Dr. McCartney was on vacation for the December 9, 2008 Board of Education (BOE) meeting, so Ms. Gruccio gave the Superintendent’s Report. She first turned the meeting over to EHT Education Foundation representatives, Ms. Surace and Ms. Murphy, who gave out 23 Mini-Grants valued at over $10,000. Each school in the district had at least 2 Mini-Grants presented to recipients. The EHT Education Foundation started in 1989 by giving out 3 Mini-Grant for a total value of $1500.00.

            Ms. Gruccio then spoke about the Professional Learning Community Administrator Workshop and Infinite Campus Update. The knowledge gained by the administrators is now being filtered down and to paraphrase Ms. Gruccio, Our administrators, who were once teachers, are once again teaching. Ms. Gruccio also spoke about the success of the Renaissance Program at the Fernwood Ave. Middle School and how the program will be in Alder Ave. Middle School by next year with plans to implement it in all schools eventually. Her report was concluded by stating that the new computer program which will allow parents to monitor their student’s grades, will be tested in January and operational hopefully by the 3^rd marking period.

            Mr. Robertson gave an update on the Pre-school Program: all state required documents have been submitted in a timely fashion. January 22, 2008 BOE work shop meeting will have interested licensed private pre-school providers presenting what they have to offer to meet the district’s needs and the cost involved.

            There were no comments or questions from the members of the public other than an invite to check out the mural on the Primo’s building at the corner of English Creek and Ocean Heights Aves. BOE members were in agreement to send a letter acknowledging the mural and Primo’s support to the school district.

            Under Finance/Operations/Bill payments:

• It cost $32,051.09 for the mold removal at the High School.
• Dental benefits were $99,585.47
• Rubbish removal $26,640.
• Health benefits $879,829.52
• Rx benefits $293,925.51
• Transportation diesel $27,021.
• Sewer $2075.90
• A change order increasing by $11,210.80 the contract sum for the Re-Roofing Project (Solar and Security) for the Fernwood Middle School was approved.
• Brick repair to the rear parapet of the Fernwood Middle School was awarded and will cost the district $20,474.36.
• Acceptance of monetary donations ($6365.000 total) for the EHTHS Memorial Park was approved.

Personnel:

·         Valerie Brozosky is replacing C. Zeltman who retired and will be transferring from Alder/Fernwood Middle Music to Davenport/Slaybaugh Primary Music, grade 1.

·         Andrea Granieri, beginning 2/1/09, will take the Alder/Fernwood Middle Music position left open by V. Brozosky’s transfer.

·         Michelle Lambert, High School Learning Resource Center revised her maternity leave from 10/8-12/11/08 to 10/8/08-2/2/09.

·         Lisa Milstead, Learning Resource Center at Slaybaugh Primary, revised her maternity/child rearing leave from 12/22/08 -4/20/09 to 1/5-4/20/09.

·         Elyse McKelvey, 7^th grade at Alder Ave. Middle School revised her medical leave from 12/17/08-1/12/09 to 12/17/08-1/5/09.

·         Jeanette Corea, Slaybaugh Elementary, grade 2, will be on maternity/child rearing leave from 3/2- 9/1/09.

·         Jennifer DiMaio, Math at the High School, will be on maternity/child rearing leave from 3/24-6/1/09.

·         Kathleen Widas, 3^rd grade at Slaybaugh Elementary, will be on NJ Family Leave from 12/15/08-1/5/09.

This was the last BOE meeting for 2008. The next meeting will be January 12, 2009 at 8 PM in the BOE room of the Alder Ave. Middle School.

On behalf of the HSA, I would like to extend warmest wishes for the Holiday Season to everyone.