Soaring Heights Charter School
Board of Trustees
Minutes
July 15, 2024
Call to Order:
President Lisa McConagly called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm and read the following
statement: I submit that in compliance with Chapter 231 of the Laws of 1975, a notice
for this meeting, a press release has been sent to the Jersey Journal and the Newark Star Ledger.
Roll Call:
Present Absent
Joann D’Auria
Mary Golden
Lisa McConagly
Jane Mercante
Stephanie Miller
Irene Roberts
Natasha Persaud
Motions:
1. Approval of Minutes:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Minutes for June 17, 2024.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
2. Approval of the Secretary’s and Board of Treasurer’s Reports:
Be it resolved by the Board of Trustees that the Board acknowledges receipt of
certification from the Board Secretary that no line item account has encumbrances and
expenditures which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of
N.J.A.C.:6A:23-2.11(a). Further, the Board of Trustees, after review of the Board
Secretary’s and Treasurer’s monthly financial reports, certifies that no major account or
fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C.:6A:23.2.11(b), and that sufficient
funds are available to meet the Board of Trustees’ financial obligations for the remainder
of the fiscal year. Therefore, it is recommended that the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s
Reports for the month ending June 30, 2024, showing a cash balance of $6,229,097.41
for the general account and $303,449.79 for the payroll account be approved.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
3. Approval of the Session I Summer School Pay:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional pay for the first
half of summer school for the following staff members as attached.
Moved: M. Golden Second: J. Mercante Recused: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by majority roll call.
4. Approval of the Acceptance and Submission of ESEA Consolidation Grant:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the acceptance and submission of
the ESEA Consolidation grant (Entitlement grant) in the amounts of $183,872 for Title I,
$12,260 for Title IIA and $13,167 for Title IVA for the 2024 -2025 school year.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
5. Approval of the Acceptance and Submission of IDEA_B Grant:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the acceptance and submission of
the 2024-2025 IDEA B grant in the amount of $1,126 for Preschool and $58,976 for
Basic.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
6. Approval of Teacher Assistant Salary Guide:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Teacher Assistant Salary
Guide as follows:
1st year - $30,000 2nd year - $31,500, 3rd year - $33,000
4th year - $34,500 5th year - $36,000
Moved: M. Golden Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
7. Approval of the Emergent hiring of Zeel Haria as Art/Computer Teacher
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the emergent hiring of Zeel
Haria, Art/Computer Teacher, at the salary of $68,175 pending New Jersey
certification, effective September 1, 2024, for the 2024 - 2025 school year.
The Board accepts the applicant’s attestation that she has not been convicted of
any crime pursuant to New Jersey Statutes.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
8. Approval of the Emergent hiring of Rachana Rawal as Special Education and ESL Teacher
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the emergent hiring of
Rachana Rawal, Special Education/ESL Teacher, at the salary of $64,875
effective September 1, 2024, for the 2024 - 2025 school year. The Board
accepts the applicant’s attestation that she has not been convicted of any crime
pursuant to New Jersey Statutes.
Moved: M. Golden Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
9. Approval of the Emergent hiring of Rosanny Urena as Teacher Assistant
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the emergent hiring of
Rosanny Urena, Teacher Assistant, at the salary of $30,000 effective
September 1, 2024, for the 2024 - 2025 school year. The Board accepts the
applicant’s attestation that she has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to
New Jersey Statutes.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: M. Golden
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
10. Approval of the Soaring Heights Charter School Annual Report for 2023-2024
School Year
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Soaring Heights Charter School
Annual Report for the 2024 school year.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
11. Approval of Grievance Committee
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees re-adopts the Grievance Committee.
The Grievance Committee consists of two members from the Board of Trustees,
two teachers selected by the teachers of Soaring Heights Charter School, two
parents, and the school’s Lead Person.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: M. Golden
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
12. Approval of the reappointment of R&L Payroll Company for the 2024-2025 School
Year
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees renews the contract with the R&L
Payroll Company for the 2024-2025 school year.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
13. Approval of the reappointment of Angelo Vilardi as School Business
Administrator for the 2024-2025 School Year
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees reappoints Angelo Vilardi as School
Business Administrator for the 2024-2025 school year at an annual salary of
$30,000.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
14. Approval of the Guidance for Virtual or Remote Instruction Plan
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees adopts the Guidance for Virtual or
Remote Instruction Plan for the 2024-2025 school year.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
15. Approval of the readoption of the Equity and Equality Policies and Addendum:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees re-adopts the Equity and Equality
Policies and Addendum for the 2024-2025 school year as attached.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
Adjournment
There being no further business for the Board of Trustees, the meeting was adjourned at
7:08 pm.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
Submitted by:
Irene Roberts Angelo Vilardi
Irene Roberts, Recording Secretary Angelo Vilardi, Board Secretary