Mt. Ephraim School Board Votes to Renew Superintendent’s Contract

*Article was updated on February 13, 2016 to include the Corrective Action Plan recommendations.

During a Special Meeting on February 4, the Mt. Ephraim Board of Education (BOE) approved a motion concerning the contract renewal for School Superintendent, Leslie Koller, subject to agreement on a contract that must be approved by the Executive County Superintendent.

See related article: Ethics Complaint Dismissed Against Mt. Ephraim School Board President.

Voting yes to renew Koller’s contract were board members Joan Greenwood, Lewis Greenwood, Sr., Carl Ingram, Robbin Malinowski, and Rocco Vespe.

Diane Vilardo voted no. Nicholas Salamone was absent. Mario Alibrando and Patricia Blaylock are conflicted and could not vote.

During the Special Meeting, the BOE also voted to approve business on its agenda. The approvals included recommendations for:

• Phoenix Advisors as continuing disclosure agent and municipal advisor of record for bond finance.
• The corrective action plan from the year end audit 2015 presented by Holman, Frenia & Allison, P.C. (The corrective action report has been requested and article will be updated to include this information when it is received.)
• A contract with Comcast Business Service for ethernet network services under the statewide program with Middlesex Educational Services Commission.

When the Board reorganized, Patricia Blaylock was president and Carl Ingram was named vice president.

At its regular meeting on February 8 meeting, the BOE recognized student representatives from Mary Bray School and Raymond Kershaw School.

The BOE voted to approve the February, 2016 bill list in the amount of $510,520.52, all field trips, the 2016-17 school calendar, and a Learning Through Gardening Proposal.

The next Board of Education meeting will take place on Monday, March 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Bray Media Center.

*Update: There were six corrective actions:

1. The treasurer should reconcile their cash records with the reconciled bank statements of the Board Secretary.
2. The district implements internal controls to ensure timely deposit of student funds.
3. The district implements internal controls to ensure disbursements for student awards follows controls set forth by the district.
4. The district implements internal controls to ensure student enrollment is reconciled to the final report.
5. The district implements internal controls to ensure Capital Assets additions, deletions, and depreciation is recorded correctly in their system.
6. The district implements standard operating systems.