North Hanover BOE looks at ESPA test scores

The North Hanover Board of Education focused on recent state results scores in the district during their latest board meeting.

Board member Vito D'Amato Board member D'Amato brought up the issue of the ESPA test and results for North Hanover.

North Hanover's average score was in the low 20's (22.4%). D'Amato stated, "It is important to come up with a solution." Dr. Richard Carson responded, "Lack of what we're getting out from the State Department."

Dr. Carson continued to say, "New text book series" have been introduced to the school district. In addition, "40% of population is not district" (base children/families coming and going).

D'Amato commented, "There has not been enough training/information." Dr. Carson responded, "Teachers have too much information. Change of testing methods takes time for us to get there. We're training students to take different type of tests from standardized to norm-based tests."

D'Amato continued, "I don't get any feedback. I'm trying to further educate myself on the curriculum."

Board Vice President Michael Grant stated, "Some things are not satisfactory. He said he was uncomfortable explaining discrepancies. "I don't agree with D'Amato's method. The number is dramatic enough to discuss. What (number) can be explained readily and what can be researched into. It is a concern."

The recent approval of the DELTA Charter School was also discussed. According to Dr. Carson, "The next step is a wait and see approach." Apparently, the information on the number of students is needed to determine how much money the Board will have turn over to the charter school. In addition, the Board will pay for transportation with the charter school providing it.

Dr. Carson remarked, "We have been cutting back." Last year, the school tax was decreased by five cents. Dr. Carson continued, "Another issue not taken into consideration is the federal student. No money is collected for that. Taxes come from the township." Dr. Carson gave an example of a parochial-schooled student (say from King's Academy). "If the student enrolled in October 2000, no federal funds would be coming in yet school district has already paid out."

Board member D'Amato wanted to amend the minutes to include his comments from the board's last meeting of 1999. .

Board President Edward Dreschel commented that minutes are for documentation purposes and to record votes taken.

Board member Charles Schroeder abstained from the vote on the minutes. Committee member D'Amato stated, "I vote no. What I say should be in it. Minutes should be recorded."

The Board approved of the Board Secretary Report and Treasurer of School Monies Report from November 1999. In addition, transfers and bills were approved. Committee member D'Amato opposed any transfer of funds or bills to be paid to Mr. Guzzi for clean water.

In other news, Dr. Rosenbloom is on medical leave and Mr. Murdaco will be in charge of Student Personal Services in the meantime. Murdaco will receive a $1,500.00 per month stipend. Resolution #00-1/11-25 was approved. This resolution deals with personnel issues. These issues include substitutes, resignations (six), employment for the 1999-2000 school year (four), revised hourly rates/salaries, transfer of personnel, emergent approval of employee hiring, volunteers, outside consultant, homebound instructor, and leave of absence.

The outside consultant on the agenda is Susan Berlin. She is a social worker based in Princeton, NJ (rate is $125.00 per hour). A homebound instructor (Judy Marshall) will provide instruction for a preschool handicapped child. The instructor will provide 5-10 hours per week of instruction (rate is $20.00 per hour). This action is in accordance with Board Policy. The leave of absence action is a revised resolution #00-11/16-18 (item g). Two teachers will take maternity leave. Instead of returning to work in the first week of June 2000, the Board established a return date of September 1, . Employees will retain medical insurance.

The Board approved of the Board Secretary Report and Treasurer of School Monies Report from November 1999. In addition, transfers and bills were approved. Committee member D'Amato opposed any transfer of funds or bills to be paid to Mr. Guzzi for clean water.

The Buildings and Grounds Resolution #00-1/11-26 was approved. D'Amato opposed one of the two parts to this resolution. Section (a) deals with contract awards; D'Amato opposed this section. Under State Contract #A83753, Diversified Technologies USA, Inc. will improve the existing technology package in all schools. This improvement deals with "additional drops," according to Dr. Richard Carson, Superintendent of North Hanover Township School District. The amount of this improvement is $5,800.00.

Additional work associated with the installation of emergency generators at all schools will also take place under this state contract. The Board authorized the appropriation of $350,000.00 to cover the costs in the state contract. Monies will come from the Fund Balance. In terms of emergency generator costs, the breakdown is as follows: Columbia School- $71,699.76; Discovery School- $71,912.04; Atlantis School- $72,973.49; Challenger School- $15,757.38; C.B. Lamb School- $94,722.15.

D'Amato opposed this section of the resolution because of there being "no previous Buildings and Grounds Committee reports and no board meetings." Board President Dreschel commented that there were discussions on this topic at previous meetings.

The second portion of this resolution deals with the reduction of retainage to the contract with Daniel S. Falasca PHC, Inc. The Board authorized this reduction to two and one-half percent. D'Amato approved this portion of the resolution.

The Instruction Resolution #00-1/11-27 was approved. D'Amato opposed section (b) concerning software (A to Zap) because "there is no written description. If there is none, then I vote no." He will continue to oppose any software in the future without a description. Section (a) is a Grant Acceptance. The Board approved of a Captain Planet Foundation, Inc. grant for use at the Flutter-By-Retreat garden project to be conducted at C.B. Lamb School. The $500 grant is in part managed by First Union National Bank.

Dr. Carson mentioned that the copy of the emergency management plan was approved by the local emergency management team. According to Dr. Carson, "Every school has an individual plan. Security police, fire, County/Local emergency management team, two fire chiefs, Chief of Police, and police on base are involved. Feel very competent."

The county emergency management coordinator is impressed. Dr. Carson continued, "Only school in the county to bring in all major people; it is a collaborative effort." Every year including this year, one school will be chosen to practice the emergency management plan. Each year a different scenario will take place.

Dr. Carson asked the Board to change the board meeting dates in February for budget purposes. The Board approved of this action. Two more meetings will follow on February 22 and 29 for work sessions on budgets. Dr. Carson also remarked that "Club concepts have been approved." The next meeting of the North Hanover Township Board of Education will be held Tuesday, January 25, at 7:45 p.m. This meeting will be located at the Columbia School, MAFB.

The February meetings have been re-scheduled as follows: February 15, at Columbia School, MAFB. February 22 and 29, will be at C.B. Lamb School.