Advertisement
Bellmawr School District’s Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Amy Capriotti, tendered her resignation effective January 16, 2017.
At the December 21 meeting, the Bellmawr Board of Education (BOE) “reluctantly” voted to accept it. Capriotti is leaving the district after four years to take a position with Gloucester County Special Services/GCIT (Gloucester County Institute of Technology).
Advertisement
Since Capriotti has been the Business Administrator, the district’s past two audits have yielded no corrective actions or findings.
Interim Business Administrator
As for Capriotti’s replacement, the BOE is looking to hire Mark Ritter as the district’s interim Business Administrator.
During the workshop session last week, Ritter said that he was a teacher for 15 years at Collingswood High School and also coached basketball and soccer. He took a “strange career path” by coming out of the biology classroom and into school business administration. In addition to spending “a lot of time” in Atlantic County districts, he has also spent 15 years in Haddon Township, four years in Haddon Heights, and 16 months in Barrington.
Advertisement
Ritter said he hopes to bring “stability” to the district. He estimated that this will be his twelfth interim placement and that he “will not just go anywhere.” He also said that he is not “not worried at all” about coming on board during budget time.
School superintendent, Annette Castiglione, said that she is waiting for the Camden County Superintendent’s office to approve Ritter’s contract.
Gina Heller Recognized as 2016 NJ Exemplary Educator
In other matters, E.M. Burke teacher, Gina Heller, was recognized as 2016 Exemplary Educator.
E.M. Burke principal, Frank Jankowski read from the nomination form that he submitted to the State and said that Heller has “exceptional educational talent.” Based on Link It data, all third graders in Heller’s classroom showed significant growth, he said. “This is the result of increased rigor and high expectations.”
Outside of the classroom, Heller continues to stay abreast of educational strategies, techniques, and programs.
Of being recognized as 2016 Exemplary Teacher, Heller said: “I love Bellmawr. I grew up here. All of my school age children are [school] choice students and come to Bellmawr Schools. I am grateful to the administration and the staff for all of the things that are happening, not only for myself, but for my kids as well.”
In addition to Heller being named 2016 New Jersey Exemplary Educator, Bellmawr Park teacher, Sue DiPrinzio, also earned this distinction. DiPrinzio was recognized during the November BOE meeting.
Heather Dunham Staff Member of the Month
During the regular meeting, The BOE also recognized teacher Heather Dunham as staff member of the month.
BOE Approves Agenda Items
On the business side, among the agenda items the BOE voted to approve were:
- Bills in the grand total amount of $907,981.62.
- A shared services agreement with South Jersey Technology Partnership (SJTP) to update the electric at E.M. Burke School at a cost of $58,300.
- The Elementary Discipline Plan 2016-2017 (revised 12.13.16)
A Resolution supporting Safe Schools Route - Approving Carmen Henderson as an independent contractor to perform Learning Assessments from January 3-June 30, 2017 at a rate of $63.00 per hour for a maximum of 25 hours per week.
Additionally, the BOE voted to accept the following donations:
- HP Windows XP desktop computer with mouse, keyboard and 17 inch display from Helen Radecke of Bellmawr.
- 12 meditation cushions and baskets from Donors Choose for students to use for independent reading and centers in Mrs. Friend’s classroom at E.M. Burke School.
Next BOE Meeting
The BOE will meet next on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 5:00 pm in the Bell Oaks Media Center for its reorganization meeting. As per the published noticed, the purpose of the meeting is to swear in Eric Hoban and Patrick Murrary as Board members, to approve the list of meetings for 2017, and also to discuss and act upon any miscellaneous items of business brought before the Board. Formal action will occur at this meeting.