Minutes for January 5, 2026History 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 Secretary Christopher Heagele.

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mr. Heagele 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 9, 2025. 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 – Mr. Heagele led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Election Results

For entry into the minutes, Mr. Heagele provided the Somerset County Clerk certified results of the Annual School Election, held on November 4, 2025:

Warren Township - Three (3) Three Year Board of Education Seats

● Kevin Brotspies

● Nicole Dalton

● Patricia Zohn

IV. Oath of Office

● The Oath of Office was administered to Mr. Brotspies, Mrs. Dalton, and Mrs. Zohn by Mr. Heagele.

V. Roll Call

Present: Kevin Brotspies, Nicole Dalton, Bridget Granholm, Laura Keller,

Richard Molfetta, Stephen Toor, Todd Weinstein, and

Patricia Zohn

Absent: Ryan Valentino

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

VI. Election of Board Officers

The nominations for Board President were opened by Mr. Heagele.

Mrs. Patricia Zohn was nominated by Mrs. Nicole Dalton. Seeing no other nominations, nominations were closed.

Mrs. Patricia Zohn was elected President with a 8-0 roll-call vote.

Mrs. Zohn presided over the remainder of the meeting.

The nomination for Board Vice President was opened by Mrs. Zohn.

Ms. Laura Keller was nominated by Mr. Todd Weinstein. Seeing no other nominations, nominations were closed.

Ms. Laura Keller was elected Vice President with a 8-0 vote.

VII. Annual Reorganization Action Items

A. Board Meeting Dates

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following list of meetings for the Calendar Year 2026:

WARREN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

2026 MEETING SCHEDULE

(NOTE: All meetings will be held in person and virtually. All meetings are assumed to be held in the Library at the Middle School. All meetings are to be held on a Monday.)

DATE

TIME

January 5, 2026

REORGANIZATION

6:30 pm

January 26, 2026

6:30 pm

February 23, 2026

6:30 pm

March 16, 2026

6:30 pm

April 27, 2026

6:30 pm

May 11, 2026

6:30 pm

June 15, 2026

6:30 pm

July 20, 2026

4:00 pm

August 31, 2026

6:30 pm

September 28, 2026

6:30 pm

October 26, 2026

6:30 pm

November 16, 2026

6:30 pm

December 21, 2026

6:30 pm

January 4, 2027

REORGANIZATION

6:30 pm

B. Board Member Code of Ethics

RESOLVED, the Board of Education acknowledges that each Board Member has received and agreed to uphold the Code of Ethics as follows:

1. I will uphold and enforce all laws, state board rules and regulations, and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes should be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures.

2. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools which meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing.

3. I will confine my board action to policy making, planning, and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.

4. I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.

5. I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action which may compromise the board.

6. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends.

7. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. But in all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its schools.

8. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the Superintendent.

9. I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.

10. I will refer all complaints to the Superintendent and will act on such complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.

C. District Mission Statement

RESOLVED, the Board of Education readopts the district’s mission statement as follows:

“The mission of the Warren Township School District is to provide, through a safe, nurturing yet challenging environment, all students with an outstanding education that engages students and fosters academic excellence, healthy social and emotional development, and a lifelong passion for learning.”

D. Appointments

1. The election of Stephen Toor as Board Representative to the NJSBA Delegate Assembly for the Calendar Year 2026 and the election of Patricia Zohn as the alternate.

2. The election of Nicole Dalton as the Board Representative to the Somerset County Educational Services Commission for the Calendar Year 2026 and the election of Bridget Granholm as the alternate.

3. The election of Richard Molfetta as Board Representative to the Watchung Hills Municipal Alliance Committee for the Calendar Year 2026 and the election of Ryan Valentino as the alternate.

4. The appointment of the Superintendent of Schools as the Board Representative to the Morris Union Jointure Commission Board of Education for the Calendar Year 2026.

5. The appointment of the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education president as liaisons to the Warren Township committee.

6. Somerset County SBA Representative

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints Patricia Zohn as the 2026 Representative to the Somerset County School Boards Association.

7. Warren Township Opioid Crisis Advisory Committee

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints Kevin Brotspies as the 2026 Representative to the Warren Township Opioid Advisory Committee.

**********End of Reorganization Items**********

VIII. Minutes

● Ms. Keller moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and executive minutes of the December 22, 2025 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Weinstein and approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote. (Mr. Brotspies and Mr. Toor abstained.)

IX. Correspondence and Information

● Dr. Mingle reported no HIBs.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

0

0

· Suspension Report

In School:

Out of School:

0

0

· Fire Drills

ALT Central Mt. Horeb Woodland Middle
December 10 December 18 December 4 December 18 December 10

 

· Security Drills

ALT Central Mt. Horeb Woodland Middle
December 8 December 1 December 19 December 4 December 5
Hold in Place Hold in Place Hold in Place Hold in Place Hold in Place

 

X. President's Remarks – Mrs. Patricia Zohn

● Mrs. Zohn welcomed new Board member, Kevin Brotspies, and welcomed the school community back from winter break.

XI. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

● Dr. Mingle welcomed new Board member, Kevin Brotspies, and welcomed the school community back from the winter break.

XII. Presentations

● Law Enforcement Appreciation Day - Mrs. Zohn

○ In recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Mrs. Zohn welcomed members of the Warren Township Police Department and expressed the Board’s appreciation for our local law enforcement officers and presented handmade cards made by our elementary students.

● Demographic Study - Dr. Matthew Mingle

○ Dr. Mingle provided an update of the district’s most recent demographic study. The Board asked questions and discussed the contents of the presentation.

XIII. Discussion

● None

XIV. Committee Reports

● None

XV. 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;

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. Weinstein to close public commentary, seconded by Mr. Molfetta, the motion was approved by a 8-0 voice vote.

XVI. Items for Board Consideration/Action

● Dr. Mingle commented on item B.3, Phones Free Grant Acceptance, stating that the Board has already implemented in policy the requirements necessary to apply for the grant.

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Weinstein, the consent items A.1., A.2., B.1. through B.3., and C.1., through C.6., were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

The Superintendent recommends that it be:

A. Education

A.1. HIB Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the HIB Report submitted by the Superintendent for the period ending on December 22, 2025.

A.2. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following supervised clinical fieldwork at Warren Township BOE for the 2025-2026 School Year:

School

Clinical Field

Rutgers Graduate School of Education

Music Education

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Travel Reimbursement Mileage Rate

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the reimbursement rate for district travel in a personal vehicle to be $0.47 per mile, per the New Jersey State Appropriations Act.

B.2. Purchasing Approval

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following annual Cooperative purchasing:

● Atra Janitorial Supply Co, through Ed Data Services Bid #10425 for assorted janitorial supplies, at an amount not to exceed $300,000.

● Cablevision Lightpath - NJ, Inc. through cooperative purchasing agreement NJDRLAP through ESCNJ, for internet and voice services, at an amount not to exceed $350,000.

● Dell, through State Contract M0483, for computer equipment, peripherals and related services, at an amount not to exceed $500,000.

● School Specialty, through State Contract T0114 and various ED Data Service Bids, for school supplies, at an amount not to exceed $250,000.

● SHI International Corp, through cooperative purchasing agreement E-8801-NJSBA-ACESCPS as well as other cooperative purchasing agreements, for technology purchasing, at an amount not to exceed $275,000.

● Staples Business Advantage, through various Ed Data Services Bids, for office/computer supplies, at an amount not to exceed $175,000.

B.3. Phones Free Grant Acceptance

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts funds from the Phones Free Schools Grant Program in the amount of $4,384.98.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Hiring

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent to extend offers of employment for which there may be a vacancy or which are predicated by enrollment numbers between January 6, 2026 through January 4, 2027, subject to ratification of the Board at its next scheduled meeting.

C.2. REACH Parent Presentations - Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following employees for a REACH Parent Information session in the 2025-2026 School Year, at the WTEA contractual rate of $50 per hour per employee, for a total cost not to exceed $400.00.

Names

Susan Kline

Christine Cirrotti

Nancy Andrews

Brielle Tuozzo

C.3. Leave Request

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

Employee ID

Paid/Unpaid

#3958

Medical Leave - March 2, 2026, through March 23, 2026 (Paid)

FMLA - March 24, 2026, through March 27, 2026 (Paid)

FMLA - March 30, 2026, through April 24, 2026 (Unpaid)

NJFLA - April 27, 2026, through June 30, 2026 (Unpaid)

NJFLA - August 31, 2026, through September 18, 2026 (Unpaid)

(This motion supersedes previous approved motion from October 27, 2025)

C.4. Approval to Abolish Position

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves to abolish the following position for the 2025-2026 school year:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

WMS

1:1 Paraprofessional

(1 Hour 40 Minutes per day)

0.277

C.5. WTEA Stipend Position 2025-2026 - Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the resignation of the following position effective December 23, 2025.

Name

Grade

Position

Leslie Ortega

6

MS Lunchroom Supervisor

C.6. WTEA Stipend Position 2025-2026 - Lunchroom Supervisor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following position January 5, 2026.

Name

Grade

Position

John Seremula

6

MS Lunchroom Supervisor

XVII. Unfinished Business

● None

XVIII. New Business

● None

XIX. 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.

● Joanna Rosenthal spoke on the recent bomb threat and hate speech found at Warren Middle School. She asked about next steps after initial messaging from the Middle School.

On motion by Mr. Weinstein to close public commentary, seconded by Mr. Toor, the motion was approved by an 8-0 voice vote.

After the closing of public comment, Dr. Mingle responded to Mrs. Rosenthal with comments on behalf of the district.

XX. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Keller, seconded by Mr. Weinstein, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 pm.

Minutes submitted by,

Christopher Heagele

Board Secretary