Minutes for October 26, 2009History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Warren Middle School Library. 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, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, Tony Sardis, and Mildred Spiller
Absent:
David Ricci arrived at 7:06 p.m.
Patricia Toubin
Gina Voorhees
Kathleen Winter

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

Mrs. Monahan apologized to the audience for the absence of three board members and introduced Dr. Laura Weitzman.

IV. PRESENTATION

  • Annual Special Education Update (Dr. Laura Weitzman)
    Dr. Weitzman presented the overview of Special Education to the board. BOE members had a question and answer session with Dr. Weitzman about the information that was presented.

Mr. Ricci arrived during the presentation. (7:06 p.m.)

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

October 5, 2009 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mr. Ricci and approved by 5-1 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Dr. Crisfield updated the BOE on the status of H1N1. A Wednesday weekly attendance report for students and staff will be tracked and compared to the prior year's attendance. The vaccine is still not available in large quantities yet.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Monahan met again with the region's BOE presidents and indicated that they will meet on January 4, 2010. Mrs. Monahan distributed flyers about the 11/19/09 meeting in Green Brook about school consolidation.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Communication
Mrs. Spiller met individually with the PTO president of each school about communicating and improving communications with the board.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • BOE Professional Development Improvement Plan 2009-2010
    Mrs. Monahan reviewed the board goal process and how the board should accomplish the review process. Mrs. Burman suggested that if extensive changes are needed perhaps regulations should be created rather than making the policy very detailed. Mrs. Monahan inquired about the order that the policies will be reviewed and discussed by the board at the future 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).

None

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mr. Ricci asked a question about B.10 & B.11. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mrs. Burman commented about item C.3.

Mrs. Burman asked for a separate vote on agenda item B.7.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the consent agenda (items A.1, B.1 to B.6 & B.8 to B.11, and C.1 to C.9) was approved by unanimous 6-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mr. Ricci and approved on a 5-0-1 roll call vote the board approved agenda item B.7. (Mrs. Burman abstained.)

A. Education

A.1. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120115) to receive one 30 minute session of Occupational Therapy per week beginning October 13, 2009 through June 24, 2010 at $68 per 30 minute session for a total cost to the district of $2,380. The services will be provided through P.G. Chambers School.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for September 30, 2009 $2,643,800.96

B.2. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of September and

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

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$2,774,907.83

$1,329,283.09

(11) Current Expense

$5,175,472.58

(12) Capital Outlay

$430,727.00

(13) Special Schools

$652.17

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($103,548.99)

($166,080.06)

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$32,464.18

$334,568.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$599,859.46

$0.00

$14,212.71

TOTAL

$3,303,682.48

$5,775,339.69

$1,343,495.80

B.3. Budget Transfers for Month of September 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:

11-000-222-390-11-01

Other Purch. Tech. Services

11-000-222-500-11-01

Other Purch. Svcs. (Internet)

$200

11-000-222-600-06-10

Library Supplies - Woodland

11-190-100-640-06-00

Textbooks - Woodland

$560

11-000-223-580-00-00

Workshops & Travel - Admin.

11-000-221-176-00-00

Sals. - Math/Literacy Coach

$1,300

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies Admin. - Hardware

11-000-230-610-01-00

Supplies Administration

$2,000

11-000-262-100-09-16

Summer Maint. Workers

11-000-262-100-09-05

Overtime - Custodians

$10,000

11-000-263-610-09-00

Grounds - Supplies

11-000-263-420-09-00

Grounds -Cleaning, Repair & Maintenance

$1,500

11-000-270-593-10-00

Transp. - Misc. Purch. Svcs.

11-000-270-610-10-00

Transp. - General Supplies

$2,300

12-000-400-932-00-00

Capital Outlay Transfer to Fund 30

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

$115,000

13-422-100-101-00-00

Summer School - Salaries

13-422-200-600-00-00

Summer School - Office Supp.

$270

Total Transfers

$133,130

B.4 Architectural Services: USA Architects
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the contracts with USA Architects of Somerville, NJ for the following projects:

Central Elementary School Classroom Floor Tile Abatement and Replacement - $25,000. Project cost is estimated to be $260,000

Central Elementary School Corridor Floor Tile Abatement and Replacement - $12,000. Project cost is estimated to be $128,000

Mt. Horeb Elementary School Classroom Floor Tile Abatement and Replacement - $30,000. Project cost is estimated to be $340,000

The contracts cover Design, Construction Documents, Bidding/Contract Award, Construction Administration and submitting appropriate documentation to the New Jersey Department of Education Grant Program. The projects were included in the 2009-2010 budget.

B.5. Non Public Program Aid 2009-2010
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the acceptance and expenditure of the Non Public Aid for the 2009-2010 school year as follows:

  •  
    • Non Public Nursing Aid $1,158.00
    • Non Public Textbook Aid $ 977.00

B.6. Street Zone Listing
Resolved that the board approve the zoning, per the attached street zone listing, dated October 26, 2009 for the new streets Arlington Court, Normandy Court, and Tulip Court to the ALT School and change the zoning for Gabriella Lane to ALT School.

B.7. 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:

October 2009

  •  
    • Susan Burman, Board Member - School Boards Convention, Atlantic City, NJ $620
    • Alida Gorin, SPS - CED's Annual Certification Training, Philadelphia, PA $380

November 2009

  •  
    • Laura Weitzman, SPS - RTI & IRS Training, Long Branch, NJ $175
    • Margo Haldeman, Central - K-5th Grade Handwriting Workshop, Princeton, NJ $290
    • Dana Matherly, Central - K-5th Grade Handwriting Workshop, Princeton, NJ $290
    • Marlene Roth, Central - K-5th Grade Handwriting Workshop, Princeton, NJ $290

December 2009

  •  
    • Fran Perlman, ALT - Reading Activities, Edison, NJ $200

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.8. Comprehensive Maintenance Plan
Whereas, the Department of Education requires New Jersey School Districts to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) documenting "required" maintenance activities for each of its public school facilities, and

Whereas, the required maintenance activities as listed in the attached document for the various school facilities of the Warren Township Schools are consistent with these requirements, and

Whereas, all past and planned activities are reasonable to keep school facilities open and safe for use or in their original condition and to keep their system warranties valid, and

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Warren Township School District hereby authorizes the School Business Administrator to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) for the Warren Township Schools in compliance with Department of Education requirements.

B.9. SMART Board Donation -Woodland School PTO
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $9,000 from the Woodland School PTO towards the purchase of four SMART Boards.

B.10. Change Order for Door & Hardware Replacement Project
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following change order to C & M Door Controls Inc. for the Door & Hardware Replacement Project at various schools in the amount of $1,000.00

  •  
    • C/O #1 Supply 6 new door closures, the original closures were damaged and could not be reused Total $1.000.00

The original bid for this project from C & M Door Controls Inc. was $151,000.00. Change order #1 for a total of $1,000.00 brings the total amount due to C & M Door Controls Inc. for the project to $152,000.

B.11. Change Order for Central School Roof Replacement Phase 2 Project
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following change order to Integrity Roofing, Inc. for the Central School Roof Replacement Phase 2 Project in the amount of $9,260.00.

  •  
    • C/O #1 Wire brush and paint at 900 sq ft of metal roof decking and replace 14 drain screens for a total of $ 9,260.00.

The original bid for this project from Integrity Roofing Inc. was $374,000. Change order #1 for a total of $9,260.00 brings the total amount due to Integrity Roofing Inc. for the project to $383,260.

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) Tiffany Pillard, Grade 4 Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, MA Step 1-2, extend her maternity leave contract, effective January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010. Replacing Mary Beth Greco on maternity leave.

b) Kate Kogler, Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, 19.5 hours, Step 5-6, effective October 26, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.2. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the family leave request for the following:

a) Mary Beth Greco, Grade 4 Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School (unpaid with benefits), from March 18, 2010 through June 30, 2010. Returning September 1, 2010.

C.3. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct request for the following:

a) Jennifer DePinto, Art Teacher, Woodland School, for 3 days, October 29, 30 and November 2, 2009.

b) Emily Cartolano, Grade 4 Teacher, Central School, for one day, November 9, 2009.

c) Jill Graef, Special Education Teacher, Central School, for one day, November 4, 2009.

C.4. After School Club - 2009-2010 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school club for the 2009-2010 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.

Angelo L. Tomaso School

a) Computer Programming - advisor Sheila Connelly at a stipend of $715.

b) Multiplication Club - advisor Mary Balkonis at a stipend of $715.

C.5. Student Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Student Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:

a) Elena Marinello, Woodland School, Kindergarten, January 19, 2010 through May 20, 2010.

b) Ellen Kilroy, Woodland School, Grade 3, September 7, 2010 through October 29, 2010 and Angelo L. Tomaso School, Special Education, November 1, 2010 through December 17, 2010.

c) Alyssa Vitollo, Kindergarten, Central School, January 19, 2010 through May 10, 2010.

C.6. Boys Basketball Coach - Middle School
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves John Greco, as the Middle School boys basketball coach for the 2009-2010 school year at a stipend of $3,360.

C.7. Creation of New Position
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the creation of a new 1.0 FTE position (.4 Teacher, .6 Para) at Mt. Horeb School effective November 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.8. Speech Evaluator
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Jill Pila, CCC-SLP to conduct speech evaluations for the district up to 20 hours at an hourly rate of $70. The cost to the district will not exceed $1,400.

C.9. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placement on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:

a) Sheila Connelly, Angelo L. Tomaso School, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 5-6), effective September 1, 2009.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • Enrollment Update (As of October 15, 2009)
    Dr. Crisfield discussed the 10/15/09 enrollment update with the board and noted that there is only a slight change in the enrollment.
  • Mt. Horeb Grade 5 Math Update
    Dr. Crisfield presented the grade 5 monthly math update to the board. He noted that the MH math class is doing well. He also noted that there is anxiety about the replacement teacher. The current teacher is getting positive feedback from the Mt. Horeb parents.
  • WMS Honor Roll and Graduation Awards - Grades from non-WMS classes

    Dr. Crisfield reported that per Mr. Comba, he and the Middle School staff feel the non WMS classes should not be included and affect the student's status to qualify for the honor roll. Mr. Comba will notify the staff and parents of this change.

    Mrs. Burman addressed the issue of parent conferences for 8th grade students.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Dr. Crisfield introduced the DRAFT of the school calendar for 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13 and reported on the process of getting the calendar finalized. Mrs. Burman noted that in April 2011 school is scheduled on Passover. Dr Przybylski asked if there were any issues with the school pictures and the orders being processed. Mr. Daquila will report back to the board.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:30 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:

matter rendered confidential by federal or State law

pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege

a matter in which release of information would impair the right to receive government funds

material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it

a matter involving the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property with public funds

protection of public safety and property and/or investigations of possible violations or violations of law

specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session

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. Burman and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board reconvened in open session at 9:06 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Dr Przybylski, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila