Warren Township Schools: Minutes for November 12, 2012

Minutes for November 12, 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 7:04 p.m. by the Board President, Dr. Przybylski.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Dr. Przybylski read the following Statement:

Re: Chapter 231 P.L. 1975: "The adequate notice of this regular meeting as required by the open public meetings act was provided by the posting, mailing/delivery, and filing of this notice on March 2, 2012. This notice was on that date posted on the bulletin board in the Township Office, mailed to the Courier News and the Echoes Sentinel, and filed with the Township Clerk of the Township of Warren, all in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act."

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, and Mildred Spiller

Absent: John De Bellis arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Susan Burman arrived at 8:34 p.m.

Roberta Monahan

James Sena

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:

October 15, 2012 public and private session

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by a 5-0 roll call vote

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

HIB Information

Dr. Crader reported on HIB information from October 15, 2012 through November 12, 2012 as follows:

HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:			Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:
	2			0

Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
October 11	October 15	October 17	October 26	October 12

Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 26

Lockdown

October 23

Lockdown

October 24

Lockdown

October 18

Lockdown

October 19

Lockdown

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Przybylski thanked the community for their patience and fortitude during the two recent

weather events. Sympathy was expressed for those who experienced loss. Dr. Crader and

administrators were commended for the handling of the situation. Teachers were thanked for

their help with the warming station.

Best wishes were sent to Mrs. Monahan as she recovers.

Woodland and ALT PTOs were thanked for their donations.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader thanked all for their assistance during the recent weather events. Tyler Tribelhorn was thanked for his extraordinary service and Lance Riegler for his technological assistance.

Mr. De Bellis arrived at this point in the evening (7:10 p.m.).

Update on Teacher Evaluation System

Dr. Crader discussed the status of the process.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mrs. Spiller reported on the School Law Forum she attended at the NJSBA workshop. Mrs. Helewa spoke of attending Commissioner Cerf's presentation.

X. DISCUSSION

Dr. Crader discussed the schedule for the make-up days.

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).

John Micheller, 35 Ferguson Rd. asked a question concerning make-up days.

Joanie Scheiner, Hazelwood Ct., asked a question regarding the last day of school for the year.

Susan Leonard, staff member, thanked the board for considering the staff when establishing make up days.

Stacey McAteer, Highmount Ave., asked about the possibility of the governor waiving the 180 day requirement.

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Multiple board members requested a discussion of items A.2., B.3., and C.2.b.

The board discussed some of the differences in Nursing Plan protocol among schools (A.2.).

Certain budget transfers were discussed (B.3.).

The school bus mechanic position was discussed and it was determined to gather more data and continue the conversation with the Personnel Committee.

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

C.2.a. & c., and C.3. through C.8. were approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote.

A. EDUCATION

A.1. Professional Service Providers - Update

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the addition of the Cambridge School, Pennington, NJ to the list of Professional Service Providers approved September 24, 2012 to provide OT services and Speech services at a cost of $140 each per 45 minute session.

A.2. Nursing Services Plan

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Nursing Services Plan for the 2012-2013 school year dated October 22, 2012.

B. FINANCE/OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of October 2012 in the amount of $3,821,133.96.

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 September 2012.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on September 30, 2012


FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$7,519,781.28		$1,573,466.18
(11) Current Expense		$4,539,820.48
(12) Capital Outlay		$1,080,578.85
(13) Special Schools		$1,675.38
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($125,538.65)	$24,179.53
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$0.00		$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$587,329.04	$0.00	$84.65
TOTAL	$7,981,571.67	$5,646,254.24	$1,573,550.83

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 September 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:
11-000-213-500-11-02	Health Services - Other Purchased Services	11-000-213-100-00-02	Substitutes - Nurses	$500
11-000-217-320-08-00	Extraordinary Services - Purchased Prof. Services	11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition - Other LEAs (Regular SY)	$40,000
11-000-222-500-11-02	Library - Other Purchases Services	11-000-222-500-11-01	Other Purchased Services - Internet	$10,000
11-000-222-600-06-10	Library Supplies - Woodland	11-190-100-640-06-00	Textbooks - Woodland	$2,050
11-000-223-600-12-00	Staff Training Supplies	11-000-221-600-12-00	Curriculum Supplies	$1,000
11-000-230-339-01-00	Administration - Purchased Professional Services	11-000-230-890-01-01	Dues & Memberships - Superintendent	$18,000
11-000-230-334-01-00	Architect & Engineering Services	12-000-400-390-04-03	Prof. Svcs. - MH & WD Toilet Renovations	$30,500
11-000-230-334-01-00	Architect & Engineering Services	12-000-400-390-07-50	Professional Services - MS Fire	$70
11-105-100-101-00-00	Preschool Teachers - Salaries	11-110-100-101-00-01	Kindergarten Teacher - Salaries	$370
11-190-100-610-07-50	Instructional Supplies - MS Fire	11-190-100-610-07-10	Instructional Supplies - Middle	$6,000
11-204-100-500-11-02	LLD - Other Purchased Services	11-204-100-640-08-00	LLD Textbooks	$150
	GRAND TOTAL			$108,640

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 RESOVED, 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:

December 2012

Jordan DeGroat, MS, Bullying, Teasing and Taunting, Parsippany $190

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. PTO Donation - Woodland School

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, the donation of materials (valued at approximately $700) and labor, from the Woodland PTO, for the construction of a Gaga Pit.

B.6. PTO Donation - Angelo L. Tomaso School

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation of $1,139 from the ALT School PTO, for the purchase of two ELMO document cameras.

B.7. Transportation for Out of District Student - SCESC

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation for an out of district student with the Somerset County Educational Services Commission commencing on November 5, 2012. The student's primary transportation is provided by the Morris-Union Jointure Commission but additional transportation services are required for Monday afternoons at a per diem rate of $166.42 including an administrative fee.

Contractor Student ID# School Cost______

SCESC 620421 New Beginnings $4,659.76

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 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) Diane Lindsley, Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, increase from 30 hours to 35 hours, Step 1 of the 2012-2013 salary guide, $19,530, plus a stipend of $1,800 for her teaching certificate, effective October 29, 2012 through June 30, 2013. (Increase due to IEP transportation requirements.)

b) Moses Bobadilla, Bus Monitor/Driver/Mechanic, at an annual salary of $26,868, reflecting a new daily schedule of 1 hour as monitor, 1 hour as driver and 4 hours as mechanic, effective November 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

c.) Cynthia McCabe, Transportation Monitor, MHS, effective November 14, 2012

through June 30, 2013, four and a half hours per day, $15 per hour, for an amount not to exceed $9,788.

C.2. Employment for the 2012-2013 School Year

RESOLVED, upon recommendation from the Superintendent that the Board of Education approves 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."

c.) Cynthia McCabe, Transportation Monitor, MHS, effective November

14, 2012 through June 30, 2013, four and a half hours per day, $15

per hour, for an amount not to exceed $9,788.

C.3. Substitute Teachers

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

a) Damiana Degioia

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement/resignations of the following staff:

a) Elise Tanner, District Software Support Specialist, as of a revised effective resignation date, changed from October 31, 2012 to November 15, 2012.

C.5. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a) Employee #1109 for family leave under FMLA (paid with benefits) from February 4, 2013 to on or about March 5, 2013 and (unpaid with benefits) from on or about March 6, 2013 to on or about April 5, 2013 and under NJFLA (unpaid without benefits) from on or about April 8, 2013 to on or about June 5, 2013, returning June 6, 2013.

b) Employee #1752 for family leave from January 2, 2013 to on or about February 15, 2013 (paid with benefits) and child rearing leave from on or about February 21, 2013 through June 25, 2013 (unpaid without benefits).

C.6. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2012-2013 salary guide:

a) MaryBeth Greco, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, retroactive to October 1, 2012.

C.7. Additional Pay

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an additional 6 hours of pay, at an hourly rate of $30.49 for a total of $182.96, for former Transportation Supervisor Diana Raucci for her processing of the DRTRS on behalf of the district.

C.8. Make Up Days

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an adjustment to the 2012-2013 calendar whereby the first four make up days will now be

January 21, 2013

February 14, 2013

February 15, 2013

April 1, 2013

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

The Strategic Plan was discussed. The community Input Session has been rescheduled for December 12^th and the Steering Committee is meeting January 3^rd.

The Bring Your Own Devise project was discussed.

The district's response to the weather emergency was discussed. All agreed that the communication was very well handled. It was suggested that the volunteerism of the teachers at the warming station be publicized.

Mrs. Burman arrived at this point in the meeting (8:34 p.m.).

NJASK scores were discussed; a presentation will be assembled for the BOE.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Helewa discussed the options for donating to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Mrs. Helewa also discussed her upcoming attendance at the Delegate Assembly, and the two resolutions currently scheduled for a vote.

The potential use of an air card was discussed.

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Susan Leonard, staff member, asked about the Gaga pit.

John Micheller, Ferguson Rd., asked about the 21^st Century Learner process.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

None

XVII. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Mrs. Spiller seconded by Mrs. Helewa, the meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.