Minutes for February 8, 2010History icon Archived Minutes

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 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 6:34 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, Mildred Spiller, Gina Voorhees, and Kathleen Winter

Absent: Patricia Toubin arrived at 6:37 p.m.

Dave Ricci arrived at 6:40 p.m. p.m.

Dr. Gregory Przybylski arrived at 6:44 p.m.

Tony Sardis arrived at 7:03 p.m.

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

IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 6:35 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 personnel issues.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Winter and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Winter, the board reconvened in open session at 7:00 p.m.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

January 25, 2010 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Toubin and approved by 7-0-1 roll call vote. (Mrs. Burman

abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • Attendance Update
    Dr. Crisfield stated that the attendance is approximately the same now as this time last year. Dr Przybylski asked to no longer have this update.
  • Fire Drills The superintendent reported the following fire drills had been held

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

January 7, 15

January 19, 26

January 7, 26

January 14, 15

January 8, 15

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Monahan noted that there was a house that burned down in the ALT section. The town is helping the family. She also noted that Dr. Crisfield has resigned and the district will begin searching for a new superintendent.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Sardis will contact seniors about a meeting.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • 2010-2011 Budget - Public Deliberations (Continued)

    Mr. Daquila informed the board of the State's budget timetable for submitting a budget to the County, having a public hearing and the board approving the budget. The board prefers to have the public hearing on April 6th or 7th pending the WHRHS schedule. Mr. Daquila will apply for a waiver.

    Dr. Crisfield spoke about the items that are currently in the budget and that once the budget funding is released items to be eliminated will be discussed.

  • Bylaw 9323-9324: Agenda Preparation
    Mrs. Monahan spoke about by-law 9323-9324 - agenda preparation. Mr. Sardis suggested altering the wording of allowing board members to have items included or added to the agenda. The board discussed the suggestion. The by-law will be altered.

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

Mrs. Toubin asked a question about C.7, Dr. Crisfield responded.

Mrs. Toubin asked a question about C.9, Dr. Crisfield and Mr. Daquila responded.

Mrs. Burman commented on C.8 and per diem deducts. The board discussed the issue.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the consent agenda (items A.1-3, B.1 - 6, and C.1 - 9, and C.7 as amended.), was approved by unanimous 9-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Out of District Placement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of district placement for the following students:

a) One student (ID#0120295) at Mt. Prospect School, Bernards Township Public Schools, effective March 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010, at a cost to the district, including 1:1 aide, of $29,000.

b) One student (ID#0121010) at Newmark School, effective February 9, 2010 through June 30, 2010, at a cost to the district of $24,093.

A.2. Speech Evaluation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Allison Bucciarelli (approved speech pathologist 8/24/09) to conduct a speech evaluation for one student (ID#0120949) for a total cost to the district of $300.

A.3. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves one student (ID#0120485) to receive four hours per week of home instruction from Linda Yu, Middle School Teacher, for the 2009-2010 school year at a cost to the district of $6,400.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report (Attachment 1)

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of December and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on December 31, 2009:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,575,931.59

$1,329,283.09

(11) Current Expense

  

$3,770,642.40

  

(12) Capital Outlay

  

$154,772.78

  

(13) Special Schools

  

$621.32

  

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($122,492.91)

$115,753.74

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$151,937.34

$610,104.34

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$599,859.46

$0.00

$14,212.71

TOTAL

$5,205,235.48

$4,651,894.58

$1,343,495.80

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.2. Budget Transfers for Month of December 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:

11-000-223-580-00-09

Workshops & Travel - ELL

11-240-100-610-04-00

ESL Supplies

$600

11-000-230-339-01-00

Purchased Prof. Services

11-000-230-530-01-22

Telephone - District

$4,000

11-000-263-610-09-00

Grounds - Supplies

11-000-263-420-09-00

Grounds -Cleaning, Repair & Maintenance

$2,000

11-000-270-161-10-02

Sp. Ed Transp. - Sub Drivers

11-000-270-515-10-00

Contr. Sp. Ed Transp.-Jointure

$16,000

11-000-270-442-10-00

Rental - School Buses

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contr. Sp. Ed Transp. - ESC

$1,000

11-000-270-610-10-00

Transp. - General Supplies

11-000-270-615-10-00

Transportation - Maintain Fleet Supplies

$10,000

11-150-100-101-00-00

Home Instruction - Salaries

11-150-100-320-08-00

Home Instr. - Purch. Services

$2,100

11-150-100-101-00-00

Home Instruction - Salaries

11-190-100-320-07-00

Purch. Prof. Educ. Services

$3,850

11-190-100-610-06-10

Instructional Supplies - WD

11-190-100-640-06-00

Textbooks - Woodland

$1,000

11-190-100-610-11-02

Supplies - Instr. Software

11-190-100-610-11-01

Supplies - Instr. Hardware

$5,000

11-213-100-610-08-00

Resource Center - Supplies

11-204-100-610-08-00

LLD - Supplies

$1,000

Total Transfers

$46,550

B.3. Transfer from Capital Reserve to Fund 30 Central School - Hall Rehabilitation Project DOE Project: 5470-030-09-1005 Grant #: G5-3940

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transfer of $76,935 from Capital Reserve to Fund 30 for the district share of the costs for the Central School Hall Rehabilitation Project.

B.4. 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:

April 2010

  • Noralys Rebimbas, ALT - Foreign language Educators Conference, Somerset, NJ $ 150
  • Kristen Boni, Middle - Foreign language Educators Conference, Somerset, NJ $ 150

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.5. Waiver of Requirements - Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) program

RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education approves the Waiver of Requirements Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) Program:

WHEREAS, NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district's participation in the Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) Program for the 2010/2011, and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that it has fewer than 20 Medicaid eligible classified students.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in Somerset County the appropriate waiver of the requirementsof NJAC 6A23A-5.3 for the 2010/2011 school year.

B.6. Mt. Horeb PTO Donation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $5,200 from the Mt. Horeb PTO towards the purchase of a Smart Boards at Mt. Horeb School.

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) Leslie Mupo, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, 19.5 hours, Step 5-6, effective February 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.

b) Allen Huang, Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, 32.5 hours, step 5-6, effective February 9, 2010 through June 30, 2010. (Mr. Huang is replacing Donna Perry who resigned.)

C.2. Middle School Cafeteria Supervisor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Joel VanTine as the Grade 8, lunch B, Middle School cafeteria supervisor effective April 26, 2010 through June 30, 2010.

C.3. Salary Guide Placement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Lianne Reedy to receive a stipend of $1,800 for obtaining her teacher's certificate for the 2009-2010 school year prorated from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010. (This stipend is included in the classroom Paraprofessional Salary Guide.)

C.4. Middle School Coaches

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Middle School coaches for the 2009-2010 school year on the teachers' negotiated pay agreement:

a) Amanda Rodrigues- Girl's Basketball

b) John Greco - Boy's Basketball

c) Donna Bardy - Cheerleading

d) Dave Arnold - Girl's softball

e) Sean Mealey - Boy's Baseball

f) Carolyn McCloskey - Track

g) Robert Hartshorn - Track

h) Donna Bardy - Track

C.5. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year:

a) Melissa Gandolfe

b) Jessica Hanntz

c) Hanne Walsh (previous teacher)

d) Jennifer Dawson (previous substitute)

C.6. 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.

Mt. Horeb School

a) Cup Stacking Club - advisor Andrew Ahimovic at a stipend of $715.

b) Service Club - advisor Christine Burkhardt at a stipend of $715

C.7. Child Care Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extension of child care leave for Stefanie Azzari, Basic Skills Teacher, Woodland, for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year returning September 1, 2010.

C.8. Per Diem Deduct Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct requests for:

a) Randi Tishler Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, for two days, February 4-5, 2010

b) Michaela DiPaolo, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, for one day, February 24, 2010.

C.9. Additional Work Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves additional work hours for the following personnel:

a) Elise Pelcz, ABA Teacher, Mt. Horeb School to work two afternoons a week for a total of five hours February 9, 2010 through June 30, 2010 at her WTEA hourly rate.

b) Valerie Nelson, Classroom Paraprofessional to work one hour after school, once a week for six weeks to aide several students involved in the Middle School play.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

  • Monthly Grade 5 Math Update

Dr. Crisfield noted that the classes in the 4 schools are in similar places at this time.

  • Warren Middle School Class Trips

Dr. Crisfield spoke with Mr. Comba about the Middle School class trips and reducing the expenses of the trips. The 6th grade will have their day trip. The 7th grade will continue with their overnight trip and the 8th grade will have a one day trip. This will start in 2010/2011

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Monahan commented that the district needs to decide if the search is for an interim or a permanent hire. The board agreed to begin the search for a permanent replacement. If a good permanent candidate is not available then the district will look for an interim superintendent.

Mrs. Monahan also noted the board needs to determine the process that will be used to hire the new superintendent.

The board discussed options and formed a sub-committee that will gather additional information about the individuals and companies that can assist or conduct a search.

Mr. Daquila informed the board that the district received a resolution from Washington Township Public Schools requesting additional federal aid for the 2010/2011 school year. District will vote on the resolution on 2/22 and send it to the federal representatives.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

None

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 8:20 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.

Mrs. Toubin was excused at this point in the meeting.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the board reconvened in open session at 8:50p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Voorhees, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila