Minutes for January 26, 2009History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the ALT School, Washington Valley 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: 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 & public

IV. PRESENTATION

  • ALT Students - 4th Grade Outdoor Classroom Project
    Dr. Crisfield thanked the ALT PTO for the hospitality in hosting the board meeting. Ms. Bond, ALT Principal, introduced Ms. Hoffman the 4th grade outdoor classroom project coordinator. Ms. Hoffman spoke about the connection of the group in and out of the classroom and the composting program that is now part of the outdoor classroom. Ms. Hoffman noted that the group has received a grant for the program.

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Winter moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, as amended, of the following meeting:
January 12, 2009 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 7-1-1 voice vote. (Mrs. Burman abstained and Mr. Sardis voted no.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Mr. Daquila reported that a group has contacted ALT about donating book covers that contain advertising. Mr. Daquila will check policy and report back to the board.

Mr. Daquila reported that the Somerset Hills YMCA had contacted the district about using the elementary schools for their summer camps. Based on the summer use that is already scheduled and that the YMCA needs 9 weeks of time in July and August, it was deemed impractical to permit them to use the districts' facilities.

Mr. Daquila reported that the DOE has approved the four construction projects for funding. The projects are: the Central School Roof - phase 2, ALT HVAC Replacement, Central School Tile Replacement, and Mt. Horeb Tile Replacement.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski congratulated the Warren Middle School 7th grader, who won the National Geographic Geography Bee. He also acknowledged the undefeated WMS girls and boys soccer teams coached by Mr. Sean Mealey, and Mr. Kurt Reck respectively. He acknowledged the cross- country team that went 2-3 for the season.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. DISCUSSION
Draft 2009-2010 Budget - Initial Public Deliberations ("Budget At A Glance" - Handout)

Dr. Crisfield spoke about the Budget at a Glance document and some of the assumptions and details of the documents.

M. Daquila spoke about some of the specific items that effect the revenues and the expenses.

Dr. Crisfield noted that the budget process will continue through February, March & April and the State has not released any information yet.

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. Monahan corrected C.5.a. Mr. Ricci asked about agenda item B.7. and requested the item be pulled for a separate vote. Mr. Daquila spoke about item B.7. and responded to the board questions.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board approved B.1. through 6 along with B.8., C.1 through 6, and C.5 as amended, as a consent agenda. The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 9-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Burman, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the board approved agenda item B.7. on a 9-0 roll call vote.

A. Education

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of the bill list dated January 31, 2009 in the amount of $2,603,044.49

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of December 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:

    

11-000-213-600-05-00

Health Supplies - ALT

11-190-100-640-05-00

Textbooks - ALT

$350

11-000-216-100-00-01

Speech & OT Salaries - Extra

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teacher - Salaries

$5,000

11-000-221-110-12-00

Curriculum Deve. Stipends

11-000-223-320-12-00

Staff Training - Purch. Svcs.

$1,000

11-000-222-600-04-12

Library Books - Mt. Horeb

11-190-100-610-04-10

Instructional Supplies - MH

$900

11-000-261-420-09-04

Maintenance Repairs - MH

11-000-261-420-09-07

Maintenance Repairs - MS

$3,000

11-000-261-610-09-03

Maintenance Supplies - CS

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - MS

$1,000

11-000-270-161-10-02

Transportation - Sub. Drivers

11-000-270-517-10-00

Contr. Non-Public Trans.

$8,000

11-190-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Svcs. - SPS (504)

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraord. Purch. Prof. Svcs.

$1,900

11-190-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Svcs. - SPS (504)

11-190-100-320-07-00

Purch. Prof. Education Svcs.

$5,200

12-000-400-390-00-00

Prof. Services (Capital Outlay)

12-000-400-931-00-00

Capital Reserve Transfer

$500

12-000-400-390-00-00

Prof. Services (Capital Outlay)

12-000-240-730-00-00

School Admin. Equipment

$5,000

12-000-400-390-00-00

Prof. Services (Capital Outlay)

12-000-400-931-00-00

Capital Reserve Transfer

$43,250

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

12-000-400-390-00-00

Prof. Services (Capital Outlay)

$43,250

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

12-000-252-730-00-00

Admin. Info. Tech. Equip.

$12,070

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

12-130-100-730-11-01

Gr. 6-8 Technology Equip.

$44,680
   

Total Transfers

  

$175,100

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 December and

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

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,297,010.15

$1,173,248.66

(11) Current Expense

 

$2,930,642.63

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$620,605.13

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$480.24

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($238,667.42)

$37,590.50

$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

$5,191,765.44

$3,589,318.50

$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. No Child Left Behind Grant - Acceptance of Funds
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the acceptance of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Grant for school year 2008/2009 from the New Jersey Department of Education with the following amounts:

  • Title II-Part A $ 27,993.00
  • Title III $ 7,983.00
  • Title IV $ 3,270.00

B.5. Camp Invention 2009
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the agreement dated January 7, 2009 for the use of Woodland School for Camp Invention scheduled for the week of August 3, 2009 through August 7, 2009.

B.6. Somerset County ESC Transportation Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with the Somerset County ESC for the transportation of a Warren Township Schools student to the Vanderveer School at a rate of $112.50 per day, effective December 8, 2008 for the 2008-2009 school year.

B.7. HVAC Controls Upgrade - Service Contract
RESOLVED, the Board of Education awards a service contract to Integrated Control Solutions of Basking Ridge, NJ, at a rate of $90.00 per hour, (parts and sub-contracted labor will be provided at cost plus 20%), effective January 5, 2009 through June 30, 2009 for an estimated total not to exceed $15,000.

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:

February 2009

  • Susan Cooper, Middle - Math Counts Competition, West Windsor, NJ $ 40
  • Carla Annese, Mt Horeb - Writing Workshop, Newark, NJ $115
  • Barbara Murphy, Mt Horeb - Writing Workshop, Newark, NJ $125
  • Diane McCloskey, Middle - Music Educators Conference, East Brunswick, NJ $140
  • Bruce Gant, Middle - Music Educators Conference, East Brunswick, NJ $160
  • John Seramula, Middle - Music Educators Conference, East Brunswick, NJ $200

March 2009

  • Lynn Degan, Middle - Ellis Island Seminar, Jersey City, NJ $120
  • Josephine Brasile, Middle - Ellis Island Seminar, Jersey City, NJ $120
  • Robert Hartshorn, Middle - Ellis Island Seminar, Jersey City, NJ $120
  • Pat LaMorte, Middle - Ellis Island Seminar, Jersey City, NJ $ 90
  • Dan Ticchio, Middle - Ellis Island Seminar, Jersey City, NJ $100

May 2009

  • Mary Sfiris, Middle - Reaching Immigrant Students, Perth Amboy, NJ $ 80
  • Mary Sfiris, Middle - NJTESOL Conference, Somerset, NJ $205

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

  • Jeanne Vecchione, Special Education Teacher, Woodland School, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 19), effective January 1, 2009.
  • Mary Pat Brown, Grade 5 Teacher, Woodland School, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 12), effective January 1, 2009.
  • Debra Tambor, E2 Teacher, Middle School, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 12), effective January 1, 2009.

C.2. Elimination of Job Descriptions for Obsolete Positions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the elimination of job descriptions for the list of obsolete positions dated January 14, 2009.

C.3. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the family leave request for:

1. Dawn DeLorenzo, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, from May 4, 2009 through October 6, 2009 (unpaid with benefits) and child care leave (unpaid, no benefits) from October 7, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Returning September 1, 2010.

2. Susan Sage, Art Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, from April 21, 2009 through June 30, 2009 and September 8, 2009 through September 25, 2009 (unpaid with benefits), returning September 29, 2009.

C.4. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2008-2009 school year:

a) Lori Loredo
b) Paula Gunther Reilly
c) Kerry Lecker
d) Jennifer Gaglioti

C.5. 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) Girls On The Run Program - advisors Katie DiDia and Ann Marie Vernese at a stipend of $715 each funded by the Warren Township Youth Services.
b) Outdoor Education Club - advisor Cheryl Plager at a stipend of $715.

C.6. Change of Assignment
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the change of assignment for Mary Jo DeFonso, 1:1 Classroom Paraprofessional from Woodland School to a 1:1 Classroom Paraprofessional at Central School, effective January 26, 2009 through June 30, 2009.

XII. OLD BUSINESS
None

XII. NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Monahan asked if Somerset County Vo Tech is creating a special education program. Mr. Sardis will check and report back.

Mr. Ricci asked about co-curricular and sport activities and funding for the current budget.

Dr Przybylski noted that he met with the BOE presidents of the sending districts and shared services & foreign languages were the key items discussed.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Voorhees 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. Toubin, the board reconvened in open session at 9:25 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila