The superintendent and Board of Education members were present with the exception of Nancy Kinloch and Judi Laganga. The meeting started at 6:30 pm and went immediately into closed session. The open session was started at 7 pm.

Public Portion

Jacob Magiera

• Mr. Magiera spoke on the diminishing coverage for the borough from the Star-Ledger. Mr. Magiera then gave an analysis of PILOT vs. taxes for AvalonBay and how these options would affect the Board of Education. He stated that the BOE should be more vocal with parents and PTAs to get information out on the possible impact of AvalonBay mediation talks. Mr. Magiera reviewed the PILOT proposal offered to the public. PILOT to the municipality will be around $585,000 with $400,000 going towards senior housing initiatives and a one-time payment to the borough of $50,000. The museum will be housed on the AvalonBay property and the county gets around $29,000. The school district will receive nothing through PILOT. With a possible influx of many children from AvalonBay will impact the taxpayers. If taxes are applied to AvalonBay, the school district will stand to receive around $493,830. Mr. Magiera stated that no one from the BOE has been invited into negotiation talks and hopes that the BOE will get some input from the borough. Mr. Magiera stated that by going to taxes, the school board will have its full share because all the money collected will get funneled into a bucket and everyone gets to pick out of that collection.

With no one else coming to speak, the public portion was closed.

Agenda Items

• Agenda items 1 through 12. President Cindea stated that Mr. Klutkowski, who is retiring, will be missed. Items 1 through 12 was moved, voted on, and carried.
• Agenda items 13 through 15 were moved, voted on, and carried.
• Agenda items 16 through 21 were moved, voted on, and carried.

Committee/Liaison Reports

• As discussed in a previous meeting, Mrs. Panetta will be on the Union County Educational Services Committee to replace Mr. Balaban who needed to remove himself due to employment situations.
• Mr. Iachio stated that this year is the 75th year of Dad’s Club and asked if the BOE could recognize the club for all its work in the community. The board stated that they would draft a resolution.

Continuing Business

• President Cindea asked if anyone saw the Holiday concert and commented that it was absolutely beautiful. Mr. Leinberger stated he watched it and enjoyed it.
• Mr. Iachio stated that he was away for Christmas break. He stated that he would hate to have such programs reduced or cut.
• Mrs. Panetta stated that if art programs are cut back, it would be a big loss.

Public Portion

Jacob Magiera

• Mr. Magiera asked if the cheerleaders, who came in second place nationally, could be recognized by the BOE. Mr. Iachio stated that they would be recognized.

Saul Qersdyn

• Mr. Qersdyn asked when the next meeting would occur since the RPSD web site states January 13th but the meeting agenda stated that the next meeting would be on February 3, 2009. Mr. Spagnetti stated that the January 13th meeting is a workshop and no action will be taken.

With no one else from the public coming up to speak, the public portion was closed.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 pm