Minutes for November 14, 2011History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Middle School, Old Stirling 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, 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION I - 6:30 - DISCUSSING NEGOTIATIONS

At 6:34 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 Mr. Sena and approved by a 7-0 voice vote.

Mrs. Toubin arrived at this point in the evening (6:50 p.m.)

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mr. Sena the board reconvened in open session at

7:23 p.m.

IV. ROLL CALL

Present: Tia Allocco, Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, Gregory Przybylski, James Sena, and Mildred Spiller,

Absent: Susan Burman (in contact via phone)

John De Bellis

Patricia Toubin arrived at 6:50 p.m.

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

V. PRESENTATION

  • WARREN MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
    Mr. Robert Comba, Middle School Principal, and Mr. Scott Cook, Dean of Students, provided an overview of innovations both new and continuing at the Middle School.  

VI. MINUTES

 

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

October 17, 2011 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by 7-0 roll call vote.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • HIB Information

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

Total # of Investigations: 11 Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: 5

Mr. Huber expressed his concerns regarding the newly enacted HIB legislation.

Dr. Przybylski asked if this legislation included staff to staff interactions.

The superintendent reported the following drills had been held:

  • Fire Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 7

October 7

October 24

October 3

October 21

  • Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 27

Lock Down

October 26

Lock Down

October 28

Lock Down

October 27

Lock Down

October 18

Lock Down

VIII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski asked for a moment of silence to recognize our nation's veterans.

He also thanked the Warren Township Youth Services Commission for the after school grant.

Thoughts were also sent out to the Middle School teacher who was in a serious car accident.

IX. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader reported on the positive feedback received from the recent lockdown drill. In addition, thanks were expressed to all for their patience and understanding during the recent storm and large power outages.

Enrollment projections through 2015-16 were discussed as well as the resulting effect on the student population at each of our schools. It is hoped that an ad hoc committee will be formed to study the issue.

X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Curriculum Committee Update

Curriculum Committee Chair, Mildred Spiller discussed the committee's work which includes a review of Character Education, the use of homework assignments and Math placements. Additionally, tests will now be sent home with Middle School students, a deviation from past practice. Upcoming committee topics include regional articulation.

Finance Committee Update

Finance Committee Chair, Frank Sena reported on the recent committee meeting, at which Special Education costs, capital expenditure forecasting, potential temporary hiring of professionals as a cost saving measure, and the county wide solar project were discussed.

XI. DISCUSSION

None

XII. 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).

Mrs. Judy Shanahan, 61 Hillcrest Blvd. spoke of what drew her to Warren Township, her positive experiences with the district's teachers, and her concerns with some of the actions of the Board of Education.

Andrea Freijomil of Christie Drive spoke of her concern regarding teacher websites. In addition, she asked if the additional state aide which was returned to the taxpayer would have covered the increase requested by the teachers.

Mrs. Michele Gibbons, 15 Hillcrest Blvd., spoke of her concern regarding the potential redrawing of lines for Central and Woodland Schools.

Jennifer Brunner 45 Hillcrest Blvd., spoke of the effect on children who have spent years in one school being switched to another.

Jody Schieder addressed the Math placement process.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Based on BOE comments, the word "girls" was eliminated from agenda item C.4.

Mr. Huber asked a question on agenda items C.2., C.3., C.4., and C.5

Mrs. Allocco asked questions on agenda item B.5 and C.5..

Mr. Sena asked that agenda item C. 9 be pulled for a separate vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Toubin, the consent agenda items A.1 through C.10., including amended motions, except for agenda item C.9., were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Monahan, the board voted not to approve agenda item C.9 by a 3-4 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Spiller, Mr. Huber, and Mrs. Monahan voted yes.)

A. EDUCATION

A.1. Nursing Services Plan

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Nursing Services Plan for the 2011-2012 school year dated November 14, 2011.

A.2. In-District Related Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves one student (ID#120903) to receive a total of three hours of audiological services from Lake Drive Program beginning November 15, 2011 through June 30, 2012 at a cost not to exceed $600.

A.3. Out of Zone Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of zone request for one student (ID#2006436) to complete 5th grade at Woodland School for the 2011-2012 school year. The student's parents have moved into Angelo L. Tomaso School zone and will transport student.

A.4. Tuition In Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a tuition in student (ID#121360), effective November 14, 2011 through June 30, 2012 at a tuition cost of $70,014 prorated.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Payment of Bills - October 2011

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for October 2011 in the amount of $1,478,756.38.

B.2. IDEA-B Acceptance of Award

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts the funding for the 2011-2012 IDEA-B Grant Application from the Department of Education for the following amounts for special education programs:

  • IDEA Basic $474,686
  • IDEA Pre-School $ 17,096

B.3. School Zoning

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the zoning for the new street Bellwood Drive to the Woodland School.

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:

November 2011

  • Faye Brady, Special Education, Writing Defendable IEPs, Long Branch, NJ $175
  • Fran Blabolil, Special Education, Writing Defendable IEPS, Long Branch, NJ $175
  • Terry Godfrey, Special Education, Writing Defendable IEPS, Long Branch, NJ $175
  • Tyler Tribelhorn, Maintenance, AHERA Refresher Course, Piscataway, NJ $300
  • Michael Montross, Custodial, Boiler License Training, Kenilworth, NJ, $500
  • Peter Maio, Custodial, Boiler License Training, Kenilworth, NJ, $500
  • Bernadette Danner, MS, Digital Storytelling & Web Tools, Monroe Twp., NJ $175
  • Alexis Slack, MS, Digital Storytelling & Web Tools, Monroe Twp., NJ $250

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.5. Middle School Overnight Trips

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Middle School overnight trips:

a) 8th grade trip to Gettysburg/Philadelphia, May 31, 2012 to June 1, 2012.

b) 7th grade trip to Fairview Lakes, June 7, 2012 to June 8, 2012.

B.6. Donation-Warren Township Youth Services Commission

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $500.00 from the Warren Township Youth Services Commission to fund an after-school Project Adventure program at Warren Middle School.

B.7. Donations - Warren Township PTOs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, with appreciation, the donation of $300 from each of the Warren Township Schools PTO.

B.8. Out of District Students for the School Year

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the transportation agreement with Watchung Borough for the receipt of funds for transporting out of district students for the 2011 school year as follows: Athletic trips to Bedminster, October 11th & October 25th @$101.23 ea. total = $202.46.

B.9. Local Government Energy Audit Program

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Office of Clean Energy administers the Local Government Energy Audit Program (Program), an incentive program to assist local government agencies to conduct energy audits and to encourage implementation of energy conservation measures; and,

WHEREAS, the Governing Body of Warren Township School District has decided to apply to participate in the Local Government Energy Audit Program; and,

WHEREAS, the facilities to be audited are in New Jersey, are owned by the Warren Township School District, are served by a New Jersey regulated public utility, and that the Warren Township School District has not already reserved $300,000 in the Program this year as of this application; and,

WHEREAS, it is acknowledged that acceptance into the Program is dependent on the Scope of Work and cost proposal, and that Program rules will have to be met in order to receive incentive funds; and,

WHEREAS, upon acceptance into the Program, the Warren Township School District will prepare Facility Data Forms and Scopes of Work for each facility to be audited, solicit quotations from the authorized contractors, and submit the Part B application; and,

WHEREAS, the Warren Township School District understands that energy audit work cannot proceed until an Application Approval Notice is received from the Program; and,

WHEREAS, the Warren Township School District has entered into a contract with Energy Education, Inc., since June 1, 2008,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Governing Body of the Warren Township School District, approves the submission of an Application for participation in the Local Government Energy Audit Program of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

C.1. Employment for the 2011-2012 School Year

RESOLVED, upon recommendation from the Superintendent that the Board of Education approve the following Personnel items including the emergent employment of the following employees (indicated by *) conditional upon the final approval by the New Jersey Department of Education, for the 2011-2012 school year and the Board further authorizes the submission of an application for emergency hiring pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1, et. Seq., N.J.S.A. 18A:6.14.12, et. Seq."

a) Jessica Freeman, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, BA, Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2011-2012 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective November 15, 2011 through June 30, 2012. (Ms. Freeman is replacing Rosemary Dunn who retired.) (Currently an approved sub in the district.)

b) Marylynn Calandruccio, Maternity Leave Replacement, Grade 3 Teacher, Central School, MA, Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2011-2012 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective November 1, 2011 through March 16, 2012. (Ms. Calandruccio is replacing Andrea McGuire on family leave.) (Currently an approved sub in the district.)

c) Lisa Scherzer, Maternity Leave Replacement, Kindergarten Teacher, Central School, BA, Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2011-2012 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective date November 15, 2011 through June 30, 2012. (Mrs. Scherzer is Replacing Dana Tretola on child rearing leave.) (Currently an approved sub in the district.)

C.2. Change of Assignment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the change of assignment for Briana McLeroy from .5 Special Education Teacher (maternity leave for Mrs. Graef) and .5 Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School to full time tenure track Special Education Teacher, Woodland School, BA, Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2011-2012 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective December 20, 2011 through June 30, 2012. (Ms. McLeroy is replacing Tami Johnson who resigned.)

C.3. Resignations

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following resignations:

a) Kris Stankiewicz, Social Worker/School Psychologist, Central School/Middle School, effective approximately January 6, 2012 or sooner if a replacement is found.

b) Kristen D'Alessandro, Grade 7 Math Teacher, Middle School, as the Middle School softball coach for the 2011-2012 school year, effective October 7, 2011.

C.4. Basketball Supervisor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of David Arnold as the hourly basketball supervisor beginning December 2011 at a total cost not to exceed $2,000.

C.5. Rescind Increased Hours

RESOLVED, the Board of Education rescinds the increase in hours, which was approved October 17, 2011 for Susan Cornet, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, from 32.5 hours per week back to her original 30 hours per week, effective September 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

C.6. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Substitute Teachers for the 2011-2012 school year:

a) Jeff Sutherland

b) Frances Ellis (nurse)

c) Kelly Alfano

C.7. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the family leave request for Nicole Panos, Grade 5 Teacher, Woodland School, effective March 23, 2012 through June 18, 2012 (unpaid, with benefits) and child rearing leave effective June 19, 2012 through June 30, 2012 (unpaid, without benefits) returning September 1, 2012.

C.8. Student Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Ramona Cunha as a Student Teacher, Middle School Science with O'Brien Speckin, effective January 23, 2012 to May 12, 2012.

C.9. Per Diem Deduct Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following per diem deduct request for Allen Huang, Classroom Paraprofessional, Middle School for one day, November 23, 2011.

C.10. Substitute Bus Driver

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Pricilla Bledsoe at a part-time substitute Bus Driver, effective November 15, 2011 at an hourly rate of $17.79.

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

Woodland School Property

Dr. Crader discussed the conversation with the township regarding the township giving the district land with a reverter clause but retaining a portion. The board's attorney is in favor of this agreement. While the board supports this initiative, Mr. Huber requested that the minutes reflect the desire that the wrestling association not be harmed by this move.

Concussion Policy

The board discussed the pros and cons of testing, and heard Dr. Przybylski relay professional input from a workshop he attended. The issue will be further researched and no action taken at this time.

Solar

Mr. Huber asked that the board see and "sign off on" any planned solar installation. Dr. Crader will forward pictures. Questions arose regarding future roof replacement as it would relate to solar panels.

 

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Monahan reported that on Saturday, December 3rd there will be a Woodland School PTO Holiday Bazaar.

Mrs. Allocco requested written follow-up regarding the recent storm related closing.

Mr. Huber asked if the board had heard that the Governor was going to provide a waiver from the 180 day school year due to the recent storms, which was a state of emergency in some parts of the district.

Mr. Huber spoke to the bond among students and staff at Woodland School and volunteered to be on the ad hoc discussing the potential rezoning. In addition, he reported that Watchung Hills Pop Warner Cheerleaders have progressed to a competition level to be held in Florida.

Mrs. Spiller discussed that although there is anxiety transferring to another school, it does work out.

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Stacy McAteer, 32 Highmount Ave., asked questions regarding the process for preparing students for transfer to a new school.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 9:05 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 Mr. Sena and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Mrs. Toubin left at this point in the meeting. (9:05 pm).

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 Dr. Przybylski, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt