Warren Township Schools: Minutes for April 13, 2015

Minutes for April 13, 2015 Archived Minutes

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Woodland School, 100 Stirling 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 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: Celeste Campos, Len deMontagnac, Desiree DeNourie, Kathy Helewa, Joan Schiller, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent: Lisa DiMaggio

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

Tia Allocco arrived at 7:12 p.m.

IV. Presentations

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public minutes of the March 16, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. deMontagnac and approved by 5-0-3 roll-call vote. (Ms. Campos, Mr. deMontagnac and Mr. Sena abstained.)

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

· Fire Drills

ALT
March 16

Central
March 25

Mt. Horeb
March 16

Woodland
March 25

Middle
March 19

· Security Drills

ALT
March 27
Active Shooter

Central
March 30
Active Shooter

Mt. Horeb
March 31
Active Shooter

Woodland
March 27
Active Shooter

Middle
March 19
Active Shooter

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena welcomed everyone back from Spring Break.

Mr. Sena thanked Mr. Heaney for his hospitality and Mrs. Sutherland and her students for this evening’s wonderful musical performance.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported on the visitation by the Superintendent’s Network to our district scheduled for next week.

Dr. Crader reported that Excellence in Education nominations are currently being accepted, and that Math level recommendations will be presented at the Board’s April 27th meeting.

IX. Committee Reports

Mr. Steier reported on the recent Finance Committee meeting, which discussed possible scenarios as a response to declining enrollment. The committee is recommending that this topic be reviewed by the full board.

X. Discussion

XI. Board Goals

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).

N/A

XIII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding one of the HIB classified incidents.

Mr. Steier also asked a question regarding the cost listed in Motion B.4.

Mr. Steier asked questions regarding the policies on this evening’s agenda.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. Steier the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. through B.7., C.1., through C.6., and D.1. and D.2. 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 April 2, 2015.

A.2. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves up to 10 hours per week of home instruction for Student #4392725473, beginning on or about March 30, 2015, at a rate of $40 per hour.

A.3. Tuition Out Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of district placement for Student #1249020587, to Child Therapeutic Day School of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, beginning on or about April 14, 2015 through June 30, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $17,025. This contract supersedes the contract with The Center School.

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 2015,

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on February 28, 2015

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$6,937,038.58		$1,553,121.66
(11) Current Expense		$1,387,885.84
(12) Capital Outlay		$77,277.32
(13) Special Schools		$1,262.47
(20) Special Revenue Fund	$22,016.51	$21,802.33	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$1,724,631.78	$668,178.52	$869,199.44
(40) Debt Service Fund	$556,130.71	$0.00	$164.71
TOTAL	$9,239,817.58	$2,156,406.48	$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.2. Budget Transfers for Month of February 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:
11-000-100-566-08-02	Tuition - Private Schools - ESY	11-000-100-562-08-02	Tuition - Other LEAs - ESY	$580
11-000-219-600-08-00	CST - Supplies	11-000-216-100-00-00	Speech & OT Salaries	$4,300
11-000-221-110-12-00	Curriculum Dev.Stipends	11-000-221-320-12-00	Curriculum - Educational Services	$80
11-000-221-110-12-01	Literacy Coaches - Stipends	11-000-221-320-12-00	Curriculum - Educational Services	$5,362
11-000-262-580-09-00	Workshops & Travel - Maint.	11-000-262-520-01-00	Insurance - Property & Liability	$1,000
11-000-263-610-09-00	Grounds - Supplies	11-000-263-420-09-00	Repair & Maint. Svcs - Grounds	$3,000
11-000-266-420-09-03	Security - Maint.Repairs -Central	11-000-261-420-09-03	Maintenance Repairs - CS	$6,000
11-000-266-420-09-04	Security - Maint.Repairs - MH	11-000-261-420-09-04	Maintenance Repairs - Mt. Horeb	$500
11-000-266-420-09-05	Security - Maint.Repairs - ALT	11-000-261-420-09-05	Maintenance Repairs - ALT	$750
11-000-266-420-09-06	Security - Maint.Repairs - WD	11-000-261-420-09-06	Maintenance Repairs - Woodland	$1,250
11-000-266-420-09-07	Security - Maint.Repairs - Middle	11-000-261-420-09-07	Maintenance Repairs - Middle	$8,000
11-000-266-610-09-00	Security - Maint.Supplies - B&G	11-000-261-610-09-03	Maintenance Supplies - Central	$2,500
11-000-266-610-09-04	Security - Maint.Supplies - MH	11-000-261-610-09-04	Maintenance Supplies - Mt. Horeb	$700
11-000-266-610-09-07	Security - Maint.Supplies - MS	11-000-261-610-09-07	Maintenance Supplies - Middle	$700
11-000-270-512-07-00	Field Trip Transportation - MS	11-000-270-511-10-71	Contracted Bus Transportation	$125
11-213-100-610-08-00	RC Supplies	11-000-216-100-00-00	Speech & OT Salaries	$4,000
12-000-262-730-09-00	Operations & Maint.- Equipment	11-000-262-420-09-01	Building Repairs - B&G/BOE	$4,350
12-000-400-450-09-00	Boiler Replacement - B&G	11-000-261-420-09-04	Maintenance Repairs - Mt. Horeb	$10,845

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:

Name	School	Workshop/ Conference	Location	Month/Yr	Cost
Jan Donlay	District	Student Transportation Convention	Atlantic City	April 2015	$449
Megan O’Donnell	CS	Judy Freeman Best Books of 2015 Workshop	Somerset	April 2015	$199
Kate Zaleski	WS	Judy Freeman Best Books of 2015 Workshop	Somerset	April 2015	$199
Lindsay Chell	CS	Judy Freeman Best Books of 2015 Workshop	Somerset	April 2015	$199
Amy Brunswick	MHS	Early Intervention for Social Emotional Development	Somerset	May 2015	$190
Susan Cooper	MS	Quiz Bowl Competition	Washington, DC	May 2015	$683
Lauren Valera	WS	NJTESOL 2015 Spring Conference	New Brunswick	May 2015	$193
Cynthia Cassidy	MS	Revitalizing your Library Space	Fairfield	May 2015	$246
Candie Hengemuhle	District	NJASA/NJAPSA 33rd Annual Spring Conference	Atlantic City	May 2015	$842
Emily Niclas	WS	Practical Therapy Techniques	Edison	May 2015	$235
Melissa Stoeckel	CS	ISTE Conference	Philadelphia, PA	June 2015	$475
Deanna Roberman	MHS	Practical Therapy for Articulation	Edison	May 2015	$235

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. 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 student as follows from March 2, 2015 through June 30, 2015 (this motion supersedes original from November 17, 2014):

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

UCESC 1794155813 Horizon $20,384.00

B.5. Approval for Limited Legal Counsel

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Sciarrillo, Cornell, Merlino, McKeever & Osborne (replacing the limited appointment of Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook and Cooper, P.C.) as limited counsel for ongoing construction and Special Education matters for the Calendar Year 2015, at an hourly rate of $160.

B.6. 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 starting April 14, 2015 through June 30, 2015:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

MRESC 1249020587 Rutgers Child $ 5,870.30

Therapeutic Day

SCESC 5922939848 Cedar Hill $ 2,488.50

B.7. Donation - Warren Middle School PTO

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation totaling $1,349 to be allocated for a 3D printer at Warren Middle School.

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. Mary Russo, transfer from Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, 37.5 hours, to Classroom Paraprofessional, Mt. Horeb School, 30 hours, Step 20 of the 2014-2015 salary guide, $26,010 (pro-rated), effective April 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

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. Ana Grimm-Bolle

b. Nicole Wirtanen

C.3. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Amanda Rodrigues, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective March 1, 2015.

C.4. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #0780 for leave (unpaid with benefits), under NJFLA, from April 29, 2015 through on or about May 8, 2015, with an anticipated return date of May 11, 2015.

b. Employee #0590 for leave (paid with benefits) under FMLA, from on or about March 30, 2015 through on or about April 24, 2015. (This motion is extended from the March 2, 2015 agenda.)

c. Employee #1194 for leave (paid with benefits), under FMLA, from April 8, 2015 through on or about May 8, 2015, with an anticipated return date of May 11, 2015.

d. Employee #1466 for leave (paid with benefits), under FMLA, from on or about June 1, 2015 through on or about November 3, 2015 and under Medical Leave from on or about November 4, 2015 through on or about November 30, 2015, with an anticipated return date of December 1, 2015.

e. Employee #0470 for leave (paid with benefits), under FMLA, from April 15, 2015 through on or about May 8, 2015, with an anticipated return date of May 11, 2015.

C.5. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additional hours:

a. Mia Bivaletz, Assistant to the Superintendent/PR Communications Coordinator, to work up to 15 hours per week, for 5 weeks, effective March 2, 2015, at the employee’s per diem rate.

b. Christine Barbera, to accompany Student #8221597405, to Bricks 4 Kidz for 5 sessions, starting March 31, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $95.

c. Emily Puhak, to accompany Student #2787964769, to Sports Club for 7 sessions, starting April 14, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $120.

C.6. Compacted Schedule for Summer 2015

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a 4-day compacted work schedule for Summer 2015, for the weeks of 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, and 8/3.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – First Reading

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

5141.8 - Sports Related Concussion and Head Injury
6114 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness
6173 - Home Instruction
7110 - Long Range Facilities Planning

D.2. Policies – Second Reading

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

a. 5118 - Nonresidents

b. 6171.5 - Independent Educational Evaluation

XIV. Old Business

Dr. Schiller asked a question regarding a non-WTEA stipend.

XV. New Business

Mr. Steier broached the concept of adjusting the board’s definition of quorum.

Grade 8 Social Studies Field Trip Proposal - Dr. Crader reviewed the proposal, which she supports, with the board. The board concurred.

XVI. Public Commentary

Brenda Nemcek, Old Smalleytown Road, reported on Middle School PTO approval purchases.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Dr. Schiller, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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