By Lois Staas
NEWS Correspondent
Recently elected Bellmawr Board of Education Members Mary DiMattesa, Michael \”Juice\” Williams and re-elected Board Member Jody Mangus were sworn in by Solicitor Ronald W. Sahli at the district\’s reorganization meeting April 22.
The Board elected Jody Mangus President and Betty Sheppard Vice-President.
Next, Mrs. Holt of the Bell Oaks School as well as five middle school students gave a presentation concerning the Peer Mediation Program available to all students to help resolve conflicts that might distract their educational focus.
Mrs. Holt also cited the Peer Mentoring and the New Student programs that grew from the mediation model. Participating students raised funds for the Ronald McDonald House as well as volunteering to cook a dinner using Mexican cuisine for the families staying at the House.
Board Member Jamie Casey presented Danielle Sendler, Kristina Spenser, and Paige Kangas with the newly instituted Student Recognition Award. These three young ladies independently formed the \”Clean- Up Crew\” at Bellmawr Park Public School.
During their free time they make certain that the play area is safe and free of trash and sticks.
Counselor Lorraine Gancher\’s request for retirement was approved and outgoing Board President Ron Henry publicly thanked for her many years of significant service to the district.
During committee reports Board Member Jamie Casey offered that the search for a company to provide security cameras to the district was on going. Board Members Betty Sheppard and Ron Henry had no reports for their committees.
In routine business the Richard Hardenbergh Insurance Agency was appointed as Insurance/Risk Management Consultant. Garrison Architects were appointed as Architects of record.
Superintendent Annette Castiglione reported that the NJQSAC Committee members are Ann Garcia, Ron Henry, Betty Sheppard, Michael Williams, Patricia Bartley, Anthony Farinelli, Elizabeth Calabria, Frank Jankowski, Jr., Dottie Specht, Eileen Barr, Rose Ann Yezzo, Colleen Cullen, Melissa Gleason, Joan Crane, Pat Jombe, and herself.
\”This committee will assess the health of our district,\” Castiglione said. Instruction, personnel, and governance are three of the five areas that are evaluated by the district and state.
During the public portion of the meeting, parent Mrs. Loscata expressed her concerns about the 80-minute block schedule in Language Arts and Mathematics for 2008-2009.
The superintendent reassured all parents that this was in compliance with state mandates for required instructional hours in these disciplines.
Parental concerns also extended into availability of band classes as well as scheduling students for appropriately challenging classes.
The superintendent said that many extracurricular activities were provided for the students. The Academic Challenge is for students who are eligible and meet the guidelines of the district policy that is already in place.
As of press time, the Bellmawr Board of Education and Bellmawr Mayor and Council had planned to meet April 28 in the Borough Hall in regard to the defeated school budget.
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