Warren Township Schools: Minutes for August 24, 2015

Minutes for August 24, 2015 Archived Minutes

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 7:00 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 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, Lisa DiMaggio,

Kathy Helewa, Joan Schiller, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent: Desiree DeNourie

Also Present: Dr. Elizabeth Nastus, Interim Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

IV. Presentations

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the August 10, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. deMontagnac and approved by 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. DiMaggio abstained.)

VI. 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).

Andrea Freijomil, Christy Drive, discussed the effect of our current nutrition policy on the nurses’ time. Additionally, Mrs. Freijomil thanked the district for its prompt response to the staff death.

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena spoke of the recent Warren Township tragedy, which resulted in the death of district employee Heidi Errickson, as well as her brother Fred.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Elizabeth Nastus

Dr. Nastus spoke of the support the district received and the services the district provided for staff, parents and students.

All then observed a moment of silence in honor of Heidi and her brother Fred.

Dr. Nastus next introduced Mrs. Kathy Griffith, Central School’s Interim Assistant Principal/Interim Principal.

IX. Committee Reports

Mrs. Helewa reported on the Policy Committee meeting, and the two policies which were amended and are on tonight’s agenda. Also discussed was a review of the nutrition policy.

X. Discussion

XI. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mr. Steier asked a question regarding transportation costs.

Mr. deMontagnac asked a question regarding Board Goals, A.1.c. In response, the goal was restated.

Mr. deMontagnac asked a question regarding B.5., which led to the item being pulled for discussion under Old Business, as well as a tabling of Board Goal A.1.b.

Mrs. Allocco asked a question regarding the Fields Trip policy. The board discussed the role of pictures on social media. The policy committee will review the matter in depth. Dr. Nastus will also contact the board’s attorney.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.4., B.6., C.1. through C.10., and D.1. were approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

A. Education

A.1. Board Goals

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Board Goals for the 2015-2016 school year as follows:

a. Through a superintendent search, hire a permanent Superintendent who will be in place effective July 1, 2016.

b. Consider the recommendations from the Security Consulting firm and oversee the implementation plan.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of August 2015 in the amount of $2,781,880.99.

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

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

WHEREAS, this report shows the following TENTATIVE balances on June 30, 2015.

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$4,379,709.28		$1,553,121.66
(11) Current Expense		$1,450,890.42
(12) Capital Outlay		$22,561.27
(13) Special Schools		$330.82
(20) Special Revenue Fund	$14,073.74	$14,073.74	($13,282.94)
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$531,741.18	$686,025.19	$869,199.44
(40) Debt Service Fund	$164.71	$0.00	$164.71
TOTAL	$4,925,688.91	$2,173,881.44	$2,409,202.87

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 June 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:
11-000-100-566-08-01	Tuition - Private - Regular SY	11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition - Other LEAs - Regular SY	$2,910
11-000-100-566-08-02	Tuition - Private - Extended SY	11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition - Other LEAs - Regular SY	$765
11-000-213-100-00-02	Nurse Substitute	11-000-213-600-07-00	Health Supplies - Middle School	$2,260
11-000-262-300-09-00	Purch.Prof. & Tech. Svcs. - Maint.	11-000-262-420-09-01	Building Repairs - B&G/BOE	$1,855
11-000-291-250-00-00	Unemployment Compensation	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$100,000
11-000-291-290-00-00	Other Employee Benefits	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$11,715
11-150-100-101-00-00	Home Instruction Salaries- Gen.Ed.	11-120-100-101-00-01	Salaries - Grade 1-5 Teachers	$2,840
11-150-100-320-08-00	Home Instruction - Purch. Services	11-120-100-101-00-01	Salaries - Grade 1-5 Teachers	$415
11-204-100-610-08-00	LLD Supplies	11-213-100-101-00-00	Salaries - RC Teachers	$1,440
11-213-100-610-08-00	RC Supplies	11-213-100-101-00-00	Salaries - RC Teachers	$1,320
11-402-100-100-07-00	Sports Stipends - Middle	11-402-100-600-07-00	Sports Supplies	$10
12-000-270-734-00-00	School Bus - Special Education	11-000-270-515-10-00	Spec. Ed. Transp. - Jointure	$24,200
12-120-100-730-04-00	Instructional Equipment - MH	11-190-100-610-04-10	Instructional Supplies - MH	$285

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
Kathy Helewa	BOE Member	NJSBA Workshop	Atlantic City	Oct 2015	$742
Elizabeth Nastus	District	NJSBA Workshop	Atlantic City	Oct 2015	$723
Anita Brower	Woodland	Meeting Needs of Students with Dyslexia and Other Reading Disabilities	Somerset	Oct 2015	$190

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. Approval of Contract (TABLED)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with Progressive Business Concepts (President: Brian Kathenes) for the facilitation of a Community Advisory Committee, formed to study the district’s declining enrollment. Estimated fee anticipated to be $9,200, but actual fee to be dependent on number of facilitated Community Advisory Committee meetings.

B.6. Sale of Obsolete Items

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education declares as obsolete the computer components as listed on the attached;

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.

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. Ryan Hall, Custodian, District, at an annual salary of $31,750, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (He replaces Paul Muldowney.)

b. Amanda Rebimbas, Leave Custodian, District, at an annual salary of $31,750, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (She will be leave replacement for Employee #1944.)

c. Florence Lui, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, 10 hours, Central School, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $5,746.67, effective on or about September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

d. Jonathan Carrillo, Transportation Driver, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, 5 hours per day, $18 per hour, at an approximate salary of $16,200.

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of substitute teachers, dated August 24, 2015, for the 2015-2016 school year.

C.3. Substitute Custodian

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Spencer Adriaanse as a 2015-2016 substitute custodian, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the approved substitute custodian pay rate.

C.4. New Staff Orientation Program

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional pay of 3 hours for the New Staff Orientation Program on August 25, 2015, at the contractual rate of $40 per hour for staff member Sean Convery.

C.5. Resignation

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

a. Paul Muldowney, Custodian, Warren Middle School, with appreciation for his 2 years of service to the Warren Township School District, effective August 14, 2015.

C.6. Transportation Contract for Out of District Student – Berkeley Heights

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Berkeley Heights School District for the transportation of their student for the 2015-2016 School Year as follows:

Contractor District School Cost

Warren Berkeley Heights DLC $ 5,362.50

C.7. Transportation for Out-of-District Students

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with the following School Districts for the 2015-2016 School Year transportation for out-of-district students as follows:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

UCESC 1794155813 Horizon $52,416.00

MUJC 5275815264 & PG Chambers $52,208.46

8009989713

MUJC 4822586417 Children’s Institute $21,430.64

MUJC 5857664682 New Beginnings $29,051.49

MRESC 1405701923 Cambridge $30,334.84

MRESC 4058597640 ARC Kohler $54,314.40

MRESC 6099412527 Banyon $31,516.34

C.8. Medical Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2766 for medical leave (paid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA, from on or about September 3, 2015 through on or about September 17, 2015, with an anticipated return date of September 18, 2015.

C.9. New Staff Orientation Program

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the reimbursement of the following employees for their participation as mentors in the New Staff Orientation Program for 4 ½ hours on August 26, 2015, at the contractual rate of $40 per hour per employee for a total not to exceed $1,620.00.

Kristen Boni
Patricia Iannacone
Meredith Fishelman
Catherine Lazas
Stacey Lederman
Susan Jackson
Peter Kassalow
Tiffany Serafin
Joel Van Tine

C.10. Approval of Opening Days Presenters

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Opening Days presenters for 3 hours each on September 2, 2015, to be paid the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for total cost of $480.

Anita Brower
Christina DeShields
c. Dorothy Stolfi
d. Kristen Stoyanov

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – First Reading

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

a. 6153 – Field Trips Policy

b. 5131.6 - Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Tobacco (Substance Abuse) Policy

XII. Old Business

Declining Enrollment Review - The board discussed the various approaches regarding a review and formulation of a response plan. It was decided to review other options.

XIII. Superintendent Search

Mrs. Leonhardt discussed the new dates for Dwight Pfennig of Hazard, Young & Attea to meet with community stakeholders. The dates are now September 21st and 28th.

XIV. New Business

N/A

XV. Public Commentary

Mrs. Freijomil, Christy Drive, provided input regarding the community’s role in the declining student enrollment review.

XVI. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary