Minutes for November 10, 2008History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Middle School, Stirling Road. The following is a record of that meeting. 

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 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: Sue 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, members of the staff and public

IV. PRESENTATION
What's New at Warren Middle School? - A virtual tour
Middle School Principal, Mr. Robert Comba, presented the What's New at the Middle School to the board.  This included what occurs at the Middle School from July 1st  to the opening in September in order to get ready for the new school year and a general summary of the programs at the Middle School.

2007-2008 Standardized Testing Results
Curriculum Supervisor, Mrs. Sondra Markman and Mr. Comba presented the 2007/08 Standardized Testing Results for NJ ASK administered in spring 2008.
Mrs. Markman answered questions from the board members.

(Mrs. Monahan departed at this point in the meeting 7:50 p.m.)

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

October 27, 2008 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Spiller and approved by 7-0-1 voice vote.  (Mrs. Toubin abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • Fire Drills

    ALT

    Central

    Mt. Horeb

    Woodland

    Middle

    October 6, 17

    October 7, 17

    October 3, 20

    October 10, 15

    October 7, 15
  • NJSBA Conventions Report
    Dr. Crisfield attended five different sessions.  Some sessions were better than others.
    Mrs. Voorhees attended Autism 101 - Action Lab which covered educating autistic students in-district.
    Mrs. Burman attended required finance training and noted that Warren is one of the better districts in the State.
    Mrs. Spiller noted that she and Mrs. Monahan both visited with many vendors including solar energy vendors, publicity vendors and many others.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski asked for a moment of silence in honor of Veteran's Day and thanked all veterans for their services in the US and all countries. 

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Education
Mrs. Voorhees noted that the committee met last week to begin work on their established goals.  The first phase is gathering the information.

IX. Discussion

  • 2007-2008 Audit
    Mr. Daquila presented the results of the audit and noted that there are no audit recommendations which is a result of the hard work of the entire business office.  Also noted was the stability of the district's finances. 
  • NJQSAC Report

    Dr. Crisfield noted that the self evaluation is completed and thanked the entire committee. 

    Dr. Crisfield also commented on the results of the various District Performance Reviews (DPRs) and noted that it was a very good self evaluation tool.

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.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
B.3. was pulled for a separate vote.
Mr. Sardis commented on the timing of the c/o for the Middle School driveway project.
Mrs. Voorhees, Mrs. Toubin, and Mrs. Winter also commented on timing of the review of the change order.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board approved A.1 & 2, A.3. as amended, B.1. B. 2. B.4., B.5., B.7., and B.6. as amended, C.1-7 and D.1., as a consent agenda.  The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Spiller on a 7-1 roll call vote, the board approved agenda item B.3.  (Mr. Sardis voted no).

A. Education

A.1. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following two students (ID#0120949 and ID#0120687)) to receive Level 1 services from the commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the 2008-2009 school year at a cost to the district of $1,600 each student for a total cost of $3,200.

A.2. Amendment of Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education amends the one hour a week of services from Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf from Lake Drive Program (Mountain Lakes School District) to two hours per week for student (ID#0120903) for the 2008-2009 school year.  This is an increase of $4,248 for a total cost of $8,496.

A.3. NJQSAC District Performance Reviews (DPRs)
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the District Performance Reviews (DPRs & Statement of assurance) dated November 10, 2008 for the recent NJQSAC self evaluation, and authorize the Superintendent to submit them to the Somerset Executive County Superintendent for her review and action as necessary

 

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Transportation Contracts - Warren Students
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with other districts for the transportation of Warren Township Schools students to their out of district placements for the 2008-2009 school year as follows:

Contractor         District              School                                      Fee
WHRHS            Warren              Hunterdon Learning Center         $7,905.00

B.2. Transportation Contracts - Out of District Students
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with other districts for the transportation of Out of District Students for the receipt of funds for the 2008-2009 school year as follows:

Contractor          District               School               Fee
Warren              Green Brook       DLC                   $11,920.00

B.3. Warren Middle School Driveway Reconfiguration - Falcon Ridge Construction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education Approves the following change orders for Falcon Ridge Construction Co. in the amount of $25,519.60 as follows:

  • C/O #1 Excavation fee for encountering rock $ 2,889.60
  • C/O #2 Adjust elevation on storm drain to eliminate a tripping hazard $ 300.00
  • C/O #3 Extend blacktop on the interior section of the driveway, extend the concrete sidewalk and curbing and install gravel along the interior or the driveway $22,330.00

The original bid for this project from Falcon Ridge Construction Co. was $95,000.00.  Change orders #1-3 are for total of $25,519.60 bringing the total amount due to Falcon Ridge Construction Co. for the project to $120,519.60.

B.4. Acceptance of Audit for the 2007-2008 School Year
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has engaged the firm of T. M. Vrabel, & Associates, LLC, of Denville, New Jersey, to audit the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 in compliance with N.J.S.A.18A:23-1 et seq, and,

WHEREAS, this audit has been completed and the CAFR 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,

WHEREAS, pertinent results of operations during the 2007-2008 school year are:

School Year 2007-2008

REVENUES

Final Budget

Actual

Local Sources

$32,726,788

$32,839,854

State Sources

$2,201,029

$5,527,604

TOTAL

$34,927,817

$38,367,458

EXPENDITURES

    

Regular Instruction

$11,596,945

$11,566,690

Special Education

$3,413,379

$3,403,312

Other Instruction

$1,202,449

$1,187,989

Undistributed Expenditures

$17,204,275

$20,244,517

     Total General Expenses

$33,417,048

$36,402,508

Capital Outlay

$2,375,290

$1,801,569

Special Schools

$135,920

$135,896

Charter Schools

$0

$0

TOTAL

$35,928,258

$38,339,973

OTHER SOURCES/USES

    

Transfer from Capital Projects

$0

$0

Transfer to Capital Projects

$0

$0

EXCESS (DEFICIENCY)

($1,000,441)

$27,485

Fund Balance July 1, 2007

$3,035,998

$3,035,998

Fund Balance June 30, 2008

$2,035,557

$3,063,482

Analysis of Fund Balance

    

Reserved

    

Encumbrances

  

$592,990

Excess Surplus

  

$338,118

Excess Surplus- subsequent year's expenditures

$309,952

Capital Reserve Account

  

$987,292

Unreserved

    

Undesignated/Unreserved

  

$835,130

TOTAL

  

$3,063,482

Source:  Audit Report Exhibit C-1

    
       

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

Recommendations

None

Corrective Action

N/A

B.5. Somerset Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Grant
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, a grant in the amount of $1,250 for the REBEL 2 program at Warren Middle School by the Somerset Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency.

B.6. 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:

November 2008

  • Denise Kennedy, Mt Horeb - Struggling Readers, New Brunswick, NJ $ 145
  • Virginia Pasternak, ALT - History Conference, Trenton, NJ $ 100
  • Lisa Lukko, Mt Horeb - Bringing History to Life, Manalapan, NJ $ 15
  • Chris Burkhardt, Mt Horeb - Bringing History to Life, Manalapan, NJ $ 40
  • Andrea Carroll, Mt Horeb - Bringing History to Life, Manalapan, NJ $ 40
  • Midge Johnson, Middle - Suicide Prevention, East Hanover, NJ $ 75
  • Jill Zimmer, Central - Bringing History to Life, Manalapan, NJ $ 20
  • Joanne Butler, Central - NJ Library Fall Conference, East Brunswick, NJ $ 155

December 2008

  • Elaine Hoffman, Alt - Multi Cultural Conflicts, Highland Park, NJ $ 120
  • Mary Sfiris, Middle - Second Language Learners, Piscataway, NJ $ 130
  • Allison Reu, Middle - Second Language Learners, Piscataway, NJ $ 110
  • Chris Burkhardt, Mt Horeb - Differentiated Math Instruction, Dayton, NJ                     $  125

March 2009

  • Sondra Markman, BOE - ASCD Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl $1,900

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.7. Mt. Horeb Donation - Kimber Petroleum Corporation, Liberty Corner, NJ
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $500 from Kimber Petroleum Corporation towards the purchase of technology equipment for Mt. Horeb School.

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) Kris Stankiewicz, .8 Guidance Counselor, Middle School, sick leave replacement contract, MA+45 plus an additional $1,500 for his Psy.D., Step 1, effective December 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

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

  • Marianne Larson, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 12), effective September 1, 2008 and not October 1, 2008 as approved October 27, 2008.

C.3. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Family Leave request for             Sara Goodman, Special Education Teacher, Woodland School, family leave (unpaid with benefits) from December 15, 2008 through March 23, 2009 and child care leave (unpaid, no benefits) from March 24, 2009 through June 30, 2009 (returning September 1, 2009).

C.4. Child Care Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extension of child care leave (unpaid no benefits) for

  • 1. Lisa Beenders, Grade 6 Science Teacher, Middle School, effective January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 (returning September 1, 2009).
  • 2. Leslie Ortega, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, effective January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 (returning September 1, 2009).

C.5. Amendment of Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the contract for the following personnel:

  • 3. Allyson Brown, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School from September 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009 to extend to February 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 at Woodland School.
  • 4. Linda DeRobertis, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Horeb School from October 13, 2008 through December 30, 2008 to extend to January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 at Woodland School.

C.6. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

  • a) Kaitlyn Maxwell
  • b) Ellen Zagey
  • c) Laurie Schwartz
  • d) Michaela DiPaolo

C.7. Substitute Bus Driver
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Edgar A. Klee Reyes, Substitute Bus Driver, Transportation, at a salary of $17.22 per hour, effective October 23, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

D. Policy

D.1. Policy Revisions - First Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following revised policies:

  • Policy 1100 - Communicating with the Public
  • Policy 2240 - Research, Evaluation and Planning
  • Policy 3220/3230 - State Funds; Federal Funds
  • Policy 3226 - Payment for Goods and Services
  • Policy 3227 - Relations with Vendors
  • Policy 3541.32 - District Owned Vehicles
  • Policy 4111/4211 - Recruitment, Selection and Hiring
  • Policy 4112.2/4212.2 - Certification
  • Policy 4112.8/4212.8 - Nepotism
  • Policy 9250 - Expenses and Reimbursements

XII. OLD BUSINESS
Integrated Pre School
Dr. Crisfield noted that the district is evaluating altering one of the four pre-school classes into an integrated pre-school class.  The class will hopefully have 9 regular students with 6 disabled students. 

Solar Energy Update
Mr. Daquila gave the update on Solar Energy and answered numerous questions. 

Through Eric Bigelsen I have meet with Sun Farm, Soltage and Jersey Solar/Community Energy (all NJ based companies) to discuss the installation of solar energy in the district.  All three of these companies will evaluate the feasibility of installing solar panels, design the system, install the system and provide a third party that will pay for and then own the system.

In each scenario a third party will own the solar equipment that is installed and have the rights to the energy "s-recs".  The district will be offered a 15 year contract to purchase the energy produced by the solar panels at a rate less than the JCP&L rate.  The solar panels will not produce 100% of the electric that is used at the school.  At the end of the 15 years the district will have the option to extend the contract, buy the solar equipment at FMV or ask that the equipment be removed. 

The district will save money on electric costs and will not have to expand funds to purchase a solar system. 

The companies will visit the districts to inspect the roofs on Middle, ALT and Central to evaluate the potential square footage and the feasibility of installing solar panels.  These 3 schools have been chosen based on the size of the roofs and the condition of the roofs.

SE (Special Ed) Assessment
Dr Przybylski noted that as a follow up to the SE presentation SE will be addressed at the next meeting.  The discussion will include whether SE is operating efficiently and if there are methods to improve the SE procedures.

Mr. Sardis read a statement about Special Education and noted that the board oversight can possibly be enhanced and improved.   

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Spiller asked about safety measures after school hours in our buildings.   

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Christina Beekman asked a question about the Integrated Preschool regarding the level of students that will need to attend to balance the program. 

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
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.

There was no executive session. 

ADJOURNMENT:    On motion by Mrs. Voorhees, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila