Minutes for May 7, 2018History 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 7:02 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 January 8, 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, Patricia Zohn and David Brezee

Absent: Andrea Freijomil, Ilana Goldstein, and Ayanna Taylor-Venson

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

Jeannine Sarosy arrived at 7:05 p.m.

IV. Minutes

Mrs. DiMaggio moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the April 24, 2018 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Bellmann and approved by 5-0 roll-call vote.

V. Correspondence and Information

Dr. Mingle referred to an email from the Lions Club expressing their gratitude for assistance

with Operation Shoebox.

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

5

 

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

0

· Fire Drills

ALT Central Mt. Horeb Woodland Middle
April 26 April 10 April 13 April 10 April 26

 

· Security Drills

ALT Central Mt. Horeb Woodland Middle
April 26 April 24 April 30 April 26 April 30
Non-Fire Non-Fire Non-Fire Non-Fire Non-Fire
Evacuation Evacuation Evacuation Evacuation Evacuation

VI. President's Remarks - Mr. David Brezee

Mr. Brezee welcomed all. He then discussed the timeline for the Superintendent Evaluation as well as thanked Mrs. Lakatos upon her retirement (motion C.4.).

Lastly Mr. Brezee reported that Safe Havens has completed phase one of its review.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle also welcomed all. He then referred to a change on the staff roster (motion C.5.) as well as provided clarification regarding motions C.6. and C.7., which net to -4.75.

Dr. Mingle informed all that Assemblyman Bramnick will be holding a meeting on Monday, May 14 regarding low income housing and that the May 21st Board of Education meeting will recognize students, Excellence in Education Awards and Retirees.

Lastly Dr. Mingle shared that he and Mrs. Leonhardt will be attending the upcoming Township Committee meeting.

VIII. Presentations

● Capital Improvement Plan - Dr. Mingle, Mrs. Leonhardt and Mr. Pate provided an overview of high priority projects and financing options. The board asked follow up questions.

IX. ANNUAL ADOPTIONS

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the Annual Adoptions were approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote.

1. Curriculum

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves adoption of the PK-8 curriculum guides, as aligned with NJ Core Content Standards, for the 2018-2019 school year.

2. Textbooks

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves adoption of existing district textbooks for the 2018-2019 school year.

3. Service Appointments

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt as Board Secretary of the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2018-2019 school year.

b. The appointment of MaryGrace Suitovsky, Assistant Business Administrator, as Acting Board Secretary for the 2018-2019 school year in the absence of the Board Secretary.

c. The appointment of Ruth Davies as Treasurer of School Monies for the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2018-2019 school year.

d. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt, Business Administrator, as Acting Treasurer of School Monies for the 2018-2019 school year for the Warren Township Board of Education in the absence of Ruth Davies.

e. The appointment of Suplee, Clooney & Company as the auditing firm for the Warren Township Board of Education for the 2018-2019 school year, at an annual cost of $25,500.

f. The appointment of Dr. Richard Lesko as District Medical Inspector for the period beginning July 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018, at a six-month cost of $3,750.

g. The appointment of Dr. Ronald Frank as Alternate District Medical Inspector for the period beginning July 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018, at a cost to be determined at the time of service provided (if need be).

h. The appointment of Candida Hengemuhle as the district’s Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Anti-Bullying Coordinator, and 504 Officer for the 2018-2019 school year.

i. The appointment of CBIZ-Centric as the district’s board and general liability insurance agent for the 2018-2019 school year.

j. The appointment of Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors, Inc. as the Board’s program manager of record for the medical insurance program and group insurance broker of record for the district’s dental insurance program and flexible spending plan for the 2018-2019 school year, at an annual cost of $13,500.

k. The appointment of Michael Pate as the district’s Right to Know contact, AHERA representative, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator (IPMC), Safety and Health Designee, Indoor Air Quality Designee, Chemical Hygiene Officer, and Asbestos Management Officer for the 2018-2019 school year.

l. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt, Business Administrator, as the district’s Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO), District Custodian of Records, and District Purchasing Agent for the 2018-2019 school year.

m. The appointment of Patricia Leonhardt and Christine Smith as the district’s School Safety Specialists for the 2018-19 school year.

n. The appointment of AIG/VALIC, AXA/Equitable, Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. and Primerica as 403(b), 457(b) and Roth 403(b) plan providers for the 2018-2019 school year.

o. The appointment of AmeriFlex as the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) provider for the 2018-2019 school year. Cost is $63 per participant per year for FSA and/or DCA program participation, plus $770 per annum for FSA, DCA and COBRA program administration.

4. Finance

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. The designation of the following bank as depository for district funds for 2018-2019, dependent on ongoing certification of approval by the Governmental Unit Deposit Protection Act: Peapack-Gladstone Bank.

b. Authorization for the Board Secretary to invest school funds in accordance with the limitations of State law and Board policy.

c. Authorization for the following persons to sign checks:

.

Account Name

No.

Signatory(s)

General Operating (Current) Account

3

Treasurer of School Monies and/or Board Secretary and/or Board President and/or Board Vice President

Salary Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies or Board Secretary

Payroll Deduction Account

1

Treasurer of School Monies or Board Secretary

Unemployment Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Juice and Water Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Milk Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Flexible Spending Account

1

Board Secretary or Superintendent

Middle School Student Activity Account

2

Middle School Principal and/or Middle School Dean and/or Board Secretary

d. The financial records of the school district shall be maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and all appropriations shall be recorded using the Chart of Accounts provided by the New Jersey Department of Education.

e. Authorization for the Purchasing Agent to make purchases of goods and services entered into on behalf of the State by the Division of Purchase and Property (state contract), Ed-Data, Somerset County Cooperative Pricing System, Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council (MCCPC), Middlesex Regional Educational Services Cooperative Purchasing, Hunterdon County ESC Cooperative Purchasing and Union County Cooperative Purchasing System.

f. Authorization, in recognition of Qualified Purchasing Agent status, of a bid threshold of $40,000.

5. Petty Cash Accounts

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the establishment of the following petty cash accounts and the individual responsible for the account for 2018-2019:

a. Superintendent’s Office (Superintendent’s Secretary) $200

b. Buildings and Grounds (Supervisor of B & G) $200

c. Schools (Building Principal) $200 (each school)

d. SPS (Director of SPS) $100

e. Curriculum (Curriculum Director) $100

The maximum expenditure from each account for each purchase is $25.00. The School Business Administrator will review a summary of the disbursements on a semi-annual basis.

6. Organizational Chart

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the district’s organizational chart for the 2018-2019 school year dated May 8, 2017.

7. Benefits

  1. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the district’s participation in the Horizon Healthcare Dental/Public Employer Trust for the 2018-2019 school year at the following rates:

● Single - $57.68 per month, $692.16 per annum

● 2 Adult - $115.34 per month, $1,384.08 per annum

● Parent/Child - $129.74 per month, $1,556.88 per annum

● Family - $187.44 per month, $2,249.28 per annum

  1. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the district’s participation in the School Employees Health Benefits Program and its premium schedule as published by the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury, Division of Pension and Benefits.

X. Discussion

N/A

XI. Committee Reports

● Finance/Operations/Security - Mr. Bellmann reported on the meeting which discussed end of year finances, recess enhancements and the Capital Improvement Plan.

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).

N/A

XIII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mr. Bellmann asked that motion B.3. be pulled for separate vote.

Mrs. DiMaggio asked that motion A.1. be pulled for separate vote.

Mrs. Albano asked questions regarding the district’s HIB process, retaliatory inquiries and administrators’ visibility.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mr. Bellmann the consent items A.2., B.1., B.2., and C.1., through C.12., were approved by a 6-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mr. Brezee, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the consent item A.1., was approved by a 4-1-1 roll-call vote. ( Mrs. DiMaggio voted no and Mrs. Albano abstained.)

Mr. Bellmann addressed his concern regarding motion B.3.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the consent item B.3., was approved by a 5-0-1 roll-call vote. ( Mr. Bellmann abstained.)

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 May 3, 2018.

A.2. Out of Zone Request

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

a. Student #2302534397, Grade 2, to remain at Angelo L. Tomaso School for the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year. The student is moving to a home zoned for Mt. Horeb School. The district will not be responsible for transportation.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. 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

Jennifer McMahon

MTH

Innovative Therapy Solutions for Young Children with Apraxia

Edison

May 2018

$219

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.2. 2018-2019 School Year Tuition Rates

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2018-2019 tuition rates. (This motion supersedes the previous motion from February 5, 2018.)

● Kindergarten- Grade 5: $12,000

● Grades 6 - 8: $14,000

B.3. 2018-2019 School Year Tuition Rates for Employees’ Children

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2018-2019 tuition rates for children of staff members.

● Kindergarten- Grade 8: $4,000

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.”

a. Susan Small, Data Manager, District, $65,000 (pro-rated), effective June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. (Susan Small will be replacing Ashley Militch.)

b. Zaida Hernandez, 0.5 FTE Spanish Teacher, Warren Middle School, BA, Step 15-16 of the 2017-2018 salary guide, $33,075 (prorated), effective May 14, 2018 through June 30, 2018. (Zaida Hernandez will be replacing Paola Gower.)

C.2. Employment for the 2018-2019 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 2018-2019 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. Alexandra Pranzo, School Counselor, Woodland School, MA, Step 1 of the 2018-2019 salary guide, $63,795, effective September 4, 2018 through June 30, 2019. (Ms. Pranzo will be replacing Mrs. Langworthy.)

b. Susan Small, Data Manager, District, $65,000, effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. (Susan Small will be replacing Ashley Militch.)

C.3. Family Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following:

a. Employee #1569 for leave (paid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA, from on or about March 28, 2018 through on or about May 14, 2018. (This motion supersedes the previous motion from February 20, 2018.)

b. Employee # 3049 for leave (paid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA, from on or about April 24, 2018 through on or about May 9, 2018.

c. Employee # 2088 for leave (unpaid according to legal and contractual entitlement) from November 22, 2017 through on or about May 29, 2018. (This motion supersedes previous motion dated December 11, 2017.)

d. Employee # 1500 for leave (paid according to legal and contractual entitlement), under FMLA, from June 6, 2018 through on or about June 25, 2018. (This motion supersedes previous motion dated April 24, 2018.)

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

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

a. Cory Berger, Teacher, Angelo L. Tomaso School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for his 1 year of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2018.

b. Virginia Lakatos, Secretary, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of retirement, with appreciation for her 27 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2018.

c. Laurie Pelosi-Fetten, Paraprofessional, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for her 10 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2018.

d. Lauralee Dupper, Bus Monitor, Warren Township Schools, Paraprofessional, Central School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for her 4 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2018.

e. Eleanore Wilson, Paraprofessional, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of resignation, with appreciation for her 14 years of service to the Warren Township students, effective June 30, 2018.

C.5. Appointment of Certificated Staff for the 2018-2019 School Year

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of certificated staff

employment, dated May 2, 2018 for the 2018-2019 school year.

C.6. Approval to Create Positions

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of the following positions:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

Angelo L. Tomaso

Grade K

1.0

Angelo L. Tomaso

Grade 3

1.0

Central

Grade 5

1.0

Central

Music

0.1

Woodland

English as a Second Language

0.15

Woodland

Grade 1

1.0

Warren Middle School

Language Arts

0.4

Warren Middle School

Math ASAP

0.65

Warren Middle School

Special Education

0.55

Total

5.85

C.7. Approval to Abolish Positions

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the abolishment of the following positions for reasons of declining enrollment and schedule restructuring:

Location

Position

Full-Time Equivalent

Angelo L. Tomaso

Grade 1

-1.0

Angelo L. Tomaso

Grade 5

-1.0

Woodland

Grade K

-1.0

Woodland

Grade 3

-1.0

Woodland

Grade 5

-1.0

Warren Middle School

Language Arts ASAP

-0.4

Warren Middle School

Mandarin

-0.2

Warren Middle School

English as a Second Language

-0.15

Warren Middle School

Math

-0.25

Warren Middle School

Music

-0.1

Warren Middle School

Health & Physical Education

-0.5

Warren Middle School

Social Studies

-0.6

Warren Middle School

Spanish

-1.0

Warren Middle School

Unified Arts

-2.4

Total

-10.6

C.8. 2018-2019 Non-WTEA Employment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the list of non-WTEA employee assignments and salaries for the 2018-2019 school year, dated April 30, 2018.

C.9. Long Term Substitute

Resolved, that the Board of Education approves the following as Long Term Substitutes:

a. Zaida Hernandez, effective March 28, 2018 through on or about May 14,

2018. (Ms. Hernandez will be LTS for employee # 1569.)

b. Barbara Kottmann, effective March 19, 2018 through on or about May 8,

2018. (Mrs. Kottmann will be LTS for Andrea Gower.)

c. Jennifer Carloni, effective April 25, 2018 through on or about June 19, 2018. (Ms. Carloni will be replacing employee #0673.)

C.10. CPR Recertification of Instructors Stipend

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for a stipend for their participation in CPR recertification at Community Safety Consultants on July 10, 2018. Each of the staff will be paid at the WTEA contract rate of $20.00 per hour, 4 ½ hours per day for one day for a total cost not to exceed $270.00.

● Jan Brennan

● Lisa Lontai

● Harriet Stambaugh

C.11. Home Instruction

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves all district certificated teachers, and paraprofessionals who have a teaching certificate, to be appointed as home instructors for the 2018-2019 school year.

C.12. Warren Middle School Stipend Positions 2017-2018

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following stipend positions for the 2017-2018 school year as per the WTEA agreement:

  1. Lunchroom Supervisor

● Grade 6- Lisa Lontai (Mrs. Lontai replaces Debra Granrath) - effective May 1, 2018

XIV. Unfinished Business

N/A

XV. New Business

● Middle School Language Arts - Mrs. Zohn referred to the Curriculum Committee’s review of the proposal to eliminate the advanced level Language Arts class at the Middle School.

● Committee Agendas - Mrs. Zohn referred to the process regarding distribution of Committee Agendas.

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).

● Heather Silva, Quail Run, referred to communication regarding the Middle School Language Arts class.

● Andrea Olivapotenza, Walnut Court, also referred to the Middle School Language Arts class. Mrs. Olivapotenza also discussed lunchtime 2018-2019 at Middle School. Lastly, the Middle School World Language staffing changes were mentioned.

After board discussion regarding Middle School Language Arts, Mrs. Zohn made the following motion:

● RESOLVED, that the Board of Education requests a future presentation at a board meeting to occur prior to June 30, 2018, by administration, regarding its recommendations for 8th Grade English Language Arts.

Seconded by Mr. Bellmann, the motion was approved by a 4-0-2 roll-call vote. (Mrs. DiMaggio and Mr. Brezee abstained.)

XVII. Executive Session

At 8:25 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

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. Zohn and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Albano, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:53 p.m.

XVIII. Adjourn

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

8:54 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary