Dr. McCartney started the September 22, 2009 Board of Education (BOE) meeting Superintendent’s Report with the 2010 Prom update. Addressing concerns of the Prom being held in Camden, NJ at the Camden Aquarium, administration and the BOE voted to hire coach busing for all attending. $21 of the cost of the Prom tickets will go towards paying for the transportation. At this time, it is mandatory for all attending the Prom to utilize the buses but discussions with Mr. Charleston, Principal of the High School, and the Prom committee addressing the issues of other modes of transportation

(Limos, etc) are currently taking place.

            Dr. McCartney continued his report saying that the Strategic Planning committee is to be called upon again to address the BOE goals and objects as discussed in the last work shop meeting and the needs of the district. He asked each BOE member to submit a name to him for the committee.

            Most of the Back to School nights had been held by the time of this meeting and Dr. McCartney reported most were well attended with parents pleasantly surprised with the buildings and new programs being implemented.

            A video produced by some High School students showing the construction at the High School from the beginning to now was shown.

            The student representatives, Nick Drago and Conner Mosley, reported the Renaissance Program is huge success.  They cited an incident of where a Down’s Syndrome student was being bullied by another student and a third student stepped in and defused the situation. The third student was rewarded and the bully was appropriately dealt with.

            In the Public portion, many cafeteria members of the audience expressed their anger at the pay cuts imposed on them while the supervisors received raises.  Dr. McCartney explained to the general audience that the state has mandated that food services operate in the black which lead to the pay cuts in order to keep the 63 food services employed. This solution was negotiated between the BOE and the EHT Education Association. The supervisors are not a part of that union and received the 4% raise as part of the negations with their union.

            Another issue raise by members of the audience was the sudden imposing of the district’s policy of not letting students walk to school. This has resulted in students walking past the Fernwood Middle School to be bused. Dr. McCartney stated the district for the most part is not set up to allow students to walk to school due to the lack of sidewalks, busy roads, etc. and the only school that is a possibility of having students walk to school is Fernwood Middle with all fairly new construction homes around the school. The policy committee which is meeting on Sept. 29 at 6:30 will review this policy. State guidelines must be met which means crossing guards, etc. Dr. McCartney also sited the case where a student was walking home from school in Pleasantville, was struck by a car, and the parents sued the district. The district lost the case and this has resulted in other districts being very careful on their policies.

            Another parent questioned why a bus will stop at the bus stop, go a few houses down, stop again to pick up a student, and continue this pattern down the road. It wastes fuel, time, and is very aggravating to drivers behind the bus. Dr. McCartney took the parent’s name, and will investigate the situation with the Director of Transportation.

            A teacher expressed concerns at the right of way on Jack Glassey Drive at the High School and wondered if it was possible to have signs put up to clarify the right of way. President Galvin said he would get in touch with the township and have signs in place.

            Several BOE members expressed concerns that the state will subtract the aide given to school due to the Federal aide each school will be receiving.

            Under Personnel:

• Lynn Fittipaldi, Slaybaugh Elementary Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant will be taking the place of J. Beck who transferred.
• Alene Hartman was approved as the After School High School Library Monitor.
• Jennifer Adamchak, Davenport Elementary teacher, revised her maternity leave from 9/14/09-1/4/10 to 9/8/09-1/4/10.
• Margaret McGowan, ELL teacher at the High School , request to extend Family Leave from 6/2/08- pending to 6/2/08-9/23/10 was placed on hold.
• Fran Woolbert, Nurse at Davenport Elementary, medical leave was changed from 6/5-9/14/09 to 6/5/-10/13/09.
• Lori Kauffman, Slaybaugh Elementary Guidance Counselor, will be on maternity leave from 10/26-12/22/09
• Deborah Wallace, LRC Teacher at Miller, is on medical leave from 9/1-10/5/09.

Just a note to remind students who wish to register for the 11/7/09 SAT’s that the deadline is 10/1/09. Although paper registration is available at the Guidance department, it is advised to register on line at www.collegeboard.com. To insure being able to take them at the High School as spots fill up quickly. The deadline for the 12/5/09 SAT’s is 10/30/09.

BOE meeting for October will be on the 13^th and the 27^th at 8 PM in the BOE room of the Alder Ave. Middle School.