Minutes for June 11, 2012History 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 7:04 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, Kathy Helewa, Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, Gregory Przybylski, and Mildred Spiller

Absent: Susan Burman

James Sena arrived 7:06 p.m.

Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, MaryGrace Suitovsky, Assistant School Business Administrator, members of public, and press

IV. PRESENTATION

Mr. Sena arrived at this point in the meeting (7:06 p.m.).

  • 2011-2012 Excellence in Education Award Recipients
    Dr. Przybylski presented awards to each recipient after words of praise for their accomplishments were read by each principal.  

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Spiller moved the following:

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

May 21, 2012 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by an 8-0 roll call vote.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • HIB Information

Dr. Crader reported on HIB information from May 21, 2012 through June 11, 2012 as follows:

Total # of Investigations:

0

  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

0

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski indicated that the board had received the Fact Finder's report that day and that the board would go into executive session, with a 15 minute limit, in order to discuss the results of the report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 7:25 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 WTEA negotiations, Action will be taken upon return to public session;

The length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 15 minutes; and be it

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

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Allocco and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Allocco the board reconvened in open session at 7:40 p.m.

Dr. Przybylski commented to the public on the results of the Fact Finder's report. He stated that the board felt that the Fact Finder was fair and that the board was prepared to accept the report and present a contract based on the Fact Finder's report.

VII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader discussed the changes to the tenure reform law.

Dr. Crader also discussed the SEED program and presented a writing sample from a student in the program.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

X. DISCUSSION

The board discussed board committee appointments and the pros and cons of new vs. current appointments.

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).

WTEA President, Fran Blabolil, stated that the negotiations team met to discuss the Fact Finder's report and have agreed to accept the findings. She thanked all the WTEA members.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Allocco, the consent agenda items A.1. through C.12. were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. EDUCATION

A.1. Out of District Placement

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the out of district placement for student (ID #620367) to attend Developmental Learning Center-Warren as follows:

a) Remainder of the school year beginning June 4, 2012 through June 26, 2012 at a cost not to exceed $5,365.

b) Extended school year from June 27, 2012 through August 8, 2012 at a cost not to exceed $13,435.

c) For the 2012-2013 school year at a cost not to exceed $81,971.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Partial Payment of Bills - June 2012

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for June 2012 in the amount of $1,598,987.72

B.2. Modification of B9 and B10 from May 21, 2012 Meeting

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the modification of motions B9 and B10 from the meeting on May 21, 2012, changing the name of the vendor from Sussex County Educational Services Commission (ESC) to Sussex County Regional Cooperative.

B.3. Tuition Contracts with Watchung Regional High School

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves tuition contracts for two Watchung Hills Regional High School students to attend the 2012 Warren Township Summer Fun/ESY program as follows:

a) Student 3001194 - $2,823.97 - July cost only

b) Student 4001217 - $4,867.49 - July cost only

B.4. District Wide Wireless System-Office Solutions Inc.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the purchase of an increased capacity district-wide wireless system, at a cost not to exceed $85,000, including installation. This system will be purchased from Office Solutions, Inc. and is purchased through WSCA Contract 73891.

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

C.1. Appointment of Interim Director of Special Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Dr. Theodore Kozlik as Interim Director of Special Services, effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, for a maximum of 230 days, at a per diem rate of $600, not to exceed $138,000, and with no benefits.

C.2. 2012-2013 Staffing Assignments

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of 2012-2013 Special Education Outside Evaluators as per the attached list dated May 31, 2012.

C.3. 2012-2013 Certified Staff Home Instructors

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves all certified personnel to be appointed as home instructors for the 2012-2013 school year at the contractual WTEA hourly rate.

C.4. 2012-2013 Substitute Home Instructors

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following substitutes to be appointed as home instructors for the 2012-2013 school year:

a) Amita Ravinder

b) Susan Cornet

c) Stephen Gregg

C.5. Employment for the 2012-2013 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 2012-2013 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) Lisa Scherzer, Grade 4 Teacher, Central School, BA Step 3-4 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2012-2013 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

b) Jennifer SanAntonio, Grade 4 Teacher, Central School, BA+15 Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2012-2013 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

c) Kathy O'Brien, SEED Paraprofessional, ALT, Step 1-2 of the 2009-2010 salary guide (2012-2013 step will be determined once collective bargaining is concluded) plus a stipend for teaching certificate, effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

C.6. Related Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Melissa Fedosh, Occupational Therapist, to shadow Alison Hales, effective on or about June 12, 2012 through June 15, 2012, at no compensation.

C.7. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Long-Term Substitute Teacher for Sanjita Livingston, from September 1, 2012 through on or about November 30, 2012:

a) Kristen Niedhammer

C.8. Summer Fun Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following 2012 Summer Fun staff:

a) Amal Abraham, Aide, $12 per hour.

C.9. Substitute Summer Bus Driver

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves John Hunte as a 2012 summer bus driver at a rate of $18.78 per hour.

C.10. Resignations

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

a) Alice Morgan, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, for the purpose of retirement, with regret and appreciation for the 7 years of service to the children of Warren, effective June 30, 2012.

b) Marilyn Goldstein, ESL Teacher, ALT, for the purpose of retirement, with regret and appreciation for the 19 years of service to the children of Warren, effective June 30, 2012.

C.11. Change of Assignment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a change of location for Michael Cain starting July 1, 2012. He will move to Night Custodian, Middle School (replacing Philip Shimko) from his current position of Night Custodian, ALT, with no change to approved salary.

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

Dr. Crader discussed emails she had received from parents regarding the start of summer camp and the end of the 2013/2014 school year. The decision was made that the calendar would remain the same.

Dr. Crader relayed to the board the status of the wrestling building and the fact that the Township has not yet filed the deed.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

None

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Carolyn McCloskey, WTEA representative, asked that the WTEA members in attendance remain after the meeting.

Philip Jones, 3rd grade teacher, asked a question regarding the length of the contract.

Stacey McAteer, resident & staff member, thanked all the Board and WTEA members for accepting the Fact Finder's report.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

See earlier in the meeting

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 WTEA negotiations, Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

The length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 20 minutes; and be it

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

XVII. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller seconded by Mr. DeBellis the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

MaryGrace Suitovsky

Assistant Business Administrator