Minutes for January 21, 2013History 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 Board President Mildred Spiller.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT - Mrs. Spiller 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 January 8, 2013. 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 - Mrs. Spiller led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

Present: Tia Allocco, Donald Huber, John De Bellis, Desiree DeNourie, Kathy Helewa, James Sena, Greg Steier, and Mildred Spiller

Absent: Roberta Monahan

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

IV. PRESENTATION

  • 2013-14 Proposed Budget Presentation - Part II
    Mrs. Leonhardt provided the second of four scheduled budgeting presentations. 

V. MINUTES

Mr. Huber moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the January 7, 2013 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by a 7-0-1 roll call vote (Mr. De Bellis abstained).

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

  • HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 3

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 2




VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Spiller read the District's Mission Statement. Additionally Mrs. Spiller thanked the Woodland School PTO and Youth Services for their donations.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

In recognition of Board Appreciation Month, Dr. Crader thanked the board, on behalf of both she and Mrs. Leonhardt, for their valued service. Dr. Crader reported on the status of the Strategic Plan and on the upcoming meeting. Also discussed was WHRHS' request to join in an anti-bullying show of support on March 8th.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

In Mrs. Monahan's absence, Mrs. Helewa reported on the Policy/Legislative Committee meeting, reviewing the policies on this evening's agenda. In addition, she reported on her attendance at NJSBA's Security Workshop. Dr. Crader provided further clarification regarding the meeting she and Mrs. Monahan attended with PTO leadership regarding the implementation of the Local Wellness Nutrition Policy.

X. DISCUSSION

NONE

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 Frejiomil, Christie Dr., asked a question concerning district policy regarding Facebook, and discussed the Nutrition policy's effect on birthday celebrations.

XVI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Item B.8. was modified and B.5. was tabled for further discussion.

Mrs. Allocco opened a discussion regarding item D.2.A.

Mr. Huber discussed regulations 4119.23/4219.23, which resulted in the tabling of D.2.C.

Mrs. Spiller discussed the wording of policy 3327.

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding Professional Development.

On a motion by Mr. Huber, seconded by Mrs. Helewa, the consent agenda items A.1 through A.3., B.1 through B.4., B.6. through B.8., C.1 through C.9, and D.1 through D.2. (a., b. and d. only - c. tabled) were approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. HIB Report

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the HIB Report submitted by the Superintendent for the period ending on January 16, 2013.

A.2. Summer Fun Program

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2013-2014 Summer Fun Program to begin on Monday, July 1, 2013 through Friday, August 2, 2013. The program will not be in session on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

A.3. Extended School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Extended School Year to begin on Monday, July 1, 2013 through Friday, August 9, 2013 . The program will not be in session on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of January 2013 in the amount of $2,242,487.61.

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 December, 2012.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on December 31, 2012

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$8,211,013.38

$1,573,466.18

(11) Current Expense

$3,682,546.16

(12) Capital Outlay

$1,111,334.73

(13) Special Schools

$1,675.38

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($254,382.66)

$25,003.65

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$587,329.04

$0.00

$84.65

TOTAL

$8,543,959.76

$4,820,559.92

$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 December 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

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

$80

11-000-213-600-04-00

Health Supplies - Mt. Horeb

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

$80

11-000-213-600-05-00

Health Supplies - ALT

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

$80

11-000-213-600-06-00

Health Supplies - Woodland

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

$80

11-000-213-600-07-00

Health Supplies - Middle

11-000-213-100-00-04

Stipends - First Aid & CPR

$80

11-000-217-106-00-02

Salaries - Extraordinary Paras

11-110-100-101-00-01

Kindergarten Teacher - Salaries

$23,500

11-000-223-500-11-02

Prof. Development - Software

11-000-222-800-11-02

Dues & Memberships

$150

11-000-223-580-07-00

Workshops & Travel - Middle

11-230-100-600-07-00

Basic Skills - Middle School

$500

11-000-223-600-12-00

Staff Training Supplies

11-000-221-600-12-00

Curriculum Supplies

$1,000

11-000-240-103-00-00

Salaries - Principals/Dean/Directors

11-000-219-104-00-00

Salaries - Child Study Team

$10,000

11-000-240-105-00-00

Salaries - School Secretaries

11-000-219-104-00-00

Salaries - Child Study Team

$2,100

11-000-251-600-01-00

Business Office Supplies

11-000-221-176-00-00

Salaries - Literacy Coach

$3,000

11-000-252-330-11-01

Technology - Professional Services

11-000-222-500-11-01

Other Purchased Services - Internet

$13,300

11-000-261-610-09-03

Maintenance Supplies - Central

11-000-262-100-09-16

Summer Maintenance Workers

$10,000

11-000-261-610-09-06

Maintenance Supplies - Woodland

11-000-262-100-09-00

Salaries - Custodians

$5,000

11-000-270-161-10-00

Salaries - Special Ed Transportation

11-000-270-161-10-02

Substitute Special Ed Transportation

$13,000

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contracted Special Ed Transp. - ESC

11-000-270-515-10-00

Contracted Special Ed Transp. - Jointure

$3,000

11-204-100-106-00-00

Salaries - LLD Aides

11-214-100-106-00-00

Autism Aides - Salaries

$9,000

11-213-100-106-00-00

Salaries - RC Aides

11-214-100-106-00-00

Autism Aides - Salaries

$800

GRAND TOTAL

$94,750

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:

February 2013

 

  • Alexis Sacks, CS, CPR Instructor Course, Metuchen $199
  • Joel Van Tine, MS, NJ Music Educators Assoc Conf, E. Brunswick $154
  • John Seremula, MS, NJ Music Educators Assoc Conf, E. Brunswick $160
  • Diane McCloskey, MS, NJ Music Ed Assoc Conf, E. Brunswick $150

March 2013

  • Colleen Krumm, WS, CCSS & Curriculum Mapping, Union $199
  • Marianne Larson, CS, CCSS & Curriculum Mapping, Union $199

April 2013

  • Marianne Larson, CS, Conference on Reading and Writing, Somerset $175

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. 2013-14 Budget Goals

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education establishes the following as its goals for the 2013-14 budget:

1. Creation of the budget using zero-based budgeting

2. Support of additional curriculum personnel to meet state mandates in curriculum, evaluation and assessment

3. Support of additional data management personnel to meet state mandates regarding student achievement tracking

4. Support of additional technology personnel to support increased technology needs of the district's students

5. Support of developing an in-house program for students with autism

B.6. Waiver of Requirements - Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) program

RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education approves the Waiver of Requirements Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) Program: WHEREAS, NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district's participation in the Special Education Medicare Initiative (SEMI) Program for the 2013-2014, and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that it has fewer than 40 Medicaid eligible classified students.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in Somerset County the appropriate waiver of the requirementsof NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 for the 2013-2014 school year.

B.7. Donations - Warren Township Youth Services Commission

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a $2,500 donation from the Warren Township Youth Services Commission, $1,000 of which is to be utilized for the Girls on the Run program, with the remaining $1,500 to be used for Project Adventure.

B.8. Donation - Woodland School PTO

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation of approximately $2,520 for the purchase of three iPads and cases, and four iPods from the Woodland School PTO.

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. Jeffrey Sutherland, Long Term Substitute, Central School, $150 per diem, effective February 18, 2013 to on or about March 29, 2013. (He is currently an approved Substitute.)

b. Transfer of Jason Sandt, Head Night Custodian, Middle School, to Night Custodian, Woodland School, effective January 15, 2013 to June 30, 2013, at a salary of $36,928 (to be pro-rated).

c. Transfer of Antonio Alberto, Head Night Custodian, Woodland School, to Head Night Custodian, Middle School, effective January 15, 2013 until on or about February 15, 2013 at a salary of $38,502 (to be prorated).

d. Transfer of Michael Cain, Night Custodian, Woodland School, to Head Night Custodian, Woodland School, effective January 15, 2013 until on or about February 15, 2013 at a salary of $32,771 (to be prorated).

C.2. Substitute Teachers

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

a. Lesley Duncan

C.3. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #0470 for leave (paid with benefits) under FMLA from February 18,

2013 to on or about March 29, 2013, with an anticipated return date of April

1, 2013.

C.4. Movement on the Guide

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

a. JoAnn Blatchford, with congratulations, for movement from MA+15 to

MA+30, retroactive to January 1, 2013.

b. Cathlin Sweeney, with congratulations, for movement from MA+15 to

MA+30, retroactive to January 1, 2013.

C.5. Summer Fun Nurse

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Alexis Sacks, Nurse, Central School, as the 2013-2014 Summer Fun Nurse, at an hourly rate of $40, beginning July 1, 2013 through August 9, 2013, for a cost not to exceed $4,640.

C.6. Summer Fun Secretary

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Eileen Haddican, Multi Duty Paraprofessional, Middle School, as the 2013-2014 Summer Fun Secretary, at a salary of $4,630.

C.7. Substitute Nurse Rate

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an increase in the per diem rate for substitute nurses, from $125 per day to $150 per day, effective February 1, 2013.

C.8. Reading Recovery Technical Support Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the use of the NYU Reading Recovery network for technical support throughout the 2012-2013 school year, at a cost to the district of $3,200, for the following teachers:

a. Nancy Braunstein,

b. Denise Kennedy

c. Fran Perlman

d. MaryLou Psak

C.9. Extended Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extended hours of 1.5 per week, for William Kielblock, to accompany Student #120747, to an after school club for 4 weeks, beginning January 22, 2013, at a cost not to exceed $115.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies - Second Reading

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

a. 6172 Alternative Educational Programs

b. 3515.1 Personal Communication Devices

c. 9322 Public and Executive Sessions

D.2. Policies - First Reading

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

a. 3542.1 Local Wellness/Nutrition

b. 5143 Physical Restraint/Seclusion

c. 4119.23/4219.23 Employee Substance Abuse (regulation) - Tabled

d. 3327 Relations With Vendors

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

NONE

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Gwen Thornton of NJSBA provided a board orientation.

Mrs. Helewa mentioned the middle school honor roll which the curriculum committee will be reviewing.

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Andrea Frejiomil, Christie Dr., discussed the Nutrition and Wellness Policy as it applies to the PTO.

XX. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Helewa the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt