Milltown School District
Milltown, NJ 08850
WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Time: 7:00 pm
Location:
Joyce Kilmer – Media Center
I. CONVENE MEETING – PUBLIC PORTION
A.
B.
C.
D.
Meeting Convened in Media Center – Time:
Flag Salute
Read: Open Public Meeting Act Notice
Read: Mission Statement:
The Milltown School District, in collaboration with family and community, is committed to academic
excellence for all students. We aspire to develop confident, lifelong learners who will succeed in a
diverse and changing world.
We pledge equal access to a learning environment for all students and employees that supports diversity
and equality regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or
disability.
E. Roll Call of Board Members:
Roll Call – Board Members:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino, Carl Schneider,
Bill Petscavage
Others Present:
Dr. Stephanie Brown-Supt., Ms. Norma Tursi-BA
II. RECOGNITION
Many thanks to Ms. Patricia Payne, Board Member, for her dedicated and conscientious service
to the Milltown School Community.
III. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Approve an Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 231, PL 1975, also known as the Open
Public Meetings Act, authorizing a public body to meet in executive private session under
certain limited circumstances, and said law requires the Board adopt a resolution at a public
meeting before it can meet in such an executive or private session,
Page 1 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
A. The Milltown Board of Education hereby determines that it is necessary to meet in
executive session on January 6, 2015 to discuss matters involving:
a) Board Candidate Interviews
B. That the matters discussed will be made public if and when confidentiality is no
longer required.
Moved By:
Seconded By:
Time:
Approve the adjournment of Executive Session:
Moved By:
Seconded By:
Time:
IV. MEETING REOPENED – PUBLIC PORTION
A. Meeting Convened in Media Center – Time: _____________
Roll Call - Board Members:
JoAnne Demetrio, Bill Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino, Bill Petscavage,
Carl Schneider
Others Present:
Dr. Stephanie Brown-Supt., Ms. Norma Tursi-BA
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion By:
Seconded By:
Date
November 25, 2014
December 9, 2014
Regular
X
X
Minutes – Roll Call Yes:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino, Carl Schneider,
Bill Petscavage
Minutes – Roll Call No:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino, Carl Schneider,
Bill Petscavage
Carried by a roll call vote of
Yes,
No,
Abstentions
Page 2 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
A. SBA’s Report
 Audit report presentation date.
 Budget schedule timeline.
 March Board of Education meeting change.
B. Superintendent’s Report
 We had our initial implementation meeting with Genesis to begin the transition process from
our current student management system to Genesis beginning July 1st.
 We have been working with both Optimum and our eBlast system provider to continue to
address issues with parent optonline email accounts blocking our eBlasts. It is important for
parents to choose to allow eBlasts from our system in their email settings. We are exploring
if changing to another system next year will help alleviate the issue.
 The District Evaluation Advisory Committee (DEAC) chairperson and administrators met to
discuss the status of AchieveNJ implementation. A date for the full DEAC committee to
meet will be scheduled for January.
 The district will be scheduling a PARCC parent information session at the end of January.
More details will be announced after the winter break.
 The NJDOE released the results of the 2013-2014 school and district HIB assessment. The
results are posted on the district website.
VII. A. Liaison Reports:
 _____________________________: Legislation
 _____________________________: Mayor and Town Council

_____________________________: Middlesex Regional Education Services Commission
 _____________________________: Milltown Education Foundation
 _____________________________: Milltown Parent/Teacher Association
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Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
 _____________________________: National, New Jersey, and Middlesex County School
Boards Associations
 _____________________________: Spotswood Public Schools’ Board of Education
B. Committee Chairpersons’ Reports:
 Curriculum and Instruction
____________________________, Chairperson
 Finance and Facilities
____________________________, Chairperson
 Grants
____________________________, Chairperson
 HIB
____________________________, Chairperson
 Negotiations
____________________________, Chairperson
 Personnel and Management
____________________________, Chairperson
 Public/Professional Relations
____________________________, Chairperson
 Strategic Planning
____________________________, Chairperson
Page 4 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
VIII. FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION – Specific to Pending Motions.
Public Notice - Comments by Citizens
The Board encourages questions, feedback and viewpoints. School Boards are strengthened by diversity of viewpoints to foster dialogue in a
spirit of school-community partnership that builds effective policy and problem-solving.
Chain of Command for Questions or Concerns
The Board wishes to emphasize that concerns regarding programs, personnel or other issues must be handled through a proper chain of
command. Using this procedure, a citizen must first address the concern with the employee directly responsible. If satisfactory results are not
achieved, the citizen may then address that employee’s direct supervisor. As an example, a normal chain of command regarding a concern
with a classroom teacher would begin with the classroom teacher, continue through the building principal, then on to the Superintendent and
finally the Board of Education. Please use this chain of command until your concern is resolved or ask for guidance if you are not sure where
to begin.
U
Policy #1312 – Public complaints and inquires concerning the schools shall first be directed to the administration. Only in those cases where
satisfactory adjustment cannot be made administratively shall communications and complaints be referred to the Superintendent and/or Board
of Education for resolution. The Superintendent and the Board of Education receive correspondence at the Milltown School District, 80 Violet
Terrace, Milltown, New Jersey 08850.
U
U
Policy #1120 and #4148/4248 – The Board will not permit unnecessary or undesirable identification of District staff or pupils at public Board
 Education
Citizen’s
Name:
of
meetings,
particularly when the pupil is subject to disciplinary action, or is educationally disabled. Persons desiring to discuss
any such issue with the Board may request to do so in a closed, executive session provided that Policy #1312 has been followed.
U
U
 Citizen’s Name:
 Citizen’s Address:
 Citizen’s Comments:
 Citizen’s Name:
 Citizen’s Address:
 Citizen’s Comments:
IX. SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The resolutions and motions, which follow, have been reviewed and recommended by the
Superintendent of Schools, for approval by the Milltown Board of Education.
A. Curriculum and Instruction
______________________, Chairperson
Chairperson’s Statement: “Recommend the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Curriculum and Instruction, Numbers 1 through ”
Motion By:
Seconded By:
Discussion
Page 5 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
1. …Approve the following Field Trip(s) Request:
School
a) Joyce Kilmer
Field Trip Event &
Destination
Adventure Aquarium
Camden, NJ
Date(s) & time
of Field Trip
Apr. 1, 2015
8:30AM-3:00PM
Grade/# of
Students
6/75
Teacher(s) In
Charge
S. McGowan
L. Beniaminson
T. Linck
I. Ostrov
M. Eckert
K. Conger
Cost of Trip
$32/Families
President’s Statement: “Move to accept the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Finance and Facilities, Numbers 1 through
.”
Finance and Facilities – Roll Call Yes:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Finance and Facilities – Roll Call No:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Carried by a roll call vote of
Yes,
No,
Abstentions
B. Finance and Facilities
___________________, Chairperson
Chairperson’s Statement: “Recommend the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Finance and Facilities, Numbers 1 through ”
Motion By:
Seconded By:
Discussion
1. ...Approve the following travel requests for Board members and staff in accordance with
State Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Travel Circular:
Name
a) A. Francisco
Event
Writing to Command
Attention Workshop
Location/Date
Edison, NJ
Dec. 19, 2014
Projected Travel Expenses
Approx. 16 Mi.; $225/Fee
2. …Approve the payment of the items on the Accounts Payable Bill List dated
January 6, 2015.
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Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
3. …Approve the Payroll Bill Lists dated December 15 and 30, 2014.
4. …Approve budget transfers for December, 2014.
5. ...Approve the following middle school textbooks for recycling/disposal that have been
replaced and updated.
Name
Prentice Hall Mathematics Pre-Algebra, 2004 #ISBN-0-13-068608-5
Prentice Hall Mathematics Algebra 1, 2004 #ISBN-0-13-052316-X
Quantity
30
35
President’s Statement: “Move to accept the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Finance and Facilities, Numbers 1 through
.”
Finance and Facilities – Roll Call Yes:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Finance and Facilities – Roll Call No:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Carried by a roll call vote of
C.
Yes,
No,
Abstentions
Personnel and Management
________________________, Chairperson
Chairperson’s Statement: “Recommend the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Personnel and Management, Numbers 1 through
.”
Motion By:
Seconded By:
Discussion
1. …Approve the following policies for 2nd reading and adoption.
a) Policy 1210 Community Organizations and Clubs
b) Policy 1230 School-Connected Organizations
2. …Approve the following policy for 1st reading. Second reading and adoption expected
January 27, 2015.
a) Policy 5131.1 Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Hazing
Page 7 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
3. …Accept adjustment to the maternity leave start date for Melissa Kivowitz, Special
Education Teacher, at Joyce Kilmer School to begin January 12, 2015. Previously
approved 10/14/14 - Motion C6.
4. …Approve submission of merit goals for Norma Tursi, Business Administrator, for
review by the county superintendent.
5. …Accept medical leave request for Catherine Madama, Business Specialist, from
12/17/14 through 2/2/15.
6. …Approve Anessa Marinello, a Seton Hall University student, to complete required
observation work with Jami Hughes, OTR, beginning January, 2015.
7. …Approve Marilyn Petrocci, Instructional Aide, at Joyce Kilmer School for unpaid leave
from 1/12/15 through 1/16/15 (5 days).
8. …Approve Dana Pepe as maternity leave replacement for Melissa Kivowitz effective
1/5/15 through 6/30/15.
9. …Approve the following staff member as mentor. Mentor stipend to be paid in
accordance with Alternate Route Mentorship Program.
a) Michelle Monteleone mentoring Dana Pepe
10.…Approve the appointment of the following persons as coaches,
facilitators, etc. for stipend positions over and above contract salary for
school year as indicated below. Stipends to be paid in accordance with
Negotiated Agreement; Schedule “B” Extra Curricular Activities and
Activity Guide.
Library/Media Morning Advisor – JK $30/hr; can be split
advisors, club
the 2014-2015
the 2012-2015
Schedule “C”
L. Beniaminson, B. Wright
President’s Statement: “Move to accept the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Personnel and Management, Numbers 1 through
.”
Personnel and Management – Roll Call Yes:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Personnel and Management – Roll Call No:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Carried by a roll call vote of
Yes,
No,
Page 8 of 11
Abstentions
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
D.
Public Relations
______________________, Chairperson
Chairperson’s Statement: “Recommend the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Public Relations, Numbers 1 through .”
Motion By: ___________________ Seconded By: __________________
Discussion
1. …Acknowledge receipt of the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Report for the
period December 8, 2014 through December 19, 2014.
President’s Statement: “Move to accept the Motions and Resolutions as outlined in
Public Relations, Numbers through
”
Public Relations – Roll Call Yes:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Public Relations – Roll Call No:
JoAnne Demetrio, William Gardner, James Lloyd, Trina Mehr, Dawn Milburn, Philip Paladino,
Carl Schneider, Bill Petscavage
Carried by a roll call vote of _____ Yes, _____ No, _____ Abstentions
X. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION - GENERAL
Public Notice - Comments by Citizens
The Board encourages questions, feedback and viewpoints. School Boards are strengthened by diversity of viewpoints to foster dialogue in a
spirit of school-community partnership that builds effective policy and problem-solving.
Chain of Command for Questions or Concerns
The Board wishes to emphasize that concerns regarding programs, personnel or other issues must be handled through a proper chain of
command. Using this procedure, a citizen must first address the concern with the employee directly responsible. If satisfactory results are not
achieved, the citizen may then address that employee’s direct supervisor. As an example, a normal chain of command regarding a concern
with a classroom teacher would begin with the classroom teacher, continue through the building principal, then on to the Superintendent and
finally the Board of Education. Please use this chain of command until your concern is resolved or ask for guidance if you are not sure where
to begin.
U
Policy #1312 – Public complaints and inquires concerning the schools shall first be directed to the administration. Only in those cases where
satisfactory adjustment cannot be made administratively shall communications and complaints be referred to the Superintendent and/or Board
of Education for resolution. The Superintendent and the Board of Education receive correspondence at the Milltown School District, 80 Violet
Terrace, Milltown, New Jersey 08850.
U
U
Policy #1120 and #4148/4248 – The Board will not permit unnecessary or undesirable identification of District staff or pupils at public Board
of Education meetings, particularly when the pupil is subject to disciplinary action, or is educationally disabled. Persons desiring to discuss
any such issue with the Board may request to do so in a closed, executive session provided that Policy #1312 has been followed.
U
U
Page 9 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
 Citizen’s Name:
 Citizen’s Address:
 Citizen’s Comments:
 Citizen’s Name:
 Citizen’s Address:
 Citizen’s Comments:
XI. WRAP UP TOPICS
J. Demetrio
W. Gardner
J. Lloyd
T. Mehr
D. Milburn
P. Paladino
C. Schneider
Page 10 of 11
Agenda – Milltown Board of Education Work Session Meeting – January 6, 2015
B. Petscavage
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Moved By: ___________ Seconded By: ___________ Time: ___________
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Stephanie Brown
Superintendent of Schools
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