Minutes for August 25, 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 7:01 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, 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, Lisa DiMaggio, Jim Sena, Mildred Spiller and Greg Steier

Absent: Desiree DeNourie and Kathy Helewa

Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, MaryGrace Suitovsky, Acting Board Secretary, staff and members of the public

IV. MINUTES

Mrs. Allocco moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the August 11, 2014 Board Meeting.

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

V. 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.

VI. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported on the new teacher induction program.

Dr. Crader reported on the newly implemented InfoSnap program.

Dr. Crader reported on the Middle School student assignments process.

Dr. Crader reviewed current student enrollments and guidelines.

Dr. Crader reported on current staff open positions.

VII. Committee Reports

N/A

VIII. Discussion

N/A

IX. 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

X. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Ms. Campos asked a question regarding A.3. with Mr. Steier asking a follow up question.

Mr. deMontagnac asked a question regarding B.2.

Mrs. Allocco asked a question regarding D.1.a. and Mr. Steier and Mrs. Spiller also asked questions and commented on this topic. This led to a discussion regarding teacher tutoring, a conversation to be continued at a later date.

Mrs. DiMaggio asked a question about C.5.

On motion by Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.7., C.1. through C.7. and D.1. were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Tuition Out Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of district placements for the following:

a. Student #120540, to Banyan School, beginning September 3, 2014 through June 23, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $50,699.

b. Student #120949, to the Midland School, beginning September 3, 2014 through June 19, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $48,276.

A.2. Fieldwork Site

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a one year Clinical Affiliation Agreement with Rutgers University, from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, securing Warren Township Schools as an internship site to provide supervised clinical experiences for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program.

A.3. Curriculum Adoption

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following revised guides dated August 25, 2014:

· Character Education

· World Language

A.4. Out-of-Zone Request

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

a. Student #620159, grade 5, Mt. Horeb School, for the 2014-2015 school year. The student has moved to a new home zoned for Angelo L. Tomaso School. 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 for the month of August 2014 in the amount of $2,342,989.28.

B.2. Superintendent Merit Goals 2014-2015

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following merit goals for Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, at the following payout rates:

a. Quantitative: 3.33%

1. Increase total club attendance by 10%.

2. Through RTI training, strengthen teachers’ ability to provide interventions to all students and reduce number of teacher referrals to CST.

3. Seek opportunities to highlight the work of the district on a state or national level.

b. Qualitative: 2.5%

1. Establish rubrics to evaluate professional service providers.

2. Establish in-district instructional rounds program.

B.3.Transportation for Out of District Students – ESY (modified)

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

Contractor

Student Id #

School

Cost

Middlesex Reg ESC

120851 & 120908

Cambridge School

$3,564.78

This motion supersedes the approval on the June 9, 2014 agenda.

 

B.4. Transportation for Out of District Student –2014-2015 ESY & SY (modified)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves transportation for both ESY and the 2014-2015 school year for an out of district student as follows:

Contractor

Student Id #

School

Cost

Green Brook BOE

121619

Jardine Academy

$34,440.00

This motion supersedes the approval on the July 14, 2014 agenda.

B.5. Transportation for Out of District Student – 2014-2015 school year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves 2014-2015 school year transportation for out of district students as follows:

Contractor

Student Id

School

Cost

MUJC

120540 & 120350

Banyan

$69,108.49

MUJC

620421

New Beginnings

$36,217.95

MUJC

121424

The Children's Institute

$20,742.98

MUJC

121513 & 621049

P.G. Chambers

$56,230.36

Union Cty ESC

121295

Reed Academy

$21,996.00

MRESC

120908 & 120851

Cambridge

$30,114.64

Bridgewater – Raritan BOE

620473

Arc Kohler

$17,920.80

B.6. Approval of Change Order

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a change order, not to exceed $2,000, for engineering services rendered by Hatch Mott MacDonald, LLC for NJDEP work regarding the 1990 Underground Storage Tank removal at Central School. This last payment signifies completion of the work.

B.7. 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

· Jan Brennan, School Health Conf., Edison, NJ $195

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.

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.”

a. Gabrielle Snead, Van Driver, increase from 5 hours a day to 7 hours a day, effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, at an approximate salary of $23,084.

b. Lauralee Dupper, Bus Monitor/Aide, 5 hours per day, effective on or about September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 (pending completion of required paperwork), at an approximate salary of $11,700.

c. Steven Rizzoli, Grade 5 Teacher, Central School, MA+30, Step 9-10 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $69,906 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

d. Emily Puhak, Classroom Paraprofessional, 32.5 hours, Warren Middle School, Step 1-2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $19,067 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

e. Gina Cocivera-Wright, Leave Replacement Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, MA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $59,367 (pro-rated) (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 on or about December 1, 2014. (She will be a leave replacement teacher for Employee #0082.).

f. Carol Brown, SAC, Warren Middle School, and Social Worker, District, increase from 16 hours to 23 hours, MA, Step 19 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $48,903 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. (This increase in hours is due to one day as a Social Worker.)

g. Kristen Maudsley, Social Worker, .8 (28 hours), District, MA, Step 5-6 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $49,200 (pro-rated) (2014-2015 step will be the equivalent of this 2013-2014 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 15, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

h. Christine Barbera, Special Education Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, BA, Step 2-4 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $54,920 (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.

i. Michelle Antonelli, Grade 3 Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, MA, Step 2-4 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $60,412 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of substitute teachers, dated August 25, 2014, for the 2014-2015 school year.

C.3. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following provider addition and change for Student Services for the 2014-2015 school year:

a. Kara A. Reagon, Ph.D., at a rate of $175 per hour for Behavioral Consultation and Functional Behavioral Assessment, not to exceed $1,500, for Student #120540.

b. Kid Therapy, to provide Physical Therapy evaluations and Occupational Therapy evaluations, each at a cost of $500 with written reports.

C.4. Substitute Nurse Rate

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an increase in the per diem rate for substitute nurses, from $150 per day to $200 per day, effective September 1, 2014.

C.5. Contracted Services Provider

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Joan Darkenwald, to provide Child Study Team services, at a per diem rate of $400, effective August 28, 2014, through on or about February 19, 2015.

C.6. Resignation

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

a. Susan Tully, Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, with appreciation for her service to the Warren Township students, effective on or about September 20, 2014.

C.7. Additional Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to work additional hours as listed, prior to the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, at the WTEA contractual rate of $40 per hour, to support the creation of the new LLD program at Warren Middle School:

a. Carol Brown, Warren Middle School, SAC/Social Worker, 6 hours.

b. Lauren Regal, Warren Middle School, Special Education Teacher, 6 hours.

c. Lori Vigliotti, Warren Middle School, Special Ed LLD Teacher, 10 hours.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – Second Reading

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

a. 4219.26/4119.26 Electronic Communications

b. 9130 Committees

XI. Old Business

Mr. Steier commented on the Electronic Communications policy.

Mrs. Allocco asked a question regarding the review of policies in the future.

XII. New Business

N/A

XIII. Public Commentary

N/A

XIV. Executive Session

At 7:29 p.m. Mrs. Allocco 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:

· protection of public safety and property and/or investigations of possible violations or violations of law

· pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege

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 Mr. Sena and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Allocco, seconded by Mr. Sena, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:19 p.m.

XV. Adjourn

On motion by Mr. Sena, seconded by Mr. Steier, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

MaryGrace Suitovsky

Acting Board Secretary