Medford Lakes Board unanimously approves multiple personnel, policy and finance items, backs Safe Routes resolution

Medford Lakes — At its Nov. 15, 2023 regular meeting, the Medford Lakes Board of Education approved a package of routine and program items, including personnel appointments, a set of policy second readings, an E‑Rate consulting agreement, a resolution supporting the borough’s Safe Routes to School project, and several contracts and travel requests.

By roll-call vote the board approved second readings of multiple policies and regulations including P & R 1642.01 (Sick Leave), P 2270 (Religion in the Schools), P & R 2419 (School Threat Assessment Teams), attendance and privacy policies, and P 8500 (Food Services). Kevin Kerfoot moved and Dana Schultz seconded the motion; Ayes were recorded as Kim Bezanis, Robert Brittain, Kevin Kerfoot, Julia Moore and Dana Schultz.

Personnel actions approved on the Superintendent’s recommendation included appointment of Thomas Egan as Treasurer (pro-rated salary $4,029.00) and teacher hires such as Heather Clark (Physical Education, Step 4 BA, $54,214) and Katie Haziza (Music Teacher, Step 2 MA, $56,765 prorated). The board also approved unpaid leaves for several staff and an updated resignation/last day for Nicole Ware. Addendum approvals included ScIP committee membership, Admin/Teacher representatives, and a part‑time custodian hire (Timothy Middleton, $21.10/hour).

In finance items the board: approved payment of bills and budget transfers; accepted the Board Secretary and Treasurer’s reports in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-16.10(c)(4) and N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(c)(4); approved an E‑Rate consulting services agreement with Educational Consortium for Telecommunications Savings (fee: 10% of total reimbursement for Category 1 services and 5% for Category 2 applications); approved a resolution supporting the Medford Lakes Borough “Safe Routes to School Project;” and authorized a contract with Newborn Nurse’s for substitute nursing services for 2023–2024. The board also approved the Annual Facilities Checklist and established bank signatories for district accounts.

Curriculum and student activities approvals included numerous field trips for spring 2024 (Storybook Land, Philadelphia Zoo, Fernbrook Farms, Cedar Run, Adventure Aquarium, Franklin Institute, Hershey Park, Washington, D.C., Six Flags) and a choir/band walking trip to perform at the Cathedral of the Woods Annex on Dec. 9, 2023. The board approved staff professional development travel and training, including Rowan University sessions on Building Thinking Classrooms and TECHSPO Atlantic City attendance.

Votes at a glance: • Approve Oct. 18, 2023 minutes — Motion carried (mover: Kevin Kerfoot; seconder: Dana Schultz). • Approve policy second readings (P & R 1642.01; P 2270; P & R 2419; P 3161; P & R 3212; P 3324; P 4161; P & R 4212; P 4324; P & R 5111; P & R 5116; P 8500) — Roll-call Ayes: Bezanis, Brittain, Kerfoot, Moore, Schultz. • Approve personnel appointments and unpaid leaves (multiple staff listed in Superintendent’s report) — Roll-call Ayes: Bezanis, Brittain, Kerfoot, Moore, Schultz. • Approve E‑Rate consulting agreement (Educational Consortium for Telecommunications Savings; fee: 10% Cat1, 5% Cat2) — Motion carried. • Approve resolution supporting Safe Routes to School Project — Motion carried. • Approve contract with Newborn Nurse’s for substitute nursing services — Motion carried. • Approve Annual Facilities Checklist; establish bank signatories — Motion carried. • Approve field trips and choir/band performance (Dec. 9, 2023) — Motion carried.

Board discussion and questions were limited and procedural. Mr. Kerfoot asked about the size of staff attendance for professional development and inquired about the E‑Rate company and the Safe Routes to School program; Dr. Skinner noted interest in Building Thinking Classrooms training and discussed sending a small team and “turnkeying” the training back to the district.

The board met in executive session later in the evening for matters cited under N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 (privacy, collective bargaining, personnel) and reconvened before adjourning at 8:11 p.m.

Why it matters: The approvals advance routine district operations (staffing, finance and curriculum activities) and commit the district to pursue E‑Rate reimbursement assistance and support for a Safe Routes to School project that could affect student travel safety.

Next steps: Many items approved (hires, contracts, field trips) move into implementation; budget calendar and NJQSAC submissions are scheduled per the board’s adopted timeline.