Minutes for November 11, 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 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, Len deMontagac, Desiree DeNourie, Kathy Helewa, Don Huber, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Greg Steier.

Abesent: Roberta Monahan

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

IV. PRESENTATION

Dr. Crader explained the Baseline Proficiencies and Progress Targets methodology. Mr. Comba and Mrs. Markman then provided an overview of the Spring 2013 NJ ASK Testing results.

V. MINUTES

Mr. Huber moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the October 28, 2013 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Allocco and approved by 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Huber abstained.)

VI. Correspondence and Information

  • HIB Information
Total # of Investigations:

3

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

2

Mr. Steier asked questions regarding the parameters of HIB classifications.

  • Fire Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 15

October 17

October 21

October 15

October 2

 

  • Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

October 29

Lockdown

 

October 30

Lockdown

 

October 28

Lockdown

 

October 24

Lockdown

 

October 18

Lockdown

VII. PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

Mrs. Spiller asked for a moment of silence honoring our nation's veterans.

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 congratulated Mr. Sena, Ms. Campos and Mrs. DiMaggio (in absentia) on the recent Board elections.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT'S REMARKS

Dr. Crader provided an update regarding district, board and strategic plan goals. In addition, the Think Central presentations were discussed. Lastly the Board agreed to postpone the RFP distribution for the district attorney in light of upcoming negotiations.

IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

XlI. ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION/ACTION

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding A.4.

Mrs. Allocco asked questions regarding B.5., C.2., and D.1.a.

Ms. DeNourie left the meeting at this time (8:00 p.m.).

Based on expressed concerns, Policy 5136 will be reviewed. However, the motion for the first reading will remain on the agenda.

Dr. Crader requested that motion C.1.f. be tabled.

Mr. Huber asked a question regarding A.2.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent agenda items A.1. through A.5., B.1. through B.5., C.1. through C.4. (C.1.a. through C.1.e., not C.1.f.) and D.1. were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote. (Ms. DeNourie and Mrs. Monahan were absent.)

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 November 5, 2013.

A.2. Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the annual update to the Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement, dated November 11, 2013. (The Agreement between education and law enforcement officials is approved on an annual basis.)

A.3. Out-of-Zone Request

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

a. Student #4001309, grade 8, Warren Middle School, from on or about December 1, 2013 through June 25, 2014. Tuition will be paid by the parents, who will also transport the student.

A.4. Tuition-Out Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an out-of-district placement for Student # 120747, to The Craig School, beginning November 12, 2013 through June 20, 2014, cost not to exceed $28,312.60.

A.5. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves 10 hours per week of home instruction for Student #621545, for a 60 day period, to start on or about November 11, 2013, at a cost not to exceed $4,800.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the School Business

Administrator/Board Secretary, pursuant to policy 3326, to audit pending bills and claims, to pay qualifying bills and claims within approved budget line item amounts, from November 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013, and to submit those bills to the Board of Education for approval at its December 2, 2013 meeting.

B.2. 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:

November 2013

  • Stacey Hann-Modugno, District, PARCC Series, Monroe Twsp $163

December 2013

  • Shannon Sharkey,MHS,Brain Rules for Pediatric Treatment,Parsippany $189
  • Jen McMahon,MHS,Brain Rules for Pediatric Treatment,Parsippany $189
  • Emily Niclas, MHS, Brain Rules for Pediatric Treatment, Parsippany, $18

January 2014

  • Nancy Becker, District, Human Resources Workshop, Parsippany $158

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.3. Roof Replacement at Woodland School

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following change order deducts for VMG Group in the amount of $37,071.03.

C/O #1 Replacement Instructional Supplies - Credit of $280.63

C/O #2 Credit for unused project allowance - Credit of $36,790.40

Original contract for this was $1,225,000; final contract amount is $1,187,928.97.

B.4. 2014-2015 Budget Goals

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education establishes the following as its goals for the 2014-2015 budget:

1. Complete a funding plan which continues to utilize sustainable zero-based

budgeting practices, and allocates resources based on enrollment and need.

2. Fund appropriate personnel, programs, and supplies to meet state mandates in curriculum, evaluation, and assessment.

3. Standardize the complement of technology district-wide and support the one student/one personal computer initiative at the Middle School.

B.5. District Budget Calendar

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2014-2015 District Budget Process calendar dated November 5, 2013.

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. Joyce Pekarsky, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, increase from 30 hours to 32.5 hours per week, Step 24 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $32,917 (prorated), plus a stipend of $1,800 for a teaching certificate, effective November 12, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

b. Maxine Dornfeld, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, increase from 30 hours to 32.5 hours per week, Step 14 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $23,135 (prorated), plus a stipend of $1,800 for a teaching certificate, effective November 12, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

c. Cathy Gavin, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, increase from 25.5 hours to 30 hours per week, Step 13-14 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $21,355 (prorated), effective November 12, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

d. Shelley Stupay, Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, increase from 25.5 hours to 30 hours per week, Step 19 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $25,585 (prorated), plus a stipend of $1,800 for a teaching certificate, effective November 12, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

e. Jeffrey Sutherland, Classroom Paraprofessional, 32.5 hours per week, Central School, Step 1-2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $19,067 (prorated), plus a stipend of $1,800 for a teaching certificate, effective November 12, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

f. Melissa Dreher, Leave Replacement Teacher, ALT School, BA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $53,970 (prorated), effective on or about December 16, 2013 through June 30, 2014. (She will be a leave replacement teacher for Employee #2058.)

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. Michele Freda (2012-2013 substitute)

b. Edna Urgilez (2012-2013 substitute)

c. Lynda Larsen

d. Danielle Sauer

e. Paul Muldowney

C.3. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Robert Dearey to provide occupational therapy evaluations at a rate of $500 per evaluation.

C.4. Appointment of Interim Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Alida Gorin as Interim Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant, Warren Middle School, effective on or about November 12, 2013, for a maximum of 14 days, at a per diem rate of $400, not to exceed $5,600.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies - First Reading

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

a. Fundraising Activities 5136

b. Principal Evaluation 2130

c. Evaluation of teaching staff members 4116

XIII. OLD BUSINESS

Board Goals - Mrs. Spiller discussed the potential board goals and the possibility that the bylaws will require modifications.

XIV. NEW BUSINESS

N/A

XV. PUBLIC COMMENTARY

Brenda Nemcek, Old Smalleytown Road, asked a question regarding NJ ASK test scores.

XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:27 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:

a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law and

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it.

Action may be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 45 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 Mrs. Helewa the board reconvened in open session at

9:44 p.m.

XVII. HIRING

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. William Kimmick, Curriculum Coordinator at a salary of $145,537 (prorated), effective February 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.

b. Scott Cook, Principal of Mount Horeb School, at a salary of $120,550 (prorated), effective February 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by roll-call vote of 7-0.

XVIII. NEW BUSINESS

In light of the completion of the hiring process this evening, the board will not need to meet on November 18, 2013.

XIX. ADJOURN

On motion by Mr. Steier seconded by Mrs. Helewa the meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

Minutes recorded by:

Patricia Leonhardt