West Essex Board of Education Hears Annual Audit Report, Addresses 12/14 Hybrid Return – TAPinto.net
NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — The West Essex Board of Education heard a presentation from the district’s auditing firm Nisivoccia, LLP during its final meeting of 2020 on Monday night.
In addition, the semi-annual Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) report was presented by Juliann Hoebee West Essex High (WEHS) assistant principal; monthly reports were provided by WEHS’s principal Caesar Diliberto and West Essex Middle School (WEMS) principal Dr. Gina Donlevie; and Director of Curriculum Ryan Gupta provided an update on the hybrid/distance learning schedule.
Representing Nisivoccia, Man Lee reported that as of June 30, 2020, the district’s fund balance was $12,930,000, an increase of $1 million from the previous fiscal year. The capital reserve stands at $9,124,500, which represents approximately 14% of the district’s capital assets, which are valued at $65,400,000. Lee noted that “it looks like a big number, however, the reality is if the district were to do any big project, the money would be gone before you know it.”
Other highlights in the report included the revelation that there is $551,000 in the maintenance reserve. Lee noted that $165,000 from the fund balance was used to offset a decrease in state aid and then unassigned funds, which is the allowable 2% that the state allows districts to keep, plus adjustments such as extraordinary aid is $1,231,000. The district’s total budget is $42 million, and Lee confirmed that the $2,312,000 in the fund balance is approximately 7% which is in the mid-range of a “healthy fund balance.”
Lee stated that the district plan for the 2020-2021 fiscal year was to reduce the reliance on the district’s surplus for budgeting needs. There were no recommendations from the auditor and Lee commended Business Administrator Melissa Kida “for doing a wonderful job.”
Superintendent Damion Macioci reported that the district which is still currently on a remote schedule is scheduled to return to a hybrid model Dec. 14. He stated that the northeast region of New Jersey which includes Hudson, Bergen, and Essex counties for the third week remains in what the New Jersey Department of Health considers a high-risk category according to the weekly COVID-19 activity level report. The high-risk category requires enhanced protocols, and the school nurses have been following protocols associated with the high-risk category. The superintendent confirmed that 2/3 of Essex county public schools are on a remote schedule at least until Martin Luther King Day and the district will continue to monitor information from the health officers. He added that the district nurses and administration “need your full cooperation” and implored all to follow protocols.
Addressing the 2021/2022 school calendar, the board approved the amended calendar. Macioci confirmed that the sending districts work together with the district to try to align the calendars as much as possible for consistency, “however we each have our own challenges to deal with.” There will be the same start dates for staff and students, spring break, half days and days for professional development, end dates for June and single session dates.
Hoebee, presented the semi-annual HIB report which is required by state statute. For the period from Sept.1 until Dec. 1 there were two reported cases of HIB in the high school. One reported case involved a “racially insensitive word”, and the other was an electronic threat. Both actions were not founded however remediation measures including counseling are being provided, and they were reported to the police. There were no reported incidents in the middle school during this period.
Dr. Donlevie, updated the board by highlighting middle school initiatives. Counseling activities include “Mindful Mondays” as a way to reduce stress and teach coping strategies. The recent “Find a Friend Scavenger Hunt” allowed the students to have social interaction with their peers and served as a way to make new friends and the department is running virtual bingo games. Donlevie suggested parents encourage their children to attend the activities as it is “a wonderful way to feel connected to the building, de-stress and make new friends.”
Enrichment tutorials have been created by Greg Aschoff, Mathematics supervisor that provide optional learning activities for those students seeking additional challenges that provide rigor that is “also engaging.” MAP testing will take place Jan.25-26, which will allow teachers to review student growth from September and the data will be used to differentiate instruction as needed. Both the high school and the middle school are also joining State Senator Joe Pennacchio’s Holiday Toy Drive and if anyone would like to contribute new and unwrapped toys there will be a one-day collection on Dec. 14. A collection box will be located outside the entrance to the middle school gym.
Donlevie recognized retiring special education teacher Stephanie Graham a nearly 20-year veteran of the district. Donlevie thanked Graham for her dedication to the district and said, “she has touched many lives.”
Despite many district who have had to cancel planned SAT and ACT tests, WEHS hosted three SAT and two ACT exams so far according to Diliberto who stated: “we are very happy to provide opportunities for the kids and these exams were presented not by accident.” This past Saturday approximately 70 students including those from surrounding districts were able to take the exams.
Board member Jill Marcus commended the administrators and staff for “making the SAT and ACTs happen, which is no small feat. It shows that our staff was dedicated enough to make this happen and it means the world to the kids for us to be able to offer the continuation of something somewhat normal as we move through the school year and they look towards their future. I just wanted to say thank you.”
Recently the ShopRite STARS awards, based upon recommendations from teaching staff, were announced. Recognized for academics was Felicia Lichtenstein, Isabella Vitella received the athletic award, Alexandra Lowenthal was recognized for her accomplishments in the Arts, Samuel Goldstein received the leadership award and Emma Saccone was recognized for her service to the community.
West Essex has launched the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy program which began in New Jersey in 2016. The program provides certification for students who are fluent in two or more languages. According to Diliberto, the certification not only benefits college applications but later on when applying for a job in the increasingly global market they will stand out and be more marketable.
Diliberto commented on the abbreviated fall sports schedule and thanked Athletic Director Anthony Minnella for “all the hard work that he does” and said, “it is a testament to Minnella that we were able to give the kids, particularly the seniors, a chance to get out there and play in what may be their final games which was just tremendous.” Diliberto confirmed that to date, 13 seniors have already committed to playing sports in college.
Gupta stated that both the remote and hybrid schedules are the same with 50-minute period and an 88-minute lunch which provides enough time for those hybrid students to return home and have lunch before the afternoon schedule begins. He confirmed that on Wednesday the start time remains at 8:15 a.m. and will remain fully remote for the time being which is “dedicated to support and enrichment.” The unified schedules provide consistency and eliminates confusion amongst students, staff, and parents according to Gupta and is a direct response to feedback from the stakeholder surveys.