Warren Township Schools: Minutes for February 23, 2009

Minutes for February 23, 2009 Archived Minutes

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Central School, Mt. Bethel 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: Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Sue Burman
David Ricci arrived at 7:08 p.m.
Patricia Toubin arrived at 7:10 p.m.

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

IV. PRESENTATION

Mrs. Zimmer's 4^th Grade Students will present their Paper Recycling Project

Dr. Crisfield thanked the Central PTO for their hospitality in welcoming the board to Central School. He also thanked the Central School students for coming to the meeting and presenting at tonight's meeting.

Dr. Cebula introduced Mr. Zimmer, the REACH teacher at Central School. Mrs. Zimmer spoke about the grant that is being used for the recycling program and how the process started and is being conducted in the schools and the volume of paper that is being recycled.

Mr. Ricci arrived at this point in the meeting (7:08 p.m.)

Mrs. Toubin arrived at this point in the meeting (7:10 p.m.)

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Winter moved the following:

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, of the following meeting:

February 9, 2009 public session

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

Mrs. Winter moved the following:

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, of the following meeting:

February 9, 2009 private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 6-1-1 voice vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no. Mrs. Winter abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Dr. Crisfield informed the board regarding he alleged incident involving the man associated with Watchung Hills Soccer. He thanked Dr. Laura Weitzman, Mr. Daquila, and the district staff for their actions in handling this matter in his absence.

Mr. Daquila reported that he met with representatives from the Somerset Hills YMCA regarding their desire to conduct afterschool intramural programs at the elementary schools. The programs are currently being conducted at Woodland and will now be offered at all the district elementary schools.

Mr. Daquila informed the board that there is no additional information available regarding the police investigation regarding the 2 shot gun shells found at ALT School. Lt. Glen feels the hunter(s) were misplaced and this will most likely remain unsolved.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski thanked the students, Dr. Cebula and Mrs. Zimmer for the wonderful presentation on recycling and encouraged them to keep up the good work. He also thanked the Central and Woodland PTOs for their donations. He congratulated Art Teacher, Meryl Lettire, on receiving the 2009 Honey and Maurice Axelrod award for teaching about the Holocaust and genocide. He congratulated Dr. Cebula on the wonderful newspaper article and 40 years in education.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. DISCUSSION
Draft 2009-2010 Budget Deliberations

Dr. Crisfield spoke about the budget cycle and that there is currently nothing new to discuss until the state aide is released.

Mrs. Monahan noted that she has been contacted by the public about after school clubs being a luxury in the tough economic times.

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).

None

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the board approved the following amended motions as a consent agenda. The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Out Of District Speech Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves out of district speech services for the following students:

1. One student (ID#0000629) to receive one additional 30 minute session of individual speech per week beginning February 9, 2009 through June 30, 2009 at a cost to the district of $1,950.

2. One student (ID#0120906) to receive one additional 30 minute session of individual speech per week beginning February 23, 2009 through June 30, 2009 at a cost to the district of $1,950.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of the bill list dated February 28, 2009 in the amount of $3,342,807.56

B.2. Budget Transfers for Month of January 2009
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	11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition - Other LEAs	$3,000
11-000-219-104-00-00	Child Study Team - Salaries	11-120-100-101-00-01	Grades 1-5 Teacher - Salaries	$9,000
11-000-222-600-03-10	Library Supplies - Central	11-000-222-600-03-13	Periodicals & Subs. - Central	$220
11-000-223-110-11-02	Tech. Academy Stipends	11-000-223-320-11-02	Tech. Acad. Purch. Prof. Svcs	$1,625
11-000-261-420-09-04	Maintenance Repairs - MH	11-000-261-420-09-05	Maintenance Repairs - ALT	$3,000
11-000-261-420-09-06	Maintenance Repairs - WD	11-000-261-420-09-05	Maintenance Repairs - ALT	$1,500
11-000-262-490-06-00	Sewer & Water - Woodland	11-000-262-490-05-00	Sewer & Water - ALT	$850
11-000-270-518-10-00	Cont. Special Ed Transp.-ESC	11-000-270-517-10-00	Contr. Non-Public Transp.	$14,000
		Total Transfers		$33,195

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 January and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on January 31, 2009:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$5,454,262.14		$1,173,248.66
(11) Current Expense		$2,684,179.43
(12) Capital Outlay		$620,605.13
(13) Special Schools		$480.24
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($278,954.60)	$43,647.83	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$724,532.71	$0.00	$14,206.26
TOTAL	$5,899,840.25	$3,348,912.63	$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. Mini Grant Donations - Central School PTO

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $2,000 from the Central School PTO for teacher mini grant requests.

B.5. SMART Board Donation - Woodland School PTO

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $10,000 from the Woodland School PTO towards the purchase of SMART Boards.

B.6. Amend the District's Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP)

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following:

Authorizes the New Jersey Department of Education to unlock the Long Range Facility Plan,
Authorizes USA Architects to amend the Long Range Facility Plan,
Authorizes USA Architects to add Central School Hallway Renovation Project to the LRFP as a Building Improvement,
Authorizes USA Architects to submit project applications to the New Jersey Department of Education for the one project listed above.

B.7. Architectural Services: USA Architects - Department of Education Filing

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves a contract with USA Architects of Somerville, NJ for the filing of the Hallway Renovation Project at Central School with the Department of Education for the purpose of the district receiving construction funds from the State of New Jersey for this project. USA's fee is $5,000.00 for this service.

B.8. Joint Agreement Between WHRHS and Warren Township Board of Education

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amendment of the joint agreement between WHRHS and Warren Township Board of Education, in order to transport an additional student from home to/from WHRHS, effective March 4, 2009 through June 24, 2009, at a per diem rate of $25. WHRHS Board of Education will pay the full cost of transportation.

B.9. 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

Dr. Gregory Przybylski, BOE - NJ School Board Governance Webinar $ 40
Patricia Toubin, BOE - NJ School Board Governance Webinar $ 40
Mary Balkonis, ALT - IR & S Training, Somerville, NJ $ 20
Fran Perlman, ALT - IR & S Training, Somerville, NJ $ 10

March 2009

Laura Weitzman, BOE - Specialized Placements, Westfield, NJ $ 10
Robin Savage, Middle - Annual FLENJ Conference, Somerset, NJ $100

April 2009

JoAnn Blatchford, Middle - QUEST Symposium, Princeton, NJ $ 30
Laura Sudol, Middle - QUEST Symposium, Princeton, NJ $ 25
Tyler Tribelhorn, B&G - National School Plant Conference, Atlantic City, NJ $270

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. Summer Fun Principal 2009

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Meryl Lettire, Central School, as Summer Fun Principal for the summer of 2009 at a salary of $8,340.

C.2. Amendment on Salary Guide

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

Maria Sendon, Spanish Teacher, Middle School, MA+ to MA+15 (remaining at step 8-9), effective January 1, 2009.
BethAnn Figueira, Grade 3 Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, MA+30 to MA+45 (remaining at step 10-11), effective February 1, 2009.
Danielle Siana, Computer Teacher, Central School, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 13), effective February 1, 2009.

C.3. Substitute Teachers

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

a) Laurie Steen - School Nurse

b) Ann Chapman

c) Karen Apgar

d) Patricia Anderson

e) Jessie Miller

f) Susan Southern

C.4. Stipend Positions - 2008-2009 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff and stipend positions for the 2008-2009 school year at the negotiated stipend rate.

a) Donna Bardy, Classroom Paraprofessional, Middle School - Cheerleading, $2700

b) Nicholas Bayachek, Adaptive PE, District - Boys Basketball, $3200

c) Amanda Rodriguez, Health/PE Teacher - Girls Basketball, $3200

XII. OLD BUSINESS

Change of BOE Meeting Date (from 3/9/09 to 3/16/09, still at Administration Building)

Dr. Crisfield spoke about changing the board meeting from 3/9 to 3/16 to coincide with the release of state aide figures and board approval to submit the budget to the county.

The board self-evaluation will be on 3/31 and Dr. Crisfield and Mr. Daquila's evaluations will be 4/16/09.

Professional Services Providers - How to develop generic process for periodic re-canvassing of the market

Dr. Crisfield spoke about the process of evaluating the professional services providers. The

BOE decided that the personal committee should develop a process for the periodic review

of the professional services providers.

XII. NEW BUSINESS
Request to Attend Central School from Woodland Zoned Street

Dr. Crisfield informed the board about the request from a Woodland zoned 2009/2010 incoming kindergarten student to attend Central School. The board discussed the issue and was against granting the request. The district zoning was established 10 years ago and there is no reason at this time to readdress the current zoning.

Mrs. Spiller asked how the parents are informed about the elementary guidance counselors and the services that are offered. Dr. Crisfield will verify the information and report to the board.

Mrs. Monahan noted that the WTEF and the Warren Middle School PTO fund raising concert is Saturday night. All proceeds will go towards SMART boards.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 7:55 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.

Mr. Sardis noted that he is opposed to discussing these matters in closed session as discussed at the 2/9/09 meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Winter and seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the board reconvened in open session at 8:30 p.m.

The BOE discussed the budget increase and the tax impact. The current draft of the budget has the tax increase at the 4% allowed by the state. The board discussed the possibility of not increasing the budget by the full 4% allowed.

ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila

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