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Bellmawr Schools Receive $50,197 in State Aid

For the 2016-17 school year, the Bellmawr School District will receive $50,197 in regular State aid and $171,696 in pre-school aid. Bellmawr School Business Administrator, Amy Capriotti shared these figures during the February 24 Board of Education (BOE) meeting and stated that this was “very good, because we were only planning on flat” (funding).

She added that the budget is being worked on and will be presented at the March 16 meeting. The budget is due to the county on March 22 and a public hearing on the budget will be on April 27.


Mrs. Capriotti was also asked if there was an update on the soil remediation costs and she responded that she still has not have received those final numbers.

In other matters, School Superintendent, Annette Castiglione, spoke of a series of strategic planning sessions that the district is hosting for the community. She said the sessions are designed to create a three year plan that will help guide the district in the future.

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Mrs. Castiglione also spoke about the fourth grade picnic. She said: “The objective for the fourth grade picnic is to help transition the fourth graders into fifth grade.” She said that the students will be bused from their respective schools to Bell Oaks where they will be buddied up with fifth graders and will receive a tour of the school. The PTOs will provide food and there will be activities. After the students receive the tour, they will be bused back to their schools. If there are any questions concerning the fourth grade picnic, Mrs. Castiglione stated that those can go directly to her.

In other matters, the superintendent recognized teacher, Jessica Catrambone, as Staff Member of the Month.

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School Superintendent, Annette Castiglione, stands with Bell Oaks Principal, Anthony Farinelli, as they honor Gina Catrambone as Staff Member of the Month.

The BOE watched a presentation from teachers, Jessica Cook, Matt Ryan, and Heather Dunham about the digital features of the sixth-eighth grade math program.

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All business on the Board’s agenda was approved, including the bill list with a grand total of $1,443,907.05.

The following field trips were approved:

  • E.M. Burke & Bellmawr Park fourth grade students on May 24, 2016 (rain date May 27, 2016).
  • Bell Oaks seventh and eighth grade students will attend “Team Building/Leadership/Self-Esteem Workshop & Activities” on May 27 at the International Sports Complex Center. Cost covered by Bellmawr Police Municipal Alliance Grant.
  • Bell Oaks eighth grade peer mediators will prepare and serve a meal at the Ronald McDonald House on May 17 and 18, 2016 at no cost to the district.

The Board approved a maintenance services agreement with the Collingswood Board of Education for shared services on an as-needed basis for the 2016-17 school year.

The Board approved job descriptions for custodian and maintenance positions.

The Extended School Year (ESY) special education program will run from July 5-August 4, 2016 and will operate Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (three programs at E.M. Burke and one program at Bell Oaks). The BOE approved the following positions:

  • 4 teachers at $3,500 each
  • 7 paraprofessionals at $15.00 per hour each
  • 1 school bus aide at $1,000
  • 1 speech therapist at $3,500

The board approved the hiring of Jesse Genzel as a custodian at step 1 of the BEA negotiated agreement effective March 1, 2016.

In other matters, Bellmawr Park Principal Elizabeth Calabria thanked the Bellmawr Park Dragons PTO for presenting her with two checks – one in the amount of $2,250, which will be used to purchase two security doors. The other check in the amount of $2,200 will be used to purchase ten Chrome Books.

The BOE will meet next on Wednesday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. for its work session and the regular meeting will follow at 6:00 p.m. All meetings will be held in the Bell Oaks Media Center.