Introductory Comments:

Last week, non-tenured personnel review meetings were held with the administrators, supervisors and Board Members. As a result of these reviews, it was recommended that certain personnel not be renewed. The reasons for the decisions are related to one or more of the following: budget, state regulations, enrollment, and/or performance. It would be a serious breech of confidentiality to identify the reasons for any individuals not rehired by disclosing the reasons to anyone other than the individual or the Board.

Tonight, the Board will vote on approving the list of tenured staff. As a result of the failed budget, we could not include the list of non-tenured staff for their approval, as well. A failed budget must go through a process that may result in additional personnel cuts for budgetary reasons.

Additionally, to address certain comments made in public session, I would like to clarify the following:

-     We will be receiving IDEA funds in the near future. IDEA funds are categorical. These must be used in strict accordance with established guidelines. Further, all districts will be required to submit an application and receive approval by the NJDOE prior to the disbursement of any IDEA funds.

-     Administrative costs are comparatively very low. We have the lowest administrative cost ratio in Monmouth County and we are the 3^rd lowest in the state!

-     We are currently in contract negotiations with the HTEA. The Board is represented by an experienced and knowledgeable negotiations lawyer who we consult on a regular basis on any and all items related to contract/negotiation issues.

We hope to continue to have open and honest communications with all association representatives, but may find ourselves more restricted on some topics related to negotiations. I am always available to clarify, explain and discuss any topic that does not fall into the area of negotiations.

I appreciate and respect the role of the association representatives, in particular, their devoted leadership and hope to enjoy many years of a mutually respectful and professional relationship.

Highlights since our last board meeting:

·     Don’t forget… “Family Awareness Night 2009” is tomorrow evening, April 23, 2009. The event will take place at Holmdel High School. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and workshops start promptly at 7:00 p.m. This evening will offer “one-stop shopping for information.”
 

·     We are very fortunate to have such caring students and staff who raise money for various organizations, such as participating in these two recent events:

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has named the walk team from Holmdel High School the “Top School Fundraising Team” for the “Walk for the Cure of Juvenile Diabetes, ’08.”

Also, Holmdel teachers raised $1,140 for United by Autism on “Dress Down Day,” which was held on April 2^nd. This event was spearheaded by Nicole Priest, one of our occupational therapists.
 

·     On April 1^st, Indian Hill’s fifth and sixth teams competed in the Academic Bowl. The fifth grade team finished in 1^st place out of 24 teams and the sixth grade team finished in 4^th place out of 25 teams.
 

·     Indian Hill’s final science fair went off without a hitch! The students did a fantastic job putting together amazing projects for our parents, staff, and their fellow classmates.
 

·     Indian Hill also had the final Heroes and cool Kids meeting between the sixth graders and high school students. Mr. Schillaci thanks the staff, students, and the Alliance for making this a great program again this year.
 

·     The entire student body at Indian Hill voted in the Yearbook Cover Contest. The children did a very nice job taking their voting responsibility seriously. The winning drawing will be the cover on next year’s yearbook.
 

·     A seventh grade student was a third-place regional winner in the 12-to-15 year old division of GEICO’s 2008 Safety Belt Poster contest. She received a $50 check, a certificate, and a ribbon for her artwork.
 

·     In the 7^th Grade Contest of the New Jersey Math League, Satz School ranked number 2 in the state and number 1 in the region.

Of the top 38 students in the league, two of Holmdel’s students ranked number 12 in the state with perfect scores and two others ranked number 9 in the state with only one incorrect response.

 

·     Two students at Satz have been chosen to have their poems published in the Creative Communications Contest for young poets.
 

·     Holmdel High School’s newspaper, The Sting, has been presented with a first-place award by the American Scholastic Press Association. The annual award recognizes scholastic newspaper excellence in the areas of content, page design, general plan, art, editing, and creativity. The Sting, which received a score of 890 out of a possible 1000 points, was one of the top entries recognized in the category of senior high schools with an enrollment of 1001-1700 students. A special citation was also awarded to one HHS student for her cartoon “Change.”
 

·     Following results of some of our high school math competitions:

NJ Math League (statewide -- 6 after-school contests given from October - March):

-         Holmdel finished 1st in the county (edging out High Tech by one point).

-         Holmdel finished in a 3-way tie for 3rd in the state (behind East Brunswick HS & Livingston HS).

-         One of seven students in the state to earn a perfect score on all six contests was from HHS.

Shore Math League (countywide -- 6 after-school contests in area high schools from September - March):

Our Shore Math League team finished the season in 1st place, edging out our traditional top competitors (in order): Freehold Boro (2nd), Manalapan (3rd), and High Tech (4th).

USAMO (USA Math Olympiad)  For the second year in a row, a Holmdel student was one of approximately 500 students in the country to qualify for the Math Olympiad (based on his AMC and AIME scores).  He will compete in the Olympiad for ten hours on April 29th and 30th.  From these roughly 500 competitors, twelve students will be selected to represent our country in an international competition held July 10-22, 2009 in Bremen, Germany.

·     Spring Sports are off to a good start. As of April 20, the boys’ tennis team is ranked #1 in the Shore Conference and the team is currently undefeated at 4-0. The boys’ lacrosse team had its first varsity win in its first varsity season on opening day against Barnegat High School.
 

·     The NJ Council of Figure Skating honors five scholar/athletes each year. High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Two members of the Holmdel High School Figure Skating Club were selected this year for this prestigious honor. The girls will be honored at the NJ Figure Skating Championships on June 7 and will each receive a $500 scholarship award.