Minutes for March 31, 2010History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Middle School, Old Stirling Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

A. Dr. Crisfield presented the 2010/2011 Budget Presentation to the staff, public and members of the press. He went through the budget slides and discussed the issues that affected this year's budget process.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:35 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, Dave Ricci, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, and Gina Voorhees

Absent: Sue Burman
Dr. Gregory Przybylski
Patricia Toubin
Kathleen Winter

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

IV. PRESENTATION
None

V. MINUTES
None

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Monahan thanked Dr. Crisfield for the budget presentation and the information presented.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
None

IX. DISCUSSION
None

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).

Joanne Fogel, 14 Robin Rd., asked about the final budget cuts that were discussed at the March 25th meeting.

Dr. Crisfield responded and stated that the adjusted cut sheet is on the website and copies will be provided at the April 6th meeting.

Brian Cashman, 6 Birchmont Lane congratulated the board for their hard work in creating the budget. He asked about the negotiations process and the effect of salary raises on the budget.

Mrs. Monahan and Dr. Crisfield responded that the district is currently in contract negotiations.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

The board approved agenda B.1 as amended on motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees an approved on a 4-1 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis voted no.)

Mr. Sardis commented about the budget and the fact that regular education is being reduced and special education spending is being increased. He requested that special education needs to be reviewed and its efficiency needs to be verified.

A. EDUCATION

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Approval of the 2010/2011 Warren Township School Budget (as amended)

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the 2010/2011 Warren Township Budget and approves the budget for submission to the voters on April 20, 2010 as follows:

The proposed budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C Title 6 and 6A.

The Anticipated Enrollment for the school year 2010/2011 is 2,220 students.

Appropriations:

General Fund $37,396,816

Summer School 151,060

Capital Outlay 26,425

Capital Reserve 1,000

Withdrawal from Capital Reserve 200,000

Special Revenue 500,000

Debt Service 977,270

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET: $39,252,571

Revenues:

Tax Levy - General Fund $36,600,302

Tax Levy - Debt Service 684,394

SUB-TOTAL: $37,284,696

State Aid $349,398

State Aid - Debt Service 292,874

SUB-TOTAL: $ 642,272

General Fund-Surplus $ 372,501

Debt Service 2

Miscellaneous Revenue 253,100

Withdrawal from Capital Reserve 200,000

Federal Funds Anticipated 500,000

SUB-TOTAL: $ 1,325,603

TOTAL REVENUE BUDGET: $39,252,571

As per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the proposed budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2010/2011 budget includes a maximum travel appropriation of $75,000. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded. Included in the 2010/2011 budget is a maximum regular business travel amount of $1,500 per employee.

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

XII. OLD BUSINESS
None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
None

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Julie Bu, 14 Pinewood Lane, asked about the repairs that are being cut from the budget.
Dr. Crisfield responded that the projects are being funded from capital reserve funds.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila