Gloucester City BOE Votes To Affirm HIBs

Following an Executive Session at its April 12 meeting, the Gloucester City Board of Education (BOE) voted to affirm the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIBs) as reported.

The BOE also voted to approve the sidebar agreement with the GCEA (Gloucester City Education Association) regarding sick leave subject to approval of the GCEA under the committee. School superintendent Rafferty stated: “Just to clarify, the name will not be mentioned, but a number will be placed there that will represent the individual.”

During the meeting under communications, the superintendent referred to a letter that was received from Board member Patrick Hagan concerning a request for a leave of absence. Rafferty said he needs to ascertain whether a Board member is allowed to take a leave of absence or has to resign.

Rafferty said he plans to meet with Hagan about the request. Hagan was not present at the meeting.

All business on the BOE’s agenda was approved.

April 2016 Regular Public Agenda

Among the approvals were:

• Bill payment in the amount of $4,017,340.39.
• A contract with Virtual High School for the period of July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 in the amount of $7,500 annually.
• The contract for Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Peg McDonnell, for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. McDonnell’s salary will be $150,161.00. CNB News.net reported that McDonnell began her employment with the district in February 2007 at a salary of $98,000. Her salary in 2014-15 was $143,975 and last year she was paid $147,000.
• Permission for five GHS students who are in the marketing class to attend the Southern Regional Consumer Bowl Competition. Those students are Steve Potts, Matt Orsino, Isaiah Cancel, Justin Ly, and Alex Holmes.

The BOE approved a school bus leasing agreement that authorizes leasing up to two school buses for district busing needs through June 30, 2016 from the following possible vendors: Gateway Regional School District, Holcomb Bus Company, and HA DeHart. The Board also approved an agreement with Gloucester Catholic High School to provide bus drivers and bus maintenance services for leased school buses.

Board Secretary, Peg McDonnell, clarified that the busing situation is for athletics.

Rafferty explained that the bus companies have the buses, but they don’t have the drivers. He said the district is looking for a way to get bus services and is working on a shared services type of agreement with Gloucester Catholic.

He said that for the past several years, Gloucester Catholic has picked up the GHS students to take them to swimming.

“They have people who can drive and we would lease a bus because our kids need to be transported. We have found that this is the cheapest way for us to try to solve this unique problem. Right now, bus companies cannot give the services that we need,” Rafferty said.

Solicitor Frank Cavallo Jr. explained there has been a change in the law about driver’s physicals. Because of those new regulations, companies are having a hard time finding drivers, he said.

Board member Stephanie Cohan asked needing to lease through June 30. Rafferty said playoffs go through the month of June.

During the meeting, the BOE also congratulated Kayla Fischer, Justin Ly, Davin Bowman, and Alexa Long for being among the GHS students honored by the Camden County Board of Freeholders.

GHS principal Sean Gorman said that each year, the Camden County Freeholders honor students from each county high school at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood. This year’s ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 5th.

Camden County Freeholders Honorees from GHS:

Community Service Award: Peyton Weichmann
Leadership Award: Alexa Long
Most Improved Student Award: Kayla Fischer
Best Overall Student Award: Justin Ly
Most Courageous Student Award: Jessica Sherlock
Performing Arts Student Award: Davin Bowman
School Spirit Award: Justin Cowgill

The BOE will meet next on Thursday, May 5 for its Budget Meeting and the Regular Meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 10. Both meetings will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the GHS Media Center.