RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION

River Vale, New Jersey 07675

WORK SESSION MEETING

Holdrum School Cafeteria

Tuesday, December 11, 2001

- MINUTES-

President Ammerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, the Laws of 1975, that public notice has been made at least 48 hours in advance, public notice was posted at the Board of Education, notice was sent to all officially designated newspapers, and notice was filed with the Township Clerk.

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Mrs. Sheryl Eaton, Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire,

                                                Mr. Dave Zornow, Mr. Ammerman

ABSENT:                               Mr. William Ellis

                                                Mr. Mike Ratner

ALSO PRESENT:                 Dr. Frank Alvarez, Superintendent

                                                Mr. Michael Rinderknecht, Business Administrator

The Board and members of the public saluted the flag.

DISCUSSION:

Dr. Alvarez presented to the Board the first draft of the district calendar as discussed with the Superintendents of the Pascack Valley School Districts. Dr. Alvarez explained the calendar involving the dilemma with the Winter, February and Spring recesses. Board members commented on the calendar changes which may have an impact on the referendum construction.  Board consensus was to support, at this time, the preliminary calendar presented by Dr. Alvarez.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Building Project:  

Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire, Chairperson, reported that the district is still waiting for approval from the DCA before we can go out to bid. Board members asked questions.

Buildings & Grounds

Mr. Mike Ratner, Chairperson                          -                       No Report

Curriculum/Education:

Mrs. Sheryl Eaton, Chairperson                        -                       No Report

Personnel

Mr. Bill Ellis, Chairperson                                 -                       No Report

Finance:  

Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire, Chairperson              -                       No Report

Negotiations:

Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire, Chairperson              -                       No Report

Mrs. Eaton commented that she recently attended a NJSBA negotiations training seminar.

Technology

Mr. Dave Zornow, Chairperson, suggested the need for additional staff support with the district’s Web page. Mr. Zornow explained to the Board the need to create a stipend position in order to maintain areas on the district’s Web site, such as the Board of Education’s page, the calendar, etc.  Mr. Zornow explained the informational items recently added to the web page. Dr. Alvarez commented that he is looking for a manager/editor to maintain and monitor the Web page. President Ammerman requested that Dr. Alvarez form a group and return to the Board with a report/recommendation regarding the position.

OLD BUSINESS

President Ammerman reported on the vacancy on the Board and that the Board will be conducting public interviews with interested candidates at next Tuesday’s Board meeting. The Board will appoint the selected candidate at the January 15, 2002 Work Session Meeting. He furthermore commented that the individual selected shall serve a term from January 15, 2002 to the April 2002 Annual School Election.

NEW BUSINESS

None

Meeting opened to public comments at 7:26 P.M.

Public comments

There were no comments from the public

Meeting closed to public comments at 7:26 P.M.

A.        RESOLUTION BY__Mrs. McGuire__SECONDED BY__Mrs. Eaton__

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b), the Board of Education of the Township of River Vale may exclude the public from that portion of a public meeting at which the Board discusses any of the matters described at N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(b) (1)-(9);

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education shall forthwith enter into closed session to discuss matters relating to personnel; pending or anticipated contract negotiations; pending or anticipated litigation; matters with the Board Attorney covered by the attorney-client privilege.  Said discussion may be disclosed to the public when the reasons for discussing and acting upon it in closed session no longer exist.

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

                                    Mr. Ellis                       Absent

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

B.        MOTION BY___Mrs. McGuire____SECONDED BY      Mrs. Eaton

that the December 11, 2001 Work Session Meeting be adjourned at  8:32 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Rinderknecht

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

MR:bb

12/17/01