Minutes for March 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 7:00 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 6, 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: John De Bellis, Donald Huber, Desiree DeNourie, Kathy Helewa, Mildred Spiller, and Greg Steier

Absent: Tia Allocco

Roberta Monahan

James Sena

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

IV. PRESENTATION

  • Budget Hearing
    Dr. Crader presented pertinent budget data. 

V. MINUTES

Mr. Huber moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the March 4, 2013 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by a 4-2 roll call vote. (Mr. De Bellis and Mr. Steier abstained.)

VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

Dr. Crader reported on HIB information from March 4, 2013 through March 13, 2012 as follows:

  • HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 0  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 0

 

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Spiller read the District's Mission Statement:

Warren Township Schools' Mission Statement: In partnership with family and community, provide an environment where each child is valued and experiences the challenge and excitement of learning with the expectation that all students shall achieve the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards at all grade levels.

Mrs. Spiller wished all a happy & healthy Spring Break.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader read words of praise for Mrs. Morris as she prepares to retire.

Dr. Crader reported on the recent Steering Plan meeting held as part of the Strategic Plan process.

Lastly Dr. Crader presented and discussed the district's School Performance data.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

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).

None

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

A question was asked about motion A.3. and the travel amounts in motion B.5 (budget).

Additionally the status of our substitute pool was also discussed.

Mr. Huber moved and Mrs. Helewa seconded the consent agenda items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.8., C.1. through C.9., and D.1.

Mr. Steier then expressed concern with motion D.1., and subsequently requested it be pulled for a separate vote.

Mr. Huber then moved to amend his motion. On a motion by Mr. Huber, seconded by Mrs. Helewa, the consent agenda items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.8., C.1. through C.9., were approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote.

On a motion by Mr. Huber, seconded by Mrs. Helewa, agenda item D.1 was approved by a 5-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Steier voted no.)

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 March 13, 2013.

A.2. Out-of-Zone Requests

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-zone requests for the following students:

a. Student #620122 grade 2, Woodland School, from March 1, 2013 through

June 25, 2013. The student has moved to a new home zoned for Central

School. Therefore, the parents will transport the student.

b. Student #208228 grade 4, and Student #620235 grade 3, Mount Horeb

School, from on or about April 30, 2013 through June 25, 2013. The

parents will transport the students.

A.3. Tuition-In Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the placement of Bernardsville Student #621292 in Warren Middle School, beginning April 1, 2013 through June 25, 2013. The prorated amount to be received by the district is approximately $4,090.50.

A.4. Tuition-Out Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the placement of Student #121330 at The Center School, beginning April 2, 2013, at a per diem rate of $276.05. The prorated tuition is not to exceed $15,735.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of March 2013 in the amount of $4,396,409.37.

B.2. Joint Agreements between SCESC and Warren BOE

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, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year, no administrative fee charged;
  • Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program agreement, dated July 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year, with a state-approved administrative percentage (5% in 2012-2013);
  • Nonpublic School Nursing Services agreement, dated July 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year, with an administrative fee of 6%;
  • Nonpublic Instructional Services Agreement, Chapters 192/193, dated July 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year, including addendum of the same date, with an administrative fee of 6%;
  • Nonpublic IDEA, dated July 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year, with an administrative fee of 6%.

B.3. 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 2013-2014 school year, with an administrative fee of 4%.

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:

April 2013

  • Denise Kennedy, MHS, Conf on Reading and Writing, Somerset $175
  • Fran Perlman, ALT, Conf on Reading and Writing, Somerset $175

May 2013

  • Shayna Germansky, CS, Autism & Other Neuro Disorders, Edison $203
  • Susan Cooper, MS, National Academic Tournament, Washington DC $210
  • Tiffany Serafin,WS,Strategies Implement Math Standards,Parsippany $219

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. 2013-2014 Final Warren Township School District Budget

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2013-2014 Warren Township School District Budget as follows;

2013-2014 Budget

Appropriations:

  

Revenue:
         

Operating Budget

$39,434,657

  

State Aid: General Fund

$1,187,441

Capital Outlay

$159,985

  

Tax Levy: General Fund

$37,746,557

Capital Reserve

$2,061,500

  

Other Revenues

$382,839

Summer School

$190,223

  

Withdrawal from Capital Reserve:

$2,061,500
 

$41,846,365

  

Fund Balance

$468,028
       

$41,846,365
         

Special Revenue Appropriations

$409,848

  

Grants: Federal, State and Local

$409,848
         
         

Principal

$87,210

  

Fund Balance

$85

Interest

$775,000

  

State Aid: Debt Service

$258,392
 

$862,210

  

Tax Levy: Debt Service

$603,733
       

$862,210
         

Total Appropriations:

$43,118,423

  

Total Revenues:

$43,118,423

And be it

RESOLVED that the 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, and

FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Education approves a capital reserve withdrawal in the amount of $2,061,500. The district intends to utilize these funds for Capital Projects as follows:

Central School: Boiler Replacement $250,000

Angelo L. Tomaso and Mt. Horeb Schools: Building Envelope Repairs $327,500

Woodland School: Roof Replacement $1,484,000

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2013-2014 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, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, a Board of Education may, and this Board does, establish, for regular district business travel only, an annual school year threshold of $1,500 per staff member where prior Board approval shall not be required for regular business travel, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent and Business Administrator to implement the 2013-2014 budget as hereby approved.

B.6. Transportation Contract for Out of District Student - Watchung Borough

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Watchung Borough, for the transportation of their student, for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year, beginning April 8, 2013, as follows:

Contractor

District

Route

School

Cost

Warren

Watchung

VNEWMK

Newmark

55 days@ $35.85 per Total $1,971.75

B.7. 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, 2013.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on February 28, 2013

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$9,373,895.28

$1,573,466.18

(11) Current Expense

  

$3,532,742.71

  

(12) Capital Outlay

  

$1,053,456.73

  

(13) Special Schools

  

$1,675.38

  

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($366,734.55)

($1,753.13)

  

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$0.00

  

$0.00

(40) Debt Service Fund

$587,329.04

$0.00

$84.65

TOTAL

$9,594,489.77

$4,586,121.69

$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.8. Budget Transfers for Month of February 2013

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:

    

11-000-218-500-11-02

Guidance - Other Purchased Services

11-000-218-390-11-01

Guidance - Other Purchased Tech. Svcs.

$10,044

11-000-223-580-03-00

Workshops & Travel - Central

11-190-100-640-03-00

Textbooks - Central

$100

11-000-261-610-07-51

Maintenance Supplies - Water Damage - Middle

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$740

11-000-266-420-09-07

Security - Maintenance Repairs - Middle

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - Middle

$20

11-000-270-580-10-00

Transportation - Workshops & Travel

11-000-270-161-10-02

Substitute Special Education Transportation

$500

11-190-100-610-03-10

Instructional Supplies - Central

11-190-100-640-03-00

Textbooks - Central

$1,500

11-204-100-101-00-00

LLD Teacher - Salaries

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teachers - Salaries

$1,300

11-216-100-104-00-00

PSD Teachers - Salaries

11-213-100-101-00-00

RC Teachers - Salaries

$1,450

11-402-100-610-07-00

Sports Supplies

11-401-100-600-07-00

Co-curricular Supplies - Middle

$500
 

GRAND TOTAL

    

$16,154

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. Anne Frank, Secretary to the Director of Special Services, Step 11-12 of the
2012-2013 salary guide, $49,245, effective April 8, 2013 through June 30, 2013. (She is replacing E. Meyers.)

b. Carmella Motyczka, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, increase from 27.5 hours to 32 hours, Step 12-13 of the 2012-2013 salary guide, $20,245, effective April 1, 2013. Total cost to the district not to exceed $854.10.

c. Karen Taylor, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, increase from 10 hours to 21.25 hours, Step 4-5 of the 2012-2013 salary guide, $11,326.25, effective March 18, 2013. Total cost to the district not to exceed $2,098.67.

(The adjustments in bold are a result of a change in hours.)

d. Kelly Brown, Leave Replacement Teacher, Middle School, MA, Step 1-3 of the 2012-2013 salary guide, $59,318 (prorated), effective March 18, 2013 through on or about June 30, 2013. (The adjustments in bold differ from the February 11, 2013 agenda, as a result of Employee #2410 taking an earlier leave than expected.)

C.2. Substitute Teachers

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

a. Jonathan Viereck

b. Stephanie Linder

c. Raquel Burke

d. Angelarose Vaccaro

e. Kerin Sidlowski

f. Szekai Tsui

g. Mark Pfeifer

h. Mark Mariak

i. Judy Maddalone (former substitute)

C.3. Substitute Secretary

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Anne Frank, at a rate of $127.35 per day, total not to exceed $318.38, effective March 25, 2013 through March 27, 2013, to transition into new position with current Special Services staff member.

C.4. Medical Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #0470 for an extension of medical leave (paid with benefits) under FMLA from April 1, 2013 through on or about May 13, 2013.

C.5. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Carol Morris, Resource Teacher, Central School, for her 18 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2013.

b. Allyson Brown, Paraprofessional, Mount Horeb School, for over 5 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective March 31, 2013. (The adjustment of effective date is reflected in bold.)

c. Bernadette Barnes, Transportation Driver, effective March 22, 2013.

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. Kathryn Didia, with congratulations, for movement from MA+15 to MA+30, retroactive to March 1, 2013.

C.7. Home Instructor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints Diane Galfy (current substitute) as a home instructor, effective March 22, 2013.

C.8. Compacted Schedule for Summer 2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a 4-day compacted work schedule for summer 2013, for the weeks of 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, and 8/5.

C.9. Middle School Guidance Extended Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to work three days, from June 26, 2013, through June 28, 2013, at the individual per diem rate:

a. Midge Johnson- Grade 6

b. Melissa Kurlan- Grade 7

c. Helen Scully- Grade 8

D. POLICY

D.1. Policies - Second Reading

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

a. 3542.1 Reg - Wellness/Nutrition

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

None

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Helewa shared that she and Mrs. Monahan are meeting with Assemblyman Bramnick next Tuesday (3/26). Items slated for discussion are: the speed of large institutional changes, subcontracting prohibition, superintendent salary caps, and the monitoring of online graduate coursework. All board members are welcome to attend.

Mrs. Helewa also mentioned her upcoming Legislative Committee meeting.

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

None

XVI. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Helewa the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt