Minutes for October 6, 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 7:03 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: Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, David Ricci, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Mrs. Burman                                                                                    
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, staff members, and members of the public

IV. PRESENTATION

  • 2007-2008 Violence and Vandalism Report - Public Hearing
    Dr. Crisfield presented and discussed the district's violence and vandalism report for the 2007/08 school year.  

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Winter moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, as amended, of the following meeting:

September 22, 2008 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 8-0 voice vote.   

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • Fire Drills -- The superintendent reported the following fire drills had been held

    ALT

    Central

    Mt. Horeb

    Woodland

    Middle

    September 12, 18

    September 5, 11

    September 12, 25

    September 9, 25

    September 11, 16

Dr. Crisfield presented and discussed the 1st attempt at the district monthly calendar. 

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski noted that at the prior 2 BOE meetings there have been lively discussion about special ed.  Dr. Laura Weitzman will attend the next board meeting to answer any of the board's questions.  He asked that members please forward all questions about special education to Dr. Crisfield prior to the October 27th meeting.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy
Mrs. Monahan commented that the 6000 and 7000 series will be reviewed in October and then the board will need to review certain policies that need to be updated.

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met and has decided that USA Architects should submit the paperwork to the Department of Education for Vinyl Tile Replacement in the Classrooms at Central and Vinyl Tile Replacement in the Hallways at Central.  These two projects are in addition to the HVAC Replacement at ALT and the Roof Replacement Phase 2 at Central.

The project cost of replacing the 9 x 9 classroom vinyl tiles at Mt Horeb is approximately the same cost as the Central classroom project.  This project should also be submitted to the DOE.

The vinyl tile that has been included in the three projects has a life expectancy of approximately 20 to 25 years.  There is a Marmoleum Tile (MCT) that has a life expectancy of 40-to 50 years.  The Marmoleum is a natural product that is bio-degradable, 20 times more resistant, requires no or minimum wax and is approximately $1.50 per square foot more expensive. 

The board decided that the district should proceed and apply for the grant money for the 3 tile projects.  

IX. Discussion
None

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 discussed agenda item B.4., B.5. and B.8. The board pulled agenda items A.2 for discussion in the executive session, and D.2. for public session discussion.   

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Toubin, the board approved A.1. & A. 3., B.1. through B.9., C.1 as amended, and C.2. through C.8., as a consent agenda.  The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

Mr. Sardis questioned the following policies:
6144 Controversial Issues - a change was made to the policy.
6142.6 Basic Skills - a change was made to the policy. 
6142.4 Family Life Education - policy was discussed and subject matter is covered by the curriculum.
Policy 6121 Non discrimination Affirmative Action - State mandated curriculum
Policy 6172 Alternative Education Programs - wording in the policy will be altered.
Policy 6171.4 -Special Ed. - questions on this policy will be reviewed with Dr. Weitzman at the next BOE meeting.
Policy 6171.2 REACH - questions on this policy will be reviewed with Dr. Weitzman at the next BOE meeting.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mr. Sardis on an 8-0 roll call vote, the board approved agenda item D.1 (6000 & 7000 series except 6171.2 and 6171.4.)  

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin on a 4-4 roll call vote, the board voted to reinstate the wording on policy items 6171.2 & 6171.4.  (Mrs. Winter, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Spiller, and Mrs. Voorhees voted no.)

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin on an 8-0 roll call vote, the board voted to reconsider reinstating the wording on policies numbered 6171.2 & 6171.4.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved on an 8-0 roll call vote, the board approved the 1st reading with reinstating the wording in policies number 6171.2 & 6171.4

A. Education

A.1. Violence and Vandalism Report
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Violence and Vandalism Report for the 2007-2008 school year dated July 18, 2008.

A.2. Amended Out of District One on One Aide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the approval of a 1:1 aide for the 2008-2009 school year for one student (ID#0000629) attending DLC-Warren to reflect a revised cost to the district of $41,706.

A.3. Related Services - Speech
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120074) to receive one hour per week of speech to be delivered by Jamie Perry, retroactive from September 4, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  The cost to the district will be $2,800.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Budget Transfers for Month of August 2008
Approve the following Resolution:

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 3160:

TO:

 

FROM:

 

 

11-000-213-600-05-00

Health Supplies - ALT

11-190-100-640-05-00

Textbooks - ALT

$350

11-000-213-600-07-00

Health Supplies - Middle

11-190-100-610-07-00

Instructional Supplies - MS

$360

11-190-100-890-12-00

Misc. Instructional Exps. Curr.

11-190-100-890-00-00

Misc. Instructional Expenses

$1,050.00

12-000-400-390-00-00

Prof. Services (Capital Outlay)

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

$25

13-422-100-101-00-00

Summer School Salaries

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teacher - Salaries

$10,215

13-422-100-101-00-00

Summer School Salaries

13-422-100-106-00-00

Summer - Classroom Aides

$400

 

Total Transfers

$12,400

B.2. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of August and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on August 31, 2008:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$2,116,054.42

 

$1,173,248.66

     (11) Current  Expense

 

$6,101,534.86

 

     (12) Capital Outlay

 

$706,105.99

 

     (13) Special Schools

 

$484.35

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$25,028.69

$57,719.59

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$1,233,553.26

$0.00

$14,206.26

TOTAL

$3,374,636.37

$6,865,844.79

$1,187,454.92

WHEREAS, in compliance with N.J.A.C.6:20-2A(d) 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 N.J.A.C.6:20-2A.10(e), 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 N.J.A.C.6:20-2A.10(a)(1), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the year.

B.3. Donation of Amplification Systems for Hearing Impaired Students
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $4,500 from the Lions Club of Warren towards the purchase of amplification systems for hearing impaired students in the Warren Township Schools.

B.4. Central School PTO Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $1,313.94 from the Central School PTO for front lobby renovations.

B.5. Automatic Temperature Controls Upgrade Project Change Orders for Integrated Control Solutions
RESOLVED, the Board of Education Approves the following change order to Integrated Control Solutions for the Automatic Temperature Controls Upgrade Project: C/O #7-install 11 new UV controls at ALT in the amount of $19,400.00.

The original bid for this project from Integrated Control Solutions was $298,800.00 Change orders #1-6 for total of $16,524 and the above change order #7 for $19,400 brings the total amount due to Integrated Control Solutions for the project to $334,724.

B.6. Non Public Program Aid 2008/2009
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the acceptance and expenditure of the Non Public Aid for the 2008/2009 school year as follows:

  • Non Public Nursing Aid $849.00
  • Non Public Textbook Aid $629.00
  • Non Public Technology Aid $440.00

B.7. Transportation for Out of District Students -Revised
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation for out of district students with the Morris-Union Jointure Commission for the 2008-2009 school year as follows:

Contractor

Student ID#

School

Cost

MUJC

0120037

Montgomery Academy

$14,292.50

MUJC

0120949

P.G. Chambers

$20,621.89

 

 

Total for MUJC

$34,914.39

B.8. 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:

October 2008

  • Tyler Tribelhorn, B & G - Energy Education Conference, Atlanta, Ga $475
  • Steven Rizzoli, Middle - Energy Education Conference, Atlanta, Ga $560
  • MaryEllen Roberts, District - NJAET Technology Conference, Lakewood, NJ $150
  • Robert Hartshorn, Middle - Social Studies Council, East Windsor, NJ $ 95
  • Josephine Brasile, Middle - Social Studies Council, East Windsor, NJ $115
  • David Arnold, Middle - Social Studies Council, East Windsor, NJ $105
  • Myranda Shimko, Middle - NJ Literacy Consortium, Union, NJ $ 5
  • Karen Balich, Middle - NJCSS History Conference, East Windsor, NJ $140
  • Lynn Degan, Middle - NJCSS History Conference, East Windsor, NJ $ 85
  • Lindsey Goldfarb, Middle - NJ Literacy Consortium, Union, NJ $ 5
  • Faye Brady, SPS - Self Assessment Assistance Session, Dayton, NJ $ 25
  • Laura Weitzman, BOE - Self Assessment Assistance Session, Dayton, $ 20
  • MaryLou Cebula, Central - Transform Conversation to Success, Monroe, NJ $410
  • Marianne Larson, Central - NJ Literacy Consortium, Union, NJ $ 10

November 2008

  • 1. Laura Weitzman, BOE -Working with Asian Families, Piscataway, NJ $100
  • 2. Maria Sendon, Middle - World of Goya Art Workshop, New Brunswick, NJ $ 45
  • 3. Angela Della Ventura, Middle - World of Goya Art Workshop, New Brunswick $ 55
  • 4. Peter Daquila, BOE - NJASBO Accountability Regulations, Mt. Olive, NJ $115
  • 5. MaryGrace Suitovsky, BOE - NJASBO Accountability Regs, Mt. Olive, NJ $ 90
  • 6. Diane Burak, Middle - NJ Librarians Annual Conference, East Brunswick, NJ $ 85
  • 7. Linda Miller, BOE - AESOP Training (Substitute tracking), East Brunswick, NJ $ 15

December 2008

  • 8. Michele Stora de Cruz, Mt Horeb -Special Needs Workshop, Edison, NJ $190
  • 9. MaryLou Cebula, Central - Transform Conversation to Success, Monroe, NJ $ 10

February 2009

  • 10. Michele Stora de Cruz, Mt Horeb -Special Needs Workshop, Edison, NJ $ 15

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.9. IDEIA Application
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of the 2008-2009 IDEIA Grant Application to the Department of Education with the following amount for special education programs:

  • IDEIA Basic $458,395.00
  • IDEIA Pre-School $ 16,395.00

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:

  • a) Timothy O'Hinley
  • b) Maria DeSimone
  • c) Jeanne Ross-Neuwirth
  • d) Paula Doumas

C.2. Curriculum Staff and Positions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional hours for the following teachers working on curriculum projects at the WTEA negotiated rate of $35 per hour:
Marianne Larson, Language Arts-K-2 Benchmarking, 5 hours
Marianne Larson, Language Arts-Comprehension Toolkit Binders for Grades 3-5, 4 hours
Traci Haise, Social Studies Curriculum-Grade 7, 10 hours

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

  • 1. Michele DelSerro, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, for one day, November 20, 2008.

C.4. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Sherrol Walcott, School Nurse, Central School, effective October 31, 2008.

C.5. Reassignment
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the reassignment of Valerie Justices from District Nurse to Nurse at Central School, effective November 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

C.6 Temporary Employee
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Elise Tanner to work on the data entry for NJSMART and the district's conversion to Power School for the period of September 1, 2008 to November 30, 2008.  Ms Tanner will be paid $12.00 an hour and the cost will not exceed $3,600 (300 hours).

C.7. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:

  • Hildegarde Jackson, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 8-9), effective September 1, 2008.

C.8. After School Clubs - 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school clubs for the 2008-2009 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.

Mt. Horeb School

  • a) Newspaper 1 - advisor Lisa Lukko at a stipend of $715.
  • b) Newspaper 2 - advisor Lisa Lukko at a stipend of $715.

D. Policy

D.1.6000 Policy Series and 7000 Policy Series - First Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the revised 6000 policy series - Instruction and the 7000 policy series - Construction, Remodeling, and Renovation.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

Dr. Crisfield noted that the Middle Soccer team had many students participate in tryouts.  Cross County also has a large number of students participating in the program. 

  • Special Education Audit - Need for future discussion?

    Dr. Crisfield noted that the Special Ed Audit was distributed and the board will need to determine if it needs to be discussed at a future meeting.

    Mr. Sardis noted that a few items in the audit report should still be addressed.  He feels that procedures to verify that special ed. spending is appropriate should be developed.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
None

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:  
At 8:20 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
8)   specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session
9)   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. Winter and seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board reconvened in open session at 9:05 p.m.
On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees and approved on an 8-0 roll call vote, the board approved agenda item A.2.

XV. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mr. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Sardis, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila