The North Bergen Board of Education last Wednesday passed a resolution to review the special education program. The resolution awards a contract to Professional Management Systems, LLC of Mahwah in the amount of $15,000 to review the program, with the hopes of determining “its efficiency, efficacy, and compliance.”
According to Steven Somick, business administrator for the school district, the Board of Education also passed a resolution to submit an application for a grant from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Solar panels installed on the district schools are expected to save around $400,000 this year.
According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the grant assists schools in providing an appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities ages 3 to 21.
“We usually receive close to $2 million,” said Somick.
Renovations underway
After the meeting, Somick discussed the renovations taking place in several schools within the district, which include the installation of new windows in Horace Mann School. A contract was previously awarded to Brockwell and Carrington Contractors of Towaco, N.J. for $2.2 million.
Somick also discussed the renovations to the high school, which include extending the guidance, nurse, and main offices.
“[The office] was a nightmare,” said Somick. “We extended about 20 feet out toward the street just to make it more kid-friendly. [Students] can search colleges and apply right there in the high school. It’s a nice little student center where students can go and research and do what they have to do to apply to colleges and meet with counselors.”
Renovations were recently completed to both the Lincoln School and Franklin School windows.
The district also plans to cut energy costs by installing solar panels on each of the schools.
“We’ve completed a solar panel project for all of our buildings,” said Somick. He indicated in a Sept. 4 article of the Hudson Reporter that the panels will save roughly $400,000 this year.
Retirees and hirees
Somick said the board is hoping to increase the literary scores on High Proficiency Assessments, which had previously been the district’s lowest scoring category. He said that six teachers were taken out of the classrooms to be trained by consultants. Each was then certified to train other teachers on literary matters.
“Our HSPA (High Proficiency Assessment) scores were low on literary arts,” said Somick. “We created a reading program where the teachers help other teachers.”
Replacing the six existing teachers were five new educators. Erika Garcia, Samir Naik, Elena Poulakos, Thomas Soontarodom, and Shorouk Yousef were hired for McKinley, Robert Fulton, Horace Mann, Lincoln, and Robert Fulton schools, respectively.
During the meeting, the board also passed two resolutions recognizing the retirement of two teachers. Angela Tabbacchino, a music teacher at Robert Fulton School, will retire effective June 30.
“At this time the board would like to thank Ms. Tabbacchino for her many years of service to our students and community,” the resolution states.
The board also recognized the retirement of Olga Melo, a World Language teacher at North Bergen High School. Her retirement will take place Jan. 1.
“We extend our congratulations to Ms. Melo and wish her a healthy retirement,” the resolution says.
Other matters
The board adopted a resolution to award a contract to TRINITAS Children’s Therapy Services of Springfield. The company will provide occupational and physical therapy assessments at the rate of $81 per hour.
A resolution was also passed reassigning teachers to different schools. Martha Ruiz was transferred from the Pre-K school to the Lincoln Annex. Luz Rios was transferred from the Lincoln Annex to the Pre-K school. Nancy Forbes was transferred from the Lincoln School to the McKinley School. Maria Alvarado was transferred from the Robert Fulton Annex to the Lincoln Annex.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.