project. It was explained that additional state aid received at the beginning of this school year is
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Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
going to be transferred from revenues into the current budget. We were allowed to use these funds in the current school year or carry it into the 2012-13 school year. He also asked about the letter from our attorney which states that we are allowed to use excess monies from the solar project to for technology. Mr. McHugh explained that we can not monitor the solar system without upgrading our technology.
Mr. McDonald asked about the school report card which shows that we are not doing well with our test scores. He questioned why the money wasn’t being spent on that. Mr. Bolcar addressed the situation stating that changes are being made to bring up test scores. He explained how we are working with the elementary districts to bring up scores. Mr. Bolcar stated that our philosophy is changing.
Mrs. Repasy brought up the subject of having a program for parents to be able to see what is on line. She was told that we are working on that. She also asked about the SAT Prep course held before school starts in the morning. She asked if that class would be reinstituted at some time. Mrs. Repasy also asked about the lockdown drill held last week. Mr. Bolcar and Mr. Castiglione explained that no students were sought out by the dogs and no students were charged with anything. She thought that it was poor timing to do this lockdown because it was the week before exams and it cut into review time.
Mrs. Pierriera asked about getting software programs. Mr. Bolcar stated that it comes down to money. Mrs. Pierriera also brought up that Pequannock uses a program to discourage smoking. Progress reports were discussed. Mrs. Perriera wanted parents to be more involved.
Mr. Muller asked questions about the lockdown. He asked if it was successful. Mr. Castiglione stated that nothing was found. Mr. Muller thought that it would be good Public Relations to let the public know the outcome of the lockdown. It was noted that this is the first time Wallkill Valley has had such a lockdown. Mr. Muller was also at the meeting to ask for facilities use for the football league. He explained the makeup of the league and stated that all four municipalities participate. They are presently using the Franklin recreation field but the field is not regulation size. Games would be held on Sundays. Mr. Jones, Wallkill Valley Head Football Coach, spoke in support of the program. Mr. VanOrden, Wallkill Valley Athletic Director, stated that on Sundays either he or Mr. Jones would be here and a custodian would not be needed.
The meeting was closed to the public.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to approve the award of a contract to AMCO Enterprises, Inc., as the lowest, responsible bidder, in the
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Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
amount of $148,470.00 for the HVAC Chiller Replacement Project. Mr. Castiglione gave background on the cost of the chiller including architects’ and attorneys’ fees. We will transfer the additional aid that was given by the state and then will still need to come up with an additional $17,000 to cover the costs. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to approve the tentative school calendar for Wallkill Valley Regional High School District for the 2012-13 school year as attached and as presented by the Superintendent, pending outcome of negotiations with the Wallkill Valley Education Association. Mr. Bolcar emphasized that this is a tentative calendar and it may be altered by one day pending outcome of negotiations. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to approve the following additions to the substitute list:
Lillian MacRae Stacey Sexton Mark Lisa
All in favor.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to approve the list of field trips as presented by the Superintendent. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
Some discussion took place regarding moving the annual school election to November. Mr. Castiglione sent it to committee for review.
A motion was made by Mr. McHugh, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to approve the following resolution regarding the 2012 Annual School Election:
RESOLVED, the Wallkill Valley Regional High School Board of Education
approves the following in conjunction with the 2012 Annual School Election:
(1) Nominating petitions must be filed with the Business Admin/
Bd. Sec’y. at or before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012.
(2) The drawing for ballot position shall be held on Wednesday,
March 7, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in the Office of the Business Admin/
Bd. Sec’y.
(3) The polling places and hours the polling places will be open
shall be the same as those used by the constituent elementary
school districts for voting on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
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Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
(4) The public budget hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 27,
2012.
All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to approve the following building use request:
a. Wallkill Valley Varsity Cheerleaders, February 17, 2012 (snow date February 18, 2012.
All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to accept the Superintendent’s Bi-annual HIB Report for Wallkill Valley Regional High School for the period September 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 attached hereto. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
Mr. Bolcar gave his Superintendent’s Report as follows:
1. The report sent in the board mailing stands as is.
2. We will be hosting our first art show ever on Thursday evening, January 26, at 6:00 p.m. There will be awards, certificates and a number of scholarships offered. The awards will be announced at 6:15 p.m.
3. Our winter concert will be held on January 31 at 7:00 p.m.
4. The two laptops that were allegedly missing were never shipped and, therefore, never received. There is a “receiving” plan in place now whereby all shipments received at the loading dock must be signed off by the person who ordered it when it is given to them.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. McHugh, to move into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel and negotiations matters.
All in favor.
After returning to regular session, the following action was taken.
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Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to approve a maternity leave of absence for Andrea Lawrence from May 21, 2012 to the first day of the second marking period of the 2012-13 school year. All in favor.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to accept the letter of intent to retire effective March 1, 2012 from custodian Donald Hooey with deep regret.
All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mr. Kabatra, to approve the following staff travel, conferences, clinics, workshops:
Daryl Jones Registration for Nike Coach of the Year $80 each – fee +
Kevin Lukich Clinic, Atlantic City, NJ – 2/9-11/12 tolls, mileage,
Jeff Giordano parking and 2 hotel
rooms - $421 – total
cost of $661 for 3
coaches.
All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Neal, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to approve the appointment of the following athletic coaches to the positions indicated for the 2011-12 school year as recommended by the Superintendent:
Diane Brown Head Boys’ Tennis Coach Step 1 ($3,620)
Robert LoGiudice Ass’t Boys’ Tennis Coach Step 7 ($4,585)
John Samiljan Ass’t Boys’ Lacrosse Coach Step 1 ($2,910)
All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to appoint Michael Mason as a custodian effective March 1, 2012 on Step 5 ($33,494) of the custodians’ salary guide as recommended by the Superintendent. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to accept the resignation of Tricia Kurzyna as assistant Track Coach for the 2011-2012 school year. All responded yes in a roll call vote.
Mr. Castiglione thanked everyone for the calls, cards, etc. on the recent passing of his father.
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Regular Meeting
January 24, 2012
A motion was made by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Apolito, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth N. Flatt
Business Admin/Bd. Sec’y.