Warren Township Schools: Minutes for November 19, 2018

Minutes for November 19, 2018 Archived Minutes

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, Andrea Freijomil,

Ilana Goldstein, Ayanna Taylor-Venson, Patricia Zohn and David Brezee

Absent: Jeannine Sarosy

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

IV. Minutes

● Mrs. DiMaggio moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the November 5, 2018 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Freijomil and approved by 6-0-2 roll-call vote.

(Mr. Bellmann and Mrs. Goldstein abstained.)

V. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

· Suspension Report

In School

Out of School

VI. President's Remarks - Mr. David Brezee

Mr. Brezee congratulated Mr. Bellish, Mr. Franco and Mr. Chand on their successful board elections.

Mr. Brezee referenced the recent Career Night held at Mount Horeb School and congratulated all involved..

Mr. Brezee referred to the recent snow event of Thursday, November 15th, and thanked all for their work on behalf of our students.

Lastly, Mr. Brezee wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle added to the snow storm acknowledgment, adding thanks to Mr. Brezee for the food delivery.

Dr. Mingle shared that he will be honoring all those involved in getting everyone home safely at the Dec. 11th board meeting.

Dr. Mingle referenced some emerging staffing needs, leading to the addition of a motion (C.6.) authorizing him to hire, pending Board of Education ratification at the board’s next meeting.

Dr. Mingle thanked Mr. Brezee and Mrs. Freijomil for their roles in Thanksgiving meal delivery.

Lastly, Dr. Mingle referred to the “A Hundred Hours and Thank Yous” program participation by all five district schools. This initiative is an outreach to thank our country’s service members.

● Quarter 1 Goals Updates - Dr. Mingle provided an update on Superintendent, Board, and District goals.

VIII. Presentations

● Standardized Achievement Results Benchmarking - Mr. Kimmick reported on the district’s scores as aligned with peer districts.

IX. Discussion

N/A

X. Committee Reports

● Finance Operations Security Committee - Mrs. Freijomil reported on the committee meeting held the prior week. Discussion included the timeline for the Security Action Plan, the referendum voting hours and referendum publicity, greenlighted capital projects as well as a temporary hold on the Middle School Wellness Center Phase 2. Updating of elementary school libraries which will be held for future discussion.

XI. 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).

● Ying-Ming Jou, 7 Downington Court, shared some observations regarding standardized test scores and extra student prep.

XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

Mrs. Zohn asked questions regarding the referendum resolution (motion B.5.). Based on discussion, the polling times were changed to 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Freijomil, the consent items A.1., through A.3., B.1. through B.7., and C.1. through C.6., were approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

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 November 5, 2018.

A.2. Field Trip Destination

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the field trip destination for the 2018-2019 School Year as follows:

United Way Branchburg

A.3. Tuition Contract

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a tuition contract whereby New Providence School District Student #7393501498 will attend Warren Township School District’s Regular School Year Autism program at Central School, from December 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, at a cost of $39,174.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of November 2018 in the amount of $3,854,367.49.

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 October, 2018; and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on October 31, 2018:

FUND	CASH BALANCE	APPROPRIATION BALANCE	FUND BALANCE
(10) General Current Expense Fund	$10,102,660.91		$1,001,355.68
(10) General Current Expense		$0.00
(11) Current Expense		$1,750,228.06
(12) Capital Outlay		$175,076.95
(13) Special Schools		$1,149.19
(20) Special Revenue Fund	$41,692.26	$40,963.68	$0.00
(30) Capital Projects Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
(40) Debt Service Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

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 October 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.	11-000-217-106-030-03-02	Salaries - Extraordinary Paras - CS	11-000-217-320-040-08-00	Extraordinary Services. - Purchased Professional Services - ALT	$5,000
2.	11-000-217-106-035-04-02	Salaries - Extraordinary Paras - MHS	11-000-217-320-035-08-00	Extraordinary Services. - Purchased Professional Services - MHS	$10,000
3.	11-000-217-106-035-04-02	Salaries - Extraordinary Paras - MHS	11-000-291-270-000-00-00	Health Benefits	$66,800
4.	11-000-222-100-050-06-02	Salaries - Librarian - WS	11-000-218-104-050-06-00	Salaries - Guidance - WS	$3,100
5.	11-000-222-800-035-04-00	Library - Memberships - MHS	11-000-222-600-035-04-10	Library Supplies - MHS	$65
6.	11-000-262-300-000-09-00	Purchased Prof. & Tech. Svcs. - Maint.	11-000-262-610-000-09-00	Building Supplies - Maintenance	$4,500
7.	11-000-263-420-00-09-00	Grounds - Repairs & Maint. Services.	11-000-262-622-030-09-03	Electricity - CS	$1,000
8.	11-000-270-512-030-03-00	Field Trip Transportation - CS	11-000-270-593-000-10-00	Misc. Purchased Svcs.- Transportation	$500
9.	11-000-270-512-033-07-00	Field Trip Transportation - MS	11-000-270-161-000-10-00	Salaries - Special Ed Transportation	$1,275
10.	11-000-270-512-035-04-00	Field Trip Transportation - MHS	11-000-270-593-000-10-00	Misc. Purchased Svcs.- Transportation	$500
11.	11-000-270-512-040-05-00	Field Trip Transportation - ALT	11-000-270-593-000-10-00	Misc. Purchased Svcs.- Transportation	$500
12.	11-000-270-512-050-06-00	Field Trip Transportation - WS	11-000-270-593-000-10-00	Misc. Purchased Svcs.- Transportation	$500
13.	11-120-100-101-030-03-00	Salaries - Grades 1-5 Teachers - CS	11-130-100-101-033-07-00	Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS	$65,000
14.	11-209-100-101-040-05-00	Salaries - SEED Teacher - ALT	11-130-100-101-033-07-00	Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS	$3,100
15.	11-209-100-106-040-05-00	Salaries - SEED Aides - ALT	11-130-100-101-033-07-00	Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS	$35,700
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	$56,600
17.	11-213-100-101-035-04-00	Salaries - RC Teachers - MHS	11-130-100-101-033-07-00	Salaries - Grades 6-8 Teachers - MS	$25,200
18.	11-213-100-106-033-07-00	Salaries - RC Aides - MS	11-204-100-106-033-07-00	Salaries - LLD Aides - MS	$36,700
19.	11-216-100-101-035-04-00	Salaries - PSD Teachers - MHS	10-000-100-561-000-00-00	Transfer to Charter Schools	$18,426
20.	11-216-100-101-035-04-00	Salaries - PSD Teachers - MHS	11-000-219-104-050-06-00	Salaries - CST - WS	$2,200
21.	11-216-100-101-035-04-00	Salaries - PSD Teachers - MHS	11-000-221-176-033-07-00	Salaries - Integration Specialist - MS	$9,000
22.	11-216-100-101-035-04-00	Salaries - PSD Teachers - MHS	11-000-291-270-000-00-00	Health Benefits	$39,274
23.	11-216-100-101-035-04-01	Salaries - PSD Other Teachers - MHS	11-000-218-104-050-06-00	Salaries - Guidance - WS	$3,100
24.	11-216-100-106-035-04-00	Salaries - PSD Aides - MHS	11-000-219-104-050-06-00	Salaries - CST - WS	$14,500
25.	11-230-100-101-033-07-00	Salaries - Basic Skills - MS	11-000-291-270-000-00-00	Health Benefits	$31,600
26.	11-230-100-101-050-06-00	Salaries - Basic Skills - WS	11-214-100-320-030-08-00	Autism - Purch. Prof. Educ. Svcs. - CS	$4,030
27.	12-000-266-730-000-09-00	Security - Equipment	11-000-266-610-000-09-02	Security - District - Supplies	$1,150

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

Nicole Runfola

Speech Language Therapy; Facilitating Rapid Change for Children with Severe Phonological Disorders

Fairfield

Dec 2018

$259

Cynthia Cassidy

New Jersey Association of School Librarians 2018 Fall

Conference

Long Branch

Dec 2018

$202

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. Resolution of the Board Of Education of The Township of Warren in The County of Somerset, New Jersey Providing for the Submission of a Special Ballot Question to the School District Voters at a Special School District Election to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019

WHEREAS, The Board of Education of the Township of Warren in the County of Somerset, New Jersey (the "Board" when referring to the governing body and the "School District" when referring to the territorial boundaries governed by the Board) desires to undertake school facilities projects consisting of boiler and pump replacements at the A. L. Tomaso School, the Mt. Horeb School and the Middle School; window replacement at Central School, roof replacement at the Middle School and HVAC upgrades at A. L. Tomaso School and Central School (collectively, the “Project”);

WHEREAS, to accomplish the Project, the Board seeks to authorize the submission of a ballot question and an explanatory statement at a Special School District election to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 (the “Election”) and to authorize certain actions required to be taken in connection with the conduct of the Election and the undertaking of the Project.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The Board of Education of the Township of Warren in the County of Somerset, New Jersey (not less than a majority of the full membership of the Board concurring) as follows:

1. The following Explanatory Statement and Proposal (the "Proposal") shall be submitted to the legal voters of the School District at a Special School District election (the "Election") to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 commencing at 6:00 a.m. in the School District for the purposes hereinafter provided. The polls shall remain open until 8:00 p.m. and as much longer as may be necessary to permit all the legal voters then present to vote and cast their ballot.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

PROPOSAL

The Board is seeking to undertake a school facilities project consisting of:

● boiler and pump replacements at the A. L. Tomaso School, the Mt. Horeb School and the Middle School;

● Window replacement at the Central School;

● Roof replacement at the Middle School; and

● HVAC upgrades at the A. L. Tomaso School and the Central School.

The projects will be undertaken at a cost not to exceed $6,446,588 which will be funded through the issuance of a short term bond/note.

STATE FUNDING

The Board will receive State aid for each of the projects in the Proposal in the form of debt service aid anticipated to be in the amount of 34% - 40% of total project costs. This State aid reduces the taxpayers’ share of each of the projects to between 60% and 66% of the total project cost. Such State funding will only be available if the proposal passes.

The Board expects to fund its local share of debt service with monies that will be available in the Capital Reserve Fund so it is anticipated that no new tax dollars will be raised to pay for the projects.

PROPOSAL

The Board of Education of the Township of Warren in the County of Somerset, New Jersey is authorized to undertake a school facilities project consisting of boiler and pump replacements at the A. L. Tomaso School, the Mt. Horeb School and the Middle School; window replacement at the Central School, roof replacement at the Middle School and HVAC upgrades at the A. L. Tomaso School and the Central School. The Board is authorized to expend and issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,446,588 on such project. The State has agreed to provide debt service aid in the amount of 40% of the “final eligible costs” of the school facilities project. All of the costs of the project are “final eligible costs.”

2. The Board hereby approves and adopts the Proposal and, subject to the approval of the legal voters of the School District, hereby determines to carry out the same.

3. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized and directed, in conjunction with Bond Counsel, to deliver a certified copy of this resolution and such other information as shall be necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the Education Law and Election Law, to the Executive Somerset County Superintendent of Schools, Somerset County Clerk, Somerset County Boards of Elections, and to the Clerk of the Township of Warren, and to request such persons to undertake their respective functions under the Education Law and the Election Law, as applicable, in connection with the Election. The Business Administrator/Board Secretary is hereby authorized to amend the Proposal and the Explanatory Statement to conform same to statutory requirements.

4. The Board hereby acknowledges and confirms that, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 24-16 and 24-17 of the Education Law, a Supplemental Debt Statement has been prepared as of the date of this resolution by the Chief Financial Officer of the Township of Warren, giving effect to the proposed total authorization of School Bonds of the School District in the maximum amount provided for in the Proposal, and that such Supplemental Debt Statement has been filed in the office of the Clerk of the Township of Warren, and in the office of the Business Administrator/Board Secretary prior to the adoption of this resolution. The Board hereby directs the Business Administrator/Board Secretary to cause such Supplemental Debt Statement to be filed in the office of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services, State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs prior to the date of the Election.

5. The School Administration and such other officers, professionals and agents of the Board as are necessary, including Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., Bond Counsel and the Architect for the Project, are each hereby authorized and directed to perform such acts, execute such documents and do such things as are necessary and proper for the submission of the Proposal to the voters of the School District at the Election, including preparation and submission of all required applications for receipt of debt service aid.

6. The Board hereby (i) accepts the determination of Preliminary Eligible Costs as set forth in the letters of the New Jersey Department of Education (the “NJDOE Eligibility Letter”); (ii) elects to receive the State Share in the form of debt service aid; (iii) determines to construct the Project; (iv) agrees to locally fund any excess costs and (v) delegates the supervision of the Project to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary.

7. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

B.6. Approval For Boiler and Pump Replacement Project

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with its Architect of Record, Parette Somjen Associates, for the district’s Boiler and Pump Replacement Project at Angelo L. Tomaso, Mt. Horeb and Middle Schools. Authorization includes update of the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan, if required, as well as the solicitation of bids.

B.7. Approval of Central School Health Office Renovation Project

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with its Architect of Record, Parette Somjen Associates, for the district’s Central School Nurse’s Suite Renovation Project. Authorization includes update of the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan, if required, as well as the solicitation of bids.

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 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., if applicable Staff members shall be paid in accordance with provisions in their collective bargaining agreement and/or in accordance with a schedule provided to all employees prior to the beginning of the contract or school year.

Name

Position/PCR

Location

Degree

Step

Salary

Effective Date

Discussion

Melanie Maida

Leave Replacement

Counselor

$63,795 (prorated)

1/2/2019-6/30/2019

Leave Replacement for employee #1415

C.2. Substitute

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as a substitute teacher for the 2018-2019 school year.

Name

Kristin Casorio

C.3. Leave Request

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following leave requests:

Employee ID	Paid/Unpaid
3282	October 15, 2018 through December 3, 2018 (unpaid with benefits) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved November 5, 2018.)
1174	FMLA - October 24, 2018 through November 26, 2018 (paid) FMLA - November 27, 2018 through December 11, 2018 (unpaid)
3043	FMLA - October 15, 2018 through November 1, 2018 (paid) FMLA - November 1, 2018 through January 7, 2019 (unpaid)
2511	FMLA - November 26, 2018 through December 7, 2018 (paid)
1128	FMLA - October 29, 2018 through January 7, 2019 (paid)
3323	FMLA - February 19, 2019 through March 6, 2019 (paid) FMLA - March 7, 2019 through May 15, 2019 (unpaid)
2963	FMLA - October 5, 2018 through November 21, 2018 (paid) FMLA - November 26, 2018 through December 21, 2018 (unpaid) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved October 15, 2018.)

C.4. Additional Hours

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following additional hours:

Name	Student #	Club/Purpose	Starting Date	Cost
Sandy Surowiec	3223028161	Gold Band	November 27,2018	$465

C.5. Warren Academy Courses Instructor Stipend 2018-2019

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following staff for reimbursement as an Instructor. Each instructor will be reimbursed at the WTEA contractual rate $50.00 per hour. The total cost shall not exceed $100.00.

Staff Member	Course	Date	Prep Hours	Instructor Hours	Cost Total
Kristen Stoyanov	Differentiating Math Centers	December 19, 2018	1	1	$100

C.6. Offers of Employment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent to extend offers of employment for which there may be a vacancy between November 20, 2018, and December 11, 2018, subject to ratification of the Board at its next scheduled meeting.

XIII. Unfinished Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

● Whole Child Priorities and Strategic Planning - The board discussed the proposed strategic plan process, and decided that a discussion regarding facilitator criteria should be a Board of Education December meeting agenda item. Mrs. Freijomil made a motion regarding Ad Hoc Strategic Planning as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee (the “Committee”), which will be responsible for working with the Superintendent and administration to develop a structure for Warren Township Schools Strategic Plan 2020. This work will include identifying potential facilitators for the process to present to the full Board, planning the timeline for development, and representing the Board on the Strategic Plan steering committee. The Committee may assume additional responsibilities when directed by a majority of the Board. The Committee will be dissolved upon the Board’s adoption of the Strategic Plan.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Taylor.

● Prior to voting, Mrs. Freijomil made a motion to amend the motion with an additional reference that the Ad Hoc Strategic Committee and Committee members will be selected in the new year.

The motion to amend was seconded by Mr. Bellmann and approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

The entire amended motion was then approved by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

XV. Public Commentary (any topic)

● Ying-Ming Jou, 7 Downington Court, referenced the Whole Child tenets.

XVI. Adjourn

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

8:38 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary