Minutes for May 11, 2015History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Mt. Horeb School, 85 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 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, Joan Schiller, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent:

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

Kathy Helewa arrived at 7:20 p.m.

IV. Presentations

Dr. Grip of Statistical Forecasting presented the results of his demographic study.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public minutes of the April 27, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. deMontagnac and approved by 7-0-2 roll-call vote. (Ms. Campos and Dr. Schiller abstained.)

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 1  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 0

· Fire Drills

ALT
April 2

Central
April 13

Mt. Horeb
April 29

Woodland
April 28

Middle
April 2

· Security Drills

ALT
April 23
Bus Evacuation

Central
April 29
Bus Evacuation

Mt. Horeb
April 30
Bus Evacuation

Woodland
April 16
Bus Evacuation

Middle
April 28
Bus Evacuation

VII.ANNUAL ADOPTIONS

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the Annual Adoptions were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

1. Curriculum

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves adoption of the K-8 curriculum guides, as aligned with NJ Core Content Standards, for the 2015-2016 school year.

2. Textbooks

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves adoption of existing district textbooks for the 2015-2016 school year.

3. Service Appointments

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt as Board Secretary of the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2015-2016 school year.

b. The appointment of MaryGrace Suitovsky, Assistant Business Administrator, as Acting Board Secretary for the 2015-2016 school year in the absence of the Board Secretary.

c. The appointment of Ruth Davies as Treasurer of School Monies for the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2015-2016 school year.

d. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt, Business Administrator, as Acting Treasurer of School Monies for the 2015-2016 school year for the Warren Township Board of Education in the absence of Ruth Davies.

e. The appointment of Suplee, Clooney & Company as the auditing firm for the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2015-2016 school year, at an annual cost of $24,050.

f. The appointment of Dr. Richard Lesko as District Medical Inspector for the 2015-2016 school year, at the annual cost of $7,500.

g. The appointment of Dr. Ronald Frank as Alternate District Medical Inspector for the 2015-2016 school year, at a cost to be determined at the time of service provided (if need be).

h. The appointment of Candida Hengemuhle as the district’s Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Anti-Bullying Coordinator, and 504 Officer for the 2015-2016 school year.

i. The appointment of CBIZ-Centric as the district’s board and general liability insurance agent for the 2015-2016 school year.

j. The appointment of Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors, Inc. as the Board’s program manager of record for the medical insurance program and group insurance broker of record for the district’s dental insurance program and flexible spending plan for the 2015-2016 school year.

k. The appointment of Tyler Tribelhorn as the district’s Right to Know contact, AHERA representative, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator (IPMC), Safety and Health Designee, Indoor Air Quality Designee, Chemical Hygiene Officer, and Asbestos Management Officer for the 2015-2016 school year.

l. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt, Business Administrator, as the district’s Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO), District Custodian of Records, and District Purchasing Agent for the 2015-2016 school year.

m. The appointment of AIG/VALIC, AXA/Equitable, Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. and ASPire as 403(b), 457(b) and Roth 403(b) plan providers for the 2015-2016 school year.

n. The appointment of AmeriFlex as the Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts provider for the 2015-2016 school year.

4. Finance

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. The designation of the following bank as depository for district funds for 2015-2016, pending certification of approval by the Governmental Unit Deposit Protection Act: Bank of America.

b. Authorization for the Board Secretary to invest school funds in accordance with the limitations of State law and Board policy.

c. Authorization for the following persons to sign checks:

Account Name

No.

Signatory(s)

General Operating (Current) Account

3

Treasurer of School Monies and/or Board Secretary and/or Board President and/or Board Vice President

Salary Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies or Board Secretary

Payroll Deduction Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies or Board Secretary

Unemployment Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Juice and Water Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Milk Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Flexible Spending Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Superintendent Petty Cash Account

1

Superintendent or Board Secretary

Middle School Student Activity Account

2

Middle School Principal and/or Middle School Dean and/or Board Secretary

d. The financial records of the school district shall be maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and all appropriations shall be recorded using the Chart of Accounts provided by the New Jersey Department of Education.

e. Authorization for the Purchasing Agent to make purchases of goods and services entered into on behalf of the State by the Division of Purchase and Property (state contract), Ed-Data time and materials bid, Somerset County Cooperative Pricing System, Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council (MCCPC), Middlesex Regional Educational Services Cooperative Purchasing and Hunterdon County ESC Cooperative Purchasing.

f. Authorization, in recognition of Qualified Purchasing Agent status, of a bid threshold of $36,000.

5. Petty Cash Accounts

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the establishment of the following petty cash accounts and the individual responsible for the account for 2015-2016:

a. Superintendent’s Office (Superintendent’s Secretary) $200

b. Buildings and Grounds (Supervisor of B & G) $200

c. Schools (Building Principal) $200 (each school)

d. SPS (Director of SPS) $100

e. Curriculum (Curriculum Supervisor) $100

The maximum expenditure from each account for each purchase is $25.00. The School Business Administrator will review a summary of the disbursements on a semi-annual basis.

6. Organizational Chart

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the district’s organizational chart for the 2015-2016 school year dated June 9, 2014.

7. Milk Provider for the 2015-2016 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Cream-O-Land Dairy as the provider for the 2015-2016 school year. The cost of milk will be $.20, juice will be $.25 and the two sizes of water will be $.30 (8 oz.) and $.40 (16.9 oz. sports cap).

VIII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena thanked the Mt. Horeb students for the evening’s wonderful art demonstration.

Mr. Sena reported on the impressive support shown by administrators and teachers from the district for the students recently celebrating their First Communion.

Mr. Sena shared his positive experience when traveling the district to present Excellence in Education awards, and congratulated all honorees.

IX. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader shared the Excellence in Education award winner names and the reactions of surprise and joy with which the awards were met. The June 8th meeting will include honoring these teachers, as well as student achievements.

X. Committee Reports

N/A

XI. Discussion Items

Demographer Report

The board discussed the demographer’s report and the board’s reaction to the declining enrollment. A straw poll showed that the board wholly supports additional review of the data.

Process for hiring Superintendent

Dr. Crader reported on her background work and proposed timeline for two potential scenarios. The board is moving forward with going out with an RFP for a search firm as the first order of business.

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

Dr. Schiller asked a question regarding motion A.3.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent items A.1. through A.5., B.1., C.1., through C.7., and D.1. were approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Allocco did not 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 May 7, 2015.

 

A.2. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves up to 5 hours per week of home

instruction for Student #3141031551, beginning on April 30, 2015, at a rate of $40 per hour.

A.3. Mathematics Curriculum - Grades K-5

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the updated Go Math! 2015 instructional materials, as aligned with the Mathematics Common Core State Standards.

A.4. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves up to 10 hours per week of home instruction for Student #6518464807, beginning on May 12, 2015, at a rate of $40 per hour.

A.5. Establish Special Education LLD class at Mt. Horeb

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves to establish a Special Education Learning/Language Disabilities (mild/moderate) class at Mt. Horeb School to meet the needs of incoming students.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. 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

Kelly Brown

MS

NGSS Summer Institute

Branchburg

July 2015

$284

Stacey Hann-Modugno

District

NGSS Summer Institute

Branchburg

July 2015

$313

Carolyn McCloskey

MS

NGSS Summer Institute

Branchburg

July 2015

$325

Ann Marie Christou

MS

NGSS Summer Institute

Branchburg

July 2015

$292

 

Tyler Tribelhorn

District

AHERA Refresher

Piscataway

July 2015

$300

 


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. Substitute Teachers

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

a. Marissa Goldstein

C.2. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Rebecca Davenport, with congratulations, for movement from BA to BA+15, effective May 1, 2015.

C.3. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent of Schools, Administrative Office, with sincere appreciation for her 5 years of service to the staff and children of Warren, effective July 31, 2015.

b. Raymond Balkonis, Math Teacher, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for his 11 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2015

c. Tim Ely, Computer Technician, District, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for his 2 years of service to the Warren Township School District, effective May 15, 2015.

d. Anthony Ciraco, Special Education Teacher, Central School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for his 2 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2015.

e. Karen Schlosser, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for her service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2015.

C.4. Appointment of Staff for the 2015-2016 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of staff employment (administrators, certificated staff, WTEA support staff), dated May 11, 2015, for the 2015-2016 school year, pending finalization of class section totals at the elementary schools.

C.5. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional hours for Joyce Pekarsky to accompany Student #9367358396, to Band practice for up to 4 sessions, starting May 5, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $60.

C.6. Summer Employees - 2015

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of summer employees, dated May 7,2015, at the listed hourly rates, from June 24, 2015 through August 28, 2015, at an approximate projected cost of $88,592.32.

C.7. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the addition of Joan Bruno, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Director of Communication Technology Resources, LLC, to the Service Providers List, for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, at a rate of $550 per evaluation and $35 plus half hour travel time.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies –Second Reading

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

  1. 4138.2 - Private Tutoring
  2. 4222 - Non-Instructional Paraprofessionals
  3. 4123 - Classroom Paraprofessionals

d. 4115 - Staff Supervision

XIV. Old Business

Dr. Crader provided a summation of teacher evaluations from observation window periods 1, 2 and 3.

XV. New Business

Mr. deMontagnac provided praise for Mr. Clark’s work with the students in the archery program.

Mrs. Helewa was grateful for the Woodland School Science fair invitation. Additionally, Mrs. Helewa requested a board presentation on the E2 program. The board concurred.

XVI. Public Commentary

N/A

XVII. Executive Session

At 9:11 p.m. Mrs. Helewa 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 (Superintendent’s Evaluation, Non-tenured administrators’ review, Business Administrator/BOE Secretary’s Evaluation)

Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 15 minutes; and be it

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

The motion was seconded by Mr. Steier and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Ms. DeNourie left at 9:11 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the Board reconvened in open session at

9:25 p.m.

XVIII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary