Warren Township Schools

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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 7:00 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 August 20, 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, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent:

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

IV. Presentations

Superintendent Profile - Dr. Dwight Pfennig of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates presented an overview of the input received regarding the Superintendent search. Dr. Pfennig also provided an overview of the applications received to date. Board members asked follow up questions of

Dr. Pfennig .

Study to Examine Enrollment Project (STEEP) - Dr. Nastus and Ms. Campos provided an overview of the process and high level timeline.

The board expressed its thanks for the work, and asked some questions.

The board as a whole agreed on the project criteria and guiding principles.

The board discussed the three proposed ad hoc committees and decided to take a formal vote.

• RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the committee structure proposed in the Study to Examine Enrollment Project (STEEP) plan.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the Committee Structure proposal was approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

Ms. Campos volunteered, and the board accepted the offer, to craft goals, objectives and deliverables for each subcommittee.

The role of NJSBA was briefly discussed. Dr. Nastus will touch base with Ms. Thornton to ask her guidance regarding their role and timeline for their participation.

The board discussed the project timeline, deciding not to take any action which would be effective the 2016-2017 School Year. The timeline as listed in the proposed project plan will then be adjusted, moving the dates further into the future. Dr. Nastus will communicate to staff and parents.

Mrs. DiMaggio left the meeting at this time (9:00 p.m.).

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

• RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the September 21, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. deMontagnac and approved by 8-0 roll-call vote.

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

1

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

1

· Fire Drills

ALT
September 11

Central
September 11

Mt. Horeb
September 9

Woodland
September 11

Middle
September 4

· Security Drills

ALT
September 24
Bus Evacuation

Central
September 29
Bus Evacuation

Mt. Horeb
September 16
Bus Evacuation

Woodland
September 16
Bus Evacuation

Middle
September 18
Bus Evacuation

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena thanked Dr. Pfenning for this evening’s presentation.

Mr. Sena thanked Dr. Nastus, Ms. Campos and Mrs. Leonhardt for the STEEP work.

Mr. Sena also thanked the Somerset County Child Assault Prevention Program for its $1,700 grant and and complimented the artwork now hanging in the board conference room.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Elizabeth Nastus

Dr. Nastus reported on the success of yesterday’s Professional Development.

IX. Committee Reports

N/A

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. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mrs. Allocco asked questions regarding motions C.6. and C.14.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Dr. Schiller the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. through B.6., C.1. through C.16., 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 October 8, 2015.

A.2. Computer Science Curriculum

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the revised Computer Science Curriculum, 2015 instructional materials, as aligned with the NJ State Standards 8.1 and 8.2.

A.3. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves up to 5 hours per week of home instruction for Student #3141031551, beginning on October 13, 2015, at a rate of $40 per hour.

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 August 2015,

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on August 31, 2015

 

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$3,754,863.61		$1,046,472.82
(11) Current Expense		$2,240,317.25
(12) Capital Outlay		$73,024.08
(13) Special Schools		$8.66
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($15,851.78)	$83,360.31	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$335,419.95	$0.00	$1,555,224.63
(40) Debt Service Fund	$548,828.71	$0.00	($0.29)
TOTAL	$4,623,260.49	$2,396,710.30	$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.2. Budget Transfers for Month of August 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:
11-000-223-320-12-00	Staff Training - Purchased Services	11-190-100-640-12-00	Textbooks - Series Replacement	$7,300
11-000-223-500-12-00	Staff Training - Other Purchased Services	11-190-100-640-12-00	Textbooks - Series Replacement	$2,970
11-000-240-800-03-00	Principal Dues - Central School	11-000-240-600-03-00	Admin. Supplies - Central	$390
11-000-252-100-01-01	Summer Workers - Technology	11-190-100-610-11-01	Supplies - Instructional Hardware	$10,931
11-000-270-518-10-00	Contracted Transportation-ESC	11-000-270-161-10-00	Salaries - Transportation	$25,180
11-000-270-518-10-00	Contracted Transportation-ESC	11-000-270-514-10-00	Contr. Transportation - Parents	$15,000
11-000-270-518-10-00	Contracted Transportation-ESC	11-000-270-515-10-00	Contr. Transportation - Jointure	$35,600
11-000-270-518-10-00	Contracted Transportation-ESC	11-000-270-593-10-00	Transportation - Miscellaneous Purchased Services	$5,220
11-190-100-500-07-00	Other Purchased Services - MS	11-190-100-610-07-10	Instructional Supplies - Middle	$2,000
13-422-100-101-00-00	Summer Fun- Teacher Salaries	11-000-262-622-00-06	Electricity - Woodland	$7,249
13-422-100-101-00-00	Summer Fun- Teacher Salaries	11-000-262-622-00-07	Electricity - Middle	$7,249
13-422-100-106-00-00	Summer Fun - Classroom Aides - Salaries	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$3,336

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
Rebecca Olszyk	CS	Techniques for Children with Emotional and Behavioral Problems	Edison	Dec 2015	$236
Frances Blabolil	CS	Techniques for Children with Emotional and Behavioral Problems	Edison	Dec 2015	$236
Myranda Shimko	MS	Meeting the Educational and Emotional Needs of Students with Dyslexia and other Reading Disabilities	Somerset	Oct 2015	$230
Mary Balkonis	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov-Dec 2015 Feb 2016	$465
Lisa Lukko	MHS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov-Dec 2015 Feb 2016	$434
Sheri DeShields	CS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov-Dec 2015 Feb 2016	$472
Marilyn Brown	WS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Nov-Dec 2015 Feb 2016	$464
Jill Zimmer	CS	Rutgers Gifted Education Conference	New Brunswick	Nov 2015	$182
Paula Pontoriero	ALT	Techniques in Dealing with Children with Emotional and Behavioral Problems	Parsippany	Dec 2015	$229
Philip Jones	WS	2015 Rutgers Gifted Education Conference	Piscataway	Nov 2015	$175
Jamie Perry	WS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$443
Chris Schwallie	MHS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$448
Breanne Maughan	MHS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$405
Christine Spencer	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$444
Chelsea Christophel	CS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$445
Danielle Riccio	CS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$600
Allison Hecht	CS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Jan 2016	$601
Shannon Reis	WS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Feb 2016	$612
Tiffany Serafin	WS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Feb 2016	$584
Tara Lento	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Feb 2016	$571
Dawn Gauvin	MHS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	Oct 2015 - Feb 2016	$632
Paula Pontoriero	MHS	NJALC Fall Symposium	Princeton	Oct 2015	$231
Joel Van Tine	MS	NJ Music Educators Assoc Conf	East Brunswick	Feb 2016	$170
Diane McCloskey	MS	NJ Music Educators Assoc Conf	East Brunswick	Feb 2016	$165
Andrew Ahimovic	MHS	2016 NJAHPERD Annual Conference	Long Branch	Feb 2016	$205

 

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. Grant – Child Assault Prevention

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a grant of $1,794 from Somerset County Child Assault Prevention program.

B.5. Annual Flu Clinic 2015

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the offering of a flu shot clinic to staff members on October 14, 2015, at a cost to the board not to exceed $500.

B.6. Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following motion:

Whereas, the Department of Education requires New Jersey School Districts to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) documenting "required" maintenance activities for each of its public school facilities, and

Whereas, the required maintenance activities as listed in the attached document for the various school facilities of the Warren Township Schools are consistent with these requirements, and

Whereas, all past and planned activities are reasonable to keep school facilities open and safe for use or in their original condition and to keep their system warranties valid, and

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Warren Township School District hereby authorizes the School Business Administrator to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) for the Warren Township Schools in compliance with Department of Education requirements

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. Katherine Griffith, Interim Assistant Principal/Interim Principal, Central School, from August 11, 2015 through on or about February 5, 2015, at a per diem rate of $400 for Interim Assistant Principal and $500 for Interim Principal. (This motion supersedes previous motion from August 10, 2015.)

b. Cheryl Hall, Transportation Driver, effective October 8, 2015 through June 30, 2016, 5 hours per day, $18 per hour, at a salary of $16,200 (prorated).

c. Deborah Ruocco, Leave Replacement Teacher, Warren Middle School, MA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $62,337 (prorated), effective on or about October 14, 2015 through on or about February 23, 2016. (She will be leave replacement for Employee #2930.)

d. Linda Hatcher, Classroom Paraprofessional, 32.5 hours, Mount Horeb School, Step 5-6 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $21,109.00 (prorated), effective October 14, 2015.

e. Carrie Grapstein, Bookkeeper/Payroll, District, increase to 37.5 hours per week, at a salary of $59,311 (prorated), effective October 16, 2015.

C.2. Substitute Teachers

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

a. Caroline Kelble

C.3. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2015-2016 salary guide:

a. Michelle Cebula, with congratulations, for movement from BA+15 to MA, effective September 1, 2015.

b. Patricia Iannacone, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective September 1, 2015.

c. Kara Miletic, with congratulations, for movement from BA+15 to MA, effective September 1, 2015.

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Spencer Adriaanse, Leave Replacement Maintenance/Custodian, Warren Middle School, effective October 2, 2015.

C.5. After School Clubs/Activities

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following 2015-2016 after school activities/clubs, and the instructors for each, at the negotiated stipend rate. (These were inadvertently omitted from previous recommendation.)

a. Peer Assistance Leaders, Patricia Morris - $715

b. Central School Girls Running Club, Patricia Morris - $715

C.6. Nursing Plans

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2015-2016 Nursing Plans for Angelo L. Tomaso School, Central School, Mount Horeb School, Woodland School and Warren Middle School.

C.7. CPR/AED and First Aid Training

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to present either CPR/AED training on October 20, 2015 or First Aid training on October 28, 2015, at the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for the total cost of $1,440:

• Lisa Lontai
• Alexis Sacks
• Harriet Stambaugh
• Doris Zanchelli

C.8. Additional Hours

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

a. Stacey Papalitskas to accompany Student #7472966086, to Board Game Club for 30 sessions, starting September 30, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $675.

b. Lisa Lontai to accompany Student #7048289004, to Backstage Club for 15 sessions, starting October 8, 2015, at an approximate cost of $825.

c. Carolyn Wells to accompany Student #7994767559, to Seasonal Sports Club for 60 sessions, (30 sessions Tuesday & 30 sessions Thursday), starting September 29, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $1,035.

d. Debra Singer to accompany Student #9240417981, to Board Games Club for 30 sessions, starting September 30, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $885.

e. Mary Russo to accompany Student #1316551903, to Sports Club for 29 sessions, starting October 8, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $692.

C.9. Substitute Custodians

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff as substitute custodians, effective October 5, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the approved substitute custodian pay rate:

• Lauralee Dupper
• Maria Rodriguez
• Roberta Snead

 

C.10. Approval of In District Training

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following for a Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification Training to be held on October 19, November 11, November 16, November 18, 2015 and February 5, 2016, to be paid the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for a total cost not to exceed $3,600:

• Rebecca Olszyk
• Beatrice Schwarzkopf

C.11. Approval of Title I - Extended Day Coordinators

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following staff members as Title I - Extended Day Coordinators:

• Melissa Stoeckel - ALT
• Michelle Cebula - Central School

Stipend of $4,000 each to be fully funded by NCLB - Title I.

C.12. Approval of Title I - Extended Day Tutors

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following staff members as Title I - Extended Day Tutors, to be paid the contractual rate of $40 per hour. Total cost dependent upon needs of identified students in the district’s two Title I schools, which are ALT and CS, for a total cost not to exceed $39,400:

• Catherine Lazas
• Catherine Murphy
• Patsy Iannacone
• Catherine Maguire
• Peter Kassalow
• Fran Perlman
• Anita Brower
• Marybeth Greco
• Sheri DeShields

Positions fully funded by NCLB - Title I.

 

C.13. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Jan Donlay, Transportation Coordinator, to work up to an additional 20 hours, at the employee’s hourly rate, for purposes of the declining enrollment transportation projections, at a cost not to exceed $649.

C.14. Middle Earth Mentor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Jessica Hubbs as a mentor at Warren Middle School as part of the Middle Earth mentoring program for Grades 6-8, effective October 14, 2015 through on or about May 27, 2016. (The cost of this program is supported by a grant from the Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission; the grant was approved by the board on September 21, 2015.)

C.15. Shared Services Agreement with Green Brook School District

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a shared services agreement between the Warren Township and Green Brook School Districts for staff member Carrie Grapstein to work three days per week for the Warren School District and two days per week for the Green Brook School District for the 2015/16 school year, effective October 16, 2015. Annualized cost for Green Brook of $36,380, inclusive of salary and benefits, which will be prorated and due monthly.

C.16. Warren Middle School Musical

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following
personnel and stipend in support of the Warren Middle School production:

a. Assistant Director, Kelly Backus, at a stipend amount of $1,430.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – Second Reading

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

a. 5131.6 – Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Tobacco (Substance Abuse)

XII. Old Business

Chromebook Cameras - Dr. Nastus reported on the status of the cameras built into the chromebooks, and recommended that the cameras be on (for instructional purposes).

Additional After School Clubs - Any school with remaining budget monies will be allowed to request a half year club, which will be on the December agenda.

XIII. Community Input Session for Superintendent Search

Mrs. Helewa reported on her attendance at the session which was, overall, very positive.

XIV. Public Commentary

N/A

XV. New Business

Videotaping of Board Meetings - Ms. DeNourie brought up the possibility of videotaping board meetings. The board decided to discuss this matter in the future.

XVI. Public Commentary

Mr. Steier, who clarified that his thoughts were his own and that he was not speaking on behalf of the board, expressed his pleasure with increased interest in board membership. However, Mr. Steier spoke against a slate running against an individual. Ms. DeNourie asked Mr. Steier if Mr. Sena had told Mr. Steier to say what he had just said. Mr. Steier responded that he hadn’t.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Ms. Campos the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary