Warren Township Schools: Minutes for October 15, 2013

Minutes for October 15, 2013 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 6:33 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 September 24, 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, Kathy Helewa, Donald Huber, Roberta Monahan, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Greg Steier

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

IV. Interview BOE Candidates

Mrs. Leonhardt pulled the names of BOE candidates to establish the order of the interviews. The Board interviewed all five candidates in the following order: Mrs. Heather Silver, Mr. Len deMontagnac, Mrs. Mike Mancino, Mrs. Lisa DiMaggio and Mrs. Celeste Campos.

V. Executive Session - BOE Candidate Selection

At 7:08 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 material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy.

Action will be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 20 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. Monahan and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mr. Steier, the board reconvened in open session at

7:31 p.m.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved on an 8-0 roll call vote, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Len deMontagnac to The Warren Township Board of Education.

Mrs. Spiller thanked all of the candidates, spoke of the difficulty in candidate choice, and encourage those candidates not chosen to consider a write-in campaign for the two seats on the November Ballot (now in motion).

VI. MINUTES

Mr. Huber moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the September 23, 2013 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Monahan and approved by 8-0-1 (Mr. deMontagnac abstained).

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 again thanked all of the board candidates and spoke of the difficulty of the selection process.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader informed the public of the district's selection for the PARCC pilot and provided an update of Achieve NJ. Dr. Crader provided a hands-on example of the thought process required for PARCC.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mrs. Allocco reported on the Communications Committee meeting, which discussed the survey results. Trends will be reviewed with appropriate suggested responses.

Mr. Sena reported on the Finance Committee meeting, at which the auditor presented the audit results and complimented the district's financial operations. Also discussed were budget topics. Regarding a security audit, it is the recommendation of the committee to engage Michael Dorn for the security audit. The last topic was future health insurance requirements as pertains to substitutes. The Committee recommends limiting substitutes work days to 4 days per week to stay below 30 hours per week.

X. DISCUSSION

Board Goals - Each board member offered input regarding those topics which should be incorporated into the goals. The discussion will continue at the board's next meeting.

Xl. 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

XIl. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mr. Huber asked questions regarding motions B.4., B.8. and C.5.

Mr. Steier asked questions regarding motion C.3.

Mr. Huber asked that motion C.1.b. be pulled for separate vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Roberta Monahan the consent agenda items A.1 through A.4, B.1 through B-10 and C1 through C8 (excluding C1.b) were approved by a 8-0-1 roll-call vote (Mr. deMontagnac abstained).

On motion by Mrs. Monahan and seconded by Mr. Steier, the board approved agenda item C.1.b. on a 7-0-2 roll-call vote (Mr. Huber and Mr. deMontagnac abstained).

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 October 9, 2013.

A.2. Fieldwork Site

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Clinical Affiliation Agreement with Philadelphia University to secure Warren Township Schools as a fieldwork site to provide supervised clinical educational experiences in occupational therapy.

A.3. District Goals

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the District Goals, as established by the Superintendent.

A.4. Out-of-Zone Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-zone request for the following student:

a. Student #208439, grade 5, to remain at Woodland School for the 2013-2014 school year. The student is moving to a home zoned for Central School. The parents will transport the student.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the attached report of the secretary for the month of August, 2013,

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on August 31, 2013

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$5,736,647.77		$1,544,279.57
(11) Current Expense		$3,539,893.12
(12) Capital Outlay		$708,600.00
(13) Special Schools		$7,351.88
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($38,347.32)	($19,066.19)
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$0.00		$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$603,901.04	$0.00	$83.04
TOTAL	$6,302,201.49	$4,236,778.81	$1,544,362.61

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.2. Budget Transfers for Month of August 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:
11-000-222-600-07-13	Periodicals & Subscriptions - Middle	11-190-100-610-07-10	Instructional Supplies - Middle	$150
11-000-223-580-11-02	Workshops & Travel - Technology	11-000-262-622-00-07	Electricity - Middle	$2,220
11-000-223-580-08-00	Workshops & Travel - SPS	11-209-100-320-08-00	Purch. Prof. Educ. Services - SEED	$7,000
11-000-230-334-01-00	Architect & Engineering Services	11-000-262-622-00-07	Electricity - Middle	$6,615
11-000-230-334-01-00	Architect & Engineering Services	12-000-400-896-00-00	Assessment for Debt Service- SDA	$13,385
11-000-251-500-01-00	Business Office - Other Purch. Svcs.	11-000-251-330-01-00	Bus. Office - Purch. Prof. Svcs.	$30
11-212-100-500-08-00	Multiple Disabilities - Purch. Svcs.	11-214-100-610-08-00	Autism - Supplies	$618
11-212-100-610-08-00	Multiple Disabilities - Supplies	11-214-100-610-08-00	Autism - Supplies	$520
11-230-100-600-04-00	Basic Skills - Mt. Horeb	11-190-100-610-04-10	Instructional Supplies - Mt. Horeb	$10
11-402-100-390-07-00	Sports - Purchased Services	11-190-100-610-07-10	Instructional Supplies - Middle	$240
11-402-100-390-07-00	Sports - Purchased Services	11-402-100-890-07-00	Athletics - Misc. Expense	$1,160
13-422-100-106-08-00	Summer Fun - Aides (Special Ed)	13-422-100-101-00-00	Summer Fun Teachers - Salaries	$2,020
	GRAND TOTAL			$33,968

B.3. 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 2013

Donna Pellagrino, ALT, Art Educators' Conference, New Brunswick $185
Kelly Brown, MS, NJ Science Convention, Princeton $292

November 2013

Angela DellaVentura,MS,Practical Strategies Engage Students,Fairfield $24

December 2013

Pat LaPensee, ALT, Conf for Sppech Lang Path, West Orange $229
Marianne Larson, CS, Strat to Develop Strong Rdrs and Writers,

Newark $243

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.4. Transportation for Out of District Students

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves transportation for the 2013-2014 school year for out of district students as follows. (These agreements and amounts supplant previous approvals.)

Contractor Student ID# School Cost____

SCESC 121449 Hunterdon Learning Ctr $ 11,516.43

MUJC 120350 Banyan School $ 30,297.35

MUJC 620421 New Beginnings $ 31,849.51

MUJC 621049 P.G. Chambers $ 32,332.37

B.5. Purchase of Natural Gas Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached agreement dated October 15, 2013, to purchase natural gas services through the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services ("ACES"), effective October 16, 2013 through May 31, 2018.

B.6. Demographic Study

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with Ross Haber for a joint demographic study with the school districts of the Borough of Watchung, the Township of Green Brook, and Watchung Hills Regional High School. The total cost of the contract is $7,500. Warren's prorated share of the contract plus expenses is not to exceed $2,700.

B.7. Acceptance of Audit for the 2012-2013 School Year

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has engaged Suplee Clooney & Company of Westfield, NJ, to audit the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, in compliance with N.J.S.A.18A:23-1 et seq, and,

WHEREAS, this audit has been completed and the CAFR filed with the State Department of Education and submitted to the Warren Township Board of Education along with a synopsis of the audit report and recommendations, which synopsis and recommendations are available for public review, and,

WHEREAS, pertinent results of operations during the 2012-2013 school year are:

School Year 2012-2013
REVENUES	Final Budget	Actual
Local Sources	mce_markernbsp; 37,195,249	mce_markernbsp; 37,752,141
State Sources	mce_markernbsp; 1,387,441	mce_markernbsp; 5,741,147
Federal Sources	mce_markernbsp; -	mce_markernbsp; -
TOTAL	mce_markernbsp; 38,582,690	mce_markernbsp; 43,493,288
EXPENDITURES
Regular Instruction	mce_markernbsp; 13,078,455	mce_markernbsp; 12,617,682
Special Education	mce_markernbsp; 4,599,634	mce_markernbsp; 4,460,592
Other Instruction	mce_markernbsp; 1,394,662	mce_markernbsp; 1,378,691
Undistributed Expenditures	mce_markernbsp; 21,125,966	mce_markernbsp; 23,582,999
Total General Expenses	mce_markernbsp; 40,198,718	mce_markernbsp; 42,039,965
Capital Outlay	mce_markernbsp; 3,422,554	mce_markernbsp; 1,671,433
Special Schools	mce_markernbsp; 187,480	mce_markernbsp; 187,050
Charter Schools	mce_markernbsp; -	mce_markernbsp; -
TOTAL	mce_markernbsp; 43,808,752	mce_markernbsp; 43,898,448
OTHER SOURCES/USES
Transfer in from Capital Projects	mce_markernbsp; -	mce_markernbsp; -
Transfer to Capital Projects	mce_markernbsp; -	mce_markernbsp; -
EXCESS (DEFICIENCY)	mce_markernbsp; (5,226,062)	mce_markernbsp; (405,160)
Fund Balance July 1, 2012	mce_markernbsp; 7,413,123	mce_markernbsp; 7,413,123

Fund Balance June 30, 2013	mce_markernbsp; 2,187,061	mce_markernbsp; 7,007,963
Analysis of Fund Balance
Reserved
Excess Surplus- subsequent year's expenditures		mce_markernbsp; 468,028
Excess Surplus		mce_markernbsp; 450,000
Emergency Reserve Account		mce_markernbsp; 375,000
Capital Reserve Account		mce_markernbsp; 2,715,063
Encumbrances		mce_markernbsp; 1,905,592
TOTAL		mce_markernbsp; 1,094,280
Source: Audit Report Exhibit C-1

Now therefore be it,

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the report, notes the following recommendations, and directs that appropriate corrective action be taken:

Recommendation: That the capital asset subsidiary ledger be maintained on a current basis in accordance with the requirements set forth in GASB 34.

Corrective Action: A full capital assets inventory survey is scheduled for November, 2013.

B.8. Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following motion:

Whereas, the Department of Education requires New Jersey School Districts to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) documenting "required" maintenance activities for each of its public school facilities, and

Whereas, the required maintenance activities as listed in the attached document for the various school facilities of the Warren Township Schools are consistent with these requirements, and

Whereas, all past and planned activities are reasonable to keep school facilities open and safe for use or in their original condition and to keep their system warranties valid, and

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Warren Township School District hereby authorizes the School Business Administrator to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) for the Warren Township Schools in compliance with Department of Education requirements.

B.9. Transportation Contract for Out of District Students - Watchung Borough

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a modified transportation contract (due to restructure of student schedule) with Watchung Borough School District for the transportation of their student for the 2013-2014 school year as follows:

Contractor	District	Route	School	Cost
Warren	Watchung Borough	W-PG1	Mt. Horeb	$3,855.30

B.10. RESOLVED that the board of education approves a contract with Safe Haven to provide a district-wide security audit, at an approximate cost of $16,000. Mr. Huber reported on the Negotiations Committee meeting, at which Mr. Scarillo worked with the committee on the initial steps of the process.

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. Henna Jaffry, Long-term Substitute Teacher, Middle School, at a per diem substitute rate, effective December 1, 2013 through on or about February 28, 2014. (She is a long-term substitute for Employee #1920 who is on leave.)

b. Lisa Pravato, Classroom Paraprofessional, 32.5 hours, Mt. Horeb School, Step 3-4 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $19,608 (prorated), plus a stipend of $1,800 for her teaching certificate, effective October 16, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

c. Gabrielle Snead, Transportation Driver, effective October 16, 2013 through June 30, 2014, 5 hours per day, $18 per hour, at an approximate salary of $13,860.

d. Paula Williams, ELL teacher, Mt. Horeb School, increase from .56 to 1 FTE, MA, Step 18 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $72,254 (prorated), effective October 16, 2013 through June 30, 2014 (due to increased student need).

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2013-2014 school year:

a. Carol Bailey

b. Kevin Currais

c. Najat Saad

d. Henna Jaffry

e. Lois Wagner

f. Candace Karol

g. Alexandra Casale

C.3. Substitute Van Driver and Monitor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as a substitute van driver and monitor for the 2013-2014 school year:

a. Moses Bobadilla

C.4. Medical Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #0421 for leave extension (paid with benefits) under FMLA from October 14, 2013 through on or about October 22, 2013, with an anticipated return date of October 23, 2013.

b. Employee #0022 for leave (unpaid with benefits) under NJFLA from September 27, 2013 through October 14, 2013, with an anticipated return date of October 15, 2013.

C.5. Resignation

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

a. Danielle Zurawiecki, School Psychologist, Middle School, effective November 22, 2013.

C.6. Professional Development Day Presenters Added

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following teachers to prepare and present at the October 14^th Professional Development Day, for a total of 3 hours each, at $40 per hour, according to the BOE-WTEA contractual rate:

Lynn Alger

Lynn Degen

Hildy Jackson

C.7. 2013-2014 Non-WTEA Stipends - Additional Stipend

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the non-WTEA stipend of ELL Coordinator for the 2013-2014 school year. This position will be held by Lauren Valera for approximately five months of the 2013-2014 school year, at an amount of $4,000 (prorated).

C.8. Extended Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following extended hours for three district staff members to accompany students to after school programs, beginning October 2013:

a. Eleanore Wilson, to accompany Student #120604 to Technowizards, for 30 weeks, at a cost not to exceed $700.

b. Stacy Papalitskas, to accompany Student #121289 to two after school clubs (Board Games and Scrapbooking/Crafts), for 30 weeks, at a cost not to exceed $1,675.

c. Meghan Madden, to accompany Student #121050 to Bricks for Kids, for 3 weeks, at a cost not to exceed $120.

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Allocco discussed the backup documentation provided to the board regarding new hires.

Mr. Steier discussed the Star Ledger article regarding private schools for the disabled.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

N/A

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

N/A

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:52 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 material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy and a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it.

Action will be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 30 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. Sena and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber, seconded by Mrs. Allocco the board reconvened in open session at

9:26 p.m.

XVll. ADJOURN

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Monahan the meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt

Google Translate Google Translate Google Translate Google Translate Google Translate