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A Special Meeting/Budget Workshop of the Board of Education, Township of Woodbridge, was held on March 25, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., at Woodbridge Middle School, 525 Barron Avenue, Woodbridge, New Jersey.

The meeting opened with the Salute to the Flag and a moment of silence. The President, Brian Molnar presided.

Board members present: Diane Acquisto, Judy Leidner, Lawrence Miloscia, Brian Small, Ezio Tamburello, George Yuhasz, Brian Molnar. Mr. Garley was absent.

Mr. Molnar announced that Mr. Small had to work and sends his apologies for missing the meeting.

Board personnel present: Dr. John Crowe, Dennis DeMarino, Lois Rotella, Angela Korodan, Rita Miller, Barbara DeRollo.

Newspaper Reporters Present: Sergio Bichao, Home News Tribune Ryan Hutchins, Star Ledger Kathy Cheng, Woodbridge Corner

Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Dennis DeMarino, read the following statement regarding the Open Public Meetings Law:

"The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to insure the right of the public to have advance notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Board of Education had caused notice of these meetings to be published by having the date, time and place, thereof, posted as follows:

March 19, 2010 E-mailed to the Home News Tribune and the Star Ledger Hand delivered to Municipal Clerk’s Office Posted in Avenel Middle School, Woodbridge Middle School, and the Board of Education Administration Building."

Mr. Molnar made a public announcement regarding the location of the fire exits.

Dr. Crowe stated the recommended cuts are on the web site for review. He stated if we put something back into the budget, it would be necessary to take money from someplace else out. Dr. Crowe reviewed class size advising that 3rd grade classrooms will move to a maximum of 30 students.

Mr. Molnar stated the budget workshops began on February 1st. He stated is has been a difficult process from the beginning, anticipating a 5% reduction with the worst case scenario of a 10% reduction in state aid. He acknowledged that Woodbridge came together as a community and had an open dialogue on all the proposed cuts and scenarios. He stated the Board spent endless hours each month formulating this budget. Mr. Molnar cautioned there is no where to cut next year.

Mr. Molnar read a letter he received from Robert McGrath, chief negotiator for the trades personnel, accepting a one year wage freeze in an effort to save positions. Mr. Molnar thanked both Mr. McGrath and their union and Mr. Dutcher and their union members. Mr. Molnar asked the WTEA to consider opening their contract and take a zero percent increase for one year.

Mr. Molnar asked for any Board questions or suggestions.

Mr. Small questioned why there are 3 department heads on the cut sheet, but the line item is higher. Mr. DeMarino explained because department heads also teach, their salaries are budgeted in two different lines; administrative and teacher lines.

Mr. Small questioned the line for equipment reconditioning. Mr. DeMarino stated this line item is for all uniform reconditioning which includes the testing of helmets for safety reasons.

Mr. Yuhasz asked where the four guidance counselors will be removed from. Ms. Korodan stated one guidance counselor will be reduced at Woodbridge High School, since they presently have one additional counselor. Ms. Korodan stated the remaining three counselors will be taken from the elementary schools reducing the total number of counselors at the elementary level to three.

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Mr. Yuhasz verified that one substance abuse counselor will remain in the district. Ms. Korodan confirmed one will remain in the district.

Ms. Leidner asked if there are any lower quotes for an emergency notification system. Mr. DeMarino stated he has received quotes but is anticipating putting the service out to bid. Mr. Molnar acknowledged the exceptional pricing Mr. DeMarino was able to negotiate when initiating the system.

Ms. Leidner questioned the line item listed as custodial vacation pay since the administration is proposing the elimination of custodians. Mr. DeMarino stated the custodians have accrued vacation time during this current year and are entitled to receive pay for that time.

Ms. Leidner questioned snow plowing. Mr. DeMarino stated school districts can no long budget for snow plowing under contracted services therefore a budget line had to be created for snow plowing.

Ms. Leidner asked how many crossing guards are being added due to the elimination of courtesy busing. Mr. DeMarino stated 7 crossing guards will be added. He further explained, 6 will be placed in strategic places for safety issues and one would be a substitute.

Ms. Leidner asked for a commitment of a wage freeze from all administrators. Ms. Leidner asked if it would be wise for this Board to direct the parents and citizens of Woodbridge to reach out to the Budget Appropriations Committee. Dr. Crowe stated he was in agreement with Ms. Leidner’s suggestion.

Ms. Leidner asked if the district has considered raising lunch and breakfast prices in order to save the cafeteria jobs. Mr. DeMarino stated the Governor has reduced the amount the district will receive in state reimbursements on the free and reduced lunch children. Mr. DeMarino stated the Governor is allowing the districts to raise the price of lunches, passing the cost of the reduced reimbursements on to the parents. Ms. Leidner asked Mr. DeMarino to put the numbers together for the Board to review. Mr. DeMarino cautioned that you risk losing participation by raising the cost of lunch which some parents may not be able to afford. Ms. Leidner compared the cost of the lunches being served in the high schools to the cost of a lunch at Burger King, etc. Dr. Crowe stated the district has cut surplus so low that there would be no place to get the money if the cafeteria ends up with a deficit.

Mr. Molnar stated he is scheduling a Cafeteria Committee meeting next week to review the numbers at the increased price.

Ms. Leidner commented on the battle in Trenton between the Governor and the NJEA. Ms. Leidner begged the union leadership not to use students as pawns.

Mr. Tamburello stated the electronic system used to acquire substitute teachers was on a previous cut sheet, however he noted it no longer appears on the list of cuts. Dr. Crowe stated it reflected a cost savings by negotiating the cost of the service.

Mr. Tamburello stated if this budget does come to fruition, he would like to immediately begin to review a pay to play for freshmen sports if it is cut. Dr. Crowe stated the difficulty in doing that is again the tremendous reduction of surplus in the district, keeping in mind that the district would not be allowed to charge students receiving free and reduced lunch. Mr. Tamburello made additional comments asking if the only draw back is that the children receiving free and reduced lunch would be unable to participate. Dr. Crowe stated again, surplus has been taken so low that if the district is wrong, there is no outlet to get the money.

Mr. Yuhasz stated his priority is to see as many people back at work and staying at work. He asked if the district would be allowed to reach out to the NFL, MLS or NBA to sponsor district sports teams so it would be less of a burden to the taxpayers. Mr. DeMarino reminded the Board that Mr. Molnar and Mr. Small attempted to obtain sponsors when the middle school sports programs were implemented.

Mr. Molnar asked if one of the high school teams was able to raise enough money to sponsor a freshmen team would that be allowed. Ms. Rotella stated it could be done, however in a very short period of time the scheduling for next year will be complete. Ms. Rotella stated the sport would have to be included at all three high schools in the district.

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Ms. Leidner asked if the district is prohibited from having volunteer coaches. Ms. Rotella stated there is a policy in place which was approved by the Board where the district can no longer utilize volunteer coaches. Ms. Rotella stated there is no state law that prohibits volunteer coaches. Ms. Leidner suggested the Board review and consider changing that policy to allow for volunteer coaches. Mr. Molnar stated he agreed but stated the NJISAA states that all coaches must be approved by the Board.

Ms. Leidner stated if the union opened their contract, agreeing to a one year wage freeze, it would generate over 2.6 million dollars in savings to the district.

The Board President opened the meeting to the public. During this portion, T. Maras, Fords, asked if the numbers from the state are firm. Dr. Crowe responded the numbers presented have been received from the Governor and are the numbers that the budget must be formulated on. Mr. Maras asked what the contingency plan is if the voters defeat the budget. Dr. Crowe stated the budget is already a bare-bones budget with very little left to look at. Mr. Maras asked again, what the district would do if the budget is defeated. Dr. Crowe stated the district would have to create a contingency plan. Mr. DeMarino stated if the budget fails and the Town Council chooses to cut the budget, it must be cut in $330,000 increments. Mr. DeMarino stated if the budget is defeated there is no place to look to cut except additional positions. Mr. Maras commented on the security in the school district.

V. Lapage, Iselin, stated the cafeteria personnel made several concessions in the 2009-10 school year. She stated hopefully the teachers will step up and do what the cafeteria personnel did. Ms. Lapage thanked Ms. Leidner for the hours spent listening to the food service employees’ concerns. Ms. Lapage reviewed scenarios that would bring additional money into the cafeteria account. Mr. DeMarino stated he will work with Ms. Lapage’s numbers and asked that they be e-mailed to his office. Ms. Lapage stated everyone must vote for the budget. Mr. Molnar stated he will have some cafeteria workers attend the Cafeteria Committee meeting to review the numbers.

A parent of a special needs student asked what will happen to her child who presently attends Midland School, commenting that Midland School has more to offer her child than Woodbridge. Dr. Crowe stated he disagrees with her statement.

A parent stated teachers should be role models commenting on an article which appeared in the Home News Tribune. He commented on the custodians being eliminated and asked how many teachers are being cut. Dr. Crowe and Ms. Korodan responded. Dr. Crowe stated it is difficult to eliminate personnel who have a direct impact on students. Dr. Crowe further stated he has had conversations with the Mayor regarding the custodians in hopes that they can remain in the same pension. Dr. Crowe stated the Governor has destroyed the district’s funding.

Someone asked if instead of reopening the contract, the terms can be changed to amend the contract. Mr. Molnar stated he was advised by legal that the contract would need to be opened in order to freeze salaries. He stated it is the time for Brian Geoffroy to sit with all teachers. Comments were made regarding the condition of the fields at the high schools.

Mr. Molnar asked the Board, Administration and public to be constructive in their comments, noting sarcasm should not enter into the discussion.

Mr. DeMarino apologized for earlier comments, noting that he takes the budget very personally.

Mr. Yuhasz as chair of Buildings and Grounds stated he will take a walk around the fields and take notes as to the condition of the fields.

J. Dutcher stated jobs are on the line and the district as a whole must work together to get over this hump. He stated the worst thing that could happen is a loss of job for any employee. Mr. Dutcher stated a private company will not care about the kids in this district.

Comments were made regarding the public pensions. Dr. Crowe verified that the district cannot cut pensions. Mr. DeMarino stated he is correct. He explained the pension system is at the state level and all district employees pay into the pension.

Dr. Crowe stated he is in constant contact with legislators. He further stated if additional money is received after the final budget is approved, the County Superintendent will approve transfers.

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A Colonia resident thanked the Board and Administration for the open process. She asked what process must be followed to open the contract. Mr. Molnar stated a sidebar can be added to any agreement and then the association would vote on it. She asked at what point the teacher become involved. Dr. Crowe stated there are association bylaws which must be followed.

B. Geoffroy, President of the WTEA, stated the union must follow the constitution and bylaws. He stated the representative council would have to give him the authority to open up discussions regarding the contract. He stated any changes would have to be voted on by the entire membership. Mr. Geoffroy stated the Governor is putting people in a sense of fear.

A resident from Colonia questioned the line item for athletic trainers. Ms. Korodan responded.

A district custodian asked if a unit can agree to a wage freeze without opening the contract. Mr. Molnar stated he was advised by the Board Attorney that the entire contract would need to be opened but he will check into it again. Dr. Crowe stated the letter written by John Dutcher pertains to a different negotiated contract.

L. McGeehan questioned the cost savings of the 1.5% employee contribution to health benefits in 2012. Mr. DeMarino stated approximately $1,200,000. Ms. McGeehan asked why not impose the 1.5% on health benefits now.

Mr. Molnar stated the community must come together for a long range plan on how the district could survive. He stated there will need to be a committee of Board members and community members to look at the town and school district and decide how to provide education for students.

A resident commented on the possibility of consolidation of school districts. Dr. Crowe stated given the size of our school district, consolidation would benefit the smaller district but would have no benefits for Woodbridge. Mr. Molnar made additional comments regarding smaller districts. He stated Woodbridge is comprised of five districts in one large district.

T. Maras asked of the 280 employees being cut, how many jobs will be privatized. Ms. Korodan stated between the custodians and cafeteria, approximately 152 positions will be privatized.

A resident of Colonia asked that the Board and Administration work together with the unions.

R. D’Orsi, Iselin, stated Governor Christie had the guts to do what all former governors have failed to do.

A resident of Avenel stated she saw this current budget situation as a train wreck waiting to happen.

V. Romanienko, Woodbridge, stated all blame must be placed on the Governor and not our community, Board or Administrators. She commented on the $150,000 tuition out of district cut. Ms. Miller stated she will be utilizing money in the IDEA grant to put towards out of district tuition.

Ms. Romanienko questioned the reduction in the transportation line. Mr. DeMarino explained the late buses are not in the budget. He further stated some courtesy bus routes will need to be eliminated. He stated he will be reviewing each route with the transportation department.

Ms. Romanienko questioned the Child Study Team cuts. Dr. Crowe responded that the first priority is to bring one team back.

Ms. Romanienko questioned the curriculum cuts. Ms. Rotella and Dr. Crowe responded. Ms. Rotella stated her supervisors will be putting together some programs that will maintain, to a degree, the programs that were started the previous year.

Ms. Romanienko asked if the roofs are scheduled for replacement. Dr. Crowe explained that Mr. DeMarino was putting together a project which would replace all the roofs and install solar panels throughout the district, making it the largest project in the state with no impact to the taxpayers. Dr. Crowe stated in this budget crisis, it had to be put on hold based on the architectural fees and the additional election needed for the bond referendum. Dr. Crowe stated although it is now on the backburner, it is not something the district will not consider in the future. Mr. Molnar questioned the funding the district was scheduled to receive from the state for the project, noting with the uncertainty in Trenton, it became too risky to move forward.

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Ms. Romanienko asked if the district owns the building on Outlook Avenue to which Dr. Crowe responded, yes. Ms. Romanienko asked why it is necessary to budget money there if we are closing the facility. Dr. Crowe stated it will be a process to close the building.

A resident asked Mr. Geoffroy to sit with the people he represents in order to save the jobs of other members. He asked if the private company will hire our current employees. Mr. DeMarino stated the RFP states that our employees must be offered jobs with benefits first. The gentleman then asked if there is a way to offer incentives to teachers who are at the six figure level. Dr. Crowe responded that a public school district cannot offer retirement incentives.

Ms. Romanienko asked for a break down of the teachers being eliminated. Ms. Korodan stated 25 teachers are being eliminated; 14 elementary, 2 ½ speech, adaptive physical education and half time health teacher. In addition, Ms. Korodan stated there were 17 teachers funded through ARRA funds which the district will no longer be able to keep. Ms. Romanienko questioned if paraprofessionals will be working the extended school year program. Ms. Korodan explained there is currently a position in the program for paraprofessionals who would need to be paid their paraprofessional wage. Ms. Korodan stated the Administration is anticipating that the Board of Education will consider a job description change for college students who anticipate becoming teachers with special needs children so that the specific job description will apply only to them and they will have a different rate of pay, saving the district approximately $40,000.

A resident came to the podium and thanked the Board and Administration for the transparency of the meeting. He stated that everyone needs to remember the purpose of the school district is not to provide jobs but to service children.

Mr. Molnar thanked everyone who attended the meeting and expressed their concerns.

There being no further business, and on a motion by Ms. Acquisto, seconded by Ms. Leidner and carried, the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I, Dennis DeMarino, Business Administrator and Secretary of the Board of Education, Township of Woodbridge, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the Minutes taken at the Special Board of Education meeting/Budget Workshop held March 25, 2010.

Dennis DeMarino d May 26, 2010