Tuesday, April 8, 2008 was a pleasure for the Board of Education (BOE) and the audience. The BOE were treated to a gourmet meal in closed session prepared by a few culinary students of Eagle Academy under the watchful eye of Chef McGinnis. The students responsible for the food prep were Laramont Nash, Ashley Higbee, Will Einwechter, Ian Fisher, Tia McGowan and Donisha Gunter. The culinary program has 13 students in all who must take the same Nation wide standard test as the A.C.C. C. students in order to pass.

            Dr. McCartney filled in for Dr. Heery who was absent. The first item on the Superintendent’s Report was awarding certificates and jackets for the EHT Girls Swim Team who are South Jersey Public A Team Champions.  Members of the team are Casey Adams, Hayley Conover, Emily Conover, Kelsie Donahue, Laura Castello, Amy Morgan, Kaela Woods, Annie Berges, Kate Beloff, Brittany Richman, Evelyn Abbate, Kathleen Lewis, Andrea Lewis, Amanda Zipf, Kirsten Wessner, Shannon MacKain, Rachel Colvin, Alexis Winterborne, Nicki Kernzien, Imari Epps, Amy Ruffenach, Cristin Budd, Stephanie Hauck, Leah Varvaro, Mackenzie Howarth, Holly Berenotto and Jamie Allen.  Besides being South Jersey Public A Team Champions, the following girls received recognition for:

·         Stephanie Hauck- NJSIAA 2^nd Place Finish in the 200 Freestyle Relay

·         Leah Varvaro – NJSIAA 2^nd Place Finish in the 200 Freestyle Relay

·         Mackenzie Howarth – NJSIAA 2^nd Place Finish in the 200 Freestyle Relay, 2^nd Place in the 200 Individual Medley, and 2^nd Team All State-Newark Star Ledger.

·         Holly Berenotto – NJSIAA  2^nd Place Finish in the 200 Freestyle Relay, NJSIAA State Champion in the 50 and 100 Freestyle Events, 1^st Team All South Jersey 50 Freestyle, 1st Team All State- Newark Star Ledger and Swimmer of the Year by the AC Press.

Recognition of EHT High School Thespians Melanie Waldman and Sarah Rosen came

next. Each girl received a Superior Rating which is the highest honor possible.

            Jeffrey Pak, a 4^th grader at the Joy Miller School, was then recognized for placing 1^st out of 300 nation wide in the Golden Key Competition. Jeffrey will play the cello at Carnegie Hall on 5/10/08 because of his win.

            It was then announced that one of the student representatives to the BOE, Yaser Khalid, received early acceptance to both Cornell and Columbia. Yaser said it was a hard choice to make, but he will be going to Columbia University.

            A report on the Dedications of the Slaybaugh Primary and the Davenport Primary Schools followed.  The Dedications were held on April 5 with many of the BOE members saying it was enjoyable, especially due to the children involved with the ceremonies.

            The Superintendent’s Report concluded with a reminder that the school elections occur on April 15^th.

Questions/Comments from the members of the public, board, or staff

            South Pacific is coming! Choose April 23, 24,25, or 26 to join the talented cast and crew for a entertaining night out.

            Honor students from EHT and Mainland switched places last week.  Rhett Williamson was happy to report that the Mainland students were impressed with EHT and would have like to come to EHT for their high school years.

            A member of the audience for Candidate’s Night expressed concern about a remark made at Candidate’s Night that teachers should be able to come to BOE meetings without repercussions.  Several members of the BOE said it may have occurred under a different Superintendent but that it wasn’t so with this administration and BOE. Dr. McCartney is to check into the situation and report back to the BOE.

            Kathy Waszen, President of the Education Association, reported that signs for the election were up and that postcards had been mailed to all EHT members of the association reminding them to vote.

Under Curriculum:

            The High School Library/Media Center at the request of the EHT Education Foundation will be renamed the Harry Gessner Library and Media Center. Mr. Gessner was a computer science teacher from 1983 until his death in 1987. Mr. Gessner left his estate to be held in trust for the specific purpose of awarding scholarships as approved by the Education Foundation. To this date $442,942 has been awarded in scholarships to our students.

Committee Reports:

            After 3 ½ years, Phase 1 of the High School project has gone out to bid with the open bid to occur on April 24^th.

            On April 29, the public is invited to a Curriculum Committee Meeting at 6 PM and a Policy Committee Meeting at 7 PM. Both meetings will be held in the BOE room at the Alder Ave. Middle School.

Personnel:

• Domenic Scalfaro, Lauren Schwiers, Michelle Marano, Lauren House, and Dennis Krasnokutsky were all approved as musicians for the High School musical “South Pacific”
• James Burton is replacing Robert Burton as sound technician for the musical.
• Shari Shaltout was approved as Assistant Girls Crew volunteer
• Lauren Ricci was approved as Assistant Girls Track volunteer.
• Karen Cunningham was approved as Assistant Softball Coach volunteer.
• Tamika Gilbert-Floyd, Assistant Principal at Alder Ave. Middle School revised her maternity leave from 5/15 to 4/30/08.
• Dana S. Pileiro, Computers at the High School submitted her letter of resignation, effective 6/30/08.
• Debra L. Smith, 4^th grade Remedial at the Miller School, will retire, effective 7/1/08.