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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 7:00 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 March 5, 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, Desiree DeNourie, Len deMontagnac,

Lisa DiMaggio, Kathy Helewa, Joan Schiller and Jim Sena

Absent: Greg Steier

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

IV. Presentations

Gwen Thornton and Charlene Peterson of NJSBA presented an overview of the services their organization can provide as the district studies its declining enrollment. The board asked follow up questions.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

• RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the August 24, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. deMontagnac and approved by 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Ms. DeNourie 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).

N/A

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena remarked that it was his pleasure to welcome back the teachers and he looks forward to a good school year.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Elizabeth Nastus

Dr. Nastus reported that the district had a strong open. Administration is adjusting to challenges as needed, including responding to the high temperatures.

Dr. Nastus referenced the use of laptops for tonight’s meeting. It is anticipated that the board will eliminate paper agendas beginning in October.

IX. Committee Reports

X. Discussion

XI. Items for Board Consideration/Action

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

Mrs. Helewa asked a question regarding motion C.7.

Mr. deMontagnac thanked the PTO for the donation as noted in motion B.5.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent items A.1. through A.4., B.1. through B.7., C.1. through C.10., and D.1. 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 September 3, 2015.

A.2. Fieldwork Site

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following contract

with William Paterson University to secure Warren Township Schools as a fieldwork site to provide supervised Speech Language Specialist externship for the 2015-2016 school year.

A.3. Out-of-District Placement ESY and School Year 2015-2016

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revised out-of-district 2015 ESY and 2015-2016, William Annin, Bernards Township Schools, placement for the following students: (This motion supersedes a previous motion on June 22, 2015.)

1. Student #7421387533 - $96,861
2. Student #5286944832 - $82,471

A.4. Fieldwork Site

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a one year Clinical Affiliation Agreement with Rutgers University, from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, securing Warren Township Schools as an internship site to provide supervised clinical experiences for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program.

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 June 2015 (Final).

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on June 30, 2015 (Final):

 

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$4,379,709.28		$1,046,472.82
(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	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$531,741.18	$686,025.19	$1,555,224.63
(40) Debt Service Fund	$164.71	$0.00	$164.71
TOTAL	$4,925,688.91	$2,173,881.44	$2,601,862.16

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. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

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

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

 

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$4,548,484.28		$1,046,472.82
(11) Current Expense		$2,774,797.06
(12) Capital Outlay		$84,100.08
(13) Special Schools		$1,920.56
(20) Special Revenue Fund	$15,109.74	$15,549.65	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$531,741.18	$0.00	$1,555,224.63
(40) Debt Service Fund	$548,828.71	$0.00	($0.29)
TOTAL	$5,644,163.91	$2,876,367.35	$2,601,697.16

 

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 July 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:

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
Mary Ellen Weaver	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Sept 2015	$151
Michelle Scott	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Sept 2015	$158
Maureen Aronow	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Sept 2015	$151
Linda Yu	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Sept 2015	$151
Barbara LaSaracina	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Sept 2015	$151
Patricia Leonhardt	District	NJSBA Workshop	Atlantic City	Oct 2015	$722
Tyler Tribelhorn	District	NJSBA Workshop	Atlantic CIty	Oct 2015	$250
Doris Zanchelli	MHS	School Health Conference	Somerset	Oct 2015	$195
Cathlin Sweeney	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Nov - Dec 2015	$250
Michele Kraminitz	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Nov - Dec 2015	$259
Ann Marie Christou	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Nov - Dec 2015	$261
Dan Ticchio	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Nov 2015, Jan - Mar 2016	$394
Kelly Brown	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Dec 2015, Feb 2016	$255
Carolyn McCloskey	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Dec 2015, Feb 2016	$268
Kathryn O’Brien Speckin	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Jan - Mar 2016	$375
Pat LaMorte	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Jan - Mar 2016	$385
Sandy Foley	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Jan - Mar 2016	$375
Simone Miller	MS	RVCC Science Workshops	Branchburg	Jan- Mar 2016	$399
Nancy Andrews	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$433
Mary Beth LeBlond	CS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$450
Paul Duncan	MHS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$405
Adam Yenish	WS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$442
Annabelle Ordner	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$427
Emily Cartolano-Gomez	CS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$451
Gina Cocivera Wright	MHS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$451
Brian Kilroy	WS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov 2015, Feb 2016	$476
Meryl Lettire	MS	AENJ Annual Conference	Long Branch	October 2015	$258

 

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. Donation - Central School PTO

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation totaling $1,677 for the purchase of three IPads and cases.

B.6. Transportation for Out-of-District Student - SCESC

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contract with Somerset County Educational Services Commission for the 2015-2016 school year for out-of-district student as follows:

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

SCESC 5922939849 Cedar Hill $ 21,060.00

` 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 2015-2016 School Year for late and miscellaneous runs, at a cost of $400.00.

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 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. Jennifer Scharf, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, 10 hours, Central School, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $5,746.67 (prorated), effective on or about September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

b. Melissa Fedosh, Leave Replacement Teacher, District, MA, Step 4-6 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $64,251, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (She will be leave replacement teacher for Employee #2045. This motion supersedes a previous motion on June 22, 2015.)

c. Jamie Schoenbach, Multi-duty Paraprofessional, 18.75 hours, Central School, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $10,775.00 (prorated), effective on or about September 15, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

d. Shannon Reis, Special Education Teacher, Woodland School, BA+15, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $59,504, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (This motion supersedes a previous motion on August 10, 2015.)

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2015-2016 school year:

a. Carol Hassard-Bailey (Previous 2014-2015 substitute)

b. Dennis Lamson

b. Kelsey McKeon

c. Catherine Sestokas

d. Jill MacConnell

e. Hannah Benn

C.3. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2013-2014 salary guide: (Updates reflected in bold.)

a. Christina Beekman, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective September 1, 2015.

b. Wendy Piller, with congratulations, for movement from BA+15 to MA, effective September 1, 2015.

c. Linda Yu, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective September 1, 2015.

d. Anna Rizzo, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective September 1, 2015.

e. Chelsea Hill, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective September 1, 2015.

C.4. Home Instructors

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves all district certificated teachers, and classroom paraprofessionals who have a teaching certificate, to be appointed as home instructors for the 2015-2016 school year.

C.5. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves to contract Janice Anderson, for 1 additional day, on September 17, 2015, for IEP Direct Training, at a cost not to exceed $443.

C.6. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2045 for extended Child Rearing leave (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement) from January 4, 2016 through June 30, 2016, with an anticipated return date of September 1, 2016.

C.7. Defensive Driving Course

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Warren Township Bus Drivers, attendance for Defensive Driving Course, on September 2, 2015, at a rate of $16.70 per hour, at cost not to exceed $1,002.00:

Jonathan Carrillo	Noelle Perrine
Julio Chavez	Maria Rodriguez
Lauralee Dupper	Adrienne Schillizzi
Cindy McCabe	Roberta Snead
Justice Ndewere	Gloria Villamarin

C.8. Job Descriptions

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

a. Title I School Coordinator

b. Title I Services - Pilot Extended Day Reading Instructor

C.9. Additional Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to work August 17-18, 2015 at the employee’s hourly per diem rate, to provide Crisis Counseling, at a cost not to exceed $2,700:

a. Fran Blabolil

b. Carol Brown

c. Karen Leski

d. Patricia Morris

e. Beatrice Schwarzkopf

f. Kelly Stankiewicz

g. Michelle Stein

 

C.10 Employee Discipline

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the suspension, without pay, of Employee #2478 for September 8th and 9th, 2015.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – Second Reading

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

a. 6153 – Field Trips

XII. Presentations

Dr. Charles Ivory of EIRC presented an overview of the services the organization can provide as the district studies its declining enrollment.

XIII. Old Business

Process Facilitation Discussion - The board discussed the multiple options it has regarding contracting for community engagement facilitators.

RESOLVED that the Board of Education agrees to insert a Public Commentary at this point in the meeting.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac, the motion was approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

XIV. Public Commentary

Brenda Nemcek, Old Smalleytown expressed her support for Dr. Ivory’s presentation.

XV. Community Facilitator

RESOLVED that the Board of Education votes to hire the following vendor to assist in the district’s declining enrollment response review.

Five board members (Ms. DeNourie, Mrs. DiMaggio, Mrs. Helewa, Dr. Schiller and Mr. Sena) voted for NJSBA, while Mrs. Allocco, Ms. Campos and Mr. deMontagnac voted for EIRC. Accordingly, NJSBA was chosen to be the district’s community facilitator in its declining enrollment study.

XVI. Old Business

Chromebooks - Mrs. Allocco brought up for discussion the security on chromebooks when they leave the school building as well as the process for parent’s electronic signature regarding the Acceptable Use Policy. Dr. Nastus will request that Mr. Kimmick and Mr. Riegler provide additional information to the board.

XVII. New Business

N/A

XVIII. Public Commentary

N/A

XIX. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary