City Council

I/ 6 A special work session of the City Council of the City of Hackensack was held at City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, N.J. on Thursday, May 16, 1991, for consultation with the Board of Education regarding the proposed school budget. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:05 P. M. and asked the Deputy City Clerk to call the roll. On roll call the following were present: Mayor John F. Zisa, Deputy Mayor Sandra A. Robinson, Councilmen Mark A. Stein and Roger B. Mattei, City Attorney Richard E. Salkin, City Manager James S. Lacava t and Deputy City Clerk Anna LaMarche. Councilman Mauro A. Mecca arrived at 7:30 P. M. Mrs. LaMarche: "In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending a notice to The Record and posting a copy on the Bulletin Board in City Hall." Also present were: Raymond Carnevale, Chief Financial Officer and Gary Sage, Consulting Auditor. Present from the Board of Education were: Anthony Marseglia, Superintendent of Schools and Peter Capone, Assistant Superintendent/Board Secretary. Members of the Board of Education present were: Daniel Kirsch, Chairperson, John Bellochio, Lynne Hurwitz, Dr. Pargellan McCall (arrived at 7:40 P. M.), Louis Odo, Richard Kruse and Dr. Bernard Saccaro (arrived at 7:40 P. M.). Mayor Zisa stated the purpose of this work session and established the ground rules for asking questions. t Upon the request of the Mayor, Mr. Kirsch gave a brief description of the budget. He explained that the Board reviewed the budget over several months, that many changes were made along the way, and that after a line-by-line review, the Board members made a reduction of one-half million dollars. The Mayor stated that this would be just a work session with no public hearing. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 20th, at 8:00 P. M. Mr. Mattei addressed the issue of Transportation and the reason for an increase of approximately 25%. Mr. Marseglia explained that the transportation costs have been escalating and the 25% is a reasonable increase. He noted that we are legally bound to bus students who are outside of the attendance area. Mr. Stein questioned the $55,000 increase in Sabbatical Leaves. Mr. Marseglia stated that this is a difficult line to judge. The amount of money expended the last few years has been significantly larger. Mr. Mattei asked about the 40% increase, almost $641,000, in Tuition. I Mr. Marseglia explained that special education is controlled by State guidelines. by the State. September. The rate given for next year has been established State aid is based on the number of students in Mayor Zisa raised questions regarding increases in spending in Pre-K and Kindergarten areas to which Mr. Marseglia replied that these increases were due to the implementation of full-day Kindergarten and the increased number of classes.  Mr. Mattei stated that some taxpayers would argue that certain programs such as the outdoor education and foreign language might be eliminated. Mr. Marseglia, referring to the outdoor education, noted that this program had been created with the clear intention of bringing kids together in a living environment. For many students this may be the only opportunity to engage in this type of activity. As for foreign languages, French and Spanish were taught in the first grade: t they are now taught in the sixth grade. There is a need to develop a multicultural understanding. Mr. Mattei raised questions about the Super Saturday, Super Stars and Adult Education programs. Mr. Marseglia commented that the Super programs, as well as the Adult Education programs, are self-supporting through tuition. The evening school for foreign born is partially funded through state aid. The after-school programs, from 3:00 to 6:00 P. M., are fully funded with tuition and DY F S funds. In noting that there were a couple of dissenting votes in approving the budget and that one of the members who voted "no " was present, Mayor Zisa asked Mr. Kruse for his comments and recommendations. Mr. Kruse stated that he felt several areas could be cut, namely, overtime - cut by $40, 000, Extra Compensation - keep at $1, 300, 000.00, reduce surplus by $750, 000. Adding that negotiations with teachers have j ust begun, Mr. Kruse stated that the percentage of increase asked for far exceeds what we are offering and believes the surplus could play a big role in the discussions. At this time, Mayor z isa called for an Executive Session. He t felt the Conference Room would be too small to accommodate the large number of participants and asked the public to leave the Council Chambers which would be used for the Executive Session. Grover Reynolds who was present in the audience declined to leave and felt the Executive Session should be held at the end of the work session. Mayor Zisa asked Mrs. LaMarche to read the resolution calling for an Executive Session. O F F E R E D BY: MAT T EI SECONDED BY: S T EIN W H E R E A S, the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack deem it necessary to discuss certain actions under Sections 4 and 7 of the Open Public Meetings Act which pertains to teachers' salaries and tuition. N OW, T H E R E F O R E, B E IT R E SO LV E D that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack deem it necessary to exclude the public from this discussion. The outcome of the discussion will be disclosed upon conclusion of these matters. Roll Call: Ayes - Mecca, Robinson, Stein, Mattei, Zisa After some discussion, Mr. Reynolds public left the Council Chambers. The work session recessed for Executive and the rest Session at of the general 8:00 P. M. and I reconvened at 8:57 P. M. When the meeting reconvened, ,Deputy Mayor Robinson was not present. She departed at 8:30 P. M. Dr. Mecca had many questions regarding the overnight camp for sixth graders. Mayor Zisa, Ms. Hurwitz and Dr. McCall spoke on their personal  /!!' experiences with this program as it related to their own children. They felt this program provided not only an excellent scientific experience but an interaction between kids which was most beneficial. Mr. Marseglia, in answer to Dr. Mecca's questions, stated that he felt this program has a significant impact on the kids and it certainly is not a frill program. Many school systems have an outdoor program. The cost per student is approximately $200.00. Mr. Mattei asked Mr. Marseglia to give a breakdown of the t administrative staff which he did. Mr. Kirsch added that the budget calls for elimination of one position in the central administration off ice which would mean an $80,000 saving through a bumping process. Mr. Lacava reviewed some of the budget items - electrical, heating oil, telephone, insurance. Dr. Mecca raised many questions regarding the Industrial Arts programs in the High School and suggested that some of these programs be cut and students brought to the regional high school for them. Mayor Zisa noted that if any of the Council members proposed any cuts to reduce the school budget, the cuts have to be in specific areas, not across the board. The Mayor then asked if the Board members cared to make some kind of final presentation. Mr. Kirsch gave a recap of the $630,000 cuts that the Board had made in the school budget. Mayor Zisa thanked the Board members for attending and extended t his appreciation for all the work that has gone into this budget. Motion offered by Mattei, seconded by Stein that the meeting be adjourned. Carried. (10:15 P. M.) COUNCILMAN ARK • IZ1. ST �- · � � h .t.J/� 1 AN ROGER B. MATTEI ATTEST: