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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: BOE: Annual district goals achieved

By Ed Birch, Special writer
   The school district did a good job of reaching its goals this year, and will continue to improve next year, according to officials.
   ”No one should ever call an educational project as completed,” Superintendent Dr. Gary McCartney said during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting. “Our job as educators is never done. There is always room to expand our service delivery no matter how hard we think that we are trying.”
   During the meeting, Dr. McCartney and other key staff members reported on the district’s progress and unveiled the 2012-2013 schools system motto as “Success is a Choice.”
   According to district officials, 2011-2012 was a very successful year for the local educational system.
   In the areas of instruction and curriculum, Assistant Superintendent Joanne Kerekes reported that a Performance Evaluation System has been completed to judge the performance of district teachers, specialists, and other service providers.
   This includes an assessment of performance monitors and training to all district supervisors, chairpersons, and administrators, Ms. Kerkes said.
   She also announced that curriculums for all subject areas will be completed and in place for staff and parents reference by Aug. 15.
   An evaluation of the Gifted and Talented Program for the 21st century has also been completed, and will be implemented by the start of the upcoming semester.
   She also said that the State of New Jersey has met the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind standards statewide.
   She said a program to assist any struggling kindergarten to eighth grade students is in place, and would be coordinated by the school Student Support Teams.
   In the technology area, the district web page is presently being updated and will be debuted very soon with a brand new look. The On-Line Learning Program has been developed and the district is presently collecting feedback to develop future applications, according to officials.
   Another major project during the previous year has been the implementation of the state mandated Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) procedures.
   Former Staff Development Director Bonnie Capes and HIB District Program Director Judy McCormick have coordinated this program.
   The program started from scratch last year and has seen the development of policies, forms, reporting mechanisms, mandated staff training, and specialized training to all students in the district. In addition, board staff reached out to contract service providers to guarantee total compliance with staff such as bus drivers, and cafeteria workers, according to Dr. McCartney.
   Business Administrator Anthony Tonzini reported that all projects that were scheduled for completion during this summer were completed on time and within the budgeted funding levels.
   He said that significant progress has also been reported in areas of security and energy conservation. An “Energy Expert” has been hired by the district with the hopes of making program changes and identifying sources of grant funds for improvements. He also said the district is now 70 percent compliant with organic recycling, and that this year, food vendor, Chartwells Food Service, has announced that they will be using trays and utensils that are 100 percent recyclable. Students in the district suggested this program last year. A solar energy study is considered an in-progress project, according to Mr. Tonzini. He said that he has further found a way to streamline the reproduction and distribution of the agenda and back-up materials to all board members. This savings is projected to save reams of paper for each meeting, according to Mr. Tonzini. He also said the district is presently developing policies for web site and school bus advertising for the near future.
   Student Services Director Rafael Morales reported that a policy regarding head injuries during sporting events has been presented to the board for the first reading, and is expected to be approved within the next few months.
   Mr. Morales said he is also finalizing his analysis of putting Individual Education Plans on computer and how they would be handled within the district. He said his highest priority is to maintain the necessary confidentiality and streamline the distribution of such reports.
   Dr. McCartney reported that the district is completing joining a system that will track students as they graduate from South Brunswick and assist with evaluating the manner that the district prepares students for college life. At present, he said, there is no data to validate if students receive the required preparation to survive successfully in their higher education careers.
   Board member Dan Boyle said that the annual goals always bring together the needs and the feelings of the faculty and the administrators. He also asked if the administration compares district performance to similarly composed districts.
   Ms. Kerekes said that while no formal comparison currently exists, many of the requirements and factors are set by oversight agencies throughout the state.