BOE Recap: New Solar Panels, Culinary Arts Shedding Trailer and a Farewell

took up the majority of Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting, but here are some of the highlights:

• The board approved the installation of solar panels on Hoboken High School, Wallace School and Demarest High School, fulfilling a district goal to "go green" to save on energy costs. The panels will be installed as part of a program run by the NCIA. According to Business Administrator Robert Davis, use of the panels will save the district $3.5 million over the next 20 years. Within five years, the program is expected to pay for itself through the sale of energy credits the district will receive from participating in the program. The panels will be installed by the end of the 2011-2012 school year and Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said he plans to make the installation project an educational opportunity for students. The panels were approved by an 8-1 vote with Maureen Sullivan voting against the measure. "We're putting our faith in something new that I personally don't think is going to pay off," she said. Carmelo Garcia voted in favor of the resolution, but expressed concerns. "I think we need to be better informed in the risks and liability," he said. Davis refuted their concerns. "It has been reviewed by our special energy consultant, by your energy audit, by your architect and engineer...," he said. "It's not even debatable. You can't kiss away $3.5 million. This is not new technology."
• The high school's culinary arts program currently operates out of a trailer on the football field. This fall, the program will have its own classroom inside Hoboken High School. Toback proposed turning the dance room into a kitchen and small cafe where students could "sell their culinary creations to the staff." He said the room could also be used for adult education. According to the resolution, the renovations - including the installation of two commercial cooking ranges, a dishwasher and professional prep/demo table - will not exceed $100,000.
• The board voted to renew its contract with Chartwells School Dining Services. The district has with the service in the past, but board member Leon Gold said that an understanding has been reached with Chartwells to increase the Board of Education's oversight of employment and payment practices.
• The successor to a Hoboken High School disciplinarian who is retiring from the district will fill a new position this fall. The board voted to approve a new job description for the school's Supervisor of Student Support Services and Activities which will include the coordination of several events geared toward college admission. The new supervisor will plan a Financial Aid Night, College Planning NIght and other meetings to advise parents on programs that offer high schoolers college credit. "It's a positve, proactive approach instead of a reactive approach," said board member Irene Sobolov.
• Board member Frances Rhodes-Kearns attempted to submit a resolution to amend the district's extra-curricular policy to include charter school students. Board attorney Vito Gagliardi said the resolution could be read aloud, but not voted upon because it was not submitted in advance for first reading. While it was voted on unanimously last December, an amendment to the policy, which prohibits charter participation, has been discussed at previous board meetings when Theater Director Paula Ohaus allowed charter school students to participate in her spring productions. Rhodes-Kearns said her resolution would ensure public school students first preference on all extra-curriculars.
• It was also the last meeting for Interim Assistant Superintendent Walter Rusak who served under Interim Superintended Peter Carter. The board applauded and thanked Rusak for his work in the district.

The board will not meet again until Tuesday, August 9 at 7 p.m.