Minutes for March 17, 2014History 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, 213 Mount 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 February 21, 2014. 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, Celeste Campos, Len deMontagnac, Desiree DeNourie Lisa DiMaggio, Kathy Helewa, Jim 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. PRESENTATION

Dr. Crader reported on her attendance at a Common Core and PARCC testing presentation. Mr. Kimmick then provided an overview of PARCC testing.

Dr. Crader and Mrs. Leonhardt summarized the tentative 2014-2015 budget.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Allocco moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the March 3, 2014 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by 8-0-1 roll-call vote. Ms. DeNourie abstained.

VI. Correspondence and Information

  • HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 1

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 0

VII. President's Remarks - Mildred Spiller

Mrs. Spiller read the District 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 wished all a Happy St. Patrick's Day and complimented the 5th Grade Central School on the artwork hanging in the District Conference Room.

Mrs. Spiller congratulated our two Middle School students who qualified for the State Intermediate Orchestra.

VIII. Superintendent's Remarks - Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported on the District's Restraint Use and Training.

Dr. Crader discussed the Educational Foundation's rebirth, the positive feedback regarding the district's website FAQ section, and the calendar survey responses.

IX. Committee Reports

Mrs. Helewa reported on the Policy Committee meeting which discussed the fundraising policy and facility usage. Also discussed was recent legislation, including dyslexia testing, contract length and staff social media guidelines. The last conversation regarded board advocacy and will be discussed at a future board meeting.

Mrs. Allocco reported that the Negotiations Committee will be meeting with the WTEA on Thursday, March 20th.

X. Discussion

Mission Statement:

The board discussed the Mission Statement which was distributed as a result of the board members' input. With some additional modifications, the board adopted the following Mission Statement:

The mission of Warren Township School District is to provide, through a safe, nurturing yet challenging environment, all students with an outstanding education that fosters academic excellence, healthy social and emotional development, and a lifelong passion for learning. In partnership with family, community, and staff, our strategic goals will guide our programs and actions so that students can exceed the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards at all grade levels and leave the district confident in their ability to think critically and independently and to succeed as students and productive citizens of the community and world.

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

There were questions regarding A.2. and C.2.

On motion by Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. through B.3., and C.1. through C.7. and D.1., were approved by a 9-0 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 March 13, 2014.

A.2. Bedside Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves bedside instruction for Student #620743, beginning on or about March 5, 2014, at a per diem rate of $54, at a cost not to exceed $540.

A.3. Out of District Tuition

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an increase in tuition of $2,800 to reflect additional speech and language services provided by Cambridge School, for Student #120908, beginning on or about March 18, 2014 through June 6, 2014.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of March 2014 in the amount of $4,784,445.05.

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:

March 2014

  • Janet Kozik, SPS, Power School User Group Conference,

Atlantic City $193

 

April 2014

  • Alison Hales, MS/CS, Issues in ADHD, Autism, LD and

Sensory Processing, Somerset $193

  • Kristie Morano, MHS, Young Child Expo & Conference, NY, NY $159
  • Kristie Morano, MHS, Preschool RULER, NY, NY $174
  • Alison Hales, MHS, The Whole Brain Child Approach,

Webcast (in district) $170

  • Meredith Fishelman, MHS, Young Child Expo & Conference, NY, NY $169

May 2014

  • Jennifer McMahon, MHS, Speech-Language Conference,

Long Branch $250

  • Shannon Sharkey, MHS, Speech-Language Conference,

Long Branch $250

  • Paula Williams, MHS, NJ Teachers of English to Speakers

of Other Languages Conference, New Brunswick $179

  • Tami Crader, District, NJASA Spring Conference, Atlantic City $834

 

 

June 2014

  • Patricia Leonhardt, District, NJASBO Conference, Atlantic City $373

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. TENTATIVE 2014-2015 Warren Township School District Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the tentative 2014-2015 Warren Township School District Budget and approves the tentative budget for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for Somerset County for review.

The tentative budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C Title 6 and 6A.

Proposed 2014/2015 Budget

Appropriations:

 

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Budget

$40,278,110

 

State Aid: General Fund

$1,224,961

Deposit to Capital Reserve

$500

 

Tax Levy: General Fund

$38,501,488

Capital Outlay

$81,900

 

Other Revenues

$374,784

Summer School

$190,723

 

Fund Balance

$450,000

 

$40,551,233

 

 

$40,551,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Revenue Appropriations

$386,145

 

Grants: Federal, State and Local

$386,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

$57,760

 

Fund Balance

$83

Interest

$765,000

 

State Aid: Debt Service

$246,569

 

$822,760

 

Tax Levy: Debt Service

$576,108

 

 

 

 

$822,760

 

 

 

 

 

Total Appropriations:

$41,760,138

 

Total Revenues:

$41,760,138

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the tentative budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2014-2015 tentative budget includes a maximum travel appropriation of $100,000. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, a Board of Education may, and this Board does, establish, for regular district business travel only, an annual school year threshold of $1,500 per staff member where prior Board approval shall not be required for regular business travel, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby establishes April 28, 2014 as the date for the Public Hearing on the budget and authorizes the Superintendent and Board Secretary, after approval by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools, or prior to approval with authorization, to advertise the budget and the budget hearing as required by law.

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. Lauren Lee, Warren Middle School Coordinator of Guidance Services-12 month, Step 5 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $46,036 (pro-rated), effective on or about March 18, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (She is replacing L. Blake.)

b. Annette Glorius, Secretary to the Director of Special Services, Step 2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $42,541 (pro-rated), effective March 20, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (She is replacing A. Frank.)

c. Karen Schlosser, Special Education Teacher, .57 (20 hours), Mt. Horeb School, BA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $30,840 (pro-rated), effective on or about March 18, 2014 through June 30, 2014, pending completion of paperwork.

d. Stacey Hann-Modugno, Curriculum Supervisor, District, at an annual salary of $106,000 (pro-rated), effective August 15, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

C.2. Resignation

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

a. Judith Hreno, Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for the 11 years of service to the children of Warren, effective June 30, 2014.

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. Maureen Aronow (former Leave Replacement Teacher)

C.4. Service Providers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Suneeta Chacko Varkey, M.D. to provide Psychiatric Evaluations for the 2013-2014 school year, at a rate of $450 per written report.

b. Creative Speech Solutions to provide the following Tier One Speech-Language Pathology Evaluations with written reports for the 2013-2014 school year:

  • Oral Motor Speech/Feeding and Communication Evaluation ($450)
  • Oral Motor Speech/Feeding Evaluation ($425)
  • Oral Motor Speech/Feeding and Language Evaluation; Preschool/Kindergarten ($525)
  • Oral Motor Feeding and Swallowing Evaluation ($450)
  • Oral Motor Speech/Feeding and Language Evaluation;

6 years old and older ($600)

  • Language Evaluation; 6 years old and older ($500)
  • Fluency Evaluations ($450)

c. Sharing Communications to provide Speech Therapy services for the 2013-2014 school year, at a rate increase to $100 per hour.

d. Center for Child & Family Development to provide the following Evaluations with written reports for the 2013-2014 school year:

  • Psychiatric Evaluations ($825)
  • Neurodevelopmental Evaluation (rate increase to $665)
  • Psychological Evaluation (rate increase to $665)

C.5. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Mary Pat Brown, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective March 1, 2013.

C.6. Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2553 for medical leave (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA from March 20, 2014 through on or about April 30, 2014, with an anticipated return date of May 1, 2014.

b. Employee #2578 for NJFLA/Child Rearing leave (unpaid, and with benefits according to legal and contractual entitlement), from on or about September 3, 2014 through June 30, 2015, with an anticipated return date of September 1, 2015.

C.7. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Meghan Madden to accompany Students #121314 and #121050 to an after school program, Bricks for Kids, beginning March 18, 2014 through April 30, 2014, for a total of 7 hours, at a rate of $40 per hour, total cost not to exceed $280.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies - Second Reading

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second reading and adoption of the following policies:

a. Fundraising Activities - 5136

XIII. Old Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

N/A

XV. Public Commentary

N/A

Mrs. DiMaggio and Ms. DeNourie left the meeting at 9:19 p.m.

XVI. Executive Session

At 9:20 p.m. Mrs. Allocco 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 1o 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 Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the Board reconvened in open session at 9:24 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mrs. Helewa the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary