Minutes for July 13, 2015History 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, 213 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 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 8, 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, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent:

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

IV. Presentations

District Progress - Dr. Crader provided a review of all of the district’s accomplishments, as well as needs and future goals and concerns.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public minutes of the June 22, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Dr. Schiller and approved by 8-0-1 roll-call vote. (Ms. Campos abstained.)

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

  1

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

  1

· Fire Drills

ALT
June 8

Central
June 10

Mt. Horeb
June 17

Woodland
June 3

Middle
June 15  

· Security Drills

ALT
June 9 - Bomb Threat 

Central
June 22  - Bomb Threat 

Mt. Horeb
June 23 - Bomb Threat 

Woodland
June 22 - Bomb Threat 

Middle
June 23 - Bomb Threat 

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena, on behalf of the board, welcomed Dr. Nastus to the district.

Mr. Sena commented on this evening’s planned seating changes, meant to encourage communication.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader reported that Summer Fun is running smoothly, albeit with the unwelcome of presence hornets, which will be remedied. Staffing for the 2015-2016 school year is proceeding smoothly.

Lastly, Dr. Crader thanked the board for its support over the years.

IX. Committee Reports

Mrs. Allocco reported on the SCESC meeting, which she attended on behalf of Ms. Campos.

X. 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

XI. Discussion

Grading - Dr. Crader reported that she and the administrative team discussed possible approaches for a review of grading practices. The board supported a review during the 2015-2016 school year.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mrs. Allocco asked a question regarding C.8..

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding B.8.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. and A.2., B.1. throught B.9., and C.1. through C.10. were approved by a 9-0 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 July 9, 2015.

A.2. Bedside Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves bedside instruction for Student #3899562414, beginning on December 18, 2014, at a hourly rate of $45.00, at a cost not to exceed $360.00.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the period June 23, 2015 through June 30, 2015 in the amount of $1,649,890.09.

B.2. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of July 2015 in the amount of $974,017.91.

B.3. Transportation for Out-of-District Students - MUJC & UCESC - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with Morris-Union Jointure Commission and Union County Education Services for the 2015 ESY transportation for out-of-district students as follows:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

MUJC 5857664682 New Beginnings $ 4,585.34

MUJC 5275815264 & PG Chambers $ 6,701.61

8009989713

MUJC 4822586417 Children’s Institute $ 3,098.02

UCESC 1794155813 Horizon $ 8,892.00

B.4. Recognition of Increased Bid Threshold

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes, in recognition of Qualified Purchasing Agent status, a bid threshold of $40,000.

B.5. Transportation Contract for Out-of-District Student – WHRHS - ESY

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Watchung Hills Regional High School for the transportation of their student for the 2015 ESY as follows:

Contractor District School Cost

Warren WHRHS Center $ 2,958.90

B.6. Extraordinary Aid 2014-2015 - Acceptance

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts Extraordinary Aid funding from the 2014-2015 school year in the amount of $404,992.

B.7. Extraordinary Aid 2014-2015 - Allocation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an increase to the 2015-2016 budget to recognize 2014-2015 Extraordinary Aid in the amount of $404,992 and allocates the $204,992 which is above the budgeted $200,000 as follows:

Revenue Account: 10-3131 Extraordinary Aid (10-303 Budgeted Fund Balance)

Expense Acct:11-000-100-562–Tuition–Other LEA - $40,000

Expense Acct:11-000-100-566–Tuition–Priv Schools for the Disabled - $164,992

B.8. Sale of Obsolete Items

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education declares as obsolete the following items:

 

Item Type

Make

Model

System Id

Asset Number

Bus

2000 Chevy

20 passenger

1470

900722

Bus

2000 Chevy

20 passenger

1471

900723

Van

1998 GMC Van

Wheelchair Vehicle

1486

900738

Van

2003 Dodge Caravan

Minivan; Blown Engine

1495

900747

Copier

Savin

9080

158

5149

Copier

Savin

8080

355

5209

Copier

Savin

3200

407

5208

Copier

Savin

8055SP

1169

5136

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the sale of the listed equipment in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A:45 – Sale of Property.

B.9. Withdrawal of Maintenance Reserve

WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 6A;23A-14.2(d) permits a Board of Education to withdraw such funds from the maintenance reserve account and appropriate into the required maintenance account lines at budget time or anytime during the year for use on required maintenance activities for a school facility as reported in the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:26-20,

WHEREAS, the aforementioned statutes authorize procedures, under the authority of the Commissioner of Education, which permit a Board of Education to withdraw funds from a district’s Maintenance Reserve Account any time during the year by resolution, and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education is desirous to withdraw funds from the Maintenance Reserve Account and appropriate said funds into the required maintenance account lines in the general fund in the amount of $150,000, and

WHEREAS, according to N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-14.2(e), the Warren Township Board of Education shall restore any unexpended required maintenance appropriations, up to the amount of maintenance reserve account funds withdrawn, to the maintenance reserve account at year end,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Warren Township Board of Education that it hereby authorizes the district’s School Business Administrator to make the necessary transfer consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2015-2016 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 2015-2016 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. Elizabeth Maag, Kindergarten Teacher, Mt. Horeb School, BA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $56,670, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

b. Mary Ann McGann, District Communications/Human Resources Coordinator, Administrative Office, at an annual salary of $70,000 (prorated), effective August 3, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

c. Sally DeFelice, Administrative Assistant to the Business Administrator, Administrative Office, increase from 4.5 hours per day to 6 hours per day, at an annual salary of $34,641 (prorated), effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

C.2. Merit Pay

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the completion of the following 2014-2015 merit goals and subsequent merit goal completion payment for Superintendent Dr. Tami Crader as follows:

Quantitative Goals:

Club Attendance Percentage 3.3% Dollar Amount - $5,161.50

CST Referrals Percentage 3.3% Dollar Amount - $5,161.50

Qualitative Goals:

Instructional Rounds Percentage 2.5% Dollar Amount - $3,875.00

Providers Rubrics Percentage 2.5% Dollar Amount - $3,875.00

C.3. Employment Contract – Interim Superintendent

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the contract of employment dated August 1, 2015 between the Warren Township Board of Education and Dr. Elizabeth Nastus for the position of Interim Superintendent of Schools for the period August 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. A copy of this contract is on file at the Board of Education Office and will be posted on the district website.

C.4. Appointment of 2015-2016 Summer Fun Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additions to the Summer Fun staff list:

a. Kristy Kubala, AC Assistant Teacher, $25 per hour

b. Josephine Brasile, Paraprofessional, $15 per hour

c. Patricia Paradiso, Substitute Nurse, $40 per hour

d. Kara Miletic, Substitute, $17 per hour

C.5. Retirement

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

a. Nancy Becker, Human Resources, Administrative Office, with appreciation for 18 years of service to the Warren Township staff, effective August 31, 2015.

C.6. Conclusion of Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the conclusion of the 2015-2016 employment contract for Employee #1596, in accordance with the notice provision, effective September 30, 2015.

C.7. Job Descriptions

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following revised job descriptions:

a. District Communications /Human Resources Coordinator

b. Secretary to the Superintendent

c. Mechanic

C.8. Organizational Chart

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revised organizational chart.

C.9. Special Education Service Providers’ List

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Service Provider changes for the 2015-2016 school year:

a. Lucia Zubizarreta, 1st Step Up, Inc., at a rate of $145 per hour for Physical Therapy.

b. Creative Speech Solutions, LLC, at a rate of $170 per hour for Speech Therapy.

C.10. Substitute Bus Driver

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Jonathan Carrillo as a 2015-2016 substitute bus driver, effective July 20, 2015, at a rate of $19.08 per hour.

XIII. Old Business

Mrs. Helewa asked Dr. Crader to leave the board with the name of the presenter who impressed her greatly last year. Dr. Crader reported that is was Dr. Bill Daggett.

Mrs. Allocco discussed the observation data which was distributed with the board’s packets.

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding the dates of security drills.

XIV. New Business

The board requested that the Resolution of Appreciation for Dr. Crader be entered into the minutes.

XV. Public Commentary

N/A

XVI. Executive Session

At 7:46 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

Action will not 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 be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

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

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:31 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary