MINUTES OF
KEY COMMUNICATORS MEETING
MONDAY, February 5, 2007

Present:      Joe Luongo, Josephine Ciocia,Connie Doheny, Lisa Hodulik,Kathy Iapelli,  Donna Wipper, Linda Condal,  Marrie Messeri, Lynn Nilsson, Ana Mastropietro, Nancy Smith, Francine Salerno, Gina Hoffman, Lisa Palladino

Joe Luongo opened the meeting at 7:35 PM.

District:
911 Community Plan–    Mr. Luongo had investigated the cost of starting an automated phone system which was discussed last month.  The cost is $500 for initial startup, testing and training with a $.12 per voice mail per month based on 30 second increments.    The cost would be approximately $90 based on 1500 students.  Mr. Luongo will send this information to the financea committee and if they feel that it may be feasible; possibly a meeting with the company, Mr. Luongo, PTA Presidents and the finance committee.

Honor Roll –  Parents wanted to know why there seems to be almost a 2 month lapse in printing the honor roll in the Observer.  We were notified that the honor roll is not sent to the Observer until 1 – 2 week s after their report cards in case there are any changes.

Franklin Fitness Center –   Parents wanted to know when or how they can gain access to the center.  Mr. Luongo informed us that kids were breaking into the center by removing the screen, working out and than replacing the screen when they left.  He is recommending to the Recreation Committee to have volunteer chaperones at the center; however they must go through the criminal history background, fingerprinting and references.  Once they are cleared their name will be sent to the police department and if they wish to chaperone they must obtain the key from the police department upon leaving a photo id.  Rob Brady may try to have a program through the recreation department to cover the chaperones.

State Grant - We are applying for this grant through the South Bergen Jointure.  Mr. Luongo feels that applying for this grant with 14 other schools we have a better chance of receiving some money.

2007 – 2008 Calendar -   There are 2 plans being submitted to the Board.  Mr. Luongo will recommend the Plan B which gives us 2 snow days with the last day of school on a Friday.  The Plan A gives us 3 snow days with the last day of school on a Monday.

High School:

Proposed Athletic Legislation -   The public schools feel that the private schools have a better advantage in recruiting and therefore an advantage in competitions.  They are mainly concerned with the wrestling competitions.  There is an attempt being made to have the public and private schools compete separately in their own district and regional competition; however everyone will compete in Atlantic City together.  Our Board of Education will vote to endorse this separation in district and regional competitions.

HSPA Science - Federal regulations state that in 2006-07 all 11th grade students must take the test in science.  However, it does not matter if the child passes or fails because there are no consequences.  IN the year 2007-08 all students who are enrolled in biology must take an end of course exam.

Separate announcement systems -    The Board is waiting on a quote to separate the middle school and high school announcement systems.  They did receive a quote to fix Lincoln Schools’ intercom system, in line with Euclid at a cost of $17.000.

Middle School:

Teachers staying for extra help -   Parents are concerned that teachers are not staying in their classroom on their extra help days until 3:30 PM.  Sometimes you have two major subjects scheduled for extra help, such as English and science.  If a student attends extra help at one for ½ hour and than wants to go to the other subject, the student finds the classroom empty and the teacher gone.  Mr. Luongo will send a directive to the teachers to notify them that they must stay until 3:30 PM in the assigned room for extra help.

Elementary:

Letter regarding teacher thank you gift -    The end of year thank you gift to the teachers at Lincoln and Euclid schools has not been discussed with the board yet.  Mr. Luongo and the Board received a letter signed by the two PTA Presidents of the end schools requesting to be able to collect money for end of year gifts.  Mr. Luongo has sent a letter to the two end principals to have meeting with the 2 principals and the 2 PTA presidents to arrive at a solution.  A parent asked what if they can not arrive at a solution and was told than it will come to Mr. Luongo and the Board.

Lincoln School tables - There are two broken lunch tables at Lincoln and two tables have been ordered and should arrive within the week.

Class link -   Euclid school parents stated that they are given book reports and Power Points to do and can not log on from home.  We were informed that class link people have been working on the system and we are waiting to see the final outcome.  Mr. Luongo may ask the technology supervisor to look into this matter and make a recommendation regarding Class link at the end schools.  The 5 year replacement plan for technology may have to be revisited.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7:30 PM. 
Meeting adjourned at 8:35PM.

Minutes submitted by Donna Wipper.