Warren Township Schools: Minutes for January 6, 2020

Minutes for January 6, 2020 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 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, 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 – 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 School Election, held on November 5, 2019:

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

● Mark Bisci

● Lisa DiMaggio

● Patricia Zohn

IV. Oath of Office

● The Oath of Office was administered to Mr. Bisci, Mrs. DiMaggio and Mrs. Zohn

by Mrs. Leonhardt.

V. Roll Call

Present: Aaron Bellish, Christian Bellmann, Mark Bisci, David Brezee,

Lisa DiMaggio, Marc Franco, Ayanna Taylor-Venson and Patricia Zohn

Absent:

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. Christian Bellmann was nominated by Mr. Marc Franco. Seeing no other nominations, nominations were closed.

Mr. Christian Bellmann was elected President with 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mrs. DiMaggio abstained.)

Board President Bellmann presided over the remainder of the meeting.

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

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

Mrs. Zohn was elected Vice President with a 8-0 vote.

The Board discussed the open positions as noted in F.1., F.2. and F.3.

VII. Annual Reorganization Action Items

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio and approved by a 8-0 roll-call vote, the board approved reorganizational agenda items A., C., through H.

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. Taylor and approved by a 7-0-1 roll-call vote, the board approved reorganizational agenda item B. (Mr. Bisci abstained.)

A. Policies

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves adoption of current Board Policies & Bylaws for the Calendar Year 2020.

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 2020.

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 2020.

3. TAP into Warren and the Echoes-Sentinel (online version) as official electronic news sources for the Calendar Year 2020.

4. The appointment of Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC (non fair and open) as Board Attorneys for the Calendar Year 2020 at the following hourly rates:

a) $160 - Partner

b) $155 - Counsel

c) $150 - Associate

d) $90 - Law clerks and paralegals

at an approximate total cost not to exceed $64,000.

5. The appointment of Parette Somjen Architects, LLC as the architect of record (non fair and open) for the Calendar Year 2020, at an approximate total cost not to exceed $20,000, at the following hourly rates:

a) Principal $165

b) Partner $165

c) Director $155

d) Senior Associate $155

e) Associate $144

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 2020.

WARREN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

2020 MEETING SCHEDULE

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

DATE	TIME
January 6, 2020 REORGANIZATION	7:00pm
January 27, 2020	6:30pm
February 10, 2020	7:00pm (at MH)
February 24, 2020	7:00pm (at WS)
March 9, 2020	7:00pm
March 23, 2020	7:00pm (at CS)
April 13, 2020	7:00pm (at ALT)
April 27, 2020	7:00pm
May 11, 2020	7:00pm
June 8, 2020	7:00pm
June 22, 2020	7:00pm
July 20, 2020	4:00pm
August 17, 2020	7:00pm
September 21, 2020	7:00pm
October 5, 2020	7:00pm
October 19, 2020	7:00pm
November 2, 2020	7:00pm
November 16, 2020	7:00pm
December 14, 2020	7:00pm
January 4, 2021 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 administrative solution.

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 Lisa DiMaggio as Board Representative to the NJSBA Delegate Assembly for the Calendar Year 2020 and the election of David Brezee as the alternate.

2. The election of Mark Bisci as the Board Representative to the Somerset County Educational Services Commission for the Calendar Year 2020 and the election of Patricia Zohn as the alternate.

3. The election of Marc Franco as Board Representative to the Watchung Hills Municipal Alliance Committee for the Calendar Year 2020 and the election of David Brezee 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 2020.

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

G. 2020-2021 School Year Tuition Rates

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2020-2021

tuition rates.

● Kindergarten- Grade 5: $12,485

● Grades 6 - 8: $14,566

H. 2020-2021 School Year Tuition Rates for Employees’ Children

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following as the 2020-2021 tuition rates for children of staff members.

● Kindergarten- Grade 8: $4,162

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

IV. Minutes

● Mrs. Zohn moved the following:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the public and executive session minutes of the December 16, 2019 Board Meeting.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Franco and approved by 6-0-2 roll-call vote. (Mr. Bellish and Mr. Bisci abstained.)

V. 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 10	December 5	December 12	December 6	December 13

· Security Drills

ALT	Central	Mt. Horeb	Woodland	Middle
December 16	December 17	December 16	December 16	December 11
Active Shooter	Active Shooter	Active Shooter	Active Shooter	Active Shooter

VI. President's Remarks – Mr. Christian Bellmann

Newly elected Board President Bellmann hoped all had a good holiday and led all in a moment of silence in memory of recently deceased teacher Wendy Piller.

VII. Superintendent’s Remarks – Dr. Matthew Mingle

Dr. Mingle welcomed new Board of Education member Mark Bisci and welcomed back re-elected board members Lisa DiMaggio and Patricia Zohn.

Dr. Mingle reminded all of Board of Education vacancy for which applications are due to

Mrs. Leonhardt by January 22nd.

Dr. Mingle mentioned that the January 27 meeting will have a start time of 6:30 p.m. for Executive Session. The regular business portion of the meeting is anticipated to begin at

7 p.m.

Dr. Mingle discussed the district’s Strategic Plan, for which there will be a kick off meeting on January 28th.

Dr. Mingle spoke of Mrs. Piller, teaching staff member who passed away over break.

VIII. Presentation

N/A

IX. Discussion

N/A

X. Committee Reports

N/A

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. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the consent items A.1., through A.3., B.1., B.2., and C.1. through C.3., were approved by a 7-0-1 roll-call vote. (Mr. Bisci abstained.)

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mr. Franco, the consent item B.3., was approved by a 6-0-2 roll-call vote. (Mr. Bisci and Mr. Brezee abstained.)

The Superintendent recommends that it be:

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 16, 2019.

A.2. Out-of-District Placement

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the out-of-district placement for Student #6951876656, to Hunterdon Preparatory School beginning on January 2, 2020 through June 30, 2020, at a cost not to exceed $27,988.20.

A.3. Bedside Instruction

RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the bedside instruction through Professional Educational Services, Inc. for Student #4137825245, beginning December 19, 2019, at an hourly rate of $50, at a cost not to exceed $3,000.

B. Finance/Operations/Transportation

B.1. Payment of Bills

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills for the period December 17, 2019 through December 31, 2019 in the amount of $1,507,144.65.

B.2. 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

Michael Pate

B&G

New Jersey School Buildings and Grounds Association

Expo 2019

Atlantic City

Mar 2020

$263

All of the above travel has been approved by the Superintendent. The School Business Administrator shall track and record these costs to

B.3. Middle School Partial Roof Replacement Project - Award

WHEREAS, the Warren Township School District solicited bids for its Middle School Partial Roof Replacement Project as authorized by the Warren Township Board of Education (“Board”) at its November 25, 2019 meeting; and

WHEREAS, the Project was properly advertised to prospective bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-4; and

WHEREAS, on Friday, January 3, 2020 the Board received the following bids from potential bidders in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A:18A-1, et seq.;

	Base	Alt	Total
Barrett Roofs DISQUALIFIED	$944,000	$32,000	$976,000
Galia Construction, Inc. DISQUALIFIED	$970,940	$26,000	$996,940
Northeast Roof Maintenance	$968,000	$38,000	$1,006,000
VMG Group, Inc.	$981,000	$30,000	$1,011,000
G.C. Dynatech Construction, LLC	$1,020,000	$36,000	$1,056,000
Mak Group, LLC	$1,088,758	$18,000	$1,106,758
Integrity Roofing, Inc.	$1,079,340	$35,000	$1,114,340
Strober-Wright Roofing Inc.	$1,109,255	$15,000	$1,124,255
JDS Industrial Roofing Contractors	$1,126,000	$35,000	$1,161,000
USA General Contractors Corp.	$1,145,000	$30,000	$1,175,000
D.A. Nolt	$1,276,282	$70,636	$1,346,918

WHEREAS,the two lowest bidders had material defects; and

WHEREAS, Northeast Roof Maintenance’s bid has been reviewed by the design professionals and attorney and is the lowest bid which is responsive to the bid requirements for the Project,

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby awards the Project to Northeast Roof Maintenance for one million six thousand dollars ($1,006,000). Project to be fully funding from voter approved referendum project monies.

C. Personnel/Student Services

C.1. Substitute Teachers

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

Name

Jan Cooper

Robin Seazholtz

Erica Kauffman

C.2 Summer Fun Positions - 2020-2021

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Summer Fun/ESY positions for the 2020-2021 school year.

Name	Position	Location	Salary
Meryl Lettire	Summer Fun/ESY Principal/Supervisor	MH	$15,738

C.3. Salary Adjustment

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a salary adjustment for Darlene Nardi, Payroll Administrator, to $70,000 (prorated),

effective January 1, 2020, to reflect changes to job responsibilities.

XIII. Unfinished Business

N/A

XIV. New Business

Mr. Brezee mentioned the listing on the district’s homepage regarding the process for applying for the Board of Education vacancy.

XV. Public Commentary (any topic)

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;

● Heather Silver, Quail Run, asked a question regarding Strategic Planning documents on the district’s website.

● Susie Chu, 2 Mustang Trail, asked a question regarding the budget process and Finance Committee membership.

XVI. Executive Session

● At 7:34 p.m. Mrs. Zohn 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

a collective bargaining agreement and/or negotiations related to it

Action will not be taken upon return to public session;

the length of the meeting is anticipated to be approximately 20 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. DiMaggio and approved by unanimous voice vote.

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the Board reconvened in open session at 8:38 p.m.

XVII. Adjourn

On motion by Mrs. Zohn, seconded by Mrs. DiMaggio, the meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

Minutes submitted by,

Patricia Leonhardt

Board Secretary

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