Warren Township Schools: Minutes for September 8, 2008

Minutes for September 8, 2008 Archived Minutes

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 7:01 p.m. by the Board President, Dr. Przybylski

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Dr. Przybylski 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, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, David Ricci, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees and Kathleen Winter
Absent:
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, one staff member and 2 members of the public

IV. PRESENTATION
None

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Winter moved the following:

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, as amended, of the following meeting:
August 25, 2008 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Voorhees and approved by 8-0-1 voice vote. (Mrs. Burman abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Mr. Daquila spoke about consent item B-5 and the first phase of the photo voltaic (solar energy) feasibility study.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski welcomed the new staff for 2008-09. He expressed congratulations to Margie Bultman on her 25 years of service to Warren and all the best on her upcoming retirement.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. Discussion
The board discussed the search process summary and noted a few changes. The board approved the process as amended.

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)
The board pulled agenda items D.1. for discussion. The board discussed the 5000 Policy Series. Policies 5119, 5111, 5126, 5136, 5142, 5346.3, 5141.1, 5145.12 and 5145.4 were specifically discussed and in some cases wording was altered.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board approved the following as a consent agenda. The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 9-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board approved agenda item D.1. by a 9-0-roll vote.

A. Education

A.1. Board of Education Goals for 2008-2009
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following goals for the 2008-2009 school year.

1. Conduct a comprehensive review of district policies and regulations and create updates for BOE approval, as necessary.

2. Explore alternative revenue sources and ways to fund the five year facility plan and the educational and co-curricular programs of the district.

3. Conduct a comprehensive review of the district's World Language Program and explore the possibility (costs, feasibility, etc.) of adding one or more languages to the district's slate of offerings.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. No Child Left Behind Grant - Acceptance of Funds - Correction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the amendment of NCLB FY2008 to carry forward FY2007 Title III funds in the amount of $870.00.

B.2. 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:

September 2008

Mary Sfiris, Middle - ESL Supervisor Training, Edison, NJ $ 15

October 2008

Peter Daquila, BOE - NJ Law & Ethics, Garwood, NJ $ 110
Alida Gorin, SPS - ALC Fall Symposium, Bridgewater, NJ $ 155

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 ensure that the maximum amount is not exceeded.

B.3. Flu Shot Clinic
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the offering of a fully subsidized flu shot clinic to staff members during the 2008-2009 school year at a cost of $20 per shot.

B.4. Architectural Services: USA Architects - Central School Phase 2 - Roof Replacement
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves a contract dated September 3, 2008, with USA Architects of Somerville, NJ for the Central School Phase 2 - Roof Replacement. The contract is for $43,250.00 and covers Design, Construction Documents, Bidding/Contract Award, Construction Administration and submitting appropriate documentation to the New Jersey Department of Education Grant Program. The project constructions costs are estimated at $425,000.00 at this time. This project was included in the 2008-2009 budget.

B.5. Architectural Services: USA Architects - Photovoltaic (Solar Energy) Feasibility Study - Phase 1
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves a contract dated September 5, 2008, with USA Architects of Somerville, NJ for the Photovoltaic (Solar Energy) Feasibility Study - Phase 1 at the Warren Middle School. The contract is for $9,500.00.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

4. Andrew Sestokas
5. Mary Kovac
6. Keri Linton
7. Verna Ulis (07-08 sub)
8. Keith McCloskey (07-08 sub)

C.2. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:

a) Anabela Santos-Ordner, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 14), effective September 1, 2008.
b) Paul Duncan, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 8-9), effective September 1, 2008.
c) MaryBeth Greco, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 8-9), effective September 1, 2008.
d) Cheryl Plager, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 10-11), effective September 1, 2008.

C.3. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct requests for:

a) Shelley Stupay, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, for 18 days, September 11, 2008 through October 7, 2008.
b) Margie Bultman, Basic Skills Teacher, Central School, for two days, October 30-31, 2008.

C.4. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Margie Bultman, Basic Skills Teacher, Central school, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 25 years of service to the Warren Township Schools, effective October 31, 2008.

C.5. Substitute Transportation Personnel
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following substitute transportation personnel, effective September 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009:

a) Fary Lozano, substitute bus driver at $17.22 per hour.
b) Gloria Villamarin, substitute bus aide at $11.84 per hour.

C.6. Interim Principal
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the employment contract for Ralph Celebre dated September 8, 2008, for interim principal services at Woodland School for the period January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009, at a per diem rate of $525.

C.7. Amend Occupational Therapy Services Request
RESOLVED, the Board of Education amends the Occupational Therapy services for Lisa Dichter to be contracted for 7 hours of OT services per week from 2.5 hours per week for the 2008-2009 at a cost to the district of $19,600.

C.8. 2008 Summer Curriculum Staff and Positions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves 20 additional hours for teachers attending IEP meetings during the 2008 summer. The additional cost to the district is $700. (Prior requests were for 60 hours at a cost of $2,100.)

C.9. Bus Duty Supervisor and Teacher in Charge for the 2008-2009 School year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as bus duty supervisor and teacher in charge for the 2008-2009 school year at the WTEA stipend rate:

Angelo L. Tomaso School
Nancy de"Marsi, Bus Duty Supervisor and Sue Kline, Teacher in Charge.

Mt. Horeb School
Debbie Brenn, Bus Duty Supervisor and Carol Monica, Teacher in Charge

Woodland School
Brian Kilroy, Bus Duty Supervisor and Suzanne Wisher, Teacher in Charge.

Middle School
Debbie Granrath, Bus Duty Supervisor.

C.10. After School Clubs - 2008-2009 School Year
approves the following after school clubs for the 2008-2009 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.

Middle School

a) Algebra 6 Days a Week - advisor Debbie Hunt at a stipend of $1,430.
b) Backstage Club - advisor Diane McCloskey at a stipend of $1,430.
c) Before School Basketball - advisor Debbie Granrath at a stipend of $715.
d) Buddy to Buddy - advisors Midge Johnson & Faye Brady at a stipend of $1,430.
e) Grade 6 Computer Club - advisor Sean Convery at a stipend of $1,430.
f) Everyone Has a Story - advisor Lisa Bottone at a stipend of $715.
g) Homework Help Club - advisor Josephine Brasile at a stipend of $1,430.
h) Homework Help Club - advisors Laura Sudol & Robin Savage at a stipend of $1,430.
i) Honors Band - advisor Diane McCloskey at a stipend of $715.
j) Homework Help Club - advisor Pat LaMorte at a stipend of $1,430.
k) Jazz Band - advisor Joel VanTine at a stipend of $715.
l) Junior Solar Sprints Solar Car - advisors Susan Cooper & Ernie Monaco at a shared stipend of $715.
m) Marching Band - advisor Diane McCloskey at a stipend of $715.
n) Math Club - advisor Susan Cooper at a stipend of $715.
o) Kid's Connection - advisors Midge Johnson & Faye Brady at a stipend of $1,430.
p) Lego Robotics - advisors Susan Cooper & Sean Convery at a stipend of $1,430.
q) Knit-A-Bit Club - advisors Gladys Veitch & Lisa Seccamanie at a stipend of $1,430.
r) Peer to Peer - advisors Susan Cooper & Lynn Degen at a stipend of $1,430.
s) Rebel2 - advisor Vivien Plesmid at a stipend of $1,430.
t) Science Club - advisor Dan Ticchio at a stipend of $1,430.
u) Techno Wizards - advisor Sean Convery at a stipend of $1,430.
v) Voice Club - advisor Diane McCloskey at a stipend $1,430.

C.11. Middle School Yearbook and Student Government Advisors for the 2008-2009 school year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as Middle school yearbook and student government advisors for the 2008-2009 school year:

Yearbook - Sean Convery and Beverly MacGorman
Student Government - Beverly MacGorman

C.12. PTO Calendar of Events
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of each schools' PTO Calendar of Events dated September 8, 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year.

C.13. Amended Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the contract for Jill Graef as follows:

.40 Special Education teacher, BA+15 step 6-7, effective September 1, 2008 through September 7, 2008, at a salary of $21,832 prorated from September 1, 2008 through September 7, 2008.
.80 Maternity Leave Special Education teacher, BA+15, step 6-7, effective September 8, 2008 through September 30, 2008 at a salary of 43,665 prorated from September 8, 2008 through September 30, 2008(no benefits). (Ms. Graef is replacing Ms. Hecht on maternity leave.)
.40 Special Education teacher, step 6-7, effective October 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 at an annual salary of $21,832 prorated.

D. Policy

D.1. 5000 Policy Series - First Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the revised 5000 policy series - Pupils.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

Enrollment Update

Dr. Crisfield reported on the enrolment status.

Mr. Sardis reported that he met with Dr. Weitzman to discuss special education regarding the amount of funds that are being spent and attempting to track the costs. They also discussed the qualifications for Reach and the issue of the students' admission age to enter school. Mr. Sardis also noted that there are insurance regulations and wanted to verify that the district was in compliance with these insurance regulations.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

Columbus Day Weekend

The issue of the Columbus Day weekend was addressed and the calendar will not be changed at this time. Item will be noted for future planning.

On February 28^th, Jim Morris, opera singer, is doing a fund raiser to benefit the WTEF and the Middle School PTO. All benefits will go to smart boards.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Jack Henschel commended everyone for being on the board and the job that is being done.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:43 p.m. Mrs. Winter 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. Toubin and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Winter and seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the board reconvened in open session at 8:52 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila

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