The meeting was run by Board Vice President Trish Everhart, as Mr Fisacaro was not in attendance. The meeting began with student recognition. Because it is close to the end of the year, there were so many students recognized that they will be listed at the end of this post.
The presentations were followed by Ms Magulick who reported on the School Wellness Self Assessment that all the schools completed. Each school is required to create a plan to promote the following wellness areas:
- Promotion of Food & Nutrition
- Promotion of Health & Fitness
- Promotion of Safety
- Promotion of Emotional Well-Being
- Extra-Curricular
- School Wellness Coordinator
- School-Level Committee
- Celebrate School Wellness Week
All schools rated themselves as meets or exceeds for all areas. The results will now be reviewed by a district committee.
The Superintendent's report advised that the next School Board meeting would be moved to June 12th to accommodate graduation. Graduation will take place on June 20th. Mr Scavelli also presented an update for the 3 year goals that began last year. All goals are currently on target.
Goal 1: Refine Social Studies instruction with a focus on national themes across history and active citizenship.
Goal 2: Enhance district protocols and produces in order to decrease chronic absenteeism
Motion to approve items 7.1-7.4 (Superintendent's Report) was approved 8-0.
Motion to approve items 8.1-8.5 (Curriculum and Instruction) was approved 8-0.
It was at item 9 where things went strange - this is the reason for the delay in these notes. While I took copious notes, I wanted to review the minutes of the meeting just to make sure I got everything correct, and that I understood what happened. The official meeting minutes cannot be released until they are approved by the board at the next school board meeting - hence the delay.
Regarding item 9.11 (Approval of Health Insurance Rates), Ms Stone asked whether the health insurance had been shopped around, because the rates seemed high. Mr Recchinti said the rates had been shopped and the district had left the state plan for the the School Health Insurance Fund.
Mr Mehigan asked for clarification regarding 9.23 (Transportation Routes). Mr Recchinti advised that Hillman Bus Service was not renewing so about 15-20 routes went out for bid.
Mr McGoey asked for clarification on 9.8 (Special Ed Service Providers), questioning what a 'BCBA' provider was, as the rates seemed high. Board Solicitor Mr Donio noted that a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst is needed for some children with social skills and behavioral issues.
Items 9.1-9.3 passed 8-0.
Item 9.4 passed 7-0-1, with Ms Knoll abstaining, noting that some of the travel funds being approved were for her travel.
Items 9.5-9.9 passed 8-0.
Item 9.10 is for the appointment of managerial responsibilities. There are 10 employees of the District who take on additional responsibilities, such as 'School Safety Specialist', 'Chemical Hygiene Officer', 'Affirmative Action Officer' etc. They are duties that don't require a full time employee but roles that do need to be filled for the district to properly function.
- Mr Bravo, Ms Everhart, Ms Knoll and Ms Ryan voted Yes.
- Ms Barbagiovanni voted yes for 6 of the individuals, but abstained from voting for roles for Mr Scavelli, Mr Dantinne, Ms Magulick and Mrs Williams, noting her daughter-in-law is a teacher in the district.
- Mr Mehigan voted No without explanation
- Ms Stone abstained without explanation.
Item 9.10 passed for 6 of the 10 individuals (Thomas Donahue, Joseph Idell, Brian Peterson, Joy Williams, Patrick Bree and Nicole Espenberg)
Item 9.10 failed for John Scavelli, Richard Dantinne, Danielle Magulick and John Recchinti. Due to the failure of the vote, the following managerial positions were not assigned for the period effective July 1, 2018:
- Public Information Officer
- Authorized Representative for all State and Federal program applications
- School Safety Specialist (2)
- Title IX Compliance Officer
- Section 504 Compliance Officer
- Affirmative Action Officer (3)
- Anti Bullying Coordinator
- Designated Representative for selected State and Federal program applications
- District Wellness Policy Coordinator
- Board Secretary
- Public Agency Compliance Officer
- Purchasing Agent Compliance Officer for Affirmative Action
- Custodian of Public Records
- Qualified Purchasing Agent
Item 9.11 (Approval of Health Insurance Rates) failed as well.
- Ms Ryan, Ms Knoll, Mr Bravo and Ms Everhart voted Yes.
- Ms Barbagiovanni abstained due to a relative in the district.
- Mr McGoey and Mr Mehigan abstained without comment (I know from prior votes that Mr McGoey has a relative in the district).
- Ms Stone voted no without comment.
Items 10.1-10.10 (Personnel) passed 8-0
After a few more routine items, the meeting broke for an additional executive session. Before the break, Mr Scavelli tersely stated that he would need some guidance, because 4 cabinet level positions were not approved to do their jobs (in reference to failed item 9.10).
The Board announced they would be taking an hour break, and I was unable to stay for its return. The reason I delayed writing this was because I wanted to be sure I got everything correct by comparing it to the minutes, and I wanted to see if anything happened after the Board's return to public session.
Upon its return, Mr Mehigan introduced a motion to reconsider Item 9.10, appointment of managerial positions. The motion was seconded by Ms Ryan and passed 5-0-3, with Ms Barbagionvanni, Mr McGoey and Ms Stone abstaining.
Mr Mehigan also introduced a motion to reconsider Item 9.11 (Health Insurance Rates). The motion was approved 6-0-2, with Ms Barbagionvanni and Mr McGoey abstaining.
There was no mention in the minutes as to why the two previously failed motions passed.
In news unrelated to the School Board meeting:
In news unrelated to the School Board meeting:
- Enrollment went down last month from 4,465 to 4,458
- The Lenape Regional High School District signed a 4 year lease to permanently move its Sequoia Alternative Program’s 52 students to Evans School. The lease brings in a little more than $150,000 per year in revenue. The Evans School is now considered 'fully leased'.
- I did not attend the most recent 6/12/2018 School Board meeting, as it conflicted with a Town Council meeting I attended, so there probably will not be a summary of that meeting forthcoming. I don't believe there was press at that meeting.
Student Recognition
- Recognition of Rice School student Sophia Cohn for winning
first place in the Burlington County Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Her
entry was selected to be judged at the state level. Tami Aronow, Principal
- Recognition of the Elks Essay Contest “Why Our Veterans are
America’s Heroes”
Sanjana
Peela – Beeler School, Jerry Boland, Principal
Abigail Fescoe – Rice School, Tami Aronow, Principal
Braeden
Carbone-Robinette – Rice School, Tami Aronow, Principal
Victoria DeSimone – DeMasi Middle School, Irene Romanelli,
Principal
Samantha Berkowitz – Marlton Middle School, Gary Hoffman,
Principal
Andrew
English – Marlton Middle School, Gary Hoffman, Principal
- Recognition of the Following DeMasi Middle School Band Students
Maddy Goldman, Teacher; Irene
Romanelli, Principal
2018 Olympic Conference Honors
Band
Kaitlyn Cosper
Ryan Hoger
Faith Anyzek
Devan Gohil
2018 South Jersey Junior High
Honors Band
Celeste Yeany
Breana Beharry
Janis Lee
Maya Zarcone
2018 Olympic Conference Honors
Band and South Jersey Junior High Honors Band
Lauren Hartpence
Brooke Shapiro
April Warchol
- Recognition of the following Orchestra Students, Jayne Weiner, Teacher
All South Jersey Junior High
Orchestra
Marlton Middle School, Gary
Hoffman, Principal
Christian Schad
Javid Labenski
All South Jersey Elementary
Honors Orchestra
Marlton Elementary School,
Julio Feldman, Principal
Lucy Cheng
Lalita Kumar
Vedika Rawat
Madhumita Ranjith
Samuel Shapiro
Jaggard Elementary School,
Maria Sobel, Principal
Emily Butler
David Kim
Caressa Meglino
Damien Usen
Marlton Middle School (6th Grade),
Gary Hoffman, Principal
Margaret Barber
Anna Cheng
Grace Garofola
Samaya Morris
Alivia Nawrocki
Madison VanHaren
- Recognition of the following 2018 New
Jersey Math League Contest Team and Individual Winners:
Teams:
Marlton Middle School 6th Grade
Team: 3rd place in Burlington County Region
Teachers: Erin Alexander,
Jennifer VanHorn
Robert Shultz - Robert won
highest district individual score in 6th grade and also placed 4th in
Burlington County Region for individual score.
Andrew Farreny
Grayson Bravo
Eric Jones
Christian Sproesser
Madelynn LaMarca
Marissa Franchetti
DeMasi Middle School 6th Grade
Team: 4th place in the Burlington County Region
Teachers: Marie Campisi, Maria
Imbesi
Shloka Parikh
Gavin Boland
Kavya Parikh
Akshath Thavanai
Jakub Cruz
Marlton Middle School 7th Grade
Team: 20th place in the League and 2nd in the Burlington County
Region
Teachers: Renella Rambo,
Kimberly Fudala
David Chew - David earned
highest individual score in 7th grade. David also placed 3rd in the Burlington
County Region for individual score.
Irina Le - Irina also placed
4th in the Burlington County region for individual score.
Mackenzie Pascucci
Javid Labenski
Benjamin Schartoff
Ethan Weisenberg
DeMasi Middle School 8th Grade
Team: 24th place in the League and 3rd in the Burlington County
Region
Teachers: Diane Zanghi, Rebecca
Varner
Eric Lin - Eric won highest individual
district score in 8th grade.
Aydan Nelson
Siddharth Parikh
Pranav Kuppili
Abigail Nigro
Highest Individual District
Scores:
4th grade: (tie) Amanda
Lefferts, Beeler, Teacher: Donna Natale; Edward Firstenberg, Rice, Teacher:
Holly Miller
5th grade: Thomas Marshall,
Rice, Teacher: Marcey Healey
- Stock Market Game, Beeler
Elementary School 5th Grade Team: 2nd place in the State of New Jersey
Teacher: Christine Vaihinger
Leanna Feehan
Blake Fenick
Logan Banks
Melanie Camus
Stacey Gruber