Minutes for August 23, 2010History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Board of Education Administration Building, Mt. Horeb Road. 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 Vice-President, Mrs. Winter

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Mrs. Winter 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. Winter led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL
Present: Sue. Burman, Donald Huber, Tony Sardis, Mildred Spiller, Patricia Toubin, and Kathleen Winter

Absent: Roberta Monahan
Dr. Gregory Przybylski
James Sena

Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the public

IV. PRESENTATION
None

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

July 26, 2010 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 5-0-1 roll call vote. (Mr. Sardis

abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
Mr. Daquila reported that the tile projects at Central and Mt. Horeb schools are on schedule and that the schools will be ready for September 1st.

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Mrs. Winter reminded the board that on September 13th the board goals will be discussed. She asked that any suggestions be sent to Dr Przybylski.

She indicated that there is a reception for Dr. Crader on September 13th at 6:00 p.m. at the Warren Middle School. She noted that formal invitations should be sent to the Township, the Rec Department, the Seniors Group, and the Arboretum.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Policy

Mrs. Winter reported that the policy review will begin in September or October.

IX. DISCUSSION
Review School Safety and Security Plan, Student Code of Conduct, and Violence and Vandalism

Dr. Crader discussed the School Safety & Security Plan with the board and noted that as of November 1st a fire drill and security drill must be done each month.

Dr. Crader discussed the Student Code of conduct with the board.

Dr. Crader reported on the Violence and Vandalism report with the board.

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. Huber asked a question about agenda item B.1. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mr. Huber asked a question about agenda item B.3. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mr. Huber asked a question about agenda item C.8. Dr. Crader responded.

The board discussed enrollment and class size in relation to adding the teaching position for 1st grade at Mt. Horeb. C-8 will be pulled for separate vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the consent agenda items A.1 - 2, B.1 - 7, and C.1-7 (with addendum), were approved by unanimous 6-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the agenda item C. 8 was approved by a 4-2 roll-call vote. (Mr. Huber and Mr. Sardis voted no.)

A. Education

A.1. Violence and Vandalism Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Violence and Vandalism Report for the 2009-2010 school year dated July 13, 2010.

A.2. Contracted Related Services for the 2010-2011 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves contracted related services for one student (ID#0120949) for the 2010-2011 school year as follows:

  • Two hours per week of Speech provided by Alison Bucciarelli and one hour per month of consultation with staff for a total cost to the district of $9,400.
  • Two hours per week of Occupational Therapy provided by Colleen Roth and one hour per month for consultation with staff for a total cost to the district of $6,440.
  • Three hours per week of Physical Therapy provided by Pediatric Workshop and on hour per month for consultation for a total cost to the district of $13,910.
  • Two hours per week of Sensory Gym provided by Child Centered Therapeutics for a total cost to the district of $10,080.
  • Two sessions (45 minutes each) per week of Medek Therapy provided by Novogrow LLC for a total cost to the district of $9,200
  • To receive Level I services from New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for a total cost to the district of $1,700.
  • Two hour collaborative training session provided by Julie Jagiello, Kerry Fee, Colleen Roth, Allison Bucciarelli, and Cindy Argiro for a total cost to the district of $852.

A.3. In District Related Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves in district related services for one student (ID#0120098) to receive 12.5 hours per week of ABA home based therapy provided by Joyce Pekarsky and Lori Vigliotti at a cost of $40 per hour for a total divided cost to the district of $20,000.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for August 2010 in the amount of $1,412,348.36.

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 February and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on June 30, 2010:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$2,448,292.60

$1,229,879.20

(11) Current Expense

 

$1,057,388.57

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$19,956.64

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$97.32

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$20,126.31

$49,478.35

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$336,004.14

$422,125.34

$422,125.34

(40) Debt Service Fund

$14,226.96

$14.25

$14,226.96

TOTAL

$2,818,650.01

$1,549,060.47

$1,666,231.50

WHEREAS, in compliance with law and code the secretary has certified that, as of the date of the reports, no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the district board of education, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts the above reference reports and certifications and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, in compliance with law and code, the Board of Education certifies that, after review of the secretary's monthly financial report (appropriation section), to the best of its knowledge, no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of law and code and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the year.

B.3. Budget Transfers for Month of June 2010

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:

11-000-230-334-01-00

Architect & Engineering Svcs.

11-000-230-331-01-00

Legal Services

$4,230

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-105-01-00

Support Staff - Salaries

$420

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-331-01-00

Legal Services

$2,320

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-339-01-00

Purchased Prof. Services

$710

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-530-01-22

Telephone - District

$450

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-580-01-00

Travel - Superintendent

$2,720

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-585-01-02

Travel & Workshops - BOE

$2,720

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-230-590-00-23

Legal Ads

$1,130

11-000-230-610-11-01

Supplies - Admin. Hardware

11-000-262-621-04-00

Heat - Mt. Horeb

$28,000

11-000-262-610-09-00

Building Supplies - Maint.

11-000-262-621-04-00

Heat - Mt. Horeb

$7,000

11-000-262-800-09-00

Misc. - Buildings & Grounds

11-000-262-621-04-00

Heat - Mt. Horeb

$900

11-000-270-512-07-01

Sports & Music Trips - Middle

11-000-270-503-10-00

Contracted Aide in Lieu

$2,200

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contr. Special Ed Transp.

11-000-270-503-10-00

Contracted Aide in Lieu

$5,200

11-000-270-610-10-00

Transp. - General Supplies

11-000-270-503-10-00

Contracted Aide in Lieu

$2,000

11-000-291-220-00-00

Social Security

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$17,150

11-000-291-250-00-00

Unemployment Compensation

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$200,000

11-000-291-280-00-00

Tuition Reimbursement

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$6,200

11-000-291-290-00-00

Other Employee Benefits

11-000-291-241-00-00

PERS Rtremnt cntribution

$38,000

11-150-100-101-00-00

Home Instruction - Salaries

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$2,200

11-150-100-320-08-00

Home Instruction-Purch. Svcs.

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$250

11-190-100-610-03-10

Instructional Supplies

11-120-100-101-00-01

Gr. 1-5 Teachers - Salaries

$18,000

11-190-100-610-11-01

Supplies - Instruct. Hardware

11-130-100-101-00-01

Gr. 6-8 Teachers - Salaries

$61,800

11-190-100-610-11-01

Supplies - Instruct. Hardware

11-190-100-610-12-00

Instructional Spplies - Kits

$17,100

11-190-100-610-11-01

Supplies - Instruct. Hardware

11-190-100-640-07-00

Textbooks - Middle School

$7,400

11-213-100-610-08-00

Resource Center - Supplies

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teacher Salaries

$1,000

11-240-100-610-04-00

ESL Supplies

11-230-100-101-00-00

Basic Skills - Salaries

$1,250

11-402-100-100-00-00

Sports Stipends

11-401-100-100-00-00

Co-Curricular Stipends

$650

11-402-100-100-00-00

Sports Stipends

11-401-100-600-07-00

Co-Crricular Supplies - MS

$1,650

11-402-100-100-00-00

Sports Stipends

11-402-100-390-07-00

Sports- Purchased Services

$1,500

12-000-270-734-00-00

School Bus - Special Ed

11-000-262-621-05-00

Heat - ALT

$18,550

Total Transfers

$452,700

B.4. Non Public Program Aid 2010-2011

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the acceptance and expenditure of the Non Public Aid for the 2010-2011 school year as follows:

  • Non Public Nursing Aid $875.00
  • Non Public Textbook Aid $739.00

B.5. New Jersey Nonpublic Textbook Program

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following resolution:

WHEREAS, 18A:58-37-1 et seq., as amended by Chapter 121, Laws of 1984, requires that the state and local community purchase and loan textbooks upon individual request to all students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 in nonpublic schools located within the local school district; and,

WHEREAS, no Board of Education is required to expend funds for the purchase and loan of textbooks in excess of the amounts provided in state aid; and,

WHEREAS, the Somerset County Educational Services Commission (SCESC) has agreed to administer the purchasing and processing of nonpublic school textbooks for local public school districts for the purpose of greater cost effectiveness through joint purchasing and centralized administration;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren Board of Education enters into an agreement with the SCESC whereby the SCESC will administer a nonpublic textbook program for those eligible students attending nonpublic schools located within the county for the 2009-2010 school year, in accordance with I 8A:58-37-1 et seq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Warren Board of Education agrees to pay the total amount allocated by the State for the New Jersey Nonpublic School Textbook Program to the SCESC on or before July 31, 2009. Any unexpended funds will be refunded to the local district.

B.6. IDEA Application

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of the 2010-2011 IDEA Grant Application to the Department of Education with the following amount for special education programs:

  • IDEA Basic $467,127.00
  • IDEA Pre-School $ 17,127.00

B.7. Appropriation from Capital Reserve

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the appropriation of $83,400 from Capital Reserve to Fund 12 for the funding of the ATC Controls Upgrade at the Middle School project.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2010-2011 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application for emergent hiring for the following positions for the 2010-2011 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) Jan Brennan, School Nurse, Angelo L. Tomaso School, BA+15, Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2010-2011 step will be the equivalent of this 2009-2010 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. (Replacing Ann Marie Vernese who resigned.)

b) Ann Marie Christou, Grade 6 Science Teacher, MA+15, Step 16 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2010-2011 step will be the equivalent of this 2009-2010 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. (Replacing Lisa Beenders who resigned.)

c) Robin Urso, Multi Duty Paraprofessional, Woodland School, 10 hours per week , no benefits, Step 7-8 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2010-2011 step will be the equivalent of this 2009-2010 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. (Replacing hours vacated by Patricia Anderson.)

d) Joan Gwozdz, LDTC, Mt. Horeb School, MA+45, Step 14 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2010-2011 step will be the equivalent of this 2009-2010 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

C.2. Contracted Related Services For the 2010-2011 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following contracted related services for the 2010-2011 School Year:

a) Dr. Thomas Boyle to provide 2.5 hours per month of behavior consultation services at a cost to the district of $5,000 and one hour every two months for phone consultation at a cost to the district of $1,200.

b) Erica Grossberg to provided behavior consultation five hours per week at $50 per hour for a total cost to the district of $10,000.

c) Cynthia Levy to provide contracted speech services for two half days per week through a shared services agreement with Watchung Borough School District for a total cost to the district of $21,673.33.

d) Child Centered Therapeutics to provide Occupational Therapy Sensory Gym services at a cost of $30 per 15 minute unit.

e) Azriel Novogroder to provide two 45 minutes sessions per week of medek therapy at a cost to district of $120 per 45 minute session.

f) Kerry Fee to provide 13 hours of ABA services during the month of September at $50 an hour for a total cost to the district of $650.

XII. OLD BUSINESS
None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS
None

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY
Patricia Zahn noted that the board needs to look into the hard decisions that will effect class size, re-districting, and other difficult items. She indicated these items need to be transparent and the discussions need to be advertised.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 7:50 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. Toubin and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the board reconvened in open session at 7:58 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:
Peter Daquila