Minutes for October 24, 2016History 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 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 and Tia Allocco

Absent: Kathy Helewa, Joan Schiller and Jim Sena

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

and members of the public and press.

IV. Presentation

  • PARCC/NJASK Assessment Report - Bill Kimmick, Curriculum Coordinator, reported on the district’s PARCC scores, NJASK Science scores and associated testing data. The board members asked follow-up questions.

V. Minutes

Ms. Campos moved the following:

  • RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of October 4, 2016 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Albano and approved by 6-0.

VI. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

 1  

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

 0

VII. President's Remarks – Tia Allocco

Mrs. Allocco thanked Mr. Kimmick for the evening’s presentation and the planned screencast.

On behalf of the board, Mrs. Allocco thanked Cisco for its generous donation, as well as Jersey Mike’s.

Lastly, Mrs. Allocco reported on the wrestling room ceremony this evening, and congratulated the Wrestling Association.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Matthew Mingle

Regarding Sustainable NJ, Dr. Mingle reported on the township’s successful participation, and his hopes for the district’s participation.

Dr. Mingle mentioned Halloween safety, including new safety protocol in line with the prevalence of clowns in the news.

Dr. Mingle thanked Mr. Kimmick for his thorough and clear presentation.

Dr. Mingle commended the district wide staff response and attention paid to district testing data.

IX. Committee Reports

Ms. Campos reported on the Curriculum Committee, which discussed PARCC data, the district’s very successful interdistrict professional development and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Mr. deMontagnac reported on the Finance/Operations/Security Committee, which discussed the visitor management system (recommended for purchase), Central School traffic control (recommendation is to continue the review), and the management of sensitive district documents.

Mrs. Allocco reported on the Policy Committee meeting and the onerous number of policies under review.

Mrs. Allocco reported that the Negotiations Committee meeting will be discussed at the next board meeting in Executive Session beginning at 6:30 p.m. A return to Open Session is planned for 7:30 p.m.

X. Discussion

N/A

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:

  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);

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

  1. 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).

  • Brenda Nemczek, Old Smalleytown Road, asked a question regarding Sustainable NJ and working with the township and high school’s teams.
  • Heather Silver, Quail Run, discussed the timing of communication regarding Halloween guidelines, and the effects on students.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On behalf of Dr. Schiller, Mrs. Allocco shared concerns regarding the scope of Sustainable NJ.

On motion by Ms. Campos seconded by Mr. deMontagnac the consent items A.1. through A.4., B.1., through B.12., C.1. through C.13., and D.1. through D.2., were approved by a 6-0 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 October 20, 2016.

A.2. Settlement Resolution

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Stipulation EDS No. 13862-16 for Student #620432.

A.3. Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the annual update to the Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement, dated September 15, 2016. (The Agreement between education and law enforcement officials is approved on an annual basis.)

A.4. Out of Zone Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out of zone request for the following student:

a. Student #9431122179, Grade 5, to remain at Mt. Horeb School for the 2016-2017 school year. The student is moving to a home zoned for Central School. The district will not be responsible for transportation.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of October 2016 in the amount of $3,720,299.17.

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 September, 2016,

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on September 30, 2016

 

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$8,205,579.95

 

$973,637.24

(11) Current Expense

 

$1,928,159.36

 

(12) Capital Outlay

 

$87,230.00

 

(13) Special Schools

 

$295.54

 

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$18,989.10

$68,128.18

$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

$8,305,696.67

$2,083,813.08

$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 September 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:

   

11-000-219-500-08-00

CST - Other Purchased Services

11-000-219-390-08-00

CST - Other Purchased Professional./Technical Services

$485

11-000-223-320-12-00

Staff Training - Purchased Services

11-000-223-580-12-00

Workshops & Travel - Staff Training

$2,000

11-000-230-334-01-99

Engineering Services - BOE Flood

11-000-230-590-00-51

Other Purchased Services - Admin.

$1,685

11-000-270-800-10-00

Transportation - Other

11-000-270-515-10-00

Special Ed Transportation (Jointure)

$1,500

11-190-100-580-07-00

Travel (Instructional) - Middle

11-190-100-610-07-10

Instructional Supplies - Middle

$1,000

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

Jill Zimmer

CS

Gifted Education Conference

Somerset

Nov 2016

$200

Alison Hales

ALT

Conference for School-Based Occupational Therapists

Voorhees

Dec 2016

$429

Laurie Donovan

WS

Conference for School-Based Occupational Therapists

Voorhees

Dec 2016

$480

Michelle Barbagallo

MHS

Conference for School-Based Occupational Therapists

Voorhees

Dec 2016

$488

Allison Reu

CS

Conference for School-Based Speech-Language

West Orange

Dec 2016

$399

Alison Tugya

CS

Strategies and Structure for Teaching Reading, K-8

New Providence

Dec 2016

$235

Shannon Sharkey

District

Universal Design Summit Conference

Kissimmee, FL

Mar 2017

$295

Michele Stein

MHS

NJASP Winter Conference

Monroe

Dec 2016

$175

Michelle Barbagallo

MHS

Implementing high quality Preschool

Sparta

Nov 2016

$203

Lisa DiMaggio

Board

NJSBA Workshop

Atlantic City

Oct 2016

$577

Carol Keirstead

MTH

Implementing High Quality Preschool Instruction

Sparta

Dec 2016

$191

 

 

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.

B5. Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP)

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

Whereas, the Department of Education requires New Jersey School Districts to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) documenting "required" maintenance activities for each of its public school facilities, and

Whereas, the required maintenance activities as listed in the attached document for the various school facilities of the Warren Township Schools are consistent with these requirements, and

Whereas, all past and planned activities are reasonable to keep school facilities open and safe for use or in their original condition and to keep their system warranties valid, and

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Warren Township School District hereby authorizes the School Business Administrator to submit the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (CMP) and the Annual Maintenance Budget Amount Worksheet (M-1) for the Warren Township Schools in compliance with Department of Education requirements

B.6. Grant – Child Assault Prevention

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a grant of $1,707 from the Somerset County Child Assault Prevention program.

B.7. Participation in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certification Program

RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby approves participation in the Sustainable Jersey for School Certification Program as follows:

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education seeks to participate in Sustainable Jersey for Schools to focus attention and efforts on matters of sustainability and pursue initiatives that will lead to Sustainable Jersey for Schools Certification; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education and District Superintendent seek to support and work with school staff and administrators, students, and parents to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students by encouraging our school community to implement sustainable, energy-smart, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solutions; and

WHEREAS, extensive opportunities exist to teach students about ecological, economic and social sustainability, environmental health, and nutrition; to integrate sustainability education into classroom learning; and to support students in becoming leaders in making their schools healthier and more sustainable places; and

WHEREAS, many options and choices exist for schools to use resources more efficiently; to reduce, reuse, and recycle; to follow Green Building Standards for construction and major renovations; to form school partnerships; to eliminate toxic chemicals; to purchase (or produce) clean energy; and to purchase recycled paper, energy-efficient equipment and other green products to protect our global environment; and

WHEREAS, sustainability means using resources wisely, saving money, and reducing our impact on the environment, all of which will ensure the future health, safety, and prosperity of our children; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education commits to the formation of at least one Sustainability Leadership Team (also referred to as “Green Team”), based on the guidance of Sustainable Jersey for Schools; and

WHEREAS, Green Team members help schools adopt policies and practices addressing areas such as sustainability education and professional training, green purchasing, waste reduction, indoor air quality, energy-saving initiatives, and community partnerships; and

WHEREAS, the Warren Township Board of Education will encourage Green Teams at all district schools by providing networking and educational opportunities.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED,that the Warren Township Board of Education agrees to participate in Sustainable Jersey for Schools, and it is the board’s intention to pursue certification for schools in the district.

Additionally, we hereby appoint Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, to be the District’s liaison to Sustainable Jersey for Schools; and

We agree to complete district actions and to support the district’s schools in completing their actions.

B.8. Donation - Cisco

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts with gratitude a donation of remote access technology, valued at $17,900, from Cisco, for use in Woodland School.

B.9. Donation - Jersey Mike’s Subs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, a donation in the amount of $1,284.27 to be allocated for Warren Middle School.

B.10. Middle School Generator Replacement Award

WHEREAS, a recommendation was made by the Superintendent of Schools to the Warren Township Board of Education (“Board") to seek a contract for construction services for the Generator Replacement Project at the Middle School (hereinafter “Project”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Project was properly advertised to prospective bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-4; and

WHEREAS, on Thursday October 13, 2016 the Board received the following bids from potential bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:18A-1, et seq.;

 

Contractor

Bid Amount

DeSapio Construction

$198,800

Manor II Electric

$138,000

Power with Prestige

$179,800

Sal Electric

$240,204

 

WHEREAS, Manor II Electric’s bid has been reviewed by the design professionals and attorney and is the lowest and is responsive to the bid requirements for the Project,

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby awards the Project to Manor II Electric for One hundred thirty-eight thousand Dollars ($138,000).

B.11. Authorization to Transfer from Capital Reserve to Fund 12

DOE Project: 5470-033-17-1000

Project: Warren Middle School Emergency Generator

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer of $185,000 from Capital Reserve to Fund 12 for the Warren Middle School Emergency Generator Replacement Project.

B.12. Submission of Amendment for Federal Grant Monies

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission to the Department of Education of an amendment of the application for NCLB Title I Federal Grant Programs as follows:

● NCLB - Title IA - $ 54,901

Amendment reflects the addition of $1,362 from 2015-16 NCLB Title I Carryover funds.

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.” (Updates are reflected in bold.)

a. Pamela Ditzel, Bus Monitor, District, increase from 5 to 6 hours per day, at an annual salary of $15,076.80 (prorated), effective October 25, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

b. Lauralee Dupper, Multi-Duty Paraprofessional, 10 hours, Central School, Step 1-5 of the 2016-2017 salary guide, $5,982 (prorated), effective October 25, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

C.2. Substitute Teachers

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

a. Maryanne Dubois

b. Erica Spinelli

C.3. Extension of Long Term Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the extension of the following Long Term Substitutes: (Updates are reflected in bold.)

    1. Lois Wagner, effective October 19, 2016 through on or about November 14, 2016. (Mrs. Wagner is LTS for Employee #0714.)
    2. Judy Maddalone, effective October 17, 2016 through November 4, 2016. (Mrs. Maddalone is LTS for Employee #1087.)
    3. Heather Debnarik, effective October 17, 2016 through November 7, 2016. (Mrs. Debnarik is LTS for Employee #0611.)

C.4. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additional hours for Mary Russo to accompany Student #6966351129 to school clubs for 11 sessions, starting October 26, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $266.

C.5. CPR/AED Training

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff to present CPR/AED training on November 29, 2016 at the contractual rate of $40 per hour, for the total cost of $720:

    • Jan Brennan
    • Lisa Lontai
    • Harriet Stambaugh

C.6. Job Description

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

    1. Curriculum Supervisor

C.7. Nursing Plans

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2016-2017 Nursing Plans for Angelo L. Tomaso School, Central School, Mount Horeb School, Woodland School and Warren Middle School.

C.8. Long Term Substitute Teacher

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves James Zilinski as a Long Term Substitute Teacher, effective November 7, 2016 through on or about December 22, 2016. (Mr. Zilinski will be LTS for Employee #1087.)

C.9. Contracted Services

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the addition of Yichien Su MS CCC-SLP owner/provider of Speech Unlimited LLC to the Service Provider List for Speech Evaluations, at a rate of $450 per evaluation for the following services; Feeding Evaluation, Speech-Language Evaluation and Augmentative Assistive Communication Evaluation.

C.10. Approval of Title I - Extended Day Tutor

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following staff member as Title I - Extended Day Tutors, to be paid the contractual rate of $40 per hour. Total cost dependent upon needs of identified students in the district’s Title I school, which is Central School, for a total cost not to exceed $40,339. Cost to be fully funded by NCLB - Title I.

    • Rebecca Sutherland

C.11. Warren Middle School Musical

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following personnel and stipends in support of the Warren Middle School production:

a. Director, Diane McCloskey, at a stipend amount of $2,640.

b. Production Manager, Bev MacGorman, at a stipend amount of $2,640.

c. Assistant Director, Kelly Backus, at a stipend amount of $1,430.

d. Stage/Sound, Joel Van Tine, at a stipend amount of $1,430.

e. Set Designer, Susan Sage, at a stipend amount of $1,430.

f. Choreographer, Jennifer Roberts, at a stipend amount of $1,430.

C.12. Movement on the Guide

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

a. Emily Niclas, with congratulations, for movement from MA to MA+15, effective October 1, 2016.

C.13. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the additional hours for Lisa Lontai to accompany Students #1155153320 and #7048289004, to Rec Club for 2 sessions, on October 14 and 21, 2016, at a cost not to exceed $80.

D. Policy

D.1. Policies - Second Reading

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

a. Policy 3517 - Security and Electronic Surveillance

b. Policy 4111-4211 - Recruitment, Selection and Hiring

c. Policy 5114 - Suspension and Expulsion

d. Policy 4131-4231 - Staff Development; Inservice Education/Visitations/Conferences

D.2. Policies - First Reading

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

a. Policy 2224 Nondiscrimination/Affirmative Action

b. Policy 4111.1, 4211.1 Nondiscrimination, Affirmative Action

c. Policy 6142.2 English as a Second Language; Bi-Lingual

d. Policy 6142.12 Career and Technical Education

e. Policy 6147 Standards of Proficiency

f. Policy 6172 Alternative Educational Programs

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:

  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

XVI. Adjourn

On motion by Ms. Campos, seconded by Mr. deMontagnac, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Minutes submitted by

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary