Schools
Business Before the First Bell
At its first meeting of the 2010-2011 school year last Thursday, the SPF Board of Education undertakes routine business matters and welcomes new hires.
At its first meeting in two months Thursday night, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education approved new hires, promotions and appointments, out-of-district placements, bus and medical contracts, and other administrative measures for the 2010-2011 school year.
Vincent Dionisio was confirmed as the district's supervisor of science, replacing Scott Bortnick, who was named principal of Brunner Elementary School. Diane Peneno was confirmed as the district's supervisor of special education, replacing Suzanne Flannery, who retired July 31, according to the board's Aug. 26 personnel agenda. And Raffaele Gerace, a social studies teacher at Park Middle School, was confirmed as assistant principal of Terrill Middle School. He replaces Kimberly Richards, who resigned, according to the personnel agenda.
The board also approved the district's 55 new hires, who were welcomed the following Monday for "New Staff Orientation." "Congratulations to them," superintendent Hayes said, "and my thanks to the countless number of teachers and parents who served on the interview committees."
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The board later approved the district's grant applications, as well as contracts for busing, medical and custodial services. It also confirmed out-of-district placements, which totaled $2,332,230 for public school placements, and $2,972,779.92 for private school placements.
Board member Donald Parisi said that the district had managed to find a surplus at the end of the 2009-2010 budget, despite the challenges it faced from the recession.
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Last year was a particularly difficult year," he said. "But we were able to get through with slightly over 1 percent surplus at year-end." About $200,000 will be put in a "maintenance reserve," and another $100,000 will be held in a general reserve.
The board also confirmed an integrated middle school science curriculum. Students will now learn life, earth and physical science during the year, rather than just one of those subjects.
Stay tuned to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch for coverage of the first day of school Tuesday.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
