Warren Township Schools

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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 7:01 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 deMontagnac, Kathy Helewa, Don Huber, James Sena, Mildred Spiller, and Greg Steier.

Absent: Desiree DeNourie and Roberta Monahan

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

IV. MINUTES

Mr. Huber moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the December 2, 2013 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sena and approved by 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Huber abstained.)

V. Correspondence and Information

• HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

2

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

2

VI. 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 commented on the beautiful artwork hanging in the Board room which is courtesy of

Woodland School's second graders.

Mrs. Spiller read a Resolution of Gratitude for Mr. Huber on this his last meeting as a board member.

Mrs. Spiller announced at this time that the Board and WTAA have successfully completed negotiations on the 2014-2017 WTAA contract.

Lastly, Mrs. Spiller wished all a Happy Holiday season.

VII. PRESENTATION

Dr. Crader introduced Max Achtau who is on this evening's agenda for the Middle School's Dean of Students position. Mr. Comba and Mr. Cook then provided an overview of the Chromebook initiative.

VIII. Superintendent's Remarks - Tami Crader

Dr. Crader provided an update on the Strategic Plan, which includes revitalization of the Education Foundation. Also discussed was the growing popularity of the district's Facebook page. Lastly, Dr. Crader announced the district's award of ROD grants.

IX. Committee Reports

Mr. Sena reported on the Finance Committee meeting. Topics discussed included a stagnant Memorial Fun and our shared services with the township.

Mr. Sena provided an overview of the 2014-2015 budget currently under construction.

Mr. Huber reported on the WTAA negotiations, which proceeded smoothly and have resulted in a proposed memorandum of agreement.

Mrs. Helewa reported on the NJSBA's Legislative Committee meeting which discussed pending state legislation.

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

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding B.6.

Mrs. Helewa requested that A.3.a. be pulled for separate vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent items A.1. through A.2, B.1. through B.8., and C.1. through C.7. were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent item A.3.a. was approved by a

6-0-1 roll-call vote (Mrs. Helewa 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 December 11, 2013.

A.2. Tuition Out Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an out of district placement for Student #121513, to P.G. Chambers School, beginning January 2, 2014 through June 30, 2014, at a cost not to exceed $35,426.76. This motion supersedes the prior out of district placement for this student.

A.3. Out-of-Zone Request

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

a. Student #208417 grade 5, Woodland School, from January 2, 2014 through on or about March 20, 2014. The student is moving to a temporary home while the house renovations are completed. The parents will transport the student.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills from December 1, 2013 through December 16, 2013 in the amount of $2,182,887.68.

B.2. Partial 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 December 17, 2013 to December 31, 2013, and to submit those bills to the Board of Education for approval at its next regular meeting.

B.3. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

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

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on November 30, 2013:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$7,233,981.78		$1,544,279.57
(11) Current Expense		$2,095,569.19
(12) Capital Outlay		$738,261.03
(13) Special Schools		$7,129.88
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($148,408.94)	($63,105.57)
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$0.00		$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$573,528.71	$0.00	$83.04
TOTAL	$7,659,101.55	$2,777,854.53	$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.4. Budget Transfers for Month of November 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:
11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition-Other LEAs -Reg. SY	11-000-100-566-08-01	Tuition - Private - Reg. SY	$12,000
11-000-100-562-08-02	Tuition-Other LEAs - Ext. SY	11-000-100-566-08-02	Tuition - Private - Ext. SY	$1,000
11-000-217-106-00-02	Extraord. Paras - Salaries	11-240-100-101-00-00	Bilingual Teachers - Salaries	$3,800
11-000-223-580-03-00	Workshops & Travel - CS	11-190-100-610-03-10	Instructional Supplies - CS	$500
11-000-252-610-11-01	Admin. Technology-Supplies	11-190-100-610-11-01	Supplies - Instr. Hardware	$5,000
11-000-262-107-00-00	Salaries-Lunch & Play. Aides	11-130-100-101-00-01	Grades 6-8 Teacher Salaries	$18,500
11-000-266-340-09-00	Security - Purch. Tech. Svcs.	11-000-262-622-00-03	Electricity - Central	$16,000
11-000-270-503-10-00	Contracted Aide in Lieu	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$37,000
11-204-100-610-08-00	LLD - Supplies	11-204-100-640-08-00	LLD - Textbooks	$500
11-209-100-106-00-00	SEED Aides - Salaries	11-213-100-106-00-00	RC Aides - Salaries	$13,900
11-212-100-500-08-00	Multiple Dis. - Purch. Svcs.	11-212-100-610-08-00	Multiple Disabilities - Supplies	$50
11-216-100-106-00-00	PSD Aides - Salaries	11-213-100-106-00-00	RC Aides - Salaries	$3,400

B.5. 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:

February 2014

• Allison Reu, CS, Innovative Lang. Interventions, Parsippany $229

March 2014

• Alexis Sacks, CS, NJ School Nurse Conference, Parsippany $210

 

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.6. Window Replacement Project at Central School - Change Order

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following change order deduct for Hahr Construction as follows:

C/O #1 Reimbursement to District for Service Call - Credit of $300.

Original contract was for $600,000; current contract amount is $599,700.

B.7. Transportation for Out of District Students (Amended)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves (amended) transportation for the months of January through June, 2014 for out of district students as follows:

 

Contractor Student ID School Cost

MUJC 621049 & 121513 P.G. Chambers $24,640.98

B.8. Acceptance of Preliminary Eligible Costs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Preliminary Eligible Costs (PEC) from the State of New Jersey, Department of Education, Office of School Facilities, as follows:

State Project No. 5470-033-14-1002-G04

Warren Township Middle School

Window Replacement Project

Total Project Cost - $465,016

State Share - $186,006

Local Share - $279,010

State Project No. 5470-035-14-1003-G04

Mt. Horeb School

Window Replacement Project

Total Project Cost - $1,403,266

State Share - $561,306

Local Share - $841,960

State Project No. 5470-035-14-1004-G04

Mt. Horeb School

Roof Replacement Project

Total Project Cost - $2,361,101

State Share - $944,440

Local Share - $1,416,661

State Project No. 5470-035-14-1005-G04

Mt. Horeb School

Building Envelope Restoration

Total Project Cost - $82,253

State Share - $32,901

Local Share - $49,352

State Project No. 5470-050-14-1007-G04

Woodland School

Building Envelope Restoration

Total Project Cost - $139,104

State Share - $55,642

Local Share - $83,462

State Project No. 5470-040-14-1006-G04

Angelo L. Tomaso School

Building Envelope Restoration

Total Project Cost - $326,592

State Share - $130,637

Local Share - $195,955

State Project No. 5470-030-14-1001-G04

Central School

Boiler Replacement

Total Project Cost - $368,928

State Share - $147,571

Local Share - $221,357

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. Max Achtau, Dean of Students, Warren Middle School, at a salary of $98,500 (pro-rated), effective on or about February 16, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (He is replacing S. Cook.)

b. Sherri Strauss, Classroom Paraprofessional, 32.5 hours per week, Mount Horeb School, Step 1-2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $19,067 (pro-rated), effective January 2, 2014 through June 30, 2014.

c. Christopher Grundman, Head Night Custodian, Middle School, effective December 17, 2013 to June 30, 2014, at an additional stipend of $1,000 (pro-rated).

d. Suzanne Lathrop, Library Media Specialist, Woodland School, MA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $59,367 (pro-rated), effective February 24, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (She is replacing N. Darby who retired.)

C.2. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2013-2014 salary guide:

a. Dorothy Stolfi, with congratulations, for movement from MA+15 to MA+30 retroactive to December 1, 2013.

C.3. Substitute Teacher

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

a. Carolyn Wells

C.4. Summer Fun Coordinator

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Meryl Lettire as the 2014-2015 Summer Fun Coordinator, at a salary of $10,539.60, effective December 17, 2013 through August 8, 2014.

C.5. After School Club - 2013-2014 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following after school clubs and instructors for the 2013-2014 school year, at the negotiated stipend rate:

a. HW Help, Mary Kovac, Middle School, at a stipend of $715.

b. HW Help, Jane Claussen, Middle School, at a stipend of $715.

c. Football Club, Jim Zilinski, Middle School, at a stipend of $715.

d. Gardening Club, Mary Balkonis, ALT School, at a stipend of $715.

C.6. Middle School Musical

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following personnel and stipends in support of the Middle School play:

a. Director - Diane McCloskey at a stipend amount of $2,640.

b. Production Manager - Beverly MacGorman at a stipend amount of $2,640.

c. Assistant Director - Amy Jensen at a stipend amount of $1,430.

d. Stage/Sound - Joel Van Tine at a stipend amount of $1,430.

e. Set Designer - Susan Sage at a stipend amount of $1,430.

f. Choreographer - Jennifer Zimmerman at a stipend amount of $1,430.

C.7. Child Care Leave Extension

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Employee #1911 for an extension of child care leave (unpaid with no benefits), from on or about September 2, 2014 through the first day of school of the 2015-2016 school year.

XIII. Old Business

Dr. Crader reported on her attendance at the township committee meeting, meant to allow Dr. Crader to discuss security measures in the district.

XIV. New Business

Mrs. Helewa asked if the Board would consider a thank you note to our legislators regarding the award of our ROD grants. Mrs. Spiller will send them on behalf of the board.

XV. Public Commentary

Andrea Freijomil, Christy Drive, complimented the Board on its fiscal conservatism and foresight and increased emphasis on communications.

Mrs. Allocco and Mr. Sena spoke of their gratitude for Mr. Huber's service to the Board.

XVI. Executive Session

At 8:03 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 may 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 Mr. Steier and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mr. Sena the Board reconvened in open session at

8:50 p.m.

XVII. Approve WTAA

Proposed:

2014-2017 WTAA Collective Bargaining Agreement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2014-2017 WTAA Collective Agreement that was ratified by the WTAA membership on December 11, 2013.

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mrs. Allocco and approved by unanimous roll-call vote.

XVIII. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Huber seconded by Mr. Steier the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary