Minutes for April 11, 2011History 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 6:32 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: Roberta Monahan, Tony Sardis James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Kathleen Winter

Absent: Dr. Gregory Przybylski

Sue Burman arrived at 6:35 p.m.

Donald Huber arrived at 6:40 p.m.

Patricia Toubin arrived at 6:35 p.m.

Mildred Spiller left at 9:05 p.m.

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

IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION #1:

At 6:34 p.m. Mr. Sardis 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:

specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session

FURTHER RESOLVED, the minutes of this closed session be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Mrs. Burman arrived at this point in the meeting (6:35 p.m.).

Mrs. Toubin arrived at this point in the meeting (6:35 p.m.).

Mr. Huber arrived at this point in the meeting (6:40 p.m.).

V. On motion by Mr. Sardis, seconded by Mr. Sena the board reconvened in open session at 7:25 p.m. At this time members of the staff and public were in attendance.

VI. PRESENTATION

None

VII. MINUTES

Mr. Sardis moved the following:

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

March 28, 2011 public and private session

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

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

The superintendent reported the following drills had been held.

  • Fire Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

March 18

March 2

March 29

March 18

March 11
  • Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

March 29

Evacuation

March 22 Evacuation

March 18 Lockdown

March 29 Evacuation

March 38 Evacuation

IX. VICE-PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Winter reminded everyone of the budget vote on April 27, 2011.

She thanked Siemens for donating the energy experiment kit to Woodland School.

X. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader thanked Mr. Daquila for all the hard work in creating the budget.

She announced the retirement of Betty Bagan, who has worked over 40 years in the district, as well as Judith Motz, who has worked in the district 12 years. She read a commendation about each retiree.

Mrs. Toubin read a resolution regarding Mr. Sardis' service on the board. Mr. Sardis thanked the board.

Mrs. Spiller read a resolution regarding Mrs. Winter's service on the board. Mrs. Winter thanked the board.

XI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Communication/Finance

Mrs. Monahan reported that she and Mr. Daquila pre service on the board presented the budget to a group of seniors. They seemed to question guidance and special education but were receptive to the budget.

XII. DISCUSSION

  • Wrestling Association Proposal
    Matt Saum, Marc Hayward, and Eric Larson from Wrestling discussed the proposal of using district property to build a facility for the association's use.

    The board discussed the proposal with the Wrestling Association. The board will review the lease agreement and send any questions to Mr. Daquila.
  • BOE Self-Evaluation
    Mrs. Burman reported on the feedback that she has received regarding the board self-evaluation. The board discussed the process and how to improve the training and orientation of the new board members.

XIII. 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

XIV. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

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

Mr. Daquila responded that this is a formality and a DOE requirement for construction.

Mr. Huber asked a question about agenda item C.1.

Dr. Crader responded that this is a change of duties for the individual and the multi duty position will need to the filled.

Mr. Sena asked a question on agenda item B.3. - why the donation is only for Woodland School. Dr. Crader reported that the donation is a result of a parent in Woodland.

On motion by Mr. Sardis, seconded by Mrs. Spiller, the consent agenda items A.1., B.1. - 4. and C.1. - 6., were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves home instruction for one student (ID#0121234) for a period of 30 days beginning March 17, 2011. Instruction will be provided by Stepping Forward Counseling Center at an hourly rate of $75 at a cost to the district of $4,500.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Middle School Bleacher Replacement - Old Gymnasium

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of the documents for the Middle School Bleacher Replacement in the Old Gymnasium to the Department of Education for review. The documents have been prepared by USA Architects. If required, USA Architects is authorized to update the Long Range Facilities Plan for this project.

B.2. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, pursuant to policy 3326, to audit pending bills and claims, to pay qualifying bills and claims within approved budget line item amounts, from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011, and to submit those bills to the Board of Education for approval at its next regular meeting.

B.3. Siemens Financial Services, Inc - Woodland School Donation

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts, with appreciation, the donation by the Siemens Financial Services, Inc of a Siemens Energy Experiment Kit to the Woodland School in the amount of $350.

B.4. Transportation for Out of District Student

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves Warren Township Schools to add one Watchung student to our out of district Newmark Bus route W-148, effective April 11, 2011 through June 22, 2011 at a per diem cost of $33 for a total fee received by Warren Township of $1,518.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Change of Assignment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the change of assignment for Mary Russo, from Multi Duty Paraprofessional, to Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, to remain at Step 15 for an increase in salary of $1,750, prorated from her start date of April 25, 2011 through June 30, 2011, 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).

C.2. Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Stefanie Azzari, Part-time Basic Skills Teacher, Woodland School, effective June 30, 2011.

C.3. Retirement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement of the following staff:

a) Betty Bagan, Grade 1 Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 42 years of service to the children of Warren, effective June 30, 2011.

b) Judith Motz, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 12 years of service to the children of Warren, effective June 30, 2011.

C.4. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the family leave request for Laurie Green, Basic Skills Teacher, Central School, from September 1, 2011 through November 20, 2011 (unpaid with benefits), with a return date on or about December 1, 2011.

C.5. Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Susan Cornet as a Substitute Teacher for the 2010-2011 school year.

C.6. After School Club - 2010-2011 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school club for the 2010-2011 school year and the instructors for each club at the negotiated stipend rate.

Middle School

a) Honor Band - advisor Diane McCloskey at a stipend of $715.

XV. OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Daquila reported that 4 banks have submitted proposals to provide banking services to the district. Proposals are being evaluated.

A new mini-van needs to be purchased to replace the 2003 model with 130 thousand miles. It will be purchased via a state contract.

Mr. Daquila reported that the attorney advises that the reverse 911 system should not be used to alert parents about the budget.

Dr. Crader reported that Central School will need to have school on June 24th to make up the lost day of school from November due to the water main break.

XVI. NEW BUSINESS

None

XVII. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Patricia Zohn thanked Kathy Winter and Tony Sardis for the work as board members in serving the district.

XVIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION #2:

At 8:47 p.m. Mr. Sardis moved the following:

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mr. Sardis, seconded by Mrs. Toubin the board reconvened in open session at 9:10 p.m.

XIX. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mr. Sardis seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Peter Daquila