Minutes for November 23, 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 7:00 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 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, Len deMontagnac, Desiree DeNourie, Kathy Helewa, Joan Schiller, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent: Lisa DiMaggio

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

IV. Presentation

Mr. Kimmick provided an overview of the PARCC scoring reports and the timelines, and entertained questions from the board.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the November 9, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Dr. Schiller and approved by 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Ms. DeNourie abstained.)

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

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

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Allocco and approved by 6-0-2 roll-call vote. (Ms. Campos and Ms. DeNourie abstained.)

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the November 11, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Ms. Campos and approved by 8-0 roll-call vote.

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the November 16, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Ms. Campos and approved by 8-0 roll-call vote.

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the November 17, 2015 Board Meeting.

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

VI.Correspondence and Information

Dr. Nastus referenced the letter received regarding the Elementary School libraries.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

  0  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

  0

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena thanked Mr. Kimmick and Ms. Hann-Modugno for this evening’s PARCC presentation.

Mr. Sena thanked the board for its hours of work already spent on the Superintendent search.

Lastly, Mr. Sena wished all a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Elizabeth Nastus

Dr. Nastus reported on Central School principal interviews.

Dr. Nastus thanked all involved with distribution of the turkeys, especially the Alloccos, and also wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.

IX. Committee Reports

STEEP - Facilities Committee

Mr. deMontagnac reported on the committee’s meeting, which reviewed data. A walk through of buildings is scheduled for December 3rd, with a follow-up committee meeting on December 9th.

Policy Committee

Mrs. Helewa reported on the Committee’s meeting, which discussed medical marijuana legislation, and sports team selection.

Also discussed was the district’s Wellness and Nutrition policy and regulation. The board discussed the implementation date, the need for communication and the future process for policy adoption.

X. Discussion

N/A

XI. 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, 30 Christy Drive, asked a question regarding the communication process and timing.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mr. deMontagnac asked a question regarding B.3.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. and B.4., C.1. through C.5., 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 November 19, 2015.

A.2. Tuition-Out Student

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-district placement for Student #7010304183, to Branchburg School District, effective on or about December 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $74,183.

A.3. Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the annual update to the Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement, dated November 23, 2015. (The Agreement between education and law enforcement officials is approved on an annual basis.)

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of November 2015 in the amount of $3,678,075.93.

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 October, 2015;

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

 

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$6,444,551.09

  

$1,046,472.82

(11) Current Expense

  

$2,272,672.20

  

(12) Capital Outlay

  

$68,084.08

  

(13) Special Schools

  

$8.66

  

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($64,258.35)

$86,450.08

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$309,203.95

$0.00

$1,555,224.63

(40) Debt Service Fund

$538,782.71

$0.00

($0.29)

TOTAL

$7,228,279.40

$2,427,215.02

$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 October 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:

    

11-000-218-104-00-00

Salaries - Guidance Counselors

11-000-222-100-00-01

Salaries - Media/Library/Tech.

$2,200

11-000-223-500-12-00

Staff Training - Other Purchased Services

11-190-100-640-12-00

Textbooks - Series Replacement

$23

11-000-262-100-09-00

Salaries - Custodians

11-000-262-622-00-07

Electricity - Middle

$15,200

11-000-263-100-00-00

Salaries - Grounds Staff

11-000-263-420-09-00

Cleaning, Repair & Maintenance Services - Grounds

$2,300

11-000-266-610-09-05

Security- Maint.Supplies- ALT

11-000-261-420-09-05

Maintenance Repairs - ALT

$4,485

11-000-266-610-09-07

Security - Maint.Supplies - MS

11-000-261-610-09-07

Maintenance Supplies - Middle

$1,200

11-000-270-160-10-00

Salaries - Transportation

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contracted Transportation-ESC

$650

11-000-270-161-10-00

Salaries - Transportation

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contracted Transportation-ESC

$11,600

11-000-270-515-10-00

Contracted Transp.- Jointure

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contracted Transportation-ESC

$5,930

11-000-270-800-10-00

Transportation - Other

11-000-270-518-10-00

Contracted Transportation-ESC

$1,200

11-190-100-580-07-00

Travel (Instructional) - Middle

11-130-100-101-00-01

Salaries - Grade 6-8 Teachers

$1,000

11-204-100-101-00-00

Salaries - LLD Teacher

11-204-100-106-00-00

Salaries - LLD Aides

$3,500

11-209-100-106-00-00

Salaries - SEED Program Aides

11-214-100-106-00-00

Salaries - Autism Aides

$22,372

11-213-100-101-00-00

Salaries - RC Teachers

11-000-217-106-00-02

Salaries - Extraordinary Paras

$35,000

11-213-100-101-00-00

Salaries - RC Teachers

11-204-100-106-00-00

Salaries - LLD Aides

$30,000

11-213-100-106-00-00

Salaries - RC Aides

11-000-217-106-00-02

Salaries - Extraordinary Paras

$29,000

11-213-100-610-08-00

RC - Supplies

11-214-100-610-08-00

Autism - Supplies

$1,000

11-216-100-101-00-00

Salaries - Preschool Disabled Teachers

11-216-100-106-00-00

Salaries - Preschool Disabled Aides

$10,500

11-230-100-101-00-00

Salaries - Basic Skills Teachers

11-130-100-101-00-01

Salaries - Grade 6-8 Teachers

$140,000

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

Alexis Sacks

CS

Strategies for Today’s Nurse

Fairfield

Jan 2016

$239

Carol Keirstead

MHS

Early Childhood Intervention

Eatontown

Dec 2015

$200

 

Janice Anderson

MHS

Conference for School-based Speech-Language Pathologists

West Orange

Dec 2015

$249

Fran Blabolil

CS

Best Practices in Co-Teaching

West Orange

Mar 2016

$262

Susan Jackson

ALT

Judy Freeman’s Winners Workshop

Somerset

May 2016

$199

Emily Niclas

WS

Northeast Conference of Speech-Language Pathologists

Newark

Dec 2015

$249

Maria Rodriguez

District

Boiler Training

Piscataway

Jan - Feb, 2016

$550

Ryan Hall

District

Boiler Training

Kenilworth

Jan - Feb, 2016

$550

Roberta Snead

District

Boiler Training

Piscataway

Jan - Feb, 2016

$550

Lauralee Dupper

District

Boiler Training

Piscataway

Jan - Feb, 2016

$550

Lou Marciscano

District

Boiler Training

Piscataway

Jan - Feb, 2016

$550

Amanda Rebimbas

District

Boiler Training

Kenilworth

Jan - Feb, 2016

$550


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.

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. Ruth Rillo, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, increase from 22.5 hours to 30 hours, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $17,240 (prorated), effective November 13, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

b. William Axt, Leave Replacement Teacher, Woodland School, BA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $56,670 (prorated), effective on or about December 16 2016 through on or about May 16, 2016. (Mr. Axt will be LRT for Employee #2042.)

c. Roseanne Weinfeldt, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, 10 hours, Central School, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $5,746.67 (prorated), effective on or about December 4, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

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. Natalie Flamme

b. Jaclyn Kulich

c. Rosalia Lopa (previously approved as Long Term Substitute)

d. Wendy Milligan

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. Jennifer Ronkiewicz, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective November 1, 2015.

C.4. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #0718 for leave (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA/NJFLA, from on or about January 27, 2016 through June 30, 2016, with an anticipated return date of September 1, 2016.

b. Employee #2060 for leave (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement) under FMLA/NJFLA from February 19, 2016 through May 20, 2016, with an anticipated return date of May 23, 2016.

C.5. Approval of Title I - Extended Day Tutor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional appointment of the following staff members 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:

  • Meghan Madden
  • Christine Spencer

D. Policy

D.1. Policies

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following Policy and Regulation:

a. 3542.1 - Local Wellness/Nutrition/Food - Policy

b. 3542.1 - Local Wellness/Nutrition/Food - Regulation

 

XIII. Old Business

N/A

XIV. Public Commentary

N/A

XV. New Business

N/A

XVI. Executive Session - BOE to Interview Superintendent Candidate

At 8:45 p.m. Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

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: a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law

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 15 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.

Dr. Nastus and Mrs. Leonhardt left at this time.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mr. Schiller, the Board reconvened in open session at 9:19 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. Allocco, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary