Minutes for November 21, 2016
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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 7:01 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
III. Roll Call
Present: Paige Albano, Celeste Campos, Len deMontagnac, Lisa DiMaggio,
Andrea Freijomil, Jim Sena and Tia Allocco
Absent: Joan Schiller
Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, Patricia Leonhardt, School Business
Administrator/Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.
IV. Presentation
- Overview of the Role of Instructional Specialists - Mr. Kimmick presented a video on the roles of the district’s Instructional Specialists. The board asked follow up questions.
- Long Range Capital Improvement Plan - Andrew Adornato from USA Architects presented the plan for the district for 2016-2021. The board asked some follow up questions, including a discussion on innovation and playing fields.
- Quarterly Update on District, Board and Superintendent Goals - Dr. Mingle provided an update regarding the status of all 3 sets of goals, including a recommendation regarding the district’s Mission Statement.
V. Minutes
Ms. Campos moved the following:
- RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of November 7, 2016 Board Meeting.
The motion was seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by 6-0-1. (Mrs.Albano abstained.)
VI. Correspondence and Information
· HIB Information
|
Total # of Investigations: |
1 |
Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: |
1 |
VII. President's Remarks – Tia Allocco
Mrs. Allocco congratulated Mrs. DiMaggio, Mrs. Zohn and Mrs. Sarosy on their election to the board, as well as Mr. Morrison and Mr. Fahy on their election to the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) board. She also thanked Mr. Fallon for his many years of service to the WHRHS board.
Mrs. Allocco reminded all regarding the board’s vacancy and the December 5th due date.
Mrs. Allocco thanked the Lions Club for the generous food donation.
Lastly, Mrs. Allocco wished all a very Happy Thanksgiving.
VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Matthew Mingle
Dr. Mingle congratulated Mrs. Leonhardt, and her team on the district’s clean audit, and reiterated wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.
IX. Committee Reports
- Finance/Operations/Security Committee - Mr. deMontagnac thanked Mrs. Leonhardt, and her team for the work which resulted in a clean audit. The district’s financial resources will be helpful with upcoming facilities work.
- Curriculum Committee - Mrs. Campos reported on the evening’s meeting which discussed multiple items, including recommendations based on the declining enrollment.
- Policy Committee - On behalf of Dr. Schiller, Mrs. Allocco reported on the committee’s work, which appears on this evening’s agenda.
- Negotiations Committee - Mrs. Allocco reported that the committee met with the WTAA on November 16th. In addition, there are two meetings scheduled in December.
X. Discussion
- 2017-2018 Calendar - Dr. Mingle addressed modifying the 2017-2018 calendar modification so that it aligns with WHRHS and its sending districts. The board concurred and a motion will be placed on the board’s December 12th agenda.
- Whole Child Aligned Mission Statement - The board discussed the proposal to retain the first sentence from the district’s current Mission Statement, and eliminate the second sentence. The board concurred and a motion will be placed on the board’s December 12th agenda.
XI. Public Commentary (agenda items only)
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).
N/A
XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action
On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent items A.1. through A.5., B.1., through B.6., C.1. through C.9., and D.1. through D.2., 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 November 17, 2016.
A.2. Fieldwork Site
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Fieldwork Site contracts for the 2017 calendar year:
a. School Psychology Affiliation Agreement with Kean University to secure Warren Township Schools as a fieldwork site to provide supervised Practicum educational experiences in psychology.
b. Clinical Affiliation Agreement with Kean University to secure Warren Township Schools as a fieldwork site to provide supervised clinical educational experiences in occupational therapy.
A.3. Nonresident Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the nonresident request for the following student:
- Student #3001342, Grade 8, to remain at the Middle School for the 2016-2017 school year. The district will not be responsible for transportation.
A.4. Tuition Waiver
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education waives the tuition for Student #3001342 for the 2016-2017 school year.
A.5. Bedside Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves bedside instruction through Brookfield Educational Services Program for Student #4841296535, beginning November 10, 2016 at an hourly rate of $40, at a cost not to $1,280.
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 2016 in the amount of $3,676,148.41.
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, 2016;
WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on October 31, 2016
|
FUND |
CASH BALANCE |
APPROPRIATION BALANCE |
FUND BALANCE |
|
(10) General Current Expense Fund |
$9,063,986.56 |
$973,637.24 |
|
|
(11) Current Expense |
$2,107,275.01 |
||
|
(12) Capital Outlay |
$264,760.00 |
||
|
(13) Special Schools |
$227.54 |
||
|
(20) Special Revenue Fund |
$21,897.84 |
$33,021.77 |
$0.00 |
|
(30) Capital Projects Fund |
$81,127.62 |
$0.00 |
$223,889.55 |
|
(40) Debt Service Fund |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$9,167,012.02 |
$2,405,284.32 |
$1,197,526.79 |
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 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: |
||||
|
1. |
11-000-216-100-00-00 |
Salaries - Speech & OT |
11-000-217-106-00-02 |
Salaries - Extraordinary Paras |
$35,000 |
|
2. |
11-000-222-600-04-10 |
Library Supplies - Mt. Horeb |
11-190-100-610-04-10 |
Instructional Supplies - Mt. Horeb |
$3,225 |
|
3. |
11-000-251-100-01-01 |
Salaries- Business Office-Supp. Staff |
11-000-217-106-00-02 |
Salaries - Extraordinary Paras |
$3,700 |
|
4. |
11-000-251-890-01-00 |
Business Office - Miscellaneous |
11-000-262-622-00-01 |
Electricity - Administration |
$1,500 |
|
5. |
11-000-261-100-09-00 |
Salaries - Maintenance |
11-000-262-100-09-00 |
Salaries - Custodians |
$21,500 |
|
6. |
11-000-270-512-03-00 |
Field Trip Transportation - Central |
11-000-270-515-10-00 |
Special Ed Transportation (Jointure) |
$200 |
|
7. |
11-000-270-512-04-00 |
Field Trip Transportation - Mt. Horeb |
11-000-270-515-10-00 |
Special Ed Transportation (Jointure) |
$200 |
|
8. |
11-000-270-512-05-00 |
Field Trip Transportation - ALT |
11-000-270-515-10-00 |
Special Ed Transportation (Jointure) |
$200 |
|
9. |
11-000-270-512-06-00 |
Field Trip Transportation - Woodland |
11-000-270-515-10-00 |
Special Ed Transportation (Jointure) |
$200 |
|
10. |
11-110-100-101-00-01 |
Salaries - Kindergarten Teachers |
11-214-100-101-00-00 |
Salaries - Autism Teacher |
$79,155 |
|
11. |
11-110-100-101-00-01 |
Salaries - Kindergarten Teachers |
11-214-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - Autism Aides |
$10,695 |
|
12. |
11-130-100-101-00-01 |
Salaries - Grade 6-8 Teachers |
11-213-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - RC Aides |
$23,522 |
|
13. |
11-130-100-101-00-01 |
Salaries - Grade 6-8 Teachers |
11-214-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - Autism Aides |
$11,178 |
|
14. |
11-204-100-101-00-00 |
Salaries - LLD Teachers |
11-213-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - RC Aides |
$8,200 |
|
15. |
11-204-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - LLD Aides |
11-213-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - RC Aides |
$6,100 |
|
16. |
11-240-100-101-00-00 |
Salaries - Bilingual Teachers |
11-213-100-106-00-00 |
Salaries - RC Aides |
$3,300 |
|
17. |
12-000-251-730-00-00 |
Business Office - Equipment |
11-000-262-622-00-05 |
Electricity - ALT |
$2,564 |
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 |
|
Marcela Stefanikova |
MS |
Boiler License |
Piscataway |
Jan and Feb 2017 |
$550
|
|
Sitta Cohen |
MS |
AMTNJ Conference |
East Windsor |
Dec 2016 |
$223 |
|
Debbie Hunt |
MS |
AMTNJ Conference |
East Windsor |
Dec 2016 |
$215 |
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. 2017-2018 Integrated Preschool School Year Tuition Rates
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a 2017-2018 Integrated Preschool tuition rate of $3,750.
B.6. Acceptance of Audit for the 2015-2016 School Year
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has engaged Suplee Clooney & Company of Westfield, NJ, to audit the district's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, in compliance with N.J.S.A.18A:23-1 et seq, and,
WHEREAS, this audit has been completed and the CAFR filed with the State Department of Education and submitted to the Warren Township Board of Education along with a synopsis of the audit report and recommendations, which synopsis and recommendations are available for public review, and,
WHEREAS, pertinent results of operations during the 2015-2016 school year are:
AUDIT 2015 - 2016
GENERAL FUND
|
REVENUES |
Final Budget |
Actual |
|
Local Sources |
$39,165,928 |
$39,381,747 |
|
State Sources* |
$1,474,961.00 |
$6,271,167 |
|
Federal Sources |
- |
- |
|
TOTAL |
$40,640,889 |
$45,652,915 |
|
EXPENDITURES |
||
|
Regular Instruction |
$11,609,868 |
$11,414,723 |
|
Special Education |
$4,262,350 |
$4,230,608 |
|
Other Instruction |
$1,615,750 |
$1,599,863 |
|
Undistributed Expenditures |
$23,135,899.83 |
$26,400,793.78 |
|
Total General Expenses(A1-4) |
$40,623,868 |
$43,645,988 |
|
Capital Outlay |
$1,032,871.15 |
$510,490.60 |
|
Special Schools |
$211,712.00 |
$211,583.84 |
|
Transfer of Funds to Charter School |
$16,808.00 |
$16,808.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$41,885,259 |
$44,384,871 |
|
OTHER SOURCES/USES |
||
|
Transfer in from Capital Projects |
- |
$845,040.40 |
|
Transfer to Capital Projects |
- |
- |
|
EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) |
$2,113,085 |
|
|
Fund Balance July 1, 2015 |
$4,885,534 |
|
|
Fund Balance June 30, 2016 |
- |
$6,998,619 |
|
Analysis of Fund Balance |
||
|
Excess Surplus- subsequent year's expenditures (16-17) |
$440,000 |
|
|
Excess Surplus (17-18) |
$458,000 |
|
|
Emergency Reserve Account |
$375,000 |
|
|
Maintenance Reserve Account |
$332,949 |
|
|
Capital Reserve Account |
$3,671,437 |
|
|
Encumbrances |
$747,596 |
|
|
TOTAL |
$973,637 |
|
Now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the report, notes the following recommendations, and directs that appropriate corrective action be taken:
Recommendation: None
Corrective Action: None
C. Personnel/Student Services
C.1. Long Term Substitute
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Natalie Flamme as Long Term Substitute, effective November 21, 2016 through on or about January 11, 2017. (Mrs. Flamme will be LTS for Employee #1475.)
C.2. Extended Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an additional half hour per work day for Lucia Raphael, Classroom Paraprofessional, Central School, effective November 7, 2016 through on or about November 23, 2016. (Ms. Raphael is covering for Employee #2085.)
C.3. Retirement/Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement/resignations of the following staff:
a. Jennifer Scharf, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, Central School, for the purpose of resignation, effective December 13, 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. Joel VanTine, with congratulations, for movement from MA+15 to MA+30, effective November 1, 2016.
C.5. Field Observation Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a total of 5 days of field observation hours for Ariana Sarno, student at Fairleigh Dickinson University, to be completed from January 3, 2017 to January 20, 2017 at Woodland School.
C.6. Student Teacher
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Shannon Butler, student at Seton Hall University, to complete student teaching clinical practice from January 9, 2017 through April 28, 2017 at Woodland School.
C.7. After School Clubs/Activities
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Kathleen Haydu, Mt. Horeb School, as Homework Club Advisor for approximately 10 remaining sessions not to exceed the allocated stipend amount. Ms. Haydu will replace previously approved leader.
C.8. Substitute Nurse
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute school nurse for the 2016-2017 school year:
a. Allison Sloan
C.9. After School Clubs/Activities
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Jennifer SanAntonio and Danielle Riccio as co-leaders of the Little Feet Walking Club at Central School for a total of 15 sessions at a stipend of $715 each. (This motion supersedes previous motion dated September 19, 2016.)
D. Policy
D.1. Policies – First Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following policies:
a. Policy 6142.2 Guidance Services
b. Policy 3515 Smoking Prohibition
c. Policy 6171 Remedial Instruction
d. Policy 6171.2 Gifted and Talented
e. Policy 2131 Chief School Administrator
f. Policy 2240 Research, Evaluation and Planning
g. Policy 3100 Budget Planning, Preparation and Adoption
h. Policy 6146.2 Promotion/Retention
i. Policy 4113/4213 Assignment; Transfer
j. Policy 1330 Use of School Facilities
k. Policy 1120 Board of Education Meetings
D.2. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education rescinds its approval of the following policy:
a. Policy 2224 Nondiscrimination/Affirmative Action
XIII. Unfinished Business
N/A
XIV. New Business
N/A
XV. Public Commentary (any topic)
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).
N/A
XVI. Executive Session
At 8:13 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:
material the disclosure of which constitutes an unwarranted invasion of individual privacy
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 Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by unanimous voice vote.
On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Mrs. Freijomil, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:38 p.m.
XVII. Adjourn
On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Minutes submitted by
Patricia Leonhardt
Board Secretary
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