Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Board Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Califon Board approves $442,304.49 bills list, accepts grants and approves settlements after closed session
Summary
At an Aug. 21, 2024 meeting, the Califon Board of Education unanimously approved a consent agenda that included a $442,304.49 bills list, federal grant awards (IDEA, ESEA), several contracts and personnel actions; after an executive session the board approved two settlement agreements (OAL dockets).
The Califon Board of Education unanimously approved its consent agenda at a regular meeting on Aug. 21, 2024, including a bills list of $442,304.49 and multiple grant awards and budget adjustments.
Board President Christopher Keiser moved to approve the consent agenda; Dr. Rebecca Kipp-Newbold seconded, and the motion carried on a roll-call vote. The consent package included acceptance of the Treasurer’s and Board Secretary reports for June 2024 and approval of transfers; the board certified that sufficient funds are available in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A:16.20.
Among the finance and contract items approved were a tuition contract for one student at $7,500; a tentative mentoring contract with Centenary University for a media specialist; an affiliation agreement with Hunterdon Healthcare for School Based Youth Services; a tentative agreement with Work Family Connection for an after-school program; and a 4M Consulting, LLC contract for media specialist services not to exceed $4,000. The board approved acceptance of federal grants: IDEA Basic $30,861 and Preschool $1,905, and ESEA Title IIA $1,475.
The board also accepted 2023–24 unbudgeted Extraordinary Aid of $20,534 and unbudgeted Nonpublic Transportation Aid of $1,820 and authorized the School Business Administrator to increase 2024–25 budget appropriations under N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-13.3 to reflect those awards.
Personnel items passed as part of the consent agenda included approved leaves of absence for Lillian Corman (Oct. 21, 2024–Jan. 31, 2025) and Megan Piontkowski (Dec. 2, 2024–June 30, 2025); an amendment increasing summer hours for Lily French-Gonzalez; appointment of Lisa Kooger as Teacher in Charge at $80 per day; approval of Gail Bell Wingler as a PK RBT paraprofessional at $24 per hour; and approval of JoAnn Whiteley as a substitute teacher. The board approved a sick-day payout request from Linda Patterson for 175 unused sick days per the negotiated agreement and set the per-diem substitute teacher rate at $115 for 2024–25.
Curriculum actions included approval of revised Math and ELA curricula aligned to the 2023 New Jersey Student Learning Standards, an MOU with Center for Family Services for New Jersey Statewide Support Services (NJ4S), and a collaboration with Bergen County Special Services for McKinney-Vento services for homeless students in 2024–25.
On policy matters the board approved first readings for revised policies including board member number and term and curriculum content, approved second readings for several fiscal and security policies, abolished policy P 0164.4 (Remote Public Board Meetings During a Declared Emergency), and reapproved existing policies in current use.
The meeting included a public-comment period in which Mr. Bell asked about the pennant project and questioned why the bills list was so high; Mr. Paterno raised a concern that the gym becomes too hot during physical education classes and asked whether measures can be taken to reduce temperatures for students. The board did not take separate public-action votes on those comments during the meeting record.
After adjourning to executive session at 7:34 p.m. to discuss pending and anticipated litigation and contract negotiation, the board reconvened at 8:24 p.m. and approved two settlement agreements: OAL Dkt. No. EDS 07393-2024 N (LID # 670902) and OAL Dkt. No. EDS 07391-2024 N (LID # 670903). The board authorized the Board President and Board Secretary to execute the settlement documents.
Superintendent Dr. Michele Cone presented the New Jersey School Boards Association Master Board Member Award to Dr. Rebecca Kipp-Newbold during new business. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: the consent agenda and individual finance and personnel motions were approved on unanimous roll-call or all-call votes as recorded in the minutes; the two settlement agreements approved after executive session were approved by roll-call vote.
(For full action text, figures and contract references see meeting minutes.)
