Warren Township Schools: Minutes for February 17, 2015

Minutes for February 17, 2015 Archived Minutes

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 7:01 p.m. by Board President Jim Sena.

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mr. Sena 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 7, 2015. 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 – Mr. Sena led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Tia Allocco, Celeste Campos, Len deMontagnac, Desiree DeNourie, Lisa DiMaggio, Kathy Helewa, Joan Schiller, Jim Sena and Greg Steier

Absent:

Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, Board Secretary, and member of the press

IV. Presentations

Budget Preview #1 - Mrs. Leonhardt provided a review of capital projects, capital reserve, and health benefits spending.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public minutes of the January 20, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Ms. Campos and approved by 9-0 roll-call vote.

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

· Fire Drills

ALT
January 20

Central
January 20

Mt. Horeb
January 29

Woodland
January 23

Middle
January 29

· Security Drills

ALT
January 26
Sheltering In

Central
January 23
Sheltering In

Mt. Horeb
January 30
Sheltering In

Woodland
January 29
Sheltering In

Middle
January 30
Sheltering In

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena thanked everyone for their attendance in light of today’s school closure. Warm thoughts are encouraged in an effort to avoid additional snow days.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported on the security drills observed by a DOE Representative. All went very well with a few suggestions from the specialists.

Dr. Crader reported on a review of Math placement.

Lastly, Dr. Crader called the board’s attention to an updated total for motion C.6.

IX. Committee Reports

Mrs. Helewa reported on the Policy Committee, which is reviewing a Residency Policy as well as the Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) policy.

Mrs. Helewa also reported on pending opt-out PARCC legislation.

Mr. Steier reported on the Finance Committee, which discussed end of year projections and projects, the Safety Grant and the transportation contract renewal.

Dr. Schiller asked a question regarding the district’s transportation contracts.

X. Discussion

Dr. Crader provided a PARCC update, individually addressing areas of concerns.

Dr. Crader then provided an in-depth review of School Performance Reports, using an actual report on the district’s website as an example.

XI. Board Goals

Mr. Sena led the board in a discussion of its goals, with board members providing input. The board decided to do minimal goal setting at this time, with full fledged goal setting in May, aligning with superintendent and district goals. (Also discussed was a revamping of the district’s Mission Statement.)

The board discussed its role in various district operations, including curriculum.

The board settled on short term goals (until July 2015) of:

❏ Full board accountability, oversight and stewardship (including training)

❏ Increased communication and collaboration among the full Board of Education.

In addition, the Finance Committee will work on a Five Year Financial Plan, encompassing the Strategic Plan, enrollment dynamics and stewardship.

XII. 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, asked PARCC related questions.

XIII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

The board asked questions regarding some transfers (B.3.), B.6., B.9., and C.6.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. and A.2., B.1. through B.7., B.9., and C.1. through C.6., were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote. (B.8. was tabled.)

Ms. DeNourie left at 8:41 p.m.

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 February 12, 2015.

A.2. Out-of-District Tuition

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an out of district placement for Student #3899562414, to The Center School, beginning February 3, 2015 through June 30, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $26,572.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of February 2015 in the amount of $4,136,646.90.

B.2. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the report of the secretary for the month of January, 2015;

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on January 31, 2015:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$7,123,688.44		$1,553,121.66
(11) Current Expense		$1,370,011.55
(12) Capital Outlay		$85,500.06
(13) Special Schools		$1,262.47
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($44,742.23)	$7,245.49	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$2,053,321.12	$638,919.83	$869,199.44
(40) Debt Service Fund	$556,130.71	$0.00	$164.71
TOTAL	$9,688,398.04	$2,102,939.40	$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 January 2015

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:
11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition - Other LEAs - Regular SY	11-120-100-101-00-01	Salaries - Grade 1-5 Teachers	$34,000
11-000-217-106-00-02	Salaries - Extraordinary Paras	11-000-217-800-08-00	Extraordinary Svcs. - Misc. Exps.	$1,000
11-000-218-104-00-00	Guidance Salaries	11-000-222-177-00-00	Salaries - Technology Coordinators	$3,000
11-000-230-820-00-00	Judgments Against District	11-000-230-334-01-00	Architect & Engineering Services	$5,000
11-000-230-820-00-00	Judgments Against District	11-000-230-339-01-00	Admin. - Purchased Prof. Services	$5,000
11-000-230-820-00-00	Judgments Against District	11-000-230-610-01-00	Admin. - Supplies	$5,000
11-000-263-610-09-00	Grounds - Supplies	11-000-261-420-09-07	Maintenance Repairs - Middle	$5,000
11-204-100-101-00-00	Salaries - LLD Teachers	11-230-100-101-00-00	Salaries - Basic Skills Teachers	$1,300
11-230-100-610-12-06	Basic Skills Supplies - Woodland	11-000-222-600-06-12	Library Books - Woodland	$122
11-230-100-610-12-06	Basic Skills Supplies - Woodland	11-000-222-600-06-13	Periodicals & Subscriptions - WD	$1,103
11-230-100-610-12-06	Basic Skills Supplies - Woodland	11-190-100-640-06-00	Textbooks - Woodland	$4,000
11-401-100-600-04-00	Co-Curricular Supplies - Mt. Horeb	11-190-100-610-04-10	Instructional Supplies - Mt. Horeb	$350

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:

Name	School	Workshop/ Conference	Location	Month/Yr	Cost
Michele Stora de Cruz	ALT	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$175
Alexis Slack	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$170
Noralys Rebimbas	ALT	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$170
Jeannie Pang	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$172
Shannon O’Shea	WS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$173
Maria Lampon-Sendon	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$171
Hildy Jackson	CS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$169
Mary Pat Forenza	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$233
Angela Della Ventura	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$172
Bernadette Danner	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$169
Kristen Boni	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$181
Max Achtau	MS	FLENJ Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2015	$165
Alexis Sacks	CS	NJSSNA Weekend Conference	Iselin	Mar 2015	$210
Patsy Iannacone	CS	Assisting Students w Info Text Reading	Garwood	Mar 2015	$210
Kevin Potter	District	NJ B&G Expo	Atlantic City	Mar 2015	$175
Jeff Sutherland	MS	NJAPHERD Annual Convention	Long Branch	Feb 2015	$212
Michelle Jarmicki	ALT	Empowering Writers Workshop	Parsippany	March 2015	$286
Linda Yu	MS	Assisting Students with Text Reading	Garwood	March 2015	$210
Catherine Lazas	MS	Assisting Students with Text Reading	Garwood	March 2015	$210
Myranda Shimko	MS	Assisting Students with Text Reading	Garwood	March 2015	$210
Ashley Peterson	District	2015 PSUG Annual Conference	Atlantic City	April 2015	$304
BethAnn Figueira	ALT	Powerful Models	Parsippany	March 2015	$286

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. Waiver of Requirements - Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI)

Program

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Waiver of Requirements Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program:

WHEREAS, NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 provides that a school district may request a waiver of compliance with respect to the district’s participation in the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program for the 2015-2016 School Year, and

WHEREAS, that the Board of Education desires to apply for this waiver due to the fact that it has fewer than 40 Medicaid eligible classified students,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in Somerset County the appropriate waiver of the requirements of NJAC 6A:23A-5.3 for the 2015-2016 school year.

B.6. 2015-2016 School Year Tuition Rates

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2015-2016 tuition rates:

Preschool/Kindergarten: $14,394
Grades 1 - 5: $16,460
Grades 6 - 8: $16,555

B.7. Transportation Contract for Watchung Hills Regional High School

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

4 late runs - $140
1 field trip run - $116.87

B.8. NJSIG - ERIC North Sub-Fund Application for 2015 Safety Program (TABLED)

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the submission of a grant application for the 2015 Safety Grant Program through the New Jersey School Insurance Group’s ERIC North Sub-Fund for the qualified purposes of installing IDenticard access control at the back door of the Angelo L. Tomaso school building. The Grant, in the amount of $3,505, is for the period of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

B.9. Boiler Replacement Project at Central School – Change Order #1

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following change order for Kelin Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc as follows:

C/O #1 Bond Fee - $3,500

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. Joan Darkenwald, LDT-C, District, effective February 23, 2015 through on or about March 27, 2015, for a total of 8 days within this time period, at a per diem rate of $400.

C.2. Substitute Teachers

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

a. Meagan-Ashley Menza

b. Jonathan Nakonechy

c. Derina Tanumihardja

C.3. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #1596 for family leave (paid with benefits) under FMLA from January 20, 2015 through on or about February 27, 2015, with an anticipated return date of on or about March 2, 2015.

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Michele Gaglioti, ASAP Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, with appreciation for her 29 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective March 31, 2015.

b. Nancy Johnston, 1^st grade Teacher, Central School, with appreciation for her 23 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2015.

C.5. Employee Discipline

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the suspension, without pay, of Employee #1947 for February 10 and 11, 2015.

C.6. Approval of Inservice Day Presenters

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following February 12, 2015 Inservice Day presenters, to be paid the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for total cost of $9,360.

Andrew Ahimovic	Jessica Halpern	Alexis Sacks
Lynn Alger	Deborah Hunt	Beatrice Schwarzkopf
Jan Brennan	Peter Kassalow	Shannon Sharkey
Anita Brower	Denise Kennedy	Harreit Stambaugh
Kathy Brown	Susan Kline	Melissa Stoeckel
Mary Pat Brown	Marianne Larson	Christina Trump
Christine Burkhardt	Cathy Lazas	Suzanne Wisher
Michelle Cebula	Lisa Lontai	Linda Yu
Sheila Connelly	Kara Miletic	Doris Zanchelli
Sean Convery	Megan O’Donnell	Michelle Zgombic
Lynn Degen	Rebecca Olszyk	Jill Ziobro
Mary Beth Greco	Wendy Piller

XIV. Old Business

N/A

XV. New Business

Replacement for Technology Supervisor - Dr. Crader reviewed a proposal for replacing the retiring Technology Supervisor with Instructional Specialists.

Dr. Schiller reported on compliments paid the district at a recent township meeting.

XVI. Public Commentary

N/A

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Dr. Schiller, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary