(Agenda for this meeting can be found here: https://www.aes.k12.nj.us/cms/lib/NJ01001493/Centricity/Domain/4/000_Agenda_RegularMeeting_2020-0504.pdf
Budget information, including the User-Friendly Budget and Public Hearing Presentation can be found here: https://www.aes.k12.nj.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=11 )
The meeting was, again, held over video conference. In addition to discussing regular business at this meeting, the Board of Education held the public budget hearing. The meeting was originally scheduled for April 27th but was rescheduled, presumably, because of the current health crisis. At some point, there were 34 people on the call, including the Board, Administration, and members of the public, many of which appeared to be teachers.
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 pm, after some connection issues needed to be resolved. All were present with the exception of Mr. Britt (more on that later). The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the prior meeting minutes were approved. There were no Student Representative Report or Acknowledgements.
PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Flynn first presented on the NLSLA (New Jersey Student Learning Assessment) Science scores. This is a new test that focuses on the students’ knowledge rather than rote memorization for grades 5, 8, and 11. Allamuchy had 86 students tested: 45 fifth graders and 41 eighth graders. So, from what I could see on the slides and from what was discussed, there are four levels of assessment: 1 (not proficient), 2 (approaching proficient), 3 (proficient), and 4 (advanced proficient). Approximately half of our students for both grades 5 and 8 appear to fall into Level 2, with the other half distributed across the other three levels. When looking across the six individual domains (e.g., Earth & Space Science, Physical Science), our students scored higher when compared to the state across all domains. However, we do not know how we compare to districts of a similar size.
Dr. Flynn and Mr. Schlessinger then presented the budget for the 2020-2021 School Year. I will provide the highlights, but feel free to review the presentation and budget at the links above. The total budget is approximately $10.6m. The increase to the taxpayer is $14.50 per $100k of assessed value. It includes the addition of one Full Time Equivalent (FTE), based on projected student enrollment, technology enhancements, instruction enhancements, and facilities projects for security and bathroom upgrades. The presentation highlighted the effect of the underfunded state aid for Allamuchy over the past ten years (Allamuchy is the second-most underfunded district in Warren County, behind Hackettstown). Allamuchy was also fortunate to have an increase in new ratables of approximately $11m. Without those new ratables, the increase per $100k assessed value would have been $46.55. Unfortunately, there will be no new ratables starting around the middle of next year, so that could have a significant impact to the budget going forward.
From the questions asked by board members and the public: The budget is not inclusive of the Rutherfurd Hall budget. The administration expense includes the salaries of the secretaries.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (Mrs. Strutin deferred the President’s Report until after the Superintendent’s Report)
Operations (Mrs. Renaud)
Mrs. Renaud thanked the Operations Committee for the work put into the budget. She also discussed the formalization of the lease agreement with the town for use of the bus yard. The town does not charge any money for use of the town, they just need an agreement in place. She thanked the town for working with the Board and allowing the use of the property.
Human Resources (Mrs. Renaud)
Mrs. Renaud stated that the agenda lists the reappointments of staff going into the new school year.
Education (Mr. Green)
Mr. Green thanked the teacher for joining the last meeting. They discussed the district calendar, with the last day of June 18th, adjusted due to snow days. Next years calendar will follow closely with Hackettstown’s. The bus schedule for the high school will change, with minimal impact to Allamuchy’s. The class sizes will be monitored. Being Teacher Appreciation Week, he thanked the teachers and then the PTO for the signs placed at teachers’ houses recognizing them. Regarding the remote learning, we started with a two-week plan, we are now in week seven. The teachers are overwhelmed in trying to keep up the quality of instruction and he is proud of how they have adapted. They are continuing to talk about a mentoring program with the high school for the 8th graders.
Town Council (Mrs. Renaud)
They are working with the town on more shared services. Mrs. Renaud commended the town council and mayor for a fantastic job keeping them updated on COVID-19.
Governance (Mrs. Prudenti)
Mrs. Prudenti discussed the list of policy alerts in the agenda.
Rutherfurd Hall Liaison (Mrs. Renaud)
There was nothing to report as Rutherfurd Hall is currently closed down due to the pandemic.
Hackettstown Board of Education (Dr. Gaddy)
Dr. Gaddy was unable to attend the meeting due to not being informed of the meeting being held. She has reached out to Superintendent Mango.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Dr. Flynn reiterated Mr. Green’s comments commending the teaching staff and also thanking the PTO for getting the signs to where the teachers lived, with the help of the bus drivers and coordinated by Mr. Sharrett. He also directed people to the PTOs Facebook page where they can see the daily PTO News video.
Dr. Flynn reviewed the school calendar that will be finalized at the June 8th meeting.
Regarding the Governor’s announcement earlier that day, all schools are closed until June 30th. Remote instruction will continue the rest of the school year with all activities canceled. Summer programs will need to be evaluated when the time comes. Not sure what September will look like. The county superintendents are in committees to talk about reentry plans with the Department of Education.
Regarding the “pay to play” activities for which parents have made deposits, Dr. Flynn said that the board is reviewing each event for which monies have been received. Where fees were received by the District and the full value was not received by the student, refunds will be given. How the monies will be refunded will depend on the original source, as fundraised money is subject to certain legal restrictions in how it can be refunded. The key is that they have to be fair and consistent in how refunds are made. One of the challenges is that when school was abruptly moved to remote learning, many of the accounting documents maintained by the teachers were left in the school. They will need a few weeks to review everything, and then any actions will need to be brought before the Operations committee and then the Board for approval.
Finally, Dr. Flynn referenced Mrs. Moyer’s question about security at the last meeting. Security upgrades that were made with the grant money included two-way radios on the buses so they can communicate directly with the front office. There were also building security upgrades including a panic button, two-door buzz in at ATS, and a system of cameras.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, Mrs. Strutin thanked the teachers and the staff members for their hard work and dedication, especially in these trying times.
Mrs. Strutin relayed the resignation of Mr. Britt from the Board of Education. He had served on the Board since 2003. She thanked him for his hard work and dedication to the district. She will be working with Dr. Flynn to post the vacancy. [Anyone out there interested?]
Mrs. Strutin reiterated that the Board recognizes that parents have put out money and the Board will work to reimburse.
Finally, Mrs. Strutin addressed the 8th grade graduation. The Board understands how important it is to recognize the students and will work to give the students something special within the current restrictions.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
A parent had a question about next year’s school calendar. Dr. Flynn had said there were only five snow days, so she wanted to know why one was being taken away. Dr. Flynn stated that they are trying to bring the calendar in line with Hackettstown. In reality, there are six day if 2/12 is counted [I got the impression that day historically has not been a day off].
BOARD COMMITTEE ACTION REPORTS [See agenda for full list of actions]
Operations
Mrs. Renaud moved 1 through 8. [Note: #8 was regarding the Annual July 4th Celebration being moved from June 27th to August 29th (rain date August 30)]. All voted “Yes.”
Human Resources
Mrs. Renaud moved the list of reappointments. Mrs. Prudenti asked to table groups I (Permanent Substitute), M (Substitute Custodial Maintenance), N (Substitute Teachers), and O (Substitute Nurses) as they were not discussed at the last Human Resources meeting. She moved to table those until they could be discussed at the next HR meeting. All but Dr. Cusmano voted “Yes” to tabling those four and all voted “Yes” to the remaining reappointments.
Education
Mr. Green moved #’s 3 and 4 (there was nothing on 1 and 2). All voted “Yes.”
Governance
There was only one item on the agenda, but Item #2, Mr. Britt’s resignation, was added. Mrs. Prudenti moved both, with all voting “Yes,” except Dr. Cusmano who voted “No” to Mr. Britt’s resignation.
OLD BUSINESS (None)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Addressing the refunding of the fundraising and other monies, a parent asked if anything precluded gifting the 8th graders with a gift card, voucher, of gift bag to give their efforts back to them. They don’t want the money to go towards a tree or bench in their name. She stated there are strong emotions and intense feelings around this and wanted to stress that they need to take every step possible so the students get the best end of the deal.
Dr. Flynn responded that there are discussions on the best way to celebrate the students. Specifically addressing the question about giving something of cash value, they are checking to comply not only with the fundraising rules for schools but the general fundraising laws on what is allowed. A number of school districts had already started planning graduations but have been denied the ability to do that due to the restriction on gatherings, so they are looking at options.
This parent also asked about the class schedule and why they can’t follow a regular schedule throughout the day and have regular online classes like a lot of schools are doing. Mr. Green responded that people, including teachers, have a lot of things going on at home. Maintaining a regular schedule would have been an extra layer of stress and the extra flexibility for the staff helped them keep the integrity of the programs moving forward. The parent followed up with questions about things like band lessons and why they can’t have those. Dr. Flynn said that the schedule was developed collaboratively with the Education Committee and teaching personnel, with input from teachers and parent surveys, and that a decision was made to focus on the core subject areas and supplement the best they can. Mr. Green added that many of the questions can be resolved at the teacher level, and will work their way up the chain of command.
Another member of the public made a statement about timing of any graduation celebration, reminding the group that the end of August may not be a good time. Dr. Flynn agreed and said that over the next few weeks a decision will be made.
Mr. Sharrett, PTO co-president, thanked the Board and the community. He thanked Dr. Flynn and the Board for facilitating the bus drivers delivering yard signs to the staff.
One of the teachers thanked the PTO for the signs and appreciated the love from the PTO, school, and bus drivers.
BOARD DISCUSSION (None)
ADJOURNMENT @ 9:36 PM
Don't Shoot the (Allamuchy) Messenger! 