Minutes for October 1, 2018 Archived Minutes
Skip NavigationA 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
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, Ayanna Taylor-Venson, Patricia Zohn and David Brezee
Absent: Andrea Freijomil and Ilana Goldstein
Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, and Patricia Leonhardt, Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.
Jeannine Sarosy arrived at 7:10 p.m.
IV. Executive Session
At 7:01 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:
specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session and
Action will 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 Mrs. Albano and approved by unanimous voice vote.
On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Albano, 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 September 17, 2018 Board Meeting.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Bellmann and approved by 7-0 roll-call vote.
VI. Correspondence and Information
· HIB Information
Total # of Investigations: |
0 |
Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: |
0 |
· Suspension Report
In School |
1 |
Out of School |
0 |
· Fire Drills
ALT | Central | Mt. Horeb | Woodland | Middle |
September 21 | September 07 | September 11 | September 12 | September 13 |
· Security Drills
ALT | Central | Mt. Horeb | Woodland | Middle |
September 27 | September 26 | September 26 | September 26 | September 27 |
Non-Fire | Non-Fire | Non-Fire | Non-Fire | Non-Fire |
Evacuation | Evacuation | Evacuation | Evacuation | Evacuation |
VII. President's Remarks - Mr. David Brezee
Mr. Brezee welcomed all and referred to the Referendum Communications Outreach and thanked all participants.
Mr. Brezee reminded all that the Board has three vacancies for the November election with only two candidates on the ballot.
VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle
Dr. Mingle also referred to the Referendum Communications Outreach which to date has included Back to School Nights, PTO meetings, a Superintendent Coffee, and a Lion’s Club meeting.
Dr. Mingle addressed the discussions regarding affordable housing occurring in the township. It was reiterated that the district has requested to participate in any PILOT revenues at a percentage equal to our share of taxes, as well as requesting that the Board of Education remain knowledgeable concerning the process status. Warren Township representatives have been invited to come to a Board of Education meeting.
IX. Presentations
N/A
X. Discussion
N/A
XI. Committee Reports
Mrs. Zohn reported on the evening’s Personnel Committee meeting which reviewed some of the tenets of the Whole Child.
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:
- 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
XIII. Items for Board Consideration/Action
Mr. Bellmann asked that motion A.3. be pulled for separate vote.
On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mr. Bellmann, the consent items A.1., A.2., A.4., B.1. through B.3., C.1. through C.16., D.1., and D.2., were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.
On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the consent item A.3., was approved by a 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Bellmann abstained.)
A. Education
A.1. HIB Report
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the HIB Report submitted by the Superintendent for the period ending on September 17, 2018.
A.2. Field Trip Destination
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following field trip destinations for the 2018-2019 school year:
-
- Escape Room, Bridgewater, NJ
- MAYO Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
- Radio City Music Hall, NY, NY
A.3. Alternative Physical Education Program
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the alternative physical education program for Student #1336387276 for the period of October 2, 2018 through on or about June 30, 2019.
A.4. Curriculum, Communications, and Technology Committee Goal - 2018-2019
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following goal for the
2018-2019 school year:
● Recommend priorities within the healthy, engaged, and challenged tenets to the full Board.
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 |
Christine Burkhardt |
MH |
New Jersey Association of School Librarians 2018 Fall Conference |
Long Branch |
Dec 2018 |
$274 |
Doris Zanchelli |
MH |
Rewire the Anxious Brain |
Point Pleasant |
Nov 2018 |
$205 |
Helen Scully |
MS |
New Jersey School Counselors’ Conference |
Edison |
Oct 2018 |
$151 |
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. School Employees’ Health Benefits Program Waiver Payments
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 52:14-17.31a, in conjunction with N.J.S.A. 52:14-17.46.11, permits employers participating in the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (“SEHBP”) to unilaterally establish an amount to be paid to employees who agree to waive their health benefits coverage in exchange for a cash payment; and
WHEREAS, the employer has sole discretion as to whether or not to offer employees health benefits waiver payments which are not subject to the collective bargaining process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-17.31a(c); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education previously offered an incentive for eligible employees who waive medical insurance in the amount of 25%, or $5,000, whichever is less, of the amount saved by the employer because of the employee's waiver of coverage; and
WHEREAS, the supporting waiver language has been removed from the agreements with each of the district’s bargaining units; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education is exercising its discretion in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-17.31a(c) to offer an incentive for eligible employees who waive medical insurance;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Township of Warren, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, that it will offer an incentive for eligible employees who waive medical insurance in the amount of 25%, or $5,000, whichever is less, of the amount saved by the employer because of the employee's waiver of coverage for Calendar Year 2019; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an employee who has health benefit coverage through a spouse or from another source, other than the State Health Benefits Plan or the SEHBP, and who can demonstrate same to the Business Administrator, may elect to forego all or a portion of his/her medical, dental and/or prescription coverage for a full year and receive a cash payment of twenty-five percent (25%) of the premium savings to the Board of Education, or $5,000, whichever is less, of the amount saved by the employer. Said payment will not be considered salary, nor will it be considered pensionable. The Business Office shall provide the forms by which an employee shall waive coverage and apply for payment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an employee who has waived all or a portion of his/her medical benefit coverage will be allowed to restore such coverage on an immediate basis, without the necessity of a health questionnaire for the employee or his/her family members, in the event of a hardship or change of life event. Reentry to all health benefit coverage for reason of hardship or change of life applies only in the following situations, which result in the loss of health benefits coverage through the employee's spouse or other source:
● Termination of employment (proof of termination of benefits required);
● Legal Separation (a copy of decree is required);
● Group contract/policy terminated (proof of termination of benefits required);
● Disability of spouse which eliminates benefits (proof of termination of benefits required);
● Divorce (a copy of the decree is required);
● Death of Spouse (a copy of death certificate is required);
● Military Discharge (a copy of DD214 is required);
● Application under these circumstances must be made within sixty (60) days of the life event to the Board of Education's Payroll/Benefit Office;
● In addition, any employee who has waived all his/her health benefit coverage may automatically restore his/her coverage by applying during the open enrollment period during any year. The reinstatement date under such conditions will be January 1. It will not be necessary for any employee or his/her family members to complete a Statement of Health (proof of insurability) to restore coverage during the open enrollment period.
B.3. Transportation for Out of District Student
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a transportation contract with Somerset County Educational Services Commission for 2018-2019 School year transportation for an out of district student as follows (this motion supersedes previous motion from September 4, 2018):
Contractor |
Student ID# |
School |
Cost |
SCESC |
9880687809 |
Green Brook Middle School |
$12,731.48 |
C. Personnel/Student Services
C.1. 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.”
Name |
Position |
PCR |
Location |
Degree |
Step |
Salary |
Effective Date |
Discussion |
Colleen Runyon |
1:1 Paraprofessional |
08-35-08/big |
MH |
N/A |
12-13 |
$28,460 (prorated, with stipend) |
10/16/18 - 6/30/19 |
New position |
Lynn Kaplan |
.5 Special Education Teacher |
Leave Replacement |
MS |
MA |
25 |
$44,205 (prorated) |
10/16/18 - 6/30/19 |
Replacing employee # 2530 |
Nicholas Zebrowski |
.4 Physical Education Teacher |
02-33-22/biu |
WMS |
BA |
1 |
$23,198 (prorated) |
10/8/18- 6/30/19 |
New Position |
C.2. Substitute Teachers
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2018-2019 school year:
Name |
Emily Jenkinson |
C.3. Superintendent Evaluation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the use of the Chief School Administrator evaluation form and process for the 2018-2019 school year.
C.4. Approval to Create Position
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves creating the following position:
Location |
Position |
PCR |
Full-Time Equivalent |
Warren Middle School |
1:1 Paraprofessional |
08-33-08/bif |
1.00 |
Central School |
1:1 Paraprofessional |
08-30-08/bih |
1.00 |
C.5. After School Activities/Clubs
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following clubs:
Name |
Club |
Location |
Sessions |
Cost |
Lisa Lontai |
Mind-Body-Spirit Club Advisor |
MS |
30 |
$1,470* |
Helen Scully |
Student Leadership Diversity Club Advisor |
MS |
30 |
$1,470* |
David Arnold |
Boys Council Advisor |
MS |
15 |
$735* |
Bonnie Pierson |
Student Leadership Diversity Club Advisor |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Lori Vigliotti |
Teen Yoga |
MS |
15 |
$735 |
Lynn Degen |
Debate, Law & Justice |
MS |
15 |
$735 |
Christine Cirrotti |
Book Club |
MS |
15 |
$735 |
Susan Cooper |
Debate Club |
MS |
15 |
$735 |
Susan Cooper |
E2 Extra |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Susan Cooper |
Lego Robotics |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Daniel Ticchio |
Ping Pong Club |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Vivien Plesmid |
Ping Pong Club |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Meryl Lettire |
Art Magazine |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Emily Bruno |
Mindfulness Matters |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Jennifer Ronkiewicz |
Art Crew |
MS |
30 |
$1,470 |
Beverly McGorman |
Business Manager |
MS |
School Play |
$2,714 |
Diane McCloskey |
Musical Director |
MS |
School Play |
$2,714 |
Joel Van Tine |
Stage & Sound Director |
MS |
School Play |
$1,470 |
Jennifer Ronkiewicz |
Set Designer |
MS |
School Play |
$1,470 |
*(Paid for by Somerset County Municipal Youth Services Commission Grant)
C.6. Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following anticipated:
Employee ID |
Paid/Unpaid |
3058 |
FMLA - February 19, 2019 thru April 5, 2019 (paid) NJFLA - April 6, 2019 thru June 30, 2019 (unpaid) |
2691 |
FMLA - January 7, 2019 thru February 27, 2019 (paid) NJFLA - February 28, 2019 thru June 3, 2019 (unpaid) |
0547 |
NJFLA - Intermittent leave September 24, 2018 thru November 2, 2019 (unpaid) |
1694 |
FMLA - November 13, 2018 thru December 21, 2018 (paid) |
C.7. Additional Hours
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additional hours:
Name |
Student # |
Club/Purpose |
Starting Date |
Cost |
Mary Russo |
1316551903 |
Sports |
September 21, 2018 |
$850 |
Richard Bardy |
5191061352 |
Cross-Country, 4 track meets, and Board Games |
September 18, 2018 |
$1,150 |
Shari DeCarli |
7152876083 |
Student Leadership and Performing Arts |
October 1, 2018 |
$1,125 |
Kristyn Westcott |
2162506652 |
Performing Arts |
October 1, 2018 |
$350 |
Nicholas Zebrowski |
NA |
In-District Professional Development Days |
October 8 and 9, 2018 |
$348 |
C.8. 2018-2019 Approval of Title I - Extended Day Tutor
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following staff members as Title I - Extended Day Tutors, to be paid the contractual rate of $50 per hour. Total cost dependent upon needs of identified students in the district’s Title I school, which is Central School, at a total cost not to exceed $43,114. Cost to be fully funded by ESEA Title I.
Allison Hecht |
C.9 . Approval of Inservice Day Presenters
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following October 8 and 9, 2018 Inservice Day presenters, (compensation rate according to the 2017-2020 WTEA Collective Bargaining Agreement) for a total cost not to exceed $12,567.15:
Dannine Albanese |
Traci Haise |
Alyssa Pech |
Nancy Andrews |
Alison Hales |
Alexandra Pranzo |
Karen Balich |
Jessica Halpern |
MaryLou Psak |
Michelle Barbagallo |
Rebecca Hartman |
Amanda Rodrigues |
Nancy Braunstein |
Allison Hecht |
Jennifer Ronkiewicz |
Carol Brown |
Amy Jensen |
Kelly Stankiewicz |
Chris Burkhardt |
Peter Kassalow |
Kristen Stoyanov |
Danielle Buzby |
Susan Kline |
Rebecca Sutherland |
Lyndsay Carroll |
Sara Kolesar |
Jeffrey Sutherland |
Cynthia Cassidy |
Marianne Larson |
Lauren Valera |
Christine Cirrotti |
Karen Leski |
Lori Vigliotti |
Susan Cooper |
Sean Mealy |
Michelle Wegener |
Laurie Donovan |
Cathy Murphy |
Adam Yenish |
Melissa Fedosh |
Jessica Nathan |
Susan Wisher |
Mary Beth Greco |
Megan O'Donnell |
Michelle Zgombic |
C.10. Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Building Teams
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff as Crisis Prevention Intervention Building Team members. Each staff member will receive an annual amount of $500 stipend per the WTEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The stipend will be rewarded upon verified completion of the Crisis Prevention Intervention training, for a total cost not to exceed $14,000.00.
Michelle Barbagallo |
Keith Koellhoffer |
Lucia Raphael |
Nicholas Bayachek |
Nancy Lauber |
Allison Reu |
Lakiesha Beaubrun |
Brittany Leonard |
Michelle Roth |
Fran Blabolil |
Karen Leski |
Nicole Runfola |
Carol Brown |
Catherine Maguire |
Christopher Schwallie |
Amy Brunswick |
Joyce Pekarsky |
Sherri Strauss |
Julie Jagiello |
Paula Pontoriero |
Joan Toth |
Natalie Caterisano |
Sandra Surowiec |
Deborah Yankowicz |
Keith Labadie |
Kristen Chmielewski |
Rebecca Hartman |
Beatrice Schwarzkopf |
C.11. Substitute Bus Driver
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Tyler Tribelhorn as a substitute bus driver at the approved pay rate for the 2018-2019 school year.
C.12. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer/change in
assignment of the following district staff:
Name |
From |
To |
Degree |
Salary/Step |
Effective Date |
Lauren Nelson |
Classroom Paraprofessional, 30 hours per week, Central School 08-30-08/bfq |
1:1 Paraprofessional, 32.5 hours per week, Central School 08-30-08/bih |
N/A |
$26,660 (prorated) 12-13 |
10/2/18 - 6/30/19 |
C.13. Retirement/Resignation
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement/resignations of the following staff:
a. Daniel Ticchio, Lunchroom Supervisor, Warren Middle School, for the purpose of resignation, effective September 1, 2018.
C.14. Warren Middle School Stipend Positions 2018-2019
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following stipend position for the 2018-2019 school year as per the WTEA agreement:
a. Lunchroom Supervisor - Donna Bardy
C.15. Long Term Substitute
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following individual as a Long Term Substitute:
Name |
Effective Date |
Replacing Employee # |
Barbara Murphy |
November 13, 2018- January 2, 2019 |
1694 |
C.16. Employee Termination
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education terminates, for cause, the 2018-2019 employment contract for Employee #3125, effective October 2, 2018.
D. Policy
D.1. Policies – First Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the first reading of the following policies:
Number |
Name |
New/Revision |
Source of Changes |
P2431 |
Athletic Competition |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
P5350 |
Student Suicide Prevention |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
P5512 |
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
P5533 |
Student Smoking |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
P5561 |
Use of Physical Restraint and Seclusion Tactics for Students with Disabilities |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
P8462 |
Reporting Potentially Missing or Abused Children |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
D.2. Policies – Second Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second reading and adoption of the following policies:
Number |
Name |
New/Revision |
Source of Changes |
P1550 |
Equal Employment / Anti-Discrimination Practices |
Revision |
Strauss Esmay |
P1613 |
Disclosure and Review of Applicant’s Employment History |
New |
Strauss Esmay |
P7700 |
Flag |
New |
District |
XIV. Unfinished Business
N/A
XV. New Business
● Policy 0155 - Board Committee - The board discussed Policy 0155, which refers to the board’s committees. It was determined that Dr. Mingle will research and provide options for the board’s review.
● Benchmarking - Mrs. Albano brought up for discussion benchmarking against selected high achieving districts. After discussion, Mrs. Albano moved the following:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopts a protocol to present district data as benchmarked in comparison to Livingston, Millburn, Westfield, Basking Ridge and other similar K-8 districts.
Seconded by Mr. Bellmann, the motion was approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.
XVI. Public Commentary (any topic)
N/A
XVII. Adjourn
On motion by Mrs. Albano, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting adjourned at
7:59 p.m.
Minutes submitted by,
Patricia Leonhardt
Board Secretary
Last modified on Thursday, February 24, 2022