Minutes for March 27, 2012History 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 7:03 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, Kathy Helewa, Donald Huber, Gregory Przybylski, James Sena, and Mildred Spiller

Absent: Susan Burman arrived at 7:06 p.m.

John De Bellis

Roberta Monahan

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

IV. PRESENTATION

2012-2013 Budget Hearing

Dr. Crader provided an overview of the 2012-2013 budget to be voted on this evening by the board.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

March 12, 2012 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by a 5-0-1 roll call vote. (Mrs. Burman and Dr. Przybylski abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • HIB Information
    Dr. Crader reported on HIB information from February 14, 2012 through March 27, 2012 as follows:  
    HIB Information  
    Total # of Investigations: 1 Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: 0  


VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski welcomed new board of education member Kathy Helewa, congratulated the 7th and 8th grade mock trial team, and thanked sePTO for its generous donation, as well as Bedminister for the sewing machine donation. He wished Happy Holidays to all and a safe spring break.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader congratulated Mrs. O'Connor on her upcoming retirement and read words of appreciation from Mr. Kimmick.

Dr. Crader also discussed the results of the QSAC monitoring.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

N/A

X. DISCUSSION

Mr. Huber shared that all of his questions were answered prior to this evening's 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).

Mrs. Shanahan, Hillcrest Rd., asked questions about the negotiations process.

Mrs. Rozman, staff member, asked a question regarding negotiations.

Mrs. McAteer, Highmount Ave., asked questions regarding increasing the tax levy above 2% by presenting the budget to the voters in November.

Mrs. Freijomil, Christy Drive, asked about the financial effect of budget adjustments.

Mrs. Della Ventura, staff member, spoke of the teacher's value and the fact that they make our classrooms excellent.

Mrs. Shanahan, Hillcrest Rd., spoke of supporting the teachers request for a raise.

Mrs. MacGorman, resident of Mountainview Ave. and staff member, addressed the effect of this year on the teaching staff.

Mrs. Burman praised retiring teacher Mrs. O'Connor and commended her work with the students.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the consent agenda items A.1. - through C.6., were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

A. EDUCATION

A.1. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves one student (ID#1001206) to receive 10 hours per week of home instruction for a 60 day period beginning on or about March 15, 2012 at a total cost not to exceed $5,600.

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#620655) to attend Newmark School, effective March 28, 2012 through June 30, 2012 at a prorated cost not to exceed $14,772.

b) One student (ID#620620) to attend The Center School, effective April 16, 2012 through June 30, 2012 at a prorated cost not to exceed $12,753.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Payment of Bills - March 2012

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for March 2012 in the amount of $4,629,319.39

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 February 2012.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on February 29, 2012

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$9,072,895.89

$1,459,258.94

(11) Current Expense

$1,813,136.34

(12) Capital Outlay

$611,640.44

(13) Special Schools

$8,248.65

(18) Ed Jobs Fund

$0.00

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($76,259.29)

$37,148.83

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$618,996.65

$14,237.21

TOTAL

$9,615,633.25

$2,470,174.26

$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 February 2012

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:

11-000-213-600-03-00

Health Supplies - Central

11-000-213-100-00-01

Nurses - Substitutes

$1,000

11-000-217-600-08-00

Extraordinary Svcs. - Supplies

11-204-100-640-08-00

LLD Textbooks

$500

11-000-263-610-09-00

Grounds - Supplies

11-000-263-420-09-00

Grounds - Repair & Maintenance Services

$350

11-150-100-101-00-00

Home Instruction - Salaries

11-190-100-640-12-00

Textbooks - Series Replace.

$25,000

11-209-100-610-08-00

Behavior Dis. Class - Supplies

11-216-100-610-08-00

Preschool Dis. Class-Supplies

$300

12-000-400-390-03-02

Prof. Svcs. - CS Building Envelope Repairs

12-000-400-931-00-00

Capital Reserve Transfer

$28,000

12-120-100-730-03-00

Instructional Equipment - CS

11-000-262-621-04-00

Heat - Mt. Horeb

$10,000

Total Transfers

$65,150

B.4. Donation - Bedminster School District

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, the donation of four sewing machines from the Bedminster School District.

B.5. Donation - sePTO

RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, the donation of $2,750 from sePTO.

B.6. Transportation Contract for In District Student With SCESC

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with SCESC to transport one Warren student (SID#7925084276) to Hillcrest School in Morristown for a per diem cost of $152 plus an administration fee of 6% for 66 days, beginning March 14, 2012, at a total cost of $10,633.92.

B.7. Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Business Administrator and Architect to amend and submit to the State of New Jersey an updated Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP).

B.8. FINAL 2012-2013 Warren Township School Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the FINAL 2012-2013 Warren Township School Budget, as contain herein.

The proposed budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C Title 6 and 6A.

Final 2012-2013 Budget

Appropriations:

 

Revenue:

General Fund

Operating Budget

$38,772,416

State Aid: General Fund

$1,187,441

Capital Outlay

$73,700

Tax Levy: General Fund

$37,026,216

Capital Reserve

$1,338,000

Other Revenues

$369,533

Summer School

$176,950

Withdrawal from Capital Reserve:

$1,338,000

$40,361,066

Fund Balance

$439,876

$40,361,066

Special Revenue Appropriations

$420,316

Grants: Federal, State and Local

$420,316

Debt Service Fund

 

Principal

$780,000

Fund Balance

$14,237

Interest

$116,850

State Aid: Debt Service

$268,773

$896,850

Tax Levy: Debt Service

$613,840

Total Appropriations

$41,678,232

Total Revenues:

$41,678,232

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJA6A:23B-1.2(b), the proposed budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2012-2013 tentative budget includes a maximum travel appropriation of $100,000. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded.

The Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent to implement the 2012-2013 budget as hereby approved.

B.9. Woodland School Playground

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

WHEREAS, on March 20, 2012, the Board of Education received bids for the Woodland School Playground as follows:

Base Bid

ALT#1-Ball Wall

ALT #2-Fence

Base and No Fence

DeSapio Construction

$98,800.00

$10,500.00

$18,800.00

$98,800.00

Halecon, Inc

$81,945.00

$18,400.00

$17,939.00

$81,945.00

Rich Picerno Builders

$85,466.00

$18,210.00

$18,025.00

$85,466.00

Tec-Con Contractors

$92,428.00

$16,800.00

($19,172.00)

$73,256.00

And, it is the recommendation of both the Architect and the Board Attorney that the Base Bid without the fence should be awarded to Tec-Con Contractors since it is the lowest responsible

bidder,

RESOLVED, the Board of Education awards the contract for the Woodland School Playground to Tec-Con Contractors, East Orange, NJ.

B.10. Central School Multi-Purpose Room

WHEREAS, a recommendation was made by the Superintendent of Schools to the Warren Township Board of Education ("Board") to seek a contract for construction services for the Multi-Purpose Room Renovation at the Central School (hereinafter "Project"); and

WHEREAS, the Project was properly advertised to prospective bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-4; and

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 the Board received the following bids from potential bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:18A-1, et seq.;

Bid Amount

Apex Enterprises

$163,000.00

Catcord Construction Co.

$206,000.00

DeSapio Construction

$209,800.00

GPC, Inc.

$126,100.00

Hahr Construction

$137,000.00

Helios Construction

$187,000.00

Salazar & Associates

$190,000.00

TQM

$114,600.00

Tri-From Construction

$189,200.00

WHEREAS, the three lowest bids have been reviewed and have been determined to contain material non-waivable defects; and

WHEREAS, the remaining bidders exceed the Board's budget for the Project,

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby rejects the bids as unresponsive based on the fact that they exceed the Board's budget for the Project, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes the Project be rebid pursuant to New Jersey Public Contract Laws, N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et seq

B.11. Joint Agreements between Somerset County Educational Services Commission and Warren Township Board of Education

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves entering into the following joint agreements between Somerset County Educational Services Commission (SCESC) and the Warren Township Board of Education:

  • Nonpublic School Textbook Services agreement, dated July 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 School Year, no administrative fee charged;
  • Nonpublic School Nursing Services agreement, dated July 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 School Year, with an administrative fee of 6%;
  • Nonpublic Instructional Services Agreement, Chapters 192/193, dated July 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 School Year, with an administrative fee of 6%;
  • Nonpublic IDEA, dated July 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 School Year, with an administrative fee of 6%.

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

C.1. Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of Janice O'Connor, Media Specialist, Mt. Horeb, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 35 years of service to the children of Warren, effective June 30, 2012.

C.2. Home Instructor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Stephen Gregg as a home instructor for the 2011-2012 school year. Mr. Gregg is currently a substitute teacher in the district.

C.3. Substitute Teachers

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

a) Michelle Liebler

b) Alexa Nelson

c) Annette Glorious

C.4. Out of District Service Provider

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Levia Spingarn-Gable to provide two hours per week of ABA beginning March 28, 2012 for the remainder of the school year at a cost not to exceed $1,440.

C.5. Intern Occupational Therapist

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Lisa Granwehr as an intern Occupational Therapist, two days per week, beginning April 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012, under the supervision of Alison Hales.

C.6. Appointment of 2012 Summer Fun Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer Fun Staff dated March 27, 2012, effective June 25, 2012 through July 27, 2012 at the following hourly rates:

Teacher - $40

Nurse - $40

Guidance Counselor - $40

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

Dr. Crader discussed a short-term six-month extension of professional services to get the district in alignment with the new January reorganizational schedule. The board was in agreement.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

N/A

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Mrs. Shanahan, Hillcrest Rd. asked specific questions regarding budget lines.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 7:44 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,

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

and be it further

RESOLVED that action will be taken upon the return to the public session

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. Burman and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Allocco the board reconvened in open session at 8:22 p.m.

XVII. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller seconded by Mrs. Allocco, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt