Minutes for April 14, 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 7:06 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, Mr. Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Mr. Ricci 
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, a member of the staff, and a member of the public  

IV.  PRESENTATION
None

V. MINUTES 
Mrs. Winter moved the following:

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

March 31, 2009 public & private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin 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

    March 10, 18

    March 6, 17

    March 18, 27

    March 6, 18

    March 14, 27

     

    		        

Dr. Crisfield reported on the sad news that hit the district over the past weekend.
John Klingert a WHRHS student was killed over the weekend - the young man had attended WMS
John Malin, father of Jacob, an ALT student, passed over the weekend
John Mazepa, a Dealaman Bus Driver, who drove the ALT & Woodland routes, passed over the weekend.
Allison Coffey, a Central School student won an essay contest on having to overcome a difficulty.  She will be presented the award by Jackie Robinson's daughter and will attend a Yankee game.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski congratulated Dr. Cebula and thanked the Warren Business Professional Association for the $1,000 grant to Central School.  He asked for a moment of silence for the three individuals that passed and wished the families well. 

VIII.  COMMITTEE REPORTS
Communications
Mrs. Spiller reported that the board will need to work with the PTOs on how and if board members should attend the PTO meetings.

Personnel
Mrs. Burman indicated that the board self-evaluation will be April 20, 2009 from 7- 9:00 p.m.

IX.  DISCUSSION
Special Education Self-Assessment (See agenda items A.1. and A.4.)
Dr. Crisfield reported on the special education self-assessment that has recently been completed in the district.

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. Burman, the board approved agenda items A.1-4, B.1-2, C.2-6 and D.1.  The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded Mrs. Toubin, the board approved agenda item C.1. on a 7-0-1 roll call vote.  (Mrs. Voorhees abstained)

A. Education

A.1.  Funding for Special Education Self-Assessment Plan
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the request for funding for Special Education Self-Assessment Plan dated April 14, 2009.

A.2.  Summer Fun 2009 Program Brochure
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Summer Fun 2009 Program Brochure.

A.3.  Out of Zone Request for the 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of zone request for one fifth grade student (ID#2007286) to remain at Central School for the 2009-2010 school year.

A.4.  Special Education Self-Assessment Plan
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the District's Special Education Self-Assessment Plan dated March 31, 2009.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Warren Business Professional Association Grant - Central School
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, a $1,000 Grant from the Warren Business Professional Association awarded to Central School.

B.2. 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:

April 2009

  • Fran Blabolil, Central - Child Psychiatry -CST Update, Livingston, NJ $ 35
  • Peter Daquila, Admin - NJASBO Legal & Employment Issues, MT Olive, NJ $115
  • MaryGrace Suitovsky, Admin -Legal & Employment Issues, MT Olive, NJ $ 75

May 2009

  • Marianne Larson, Middle - NJ Literacy Consortium, Union, NJ $ 20

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.  Appointment of 2009 Summer Fun Staff
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer Fun Staff dated April 3, 2009, effective June 29, 2009 through July 31, 2009 at the following hourly rates:
Teacher - $40
OT - $70
Speech Therapist - $70
Nurse - $40
Paraprofessionals - up to $15
Extended Day and After Care Teachers - $40
Extended Day and After Care Paraprofessionals - up to $15

C.2.  Job Description
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the job description for Dean of Students, dated April 14, 2009.

C.3.  Extension of Family Medical Leave
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extension of Family Medical Leave for Shelley Stupay from April 14, 2009 through April 17, 2009.  Returning April 20, 2009.

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

C.5.  Student Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Student Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:
a) Jennifer Lavalette, Angelo L. Tomaso School, Grade 4

C.6.  After School Club 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school club for the 2008-2009 school year and the instructor at the negotiated stipend rate.

Angelo L. Tomaso School
a) Giving Garden - advisor Jill Andrews at a stipend of $715.

D. Policy

D.1.  First Reading of Three Policy Revisions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first and only reading of the following three policies:

  • Policy 3541.31 - Privately Owned Vehicles
  • Policy 6171.4 - Special Education
  • Policy 9250 - Expenses and Reimbursements

XII. OLD BUSINESS
None

XIII.  NEW BUSINESS
Dean of Students Search Update
Dr. Crisfield reported that the search for the Dean of Students is in process. Candidates will be interviewed until May.  Final candidates will be interviewed by Dr. Crisfield.  Top candidates will be presented to the board at the May 27th meeting.

Mrs. Burman asked for information on candidates that apply.  Dr. Crisfield will supply the requested information.

Mrs. Monahan reported that an April 18th Warren & Watchung Regional Alliance is hosting a job fair at the Warren Middle School

Mrs. Voorhees asked for information on the elementary shift to the 5 day schedule.  Dr. Crisfield will comply.

Mr. Daquila reminded the board that on Election Day Dr. Crisfield will be at the board office and Mr. Daquila will be at town hall and call in the results as the town clerk releases them.

Mr. Daquila reported to the board that the district did not elect to defer on-half of the April 30, 2009 pension payment.  However the district's state aid will be reduced by $125,000 - the amount that could have been deferred. 

XIV.  PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Patricia Zahn asked when the signs regarding the election will be put up in the town.  She also asked if the schools can encourage parents to take their children to the polls with them. 

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 
At 7:30 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. Spiller and seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board reconvened in open session at 8:37 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:  On motion by Mrs. Toubin, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Minutes recorded by: