Minutes for September 8, 2014History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Warren Middle School, 100 Old Stirling Road. The following is a record of that meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 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, Desiree DeNourie, Len deMontagnac, Lisa DiMaggio, Kathy Helewa, Jim Sena, Mildred Spiller and Greg Steier

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

IV. MINUTES - TABLED

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the August 25, 2014 Board Meeting.

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.

Mrs. Spiller thanked the Warren Township Youth Services Commission for its generous donations.

Mrs. Spiller welcomed everyone back, and expressed her pleasure with both meeting the new staff members this evening, as well as her attendance at the staff opening day.

VI. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported on a great school opening, as well as additional information regarding the release of limited student data. Dr. Crader will provide follow up at a later date.

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

On motion by Mrs. Allocco seconded by Mrs. Helewa the consent items A.1., B.1. through B.8., and C.1. through C.7. were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Tuition Out Student

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

a. Student #7472966086, to Banyan School, beginning September 3, 2014 through June 30, 2015 at a cost not to exceed $82,559. This motion supersedes the motion approved on August 25, 2014.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report - June 2014 (Final)

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the report of the secretary for the month of June 2014 (Final)

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on June 30, 2014:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,809,751.48

 

$1,553,121.66

(11) Current Expense

 

$1,585,016.74

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$7,193.07

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$5,362.38

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$20,471.44

$16,071.44

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$1,515,202.65

$869,199.44

$869,199.44

(40) Debt Service Fund

$247.71

$164.67

$247.71

TOTAL

$6,345,673.28

$2,483,007.74

$2,422,568.81

 

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. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report - July 2014

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

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on July 31, 2014:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$4,693,130.36

 

$1,553,121.66

(11) Current Expense

 

$2,582,505.48

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$78,790.00

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$610.34

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$22,046.44

-$49,294.15

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$1,515,202.65

-$904.77

$869,199.44

(40) Debt Service Fund

$576,355.71

$0.00

$164.71

TOTAL

$6,806,735.16

$2,611,706.90

$2,422,485.81

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.3. Budget Transfers for Month of July 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:

   

11-000-219-600-08-00

CST Supplies

11-214-100-320-08-00

Prof. Educ. Svcs. - Autism

$6,000

11-000-266-340-09-00

Security - Purch. Tech. Svcs.

11-000-230-334-01-00

Architect & Engineering Svcs.

$11,180

11-000-266-610-09-03

Security - Maint. Supplies-CS

11-000-261-610-09-03

Maintenance Supplies - CS

$700

11-000-266-610-09-04

Security - Maint. Supplies-MH

11-000-261-610-09-04

Maintenance Supplies - MH

$700

11-000-266-610-09-05

Security- Maint. Supplies-ALT

11-000-261-610-09-05

Maintenance Supplies - ALT

$700

11-000-266-610-09-06

Security- Maint. Supplies-WD

11-000-261-610-09-06

Maintenance Supplies - WD

$700

11-000-266-610-09-07

Security - Maint. Supplies-MS

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - MS

$700

11-190-100-320-08-00

Purchased Prof. Svcs. (504s)

11-000-217-320-08-00

Extraordinary Services

$9,535

11-190-100-500-07-00

Other Purchased Svcs. - MS

11-190-100-610-07-10

Instructional Supplies - MS

$4,000

11-190-100-640-12-00

Textbooks-Replacement

11-190-100-610-12-00

Instructional Supplies - Curr.

$740

11-190-100-890-07-00

Misc. Expenditures - Middle

11-190-100-610-07-10

Instructional Supplies - MS

$118

11-204-100-610-08-00

LLD Supplies

11-212-100-610-08-00

Multiple Disabilities - Supplies

$840

11-204-100-640-08-00

LLD Textbooks

11-212-100-610-08-00

Multiple Disabilities - Supplies

$410

11-213-100-610-08-00

RC Supplies

11-214-100-320-08-00

Prof. Educ. Svcs. - Autism

$4,000

11-230-100-610-12-03

Basic Skills Supplies - CS

11-230-100-340-12-00

Basic Skills - Tech. Svcs.

$2,650

11-230-100-610-12-04

Basic Skills Supplies - MH

11-230-100-340-12-00

Basic Skills - . Tech. Svcs.

$2,100

11-230-100-610-12-05

Basic Skills Supplies - ALT

11-230-100-340-12-00

Basic Skills - . Tech. Svcs.

$2,300

11-230-100-610-12-06

Basic Skills Supplies - WD

11-230-100-340-12-00

Basic Skills - . Tech. Svcs.

$1,800

11-230-100-610-12-07

Basic Skills Supplies - MS

11-230-100-340-12-00

Basic Skills - . Tech. Svcs.

$400

B.4. 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

  • Pat Leonhardt, District, Public School Purchasing, New Brunswick $456
  • Fran Blabolil, CS, NJALC Symposium, Princeton $171
  • Terry Godfrey MS, NJALC Symposium, Princeton $165
  • Paula Pontoriero, ALT, NJALC Symposium, Princeton $204

November 2014

  • Suzanne Aldrich, MS, Students Who Struggle to Speak, Somerset $199

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.5. Acceptance of Grant – Mt. Horeb Roof Replacement Project

Department of Education School Facilities Project – Mt. Horeb Elementary School Roof Replacement Project

DOE Project # 5470-035-14-1004

SDA Project # 5470-035-14-G2PZ

Grant # G5 5837

Total FEC: $ 2,361,101

Grant Amount: $ 944,440

District Share: $ 1,416,661

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Schools Development Authority has approved the Final Eligible Cost Determination for the Mt. Horeb Elementary School Roof Replacement Project, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes:

1. The acceptance of the Final Eligible Cost (FEC) Determination for the project

2. The execution and delivery of the Grant Agreement by the superintendent and business administrator to the Department of Education and

3. The delegation of Authority to the School Business Administrator for the supervision of the School Facilities Project.

B.6. Authorization to Transfer from Capital Reserve to Fund 30

DOE Project: 5470-035-14-1004

Project: Mt. Horeb Elementary School Roof Replacement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer of $1,416,661 from Capital Reserve to Fund 30 for the district share of the costs for the Mt. Horeb Elementary School Roof Replacement Project.

B.7. 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

MRESC 120350 & 120540 Banyan $19,334.40

This motion supersedes B.5. from the August 25, 2014 agenda and is only a quote for 60 days. Cost for remainder of school year to be approved upon bid open.

B.8. Donations - Warren Township Youth Services Commission

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude the following donations from the Warren Township Youth Services Commission for Warren Middle School:

a. $2,500, to be utilized for a lunch mentoring program provided by Middle Earth.

b. $2,000, to be utilized for after school leadership programs.

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. Gina Cocivera-Wright, Grade 5 Teacher, Woodland School, MA, Step 7-8 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $62,739 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

b. Paula Pontoriero, transfer from Grade 3 teacher, Woodland School, to LDT-C, District, MA, Step 18 of the 2013-2014 salary guide $72,254 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

c. Amanda Gordon, Leave Replacement Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, MA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $59,367 (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 2, 2014. (She will be a leave replacement teacher for Employee #0082.)

d. Wayne Briner, Part-time Custodian, 15 hours a week, at an annual salary of $12,972 (pro-rated), effective September 9, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

e. 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, $48,692 (new step to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective September 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. (This reflects a salary adjustment generated by rounding.)

f. Brittany Leonard, ABA Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, 32.5 hours Step 1-2 of the 2013-2014 salary guide $19,067, plus a stipend of $1,800 for a teaching certificate (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.

g. Joan Darkenwald, LDT-C, District, effective August 28, 2014 through on or about February 19, 2015, at a per diem rate of $400. (She will be a temporary replacement for Employee #2748.)

h. Laura Fabian, Leave Replacement Teacher, Central School, BA, Step 1 of the 2013-2014 salary guide, $53,970, pro-rated (2014-2015 step will be the equivalent of this 2013-2014 step, to be determined once collective bargaining is concluded), effective on or about September 8, 2014 through on or about February 2, 2015. (She will be a leave replacement teacher for Employee #0669.)

i. Gerri Vesey, Paraprofessional, Central School, increase of two extra hours per day, effective September 8, 2014 through September 26, 2014, at an hourly rate of $23.21, for a total of $649.88. (This increase in hours is due to coverage for to-be released special education teacher.)

C.2. Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as a substitute teacher for the 2014-2015 school year:

a. Kaylan Geraldes

C.3. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2045 for FMLA/NJFLA/CHILD REARING (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from on or about December 1, 2014, through on or about January 3, 2016, with an anticipated return date of January 4, 2016.

C.4. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2014-2015 salary guide:

a. Keith Koellhoffer, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective September 1, 2014.

C.5. Warren Middle School Bus Arrival Supervision

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for morning supervision at Warren Middle School, effective September 4, 2014 through June 30, 2015, at a stipend amount of $500 per marking period per staff member.

  • Marking Period 1:

Tina Thomson, Leslie Duncan, John Seremula and Karen Balich

  • Marking Period 2:

Michele Tanzi, Sandy Foley, Mary Kovac and Jane Claussen

  • Marking Period 3:

Tina Thomson, Sandy Foley, John Seremula and Karen Balich

  • Marking Period 4:

Michele Tanzi, Leslie Duncan, Mary Kovac and Jane Claussen

C.6. Reading Recovery Technical Support Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the use of the NYU Reading Recovery Network for technical support throughout the 2014-2015 school year, at a cost to the district of $3,600, for the following teachers:

a. Nancy Braunstein

b. Denise Kennedy

c. Fran Perlman

d. MaryLou Psak

C.7. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the addition of Leif Albright, MA, BCBA Director of Albright Consultation Services LLC, to the Service Providers List, for Behavior Specialist services, at a rate of $125 per hour, effective September 8, 2014.

XI. Old Business

Mrs. Allocco asked a question regarding clubs in each school. Dr. Crader reported that she is providing additional structure to the process.

XII. New Business

N/A

XIII. Public Commentary

N/A

XIV. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Allocco, seconded by Mrs. Helewa, the meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary