Minutes for January 25, 2010
Archived Minutes
Skip Navigation
A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Angelo L. Tomaso School, Washington Valley 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: Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, David Ricci, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter
Absent: Sue Burman
Also Present: Dr. James Crisfield, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, & members of the staff and public
IV. PRESENTATION
Ms. Bond announced that she was pleased to welcome the board and was happy to have three different groups that would present to the board.
Three 5th graders, spoke about their trout project. There are currently 134 trout that are being raised by the students. There will be a class trip to the hatchery to release the trout in the spring.
Mrs. Esposito and two students presented information about the ALT newspaper club. There are 22 students that participate in the club and issue the ALT newspaper. The two students informed the board and audience with info about the newspaper.
Mrs. Pearlman spoke about ALT's Pause for Reading activities. The program encourages children to feel comfortable reading out loud. The children read to a therapy dog as part of the program.
V. MINUTES
Mrs. Spiller moved the following:
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the minutes, of the following meeting:
January 11, 2010 public and private session
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 7-1 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no.)
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
- Attendance Update
Dr. Crisfield provided the attendance update for students and staff and indicated this year's attendance was better than last year's.
VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Monahan thanked Ms. Bond and ALT for the snacks and arranging the 3 presentations.
VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Spiller indicated that Communications has been in contact with the PTO presidents and verified that Dr. Crisfield will be visiting their meetings at budget time to promote the budget.
IX. DISCUSSION
- 2010-2011 Budget -Public Deliberations
Mr. Daquila presented the Draft of the Potential Budget Cut Analysis.
- Math Program Changes for Grades 5-8 for the 2010-2011 School Year
Mrs. Toubin reported that the Curriculum Committee met to discuss math issues. The task force reviewed the text book sequence and other proposed changes. BOE discussed the options reported.
- Bylaw #9130-Comittees
Mrs. Monahan requested input on the Bylaw 9130. She commented about the president appointing a committee chairperson and providing a list of its functions and duties. The board altered the second paragraph of the by-law.
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).
Linda Wilen expressed that she has an issue with the board's nutritional guidelines. She delivered chocolate covered strawberries which were returned as being deemed not meeting the guidelines.
Dr. Crisfield apologized for the items being returned and responded to interpretation of the policy.
XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION
On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the consent agenda (items A.1, B.1 - 7, and C.1 - 7.), was approved by unanimous 8-0 roll-call vote.
A. Education
A.1. Out of Zone Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of zone request, dated January 18, 2010, for three students (ID#2005245, ID#2007213, and K student ID# to be determined) for the 2010-2011 school year.
B. Finance/Operations/Transportation
B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for January 31, 2010 $2,182,084.72.
B.2. Central Jersey Media Service
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the termination of the membership with the Central Jersey Instructional Media Service of Manville, New Jersey effective July 1, 2010.
B.3. 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.4. Acceptance of Grants from the Watchung Hills Municipal Alliance
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the acceptance, with appreciation, of the following grants from the Watchung Hills Municipal Alliance for the total amount of $3,307.45:
a) Cyber Bullying Programs for Parents and Teachers in the amount of $1,850.
b) Multicultural Books from National Center for Youth Services in the amount of $932.45.
c) Production of video on autism in the amount of $525.
B.5. Watchung/Warren Rotary Donations
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, of the following donations from the Watchung/Warren Rotary:
a) Warren Middle School sports program in the amount of $250.
b) Warren Middle School E2 Program in the amount of $250.
B.6. Private Session Minutes
Resolved that the Board approves the release of the following Private Session Minutes:
|
2003 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
6/30/2003 |
12/11/2006 |
1/8/2007 |
1/14/2008 |
2/9/20092/23/2009 |
|
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:
February 2010
- Joel Van Tine, Middle - NJ Music Educators Convention, East Brunswick, NJ $160
- James Crisfield, BOE - Special Education Conference, Monroe, NJ $120
April 2010
- Susan Jackson, ALT - 100 Best Books for Children, 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.
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) Gloria Villamarin, Bus Driver, Transportation, at an annual salary of $22,000 prorated, effective February 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
C.2. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the family leave request for the following:
a) O'Brien Speckin, Math Teacher, Middle School (unpaid with benefits), from May 24, 2010 through June 30, 2010. Returning September 1, 2010.
C.3. Amendment on Salary Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following amended placement on the teachers' negotiated salary guide:
a) Kathryn DiDia, Angelo L. Tomaso School, MA to MA+15 (remaining at step 3-4), effective January 1, 2010.
C.4. Summer Fun Principal 2010
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Meryl Lettire, Central School, as Summer Fun Principal for the summer of 2010 at a salary of $8,632.
C.5. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Donna Perry, Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, effective February 2, 2010.
C.6. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:
a) Melissa Colombino
b) Gregory Floyd
c) Vincenzina Morano
d) Ellen Kilroy
C.7. 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) Scrabble Club - advisors Lucille Schorr at a stipend of $715.
XII. OLD BUSINESS
Mrs. Spiller asked a question about the nutritional policy, its interpretation, and requested that there should be consistency throughout the district.
Dr Przybylski suggested that the nurses create a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items for the policy.
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Voorhees asked about the one night overnight 8th grade trip costing $317 and if the board is comfortable with the cost in these economic times.
The board discussed the issue and asked that the total amount be reduced.
Mr. Sardis reported that after a discussion with Carolanne Garafalo, she is willing to come into Warren to review our special education best practices spending.
Mrs. Winter asked if there would be a conflict of interest since Ms. Garafalo is on the township committee.
The board discussed the option. Mr. Daquila and Dr. Crisfield will get options for consultants.
XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
None
XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 8:50 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. Voorhees and approved by unanimous voice vote.
Mrs. Toubin was excused at this point in the meeting.
On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Dr. Przybylski, the board reconvened in open session at 9:25 p.m.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Dr. Przybylski, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila
Contact Us
Last modified on Thursday, February 24, 2022