Minutes for January 12, 2009History 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 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: Sue Burman
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the staff & public

IV. PRESENTATION

Dr. Crisfield introduced Ralph Celebre, Interim Principal at Woodland School. Mr. Celebre noted that he is enjoying his assignment in the district.

  • CONNECT-ED Science Grant Project

    Dr. Crisfield commented on the Connect- Ed program.

    Sondra Markman, Curriculum Supervisor, noted that this program is through the Connect Ed Grant from Rider University. Mrs. Markman introduced the three teachers who worked on the Connect Ed project: Dr. Georgia Eisanick & Vicky Pilitsis from Watchung Hills Regional High School and Mr. Dan Ticchio from the Warren Middle School.

    The concept is to create connections between elementary, middle and high school curriculums.

    Dr Przybylski presented Dr. Fisanick, Mr. Pilitsis and Mr. Ticchio with certificates of appreciation and thanked them for their hard work and efforts.

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

December 8, 2008 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Spiller and approved by 7-1 voice vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
The superintendent reported the following fire drills had been held.

  • Fire Drills

    ALT

    Central

    Mt. Horeb

    Woodland

    Middle

    December 5, 12

    December 4, 16

    December 1, 2

    December 2, 23

    December 5, 22
  • Warren Schools Promotional Flyer circa 1967
    Dr. Crisfield noted that he located a promotional flyer for the district from 1967. He remarked about a few facts from the flyer and circulated the document for board review. It will go in the district archives.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski wished everyone a Happy New Year and hoped that everyone's New Year is off to a wonderful start.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. DISCUSSION
2008-2009 Goals - Progress Report

Dr. Crisfield reviewed the progress on the Board and District goals for 2008-2009. The board discussed the progress of both the board and district goals.

  • Nursing Services Plan (see agenda item A.1.)
    Dr. Crisfield presented the Nursing Services Plan for the 2008/2009 school year and noted that the district has always had a nursing plan. In prior years it was approved as part of the QAAR.

 

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. Toubin requested the agenda item C.1.a. be pulled for discussion in the executive session.
On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the board approved A.1 through 3, B.1. through 6, C.2 through 9, as a consent agenda. The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Nursing Services Plan
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Nursing Services Plan for the 2008-2009 school year dated January 12, 2009.

A.2. Home Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120259) to receive 10 hours per week of home instruction for up to three months at $35 per hour for a total cost to the district of $4,550, effective December 12, 2008.

A.3. Education Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120645) to receive five hours per week, for approximately one month, of educational services while hospitalized retroactive December 18, 2008. Services will be provided by St. Claire's Hospital at a rate of $49 per hour for a total cost to the district of $980.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the balance of payment of the bill list dated December 31, 2008 in the amount of $4,430,900.75

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of November 2008
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:

    

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private (Regular SY)

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition-Other LEAs(Reg.SY)

$60,000

11-000-213-600-03-00

Health Supplies - Central

11-190-100-640-03-00

Textbooks - Central

$60

11-000-213-600-04-00

Health Supplies - Mt. Horeb

11-190-100-610-04-10

Instructional Supplies - MH

$1,400

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraord. Purch. Prof. Svcs.

11-000-100-566-08-02

Tuition - Private (Ext. SY)

$11,800

11-000-218-104-00-00

Guidance Teacher - Salaries

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$34,000

11-000-270-515-10-00

Contr. Spec. Ed Trans.-Jointure

11-000-270-517-10-00

Contr. Non-Public Transp.

$11,200

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contr. Special Ed Transp.-ESC

11-000-270-517-10-00

Contr. Non-Public Transp.

$3,800

12-000-400-390-00-00

Prof. Services (Capital Outlay)

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

$45,650
   

Total Transfers

  

$167,910

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 November and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on November 30, 2008:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,801,915.28

$1,173,248.66

(11) Current Expense

  

$3,279,967.15

  

(12) Capital Outlay

  

$629,110.84

  

(13) Special Schools

  

$480.29

  

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($172,539.29)

$77,612.32

$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

$5,762,798.70

$3,987,170.60

$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 - Central School PTO
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $9,750 from the Central School PTO towards the purchase of SMART Boards.

B.5. IDEIA Acceptance of Award
RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts the funding for the 2008-2009 IDEIA Grant Application from the Department of Education for the following amounts for special education programs:

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

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:

January 2009

  • Sondra Markman, BOE - NJ ASCD Conference, East Windsor, NJ $ 10
  • Laura Weitzman, SPS - ADA Amendments, New Providence, NJ $ 25
  • Mary Anne Murphy, Middle - Teaching ADD Students, New Providence, NJ $ 110
  • Elaine Hoffman, ALT - Community Connections Workshop, Somerville, NJ $ 40

February 2009

  • Jennifer Curran, SPS - Practical Therapy Techniques, Newark, NJ $ 100
  • Jolanta Scassera, Mt Horeb - Connective Writing, Piscataway, NJ $ 80
  • Joel Van Tine, Middle - Music Educators Conference, East Brunswick, NJ $ 160
  • Amy Brunswick, CST - Batelle Development, New Providence, NJ $ 150

March 2009

  • Laura Weitzman, SPS - Avoiding Litigation, Long Branch, NJ $ 220
  • Philip Shimko, Cust - Boiler License Training, Kenilworth, NJ (4 sessions) $ 470
  • Elzbieta Dumala, Cust - Boiler License Training, Kenilworth, NJ (4 sessions) $ 465
  • Calvin James, Cust - Boiler License Training, Kenilworth, NJ (4 sessions) $ 455

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. Employment for the remainder of the 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for the remainder of 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. Michael Ricketts, .5 Grade 8 Science Teacher, Middle School, MA+45 including Doctorate Degree stipend, step 6-7 as a contracted permanent substitute for the 2008-2009 school year, effective January 14, 2009 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:

  • Ann Santee, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 17), effective January 1, 2009.
  • Alida Gorin, MA+30 to MA+45 (remaining at step 22-23), effective January 1, 2009.

C.3. Middle School Play Stipends
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Jennifer Zimmerman as the Middle School play choreographer for the 2008-2009 school year, at a stipend of $1,430.

C.4. Computer Curriculum Hours
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following teachers to work on the Computer Curriculum in December 2008 at the hourly rate of $35.00: Sheila Connelly, Computer Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for 2 hours and Susan Lewis, Computer Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, for 1.5 hours.

C.5. Family Leave Extension
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the extension of family leave for Dawn Gauvin, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, from December 31, 2008 to January 30, 2009 with a return date of February 2, 2009.

C.6. After School Academic Assistance Program Advisor
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Brenda Sasso, Grade 6 LA/SS Teacher, Middle School as an After School Academic Assistance Program Advisor, effective January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 at the WTEA hourly rate for after school clubs.

C.7. Home Instructor
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Barbara Kottmann, currently an approved substitute teacher who has a Standard teaching certificate, as a home instructor for the 2008-2009 school year, effective December 11, 2008.

C.8. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

  • a) Matthew Sebor
  • b) Beth Ann Filiano
  • c) Rachel Holz
  • d) Jessica Franco (previously approved substitute in District for 2007-2008)

C.9. 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.
Angelo L. Tomaso School

  • a) Scrabble and Boggle Club - advisor Mary Lynch at a stipend of $715.

XII. OLD BUSINESS
Board budget buddies were assigned as follows:
Mrs. Winter - Dr Przybylski, Mrs. Voorhees
Mr. Ricci - Mrs. Toubin
Mrs. Spiller - Mrs. Monahan
Mr. Sardis - Mrs. Burman

XII. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Sardis asked about the suspensions for students that are caught fighting.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:05 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. Toubin and approved by unanimous voice vote.
On motion by Mrs. Toubin and seconded by Mrs. Winter, the board reconvened in open session at 9:17 p.m.
On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board approved agenda item C.1.a. on a 7-0-1 roll call vote. (Mrs. Voorhees abstained.)

ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Monahan, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila