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Bellmawr BOE Discusses Pre-School Lottery, Parking

Bell Oaks Principal, Anthony Farinelli, said at Wednesday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting that a lottery was recently administered for the 25 available slots for three year old students. Farinelli spoke on behalf of School Superintendent, Annette Castiglione, who was absent from the meeting.

Farinelli noted that pre-school registration was held March 1 through 15 and that every four year old was registered, leaving 25 open spaces for three year old registrants. Because 51 three year old students were registered, three district emoployees held the lottery on May 16.


The first 25 numbers were admitted to the program and the remaining 26 three year olds were placed on a waiting list.

Farinelli also spoke about a meeting that took place on May 11 regarding the parking situation at Bellmawr Park School. District administration consulted with parents, community members, police, and Borough officials. Based on the feedback, a preliminary plan is in the works, Farinelli said.

Bellmawr Park Principal Elizabeth Calabria stated that she visited another school to observe their dismissal and has plans to visit another one to observe their procedures.

As for the preliminary plan, Farinelli stated that the drop-off and pick-up locations for students will be based on grade levels. Children from the same family in Kindergarten through fourth grade will exit at the youngest child’s location. A loop will be created for drop off and pick up in the back parking lot along Essex, with that work to be determined in the future. Parents and guardians will be designated by color to park in particular spots. The teachers’ parking lot will be moved to the firehouse. The ECC will drop off and pick up will remain the same with 8:50 a.m. arrival and 2:50 p.m. pick up. The district will also fix signage in the front and back to indicate drop off designation. This will be worked on throughout the summer with information being communicated to the parents.

Farinelli also noted that there was a recent meeting concerning a district wide joint PTO. “We are hoping for a single organization that will be led by an executive board with committees at each school.”  The attorney is working on the bylaws.

“The overall goal is to create a group of parents who work together on promoting district and school level activities, both fundraising and educational in nature. Parent involvement and getting the community to respond to all school events and initiatives are also goals,” Farinelli said.

As for the fundraising, Farinelli stated that is trying to be brought together under one umbrella. There will be another meeting on June 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Bell Oaks.

In other matters, there was a discussion about the possibility of installing a garden where vegetables can be grown and then served in the cafeteria. The idea of a greenhouse was also discussed, but if a greenhouse were to be built, it would need to be funded by a grant.

All items on the Board’s agenda were passed. Approvals included bill payment totaling $1,076,268.12.

Business Administrator, Amy Capriotti, said that Requests for Proposals were solicited for the various professional services for the upcoming school year:

Camden County Educational Services Commission for the 2016-2017 school year.

Inter-Local Agency/Shared Service Agreement/Consortia with EIRC for products and services for the 2016-2017 school year.

Rehab Connection for Occupational Therapy services and Physical Therapy services at a rate of $75.00 per hour for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

Interactive Kids for Behavior Consultation Services on an as-needed basis at a fee of $125.00 per hour for the term of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

Protocall for district nursing services for the 2016-2017 school year for Registered Nurse at $58.25 per hour, Licensed Practical Nurse at $48.25 per hour, one-to-one aides at $21.25 per hour.

Garrison Architects as Architect of Record for the 2016-17 school year as per their Schedule of Fees.

Wade, Long, & Wood, LLC as Board Solicitor for the 2016-2017 school year at a rate of $155 per hour.

Bowman & Company LLP as School Auditor for the 2016-2017 school year at a fee not to exceed $44,650 for the statutory audit and $4,750 for the Federal and State Single Audits. The Bellmawr Board of Education acknowledges receipt and review of the auditor’s peer review report.

Source4Teachers and Mission One Staffing at their schedule of rates.

Sciarrillo, Cornell, Merlino, McKeever & Osborne, LLC as Labor Counsel and Consultant for negotiations for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 at a rate of $160 per hour.

James Runfola as School Physician for the 2016-2017 school year at a fee of $7,000.

Additionally, the BOE voted to accept the donation of five $25.00 Visa gift cards from 1st Colonial Community Bank for eighth grade graduation award. A refrigerator for the Bell Oaks teachers’ lounge was donated by Colleen Marengo.

The BOE also approved the retirement of Virginia Coyle, Administrative Assistant, effective July 1, 2016.

Regarding personnel, the BOE approved a salary advancement for teacher, Michael Mazzuca, from BA+30 step 11 to MA step 11, effective June 1, 2016.

Jessica Dennsteadt was approved as part-time ELL teacher for the 2016-2017 school year at salary guide MA+15 step 3 of the BEA negotiated agreement.

Sean Clancy was approved as music teacher for the 2016-2017 school year at salary guide BA step 1 of the BEA negotiated agreement.

Jessica Clark was approved as fourth grade teacher for the 2016-2017 school year at salary guide BA step 3 of the BEA negotiated agreement.

Additionally, Lauren Dutka, was approved as Summer Camp Teacher at a rate of $18.00 an hour and Anjali Patel was approved as a camp worker at the rate of $8.38 an hour.

The BOE will meet next on Wednesday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m. for its work session. The regular meeting will follow at 6:00 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the Bell Oaks Media Center.