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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at 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 7:00 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, Lisa DiMaggio, Andrea Freijomil,

Joan Schiller, and Tia Allocco

Absent: Kathy Helewa and Jim Sena

Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, Board Secretary,

and members of the public and press.

Len deMontagnac arrived at 7:06 p.m.

IV. Presentations

Dr. Mingle presented a video of students sharing their thoughts on the first week of school.

V. Minutes

Ms. Campos moved the following:

• RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of September 6, 2016 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by 6-0 roll-call vote.

VI.Correspondence and Information

• Dr. Mingle made note of a received email regarding the Wellness and Nutrition policy.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

0

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

0

 

VII. President's Remarks – Tia Allocco

Mrs. Allocco thanked Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission for the generous donations on tonight’s agenda.

Mrs. Allocco also called everyone’s attention to the modifications made to the norms, which are on tonight’s agenda for adoption.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Matt Mingle

Dr. Mingle:

• Called attention to the Music being played as all entered, which was provided by Morris Union Jointure Commission ensembles.
• Shared that individual student PARCC scores will go home this Thursday with a presentation to follow at the board’s October 24th meeting.
• Called attention to his requested travel to the ASCD Conference, at which he has been invited to present.
• The resignation of Board member Mrs. Helewa and the proposed timeline slated for discussion under Unfinished Business.
• Called attention to the modification of the class trip motion, noting insurance requirement.

IX. Committee Reports

Ms. Campos reported on the recent Curriculum Committee meeting, sharing that the committee supports the class trip motion.

X. Discussion

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).

• Heather Silver, Quail Run, thanked Mr. Kimmick for their recent Angelo L. Tomaso presentation for parents.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mrs. Freijomil asked that motions A.2., B.4., and C.6., be pulled for separate vote.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1., B.1., through B.3., C.1. through C.5., and C.7., through C.9., were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Mrs. Freijomil discussed her monetary concern regarding the class trips (motion A.2.) and was grateful to Dr. Mingle for the in depth supporting documentation.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Dr. Schiller the consent item A.2., was approved by a 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Allocco abstained.)

Mrs. Freijomil explained her desire to abstain on motion B.4., due to her membership on the Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent item B.4., was approved by a 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Freijomil abstained.)

Mrs. Freijomil was appreciative of the number of clubs offered (motion C.6.) and her wish that there was more time for signups. Dr. Schiller suggested parental involvement for offering additional clubs.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Dr. Schiller the consent item C.6., was 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 September 15, 2016.

A.2. Overnight Trips

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves, contingent upon the submission of proof of required insurance, the Warren Middle School overnight trips as follows:

a. Grade 8 Historical Trip to Camden and Philadelphia, June 1-2, 2017.

b. Grade 7 Environmental Trip to Fairview Lakes YMCA Camp, June 1-2, 2017.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of September 2016 in the amount of $3,089,865.15.

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
Candie Hengemuhle	District	Leading Co-Teaching	Monroe	Nov 2016	$161
Emily Baker	MS	Conference on Reading and Writing	New Brunswick	Oct 2016	$180
Matt Mingle	District	Leading with the Whole Child in Mind	Anaheim, CA	Mar 2017	$1,678
Jeanne Vecchione	WS	IDA Conference - Reading	Somerset	Oct 2016	$230
Patricia Leonhardt	District	NJSBA Workshop	Atlantic City	Oct 2016	$551

 

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. Annual Flu Clinic 2016

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the offering of a flu shot clinic to staff members on September 28, 2016, at a cost to the board not to exceed $500.

B.4. Donations - Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude the following donations from the Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission for Warren Middle School:

a. $2,500, to be utilized for the Stress Relief After School Program.

b. $2,500, to be utilized for the After School Academic Support Program.

c. $1,500, to be utilized for the Student Leadership Program.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2016-2017 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 2016-2017 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. Anthony Ronkowitz, transfer from Leave Replacement Custodian to Night Custodian, Warren Middle School, at an annual salary of $36,000 (prorated), effective October 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. (He replaces E. Raucci)

b. Maria Serrano, Night Custodian, Warren Middle School, at an annual salary of $34,000 (prorated), effective October 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. (She replaces R. Manteria)

c. Amy Hold, Classroom Paraprofessional, Woodland School, increase from 30 hours to 31.25 hours, Step 1-5 of the 2016-2017 salary guide, $20,516, effective September 20, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

C.2. Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teacher for the 2016-2017 school year:

a. Laura Colantoni

C.3. Resignation - Board of Education

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the resignation of Board of Education member Kathy Helewa, with gratitude for her over 4 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective November 5, 2016.

C.4. Movement on the Guide

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for amended placements on the 2016-2017 salary guide:

a. Sanjita Livingston, with congratulations, for movement from MA+15 to MA+30, effective September 1, 2016.

b. Michele Kraminitz, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective September 1, 2016.

C.5. Job Description

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following job description:

1. Title I Services - Extended Day Reading Instructor

C.6. After School Activities/Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2016-2017 after school activities/clubs, and the instructors for each, at the negotiated stipend rate.

C.7. Additional Hours

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

a. Eleanore Wilson to accompany Students #9240417981 and #9367358396, to After School Clubs for 30 sessions, starting September 27, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $1,750.

b. Carolyn Wells to accompany Student #7994767559, to After School Clubs for 30 sessions, starting September 27, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $1,260.

c. Stacey Papalitkas to accompany Student #7472966086, to After School Clubs for 30 sessions, starting September 27, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $1,380.

d. Lesley Duncan to accompany Student #1627617084, to After School Clubs for 30 sessions, starting September 27, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $540.

C.8. Approval of Inservice Day Presenters

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following October 10, 2016 Inservice Day presenters, to be paid the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for total cost of $15,000.

Lynn Alger	Lynn Degen	Rebecca Maag
Mary Balkonis	Christina DeShields	Bonnie Pierson
Anita Brower	Paul Duncan	Amanda Rodrigues
Chris Burkhardt	Mary Beth Greco	Melissa Stoeckel
Cynthia Cassidy	Jessica Halpern	Rebecca Sutherland
Michelle Cebula	Peter Kassalow	Cristina Trump
Lindsay Chell	Colleen Krumm	Linda Yu
Sean Convery	Marianne Larson	Michelle Zgombic

C.9. Board Norms

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves and adopts the Norms of Operations.

XIII. Unfinished Business

• Board of Education Vacancy Timeline - Mrs. Allocco provided an overview of the process. The board discussed periodic advertising of the vacancy.

XIV. New Business

N/A

XV. Public Commentary

• John DiMaggio, 6th grade Middle School student, discussed the process and his concerns regarding team selection for boys soccer.
• Gretchen Minieri, Mundy Lane, discussed the Cross Country team size limitation in light of broad based interest. She also addressed the limitation of the track team due to the lack of a track.
• Heather Silver, Quail Run, addressed the topic of offering clubs across school when individual school registration is low as well as the online listing of club offerings.

XVI. Executive Session

At 7:30 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:

a matter rendered confidential by federal or state law

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it

protection of public safety and property and/or investigations of possible violations or violations of law

Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 30 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 Dr. Schiller and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Dr. Schiller, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:07 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Mrs. Albano, the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Minutes submitted by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary