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Tim Little was recognized by Superintendent Scott
McCartney and the BOE at the February 24, 2009 Board of
Education (BOE) meeting for being a CAL American
Conference Scholar Athlete. After presenting Tim with
the acknowledgement from the BOE, Dr. McCartney turned
the meeting over to Assistant Superintendent Don
Robertson to report on the Professional
Development/in-service days. Mr. Robertson shared that
there was 89 different sessions for the staff to choose
from, the days were viewed as a success by both
administration and staff, and had a positive 98%
response on the teacher’s survey.
In the Public Portion,
Township committee man Jake Glassey reported that he
went to the Pinelands public meeting and is angry about
some of the proposed changes which will affect the
township and the school district. Land that the township
owns and is planning to donate to the school district to
use to build new schools on may under go a change in
status to “Forested Area” and deems not buildable. Mr.
Glassey also stated that he was representing many
citizens upset about the state mandate of providing
all-day schooling for 3 & 4 year olds and felt that if
the state mandates it, the state should pay for it. Dr.
McCartney said the district and other administrators
through out the state had many of the same concerns. A
waiver on educating the 3 &4 year old exempting the
district for a year has been submitted to the state and
a reply should be given around the beginning of March.
Ms. Waszen, President of the Education Association, then
stood and spoke about the state mandating that food
services for school districts have a 0 deficit within
the next year. Historically, food services run in the
red, especially with free and reduced lunches, increased
costs of food, etc. Since these factors won’t change,
this mandate may force lay offs in the food service
area.
Committee man Paul
Hodson then Thanked the BOE for going to Trenton to deal
with the SDA who have been dragging their feet. Since
that meeting, it has been a more positive relationship
and things are getting done concerning the building
projects.
A member of the
audience then expressed his concerns about the cost to
the taxpayers for the mandated 3 & 4 year old program.
He also stated that statistically by 6 grade, all
students are on an equal base, no matter what kind of
early education they had. He said that his research
indicates that full day Kindergarten is only about 45
minutes more of education and that students do just as
well with half day vs. full day.
Contracts were awarded
to start work on the rest of the projects from the bond
referendum which include the solar panels, security
systems, public address intercom, indoor air quality
system, hot water heaters, pumps, chillers and boilers.
The 2009-2010 school
calendar was revised. There will not be an in-service on
10/9/09 which was moved to 2/11/10. Also, the last day
of school for both students and teachers will be 6/17/10
barring any school days. Visit the school web site at
eht.k12.nj.us for the updated calendar.
Mr. Castellano reported
that no other budget meetings have been set at this time
as the state hasn’t released the aid figures.
Personel:
- Kathleen Kissick has
volunteered to transfer from Slaybaugh Reading
Specialist to Swift Reading Specialist, covering P.
Battersby’s maternity leave.
- Adam Swift was hired to
replace M. Vazquez who resigned as High School
Business Computer Teacher.
- The employment contract for
Maryann Heck, Slaybaugh Remedial Services was
extended from 3/2/09 to 6/1/09. Ms. Heck replaced
Ms. Kissick who was replacing M. Dolbow who is on
maternity leave.
- Sally Pease, Media Specialist
at Davenport Elementary, has been a long term
substitute in the position since 9/08 and has
received her certificate issued 1/09.
- Melissa Newhall, 1st
grade at Swift, revised her maternity/child rearing
leave from 2/23/09-5/11/09 to 2/13/09-5/11/09.
- Dinita A. Bailey, High School
Mathematics, will be retiring, effective 7/1/09.
BOE
meetings in March will be on 3/10 and 3/24th
at 8 PM in the BOE room of the Alder Ave. Middle School.
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