Minutes for June 10, 2013History 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 7:03 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 April 25, 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, Desiree DeNourie, Donald Huber, Kathy Helewa, Roberta Monahan, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Greg Steier

Absent: John De Bellis

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

IV. PRESENTATION

  • Student Achievement Awards
    Mrs. Spiller presented students with Certificates of Appreciation, recognizing their academic achievements. 
  • Warren Township Schools' Strategic Plan
    Dr. Crader thanked all those involved in the Strategic Plan process, with special nods to Mr. Bob Comba, project co-chair, Leadership Links and Mia Bivaletz for her organization assistance. Each of the committees then presented its work, with follow-up questions from board members. 

V. MINUTES

Mr. Huber moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the May 28, 2013 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by an 8-0 roll call vote.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

Dr. Crader reported on HIB information from May 13, 2013 through June 10, 2013 as follows:

  • HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 0

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 0
  • Fire Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

May 3

May 22

May 28

May 16

May 21
  • Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

May 17

Evacuation

May 31

Evacuation

May 31

Evacuation

May 30

Evacuation

May 24

Evacuation

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.

In addition Mrs. Spiller reiterated her congratulations for all the students honored tonight and thanked all involved in the Strategic Plan.

Mrs. Spiller also shared that she has composed correspondence for the Governor on behalf of the board.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader reported on the 2nd grade writing celebration, and the Invention Convention.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mrs. Monahan reported on behalf of the Personnel Committee regarding confidential information they received this evening. In addition, Dr. Crader's contract, which has received county approval, was distributed to the board.

On behalf of the Policy Committee, Mrs. Monahan discussed the SDA Assessment. Mrs. Helewa shared that this was also discussed at the NJSBA's Legislator's Day. Mrs. Spiller will craft correspondence on behalf of the board opposing this assessment.

X. DISCUSSION

N/A

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).

N/A

XII. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mrs. Helewa asked a question regarding agenda item B.2.

At this time Mrs. Spiller thanked the Watchung Hills Regional Municipal Alliance for its generous donation.

Mr. Huber asked questions regarding agenda items A.2., B.3., B.5., C.1., and C.4.

On a motion by Mr. Huber, seconded by Mrs. Helewa, the consent agenda items A.1. through A.2., B.1. through B.7., C.1. through C.4., 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 June 4, 2013.

A.2. Out of District Placement ESY 2013

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached out of district ESY placement list for the 2013-2014 school year, dated June 4, 2013.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Partial Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the partial payment of bills from June 1, 2013 through June 10, 2013, in the amount of $1,496,522.51.

B.2. Donation - Watchung Hills Regional Municipal Alliance

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation of $1,500 to be used for training staff in anticipation of an Eastern Literature and Wellness program called Yogirls.

B.3. NJDOE Compliance Child Nutritional Program

RESOLVED, whereas the Arc Kohler School is a non-profit NJ Department of Education approved private school for students with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the School District of Warren Township has contracted to send to the Arc Kohler School certain students with disabilities who reside in the district; and

WHEREAS, the Arc Kohler School provides meals that meet the nutritional requirements of the Child Nutritional Program as administered by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, the Arc Kohler School will apply for and receive funding for meals in accordance with the income eligibility criteria established by the Child Nutritional Program as administered by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

WHEREAS, the Arc Kohler School does not charge students for the cost of the meals;

NOW THEREFORE it is

RESOLVED, that the Warren Township Board of Education acknowledges the foregoing actions and in accordance with N.J.A.C.6A:23-4.5(a)20 authorizes the ARC Kohler School to include the cost of meals provided within the annual tuition rate charge to the students.

B.4. Alternate Compliance - Kindergarten Bathroom Facilities for 2013-2014

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.5. Milk Provider for the 2013-2014 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Cream-O-Land Dairy as the provider for the 2013-2014 school year. The cost of milk will be $.20, juice will be $.25 and the two sizes of water will be $.30 (8 oz.) and $.40 (16.9 oz. sports cap).

B.6. No Child Left Behind Grant Application

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of the 2013-2014 No Child Left Behind application to the Department of Education with the following amounts:

  • Title II-A $20,921
  • Title III $10,294

B.7. 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:

August 2013

  • Jolanta Scassera, MHS, Google Apps for EDU Cert, Chester $294

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.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2013-2014 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 2013-2014 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. Transfer of Amy Jensen, Music Teacher, ALT School, to Music Teacher,

Middle School, effective September 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

b. Timothy Ely, Computer Technician, District, at an annual salary of $38,000,

effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

C.2. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Jolanta Scassera, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, retroactive to June 1, 2013.

C.3. Authorization of Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes approximately 15 additional hours for Carrie Grapstein, Bookkeeper Assistant, for time to be worked by July 15, 2013, at a cost not to exceed $424.

C.4. 2013 Summer Transportation Employees

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached list of Summer Transportation Employees at the listed hourly rates, from June 26, 2013 through August 30, 2013, at an approximate estimated cost of $38,000.

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

N/A

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

N/A

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

N/A

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 9:04 p.m. Mr. Huber 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 matters of attorney-client privilege.

Action may be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 10 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. Helewa and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mr. Steier, the board reconvened in open session at 10:32 p.m.

XVII. Donaldson Hearing - Employee #0492

On motion by Mr. Huber, seconded by Mrs. Monahan the motion to reverse the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools to non-renew Debbie Brenn failed on a 1-7 roll call vote. (Mr. Huber voted yes.)

XVIII. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mr. Sena the meeting adjourned at 10:38 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt