BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION                  

280 ASBURY-WEST PORTAL ROAD

ASBURY, NEW JERSEY 08802                                    

                                                             908-479-6336                                                                              

 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA                                          

January 27, 2021  

(Held virtually due to state of emergency from coronavirus)

For the Regular Meeting of the

Bethlehem Township Board of Education being held by video conference call and video conference on

January 27, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

I.        CALL TO ORDER - President

II.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III.          STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE:

In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Law of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending notice to:  The Hunterdon County Democrat, Bethlehem Township Clerk and by posting on the bulletin boards in the Ethel Hoppock and Thomas B. Conley Schools and on the District website. 

There are two options to participate in the meeting - please use the Google Meet link below or join by phone:

Join with Google Meet  meet.google.com/zyu-vvjy-hme OR Join by phone  ‪(US) +1 941-357-1382‬ PIN: ‪783 026 570‬#

IV. ROLL CALL

 Mr. Gregory Glazar      ❒            Mr. Travis Roop             ❒         Dr. Gregory C. Farley, CSA         ❒     

Mr. Kyle Harris             ❒                Mrs. Debra D. Roosen    ❒           Mrs. Beverly Vlietstra, SBA/BS    ❒                      Mr. John Logar              ❒                                                                 Ms. Teresa Moore, Attorney           ❒ 

V.  PUBLIC COMMENTS

Please be advised:

• Pursuant to Board Policy #0167, members of the public who wish to make a statement during the Public Comments portion of the meeting may speak for no more than three (3) minutes.
• Pursuant to Board Policy #0167, all statements from the public must be directed to the President or

other presiding officer; no participant may address or question board members individually.

• Pursuant to Board Policy #0164.6, the Board shall require members of the public to identify themselves

 prior to speaking. Please state your name and address, or name and group you are representing.

• Since this meeting is being held by video conference call and videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic, if the public wishes to make a comment, they may do so by:

(1).   Calling in to the number provided for participants on the videoconference or by Google Meet. Press *6 to unmute during the call and *6 again to mute.

(2).   Sending an email to the board president - droosen@btschools.org prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the      meeting. In the subject line, please write “public comment” if you wish for your email to be read verbatim during the public comments section.

• Public participation at board meetings is intended to allow individual members of the public to address the Board on issues of public concern.  The public comment period is an opportunity for the Board to listen to citizen concerns, but not to debate issues or enter into a question-and-answer session or a “cross examination” between the public and individual members. While all comments made by the public will be taken under advisement, the Board will not respond to comments made by the public.

VI.   Presentation by Gwen Thornton from the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) on Superintendent Search.

VII.         CORRESPONDENCE

• Letter received from the New Jersey Department of Education - Hunterdon County Office to notify us that we may request ceremonial trees from the Hunterdon County Shade Tree Commision for planting at each school. A tree was requested for each school for Spring 2021.

VIII.         MINUTES - M1  

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________.

BE IT RESOLVED that the minutes of the Board of Education meeting, held on the date indicated as transcribed, be approved and filed.

October 27, 2020 - Regular Meeting                                        November 17, 2020 - Regular Meeting                        

Discussion:

Vote:

IX.    CHIEF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

•  Governor’s Teacher of the Year Award - Congratulations to the following teachers for being awarded the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year Awards - We are very proud of them for achieving this honor:

•  Mrs. Eileen Bancalari - Teacher for the Thomas B. Conley School
•  Mrs. Alison Ciocon - Educational Services Professional for the Ethel Hoppock    

 Middle School

• HIB Incident Reports

 Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Investigation(s) for the 2020-2021 School Year:

• HIB presentation, Dr. Farley and Mrs. Sally Klemm
• Educational Services Commission Board of Directors information

X.     SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT REPORT

XI.    SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR/BOARD SECRETARY REPORT

XII.   BOARD ACTION

Motion by ______________________________seconded by________________________.

A.  Acknowledgement of January as School Board Recognition Month

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator recognizing January as School Board Recognition Month. In honor of Board Recognition Month, a special thank you to the Board of Education Members for serving on the board.  

WHEREAS, The New Jersey School Boards Association has declared January 2021 to be School Board Recognition Month, a time when all residents can acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members; and

WHEREAS, The Bethlehem Township School District Board of Education is one of more than 580 local school boards in New Jersey, which sets policies and oversees operations for public school districts; and

WHEREAS, The Bethlehem Township School District Board of Education embraces the goal of high-quality education for all New Jersey public school students; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey’s local school boards help determine the educational goals for approximately 1.4 million children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey’s 5,000 local school board members, who receive no remuneration for their services, act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers and parents for the betterment of public education; and

WHEREAS, School boards strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs; and

WHEREAS, Boards of education provide accountability to the public; they communicate the needs of the school district to the public; and they convey to school administrators the public’s expectations for the schools; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey can take pride in its schools, which rank among the nation’s best in key achievement indicators such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, and the preparation for college through advanced placement offerings and SAT assessments; Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Bethlehem Township School District Board of Education, does hereby recognize the services of local school board members throughout New Jersey as we join communities statewide in observing January 2021 as SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Bethlehem Township School District Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to work with their local boards of education and public school staffs toward the advancement of our children’s education.

B.        BOARD MEMBER RECOGNITION

• Thank you to Mrs. Chrysa Staiano for serving as a member of our Board of Education since 2019 and in 2020 served as Board President.  We appreciate her dedication to the children in our district and our entire school community upon her resignation from the board this month..
• Thank you to Ms. Kellie Bancalari for serving as a member of our Board of Education for the past year (2020).  We also appreciate her dedication to the children in our district and our entire school community upon her  resignation from the board this month.

Discussion:

Vote:

XIII.        FINANCE

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________.

     A.  Approval of Bills List - Att #1

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board approve the attached list of district bills for payment as presented by the  Interim School Business Administrator for the period  December 16, 2020 through January 27, 2021 for a total amount of $809,904.90, which includes two payrolls:  December 30, 2020 and January 15, 2021.

B.  Acceptance and Approval of Board Secretary’s Report for the month of December 2020 - Att #2  

BE IT RESOLVED that upon review of the Board Secretary’s Report for the month of  December 2020 in consultation with appropriate district officials, the Board of Education certifies that no fund had been over expended in violation of NJAC 6A:23A-16:10(b); and the Board of Education further certifies, based on the Board Secretary's certification, that the total of encumbrances for each line item account does not exceed the line item appropriation in violation of NJAC 6A:23A-16:10(a).  

C.  Acceptance and Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2020 - Att #3                                     BE IT RESOLVED that upon review of the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2020 in consultation with appropriate district officials, the Board of Education certifies that no fund had been over expended in violation of NJAC 6A:23A-16:10(b); and the Board Secretary further certifies, based on the Board Treasurer’s Report, that the total of encumbrances for each line item account does not exceed the line item appropriation in violation of NJAC 6A:23A-16:10(a).    

The Board Secretary certifies, pursuant to NJAC 6A:23A-16:10(c)(3), that the total of encumbrances for each line item account does not exceed the line item appropriation in violation of NJAC 6A:23A-16:10(a).

           Beverly Vlietstra,  Interim Board Secretary                             Date

D. Approval of Updated Snow Plowing Contract with the Township of Bethlehem - Att #4

 BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator, approve the

 Snow Plowing contract between the Bethlehem Township Board of Education and the Township of Bethlehem.

 There will be no charge for snow plowing at the Thomas B. Conley School and the Ethel Hoppock Middle    

 School for the 2020-2021 School Year unless there are extreme snowfall amounts in a single event (greater than 12”), an agreement of compensation not to exceed $10,000.00 between the parties for the dates of the contract (December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021).

E.  Approval of Resolution regarding Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program Waiver of Requirements  

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve the following resolution regarding Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program:

Whereas, NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district’s participation in the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program for 2021-2022, and

Whereas, the Bethlehem Township Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that the district projects having fewer than 40 Medicaid eligible classified students.

 Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Bethlehem Township Board of Education hereby authorizes the Chief School Administrator to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in the County of Hunterdon an appropriate waiver of the requirements of NJAC 6A23A-5.3 for the 2021-2022 school year.

Discussion:

Vote:

XIV.          BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Update on projects by Steve Douglas, District Facilities Manager

XV.        EDUCATION

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________.

A. Fire and Security Drill Reports for December 2020 - Due to all virtual learning no in-person drills were needed for the month of December.

B. Professional Development update

C. Standardized testing update

XVI.       CURRICULUM/STUDENT ACTIVITIES

1. Addition of clubs - Art and Guidance & Games
2. Summer Curriculum Committee - update format and teachers work on revisions
3. Summer Camp and Academic/Recreational Program to address Learning Loss
4. 8th Grade Dance and trip
5. Working with the PTA on additional after school activities for our students

XVII.      POLICY

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________.

A.  Approval of Second Reading of Policies - Att #5

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve the

Second Reading of the following policies:

Policy #1648.02     Remote Learning Options for Families 

Policy # 5330.05    Seizure Action Plan

Policy # 7440         School District Security

Policy # 7450         Property Inventory

Discussion:

Vote:

XVIII.      TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

1. Survey out regarding reopening - make adjustments to schedules - President Biden wants all students back in school in his first 100 days.

XIX.        EXECUTIVE SESSION  

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________.

BE IT RESOLVED pursuant to Section 7 of the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-12), that the Board enter into Closed Session at this time to discuss confidential matters pertaining to:

• Personnel - recommendations for appointments, separations, changes in assignment and/or

            leaves of absence.

• Pending or anticipated litigation or matters falling within the attorney-client privilege

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the matters discussed in Closed Session should be made public as soon as the need for confidentiality no longer exists, but it is not known at this time when that may be.

Vote:

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________, to return to public session.

Vote:

XX.       PERSONNEL 

MOTION by_________________, seconded by____________________

A. Approval of Part-Time Technology Assistant for the 2020-2021 School Year

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve Richard (Ricky) Bergacs as the Part-Time Technology Assistant for the 2020-2021 School Year.  Mr. Bergacs’ pay rate will be $16.00 per hour for up to 25 hours per week. Effective immediately. (Has Approved Criminal History Clearance)

B. Approval of Substitute Teacher Applicant

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve Nicole Steitz as a substitute teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. (Pending Criminal History Review/Health Screening)

C. Approval of Substitute Teacher Applicant

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve Colleen Lambert as a substitute teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. (Pending Criminal History Review/Health Screening)

D.  Approval of Stipend Advisors for the 2020-2021 School Year

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve the advisors for the following stipend positions for the 2020-2021 School Year

• Bonnie Mulhern - Yearbook - $1,470.00
• Amanda Esposito - Art Club - $571.00
• Vanessa O'Keefe - Drama Director/Art Director (Virtual)- $2,500.00
• Kris Boganski - Games and Guidance - $571.00

E.  Approval of Preschool Disabled Classroom Teacher at Conley School for the 2020-2021 School Year

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board upon recommendation of the Chief School Administrator approve

Christin Honickel as a Teacher for the Preschool Disabled Classroom at Thomas B Conley School for the 2020-2021 School Year..  Effective February 15, 2021.  Ms. Honickel will be placed on MA Step 4, at a salary of $59,749.00 (Pro-Rated). (Pending Criminal History Review and Health Screening)

    Discussion:

    Vote:

     XXI.        PUBLIC  COMMENTS

     XXII.             REPORT FROM BOARD MEMBERS:

• Mr. Gregory Glazar
• Mr. John Logar
• Mr. Travis Roop
• Mr. Kyle Harris, Vice-President
• Mrs. Debra Roosen, President

XXIII.            NOTEWORTHY DATES:

A.  February 10, 2021 - Virtual Board Work Session Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

B.   February 24, 2021 - Virtual Regular Board Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

XIV.            ADJOURNMENT

MOTION TO ADJOURN by_________________, seconded by____________________.