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Verona Board of Education Meeting to be Conducted via Zoom Webinar 3/9/2021

CONFIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:30 pm 

VIA TELEPHONE CONFERENCE

REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA – 7:00 pm 

VIA  ZOOM WEBINAR

March 9, 2021

Based on the recent attention with COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, and the potential impact on our community, the Verona Public Schools will be conducting the Verona Board of Education meeting remotely via Zoom webinar. There will also be limited in person seating up to ten members of the public on a first come, first serve basis. This meeting is scheduled to occur with public access and participation availability to ensure the continued regular operation of government and the health, safety, and well-being of our community members. The next meeting of the Verona Board of Education will be held via zoom webinar.  The public shall utilize the following instructions to call into the meeting: 

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Mar 9, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MARCH 9, 2020

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/94846681804

Or iPhone one-tap : 

    US: +13126266799,,94846681804#  or +16465189805,,94846681804# 

Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

        US: +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 518 9805  or +1 213 338 8477 

Webinar ID: 948 4668 1804

 

  • Anyone from the public wishing to address the Verona Board of Education on any matter, when prompted by the Verona Board of Education will be able to raise their hand using the Raise Hand button on their device or dial *9 if you called in (please click here to determine how to raise your hand using your device). When you are advised it is your turn to address the Verona Board of Education, please state your name and address for the record. You will have time to address the Verona Board of Education. At the conclusion of your comments the Verona Board of Education and/or the Superintendent of Schools may address your comments and/or questions.
  • Please make sure you have the current version of Zoom updated on your device in order to have the capability to use the Raise Hand function to make public comments or ask questions.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs recently stated that “the Division of Local Government Services reminds local units that, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-6, et seq., (the “Open Public Meetings Act,” or “Act”), public meetings may be held in person or by means of communication equipment, N.J.S.A. 10:4-8(b), to include streaming services and other online meeting platforms. All meetings, including those held using communications equipment, must be noticed in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Act, unless the meeting is for emergent circumstances and held in a manner consistent with the requirements set forth at N.J.S.A. 10:4-9(b).  Local units should also provide guidance to the public for remotely accessing and providing comment at a meeting.  Local units should still have an advertised meeting place, which is connected to the meeting through communications equipment, unless  otherwise directed by state or local emergency management or health officials, consistent with Executive Order 103 (Murphy 3/9/2020).”

CONFIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:30 pm 

VIA TELEPHONE CONFERENCE

REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA – 7:00 pm 

VIA ZOOM WEBINAR

March 9, 2021

  1.   Call to order
  2.   Pledge of Allegiance
  3.   Reading of Meeting Notice 
  4.   Roll Call Attendance
  5.   Superintendent Report -  Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Schools
  6.   Presentations - Nisivoccia Auditors, Ray Sarinelli
  7.   Committee Reports 
  • Athletic/Co-Curricular - Pamela Priscoe/Timothy Alworth
  • Education -  Timothy Alworth/Sara Drappi
  • Facilities - Pamela Priscoe/Jim Day
  1. 8.   Public Comments on Agenda Action Items to be Approved
  2.   Discussion Items
  3. Roll Call Vote on Resolutions
  4. Public Comments










NOTE: The next scheduled Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 beginning with a Confidential Session at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm Public Session via ZOOM webinar pending the evolving nature of COVID-19.

 

  1. Call to Order
  2.   Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Reading of Meeting Notice 

        This meeting is being conducted in compliance with the open meeting session that the Verona Board of Education passed a resolution at its annual reorganization meeting held on January 5, 2021. The meeting set forth the schedule of its regular meetings which resolution was within 7 days of passage.  The schedule was sent to the Verona Cedar Grove Times, the Star Ledger, the Township of Verona and the VEA. Postings of this meeting setting forth the time location and agenda were posted at the Verona Board of Education Office and on the Verona Public Schools district website. The Verona Board of Education operates under a consent agenda format, any board member has the right to have an item pulled to be voted upon or discussed separately. Copies of tonight’s agenda and resolutions have been made available to the public and press.

 

  1. Roll Call Attendance

 

Mr. Alworth _____ Mr. Day _____

 

                        Mrs. Drappi _____ Mrs. Freschi _____

 

Mrs. Priscoe _____

 

  1.   Superintendent Report -  Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Schools
  2.   Presentations - Nisivoccia Auditors, Ray Sarinelli
  3.   Committee Reports
  4.   Public Comments on Agenda Action Items to be Approved
  5.   Discussion Items
  6.   Roll Call Vote on Resolutions
  7.   Public Comments

 

       Motion by:     ____________________ 

 

       Seconded by: ____________________

 

Be it RESOLVED the approval of Resolutions #1 - 12.

 

Mr. Alworth _____ Mr. Day _____

 

            Mrs. Drappi _____ Mrs. Freschi _____

 

                          Mrs. Priscoe _____

VERONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS – BOARD OF EDUCATION

RESOLUTIONS

March 9, 2021

 

The following resolutions have been recommended by the Superintendent to the Board of Education. 

 

#1 RESOLVED that the Board approve the minutes of the following meetings:

 

                  Confidential & Regular Public Meeting     February 23, 2021

 

 

PERSONNEL

 

#2 RESOLVED that the Board approve the following pending pre-employment paperwork:

 

2.1 New Hire

 

Name

Location

Position

Salary

Committee

Term of Employment on or about

Julia Ermatinger

District

Sub Teacher

$90 per diem

Education

SY 20-21

Julia Ermatinger

District

Permanent Sub Teacher

$120 per diem

Education

SY 20-21

Margaret DeVivo

LAN

Paraprofessional

$10,826.20 pro-rated

Education

Mar. 10 - Jun. 25, 2021

 

2.2 Leave of Absence

 

Name

Reason

Begin Date

Estimated Return Date on or about

Notes

#102814

Maternity Leave of Absence

Feb. 26, 2021

Jan. 1, 2022

RESCIND

#102814

Maternity Leave of Absence

Mar. 5, 2021

Jan. 1, 2022

APPROVE

#102789

Maternity Leave of Absence

May. 17, 2021

Nov. 29, 2021

  

 

2.3 Resignation

 

Name

Location

Position

Reason

Effective on or About

Paula Pineda

VHS

Paraprofessional

Resignation

Mar. 12, 2021




EDUCATION

 

#3 RESOLVED that the Board approve the following:

 

3.1 Attendance at Conference

 

Name

School

Event/Location

Cost

Dana Garcia

Laning

Continuing Education for PT license

$269.00

 

#4 RESOLVED that the Board approve the first reading of the following

  Policies/Regulations:

 

  1. General Policy and Regulation Guides:

P & R 5330.01  Administration of Medical Cannabis (M)  (Revised) 

P7425   Lead Testing of Water in Schools (M)  (Revised)

R 7425     Lead Testing of Water in Schools (M)  (New)

P & R 7430   School Safety (M)  (Abolished)

P0145   Board Member Resignation and Removal (M)  (Revised); P0164.6 Remote Public Board Meetings During A Declared

  Emergency (M)  (New);

R1642 Earned Sick Leave Law (M)  (Revised); 

P1643 Family Leave (M)  (New); 

 

  1. No Child Left Behind ACT (NCLB) to Every Student Succeeds Act

  (ESSA) Policy and Regulation Guides:

P 2415 Every Student Succeeds Act (M)  (Revised); 

P2415.02 Title I 

P 2415.05 Student Surveys, Analysis, and/or Evaluations (M)  (Revised); 

P&R 2415.20 Every Student Succeeds Act Complaints (M)  (Revised); P4125 Employment of Support Staff Members (M)  (Revised); 

P6360 Political Contributions (M)  (Revised);

  P 8330 Student Records (M)  (Revised); 

P9713 Recruitment by Special Interest Groups (M)  (Revised)

 

#5 RESOLVED that the Board approve the following Policies can be removed after one

  reading:

 

P2415.01 Academic Standards, Academic Assessments, and

      Accountability (M)  (Abolished);

P3431.1 Family Leave (M)  (Abolished); 

P4431.1 Family Leave (M) (Abolished); 

P3431.3 New Jersey Family Leave Insurance Program (Abolished); P4431.3 New Jersey Family Leave Insurance Program (Abolished);

P2415.03 Highly Qualified Teachers (M)  (Abolished); 



           #6 RESOLVED that the Board approve the following for the 2020-21 school year:

 

Name

Position

Stipend

Jeffrey Monacelli

VSEA Program Director

$8,527

Howard Freund

VSEA Assistant Program Director

$6,304

Debra Lawrence

VSEA Administrative Assistant

$2,743



SPECIAL EDUCATION

 

#7 RESOLVED that the Board approve the following for the 2020-2021 school year:

 

7.1 Home Instructor

 

Name

Phyllis Schoenfeld

 

#8 RESOLVED that the Board approve to contract with Phyllis Schoenfeld, dba PKS

  Educational Consultant, as a LDT-C to conduct Educational Evaluations on

  an as-needed basis for the 2020 – 2021 school year at the rate of $70 per

  hour. 

 

#9 RESOLVED that the Board approve to contract with Larissa Labay, Psy.D., of Lifespan

  Associates on an as-needed basis for the 2020 – 2021 school year.  

 

#10 RESOLVED that the Board approve  to accept settlement agreement OAL Docket No.:

  EDS 00601-2021 N, Agency Ref. No. 2021-32401 dated 3/3/21 regarding a

  special education matter for Student #31304

 

#11 RESOLVED that the Board approve an out-of-district placement for Student #062400 for the remainder of the 2020 – 2021 school year, commencing March 17,

  2021, at the approximate cost of $25,740. 

 

#12 RESOLVED that the Board approve an out-of-district placement for Student #052203

  for the remainder of the 2020 – 2021 school year, commencing March 10,

  2021, at the approximate cost of $31,865. 

 

 

 

ATHLETICS/CO-CURRICULAR

 

#13 RESOLVED that the Board approve the Verona High School Drama Club to hold their

  Spring Musical at an outdoor facility OSPAC/Pleasant Valley Productions in West Orange on May 6-8, 2021 at a cost of $6,925.00.



#14 RESOLVED that the Board approve the following for the 2020-2021 school year:

 

14.1 Coaches

 

Pete Foster

VHS

Varsity Wrestling

$10,920.00

3

retroactive to Mar. 1, 2021

Liam Penberthy

VHS

JV Wrestling

$6,866.00

3

retroactive to Mar. 1, 2021

 

 #15 RESOLVED that the Board approve the attached list of Spring Coaches for the

  2020-2021 school year.

 

        

 

#11  Public comments



          CONFIDENTIAL SESSION IF NECESSARY




          RESOLUTION TO ADJOURN

   

          #16 RESOLVED  that the Board meet in private session, from which the public shall 

be excluded, to discuss the topics of negotiations and personnel or 

potential litigation which private discussion is being held pursuant to 

Section 7b and 8 of the Open Public Meeting Act.  The matters

            under discussion will be disclosed to the public as soon as final 

decisions are made and voted upon.