Minutes for February 21, 2017History icon Archived Minutes

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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 4, 2017. 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, David Brezee, Andrea Freijomil, Jeannine Sarosy,

Joan Schiller, Patricia Zohn and Tia Allocco

Absent: Len deMontagnac

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

Lisa DiMaggio arrived at 7:12 p.m.

IV. Minutes

Dr. Schiller moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the February 6, 2017 Board Meeting.

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

V. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

2

 

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

2

VI. President's Remarks

Mrs. Allocco welcomed all, thanked Dr. Schiller for stepping into the Vice President role for the evening and expressed thanks on behalf of the board to the Township committee for designating March as Whole Child month.

Mrs. Allocco highlighted tomorrow night’s Tech Safety Session for parents to be held at Watchung Hills Regional High School, with the district students to attend a daytime session. Thanks were extended to the PTOs for their financial support.

Lastly, Mrs. Allocco thanked the ALT PTO for its rock wall donation, which is on this evening’s agenda and congratulated those staff members moving across the guide, also on the evening’s agenda.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Mingle also discussed tomorrow night’s Tech Safety Session, and also thanked the Township Committee for its support, exemplified by its Whole Child proclamation at last Thursday night’s meeting.

Lastly, Dr. Mingle reminded all about the Whole Child Program scheduled for March 8th at Watchung Hills Regional High School.

VIII. Presentations

  • Update on “The Tank” and its educational usages - Warren Middle School staff and students provided the update via a presentation video and personal testimony, followed by questions from board members.
  • Consolidation of Bus Routes Recommendation - Dr. Mingle presented the work done regarding District Goal 3E.
  • Proposed Capital Projects - Andrew Adornato of USA Architects presented an overview of the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan and then focused on those projects proposed for 2017. The board asked follow up questions, and recommended the consideration of establishing a permanent home school for Summer Fun enabling a review regarding the potential for cogeneration.

IX. Discussion

  • Capital Improvement Plan - As a follow up, Dr. Mingle mentioned that administration will be reviewing potential aspirational projects which could transform the student experience.
  • Size of Board of Education - The board discussed the positive and negatives of the board’s current size and other membership size options. Dr. Mingle provided an overview of the process should the board support placing the matter before the voters.

X. Committee Reports

  • Finance/Operations/Security Committee - Mrs. Freijomil reported on the recent meeting which reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan, security updates, bus routes consolidation, emergency reserves, and the budget and associated tax levy increase.
  • Personnel Negotiations - Mrs. Albano reported that the committee met this evening and minutes will be forthcoming.
  • Board Docs Ad Hoc Committee - Mrs. Allocco reported that a meeting is scheduled for next week.
  • Watchung Hills Regional Alliance - Mrs. Allocco reported that Mr. deMontagnac attended and will report on this at a future meeting.

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, spoke in support of the current board size. She also asked questions regarding bus tardiness and discussed consolidation of bus stops.
  • Paul Rust, Dock Watch Hollow Road, spoke in support of longer bus routes (possibly to 45 minutes) and the amount of time a driver waits for a student. Mr. Rust also touched upon the Capital Improvement Plan, return on investment of Woodland windows and the effect of the decision to not close a school.
  • Leanne Wellerding, Mt. Horeb Road, spoke of route consolidation and requested that SEPTO be consulted for changes affecting classified student.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Dr. Schiller seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. through B.13., and C.1. through C.4., 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 February 16, 2017.

A.2. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an independent Neuropsychological Evaluation by Dr. Vasserman, for Student #7472966086, at a cost not to exceed $5,000.

A.3. Curriculum, Communication and Technology Committee Description

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the attached Curriculum, Communication & Technology Committee description.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of February 2017 in the amount of $4,343,998.32.

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 January, 2017,

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on January 31, 2017

 

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$10,540,290.22

 

$973,637.24

(11) Current Expense

 

$2,218,811.25

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$119,368.75

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$227.54

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($16,145.71)

$24,093.58

$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

$10,605,272.13

$2,362,501.12

$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 January 2017

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.

11-000-230-331-01-00

Legal Services

11-000-291-270-00-00

Health Benefits

$22,500

2.

11-000-263-610-09-00

Grounds - Supplies

11-000-262-100-09-10

Salaries - Maintenance

$1,625

3.

11-000-266-610-09-00

Security - Maint. Supplies - B&G

11-000-262-520-01-00

Insurance - Property & Liability

$1,200

4.

11-000-266-610-09-01

Security - Maint. Supplies - BOE

11-000-262-520-01-00

Insurance - Property & Liability

$800

5.

11-000-266-610-09-03

Security - Supplies - Central

11-000-262-520-01-00

Insurance - Property & Liability

$250

6.

11-000-266-610-09-04

Security - Supplies - Mt. Horeb

11-000-262-520-01-00

Insurance - Property & Liability

$6,000

7.

11-000-266-610-09-05

Security - Supplies - ALT

11-000-262-520-01-00

Insurance - Property & Liability

$300

8.

11-000-266-610-09-06

Security - Supplies - Woodland

11-000-262-520-01-00

Insurance - Property & Liability

$200

9.

11-401-100-600-03-00

Co-Curricular Supplies - Central

11-000-240-600-03-10

Administration Supplies - Central

$215

10.

13-422-100-500-00-00

Summer Fun - Other Purchased Services

11-130-100-101-00-01

Salaries - Grade 6-8 Teachers

$500

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

Cynthia Cassidy

MS

Book Expo America

New York City

June 2017

$210

Kelly Stankiewicz

MHS

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Hillsborough

Feb 2017

$500

Amy Brunswick

MHS

Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Edison

Mar 2017

$206

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. Donation - Angelo L. Tomaso PTO

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation totaling $4,887 to be allocated for a rock wall and its installation at Angelo L. Tomaso School.

B.6. Central Office Location

RESOLVED, upon recommendation from the Superintendent that the Board of

Education approves the determination to maintain the existing central office location.

B.7. District Banking

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the designation of the Peapack-Gladstone Bank as depository for district funds effective April 1, 2017. Prior approval of Bank of America also remains in effect while district transitions its financial activity.

B.8. Middle School HVAC Replacement Project, Phase One

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of the documents to the Department of Education for review for the Middle School HVAC replacement project, Phase One. The documents will be prepared by USA Architects. If required, USA Architects is authorized to update the Long Range Facilities Plan for these projects. Approval also includes the solicitation of bids for the project and the transfer of Capital Reserve funds. Fees as per the Architect of Record agreement.

B.9. Middle School Building Envelope Project

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of the documents to the Department of Education for review for the Middle School Building Envelope project. The documents will be prepared by USA Architects. If required, USA Architects is authorized to update the Long Range Facilities Plan for these projects. Approval also includes the solicitation of bids for the project and the transfer of Capital Reserve funds. Fees as per the Architect of Record agreement.

B.10. Angelo L. Tomaso HVAC Replacement Project, Phase One

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of the documents to the Department of Education for review for the Angelo L. Tomaso HVAC replacement project, Phase One. The documents will be prepared by USA Architects. If required, USA Architects is authorized to update the Long Range Facilities Plan for these projects. Approval also includes the solicitation of bids for the project and the transfer of Capital Reserve funds. Fees as per the Architect of Record agreement.

B.11. Woodland School Window Replacement Project

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of the documents to the Department of Education for review for the Woodland School Window Replacement Project. The documents will be prepared by USA Architects. If required, USA Architects is authorized to update the Long Range Facilities Plan for these projects. Approval also includes the solicitation of bids for the project and the transfer of Capital Reserve funds. Fees as per the Architect of Record agreement.

B.12. Curriculum, Communication, & Technology Committee Goals

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Curriculum, Communication, & Technology Committee goals for the 2017 Calendar Year:

    1. Support the maximization of student contact to advance student growth and achieve the goals of developing the whole child throughout the year.
    2. Develop updated communication strategies that respond to feedback from a stakeholder survey.

B.13. Furniture Purchase

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the purchase of 12 replacement cafeteria tables for Mt. Horeb School, at a cost of $1,302.68 each, for a total of $15,632.16, miscellaneous cafeteria furniture for Woodland School at a cost of $2,583.50, and cabinets and countertops and accessories for ALT at a cost of $30,271.98 from Nickerson NJ. Purchase under MRESC Cooperative Purchasing Contract 15/16-09.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Kathleen Haydu, with congratulations, for movement from MA+30 to MA+45, effective February 1, 2017.

b. Brenda Sasso, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective February 1, 2017.

C.2. Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #1087 for leave of absence (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from March 13, 2017 through June 9, 2017, with an anticipated return date of June 12, 2017.

C.3. Long Term Substitute

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Judy Maddalone as a Long Term Substitute, effective March 20, 2017 through or about June 9, 2017. (Mrs. Maddalone will be LTS for Employee #1087.)

C.4. Additional Hours

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

a. Stacey Papalitskas to accompany Student #9240417981 to Backstage and Play practice for up to 37 hours, starting February 27, 2017, at a cost not to exceed $850.

b. Karen Balich to accompany Student #8281299312 to After School clubs and Play practice for up to 70 hours, starting February 13, 2017, at a cost not to exceed $2,800.

c. Debbie Singer to accompany Students #9240417981 and #9367358396 to After School Clubs for approximately 84 hours, starting January 4, 2017, at a cost not to exceed $2,500. (This motion supersedes previous motion from January 3, 2017.)

XIII. Unfinished Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

Mrs. Freijomil brought up for discussion class trips as in general, including the finances. The topic is slated for discussion in the Spring.

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:

  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);
  1. 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
  2. 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

Lisa DiMaggio left the meeting at 9:03 p.m.

XVI. Executive Session

At 9:04 p.m. Dr. Schiller 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 not 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. Brezee and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Dr. Schiller, seconded by Mr. Brezee, the Board reconvened in open session at 9:14 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Dr. Schiller, seconded by Mr. Brezee, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Minutes submitted by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary