Minutes for October 17, 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 7:05 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: Tia Allocco, John De Bellis, Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, Gregory Przybylski, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Patricia Toubin

Absent: Susan Burman arrived at 9:20 p.m.

Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, Robert Zeglarski, Interim School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, members of the staff, public, and press

IV. PRESENTATION

  • Annual Special Education Update
    Dr. Faye Brady presented the annual special education report to the board and public. A copy of Dr. Brady's PowerPoint presentation is on file in the Special Services office. 

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

October 11, 2011 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by 7-1 roll call vote. (Mrs. Toubin abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • HIB Information

    Dr. Crader reported on HIB information for the month of October 2011 as follows:

    Total # of Investigations: 3 Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: 0 

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski made a statement regarding the status of ongoing negotiations between the Board and the Warren Township Education Association.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader reported that the Warren Township 21st Century Fluency Pilot Project training with Lee Crockett will take place on November 14th and 15th, and will include 35 participants.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Curriculum Committee chair, Mildred Spiller, reported on the upcoming Curriculum Council meeting which is focusing on 21st Century skills during the 2011-12 school year.

X. DISCUSSION

Violence and Vandalism Report

Dr. Crader presented the annual report on incidents of Violence & Vandalism to the board including 9 incidents of violence during the past year including two involving so-called weapons which were actually pins taped to a ball. Explaining that we have relatively little violence, she noted that most incidents occurred in the Middle School.

XI. 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 of Christie Drive stated that she expects and desires transparency from the board regarding teacher negotiations. She expressed support for the teachers but warned that higher raises could result in higher class sizes since the board is restrained by a 2% cap on property taxes

Barbara LaSaracina of Fireside Ct challenged the board to purge the district of teachers with sub-par performance. Frank LaSaracina accused the board of making negotiations a low priority.

Lisa Chiccicio of Raspberry Trail expressed concern that students sense something is wrong and that they might be the cause when they see teachers dressed in black and wearing buttons regarding negotiations for a teachers' contract.

Elsie DeMarco of Reinman Rd. asked a question about the two percent cap on the school property tax levy as it relates to the teachers' contract.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mrs. Toubin asked that agenda item C. 2 be pulled for a separate vote.

Mr. Huber asked a question on agenda item B.2.

Mr. Huber asked a question on agenda item B.3.

Mr. Huber asked a question on agenda item B.7.

Mr. Huber asked a question on agenda item B.8.

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

Mr. Huber asked a question on agenda item C.4.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the consent agenda items A.1 through C.4., including amended motions, except for agenda item C.2., were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

C2 discussion: Mrs. Toubin announced her decision to vote "no" as a matter of principle since "true boundaries were needed regarding vacations." Mr. Sena wondered why personal days could not be used. Dr. Crader stated that there was a very good reason for granting this request which could not be disclosed publically

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mr. Sena, the board approved agenda item C.2 by a 6-2 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Toubin and Mr. Sena voted no.)

A. EDUCATION

A.1. Violence and Vandalism Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Violence and Vandalism Report for the 2010-2011 school year dated July 12, 2011.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Partial Payment of Bills - October 2011

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for October 2011 in the amount of $3,178,844.15

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 September 2011.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on September 30, 2011

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$6,668,512.96

$1,459,258.94

(11) Current Expense

$2,944,066.29

(12) Capital Outlay

$672,281.76

(13) Special Schools

$10,063.65

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($107,753.23)

$28,254.75

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$618,996.65

$14,237.21

TOTAL

$7,179,756.38

$3,654,666.45

$1,473,496.15

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 September 2011

Approve the following Resolution:

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

Extra. Svcs.- Purch. Prof. Svcs.

11-000-217-100-00-02

Extraordinary Salaries Para

$21,000

11-000-222-110-00-00

Educ. Tech. Coach - Stipend

11-000-222-100-00-01

Educ. Media/Library - Salaries

$12,000

11-209-100-106-00-00

BD - Aides - Salaries

11-000-217-100-00-02

Extraordinary Salaries Para

$18,000

11-209-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Educ. Svcs. - BD

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teachers - Salaries

$9,000

11-214-100-101-00-00

Autism - Teacher - Salaries

11-216-100-101-00-00

Preschool Dis. - Teacher Sals.

$53,000

11-214-100-106-00-00

Autism - Aides - Salaries

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teachers - Salaries

$52,000

11-214-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Educ. Svcs. - Autism

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition - Other LEAs

$265,000

11-214-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Educ. Svcs. - Autism

11-000-100-562-08-02

Tuition - Other LEAs

$6,500

11-214-100-320-08-00

Purch. Prof. Educ. Svcs. - Autism

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private

$55,500

12-000-217-730-08-00

Other Support - Extra. Equip.

11-000-219-610-08-00

CST - Supplies

$9,910

Total Transfers

$501,910

B.4. Partial 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 October 18, 2011 to October 31, 2011, and to submit those bills to the Board of Education for approval at its next regular meeting.

B.5. Non Public Program Aid 2011-2012

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the acceptance and expenditure of the Non Public Aid for the 2011-2012 school year as follows:

  • Non Public Nursing Aid $1,187.00
  • Non Public Textbook Aid $ 831.00

B.6. 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:

October 2011

  • Mildred Spiller, Board Member - School Boards Convention, Atlantic City, NJ $325
  • Roberta Monahan, Board Member - School Boards Convention, Atlantic City, NJ $325
  • Tami Crader, Superintendent- School Boards Convention, Atlantic City, NJ $325

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.

B.7. Student Late Bus Transportation Services

Resolution on file in the Business Office

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves to award a contract to Fred Dealaman Bus Service LTD of Warren, NJ lowest responsible bidder received October 12, 2011 at 2:00 PM, to provide Student Transportation Service (Late Bus Service) for the following routes:

  • WMSLR-1 $79.00 per diem
  • WMSLR-2 $79.00 per diem
  • WMSLR-3 $79.00 per diem
  • WMSLR-4 $79.00 per diem

TOTAL PER DIEM $316.00

B.8. NCLB Funds

Resolved, that federal NCLB funds are used as part of the teacher salaries as follows:

For TPAF contract salaries:

Teacher Name Total Salary % Federally Funded Title [I,IIA, etc.]

BK $70,050 30% Title IIA

MS $68,961 16% Title III

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

C.1. 21st Century Fluencies Institute

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a day institute on 21st Century Fluencies provided by Lee Crockett, for 35 teachers and the Administrative Team, on November 14th and 15th, at the rate of $10,000 plus $1500 expenses.

C.2. Per Diem Deduct Request

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

a) Jennifer Guerriero, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, for two days, November 14-15, 2011.

C.3. Resignation

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the resignation of Tami Johnson, Special Education Teacher, Woodland School, effective January 2, 2012.

C.4. Increase in Hours

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the increase in hours for the following staff:

a) William Kielblock, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, from 30 hours per week to 32.5 hours per week, effective October 18, 2011 through June 30, 2012 at an increase not to exceed $1,500.

b) Susan Cornet, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, from 30 hours per week to 32.5 hours per week, effective October 18, 2011 through June 30, 2012 at an increase not to exceed $1,500.

c) Mary Russo, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, from 30 hours per week to 32.5 hours per week, effective September 1, 2011 through September 22, 2012 at an increase not to exceed $250.

d) Mary Russo, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School from 32.5 hours per week to 37.5 hours per week, effective September 26, 2011 through June 30, 2012 at an increase not to exceed $4,400.

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

Wrestling Association

After Mr. Huber asked for an update regarding the Wrestling Association issue (a request to use board property to building a wrestling facility), Dr. Crader announced her plan to meet with township officials on Friday to discuss a potential conveyance of this township property back to the board for this purpose.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Monahan reported that the Youth Services Commission is selling raffle tickets to support their organization.

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Andrea Freijomil of Christie Drive asked questions regarding the administrators' contract.

Lisa Chiccicio asked questions about tenure for teachers, bus operations and the construction of a new playground at Woodland Elementary School.

Samantha Jacobsen of Old Smalleytown Road asked questions about the number of special classes a student has during a five-day period.

Judy Sordillo congratulated the board for maintaining small class sizes throughout the "great" school system.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 8:47 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

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it,

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 evening.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman the board reconvened in open session at 9:20p.m.

XVII. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller seconded by Mr. Sena, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Robert Zeglarski