Warren Township Schools: Minutes for April 25, 2016

Minutes for April 25, 2016 Archived Minutes

A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the Mount Horeb School, 80 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 Board President Tia Allocco.

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mrs. Allocco 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 5, 2016. 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 TAP into Warren, 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 – Mrs. Allocco led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Paige Albano, Celeste Campos, Len deMontagnac, Lisa DiMaggio,

Andrea Freijomil, Kathy Helewa, Jim Sena and Tia Allocco

Absent: Joan Schiller

Also Present: Dr. Elizabeth Nastus, Interim Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, Board Secretary,

and members of the public and press.

IV. Presentations

Mt. Horeb Student Presentation

Mt. Horeb Principal Scott Cook introduced Mrs. Miletic and her students who presented the the details of and the process for the planned garden.

Mrs. Gwen Thornton of NJSBA presented the results of the community feedback night (held on April 6th) as well as the online community survey.
Dr. Nastus added some additional data concerning the declining enrollment, both historical as well as future projections, and provided her recommendation (close a school).
Dr. Nastus and Mrs. Leonhardt presented the 2016-2017 budget.

V. Minutes

Ms. Campos moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the March 7, 2016 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:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

VII. President's Remarks – Tia Allocco

Mrs. Allocco thanked Mr. Cook and all of Mt. Horeb School for their hospitality this evening.

Mrs. Allocco thanked the public for its interest and participation as the board reviewed STEEP.

Mrs. Allocco thanked Mr. Heaney for his warm welcome to the Woodland School art show.

Mrs. Allocco acknowledged Ms. Bond’s retirement and many years of service to the children of Warren.

Lastly, Mrs. Allocco reported on her recent conversation with Dr. Mingle regarding summer scheduling.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Elizabeth Nastus

Dr. Nastus also complimented Ms. Bond on the apparent joy with which she has served the students and district, and wished her well on her retirement.

IX. Committee Reports

Policy Committee - Mrs. Helewa reported the recent meeting which included a review of committee policy.
Finance Committee - Mr. deMontagnac also commended Ms. Bond on her high energy level. In reporting on the work of the Finance Committee, Mr. deMontagnac shared that there will be an executive session regarding security during the board’s May 9th meeting. In addition, Mr. deMontagnac reported on the generator conversation, Summer Fun review including a pay increase for the director, substitute teacher pay review and phone system replacement.
Personnel Committee - Mrs. Allocco discussed two upcoming evaluations; the Superintendent evaluation and BOE self evaluation.

X. Discussion

Regarding STEEP, discussion ensued and then a vote was taken.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the following STEEP motion was approved by a 6-1-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Sena voted against and Mrs. Helewa abstained.)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to maintain the district’s current configuration and support the administration’s efforts to optimize education delivery, facilities operations, and financial and transportation concerns in light of STEEP’s findings.

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:

A participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of his/her name and place of residence;
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);
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
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).

Judy Shanahan, Hillcrest Road asked to board to review the Math curriculum.
Darby Finkelstein, Trinity Place, thanked the board for its STEEP vote this evening.
Jackie Polyakov, Blue Jay Court asked for clarification regarding district inefficiencies.
Kevin Helewa, Reinmann Road, mentioned the absence of tonight’s STEEP motion on the agenda. He also discussed the lack of prior identification of inherent problems with low student enrollment.
Yee Jao, Downington Court, discussed tracking student historical quantitative data via standards such as SAT scores.
Jonathan Wishnia, Glenview Drive, thanked NJSBA for their efforts, and asked for communications regarding tonight’s resolution.
Gina Valenti, Providence Road thanked the board for its support of Ms. Bond through the years and asked that the board work to ensure a principal of similar caliber for next year.
Maryanne Dubois, Skyline Drive spoke of housing turnover in her neighborhood and the possibility of expansion of the preschool program.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mrs. Albano asked a question regarding B.3.

Mrs. Helewa asked a question regarding B.10. and its need to be board approved. Policy will be reviewed.

Mr. deMontagnac asked a question regarding the technology purchase, the scrubber replacement, the Apple purchasing and the policy change.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent items A.1. and A.2., B.1. through B.10, , C.1. through C.9., 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 April 21, 2016.

A.2. Approval of School Self-Assessment Statement of Assurances

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the School Self-Assessment for Determining Grades under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act Statement of Assurances for submission to the Department of Education.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of April 2016 in the amount of $3,791,468.82.

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 March 2016.

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on March 31, 2016

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$7,640,145.20		$1,046,472.82
(11) Current Expense		$2,104,254.12
(12) Capital Outlay		$14,627.42
(13) Special Schools		$283.16
(20) Special Revenue Fund	($62,677.27)	$34,250.12	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$183,151.48	$69,362.56	$1,555,224.63
(40) Debt Service Fund	($0.29)	$0.00	($0.29)
TOTAL	$7,760,619.12	$2,222,777.38	$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 March 2016

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	$26,100
11-000-218-600-04-00	Guidance Supplies - Mt. Horeb	11-190-100-610-04-10	Instructional Supplies - Mt. Horeb	$70
11-000-252-600-11-01	Admin. Technology - Supplies	11-000-252-330-11-01	Technology - Professional Services	$10,000
11-000-263-610-09-00	Grounds - Supplies	11-000-263-100-00-00	Salaries - Grounds Staff	$5,000
11-000-270-512-07-00	Field Trip Transportation - Middle	11-000-270-610-10-00	General Supplies - Transportation	$150
11-000-270-593-10-00	Misc. Purchased Svcs. - Transp.	11-000-270-610-10-00	General Supplies - Transportation	$3,100
11-000-270-615-10-00	Transportation Supplies	11-000-270-610-10-00	General Supplies - Transportation	$4,000
11-190-100-500-11-01	Other Purchased Svcs. - Technology	11-190-100-610-11-01	Supplies - Instructional Hardware	$3,250
11-190-100-640-12-00	Textbooks - Series Replacement	11-190-100-610-12-00	Instructional Supplies - Curriculum	$1,350
11-401-100-800-07-00	Co-Curricular Clubs - Other	11-401-100-600-07-00	Co-Curricular Supplies - Middle	$50
12-000-261-730-00-00	Required Maint. - School Equipment	11-000-291-270-00-00	Health Benefits	$22,405
12-000-263-730-09-00	Grounds - Equipment	11-000-262-621-00-06	Heat - Woodland	$4,665

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
Marisol Ziegler	ALT	Behavior Modification Training	Scotch Plains	May 2016	$225
Kelly Blessing-Maire	ALT	Behavior Modification Training	Scotch Plains	May 2016	$250
Paula Pontoriero	ALT	Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia	Parsippany	May 2016	$217
Jennifer McMahon	MHS	Theory of the Mind	Somerset	June 2016	$200
Allison Reu	CS	Theory of the Mind	Somerset	June 2016	$200
Rebecca Hartman	CS	Newmark Behavioral Disabilities Training	Scotch Plains	May 2016	$232
Karen Leski	ALT	Newmark Behavioral Disabilities Training	Scotch Plains	May 2016	$225
Shannon Sharkey	MHS	Strategies for Inclusive Education	Lincroft	June 2016	$150
Brittany Leonard	ALT	Newmark Behavioral Disabilities Training	Scotch Plains	May 2016	$225
Lindsay Chell	CS	Best Children’s Books of 2016	Somerset	May 2016	$200
Mary Ellen Weaver	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	May 2016	$151
Barbara LaSaracina	MS	Conquer Math	Fairfield	May 2016	$151
Robert Comba	MS	AMLE National Conference	Austin, TX	Oct 2016	$2,156
Scott Cook	MHS	AMLE National Conference	Austin, TX	Oct 2016	$2,156
Jennifer McMahon	MHS	Theory of the Mind	Somerset	June 2016	$200
Allison Reu	CS	Theory of the Mind	Somerset	June 2016	$200
Paula Pontoreiro	ALT	Theory of the Mind	Somerset	June 2016	$217
Melissa Stoeckel	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	May 2016	$151
Michelle Cebula	ALT	Conquer Math	Fairfield	May 2016	$151
Michelle Barbagallo	MHS	Dyslexia, Dyscalculia & Dysgraphia	Edison	May 2016	$200

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. Adoption of 2016-2017 Warren Township School District Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education adopts the 2016-2017 Warren Township School District Budget as approved by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for Somerset County.

The budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C Title 6 and 6A.

2016-17 Budget
Appropriations:		Revenue:
Fund 10
Operating Budget	$41,082,976	State Aid: General Fund	$1,247,692
Deposit to Capital Reserve	$500	Tax Levy: General Fund	$39,300,340
Capital Outlay	$89,700	Other Revenues	$393,174
Summer School	$208,030	Fund Balance	$440,000
	$41,381,206		$41,381,206
Fund 20
Special Revenue Appropriations	$439,052	Grants: Federal, State and Local	$439,052

Fund 40	$0	Fund 40	$0

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the tentative budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2016-2017 budget includes a maximum travel appropriation of $127,950. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, a Board of Education may, and this Board does, establish, for regular district business travel only, an annual school year threshold of $1,500 per staff member where prior Board approval shall not be required for regular business travel, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent and Business Administrator to implement the 2016-2017 budget as hereby approved.

B.6. Tax Payment Schedule for 2016-2017 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following tax payment schedule for 2016-2017 from the Township of Warren:

July 5, 2016	$700,000	January 3, 2017	$3,275,030
July 18, 2016	$700,000
August 1, 2016	$700,000	February 1, 2017	$3,275,028
August 15, 2016	$1,000,000
September 6, 2016	$2,000,000	March 1, 2017	$3,275,028
September 19, 2016	$2,000,000
October 4, 2016	$4,183,390	April 3, 2017	$3,275,028
November 1, 2016	$4,183,390	May 1, 2017	$3,275,028
December 1, 2016	$4,183,390	June 1, 2017	$3,275,028
TOTAL 2016 - 2017:			$39,300,340

B.7. Dealaman Bus Services Contract Renewal for 2016-2017

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the renewal of the transportation contracts for the 2016-2017 school year with Dealaman Bus Services of Warren, NJ. All are being renewed at no increase over 2015-16 rates. The details are as follows:

Multi Contract #	Renewal #	2016-2017 Cost
1	22	$ 280,342.11
2	18	$ 94,932.03
4	5	$ 33,238.52
5	18	$ 184,848.68
6	17	$ 41,351.21
7	16	$ 69,820.65
8	8	$ 164,326.87
9	14	$ 17,958.67
10	13	$ 27,844.01
11	12	$ 53,826.68
12	11	$ 47,403.28
	TOTAL	$ 1,015,892.71

B.8. Acceptance of HCESC Certification for Procurement of Proprietary Goods

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Certification for Procurement of Proprietary Goods as presented by the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission for approval of cooperative purchasing of proprietary Apple products.

B.9. Approval of HCESC Apple Bid

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

WHEREAS the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission (“HCESC”), as Lead Agency for the HCESC cooperative pricing system (system identifier (34HUNCCP), has awarded a contract for proprietary Apple technology products following the public solicitation of sealed bids pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-15, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13, and N.J.A.C. 5:34-9.1; and

WHEREAS the Warren Township School District is a member of the HCESC cooperative pricing system and is authorized to make purchases from contracts awarded by the HCESC pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:34-7.1 et seq.; and

WHEREAS the Apple technology products covered by the HCESC contract sought by the Warren Township School District are of such a specialized nature that only such products will meet the needs of the Warren Township School District; and

WHEREAS the Warren Township School District has heavily invested time and funds into the acquisition and integration of Apple products in local operations that will be wasted if non-Apple products were used to supplement the existing technology; and

WHEREAS, the use of non-Apple products would require either the wholesale replacement of the technology currently used by the Warren Township School district or an unsupportable level of training, support and maintenance services that would utterly defeat the purpose of the public contracting laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren Township Board of Education hereby authorizes the purchase of proprietary Apple technology products from the HCESC contract as follows:

iPad, iPad Air, iPad accessories

B.10. Middle School Social Studies Trip

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an 8th grade social studies trip, at various sites within Warren and its surrounding communities, on June 10, 2016. Student transportation to be provided through a combination of district buses and buses provided through the Dealaman Bus Company at a cost of $360.

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. Marcia Gutierrez, Transportation Driver, effective April 26, 2016 through June 30, 2016, 7 hours per day, $18 per hour, at a salary of $22,680 (prorated).

b. Roseann Weinfeldt, temporary transfer from Multi-Duty Paraprofessional to Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, 25 hours, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 Salary Guide, $15,825 (prorated), effective April 25, 2016 through June 30, 2016. (Ms. Weinfeldt will be temporary replacement for J. Santos.)

C.2. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Suzanne Wisher, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective April 1, 2106.

b. Sanjita Livingston, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective April 1, 2106.

C.3. Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2951 for leave of absence (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from on or about May 26, 2016 through December 2, 2016, with an anticipated return date of December 5, 2016.

b. Employee #1970 for leave of absence (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from April 18, 2016 through April 22, 2016, with an anticipated return date of April 25, 2016.

c. Employee #1340 for leave of absence (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement) from May 17, 2016 through May 27, 2016, with an anticipated return date of May 31, 2016.

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

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

A. Kathryn Bond, Principal, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 18 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2016.

b. Jessica Santos, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for her 8 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective April 22, 2016.

c. Florence Lui, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, for the purpose of resignation, effective April 15, 2016.

d. Wendy Rosenberg, with appreciation for her 17 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2016.

C.5. First Aid Training

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to present First Aid training on May 18, 2016, at the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for the total cost of $720:

Jan Brennan
Alexis Sacks
Doris Zanchelli

C.6. Service Providers List

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Service Provider additions for the 2015-2016 school year:

Dr. Elliot J. Gursky, at a rate of $550 per Child Psychiatric Evaluation
Dr. Mario Finkelstein, at a rate of $1,000 per Fitness for Duty Psychiatric Evaluations

C.7. Additional Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Lisa Lontai, School Nurse, Warren Middle School, to work a total of 3 days during August 2016, for the purpose of completing student physicals and medical forms, at the employee’s per diem rate.

C.8. Temporary Multi-Duty Paraprofessional

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Rachel Jacobs as a temporary Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School (pending completion of required paperwork), 2 hours per day, $15.62 per hour, effective on or about May 2, 2016 through June 20, 2016. (Mrs. Jacobs will be temporary replacement for R. Weinfeldt.)

C.9. Substitute Bus Monitor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Casey Hardy as a substitute bus monitor (pending completion of required paperwork), at an hourly rate of $13.12 per hour, effective on or about May 2, 2016.

D. Policy

D.1. Policy – First Reading

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

a. 3326 - Payment for Goods and Services

XIII. Old Business

Mrs. Helewa referenced the level of certainty granted by tonight’s STEEP vote, but expressed disappointment with some aspects of the process and the lack of attention to Dr. Nastus’ input. Mrs. Helewa also expressed her objection to the lack of knowledge ahead of time regarding the motion. Mrs. Helewa looks forward to Mr. Giacobbe guiding the board. She also asked questions regarding the next steps.

Mrs. Allocco asked all 3 STEEP committers to meet one more time and create an Executive Summary of the committee’s work. This can be used by administration (current and future) moving forward. Lastly, a joint communication will be released by the board and administration regarding tonight’s vote.

Mr. deMontagnac thanked Dr. Nastus for her input tonight. He also referenced the data in the STEEP facilities spreadsheets, which mirrored Dr. Nastus’ data.

XIV. New Business

Proposed 2017-2018 calendar - Mrs. Freijomil asked if time off could be scheduled for less busy travel times. However, she recognized that leaves are usually aligned with holidays. Mrs. Helewa shared that she knows of a district where board representatives of the elementary and regional high school districts meet to discuss the school calendar.

XV. Public Commentary

Bobbie Murphy, MHS teacher, referenced a time in the past when school breaks were not aligned with holidays. She remembers it being a positive change.
Darby Finkelstein, Trinity Place, shared that she felt this community did understand the data points of declining enrollment.
Judy Shanahan, Hillcrest Road, addressed the issue of PTO insurance as relates to inflatables.

XVI. Executive Session

At 9:54 p.m. Ms. Campos 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:

pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege; and

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 20 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. Albano and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the Board reconvened in open session at 10:08 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.

Minutes submitted by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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