Minutes for November 23, 2009History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Mt. Horeb School. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:03 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, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter

Absent: Dr. Gregory Przybylski arrived at 7:06 P.M.

Patricia Toubin arrived at 7:30 P.M. and departed at 8:05 P.M.

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

IV. PRESENTATION

Mrs. Monahan thanked Mt. Horeb Principal, Mr. Kimmick, the Mt. Horeb staff and the Mt. Horeb PTO for their hospitality in hosting the meeting.

Dr Przybylski arrived at this point in the meeting. 7: 06 p.m.

Mr. Kimmick introduced Mr. Weber and the Mt. Horeb choir.

Mr. Weber thanked the board for having the choir perform at their meeting. Mr. Weber thanked the parents for bringing their students to rehearsal at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday morning. Mr. Weber also thanked the board for all of their support of the music programs.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

November 9, 2009 public and private (as amended) session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by 6-1-1 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no. Dr Przybylski abstained. )

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • Attendance Update

Dr. Crisfield noted that the student absences were a bit higher last week than the prior year. The teacher absences are about the same as the prior year.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Monahan thanked Mr. Kimmick and Mr. Weber for the fabulous music. She reminded the board about the WTEA holiday party and asked if they are going to attend to please contact Eileen Meyers or Mr. Daquila.

Mrs. Monahan reported that the performing arts day was fantastic. The staff and students did a great job in their performances.

She thanked Mt. Horeb for the wonderful Wall of Honor in honor of Veterans Day. Dr. Crisfield noted that the Mt. Horeb School did a great job in honoring the veterans on Veterans Day. The Wall of Honor was very well received by everyone that has visited the school.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance

Mrs. Winter noted that the committee will be starting the budget process and is very eager to have the budget passed by the public in April.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • Board of Education Bylaw #9000-Role of the Board

Mrs. Monahan commented about the policy. It will be presented to the board for approval at a future date.

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).

Heather Trumpore noted that she attended the 11/19 regionalization meeting and was upset that none of the board members attended that meeting to represent Warren.

Mrs. Toubin arrived at this point in the meeting (7:30p.m).

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mrs. Burman commented about C.8 and that employees taking days off without pay is becoming a regular habit. Dr. Crisfield noted that he reviews and approves each request before it gets placed on the agenda.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the consent agenda (items A.1 - 3, B.1 to 8, C.1 to 9, and D.1), was approved by unanimous 9-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Out of District Related Services
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amended speech services for one student (ID#0120115) from two times per week to one time per week (small group) and one time per week (individual) for the 2009-2010- school year. The increased cost to the district will not exceed $750.

A.2. Home Instruction
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extension of home instruction for one student (ID#0120637) from November 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. The cost to the district will be $40 per hour for 10 hours per week for a total cost of $2,720.

A.3. 2010-2013 School Year Calendars
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the calendars for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013 school years dated November 23, 2009.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for November 30, 2009 $3,427,405.84

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 October 31, 2009:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,454,510.79

$1,329,283.09

(11) Current Expense

$4,490,677.80

(12) Capital Outlay

$70,957.00

(13) Special Schools

$621.32

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($337,548.41)

($290,383.86)

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$184,411.35

$668,583.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$599,859.46

$0.00

$14,212.71

TOTAL

$4,901,233.19

$4,940,455.26

$1,343,495.80

B.3. Budget Transfers for Month of October 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:

11-000-230-331-01-00

Legal Services

11-000-230-332-01-00

Audit Fees

$1,000

11-000-252-890-11-01

Tech. - Membership Dues

11-000-252-330-01-00

Tech. /Network - Prof. Svcs.

$200

11-000-262-107-00-00

Salaries - Staff Paras

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$5,500

11-000-262-107-00-00

Salaries - Staff Paras

11-190-100-106-00-00

Classroom Aides - Salaries

$11,000

11-000-263-610-09-00

Grounds - Supplies

11-000-263-420-09-00

Grounds -Cleaning, Repair & Maintenance

$3,500

11-000-270-390-10-00

Transp. - Other Purch. Svcs.

11-000-270-518-10-00

Special Ed Transp. - Contract Svcs (ESC)

$5,000

11-190-100-610-11-02

Supplies - Instruct. Software

11-190-100-610-11-01

Supplies - Instruct. Hardware

$2,500

11-213-100-106-00-00

RC Aides - Salaries

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$2,500

11-213-100-610-08-00

Resource Center - Supplies

11-213-100-640-08-00

Resource Center - Textbooks

$250

11-216-100-101-00-00

PSD Teachers (Other) - Sals.

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$1,500

Total Transfers

$32,950

B.4. Mt. Horeb Donation - Kimber Petroleum Corporation, Liberty Corner, NJ
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $750 from Kimber Petroleum Corporation, Liberty Corner, NJ to Mt. Horeb School.

B.5. Angelo L. Tomaso School PTO Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $6,000 from the Angelo L. Tomaso School PTO towards the purchase of Smart Boards.

B.6. 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:

December 2009

  • Barbara Pellicano, ALT - First Class Kindergarten Conference, Union, NJ $170

January 2010

  • Karen Leski, SPS - NJ Association of School Psychologists, Jamesburg, NJ $205
  • Tyler Tribelhorn, B&G - OSHA Record Keeping, Piscataway, NJ $215

February 2010

  • Lorraine Buehler, Woodland - NJ Kindergarten conference, Atlantic City, NJ $370
  • Amy Eitelberg, Woodland - NJ Kindergarten conference, Atlantic City, NJ $370

March 2010

  • Faye Brady, SPS - Section 504 Impact, Long Branch, NJ $180

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.7. Warren Lions Club Donation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, a donation in the amount of $1,800 from the Warren Lions Club for use during lunch time.

B.8. Appropriation from Capital Reserve
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the appropriation of $168,426 from Capital Reserve to Fund 12 for the transfer to Fund 30 for the funding of capital projects.

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) Jessica Chesney, Grade 5 Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, BA, Step 1-2, effective January 19, 2010 through June 30, 2010. Ms. Chesney will be replacing Michelle Cebula on maternity leave.

C.2. Bus Monitor
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 December 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

C.3. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation for retirement of Joanne Butler, Library/Media Specialist, Central School, with appreciation for the 18 years of her service to the children of Warren, effective January 1, 2010.

C.4. Out of District Evaluation Services for the 2009-2010 School Year
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Summit Hearing Aid Center to provide audiological services in the area of evaluating and synchronizing hearing aids and boot conduits to personal FM systems. The fee will be $225 per occurrence, not to exceed $675 for the 2009-2010 school year.

C.5. After School Club - 2009-2010 School YearRESOLVED, 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.
Mt. Horeb School
a) Girls on the Run - advisors Kara Miletic and Andrew Ahimovic at a stipend of $715 each.

C.6. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:
a) Elyse Kanaley

C.7. Family Leave Request - Amended
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amended intermittent family leave request for Marianne Larson, Literacy Coach, District, (unpaid with benefits), for 8 weeks and 2 days beginning February 2, 2010 through June 30, 2010.

C.8. Per Diem Deduct Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct request for the following:
a) Kevin Sullivan, Grade 6 Science Teacher, Middle School, for one day, November 9, 2009.

C.9. Speech Extended Work Schedule
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Janice Anderson, Middle School Speech Teacher to work an additional two days during December at Central school for a cost to the district of $800.

D. Policy

D.1. Policy #3510 - Operation and Maintenance of Plant
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first and only reading of the revised policy #3510 - Operation and Maintenance of Plant dated November 23, 2009.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • Warren Middle School Honor Role - Reporting in Newspaper

Dr. Crisfield noted that only the high honor role recipients will be published in the newspaper. All honor role students will receive recognition from the Middle School principal. Change in procedure will be verified by Middle School.

Mrs. Voorhees asked a question about the 11/19 regionalization meeting. Mrs. Monahan responded regarding the organization and presentation of the meeting.

Dr Przybylski noted that the board has discussed and has been informed of the regionalization topics.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
2010-2011 Budget Calendar
Mr. Daquila presented the timetable for the 2010/2011 budget process.
Dr. Crisfield noted that the Math Task force had its first meeting and will meet again on 12/11/2009.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 7:45 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 Dr Przybylski and approved by unanimous voice vote.
Mrs. Toubin departed at 8:35 p.m.
On motion by Dr Przybylski, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the board reconvened in open session at 8:50 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Dr Przybylski, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila