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An Special Meeting/Budget Workshop of the Board of Education, Township of Woodbridge, was held on May 13, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., at Woodbridge Middle School, Barron Avenue , Woodbridge, New Jersey. The meeting opened with the Salute to the Flag and a moment of silence. Board President, Mr. Brian Small presided. Board members present: Diane Acquisto, John Golden, Judy Leidner, Lawrence Miloscia, Brian Molnar, Ezio Tamburello, George Yuhasz, Brian Small. Jonathan Triebwasser was absent. Board personnel present: Dr. John Crowe, Dennis DeMarino, Lois Rotella, Angela Korodan, Rita Miller, Margaret Giannullo. Newspaper Reporters Present: None 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:

May 7, 2010: E-mailed to Home News Tribune and 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. Small called for the Committee reports. The Buildings and Grounds Committee on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, presented the following:

1. That the Board of Education approve the award of contract PD11-04 Electrical & Lamp Supplies, for the 2010-2011 school year to the low bidder, whose proposal also met specifications, as follows: (Bids read 3/16/2010, 5 bids received, 1 bid rejected). a. Cooper Electric 70 Apple Street Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

ITEM# DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE BOXES

8. 4” Square 1/2” X 3/4” KO $ 54.00/cs 9. 4” Square Deep 1/2” X 3/4” KO $ 86.40/cs

COVERS 13. 4” Round Covers With 1/2” KO $ 25.20/cs 14. 4” Square Covers With 1/2” KO $ 27.78/cs 15. 5” Square Covers With 1/2” KO $ 41.80/cs CONDUIT FITTINGS 20. 1/2” EMT Set Screw Connector $ 10.98/cs

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21. 1/2” EMT Set Screw Couplings $ 12.04/cs 22. 1/2” EMT One Hole Straps $ 3.48/cs 23. 3/4” EMT Set Screw Connectors $ 18.15/cs 24. 3/4” EMT Set Screw Couplings $ 19.15/cs 25. 3/4” EMT One Hole Strap $ 5.39/cs 27. 1” EMT Set Screw Couplings $ 32.09/cs 28. 1” EMT One Hole Straps $ 8.58/cs 29. 1/2” EMT Set Screw Pull Elbows $ 253.73/cs 30. 3/4” EMT Set Screw Pull Elbows $ 291.81/cs CONNECTORS 32. 1/2” Screw Romex Connectors $ 11.87/cs DEVICES 34. Single Pole Switch 20 Amp 120/277 Volt $ 1.62/ea 36. 3 Way Pole Switch 20 Amp 120/277 Volt $ 2.08/ea 37. 115 Volt Male Cord End (Hubble HBL 5266 C) $ 2.71/ea 39. GFI Outlet 120 Volt 15 Amp $ 6.74/ea FIXTURES

45. 2 Light 32 Watt Electronic Ballast Wrap Lens, 120 Volt (Mercury or National Mold Frame) $ 29.78/ea 46. 2 Light 32 Watt Electronic Ballast Wrap Lens 277 Volt (Mercury or National Mold Frame) $ 29.78/ea 49. 4 Light 32 Watt Electronic Ballast 2 X 4 Lay $ 38.20/ea In Fixture 120 Volt

ITEM# DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE 50. 4 Light 32 Watt Electronic Ballast 2 X 4 Lay $ 38.20/ea In Fixture 277 Volt 51. Stoneco 175 Watt Metal Halide Wall Pack With Lexan Lens and Metal Cage $ 153.48/ea WIREMOLD FITTINGS 500 52. V-504 $ .21/ea 53. V-506 $ .30/ea 55. V-512 $ 3.58/ea 56. V-5715 $ 2.80/ea 59. V-57240 $ 9.31/ea 60. V-5744 $ 12.01/ea 62 V-5748 $ 5.06/ea WIREMOLD FITTINGS 2100 63. V-5751 $ 4.51/ea 64. 5781 $ 2.17/ea 65. 5790B $ 2.31/ea WIREMOLD FITTINGS 1500 71. 1500WC $ .53/ea 73. 15420 $ 7.43/ea 76. 1-WES $ 12.47/ea

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TAPE 78. SCOTCH Electrical Tape #33 $ 3.40/ea 79. SCOTCH Electrical Tape # 35 Color Tapes $ 3.16/ea WIRE 86. #14 THHN Stranded $ 84.55/m LIGHT BULBS 93. Envir-O-Lite Rapid Start F32T8/SUPER741 $ 1.13/ea 95. Sylvania F032/741/ECO 32W T8 Octron ECO Medium Bipin Rapid & Instant Start $ 1.13/ea 96. Philips F32T8/TL735/ALTO Universal T8 $ 1.13/ea 98. Sylvania F96T12/CW/VHOT12 251 With Recessed Cool White High Output $ 4.03/ea 99. Sylvania F96T12/CW/SS 60 Watt Single Pin

Cool White Instant Start Supersaver $ 1.56/ea

b. Jewel Electric Supply Co. 455 Third Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

ITEM# DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE

BOXES 10. 5” Square Deep With 1/2” x 3/4” KO $ 1.20/ea 11. 4” Square Deep With 1” KO $ 1.30/ea COVERS 16. 1900 Covers With Various Configurations $ .65/ea CONNECTORS 33. 1/2” 2 Screw Box (Aluminum Cable) MC $ .40/ea DEVICES

35. Double Pole Switch 20 Amp 120/277 Volt $ 5.00/ea 38. Duplex 120v 15 Amp (Self Grounding Outlet) P&S 5362W $ 3.50/ea EXIT AND EMERGENCY LIGHT 41. Emergency Light (Carpenter) $ 14.42/ea 42. 6 Volt 4 Ampro Hours (Small) $ 6.20/ea 43. 6 Volt 8.0 Ampro Hours Cyclon #0859-0012 $ 22.85/ea 44. Double Face Exit Light $ 13.50/ea WIREMOLD FITTINGS 500 54. V-511 $ 1.15/ea

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57. V-517 $ 1.44/ea 58. V-518 $ 1.15/ea 61. V-5745 $ 5.11/ea WIREMOLD FITTINGS 1500 72. 1511 $ 4.13/ea 74. 1546A $ 8.98/ea 75. 1546B $ 10.98/ea WIREMOLD 80. 500 $ .80/ft 81. 1500 Base and Cover $ 1.62/ft c. Monarch Electric Co.

One Dodge Drive West Caldwell, NJ 07006

ITEM# DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE

BOXES

7. 4” Round 1/2” x 3/4” KO $ .7696/ea 12. Utility Deep (4 X 21/8 X 21/8) $ 1.0372/ea

CONDUIT 17. 1/2” EMT Pipe $ .17/ft 18. 3/4” EMT Pipe $ .33/ft 19. 1” EMT Pipe $ .55/ft

CONDUIT FITTINGS 26. 1” EMT Set Screw Connectors $ .4054/ea CONNECTORS 31. 1/2” Box Connectors (MC Cable) $ .2478/ea EXIT AND EMERGENCY LIGHT 40. Exit & Emergency Combo Battery Backup Double Faced (Carpenter) $ 33.53/ea FIXTURES 47. 4 Light 32 Watt Electronic Ballast Wrap Lens

120 Volt (National or Mercury Molded Frame) $ 43.75/ea 48. 4 Light 32 Watt Electronic Ballast Wrap Lens,

277 Volt (Mercury or National Mold Frame) $ 43.75/ea

WIREMOLD FITTINGS 2100 66. 2100WC $ .38/ea 67. 2101A $ 1.88/ea 68. 2110B $ 1.80/ea

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WIRE

83. #8 THHN, Stranded $ .2766/ft 84. #10 THHN Stranded $ .18/ft 85. #12 THHN, Stranded $ .12/ft 87. 2 Wire #12 Armored Cable Steel $ .394/ft 88. #14 THHN Solid Green $ .07/ft 89. 3 Wire Armored Cable Steel $ .67/ft ITEM# DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE LIGHT BLUBS 90. Sylvania F017/741/ECO (17W) $ 1.77/ea 91. Sylvania Fluorescent Super Saver Cool White

Rapid Start F40T12/CW/SS $ .81/ea 92. Sylvania Metalarac BT28 E39 Mogul Base

175W Clear $ 9.66/ea

d. Sunshine Lighting 744 Clinton Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231 BALLASTS 1. 2 Lamp 120 Volt 4 Foot 32 Watt Electronic Ballast $ 8.33/ea 2. 2 and 3 Lamp 120 Volt 4 Foot 32 Watt Electronic Ballast $ 9.27/ea 3. 4 Lamp 120 Volt 4 Foot 32 Watt Electronic Ballast $ 10.12/ea

4. 2 Lamp 277 Volt 4 Foot 32 Watt Electronic Ballast $ 7.14/ea 5. 2 and 3 Lamp 277 Volt 4 Foot 32 Watt Electronic Ballast $ 7.14/ea 6. 4 Lamp 277 Volt 4 Foot 32 Watt Electronic Ballast $ 10.64/ea

LIGHT BULBS

94. MX400/U 400 Watts BT37 E39 Mogul Clear $ 53.54/cs 97. GE Fluorescent Lamps F34CW/RSIWM/ECO $ 25.99/cs Mr. Yuhasz moved for the adoption of the Buildings and Grounds recommendation. Seconded by Mrs. Acquisto There were no comments or questions from the Board or public. With all Board members present voting in favor, the foregoing was adopted. Dr. Crowe gave his monthly overview. He stated that Town Council advised the budget must be cut by approximately $1,034,000. Dr. Crowe commented that based on the unusual amount of retirements and breakage this year, he would be recommending no further cuts in programs or staff take place. He stated that he had been to Trenton during the past week for a meeting regarding the “Race to the Top” grant and will be asking the Board to allow Mr. Small and him to sign off on the memorandum of agreement to enter the Race to the Top grant. He expressed having some modest reservations regarding the program, but felt that in these difficult times, all possibilities of revenue must be explored. Mr. Tamburello agreed that Dr. Crowe’s reservations were well thought out and further, he applauds Dr. Crowe for moving forward. He expressed that this is an issue he would be closely monitoring and hopes that the district will follow through. Mr. Tamburello stated that as long as there are not unfunded annual mandates associated with the grant, that it would be a good move on the part of the district.

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Mrs. Leidner stated that if the state is fortunate enough to receive the Race to the Top funds, the Board should focus on making sure that these funds are used in the manner in which they are intended. Mr. Tamburello inquired as to whether or not Dr. Crowe could answer the question regarding elementary instrumental music. Dr. Crowe confirmed that instrumental music is back in the budget and that it is his recommendation that it stay in the budget. The Board President opened the meeting to the public. During this portion of the meeting, Bill from Sewaren stated concerns over budget cuts. Indicated that too much money is spent on programs such as; vocal music, art, art therapists, etc. Further stated that he believes ESL should not be part of the curriculum and that if people live here we should not have to teach our language as a secondary. Went on to say he has met with Dennis DeMarino and will continue to do so to go over various topics and discuss some ideas. Cheryl Brennan (Iselin) stated she has three children attending Woodbridge Schools and wanted to clarify that elementary instrumental music would be staying in the budget. Dr. Crowe replied in the affirmative. Ms. Brennan expressed her gratitude for the program remaining and indicated that she attended a function at JFK High School the previous evening and that there were 350 students participating in various divisions of the music program and they would all be ecstatic to hear that the program is intact. Tom Maras acknowledged that this must be a very difficult time for the Board and that he was happy to hear there would not be any additional cuts to programs or staff. He inquired as to the disclosure information for the Board Members. He would like to be provided with information regarding those Board Members who hold municipal jobs and/or relatives working for the district or Township. Dr. Crowe advised Mr. Maras that an OPRA request would be required to provide that information. Mr. Maras indicated he would file the OPRA request in the near future and asked if anything in the budget was going to be reinstated. Specifically, if security with the police department was being put back in? Dr. Crowe answered that, at this time, there are no funds available to put anything back. Funds that may be coming in the next few weeks would result in all of that being looked at. However, as of this meeting and Tuesday’s meeting nothing would be going back into the budget. Mr. Maras questioned where we stand on outside services such as; cafeteria and custodial, where do things stand on the bid evaluation. Mr. DeMarino explained that the bids for food services are in and Cafeteria Committee has been in discussion. Food service employees came forward with another proposal of possible cuts that will be reviewed. The custodial bid is out and has been picked up and was originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, but because of the number of questions from prospective bidders, that date may have to be pushed back. That will be a public bid opening, which is different than the food services because the private companies have the ability to generate income. (It is not a public bid, there can be negotiations before award on salaries and things of that nature, price setting, some types of investments from the company.) He is hopeful that in May we can award the food service contract and June the custodial, depending on what the Board decides to do. Mr. Maras asked if he understood correctly that it was not a “fait acompli” that the current staff be it cafeteria or janitorial would necessarily be excluded, that it was just a matter of putting them in with their bid for the total evaluation and that evaluation has a 60-day time limit? He questioned when the bids would be available for public review, cafeteria and custodial. Mr. DeMarino explained everything would be discussed amongst the full Board and that custodial bid has to be to opened publicly before they can be reviewed. At that time anyone is welcome to review them.

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Mr. Maras asked if there was anything blocking cafeteria from coming out of Committee. Mr. DeMarino stated that there was nothing he was aware of blocking that, but that it must be a full Board decision. He further stated that a decision this big should not be decided by 2 out of 3 people when we have 9 elected Board Members and that Dr. Crowe would be addressing that at some point. Dr. Crowe commented that he would present a recommendation to the Board at Tuesday’s meeting. Mr. Maras questioned if other Administrators were following Dr. Crowe’s lead by not taking an increase in salary? Dr. Crowe explained that Administrators break down into two groups; Central Office Administrators, who have agreed to a zero increase next year, and the WTSAA, which includes principals, vice-principals, supervisors, department heads, who will be entering into negotiations with the Board regarding their new contract effective July 1, 2010. Mr. Maras commented that he believed Mrs. Rotella and Mrs. Korodan were both slated for increases this year which would be about 4 – 41/2 % somewhere around $157,000 to $161,000 moving up percentage-wise from that point. He asked for clarification. Dr. Crowe informed him that was in the budget before hitting the difficulty. Mr. Maras went on to confirm that so those increases would be going through 2010-11. Dr. Crowe stated that it would not, although contracts have not yet been written they are with the attorney now. Those Central Office Administrators have agreed to no increase for next year. Mr. Maras: Thanked the Board for their time. Kelly Cuzzoli (from Colonia) questioned whether any of the bids or contracts had the potential to generate revenue into the school district. She stated that she realized money from these contracts could not be used to fund programs, but she asked if these funds can be used to offset operating costs, thereby freeing up monies for programs. Mr. DeMarino stated that these proposals do offer guarantee of return. All food service proposals have significant guaranteed returns to the district. He further commented that Ms. Cuzzoli was correct in that the money earned in the cafeteria had to stay there because it is considered an “enterprise fund”. It can be used however, to reduce the electric, gas, and water bills thereby making more funds available in the general budget for use in student programs. Ms. Cuzzoli further questioned whether or not these private companies may refurbish the cafeterias or provide funds to update equipment that is aging and deteriorating as part of their contract. She indicated she was aware of other districts where this was done. Mr. DeMarino informed her that the proposals from the private companies, reflected a huge investment by the private company to get the cafeterias up to speed. Ms. Cuzzoli stated that when she attended Town Council meetings regarding cuts, it seemed that most, if not all, of it would come from Finance and Savings incentives. There is about $140,000 that it appears still has be cut, she questioned where that would come from. Mr. DeMarino informed her that most of the cuts were trimmed from gas lines, electric lines and a lot of lines were hit for small amounts. Hospitalization was big chunk and retirements were the biggest chunk. These lines were all close to begin with and are now closer, but again the goal Dr. Crowe wanted was to avoid any other programs or staff cuts. Ms. Cuzzoli then asked if this was a Board Meeting or an open public meeting. She said it seemed like a Board Meeting to her.

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Mr. Small replied that it was an open budget meeting. Ms. Cuzzoli commented that the only bright spot in all of this has been the open process established. The participation of the community is something we need to build on and that for parents who are new to this process it can be very hard to follow Board of Education meetings and many don’t understand budgets. She stated she would very much like to see the open process continue and hoped the Board would consider that. Mr. Small thanked her for her comments. A Colonia resident questioned as to whether or not the income we are receiving from the cafeteria contract, as well as the renovations, the total sums of these monies would be factored into the “let’s keep it in house vs. let’s outsource it.” She stated that she hoped these dollars would be put into the comparison to be certain we are looking at this fairly. She questioned if she was correct in that assumption. Dr. Crowe informed her that she was correct. Any revenue generated or guaranteed and renovations that would be provided would be included. A Colonia resident asked if due to the elimination of freshman sports program, could the responsibilities of the athletic directors be reduced to being shared by two instead of three, so that those monies could be used elsewhere. Mrs. Rotella explained that the athletic directors also act as Physical Education department heads, nursing and health department heads. They monitor their areas all the time. Security has been removed from our high schools and we are removing 3 department heads. To remove any more becomes a question of security for our children. If the principal and vice principal are in the cafeteria during lunch and anything happens in another area of the school, there will be no one to call. The Athletic Directors are on duty all day and in the evening at events, but more importantly, it is the day supervision. Locker room supervision, which we all know is a concern and it is something that we really have to consider before making any further cuts. A Colonia resident thanked Mrs. Rotella and further commented she was not aware of the additional duties that these positions held. She fully agreed that the security of the children should be upfront and foremost in our minds. Her final comment was in regard to some of the lines in the budget. Some school lines are $1800 and some are at $5,000. She questioned how principals are spending the discretionary funds. Giving today’s economic climate is someone monitoring the expenditures. She would ask that Central Office Administration provide some direct oversight and guidance and maybe a policy around how money should be spent when money is so tight and budgets are so thin. Dr. Crowe informed her that guidance is provided. He explained that each school gets a set amount of money based on their population and other factors. Whenever there is a purchase that seems out of line, a call is placed to the principal for explanation. Cheryl Brennan asked when the final decision would be made as to eliminated bus routes and how are parents going to be notified. Mr. DeMarino explained that the courtesy bus routes being eliminated, along with those stops where crossing guards were being added are listed on the website. Parents will have to make arrangements for transporting their children. Cheryl Brennan asked if they are listed by street, bus number or route number. Mr. DeMarino informed her that the streets are listed, along with the route number and the cross street pick-up. Cheryl Brennan also questioned as to what extracurricular activities were eliminated from the middle schools and wondered would there still be a 4:00 bus?

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Dr. Crowe answered that at this point the 4:00 bus has been eliminated. However, not all extracurricular activities have been eliminated. Mr. Maras spoke about many of the roofs throughout the district in need of repair. He questioned whether or not we would be moving forward with the solar panels, if not, how would the repair of the roofs be handled? Mr. DeMarino explained that our applications are in for funding from Trenton. He further stated that we don’t know if Governor Christie will approve those, because the state would have to borrow to fund the projects. If the state does not approve the 40% grant, it would create more of a burden on the taxpayer. Mr. DeMarino commented that the word in Trenton is that it may be approved because it would spur the economy with all the construction. Mr. DeMarino stated that five of our schools are slated for new roofs with the $600,000 grants from the Clean Energy Program. He further informed everyone that the district bid out for two power purchase agreements and is currently trying to negotiate, since both were rejected both. We are working with the Board Attorney to at least try to get those five schools completed because we don’t want to jeopardize losing that $600,000. Kelly Cuzzoli asked how items are ordered. She asked if the purchasing was coordinated in some manner and how the process works. Mr. DeMarino explained that if we spend over $29,000 we have to put out a bid out. The Purchasing Office and I put out bids for paper, pencils, everything you could think of then the completed bid package is send to each school. When the school needs to order anything, they just have to flip to the bid package, see who the lowest bidder for any given item was, be it, air conditioners, refrigerators, or paper and place their order. We entered into a shared service with the Township to purchase office supplies; this is how we get bulk discounts. We implemented this system about 10-12 years ago. Kelly Cuzzoli commented that with so many retirements coming up, she didn’t see any advertisements for these principals and wondered if the district was filling these spots “in house” how these inexperienced personnel will become familiar with the ordering process. She further commented that there was some previous discussion regarding fund raising for programs cut by the budget. She mentioned that her daughter was involved in the dance program and the teacher takes over 200 students each year to Rutgers. Is this a program that could benefit from fund raising, perhaps by a business sponsorship? Ms. Cuzzoli said she recalled the Board attorney mentioning there were many rules and guidelines surrounding this area, but Presidents’ Council would like an answer as to what is fundable. Dr. Crowe answered that the attorney would be asked to provide information and guidelines. He thanked Mrs. Cuzzoli for all efforts to get increased revenue sources to bring back vital programs, dance being one that is very important to him, as well. There being no further business, and on a motion by Mrs. Acquisto seconded by Mr. Yuhasz and carried, the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 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 Board of Education meeting held May 13, 2010.

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Dennis DeMarino g June 17, 2010