Minutes for June 8, 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, 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: Sue Burman, Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, David Ricci, Tony Sardis, Patricia Toubin, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Gina Voorhees arrived at 7:08 p.m.

Mildred Spiller arrived at 7:50 p.m.
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, and a member of the public

IV. PRESENTATION
None.

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

May 26, 2009 public & private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 5-1-2 voice vote. (Mr. Ricci and Mrs. Voorhees 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

May 13, 21

May 8, 15

May 21, 26

May 8, 20

May 11, 20

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Monahan congratulated and thanked Debra Tambor for being awarded the $200 Energy Grant from PSE&G that will be used as a fee to attend a training session and congratulated and thanked Elaine Hoffman for being awarded the $500 PEACE Grant from United Way for the Service Learning/Composting Project.

She also congratulated Katherine Dong and Ben Profenius, both Middle School 8th graders, for their recognition as National Level Silver Medal Winners in the Annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The two students and their teacher, Dr. Susan Horn attended the award recognition ceremony at Carnegie Hall.

Congratulations also went to the Gold Key Regional winners in the Northeast Region:

WMS 8th graders Katherine Dong, Ben Profenius, Jonathan Elbaz, Audrey Lou, Sheree Liu, and Kaitlyn Tyls.

Mrs. Monahan reported that the NJSBA has announced that 2/3 of the districts will receive a fee reduction for 2009/2010 in an attempt to reflect the comparative size of the school district budgets.

Mrs. Monahan reminded the board the Middle School graduation is June 22, 2009 and the next board meeting is June 29, 2009.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Winter reported that the Finance Committee met to discuss the stimulus funding. She also reported on the Phase I funding filing for IDEA Basic & summarized what the funds will be used for to achieve student achievement.

Dr. Daquila added information on the Phase I filing for the IDEA Preschool category and summarized what the funds will be used for to achieve student achievement.

Dr. Daquila provided the board with an update on the research that has been done and the status of the Solar Energy Project. The Finance Committee will meet to discuss the district's options.

IX. DISCUSSION
Public Hearing - 2009-2010 Superintendent's Employment Contract

Mrs. Monahan reported that the only change to the superintendent's contract is the salary change. There were no other comments.

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).

Donna Perry commented and inquired about the solar energy project.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION (CONSENT AGENDA)
Mr. Daquila noted that agenda items C.1., C.6., and C.7. have been amended.

Mrs. Burman asked a question about C.2., C.3., and C.14. Dr. Crisfield responded.

Mrs. Toubin asked to discuss C.7. in executive session.

Mrs. Monahan asked to discuss C.13 in executive session.

Mr. Sardis asked a question about B.7. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mrs. Winter asked for a separate vote on C.1.b.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board approved agenda items A.1-3, B.1-8, C.1.a, C.2-6, C.8-12, and C.14. The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board approved agenda item C.1.b. on a 5-0-3 roll call vote. (Mrs. Toubin, Mrs. Voorhees, and Mrs. Winter abstained.)

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.

A.1. Home Instruction
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves home instruction for the 2008-2009 school year for the following students:

a) One student (ID#2001172) to receive 20 hours maximum of home instruction, five hours per week for four weeks, effective May 26, 2009 through June 19, 2009 at a total cost to the district not to exceed $700.

b) One student (ID#4001050) to receive 9 hours of home instruction, 3 hours per day for three days, effective February 11, 2009 through February 13, 2009 at a total cost to the district of $440.

c) One student (ID#0120828) to receive 10 hours per week of home instruction, for two weeks, effective June 8, 2009 through June 19, 2009 at a cost to the district of $700.

A.2. 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 student:

1. One third grade student (ID#2006235) to remain at Mt. Horeb School for the 2009-2010 school year.

A.3. Field Trip Guidelines
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of district field trip guidelines dated June 8, 2009.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for May 27, 2009 through June 8, 2009 in the amount of $1,348,906.03

B.2. CAP Program Application
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the application for CAP (New Jersey Child Assault Prevention) funding for the 2009-2010 school year in the amount of $1,598.

B.3. NJSBAIG - ERIC North Subfund 2009 Safety Program Grant
RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Warren Township Schools accepts the grant award for the 2009 Safety Grant Program through the New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group's ERIC North Subfund for the qualified purposes (exterior lighting) described in the application, in the amount of $6,655.

B.4. Membership in the Middlesex Regional Educational Cooperative Pricing System
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves membership in the Middlesex Regional Educational Cooperative Pricing System for the five year period of July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2014.

B.5. Transportation of Student for 2008-2009 School Year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transportation of one additional Watchung Hills Regional High School student to be included in route W-138 going to Watchung Hills Regional High School and returning home at $30 per day for a total cost to the $840, effective May 18, 2009 through June 25, 2009.

B.6. PEACE Grant from the United Way - Angelo L. Tomaso School
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, a $500 PEACE grant from the United Way for the Service-Learning/Composting Project awarded to Elaine Hoffman at the Angelo L. Tomaso School.

B.7. Transportation Contract - Parent Contract
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves a parental transportation contract for one student (ID#0120992) to the Somerset Learning Institute for the 2009-2010 school year (ESY and regular school year) in the amount of $7,811.23.

B.8. Out of District Extended School Year Tuitions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list Summer 2009 out of district extended school year tuitions dated June 8, 2009.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for the 2009-2010 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) Kris Stankiewicz, School Social Worker, Central and Middle Schools, MA+45 plus an additional $1,500 for his Doctorate, Step 1-2, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

b) Christina Ulloa, Grade 5 Teacher, Central School, MA, step 1-2, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. (Maternity Leave Contract.)

C.2. Fairview Lake Chaperones - Middle School 7th Grade Overnight Trip
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the list of staff to chaperone the Middle School 7th grade overnight trip to Fairview Lake June 4th and 5th from Bernadette Gibson and Mary Pat Forenza to Valerie Nelson and Michele Lepore.

C.3. Gettysburg Chaperones - Middle School 8th Grade Overnight Trip
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education amends the list of staff to chaperone the Middle School 8th grade overnight trip to Gettysburg May 28-29, 2009 from Josephine Brasile to Barbara LaSaracina.

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

a) Nicolas Chin

b) Rebecca Crawford

c) Lauren Nelson, current Paraprofessional at Central School

C.5. Rescind After School Activities Coordinator Stipend Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education rescinds the 2009-2010 After School Activities Coordinator stipend contract for Sean Convery in the amount of $4,000.

C.6. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placements on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:

a) Stacey Modugno, REACH Teacher, Woodland School, MA+15 to MA+30 (remaining at step 16 for 2008-2009 and step 17 for 2009-2010), effective May 1, 2009.

b) b) Bernadette Gibson, 7th Grade Language Arts/Electives Teacher, Middle School, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 4-5 for 2008-2009 and step 5-6 for 2009-2010), effective June 1, 2009.

c) Donna Perry, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, to include a stipend of $1,800, for her teaching certificate, effective June 1, 2009 (remaining at step 6-7 for the 2008-2009 and step 7-8 for the 2009-2010).

C.7. 2009 Summer Employees
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the list of 2009 Summer Employees dated June 1, 2009, at the listed hourly rates effective June 22, 2009 through September 4, 2009.

C.8. Family Medical Leave Extension
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education extends the family medical leave for Lauren Nelson, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, (unpaid with benefits) from May 26, 2009 through June 5, 2009 with an anticipated return date of June 8, 2009.

C.9. Amendment of Contract Hours for the 2009-2010 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amendment of contract hours for the 2009-2010 school year for the following Child Study Team personnel:

a) Michele Stein, Psychologist, from .65 to .80, step 13.

b) Joan Darkenwald, LDTC, from .65 to .70, step 23-24.

C.10. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct requests for:

a) Alexandra Esposito, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for one day, May 22, 2009.

C.11. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the family leave request for the following:

a) Stacey Lederman, Special Education Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, (unpaid, with benefits) from September 1, 2009 through December 3, 2009 returning December 4, 2009.

C.12. Additional Student Personnel Services Employees 2009 Summer Work
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves additional work for summer 2009 for Jennifer Curran, Speech Therapist, Mt. Horeb School, 60 hours for evaluations.

C.13. Dean of Students
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the hiring of Scott Cook as Dean of Students, Warren Middle School, for the period July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 as per the employment contract on file in the Board Office and in accordance with the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in the WTAA collective bargaining agreement.

C.14. 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.

Middle School

a) Jazz Band - advisor Joel VanTine at a stipend of $715.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • Advance Course Grades Warren Middle School
    Dr. Crisfield reported on how the advance course grades are treated in the region. No other district weighs the grades or advance course grades. The board discussed the issue.
  • Grade 6 Class Trip Options
    Dr. Crisfield reported that he discussed the issue with Mr. Comba and it was agreed that the option is not ideal but there are not many alternatives to tie to the curriculum. The board suggested a few options.
  • Electronic Devices on Field Trips
    Dr. Crisfield reported the electronic devices are "usually discouraged" on field trips but the decisions are trip specific.

Mr. Sardis inquired if a professional development plan has been created for Faye Brady and if it would include a financial section. Dr. Crisfield responded.

Mr. Sardis asked for a follow up on the contract approval process and for clarification as to whether it was decided to review only professional services or all contracts. Mr. Daquila will report at next BOE meeting.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Dr Przybylski asked about the sleeping arrangement on the 8th grade trip and if 4 males should be sharing a room.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Spiller 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, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board reconvened in open session at 9:45 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board approved agenda item C.7 with adjusted working as follows, on a 6-3 roll call vote. (Mrs. Burman, Mr. Sardis, and Mrs. Toubin voted no.)

Resolved,

The Board of Education gives conditional approval pending administrative review of summer employee applications, secondary screening, and attorney review with final approval to be provided at the June 29th board meeting.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the board approved agenda item C.13 on a 6-3 roll call vote. (Mrs. Burman, Mr. Sardis, and Mrs. Toubin voted no.)

After the board voted on item C.13., it was noted that the full board supported the candidate's employment in the district. The minority votes were with respect to the salary and not the individual.

ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila