Minutes for November 24, 2008History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Mt. Horeb School, 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 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, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter 

Absent: Patricia Toubin
David Ricci arrived at 7:07 p.m.

Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the district staff and public

IV. PRESENTATION
Mt. Horeb School Chorus
Dr. Crisfield noted that the Mt. Horeb Chorus under the direction of Mark Weber would perform.  Dr. Crisfield thanked Mr. Weber & Mt. Horeb School Principal, Mr. Bill Kimmick, for the performance and the hospitality for hosting the meeting. 

(Mr. Ricci arrived at this point in the meeting 7:07p.m.)

V. MINUTES
November 10, 2008 minutes
Mrs. Spiller noted that she objected to Tony Sardis's statement being included verbatim since it is not the usual board practice and procedure. Discussion ensued as to whether the statement should be included in the minutes and if this should become practice.  It was also discussed to check the legal practice when a member requests to have a statement included.

A motion was proposed to accept minutes as amended without the statement.  Mrs. Burman noted the research should be completed before the minutes are approved.  On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Monahan, the board voted to approve the amended minutes without the statement.  The motion failed on a 6-2 roll call vote (Mrs. Spiller and Mrs. Monahan voted yes.) 

On motion by Mrs. Burman, seconded by Mrs. Winter and approved on an 8-0 roll call vote, the board voted to table the minutes, verify legal items as to whether read statements can be included and how to adjust minutes for discussion that occurred after the statement was read. 

The minutes will be voted on at the 12/8 meeting and the board will discuss the topic of including statements in the future. 

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Dr. Crisfield shared the summary that a 6th grade French exchange student sent as a thank you for his experience. 

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski thanked Mr. Weber for the wonderful performance.  He wished the board and entire district staff a Happy and safe Thanksgiving. 

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. Discussion
Options for Board of Education Oversight of Special Education Program

Dr Przybylski noted that at the last meeting it was asked that the oversight and review of special ed be discussed.

Mr. Sardis noted that he believes Dr. Weitzman should report to the board annually with review parameters, established goals, and follow financial guidelines and limitations.

Mrs. Winter noted that Dr. Weitzman presents to the board every year and the board can ask questions and receive answers.

Dr. Crisfield noted that the neighboring districts do not review special ed in this detail at board meetings.

The board discussed the topic.

On motion by Mr. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Burman, and approved on an 8-0 roll call vote, the board approved  that the Special Ed. Director provide an annual update and solicit questions from the board and respond to these questions.

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)
Mrs. Winter asked that agenda item B.5 be pulled for discussion. 
Mrs. Monahan asked a question about agenda item B.7.
Mr. Sardis asked a question about agenda items A.3 and B.2.
The board discussed item B.5.
Multiple board members commented on the expense of the special ed. Routes.
Mr. Daquila noted the calculation methods used by the commissions in determining the rates.
Mrs. Burman asked for assurance that all options are checked before routes are determined.
Mrs. Voorhees questioned item C.6.
Dr. Crisfield noted that the amount of training and start up for Power School is excessive and the conversion and learning curve is very time consuming.
The Board discussed this agenda item.

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

A. Education

A.1. Intensive Articulation Therapy Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120846) to receive two 30 minute sessions per week of Intensive Articulation Therapy for Cleft Palate Speech and Related disorders beginning November 10, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  The cost per session is $70 for a total cost to the district of $4,480.

A.2. Speech Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120074) to receive an increase of speech services from 1 hour per week to 1.5 hours per week for an increase of $1,050.  The total cost to the district will be $3,850.

A.3. Integrated Pre-School Program
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the establishment of one section of half day Integrated Pre-School program, Monday through Thursday to replace one section of the Pre-School Disabled program for the 2009-2010 school year.

A.4. Curriculum Approval
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Guidance Curriculum, Character Education Curriculum, and the Career Education and Consumer, Family and Life Skills Curriculum, all K-8 and all dated November 24, 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 November 30, 2008 in the amount of $3,296,419.86

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of October 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:

 

 

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition - Other LEAs (Reg. SY)

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private (Reg. SY)

$95,600

11-000-216-100-00-00

Speech & OT - Salaries

11-240-100-101-00-00

Bilingual Teachers - Salaries

$2,030

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraord. Purch. Prof. Svcs.

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$16,000

11-000-217-600-08-00

Extraordinary Svcs. - Supplies

11-240-100-101-00-00

Bilingual Teachers - Salaries

$1,600

11-000-219-104-00-01

CST Extra Pay

11-110-100-101-00-01

Kinder. Teachers - Salaries

$1,940

11-000-222-100-00-01

Educ. Media/Library - Salaries

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$2,400

11-000-222-600-06-10

Library Supplies - Woodland

11-000-222-600-06-13

Periodicals & Subs. - WD

$325

11-000-261-610-09-04

Maintenance Supplies - MH

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - MS

$1,000

11-000-261-610-09-05

Maintenance Supplies - ALT

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - MS

$3,000

11-190-100-800-08-47

Field Trip Admissions - REACH

11-190-100-800-07-00

Field Trip Admissions - MS

$565

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teacher - Salaries

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$5,000

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teacher - Salaries

11-213-100-106-00-00

RC Aides - Salaries

$5,550

11-230-100-101-00-00

Basic Skills Teachers - Salaries

11-240-100-101-00-00

Bilingual Teachers - Salaries

$2,500

12-000-260-730-00-00

Operations & Maint. Equipment

12-000-240-730-00-00

School Admin. Equipment

$19,400

 

 

Total Transfers

 

$156,910

B.3. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of October and

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

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,153,845.86

  

$1,173,248.66

     (11) Current  Expense

 

$3,584,562.97

 

     (12) Capital Outlay

 

$716,803.10

 

     (13) Special Schools

 

$480.29

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($106,141.94)

$89,454.00

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$1,133,422.71

$0.00

$14,206.26

TOTAL

$5,181,126.63

$4,391,300.36

$1,187,454.92

WHEREAS, in compliance with law and code 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 law and code, 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 law and code and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the year.

B.4. SMART Board Donation - Angelo L. Tomaso School PTO
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $3,600 from the Angelo L. Tomaso School PTO towards the purchase of SMART Boards.

B.5. Transportation for Out of District Students -Correction
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation for an out of district student with the Somerset County Educational Services Commission (SCESC) for the 2008-2009 school year as follows:

Contractor

Student ID#

School

Cost

SCESC

0120679

ARC Koehler School

$28,091.80

B.6. Central School Roof Replacement Phase 1 - Laumar Roofing Co.
RESOLVED, the Board of Education Approves the following change orders for Laumar Roofing Co. in the amount of $(4,550.00)

  • C/O #1 Install 6 through wall scupper drains $ 5,000.00
  • C/O #2 Material supplier change $ (500.00)
  • C/O #3 Damage to storm drain $ (890.00)
  • C/O #4 Slate roof repairs $(8,160.00)

The original bid for this project from Laumar Roofing Co. was $242,700.00.  Change orders #1-4 are for total of $(4,550.00) bringing the total amount due to Laumar Roofing Co. for the project to $238,150.00.

B.7. 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:

     February 2009

  • Maria Stankiewicz, Middle - Arts Education Series, Monroe, NJ $ 155

March 2009

  • Sondra Markman, BOE - ASCD Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl $2,500
  • Kathy Bond, ALT - ASCD Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl $2,500
  • MaryLou Cebula, Central - ASCD Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl $2,500
  • Robert Comba, Middle - ASCD Annual Conference, Orlando, Fl $2,500

April 2009

  • Marianne Larson, Middle - Annual Reading & Writing Somerset, NJ $ 195

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.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Amendment of Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the family leave request for Sara Goodman as follows:  12 weeks under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), unpaid with benefits, effective December 15, 2008 through March 23, 2009 and 12 weeks under the NJ Family Leave Act (NJFLA), unpaid with benefits, effective March 24, 2009 through the end of the school year.  Ms. Goodman will be returning September 1, 2009.

C.2. Child Care Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extension of Child Care Leave (unpaid with no benefits) for Kathy Boraski, Special Education Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, effective February 2, 2009 through June 30, 2009 (returning September 1, 2009).

C.3. Temporary Leave of Absence
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a temporary leave of absence for Donna Perry, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, effective January 12, 2009 through May 1, 2009, unpaid with no benefits (returning May 4, 2009).  (Mrs. Perry will be student teaching at another district.)

C.4. Amendment of Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the contract for Tiffany Pillard, Special Education Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School from September 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009 to extend to February 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009.  (Ms. Pillard is replacing Kathy Boraski on Child Care leave.)

C.5. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

  • a) Pam Lewis
  • b) Rachel Orshan Kramer
  • c) Nikki Sobin
  • d) Marianne Lupo
  • e) Meghan Nadeau (previous sub)
  • f) Sarah Bentzinger

C.6. Temporary Employee - Power School Conversion and Training
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Elise Tanner to work on the district's conversion to Power School and training of the district staff on Power School for the period of November 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  Ms Tanner will work a maximum of 18 hours per week and will be paid $16.00 an hour.

C.7. Student Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Student Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

  • 1. Francesca Pisano - Mt. Horeb School (cooperating teacher Stefanie Azzari)

C.8. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct requests for:

  • a) Nancy DeMarsi, Grade 5 Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for three days, February 11, 17, 18, 2009.

D. Policy

D.1. Policy Revisions - Second Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second 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
Mrs. Voorhees asked that the grade and school be included in all motions affecting the teaching staff.

XII. NEW BUSINESS
Non-Tenured Teacher Review in December - New Format
Dr. Crisfield noted that this will occur at the December 12th meeting.  The private discussion will be with all administrators.

BOE Representative for District Special Education Self-Assessment Committee (First meeting November 18, 2008 at 1:00 PM)
Dr. Crisfield noted that Mrs. Monahan has volunteered to be on the committee. 

Dr. Crisfield noted he received a request from the town to discuss the budget in order to reduce costs in the upcoming budget for the schools and the towns.

Mrs. Winter noted that the finance committee will have its first meeting on December 9th to begin the budget process.  The budget should be available for public discussion in January 2009.

The board discussed the potential budget meeting with the town and noted that the district should attend the meeting.  It was suggested that Dr. Crisfield and Dr Przybylski attend.

Mr. Sardis asked if the board ever considered having a student representative on the board.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

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. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila