Minutes for October 1, 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 7:00 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:

  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 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:

  1.  
    1. Escape Room, Bridgewater, NJ
    2. MAYO Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
    3. 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