RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION

River Vale, New Jersey 07675

 

REGULAR SESSION MEETING

Holdrum Middle School Cafeteria

Tuesday, February 26, 2002

                                                                             

- 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, Mrs. Bettyanne McGuire, Mrs. Joanne Venino, Mr. Dave Zornow, Mr. Mike Ratner,

Mr. Bert Ammerman

 

ALSO PRESENT:                 Dr. Frank Alvarez, Superintendent

                                                Mr. Michael Rinderknecht, Business Administrator

 

The Board and members of the public saluted the flag.

 

Dr. Alvarez explained the World Language Program and introduced those staff members involved with the development of this program: Ms. Nathalie Matz, Mrs. Linda McCrone, Mrs. Debra McGuire, Mr. John Noone, and Dr. Phyllis Prestia. Each teacher described various lessons taught to students in their language classes.  Mrs. Venino asked if the amount of time for the 3rd and 4th graders was sufficient. Mrs. Eaton commented about the trip to Quebec. Mr. Ellis commented on the return of the French language program back into the curriculum. President Ammerman thanked the staff for their wonderful and informative presentation on the World Language program. Mr. Zornow commented on the Holdrum Haunting. Mrs. McGuire also commented on the positive things going on in the Holdrum Middle School.

 

BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

No report.

 

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS’ REPORT

 

Dr. Alvarez spoke about the following:

 

-                 March 1, 2002 is the Ground Breaking Ceremony. The Holdrum Middle School Jazz band is performing.

-                 Holdrum Mystery Night

-                 School Board Election date would remain as April 16th.

-                 Harry Anderson, Physical Education teacher at Holdrum Middle School was elected to serve as Vice President of the NJ Association of Health, Recreation and Dance.

-                 Dr. Alvarez is chairing the Speech Competition for the Academic Decathlon held this year at Westwood High School. 

         

 

Meeting opened to public comments on agenda items at 7:46 P.M.

 

Public comments

 

None

 

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

 

GENERAL RESOLUTIONS:

 

G1.      RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY___Mr. Zornow__

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the

            Board approves the minutes of the following Board of Education Meetings:

 

                        January 15, 2002          Work Session, Closed Session Meeting

                        January 22, 2002          Regular Session

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

G2.      RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY__Mr. Ratner___

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the

Board adopts the 2002/2003 School Calendar, per the Superintendent’s recommendation as per Attachment G2:

Discussion followed. Mrs. McGuire commented about her reservations with this calendar relative to the building project.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Nay

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

G3.      RESOLUTION BY___Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY__Mr. Ratner__

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the

Board expresses its appreciation for the public service to Congresswoman Marge Roukema as per the following:

President Ammerman commented that he truly appreciates all the work accomplished by Mrs. Roukema during her tenure as a member of Congress.

 

WHEREAS,  Representative Marge Roukema, in November 2001 announced her retirement from serving as a member of the U.S. Congress at the conclusion of her current term in January 2003; and

 

WHEREAS,  Representative Marge Roukema, Dean of the New Jersey Congressional delegation was first elected to the Congress in 1980 and has served 22 years in the House; and

 

WHEREAS,  she is one of the most respected fiscal conservatives in the United States House of Representatives, called a "Deficit Hawk" by the Concord Coalition and a "Taxpayer's Hero" by the National Taxpayers Association; and

 

 

WHEREAS.  she has been honored by groups such as Watchdogs of the Treasury, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste and the National Federation of Independent Businesses; and

 

WHEREAS,  Representative Roukema has been a champion of a strong economy, health insurance reform, welfare reform, immigration reform, campaign finance reform, financial services modernization, education funding and protection of the environment; and

 

WHEREAS,  prior to serving in Congress, she was a secondary-school American history and government teacher; and

 

WHEREAS,  Representative Roukema's career in public service began early as an active leader in a variety of volunteer community organizations, winning her first elected office as a member of the Ridgewood Board of Education; and

 

WHEREAS.  the River Vale Board of Education believes that residents of the 5th Congressional district and the entire state as well as education advocates will be losing an outstanding lawmaker and advocate for children and education, and

 

WHEREAS,  the River Vale Board of Education wishes Mrs. Roukema a long and fulfilling retirement; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED,   That the River Vale Board of Education expresses its genuine and sincere appreciation and thanks to Congresswoman Marge Roukema for outstanding public service, and directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to her, and to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

G4.      RESOLUTION BY___Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY__Mr. Ratner___

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the Special Education Out-of-District Placement for the following students for the 2001/2002 school year:

Mr. Ratner asked questions.

           

         Student                Amount             Placement                                     Date

         # 14                     $4,697.50            Pre-School Disabled Class                2/5/02-6/30/02

                                    (prorated)            Meadowbrook School, Hillsdale

 

         # 15                     $4,697.50            Pre-School Disabled Class                2/11/02-6/30/02

                                    (prorated)           Meadowbrook School, Hillsdale                          

                                                                    

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS

 

B1.      RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY__Mrs. McGuire_

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board acknowledges receipt of the Financial Reports of the School Business Administrator and the Treasurer of School Monies for the month ending January 2002 be approved as attached concurring in the following balances:

 

Fund 10                                   -           $ 2,082,361.02 

Fund 20                                   -           $     (70,348.81)         

Fund 30                                   -           $11,524,514.50          

Fund 40                                   -           $     349,127.21                
Total                                                   $13,885,653.92

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

B2.      RESOLUTION BY___Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED BY__Mr. Ellis____

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that

the Board approves the bills list dated January 31, 2002 as follows:

 

Fund 10 – General Fund           -           $1,383,520.78

Fund 20 – Special Revenue      -           $     40,500.09                  

Fund 30 – Capital Projects       -           $     78,179.70

Unemployment Trust Acct.       -           $     15,706.60

Fund 40 – Debt Service            -           $___________

Total                                                   $1,517,907.17 

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

B3.      RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY__Mrs. Venino _

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board acknowledges receipt of the purchase order list for month ending January 2002 in the amount of $93,054.00.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

B4.      RESOLUTION BY___Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED BY_Mrs. McGuire_

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board retroactively approves the list of transfer of funds for month ending January 2002 and February 1, 2002 in the amount of $41,896.94 as per Attachment B4.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

B5.      RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman___SECONDED BY__ Mr. Ellis  ___

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the milk bills for the month of January 2002 in the amount of

$2,024.22.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

B6.      RESOLUTION BY___Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED __Mrs. McGuire___

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the following bid was received in the Office of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary at 10:00 AM on February 4, 2002:

            Board members asked questions.

 

                        Contractor                                          Bid Price

                        University Bus Company

                        Hillsdale, NJ                                         $ 91.00 per diem

 

            And furthermore be it resolved, upon the recommendation of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, that the Board awards the transportation bid to

            University Bus Company in the amount of $91.00 per diem, for the period of

            February 27, 2002 through June 30, 2002.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

PERSONNEL RESOLUTIONS

 

P1.       RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED __Mr. Ratner_____

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the           

Board accepts the resignation of Genevieve Esposito, Fourth Grade teacher at Woodside School, effective June 30, 2002.

 

            OTE:               Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

P2.       RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman__SECONDED __Mr. Ratner_____

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the           

Board accepts with regret the resignation of Marie Peters, Secretary at Woodside School, effective July 19, 2002.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

P3.       RESOLUTION BY__Mr. Ammerman_SECONDED _Mr. Ratner_______

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the           

Board accepts the resignation of Scott McKay, Lead Custodian at Holdrum Middle School effective February 28, 2002.

 

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

P4.       RESOLUTION BY     Mr. Ammerman __SECONDED BY  _Mr. Ratner    _               

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board approves the following substitute candidates:

 

Karen Wilson                     County Substitute Certificate, All Subjects

Mary DiMeglio*                 Secretarial

Kevin Hudson*                  County Substitute Application

Holly Moscone*                 County Substitute Application (upon receipt of official transcripts)

 

*Pending approval of the Emergent Hiring Applications by the Bergen County Superintendent of Schools and completion of the Criminal History Review Process. Above candidates will be placed on the 2001/2002 District Substitute List.

           

            VOTE:            Mrs. Eaton                   Aye

Mr. Ellis                       Aye

Mrs. McGuire              Aye

Mrs. Venino                 Aye

Mr. Zornow                 Aye

Mr. Ratner                   Aye

Mr. Ammerman            Aye

 

At this time, the Board discussed the location of the Holdrum Middle School graduation. Dr. Prestia will provide the Board with a recommendation regarding the location of graduation at the next board meeting.

 

Meeting opened to public comments at 8:00 P.M.

 

Public comments

None

 

Meeting closed to public comments at 8:00 P.M.

 

President Ammerman announced to the public that the Board would not be entering into a closed session meeting tonight.

 

A discussion followed about placing the content of the World Language presentation on the district web site, absent of any individual student photos.

 

A.        MOTION BY__Mr. Ammerman___SECONDED BY___Mr. Ratner___

that the February 26, 2002 Regular Session Meeting be adjourned at 8:02 P.M.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Michael Rinderknecht

Business Administrator/Board Secretary

 

MR:bb

3/1/02