Minutes for July 27, 2009History icon Archived Minutes

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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 7:04 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, David Ricci, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Dr. Gregory Przybylski
Gina Voorhees

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

IV. PRESENTATION
None

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

June 29, 2009 public & private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 6-1 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • Fire Drills - Summer Fun

Mt. Horeb

July 14, 23

Mr. Daquila reported that the district suffered no damages from Sundays' storm.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Monahan noted that Warren was named 6th Best Town to live in by Money Magazine. She also noted that is a result of the schools, the board and the staff's efforts.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Winter reported that the finance committee met to discuss solar energy and that more data needs to be gathered before any discussions can be made. Mrs. Winter also referenced the sheet that was distributed regarding purchasing and the bidding process.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • 2009-2010 Goals - Continuing Discussion
    Dr. Crisfield talked about the district goals and the creation of the board goals. A draft of the board goals will be presented at the August meeting.
  • Summer Custodial/Maintenance Workers Hiring Process
    The board reviewed the Summer Employment Hiring Process. The board suggested some revisions that will be presented at the August meeting.
  • Summer Fun Hiring Process
    The board reviewed the summer fun hiring process and suggested a few changes that will be reviewed at the August meeting.
  • Background Checks - Who gets one?
    The board discussed the guidelines for the district criminal history checks. Changes have been suggested and will be presented at the August meeting.

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 asked a question about B.13., B.5., and C.1. She also commented about student teachers not being left alone with the students.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mrs. Burman asked a question about C.5.

Mr. Sardis asked a question about B.8. and the ARRA funding.

Mr. Sardis asked a question about B.10.

Mr. Sardis asked a question about B.11., and B.12. Must the district be a member for 5 years and what is the historical cost savings.

B.11 & B.12 are being pulled until the August meeting. Additional information will be gathered.

Mr. Ricci asked a question about C.9. & C.11.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the board approved agenda items A.1-2, B.1-10, B.13, and C.1-17. The consent agenda was approved by unanimous 7-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Out of District Placement
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of out of district placements for the 2009-2010 school year dated July 16, 2009.

A.2. Speech Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education retroactively approves speech services for one student (ID#0120846) to receive two 30 minute sessions of speech per week for four weeks during Summer Fun provided, effective July 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009, from Dr. Karen J. Golding-Kushner at a rate of $70 per session for a total cost to the district of $560. Dr. Golding-Kushner is a district approved speech provider.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for:

a) June 30, 2009 in the amount of $2,318,327.48

b) July 31, 2009 in the amount of $2,031,076.18

B.2. Central School - Family Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $3,400 from the Baratta/Kang family for the purchase of a Smart Board at Central School.

B.3. Acceptance of Grant - Department of Education School Facilities Project - Central School Hall Rehabilitation Floor Tile Replacement - Project # 5470-030-09-1005

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation has tentatively approved the Preliminary Eligible Cost Determination for the Central Elementary School Hall Rehabilitation Floor Tile Replacement in the amount of $51,290.00 (40% of the project costs), now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Warren Township Board of Education:

1. Accepts the Preliminary Eligible Cost (PEC) Determination for the project

Authorizes the superintendent and business administrator to execute and submit the appropriate grant documents to the Department of Education, and

2. Delegates to the school business administrator authority for supervision of the school facilities project.

B.4. Joint Agreement Between Morris Union Jointure Commission and Warren Township Board of Education
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a joint agreement dated June 10, 2009 between Morris Union Jointure Commission and the Warren Township Board of Education to enter into an inter local/shared services agreement for bus maintenance at $67 per hour, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

B.5. No Child Left Behind Grant Application
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of the 2009-2010 NCLB Application to the Department of Education with the following amounts:

  • Title II-A $ 28,856.00
  • Title III $ 8,219.00
  • Title IV $ 3,175.00

The Warren Township Schools will participate in a consortium as the host district for Title III funds with Branchburg ($4,543.00) and Long Hill ($6,703.00).

B.6. Transportation Contracts - Out of District Students for the Extended School Year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with the following districts for the receipt of funds for transporting Out of District Students for the 2009 extended school year as follows:

Contractor District School Fee

Warren WHRHS DLC $6,888.00

Warren Watchung DLC $6,888.00

Warren Watchung Children's Institute $4,368.00

Warren Berkeley Heights DLC $6,386.00

Warren Greenbrook DLC $6,390.00

B.7. Central School - Lower Level and Toilet Renovation Project - Buckler Associates
RESOLVED, the Board of Education Approves the following change order to Buckler Associates for the Central School Lower Level and Toilet Renovation Project in the amount of $6,800.00.

  • C/O #14 Environmental monitoring, electrical and bonding costs $6,800.00

Total of Change Orders $6,800.00

The original bid for this project from Buckler Associates was $696,846.00. Change orders #1-13 are for a total of $75,673.50 and change order #14 is for a total of $6,800.00 bringing the total amount due to Buckler Associates for the project to $779,319.50.

B.8. Proprietary Vendor
WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education requires the services of Front Row for Active Learning of Petaluma, California as a proprietary vendor for the supply of the Pro Digital Sound Systems to the school district,

WHEREAS, Front Row is the only vendor that manufactures Pro Digital systems that are currently used in the district, and

WHEREAS, Local authorized distributor of the Front Row equipment is Gramco of Bloomfield, New Jersey and now be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education Board of Education approves the purchase and installation of thirty two (32) Front Row PD-IR Pro Digital Systems with student microphones from Gramco for $54,628.00. This purchase is funded by the ARRA Stimulus funds.

B.9. IDEIA Application

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of the 2009-2010 IDEIA Grant Application to the Department of Education with the following amount for special education programs:

IDEIA Basic $458,942.00

IDEIA Pre-School $ 16,408.00

B.10. Participation in the Educational Cooperative Pricing System
WHEREAS N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11 (5) authorizes contracting units to enter into Cooperative Pricing Agreements; and

WHEREAS the Educational Services Commission of Morris County, hereinafter referred to as the "Lead Agency", has offered voluntary participation in a Cooperative Pricing System known as the "Educational Cooperative Pricing System" for the purchase of work, materials and supplies; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Schools within the County of Somerset New Jersey desires to participate in the Educational Cooperative Pricing System

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Warren Township Board of Education approves the participation in the Educational Cooperative Pricing System for the period of July 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 at a cost of $1,100 to be dated July 28, 2009.

B.11. Purchase of Electric Generation Services Pulled until August Meeting
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached agreement, dated July 27, 2009, to purchase electric generation services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services ("ACES"), effective July 1, 2009 through May 31, 2014.

B.12. Purchase of Natural Gas Services Pulled until August Meeting
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached agreement dated, July 27, 2009, to purchase natural gas services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services ("ACES"), effective July 1, 2009 through May 31, 2014.

B.13. Transfer of Current Year Surplus to Reserve
WHEREAS, NJSA 18A: 7F-41 permits a Board of Education to establish and/or deposit into certain reserve accounts at year end, and

WHEREAS, the aforementioned statutes authorize procedures, under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permit a board of education to transfer anticipated excess current revenue or unexpended appropriations into reserve accounts during the month of June by board resolution, and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Schools Board of Education authorizes this resolution to amend the resolution passed on June 29, 2009 for this purpose; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Schools Board of Education wishes to deposit anticipated current year surplus of $500,000 (instead of the original amount of $255,513) from Fund 12 Construction Funds into Capital Reserve at year end; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Schools Board of Education has determined that $500,000 is available for such purpose of transfer;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren Township Schools Board of Education hereby authorizes the district's School Business Administrator to make this transfer consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2009-2010 School Year
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) Andrea Krenek, Grade 6 Math/Science Teacher, Middle School, BA, Step 1-2, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

b) Cathlin Sweeney, Grade 7/8 Science Teacher, Middle School, MA, Step 9-10, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

c) Gina Banks, Grade 6 Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher, Middle School, BA+15, Step 3-4, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

d) Zachary Liu, Classroom Paraprofessional, Middle School, 35 hours, Step 3-4, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.2. 2009 Summer Curriculum TAP Committee
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education retroactively approves William Tozier, Guidance Counselor, Middle School, to attend the TAP committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at the negotiated WTEA rate of $40 per hour.

C.3. Middle School Guidance Extended Work Schedule - Summer 2009
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves three days each of an extended work schedule for Midge Johnson, Barbara Tantillo, and William Tozier, Middle School Guidance Counselors, during August 28, 31 and September 1 for new student orientation and meeting parents at each individual's per diem rate.

C.4. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation, with regret, of Steven Rizzoli as a grade 6 Social Studies/Language Arts teacher and energy manager effective July 31, 2009.

C.5. Substitute Bus Monitor
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Elyssa Raucci as a substitute bus monitor at an hourly rate of $11.84, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.6. Bus Duty Supervisor and Teacher in Charge for the 2009-2010 School year
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as bus duty supervisor and teacher in charge for the 2009-2010 school year at the WTEA stipend rate:

Angelo L. Tomaso School
Nancy Andrews, Bus Duty Supervisor and Sue Kline, Teacher in Charge.

Central School
Laura Rodaman, Bus Duty Supervisor and Paul Duncan, Teacher in Charge.

Mt. Horeb School
Debbie Brenn, Bus Duty Supervisor and, Carol Monica Teacher in Charge

Woodland School
Brian Kilroy, Bus Duty Supervisor and, Suzanne Wisher, Teacher in Charge.

Middle School
Debbie Granrath, Bus Duty Supervisor.

C.7. Middle School Cafeteria Supervisors
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff as Middle School cafeteria supervisors for the 2009-2010 school year:

6th Grade
Lunch A - Barbara LaSaracina and Brenda Sasso
Lunch B - Debbie Granrath and John Seremula

7th Grade
Lunch A - Dave Arnold and Sean Convery
Lunch B - O'Brien Speckin and Sean Convery

8th Grade
Lunch A - Joel VanTine and Kurt Reck
Lunch B - Bob Hartshorn and Kurt Reck

C.8. Child Care Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a child care leave request (unpaid with no benefits) for Susan Sage, Art Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, effective November 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 returning September 1, 2010.

C.9. Creation of Part-Time Secretarial Position
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the creation of a new 0.5 FTE (no benefits) secretarial position at Warren Middle School, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.10. Increase in Work Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the increase in work hours for Paula Williams, ELL Teacher, to 1.0 FTE, effective December 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.11. Creation of Two Full-Time Classroom Paraprofessional Positions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the creation of two full-time one on one classroom paraprofessional positions at 32.5 hours per week, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.12. Classroom Paraprofessional Reassignment
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the reassignment of the following Classroom Paraprofessionals:
a) Donna Perry from Central School to Mt. Horeb School, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
b) Michele Orofino from Mt. Horeb School to a one on one paraprofessional at an out of district placement, effective September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.13. 2009 Summer Fun Employees
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education retroactively approves the following employees for the 2009 Summer Fun Program:
a) Jennifer Curran, Speech Therapist, Mt. Horeb School, effective July 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009 at a rate of $70 per hour.
b) Laurie Donovan, Occupational Therapist, Mt. Horeb School, effective July 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009 at a rate of $70 per hour.

C.14. 2009 Summer ABA Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education retroactively approves the following employees to provide ABA Services:
a) Carol Keirstead to provide 12 hours per week of ABA services for students (ID#0120295 and ID#0120753) for a period of six weeks during Summer Fun and two additional weeks, effective July 1, 2009 through August 14, 2009 at a rate of $70 per hour for a total cost to the district of $5,040.
b) Joyce Pekarsky to provide 12 hours per week of ABA services for students (ID#0120295 and ID#0120753) for a period of six weeks during Summer Fun and two additional weeks, effective July 1, 2009 through August 14, 2009 at a rate of $40 per hour for a total cost to the district of $2,880.

C.15. Amendment on Salary Guide

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

a) Daniel Ticchio, Grade 7 Science Teacher, Middle School, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 5-6) effective September 1, 2009.

C.16. Substitute Bus Driver
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education retroactively approves the additional assignment as a substitute bus driver for the following employees:

a) Maria Powers, Bus Monitor, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 at a rate of $17.22 per hour.

b) Gloria Vilamarin, Substitute Bus Monitor, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 at a rate of $17.22 per hour.

C.17. 2009 Summer Fun Speech Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education retroactively approves Speech Partners, Inc. to provide two hours per week of speech service, during Summer Fun, for one student (ID#0120782), effective July 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009 at an hourly rate of $130 for a total cost to the district of $1,040.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • 2009-2010 Enrollment Update
    Dr. Crisfield reported on the enrollment status in the district.

 

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
None

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:40 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. Winter and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Mrs. Toubin was excused during the executive session.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board reconvened in open session at 9:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila