Minutes for November 9, 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 7:06 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, David Ricci, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter

Absent: Dr. Gregory Przybylski

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

IV. PRESENTATION

Mr. Comba presented a slide show on the updates at the Middle School and what it takes to get ready for the school year.

The board asked a few questions about the integration of power school and the curriculum. Mr. Comba responded.

  • 2008-2009 Standardized Testing Results
    Mr. Comba and Mrs. Markman presented the standardized test results for the district for 2008/09 school year. There was a brief question and answer period.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

October 26, 2009 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Winter and approved by 4-1-3 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no. Mrs. Toubin, Mrs. Voorhees and Mrs. Winter abstained. )

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • Fire Drills The superintendent reported the following fire drills had been held

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 9, 23

October 10, 20

October 5, 22

October 20, 21

October 5, 22
  • Bus Evacuation Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 15

October 13

September 22

October 16

September 24
  • Attendance Update
    Dr. Crisfield provided an update on the weekly attendance. The district will continue to report and track this with the threat of the H1N1 illness.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Monahan thanked Mrs. MacGorman and her students for their wonderful treats. Mrs. Monahan thanked Mr. Comba and Mrs. Markman for their presentations. Mrs. Monahan reminded the board to respond to the invitation for the December retirement party for Dr. Weitzman. Mrs. Monahan reminded the board of the performance arts schedule for 11/11 at the Warren Middle School

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Education/Curriculum

Mrs. Toubin reported that the committee will review the information from the math summit and report to the board in the Spring.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • Board of Education Bylaw #9000-Role of the Board
    Mrs. Monahan reported the regulations are not readily available for the BOE policies that are being reviewed. The board discussed policy #9000 Role of the Board and made changes to the policy. The policy will be altered and the altered policy will be presented to the board at a 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

Dr. Crisfield pulled agenda item C.4.

Mrs. Winter asked a question about B.4. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mr. Sardis asked a question about A.2. Dr. Crisfield responded.

Mr. Sardis asked a question about C.7. Dr. Crisfield and Mr. Daquila responded.

Mr. Ricci also asked a question about C.7. Dr. Crisfield responded.

Mrs. Burman also asked about C.7. The resolution was altered to be effective for 10/13 to 11/30. Dr. Crisfield and Mr. Daquila will report additional information on this issue back to the board and the period of 12/1 to 6/30 will be up for approval on 11/23.

Mrs. Burman commented on C.5 and the number of per diem deduct days being requested by the staff.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the consent agenda (items A.1 - 2, B.1 to 7, and C.1 to 3, C.5-6, C.7 as amended and C.8), was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Creation of a New Preschool ABA Program
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the creation of a new half day preschool ABA Program, effective January 1, 2010.

A.2. Warren Middle School Elective Curriculum Approval
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Video Editing course curriculum dated 11/9/09.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Section 15 Grant - State of New Jersey Schools Development Authority Central Elementary School - Hall Rehabilitation Floor Tile Replacement DOE Project # 5470-030-09-1005 SDA Project # 5470-030-09-00AX Grant # G5-3940 Grant Amount $51,290 Total Project $128,225

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Schools will receive a Section 15 Grant from the State of New Jersey Schools Development Authority 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, that the Warren Township Board of Education

1. Authorizes the execution and delivery of the Grant Agreement

2. Authorizes the Superintendent and School Business Administrator to execute and submit the appropriate grant documents to the Schools Development Authority, and

3. Delegates Authority to the School Business Administrator for supervision of the school facilities project.

B.2. Section 15 Grant - State of New Jersey Schools Development Authority Mt. Horeb Elementary School - Upgrade to Kindergarten Toilet Rooms DOE Project # 5470-035-09-1006 SDA Project # 5470-035-09-00CP Grant # G5-3941 Grant Amount $17,436 Total Project $43,589

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Schools will receive a Section 15 Grant from the State of New Jersey Schools Development Authority for the Mt. Horeb Elementary School Upgrade to Kindergarten Toilet Room project in the amount of $17,436.00 (40% of the project costs), now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education

1. Authorizes the execution and delivery of the Grant Agreement

2. Authorizes the Superintendent and School Business Administrator to execute and submit the appropriate grant documents to the Schools Development Authority, and

3. Delegates Authority to the School Business Administrator for supervision of the school facilities project.

B.3. Transfer from Capital Reserve to Fund 30 Mt. Horeb Kindergarten Toilet Room Upgrade Project DOE Project: 5470-035-09-1006 Grant #: G5-3941

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transfer of $26,153 from Capital Reserve to Fund 30 for the district share of the costs for the Mt. Horeb Kindergarten Toilet Room Upgrade Project.

B.4. 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,

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

RESOLVED, the Warren Township Board of Education approves the purchase and installation of thirty two (30) Front Row PD-IR Pro Digital Systems with student microphones from Gramco for $52,313.00 and the purchase of a five year extended warranty on all 60 units purchased for $11,700.00. This purchase is funded by the ARRA Stimulus funds.

B.5. Approve: Change Order for ALT HVAC Rooftop Unit Replacement Project

RESOLVED, the Board of Education Approves the following change orders to Sunnyfield Corporation for the ALT HVAC Rooftop Unit Replacement Project in the amount of $3,478.66

C/O #1 Relocate the motorized damper in gym $1,662.79

C/O #2 Repair leak in a 2 inch heating pipe $1,815.87

Total $3,478.66

The original bid for this project from Sunnyfield Corporation was $107,000.00. Change orders #1 and #2 for a total of $3,478.66 bring the total amount due to Sunnyfield Corporation for the project to $110,478.66.

B.6. Woodland School PTO Donation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $2,725 from the Woodland School PTO for the purchase of a school sign.

B.7. Somerset Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Grant

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, a grant in the amount of $1,000 for the REBEL2 program at Warren Middle School by the Somerset Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency.

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) Francesca Pisano, .40 Basic Skills Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, MA, Step 1-2, and .60 Classroom Paraprofessional, Step 7-8, Mt. Horeb School, effective November 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.2. Creation of New Positions
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the creation of the following:a) One 1.0 FTE position (School Bus Driver), Transportation, effective December 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
b) One 0.5 FTE Preschool ABA Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, effective January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
c) Two 0.5 FTE Classroom Paraprofessionals, effective January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.

C.3. Student Teacher
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Student Teacher for the 2009-2010 school year:

a) Kyle Pohorely- PE, Middle School, effective January 19, 2010 through May 10, 2010.

C.4. New and Revised Job Descriptions Pulled

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following new and revised job descriptions:
a) Superintendent of Schools (revised)
b) School Business Administrator/Board Secretary (revised)
c) Director of Student Personnel Services (revised)
d) Energy Educator/Manager (new)
e) Administrative Assistant to School Business Administrator (revised - formally Secretary to the SBA)
f) Middle School Guidance Office Secretary (revised)
g) Middle School Principal Secretary (revised)
h) Buildings and Grounds Secretary (revised)
i) Confidential Secretary (revised - formally Assistant Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools)
j) Curriculum Secretary (new)
k) Executive Secretary to the Superintendent (revised)
l) School Secretary (revised)
m) Secretary (new)
n) Student Personnel Services Secretary (new)

C.5. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct request for the following:

a) Hildy Jackson, Spanish Teacher Central School, for one day, November 9, 2009.

b) Amy Brunswick, Social Worker, Mt. Horeb School for three days, December 23, 2009, January 4-5, 2010.

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

a) Suzanne Wisher, Woodland School, BA+15 to MA (remaining at step 16), effective November 1, 2009.

C.7. Bus Monitor Amended
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Stella Wangler as a daily bus monitor for one child on the return home trip from school for approximately 25 minutes each afternoon at an hourly rate of $18.10, effective October 13, 2009 through November 30, 2009.

C.8. Change in Classroom Paraprofessional Assignments for the 2009-2010 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the change in assignments for the 2009-2010 school year for the following Classroom Paraprofessionals:

a) Donna Perry from Mt. Horeb School to Woodland School, remaining at current hours and placement on guide, effective November 16, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

b) Kate Kogler from Woodland School to Mt. Horeb School, remaining at current hours and placement on guide, effective November 16, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • Warren Middle School Graduation

The board discussed the idea of creating an "Awards Night" for the Middle School instead of presenting the awards as part of graduation. The Presidential Award winners will walk up to the podium to receive their awards. The open reserved seats for the board members was discussed and the members were asked to reply if they will not be attending so the seats are not empty.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
2010-2013 School Calendars

Dr. Crisfield presented the draft of the school calendars. The board discussed the calendars for the 3 years.

Mrs. Toubin departed at 8:35 p.m.

Mrs. Burman reported that she attended school boards training at the convention in Atlantic City.

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:

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. Winter and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the board reconvened in open session at 9:10 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mr. Sardis, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila