Minutes for March 19, 2018History icon Archived Minutes

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A regular business meeting of the Board of Education was held this day at the 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 6:30 p.m. by Board President

David Brezee.

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mr. Brezee 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 March 6, 2018. This notice was on that date was posted on the Courier News, and TAP into Warren, all in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act.”

II. Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Brezee led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Roll Call

Present: Paige Albano, Christian Bellmann, Lisa DiMaggio, Andrea Freijomil,

Ilana Goldstein, Jeannine Sarosy, Ayanna Taylor-Venson,

Patricia Zohn,and David Brezee

Absent:

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

IV. Executive Session

At 6:32 p.m. Mrs. DiMaggio 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:

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

pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation and/or matters of attorney-client privilege

Action will 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 Mrs. Freijomil and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Freijomil, the Board reconvened in open session at 7:13 p.m.

V. Minutes

Mrs. DiMaggio moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the February 20, 2018 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Freijomil approved by 9-0 roll-call vote.

VI. Correspondence and Information

Dr. Mingle reported on email from a parent regarding parking lot safety..

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

1

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

1

VII. President's Remarks - Mr. David Brezee

Mr. Brezee welcomed all and shared that this evening’s meeting will contain three presentations.

Mr. Brezee praised the Buildings and Grounds team for yet another storm cleanup.

Mr. Brezee called attention to Dr. Mingle’s presentation at the NJASA/NJPSA Conference (motion B.4).

Mr. Brezee wished Mrs. Langworthy and Mrs. McCloskey well on their upcoming retirements.

Mr. Brezee called attention to the press release regarding pending Warren Township new housing construction.

Mr. Brezee shared that the Safe Havens review will commence April 30.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle shared that a communique regarding spring break changes will be distributed tomorrow.

IX. Presentations

● After Care Proposal - AlphaBest provided an overview of the program planned for implementation in the 2018 -2019 School Year.

● Long-Range Capital Planning - Parette Somjen Architects - Mr. Greg Somjen provided an overview.

● Tentative Budget Hearing/Adoption - Dr. Mingle and Mrs. Leonhardt provided an overview of the tentative 2018-2019 budget.

X. Discussion

Mrs. Sarosy opened a discussion regarding equity across the schools.

A motion was made by Mrs. Sarosy, seconded by Mrs. Albano that there be equity across the schools regarding the REACH program. The board discussed. A motion to table the motion was made by Mrs. Sarosy, seconded by Mrs. Albano, and approved by unanimous voice vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. DiMaggio to direct the Curriculum, Communications and Technology Committee to review the REACH curriculum. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Freijomil and approved by 9-0 roll-call vote.

Discussion ensued regarding field trips.

The board then discussed the budgeting of furniture purchasing.

Mrs. Zohn discussed her concerns regarding the Proposed 2018-2019 budget.

XI. Committee Reports

● Curriculum, Communications and Technology Committee - Mrs. DiMaggio reported on the meeting held earlier in the evening at which Mr. Kimmick provided input regarding Middle School electives and Middle School High Language Arts.

● Personnel Committee - Mrs. Zohn reported on the meeting which discussed Post Offer/ Pre-Employment testing, stipended positions, 2018-2019 non-aligned staff salaries and the superintendent evaluation timeline.

● Ad hoc Policy Committee - Mrs. Albano reported on the review of personnel policies.

● Finance/Operations/Security Committee - Mrs. Freijomil reported on the meeting which discussed the Capital Improvement Plan, options for security and the 2018-2019 budget.

XII. Public Commentary (agenda items only)

Note on public input at BOE meetings: Board Policy #9322, adopted on January 21, 2013, 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).

● Rachel Singleton, Deerwood Trail West, asked questions regarding the budget and discussed the new aftercare provider and parity in the district.

XIII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mrs. Zohn requested that consent item B.6. be pulled for separate vote.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Freijomil the consent items A.1., through A.4., B.1., through B.5., C.1., through C.6., were approved by a 9-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Freijomil the consent item B.6. was approved by a 8-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Zohn voted nay.)

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 March 15, 2018.

A.2. Extended School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2018-2019 Extended School Year to run Tuesday, June 26, 2018 through Thursday, August 2, 2018. This motion supersedes the motion on the January 2, 2018 agenda.

A.3. Field Trip Destination

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the field trip destination for the 2017-2018 School Year as follows:

  1.  
    1. Rutgers University

A.4. Out-of-District Tuition

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an out of district placement for Student #4058597640, to The Midland School, beginning March 19, 2018 through June 30, 2018, at a cost not to exceed $19,691. (This motion supersedes the previous motion on March 5, 2018.)

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of March 2018 in the amount of $3,703,977.63.

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 February, 2018;

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on February 28, 2018:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$10,844,310.13

$990,303.32

(11) Current Expense

$2,061,962.41

(12) Capital Outlay

$239,911.53

(13) Special Schools

$12,565.47

(20) Special Revenue Fund

($155,490.70)

$24,921.08

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$104,711.05

$0.00

$297,136.05

(40) Debt Service Fund

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

TOTAL

$10,793,530.48

$2,339,360.49

$1,287,439.37

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 February 2018

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.

11-000-213-100-030-03-02

Nurse - Substitutes - CS

11-000-219-800-030-08-00

CST - Dues & Memberships - CS

$2,900

2.

11-000-217-106-040-05-02

Salaries - Extraordinary Paras - ALT

11-000-217-320-033-08-00

Extraordinary Services - Purchased Professional Services - MS

$8,865

3.

11-000-222-100-050-06-02

Salaries - Librarian - WS

11-000-219-104-030-03-00

Salaries - Child Study Team - CS

$2,000

4.

11-000-230-630-000-01-00

BOE - Meeting Supplies

11-000-230-610-000-01-00

Administration - Supplies

$45

5..

11-000-261-610-030-09-03

Maintenance Supplies - CS

11-000-261-100-000-09-00

Salaries - Maintenance

$5,400

6.

11-000-263-420-00-09-00

Grounds - Repairs & Maintenance .

11-000-262-610-000-09-00

Building Supplies - Maintenance

$4,000

7.

11-000-263-610-000-09-00

Grounds - Supplies

11-000-262-621-033-09-07

Heat - Middle School

$3,000

8.

11-000-270-503-000-10-00

Aide in Lieu of Transportation

11-000-270-517-000-10-00

Contracted Transportation - Non-Public

$16,000

9.

11-000-270-512-030-03-00

Field Trip Transportation - CS

11-000-270-515-000-10-00

Special Ed Transportation (Jointure)

$275

10.

11-000-270-512-033-07-00

Field Trip Transportation - MS

11-000-270-515-000-10-00

Special Ed Transportation (Jointure)

$320

11.

11-000-270-512-035-04-00

Field Trip Transportation - MHS

11-000-270-515-000-10-00

Special Ed Transportation (Jointure)

$275

12.

11-000-270-512-040-05-00

Field Trip Transportation - ALT

11-000-270-515-000-10-00

Special Ed Transportation (Jointure)

$275

13.

11-000-270-512-050-06-00

Field Trip Transportation - WS

11-000-270-515-000-10-00

Special Ed Transportation (Jointure)

$275

14.

11-150-100-320-033-08-00

Home Instruction - Purch. Services-MS

11-130-100-101-033-07-00

Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS

$2,200

15.

11-150-100-320-035-08-00

Home Instruction - Purch. Svcs.- MHS

11-130-100-101-033-07-00

Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS

$480

16.

11-213-100-101-033-07-00

Salaries - RC Teachers - MS

11-130-100-101-033-07-00

Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS

$3,030

17.

11-213-100-106-033-07-02

RC Aides - Substitute Aides - MS

11-000-262-107-033-07-02

Paras - Substitutes - MS

$3,500

18.

11-213-100-106-033-07-02

RC Aides - Substitute Aides - MS

11-000-262-107-040-05-02

Paras - Substitutes - ALT

$3,500

19.

11-213-100-106-033-07-02

RC Aides - Substitute Aides - MS

11-000-262-107-050-06-02

Paras - Substitutes - WS

$3,500

20.

11-213-100-106-035-04-02

RC Aides - Substitute Aides - MHS

11-000-262-107-035-04-00

Salaries Lunch & Playground Aide- MH

$1,300

21.

11-401-100-100-030-03-00

Co-Curricular Stipends - CS

11-120-100-101-030-03-00

Salaries - Grades 1-5 Teachers - CS

$3,180

22.

11-401-100-100-033-07-00

Co-Curricular Stipends - MS

11-130-100-101-033-07-00

Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS

$5,548

23.

11-401-100-100-035-04-00

Co-Curricular Stipends - MHS

11-120-100-101-035-04-00

Salaries - Grades 1-5 Teachers - MHS

$93

24.

11-401-100-100-040-05-00

Co-Curricular Stipends - ALT

11-120-100-101-040-05-00

Salaries - Grades 1-5 Teachers - ALT

$240

25.

11-401-100-100-050-06-00

Co-Curricular Stipends - WS

11-120-100-101-050-06-00

Salaries - Grades 1-5 Teachers - WS

$1,710

26.

11-402-100-100-033-07-00

Sports Stipends - MS

11-130-100-101-033-07-00

Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS

$2,110

27.

12-000-262-730-000-09-00

Operations & Maintenance Equipment

11-000-262-622-033-09-07

Electricity - MS

$23,500

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

Paula Williams

CS

TESOL/NJE 2018 Spring Conf.

New Brunswick

May and June 2018

$319

Kristen Nardiello

WS

Approaches to the most challenging behaviors

Parsippany

April 2018

$204

Candida Hengemuhle

BOE

NJASA/NJAPSA One Vision-Our Voice: Mindful Leadership

Atlantic City

May 2018

$921

Matthew Mingle

BOE

NJASA/NJAPSA One Vision-Our Voice: Mindful Leadership

Atlantic City

May 2018

$1,001

Jennifer McMahon

MH

Mental Health Issues in the Classroom

Parsippany

Apr 2018

$200

Allison Reu

CS

NJSHA 2018 Convention

Long Branch

Apr 2018

$250

Doris Zanchelli

MH

Treating Insomnia

Webcast

Apr 2018

$200

 

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. Before and After Care Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes a contract with AlpahBEST Education, Inc. for the provision of Before and After School Care services for the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020.

B.6. TENTATIVE 2018-2019 Warren Township School District Budget

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the tentative 2018-2019 Warren Township School District Budget and approves the tentative budget for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for Somerset County for review.

The tentative budget includes sufficient funds to provide curriculum and instruction which will enable all students to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards and is in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A and N.J.A.C Title 6 and 6A.

Proposed 2018-2019 Budget

Appropriations:

Revenue:

Fund 10

Operating Budget

$42,196,997

State Aid: General Fund

$1,504,714

Transfer to Charter Schools

$55,278

Tax Levy: General Fund

$40,178,034

Deposit to Capital Reserve

$100,500

Other Revenues

$562,157

Capital Outlay

$139,347

Fund Balance

$459,000

Summer School

$256,783

Withdrawal from Emergency Reserves

$45,000

TOTAL

$42,748,905

$42,748,905

Fund 20

Special Revenue Appropriations

$414,682

Grants: Federal, State and Local

$414,682

Fund 40

$0

Fund 40

$0

FURTHER RESOLVED, per NJAC 6A:23B-1.2(b), the tentative budget provides for a maximum expenditure amount that may be allotted for travel and expense reimbursement. The 2018-2019 tentative budget includes a maximum travel appropriation of $128,550. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to insure that the maximum amount is not exceeded, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, a Board of Education may, and this Board does, establish, for regular district business travel only, an annual school year threshold of $1,500 per staff member where prior Board approval shall not be required for regular business travel, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby establishes April 24, 2018 as the date for the Public Hearing on the budget and authorizes the Superintendent and Board Secretary, after approval by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools, to advertise the budget and the budget hearing as required by law.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2017-2018 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 2017-2018 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.”

  1.  
    1. Katherine Tejeda, Leave Replacement Speech Therapist, Woodland School, MA, Step 1 of the 2017-2018 salary guide, $63,206 (prorated), effective October 2, 2017 through May 29, 2018, which is not creditable service toward tenure acquisition. (Ms. Tejeda is the LR for Employee # 2818), (This motion supersedes previous motion from September 11, 2017.)

C.2. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #2818 for extended leave (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement), from May 4, 2018 through on or about May 29, 2018. (This motion supersedes previous motion dated July 17, 2017.)

C.3. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Carolyn McCloskey, Special Education Teacher, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 24 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective July 1, 2018.

b. Ashley Militch, District Data Manager, Warren Township School District, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for her 4 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective April 30, 2018.

c. Diane Langworthy, School Counselor, Woodland School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 13 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2018.

C.4. Transfer/Change in Assignment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer/change in

assignment of the following district staff:

a. Danielle Buzby, from 0.5 FTE Multi-Duty Paraprofessional and 0.5 FTE Health and Physical Education Teacher, Warren Middle School, to 1.0 FTE Health and Physical Education Teacher, Warren Middle School, Step 6-8 of the 2017-2018 salary guide, $61,060 (prorated), effective May 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. (Ms. Buzby will be replacing Debra Granrath.)

b. Marcela Stefanikova, from 0.5 FTE Custodian, Warren Middle School, to Transportation Monitor, 25 hours, $11,700 (prorated), effective March 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. This is a new position. (This motion supersedes the previous motion from March 5, 2018).

C.5. Job Description

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

  1.  
    1. Head Maintenance and Grounds

C.6. After School Activities/Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Dennis Lamson as Drama Club Advisor at Central School for approximately 6 sessions, at a cost not to exceed $294. (Mr. Lamson will replace Employee #1569)

XIV. Unfinished Business

● Parking Lot - Mrs. Sarosy asked a question regarding the process and asked that the board be engaged in the process. The board discussed. This will be a future board agenda item.

XV. New Business

N/A

XVI. Public Commentary (any topic)

Note on public input at BOE meetings: Board Policy #9322, adopted on January 21, 2013, 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).

● Lisa DiMaggio, Brady Road, congratulated Angelo L. Tomaso staff member Mrs. Greco for her adherence to district security practices.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Goldstein, seconded by Mrs. Albano, the meeting adjourned at

9:35 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary