Minutes for July 14, 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 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, 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: Celeste Campos, Desiree DeNourie, Lisa DiMaggio, Kathy Helewa, Jim Sena, Mildred Spiller and Greg Steier

Absent: Tia Allocco

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

Len deMontagnac arrived at 7:02 p.m.

IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:02 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:

material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy

Action will be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 20 minutes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the minutes of this closed session will be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa.

The Board reconvened in open session at 7:33 p.m.

On motion by Mr. Sena, seconded by Mr. deMontagnac, the following motion was approved by a 8-0 roll call vote.

C. Personnel/Student Services

Employment for the 2014-2015 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 2014-2015 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.” (Updates are reflected in bold.)

  1. Jeffrey Heaney, Principal, Woodland School, at an annual salary of $120,550, effective on or aboutSeptember 15, 2014. (He is replacing Dr. C. Huss.)

V. MINUTES

Mr. Sena moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the June 23, 2014 Board Meeting.

 

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Helewa and approved by 6-0-2 roll-call vote (Ms. Campos and Mr. deMontagnac abstained).

  1. VI. Correspondence and Information
  • HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

    

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

  
 

1

    

1
  • Fire Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

June 4

June 9

June 25

June 4

June 6

 
  • Security Drills

ALT

Central

Mt. Horeb

Woodland

Middle

June 24

Bomb Threat

 

June 16

Bomb Threat

June 24

Bomb Threat

June 12

Bomb Threat

June 18

Bomb Threat
  1. 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 Dr. Crader for her role in the principal search and wished all a healthy and happy summer.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reviewed for the board the rubric associated with the Danielson model for TeachNJ, and led the board in a group exercise.

Dr. Crader also provided an overview of best practice regarding the use of data.

IX. Committee Reports

Mr. Sena reported on the Curriculum Committee meeting, which discussed the honor roll and grade distribution.

X. Discussion

  • Honor Roll/Grading Practices
    The board discussed an honor roll and grading review and the process involved with tasking Dr. Crader. This then led to a discussion of the role of an honor roll and grading in general. It was determined that Dr. Crader will gather additional data on the topic.
  • Committee Structure (continued)

    Mrs. Spiller recapped progress to date on this topic of discussion, whereby the board decided to operate in a hybrid environment, meaning as a board of the whole in general, with standing Finance and Policy Committees, and a Negotiations Committee as need dictates. (The current chairs of the Finance, Policy and Negotiations Committees were asked to write a small overview regarding the function of the respective committee.)

    The board discussed a Personnel Committee in depth, and the consensus was that there should be one, with a limited set of responsibilities, and separate from negotiations. Ms. Campos volunteered to create an overview of the function of the committee.

    Mrs. Spiller reminded all that these committee write-ups were to be the function, not goals, of the committees.

    Regarding the disbandment of some committees, it was determined that the Curriculum Committee had already completed its work and no future meetings will be scheduled, while the Communications Committee felt it needed to meet one last time.

    At its next meeting the board will discuss the format of committee reporting and the establishment of committee goals.

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).

Brenda Nemcek, Old Smalleytown Road, discussed the reporting of honor roll, and the possibility of weighted grading for more difficult coursework.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Mr. Sena seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.5., C.1. through C.8. and D.1. were approved by a 8-0 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 July 10, 2014.

A.2. Summer Curriculum Writing

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following summer 2014 curriculum positions, as per the 2011-2014 WTEA negotiated agreement:

Gina Banks, Middle School Character Education Program Development (replacing Kevin Speckin)
Jennifer Benn, Middle School Character Education Program Development (replacing Leslie Ortega)

A.3. Out of District Placement School Year 2014-2015

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amended attached Out of District 2014-2015 school year placements, dated June 24, 2014.

A.4. Out of District Placement ESY 2014

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional attached Out of District 2014 ESY placement list, dated July 9, 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 July 2014 in the amount of $1,116,146.17.

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:

October 2014

Mary Lynch, ALT, Science Convention, Princeton $285
Harriet Stambaugh, WS, School Health 2014 Conference, Edison $200
Dan Ticchio, MS, Science Convention, Princeton $285
Kelly Brown, MS, Science Convention, Princeton $291
Ann Marie Christou, MS, Science Convention, Princeton $313
Stacey Hann-Modugno, District, Science Convention, Princeton $298
William Kimmick, District, Science Convention, Princeton $296
Kara Miletic, MHS, Science Convention, Princeton $316

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. Transportation Contract for Watchung Hills Regional High School - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Watchung Hills Regional HS School District for the transportation of their students for the 2014-2015 Extended School Year as follows:

Contractor

District

Route

School

Cost

Warren

WHRHS

W-145S

Assorted Trips

$1,799.45

B.4. Transportation for Out of District Student – ESY and 2014-2015 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves modified ESY and 2014-2015 School Year transportation costs for an out of district student as follows:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

Greenbrook 121619 Jardine Academy $34,545

B.5. Transportation for Out of District Students - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves modified ESY transportation costs for out of district students as follows:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

MUJC 620421 New Beginnings $ 9,103.70

MUJC 621049 & 121513 P.G. Chambers $ 9,939.42

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2014-2015 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 2014-2015 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.”

      1. Jessica Tsui, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School decrease from 32.5 hours to 30 hours, Step 1-2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $17,600, (2014-2015 step will be the equivalent of this 2013-2014 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.
      2. Steven Rizzoli, Grade 5 Teacher, Central School, MA+30, Step 11-12 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $71,526, (2014-2015 step will be the equivalent of this 2013-2014 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

C.2. Retirement/Resignation

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

      1. Ann Santee, Social Worker, District, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 14 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective September 30, 2014.
      2. Luke Rizzoli, Summer Custodian, District, effective July 3, 2014.

C.3. Summer Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves to contract Mary Russo, Paraprofessional, for 320 hours, from June 26 to August 31, 2014, for student #120949, at a cost not to exceed $7,415 (actual salary to be determined once collective bargaining is completed).

C.4. Summer Fun Staff Appointment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additions/changes to Summer Fun staffing:

      1. Steve Rizzoli as Summer Fun Teacher, at a rate of $40 per hour, from July 7, 2014, through August 1, 2014.
      2. Carlie Goode as Summer Fun Paraprofessional, for additional after care hours, 2.5 hours/day, at a rate of $10 per hour, from July 14, 2014, through August 1, 2014.
      3. Catherine Lazas as Summer Fun Teacher, at a rate of $40, for 6 days between July 11, 2014 through July 18, 2014 (replacement for Sandy Foley).
      4. Alexis Slack as Summer Fun Teacher, at a rate of $40, for 6 days between July 25, 2014 through August 1, 2014 (replacement for Chris Schwallie).
      5. Sharon Friedman as Summer Fun substitute. (She is an approved substitute in district.)

C.5. 2014 Summer Hours - Transportation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of Summer Transportation Employees dated July 7, 2014, at the listed hourly rates, from June 26, 2014 through September 3, 2014, at an approximate cost not to exceed $48,456.

C.6. Middle School Guidance Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to work three days, from August 26, 2014 through August 28, 2014, at the individual per diem rate:

      1. Lauren Regal – Grade 6
      2. Helen Scully – Grade 7
      3. Midge Johnson – Grade 8

C.7. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

      1. Employee #2041 for FMLA/NJFLA (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from on or about September 15, 2014, through on or about January 30, 2015, with an anticipated return date of February 2, 2015.

C.8. Child Study Team Summer 2014-Additional Evaluations and Case Management RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the following Child Study Team Summer Work:

      1. Evaluations and case management for 17 days, at a cost not to exceed $8,415.
      2. Speech evaluations for 5 days, at a cost not to exceed $2,100.
      3. Teacher IEP meeting attendance for 10 hours, at a cost not to exceed $400.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – Second Reading

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

      1. 4111/4211 - Recruitment, Selection and Hiring
      2. 5141 - Health
      3. 6147.1 - Evaluation of Individual Student Performance
      4. 5113 Attendance, Absences, and Excuses
      5. 5131.6 Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Tobacco (Substance Abuse)
      6. 6145 Extra-curricular/Co-curricular Activities

 

XIII. Old Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding private school attendance and the corresponding motivation behind the decision.

XV. Public Commentary

N/A

XVI. Executive Session

At 9:18 p.m. Mr. Sena moved the following:

Executive Session

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:

specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session

Action may 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 will 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 Mr. deMontagnac the Board reconvened in open session at 9:26 p.m.

XVII. C. Personnel/Student Services

On motion by Mr. Sena seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent item C.9. was approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

C.9. Conclusion of Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the conclusion of the 2014-15 employment contract for employee #2139, in accordance with the notice provision, effective August 31, 2014.

XVIII. New Business

Mr. deMontagnac reported on a member of the public making good use of our district notice on Starbuck’s community board.

XIX. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Sena seconded by Mr. Steier the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary