Minutes for December 16, 2019
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, 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, Lisa DiMaggio, Marc Franco, Jeannine Sarosy,
Ayanna Taylor-Venson, Patricia Zohn and David Brezee
Absent: Aaron Bellish and Naresh Chand
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 executive session minutes of the November 25, 2019 Board Meeting.
The motion was seconded by Mrs. Zohn and approved by 6-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. Sarosy abstained.)
V. Correspondence and Information
· HIB Information
|
Total # of Investigations: |
0 |
Total # of Determined Bullying Incidents: |
0 |
· Suspension Report
|
In School: |
0 |
Out of School: |
0 |
· Fire Drills
| ALT | Central | Mt. Horeb | Woodland | Middle |
| November 11 | November 11 | November 11 | November 11 | November 20 |
· Security Drills
| ALT | Central | Mt. Horeb | Woodland | Middle |
| November 22 | November 21 | November 25 | November 22 | November 15 |
| Bomb Threat | Bomb Threat | Bomb Threat | Bomb Threat | Bomb Threat |
VI. President's Remarks – Mr. David Brezee
Mr. Brezee welcomed all and thanked Administration for the holiday treats. He also
thanked all for their work this past year, including Board members and all staff. Lastly, Mr. Brezee referenced his meeting with Mr. Bisci, as well as Dr. Mingle and Mrs. Leonhardt, as part of the new board member orientation.
VII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle
At this the last meeting of the year, Dr. Mingle wished all Happy Holidays.
VIII. Presentation
● Strategic Planning Update - Dr. Mingle presented an overview of the timeline. Mr. Ben Shuldiner and Dr. Rebecca Stilwell of Orgwell Global provided an overview of the collected data and the proposed areas of focus. The Board asked follow up questions.
● Recognition of Service - Mr. Brezee honored outgoing board member Mrs. Sarosy, reading a Resolution of Appreciation.
IX. Discussion
N/A
X. Committee Reports
● Strategic Planning AdHoc Committee - Dr. Mingle reported on the evening’s meeting.
XI. 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:
- 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;
- 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;
- No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard;
- 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
XII. Items for Board Consideration/Action
On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the consent items A.1., through A.4., B.1. through B.5., C.1. through C.9., and D.1. were approved by a 7-0 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 25, 2019.
A.2. Bedside Instruction
RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the following bedside instructions:
● Union County Educational Services Commission of New Jersey for Student #2725435926, for the period January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020, at a weekly rate of $755, at a cost not to exceed $18,875.
● Saint Clare’s Hospital (Children’s Crisis Intervention Services) for Student #4137825245, starting December 11, 2019 for up to 10 hours, at a rate of $55 per hour, at a cost not to exceed $550.
A.3. Field Trip Destinations
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following field trip destination for the 2019-2020 School Year:
● Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School
● Manheim Middle School - Lancaster, PA
● Advance Realty - Bedminster, NJ
● Green Brook Middle School
A.4. Tuition Contract
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves tuition contracts with the Berkeley Heights School District for students #621961 and #621373 to attend Warren schools at a tuition rate of $29,016.48, effective December 4, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
B. Finance/Operations/Transportation
B.1. Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the period December 1, 2019 through December 16, 2019 in the amount of $3,824,266.86.
B.2. Partial Payment of Bills
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary, pursuant to Policy 6470, to audit pending bills and claims, to pay qualifying bills and claims within approved budget line item amounts, from December 17, 2019 to December 31, 2019, and to submit those bills to the Board of Education for approval at its first meeting in January 2020.
B.3. Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Report
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has received the report of the secretary for the month of November, 2019; and
WHEREAS, this report shows the following balances on November 30, 2019:
|
FUND |
CASH BALANCE |
APPROPRIATION BALANCE |
FUND BALANCE |
|
(10) General Current Expense Fund |
$12,139,720.49 |
$1,063,861.93 |
|
|
(10) General Current Expense |
$38,614.00 |
||
|
(11) Current Expense |
$2,442,368.62 |
||
|
(12) Capital Outlay |
$71,769.94 |
||
|
(13) Special Schools |
$17,963.43 |
||
|
(20) Special Revenue Fund |
($48,364.12) |
$46,702.96 |
$0.00 |
|
(30) Capital Projects Fund |
$4,736,502.48 |
($848,787.82) |
($1,763,502.48) |
|
(40) Debt Service Fund |
$60,336.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
TOTAL GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS |
$16,888,194.85 |
$1,768,631.13 |
($699,640.55) |
|
(60) Milk Fund |
$14,578.46 |
$ (26,000.00) |
$ 5,198.02 |
|
(61) Juice and Water Fund |
$5,278.06 |
$ (11,000.00) |
$ 1,811.56 |
|
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS |
$19,856.52 |
($37,000.00) |
$7,009.58 |
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.4. Budget Transfers for the Month of November 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. |
11-000-216-100-030-03-00 |
Salaries - Speech & OT - CS |
11-230-100-101-040-05-00 |
Salaries - Basic Skills - ALT |
$33,200 |
|
2. |
11-000-217-320-035-08-00 |
Extraord. Svcs. - Purchased Professional Services - MHS |
11-209-100-106-040-05-00 |
Salaries - SEED Aides - ALT |
$5,775 |
|
3. |
11-000-223-500-033-12-00 |
Staff Training - Other Purchased Services - MS |
11-190-100-640-033-12-00 |
Textbooks - Series Replacement - MS |
$60 |
|
4. |
11-000-223-500-035-04-00 |
Staff Training - Other Purchased Services - MHS |
11-190-100-610-035-04-10 |
Instructional Supplies - MHS |
$300 |
|
5. |
11-000-223-580-035-04-00 |
Workshops & Travel - MHS |
11-190-100-610-035-04-10 |
Instructional Supplies - MHS |
$1,000 |
|
6. |
11-000-230-630-000-01-00 |
BOE - Meeting Supplies |
11-000-230-610-000-01-00 |
Administration - Supplies |
$25 |
|
7. |
11-000-230-820-000-00-00 |
Judgments Against the District |
11-000-291-270-000-00-00 |
Health Benefits |
$30,000 |
|
8. |
11-000-261-610-050-00-06 |
Library Renovations - WS |
11-000-222-600-035-00-10 |
Library Supplies - Renos - MHS |
$352 |
|
9. |
11-000-261-610-050-00-06 |
Library Renovations - WS |
11-000-222-600-050-00-10 |
Library Supplies - Renos - WS |
$245 |
|
10. |
11-000-261-610-050-00-06 |
Library Renovations - WS |
11-000-240-600-050-06-10 |
Admin. Supplies - WS |
$633 |
|
11. |
11-000-261-610-050-00-06 |
Library Renovations - WS |
11-000-261-420-040-00-05 |
Library Renos - ALT |
$2,303 |
|
12. |
11-000-261-610-050-00-06 |
Library Renovations - WS |
11-000-291-270-000-00-00 |
Health Benefits |
$2,035 |
|
13. |
11-000-270-107-000-10-00 |
Salaries - Transportation - Bus Aides |
11-000-270-161-000-10-00 |
Salaries - Special Ed Transportation |
$91,601 |
|
14. |
11-190-100-800-030-03-00 |
Field Trip Admission - CS |
11-190-100-610-030-03-10 |
Instructional Supplies - CS |
$480 |
|
15. |
11-190-100-800-035-04-00 |
Field Trip Admission - MHS |
11-190-100-610-035-04-10 |
Instructional Supplies - MHS |
$240 |
|
16. |
11-190-100-800-040-05-00 |
Field Trip Admission - ALT |
11-190-100-610-040-05-10 |
Instructional Supplies - ALT |
$400 |
|
17. |
11-190-100-800-050-06-00 |
Field Trip Admission - WS |
11-190-100-610-050-06-10 |
Instructional Supplies - WS |
$250 |
|
18. |
11-213-100-101-033-07-00 |
Salaries - RC Teachers - MS |
11-204-100-101-033-07-00 |
Salaries - LLD Teachers - MS |
$25,000 |
|
19. |
11-213-100-106-050-06-00 |
Salaries - RC Aides - WS |
11-000-217-106-050-06-02 |
Extraordinary Salaries-Paras-WS |
$17,000 |
|
20. |
11-213-100-106-050-06-00 |
Salaries - RC Aides - WS |
11-209-100-106-040-05-00 |
Salaries - SEED Aides - ALT |
$24,000 |
|
21. |
11-214-100-500-033-08-00 |
Autism - Purchased Svcs. - MS |
11-214-100-610-033-08-00 |
Autism Supplies - MS |
$195 |
|
22. |
11-214-100-800-033-08-00 |
Autism - Field Trips - MS |
11-214-100-610-033-08-00 |
Autism Supplies - MS |
$152 |
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 |
|
Derek Ressa |
BOE |
Affirmative Action Officer Certificate, Winter 2020 |
Monroe |
Jan 2020 |
$469 |
|
Susan Cooper |
MS |
National Academic Quiz Tournaments |
Lancaster, PA |
Jan 2020 |
$290 |
|
Andrew Ahimovic |
MH |
2020 New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Annual Conference |
Long Branch |
Feb 2020 |
$349 |
|
John Tsihlas |
WS |
2020 New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Annual Conference |
Long Branch |
Feb 2020 |
$353 |
|
Frances Blabolil |
CS |
Other Health Impaired |
New Providence |
Feb 2020 |
$153 |
|
Frances Blabolil |
CS |
Building Success Strategies through the I&RS Team |
New Providence |
Jan 2020 |
$153 |
|
Lance Riegler |
MS |
New Jersey Techspo |
Atlantic City |
Jan 2020 |
$233 |
|
Sean Convery |
MS |
New Jersey Association for Middle Level Education Conference 2020 |
Union |
Mar 2020 |
$152 |
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.
C. Personnel/Student Services
C.1. Warren Staff 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 $1,500.00
|
Name |
Course |
Date |
Prep Hours |
Instructor Hours |
Cost Total |
|
Danielle Buzby |
Everything you've always wanted to know about Vaping |
Jan 27 and Feb 3, 2020 |
6 |
2 |
$400 |
|
Christine Cirrotti |
Using TED Talks in the Classroom |
Jan 2, 2020 |
3 |
1 |
$200 |
|
Francesca Frosoni |
Reading Workshop Basics |
Feb 13 and 20, 2020 |
6 |
2 |
$400 |
|
Michele Lepore |
Everything you've always wanted to know about Vaping |
Jan 27 and Feb 3, 2020 |
6 |
2 |
$400 |
|
Jessica Nathan |
Classroom Culture Learning Strand |
Jan 23, 2020 |
1 |
1 |
$100 |
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.
|
Name |
|
Eliana Glassman |
|
Alex Overzat |
|
Donna Caira |
|
Sherry Fahs |
C.3. Transfer/Change in Assignment
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer/change in
assignment of the following district staff:
|
Name |
Effective Date |
From |
To |
|
Theresa Aulisio |
December 17, 2019 through June 30, 2020 |
1:1 Paraprofessional, CS, 32.5 hours 08-30-08/bji |
1:1 Paraprofessional, MS, 32.5 hours 08-33-08/biy |
C.4. Leave Request
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following leave requests:
|
Employee ID |
Paid/Unpaid |
|
#2283 |
FMLA - March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020 (paid) NJFLA - May 16, 2020 through June 19, 2020 (unpaid) NJFLA - August 31, 2020 through October 16, 2020 (unpaid) Extended child rearing leave - October 17, 2020 through November 1, 2020 (unpaid) |
C.5. Warren Middle School Musical
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following personnel and stipend in the amount of $1,470 in support of the Warren Middle School production:
|
Name |
Position |
|
Grace Logue |
Choreographer |
C.6. Job Description
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following job description:
|
Position |
|
Security Maintenance Technician |
C.7. Approval to Create Position
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of the following positions for 2019-2020:
|
Location |
Position |
Full-Time Equivalent |
|
District |
Security Maintenance Technician 04-00-A3/bky |
1.0 |
C.8. Warren Middle School Stipend Position 2019-2020
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following stipend position for the 2019 - 2020 school year as per the WTEA agreement:
|
Name |
Position |
Discussion |
|
Celeste Ostry |
A.M. Bus Duty, 2nd marking period. |
To replace Emily Puhak, effective December 16, 2019. (prorated) |
C.9. Special Education Service Provider List
RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the addition of Union County Educational Services Commission, to the Service Provider List for Group Speech Therapy, at a rate of $25 per 30 minute group session, and Individual Speech Therapy at a rate of $78 per 30 minute individual session, for the 2019-2020 School Year.
D. Policy
D.1. Policies – Second Reading
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the second reading of the following policies:
|
Number |
Name |
New/Revision |
Source of Changes |
|
1642 |
Earned Sick Leave |
N |
SEA |
|
3159 |
Teaching Staff Member/School District Reporting Responsibilities |
R |
SEA |
|
3218 |
Use, Possession or Distribution of Substances (Teaching Staff Members) |
R |
SEA |
|
4218 |
Use, Possession or Distribution of Substances (Support Staff Members) |
R |
SEA |
|
4219 |
Commercial Driver’s License Controlled Substance and Alcohol Use Testing |
R |
SEA |
|
6112 |
Reimbursement of Federal and Other Grant Expenditures |
R |
SEA |
|
8630 |
Bus Driver/Bus Aide Responsibility |
R |
SEA |
|
8670 |
Transportation of Special Needs Students |
R |
SEA |
|
9210 |
Parent Organizations |
R |
SEA |
|
9400 |
Media Relations |
R |
SEA |
XIII. Unfinished Business
N/A
XIV. New Business
N/A
XV. Public Commentary (any topic)
N/A
XVI. Executive Session
● At 7:36 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.
Action may 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. Franco and approved by unanimous voice vote.
On motion by Mrs. DiMaggio, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:03 p.m.
XVII. Adjourn
On motion by Mrs. Sarosy, seconded by Mrs. Zohn, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Minutes submitted by,
Patricia Leonhardt
Board Secretary
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