Minutes for June 8, 2015History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day in the Warren Middle School, 100 Old Stirling 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 May 21, 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, Kathy Helewa, Greg Steier and Jim Sena

Absent: Desiree DeNourie and Joan Schiller

Also Present: Dr. Tami Crader, Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

Lisa DiMaggio arrived at 7:03 p.m. Len deMontagnac arrived at 7:08 p.m.

IV. Presentations

Excellence in Education Award Recipients - Each principal presented their Excellence in Education Award winner as follows:

  • Central School - Mrs. Rebecca Davenport
  • Woodland School - Mrs. Dorothy Stolfi
  • Mt. Horeb - Mrs. Stacey Lederman
  • ALT - Mrs. Nancy Andrews
  • Middle School - Mrs. Heather Saum

Warren Middle School Student Achievement Awards - Mr. Sena, Dr. Crader and Mr. Comba presented the student awards.

Superintendent Search Firms - Jane Kirshner of NJSBA and Dwight Pfenning of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates presented the details of the Superintendent search process, as managed by their firms.

V. Minutes

Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public minutes of the May 26, 2015 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. deMontagnac and approved by 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. DiMaggio abstained.)

VI.Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

  1  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

  0

Fire Drills

ALT
May 14

Central
May 7

Mt. Horeb
May 22

Woodland
May 18

Middle
May 15

· Security Drills

ALT
May 7
Non-Fire Evacuation

Central
May 28
Non-Fire Evacuation

Mt. Horeb
May 28
Non-Fire Evacuation

Woodland
May 26
Non-Fire Evacuation

Middle
May22
Non-Fire Evacuation

Evacuation Evacuation Evacuation Evacuation Evacuation

VII. President's Remarks - Jim Sena

Mr. Sena complimented all of this evening’s award winners.

Mr. Sena also commented on the 7th and 8th grade trips, both of which were successful.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Tami Crader

Dr. Crader referenced the Governor’s recent comments regarding Common Core.

Dr. Crader reported on the kick off meeting held today with Trionaid, the district’s security firm.

Lastly, Dr. Crader spoke of a district-wide wrap up she will provide at the July 13th meeting.

IX. Committee Reports

Ms. Campos reported on a conflict she has with the special SCESC meeting to be held on June 25th concerning their Superintendent contract. Mrs. Allocco will attend for Ms. Campos.

RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves Mrs. Allocco’s representation of the District at the Special Meeting of the SESC to be held on June 25th at 4:30 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mr. Steier the motion for SCESC, was approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Mrs. Allocco reported on the Personnel Committee, which presented Dr. Crader with her final evaluation.

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. Discussion

N/A

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent items A.1. through A.7., B.1. throught B.5., C.1., through C.10., and D.1. were approved by a 7-0 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 June 4, 2015.

A.2. Bedside Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves bedside instruction for Student #6518464807, beginning the week of May 25, 2015, at a hourly rate of $51.67, at a cost not to exceed $2,584.00.

A.3. Out-of- Zone Requests

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-zone requests. The students will remain at Mt. Horeb School for the 2014-2015 school year. The students are currently residing out of district while their primary home in Warren is being renovated. The district will not be responsible for student transportation:

  • Student #621758, Grade 2
  • Student #621764, Grade 5

A.4. Summer Curriculum Writing

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following 2015 summer curriculum positions, as per the 2014-2017 WTEA negotiated agreement:

Andrew Ahimovic

Lynn Degen

Wendy Piller

Dannine Albanese

Christina DeShields

Kathy Reynolds

Lynn Alger

Nicole Evins

Steve Rizzoli

Nancy Andrews

Mary Beth Greco

Laura Rodaman

Michelle Antonelli

Laurie Green

Heather Saum

Mary Balkonis

Jessica Halpern

Jolanta Scassera

Gina Banks

Debbie Hunt

Michelle Scott

Christine Barbera

Susan Jackson

Tiffany Serafin

Christina Beekman

Michelle Jarmicki

Myranda Shimko

Anita Brower

Philip Jones

Kevin Speckin

Kelly Brown

Peter Kassalow

Melissa Stoeckel

Mary Pat Brown

Susan Kline

Dorothy Stolfi

Chris Burkhardt

Colleen Krumm

Kristen Stoyanov

Cynthia Cassidy

Marianne Larson

Dan Ticchio

Michelle Cebula

Cathy Lazas

Cristina Trump

TyraLynn Ceccato

Lisa Lukko

Suzanne Wisher

Lindsay Chell

Andrea McGuire

Kate Zaleski

Christine Cirrotti

Kara Miletic

Jill Zimmer

Sitta Cohen

Simone Miller

Jill Ziobro

Sean Convery

Nicole Panos

  

A.5. Out-of-District Placement ESY 2015

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-district 2015 ESY placement list dated June 8, 2015.

A.6. Out-of-District Placement School Year 2015-2016

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-district 2015-2016 school year placement list, dated June 8, 2015.

A.7. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a neuro-psychological evaluation by Melissa Fiorito-Grafman, for student #2610013558, at a cost not to exceed $7,500.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills (Attachment 1)

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the period June 1, 2015 through June 8, 2015 in the amount of $1,376,472.33.

B.2. 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

Colleen Krumm

WS

Implementing NGSS

Atlantic City

July 2015

$339

Scott Cook

MHS

Evidence-Centered Leadership Conference

New Providence

Aug 2015

$299

Janet Milita

CS

Evidence-Centered Leadership Conference

New Providence

Aug 2015

$299

Candie Hengemuhle

District

Evidence-Centered Leadership Conference

New Providence

Aug 2015

$299

Robert Comba

MS

Evidence-Centered Leadership Conference

New Providence

Aug 2015

$299

Jeff Heaney

MS

Evidence-Centered Leadership Conference

New Providence

Aug 2015

$299

 

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.3. Somerset Hills YMCA After-Care Services for 2015-2016

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the contracting with Somerset Hills YMCA for after-care services at the four Warren elementary schools for the 2015-2016 school year, dated July 1, 2015.

B.4. Application and Acceptance of Federal Grant Monies

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the application submission to the Department of Education and accepts the award itself for the following 2015-16 Federal Grant Programs:

  • IDEA Basic $443,786
  • IDEA Pre-School $ 16,005
  • NCLB - Title IA $ 55,562
  • NCLB - Title IIA $ 20,963
  • NCLB - Title III $ 13,205

B.5. Purchase – Technology Equipment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following 2015-16 budgeted purchases:

450 Dell Chromebooks, incl Google Management Software $134,550 30 Dell Optiplex desktops and monitors $47,210

All purchases under NJ State Contract M0483

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2014-2015 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. Ruth Rillo, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, increased from 10 hours to 22.5 hours, Step 1-3 of the 2014-2015 salary guide, $12,365 (prorated), effective from June 8, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

b. Jonathan Jauh, Computer Technician, District, at an annual salary of $35,000 (prorated), effective June 15, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

C.2 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. Jonathan Jauh, Computer Technician, District, at an annual salary of $35,000, effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

b. Jill Long, Leave Replacement Teacher, Warren Middle School, BA+15, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $59,504, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (She is a leave replacement teacher for Employee #2578.)

c. Kristen Hague, .5 Science Teacher, Warren Middle School, BA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, 28,335, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 and Classroom Paraprofessional, 14.58 hours, Warren Middle School, Step 1-4 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $9,231, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (She is replacing a portion of the Science position held by J. Blatchford.)

d. Paola Gower, .464 Spanish/French Teacher, Warren Middle School, BA+15, Step 2-3 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $28,051, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (She is replacing portions of positions held by M. Lampon-Sendon and R. Savage.)

e. Maureen Aronow, Grade 8 Mathematics Teacher, Warren Middle School, MA, Step 1 of the 2015-2016 salary guide, $62,337, effective September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. (She is a replacing R. Balkonis.)

C.3. Retirement (Attachment 2)

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

a. Linda Miller, Secretary to the Superintendent, Board Office, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 20 years of service to the Warren Township staff, effective August 31, 2015.

C.4. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placement on the 2014-2015 salary guide:

a. Christina DeShields, with congratulations, for movement from BA+15 to MA, effective May 1, 2015.

C.5. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2863 for leave (paid and unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA, from June 4, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

C.6. Non-WTEA Stipends 2015-2016

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following non-WTEA stipends for the 2015-2016 school year:

a. Literacy Coach, Angelo L. Tomaso School, Mary Beth Greco, $6,400

(4 hrs/wk)

b. Literacy Coach, Central School, Marianne Larson, $6,400 (4 hrs/wk)

c. Literacy Coach, Mt. Horeb School, Christine Burkhardt, $6,400 (4 hrs/wk)

d. Literacy Coach, Woodland School, Kathy Brown, $6,400 (4 hrs/wk)

Salaries to be funded through No Child Left Behind Grant, Title II-A, to the extent funds are available.

C.7. First Aid Training

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff presented First Aid training on May 27, 2015, at the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for the total cost of $240:

  • Alexis Sacks

C.8. Additional Hours

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

  1. Nancy Lauber to accompany Student #6440285665, to a School Concert on June 4, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $35.

b. Ruth Rillo to shadow Lisa Rica, on June 5, 2015, at a cost not to exceed $38.

C.9. Additional Work Schedule

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to work additional hours as listed, prior to the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, at the WTEA contractual rate of $40 per hour, to support the curriculum revision of the multi level LLD program at Warren Middle School:

a. Chelsea Hill, Warren Middle School, Special Ed LLD Teacher, 10 hours

b. Lori Vigliotti, Warren Middle School, Special Ed LLD Teacher, 10 hours

C.10. Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teacher for the 2014-2015 school year:

a. Jessica Soldiviero

D. Policy

D.1. Policies – Second Reading (Attachment 3)

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

a. 5141.21 - Administering Medication

b. 6145.1/6145.2 - Intramural Competition; Interscholastic Competition

c. 9323/9324 - Agenda Preparation/Advance Delivery of Meeting Material

XIII. Old Business

Mrs. Helewa discussed in further detail the response to the recent State Ethics Commission rulings.

XIV. New Business

Mrs. Allocco complimented Dr. Crader on her revamping of the awards ceremony, as evidenced by tonight’s high energy presentation.

Mrs. Allocco complimented the ALT staff members who supported the recent Girls on the Run program and race.

Mrs. Helewa suggested a presentation to the Board of Education regarding the district’s Pre-K program. The board concurred.

Superintendent Search Firm - The board discussed the evening’s two presentations and the merits of each firm.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa seconded by Ms. Campos, the Board approved the following motion by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes a contract with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates for the management of the district’s Superintendent search.

XV. Public Commentary

N/A

XVI. Executive Session

At 9:30 p.m. Mrs. Helewa moved the following:

Executive Session

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

pending or anticipated litigation

Action may be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 10 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.

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mr. deMontagnac, the Board reconvened in open session at 9:54 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Helewa, seconded by Mr. deMontagnac, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Minutes recorded by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary