Turtles Take Over Bellmawr School Board Meeting

By Chris Concannon

NEWS Correspondent

A trio of young turtles was the opening act for a lengthy Bellmawr Board of Education meeting last week.

Although the University of Maryland Men’s basketball team, nicknamed the “Terrapins,” or “Terps” for short, did not make it out of the second round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, there was plenty of other “March Madness” at the meeting.

Fifth Grade Teacher Kathleen Silvik, along with nine of her students, presented a PowerPoint slideshow featuring three Diamondback Terrapin turtles, named Tuck, Muffin and Stitches.

The students received the shelled sentinels from a South Jersey Wildlife Management center, and are responsible for their care and feeding.

Muffin, it turns out, is a male, much to the chagrin of the un-named student who gave “him” the moniker.

Superintendent Annette Castiglione stated the original in-school presentation was made in conjunction with a classroom “smart board.”

It bears noting the students themselves, ages 10 and 11, produced and coordinated the entire slideshow, on Microsoft PowerPoint.

Following the student-produced “Turtle Talk,” Board Member Mike Williams presented Mrs. Carol Holt with a Board Award for her work with Bell Oaks students, along with the Bellmawr community.

Following these presentations, Ms. Castiglione opened the regular portion of the meeting by stating that there would be a public hearing on the budget on Tuesday March 31.

Results will be posted on the District website: www.bellmawrschools.org.

A follow-up article will follow this announcement in the next edition of the Gloucester City News.

This was about as calm as the 90-minute meeting would be. Somewhat of a rancor developed as several budget-related issues were raised, by both residents as well as Board members.

Regarding the upcoming School Board Election on April 21, it was announced that the annual “Meet the Candidates” night, will be Monday, April 20, sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Further details as to the time and location were not immediately available.

In her report, Castiglione noted that the District has applied for a secondary facilities grant in order to address certain infrastructure issues.

She went on to commend school staff for working with the administration, re-iterating on the ongoing pre-school program conundrum, noting it may not become fully funded.

Castiglione further commented that registration was held in March, adding a lottery selection will be held on April 2, with a half-day program for 4-year-olds only.

Resident Stepfanie Gentry asked if it were possible to use the budget surplus to fix electrical problems in the schools.

Resident Darlene Lescota suggested the possibility of a referendum to secure grant monies, further inquiring as to the whereabouts of the budget.

Under Committee reports, Board Member Jamie Casey commented on Emergency Management activities, adding they are gearing up to get the annual budget passed.

Casey further commented on holding home meetings between residents and BOE Members, known as “Coffee Klatches.”

It was stressed that the Board cannot legally ask residents to vote “yes” on the budget.

Mr. Casey added a sidebar that it is up to the public to get the budget passed.

Board President Jody Mangus stated they are relying on the school PTO’s to “get the word out,” she said.

Whereas Board Member Mary Di Mattesa commented on the policy committee, Member Mike Williams commented on the personnel matters, and Jeff Brickner stated the food service contract was again awarded to the Nutri-Serv Company.

Ms. Mangus went on to state the new community survey will be available online this year, in an effort to go paperless, or “green,” as she put it. She also stated that next year’s calendar is in development, and that laptop carts are on order.

All agenda items were approved by the Board, with the following being approved as an addendum:

Item #B.3.c.: “Adjustment in 2008-2009 Academic Calendar”, which provides that the last day of school for students and teachers, will be Wednesday June 17, due to a snow day on March 2.

Mangus closed her comments by stating that Bell Oaks Graduation will be on Tuesday June 16.

Under PTO reports, E.M. Burke representative Tracey Shinkarow said there would be a Book Fair from April 2 to April 8, noting purchases may be made via credit card.

Bellmawr Park Principal Elizabeth Calabria stated both a Basket Auction, along with a Hoagie Sale, would be held on May 1.

Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli had no report, other than stating their Basket Auction was already held.

Mr. Williams went on to commend the Bell Oaks PTO.

Under the public portion, resident Michelle Finnegan cited a recent issue involving a substitute teacher at Bell Oaks.

With the April 21 Election looming, discussions inevitably reverted to budget-related issues, as resident Holly Coleman stated she is excited about getting the budget passed.

Ms. Mangus stressed that Bellmawr operates under its own budget, completely separate from any other, including the regional budget.

She added this has been a source of confusion in past years, noting Bellmawr receives nothing from the Black Horse Pike Regional School District.

Mangus went on to express that no programs or staff will be cut.

Superintendent Castiglione stated they are fortunate to be able to keep programs and staff in place, adding the District wants to move Bellmawr’s students to the next level of proficiency.

Bell Oaks teacher Kurt Skibbee, on the subject of longer class times, stated he couldn’t cite any students sitting for three consecutive 80-minute blocks in the same classroom.

Resident Jacqueline Pinto stated she did not hear about the Pre-School registration, until after it was held.

The Superintendent apologized, adding that the ‘Bellmawr Pride’ newsletter went out late. She went on to note that 63 children were registered.

She stressed that a lottery must be held, unless the program is fully funded.

In closing, Mr. Williams thanked E.M. Burke Principal Frank Jankowski Jr., for inviting him to read ‘Dr. Seuss’ to First Grade students recently. He went on to apologize to Mrs. Calabria, all but promising to visit Bellmawr Park during next year’s “Read Across America” week.