Minutes for July 28, 2008History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Board of Education Administration Building, Mt. Horeb Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the Board Vice-President, Kathleen Winter 

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT -  Kathleen Winter read the following statement:
In accordance with the provisions New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law, the Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be posted in the Board Office and in the Township Office, mailed to the Courier News and Echoes Sentinel, and filed with the Clerk of the Township of Warren.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Dr. Przybylski led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL     
Present:                       Susan Burman, Roberta Monahan, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, and Kathleen Winter 
Absent:                        David Ricci arrived at 7:06 P.M.
                                    Patricia Toubin arrived at 7:05 P.M.       
                                    Gina Voorhees 
                                    Dr. Gregory Przybylski                                                            
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Mr. Peter Daquila, Board Secretary/School Business Administrator, and one member of the public

IV. PRESENTATION
None

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Spiller moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, as amended, of the following meeting:
June 23, 2008 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mr. Sardis and approved by 5-0 voice vote.  

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
None, due to Dr. Przybylski's unplanned absence.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Personnel
Mrs. Burman reported on the search process summary that has been developed by the Personnel Committee.  BOE discussed the proposal and suggested some modifications.

Education
Mrs. Toubin reported that the Education Committee has developed a mission statement.   BOE discussed the draft of the mission statement.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • 2008-2009 Goals
    The Board discussed the potential board goals for 2008/09.  Dr. Crisfield will draft goals that will be discussed at the next meeting.

X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY (including opportunity to speak about items for Board Consideration/Action)
Note on public input at BOE meetings:  Board Policy #9322, adopted on April 14, 2008, provides for and encourages 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 and place of residence;
2. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes' duration (limit may be adjusted at the discretion of the presiding officer as circumstances dictate);
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; and
4. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer-no participant may address or question Board members individually.
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).

There was no public commentary at this point in the meeting.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Prior to voting agenda item D.1. was pulled for discussion and  item C. 10 was pulled from the agenda.
On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board approved the following as a consent agenda.  The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 7-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. In District Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120483) to receive 4½ hours of speech services during the period of August 11, 2008 through August 29, 2008.  The cost to the district will be $250.

A.2. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120782) to receive three one hour sessions per week of Auditory Verbal Therapy for the 2008-2009 school year.  The cost to the district will be $17,400.

A.3. Out of District Placement
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120754) to attend the Giving Nest for the 2008-2009 school year.  The cost to the district will be $1,875.

A.4. Out of Zone Request for the 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following out of zone request for one student (ID #153040162), to remain in Angelo L. Tomaso School for the 2008-2009 school year.

A.5. Additional ABA Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#1200098) to receive additional ABA services effective July 28, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  Parents will be reimbursed for services they paid for during the weeks of July 14, 2008 through July 21, 2008 up to $200.

A.6. 2008-2011 District Mentoring Plan
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the 2008-2011 District Mentoring Plan, effective July 28, 2008, to be submitted to the County Superintendent for approval no later than August 1, 2008.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the balance of payment of the bill list dated June 30, 2008 in the amount of $604,875.93 and the payment of the bill list dated July 28, 2008 in the amount of $1,695,355.07.

B.2. Somerset County Educational Services Joint Transportation Agreement
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the joint transportation agreement, dated July 1, 2008 with the S.C.E.S.C. for the transportation of special education students for the 2008-2009 school year.

B.3. Travel Approval
Whereas, in accordance with State of New Jersey School District Accountability Act (A-5) and the Warren Township Schools' policy number 4133 - Travel and Work Related Expense Reimbursement, 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:

  • Laurie Donovan, Central - Visual Assessment Treatment, Cedar Knolls, NJ $420
  • Dough Clark, Mt. Horeb - Intro to Teasing & Bullying, New Brunswick, NJ $ 55

September 2008

  • Bruce Gant, ALT - J W Pepper Co Music Meeting, Paoli, PA $105
  • John Seremula, Middle - J W Pepper Co Music Meeting, Paoli, PA $ 25

October 2008

  • Laura Sudol, Middle - NJ Science Convention, Somerset, NJ $ 80
  • Carolyn McCLoskey, Middle - NJ Science Convention, Somerset, NJ $ 95
  • JoAnn Blatchford, Middle - NJ Science Convention, Somerset, NJ $ 95
  • Caroline Sofo, Middle - NJ Science Convention, Somerset, NJ $105
  • Kelly Maire, Mt Horeb - NJ Counselor Conference, Long ranch, NJ $160
  • Bernadette Danner, Middle - Two Part NJPSA Technology Workshop, Monroe  $150

January 2009

  • Bernadette Danner, Middle - Two Part NJPSA Technology Workshop, Monroe $150

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

B.4. Exterior Wall Repairs at Warren Middle School - Change Order for Safeway Contracting, Inc.
RESOLVED, the Board of Education Approves the following change order for Safeway Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $14,425.00

  • C/O #1 Remove and replace damaged sections of wall and coat all 4 sides of gym

The original bid for this project from Safeway Contracting, Inc was $117,900.00.  Change order #1 for total of $14,425 brings the total amount due to Safeway Contracting, Inc. for the project to $132,325.00.

B.5. Award Contract for Transportation for In-District Students - Seven Transportation Routes for Two Elementary Schools

WHEREAS, on July 17, 2008, the Board of Education received bids for the Transportation for In-District Students - Seven Transportation Routes for Two Elementary Schools (Central and Mt Horeb):

  • Fred Dealaman Bus Service LTD, Warren, NJ $149,340

RESOLVED, the Board of Education awards the contract for the Transportation for In-District Students - Seven Transportation Routes for Two Elementary Schools (Central and Mt Horeb) to Fred Dealaman Bus Service LTD of Warren, NJ.

B.6. Sprint Ahead for Education Program Grant

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the acceptance of a grant in the amount of $5,000 from the Sprint Ahead Education Program for conflict resolution and anti bullying initiatives at Angelo L. Tomaso School.

B.7. Youth Services Commission Grant

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the acceptance of the following grants from the Youth Services Commission:
a) Project Adventure - $5,000
b) Century Club at Warren Middle School $5,000
c) Warren Middle School After School Clubs $1,500

B.8. Transportation Contracts - Out of District Students for the Extended School Year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with the following districts for the receipt of funds for transporting Out of District Students for the 2008 extended school year as follows:

Contractor         District              School                                                  Fee

Warren              WHRHS              DLC                                                       $1,515

Warren              Watchung        DLC                                                       $1,200

Warren              Watchung        Children's Institute                                 $1,500

Warren              Watchung        Steven Institute of Technology               $   500

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for the 2008-2009 school year under the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1 et seq.,  N.J.S.A. 18A:39-17 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 6-4.14 et seq., as listed below:
a) Kimberly Krupsky, Classroom Paraprofessional, .5 Mt Horeb School/.5 Woodland School, 32.5 hours, step 2-3, effective September 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
b) Allyson Brown, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, 32.5 hours, step 2-3, effective September 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009.  (Ms. Brown will be replacing Ms. DeRobertis who is replacing Mrs. Gauvin on Family Leave.)

  • c) Kristen Boni, French Teacher, Middle School, MA, Step 6-7, effective September 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
  • d) Nancy Cammarota, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, 32.5 hours, step 2-3, effective September 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. (Ms. Cammarota is replacing Ms. Castillo who resigned.)
  • e) Kevin Sullivan, Grade 6 Science Teacher, Middle School, MA, Step 8-9, effective September 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. (Mr. Sullivan is replacing Ms. Beenders on Maternity Leave.)

C.2. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the resignation of the following:
a) Charles Hansen, Principal, Woodland School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 7 years of service to the Warren Township Schools, effective January 1, 2009.
b) Margaret Cihocki, Grade 7 ASAP/Elective Teacher, Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 20 years of service to the Warren Township Schools, effective June 30, 2008.
c) Caroline Clark, Grade 6 Science Teacher, Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 3 years of service to the Warren Township Schools, effective June 30, 2008.
d) Myrna Castillo, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, effective June 30, 2008.

C.3. 2008 Summer Fun Staff Assignment Change
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the change in assignment for Philip Jones from aide to teacher at an hourly rate of $35.

C.4. 2008 Summer Fun Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as substitute teachers for the 2008 Summer Fun Program:
Adam Yenish, Michele Stora deCruz, Keith McCloskey, Lisa Scherzer, Elana Marinello

C.5. Middle School Team Leaders
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as Middle School team leaders for the 2008-2009 school year:
6th grade - Barbara LaSaracina
7th grade - Pat laMorte
8th grade - Laura Sudol
Unified Arts - Diane Burak

C.6. Middle School Cafeteria Supervisors
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as Middle School cafeteria supervisors for the 2008-2009 school year:
6th Grade
Lunch A - Barbara LaSaracina and Brenda Sasso
Lunch B - Debbie Granrath and John Seremula

7th Grade
Lunch A - Michele Lepore and Sean Convery
Lunch B - O'Brien Speckin (9 months), Michele Lepore (1 month), and Sean Convery

8th Grade
Lunch A - Joel VanTine and Kurt Reck
Lunch B - Bob Hartshorn and Kurt Reck

C.7. Central School Bus Supervisor and Teacher in Charge
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Laura Rodaman as Bus Supervisor and Paul Duncan as Teacher in Charge for the 2008-2009 school year.

C.8. Home Instructor
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Kathryn DiDia (teacher at Angelo L. Tomaso School) to provide at home instruction for one student (ID#0120485) for two hours per week for the 2008-2009 school year.  The cost to the district will be $2,800.

C.9. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:

  • a) Jennifer Fallone, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 1, effective September 1, 2008.

C.10. Consultant Services 2008-2009 School Year  Pulled
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Dr. Thomas Boyle to provide two - 2½ hour sessions per month of behavior management consultant services for the 2008-2009 school year.  The cost to the district will be $10,000.

C.11. Employment Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the employment contract for Irena Rogowska, Head Night Custodian, Angelo L. Tomaso School, effective July 1, 2008 through August 31, 2008 at an annual salary of $44,213 prorated.  (Ms. Rogowska resigned for the purpose of retirement effective September 1, 2008.)

C.12. 2008 Summer Employee
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Dino Zuarino as a 2008 Summer employee for the period of June 23, 2008 through August 31, 2008 at a rate of $20.85  per hour for transportation work and $14.55 per hour for non-transportation work.

C.13. Summer Middle School Guidance Scheduling
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves three days each of student scheduling work for Midge Johnson, Barbara Tantillo, and Kathy Sanger, Middle School Guidance Counselors, during August 27, 28, 29, 2008 at each individual's per diem rate.

C.14. Substitute Teacher
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teacher for the 2008-2009 school year:

  • 1. Barbara Kottmann
  • 2. Erica Weisberg
  • 3. Margareta Warlick
  • 4. Claire Cassidy
  • 5. Diana Zaleski

C.15. Substitute Employee Pay Rates and Procedures
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Substitute Employee rates of pay and procedures for the 2008-2009 school year dated July 28, 2008.

C.16. ABA Instructor
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Joyce Pekarsky as an ABA instructor for one student (A.5.) for six hours per week of instruction and three hours per week of planning, effective July 28, 2008 through June 30, 2009 at a cost of $315 per week.  Ms. Pekarsky is currently a classroom paraprofessional in the district with a teaching certificate.

C.17. ABA Consultant
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Michele Hayes as an ABA Consultant for one student (A.5.) for 6.5 hours per week effective July 28, 2008 through June 30, 2009 at a cost of $325 per week.  Credentials to follow.

C.18. Contract Change to Tenure Track for 2008-2009
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the change of contract for Simone Miller, grade 6 Science Teacher, from a maternity leave position to a tenure track position for the 2008-2009 school year.  (Ms. Miller is replacing Caroline Clark who resigned.)

D. Policy

Prior to voting the board discussed the polices and made minor changes.   On motion by Mrs. Burman and seconded by Mr. Sardis, the board approved agenda item D.1 on a 7-0 roll call vote. 

D.1.      4000 Policy Series - First Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the revised 4000 policy series - Instructional and Support Personnel.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • 2008-09 Enrollment Update

Dr. Crisfield reported on the projected 2008/09 enrollment.

  • Committee Goal Statements

Policy
Mrs. Monahan reported on the 2008/09 goals for the Policy Committee.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

  • Curriculum Revision Cycle

Dr. Crisfield presented the curriculum revision cycle and the list of subjects for review in 2008/09.  The Board discussed the priority and need for determining the subjects that are to be reviewed.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

Mr. Sardis left at this point in the meeting (9:00 P.M)

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:  
At 9:14 p.m. Mrs. Toubin 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:                  
1)   matter rendered confidential by federal or state law
2)   pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege
3)   a matter in which release of information would impair the right to receive government funds
4)   material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy
5)   a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it
6)   a matter involving the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property with public funds
7)   protection of public safety and property and/or investigations of possible violations or violations of law
11)  specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session
12)  deliberation after a public hearing that could result in a civil penalty or other loss
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 Mrs. Spiller and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Monahan and seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board reconvened in open session at 10:15 p.m.

XV. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila

Board Secretary