Minutes for May 11, 2009History icon Archived Minutes

Skip Navigation

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 7:05 p.m. by the Board President, Mrs. Monahan

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Mrs. Monahan 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 - Mrs. Monahan 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, and a member of the public  

IV.  PRESENTATION

  • BOE Education Committee Report - World Languages
    Mrs. Voorhees presented the Education Committee's work on the board goal for the review of the district World Language Program.  The Committee recommended that the administration look into offering Chinese in the Middle School and to look into alternative methods to deliver K-5 world language instruction.  The board discussed both recommendations and accepted the Committee's recommendations.

V. MINUTES 
Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

April 27, 2009 public & private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 6-1-1 voice vote.  (Mrs. Winter abstained.  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

April 17, 24

April 2, 10

April 17, 24

April 17, 28

April 17,24
         
         
         

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Monahan offered congratulations to Technology Coordinator, MaryEllen Roberts, and Custodian Martin Fonseca, on receiving an award from the town for their work at the job fair. 

Mrs. Monahan wished a speedy recovery to Eileen Meyers.

VIII.  COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX.  DISCUSSION
BOE Committees for 2009-2010

Mrs. Monahan noted that the board goals will be discussed in June.  She suggested that there should be a committee for Negotiations, Finance & Operations, Curriculum (formerly Education), Personnel - at least a chair, Communication, Policy, and liaisons to Rec., Township & WHRHS.

Mrs. Voorhees commented that a committee for Curriculum is a good idea and should work with the districts' Curriculum Supervisor on the areas being reviewed each year.

Mrs. Spiller verified that education related topics will still be addressed as needed.  Items can be addressed to and by the whole board.

Mrs. Monahan noted that the Personnel Committee will be reduced to one person.

Mrs. Monahan asked each board member to provide their preferences to her in writing by 5/12/09.  She will speak with each person before making any assignments.  

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).

Tia Allocco noted that her family has lived in Warren for three years and; she has a 2 and 4 year old and is interested in learning more about how the district operates.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
The board thanked the Rotary and Lions Club for their generous gifts.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board approved agenda items A.1, B.1-6, C.1-13 and D.1.  The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Out of Zone Request for the 2009-2010 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of zone request for the following students:

a)  One fifth grade student (ID#152041232) to remain at Angelo L. Tomaso School for the 2009-2010 school year.

b)  One fifth grade student (ID#153040162) to remain at Angelo L. Tomaso School for the 2009-2010 school year.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of April and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on April 30, 2009:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$5,068,566.61

 

$1,173,248.66

(11) Current  Expense

 

$1,449,882.06

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$545,624.94

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$86.24

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($38,356.29)

$44,340.24

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$14,214.71

$8.45

$14,206.26

TOTAL

$5,044,425.03

$2,039,941.93

$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.2.   Budget Transfers for Month of April 2009

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:

11-000-219-104-00-01

CST Extra Pay

11-000-222-100-00-01

Educ. Media/Library - Salaries

$1,000

11-000-219-390-08-00

CST Prof. /Technical Services

11-000-219-610-08-00

CST Supplies

$3,000

11-000-221-800-12-00

Misc. Expenses - Curriculum

11-000-221-110-12-00

Curriculum Dev. Stipends

$15

11-000-230-339-01-00

Purchased Prof. Services

11-000-230-331-01-00

Legal Services

$10,000

11-000-230-590-00-23

Legal Ads

11-000-230-590-00-51

Other Purchased Services

$3,000

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-530-01-22

Telephone - District

$10,000

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-585-01-02

BOE - Travel & Workshops

$6,000

11-000-261-420-09-03

Maintenance Repairs - Central

11-000-262-620-05-61

Electricity - ALT

$6,000

11-000-261-420-09-04

Maintenance Repairs - MH

11-000-262-620-05-61

Electricity - ALT

$2,000

11-000-261-420-09-06

Maintenance Repairs - WD

11-000-262-620-05-61

Electricity - ALT

$3,000

11-000-270-390-10-00

Transp. - Prof./Tech. Svcs.

11-000-270-512-07-00

Field Trip Transportation - MS

$1,000

11-150-100-101-00-00

Home Instruction Salaries

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$8,000

11-190-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Svcs. - SPS (504)

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$2,100

12-000-260-730-00-00

Operations & Maint. Equip.

11-000-262-620-06-61

Electricity - Woodland

$5,520

12-000-260-730-09-00

Operations & Maint. Equip.

11-000-262-620-07-61

Electricity - Middle

$11,850

12-120-100-730-05-00

Instructional Equipment - ALT

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$8,650

13-422-100-500-00-00

Other Purch. Svcs. - Summer

11-190-100-500-00-00

Other Purchased Services

$535


Total Transfers

$81,670

B.3. HVAC Controls Upgrade - Service Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education awards a service contract to Integrated Control Solutions of Basking, NJ at a rate of $90.00 per hour (parts and sub-contracted labor will be provided at cost plus 20%), effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, for an estimated total not to exceed $17,000.00.

B.4. 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:

May 2009

  • Nicole Evins, Central - NJ Literacy Consortium, Union, NJ $ 20
  • Patrick Rock, Central - NJ Literacy Consortium, Union, NJ $ 15
  • Tyler Tribelhorn, B&G - AHERA Refresher Training, Piscataway, NJ $ 300
  • Karen Leski, Woodland - Manifestation Determination, New Providence, NJ $ 40

  June 2009

  • MaryEllen Roberts, Middle - NECC, Washington, DC $1,500

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.

B.5. Middle School Donation-Watchung/Warren Rotary

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $200.00 from the Watchung/Warren Rotary for the purchase of animation software to support the news program at Middle School.

B.6. Lions Club Donation

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves with appreciation the donation of $2,000 from the Warren Lions Club to replenish the Superintendent's discretionary fund that is used to assist families in need

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2008-2009 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for 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)  Donna Bardy, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, MA, step 1, effective May 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009.

C.2. Appointment of Staff for the 2009-2010 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of staff (administrators, certificated staff, WTEA support staff), dated May 5, 2009, for the 2009-2010 school year.

C.3. Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Josephine Maccagnan, Grade 4 Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, effective June 30, 2009.

C.4. Job Description

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following job descriptions dated May 2009:

a)  Guidance Counselor

b)  Librarian

c) Nurse

C.5. Amendment of Family Leave

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the family leave request for Dawn DeLorenzo, Special Education Teacher, Middle School to begin on April 24, 2009 (instead of May 4, 2009) through September 30, 2009 (no pay with benefits) and child care leave to commence on October 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 (no pay and no benefits).

C.6. Gettysburg Chaperones - Middle School 8th Grade Overnight Trip

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to chaperone the Middle School 8th grade overnight trip to Gettysburg May 28-29, 2009:

Laura Sudol, Sitta Cohen, Josephine Brasile, Judy Motz, Barbara Tantillo, Robin Savage, Lynn Degen, Heather Saum, Angela DellaVentura, Mary Anne Murphy, Carolyn McCloskey, Kim Villanueva, Robert Comba, Jim Frascella, Bob Hartshorn, Sean Mealy, Steve Verger, Faye Brady, JoAnn Blatchford, Lisa Lontai.

C.7. Extended Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following extended work schedule for the following:

a)  Mary Russo, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, two days at the end of the school year.

b)  Eileen Lepore, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, two days at the end of the school year.

c) Michele Delserro, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, three days in August.

C.8. Middle School Guidance Extended Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves three days each of an extended work schedule for Midge Johnson, Barbara, Tantillo, Kris Stankiewicz, Middle School Guidance Counselors, during June 24, 25, 26, 2009 at each individual's per diem rate.

C.9. 2009 Summer Employees

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the list of 2009 summer employees for Maintenance/Buildings & Grounds dated May 7, 2009, at the listed hourly rates, effective May 11, 2009 through September 4, 2009.

C.10. Per Diem Deduct Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct requests for:

a)  Laura Lamson, Physical Education Teacher, Central School, for one day, June 23, 2009.

C.11. Substitute Teachers

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

a)  Sherilyn Cohen

C.12. 2009-2010 Stipends

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of non WTEA stipends for the 2009-2010 school year dated May 11, 2009.

C.13. Alternate Legal Counsel

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Stephen R. Fogarty of Fogarty and Hara as alternate legal counsel for the 2009-2010 school year at an hourly rate $165.00 for principals and $145.00 for associates.

D. Policy

D.1.  First Reading of Policies

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first of two readings of the following four policies:

a)  4112.8/4212.8 - Nepotism

b)  4119.22/4219/22 - Conduct and Dress

c) 5131 - Conduct/Discipline

d)  6173 - Home Instruction

XII. OLD BUSINESS

Warren Middle School Graduation Awards Criteria

 Dr. Crisfield noted the criteria for the list of Middle School graduation awards.

Dr Przybylski asked how the Middle School student's grade for Math at WHRHS is considered for the student to be considered for awards.  Dr. Crisfield will investigate and reply. 

Mrs. Voorhees asked about the teacher's excellence wards. 

Mrs. Winter noted that on the recent 3rd grad trip to Middle School for music there were no permission slips.

XIII.  NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Spiller noted that Dr. Crisfield spent time in a Mt Horeb 3rd grade and left a very positive impression on the class. Dr. Crisfield will investigate and reply to the board.

Dr Przybylski asked that field trips be looked at as part of fiscal prudence.  Dr. Crisfield noted that the Leadership Council will address that topic at their next meeting.

XIV.  PUBLIC COMMENTARY

None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 

At 8:25 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. Winter, seconded by Mr. Sardis, the board reconvened in open session at 10:05 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT:  On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila