Warren Township Schools: Minutes for December 21, 2015

Minutes for December 21, 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 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,

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. Executive Session

At 7:02 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:

specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session

Action will 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 Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the Board reconvened in open session at 7:31 p.m.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the amended public and private session minutes of the December 7, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by 9-0 roll-call vote.

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena honored Ms. DeNourie and Mr. Steier, as they end their terms of service.

Mr. Sena reflected on the close of 2015, and wished everyone Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Elizabeth Nastus

Dr. Nastus expressed her thanks to both Ms. DeNourie and Mr. Steier, highlighting their strengths.

IX. Committee Reports

STEEP - Ms. Campos, reported on the general status of the overall project. Mrs. DiMaggio reported on the work of the STEEP Education Committee, and Mr. deMontagnac reported on the work of the STEEP Facilities Committee. The board followed up with questions and comments.

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).

Nancy Andrews, ALT Teacher, asked a question regarding the STEEP Facilities Committee data.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

The board reviewed the list of clubs, and asked some questions regarding stipends and offerings.

Ms. Campos asked a question regarding motion D.1. After subsequent discussion, it was determined that motion D.1. will be pulled from the evening’s agenda.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1., B.1. through B.6., and C.1. through C.9., 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 December 17, 2015.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the period December 1, 2015 through December 21, 2015 in the amount of $3,566,693.02.

B.2. Partial Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the School Business

Administrator/Board Secretary, pursuant to Policy 3326, to audit pending bills

and claims, to pay qualifying bills and claims within approved budget line item

amounts, from December 22, 2015 to December 31, 2015, and to submit those

bills to the Board of Education for approval at its second meeting in January 2016.

B.3. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report

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

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

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$7,364,825.70		$1,046,472.82
(11) Current Expense		$2,157,103.21
(12) Capital Outlay		$63,219.08
(13) Special Schools		$8.66
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($79,769.24)	$78,929.70	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$308,480.97	$0.00	$1,555,224.63
(40) Debt Service Fund	$538,782.71	$0.00	($0.29)
TOTAL	$8,132,320.14	$2,299,260.65	$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.4. Budget Transfers for Month of November 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:
10-000-100-561-00-00	Transfer to Charter Schools	11-000-100-566-08-01	Tuition - Private - Regular SY	$16,808
11-000-100-562-08-01	Tuition - Other LEAs - Reg. SY	11-000-100-566-08-01	Tuition - Private - Regular SY	$74,000
11-000-219-104-00-01	Child Study Team - Extra Pay	11-000-222-500-11-01	Other Purchased Svs. - Internet	$442
11-000-219-500-08-00	CST - Other Purchased Services	11-000-219-390-08-00	CST - Other Purch. Prof./Technical Svs.	$500
11-000-230-590-00-23	Legal Ads	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$5,000
11-000-262-580-09-00	Workshops & Travel - Maint.	11-000-262-520-01-00	Insurance - Property & Liability	$3,000
11-000-266-610-09-01	Security - Maint.Supplies - BOE	11-000-262-622-00-07	Electricity - Middle	$3,335
11-000-266-610-09-01	Security - Maint.Supplies - BOE	11-000-266-300-09-00	Security - Purch. Technical Svs.	$10,560
11-000-291-241-00-00	Retirement Contributions - PERS	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$3,999
11-213-100-101-00-00	Salaries - RC Teachers	11-130-100-101-00-01	Salaries - Grade 6-8 Teachers	$14,000
11-230-100-101-00-00	Salaries - Basic Skills Teachers	11-204-100-106-00-00	Salaries - LLD Aides	$6,900
11-240-100-500-12-03	ELL - Other Purchased Svcs.- CS	11-240-100-610-12-03	ELL Supplies - Central	$250
11-240-100-500-12-03	ELL - Other Purchased Svcs.- CS	11-240-100-610-12-05	ELL Supplies - ALT	$95
11-240-100-500-12-04	ELL - Other Purchased Svcs.- MH	11-240-100-610-12-04	ELL Supplies - Mt. Horeb	$190
11-240-100-500-12-05	ELL - Other Purchased Svcs.- ALT	11-240-100-610-12-05	ELL Supplies - ALT	$135
11-240-100-500-12-06	ELL - Other Purchased Svcs.- WD	11-240-100-610-12-06	ELL Supplies - Woodland	$135
11-240-100-500-12-07	ELL - Other Purchased Svcs.- MS	11-240-100-610-12-05	ELL Supplies - ALT	$80
12-120-100-730-04-00	Instructional Equipment - MH	11-190-100-610-11-01	Supplies - Instructional Hardware	$1,049

B.5. 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
Fran Blabolil	CS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$211
Jessica Halpern	MS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$180
Allison Reu	CS	Teaching Students w/Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$180
Catherine Lazas	MS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$205
Patsy Iannacone	CS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$205
Allison Hecht	CS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$205
Suzanne Aldrich	MS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$205
Jennifer McMahon	MHS	Teaching Students with Comprehension Problems	Garwood	Mar 2016	$205
Jeff Sutherland	MS	NJAPHERD Annual Convention	Long Branch	Feb 2016	$192
Sean Mealey	MS	NJAPHERD Annual Convention	Long Branch	Feb 2016	$195
Emily Niclas	WS	Strategies to Increase Speech Language Effectiveness	South Plainfield	Jan 2016	$243
Noralys Rebimbas	ALT	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$166
Andrea Gower	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$161
Michele Stora de Cruz	MHS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$278
Shannon O’Shea	WS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$169
Hildy Jackson	CS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$165
Kris Boni	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$177
Alexis Slack	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$166
Bernadette Danner	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$165
Angela Della Ventura	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$168
Jeannie Pang	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$168
Mary Pat Forenza	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$164
Max Achtau	MS	FLENJ Annual Conference	New Brunswick	Feb 2016	$161

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.6. Copy Machine Purchase

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the purchase of a copy machine, for a cost of $18,609, from Atlantic Tomorrow's Office of Freehold, NJ. The district will be purchasing a Savin MP6002SP copier with 3 hole punch capability, which will be placed in the front office of Woodland School. This purchase is covered by NJ State Contract A51464.

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. Natalie Flamme, Leave Replacement Teacher, Central School, MA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $62,337 (prorated), effective on or about January 19, 2016 through on or about June 10, 2016. (Mrs. Flamme will be LRT for Employee #0690.)

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. Claudia Falconieri

b. Erin Drexler

C.3. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2817 for leave (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement) under FMLA/NJFLA, from on or about March 14, 2016 through June 30, 2016, with an anticipated return date of September 1, 2016.

b. Employee #2410 for leave (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement) under FMLA/NJFLA from on or about April 6, 2016 through June 30, 2016, with an anticipated return date of September 1, 2016.

C.4. Retirement

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

a. Geraldine Vesey, Classroom Paraprofessional, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 18 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective April 1, 2016.

C.5. After School Activities/Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2015-2016 After School Activities/Clubs, and the instructors for each, at the negotiated stipend rate.

C.6. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Christine Cirrotti, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective December 1, 2015.

C.7. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional hours for Deborah Singer to accompany Student #9240417981, to Creative Design Club for up to 20 sessions, starting January 7, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $600.

C.8. Summer Fun Coordinator

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Meryl Lettire as the 2016-2017 Summer Fun/ESY Coordinator, at a salary to be determined, effective December 22, 2015 through August 5, 2016.

C.9. Summer Fun Secretary

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Eileen Haddican, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Warren Middle School, as the 2016-2017 Summer Fun/ESY Secretary, at a salary to be determined, effective December 22, 2015 through July 29, 2016.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – First Reading - TABLED

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

a. 3542.1 - Local Wellness/Nutrition - Policy

XIII. Old Business

Board of Education - Mrs. Helewa thanked both departing board members and congratulated Ms. DeNourie on her award for her recently published book.

XIV. New Business

Middle School Celebration - Dr. Schiller asked a question regarding the Nowruz celebration.

Fundraising - Dr. Nastus shared with the board the questions raised at the PTO’s Presidents’ Council regarding allowable fundraising activities. It was determined that the Policy Committee will review.

Physical Education - Dr. Nastus reported that there is a 150 minute per week physical education minimum. After discussion, it was determined that Dr. Nastus will review the situation with the county superintendent.

XV. Public Commentary

Brenda Nemzek, Old Smalleytown Road, mentioned a recess program used in the past, under the auspices of the PTO.

Nancy Andrews, ALT Teacher, discussed the auxiliary activities currently held during recess (i.e., subject area assistance).

XVI. Executive Session - BOE to Interview Superintendent Candidate

At 9:10 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 may be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 45 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.

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

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mr. Steier, the Board reconvened in open session at 10:21 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items C.1.b., was approved by a 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. deMontagnac abstained.)

Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2015-2016 School Year

b. Alison Watkins, Principal, Central School, at an annual salary of $118,186 (prorated) effective on or about February 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Ms. Campos, the meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m.

Minutes submitted by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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