Warren Township Schools: Minutes for January 7, 2019

Minutes for January 7, 2019 Archived Minutes

I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Board Secretary Patricia Leonhardt

Open Public Meeting Statement – Mrs. Leonhardt 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 – Mrs. Leonhardt led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. Election Results

For entry into the minutes, Mrs. Leonhardt provided the Somerset County Clerk certified results of the Annual Election, held on November 6, 2018:

Watchung Hills Regional - One (1) Three Year Board of Education Seat

● Gregory Przybylski

Warren Township - Three (3) Three Year Board of Education Seats

● Aaron Bellish

● Marc Franco

● Naresh Chand

IV. Oath of Office

● The Oath of Office was administered to Mr. Bellish and Mr. Franco by Mrs. Leonhardt.

(Dr. Chand, unavailable to attend this meeting, will take the Oath of Office at a later date.)

V. Roll Call

Present: Aaron Bellish, Christian Bellmann, David Brezee, Lisa DiMaggio,

Marc Franco, Ayanna Taylor-Venson and Patricia Zohn

Absent: Naresh Chand and Jeannine Sarosy

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

VI. Election of Board Officers

The nominations for Board President were opened by Mrs. Leonhardt.

Mr. David Brezee was nominated by Mrs. Lisa DiMaggio. Seeing no other nominations, nominations were closed.

Mr. David Brezee was elected President with 7-0 vote.

Board President Brezee presided over the remainder of the meeting.

The nominations for Board Vice President were opened by Board President Brezee.

Mrs. DiMaggio was nominated by Mrs. Zohn. Seeing no other nominations, nominations were closed.

Mrs. DiMaggio was elected Vice President with a 7-0 vote.

The Board discussed the open positions as noted in F.1., F.2. and F.3. At this time the board only moved motion F.2. Items F.1, and F.3. will be voted at the January 22, 2019 board meeting.

VII. Annual Reorganization Action Items

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mr. Bellmann and approved by a 7-0 roll call vote, the board approved reorganizational agenda items A. through E., F.2, F.4., F.5 and G. through J.

A. Policies

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves adoption of current Board Policies & Bylaws for the Calendar Year 2019.

B. Service Appointments

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following:

1. The Echoes-Sentinel as the official school district newspaper for the Calendar Year 2019.

2. The Courier News and Star-Ledger as official alternate newspapers to be used in lieu of the Echoes-Sentinel, when necessary, for the Calendar Year 2019.

3. TAP into Warren and the Echoes-Sentinel (online version) as official electronic news sources for the Calendar Year 2019.

4. The appointment of Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC as Board Attorneys for the Calendar Year 2019 at an hourly rate of $150 (non fair and open), at an approximate total cost not to exceed $50,000.

5. The appointment of Sciarrillo, Cornell, Merlino, McKeever & Osborne, as limited counsel for ongoing construction and Special Education matters for the Calendar Year 2019 at an hourly rate of $165 (non fair and open), at an approximate total cost not to exceed $15,000.

6. The appointment of Parette Somjen Architects, LLC as the architect of record (non fair and open) for the Calendar Year 2019, at an approximate total cost not to exceed $30,000, at the following hourly rates:

a) Principal $164

b) Partner $164

c) Director $154

d) Senior Associate $154

e) Associate $143

and additional rates and terms as specified in the contract.

C. Board Meeting Dates

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following list of meetings for the Calendar Year 2019.

WARREN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

2019 MEETING SCHEDULE

(NOTE: All meetings will be held on a Monday in the Library at the Middle School unless otherwise noted)

DATE	TIME
January 7, 2019 REORGANIZATION	7:00pm
January 22, 2019 TUESDAY	6:00pm
February 4, 2019	7:00pm
February 19, 2019 TUESDAY	7:00pm (at WS)
March 11, 2019	7:00pm
March 25, 2019	7:00pm (at CS)
April 8, 2019	7:00pm (at ALT)
April 22, 2019	7:00pm (at MH)
May 6, 2019	7:00pm
May 20, 2019	7:00pm
June 3, 2019	7:00pm
June 17, 2019	7:00pm
July 15, 2019	4:00pm
August 19, 2019	7:00pm
September 3, 2019 TUESDAY	7:00pm
September 16, 2019	7:00pm
October 7, 2019	7:00pm
October 28, 2019	7:00pm
November 11, 2019	7:00pm
November 25, 2019	7:00pm
December 16, 2019	7:00pm
January 6, 2020 REORGANIZATION	7:00pm

D. Board Member Code of Ethics

RESOLVED, the Board of Education acknowledges that each Board Member has received a copy of the Code of Ethics as follows:

1. I will uphold and enforce all laws, state board rules and regulations, and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes should be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures.

2. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools which meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing.

3. I will confine my board action to policy making, planning, and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.

4. I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.

5. I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action which may compromise the board.

6. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends.

7. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. But in all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its schools.

8. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the Superintendent.

9. I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.

10. I will refer all complaints to the Superintendent and will act on such complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administra

E. District Mission Statement

RESOLVED, the Board of Education readopts the district’s mission statement as follows:

“The mission of the Warren Township School District is to provide, through a safe, nurturing yet challenging environment, all students with an outstanding education that engages students and fosters academic excellence, healthy social and emotional development, and a lifelong passion for learning.”

F. Appointments

1. The election of __________________ as Board Representative to the NJSBA Delegate Assembly for the Calendar Year 2019 and the election of ___________________ as the alternate.

2. The election of Aaron Bellish as the Board Representative to the Somerset County Educational Services Commission for the Calendar Year 2019 and the election of Marc Franco as the alternate.

3. The election of _______________ as Board Representative to the Watchung Hills Municipal Alliance Committee for the Calendar Year 2019 and the election of ___________________ as the alternate.

4. The appointment of the Superintendent of Schools as the Board Representative to the Morris Union Jointure Commission Board of Education for the Calendar Year 2019.

5. The appointment of the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education president as liaisons to the Warren Township committee.

G. Evaluation Instruments

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education readopts district evaluation systems as follows:

● Kim Marshall Principal Evaluation system as evaluation system for building administrators as well as curriculum supervisors.

● Danielson Framework for Teaching as evaluation systems for the district's teaching staff.

H. Independent Educational Evaluations

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby establish the maximum reasonable and customary rates for Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) as per Policy 2468 for the 2018-2019 School Year as follows:

Evaluation Type	Rate
Speech and Language	$600
Occupational Therapy	$600
Physical Therapy	$600
Educational	$600
Psychological	$600
Neurodevelopmental	$850
Neurological	$850
Psychiatric	$850
Assistive Technology Assessment	$950
Augmentative Communication Assessment	$950

I. 2019-2020 School Year Tuition Rates

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2019-2020

tuition rates.

● Kindergarten- Grade 5: $12,240

● Grades 6 - 8: $14,280

J. 2019-2020 School Year Tuition Rates for Employees’ Children

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2019-2020 tuition rates for children of staff members.

● Kindergarten- Grade 8: $4,080

**********End of Reorganization Items**********

VIII. Minutes

Mrs. DiMaggio moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the December 11, 2018 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Bellman approved by 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Taylor abstained.)

IX. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

· Suspension Report

In School:

Out of School:

· Fire Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
December 3	December 3	December 12	December 17	December 4

· Security Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
December 18	December 19	December 19	December 6	December 6
Active Shooter	Active Shooter	Active Shooter	Active Shooter	Active Shooter

X. President's Remarks - Mr. David Brezee

Newly re-elected Board President Brezee wished all a Happy New Year.

Mr. Brezee asked that all board members let him know of their committee preference by end of day Tuesday, including willingness to chair.

XI. Superintendent’s Remarks - Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle welcomed all, especially new board members, and congratulated the board’s officers.

Dr. Mingle discussed the successful realtor Open House held earlier in the day at the Warren Middle School.

XII. Public Hearing

● Policy 2361 - Acceptable Use of Computer Networks/Computers and Resources - There were no comments.

XIII. Presentations

● 2017-2018 Preliminary Audit - Steven J. McDermott, Suplee, Clooney & Company -

Mr. McDermott presented the results of the 2017-2018 audit, which awaits governmental data before finalization.

XIV. Discussion

N/A

XV. Committee Reports

N/A

XVI. 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

XVII. Items for Board Consideration/Action

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Taylor, the consent items A.1., B.1., B.2., and C.1., through C.8., were approved by a 7-0 roll-call vote.

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 December 11, 2018.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the period December 12, 2018 through December 31, 2018 in the amount of $3,584,619.72.

B.2. Transportation Contracts for Out of District Students

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transportation contracts with Somerset County Educational Services Commission for 2018-2019 School year transportation for out of district students as follows:

Contractor	Student ID#	School	Cost
SCESC	4822586417	Spectrum 360	$37,220
SCESC	1405701923	Cambridge School	$35,264

(This motion supersedes original motion from Sept. 4, 2018.)

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

Laura Colantoni

Leave Replacement Science Teacher

$58,855

9/20/2018 -3/29/2019

(This motion supersedes previous motion August 20, 2018.)

Replacing employee #2684

Melissa (Silva) Felicio

Leave Replacement Speech Therapist

WMS

MA+30

$71,658 (prorated)

2/19/2019 - 5/15/2019

Replacing employee #3323

C.2. Substitute Teacher

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

Name

Felber, Kimberly

C. 3. Long Term Substitutes

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

Name

Effective Date

Discussion

Kimberly Felber

1/2/2019 - 3/1/2019

For employee #1128

Tam Quach

12/7/2018 - 2/25/2019

(This motion supersedes the previous motion approved December 11, 2018.)

For employee #1952

C.4. Leave Request

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

Employee ID	Paid/Unpaid
2280	FMLA - April 29, 2019 through June 30, 2019 (paid) NJFLA - August 28, 2019 through October 8, 2019 (unpaid)
1120	FMLA - February 7, 2019 through April 5, 2019 (paid)
2737	FMLA - January 2, 2019 through January 11, 2019 (paid)
1952	FMLA - November 21, 2018 through January 11, 2019 (paid) FMLA - January 14, 2019 through January 22, 2019 (unpaid) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved December 11, 2018.)
3228	FMLA - December 14, 2018 through January 1, 2019 (paid) FMLA - January 2, 2019 through January 22, 2019 (unpaid)
2963	FMLA - October 5, 2018 through November 21, 2018 (paid) FMLA - November 26, 2018 through January 4, 2019 (unpaid) Extended Leave - January 7, 2019 through January 28, 2019 (unpaid)
3043	FMLA - October 15, 2018 through November 1, 2018 (paid) FMLA - November 1, 2018 through January 11, 2019 (unpaid Extended Leave January 14, 2019 through January 28, 2019 (unpaid)
3282	October 15, 2018 through January 31, 2019 (unpaid with benefits) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved December 11, 2018.)
2530	FMLA - March 1, 2019 through April 12, 2019 (unpaid with benefits) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved June 18, 2018.)
1128	FMLA - October 29, 2018 - through January 28, 2019 (paid) Extended Leave - January 29, 2019 through March 1, 2019 (paid) (This motion supersedes the previous motion approved December 11, 2018.)
2766	FMLA - January 22, 2019 through March 4, 2019 (unpaid with benefits)

C.5. After School Clubs and Activities

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adjusts the stipend amount of the following Clubs/Club Leaders at Warren Middle School:

Name	Club	New Amount
Dan Ticchio	Ping Pong	$735
Vivien Plesmid	Ping Pong	$735
Lauren Regal	Yearbook	$588
Cynthia Cassidy	Yearbook	$882

C.6. Bus Arrival Supervision

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Bus Arrival Supervisors at Warren Middle School, at a prorated stipend amount of $500 per marking period, per staff member:

Name	Amount	Effective Date
Lauren Regal	$783	9/1/18-12/31/18
Sangita Oboh	$1,217	1/1/19-6/30/19

C.7. 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 $3,300.

Staff Member	Course	Date	Prep Hours	Instructor Hours	Cost Total
Michelle Barbagallo	Cueing vs prompting the hierarchy and how to fade	Jan 17, 2019	1.5	0.5	$100
Frances Blabolil	Perspectives on Autism	Jan 17, 2019	6	2	$400
Frances Blabolil	Topics in Special Education: Learning Disabilities- Diagnosis and Remediation	Feb 21, 2019	3	1	$200
Frances Blabolil	Understanding Psychological and Educational Assessment: What the Educator Needs to Know	Jan 24, 2019	3	1	$200
Chris Burkhardt	BrainPOP - Make-a-Movie	Jan 14, 2019	1	1	$100
Cynthia Cassidy	Nearpod	Feb 11, 2019	3	1	$200
Rebecca Hartman	Perspectives on Autism	Jan 17, 2019	6	2	$400
Rebecca Hartman	Topics in Special Education: Learning Disabilities- Diagnosis and Remediation	Feb 21, 2019	3	1	$200
Rebecca Hartman	Understanding Psychological and Educational Assessment: What the Educator Needs to Know	Jan 24, 2019	3	1	$200
Simone Miller	NGSS Formative assessments in student inquiry	Jan 14 and 28, 2019	6	2	$400
Michelle Zgombic	Encore: Google Earth and Maps	Mar 7, 2019	4.5	1.5	$300
Michelle Zgombic	Let's Get Organized! Part II GCalendar and GKeep	Jan 24, 2019	4.5	1.5	$300
Michelle Zgombic	Video Creation Using Screencastify and WeVideo	Feb 27, 2019	4.5	1.5	$300

C.8. Additional Hours

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

Name	Student #	Club/Purpose	Starting Date	Cost
Nancy Lauber	8433407152	Gold Band	March 4, 2019	$255

XVIII. Unfinished Business

XIX. New Business

N/A

XX. Public Commentary (any topic)

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.

N/A

XXI. Executive Session

At 7:31 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:

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

specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session; and

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 Mr. Bellmann and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the Board reconvened in open session at 7:50 p.m.

XXII. Adjourn

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

7:51 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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