Minutes for January 22, 2024History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the Warren Middle School, 100 Old Stirling Road. The public was welcome to attend in person or virtually through the online Zoom platform. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Board President Patricia Zohn

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mrs. Zohn read the following statement:

Re: Chapter 231 P.L. 1975: “The adequate notice of this regular meeting as required by the Open Public Meetings Act was provided by the posting, mailing/delivery, and filing of this notice on January 11, 2024. This notice was on that date posted on the bulletin board in the Township Office, sent to the Courier News and TAPinto Warren, and filed with the Township Clerk of the Township of Warren, all in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act.”

II. Pledge of Allegiance – Mrs. Zohn led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Laura Keller,, Scott Otto, Stephen Toor, Ryan Valentino and Patricia Zohn

Absent: Natalie Feuchtbaum, Richard Molfetta and Todd Winstein

Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, Christopher Heagele, Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

Mehul Desai signed in via zoom at 6:33 p.m.

IV. Minutes

● Ms. Keller moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public minutes of the January 8, 2024 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Valentino and approved by a 5-0 roll-call vote.

V. Correspondence and Information

● Dr. Mingle reported on 1 Suspension Report.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

   

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 
 

0

   

0

· Suspension Report

In School:

   

Out of School:

 
 

0

   

1

Mehul Desai signed in via zoom at 6:33 p.m.

VI. President's Remarks - Mrs. Patricia Zohn

● Mrs. Zohn thanked all involved for the excellent communication between the Township, Department of Public Works, Office of Emergency Management, Warren Township Police and district staff. She also thank all outside groups for their assistance with the recent storms.

● Mrs. Zohn congratulated staff on moving up on the salary guide.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle thanked:

● Staff for assistance with the recent storms.

● Staff for their assistance with the recent Mt. Horeb School closure.

● Explained that Mt. Horeb School has one more day of instruction to make up over the other schools because of the recent closure.

● Lastly, Dr. Mingle read a statement from Governor Murphy, regarding School Board appreciation month.

VIII. Presentations

● Audit Report - Mr. Steve McDermott, Suplee, Clooney & Company - Mr. McDermott reported on the Fiscal Year 2022-23 audit.

IX. Discussion

● Norms for Board Communications and Operations - Mrs. Zohn introduced the topic of Board Norms, with an emphasis on changes for the 2024 calendar year. Mrs. Keller spoke in favor of the changes. All board members consented to the 2024 norms as presented on the Board agenda.

X. Committee Reports

● Curriculum and Technology Committee - No meeting

○ Stephen Toor - Chair, Mehul Desai, Rich Molfetta, Laura Keller - Alternate

● Finance, Operations, and Security Committee - January 16, 2024

○ Patricia Zohn - Chair, Scott Otto - Vice Chair, Ryan Valentino, Rich Molfetta - Alternate

■ Mrs. Zohn reported that the Finance Committee met on January 16 with all members and alternate present. The committee discussed key budget drivers. Mrs. Zohn stated that the Board is eligible for three tax levy adjustments and expects to approve a budget above the tax levy cap of 2%. A public meeting of the Finance Committee will be held on March 26 at 6 p.m. Board members will be able to learn more about the budget through their budget buddies and small group meetings that will take place in late February early March.

■ Food Service - The district is not required to participate in breakfast next year. The district will be lunch only during the 2024-2025 school year, and will likely pivot to breakfast/lunch during the 2025-2026 school year.

■ Wetlands Study is finished. Application to the DEP is next and approved by the committee. Alternative sites for a kitchen are also being considered.

● Personnel, Negotiations, and Communication Committee - No meeting

○ Laura Keller - Chair, Natalie Feuchtbaum, Todd Weinstein, Stephen Toor - Alternate

XI. Public Commentary (agenda items only)

Note on public input at BOE meetings: Board Policy #0167, adopted on June 18, 2018, provides for public participation in Board of Education meetings. Such participation is governed by the following rules:

  1. A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of his/her name, address, and group affiliation, if applicable;
  2. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes’ duration. If necessary, the public comment portion of the meeting may be extended fifteen minutes with Board approval;
  3. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
  4. All statements, questions, or inquiries shall be directed to the presiding officer and any questions or inquiries directed by a participant to another Board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer who shall determine if such statement, question, or inquiry shall be addressed by the presiding officer on behalf of the Board;
  5. When the Board of Education is conducting its meetings either virtually or in a hybrid environment, members of the public may also submit comments no later than 9:00 AM the day of the board meeting via email to BA@warrentboe.org or hardcopy mail to the district office.

The portion of the meeting during which participation of the public is invited shall be limited to fifteen minutes (limit may be adjusted at the discretion of the presiding officer as circumstances dictate).

The Board of Education welcomes and encourages input from the public. Being mindful of privacy rights regarding students and board employees and to avoid any potential liability on the part of the speaker, the board discourages references to specific individuals. While directing your comments or questions to the board president, please understand that the public comment portions of the meeting are not structured as question and answer sessions but rather are offered as opportunities for you to share your thoughts with the board. The board president may need to refer an issue to the superintendent if the particular issue has not been handled through the appropriate chain of command with the school district. However, responses may be provided at the end of this session. There are times when comments and questions will require additional fact gathering before a response is provided.

None

On motion by Mr. Otto to close public commentary, seconded by Ms. Keller, the motion was approved by a 6-0 voice vote.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Otto, the consent items A.1., A.2., B.1., through B.8., and C.1., through C.6., were approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote.

The Superintendent recommends that it be:

A. Education

A.1. HIB Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the HIB Report submitted by the Superintendent for the period ending on January 8, 2024.

A.2. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves bedside instruction as follows:

Students

School

Start Date

Amount

2063384875

EI,US (LearnWell)

January 16, 2024

Not to exceed $2,610

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of January 2024 in the amount of $2,808,475.20.

B.2. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the report of the secretary for the month of December 2023.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on December 31, 2023

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$5,908,525.29

 

$1,637,065.46

(10) General Current Expense

 

$0.00

 

(11) Current Expense

 

$2,427,397.61

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$898,526.94

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$589.03

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($274,698.48)

$158,111.06

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$213,300.33

$92,979.45

$1,949,308.08

(40) Debt Service Fund

$0.00

$0.12

$179.41

TOTAL GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

$5,847,127.14

$3,577,604.21

$3,586,552.95

Wealth Mgmt - Capital Reserve

$4,900,000.00

   

Wealth Mgmt - Operating

$1,750,000.00

   

Wealth Mgmt - Capital Projects

$5,016,000.00

   

TOTAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT

$11,666,000.00

   

(60) Milk Fund

$0.00

 

$0.00

(61) Juice and Water Fund

$0.00

 

$0.00

(62) Food Service Account

$83,153.01

($315,688.77)

$58,742.82

TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS

$83,153.01

($315,688.77)

$58,742.82

WHEREAS, in compliance with law and code the secretary has certified that, as of the date of the reports, no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the district board of education, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts the above reference reports and certifications and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, in compliance with law and code, the Board of Education certifies that, after review of the secretary's monthly financial report (appropriation section), to the best of its knowledge, no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of law and code and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the year.

B.3. Budget Transfers for Month of December 2023

RESOLVED, the Board of Education ratifies the following transfers between budget line items that have been approved by the Superintendent of Schools and that are now being reported to the Board pursuant to Policy 6422:

 

TO:

 

FROM:

   

1.

11-000-223-580-035-04-00

Workshops & Travel - MHS

11-190-100-610-035-04-10

Supplies - Instructional Supplies - MHS

$1,000

2.

11-000-230-630-000-01-00

BOE - Meeting Supplies

11-000-230-610-000-01-00

Administration - Supplies

$50

3.

11-000-252-580-000-11-01

Workshops & Travel - Technology

11-000-252-500-000-11-01

Technology - Other Purchased Services

$500

4.

11-190-100-320-040-05-99

Purchased Prof. Educational Svcs. - ALT

11-190-100-610-040-05-99

Instructional Supplies - ALT

$3,500

5.

13-422-100-500-000-00-00

Summer Fun - Other Purchased Services

13-422-100-610-000-00-00

Summer Fun - Supplies

$1,375

B.4. Travel Approval

Whereas, in accordance with State of New Jersey School District Accountability Act (A-5) and the Warren Township Schools’ Policy 6471-School District Travel, travel by school district employees and Board of Education members must be approved in advance.

Now Therefore Be It RESOLVED, the Warren Township Schools Board of Education approves the following expenses for faculty, staff, administrators, and board members for seminars, conferences and workshops. The expense includes travel costs, if applicable:

Name

School

Workshop/ Conference

Location

Month/Yr

Cost

Melissa Smolenski

District

New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children’s

Annual Spring Conference 2024

Mahwah

Mar 2024

$219

Nicholas Bayachek

WMS

New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Princeton

Feb 2024

$289

Danielle Buzby

WMS

New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Princeton

Feb 2024

$281

Lauren Valera

MTH

2024 Spring Conference - New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

New Brunswick

May 2024

$329

All of the above travel has been approved by the Superintendent. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to ensure that the maximum amount is not exceeded.

B.5. Acceptance of the Audit for the 2022-2023 School Year

Auditor’s Management Report and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has engaged Suplee Clooney & Company of Westfield, NJ, to audit the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, in compliance with N.J.S.A.18A:23-1 et seq, and,

WHEREAS, this audit has been completed and the ACFR filed with the State Department of Education and submitted to the Warren Township Board of Education along with a synopsis of the audit report and recommendations, which synopsis and recommendations are available for public review, and,

Now therefore be it, RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the report, notes the following recommendations, and directs that appropriate corrective action be taken:

Recommendations: None

Corrective Actions: None

B.6. Transportation - Out-of-District Student-SCESC - Regular School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Somerset County ESC for 2023-24 RSY transportation for Out-of-District student as follows:

School

School ID#

Transportation Cost

Allegro School

8656825769

$304.50 per diem

B.7. Special Counsel Appointment

The appointment of Comegno Law Group, PC (non fair and open) as Special Counsel for the Calendar Year 2024 at an hourly rate of $195.00 at an approximate total cost not to exceed $40,000.

B.8. New Jersey High Impact Tutoring Competitive Grant Application

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of the district's New Jersey High Impact Tutoring Grant Application.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Warren Academy - Instructor Stipend 2023-2024

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for reimbursement as an Instructor. Each instructor will be reimbursed at the WTEA contractual rate $50.00 per hour.

Staff Member

Course

Date

Prep Hours

Instructor Hours

Cost Total Not to Exceed

Christina Mancino

Elevating Your Fundations Program

February 21, 2024

3

1

$200

 C.2. Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as a substitute teacher for the 2023-2024 school year.

Name

Lindsey Dolan

Brianna Benes

C.3. Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following leave requests:

Employee ID

Paid/Unpaid

#1174

FMLA - January 10, 2024, through on or about February 22, 2024 (paid)

#0541

FMLA - August 28, 2023, through November 17, 2023 (paid)

Extended Leave - November 20, 2023, through on or around March 7, 2024 (paid). (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved on November 20, 2023)

#2818

FMLA - April 8, 2024, through May 20, 2024 (paid)

FMLA - May 21, 2024, through June 7, 2024 (unpaid)

NJFLA - June 10, 2024 through June 17, 2024 (unpaid)

NJFLA - August 27, 2024 through November 11, 2024 (unpaid)

#1722

FMLA - Intermittent Leave from on or about February 2, 2024 through June 30, 2024 (paid)

#2749

FMLA - January 29, 2024 through on or about February 12, 2024 (paid)

#0727

FMLA - March 5, 2024 through on or about May 28, 2024 (paid)

#2954

Leave - April 29, 2024 through May 3, 2024 (paid)

Leave May 4, 2024 through June 30, 2024 (unpaid)

Leave August 27, 2024 through November 15, 2024 (unpaid)

C.4. Advancement on the Salary Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2023-2024 salary guide:

Name

From

To

Effective

Lindsay La Neve

MA+15

MA+30

02/01/2024

Jamie Einiger

MA

MA+15

02/01/2024

Lynne Douglas

BA

BA+15

02/01/2024

C.5. Transfer/Change in Assignment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer/change in

assignment of the following district staff:

Name

Effective Date

From

To

Notes

Oscar Alfaro

Upon replacement being hired

1:1 Paraprofessional, 32.5 hrs, ALT, $31,503

08-40-08/boj

Security Advocate,

40 hrs, District, $51,800

04-00-A0/bpr

New Position


C.6. Employment for the 2023-2024 School Year

RESOLVED, upon recommendation from the Superintendent that the Board of Education approve the following Personnel items including the emergent employment of the following employees (indicated by *) conditional upon the final approval by the New Jersey Department of Education The Board further authorizes the submission of an application for emergency hiring pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1, et. Seq., N.J.S.A. 18A:6.14.12, et. Seq., if applicable Staff members shall be paid in accordance with provisions in their collective bargaining agreement and/or in accordance with a schedule provided to all employees prior to the beginning of the contract or school year.

Name

Position/PCR

Location

Degree

Step

Salary

Effective Date

Tenure

Discussion

James C. Zilinski

1:1 Paraprofessional 32.5 hrs per week

08-33-08/bil

WMS

N/A

1

$28,795

January 24, 2024, through June 30, 2024

No

To replace employee #3535

XIII. Unfinished Business

None

XIV. New Business

None

XV. Public Commentary (any topic)

Note on public input at BOE meetings: Board Policy #0167, adopted on June 18, 2018, provides for public participation in Board of Education meetings. Such participation is governed by the following rules:

  1. A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of his/her name, address, and group affiliation, if applicable;
  2. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes’ duration. If necessary, the public comment portion of the meeting may be extended fifteen minutes with Board approval;
  3. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
  4. All statements, questions, or inquiries shall be directed to the presiding officer and any questions or inquiries directed by a participant to another Board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer who shall determine if such statement, question, or inquiry shall be addressed by the presiding officer on behalf of the Board;

The portion of the meeting during which participation of the public is invited shall be limited to fifteen minutes (limit may be adjusted at the discretion of the presiding officer as circumstances dictate).

The Board of Education welcomes and encourages input from the public. Being mindful of privacy rights regarding students and board employees and to avoid any potential liability on the part of the speaker, the board discourages references to specific individuals. While directing your comments or questions to the board president, please understand that the public comment portions of the meeting are not structured as question and answer sessions but rather are offered as opportunities for you to share your thoughts with the board. The board president may need to refer an issue to the superintendent if the particular issue has not been handled through the appropriate chain of command with the school district. However, responses may be provided at the end of this session. There are times when comments and questions will require additional fact gathering before a response is provided.

● Rachel Singleton, Deerwood Trail West - Spoke on a potential kitchen site in town and thought it was a good idea.

On motion by Mr. Otto to close public commentary, seconded by Mr. Valentino, the motion was approved by a 6-0 voice vote.

XVI. Executive Session

● At 7:00 p.m. Ms. Keller moved the following:

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A.10:4-11, permits the Board of Education to meet in closed session to discuss certain matters, now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education adjourns to closed session to discuss:

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it

pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege

Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 30 minutes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the minutes of this closed session be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Otto and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Valentino, the Board reconvened in open session at 7:54 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Valentino, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Christopher Heagele

Board Secretary