RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                                     River Vale, New Jersey 07675

                                                     WORK SESSION MEETING

                                                  Holdrum Middle School Cafeteria

                                                      Monday, September 10, 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, Mr. William Ellis Dr. Jeffrey Matfus, Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire, Mr. Bert Ammerman

                                                Mr. Dave Zornow arrived at 7:02 PM

ABSENT:                               Mr. Mike Ratner

ALSO PRESENT:                 Dr. Frank Alvarez, Superintendent

                                                Mr. Michael Rinderknecht, Business Administrator

The board and members of the public saluted the flag.

COMMITTEE REPORTS                          

Building Project:

Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire reported on the various referendum work that was completed this past summer to include asbestos removals at all three schools, conversion of two smaller classrooms at the Woodside School into a full size classroom and a trailer at the Woodside School for use as a teacher faculty room. She thanked the district’s maintenance staff for working on the completion of the classroom, as they played an integral part in the completion of this project. She also reported on the meeting held last Thursday with the Architect, Construction Manager and Architectural Committee members. Board members commented. Mr. Rinderknecht commented on the lead paint issue and indicated that PMK would be submitting a proposal by the end of the week which he will forward to the Building Project Committee.

Buildings & Grounds

Mr. Mike Ratner                      –          No Report

Curriculum/Education                       

Mrs. Sheryl Eaton reported that recommendations as they relate to both the Basic Skills Committee and the GOAL Committee have been implemented for the start of the school year. Board members commented.           

Finance

Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire          –         No Report.

Negotiations                          

Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire          –          No Report

Personnel

Mr. Bill Ellis reported on some issues regarding Basic Skills teachers. He requested that Dr. Alvarez check on Board policy as it relates to the central office administrators vacations.  Mr. Ellis further commented that he did not want to see both central office administrators on vacation at the same time. President Ammerman indicated that the issue should be discussed with the Personnel Committee, Superintendent and Business Administrator.  Discussion followed regarding the non-union secretary’s contract on vacation time and  “comp” time. Due to the nature of the subject, it would be discussed further in closed session. Dr. Matfus requested documentation regarding the Cromwell case. President Ammerman indicated that this information had been made available and this matter has been settled between the 2 parties. President Ammerman took a consensus of the Board members as to whether they wished to receive all of the faxes each month from Dr. Matfus requesting various information. President Ammerman, Mrs. McGuire, Mr. Zornow and Mrs. Eaton requested not to receive copies of Dr. Matfus’ faxes. Mr. Ellis indicated he would.  President Ammerman stated that if Dr. Matfus wants copies of his faxes put into the board packet, and then he is to make all copies for the board at his own expense and supply them to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary. Dr. Matfus’ faxes will still continue to be made available for all Board members to review prior to Board meetings.           

Technology                                        

Mr. Dave Zornow reported that all the new Gateway computers have been installed and are currently on line. He thanked all those involved. Mr. Zornow announced that the Board of Education meeting agenda has been placed on the web. He further commented that a recommendation from the administrators would be forthcoming as to whether to retain or dispose of computer related hardware. Discussion followed regarding the disposal of Windows 98 software.

Meeting opened to public comments on agenda items only at 7:41 P.M.

Public comments:

There were no comments from the public.

President Ammerman announced that the PTA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 10 with a presentation from the Board Architect, Prisco & Edwards, and EPIC, the district’s construction manager.  He additionally commented that groundbreaking is anticipated for January 2002.

Meeting closed to public comments on agenda items only at 7:43 P.M.

OLD BUSINESS       -           None

NEW BUSINESS       -           None

GENERAL RESOLUTIONS

G1.      RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED__Mrs. McGuire__

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves changing the September 25, 2001 Regular Session Meeting to September 24, 2001.

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Dr. Matfus                    Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

PERSONNEL RESOLUTIONS

P1.       RESOLUTION BY___Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED _Mr. Ellis______

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the Emergency Certificate Application for Review of Individual Case for Judith A. DiBernado in the area of Teacher of the Handicapped.  Upon approval by the Bergen County Superintendent, Mrs.

DiBernardo is appointed as a Special Education Teacher at the Roberge and Holdrum Schools, for the 2001/2002 school year at BA Step 1, $37,073.00. Effective date of hire to be determined.

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Dr. Matfus                    Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

P2.       RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED __Mr. Ellis_____

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the appointment of Maria Rivera, full-time Special Education Aide at the Holdrum Middle School for the 2001-2002 school year at the rate of $11.00 per hour, 6.5 hours per day.

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Dr. Matfus                    Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

P3.       RESOLUTION BY     Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED BY  __Mr. Ellis__               

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the County Substitute Application for the following:

                                          Irene Lewis*

                                          Lisa McNicholas

                                          Orania Ziotas

                                          Vera Wilson

*Pending approval of the Emergent Hiring Applications by the Bergen County Superintendent of Schools and completion of the Criminal History Review Process.

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Dr. Matfus                    Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

P4.       RESOLUTION BY     Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED BY  _Mr. Ellis___               

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the movement on the salary guide for:

            April Schatz          from MA Step 4 ($45,552.00) to MA+15 Step 4($46,053.00)

                                         effective 9/1/01

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Dr. Matfus                    Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

Meeting opened to public comments at 7:45 P.M.

Public comments:

Fran Darakjian, 598 Faletti Way, commented that at the August Board meeting, Dr. Matfus read his statement on the harassment issue and then he passed out a press release of the alleged charges which were filed by an employee of the district. She further commented that she found it offensive that Dr. Matfus would make this sensitive information public and divulge the employee’s name. President Ammerman indicated that the Board could not comment on this matter.

Meeting closed to public comments at 7:46 P.M.

A.        RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED BY__Mr. Ellis___

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.

The meeting recessed into closed session at 7:46 P.M.

VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Dr. Matfus                    Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Absent

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

B.        MOTION BY_Mr. Ammerman____SECONDED BY__Mr. Ellis_____

that the September 10, 2001 Work Meeting be adjourned at  8:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Rinderknecht

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

MR: bb

9/17/01