Minutes for September 16, 2019History 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, 2019. 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: Christian Bellmann, Naresh Chand, Lisa DiMaggio, Marc Franco,

Ayanna Taylor-Venso, Patricia Zohn and David Brezee

Absent: Aaron Bellish

Also Present: Dr. Matthew Mingle, Superintendent, and Patricia Leonhardt,

Board Secretary, and members of the public and press.

Jeannine Sarosy arrived at 7:06 p.m.

V. Minutes

● Mrs. DiMaggio moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the August 19, 2019 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Zohn and approved by 5-0-2 roll-call vote. (Mr. Bellmann and Mrs. Taylor abstained.)

● Mrs. DiMaggio moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and private session minutes of the September 3, 2019 Board Meeting.

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

VI. Correspondence and Information

· HIB Information

Total # of Investigations:

0

Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents:

0

· Suspension Report

In School:

0

Out of School:

0

VII. President's Remarks – Mr. David Brezee

Mr. Brezee welcomed all and shared that he had attended the first PTO Presidents’ meeting of the year. He thanked the presidents for all the PTOs accomplish for the benefit of the district’s students.

VIII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle also welcomed all and let everyone know about an elementary school PTO event to be held Saturday, September 21st from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Meadowbrook Country Day Camp.

Dr. Mingle thanked Mrs. Brown for her successful grant efforts (motion B.4.).

IX. Presentation

● Security Update - Mr. Ron Berry provided an overview of district security initiatives.

X. Discussion

N/A

XI. Committee Reports

● Finance, Operations, Security Committee - Mr. Bellmann reported on the meeting which discussed 2020 SEHBP rates, 2020-21 Budget Calendar, committee goals, the status of construction projects, and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

XII. Public Commentary (agenda items only)

Note on public input at BOE meetings: Board Policy #0167, adopted on June 18, 2018, provides for 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, address, and group affiliation, if applicable;
  2. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes’ duration. If necessary, the public comment portion of the meeting may be extended fifteen minutes with Board approval;
  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;
  4. All statements, questions, or inquiries shall be directed to the presiding officer and any questions or inquiries directed by a participant to another Board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer who shall determine if such statement, question, or inquiry shall be addressed by the presiding officer on behalf of the Board;

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 commented on motion B.7., crediting the teacher.

Mrs. Taylor asked a question regarding B.2.

Dr. Chand asked a question regarding motion B.7., and asked that it be pulled for a separate vote.

Mr. Franco asked a question regarding C.10. This led to an extended discussion of co-curricula offerings across the elementary schools.

Mrs. Sarosy asked a question regarding B.9.

Dr. Chand asked questions regarding B.2., the Board Secretary report and the bill list.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mr. Bellmann, the consent items A.1. through A.3., B.1. through B.6., B.8., through B.9., and C.1. through C.12., were approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mr. Brezee, the consent item B.7., was approved by a 7-1 roll-call vote. (Dr. Chand voted no.)

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 3, 2019.

A.2. Curriculum, Communications, and Technology Committee Goal - 2019-2020

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following goal for the

Curriculum, Communications, and Technology Committee for the 2019-2020 school year:

● Support the administration in developing programs and practices that support each student and staff member in learning about and practicing a lifestyle that is socially, emotionally, and mentally healthy.

A.3. Out-of-District Placements

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-district placement for Student #3138342376 to P.G. Chambers School, beginning on October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, at a cost of $66,579.56.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the month of September 2019 in the amount of $3,249,697.92.

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 July, 2019; and

WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on July 31, 2019:

FUND

CASH BALANCE

APPROPRIATION BALANCE

FUND BALANCE

(10) General Current Expense Fund

$8,420,064.96

$1,063,861.93

(10) General Current Expense

$0.00

(11) Current Expense

$2,095,477.99

(12) Capital Outlay

$223,703.36

(13) Special Schools

$2,435.63

(20) Special Revenue Fund

$71,790.04

$22,133.77

$0.00

(30) Capital Projects Fund

$6,224,790.48

$2,340,950.75

($1,763,502.48)

(40) Debt Service Fund

$60,336.00

$0.00

$0.00

TOTAL

$14,776,981.48

$4,684,701.50

($699,640.55)

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 the Month of July 2019

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 6422:

TO:

FROM:

1.

11-000-217-320-033-08-00

Extraord. Svcs.-Purch. Prof. Svcs.-MS

11-000-100-566-000-08-01

Tuition - Private Schools

$22,000

2.

11-000-218-500-030-12-00

Guidance - Other Purch. Svcs. - CS

11-190-100-640-030-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement- CS

$450

3.

11-000-218-500-033-12-00

Guidance - Other Purch. Svcs. - MS

11-190-100-640-035-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement- MS

$1,800

4.

11-000-218-500-035-12-00

Guidance -Other Purch. Svcs.-MHS

11-190-100-640-035-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement-MH

$450

5.

11-000-218-500-040-12-00

Guidance -Other Purch. Svcs. -ALT

11-190-100-640-040-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement-ALT

$450

6.

11-000-218-500-050-12-00

Guidance - Other Purch. Svcs. -WS

11-190-100-640-050-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement-WS

$450

7.

11-000-223-500-030-12-00

Staff Training-Other Purch. Svcs.-CS

11-190-100-640-030-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement -CS

$1,300

8.

11-000-223-500-033-12-00

Staff Training-Other Purch. Svcs. - MS

11-190-100-640-035-12-00

Textbooks Series Replacement -MS

$1,300

9.

11-000-223-500-035-12-00

Staff Training-Other Purch. Svcs.-MH

11-190-100-640-035-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement-MH

$1,300

10.

11-000-223-500-040-12-00

Staff Training-Other Purch. Svcs.- ALT

11-190-100-640-040-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement-ALT

$1,300

11.

11-000-223-500-050-12-00

Staff Training-Other Purch. Svcs. - WS

11-190-100-640-050-12-00

Textbooks-Series Replacement-WS

$1,300

12.

11-000-230-590-000-01-00

Admin. - Other Purchased Services

11-000-291-270-000-00-00

Health Benefits

$6,600

13.

11-000-240-800-035-04-00

Principal Dues - Mt. Horeb

11-000-240-600-035-04-10

Admin. Supplies - Mt. Horeb

$45

14.

11-000-252-600-000-11-01

Admin. Technology - Supplies

12-000-252-730-000-11-01

Equipment - Technology

$49,985

15.

11-000-262-300-000-09-00

Purchased Prof. & Tech. Svcs.-Maint.

11-000-262-610-000-09-00

Building Supplies - Maintenance

$5,000

16.

11-000-270-512-033-07-01

Sports & Music Trips - Middle

11-000-240-600-033-07-10

Admin Supplies - Middle

$275

17.

11-000-270-800-000-10-00

Transportation - Other

11-000-270-420-000-10-00

Transportation - Repair & Maint,.

$1,000

18.

11-000-291-260-000-00-00

Workers Compensation

11-000-100-566-000-08-01

Tuition - Private Schools

$19,554

19.

11-190-100-500-030-03-00

Other Purchased Services - Central

11-190-100-610-030-03-10

Instructional Supplies - CS

$2,184

20.

11-190-100-500-035-04-00

Other Purchased Services - MHSb

11-190-100-610-035-04-10

Instructional Supplies - MHS

$2,638

21.

11-190-100-500-040-05-00

Other Purchased Services - ALT

11-190-100-610-040-05-10

Instructional Supplies - ALT

$1,698

22.

11-190-100-500-050-06-00

Other Purchased Services - WS

11-190-100-610-050-06-10

Instructional Supplies - WS

$2,770

23.

11-190-100-500-033-07-00

Other Purchased Services - Middle

11-000-218-600-033-07-00

Guidance Supplies - Middle

$1,250

24.

11-190-100-500-033-07-00

Other Purchased Services - Middle

11-000-240-580-033-07-00

Travel - Middle

$750

25.

11-190-100-500-033-07-00

Other Purchased Services - Middle

11-000-240-600-033-07-10

Admin Supplies - Middle

$1,000

26.

11-190-100-500-033-07-00

Other Purchased Services - Middle

11-190-100-800-033-07-00

Field Trip Admission - MS

$1,000

27.

11-190-100-500-030-11-01

Other Purchased Svcs. - Tech - CS

12-000-252-730-000-11-01

Equipment - Technology

$1,000

28.

11-190-100-500-035-11-01

Other Purchased Svcs.- Tech -MHS

12-000-252-730-000-11-01

Equipment - Technology

$1,000

29.

11-190-100-500-040-11-01

Other Purchased Svcs. - Tech - ALT

12-000-252-730-000-11-01

Equipment - Technology

$1,000

30.

11-190-100-500-050-11-01

Other Purchased Svcs. - Tech - WS

12-000-252-730-000-11-01

Equipment - Technology

$1,000

31.

11-213-100-500-030-08-00

RC - Purchased Services - CS

11-213-100-610-030-08-00

RC - Supplies - CS

$420

32.

11-213-100-500-033-08-00

RC - Purchased Services - MS

11-213-100-610-033-08-00

RC - Supplies - MS

$420

33.

11-213-100-500-035-08-00

RC - Purchased Services - MHS

11-213-100-610-035-08-00

RC - Supplies - MHS

$20

34.

11-213-100-500-040-08-00

RC - Purchased Services - ALT

11-213-100-610-040-08-00

RC - Supplies - ALT

$20

35.

11-213-100-500-050-08-00

RC - Purchased Services - WS

11-213-100-610-050-08-00

RC - Supplies - WS

$20

36.

11-214-100-500-030-08-00

Autism- Other Purchased Svcs. -CS

11-214-100-610-030-08-00

Autism Supplies - CS

$1,225

37.

11-214-100-500-033-08-00

Autism- Other Purchased Svcs.-MS

11-214-100-610-033-08-00

Autism Supplies - MS

$156

38.

11-216-100-500-035-08-00

PSD - Other Purch. Svcs. - MHS

11-216-100-600-035-08-00

PSD - Supplies - MHS

$1,765

B.4. Acceptance of Grant Award

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Grant Monies from the Municipal Youth Services Commission totaling $12,124:

a. Diversity Club - $2,676

b. Mind, Body, Spirit Teen Club - $2,324

c. SAVE Promise Club - $2,576

d. Boys Council - $2,274

e. Girls Council - $2,274

B.5. Travel Approval

Whereas, in accordance with State of New Jersey School District Accountability Act (A-5) and the Warren Township Schools’ Policy 6471-School District Travel, 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

Patricia Iannacone

CS

New Jersey International Dyslexia Association

Somerset

Oct 2019

$235

Alison Tugya

CS

Responsive Classroom Leadership Seminar

New York, NY

Dec 2019

$199

Alyssa Pech

CS

Responsive Classroom Leadership Seminar

New York, NY

Dec 2019

$199

Christine Burkhardt

MH

New Jersey Association of School Librarians

East Brunswick

Dec 2019

$265

Jessica Halpern

MS

Beyond Decoding; Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Learners with Dyslexia

Somerset

Oct 2019

$235

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.6. Finance, Operations, and Security Committee Goal - 2019-2020

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following goal for the

Finance, Operations, and Security Committee for the 2019-2020 school year:

● Collaborate with the administration to support the implementation of consistent safety and security procedures and practices throughout the district.

● Advise the board on the development of a five-year capital improvement plan.

● Advise the board regarding the development of the 2020-2021 budget.

● Review the impact of new residential development on district operations.

B.7. Field Trip Destination

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following field trip destination for the 2019-2020 School Year:

● NYC Chinatown Area

B.8. Contract Approval

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract for the provision of nursing services for Student #3138342376 through Bayada Home Health Care, Inc. for Oct. 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020,. Hourly rate not to exceed $54.50, for an approximate total cost of $72,812.

B.9. Disposal of Obsolete Items

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education declares as obsolete the following items:

Item Type

Serial Number

20 large basket chairs, 1 nurse's cot,

164 student desks, 311 student chairs,

9 rectangular tables, 2 teacher desks, 1 metal bookshelf, 1 wooden rack, 1 metal cabinet,

1 wooden/glass cabinet,

NA

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the sale or disposal of the listed equipment in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A:45 – Sale of Property.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Employment for the 2019-2020 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

Tenure

Discussion

Celeste Ostry

1:1 Paraprofessional, 32.5 hrs

08-33-08/bje

MS

N/A

3

$28,184 (with stipend)

9/17/2019 - 6/30/2020

N

Replacing employee #3404

Theresa Aulisio

1:1 Paraprofessional, 32.5 hrs

08-30-08/bj

CS

N/A

4-8

$26,855

On or about 10/16/2019 - 6/30/2020

N

New Position

C.2. Substitute Teachers

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following to be appointed as substitute teachers for the 2019-2020 school year.

Sara Byrne

Adanna Cooper

Danielle Dekunchak

Terrence MacConnell

Thomas Henry

C.3. Leave Request

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

Employee ID

Paid/Unpaid

#3207

FMLA - 08/28/2019 - 10/8/2019 (paid)

FMLA - 10/9/2019 - 11/15/2019 (unpaid)

Extended Leave - 11/18/2019 - 12/20/2019 (unpaid)

#2258

FMLA - 9/3/2019 - 9/20/2019 (paid)

FMLA - 9/23/2019 - 10/2/2019 (unpaid)

Extended leave - 10/3/2019 - 10/8/2019 (unpaid)

(This motion supersedes previous motion dated 8/19/19.)

C.4. Retirement/Resignation

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the retirement/resignations

of the following staff:

Name

Position

Location

Retirement/

Resignation

Dates of Service

Tatiana Neri

School Nurse

02-50-09/aoj

WS

resignation

8/28/2019 - 11/6/2019

or sooner if applicable.

Lindsay Sheffrin

Special Education Teacher

02-40-19/bch

ALT

resignation

8/28/2019 - 9/13/2019

C.5. Warren Academy Courses Instructor Stipend 2019-2020

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 $4,800.00.

Name

Course

Date

Prep Hours

Instructor Hours

Cost Total

Jessica Nathan

Classroom Culture Learning Strand

Oct 3, Oct 30 and

Dec 4, 2019

9

3

$600.00

Jessica Nathan

Differentiation Learning Strand

Oct 8, Nov 13 and

Dec 12, 2019

9

3

$600.00

Kristen Stoyanov

Math Workshop Learning Strand

Oct 8, Nov 13 and

Dec 18, 2019

9

3

$600.00

Kristen Stoyanov

Reading Workshop Learning Strand

Oct 17, Nov 20, 2019 and

Jan 9,2020

9

3

$600.00

Kristen Stoyanov

Writing Workshop Learning Strand

Oct 23, Dec 4 , 2019 and

Jan 14, 2020

9

3

$600.00

Melissa Smolenski

Student Accountability

Oct 22, Dec 10, 2019 and

Jan 14, 2020

9

3

$600.00

Melissa Smolenski

Reading to Learn

Oct 29, Dec 17, 2019 and

Jan 21, 2020

9

3

$600.00

Melissa Smolenski

The Co-Teaching Classroom

Oct 8, Nov 19, 2019 and

Jan 7, 2020

9

3

$600.00

C.6. WTEA Stipend Positions 2019-2020

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following WTEA stipend positions for the 2019-2020 school year:

Position

Name

Amount

Student Government Advisor

Beverly MacGorman

$1,470

MS Yearbook Club Advisor

Lauren Regal

$735

MS Yearbook Club Advisor

Cynthia Cassidy

(supersedes previous approval on 6/17/2019)

$735

C.7. Supervisor Stipend

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the adjustment of the following position for the 2019-2020 school year: (This recommendation supersedes previous approval on June 17, 2019.)

Club

Name

Amount

Basketball Supervisor

Dave Arnold

$50 per hour (not to exceed 60 hours)

C.8. 2019-2020 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 the needs of identified students in the district’s Title I school(s), which are Central and Mt. Horeb Schools, at a total cost not to exceed $40,800. Cost to be fully funded by ESEA Title I.

Anita Brower

Mary Lou Psak

Christine Burkhardt

Danielle Riccio

Nancy Braunstein

Jolanta Scassera

Carla Cicalese

Rebecca Sutherland

Lauren Farrell

Joan Toth

Denise Kennedy

Kristina Traynor

Sara Kolesar

Michele Wolkun

Joyce Pekarsky

C.9. 2019-2020 Approval of Title I - Extended Day Coordinator

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of the following staff members as Title I Extended Day Coordinator in the district’s Title I school(s), which are Central and Mt. Horeb Schools, at a total stipend cost not to exceed $10,000. Cost to be fully funded by ESEA - Title I.

● Jessica Nathan

C.10. After School Activities/Clubs

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the 2019-2020 after school activities/clubs, and the instructors for each, at the negotiated stipend rate.

C.11. Approval to Create Position

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of the following position for 2019-2020:

Location

Position

PCR

Full-Time Equivalent

Central School

1:1 Paraprofessional

08-30-08/bjl

32.5 hrs

Woodland School

Classroom Paraprofessional

08-50-08/bjr

30 hours

C.12. Transfer of Staff

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer/change in

assignment of the following district staff:

Name

From

To

Effective Date

Stella Wangler

Multi-Duty Paraprofessional,

30 hrs, WS,

08-50-15-bew

Classroom Paraprofessional,

30 hrs, WS,

08-50-08/bjr

9/17/2019 - 6/30/2020

Joseph Scott

Night Custodian, MS, $37,966

04-33-10/aob

Day Head Custodian, WS, $39,466

(with stipend, prorated)

04-50-10/apb

9/13/2019 - on or about 12/13/2019

XIV. Unfinished Business

N/A

XV. New Business

● Middle School Humble and Kind Recognition - Mrs. Taylor commended the Middle School for this endeavor.

XVI. Public Commentary (any topic)

● Mrs. DiMaggio, Brady Road, discussed a Middle School student recognition concern which she hopes can be addressed and improved.

● Board of Education Agenda - The board discussed the planned Executive Session and the evening’s time constraint, Mrs. Zohn made a motion to table the agenda’s Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bellmann and approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote.

XVII. Adjourn

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

8:39 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt
Board Secretary