Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Board of Education (BOE) meeting was Dr. Heery’s final meeting as Superintendent. He and Dr. Scott McCartney shared presenting the Superintendent’s Report. They started out by announcing that the Silver Eagle Marching Band received a score of 88.15 at the Cavalcade of Bands-Group IV Division on the 18^th and a 92.35 at the New Jersey Regional competition at Southern Regional High School over the previous weekend. Congratulations were also given to Coach DeRosa and the Football Staff for the win over Vineland, Coach Marcus and the Girls Soccer Team for the win against Salem and for qualifying for the NJSIAA Tournament, and to Karisee Bendijo, Girls Tennis, winner of the South Jersey Coaches Tournament. Ms. Bendijo also claimed her 100^th victory on the 17^th. Dr. McCartney also passed on that at the Annual Business Meeting of the NJSIAA on 12-1, EHT will be represented by Art Marinelli- NJSIAA Hall of Fame Inductee, Dr. Philip Heery- NJSIAA Award of Honor, and Michael Caiazza- NJSIAA Sport Award (Wrestling)

            The Superintendent’s Report was then turned over to Ms. Surace for the Electronic Violence and Vandalism Report. A brief synopsis is as follows:

                                    05/06   06/07   07/08

Violence                      151      150      105

Vandalism                     29        47        21

Weapons                       12        10        13

Substance Abuse           27        33        17

Under Weapons incidents, it was reported that no guns have been found and that most of the incidents were mostly pocket knifes, box cutters, etc. The drop in violence and substance abuse was contributed to an increase in awareness by students, ie, giving Tylenol to another student is considered a substance abuse incident.

            Mr. Peter Bretones then gave a residency update. 50 multi last names in a single residency were investigated, 39 which checked out. These turned out to be children living in a household whose parents had remarried or living with a partner. 11 are still under investigation. Mr. Bretones, who heads the registration department of the district, then had several suggestions for the BOE to make the system more efficient. These include ease of access of information to prevent duplication of work, having expiration date of lease, cross referencing with transportation department, and updating the registration.

            After the conclusion of the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Heery was presented with a plaque from the BOE, a giant cookie from the student representatives and a short break was taken to enjoy the carrot cake made by the Eagle students in honor of Dr. Heery.

            In the Public portion:

• Mr. James Battersby Thanked the BOE for giving him the opportunity to service as the new Principal of the Fernwood Ave. Middle School.
• Student Representatives Kristen Beatty and Dhara Vyas asked the BOE to do an ad for the yearbook. It was agreed that the BOE would purchase one for $100.
• Others in the audience and on the BOE expressed their appreciation and Thanks to Dr. Heery for his years of service.

Personnel was then taken out of order in the agenda as Mr. Lou Della Barca was acknowledged for his many years of service by Dr. Heery and others. Mr. Della Barca submitted his letter of retirement, effective 7/1/09.

• Stephanie Polinski, Davenport Elementary Bilingual, has been substituting in this new position since 9/2/08 and has now been hired until 6/30/08 pending post offer physical.
• Shannon VandenBerg, self contained at Fernwood Ave. Middle School, was hired to replace A. Willis who resigned.
• Dr. Scott McCartney was approved a Acting Superintendents of Schools from 11/30-12/31/08
• Kathleen Allen was approved as Acting School Business Administrator, effective 11/1/08 with an ending date to be determined as Ms. Bechtel is out on medical leave.
• Carol Cannerelli was approved beginning 1/5-6/30/08 as Director of Special Services, replacing K. Atzrott who retired.
• Gina Shaw, High School Mathematics, revised her maternity/child rearing leave of absence from 9/22-11/12/08 to 9/22 – 1/5/09.
• Caressa Logue, Alder Ave. Middle School 8^th grade Science, revised her maternity/child rearing leave for 10/20/08-3/9/09 to 10/14/08-3/9/09.
• Courtney Laut, Learning Resource Center at Swift, revised her maternity/child rearing leave from 11/13/008-1/5/09 to 11/13/08-3/30/09.
• Jamey Roberts, Self contained at Alder Middle School, revised her maternity/child rearing leave from 11/12/08-2/2/09 to 10/30/08-2/2/09.
• Jo-Yvonne Anton, High School English Language Learner, revised her maternity/child rearing leave from 10/27/08 -1/5/09 to 10/20/08-1/5/08.
• Missy Peretti, Principal at Alder Ave. Middle School, will be on maternity/child rearing leave from 12/15/08-6/12/09.
• Lisa Hart, Learning Resource Center at Miller, will be on maternity/child rearing leave from 2/2-5/8/09.
• Susan Slusarski, 4^th grade at Miller, will be on maternity/child rearing leave from 2/9-9/1/09.
• Louis Della Barca, Principal at Davenport Primary and Elementary, submitted his letter of retirement, effective 7/1/09
• Carol Caruso, Grade 2 at Swift, submitted her letter of retirement, effective 7/1/09

Under Finance/Operations and Curriculum, it was all normal items. 6 new or replacement policies were approved, all second reading.

      The next BOE meeting will be November 18, 2008 at 8 PM in the Alder Ave. Middle School BOE room.

      If you have a junior or senior student, have you purchased or gotten a group together to purchase a Project Graduation raffle ticket? Your support by purchasing a ticket is needed to help fund Project Graduation. Contact me at 653-2009 or SRfromEHT@aol.com for a ticket or more information.