Minutes for July 16, 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 7:01 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: Susan Burman, John De Bellis, Kathy Helewa, Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, Gregory Przybylski, and Mildred Spiller

Absent: Tia Allocco arrived at 7:03 p.m.

James Sena arrived at 7:03 p.m.

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:

June 25, 2012 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by a 7-0 roll call vote.

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

Dr. Crader reported on two pieces of correspondence received regarding nutrition in the schools.

Mrs. Allocco and Mr. Sena arrived at this point in the meeting. (7:03 p.m.).

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski thanked the Mt. Horeb PTO for the portable sound system. He also expressed his wishes that all were enjoying their summer.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader reported on pending legislation regarding texting during BOE meetings and the taping of meetings. Additionally Dr. Crader discussed NAEP testing results.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mrs. Spiller reported on the recent Curriculum Committee meeting.

Mrs. Monahan discussed the Conduct/Discipline Policy as well as the local Wellness/Nutrition Policy and Regulation. The board discussed at length the practical application of the nutrition policy in our schools. It was determined that the nurses would be a good resource for data regarding food in the schools. Both the nurses and PTOs will be requested to provide data for the board's review.

Resident and nutritionist Kathy Seigel shared her concerns regarding the available choices and possible lack of conformity among the schools.

X. DISCUSSION

Change of date for the September 17, 2012 Board Meeting

The board discussed moving the September 17th BOE meeting to September 24th. All concurred and the date will be changed.

Dr. Crader distributed a tentative list of topics for upcoming BOE meetings.

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, Christie Drive, discussed her concern with the application of the nutrition guidelines to Food Days.

Leslie Duncan, Snyder Rd., spoke of the efforts being made to implement healthier Food Day choices.

Stacy Mc Ateer, Highmount Ave., discussed her frustration with uneven district-wide implementation of the standards.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mr. Huber asked to discuss B.8., B.9., and B.10., asking some questions.

Mrs. Burman discussed B.6.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman, the consent agenda items A.1. through

C.1., C.2. as amended, and C.3. through D.2. were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

A. EDUCATION

A.1. Out of District Placements

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

a) One student (ID#620421) to attend New Beginnings for ESY beginning July 9, 2012 at a cost not to exceed $8,857.

b) One student (ID#620421) to attend New Beginnings for the 2012-2013 school year at a cost not to exceed $53,138.

c) One student (ID#620626) to attend Hillcrest School for the 2012-2013

school year at a cost not to exceed $51,852.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Payment of Bills - June 2012

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills for June 2012 in the amount of $639,806.57.

B.2. Payment of Bills - July 2012

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for July 2012 in the amount of $1,382,527.10.

B.3. Tuition Contract with Watchung Regional High School

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revision of the tuition contract for one Watchung Hills Regional High School student (#4001217) to attend the 2012 Warren Township Summer Fun/ESY program from $4,867.49 to $5,211.49 (July only) to reflect increased related services.

B.4. Special Education Autism Program 2012-2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves MUJC to provide the expertise, partial staffing and program needs for an in-district primary autism class, at a cost not to exceed $142,500.

B.5. Behaviorist Services through MUJC 2012-2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with MUJC to provide Behavioral Intervention Services for two (2) half day sessions per week, at a cost of $25,466.71.

B.6. 2012-2013 School Year Tuition Agreement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2012-2013 tuition agreement dated July 10, 2012 for the following tuition in students at the annual tuition rate of $13,057. Parents will transport each student.

a) One student from Watchung (ID# 621185).

b) One student from Green Brook (ID#620915).

B.7. Alternate Conformance - Kindergarten Bathroom Facilities, SY 2012-13

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the use of the alternate method of bathroom facilities compliance at Woodland School (Classroom 4) in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:26-6.3 (h) 4ii, by providing toilet rooms outside the classroom in lieu of individual toilet rooms in each classroom. A minimum of two students are sent at the same time to the bathroom facilities.

B.8. Renewal of Membership in New Jersey School Boards Insurance Group

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes participation by the district in the New Jersey School Boards Insurance Group, per the attached Resolution for Renewal of Membership and Indemnity and Trust Renewal Agreement.

B.9. Renewal of Membership in School Alliance Insurance Fund

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes participation by the district in the School Alliance Insurance Fund, per the attached Resolution for Renewal of Membership and Indemnity and Trust Renewal Agreement.

B.10. Dealaman Bus Services Contract Renewal for 2012-2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the renewal of the eleven (11) transportation contracts for the 2012-2013 school year with Dealaman Bus Services of Warren, NJ. All are being renewed in accordance with the State of New Jersey's CPI of 1.89%. The details are as follows:

Multi contract #

Renewal #

2012-2013

1

18

271,559.52

2

14

110,871.32

4

1

32,197.24

5

14

179,057.72

6

13

40,055.77

7

12

67,633.30

8

4

159,178.81

9

10

54,287.93

10

9

26,971.71

11

8

52,140.39

12

7

45,918.23

 

 

 

Total

 

1,039,871.94

B.11. 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 2012

  • Rebecca Black, Central School

Art Educators of NJ Conference, New Brunswick mce_markernbsp; 150

  • Sherri DeShields, Central School

Transform Lit & Ed, Somerset mce_markernbsp; 200

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.12. PTO Donation - Mt. Horeb School

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, the donation of approximately $1,000, from the Mt. Horeb PTO, to be used to purchase a portable sound system.

B.13. Transportation - Parental Contracts

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves parental transportation contracts, to include summer school transportation, for the 2012-2013 school year:

a) One student (ID#121121) to the Somerset Hills Learning Institute (ESY and regular school year) in the amount of $4,942.08, calculated per current IRS mileage rates.

b) One student (ID#120992) to the Somerset Hills Learning Institute (ESY and regular school year) in the amount of $5,994.56, calculated per current IRS mileage rates.

c) One student (ID#621049) to the P.G. Chambers School (ESY and regular school year) in the amount of $9,847.86, calculated per current IRS mileage rates.

B.14. Transportation for Out of District Students - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation for out of district students for the Summer 2012 ESY as follows:

Contractor Student ID School Cost

SCESC #120851 Cambridge School $1,903.23

Sussex Cty Reg Coop #620750 Reed Academy $3,244.80

B.15. Joint Transportation Agreement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes a Joint Transportation Agreement between Sussex County Regional Cooperative and the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2012-2013 School Year, with an administrative fee of 4%.

B.16. Transportation Contract for Out of District Students - WHRHS - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Watchung Hills Regional High School for the transportation of their students for the Summer 2012 ESY as follows:

Contractor

District

Route

School

Cost

Warren

WHRHS

W-150S

ALT/SF

801.80

Warren

WHRHS

W-137S

DLC

1,094.40

Warren

WHRHS

W-145S

Class Trips

1,753.38

Warren

WHRHS

W-138S

WHRHS

2,313.00

Warren

WHRHS

W143S

WHRHS

2,755.80

B.17. Transportation Contract for Out of District Students - Berkeley Heights - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Berkeley Heights School District for the transportation of their student for the Summer 2012 ESY as follows:

Contractor

District

Route

School

Cost

Warren

Berkeley Heights

W-137S

DLC

1,094.40

B.18. Transportation Contract for Out of District Students - Watchung Borough - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Watchung Borough School District for the transportation of their students for the Summer 2012 ESY as follows:

Contractor

District

Route

School

Cost

Warren

Watchung Borough

W-137S

DLC

1,094.40

Warren

Watchung Borough

W-147S

Wm. Annin

1,281.20

 

C. PERSONNEL/STUDENT SERVICES

C.1. 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 employee (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) Rebecca DeMarco, Kindergarten Teacher, Central School, BA, Step 1-3 of the 2012-2013 salary guide, $53,925, effective September 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. (She is replacing Ms. Roth who retired.)

C.2. Summer Curriculum Work

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer 2012 Curriculum positions dated July 12, 2012 as per the 2011-2014 WTEA negotiated agreement.

C.3. Summer Fun Staff

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

a) Peter Kassalow, Aide, $15 per hour.

b) Philip Jones, Sub Teacher, $17 per hour.

C.4. Middle School Stipend Positions 2012-2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following stipend positions for the 2012-2013 school year as per the 2011-2014 WTEA negotiated agreement.

a) Middle School - Lunchroom Supervisors:

Grade 6 - Barbara LaSaracina, Brenda Sasso,

Debra Granrath, John Seremula

Grade 7 - David Arnold, Sean Convery (2), O'Brien Speckin

Grade 8 - Joel VanTine, Kurt Reck (2), Robert Hartshorn

b) Middle School - Team Leaders:

Grade 6 - Barbara LaSaracina

Grade 7 - Dan Ticchio

Grade 8 - Lynn Degen

Unified Arts - Diane Burak

C.5. Contracted Services 2012-2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached revised lists for contracted services for both the Summer 2012 ESY program as well as the 2012-2013 school year. Changes are in bold.

C.6. Resolved, the board of Education upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, approves a one-time non-pensionable payment of $1,200 to all members of the Warren Township Administrators Association who are employed as of July 1, 2012.

C.7. Resolved, the board of Education approves the revised list of non WTEA employee assignment and salaries for the 2012-2013 school year dated July 11, 2012.

D. POLICY

D.1. Policies - Second Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second and final reading of the following policies:

a) 3326 - Payment for Goods and Services

b) 4111.1 - Nondiscrimination/Affirmative Action

c) 4121 - Substitute Teachers

d) 5113 - Absences and Excuses

e) 5141.3 - Health Examinations and Immunizations

f) 5145.4 - Equal Opportunity Employer

g) 6010 - Goals and Objectives

D.2 Policies - First Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following policies:

a) 3542.1 - Nutrition

b) 3542.1reg - Nutrition

c) 5131 - Conduct/Discipline

 

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

None

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Monahan asked to discuss correspondence regarding grading.

Dr. Przybylski mentioned an article in the Star Ledger regarding grant monies to replace T12 bulbs. This will be investigated.

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Stacy Mc Ateer, Highmount Ave., questioned the process regarding food the nurses have denied for certain students. Also discussed was district policy regarding cheating and parental notification.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

At 8:46 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 material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy;

Action may be taken upon return to public session;

The length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 15 minutes; 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. Burman, the board reconvened in open session at 8:59 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Spiller, seconded by Mrs. Burman and approved on a 9-0 roll call vote, the board approved agenda items C.6. and C.7.

XVII. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller seconded by Mrs. Burman the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt