High school athletic budget ‘decimated’

The Vernon Township High School athletic budget has been “decimated,” with a reduction of $40,000 to $50,000, and the funds for each sport will be cut, athletic director William Foley said at the Board of Education meeting May 18.

However, the hockey team’s budget will not decline by $10,000, he said, pointing out that he did not change the budget line of $30,000 for ice time.

“But I do understand I will have to make cuts across my entire budget over 32 athletic programs, including ice hockey.”

Foley promised that each sports program “will be treated fairly and equitably.”

“Every program will have to lose something somewhere, whether it’s a game or two ... .”

Some teams will not get new equipment or new uniforms, he noted.

Superintendent Russell Rogers pointed out that budget cuts are the result of the continuing decline in state aid to the district as well as the end of significant state stabilization aid and federal funds related to the pandemic.

”The total of these aid reductions was more profound than anticipated,” requiring the elimination of about 40 jobs. “The staffing decisions were the most difficult in my entire educational career,” he said.

Many of the staff members who were laid off have found new jobs but not all, he noted.

The budget for 2023-24 includes reductions in salaries and benefits for employees, he added. “If a forensic audit is approved, it should be with the knowledge of what expenditures will be reduced to fund its costs.”

Forensic audit

Board members John Kraus and Jennifer Pellet said they oppose spending money for a forensic audit because the district just cut 40 jobs as well as funds for late buses and sports.

”There’s no misappropriation of funds here, there’s no wrongdoings. Our main auditor would have caught something fishy and would have said something to us. We should not be doing this,” Kraus said.

Pellet suggested forming an ad hoc committee or finding another way to solve the issue of public doubt about the district’s finances rather than paying for a forensic audit.

Board president Kelly Mitchell pointed out that the board previously agreed to hire an independent auditor to do the forensic audit, rather than use its current auditor even if that would cost less.

Board member Raymond Zimmerman suggested including the current auditor in the request for proposals, and the board agreed in a 5-2 vote. Joseph Sweeney and Mitchell voted no, saying including the current auditor would defeat the purpose of the audit.

Public comments

Mitchell explained that with the official end of the coronavirus health emergency, the board needs to change its policy on public comments.

The board does not plan to stop live streaming its meetings nor to stop allowing public comments through Zoom, she said.

Board member Justin Annunziata the board did not propose the policy changes and he does not support limiting public involvement in the meetings.

”I think that it’s a really impactful way for working parents or commuters or people who can’t drive at night to continue to participate in our meetings,” he said.

Other board members agreed.

Pellet said, “It’s been such an important part of giving our community access to board meetings and being able to participate from home. That’s not something I would ever want to be a part in ending.”

Award winners

At the beginning of the meeting, the board recognized recipients of 2022-23 Governor’s Educator of the Year awards: Marianne Longchamp of the high school, Christopher Jensen of Glen Meadow Middle School, Cheryl Reed of Lounsberry Hollow School, Christina Weiss of Rolling Hills Primary School, Maria Ollert of Cedar Mountain Primary School and Allison Weber of Walnut Ridge Primary School.

Receiving 2022-23 Educational Services Professionals awards were Ray Loughren, school counselor at the high school; Carol Gonzalez, school counselor at Glen Meadow; Debbie Lisa, school nurse at Lounsberry Hollow; Jennifer Gallant, school nurse at Rolling Hills; Sherry Polhemus, social worker at Cedar Mountain; and Nik Lasso, technology coach at Walnut Ridge.

Maureen Sweeney and Lois Battista received state Department of Education Exemplary Elementary Educator Awards.

Also honored were Matthew Ferguson and Katherine Kaiser, both of Glen Meadow, who each have worked 35 years in the district.

Those marking their 25th year with the district were Patricia Braitsch and Jennifer Smith, both of the central office; Jacqueline Clifford, Jannine Czifra, Tara Holderith, Jennifer Papandrea and Todd Piontkowski, all of of Glen Meadow; and Richard Dalrymple, Linda Hopper, Kara Leitner-Puco, Coleen Ranzan and Kathleen Weyant, all of the high school.

Rogers thanked staff members who are retiring as of June 30: Linda Hopper, secretary at the high school; Christine Kellish, media specialist at Cedar Mountain; Susan Mayer, second-grade teacher at Rolling Hills; Barbara Risalvato, Spanish teacher at Glen Meadow; Laura Ryder, third-grade teacher at Rolling Hills; and Marta Yafar-Werman, the district’s supervisor of World Language and English Language Learners.

Board action

The board approved these appointments:

• Samantha Owens as a teacher at Rolling Hills. She previously taught at Lounsberry Hollow.

• Leia Fontana as the district’s clinician at a salary of $81,195; effective Sept. 1.

The board accepted these resignations:

• Alison Vizzini as a secretary at Rolling Hills.

• Lisa Ingrasselino as a secretary at Glen Meadow.

• Bianca Cano as a teacher at Rolling Hills.

And board members approved these salary increases for the 2023-24 school year:

• Marisa Broesder, transportation coordinator, to $76,015.

• Richard Green, facilities supervisor, to $84,664.

• Matthew Shea, chief technology officer, to $116,095.

• Joseph VanKirk, director of facilities, to $115,080.

Resolutions approved by the board would:

• Implement the CommonLit English curriculum for grades 6-8.

• Award a $1 million contract for school food service management for the 2023-24 school year, with an option for four one-year extensions to Maschio’s Food Services of Chester.

• Approve a Memorandum of Understanding for live streaming Video between the Vernon Township Police Department and the school district.

• Accept 10 High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) purifiers and two years worth of filters with an estimated value of $6,000 from the New Jersey Department of Health.

Board members Carl Contino and Adina Hope were absent from the meeting.