Warren Township Schools

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Warren Woodland School, 114 Stirling Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 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, 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, Kathy Helewa, Mildred Spiller and Greg Steier

Absent: Lisa DiMaggio and Jim Sena

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

IV. PRESENTATION

Dr. Crader introduced Mr. Jones and Woodland School Reach Too Students, who presented a multitude of interesting projects.

V. MINUTES

Mrs. Allocco moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the March 17, 2014 Board Meeting.

 

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by 7-0 roll-call vote.

VI. Correspondence and Information

• HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

2

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

0

• Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
March 28	March 21	March 27	March 31	March 21

• Security Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
March 27 Active Shooter	March 27 Active Shooter	March 31 Lockdown	March 27 Lockdown	March 26 Active Shooter

VII. President's Remarks - Mildred Spiller

Mrs. Spiller read the District Mission Statement:

Warren Township Schools' Mission Statement: Warren Township Schools' 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.

Mrs. Spiller thanked Mr. Jones and the Woodland School students for the wonderful presentation and commented on the warm décor of the Woodland library.

Mrs. Spiller thanked the Warren Youth Services Commission for its donation, and called attention to the multitude of achievements by Warren students, including the Geography Competition and Science Fair.

VIII. Superintendent's Remarks - Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported that a more thorough reporting on district goals will be provided in May. A report on integration of our brand was briefly discussed.

Dr. Crader reported that the PARCC field test went well.

IX. Committee Reports

Mrs. Allocco reported on the recent WTEA negotiation meetings, which will be discussed further in executive session.

Ms. Campos reported on the Communications Committee, which discussed actionable items. The Committee will be meeting again in May.

X. Discussion

Dr. Crader discussed the proposed 2015-2016 calendar, and the survey results which did not send a clear message for change.

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).

Woodland Students Zach Cashman, 6 Birchmont Lane and Simon Zhang, 21A Hillcrest Road addressed the Board regarding the room temperature in Woodland School gym, and the possibility of installing air conditioning. They presented an overview regarding revenue generation. Dr. Crader will discuss with the board and will meet with the students to provide feedback.

Susan Leonard, Woodland School staff member, asked questions regarding the Flex Day change.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mr. deMontagnac asked a question regarding a transfer and also had a question regarding motion C.1.

On motion by Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. through B.6., and C.1. through C.7. and D.1., were approved by a 7-0 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 April 3, 2014.

A.2. Achieve NJ Waiver

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a waiver application that would seek permission to replace the requirement of three short observations of tenured staff with two long observations of tenured staff.

A.3. Bedside Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves bedside instruction for Student #121521, beginning on or about March 31, 2014, at a hourly rate of $58, at a cost not to exceed $2,320.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

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

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the report of the secretary for the month of February, 2014

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on February 28, 2014

	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
	$9,223,070.31		$1,544,279.57
FUND		$2,332,377.76
(10) General Current Expense Fund		$131,580.04
(13) Special Schools		$6,409.88
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($1,322.37)	($6,030.65)
(30) Capital Projects Fund	($38,400.00)	($43,650.00)	$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$573,528.71	$0.00	$83.04
TOTAL	$9,756,876.65	$2,420,687.03	$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 February 2014

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:
11-000-218-600-03-00	Guidance Supplies - Central	11-190-100-610-03-10	Instructional Supplies - CS	$800
11-000-218-600-04-00	Guidance Supplies - MH	11-190-100-610-04-10	Instructional Supplies- MH	$700
11-000-218-600-05-00	Guidance Supplies - ALT	11-190-100-610-05-10	Instructional Supplies - ALT	$600
11-000-218-600-06-00	Guidance Supplies - WD	11-190-100-610-06-10	Instructional Supplies - WD	$1,000
11-000-223-580-05-00	Workshops & Travel - ALT	11-190-100-610-05-10	Instructional Supplies - ALT	$150
11-000-252-420-11-01	Technology - Repairs & Maint.	11-000-252-500-11-01	Technology Software	$2,000
11-000-263-610-09-00	Grounds - Supplies	11-000-262-610-09-00	Building Supplies - Maint.	$10,000
11-000-266-340-09-00	Security - Purch. Tech. Svcs.	11-000-266-420-00-00	Security-Repairs & Maint.	$1,000
11-000-270-515-10-00	Contr. Spec. Ed. Transp.-Joint.	11-000-270-518-10-00	Contr. Spec. Ed. Transp.-ESC	$8,700
11-000-270-580-10-00	Transp. - Workshops & Travel	11-000-270-518-10-00	Contr. Spec. Ed. Transp.-ESC	$150
11-216-100-104-00-00	Preschool Dis. Teacher Sals.	11-230-100-101-00-00	Basic Skills - Salaries	$8,800
11-240-100-610-01-00	ESL Supplies	11-240-100-101-00-00	Bilingual Teachers - Salaries	$650
12-000-260-730-00-00	Operations & Maint. Equip.	11-000-262-610-09-00	Building Supplies - Maint.	$28,105
13-422-100-500-00-00	Summer Fun - Purch. Svcs.	13-422-100-101-00-00	Summer Fun Teacher Sals.	$2,000

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:

April 2014

• Laurie Donovan, MHS, Self Regulation Effective Strategies for

Children, Somerset $ 189

May 2014

• Michele Stein, MHS, NJASP Spring Conference, Windsor $ 175
• Susan Cooper, MS, Junior National Academic Championship,

Alexandria, VA $ 268

Aug 2014

• Allison Reu, CS, Sounds in Motion, NY, NY $ 225
• Christine DeShields, CS, Sounds in Motion, NY, NY $ 225

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. NJSIG - ERIC North Sub-Fund Application for 2014 Safety Program

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of a grant application for the 2014 Safety Grant Program through the New Jersey School Insurance Group's ERIC North Sub-Fund for the qualified purposes of installing speed humps, with associated painting, at Central School, in the amount of $11,122 for the period of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

B.5. Donation - Warren Youth Services Commission

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation of $1,500 to be used for the ELL Homework Program at Central School.

B.6. Purchase - Technology Equipment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following 2013-14 budgeted purchases:

• 50 Dell Latitude 14 5000 Series $50,000.00
• 30 Dell Optiplex 9020 Small Form Factors $30,000.00
• HP Switches $34,379.10
• SQL Server $10,872.60

All purchases under NJ State Contract M0483.

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. Susan Francione, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, 30 hours, Woodland School, Step 1-2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $15,850 (pro-rated), effective on or about April 21, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (She is replacing A. Glorius.)

b. Jim Zilinski, Unified Arts/ASAP Reading Teacher, Warren Middle School, BA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $53,970 (pro-rated), April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. (He is replacing G. Veitch.)

c. Candida Hengemuhle, District Director of Special Services, at a salary of $134,000, effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

C.2. Retirement/Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement/resignations of the following staff:

a. Gladys Veitch, Unified Arts/ASAP Reading Teacher, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for over 18 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective March 31, 2014.

b. Judy Benveniste, Grade 3 Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 23 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2014.

c. Lucille Schorr, Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 25 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2014.

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. Monica Litvinchuk

b. Karen Clintock

c. Judy Quinones

d. Karen Schlosser (current part-time teacher at Mt. Horeb)

C.4. Compacted Schedule for Summer 2014

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a4-day compacted work schedule for Summer 2014, for the weeks of 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, and 8/4.

C.5. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Maxine Dornfeld to accompany Student #120540 to Gold Band morning practices beginning March 25, 2014, for 8 weeks, for a total of 4 hours, at a cost not to exceed $85.

C.6. Service Provider

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Dr. Jed Baker, to provide Social Skills Group Therapy, for Student #121236, to begin on or about April 8, 2014, for 12 weeks, at a rate of $70 per hour, for the 2013-2014 school year, at a cost not to exceed $840.00.

C.7. Service Provider Removal

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be removed from the Service Provider List:

a. Moreines and Goldman, P.C., (Dr. Suneeta Chacko Varkey), Psychiatrist

b. Regan Lakritz, Occupational Therapist

c. Patricia M. Treiber, Audio and Speech Language Services

d. Brenda Hockstein, ABA

e. Elizabeth Harriman, M.S. CCC-SLP

D. Policy

D.1. Policies - First Reading and Adoption

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

a. Fundraising Activities - 5136

XIII. Old Business

Dr. Crader read words of praise for Ms. Veitch and Mrs. Benveniste on their upcoming retirements.

Mrs. Allocco requested a follow up regarding PARCC preparation and also congratulated the ALT Science Fair and the district's Archery students. Mrs. Allocco also questioned potentially growing the Archery program to the Middle School level.

Mr. deMontagnac noted that the Warren Elementary School band will be playing at the Somerset Patriots opening day.

XIV. New Business

Mrs. Helewa mentioned her upcoming attendance at a NJSBA Special Education task force reporting session.

XV. Public Commentary

N/A

XVI. Executive Session

At 8:51 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 10 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.

Ms. DeNourie left at 8:52 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mrs. Helewa the Board reconvened in open session at 8:54 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mrs. Helewa the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary