Warren Township Schools: Minutes for January 10, 2012

Minutes for January 10, 2012 Archived Minutes

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 7:02 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: Tia Allocco, John De Bellis, Susan Burman, Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, Gregory Przybylski, James Sena, and Mildred Spiller

Absent: Patricia Toubin

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

IV. PRESENTATION

None

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

December 12, 2011 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by an 8-0 roll call vote

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

HIB Information

Dr. Crader reported on HIB information from December 12, 2011 through January 10, 2012 as follows:

Total # of Investigations:

9

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

3

The superintendent reported the following drills had been held:

Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
December 5	December 5	December 5	December 2	December 19

Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

December 22

Lockdown Drill

December 21

Lockdown Drill

December 22

Lockdown Drill

December 15

Lockdown Drill

December 21

Lockdown Drill

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski welcomed all back from the holidays and expressed his hope that negotiations will wrap up shortly.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader shared with all a program from the opening of Central School and also discussed the artist in residence program within the Music Department.

Also discussed was the district's Assistive Technology program which will be showcased at Techspo as well as the invitation to the musical variety show at the Angelo L. Tomaso School entitled Dynostars.

Dr. Crader reported that she will be attending convocation with the Acting Education Commissioner regarding the new teacher evaluation program.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Sena reported on the Finance Committee meeting of December 15, 2011. Topics discussed included Qualified Purchasing Agent status, a new procedure for budget transfers, zero based budgeting, and the Capital Improvement Plan. In addition it was reported that the committee has already received the preliminary 2012-13 budget.

X. DISCUSSION

Dr. Crader, in recognition of School Board Appreciation month, thanked the board members for their dedication and hard work.

Dr. Crader discussed the district's three major goals and then the Board of Education's goals.

Also discussed was the recently passed legislation regarding the public vote on the school budget, which awaits Governor Christie's signature.

Dr. Crader provided an overview of the rezoning project, which will be discussed in depth at the board's January 24^th meeting.

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).

Keriann Linton, 13 Arrighi Drive asked if 5^th graders could be grandfathered to remain at Woodland School in light of the rezoning.

Cecilia Fontana, 89 Mt. Horeb Rd., spoke of the 21^st Century project and her concerns regarding oversight.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mr. Huber asked of the significance of an insurance fund commissioner (B.2.), the fee for Camp Invention 2012 (B.5.), the participation fee for Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council (B.7.), the reason for the staffing coverage (C.4), and the breakdown of service provider fees (C.5).

Mr. Huber also expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Monahan and the Youth Services Commission for support of the Games of Strategy Club (C.6.).

Mr. Sena asked about the varying costs for attendance @ Techspo (B.9.).

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the consent agenda items A.1 through C.7. were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. EDUCATION

A.1. 2012 Summer Fun Program

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the 2011 Summer Fun Program to begin on Monday, June 25, 2012 through Friday, July 27, 2012. School will not be in session on Wednesday, July 4, 2012.

A.2. Out of District Placement

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

a) One student (ID#120851) to attend Cambridge School beginning January 2, 2012 through June 30, 2012 at a pro-rated tuition and related services cost not to exceed $34,479.

b) One student (ID#121295) to attend Douglass Developmental Center beginning January 3, 2012 through June 30, 2012 at a pro-rated tuition not to exceed $59,000.

A.3. Out of Zone Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of zone request for one student (ID#620134) to complete 2nd grade at Central School for the 2011-2012 school year. The student's parents have moved into Woodland School zone and will transport student.

A.4. Innovation and Design Curriculum

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Innovation and Design Curriculum, grades 3-5, dated July 25, 2011.

A.5. Innovation and Design Curriculum

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Innovation and Design Curriculum, grades 6-8, dated July 25, 2011.

A.6. Microsoft Excel Curriculum

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Microsoft Excel Curriculum, grade 7, dated December 10, 2011.

A.7. Computer Applications Curriculum - Technological Literacy

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Computer Applications Curriculum - Technological Literacy, grade 8, dated December 2011.

A.8. Computer Science

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Computer Science, grades 3-5, dated December 2011.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Partial Payment of Bills - December 2011

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for December 2011 in the amount of $3,173,259.20

B.2. School Alliance Insurance Fund Commissioner

RESOLVED, the Board of Education appoints Patricia Leonhardt as the School Alliance Insurance Fund Commissioner, and

Be it Further Resolved that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the following:

a) Patricia Leonhardt, Fund Commissioner

b) School Alliance Insurance Fund

B.3. NJQSAC District Performance Review - 2011-2012

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the NJQSAC District Performance Review (DPR) for the school year 2011-2012.

B.4. NJQSAC Statement of Assurance - 2011-2012

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the NJQSAC Statement of Assurance (SOA) for the school year 2011-2012.

B.5. Camp Invention 2012

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the agreement for the use of Woodland School for Camp Invention scheduled for the week of August 6, 2012 through August 10, 2012.

B.6. Increasing Bid Threshold and Appointment of a Qualified Purchasing Agent

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

WHEREAS, the recent changes to the Public School contracts Law gave boards of education the ability to increase their bid threshold up to $36,000; and

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-3a permits an increase in the bid threshold if a Qualified Purchasing Agent is appointed as well as granted the authorization to negotiate and award such contracts below the bid threshold; and

WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq. establishes the criteria for qualifying as Qualified Purchasing Agent; and

WHEREAS, Patricia Leonhardt possesses the designation of Qualified Purchasing Agent as issued by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:34-5 et seq.; and

WHEREAS Warren Township Board of Education desires to increase the bid threshold as provided in N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-3a; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the governing body of the Warren Township Board of Education, in the County of Somerset, in the State of New Jersey hereby increases its bid threshold to $36,000, and be if further

RESOLVED, that the governing body hereby appoints Patricia Leonhardt as the Qualified Purchasing Agent to exercise the duties of a purchasing agent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-2b, with specific relevance to the authority, responsibility, and accountability of the purchasing activity of the board of Education; and be it further

RESOLVED, that in accordance with N.J.A.C. 534-5.2 the Board of Education Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution and a copy of Patricia Leonhardt's certification to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services.

B.7. Agreement with the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council (MCCPC)

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

WHEREAS, the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council ("MCCPC") was created in 1974 to conduct a voluntary cooperative pricing system with municipalities, boards of educations, and other public bodies located in the County of Morris and adjoining counties; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the MCCPC is to provide substantial savings on various goods and services to its members through the cooperative public bidding process; and WHEREAS, Warren Township School District desires to enter into an Agreement with the MCCPC, which is administered by Randolph Township as Lead Agency to renew its membership in the MCCPC for the period of October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2016.

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Warren Township School District, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey as follows:

1. The Superintendent of Schools of the Warren Township School District hereby authorizes the execution of an Agreement with the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council by the Township of Randolph as Lead Agency dated October 1, 2011 pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5). Said Agreement is for renewal of membership in the MCCPC for a five (5) year period from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2016.

2. The Warren Township School District Business Administrator is hereby directed to submit a copy of this adopted Resolution, along with an executed Agreement, to Randolph Township as Lead Agency of the MCCPC.

3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon final passage according to law.

4. All appropriate Warren Township School District officials are authorized and directed to perform all required acts to affect the purpose of this Resolution.

B.8. Transportation for Out of District Students

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation for out of district students for the 2011-2012 school year as follows:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

MUJC 0121295 Douglass Developmental Center $13,794.82

SCESC 0120851 Cambridge School $13,642.20

B.9. 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:

Jan 2012

Mary DeNunzio, Central, Innovative Tech Projects $225
Dr. Tami Crader, Administration, Techspo $613
Faye Brady, Administration, Techspo $241
Scott Cook, Middle School, Techspo $243
Catherine Lazas, Middle School, Techspo $170
Mary Ellen Roberts, Administration, Techspo $576
Kathryn Didia, ALT, Techspo $243

Mar 2012

Alexis Sacks, Central, Strategies for Nurses $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.10. Quitclaim Deed between Warren Township BOE and Township of Warren

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes and approves of the President and Secretary executing a Quitclaim Deed from the Warren Township Board of Education to the Township of Warren conveying property described as Lot 2 Block 201 on the Tax Map of the Township of Warren, in the County of Somerset, New Jersey.

B.11. Joint Agreement between Somerset County Ed Services Commission and Warren Township Board of Education

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a joint agreement between Somerset County Ed Services Commission (SCESC) and the Warren Township Board of Education to enter into a Nonpublic School Nursing Services, dated July 1, 2011, for the 2011-2012 school year.

B.12. State of New Jersey Special Education Parent Survey Data Collection

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves participation in the State of New Jersey Special Education Parent Survey Data Collection and in contracting for compensation in the amount of $600 for allowable expenditures.

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

C.1. Reading Recovery Technical Support Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the use of the NYU Reading Recovery network for technical support for the following teachers listed throughout the 2011-2012 school year at a cost to the district of $3,200.00:

Nancy Braunstein, Denise Kennedy, Fran Perlman, MaryLou Psak.

C.2. Intern Occupational Therapist

Resolved, that the Board of Education approves Danielle Cataldo as an intern Occupational Therapist, effective January 11, 2012, for approximately two weeks, under the supervision of Alison Hales and Laurie Donovan.

C.3. Substitute Teachers

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

a) William Howard

b) Caitlin Nacamuli

c) Jenna Rizzo

C.4. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Carmella Motyczka to work an additional 32 hours total, for four Thursdays, beginning February 2, 2012 through February 23, 2012 at her hourly rate of $15.57 at a cost not to exceed $500.

C.5. Out of District Service Providers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the addition of the following out of district service providers:

a) Kid Therapy to provide related services at a cost of $108 per session for the 2011-2012 school at a cost not to exceed $2,700.

b) Springboard Therapy to provide related services at a per hour cost of $138 for the 2011-2012 school year at a cost not to exceed $3,450.

c) Linda Mealia to provide ABA services at a per hour cost of $70 for the 2011-2012 school year at a cost not to exceed $5,250.

C.6. After School Club Co-Advisor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Patricia LaMorte, Middle School, as after school club co-advisor of Games of Strategy Club, effective January 11, 2012 through June 30, 2012. (This position is being funded by Youth Services Commission.)

C.7. Educational Assessment Service Provider

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Joan Darkenwald to conduct up to four educational assessments beginning January 11, 2012 at a cost not to exceed $1,600.

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

None

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Burman questioned the number of club cancellations at the Middle School.

Dr. Crader spoke of the opportunity for a teacher to train at NASA, and the associated $3,500 fee. The board supported the opportunity and requested a follow up presentation to the board upon the teacher's return.