Minutes for October 26, 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 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, 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

Dr. Nastus and Ms. Campos reviewed the updated project plan and criteria, the timeline and sub-committee goals and deliverables.

It was determined that the Educational and Facilities Committee work will begin with Finance/Budget/Transportation to have a delayed start. In addition, it was determined that the due dates need to be extended. The role and timing of Community Engagement will be addressed by Dr. Nastus with Gwen Thornton.

Mr. Sena assigned lead committee members as follows: Mr. deMontagnac (Facilities), Ms. Campos (Finance/Budget/Transportation) and Mrs. DiMaggio (Education).

V. Minutes

Ms. DeNourie expressed her concerns with the minutes, specifically the wording under the last public commentary.

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public session minutes of the October 26, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Ms. Campos and approved by 5-2-2 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Allocco and Ms. DeNourie voted against the the motion. Mr. deMontagnac and Mrs. DiMaggio abstained.)

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 1  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 1

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena reminded all of the upcoming daylight savings clock adjustment.

Mr. Sena shared that a new process will be implemented regarding questions from board members. A board member will be given the opportunity to ask one question, and will now be asked to hold additional questions until all other members have had a chance to ask a question.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Elizabeth Nastus

Week of Respect

  • October 5 - 9, 2015, was dedicated to a “Week of Respect.” School activities placed additional emphasis on promoting student character and a positive school environment. Students focused on the meaning of respect and how to demonstrate respect towards family, peers, and community. Each class participated in a lesson and activity focusing on how to prevent bullying. The lessons are part of the district’s character education curriculum and stress anti-bullying rules.
  • October 21 - 25, 2015, was School Violence Awareness Week and National Ribbon Week. Schools observed a week of making good choices. In conjunction with the district’s character education curriculum, additional emphasis was placed on encouraging students to positively handle conflict and resolve problems. Classes viewed videos and participated in activities related to conflict resolution. One critical goal for the district is to continue to encourage a positive school climate. Students and staff were encouraged to wear school colors on Friday to demonstrate school unity.

Library - Dr. Nastus reported on research done regarding the district’s libraries and made available the documentation.

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).

Mildred Spiller, Quill Penn Way, thanked the board for its work on the declining enrollment study. Mrs. Spiller expressed the high level of respect she has for Mrs. Milita, whose retirement is on tonight’s agenda.

Patricia Zohn, Mountainview Road, spoke of Mrs. Milita’s compassion, and her prayers for Mrs. Milita.

Mr. Toor, 12 Nottingham Way, asked a question regarding the roll of birth rates in the district’s analysis.

Sheri Deshields, Central School Teacher, praised Mrs. Milita for whom Ms. DeShields has worked.

Mr. Sena echoed his warm thoughts for Mrs. Milita, and expressed how much she will be missed.

Mrs. Helewa also reflected on Mrs. Milita’s compassion.

XI. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. and A.2., B.1. through B.6., 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 October 22, 2015.

A.2. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Assistive Technology Training by Assistive Tek, LLC for Student #8125114971, at a cost not to exceed $500. (This motion supersedes previous motion from September 21, 2015.)

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of October 2015 in the amount of $3,951,792.20.

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 September 2015,

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on September 30, 2015,

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$5,808,187.67

 

$1,046,472.82

(11) Current Expense

 

$2,273,837.77

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$70,554.08

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$8.66

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$12,925.21

$83,661.35

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$309,939.95

($13.02)

$1,555,224.63

(40) Debt Service Fund

$538,782.71

$0.00

($0.29)

TOTAL

$6,669,835.54

$2,428,048.84

$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 September 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:

   

11-000-100-562-08-01

Tuition - Other LEAs - Reg. SY

11-000-100-566-08-01

Tuition - Private - Regular SY

$137,000

11-000-100-562-08-02

Tuition - Other LEAs - Ext. SY

11-000-100-566-08-02

Tuition - Private - Extended SY

$14,500

11-000-213-600-07-00

Health Supplies - Middle

11-190-100-610-07-10

Instructional Supplies - Middle

$200

11-000-219-104-00-01

Child Study Team - Extra Pay

11-000-222-500-11-01

Other Purchased Services - Internet

$765

11-000-221-110-12-01

Literacy Coaches - Stipends

11-000-221-105-00-00

Salaries - Curriculum Secretary

$1,745

11-000-221-110-12-01

Literacy Coaches - Stipends

11-000-223-580-11-02

Workshops & Travel- Technology

$4,382

11-000-221-176-00-00

Salaries- Instructional Specialists

11-000-221-105-00-00

Salaries - Curriculum Secretary

$1,330

11-000-221-176-00-01

Integration Specialists - Stipends

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$9,600

11-000-223-500-12-00

Staff Training - Other Purchased Services

11-190-100-640-12-00

Textbooks - Series Replacement

$207

11-000-266-420-09-05

Security - Maint. Repairs - ALT

11-000-261-420-09-05

Maintenance Repairs - ALT

$2,440

11-000-266-610-09-04

Security - Maint. Supplies - MH

11-000-261-610-09-04

Maintenance Supplies - MH

$1,492

11-204-100-800-08-00

LLD - Field Trips

11-204-100-106-00-00

Salaries - LLD Aides

$1,000

11-230-100-500-12-03

Basic Skills- Purchased Svcs-CS

11-230-100-610-12-03

Basic Skills Supplies - Central

$1,480

11-230-100-500-12-04

Basic Skills-Purchased Svcs-MH

11-230-100-610-12-04

Basic Skills Supplies - Mt. Horeb

$1,188

11-230-100-500-12-05

Basic Skills-Purchased Svcs-ALT

11-230-100-610-12-05

Basic Skills Supplies - ALT

$1,480

11-230-100-500-12-06

Basic Skills- Purchased Svcs-WD

11-230-100-610-12-06

Basic Skills Supplies - Woodland

$1,383

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

Jennifer McMahon

MHS

Early Childhood Interventions & Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hasbrouck Heights

Dec 2015

$199

Chris Burkhardt

MHS

32nd Annual Winners! Workshop

Somerset

May 2016

$199

Lance Riegler

District

Techspo

Atlantic City

Jan 2016

$270

Amy Jensen

MS

NJ Music Educators Association Conference

East Brunswick

Feb 2016

$174

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. Sale of Obsolete Items

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

Item Type

Make

Model

Asset Number

Utility Truck

GMC

K35 8FT - VIN 1GTHK34R5WF012299

900738

Backhoe Tractor

CASE

Serial # 9010597

900752

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.6. NCLB Title I Amendment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an amendment to the FY16 NCLB application, whereby Title I monies will be relocated to accurately reflect the stipend for the management of the After School program.

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. Christine Parolise, Leave Replacement Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, MA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $62,337.00 (prorated), effective on or about October 27, 2015 through on or about March 18, 2016. (Ms. Parolise will be a Leave Replacement Teacher for Employee #0792.)

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. Christina Lee

b. Tracie Tonetta

C.3. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2030 for leave (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA/NJFLA, from November 23, 2015 through January 11, 2016, with an anticipated return date of January 12, 2016.

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Janet Milita, Principal, Central School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 4 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective October 31, 2015.

b. Salvatore Morelli, Jr., Leave Replacement Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of resignation, effective October 16, 2015.

C.5. Transportation for Out-of-District Students

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with the following School District for the 2015-2016 School Year transportation for out-of-district students as follows: (This motion supersedes previous motion from August 24, 2015.)

Contractor Student ID# School Cost

MUJC 5275815264 & PG Chambers $58,208.46

8009989713

C.6. Long Term Substitute

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Lynda Larsen as a Long Term Substitute, effective November 23, 2015 through December 22, 2015. (Ms. Larsen will be Long Term substitute for Employee #1128 who is taking family leave.)

C.7. Substitute Custodian

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves John Seremula as a substitute custodian, effective October 27, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at the approved substitute custodian pay rate.

C.8. Kindergarten Screening Instrument

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff members to work on a Kindergarten Screening Instrument, up to five hours each, at a cost not to exceed $400:

  • Christina Beekman
  • Kristen Stoyanov

C.9. Approval of Title I - Extended Day Tutor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional appointment of the following staff member as Title I - Extended Day Tutor, 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 Angelo L. Tomaso School and Central School, for a total program cost not to exceed $39,400:

  • Joyce Pekarsky

C.10. Warren Middle School Bus Arrival Supervision

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Heather Saum for morning supervision at Warren Middle School, replacing Michele Tanzi-Kraminitz, effective November 13, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at a stipend amount of $500 per marking period.

XII. Old Business

Demographic Reports - Mrs. Allocco referenced the first demographic report. The board requested that both reports and the associated PowerPoint be posted on the website.

XIII. Public Commentary

N/A

XIV. New Business

The board requested hard copies of the agenda for the next meeting.

The board discussed the lack of GASB 68 Data from the state and its effect on all school audits.

XV. Public Commentary

Mr. Toor, 12 Nottingham Way, asked about the availability of data for the declining of data for the declining enrollment and the ability to have the data available for the public ahead of time.

XVI. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. Allocco, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary