By Lois Staas
NEWS Correspondent
As summer winded down, the Bellmawr School District was gearing up for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Reports of summer work, school opening, and district goal setting were discussed at the August Board of Education (BOE) meeting.
Highlights of Superintendent Annette Castiglione\’s report included technology, facilities, communication, and personnel.
All staff will use bellmawrschools.org address.
All students were entered into Global Connect, and lesson plan format is accessible. The Ethel M. Burke School has a new classroom and Bell Oaks has a new storage barn.
\”All of this is in addition to regular buildings and grounds maintenance,\” Castiglione said.
Academically, the Bellmawr Pride school bulletin will be more-timely.
Grades 2 to 4 will have agendas, and the elementary schools will be engaged in the 100 book challenge.
\”Each classroom will have a library of leveled, independent reading,\” she said. \”Schedules have been revamped so that teachers have common preparation time to work with curriculum and student needs.
\”We have reviewed applications and successfully negotiated contracts with the Bellmawr Education Association and the Bellmawr Administrator\’s Association,\” she said.
\”Our Solicitor Ronald W. Sahli conducted a residency workshop for us, and we also participated in grant writing,\” Castiglione added.
An exciting kick-off to the school year was planned for Tuesday, September 4, starting at 8 a.m.
The superintendent, BOE, faculty, staff, classroom and lunchroom aides, parents, and residents were goint to convene to focus on the new beginning.
\”The Mayor, Police Chief, community leaders and members have been invited as partners in learning,\” she said.
One highlight was the presentation by Camden County College\’s Karen McCaffrey on team building.
\”The objective of this team building exercise is to learn to work together to facilities change and to support student needs- -social, emotional, and academic,\” Castiglione said.
As of press time, Captain Muller was supposed to re-view evacuation and lock-down procedures, and the school nurse would work with staff for certification concerning blood born pathogens.
Most of the BOE meeting was devoted to examining and shaping district goals.
Field Service Representatives Gwen Thornton and Kathy Winekoff from the NJ School Boards Association worked with everyone present on state mandated district wide goals and objectives. Board governance is now part of the school monitoring evaluation pro-cess to assess the district and plan for the future.
BOE Member Jody Mangus said, \”We have an excellent education program.\”
Board President Ron Henry added, \”We have good communication between staff and children. Students can go to their favorite teacher and talk about any subject at any time.\”
Burke Principal Frank Jankowski Jr., said, \”We have a supportive community.\”
Elizabeth Calabria, Principal of Bellmawr Park, said, \”Our parents are involved, partnering with the teaching staff.\”
Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli noted the low turnover of staff.
The superintendent said, \”The Board, administration, teachers, staff, parents, and PTO really share a common goal to provide the best possible education for students. I have been welcomed with open arms; everyone was very receptive. The board is dedicated. Teachers who work here stay here. That is a statement about job satisfaction.\”
Members of the public concluded that the reading program is excellent and acknowledged that \”our kids are our greatest asset.\”
Areas identified as works in progress included Jody Mangus\’s comment that technology and community relations need continued attention.
Mr. Farenelli said, \”In general every district needs to update and revise curriculum.\”
Board member Betty Sheppard noted the board was considering hiring a district curriculum coordinator.
A suggestion was also made that the district was in need of a grant writer to access corporate funds.
In addition, instead of placing some special education students out of district, space is needed so that greater articulation and full access to the curriculum is possible for special education students.
Two areas of special attention were the budget and public relations.
Castiglione acknowledged the great audits that successfully passed but was concerned about passage of the budget.
\”We need to assess our business office and search for greater efficiency, better use of support staff and cross-training,\” she said.
Good public relations and passage of the budget will directly benefit the children.
Using the guideline for the NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum, the Board formulated two sets of goals to be submitted and adapted during the September meeting.
Thornton said the following district goals are objective based criteria used for the superintendent\’s end of year evaluation.
Thornton reminded the Board that the budget, \”is the financial translation of these goals. The goals drive the agendas of the committee.\”
Under consideration for adaptation are the following district goals:
1. Develop integrated Pre-K-8 curriculum aligned to NJ Core Content Curriculum Standards;
2. Develop and review financial operation to implement financial efficiencies which engages community activity ensuring that the budget is transparent to the community;
3. Expand the use of technology to increase operational efficiencies and to provide parents/community expanded access to the educational program;
4. Expand opportunities for meaningful two-way communication with all stake holders.
Under consideration for improvement of board governance are the following board goals:
1. Continue to revise policy manual to insure compliance with all federal and state requirements;
2. Work collaboratively with town officials and community members to improve relationships and foster closer relationships;
3. Complete board self-evaluation.
In regular business Board Member Jody Mangus reported that the NJ Department of Transportation is required to remediate the 80 feet of baseball field required to expand 295.
\”This is years down the line- -nine or ten- -but we are asking the community about how to use the remediate land,\” she said.