Minutes for November 22, 2010History 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, Mt. Horeb Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the Board President, Dr Przybylski

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Dr Przybylski 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 - Dr Przybylski led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

Present: Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, Dr. Gregory Przybylski, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Kathleen Winter

Absent: Sue Burman arrived at 9:15 p.m.
Tony Sardis arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Patricia Toubin arrived at 7:25 p.m.
Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, Peter Daquila, and School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the staff, and public

IV. PRESENTATION

  • Mt. Horeb School Chorus
    Dr. Crader presented Mr. Mark Weber and the Mt. Horeb School Chorus. The chorus performed for the board and public.

Mr. Sardis arrived at this point in the meeting (7:05 p.m.).

Mrs. Toubin arrived at this point in the meeting (7:25 p.m.)

V. MINUTES
Mrs. Winter moved the following:

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

November 8, 2010 public and private session

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

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION
None

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS
Dr. Przybylski thanked Mr. Weber, the parents and Mr. Kimmick for the wonderful performance by the chorus and the Mr. Horeb PTO for the snacks. He congratulated the Middle School Academic Tournament team for winning the 15th Annual Pirate Bowl Open. Dr. Przybylski also congratulated the WHRHS girls' soccer team on their achievements this year. They had a wonderful year even though they lost in the finals to Livingston.

He wished the entire Warren staff and families a happy & safe Thanksgiving.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy
Mrs. Winter noted that there are a few additional changes on the policies being presented today. She spoke about a few of the policies, especially the Policy 6114 - Emergency Disaster Preparedness.

Dr. Crader spoke about the changes to the Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Policy and how the schools will be complying with the new procedures.

Communications
Mrs. Winter reported that Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Spiller and she have been working on communications but it will require much more than 3 board members attending the PTO's meetings to get the work out to the public.

The board discussed the comments made regarding communications.

Finance
Mrs. Monahan reported that finance has met and will continue to meet discussing the budget and items that will appear on a cut list. At the next meeting the finance committee will present a timeline for the budget.

Mrs. Monahan noted that a Construction Change Order procedure has been created. The board discussed the procedure, some wording will be changed. The revised procedure will be presented to the board at the next meeting.

The board will need to decide if this will be a policy or a procedure.

Mrs. Monahan commented on the survey that Watchung conducted and asked the board to review the survey and consider if the district should conduct a survey.

Mrs. Spiller noted that the last survey had only 300 responses out of the approximate 12,000 residents. She asked what can be done to increase participation and what will be done with the results.

The board discussed the survey and decided that finance will proceed with a survey.

Curriculum
Mrs. Spiller indicated that curriculum will be meeting next week and will discuss reports on Guidance, World Language and REACH.

IX. DISCUSSION

  • Audit Resolution - 2009-2010 School Year
    Mr. Daquila presented the results of the 2009/2010 audit and noted that there were no audit recommendations and stated that this is a result of the hard work of the entire business office staff. He noted that there is stability in district finances and there is $208,000 of a surplus that will be applied to the 2011/12 budget.

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).

Andrea Freijomil, Christy Drive, asked about the public statement that was issued regarding negotiations and how the board determines the amount to offer the teachers. Dr. Przybylski responded.

He thanked Mrs. Winter for coming to the ALT PTO meetings and attempting to increase the communications about the budget, negotiations, and other information.

Michael Minieri, Mundy Lane, asked about the Behavioral Disabilities Special Education Program Class that was approved at the last meeting and the district's intentions regarding this class. Dr. Crader responded and requested that Mr. Minieri contact her for additional information and details.

XI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION
Mr. Huber asked a question about agenda item B.3. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mr. Huber asked a question about agenda item B.4. Mr. Daquila responded.

Mr. Huber asked a question about agenda item C.1. Dr. Crader responded.

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the consent agenda items A.1, B.1 - 6 (amended), C.1.-5, and D.1 & 2., were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Physical Education Curriculum

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the revised Physical Education curriculum dated November 22, 2010.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for November 2010 in the amount of $3,231,113.08.

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 October.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on October 31, 2010

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$5,366,256.72


$1,065,558.62

(11) Current Expense

$4,472,193.27

(12) Capital Outlay

$221,154.65

(13) Special Schools

$129.18

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($207,682.24)

$93,164.94

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$27,911.18

($82,435.82)

$422,125.34

(40) Debt Service Fund

$636,563.21

$0.00

$14,224.96

TOTAL

$5,823,048.87

$4,704,206.22

$1,501,908.92

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 October 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:

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraordinary Svcs. - Prof. Svcs.

11-000-100-562-08-02

Tuition - Other LEAs (Ext. SY)

$50,000

11-000-240-103-00-00

Sals. - Principals/Dean/Directors

11-000-230-104-01-00

Salaries - Professional Staff

$11,500

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contracted Transportation - ESC

11-000-270-511-10-71

Contr. Transp. - Reg. Bus Routes

$3,000

11-000-261-610-09-05

Maintenance Supplies - ALT

11-000-261-420-09-05

Maintenance Repairs - ALT

$2,000

11-190-100-320-08-00

Professional Svcs. - SPS (504)

11-190-100-320-07-00

Professional Services - Middle

$2,500

11-213-100-106-00-00

RC Aides - Salaries

11-000-222-100-00-02

Library Paras - Salaries

$133,604

12-000-400-450-00-00

Construction Services

11-000-262-621-03-00

Heat - Central

$6,245


Total Transfers

$208,849

B.4. Acceptance of Audit for the 2009-2010 School Year
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has engaged the firm of T. M. Vrabel, & Associates, LLC, of Denville, New Jersey, to audit the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, in compliance with N.J.S.A.18A:23-1 et seq, and,

WHEREAS, this audit has been completed and the CAFR filed with the State Department of Education and submitted to the Warren Township Board of Education along with a synopsis of the audit report and recommendations, which synopsis and recommendations are available for public review, and,

WHEREAS, pertinent results of operations during the 2009-2010 school year are:

School Year 2009-2010

REVENUES

Final Budget

Actual

Local Sources

$35,723,274

$35,851,291

State Sources

$2,283,678

$4,284,587

TOTAL

$38,006,952

$40,135,878

EXPENDITURES

Regular Instruction

$12,246,757

$12,186,258

Special Education

$3,770,770

$3,758,052

Other Instruction

$1,329,601

$1,319,617

Undistributed Expenditures

$20,259,856

$21,880,147

Total General Expenses

$37,606,984

$39,144,074

Capital Outlay

$659,637

$554,073

Special Schools

$155,611

$155,514

Charter Schools

$0

$0

TOTAL

$38,422,232

$39,853,661

OTHER SOURCES/USES

Transfer from Capital Projects

$0

$0

Transfer to Capital Projects

($773,514)

($773,514)

EXCESS (DEFICIENCY)

($1,188,794)

($491,297)

Fund Balance July 1, 2009

$3,349,620

$3,349,620




Fund Balance June 30, 2010

$2,160,826

$2,858,323

Analysis of Fund Balance

Reserved

Encumbrances

$90,543

Excess Surplus

$208,181

Excess Surplus- subsequent year's expenditures

$372,501

Capital Reserve Account

$1,329,720

Unreserved

Undesignated/Unreserved

$857,378

TOTAL

$2,858,323

Source: Audit Report Exhibit C-1

Now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby accepts the report, notes the following recommendations, and directs that appropriate corrective action be taken:

Recommendations

None

Corrective Action

N/A

B.5. Central School Hallway Renovation Project (G5-3940)
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following change orders for The Gillespie Group in the amount of $1,500.00

  • C/O #4 Additional painting $ 1,500.00

    Total $ 1,500.00

    The original bid and the approved change orders for this project from The Gillespie Group was $124,050.18. Change order #4 in the amount of $1,500.00 brings the total amount due to The Gillespie Group for the project to $125,550.18.

B.6. Travel Approval (Amended)

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 2010

  • Anna Rizzo, SPS - Annual Special Education Conference, Monroe, NJ 175
  • Katherine DiDia, SPS - Annual Special Education Conference, Monroe, NJ 175

All of the above travel has been approved by the Superintendent. 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 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) Jessica Halpern, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, BA, 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 January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011. (Ms. Halpern is replacing Mrs. Ortega who will be on family leave.)

C.2. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2010-2011 school year:

a) Nicole Roth

b) Joseph Larromendia

c) Gary Miller

C.3. Middle School Play Staff and Stipends
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following staff and stipends in support of the 2010-2011 Middle School play as follows:

  • Musical Director - Diane McCloskey $2,640
  • Assistant to the Director - Cathy Lazas $1,430
  • Production Manager - Bev MacGorman $1,430
  • Backstage Manager - Joel VanTine $1,430
  • Set Design and Construction - Doug MacGorman $1,430
  • Choreographer - Jill Zimmerman $1,430

C.4. Rescind 2010-2011 Softball Coach Appointment
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education rescinds the appointment of David Arnold as softball coach at a stipend of $2,900 for the 2010-2011 school year (approved September 27, 2010).

C.5. Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Elyssa Raucci, Bus Monitor, Transportation, effective November 15, 2010.

D. Policy

D.1. Policy Revision - Second and Final Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second and final reading of the following revised policies:

a) Policy 1100 - Communication With The Public

b) Policy 4112.8 - Nepotism

D.2. Policy Revision - First Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following revised policies:

a) Policy 2255 - Action Planning For State Monitoring NJQSAC New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum

b) Policy 3327 - Relations With Vendors

c) Policy 6114 - Emergencies And Disaster Preparedness

XII. OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Winter asked for an update on the district's solar energy project. Mr. Daquila responded. The RFP process will be discussed by the finance committee before the district proceeds.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Monahan reported that she attended the now five county meeting. The topics discussed were superintendent salaries, negotiations, and other pertinent items.

Dr. Crader reported that legislation on anti-bullying passed today and our procedures will need to be enhanced. She also reported that her 100 day report is complete and will be distributed this week.

XIV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Patricia Zahn expressed that she is happy that communication is being addressed and is a key to the district and not just to passing the budget. She noted that the board needs to gather information on what is important to the residents.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 8:35 p.m. Mrs. Winter 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. Burman arrived at this point in the meeting (9:15 p.m.).

On motion by Mrs. Winter, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the board reconvened in open session at 9:33 p.m.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Winter seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila