Minutes for December 2, 2013
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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 7:04 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 August 15, 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, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Greg Steier.
Absent: Len deMontagnac, Don Huber and Roberta Monahan
Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, staff and members of the public
IV. PRESENTATION
N/A
V. MINUTES
Mr. Sena moved the following:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the November 11, 2013 Board Meeting.
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by 5-0-1 roll-call vote. (Ms. DeNourie abstained.)
VI. Correspondence and Information
- HIB Information
|
Total # of Investigations: |
0 |
Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: |
0 |
- Fire Drills
|
ALT |
Central |
Mt. Horeb |
Woodland |
Middle |
|
November 18 |
November 15 |
November 11 |
November 15 |
November 15
|
- Security Drills
|
ALT |
Central |
Mt. Horeb |
Woodland |
Middle |
|
November 25 |
November 22 Bomb Threat |
November 26 |
November 25 |
November 15 |
VII. President's Remarks - Mildred Spiller
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 thanked Exxon and the ALT PTO for their grants.
VIII. Superintendent's Remarks - Tami Crader
Dr. Crader reported that she is happily removing motion C.8.a. from the agenda.
Dr. Crader reported on the SGO Data. She is reviewing as well as student growth scores.
In terms of communications, Dr. Crader reported that both she and Ms. Bivaletz are reaching out to the community to gather additional feedback regarding the district.
IX. Committee Reports
Mrs. Allocco reported on the Communications Committee meeting, which included discussing communications with parents and the community resources available for district outreach.
Mrs. Spiller reported on behalf of Mr. Huber on the Negotiations Committee. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday with the WTAA.
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
The Board discussed the status of the State's Regular Operating District (ROD) grants, as well as the rollout of electronic report cards.
Mr. Steier asked a question regarding C.8.b. and one of the employment applications.
Mrs. Helewa discussed A.4. and Mr. Sena discussed B.6. and C.9. Ms. DeNourie asked a question regarding A.3. and Mr. Steier's additional question concerned B.6.
On motion by Mr. Sena seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent items A.1. through A.4, B.1. through B.8., C.1. through C.8. (C.8.b. and C.8.c. only, C.8.a. was tabled), C.9. and D.1. were approved by a 6-0 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 November 26, 2013.
A.2. Election Results
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Certificate of Election as presented by the Board of County Canvassers of Somerset County regarding the election held in Warren Township on November 5, 2013, whereby Mr. James Sena, Ms. Celeste Campos and Mrs. Lisa DiMaggio were each elected members of the Warren Township Board of Education for full three (3) year terms and Mr. Peter Fallon and Mr. Robert Morrison were elected to the Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education for full three (3) year terms.
A.3. Bedside Instruction
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves bedside instruction for Student #621545, to start on or about December 3, 2013, at a per diem rate of $270, at a cost not to exceed $6,750.
A.4. Board Goals
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following goals for the 2013-2014 school year:
a. Revise the Board's Mission Statement.
b. Review and update as determined the Board's committee structure and by-laws.
B. Finance/Operations/Transportation
B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for November 2013 in the amount of $4,985,189.57.
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 October, 2013
WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on October 31, 2013
|
|
|||
|
FUND |
CASH BALANCE |
APPROPRIATION BALANCE |
FUND BALANCE |
|
(10) General Current Expense Fund |
$7,927,726.16 |
|
$1,544,279.57 |
|
(11) Current Expense |
$2,419,301.08 |
||
|
(12) Capital Outlay |
$703,940.63 |
||
|
(13) Special Schools |
$7,129.88 |
||
|
(20) Special Revenue Fund |
($189,414.57) |
($21,726.18) |
|
|
(30) Capital Projects Fund |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
|
(40) Debt Service Fund |
$573,528.71 |
$0.00 |
$83.04 |
|
TOTAL |
$8,311,840.30 |
$3,108,645.41 |
$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.3. Budget Transfers for Month of October 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: |
|||
|
11-000-216-610-08-00 |
Speech/OT/PT - Supplies |
11-000-216-100-00-01 |
Speech & OT - Extra Pay |
$5,000 |
|
11-000-223-580-04-00 |
Workshops & Travel - MH |
11-190-100-610-04-10 |
Instructional Supplies - MH |
$4,000 |
|
11-000-223-580-07-00 |
Workshops & Travel - Middle |
11-190-100-610-07-10 |
Instructional Supplies - Middle |
$3,000 |
|
11-000-223-580-12-00 |
Works. & Travel-Staff Training |
11-190-100-640-12-00 |
Textbooks - Replace Series |
$22,000 |
|
11-000-223-610-01-00 |
New Teacher Ind. Prog.-Supp. |
11-000-223-600-12-00 |
Staff Training Supplies |
$275 |
|
11-000-230-331-01-00 |
Legal Services |
11-000-291-270-00-00 |
Health Benefits |
$5,000 |
|
11-000-261-420-09-03 |
Maintenance Repairs - CS |
11-000-262-622-00-06 |
Electricity - Woodland |
$15,000 |
|
11-000-261-610-09-04 |
Maintenance Supplies - MH |
11-000-262-622-00-06 |
Electricity - Woodland |
$15,000 |
|
11-000-263-610-09-00 |
Grounds - Supplies |
11-000-262-622-00-04 |
Electricity - Mt. Horeb |
$20,000 |
|
11-000-270-515-10-00 |
Contr. SE Transp. - Jointure |
11-000-270-511-10-71 |
Contracted Bus Transp. |
$10,390 |
|
11-000-270-515-10-00 |
Contr. SE Transp. - Jointure |
11-000-270-517-10-00 |
Contracted Non-Public - ESC |
$850 |
|
11-000-270-518-10-00 |
Contracted SE Transp. - ESC |
11-000-270-517-10-00 |
Contracted Non-Public - ESC |
$43,000 |
|
11-190-100-500-04-00 |
Other Purchased Services-MH |
11-190-100-610-04-10 |
Instructional Supplies - MH |
$2,000 |
|
11-190-100-500-07-00 |
Other Purchased Svcs.- MS |
11-190-100-610-07-10 |
Instructional Supplies - Middle |
$2,500 |
|
11-190-100-610-06-10 |
Instructional Supplies - WD |
11-190-100-640-06-00 |
Textbooks - Woodland |
$3,500 |
|
11-212-100-610-08-00 |
Multiple Disabilities - Supplies |
11-000-217-600-08-00 |
Extraordinary Svcs. - Supplies |
$1,000 |
|
13-422-100-420-00-00 |
Purch. Svcs. - Summer Fun |
13-422-100-101-00-00 |
Summer Fun Teacher Sals. |
$225 |
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:
December 2013
- Laura Lamson, CS, Health Ed Conf, Monroe Township $154
- Emily Niclas, MHS,Conf for Speech Lang Pathologists, West Orange $389
- Alexis Sacks, CS, Health Ed Conf, Monroe Township $152
March 2014
- Jill Zimmer, CS, NJACE Science Workshop, North Branch $157
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. Transportation Contract for Out of District Students and Trips - WHRHS RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Watchung Hills Regional High School District for the transportation of their students for the 2013-2014 school year as follows:
|
Contractor |
District |
Route |
School |
Cost |
|
Warren |
WHRHS |
#1006612 |
WHRHS |
$7,200.00 |
|
Warren |
WHRHS |
W155 |
WHRHS |
$2,806.20 |
|
Warren |
WHRHS |
W143 |
WHRHS |
$18,438.30 |
|
|
B.6. Transportation for Out of District Students (Amended)
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves (amended) transportation for the 2013-2014 school year for out of district students as follows:
Contractor Student ID School Cost
MRESC 120904 Lake Drive $ 30,513.70
MRESC 121513 Concordia Learning Ctr $ 47,218.76
Sussex County Co-op 620750 Reed Academy $ 35,563.34
B.7. Donation - Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Grant
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation of $500 as an award winner of the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Grant. The funds are to be used towards a science or math program at Central School.
B.8. Donation - ALT PTO
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation totaling $13,069 to be allocated for the purchase of thirty iPad minis, a Bretford Cart and a MacBook Pro, all to be used at ALT School.
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. Melissa Dreher, Leave Replacement Teacher, ALT School, BA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $53,970 (pro-rated), extended from December 13, 2013 through on or about January 23, 2014. (She is a leave replacement teacher for Employee #1448.)
b. Melissa Dreher, Leave Replacement Teacher, ALT School, BA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $53,970 (pro-rated), from on or about January 23, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (She is a leave replacement teacher for Employee #2058.
C.2. Movement on the Guide
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placement on the 2013-2014 salary guide:
a. Bruce Gant, with congratulations, for movement from BA to BA+15, retroactive to November 1, 2013.
C.3. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2013-2014 school year:
a. Marisa Minogue
b. Jonathan Hoffman
C.4. Substitute Bus Driver
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves John Hunte as a 2013-2014 substitute bus driver at a rate of $18.83 per hour.
C.5. Amended Middle School Stipend Position 2013-2014
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Dan Ticchio to replace O'Brien Speckin as the grade 7 Lunchroom Supervisor stipend position, from November 25, 2013, through February 28, 2014, as per the 2011-2014 WTEA negotiated agreement.
C.6. Family Leave Extension
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Employee #1448 for an extension of leave (unpaid with benefits) under NJFLA, from on or about December 13, 2013 through January 22, 2014, with an anticipated date of return of January 23, 2014.
C.7. Family Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:
a. Employee #1909 for FMLA/NJFLA (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from on or about April 14, 2014 through June 30, 2014, with an anticipated return date of September 1, 2014.
C.8. Resignation/Retirement
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the resignation of the following staff:
a. Kelly Stankiewicz, Guidance Counselor, Mount Horeb School, with appreciation for her 3 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective December 20, 2013..(MIA
b. Aparna Virmani, Database Manager, Warren Township School District, with appreciation for her service to the Warren Township students, effective December 12, 2013.
c. Employee #0671, effective February 28, 2014.
C.9. Service Providers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following rates for student evaluations with a written report for the 2013-2014 school year:
a. Janet DiGiorgio-Miller, Ph.D., (new provider) to provide Psychological Evaluations (under 12), at a rate of $1,300 per evaluation.
b. Speech and Hearing Associates (new rates) to provide the following evaluations:
Central Auditory Processing $550
Comprehensive Peripheral Audiological $250
Speech-Language $500
Speech-Language Therapy, $85 per 30 minute session, or $150 an hour
D. Policy
D.1. Policies - Second Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second and final reading of the following policies:
a. Principal Evaluation 2130
b. Evaluation of teaching staff members 4116
XIII. Old Business
Strategic Plan Update - Mrs. Helewa asked questions regarding scenario - based learning.
Security Audit Results for Flemington Raritan School District - Mrs. Allocco reported on Michael Dorn's presentation. Also discussed was that district's decision to establish an ad hoc committee to assist with the process.
XIV. New Business
N/A
XV. Public Commentary
N/A
XVI. Executive Session
At 7:36 p.m. Mr. Sena 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 collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it.
Action will not 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. Sena seconded by Mrs. Helewa the Board reconvened in open session at
8:26 p.m.
XVII. Adjourn
On motion by Mr. Sena seconded by Mrs. Helewa the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Minutes recorded by
Patricia Leonhardt
Board Secretary
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